[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6488264,"mediaKeyId","5611512-e08ddbbfcf65e05b899fb3308379f061","parentId",5611512,"title","Superintendent reports summer programs, facility upgrades and fall start dates","audioSeconds",852,"startMs",6248000,"endMs",7100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611512-e08ddbbfcf65e05b899fb3308379f061&start=6248&end=7100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611512-e08ddbbfcf65e05b899fb3308379f061/thumbnail_6248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488264/New-Jersey/Superintendent-reports-summer-programs-facility-upgrades-and-fall-start-dates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488264-71978010357dc0e7ed16a40e772223bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155193&Signature=HSJZLXjQE7SfWJRL0VoRLwHbi-6dFBFqNiocmCQHn7hZhIZCvmVLIM23jg-V3Q2WkAd7JSCka9aTPy~FTSssY6RROEFVNaxSWglLlKhlO1ikwoiCMljVmwxgQgI8kwT~f4A-IhDTgtZUxe8rCrPvxjFJU5KS~APafmk1VSVpIzq6qtgFtf60t2fAsVAtnmJR4Cp9dNMNrr7epfzYPkKXBxaAZjhD4d10s1a6cLfL04UZEYRjWLjopMGUxAG7J0ctbez1sO1WeP-dvV9aTqwzcT4Jl0AxY5b7Wj8k3SVsywsRPLjUVLVGhlaT66FZmAMqqqHfibECgeRHXqAPFwhHkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lodi School District","date","2025-08-21T01:04:58.647Z","article","Superintendent Jerry D'Amico reported on summer programming, facilities work and fall start dates Tuesday as the Lodi Board of Education concluded a special meeting at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

D'Amico said the district ran extended learning and enrichment programs this summer, including a special-education extended school year (ESY) program and a four-week STEAM/LEAD program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Rising seventh- and eighth-grade students attended STEM boot camps at Lodi High School where instruction included entry-level programming and rapid prototyping.

“Students had a great time learning something new and applying those skills immediately,” D'Amico told the board.

Other summer offerings included Title I remediation and ESL supports at Lodi High School, a summer anatomy and physiology course for students pursuing pre-med pathways, college-credit courses through the Felician Academy and a summer music program for grades 4–12 that concluded with a concert.

D'Amico highlighted facility projects completed or underway: a reimagined STEM lab at Thomas Jefferson Middle School equipped with 3-D printers and laser engravers; a renovated student restroom at TJMS; and an extensive theater upgrade at Lodi High School that will add new lighting, sound, acoustical paneling, flooring, seating and an extended stage.

The district also replaced older interactive boards with Promethean flat panels in 61 classrooms and will issue Chromebooks under its 1-to-1 initiative to students in grades 3, 6 and 9 at the start of the school year.

D'Amico noted progress on assessment results, saying the district’s math scores rose 9% on spring state assessments and that English language learners showed steady gains on ACCESS for ELLs tests.

He reviewed graduation numbers for the Class of 2025: 241 of 242 eligible seniors graduated; 43 students passed an alternative competency assessment in ELA, 141 passed an alternative competency assessment in mathematics, 36 students were IEP exempt and 10 used a portfolio process to show proficiency. One student was denied graduation.

Administrative notes: the district welcomed a new Wilson School principal, Dr. Jared Fowler; hired more than 20 new educators at orientation; and thanked community partners for donations of backpacks. The superintendent closed by reminding the board that faculty orientation begins Sept. 2, students return for a half day on Sept. 4 and the first full day is Sept. 5.

Why it matters: The report outlines investments in STEM, arts and student supports, key elements for instructional planning and budget oversight as the district begins a new school year.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lodi Board of Education - Special Meeting - August 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lodi superintendent Jerry D'Amico summarized summer academic programs, staffing, building upgrades and technology improvements ahead of the 2025–26 school year, including a renovated STEM lab, theater overhaul and a 1-to-1 Chromebook roll-out for select grades.","taxTitle","Lodi School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",76340,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6488269,"Lodi Board appoints William Thomas to fill vacancy after two-candidate interview",4478,1632000,6110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611512-e08ddbbfcf65e05b899fb3308379f061&start=1632&end=6110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611512-e08ddbbfcf65e05b899fb3308379f061/thumbnail_1632000.jpg","/articles/6488269/New-Jersey/Lodi-Board-appoints-William-Thomas-to-fill-vacancy-after-two-candidate-interview","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488269-aa85059123440bf67e999ef2a49fc976/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155193&Signature=oaLutImt-4DqHowWZMsBRhUq4xKGGEqJSVispON40FKgqcOiQN5ypvokMdE3G5aYACXPRECVMg06vLAK2XcoAE7z0N1OI2zf~4VMrH8oYwk8vHUhMSYmkZBhDGqfp25y7OnLMKjTitr3rBMeHk1aKmeDU7jUBEJPl1eR7SeeMTufrZShj9izgsXsrofsPsoqWDTfBkLqlvn2I9b36WQAyQVt7YhMFkTJlakAJLm2u1VzrOT0HOXRRfRMsESsb7jW9qFNRQBWZ57UpjSWp7Tc6NXHVo5RWqfg3G2cqYVu51di~Mq-30yK-WchgSMLMsa-QdTYVa4gE6rxUNAc74TmHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lodi Board of Education appointed William Thomas to a board vacancy Tuesday night after interviewing two finalists and returning from closed-session deliberations.

The appointment fills the seat vacated by Jocelyn Anderson, who resigned on July 14, 2025. The board conducted public interviews with candidates Omar Lopez and William Thomas; each candidate answered eight questions and was given three minutes per question.

Board President Miss Cardone said the choice was difficult and thanked both candidates for applying and urged the unsuccessful candidate to consider running in the future. “This was maybe one of the toughest decisions that I know I had to make being on the board,” she said.

The board first entertained a motion to appoint Omar Lopez; that motion did not pass after a roll-call vote. A subsequent motion to appoint William Thomas passed on a roll call that produced five yes votes, resulting in Thomas’s selection.

William Thomas introduced himself during the public interview and emphasized leadership and community service. “I have a passion for leadership … I volunteer a lot within the community,” Thomas said during his remarks at the podium.

Omar Lopez framed his candidacy around student support and increased public engagement. “I want to be on the board of education because I want to help the students of Lodi,” Lopez told the board.

Following the vote, board officials said they would not administer the oath of office at the special meeting. The new appointee will be sworn in at the board’s next regular meeting in September; the district office will contact Thomas about required fingerprinting and onboarding steps.

Why it matters: The appointee joins the board ahead of the 2025–26 school year and will participate in decisions that affect curriculum, facilities and budgeting. Candidates and several board members stressed the need to expand community engagement so more residents attend meetings and know district actions.

Key procedural details and clarifications: The vacancy originated with a resignation dated July 14, 2025. The board used a standardized interview script of eight questions; candidates were limited to three minutes per question. The board recessed to closed session for deliberations before returning to public session to take votes.

Next steps: The district will schedule the oath of office at the regular September meeting and notify the appointee about fingerprinting and any mandatory trainings required for board members.

","After interviewing two candidates in a public special meeting and deliberating in closed session, the Lodi Board of Education voted to appoint William Thomas to the vacancy created by Jocelyn Anderson’s July 14, 2025, resignation. The board discussed community engagement, candidate qualifications and next steps for swearing-in.","actionData","errors"]

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Superintendent reports summer programs, facility upgrades and fall start dates

Lodi Board appoints William Thomas to fill vacancy after two-candidate interview