[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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",6765353,"mediaKeyId","5785953-39602cc15fe9e6811eaeeaa966dc7e64","parentId",5785953,"title","Board hears curriculum budget priorities and first reading of graduation requirement tied to service learning or cultural competence","audioSeconds",4588,"startMs",4239470,"endMs",8827480,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785953-39602cc15fe9e6811eaeeaa966dc7e64&start=4239&end=8827","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785953-39602cc15fe9e6811eaeeaa966dc7e64/thumbnail_4239470.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6765353/New-Jersey/Board-hears-curriculum-budget-priorities-and-first-reading-of-graduation-requirement-tied-to-service-learning-or-cultural-competence","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6765353-5dd15b31eb1f59de0879a31a64bf1fe6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894346&Signature=jHAD8io5AXMAE31Rz3pgDQjonoUjve8apM7hty43uY7aihmiy13CIWOayTTfsIjlmH4vupb-pKtuW3vngKdi-Nz~7C5I7jqqHEfd0Hv2Y3BW4LrC6BJWt2QwGUyWXsXVfm90z2pIwEa6XZQ~uq~xbbulZZPdWosO948EXIm20coI0tU8eluotMW5gUnjVtaGVeM717YDNv-NyDtmKvF1uWg5NJP3cpEDWCFu6VCZTwBp4eiEdcCsKzInwMkmxBeggYTo~ljYCyO~acUeCOOB2qrL-8y-6jtOrU5kNT81mJK9os~7ZLtBeDWHxteFsNLUxd6-UUs~Rba~x04gKn9rqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hopewell Valley Regional School District, NJ","date","2025-09-16T01:27:15Z","article","At the Hopewell Valley Regional Board meeting the Curriculum and Instruction Office presented priorities that include Responsive Practices (social-emotional learning), data-driven instruction, and strengthening Tier 1 instruction. Assistant Superintendent Vicki Politis said the largest anticipated budget item is a district K–5 ELA program the administration plans to roll out over three years, with an estimated $100,000–$200,000 annual cost for training and implementation.

Politis said the district has already invested in multiple reading and writing programs and is commissioning a program audit to streamline resources and avoid unnecessary duplication. \"When we did the NVISION program I think it was like $300,000 over two years,\" a board member recalled during discussion, and Politis explained that much of the ELA estimate reflects publisher-provided training for staff.

Separately, the policy committee advanced Policy 5460 on first reading; the revision would require students to complete 2.5 credits that \"promote either service learning or cultural competence\" to graduate. Principal Riley told the board the district has a list of existing classes that would meet the requirement and estimated \"about 60 to 70% of the student body\" already complete qualifying coursework. Several public commenters asked whether some listed classes run only in alternating years and whether requirements would force students into extra out-of-school volunteer hours; administrators said most service-learning options could be satisfied during the school day and that only a small number of current classes require outside hours.

Public feedback at the meeting also stressed concerns about kindergarten class sizes and paraprofessional coverage; a speaker described a current kindergarten class of 23 with one paraprofessional and urged the district to restore broader paraprofessional support. Administration said state code triggers an additional paraprofessional at 25 students and that current largest kindergarten sections are at 23 with one para, which the superintendent said meets state requirements though she acknowledged community concern.

Ending: the board approved policies for second reading, will publish the comprehensive curriculum slide deck, and plans further committee review for budget trade-offs and program audits. The administration said it will provide the demographer's report and more detailed figures about pilot developments and student generation to the public when available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HVRSD Board of Education General Meeting September 15th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Curriculum & Instruction office outlined priorities and budget implications, and the policy committee moved a revised high-school graduation policy requiring 2.5 credits of service learning or cultural competence to second reading.","taxTitle","Hopewell Valley Regional School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",56701,"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},6765364,"Hopewell Valley superintendent lays out two-question referendum to fix aging buildings and add classrooms",6394,1037349,7432130,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785953-39602cc15fe9e6811eaeeaa966dc7e64&start=1037&end=7432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785953-39602cc15fe9e6811eaeeaa966dc7e64/thumbnail_1037349.jpg","/articles/6765364/New-Jersey/Hopewell-Valley-superintendent-lays-out-two-question-referendum-to-fix-aging-buildings-and-add-classrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6765364-f93830aeafcabb7344a8e783488aa92e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894346&Signature=EeNGJLz1KKnQJo7c2njADVgG1vvoQLYMR4gPJTRCGZEZYaYCNPeVBSu35PZMVU5XR2iTQL1ACJ4z4diReORpyqd4qLM6CuVbT2Sejd70cid~ek00qzee6scY2WlBSdZ3lxVc-fN~wLZT~wSX2GQ5dnoNSZkxqf6HVF5k6DVyaoENyh909kuB8G0J~VtcfREIHIU8XDqfJZYJLzdw1ED6f4jmt6oiASU7YA85uTh6tqmPa~5K8QfIw6Bg2qAoDv2ZmbttQo5PsXek15gO3NqWv19M3wto9XIswOiquplL~BE9Jjeirzzo-xbcDuqrVtCuTnkPNZuYFvVX3AwF56-enA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hopewell Valley Regional School District plans to put two referendum questions before voters on Nov. 4, Superintendent Dr. Treece told the board, saying the first question would fund critical building integrity and infrastructure repairs and the second would pay for school additions to address enrollment growth.

The referendum \"will be on November 4th,\" Dr. Treece said, and she described Question 1 as targeted to repairs such as HVAC, door and structural work and wells at Timberlane and Bear Tavern that, if left unaddressed, \"would cause a catastrophic failure\" and risk disrupting school operations. She told the board that state matching funds could cover up to 40% of eligible projects and noted that \"we have to bond out the whole amount first and then they will give us 20 million back.\"

Why it matters: the district is pressing the vote because aging buildings and recent unplanned failures — a sewer failure at Bear Tavern, a failed well at Timberlane and a cafeteria pump failure at the high school — have increased urgency, Dr. Treece said. At least two schools and the board office are about 100 years old, she said, and the newest building is more than two decades old.

The second question would fund additions at Bear Tavern and Tollgate that together would add roughly 10 classrooms each; the administration said spaces would be equipped for any grade level and help remove long-standing trailer classrooms that pose security and weather risks. \"If we don't build, this is going to continue to be a problem,\" Dr. Treece said, summarizing the demographer's projection of near-term enrollment growth.

Fiscal context: the superintendent and board described limited flexibility in the operating budget (a reported 2% cap and heavy personnel costs) and growing health-benefit expenses that strain the district. Assistant and finance staff warned the board that health insurance is a major driver of budget pressure and that state policies such as Chapter 44 affect bargaining and benefit costs. The administration said some state waivers may be available but are not guaranteed.

Community outreach and contingencies: Dr. Treece said the district is running a broad outreach campaign — town halls, presence at fall events, social media and a virtual town hall — and that a recently commissioned demographer will publish more detailed student-projection data. The superintendent cautioned that municipal actions affecting development and tax-abatement pilots could affect district finances and that a promised $16.1 million contribution toward Bear Tavern depends on litigation and other municipal decisions.

Board action and next steps: board members asked for detailed tax-impact calculators and the district said it will publish slides and tools on the district website. The board held routine votes (minutes, donations and consent items) and advanced a separate first reading on a refunding bond ordinance intended to refinance prior debt; the referendum itself remains subject to the Nov. 4 ballot and voter approval.

Ending: Dr. Treece closed by asking residents to be informed and to participate in the virtual town hall; the district will post materials and a recorded session for those unable to attend in real time.","The Hopewell Valley Regional School District plans to place two referendum questions on the Nov. 4 ballot: one to fix critical building systems and another to add classrooms to address enrollment growth, Superintendent Dr. Treece told the board.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6765359,"Hopewell Valley Climate Action Committee outlines plan for decarbonization, grants and student engagement",0,2540290,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785953-39602cc15fe9e6811eaeeaa966dc7e64&start=2540&end=2540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785953-39602cc15fe9e6811eaeeaa966dc7e64/thumbnail_2540290.jpg","/articles/6765359/New-Jersey/Hopewell-Valley-Climate-Action-Committee-outlines-plan-for-decarbonization-grants-and-student-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6765359-c6ce1a1a8cc0d888231986a537f7decf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894346&Signature=Mc769wrMZb5meJjYnp4ZES5icThVmPIy4RIjEwE60d3YbcLOmelQl7VpKZ69J3AXcEJIqDXlsF4cdFwrpBysoncOijHVS1nAhEw7JQJ~tN0pA2TjTu9qzKirOKnclRS03BDy7bgWTfJL7dAJqjEGbMQSsTT5h9UWYZ3DF8D5ZzczDdDcaggGI6tee1FCB7pIookKWyOYK9rf2CEogWt5cwZ0ye8i2x98190PuPFr9Kwa4zkE71c7SHFoBIbaKZhUDjQIUGdFzjIbOrMSX9cwpLOcqGNuHHouHZM0TNSv6Whkl0-d7qb-JBajhNu6N4bs0tFDCITb254gOQbRjcRX7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Co-chairs Scott Bertell, principal of Hopewell Elementary School, and Callum McGrath, an art teacher and co-chair, presented the Climate Action Committee's annual report, highlighting student-led education, transportation surveys and grant-supported resilience work.

Bertell said the committee's work is organized into subcommittees for Education, Transportation, Food and Waste, Resilience and Facilities and noted student programs such as Green Week, school gardens and an ecology elective at the high school. \"Our yes Club has been instrumental\" in outreach and student engagement, presenters said during the report.

The presenters highlighted small external funding the committee secured, including a $1,000 STEM mini-grant for professional development and, more substantively, a climate resilience grant from the New Jersey Department of Education for roughly $30,000 to support additional or new rain gardens at each school and hands-on stormwater management curriculum that began in June.

On transportation, the committee reported survey results showing substantial parent pickup activity and discussed steps toward zero-emission buses, improved traffic flow and electric-vehicle charging; staff noted that district electrical service upgrades would be required before large-scale charger installation and that previous bus-grant applications had been denied due to service limitations and typical rural mileage profiles.

The committee also described food and waste actions — waste audits, composting pilots, plant-based meal options and moves to reduce single-use plastic — and resilience measures including classroom resources for extreme-weather response and coordination with external partners, such as the Watershed Institute and Mercer County Planning for a stormwater review of campuses.

Ending: the board thanked committee members and asked the administration to continue pursuing grants and coordination with facilities and finance to align resilience and decarbonization steps with capital planning (including possible integration with referendum projects).","The Climate Action Committee presented its year-long work to the board, detailing education initiatives, transportation goals (including a push toward zero-emission buses), waste-reduction and resilience efforts and announced a $30,000 New Jersey Department of Education climate resilience grant for rain-garden installations and curriculum.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears curriculum budget priorities and first reading of graduation requirement tied to service learning or cultural competence

Hopewell Valley superintendent lays out two-question referendum to fix aging buildings and add classrooms

Hopewell Valley Climate Action Committee outlines plan for decarbonization, grants and student engagement