[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5978292,"mediaKeyId","5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238","parentId",5792769,"title","Learning Circle nonprofit asks Woodbridge schools to partner on peer tutoring for middle school math","audioSeconds",84,"startMs",4632000,"endMs",4716000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238&start=4632&end=4716","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238/thumbnail_4632000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5978292/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Learning-Circle-nonprofit-asks-Woodbridge-schools-to-partner-on-peer-tutoring-for-middle-school-math","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978292-d6b8250b4d1a2b66fe8adc62e1983a69/orig.mp4?Expires=1770891229&Signature=LZ5W3fsFcUD4pl4GQcFzf51kClNnjYAkQo-zVYlpFHe-Jij07Mt3DCGoIqdie9xjSHDlYwkkY4KO7v6uOFXrEeB4uG-LXZt2Cd3bTKSpEx4rz9IvMjxyM5VzcvawdEOlE65CZsdERnx3eSPYKmI7zkLags5378Yv8jn3B1-YG7P9CeM99pfkxCJoKFjqxcaOeGuSJyV6Xm7DUTl7pHpca9eRnFuRA0NmhWbNpmctxEWg-yAJ9Sl0NPuHmLP4mSC~O5ZJaFH9PATSx7NvwUfcervNIU5AlOJJjJatJfsX6WK7HV5hD-JAz44aAqgUR6JUIobh4LC8oRUFB6d8iwzEvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","WoodbridgeTV","date","2025-09-19T01:53:40Z","article","WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — Ria Patel, co‑founder of the nonprofit Learning Circle, asked the Woodbridge Township Board of Education on Sept. 18 to direct the administration to partner with the group and help restart and expand a peer-to-peer middle-school math tutoring program.

Patel said the Learning Circle ran virtual pre-algebra and algebra tutoring for Woodbridge students last year using high-school volunteers from Edison and Woodbridge and that the program kept support services running when in-person options were limited. She said the program raised $3,000 from private donations and that volunteers and families are eager to continue. \"We're not asking for the district to cover costs. We're asking for your partnership,\" she told the board.

The board chair said the board could open a discussion with administration but clarified that the board itself is not able to direct day-to-day administrative assignments during public comment. The superintendent said he would entertain conversations with the nonprofit and said staff would consider ways to fit community-run programs into district supervision and guidelines, if feasible.

No formal action or vote was taken at the meeting; the board asked the presenter to engage the administration and follow up.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Woodbridge Township School District Board of Education Meeting | September 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Learning Circle, a nonprofit that runs peer-to-peer tutoring, asked the board to direct administration to work with the group to continue and expand a virtual pre-algebra and algebra tutoring program for Woodbridge students; the board said it would open a discussion with administration but cannot direct administration during public comment.","taxTitle","Woodbridge Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",14265,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978297,"Public debate over 'equity' language surfaces at Woodbridge school board meeting",326,3342000,3668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238&start=3342&end=3668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238/thumbnail_3342000.jpg","/articles/5978297/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Public-debate-over-equity-language-surfaces-at-Woodbridge-school-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978297-20066e24d545e49cf74a67492398d9ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770891229&Signature=L6LCTupYTSvEywAI~QzcaAQu8PZAnqNArBgR9nbF1ny14XoHDVoduMF30HwQ1YTTXHu2SZd0Q5o8Cm1WMWupKWmvuEGU6-Z-Yg-QE0Fb4sfrIQkDlLhVC0EQiKn3Fy86bWYo58AyR8ZLvpYzos-d29US3cizxshzHeR9UwoJbrZRNXW9bRzXFzXAIx-STuG~LhJ5kWnrvp-ODqGUqtxEwFVS-ggAP~0B85Ick~57xIdrBJ8ihlAoYv2O5-CCLQZmnJV69fneAaS~HSY3tk1c4NJz4z1zl6EekjoP3O9Ns92eu-sfEy6qgeiGArRNonrNiHvaMwQNpXSQy9vTLuzNQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — A public speaker at the Sept. 18 Woodbridge Township Board of Education meeting urged the board to reconsider what he described as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming and warned of potential state funding consequences; board members said the district is following state-required equity planning and clarified how district-run programs operate.

Tom Mares (commenter) said the district’s job description changes and equity programs could be construed as DEI, and he urged the board to reconsider such programs. \"DEI by any other name is a divisive program,\" he said during public comment, citing concerns that critics of DEI have been \"silenced, disciplined, or branded as harmful.\" He urged the board to \"reexamine these programs\" and argued that state pressure could affect federal funding streams.

Board members and officials responded at length. Miss Anderson said the district does not have a director of DEI and that the language in the new job description was altered for clarity; she said the district is implementing the state-mandated comprehensive equity plan, which includes assistance for students with language needs, tutoring and supports for students experiencing homelessness. She added that affinity clubs in the district are \"open to all students.\" Miss Borden said she participates in some programs and described them as supportive rather than coercive.

No policy change or vote followed the exchange. Board members said they would continue to implement state requirements and to ensure student supports are available while engaging with community concerns.

","A lengthy public comment criticized what the speaker called DEI-related practices and urged the board to reexamine equity programs; board members responded that the district is following a state-mandated comprehensive equity plan and that affinity groups are open to all students.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978301,"Parents ask board for busing, cite missing sidewalks and safety near Forest Middle School",184,4846000,5030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238&start=4846&end=5030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238/thumbnail_4846000.jpg","/articles/5978301/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Parents-ask-board-for-busing-cite-missing-sidewalks-and-safety-near-Forest-Middle-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978301-c837c278683dd53ae028a4fedab5a91c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770891229&Signature=nHdOD0fBsaFK2j54pYMzA0WqIVPrLh7jKWfZIrAYvPVdQJtkzQ3wvXcCVx4-sUPCjzjUWHiR8lhj674g-OTUuLhOhkJAwbKVl8-Acw6XVbc5joETnZCh1HQQE5cbi76WM3ryuqSRSskonKv9B4iCN6rv3I5nOHBC8qUwHnV90alaR9qHvW-5zzKEEWyGVPann7KjIRv3uznZsJnPZCqEZEuMm4h9U~KGVrGDh08YX8q6Qi40PF9GsKMWrKRH68-IoLpjY0NX2eApwF~5NOpGE1dxdLBZUjfM9DG~Dm10WwtNXNCs25gP1nRgJRM4VZOOmiUIgtFXXQG~cdqYlEV0vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — Parents at the Sept. 18 Woodbridge Township Board of Education meeting urged the district to provide bus transportation for students who currently walk to Forest Middle School, citing unsafe sidewalks, heavy traffic and an absence of crossing guards.

Bridget Farber of Fords said her daughter and about 40 classmates must walk roughly 1.7 miles to Forest Middle and that some routes lack sidewalks and crosswalks. \"My daughter has to call me every day while I'm at work when she walks home. She's nearly been hit by a car twice,\" Farber said.

Board members and staff described how busing eligibility is determined under New Jersey law. An official explained the statute referenced at the meeting — 18A:39-1 — establishes that for elementary pupils (K–8) the statutory distance threshold is 2.0 miles and for secondary pupils (grades 9–12) it is 2.5 miles; short-distance walkers inside those thresholds are ordinarily not given district bus service. The board noted the transportation office uses a detailed field-evaluation form that considers roadway width, traffic speed and other hazards when assessing specific stops.

Officials said sidewalks and crossing-guard placement are municipal responsibilities for many roads, and urged residents concerned about specific intersections to file requests with municipal traffic safety authorities. The superintendent and transportation supervisor also offered to rerun route evaluations and review the site with municipal officials and the transportation department to determine whether extraordinary circumstances exist that would change a student’s eligibility for transport.

Board members acknowledged the district faces broader infrastructure limitations and budget constraints if it were to provide district-funded courtesy busing for students already inside the statutory walking distance.

No board vote was taken; transportation staff said they would recheck routes and respond to the parent’s follow-up request.

","A parent said middle-schoolers are being asked to walk roughly 1.7 miles without adequate sidewalks or crossing guards; board members and transportation staff explained New Jersey statutory distance standards and advised next steps for evaluations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978307,"Public questions jump in Woodbridge budget increases even as district enrollment falls",440,243000,683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238&start=243&end=683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238/thumbnail_243000.jpg","/articles/5978307/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Public-questions-jump-in-Woodbridge-budget-increases-even-as-district-enrollment-falls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978307-1d6234296b1ef30315388230d992753b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770891229&Signature=MYQWxkgPrqWybSWA1wV7MVqlUDurh6fXj6QAa2JaOIhW4Yl2ZqEe240LHT4~VnhkuLkpb5Yk06w-SCozSnJWngLyjlzSUJuH5n2W90DXq5iXtxYktKnNvAJGOjFVAo44q9g9AsbVnQqba2n1mFE0AY2rkHf-DVovRzgYrQEkBmDwUiJmVXM99Qd-UjVVTrCBTbV5j9CmAN4lauloAmIWw9UbD~B5cIG9VhQi9LFCAyHSD9rGW2CE6McKdc8P0jdMkoDhDsUQvWqUSPLgPZTFBRF~bpVPlYqXdbyZtrfCy8M8K3BlupOWsntugVpHFb15Cvu1rSUIs~7hPqFtiYorQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — At the Sept. 18 Woodbridge Township Board of Education meeting, a member of the public asked the district to explain a roughly $18.9 million rise in the school budget over the year while student enrollment has fallen by about 360–370 students.

Tom Morris of Fords pointed to finance-agenda figures that included a bill-payment line of $9,538,325.32 on the meeting voucher list and said the district’s budget had increased by $18,915,308.47 since January. He asked the board to explain the jump \"particularly in light of the fact that our school enrollment has gone down considerably somewhere around 360 to 370 students.\"

Dr. Massimino, the superintendent, told Morris the monthly adjustments reflect items that arrive after a budget is prepared and that the district must record. \"When we do a budget, there are items that we don't know we're going to receive that we cannot budget for because we may not receive them,\" he said, adding that the administration would share the detailed bill list with any resident who requested it.

Later in the meeting the finance and insurance committee presented nine agenda items on the committee's recommendation; the board adopted the committee’s recommendations on a roll-call vote (motion by Mr. Tremblasser; second by Mr. Mohammed; roll call recorded all yes). The approval covered the committee’s listed items as presented on the agenda; specific line items were not parsed in public during the vote other than the prior public comment citing the bills total.

The board did not adopt any new tax-levy or budget ordinance at the meeting; members said they would respond to requests for line-item detail by email or after the meeting.

","A public commenter asked why the district’s budget increased significantly since January despite a reported enrollment decline; the superintendent said budget adjustments reflect unanticipated revenue and necessary updates, and finance committee items on the agenda were adopted by the board.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978312,"Woodbridge parents say box trucks bought to replace decommissioned band buses lack space; district urges coordination",2483,777000,3260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238&start=777&end=3260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5792769-9e6b8307ebbd08ff8fea65125ade9238/thumbnail_777000.jpg","/articles/5978312/Woodbridge-Township-School-District/School-Districts/New-Jersey/Woodbridge-parents-say-box-trucks-bought-to-replace-decommissioned-band-buses-lack-space-district-urges-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978312-1d1daddab147a1b107134068c83287d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770891229&Signature=e0kYTETbryDC0zXzZDNX4o5zCzChLzwNuXsDUiY9MFXNvjaGH00O~wKK85G7Ha9ByFhEC38EyyxEq67BNS4NxZaBFGDS8pIXu9lBpbdJAtJJ-THiQynWj8JjRi79Zl2IvZK2SZis-7YpxQ8lBBnj82YwsZlIqnwv4gNvQTa0tVmyEpohJkEs6VjdA-AhY-iBGHOd4hRXBhXGPBtQOPt3en7QWrjxOhC6zNHYzzlrfUloJufXaW214~Cu2DZ62BE8U3cXpG9uejwN0r50GYq6FOe9bKRKZD8rOyICHkN0W72sgxS6z~gDn3fgwDZ8JVj1dva3XcHYhYtG2YrXICAhig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WOODBRIDGE, N.J. — Band parents told the Woodbridge Township Board of Education on Sept. 18 that three box trucks the district bought to replace decommissioned school buses will not hold their equipment at competitions and that district communications about the change broke down. The superintendent said administrators have offered the trucks as a practical replacement for aging, unsafe buses and asked band directors and athletic directors to coordinate with transportation to make the vehicles usable.

Parents described tight timelines and insufficient cargo space. Henry Ingram of Fords said comparing a retired bus’s capacity \"to a 26 foot box truck that only holds a 192 square feet\" means \"that space is inadequate completely\" if multiple schools compete the same day. Heather Petrie of Iselin, who said she has loaded buses for four years, told the board, \"they're not gonna fit,\" and described a pit and front ensemble that had outgrown past transport solutions.

The district’s superintendent, Dr. Massimino, told the meeting the buses were removed because they were near the end of their useful, safe life and that the administration purchased three interchangeable box trucks so every high school would have a vehicle to use. He said the transportation supervisor notified principals and athletic directors in March and that administration’s expectation was that buildings, band directors and parents would work through outfitting and scheduling over the summer. \"I can't answer a question you don't ask,\" he told parents who said they had not been informed.

Board and transportation officials offered several short-term options discussed at the meeting: adding ramps or lift gates, outfitting the trucks with removable shelving, using wheelchair vans that have extra floor space, borrowing municipal box trucks or other town vehicles, and — only as a last resort — parents renting vehicles. The board encouraged band directors to contact the transportation supervisor to request specific outfitting (shelves, ramps, lift gates) and to coordinate among schools so box trucks can be shared when multiple bands compete.

District staff said the trucks were purchased to be utilitarian and interchangeable, not permanently assigned to a single school, and that carpentry or shop staff could install ramps and shelving if directors specify needs. Board members and the superintendent repeatedly urged parents and band directors to route requests through principals and athletic directors so the transportation office can log and prioritize work orders.

Parents at the meeting pressed for immediate solutions because competitions begin quickly; the administration acknowledged the timing is tight and said transportation would follow up. The superintendent asked principals to ensure band directors and athletic directors coordinate with the transportation supervisor and promised the district would try to source additional vehicles or municipal assistance where feasible.

The meeting produced no board vote on the trucks themselves; the purchase had been approved earlier. Several parents said they would meet with school staff and the transportation office and report back to the board if short-term fixes (ramps, shelving, borrowed municipal vehicles) were not sufficient.

The board said it would continue to work with parents and school staff to identify a practical mix of short-term fixes and a longer-term plan for transporting large ensembles and props.

","At the Sept. 18 Woodbridge Board of Education meeting, band parents pressed district officials after three retired school buses were replaced with box trucks. Parents said the trucks lack capacity for competitions; the superintendent pointed to a communication breakdown and urged band directors to coordinate with transportation and principals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Learning Circle nonprofit asks Woodbridge schools to partner on peer tutoring for middle school math

Public debate over 'equity' language surfaces at Woodbridge school board meeting

Parents ask board for busing, cite missing sidewalks and safety near Forest Middle School

Public questions jump in Woodbridge budget increases even as district enrollment falls

Woodbridge parents say box trucks bought to replace decommissioned band buses lack space; district urges coordination