[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6492900,"mediaKeyId","5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a","parentId",5796929,"title","Parent urges board to change bus stop after safety concerns on Lake Wauk Hill Road","audioSeconds",180,"startMs",7425000,"endMs",7605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a&start=7425&end=7605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a/thumbnail_7425000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6492900/New-Jersey/Parent-urges-board-to-change-bus-stop-after-safety-concerns-on-Lake-Wauk-Hill-Road","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492900-15df756f5e9eb66dbf5cde2cf8d36771/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574684&Signature=VS-qdKbPX-EzHOuzpW6DWaEmZeiRyRqwio3NTVP8Hl7R8vnGzu2KKPsZUUfASrIDxTZy8Wo0CCodH-GCw-flL2KOU6l0QLbLqINm83SL072Rv9B-DN0oEEEGkvq6DoyGzs2RUgk7CfQEDpbc8PfOwkIJuDHF~qIlC8F-B8MoVsT63kxFrOdCavJVbKcKfnNfqeKo4KEyYlYI-KrdtxvqkNuts7PAg3li--uhBBqlRAiTyu6V8Uq2QiWPwaDG-EidOvLijS6bJFjn5tFYGfUc-CHqa1RpKqznxs5uniYsoWz9YZnQL9uY-8ozHwLPAaFA3dwUDBxnGfWiRZSwr7Upag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vernon Township School District","date","2025-09-19T13:32:24Z","article","During the public comment portion of the Sept. 18 meeting, a parent and long-time district volunteer, Jean Valparino, raised safety concerns about a bus stop that requires kindergarten-aged children to cross Lake Wauk Hill Road to board morning and afternoon buses.

Valparino said there are multiple very young children at the stop and described the roadway as \"a raceway\" with motorists frequently exceeding the posted speed. She said some parents include pregnant caregivers and caregivers with toddlers who must escort children across the road and urged the district to move the stop to a safer location within the neighborhood or otherwise adjust routing. \"We shouldn't be asking 5 year olds to cross Lake Wauk Hill Road,\" she said during public comment.

Board members acknowledged the concern and said the administration would look into the routing and speak with transportation staff to consider alternatives. No formal action was taken during the meeting; the board noted it would look into the parents' requests and the transportation team's options for stop placement and safety measures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting: September 18th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A parent during public comment said her grandson and several other young children must cross a 40‑mph road daily to reach a bus stop and urged the board and administration to change the stop; board members said they would review the routing and transportation concerns.","taxTitle","Vernon Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",54426,"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},6492904,"Board welcomes student representative; student council outlines goals for school year",367,3173000,3540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a&start=3173&end=3540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a/thumbnail_3173000.jpg","/articles/6492904/New-Jersey/Board-welcomes-student-representative-student-council-outlines-goals-for-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492904-06cbfac65e3ee907939ef7befce1e523/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574684&Signature=YUC1Do5ZOF6OI3oxTsDM~7u~n3vekyKEo2G7uowsfIFlpophFKV9Zaf4sdYsv3ln0BrJqJlKxFX2dtTzIRxl~UmRcLPT1tEnb5QFxlCZNh1WDMER4oq1QqIndos6ddLmb1MX4Eml7vD~3Rvm3RUx-OVWYqVnphPF~HIzWKyTKsPdj6mhr1OonZLF5qjhU-3i7AZGV7iUDPm1sHH8z3Bes637rCq9bS~crDgk6d6BstBP3Jl2ueP9JPJLouU8vo1Npp~RwKyyEvA7tjoQjjnLeax06EltPxSpxjdKT~iS~0gl2qcpo7cWCiM6Qj8-3iYofFS4Un~EjZ9mx0gRRqc28A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vernon Township Board of Education on Sept. 18 introduced Calista O'Donnell as the district's student representative for the 2025–26 school year and heard presentations from the high-school student advisory council.

Natalie Orlando, student council president, told the board the council will focus on increasing school spirit and expanding student representation by adding homeroom representatives and coordinating spirit weeks across schools. \"Our first goal is to increase school spirit and community involvement. Our second goal is to give students a stronger voice in our school's decisions,\" Orlando said.

Vice president Matthew Salentano described implementation steps including regular meetings with class officers, collecting feedback through surveys and suggestion boxes, and working with administration to bring student input into decision-making.

The board also recognized senior class president Lucas Savitsky for his remarks at the district convocation. Savitsky outlined senior-class priorities including fundraising to maintain affordable prom and class trips and preserving graduation traditions.

The appointments and student reports were presented during the meeting's recognition and presentation segment; there was no formal board vote required for the student representative announcement.","The board introduced Calista O'Donnell as the Board of Education student representative and heard student-advisory council leaders outline goals to increase school spirit and student voice; senior class president Lucas Savitsky previewed fundraising and senior-year priorities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6492908,"Board approves auditorium lighting, Glen Meadow AC replacement and other contracts; T-Mobile donation for VTHS weight room accepted",6213,4377000,10590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a&start=4377&end=10590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a/thumbnail_4377000.jpg","/articles/6492908/New-Jersey/Board-approves-auditorium-lighting-Glen-Meadow-AC-replacement-and-other-contracts-T-Mobile-donation-for-VTHS-weight-room-accepted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492908-c79a4e837b3f0cab9f06bf912bfac4b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574684&Signature=aPlwUffzwnj2dQxUlZ3JdUEGeQbowCNt~U3lA6pWdw8srEBFRyvgUtD8k~lO7bMS2Uk~c5vlnikrbvvbfXTp2RnJmWmY5Id3vypc0uK3fAEvnnZesOwM8j6BcHmejbzuFPQUXhfeZQiTRSpg5dB3Wy1oSYVT8gUm3sJWKu~6~HvI~Ce0BHwKhxgaepGD~doRNeTxidGdWLHcGDG~UgdOrG2gnzD0EydT8GgghgxSMaRAeN2wKZVqj63ZGxUVUYPWMlvnM2TMYADTD5kumGmUanfMecVblrmLrE-noJIJaBrRMrI6v8rXkmV-h~EDVRKFszXUsa~bBlH6jVVdSKIWHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vernon Township Board of Education on Sept. 18 approved a package of business resolutions that included several capital and service contracts, the disposition of obsolete items and a $5,000 donation from T-Mobile for Vernon Township High School athletic improvements.

Among the contracts the board approved by roll-call vote were:

- A proposal from PureTech Group for a high school auditorium lighting system upgrade, $74,399.26 (Ed Data Cooperative cooperative contract).
- A proposal from McCloskey Mechanical Contractors, Inc. to replace the main air‑conditioning unit serving the Glen Meadow main distribution frame (MDF), $35,261 (cooperative contract).
- Professional services from USA Architects for proposed elevator upgrades at Vernon Township High School and Lounsbury (Lansbury) Hollow, $24,800.
- Acceptance of a $5,000 contribution from T-Mobile's community initiative to support weight-room improvements at VTHS; additional booster and alumni donations were also noted.

Other business approvals included transportation and financial reports, disposition of obsolete technology and equipment, and service agreements for special-education evaluations and therapy providers. The board also approved an $11,679.96 proximity learning agreement (for a short-term vacancy) as part of curriculum recommendations.

Board members asked administrators about cost drivers on several projects, particularly the Glen Meadow and other campus PA and wiring issues, where vendors identified additional wiring or rewiring needs that increased change-order estimates. Administrators said they were seeking additional vendor reviews and planning to prioritize projects based on safety and operational need.

The motion to approve the business package passed in a roll-call vote; recorded yes votes included a majority of board members present and minutes record \"Motion carries.\"","The board approved a set of business resolutions including a $74,399.26 auditorium lighting upgrade, a $35,261 replacement for the Glen Meadow main MDF air conditioning unit, a $24,800 elevator study/proposal, and accepted $5,000 from T‑Mobile toward weight room improvements; proposals were approved by roll-call vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6492918,"Vernon Board adopts five district goals including strategic plan timeline and governance certification",273,6627000,6900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a&start=6627&end=6900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a/thumbnail_6627000.jpg","/articles/6492918/New-Jersey/Vernon-Board-adopts-five-district-goals-including-strategic-plan-timeline-and-governance-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492918-4ee633840ec7cc1ffe6732d3a8e06190/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574684&Signature=jxGN3qYNScgzFeXfQinq9AVNMinO7x9yOBLNKGjW0HC4QpjUtvMuZg99ZFRVfzI7cah6aFs5tzOFPkVzBdYPLee1Kyvmc3GkQD8BWdUUeAji7bWlJQJDhs0OYHN8ZSWn394Nw0mr77qr867dpEyQ7dZTkn~2E96DcTn9RL3ofl74lTW994XmOpl~WkfkbJo2brIgyCg5zfIeLckFomenovhrCQyCRxLjhp6xBajfo5U4YAEe3MW9qzxYa9vDkbtBFZnowfjp5wLsINDoxlehb6HwleQtKOvf9~dKfXyxcbr3vmOkleWDuSCyokMgxEt0ZVZas~u5uoiMKDoVSrZppw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vernon Township Board of Education voted on Sept. 18 to approve five board goals for the 2025–26 school year that cover governance and leadership development, a district strategic planning process, improved communications, finance and facilities planning and student success.

Board documents describe the goals as follows: become a certified board and establish mentorship and onboarding for new members; launch a collaborative strategic planning process with community input and adopt a final plan by June 2026; strengthen public communications and social media in coordination with district staff; engage in long-term fiscal and facilities planning that could include evaluating the need for a future referendum; and prioritize academic growth, inclusive learning and student health through committee oversight.

Board members moved and seconded the motion and approved the package in a roll-call vote. Recorded yes votes during the roll call included Mr. Fisher, Mr. Krauss, Ms. Pellet, Mr. Sweeney, Ms. Vaccarello, Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. Semaglia and Mr. Contino; the public minutes state \"Motion carries.\" The board president noted the listed committee alignments alongside goals are not a change to standing committee structure and that committee structure would be addressed separately at an upcoming retreat.

The board will now proceed with next steps outlined in the goals: timeline authorization for strategic planning, arranging community input opportunities and implementing governance-strengthening activities across the 2025–26 year.","The Vernon Township Board of Education voted to approve five board goals for 2025–26 covering governance and leadership, strategic planning, communication, finance/facilities and student success; the motion passed by roll call.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6492922,"Vernon Township reports 249 graduates; district details graduation pathways and post‑graduation destinations",557,5768000,6325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a&start=5768&end=6325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796929-ffd4a10757b704c818dfaa218556e38a/thumbnail_5768000.jpg","/articles/6492922/New-Jersey/Vernon-Township-reports-249-graduates-district-details-graduation-pathways-and-postgraduation-destinations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6492922-bd290df40fa5db5016c2c65de0dbb662/orig.mp4?Expires=1773574684&Signature=UPX9Nk0tYdLOqcoZeROruBa~fxltbMXfjcErXMFKhdHwu0RrBJcdKicieqxK939~qAWafrZhuak0eNfOHhw4IB6suJq2OzERf-NVhHIOoNI8GG9kTTyRMbAkqENAK09tmVrSuDtBd0imBnVdpc~8z3ZKt91MBXEjs4Q7JLN5IeHiPQ~e8l1EbO3oBYoucSCVd1qH5akx-fGYTbSm4Pu4AM1sdzjLEYmC54Oeazdq2qa4HHPzp7wZVRUMWqNM0Zz6SaFA-PucfISNK2ZFlUmhFr-y7B7XCPRZYI5mZB9iMd-zSeIY4hLFYuTQeHbgj2GcR4eFgfW8DuhUsAiXCRIxXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vernon Township School District officials told the Board of Education on Sept. 18 that 249 students were listed as graduates for the class of 2025 and that 98.7% of the cohort met graduation requirements through one of three state-approved pathways.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Vinny Gagliastro presented the district's annual graduation report and explained the three routes students may use to earn a diploma under New Jersey rules: passage of the NJGPA assessment, qualifying via substitute competency tests (SAT/PSAT/ACCUPLACER), or a portfolio review for students who do not pass standardized assessments. \"October 15, we have a snapshot and that goes to the state data collection, and that's where it's certified,\" Gagliastro said, describing the district's timeline for certifying the numbers with the New Jersey Department of Education.

Gagliastro said 249 is the district's current count as of the report and that numbers can change slightly before the state snapshot on Oct. 15 because of transfers, students leaving the district or students extending their high school enrollment. For the class of 2025 he reported that 89.1% of students passed the NJGPA in English and 65.2% passed the NJGPA in math (figures drawn from Pearson assessment data), with additional students meeting graduation requirements via substitute competency tests or portfolio appeals. Gagliastro cautioned those assessment-derived percentages are not final pathway certifications until the state's official report is published.

Board members pressed for context on the math numbers and district supports. Gagliastro said the district has increased interventions and adjusted curriculum alignment to address the assessment content, particularly algebra and geometry concepts tested by the NJGPA. He also emphasized that many students meet graduation math requirements through alternate assessments or portfolio review: \"...98.7 percent of our kids met a math requirement that they needed to meet,\" a board member observed during discussion, urging the board to view the total graduation-rate context.

District data presented for post-high-school plans showed 68 students were headed to two-year colleges, 108 to four-year colleges, 32 into full-time employment, seven into the military, two taking a gap year, 18 to trade or technical schools and six listed as other or undecided at the time of information collection.

Gagliastro noted the state is migrating its data portal (from New Jersey SMART to NJ SLEDs) and that some cohort and comparative statewide figures were not yet available. He also reminded the board that some students had multiple possible pathways recorded in internal systems and that final reconciled pathway counts will be certified on Oct. 15.

The presentation was delivered during the curriculum committee portion of the meeting and drew questions from several board members; no formal board action on the report was required.","District officials told the board the class of 2025 had 249 graduates and that 98.7% met graduation requirements through a mix of the NJGPA, substitute competency tests and portfolio reviews; math proficiency lagged state averages but district leaders said multiple pathways and interventions are in place.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent urges board to change bus stop after safety concerns on Lake Wauk Hill Road

Board welcomes student representative; student council outlines goals for school year

Board approves auditorium lighting, Glen Meadow AC replacement and other contracts; T-Mobile donation for VTHS weight room accepted

Vernon Board adopts five district goals including strategic plan timeline and governance certification

Vernon Township reports 249 graduates; district details graduation pathways and post‑graduation destinations