[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",6454922,"mediaKeyId","5857760-f7f4ba9ea690c84d8f764d39fa6a0b00","parentId",5857760,"title","Student government outlines homecoming plans and early-year activities; district highlights extracurricular supports","audioSeconds",296,"startMs",1748000,"endMs",2044000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857760-f7f4ba9ea690c84d8f764d39fa6a0b00&start=1748&end=2044","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857760-f7f4ba9ea690c84d8f764d39fa6a0b00/thumbnail_1748000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454922/New-Jersey/Student-government-outlines-homecoming-plans-and-early-year-activities-district-highlights-extracurricular-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454922-cfb8bda11505da2e1e3f388c7396ccd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947474&Signature=C98mTbq5fFq1OvuhkeUOn~nnpA8CMIAzh8BiSVcAFNB7FVuxLpK48rdp6coliQ~sN2ReWb1EY1dwIN2LFxjEk5KDXpls78ZKTFVgP1Viq5ptPqEJ6svWFYbWuwJ5CLvdUdVXtVdDx6HW7-sQxePDeXAwutDMvjRwBuC9jwVeTLKKRRSI2h0ChN5EIwIUkUbqb~1yMi-DE3mebYy4KZ-B2THgx5MJD7qTNcjqqRD6swiztR62hH7GGXBpmRMk4J3hMcqjIeU2J-2kq50G9gcFBH23KrjXXCbwKJHlo6uBTkL-GbkunNnZ6LjIwl0jHvwxz-A2JT4H9xh2gzMq-kGX1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garfield Public School District","date","2025-09-30T13:01:41Z","article","Student government leaders updated the board on fall activities including freshman orientation, spirit week, a pep rally and plans for homecoming.

Darla Martinez, president of Garfield High School Student Government, said the student government worked over the summer with Superintendent Tomko and leadership to prepare activities. Vice President Sarah Bolanos said freshman orientation was successful and student leaders guided incoming students through resources and clubs. Secretary Hillary Peralta Trinidad described spirit-week activities (color wars, meme day, pajama day) and said the events were intended to create a welcoming environment.

Treasurer Manuel Miranda told trustees the homecoming dance is planned for Oct. 11 at the 3 Saints Cultural Center at 464 Outwater Lane; the theme is “Enchanted Forest.” Miranda said this is the first time in a decade the dance will be at an outside venue rather than the high school gym.

Community members and speakers also praised district arts programming. Nancy (last name given in the record as a parent and New Jersey music educators board member) thanked the district for a successful instrument “petting zoo” and urged continued investment in music and the arts. David Scott of the Hispanic Alliance thanked the district for support of a high-school Broadway trip and noted the Alliance’s scholarship program ($4,000 awarded in June).

Why it matters: Student government-run activities and district-supported arts events are part of school culture and extracurricular engagement. The homecoming venue change and external partnerships may affect planning, chaperone and transportation logistics.

Details

- Homecoming dance: Oct. 11, 3 Saints Cultural Center (464 Outwater Lane); theme “Enchanted Forest.”
- Student government Instagram follower count reported at 536 followers; leaders used the account for outreach and event promotion.
- Community arts: Keep Music Alive presented an instrument event; the Hispanic Alliance offered scholarships and will hold a heritage gala on Oct. 23 (proceeds to scholarship fund).

No formal board action was required for the student government report; trustees thanked student leaders and community presenters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GBOE Live Board Meeting September 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Student government leaders at Garfield High School described freshman orientation, spirit week and an Oct. 11 homecoming at the 3 Saints Cultural Center; district and community speakers also praised music and arts programming.","taxTitle","Garfield Public School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",68130,"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},6454926,"Superintendent: Class of 2025 met state graduation-assessment requirements; NJGPA and alternate pathways explained",386,2058000,2444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857760-f7f4ba9ea690c84d8f764d39fa6a0b00&start=2058&end=2444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857760-f7f4ba9ea690c84d8f764d39fa6a0b00/thumbnail_2058000.jpg","/articles/6454926/New-Jersey/Superintendent-Class-of-2025-met-state-graduation-assessment-requirements-NJGPA-and-alternate-pathways-explained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454926-c2afd6c71263e2f72d9d20a3041c224e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947474&Signature=DTNh2sNDFzoIi9~aLohykeGYx321Zq1BkTFlqTzO5TCV78Co73VCT8DXQNqVpnRLjOqCjJiTqoNsC6oFGd2RygPCD8CLRgi7CTamp9rjP9rN537HOiJWapcCQw-N6-yul4AUdBP3jeFpbcevgH43z6zH5Y~cFdvZRAz6iu1HQhi0XHXrcE6a6LadWhSIEGIRxR6AACZmxDHFTw~4e2~P0MaB0~654GGqqL7uSpGuNdU~aYrin8LXHnT5U-pAtoS~~0y~IusaCJyJeTFVW9Sefj2RW26Ve1Vkyzp-Ph81Gcjsbz19Qnhq4n6I4GxfDkSHTB1NGrZNX8U3UozLJWJXSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff reviewed graduation pathways and the state assessment options trustees will use to certify that students meet graduation requirements.

Miss Damico (presentation) told trustees the district follows the New Jersey state graduation assessment pathways, including the NJGPA, the PSAT/SAT where applicable, Accuplacer (and Accuplacer ESL), and portfolio options for students with individualized education plans. She said the passing score cited in the presentation for both math and English is 725.

For the Class of 2025, the presentation reported that 286 students met the graduation assessment requirement by passing the NJGPA or by using an approved alternate pathway; three students used portfolio or alternate pathways per IEP; no students were denied graduation for failing the assessment requirement and one student did not receive a diploma for other (non-assessment) reasons.

Why it matters: Trustees and families use these assessment data to track cohort outcomes and to plan supports for students who need remediation or alternate assessments. The district also offers the PSAT at no cost to 10th and 11th graders and provides extended-day supports funded through Title dollars to assist students who need additional instruction.

Details from the presentation

- NJGPA passing score cited: 725 for both ELA and math.
- Alternate assessments listed: Accuplacer, Accuplacer ESL, PSAT/SAT, and portfolio assessments for students who qualify under IEP rules.
- Supports: MTSS monitoring, extended-day classes funded by Title grants, departmental data reviews and skills classes.
- Immediate timeline: NJGPA testing in the district begins next week (as announced in the presentation).

Trustees asked clarifying questions about supports and testing schedules; the superintendent and presenters said the district will continue regular check-ins with teachers, counselors and families to support students who still need to meet assessment requirements.","District staff presented the graduation pathways for the Class of 2025: 286 students met the assessment pathway and one student did not receive a diploma for other reasons; NJGPA passing scores and alternate assessment options were reviewed.",{"_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},6454930,"Board approves multiple personnel and finance items amid protests; trustees vote no confidence in president",1540,2647000,4187000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857760-f7f4ba9ea690c84d8f764d39fa6a0b00&start=2647&end=4187","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857760-f7f4ba9ea690c84d8f764d39fa6a0b00/thumbnail_2647000.jpg","/articles/6454930/New-Jersey/Board-approves-multiple-personnel-and-finance-items-amid-protests-trustees-vote-no-confidence-in-president","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454930-55337f9bfdc2b23054c0e5423424fc69/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947474&Signature=iF~xGVwi9YafMgbRWY2ty2V0LJoSKSD7BKniWoMUjszmUHEuKbvfXsu4~~Wr05OfKGQQBQvl151ZcTTepX4U3PQaL1V1RSFf6G5Flbj3oZEp9lpJYrPHheEw9I-TO2fG8r5fnK4P0Pwfp8FHnfiF36yuGBsh-iOyUkpcUM67cTb6T60OimGLAMCNzjf6meCrKrjbOdM-VV4yDBBFV1nplCTDdBQvD6VhgRQ1EKMkq7AYGWxslABUMr-0hZZx~jb3PGdakGYAjvGEyHCIyIMK3Rievm3OhlSUz0TqdgQlqaJyXiyxADa0Wc3CgW-3vIgSqIKAfENHU5Ncsq8GQuoSjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees for the Garfield Public School District moved through a lengthy consent agenda and approved multiple personnel and finance resolutions at a public board meeting while dissenting trustees and public commenters criticized several administrative hires and the process for placing items on the agenda.

During the meeting Board member Missus Hassan made a motion for a vote of no confidence in Board President Mister Focarino; the motion passed by roll call. Board counsel said the vote carries no legal significance. The meeting also saw several personnel items opposed by multiple trustees and several items tabled for later consideration.

Why it matters: The vote of no confidence — while described by counsel as symbolic — signals a publicly stated breakdown in trust among board members and follows weeks of debate over hiring and agenda-setting. The personnel votes and tabling decisions will affect how the district fills director, supervisor and administrative positions while trustees said classroom staffing needs remain unresolved.

Board action and key vote outcomes

- Motion to allow Trustee Daniel Taylor to vote by telephone: approved by roll call (Ayes: Doctor Pivovarcek; Mister Odo; Missus Hassan; Mister Ramos; Mister Quillis; Mister Gabba; Missus Potieri; Mister Focarino).

- Motion to approve minutes and routine items: approved by roll call.

- Personnel block votes (various agenda items numbered in the 8.x series): the board voted on blocks of personnel resolutions in staged roll calls. Several trustees recorded “No” votes specifically on items 8.1–8.5 (those items received multiple No votes from trustees including Mister Odo, Missus Hassan, Mister Ramos, Mister Quillis, Mister Gabba and Missus Potieri, while others voted Yes). Multiple items were removed from the consent block by trustees and administration and later tabled.

- Tabling motions: Trustees voted to table specific personnel items (including items identified in the meeting as 8.3, 8.33 and 8.39) pending further review.

- Finance resolutions (10.1–10.10): approved as a block with recorded abstentions on specific line items (examples: several trustees abstained on 10.1 due to check numbers called out during the roll call). Motion carried.

- Motion of no confidence in the board president: moved by Missus Hassan and seconded by Mister Ramos. Roll-call excerpts show multiple Aye votes from trustees (including Mister Odo, Missus Hassan, Mister Ramos, Mister Quillis, Mister Gabba and Missus Potieri), No votes from at least one trustee (Mister Focarino) and at least one abstention (Doctor Pivovarcek). Counsel told the board the vote has no legal significance.

What trustees and public said

Several trustees and members of the public criticized the pace and content of agenda postings. Public commenters said the agenda included many administrative positions while some classroom and student-facing vacancies remained open. Tanner Raymond, a resident, urged trustees to prioritize classroom staffing and questioned the need for multiple new administrative positions; he also asked why an assistant to transportation position was being restored to the payroll.

Trustees on the personnel and personnel-committee side said committee recommendations had been altered on the president’s agenda and that some items appearing on the public agenda had been asked to be removed during committee review.

Process notes and next steps

Trustees used block voting on consent items and separated specific hires for individual consideration. Several items were tabled for a future meeting; one tabling motion specified tabling “until the next meeting” for item 12.28. A motion to go into closed session was made later in the meeting.

The district did not announce immediate personnel appointments for the items that were tabled; trustees asked for additional information and for some items to return to committee review before a final vote.","At a Garfield Public School District board meeting trustees approved blocks of personnel and finance resolutions with several administrative hires opposed or tabled. During the meeting a motion of no confidence in the board president passed in a roll-call vote; counsel said the motion has no legal effect.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Student government outlines homecoming plans and early-year activities; district highlights extracurricular supports

Superintendent: Class of 2025 met state graduation-assessment requirements; NJGPA and alternate pathways explained

Board approves multiple personnel and finance items amid protests; trustees vote no confidence in president