[{"_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",6454912,"mediaKeyId","5857767-05f4559fd551ec51870b5a14ca9919ee","parentId",5857767,"title","Resident urges board to resist expanded school security, says schools remain safe","audioSeconds",74,"startMs",1326000,"endMs",1400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857767-05f4559fd551ec51870b5a14ca9919ee&start=1326&end=1400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857767-05f4559fd551ec51870b5a14ca9919ee/thumbnail_1326000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454912/New-Jersey/Resident-urges-board-to-resist-expanded-school-security-says-schools-remain-safe","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454912-5658f0e657e1a17488e82a3d3719980c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771209895&Signature=g2Yj75WOvycTvOPGX2Tk1tu3CMNyPXYEG9bIh2X3gHcP4OPynvCie04v73c02xkr76z~dxg5TTjbS0zLctqLam~DhZtKGACoavE5CsGmy5IXp42Qg-1MdAz6E4UZMPw-fV-2tySo96k8i2G1O28SBtLET~OXrZJxP3yXwgbWDQv80497DXPzPpR4D~HVREi9WwVJxo4iuCiV3mbOyD4JEGERKpXAlW4HQgSa~ynrXVJr0hTuy~BRlwxYXef9YjCIFC3qvRJJVuHnmMtuo1Wn2VPYimSq3QXAoPbMgrqs8AEyFIqQQkLh2iiRGlNZiHjuCmW1Hw86yl0TeOHDQfosog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South River Public School District","date","2025-09-29T18:10:14Z","article","Norman Sheinberg, a South River resident, used the public-comment period at the Sept. 25 Board of Education meeting to criticize what he described as an expanding industry of school security measures and to urge the board not to adopt what he called \"prison-like\" security policies.

Sheinberg said he was reporting on school shootings for the 2024–25 school year and cited national figures and specific incidents. He told the board there had been one school shooting in New Jersey while schools were in session during the 2024–25 period — he identified that incident as an accidental discharge by a security guard on May 16, 2025, at Midland Elementary School in Paramus, and said no one was injured. He also cited other incidents outside New Jersey that he said involved accidental discharges by school-resource officers or police, and he summarized national statistics he said showed more fatalities off school grounds than on school grounds.

Sheinberg argued that most school shootings happen outside school buildings (parking lots, yards or outside areas), last seconds and therefore are not deterred by interior security measures such as armed guards, metal detectors or lockdown procedures. \"Schools are incredibly safe,\" he said, and urged the board to resist measures that, in his view, reinforce a perception that schools are dangerous.

The board did not adopt any policy changes during the meeting in response to the comments. The public-comment period was followed by no executive session, and the board adjourned after taking the consent and routine business votes.

Why it matters: Public comments at school-board meetings provide a record of community concerns and priorities. Speakers may present data or claims that the board and the public may verify or respond to at later meetings or through follow-up from district staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 09.25.2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the Sept. 25 meeting, resident Norman Sheinberg argued that schools are broadly safe and criticized increased security measures and armed guards, citing national statistics and incidents; the board did not take action in response.","taxTitle","South River Public School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",41855,"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},6454917,"Superintendent: fire-alarm evacuation moved more than 1,200 students; Education Annex to add 45 pre-K seats",133,234000,367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857767-05f4559fd551ec51870b5a14ca9919ee&start=234&end=367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857767-05f4559fd551ec51870b5a14ca9919ee/thumbnail_234000.jpg","/articles/6454917/New-Jersey/Superintendent-fire-alarm-evacuation-moved-more-than-1200-students-Education-Annex-to-add-45-pre-K-seats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454917-f4a41a26d68b9882a6efdafdd094d702/orig.mp4?Expires=1771209895&Signature=TBOLEMaA5I4IMbxcALvYK9NI9O8-6ybMrvo3oTCaUGdhk9HDduD3dpnAZA5jakUMcUE9y9DzI3Cjn-Vpppg5jvk3~G8cg2tSaeXAkOByodlYUjPD2vgk3CzLWRtUQZc2SXtqH4ixLCbtHmBabM32h7Fls22kM-eLTiys5jT-P-nfdOz4cJHqdgnYOcf~DgAWOMy99FWazwer4wJRq-dzwgNYUSshjG9v80PHbzbYztlHCthInWnRg7wP8fv6kgOvohrLSol9rtVTdjVCqyndJyelNXi50lzzRONRQQbAc50x83VwGy6lSsy9c1MEZu3MveLccwP4nI5xBiKu6GR3GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Zercher told the South River Board of Education on Sept. 25 that district staff executed an evacuation after a fire alarm required middle- and elementary-school students to relocate to other campus buildings.

\"They did a tremendous job, just really following instructions, following directions, getting there quickly,\" Superintendent Dr. Zercher said, praising students and staff for moving and resuming activities after the building was cleared. She said the district moved \"over 1,200 students in a short amount of time\" and thanked the high school and the Early Learning Center for providing space.

Dr. Zercher said the district is opening its new Education Annex and will enroll an additional 45 pre-K students there. She said the annex adds capacity; the district currently uses the Early Learning Center for pre-K as well. Dr. Zercher encouraged parents to attend back-to-school nights and literacy events and noted that most back-to-school nights already have taken place.

The superintendent also described upgrades to the district website, including a newly launched AI page that outlines district guiding principles and parent resources for safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence in schools. Dr. Zercher said the website now includes a routed \"Contact Us\" feature that allows parents to select a specific school or department; messages will be routed automatically to the appropriate recipient, and a translation feature will let parents send messages in their preferred language. She said the district anticipates returning messages within 24 hours.

The superintendent’s full monthly report and department attachments are posted on the superintendent’s page on the district website, she said.

Why it matters: The evacuation and the district’s response show how the district’s emergency procedures operate in a live event; the Education Annex and website changes affect early-childhood capacity and family communication tools.","Superintendent Dr. Zercher reported a fire-alarm evacuation at the district’s elementary and middle schools and praised staff response; she also said the district’s new Education Annex will add 45 pre-K students and announced new website features including an AI guidance page and a routed contact form with translation and 24-hour response target.",{"_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},6454920,"South River Board adopts consent resolution approving grants, contracts, personnel and routine business",69,939000,1008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5857767-05f4559fd551ec51870b5a14ca9919ee&start=939&end=1008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5857767-05f4559fd551ec51870b5a14ca9919ee/thumbnail_939000.jpg","/articles/6454920/New-Jersey/South-River-Board-adopts-consent-resolution-approving-grants-contracts-personnel-and-routine-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454920-0606b29c40e07e1a881ab203e5bbd5f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771209895&Signature=mvSfX9q0D3VHHNB8tR7fkJhpdZ7-8uGtaDxmsQ4LCFqlSg3MmAvfk2Zzt5FGIKWBNMdrlU~hkmAFzIlbI-zKngAQoBNLMnOKUoAtFb6VUo3H-ipl2y5JA-aV94adm0FdIna0aoIlWboSDZEqrMQjdmvHQo9Gwtb60E9aj7lJnwjJb9jS98nhzhN0H4oK79BU0-29zOrAw8mF9dqsZSqYHPtSrgBM6wkjCL0yjf4uUG~BXwT-aF6So8ufX42BgbQzKekgyx9X8tW1EyrEhR64J32wrsgt5uJ~hFIfjIT4yhlfQW8lFp8pZtFtxw-vBeiIY2htiPwdNa9WI6fD7OS11Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South River Board of Education on Sept. 25 adopted a consent resolution approving routine finance, instruction, policy, human-resources and facilities items, the board said during its regular meeting.

The consent resolution, approved by roll call after a motion by Vice President Nielsen and a second by Miss Yong Yao, covered items listed on the agenda as 8.1–8.31 (finance), 9.1–9.8 (instruction), 11.1 (policy and legislation), 12.1–12.16 (human resources) with additional human-resources items noted on the agenda, 13.1–13.4 (risk/safety) and 14.1 (residency). The board called the roll and the motion carried.

The finance committee summary attached to the agenda said the approvals include multiple grants (including a dual-certification pathway grant and state aid for adult basic skills and nonpublic programs), dual-enrollment contracts with Kean University, software for AP computer science, nursing services and psychological-evaluation contracts, agreements for transportation, graduation services and yearbook publishing, field trips, security services and cooperative purchasing arrangements. The finance committee recommended approval of the listed items after review and upon the superintendent’s recommendation.

Board members voiced no substantive questions on the consent items during the meeting. Vice President Nielsen moved the consent resolution and Miss Yong Yao seconded the motion; the board adopted the resolution by roll call vote. Board members recorded as voting in favor during the roll-call sequence included the members listed on the agenda; the motion passed on the roll call that followed the motion.

Separately, the board president read a statement indicating the board had reviewed a recent personnel matter with the superintendent and legal counsel and, by majority decision, would not take formal disciplinary action. The president said the board had directed central and building-level administrative teams to implement educational supports for affected students and to monitor performance and supports for staff involved.

The meeting also included routine motions earlier in the agenda: approval of the Aug. 18, 2025 regular meeting minutes (moved by Vice President Nielsen, seconded by Missus Sadowski; voice vote carried) and approval of facility-use requests (moved by Vice President Nielsen, seconded by Missus Lough; voice vote carried). Two board members recorded abstentions on specific facility-use items: an abstention was recorded for facility-use numbers 856 and 901. A single abstention was recorded on the bill list for bill-list ID 3846; the finance committee otherwise recommended payment of bills certified by the school business administrator and board secretary, and the motion to pay bills carried.

Why it matters: Consent resolutions bundle routine administrative approvals so the board can address operational needs — contracts, grants, staffing actions and vendor payments — in a single vote. Those approvals authorize spending and program agreements that affect staffing, transportation and services used by students and staff across the district.

The board adjourned after a public-comment period and reported no executive session for the evening.","At its Sept. 25 meeting, the South River Board of Education approved a consent resolution bundling routine items including grants, contracts, transportation agreements, personnel actions and facility use; the board also announced it would not take formal action on a recent personnel matter and directed administrators to provide supports.","actionData","errors"]

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Resident urges board to resist expanded school security, says schools remain safe

Superintendent: fire-alarm evacuation moved more than 1,200 students; Education Annex to add 45 pre-K seats

South River Board adopts consent resolution approving grants, contracts, personnel and routine business