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Sayreville superintendent outlines facilities, academic gains and lingering gaps in State of the Schools address
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Labbe reviewed facilities work funded by a voter-approved bond, district test results and a slate of operational and academic goals for 2024–25, saying the district achieved many projects but still has work to complete on roofing, HVAC and curriculum priorities.
Superintendent Dr. Matthew Labbe presented the Sayreville School District’s 2024 State of the Schools to the Board of Education, summarizing facilities work, student achievement data and district goals for 2024–25.
Dr. Labbe told the board that voters approved a district facilities bond referenced during the presentation and said the district has completed or advanced many projects funded by that referendum. "We still have much work to do and we're hopeful that all of our bond referendum projects will be completed by December 2025," he said. He reported completed and in-progress work including HVAC installations, window replacements, roof reseals and electrical upgrades across multiple buildings.
On academics, Dr. Labbe and curriculum supervisors highlighted mixed results. The district reported gains on Advanced Placement exams — "five classes had an average score of 4," a presenter said — and higher passing rates on the New Jersey graduation performance assessment for 11th grade (90% passing in English language arts, 62% in mathematics, as reported at the meeting). The district also reported that a cohort of middle school students who took Algebra I showed a 73% proficiency rate.
The presentation acknowledged continuing gaps. The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) results for grades 3–9 showed that in most grades the district fell below the statewide average, with grades 5 and 8 as exceptions. Curriculum supervisors said the district will target specific literacy and math evidence statements and expand interventions, phonics and targeted professional development to address weaknesses.
Dr. Labbe reviewed several ongoing or conditional projects and legal contingencies: the district reported it is "in litigation with the borough" over a new transportation complex on Cheesquake Road and is at a stalemate with the contractor GreenSkies on a high-school carport/solar project. He told the board the district is pursuing mediation and will move forward to complete the solar/carport work independently if needed.
The superintendent listed specific operational accomplishments and purchases approved or in process, including purchase of additional buses to reach a full in‑district routing capacity (about 70 buses reported), upgrades to network infrastructure, new public-address systems and the planned installation of an e‑sports lab. He also noted grant awards and contracts on the agenda, including a Grow New Jersey Kids award of $15,000 for preschool professional development and a $24,120 New Jersey High Impact Tutoring Grant application.
Board members emphasized facilities progress and praised administrators for project management. The board also reviewed the 2024–25 goals Dr. Labbe recommended, which include completing site development for the transportation complex if litigation allows, securing funding for generators and a greenhouse, implementing new curriculum materials and continuing interventions for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. "Our motto for this school year is prioritize, utilize, and execute," Dr. Labbe said.
The board moved to accept the superintendent’s report as presented; the motion passed in roll call with one abstention noted on a personnel item.
The presentation included a calendar for the 2025 budget cycle and next steps for the district’s curriculum and assessment work. Administrators said detailed timelines and budget items will be presented through the district’s regular committee and board channels for approval.
