The Holmdel Township Board of Education approved the district handbooks Monday evening, voting to adopt the documents that govern conduct and grading for the 2025–26 school year after a lengthy debate over assessment minimums and grade weightings.

Board member Kim said she would vote against the handbooks because a change in the handbook lowered the minimum number of major assessments counted in a marking period from four to three. "With only three major assessments in an honors class, you now have approximately 28% of the grade riding on one test," Kim said, arguing the change increases the stakes of single assessments and reduces timely feedback on mastery.

Superintendent Dr. Cascone and other board members said the change to three majors is intended as a floor, not a ceiling, to reflect the realities of a 10‑week marking period and curriculum pacing. "Three seems reasonable" when units are three to four weeks long, Cascone said, but he also acknowledged the concern about how much weight each major carries.

Curriculum staff and Dr. Sayed said teachers will continue to provide formative feedback and that minors (quizzes) are intended to provide periodic checks that lead to summative assessments. Mr. Howard, a district staff member present to discuss curriculum, noted that the three‑major requirement is a baseline and supervisors will work with departments to maintain consistency between classrooms.

After discussion the board approved the handbooks with the understanding that the administration and curriculum team will review grade‑category weightings and report back within days so any adjustment can be communicated to staff before classes begin. Board members and the administration emphasized the short timeline: without an approved handbook for 2025–26 there would be no district handbook in effect, and staff need guidance before the first day of school.

The board characterized the three‑major minimum as an administrative document not fully reflected in the handbook text; members agreed the district could issue a revised administrative guidance in early September if the curriculum team recommends changes.

The vote to adopt the handbooks was taken as part of a block of resolutions on the agenda and passed by roll call. Individual board members expressed differing views during the discussion but said they would work with the administration to address the weightings in the coming days.

Board President Lopresti encouraged quick collaboration between the curriculum team and board members so teachers can set up grade books and clearly communicate expectations to students on opening day.

The board’s approval preserves the code of conduct and other handbook provisions that must be in place for the school year; the administration agreed to follow up with data and any recommended revisions before the first marking period closes.

Less urgent items discussed that evening included committee structure and efforts to restore regular subcommittee meetings so more items are vetted before full‑board votes.

The board did not change any other handbook language during the meeting and indicated it will return to the percentage‑weighting question after staff convene with supervisors.