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Neptune schools secure funds to revive summer music program; students honored at board meeting
Summary
Superintendent said fundraisers and a donor commitment restored the summer music program; the board heard student recognitions, a Midtown Elementary choir performance, and several program updates including an NJ Symphony visit and student invitations to Rutgers.
The Neptune Township Board of Education heard updates on student achievements and district programs and was told the district has enough verbal commitments to run a summer music program this year.
Superintendent Dr. Alphonse Crater told the board that music teachers organized fundraisers and that a donor identified as “Porta” covered half the needed funds, producing a verbal commitment sufficient to run the program. The superintendent also said the district will host the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in May for a performance for middle- and high-school instrumental students and two coaching sessions funded by a grant.
The board was given multiple student recognitions during the Student Government report. Emily Blank, the student government representative, listed district awardees: Nate McIntyre (art student of the month), David Paterra (junior, tennis), Sian Daniels (senior, softball), and Jalen Baker (writer of the month). ROTC cadets of the month were NS1 Cadet Zach Ubi Morales, NS1 Cadet Andrea Garcia Aguilar and NS2 Cadet Brianna Blount. Students of the month were Sephora Jongoma (freshman), Edgar Gonzalez Mendoza (sophomore), Xavier Wilson (junior) and Gianna Fernandez (senior).
Crater reported several other program highlights: Neptune High students in environmental science were invited to present at Rutgers; the district’s deaf-education program hosted the Northeast Regional Math Tournament with 19 teams from across the northeastern United States; and the middle-school play The Little Mermaid is scheduled for April 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the PAC. He also noted the district’s calendar revision to include two “snow day giveback” days on April 17 and May 23 when schools will be closed to students and staff.
The meeting included a student showcase: the Midtown Community Elementary School fourth- and fifth-grade choir, directed by choral director Miss Korkowski, performed “Ease on Down the Road.” The choir’s director and participants were introduced from the podium and the board acknowledged the performance.
During public comment, retired staff member Gary Layton praised district publicity and programs, mentioned recent community tributes including the wake for longtime custodian Otis Love, and praised the high school art department for maintaining a memorial scholarship for Sarah Stern.
The board later approved the superintendent’s report (document A, items 1–8) by roll call vote as part of the meeting’s consent agenda.
The meeting closed after brief board business and announcements about ongoing board training on declining enrollment and upcoming professional sessions.
