Board questions remain over IXL use and high-school media staffing after retirements
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Summary
Board members raised concerns about managing online research databases and the high school media program after retirements; administrators said the high school administration has a plan and the district will revisit staffing during budget discussions.
WEST MILFORD, N.J. — Board members told West Milford administrators June 17 they remain concerned about who will manage research databases and library services at the high school after recent retirements and changes to secretarial support.
Board member Missus Dwyer asked specifically: “Who's gonna do the ordering? And who's gonna be responsible for the purchase order since there's no secretary in there?” She also pressed on the district’s continued use of the instructional tool IXL and how results are scored and recorded in grade books.
Administrators said they have discussed coverage plans with the high school administration and that the principal has a plan to address database access and circulation in the short term. “We sat down with him the other day, and he's got a plan for how that's all gonna get worked out,” an administrator said, adding the district will try to limit the impact of the staffing changes and hopes to restore positions when budget conditions allow.
The board also revisited IXL, the district’s adaptive-practice platform. Administrators said the district had previously “phased out” IXL in K–5 and that current use is targeted to specific needs (for example, math-foundation classes and standards practice in middle and high school). Administrators acknowledged past grading confusion and said they now treat IXL mostly as a completion/classwork assignment rather than an absolute mastery grade.
Missus Dwyer asked whether a media specialist position at the high school could be restored during next year’s budget process; administrators said the possibility will be discussed during budget planning and that committee updates are expected in July.
The board approved the personnel block of agenda items (14.2–14.55); the meeting record shows some recommended abstentions were entered on specific personnel items. Board members and administrators agreed to follow up with a detailed plan for library/database coverage and to report back to committees before the next school year.