The Rockaway Township Board of Education received an update on the district's summer programs and operations and approved several routine items, including money to offset a playground upgrade, at its June meeting.

Dr. Richard Corbett, superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools, told the board that the district is running multiple summer offerings and reported enrollment figures. “This summer, we are serving a total of 285 students across the following programs,” Corbett said, and he listed enrollments the board recorded: Safety Town, 53 students; Small Fry, 37; elementary and middle‑school summer enrichment, 131; multiple‑language‑learner (MLL) support, 52; pre‑algebra for seventh graders, 12; and an extended school year program serving 115 students. Corbett also noted that the school year concluded with 288 graduates from Copeland Middle School.

Why this matters: the summer programs are intended to sustain learning and language progress and to provide targeted supports (for example, MLL pull‑out and extended‑year services) before the next academic year. Corbett said the extended‑year program runs June 30 through July 29, while most other programs run June 30–July 17 (pre‑algebra continues through July 25).

On facilities and capital work, the board heard that $108,000 previously identified for emergent projects and capital maintenance will be used to offset the cost of a poured‑in‑place foundation for the KDM playground. The account was approved for that use, the meeting record shows; board discussion on the item was procedural. A district representative said the poured surface will make the playground more durable and improve accessibility.

The board also received a facilities and technology update: buildings-and-grounds staff will strip and recoat floors, deep‑clean facilities and complete painting and repairs over the summer. The technology team will upgrade network switches, install and calibrate new cameras and support a transition to a new phone system.

Food service: the district’s food program completed a Department of Agriculture audit. The report to the board said only a few minor corrections were required and that the program performed well on free and reduced‑price lunch management.

Finance highlights presented on behalf of the business office included categories called out from the bills list: approximately $84,138 for utilities, $48,786 for tuition, $59,963 for custodial maintenance, and about $197,939 for transportation contracts, mechanical repairs and department supplies. Payroll for the pay periods 05/15 and 05/30 totaled $3,703,876, the report said.

Curriculum and policy work: the education committee summarized a revision of the MLL curriculum (the district applied for sheltered instruction and a screener was noted); the committee also discussed a shorter NJSLA assessment window and reduced screen time for kindergarten–grade 2. The policy committee previewed pending policies including 5111 (eligibility of resident and nonresident students), draft guidance on political attire and related procedures, and policy 8454 on management of pediculosis (head lice).

Votes at a glance
- Minutes (06/11/2025): approved by roll call (Miss Anderson; Miss Cora LaRue; Miss McGeary; Missus Mezick; Miss Richardson; Miss Torn voted Yes). Outcome: approved.
- Personnel items (pages 3–5): approved by roll call (same six board members voted Yes). Outcome: approved.
- HIB determinations (cases listed on the agenda): approved by roll call (same six board members voted Yes). Outcome: approved. (The board referred to the determinations called on the agenda; case identifiers were read aloud.)
- Education, special education, administration and finance agenda blocks: each approved by roll call (same six board members voted Yes). Outcome: approved.
- Use of $108,000 for emergent projects/capital maintenance to offset KDM playground poured‑in‑place surfacing: approved as part of finance/capital approvals (roll call recorded as Yes). Outcome: approved.

Discussion and context: board members and staff framed the items as operational and business matters rather than policy changes. The superintendent emphasized the district’s social‑emotional learning (SEL) focus and described classroom and district practices intended to build resilience and a growth mindset. Committee chairs described follow‑up work on curriculum implementation and policy first reads.

The board convened in closed session earlier in the evening under the Open Public Meetings Act to discuss personnel, litigation, acquisition of real property, security negotiations and receipt of governmental funds; the minutes show the board closed at 6:03 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 7:31 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

Looking ahead: the board chair noted Morris County School Board Association dates and training opportunities for members; committee chairs said more details on curriculum and policy drafts will return to committees and to future meetings for first readings and action as appropriate.