The Rockaway Township Board of Education on July 1 heard updates on summer enrichment and special-education programs, was warned of potential cuts to federal ESEA Title funding that could affect Title II and Title III allocations, and approved routine personnel, finance and policy items, including board determinations on multiple HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) cases.

Superintendent Dr. Richard Corbett told the board he has visited all six district schools and said they show “students that are learning and having fun.” Corbett highlighted the district’s summer offerings, including a districtwide enrichment program for students entering grades 1–8, a four-week pre-algebra class of 14 students, a Safety Town program with two sessions serving about 50 incoming kindergarten students and 15 student volunteers, and extended school year (ESY) services for roughly 115 special-education students attending three hours per day through July 29. Corbett also announced that Maria Rivera began July 1 as principal at Birchwood Elementary School.

Business Administrator Miss Lam told the board that the district “has become aware that there may be cuts related to the ESEA Title funds at the federal level and that this could specifically impact our allocations Title 2 and Title 3.” Lam said allocation notices have not arrived and that she and staff member Mr. Gonella have contingency plans for varying levels of cuts; she said she will notify the board and community when the district’s allocation is received. Lam also reported that the district’s IDEA allocation remained stable, listing $632,166 for basic IDEA and $33,761 for preschool IDEA; she said the district intends to use those funds to offset out‑of‑district tuition and that a related motion will appear on a future agenda.

Lam reviewed highlights from the bills list on the agenda: roughly $20,518 for utilities, about $85,000 for tuition, $19,972 for custodial maintenance, $78,552 for security, $156,184 for insurance and about $157,834 for transportation-related costs; she said three payrolls in June totaled $4,013,601.60. The board also received the school-year calendar reminders: administrators’ retreat Aug. 18–22, new-teacher orientation Aug. 25–26 and district convocation at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 27; the first day of school was corrected on the record to Sept. 2.

On discipline and student-safety matters, the board considered a motion that would have rescinded two previously confirmed HIB determinations; that motion failed on a roll-call vote. The board then voted to approve the HIB determinations on the agenda. The board chair read case identifiers (as recorded in meeting materials) and stated which cases were confirmed and which were unconfirmed; the motions to affirm the HIB determinations passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The board approved routine consent items on personnel, education, special-education recommendations (with one item tabled and the section moved as amended), administration, finance (including the bills list), and policy by roll-call votes. Several items were handled in closed session earlier in the evening on topics described on the record as personnel, litigation, real‑estate acquisition, security, negotiations and receipt of governmental funds; the board said no action would be taken in that closed session.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to rescind two previously confirmed HIB determinations — failed (LaRue: yes; McGeary: no; Mezick: yes; Richardson: no; Torn: no; Dr. Thomasini: no).
- Motion to approve HIB determinations (listed by case numbers on the agenda; some cases confirmed, others unconfirmed as read into the record) — approved by roll-call vote (unanimous yes).
- Motion to approve personnel items — approved by roll-call vote (unanimous yes).
- Motion to approve education recommendations — approved by roll-call vote (unanimous yes).
- Motion to move special-education section as amended (item #3 tabled) — approved by roll-call vote (unanimous yes).
- Motion to approve administration recommendations — approved by roll-call vote (unanimous yes).
- Motion to approve finance recommendations (bills list, payrolls) — approved by roll-call vote (unanimous yes).
- Motion to approve policy recommendation — approved by roll-call vote (unanimous yes).

Why it matters: The superintendent and staff highlighted district programs that serve hundreds of students this summer, and the business administrator’s warning about possible ESEA Title funding cuts — together with the confirmed IDEA allocations and the district’s bills list and payroll totals — provide the board with financial context it will need if federal allocations change. The HIB determinations and the personnel approvals conclude matters that the board handles routinely but that affect individual students and staffing.

Meeting context: Public comment periods produced no speakers. Several board votes were unanimous; one motion to rescind prior HIB findings failed. The board convened in closed session earlier to discuss personnel, legal and facilities matters and later returned to public session to complete votes and adjourn.