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Board accepts contracts, personnel and policy votes; rolls forward referendum process
Summary
At the June meeting the Hopewell Valley Regional Board approved routine minutes and consent items, accepted an athletic bus contract and a donated portable piano, approved personnel actions, and adopted two policies on second reading. The board also took a nonbinding straw poll supporting the two-question referendum model.
The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education completed several procedural and governance actions at the meeting, including contract awards, personnel approvals and policy votes, while pausing formal referendum ballot action until a later meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Meeting minutes: The board approved the regular meeting minutes for May by voice vote. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Athletic bus contract: The board accepted a bid from A1 Limo for coach buses to provide athletic runs (presentation of bid prices and bus counts was given by district transportation staff). District staff said A1 Limo’s bid was $728.98 per coach bus with a lower mileage adjustment and offered more buses in peak seasons than the other bidder. The board approved awarding the contract. Outcome: accepted (voice vote).
- Donation: The board accepted a donated portable Yamaha grand piano for district use. Outcome: accepted (voice vote).
- Personnel appointments and summer work: The board approved multiple personnel actions including new appointments for the 2025–26 school year, leaves, non‑rep renewals, transportation renewals, ECA appointments and summer‑work authorizations. The approval was recorded by roll call and carried unanimously among members present. Outcome: approved (roll call: board members recorded as voting yes include Dr. Genovese, Mr. Coppadia, Dr. Lilliston, Dr. Resnick, Mr. Slotman, Dr. Wilson and Ms. Williams Galliano; one member listed as not present during roll call).
- Policies (second reading and adoption): On second reading the board adopted policy 5512 (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying) and policy/regulation 5111 (Eligibility of Resident and Nonresident Students). The adoption was approved by roll call. The board also moved two documents (policy 1140 Educational Equity and policy/regulation 9320 Cooperation with Law Enforcement) forward on first reading for additional consideration. Outcome: adopted (roll call for 5512 and 5111); first reading scheduled for 1140 and 9320.
Context and process notes
Transportation: District staff explained the contract uses coach buses because no standard yellow‑school‑bus providers bid to meet the required coach‑bus specifications and capacity; the contract bid was publicly advertised and opened earlier in the year.
Policy changes: The updated policies reflect both state requirements and district practice; meeting discussion noted that a long‑standing local “senior privilege” practice allowing students to finish the year after a family move is no longer permissible under current New Jersey Department of Education guidance and that districts must follow the state’s residency and enrollment rules.
Nonbinding referendum poll: On the referendum question the board took a straw poll to register support for a two‑question ballot format; board members were reminded that the board will vote to finalize ballot language at a later meeting and that submission deadlines to the county clerk remain.
Ending: The board closed public comment and moved several items to the consent agenda. Additional public engagement and committee work on the referendum and on mental‑health and special‑education programming were scheduled for the summer and early fall.
