Lacey Township board hears energy‑savings report, grant funding update and superintendent‑search timeline; approves consent agenda

Lacey Township School District Board of Education members met in public session and heard an energy‑management update, public comments about district grants and outreach programs, an update on the superintendent search, and reminders about the district referendum before approving routine agenda items by roll call.

The energy report came from the district’s contracted provider, Synergistic. The company’s manager, who monitors electricity, natural gas and water use across district buildings, reported the district’s 12‑month base utility cost at $835,520 and said the district has reduced electricity use about 18% and natural gas about 15% compared with the base year. Synergistic reported completing frequent building audits (the presenter said 287 audits in the past year) and estimated annual avoided emissions of roughly 1,667 metric tons of CO2. The presenter and district staff noted five of six buildings are now Energy Star certified; the middle school could reach certification after planned HVAC work tied to the referendum.

Why it matters: the board and superintendent said energy savings lower operating costs that otherwise compete with classroom resources and capital needs. Acting Superintendent Zelensky framed the savings as part of the district’s broader effort to control costs while asking voters to decide capital questions on March 11.

Public comment focused on two grant programs that support family engagement and community events. Karen Hobson, a high‑school teacher and LTA representative, described the district’s use of NJEA PEP (Public Education Partnership) and FAST (Families and Schools Together) grants to fund events and family‑engagement activities. Hobson listed approved or pending FAST and PEP awards for items including FAFSA support nights, literacy and STEAM nights, veteran‑recognition breakfasts, a parade and intergenerational events. She said the FAST grant budget line is $21,040 and that the association seeks to expand use of those funds; Hobson also said a total figure the association has leveraged for programs was “not specified” in the transcript record. Examples she cited included grants of $1,500 for some evenings, $600 for an Early College Planning Night, $1,151 for a Healthy Choice Awareness event, and numerous smaller awards to individual schools and events.

Matthew Holberg, band director at Lacey Township Middle School speaking as an LTEA representative, highlighted school activities including the science fair and donations from a student art collaboration with a local Starbucks, and he said the Lenoka Harbor School collection drive donated 477 cans of soup to the Lacey Food Bank.

Board business: several committees reported brief updates. Board member Peters said the superintendent‑search committee narrowed the candidate pool from about 22 initial applicants to nine and then to three finalists; the three finalists will be presented to the full board on March 6, per Peters. Facilities and finance committee reports noted near‑completion of a Mill Pond pre‑K project, quotes for land surveys that will go to RFP, and quotes to repair a broken steamer at the high school. The curriculum committee described adoption plans for updated k–8 language‑arts materials and high‑school math resources pending budget availability, a new therapy‑dog pilot at Mill Pond, and a proposal to require an advanced language‑arts course in the leadership cohort as a core requirement.

Acting Superintendent Zelensky used his remarks to remind residents of the March 11 referendum vote and urged voters to consult the district website for official information. “Do not believe the misinformation campaign that’s out there. It’s a bunch of lies,” Zelensky said, referencing what he described as outside messaging opposed to the referendum. He reiterated the referendum contains three separate questions so voters can choose their level of investment.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the meeting minutes, the list of bills, transfers, finance and facilities items, student tuition and transportation items, multiple policy and regulation updates, donations, professional‑development travel, certificated and non‑certificated personnel items, and other routine agenda items by roll call. Several board members recorded abstentions or recusals on specific line items as noted in the meeting record: Peters asked to be recorded as abstaining on a bills line referenced as A2OC BTS 02/11210; Walker abstained on bill number 955337 due to a stated conflict; Connerty recused himself on several vendor/contract line items that he named during roll call; and Claussen/Closs recused herself on a donation or foundation item related to Lacey Gridiron Football. All items on the published consent agenda were approved by the affirmative roll calls shown on the record after those abstentions and recusals.

The meeting concluded after the board approved the agenda items and announced upcoming community events and school productions. The board and district reiterated the March 11 referendum date and posted referendum materials and contact information on the district website.