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Board approves monthly finance items but declines additional Project Graduation donation; prom location defended as capacity-driven
Summary
The board approved routine finance items on Jan. 9 but did not approve a $5,000 donation toward Project Graduation. Members questioned the donation and asked whether the senior prom location in Atlantic City remains necessary.
The Washington Township School Board approved its routine finance and facilities items at the Jan. 9 meeting — including board secretary and treasurer reports, account transfers, the bill list and food-service financial report — but the board did not approve one discretionary finance request tied to Project Graduation.
During discussion Board Member Linda (surname in transcript used as "Linda") questioned a $5,000 district donation to Project Graduation, noting the event is self-funded and asking why the district sends students to an Atlantic City venue rather than a local site. The administrator answered that the district had budgeted the donation for the current year and that venue choices reflect capacity and security considerations; administrators said a nearby Dave & Buster’s location was too small for the senior class and that Atlantic City venues historically have supported the event’s size and supervision needs.
The board approved the monthly finance package with one board member recorded as voting no for item 13 (the Project Graduation donation) and with the motion passing overall. Board members said the district could revisit the practice in future budgets; administrators said the 2024–25 budget included the donation but acknowledged future budget decisions can change the practice.
The board also approved requests for prom and project-graduation venues (prom at the Sheraton; project graduation location listed as Dave & Buster’s in agenda text), state-contract purchases and disposal of fixed assets. No additional funding increases were authorized at the meeting beyond previously budgeted items.
Board members asked administration to consider future budget-year planning if members wish to reconsider routine donations or venue decisions and encouraged staff to explain capacity/security rationales when proposing out-of-area venues.
