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Hillside Public School District sets attendance and academic targets ahead of Sept. 8 start
Summary
Superintendent Glover announced district goals for the 2025–26 school year, including a districtwide 95% average daily attendance target by June 2026, academic proficiency goals for multiple grades, and reminders about the first day of school and an upcoming cell phone policy change.
Hillside Public School District Superintendent Glover on Aug. 28 outlined districtwide goals for the 2025–26 school year, setting a target of 95% average daily attendance by June 2026 and listing grade-level proficiency targets tied to NJSLA and other measures.
Glover said the district would continue focusing on student success, well-being, workforce engagement and operational efficiency. "By June 2026, the district will achieve 95% average daily attendance," he said. He also highlighted that the district has distributed about $20,000,000 in scholarships over the last three years.
The superintendent framed the attendance and academic goals as accountability measures for staff and school leaders. He gave specific targets: kindergarten readiness goals; about 70% of second-graders prepared for grade-level work; roughly 50% of certain third graders expected to meet mastery on NJSLA; 60% of sixth graders to meet language-arts literacy targets; and 65% proficiency for students taking Algebra I at specified schools. Glover said completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a statutory requirement for graduation and that the district will aim for 100% completion among seniors.
Glover also previewed operational and staffing notes: the district reported roughly 37 new teachers and about 50 new staff members for the coming year and said the IT office has identified roughly $100,000 in savings since July 1. He said the district will ‘‘embrace artificial intelligence’’ for some administrative and instructional functions and that partners will be important to the work.
On logistics, Glover reminded staff and families that teachers report Sept. 2 and students’ first day is Sept. 8, and he urged families to ensure students attend on that day. He also warned parents to expect changes in the district’s cell‑phone policy, saying, "Get ready, parents," and that further communication will follow.
The board took routine meeting actions including opening and closing the public‑comment portion of the meeting and voting to meet in closed (executive) session later in the agenda.
