Superintendent reports program wins, security upgrades and $180,000 shortfall risk from federal grant hold

Montville Township Superintendent Dr. Gorman delivered the superintendent's report during the Montville Township Board of Education meeting at the Montville Township Municipal Building on July 8, 2025, highlighting recent student programs, staff recognitions, planned facility work and uncertainty about federal Title funding.

Dr. Gorman opened the report by sharing positive feedback from families about end-of-year events and extracurricular offerings. He described a "Cedar Hill senior clap out" and thanked staff for work with the LIFT special-education program, saying a parent "gave us a heartfelt thank you." He also noted after-school math-enrichment programs for grades 2 and 3 that use hands-on activities and said parents reported students were enjoying those sessions.

Dr. Gorman noted staff contributions beyond the district: Jessica Nathan, elementary special-education supervisor, was invited to speak to the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association on making difficult decisions in school leadership; and Austin Thompson, the district's technology director, will present on cybersecurity and student data protection at a NJPSA event.

The superintendent reviewed the district's four strategic goals and associated work: - Mental health supports: The district uses the Gaggle monitoring system to flag online activity that may indicate self-harm or other concerns; Dr. Gorman said Gaggle remains active over the summer and staff are following up with parents on alerts. - Innovative learning: K–12 staff received Google Classroom training, and new seventh- and eighth-grade English language arts classes will run next school year. Elementary schedule changes prompted by stakeholder feedback will also be implemented. - Security protocols: The district completed staff safety-care training, brought in a new school resource officer midyear who "has been working out great," and continues monthly coordination meetings with local police leadership. - Facilities: Work this summer includes completing security vestibules, repairing stadium bleachers and adding railings, closing a sixth-grade wing for unit-ventilator work at Lazar School, and upgrading electrical and fire systems at the high school.

Dr. Gorman told the board the district will replace a 50-year-old electrical switchgear in the central office; that work will require shutting down power to large sections of the high school for a few days but will take place during summer break.

On funding, Dr. Gorman said the district is monitoring a federal action that he described as $6,800,000,000 being withheld nationally from Title I–IV funds. He said the hold affects the district at about $180,000 and that the district has not received direct federal notice; "we haven't received any kind of notification from the federal government," he said. The district plans to continue programs using operating-budget funds while awaiting federal guidance and potential reimbursement. A board member asked whether the district typically spends first and then seeks reimbursement; Dr. Gorman confirmed that monthly reimbursement requests are standard and that if federal reimbursement does not arrive, the district could be left with the cost.

Board members asked clarifying questions about summer monitoring (Gaggle remains active) and typical reimbursement timing (the superintendent said districts submit reimbursements monthly and payment often arrives within days once submitted). Dr. Gorman and board members also confirmed that planned facility work is scheduled to finish before the start of the school year in September.

Ending: The superintendent's report closed with the board acknowledging the district's ongoing work on safety, curriculum and facilities and the finance committee's attention to state and federal funding developments affecting next year's budget.