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Belleville expands 'Building Men' mentorship after awards; district cites declines in referrals and failures
Summary
Trustees recognized the Building Men program May 19, 2025 and heard school leaders report declines in disciplinary referrals and class failures among participating boys as the program expanded across the district.
The Belleville Township Public School District honored students from its Building Men mentorship program at the May 19, 2025 Board of Education meeting and heard district leaders report early, measurable improvements tied to the program.
Dr. Pastor and program lead Caleb Rhodes presented awards to Building Men participants and credited mentors and community partners for supporting the program’s expansion. Dennis Meralda, the program’s creator, attended and presented several honors. A number of teachers, counselors and school staff recognized student recipients by name.
District presenters said Building Men began as a middle‑school mentorship pilot and expanded to the high school and every elementary school during the 2024–25 school year. Presenters cited program outcomes the district described as preliminary but compelling: a 40% decrease in incident reports among participating students, a drop in average disciplinary referrals for a freshman cohort from 9.81 referrals to 2.67, a 21% reduction in class failure rates for participating students, and increased self‑referrals for help in some grade levels.
Program staff described how mentors and partners — including school nurses Ms. Rebello and Ms. Zucker, Art Front Galleries president Dr. Joseph Petrino, and the district’s donate‑life liaison Gina Westhoven — supported students with supplies, training and artistic opportunities. Presenters said the group also created original work, including paintings and a hip‑hop song, as part of trauma‑informed expression.
Student Tafi Abubaker spoke to the board describing personal change: “This Building Men has changed me as a man, as a person, as a student,” he said, describing improved grades, maturity and behavior after participating in the program’s meetings. Trustees and the state monitor joined the board in congratulating students and mentors; Trustee Muniz described the program as “incredible” and credited its mentors.
No board action was required for the awards. Trustees who commented said the program’s early results supported continued district investment in mentorship and related supports.
Clarifying details provided in the presentations: program piloted at the middle school, expanded to five high school groups (one per grade) and implemented Building Young Men (mentor‑mentee mini program) across elementary and preschool sites; one freshman cohort tracked from 9.81 referrals to 2.67 referrals; the district cited a 40% decrease in incident reports among participants and a 21% reduction in failing grades among Building Men students. The district did not present the underlying data tables at the meeting; trustees and staff said analysis would continue.
District staff indicated future steps include continued mentorship cohorts, additional community partnerships, and celebration of student work.
