Neptune Township Board of Education highlights student recognitions, hears budget concerns and approves routine consent items

The Neptune Township Board of Education opened its public meeting with student recognitions and a showcase from Gables Elementary, then turned to budget matters and routine approvals at its November session.

Rosie Cole, the student government representative, announced monthly recognitions, saying the "art student of the month is Leo Paul Haber" and naming athletes and other student honorees. Principal Thompson and guidance counselor Katie McNamee introduced the Gables safety patrol; several students described duties and expectations. "Being a safety patrol at Gables School is a huge honor to me," said Ariana Muller, a fifth-grade safety patrol member.

In his superintendent's report, Dr. Krager highlighted high school juniors' PSAT results: "229 juniors were tested," of whom "42 scored 1000 or higher," and he said 125 students met graduation requirements in ELA or writing and 83 met requirements in math. Dr. Krager also told the board the district is revisiting budget options, including a possible sale of 60 Neptune Boulevard and a demographic study, and said his administrative team is the current budget task force.

During public comment, residents pressed the board on state funding and the local tax levy. Paul Owens asked for public access to the school funding analysis and about a planned consultant, and Dr. Krager said the district had sought a quote but "that quote came in too high" and that some consultant details could not be fully public because they "impact negotiations." Eric Meyer asked about the effect of state funding cuts; Dr. Krager said the district has reduced staffing and programs over several years, stating, "We've cut 100 positions in the last 6 years. We've cut programs. We've cut an entire environmental program." Property owner March Mueller urged the board to pursue options beyond a proposed 2% tax and suggested selling excess buildings to pay bond debt and exploring consolidation with neighboring districts.

The board then moved through a series of consent motions. Ms. Jones moved to approve minutes from the work session of Oct. 27, 2025 and the rest of the meeting of Oct. 29, 2025; the motion, seconded by Vice President Thompson, passed on roll call. The board approved superintendent's report items (document A, items 1'8) with a recorded abstention noted for item 8; finance items (document B1); a transportation recommendation (document B3, item 1); education special projects (document C1, item 1); special education (document C2, items 1'); student activities (document C3, items 1'16) with abstentions recorded for items 8'16; personnel items (document D1, items 1'24) with abstentions noted on items 5, 6, 15 and 17; negotiations (document D2, item 1); and the schedule of meetings. Each block was moved and seconded as announced on the record and carried by roll-call votes.

The meeting closed with a reminder of December meeting dates (Dec. 15 and Dec. 17) and an adjournment vote.

Votes at a glance: - Minutes (work session 10/27/2025 & meeting 10/29/2025): moved by Ms. Jones, seconded by Vice President Thompson; outcome: approved by roll call (ayes recorded from Miss Harris, Miss Hoffman, Miss Jones, Miss Morgan, Miss Puryear, Miss Thompson, Mr. West, Miss Jackson, Madam President). - Superintendent's report (Document A, items 1'8): moved by Vice President Thompson, seconded by Ms. Puryear; outcome: approved with an abstention recorded on item 8. - Finance (Document B1, items): moved by Mr. West; outcome: approved by roll call. - Transportation (Document B3, item 1): moved by Ms. Harris, seconded by Vice President Thompson; outcome: approved by roll call. - Education special projects (Document C1, item 1): moved and approved. - Special education (Document C2, items 1'): moved by Mrs. Hoffman; outcome: approved by roll call. - Student activities (Document C3, items 1'16): moved by Mr. West; outcome: approved with abstentions noted for items 8'16. - Personnel (Document D1, items 1'24): moved by Ms. Morgan; outcome: approved with abstentions on items 5, 6, 15 and 17 noted in the roll call. - Negotiations (Document D2, item 1): moved by Ms. Jones, seconded by Mr. West; outcome: approved by roll call. - Schedule of meetings: moved by Mrs. Hoffman; outcome: approved by roll call.

What comes next: Dr. Krager said the district will continue budget task-force work and plans to invite community leaders to a mid-January meeting to discuss next steps on budget and facilities; no votes on facility sales or consultant contracts were taken at this meeting.