Jersey Shore Area SD board approves routine items, discusses Salliesburg land sale

At its Jan. 12 meeting, the Jersey Shore Area School District Board of School Directors approved multiple routine agenda items by voice vote and heard public questions about the proposed sale of district property in Salliesburg.

Personnel and other routine votes The board moved and passed personnel items a–n and letter p by voice vote after a motion and second. A second personnel motion (letter o) was approved after the board president (unidentified) announced, “I myself am going to abstain from this vote.” The abstention was placed on the public record; the transcript does not contain a roll-call tally for the aye votes.

Curriculum, buildings, finance and miscellaneous The board approved curriculum item (letter a) and buildings & grounds item (letter a) by voice vote. Finance items a–g were approved; during that discussion the administration clarified that the 'first student per season' athletic participation language refers to one designated first student per season for participation logistics. Miscellaneous items a–d, including disposal procedures for surplus equipment, were also approved. Board discussion clarified that surplus items are first listed on Municibid; unsold items may be donated or disposed of and the administration said it could explore offering unsold items to local businesses.

Salliesburg land sale discussion and public concerns A resident asked whether district land in the Salliesburg subdivision would be sold by auction, sealed bid or private sale. The administration said the board has discussed proceeding with a private sale—allowing negotiation with a purchaser—or listing through a realtor later. The property was described as being divided into four lots and the resident asked what would happen to the sewage/septic system; administration replied the system would remain with the lot where the building is located.

The resident also asked about a legal restriction included in sale materials that would prohibit subsequent educational facilities on the sold lots and questioned how enforceable that restriction might be in court. Another attendee said a number of jurisdictions have used similar deed language; the administration noted final disposition also requires township action.

Public comments and facility maintenance During public comment, John Sharman requested the district inspect and remove a dead 30-foot tree on district property that he says could fall on power lines. He also urged repainting the visitor side behind the football field, saying the current unpainted surface does not present a good image following recent remodeling at the middle school.

Next steps and procedural notes The board did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript for the contested motions; actions were recorded as passing by voice vote with one recorded abstention on personnel letter o. Several informational items—proposed school calendar for 2026–27 and the enrollment/staffing report—were placed on the agenda for future consideration and the superintendent reminded the public of a Jan. 19 public presentation at the high school on human trafficking in collaboration with external partners.

Ending: The meeting adjourned after additional public comment.