Board hears goals, safety updates and donations; HIB numbers and budget concerns highlighted
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Summary
Superintendent Richard Corbett updated the Rockaway Township Board of Education on Jan. 28 about district goals (including a target to raise NJSLA results by 5 percentage points), a Home Depot donation of 253 lockdown buckets, the CAP support group rollout, HIB investigation totals and capital/facilities planning.
At its Jan. 28 meeting the Rockaway Township Board of Education heard an extensive superintendent report that covered curriculum goals, student-support programs, safety equipment donations and HIB data.
Superintendent Richard Corbett described a new Comprehensive Adolescent Program (CAP) in partnership with the Center for Evaluation and Counseling to support students with at-risk behaviors; he said the program began Jan. 7 and currently includes two sixth-grade, three seventh-grade and three eighth-grade students working in a 12-week, once-weekly group. Corbett also announced a donation from Home Depot of 253 lockdown buckets to be used in the event of a prolonged lockdown; "each bucket includes a hammer, gloves, a pail, toilet paper, privacy screen, and a first aid kit," he said.
On district academic goals, Corbett said the district is aiming to "increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the NJSLA in English language arts and math by an additional 5% across all grade levels by the end of 2026," and outlined strategies including I-Ready diagnostic use, common assessments and targeted interventions.
Corbett also reported HIB figures in the board packet: "At this time, we have a total of 70 HIV cases, trending an increase in total investigations with 12 founded, 50 unfounded, and 8 currently under investigation," he said. He noted the board will schedule an HIV listening session and training provided by the district attorney's office and the district HIV coordinator to review processes and community concerns.
On facilities and finance, board members were told the KDM window project is complete and district staff are preparing the 2026–27 budget. Officials flagged higher-than-expected renewals for fixed costs and uncertainty about the state-aid allocation, noting the district will plan conservatively and consider capital-reserve funding for projects to avoid immediate levy impacts.
The board approved routine agenda items including minutes from the Jan. 7 meeting (the motion carried with board member Mr. Erie recorded as "abstain" on the minutes approval), personnel recommendations and education/finance items by roll call.
The meeting closed after a second public-comment period and brief new-business items, and adjourned at 9:10 p.m.