Board approves consent items; committees report on construction and reserves; WHREA announces Giving Closet and member criticizes new state assessment

The Watchung Hills Board on Aug. 19 received committee reports on construction projects and district finances, approved multiple grouped consent and routine items by roll call, and heard public comment and board business items.

Operations committee reporting noted several in‑progress capital tasks: permit work and expected completion (SA/SAC offices completion expected Sept. 15), green wall/design lab paneling (panels estimated in 8–10 weeks), condensate tank replacement completed, rooftop units for administrative offices scheduled for delivery the week of Aug. 21 with installation the week of Aug. 25, a chiller secondary pump change order expected to take about two weeks, and planned fume hood replacements in science labs. The committee also described a Thomas F. DeGanci memorial atrium and a suggested student portrait to be created by an art student.

The finance committee reported the 2024–25 audit fieldwork is underway and described reserve allocations of $2,100,000 across three accounts: $600,000 to a tuition reserve (to cover expected Green Brook tuition adjustments and specified as required to be used next year), $1,300,000 to the capital reserve for long‑range facilities projects, and $200,000 to a maintenance reserve for day‑to‑day projects. The committee said using reserves along with state debt aid has enabled smaller referendums without increasing local taxes.

The board moved grouped consent items in sections A, C and D (motions to move items A1–A6; A7–A11; A12 and C1–C26; and D1–D30) and approved them by sequential roll call; the chair announced that the motions "carry" after each roll call. The transcript records affirmative roll‑call confirmations for the moved blocks of items.

During public comment, Marissa Walsh, president of the Watchung Hills Regional Education Association, announced a WHREA Giving Closet to be located in the guidance department to supply clothing, school supplies, toiletries and food to students and families in need and invited community involvement.

In board business, a board member asked that the district explore moving school board elections from November back to April. The same member also criticized the New Jersey Department of Education's decision to replace the statewide assessment on short notice, calling the plan an "August surprise," saying the new assessment has not been field‑trialed or shared and that the state cost is rising (from $38,000,000 to $58,000,000, as cited in the meeting); he urged legal review of possible recourse and outreach to other education associations.

The board moved into executive session to finish a CEA evaluation; no public action was scheduled after the executive session.