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Caldwell West Caldwell board approves routine curriculum, personnel and finance items and selects architect for planned referendum
Summary
At its July 29 meeting the Caldwell West Caldwell Board of Education approved routine curriculum, personnel, finance and policy motions by unanimous roll calls and confirmed selection of Parete Somjin as the district's architectural firm as it readies a March 11, 2025 referendum to replace a bond rolling off in 2025.
The Caldwell West Caldwell Board of Education on Monday approved routine curriculum, personnel, finance and policy items and confirmed the district has retained an architectural firm as it prepares a referendum to replace a bond rolling off in 2025.
The board, meeting publicly at James Caldwell High School, voted 4-0 to approve the minutes and to pass curriculum and technology items A–F (with one item, 7D, tabled), certificated and non-certificated personnel items, finance and facilities motions, and a policy item recommended by the superintendent. The clerk recorded each of those motions as carried by a 4-0 roll call.
Chair said the finance package includes purchase and service items and pointed to item 11 on the agenda, naming Parete Somjin as the district’s new architectural firm. Chair said the firm will present details of a proposed referendum on Aug. 26 and will attend back-to-school nights and future fall board meetings to explain plans and answer questions.
Chair said the referendum is intended to replace an existing bond that rolls off in 2025 with a like amount so taxpayers would not see an increase; the board emphasized the vote is a voter decision and that board members cannot advocate for a particular outcome. Chair said the district expects to file applications with the Department of Education around the Sept. 12 deadline and listed a planned referendum vote date of March 11, 2025.
The chair also said the board will hire a public-relations firm to distribute materials and informational videos about the referendum; the board noted any presentation by district officials must remain informational and not sway voters.
After routine business the board moved to return to executive session for additional confidential matters; the motion to close the public portion and reconvene in executive session carried on roll call.
Next steps: the architect is scheduled to present at the Aug. 26 board meeting; the board plans additional informational appearances in September and will proceed with the Department of Education application and the referendum timeline.
