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Superintendent updates board on district goals, HIB investigations and recommended hire
Summary
District leadership reported progress on five board goals, midyear assessments, and five HIB investigations at Copeland Middle School (one substantiated, race identified). The board approved several consent items including personnel and HIB determinations and accepted a recommendation to appoint Rebecca Garcia as assistant director of student services.
District leadership delivered a multi-part superintendent's report that highlighted academic initiatives, student assessments, personnel recommendations and safety reviews.
The report summarized ongoing work to meet five district goals adopted during the board retreat, including a target to increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment in ELA and math by 5% by June 2025, and a commitment to curriculum alignment and social-emotional programs. The report noted use of I-Ready diagnostics, identification of "champion" teachers for co-teaching and expanded professional development, and several family and community engagement events.
On student safety, the district reported five HIB (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying) investigations at Copeland Middle School over the past month; the board said four were unconfirmed and one was substantiated, with race identified as the identifiable characteristic in the substantiated case. The board subsequently approved HIB determinations as part of the consent agenda.
Personnel and appointments: the superintendent recommended Rebecca Garcia for the position of assistant director of student services, effective on or before March 23; Garcia spoke briefly after the resolution was accepted and thanked the board and community.
Finance and operations highlights included completion of roofing projects now in warranty and an operational note that the transportation depot experienced inoperable fuel tanks; the business administrator reported a short-term arrangement with a neighboring district to obtain fuel. The bills list and payroll totals were presented as part of the finance report.
Board action: by roll call, the board approved minutes (one abstention), personnel recommendations, education and special education recommendations, HIB determinations and an NJDOE equivalency waiver motion read into the administration section; the board also approved finance recommendations. Specific vote tallies were recorded in the roll calls as part of the meeting record.
The superintendent closed with a call to continue planning on the referendum timeline and to proceed with architect meetings and community outreach as needed.
