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Hackettstown Board approves $4.33 million in bills, accepts audit and signs off on hires and leaves
Summary
At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Hackettstown Board of Education approved $4,327,282.19 in general bills, accepted the district audit for fiscal 2025, authorized budget transfers and several personnel actions including a retirement and a new hire, and approved routine contracts and fundraisers.
The Hackettstown Board of Education on Dec. 10 approved $4,327,282.19 in general bills and $196,460.50 in cafeteria bills for the period Nov. 13–Dec. 10, 2025, certified that no major account was over-expended as of Nov. 30, 2025 under N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-16.10(c), and accepted the annual comprehensive audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 as presented by auditors from Nisivoccia, LLP.
Board President Amy Cochran called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and the board completed roll call with nine members present. Business and finance items moved through the agenda by roll call vote after Mr. Francis Gavin made the motion to approve minutes and Mr. Robert Moore seconded several finance motions; Mr. Shawn Burke and President Cochran recorded limited abstentions on specific check numbers as noted in the minutes.
The board approved November budget transfers and new appropriations totaling $570,935.51 (Fund 10) and authorized district facility use for extra and co-curricular activities for the 2025–26 school year. The meeting record lists multiple service contracts and out-of-district placements approved for the school year, including placements with Morris-Union Jointure Commission and Green Brook Academy, a rate revision for ESS Northeast tied to minimum-wage changes, and a pool-use agreement with Tranquility Camp.
The district accepted a $600 donation (two 3D printers) from Mothers Car Performance and authorized submission of a Mockingbird Foundation grant to commission a composition for the middle school’s spring concert marking the school’s 150th anniversary. The board also authorized disposal of damaged or lost media and music items under Board Policy 7300.
On personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation (for purposes of retirement) of high school guidance counselor Katherine Schuma effective Jan. 31, 2026, approved the hire of Lauren Hensley as a Willow Grove fourth-grade teacher (MA, Step 1, $75,520 pro-rated) effective Jan. 5, 2026 pending required clearances, and approved several leaves of absence and substitute staffing adjustments. The board also approved TIGERS Club advisor hours, athletic appointments including spring flag-football coaches, and a $6,000 stipend adjustment for a revised high school seventh-block assignment.
The board approved standard items including workshop attendance, field trips, new media books and supplemental resources, and second reading of district policies and regulations. Reports accepted included initial and resolved HIB reports for December and November, the November suspension and staff attendance reports, and the December emergency drill logs for each building.
No members of the public spoke on agenda or non-agenda items. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Approve minutes (motion Mr. Gavin; second Mr. Moore) — carried. Approve general check register $4,327,282.19 — carried (recorded roll call; Mr. Burke abstained on checks #77315–#77317; President Cochran abstained on check #77415 as noted). Approve cafeteria check register $196,460.50 — carried. Accept Annual Comprehensive Finance Report/Audit — carried. Approve budget transfers $570,935.51 — carried. Approve hire of Lauren Hensley — carried. Accept resignation of Katherine Schuma effective Jan. 31, 2026 — carried.
Next steps: routine implementation of approved contracts and personnel changes; submission of the Mockingbird Foundation grant application.
