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North Brunswick Board approves consent agenda; parent urges support for SOAR G&T program
Summary
At its May 28 meeting the North Brunswick Township Board of Education approved a multi-item consent agenda by roll call, heard committee and student reports — including a parents praise for the SOAR (G&T) elementary program and a $5,000 student contribution to Raider Home Plate — and entered closed session on personnel and the superintendents annual evaluation.
The North Brunswick Township Board of Education approved a multi-item consent agenda at its public meeting Wednesday, May 28, after hearing committee and student reports and public comment.
Mr. Elli moved to approve the consent agenda, which included personnel and curriculum items, several finance items, policy and transportation items; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call vote. Board members Mr. Ali, Mr. Carter, Vice President James, Miss Keith, Dr. Patel, Mr. Singh, Miss Toth and Mr. W voted yes; the motion passed. Earlier in the meeting the board approved minutes from April 30 and conference/executive minutes from April 9 after a motion from Mr. Carter.
Superintendent Churoka delivered a brief administrative report reminding the public that schools will be closed Tuesday, June 10 for the New Jersey primary election; 12-month staff and board offices will remain open. Student representatives highlighted spring events and achievements, including a TEDxYouth event, the Latin American Clubs Somos Unos, Innovation 2025 (which sold nearly 1,000 tickets), junior prom and a lip dub. The student government reported presenting a $5,000 fundraising check to Raider Home Plate.
Committee reports covered operations, finance and curriculum work. Mr. Carter said the Business Operations Committee reviewed a transfer of funds to purchase an athletic washer and hearing/vision screening equipment, renewals of the Chartwells food-service contract, district lawn care and the district copier contract, an auditorium sound upgrade, several summer projects included in the 2025-26 budget, and updates on a bond sale that closed May 15. Mr. Ali said the Education Committee discussed summer academy staffing, assessment plans (using ACCUPLACER this summer rather than NJGPA), curriculum updates, and active STEM and research opportunities for high school students. Dr. Patel summarized human resources activity, including retirements, new hires for 2025-26 and near-complete summer-program staffing.
During the public-comment period, parent Crystal Caukins spoke in support of the districts SOAR/G&T program at Jud Elementary School and praised teacher and SOAR coordinator Miss Varga for differentiated instruction and strong family communication. "Shes done a combination of pullout groups as well as pushing into the classroom and were thankful for how much support and enrichment that hes been able to get through her investment," Caukins said. The board president thanked Caukins and said the board values student achievement and has expanded SOAR staffing and program offerings in recent years.
Vice President James read a resolution to go into closed session under Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 231, P.L. 1975) to discuss personnel matters, including the superintendents annual evaluation. The board entered closed session and later returned to open session, announcing there were no motions resulting from the closed session before adjourning.
Items noted for follow-up: policy 5701 (revising the districts plagiarism policy into a broader academic-integrity policy) and policy 5710 (student grievance policy) were listed for second reading; several contract renewals and capital projects were discussed and will appear in finance sections of upcoming agendas.
