Board approves sale of former McAuliffe Middle School and a student suspension; routine items pass unanimously

The Jackson Township Board of Education unanimously approved two addenda to the agenda and several routine consent items during its December meeting.

In a finance addendum approved as finance item no. 14, the board authorized the sale of the district-owned property commonly known in the meeting as McAuliffe Middle School (identified in the addendum by block 21301, lots 489, 617 and 18) to a buyer identified in the resolution as Beth Medro Gova of America for $40 million plus interest, subject to final purchase-and-sale agreement terms and contingencies and attorney review. Board attorney Mr. Zitimer introduced the addendum and requested it be added to the agenda; the motion to approve the agenda with addenda carried on a roll-call vote in which all voting members present recorded “yes” (Dr. Osman, Mr. Walsh, Mr. McCarron, Mrs. Rivera, Mrs. Baroas, Mrs. Gardella and Mrs. Cass).

The board also approved a students committee addendum (listed as students item no. 7) that adopted the recommendation of a suspension committee concerning pupil ID 2696886. Under the resolution, the pupil will be suspended to home instruction through the balance of the 2025–26 school year and may be permitted to return to Jackson High School at the administration’s discretion if the student meets listed conditions: completion of required coursework, attendance in outside behavioral counseling with proof, and obtaining psychiatric clearance. The resolution also bars the student from board property and school-sponsored events during the suspension period and notes the family’s right to appeal to the commissioner of education.

The meeting record shows the board also approved the first-reading revisions of several policies/regulations, minutes of the Nov. 19 closed- and official-meeting, the bill list, and treasurer/board secretary reports. Each of those items was approved by unanimous roll-call votes from the members present.

What happens next

The sale is subject to finalization of a purchase-and-sale agreement and satisfaction of contingencies as described in the resolution; the board authorized its president and/or business administrator to execute agreement documents once legal and administrative conditions are met. Families affected by the suspension were to receive a formal disposition letter with information about appeal rights to the commissioner of education.