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Board approves time‑sensitive budget actions; discusses buying a six‑room modular at Union and smart cameras for high schools
Summary
The committee approved several time‑sensitive budget amendments and staffing additions, agreed to pursue budgeting steps for a six‑room modular at Union (purchase vs lease analysis presented), and discussed a proposed $700k smart‑camera project for North Brunswick High while requesting cost comparisons before final approval.
Finance staff asked the committee to approve several state and federal budget amendments to ensure proper closeout of the fiscal year, including transportation fuel reserves, federal EC pre‑K funding, Medicaid reimbursements, and other federal indirect cost receipts. The committee approved those amendments and a continuing resolution to allow year‑end closeout.
Time‑sensitive operational requests the board approved in committee included funding for additional exceptional children (EC) staffing (three teachers and three teacher assistants for adaptive/cross‑category classrooms, two additional speech pathologists and occupational therapists based on service demand), and an adjustment to summer athletic stipends (an increase proposed to bring non‑football coaches into parity, with a total fiscal impact of about $24,750). Staff also asked the board to consider adopting a state‑approved middle school science curriculum pilot moving forward; that curriculum was recommended based on a pilot and is priced on a per‑student basis.
On facilities, staff presented a site analysis and cost comparison for adding a six‑room modular at Union to add roughly 120 seats. Purchase price for a permanent modular structure was estimated around $1.17 million vs roughly $800,000 for a 24‑month lease; staff noted the four existing modulars on site, parking and cafeteria constraints, and longer‑term redistricting options tied to a planned new elementary school in the north end. A board member moved to proceed with budget amendment planning to secure the modular and that motion was seconded; staff will bring budget figures and next steps to the board.
On security, staff presented results from a smart‑camera pilot at West Brunswick High and a vendor quote for North Brunswick High (~$700,682). The cameras provide sharper images and analytics to assist investigations and exterior coverage; board members asked for an alternate, lower‑cost quote to allow comparison, and staff agreed to return with price options and an equity plan across high schools before placing a contract on consent.
Next steps: formal budget amendments and a superintendent recommendation will be brought to the regular board agenda; staff will return with comparative camera cost options, final modular budget numbers, and an implementation timeline.
