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Wayne board previews school year, cites strong NJGPA results and staffing gains
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Tobak reported district NJGPA results, staffing additions and summer facilities work as schools prepare to reopen Sept. 5; board recognized retirees and approved routine agenda revisions and added several settlement items for later formal action.
The Wayne Board of Education on Aug. 22 heard a start-of-year update from Superintendent Dr Tobak saying schools are prepared for staff returns on Sept. 3–4 and students on Sept. 5, with targeted hiring to keep class sizes within district guidelines.
Dr Tobak thanked 12-month staff and the custodial and maintenance teams for summer work and said roughly 75 new employees completed orientation this week. Administrators reported shifting staff and adding sections where enrollment required it — including an additional third-grade section at Tunis and staffing changes that created a second section at Lafayette and a kindergarten at JFK. The district said it continues to monitor several grade levels for possible additional sections.
Administrators presented the district’s first required public NJGPA (New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment) report. Officials said the Wayne cohort outperformed statewide averages, citing a roughly 90% passing rate for one junior cohort in ELA and noting 34 students scored within two points of passing on the math component. District staff said alternatives such as SAT, ACT or a portfolio remain available for students who do not meet the minimum 725 score on a component.
Facilities leaders outlined storm-related repairs and preventive work completed over the summer: targeted roof patching at several buildings, in-house interventions after a waterline break near the data center, classroom flooring and light replacements, and preparations for state monitoring visits in spring 2025. The district also reported an additional bus route for Passaic County technical students to handle about 175 riders and said driver-run route checks are scheduled Aug. 26 before school starts.
On the consent and agenda front, business office staff announced revisions to Human Resources items (corrections to names and salary figures and the removal of one long-term replacement) and added five legal consent items to the agenda: multiple settlement agreements and an affirmation of an HIB determination under N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(b)(6). The board said the president and secretary are authorized to execute settlement documents when appropriate.
Board members recognized multiple retirees and long-serving employees, including instructional and maintenance staff, and thanked them for their service.
The district said a full presentation of the NJGPA results and related slides will be posted online for public review. Board members also flagged continuing budget pressures and enrollment growth as drivers for future capital and operational planning.
The meeting adjourned after extended public comment and board discussion.
