Superintendent urges Hillsborough residents to attend Jan. 8 hearing on proposed school funding changes

At the Jan. 6 reorganization meeting, the superintendent delivered the superintendent's report, praising student achievements and pressing for public advocacy on proposed state school funding changes.

The superintendent congratulated Hillsborough High School students Ava Quinn and Shy Gavi for their successful auditions and acceptance to the 2025 All-Eastern choir ensembles and noted the Raider Marching Band’s 2024 Group 5 Open New Jersey state championship. "We will be inviting the entire crew and recognizing them" at a future board meeting, he said.

On operations, the superintendent reminded residents that the district calendar includes three built-in snow days, meaning the district can close school three times without adjusting the required 180 instructional days; additional closures would use designated make-up dates listed on the district calendar.

Turning to state funding, the superintendent said Hillsborough remains the only Somerset County district significantly affected by S2 and urged residents to attend a Department of Education local hearing on proposed changes to the School Funding Reform Act. He gave the time and place: "This is Wednesday, January 8th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Somerset County Government Office located at 27 Warren Street in Somerville in the first-floor conference room. I will be there; I will make my opinion known." He encouraged residents to register in advance if they intend to speak.

The superintendent also noted the district has not yet received its finalized state aid figures and said staff are building a 2025 budget with that uncertainty in mind; he requested a state portal or regular access to provisional aid figures to aid local budgeting.

The district will recognize teachers of the year and education support professionals at the February board meeting.