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Superintendent details construction containment, VisitorAware pilot and upcoming state cell‑phone guidance
Summary
Superintendent Ross updated the board on construction abatement and containment plans, announced a VisitorAware ID‑scan pilot for site contractors, and flagged an anticipated state law directing the commissioner to issue K–12 cell‑phone and social‑media guidance.
Superintendent Mr. Ross told the board Jan. 6 that winter‑break asbestos abatement at Lincoln Middle School has been completed, containment walls were installed and day‑shift construction is scheduled to resume with air‑quality monitoring in place.
Ross said the district is exploring negative‑pressure HEPA filtration for construction spaces to control dust and noted the construction team will use visible orange armbands and a pilot visitor‑management system called VisitorAware to register and screen contractors on site. The system scans IDs, takes photos, checks federal/state watch lists and prints a photo sticker for identification, Ross said.
Separately, Ross advised trustees that the governor was expected to sign legislation directing the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to develop statewide guidelines on student cell‑phone and social‑media use in K–12 settings. The required guidance will cover classroom use, emergency exceptions, accommodations for students with IEPs, and options for phone storage; local boards will then be required to adopt policies consistent with the commissioner’s guidance.
Board members asked clarifying questions about HEPA filtration and construction noise mitigation; administration said additional monitoring and procedures will be in place as construction proceeds.
