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Students press for better lunches, anti-bullying reporting and courtyard upgrades at Colts Neck meeting
Summary
Eighth- and middle-school student representatives presented completed and proposed projects — cafeteria menu improvements, a Google Form bullying-reporting initiative with NJ Forest Compass, courtyard benches and tables, and a desk‑replacement cost estimate of roughly $60,520 — to the Board of Education during the district’s May 6 meeting.
Several student representatives told the Board of Education on May 6 that they had advanced projects aimed at improving daily life for peers across the Colts Neck Township School District.
Sophia Voucher, a student liaison who has worked on cafeteria choices, said the district’s food vendor Pomptonian has responded to requests (for example, separating cheese on salads and adding more vegan options). "They took cheese out of the salads and put it separately for people who can't have lactose," Sophia said, describing changes that make the cafeteria more accessible.
Eighth-grader Emmanuel said his anti‑bullying project — a Google Form to gather incident data — received administrative approval and that forms would be distributed to students and parents. He asked the board to consider follow-up workshops with NJ Forest Compass to address bullying and mental‑health stigma.
Student Kira Harlan proposed improving two outdoor courtyards near the chorus room and eighth‑grade commons by adding concrete benches and durable tables with umbrella shading to support outdoor classes and lunch seating. She acknowledged cost constraints and suggested staged fundraising. In a later liaison presentation, Kira also reported a district desk inventory and cost estimate: 427 desks identified, 356 would need replacement to standardize to a gray desk with storage at about $170 each, totaling roughly $60,520 (not including tax).
The board and administration praised the student presenters and recognized high‑honor‑roll students before the budget hearing portion of the meeting; Dr. Colin Rigby, principal of Cedar Drive Middle School, and Dr. Garabedian presented certificates to dozens of pupils.
Board members encouraged continued student engagement and noted that some student‑led ideas (such as menu adjustments) have already been implemented in coordination with district vendors. The administration signaled openness to phased approaches for higher‑cost projects such as desk replacement and courtyard furniture, including the use of fundraisers or staged budgeting.
