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District reports fewer major suspensions but rise in minor removals; board hears budget and security options
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Burns reported an overall decline in incident totals compared with the prior reporting period but noted increases in violence and in the large ‘other incidents leading to removal’ category; the Operations Committee flagged health-benefit cost pressures and reviewed alternatives to the current shared school resource officer model.
At the Flemington-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Burns presented the state-required incident report for reporting period 1 (September–December), saying overall incident totals were down by four compared with the prior reporting period but that the district saw shifts across categories.
Dr. Burns said the district recorded increases in the number of incidents classified as violence (+7), confirmed HIV cases (+3) and alleged HIV reports (+5), and that the broad category of “other incidents leading to removal” rose by 19. He reported that JP Case Middle School’s full-day suspensions had fallen to about 26 from roughly 49 the prior year, which he characterized as progress, while emphasizing the district’s focus on pairing discipline with counseling and learning supports. "Overall we're down by four," he told the board, while acknowledging that some categories had grown and warranted continued attention.
Board members responded positively to the trend in major incident reductions. A board member said the decrease was “a definite improvement,” and the superintendent indicated the district continues to refine code-of-conduct enforcement and family outreach to reduce repeat and minor infractions.
The Operations and Transportation Committee reviewed preliminary 2026–27 budget considerations, calling attention to projected health benefit cost increases and noting a stated cap on the state’s allowable healthcare adjustment (presented in the meeting as 31 percent of the health care cost increase). Committee members discussed long-range facility needs, energy-audit results and presented alternatives to the current municipal shared-service school resource officer model, including hiring district-employed campus safety officers or contracting private security — options described as potentially less costly than continuing shared-service agreements with municipalities.
On routine governance business, the board voted to approve the minutes and the January 2026 board secretary/treasurer (school monies) report. The minutes and financial report motions were approved by roll call; the meeting record shows the listed board members voting “yes.” Personnel, curriculum and operations consent items were also moved and approved by roll call later in the meeting.
Administrators reminded the public that the incident report is a state requirement and that district teams will use the data for review and planning. The meeting closed after committee reports, correspondence and a motion to adjourn.
