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Morris School District board approves grouped motions and advances bond referendum language for September ballot
Summary
The board approved a slate of grouped motions — minutes, policy, educational, human resources and business matters — and reviewed bond‑referendum language to appear on the September ballot; votes recorded recusals on select items and administrators discussed a 17% Horizon premium increase and a possible switch to Cigna.
The Morris School District Board of Education approved a package of routine motions on personnel, contracts, grants and business items and reviewed language for a bond referendum that is planned to appear on the September ballot.
During committee reports, Linda (curriculum committee) summarized finance and facilities work: the district took delivery of five 29‑passenger buses on May 28, is purchasing a new van for smaller trips, and is overseeing 11 summer building projects funded locally. She said a new turf field for Frelinghuysen Middle School is in production, with delivery expected July 1 and installation anticipated to take about four weeks.
Linda also described grant and donation activity, thanking the Morris Educational Foundation for three grants (a $32,000 cultural arts grant, roughly $7,000 for a Woodland kindergarten program and $3,000 for a Frelinghuysen Middle School peer‑leader program). She said grant salary changes were reallocations within existing grants rather than added funds. On procurement, the board opened bids for mobile internet devices to support students without home internet, rejected one HVAC bid for a material defect and plans to rebid, and reported a favorable lease‑purchase financing rate from TD Bank for technology and vehicles.
On insurance, the finance report noted a pending renewal with Horizon that carries a 17% increase; staff are actively considering plan changes and discussed a potential switch to Cigna with a possible effective date of Aug. 1 if the change is approved.
The board discussed and anticipated approving bond‑referendum materials that will appear on the September ballot, including the interpretive statement provided in the agenda packet. The board also introduced a gymnastics cooperative with Randolph to allow a joint team (listed as motion 26 under business matters).
Votes at a glance
- Minutes (motions 1–2): moved and approved by roll call; all voting members recorded “yes.” - Policy (motion 1): approved by roll call; all members voted “yes.” - Educational matters (motions 1–6): approved by roll call; all members voted “yes.” - People services (motions 1–2): approved; two members recused on motion 1 (Mrs. Ogun and Mrs. Cole) and voted yes on motion 2. - Human resources (motions 1–54): approved by roll call; members recorded yes votes. - Business matters (motions 1–42): approved by roll call; Miss Perry recused from item 13 and voted on the remaining items; the block passed.
During several roll calls, Anthony was asked to call the roll and board members answered individually. Dr. Rodriguez publicly congratulated Mr. Cryley on his appointment as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction; the board acknowledged the appointment.
What this means
Most items on the agenda were routine approvals needed before the next school year: contract renewals, personnel actions and grants. The bond referendum language will be finalized for placement on the September ballot and could fund capital work described in the committee reports if voters approve it. The insurance discussion signals a budget pressure point, with staff considering carrier changes to address a 17% premium increase.
The meeting adjourned after a brief round of new‑business remarks and the board voted to close for the night.
