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Colts Neck Board honors students and staff, PTO announces $185,000 legacy gift
Summary
At its June 17 meeting, the Colts Neck Township School District Board held an end‑of‑year awards program recognizing teachers, students and staff and accepted a $185,000 legacy gift from the PTO to fund an aquaponics center, a library/media center and a new outdoor field.
The Colts Neck Township School District held an awards ceremony at its June 17 board meeting to close out the 2025–26 school year, honoring student performers and educators and accepting a $185,000 legacy donation from the district PTO. The meeting, held at Connor Road Primary School, doubled as the board’s regular June business session.
Superintendent Dr. Mary Jane Garay opened the program with remarks praising staff and students and noting that the district earned a Purple Star designation for its work supporting military families. "Tonight we close out the 2026 school year by honoring our students and staff," Garay said, thanking teachers and support staff for their work across the district.
The board recognized music and academic achievements, including students accepted to the National Honor Choir and winners of the Continental Math League and AMC8 national contests. Music staff were singled out: Christina Hubard and Jeffrey Brown received the board’s Golden Horseshoe awards "in grateful recognition of your dedicated service," the superintendent said.
Kimberly Kaufman, outgoing PTO president, announced an $185,000 legacy gift raised by years of fundraising — including events such as the Readathon, Spring Gala and Harlem Wizards banquet. "Creating a legacy gift this large would not be possible," Kaufman said, presenting the donation and identifying planned uses: an aquaponics system at Cedar Drive Middle School, a new library and media center at Conover Road Elementary School, and an outdoor field at Connor Road Primary School. The board and superintendent thanked the PTO and volunteer leaders for their multi‑year work.
The board also honored several staff members as building‑level teachers or education service professionals of the year, and recognized retirees who will leave service this summer. The awards portion of the meeting concluded with a brief recess for photos before the board resumed its regular agenda.
The district said summer programs and logistical details for students have been posted on the district website; the last full student day is June 19, with a short session schedule through June 24.
The board moved its meeting into its regular agenda after the ceremony and later adjourned to an executive session to discuss negotiations.
