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Orange Board unanimously approves four policies; staff preview summer work, audits and back-to-school plans
Summary
The board voted unanimously to adopt four second-read policies covering personnel agreements, employee safety, student bus conduct and computer use in instruction; staff also updated the board on grants, the FY26 budget, ongoing audits, facilities work and professional learning for the coming school year.
The Orange School District Board of Education approved four policy second reads unanimously at its Aug. 18 meeting and heard staff reports on summer operations and back-to-school preparations.
Chair Jeff Cap presided as the board approved (by voice) the following second-read policies: Policy 4135.1–4235.1 (personnel certified/non-certified agreement), Policy 4147–4247 (employee safety), Policy 5131.1 (students bus conduct), and Policy 6156 (use of computers in instruction). Each motion was moved and seconded as listed during the meeting and declared unanimous; no roll-call tallies were read aloud.
During staff reports, Superintendent Dr. Scarpetti welcomed the community to the 2025–26 school year, noted that parent and student handbooks were distributed and reminded the board that teachers return Aug. 20, when convocation and a bus-driver breakfast are scheduled. He thanked custodians and central staff for summer work and said a building-and-grounds presentation will follow at the next meeting.
Mr. Gray, the district business officer, summarized grants and budget matters: two three-year mental-health-related grants will be funded at 70% this year (the summer mental-health grant: $35,000; a mental-health specialist position previously funded at 100%), and a Title III consolidated grant of $18,225 remains with $15,475 available. Mr. Gray reported the district uploaded a $24,214,154 budget for 2025–26 into the Munis financial system and that auditors have been working through the summer with an expected audit report by December.
Dr. Russo outlined professional learning and staff orientation: new-staff onboarding occurred Aug. 18 (Chromebooks, badges and content sessions), K–3 teachers will review revised foundational skills, grades 4–6 will adopt new math resources, and digital assessments (Amplify) funded by a state 'right to read' grant will be used this year. Several board members asked about parent workshops and training for paraprofessionals; Dr. Russo said the district plans family-facing sessions and provides paraprofessional training at the start of the year.
Committee chairs provided brief reports and scheduling: the finance and operations subcommittee noted FY24–25 closeout and audit timing; the personnel and transportation committee proposed meeting on Sept. 8; buildings-and-grounds will tour schools Aug. 27; ASUS reported recent construction approvals and a DEEP grant resolution.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously. The board adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
