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Stanhope Board reviews safety report, approves contracts and personnel actions
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting the Stanhope Board approved routine minutes, personnel appointments and business items, accepted the Student Safety Data System submission showing three confirmed HIB incidents in period 1, discussed a classroom door/security project and authorized temporary delegation of hiring and business authority.
The Stanhope Board of Education met Jan. 15, 2025, and approved a set of routine administrative, personnel and financial items while reviewing safety and budget planning reports. Board members recorded attendance, administered the Oath of Office to re-elected and continuing members and opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Superintendent Steven Hagemann told the board the district’s Student Safety Data System (SSDS) certified submission for report period one showed three confirmed harassment/intimidation/bullying (HIB) incidents and two alleged incidents that were not confirmed. He also reported 14 staff trainings and 19 student trainings had been recorded for the reporting period and noted recent HIB/ABS/suspension totals of 0/0/0 in another summary snapshot.
Hagemann summarized other administration items: six nominations have been submitted for the Superintendent’s Roundtable student award for 8th-graders and essays from nominees are due Tuesday; a district classroom door replacement project is being considered for spring/summer and will be discussed in more detail at the February committee meeting, including the option of electronic swipe hardware and a second-shift construction schedule to limit in-school disruption; and preliminary FY26 budget planning will begin soon with staff assuming flat State Aid and projecting grants at 80% of current levels.
Board President Mattia Scharfstein said the district met with a developer (Ryan Homes) about land adjacent to school property; she said the developer is not seeking to purchase district-owned land and that any project details will come from the town. Scharfstein also reported the regionalization feasibility committee selected Rowan University to conduct a no-cost study comparing K–12 and 6/7–12 models.
On motions and votes, the board approved most items presented. A motion to approve meeting minutes resulted in Items #1, #3 and #4 being approved while Item #2 (the December 18 executive-session minutes) was tabled for reconsideration at the February meeting. Administrative action items were approved by roll call, including affirmation of the January 15 report under the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act and approval of the SSDS certified submission. The board approved an agreement with Rutgers for the New Jersey School Climate Improvement Platform (service free to the district).
Personnel actions approved included delegation to the superintendent authority to appoint personnel and issue contracts between Jan. 16 and the next board meeting; movement on the salary guide for Stephanie DiIonno from BA to BA+30 effective Feb. 1 (prorated); retroactive appointment of Bonny Engelhardt as a .60 FTE Business Office Clerical Assistant at an annual salary of $24,520 (prorated, effective Jan. 13, 2025); appointment of a substitute custodian retroactive to Dec. 26, 2024 at $15.13 per hour; and the appointment of several substitutes pending criminal-history review.
Business services items approved included November line-item transfers and the Treasurer’s and Board Secretary’s reports certifying compliance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-16.10, delegation of business operations authority to the Business Administrator/Board Secretary until the next meeting, approval of two bill lists totaling $316,709.38 (Dec. 19–31, 2024) and $444,712.55 (Jan. 1–15, 2025), and a Valley Road fire alarm service contract with Pro-Tec Systems, Inc. for $1,600.
New and old business items were brief: the board noted a New Jersey School Boards Association call for officer nominations and invited Unsung Hero nominations; Mr. Vilardo will present details of a proposed 5K fundraiser to the town; and the board discussed representation to the Sussex County Education Services Commission, with no volunteer to replace Mr. Pico for meetings that conflict with his schedule.
There were no public comments during either public-comment period. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. on a 5–0 voice vote.
Votes at a glance: Administrative items (affirmation of SSDS submission, Rutgers agreement, School Board Recognition Month resolution) — approved by roll call; Education trips — approved by roll call; Personnel slate (delegation to superintendent, salary guide movement, appointments) — approved by roll call; Business services (reports, bill lists, Pro-Tec contract) — approved by roll call; minutes approval — Items #1, #3 and #4 approved, Item #2 tabled. The board recorded two members absent for roll calls.
