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Warren Hills Regional Board approves personnel, budget items and forms ad hoc to study homeschooled middle‑school athletics
Summary
At its Sept. 24 meeting the Warren Hills Regional Board of Education approved a slate of personnel hires and budget items (including a $1.8 million bill list), advanced policy reviews on student cell‑phone use, and formed an ad hoc committee to study allowing homeschooled middle‑school students to participate in athletics.
Warren Hills Regional — The Warren Hills Regional Board of Education on Sept. 24 approved multiple personnel appointments and budget motions, advanced revisions to student‑use and conduct policies and created an ad hoc committee to study permitting homeschooled middle‑school students to participate in district athletics.
Board President Molly Fraumeni opened the public meeting after an executive session and the board voted to approve the minutes of its Sept. 10 meeting. Superintendent Earl C. Clymer III reported the district received several emails asking whether homeschooled middle‑school students could play on school teams and outlined routine operational items including a Techspo presentation proposal, upcoming student council elections and use of GoFan ticketing.
The board adopted its 2024–25 district goals — covering curriculum articulation, culture and climate initiatives, and guidance on use of AI tools — on a motion by Jean Hansen, seconded by Amy Kemp. Lisa Marshall cast the lone vote against the goals.
On personnel, the board approved a comprehensive slate of appointments, resignations and amendments, including a planned hire for a teacher (Tara Steele; pro‑rated salary listed at $66,580) and the acceptance of Heather Heslin’s retirement effective Jan. 1, 2025 (salary listed in the personnel slate at $101,005). The personnel motions were moved by Lisa Marshall and seconded by Jean Hansen and carried as recorded by the board secretary.
Under Education & Policy business the board approved first and second reads of several policy items, including Policy #5516 (Electronic Communication and Recording Devices) and Regulation/Policy #5516.02 (Student Wireless Communication Device Use / Student Cell Phone Use). The board also approved the Nursing Services Plan for 2024–25 and a set of field trips and professional‑development requests.
On finance, the board accepted the August 2024 Secretary and Treasurer’s report and approved a bill list totaling $1,800,579.66 and transfers of $101,112.84. The board approved a special‑education tuition contract with Hunterdon Preparatory School for $58,926 for the 2024–25 school year, multiple personal paraprofessional agreements for sending districts, sponsorships (a $250 fall sponsorship and a $1,000 one‑year sponsorship) and a 60‑month lease for 13 Canon copiers at $2,684.00 per month.
Public comment focused on two items: a petition and concerns about student cell‑phone use raised by a Washington Township resident identified in the record as Ms. Lucci, and multiple requests from residents that the board consider allowing homeschooled middle‑school students to participate in middle‑school athletics. Mrs. Funk formally requested that the district’s homeschool athletic policy be amended to include middle school. Mr. Scott urged that homeschooled students not be excluded; Mrs. Marshall noted NJSIAA rules cited in the discussion that relate to playing college sports and high school participation. The board placed an ad hoc committee on the agenda to research the issue further.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. The ad hoc committee will research participation questions and report back at a future meeting; no final policy change was adopted at this session.
