Waterford Township Board of Education approves contracts, personnel actions and first reading of AI policy

The Waterford Township Board of Education on July 16, 2025 approved multiple routine business, personnel and contracting items for the 2025–26 school year, including out-of-district tuition contracts, vendor services, personnel contract adjustments and the first reading of a district policy on generative artificial intelligence.

Why it matters: The decisions lock in services and staffing for the coming school year, authorize out-of-district placements that carry six-figure tuition commitments, and introduce a draft policy to govern student and staff use of generative AI tools.

On a motion by Thomas Leach, seconded by Benjamin De Vuyst, the board certified monthly financial reports required under state law and approved multiple bills lists and payments for May 2025. The Board Secretary certified that cash reconciliation and budget reports were in agreement with the requirements of 18A:17-9 and applicable N.J.A.C. rules.

Contracts and tuition: The board approved vendor contracts for supplies and facilities services (effective July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026) under cooperative or state contracts, and approved out-of-district tuition contracts for special-education placements. Noted tuition amounts included Archway Programs at $63,300.30 and multiple YALE School West placements near $85,753.50; several Kingsway Learning Center contracts were also listed. A joint transportation contract with Hamilton Township for $3,048.55 (Sept. 2, 2025–June 30, 2026) was approved.

Curriculum and policy: The board approved renewal of the district’s preschool curriculum with Teaching Strategies, LLC for $28,068.29. The board moved Policy #8505 (Wellness Policy/Nutrient Standards) to first reading and advanced Policy #2365 (Acceptable use of Generative Artificial Intelligence) for its first reading, placing the proposed AI rules on the district’s review calendar.

Personnel: The board approved multiple personnel items, including appointments, transfers and resignations. Notable actions recorded in the agenda/minutes include termination and reissue of employee #4555’s contract effective Aug. 15, 2025 (reissued under Secretary A guide, Step 14, $25.80/hr, 35 hours/week) and a similar termination/reissue for employee #4742 effective July 1, 2025 (Custodian guide, Step 7, $18.21/hr, 40 hours/week). The board also rescinded prior termination action for employee #5029 and accepted that employee’s resignation effective July 11, 2025 (pending a signed separation agreement). The board approved certified-staff appointments including Paige Poulton as a long-term substitute (Grade 5) for 8/26/25–1/2/26.

Operations and safety: The board received the Monthly Wellness Report and a Fire/Security Drill Log covering drills at Atco, TR and Waterford Elementary School in June 2025 (examples include an Atco fire drill on 6/3/25 with 211 students and a WES lockdown on 6/6/25 with 378 participants). Enrollment figures presented showed a district total of 919 for 2024–25 and a projected 913 for 2025–26.

What happened procedurally: Several procedural motions were carried by unanimous voice consent — including approving business not anticipated on the agenda, authorizing a closed session (entered at 6:31 p.m.), returning to open session at 7:03 p.m., and adjourning the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Minutes for June 11 and June 30 meetings were approved (Ms. Hunter abstained from two June 11 items). Where roll-call votes were used the minutes record the motions as carried; individual roll-call tallies were not provided in the agenda text.

The board’s next regularly scheduled actions and the minutes were recorded and signed by Christopher Eberly, Business Administrator/Board Secretary. The meeting record lists no public comments for agenda items or general topics.