Franklin Lakes board reviews Grade 6 civics revision and expanded elementary world-language options

The Franklin Lakes Board of Education on Sept. 16 heard a curriculum presentation proposing a revised Grade 6 course called 'Foundations of Civics' and a Grades 4–5 'World Language Exploration' offering that would include Spanish, French and Italian and use the Mango language platform to provide access to additional languages.

Ms. Preziosi presented the proposed Grade 6 cycle revisions and described the World Language Exploration course for grades 4 and 5. According to the presentation, students would have access to Mango, which the presentation described as allowing access to as many as 70 languages. Board members discussed how the proposals align with preliminary board goals for 2025–26, including academic excellence and staff recruitment and development.

During public comment, a resident praised the district's Summer Math Program and "kudos to Mr. Kieser and Math staff," but also asked for a public question-and-answer session and said the Patriot Period at Franklin Avenue Middle School "does not seem to be working the way it was presented." The board opened public comment at 8:24 p.m. and closed it at 8:30 p.m. (motions by Mr. Scott Loia, seconded by Mr. Ryan Richman).

The presentation fed into an initial discussion of the board’s preliminary goals for the coming school year; no formal curricular votes were recorded at the meeting. Board members asked for follow-up information as they refine goals and consider next steps for curriculum approval and implementation.