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Medford Lakes Board approves policy updates, hires, trips and student‑services contract
Summary
At its Nov. 20 meeting the Medford Lakes Board of Education approved multiple policy revisions on final reading, personnel actions including a part‑time custodian hire, field trips and therapy‑dog visits, and a contract with LearnWell Student Services; votes were unanimous where recorded.
The Medford Lakes Board of Education on Nov. 20 approved a slate of policy updates, personnel actions, curriculum items and a student‑services contract, and recessed to closed session to discuss personnel matters.
The board voted, by roll call, to adopt third and final readings of several policy changes, including P 0141 (Board Member Number and Term), the abolition of P 0164.6 (Remote Public Board Meetings During a Declared Emergency), and revisions to P 2200 (Curriculum Content), P & R 3160/4160 (Physical Examination), R 5200 (Attendance), P 5337 (Service Animals), P 5350 (Student Suicide Prevention), P 7231 (Gifts From Vendors, abolished), P 8420 (Emergency and Crisis Situations), P & R 8467 (Firearms and Weapons), and P 9181 (Volunteer Athletic Coaches and Co‑Curricular Activity Advisors/Assistants). The motion was moved by Kevin Kerfoot and seconded by Dana Schultz and carried 5–0.
On personnel, the board approved the hire of Hwa Yowell as a part‑time custodian at $21.10 per hour, granted unpaid leave requests for staff members Renee Sweet and Matt Chamberlain, and accepted resignations from Matt Chamberlain (effective Nov. 14, 2024) and Chelsea Weaver as the 2024–25 assistant cheer coach. The personnel motion was moved by Kevin Kerfoot, seconded by Dana Schultz, and passed 5–0.
The board approved curriculum and coordinated activities recommended by Superintendent Dr. Anthony V. Dent, including Battle of the Books county competition dates for grades 5–8 (April 3 and April 11, 2025), field trips (3rd grade to Cedar Run on April 14, 2025; 4th grade to Wheaton Arts on May 2, 2025), and Crisis Response Canines therapy‑dog visits on a schedule to be determined. The board also approved a Band and Choir walk to Memorial Hall for a Veterans winter holiday lunch on Dec. 13, 2024, and approved the 2024–25 Uniform State Memorandum of Agreement between Education and Law Enforcement Officials. That motion carried 5–0.
Business Administrator and Board Secretary Nikolas Vrettos presented financial items and certifications required under N.J.A.C. 6A:23A‑16.10. Vrettos certified that, as of Oct. 31, 2024, no budgetary line item had encumbrances and expenditures in excess of appropriations and recommended approval of payment of bills and budget transfers for October. The board also approved several professional‑development reimbursements and the 2024–25 Annual Facilities Checklist Statement of Assurance.
The board approved a contract with LearnWell Student Services for educational services at a rate of $58.75 per hour. "We will continue to secure the services our students need," Superintendent Dr. Anthony V. Dent said during the meeting. The LearnWell contract motion passed on a 5–0 vote.
Facilities‑use requests from the Home & School Association for a talent show and a holiday gift shop (Application #25‑20 and #25‑21) were approved. Following the open‑session business, the board adopted Resolution 2025‑04E to enter closed session for personnel matters; the meeting recessed to closed session at 6:59 p.m. and later returned to open session before adjourning at 7:30 p.m.
Motions and recorded roll‑call votes were uniformly 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstentions where roll calls were taken. No formal board action on the public comments about school climate was recorded in the minutes.
