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Palmyra Board approves 2026–27 calendar, Green Team, personnel moves and special‑education placements
Summary
At its Dec. 10 meeting the Palmyra Board of Education approved the 2026–27 district calendar, established a District Green Team, confirmed multiple personnel appointments and accepted several out‑of‑district special‑education placements and related transportation and homebound instruction arrangements.
The Palmyra Board of Education on Dec. 10 approved the district calendar for the 2026–27 school year, established a District Green Team and completed a package of personnel, finance and student‑service actions, according to the minutes.
The board approved policy updates (including new and revised resource and public‑complaint policies), authorized the FY2027 projected preschool enrollment submission and accepted the district Safety and Security Plan statement of assurance for submission to the county. The board also approved fundraisers and student travel, including Palmyra High/Middle School choir travel to Rowan University on Jan. 7, 2026.
In finance actions the board certified monthly financials under NJAC 6:20‑2.13(e) and approved an amendment submission to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the NJGMS reflecting rollover funds (Basic: $2,551; PreK: $1,618). The board accepted two small cash donations of $40 each to the Charles Street School general fund and donated middle‑school basketball uniforms valued at approximately $900.
The board accepted two out‑of‑district special‑education placements: Student ID 7710652979 to Haddon Heights School District with a regular‑year tuition of $22,800 and shared educational interpreter services shown as $74,580.50; and Student ID 6965833864 to Burlington Township School District with tuition $25,453 and a 1:1 aide cost listed as $38,685.60. The board also approved transportation for Student ID 6818250819 through the Camden County Educational Services Commission (Route J2373Q) at $400 per diem.
Several homebound instruction arrangements were approved with stated durations and weekly hours: for example, a 60‑day placement beginning Nov. 23, 2025 providing 10 hours per week, and a 45‑day placement beginning Dec. 15, 2025 (estimated through Feb. 24, 2026) pending a psychiatric evaluation; the minutes record teachers assigned and that pay follows the collective bargaining agreement.
On personnel matters the board appointed Tracy Sokolowski as lead teacher at Palmyra High/Middle School, effective Feb. 2, 2026; approved Jamie Patchel as the SBSH/SEMI coordinator for 2025–26; reappointed Jared M. Toscano to administrative compliance roles; and approved extracurricular stipends including a winter cheerleading coach. The board also approved multiple PreK–8 mentor, childcare supervisor and student‑teacher placements.
The board created a District Green Team and approved its membership, which the minutes list to include district leaders, building principals and teacher and community representatives. The motion to establish the Green Team passed on a roll call vote: motion by Mr. Dickinson, second by Ms. Campbell; ayes (10), nays (0), abstentions (0).
Student Representative Patrick Broadbelt reported on winter sports and school activities, and members of the public recognized included Amir Abdurahman, who noted his son’s attendance for a citizenship activity, and Rene Fusco, who praised the Palmyra Choir. The meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote at 7:52 p.m. and the minutes were signed by Jared M. Toscano, Business Administrator/Board Secretary.
What the minutes do not include: detailed discussion text for the QSAC placement or some policy debates, and several items list student IDs rather than names (as required for privacy). When dollar amounts or durations are given in the minutes, this article reports them as recorded (not edited).
