Lopatcong board approves annual reorganization, tables Envision Math pending presentation

The Lopatcong Township Board of Education approved its annual reorganization and a broad set of appointments, contracts and personnel renewals at its May 28 meeting, and separately voted to table a high-cost math curriculum pending further information.

The board adopted resolutions R-288-26 through R-311-26 in a consolidated motion that set district roles and authorized multiple contracts and staffing renewals for the 2026–27 school year. Among the appointments recorded were Cindy Hanics as Treasurer of School Monies and Israel Marmolejos as Affirmative Action Officer and several coordinator roles. The board retained Comegno Law Group as board counsel and listed Dr. Kenneth Ly as school physician. Several administrative slots (Business Administrator, Board Secretary, Purchasing Agent, Custodian of Records) remained noted as TBD on the record.

Why it matters: the reorganization establishes who will hold key administrative responsibilities and authorizes expenditures and contracts that shape next year’s operations, from food service to special education placements.

Board members also approved software, professional services and procurement authorizations, including renewals for platforms such as Follett Destiny, IEP-Direct, a Genesis student information system and participation in state cooperative purchasing programs. The board renewed the food service contract with Maschio’s Food Service, Inc. for 2026–27 at a flat administrative fee of $15,825; the contract’s total cost on the agenda was listed as $327,904.49, subject to state approval. The board set meal prices for 2026–27 at $2.25 for breakfast, $3.75 for student lunch and $4.25 for an adult meal.

The board approved the tax levy schedule for the coming school year, which the agenda lists with monthly payments and a total of $17,615,007 for 2026–27 (debt service listed separately at $780,718).

Curriculum debate and tabling: members raised concerns about the SAVVAS Envision Math package, which the agenda lists at $74,557. Board members requested presentations from vendors and additional information before approving high-dollar curriculum purchases. After discussion, Mr. Ernest Gallant moved to pull (table) the SAVVAS Envision Math item; Mrs. Julia Jones-Jasper seconded the motion, and the board approved the motion to table the curriculum pending a presentation scheduled for June 15 and additional review. The agenda also records a tied scheduling of a June 4 presentation on the Circles SEL program.

Personnel and other approvals: the board approved renewals for an extensive list of tenured and non-tenured staff, set substitute pay rates (teacher and paraprofessional $21.25/hour; nurse $35.75/hour), authorized ESY staffing and stipend funding for a Human Resources position ($5,000), and approved summer hours and summer custodial staffing. The board approved out-of-district tuition placements and adopted 10-month receiving tuition rates (for example, Pre-K $21,486; grades 1–5 $19,087; grades 6–8 $20,109).

The meeting included committee reports on finance and education and concluded after executive sessions on personnel and litigation. The board scheduled additional presentations and committee meetings to follow up on the curriculum and budget items.

What’s next: the Envision Math purchase will remain tabled until the vendor presentation on June 15; the board’s personnel and contract approvals take effect as listed for the 2026–27 school year.