Residents raise concerns about classroom tech and a middle‑school band teacher non‑renewal

Two members of the public used the general‑comment period at the Hackettstown Board of Education’s June 10 meeting to raise concerns about classroom programming and personnel decisions.

Holly Turner, identified in the minutes as a Hackettstown resident, asked the board about the district’s use of technology in the younger grades, expressing concern about its scope and implementation. The minutes record Turner’s concern but do not show a board response or immediate follow-up action recorded during the meeting.

Separately, Michael Hazekamp spoke during public comment to express concern over the non‑renewal of a middle‑school band teacher. The minutes note his concern; they do not record a response from the board or administration during the meeting, nor do they record a formal hearing on employment decisions.

The personnel section of the agenda includes a long list of approved resignations, hires and appointments for summer 2026 and the 2026–27 school year — including the acceptance of Tanya Kurilla’s resignation as Willow Grove principal effective June 30, 2026 and a July contract to cover principal duties — and an authorization allowing the Superintendent to fill vacancies between board meetings through Sept. 30, 2026. Those documented personnel actions indicate the board was addressing staffing needs through approved hires and administrative delegations, but the minutes do not indicate any immediate remedial action specific to the two public commenters’ concerns.

The board’s minutes and materials referenced several hiring and classification items (new staff, ESY assignments, homebound instructors, Child Study Team summer work and athletics appointments). Members of the public who raised concerns during comment may follow up outside the meeting by contacting district administrators or using the district’s public‑comment procedures noted at the start of the meeting.