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Board discusses preschool expansion plans and QSAC-related district improvement work
Summary
Board members discussed preschool enrollment projections that drive state funding and decided not to expand preschool classrooms immediately; administrators explained the district improvement plan created after QSAC findings and noted required curriculum organization adjustments.
During routine approvals of curriculum and related reports, the Hardyston Township Board of Education discussed a proposal labeled the preschool expansion plan for 2026–27 and the district's QSAC-related improvement plan.
A board member asked whether the preschool expansion included a specific increase in classroom counts. District staff responded that projected enrollment, including the split between general education and special education seats, determines state aid and any expansion. They said the plan currently calls for retaining six preschool classrooms rather than adding a partial or fractional classroom at this time while the district assesses fill rates. The superintendent said the preschool playground has already been funded, which, combined with current enrollment, puts the district in a good position without immediate expansion.
On the district improvement plan derived from QSAC findings, administrators said the plan is specific to instruction and program organization: pacing guides and documentation were adjusted to comply with the QSAC manual, and the district will prepare targeted actions to continue student achievement growth. Staff noted QSAC's scoring weights growth differently than summative test scores, which affected the district's resulting plan language.
Board action and next steps: The curriculum item and associated reports were presented and moved as part of routine agenda approvals; the board did not adopt a separate preschool expansion measure at the meeting. Staff will continue to track enrollment projections and report back when expansion is proposed.
