The Watchung Hills Regional High School District board voted to adopt a revised Policy 57‑56 on first reading, removing a sentence limiting staff notification of a student’s gender identity, clarifying confidential handling of birth-name records, and adding that NJSIAA guidelines will govern athletic participation; the vote passed with one abstention and two 'no' votes.
Superintendent Doctor Jewett told the board state aid numbers are expected March 10; administrators are preparing the budget and reviewing class-size reporting methods, clarifying the difference between average classroom size (~21 students) and audit staff-to-student ratios that include counselors and aides.
Student representatives reported the math team is tied for first locally and two students advanced in the American Mathematics Competition; music and theater students placed in region/state competitions and 13 students were selected for a national art anthology.
The board received a twice-yearly Student Safety Data System report covering July–Dec: a small number of violent incidents, vandalism, substance-abuse incidents and one alleged (unconfirmed) HIV case; education, personnel and operations committees reported on JROTC feasibility, staffing vacancies, policy updates and construction projects.
Following a residency-committee hearing, the board approved a resolution finding a student was not domiciled in the district, ordering disenrollment, directing formal notification to the family and advising them of the right to appeal to the commissioner of education; the board reserved the right to pursue back tuition.
Administrators presented a preliminary 2026–27 budget overview highlighting declining enrollment, rising health and special-education costs, a 2% state levy cap (about $725,000) and eligibility for a state health-benefit waiver that could increase the levy if fully used; board members discussed referendum timing and tax-impact communication.
Board members debated a proposed transgender-student policy that includes a confidentiality provision and principal-created plans; the board heard that students and the GSA advisor felt harmed by the prior policy rescission and agreed to reengage the board attorney for further review.
Board members discussed creating clearer social-media conduct guidance, possible enforcement under the New Jersey School Ethics Act, and a one-stop website for mandated and recommended policies; no enforcement action was taken.
An unidentified speaker said the district eliminated late buses last year, that staff cut three late buses and that the policy represented the "best of the bad choices," and signaled reluctance to pursue further cuts unless reductions are distributed more broadly.
An informational presentation for juniors covered application types and timelines, testing and essays, letters of recommendation, demonstrated interest, and community-college pathways; no formal actions or decisions were taken.
