At a January meeting, students, parents and residents urged the Bernards Township School District to recognize Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, citing high local observance and minimal calendar disruption; the board said its policy committee will review the proposal in February, with no vote tonight.
Multiple students, parents and community members urged the Bernards Township Board of Education to add Lunar New Year to the district calendar; the board agreed to refer the request to its policy committee for discussion in February rather than adopt an immediate change.
At its reorganization meeting the Bernards Township Board of Education elected Jennifer White as president in an 8–1 roll-call vote and David (Dave) Shaw as vice president by unanimous roll call; trustees also approved routine items and discussed committee assignments and board goals.
A resident urged the Bernards Township School District board to adopt a field‑use policy with measurable enforcement and requested construction timing details for the Foresty Complex; the board said a draft policy (7511) is in committee and described anticipated contractor hours and safety steps.
Student representative and district curriculum staff reported classroom AI guidelines (approved tools named), in‑school PSAT participation rates (67.7% of sophomores, 56.4% of juniors), expanded tutor.com usage and a planned parent session on the state K–3 universal screener.
The Bernards Township School District board heard a finance committee report outlining a roughly $36 million five‑year capital plan, discussed potential state ROD grants covering up to 40% of eligible costs, and approved routine finance, personnel and policy consent items by roll call.
Superintendent presented NJSLA and other assessment results showing record elementary performances in math and ELA after Envision Math adoption; district will field-test New Jersey’s new adaptive state assessment this week and expand tutoring and interventions for targeted subgroups.
Bernards Township’s wellness committee reported that local youth substance-use rates from the 2024 PRIDE survey are lower than national averages but that alcohol and marijuana remain priorities for prevention work.
The board approved finance consent items that include a base bid for drainage improvements across three varsity fields and conversion of the soccer field to artificial turf; conduit for future lighting will be installed but no lights or poles were approved. Public commenters raised Green Acres ownership and drainage-clearing concerns.
A parent presented a 230-signature petition asking the district to reevaluate its school calendar so district closures better reflect major religious holidays observed by minority students; board policy committee previously adjusted Eid date after consultation and will continue reviewing calendar policy and facility-use guidelines.
