The BOE Write-up That’s Almost as Long as the Meeting

A re-cap of the August 10th, 2023 Board of Education Meeting, with Bonus Material that you won’t want to miss.

The Superintendent’s Report consisted mainly of a presentation by Mr. Nixon on the results of the NJGPA test. Governor Livingston students did well, with 95% receiving a passing score in ELA and 82% passing the math portion. Results from last year can’t be accurately compared to this year, as the passing score was changed. In addition, complicating matters was that the results on the ELA portion from last year had females passing at a significantly higher rate than males, so the State of NJ made changes to that portion of the exam. For students who did not pass either or both sections, alternate pathways include SAT and ACT test scores, a portfolio, and an additional exam which I didn’t catch the name of. The eligible SAT and ACT score information that can be used in place of the NJGPA results was not immediately available, but can be found via a link on the district website. Slides with additional information will likely be available on the website as well, if not already there.

After comments by Pamela Stanley about kids not taking the test seriously, and a reminder that this is a state assessment and the District is not to blame, additional board members’ questions were addressed. There will be a half hour of lunch in each rotation (every four days) for seniors who haven’t reached proficiency through any method. They will work with a teacher who will assist them in whatever areas are needed for graduation. I believe that is also being extended to juniors who are considered at risk of not passing the exam.

Patricia Reese, from the New Jersey School Board Association, gave the same presentation on Board Goals that we saw back in May. The Board will come up with a time to meet and determine which goals they will work toward. One new and interesting point arose when she said that some individual name(s) and/or comments that had been in the Board’s self-evaluation had been redacted “on advice of your attorney”.

On liaison reports, Gale Bradford talked about Town Council business, none of which had anything to do with schools. It has been suggested in the past that this liaison report be limited to items which impact the schools or students. On Curriculum, Pamela Stanley noted that there had been a two-hour curriculum committee meeting with principals present. According to Mrs. Stanley, they discussed how Special Education and behavioral issues ‘play into the numbers’. She also mentioned how extended schooling (Special Education students can remain in school until they are 21 in some cases) affects our graduation rate. We heard again about how students don’t take tests seriously. Lastly, she encouraged parents to listen in on their presentation next month. Joy Young said the Finance and Facilities committee had discussed the SafeWatch (sp?) app, and that there is a free alternative provided by our insurers that they will look into. The committee also eliminated subscription busing. More on that later. Actually, just watch the later on video.

In interviewing the candidates for the Assistant Superintendent position, Dr. Varley stated that a parent, two BOE members, and an undefined number of administrators and teachers were present. How involving a single parent equates to the community having input is puzzling.

During another exchange about textbooks, Pamela Stanley took the opportunity to show “decorum” by blasting a fellow Board member for not being prepared and said it was troubling that people (Board members) don’t understand what they’re voting on. She then admitted that no current list of textbooks had been circulated to the Board members. At some point, I stopped listening to this part of the meeting. Sorry.

Another discussion ensued about abolishing a Board Policy (9100) that called for the Board to seek public input. Both Jordan Hyman and Dipti Khanna had questions about this, with Ms. Khanna pointing out that one of the lowest scores on the Board’s self-evaluation was Board/Community communications. She asked why the Board would eliminate a policy that specified the public was to have input. Dr. Varley replied that a new policy, 9120, replaces 9100. Although the exact language of the new policy was not read, it appears that it narrows the requirement to have community input. A step in the wrong direction?

At various points, Pamela Stanley and Robert Cianciulli admonished Dr. Foregger and Ms. Khanna, asking whether they had mentioned these items in committee or saying they didn’t remember being asked about this in committee. Let’s be 100% clear here: Board members are allowed, and even encouraged by the NJ School Board Association, to ask questions in public meetings when they feel the question is one the community should hear the answer to.

Busing… oh boy. This one you really need to pull up the YouTube video and watch. It’s sad, frustrating, anger-inducing, and shows clearly the disconnect and disregard too many at that table have when it comes to decision-making and what is actually in the best interest of District students and families.

And now, the bonus material. In waiting to talk to another parent after the meeting ended, I had what was not one of my finest moments (MASSIVE understatement here). I misheard a conversation happening amongst some BOE members, the attorney, District office staff and Dr. Varley, and I accused them of speaking about someone behind their backs. The reason for publicly admitting to doing something quite idiotic is because the ensuing fallout was enlightening.

Mrs. Penna mentioned decorum, and I readily admit I was dead wrong with my accusation. However, I found this rather ironic given several of the statements made by Mrs. Stanley not more than an hour earlier, publicly accusing other members of not understanding material and being unprepared, and even calling out a resident at a previous meeting. I pointed out again (after having made the same comment during public comment time) that Mrs. Stanley also should not be admonishing Board members for bringing up questions in a public meeting, especially when it’s something they feel the public needs to hear. At this point, Dr. Varley interjected with a very sarcastic, ‘What? All 31 people watching? In a town of 14,000 you only have 31 watching.” Wow. I didn’t know there was a minimum number of people who need to watch the meetings in order for the community to qualify as interested in what is happening in our schools.

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