Laura’s Notes on the 10/16/2025 BOE Meeting

Another marathon meeting where tensions ran high between some members, while the majority showed signs that they can anAnother marathon meeting where tensions ran high between some members, while the majority showed signs that they can and will work together through it all. Following an almost two hour Executive Session, District Administrators provided detailed and lengthy reports.

HIB, Violence & Vandalism Report
Reporting Period 2 (January 1 to June 30) for the 2024–25 school year saw 41 investigations initiated, which is 14 more than reported in 2023–24. The 2022–23 school year had 26 cases, and 2021–22 had 32. Use of social media and “common areas” were cited as the main culprits for the behavior, but no further details on either were provided.

A self-assessment was completed, but questions arose from Board members and student representatives, who felt the assessment was vague, with little explanation of the process or how scores were calculated.

The full report was not available at the time of this publication but can be viewed by watching the YouTube recording of the meeting.

Spring 2025 Assessment Results (NJSLA)
Overall, students in the District are “meeting” expectations, though there were concerning declines in certain areas. Dr. Marr noted that administrators and educators are meeting to discuss targeted approaches to help all students meet and exceed standards, particularly in areas where notable declines were identified.

When the full presentation becomes available, I caution those reviewing the data to look beyond the highlighted columns. Although some sections are emphasized throughout the report, those highlights do not necessarily indicate students are meeting or exceeding expectations. The actual percentages directly reflect scores, not highlighted areas.

It is also important to understand that these results reflect the performance under the former administration, not the new Superintendent. I am hopeful that, as a collective whole, we are moving in a positive direction and that targeted support for specific groups and students will help them reach their full academic potential.

English Language Arts (ELA): NJSLA ELA scores decreased across grades 3 to 9, with drops ranging from 2 to 8 percent. The exception was 6th grade (current 7th graders), which saw a 16 percent increase.

Mathematics: Most students met or exceeded standards, but there were notable findings. In Algebra 1 (grade 9), 29 percent of students were “Partially Meeting” expectations. I do not fully understand what it means to “partially meet” something, as a goal is either met or not. Additionally, many 9th graders at GLHS are repeating Algebra 1 after having taken it in 8th grade. Geometry results showed that 33 percent of students were approaching grade level. The District hopes to see improvement in future scores with the implementation of Math 8 at CMS.

Science (administered only in grades 5, 8, and 11):

• Grade 5: Students were fairly evenly distributed among near proficiency, proficient, and advanced proficiency.
• Grade 8: The majority of students achieved near-proficiency scores, with an overall 6 percent drop across the grade.
• Grade 11: Most students scored near proficiency or proficient.

Again the ‘near proficiency’ term is a concern as historically, Science scores have been abysmal not just for this District but the whole state. When the Performance reports come out next year, parents will have a clearer understanding of where students actually landed.

Regular Meeting
The Finance and Facilities Committee report focused on planning for the upcoming referendum. Discussion centered on the ballot questions for the special election planned for March. The first question is intended to be net neutral, meaning the tax impact would be zero. The second question would include the remaining projects and would result in a tax impact for residents. Board members agreed the questions provided by the consultants were confusing and poorly written, so the resolution to approve them was tabled.

Board members also expressed frustration with the Board’s inability to discuss the projects collectively. Some wanted multiple questions on the ballot, each tied to a specific project or school. Others felt too many questions would confuse voters. For those seeking more information on the projects, a 99-page presentation is available for review (though it contains numerous typos).

Transportation was also discussed, and the committee will investigate issuing bus passes (for free busing) to CMS students who are not eligible for mandated transportation and should be paying for subscription busing.

The press box is being fabricated and should be installed and ready for use by November 14. The committee, along with the Administration, is working to rebrand the week leading up to Friday Night Lights to make use of the lights at GL and incorporate as many sports as possible. Flag football and GLissando (GLHS’s a cappella group) will also be recognized as formal clubs.

The technology report noted that 170 families of students in grades 6 to 9 purchased protection plans for Chromebooks. However, several issues have arisen, including families who registered for insurance but have not paid and Chromebook assessments not being completed at the time of purchase. The committee is discussing a more coherent process moving forward to prevent similar problems.

Policy discussion was lengthy, with the main topic being the proposed reconfiguration of committees. The new structure was intended to better align with the meeting agenda while reducing duplicate reviews of the same information.

However, most Board members felt the new structure would place even more demands on the three-person Finance and Facilities Committee. The resolution did not pass, and Board members agreed to review the proposal, provide feedback, and revisit it for a first reading at the November meeting.

The meeting ended with a motion to break the contract with the Township for the lease of Lower Columbia. The purpose of the motion was to renegotiate the lease agreement properly since plans to install a turf field are no longer moving forward.

The Board was split, with the majority agreeing that renegotiating might be the right move, while some members preferred to wait for the Township’s proposal following consultant meetings. The motion failed, and the meeting adjourned in the early morning hours of Friday.

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