John’s Notes on the 02/26/2026 BHPSNJ BOE Meeting

District and Board Goals

Two items listed at the Start of the Meeting include Board Goals and District Goals as the District continues its tradition of not including these presentation materials as part of the Agenda packet which would allow residents to review the material and come to the meeting prepared with questions.

Board Secretary Report

Has the district running about $187,584 under its total revenue estimate, with most of that variance tied to local sources. It also shows huge encumbrances, meaning a major share of this year’s budget is already committed through purchase orders and contracts. Lastly, we see a negative federal line item that residents should ask the district to explain.

Board Committees

Earlier in the year the BOE talked about revamping committees, liaisons and the policy.

In the Draft policy some of the Committees and Liaisons are renamed, not eliminated (“Town Council” becomes “BH Town Council,” “PTO Council” becomes “BH Parent Teacher Organization Council,” “Education Foundation” becomes “BH Education Foundation,”here’s how the Draft landed.

Sexual Harassment
This meeting includes a full revamp of the district’s harassment policy set.

First reading, new:
P 1552 Sexual Harassment
R 1552 Sexual Harassment

Abolish:
P 3362 Sexual Harassment
P 4352 Sexual Harassment

Staff can make a report in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, including during non-business hours.

Principals and supervisors must forward reports to the Superintendent or designee and the Affirmative Action Officer within one working day, even if the supervisor does not believe sexual harassment occurred.

The investigation is expected to be completed within ten working days after the district receives notice.

Communicable Disease
Language referencing HIV screening is removed, while the exclusion rule for uncovered weeping skin lesions stays and is emphasized. Any student or adult who has weeping skin lesions that cannot be covered shall be excluded from school.

One notable change: the sentence stating teachers should not communicate directly with parents about communicable diseases is removed in the regulation language, while communication remains centered through the nurse and administration process.

Home Schooling Policy
If the Superintendent has credible evidence a school-aged child is not receiving equivalent instruction elsewhere, the district can require confirmation and may refer concerns to municipal authorities.

For a student re-entering school, the district will determine grade placement and credit acceptance after evaluating the student’s work and achievement.

Home-schooled students must be permitted to take an advanced placement test. If the student is domiciled in the district administering the test, it must be administered in the district’s administrative offices and the Board pays the cost of the proctor. Home-schooled students do not receive a state-endorsed high school diploma from the BOE.

SEMI Waiver Request
Based on the number of Medicaid-eligible classified students the district is projected to have, it is asking for a SEMI waiver. This reads like a cost-benefit decision, potential SEMI revenue versus staff time and administrative burden.

Insurance Pool Renewal through 2029
A three-year term is not unusual, but it is a commitment and should be treated like a multi-year contract. Residents can ask about premium and claim trends, changes to coverage and deductibles, and whether the district compared other options.

Gifts and Donations

Seeks to add coherency and accountability to outside money going into Athletics – we covered this back in January.

Agenda Packet (zip)