Laura’s Notes on the 06/01/2026 BOE Meeting: Bussing Rates, Student Surveillance and AP Classes

The June 1, 2026 rescheduled BOE meeting just barely had a quorum, with Akiri, Foregger and Morales missing from the meeting.

In her Superintendent’s report, Dr. Feltre stated that the Strategic Plan presentation will take place at the June 25 BOE meeting.

The Finance and Facilities report reflected a discussion on girls locker room upgrades, which have been estimated to cost approximately $900,000-$1,500,000.

The committee also had a discussion on the future of the turf field, which is at the end of its playing life at the end of the 2027-28 year. Joly reported that the committee discussed natural versus synthetic turf, in addition to the need to identify a power source to install lighting.

Plans for the start of referendum work are not quite in the works, as the BOE is awaiting additional quotes for camera upgrades.

There was an extensive discussion regarding Gaggle student safety monitoring software, which was on the agenda to replace Securly. Questions about student privacy were addressed and the District was adamant that the program would be used in a similar format as Securly is used now. Student representative comments identified one significant difference in that the Securly system was clearly monitoring, so students knew when their teachers were watching their work. The proposed new software, Gaggle, would differ with a more discreet 24/7 monitoring system.

Later in the meeting, during public comments, NJ21st editor John Migueis raised legitimate concerns with the 24-hour AI monitoring of students, Gaggle, in our schools and what measures have been taken to protect their civil liberties, creativity along with other concerns expressed in his email to the BOE in connection to impact on more vulnerable student populations. He also expressed discontent with multiple Board members being absent again.

Bus rates were increased and approved at $750 per child with a $2,000 family maximum. Last year, the cost was $500 per student with a $750 family maximum. Although this hike in the family max has nearly tripled, if you have been following the bus saga, we knew the district and taxpayers could not sustain the lower fees, as the subscription busing rate had been $1,000 per student.

During personnel agenda items, all resolutions passed, with Dillon casting dissenting votes for the Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, Wilson Certified Instructor and the part-time Social Media Specialist.

Bradford made a motion to table voting on the Vice Principal position for GLHS until the next BOE meeting and was met with unanimous support.

The Board approved all six low enrollment courses: AP Italian 5, AP Music Theory, AP Physics C, Jazz Improvisation, STEAM Seminar and Multivariable Calculus, again with Dillon casting the only no vote. I have reached out to Mr. Dillon to inquire about his opposing vote on these classes that are, in my opinion, essential to students at GLHS. And given the exorbitant amount of monetary donations approved and allocated for sports, I would argue that our academic classes should be at the forefront of where the Board is providing support, as the school district’s main function is as an educational institution.

Bradford reported that negotiations are pending for custodial contracts, with seven of the eight employees having signed. The Board Attorney commented that only seven of those eight employees can sign the document, as the outlier is on medical leave. Additionally, BHEA negotiations, teacher contracts, are ongoing.

Policy discussion, once again, focused on 0149: Retiring Board Members, with a minor change in language to allow for Mountainside BOE members to participate in handing their child(ren) a diploma at graduation. Joly asked for the recommendation from the Board Attorney, as this policy specifically attributes benefits of sitting Board members to receive special privileges. The attorney said he would have a discussion regarding the concerns in executive session. During discussion, Dillon, arguably frustrated asked the Board to “move on” while alluding to the idea that theres a real possibility that Mountainside would not be a part of BHPS in 2027. The send-receive contract between BHPS and Mountainside will expire in June of 2027 and contract negotiations have been ongoing.

In his final comments, Dillon requested the Board and District be forthcoming and timely with conveying any and all information regarding the state-mandated cell phone policy to families sooner rather than later, because it can and will essentially change the way in which students are used to communicating. Dr. Feltre mentioned that the cell phones are only an issue at GL, which Dillon (and I) disagreed with.

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