Author: Laura Kapuscinski

Laura’s Notes on the 6/10/24 Berkeley Heights BOE Agenda

We expect that remote participation will again be allowed during this meeting and that the public can comment via Zoom, which can be found here. The meeting will start in the GL Cafeteria, whereupon the Board will adjourn into Executive session. Following the Executive session, the Board will reconvene in the GL Auditorium for a public session, where the night...
Berkeley Heights BOEBOE Agendas and Meeting Summaries

Laura’s Notes on the 05/30/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Meeting

Without any prior notification, the zoom access for the 5/30 BOE meeting allowed for remote participation.  However, the new version of Zoom does not let attendees see who else is on Zoom. Regardless, this is a major step in allowing for stakeholder involvement. Presentation of District Goals with all Administrative members present.  Of the presenters worth noting, Mr. Hopkins spent significant time discussing his role in...
Berkeley Heights BOEBOE Agendas and Meeting Summaries

Laura’s Notes on the 05/30/2024 BOE Meeting Agenda

Board Candidate Interviews, Athletic Trainer and Heavy Investment in New Behavioral Service on the Agenda The Acting Superintendent will present the district goals following the student representatives’ report. The highlight of the night will be the interview with board candidates.  This list has not been made public, but all candidates who submitted a resume and letter of interest will be...
Berkeley Heights BOEBOE Agendas and Meeting Summaries

Laura’s Notes on the 05/20/2024 BHPSNJ BOE Meeting: Public Comments

You can tell when election season in Berkeley Heights is approaching, residents come out and make their presence known by their attendance and participation at public council and Board meetings. Participation in local government, like voting, is a privilege we all have, and it contributes to a healthy, transparent, and effective democracy. I have seen a pattern and can report...
Berkeley Heights BOEBOE Agendas and Meeting Summaries

Laura’s Notes on the Berkeley Heights 05/21/2024 Town Council Meeting Agenda

Update at 5:32 p.m.: The Proposed Salary for the Chief of Police Position is $216,300  – the contract is still in draft form. The Town Council Meeting will occur tonight, Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00PM The meeting will start with a conference session dedicated to having an affordable housing update, followed by a presentation from FACT (the Union County Care...
Berkeley Heights Town CouncilBerkeley Heights Town GovernmentTown Council Agenda and Meeting Summary

Laura’s Notes on the Berkeley Heights 05/20/2024 BOE Meeting Agenda

Superintendent Search, Social Media Policy, OPMA and Recognition The Board of Education’s special meeting is tonight with the public session expected to begin at 6:30 PM.  Unlike other meetings, the Board will meet to discuss the one and only business item before adjourning into Executive session. The NJSBA Superintendent Search Discussion is the main attraction for this special meeting.  This is the first meeting surrounding the process of hiring...
Berkeley Heights BOEBOE Agendas and Meeting Summaries

Laura’s Notes on the 05/07/2024 BOE Meeting Part 2: Budget, Staff and Contracts

What should have been a focused Budget adoption meeting of the Board of Education turned into another marathon, with tensions boiling over. We have published content on the transportation and bussing issue ad nauseam, so this meeting recap will not address any of those concerns or discussions. The budget was passed with all members voting in support of the 2024-25 proposal. Dipti Khanna,...
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Laura’s Notes on the 05/07/2024 BOE Meeting Part 1: Transportation & Bussing

Ms. Bradford introduced a motion to reverse the decision from the last meeting in which the Board approved only Mandated and Subscription bussing. Ms. Akiri called her out as she had not provided 48-hour notice of this motion before the meeting, per Board policy. The Board attorney allowed the vote to happen. The motion failed with a 4-2 vote. (Mr....
Berkeley Heights BOEBOE Agendas and Meeting SummariesSchool Transportation

Laura’s Notes on the 05/07/2024 Berkeley Heights BOE Agenda

2024 Budget, Busing, Administrative Positions on the Agenda for Tuesday SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT The resignation of Angela Penna from the Board of Education BUDGET The final presentation and adoption of the BHPS budget will occur. The total 2024-25 budget is $61,658,566. Following the presentation, a public hearing on budget items only will occur. ADMINISTRATION* F. Approve Appointment of Interim Superintendent of...
Berkeley Heights BOEBOE Agendas and Meeting Summaries