Superintendent's Contract and 'Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging' Program will Be Voted on by the Board of Education

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - The East Brunswick Board of Education's agenda is packed for Thursday night's meeting as Election Day nears, and the schools reach the end of their first quarter of the 2024/25 academic year.  The last item on the agenda, which followed a printed notice two weeks ago in The Star-Ledger , is the proposed contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Victor Valeski.

Valeski has served as Superintendent for the past ten years, a tenure which includes the management of the COVID-19 extended shutdown; the opening of the Magistro Performing Arts Center at Hammarskjold; and the placement of armed security guards in all schools during a period of increased national concern about safety.

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Recently, however, the impact of the loss of $6 million in state funding, which affected 20% of New Jersey's schools; conflicts among and resignations by BOE members; and last spring's yearbook impropriety; and ongoing have cast a shadow on the school administration and caused public concern.  Campaigning for the upcoming election of four new Board members has highlighted the stress on both the board and the greater school community.

Now, the Board will vote on an extension to Valeski's contract. His current agreement ends in June, 2027.  The extension, if approved by the Board at tonight's meeting, would employ him in this leadership role until June, 2029. Interim Middlesex County Executive County Superintendent of Schools Kyle Anderson has already approved the extension, according to the agenda.

Also on the agenda is the request for approval of the contract for the Center for Supportive Schools , which will provide professional training to all staff in “diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging,” a need indicated by the community and the schools over time and focused on during the publication problem last spring. The Board will vote on bringing this program to schools. The goal of DEIB-related work is to create learning environments in which “equity is understood, consciously-centered and observable.” Valeski and the Board have promised to address these needs.

There will be open public discussion at the meeting which begins at 7:30 pm at the BOE office on Rooute 18 and promises to be a long one.

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Also on the agenda for the October 10 meeting are the following items:

• Fire Prevention Week
• National Principals' Month
• The Superintendent's update
• A review of updated/revised Board policies

• Awarding of contracts and acceptance of grants

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