As we conclude this school year, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation to each of you for your incredible support during my first year as superintendent. It has been a rewarding and memorable experience, and your unwavering commitment to your children's education has played a vital role in our success. From the very beginning, I have been impressed by the strong sense of community that defines our school district. Your active involvement, whether through attending school events, participating in parent-teacher conferences, volunteering in the schools, being a part of the PTO, WEF, and SEPAG, or supporting our initiatives from home, has made a significant impact on our students' learning experiences and overall well-being.
This year has brought both achievements and challenges, and I am grateful for your partnership every step of the way. Starting with transportation and an underfunded budget that has continued to impact us all year, many staffing changes, a rising number of social, emotional, and mental health concerns, and extra hurdles resulting from the referendum projects and building closures this summer, your flexibility, patience, and understanding have been essential as we navigated through these concerns, and worked together to provide the best possible education and safe learning environment for our students. Your feedback and engagement have helped us grow and improve, ensuring that we meet the diverse needs of all our learners.
Referendum
I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together this year. We have completed a significant number of site improvement, safety, and security and building interior referendum projects this year including exterior sidewalk and concrete repairs, installation of window security film, casework for both Bayberry and Valley View, Valley View music and faculty room upgrades, required and known abatements, and 85% of the IT upgrades (cameras, access controls, communication systems, PA systems,firewall). Additionally, we have revised and improved safety and security systems and protocols, and structured all the planning, bidding, and supporting purchases of materials, furniture, and casework for our summer projects. Over the summer we will be completing upgrades to the heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, and security upgrades at both schools. Roof replacement and maintenance, and electrical and plumbing upgrades at Bayberry School, and various interior renovations and upgrades to the media center, art room, and front office of Valley View Middle School. You are able to access all referendum information online. And despite the school buildings being closed this summer we were able to facilitate a shared services agreement with the Long Hill Township Schools to offer our Extended School Year program, including Before and After Care.
During the budget process the Board of Education prioritized restoring staff and programming to improve and enhance curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as adding resources, staff professional learning, and maintaining sports and clubs. The approved budget creates a framework for financial and operational stability that would also be sustainable. The budget reflects the first steps in creating a sound financial foundation that looks ahead to future years, projecting initiatives and staffing needs and reserving funds for possible use in the future. You can find the budget presentations and supporting documents online.
Transportation
We were also successful in expanding our shared services agreement for busing with the Watchung Hills Regional High School District spending a considerable amount of time to review and address the issues from the beginning of this school-year so they will not be repeated in the Fall. We were able to negotiate a new contract with Durham for 2024-2025. We will not have to start over with a new company, new drivers, and new practices. Durham has worked hard to be responsive to the needs of the Watchung community, and we have been pleased with their efforts to provide clean buses with consistent drivers, working cameras, and consistent route timing. They have also responded quickly to issues as they have been raised. We are expecting that this will make a stronger start for next year. Parent bus volunteers will also be reinstated for the Fall. We have worked with the Office of Student Protection at the NJDOE to create easy directions for anyone that is interested in volunteering. If you are planning to be fingerprinted and have your criminal background history checked, please do so by the end of July so you receive your results back in time to volunteer. There will be a volunteer orientation late in August so the responsibilities and expectations are clear prior to the first day of school.
As part of the Budget process, we were able to recommend, and have the BOE approve funds to include a K-12 Transportation Coordinator, and shared routing software K-12. These will be important to creating continuity and having one point person. We have already started working with Transfinder and have a dedicated consultant who will be analyzing the existing routes, and building routes that take into consideration bell times at all three tiers, in real time. You can see the full Transportation Town Hall online.
Thank you!
From academic successes to extracurricular achievements and community-building activities, our students have thrived thanks to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and, of course, our remarkable students. Your belief in the value of education and your support for our schools have been instrumental in creating a nurturing and dynamic environment where every student can succeed. As we look forward to the future, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. With your support and partnership, I am confident that we will continue to build on our successes and create even more opportunities for our students to grow, learn, and excel.
I am honored to serve as your superintendent, and I look forward to many more successful years together. Beginning tomorrow the school buildings will be closed for referendum project construction, but the district is still working Monday -Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. There is no July Board of Education meeting due to the construction, however, we will send a referendum update in July, and a back to school communication in August.
Wishing you and your families a restful and enjoyable summer break.
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