Hello Readers,

Here is a quick update on the last regular BOE meeting held on 7/22/24.

The Preschool expansion grant was discussed which would bring full day universal preschool to the district. This would be free and available to children of Roxbury between ages 3-4.

Dr. Santora explained that Roxbury should be considered on the first round of grant approvals by the state, based on the number of free and reduced lunch students we have. This is a GREAT opportunity for the district. It supports our families, and also is a draw for potential home buyers!

Roxbury will find out in the fall if they were awarded the grant, then have 75 days to implement the program.

More information about the preschool program will be presented at the next scheduled Coffee and Conversation with Dr. Santora scheduled for August 15^th.

A very exciting announcement was made. The RHS aviation program will be receiving a donation of – A PLANE! The owner of the plan is Mike Plante, who is the president of an international relief organization called Bahamas Habitat. Very exciting!

The recent resignations were discussed, which will hopefully be filled by the next meeting on August 19^th.  Mr. Miller spoke, and it was evident that he will be missed by the reaction of BOE members. Mr. Miller was clearly a champion for his students, and he will be impossible to replace.

When finances were voted on, both BOE member Colucci, and MacGregor voted no on Dr. Seipp attending a workshop called NJ Gain, which is described as – “A meeting for educational leadership regarding grading, assessment, instructional best practices.” This workshop would cost the district $10.25 for Dr. Seipp to attend. There was no discussion on why they voted no on professional development for a district employee.

And speaking of transparency, it was discussed that the board’s retreat, where they discuss the board self-evaluation and goals for the year, (held last week on 7/24) was NOT recorded or live streamed.

That is very interesting, as it has been recorded in the past. Last year at the retreat we had BOE member MacGregor say, “I have an obligation to vote a certain way because of my own personal beliefs.”

BOE member MacGregor stated “Something that is the law doesn’t work for everyone. You can tell me something is against my religion or mandate it and some are going to say no, I answer to a higher power. That doesn’t work for me.”

BOE member Purcell stated “There might be 10% who approve of these books, but 90% are saying absolutely not. But the Governor is saying -oh absolutely so. So, it’s putting us in a bad predicament, because I am voting in my conscience for the side I want to vote with.”

BOE member Scheneck stated that the code of ethics requires them to uphold all laws, rules and regulations

BOE member Purcell then stated “Yeah, we know the rules. But we don’t WANT those rules”

Was this year’s retreat NOT live streamed due to fear that it would simply document board members admitting they don’t want to follow the code of ethics? I guess we may never know.

Read more about last year’s retreat here.

In other news, candidates for this years election for Board of Education were announced.

Kathy Purcell, David Faulkner Jr, Caitlyn Barba on Education First slate.

Andrew Schlam, Mirna Hernandez, Alyson Meredith on an unnamed slate.

Kathy Purcell is the only incumbent running. We know her stance on many issues as she’s expressed both verbally in meetings and through her voting record. We look forward to seeing with the other five candidates have to offer in the coming months!