Montgomery Township School Board Reviews Strategic Goals in February 25 Meeting

By Nicholas Mistretta

Montgomery, NJ – The Montgomery Township Board of Education convened on Tuesday, February 25, for its regular meeting, featuring key presentations on Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) and an update on the district’s Strategic Planning Goals.

Following the executive session, the meeting began with the student representative report, followed by Superintendent Mary McLaughlin’s updates. The highlight of the evening was a presentation outlining the district’s strategic plan, developed in partnership with the New Jersey School Boards Association and shaped by public input gathered during meetings on December 12, 2023, January 31, 2024, and February 22, 2024. Superintendent McLaughlin introduced the finalized strategic goals and invited goal leaders to discuss their progress and actions. The plan is structured around three core goals:

Goal 1: The Student Experience – Presented by Fiona Borland
– Foster a connected, creative, and experiential learning environment by developing partnerships with community organizations and businesses to provide real-world learning opportunities.
– Integrate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into the curriculum.
– Develop a shared vision for AI use across grade levels, aligning with academic integrity policies and ethical guidelines.
– Gather feedback from staff and students on AI technology integration and best practices.

Goal 2: Communication, Community Engagement, and Outreach – Presented by Damian Pappa
– Improve communication by utilizing multiple platforms, including social media, the district website, and outreach software, to enhance transparency and accessibility.
– Restructure the district website to encourage greater community participation in events.
– Develop mentorship opportunities for students, leveraging community expertise.
– Explore the use of school buildings for non-school activities after hours to foster community engagement.
– Address declining volunteerism and donations by working closely with PTO, PTSA, and SEPTA leadership.

Goal 3: Culture and Climate (Social-Emotional Learning, Cultural Sensitivity, Health & Wellness, Resilience) – Presented by Cory Delgado
– Support student mental health and well-being, with a focus on the impact of technology, social media, and cell phone use.
– Increase parental awareness and promote responsible technology use among students.
– Partner with mental health organizations and analyze in-school technology usage policies.
– Expand college and career planning initiatives to help students make informed decisions about their futures.

During the discussion, Board Member Vanita Nargund inquired about the selection process for speakers in the district’s new “Lunch and Learn” program. Mr. Delgado explained that student surveys help determine speaker choices, with upcoming sessions featuring an HVAC business owner who pursued a trade school path, second, we will be having a user experience designer to address the district’s strong interest in the arts. Future sessions will focus on careers in engineering and medicine. Delgado emphasized that exposing students to various career paths, whether fostering or deterring an interest, ultimately benefits them in their future planning and that having a career goal entering college is advantageous to students. So far 40 students have signed up for these sessions which are held during the students lunch period.

Committee and Representative Reports
MTEA Report – Mike Razzoli highlighted the upcoming production of Once Upon a Mattress, scheduled for May 10, and shared updates on the district’s Read Aloud program in preparation for Read Across America next month.

Somerset County School Boards Association – Ania Wolecka-Jernigan provided an update on a recent virtual meeting covering financial and budgeting resources. She noted that the “Unsung Hero” nomination application deadline is approaching while stating it’s her understanding the district has an unsung hero of its own.

Somerset County Educational Services – Board President Patrick Todd reported on the February 5 meeting, where he was sworn in as a Director, with Member Wolecka-Jernigan serving as the alternate.

Committee Reports:
Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction (ACI) – Member Dowling provided an update on access testing, a statewide assessment of multi lingual learners. Professional staff day which included the wellness fair, legal training for the child study team and middle school math opportunities.

Operations, Facilities, and Finance (OFF) – Member Filak stated that the budget process is ongoing, with a proposed budget set to be presented in March.

Policy and Communication Committee(PCC) – Members Wolecka-Jernigan and Franco-Herman discussed updates to HIB and student smoking policies, as well as potential policy impacts of executive orders. The committee recently held a special meeting with Strauss Esmay district policy advisors for guidance.

HRC Committee – President Todd shared that the district is in the process of hiring a new business administrator, with two candidates set to be interviewed this week.

Following committee reports, the board approved meeting minutes and acknowledged correspondence before moving on to, and approving, all action agenda items.

Accessing the Strategic Plan
Community members are encouraged to review the full strategic plan on the district’s website under the “Parents/Community” tab. Additionally, a recording of the full presentation is available via a link on the district website as well.