Board of Education Action Agenda: What Passed and How Members Voted

Editor’s Note
In an effort to better inform our readers, Headline News Montgomery will begin publishing roll-call votes for major public bodies — including the Planning Board, Township Committee, Board of Education, and other boards and commissions — alongside our meeting coverage. We encourage you to reach out to your elected and appointed officials with any questions or concerns about their votes. Contact information is available through the respective agencies’ official channels.

Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP — At this week’s business meeting, the Board of Education approved a full slate of administrative, curriculum, finance, operations, and personnel items. A roll-call vote showed broad support, with two members abstaining on specific portions of the agenda.

At a Glance: Items the Board Approved

1. Administrative

• Routine Monthly Reports (1.1): Student Control; Fire/Security Drills; SSDS (2024–25, Period 2/Full Year); Bus Evacuation Drills (Fall 2025).
• Policies & Regulations – Second Reading/Adoption (1.2):
  1110 Organization Chart; 2340 Field Trips; 2340R Field Trips; 2422 Statutory Curricular Requirements; 5200R Attendance; 5339.01 Student Sun Protection; 5516 Electronic Communication Devices; 6220 Budget Preparation; 6220R Budget Preparation; 8500 Food Services.
• HIB Self-Assessment (1.3): Approved the 2024–25 school self-assessment scores for Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB).
• QSAC DPR (1.4): Approved the District Performance Review submission for 2025–26.
  Clarified at the meeting: The DPR approval acknowledges the required committee meeting and submission; some achievement indicators are supplied by the state.

2. Curriculum & Instruction

• Out-of-District Placements (2.1): Approved for 2025–26.
• Consultants (2.2): Approved for 2025–26 (translation rate ranges depend on service level, per discussion).
• FEA Savings Plan (2.3): Up to $2,000 for administrator professional development (funded by ESEA Title II FY26).
• Work-Based Learning Sites (2.4): Approved the annual list; insurance on file.

3. Operations, Facilities & Finance

• Financial Reports (3.1 – Revised June; 3.3 – August): Accepted the Board Secretary/Treasurer’s Reports and certified no over-expended lines.
• Budget Transfers (3.2 – Revised June; 3.4 – through Aug. 31, 2025): Ratified transfers; no over-expended lines.
• Bill List (3.5): Approved $7,308,610.43
  – General: $7,308,087.98 | Food Service: $522.45.
• Travel Reimbursements (3.6, 3.6 duplicate entry): Approved 10/14/25 list.
• Transportation (3.7–3.12):
  – Route 65VQ (McKinney-Vento to Village ES) – not to exceed $24,200 (Yusra General Transportation).
  – Route EDI2 (Eden Autism Institute) – not to exceed $24,200 (Taykz Tyme LLC).
  – Late Buses LB1, LB2 (MHS/UMS) – not to exceed $24,200 each (First Student Inc.).
  – First Student Inc. as-needed, non-contracted routes – not to exceed $40,000.
  – Parental Contract PT4 (Eden Institute) – $24,200.
• Annual Compliance Submissions (3.13–3.16): Comprehensive Maintenance Plan & M-1; Facilities Health & Safety Checklist; DRTRS; ASSA (2026–27).
• ROD Grant Local Share (3.17): Set aside $3,700,530 from Capital Reserve for four state-supported projects:
  – MHS HVAC (Total $1,790,250 | Grant $716,100 | Local $1,074,150)
  – LMS HVAC (Total $1,989,100 | Grant $795,640 | Local $1,193,460)
  – UMS Roofs (Total $1,923,150 | Grant $769,260 | Local $1,153,890)
  – UMS HVAC (Total $465,050 | Grant $186,020 | Local $279,030)
• Winter Athletics Bids (3.18, 3.19):
  – Bids received from BSN Sports, Sportsman’s, MFAC LLC.
  – Awards (10/7/25–6/30/26): Sportsman’s $12,329.52; BSN Sports $4,038.66; MFAC $988.00 (Total $17,356.18).

4. Personnel

• Personnel Resolutions (4.0–4.2): Approved (resignations/retirements; leaves; appointments; transfers; grant-funded roles; mentors; SOAR; substitutes; VPA; tuition reimbursement; co-curricular/extra-curricular; other items as discussed in executive session).

Facilities Note from the Discussion
During questions on the annual facilities walkthrough, administrators said overall conditions are strong; “needs improvement” markings related to wooded areas adjacent to buildings reflect ongoing housekeeping work, not significant unbudgeted repairs.

How Each Board Member Voted (as stated in the roll call)
The motion before the Board was to approve Action Agenda Items 1.1 through 4.2. Two members abstained on Policy/Regulation items (1.2) and Personnel items (4.0–4.2) and voted Yes on all other items. The motions carried.

Mr Todd — Yes

Board Member Wang — Yes

Ms Dowling — Yes

Ms Spina — Yes

Ms Franco- Herman — Abstained on 1.2 and 4.0–4.2; Yes on all other items

Ms Harris — Abstained on 1.2 and 4.0–4.2; Yes on all other items

Ms Nargund — Yes

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com