At a Jan. meeting the Hopewell Valley Regional School District presented a preliminary budget overview citing a $7 million annual state‑aid baseline, a 105‑student October enrollment increase, and rising health‑benefit and special‑education costs that will shape upcoming budget decisions.

Finance and facilities reported rising medical expenses (cited about 17.2%), approved capital planning work and a contract for Atlas curriculum‑mapping software; the board also recorded several donations and approved finance and personnel agenda items by unanimous vote.

Board attorney Francis Febres provided annual training covering the School Ethics Act (conflict rules, recusal, confidentiality) and the state Anti‑Bullying (HIB) process, including investigation timelines and parental rights; Dr. Rosenthal reported 15 affirmed HIB investigations to date in 2025.

Principal Ed Brandt defended the district's search protocol tied to bathroom 'vape' sensors, saying administrators act on reasonable suspicion and use same‑sex witnesses, vitals checks and drug screening; parents and a public commenter called for tighter legal review and clearer parental-notification practices.

Students and parents called for review and removal of suspensions imposed after a Dec. 13 hockey game, alleging inconsistent discipline and misleading statements by administration; the board said it cannot overturn individual discipline and affirmed earlier HIB decisions by roll call (motion passed with three abstentions).

Auditor Ray Cerinelli told the Nutley Board of Education the 2025 audit shows an improved fund balance but warned inflation and rising health‑benefit costs create about a $2 million gap next budget year unless the board cuts expenses or pursues a referendum.

Administrators presented a proposed 2026–27 program of studies that moves advanced classes to an honors tier, adds AP Seminar and AP Research (AP Capstone sequence), expands dual-enrollment with Fairleigh Dickinson University and introduces AP Career Kickstart courses in business/personal finance and cybersecurity.

Board members pressed for continued legal and public pressure after a mayoral letter about persistent odors from a nearby private sewage facility; administrators said the township has active litigation and the district has contacted EPA and DEP in prior outreach.

Board members described early-stage outreach to municipal partners about lowering local voting age to 16 for school-board elections, discussed administrative implications and student education needs, and reviewed plans for state funding requests for mental-health resources and a joint regional arts program with Young Audiences.

The Hopewell Valley Regional School District board unanimously voted to authorize the form and sale of $84,235,000 in tax-exempt school bonds; financial adviser Robbie Acampora told the board bids will open Jan. 22 and projected a 3.85% borrowing rate and investment earnings to offset early tax impact.

An auditor told the Pascack Valley Regional High School District board the general fund ended the year at $13.334 million and described reserve withdrawals; Interim Superintendent Phillips reported new visitor ID checks, a November power outage that canceled school for a day, and that the district is beginning the 2026–27 budget process. A 23-item finance consent agenda was announced but a motion was not recorded in the transcript.

Board business officials told trustees the district faces rising health‑insurance costs after carriers declined to quote, citing $8.2 million in prescription claims and $12 million in medical claims across a two‑year period; administrators said they’d budgeted a $1,097,000 midyear adjustment and expect an additional ~18% rise for 2026–27.

Director of Student Services presented Student Safety Data System Period 2 results showing district trainings and programs and a notable increase in high‑school incident reports and removals; the board heard details on SEL supports, counseling partnerships and clinician staffing.

Consultant CityGate GIS and district leaders presented redistricting objectives and a timeline; residents pressed on preschool expansion, special-education placement, transportation and equity as the district prepares scenario maps for public comment in December–January.

The Dover board approved administrative and personnel items, moved several policies to reading, and heard finance updates including a $100,000 farm-to-school grant application and a planned in-house residency-verification software purchase advertised at $17,000 compared with prior $39,000 professional services.

At the Nov. 19 Youth & Board Governance meeting, parent Danielle Friess and her advocates said Cinnaminson abruptly ended a contract with Care Options for Kids and shifted to district nurses without prior board action or notice, raising concerns about continuity of care for her medically fragile son.

District auditors commended the Summit Public School District's fiscal management while recommending tighter student‑activity deposit practices; the board approved routine finance items and an added settlement with Bennett Company and asked for more review before deciding on bus replacements and electric‑vs‑gas options.

Board leaders said interior renovation of the Lawrence Middle School auditorium will begin around December after final performances, with asbestos abatement staged over winter break and communications to families and neighbors about fencing, signage and schedules.

After voters approved a district referendum roughly 2–1, the Marlboro Township Board of Education laid out a financing timetable and approved the slate of business items to begin implementing air‑conditioning upgrades across schools, saying the district will use a short bridge loan until capital funds are available.

Morris County VOTEC and County College of Morris plan to move the ShareTime Academy to a new county facility; the district was told current juniors will finish but no new cohort will be sent. Superintendent described the development as "quite disappointed" and said the district will seek enrollment numbers and options.

Superintendent Dr. Furnari presented the district's semiannual HIB report (Jan. 1'Jun. 19, 2025) showing 42 incidents at James Caldwell High School, 18 at Grover Cleveland Middle School and school-level confirmed/alleged HIB counts; the district held two districtwide trainings during the period.

Administration told the board the district had 3,481 students as of Oct. 15, exceeding building capacity by about 126 students; identified multilingual learners rose from 33 to 114 year over year. Officials linked the increase to local housing developments and noted short-term capacity adjustments.

Administrators presented completed work and a multi-tiered list of planned and unscheduled capital projects across district schools, outlined reserve balances and warned that relying solely on reserves will not cover all needs; the board discussed bonds, referenda and other funding streams.

Finance committee provided an update on referendum-funded construction planning and roofing work, reviewed asbestos reports, outlined bond and budget impacts, and said one school (Laura Donovan) currently lacks mold coverage after an insurance carrier refusal. District also reported a large donation of interactive boards from the education fund.

District staff reviewed alternate (DLM) and statewide (NJSLA) assessment results, highlighted subgroup outcomes and cohort growth, and described curriculum and assessment actions including expanded use of i-Ready, Envision, LinkIt and Mystery Science.