Five Things You Need to Know about Monday's BOE Meeting

1. New Providence High School was named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School on Sept. 15. Nationwide, 304 schools were selected and just 14 of those schools are in New Jersey. Principal Paul Casarico and Supervisor of Guidance Scott Maciag were presented with a plaque on Monday night by the Board in recognition of the school's accomplishment.

2. Parents will receive a survey electronically asking how a "Pay-to-Participate" policy for extracurricular activities may affect their child’s participation. BOE member Adam Smith noted that putting such a policy in place could lower the tax levy and in turn, save a program that is in danger of being cut.

3) The Committee for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology reported that a Mobile One to One Initiative is now being explored, which would incorporate cutting edge personal technology, such as tablets, into the classroom experience.  A subcommittee is being formed to explore how the program would be financed and how it would be incorporated into the curriculum, starting with a few classrooms at the high school level.

4) The Board accepted the resignation of Juliette Campasano, a teacher and department head who retired at the end of last year.  Campasano has been replaced by Karen Gartner, who will take the post as Head of the Mathematics Department. The Board expressed their gratitude and praise for Karen Gartner taking the position and for Juliette Campasano’s service to the school.

5) Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Miceli noted that several other districts are piloting a New Teacher Evaluation System that could be mandated for all districts beginning next year.  If all districts are required to use the new system, it would affect the budget, staff negotiations, and operations.

For more details on what happened at the Board of Education meeting last night, take a look at our