Board responds to JTC preschool statements, updates superintendent search and flags student facility concerns

The Hunterdon Central Regional High School District board read a prepared statement into the record disputing public characterizations by Flemington‑Raritan about preschool transportation expansion. The statement affirmed the board’s support for preschool expansion while saying it disagrees with Flemington‑Raritan’s accuracy and characterization of the logistical challenges and prefers to resolve disputes privately rather than escalate public rhetoric.

The board’s statement (read aloud during the meeting) said in part: “The Hunter and Central Regional High School Board of Education supports the efforts of all its sending districts to expand the preschool programs and recognize the long term educational benefits of these programs. We do disagree with Flemington Reardon's characterization of the challenges involved in launching a massive expansion of preschool transportation as well as the accuracy of the information they have shared publicly. Nonetheless, we see neither value nor wisdom in litigating this dispute through a public war of words. We will instead continue to focus on all our efforts on finding solutions that do not jeopardize the safety and our drivers of and our students.” The statement concluded that safety remains the board’s priority.

Separately, the superintendent‑search engagement phase is nearly complete, the board reported: surveys and focus groups are wrapping up (survey deadline the following day) and an in‑person community focus group was scheduled for 7 p.m.; the consultant will next present findings and the district will begin advertising and accepting candidate resumes.

During the second public‑comment period, a board member asked that recurring student complaints about bathroom and cafeteria conditions be prioritized by the Student Life subcommittee and the O&T committee and returned to the full board with proposed improvements. The chair agreed to coordinate next steps.

Provenance: the board statement was read into the record during the committee reports and public‑comment portions of the meeting and the search update was given during committee reports.