Superintendent reports DEP permits for KDM water work; Dwyer student council honored

The Rockaway Township Board of Education heard from Superintendent Dr. Richard Corbett, who said the district has received work permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for a KDM water-system modification project.

"We have received the work permits from the Department of Environmental Protection for the KDM water project," Corbett said, adding the water-system modification is scheduled to begin May 22 and, if work proceeds as planned, to be completed the same day. He said the system will be tested after the work and will be returned to use only after final DEP approval.

Corbett also briefed the board on outreach tied to a possible facilities referendum. Focus groups have been held at Stony Brook, Oakland and DBO, with additional sessions scheduled at KDM and Dwyer; Corbett said he will give a formal presentation of the focus-group results to the board and public once the work is complete.

"The feedback has been very helpful to us," Corbett said of the sessions, which the administration is using to assess community priorities for addressing district facility needs.

The superintendent provided an update on HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) cases. He said three investigations currently listed as under investigation at Copeland Middle School were found to be unsubstantiated, while four incidents at Colvin Middle School were substantiated; the district will present those determinations to the board for affirmation as required by policy.

The meeting opened with a school presentation and a recognition ceremony. Mr. McGovern introduced the Dwyer student council and called student council members forward for public recognition, thanking them for leadership and community service.

"This is for you," Mr. McGovern said, praising the council's work on community-service events and the Seeds of Service program. The superintendent closed the presentation portion by thanking staff and parents and saying the district appreciates the contributions of teachers, custodians and secretaries.

The board also received routine administrative updates, including announcements about upcoming concerts, field days and curricular work, and personnel and program items that were later addressed in the consent and action portions of the agenda.