Superintendent and student reps highlight athletics, college acceptances and hiring needs

Superintendent Permilli used the meeting to highlight district student achievements and upcoming events, and two senior student representatives presented highlights from Jackson Township High School.

Students Sophia Cassella (junior class vice president) and Noah Bravo (student council cabinet) reported spring athletics success (boys volleyball 20–3), Skyler Carpenter breaking the Ocean County 400-meter record in 54.35 seconds, teams qualifying for state tournaments, senior nights, and arts and club trips. "We are excited to share some of the many accomplishments and events taking place throughout our school community," Cassella said during the student report.

Permilli asked families to attend a free parent night hosted by Conscious Youth Development and Services (KYDS) on Tuesday, May 26 from 6:00 to 7:00 at the middle school focused on mentoring, communication and emotional regulation. She also relayed a Jackson Police Department advisory about new New Jersey regulations for e-bikes, including registration with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, insurance requirements, prohibitions on certain online sales and modification kits, and continued helmet requirements; local ordinance guidance notes e-bikes are not permitted on roads posted 40 mph or greater.

On staffing, Permilli detailed the district’s bus driver hiring process: candidates undergo a formal interview, verification of a commercial driver’s license and passenger endorsement, motor vehicle record review, fingerprinting and criminal-history checks per New Jersey Department of Education requirements, a federal medical examiner certificate, pre-employment drug and alcohol testing, and district behind-the-wheel training before operating a route. Training duration ranges from approximately 3 to 10 days depending on prior experience, and new drivers complete the NJ Department of Education training for interacting with students with special needs.

The superintendent closed by previewing a year-in-review and district goals update to be presented at the June 17 meeting. Board members offered congratulations on student successes and extended holiday well-wishes to the community.