Students and residents urge Bordentown board for transparency as music and arts programs face potential changes
May 21, 2026 | Bordentown Regional School District, School Districts, New Jersey
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A high-school senior and a resident music educator urged the Bordentown Regional School District Board of Education on Monday to be transparent about proposed or reported changes to arts programs and to protect music offerings that parents and students say are central to student engagement.
"When decisions affect programs that students care deeply about, there should be openness about what is changing, why those changes are being made and how the students will be affected," said Parker, a senior, during the public-comment period. Parker also described a recent exchange with school administration over graduation regalia (a Girl Scout cord) and said the district should make its decision processes clearer to students and families.
Justin Lee, a resident and music educator, told the board he has seen several music faculty members leave Bordentown for higher pay and more support elsewhere and urged board members to consider the long-term effects on the program. "When you move rehearsals to before school or after school, that's a warning bell," Lee said, arguing that such scheduling changes can be an equity barrier for students whose parents cannot provide transport before school.
Lee also described the practical effect of stretched staffing: elementary teachers covering too many classes and secondary teachers teaching across middle and high school levels, which he said undermines the ability to grow programming.
Board members did not announce any immediate changes to the schedule or staffing during the public-comment response; administrators acknowledged the concerns but did not present a specific plan at the meeting. The board's superintendent and members heard multiple public comments and recorded them in the minutes; follow-up or formal action was not identified during the meeting record.
The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for June 10; members said some business will be taken up in an executive session earlier that night.
"When decisions affect programs that students care deeply about, there should be openness about what is changing, why those changes are being made and how the students will be affected," said Parker, a senior, during the public-comment period. Parker also described a recent exchange with school administration over graduation regalia (a Girl Scout cord) and said the district should make its decision processes clearer to students and families.
Justin Lee, a resident and music educator, told the board he has seen several music faculty members leave Bordentown for higher pay and more support elsewhere and urged board members to consider the long-term effects on the program. "When you move rehearsals to before school or after school, that's a warning bell," Lee said, arguing that such scheduling changes can be an equity barrier for students whose parents cannot provide transport before school.
Lee also described the practical effect of stretched staffing: elementary teachers covering too many classes and secondary teachers teaching across middle and high school levels, which he said undermines the ability to grow programming.
Board members did not announce any immediate changes to the schedule or staffing during the public-comment response; administrators acknowledged the concerns but did not present a specific plan at the meeting. The board's superintendent and members heard multiple public comments and recorded them in the minutes; follow-up or formal action was not identified during the meeting record.
The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for June 10; members said some business will be taken up in an executive session earlier that night.
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