Board to review healthcare-cost resolution, appoints NJ School Boards delegate and discusses cell-phone policy

At its July 7 meeting the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education agreed to circulate a resolution from the New Jersey School Boards Association asking state lawmakers and the governor to address sharp increases in school health-insurance costs. The board president asked members to review the resolution before a scheduled June meeting to allow time for consideration and a possible vote.

The board also approved a motion naming Zach Mezer as the district’s delegate to the New Jersey School Boards Association 2026 delegate assembly. The appointment was made by board president’s recommendation and carried by roll call.

During new business, Mezer recommended the policy committee examine a bylaw or policy restricting board-member cell-phone use during meetings “not because I think any of the nine of us are doing anything wrong, but rather the public perception,” he said. Members raised competing concerns: one member said a phone is frequently used as a calculator or to check online information during deliberations and indicated they would likely oppose a strict ban for practical reasons. The board left the matter for committee review rather than adopting immediate restrictions.

The meeting adjourned following those items and other routine fiscal votes.