Residents press board to keep Pre-K ESL, ask about local control and urge review of transgender policy 5756
June 18, 2026 | Colonia, Middlesex County, New Jersey
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The board heard a string of public comments on June 18 that combined praise for district literacy gains with requests and concerns about governance and policy.
A commenter identified in the record as Paul London praised the district's reported literacy progress but pressed the board on how much authority remains local. He asked the board to "identify the three most significant educational policies currently affecting Woodbridge students that are entirely under local board authority" and asked what percentage of the budget is effectively committed by mandates, contracts and regulations before the board exercises discretion. Superintendent Dr. Masamino responded in general terms that salary and benefits make up the majority of fixed costs and referenced out-of-district placements, insurance, and transportation as drivers of constrained budgets; no detailed percentages were given in the public comment period.
Mahesh Shankulkar, representing the Hindu Education Foundation (HSS/Hindu Science Savak USA), described volunteer community programs (Diwali food drives, highway cleanups, library yoga sessions) and reported that HSS honored about 30 Woodbridge educators at recent Guru Vandana events. A colleague, Bon Kumar, echoed praise for teachers and partnership.
Parent Vina Magum asked the board to continue the Pre-K program with ESL supports for four-year-old children, saying early language development is critical for multilingual learners and such programs help working families.
Gerald Maglo, representing the Dolores Turo Foundation, requested that the board reconsider district transgender policy referenced in his remarks as "5756." He alleged the policy allows confidential school counseling and interventions without parental notice and urged repeal or revision, citing recent litigation in other districts; the transcript records his allegations and legal references but does not show a substantive board response during the comment time.
What happens next: the board did not take action on policy 5756 at this meeting; public commenters requested follow-up and clearer information on budget constraints and program continuity.
A commenter identified in the record as Paul London praised the district's reported literacy progress but pressed the board on how much authority remains local. He asked the board to "identify the three most significant educational policies currently affecting Woodbridge students that are entirely under local board authority" and asked what percentage of the budget is effectively committed by mandates, contracts and regulations before the board exercises discretion. Superintendent Dr. Masamino responded in general terms that salary and benefits make up the majority of fixed costs and referenced out-of-district placements, insurance, and transportation as drivers of constrained budgets; no detailed percentages were given in the public comment period.
Mahesh Shankulkar, representing the Hindu Education Foundation (HSS/Hindu Science Savak USA), described volunteer community programs (Diwali food drives, highway cleanups, library yoga sessions) and reported that HSS honored about 30 Woodbridge educators at recent Guru Vandana events. A colleague, Bon Kumar, echoed praise for teachers and partnership.
Parent Vina Magum asked the board to continue the Pre-K program with ESL supports for four-year-old children, saying early language development is critical for multilingual learners and such programs help working families.
Gerald Maglo, representing the Dolores Turo Foundation, requested that the board reconsider district transgender policy referenced in his remarks as "5756." He alleged the policy allows confidential school counseling and interventions without parental notice and urged repeal or revision, citing recent litigation in other districts; the transcript records his allegations and legal references but does not show a substantive board response during the comment time.
What happens next: the board did not take action on policy 5756 at this meeting; public commenters requested follow-up and clearer information on budget constraints and program continuity.
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