Collingswood board approves consent items, announces 10-year borough partnership and tables staff-evaluation rubric

The Collingswood Board of Education on June 24 approved a slate of routine business items including contracts, grants and shared-service renewals, announced a proposed 10-year shared-services partnership with the Borough of Collingswood, and delayed action on staff-evaluation rubrics to allow more review and consultant follow-up.

Board members voted to approve consent items 11.01–11.37, which included grant awards (including a $500 grief-training grant and a civic-education transportation grant), the renewal of a five-year lease for the district pre-K program at First United Methodist Church of Collingswood ($70,000/year), special-education and transportation agreements with neighboring districts, and several shared-service contracts for technology and communications. The administration also reported it will receive a $13,215 distribution from a joint insurance fund surplus for audited years noted in the agenda.

A late request to add a weekend basketball showcase to the facilities calendar drew discussion after staff said the event’s paperwork was missed; the board voted to add the item to the agenda and approved it pending submission of required documentation and confirmation that custodial overtime would be paid by event sponsors and boosters.

Curriculum and instruction staff reported transition supports for Garfield students after that school’s closure: about 19 Garfield students requested a buddy match and other families at receiving schools volunteered three times that number of buddies. The district also ran professional development this spring to prepare staff for a new elementary literacy program to be used in grades 3–5 beginning fall 2026.

On personnel matters, the board deferred action on agenda item 13.40, a package of staff-evaluation tools and rubrics, after members raised concerns that the Charlotte Danielson 2022 teacher framework applies to classroom teachers but not necessarily to other staff categories (library media, counselors, nurses, therapists and others). Administrators said they were awaiting confirmation from a consultant and noted a potential state deadline tied to NJAC 6A:10-2.1; the board voted to table the item for additional review.

Public comment included praise for the music program from Mr. Goldberg, the district’s music teacher, who noted more than 50 performances this year and regional awards for Collingswood TV program students; parent commenters praised graduation events and Project Graduation. One commenter, Rick Short, criticized district DEI work and called for the board to reconsider its priorities.

The meeting also approved two policy second readings: Policy 2365 on acceptable use of generative AI and Policy 8461 on reporting violence and vandalism, and it approved the May HIB report (item 15.01). The board adjourned following the second public-comment period.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve consent items 11.01–11.37: Passed (roll-call recorded; most members Yes; Mrs. DeMarco recorded an abstention on item 11.22; Mr. Sherman recorded an abstention on check #64152 within 11.08).
- Addition and approval of weekend basketball showcase (facilities): Approved (added to agenda by roll-call and approved pending paperwork; custodial overtime to be covered).
- Motion to table staff-evaluation item 13.40: Passed by roll-call (tabled for further review).
- Policy 2365 (AI acceptable use) and 8461 (violence reporting): Approved by roll-call.
- HIB report for May (15.01): Approved by roll-call.

What’s next: administrators will follow up on the staff-evaluation-framework questions with the consultant, and the board returns in August/July as needed for any summer approvals that may be required to meet DOE timelines.