Dover Public Schools BOE Meeting - October 13, 2026 @ 6:30pm

The Dover Public Schools Board of Education meeting was held October 13, 2026. The Finance and Facilities Committee reported that it unanimously recommended planning for new construction of a pre-K facility at 242 Route 46 rather than renovating the existing building. The new facility is estimated at $8–$8.5 million, including demolition, compared with $4–$5 million for renovation. The district expects to use its approximately $13 million capital reserve, with no additional tax increase anticipated for construction; bringing pre-K students back in-district is projected to save at least $1 million annually. Board approval would be sought during the next budget process, with a target opening in 2028–29. Construction also began on the Academy playground upgrade; no cost was stated. The committee reported that Dover Bridge Academy construction is substantially complete, with punch-list work remaining.

The board approved agenda items that included grants for student robotics programs. Members discussed a $20,000 Howmet Aerospace grant for the Cyber Tigers and additional funding for trades and STEM robotics activities; the discussion cited approximately $35,000 in robotics-related grants overall. The board also approved personnel items, including a change to three confidential administrative-assistant job descriptions and retroactive salary adjustments totaling more than $20,000; one member said they would vote against that item, citing concerns that the increase had not been disclosed earlier. No specific construction contract award or vendor selection was reported. The meeting also covered graduation assessment results, student behavior and attendance, and recognition of New Jersey Teacher of the Year Hannah Olmo.