BOE Regular Meeting 10-13-26

Hawthorne Public Schools Board of Education regular meeting, October 13, 2026. The board approved an item concerning requests for proposals for custodial management services; one board member said they voted no, and a public speaker urged the district to retain local custodial employees. The board president clarified that the district was seeking proposals to assess costs, operations, service quality, and employee impacts—not voting to outsource, replace staff, select a vendor, or award a contract. In finance discussions, members cited a 33.7% district health-benefit cost increase (the statewide plan increase was reported as 34.4%) and said the district was exploring insurance options. The finance committee also discussed pursuing a borough Safe Routes to School grant for traffic-calming improvements; it would not cover crossing-guard salaries.

The board approved a negotiated agreement formalizing a $130 daily rate for long-term substitute replacements. Other spending-related updates included planned third-floor high school renovations, expected to begin during the March 2027 school recess and continue through summer, and a purchased algebra intervention program (vendor and cost not specified); an Autism Helper curriculum was to be funded by CPAC. The board also reviewed academic assessment results and AP/dual-enrollment offerings, including reported dual-enrollment fees of $330 per course and a possible additional $90 AP exam fee. No vendor selection or contract award was identified.