Livingston Township Board of Education details summer school work
The Livingston Township Board of Education heard about 33 classroom hires, building repairs and network changes intended to improve security.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — opening of schools report, deputy mayor report, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The Livingston Township Board of Education heard that schools are fully staffed, though coverage and jobs requiring multiple certifications remain difficult.
Summer brought new hires, repaired classrooms and updated school networks. In its opening-of-schools report to the Livingston Township Board of Education, administrators counted six new administrators, 33 classroom staff and 10 support staff for classroom activities. The district added two secretarial positions, seven instructional support staff, one buildings and grounds employee and three transportation employees. Administrators said some coverage still requires extra-period assignments, and positions needing several certifications remain hard to fill.
Students attended summer programs while maintenance crews worked without closing buildings. Summer intervention served 75 students with intensive small-group reading, writing and math instruction. An enrichment program served 39 students in grades 1–11, and 110 students joined an in-house program to accelerate in math. Crews installed new boilers at Burnet Hill Elementary School and Collins Elementary School. Work at Livingston High School included retrofitting 48 LED gym lights and replacing the ticket booth.
Administrators reported a network upgrade aimed at improving reliability and data security. The district replaced fifth- and ninth-grade Chromebooks that had reached the end of their useful life, along with unsupported or nonfunctioning phones. Summer curriculum writing was more limited than usual because of budget decisions. It covered elementary science units, a sixth-grade math lab and new courses including ceramics. The district also introduced ParentSquare and reported positive feedback from parent organizations.
Deputy Mayor Report: Future Piano Performance Idea and Bennington/Oval Pathway Access Communication
The Livingston Township Council heard a suggestion from the deputy mayor to invite a pianist back to perform at a future meeting. The deputy mayor said fitting a piano into the meeting setting could be difficult, so the township would need to plan or rearrange the setup. The suggestion did not include a date for a performance.
The deputy mayor then described concerns about pathway access near Livingston Oval and a church following the opening of a new school. Some residents want to keep a route that lets them avoid walking along a nearby main road. The deputy mayor said the township manager had worked with others on the issue and prepared a detailed letter explaining the process.
The Livingston Township Council took no vote on either matter. The deputy mayor said residents in the affected neighborhood had received email contacts and encouraged anyone seeking details to reach out to the township manager or other township staff. The deputy mayor asked residents to keep sending feedback about pathway access.
Planning Board hears concern about highway access
The Livingston Township Planning Board heard a resident ask whether a proposed cross-access route would add traffic near a gas station and highway entrance. The applicant’s traffic engineer said the approved development’s total traffic would not change and an alternate exit could reduce traffic on the avenue.
Drivers near the gas station could see a different traffic pattern if the proposed connection goes ahead.
Education board considers five goals for next year
The Livingston Township Board of Education considered five goals for 2026–2027 covering facilities, finances, strategic planning, policies and training. During discussion, members agreed to add planning for contract negotiations beginning in 2027–2028 to the long-term budget goal.
The facilities goal could lead to a project recommendation and a referendum date for school construction.
Education board reviews instruction and student support
The Livingston Township Board of Education heard an update on instructional priorities, earlier student support and work on a grading and reporting handbook. Administrators aim to finish a high school handbook draft by the end of 2026–2027, then continue work with middle school staff.
Changes to the handbook could affect how students and families understand classwork, homework and grades.
Education board reviews results from adaptive state tests
The Livingston Township Board of Education reviewed NJSLA results from the first year of adaptive testing. Administrators said participation was close to 100% and Livingston English language arts and math results exceeded state percentages, while cautioning that analysis and year-to-year comparisons remain limited.
The district is still studying the results before deciding what they show about students’ instructional needs.
- Livingston Township Planning Board. During public questioning of the traffic witness, a resident raised concern that additional traffic turning onto Route 10 could worsen an already difficult situation near the gas station and Sherbrook Parkway. The applicant’s traffic engineer responded that the amendment does not change the overall approved development traffic and should reduce pressure on South Livingston Avenue by providing an alternate Route 10 egress.
- Livingston Township Board of Education. During public comment, a resident attending a board meeting for the first time asked what students are taught about the U.S. economic system and requested information on which history and economics textbooks are used and how to obtain or review them.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Livingston Township had 37 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEDistrict reports on school opening, staffing and enrollment. Administrators reviewed summer hiring, instructional programs, facility work, technology upgrades and curriculum writing, and the superintendent noted a slight enrollment dip alongside capacity pressures in school buildings. The report also recognized district communications work and included a welcome video featuring staff and students.
- GOVERNANCEProclamation and Recognition: Pianist Wilson Lou. The Council recognized 12-year-old pianist Wilson Lou with a proclamation citing multiple competition awards and media features; Wilson briefly spoke about music as a universal language and his goals for continued learning.
- GOVERNANCEProclamation and Presentation: Future Path Academy. The Council issued a proclamation recognizing Future Path Academy and three Livingston High School student leaders for youth-led educational programming and community fundraising, including approximately $20,000 raised and scholarships awarded, followed by a video and brief remarks from the students.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment: Request for Information on Economics Instruction and Textbooks. During public comment, a resident attending a board meeting for the first time asked what students are taught about the U.S. economic system and requested information on which history and economics textbooks are used and how to obtain or review them.
- GOVERNANCEConsent Agenda: Resolution 26-270 (Rejecting Bids) and Resolution 26-271 (Change Order #1 for Acuity Consulting Services LLC). The Council approved the consent agenda consisting of Resolution 26-270 rejecting bids and Resolution 26-271 authorizing approval of change order number one for Acuity Consulting Services LLC. No items were pulled for separate discussion.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Items 3.1–3.9 and Discussion of Internal Controls and Multi-Factor Authentication. The board discussed internal controls documentation and asked whether multi-factor authentication was in place for accounting, payroll, and banking. Administration confirmed multi-factor authentication was implemented. The board then approved items 3.1 through 3.9.
- GOVERNANCEBoard member reports on NJSBA task force and school finance. A board member reported joining an NJSBA nominating committee task force and described its meetings and upcoming work. The member also highlighted school finance and changing school funding as topics for the task force.
- GOVERNANCETownship Manager Report: New Seal Installation and Storm Response Thanks. Township Manager Barry Lewis thanked staff for installing the new Township seal and recognized DPW and first responders for storm response, noting Livingston was relatively fortunate compared with shore communities.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Special Services Item 5.1. The board approved special services item 5.1 without discussion.
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