Middletown Township Committee recognizes Blindness Awareness Month
The October proclamation recognizes a Leonardo center whose programs run twice a week with support from 100 volunteers.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — proclamation and presentation, policy committee report (including cell phones, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
An association board member described isolation as a major challenge for blind residents and pointed to in-person activities as a source of connection.
A center in Leonardo puts connection on the calendar. The Middletown Township Committee proclaimed October 2026 Blindness Awareness Month, recognizing the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association and its center there. The mayor said the organization’s reach extends beyond the neighborhood and the township. The proclamation cited 200,000 state residents who reported vision difficulty or disability in 2024.
One association board member said difficulty getting around can limit blind residents’ chances to meet others. At the center, lunches, dancing, games and trivia give members ways to spend time together. Another speaker said the center had reopened one year ago in September and now operates twice a week. That speaker credited 100 volunteers, along with association board members and other supporters, for the work.
The mayor recalled a young golfer who began losing his sight at 18, after being recruited for college golf. The golfer later competed in events for blind players and became a three-time champion, the mayor said. The Middletown Township Committee encouraged residents to explore the association’s resources and events at njbca.org. The proclamation gives residents a way to learn more about the activities available at the Leonardo center.
Policy Committee Report (Including Cell Phones and AI Policy Work)
The Middletown Township Board of Education heard a Policy Committee report on cell phones, facility-use rates and artificial intelligence from a September 4 meeting. Draft Policy 5201, described as an “away day” policy aligned with required law updates, went on the September agenda for a first reading. Proposed rate changes under Regulation 1330R, covering school facilities, were placed on the agenda for first reading and adoption.
Work on a sample AI policy, 6142.11, is still taking shape. Administrators and staff met September 18 to discuss plans and parameters to bring back to the Board of Education’s Policy Committee. One Board of Education member asked for flexibility as technology changes, alongside definitions of generative AI and expectations on plagiarism and conduct. Another described differing teacher views and emphasized teacher supervision and discretion in using AI for instruction.
Policy 3515.1, on personal electronic devices, was discussed alongside the 5201 language. The Middletown Township Board of Education heard that an email on staff and student expectations went out early in the school year. Its Policy Committee said it would continue to report on the AI work as it progresses.
Technology grant reaches 4,000 school devices
The Middletown Township Board of Education heard that its Technology Committee used a NJCCIC grant to deploy CrowdStrike protection to 4,000 machines. The report covered student movement tracking, library and nursing software changes, revised Google licenses and equipment recycling that netted $2,000.
Repurposed devices avoided added tracking costs, while recycled equipment brought money back to the district.
Township records breast cancer awareness proclamation
The Middletown Township Committee entered a proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month into the record. The mayor noted it after the blindness awareness presentation; no additional speakers or program details accompanied the announcement.
The proclamation puts the month’s recognition on the township’s public record without announcing a separate program.
Volleyball transportation gets committee support
The Middletown Township Board of Education heard that its Operations/Co-Curricular Committee backed volleyball transportation for the season at approximately $9,000. The committee asked athletics to find savings elsewhere to offset the bus expense and kept the district’s practice of accepting donations in exchange for services rather than direct club donations.
The bus plan adds a seasonal expense, with athletics expected to find savings to help cover it.
Adaptive tests reset district score comparisons
The Middletown Township Board of Education heard that spring 2026 state assessments shifted to adaptive questions, making direct comparisons with earlier years unreliable. District results exceeded county and state levels in English language arts and many math measures; the presentation identified science as a priority for improvement.
Families get a new baseline for scores, but cannot reliably compare these results with previous years.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Middletown had 12 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEStudent Services Committee Report. The committee discussed back-to-school night, the annex opening and related events, inclusion initiatives and consultant coaching schedules, professional development, and noted an overnight trip correction for a High School North band trip to Epcot.
- GOVERNANCEGraduation Rates and Graduation Assessment Pathways Update. Administration reported a 99.6% graduation rate and reviewed New Jersey graduation requirements, including credits, the NJGPA, substitute assessments, and portfolio appeals, with district proficiency results and counts of students using alternate pathways.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Personnel Items J1–J16. The Board approved personnel items J1 through J16 (including HR5). During discussion, a board member publicly thanked a retiring teacher for years of service and encouraged her to consider staying another year.
- GOVERNANCEProclamation: Alpha Delta Kappa Month. The Board read a proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Alpha Delta Kappa Month in Middletown and congratulated the organization on its 79th anniversary.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Superintendent’s Consent Agenda Items (Item 13B). The Board approved item 13B as part of the superintendent’s consent agenda.
- GOVERNANCEBusiness Office Consent Agenda (Item 12G). The Board approved the business office consent agenda referenced as item 12G.
- GOVERNANCESchool Showcase: Workforce Academy Student Presentation. A Workforce Academy student, introduced by staff, described her daily schedule, job placements, and activities in the transition program, including community outings and work-skills practice.
- GOVERNANCENew Business: School Boards Conference Delegates Assembly Agenda Request. A board member raised concerns about not receiving the delegates assembly agenda for the upcoming school boards conference and requested that the agenda be shared so the Board can provide direction on any votes.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment Period (General) — No Speakers. The Mayor opened a public comment period and invited members of the public to speak, but no one came forward. The public comment portion was then closed by motion and unanimous vote.
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