Montclair BOE holds one last meeting before first day of school
By ERIN ROLL
roll@montclairlocal.news
Wednesday night’s board of education meeting, the last one before school started the next day, was a relatively short one.
However, the board took a few minutes to wish the students and their families well as they began the new school year.
“Tomorrow, our students return to school, and we miss them,” Interim Superintendent Barbara Pinsak said during her superintendent’s report.
She noted that as the school year began, there were children in other districts, including in Charlottesville, that were starting the new school year under a significant amount of stress.
“So as we begin our school year with our students who are fortunate to live in Montclair, I’d like to spare a thought for the students of Charlottesville, and the school staff that care for them.”
Pinsak also announced that the following week, the school district would be holding a food and supplies drive for people affected by Hurricane Harvey, and that Montclair’s thoughts were with the people of Houston and the surrounding towns.
During the business portion of the agenda, the board approved the adoption of a newly created/revised curriculum, including the sexuality education curriculum. The board also approved job descriptions for the positions of director of humanities and director of STEM.
Some of the board members mentioned that they had at least one child in their family starting school for the first time, while others mentioned that they were adjusting to having a child away at college for the first time.
“We feel your excitement and your anxiety,” Board member Jevon Caldwell-Gross told the audience.
Board President Laura Hertzog thanked the Montclair Sentinels for their organization of the backpack and school supplies giveaway at Glenfield Park in late August, and the Montclair Education Association for organizing the food and entertainment that accompanied the giveaway. “Again, I think that it’s great that we’re starting the school year, and that we’re starting the school year on a good note,” she said.