Superintendent Sentinel
Parent Newsletter / March 2025
Happy Spring 💙
As the days grow longer and the warmth of spring settles in, our schools come alive with energy and excitement. This is a season of growth—not just in nature but in our classrooms, on our fields, and throughout our community.
Spring is a time when our students shine, whether they are showcasing their talents in concerts and performances, competing in outdoor athletics, or engaging in end-of-year projects that highlight their learning. From field days to academic showcases, our schools are buzzing with opportunities for students to celebrate their achievements and create lasting memories.
At the same time, we are also looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year. Planning for the next school year is already underway as we refine curriculum, prepare staffing, and ensure that our schools are ready to welcome students in the fall. This thoughtful preparation helps us continue providing the best possible educational experience for every student. This Sentinel features two articles about next year. The first is a budget article that details our budget priorities and the second includes information about a referendum vote in November. I am hopeful these articles generate excitement as we look toward the future of Readington!
I encourage everyone to take a moment to enjoy this special time of year—to cheer on our student-athletes, support our performers, and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students and staff. Thank you for being part of our school community, and I look forward to finishing the year strong together!
Dr. Jonathan Hart
Follow me on X @hartjonathanr
Mr. Jason Bohm, Business Administrator
The Board of Education is in the process of finalizing its 2025-2026 budget, with final adoption planned for April 29, 2025, focusing on high-quality student programming and the following goals:
● Present a fiscally responsible budget inclusive of a 2% state-imposed cap on the tax levy with allowable adjustments aligned to the district mission and vision;
● Prepare for enrollment increases from new housing developments;
● Balance class size guidelines with scheduling efficiencies;
● Enrich students’ academic experiences;
● Prepare to develop and implement a new district Strategic Plan.
Staff and program highlights currently planned for in the 2025-2026 budget include:
● All educational programs and class sizes are maintained in accordance with district policies;
● A continuation of 1:1 chromebook/tablet initiative for students in K through 8th grade;
● Savings through shared services and cooperative agreements with Tewksbury, Branchburg, Hunterdon County E.S.C., and the Township of Readington;
● Free preschool programming for 3- and 4-year old children with 16 certificated teachers and 16 paraprofessionals along with 3 support positions in partnership with Berry Patch Learning Center, Global Pioneer / REN, Stanton Learning Center, and Whitehouse Preparatory School;
● New morning bus tier for preschoolers at no cost with bus aides on each preschool route;
● Collaboration with the Township of Readington Police Department to allow for raises for 4 police officers, 1 police officer present in each of the 4 school buildings.
● Additional out-of-district nurse and IEP-based and preschool bus aides;
● Increased wages for staff to better align with market conditions, as well as stipends and stronger extra-pay rates;
● Continued implementation of revised schedule at the middle school and elementary schools to provide more direct instruction time for students, in addition to revised English language arts and math curricula and resources;
● Low-income supports for half day breakfast and lunch district-wide through federal funding;
● English language learners supports via Structured English Immersion and federal funding;
● Revised English language arts and math curricula, purchase of new textbooks and materials for English language arts, math, science, health & handwriting; and
● Preparation for development and implementation of a new district Strategic Plan.
Further, the district plans for the following capital projects having no impact on next year’s tax levy funded through district reserves as a result of prudent spending:
● Removal of asbestos flooring in middle school classrooms;
● Two refreshed preschool classrooms, bathrooms and curriculum supplies;
● New sound system & lighting upgrades for Three Bridges School performance stage;
● Refinishing and enhancement of middle school performance stage floor;
● New gym mats and wall padding for Holland Brook School gymnasium;
● Replacement of Three Bridges School water heater;
● Refreshment of toilet room at Whitehouse School;
● District-wide solar expansion to meet 85% or more of all electric needs at a flat 15-year rate.
For more information on the Readington Township School District’s 2025-2026 budget or to view the full budget presentation, please visit our district website or by clicking here.
Mr. Jason Bohm, Business Administrator
Readington Township School District is embarking on an exhilarating referendum process in hopes of fortifying the foundation supporting student education for decades to come. The district held multiple public forums and direct meetings with critical stakeholders throughout the 2024-2025 school year to gather thoughts and ideas for projects. The goal is to achieve a joint effort to aspire and bolster schooling for the overall betterment of the community and future generations.
A bond referendum is an election in which a school district asks voters for permission to borrow funds through the sale of bonds. It finances large-scale projects and spreads the costs over a period of time, such as 20 years. Benefits of a bond referendum include:
- By funding projects through a taxpayer-approved bond proposal, the district can qualify for state aid up to 40% of the total costs
- Issuing new debt to coincide with the district's debt expiration in January 2027 can equate to a "net zero" impact on the local taxpayers compared to current taxes paid.
- The actual referendum voted upon by the board on February 25, 2025 is for $2 million less than the district's current bonds, which results in lower taxes for every household
The proposed $38 million dollar referendum comprises of 83 total projects in 4 school buildings ranging from replacing aging infrastructure, facilities maintenance and improving student experiences and curriculum-based instruction. The State of New Jersey would provide approximately $10.4 million dollars towards construction, resulting in a local taxpayer share of $27.6 million-dollars. The result would lower taxes down $17 per year on an average house valued at $452,059. To view the 83 projects that made the referendum, please click the below links:
- Readington Middle School List of Projects
- Holland Brook School List of Projects
- Three Bridges School List of Projects
- Whitehouse School List of Projects
For nearly 15 years, the district has been prudent to budget at or below a 2% tax levy cap with allowable adjustments with fiscally responsible oversight by the Board of Education. The district has saved funds in capital reserve to finance maintenance and upgrades averaging over $1 million dollars per year for the past 10 years without issuing new debt or increasing taxes; however, inflationary pressures, salaries, benefits and other factors have eroded the district's ability to continue to replenish reserves with capital reserves being approximately $750 thousand dollars as of July 1, 2024.
We are seeking your help in creating the vision and strong foundation for the future of Readington Township residents. A series of events and public efforts shall occur in the coming months before a referendum question appears on the November 4, 2025 ballot for taxpayers to vote upon.
Should you need more information, please feel free to email referendum@readington.k12.nj.us, or simply contact Jason M. Bohm, Business Administrator at jbohm@readington.k12.nj.us or by calling 908-534-2885. You can also visit our referendum website.
Dr. Stacey Brown/Supervisor of Humanities & Ms. Sarah Pauch/Supervisor of Math, Science & Technology
Readington School District will be administering the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) to students in grades 3-8 from May 12-23, 2025. Make-up assessments will also be scheduled during this two-week window for students who are absent on their designated testing days.
The NJSLA measures student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science (for grades 5 and 8), providing valuable insights into student achievement and academic growth.
Parents play a crucial role in helping students approach standardized testing with confidence. Here are some suggestions to support your child:
Maintain regular routines: Ensure your child gets adequate sleep and eats a nutritious breakfast before testing days.
Encourage positive thinking: Help your child develop a growth mindset by emphasizing that tests are opportunities to show what they know, not define who they are.
Review concepts gradually: In the weeks leading up to testing, spend 15-20 minutes daily reviewing grade-level concepts rather than cramming the night before.
Reduce anxiety: Practice deep breathing exercises with your child and remind them that their best effort is what matters most.
Limit screen time: In the days before testing, ensure your child has time away from screens to rest their eyes and mind.
Communicate with teachers: If you have concerns about your child's readiness, reach out to their teacher for specific guidance.
Remember that while these assessments are important, they represent just one measure of your child's academic progress. Your continued support and encouragement throughout the school year contribute significantly to their overall success.
For specific testing schedules by grade level, please refer to communications from your child's school or click here to visit the district website.
Dr. Kristen Higgins, Principal
Sustainability at Three Bridges: More Than Just Recycling!
At Three Bridges School, we believe sustainability is about more than just recycling—it’s about hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, responsibility, and creativity! This year, our students have been diving into exciting sustainability projects, from hatching baby chicks to designing sustainable homes for mealworms, all while learning valuable lessons about caring for our planet.
Egg-citing News: Our 4-H Embryology Program
Thanks to our new partnership with 4-H in Hunterdon County, our classrooms are buzzing with excitement as we embark on our Embryology Program! Each grade level received two incubators, and our staff was trained by a 4-H educator to care for the eggs. Every classroom is nurturing 12 eggs, teaching students about responsibility, respect for life, and the scientific process. Plus, some lucky students will get to take the chicks home over spring break to continue their care! It’s a hands-on lesson in life science that will stick with them for years to come. In photo below: Ivy Slawecki and Bogart Gutierrez (Ms. Dearstyne’s Class).
Ms. Sherry Krial, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction/Staff Development and Instructional Technology (In photo to right: presenting to staff)
Our March 14th in-service day was filled with meaningful professional development and collaboration. The day kicked off with an insightful keynote speaker on dyslexia, setting the tone for engaging sessions across all subject areas for grades PreK-8, including articulation, STEM, and specialized training with outside consultants.
To make the day even more exciting, we raffled off over 160 prizes throughout the event, with drawings held each hour—creating a fun and appreciative atmosphere. A special thanks goes to the RTEA, whose incredible efforts secured generous donations from local businesses. The HSA and district administration made the day even more rewarding by donating food truck vouchers for raffle prizes.
Staff had the opportunity to purchase lunch from five food trucks offering various delicious options. In the morning, sweet treats were available for purchase, adding an extra touch of enjoyment. With the warmer weather on our side, picnic tables were set up, creating a perfect outdoor dining experience for everyone to enjoy.
The day was a perfect blend of professional growth, collaboration, and appreciation for our dedicated staff. From insightful learning sessions to exciting raffles and great food, the in-service was a true reflection of our district’s commitment to supporting and celebrating educators.
In photos below: Teachers participating in sessions; enjoying the food trucks; and winning prizes.
Veronica Moran, Student Presenter
Ellie Mental Health, Presenters
Brandon Green, Student Presenter
Mr. James Belske, Technology Coordinator
Our school district maintains a continuous focus on cybersecurity to protect the online safety of its students and staff. Regular reviews are conducted to ensure the security and privacy of district data. To facilitate this assessment, our district engages with its Software as a Service (SaaS) vendors to verify implemented safeguards and mechanisms for protecting hosted district data. This inquiry facilitates tracking of data management practices for each vendor. The district recognizes the importance of its relationships with hosted providers in facilitating a connected learning environment.
All primary education vendors we use routinely respond promptly to these inquiries with specific details regarding their implementation of security and protection measures for student and staff data. Our technology department also proactively implements regular software updates to ensure optimal system security. In collaboration with our hosted vendors, we are committed to maintaining best practice standards for data privacy and network security. These remain mutual top priorities.
We appreciate everyone's efforts in maintaining best practice cybersecurity for all of our students.
For general technology tips and support resources, please visit our Tech@Home or email us at: techsupport@readington.k12.nj.us
Dr. Hart is thrilled to announce the Board of Education has approved the appointment of Mrs. Rebecca Burns as the new Director of Pupil Services effective July 1, 2025.
The district sent out a survey asking for community input regarding the new director based on qualities of highly effective directors. Our search process looked for these characteristics in the next director as we conducted interviews and engaged the candidates in formal presentations. Mrs. Burns certainly embodies all of the qualities we were looking for and more!
Mrs. Burns earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and special education from Kutztown University, a master's degree in education with a reading specialist certificate from LaSalle University, and completed an additional master’s degree in educational leadership at Drexel University. She obtained the Supervisor Certification for Grades K-12 from Caldwell College and completed a STEM Leadership program at Columbia University. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Gwynedd Mercy University with a focus on parental engagement in the IEP process.
Mrs. Burns holds NJ certifications as a Principal, Supervisor, Students with Disabilities Teacher, Elementary School Teacher in Grades K-6, and Elementary School Teacher with Subject Matter Specialization in Language Arts/Literacy Specialist.
Mrs. Burns lives in Delaware Township with her husband, Brendan, their children, Kelan, age 13, and Makena, age 12, as well as their Cavapoo, Finn, and cat, Sprinkles. The Burns family cherishes their time together, exploring National Parks, enjoying summer retreats on Long Beach Island, and engaging in skiing and snowboarding during the winter months in the mountains. Personally, Mrs. Burns enjoys running as a way to improve her mental health and aspires to run a marathon someday.
Dr. Hart is confident Mrs. Burns will lead with integrity, compassion, and dedication. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Burns to Readington. She will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of our students, staff, and families.
Burns Family
Rebecca & Brendan Burns
Kelan & Makena Burns
