BOE Meeting Highlights

September 25, 2026

Dear Kinnelon Colts School Community Members,

Below is a brief summary of key updates and actions from the September 22nd, 2026 Board of Education meeting. This overview is intended to provide a clear snapshot of important district initiatives, programs, projects, and Board actions as we navigate the 2026–2027 school year.

The next CAC meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27th. Anyone interested in joining our committee can do so by sending an email to Mrs. Blumenstyk at the following address: blumenstyka@kinnelon.org

Congratulations and welcome to Matthew DiBrino, who was appointed by the Board at this meeting to fill the vacant Board of Education seat for the remainder of the term through December 2026.

We also welcome Jillian Cahayla, our new 2026–2027 KHS Student Board of Education Representative. We look forward to having Jillian represent the student voice and perspective at Board meetings throughout the school year.

The district shared the results of the first operational New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment–Adaptive (NJGPA-A) for the Class of 2027.

• 94.4% of KHS students were graduation-ready in English Language Arts.
• 86.5% were graduation-ready in Mathematics.
• KHS average scale scores exceeded both Morris County and New Jersey state averages in both subjects.
• Compared with Grade 7 performance, the cohort showed substantial growth over their years in Kinnelon: 15 percentage points in ELA and 17 percentage points in Mathematics.

Students who have not yet met graduation assessment requirements have additional pathways available, including substitute assessments and, when applicable, a portfolio appeal. Families were notified of individual student results on September 11, and staff will continue working with students who need additional support.

Several facility projects and improvements were addressed:

• Boiler work is moving forward at Pearl R. Miller Middle School, Kiel School, and Kinnelon High School through the PSE&G Direct Install Program. The district will utilize the "banked cap" health benefit waiver to fund this project. This will elevate the 27-28 district tax Levy from a 2% increase to a 4.98% increase. The opportunity to fund the boiler replacements at multiple schools at half cost is why the Board of Education has deemed the time is right to do so.
• The projects have a combined estimated cost of $2.824 million, with approximately $1.353 million in proposed PSE&G incentives.
• The district's anticipated share is approximately $1.472 million.
• The proposed Stonybrook boiler project was not approved at this time while the district continues evaluating the long-term use and future of the facility.
  
  
• The Board also approved funding related to projects including the KHS outdoor cafeteria seating area, demographic study, and mold remediation.

The district continues to monitor transportation routes and ridership. As of the meeting, 62 of 77 parent transportation change requests had been accommodated, with eight still under review. Additionally, below is the average bus attendance for the 2025-26 & 2026-27 school year's:

• Average bus (54 Passenger):
• Kiel: 18.2
• 26-27: 25.2
• SB: 18.8
• 26-27: 33.6
• PRM & KHS avg together: 16.8
• 26-27: 23.9
• Average van (24 Passenger): 7.75
• 26-27: 9.83

The Board also discussed transportation planning for future school years, including the district's current courtesy busing program. Approximately 500 students—about one-third of the student population—could be affected if courtesy busing were eliminated, with an estimated potential savings of approximately $410,000. This was presented as a future budget-planning consideration, not as a change approved at this meeting.

Last, the Board has reviewed the cost of bus aides, as well as the potential for adding GPS Tracking Software to our Kinnelon buses. Please see the information below.

• GPS Software for Kinnelon BOE owned bus routing: $17,923( 1 time cost)
• To be reviewed during October committee meetings/ Earmarked within line item
• First Student has GPS Software
• Cost of adding Bus Aides to K-12 due to tiered routes: $349,20(annual cost- personnel line item Fund 11)
• KBOE Buses: $90,000
• Contracted Buses: $259,200

The Board approved a number of staffing and organizational items for the 2026–27 school year, including revised job descriptions, staff appointments, supplemental academic support, enrichment opportunities, and extracurricular assignments.

The district is also conducting a search for a new Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment & Digital Platforms. The search began with 66 applicants, with three candidates scheduled for a final round in October. A recommendation is anticipated for Board consideration on October 27, with a projected start date of January 1, 2027.

The district also welcomes back some familiar faces at KHS in the role of Lead Teacher. They are: Mrs. Sappio, Mrs. Kowalski, and Dr. Florio. We are excited for each of them to continue building upon the great programs at KHS!

Families may want to mark these upcoming events:

• October 1: KHS Open House for PRM/prospective students and families
• October 3: SAT Weekend
• October 8: Evening College Fair
• October 16: Homecoming Tailgate
• October 20–21: NJGPA administration
• October 27: PSAT testing for Grades 10 & 11; delayed opening for Grades 9 & 12
• October 30: District-wide Trunk or Treat

Kinnelon Public Schools is accepting applications from families interested in attending the District through the Non-Resident Tuition Program for the 2026–2027 school year. Enrollment is available for eligible students in grades K–12 and is subject to available space, staffing, application review, and Board of Education approval.

Families interested in learning more about the program, reviewing tuition rates, or downloading an application may visit the Non-Resident Tuition Program page on our website.

We appreciate the continued partnership of our families and community members. If you are interested in learning more, Board agendas and presentations are always available on the district website, and Board meetings are open to the public.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Kinnelon Public Schools.

Warm regards,
David C. Mango

Superintendent of Schools