The Livingston Public Schools Board of Education and the Township Council “continue to meet and share information as part of their collective commitment to ensuring that Livingston Public Schools will continue to attract individuals and families who are eager to make Livingston their home,” according to a recent joint statement between the two governing bodies.
The Liaison Committee, which includes superintendent of schools Matthew Block, township manager Barry Lewis, Board of Education members Pam Chirls and Seth Cohen, and Township Council members Ed Meinhardt and Rosy Bagolie, last met on September 2 8. The committee has been meeting periodically since January to maintain open lines of communication between the bodies, according to the statement.
“The district’s priority is to work in partnership with the Board of Education and the Township Council to serve the needs of both current and future students,” Block said. “We are proud that Livingston is a desirable community, and to keep it that way, we remain committed to working with town officials to find ways to maintain the outstanding quality of our schools as our population grows. We will continue to discuss how we can best collaborate around issues of physical space. In order to remain on the cutting edge and to meet our commitment to our students, our facilities must support the work ahead of us.”
In previous meetings, the Liaison Committee has discussed the district’s needs for the future based on recent enrollment trends and anticipated development projects. During the meeting on September 28, committee members continued to discuss sharing spaces, including Monmouth Court Community Center.
Additional highlights of the most recent meeting included:
• A review of the facilities profile sheets, which the Town Council representatives will discuss with the entire Town Council at an upcoming meeting.
• Discussion on the current use of middle school buildings and the potential enlargement of existing school buildings.
The district’s Long Range Facility Planning Committee held its first meeting on October 4. It includes school administrators, staff and faculty members, all Board of Education members, one Town Council representative and 13 members of the Livingston community. Its goal is to develop a plan for considering expansion, repair, and maintenance needs of the district’s facilities and determining a long-term plan for investment in the district’s infrastructure.
“The Board of Education and the Township Council remain dedicated to working closely, creatively, and collaboratively to support the mission, vision, and values of Livingston Public Schools,” read the joint statement.
The next Liaison Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 1.
