At its Tuesday meeting, the Livingston Board of Education approved the amended contract of its interim superintendent and viewed presentations on the district’s goals and its new instructional framework.
Superintendent Contract
Interim superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein’s contract was amended to extend through June 30, 2026. The amended contract was reviewed and approved by interim executive county superintendent Joseph Zarra.
Board president Dr. Pam Chirls said, in a statement from the Board, that Fishbein’s “leadership on district priorities has been invaluable. Ensuring that we will continue to benefit from his expertise, the Board is thrilled to extend the contract of Dr. Fishbein through June 30,2026.”
The public hearing on Fishbein’s contract yielded no public comment, so the Board quickly and unanimously approved Fishbein’s amended contract.
Instructional Framework
Mark Stern and the district’s implementation team led a presentation on the district’s newly revised instructional framework. Stem, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and innovation, shared that this is the result of work that began in the fall of 2022. After strategic planning, professional rounds, and looking at surveys and various data across the district, the implementation team created curriculum blueprints which are available on the district’s website.
After the data was analyzed, the team came up with the following five focuses, that describe effective instruction as: 1. Cultivated in a safe, caring, and “brave” learning environment; 2. Rooted in clearly stated and understood objectives, expectations, and criteria; 3. Informed by student performance and targeted feedback; 4. Creating opportunities for students to actively engage in sensemaking; and 5. Interconnected. For the remainder of the 2024-25 school year, the implementation team plans to update the professional (Continued on Page A-7) development plans; build a repository of resources for teachers and administrators; reinstitute coaching observation; form an elementary schedule review committee; and continue the implementation of universal screeners.
District Goals
In his presentation, Fishbein explained that the district goals have many areas of focus.
In regard to teaching, the district’s goal is to “investigate and identify highly valued instructional elements for the development of an instructional framework around which to build common language of instruction, authentic learning experiences and assessment, and a real-world context to foster curriculum development and student and educator growth.”
To do this, the district plans to create new building and department development plans, build a repository of resources for teachers and administrators, and reintroduce coaching observations for teachers.
The district’s safety and wellness goal is to ensure the emotional well-being and mental health of all students. It plans to “implement the programming, resources, and opportunities to address the priority gaps to build the skills necessary to develop healthy habits for a wellbalanced life.” Regarding safety and security, the district plans to improve emergency communication, secure and visit alternative evacuation sites, integrate an emergency communication system, and train the staff in new directives from the New Jersey Department of Education.
For community and culture, the district hopes to “ensure just outcomes for each student, raise marginalized voices, and challenge imbalances of power and privilege” by implementing the recommendations from the LPS Equity Response Committee and US2 Consultants.
In regard to finances and facilities, the district set multiple goals. It aims to take inventory of all district facilities, coordinate with town officials and management through liaison committee meetings, and devise a long-range facilities plan. The presentation of a plan for moving forward is expected to take place this spring.
NJQSAC
Every three years, school districts go through the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) and are scored by the county.
As of October 2024, Livingston Public Schools scored 90% for instruction and program, 96% for fiscal management, 100% for governance, 92% for operations, and 97% for personnel.
Fishbein said that “Anything 90 or above is considered excellent, and you can see that the district did very well.”
Wildfire
Fishbein noted that despite the large brush fire throughout town this weekend, the air quality among the district’s schools remains strong and all windows are closed. He said all building’s air filters were checked at the beginning of the school year and are in working order. He has been in touch with the Livingston Health Department and will continue to do so. As an extra precaution, schools have had indoor recess this past Monday and Tuesday.
Boiler Replacements
The Board approved DiCara Rubino Architects to replace a number of boilers throughout the district for the following prices. The new boiler at LHS will cost $41,000; Mt. Pleasant Middle School’s will be $73,500; Harrison’s will cost $41,000; and Hillside’s will be $73,500.
The Board approved the purchase of audio equipment and its installation in Mt. Pleasant Middle School’s gymnasium at a cost of $31,737.
The Board also approved Gianforcaro Architects and Engineers to provide a drainage study for the Riker Hill School property, at a cost of $9,800.
The Board will next meet on Tuesday, November 12.
