[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6631277,"mediaKeyId","2680038-bcee6061e487d0d3e109fabbf328b6bd","parentId",2680038,"title","North Hunterdon-Voorhees recognizes multilingual students; district reports growth in multilingual learner numbers","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",852000,"endMs",1058000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680038-bcee6061e487d0d3e109fabbf328b6bd&start=852&end=1058","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680038-bcee6061e487d0d3e109fabbf328b6bd/thumbnail_852000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631277/New-Jersey/North-Hunterdon-Voorhees-recognizes-multilingual-students-district-reports-growth-in-multilingual-learner-numbers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631277-9a085b89d9cf267b8707c181224def1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934336&Signature=kn~3S3qzIbkilzslHLwFk6rB3p7kTNCqwXY17iW~KQ8JrqrWpYXtocmDvnMKIRtAqfEuic3ZQqH6o7qy6z5FoRuQib1HvWZDhUV2VQazE9mtiZ6a2Uk6fpdKyuJe83MXmY8ujETFoBpnVRjD7dd1eKjerBHNVYEU~myVFKmAKF4Orw6gsgVF9tdUNnvrVXE18zVsB0ABe0XIUC-jWrlHXlS0LNP-bQzOHLVEdNelyha8Wns-dTSrZDAWedn7NbfcRiPvlYl538EjU-6aLN4RpDLVyahO2p-BiGQPwf8-qtb1LcSURnFsTS3aDMobvrndV3bBGIvn245NVHL0ibsLwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School Dist","date","2025-03-19T03:13:55.54Z","article","Board meeting recognition on March 18 honored student projects and multilingual learners while administrators outlined an increase in multilingual learners and rising Seal of Biliteracy numbers.

At the Voorhees recognition segment, the board and school staff recognized a student, Christian Retchen, for an Eagle Scout project creating heavy-duty storage carts for the fencing team. Later the board highlighted Genesis, an 11th grader who arrived as a multilingual learner in March 2024 and now mentors newer multilingual students. Administrators described Genesis\u0000work guiding newcomers through school routines and supporting language transitions.

Context and program data: District leaders told the board that since 2022 the number of multilingual learners has almost doubled and that North Hunterdon High School currently serves more than 20 students who are limited in English proficiency or classified as multilingual learners. At times administrators estimated single-building ESL enrollments (one building had eight students in the ESL class) and noted students who speak no English on arrival rely on dedicated ESL staff for instruction and cultural orientation.

The administration also reported increases in the district\u0000Seal of Biliteracy awards and strong AP participation: more than 500 students took AP exams last year across both schools (287 at North, 233 at Voorhees), producing more than 1,000 exams administered. Administrators said COVID-era dips had reversed and that language-development assessments (ACCESS for ELLs) and AP and NJGPA results are tracked to measure progress.

Why it matters: Growth in multilingual learners affects staffing, program design and coordination with K-8 sending districts. Administrators noted some K-8 districts struggle to offer world-language instruction, which can affect students' ability to earn the Seal of Biliteracy. The district plans continued articulation with sending districts and exploration of shared services to build capacity.

Next steps: The board was reminded about upcoming stakeholder strategic-planning meetings and was asked to encourage community participation; administrators said they will continue to report assessment results and program metrics to the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NHV BOE Meeting - 03/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board recognized student leaders and described growth in the district\u0000English-as-a-second-language and multilingual learner population, and administrators reported increases in students earning the Seal of Biliteracy and broad AP participation.","taxTitle","North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",72668,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631283,"Board tables minutes after members dispute wording about \"confidentiality\" amid wider ethics debate",511,224000,735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680038-bcee6061e487d0d3e109fabbf328b6bd&start=224&end=735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680038-bcee6061e487d0d3e109fabbf328b6bd/thumbnail_224000.jpg","/articles/6631283/New-Jersey/Board-tables-minutes-after-members-dispute-wording-about-confidentiality-amid-wider-ethics-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631283-06b7f99f1acf320abe343320c79f16f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934336&Signature=goDSBqe4lWcM52DbgA4DwV1M8MFvC02Zktei4iT0A6NunDje5QymGEUucSjp-J3mFOwygP2U7L8aEePvrZ66PHk4TvRo7-If3jPLe6Dm8LytYuw6W5WUgHM4F5273C52~~pXJ4MUcuZRdDXAXDFO9YMGWsG04IJPDtN38IM~WVNQMHWrDWls653GzeG-KssfzG-qCOgn-2FYOjHbF-ONoPMRKiSqzFlwCeUL5YfQdO~672HKfJax7dSKjeMXmSxX6vHd3lHO1uuAFRVMh~UynjXI2T4XiBhYtQOeS~KwnT4TGLrldfea0oz3MME1vVIp-77knCFcvds2ooLqYz9jpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Board of Education on March 18 tabled approval of minutes from its February meeting following a dispute over a line that referenced a discussion of \"confidentiality.\" A board member sought to amend the minutes, saying the minutes misrepresented prior remarks and that the public should hear any corrections; other members said corrections belong in new or old business and that the minutes reflected an accurate summary.

Why it matters: Minutes are the official record of board deliberations. Board members argued about whether a comment that referred to member confidentiality should remain verbatim or be clarified, and whether an amendment at this meeting would allow public participation in that correction. After motions and discussion, the board voted to table the minutes so members could review video of the prior meeting and consult with the secretary.

Public comment at the meeting put additional strain on the board. Multiple members of the public criticized alleged outside influence on board business and referenced a widely distributed ethics complaint filed by a nonresident, naming the complainant and criticizing public accusations about conflicts of interest. Commenters also debated whether public commenters were \"outsiders\" and questioned board members making allegations in public about fellow members. Several audience members urged civility and respect.

Board action: A motion to table the minutes — to allow time to review recordings and prepare proposed amendments — passed on a roll-call vote. The board asked administration and the secretary to review video and return with proposed language for the next meeting. The motion removed the pending amendment from tonight's agenda.

Other public concerns and procedural notes: During public comment several residents raised local issues including a decline in marching-band participation and concerns about executive-session length and the lack of nearby public restrooms during long meetings; a private citizen praised a bus driver for safely handling an in-route brake failure. Several public speakers urged board members to stop assigning motive to colleagues for votes and to refrain from airing accusations that could be construed as ethics allegations when the matters are the subject of a complaint.

Next steps: The minutes remain tabled. The board directed the secretary and interested members to review the recorded meeting video and bring suggested amendments for formal consideration at a subsequent meeting.","The board voted to table approval of February minutes after members argued over language describing public comments about \"confidentiality\"; the discussion surfaced broader public concern about alleged outside influence and an ethics complaint discussed during public comment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631288,"North Hunterdon-Voorhees board advances preliminary 2025-26 budget after hours-long debate",4120,4200000,8320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680038-bcee6061e487d0d3e109fabbf328b6bd&start=4200&end=8320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680038-bcee6061e487d0d3e109fabbf328b6bd/thumbnail_4200000.jpg","/articles/6631288/New-Jersey/North-Hunterdon-Voorhees-board-advances-preliminary-2025-26-budget-after-hours-long-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631288-e53a2d0e9cf0293f6f87a41f393c3a11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934336&Signature=LvPfdcJ63~ZTVOaOwqw3OHOZvxtdxUFLKHeNO62b1Vr9TESKc1BDgICzZDJ-c-p85X3xKRYHwKQ1Vw1JyddFJ~sEZhVoYXZXTAwos6N1Ikp4xb88K~19HkPt9DJCPg5a5ipfxFqZ~VpE6wey0I8t6x39Q-Cgveqt3FR3lqTAjrTqEcUqcchAZYp~wpmPy3~PqZnU0cmzalNa9NYsQXAcdyACVyGHYaAZTryhehO~BcBM9EqbfBK2To9MNlXUVZUUCK6p~iDeuaE2~NZTl7-GjKl3wMy9sFNXswII290NHzJJL8p0gQKb4two6ys1D6lXtp-4ECKPlGzGmN62ukgwVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District Board of Education voted on March 18 to forward its preliminary 2025-26 budget to Hunterdon County for review after a long public and board discussion about tax levies, rising costs and available reserves.

Board members and administrators laid out cost pressures driving the proposed increase beyond the 2% standard cap: the district recorded an unexpected state aid increase of about $217,000 but still faces a projected shortfall of roughly $216,255 for next year, officials said. Major upward pressures named during committee discussion included a roughly 20% increase in electric rates (an impact administrators estimated near $200,000), a 10% increase in transportation costs and double-digit increases in medical benefits and prescription costs. The administration recommended a 2.66% tax levy increase to close the gap while retaining program and staff levels.

Why it matters: The preliminary budget determines what the district will submit to the county for compliance review and frames the final budget the board will consider in April. Raising the tax levy above 2% is allowed by state rules in limited circumstances, but it draws public scrutiny because it increases property-tax bills for district residents.

Administrators said personnel and benefits comprise roughly 70–75% of district spending, and that a combination of attrition, careful purchasing and use of reserves are available levers to manage the shortfall. The business office also reported roughly $428,444 would be raised by moving from a 2.00% to a 2.66% tax levy on a roughly $65 million budget base, figures administrators used for planning. Board members and commenters weighed whether further internal efficiencies could reduce the levy increase without cutting instruction.

Board action and votes: An initial roll-call on the motion to submit the preliminary budget did not achieve the required majority of the full board and therefore failed at that moment. After additional discussion and a request that outstanding questions be compiled and placed in the committee folder for review, a motion to reconsider and move the budget forward to the county for technical review passed on a subsequent roll-call vote. The board signaled that amendments remain possible before the final adoption vote in late April.

Public input and board questions: Members of the public and several board members pressed administrators on specific line items and asked for more granular documents, including five-year projections showing how the district would avoid a longer-term fiscal “cliff.” Speakers also asked about reliance on food-service profits and grants for equipment, the impact of solar energy and whether capital reserves or “banked cap” had been used in prior years. Administrators said the district had returned leftover referendum funds to taxpayers in past years rather than retaining them as capital, which reduced current reserve balances.

Next steps: The board asked administration to compile the committee-level questions and responses in the board file area, and to continue committee review of potential savings (including procurement and transportation strategies). The county review will check statutory and format compliance; the board may amend the proposed budget before its final adoption vote in April.","After extended discussion and public questions, the board voted to send a preliminary 2025-26 budget to Hunterdon County for technical review. The session featured debate over raising the local tax levy above the 2% cap to cover rising costs for healthcare, energy and transportation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

North Hunterdon-Voorhees recognizes multilingual students; district reports growth in multilingual learner numbers

Board tables minutes after members dispute wording about "confidentiality" amid wider ethics debate

North Hunterdon-Voorhees board advances preliminary 2025-26 budget after hours-long debate