[{"_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",6630883,"mediaKeyId","2688564-a1ad931cf04ed3080ecc4e19c97defcf","parentId",2688564,"title","Montville students showcase Virtual Enterprise startups — energy strips and L‑theanine air fresheners","audioSeconds",912,"startMs",342000,"endMs",1254000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688564-a1ad931cf04ed3080ecc4e19c97defcf&start=342&end=1254","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688564-a1ad931cf04ed3080ecc4e19c97defcf/thumbnail_342000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6630883/New-Jersey/Montville-students-showcase-Virtual-Enterprise-startups-energy-strips-and-Ltheanine-air-fresheners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630883-a58c252e4162a9a4aa325c94ff62c3dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140018&Signature=Z2hzTrsd6ikhuAw2v3U4LzDJQpNmI6pbEOmKp3xXmvNdsEX9Bla2GIJacC19CUMTi78oosuZUq2tJNxQvLDb2o9j-676yrIx3tVXipd87RPqXew1D9VqujQUCE1gzdqG66la6TKC7I5qk-qYFsuXA1qx7zErTcJZ6OD6X6ILhFgtRJygCFBt~3i0beotrZQPyr5Y6vOVzGvKMnayOTj9EOm-nd-dNMZEf7CJQN1036kHgH7ZIbJw-eowQ5oHRA6gr5l-xM3g05AlH9eA8BxZrN6L8Z0KZO2rm4vPVJVYR4v6FOwMTZKegpK3Pd4tGJdv09zagiEIYL3-cCeV3xWchg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montville Township School District","date","2025-03-19T12:13:40.24Z","article","Students in Montville Township High School's Virtual Enterprise (VE) program presented two student‑run business plans to the Board of Education on March 11, describing product concepts, market research and plans for sales and quality control.

The first team, Burst Strips, described a thin, dissolvable flavored strip offered in energy, sleep and recovery formulations. Rianne Adkarni, the team chief executive officer, said the group surveyed 75 students and reported that 98% said they felt unmotivated at times; 81% reported trouble falling asleep and 79% cited post‑exercise recovery challenges. “Our mission is to empower people to feel their best with fast‑acting science‑backed flavored strips for energy, sleep, and recovery,” Adkarni said. Team members said the energy strips would contain caffeine and L‑theanine, recovery strips electrolytes and L‑theanine, and sleep strips melatonin; they told the board their product comes from a third‑party manufacturer and discussed contract controls for quality assurance.

The second team, Essentials, presented a line of L‑theanine‑infused car fresheners, plug‑in air fresheners and candles designed to promote alertness without caffeine. Shruti Swaminathan, who identified herself as Essentials’ CEO, said the team surveyed 63 students and found nearly 75% reported negative side effects from caffeinated products. “Our solution? Let me introduce Essentials. Naturally energizing air fresheners and candles,” Swaminathan said. The students said their electronic car fresheners include a built‑in timer and that they added refillable scent packs; they also described a safety guide and recommended dosing guidelines to be printed on packaging.

Board members and administrators questioned students about safety, ingredients and quality control. When asked about melatonin and maximum dosing, Burst Strips team members said packaging would include recommended dosing and warnings. Students from both teams said they rely on third‑party manufacturers and would use contract language and testing requirements to help ensure product quality.

Both teams described recent competition results: the Burst Strips team advanced in a regional business‑plan competition, and Essentials reported sales of $17,000 at a virtual trade show in their VE marketplace. Teacher Mr. Connolly introduced the groups and said the VE capstone course teaches students business skills — from accounting to marketing — and provides opportunities to compete regionally and nationally.

Trustees praised the students’ work. “That was an incredible two presentations,” one board member said, thanking teachers and mentors and encouraging continued participation in the program.

Why it matters

VE presentations give students practical experience running simulated businesses and allow the board to observe curriculum outcomes in entrepreneurship, finance and marketing. Students confronted product safety and quality questions, which board members and administrators emphasized as important if products move beyond the virtual marketplace.

Provenance

The VE presentations and the subsequent Q&A are recorded in the meeting transcript during the high‑school reports and the presentations section.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montville Township Board of Education Meeting March 18 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two Montville Township High School Virtual Enterprise teams presented business plans to the board on March 11: Burst Strips, a dissolvable strip line for energy, sleep and recovery, and Essentials, a line of L‑theanine‑infused air fresheners and candles.","taxTitle","Montville Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",72499,"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},6630888,"Montville Board approves tentative 2025–26 budget, sends plan to county; adopts consent agenda",317,1896000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688564-a1ad931cf04ed3080ecc4e19c97defcf&start=1896&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688564-a1ad931cf04ed3080ecc4e19c97defcf/thumbnail_1896000.jpg","/articles/6630888/New-Jersey/Montville-Board-approves-tentative-202526-budget-sends-plan-to-county-adopts-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630888-4010260d8f7be4bce2d0183a3cc8e7cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140018&Signature=kdNcjSvftOQkKD0eQVyxPERF5PlDccuRT6rJ9WuRJuPpp9cfSxZozluMaaoGNt6NOvFSxsA2Ale5c5j3Sp~sas3u6W6zlc8feGwFm~2sBcounDNBUzftfoG3hMSbjhOQJWQfjdD9pkhaHuPXKzw~sKrJYj5t9g7h0KB9CU~jSiRoRmeB-xEqry7vyhJUsBWQBEIKtu15jtBlJ8pPXUwYhR8QRJdwiL4dJUEuq8rv5cJDceLr7yYHuyhj80Y5h5pgs53yBIV9KULBD0pWm6s8S36mIoP2Zo-nVEU3GMv6dJNWwzAc1gbFP~CJP7tRoz3XFfiByyd-PYKfJFfdUBadHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montville Township Board of Education on March 11 approved a tentative 2025–26 budget and a consent agenda covering personnel, retirements and other routine items, sending the budget to the county office for review.

Board members and district officials said the budget presented a balanced plan — revenues equal expenditures — made possible by a state aid increase and a statutory waiver tied to rising enrollment. “The state increased our aid by a little more than $300,000 and allowed for us to apply for a waiver … for increased enrollment,” said Mrs. Slunt, of the district business office, explaining how those factors helped the numbers balance. She said the district also plans to use reserves for summer capital work.

The budget includes capital and maintenance funding for this summer’s projects, including four remaining vestibule upgrades (the district began with three), HVAC and boiler repairs, and hallway painting and lighting. The district will also use reserves for the work, Mrs. Slunt said. The board placed a public hearing on the tentative budget for April 29.

Administrators noted one budgetary relief this year came from changing health providers. Mrs. Slunt said the district moved to a private provider, Horizon, which reduced the projected increase in health benefits from about 20% to roughly 5%. She added the Horizon arrangement includes an 18‑month rate lock that began in January, but cautioned the district will again face open rating periods after the lock expires: “At which point then it opens back up and yes, it is possible that we will have an increase that will be much more than 5%,” she said.

Board members asked about other cost pressures. Mrs. Slunt and Dr. Gorman, the superintendent, identified benefits and transportation as continuing strain points. “Benefits is definitely one of the biggest ones because we have no ability to control what those rates come in at,” Mrs. Slunt said. Transportation costs also continue to rise, she said, especially given recent enrollment growth and new program needs.

Board members discussed proposed staffing changes that appear in the agenda — for example, an elementary half‑time music position that could be reconfigured so Lazar Middle School has a full‑time music teacher and the district hires a new half‑time elementary teacher. The personnel section of the consent agenda also included two retirements: Joanna Machete, after about 13½ years with the district, and Chuck Fisher, a roughly 24‑year district special‑education teacher and longtime high‑school coach.

The board approved the consent items (agenda items I–N), including the tentative budget, by voice and roll call. The meeting record shows trustees moved and seconded the consent agenda; the board then conducted a roll‑call vote and the motion carried. Those present voting yes included Mr. Daughtry, Mr. Rappaport, Dr. Cortellino, Mrs. Fano, Mr. Palma, Mr. Petruzzino, Mrs. Smith and Dr. Modrak. The minutes record that several trustees noted an abstention on the minutes item (section I) while still supporting the broader consent motion; the broader consent motion passed.

The district will submit the tentative budget to the county office for review the next day and present the full budget at the April 29 public hearing before final adoption.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve consent agenda items I–N, including the tentative 2025–26 budget and personnel items. Motion moved and seconded (movers not specified on the record). Outcome: approved. Roll‑call votes recorded as yes from: Mr. Daughtry; Mr. Rappaport; Dr. Cortellino; Mrs. Fano; Mr. Palma; Mr. Petruzzino; Mrs. Smith; Dr. Modrak. Several trustees recorded an abstention limited to the minutes (section I) while voting for the consent motion.

Why it matters

District leaders said the combination of a modest state‑aid increase and a statutory waiver tied to increased enrollment allowed a balanced tentative budget without immediate staff or program cuts. Board members warned that savings from a short‑term health‑insurance rate lock and one‑time reserves may not be sustainable and asked administrators to continue seeking cost‑containment and shared‑service options.

Looking ahead

The budget goes next to the Morris County office for review. The board will hold a public hearing and final adoption vote on April 29.","The Montville Township Board of Education approved its tentative 2025–26 budget and a consent agenda that includes personnel items and retirements. Administrators said state aid and an enrollment waiver allowed the district to present a balanced budget; board members cautioned about future benefit and transportation pressures.",{"_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},6630878,"Board discusses potential Lazar middle‑school sports program; trustees cite costs and facility constraints",560,3736000,4296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688564-a1ad931cf04ed3080ecc4e19c97defcf&start=3736&end=4296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688564-a1ad931cf04ed3080ecc4e19c97defcf/thumbnail_3736000.jpg","/articles/6630878/New-Jersey/Board-discusses-potential-Lazar-middleschool-sports-program-trustees-cite-costs-and-facility-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630878-1b96a84121cefbf2aaa383edd41f6627/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140018&Signature=BWGjF0moXh2hxEhVETX8MIgwuNxmV1J~c3mFTlfT2FnbxDhgZvQ2u71XJheML9UwpVSHP8bbz~7PYmrvAnI2vRGtnkBBS0MR5veWCfCuhQySwsYBmFZOlTVmQaCdSSM-uEyLfiNQTyaNCEMglbSaJZKTGHZ9Hi8rJTySNnkdK6rSj53AKzJi8BVQjkA03un7WR3L8EJJy8ZxtkigN-6b5UIFtiBuGxdd8VoC13pIvUsj0qjKrcAcvrAPwMIA4iW1aKPhxCVGZJO1HSZ~KzDNxxDlGBRUxmp96QvYoODlVYzcjUkSHYqtlLJKlG-Hd8EFpZ1Rxs8IG7OTwfwArvoCKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members on March 11 opened a discussion about creating an athletics program for Lazar Middle School, prompted by community interest in girls’ basketball and other middle‑school offerings.

John Petruzzino, speaking on behalf of interested trustees and parents, said a middle‑school program could promote camaraderie and provide local, lower‑cost options compared with some travel leagues. “I think personally, it would be great to have school middle‑school sports,” Petruzzino said, but he added the change would require coordination, funding and careful planning.

Trustees raised several concerns: gym and facility scheduling, the administrative and coaching costs of launching multiple sports, the potential effects on existing town organizations such as the Montville Broncos, Montville baseball and softball associations, lacrosse and soccer clubs, and whether participation might be too low to sustain programs. Several members said adding middle‑school sports would likely require external funding or a voter‑approved additional funding question (a “second question”) to become sustainable.

Dr. Gorman said discussions with neighboring districts about shared services are already under way for other programs and could help inform any athletics expansion, but she cautioned the process would take time. Board members agreed more information is needed before any formal vote: scope (which sports), estimated costs, scheduling impacts, coach availability and conversations with local recreation leagues and travel clubs.

No formal motion or vote was taken; trustees asked administrators to gather more information and suggested informal outreach to community sports organizations as a first step.

Why it matters

The topic touches on district extracurricular policy, community recreation providers and district finances. Expanding middle‑school athletics would change facility scheduling and require new recurring expenditures for staff, equipment and supervision, so trustees signaled a preference for a measured study rather than immediate implementation.

Provenance

Discussion recorded in the meeting transcript beginning with trustee comments on new business and continuing through the board’s exchange about cost, facilities and next steps.","Trustees discussed whether to add middle‑school sports at Lazar Middle School. Board members and administrators highlighted positives — student camaraderie and local access — and concerns over funding, gym time, impact on town rec leagues and the need for stakeholder coordination; no formal action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montville students showcase Virtual Enterprise startups — energy strips and L‑theanine air fresheners

Montville Board approves tentative 2025–26 budget, sends plan to county; adopts consent agenda

Board discusses potential Lazar middle‑school sports program; trustees cite costs and facility constraints