[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6115005,"mediaKeyId","2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454","parentId",2740444,"title","Votes at a glance: West Windsor‑Plainsboro board approves preliminary budget, DEI statement and routine items","audioSeconds",410,"startMs",7174000,"endMs",7584000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454&start=7174&end=7584","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454/thumbnail_7174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115005/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-West-WindsorPlainsboro-board-approves-preliminary-budget-DEI-statement-and-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115005-32c928a5ab1d7ff8624c7a3c70f3d99d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770428168&Signature=JngcM8cV2jJftGmis70SfLVnprK5U28CbtSBiJkrR0qEkse2vTJy-suBmQRdvpOrYtyknC-hXrxj-qLse25NLNEMQXDzhLffqPlS-je-Ew64YZgTjBPHtqXG3yOT~Guv~r9MZ1SxrsETG7JauWySiPB3bT~vwNp1Yj4WqPnYs3SBynWRZ461b1e-fiFJnehO3iBAm8CtgatQdGseByb6thiUoyIAXIz9yNR8LK69-mJ~Ou1uPnKIMY6GrJOo8S5oSKxgPXzrO9GcRO3tUzzQh2uz2RbOdI0tCgXpnm6VCu1s~T15-OqpL1u1d62HGSa3CNwir~DNM2KBnbxw8wvEhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-23T04:21:32.877Z","article","The West Windsor‑Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education took a series of votes March 18, approving the administration’s preliminary budget filing and adopting a district statement on diversity, equity and inclusivity. The board also approved routine administration, curriculum, finance and personnel motions on the consent agenda.

Key votes (roll calls and outcomes)
- Preliminary 2025–26 budget: Approved by roll call. (Yes: Ms. Krug; Ms. Cheniere; Ms. Ho; Ms. Maliga; Ms. Shah; Ms. Shetty; Ms. Novich; Ms. Bonsolin; Ms. McKeown.)
- DEI statement: Adopted by roll call (same yes vote pattern).
- Curriculum item: Approved (overnight field trips including High School North Science Bowl team to national conference; High School South debate club trip to Lexington, KY; Department of Energy covered Science Bowl costs at time of announcement).
- Finance items: Approved (motions 1–14 plus blue addenda items 1–5; included tentative budget submittal, energy‑savings professional services, cooperative purchases, transportation quotes, disposal of obsolete equipment and staff professional development approvals).
- Personnel: Approved (personnel items 1–2 plus green and pink addenda); the board accepted the resignation of Dr. Lee McDonald, who was appointed superintendent of a different district and spoke briefly to the board.
- Minutes: February 25 minutes approved (one abstention recorded for a board member on that item).

Nut graf: Most motions were on the consent agenda and passed by roll call with unanimous yes votes among members present; the meeting recorded one formal abstention on the February 25 minutes and included multiple personnel retirements announced by the board.

Personnel and retirements
The superintendent recognized Dr. Lee McDonald’s appointment as superintendent elsewhere and the board accepted his resignation. The board also announced retirements of long‑serving staff (listed in the meeting minutes) across multiple schools.

Ending: The meeting concluded after two public‑comment periods and committee reports; the board’s next scheduled committee meetings were listed for April.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WW-P Board Meeting 03-20-2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 18 meeting the board approved filing the preliminary 2025–26 budget, adopted a diversity/equity/inclusivity statement, accepted a resignation, approved personnel actions and passed routine administration, curriculum and finance motions as listed.","taxTitle","West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",38246,"location","New Jersey","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6115008,"High School North, South students report spring sports, clubs and academic trips",284,108000,392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454&start=108&end=392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454/thumbnail_108000.jpg","/articles/6115008/New-Jersey/High-School-North-South-students-report-spring-sports-clubs-and-academic-trips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115008-698a5b8c6847285bb7dbc7e3196acfc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770428168&Signature=czVCoT29-XNjKUQVf~K-xe0Tujp31HsBrKelLXmA1pDzIR9GUdXu4Wjv-rdgVHPYgdZS~spAQVASky1tBKu5cIM1pZh9DJyAarPxcmt3sbU8Rc73MGwBVGL3wR0KEViaoNWzQtuoCtdenULiL88YV~lXwdRdu5ZR~kXZhT-6FdQm-wZJWzqhwCzMsyhl1zITpxXY0EvHoB~wXXW9SaJoAEAtxFZIwotCkTtSMHeHM6LUAv~fu2B50fJIe30YzBrmXZm-nKU5YnK8t-KQBSo-IOPwZMEgbd7-CBhuPjPmGnfyb2SsWxsUBejdT3kLYVbzzSyuCo0x1~BIDE-Y83FeFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anna Chen and Rachel Joseph, student representatives from High School South, and student representatives from High School North provided updates on athletics, clubs and school events at the March 18 West Windsor‑Plainsboro Board of Education meeting.

South: Rachel Joseph said spring‑sport tryouts concluded and highlighted the girls’ 4x400 relay, a senior group that placed 25th at New Balance Nationals and set an indoor school record of 3:58.79. She also noted the success of the United program basketball event, the AVID parent night for incoming ninth graders and a senior trip to Walt Disney World. Anna Chen said juniors who attended a Washington, D.C., trip completed the NJ GPA state test and previewed a Holi celebration and an upcoming prom at the aquarium.

North: The North representative noted the boys basketball team reached the Central Jersey Group 4 final and finished with a 23–6 season; Coach Luke Beasley was named Colonial Valley Conference coach of the year and a North player was named conference player of the year. North students reported successes in FBLA and state leadership, a sold‑out musical (A Little Shop of Horrors), and competitive travel plans to nationals for Model Congress. North also previewed Belonging Day events and student council activities including March Madness and a senior talent show.

Nut graf: Student reports covered a mix of athletics, arts and student‑run programs, with multiple events and competitive teams representing both high schools in district and regional competitions.

Ending: The board thanked the student representatives for the updates and noted the district’s ongoing support for extracurricular and academic enrichment programs.","Student representatives from High School North and South reported recent athletic success, club activities and upcoming events including prom, Belonging Day and national competitions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6115013,"West Windsor‑Plainsboro board adopts statement supporting diversity, equity and inclusivity",3369,2211000,5580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454&start=2211&end=5580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454/thumbnail_2211000.jpg","/articles/6115013/New-Jersey/West-WindsorPlainsboro-board-adopts-statement-supporting-diversity-equity-and-inclusivity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115013-990f9ae8f6ee0996dc4a18c740202b97/orig.mp4?Expires=1770428168&Signature=OECrWf5P1pxwHEMAGliMg00ZHMWWOGbsx0H8OILG9WhJBFty3Su27pM083rVzdJLzo0txeU4YnyZVPV14J0QdQwbZmKEpwXLcwQblsz0H6vsK3LO5tQlPhkL~H0W1xFbXAmuu2mLA-yMR9W4t~-8tYp4jUJ5VqtxPRv1gOmR0OG-BDvWncjdOeNqi3kC0P9qu27v4QZtWtHlQxGxSbQvuZDmC2-FVruf8vE07iSivatJZT~ZqdxABIfSPCauGL3xyq-UCSnwWg8aYIM4qzrK31Ku~tCSkLDVwNXX0d02wBsvPk6eH7YZGd32exmL4-ULs-vjbMl3ZWTEhva-EsK6wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Windsor‑Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education voted March 18 to adopt a statement that reaffirms the district’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI), saying the language reflects the district mission and state legal protections.

Board President Graylin read the adopted statement, which says the district “cultivates a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community where every individual is valued, respected, celebrated, and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect” and explicitly lists protected characteristics. The statement cites the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and guidance from the New Jersey attorney general.

Nut graf: Administration and speakers framed the resolution as both a values statement and a fiscal safeguard. The superintendent and equity staff said federal executive actions and recent U.S. Department of Education guidance have created the possibility of reduced federal grants tied to programs that use DEI language; the district said it budgeted contingencies to protect programs even if federal funding changes.

What administrators described
Chief equity officer Sutitaro (as named in the presentation) outlined district strategies for belonging and inclusion: dual‑language immersion, inclusive playgrounds, affinity clubs, expanded curriculum offerings (AP African American Studies and courses on Asian American Pacific Islander history) and expanded family outreach such as English‑language‑learner family nights and a Parent Link program. Pema Nadang, identified in the presentation as the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator, described programs she has led including prom‑shop expansion, multilingual summer camp and partnerships with local faith leaders and community organizations.

Administrators said the district’s DEI work is integrated into its four strategic goals and that federal grant funding supports curriculum, intervention (Orton‑Gillingham and MTSS), multilingual learner programs and Title I services. They warned that federal guidance and “dear colleague” letters from the U.S. Department of Education — which have no binding statutory force but can affect grant eligibility — could put some federal funding streams at risk, and noted the district has budgeted to mitigate that risk.

Public comment and board response
Several employees, parents and community members spoke in favor of the statement. Christine Capasse, identified as a district educator and parent, described inclusionary policies (all‑gender bathrooms, specialized programs for exceptional learners) and said the resolution was a promise to families. Sam Hendrickson, who identified himself as Capasse’s husband and a retired school administrator, said supporting students’ authenticity is a moral imperative. Carl Cooper, a district employee, said staff stand with administration and the board.

Ending: The board approved the resolution by roll call during the meeting; the administration said the language is intended to preserve programs and services in the event of federal funding changes and to reflect the district’s stated mission and strategic goals.","The board approved a district statement reaffirming DEI values and cited legal protections while speakers and community members described programs and supports at risk from federal policy changes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6115017,"West Windsor-Plainsboro presents tentative 2025–26 budget, cites federal funding risks and health‑care spike",5013,447000,5460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454&start=447&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740444-49c3e93e48c888f7e797684ec0e54454/thumbnail_447000.jpg","/articles/6115017/New-Jersey/West-Windsor-Plainsboro-presents-tentative-202526-budget-cites-federal-funding-risks-and-healthcare-spike","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115017-687c314c889fcc17c97475b4a2f9b207/orig.mp4?Expires=1770428168&Signature=d9H-ushH7CeQO-GgZX0s5XMDbCwW52BccsWvAubG0n1Alnh~8EJWlv4tBv9p2nCaxAFiEKqAL0n~Yjjex-u-~DS1zb7RI78fw5z06VTfwuSF0W7pFeOGHsTZnCiOj6oEtv9R44PyHFqnwEVnrh5PQJQA3~0fJuIHR9R25Zrj16JEW5sOz4GR70Lypqm9qtVWI0MsUk7eyEC2k0mafdHHE5rFereiV8C5m0eA1bbg77gdgpb1ErJL21VsUgtsEdw2oc1kEYqVfI-VBvaDPirYc7R9Zhrr-CAFZNaK~VnkNUgvkTND4FZ9GhQrF4jAd0Lbxe2culhZHkrS-izyB37OAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Dave Aderhold, superintendent of the West Windsor‑Plainsboro Regional School District, presented the district’s tentative 2025–26 budget on March 18, saying the plan uses allowable tax‑levy increases and reserve authority to absorb rising costs and shield programs from possible federal funding cuts.

The budget presentation laid out the district’s revenue constraints, major cost drivers and contingency measures. Aderhold said district officials intend to adopt and file a preliminary budget at the meeting and submit it to the county superintendent for review, followed by a public hearing and final adoption April 29.

Aderhold said salaries and benefits remain the district’s largest expense and that health‑care renewal this year produced an unusually large increase. He said a negotiated renewal and a move to a state health insurance pool limited an otherwise much larger spike; the superintendent described a 10.6% health‑care increase that he said equates to about $4.7 million, and noted that a 2% general‑fund tax‑levy increase equals about $3.7 million in the district’s figures.

Nut graf: The administration proposed using allowable spending‑growth limitation adjustments (SGLAs), banked cap and reserves to raise roughly $9.7 million in additional revenue while budgeting about $11.5 million in known cost increases. The tentative plan includes a roughly $2.6 million contingency specifically to offset the potential loss of federal grant funding, the superintendent said.

Major budget items and pressures
- Health care: The district moved to a different plan and managed to contain renewal costs to about a 10.6% increase; Aderhold said the dollar impact is approximately $4.7 million. He attributed the spike to two recent catastrophic claims while the district was self‑insured.
- Special education: Aderhold said out‑of‑district tuition providers frequently exceed 10% annual price increases; the district has reduced out‑of‑district placements from about 120 students 16 years ago to just over 80 now by expanding in‑district programming.
- Staffing: The tentative budget includes three growth positions aimed at reducing contracted service costs — an additional board‑certified behavior analyst (bringing the in‑district total to five), an additional speech therapist position and one teacher position tied to a post‑secondary program serving students aged 18–21.
- Transportation: The superintendent noted route costs are indexed to a regional CPI measure; he cited driver shortages, fuel and insurance as continuing risks and said transportation increases are constrained by the 2% levy cap.
- Facilities and capital: Two large capital items highlighted were the purchase/lease‑purchase of the Pathways (old Montessori) property and a large roof replacement project at Town Center. Aderhold said those two projects alone are responsible for more than $9 million of the capital plan. He also outlined an energy‑savings improvement project (ESIP) in progress that will be financed through bonding; the board was scheduled to consider multiple resolutions related to the ESIP and associated financing.

Contingencies and federal funding risk
Aderhold and other administrators stressed that a principal uncertainty this year is potential reduction or restructuring of federal funds — including Teacher Preparation grants, certain nutrition and Medicaid reimbursements — after recent federal executive actions and departmental guidance. The administration reported approximately $3.1 million in current federal grants outside Medicaid, including about $600K in Title grants and roughly $135K associated with Medicaid reimbursement the district currently receives; they treated Medicaid separately because reimbursements depend on state and federal rules.

Aderhold said the administration budgeted an additional $2.6 million as a contingency to maintain programs (intervention, Title‑supported services, DEI positions, after‑school tutoring and other supports) in the event federal reimbursements are reduced or delayed.

Capital and energy projects
Chief business and facilities matters mentioned by Aderhold and the finance committee included ESIP measures and a compressed summer construction schedule that requires some capital work to be paid from capital reserves in advance of a July bond sale. Projects listed for the summer included HVAC and rooftop unit replacements, boiler installations, building envelope work and continued ESIP measures; Schneider Electric was named project manager for the ESIP.

Board process and next steps
Aderhold told the board the administration will file the preliminary budget with the county and host a public hearing for the final budget at the April 29 board meeting. He also noted that any change in the district’s assessed ratables between now and the April hearing could materially change the tax impact on individual properties; specific homeowner impact numbers will be provided after final equalization data is available.

Ending: The administration recommended the board adopt the preliminary budget at the March meeting and said it will continue to update the board and public through the April hearing as state and federal developments warrant.","Superintendent Dave Aderhold presented a tentative 2025–26 budget that relies on tax levy growth, use of banked cap and spending‑growth adjustments to cover rising health‑care, special‑education and capital costs and to protect programs if federal aid is cut.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: West Windsor‑Plainsboro board approves preliminary budget, DEI statement and routine items

High School North, South students report spring sports, clubs and academic trips

West Windsor‑Plainsboro board adopts statement supporting diversity, equity and inclusivity

West Windsor-Plainsboro presents tentative 2025–26 budget, cites federal funding risks and health‑care spike