[{"_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",5973948,"mediaKeyId","5829786-999e5b83652397f6cff8a87cd54b939b","parentId",5829786,"title","W.O.K. Middle School outlines plan for 2025-26; district emphasizes science and attendance","audioSeconds",1310,"startMs",1702000,"endMs",3012000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829786-999e5b83652397f6cff8a87cd54b939b&start=1702&end=3012","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829786-999e5b83652397f6cff8a87cd54b939b/thumbnail_1702000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973948/New-Jersey/WOK-Middle-School-outlines-plan-for-2025-26-district-emphasizes-science-and-attendance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973948-bf12024fe39ae8deac508465ea2efd1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770884570&Signature=GTSfiMIMKpjA8pt-HBLnULMTlaosCKOr6aTq58tB0EVk0u2sClTy4DKxPojaM7CKLku5LnkXXvbgIgkBOxmHqvQ5gP3k4OketbSaTcylTw3GlvdoBr2BYHtSQ-Zr2O3rBQJv3qJ7HhyhelendPQXZe55N7dtXcyShNfZGogiKuWrc5WK8BhEY18rLy65IxcdPXop1zBCp8mrDCqAiwzAakbeQbdT-dGJSt54kZNjwirUkJ1WNQlIIp4vSGYDT5YaqdFkOceqTRPmWCXZpT0fSWaFJBw2vpBk~y1SCEnOW2QSPfjsRwLyb-URDktNDZACcxr9REBvNCV9d221H0zJdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hillside Public School District","date","2025-09-25T22:32:07Z","article","Dr. Roy T. Wilson, principal of Walter O'Connell (W.O.K.) Middle School, presented a comprehensive vision and strategic plan for the 2025-26 school year at the Hillside Board of Education meeting, emphasizing academic rigor, social-emotional learning and family engagement.
\"We emphasize the word global citizenship,\" Dr. Wilson said during the presentation, summarizing the school's mission to prepare students academically and socially for high school and beyond.
Wilson described academic priorities by subject and programs the school uses: Amplify and i-Ready for English language arts, Envision and SuccessMaker for mathematics, OpenSciEd for science with a focus on hands-on learning, and accelerated social-studies coursework. He highlighted specialized offerings such as robotics, art, construction and design, Spanish, and leadership programs including Leader in Me, National Junior Honor Society and Rho Kappa.
Wilson said the school uses targeted supports, including ESL/MLL programs and WIN tutoring that leverages i-Ready to close learning gaps. He noted a first-year Algebra I pass rate at 75 percent for students taking that course in the building.
Superintendent Glover opened the meeting noting districtwide visits to every school and said instructional teams had been \"knee deep in instructional practices,\" with science a particular focus. He told the board the district's September attendance was strong and praised several schools for high attendance rates.
Student leaders and clubs were also recognized: Jada Ferrer, the Hillside High School student council representative, briefed the board on fall activities including Chromebook distribution, spirit week, a pep rally and homecoming on Sept. 20. Principal Willard and the Hillside High School TSA/Jet Club were acknowledged for qualifying a team as one of the top 10 national finalists at a presentation challenge in Nashville.
The superintendent and principals also announced community events and supports: a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and Hispanic Heritage Festival on Oct. 11 beginning with an 8:30 a.m. walk at Hillside High School, a mother-son sneaker ball and family bowling nights at W.O.K., and expanded community partnerships for career and dual-enrollment opportunities.
On student supports, Glover described the district's social-services network and said staff must be attentive to students experiencing trauma or family instability. He warned the board and community that the district will align discipline and attendance practices with a recent township ordinance aimed at reducing vaping and nicotine use among students, including possible fines under local rules.
No formal board action was taken on the W.O.K. presentation; it served as an informational report and a preview of upcoming events and instructional priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HBOE meeting for September 25th, 2025.","oneSentenceSummary","W.O.K. (Walter O'Connell) Middle School principal Dr. Roy T. Wilson presented a detailed strategic plan focused on academic skills, social-emotional learning and partnerships; Superintendent Glover highlighted districtwide focuses including science instruction, attendance gains and mental-health supports.","taxTitle","Hillside Public School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",60596,"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},5973952,"Hillside district to ban student cell phones starting Nov. 1 under NJDOE guidance",383,3523000,3906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829786-999e5b83652397f6cff8a87cd54b939b&start=3523&end=3906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829786-999e5b83652397f6cff8a87cd54b939b/thumbnail_3523000.jpg","/articles/5973952/New-Jersey/Hillside-district-to-ban-student-cell-phones-starting-Nov-1-under-NJDOE-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973952-016b99a269aab2c9a49211063798d279/orig.mp4?Expires=1770884571&Signature=Rl5iSsqAQmgu8NnDwqyqnrrM3ECCLPZFC~vKvs5b6~DjauIbS8jzom0EJEgZXWps9Lxx8rUi4g6mHf17Byo97fwHe41QDdxunwHNsbdxEqI05p4OxzMrp1FQdzPIgQZ4m2eSf3qGOHTu~s2f7oYQO~h5YePLtnRrk2BqffebUwFpEXKFx4NlpHHxifERBFioOy5A9pCo9pBYAkYA8XXqHA-RfEgLBga-IsJebBUpGl0MOeejz8l3ztYFJ4oXyDcYP0vDCxhlVPx-mYKF8xa9bhL2rDtriPPIoCBViJPbk2biF9zMqWN~bCTqOEWxk1f3-Y5gn2k8YKKQ0svy0TZ1Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hillside School District will implement a districtwide ban on student cell phones effective Nov. 1, Superintendent Glover said at a board meeting, citing guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education.
\"This isn't just a Hillside...the New Jersey Department of Education put forth this guidance that we are supposed to follow,\" Glover said, explaining the district will take a hybrid approach informed by student input.
Glover said the policy is designed to reduce classroom distraction and address student well-being. He cited research in a presentation played for the board, saying teens who use social media more than three hours a day face higher risks of mental-health issues.
The district plans a public rollout that will include videos, school tours, superintendent messages and meetings with parents. Glover said the district will prepare phone-based communication infrastructure so parents can reach schools rather than relying on students' phones.
The superintendent said the district will not purchase phone-pouch devices for students, calling that approach \"not sustainable\" and noting an estimated pouch cost of about $30,000 and ongoing replacement costs.
Board President Best echoed that the measure follows state guidance and said the board should expect questions and calls from parents as the policy is implemented. \"I know that it may be tough to swallow in the beginning, but it's something that we have to do,\" Best said.
No formal board vote to adopt the policy took place at the meeting. Glover said the district will publish guidance, conduct outreach and clarify consequences before the ban takes effect.","Superintendent Glover told the school board the district will implement a cell phone ban effective Nov. 1, following New Jersey Department of Education guidance and student input; the district said it will not buy pouches and will rely on parental communication systems and student self-regulation.",{"_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},5973957,"Hillside teachers
ssociation demands payroll audit after repeated pay errors",868,3960000,4828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829786-999e5b83652397f6cff8a87cd54b939b&start=3960&end=4828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829786-999e5b83652397f6cff8a87cd54b939b/thumbnail_3960000.jpg","/articles/5973957/New-Jersey/Hillside-teachersbrssociation-demands-payroll-audit-after-repeated-pay-errors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973957-a88d73b255d16a52c658dbafaeaeca37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770884571&Signature=SOQjjuxmetueh7LhKZXt0KcdnSvJ7ZJ-qeAAsTRgImGEYXun9qFK~IFmoU5nLRlpbJzRv6qwBOPMKb6EVDfPUt6-LCTg8QYlhEGYs34dFiUX~I33gobAj5NW3e1eAiIZjWDGYveNhQEYntPxjsRkUH9EBBoiiD9g8VU2kA4lgfjL5Ksx5SedBAO2TSdscgfDWH2Qkm79BTwLSFO86nsuWpcAJ6u~iCne9S4LosDRy8TpvgKoSzxSTI--XwwO5m8y4ZKRM~z5NAJll3~71zUAN7NcN2VmeMIf5QvXMdO74SIjYy0y4r5wvszErsnZzIYobeFiXjTrFpWTYocWuKFA6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Angela Lawler, president of the Hillside Education Association, told the Board of Education that repeated payroll mistakes in the district have caused \"real financial harm and personal distress\" for employees and that the union will escalate the matter if the district does not act.
\"The ongoing payroll failures in the district are unacceptable, unsustainable, and will no longer be tolerated,\" Lawler said during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
The union asked the board for a formal audit of the payroll department's staffing, processes and technology; public accountability and disciplinary action where warranted; compensation for employees who incurred fees or interest because of errors; a permanent payroll liaison for union members; and a corrective-action plan with deadlines and monthly reports to the union and board.
In response, Superintendent Glover acknowledged the problem and took ownership of the failures. \"I own it,\" Glover said, adding that recent errors are \"not acceptable.\" He said the district has been assessing internal processes and described the payroll issues as part of broader operational shortfalls the administration is addressing.
Glover also told the board that issues with staff attendance have strained district operations and substitute budgets, saying the district's data showed \"approximately 20 percent of our staff impacted instructional practices\" last year. He said the district has made progress on contracts with unions and that leadership will pursue consistent procedures going forward.
There was no formal board vote on payroll-related demands during the meeting. The union president told the board the organization is prepared to pursue grievances, unfair-labor-practice charges and public escalation if the district does not implement the requested accountability and remediation steps.
The board did not announce an immediate schedule for the independent payroll audit requested by the union; Superintendent Glover said he has been working with the business administrator and that some corrective steps are underway but did not give a public timeline for the full audit or the compensation the union requested.","At a Hillside Board of Education meeting, the Hillside Education Association called for an audit, compensation for harmed employees and a permanent payroll liaison after months of payroll mistakes that union leaders said caused financial harm and distress.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

W.O.K. Middle School outlines plan for 2025-26; district emphasizes science and attendance

Hillside district to ban student cell phones starting Nov. 1 under NJDOE guidance

Hillside teachers<br>ssociation demands payroll audit after repeated pay errors