The Hillside Public School District held a meeting on September 25, 2025, focusing on various operational and administrative matters, including staff attendance, committee reports, and upcoming executive sessions.
The meeting commenced with a discussion on staff attendance, highlighting the implementation of a time clock system aimed at improving accountability. The speaker noted that approximately 20% of staff members had negatively impacted instructional practices due to attendance issues, which has led to challenges in classroom coverage and a high substitute budget. The speaker emphasized the need for uniform procedures to address these attendance concerns, stating that while improvements have been made in staff compensation, it is crucial for all employees to adhere to attendance expectations.
Following the attendance discussion, the meeting transitioned to committee reports. The finance committee reported on items discussed during their meeting on September 22, while the buildings and grounds committee addressed specific agenda items from the same date. The education committee reviewed a comprehensive list of educational topics, and the policy committee presented the first readings of new policies. The labor relations committee focused on stipends, compensation, new hires, and rescissions.
The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation and contract negotiations, adhering to the Open Public Meetings Act. The board will reconvene in public session after the closed discussions.
Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving staff accountability and operational efficiency while addressing various administrative matters through committee oversight.