Winslow Township Board of Education members on Wednesday declined to renew a $20,000 annual contract with an outside communications firm and reviewed district plans for summer meals and a new school-based food pantry, while also approving routine superintendent, business-administrator and personnel reports and advancing a contested motion to name the high‑school athletic track.

The board discussed whether to continue services from the Communications Consortium (one‑year contract, July 2024–June 30, 2025). The contract cost was reported as $20,000. Several board members said the contractor’s work felt reactive rather than proactive; others said she provided useful media coordination when asked. After discussion the board indicated no majority support for renewal and did not continue the contract.

The communications decision matters because the district has used outside support for media relations and for work on a new website. Board members asked for an itemized list of services and outcomes before future renewals.

Board business and approvals
The board held roll-call votes to approve the minutes from the June 11, 2025 regular and closed meetings and to accept the superintendent’s report, the business administrator/board secretary reports and the personnel report as presented. Each of those routine motions carried on roll call. The board also approved a motion to hold a single July meeting (Wednesday, July 9) and cancel the July 23 meeting.

Education, staffing and curriculum updates
Members heard the education committee’s periodic report covering curriculum and testing plans for 2025–26. The committee said the district will pilot new reading programs for several middle grades, review high‑school textbooks with adoption possibly delayed into 2026–27 because of the number of titles, and expects state assessment results in August. Committee notes said summer school will not run as a general program because of low participation and insufficient funding; students approved for credit recovery must pay for participation through the contractor identified in the report. The committee reported an approximate total of 46 staff vacancies districtwide across positions including gifted-and‑talent, elementary, special education, music, social studies and support roles.

Operations and capital projects
The operations committee reported several capital projects remain delayed pending bid responses and approvals from the New Jersey Department of Education. Project items mentioned included an HDAC upgrade at the high school, partial roof replacements and a middle‑school office HVAC replacement; the middle‑school HVAC bid produced one responsive vendor and was on the meeting agenda for approval. The board also noted tentative collective bargaining agreements and unit contracts (WTAA and a teachers’ association tentative agreement) had been reached and were listed on the agenda for formal action.

Summer meals and food pantry planning
District staff outlined the summer meals schedule and rules: meals began in late June at School 4 and will start Monday, June 30 at the Chester Hertz Community Center, with a subsequent site at School 3 beginning July 7. Breakfast hours were listed as approximately 8:45 a.m.–9:15 a.m.; lunches 12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m. Staff clarified that parents must be present for students to be served and that all meals must be eaten on site (the program does not provide takeout). District staff also said representatives will visit middle school and School 6 the following day to plan a district food pantry; building principals will participate in site reviews.

Facility‑naming motion and board concerns
A motion was made to name the school athletic track after a named community member (the motion text referenced "Russell Gates"). Several board members objected to proceeding without a clearly documented vetting process and urged adherence to the district’s naming policy (policy no. 72‑50) and community participation. The board voted to end debate and then voted on the original motion; the motion carried. Multiple members said while they acknowledged community recognition of the individuals named, future facility‑naming requests should follow the district policy and include a transparent vetting process.

Open Public Records Act response
Administrative staff reported responding to an OPRA request from Justin Winnick (jumpgetstarjump.com) seeking district financial transaction records from January 1, 2022, to the present; the district compiled and submitted responsive records.

What’s next
The board scheduled a retreat for Saturday, Aug. 9 (morning session) to revisit district goals for 2025–26 and agreed to hold its next regular meeting on July 9. Several capital projects and the district’s federal funding allocation remained outstanding items the board said it will continue to monitor.

Ending: The board adjourned after opening and closing the public‑comment period with no speakers signed up.