School-Board-Notes-Feb.-24-2026
New Jersey Student Film Nominees Announced for Hometown Documentary Short Award
NJSBA-Sponsored Category at Garden State Film Festival Student Films Nominations have been announced for student films that were submitted to the New Jersey School Boards Association’s sponsored category in the upcoming 24th Annual Garden State Film Festival. For more details visit the NJSBA website at NJSBA Hometown-Documentary-Short-Award. For NJSBA Education News anytime, visit the NJSBA website homepage, and scroll down the page to News and Resources.
Asbury Park Press
Lakewood’s effort to sell former Clarke School falling short – Yahoo.com
The Board of Education’s efforts to sell the former Ella G. Clarke School for $35 million, which is already earmarked for the current district budget, have fallen short with just one bid for about $19 million.
NJ college scholarships open to visually impaired students
From now until April 30, visually impaired students can apply for college scholarships through the state’s Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Also covered on Daily Record and NorthJersey.com.
NJ.com
NJ town raised taxes 10% last year to save schools. Now it may close them anyway. – MSN.com
Last winter, Middletown families packed board meetings to save three beloved neighborhood schools, ultimately backing a 10.1% tax increase to keep them open. Now, less than a year later, the district says the financial crisis remains — and is once again considering closing the schools.
NJ Spotlight
Q&A: How urban freedom schools flourish on riches of legalized cannabis To reverse War on Drugs damage — and combat pandemic learning loss and Trump education threats — Black activists tap the Civil Rights era.
MONTCLAIR Local
Audit Flags 17 Fixes for Montclair Schools Finances as $17.6M Tax Vote Nears
An annual audit of the Montclair Public Schools presented Wednesday details 17 “recommendations” for corrective action — seven of them “material weaknesses” — including over-expenditures, a $450,131 shortfall in the food service fund and multiple issues paying the district’s bills.
TAPinto.net
Rising Healthcare Costs Drive Potential Tax Levy Increase in East Windsor Regional School District
Taxpayers in the East Windsor Regional School District (EWRSD) could see a 4.8 percent increase in the tax levy cap for the 2026–27 budget as district officials point to rising healthcare costs as the primary driver of the projected increase.
Readington Looking Toward March Budget Presentation with Significant Healthcare Increases
The Readington board of education admits there is “enormous pressure” on the board as it plans its 2026–2027 budget due to rising healthcare costs, but officials are confident they have a pleasant surprise in store for residents expecting a big tax increase.
Wayne Township School Board Defends New Mission Statement After Democrats’ Condemnation The Wayne Township Board of Education approved a revised mission statement for the school district during their Feb. 19 meeting, replacing language adopted in 2020.
