MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Bernards Township School District is to provide a superior education which results in academic excellence, responsible behavior, good citizenship and fosters social-emotional development so that ultimately each student will be able to:
- Maximize his/her potential.
- Become a contributing member of society.
- Maintain a commitment to life-long learning.
- Achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards at all grade levels.
PHILOSOPHY
BERNARDS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT BELIEVES:
- Education is our first priority.
- Intellectual, social, physical and emotional development are essential to a student's education.
- Children learn in different ways; we have a responsibility to help all students maximize their potential.
- Students will benefit from a challenging curriculum with high standards.
- Individual student achievement is maximized by high expectations.
- Co-curricular and community service activities are important components of effective education.
- Education provides a foundation for life-long learning, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, decision-making and respect for the individual.
DISTRICT GOALS
2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
Goal 1 - Policy
Develop policy/regulation language that addresses the needs of the district as it relates to specific aspects of technology use.
Objectives:
a. Develop a policy for the use of Artificial Intelligence among staff and students that accounts for academic integrity.
b. Revise existing policy language related to the use of privately owned technology (smartphones/smartwatches/bluetooth devices/earbuds etc.) during the school day.
Goal 2 - Wellness/Personnel
Collect and evaluate new or existing data from staff and students on school climate and use it to guide future programming for students and staff. Look specifically for feedback as it relates to new school start times.
Objectives:
a. Refine professional development plans to ensure all staff have the support and structure needed to provide a data driven, thorough and efficient education for all students.
b. Report on HIB, student and staff attendance, Thrive, student code of conduct violations, trends in mental health and the progress of training provided to staff by Joy Roots.
c. Utilize Panorama to track student’s knowledge of the SEL competencies/skills and pillars of character and use it to plan future programming for students.
Goal 3 - Academics
Focus on increasing academic achievement and growth through the utilization of targeted supports and expanded program opportunities.
Objectives:
a. Report on student use of tutoring opportunities offered by the district and make recommendations for services going forward.
b. Grow the Pathways program to include more students.
c. Expand dual enrollment course opportunities through the program of studies.
d. Achieve measurable improvement of NJSLA and/or NWEA MAP reading and math assessments.
e. Train staff on the new K-5 math program; monitor program success and adjust accordingly.
Goal 4 - Facilities and Operations
Maintain District facilities in a manner that maintains asset value, minimizes expenditures while maximizing stakeholder access, utilization and enjoyment. Evaluate operations and implement solutions for increased efficiency with a focus on stakeholder wellness, budgetary optimization, operational efficiencies and academic improvements.
Objectives:
a. Achieve a consistent state of the timely completion of work orders monitored in the following categories: Emergency (5 days or less), HVAC (30 days or less), Regular Maintenance (60 days or less), Long-range work orders (recognizing lead time for parts and logistical considerations).
b. Use the 2023-2024 facility condition assessment to populate an asset management system inclusive of all district assets and use it to complete a Long-Range Capital Plan.
Goal 5 - Finances
Focus on maximizing resources and operating as efficiently as possible to provide a thorough and efficient education for all students while respecting community and taxpayer resources. The district will continue to develop and revise financial plans while actively seeking more alternative sources of revenue and continuing legislative and advocacy efforts to update and revise the current state aid formula.
Objectives:
a. Through the budgeting process, identify areas of reduction in recurring expenses.
b. Document a list of shared services opportunities with existing and new co-operatives such as
Bernards Township Engineering and Department of Public Works.
c. Develop a five-year budget plan to fund identified capital projects, including but not limited to ROD Grant projects, Varsity Complex, and other projects identified by Facility Condition Assessment.
d. Identify and enact opportunities to increase non-tax levy revenue sources such as grants and programs like Direct Install.