A proposal to split Berkeley Heights' STEAM leadership into two supervisor roles died on a 4-4 tie at the Board of Education's Thursday, Sept. 24, meeting.
The district will keep its current Director of STEAM. The Finance committee had reported the two new positions would have no budget impact, but the board could not reach a majority.
The vote was one of several consequential items on a packed agenda, first reported by NJ21st, that included a sharp dollar figure on the cost of educating students from payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) housing developments and a push to eliminate a longstanding parking fee at Governor Livingston High School.
PILOT costs hit $2.54 million
Board member Joly presented a PILOT analysis compiled by Business Administrator Jenn Nicholson. The district spends $2,536,000 annually to educate 65 students living in PILOT properties across four schools: 25 at Mary Kay McMillin, 17 at Mountain Park, 11 at Columbia Middle School and 12 at Governor Livingston.
The cost breaks down to $1.9 million in certified tuition based on the 2026-27 budget, $478,000 in annualized special services, $104,000 for mandated busing and $12,000 for lunch.
The district said it last heard from Township Administrator Viana on Sept. 8, when she indicated a developer was heading to the Planning Board. No communication from Viana or the township has followed that email.
Parking fee on the chopping block
Board member Dillon proposed abolishing the $30 full-year and $15 half-year parking fee charged to GLHS students. The fee has been in place since 2012.
Dillon said the parking fee fund had grown to as much as $75,000. Some of that money went toward new basketball equipment last year.
He argued the fee had outlived its purpose: it was originally meant to regulate parking, and more recently the funds were held for back-lot repairs that the referendum now covers. The money should not sit idle in an account, Dillon said.
"If the school is charging students a fee the funds collected should be used for the students," he said at the Sept. 24 meeting.
Other board members backed the idea. The board attorney suggested the policy committee draft language on whether to eliminate or reduce the fee. Nicholson noted that GLHS Principal Meg Berry has ideas about using the money to dedicate portions of the school to graduating classes.
Referendum projects and test scores
Solutions Architecture reported that the security and technology project from the referendum is about 90% complete. The security camera upgrade stood at roughly 25% complete and is expected to wrap by the end of October.
Work planned for summer 2027 includes media center and TV studio renovations at GLHS, science lab renovations at Columbia Middle School, roofing replacement at Mountain Park and mechanical upgrades at Columbia Middle School and William Woodruff. Board members flagged a generator installation at GLHS, currently slated for 2028 or later, as a project that should be prioritized.
Dr. Marr presented state test results from the 2025-26 school year. Among students receiving special education services, 76% were graduation-ready in English language arts on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA). Only 51% were graduation-ready in math.
Student representatives and board members urged the district to require practice NJGPA testing so students can build confidence before the exam.
The board's next steps include the policy committee's review of the parking fee and continued outreach to the township on PILOT impacts.
