Board of Education Meeting Covers Scholarships, Student Honors and Referendum Planning

Meeting overview

The Cedar Grove Board of Education met on May 5, 2026, for a meeting that included public presentations, student reports, district recognitions and several agenda approvals. The meeting opened with the flag salute, roll call and an agenda-item public comment period.

Class of 1965 scholarship

Representatives of Cedar Grove High School's Class of 1965 spoke about the class's perpetual scholarship, which began after an early reunion and has continued through an endowment. Speakers said the scholarship currently provides $500 awards to one male student and one female student, along with a stipend to the Black and Gold Club, and that the class hopes the fund will eventually support two male and two female students each year.

Student reports

Student board representatives gave school-by-school updates from North End, South End, Memorial Middle School and Cedar Grove High School. Their report included kindergarten signing day, elementary field trips and concerts, teacher appreciation activities, a fifth-grade health and wellness day, a student talent event, Decision Day, Special Olympics participation and the Cedar Grove robotics team's appearance at the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship.

Student recognitions

District leaders also recognized the student board representatives for their year of service. Additional recognitions included the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian, students earning the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy, DECA participants, the first-year HOSA chapter and the robotics team members and advisers.

Committee updates

Committee reports included discussion of the district's facility-use policy and related fee structure, as well as possible digital signs supported by Family & School Associations. Board members also noted spring concerts and teacher appreciation week during the meeting.

Referendum planning

Superintendent Peter Turnamian provided an update on referendum planning. He said the district expected to add a May 20 board meeting, with the main purpose of adopting a referendum ballot. The plan described at the meeting remained organized as two questions: one focused on districtwide infrastructure needs and one focused on reopening Leonard R. Parks School as a grades 3 through 5 school. He said more information on project costs and tax impact would follow after final state review.

Agenda approvals

The board approved business administrator items G1 through G9, general administration items H1 through H4, human resources items I1 through I15 and special services items J1 and J2. During discussion of the human resources section, board members asked about curriculum and instruction job description changes that realign elementary oversight to pre-K through grade 6 and secondary oversight to grades 7 through 12.

Public comment and next meetings

No speakers came forward during the second public comment period. The board announced upcoming meetings for May 20, June 24 and August 14 before adjourning.