South Orange-Maplewood School District

Meanwhile, the Supt. of Schools will be hosting the second of four Community Conversations on December 12 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the DeHart Community Center in Maplewood.

Asst. Supt. of Special Services said the department has already fully complied in five of the nine areas that previous audits had revealed as lacking. Most of the changes were to department processes and procedures, and centered on a lack of paperwork. “We are already more than halfway there.”

District says the Week of Respect, observed every October, is an example of how it instills empathy, kindness, and inclusivity in its students.

Superintendent Jason Bing says he’ll report back to the Board monthly on the District’s progress in meeting its goals.

“You’ve got the bones,” said consultant Patrick Keenoy. “Now it’s just a matter of putting those pieces around it.”

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The district hopes to have a “significant amount of the project completed by March 2025.”

Updates include additional classrooms in elementary schools, a new Student Commons and expanded guidance suite and library at CHS, HVAC and security improvements. Supt. Bing: “It’s probably the best job I’ve seen in how the new blends in with the old.”

“While the union has taken this step, the district remains committed to working towards a fair and equitable contract and is still open to further negotiations,” said Supt. Jason Bing.

Documents obtained through an OPRA request show that the district spent $42K on scheduling consultants after cutting the Director of Guidance position.