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Clifton Public Schools, NJ

Clifton Public Schools public meetings in 2020

21 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Thu Dec 3, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to approve COVID-19 vaccination clinic agreement with health department

The Clifton Board of Education will vote on a Memorandum of Agreement with the Clifton Health Department for mass COVID-19 drive-through vaccination clinics. The board also considers first readings of policies including remote board meetings during emergencies, a water infrastructure grant application, and out-of-district placements for two students costing $85,400 and $92,494 per year. The meeting opens with executive session on contract matters.

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✓ Decided: Board of Education adopts meeting minutes from October and November 2020

The Board of Education approved the minutes from several October and November 2020 meetings. The session included a presentation on student safety and anti-bullying data from the 2019-2020 school year. No new policies were adopted during the meeting.

Thu Nov 12, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to vote on $499,833 grant for 21st Century Community Learning Center

The Clifton Board of Education will consider several action items including the second reading of ten policies, acceptance of a $499,833 federal grant, and approval of a $97,433 partnership with the Boys & Girls Club for afterschool programs. The board will also vote on personnel resignations, retirements, and leaves of absence, as well as out-of-district placements for special education students with tuition costs up to $88,685. A district coronavirus update and anti-bullying report will be presented.

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✓ Decided: Board approves $499,833 grant and multiple school policies

The Board of Education adopted 11 district policies and accepted a $499,833 21st Century Community Learning Center Program Grant. It also approved a $97,433.20 agreement with the Boys & Girls Club for the 'Minds in Motion' program. Personnel changes including resignations and retirements were approved.

Thu Oct 15, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to vote on $586,932 school security grant

The Clifton Board of Education will consider approving a School Security Grant of $586,932 for Alyssa's Law compliance, along with a partnership agreement with Berkeley College and the acceptance of out-of-district tuition students. The meeting also includes first readings of several policies on topics such as administrative contracts, athletic competition, gifted and talented students, and school security.

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✓ Decided: Board approves $586,932 school security grant application

The Board of Education approved an application for School Security Grant funds and a partnership agreement with Berkeley College. The Board also accepted the September 2020 attendance report and approved the admission of five tuition students from Paterson and Hawthorne.

Thu Oct 1, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board approves return to in-person hybrid instruction Oct 12

The Clifton Board of Education voted to adopt a reopening plan that returns students to in-person instruction starting October 12, 2020, following a hybrid schedule approved in August. The board also approved personnel actions including resignations and leaves, a policy on restart and recovery, and a tuition student from Passaic.

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✓ Decided: Clifton Public Schools to return to in-person instruction on October 12

The Board approved the return to in-person instruction starting October 12, 2020, using hybrid schedules. Students who chose the remote option will remain remote. The plan includes mandatory daily health questionnaires, temperature checks, and mask-wearing.

Thu Sep 17, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board adopts Restart and Recovery policies for remote instruction

The Clifton Board of Education will vote on adopting policies for the 2020-2021 school year, including a Restart and Recovery Plan and a full-time remote instruction policy. They will also consider a resolution urging the state to restore funding for the School Based Youth Services Program and revise the school calendar. The board will approve a change to virtual board meetings, allowing board members to meet in person while the public participates virtually.

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✓ Decided: Board adopts remote instruction and student discipline policies

The Board of Education adopted policies for full-time remote instruction and student discipline. It also revised the 2020-2021 school calendar and passed a resolution urging the state to maintain funding for the School Based Youth Services Program.

Thu Aug 27, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to consider full-time remote instruction plan and student discipline policy

The Clifton Board of Education will hold a regular meeting to consider first readings of policies on the Restart and Recovery Plan for full-time remote instruction and the Student Discipline/Code of Conduct. The board will also take action on a second reading of the Remote Learning Options for Families policy, approve tuition for an out-of-district student ($16,897), and authorize payments to the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for services.

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✓ Decided: Board adopts remote learning policy and approves special education services

The Board adopted Policy 1648.02 regarding remote learning options for families. It also approved tuition for one out-of-district placement and payments for services from the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Several vendors were appointed to provide special education and interpretation services on an as-needed basis.

Thu Aug 20, 2020

Special Meeting

Clifton Board of Education holds town hall on reopening plan

This special meeting of the Clifton Board of Education is primarily a town hall forum for discussion of the district's reopening plan. The public may address the board on agenda items and other school-related topics. The board may also convene in executive session to discuss personnel, student, and contract matters.

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✓ Decided: Board of Education holds town hall on school reopening and remote learning

The Board conducted a town hall forum to address public questions regarding COVID-19 safety protocols, remote learning structures, and health guidelines for the upcoming school year. No substantive policy votes were recorded other than an agenda amendment.

Mon Aug 10, 2020

Special Meeting

Board adopts Revised Final 2020‑2021 school district budget

At the special meeting on August 10, 2020, the Clifton Board of Education approved the district’s Restart and Recovery Plan for 2020‑2021 and adopted several updated policies, including the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Heat Participation Policy for student‑athlete safety. The board also confirmed a slate of provisional personnel appointments with salaries ranging from $54,495 to $65,040. The Revised Final 2020‑2021 budget was adopted, setting the General Fund at $188,426,009 and a total budget of $202,720,381, with no increase in the General Fund levy. All actions were recorded as motions that carried.

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Thu Jul 23, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to discuss first reading of restart plan and COVID-19 leave policies

The Clifton Board of Education will consider a first reading of several policies, including the Restart and Recovery Plan and the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The board will also vote on out-of-district placements and tuition for students, approve a revision to the 2020-2021 school calendar, and act on personnel resignations, retirements, and leaves.

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✓ Decided: Board approves school calendar revisions and out-of-district student placements

The Board of Education adopted revisions to the 2020-2021 school calendar and approved several out-of-district student placements. The Board also adopted four policies and accepted multiple staff resignations and retirements.

Thu Jun 18, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to apply for $3.9 million in federal ESSA grants

The Clifton Board of Education will vote on several administrative items, including adopting policies, accepting staff resignations and retirements, and approving grant applications. The most consequential item is applying for $3,937,277 in Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) funds for the 2020-2021 school year. The board will also recognize student musicians selected for Region 1 Band and Orchestra.

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Thu Jun 4, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to consider first reading of policies for remote meetings

This is a regular meeting of the Clifton Board of Education with procedural items, recognitions, and first readings of several policies. The board will also act on personnel resignations, adopt minutes, and receive reports on the NJSLA Science presentation and the Educator of the Year awards.

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✓ Decided: Board adopts May meeting minutes and honors Governor's Educator of the Year recipients

The Board of Education adopted the regular and executive meeting minutes from May 21, 2020. The Board also officially recognized teachers and educational service professionals who received the 2019-2020 Governor's Educator of the Year Award.

Thu May 21, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board revises school calendar, sets June 19 as last day

This regular board meeting includes action on revising the 2019-2020 school calendar due to COVID-19, approving grant applications including the CARES Emergency Relief Grant, ratifying a collective bargaining agreement with the Clifton Transportation Association, and accepting personnel resignations and retirements.

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✓ Decided: Board approves virtual graduation plans and CARES Act grant application

The Board of Education approved several administrative measures, including the application for CARES and 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. It ratified a transportation agreement and amended the school calendar to include virtual days. The Board also approved various personnel resignations, retirements, and leaves of absence.

Thu Apr 30, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Clifton BOE adopts $202.7M final budget with 0% tax levy increase

The Clifton Board of Education will vote on adopting the final 2020-2021 school budget totaling $202,720,381, including a $188.4M general fund. The board also plans to proclaim May 4 as Teacher Appreciation Week and May 6 as National School Nurse Day, and to approve an appointment for special education services.

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✓ Decided: Clifton Board of Education approves 2020-2021 school budget

The Board approved a total budget of $202,720,381 for the 2020-2021 school year, maintaining a 0.00% increase for the General Fund levy. The Board also appointed Dr. L. Hanes & Associates for special education services and recognized Teacher Appreciation and School Nurse days.

Thu Apr 16, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board resolves to oppose Assembly Bill 3902 delaying school tax payments

The Clifton Board of Education adopted virtual board meetings for the COVID‑19 emergency, approved minutes from March 2 and March 5, 2020, accepted an amendment to the Carl D. Perkins Grant, approved out‑of‑district placements with specified tuition costs, and voted to oppose Assembly Bill 3902 that would delay quarterly property‑tax revenue to school districts.

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✓ Decided: Board opposes state legislation that would delay property tax revenue

The Board of Education passed a resolution urging state officials to oppose Assembly Bill 3902, which would allow municipalities to delay property tax transmissions to school districts. The Board also approved several student placements and personnel changes.

Thu Mar 5, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to vote on amended lease with St. Clare Church for preschool expansion

The Clifton Board of Education holds its regular meeting with recognitions, reports, and several action items. The board will vote on an amended lease agreement with St. Clare RC Church for the preschool program at 39 Allwood Road, approve a clinical instruction agreement with Montclair State University for athletic training, accept the HIB report for Nov-Jan, and adopt a maximum allowable cost sheet for independent educational evaluations.

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✓ Decided: Board approves preschool expansion lease and student placements

The Board of Education approved an amended lease with St. Clare RC Church for a public preschool expansion and authorized two out-of-district student placements. The Board also established a maximum allowable cost sheet for independent educational evaluations and approved several student field trips.

Mon Mar 2, 2020

Special Meeting

Clifton Board of Education holds special meeting for strategic planning

The Clifton Board of Education scheduled a special meeting on March 2, 2020, to discuss strategic planning. No action will be taken during this session.

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✓ Decided: Board of Education holds strategic planning session

The Board of Education held a special meeting focused on strategic planning. No formal actions were taken during the session.

Thu Feb 20, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board to consider new master's degree program with Ramapo College

The Clifton Board of Education holds a regular meeting including an executive session to discuss professional services contracts. The board will vote on accepting the attendance report, approving minutes, and establishing a new Ramapo College Master of Science in Educational Technology cohort. Recognition awards are also scheduled for former board member Franklin S. Montero and Clifton High School students of the month.

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✓ Decided: Board recognizes former member Franklin S. Montero and students of the month

The Board of Education approved resolutions recognizing former board member Franklin S. Montero and four Clifton High School students of the month. The board also adopted minutes from several January and February meetings. Administration presented reports on Project Graduation and potential referendum projects including HVAC and security upgrades.

Wed Feb 19, 2020

Special Meeting - Strategic Planning

Board holds special meeting for strategic planning only

The Clifton Board of Education is meeting in a special session devoted exclusively to strategic planning. No votes or binding actions are scheduled; the agenda states 'No Action Will Be Taken.' The meeting includes public comment and procedural openings.

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✓ Decided: Board holds special meeting for strategic planning

The Board of Education held a special meeting focused on strategic planning and the 2020 Strategic Plan titled “Reimagining Clifton Public Schools.” No formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Thu Feb 6, 2020

Special Meeting

Clifton school board appoints six staff, approves facility use

The Clifton Board of Education held a special meeting on February 6, 2020, primarily to interview school board members and vote on personnel appointments. The board approved the hiring of six employees, including bus drivers, a school psychologist, a secretary, a maintenance worker, and a teacher, at specified salary guide steps. It also approved a request from the North Jersey School Music Association to use Clifton High School facilities for region auditions. The meeting included public comment, executive sessions for personnel, student, and contract matters, and routine procedural items.

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✓ Decided: Jim Smith appointed to fill Clifton Board of Education vacancy

The Board interviewed 13 candidates to fill a vacant seat and nominated Jim Smith to the unexpired term. The Board also approved several personnel appointments and a facility use request.

Tue Jan 21, 2020

Special Board of Education Meeting

Board reviews legal matters for referendum projects in closed session

This special meeting of the Clifton Board of Education consists of procedural openings, public recognition, and an executive session to discuss personnel, student, and contract matters related to referendum projects. No formal action is taken during the public portion.

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✓ Decided: Board convened in executive session to review referendum project legal matters

The Board of Education met for a special session to discuss legal matters related to referendum projects. The meeting was conducted in executive session, and no formal action was taken.

Thu Jan 16, 2020

Regular Board Meeting

Board votes on 2020 census plan and policy on entrance age

The Clifton Board of Education will consider a resolution to develop a plan for a complete count of all students and families in the 2020 Census, and adopt a second reading of a policy on entrance age. The meeting also includes recognition of student of the month, adoption of minutes, and reports from administration.

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✓ Decided: Board adopts plan to ensure complete student count for 2020 Census

The Board of Education resolved to develop a plan of action to ensure all students and families in the district are counted in the 2020 Census to protect federal education funding. The Board also adopted the minutes from December 12, 2019, and recognized high school students of the month.