• Skip to main content
Air Quality Alert - June 8, 2023
Click Here For More Informationread more ❯
  • District Home
  • Schools
    • Columbia High School
    • Maplewood Middle School
    • South Orange Middle School
    • Clinton Elementary School
    • Delia Bolden Elementary School
    • Marshall Elementary School
    • Montrose Early Childhood Center
    • Seth Boyden Elementary School
    • South Mountain Elementary School
    • Tuscan Elementary School
  • 2022-23 School Year Guidelines
    • COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination
  • About
    • About SOMSD
    • Our Schools
    • Achieve Foundation
    • Attendance Information
    • Community Digital Backpack
    • Community Partners
    • Family Resources
    • Half Staff Flag Status
    • School Hours
    • School Performance Reports
    • School Zones
    • SOMSD Integration
    • Withdrawals/Transfer OOD
    • Strategic Plan
    • Student Code of Conduct
    • Contact Us
      • Chain of Command
      • District Org Chart
      • Website Feedback
  • Departments
    • Department Directory
    • Office of the Superintendent
    • Access & Equity
      • Access & Equity Policy
      • Comprehensive Equity Plan
      • Presentations & Reports
      • HIB
      • Title IX
    • Assessments
      • News & Assessment Information
      • ATLAS
      • Gifted & Talented Protocols
    • Beyond the Bell
    • Business Office
      • Facilities & Grounds
      • Long Range Facilities Plan
    • Communications
    • Food Services
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Nursing Services
    • Parenting Center
    • Preschool Education
    • Registration
    • Safety & Security
    • Special Services
    • Transportation
  • Board of Education
    • About the BOE
      • Current BOE Members
    • Advisory Opinions
    • Annual Agenda
    • Board Meetings
      • Agendas
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Minutes
      • Presentations
      • BOE Newsletter Recap
      • Watch Online
      • Watch On TV
    • Submit a BOE Recognition
    • Board Policies
    • BOE Committees
    • District & BOE Goals
    • Mission Statement
    • Office of Civil Rights
    • Public Notices
  • Academics
    • Academics Directory
    • Summer Assignments & Reading List
    • Summer Programs
    • Fine & Performing Arts
    • Request for Reconsideration of Materials
    • Health & Physical Education
    • Language Arts
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Social Studies
    • World Language & ESL
  • Quick Links
    • Parents
      • Canvas
      • Achieve Foundation
      • Community Pass
      • Directory
      • Enrollment Information
      • HIB
      • Meal Information
      • PowerSchool
      • PowerSchool Parent Portal Help
      • Rubicon Atlas
      • School Calendar & Handbook
      • Schools
      • SCOIR
      • Testing & Assessment
    • Students
      • Canvas
      • Classlink
      • Directory
      • District Email
      • Google Drive
      • HIB
      • Meal Information
      • PowerSchool
      • School Calendar & Handbook
      • SCOIR
      • Star Renaissance
      • Testing & Assessments
      • Working Papers Form
    • Staff
      • Canvas
      • Classlink
      • Community Pass Admin
      • Data Warehouse
      • District Email
      • Duo Self Service Portal
      • Frontline 504
      • Frontline – AESOP
      • Frontline – IEP Direct
      • Frontline – My Learning Plan
      • Google Drive
      • GCN – Online Mandatory Training
      • GCN – Online Mandatory Training – Admin
      • HIB
      • Hibster – Admin
      • Pearson Access Next (Teacher / Admin Logins)
      • PowerSchool – Admin
      • PowerSchool – Teachers
      • PowerSchool Registration – Admin
      • Rubicon Atlas
      • Schooldude – IT / Facilities
      • School Messenger (Admin)
      • Star Renaissance
      • Technology Instructions – Staff
      • Technology Purchase Request
    • Mental Health & Counseling Resources
  • Communications
    • District News & Announcements
    • Newsletter
    • Media Requests
      • Media Releases
    • Calendars
      • Online School Year Calendar (Current)
      • District Calendar & Handbook
    • SOMA TV
    • SOMSD Youtube Channel
South Orange-Maplewood School District

A District That Celebrates

Search Results for: budget

Board of Education Appoints Dr. Ronald Taylor New Superintendent of Schools

April 11, 2019 By SOMSD Webmaster

Dr. Ron Taylor - Superintendent of School

It is with tremendous pleasure and excitement that the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education announces the appointment of Dr. Ronald Taylor as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 8, 2019.

Dr. Taylor was selected in a robust search process led by Dr. Bill Librera, our search consultant, from West Hudson Associates, which began in August 2018. The search included community meetings and a survey to craft a leadership profile, selection of candidates to be interviewed in a first round with the Board of Education, second round interviews with three finalists. Dr. Taylor emerged as the leading candidate, and subsequent in-depth interviews (including a conversation with the student representative to the Board), background and reference checks, and a site visit by two of the three Board officers confirmed the Board’s conviction that Dr. Taylor is the right educational leader for SOMSD.

Board of Education President Annemarie Maini said: “Dr. Taylor is an exceptional leader with extensive experience, proven results, and outstanding listening and communication skills. Throughout the search process, the Board focused on finding an educational leader who is unwaveringly student-focused and has a track record of results which match our immediate and long-term needs. Dr. Taylor will be an asset to our community as we work to deliver on major initiatives including a $145+MM bond, a complete elementary reconfiguration, and continue to move our district toward deliberate monitoring and oversight using QSAC.”

Dr. Taylor started his career as a kindergarten teacher. He was an assistant principal, as well as an award-winning principal, before moving to a Regional Superintendent role in Newark.  He joined Willingboro as Superintendent eight years ago where his research-based, data-driven approach resulted in bringing academic and operational stability to Willingboro.

Dr. Taylor’s eight years of experience as the Superintendent of Willingboro have provided an excellent foundation for him to lead the work to address SOMSD’s current priorities:

  • Infrastructure: Successfully led the implementation and completion of a $67 Million facilities bond referendum under budget and ahead of schedule.
  • Schools Reconfiguration: Led successful implementation of reconfiguration of elementary schools.
  • Preschool Expansion: Facilitated the creation of two District Early Childhood Development Centers using $4+ Million in competitive grant funding.
  • QSAC Monitoring: Improved Willingboro’s performance by 55% points in Curriculum and Instruction and improved district operational processes.
  • Equity: “ Ron Taylor is serving as a strategist on the NJASA Equity for Students Committee because of his courageous and effective efforts in addressing student equity matters in his School District” according to Dr. Kathleen Taylor (no relation) on behalf of the NJASA Equity for Students Committee. At Willingboro, he successfully implemented student Chromebook “1 to 1” initiative grades 3rd-12th.

More information about his experience in these and other areas is on his attached resume.

We invite the community to join us in welcoming Dr. Taylor to South Orange-Maplewood School District, and look forward to working together to build the infrastructure, systems and educational program which will help all of our students master the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. Dr. Ficarra, the Senior Leaders of Central Office, and the Board of Education are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to our new leadership.

We will be organizing a series of meet and greets between the Superintendent and community members to begin to build relationships and understanding.  The first of these will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 7pm in the CHS Library.

April 11, 2019 Filed Under: District News, Superintendent Tagged With: BOE, Ron Taylor, Superintendent, Superintendent Appointment

ESS & I-STEP

ESS & I-STEP

In School Therapeutic Education Program (I-STEP)

ISTEP (In School Therapeutic Education Program) is a new program at Maplewood Middle School that provides individual, group, and family counseling to students with significant social, emotional, and/or behavioral issues, in addition to providing consultation to and collaboration with staff members working with the student.

SchoolCoordinatorEmailPhone
Maplewood Middle SchoolMs. Amy Pituccoapitucco@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 378 - 7660 x 3021
South Orange Middle SchoolMr. Michael Zarabimzarabi@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us(973) 378 - 2772 x 2135

Anxiety and Classroom Behavior

Anxiety is often the cause of student behavioral issues.

Some symptoms of anxiety in the classroom include a student becoming easily frustrated, complaining of physical pain, exhibiting fear, being easily upset by making mistakes, crying, having difficulty completing work, being inflexible, and acting irritable. Students with anxiety often complain of being exhausted toward the end of the day because they have been trying to manage their anxiety, in addition to completing schoolwork, for the entire day.

Anxiety related behavior can appear to be erratic and unpredictable, since they teacher is not typically aware of the student's level of internal anxiety. For example, on a day when a student is feeling calm, he/she may be able to complete work without incident. On another day, when the student is already anxious, the same assignment may trigger an outburst. Although triggers can be unpredictable, the following are situations that typically trigger anxiety: Unstructured times, transitions, having writing demands, working in groups, when large projects are assigned, and unexpected changes to routine.

Students with anxiety benefit from working on skill development to manage symptoms. This typically occurs within a counseling setting, and skills can then be generalized to the classroom setting.

Accommodations To Address Anxiety In Your Classroom Include:

  • Providing movement breaks
  • Allowing student to take a time out in a safe place
  • Assisting student during transitions
  • Breaking down large assignments or multi-step directions into smaller units
  • Allowing student to use technology or scribe for writing assignments
  • Allowing student to take assessments in an alternate location
  • Allowing student extended time for work completion, especially after absences
  • Alerting student to upcoming changes in routine
  • Allowing student to work individually rather than in a group
  • Avoiding calling on a student if he/she does not volunteer
  • Avoiding criticism of the student

An important intervention is developing a personal relationship with the student so that he/she feels supported and safe.

Effective School Solutions (ESS)

The mission of Effective School Solutions is to provide high quality and cost-effective in-district clinical services for students with emotional and behavioral problems. The demand for specialized services for this population continues to grow, with out-of-district placements and other educational accommodations becoming a severe burden on school professionals and district budgets everywhere. We provide innovative clinical solutions for districts seeking to increase the quality of our in-district education for students with emotional and behavioral problems.

CoordinatorPhone
Elizabeth Kolodiy(973) 762 - 5600 x 1225
Vanessa Boykewick(973) 762 - 5600 x 1230
Julie Bennett(973) 762 - 5600 x 1217

The Wrap-Around Program offered at Columbia High School Includes:

  • Weekly individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Monthly evening Parent Support Groups
  • Daily group therapy, including a specialized curriculum to address issues such as substance abuse, anger management, and social skills
  • School refusal interventions, including home visits
  • Lunch with our staff to avoid the stress of unstructured time in the cafeteria
  • Study Skills class led by a district faculty member with ESS as an additional support staff.

Meeting Agendas (Archived)

BOE Meeting Agendas (Archived)

2021 - 2022 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2021 -2022 BOE Meeting Agendas

Click on the link below for each meeting or visit:  https://somsd.schoolboard.net for all SOMSD public board meetings.

  • July 12, 2021 - Special Session
  • July 19, 2021 - Regular Session
  • July 22, 2021 - Board Retreat
  • August 5, 2021 - Board Retreat
  • August 16, 2021 - Regular Session
  • August 26, 2021 - Special Meeting & Board Retreat
  • September 20, 2021 - Regular Session
  • October 18, 2021 - Regular Session
  • November 15, 2021 - Regular Session
  • December 20, 2021 - Regular Session
  • January 5, 2022 - Reorganization
  • January 10, 2022 - Special Board Retreat
  • January 24, 2022 - Regular Session
  • February 8, 2022 - Special Session / Policy Committee Meeting
  • February 24, 2022 - Regular Session
  • February 28, 2022 - Special Session
  • March 16, 2022 - Special Session / FFT Committee Meeting
  • March 21, 2022 - Regular Session
  • March 31, 2022 - Special Session
  • April 5, 2022 - Special Session / Curriculum and Instruction Meeting
  • April 18, 2022 - Regular Session
  • April 28, 2022 - Special Session / Budget Hearing
  • May 9, 2022 - Organizational / Staff Renewal Special Session
  • May 16, 2022 - Regular Session
  • June 6, 2022 - Retirement Celebration 
  • June 9, 2022 - Special Session
  • June 20, 2022 - Special Session
  • June 27, 2022 - Regular Session
  • June 29, 2022 - Special Session
2020 -2021 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • July 11, 2020 Special Session
  • July 13, 2020 Special Session
  • July 15, 2020 Special Session
  • July 20, 2020 Regular Session
  • August 17, 2020 Regular Session
  • September 21, 2020 Regular Session
  • September 29, 2020 Special Session 
  • October 19, 2020 Regular Session
  • November 16, 2020 Regular Session
  • November 30, 2020 Special Session
  • December 14, 2020 Regular Session
  • January 6, 2021 Reorganization Meeting
  • January 25, 2021 Regular Session
  • February 8, 2021 - Board Retreat
  • February 22, 2021 - Regular Session
  • March 11, 2021 - Board School Estimate
  • March 15, 2021 - Regular Session
  • April 19, 2021 - Regular Session
  • May 3, 2021 - Budget Hearing
  • May 10, 2021 - Organizational/Renewals
  • May 17, 2021 - Special Session
  • June 7, 2021 - Staff Retirement/Recognition - Meeting Cancelled/To be Rescheduled at TBD
  • June 14, 2021 - Regular Session (Including Staff Retirement/Recognition)
  • June 17, 2021 - Special Session
  • June 19, 2021 - Special Session
  • June 28, 2021 - Special Session
2019 - 2020 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • July 15, 2019  
  • August 19, 2019
  • August 23, 2019 
  • September 16, 2019
  • October 28, 2019
  • November 18, 2019
  • December 16, 2019
  • January 6, 2020 (Reorganization Meeting)
  • January 22, 2020 Special Meeting-Board Retreat
  • January 27, 2020 
  • February 10, 2020 Special Meeting
  • February 24, 2020
  • March 2, 2020 Special Executive Session 
  • March 16, 2020 
  • April 20, 2020 (Notice | Webex | Public Comment)
  • May 4, 2020 Special Meeting - Budget
  • May 11, 2020 (Renewals)
  • May 18, 2020 Special Session-Board Retreat 
  • June 13, 2020 Special Session - Executive Session 
  • June 18, 2020 Special Session - Executive Session 
  • June 22, 2020 Regular Session
  • June 29, 2020 Special Session 
2018 - 2019 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • July 16, 2018
  • August 20, 2018
  • September 17, 2018
  • September 24, 2018 (Special Session)
  • September 25, 2018 (Board Retreat)
  • October 15, 2018
  • November 1, 2018 (Special Session)
  • November 7, 2018 (Special Session)
  • November 19, 2018
  • December 17, 2018
  • January 3, 2019, Re-organizational Meeting
  • January 8, 2019 (BOE Retreat)
  • January 28, 2019
  • February 6, 2019
  • February 25, 2019
  • March 11, 2019
  • March 18, 2019
  • April 11, 2019 (Special Meeting)
  • April 29, 2019
  • May 13, 2019 (Renewals)
  • June 3, 2019 (Staff Recognition/Retirement)
  • June 13, 2019
  • June 24, 2019
2017 - 2018 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • Regular Session July 17, 2017
  • Regular Session August, 21, 2017
  • Regular Session September 18, 2017
  • Regular Session October 16, 2017  
  • Regular Session November 20, 2017
  • Board Retreat December 6, 2017
  • Regular Session December 18, 2017
  • Re-organization January 3, 2018 
  • Regular Session January 22, 2018
  • Special Session January 25, 2018
  • Special Session February 3, 2018
  • Regular Session February 20, 2018
  • Special Session March 7, 2018 MEETING CANCELLED
  • Special Session March 10, 2018
  • Regular Session March 19, 2018
  • Special Session March 26, 2018
  • Regular Session April 23, 2018
  • Special Session May 3, 2018
  • Organizational,Renewals,Regular Meeting May 14, 2018
  • Special Executive Session - May 21, 2018 
  • Special Executive Session - May 23, 2018
  • Special Session - May 29, 2018
  • Staff Recognition/Retirement  June 4, 2018
  • Regular Session June 14, 2018
2016 - 2017 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • Special Meeting - July 7, 2016
  • Regular Session - July 18, 2016
  • Special Meeting - July 23, 2016
  • Regular Session - August 22, 2016
  • Regular Session - September 19, 2016 
  • Special Meeting - September 29, 2016
  • Regular Session - October 17, 2016
  • Special Session - October 24, 2016
  • Regular Session - November 16, 2016
  • Special Session - November 21, 2016
  • Special Session - November 30, 2016
  • Regular Session - December 19, 2016
  • Reorganization Meeting - January 4, 2017 
  • Special Session - January 17, 2017 
  • Regular Session - January 30, 2017 (original date January 23, 2017)
  • Regular Session - February 27, 2017
  • Special Board Meeting - Budget Workshop - March 7, 2017
  • Special Budget Meeting - March 18, 2017
  • Regular Session - March 20, 2017
  • Special Session - April 3, 2017 
  • Special Session - April 19, 2017
  • Regular Session - April 24, 2017
  • QSAC Training Meeting - May 11, 2017 
  • Organizational, Renewal & Regular Session - May 15, 2017
  • Staff Recognition/Retirement - June 5, 2017
  • Special Board Meeting Session - June 7, 2017 
  • Special Session - Board Retreat - June 10, 2017
  • Special Session - Board H.I.B. Training - June 13, 2017 
  • Regular Session - June 15, 2017
2015 - 2016 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • Regular Session July 20, 2015
  • Regular Session August 24,2015
  • Special Board Meeting August 28, 2015
  • Regular Session September 21, 2015
  • Regular Session October 19, 2015
  • Special Session November 10, 2015
  • Regular Session November 16, 2015
  • Regular Session December 21, 2015
  • Regular Session January 4, 2016   (Reorganization)
  • Regular Session January 25, 2016
  • Special Meeting February 16, 2016
  • Regular Session February 22, 2016   
  • Special Board Meeting-Budget Workshop March 2, 2016
  • Special Board Meeting - Community Forum on Budget March 7, 2016
  • Regular Session March 21, 2016
  • Regular Session April 18, 2016
  • Budget Hearing May 2, 2016
  • Regular Session May 12, 2016
    (Thurs., Organizational Mtg., Renewals and Regular Session)
  • Regular Session June 6, 2016       (Staff Recognition/Retirement)
  • Special Meeting June 13, 2016
  • Regular Session June 20, 2016
2014 - 2015 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • Regular Session - July 21, 2014 July 28, 2014
  • Regular Session - August 25, 2014
  • Special Public Session - September 3, 2014
  • Regular Session - September 22, 2014
  • Special Public Session - October 13, 2014 
  • Regular Session - October 20, 2014
  • Regular Session - November 24, 2014
  • Regular Session - December 15, 2014
  • Regular Session - January 5, 2015 (Reorganization)
  • Regular Session - January 26, 2015 rescheduled for February 2, 2015
  • Regular Session - February 23, 2015
  • Special Meeting - March  4, 2015
  • Special Meeting Budget Community Forum - March 12, 2015
  • Regular Session - March 16, 2015
  • Regular Session - April 27, 2015
  • Regular Session - May 14, 2015 (Thurs., Organizational Meeting - Renewals)
  • Regular Session - May 18, 2015
  • Regular Session - June 1, 2015 (Staff Recognition/Retirement)
  • Regular Session - June 15, 2015
2013 - 2014 Board Meeting Agenda Expand
  • Regular Session - July 15, 2013
  • Special Session - July 29, 2013
  • Regular Session - August 26, 2013
  • Regular Session - September 16, 2013
  • Regular Session - October 21, 2013 
  • Special Public Session - October 24, 2013
  • Regular Session - November 18, 2013
  • Regular Session - December 16, 2013
  • Reorganization - January 7, 2014
  • Regular Session - January 27, 2014
  • Regular Session - February 24, 2014
  • Special Meeting - Budget Workshop - March, 4, 2014
  • Special Meeting - Community Forum - March 11, 2014
  • Regular Session - March 17, 2014
  • Regular Session - April 28, 2014
  • Organizational Session - May 15, 2014
  • Regular Session - May 19, 2014
  • Regular Session - June 2, 2014
  • Regular Session - June 16, 2014
2012 - 2013 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

Name Last Modified Download
Name Last Modified Download
Agenda-6/17/2013
  • » Regular Session - June 17 2013.pdf
  • File Options
  • Download
  • Description
  • Preview
  • Goto Post
  • Share
02-21-2019 10:52 pm Download

 

2011 - 2012 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2011 - 2012 Board Meeting Agenda

2010 - 2011 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2010 - 2011 Board Meeting Agenda

2009 - 2010 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2009 - 2010 Board Meeting Agenda

2008 - 2009 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2008 - 2009 Board Meeting Agenda

2007 - 2008 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2007 - 2008 Board Meeting Agenda

2006 - 2007 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2006 - 2007 Board Meeting Agenda

2005 - 2006 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2005 - 2006 Board Meeting Agenda

2004 - 2005 Board Meeting Agenda Expand

2004 - 2005 Board Meeting Agenda

Meeting Agendas (Current)

2022 - 2023 BOE Meeting Agendas

Click on the link below for each meeting or visit:  https://somsd.schoolboard.net for all SOMSD public board meetings.

  • July 18, 2022 - Regular Session
  • July 21, 2022 - Special Session & BOE Retreat
  • August 1, 2022 - Special Session & BOE Retreat
  • August 25, 2022 - Regular Session
  • September 29, 2022 - Regular Session
  • October 6, 2022 - Board of School Estimate Session
  • October 20, 2022 - Regular Session
  • November 17, 2022 - Regular Session
  • December 15, 2022 - Regular Session
  • December 28, 2022 - Special Public Meeting
  • January 5, 2023 - Reorganization Meeting
  • January 26, 2023 - Regular Session 
  • January 31, 2023 - Special Public Meeting
  • February 23, 2023 - Regular Session
  • March 16, 2023 - Preliminary Budget Adoption
  • March 28, 2023 - Board of School Estimate Session
  • March 30, 2023 - Regular Session 
  • April 27, 2023 - Regular Session 
  • May 1, 2023 - Special Executive Session
  • May 3, 2023 - Board of School Estimate Session
  • May 8, 2023 - Special Executive Session
  • May 11, 2023 - Organizational Meeting/Renewals
  • May 25, 2023 - Regular Session 
  • June 5, 2023 - Staff Recognition/Retirement

Board of Education

Board of Education

Responsibilities of the Board

The Board of Education is the governing body of the South Orange - Maplewood School District with responsibility for developing policy to ensure the proper care, management and control of District affairs. The Board consists of nine citizens elected at large by the voters of South Orange and Maplewood. Board members serve three year terms, with three members of the Board subject to election each year.

In addition to setting policy, the Board hires the superintendent; approves staff hirings, transfers, resignations, terminations, and leaves of absence; approves expenditures; approves educational programs (curriculum); and otherwise ensures that the facilities and equipment are available to support learning and teaching in the District. The Board also approves the budget for the School District. However, the tax levy is approved by a separate entity, the Board of School Estimate, which is comprised of three members of the Village Trustees of South Orange, three members of the Township Committee of Maplewood and two members of the Board of Education.

Every year in January the Board holds an organization meeting to elect officers (President and two Vice-Presidents), appoint committees and settle other routine business. There are four standing committees -- Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), Finance, Facilities, & Technology (FFT), Personnel and Policy -- that meet monthly to study specific issues and work on special projects as assigned by the Board, and make recommendations to the the Board as a whole.

Board Meetings

The Board meets on the third Monday of each month, except when precluded by a holiday. The Board, from time to time, will add additional meetings. Public sessions of all meetings of the Board are held at the Board Administration building, located at 525 Academy Street in Maplewood, and convene at 7:30 PM.

Public Participation at Board Meetings

The public is welcome to attend School Board meetings, workshops and public feedback sessions. Members of the public may participate in regular School Board meetings in the following ways:

  1. Hearings of Individuals and Delegations. The Board provides two periods during a regularly scheduled meeting at which members of the public may address the Board about an issue of concern, whether or not the item is on the agenda. The first period is at the beginning of a meeting. Individuals are asked to sign up to address the Board prior to the commencement of the meeting. Speakers are asked to identify themselves and their topic of interest before beginning their comments and may speak for a period of three minutes. The initial period of Hearings of Individuals and Delegations, by Board policy, extends for a maximum of 45 minutes. The second period for Hearings of Individuals and Delegations occurs at the end of the meeting, after New Business. The same procedures and three minute time limit per speaker, as with the initial Hearings of Individuals and Delegations, apply here.
  2. Presentations. Members of the public may submit a written request to the Board Secretary at least 7 days prior to a regularly scheduled Board meeting asking for an opportunity to address the Board.

The request is to specify the topic of the presentation and the purpose for the request. After reviewing the request, the President of the Board will schedule a time for the presentation. A presentation of this type is limited to the maximum of 15 minutes. A copy of any written material associated with the presentation are to be delivered to the Board Secretary by the Thursday prior to the presentation for distribution to the Board.

Other Methods of Communicating with the Board

A member of the community also may communicate with the Board by writing to the members of the Board and/or the superintendent care of the Board Administration Building or via email at boemembers@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us. As always your input is welcome.

In addition, should a community member wish to contact a specific Board member, they can be reached at the board member's individual district email address. This information can be found on the current board members page.

Board of Education

Board of Education

Responsibilities of the Board

The Board of Education is the governing body of the South Orange - Maplewood School District with responsibility for developing policy to ensure the proper care, management and control of District affairs. The Board consists of nine citizens elected at large by the voters of South Orange and Maplewood. Board members serve three year terms, with three members of the Board subject to election each year.

In addition to setting policy, the Board hires the superintendent; approves staff hirings, transfers, resignations, terminations, and leaves of absence; approves expenditures; approves educational programs (curriculum); and otherwise ensures that the facilities and equipment are available to support learning and teaching in the District. The Board also approves the budget for the School District. However, the tax levy is approved by a separate entity, the Board of School Estimate, which is comprised of three members of the Village Trustees of South Orange, three members of the Township Committee of Maplewood and two members of the Board of Education.

Every year in January the Board holds an organization meeting to elect officers (President and two Vice-Presidents), appoint committees and settle other routine business. There are three standing committees -- Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), Finance, Facilities, & Technology (FFT), and Personnel -- that meet monthly to study specific issues and work on special projects as assigned by the Board, and make recommendations to the the Board as a whole.

Board Meetings

The Board meets on the third Monday of each month, except when precluded by a holiday. The Board, from time to time, will add additional meetings. Public sessions of all meetings of the Board are held at the Board Administration building, located at 525 Academy Street in Maplewood, and convene at 7:30 PM.

Public Participation at Board Meetings

The public is welcome to attend School Board meetings, workshops and public feedback sessions. Members of the public may participate in regular School Board meetings in the following ways:

  1. Hearings of Individuals and Delegations. The Board provides two periods during a regularly scheduled meeting at which members of the public may address the Board about an issue of concern, whether or not the item is on the agenda. The first period is at the beginning of a meeting. Individuals are asked to sign up to address the Board prior to the commencement of the meeting. Speakers are asked to identify themselves and their topic of interest before beginning their comments and may speak for a period of three minutes. The initial period of Hearings of Individuals and Delegations, by Board policy, extends for a maximum of 45 minutes. The second period for Hearings of Individuals and Delegations occurs at the end of the meeting, after New Business. The same procedures and three minute time limit per speaker, as with the initial Hearings of Individuals and Delegations, apply here.
  2. Presentations. Members of the public may submit a written request to the Board Secretary at least 7 days prior to a regularly scheduled Board meeting asking for an opportunity to address the Board.

The request is to specify the topic of the presentation and the purpose for the request. After reviewing the request, the President of the Board will schedule a time for the presentation. A presentation of this type is limited to the maximum of 15 minutes. A copy of any written material associated with the presentation are to be delivered to the Board Secretary by the Thursday prior to the presentation for distribution to the Board.

Other Methods of Communicating with the Board

A member of the community also may communicate with the Board by writing to the members of the Board and/or the superintendent care of the Board Administration Building or via email at boemembers@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us. As always your input is welcome.

In addition, should a community member wish to contact a specific Board member, they can be reached at the board member's individual district email address. This information can be found on the current board members page.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 36
  • Go to page 37
  • Go to page 38
  • Go to page 39
  • Go to Next Page »

South Orange-Maplewood School District

South Orange-Maplewood School District

Address & Contact Info

525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Main Office: (973) 762-5600

District Title IX Information

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District Title IX Coordinator
525 Academy Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB)

Dr. Kevin Gilbert
Asst., Supt., Access & Equity
District HIB Coordinator
e: kgilbert@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1859

Ms. Robin Curry
Confidential Secretary to the Asst. Supt., Access & Equity
e: rcurry@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext. 1822

More HIB Information

Stay Connected

SOMSD on Facebook

SOMSD on Twitter

SOMSD’s YouTube Channel

Site Credits

Site Credits

Website Accessibility

The South Orange & Maplewood School District is committed to making our content accessible to all members of the public, including those with disabilities. This includes parents, students, employees, and all others associated with our district. If you need assistance in accessing materials on the district website or you would like to provide feedback or file a complaint about the website, please email the webmaster.

Our Mission

The mission of the South Orange Maplewood School District is to empower and inspire each student to explore and imagine, to pursue personal passions, and to collectively create a better future by creating a learner-centered environment through multiple pathways; re-imagined structures, systems and supports; innovative teaching; partnering with families; and maximizing community expertise and resources.

525 Academy Street, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040 • Ph:(973) 762-5600 • Copyright © 2019, South Orange - Maplewood Public Schools. All rights reserved

Designed, built and powered by SchoolPresser - WordPress for Schools