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Long Hill Township School District
District Goals (2024-2025)
Academic Performance
80% of students achieving typical growth on i-Ready diagnostics through inquiry-based strategies and personalized learning
Attendance
97% district-wide attendance rate through engagement and sense of belonging
Family Engagement
Enhanced communication and increased in-person/remote opportunities for families
QSAC Preparation
Participate in Quality Single Accountability Continuum process, targeting "high performing" designation
Hot Topics
How Long Hill Township approaches these important and often-debated issues. Click any topic to expand.
Curriculum & Instruction
This preview shows kindergarten literacy only. Full reports include detailed analysis for every grade level (PreK-8) and all major subjects: reading, math, science, social studies, and enrichment programs.
Kindergarten Literacy: A Balanced Approach
Long Hill uses a balanced literacy approach that combines systematic phonics with authentic reading experiences. This is notable because it avoids the extreme positions in the "reading wars" debate.
Core Programs
| Program | Publisher | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| FUNdations | Wilson Language | Systematic phonics instruction (K-4) |
| Units of Study | Heinemann/Teachers College | Reading workshop (Lucy Calkins) |
FUNdations (Phonics)
Research-based structured literacy program used K-4 district-wide:
- Explicit, sequential phonics instruction
- Multisensory techniques (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
- "Trick words" for irregular high-frequency words
- 32 weeks of instruction across 5 units
Source: What Works Clearinghouse evidence review
Units of Study (Reading)
Workshop model with:
- Mini-lessons, independent reading, and share time
- Five kindergarten units: We Are Readers, Shared Reading, Super Powers, Boosting Reading Power, Becoming Avid Readers
- Conferring and small group instruction
Why This Matters for Parents
The combination of FUNdations + Units of Study represents a hybrid approach:
- Systematic phonics (addressing Science of Reading research)
- Authentic reading experiences (maintaining engagement)
- Consistency K-4 (FUNdations used across all elementary grades)
Students with language-based learning disabilities receive a "double dose" of FUNdations from district reading specialists.
Kindergarten Learning Targets
By end of kindergarten, students are expected to:
- Recognize all 26 uppercase and lowercase letters
- Know letter-sound correspondences for all consonants
- Read ~200 CVC words (cat, dog, run)
- Read high-frequency "trick words" (the, was, is, you, they)
- Retell stories with key details
Policy Updates (2025)
This preview shows a policy summary. Full reports include in-depth analysis of key policies, what they mean for parents, and how they compare to neighboring districts.
The board reviewed or revised 50+ policies in 2025 across major categories:
Student Policies (5000 Series)
- 5132 - Dress and Grooming
- 5142 - Student Safety
- 5142.2 - Physical Restraints
- 5145.7 - Gender Identity and Expression
- 5131.7 - Weapons and Dangerous Instruments
Curriculum Policies (6000 Series)
- 6151 - Class Size (revised)
- 6171.2 - Gifted and Talented (revised)
- 6161.1 - Evaluation/Selection of Materials
- 6164.4 - Child Study Team
- 6171.1 - Remedial Instruction
Governance Policies (9000 Series)
- 9421 - Role of Committee Leaders (new)
- 9000 - Role of the Board (revised)
- 9111 - Qualifications of Board Members
Staff Policies (4000 Series)
- 4111.2 - Domestic Violence (new)
Special Services
The district approved 43 special services resolutions in 2025, including individual student placements, Extended School Year (ESY) programming, homebound instruction, and out-of-district placements.
HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying)
- 2023-2024 HIB Grades approved and submitted to NJDOE
- Self-Assessment authorized for submission
Field Trips & Enrichment (2025)
| Grade | Destination | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Local (Fall 2025) | Fall |
| 7th-8th | Morristown, NJ | May |
| 8th | Jersey City | January |
Governance & Leadership
Board Composition (2025)
The board operates with 10 members using Robert's Rules of Order.
| Role | Structure |
|---|---|
| Board President | Elected annually at reorganization meeting |
| Vice President | Elected annually |
| Committee Leaders | Defined by Policy 9421 (new in 2025) |
Professional Services (2025)
| Service | Provider | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Board Attorney | Busch Law Group, LLC | $175/hr attorneys |
| Special Ed Counsel | Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC | $170/hr partners |
| District Architect | Parette Somjen Architects | Annual appointment |
Meeting Activity
The board held 14 meetings in 2025, passing 656 resolutions:
70
January
Reorganization
74
May
Budget Hearing
68
July
Fiscal Year
59
August
Goal Setting
Personnel Trends
2025 Staffing Summary
26
Appointments
23
Resignations
6
Retirements
Notable Departures
Several experienced staff retired or resigned in 2025:
- Director of Special Services (retirement)
- 8th Grade Math Teacher (retirement)
- Elementary Teacher (2 retirements)
- Art Teacher (retirement)
- Millington School Nurse (retirement)
- Multiple paraprofessionals and special ed teachers
Teacher Salary Ranges (New Hires 2025)
| Position | Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant | $92,765 | Specialist role |
| 6th Grade Science Teacher | $82,682 | Full-time |
| 8th Grade Mathematics Teacher | $60,485 | Full-time |
| Third Grade Teacher | $60,485 | Full-time |
| Part-Time MTSS Interventionist | $42,093 | 0.6 FTE |
Budget & Finance
2025-2026 Adopted Budget
Total Budget
$23,153,525
Local Tax Levy
$19,976,040
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| General Fund | $22,041,974 |
| Special Revenue Fund | $270,151 |
| Debt Service Fund | $841,400 |
Capital Projects
The budget includes $239,215 from Capital Reserve for facility improvements.
Financial Oversight
- Monthly payroll and bills list approvals
- Line item budget transfers approved monthly
- School Business Administrator bond: $250,000
Stability Assessment
Curriculum Stability
ModerateLong Hill has maintained consistent core programs (FUNdations, Units of Study) but continues policy reviews and curriculum revisions. The 2025 revision of Gifted and Talented and Remedial Instruction policies suggests active attention to differentiation.
Governance Stability
HighConsistent meeting schedule. New Committee Leaders policy (9421) suggests formalization of board operations. Professional services maintained year-to-year. Clear governance documents adopted annually.
Personnel Stability
Moderate ConcernSix retirements in 2025 (including Director of Special Services) represents significant institutional knowledge departing. The district successfully filled positions but this transition bears monitoring.
What Parents Should Know
Strengths
- Structured phonics program (FUNdations) aligned with reading science research
- Active board with regular meetings and policy reviews
- Clear strategic goals with measurable targets
- Consistent K-8 feeder pattern
Watch Areas
- Leadership transitions (Special Services Director retirement)
- Multiple special education teacher departures
- Class size policy under revision (6151)
Questions to Ask
- 1.How is the district addressing reading specialist capacity after retirements?
- 2.What are current class sizes by grade?
- 3.How does the district measure success on its strategic goals?
Data Sources
All information derived from:
- Long Hill Township Board of Education meeting agendas (2025)
- District curriculum documents
- Parsed resolution data from 14 board meetings
- Public budget documents
Report generated December 2025