Livingston Public Schools will rewrite its grading handbook, revamp elementary schedules and launch a new five-year strategic plan, leaders told the board Sept. 8.

The operational goals, presented at the board's first meeting of the year at 11 Foxcroft Drive, stretch well beyond the $228 million construction referendum that has dominated recent discussion. Superintendent Mark Stern and district leaders outlined work that will touch classrooms, report cards and school budgets over the next 12 months.

Grading handbook gets first update in 15 years

The district's Grading and Reporting Handbook has not been revised in roughly 15 years. Last year, Livingston High School began implementing an updated version for grades 9 through 12. This year, middle school students in grades 6 through 8 will go through a similar process, with a finalized document expected by year's end.

The goal is a coherent grading system spanning grades 6 through 12, the West Essex Tribune reported. Natalie Topylko, director of secondary curriculum and instruction, told the board the original handbook was written more than a decade ago and needed a fresh look.

"Upwards of 15 years ago, the original Grading and Reporting Handbook was written, and it really was time for us to revisit it, take a look at the pledges that had been made and the ideas that we articulated back then and figure out if they still held true … and to begin the conversation about consistency in departments," Topylko said.

New five-year strategic plan

The current strategic plan, presented to the board in October 2022, expires at the end of this school year. Its five pillars cover safety and wellness, teaching and learning, leadership and governance, community and culture, and finance and facilities.

A replacement plan covering 2027 through 2032 will be developed through a broad-based committee of staff, administrators, parents, students and community members. Stern said the district needs to bring in a wide range of voices and varied perspectives to shape the next plan, and that the board will host collaborative sessions before formally adopting it.

Elementary schedules and technology

Revised elementary school schedules now include dedicated time for character education and classroom meetings. Angeline Rodriguez, director of elementary curriculum and instruction, and Topylko presented plans to collect device and application usage data across the district as part of a technology review under the Teaching and Learning goal.

The district also plans to expand its K-6 Universal Screener and build out a K-12 data warehouse to guide classroom decisions.

Budget, training and policy work

The 2027-28 budget process is already underway. Stern said the board will examine the pros and cons of moving board elections to April, a shift that could allow additional time for a potential second spending question or referendum vote. Board member Beth Cohen requested that planning for upcoming contract negotiations be added to the board's budgetary health goal.

The board has earned 11 of the 16 credits required for New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) Board Certification and must complete the remaining five this year, according to the board's goals presentation. A comprehensive policy review with consultant Strauss Esmay is also continuing.

The board's next meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. at 11 Foxcroft Drive and via Facebook livestream.