The Livingston Board of Education, at its February 8 meeting, honored AAPI Youth Alliance students, and heard a review of the district’s comprehensive financial report.AAPI Students HonoredThe Board invited the members of the Livingston Asian American Pacific Islanders Youth Alliance (AAPI) to discuss their work in advocating for the passage of the New Jersey legislative bills S4021 and A6100, which mandate that students learn about Asian American history and contributions. Livingston AAPI was the only student group to work toward this goal.Students described how they sent emails and spoke to administrators, legislators, and government and education committees, relating their experiences as Asian-American students and the need for AAPI contributions to become part of schools’ history curricula. They also thanked the Board of Education for its support.In turn, the Board members congratulated the students and expressed pride in their accomplishment. Pam Chirls noted, “You have done something really meaningful,” while Board member Seth Cohen echoed the words of one AAPI student, “You have changed the world.” The Board also thanked the students’ parents and mentors for their support of the students’ endeavors.Financial ReportThe Board’s business administrator, Michael Davidson, reported that the Board’s annual comprehensive report, prepared by Wiss and Company, came back with no recommendations for improvement.Superintendent of schools Matthew Block stated, “It is a long standing tradition that these reports come back with no recommendations. This comes as a result of incredibly hard work by the district’s business department. We’re lucky to have such competent and hardworking individuals.”Scott Clelland of Wiss, agreed, noting, “It’s no small accomplish ment to come back with no recommendations.”Among the highlights of the report, Clelland noted that expenses for the district’s food service program were “in line,” but revenue is down, with shortfalls due to the pandemic. “We probably won’t see this happen again,” he said.He discussed funding for the everyday operations of the district. Funds from tax levies, state aid and other sources total $141,000,710.The district has four outstanding bond issues totaling $70 million, Clelland said. It also has capital leases outstanding, totaling $4.7 million. The district is well within the permitted debt limit.Other ActionThe Board approved two new novels for use in fifth grade classes, The Witch Boy, by Molly Knox Ostertag; and White Bird: A Wonder Story, by R.J. Palacio.The Board also approved the appointment of student teacher Danielle Roger, a student at William Paterson University. She has been assigned to work ...
