'Give Us Some Grace,' Bernards School District Asks Ahead Of New Year

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The first day of the 2024-25 school year is set to kick off next week with major changes prompting the Bernards Township School District to ask the public for some grace.

"We know we are making some changes this year. New start times, there’s going to be some bumps in the road. Please, give us some grace," said Board of Education(BOE) President Timothy Salmon at the Monday meeting.

Salmon also asked the public to give grace to the new bus driver companies, the staff, and the kids "about getting out of the house at different times this year."

"Hopefully we will have everything manageable and smooth out any rough edges as we move through the first few weeks of school," said Salmon. "We are excited to get started with our new start times and our new transportation companies."

The BOE approved the later school start times at its March meeting. The 2024-25 school year will be the first year the new times are in place.

The school start times listed below are the regular day times. For detailed times for delayed openings or early dismissals, visit the Weather Emergency Guide.

• RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL - Doors Open for Students: 7:45 a.m.; School Starts: 8:20 a.m.; School Dismissal: 2:58 p.m.
• WILLIAM ANNIN MIDDLE SCHOOL - Doors Open for Students: 7 a.m.; School Starts: 7:30 a.m.; School Dismissal: 2 p.m.
• ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - Doors Open for Students: 8:30 a.m.; School Starts: 9 a.m.; School Dismissal: 3:30 p.m.
• PRESCHOOL FULL DAY - Doors Open for Students: 8:20 a.m.; School Starts: 8:20 a.m.; School Dismissal: 2:50 p.m.
• PRESCHOOL PALS AM - Doors Open for Students: 8:20 a.m.; School Starts: 8:20 a.m.; School Dismissal: 11:05 a.m.
• PRESCHOOL PALS PM - Doors Open for Students: 12:05 p.m.; School Starts: 12:05 p.m.; School Dismissal: 2:50 p.m.

The later start times not only serve as a benefit for students' sleep schedules but also save the district money. The district's move to a three-tier busing schedule equated to a reduction of $1.3 million.

Additionally, for the new school year five Special Police Officer III (SLEOIII) were recently appointed by the Township Committee solely for the purpose of school security.

The officers will work on a regular, part-time basis, effective Aug. 1, at an hourly rate of $41.20, with hours to be determined in conjunction with the Board of Education.

Officers include:

• David Kolesar, SLEO III
• Randy Pelley, SLEO III
• Brian Stanton, SLEO III
• Alexander Sodbinow, SLEO III
• Todd Widitz, SLEO III

Superintendent Nick Markarian noted that there was also a three percent increase in compensation on the hourly rate and in certain circumstances with Superintendent approval there could be overtime provided for where it is appropriate.

Overtime would be granted for specific types of events such as Back to School Nights, said Markarian.

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