Hillsborough Superintendent Takes A Look Back And Forward In The School District

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Superintendent Mike Volpe recently gave a presentation looking back and ahead of the school district's past two years of transformation under his leadership.

Volpe highlighted a wide array of accomplishments achieved since he began his tenure on Jan. 26, 2023, showcasing the district's unwavering commitment to providing a world-class education for every student during the Jan. 27 Board of Education meeting.

"It is with immense pride that I reflect on the incredible strides we have made as a school community over the past two years," said Volpe. "Together, we have laid a strong foundation for a brighter future, and these achievements are a testament to the dedication, passion, and collaborative spirit of our students, staff, and families."

Highlights of the district's "Two Years of Transformation" include:

• Building a Stronger Foundation for Learning: The district developed a new Strategic Plan to chart a course for continued success, passed two crucial referendums demonstrating community support for education, established the district's first-ever security team to enhance safety, advocated for legislative changes that brought much-needed financial stability, and invested significantly in modernizing facilities.
• Reaching New Heights in Academic Excellence: Students are showing improved achievement, thanks to the district's focus on data-driven instruction, expanded support systems like the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS), increased dual enrollment opportunities with prestigious institutions, and innovative programs like expanded summer learning and reimagined Title I initiatives. The district's commitment to academic rigor has even earned it a place on the Advanced Placement School Honor Roll!
• Empowering and Supporting Our Educators: Recognizing that teachers are the heart of the district, Hillsborough has invested in increasing instructional staff, streamlining processes to allow teachers more time to focus on teaching, and implemented new and improved ways to celebrate their outstanding contributions. These efforts have resulted in improved teacher retention, benefiting students with greater continuity in the classroom.
• Ensuring Operational Excellence: Hillsborough has secured over $960,000 in competitive grants to maximize resources, reinstated courtesy busing to ensure safe and reliable transportation for all students, and maintained a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, as evidenced by two consecutive flawless financial audits.
• Connecting with Our Community: The district has fostered stronger relationships with the Township committee, resulting in the procurement of free educational resources and a partnership to repair tennis courts for shared community use. Enhanced communication platforms, including a new website, mass communication tools, and a convenient mobile app, are keeping the community informed and engaged.

Looking forward, Volpe also looked at the upcoming redistricting, which is the first since 2002.

It "is a major undertaking and full redistricting will not take place until the fall of 2026. We may look at small carveouts over the course of this time but full redistricting will not take place until fall 2026, said Volpe.

Volpe noted that these accomplishments are a lot to accomplish in two years, "and we are not done yet."

"This is just the beginning of our journey," said Volpe. "We are excited to continue building upon this momentum and creating an even more vibrant and enriching educational experience for every student in Hillsborough."

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