Long Valley BOE Eyes 4 New Buses, Revised Special Ed. Policies

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Washington Township school officials are set to consider acquiring four new school buses and will hear presentations on the district's annual audit and the local Municipal Utilities Authority this week.

The Washington Township Board of Education meets on Tuesday at the Long Valley Middle School Performing Arts Center. The public portion begins at 7 p.m.

Among the more notable items on the agenda is a proposal to lease four 54-passenger school buses through the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission Leasing Program.

First Hope Bank submitted the lowest responsive quote for the lease, according to the agenda. The document does not specify the total cost of the buses or the terms of the proposed lease.

The district is also expected to rent two of its existing buses to the Mount Olive Township School District under a separate agreement.

Audit, MUA Presentations Planned

Tuesday's meeting will also include a presentation on the district's 2025-26 audit by Brian Ko of accounting firm Nisivoccia LLP.

A presentation involving the Washington Township Municipal Utilities Authority is also listed, although the agenda does not say what MUA officials plan to discuss.

Additionally, the board will hear the district's School Self-Assessment for Determining Grades under New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act for the 2025-26 school year.

School Policies Up For Review

Board members are scheduled to give a first reading to several revised policies, including those governing equity in school and classroom practices and the use of physical restraint and seclusion techniques for students with disabilities.

The district is also proposing to abolish a regulation concerning additional or compensatory special education and related services. Several policies regarding federal funding and school nutrition procurement are slated for revisions as well.

The board's agenda also contains a number of routine personnel actions, including filling a custodial supervisor vacancy and a bus driver position following recent resignations

The meeting will include opportunities for public comment.