The Rockaway Township Board of Education is comprised of seven members who are elected by citizens in a non-partisan election. The three-year terms, for which Board members receive no compensation, are staggered to ensure continuity of service.

The Board’s most important role is two-fold: to represent the needs of the students and school district to the taxpayers and parents of the community and to express the concerns of the community to the superintendent. Its responsibilities, as defined in Title 18 A of the New Jersey Statues, include:

The Board of Education works as a whole to review personnel, grievances and HIB (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying). Committees and liaisons to various organizations each meet several times during the year and report back to the Board as a whole with recommendations when needed.

Board of Education meetings are usually held twice a month beginning at 7:30pm in the Copeland Middle School cafeteria. Exceptions to this schedule are posted on the district website, along with meeting agenda a few days prior to each meeting.

Parents and residents are encouraged to attend Board meetings to learn more about the Rockaway Township School District and to help ensure academic, social and emotional success for all its children. Time is allotted for public comments at the beginning and end of each meeting.

Board members are not responsible for the day-to-day management of the schools. Please address issues and concerns with the most direct and appropriate level of staff (refer to organization chart). Doing so will ensure all matters are addressed promptly and effectively.

For questions regarding district policy or to communicate with the Board, please send an email to: Boardmail@rocktwp.net. Please note that a copy of all correspondence will be sent to all of the Board of Education members, the Superintendent and Board Secretary.

Vision:

Rockaway Township Schools...Opening minds, opening worlds so every child's potential becomes a reality and challenges become opportunities for personal success!

Mission:

To nurture a supportive culture embracing individual diversity that will ensure academic, social and emotional success for all.

Goal I   Ensure continued academic excellence by:

a. Supporting and publicizing the newly-implemented and revised curriculum documents and academic programming for all learners.

b. Appraising the effectiveness of ELA and Math programming in which achievement is measured through triannual reports that are shared publicly.

Goal II Maintain a safe and supportive school district culture by:

a. Fostering inclusivity, equity, and a culture of mutual respect for all students and staff.

b. Providing the resources to support a school environment conducive to social and emotional health and increased, cohesive service-learning initiatives.

Goal III Support operational excellence that is sensitive to the ever growing needs of an expanding school community by:

a. Utilizing community discussion data to communicate and promote the benefits of the Referendum to invest in our learners and enhance functional space.

b. Ensuring a consistent approach to the implementation of security across the district.

c. Determining and executing next steps for analyzing, designing, and investing in facilities to maximize and enhance functional space.

Goal IV Promoting community outreach and enhanced communications by:

a. Building new partnerships and growing existing relationships in order to effectively reach all stakeholders.

b. Clearly and effectively communicating the roles and responsibilities of the Board.

Goal I: By June 2025, the district will increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the NJSLA in ELA and Mathematics by at least 5% over all across all grade levels (4-8-grade 3 is baseline) compared to the 2023-2024 school yearbaseline, through data-based articulation, targeted interventions, and both internal and external professional development.

Goal II: Provide additional, common, and consistent experiences in mathematics, literacy, and science to foster increased engagement.

Goal III: Improve the climate and culture in each school and reduce chronic absenteeism through the implementation of:

a. Character Strong SEL program

b. Improved HIB processes

c. We Dine Together at CMS

d. PAAWS at CMS

e. Unified Sports at CMS

f. Climate and Culture Surveys

Goal IV: Reinforce a positive and effective practice of community outreach that is transparent, trusting, and collaborative (Academy Nights).

Goal V : Plan and implement aReferendum that will address both capacity and educational needs well into the future of the Rockaway Township School District.