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. Evaluating consistent practical application of the district-aligned curriculum.

• B. Analyzing internal and external data points to ensure curriculum consistency and effectiveness.

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

• A. Promoting 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 Promote community outreach and enhanced communications by:

• A. Bridging the gaps in communication with the Rockaway Township community members.

• B. Providing guided, expectation-based discourse to facilitate conversations with the individuals who live, work, and learn in Rockaway Township.

Goal IV Support operational excellence that is sensitive to the growing and changing educational landscape by:

• A. Evaluating the needs of the district and creating fiscally responsible priorities through the use of the provided financial and operational reports.

• B. Determining and executing the next steps for investing in operational priorities.

Goal I: By June 2026, the district will increase the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the NJSLA in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics by an additional 5% across all grade levels (4–8) compared to the 2024–2025 performance results.

Goal II: By the end of each instructional unit during the 2025–2026 school year, 100% of district math teachers will administer the “End of Unit” i-Ready assessment. In ELA, 100% of teachers in grades K–2 will administer the SuperKids Benchmark Assessments, Grade 3 teachers will administer the Magnetic Reading End of Unit Assessment, and teachers in grades 4–8 will administer the Common Assessments outlined in the District Curricula.

Goal III: Improve the climate and culture in each school by completing the following items:

● Revising the district Culture and Climate Surveys to be more relevant to current needs.
● Decreasing the number of confirmed HIBs.
● Sending nine counselors to Strauss-Esmay HIB training with uniform messaging.
● Sending five district principals to the Strauss-Esmay HIB training with uniform messaging.
● Continuing to review and dissect exemplars of HIBs.

Goal IV: Building principals will collaborate with Instructional Council representatives, PTA leadership, SEPAC, and teachers to coordinate a minimum of five parent presentations a year that reflect the academic programming in their schools and district.

● Teachers will create engaging presentations that reflect instructional practices and programming in the district.
● Coordinate topics and events that are aligned with the district curricula.
● Provide parents with a schedule of topics and dates for presentations.
● Survey parents on the effectiveness of presentations.

Goal V : Continue addressing the district’s facility needs through the systematic execution of the district’s Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP), while incorporating any emergent needs that necessitate amendments to that plan. Create a sustainable cyclical schedule of repair and replacement across the district to ensure buildings remain in their best possible operating condition at all times.