Holmdel Township Public School District: A Leader in Education

Holmdel Township Public School District: A Leader in Education

We officially welcome the 2025 Holmdel Township Board of Education: Raymond Kim, Dr. Surekha Collur, Kim Tuccillo, Peter Reddy, John Buckley, Jeff Mann, Anthony Libecci, Alison LoPresti and Chris DiMare. This dedicated team will oversee the administration of our schools and support their efforts to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students and community.

We would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who makes this district such an exceptional place.

Holmdel Students: You are at the heart of everything we do. We are incredibly proud of your achievements and are committed to supporting you on your educational journey. Our focus remains on providing the best possible environment for you to succeed and thrive.

Teachers, Administrators, and Staff: Your unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment have created an environment where our students thrive and our community flourishes.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Cascone: Your leadership has provided much-needed stability, strengthened accountability, and driven significant progress over the past three years.

Holmdel Township Police Department: Your partnership in ensuring the safety of our students and staff, as well as assisting with school traffic and events, is invaluable.

Holmdel Parents: Your advocacy and engagement play a vital role in fostering a nurturing and academically rigorous environment for our students.

Holmdel Community: Your commitment to education underscores the value you place on a strong school system and its vital role in shaping the future of our community

Holmdel Township Committee: Your commitment to open communication with the BOE and your investment in funding security officers demonstrates your dedication to our students and staff members safety.

HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT’S RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Safety: Holmdel schools are among the most secure in the region, as confirmed in 2023 by Stonegate Associates, a recognized leader providing security services. The district has implemented an updated security manual and invested in tools like the StopIt app and Linewize monitoring software to enhance safety. Holmdel’s Behavior Threat Assessment Team (led by Dr. LaMoglia and Mr. Papalia) has garnered state and national recognition for its work in developing and implementing behavioral threat assessment protocols and training.

Culture: Under the leadership of Assistant Superintendent Mr. Howard, the District has implemented a data-driven approach to review, analyze and assess our school culture. With the new processes, we are able to more easily identify and analyze key facts, statistics and trends relating to bullying.

Additionally, initiatives like Live Holmdel Blue, Hornet of the Month, and the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) have improved school climate. Bullying incidents have decreased by 9% YOY the past 2 school years. The district will continue to take proactive steps toward improving our efforts to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for all.

Rankings: Holmdel High School’s ranking in the U.S. News & World Report for New Jersey High Schools continues to rise steadily.

2019 - 106th
2020 - No Report
2021 - 74th
2022 - 68th
2024 - 54th

This upward trajectory is a testament to the dedication of our students, staff, teachers, administration, and supportive school community.

Village School, Indian Hill School, and W. R. Satz School have consistently been ranked among the top elementary and middle schools in New Jersey, further solidifying Holmdel’s reputation as a leader in education across all grade levels.

Academic Excellence: Advanced Placement (AP) courses allow students to take college-level courses in high school. Our students’ enrollment in and performance on AP exams has improved significantly YOY. In the 2023 - 2024 school year, 410 students were enrolled in 28 different AP courses, a 17.48% increase from the year prior. In 2021, 180 students earned a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, rising to 348 students in 2024, a 48% increase.

HHS was awarded Silver Recognition for 2024 AP School Honor Roll, which recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.

Dual Enrollment: Dual enrollment allows high school students to earn college credits. Thank you to our administration for quickly taking the Holmdel School District offerings from 0 to 25 dual enrollment courses in collaboration with Brookdale, Kean, Stockton, Seton Hall, NJIT and Delaware.

Expanding Opportunities for Students: Holmdel continues to enhance its offerings to provide students with a well-rounded and enriching educational experience. This includes investments in athletics, performing arts, and innovative programs, ensuring students have access to diverse opportunities outside the classroom to foster growth, teamwork, and leadership.

KEY PRIORITIES FOR 2025

Transportation Challenges: The ongoing challenges in the transportation industry have led to exponential increases in expenses, making them difficult to manage. The District’s trends in transportation expenditures are as follows:

• 2016 - 2021 : ~$2.2 - $2.8 million
• 2022 : ~$3.5 million (+20.9%)
• 2023 : ~$5.3 million (+54%)
• 2024 : ~$5.2 million (-2.9%)

This sharp increase in transportation costs places a significant burden on the district’s budget and underscores the need for discussions around the courtesy busing program. This program currently impacts approximately 750 - 800 students and costs the district $600,000 - $800,000 annually.

Courtesy busing refers to the practice of providing free bus transportation to students who live within 2 miles of their school for grades K - 8th and within 2.5 miles for grades 9 - 12. Under state guidelines, if a student lives within these distances, it is the parents' responsibility to provide transportation to and from school; however, Holmdel has historically offered courtesy busing to these families. Courtesy busing is not a common practice across NJ school districts.

As we navigate these financial challenges, it is essential to evaluate how best to balance the district’s budget while continuing to support our students and families.

Holmdel Township Education Association (HTEA) Teachers Contract: The District’s contract with the HTEA, our local teacher’s union, was executed on July 1, 2021 and expires on June 30, 2025. We deeply respect and admire our teachers, and recognize the critical role they play in our schools and community. As the current contract approaches its expiration, our goal is to collaborate on an agreement that balances the needs of teachers, students and taxpayers.

THE BOARD’S COMMITMENT

Holmdel is proud to be a leader in education, safety, and innovation. The Board is committed to transparency and collaboration as we strive for continued excellence and address various challenges. Together, we will ensure our schools remain a cornerstone of success for our students and a source of pride for our community.

BOE Leadership