JACKSON – School Board members and the public listened to reports concerning incidents of student violence, substance abuse and weapons use in the district.
Superintendent Nicole Pormilli noted that the evening’s agenda included the semiannual violence and vandalism report and semi-annual harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) report.
These reports don’t contain what most people would consider bullying. New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act defines it as a single or continued incident motivated by factors “such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic.” The state began recording this type of data in March of 2002.
John Pejoski, Director of Security and Attendance Officer, provided a slide presentation as part of these reports which covered the period of September to December 2025 and compared it to recent periods.
There were 17 incidents of violence reported during that time, one incident of vandalism and 14 HIB incidents. In September to December 2024, 53 incidents were reported. In January to June of 2025 there were 51 incidents.
There were four incidents of weapons from September to December 2025, which marks an increase from that same time period of 2024 when there was none and one between January and June in 2025.
There was a decrease of substance abuse incidents reported, going from 25 during the September to December 2024 period, to 34 in January to June 2025, and less than 20 in the current report.
There were three fights and 22 HIB incidents within the elementary schools. In the Jackson Township Middle School and Jackson Township High School, there were 20 HIB reports, nine at the middle school and 11 at the high school. There were 17 fights, four assaults, one threat at the high school and no sexual offenses.
Pejoski reported that the Jackson Township 5-6 School had one incident involving vandalism. Categories for substance abuse in September to December 2025 included five incidents of marijuana use, one incident of alcohol, and 14 incidents of substance possession, and six possessions of drug paraphernalia.
Actions taken by the school district in response to the findings included in this latest report had two police filed complaints, 43 in-school suspensions, and 92 out-of-school suspensions. This is a decrease from the last two reporting periods. In January to June 2025 there were no police filed complaints but in-school suspensions numbered 91 and out-of-school suspensions totaled 195. In September to December 2024 there were no police filed complaints but 84 in-school suspensions and 117 out-of-school suspensions. Police filed complaints involve incidents where the police were notified and charges were filed.
In other news, Pormilli noted her own enjoyment as a former literacy teacher, reading to students as part of the annual Dr. Suess Read Across America program. “I am just so proud of this district, our students and staff who have demonstrated what it is like to come together and be unified as one community.”
In reference to Reading Across America the superintendent remarked, “at Switlik Elementary School we had our super readers with students wearing capes like superheroes. At Holman we had masked mystery readers and they revealed who the mystery readers were. There were wonderful things to do to celebrate literature.” Pormilli read along with others including members of the Board of Education to students in the classroom.
A student representative at the BOE meeting reported that as Jackson High School moves into its second semester, students excelled “in athletics, academics, the arts and community involvement.” She noted the hard work and dedication of the boys and girls wrestling teams during the winter season. The girls wrestling team has won “the first ever New Jersey State Championship to cap off their undefeated season.”
“Both wrestling coaches were named coaches of the year for their divisions,” she added. “The Boys Bowling team won the Group 4 State Sections and “our basketball teams also had great seasons. The JTHS Volleyball tournament was a huge success and Jackson Idol was also a great success showcasing the talent of our school and students providing an entertaining night for the entire school community.”
The high school track team also did well and athletes Marlo Donato and Yusef Johnson were recognized as athletes of the month.
The National Honor Society continued its goal of community service by reading to elementary school students in classrooms for Read Across America events. Angelina Noen and Ethan Polk were named students of the month for their academic work.
The high school’s DECA students competed at the state career development conference and several students qualified to represent the school at the development career conference in Atlanta.
“We have staff who have been recognized both coaches and advisors and a service award for DECA and students going to the nationals in Atlanta,” Pormilli added.
“I got to see Mamma Mia! The number of students in that show, at one point there must have been 50 students dancing,” the superintendent added. A trade and job fair was held on March 25 at the high school was held which Pormilli said was always an amazing event with opportunities “for people to come out and learn about all sorts of trades and what it means to be part of that trade.”
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