BRICK – Last year’s standardized tests and this year’s calendar were on the agenda as the Brick Board of Education prepared for the 2026-2027 school year.
During the salute to the flag, Board President Mike Mesmer instructed the audience to observe a moment of silence for Joshua Guarino, an 18-year-old Brick Memorial High School student who passed away from a car accident on August 13.
“Please keep Joshua’s family and friends, as well as the entire BMHS community, in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” said Mesmer.
The first topic of discussion was a PowerPoint showing the results from ACCESS 2026. This test determines how proficient English language learners are in using the language, according to Director of Curriculum Alyce Anderson, who presented the PowerPoint.
The program focuses on speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The tests were conducted between February and March of 2026.
Anderson said the results are based on 559 students who were tested on their progress. End results show that 63 students exited the program, which is 11.3% of the population. Last year’s results show a total of 8% who exited. Exiting the program indicates the student has achieved a 4.5 score. This means the student has reached a level of expanding or bridging on the scale system.
To view the full results of the PowerPoint, or to learn more about the ACCESS test, visit brickschools.org.
Other agenda items for the meeting include the approval of legal services for Special Education Matters Services. The firm Weiner Law Group, LLC was awarded the bid. The fee for their legal services shall be $155 per hour, not to exceed 134 hours or $20,770 total.
Another bid was awarded to the law firm Porzio, Bromberg & Newman for State Aid Litigation Services. The fee for the services shall be $450 per hour, not to exceed 88 hours, or $39,600 total. This had previously been approved at the June 25 Board of Education meeting.
The meeting also included the retirement of Mary Carey, a secretary for the Brick Township Public Schools. Superintendent Thomas Farrell and Board of Education members spoke about Carey and her tenure.
“We want you to know how grateful we are for your service for the many, many years in Brick,” said Dr. Farrell, when referring to Carey’s official retirement. “I always call you as our historian; counting back and asking for former superintendent’s names…and Mary always knew the answer.”
Many Board of Education members and officials spoke highly about Carey when they had their closing remarks.
“We are leaving a seat open for Mary tonight,” said Maria Roberts, Business Administrator/ Board Secretary, referring to an open seat at the meeting. “I’ve been extremely lucky to have been able to work so closely with you. Thank you for helping, advising, and listening to me for the past 25 years. No one can fill your seat, and I want to wish you good luck in retirement.”
Kristen Stirtz, a member of the Veterans Memorial Middle School Parent Teacher Association, was the only speaker at the podium for the night. She spoke about a meet the candidates event on October 1 at 7 p.m. The event she is referring to is the Ocean County School Board Association Hybrid Meeting at Point Pleasant Borough High School.
“I think it’s really good to have some township unity,” said Stirtz. “Because whoever we put up here is who is making decisions for our district. Hopefully everyone will attend and co-sponsor and watch.”
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24. This meeting will be a Regular Meeting and will be held at the Brick Professional Development Center at 6 p.m.
