BRICK – The most recent Board of Education meeting saw several exciting items, the first being a report on the district’s performance, a new promotion, and a collection of donations from a dedicated PTA.
The meeting started off with a presentation from Director of Curriculum Alyce Anderson, regarding the New Jersey Department of Education performance report. This report was based in the 2024-2025 school year. Highlights from the report focused on increases in student enrollment, as well as increases in economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities.
The graphs and statistics presented in the report displayed both English language arts and math proficiently compared to the other districts in the state. Anderson referred to a new reading program, the magnetic literacy program, which should produce even greater student growth, according to Anderson.
Anderson also spoke of over $1 million in grants for the 2026-2027 school year. Grants such as the Summer High Impact Tutoring Grant for $269,400 and IMPACT Grant for $400,000 will benefit Brick students this school year.
Superintendent Thomas Farrell spoke after the presentation, offering praise for the pre-K program and increased enrollment for the school district.
The full presentation can be found on Brick Schools website at brickschools.org.
Most of the items suggested on the board minutes were passed with full board support.
Under the Human Resources section, Dr. David Kasyan, who is the principal at Brick Township High School, was promoted to a new position by the Board. His new position will be Director of Operations. The start date of the position is in October, so Dr. Kasyan will continue to be principal until he takes the new position.
He gave a small speech at the podium after the reading of the minutes. “This journey, this process has been phenomenal…the support that I feel tonight is overwhelming,” he said. “I truly believe the school is the lifeblood. It is the place to which all the community outreach and support begins.”
He also thanked his peers and family during his speech for their support.
Kasyan spoke with The Brick Times after the meeting about what it means to achieve the new promotion.
“I am extremely humbled and overwhelmed with an immense level of pride,” he said. “Because all the time and devotion I give to Brick Township Public Schools is a lens through which to support the students, the staff and the community to find their desired outcomes.”
“Essentially, in a pre-K to 12 school district we have those opportunities to help out students achieve those desired outcomes at every level,” said Kasyan.
All school districts rely on public donations throughout the school year. Brick Township Public Schools has a dedicated group of parents who find ways to help where they can. During the meeting, Brick Schools took acceptance of several donations, including: two MJM All Terrain Knockdown Chairs (beach wheelchairs), an Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine with 300 tokens and 300 books, and other monies. These were made possible by the Veterans Memorial Middle School PTA.
Kristen Stirtz, member of the VMMS-PTA spoke about the donations they helped procure. “We received a flag football kit worth almost $500,” said Stirtz. “Because of the excess funds and the amazing fundraising year we had, we voted at our last board meeting to get a book vending machine. Every student at our school has the opportunity to earn a book; whether that be through attendance, positive behavior, acts of kindnesses.”
The beach wheelchairs were recommended by the school’s gym teachers and principal, for the safety of the students, said Stirtz. The wheelchairs have larger wheels and can be easier to push in case of emergencies. “There is no pavement around the exterior of the field, so it does make it difficult,” she said.
Stirtz also spoke of a grant from the PTA and New York Life Foundation to support the VMMS Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative. A program provided by New York Life was held in May 2026 and offered guidance for teachers to help students who experience loss and grief.
In addition, 15 middle schools were selected nationwide to receive an additional $3,500 to build a mental health center. Veterans Memorial Middle School was one of those school.
“We are eagerly awaiting those funds to get here,” she said. “We’ve already started clearing out the space and are working with our guidance counselors to get that off the ground. It’s not an office; it’s a dedicated space. It will have couches and comfortable seating and lighting; what it may need for those kids to have some sort of comfort as they need it.”
The Board of Education meeting ended with board comments and announcement of the next board meeting, which is scheduled for August 25 at the Brick Professional Development Center starting at 5:30 p.m.
