Students In the Spotlight At Woodbridge Board Of Ed Meeting
Student presentations and school activities took center stage at the Woodbridge Board of Education’s January meeting, alongside routine district business.
Caption. (Source)
Chris Howell I January 16, 2026
The Woodbridge Board of Education moved through a full agenda Thursday night, mixing routine board business with several upbeat presentations from students highlighting school events, service projects, and academic achievements.
The meeting opened with a detailed report from student representative Johan Hernandez, a Colonia High School senior recently accepted to MIT, who shared updates from across the district. Hernandez highlighted activities ranging from elementary STEM programs and chess clubs to winter concerts, food drives, and championship seasons for Avenel Middle School basketball teams.
Board members later heard from Misha Patel and Liam Chang, seniors at JFK Memorial High School, who provided an update on the school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter. The students described a successful Angel Tree project that raised more than $3,600 in gifts and donations for Covenant House, as well as leadership training, service initiatives like the “Free Rice” program, and plans for an upcoming Lip Sync Battle fundraiser. Board President Susan Bourdin praised the students’ enthusiasm and community involvement.
On the business side, the board approved multiple agenda items without extended discussion, including personnel actions, curriculum and technology items, dining and transportation contracts, and a series of finance and insurance resolutions. Board member Nazam Mohammed publicly thanked district administrators for completing a “very clean audit” for the 2025 fiscal year and encouraged residents to review the district’s financial reports online.
The board also briefly previewed upcoming community events, including the township’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, a districtwide prom dress giveaway, and several student and family activities scheduled later this winter and spring.
No members of the public spoke during the agenda comment period, and the meeting adjourned after approximately 30 minutes.