Every school year new topics arise in the BOE that need to be reviewed for the new school year or during the current school year. Recently one of those topics was the new business administrator and the corrective action plan for BHS activity fund reconciliation, and overall future plans in the Somerset Hills School District.
On March 15, 2025, SHSD appointed Mr. Richard D. Liguori as Business Administrator/Board Secretary. He will be responsible for the administration of all the budgets for the 2025-2026 school year and will help Dr. Brotschul with the 2026-2027 budget. He will oversee and prepare the annual financial audit and will be tracking the district’s fixed assets. He will serve as the Board Secretary, who will notify the Board and the public about meetings, record proceedings, prepare minutes, and handle OPRA requests. He will also work on a long-range facility plan and the growth of the K-12 learning facilities and support higher education opportunities. Mr. Liguori is very excited to be part of SHSD and has “30 years of finance and accounting experience, in roles of increasing scope and responsibility, ranging from small family-owned companies to global and Fortune 500 companies like Johnson & Johnson and Dow Jones.” He will oversee the Business Office team, including Accounting, Payroll & Benefits, and Accounts Payable, as well as Facilities, Transportation, and Technology, and their respective directors. His first day was April 1st.
This year a corrective action plan for BHS activity fund reconciliation was implemented. All BHS clubs are offered opportunities to figure out ways to fundraise and raise funds to decide on things they want to buy for their clubs. There were some situations in the past where money was not coming out of clubs so, the BOE wants to strengthen and “institute processes to make sure that when students raise money for a purpose then it gets allocated out” states Dr. Brotschul, superintendent of Somerset Hills School District. They are working to have more of a “control because [they] don’t want money to be lost or misplaced. So whatever comes out or into student activity accounts then gets sent out.” Having a corrective action plan is not a policy change, instead, it is strengthening where the money goes in and out through clubs.
Brotschul went on to talk about the district’s plans. The future district students will see science classrooms that are renovated and upgraded in the middle and high school. There are plans to build STEM and robotic spaces at Bedwell and the high school. Roofs will be upgraded in certain areas across the district and new bleachers in the high school’s upper and lower gym that feature railing for easier accessibility. There are plans to “obtain further certifications to expand available dual enrollment and career and technical education (CTE) student course offerings” according to the March 31 BOE special meeting agenda. SHSD is looking to grow in all fields for K-12 education.
