Montclair Board of Education: 2026–27 Calendar & Meetings

🏫 Montclair Public Schools • Montclair, New Jersey

2026–27 School Calendar, Board Meetings, Magnet Placement & Parent Help

Montclair Board of Education families often need more than a meeting date or office phone number. Montclair uses a districtwide magnet system, Genesis Parent Access and separate workflows for school placement, registration, transportation, public records and student support.

This updated guide explains the current Board, 2026–27 school dates, meeting verification, school choice and placement, registration documents, Genesis troubleshooting, school times, bus eligibility, subscription busing, meals, Child Find, HIB help, OPRA and the correct way to escalate a school concern.

📍 Montclair, NJ ☎ 973-509-4000 👥 9-member Board 🧲 Magnet district ✓ Updated Aug. 15, 2026
Fast orientation

Montclair Board of Education quick facts

🏛️

District

Montclair Public Schools, Essex County, New Jersey.

📍

Board Office

22 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042.

☎️

Main phone

973-509-4000

👥

Board size

Nine elected volunteer members.

Board President

Yvonne Bouknight.

Vice President

Holly Shaw.

🎓

Superintendent

Ruth B. Turner.

💼

Board Secretary

Dana Sullivan, Interim Business Administrator/Board Secretary.

Correct entity: this guide is for Montclair Public Schools in Montclair, New Jersey. It is separate from Montclair Township municipal government and unrelated school districts with similar place names.

Need the district’s live starting point?

Use the official district site for changing notices, school pages and department updates.

Open Montclair Public Schools →
2026 audit findings

What needs special attention in Montclair right now?

🗓️

Board Calendar still shows 2025–26

The official Board Calendar page was still visibly labeled “Board Meeting Calendar 2025-2026” when checked in August 2026.

📅

2026–27 student calendar is live

The district separately publishes a 2026–27 school calendar approved by the Board in March 2026.

🧲

School placement is not simple zoning

Montclair’s magnet system means the closest school is not automatically the student’s school.

🚌

Transportation rules are unusually detailed

Eligibility, K–5 escorts, alternate childcare stops, Genesis assignments and paid subscription seats all require separate decisions.

🍎

Meal application year is stale

The current Food Services area was still pointing families to a 2025–26 meal/Summer EBT application during this August 2026 audit.

🔐

Genesis has important edge cases

A locked Parent Access account cannot be fixed simply by resetting the password.

Governance

What the Montclair Board handles—and what it usually does not

The Board is a governance body. Individual classroom, attendance, scheduling, bus or student-support problems generally begin with school staff or the relevant district department rather than with the full Board.

📘

Policy & governance

The Board adopts policy, governance rules and district-level direction.

💰

Budget oversight

Board meetings and reports include budget planning, public hearings and financial oversight.

🎯

Strategic goals

The Board maintains a 2024–2029 Strategic Plan covering achievement, engagement, operations and safe/equitable learning.

Best escalation practice: use Montclair’s official Chain of Communications for a student-specific issue before escalating an administrative matter to the Board.

Current Board roster

Montclair Board of Education members

Yvonne Bouknight

President
Term: 2026–2028.

Holly Shaw

Vice President
Term: 2025–2027.

Melanie Deysher

Term: 2024–2026.

Phaedra Dunn

Term: 2024–2026.

Sean Long

Term: 2026–2028.

Kerri McMahon

Term: 2026–2028.

Jada Roman

Term: 2025–2027.

Eric Scherzer

Term: 2025–2027.

Allison Silverstein

Term: 2024–2026.

2026 election-year warning: three currently listed terms end in 2026. Recheck the official Board page after election/reorganization before treating this list as permanent.

Need current member emails or officer roles?

Use the live Board roster because titles and membership can change.

Verify current Montclair BOE members →
Meeting verification

What time are Montclair Board meetings?

General opening 6:30 p.m.
Typical next step The Board generally moves immediately into executive/closed session.
Public session Generally reopens at approximately 7:30 p.m.
General location George Inness Annex, 141 Park Street, Montclair, unless otherwise announced.
Agenda timing The district says notice and a detailed agenda are published at least 48 hours before meetings.

Current calendar warning: as checked Aug. 15, 2026, the official Board Calendar page still displays a 2025–2026 calendar label. Do not invent a 2026–27 date from the generic meeting pattern.

The district homepage’s Aug. 5, 2026 Workshop/Public Board Meeting used the same 6:30 opening → closed session → approximately 7:30 public-session structure.

How to verify the meeting you plan to attend

1

Check Board Calendar

Use it as one schedule source, but look at the school-year label before relying on it.

2

Open Agendas

Confirm that an agenda exists for the meeting date you found.

3

Check current district announcement

Workshop, special, retreat and town-hall meetings may not match a simple recurring pattern.

4

Verify the room and public-comment details

Do this on the meeting-specific posting before traveling or signing up to speak.

Need current meeting information?

Cross-check the calendar with the individual agenda.

Check the official Board Calendar →
Check current Board agendas →
Public participation

Public comment and concern escalation

The district welcomes community participation, but a Board meeting is not the best first stop for every parent concern.

1

Teacher or direct staff member

Start here for classroom-level academics, assignments or day-to-day concerns.

2

Counselor / school support staff

Use student-support staff when the issue involves counseling, scheduling or social-emotional support.

3

Principal / assistant principal

Escalate unresolved building-level matters to school administration.

4

Relevant Central Office department

Transportation, Registration, Pupil Services, Technology and other operational matters have dedicated departments.

5

Superintendent / Board

Use higher escalation after the lower levels have not resolved the issue or where districtwide policy is genuinely involved.

Student privacy: avoid reading private IEP, disciplinary, medical, custody or similar student records into a public meeting when the matter can be handled through a confidential administrative route.

Not sure who should receive your complaint?

Montclair publishes a formal Chain of Communications for parent concerns.

Open the Chain of Communications →
Board records

Agenda, minutes, video or Board Report?

Resource Best use
Agenda See planned discussion and action before a meeting.
Minutes Review the formal written meeting record after approval/posting.
Meeting video Watch discussion, presentations and public session.
Board Reports Find presentations on budget, enrollment, technology, HIB, curriculum and other district topics.
Policies Read standing Board bylaws, policies and regulations.

Montclair’s 2026 video archive includes regular meetings, budget town halls, a Board retreat and a Special Education Town Hall—another reason not to reduce Board activity to a simple recurring calendar pattern.

Missed a meeting?

Use the district video archive for recordings and livestream access.

Open Montclair BOE meeting videos →
2026–27 school year

Montclair Public Schools 2026–27 calendar

The district’s official 2026–27 calendar was approved March 11, 2026 and lists 183 student days and 187 staff days.

🎒

First student day

Sept. 3, 2026.

🌱

Spring Break

March 22–25, 2027.

🏁

Last day

June 22, 2027.

🎓

MHS graduation

June 22, 2027.

Important 2026–27 dates

Date District calendar item
Aug. 25–26, 2026 New Teacher Orientation.
Aug. 26–27 Freshman & New Student Orientation.
Sept. 1 Staff Convocation.
Sept. 2 Staff professional development.
Sept. 3 First day for students.
Sept. 7 Labor Day — district closed.
Sept. 21 Yom Kippur — district closed.
Oct. 12 Indigenous People’s Day / Columbus Day — district closed.
Oct. 21–22 Parent/teacher conference and professional-development abbreviated schedules.
Nov. 3 Election Day / Staff PD — schools closed.
Nov. 5–6 NJEA Convention — district closed.
Nov. 11 Veterans Day — district closed.
Nov. 25 Abbreviated day for students and staff.
Nov. 26–27 Thanksgiving — district closed.
Dec. 2–3 Elementary conferences and middle/high professional-development abbreviated schedule.
Dec. 23 Early dismissal for students and staff.
Dec. 24–31 Winter-break closures.
Jan. 4, 2027 District reopens.
Jan. 11 Staff PD / abbreviated day for students.
Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day — district closed.
Feb. 15 Presidents’ Day — district closed.
Feb. 22 Staff PD / abbreviated day for students.
Mar. 17–18 Parent/teacher conferences — abbreviated student days.
Mar. 22–25 Spring Break — schools closed.
Mar. 26 Good Friday — district closed.
May 31 Memorial Day — district closed.
June 8 Election Day / Staff PD — schools closed.
June 18 Juneteenth — district closed.
June 21 Early dismissal for students.
June 22 Early dismissal / last day for students and staff / high-school graduation.

How emergency closings can change the year

❄️ Three emergency days built in

The calendar includes three emergency-closing days.

🌱 More closures than expected?

Additional days are recovered from Spring Break beginning March 22, then March 23, 24 and 25.

⏰ Two-hour delay

The district may use a two-hour delayed opening instead of a full emergency closing when advisable.

🎁 Unused emergency days

The calendar identifies May 28, May 27 and June 1 as possible days off when emergency days remain unused, with determination due by May 15, 2027.

Delay + early-dismissal rule: the calendar says a delayed opening on a scheduled early-dismissal day cancels the early dismissal and school ends at the regular time.

Planning travel or childcare?

Open the current 2026–27 calendar and recheck weather adjustments before finalizing plans.

Open the official 2026–27 calendar →
Montclair-specific school choice

Why Montclair school placement is different

Montclair has seven elementary schools, three middle schools and one comprehensive high school. The elementary and middle-school system is magnet-based.

🧲

No simple neighborhood-school rule

The district explicitly says children do not necessarily attend the school closest to home.

🎨

Different magnet themes

Schools offer specialized themes and structures while following the district’s common academic curriculum.

⚖️

Placement considers system balance

Choice operates within available space and the district’s broader integration/equity framework.

Moving to Montclair? Do not choose a house based on the assumption that the geographically closest elementary or middle school will automatically be assigned.

Placement requests: Registration links the district Magnet System and Board Policy 5122 for School Placement Requests. Use the current-year registration/placement schedule because deadlines can change.

Need to understand Montclair school choice?

Read the district’s Magnet System explanation before submitting school preferences.

Open the Montclair Magnet System →
District schools

Montclair Public Schools by level

🏫

Elementary schools

Bradford, Charles H. Bullock, Edgemont, Hillside, Nishuane, Northeast and Watchung.

📚

Middle schools

Buzz Aldrin, Glenfield and Renaissance at Rand.

🎓

High school

Montclair High School.

This list is a district overview, not a zoning or guaranteed-placement chart. Use Registration and magnet-placement guidance for an actual child.

Enrollment

How to register a student in Montclair Public Schools

Registration office 22 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042.
K–8 / preschool registrar Jasmine Malloy • 973-509-4020 ext. 50303.
Grades 9–12 registrar Robin Schlager • 973-509-4020 ext. 50304.

New-student registration workflow

1

Start online

Montclair registration begins through the district-linked Genesis online registration system.

2

Upload required documents

Prepare proof of age, parent/guardian identity, residency and current medical records.

3

Enter complete contact information

The district asks families to include parent/guardian details, at least two emergency contacts other than a parent and relevant doctor/dentist/hospital information.

4

Select a phone appointment

Online registration is not the final step. The district asks families to choose an appointment to complete the process.

5

Follow placement instructions

After enrollment, use Montclair’s current magnet and school-placement guidance rather than assuming a neighborhood assignment.

Four proofs of residency

Important: Montclair requires four proofs of residency: one qualifying primary domicile document plus three additional qualifying documents showing a Montclair address.

🏠 Examples of primary domicile proof

Depending on the household situation, the district lists property-tax records, a current lease, sworn tenancy/residency affidavits, court orders or qualifying child-welfare placement documents.

📄 Additional proof examples

The district lists items such as utilities, mortgage statements, bank/government mail, income documents, voter registration and similar qualifying address evidence.

McKinney-Vento: families lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence should notify the Registrar rather than delaying enrollment because normal residency documents are unavailable.

Ready to register?

Use the current 2026–27 Registration page for the online portal, school-tour schedule and exact documentation requirements.

Open Montclair Registration →
Before school starts

Registration medical records families can miss

🩺

Student Health Survey

The district says the mandatory health survey must be completed and uploaded for registration processing.

📋

Physical exam

A current physical examination is required on the district-linked Universal Child Health Record form.

💊

Medical condition / medication

Students requiring medication or nursing services may need provider and parent forms completed before the first day.

Examples requiring additional preparation: serious allergies, seizures, asthma, diabetes and daily medication may require school-health paperwork before attendance begins.

Need K–12 medical requirements?

Use the district’s current registration medical page rather than an old checklist.

Open K–12 medical requirements →
Existing students

Moved within Montclair? Use Change of Address—not a new registration

1

Log in to Genesis Parent Access

Use the family’s existing Parent Access account.

2

Open the Forms tab

Select the “Change of address request” form.

3

Upload four residency proofs

The address-change workflow uses the district’s current residential requirements.

4

Wait for Registration follow-up

The Registration Department contacts the family after submission.

If siblings are enrolled, the district says the same residency documents only need to be uploaded for one child in this address-change workflow.

Leaving Montclair

How to withdraw or transfer a student to another district

1

Genesis → Forms

Open the “Transfer Form – New District.”

2

Submit one form per child

Each transferring student needs a separate transfer request.

3

Download useful records

Report cards and assessment scores can be downloaded from the relevant Genesis tabs.

4

Notify the school

The school processes the transfer request.

5

Retrieve the A-41 form

After processing, the district says the transfer form becomes available through Genesis Documents.

Parent portal

What Montclair families can see in Genesis Parent Access

📅

Schedule & attendance

Schedules and daily attendance; Grades 6–12 also include class attendance.

📊

Grades & report cards

Report cards K–12 and gradebook information for applicable grade levels.

🧩

IEP / 504

Eligible families can access a child’s IEP or 504 information.

🚌

Bus assignment

Transportation information appears for students who receive district busing.

📋 Forms & electronic signatures

Parent Access is also used for district forms and maintaining contact information.

📱 SchoolMessenger contacts

Phone/email information used by the district’s emergency notification system is maintained through Parent Access.

Genesis parent vs student accounts

Grades 6–12 students have their own Genesis Student Access accounts. The district tells parents not to share Parent Access passwords with students.

Genesis troubleshooting

🔑 Forgot password

Use “Forgot My Password” on the official Parent Access login page first.

🔒 Account is locked

Resetting the password will not unlock it. Follow the district’s lockout support instructions instead.

👪 Need another parent account

The request must come from an email already on file and should include parent name, student name(s) and a callback number already in the student’s record.

🔔 Want Genesis alerts?

Parents can configure alerts for forms, documents, letters and gradebook updates. These are separate from weather/closure SchoolMessenger alerts.

Need Genesis Parent Access help?

Use the district’s official Parent Access page for login and troubleshooting.

Open Genesis for Parents →
2026–27 transportation

Who qualifies for Montclair school transportation?

Student level Distance threshold published by district
Elementary 1.25 miles or more from assigned district school.
Middle School 1.25 miles or more from assigned district school.
High School 2.25 miles or more from Montclair High School.
Pre-K 2.0 miles or more from assigned district school.

Eligible students are automatically assigned transportation from the main home address in Genesis. The district says assignments generally appear in the Genesis busing tab in mid-August, often around the same time class schedules are released.

Daily bus-stop rules

⏰ Be 10 minutes early

Students should be at the assigned stop 10 minutes before the estimated pickup time.

⌛ Allow 10 minutes after

Families should also allow up to 10 minutes beyond the estimated return time.

🚫 No bus switching

Students cannot switch buses for playdates, study dates or similar convenience.

🏠 One main residence

The district provides one route from the main residence listed in Genesis for eligible students.

K–5 parent/guardian escort rule

Students in Grades K–5 must normally be escorted on and off the bus by a parent/guardian. If an adult is not present, the district says the child stays on the bus and is dropped at the next school on the route while school staff contacts the family.

Families who want a K–5 child to walk home from the bus stop without an adult must submit the district’s Permission to Walk form. The district says permission is not authorized during the first week of school while transportation staff become familiar with routes and riders.

Alternate babysitter or daycare bus stop

1

Home-address eligibility comes first

The student must already qualify for transportation from the home address.

2

Submit the Alternate Address form

The district provides a dedicated form through Transportation.

3

Allow processing time

The current main Transportation page says to allow up to five days for processing.

4

Five-day schedule required

Alternate assignments must be used five days per week rather than only on selected weekdays.

Annual reset: Alternate Stop, Subscription Busing and Permission to Walk forms expire at the end of the school year and must be resubmitted when still needed.

Transportation Supervisor Constance Mattison • 973-509-4000 ext. 50609.
Transportation Secretary Donna Hamblin • 973-509-4000 ext. 50610.
Need a bus form or eligibility help?

Use the current Transportation page rather than another family’s route information.

Open Montclair Transportation →
Paid transportation option

Montclair subscription busing for 2026–27

Students who are not entitled to district transportation may be able to apply for a paid subscription seat when capacity remains after eligible riders are assigned.

💵

Per student

$1,395 for the full year.

👪

Family cap

$2,790.

🍎

Free/reduced families

Families qualifying for Free/Reduced Lunch for 2026–27 may receive subscription busing at no cost after verification.

⚠️

Seat not guaranteed

Distance-eligible students are counted first; subscription seats depend on remaining capacity.

Payment Certified checks only; district says payment is non-refundable.
When seating is determined Generally mid-to-late September.
Payment after offer Due within three days of notification.
Stops Existing routes and stops only; subscription service does not create new stops.

Do not send payment first. The district specifically tells families not to submit payment until they have discussed their stop with Transportation.

Considering paid busing?

Check the current application, fee and availability before sending a certified check.

Open 2026–27 Subscription Busing →
Arrival & dismissal

Montclair school start and dismissal times

School Open Regular dismissal Early dismissal
Bradford Elementary 8:50 a.m. 3:05 p.m. 1:40 p.m.
Charles H. Bullock 8:50 a.m. 3:05 p.m. 1:40 p.m.
Edgemont 8:20 a.m. 2:35 p.m. 1:10 p.m.
Hillside 9:10 a.m. 3:35 p.m. 2:10 p.m.
Nishuane 9:10 a.m. 3:35 p.m. 2:10 p.m.
Northeast 8:20 a.m. 2:35 p.m. 1:10 p.m.
Watchung 8:50 a.m. 3:05 p.m. 1:40 p.m.
Buzz Aldrin Middle 7:50 a.m. 2:09 p.m. 12:40 p.m.
Glenfield Middle 7:50 a.m. 2:09 p.m. 12:38 p.m.
Renaissance at Rand 8:20 a.m. 3:15 p.m. Mon–Thu; 2:30 p.m. Fri. 1:25 / 1:20 p.m. depending on schedule.
Montclair High School 8:00 a.m. 2:33 p.m. 1:07 p.m.

The district also publishes separate half-day kindergarten times. Families in a half-day program should check the current School Times page rather than using the full-day elementary schedule.

Need exact opening or dismissal time?

Use the district School Times page together with any current emergency/delay notice.

Open Montclair School Times →
Food Services

Montclair school meal prices and MySchoolBucks

The Food Services page currently displays these paid meal prices.

School level Paid breakfast Paid lunch Free / reduced
Elementary $2.70 $4.25 $0.00
Middle $2.95 $4.50 $0.00
High $3.20 $4.75 $0.00
💳

MySchoolBucks

Add funds, view meal purchases and receive balance alerts.

🥜

Allergies / special diets

The Food Services area provides an Allergy/Special Diet Form and Safe Snack Guide.

↔️

Refund / transfer

A Food Services refund/transfer form is available when needed.

2026–27 application warning: when checked Aug. 15, 2026, the district was still advertising its 2025–26 School Meals and Summer EBT Application. Verify that a 2026–27 application has been posted before submitting new-year eligibility information.

The district says students without meal money are still provided a meal rather than being denied food; the amount is charged to the student’s account and outstanding balances remain the family’s responsibility.

Need current meal information?

Use Food Services for current menus, MySchoolBucks and special-diet resources.

Open Montclair Food Services →
Special Education & Section 504

Montclair Child Find: evaluation help for ages 3–21

Montclair identifies and serves potentially eligible children and students ages 3 through 21, including children in public schools and qualifying private, preschool or childcare settings.

🔎

Possible disability

A parent can request screening/evaluation when concerned about a physical, learning, behavioral or other disability.

📘

Special education

Evaluation can determine whether a child requires specially designed instruction and related services.

Section 504

A student does not need to be classified for special education to potentially qualify for Section 504 protections/accommodations.

Pupil Services phone 973-509-4022
Address Pupil Services Department, 22 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042.

Montclair also publishes Parental Rights in Special Education, a Section 504 Handbook, Special Education programs and Special Education Parent Advisory Council resources through Pupil Services.

Concerned that a child may need an evaluation?

Use Child Find or contact the school principal/Pupil Services rather than waiting for a Board meeting.

Open Montclair Child Find →
Student safety

Harassment, intimidation and bullying help

District Anti-Bullying Coordinator Jennifer Griffith.
Phone 973-509-4100 ext. 31814.
School-level support The district maintains a current list of Anti-Bullying Specialists for individual schools.

📋 HIB policy

Review the district’s HIB policy and current reporting expectations.

🏫 School specialist

Each school has a listed Anti-Bullying Specialist.

💻 Reporting system

The district HIB page links its reporting system and incident/timeline resources.

Immediate danger: do not wait for the next Board meeting when a student faces an immediate safety threat. Contact the appropriate school/emergency resource for the situation.

Need HIB reporting information?

Use the district HIB page for current reporting links and school contacts.

Open Montclair HIB resources →
Public records

Board records, OPRA and private student files are different

You need Best first source
Upcoming Board item Current agenda.
Past Board action Approved minutes and/or meeting video.
Board policy Bylaws and Policies / Governance Manual.
District presentation Board Reports.
Other qualifying public record District OPRA process.
Transcript, IEP, medical or private student file School / Pupil Services / student-record process—not general public records.

Privacy distinction: student-identifying education records can be protected from public disclosure. Do not use an OPRA request as a shortcut for confidential student files.

OPRA form note: the district provides a formal Montclair Board of Education public-record request form. Review the current form itself for current request fields, response rules, exemptions and reproduction costs before submitting.

Need a qualifying public district record?

Use the current Board OPRA route after checking whether the record is already available in agendas, minutes or Board Reports.

Open the Montclair OPRA form →
Financial information

Montclair 2026–27 budget resources

The Business Office currently maintains a dedicated Budget 2026–2027 page.

📅

Budget Planning Calendar

Use it to understand the budget-cycle timeline.

📊

User-Friendly Budget

The current budget area links a 2026–27 User Friendly Budget.

For questions about district spending, staffing, tax impact or program funding, current budget materials and Board finance presentations are stronger sources than an isolated meeting quote.

Researching district finances?

Use the current Business Office budget hub.

Open Montclair Budget 2026–27 →
Contact the right office

Where should you send your Montclair school question?

Your task Best first route
Classwork / teacher issue Teacher → school administration if unresolved.
Attendance / same-day dismissal Student’s school.
New enrollment Registration.
School placement Registration / Magnet System / placement policy.
Genesis issue Genesis Parent Access support / Technology.
Bus eligibility Transportation.
Special education / 504 School team / Pupil Services.
HIB School Anti-Bullying Specialist / District Coordinator.
Board policy Board policies / Board Office.
Public district record Existing online record first, then OPRA when appropriate.
Still unsure who handles your question?

The district Contact Us page routes common family tasks by department.

Open Montclair Contact Us →
Problem solver

Common Montclair school problems and the best next move

🗓️ Board Calendar says 2025–26

Fix: cross-check the current Agenda and district announcement before attending a 2026–27 meeting.

⏰ Meeting says 6:30 but public session is later

Fix: 6:30 is generally the opening before executive session; public session generally resumes around 7:30.

🏫 You assumed the nearest school

Fix: Montclair is a magnet district. Use Registration and current placement guidance.

🏠 Family moved within town

Fix: use Genesis → Forms → Change of Address and upload the required residency proofs.

🔒 Genesis account locked

Fix: do not repeatedly reset the password; follow the district’s locked-account support route.

🚌 Bus assignment is missing

Fix: confirm eligibility first, then check the Genesis busing tab and contact Transportation.

👦 No adult can meet a K–5 bus

Fix: submit the Permission to Walk form if appropriate; without approval, escort rules remain in effect.

🎟️ Student is not distance eligible

Fix: investigate Subscription Busing, but understand that availability is not guaranteed.

🍎 Meal application says 2025–26

Fix: confirm a 2026–27 application before submitting new-year eligibility data.

🧩 You suspect a disability

Fix: contact the school principal or Pupil Services / Child Find at 973-509-4022.

📢 A school concern is unresolved

Fix: follow the Chain of Communications before sending the issue directly to all Board members.

📬 You need a district document

Fix: check agendas, minutes, videos, policies and reports first; use OPRA when the record is not already readily available.

Nearby New Jersey guides

Related Board of Education guides

🏫

Bloomfield Board of Education

Use this guide when your school question belongs to Bloomfield Public Schools rather than Montclair.

Read the Bloomfield Board guide →

📘

West Orange Board of Education

For West Orange school meetings, calendar, registration and parent resources.

Read the West Orange Board guide →

🏙️

Livingston Board of Education

Use this guide for Livingston Public Schools rather than Montclair school information.

Read the Livingston Board guide →

Frequently asked questions

Montclair Board of Education FAQs

What is the Montclair Board of Education address and phone number?

The main Montclair Public Schools Board Office is at 22 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042. The main district phone number is 973-509-4000.

Who is the Montclair Board of Education President?

As checked Aug. 15, 2026, the district lists Yvonne Bouknight as Board President and Holly Shaw as Vice President.

Who is the Superintendent of Montclair Public Schools?

The current Central Office directory lists Ruth B. Turner as Superintendent of Schools.

What time are Montclair Board meetings?

The district’s general guidance says meetings normally open at 6:30 p.m., move into executive session and reopen publicly around 7:30 p.m.. Always check the individual agenda because dates, rooms and meeting formats can vary.

When does Montclair Public Schools start in 2026?

The official 2026–27 district calendar lists September 3, 2026 as the first day for students.

When is the last day of Montclair Public Schools in 2027?

The calendar lists June 22, 2027 as the early-dismissal last day for students and staff and as Montclair High School graduation day.

Does a Montclair child automatically attend the closest school?

No. Montclair operates a magnet system and explicitly says children do not necessarily attend the school closest to their home. Complete registration and follow the district’s current placement process.

How many proofs of residency are required for Montclair school registration?

The district requires four proofs of residency: one qualifying primary domicile document plus three additional qualifying address documents.

How much does Montclair subscription busing cost for 2026–27?

The district lists $1,395 per student with a $2,790 family cap. Seats depend on remaining capacity after distance-eligible students are assigned.

How do I contact Montclair Child Find?

Parents concerned that a child may have a disability can contact the child’s principal or Montclair Pupil Services at 973-509-4022. The district’s Child Find program covers potentially eligible students ages 3 through 21.

Before you act

Final Montclair parent checklist

✓ Meeting: cross-check Board Calendar, Agenda and current announcement because the calendar page still carries a 2025–26 label.
✓ Meeting time: distinguish the 6:30 opening/executive-session process from the approximately 7:30 public-session return.
✓ Board members: recheck current membership after 2026 elections/reorganization.
✓ Calendar: use the official 2026–27 district calendar and remember snow/emergency days can affect Spring Break.
✓ Placement: never assume the closest elementary or middle school is the child’s automatic school.
✓ Registration: complete online registration, upload documents and finish the phone-appointment step.
✓ Residency: prepare the district-required four proofs of Montclair residence.
✓ Address change: use Genesis Forms instead of creating a second registration.
✓ Genesis: parent and student accounts are separate; password reset does not unlock a locked parent account.
✓ Transportation: confirm distance eligibility, K–5 escort rules and Genesis bus assignment before the first ride.
✓ Subscription busing: verify seat availability before paying the 2026–27 fee.
✓ Meals: make sure the free/reduced application has rolled to 2026–27 before submitting it.
✓ Student concern: use the Chain of Communications instead of beginning with the full Board.
✓ Records: keep public Board/OPRA records separate from confidential student records.

Research scope: this guide was refreshed Aug. 15, 2026 using Montclair Public Schools’ current Board roster, About the Board, Board Calendar, Agendas, Videos, Board Reports, 2026–27 school calendar, Central Office directory, Chain of Communications, Registration, Registration Requirements, Magnet System, Genesis Parent Access, Transportation, Subscription Busing, School Times, Food Services, Child Find, HIB, Budget and OPRA resources.

Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an informational website and is not Montclair Public Schools, the Montclair Board of Education, the Township of Montclair or the New Jersey Department of Education. Current official district notices, policies and records take priority.