Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members,

Recent coverage in the Asbury Park Press and other media has drawn attention to an emerging trend: schools across the state are increasingly involving law enforcement in addressing student conduct issues. This trend has accelerated since the onset of the pandemic.

Drawing from data provided by the New Jersey School Report Card, Red Bank Regional has been identified as having a higher-than-average number of police contacts related to substance issues and incidents of violence in the 2022-23 school year. 

While the 2022-23 academic year saw an unfortunate increase in student conduct violations, I am pleased to share that we have made significant strides in the 2023-24 school year. Violent incidents have decreased from 17 incidents to 7 and police notifications dropped from 13 to 2. While challenges related to illegal substances persist, with 28 incidents reported this year compared to 23 the previous year, we remain committed to addressing these issues head-on.

One distinguishing feature of RBR is our investment in a School Resource Officer (SRO) through our partnership with the Little Silver Police Department. Having a dedicated police officer on campus enables us to provide immediate support and guidance to our students. The school administration views the SRO as a valuable asset who works to guide, protect, and counsel students. Consequently, school-police interactions are typically higher in schools with SROs, such as RBR, as compared to those without this resource.

Looking ahead, we are continuously exploring new strategies to foster a positive school culture grounded in respect and responsibility among our students. In the new school year, we will be implementing a revised administrative structure, assigning each assistant principal oversight of two grade levels to provide a greater level of support and intervention for students.

Additionally, we are committed to enhancing our substance abuse avoidance programs to better equip students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices.

School climate and student safety remain central to our mission, and we take pride in the positive and safe school environment at RBR. By working together as a community, we can build on these strengths and empower our students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Louis B. Moore