
Yesterday, we learned of an important legal update regarding the ongoing federal investigation into fraudulent overtime practices that predates current Administrative and Board leadership. On October 22, Kenneth Gratto entered a formal guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to Count 6 of an indictment charging him with theft and embezzlement. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Mr. Gratto admitted to participating in a scheme between January 2021 and January 2022 involving fraudulent overtime payments and kickbacks. As part of this plea agreement, Mr. Gratto has agreed to pay $156,150 in full restitution directly to the Hillsborough Township School District to compensate our community for the financial losses sustained.
This case is part of a broader federal investigation into former district officials and external contractors. Anthony DeLuca, the former Director of Buildings and Grounds, previously pled guilty in federal court for his role in an illegal overtime scheme after receiving over $137,000 in unauthorized overtime pay and paying cash kickbacks to secure approvals. Furthermore, previously reported news surrounding former Business Administrator Aiman Mahmoud includes a federal grand jury indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit extortion and embezzlement.
While these fraudulent schemes began long before my tenure as Superintendent, taking accountability and restoring complete integrity to our financial management has been my top priority since taking this role. Our community's tax dollars belong in our classrooms supporting our students and educators, not in the hands of individuals who abuse the public trust. We are pleased that restitution will eventually be returned to Hillsborough Public Schools, and we remain steadfast in enforcing strict financial controls, oversight, and ethical standards across all of our district's operations.
We appreciate your continued trust and partnership as we keep our focus firmly on providing an exceptional education for every student in a transparent and accountable environment.
Sincerely,
Mike Volpe, Superintendent
Joel Davis, Board President
Out of 30 scheduled speakers across the entire state, two were Hillsborough residents - a tremendous showing given how many communities were invited. Your presence and advocacy show just how dedicated our township is to standing up for our students and schools.
While our Superintendent didn’t get the opportunity to speak during the meeting, he shared his follow-up comments in his recent email (see below).
Now is the time for Hillsborough to be heard. If you couldn't speak last night - or if you want to reinforce our community's message - please consider submitting your thoughts directly to the Department of Education:
📧 Email: FundingOutreach@doe.nj.gov
Every email counts. Let’s keep the momentum going and ensure Hillsborough’s voice cannot be ignored! Please feel free to echo the Superintendent's points!

Congratulations to our Girls’ Gymnastics team on taking home the County Championship title last night!
These incredible athletes showed up, executed every routine with precision, and delivered another stellar performance to keep their PERFECT undefeated season alive! All the late hours in the gym, the relentless focus, and the support for each other paid off.
Drop a comment below to send your congratulations to our champions! 👇👇
#CountyChamps #Undefeated #Gymnastics

The State of New Jersey is actively looking at how to make school funding more transparent, predictable, and responsive - ensuring every student gets the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) wants to hear directly from our local families, educators, students, and residents through the Funding New Jersey's Future: School Funding Outreach Survey. They NEED to hear from Hillsborough!
It takes just 5 minutes to share your perspective on:
1️⃣ The key opportunities, resources, and supports our students need most.
2️⃣ The real challenges and barriers facing our schools and community.
3️⃣ How to make NJ’s school funding system work better for everyone.
👉 After a decade plus of state aid cuts affecting everyone in Hillsborough, the state needs to hear from YOU!
Let’s get Hillsborough’s voice heard! Share this post with fellow parents, neighbors, and teachers so our community has a strong seat at the table. 💬👇
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=EnNPSwndWUm2ZtW6bcj0tIkxDUlKfmpLkwSbmTabocBUMDRROVBTVUNTSlFaMktXNE9NV1lSWjRYUC4u

The New Jersey Department of Education is launching a major 15-month review of how public schools across our state are funded. They're re-evaluating cost structures, funding policies, and system reforms to create a more transparent, predictable, and student-centered school finance model.
Most importantly, they are asking for input directly from our community.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, school leader, or Hillsborough taxpayer, this is a prime opportunity to share what our district needs and where the funding gaps are.
⏱️ Take the 5-Minute Survey
The New Jersey School Funding Outreach Survey is quick, user-friendly, and mostly multiple-choice. It focuses on three main areas:
- Essential opportunities and resources our students need.
- Financial and operational barriers facing our schools and community.
- How to make NJ’s school funding system more transparent, fair, and accountable.
👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=EnNPSwndWUm2ZtW6bcj0tMb83HRU5WhAnz0Lnwm0bqRUMk83R0w3QkYwQjZSWDVQT0FWWEJUNjg4TS4u
Please take five minutes to fill out the survey and pass this along to fellow Hillsborough neighbors! Let's ensure our community's perspective is fully represented.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is hosting public forums to hear directly from parents, educators, and community members about how state school funding should work.
This is our opportunity to show state leaders why funding needs to focus on actual student needs - NOT an over-reliance on paper property values that don't reflect real household budgets.
🗓️ Upcoming NJDOE Public Forums (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM):
- Thursday, Oct 22: Virtual Statewide Online Forum
- Tuesday, Oct 27: Essex County Donald M. Payne School of Technology (Newark, NJ)
- Thursday, Nov 12: Virtual Statewide Online Forum
👉 2 Ways You Can Take Action:
1️⃣ Attend or Speak: Sign up for a session through the NJDOE Registration Page to make your voice heard or show support: https://homeroom6.doe.nj.gov/eventsreg/describeevent/57210
2️⃣ Send an Email: Can’t attend? Share your thoughts directly by emailing FundingOutreach@doe.nj.gov.
Need a refresher on how Hillsborough property values have shifted over the past decade? Check out Superintendent Volpe’s presentation here: 📹 https://youtu.be/p02pKZyejzo?si=DwQaFynfVxe_-zdf
Grassroots support from neighbors like you makes all the difference in Trenton. Thank you for standing up for our students, schools, and community! 💛💙

- HOLD ("In Your Classroom or Area"): Used to clear the hallways. Students stay inside their classrooms and carry on with "business as usual" while doors are closed and locked.
- SECURE ("Get Inside"): Used when there is a potential hazard outside the building (like a wild animal or nearby police activity). Everyone moves indoors and learning continues as normal inside the secure building.
- LOCKDOWN ("Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"): Used when there is an active threat inside or very close to the building. Classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students stay silent and hidden out of sight.
- EVACUATE ("To a Location"): Used to move students and staff from one location to another safer area. Students follow instructions and may be asked to leave belongings behind.
- SHELTER ("State Hazard and Safety Strategy"): Used for specific environmental hazards or natural disasters (such as tornadoes or severe weather). Specific safety steps are taken based on the event, like dropping, covering, and holding.
Feel free to ask your kids what they’ve learned during their safety drills at school!

Link - https://youtu.be/LF_JCVQvYgc?si=GVWTDkIPEFIWa2AX

By NJ law, we are required to formally notify our community regarding our regulations, procedures, and consequences concerning internet-enabled devices in our schools (aka the new "Cell Phone" ban).
While you will receive official, direct communication from your specific schools, we are also sharing these details across our social media platforms so everyone stays informed.
Today, we are highlighting the High School :

What will it take for our high school to get to that next level? How about a schedule change that allows more opportunities for students? Interested in learning more? Join us a Cafe Eminato tomorrow from 11:30 - 1:00 for an informal conversation. First ten people get a free drink!

Do you have questions you would like to ask? Would you like to learn more? Join members of the high school administrative team this Friday from 11:30 - 1:00 at Cafe Eminato located at 220 Triangle Rd to engage in a conversation. The first ten community members who come will be treated to a drink of their choice!
See you Friday!

We are thrilled to announce that the Hillsborough Township Public Schools has been awarded a $25,000 Lowe’s Community Impact Grant!
This grant is going to make a massive difference for our students. The funds are designated to transform Room 505 at HHS into a top-notch learning space for our upcoming Home Maintenance course.
What does this mean for our space?
- Upgraded tables, cabinets, and storage fixtures
- Fresh flooring, paint, and trim
- Brand new tools and hands-on training materials
Why is this so important?
This course and upgraded space serve a dual purpose for our students' futures! It provides essential Career Education for students interested in exploring trade careers and hands-on industries, while also equipping future college-bound students with vital life skills to maintain their own homes down the road.
Thank you to Lowe's for supporting our schools, our students, and our community. Stay tuned for updates as the room transformation begins!

Join us at the Welcome to Hillsborough! Community Connections Resource Fair! 📚✨
We are excited to share that our school district will be at this wonderful community gathering!
Stop by our table to connect with us and take advantage of several great opportunities:
- Student Registration - Learn everything you need to know about registering your student for the district!
- Employment Opportunities - Discover open positions and career opportunities within our schools!
- Meet Counseling Leadership - Say hello to our new Director of School Counseling, Steven Miller (pictured), and learn about the mental health supports available to students!
- High School Schedule Updates - Chat with a member of our high school administration team regarding the proposed 2027–2028 schedule.
- Elementary Leadership - Meet our new Hillsborough Elementary School (HES) Principal, Ms. Hetal Amin (pictured)!
📅 Event Details
When - Thursday, August 13 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where - Hillsborough Branch Library (Program Room AB)
Come find a friend, build community, and learn more about how our school district supports your family! We can't wait to see you there!



Competing against 153 players in the Boys 11 division, Arjun staged a stunning final-round comeback. He fired a 6-under-par 66 - the lowest score of the day by any player - featuring 8 birdies to leap into 18th place overall!
Drop a comment to send Arjun some local Hillsborough love! 👇

Following up on our June 22nd Board of Education presentation, we want to share a closer look at how Hillsborough High School's potential transition to a Rotating Drop Schedule for the 2027–2028 school year actually nets more total instructional time for our students during their time at HHS:
⏱️ Longer Class Periods for Deeper Learning - Classes extend from 50 to 58 minutes - giving teachers and students 16% more time in an individual class period for labs, hands-on projects, and deeper discussions.
🚪 Fewer Hallway Transitions - Daily passing periods drop from 9 down to 5, saving precious minutes previously lost to daily packing up, walking, and settling in.
🎓 More Course Opportunities - The new rotation expands 4-year capacity from 140 to 160 credits - giving students space for a full extra course every year without needing summer classes.
Fewer interruptions, deeper learning, and a much calmer daily rhythm!
Be on the lookout for upcoming community engagement events where you can ask questions and discuss the new schedule! Specific dates, times, and details will follow soon.
👉 Want to review the original presentation and learn more? Access the June 22nd slides and full schedule details here: https://www.htps.us/page/potential-2027-2028-hhs-schedule

Dear Families, Students, and Staff,
Starting this September, a new New Jersey state law (P.L. 2025, c. 195) mandates a strict "bell-to-bell" ban on all personal internet-enabled devices (phones, smartwatches, tablets) for K-12 students.
Devices must be turned off and stored for the entire school day, including lunch and hallway transitions.
We know this is a major shift, and we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible.
Detailed guidance and next steps will be shared in a variety of ways over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Thank you for your partnership in creating a focused, distraction-free learning environment.




This presentation marks the very first of several community outreach efforts as we explore this update. Our goal in introducing a rotating schedule is to unlock greater academic flexibility and expand opportunities for our students - aligning our school structure with the proven benefits that comparable high schools have successfully offered for several years.
We are committed to keeping you informed and involved throughout this journey. Stay tuned for future updates and upcoming opportunities to share your feedback as we work together to shape the future for our students!
Link to video: https://youtu.be/e37bazRK_p4?si=bK6mI4d9qppRyTPk
We are incredibly grateful to our local Lowe’s and their amazing team of volunteers! As part of their Hometown Heroes program, Lowe's completely donated brand-new flooring for our iSTEM and woodshop rooms at Hillsborough High School.
Even better? A fantastic crew of Lowe's store employees volunteered their time to help install the flooring alongside our very own teachers, Mr. Rosenthal and Mr. O'Sullivan. Together, they knocked out the entire installation in just 4 hours! 🕒💪
This project was done at absolutely zero cost to our district, helping us revitalize and transform our learning spaces as we prepare for some exciting new courses next school year.
Please join us in giving a massive THANK YOU to Lowe’s for investing in our students and our community!
(Check out the transformation photos below! 👇📸)
#BoroPride #HillsboroughNJ #CommunityPartnerships #HometownHeroes #HTPSArtsEd #iSTEM #PublicEducation





