With the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Act of 1975, the Ottabon Board of Education transmitted notice of the meeting scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in the Ottabon Junior Senior High School Media Center to the Retrospect newspaper and the Burough Clerk and by postings on the Ottabon Public School
District website and at the main and the Pine Street entrances of the Junior Senior High School. Roll call, please. Ian Rlinger. Did I say your Rutlinger? >> Okay.
>> Mark Gaddy >> here. >> Bill Wilson absent with notice. Danielle D. Franchesco >> here. >> Alison Cox >> here. >> Andrea Robinson >> here. >> Amy Davis >> here. >> Steve Wilson absent with notice. Sarah
Cen. >> Michelle Kennedy absent with notice. Thank you. All right, there's another call to meeting to order, but we don't need to do that. Everybody stand for the flag salute, please.
>> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. All right. Our student board of ed rep
is not here this evening. Uh Miss Allen, do you have anything for superintendence report? I know we just met. So, okay. Um then before we go into uh the approval of the minutes, uh as some of you, as the folks at the
table are aware and some of those in the audience may know, at our last meeting there was an issue with motions passing based on the board members that were in attendance. We did have a quorum so that we had the requisite number of members in order to open the meeting. However,
when it came time to vote on the motions on the agenda, there was an issue regarding the majority needed for a motion to pass. The advice we received that evening wasn't quite accurate and after speaking with Miss Garren, she was able to give me some clarification. So,
Miss Garren, can you explain what happened, what should have happened, just so that we all share in the same knowledge going forward? >> Absolutely. And um first, let me just um apologize um that I was unavailable that
evening and um that you did not get um timely advice when you needed it. Um the let's start with general rules. You need a quorum to open the meeting and to hold the meeting. If at any point during the
course of the meeting, somebody leaves and you no longer have a quorum, the meeting stops, the meeting ends. The same rule is true for executive session. You need to have a quorum in executive session. If somebody leaves executive session for a conflict or another reason, you go below a quorum, executive
session then ends. Um so that and all that means is that you cannot take official action. You can decide that you are a committee and have a conversation as a committee but you cannot take any official action uh at one of those
meetings. So the the question of a of a quorum should uh have never been an issue because you had a quorum at all times. The question is how many votes do you need to pass a resolution?
And the rule of thumb is you need a majority of those present and voting. So if somebody abstains from a vote, they are not voting. They don't count towards the majority or the minority or
anything like that. They just they don't factor in. So for example, you're a board of 10. Your quorum is six. If you have six people at a meeting and two people are conflicted out of an issue for some
reason, you need a majority of four because you have four people present in voting. Right? So rule of thumb is majority of those present in voting in order to pass a resolution. Now, there is a laundry
list of exceptions to that rule, and those exceptions are laid out in statute. I'll give you a four example. In order to adopt a superintendent's contract uh or appoint a superintendent, you need a majority not of those present
in boarding and voting. You need a majority of the full board. A full board is 10. So to appoint a superintendent, no matter who is present, no matter who is conflicted, you need six votes to
appoint, right? Another example is appointing teaching staff. For teaching staff, you need a majority of the full board. So no matter what, no matter who is present for a quorum, no matter
who is conflicted out, no matter what, you need six yes votes to appoint a teaching staff member. There are um other rules, for example, um ones you probably never think of,
line item transfers. I'm sure Debbie is very familiar with this one. to do a line item transfer, you need three quarters of the full board to vote in favor. So, I'm not going to I don't remember all the exceptions myself off the top of
my head. Um, many years ago, school boards put together a cheat sheet of different statutes. Oh, and Debbie has a copy of said cheat sheet over here, which I'm sure she will use. Um there are scenarios that don't come up quite
frankly all that frequently. When I went back and reviewed um what had happened the evening I was unavailable, what I discovered was that you all had
actually voted on all of the items on the agenda, right? and it was inaccurately determined that some of those votes failed and it was announced that the votes failed even
though you actually had the the number of yes votes that you needed. So, my first recommendation for this evening is that someone make a motion to correct the minutes. And and forgive
me, I should actually probably let Deb comment on what the minutes in front of you actually reflect, but that someone make a motion to correct the minutes of that evening. >> Oh, the minutes are not on the agenda tonight. No, they won't pay until
>> the minutes on the agenda are the ones that we didn't approve last time for in June, you know, June 3rd and June 22nd. They were on July's minutes, but we had two abstensions
at that time. >> Did you have a majority of those present in voting to approve those minutes? Um, yes. No one voted no. >> So, we had four.
>> Yes. On pretty much on everything. >> Okay. >> Except one one one uh motion. >> Okay. So my so my first recommendation is going to be that someone who is at that meeting here tonight make a motion
that um all of the minutes for the LA for the last meeting um reflect ye uh that the motions wherever you had the appropriate number of yes votes. You don't need to revote on those things.
All you need is for the minutes to reflect that you had the appropriate number of votes to adopt the resolution. Does that make sense to everyone? >> I I have a question. >> The it's the whole agenda is duplicate.
>> Everything that we had failed got moved to the agenda for tonight. >> Okay. So then we're gonna we'll do double duty. We'll just do double duty, right? Some things will have two votes on. >> Okay. >> We'll still do a motion for last month's
minutes to be modified to show that resolutions with with the proper number of votes actually passed. And if they're listed again tonight, we'll just vote on them again.
resolutions for resolutions. Now, I understand there is one personel resolution where you did not actually have the appropriate number of yes votes
that will be voted on again this evening. If we want to get real real technical and lost in the world of Robert's rules, I need someone to make a someone who is
on the winning side of that motion. So that would actually be you, Mrs. Davis, to have a motion for reconsideration, right? So the the rule is if a motion
fails and you want it to be reconsidered, someone on the winning side of the motion can say, "I make a motion for this item to be reconsidered or revoted on." Essentially,
it doesn't mean you're voting yes on it. I'm not asking you to change your vote. I'm just asking you to make the motion for reconsideration and let the votes fall where they may. Is everybody okay with that? >> Is my Does was my Does my explanation
make sense? >> Yeah, that was my question. Does anybody have any questions? >> Yes, Mr. Scott. >> It's not a question. It's more of a statement. Um, if we make that motion, is that going to be reflected in the
minutes and written properly? because there's no way I just will remember everything that you just said with me. >> Yes, I um I I'm I first of all, I am tremendously confident that Debbie's got it all under control, but I will uh make
sure that um Debbie and I connect when your minutes are being prepared so that all of this is accurately reflected. >> Okay. As well as my apologies for the miscommunications at the last meeting. Oh,
>> Sheamus is on it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Oh, we got one more. >> Sorry. Oh, sorry. >> If we weren't at the last meeting, >> are we still voting? >> If you are at the last If we weren't, I
wasn't at the last meeting. So, I just want to make sure whatever motions I'm making as regards to the last meeting, >> you absolutely you you there's nothing there is nothing you need to recuse from. >> Okay. >> There is nothing you need to recuse from. >> Okay. Great. Thank you.
>> Okay. Yes. Mrs. >> Coolen. And then is that just an all in favor? >> A voice is fine. >> Okay. All in all in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay, there we go.
>> That sounded sounded good to me. Okay, >> sounded unanimous. >> All right, we are learning new things all the time. Okay, >> I do want to thank you for the opportunity to get all geeked out over Robert's rules of order. It is uh not
frequently that you know we need to delve into this kind of stuff, but there we go. Okay, >> that was very interesting. All right, moving on. Okay, can I let's we will we will work on that. Um, all right. Moving on with
our agenda. Can I have an approval for board minutes from June 3rd public session and June 22nd public session? Roll call, please. >> Alison Cox, >> yes. >> Danielle D. Franchesco,
>> Mark Gaddy, >> Sarah Coolen, Ian Ritlinger >> Andrea Robinson. >> Yes. >> And Amy Davis. >> Yes. >> All right. Next public participation.
This is for agenda items only. Is there anyone who would like to make a comment on agenda items only? All right, seeing none, we will move on. Okay, first on our agenda is um governance.
Mrs. Coolen, anything to report? I know we haven't had a meeting since uh the only thing that I would add is that since our last meeting, we have had an opportunity to talk a little bit more about um the AI policy and plan. Um Mr.
Rutlinger has vast amount of experience in this area and was able to share some points. So um my intention and I have to talk to Miss Allen about this is but for the um August governance meeting to discuss some of those points in finer
detail to get a new working draft um for that second reading for our August board meeting. >> Okay. All right. Any questions, comments, or discussion on non-aggenda items for governance?
Okay, then. Can I have a motion for item number one? >> Any questions, comments, or discussion on item number one. All right, roll call, please. Danielle D. Franchesco. >> Mark Gaddy. Sarah Coolen, >> yes.
>> Ian Rutlinger, >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Alison Cox, >> yes. >> Amy Davis, >> yes. >> Motions passed. >> Thank you. All right. Um, operations. Mr. Gaddy, we haven't had a meeting and there's there are no motions
there. >> Mo motion us. Yes, I did see that. >> There's a could I >> bit of a typo under operations. >> Can I just bring up one thing? >> Yes. >> Under operations. Um, the uh um architect of record um proposals were
due in on July 23rd. We received two. Um so I do want to just put on our agenda that the committee probably needs to make um a time because I'm assuming you want to interview both of them before our August 19th board meeting. Got it.
Okay. All right. Next, education. Again, Miss Robinson, we haven't met anything. >> Well, there's more. >> But wait, >> I thought that was moving on to the next place. Okay. So, on tonight's agenda, there is a motion to approve the
mediation agreement. There's approval at conferences and at conferences and workshops for a few people. >> Uh there's a couple field there's one field trip request. There's a clinical practice
and uh out of district placements and then uh contracting with New Jersey Commission for the Blind. I think that's all. >> Okay. All right. Uh Miss Allen, anything to
add to that? All right. And yeah. Oh, because Miss Kennedy is not here. Great. Okay. Uh, any questions, comments, or discussion on non-aggenda items under education? All right, then. Can I have a motion for
items one through six, please? Under education. >> Any questions, comments, or discussion? These are all >> this is all carryover from last time. >> Yep.
>> Okay. Roll call then please on items one through six under education. >> Mark Gaddy. >> Yes. >> Sarah Coen. >> Ian Rutlinger. >> Uh Andrea Robinson. >> Yes. >> Alison Cox. Yes. >> Danielle D. Franchesco. >> Amy Davis.
>> Yes. >> Motions passed. >> Okay. Um since Mr. Steven Wilson is not here tonight, um human resources again is uh everything that was on the agenda back in July. There's nothing new. So,
we have lots of um extracurricular items. I'm not going to go some summer work. I'm not going to go through everything because I did that in at the last meeting and it's it's a lengthy agenda here. Um, any questions, comments, or discussion on non-aggenda
items under HR? Okay, then can I get a motion for item? Oh, well, >> consideration. >> Yep. Yep. Number one. >> Number one.
>> Okay. All in favor? >> Yes. >> All in favor? Any opposed? Okay. All right. Now, can I get a motion for items 1 to 32 under human resources?
>> Any questions, comments, or discussion for 1 to 32 under human resources? >> Yes. >> Uh, this Irrs, is this for all four schools? >> What number? >> Nine. >> Thank you.
Elementary, >> correct? This is just elementary. >> Yeah. And the preschool >> high school was approved at the last board meeting. I have another question for homework club. I know that there was a controversy around this at one point
that that money can run out. Is that true? So is there like a an amount like 5,000? Is there an amount budgeted for it? >> Yes, there is a set amount and with proper planning it shouldn't run out for the time period.
Okay. >> Is the difference in hey like um running club is 432 and then um historical theater club is 1,000. Do they meet more often or why is there
It's in their contract. I don't that wasn't those aren't stipens that I set things that are in the AA contract. >> Is there a way to find that out or >> But again, it's in their contract. We don't have any say over it for this year. I mean, it's something we can talk
about when we're negotiating for next year, but it's in their contract. >> Okay. But can we just find out why it's different? I don't I'm not I just want to know why it's different. That's all. Which two? >> Well, there's like how do they determine
how much the stipend is going to be? >> I I do think some of them are just uh year round and some of them only are >> like six weeks, >> right? Only maybe half the semester or
Yeah, I believe with the dance club and yoga t club they are not year the whole year. Okay. So, that that answers the question. Okay. Anything else? Nope. We good? Okay. Uh, roll call, please then.
Sure. >> Okay. Sarah Cen, >> Ian Rutlinger, >> Andrea Robinson, >> yes. >> Allison Cox, >> yes. >> Danielle D. Franchesco, >> yes. >> Mark Gaddy, >> Amy Davis,
>> no to number one, yes to everything else. >> Motions passed. >> Okay. All right. Uh, next on the agenda, board member comments. Anybody have anything to say?
I do. Go for it. Um so I know that this has come up in um the past sort of secondarily but I am going to crochet during this meeting or knit um because it is my
coping mechanism and I could provide a doctor's note if you need that or if the public needs that but I hope that it doesn't distract anyone. It helps me stay focused so I just wanted to be really clear about that. Anybody?
Anything else? Okay. Second public participation. This is an open discussion, so it can be on any item. It does not have to be on the agenda. Is there anyone in the public that would like to make a comment? >> Excellent. Just make sure that you state your name and any uh organization that
you might be affiliated with and address. Hello, I'm Tina Dorenzo. You voted one of my things for my son for this district. I want to make it very clear. I hope that I pray that you I live in Ottabon. So,
going forward, my son's disabled. He's 21. Okay. He was homebound for that last three years because of the seizures and stuff. Audabon has forgotten him on many levels. He didn't have a graduation. He did not have
he wasn't invited to anything. He wasn't given the the little board to get out front saying, "Oh, look. You're graduating this year." No, I didn't get a diploma, excuse my language, from a a diploma from this wonderful school district. I had his IEP meeting. They didn't give it to me. They didn't give me an IEP. They emailed it to me. I
said I said in Noel, I'm like, "What? Usually you mail one to me or hand me one at the meeting." They didn't get that. They just emailed it to me. I was like, "Well, and I had to get the diploma. God bless the girl in the front office. I don't know who it is. She was really sweet. She's like,
"Oh, I'll find it out to you because it's hard for me to come here with my son at home." She I said, "You don't have to do that." So, I told Noel, I'll be it would be nice if you guys mailed me his diploma and mailed me an IEP. You didn't do anything else for him for the past three years of his life. He you
totally screwed him with everything. So, it's over and done with, but you didn't honor my kid. And I said to them at the meeting, I said, "You need to worry about all the other kids in this district who are like my son. You guys forgot." So that's one guy, whoever does
the um senior trip. Very sweet guy. God bless him because I went off on him because I didn't mean to. But you're being rude requesting my son to go on a trip with all these kids. I don't know him. So he can't. I said, "You have to give him a one to one aid, one nurse, my
I'm going to my own room. He can't do your agenda." I said, "That's kind of rude. I just find it very it's smack it's smack in my face that something my son can't do. That's another reality of my life. I said it would be nice if you got kids like him and I know you have other kids out the district in this town to do their own little thing like go to
them. Sure. It cost you a lot less money you know. I said go to the pool. It's not very simple. They don't do you don't need they don't need a lot just to be acknowledged that they're alive and that they made it 21 years of life. So that's really it. Just wanted to make sure that
you guys don't do this to other kids coming down the road because I know it's going to happen. So, my goal is to change things up. So, that's it. >> Thanks. Hopefully, it made sense and I didn't mumble too much.
>> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Non-aggenda items. All right. Um, we are going to take a brief recess now and we're going to reorganize our tables. We're not going to be uh live streaming anymore because we are going to actually uh have our
summer retreat now, which is just an opportunity and a time for the board to to sit and discuss um some plans and set a a course for the next school year. It's an informal discussion. It's kind of like a workshop for us. Obviously,
we're all together as a quorum. So, the public is invited to attend. Um, but we are not going to be live streaming that uh anymore. And I need a motion then for a recess for about 10 minutes just so we can get the table set up for our
retreat. >> Second. >> Danielle had the first. Okay. All in favor? Any oppos? Okay. Great. Let us move some tables.