Welcome. The time is now 7:05. Can you please rise to salute the flag? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Welcome. The time is now set. >> Thank you, Miss Ikeo. Can you please read the statement of compliance? Notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with the open public meeting act by the board secretary. A
written notice was posted in the office of the board of education filed with the township clerk and sent to the designated official newspapers at least 48 hours in advance of this meeting. The notice stated the date, time, and location of the meeting and to the extent known the agenda to be discussed. The New Jersey open public meetings law
was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of this board except where specifically exempted by law at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon in accordance with the provisions of this act. The board of education has caused
notice of this meeting to be published by having same advertised in the ledger or New Jersey advance and the record. Also, notice of this meeting has been mailed to the members of the board of education, the burough clerk, all elementary schools, the middle school, the high school, hornblower early childhood center, and posted on the
district website. Also, this meeting is being televised via the district's YouTube and Facebook pages. >> Thank you, Miss Ikeo. Can you please call the role? >> Trusty Gar >> here. >> Trusty Gillis >> here. >> Trusty Mos >> here. >> Trusty Pacheco.
>> Yes. Here. >> Trusty Santana >> here. Vice President Majia >> here. >> President Leon >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Thank you. Uh can I have a motion for the approval of minutes for February 21st, 2026? >> So moved.
>> A second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right. Thank you. Moving on, we will now have our high school representative, Jaline Sepha, to give our student government organization uh report. >> Good evening everyone. Firstly, I would
like to congratulate all students and staff receiving recognition for their outstanding achievements tonight. In old news, from March 5th to 7th, Belleville High School's theater arts company performed a Spongebob musical. The students delivered an excellent performance which included a creative
set design, impressive vocals, and vibrant energy. Congratulations to our talented theater arts company. Congratulations to Gerard Ferrer, who won first place in the 2026 NJSIAA District 10 Wrestling Championship.
Gerard competed in the 106 lb weight class and dominated in the competition. Belleville Middle School celebrated Black History Month with an amazing performance directed by Mr. Weber and a fun Jeopardy game showcasing black culture and history. If you would like
to see a recording of this event, it is available on the Belleville Public Schools YouTube channel. Congratulations to our Belleville competition cheer team for winning second place in the America in the air cheer international competition. The team traveled to Orlando, Florida to
compete and showcase their talent to cheer teams across the country. The team also received its highest score of the season. Go Lady Bucks. In new news, the Mr. and Mrs. Belleville pageant will be held on March 19th inside of Belleville High School's
Connie Francis Auditorium. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Please come and support our talented students and see who will be crowned this year's Mr. and Mrs. Belleville. The Belleville's Board of Education is hosting a family health, wellness, and safeties fair on March
21st. This event will be held at the Belleville High School indoor training facility and starts at 10:00 a.m. The event will feature a Zumba, yoga, and health screenings, live music, and more. All families are welcome to come and enjoy a fun-filled day of activities.
Check out Belleville High School's website to access monthly newsletters with school news, information, updates, and events for students, staff, and teachers. Thank you. >> Thank you for that report, Jasine. Uh moving on to items to be presented by the administration. Starting off with
superintendents report, Dr. Eric Alphonso. >> Good evening, Board of Education. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming. So, there's quite a few things we want to talk about today to present. Uh first, I'd like to begin by highlighting PAS, our PAS Institute students, which is powering interculture leaders,
aspiring success. They're going to be visiting NJCU, New Jersey City University. They're actually going to be hosted by the president, Andreso. He will be giving them a tour, nice fireside chat, and talking to them about what it takes to be a first generation
uh a first generation resident in the country and what it takes to get to be the president of university. So, it be a great exposure for our students and we're looking forward to it. Now, next, I would like to talk about a sensitive matter that was brought to our attention involving a message that was
posted on the class of 2027 Google Classroom page referencing a potential student volunteer opportunity. As communicated to our families earlier today, this message was not authorized and it was not aligned to the district expectations or protocols. Once
identified, the situation was immediately addressed promptly at the school level. I also want to acknowledge that concerns and claims circulating online, it took such a toll on our parents that the parents contacted me directly to my office to voice their concerns about
some of the allegations that were made online. As a community, we share a collective responsibility for the welfare and well-being of our students and sharing statements that students are purposely being put in danger or that
there's an ulterior motive for why why things are being done is truly putting our kids in danger. It is our collective responsibility as a community to make sure that the welfare and safety of our students is always the priority and the forefront of our thoughts.
So we remain committed to ensuring that all students and all communication are appropriately vetted through the district. We take great pride in what we do and we have standards in place. Again, actions were taken, things were
discussed, and remediations were put in place. I could personally talk to the Hispanic community in essence to this. As a first generation son of immigrant parents, I understand how sensitive it can be firsthand. So I echo your
sentiment. I echo your concern and we are taking care of matters. It is also a personnel matter that we cannot discuss in detail, but rest assured that things are being taken care of. Now I also want to talk about some
highlights. Like Justin mentioned, our Belleville High School had Spongebob musical. And if you were here, you were in for a treat. And if you weren't, you missed out on the best bang for your buck on a professional performance. These students were absolutely
phenomenal. The choreography was out of this world. The music, just the lighting, everything was immaculate. So kudos to the high school, kudos to school administration, kudos to the team. They were putting in 10-hour days with rehearsals, and it's just a
testament to what Belleville excellence truly means. Rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. At the middle school level, we had our Black History Month uh showcase and Dr. Webb absolutely rocked it with our students. It's uh it's a true testament to him as an educator how
there's 100 kids up on the stage in different parts of the stage and he knows each and every single one of them by name. You know, it's hard for our own family members to remember our name sometimes. So, 100 students is uh impressive. They had Stomp, they had instruments, singing, Jeopardy. It was
such a wide array and so comprehensive and so eloquently put that again, it's a beautiful representation of what Belleville is. So furthermore, I also want to talk about other uh concerns that have been
addressed in the community and mixed messages that are being sent. So the agenda items that are before the board this evening regarding the administrative leaves, I want to be very clear on what they are. They reflect discrepancies that have been identified
and require further review. These actions are procedural and part of our responsibility to ensure that all matters are reviewed thoroughly, objectively, and in alignment with established processes. It is important to be clear that these steps do not
represent a conclusion, nor should they be interpreted as an allegation of wrongdoing. They reflect the commitment on our end to do processes responsibly and have oversight out of respect for confidentiality and in accordance with legal requirements.
Personnel matters cannot be discussed publicly. While we recognize the timing may not be great, timing is not a luxury that we have when something occurs when it needs to be addressed. We do not have the luxury to sit back and wait till what we
consider is the appropriate time. We're mandated reporters and we have to report when we find discrepancies which this is what it was. Discrepancies that an external party non-biased party who dedicates themselves to this will further investigate and that is where we're at. At the same
time, I also want to reassure that there are some misconceptions as to the quality of instruction that our students are receiving. Our teacher coaches have stepped up in a big way. Our interventions has stepped up in a big way and they're currently filling these roles. These are veteran
professionals. They're rockstar educators. So, the quality of instruction in the classroom has not been affected. Our students are receiving great quality of instruction uninterrupted and ensuring continuity.
And lastly, I would like to shift operations. Countless hours have been dedicated to the development of the budget. And throughout this process, we have remained mindful of the responsibility to the students and to the taxpayers, you all, the community. And every decision was approached with a high
level of fidelity. We scrutinized every account line to make sure that these are needs, not wants, and we don't have the room for luxury. With everything that is happening, with the increase in prices, with the reduction in state aid that we were just notified last week, it has
been a meticulous process that we have scrubbed the line through and through. Our business administrator, Mr. Ail, is going to get a little more into it, but uh I just want to make you all aware that there's several fiscal constraints. Uh these include the fixed costs, ongoing financial obligations, some
lease agreements that we still have collective bargaining agreements, incremented percentages as well, which we were hoping at best for a flat um funding from the state. We actually received over a million dollar cut from the state. So again, we are making sure
that we are doing everything on our end to present to the board and to the community the best proposal possible. And nonetheless, every decision that is made is with the students in mind. Whatever proposal we finally submit, the
instructional date for the students will remain unchanged and classroom sizes will remain unchanged, which those are the two big items that we always worry about. And the reason we're all here is for the students to make sure that they receive a quality education. It's um
it's not a great scenario, but it's the reality that we're living in. and being transparent and being forefront and letting you know where we stand is our duty. So hopefully next month we bring better news, but this is where we're at today and I would like to thank the
board for this time and thank you to the community. Thank you for that report, Dr. Alonso. Moving along, we will now recognize our BHS regional DECA competition winners. Good evening. Uh my name is Caleb Rhodess. I'm the principal at Belleville
High School. Uh, as far as our DECA regional uh, winners, uh, we we have I have with me here Miss Serena Vu, who is one of our business teachers. A couple of years ago, when we hired Miss Vu, you know, she realized that we had a a gap in some of our educational opportunities
for our kids. We did not have a DECA club. So, Miss Vu started our DECA club here at the high school and really has it has taken off. Our students are doing a great job and uh, we have an opportunity to recognize them tonight. So, Miss Vu, turn it over to you.
>> Good. Good afternoon, everyone. Um, I'm really really happy that I have several student. They work really hard to make it to state level and we already did went to state this year. They have worked excessively hours upon hours and
they very self motivated and stay after school. There are days we we practice until five six o'clock at night for the competition and I have to recognize them like that. They practice we have um
you know opportunity to compete with almost 6,000 student all over New Jersey. We compete with chapter that have 300 members and we are a new growing chapter and we have only six compet compet competitors and they did
an amazing job. So today I want to recognize Olivia Rodriguez. Um she have went a long way great improvement of public speaking skill
articulation and critical thinking. Um she have let me say she's an amazing student self motivate selfdirect and just an amazing student and keep up the good work.
Um, the next person I want to recognize is Josenne Ibraham. Not only she is self-motivated, she had helped her teammates practice and
encourage give feedback to all her teammates to improve in an amazing way. So I thank you for all the hard work she did and helping out the group. Um we have another one but unfortunately
he could not make it tonight is Hayden uh Lamari and he also is a great student. Hold it. >> Okay. All right. So, I guess I'll be here for a little bit tonight. Um, our
our next uh group of students that we'd like to recognize our FBLA award winners. Our FBLA is led by Gerard Fabiano and has been for a number of years. So Gerard, if you could head on down um as we get ready to recognize our students who uh really did a phenomenal
job at the uh the Atlantic City competition and uh Mr. Fabiano can speak to that. >> Hey, thanks everybody for being here today. Last year we had a bunch of winners for the FBA and this year we
also have uh two winners for the FBA and the uh the nice thing is is that both of these students last year they competed they didn't win but they stuck with the program and uh it just shows dedication and hard work. So anytime any student
wins a uh any award you know it's a it's a great honor I'm sure for the parents, for the guardians, for the teachers and for the administration. Um, so I want to call up Adrien Artega who finished second place in uh financial math
and our other winner is Kenishha Lateua but our vice president is here Max Bell uh to uh claim her award. So that's uh that's excellent. Thank you to the board uh our superintendent uh Mr. Rhodess and all the parents and guardians for all
the support. is uh really appreciative and if I see a lot of uh the the younger Belleville students here, make sure you uh you know join DECA, FBLA, great uh great clubs. So, thank you All right. Next up, we have our
hackathon award winner who uh our one of our business teachers, Mr. Corey Woodring, um is the teacher of this particular student. Mr. Wooding, come on down. Um that the hackathon is something I'm going to let Mr. Wooding speak to. It is
a really really interesting opportunity for our kids. Um it's open to kids obviously across the nation, but they get into competitions where they work on hacking certain things. I think Mr. Woody can speak a little bit more to it and explain a little bit better than I can, but that's why you're here. All right. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Hi. Thank you. Um I want to thank for the opportunity to present this award to Ray Chowry. Um I am grateful to be an educator here at Belleville High School. Um I have had Raid as a student um from freshman year year. He took um AP
computer science principles and eight AP computer science A um and got um a five which is the highest. He got college credit really early on. Um he's been an exceptional student and um a lot of that
curiosity and drive is exemplified in Ray himself. Um what's what's really um special about his story is that um Belleville High School gave him the opportunity to develop those skills early um and got a lot of support from
um our administrators uh Mr. Rhodess, Mr. Leipo and they've really been supporting him and he's going to be um he he's he's a generational student. I mean just a once in a just an amazing student. his brother is
graduating this year from MIT and he was a student here at Belleville. So, and um his uh uh and I had him as a student and I also had his uh uh cousin who is now um a chemical engineer. So, just some amazing amazing students coming through
Belleville. It's amazing the opportunities they get and how they take advantage of them and work really hard um get college credit and by the time they're going into college and our goal is for them to go to college for free um is for them to have maybe almost a half
year to a year under their belt. Um so let me talk to you about his um the hackathon. The hackathon is interesting. So it wasn't um just against other high school students. was against um colleges and so he was the only high school
student um that was competing in this in this uh scenario and he was competing against uh um Cornell um Princeton and um he was the only high school participant. He was representing Belleville and he won first prize and he
got a prize of $10,000 and he was also able to present he he was able to present his project at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. So here at Ray, he has also made a major impact in the computer
club, stock market club, and um there's been other hackathon contests and they've done very well. Overall, Ray has earned 21 competition wins across computer science, business, and innovation events. and his success is a reflection of his talent, discipline,
and leadership, but is also a reflection what can happen when a school community believes in its students and gives them the tools to succeed, which Belleville does. So, um, I'd like to, um, again say Ray has represented Belleville with
pride, and tonight we are proud to recognize him for his exceptional achievement in computer science in the Belleville community and beyond. Congratulations. And the last award that we had on the schedule, unfortunately, we are not able to uh work through tonight as our 2026
Essex County Unsung hero was unable to make it tonight. He will be here at the next board meeting. We'll recognize him there. All right. So, on February 27th, Belleville hosted the Steam Ahead Gifted and Talented Competition at school number 10 for selected third and fourth
grade students from across Essex County. Students were challenged to design and build a water tower capable of supporting up to four soda, I believe they were actually iced tea, cans using a limited set of materials. Each item carried a cost. So, in addition to
constructing a stable structure, students aimed to create the most coste effective design possible. Throughout the time challenge, students collaborated, brainstormed solutions, managed a budget, and engineered their designs. Every participant did an
outstanding job and I was truly impressed by the creativity demonstrated in their unique structures. At this time, I would like to recognize the 10 students who proudly represented Belleville at the county competition. Once I call your name, please stay
standing up here until all students names are called. Before I give out the awards, if there's any principles who want to help me give out, thank you. School number three, Julian Cologne, fourth grade school number four, Landon Acasta, third
grade. School number five, Catalina Pinto, third grade. Also, school number five, Gabriel Pina, fourth grade. School number seven, Samuel Munar, fourth grade.
School number seven, Lucas Fernandez. School number eight, Luca Rubil. School number nine, Scarlett Delgado. School number 10, Abigail Casteris. And last, but certainly not least, school number 10, Aiden Gomez, fourth grade.
Congratulations to our Belleville gifted and talented students. All right, guys. Thank you for the opportunity. Board of Education, Dr. Alfonso, thank you very much. Uh, one of the best parts about being a principal, my name is Ryan Belton, principal at school number seven, is get an
opportunity to celebrate our students and not only our students a great accomplishments and also uh the teachers that put forth a herculean effort to make sure that the kids are giving venues and opportunities to shine not only inside our school but outside of
our school as well. Um, for one of our awards this evening, we have a very special student that participated in the Essex County Education Association essay contest. We have Miss Diana Nuraka, who is our
ESL teacher, who dedicates herself to always making sure that her students are put first and given venues to show their skills and showcase them. So, we have a very special student, very special. This is one of our students that just came
through and is one of our port of entry students that has made such a a great effort to his writing skills, his speaking ability here at school number seven. His name is Diego Martin Andever.
Come on up, Martin. Now, let me let me tell you a little bit about Martin here. Okay. So, super proud of him because what he puts forth is he won
first place for all second graders in the county of Essex County. So, this is a very big accomplishment. We appreciate that. Congratulations. I'm so proud of you. All right. All
right. And now for our secondary uh awards as well. So at school number seven, one more big round of applause for Martin. Fantastic job, guys. Now, we also have a very dedicated staff
member that has uh put together our schoolwide spelling bee uh for the last several years at school number seven. That teacher is Miss Linda Nicodemi. Uh I know she will not most likely come up here, but give her a big round of applause.
Now, what this does is it gives our kids a lot a lot of encouragement. It's very hard for students get in front of 250 kids uh for spelling B. I still have nightmares about the little bell of me getting spelling B words wrong. And our
kids go up there constantly. They're fearless. They're confident. And this is something that takes weeks for them to practice during lunchtime working on their skills and also their confidence. And we're very proud to announce that we have three schoolwide winners for
fourth, fifth, and sixth grade for the Stallion Spelling Bee. And if you guys could give them a big round of applause for all three winners. Our first winner, he just won the STEM as well. One of our fourth graders, Lucas Fernandez. Come on
up for a fourth grade winner. these certificates. >> And for our fifth grade winner, we have Lionel Perukula. Come on up. Congratulations. And for our sixth grade, we have Miguel
Valencia. Come on up. Congratulations, Miguel. Amen. It's pretty cold. Of >> course. Good evening. Tonight, school 8 proudly recognize Yah Ramirez, a remarkable
fourth grade student whose writing excellent has excellence has earned him recognition in the 2026 Essis County Educational Association writing contest. Yahir's achievement reflects not only his talent and dedication as a writer but also strong work ethic he brings to
everything he does. Beyond his academic success, Yahir stands out for his character. He is respectful, kind, and makes it a point each day to greet his teachers and principal with a warm good morning. Yahir, you represent the very
best of our school community and we are incredibly proud of you. Keep shining. Continue to share your voice with the world. One more. We also proudly recognize sixth grader Jaden Rodriguez for an outstanding
achievement on and off the field. Jaden recently led his team to victory in the super regional NIT baseball tournament in Houston, Texas, demonstrating exceptional leadership, hard work, and dedication throughout the competition. His ability to inspire his
teammates, stay focused under pressure, and represent our school community with pride is truly commendable. Jaden, your commitment to excellence and teamwork sets a powerful example for others, and we are credibly proud of you and what you have accomplished. Keep striving,
leading and achieving great things. All right. There's a lot of stuff here. Yeah. So, each month at at the high school, we survey our staff members to try to make a a determination who our students of the month are going to be for 9th, 10th,
11th, and 12th grade. uh this year or this month, this past month, uh our our one of our staff members who nominated this student is here tonight and I'm going to ask her to come up and and speak to the reasons that she recommended uh Ethan Mora as our student
of the month who is now being recognized as our district student of the month. So Ethan, why don't you come up here along with Miss Rivera while she speaks to all of the great things you're doing here at the high school with with her in her class. I'm gonna cheat.
All right. Um, it's pretty easy honestly to speak genuinely about Ethan. Um, I'm just using notes because I don't want to forget anything because he really is what makes a student. And although I make him memorize his presentations, I'm
going to focus on this one. Okay. On paper, Ethan is the perfect student. He has great grades. He's exceptional athlete, etc. But the reason that I nominated Ethan is because of the character that he consistently displays. Ethan is wellliked amongst his peers.
Some might say he's popular, but he's a kid that says hi to everyone in the hallway. He's a kid that sees someone without a partner and will invite them over. He's what we need more of, someone who does the right thing when no one is looking. He's kind and he's an example of what the world needs more of. I would
like to say these things in Spanish more or less for his mom. Um, Except for So, believe it or not, uh the staff member of the the month for the district is also from the high school this month.
So, so we lucked out. Uh what we what we do with our staff member of the month is we we have a a Google form that goes out to parents as part of my newsletter. Uh each month that goes out uh parents can submit names for recognition, staff members can submit names for
recognition, students can submit names for recognition. Uh and this this month for the district as well as the high school, uh Miss Tony Gomero, one of is being recognized as the district staff member of the month.
Miss Miss Gamarro has been around for a while. We were we were out the other night for one of for a retirement dinner and we were talking about all the VPs that have gone through her office over the years and Miss Camaro said I think it's been about eight and I I said let's let's start talking about it. We went
through I think we got up around 12 or 15 or something like that. We we went a lot was many more than eight. So your impact on this school and on this district and on this community has been felt for years and and this is the year that you are choosing to retire and you
will truly be missed. Um I I unfortunately I was not able to get your first VP here tonight, but I was able to get your last VP here. And I know that Mr. BL does have some things that he wants to say. >> Thanks, Mr. RH and thank you, Tony. Good
evening, everybody. It's my honor to recognize Tony for this tonight and this achievement. Um, to many of us, my own children included, Tony is not just the staff member of the month. She is our family. Um, she is a friend to everybody. She is truly beloved by the
entire school community, staff, parents, students, everybody respects and appreciates her in ways that are really hard to put into words. Um, Tony is the heart of our school. Uh, she takes care of everybody, supporting teachers,
guiding students, and somehow always making sure I don't forget anything. Um, over her 28 years, I think that number's right, 29 years of service to this district, she's helped countless students feel welcome, safe, and valued. Whether it's offering advice, a
listening ear, a snack, um, or just the right amount of discipline, she doesn't let him get away with anything. Uh, Tony has a way of making every child seem uh, feel seen and cared for. Uh, it's no surprise that many of them call her mom.
Um, she is thoughtful, per personal, funny, and endlessly patient. She's a problem solver. She always looks finding ways to make things work, uh, and addressing small issues before they become big ones. Um, truthfully, when Tony isn't here, uh, many of us feel a
little lost, and I know I certainly do. Uh, I couldn't do this job without her. Tony, thank you for everything you give to this school each and every day. We're lucky to have you. Congratulations. So, Mr. Caleb, you're definitely uh we're grateful for you, but I think we had enough of you for tonight. So, you
can sit down. Thank you. Now, it is my pleasure and honor to introduce to you our administrator of the month. I had a little script here, but I could definitely speak off the cuff when it comes to this administrator. She is
the one in the back room always working. She's the one that keeps things running, but you might not even notice that she's doing it. She's the one who lays the foundation and provides a stepping stone for others to come up and highlight
others. Every time that a compliment is given to her, any acknowledgement, she's always talking about her staff, her team, and the work that they do. So that's just a small example of who Dr. Shanklin is as a leader. She is
she's a big reason why we did so well in our Q side for instruction. When it comes to instruction and curriculum, she knows it through and through inside and out. And to say that she's an asset to the district doesn't even begin to describe how we honor her and how we
adore her and appreciate her and we're grateful for every single thing she does every single day. Never a hiccup, always a smile. And Dr. Shanklin, please come up again. So my kids have been waiting here
patiently for about 45 minutes. So if they want, they really excited. So if you want to come down, >> so first of all, thank you to the board of education, Dr. Alfonso, for this recognition. I am truly honored. Um, I
have always been deeply passionate about education and committed to continuous learning. Early in my teaching career, I realized that what I love most is working with people. I don't care if you're three or 73. While I began my work directly with students, my role has evolved to primarily supporting adults
in service of students. To me, that is still teaching, and it is what motivates and drives me every single day. >> As you can see, I have my two children here with me. Emerson, who's five, and Huxley, who's three. They're both in preschool, and yes, they are both named after authors. Um, watching their
natural curiosity grow is one of my greatest joys. They teach me something new every day, and I carry those lessons into my work. While you may not know it just by looking at them, my children did not have the easiest start in life. Collectively, between the two of them, they have spent well over 200 days in
the NICU and subsequent times in the Piku. From day one, I have advocated fiercely for them to ensure they receive the best possible support and educational experience. I also recognize that not every child has someone who knows how to advocate for them in the
same way. That is why I make it my priority to advocate for every student as if they were my own because I would want nothing less for my children. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to my parents who have been sitting with them for the past 45 minutes.
Um, and also my husband, who would be here if he wasn't traveling for work. They understand how much this work means to me and have supported me every step of the way, often stepping in to ensure I can continue to give my Belleville best. Thank you again for this honor. It
truly means so much to me. For the future, teacher future. So, last for our awards, but absolutely not least, what we've been doing this year in Belleville is we've been acknowledging ing community members who've had a true impact on our
community, our students, and also reflect Belleville excellence. So, it is with great pride that I'd like to call up Dr. Mar I'm sorry, Detective Marvy. You're like a doctor, too. So, Detective Marvy, come on down. He is a resident of SS County.
his whole life. Detective Marby has proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy, where he learned his exemplary foundation of discipline, duty, and commitment. After honorably completing his military service, Detective Marby continued his dedication to public
service by joining Belleville PD. Detective Marby has honorably served Belleville PD for more than 23 years and capacities from patrol division to narcotics, gang units, detective bureau investigation, juvenile affairs, but
who's counting? Uh he just continues to serve and he fosters truly what bevil excellence is. He's compassionate. He always provides this aura of safety around him. When you're near him, you
know you're safe. You know that you're heard and you know that you have a listening ear. He is a big teddy bear when you actually get to know him. Appearances might be a little deceiving. First time I saw him was at graduation last year and I was like, "Whoa, that's RSO." Yeah. Um, great handshake, too, by the
way, if you ever shook his hand. Um, but beyond the badge, Detective Marbby is a devoted father. He's a vice president of PBA Local 28 and he truly demonstrates what outstanding leadership and servant leadership is. Detective Marby, it is an
honor just to be in your presence there every day. Thank you. >> That got to be Dante. I just uh want to thank everyone uh Dr. Fanso, Dr. Elliot, the board, the trustees, Mr. Rose, all my colleagues,
everyone I work with on a daily basis. It's truly honored to receive this award. When I got the call, I was truly truly excited. Uh I'm not much of a or many words, but I'm truly grateful to be here to be part of the Belleville team and just thank you to everyone for
everything you've done. you made my time here pleasure, bro. And again, thank you for the award is much appreciated. That concludes our awards and we'll proceed. All right, the time is now 7:57. We will take a quick 5m minute intermission. Can I have a motion to take to get into
recess? >> So move. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> We are now in recess. If we could have everybody please find your seat, please. Thank you. Can I please have a motion to return back from
recess? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right. We are back from recess. We are now moving on to re marks by citizens on agenda items only. My report. >> Oh, sorry. Correct. I stand corrected.
Uh we are now moving on to the report from the our business business administrator, Miss Ikeo. >> Uh good evening. So I have a couple updates here. Uh the you'll see on tonight's agenda a participation agreement with a company called NRG. NRG
is a curtailment solution. Uh so basically it's an opportunity for the district to generate additional re revenue through energy reduction efforts. um specifically in times uh when the New Jersey grid is under a lot of stress uh in summertime and so forth. Um so this aligns with our
sustainability initiatives including our continued efforts towards sustainable New Jersey application. Um and also it's a nice source of revenue. Uh the bond refunding. So I have a little update on that. The district continues to monitor the bond market in connection with the potential refunding of a portion of the 2018 school bonds.
While the opportunity to generate savings remains, the current market conditions have not yet reached a level that would make it advantageous for the district to proceed. Interest rates have remained volatile given the broader economics uncertainty. So, uh, more updates on that to come. And then, of
course, the reason why I'm sure uh, many of you are still here. Tonight's meeting serves as the district's preliminary budget hearing, which is the first step in the annual budget adoption process in accordance with New Jersey statute. A full budget presentation including detailed revenues and appropriations
will take place at the April 29th meeting. So basically all tonight does is authorize me to submit the budget to the county for approval and then on April 29th it'll be the public hearing and then we will adopt the budget for the 2627 school year. The development of the 2627 budget has been particularly
challenging as Dr. Alfonso alluded to earlier on the expenditure side. So on the expenses side, the district continues to experience significant cost increases across multiple areas, including employee benefits, which has risen almost uh 30%. Um energy
increases, which we're being told to estimate between 10 and 12%, tuition's around 10%, uh building and cyber insurance around 10%, and then of course contractual obligations. The district is also managing collective bargaining agreements, five of them, each with
negotiated increases ranging between three and 5%. So at the same time, that's the expenditure side. On the revenue side, the revenue has not kept pace with all of these rising costs. State aid has decreased by approximately 1.5%, which if you look at that
dollar-wise, it's $1,34,038 loss on the revenue side. Additionally, the district is anticipating a reduction of approximately 20% in the federal grant funding, which will be finalized later this year. We usually get those allocations in July or August. On the
revenue side alone, these changes represent an approximate $2 million shortfall. When you combine that with the continued growth in expenditures, the district was faced with a significantly larger budget gap requiring careful evaluation and district decisions throughout the budget
development process. This budget development uh happened through a collaborative effort involving the business office, superintendent, building and district administrators and our board trustees. Throughout this process, we worked to strike a balance between maintaining strong academic programming, preserving current class
sizes, maintaining our facilities, and remaining mindful of the impact on our taxpayers. Despite all of these challenges, the district has developed a balanced preliminary budget. The proposed base budget for the 2627 school year totals
$139,110,586. Of this amount, $52,630,900 will be supported by the local tax levy. And again, I'll give much more detail on the budget during the April hearing. Thank you. That concludes my report. >> Thank you for that report, Miss AO. Uh
we will now move on to remarks by citizens on agenda items only. We have a maximum of three minutes to speak on agenda items only. Can I have a motion to open up for remarks by citizens? >> So move. >> A second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> We are now open for remarks by citizens. Can I please have up first Mr. Mike Mongon? >> Good evening. Mike Mion, 387 Union Avenue, uh, president of the Belleville Education Association. I just want to say thank you to, uh, to, uh, Dr.
Alfonso and, you know, everyone who was present during the, uh, review of the calendar. Um, again, great testimony to what excellent communication does. I thank you for your for taking the one recommend, one of the recommendations.
it doesn't matter. But thank you for taking the recommendation that we put out there to take the week after Easter Sunday off as our spring break. Um, so again, thank you for listening and also thank you for taking that recommendation. Also, again, like I said, I can't express this enough.
Communication is the key to every everything that we do, any relationship that we have. So, thank you again. >> Thank you, Mr. Mong. Can I please have up next Mr. Michael Sheldon. Okay. Uh good evening everyone. Michael Sheldon, 47 Floyd Street. I have uh four
agenda items uh to ask about. Firstly, 7.34. This is the matter involving the elimination the abolishment of six administrative positions. I realize you can't talk about specifics and individuals, but what my question about this is, are you hoping for the 2627
year to reduce the number the overall number of administrative positions? I'd like some clarification if that is what your intention is in regard to this matter. Um, next item 10.5. Here you are authorizing the expenditure
of over $11,000 to repair a leak apparently in the school number four roof. Um, I want to bring to your attention that um, 2019 when I was on the board and chair of the finance and operation committees, that was the year
of the major rollout of the referendum and we replaced the roof. We put a brand new roof on school number four. In fact, that roof carries a 30-year warranty for for materials and labor. So, I want to ask, why are you spending $11,000 to
repair a roof that's warrantied for 30 years? I have the details if you don't know of them and you can't find them, but the uh roofing company is still in business should have been called to make good on their their warranty. So, this looks like an unnecessary $11,000 waste
of taxpayer money. If you could clarify that in regard to 11.9, this is the introduction of the proposed budget for the next academic year. the uh um local tax levy is apparently
increasing by almost $4.8 million. And when you do the quick back of the envelope calculation, that would seem to imply that for the median assessed home in Belleville, they can expect approximately at the current moment a $450
tax increase in their school, the school portion of their tax bill. I know there'll be more talk about this next month, the public hearing, but I would like just some confirmation of that's what uh right now uh the average Belleville homeowner can expect. I also would like to know if you can provide
the information tonight. Um how much has the district's health insurance increase? Last October, you had a presentation here which indicated that even with the return to the state health benefits program, the district's health insurance costs were going up by over five million. I'd like to know if um if
you can give some estimate tonight how much more is uh has to be paid to our staff for their uh contractual salary increases. And lastly, um there are pervasive rumors going around our community right now that very soon the
staff will be rifted, that rift notices are about to be um submitted to all the staff. I'd like some discussion of that if at all possible. And lastly, 1110. Uh here, if I just have another five seconds, uh 1110, you are uh putting a
uh freeze on the amount of travel expenses at 75,000. This seems to be something new that was implemented back in 2024. Does this necessarily mean that as soon as you get to $75,000 in travel expenses, that's it? No more
part of staff, the superintendent, or anyone else in the district. So, if you can answer those questions, I would appreciate it. Thank you. >> Sure. >> So, as far as personnel administrators, whether we're planning a reduction or not, it's still a very early in the budget phase to have that conversation.
Also, it is a personal matter. It's a very sensitive matter. So, we're going to not comment on that. As far as the administrators, >> uh, Mr. Sheldon, I can speak to um the leak in school 4. Uh I would really have to look through the warranty, you know,
terms myself, but my understanding from our buildings and grounds team is that the school for uh roof really took a beating with all of the snow and then it would melt and there'd be water and then it would have ice and more snow. So I think it had to do with the flashing. Um
but I and I don't know if pieces of the roof are covered and other pieces aren't covered. So I'd have to look more into the warranty, but I I I know that they did vet that through first. Thank you. I'll contact you if I need any documentation. Um, and although I don't have the exact dollar figures in
front of me, uh, the I do have percentage-wise, our health insurance did go up 65% for the month of January and then when we went back into state plan, I believe it was 34% for the remaining months for this fiscal year. >> I don't have that in front of me. I
would have to pull up CSI and it's not launching because I'm in the wrong IP address. Thank you, sir. >> All right. Thank you. Uh, can I please have up next Lady Amparro? >> Good evening, Lady Empowero 57 Fairway
AB. I actually had a whole spiel here about the calendar, but I just noticed thanks to Mr. Mon for bringing it up that it was revised. It looked like it was revised to how it's always been and
thank you for that. Um I do have another thing that I had a note for. So for resolution 10,
the purchasing of Chromebook for the middle school, I saw that the price was over 21,000 21,225 to be exact. So that would put
each Chromebook about $424. I mean, I went to the HP website. I typed that exact HP4is G 1M Chromebooks and there were about
296 with tax included. I mean, I would think if we're purchasing in bulk, it would be even cheaper than that. So, I'm just curious, how is how are we purchasing something that's almost double the price of what
it was in their website for something that's not even in bulk yet? Um also in terms of like the finance and stuff, I just wanted to bring up that um I do see
unfortunately in the committee you know finance committee as far as I'm aware there's an accountant in the board and it would just really make sense that she would share the finance. This is this about an
agenda item? >> Yeah, I mean the finance this is >> has to be on a specific agenda item. >> All right. So then I want to come back on the second part. >> Yeah, I signed up for it. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you, >> Miss Empara. Thank you for your questions. Um I just wanted to clarify
that, you know, because we're a public entity that we are subject to New Jersey purchasing laws. So, unfortunately, although, you know, in some situations, we'd love to go on, you know, Amazon or HP.com, that's not necessarily, you know, we we can't do that. Um, there's all kinds of rules and regulations. So,
you know, we can either get three quotes for an item or we can use a state contract or a co-op. So, they've already gone through a pre-pricing bid uh situation and that would allow us to purchase directly from them. So, the vendor we're purchasing from, I believe it's MRA, right guys? MRA. MRA is on
state contract. So, they've already pre-bid that item for school districts to buy. Um, I also think it's important to point out because it is a a big difference that that comes with a full three-year warranty. And, um, you better believe middle school students definitely need the warranty on that. We get a lot of wear and tear on those
machines. So, um, it comes with a three-year warranty. Um, it comes with, you know, some other white glove service, some other preloaded items. Uh, so it's not just necessarily the device that we're buying. We're buying, you know, all the bells and whistles and everything we need to support that device over the the next three years.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, can I please have a motion to close remarks by citizens? >> So moved. >> And I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I thank you. On to personnel. Uh,
personnel committee met on March 16th. Um, obviously discuss personnel matters. We can't go in detail about that because obviously it's confidentiality. Uh but we did meet on March 16th to discuss various issues. Uh may I please have a
motion to vote on resolutions on personnel as recommended by Dr. Alfonso? >> So move. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Uh Miss Ao, please call the role. >> Trusty Garrow.
>> Yes. Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Mosoz, >> yes. >> Trustee Pacheco, >> yes. >> Trusty Santana, >> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Misagia, >> yes. >> President Leon, >> yes.
>> Moving forward, we have >> Moving forward, we have nothing on curriculum and instruction. We are now on to resolutions on board action and board policy as recommended by Dr. Aonso. Can I please have a motion to vote on these resolutions? >> So moved.
>> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Miss Ikeo, please call the role. >> Trusty Garrow, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Manoz, >> yes. >> Trusty Pacheco, >> yes. >> Trusty Santana,
>> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Majia, >> yes. >> President Leon, >> yes. On to resolutions purchasing and business services as recommended by Dr. Alphonso. Can I have a motion to vote on
resolutions 101 through 1016? >> So move. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Miss Ikeo, please call the role. >> Trusty Gar. >> Yes. >> Trusty Gillis. >> Yes. >> Trusty Manos. >> Yes. >> Trusty Pacheco. >> Yes.
>> Trustee Santana. >> Yes. >> Vice President Dr. Majia. >> Yes. President Leon. >> Yes. On to resolutions of finance for transparency. The committee uh finance committee met on March 16th to discuss
issues mainly our budget. Uh can't go into too much detail because it does involve personnel. Uh but we did meet on the 16th. Uh can I please have a motion to approve resolutions 111 through 1110 as recommended by Dr. Alphonso?
>> So moved. Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Uh, Miss I Hill, please call the role. >> Trusty Gar, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Moses, >> yes. >> Trusty Pacheco, >> yes. >> Trusty Santana,
>> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Majia, >> yes. >> President Leon, >> yes. >> All right, we are now on moving on to remarks by citizens on any issue. You have a total of five minutes to speak your mind. Can I please have a motion to
open up for remarks by citizens on any issue? >> So move. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> We are now open for uh public commenting on any issue. Can I please have up first
Mr. Mike Mong. Mike Mon, 387 Union Avenue. I am speaking um as the president of the Beville Education Association consisting of over 450 teachers, counselors, nurses, and CST members.
On February 25th, 2026, seven teachers were called into their building administrator's office where, by their surprise, and would visually appear to be the administrator's surprise, they were met by the superintendent of schools, Dr. Eric Alfonso.
He proceeded to handel a letter titled, "Notice of paid administrative leave pending review of time sheet records." >> Mr. Mone, I'm going to pause the letter. I'm going to pause your time for one second if I can, sir. I'm going to give you your full time. I promise. But I just want to say one thing. I recognize
and we fully recognize that you're the duly elected representative for the Belleville Education Association and you have every right to speak on behalf of your members, but you're also an employee of the school district. And in that capacity, obviously, you have to be concerned because although you have the right to advocate for your members, you
know, individually uh with the administration and you do that, um clearly you're doing that now. There are some concerns I have about publicly exposing a personnel matter that doesn't involve you. You could certainly speak as to any matter involving you or uh
people that you have permission to speak on behalf of, but I just want to make sure that that's clear because you know, God forbid you were to violate someone's rights. I just want to make sure that's clear before this. This is for everyone, not just for us. Okay. >> Yes. Appreciate that. Thank you. >> Thank you. You I'll resume your time now. Go ahead, sir. >> Okay. So, I'll just finish with that
sentence. He proceeded to handel a letter titled notice of paid administrative leave pending review of time sheet records. The letter stated that the staff members would be placed on administrative leave effective immediately and an independent outside
investigator would be assigned to review their time sheet and time and effort documentation associated with title one supplemental service assignment. This refers to before and after school tutoring. Let's set aside the fact that
none of the seven teachers were ever informed of any issues pertaining to their tutoring assignment prior to that day. Let's set our focus on why a staff member would be put on administrative leave pending investigation of their time sheets. Now, I know I sound like a
broken record. This is yet another example of this administration's lack of communication skills. When there is a question about an employes's time sheet, it should be first brought to the teacher's attention by his or her building administrator or
supervisor, after which, if necessary, an investigation can ensue while the teacher is still at his or her assigned duty. This leads to our next concern about the impact of changing an elementary
classroom environment six months into the year and right before standardized testing. Anyone with a background in education understands the effect continuity has on learning and retention. Not to mention the emotional stress you
are unnecessarily causing our Belleville students by removing their teacher with no explanation, leaving them with a feeling of abandonment. And you say the students come first. Our priority is the children.
These are just tag words to you. Do you want to know who really cares about the kids? It's the teachers, the counselors, the nurses, and the CST members. I'm going to read to you an email sent to our exec
from a few of the teachers currently on administrative leave. Here we go. We are writing to share some concerns that have become increasingly significant as our administrative leave continues with no clear timeline for
resolution. While we understand that the situation is being addressed through the appropriate channels and we appreciate the support that the union has provided thus far, we feel it is important to highlight the impact this prolonged
absence may have may be having on our students. As more time passes, we have become increasingly concerned about what is happening in the classroom during this period. particularly for the students who rely on consistent instruction and support. The students in
many ways seem to be the most important piece of this situation that may be unintentionally overlooked. Uh I would replace that with neglectfully overlooked. Uh this uh with NGS NJ NJSLA testing
approaching grades three three to six teachers have concerns regarding student preparedness and how the disruption in instruction may affect test readiness and overall performance. Continuity in instruction is critical during the time this time of year, especially in the the
key the key subject areas where skills build daily and gaps can quickly compound. Beyond academics, we are concerned about the emotional and developmental impact this situation may have on students. For children's in the 8 to 12 year old
range, sudden and unexplained changes in their learning environment can create confusion, anxiety, and instability. Students only I mean students often rely on the structure and familiarity of the of their teachers and classroom routines
and extended and extended disruptions can affect both the sense their sense of security and their engagement with learning. We believe it is important that these concerns be communicated to the appropriate parties. As the well-being
and academic progress of our students should remain the central consideration, this matter continues to unfold. You said you were going to give me a few more minutes. So, thank you. I'm almost done. I'm right there. I'm sorry. >> And I think it's important. I think everybody want
Mr. We have like a long list of people that are Yeah, I know. But you in addition I don't have a clock. >> No, no, no. I I give you your full time. I stop. >> Okay. Can you finish this last sentence, please? >> One sentence. >> If there any way that you could pass along these concerns to the district leaders, that's what I'm doing. And other relevant individuals, it would be
greatly greatly appreciated. And Mr. >> M. Thank you again for your continued support and advocates process. >> You could provide if if it's written, you can also provide us with a copy if you'd like. >> No, I think this is important. That's the public. Yes. >> Okay. Oh, no. No. I'm not say I'm not saying that. I'm saying in addition, you can provide us with a copy. Okay. Thank
you. ALL RIGHT, moving along. Can I please have next, and I'm sorry if I mispronounced this because I can't read the handwriting, Oliver Miramman. Is that right, Oliver? Good.
Good evening. Um, my name is Olivia Miramo. I live at 311 Freedom Lane, uh, SX Park community. My son attends school 10 and had the privilege to be the president of the school 10 parents association for the past two years.
Uh, on February 27, we were informed that two of our beloved teachers were put on administrative leave. our third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grader students have been affected by the absence of their teachers ever since. Despite the fact that highly qualified
educators, as you stated, Dr. Alonso, in your email to our HSA, were provided uh promptly, there is no denying that this has had a direct impact, a negative impact on our students and could have been easily avoided in our opinion. Dr. Alonso, you
stated in your email that your priority is always the well-being, the safety and the academic pro progress of every student. I failed to comprehend how your action actually meet that standard. Uh we are hoping for answers and timelines on the return of our
teachers. We look forward to understand in the futures the reason behind your decision. Thank you. So I'll just respond to that briefly. As far as personnel, we can't discuss that. But in my previous statement, I did say that time is not something that we
choose. It is when findings are made available, we have to act. So I agree the timing could not be worse. But that is not something that I have the flexibility of choosing when and where and how. It is a very direct procedure and process. So, it was referred to an
outside investigator as soon as we had the information and we are away from the outside investigator to get back to us as far as the outcomes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Marammont. Can I please have up next Olivia Monahan?
>> Hello, I am Olivia from a student from school 10. I was not in school when I heard the most awful news ever. My parents were talking about my teacher not teaching in school 10. They did not realize I was able to hear them. They
were concerned about what to say to me and how to tell me she was not going to be there when I returned to school. Learn listening to them. I did not want to believe what I was hearing. I felt so sad that my eyes started flowing with
tears. All I could do is not believe that Miss, my teacher, would not be in school. She is one of my favorite teachers at school 10, and it won't feel the same without her. She is an amazing teacher that always wants us to be
better. I didn't want to go back to school 10 until Miss Francis, my teacher, is my teacher again. And I will I wanted to go to the private school and to wait for that change and I will do whatever it
takes for my teacher to be my teacher again is what I said to my parents in tears. My classmates and I at school 10 were very sad of the decision made by the adults. For me, school 10 is the best school in Belleville. And since
what I have heard, I don't know if I want to go back to school 10 without my teacher being there. Third and fourth graders love the way our teacher teaches us. The way she teaches us prepares us for lessons. She prepares the lessons.
She teaches us how to learn the way we want to in fun ways. School 10 would like our teachers back so she could help us so they can help us prepare for our
state testing and so that we could have good grades, good scores, and we could do what we want. I would also like to thank all the teachers at school 10
I just want to congratulate you and the parents for obviously raising an amazing child. It takes a lot to be up there and to speak and I'm really sorry that you're going through this and your classmates are going through this. It is a procedural thing. It's something that sometimes happens and we don't want it
to happen. But right now, we all we can do is wait because it's not in our hands, it's in somebody else's hands. But whatever we could do, we absolutely will do. Okay. Thank you, Olivia. Uh pretty hard to read this handwriting. Uh, can I please have Yale Yeri
Tavveris? >> Please correct me on the on the name pronunciation. Is it Yay? >> Yeti. >> Yay. >> Yeti. >> All right. >> Okay. I am writing this letter as a consent parent of Olivia Monahan. She is in
fourth grade at school 10. a child that so far loves academics and loves her school. Your decision to put on leave for teacher, sorry, very small. Your decision to put her leave on
teacher affected more than just my daughter. Um I find that it was done at the most inappropriate time being that we have NJSLA testings coming up and it has also affected in a negative way other students. However,
they not only been affected in the classroom, they have also affected they've been affected emotionally. This decision has affected as well as have been affect Sorry, I'm so nervous from listening to my daughter speak before I'm trying to get it together. This
decision has affected our home and I need you to know how it's affecting my child. Olivia loved that classroom. Came home every day excited for the lessons learned or the silly jokes told by her teachers and classmates. She's a bit more quiet now, a bit more withdrawn.
Staring at homework like is a puzzle she can't solve. The constant questions of when will my teacher return. A question I am unable to answer for her. The constant comments of school is just not the same. At night, it become the battle
becomes worse. It's constant complaining, tears, stomach aches, headaches, and just any excuse not to go to school the next day. The strain that this has had on our family has been enormous. I understand that decisions get made, but as an adult, I questions
the thought behind it and how insensitively it was done. Did anyone take into account the many children that this decision has affected? And to many kids, it flipped their world. To some students, the one person that is
a constant in their lives is their teacher. I know that I am one. I was one of those students. My teacher was my constant. And I want to thank Miss Greenwall. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Bars. Can I please have up next uh Tina Newton, please? Um before I start, I just want to say congratulations to Olivia because I think it takes a lot of courage for a young student to come up here and speak
to everyone. So, really good job. I'm just going to put on my stopwatch as well. >> It's already starting. >> My good evening. My name is Tina Newton and I am a parent in this district. I apologize if this is rushed, but I only have five minutes and I have a lot to
say. I want to give a shout out to Miss BK, Miss Regara at Hornblower, Miss Kuni at school 8, and Miss Watkins a speech therapist in the district because I believe in acknowledging excellence. I believe in showing up to board meetings and encouraging parents, staff, and students to do the same, to speak up and
advocate when decisions affect them. I've encouraged a parent to come to a board meeting where she disagreed with a decision my team and I made because that's how it should be. Stakeholders should feel comfortable speaking up and being part of the conversation. But for that to work, people have to feel like they can speak up without it being met
with resistance or hostility. There have been several things over the past year that bothered me. So tonight, I decided to come and speak about communication and decision-making and whether stakeholders are really being considered. And I think I picked a great night actually. So I want to start with the 2026 2027 calendar. And I'll be
honest, I originally came here to speak about the calendar in the spring break. Um, however, I did see that that was adjusted and honestly, thank you for doing that. But I still think it's important to speak on this because the issue just isn't the date. It's how decisions like that are made and communicated in the first place. For
years, spring break has consistently been scheduled after Easter. And when that suddenly changed, it created real concern for families and staff who plan their lives around those patterns. So, while I appreciate that it was corrected, the bigger question is who is part of that decision-making process before decisions are made. And when I
look at the rest of the calendar raises similar concerns whether it's the way we the year starts and stops multiple breaks close together or how Veterans Days is being observed on November 10th for half day even though it's November 11th and it's a state recognized excused absence. So if a parent keeps their
child home on the 11th that absence is still considered excused which makes it difficult to understand why the district wouldn't align the calendar with that. And because I told you I came here to talk about communication and decision-making it's not just about the calendar. I'm going to go right into the uniforms. In August, parents were told
that uniforms would be changing with only a few weeks before school started. I had to go back to make returns and exchanges because it went from blue to black pants. Yes, it was adjusted to January, and again, I appreciate that, but the way it was rolled out was still not okay. That's a communication and
planning issue. Also, the color, and I don't mean to be offensive, but the color of the uniform pan should not be focused when our scores look the way they do, but I'll get into that shortly. Then there was the weather situation. School was closed because it was unsafe. January 26th and the next day, school
reopened on a regular schedule, no delay, while sidewalks were still covered in ice. I lived 2 minutes from the school and almost fell. I'm speaking from experience. I've walked to school my whole life. Born and raised in Pake, New Jersey. Not every student is getting dropped off. So, please remember the district that you are serving. Students
are walking. Some rely on grandparents. Some take public transportations. Staff and teachers are commuting from different areas. as a super a simple 2-hour delay would have allowed time for sidewalks to be treated and for everyone to travel more safely. That's not a bis big ask. It's telling the community serve I value you. And since I'm here,
when I look at the school performance reports, the disparities across school district is unreal. It's the same district, same curriculum, same resources. So, how are the outcomes so different? If I didn't know better, I would think I was comparing different district. My child attends school 8, one of the lower performing schools outside
of the middle school. And that's concerning. This is not a reflection of the teachers. My son's teacher, Miss Kruff, is incredible, but it is a reflection of leadership and how resources in the budget are being used. But I will be back next month to speak more on that. This is not about being disrespectful, but the superintendent
and the board do not run this district alone. Stakeholders matters, families matters. As of right now, it doesn't feel like families and staff are being considered in the decision-making process. Communication should not come after decisions are made. It should be part of how decisions are made. And if there are spaces where these
conversations are happening, someone point me in the direction because right now it's not clear. What I do see is a pattern. Decisions are being made. Families and staff are expected to adjust. Where is the fairness in that? And before I close, I want to acknowledge something else that has been circulating into the community the
communic. And I wouldn't feel right if I didn't address it. I'm aware of the situation involving recent communication about service hours was addressed by Dr. Alfonso and I thank you for that. But I do want to say as a Latina woman and an educator raised in an urban district serving an urban district, I understand
how something like that can impact families and students. And in a district that serves a large Latino community, that should have never happened in the first place. Thank you. All right. Can I please have up next Jennifer de los Angeles? >> Good evening, Dr. Alfonso, members of
the board. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. Um, I also have quite a few things to say, but I will try to stay within my time. Of course, being respectful of the other people that are on the list. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge all of the hardworking members that work for this district and that advocate for our
kids and for what's right. I really appreciate you. I have two kids in this district. I've been I'm a resident here. I've been here for almost 5 years and I really do appreciate the good things that my children have experienced here. Um, I also want to say that as an
employee of a board of education myself, specifically HR, I understand all sides of the process and issues involving faculty or staff. However, that does not erase the impact on our kids or our families. As a parent, I have to say
reading the letter that was sent out by you, Dr. Alonso, um, it was quite disappointing regarding the community service hours that were being offered at ICE. Um, with all due respect again, um, not one time did you actually address the legitimate concerns of the parents
of the community. Not in your letter, nor at the beginning of this meeting. So I ask you now here in fairness to everyone involved or who was impacted here for this community, what was this service actually about? Was this for ICE
or a separate organization volunteering at the facility? I think we have a right to receive that clarification. That's a very important question and I believe that everyone deserves to know that much without um infringing on on any of the the privacy or the the legal protections
that I understand have to be respected. Um I also want to say that as a parent and resident with kids in this district, it is offensive and insensitive to hear the superintendent accuse its parents of ulterior motives because we have the audacity to take to social media. Maybe
if your office got back to people when they called you to talk about their concerns about this issue, we wouldn't have to. Maybe if MAGA rhetoric wasn't so pervasive across so many levels of this town, we wouldn't have to. As a superintendent, it's important for you to recognize there's a reason why there
is so much distrust in the community. And to dismiss legitimate concerns from your own community as clickbait because you don't agree with them actually sends a message that they're not valued. But yet we entrust you every single day with our children. So I think that really
needs to be considered. Thank you very much. >> Can I please So I can't respond as far as the volunteer opportunity. The volunteer opportunity was to make sandwiches and food for detainees at the site to support them. That's what the volunteer
opportunity was and it's full capacity. Uh, can I please have up next Mr. Kelvin de Los Angeles? Good afternoon. My name is Kelvin de Los Angeles. I'm also in ministry with ministers, me and my wife, we just spoke. Thank you everyone. But, uh, I
heard what you just said, uh, Mr. Alonso, but uh you know as a parent first um deeply troubled and as a man of faith I can understand mistakes being made and from what I'm hearing and understanding this counselor made a very bad judgment call. So as a parent in
this district I needed to be understood how serious this was and why that message was so disturbing and upsetting to our kids and our parents. I got kids in this district just like my wife just said. And my first question after seeing
that message is what does ICE need our kids to volunteer for? Now I know what you just said. Sandwiches. But we did contact the school. We tried to find out and get answers before anything
was said. No reply back. I mean, I've got kids again in this district, but do they need to help picking up another dead body from Delaney Hall? This nation's current administration is sought to desensitize
and normalize injustice, abuse, racism, xenophobia. So, I need you all to please hear this. Since Delaney Hall opened, detainees have reported deplorable conditions, including spoiled food, unjable water, a lack of basic toiletries, and insufficient medical
care. In December, Jean Wilson, a 41-year-old man from Haiti, died the next day. That's from New Jersey Vindicator. Do you know what happens in these concentration camps? Because that's what they are. Do not do you know
what happened in a ICE facility in Florida called Alligator Alcatra detaines vanishing vendatabase? So I have to ask as a concerned parent in Belleville. Is Belleville High School a recruiting
site for ICE? That's a valid question. I have to because I got little girls who ask me questions. So we need answers. Why in the world would a school counselor use a Google classroom to send invites to go help a consecration camp? Because there was no other information
given at all, just help us and ICE. And I hope you understand that in these places, the sexual abuse women go through in these camps. Do you know that a former ICE officer at one of these concentration camps pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a female detainee?
These are not heroes. So honestly, I'm con I'm not convinced about you not having any knowledge about this, but as parents, we have the right to know because there are some mixed messages about the way you're handling
this. I hope you did not think this would just go away. I I I'm a praying man. I understand. I'm in the business of forgiveness, like I said, and this will not go away. And please do not underestimate the power of
agreement with our community. Thank you. Uh, can I please have up next Daniel Anna Bwani? No, not here. Okay. Can I please have up Gloria Fman? Hello. Thank you for the opportunity to speak out tonight. Um, my name is Gloria
Troyce Freshman. I am a lifelong resident of Belleville, class of 1977. My grandson is a um 11th grader here. He's class of 2027. He got that email. I went and picked him up at school on
Monday. And he got in the car and he said, "Grant, I got the weirdest email from my counselor today." And I said, "Well, what did it say?" And he read it to me. And I pulled the car over and I responded to the email from his email because I couldn't forward it to mine because I know this counselor. And I
said, "I think somebody hacked your email." That's what I wrote to work and I got home. When I got home, the first thing I did was call the school and nobody was there. It was after hours. I left a message. I called the school superintendent's office, spoke to the
secretary and she said to me, "I'll have them call you back. I'm still waiting for that phone call." Uh, I will say this, as a college professor, I make my students understand the dynamic of what happens in that room. They pay my salary. I work for them. Same thing
here. I pay your salary. So, if I make a phone call and say, "I really need to speak to you," I expect a return call. I did, however, get a phone call back from uh Mr. Aleppo. And he said to me, "He'll look into it. He'll let he'll call me the next morning." So, this was a direct hit. This wasn't hearsay. He called me
the next morning and said, "We are aware of what happened. The post was taken down off of Google Classroom, but it was not removed from their emails." the students, my student still had the email and he said it was an in-house issue and he was very careful in his wording and I
understood and I explained to him I understand your hands are tied and I get it. Um, I called the school counselors, I called Mr. Leo the next day I called the principal. None of my calls were answered. This afternoon I did get a phone call back from Mr. Rhodess. I had
a nice long talk with him and he was wonderful. He really was. Obviously, it was a little alarming to me and I don't think it's a great idea to send my child to Delaney Hall. I wouldn't be in Delaney Hall myself. Um, again, there's so many things going on that's wrong there. And let's just say for one time
in forever that the White House said one thing that was true, that the worst of the worst are locked up in these facilities. You're going to send my 11th grade son there. Not going to happen. Um, here's what I s I got today. I got the email that I'm I want to address from Dr. Alonso, thank you for that
quotes. Upon being aware of this post, it was immediately addressed. No, it was not. There should have been an immediate response email to these students saying that email went out in error. Please disregard. We will get back to you when we find out something further. So that
was not true. Uh the next one was this message was taken down. Yes, off of Google Classroom, but not from the emails from these students. So nothing was accomplished in taking that down from Google Classroom. Next one was to be clear this opportunity was not sanctioned by the district. This
happened under your watch. As a professor, I have teaching assistance. Whatever happens in that classroom is my problem. It's my fault. Full stop. Whatever they do is my fault. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. This is what's happening here. I feel
strongly you threw this woman under the bus. The counselor who sent that email. I agree that she made a large giant lapse in judgment. I don't believe she did it on her own, but that's besides the fact. Um, I know this woman
personally. She has been working with me with difficulties we've had with my grandson. He's had issues. He's had health related issues. She's been wonderful with me since day one. She has navigated the waters with my family. She's been compassionate, kind, caring.
I couldn't say enough about her and I really truly believe this was a lapse in judgment. I'm not a praying person. I'm not a a prayerful person, but I think, you know, it there is room in my heart to forgive this and I don't think she should be the scapegoat. I do not
believe she should be the scapegoat. So to sit back and watch that happen is where I really have to um draw the line. It was a lapse in judgment. It was not immediately addressed. It was not. the students should have gotten an immediate email back and the parents should have
immediately gotten an email. Hey, this we're investigating it. This is what happened and that's that. But we didn't get that. So, I don't agree with your state your email that we got this afternoon. And again, heavy is the head that wears the crown
though, isn't it? I still expect more. And it's just an observation as a scientist. Most of the people that came came up here to speak, at least give them the slightest bit by looking in their direction while they speak. >> Thank you.
>> Can I please have up next Jerry Dorio? I am here to I am here to talk on this subject. I am the um corresponding secretary for the Fraternal Order Police Local
106, which is the superior officers of the Essex County Correctional Facility adjacent to Delany Hall. At one time, the county used Delaney Hall as uh
an overflow for minimum security inmates. I've been in Delaney Hall. I would not recommend any student from this from this community going down there at all. Number one,
it is like tractor trailer alley on Daris Hall on Daris Avenue. The traffic there is incredible. Mostly all tractor trailers. The second thing is I don't think it would be safe. There has been a death of
a uh of a detainee as was mentioned. It was actually mentioned today during the hearings for Senator Mullen taking over the Department of Homeland Security. Our US Senator Andy Kim brought it up and to this day they still don't know why that
detainee died. Also, there is inmates released from the Essex County Correctional Facility at least two times a day, which is right adjacent
to this uh facility. So, I don't think and any situation, I don't care what it is, that there should be any students from our community down there at all. as a person who was a shift commander at the Essex County Correctional Facility.
I retired there 15 years ago, but I'm still on the Superior Officer's Executive Board. I don't think this is a good idea at all, and it shouldn't even be considered. Thank you very much. Can I please have next Mr. Michael Sheldon.
Uh, good evening again everyone. Michael Sheldon still at 47 Floyd Street. Uh, let me take care of one real quick matter before I address the real substance of the night. Um, the other day I received from an open request contracts for all of our bargaining units. Uh, the contract that I received
for our administrators was 2019 to 2024. So, I want to ask why didn't I get the latest contract or am I to assume that the newest contract is still being negotiated even though their current one is marked as expired as of June 30th, 2024. So, what what's going on with
that? Um, I also noticed that the custodian maintenance contract I was provided expired last June 30th. So, if you give me some update, I'd like to know, are you currently working on a new contract with the custodians and maintenance people? So, now let me address what's really important tonight.
uh what happened yesterday with this message to our students uh saying that they could fulfill some of their community service obligations which are required for graduation by volunteering at the ICE facility is beyond despicable. Um everyone in this
community knows that 7 at least 75% of our students are Hispanic. So for this district, this administration to send a disgusting message like that out to our students shows a a total unacceptable
insensitivity, if not a callous disregard, to the very essence of our community. And you need to make heads roll. I don't want this swept under the rug or we'll look into it. You need to hold people accountable and fire them if necessary.
Now, you know, you you you basically are telling our kids, you're you're you're treating them like lambs, leading them off to slaughter. How in the world could you want our kids to go to an ICE facility in any capacity? I mean, you know, the the counterpart of this is if
if a yeshiva were to use its guidance counselors to tell its Jewish students, hey, guess what? There's a great learning abroad program opening up in Tan, Iran. Sign up now. I mean, this is how ludicrous this board's action was in
regard to what they did with the ice facility. So, you have to do something about this and not just give this lip service. We are all expecting real action to follow. Now, the last thing I want to address tonight, I have about two and a half minutes left. Um, I want
to piggyback on what Mr. Manon mentioned earlier tonight. Uh, I I literally had to stop from laughing out loud when Dr. Alfonso said in response to one of the speakers, I forget if it was Mr. Mion or
one of the other uh people that talked about the same dismissal or the temporary suspension of some of several of our teachers. Dr. Alfonso literally said on record that he has an outside investigator looking into this matter. Wow. Dr. Alfonso, would it happen to be
Peter Fallon? the same, you know, when when you were at Saucus, when you were were entered into your permanent separation agreement with them last March or April of last year, that followed after Sukaukus hired
a separate attorney, Peter Fallon, to investigate multiple unnamed allegations against you. And Mr. Bush, you don't have to interject here. I'm all I'm doing is citing what's in the newspaper. So, you know, here here you're telling people, well, we're going to have to wait for a the results of a an
investigation to be held. I'm waiting for the results of the Fallon report to be disclosed because obviously Sakau isn't going to release it to me. In fact, I've started an online petition which has over a hundred people already signed up to ask the new attorney
general, Jennifer Davenport, to use her office's power of subpoena to get that Fallon report to have her office do an independent review to make sure that you remain in good standing to serve as our superintendent. And while you have called me previously a racist, you did
this much last September, October, I want to point out again that when the this board started its superintendent search process last March with Michael David Coocher here running that show, I was the first person to get up and I said to Mr. coocher that all things
being equal, if you have if you if this board, last year's board came down to two equally qualified candidates that we should choose the Hispanic candidate because that would better reflect the demographics and the needs of our community. So for you again to
call me a racist is beyond the pale. And this ICE matter is not a one-off. Last January, a group of our teachers, high school teachers, in a coordinated fashion, came to school wearing Gulf of America t-shirts after the clown
pedophile protector in the Oval Office had decreed that it's now going to be called the Gulf of America instead of the Gulf of Mexico. Those teachers did this to antagonize and to intimidate our teachers. In fact, a month later, >> Thank you, Mr. Sheldon. >> I have 10 more seconds. The a month
later, the Belleville's leading maggot. >> Thank you, Mr. Sheldon. >> Came here to defend those teachers wearing this goofy let's make America great again shirt. So, there is an inel pervasive. Your time is up, Mr. Sheldon. Being exercised in this town needs to be rooted out. Thank you for your time. You
guys better do something. We're not going to let this go. >> Thank you, Mr. Sheldon. >> Mr. Mr. Sheldon, I'll just quickly speak to the administrator contracts through the OPRA request. Uh the 2019 2024 uh contract that you received is the the
latest fully executed contract. Um we are working actively with the administrator leadership uh to finalize their their new contract. >> And I I'll just say something briefly uh Mr. Sheldon and you well know as a former board member how sensitive um you
know employee privacy is to us and it's important. And I even mentioned it earlier to a prior speaker. Um, you know, this isn't lip service. It's and you blame me as the attorney. We have to be really careful when we're talking about personnel matters. So, I know that there's really a lot of concern. There were members of the public who expressed
concern. We're hearing that. Um, I think it's just fair to say that we're really prohibited on what we can comment on. Um, some things we, you know, and I know Dr. Alfonso tried to at least explain um you know some of the things he could say, but I'm sure he'd probably want to
say more if I weren't stopping him from doing so because we've got to be careful to protect this board. So, uh personnel matters are sensitive. I think you appreciate that. I think a lot of people appreciate that. Um and that's all I'm going to say right now. Thank you. >> All right. Up next, uh, Lady Amparro,
Lady Amaro, 57, Fairway, as I was saying, the budget is being introduced, so I thought it was an appropriate time in regard to that certain agenda. But anyway, there's an accountant in the board. Why is she not
chairing the finance committee? An accountant chairing a finance committee provides expert financial leadership, ensuring accurate reporting and improved risk management. They strengthen stakeholder confidence, interpret complex financial data for the board and
enhance compliance, often reducing the likelihood of financial restatements. Here we are at another introduction of budget, but we're looking at yet another tax increase. Not only is she not chairing it, she's not even a member of
the finance committee. It seems her talent and skills are being wasted as she's being sidelined from a position wherein the district will greatly benefit from. Having said that, I don't mean to take away from the two big issues of the night. So, let me just say that I share
the same sentiment as everyone that spoke before me. From the unjust suspension of the teachers to the disgusting recruitment of students to help out ICE. Thank you. Uh, can I please have a motion to close remarks by citizens on any issues?
>> So moved. Second. Uh all in favor. All right. Uh moving along, we are now moving on to board member reports. If any board trustee has a report they would like to share with the uh public, uh please do so now. Okay. Uh the time is now 9:08.
Uh can I please have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Our next scheduled meeting is April 15th. >> Uh, thank you for coming tonight and
have a good night.