Thank you. Miss Higger, can you please call the role? >> Trusty Gar >> here. >> Trusty Gillis >> here. >> Trusty Menoz >> here. Trusty Pacheco. >> Trusty Santana >> here. >> Vice President Dr. Majia
>> here. President Leon >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Awesome. Thank you. Can we please read the statement of compliance, Miss Ikeo? >> Notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 104-6, 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, location, 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
attend meetings of this board except where specifically exempted by law at which any business affecting your 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 NJ advance and the record. Also, notice
of this meeting has been mailed to the members of the board, 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 I please have a motion for the approval minutes for our June 10th, 2026 close session and public session meeting? And a motion, please. >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> thank you. Uh moving along for tonight's
meeting, we're going to go to the items to be presented by administration. Uh starting with Dr. Dia. >> Thank you, Mr. President. At the request of some of our recipients tonight, would it be acceptable to move to the recognitions recognition of student
staff members of the month before the superintendent report? >> Yep. >> Thank you. In that case, I asked Miss Ikeo to join me down at the podium with the president and vice president. Good evening everyone and thank you for
coming to uh our meeting tonight. It is nice to have a little extra meeting in June. We get some of the uh the recognition instead of waiting for next year um that we've been waiting for. Uh so we want to move right into some of
our uh aside from the posted students of the month, we want to have some of our recipients that are here tonight. Um, I will be starting tonight with one of our uh rockstar VPs, Miss Emily Pascali. If you don't mind coming up here, I want to
say a few words about Emily. Come here. [applause] As she's walking down the aisle, well, and this is something appropriate, too. Uh, so Miss Pascali is one of those um I always say like the artist that makes makes Mona Lisa smile, right? She is the
one that's behind the scenes that gets things done. They for the students and for our community. And you don't hear much from her, but you see a lot if that makes sense. I think everybody knows people like that. Now, I will say she did say no to me the other day. We had
asked her to go to a a AI conference as most first time I've ever heard no out of her mouth. But she's getting married and she'll be on her honeymoon. >> [applause] >> So, we'll give her a pass this time, but I just want to congratulate you, Miss
Pascali. Come on up here. >> Thank you. I did write a little something just to make sure I say everything I'd like to say. Um, okay. I have time limits on all my apps, so I don't have too much screen time, and they're all logging out, so that's great. Okay. All right. I just wanted to
take this opportunity to say thank you for this recognition. I also want to thank my high school team that I've been lucky enough to work with uh for my whole career starting off as a history teacher and now an assistant principal. Uh working with students is the highlight of this job and I'm grateful
that I get to do it every day. Um it's definitely special around this time of year where we're reminded constantly why we do what we do. So, thank you so much. Have a great night. [applause] Thank you. Okay. We did not have the opportunity to
acknowledge the administrator of the month last month, so that's why we're doing two this month. And um you'll see him, he doesn't go far. Uh Jeff Parapado is our other administrator of the month. So Jeff, would you come up? [applause] Jeff serves as our chief information officer. And while his title reflects a tremendous responsibility he carries for
the district, technology, infrastructure, cyber security, and operations, anyone who works with him knows that his greatest contribution may be actually the positive energy he brings to the workplace every day. So, when I first started in Belleville, I was trying to use everyone's formal names until I got to know them. So, naturally, I was calling Jeff Jeffrey
several times. Um, and it didn't take me long to find out that his legal name is actually Jeff. Um, from that point on, he jokingly referred to himself as just Jeff. Uh, well, after getting to know him, I can confidently say that he is anything but just Jeff. Uh, Jeff is an invaluable member of our leadership
team. Um, during the May fire emergency, we was a critical member of the district's core response team. He was probably here 80 hours with us that week um working tirelessly to address the connectivity challenges and helping us navigate the complex process of safely returning to our schools to operate. His
expertise, responsiveness, and commitment were instrumental throughout that process. But beyond his technical knowledge and leadership, Jeff is someone who knows um more about coming to work and making it enjoyable. He has an incredible sense of humor, light-hearted nature, and ability to make people laugh even during the most
stressful situations. Quite honestly, he serves as the comic relief for many of us and his positive attitude has become an important part of our district culture. Jeff, thank you for everything you do for Belleville Public Schools. We are grateful for your dedication, leadership, and your willingness to always help and for reminding us that
sometimes just Jeff is actually one of the most important people on the team. Congratulations and welld deserved. If [applause] Jeff's family would please join us up here, thank you. No, not good. >> You go.
[laughter] >> Just tough. Okay. And next we are going to be honoring uh two very important community members. Um if I could have uh Chief John Oliviveri and Captain John Malin join us in the front of the room please.
[applause] You guys didn't join us here. Tonight, we are honored to recognize Captain John Mloon of the Belleville Police Department and Chief John Oliviveri of the Belleville Fire Department for their extraordinary leadership, service, and dedication during the fire emergency that impacted our community earlier this
year. While many people saw the response from the outside, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the countless hours both of these gentlemen devoted to our community and to our school district. Throughout that week, they worked side by side with the township's office of emergency management and their respective teams, often around the clock
with little time for rest, meals, or their families. Their commitment to Belleville never wavered. From the perspective of the school district, though, their partnership was invaluable. As we navigated a rapidly evolving situation involving students, excuse me, student and safety, uh,
environmental concerns and school operations, Captain Malone and Chief Alivi were constant sources of support and guidance. They worked collaboratively with the district to ensure that communications to families, staff, and students were accurate, timely, and based on the best
information possible. During every meeting, every phone call, and every planning session, they brought a calm, professional, and thoughtful approach to what was an incredibly challenging situation. They helped us evaluate risk, develop [clears throat] strategies for safe reoccupation of schools, and make
informed decisions that always placed the well-being of our students and staff first. What stands out the most, however, is not simply their expertise or leadership, but their character. Both Captain Malone and Chief Olive exemplify what public service is all about. They're compassionate, dedicated, and
deeply committed to the people that they serve. On behalf of the Belleville Board of Education, our students, staff, and families, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for their partnership, their professionalism, and their unwavering commitment to the Belleville community. We are proud to recognize them this evening and thank them for all
that they have done for the schools and our town. [applause] All of our birthdays. [applause] >> [applause] >> I know. >> Moving along to our recognition of the students of the month. I'd like to call
up Dr. Maria Calhoun and Mr. Steven Puglia. >> Good evening. I just saw Selena in the audience. So, Miss V, Selen's teacher, couldn't be here today, but she is uh sending her love because she is babysitting. So, she
says hello and she's very excited for you to be recognized. Today is a big day for Seline. Seline got promoted in her prek ceremony and she is a number one Knicks fan. So, let's give her a hand. [applause] So, Miss Thank you. So, Miss Ve
nominated Selena Student of the Month because she described her as a leader, as someone that everyone wants to be friends with, as someone who's always willing to help others, and she is always the first one to try any activity, and has nothing but the nicest
things to say about her friends. She has never said no to, like I already said, to helping anyone. And she's very excited that she was selected as our student of the month for Belleville Public Schools. And although she is tiny, she is fierce and she's mighty and
she's here to be recognized. So, let's give her hands. Selene, come on up. [applause] >> Go next. >> Go next. [applause] Sorry everybody. [applause] Good evening. Today we are going to
recognize one of our fourth graders at school number three, Mr. Lorenzo Devon, as our student of the month for June. Lorenzo is a very hardworking student. uh he always puts forth his best effort. Mr. Abrau who wasn't here today describes him as a positive role model
who constantly strives to do his best and I completely agree. While Miss Fernandez highlights his reliability, positive attitude, very positive, great sense of humor and respectful behavior towards his teachers. Uh I can personally say that Lorenzo is a great
kid. He works hard, always has a smile on his face, and he always uh goes home and tells uh his mom when I shave. He he says that I don't have my beard anymore. Um so I I know that's a thing. Um but Lorenzo, you're very deserving.
Congratulations. We are all proud of you and we're grateful to have you part of our school 3 community. Come on up, bud. [applause] You guys want to come up? Take a picture. >> [applause] >> Now we have our staff members, members of the month. I'd like to call up Mr. Ryan Klene and Mr. uh Joseph Ratunda,
but I believe Mr. Diaz is standing in. So, come on up, please. [applause] Who wants to go first? >> Good evening. Good evening, board. Good evening, everybody. I have the honor of recognizing Mr. Joe Paladino. Uh Joe is
our Joe, come on down. I might be a while. not as not as long as you might be. But um Joe is our uh school social worker. He oversees our out of district team uh case management as well as at the middle school. I first met Joe on
his interview. And uh a traditional interview for a school psych for a school social worker is about 30 minutes, but Joe's went an hour and 10 minutes. Uh and that's because of how thorough thorough he is. Um, you know, my I I have the attention. Anybody that
knows me knows I have the attention span of about a four-year-old. Um, so typically an hour interview with me isn't the best, but Joe is a phenomenal storyteller. Um, he very detail oriented and he captivated the committee and since he's been here, he has continued
to impress us. Um, his IEPs take about twice as long to read because, um, you know, because [clears throat] of how thorough they are. When you have a phone conversation with Joe, you know, you have to dedicate at least at least 10 minutes. Um because he wants to nail everything. Um you know, a text message
from Joe is about uh a minute read. Um in an email is about a 5m minute read. I I learned quickly uh in Joe's first month when I sent an email out to staff at about 6:00 at night and my phone started to ring. Um and Joe was already working on what I what I sent out. And
my email was something along the lines of, "Hey, in the next couple weeks, if you guys can get around to this, that would be great." And Joe started calling me, "Hey Ry, I'm working on what you sent." And I realized, okay, I have to learn how to schedule send emails to Joe because uh he's literally around the
clock working. But when you when you get to know the guy, you know that he loves his job. He really loves Belleville uh loves Belleville tremendously uh more than everybody that I've ever met. He has um he he has clothes from his uh
uniform and his practice jerseys hanging uh hanging in his office. Um that speaks to his love of Belleville. Um and when you get to work with him, you get to learn uh to love him just as much as he loves Belleville. So, I want to bring him up and recognize recognize this guy because it's welld deserved.
[applause] Say something. >> Joe's got 30 seconds because he can go a long while. >> Yeah. I'll tell everyone the story real quick. Um, there's something called a Paladino minute, which I'm not going to bore you with, but um, one time I stopped the principal in the hallway. I
said, "Hey, Dr. Sono, you got a minute?" He said, "A real minute or a Paladino minute?" And I shed a real minute this time. So that I'm going to give you a real minute. Honestly, um when I was told I was getting this, I don't know if I deserve it or not. I do see awards
like this as team awards. Um to me, you're only as good as your teammates. And without my team at the middle school, without people like Lisa, without people like Natalie, without Charlie G. Kennedy, you know, without Nick and yo, Mario, without Ryan Klein, without our central admin, without
people like Dr. police, stuff like that. This kind of stuff doesn't happen. And at the end of the day, if we're doing right by the kids, that's that's all we're here. Like I said, that that's all I could do. That's all, like I said, that's all I could ask. So, I just can't thank you all enough for the honor. Um,
I said I I don't know if I deserve it, but I definitely appreciate it, and I can't thank my teammates enough. Thank you all. I appreciate it. [applause] Oh, okay. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. I'm Mr. Michael Diaz, Dean
of Students over school number eight. Uh Dr. Alfonso, Dr. Dia, members of the board of education, distinguished guests, it is my absolute pleasure to present Mrs. Marie Murphy at the Belleville Public Schools June staff member of the month.
Miss Murphy embodies [applause] Miss Murphy embodies everything we hope to find in education. She is dedicated and exceptional teacher whose kindness, compassion, and commitment positively impact the lives of her students each and every day. Her caring nature,
unwavering support, and genuine concern for others make her a treasured member of the Belleville public schools family. Beyond the classroom, Maria is a devoted mother, loving wife, caring daughter, and a loyal friend. She consistently demonstrates the values of hard work, professionalism, and selflessness in all
that she does. Whether she's supporting her students, collaborating with colleagues, or helping [clears throat] those around her, she always does so with a smile and a willingness to go above and beyond. Miss Murphy's dedication to her students and our school community is evident in everything she does. She is respected by
her colleagues, admired by her students, and appreciated by all who have the privilege of working alongside her. And I am very grateful to be um working with her at school number eight. Uh, please join me in congratulating Miss Marie Murphy as the well-deserved recognition
of the Belleville Public Schools June staff member of the month. [applause] [applause] >> Good evening everyone. Um, I was born and raised in Belleville and this is my 17th year teaching now in the district and it's an honor to give back to the
town that gave so much to me. Um, and just love doing what I do every day and I work with great people. Thank you so much. [applause] Uh moving along, we are now going on to our superintendent report. Um is that Gail is going to be mute?
>> No, it's Thomas by and it's going to be presented by Dr. Deia. >> Good evening everybody. Um [clears throat] Dr. Dr. Alonso couldn't be here, so he sent his words. Uh, and I'm going to read them on his behalf. U, good evening all. Before I begin my
report, I'd like to note that I'm unable to join you in person this evening as I recover from surgery related to a recent Achilles tendon rupture. I'm grateful to assist to my assistant superintendent, Dr. Dia, for presenting this report on my behalf. While I would certainly
prefer to be with you tonight, I'm thankful that the pro procedure was successful and look forward to returning to the district as soon as possible. As we gather this evening for our final board of education meeting of the 2025 2026 school year, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on a year that
challenged us, strengthened us, and ultimately demonstrated the resilience of Belleville public school community. This year tested our district in ways few could have anticipated. From recovering from the third largest structural fire in the history of New
Jersey to navigating to a $4.5 million budget shortfall, we face significant challenges that require difficult decisions and collective perseverance. Through it all, our students continued to learn, our staff continued serving, and our community continued supporting
one another. This year also marked the launch of several initiatives designed to invest in the future of our district and the development of our staff. We proudly introduced the aspiring leaders academy and pilas our powering intercultural leaders aspiring success
institute. These programs were created to strengthen leadership capacity from within and provide meaningful opportunities for professional growth. Over the course of the year, participants engaged in leadership development, collaboration, and learning
experiences designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for Belleville public schools and beyond. Last week, we concluded another successful aspiring leaders session, which included a visit from the global director of Google Education.
Opportunities such as these reflect our continued commitment to innovation, leadership development, and building a strong pipeline of future leaders. Tonight's meeting also marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to restore positions impacted by
this year's reduction in force. As a result of retirements, resignations, and continued review of district staffing needs, we are proud to recommend the restoration of five support service positions. These individuals have played invaluable roles in supporting our
students, families, and schools, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to our continue their important work on behalf of our district. While watch much work remains ahead, tonight serves as a reminder that we continue to explore every opportunity available to us to
strengthen our programs, support our students, and restore positions whenever fiscally possible. I'm grateful to our administrative team, board of education, and staff members who have worked tirelessly over the past several weeks to identify opportunities that allow us
to bring valued employees back to our district. As a reminder, our school community this Friday, June 19th, will be a single session day for all students and staff in order to satisfy the state's 180day instructional requirement
following the emergency school closure caused by the fire earlier this year. We need to have a minimum attendance rate of 50% in order for the date to count towards the required 180 days of instruction. We appreciate the participation of our families, staff,
and community members in the survey process that helped guide this decision and encourage all students to be in attendance. We look forward to recognizing the Belleville Middle School class of 2026 during our commencement on Wednesday, June 24th at 900 a.m. on the
Belleville High School field. We will then celebrate Belleville High School class of 2026 on Thursday, June 25th at 9:00 a.m. also on the high school field. I would also like to thank our board of education for their commitment and
leadership through this challenging year. While many of the decisions before us were not easy, the focus remained on doing what was best for our students while ensuring the long-term stability of our district. to administrators,
teachers, support staff, custodians, secretaries, power professionals, transportation staff, and all employees who serve our students each day. Thank you. Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to our children continue to make differences in the lives of
thousands of our students. Finally, I want to thank our families and community members for their partnership throughout the year. Public education is strongest when schools and communities work together, and I'm grateful for your continued support of Belleville Public
Schools. As we close the 2025 2026 school year, we do so with optimism, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to our students and community. This year's ch this year challenged us in unprecedented ways, but it also
showcased the resilience, dedication, and the heart of the Belleville community. I wish all of our students, staff, and families a safe, restful, and well-deserved summer, and I look forward to continuing our work together as we
build upon this year's accomplishments and pursue even greater levels of Belleville excellence in 2026, 2027. Thank you, Dr. Eric Alonso. >> Thank you, Dr. Dia, for u relaying the message for Dr. Alonso. Uh, moving
along, we're going to have our report from our business administrator, Miss Ikeo. >> Thank you, President Leon. I just have a couple updates. One of the things you'll see on the agenda tonight is the ratification of the Belleville Codial Maintenance Association agreement. We did have the MOA, I believe, two meetings ago, uh, but tonight we're
ratifying the contract. I want to again thank Alex Pearelli and the association negotiations team for bringing that negotiation to a successful close. Really appreciate the effort and um collegiality between the the two units. Um one of the things we uh lost in the
fire uh was our fiber pipe. So our internet pipe um which runs along Courtland uh was completely destroyed uh during the fire. That we have a temporary situation, a service restoration now um and that's how we're able to have connectivity. Uh but the permanent repair is scheduled for June
22nd through July 3rd, weekdays only. And that work is going to require uh police detail and sort of a traffic impact uh in the vicinity of Courtland Street and Deran. So um we appreciate the township police department and tech partners for their continued assistance in that. But um everyone in the town
should plan accordingly for that. Again, that's June 22nd through July 3rd weekdays. And then one of the other things I just wanted to give an update on uh is the electrical training academy. You'll also see that on the agenda tonight. Uh the electrical training academy is an organization based out of Clifton, New Jersey. It's a
pre-licenture electrical training program. Uh we've been in talks as an administrative team to bring ETA here uh specifically for juniors and seniors uh this coming school year. Uh and it and it it is a feeder program to have an electrician's license. So this
information has been shared with high school students and families. And there's going to be an informational meeting uh held virtually this Thursday, the 18th. There will be English and Spanish language support there. And we are also beginning discussions with neighboring districts in case we can't fill that program oursel. We're looking
to partner with other districts and sort of fill the program. So we'll have some more information on that coming up. But really just making the whole uh career opportunities more robust. So we're really excited to bring you guys that and more updates to follow. That concludes my report. Thank you. Thank
you, Miss Ikeo. Uh, can I please have a motion to open up remarks by citizens on agenda items only? >> So moved. >> May I have a second, please? >> I second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I. >> We are now open for remarks citizens on
agenda items only. You have three minutes. Uh, like last meeting, we're going to have the alarm go off at the 2:30 mark. So, you know, you have 30 seconds uh, left of time. All right. Our first speaker is Mr. Michael Sheldon. Okay, good evening everyone. Michael Sheldon, 47 Flight Street. I just have
uh one question tonight for session one and that has to deal with the bills list. Uh there was no bills list with last week's agenda. So everything is uh in this uh tonight's agenda. But uh my question concerns three noticeable
absences from the bills list. And what I'm referring to are the monthly lease payments, the very significant lease payments. Now, I expected tonight to be the last lease payment for 335 Union Avenue, Hip Hip Horray. But I also noticed that the lease payments for the
Courtland property, the athletic training facility, 522 Courtland, as well as the um BOE offices on Ralph Street. those lease payments are missing altogether. So, I'm hoping Miss Ikeo can explain why those are missing. I checked at 6:30 thinking that they might be
introduced at the last minute during close session, but they're still they were still missing at 6:30. But in particular, um I'm concerned about the ongoing lease situation for 6 for 522 Courtland, the athletic facility. U a couple months ago, it was announced by
Dr. Alfonso and Miss Ikeo that you would no longer continue that lease. Um, but from what I recall, the lease was entered into, it was a 5-year lease back in 2023 with another extension in 2024. If those are five-year leases, [snorts]
are you able to legally terminate those leases at this point in time before the 5-year expiration? But to add further confusion to things, I noticed that last week on social media, the boxing club on Courtland that was destroyed with the fire announced that
they are going to with the help of the board of ed, they're going to use the the athletic facility at 522 Courtland. So, I'd like to know, is there some arrangement now where the board of ed is is vacating the space, but you're now going to subleasase that space to the
boxing club and perhaps others. So, I submitted an Oprah the other day to get answers to these questions, but I think it's important for everyone in the community to know exactly what's going on. So, again, my questions are why are the lease payments, these three lease payments not reflected tonight? I would
understand the 335 union is missing, but uh Courtland Courtland is right now costing us $63,000 a month and the uh dorsal lease for the BOE offices and the hornblower school. That's over $170,000 a month. So those
payments are missing. I'd like to know why they're not in this this month's bills list. So thank you. I hope I have some answers. Mr. Sheldon, thank you for your questions. I have to look into the bills list. I don't have it in front of me, so that I'll have to look into. I I did
respond to your email regarding Courtland Street and the leases. Courtland Street is divided into three phases. So, you've got the indoor training facility, which is something of the nature of 24,000 or so square feet. And then you've got two additionals that were added. Uh the so they're staggered. They were added one after the other
after the other. The biggest portion, the indoor training facility does sunset in February of 2027. The arrangement we have with legacy boxing, which was approved on the last agenda, it is just a facilities use agreement. It is not a true sub lease. And according to board of education
policy 7510, we have um every right to lease out the facility um through the facilities use agreement. It's not a true sublet um and it is month-to-month and can be terminated at any time. uh they are also not occupying the entire space and not for the entire duration of the day either. We still have control
over that space. I hope that clarifies and we did receive your open request and we'll get back to you with all of the documentation that you requested. Thank you. Can I have our next speaker please? Mr. Vincent [clears throat] Franton, please. Good evening board members and
administration. Just one uh question, one item on the agenda. Uh 9.1, the approval to submit innovative approach to literate. See, it's a grant I believe. Can any of you tell me what are the components or the
objectives of this grant? Miss Fren, we'll answer the questions at the end. Do you have any further questions? >> No, but I'd like some answers because it's uh relevant to what I want to speak on the next public session. Now, the
board members are going to vote on this and I keep maintaining if you can't answer, how you going to vote on later? If you don't know what's in this and you can't answer a citizen's taxpayers question, you're going to vote on this later. You don't know what it is, you're
going to vote on. >> Mr. I was just >> respectfully ask an answer. What are the components of this program? >> Mr. Francis, I was just clarifying that you were done and then we would give you an answer. I just want to make sure that you have no further questions because it
is your time. >> Okay. Well, I get an answer. >> Okay. So, we're we're paying $130 million or more for this operation and this is what we get. >> Mr. Francon, I was going to answer your
question uh real quick. What we are looking to explore are all the federal grant options that do come. uh we've actually put ourselves in a better position as a consortia of schools where we get to pull our uh collective resources and collective in terms of
demographics. Uh so when we get to apply for these grants uh these are in in this case uh literacy grants to bring uh uh books and resources to our students. Uh which we've already done on a local level. Uh this is part of a consortia
that we this is just an approval to apply for the grant. um we have uh pulled with other school districts and in the past we've actually lost uh grants to um at in these efforts to actual states. Uh that's how competitive when we are part of a consortia. This
particular grant is uh is innovative in the way that it allows for uh pre-existing programs for literacy to be coupled with innovative programs. uh the uh nuances of the grant are something that we could surely publish if and honestly um celebrate as a community if
awarded. Uh but essentially we uh come across these these grant opportunities uh especially at the federal level and we are um we we try to be aggressive as possible to supplant and supplement our local funding efforts which I know
you're a big fan of uh in terms of local tax levy. Uh we use try to use as many grants as we possibly can. This is another initiative. Uh so when we're talking about initiatives to bring in uh reading uh materials and uh the the
opportunities for our students to have access to reading uh materials not just on the physical sense but also on the virtual sense through our Chromebook initiatives. This is the heart of the grant. I hope to have better news in the
future if we are able to be successful. Can I have our next speaker up, Mr. Shm Duran? Time's on. Okay. Uh, well, good evening board members. Uh, good evening to Dr. Alonso if you're watching and good evening to
the community members. I want to speak on just uh the agenda item uh for 7.2, please. 7.3. I'm actually um I I work here. I'm I'm a bilingual social worker here at the high school. Um I work in the wellness center
here at the high school. So, um, with these reinstatements, I'm actually very happy to see that, um, there have been discussions and and changes in regards to just the middle school, um, support systems. Um, and and it does appear that
you're restoring, uh, special education and wellness in the middle school. Um, however, there's no I didn't see anything in regards to the high school. So, I'm just curious if um that's going to be addressed, like what is the
long-term uh plan for the high school? Uh because I believe that the community does deserve, especially the students that are here at Belleville High School that have had the privilege and the honor of having these services for so many years. Uh just a clear understanding of just the board and the superintendent's vision and priorities
for all students uh not just uh the segment of elementary school and the middle school. That's all. Thank you. All right. Can I have our next speaker, uh, Miss Tina Newton, please? My name is Tina Newton. I live in Belleville, New Jersey. I want to
address 7.2. I can't understand why we're not rehiring the only Spanish speaking social worker at the high school. I want to go to 9.1. We can't celebrate something if you guys can't even explain it to us. And I want to go to 10.6.
So, the board is asking to write off 75,000 and uncollectible school lunch balances. And I think that's great, but before approving it, I need to better understand what systems are in place to prevent balances from reaching to that level in the first place and so it doesn't occur again. So to be clear,
obviously I'm not blaming the families legally. I know we cannot deny a child a meal regardless if they qualify for free, reduced, or paid lunch. But when unpaid balances exceed 75,000, I think it's reasonable to ask what interventions are occurring before those balances become uncollectible. At what
point does the district reach out to a family? Is there a process for identifying students who may qualify for free or reduced price meals but have not completed an application? Is there a proactive outreach to assist families before balances continue to grow? I think those are all very important
questions. If they hit $20, am I having a meeting with them? And am I saying, "Hey, is there something we can do? Did you hand out that lunch application before we get to these high bills?" Now, with that being said, there um there's a position for the EBT lunch application
coordinator. This is a $7,000 stipen position currently assigned to Ronaldo Parata. I would appreciate clarification regarding the responsibilities of that role. So, does that role just he's collecting the applications, verifying who's free, reduced, paid, and sending
out the letters or does that role also include he's reaching out for the unpaid balances? I think that's also another thing to um reflect. So, um, asking how many families were contacted this year this year, how many applications were completed through
outreach efforts, how many students were newly determined eligible for assistance. And I hate the lunch program because we're not able to say certain things. We just need them to get it. So, I can't say, "Hey, if you give me this, I'll give you a free uniform shirt." Parents don't fill it out. I understand. I fight them all the time to get these
because it's important for funding. So, but now with that, I have a question regarding the selection process for this stipen position. Mr. Paraltto serves as vice president of the Belleville Public Library Board of Trustees where Superintendent Alfazo also serves. And
actually, if you can right now, I would Google who else is on that board because it's interesting. I'm not suggesting that relationship influences appointment. However, because stipen positions are recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board, I believe the public deserves transparency regarding how these
opportunities are awarded. Was this position posted internally? Were other qualified uh employees given the opportunity to apply or express interest? If not, what process was used to select the individual who received this appointment? And what has he done
to collect? Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Newan. Miss Ike. >> Oh, I do want you to answer though, >> Miss Ikeo. I was getting ready to to respond. >> Um, so regarding resolution 10.6, so uncollectible lunch balances is
probably one of the most challenging things in in districts that have high percentages of free and reduced uh lunch students. Um, you you I'm sure know and and have similar challenges. So, I will say that upon being appointed here in Belleville, it was one of my biggest challenges. So, I got here in January. I
opened up the negative lunch balances and they were staggering. So, the the methodology of the the business office has evolved quite a bit over the past 5 months. I've put a number of things in place. Um, and if any of you have a negative lunch balance with your son or
daughter, even if it's like negative $5, you've noticed that we put text messages in over the past four or five months. So, we've instituted text messages. We've instituted weekly emails. Um, and yes, to answer your question, we absolutely are calling the families. So,
um, you know, this $75,000, this is actually last year's seniors. So, we wait until the the kids graduate and then we still try to collect balances for a whole year after, but for auditing purposes, our auditor gives us that one-year mark and then they says, "You have to forgive that." And and
unfortunately, it is a transfer from general funds. So, it it's very unfortunate. Now, moving forward, um, not only do we put text and email notifications in, calls in, uh, I I can tell you that, uh, Mr. Peralta, who works, uh, directly with me in the business office, um, he's intimately
involved with the finances and of the agency account, which is where that money lives, um, he's bilingual. He's very responsive to families. He spends a great deal of time uh, talking with families. They come in and meet with him. and and we do understand that the
lack of of of application completion is a huge issue. When we decided to move to um real time, which is happening for for the new school year, we're going to have a front-facing page that as families log in to get their students um [clears throat] schedules and so forth
for that following year. They actually can't bypass the lunch application screen. They have to fill out the lunch application. Now, that being said, could they just sort of leave it blank and and just sort of move on? Absolutely they could. So, there's still going to be continuing efforts. So, one of the organizations we've been working with is
Hunger-Free New Jersey. It's completely not for-p profofit. Uh they have joined us at one of our of one of our community events, that wellness event that was over at CASA. They're a fantastic organization. Um and they actually help families not so much with the application process, but with applying
for SNAP benefits. So, a lot of families are showing concern that they don't even know how to do that process or they don't have language support for that process. We also have families that are afraid of their immigration status. So, they're sort of like a third-party organization that we've been working
with to make sure that those families too are receiving support. Uh because once they're SNAP, then they're direct certified and we can tuck them right under our free and reduce program. So, we've put a number of of things in place. I can assure you we spend a great deal of time on this and and we have
done a lot with notifications and I'm going to continue to to work on it. And if you have anything you've had success with in your building, please uh Yes. >> I don't have the answer to that at at the moment. I I was here in January. >> Okay.
>> Thank you, Miss Newman. >> Mr. President, I address 9.1. >> Yes, absolutely. Uh just to clarify uh 9.1 on the agenda is the board approval to apply for the grant. There is no celebration at this point. We hope to
celebrate as a community if we are awarded the grant. Uh so the $750,000 is the amount that we are going for. We are not obligated for $750,000. This is simply a a necessary step for the consortium Belleville being a
participant to apply for the grant. Can I have our next speaker up please? Uh Miss Jennifer Delos Angeles. >> Good evening members of the board. Um mine is really not that long. I just need some clarity. with this agenda item because it just doesn't make sense to
me. So, I'm looking at agenda item 79, which is a revision um from the rehire list from May. So, when I look at all of these, there's an asterisk indicating a revision, but the original rehire list, all these people are here and I don't
see any changes. The only thing I see at the top who doesn't have the asterisk is the U multilingual supervisor who's been now transferred to a teaching position, which makes absolutely no sense to me.
Um, again, given the fact that we have a sizable population of Spanish- speakaking students who benefit greatly from having a supervisor over the department. but she's listed in another uh resolution as well being transferred from that position to a teaching
position. And then there's this is supposed to be a certified list and maybe it's just a clerical error, but you have the district painter here and a clerical secretary position which are non-certificated. So it's it's just
I need some clarity and understanding what the changes are here because when I look at the the last agenda to this one I don't see any changes. So it it just looking for clarity. Thank you. Be careful about it.
It's obviously there's a personnel list. Uh so what you're seeing is the revised uh sometimes if in a list they um staff are uh mislabeled in terms of a transfer
of position. You may see a list that reflects the proper title in which they are transferred to or to reflect their actual position in the district. We will look into the the reproduction of the list and
I I want to keep again personnel issues um as as careful as I can. But thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Leo. Uh can I please have up our next speaker, Mr. Gary Hinton? No, you're good. Uh, is there anyone
else in the audience that would like to speak up and come to the podium on any agenda items only? Hearing none seen and can I please have a motion to close remarks by citizen on agenda items only? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I.
>> Thank you. On to uh resolutions on personnel items 71 through 722 as recommended by Dr. Alonso. Can I please have a motion? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Miss Ikeo, please call the role.
>> Trusty Garl, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Moz, >> yes. Trusty Pacheco is absent. Trusty Santana, >> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Misagia, >> yes. >> President Leon, >> yes. On to resolutions on curriculum
instruction items 818 through 85 as recommended by Dr. Alphonso. Can I please have a motion? So moved. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Miss Ao, please call the role. >> Trusty Gar, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Manoz, >> yes. >> Trusty Pacheco is absent. Trusty
Santana, >> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Majiad, >> yes. >> President Leon, >> yes. >> Moving along to resolutions on board action and board policy. Agenda items 91 through 96 as recommended by Dr. Alphonso. Can I please have a motion?
>> So moved. >> Second, please. Second. >> Miss Ikeo, please call the role. >> Trusty Garl, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Moz, >> yes. >> Trusty PCO is absent. Trusty Santana, >> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Majia, >> yes. >> President Leon,
>> yes. On two resolutions on purchasing and business services, agenda items 101 through 10:18. Can I please have a motion? >> So moved. >> Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Miss Ao, please call the role. >> Trusty Gar, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. Yes. Trusty Moz,
>> yes. >> Trusty Pacheco is absent. Trusty Santana, >> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Misagio, >> yes. >> President Leon, >> yes. >> On to resolutions on finance agenda items 111 through 117 as recommended by Dr. Alonso. Can I please have a motion? >> So moved.
>> And have a second, please. >> Second. >> Misso, please call the role. >> Trusty Garo, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Munoz, >> yes. Trusty Pacheco is absent. Trusty Santana, >> yes. >> Vice President Dr. Majia, >> yes. President Leon. >> Yes.
>> Can I please have a motion to open up remarks by citizens on any issue? >> So moved. >> Have a second, please. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> We are now open for remarks by citizens on any issues. You have 5 minutes. The alarm clock will go off at 4:30 to give you a 30 second heads up. Can I please
have our first speaker, Mr. Vincent Franton. Uh good evening. The reason I asked uh about agenda item 9.1 because it related to what I wanted to speak about tonight. I'm reading in the papers every day. uh
our school district, every other school district, they're all complaining they have these huge deficits and uh they're in dire straits and all that. The I don't know how many board of ed members cuz I've been coming to board meetings for 50 years since my first child
started and not many of them seem to know our state constitution. We're not supposed to pay for schools locally. State Constitution says the legislature shall provide for the maintenance and
support of a thorough and efficient education system of free public schools for the instruction of all children in the state between the ages of 5 and 18 years of age. Um, I with thousands of
other stormed the legislature years ago several times, 8,000 people one time in front of the state house, 10,000 another time to get this constitution properly administered. We should not be
paying. We were su successful in 1976 with the income tax. They proposed an income tax and there was again another massive crowds down there. And Brendan Burn who was running for governor
finally convinced us no no we need the income tax because it's a fair way to pay. If you make money you pay tax. If you don't you pay it. And the income tax is going to finally do what you guys want. It's going to the legislature is going to pay and we're going to
eliminate the local school tax. Well, they passed it and folks, that never happened. The first year they gave us an excuse. We can't eliminate the local tax because people don't pay their uh income tax until April of the
following year. So this year we're going to make up and when we get the money next year, but we're going to give you a check for your money called the Homester rebate check. Well, don't let me go on, but that's why we get this rebate. It was a phony thing to transition us from
the income tax from the local tax or the income tax. That's one scam. Uh and then we complain about the and years ago we were allowed to vote on the budget and I would get every
budget and we see all kinds of gra missspent tax dollars. Let me use the that word and all that. So in 1990s again with Hands across New Jersey, a big citizens group and I was vice
president of United Taxpayers New Jersey. Again we stormed Trenton meeting after meeting and testified and they agreed to give more state aid. So here's what happened. In 1991,
Belleville School District received $1 million,000 in state aid. We got them to give more. And what happened in 1992? State aid to Belleville, New Jersey went
from 1 million to 9.7 million. The next year, couple years later, 11 million. And nine years later, $18.6 million in state aid from the $1 million.
So that was supposed to be our local taxes. What happened in that same 9-year period with that 1723% increase in state taxes, our local tax
rate still went up 33%. So there's no control. The more money you give any government entity, the more they will spend and all that. This has to stop. The other thing is I've asked board members to you contact your
legislator. You guys are in office now. Although most of you only want this position like three sitting on the council. So you could use as a step to get to the council and we have three sitting there as proof right now. Uh but this is something I wrote in 1990s. I
testified in Trenton. I started off I said the worst form of child abuse is taking place in our public school system and ironically parents are paying for it with our tax dollars. And then I went they had they go like tonight you're
going to do another aid uh about literacy and all that. I started school after the Second World War, even though I'm only 30 years old now, but back then we had immigration from all over. I sat next to Carl from
Germany. >> Mr. Franon, I'm sorry. Five minutes ago, Mr. Franon, I agree with you. I would I really wish as a homeowner they would take off that school tax would save me about3 $4,000. So, I share your sentiment,
>> but there's reasons. There's reasons. in this board. If you're elected a member, you can contact your legislators like we citizens have done it. Citizens have made changes. When I got in office as a commissioner in 1992, I had more power.
And guess what we did? >> I hear you, Mr. Frank. >> The board of ed the board of education budget was 21 million at the time. We're allowed to vote. The voters voted down. I was an officer. I went through the budget. >> Mr. Tony, I got to move along. $437,000
over $21 million. The board of vet took us to court and we won cuz we proved all that fat. And >> thank you, Mr. Franon. Can I please our next speaker, Mr. Michael Sheldon, please? >> You You hear it, but you don't want to hear all the facts that I can. >> Mr. If you want to talk after meeting,
we'll talk. I'll take a history lesson. >> You're elected officials. I talk as a citizen. >> I I will I I if you want to talk after meeting, give me a history lesson. I would be more than gladly to hear about it. But I just have to move the meeting along. You want to talk after with me? We'll talk. I have no problem with that. But I just got to move along.
>> No, I want I'm talking to the elected officials here. >> I understand. But the five minutes are up. >> Talk to elected official to after the ele this grant that you're talking about is just Mr. Sheldon, please. >> Another grant that >> Please approach the podium. Mr. Sheldon
>> to pay for people and give new jobs to. >> Thank you, Mr. Franon. Okay. Uh, good evening again everyone. Michael Sheldon, 47 Floyd Street. Um, about to talk about potentially
cataclysmic issue here. So, uh, I just want to ask, uh, Jonathan Bush to pay particular attention to what I'm about to say. Um, I usually speak extemporaneously, but I prepared some a statement tonight which I'm about to
read. It has recently come to my attention that Mr. Leon is enrolled in the Masters in Educational Leadership Program at Monontlair State University, which is in his bio. >> I must pause your time. >> Pause your time.
>> I don't know, Mr. Sheldon, what you're going to say, >> but you described it as cataclysmic. So, before you go any further, I'm pausing your time. I'm going to give you every bit of your opportunity. Just be reminded, and we've gone through this before, >> not on this topic, on other topics, >> and I say this with all due respect to
you. I just want to make sure you know that everybody individually maintains their private right of action. You can say whatever you need to say. You have your first amendment right to speak for the allotted amount of time, and you're going to do that, and you've exercised that right. I just want to make sure you know that. >> I'm aware. Thank you. >> That if you say anything that's
defamatory or liableist potentially or anything like that, right? Okay. Just want to make sure. Okay. Your time in a second. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. So, well, which is uh posted under Mr. Leon's biography on the district's website. >> Um, meanwhile, Dr. Alfonso is a faculty
member in that same exact program at Montlair State University. This situation where the board president is enrolled in a graduate program where the district superintendent serves as a faculty member presents a textbook example of an inherent conflict of
interest and is a compelling basic basis for a school ethics complaint under New Jersey school ethics act. This dynamic creates a problematic reversal of the mandatory statutory hierarchy undermining objective governance. So I
want to talk about power inversion and ethical prohibitions in New Jersey public education. The statutory relationship is strictly top down. The board of education evaluates employs and determines and compensates slashtenure
of the superintendent. By entering a student teacher relationship at Montlair State University, the normal hierarchy is inverted. The superintendent's leverage as a faculty member. The superintendent possibly holds direct authority over the BOE president's
academic advancement, grading, and master's degree certification. The BOE president's leverage as board president. The the student holds direct authority over the superintendent's contract renewals, annual evaluations, and salary. This dual relationship violates
specific provisions of the new of the school ethics act. Most notably NJSAA18A12-24B. No school official shall use or attempt to use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges, advantages, or employment for himself. The exposure
here, a reasonable member of the public could conclude that the BO president might receive preferential grading or academic leniency from the superintendent. Conversely, it creates a justifiable impression that the superintendent could secure favorable
employment terms or protective shield from the board president in exchange for academic favor. NJSAA 18A12-24C. No school official shall act in his official capacity in any matter where he uh uh uh might reasonably be expected to
impair his objectivity or independence of judgment. The exposure here, the BOA president has a significant personal involvement in passing his graduate courses to obtain his degree. Because his professor is his subordinate employee, the president's objectivity
and independence of judgment is legally compromised whenever superintendent personnel actions, contract extensions, or performance reviews come before the board. So now I want to talk about the impact on board operations. The school ethics commission has consistently ruled
that board members must recuse themselves from discussions and voting when a personal conflict exists. If an ethics complaint were filed or an advisory opinion sought, the consequences could be severe for day-to-day district governance. And I um
since I'm only have a minute left, I won't go into the details here, but I believe that a total recusal is required from the board president in dealing with any matters related to our superintendent. The the the president has a unique position and that that he
is conflicted in providing the most critical governance duty, supervising the chief school administrator, effectively hamstringing his leadership. And uh well, I'm running out of time here. the uh summary of it next steps
were addressed. I believe that someone on this board, one of the board members should request an advisory opinion from the state seeking to find out if Mr. Leon can properly serve as the board president.
In fact, I'm actually calling upon him tonight to do the right thing and step down from his role as board president. And if he fails to do so, I will be filing either later tonight or first thing tomorrow a complaint with the
school ethics commission exposing this matter as well as sending letters to the new New Jersey attorney general, the DOE commissioner and the office of public integrity and accountability asking them to weigh in on this matter. So, Mr. Bush, I want to ask you, do you want to
take an emergency recess here to discuss this matter to be proactive about this or do you want to wait for the legal filings to follow and be reactive to what I'm about to do? >> Okay. >> So, my time is up. Thank you for hearing me. >> Thank you. I defer to the board
president on this. >> Yes, Mr. Sheldon. So, if you had just shot me an email, I would have just answered for you. I already recused myself for doing his evaluation. That's due this upcoming June 30th. Um, yeah. I mean, if you would have shot me,
I would have told you that already. Um, yeah, he is my professor for class or whatever, but I have one more class with him. I'm recusing myself from his evaluation, and I don't believe I have anything else I have to vote on. Uh, yeah. From here going forward. So, uh,
but you're more, you know, if you think a ethics violation was committed, you're more than welcome to, uh, submit it to the state. Um, I'm I'm very assured that the facts will speak for themselves. So, uh, I already recused myself for his evaluation. I've already appointed Dr.
Maji to take the point on that. Uh, and that was done earlier in the week. So, um, I [clears throat] appreciate you, uh, coming up and trying to bring it to light and I guess try to make a point, but it's already been done. So, on this. >> Okay, I mean, you're more than welcome
to to to file it. All right. Thank you, Mr. Shelton. >> Can I please have up next Mr. Michael Mong? [clears throat] Good evening. Mike Mun education association president. Um, okay. So,
whoever Mr. Fran Tony said and you know without agreeing with him as much as we can um unfortunately this is where we're at, right? We're at a point where we have to depend a lot on the state and on the and on the federal government for a lot of the fundings that for the
programs that they pretty much created. So, you know, when you have standardized testing that you have to deal with and when you have all these different criteria that the government and the state wants, well, guess what? They got to get paid for. And so, you know, a lot of that h happens to be on the uh
stakeholders. But, nevertheless, um I just want to talk a little bit about a press release that the BEA put out recently. Um and that is on what we're calling a deficit, a budget deficit, which is not really a deficit,
it's a manufactured deficit. Um so the BVA board of education under the leadership of new superintendent Eric Alfonso announced draconian staff cuts due to an alleged $3.665 million budgetary deficit. However, a
close analysis of the budget materials submitted by the board of education to the state reveals a district with no actual financial crisis. The board's own budget materials reveal that the board of education is entitled
to at least $3.47 million in tax revenues that they are choosing not to collect. in or in other words by not securing the revenues that they are entitled to the superintendent board of education have manufactured a deficit.
So like we just want the transparency here and I know Dr. Alfonso is not here. I wish he was. Uh maybe he could um reveal a few things to us on transparency which doesn't seem to be his best quality. Um but you know we
have to be transparent to people here. When we call a deficit, that means that's something that we couldn't afford. We can't afford this, but we can. We're just choosing not to take the revenues that that that are that are entitled to that we're entitled to. A real deficit is a result of an actual
shortfall in funding relative to spending. This is absolutely not the case in Belleville. the superintendent of and the board of education have chosen to eliminate programming from our uh our neediest students and to
eliminate dozens of staff members. Why? Because of a deficit. There is no deficit. In addition to uncollected state revenue, the budget submitted to the state grossly underestimates other revenues sources for the district.
Revenues from federal government and other government grants are underestimated by millions of dollars. Furthermore, the average unanticipated surplus of the Belleville Board of Education for the last few years has been almost $500,000.
Despite this, according to our association count, the superintendent and board of education have so far terminated 42 staff members, including teachers that provide specialized assistance to the district's neediest students. Both academic support and
mental health support will be impacted by these unnecessary decisions. And elementary mathematics tells you the average if you average $100,000 per per staff member and that's including pension payments, health care, and salary, right? That's just an average.
Okay. An average of 100,000 times 42, that's 4.2 million, but we're only in a 3.6 million def deficit that you call it, which is a manufacturer deficit. So kind of the numbers aren't making sense. Okay. So, um, when you add up all the
revenues that has simply gone uncollected and all the revenues that has been dramatically underestimated, the only possible conclusion that can be reached is that the superintendent and the board of education have chosen to downsize the school district and reduce
the quality of instruction and programming in the Belleville public schools in pursuit of an agenda that I simply simply can't decipher. So, um, I asked this board, you know, take a look at the budget, take a look at what was collected, what should have been
collected, what could have been collected, and let's take a look at the estimated grants, federal gr grants that should be that should have come to us that we haven't collected either. Okay? And you'll find that there is no deficit. So, let's please stop calling
it a deficit and let's say that we are choosing choosing to neglect our needs. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Minion, I just want to address a couple of things. While I'm not going to speak for um, you know, I I know you're
using a lot of Dr. Alfonso's words uh, regarding deficit and so forth. Not not my words, but I I just want to address some things. One, um, there are no unrealized revenues. That's why we have an auditor. So, we have state aid. that
aid is literally direct deposited into our bank account. So there's no way to unreal that that's realized revenue. As far as the federal um grants projected for next year, we are not allowed to project 100% of those federal grants. So
the county [clears throat] actually won't pass our budget. Um we're directed by the county business administrators to project about a 20% reduction in federal funding. So that's our idea which is mostly our out of district tuitions and our title money. Neither of which is is
really the supporting factor for salaries. So I I I will say that. And as far as the uh you know the actual projection for next year, I think what you're referring to as far as the tax levy. So uh you've got two things. You've got your appropriations which are are going up significantly. We've got
five collective bargaining units all of which have increases for next year. And then you have your revenues. And we the board had to work really hard to make those balance. So the 2% tax levy is the cap every year. That's what the board can choose to bring the tax levy up every year. Now they did go up to that
2%. There are what's called waivers that allow the board to raise that levy above and beyond the 2%. One of the waivers the board took advantage of was our healthc care waiver. So if our health care is projected to go up a certain percentage, the board can choose to go
above and beyond that 2%. and and it's a calculator. We literally go into the budget software and it's like here's how much you can raise the taxes. Now, the board had the ability using that tax care waiver. Uh Mr. Manon's not completely wrong here to go above the 2%. They did go above the 2%. They
settled on a 5.99% tax levy increase. They could have gone all the way to 13%. I think it was like 13.4. However, the board took that opportunity to balance the needs of the taxpayers and the community and the
needs of the district. So, it really was a very challenging budget year for the board and I commend them on their efforts. It was a super challenging um you know, hill they had to overcome. So, that's not, you know, incorrect. The board does decide uh how much the tax and and they could have gone up higher,
but they're also thinking about and empathizing with the taxpayers of Belleville. So, I hope that sheds a little bit of clarity on that. Thank you. >> Yeah, I would just like to add to that, Mr. M. I understand you're the board president. I'm a union rep for mine. I understand it's your job to fight for
your teachers and your staff. I get that. But it's almost sounds like you're saying that we should have just gone up to the full 13 to keep everybody. And if we do that, then I have Mr. Fran Tanon coming to this meeting and then complaining about the taxes being too high. And I'm going to say this cuz Mr.
Leon, I know you know it because I know you you research and I know you're well informed. I I challenge anyone to go on Google right now and just type in the words NJ school deficit. Just type those words in. All right? Just type them in right now on your phones and you're
going to see school districts that have shut down schools. You're going to see school districts that shut down sports. You're going to see school districts that let laid off over a 100 teachers. And here we are today. Okay. Here we are today bringing back five and it's just 23 risks and I'm not minimizing it.
Okay, I'm not minimizing because there's 23 people who don't have a job right now. Okay, I'm not minimizing it. But at the same time, Mr. Sheldon, you've been at me saying that Tom Gold during his years did too many hirings. All right, you've said that before. There's video footage. I know you like YouTube. We
could YouTube clip that, too. Okay. And so here we are now. I'm talking to Miss M. Sheldon. Um, so please Google it right now. See where the other where other districts are in the state and what they're doing and what they're facing. And then when you walk walk off and see what the job that we've done
with just 23 layoffs and a 55 599 increase. >> Okay. Yeah. >> All right. Uh, again, >> whatever number you want to you want to we could agree to disagree on the number, Mr. Mong. The point is is that
you know you know in the state there's schools that are doing so much worse. I don't want to say school districts. I don't want to I don't want to throw anyone on the bus. I don't want to do that. But just Google it on your phones right now. Just Google it. You're you're being left out information. We're just being compared
to look at the rest of the state. Okay? And then you'll say, "Wow, this board, Dr. Fanso, Miss Ikeo, Dr. to the Leah. They did a good job with what that we had to deal with a 30% increase in insurance premium. You know this, Mr. Mion, you know this. Okay. But you want
to paint this boogie, man, to fight up for your staff. And I get that. I get that 100%. But the way you're going about it is misleading to the public. So I I'm challenging the public to please just Google it right now. Just Google it and you'll see the numbers and then when
you compare it to what we've done here, you'll see that we've done a good job. But it's not miss it doesn't fit Mr. Mino's narrative. It doesn't. It doesn't. >> It doesn't. It doesn't. Yeah. And different different funding formulas, different state aid. It's all factor.
But you want to make us look bad. Okay. So, please >> Google it. Please Google it. All right. And then just see where we're at. But with that being said, thank you, Mr. Mong. Uh, next speaker, Mr. Gary Hinton. You good, Mr. Hinton? All right. Uh,
Yerry Tavaris, would you like to still speak? Oh, I thought I was I did want to speak. Honestly, I don't know if it serve any purpose to speak
anymore. It's like our words falls in death ears. And I understand that it's just statewide and it's going through all the schools. And I'm here only for my daughter. Speaking on behalf
of my daughter, I have seven messages from her. She's at gymnastic practice right now. More concerned with wanting to be here because she's already concerned about the next school year. I'm not sure how the decision was made.
And to be quite honest, I don't have I don't know you guys personally. I don't want to attack you personally. I don't know you. But it is affecting our schools are affecting our students. And I don't know how the decision was made as to what teachers go where. I can
only speak to my school and the teacher that were according to what was sent out is coming to our school next year. And Belleville is a very small town. Everyone knows everyone. And I know that teacher won't be there for more than half the year.
So what is the point of that when we could just rehire the teacher that is already in that position? She's going to have a substitute teacher for more than half the year if any at all.
Our kids are struggling. a lot of them are barely reading on able to read on grade level. This is not going to help any. And I'm not saying you're doing a bad job or a good job. That's not for me to say. And I know last board meeting what h um
at school 10 you mentioned about the state monitor. It might be an ignorant remark from my end to say maybe I we want one because he'll be the adult in the room. And I just feel like there's a lot of back and forth and a lot of
yelling and not enough listening from your end, maybe from the community, but we're frustrated. We are frustrated. I'm frustrated from my daughter. I want her to stay in her school. She's been going to her school. She knows the teachers. She's comfortable there, but
it's like you guys are pushing us out. I want to give her the best chance at life. And she won't get that. Not next school year. And that's a fact. So, I had a meeting with the superintendent, expressed my concerns, yet we're still here. I'm still
struggling with having I'm We're paying all this money in taxes already. Now, I'm going to have to go find a private school for my daughter. I just don't understand who's making the decision. And it's I hear the quick yes
yes yes yes from everyone. No with no regard, no explanation. And I know you guys try to explain it, but I would tell you something now with this community. Parents are waking up. Parents are going to be coming more to these board meetings. We're more aware of what's
going on. We're more concerned with what teachers are in the classrooms. And I'm sorry I not going to say her name publicly. It's up there to see. But she's not going to be there. And I do have a question to that. Who's going to be the substitute teacher? Is she going
to be qualified? Cuz she's replacing as a math teacher, replacing an ELA teacher. And I know they're certified to do both, but it's a learning process. She hasn't been teaching that subject. Is she going to be learning? And now my kid is a
guinea pig for her. That's my concern. And then again, we'll sit here. We ask the questions. And I know it's a person you personnel matter, but it still doesn't answer my question. Who's going to be in the classroom next
year? >> I'm sorry. No, I don't. And I know that my questions would never be answered. I I've tried to advocate for the current fifth grade teacher that we have to stay. And if maybe we had a principal,
but even she's been moved, I would have more trust that the right person would be in that room. But I can't even I don't know the person that's coming to her school. And I [music] can't trust that either.
Thank you. Uh just a I want to make sure we're not violating any um personnel issues, but in speaking in generalities, uh when a teacher has tenure, they have right to that position. It's a property right. I
I'm I understand. I'm just explaining um and it's not to offer an excuse. It's to explain the situation. Uh when teachers have tenure, they have rights to that position. Those teachers that have
tenure, uh they also h or any teacher for that matter has a right to also go on leave. In situations like that, um, we are, uh, I guess you look at it, you can't
fill one spot with two people. So, what you have to do is, uh, in situations like this, we do post for leave replacements that are certificated in that particular area to fill vacant positions. Uh, and when I say vacant,
vacant for purposes of leave um, temporary. >> Yeah. And again, not to give everybody a seminar on education law. Nobody wants to hear that right now. But there are very, very technical complicated statutes that require the district to do certain things over others. And
decisions aren't always the [clears throat] most logical decisions in the eyes of parents or in the schools. But, you know, once you receive tenure, for example, um you you receive it because you've been serving in a vacant position. So in other words, a
leave replacement, for example, if if you were employed as a as a leave replacement teacher, you don't get credit towards tenure. And so you don't get acrruel towards tenure and as a non-tenure teacher, uh unfortunately when you're riffing positions, reduction
in force is riff is the term, you end up, you know, losing those positions. So without getting into specific details as to any one employee, there are various complications. I just I think I think what what the assistant superintendent is saying is just they wants people to consider that there's other sides to these stories and I think that's all we're saying.
>> I understand and I I would be more than happy to speak after the meeting and hear all of your concerns. Uh as I'm I'm a father myself and I would be in the same uh seat in and at the podium concerned as well. Um, I will also uh
try not to bore you with the legalities of filling these positions, but I will say that when we do look for leave replacements, we do look for certificated or certificate of eligibility, which are primary um qualifications for such spots. We don't
look for uh in leave replacement situations where they're going to be extended. we look for uh just beyond a substitute certificate and uh in those particular areas. So I'd be more than happy to speak to you um at length to
this. I you have my ears. Absolutely. >> Thank you, Mr. Varys. Uh is there anyone else in the audience that would like to speak on any issue? >> Okay, just state your name at the uh I just checked it here. Uh, just state your name, your address at the podium
and then we will record you. >> I'm going to choose not to give my address just cuz I still work here, you know what I mean? So, um, again, good evening everyone. Um, Shamil Duran, a community member and a social worker here. Um, so I'm not going to utilize
today my five minutes speaking about all the issues on the agenda, but I just kind of want to hone in on like power and leadership, right? So there's a difference between the two. Power is the ability to make decision and and it can be portrayed as self-s serving and
manipulative, focusing on hierarchy rather than human growth. Leadership is the ability to bring people together, listen to different perspective, and earn the trust of the people that you serve. But I will say some things in Spanish. So leadership guides with empathy and
provides unity and unity. Leadership seeks to serve. So tonight I want to say thank you. Thank you to the superintendent for showing us your values, your mission and vision. Thank you again to the superintendent and thank you to the
members of the board with the exception of a couple of them who have shown our community exactly where leadership ends and power begins. There appears to be a common theme that has been said throughout board meetings that communication is being held with
district leadership and departments regarding the changes occurring. Yet the reality many of us have experienced tells a completely different story. the expertise and perspectives of the very people who serve this community day
in and day out. Whether that's staff members, whether that's the children, whether that's administration, parents, have been ignored. Just last week, an email regarding a new board meeting was sent or a couple weeks ago was sent to uh the families uh
throughout Beville indicating that there would be that district leadership was making every effort to bring back value. colleagues. As an employee of this district, I learned about that communication from my wife, not from the email the superintendent sent out to the Buccaneer family. We thought that we are
part of that Buccaneer family as colleagues and valuable colleagues. So, didn't we also deserve communication? That may seem like a real small detail, but it speaks to a larger issue. Communication is not inclusion. Leadership is someone that is inclusive that involves a community and his team
in decision-making. The division we are experiencing in this community did not happen by accident. Communities become divided when people feel unheard, excluded, and dismissed. So tonight is a call to action to all my community members. It is time to be
aware and vote during the next board election. We need to come to board meetings. We need to stay on fire and advocate for what's most important for our children and their needs. We cannot allow this to die down. The time is now. It may be a lot of pressure. It may not
be what you signed up for, but the people in power have shown us what's on their agenda and their vision. Now, it's time to show them the unity of our community and who we are. for the proposal. Thank you very much. Have a good night
and God bless. Thank you, Mr. Duran. I definitely share your sentiment. Um, you know, when you have these uh board elections, you might have a 15% participation rate. Um, those are abysmal numbers. Um, absolutely. I agree with you 100%. I hope everybody
comes out in November, I hope everybody votes. Um, even as recent as our mayor election, I think only 20% voted. Am I right? Mayor electz about 20%. Um, you know, unfortunately, no one's coming out to vote. Even in a big election like the mayor election that we just had. Um, so
hopefully people heard your word today and they come out in November and they come out and vote and you know the will of the people. I don't know if I'm answering provided to the elementary. >> Yeah, of course. Um, Mr. Dan, again, it's personnel. Um, without getting into
too much details, you know, I I I hear you. I hear >> No, no, I I definitely hear you, Mr. Duran, but I mean, there are laws and if we speak on personnel, then we get a lawsuit and then someone goes on Facebook and says another lawsuit on the board and makes us look bad and so on
and so forth to get some type of notoriety on Facebook, it just doesn't stop. So to protect ourselves from getting some type of law so we just can't speak on personnel. But with that being said, uh you know, we did bring back five today and I hear you. But it seems that no matter
what this board does, unless we bring everybody back, no one's going to be happy. But then that means our taxes are going to go up and then there's going to be another group of people are going to be complaining that our taxes are too high. So it's a really really fine balance. And again, Mr. Duran, I challenge you. go on fa go on Google
type in New Jersey schools deficit and you're gonna you know it you're you're you're in education you know what's going around the state so I sympathize to the fact that you know there are 23 educators or staff members who are not coming back I sympathize with that and
I'm an educator myself I'm a union I'm a union rep in these meetings when they get rifted or whatnot >> and I'm one of them >> again I don't want to speak I don't want to speak on your situation cuz then you know that could that could come back in this way. But I I totally but I do
agree. I do hope that everybody comes out and vote November. All right. Thank you, Miss Duran. Uh is there anything else I'd like to speak? >> Miss Newton. >> Mrs. Thank you. >> Mrs. Newton, sorry. I apologize. >> No, you're fine. Um good evening. My name is Tina Newton and I am a
Belleville parent. I live at 135 Union Avenue. I just want to say something really quick off my topic that we keep talking about um as educators we need to be reflective, right? That's one of the main things that I do as an educator. You keep saying that we want to make the
board look bad and I think that you need to reflect that if the board is looking bad that you have to make look at the choices that you are making. So I just want to say that with that being said, um before I begin, I want to address two things from the last board meeting that I attended. First, I made a comment regarding Dr. Alfonso. I described him
as passive, aggressive, and hostile based on an email that I had read. While that was my interpretation of the email, I don't I do not know Dr. Alfonso personally, and he has never treated me that way directly. So, looking back at it, it wasn't fair for me to assign those characteristics of him. And being reflective, I wanted to come up and
publicly apologize. Secondly, I wanted to address the board president. At the end of the last meeting, there was a comment made about people saying they wanted to run for the board of education. And I interrupted you because I thought that you were speaking about me because I thought I was the only one that made the comment,
but it later learned that I might wasn't the only one that made the comment. But there was something else that bothered me. You mentioned that this is a thankless job and that the board of uh the board members don't get paid. And I know that. I have stood here before this board multiple times and I've told you that I'm an educator. I don't say that
to impress anyone. I say that because I want you to understand that I know exactly what it feels like to make difficult decisions, to be criticized, to work long hours, and to often receive very little recognition of the work that gets done. Nobody gets into education for the money. Most of us get into this
work because we care about children. So, when I heard that comment, I think what frustrated me was feeling like I wasn't being heard because every time I come here, I'm speaking as someone who understands leadership and I feel like you are continuously overlooking it. So that being said, what I don't understand
is some of the priorities. For months now, we've been hearing about deficits. No money for positions, no money for programs, no money for support staffs, no money for people. And yet somehow there has uh there was money for a public relations firm, money for
consultants, money for a merit bonus, money for construction planning, money for additional administrative positions. And that's where many of us are struggling. Not because we don't understand budgets, but because we don't understand the priorities. I spend hours reading agendas, resolution, and board minutes, and I notice the pattern.
Important items keep appearing as lastminute addendums, a public relations contract, a consultant, the superintendent's merit bonus, significant decisions added after the public has already reviewed the agenda and then approved with little to no discussion. And that brings me to something I really want this board to
hear. At the previous one of the previous meetings, it was explained that reductions were made fairly across departments. And I believe that I do think that you guys are trying your very best. Um, but fairness and equity are not the same. And as educators, you need to know the difference. Equality says
everyone gets the same thing. Equity, equity says everyone gets what they need. Those are not the same. So if one child is hungry and another child isn't, we don't give them both food. If one child is struggling with mental health and another isn't, we don't give them both services. If one student is
learning English, one student is living in poverty, and another student has every resource available to them. Equity requires us to respond differently. This is a title one district. That designation exists because our students need additional support. That's why I struggle when I hear that cuts were made
equally across departments because equal isn't always equitable. Sometimes equity requires us to protect the very programs and positions that our most vulnerable students depend on. As a Latina woman and an educator and someone who has spent my career working with black and brown children, I know how much
representation matters. I know how much relationships matters. And I know how much mental health supports matters. I know how much it matters for a child to have in the building who understands their language, their culture, their struggles, and their experience. So when I read and see that Mr. Duran was not rehired after many kids came up here and
spoke out and told you the importance of his role in their lives. I don't get how you take away the only Spanish-sp speakaking social worker. A school counselor and a school social worker, they're not interchangeable. So, I don't want to hear that, hey, we're going to replace them with school counselors. It's not the same thing. When positions
connected to those reports are reduced while other spending continues, people are going to ask questions. They uh ask questions that make it difficult. And something else that's bothering me, New Jerseyy's Open Public Meeting Act says that the public has the right to witness deliberation, policy formulation, and deci decision-m
um of public bodies, not just the vote. Um so I just have to ask I don't the decisions are never made here. There's no discussions here. It's they read a block 7.1 through 7.10 motion second. Yes. Approved. There's no discussion
happening. So, how are we able to see how you guys are making this decision? And before I end, I have to say this. You cannot serve brown and black students without understanding what equity is. So, while you challenge me to Google something, I'm going to challenge you to go on YouTube and there's two
videos that you should watch. One is called the belief gap and the other is called a tale of two cities. And when you see that, that's how decisions should be made because we need to believe in our students and not just pass them along. >> Thank you, Mrs. Newton. [applause] Uh, is there anyone else that would like
to speak up for pop comments? Miss Lady on Parro, just please state uh your name at the podium for the record. Thank you. Good evening, Lady Paro, 57 Fairway A. I'm with my daughter, Amelia Amparo.
Same address. Um, not to take away from the main point of the meeting. I wasn't going to speak tonight, but my daughter brought up something during the meeting and she wanted to bring it up and I think it's a good idea to bring it up now. I mean
what better time to do it than in the board and defer it to the board of ed trustees. >> So I was so I was in at at my school town school um I so in like the the
water fountain where where my classmates and students drink. Um, sometimes we have to like put our mouse on like it to get the water. So I was thinking that it
that's like bad for us. So I So here So here um the like >> you she drank from the water fountain here and this is why she brought it up. Go ahead. But here uh it's like better. So you could just like get the water
because the water doesn't is not like >> it's better water pressure I guess. >> Yeah. So it's not like like going on the machine. It's just
going up. So I was so I was thinking why can't we just but like five people got sick for my in my class because of that water fountain. So like I was like so I was wondering if we could like uh have
like a better like drinking area because like I don't like I don't want people to get sick. So, I don't want people to have like tummy aches and go to the nurse and I
want people to have happy days. So, I want So, I was wondering if we could have like a better water fountain. Thank you, [applause] >> Mrs. Zamparo. Your daughter's name is Amelia. >> Amelia, you did a fantastic job. And I
will have the buildings and grounds guys check on that tomorrow. We want to know about that stuff. Thank you for telling us. >> Thank you, Amelio. [applause] >> Is there anyone else that would like to speak on any issue?
No. Hearing none. Seeing none, can I please have a motion to close uh remarks by citizens on any issue? >> So move. >> Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Thank you. Uh, are there any trustees that would like to have any
comments or remarks? >> All right. Uh, Trusty Gillis. >> Okay. >> Good evening. And as the school year comes to a close, I want to wish everyone a restful, safe, and fun-filled summer. There are just seven days left, so let's make the best of every moment
together and finish the year strong. I appreciate your trans languaging, and I agree moving forward >> [applause] >> Dr. >> Okay. I would like to wish congratulations to the students, staff members, administrators, the police and
fire chiefs for the special recognition that they earned this evening. I am also pleased that we were able to bring back five s certificated employees which reduces the number of people that
we unfortunately had to release to 23 for those who are still continuing to spread misinformation 36. That's a simple >> Sorry, Mr. Minion. You need to get your
facts from a reliable source. Not for me. >> Not for you guys. >> I could say something, but I won't. [clears throat] >> Dr. Maj, let's just let's stick to our closing remarks, please. Thank you. >> Okay. And as this is the last public
meeting of the 2025 2026 school year, I would like to thank all of the teachers, administrators, support staff, um the assistant, the maintenance, and all of the employees who work with our
students each day or take care of our buildings to keep them safe for our students. May everybody have a restful, rejuvenative, and healthy summer and may everybody come back safely in the fall.
Thank you. >> Any other board members? >> Yes, I would like to say something. I want to thank everybody for always coming to these meetings and voicing your opinion. And I'm sorry that you guys feel unheard, but thank you for
continuing to come. Um, it takes strength to come here and talk to us. Um, you are always free to reach out to all of us board members on our decisions. We have an email. You can reach out to us. We can try our best to
explain our vote, but don't feel that behind closed doors, we do have discussions. And yes, you guys don't know about it, but we do try very hard on our voting to to analyze all aspects behind closed doors. But thank you guys
for coming here. We appreciate your voice and holding us accountable and we appreciate it. Thank you. >> Any other board members? Trusty Santana. >> Um I just want to um thank you guys for coming out. Um I have seen a lot more
participation lately from our community. Um I as you guys know I'm a mother of seven but I started off um and and am always an advocate um not only for my children for but for the children in our community. I'm very um present in our
community as a coach and um I um am very happy to see that you guys continue to advocate um for our children. Um I hope that many more parents come and voice concerns. Um, I also encourage you guys to send us emails so that we can better
explain um, some of our voting. Um, is it always going to be is everyone always going to be happy with the decisions made? No. But I do think that everyone needs to be heard and seen and valued and um, so I appreciate your time um, and for coming out and advocating. Have
a good night. >> Thank you, Trusty Santana. Any else? Anyone else? trusting you. >> I just want to say thank you to everyone that came and I just want you to take some time and make sure you enjoy this summer with your family. It's been a
challenging year and I encourage you to uh take some time, reflect on it, enjoy your children, and encourage them to uh a beautiful upcoming new year so we can set the tone for them as parents. Thank
you. Have a great summer. All righty. Uh, I just want to echo uh what some of my tr trustes stated. I'd just like to thank everyone who came out tonight. Um, even though we may not always see eye to eye on everything, it's important that we have these types of conversations and dialogue. Um, if
you're not speaking, we don't know what what issues you may have. And maybe at the moment when we're in this meeting, it may seem that you may feel that we're being indifferent. Speaking for myself, I can tell you firsthand like take what you say, maybe
reach out to Dr. Alonso, Dr. Misagio, Miss Ao, and have a conversation with them and then they'll give us whatever their explanation is. What I think the community needs to understand is that we don't necessarily dictate every day-to-day decision. That
does fall under Dr. Alphonso. You know, we can't question why he may transfer someone. Not not that we can't question it, uh, but we can't necessarily override it, if that makes sense, because that's a day-to-day operation, and and that is his job. That is why he gets paid what he does. And if we did that, uh, we would be overstepping.
Uh, and then you start talking about ethics charges and all this other stuff. Uh, but with that being said, I do appreciate those that do come out and speak up. Uh, maybe here, watching at home, maybe on a Facebook parents page. Um, you know, your insight is valuable,
so I hope it doesn't stop. Uh, like Mr. to Durant said I do hope people will come out into the November board election. Come out if if you feel you can be a difference, a positive impact to the community. Please petition your name over the summer. I believe it's 10 signatures.
>> Oh, they moved it up. Uh it's 25. That should be relatively easy. Put your name on on the uh on the ballot and hopefully good things happen. But um to clarify uh Mrs. is doing what you said when I when I mentioned um you know it being a
thankless job. I guess where I was going because I'm an educator myself. Um you know a lot of times you only get mentioned when things are going bad and you may do good throughout the year but the only thing that creates likes and attention
and comments is the negative. So that's what I meant when I said by thankless. Do I enjoy? Listen, I come here and and you know, my personal life gets brought up. Where am I studying, who I live with, uh memes get made about me, chat GPT, all this stuff. I'm sure you've
seen it. Okay. Uh well, you're not sitting too far from the person who creates them. Um but I'm still here. Okay. >> It's not It's not Mr. Sheldon. It's his turn. Go ahead, sir. >> Okay. No, Miss No, Mr. Franon, you're
right. And and let me finish. So, let me finish. Let me let me finish. So, what I'm >> So, what I'm what I'm what I'm trying to say is that even with all that, I do enjoy being here. I do enjoy being here. It I'm not complaining. I'm just saying that's the part that's the famous part
because that's what gets talked about. >> Mr. French Tony, you had your opportunity to say >> Thank you, Mr. Franon. >> Okay. Uh with that being said, uh congratulations to all the seniors on graduating. Congratulations to the parents. Uh for some of you, you might be the first graduating in your family.
Uh that's a that's a huge milestone. So, congratulations on that. I hope everybody who's returning uh to school in our school district gets a nice couple of weeks off and you come back rejuvenated for September. All right. Thank you so much. Can I please have a motion to adjourn the meeting?
>> So moved. >> Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> All right. Thank you so much. Our next scheduled meeting is on July 8th. All right. [clears throat and snorts] Thank you everybody and have a good night.