All right, folks. Try and have a seat. Good evening everyone and welcome to the December 15th Belleville Board of Education meeting. Would you all please rise for the flag salute? Okay. This meeting has been posted and
announced in accordance with chapter 231 PL1975. Mr. Isbicki, would you please call the role and read the sunshine? Trusty Leon >> here. >> Trusty Rodriguez >> here.
>> Trustee Munz >> here. >> Trustee Majia >> here. >> Trusty Duro >> here. >> And trustee Bennett Mey >> here.
>> We have a quorum. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted in to ensure the right of the public to have an advanced notice of and to attend meetings of this board except where specifically exempt by law
at which any business affecting their interest in 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 Belleville times. Also, notice of
this meeting has been mailed to the members of the board, the burrow clerk, elementary schools at middle school and 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. Could we have a motion for approval of our minutes from the November 17th board of education meeting closed and open sessions? >> So moved.
>> I'll second that. >> My bad. My bad. >> Okay. Please call the role. >> Yes. >> Trusty Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Trusty Munz. >> Yes. >> Trustee Majia. >> Yes.
Trustee Dro. >> Yes. >> And trustee Bennett Manny. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Okay. And each session we have an overview from our student government organization representative here at the
high school. That is Joselyn Sepvito. Welcome and we'd love to hear your report. >> Good evening everyone. Firstly, I would like to congratulate all staff and students being celebrated for that for their outstanding achievements tonight.
In old news, on December 6th, Belleville Township hosted its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Belleville High School. Families and friends gathered to enjoy ice skating, photos of Santa, music, a petting zoo, and more. Belleville's National Honor Society
volunteered at this event, ensuring all guests had a great time. Belleville public schools also hosted the Three Kings Toy Drive at this event collecting toys for families in need in Belleville. On December 11th, Belleville High School's engineering academy competed in the Union County College bridge building
competition. They worked for months constructing their bridges to be light, efficient, and strong. Belleville team 2, consisting of Addison Pan, Lewis Gomez, and Uriah Vgar earned fifth place in the competition and had the second lightest bridge. [snorts] On December 12th, I had the
honor of attending New Jersey Association School Psychologist Conference where Belleville earned multiple awards. Dr. Sylvia Pastor, Belleville Public School Supervisor of Health and Wellness, won the Jane Boston Service to Psychology Award. During her award acceptance speech, she describes
being a school psychologist as not as moving a mountain, but moving pebbles that each have meaning. This mindset shows her cares for students and why she deserves this award. Dennis Moralda, the founder of Belleville's Building Men program, won the Dr. Irwin A. Heyman
Service to Children Award. Building Men is a program centered around helping young men in Belleville High School and Middle School. With the assistance of other mentors, Dennis Moralda teaches these students what it means to be a man by instilling in them the importance of self-reflection, valuable skills, and
strong character. Students in the program describe it as life-changing and statistics shows it has raised grades, attendance, and participation. These awards exemplify Belleville's commitment for fostering happy and successful students. In new news, Belleville High
School's winter concert will be held on December 17th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Please come support Belleville's talented band and choir. I would like to remind everyone that after our winter break, Belleville Public Schools will be following the new dress code that was posted in August.
Check the Belleville Public Schools website to see the new dress code. Check out Belleville High School's website to access Bubbleville High School's monthly newsletters with school news, information, updates, and events for students, staff, and teachers. Happy holidays, and have a safe winter break.
Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Uh, and we're going to have our superintendence report, Dr. Alonso. >> Good evening everyone. December has been a meaningful and celebratory month across the Belleville public schools.
One that reflects the strength of our community partnerships and the vibrance of our students and staff. As the holiday season was unfolding, our district had the privilege of collaborating with the town of Belleville and the recreation department to put on the winter holiday celebration. It was truly amazing and
magical to see how many community members were out there, the smiles on everyone's faces regardless of it being negative 100 degrees outside because it was freezing. If you felt your toes after 10 minutes, congratulations to you. Uh that sense of celebration also carried direct into our schools. Over
the last couple weeks, we've been having winter concerts and holiday concert celebrations across all districts districtwide. And it's been a great turnout for parents and staff. I want to thank particularly the staff for showing up always for our students. It's great to
see as we bring the calendar year to a close. December also provides an opportunity to pause and reflect. The end of 2025 marks a period of significant change, progress, rebuilding, and renewed focus for our district. The vision this year has been
back to basics, and that's truly what we've done, starting from scratch. At the same time, we look ahead at 2026 with optimism and purpose. The work of strengthening systems, supporting students, and earning trust is ongoing, and the foundation we continue to lay will guide us into the new year with
clarity and intention. As key part of that forward-looking includes our ongoing comprehensive audits of district programs, as we shared previously through some of the newsletters you've all been receiving, there was a gifted and talented survey that was sent out. We're performing an audit of our gifted and talented
programs just to see the community staff's feelings about us, as well as our leadership team. And in addition to we're going to be doing comprehensive audits of several programs including RTI and special education and other curricular programs. This work is essential to ensure that we are
providing the highest quality services, supports, and instructional resources to meet diverse needs of our students and broader community while also making sure that we're meeting them worthy of the art and maintaining our academics rigorous. Before concluding, I would like to formally acknowledge and thank Mr. Joe Zaro, Executive County
Superintendent, for being with us this evening and for his continued partnership and support of Belleva Public Schools. His presence and guidance are greatly appreciated as we continue this important work together. In closing, December has reminded us of the power of community, the importance
of reflection, and the promise of what lies ahead. I am grateful to our students, staff, families, and partners for their continued commitment to this district. Together, we look forward to closing out this year strong and entering 2026 with momentum, integrity,
and a shared belief in what Belleville excellence truly is and what we could achieve. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, doctor. Um, I very much like that back to basics vision. I think that's a great proactive approach for this um, school district and for the
township. Um, right now we'd like to do our what? Awards. Yes. >> Mr. Ra, you want to come on? Come on up. And Dr. Leah, would you come on up as well? Good evening everyone. My name is Roma
Royal. I'm the principal at school number nine. I'm here tonight to welcome our staff member of the month for school nine and also for the district staff member of the district for the month of November is Miss Sharon Greco. Greo,
come on up. [applause] >> [applause] >> Just to say a few words about Miss Greco. She's been at She has the longest tenure at uh school nine, I believe. How many years? >> Um I've been there now 20 years. >> 20 years. 20 years at school number
nine. So we're the smallest school, but 20 years of the same building. So building that foundation, that back to the basics. [applause] Also, I'd like to say about Miss Greco, she was probably the first teacher to welcome me there. She liked her new
schedule with her prep being in the afternoon. She was the first one to reach out to me uh last year, right? It was Yeah. So, but as as a teacher, you know, as a first grade teacher, she's also our gifted advisor, gifted and talented adviser. She does home
instruction, many things at the school, many unspoken. She doesn't do lunch duty, but in emergency situation, she'll jump right in. So that's the type of people that we want to honor. Thank you so much. Thank you, Miss Greco. >> Thank you so much. [applause] >> [applause]
>> Good evening everyone. Now it's time to recognize our student of the month. And this is a student that was selected out of all the uh students that were nominated by each school. Uh, and tonight our our special presentation is Steve Quesada in here.
>> Come on up. Come on up. [applause] >> So, I want to I want to speak to what Steve Come on [cheering] up. [applause] >> Make sure he comes around that way. >> Steve, this one. This one, buddy. >> This way. >> It's amazing.
So each month as we know uh Dr. Alfonso recognizes a district student of the month and uh it's very my special honor to present on behalf of Mr. Ratando tonight uh Stephen with this very be Come on up here. No, come on. [laughter] Come on up here. Uh some nice words
about Stephen and uh I think everybody from the school 8 community can share uh that he is somebody that exemplifies what we as Belleville uh citizens and students represent which is upstanding character, hard work and respect. So out
of all of the students in Belleville, you were selected as this month's student of the month. [applause] This is your moment, buddy. Come on up. You stand right here. >> [applause] >> All
right. All right. So, first of all, congratulations to our staff member and student of the month. [applause] Now the special acknowledgement today is a very special one and I would I would like to take a moment to acknowledge as I previously mentioned Mr.
[clears throat] Joe Zara. He has recently marked an extraordinary milestone of 50 years in education. Yes, 50 years. And he's only 25. So it's fantastic. [applause] That achievement alone is worthy of
recognition. But that makes this moment even more meaningful because it's 50 50 strong and he ain't stopping. He's not slowing down. He's always a phone call away. He's a mentor to several people just in this auditorium alone. Not only
is he a Belleville graduate, if you go to the Hall of Fame, there's a very charismatic, charming young man on that wall, and that is Mr. Zaro, who's also Hall of Famer for Belleville. So, we have a living legend among us. Mr. Zaro, will you come on up? >> [applause]
>> In a profession that's often challenging and complex, Mr. Zara exemplifies what it means to lead with wisdom, humility, and purpose. Mr. Zara is the textbook definition of Belleville excellence. Mr. Zara, thank you for 50 amazing years of your
dedication to this work, for your continued partnership, and for the example you have set for so many generations and continue to do so. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Good evening. Congratulations to all of the students for their many achievements. Uh Belleville High School
uh means the world to me. Uh Belleville means the world to me. And uh anytime I'm anywhere uh close to this high school, I slow down and drive by. I always pass the house on Nolton Street where I grew up and slide around to number five school where I went. Uh
first let me compliment all of the administration, all of the board trustees and all of the staff who make a difference. Parents, guardians, and educators all have the same goal to help mold and produce successful young adults
and prepare them for a world that doesn't exist yet. The spirit in this school, the spirit in this community is so critical to maximizing opportunities for students. Uh it's a joy. Uh when I was driving
here, I was thinking about some of my teachers and coaches and how they were kind and patient and saw things in me that I didn't see in myself. And teachers make the difference. They create the weather. and uh hopefully the
classroom is bright and sunny and just motivate students to love learning and to grow and to experience the very best this time in their lives. So, thank you very much. [applause] [cheering] >> [applause]
>> Okay, we have a very special time coming up. Dr. Maro, would you come on down and start this process? As Dr. Mara walks on down. What he also doesn't know is he is our administrator of the month for the month of November. [applause] I had to doc I had to.
Dr. Mara exemplifies what it means to be all hands on deck. He works tirelessly off and around the clock and does so whatever seeking recognition. On the other hand, you saw him covering his face. Couple shades of red later. You know, uh I could personally attest to
how many times I've seen Doc leaving the field, the high school close to midnight and then I see him at 8:00 in the morning the next day at elementary school greeting students with the same smile on his face he had at 11 o'clock at night that he did that he does at 8 a.m. And that is Dr. Mara every single
day. He is 247 around the clock and even on a Sunday on a Sunday he'll call me he's like hey sorry the audio system is a little glitchy I'm like why do you even know the audio system is glitchy on a Sunday but that is who Dr. Mar is he is comprehensive he is all hands on deck
he is again a mentor to many in this room he's definitely a fan favorite amongst the team and one thing I could definitely say about Dr. Mara he is a leader of leaders so Dr. America. Congratulations and thank you for all you do. [applause]
>> Uh I'm usually not speechless at these times, but um I'm humbled. I really am by this is not me. This is the administration, my administrative team, my coaches who were here. And you know, things couldn't work out better because today I publicly get to help well
actually say thank you to someone who knows what a great mentor he was to me. Um I had three great mentors in my life, Mr. Walker, Mr. Kichio, and and Joe Zara. Um I just tried to emulate what these guys did. They were the best. And and not
only for me, all my friends talk about them. They walk on water for us. And um I'm happy he's here getting an award. I did not know this was happening. As you can see, I I rarely get, you know, a little nervous, but uh at this point, I am. I'll be honest with you. I I in
talking to Mr. Zary, I just hope I made you proud, buddy. I really do. But, uh thank you for all you've done, and please don't get mad at me for publicly saying thank you. But, uh I I had to take my shot when I could. So, appreciate it. But this award is not for me. This is for all these people out
here and the kids. I I'm always say I'm the least important part of this team. It's the kids and the teachers and and the administration. So, thank you guys so much. I'm I'm humbled. Thank you. [applause] [applause] put this down. So, after that emotional roller coaster,
I'm going to have the the great time of my day is definitely reading off the um the sports awards. So, we have a couple of special awards as well. We're going to start with um girls tennis
first team all conference girls tennis colonial division Alexandra Delos Santos [applause] second team SEC Janine Perez and I'm sorry coach Kern s and girls tennis. Honorable mention
Diana Ramos. Congratulations to girls tennis. [applause] It's not there. It's got to be something. I'll get it back. I'm gonna I have one. I'm give it back to you. Take a picture.
>> [applause] >> Hey, thanks. Next, we have boys soccer. Coach Pontoiero, please come up. [applause] First, we have first team Nicholas Cooper, Colonial Division.
>> [applause] >> Second team, Johnrey Maracho and Sebastian Sierra. [applause] An honorable mention, Joshua Sanchez. [applause] Sebastian, congrat Congratulations, boys soccer. [applause]
Girls soccer, we have Oh, Coach Als, please come up. Girls soccer, we have first team all conference. Rosalyn Amadovar, [applause] first team all conference.
Christa Perez, second team all conference, Emily Bartra, and honorable mention, Tiffany Silva. [applause] I'll take that thing. >> [applause] >> Next we have boys and girls cross
country. Honorable mention, we have Aiden Sacramento and girls honorable mention, Kayla Sarra. No. [applause] Next, we have girls volleyball.
Girls volleyball first team all conference, we have Juliana Ramirez. Oh, Coach Spina, I'm sorry. [applause] Second team all conference Ruby Perez. [applause] >> All right, Ruby.
Honorable mention, Emily and Scavage. [screaming] [applause] >> [cheering] [applause] >> Next we have uh our football team. So I saw coach Carfagno, Coach Adab, Guardabasco, Abrahoff, Gian Grandandy
Moldro. Come on up guys. [applause] >> [applause] >> So, as you know, we won our conference this year. Uh, I just received this from the Super Football Conference, which is uh we are the Ivy White Division Champions. So, [applause and cheering]
this will be going in the trophy case. I think it's our the first championship we've had in about 30 years. I am going to leave this with Coach Antap for a while. I told the kids and tell all the other teammates that aren't here today that uh it'll be with coach. So if you
guys want to take a picture with I understand 100%. So I'm going to leave it with coach and give it to coach. Thank you so much coach. [applause] >> So here we go with the allconerence awards. First team Ivy Division offense we have Jordan Armstrong. [cheering]
[applause] First team offense, Shan Sharp. [applause] First team offense, Keith Gley. [applause] First team offense, Devin Westfield. [applause] First team offense, Caleb Love. [applause]
And we have a bunch. So, let's get them all up together. We can take a big huge picture too. Second team all offense. Jaden Westfield. [applause] Second team offense. Josh Workman. [applause]
First team defense. Victor Adams. [applause] Jaden McDaniel [applause] and Jaylen Sharp. Second team defense, Samad Conway, [applause] Johnny Rivera Hampton,
and Lorenzo Tiani. [applause] >> First team special teams, Uriah Vgera. And Uriah also made the Super Football Conference all academic team. So he gets two awards. [applause] And last but not least,
Coach Antab uh was voted by his peers the coach of the year for the division. So we got coach this >> to say thank you. [applause] Too many. This is a good problem. Good job.
[applause] The next awards are very dear to my heart. uh several athletic directors in the county got together and we tried to emulate with what colleges do and what we tried to do to promote uh we're always trying to streamline academics with athletics and we created something
called the all academic team. If you are our first or team allconerence player and you get a 3.5 GPA during the season, you make our allconerence team. So I'm very proud of this. So, first we have for girls
soccer, Rosen Amadovar. Where is she? [applause] And girls soccer, Christa Perez. [applause] Girls tennis, Alexandra Deos Santos and Janine Perez. And girls volleyball, we have Juliana
Ramirez and Ruby Perez. [applause] When we talk about excellence in academics and athletics, this is what we talk about. Great job, everyone. [applause] The next award I have is a special award. It's the first time it happened to me uh as an athletic director. Uh we
had a a young lady this year, Rosalyn, who signed uh a scholarship to uh Mercy University. Very proud of her. [applause] And as you can see, she's a three sport athlete. her academics are
awesome, unheard of. Um, and and I told her freshman year when I saw her play, you know, soccer's my sport and I told her what she's going to be, and she's done way beyond that. But the reason why we're giving this award because let me read it. Uh, this is in recognition of
Belleville, uh, Belleville High School girls soccer scoring leader, all-time scoring leader, Rosland Amadovar. 67 goals and 38 assists, 172 total points. So, I know she gets a little embarrassed, but she's racking up
the all the p all the things today. But Rajie, I got I had to give it to you. You know, you're my favorite. Come up here. [applause and cheering] [applause] >> You're not getting away from me, kid. [snorts] >> [applause] [cheering] >> And and last but not least, uh some of
the athletic directors again started another initiative. Um it's a instead of the county tournament which we know gets 40 some odd teams, we worked on something called the county uh Essis County Invitational Tournament. It's another tournament. Um and we actually
this year it was the first year we implemented it in the first time in the fall and luckily our girls volleyball coach and coach and the team worked out and they won the whole thing. So um I'm going to bring up coach and he's going to read off the teammates here. We got
certificates for everybody. This is the first time we've done this. Um, but I couldn't be prouder of the girls and the run they made. And I told them to I told them in the in the after the game, I said, "It's not how you start a season, it's how you end." And progress is what
we're looking for. So, coach, [applause] what uh Mr. Mara doesn't tell you is that we started the season off on a rough note and we were we're down in the dumps and I was starting to maybe lose a little hope in myself as a coach. I
didn't know if I had it. I went to his office one day. I said, "Doc," I said, "I think I'm losing it. I just I don't know if I can get." He goes, "Coach, if there's one person that can turn this around, it's you." And like looking back
that meant so much because a lot of times you know people be like ah you got it you'll be all right you but just the the faith he had in me at that moment it just kind of like bought life back into me and I just started spilling like everything I had into the practices and
these kids responded really really well because a lot of you don't know we started the season two and 11 that means we had two wins and 11 losses in our first 13 games. And even though the losses were close, these kids wanted to come to practice
and keep working hard and keep fighting and and they dealt with me when I pushed them. So, I'm I'm just beyond proud of this group. Like those of us that grew up in Belleville, came to school here. You know, I know Mr. Zara, I remember, congrats on your award. I remember you
from when I first met you as a kid, how nice you were to me. It was all that we all shared that that common bond. Mr. Deleo, I was was my teammate in high school. Um, we know that Belleville toughness and that came out of this group and I loved it. It made me so
happy. The the happiest moment of my season with you guys was watching you smile when you held up that trophy and knowing you turned something around that a lot of people didn't think we could turn around. So, thank you for listening to me and letting me say those few words
because this team, you're going to hold like a special place in my heart forever. So, awesome job. I will [applause] I will call I will call you guys out. Um, and when we do, come up and get your
your uh certificate. And congrats, girls. Great job. Emma Estrada, come on up. [applause] Maya Estri, [cheering] Juliana Gonzalez, Martina Lopez,
[cheering] Jana May Pagal, I know I mess up your last name every time. Daryl Row, [applause] Ruby Perez, Emily Anna Scavage, Oriana Davies,
Sarah Dusk, Johan Pagal, Juliana Ramirez, Briana Sincere, [applause] Gabriella Muscoso, Greg Mary Sincere, [applause]
Kayla Johnson, Jamie Komas, Fernanda Carvalo, Emily Andrade, Leah Saio, Alfonso, and special thank you to my coaches. I
don't I don't I know Ryan might be somewhere around and uh David Brown. So, thank you guys. Congrats, ladies. Proud of you. Listen, [applause]
what does that tell you? >> Thank you so much for all the support. I hope you guys all have a happy holidays. Thank you guys. know. I love you. Thank you for everything. I'm serious. I can't drive my parents house
when he was No, >> we got one more set of >> All right, we have one more set of awards. Mr. Munes, can you come on down? >> I'd like to take a moment to recognize
and thank three outgoing Belleville BOE members, Trustee Gabrielle Benamini and Trustee Lewis Munes. Each dedicated two terms of service to the Belleville public schools. Over that time, they contributed to amazing initiatives
reshaping this community, reshaping the district, countless hours of work on behalf of our students and families, and they both serve as presidents at their given times. Trustee Michael Daryl has brought a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the work of the board,
always focused on supporting the district and its mission. Serving on a board of education requires an incredible amount of time. for my incoming trustees, you have no idea what's coming. Welcome. [laughter] Uh, and
like we like to say, there's there's BBO excellence and these trustees are nothing short of that. There's a lot more of it that meets the eye behind the scenes and they're here. They were always all hands on deck at all times. So, on behalf of the district, thank you for your dedication. We wish you
continued success in all that comes next. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. They're home. They're home. Relax. >> They're working anyway. All right. >> [applause] >> Okay, we're officially done with our
awards, I promise. Onto the agenda. Okay, thank you everyone and thank you for your patience. Congratulations to all of our student athletes and coaches and teachers. >> Uh we appreciate you and all of the hard work. Um, do we have a report from the
business administrator tonight or we >> Mr. Spiki? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Uh, basically [clears throat] from the business office of we've been working on uh budget meetings with all of the various departments in the district both academically and the
behind the scenes mechanical and physical plant. Uh in addition to which we have uh uh want to thank the buildings and grounds department specifically for their help with the winter weather and
keeping uh the facilities safe for the students to come and go. And I believe that concludes the report. >> Very good. Good to hear. Thank you very much. All right. Moving on to remarks by
citizens. Do we have a motion to open public participation? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Right. All those in favor? >> And we'd like to first call Mr. Michael Sheldon to the podium. >> Uh good evening everyone. Michael
Sheldon, 47 Floyd Street. Uh the agenda tonight is rather relatively short and uh fortunately this agenda provides a fair amount of detail. Uh I've been critical the last couple months that there's been a plusity of details with
agenda items, but uh fortunately this one um pretty much answered the questions that I might have. But I uh one thing I haven't been doing in recent times is looking at the bills list. But I uh bothered to uh not only review this
month's bills list, but also um previous ones, actually going all the way back to the beginning of the year. I'm sure you guys are aware of the fact that um legal costs in recent times have started to not only accelerate but uh go through
the roof. The first six months of this year, the district's legal expenses and the Bush firm, to their credit, has been very good to us and uh charging us very little for legal services. But the first six months of this year, total legal expenses were about $86,000.
But uh during the second half of this year, legal expenses are $260,000. So you we've seen a tripling of legal expenses in the second half of the year. And I know you'll say, "Well, you know, Mr. Sheldon, you know that the district uh was served with four lawsuits this
past summer by our teachers against multiple administrators." But uh I have those those numbers included here. Uh, one of the odd things here, so in the lawsuits, three of the lawsuits, the board itself, which is named defendant,
um, you're being represented, uh, by, uh, I believe it's, uh, Meth Vessel and Worble, or I'm sorry, you're being represented by Hill Wallak. And the other two defendants, our former state monitor and our former BA, they're the ones that are being represented by Meth
Vessel and Worble. and uh they're entitled to that because of indemnification. But the interesting thing here is and I've gone through the bills list. There are no bills so far from either of those law firms even though they've been representing uh you
know these two defendants since uh the latter part of June. You have any explanation why those two firms haven't submitted any bills so far? Are they just waiting until next year to, you know, clobber us with a massive amount of bills for their legal services? Also,
uh, for Jonathan, I noticed that your firm, for some inexplicable reason, you didn't, uh, have any bills for the month of July. I don't know if you guys all took the same month off, but according to the district's bills list, you didn't charge us anything for the month of July. So, something you might want to
look into. So, anyway, my time is almost up here. If I'd like if you can I know you're going to say that you know this is ongoing litigation you can't really comment but this is beside the litigation aspect where where are the bills for all these other firms you know are we going to get uh uh hit with all
of those in the early part of 2026. Thank you. I I just I mean I I I I can only speak I don't know for sure what the situation is with the other firms who are representing the board only with respect to the insurance matters Mr. Sheldon but
typically speaking the insurance bills go to the insurance carrier and not to the board uh and that that would be the reason not in all cases but probably the reason uh in the answer to your question. Okay.
again and I'm you know I know you know the format here we're not supposed to go back and forth from the seats but I'll I'll just just to address it generally because I I don't want you to, you know, I don't want to have answers to to to questions that I that I that are lingering. And uh again, I I don't know
what what firm you did see a bill for other than ours, but insurance billing goes to the if you're representing the board through the insurance carrier, you send your bills to the insurance carrier. And I don't know if that firm was a special counsel, if the firm had hired them separately. I just don't
know. But that's the standard. I mean, our firm sometimes does work for insurance carriers as well for districts that we don't necessarily represent regularly as we do as general counsel like we do here and our bills go to the insurance carrier in those cases. >> Yeah. >> Well, we did I I'm not really We got
paid for July, thank God, but I don't Yeah. Right. >> Thank you. Uh Kenya Santana. >> Okay. And motion then to close public participation. So moved. Is there a second? >> All those in favor? >> I.
>> Very good. All right. Then moving on to our agenda items. >> Do we have a motion for personnel items recommended by the superintendent? Items 7.1 to 7.22. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
>> And is there any discussion? All right. Um, Mr. Esbicki, could you please call the role? >> Sure. [clears throat] Trusty Leon. >> Yes. >> Trustee Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> I change that. Trustee Gillis.
>> Yes. >> Trusty million. >> Yes. >> Trustee Missaga. >> Yes. >> Trustee Darrow. >> Yes. >> And trustee Bennett Meanie. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
>> All right. Moving on to curriculum and instruction. Item presented by the superintendent, Dr. Alonso. Is there a motion? >> So moved >> and a second. >> Second. >> Item 8.1. Is there any discussion on this curriculum?
>> Hearing none. Mr. Isviki, please call the role. >> Trusty Leon, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trustee Misaga, >> yes. >> Trustee Munz, >> yes.
Trustee Darrow. >> Yes. >> Trustee Bennett Meanie. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Very good. Board action and board policy items recommended by the superintendent. Items 9.1 to 9.18. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Wait. Is that all of them? >> 9.1 to 9.18. >> Okay. Madame President, if we can add coming out of private session, we had a recommended resolution to add. >> Oh, yes. >> Yep.
>> And let me read at this point in time, please. >> Okay. >> Uh recommend that the board authorize the architect of record to proceed with formalizing the plans for the option B of the expansion project as noted in the
private session. >> Okay. Very good. Any discussion? Is that image going to be made public for everyone to be able to see like how we do our attachments or is that going to be included as an attachment so they can see it? Awesome.
>> Okay, Mr. Vicki, could you please call the role? >> Sure. Trusty Leon, >> yes. >> Trusty Gillis, >> yes. >> Trusty Munz, >> yes. >> Trusty Missaga, >> I got you, Liz.
>> Thank you. Trusty Dro. >> Yes. >> Just trustee Bennett. Meaning >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Purchasing and business services. >> Items 10.1 to 10.20. Is there a motion?
So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion on these items? >> Hearing none. Mr. Isvicki, could you please call the role? >> Trusty Leon. >> Yes. Trustee Munz. >> Yes. >> Trusty Misada.
>> Yes. >> Trustee Dro. >> Yes. >> Trusty Bennett Meanie. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Did you Did you >> All right. Items >> finance 11.1 to 11.9. Is there a motion?
So move >> and a second. >> I'll second that. >> Mia. >> So Daryl's the second. >> Second on that one. >> Misia is the first. Daryl's the second motion. >> Is there any discussion?
>> All right. Hearing none. Mr. Isbicki, could you please call the role? >> Sure. [clears throat] >> What is going on? >> Go ahead. >> Trusty Leon. >> Yes. >> Trusty Gillis. >> Yes. Trusty Munz.
>> Yes. >> Trusty Misaga. >> Yes. >> Trusty Dro. >> Yes. >> Trusty Benny Gay [clears throat] Bennett Mini. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> All right. And remarks by citizens.
Could we have a motion to open public participation? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Great. All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. And we'll be calling Mr. Michael Sheldon to the podium. >> Uh, good evening again everyone. Um,
you've obviously piqu my curiosity with this resolution that was inserted that doesn't appear on the printout. Um, could you please um, explain in a couple minutes what the expansion plan option B is all about, including whatever monies
are involved. This is all brand new. I have no idea. I don't think any of us outside of the board have any idea what you what you're talking about. Uh since this is the uh my last time before this podium this year, um I do just want to u say that I'm a little bit disappointed
that despite the promises at the beginning of the year that the uh board was going to change the meeting policy, you know, with the requirement of signin sheets and all that was hopefully going to be done away with. Uh there was some anticipation at the beginning of the year and then it's been abandoned. So I
hope next year the new board coming in can finally uh deal with that. Uh it's been brought to my attention that um over the weekend there was some sort of snafu paying our staff. In fact uh superintendent sent out email this morning saying that they were aware of
the issue and uh they would resolve it as quickly as possible. I understand that the staff were paid at some point during the day, but um it's it's my understanding that a number of our staff uh now are u dealing with overdrafts because the monies they automatically
expected to be direct deposited weren't and their banks hit them with overdraft fees. So if this is indeed the case, is this board willing to reimburse any staff members who were affected not to any because of their their own miscalculations, they were expecting the
automatic payments and they weren't they didn't happen. So I I think you you should look into that and reimburse the staff accordingly. Uh last month uh our newb and I hope I'm pronouncing her last name correctly, Miss Iio. She said that
the audit uh had essentially been completed uh and that it would be presented next month during the the regular meeting in January. Could you please confirm? She's not here tonight, but I'm hoping that the rest of you can confirm that that audit presentation
will take place as she announced last month. Uh, I want to bring to your attention, I posted this to my Facebook page um a few days ago. There's currently a bill making its way through the New Jersey Senate S-3195
that's being uh in written and introduced by Senator Singleton, who I believe is the Democratic Representative for Burlington. what this is all about, and this should really be of great interest to all board members, current and future. Um, Senator Singleton is
trying to get new legislation in place that would force communities that have pilot agreements with developers to share a large portion of those pilot revenues with their respective school boards. Uh you as you know I've been
singing uh uh for the last several years um the uh the terrible problems that are going to be eventually created by the town hall's relentless redevelopment projects most of which are made possible because of pilot agreements. Pilot
agreements are essentially long-term tax exemptions running typically 30 years where the developer winds up paying about one quarter of the effective tax rate the rest of us regular homeowners in Bell will have to pay. Uh banks will
not finance their projects unless these pilot agreements are in place. But the real outrage of a pilot is that with the new tax revenue that's generated, and I'm emphasizing new tax revenue, 95% of it goes to the town hall, 5% of it goes to the county, and without having to do
any advanced math, no calculus needed, uh that leaves zero, no additional tax revenue for the board of education, regardless of how many new kids are added to our district. And as I've pointed out multiple times in the last
year, uh, as part of Dr. Tomco's effective farewell address in February of 2024. He gave a very passionate speech where he decrieded how uh the town hall was largely ignoring his request to have a
seat at the redevelopment table. That the district's own demographics indicated that in the next few years we would be these projects would be adding upwards of 300 new students to our schools. Schools that are already nearly full. And so with all of these new kids
coming in and no new tax revenue, who's not only going to pay for their education, but where are we going to put them with our classrooms nearly full? So, you know, you are the stewards of our district. Some of you will no longer have to really worry directly about this
in two weeks, but for those who are in the audience and will be filling in, you guys uh need to support S3195. And it would be great if before the current board members leave, if you might produce a joint resolution and send it off to the state declaring your
support of S3195. It's critical that you guys get the extra income from all of these pilot projects. So I thank you and I just want to wish you all a very merry Quanica. >> Thank you and thank you for your suggestion, Mr. Sheldon. >> Yeah, I'll sign that right now.
>> Yep. >> Madam President. >> Yeah. Can you just clarify two points please? >> Yes. >> One, the uh snafu that we had with payroll was rectified before the end of business today. So no individuals checks
would have bounced and uh it was a matter of timing uh with the holidays and the uh computers talking and sending the messages. But everybody was uh all accounts were cleared by before the end
of business today. Thank you very much. Okay, Kenya Santana. >> Good evening. Um, don't have much to say. Um, I just uh wanted to come up and thank you guys for your the terms that you guys have served. You guys will be
missed. Um, we appreciate you. The community appreciates you serving with integrity and love for our kids and our families. So, I am extremely grateful for all that you have done. Um, I do want to say one thing. Um, I don't know who put today together, but um, the kids
did a wonderful job singing for the choir. And I don't know if you guys noticed, but the color guard was lined up right here ready to come in and nobody called them in. and um I texted Miss Tucky to see if we can try to get them in um after the awards, but they already had taken off their u their
gear. Um so if we can just, you know, try to be mindful um because those kids came out, took time off their schedule, Miss Stucky took time off her schedule, and she's like, "It's okay. It's not it's not okay." Um so I want us to, you know, make sure that we're mindful and that whoever is putting these things
together, um is also mindful of those things. Um again, um happy holidays. Thank you for all that you do. You will be missed. >> Thank you. >> And Christina Gar. Hello everyone. I'm kind of mimicking
what Kenya just said. I wanted to thank you guys for your volunteering service. Louis Mr. Daryl, I know it's Mike and Gabby for everything you've done on the board and I hope I continue to keep in touch with you guys as um I will be serving um
starting in the new year and thanks for all your mentorship. Um I'm really excited to join and I look forward to working with each and every one of you and I wish you all happy holidays. Thank you. >> Thank you.
All right. Do we have a motion to close? >> So move. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Okay. So, we're going to move on to our board member comments and remarks. Would anyone like to go first?
>> I have. >> Okay. Trustee Gillis. >> Um, I just wanted to congratulate everyone who was honored tonight. And I also want to celebrate and highlight the uh first in-person Belleville beginners workshop that they had at CASSA. It was
such a joy walking around and learning about each presenter and collecting valuable information. So I'm very happy about the prek team that put that together. Um and also I'm excited about the new year and I wish Gabby, Mike, and
Lewis good luck and success in their new endeavors. Don't be surprised if I randomly call you because I still want to re keep in touch. Um, and I look forward to the new year with our new team because I know we're all have the same purpose which is doing it for the
children and happy holidays to everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you, trustee. Anyone else? >> Yeah, I'll go. Okay, >> please. Uh just want to start off by uh congratulating everyone on on their awards that they received tonight. Um
you know watching the uh the Belleville pride that kind of took place tonight. That's a little loud. Um I haven't yet experienced in the one year that I've been here and I think Dr. Alphonso you're doing a great job uh acknowledging those that that paved the way for Belleville. Um you're bring
you're you're recognizing a lot of people who who've done a lot for this community and you know I I I think it starts with you. So Dr. So, great job on that. Uh, I hope you continue what you're doing over the next five years. Um, for Lewis, Gabby, and Daryl, uh, I
just want to thank you for, you know, all the mentoring that, uh, that you've done for me over the last year. Um, you know, I'm surely going to miss you. I know I wasn't the easiest person to work with sometimes, but, uh, I I really appreciate you. I know you're not going away. I know you're still part of the community. You guys are are pillars of
this community and uh I I hope that you stick around and and and you're still here for us in the community. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trustee Leon. And anyone else? >> I'll go. >> All right, Trustee Munich. >> You guys keep looking at me like, "Hurry
up and go." Okay. No. Um, in true fashion, when we when we started our campaigning 6 years ago, I would never write anything down and it would freak everybody out because they like knowing what I was going to say, but the truth is that I didn't know what I wanted to say. I just wanted to uh
experience the moment, right? Um, I I it was amazing to see uh all the all the recognition that went out today and and I I'm always happy and proud of our kids, but I was, you know, it was moving to see our staff and our coaches, our
teachers, our directors, um, you know, be emotional about, um, what our kids have accomplished. You know, it's it's it's it's serving in a district and being a part of your lives or the lives of our kids
is it's is a surrendering job, right? Because you kind of give everything that you have to them. So, um it was nice to witness them, you know, feeling how they felt about our kids and and seeing them be recognized the way that they weren't. And what you with that said, you know,
even the one that we the three of us got tonight, um you know, it has our names on it, but it really represents each and every single one of you who thought of us, who voted for us, who held us accountable, and it really uh it signifies our kids in this community.
You know, just before here, um we were talking about some of the upcoming ideas, and you know, I wish that I it could have the the middle school could have come to fruition in that time. um that we were here, but I'm excited to see it come together afterwards. And you
know, I'm grateful to still be even on my last meeting, be able to be a part of making decisions on that. And a common uh a common sentiment between all of us is that this whole thing started for our kids and for wanting to get our kids out
of the middle school instead of being stuck in that building. Um, and that we want to give, you know, we want the space to be given to them, not to be, you know, I know that, you know, part of the agreement was parking on behalf of what we our bond was with the town, but
we'll still honor all those commitments, but the important thing is to create better spaces for our kids. And that's one of the things that I take away in my time uh serving here is those days that you know many people who are just starting to get involved or just
starting to be impacted by the things that we didn't have. Um you when I came on we had school four uh we had school number seven right? Is that right Gabby? So, both of our both both of those
buildings were condemned on the verge of being closed down and now are two of our newest facilities. Um, you we had one field that belongs to the district that if you had to play a soccer game there, good luck. Um, and you know, since then,
you know, our fields are up to date and all of our facilities um our all of our kids have a play area for them to be a part of uh and enjoy. our our kids are for the most part and hopefully next year, the year after, including the middle school, getting our kids out of the buildings and giving them some
outdoor rec wreck time. Um, but you know, I as someone who served, I wanted to always be accountable for my time here and I am grateful that in that time I can say I really was impactful. I really did do something.
Um, I I I didn't I didn't come in here promising perfection. I know there's ways of doing things better and I know that um you know there's certain things that I wish we would have been able to finish and do uh that we won't and then I know that the rest of you and you coming in will do so. Uh so I'm excited
for the future of this district because I know um there's really strong leaders uh up here and soon to be coming up here as well. Um so I'm excited for you all. I thank you all. I really am grateful. I I got got to meet you guys and and
really get close to all of you. Um so I appreciate everything um that you guys have added to me in my life. So uh thank you and uh good night. Happy merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy Quanza like Sheldon says. >> Thank you Trustee Munes
and else. >> Sure. I can go. >> Vice President Darrow. >> Thank you. And unlike uh Trusty immune, uh 10 years ago, I probably could have done it the off the cuff, but this time I have to prepare. So, I did have to write something up in the office today
because I just wanted to just kind of be able to state everything I wanted to do to do. Uh first, I want to throw a little busting in here. Thank uh President Gabby Bennett Meanie, who never missed a meeting, so I never had a chance to try [laughter] to stand in as
president one day, but thanks. I have to throw that in anyway. Uh but good evening everybody. Uh coming to the close of my term on the school board, I'm forever grateful for my time here. I'm excited for the things we've been able to accomplish and build here. Sometimes with a lot of opposition, and
we certainly put ourselves out there to receive some of the backlash from the community, but I guess that comes with the territory. Uh still, I had a chance to meet so many fantastic people along the way, and many new friendships were formed. I would like to personally thank Gabby, Lewis,
Liz, Steve, Brenda, and Jean. Yes, in this case I'm using first names here because I think this past year showed us how we all we could all work together effectively when thrown into a room for many days or hours on end. Uh this board in particular was faced with many of what I like to call abnormal challenges
from the time I first got on until now. And I think we're able to meet most of them head on. Within my first term, our long-term superintendent left. We had an interim superintendent come in for a year. We had to fill a temporary trustee position. We had to hire a new superintendent. ended our state monitor oversight jurisdiction hired an
assistant superintendent and had to replace our exist our exiting business administrator with a temporary interim in Mr. Becky and then come January a permanent slot filled with the addition of Mrs. I hoe isn't that a lot for [laughter] a year's
time frame I think earlier this year we undertook the search for a new superintendent and our path led us to Dr. Alonso, I think we made an excellent choice and I have no regrets that we are leaving the district in more than capable hands. With Dr. Alfonso and Dr. Dia now holding the reigns, I'm
confident in the direction our district is going to take and I can only expect to hear great things to come from it. Uh, and that of course goes for our new board members as well. I know you're going to contribute to that greatly. Uh, I know many of you have gotten to know over the time that we've all been campaigning out there and I kind of know
where all your hearts are at and some of your thoughts and things like that. So, I know you're all going to do a great job together with uh with the two doctors up here. Uh, I can only expect to hear great things come from. I'm not exactly sure where my next path will take me or what capacity I'll be involved, but I can assure you that you
won't you will still be seeing me around as I'm not disappearing completely. Uh, and the next chapter is still being written. You must always leave hoping that you've made some kind of difference during the time that you spend someplace. And I'm and I'm hoping that way I was able to contribute to something up here great. Uh thank you to
all our wonderful teachers, principles, staff, administrators, parent organizations, all of our parents and and guardians, and of course, especially all of our students, the kids. Uh it's goodbye for now. Happy holidays, merry
Christmas, uh happy Hanukkah, and whatever else you celebrate. Thank you. Good evening. >> Thank [applause] you, VP, Mr. Darl. That's right. We're not going anywhere. Um, it's been an incredible honor serving on the Belleville Board of Education. As a long-standing community
volunteer, I've built long lifelong relationships that I will always cherish. I served with joy and passion and worked together with the rest of this board to develop initiatives that we should be very proud of. I will truly miss you and the
camaraderie of this remarkable group. I also wish our new board members much success next year. I remain ambitious and enthusiastic and I look forward to the next journey ahead and you will see me in the community. I promise you that
and I'll always be here if you you need me. Um, I wish the whole Belleville school district a very happy holiday, a very happy new year and to enjoy their break and its progress
and back to basics. That is the mantra moving forward. So with that said, could we have a motion to close? >> So moved. And is there a second? >> So second, >> Liz and Lewis. And all those in favor?
>> I. >> I. All right.