I don't know if he'll show up, though. >> We're good. I put all his stuff here. >> The New Jersey public's meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of the public bodies at which any business affecting their
interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provision of this act, the Ber Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted with the Star Ledger and Express Times and submitted to the town clerk of the town of
Belvadier on January 12th, 2026. The meeting will be livereamed at www.belvierd.org. Flag salute, please. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The Belvadier School District in partnership with our families and community empowers every learner to grow, achieve, and lead through
inclusive practices, rigorous academics, purposeful learning, and meaningful relationships. We honor our traditions while preparing students to thrive in college, career, and life. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Sbone, >> here. >> Dr. Mr. Zith
>> here. >> Mrs. Duckworth >> here. >> Miss Johnson >> here. >> Miss Stephen >> here. >> Mrs. Straight >> here. >> Miss Walton >> here. >> Mrs. Wter >> here. >> Miss White >> here. >> Mr. Cherelli >> here. >> Mrs. Gardella >> here. >> Mrs. Botham
>> here. [snorts] All right. We're doing the presentation. All right. So, at this time, we're going to do a presentation for the travel club students with um Mrs. Coke. Um, >> hi. Um, I'm Debbie Cook. You guys know
me. Uh, I just wanted to give you a rundown on our trip that we took um over spring break this year for our travel club. Um, uh, it says here, confidence, culture, awareness, and life skills and preparing students for success in an everchanging
world. Um, as many of you know, when we travel with our with our kids, um, they learn so many skills and they get to see so many things that they never would have been able to see and yet experiences. So, it's amazing to take a
student from the classroom that maybe, you know, it might not be their best learning situation and you take them into an immersive situation and all of a sudden they grow right in front of your eyes. Um, so it's really a privilege that we get to do that and that we have
been doing that for the past few years and that our program continues. Um, so I'm just going to show you a little bit about what we did this year. [clears throat] Uh, so we started in Amsterdam. Um it was a really cool experience because uh our company EF that we travel with sent
us on a scavenger hunt. Um every we had three groups together this year cuz we were a smaller group and um we stayed the whole group got to have a really neat planned out scavenger hunt that took us from place to place and we had
different obstacles to do at each place. So, um, we learned that the stock exchange actually started in Amsterdam. We got to go to the first stock exchange, uh, and there's a a giant bull out front. Um, we went to find all the
canal things, um, and the boats that are on the canal and how they do the trips. Um, we also got a real laugh out of this little tiny car. Um, we were saying half the people we know probably couldn't even fit in it. Um, but it was it was kind of neat. Uh, we also went to where
all the windmills are and we saw a giant um well, we saw an uh demonstration of how the windmill grind stuff. The one that we saw was doing pigments. It was freezing, but they also made wooden shoes on premise. As you can see, Dr. McKini is right there in a pair of giant
wooden shoes. Um, uh, additionally, we went to the Anne Frank House. Um, I always think it's really neat when we take something that students read or that they learn about in school and, um, they get to see it in, you know, right there in front of their eyes. So, this is actually the
church that I Frank wrote about in her in her book that she could hear the church bells um, and could like peek out the window a little bit. And this is an actual this is the actual Anne Frank diary that is in glass there. And um so I just thought it was neat to include a
little picture of that. Also really neat is the house is still standing and they built a museum around it. So you get to actually go into the rooms and see the things that were there. It's it's undisturbed.
Uh then we went to Brussels in Belgium. Um this is a really neat thing. It's the atonium. Uh it's a giant model of iron crystals uh of a cell in iron crystals and it was made for the world's fair. Um
it's about 102 m which is like 335 ft tall. Uh each of these circle things that we got to see. Um they're stainless steel spheres and they have actual exhibitions inside of them and all the tubes in between are staircases and
escalators. Um it was like a really neat thing for us to see. Uh, in Brussels, we also went to we we did chocolate making. Um, we went to a giant um market area and so I showed the strawberries because we bought them and ate them right on the
street. They were really good. Um, at night time, well, here's our chocolate making. Um, at night time in our hotel, we always like try to get the kids together and play games and stuff. So, I just showed you some pictures of that. Um, then we went to Paris. Uh, we got to
see the Mulan Rouge. Um, we on our way there, we went to McDonald's. There was we had to stop for lunch because it was a long ride between there. But it was really interesting for us to see because everything like the French fry containers, everything nothing gets thrown away. It's all plastic, gets
washed and you use it all again, your cups, everything. Um, another thing that was really, really cool there was this giant thing is outside and it's washers and dryers for people that need to wash their clothes and maybe are unhoused or
don't have somewhere to do that. So, um, they can actually do it right right there and have clean clothes. Um, so we thought that was kind of a neat thing. Uh, um, we went to the Lou. Uh we got to see the Mona Lisa which is only about this
big that truly. But if you turn around so facing forward you see the Mona Lisa. If you turn around you see this giant giant picture um which is the wedding feast um that was painted where where
Jesus turned uh wine water into wine. So it's kind of a neat thing. Um these are some pictures. So that giant triangle that you see or the pyramid that you see of the Louv all the time, um it's also goes down into the Louv. So this is inside. So it's inverted. Um there's no
uh visit to Paris if you don't get some fuagra. Uh so we did that. Um and obviously some macaroons. Um then we went to the palace of Versailles which has the hall of mirrors. Um, if any of you know anything about history, um, Versailles started as
a little hunting cabin from Louis the 13th and, um, then Louis the 14th moved the whole entire court of France into the palace and it became a permanent residence. Um, it was like an amazing thing to see cuz it looks like it's all
fake, but it's not. Everything is gold. Um, here's a picture of the Hall of Mirrors, which really only has mirrors on one side. I expected it to be like everything mirrored, but it's really not. Um, and the grounds there were amazing. So, just a few pictures.
Um, next we went to London. Um, London was a very unexpected treat. Uh, it was such a neat place to go. Um, we got to see changing of the guard um of the very different guards. So, we watched the first changing the guard for the palace, then changing of the guard for um for
like different residences all along. So, it was kind of a neat thing. Um, this is a bark that is right on the ground. Um, it's the Queen's Walkway. Uh, this is Westminster, of course, Big Ben, Parliament. Um, and we rode the eye. Um, I wasn't thrilled about that, but I'm
really glad that we did. This is a picture of our people inside of our kids inside the eye. Uh, it's giant. I I didn't even believe it. So, um, then we went to Windsor Palace, which is like where they live otherwise,
um, where the royals do. Um, this is a sign of the noble order of the garter. Um, it wouldn't be a trip to London if you didn't see a picture of a palace guard with a big fin on his head. I don't know what you call that, but um, here's our group. Um, and this is a
picture of Windsor Station. Um, one thing that I have here, which is kind of a joke if kids that have traveled with me or that like have seen it, um, I take pictures of manhole covers everywhere we go, all the utility covers. It's really neat. In Europe, they're all different and they're all decorated really really
like they all have their own thing. So, in Berlin, it has the whole city of Berlin on it. Um, in like every country, so I everywhere we go, I take pictures, but they always say where you're at. So, I think that's kind of a neat thing. Maybe one day I'll make myself a coffee
table book. I don't know. But um this is an Amsterdam. This is a London. This is Tame's Water. Um so anyway, that is the end um of that and thank you and yeah,
[applause] Mr. Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Ko. We are on to student recognition with Dr. Garcia. >> Okay. Uh welcome everyone. We are going to recognize a few groups of students. The first set being the graduating
class's top 10 students and these are listed in alphabetic order. Um so I'm just going to call all the names and then we'll come up and give the certificates. Just come on up when your name is called. Carter Crow, [applause] KAITLYN, [applause]
ADDISON, [applause] Marshall F, [applause] ISABELLA >> [applause] >> AREN HENRY, [applause] Maline Carlos, [applause] [applause]
Abigail Mai, [applause] Jamini [applause] and Nicholas Sanchez Espinosa. [applause] [applause] We're just going to have to >> push Thank you. Congratulations, GUYS. [applause]
>> [applause] >> WE are also recognizing tonight um 100 strikeout records. We have Jake ACRIMAN [applause] [applause] and Isabella Costino. [applause] >> [applause]
>> And last but certainly not least tonight, Freddy Award nominees. Um, and this year, um, the play was the Lightning Thief. It was very good. Um, I think quite a few individual board members did see it. Um, and I was very
impressed, um, with our talent. So, uh, we have Sylvia Loro and Avery Mshach for technical design [applause] and Arden Henley for the student achievement award. [applause] I just want to say a quick thank you. >> [applause]
>> Oh, hold on one second. >> Commissioner Crow, uh, one of the top 10 seniors, Carter Crow's dad, for helping us with sound and light cues and also for helping me with a lot of microphone issues. >> Thank you. Excellent. Thank you. [applause] Now, I happen to know that some of our
students tonight have a um another obligation and they popped out and made sure they were here tonight. So, I'd like to thank them for coming. Um we do not need to hold you here. If you would like to go, we understand. Um and and again, congratulations to everybody.
[applause] >> I don't see Anna. Okay. All right. So, we will be Okay. So, we'll be moving on to district goals end of the year update. >> Mr. Lee, Eric, you
come. the button when we're ready. There you go. Okay, so this is our end of the year um progress update for the district goals that we had this year. Um you know, I thought this was appropriate to title this know your present to build your
future. Um it has been a very very busy um year and [laughter] a lot going on. Um so it was um I think great to gather some of the information that we were able to gather uh just even based on our district goals.
So one of the areas that we were looking at was the long range facilities plan. Um that plan is generally a 5-year plan. It does have to get updated and approved by the state. We work with an architect um and our team to put that together. Um we were able to accomplish that. It is
on the board agenda today for um approval. uh if approved it'll then be submitted um to the state and they approve it on their end. So one of the big things that we've done um and we were able to complete this year with facilities is a roofing project and we
were able to tackle two roofing sections um B&E and the cost was approximately $166,000 um which is a big deal because we knew our roofing needed attention. um we were concerned with what the cost would be for that and we were able to again work as a team to be able to find a solution
that was fiscally responsible to the district and get it done. Um so it's a continued focus as we move forward for different sections of the roof. Uh the boiler project is a project that is supported by a grant reboot offset. That project is scheduled for the 2627 school
year. This year uh Mr. Kennedy, um, Miss Chama, they worked on submitting the grant, getting the approval, and making sure that we were locked in so that we could do that very much needed project next school year. Um, one of the items with this project was also that we
needed to have asbesus um, review and and taken care of and we were able to get that also set so that we are on track and to get the project done. And again, the the big thing here is the total value of the project is $885,000
and the district is putting out $276,000. We have also been working on um communications just generally for the district primarily at an administrative level looking at processes and procedures and and what's going on in
Belvadier on a day-to-day basis. Um there's been quite a few areas that we've been targeting. Um the website is one of them because if we have a website, we want to make sure that information is out there, current, accurate to the best of our ability. It is a work in progress. It is absolutely not completed and done, but we do want
to focus on making sure that we were meeting the regulations of the Department of Ed with what needed to be on that website, which we have been uh working to do. And there's information up there that just allows community members to also get information about the district um with regards to New Jersey performance reports, easy links
to access that information, um district corrective action plans for chronic absenteeism. So those are things that have been added to the website so that everybody's aware of what the district is um working on. Internally we have been uh working again
administrative level on um communication processes for the different items that we work to daytoday. Um we are also throughout this process we're able to identify areas of training that's needed across the board. Um from administration
um to communicating with the staff to then being able to do more and communicate with families, students etc. Again this is a work in progress. It's it's not where it needs to be 100%. But we have come a long way. Um first step is to make sure that everybody that's administering in the building in the
community and the district is doing so effectively and appropriately. So um this is a continued work in progress. We do have a training plan. Um it hasn't been formalized. Once it is formalized, we will be posting it on our logistic website. Uh but we have, you know, the
gist of what we're going to focus on for the next school year. Um the other item was just also some unification in some of the information that we put out. Um and these are things while it seems minimal, it does matter. It makes things a little bit less confusing. Just like standard letterhead, things like that to
make it easier. Again, this is a work in progress. We have other documents, other items that we have to review. It's not possible to do that in 9 months. Nine months. Yes, nine months. Um, but we're working on it and over the summer we plan to do quite a few um things
attacking some of this. My clicker. Here we go. [snorts] The third district goal that we um had for this year was with regards to the benchmarks and uh assessments and achievements. We know that they that the district has been struggling with um test scores, state test scores. Um this
has been consistent with what we see from benchmarks as well. So [snorts] again, this is 9 months, so it's not a really full year that we've been able to tackle this. And we really had to identify what the needs were. What we were able to find from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school
year, there was some really nice growth um in sixth grade with 36% to 63% of the students meeting um the grade level, which is great. Uh second grade had a nice increase as well. Um seven out of the nine grade levels, and that would be K through eight, really demonstrated
achievement. So we still have some target areas there for the math from the literacy trend. There was not as much of a significant increase. So we know that this is an area we have to work on. Um third and fourth grade demonstrated actually decline from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school
year. Um and again this information when we gather it, we review it and then we start to identify what do we need to tackle? What kind of training do we need? What kind of supports do we need? Um, first grade did show nice growth from 36% on their um, reading benchmark
to 52% and sixth grade did have an increase of 9 percentage points as well. Not exactly where we would like to be. We definitely want to make it, you know, a little bit better, much better for the next school year and we have a few things in place to be able to accomplish that. Um, one of the areas that is from
a demographic standpoint, the areas that we're looking at the scores and they really didn't demonstrate the growth that we want to see is that economically disadvantaged student group, that demographic. So, we know that this is an area that we need to focus on intensely.
Um, you know, there's a little note here. This data is not just a metric. It is our primary instructional mandate for the upcoming year. We look at this, we review it, we dissect it, we do all the things with it. And that happens a lot throughout the summer to be able to identify things that we need.
>> Can I ask a quick question? >> Yeah. Uh, who wants to go first? >> I just wanted to ask really quick. I'm sorry. Is this that data is from Renaissance only? >> Yes. >> District benchmarks are through the Renaissance platform. >> Renaissance platform. And >> I don't know, is it on? It's on.
[clears throat and laughter] And then um the Renaissance is given to each grade level. Same amount of time. same like everybody's administering the same from case >> they have a window to administer it so they administer it within that window of when the benchmark is open and it
happens the beginning of the year so it's generally September um mid year would be around January and then end of year May >> okay for K or is it 3 through 8 >> K through 8 K through 8 >> okay yes >> can can you just go back one slide really quick um that's a fantastic
improvement from 36% to 63% so it's actually 36 263 not up by 63%. Correct. Like >> correct. >> Okay. And then did you see any um math score like grades go lower?
>> There were two grade levels that did have a decrease in their score. >> Okay. And then just in terms of thinking about the cluster and curriculum, um I know that there's been a more intense focus on math, can you talk a little bit about that work that's happening from a
cluster level? >> Yes. So, we have been meeting as a um the cluster superintendent and discussing what we can do to make sure that we're working together collaboratively and really knowing what's going on in each other's districts. Um the idea for that is not only to identify areas we need to work
on, but also identify areas that they may show strengths, we may show strengths, so that then we can share the resources and the strategies that we're using. So, it's utilizing the resources that we have within the cluster to support some of the growth that we need to do. Um an area that we uh focused on for math specifically was trying to have
common assessments that would allow us to place students in appropriate math classes. Um and that's just one indicator. I want to be clear. There could be situation, you know, the different indicators to demonstrate that a student would be appropriate for a pro a program. Um but it is a strong indicator to have a common assessment
that every student takes here. Harmony um White Township and what did I miss? Hope. Um so that's important. We want to make sure it's consistent. It's the same because they all ultimately refund funnel into the high school. So, we want to make sure when they get to the high school that we're learning, have the
same skill set. >> Okay. And I just have uh two more questions. Uh economically disadvantaged students, how is that defined? Is that defined by a definition from the Department of Education? And what does that >> title one students? Yes. >> Okay. And can you give just um some
background on that definition of how we define economically disadvantaged students? Um there's it's a percentage of students that are um students generally that fall in that would qualify for free and reduced lunch. Um there's percentages. Um
there's different categories even within that group because they do break it down even further. Uh male, female, all those things, but it's really based on the um economic demographic for the family. Mhm. And I I don't want to jump ahead, but I believe in some of the other information that's going to be shared in
this meeting, we also see similar trends with attendance around the economically disadvantaged student population as well. >> So that's in my superintendent report. I'll have more information about that. Yeah. >> Okay. It's it's it's direct correlation though. >> I know these are good questions. Wait,
it's it's a direct correlation. attendance and these results because if you're not in school, >> you're not getting the instruction. >> And so, um, for the critical focus to areas of ELA and and putting attendance aside, is there any other interventions
that the district is taking right now to address that that population? >> Perfect. >> So, [laughter] okay. >> No, I'm sorry. >> So, we are activating targeted grant funding to drive equity centered instructional success. We know that
there's students um that need specific targeted skill instruction. We know that there's foundational skills that have to be reinforced. Um we know that there's only so many minutes in the day, so many people in the day and all these things. We while we do have Renaissance, which
is great, what we know is that there's more training that has to be done to get the full benefits of that program. Um in addition to that, again, the literacy scores are really um quite low. So, we know that that needed to be addressed
specifically. So, what we did is that we submitted um two competitive grants and I actually will have more on that on the superintendent report, but the bottom line is I'll give more details about it specifically, but for we were awarded the grants for the district. Um, which
is significant because that allows us to get specific intervention supports, specific training, specific training not just with instruction, but also how to analyze data. And that's what we're going to be doing as we plan for the 2627 school year. And the idea is that when we're identifying students and
there's different grade bands that those um grants apply to. But when we're identifying students, we need to know what to do with that identification, right? So we know maybe students are falling into this category, but now what? How do we address that? And that's what those grants will help us support training, instructional strategies,
resources, that type of thing. There are limitations, however. So the grants don't just allow us to hire, that's not how it works, all these people. It's about implementing and and finding programs that help us support what we need to do. Um, let me see.
So again, fall 2026 training plan, that's actually for the full year. We'll have something defined and very clear, a professional development plan for the district um by the start of the school year. We have that high impact tutoring grant that we were awarded. Again, these are two competitive grants. So, we are
very happy about the fact that we did get those grants. Um, and we also have the building responsive instruction through data guided evaluation, otherwise known as bridge, um, to embed equity centered practices across the district. Um, the hit grant addresses
math and ELA. The bridge grant is specific to literacy. So we are using the data that we have right now to help us identify how to move forward for the district and for our students
and that's it. Yes. Thank you. [applause] >> No, it was all good questions. All right. So, executive session.
>> I am going to have to show. >> Okay. Can I have a motion for executive session? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Any abstensions? Okay. Executive session. The board of education of the
Belvier school district in the county of Warren will adjourn in to a closed session meeting to discuss the item which falls within the exceptions of our p open public meetings and permits the board to have a private discussion since
it details with specific exceptions pertaining to NJSA 10 4-12B matters rendered confidential by federal state and court rule, individual privacy, attorney client
privileges, and personnel. Any discussion held by the board, which need not remain confidential, will be made public as soon as practicable. Minutes of the private session will not be disclosed until the need for confidentiality no longer exists. All appropriate persons who may be discussed
in private session have been adequately notified. The board will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of the closed session in approximately half hour. 45 minutes. 45 minutes we'll go with. Good.
Okay, we are back in session. We are entering public participation. This um first public participation is on agenda items only. We very much welcome input from the public. There are two times during regular meetings that the
public is invited to speak. One time is early in the meeting before the board votes when you may speak about any items that is listed on tonight's agenda. Towards the end of the meeting, there is another public forum to address any matter public concern related to the schools. To ensure fair and efficient
meetings, each public comment session will be limited to a total of 30 minutes at the discretion of the presiding officer. When you approach the microphone, please state your name, city, town, and group affiliation. Each statement made by a participant may shall be limited to 3 minutes. Time may
not be yielded to other participants. All statements must be directed to the presiding officer. No participant may address or question board members individually. Please understand that the public comment portion of our agenda are not question and answer sessions, but are offered as opportunities to share
your thoughts with the board. The board may or may not respond to public comments. However, all comments are considered and they will be investigated and addressed as appropriate. Please be courteous and mindful of the rights of others when speaking. Comments may not be abusive, obscene, threatening, or irrelevant. The presiding officer may
interrupt and or warn if necessary. Please understand that the board will not be responsible for the content of comments made by members of the public. Members of the public are cautioned that they are speaking at their own risk and any statements they make that are directed at a particular individual or
individuals may subject them to legal liability or for defamation. Please also understand that students and employees have specific legal and privacy protections. The board will not respond in public to comments about students and employees.
So our first public participation is now open for agenda items only. Please come up. >> Oh, okay. >> Anybody for agenda item? Jesus, this is low. Good evening everyone. Does this move, Eric? Okay,
thank you. My back doesn't move that way anymore. Okay. Good evening, everybody. My name is Laura Foster Wazalooki. Uh I live in Belvadier, New Jersey. I've been here for the last eight years. Um my um the
points I'll be making tonight involve um agenda items 19 and 40. Both of these agenda items concern administrator pay increases and um I just need to know how do we as a district justify raising these
salaries while cutting staff and student clubs and programs. The optics are terrible. They are awful. And uh when you speak to other community members um they are surprised and they are outraged.
As a community and a district, we have an ethical and moral obligation to protect our most vulnerable. Our students are vulnerable, not the administrators. Many in the community do not even know that dozens of our clubs have been cut.
Our administrators have not acted with transparency. Standing here tonight, we still do not have a list of the clubs that have been impacted. I know that Spanish National Honor Society and Math Club and Math Honor Society have been cut not because of our administration but because of my child's
involvement with those clubs. The clubs exist to provide education as well as enhance student well-being. Many of these programs are safe spaces for our students, a place where they can feel as if they belong and their voices matter. We are voting against our own best
interests here. Voting to increase the paychecks of administrators who do not communicate or lead with transparency is egregious. As parents, we deserve better. Our students deserve better. We haven't even been given the information to rally as a
community to fund raise or help provide feedback, brainstorm, etc. The parents have not been involved in this conversation, and that's really important. We talked earlier today. A great presentation was given about collaboration. We have not been involved in this
conversation at all. How can we say that we are meeting the educational needs of our students while stripping them of their opportunity to participate in needed clubs and activities? Collaboration with parents and community is not prioritized. Hearing about these cuts through a game
of telephone with neighbors is simply not acceptable. And it is how this community, this district has led itself for many years. This is not this, none of this is new to parents who have been in this district. We find out information through a game of telephone
and it is simply unacceptable. Finding out that really important clubs are being disbanded due to budget cuts, funding, etc. is completely unacceptable. As just a reference point, I emailed Mr. Carabinus. I received a response from
him stating that hard decisions had to be made, etc. I asked him specifically which cuts were impacted. That was on May 20th. I have not received a response from him. May 20th. I urged the board of ed to vote no on these pay increases until we can
confidently say that our students are properly supported. How does it benefit the students to see their administrators receive these pay increases? As a district, >> I'm just interrupting you for a second. Your time is up. So, please finish up. >> As a district, we have to ask ourselves
who we want to be. Do we want to be the district that cuts math club, math honor society, and SP Spanish National Honor Society, and in the same breath gives our admin raises? Is this the district we want to be? I urge you to vote now.
Thank you. [applause] Hello everyone. My name is Laura Chetum. Right now I live in Brooklyn. I grew up here in Belvadier. My mom taught here. My dad was a schoolboard member here. I played field hockey here.
661. We have 661 signatures on our petition to keep and fund the field hockey program. This is not on the agenda for this evening. >> It is related because we are also voting
today on whether to approve the raises. >> Great. So you can address that >> for the principles, the administrative assistants and the non-union staff members. It comes from the same fund. As my fellow community member was just saying, these are related. And so, could
everyone who is here for the field hockey program stand up, please? No. I want you to see how much this community cares. We're all here because we care about this field hockey program. I printed out this petition for all of you. As you
read the list, you'll recognize the names. These are people you know, friends, neighbors, students, parents, and alumni. Look at all of us here tonight. Through my conversations with community members, a central theme that emerged is
that the way this vote was conducted has left folks feeling distrustful of the school's leadership and pessimistic about the future of the school district. When board members were prompted to vote on the future of the program, it was clear that signups had not yet occurred,
leading to a misleading narrative that the team has low participation. The community is now feeling misled and suspicious. If you hope to regain the trust of your constituents, there must be a revote in which all members have the understanding
that there are 18 players committed to play this fall. This is related because we are voting tonight on the budget. As per the petition, we demand that Dr. Garcia and the board one, formally withdraw the application for the co-op from NJS
IAA. Two, fully fund the field hockey program and three commit to prioritizing the students of this district. Thank you. [applause] So just to be clear, we are not voting on the budget that had already taken place in a previous meeting.
Anything else on agenda items? Okay, that closes our public participation. Number one, correspondence. Do we have any correspondence? Oh, I'm sorry. Wait, I forgot. There's committee reports at the bottom. I wrote around it. Sorry.
>> So, first one up, student activities and community relations. The student activities committee met on May 13th. At that time, the co-op of field hockey was discussed in that it was in the hands of the NJSIA.
We also looked at the end of the year events and awards to celebrate our students and the good that is taking place. For example, the spring concert, talent show, prom, moving up ceremonies, field day, senior awards,
graduation, and pro promotion. Those dates were shared out. In terms of co-curriculars, we were informed that the following co-curricular positions were not posted and will not be offered at this time. Chess club, AV Club, Cedar Scoop,
Spanish National Honor Society, Ski Club, Literary Magazine, Math National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Family Tools, and Tech for Elementary. We also looked at the facilities events and we were told that there were over
2,000 events that had been scheduled thus far this school year in the schools. And we were also informed about North Waring wanting to co-op with the wrestling for the upcoming year with them sending their students to us. Thank
you. [clears throat] >> Thank you. Any questions on the minutes? No. All right. So, on to curriculum and instruction, we met on May 20th. Um, it was a pretty brief meeting because a lot of it was just finalizing what we where
we were for the year. Um, student assess assessments. We went over the the schedules um of what had been complete and what was coming up um for our classes. Um, we did our senior finals the week of June 1st. our freshman,
sophomore, and juniors are currently happening. Um, now we reviewed um that the benchmarks for ELA and math um took place the month of May for grades K through 8 and that there was an
anticipation for sending the parent reports out by the end of the school year for that. um the New Jersey assessment were all going on and then had been completed between our last meeting and then our end of May meeting
and professional development was our next um thing that we talked about with um review topics for what is hopefully going to be planned for the 2627 year and renaissance training for teachers
would be a big one of that with um reviewing doing benchmarks and targeted instruction. Um there's also more collaboration going on as Dr. Garcia had spoke earlier with the local districts uh to share cost of some of that
training that needs to be coming up and one of the big ones is for the preschool training. Uh we talked about the electronic communication training that would be happening. Um, and hopefully that was hope for the beginning of the school
year. Correct. [snorts] And then grants, which we learned today. We got both of the grants um that were were awarded to us. And then last was just the schedule for the 2627
um school year and that that's a work in progress. And um bones was put on that and I know a lot of people had questions about that. Basically, it just means the skeleton. And in my mind, that's how I thought of it. Or if you're a building person, think of it, you know, as the framework
is there and we have to put all the meat into it yet. But that's where the schedule stands right now. Any other questions on that? Okay. So, we did our personnel negotiations and exec policy and
governance. The policy committee met on May 28th. Um we are we have policy 0174 legal services which is up for second reading. We did go back and update that policy and agreed to change the policy language
to reference the board president and the board president's designate. Cell phone and electronic communication devices were discussed. A communication plan has been put into place that is currently underway. The high school principal has reviewed the policy with the high school student government,
middle school students, and ongoing discussions are occurring with the administration to ensure consensus and that the procedure outlined can be effectively carried out. Right now, the team is currently evaluating two types of pouches and is leaning towards an RF, which is a radio
frequency type velcro style pouch. Um, but there will be limited number of pouches purchased. So the policy pro at this moment right now again always a work in progress because the law is changing and things are occurring. Um but right now the policy will be that
the students will be expected to keep their phones out of sight in the beginning from the end of the day or from the beginning of the day to the end of the day. Um [sighs and gasps] we went we talked a little bit about policy 5340 which is around class rank. We just
quickly reviewed it. Nothing has been changed or discussions. We will review that the Dr. Garcia will review that more in depth over the summer and the hope is to have an updated policy presented in August so that it can be in place in September October.
We did revisit booster club policy 9191 which was requested by a board member. Um we revised or we revisited it. We considered the board member's recommendation and we decided at this time that it was best to just leave the policy as is. that we have it on our
radar for future agenda. Um we talked about uh having [clears throat] updating our standard operating procedures. So currently our standard operating procedures is quite comprehensive document and we need to
review this to ensure that our procedures are in line with our policies. This is going to be a gradual enhancement. We'll probably do one section at a time um to ensure that we're all in line with what our policies say, our procedures meet that. Does
anybody have any questions? >> Um I do. Um I was just for the sake of clear policy interpretation, I was wondering I was looking at the definition for um the president's design. And a designate is defined as a
person who has been officially chosen, appointed or assigned by someone else to perform a specific duty, carry out a role or act on their behalf. So if um the design would the designate then be the vice president?
Not necessarily. could be a chair >> person, you know, a committee chair that would need to communicate. >> So, as the designate of the president. >> Okay. >> And then I have another um comment. I'm
just formally requesting that the tardy policy um be reviewed at the next policy uh committee meeting. And I think that there's um some um there's some variation in what's in the student handbook versus what's actually in the
policy. And I think the policy was last reviewed back in 2021. And then additionally, I noticed in the student handbook for attendance. And I know we're going to talk a little bit more about the um district improvement plan around attendance, but um in the handbook it does state
when letters are sent and after so many occurrences, whether it's 10 um in a certain period or in a certain quarter. And I'm not sure I haven't had the chance, but I think it's important just to make sure that that correlates with the policy around attendance as well.
>> All right, I'll make sure it's on the next agenda. Thanks. >> Thank you. Any question? Any other questions on that? Okay. Finance and operations. >> You weren't there, >> so I will do it so you don't have to. [laughter] Um, just a couple of things and we've
already touched on a few of them. The roofing project was complete. We did the two sections. That's done coming out of this year's funds. We're just waiting for the final invoice to come in. The boiler boiler project, as you saw, funds are all allocated. Grants are coming in. And that'll be done in next year's. The heat exchanger, which was um forecast at
$50,000, Andrew had a great plan to not remove the old one, to just put a new one in there. There's enough room, which is going to save us a bunch of money. So, that'll come out at 2526 funds. Also, um the the survey we did, >> no, >> I don't know that. We know that's going
to come out. >> Well, that's what our thing says. >> That what we have. >> That was We don't have any quotes or anything. Okay. >> We don't have any quotes on it. >> 26 27. Yeah, that would be >> all right. So, the minutes are wrong. It's going to be 2627. >> Um, Third Street, the survey was located. It
went to the title company. Think you're going to update us on that in executive session possibly. The long range facility plan, we did not have it at this time of the meeting, but it has come out in the meantime and I think everybody has a copy of it. Um,
>> too long. [laughter] >> We discussed the shared services agreement. So, there was the the business services to Harmony, child study team to Harmony, technology services to Hope and White, and preschool instruction coach, intervention specialist to Franklin. I think you all have a bunch of those all that stuff in your packets. And then we
toured the life skills room. It's looking pretty good. And they're looking to do a ribbon cutting opening, official opening um in the fall of 2026. Can we have the long um long range cessment plant sent? I could not access the link in the agenda. Actually, I totally
missed it and then when I tried to access it today, I don't have access. >> Oh yeah. >> So, if we could just get it as an >> logged in through your email, your school email. >> I can't even click on it. It's not clickable. >> Yeah. I thought it was me and my computer. I couldn't access document. >> I opened it when you originally sent it
and read it. So, I can't answer that. >> It's a little odd. Hm. >> Okay. >> Did anybody else have issues with it that you know of >> there was a PDF you sent, but you can't click on a link in a PDF? So, if they're trying to click on a link in a PDF, that won't work. >> So, that was the issue.
>> Yeah. >> Oh, maybe. >> So, we'll get that resent. >> Hey, they are sorry. We're just >> We're just asking to have the long range facility plan resent to the board members. Is that better?
Real quick, you said when the the boiler is not being removed, >> the old No, no, no, no, no, no. Heat exchanger. The >> heat the old heat exchanger is not being removed. >> Correct. It'll cost too much to remove. I don't think it's working. It'll cost too much to remove it and there's room to leave it there and put a new one next
to it. >> Okay. So, it's just staying put. >> Staying put. >> Any other questions on any of that? >> No. Can I just go back to one of the committee reports? >> Sure. >> I just I know I'm sorry, but the the
legal services policy and the designate, we have six committees, right? Six committees. Wait. 1 2 3 4 5. Five. So, five. We have 12 board members. So, we're giving access to five of the 12
board members to contact the attorney when we already know our legal services are high. Like, no. know it would be the designate. So if it was for example negotiations needs to communicate with the attorney as opposed to going through
the president and being a middleman they communicate directly >> but you have no controls like so I could say sure Marian call the lawyer sure Carolyn call the lawyer like anybody at that point out of these committees these
five committees could call the lawyer >> you you say no but that's how the policyy's written >> it's not how the policy is written it's they have to explicitly be the designate. I think Melissa's l comment was that it potentially could be a
committee chair. >> Okay. >> Like in the example of negotiations and our SOP does have a control point for um legal invoices. >> We do. >> We do. >> What is it?
>> It's that there's a log and it is to be reviewed. off top my head I think it's the president but I don't have that >> it is >> it is okay but there is a control point to around our legal expenses >> so what does the board have access to
receive those logs because right now we're getting invoices and I know we've already expanded our expenditures for legal services so we're reconciling that then with our log and then our bills >> off the top of my head I don't remember
>> that level But I know we've discussed it as a board before because I had I had raised the question and reminded. >> I'm just trying to be fiscally responsible. >> No, me too. That's why I wanted to make sure that that control was being adhered to. But we do have one.
>> As an example, Jack, I am a designate on negotiations. Dr. John, I am not a designate on as chair co-chair on finance and operations. But I also know that previously in the past, now this has been we're revising this as a designate, but previously in the past,
we actually saw school administrators, I'm at certain positions that were not on this board reaching out to legal and that shouldn't be happening. So, I'm trying to avoid th that that gray area
where that's going to occur. Okay, I'm done. Thank you. >> Okay, any other questions on the notes? >> Okay, so we are on to correspondence then. We have two letters.
The first says, "Dear Belva Board of Education, Dr. Mc Dr. McKenna and Dr. Garcia, I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from my position as an ERI professional. I made this decision after careful consideration and I believe it is time for me to move on to new challenges and opportunities. I
will be finishing out this year but not returning for the 2627 school year. June 11th, 2026 will be my last day. During my time at Belvadier Elementary School, I have seen amazing progress in our students. It has been a privilege to witness their growth and celebrate their accomplishments. It has been my one of
my greatest triumphs to be part of our student successes and I will look back at my time at BA bees. Finally, sincerely, Kathleen Perry. The second says, Dr. Garcia and the Belvader Board of Education, please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as a high
school history teacher with the Belvadier School District effective 8:30 of 26. After 24 years in this district, this decision comes with deep gratitude and reflection. My time here at Belvadier has been both rewarding and professionally fulfilling. I have had
the privilege of working alongside dedicated educators and remarkable students who have continually inspired me. Over the years, I have watched generations of students grow into thoughtful, capable adults, and I am proud to have played a small part in their journeys. The relationships I have built within this community and the
experiences we have shared will always remain meaningful to me. I am sincerely thankful for the opportunities the district has given me throughout my career. From professional growth and collaboration to the chance to help shape young minds through the study of history. I leave with many fond
memories and immense appreciation for everyone who contributed to making these years so fulfilling. Thank you again for 24 years of memories, friendship, and the opportunity to spend those years teaching a subject I love to the Belvadier community. I wish the district continued success in the years ahead in the years ahead. Sincerely, Edward
Demerest. Thank you. Superintendent report. >> The endofear chronic absenteeism corrective action plan um summitive has been completed. It's actually posted on our district website already. Uh while the elementary school chronic rate did demonstrate 10 percentage points
decrease. The high school rate did not demonstrate a significant decrease. uh notices went out regarding uh sixth through 12th grade uh students um who were having excessive absences and tardies and they did have consequences of seat time which is a detention to
make up some of the time missed. Currently recognition for students with perfect attendance happens this week typically the last week of the school year. Um the county superintendent are actually working together. Um we met
I believe it was two weeks ago um with some agencies which included the prosecutor's office, the county behavioral health office um the liaison to the m the courts the judges um with regards to truency and the process. Um we have an ongoing concern across the
county with chronic absenteeism. Um this was evident in our conversations at superintendent roundts which is why we had this um special um meeting. We are looking to continue discussions in the 2627 school year with these agencies.
The goal is to strengthen the impact of truency filings to hopefully help improve attendance. Um what we have discovered is at times when we do try to file truency charges um it isn't making much of an impact on attendance. Um, and obviously the whole point of going
through that process is to improve attendance for students and to get them here in the school building. Additionally, Dr. McKenna has completed an application to participate in the New Jersey Department of Ed's nine-monthlong professional learning opportunity focusing on reducing chronic absenteeism
utilizing the New Jersey tiered system of supports through PD4ME, New Jersey Technical Assistance Center. And that's in partnership with the Ruckers University Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health. We should hear if we have been accepted into that program over the summer. The goal there would be
to have this group that we're actually receiving additional trainings on to help us address the chronic absenteeism and the tardies and all the things that we are facing because the district has had consistently over many years had um a significant issue with absenteeism and
tardies. School performance reports for the 2425 school year were released. Uh the link to the state DOE site has been added to our district website under our district. Um the information um we've been sharing this throughout the
school year that we know our our state test scores are not where they should be. So there was nothing in that that was uh surprising. Uh the district did not meet targets in many tested areas. So this will be a continued focus for the 2627 school year. As I mentioned in
my presentation earlier, special education profiles and determinations have also been released by the state for federal fiscal year fiscal year 24. So that's actually the 2324 school year. The district received a determination of needs assistance. We are in the process
of working with the office of special education to move forward in addressing identified areas. More information to come of that once we have our initial meeting with them. Again, we are excited to announce that the district has applied for and received notification that we were
awarded awarded two competitive grants. The high impact tutoring grant al also known as HIT and building responsive instruction through data guided evaluation bridge grant. Both grants support addressing areas of significant need in the district. The HIT grant is targeted at accelerating students
learning using researchbased meth based methods in both math and English language arts in grades three through eight. The Bridge Grant specifically targets literacy instruction utilizing data to drive the instruction and supports for students uh yes and
supports for students in grades K through three. While we're still in the pre-awward process, um generally speaking, when you do get awarded these competitive grants, there's always a few amendments that they request. We are in the process of doing all of that, reviewing the information. Um the funding summaries
that we have received from the state and that have been posted at this point look like we are receiving $50,000 for the HIT grant and $71,183 for the bridge grant. Again, these are very specific to what the grants are there to support. They may not be
utilized for anything else. It has been a busy few weeks in Belvadier with so many special events including top 10 dinner, field days, pre kindergarten graduation, kindergarten promotion ceremony, and still so much more to go. During our senior awards
night, we were so excited to offer over $70,000 in scholarships to our students. A very big thank you to all the organizations and families who have made this possible for our Belvadier students. As a reminder, we do have the eighth grade promotion ceremony coming up and then the high school graduation
on Friday. And we're very much looking forward to both events. Uh we would like to also thank NJ4S for hosting various events throughout the year focusing on behavioral health, safety, and awareness. Most recently, they hosted a special event for middle schoolers, which included a presentation, crafts,
games, um focusing on how to prepare for summer for physical and mental health. We anticipate continuing that collaboration with NJ4S and continuing to bring them in to give special presentations um activities focusing on behavioral health for our students. As
we close out the school year, I did want to thank the board of education, our dedicated staff, students, families, community members for their support. Since my first day on October 9th, the months have been moving very quickly and have been filled with many, many opportunities to observe, learn, and
grow while maintaining a continued focus on our students. I appreciate the welcome and for the commitment demonstrated throughout the community. I look forward to the work ahead as we continue moving the district forward together. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Garcia.
>> I have a question. Um, just in terms of the district improvement plan around the attendance, I was trying to interpret the attachments and I was having a hard time following the um improvements in the
what grade levels. Can you point them out for me as part of the agenda? And then my my other question was just about the action plan under the um which
>> which action plan the correct >> yeah the student absenteeism um if you could just point me in the right direction for the the page. >> Yeah. And then the inventory of current strategies and reflection. So, what's
written here is communication and awareness of concerns and family needs and challenges, collaboration with RTI. Um, there's a spot here that shows just about um attendance letters, phone calls, meeting requests for home engagement.
>> Can you tell me where you are, please? >> Sure. Number 100 page 100 out of 170. >> No, that's >> I am on here. I'm on the Google doc. >> The top the title of the page.
>> Oh, no. Go ahead. >> Stop. >> There is no there is no page. >> I'm telling you a little bit >> that page. >> No, I'm give me the page. >> Are you looking at the summitative review of the corrective action plan
progress? >> Yes. Um, tier one, corrective action plan, inventory of current strategies, tier one, >> inventory of current strategies is the title on the page. >> So that action plan was approved back in >> Right. Right. >> So my question for you is that under inventory of current strategies and
reflection, it says attendance letters, phone calls, meeting requests to increase home engagement and collaboration. And so if we know that we're struggling with our high school, how do we know that these measures are working? How are we evaluating? And so I didn't know if we have a total number
and and how do we need to address those those initiatives if they aren't working. So my question is like are we evaluating each of our interventions that we're doing to improve attendance and tardiness by how many like attendance letters we're sending, how many phone calls we're making, how many
readings what we look at is that summitive progress, right? So if you go to the summit of review page, um that's what we're addressing that we know those interventions alone are not working. Um and that's why it's a continued focus and we're trying to get into that multi-tered uh system
of supports. Um and in there you can see by grade level what we had as of June 2nd with regards to chronic absenteeism. And those are our student information system numbers. Um and it tells you by grade level where we are and what the previous was.
So by looking at that data, we know that it's we need to do more. >> So So the answer to my question is we're evaluating our interventions and we're finding that our interventions aren't making a difference. So we are sending out attendance letters at every 10 absences and things like that.
>> I can verify the date. I I this is where I also mentioned I know that there's some disconnect between some of the stuff that's posted online and what's actually sometimes happening. >> Correct. >> So that's the work in progress. That's what we're trying to address. >> All right. Thank you. But you can see those current numbers again as of June 2nd
>> um on that summitive page. >> Yeah, there's no page number. >> Okay. >> But Jackie Jackie to answer your question, you were on the high school, right? >> I'm okay. I'm good.
>> I was going to say most most of the >> I don't want to get into the page numbers. >> No. The numbers show that most of the high school grades had improvement and meaning a decline in absenteeism. >> Well, I think she just said though in her report out they >> it's not as significant as we would like
to see. There's no improvement, but it's not as significant as we would like to see. >> And we started at what rate? >> Yeah, >> I don't have that memorized yet. Um, do you have it? I don't have a print out. I
have the digital copy. So, if you It's in there. Um, but you can look for school I'll give you a schoolwide number. Um, the schoolwide was 21.6% in the 2425 school year, but it also breaks it down by grade level and it gives you
3 years worth of information and data on that corrective action plan. >> Okay. Okay. I take our action plans very seriously. >> [snorts] [clears throat] >> Okay, so we are on to agenda
reorganization items. It'll be item Let me just check my sheet here. >> And add on. >> Okay. Agenda reorganization items are 1 through 11. Can I have a motion for those items 1 through 11? Motion.
>> Second. >> Any questions on 1 through 11? I'd just like to point out we don't have the New Jersey school board's delegate listed. >> Yes. >> Oh, >> my understanding is that a meeting a
while ago was Virginia had volunteers. >> Yeah. >> Virginia, >> are you still willing to be the volunteer there? >> Good. >> Okay. So, thank you so much. >> Yes, I am. >> Thank you. [laughter] Okay. So, we will be filling Virginia in there on number one.
Okay. Any question? Any other questions? 1 through 11. >> Not a question, but I think it it might be just helpful on the dual credit programs that we had discussed just to kind of put it out there that it is not
costing the district anything to offer these programs. And we're saying pretty much other than Warren County, those credits are only applicable to those particular colleges. Just so there's no confusion on that.
Anything else on 1 through 11? Okay, roll call, please. I know she's writing. We'll be patient. >> Mrs. Serbone, >> yes. >> Dr. Zepath, >> yes. >> Mrs. Duckworth, >> yes. >> Miss Johnson, >> yes. >> Miss Stefen,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Strative. >> Yes. >> Miss Walton. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Weren. >> Yes. >> Ms. White. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cherelli. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gardella. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rebotham. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we are on to policy items.
It's only one tonight and this is on a second reading. So, can I have a motion for policy one item? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions on that anymore? No, I don't real fast. I don't know
about questions, but I mean, given some of the concerns around the legal bills, is that something we should maybe kind of go back and tidy up before we approve it? I mean, is that I mean, we can I don't I we can approve it. I think we probably need to tidy up
the SOP is where I think the disconnect is >> and which we have on our agenda. So, I would I would recommend that we pass as is and then look at the SOP and make sure that the SOP is in line with the process that we're following and the policy.
>> Thank you. >> Can you just explain what SOP is for standard operating procedure? >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Because if anybody's like me, you don't understand half of that unless you've heard it five times. Okay. So can I have
a all in favor on policy number one? >> I >> any nos? >> No. >> Any abstensions? >> Okay. So now we are on to personnel items
and this is two through through 23. And you have your add-on or change sheet to look at for 3, 8, 12, 15, 16, and 23.
>> So, can I have a motion for personnel items 2 through 23? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions 2 through 23?
Okay. Roll call, please. Mrs. Sbone, >> I will be voting no on item eight and 19. >> Mr. Z >> and yes on everything else. I just was double check. >> Dr. Zith, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Duckworth, >> yes. Miss Johnson, >> I am voting uh no on 9, 10, and 19 and yes on the rest. >> Miss Stefen,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Strider, >> I am voting no on number eight and number 19 and yes on the rest. >> Miss Walton, >> yes. >> Mrs. winner.
>> I am voting no on 16 for the general manager position. >> Yes. >> And then yes on no. Sorry. Wait, can I I'm sorry. I know we're voting, but I have >> This is also number eight.
>> Yeah, it's but number eight on the agenda that I was provided is not that. >> Oh. Oh. Yes, >> I see. It's just for that one line item. It's just the one line item adjustment. >> Thank you. I'm not changing anything. >> No, Miss White.
>> No on 8, 9, 10, and 19. Yes. On everything else, >> Mr. Cherelli? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gardella? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rebotham? >> Uh, yes. Except for 19. No.
Motion passes. All of them. Everything pass. Okay. Got to flip a lot of pages here. Okay. So, on to education items 24 through 38. And we have no additions or
changes to those. Can I have a motion for 24 through 38 of education? Well, >> what 23 maybe a change, >> right? It's under >> 23. Phil. >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't move. It's 23.
>> No. >> So 23 was moved to personnel because we had somebody um internally that was interested after we had released the original agenda. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that just got moved up. >> Yeah, so it was included there. >> So, we're still 24 through 38.
>> Yep. N >> I have a question on 38. >> Wait, sorry. >> Can I have a motion? >> Second. >> Okay. Any questions? >> 39. >> 38. >> 39. >> 39.
>> Oh, mine only says Mine only says up to 38. >> 39. A typo. >> Sorry, it might be a typo. >> Have the final revised. Yeah. 39. >> Okay. Yeah. I didn't Oh, >> the sports. >> You want to give that to Melissa? >> So, wait a minute. What's 39? Because I
only have the 38. >> The co-op >> cooperative sports program >> for wrestling. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. >> It was the new revised one that was just sent out that we should highlight revisions. We like know [laughter] >> I think it was already move. If everyone
is everyone in agreement that it should be 24 through 39. >> Yes, I will redo it. >> Okay. So, a motion for 24 through 39. >> My number is wrong. >> Second. >> Any questions? I have a question. Um on
38, is this a new service? This is a new option for a service for physical therapy. So it's just providing opportunities for us to be able to have other service providers >> and if needed. >> What is the cost for that?
>> It's a physical it depends on what the need is. Um so we can forward the contract. >> We currently offer physical therapy. >> Yeah. You Yeah. Physical therapy. Yes. >> Not through this this vendor though. Through
>> correct. Yeah. Okay. So this is just an additional >> correct. >> Any other questions on education items? No. Okay. All in favor of 23 through 39 say I. >> I. I.
>> Is 24. >> Oh, see now this one says opposite. >> I have it. The two different Yes. >> One was sent was was sent to everyone on Monday. >> Yeah. But the revisement has the 23. >> Mhm. >> 24 to 39. >> 24 through 39. You guys are killing me
with the numbers here. >> Motion. >> No, we already did it. >> We already did it. We already I I had originally said that, but then my new sheet moved my numbers. Sorry. >> Okay. All in favor? >> So, all in favor? I >> Any
abstensions? Thank goodness. Okay. We are on to business items 40 through 53. >> Yes.
>> Good. 40 through 53. Can I have a motion for 40 through 53? >> Motion. >> Second. >> These are all the same. Any questions on 40 through 53?
>> Um 41. Did we get a an amount there? It >> says >> this one. >> It's on >> Oh, the >> it's on the update. >> Okay. >> Oh, thank you. Thank you.
>> Because they're different >> because it moved because it moved everything one. >> Oh, you're specific. So, okay. Because the number moved and it was updated, you're um referring to number 42. Um we did reach out to them. Um this is No, we do not have an update yet, but the
student um is attending their ESY program. We anticipate an update um after June 23rd. >> Oh, no. >> Okay. No, I understand. But we don't need the number to vote on that.
>> We're just approving the to approve it. Okay, >> we can add it. Um, just so that the numbers approved at the next >> agenda once we have once we have the number >> after the fact at that point. >> Any other questions on 40 through 53?
All in favor? >> I. >> Any nos? >> No. >> Oh, wait. Wait a minute. Okay. One at a time then. All right, Carolyn. I'm voting no on number 40 and I'm going to abstain from 44 since I haven't seen the
long range facility plan. >> Colleen, >> I'm voting no on 40 and 46. >> Tyler, >> um I'm also voting, but I think this is the on the long range facility plan. I don't know if that's the correct >> Oh, yeah.
>> Is it 44? >> Cuz mine is still >> It's 40. >> 45. >> 45. Yeah, it's 45 on the >> 45 is what I meant. My number is not right either. >> Yeah, because of the >> Maybe we should do a roll call. >> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.
>> It's up to up to >> You're good. It was 40. It was 45 for the long range facility plan was the no >> on the votes we already had. We had no on 40, then we had a no on 40 and 46. >> No, 40 and 45 is the first.
>> We're changing that to 45. >> Yeah. Yes. I am changing mine to 45 cuz it's the long range facility plan. >> Is 40 and 46? >> Yes. >> 40 and 46. >> Understood. >> Um, can I do 40 and 45 now?
>> Is it your turn, >> Shel? You got that. >> Got it. >> Jackie 40 and 45. Any other nos? >> I'm no on 40 and 46. >> 40 and 46. Sarah, >> did you >> I'm no on 40 as well.
>> I said no on 45. >> 40 >> five 45. >> Yeah, we should have did call. >> All right. Just 45. >> We should know. >> Do you want to go back and do a roll call just so everybody is 100%. Okay. So, we're going to go back and just
confirm we have it all recorded. Right. Business items 40 through 53. On roll call, please. Mrs. Mrs. Serbone. >> I am a no on number 40 and I'm abstaining from 45 since I haven't seen
the plan. Everything else is a yes. >> Dr. Zabith, >> yes. >> Mrs. Duckworth, >> yes. >> Miss Johnson. >> Um, no. On 40 and 46, yes on the rest. >> Mrs. Stefen, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Straight, >> no. 140. Yes to the rest. >> Ms. Walton. Yes. Mrs. Wter. >> I am a no on 45 only for the same reason I haven't seen it. >> No or abstain? >> Well, I guess maybe I should just
abstain then on it. >> Miss White, >> no on 40 and 46. Yes. On everything else. >> Mr. Cherelli? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gardella? >> Yes. Mrs. Robotham. Um, >> no I'm 40 and uh abstain from 45 but yes
on everything else. Motions pass. >> Okay. So we are on to continuing business. Anybody have continuing business? I think my notes are on the other one. Sorry. I would just like to um say to Miss
Perry and Mr. Demeis that we wish you the best um wherever your next chapter leads you and thank you for your time at Belvier. >> I do have something for continuing business I believe. Okay. um
with the subject of uh field hockey uh and listening >> the mic. So sorry close. I know >> uh with the discussion uh previous discussion of field hockey and listening to our community either via in person,
which I'm sure we're going to hear uh this evening also, and emails. If it is legally okay for us to revisit the topic of um how we could possibly um keep field hockey, I think it is
absolutely worth the discussion. I appreciate that. It means that we would have to make cuts elsewhere or find the money somewhere. Um, but I think it would be remiss not to reconsider. >> I agree. >> I would second that as well.
>> Does a motion have to be put down? >> Yeah. Can we just do a motion to pull out of the um >> I All right. So, um I think the appropriate thing to do would probably be a motion to resend whatever the previous action was. And I'm sure I was here, but I don't remember specifically
what the action was if it how it was worded, but it would be a motion to resend that. So, let me go through this for a second. Way a motion to resend work since it's not at the same meeting. So, we're in a new meeting. It's cool. Um, if no prior notice was given by the
board that that was going to be considered. So, in other words, if it wasn't said at the last minute, meaning that we're going to reconsider it the next one specifically, or if it wasn't put in the agenda for tonight, then it's kind of new tonight, then it there's special voting requirements, but given our board, I don't think it's going to
make too much difference. I'm sorry. So, since there was no prior notice before tonight that that motion might be made, the Robert's rule says there's voting would it would either require a twothirds vote or a majority of the full
board. And since the full board is here at whichever is lower. So since the full board is here, I don't think we have to worry about the two-thirds vote thing. So that's out, you know, I'm just working my way through this. So give me a second. So it really would it would require a majority of the full board to vote. So I think a motion to resend can
be made to resend the motion to approve the cooperative sport. Sorry. Resend the motion to approve rescend the motion the previous motion to approve a cooperative sports program with North Wal North Warren regional sorry it's long day for
field hockey uh for a 2-year period etc. So someone can make a motion to resend that. >> Before we do that what impact does this have? Is it already NJSIA? We've already made made an agreement with North Warren. >> If we pull out of that now are the kids
going to have anywhere to play? >> Right. And that would be my and that's where the legal part of it came in. And I don't want to I don't want to leave the girls with no opportunity to play at all with that potential. >> Right. So there's two aspects. I guess I misunderstood the question. I thought >> and now I understand it. I thought the
legal question was what can we do to change the action? And so that's what we've talked about. So we can do a motion to resent. That's part of it. >> With respect to the second part of your question, I do not know the answer. if if contracts have already you know some motions
if like a contract has already been into it it may not be so easy to resend it um if we already have I don't know I those do those two those details I don't know if the NJSIA approval somehow precludes us from doing our own I don't know you know off the
top of my head I don't know the answer to that what what I was addressing was can we you know how would the board take action if they want to resend so that the board can rescend But whether there's any consequences from that that would be problematic, I just don't know whether can we have we already
>> whether is it possible to back out of it now? Not when I say back out of it, make a decision to change off the top of my head. I'm just not sure. Um because it depends on where we are in terms of if we've already entered into a contract with them, what are the terms of that contract? You know, can we just resend
it? That part I'm not sure >> with them being North Warren. >> Yes. >> And but we don't know that we've received approval. Correct. Correct. >> So if it receive we did when that was not notified to the board that we very >> Yeah. Sorry.
>> So when did we receive approval that from NJISA that was not communicated to the board >> in the last Well, it was communicated that we would be going they were we were waiting on them and they have given us information that they have approved it. So when when I don't have the date um I
can certainly get that but I >> so between the May meeting and today they've approved it and knowing that our numbers are 18. >> They're not looking at to be clear when they approve it what they're looking at is the application
>> and as the moment it was approved that went through the process. So that's how it goes. And then but we did not did we sign a contract with Northworn? >> I don't know how that >> Can we resend and get more information?
>> Is there a way to do that? That way we can make an educated vote because I feel like initially the numbers we were given aren't reflecting the numbers now and I think that would have changed a lot of our minds. Well, in in fairness, the numbers we've
given have changed numerous times. The document that we got from February said one number, then then we got another number in April that said something else, and now we're getting another number. I mean, we have not been it has not been well communicated or clear on what the impact this how many students
are going to be impacted by this. >> So, to answer your question, the board can resend if it votes to do so. Okay. I'm just cautioning the board that as we're sit here tonight, I'm not sure
what the consequences of that would be because I I just don't know how, you know, is it too late for North Warren? Are they going to be that [laughter] part of it? I just don't know the answer. But if your question is can the board vote tonight to rescend it as long as seven board members vote to rescend
it, then yes. But we'd be voting without knowing the potential consequences because we haven't we don't know we don't know what the terms of the co-op agreement are with respect to termination. But why don't we have a copy of the co-op
agreement? >> I don't have >> I'm not as concerned with the co-op agreement as I am with NJSIAA. I mean they make the rules. That's >> I understand. But if we're but we're looking to pull out of the co-op agreement if we're concerned about our legal obligation to North Warren, why
can't you look at the contract? Where's the contract? >> So, I just um reached out to our AD and asked specifically if we resend the contract, can the girls still have a team and will they be able to play in the conference? And the response was yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Well, thank you for doing that. I appreciate that.
>> Yeah. And and to be fair that one of the reasons for you know that issue about notifying in advance of trying to take an action to resend is if it would had been notified in advance that they might be rescending then >> theoretically you could have had the contract ready and other issue we could have addressed all this before this is all just happening now.
>> So to be clear if we resend and it passes and we bring field we can bring field hockey back to Belvadier we don't have to worry about losing out alto together. I'm I'm just saying that's not based on what the athletic director just
said, that seems to be the case. I legally what if there's contracts, if there's NJSI stuff as we sit here tonight, I just don't know. But we know a little bit more than we knew 5 minutes ago because the AD is apparently saying yes, it's possible. But again, that's
that's the AD. It's not the NJSIA or you know, but >> Well, we just I just got confirmation. >> Yeah. So, it seems like >> decision would have to be made. today today. >> Quickly, >> I'd like to make a motion to resend the
meeting, the whatever. I don't know what agenda item it was. >> I have it. April 22nd, agenda item number 23, cooperative sports program. >> I second that. >> You have a motion in a second. Now, it's
this is like a regular main motion. So if there if anyone wants to discuss it or have any questions, now is the time or you can go to a vote. >> Okay. Anybody have any questions or discussion points on this? >> How would we how would we fund it? Cuz
it wasn't it wasn't included in the budget. So where do we get the $26,000 >> plus transportation? >> It's $20,000 >> plus transport. Transportation is still part of the budgeting >> we can share with football
>> to be determined what where their away games are and things like that. >> Yes, the transportation has not been excluded. >> So, it's $20,000 is what was reduced from the athletic budget. >> Okay. Can we reach out to boosters? The boosters >> we just had someone make a public comment about how our community could
work together. Maybe this is one of those items. [applause] But my understanding is the district can't tell the boosters how to spend their money. So that the that discussion has to start from the booster side to
the school. >> Not that not that I'm saying it shouldn't, but legally we can't or the AD can't make that recommendation or that ask. So it has to start on the
booster and side of the the discussion. >> Do we know if the uh league has scheduled games already? >> Schedule has not yet been made, but that's why the decision would have to be made tonight to make a change prior to the schedules being established. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
One comment I would have just like any sport um while we would love to see 18 girls on the field on the sidelines in combination um just like any sport we don't know what that actually is until they actually get to the field or the court or the pool whatever the case may
be. So that's also there too just as a a thought process. Any other comments? No. Okay, then let's do a roll call. >> Mrs. Cone, >> yes. >> Dr. Zeppath, >> yes. >> Mrs. Duckworth,
>> yes. >> Miss Johnson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Steppen, >> no. >> Mrs. Administrative. >> Yes. >> Miss Walton, >> no. >> Mrs. Wer, >> yes. >> Ms. White, >> no. >> Mr. Cherelli?
>> No. >> Mrs. Gardella? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ratham? >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> [applause] [applause] >> Okay. Any other continuing business since that's where we were left off,
right? Yeah. Continuing business. >> We just go back for a second. Now that we've approved that, um, who is going to contact North Warren and tell them that we're pulling out of our agreement? >> The athletic director. Thank you for
>> any other continuing business. No new business. >> Oh, I have um one item on new business. I was just asking if we can take a look at the process for study hall and um how children are students are signing
themselves out of study hall. And um I think I already shared some of my concerns with Melissa and Dr. Garcia and I just like that to be closer looked at because I think there's some gaps in the process. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other new business?
>> I would like to say thank you to Dr. Garcia for putting herself out there and getting us the grants she has this year. >> Oh yeah. >> They I think will be great resources for us in the coming year and already have been for this year. So, I want to thank
you for your time and energy in finding them, applying for them, and getting them for us. >> And Melissa, to that point, in the past, we had a grant writer, and we never got a grant. I was thinking that I'm on that page with you. >> Yeah, that's a major win.
>> So, thank you so so much for that. Um, I'd also like to, as we're coming to the end of the school year, thank the admin and the staff for the support, um, and collaboration with our superintendent. It's been a rough couple of months for
her, and we're hoping for new things come September and some of, you know, the improvements and training, be success, and us moving forward into a new year come September. Any other new business?
No. Okay. So, we are on to the second public participation of the evening. To ensure fair and efficient meetings, each public comment session will be limited to a total of 30 minutes at the discretion of the presiding officer. When you approach
the microphone, please state your name, city, town, and group affiliation. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to 3 minutes. Time may be yielded to other part may not be yielded to other participants
where I lost my thing. Um, all statements must be directed to the presiding officer. No particular no participant may address or question board members individually. Please understand that public comment portions of our agenda are not question and answer sessions but are offered as
opportunities to share your thoughts with the board. The board may or may not respond to public comments. However, all comments are considered and they will be investigated and addressed as appropriate. Please be courteous and mindful of the rights of others when speaking. Comments may not be abusive,
obscene, threatening, or irrelevant. The presiding officer may interrupt or warn if necessary. Please understand that the board will not be responsible for the content of comments made by members of the public. Members of the public are cautioned that they are speaking at their own risk and any statement they make that are directed at a particular
individual or individuals may subject them to legal liability for defamation. Please also understand that the student and employees have specific legal and privacy protections. The board will not respond in public to comments about students and employees.
And now our second public participation is open. Good evening. My name is Taylor Rudd and I am one of the several alumni who sent in a letter addressed to the board to be read out loud at last meeting. My letter was properly addressed but was never read. So I made time tonight to come
here and speak in accordance with the open public meetings act. I'd like to take a moment and thank all of you and Dr. Garcia as well for reconsidering and revoting on this topic. But I will read my letter as such. I am trusting that each board member and administrator was
able to read my last letter. I will not reread, but rather pose new questions here tonight. There is no question that schools across New Jersey are facing financial strain. What appears to separate this school from others is lack of initiative. The field hockey program has long been a powerhouse at Belvier
High School. The numbers that our petition garnered in a few short weeks speak for itself. Over 600 people made time in their busy days to support our field hockey program. What measures has the school made to exhaust all efforts to support programs that directly benefit children? Districts like
Montlair public schools were able to work with parents and community members to raise thousands to restore their athletic budget. Lacy Township School District is facing a multi-million dollar shortfall and yet was still able to revise their budget. Again, I ask, what me measures has the Belvier school
district taken other than ask for raises for the administration? What is the actual cost of the field hockey program? Are you willing to reconsider this move if funds can be raised outside of the budget? The current vision statement of Belvadier reads in part, quote, "Rooted in tradition and driven by purpose, our
students leave prepared to contribute, lead, and succeed. The traditions you claim drive the school are the same traditions you are ripping away from students. You are denying young girls a chance to hone those skills, find success, and be prepared for the real world. Your chronic absenteeism
corrective action plan claims you have measures in place to promote students wanting to come to school and be involved in the school community. Do you think that co-opting or cutting programs altogether is indicative of enhancing school community and culture? If the field hockey program helps one child,
one female athlete get to school in the morning, shouldn't that be enough? The Beladier field hockey team has developed athletes that have gone on to become nurses, lawyers, doctors, collegiate coaches, teachers, and so many more professions. I am grateful and honored
to be a Belvadier High School alumni. I can say that I am a Cedar with pride. I am dismayed to know that the current administration and board is not taking every effort, every opportunity to preserve the programs that are the foundation of what makes this school so great. Our field hockey program has been
built to reflect the four cornerstones of the Belvadier High School. Our pride in our team reflects the pride in our school, our town, and our community. Every bus ride home, win or lose, ended with our players singing our alma mater. The lyrics read, "Dear old high school,
how we love her. Long may she endure." And this is a poignant line from my ending thoughts. To arbitrarily rid the school of the field hockey program is to go against the preservation of our school and the futures of its athletes. I got one more paragraph left. To all
those in attendance or perhaps watching this meeting tonight, we may not be able to save Belvadierfield hockey program. We did. But for the poor decisions made in the past, but you have the opportunity to take stock of our current sad state of affairs. Become involved
before you become co-opted, too. become involved before other student athletes are affected by decisions and choices that directly impact our youth. Thank you for your time. [applause] Hi, my name is Scarlet Foster Wazalooki
of Belvadier High School. I am currently a rising senior that will be graduating in the year 2027. I am representing math club today and math honor society as its president. I joined math club last year during my sophomore year. I joined when
my test scores could have been better when my when I could have been more social and extroverted. Joining clubs joining academic clubs such as these has helped foster opportunities to be more social to see an increase in my test scores. And I'm sure many of my fellow
math club people members here today will say the same. As for test scores, I have acquired stats from the College Board and the NJ stat.gov comparing SAT, PSAT, and the math proficiency rate scores throughout the New Jersey average and
our math club. If you are already, if you are unaware, the SAT is ranked out of a 1600, the PSAT a 1520. The New Jersey average is a 1049. Our club has a 1300. The PSAT for the New Jersey average is an 800. Our club has a 1,200.
The New Jersey mathematical proficiency rate is a 48%. We score 30% higher, 78%. What we are able to do to reach those scores is through our opportunities that we provide through our club. We provide
tutoring opportunities to many children. I have tutored many children and fellow students throughout my time in math club. I am honored to be given that opportunity to help my fellow students and the leadership opportunities that that provides for me. There are many
economically disadvantaged students that cannot afford the pricey tutors of today that have nowhere else to look but their fellow academic clubs that offer such tutoring programs. Getting rid of academic clubs such as these will not just impact the social standing of the
school. It will impact all of these students that have utilized these resources and are now with nowhere else to go. Our adviser, Mrs. Adamek, has stated on numerous occasions that this is not about the money to her. She is willing
to run math club and math honor society for completely free. Zero money involved. She has been rejected numerous times. What I ask of the board member board members tonight is to not think of the
budget cuts when making your decisions, but to think about all of the students that are impacted about this. You cannot put money on taking away good education and good resources for these kids. But you will be taking away their academic
their academic their academics their social opportunities and the networks that these students are able to be provided with. Thank you for your time and have a great night. [applause] Hi, my name is Sue Steinhart. I am a Belvadier grad and I'm a good follow to
both of our first speakers because I failed math um through middle school and high school and probably could have benefited from that club. Um and I'm still horrible at it. Uh [laughter] I was a captain of the field hockey team in 1989
um when we won the state tournament. And I would say that I came out tonight to sit through this interesting meeting. Um, as a 27-year veteran of the classroom, um, I taught English for 27 years. I was a varsity field hockey coach. I played three
sports in high school. I played two sports in college. Um, I served as an NJSIAA field hockey official for years. and the relationships that I built through my field hockey team were closer than any other sport that I played, any other club that I was in, any other
organization that I belonged in. Um, the women that are in my life now are the girls that were on my team when I was in high school. And I think that that's evidenced by the fact that the two coaches now were freshmen when I was a senior. Um, and I love to hear them say
that they're still singing the alma mater because that was something that I learned in my freshman year in 1986 and we did it through my high school years and they're still doing it today. So, I think your effort to restore the team is fantastic. As an educator, I would
encourage you to find places to cut money other than anything academic or athletic that directly affects the kids. Um, because that is, as she said, the reason that they come to school. You want to improve your attendance. You want to improve everything. Make the
kids want to come to the classrooms. [applause] >> Um, good evening. My name is Lauren. My name is Laya. We'll be speaking on behalf of our field hockey team. We [snorts] have been playing field hockey for over four years and we are devastated that we may not have a team
for our senior year. Every year we look forward to play field hockey. Just the atmosphere of the team is so amazing. From the coaches to the teammates, we are all as close as a family. If we do not end up having a team at Bel this year and have no other choice but to drive every day to North Warren, almost
all the girls will lose their opportunity to play due to transportation issues. Along with the girls at Belvadier, students at Warren Tech will also be losing the opportunity to play. Also, in the last four years, multiple students have gone on to play field hockey in college, which shows our clear commitment and dedication towards our
sport and B athletics. If our team is truly jeopardized only because of financial problems, we are open to the idea of more fundraising. Just one fundraiser a year typically brings in5 to $10,000 in our account. Our team is dedicated to keeping the tradition going through fundraising, teamwork, and
dedication. One thing that I would like to leave you with before you decide hockey is more than just a sport to us. It is something we look forward to at the end of our day. It is something that helps build friendships and community. We hope that you will reconsider your decisions.
Thank you. [applause] >> Hello. Uh, my name is Jake and I'm a senior and I'd like to talk about math club today and specifically I want to talk about the imagery in cutting it has. I've heard very very negative
things from both my peers and even at times staff at this school about Belvadier. I've heard things like it is only good at for example funding people into the military. I've heard things about it is going to shut down recent
and soon. These are just rumors, but what I'm talking about is the message that is sending specifically in cutting an academic club. Not just specifically any club, but math club.
The thing that people are supposed to build connections with and also supposed to the problem is not necessarily that it's cutting a club, but it's cutting a club that is so fundamentally intertwined with what school is supposed
to value. Not only is it supposed to value academics, it is also supposed to value social connection. And math club does both of those perfectly. And the decision to remove it goes against I
presume that all of you are parents. Anything that we would want our children to value in themselves and in others around them, their intellect and their ability to socialize and their charisma and their ability to make connections for the future such as when
they would go to work into the workforce and when they go to college. They will need these skills that math club is doing proficiently and building. That's it.
>> Thank you very much. [applause] >> My name is Bennett Linder and I am from Harmony and I am a student of Belvadier High School. I am a rising senior and I have growing concerns in how the school will benefit me and my classmates. I understand this is now sounds like a
broken record due to many people already saying it. But I would like the board to acknowledge that this isn't just about cuts. This is about my future. This is about college. This is about jobs. This is about everything for the next hopefully 60 years of my life. I
[snorts] Pabe High School is only 8 minutes away from me. in my house. But the change between our school and them is drastic. Many of the friends that I grew up with at my ascending district, Harmony, are
now graduating with associates degrees due to their dual enrollment programs that our school has cut. uh many APs like like AP physics API um business which one of my peers have um
begged begged for online because we don't have people to teach us have fallen on deaf ear deaf ears for weeks and we have not gotten a response on if we are able to take those APs yet. Uh two of the three national honor society
that our school or has had in the past have been cut. This is a standard for many of the high reaching in colleges that our school looks for. And sorry, I'm not done.
This is this is unfortunately something that puts us behind all these schools that are close to us. It doesn't it isn't about who's smarter anymore. It's just about who got lucky and went to the right district. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> [applause] >> Uh, my name is Beth Cert. I'm a White Township resident and a parent of a current Belvadier freshman. I'd like to start off on a a positive note and commend the young lady and the young men that just spoke so passionately and intelligently and emphatically. [applause]
These kids are so important and you're you're turning them away with these decisions that you're making. It's shameful. But the reason that I'm here tonight is obviously for the field hockey program. Our daughter had a choice between attending Warren Techch or Belvadier High School. And although
it was our opinion that Warren Techch had a better reputation with regard to academics, discipline, and administration, um our child ultimately chose Belvadier High School in large part because Belvadier offered the sports and electives like field hockey, band, and math club that she could not get at
Warren Techch. And we were led to believe when making the determination to attend Belvadier High School that the extracurricular activities would offer her a more well-rounded student experience. you're pulling the rug right out from underneath her. She can't go to Warren Tech now. What's the point of
being here? Um, and I'm sorry to be pessimistic, but uh it was evident um in the earlier meeting in April that the Belvadier High School school board did not do their due diligence prior to voting to move forward with the field hockey co-op team. Board members came to
the meeting unprepared and unaware of actual team cost, busing costs, or potential student interest in the 2026 season. Did the Belvadier High School superintendent or any board member at all approach the field hockey boosters club to inquire if funding assistance would be available from that source? Did
anyone confirm the student interest in the following season? If you would asked the boosters, you'd find out that they do have a significant savings. I believe if you've ever been to the Warren County Fair, you've seen the girls at the Dunk Tank. You've seen the interest and the amount of money that they raise. They could charge 10 times what they charge
and continue to raise money. and I'm sure that they would be happy to continue to fund raise. There's now 18 players who have expressed interest to participate in the 2026 season. So, how does a school justify to co-op one team over another? Are you going to co-op wrestling? Are you going to co-op girls basketball? Are
you going to co-op wrestling, which I guess you are. Where does it stop? You don't know how many kids are going to play football in the fall. Are you going to co-op them? Again, those I'm sure you can't answer those questions, but they should be answered. Um, and I'd like to add that
the Belvadier High School field hockey team has historically and currently produced some of the most amazing and outstanding students here at Belvadier High School. In fact, three of this year's top 10 students who you recognized this evening were field hockey players.
[applause] And it's my understanding that this past fall, none of the girls on the field hockey team were on academic probation, which I understand is often a problem in sports fall and spring. These are exceptional girls, and these are the types of students that you should be encouraging rather than choosing to
punish them. >> Time, your time's up, please finish up. >> I will. Um, eliminating the field hockey team is a nail in the coffin to this high school. It's unlikely that the field hockey team will return. Fewer girls will play for the feeder program and without the without the incentive of a high school team to look forward to, significantly fewer high school girls
will be willing to commit to the team if they're forced to play for another school district. With the move to co-op the team, it's it's the end. Um I I'd like to add again that the optics that's been mentioned before, the optics are very poor for raising salaries and
cutting academic clubs and school sports. Um I appreciate Dr. Garcia replied to the letter that I submitted um and mentioned that you're trying to balance the investing in in the students with sustaining the high school. And I'd like
to counter that that I think you're shooting yourself in the foot. Not only are you not valuing and investing in the students, but you're not looking at the long-term survivability of the school of schools dying a slow and painful death. And every club that you cut, every sport that you cut, every staff member that
you lay off or who resigns because their morale is crushed is again another nail in the coffin of this school. And when schools die, communities die as well. So there's a lot more at stake here than just balancing the school budget. Thank you. [applause] [applause]
11 minutes. It's a free mic, so I'll take it. My name is Rita Gardner. I am from White Township. I was with Susie on the field hockey team in 1987, 1988, 1989.
She's my sister forever. That's just how we are on the field hockey team. But one thing I want to say, the thing, the blatant thing that I'm saying is you guys have a horrendously tough job and I respect that. But you also have a
boatload of community that will support you, that will help you. And I get it. The you can't ask the booster club to raise 20 grand, but at least involve them. This is a small town. Why can't you go up to Lore, who you know darn
well is the president of the Booster Club, and say, "Listen, we got problems. If we give you this, can you do that? You know, you don't have enough people." And let me go back to the kids that played. The kids that played last year only I saw
Virginia there. Sorry, Virginia. I was going to call you by your last name, but I can't cuz it's a small town. Virginia was there. She saw what those kids pulled off with the very basic like nobody could take off. You if you could
see what they did, it was phenomenal. And I'm going to tell you that behind those kids is a community that supports them. So rather than just sit up there and cut something and just give no reason to us of what we can do to help,
tell us, whisper to us, don't do it. Like it this is silly. This is a small community. Tell us what you need. Maybe we can do it. And the same thing goes with math and all the other like they're here willing to do something. Like just let them know what they can do. Keeping
us in the dark, I think, is is the worst thing. So, if you need money, if you need players, if you need coaches, I mean, we have the players, we have the coaches, we have the will. Like, all we need is for you to not cut it and we
will see what we can do and work together. It's a community. Okay. Thank you. [applause] >> Beth Franciscano, 1993 graduate, Vicky Cobb, 1991 graduate and current field
hockey coaches. And um we just want to say on behalf of our team, on behalf of all the parents, on all the pe behalf of all the people that showed up tonight, thank you for considering this and um we'll do our best to represent Belvadier the way we always have as a team that is
full of love. >> Team pride, love, >> team pride, love. So we will continue that tradition. Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> I am Caitlin Hajimhalis. I'm an alum. I graduated in 2005 from Harmony. Um I'm now work in college athletics. And so
thank you for taking the time to reconsider it and put your efforts out into that. Um echoing everything what everybody said, I just also wanted to give a public shout out to Coach Fran and all the other former alums that have put in the work. I'm gonna try not to cry because I'm a sack now. But
[laughter] what I didn't know hockey existed. I was one of those kids that was recruited. I live in the farthest parts of Harmony Township like this uh young gentleman over here before. I couldn't have made it if there was co co-op. Um single family, one of the kids who had reduced
lunches, all of that. So, Coach Fran, my mom recently passed away. She's still showing up. She's still checking in on me. the way that she runs the program. I'm a college coach now and I try as best as I can to be her. Um, [snorts] I've had three sports in high school here at Belvadier. I did three sports in
college. You just need to consider and I know you have such a hard job, like an incredibly tough job where you have to provide all this structure. Um, like this alum was saying before, help, let us help with the creativity. Let us have your backing. Let us be that community because this is something that brought me to school every day. I was in the top
10. I did all every cloud, banned, all of it. Um, I just want to encourage you and I want to give coach a very public shout out because it's super important what we do because we are small and it is tough and you have to make so many tough decisions. This is something that gives people something to look forward
to. So, thank you. [applause] Okay, so that ends our public participation for the evening. Thank you very much for everybody and >> my phone's telling me I'm welcome. Okay. [laughter]
>> All right. So, I am looking for a motion to go into executive session. >> Motion second. >> Didn't read what it was yet. >> Executive session >> for what? >> For I'm going to say that right now. Sorry. >> Okay.
um for matters rendered confidential by law, federal law, state law, court rule, individual privacy, collective bargaining agreements, purchase, lease, or sale of real estate property if public interest could be adversely affected. However,
>> in there, >> oh, and we're adding personnel, where am I? Any discussion held by the board which need not remain confidential will be made public as soon as practical minutes of the private session will not be disclosed until the need for
confidentiality no longer exists. All appropriate persons who may be discussed in private session have been adequately notified. The board will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of this session in approximately 30 minutes and we will not be taking
action when we come back. So >> we will. >> We will. Yeah. >> No, we won't. Oh, it's No, no, because we just acknowledged it. I had Mr. Croo check it. We acknowledge the superintendent evaluation >> that was prepared by the board. >> Perfect. >> Okay, so we are good. So, we will not be
taking action when we come back into open session. >> Have a good night. >> No, because it's listed as >> to acknowledge >> it. We acknowledge that it was prepared by the Lord. And I