We're going to open tonight's meeting. 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 meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with this with the provision
of this act, the Belvadier 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, liberty and
justice for all. >> That was me. I forgot to silence my phone. 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. Serbone, >> here. >> Dr. Zepath, >> here.
>> Mrs. Duckworth >> here. >> Miss Johnson >> here. >> Miss Stephen >> here. >> Mrs. Strider >> here. >> Miss Walton >> here. >> Mrs. Wer >> here. >> Ms. White >> here. >> Mr. Cherelli >> here. >> Mrs. Gardella >> here. >> Mrs. Robbath
>> here. We have um there she is. >> Miss McHugh here. And we have a special presentation from the bees cast of Beetlejuice Jr. Good luck. Come and be In times like these, we have no words.
All we have is another. Today, we gather here to mourn the passing of Emily DeS, devoted wife to Charles, beloved mother to Lydia. are invisible when you're sadstick
and phone still carries like math but nobody seems grownups when they only shame the
Is it sing? You're invisible when you're sad. I don't want to source material. Hey folks, begging your pardon. Excuse me. Sorry.
Now let's skip the tears and start on the you know >> BEING THAT THING YOU'RE DOOMED. Enjoy the singing. The sword of demon pleases swinging. And if I hear your cell phone ringing, I'll kill YOU MYSELF. THE WHOLE
DEATH THING. DEATH CAN GET A PERSON. I can show you what comes next. So don't be freaked. Stay in your seats. We've been rehearsing this nonsense for weeks. So just relax. You'll be fine. There's no reason for being read. So take a breath.
>> Welcome to A SHOW ABOUT DEATH. >> YO, you're going to be fine on the other side. >> SAY WORLD. I'll be your guide
to the other side. All full disclosure IS A SHOW ABOUT DEATH. EVERYBODY GETS OFF HERE. >> Just be WHAT YOU WANT. >> THE WHOLE DEAD smoke here.
Nobody is bulletproof. I AGREE. Truth is my Christmas show. Hey statistics to take a little break here.
The scenery IS FAKING WITHIN THE GIANT SNAKE HERE. HEAT. HEAT. HEAT. HEAT. HEAT. That was excellent. Students, thank you, Miss McHugh. Thank you. That's just a little preview of what's to come. The show is on Friday at 7 p.m. and then
there'll be two showings on Saturday, one and 7 p.m. Is that correct, Miss McHugh? >> 700 p.m. The Saturday one as well. >> Yep. One and seven. We hope you come out and see it. >> Okay, so we are on to
student recognition. So recently we had the induction for the Spanish National Honor Society and we just wanted to recognize those students for these accomplishments and recognition of outstanding academic excellence and commitment to Spanish language and culture. And we are going
to start with um sophomores. Gloria Hson's know who's here? Madison Cavak, Savannah Kierney, Sophia Originana, Dylan Perez, Torres, Holly, Amy,
Troy Bone, Francisco Cortez, Campos, Cooper Forhan Stallone, Scarlet Foster, Wazalooki, Olivia Moseri, Jaylen Penete Garcia,
Brady Scott, Addison Aggins, and Lily Lzooski. gonna make sure congratulations to those students. Um, we do have scholar athletes that we
were recognizing tonight as well. We have for the New Jersey State Intercolastic Athletic Association, Maline Cardos, Hunter and Warren Scholar Athlete, Isabella Gardella and Marshall Faustst, and the 2026 Skyland Scholar Athlete
Addison Ehaz and Carter Crowe. don't have our representative. Okay. So, our student BOE representative is not here this evening. So, we will go on to our um 2627
school district budget presentation. We good, Mr. Lee? Okay. The mission for 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. For the 2627 school year, we are projecting 581 students. Um, and we have our preK through 8 elementary school and 9th through 12th grade high school.
Our total operating budget $13,641,17. The general fund would be $12,73,317. And special revenue, which would be items like IDA, which is special education, preschool um funding. That
would be the special revenue. And there's might be some additional items there. $937,700. With this information, the district was facing a 1,658,813 budget gap that represents about 12% of our total budget.
We had shared some of this information um during the last meeting as well, but the budget gap deconstructing that gap $777,000, which is about 46.8% 8% is salary and benefits. Um mandated special education
cost 34.3% $569,000 and then the overall uh general operations increase is about 18.9% at $312,813. So as you can see over 80% of that budget gap is dictated by the increase in salary and benefits and special
education costs. the school funding formula. While the district did receive a minimal increase in school aid, um that increase was capped at 6% and $173,283 was the increase. The entitlement had
they followed the actual formula that they had put in place would have been one $1,828,000. Significant difference there. So just to give a little an understanding of uh what this means, what we've received in actual state aid versus the actual formula had it been
funded fully. Um this is going back to 2004 which is the implementation of um S1701. That is when they put in the um 2% cap tax levy um for New Jersey districts. But as you can see, this
purple line here shows the theoretical had the state aid been fully funded from 2004 to 2026 here. Just going to move this a minute. What the district has actually received
is this green line right there. As you can see, there is a significant difference from where we should have been had we been fully funded according to the formula versus where we are. If you look right here, 2021
time frame, the district lost about 16.45% of the state aid it had been receiving. So from this point back in 2021 to now, we are essentially flat. While it shows that we have gone up a little bit in the
last couple of years, it is about where we were in 2021 with state aid. For just a little picture of Warren County schools, these are schools that have high schools in them. Belvadier school district is the second lowest
state aid funded school. So the rest of the districts here are districts in Warren County again that have high schools and what they are getting per student in state aid. Significant difference as you can see
here. So we are working with uncapped mandates in a capped system. We have a surge in health medical 23.5% surge there and about almost 30%
in prescription cost. We have mandated out of district tuitions that have gone up for the district uh to the tune of $270,000 give or take and then contractual obligations make up $215,000 of that.
So what we have been trying to do to mitigate taxpayer impact, we have non-replace retiring staff which includes instructional and administrative support. Reduction of one full-time general education teacher and one full-time custodian. Reduction of
one full-time special area teacher. A special area teacher is a teacher who teaches something like gym um physit health. Reassignment of staff to maximize student support. based on New Jersey Department of Ed certifications.
Analyzing district programs for high versus lowinterest programs. Special education program development to return out of district students where appropriate. That does take some time to do because we want to make sure we're offering the right supports for those students.
Utilizing proceeds from Third Street sale, that is a pending sale. Use of reserves. current year savings from the funded uh budgeted fund balance and an increase in high school tuition by $1,000 per student. That would be for the sending
districts, but this alone does not cover that 1.65 million budget gap. We have also increased our shared service agreements. Uh we have the BA business services agreement with Harmony Township which was in place and it's continuing. Child study team services
with Harmony Township, again was in place, continuing. Technology services with White and Hope Townships, that's also continuing. And we've added a preschool instructional coach um shared agreement with Franklin Township, which will be continuing also for next year.
Maximizing in district special education programs to reduce out of district costs. That is analyzing the current programs we have in district and enhancing reinforcing those programs to ensure we're providing those services for those students. Strategic use of technology to enhance
instruction staff crossraining and multi-roll administrative position to reduce overhead and awarded grants. Um we have we do have additional competitive grants out there and we are waiting to see if we were approved or not approved for those
grants or awarded for those grants. they are competitive so there's no guarantee that we would get them. Uh one of them is the high impact tutoring grant and the other one is the what they call the bridge grant which is building responsive instructional design. I don't remember
the exact name but we talked about it at our last meeting. Um again both competitive grants and we're hoping that we get awarded um some monies for that. We have a 2627 boiler project. $68,000 of that project is supported by a grant
that we received. The project total is 885,000 and the district cost is 277,000. This does not cover the full 1.65 million gap. So, I talked a little bit about S1701, which is that 2% cap benchmark from when
it was implemented back here in 2004. This red bar here is the theoretical 2% cap had the board gone to that cap each time. This is where we would have been right here. The blue line represents what the board uh
had approved for a tax levy increase. As you can see, more often than not, the board was very conservative with the tax levy increase. So the we are proposing a 10% tax levy. This increase is not arbitrary is it. It
is a precise utilization of specific state waiverss designed to keep districts solvent during this healthcare crisis. The total proposed levy is $4,787,454. This bar graph right here delineates the 2% cap. There's a 0.54% enrollment
adjustment. That's because our enrollment did increase slightly. And then the rest is the healthcare adjustment at 7.46% of that 10%. Please note that the allowable healthcare adjustment was 411,395.
what we are proposing within the tax levy is $324,52. So for the tenth percent that we are proposing, the total increase per percent is $43,522. The total 10% is $435,220 on an average home assessment of
$240,000. That's an estimated annual tax increase of $449, which is roughly 37.41 per month. We do not take this request lightly. This increase is the direct mechanism keeping the Belvadier School District
operational in the face of a broken state funding model and historic healthare healthcare inflation. What this budget protects and what it's at risk. We are protecting core classroom instruction, student support
services, special education compliance and services, maintenance of high interest electives, maintenance of high interest, high participation extracurriculars and athletics, safe maintained school facilities. If not approved, we face significant
program cuts and eliminations, loss of student support services, additional staff reductions, significant reductions of electives, athletics, and extracurriculars, delayed maintenance and facility impacts, and an increased strain on
students and staff. This budget proposal preserves what matters most, the core student experience. This is not unique to Belvadier. It's happening across the state of New Jersey. Schools are facing the same financial pressures due to the rising costs and
limited revenue growth. Health care costs rising, double-digit increases, 20 to 30% annual growth is a major budget driver. Special education costs, mandated services required by law. When we have students that may go out of district,
that's anywhere from 60,000 to $250,000 per student. Rapid cost increases statewide. The constraints that we face stated in state aid is unreliable or flat.
2% tax levy cap limits growth and cost rising faster than funding. So what this means for Belvadier are all the same things. Same healthc care increases, limited revenue growth, same
special education pressures, and costs rising faster than funding. This is not a statewide structural This is a statewide structural challenge, not local overspending. the path forward. The district has exhausted a historically frugal
baseline, having lost significant state aid and demonstrating fiscal restraint since the implement implementation of S1701, that 2% cap. The district is bridging a 1.65 65 million budget gap driven by spikes in healthcare cost, mandated special
education programs and services and salary increases. By utilizing tax levy adjustments and executing internal administrative and staffing reductions, we have balanced the budget for the 2627 school year. This is a survival budget.
Anything can change. We can have things that were unplanned for and that would further impact what we are planning and what we are doing in the district does rely on shared sacrifice to maintain the integrity of Belvadier classrooms
which is what we are trying to do. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Garcia. On behalf of the Belvadier Board of Education, I would like to share the following. We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we worked worked to balance the 2627
budget. Our finance committee worked hard along with our administrative team to manage the significant gap and keep our district moving forward. All of this while doing their best to limit the impact on the district's students, programs, staff, and community. As we
all know, many districts across New Jersey are facing hard times with funding and increasing health costs, forcing them to make significant staffing and program cuts, even while proposing high tax increases. All of this, while we as individuals, families, and communities face our own rising
expenses and strains, the board of education remains committed to putting our students as our top priority. Okay. Um, we are I need a motion for executive session. >> Motion public.
>> We're going out. That's after we have that later, don't we? Yeah. After we come out of exec. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Second. Okay. All in favor? >> I.
>> Any nos? Any abstensions? We'll be going into executive session for matters rendering confidential by federal law, state law or court rule, individual privacy, collective bargaining agreements and personnel employment matters affecting a specific
perspective or current employee. We will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of this close session in approximately half hour. We're going to go for a half hour. Yeah, we're going
on to committee reports. First is student activities and community relations. >> The committee met and the paperwork for the co-op for the field hockey was submitted. >> Oh, public I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Public participation we're doing before we do
community reports. I'm sorry. I missed it. Public participation. This section is for 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 item that is listed on tonight's agenda. Towards the end of the meeting, there is another public forum to address any matters of 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 shall be limited to 3 minutes. Time may not be yielded to other participants. All
statements must be directed to the presiding officer. No participate 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 to the 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 for defamation. Please also understand that the students and employees have specific legal and privacy protections. The board will not respond in public to comments about
students and employees. So, public participation on agenda items is open. Please come to the microphone. >> A set timer. >> Yep, I have it. >> 30 minutes. >> 30 minutes. I have it. >> You did. >> Oh, he's got three. >> That's what I'm making. Thank you.
That's what I was asking. Good evening. Sorry. Good evening. John Owens, BEA president. With potential $1.6 million budgetary shortfall for next year, it is clear that Dr. Garcia and Miss Ch have worked hard to minimize
the impact on our school and on our staff. BEA appreciates that. However, given number nine on tonight's agenda, I would like to bring up two particular points. AP psychology, forensic psychology,
clinical psychology, behavioral science 1 and two, criminology, civics, seven of the 28 highinterest electives that we actually run in the high school, all of which were created from scratch, mind you, unpaid by Mr. Matthew Hoy,
elevator class of 2025. There's one of the 10 AP classes we cover with stellar test scores. GSA, Student Council, National Honor Society, programs that cater to the most academic
and in some ways also the most vulnerable of our students. Also run by Mr. Matthew Wood. One of the key topics at last month's board meeting was the importance of prioritizing education and doing what's best for the students. If you wish to do what's best for the students, if you
wish to invest in the school, I would encourage you to please take another look at number nine. Please reconsider and please invest in Mr. Matthew Hoy. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public participation on the agenda items?
Good evening board members. My name is Stephanie Lycap and I'm a 13-year resident, parent, and business owner in Belvadier. My husband and I were not raised here, but we intentionally chose this town for its strong community and small school system. We have three children in the Belvadier school district. My oldest is about to finish
8th grade and enter her Belvadier High School era. I can confidently say that even through the unprecedented challenges of co, every teacher my children has had has demonstrated dedication, intentionality, creativity, and excellence. My husband John and I are both elementary and early childhood
educators ourselves. So, we fully understand how difficult this profession is, and we know no one enters teaching for financial gain, and that it's a calling of the heart and the mind. Our taxes are planned to increase by 10% this year, which for my family is approximately $600 per year. I
understand that part of this increase stems from prior years of smaller tax increases. However, many families are struggling struggling to understand how administrative raises of 2.75% can continue while student opportunities and valued staff positions are being eliminated.
We're struggling to understand how administrative raises can continue while student programs, field trips, and I just read that sentence are being eliminated. These are not extras. They are meaningful parts of a child's educational experience at Belvadier Elementary and High School. This
enrichment provided by our school district is a once-ina-lifetime experience for many of them. With high school enrollment declining, what are we doing to encourage families to stick around? What message does this send to current and future Belvadier families? I understand that administrative roles
require additional education and a lot of responsibility. We have had great experiences with some of our elementary principles. However, during a time when students are losing programs, experiences, and valued teachers, continued administrative raises send a conflicting message about the district's
priorities and the value we place on student opportunities. We aren't just a public school system. We are Belvadier. And I think all of us in this room can agree there's something special about that. I urge you to remember nothing has to be done one way just because it's always been done that way. Raises do not need
to occur simply because they always have. At a time when students are losing programs and staff, even symbolic financial restraint at the administrative level would demonstrate that sacrifices are being shared. I recognize the decisions are difficult. I appreciate the time and service and work
each of you gives to this district, but I urge the board to reconsider whether maintaining administrative raises during a time of program cuts and staff reductions truly reflects the values and priorities of this community. >> Thank you. Any other public
participation at this time for agenda items? No. Okay, we'll close public participation and we will move back to our committee reports. The student activities committee met and
we discussed the co-op with the field hockey. We are awaiting final approval from the athletic committee and believe that it should come. Dr. Garcia shared that there was misinformation in the community regarding the co-op
and Dr. Garcia took the opportunity to clarify the information. A question was raised about changing conferences. We are currently locked in to the conference we're at. We looked into the Skylands and other schools are having difficulty with transportation
costs also, but this is the conference we're currently in. Questions were raised about travel and transportation. It is approximately $350 to $650 per trip depending on the distance
for the athletics. Oops. A question was raised about random drug testing. The district currently does not do random drug testing. It is not part of the St. Luke's contract, but there is policy 2435 that deals with the
random testing of intercolastic athletics. We looked at the different end of the year activities and awards that are coming up. There is an extensive list of activities that are coming up to celebrate the good that our students are
doing. The facilities and events calendar is being updated with a roll out of July 1st. This will allow parents to opt in to calendar events and get updates. It does not facilitate messaging between the students and the
coaches. The budget fact sheet was presented. Dr. Garcia did have coffee in conversation with the mayor about the proposed tax hike. >> She did not want coffee. >> The other information that we discussed
is that there's we're looking into an opportunity with St. Luke's to have sports physicals completed at to assist parents and athletes with the sports physicals. and they're going back
whoops to the interview process for the strength and conditioning coach. So, that's where we're at with student activities. Okay. Any questions on any of those notes? You should have all received them.
No. Okay. So, then we had curriculum and instruction. Um we met April 28th. We um reviewed the student assessments that are going on through the month of May, June. Some have already been completed. Some will be yet to be
completed in the coming weeks with the final exam final exams ending in June before school's over. We discussed um the 26 27 scheduling um that the bones
of the schedule are being put together now and more will become on that um in the coming month. course require requirements. We had talked about there was a question um about the requirement for the 15 credits
of science and what is there for the kids to meet those mandated credits for the state and right now we are looking into being able to adding agricultural science to fulfill the state requirements. So that
would be another option for our children to be able to get those 15 credits required. Um that needs to correlate with the state mandates um to happen. But that is something that we are looking into and hopefully we'll be able to um get on board with. Performing arts
um is another requirement or um visual is it visual arts? It's listed visual or performing arts. Um they're required five credits. We have a couple different programs to be able to do that. And we were looking at, unfortunately, like in our art classes, we don't have the same
option, but we do have a concert band and a concert choir that meet at lunch if they can't get it into their regular schedule. So, if they if they're part of one of those concert things, they meet once every rotation. So, every 4-day
rotation, what we have right now, and if they do that for the whole year and are in the concerts, they get one credit. So that counts towards those five credits. So we were just looking at that and making sure that that's correct. So those kids would receive those credits
to make up their five credits. Um let's see, professional development. Um there's some professional development planned coming up. Um the goals would be to strengthen skills to support students across multiple levels. um
ensure that everyone um has what they need for success. There's going to be renaissance benchmark training um for the K through 8 and the staff that shares both middle school, high school
so that they all get um what they need to be able to utilize those programs best. And we have the grants um that are up They are submitted waiting. Don't have responses yet, but it's the high impact
that Dr. Garcia talked about earlier and the building responsive instruction through data guided evaluation bridge. She told me that and grading for the report cards. Um still working with Genesis to include in
students um view. Oh, that is now. Oh, so good news. Since that meeting, the GPA will be able to be viewed on the students report cards through Genesis >> transcript >> or the TR student transcripts, but we don't have it on the report cards yet.
>> Oh, they'll be able to get the whole transcript. They'll be able to access the whole transcript. We were looking for the GPA to be on the report cards, but be even better. >> Okay. And that was it for our meeting. Any
questions on any of those? No. Okay. So then we did our personnel and negotiations in executive. So we are on to correspondence. Do we have any correspondence? >> Yes. I have two letters. The first one is
from Janine Bergman. Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as nighttime custodian at Belv High School. My last day will be May 30th, 2026. It has been a pleasure working with everyone. And the second is from Kayla.
I'm writing to formally resign from my position as school psychologist/case manager at Belair High School effective July 3rd, 2026. This was not an easy decision as I have truly valued the opportunity to work with our students, families and staff. Supporting students academic, social, and emotional growth
has been deeply meaningful to me and I am grateful for the experience I have gained during my time here. I appreciate the support and collaboration I have received from the administration and the child study team. It has been a privilege to be part of such a dedicated team committed to student success. Thank you again for the opportunity to
contribute to the Belbit community. I wish the school continued success in the future. Okay. And we also received um as a board quite a few letters from um community members, a lot of alumni on behalf of
the field hockey program and I want to thank them for reaching out and sharing that their thoughts um with us on that. But they were not sent as a correspondent. So I just wanted to acknowledge that the board as a whole has received them and we thank you for
that. And we are on to superintendent report. >> Today we have Tanya. >> I'll start that over. Today we had Tanya Monoey from the New Jersey Department of Ed Warren County special education
specialists um come to our uh faculty meeting where she presented to special education staff and the child study team regarding special education programs and mandates. Um Mr. Reid and his students during last week's um Belvadier Elementary spring concert really shined.
It was phenomenal. Um just some really great performances. So if you were there, you you would have enjoyed it. But um I did have some pictures included on our uh presentation there. Uh the board retreat was held on Saturday, May 2nd. Thank you to Mrs. Gardella and Camp
Orin for hosting the retreat. Um the FFA banquet was also held on Saturday, May 2nd at the Belvadier Manor. Thank you to Mr. Duckworth, FFA students, and all who made this event possible. It was a great evening focused on highlighting the achievements of our students and the
positive impact many have had to make the FFA in our school district uh possible, including our very own. Um we had special recognitions of Mr. Kennedy and Miss Hexath. Again, those pictures were also in the presentation, so hopefully you had a chance to look at that. Um and it really really was a nice
evening. Uh, be sure to check out BHS Red Zones Instagram page for special postings highlighting our seniors, selected colleges, trade schools, uh, military, and more. Thank you again to Mr. Feldman for his support with these postings. Very much appreciated. And
that's all I have. Okay, we are on to agenda items. So we will be looking at policy items 1 through 4. Can I have a motion 1 through 4? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Note these are all on second readings.
Any questions, comments? >> All in favor? Wait, >> I have I just >> Well, I'll have a com >> I just was going to say that the legal services I I have concerns just about
that policy and I feel like we need to put additional guard rail rails around the policy and the board presence design um especially at a time when we're trying to be fiscally responsible. What you know what are those parameters
around that design? So, I don't know if we can make a motion to postpone this and review it back in committee or um or just move forward with a vote.
>> I mean, I'll second the motion. >> Problem. >> We're going to table it. You're asking to table it. Just that one. >> Just that one. >> Just that one. >> Number one. >> 174. You have to make a motion.
>> Yes. So, you're asking for it to be >> postponed. Tabled. Yes. >> Technically, not >> postponed. Not be tabled. >> Usually postponed to the next next meeting. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Postpone to the next meeting. Postpone. >> That gives the committee time to talk about it. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. I'll look at our next committee meeting. I don't know if it's before the 6th or not, but we'll put it on the next agenda. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, we're postponing. >> There's a motion. >> Oh, yes. motion. >> I'm going to I'm going to ask for that. So, it's item number one, policy number
0174. Motion to postpone. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any abstensions? Okay. So, now we'd be
looking at policy numbers two through four. Any questions on any of them? Comments? Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any nos? Any abstensions? Okay. Personnel items. This is going to
be 50 through 20 with >> five >> 50 or I'm sorry, 5 through 20. >> There's a Where's my other page? >> 20A. >> 20 A. >> Is it 20 A? Yes, there it is. Including 20A, which is your add-on for tonight.
Okay. Okay. So, personnel 5 through 20A. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any questions, comments? >> Are you doing roll call? >> Yes, >> I will. Okay. >> I didn't I just not sure the >> question.
>> Okay. So, roll call, please. >> Mrs. Serbone? >> Yes. >> Dr. Zepath? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Duckworth? >> Yes. >> Miss Johnson? >> Um, I'm going to do no on number nine and yes on the Mrs. Stefen,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Strider, >> no to number nine. Yes on the rest. >> Miss Walton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wer, >> I'm also doing no on nine and yes to the
rest. Miss White. Mr. Cherelli. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gardella, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Robb, >> yes. Okay. Education items 21 through 24.
Can I have a motion for 21 through 24? >> Motion. >> Any questions, comments? Nope. All in favor? >> I. >> Any abstensions?
Okay. Business items. It's business items 25 through 32. >> Motion, any questions, comments. >> So for 25, I think given some of the information that we just received, I
would like to make a motion to postpone that. We can do that. Okay. There's a motion. >> Make a motion. >> There's a motion for number 25. >> I'll second >> to postpone. >> I'll second. >> Have a second.
>> Jackie got it. >> Do we roll call? >> All in favor? >> It doesn't have to be a roll call, but to count. >> I would like a roll call, please. >> Just postpone that one item.
Yes. Postpone to the next meeting is what was asked. Yeah. >> Mrs. Serbone. >> Yes. >> Dr. Zuppith? >> No. >> Mrs. Duckworth? >> No. >> Miss Johnson? >> Yes. >> Miss Stefen?
>> No. >> Mrs. Straight? >> Yes. >> Miss Walton? >> No. >> Mrs. Wer? Yes, >> Miss White. >> Yes, >> Mr. Chigarelli.
>> No, >> Mrs. Gardella. >> No, >> Mrs. Robbath. >> Yes. >> You're going to tell me 66, aren't you? >> Yep. >> Motion fail. >> Didn't pass because you have to have a majority. Yeah,
>> you have to have a majority. >> Okay, >> now you're back to >> So, we're back to item numbers 25 through 32. Any other questions, comments? I have a comment. This is not a personal attack on Dr.
Garcia or the district administration. How I however I feel it is disrespectful to the community to have on the s same board agenda a budget that has a 1.65 million deficit and a 2.75% increase for administration.
I was elected to the board to serve the community and to work in the best interest of the students. We are facing a budget where we are reducing teaching staff, eliminating one position completely and decreasing another position to part-time. We are cutting spending, reducing programs, and
co-oping sports. Yet, in the same breath, we are increasing the administrative salaries by 2.75. I understand the budget and there are different line items for different expenses. I realize the proposed budget for 2627 included projected raises for
the administration. I know that healthc care costs are rising and operating expenses are increasing. It is an issue faced by many districts and many individuals. Yet, we are asking the community to agree to a 10% tax hike, but will give
away 2.75 to the administration. I have heard several times that the average cost to the taxpayer is only around $495. No one I have spoken to is average. Everyone seems to be above the projected
tax increase. Last meeting, people spoke about the possibility of school enrollment decreasing due to co-oping sports. Unfortunately, whether we co-op or not will not be the factor if we price the average person out of t out of
town. It is poor timing to ask the average person to take a 10% tax hike and approve an administrative contract that has the highest percentage raise across the three years when we are facing such an enormous shortfall.
>> Any other questions, comments? >> Um, I really do appreciate the work that went into this agreement. This proposal increases both the raise levels and the length of the contract compared to the current current agreement. At a time when we're making reductions and asking more of our community, I'm not
comfortable committing to increased multi-year costs. I would be more comfortable with a shorter term agreement that allows us to reassess. Any other comments, questions? >> Yes, I have no doubt that our administrators work hard and are dedicated to this
district. This isn't about their effort or value, but I cannot in good conscious vote yes on an agreement tonight when earlier on the same agenda we approved reductions in force due to budgetary constraints. We're taking away with one hand and giving with another. And I
don't think that's the right message to send to our community staff or our students. Any other questions, comments? >> I have a comment. Um, just as an elective official of the community, I I feel like I'm physically responsible for
this motion on the agenda. Um, as Dr. Garcia had shared during her budget presentation, she stated that this was a shared sacrifice and we're in survival mode. And so again, echoing the other um board members sentiment that have spoken
openly today, I do feel it would be fiscally responsible and it would put us at risk uh for future cuts and constraints um for the next school year. And I really my focus is on the students and uh the staff. Again, I appreciate
everything that the administrative team has done and their collaboration in trying to come to this agreement, but where we see this falling back is on our students, their programs, and their education, and we cannot sacrifice that.
Any other comments, questions? I just I'll just say real quickly that you know I know that also being involved in some in some of this and being on the board and everything um the reason why I wanted to put it on motion because I don't think it's the
appropriate time with looking at the budget and then in light of Dr. Garcia's presentation which was very very informative salaries was something that was mentioned as the increase and I think this is a time where we might be able to readjust and realign and be a
little more fiscally responsible. So that's why I was hoping that maybe we could postpone that. But any other comments questions? >> Can the motion be reopened? Like how's that work? I don't know what the jurisdiction is on that. like for item
number 25. You >> mean the motion to table to postpone it? >> Well, I mean, we've heard some, you know, >> no legitimate. >> So, I want to talk about the merits of it, but is that what you're asking about? >> Yeah, if we could. >> So, the the way it works since it's at the same
meeting. >> Mhm. >> Someone that was on the opposite side would have to make the motion to reconsider, >> if that makes sense. I hear you. So, it was a 66 vote. >> Yep. So someone that voted no
on the motion to postpone would have to make that would be so it's you know when you read Roberts it's like an indication that there would be a reason to change. So someone that was on the no side would have to make the motion to reconsider that item. >> Um well then I'd like to make the motion
to reconsider number 25. >> Okay. >> I'll happily second. So now you have a motion and and is the motion to to reconsider and and postpone it to correct as we'll do it all in one motion. >> Okay. And roll call.
>> Mrs. Serone. >> Yes. >> Dr. Zepath. >> No. >> Mrs. Duckworth. >> No. >> Miss. Johnson? >> Yes. >> Miss Stephen? >> No. Mrs. Straight. >> Yes.
>> Ms. Walton. >> Yes. >> M. Winner. Mrs. W. >> M. White. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cherelli. >> No. >> Mrs. Gardella. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Robbatham. >> Yes. >> The motion passes.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. So now we are looking at items 26 through 32 with a postponement to 25. Any questions on any of the rest
comments? >> Okay. All in favor of once again I'll say 26 through 32. I >> I >> I >> Any nos? >> No to 30. >> Any abstensions?
Okay. So, we are on to continuing business. Anybody have any continuing business? I'd like to start with um thank you to Janine Bergman and Kayla for their time here at Belvadier and their hard work.
Um I wish them both the best in what's to come for both of them. I'd also like to thank um Cath uh Kelly Mitchell for coming out um to do our board retreat on Saturday and spending
her time with us. um and everyone for um taking the time out of their day to be there on a weekend. Any other continuing business? I just want to say maybe a thank you to Mr. Feldman kind of second that because
the red zone is really I think it's been a fantastic addition just really keeping up with all that's going on with the students not only with the ones committed to schools or going to um trades and things of that nature but seeing all the recognition has been really great. So I was happy to see that.
>> I second that. He's done a fantastic job. >> It's impressive. Any other continuing business? New business. No new business. Okay, everybody check their calendars. May and June, it's going to get really busy.
Everybody check them and check them twice. Okay. So, we are on to our second public participation. Then 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 participant shall be limited to 3 minutes. Time may not be yielded to other participants. All statements must be directed to the presiding officer. or no participate may
address or question board members individually. Please understand the public comment portion of our agendas 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 that any statement they make that are directed at a particular individual or individuals may subject them to legal liability or defamation. Please also understand that students and employees has specific legal and privacy protections. The board will not respond
in public to comments about students and employees. Public session is open. Please come to the microphone if you have public comment. Hi, my name is Elena Ehaz and I'm an a seventh grader from Harmony Township. I've been playing field hockey since I
was in kindergarten through the high school feeder program. Over the over the years, this sport has become a huge part of my life. I've worked hard, improved my skills, and built friendships that mean so much to me. I've also grown up watching my sister play on the field and be successful. And I've always looked
forward to that day, and I I've always looked forward to the same day and have the same opportunity. Finding out that field hockey is being cut is devastating to me. It feels like I have been working towards something for years and it is suddenly becoming being taken away. This
isn't a this this isn't just a sport. It is a passion, a goal and a big part of my life. Be by cutting this girls sport is there will be forever
by cutting this girls sport there will be for fewer opportunities for athletes like me at Belvadier High School. It will it will also make me and other other others question whether we will need to attend a different school that supports our interest and gives us the
chance to continue playing the sports we love. I want to ask what makes a field hockey player less worthy than other athletes in this school. If I were answering this question I would say nothing because all male and female athletes athletes m
should be treated equally. microphone. Thank you very much. Any other public participation? Nope. Okay. Well, then we're going to Did you Okay, go ahead.
Hi, my name is David Ehaz from Harmony Township, obviously Elena's father, and having my older daughter go through this program and hearing that it's going to be co-opted or potentially moved to North Warren Regional High School is a concern to me in a couple with a couple
aspects. Number one, what type of data was gathered in terms of numbers of participants that were coming in over the next two years? What does the program look like in terms of participation? Do we have enough students to actually feel the team? Was that collected? Did you Was there
outreach to the community to find out how many students are actually going to be here in the fall? The transportation concern is also an issue. Nicole and I are both teachers obviously and for us to make it here and transport our daughter to North Warren, which is what
minimum 25m minute ride away is next to impossible. So really essentially that's the knife in the back of the program. You're cutting a program that is successful, has a state title, uh, conference championships, scholar
athletes, and you're cutting a legacy from the school. And I'm looking around the building and I look at the sign that's sitting there on the table and it says, "Just be it. Belong, believe, and become." So now you have students that are going
to be moved off to another school. So they feel like they belong to that community that's supposed to be tight-knit here at Belvadier. More than that, on the field, there are life lessons that are going to be learned. You learn how to collaborate. You learn how to beat a team player. You
learn how to fail, which is extremely important because that failure causes you to reflect on what you've done to change your protocol and learn how to become successful. And I feel like the students that are going through that have gone through this program, my
daughter Addison included, she learned a lot just from being on that field, learning how to fail, recoup, and figure out how to change your course so you can be successful moving forward. I strongly urge you guys to please
consider every angle to salvage that program. I know it's a $30,000 cut with transportation, coaching, staffing, all those fees that go into funding that program, but think about the legacy that's going to be removed from this school and the
tradition that has been a positive force for a number of girls who have gone through this program. I can't think about not think about Laya back here her senior year as one of the I mean an extremely talented goalie for our team
and recognized in our conference to have to move on to another program. That's got to be a very tough pill to swallow for her. So think about those other girls who are coming up and are going to be affected by this. I don't know if the decision is completely done and it's
out, but if there's any way to salvage that, please consider that. >> Thank you very much. >> Any other public participation? Um, hello. My name is Abby Labar. I'm from Harmony Township, but I grew up here in Belvadier. Um, I'm here on
behalf of myself, um, but also my daughter Jillian, who is a graduating senior. Um, so I'm I'm kind of speaking these words for her. Um, dear board members of the board of education, I'm shocked and saddened by the decision to cut the field hockey program, I won't
bore you with all of the team accomplishments or the personal growth field hockey has brought to this school, but also to me. The impact has been undeniable. At our team banquet, Coach Fran and
Coach Call reminded us that we are small but mighty. And that mindset is exactly what this program represents. This board of education should take on that same small but mighty mindset when thinking about the current players who give their
all every day to represent Belvadier High School, not North Regional. I truly hope this decision is not the beginning of the end for BHS. Thank you. Any other public participation?
>> My name is and I'm sorry I wasn't um around to come last week, last month when you voted to do away with the program. Um truth be told, my daughter Abby, I graduated from Bel High School in 1971.
My two daughters and four granddaughters played in the field hockey program. So if you know that Aby's my daughter, you also know that Beth Franceskino is my daughter. Both of these girls went to college and played. And you've had many people play. I believe your Shelly could
um verify how many people from the program have gone on to college and they've gone and participated in field hockey. One of the things that impressed me more than anything and I'm going to be proud of my
own children, but there have a program and you have a coach who is one of the winningest coaches in the state of New Jersey. She's ranked very high and she's done it with smoke and mirrors because last year you had 11 players. Not the kind of thing you want to do.
Know your numbers are down, but I think they would improve. And I just think that when you could know that that team that played last year and Jillian was a big part of it, they played a couple games with 10 players and they lost the game one to
nothing to the team that won the league. If that isn't saying anything about the heart of the kids from Belvadier, then you need to reconsider because there's a lot of kids who feel the same way and they're sitting there and I know Laya is an excellent player and I feel
bad that she's not going to get the opportunity that she deserves. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public participation? Okay. We're going to close public participation. All right. And I need a motion to go
into executive session. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any nos? Any abstensions? Okay. They will be going to executive session for collective bargaining agreements, purchase, lease or sale of property,
real estate property, if public interest could be adversely affected, attorney client privileges and personnel. The board will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of this closed section in
I'll say approximately an hour. We will not be taking action when we come back. There will be no action tonight when we come back. So that's it.