Good. 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 public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with this 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 Belvier on January 15, 2025. The meeting will be livereamed at
ww.bevierd.org. Flag salute, please. I aliance 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 mission of the Belvadier School District is to celebrate our past and empower our future while focusing on our four cornerstones of our district. Tradition, excellence, academics, and community. We strive to build confidence and promote collaboration. We encourage
an equal partnership with our students and staff as well as its community members. We empower everyone to develop the best version of themselves. The Belvadier School District is committed to shaping students into global citizens who take initiative for their success and contribute to the continued
excellence of the district. Our students are leaders in the decision-making process of their education and will be prepared to excel in 21st century society. Roll call, please. Here. Here. Here.
Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Okay. So, we're going to go on to um committee reports, curriculum, and
policy. All right. Okay. So, we we met last week and we reviewed the um elementary school handout uh handbooks, the high school handbooks, and then um a recent policy
for first. Yeah. All the policies that are on the agenda tonight. Um there were some minor changes to the handbook that u needed to be made like we had to remove assistant principal and some other things. We also talked a lot about the middle school. Um the middle school
will now be on the rotating high school schedule but is being are being held to the elementary school handbook. They also are on the high school calendar. So their back to school night will be with the high school back to school night. So we talked a little bit about how we
could carve out the middle school possibly have their own handbook, their own calendar just to make it more inclusive and they're on their own. Uh we reviewed absenteeism um over the last year just to see if we could find any patterns. Um we didn't
see any immediate patterns. There were no patterns by district. So it's not walking district versus busing. We didn't see anything where it's like always eighth grade um or always junior year. Um, but we did see that there is a
a big rate between preK and kindergarten. So, from the elementary school, the highest percentage of absentes were in that area, which wasn't really all that surprising. Um, but at least it's a place where we can target to look for how we can improve that. Can I ask a quick question? Was there
also a note about 8th grade on there? There was for eighth grade absentee this year was high. So there were 75 out of 290 50 of them were prek around 45 were pre-K to kindergarten and then the rest
were like one or two and then eighth grade was very high this year. Okay. And there was no specific reason identify for eighth graders. No, not at first glance. Okay. Um and then for our next meeting, we're
going to talk a little bit of organizing for gifted and talented and then um review the second attendance survey that was sent out. Any questions on those notes?
Okay, on to finance and operations did not meet on Wednesday when we met, right? But you guys met a different Yeah. July 3rd. Y Okay. Um so Third Street sale, that advertisement went out and I think that bid was taken down on August 19th if
that's correct, Shel. Okay. Um there was a concern on how the property was zoned for sale. It currently it was zoned as residential. So Shelley was uh working to resolve that issue and the bid was out for approximately three weeks.
When we look at our aid versus substitute costs, um, our administrator, our administration was reviewing and working to determine the cost of aids versus subs versus what our current needs are in the school, but we were hoping to have this more defined in a
week or two based on part-time substitutes and full-time employees. Um, we would also be looking to see how we would meet the needs of some of the holes that we have in staffing and what that would look like from just um additional uh contracting and so forth.
So, there was more of a plan to be developed within the next two to three weeks and I'm sure there's a followup to that that we just haven't gotten to since our last meeting. the playground grant. Um obviously we obtained that $91,000
grant um back from our application in January. So a purchase order was completed. Um we completed some hard um hard uh like uh I don't know what yes hardcape um out in the playground. And
additionally, they did some hard cement surfacing around the playground and cafeteria for wheelchair accessible students. Um, I think if you guys remember, we did have a public um, community member come and share some of those concerns and I'm happy that we
were able to obtain that 91K grant. It took us a little bit, but we did it. So, thank you um to Melissa. actually she she found the grant and Shelley put together the application and so this was very exciting for us. A cost analysis
was done um for our um CSA position and we continue to work through um making that uh that position work for our CSAA principal position and what that would look like um to make sure that we met the needs of the school from an administrative standpoint. Additionally,
we looked at stipens and club participation and you know, are all our clubs fully active? Are there some clubs that aren't currently active but still being paid stipens? And so, our administration went through um that cost analysis and was able to identify some
areas of opportunity. Then, we did have some unanticipated special education placements that may have impacted the budget. Um so we were working through those um expected unexpected budget costs. Um in addition,
we're looking forward to our life skills class that will be completed hopefully in October, which I think will be covered in our special ed um committee report out. Um, additionally, we're trying to look at creative um to keep a
creative ways of cost savings with transportation for our special ed students that are going out, but it still continues to be extremely expensive between tuition and transportation costs um for our students who need additional needs outside our
district. We will also be offering physical education and culinary classes for our MD program. This is something that we were we were not offering. So, this is um an exciting new um opportunity that
we're able to provide to this student population. And then um additionally, Shel's been doing a lot of um managing a deficit that we've had in the budget due to some of these unanticipated special education costs um and other other um facility
expenses that have popped up and and um she's been able to take a closer look at balancing that budget. Additionally, we're going to need a roof placement. We've talked about this in previous uh finance reports. This may need to go out for referendum in the
fall, but we're still talking about this. And we're going to circle back to this in September to discuss additional finance options. When we look at transportation, we know that BNK um has officially retired and we did we did receive bid one bid on our current
routes. Um but we weren't anticipating any additional increase in transportation costs, which is a plus because we always run that risk. And um I and then that's pretty much actually it.
Great. Any questions on that? I shared them at like after the meeting like I did share Google Doc. Yeah. Yeah. Any other questions on that? No. All right. Special Education Ad Hoc
Committee. Who wants to talk about? I took notes. I can do it. I got the notes in front of you. You want me to read through them? Sure. Okay, go for it. Uh, we met on the 31st of July, which was right after the night after we had
our parent meeting. Um, so we talked quite a bit about the parent meeting that we had. I think we had about 15 parents there. I think quite a few who are with us tonight. um which uh Miss T and I both thought was a really good meeting, good presentation that Miss Tierney did, good conversation, meeting
itself was about an hour and then probably about another half hour of just informal talk with uh some of the parents. Um came up with some some good ideas um that were put in through the notes. I won't go through all of them. Um but I thought it was a very good conversation, good back and forth. We
then talked about the child study team organizational chart um which I handed out I think should have been part of the notes and if it wasn't I can send that out just sort of a um you know if you have a problem starting points to finishing points we thought was good. Um
we did get the parent survey out. The parent survey went specifically to parents with um students with IEPs um only and at this point we've gotten I think it's 22 surveys back. We're going to keep it open until next Friday, a
week from this Friday. So, um the 29th. Um but I was pleased with the amount of responses we've gotten so far. Uh and I took a quick look at it and the parents um put some good information in there. So, we'll be sharing those results with the committee. We're planning on meeting
in early September. Um we spent some time talking about extended school year. Uh there was a couple of concerns that were raised and we dis discussed that. We're working on a survey to send specifically to the ESY staff just to get some feedback um from what we heard. U two concerns were uh if we had enough
aids each day and second was just some specific training um that maybe some of the teachers needed uh working with different populations than used to. We talked also about the cost of aids versus using substitutes. Um that was a
conversation that we had and at that point um we were still doing a chart by chart which I think we've settled on and you can see some recommendations tonight on the agenda. Uh life skills room update we talked about we are still targeting October 1st to really get the
the program up and running. Um, I can really quickly update that. We've been working on that. The room is almost all the way cleaned out. And, uh, now that the building is pretty much ready to open, that's next on the custodial maintenance staff's list. And then we just talked about the next meeting, some of our ideas, and when we would meet,
that kind of was a Yeah. Did also though talk about doing some uh, marketing around the life skills room. So, hope of the progress. you know, there we are with
that. Um, and then we also did I just want to add I have an extra note here that we talked a little bit about providing subs with more information around the students that have the IEPs and 504s um and additional subtraining.
The one question I had and um Colleen I think had shared this when it was released um by Governor Murphy. The new New Jersey law requires public schools to provide parents with more information about IEP meetings. How are we prepping
for that? I'll send you an email with a good answer for that one. Okay. Yeah, I believe that that came out like the day the day we talked about our ad hoc meeting. So, we did talk about it briefly, but just as acknowledgement. Okay.
One way, one way to just quickly address as we talked about at the parent meeting is we the um I'm going to say it wrong, but the parents know the the handbook that you get from the state that's about a 55page document. Um we've been working on and hope to get to the parents before the beginning of the year. Just basically explains all the parent
rights, but in a little bit less legal ease and just more of a reader friendly version of that. Mhm. Um, so I think that starts with that and then within it it talks about what the parents rights are. So yeah, I see there's a lot of specific timelines. Any more questions on any of that?
All right. So now we're on to administration, student activities, community relations committee. It's personnel, too, so probably should be an executive session. Want to just do it all or? Yeah. Okay. Okay. All righty. Um, so can I
have a motion to go into executive session for personnel? Motion second. All in favor? Any nos? Any abstensions? All right. Any discussion held by the board which which
need not remain confidential will be made public as soon as practicable. Minutes of the executive session will not be disclosed until the need for confidentiality no longer exists. The board will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of the close session approximately 30 minutes.
Sound good? All right. Um, we're done. If you guys can step out, please. Oh, no. I'm not on. There we go. Okay, we are going to our first session
of public participation. This is on agenda items only. It's uh maximum of 30 minutes, five minutes per person. Do we have any public participation on agenda items tonight?
No. Yeah, we'll have a second towards, you know, a little bit later. Okay, so let's go on to our correspondence. None. No correspondence. Okay, superintendent report, please.
Okay. Uh I'm going to start out with if you look at the big board, um we had our parking lots uh painted and lined once again. So just want to kind of show everybody and this will be up on the website at some point tomorrow. Uh Mr. Lee is going to clean it up just a little bit more and talk about the flow
of how we would like traffic to come in starting next week. This is all done already. Uh it all should be signed. Well, Okay. So, real quick, um, and again, we're going to put this on. So, it's a nice, uh, overview that Mr. Lee took with the, uh, with the drum. Um, so this
will be coming to Pequest over here, Oxford. So, the idea is now or we were used to the parents coming in this way to drop off. We're now going to have the parents come in off of Pequest or come up Oxford, but come in that second parking lot. We're going to actually have this a little bit better marked
with uh arrows just on the diagram and come off. If you see here where it says drop off pickup line, that's already all set. That's there. There'll be better signage and then a stopping here and then the parents can come out and then uh take a left onto Oxford. So, we're going to try to have that as a little
bit more smooth. last year. I know a lot of parents were concerned because traffic would um get stuck there on Oxford Street. We've also redone the parking spots. There are now six handicap spots and four visitor spots along the side of the building. Uh so
the staff will be in the new uh here. They're all they're not it's not not new, but it's all numbered now. So we'll have that should be all taken care of. So we'll have this out there, but that's the flow of the traffic that we're going to uh start when we have the kids come back next Thursday. Quick quick question. So that
that in changed because that was the out. Correct. And so now if somebody comes in on this side by the Nobody should be coming in on this side. So in the morning I I know. I know. You know it's not perfect yet. I'm confused. But we're going to have signage to say up here. Don't come in.
Don't come in. Okay. Yeah. But if you know it's 10 o'clock and you need to come in that way, you can come in that way. So but the idea is the parents come in on this side. Yep. We'll take care of that. We're good like that. And then one quick question. I would too. I would make it a just make it a you get rid of the other one.
I I thought there was a reason why we couldn't do that the first time. Try dude. But I just want to be clear that this year there's going to be only one lane for drop off for side by side and that'll be very clear. Correct. Okay. Awesome. Yep. So this doesn't include the different
signage that Mr. Kenny put together or had printed. Okay. So this will eliminate a lot of the traffic that backs up down. Correct. Yeah. And then like what Mr. Bon had talked about where parents would double line drop off and kids were running in front of cars and and we wanted to eliminate all of that. Um and
then plus with there was a lot of concerns that I've received from parents about handicap spots being taken, people just dropping off for the first week or so. We're going to ask the Belvader police and officer John to be out there and policing that so that nobody is using those. The only people that should be using the handicap spots are those
with placards. Any other questions? No questions. No. Yep. Yeah. Not at this time. If you have a you have a question, let me know. Yep.
Okay. Um, also want to comment too in the picture, you can't really see, but we're uh the playground. Hopefully the other piece will be poured uh either tomorrow or Friday. I know the rain kind of threw the schedule off for today. Um, but that should be all set to go for next week, too. So, it'll be all uh handicap accessible. We're very excited
about that. I know was mentioned about the grant before. I do want to take a moment to thank our custodial maintenance staff. If you had a chance to walk, even just see part of the building, it looks great. As always, uh the team works really hard to get the building ready for when the teachers and the students come back in. This year is no exception. I think they did an
outstanding job. Um just I was walking around just this morning and just I'm just amazed at how newish it looks for a building that's, you know, 50 plus years old. So, great job out of Mr. Kennedy and his team. Um always like to thank the administrative assistants who are here all summer long keeping things
going in the summer. There's always a lot of people in and out and trying to make make sure everything is going. And of course, this week and uh late last week is busy because people are coming in with their athletic forms and trying to get their schedules set and things like that. So, uh thanks to them for for their hard work this summer. And the administrative team, you know, um Dr.
McKini and Mr. Carabinus and Miss Tierney just really running through schedules over the last three four weeks. There's a lot of concerns that were raised, but all seemed to be addressed in a positive way. So, um that's just some of what they did over the week. Um, I also want to just reach out to I hope all you noticed the
crosswalks especially on the high school entrance are redone. Um, that was with the town and we appreciate that and sports are key. You haven't seen that. Um, looks really I think it looks really neat. Uh, it's kind of a great way to represent the high school. Um, so that looks really really good and
real quick Oxford that little I don't honestly don't know the answer to that question. I can find out for you though. Just curious because everything looks so crisp and new and then that that one little walkway is not done. Okay, I'll find out. Uh just reminder,
Tuesday staff is back. Thursday for students. Uh our fall sports are all rolling and ready to go. We've we've uh started football started last week with their uh preseason. The rest of the sports started this week. Um there's actually even a couple of games next week. I know boy soccer starts later in
the week next week. And our first home football game is next Friday night against Hacketstown. So good to see the Hacketttown. Thursday because of the holiday, right? Yeah, it's on Thursday. I got to change my calendar then. Um, we could check we could check the calendar on the website and see what it
says. I actually checked I actually checked the sports website. It was very very much up to date. I just didn't check football. So, it's just good to see Hacketttown come that rivalry coming back. Um, we're ready to go and looking forward to having the staff and the students back next week.
I just want to cycle back because I forgot when we came out of exec there were a couple things from um our committee that included personnel that are non specific personnel items that Mrs. Wer wanted to share some exciting
stuff. Really exciting stuff. Um start with the Yes. Yes. Very exciting new portaotti. Yes. So I know everybody's really happy about that. Um, let me see what else.
Need one. You are. Yes. And and we've been informed they're going to do a very good job hopefully of keeping it clean. Um, and for the sports portion, I know that we recently had a change in the girls
basketball coaching, which we're I guess we're still looking for a replacement on that. Um, this JV, yes, thank you. The students had a presentation from a formal former NFL player Andre Williams on nutrition and that was really
wellreceived. The kids were excited about that. Um we're still going over final numbers I believe or unless we might have them for fall varsity fall JV and varsity um sports. We are looking to a common app of some sort under schedule star which is
already within the school and trying to understand a little bit better communication from coaches to um students and then also to the athletes to also to parents. So hopefully we'll have some form of communication that the parents can also log into via app which
is really exciting. The wait room attendance has been very well received especially by the cheerleaders. That's good to hear. Um, we are still looking for a class advisory, junior class advisory. We still have a vacancy here and we're still a little down and
hoping to get some additional enrollment in some of our activities and also our sports this year. For the junior class advisory, how do we advertise to the students for that? That is a great question. It's not a student position, it's for it's a advisor position and we post it
to the staff. Okay. Hopefully next week when everybody's back and checking their emails regularly, they'll they'll see that posting. What if we can't fill it? What's that? What if we can't fill it? Um, we'll fill it. Okay. Hey, Miss Thursday.
And one more question. Is there a formal date for Cedar Day? Um, the answer to that question is yes. I just don't know it off the top of my head. Oh, which reminded me too, we do have that um on 9:22 the Skyland uh Skyland
Leadership Summit also. I missed that one. That's homecoming. Yeah, Cedar Saturday is when we basically all the sports play the same day. Yeah. And I just I know that casual conversation I know the boys soccer team
is playing at seven on that Saturday and I think it was the field hockey team was at five or the girl I just I'll find out the date. I know that it was it was mentioned. Yeah. Okay. So now back to we did superintendent report. Okay. So
we are on to agenda items. We are looking at agenda items for policy. It's going to be 1 through 13. Can I have a motion to look at 1 through 13? Motion. Any questions on any of those readings?
They're all first readings. All right. Can can you elaborate a little bit? I actually had a question on that. I didn't I don't fully understand what internal controls mean, but I do.
So, it's basically how you Okay. Got it. Got it. Thank you. Yeah, we were looking for the SOPs and where we could find find them. Um, and it's simple things when you read it basically who talks to
the lawyer when and where he's regulated. So, just didn't know where to find them. Okay. And so what was your question then initially on that? Okay. No, I appreciate that. Thank you.
Any more questions on any of the policy first readings. Yeah. No. All right. So, not a roll call. So, all in favor? I. Any nos? Any abstensions?
Okay. So, that brings us on to personnel. It's items 14 through 31 with removing I'm sorry I put my page 19
19 removal of number 19 and then what do we and no add-ons what are we doing with 20 okay we're good yep it's going to be 14 through 31 um can I have a motion or yeah 14 through
31 removal of 19 can I have a motion for Any questions about any of those? No. All right. And that is roll call, please. Yes. But uh what number? Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. But no on 20. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Okay. And I also have before we move on, I just want to share Oh, let me find it. I'll bring it I'll bring it toward the end. It's fine. Um,
so now we are on to education items 32 through 42 and there's an add-on to 38. Should be on your add-on sheet. Okay. Can I have a motion for 32 through 42
with 38's add-on? Motion. Oh, motion. Sorry, I wasn't paying second. I was deep in thought. Is there any questions on any of those agenda items? I just wanted clarity on who completes
the self assessment. I saw uh Mr. Kuruba signed it, but is it completed because and do we need any action plans for items that were scored two as opposed to three? It is uh completed by Dr. McKenna because she is the uh okay
specialist. Uh and we do not need action items on twos over versus threes. Thank you for that clarification. Any other questions? All in favor? I I any nos any abstensions?
Okay. So, we are moving on to business items 43 through 55. Can I have a motion for 43 through 55? Motion. Any questions on any of them? All in favor? I.
Any nos? Any abstensions? I will obtain those. Okay. So, we are on to continuing business. Any continuing business? Oh, I I have really quick one thing just to clarify
from a question that I received right before we went to executive session that third grade and I up for life skills will be having um available culinary skills education. I just wanted to add I I just got back
so I did notice the sidewalks and I believe that you said in your or the crosswalks that it was all sports. If we were to think about doing a cross by the elementary school, could we consider doing science and math and other stuff, educational stuff on there?
Absolutely. What's music included? I assume music or band was what I or tractors for FFA. Anything but maybe put something on the sidewalk like different patches on the sidewalk. That'd be cool. Maybe let the kids pick and make it a
fun game for them. I have a question Kuba. Um not sure if you've heard anything about the regionalization study and the requested amendments from the state that we were kind of waiting on in cost and I have not heard anything yet. Okay.
Yeah. Have not I thought that Dr. Green and Mr. Maguar said that would be not until Novemberish. Okay. When he talked about I think he was they were waiting for the post election. Any other continuing business?
No. So, new business first. Welcome back to our kids and our staff in next week. It's exciting that we will be getting back to going. And with that, in the next few months, we will be saying goodbye to our superintendent. Um but on tonight's
agenda, we did um approve a new incoming superintendent who hopefully we'll be starting in the coming months and I just want to welcome um Dr. Garcia and just read a little bit about her to everybody. Um so Dr. Gar Dr. Garcia is a
dedicated and passionate educator with a strong commitment to student centered leadership and academic excellence. Dr. Dr. Garcia's educational experience include principal, child study team director, preschool director,
special education teacher, and more. She brings a wealth of experience in developing collaborative educational communities and fostering inclusive programs that support diverse learners. Dr. Garcia earned her doctorate in educational leadership specializing in
special education and was recognized with the Alice Hunter Dissertation of the Year Award. Her leadership extends beyond her district roles, serving on the Warren County Curriculum Consortium,
presenter and panelist on statewide education initiatives and more. Dr. Dr. Garcia is deeply committed to equality and inclusion for all learners and she skillfully manages programs that
enhance special education, bilingual ELLL services, and multi-tiered systems of support. Dr. Garcia's work is grounded in datadriven practices and a collaborative approach that empowers educators, students, and families alike.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Garcia is a proud wife and mother of three daughters. Her passion for education is matched by her love of family, music, dance, and travel, which enrich both her personal life and
her educational philosophy. She believes in the power of community and continuous growth, inspiring those around her to reach their fullest potential. So, I'd like to welcome Dr. Mr. Garcia to our team. [Applause]
Okay. Any other new business? I have one. I don't know whether it should have been continuing or new, but I did have I was able to to attend the um curriculum personnel or not curriculum personnel that whole meeting. Right. The first thing that jumped out at me
was there was 15 there was 15 items on the agenda. Nine of which were sports related. Okay. There was virtually nothing that wasn't sports related on that agenda. Not not curriculum. You're talking personnel. Personnel. Sorry. Could we maybe not have all sports on some of these things and start thinking about you know
other things? Absolutely. It just it did start out as a sports ad hoc meeting which is why you saw that. And then I and I was actually I don't know if this is the venue for it but I think some of these should be separated because there's a lot in that committee.
It was it was sports then it became personnel and then community and then there's there's like four fine combined we combined a bunch of committ you know so I think that's where that's where that came that's because we could only have three committees because it was right so that one got a bunch of stuff but like I said it wound up being
that's where it started because it was a sports committee that was it and then it became so that was that's been a big part but yes I agree with absolutely we'll ask we'll ask for additional um and you only make up one more agenda but that's okay if you can make up one more agenda that's not sports orientated.
No problem doing that. I had one question. Um well too well special ed meeting minutes uh do we will we be getting those soon from the community with like that you had with oh from that actual meeting.
Go back. I know we actually took notes because we were talking more but I'll I'll look at the agenda and see what we can put up. And the only other thing I wanted to mention was um the Atlantic City workshop. I'm not sure if anybody's going this year, but I know Belvadier right now has zero registrance.
Um, so, you know, I think it's a great opportunity to pick up on new information that other schools are doing networking. Um, so if you do have available availability, it's October 20th to 23rd. And um, again, I don't think anybody from this district is
registered yet. Yeah. Yeah. Do you have Do we have I am. Yeah, there's Well, right now it's there's nobody yet for Belvadier, but Shelly maybe. You should all get a thing from school
boards in your email about it. Yep. Information about it. Yep. they start putting it out in the spring all the different things and then they do updates of what like the speakers are going to be and what um educational things are going to be. So,
you should you should be able to pick different ones out in your email. And if not, you can even just go on their website and see what's available in the upcoming. I think one of their last meetings, county meetings and state meetings was um talking about like one of their big
things was going to be what is coming at, you know, convention this year. And I think that was maybe like one of their last ones before summer hit when we were all so busy. But there should be information there. Yeah. And it's let me also Dr. Dr. Zepath also requested Dr. Zend
it is difficult like I understand because it does take time like away but I I know I didn't get to attend for like a year one of two years and then I was able to go down and Chris was able to do a lot of introductions for us and I was able to lot learn a lot of information
just on what's new innovative um kind of look at some different practices across the board and I found it extremely beneficial. The other thing is the county meetings. They start in October and they have some really um good hot topics. They're going to be going over the budget. They're going to be talking
about some of the special ed changes that are coming down from um from a state um level. They're going to be talking about um McKini and what's that? Mckin Vento for the homeless. It's McKini Vento and just kind of looking
about how um you know those students and their tuition is paid for. So, um, and also they're going to be talking about legislation, um, kind of dovetailing into HIB. And so I think they came up with some really informative sessions for the county meetings as well this
year. which she just reminded me and um I understand that we have um across from the pool that they are putting warehouses and I and I was informed I don't know if this is true but there
might be some benefit to the school as far as tax or something like that with the taxes in that's in the pilot program payment in lie of taxes the the school districts gets zero taxes from that property which is one of the reasons why we fought the housing going up there because we would
have received no tax dollars into the school district. I thought it was different because it's now the I don't think it is. I think it's still payment in low taxes because the town I think is getting something, right? They get money. We do not. Yeah. The county gets money, the town gets money, but the school district gets zero. You're looking into it though.
Yeah. Just to be sure because I know they're starting to break down break ground. So that would be Oh yeah, the trees are down. Any other continuing business or new business? Sorry, we're in new business. So, new and continuing, the last thing I
have is we have talked about a little bit um but now I'm going to bring it up again is um doing a board retreat with um our school boards rep. So, we would be looking at something in November
possibly. So, I know November is a busy month and our kids are home and stuff too. So, if everybody can just look at a calendar, you know, give me any any like we were looking at maybe doing a Saturday um for the board. So, if everybody can look at a Saturday, like if if everybody has like two Saturdays
we absolutely can't do, then we can look at those dates and a place and I can consult with her. But the sooner that we can get that so that we know that we can do it would be great. Um, I know we've spent a lot of time together in the past
six weeks. Have a break in September. So, we'll have a little break and then we're going to try and do a retreat and you know get everybody together to um do some training and stuff and then we will also be looking at doing something um the
beginning of the year with any new board members um with our um representative who did our search for us is going to do one with an onboarding and stuff too. So, we'll do a November and then we'll do the other one where
we'll come into our ethics training and all that as part of that. So, if you guys can just I'll look at a date, email me, text me, whatever this date and I'll start compiling a list so that we can get that on the board sooner than later. Um, that would be great. And I want to
thank everybody for all the hours that they've put in in their summer Saturdays here. Um, it was muchly appreciated and I think you all did an excellent job and we're very dedicated to find such a special person for us.
Any other I have one more question. Yes. Um, to tag along into this retreat, which I'm very much looking forward to. Um, do you know if we'll be doing our board district or our board evaluation in between now and then?
We can or I mean it's I can definitely talk to um Kelly Mitchell about it and see what she'd recommend as far as leadup to it. It might be a good place to do our evaluation as a leadup and then talk about our results. That could
be something we could we could get that together for maybe October. Have her put that together and then bring the results to us for part of our agenda. You think that would be good? Yeah, that's a good idea. Okay. Any other new business?
No. Okay. So, we are opening into our second public participation. Um, again, it'll be 30 minutes with five per speaker. Any public participation? Open the floor.
Oh, you have a timer. Thank you. I was just putting it on my phone again. Awesome. Okay. with the uh appointment of staff number 20 he's a 50% and then uh number one
he's 31 he is a 100% staff and I was just curious public comment okay um and as far as the crosswalks we did the high school ones first
because they got that big parking lot in the athletes and all that we are going to do down from the cemetery to the elementary school and probably across to Oxford there. We got a grant. Well, woman in town got a grant and there are very specific
criteria for what we can put in, but I will bring up your ideas to her. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you. You can leave it running. I'm not going to take that long. Uh my name is Sarah Moranca. My daughter
is an incoming sophomore. I'm going to talk about sports, unfortunately. Um uh so New Jersey changed the rules in uh the wrestling community. The girls will no longer be able to wrestle boys. Uh we do have three varsity girls who were on
the team last year, so they will have their or will need to be their own team. Um, so I know Coach Mack has done his absolute best and I as a parent appreciate everything that he's done. He's a fantastic coach and don't tell anybody, but I think he likes coaching
the girls better than the boys. Um, so and also my husband and I and then also Justin Lutz have been working with the younger kids, our K through8 program. We have a varsity, a junior varsity um, novice and then also a girls team. So we've been building the program. It's
super important to it beyond super important. It literally runs my our whole life. So, um it's something that my daughter has poured her entire life into. She went to uh Fargo this year, which is um if you don't know wrestling,
it's a pretty big deal. Um and she was also a representative for the state for the high school girls team and wrestled the other states in New of like for New Jersey. So, with that being said, um we just want to make sure that the girls have an opportunity to have their own
varsity squad. Um that they have uniforms and a coach and um I don't know. I am willing and my husband and I and Justin Lutz as well are all willing to facilitate and spearhead anything that needs to be done. Um I just don't
want especially the girls who are seniors this year to be sort of left to the wayside. Last year it was uh at at matches it would be the girls would wrestle, then JV would wrestle, and then varsity would wrestle. And if you've ever been to our matches, the lights go down. It's a very big deal. And those
girls are seniors this year, and they're varsity athletes, and they deserve to have their time in the spotlight. They work really hard. And um it is the most popular and fast growing uh sport in the United States right now. And it's it
takes um dedication and fortitude that most people and certainly not me have. Um so I just wanted to bring it to your attention. It's uh I don't know how to get something on the agenda. Um but it's just something that is super important
to our life and to my family and I just wanted to bring it to your attention. Great. Thank you. Any other public participation tonight? Hi, I'm Sandy Gonda, uh, White Township. Um, I first want to, uh, thank the board for your committed efforts and diligence
in the hiring process. I appreciate the time and dedication it took all summer. I know how much you guys put into it. I really do appreciate it. And on a personal note, I um I'm so excited this year for my son because in dealing with um, Miss Tierney and Mr. for Carabinus. Um, I think they put a great plan in
place for him for his IEP. I mean, they put things in that we hadn't even thought of to support him and to grow leadership qualities and skills. So, I'm just really excited for this year. I think we're just going to keep moving forward and I really can't wait. Um, just on another cons or just one other
concern I have is the um cell phone policy is I was looking at it's a little convoluted like you can use it in the hallway but then you can't use it in the hallway. It's a safety issue and I'm just a little concerned. I know last year we did a pretty good job monitoring the cell phones with um the dean of
students and I don't know who's actually going to be enforcing the policy and um being cohesive with the teachers and stuff. So that's just a little concern I have and hopefully we can get that you know locked up and put away. But thank you again for all your work. Thanks.
Any other public participation? No. Okay. Well, then this will end our public participation. Um, we are adding um we are looking to add another. Oh, look. You wrote it out.
You can read my personel anticipated. Okay. All right. So we are going to um be going into another an additional executive session to discuss some other personnel issues um anticipated contract
negotiations um attorney client privilege um informational action there formal action may be taken um after we um come back into public in
about an hour. I think about an hour. Okay. So, I am looking for a motion to go into second executive session. Motion. Second. All in favor?
I. Any nos? Any abstensions? Okay. All right. I'd like to make a motion for the following resolution to approve the following resolution rejecting all bids for the sale of the Third Street
Elementary School building and related property. Whereas the Belvadier Board of Education publicly advertised for this receipt of bids for the sale of the Third Street Elementary School building and related property. And whereas
pursuant to NJSA18A 20-7 and the bid specifications, the board reserve the right to reject the highest bid and to reject any bid if it determines it to be to in the public interest to do so. And whereas the board
received one bid response which was publicly opened and read on August 19th, 2025. And whereas Alan Finkelstein submitted the sole bid in the amount of $213,000. And whereas the bid received by the
board is deemed to be significantly less than the estimated fair value of the property. And whereas it is in the public interest to reject the bid received by the board. Now therefore be it resolved that the board hereby rejects the bid submitted for the
property. And be it further resolved that the board may enter into negotiations with any interested party or parties for the sale or other disposal of the property in accordance with the terms of NJSA 18A
uh 20-7. All in favor all in favor or do we do a roll call? I would do roll call. Roll call, please. Mr. P. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. And no other business for this evening. So, can I have a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting? Motion.
Second. All in favor? I. Any nos? Any abstensions? Who's going to Okay, everybody go home. Thank you very much. Sometime like no, I want to stay here forever.