only get one more for the rest of >> order for this Berkeley Heights Board of Education meeting. Thank you, Tim. >> Nobody can read. >> Adequate notice of this meeting of the Berkeley Heights Board of Education was given as required by the Open Public Meetings Act as follows. On January 9th,
2025, notice of the board of education meeting schedule was sent to the Star Ledger and the Courier News and was also provided to all schools PTO presidents, the BHA president and posted at the administration building. A copy was also
provided to the public library and filed with the mun municipal court. Madam Secretary, could we have a roll call? >> Yes. >> Mr. Miss Bradford >> present >> Dr.
Mrs. Ferrero >> Mrs. Jolly >> Mrs. Connor >> here >> Mrs. Stanley >> here >> please. Thank you. Please rise for the flag salute of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Adjourn to executive session. Whereas the Berkeley Heights Board of Education seeks to adjourn to executive session in full compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA 10 colon 4-6. And
whereas the Open Public Meeting Act provides that a public body may exclude the public from that portion of the meeting at which it discusses matters related to these these following identified below. Matters rendered confidential by federal law, state law, or court rule. Individual privacy.
Collective bargaining agreements. Purchase or lease of real property if public interest could be adversely affected. Investment of public funds if public interest could be adversely affected. Tactics or techniques utilized in protecting public safety and property. Pending or anticipated
anticipated litigation. Attorney client privilege. Personnel employment matters affecting specific prospective or current employees. Be it resolved that the Berkeley Heights Board of Education adjourns to executive session to discuss matters related to student and legal matters. And be it further resolved that
the minutes of the discussion of any of these items will be disclosed to the public when matters have been determined and confidential confidentiality is no longer applicable. May I have a motion to me to move into executive session? >> So moved.
>> Thank you, Mrs. Connor. A second. Thank you, Mrs. Terrarero. Voice vote. >> I >> Okay, it is 6:32. We should return hopefully in an hour.
motion to return to public session. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mrs. Terrar. Second. M Connor, was that you? >> Yes. >> Thank you so much. Voice vote. I >> I returning to public session at 7:48.
Report of the superintendent, Dr. Feltry. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, we will start with the report of the student representatives. >> Is this on? Yes. Okay. Uh, good evening members of the board and, uh, members of
the community. Uh for tonight's edition of Happenings on the Hill, I would like to highlight some recent events and celebrations within the GL community. So, first I would like to thank Mr. Nixon who has served at GL since 2012 and uh Monday was his last day for him
uh here at GO and then he departed for his new role in Milbour. Uh we wish Mr. Nixon the very best and we warmly welcome the new administration. Um, to show our ad appreciation, the entire GL community signed a large good luck banner to send him off. And I, on a
personal note, would like to thank Mr. Nixon for appointing me to this role. Last Wednesday, members of the Future Business Leaders of America participated in the New Jersey Devils Sports and Business event where two GL students were on the winning case study team. Congratulations to them on this
outstanding accomplishment. That same evening we celebrated Highlander Honors Night recognizing new inductees uh into the 12 10 of the 12 nationally recognized honor societies or uh offered at GL. It was a great celebration on student achievement.
The holiday spirit has been strong at GL. Last week the interact club created holiday cards for the glamour gals foundation. Yesterday, the student movement against cancer club and the national honor society made national art honor society made cards for the hope lodge. In addition to that, card making
continues to be a meaningful tradition throughout the holiday season here at GL. Yesterday, uh sophomore and junior student ambassadors participated in the UC STEP uh country countywide uh leadership summit focused on personal growth and civic engagement. Students
participated in workshops designed to strengthen communication and leadership skills. To round off an action-packed Wednesday, POSA Health Occupation Sciences uh students of America kicked off its new insights 2025 program with
their first two of six guest speakers. This opening session gave students an inside look at real healthcare career path and the upcoming speakers will continue to help students explore different specialties and the training required for each. Today was GL's first elective fair held be uh held during
lunch which allowed students to check out different electives taught at GL in order to aid them in selecting their new courses for the next year. Tomorrow evening is the second annual cookie walk fundraiser hosted in the GL cafeteria from 7 to 10 p.m. Participants can
purchase cookie boxes for $10 or $15 depending on the size. All cookies were donated by members and local business members of the community and local businesses. And all the proceeds are going to go to support both the Claymore yearbook and the Highlander newspaper. And finally, we now have less than two
weeks until winter break. We're all pushing through the final stretch. As Hesoid says, if you add a little to a little and then do it again, soon that little will become great. Hang in there, Highlanders. Everyone, the winter season has officially started for all sports. Swim
has been in session for around a month and winter track, fencing, and cheer started on December 1st. So, first off, we have the baseball championship recognition. On November 26th, Governor Livingston High School celebrated an exceptional achievement with a championship ring ceremony honoring our
state champion baseball team. The team completed an unforgettable undefeated season in 2025, earning back-to-back state championships. This remarkable accomplishment demonstrates the dedication, teamwork, and excellence that defines Highlander athletics. The ceremony was a proud moment for our
entire school community as we recognize the players and coaches who made this historic season possible. Moving forward to swimming success, the GL swimming team recently competed against Union High School and secured a victory, beginning their strong performance this season. The team has already been training hard and looking ahead, we have
two important meets scheduled next week against Westfield and Summit, who are both tough opponents. Next was the hockey season opener. The GL New Providence hockey team kicked off their season with a game at Waraneo Ice Skating Center with a puck drop at 8:35 p.m. The team enters the season with a
veteran core and promising rising talent, setting the stage for what should be an exciting and competitive season on the ice. The Heart of the Highlander award recipient recipients were also featured this month. The Governor Livingston High School athletic department recognized the latest class of a heart of a Highlander award
recipients for the 2025 fall sports season on December 3rd. This distinguished group of student athletes represents GLHS in the highest regard, exemplifying the character, dedication, and sportsmanship that embodies the true spirit of being a Highlander. These awards celebrate not just athletic achievement, but the personal qualities
and leadership that make our athletic program special. I can't wait to see where the winter season takes us. Go Highlanders. Thank you very much. And now we would like to uh recognize board member Mrs. Dipana.
Mrs. Connor Dipy, we have worked together for a while and I've known you to be an active and engaged member of our community and also with your with your children too. But >> out here pass.
>> Got it. Celebration of service. On behalf of the Berkeley Heights Board of Education, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Dipy Kana for her dedicated service as a member of the board from January 2023 through December
2025. Throughout her time on the board, Mrs. Kana has shown unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and families of Berkeley Heights. Her thoughtful leadership, steady guidance, and genuine passion for the public education have made a meaningful and
lasting impact on our school community. Mrs. Kana generously shared her time and expertise across multiple areas, serving as chair of the personnel committee as a member of the policy committee and as the board's liaison to both the recreation commission and uh Union
County Educational Services Commission. She also provided exceptional leadership during her two years as vice president of the board of education. We are grateful for her dedication, her willingness to serve, and the care she has brought to every decision on behalf
of our students. Her contributions have strengthened the district and supported opportunities for all learners. We extend our sincere appreciation to Mrs. Kana and our very best wishes for her future endeavors. We hope she will
continue to remain engaged in the continued growth and success of our schools. Thank you so much, Dipy. Um, I want to say just a few words. Um, thank you for the recognition. Thank you for the kind words, Gil. I appreciate
it. Um, it is definitely been an honor to serve the students, community, uh, and the district as a board member for the past three years. Um, it was exciting to be part of the process where we have new district leadership come in. Um, and and I'm I'm grateful for having
had the opportunity to do that. Um I will also say um I truly appreciate how hard I know the the teachers, the administration, the staff work towards actually uh in support of our students. So it has been an honor to see that you
know front and center. Uh I'll be the first to admit the last three years have not been easy by any stretch. Um but it gets easier uh to see past the debates and the arguments when you think about the stakeholders that matter the most
and you know it's it's it's all of you guys you students um Natasha um Tom and Sai are not here but I just want to say all you know I have appreciated the principal approach that that you guys have taken in various discussions and we may not have always agreed on
everything. Uh Gail, you and I have had our, you know, uh disagreements, uh differences in the way we approach things, but I think we have developed a mutual respect through this time, um that we've had together. Um Debbie, short time together on the board, but
I've appreciated your views. So, uh again, thank you very much, and I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to my family. Um some of them are here, uh my husband, Kunal, and and my three kids. uh the reason that you know I've
been able to give the time here is a lot of the sacrifices that they have made delayed anniversary celebrations delayed birthday celebrations just missing some things um so I'm looking forward to you know putting some time back there um
again it's been an honor um thank you again and uh wishing everybody a great Christmas and holiday season ahead thank I think Bobby wants to talk. family. >> Yeah.
Thank you. >> Come on. You want to go stand? Thank you so much. All right, at this time we're going to have the audit review. We have overview, I'm sorry, audit overview um with Mr. Bill Swisser
from Subly Clooney and Company. >> Sorry, I know that's a tough act to follow. ordering kind of not >> and board members have your copy in front of you and we left a copy for our students also. >> Okay. Um first I'd like to thank uh Dr.
Felree and Jen for all their help for the audit. Everybody is very cooperative so we really do appreciate that. Uh you have two reports in front of you tonight for consideration. Uh the first is your order your annual comprehensive financial report. That's your bigger report. Uh the second report is the auditor's manage report. That's a small
report. uh the ACT for the annual comprehensive financial report. That's where all your financial statements are, your notes for your financial statements, and all the subsidiary schedules that the Department of Education requires you guys to have in your audit report. U also in there is our opinions. There's three opinions in
in the audit report. Uh the first is your financial statement opinion. Uh you can have a modified opinion or an unmodified opinion. Based on our based on our audit, we gave you an unmodified opinion, which is the gold standard of opinions. That's the opinion you want. Means it's a clean opinion. We feel that the financial statements are fairly
stated in all material respects. So that's exactly what you're looking for for that opinion. Uh the second opinion is your single audit opinion. Uh districts that spend more than $750,000 of either federal or state money have to have a single audit separate part of our audit. Uh this past year, the district
did not spend more than $750,000 of federal money, but you did in state money. So you had a state single audit and uh that report that opinion is also unmodified. So a clean a clean opinion there. And the last opinion we have in our order for is the government auditing standards opinion uh that deals with
your internal controls and your compliance with the rules and regulations that the state department of education has. Uh that was that was also a clean opinion except for one exception and when you have an exception that appears in your auditor's management report which is the smaller of your two reports. Uh that exception dealt with
your student activities. It was a repeat repeat finding from the prior year and I just want to read the finding and recommendation. Uh the finding was we noted several checks only contain one approval signature. In addition, cash receipts were not always posted to the cash receipts ledger and the recommendation
is that all student activity checks contain two approval signatures and cash receipts be posted to the cash receipts ledger. Uh your your student activities are outside the business office. You know, each school, you know, runs it own student activity account. They do things like uh field trips and uh uh
activities. And you guys have a policy where all checks are supposed to be signed by two people. Uh there are many instances where they were only signed by one person. So that's a control you guys have in place. It just was not being executed. Uh and there are several receipts where they're not being recorded the day they're actually being received. Uh as orders we're supposed to
test to see that uh money is getting deposited in the bank within 48 hours. If it's not recorded on the day received, we can't really check that. So we're not talking large money. And like I said, it's outside the business office. Uh but it's compliance issue the state of New Jersey wants us to look at and it was an issue. That was our only
finding and recommendation for the year. Uh the previous year we had a finding a recommendation on the application for state school aid where there's a problem with your account. Uh that problem was correct corrected in fiscal year 25 audit. Uh no no issues with that. Uh we're finding recommendations on that on that issue.
From a financial standpoint, uh the district's operating account uh started the year out with a fund balance of 12,288,042.38 and ended the year with a uh fund balance of 10,304587.58. Uh there are very a lot of components to
that fund balance. I just want to go through each one of them. Uh the first one is your year-end incumbrances. That was $1.4 million. That's for items that you guys have ordered by year end just haven't received and have not paid for yet. So that money is spoken for. Okay. The next part, the next piece is your
excess surplus design designated for subsequent years. Uh the state of New Jersey has a formula where each year we have to calculate what what in their eyes they feel is above the surplus that you need. It's it's a 2% number based on your operating expenditures for the
year. So in fiscal year 2024, your number was $2,443,000. That's in your surplus as of 6:3025, but you use that in your fiscal year 26 budget. The state forced you guys to use that. So that surplus while it's in your surplus as of 63025, it is being used
up. Okay. The next the next portion is your excess surplus resulting from fiscal year 25. That number was $272,000. A lot less. Once again, that's a state calculation. You guys will now have to use at least $272,000 when
you're doing your fiscal year 27 budget. Uh the next portion is your capital reserve. Uh that was $3,437,000. That's money that's set aside strictly for capital improvements. Uh restricted just for capital improvements. Uh the next portion is your maintenance
reserve. Uh that was $915,000. Much like capital reserve, that's restricted only for maintenance expenditures. Uh the next portion is your unemployment. Uh that was $450,000. That is restricted for unemployment claims. And your last piece of your your
fund balance is considered your unassigned fund balance. It's $1,332,000. That is your 2% number. When we do the state's calculation for fiscal year 25, the 2% number that they allow you to keep and not call excess surplus was a million 332. So that is undesated
unassigned at this point. So now while you had the surplus at 63025 was 10,304, your technical free balance is really only that 1,ion332 because all the other components are either spoken for or restricted.
>> Uh does any a board member have any questions or on either of the reports? Yes, >> thank you. Um so just to confirm the the 2.443 443 million number that is the amount that we had to use in the 25 26
school year. Exactly. >> Okay. Based on the 2% calculation >> and then so going forward for 26 27 school year that number that we have to use that's above the 2% calculation is
272. >> Right now you can use more than that. You can use more than that but that's the minimum you guys have to use. >> Okay. Um, and in your review, I guess in putting this together, was there any um, op like, and I don't know, it might not
be part of what you do, but those two numbers are grossly different. Right. >> Right. So, you know, in one year we had 2.4 million above 2% and that 2.4 went to tax reduction, right, for into the
current school year. And then going forward for 25 20 for 26 27 it's like only 272,000. Did you look into why maybe they're so different or is that not part of your rem? >> No, it's part of we don't we don't look into why but the but the drivers of your
surplus are your are your revenues and your expenditures and you generated you generated less excess in your revenues in fiscal year 25 compared to fiscal year 24 and you lapsed less appropriations. So any any money you don't spend that lapses right back into your surplus, that number uh went down
from 2.5 million in fiscal year 24 to 1 point almost 1.2 million. Uh so there's there's less money left over that was spent. That's what kind of generates your surplus back. So there's there's less of it. >> And so going back to um our revenues,
right, we we know that there was um an issue of reporting to the state for state aid, right? a number of students enrollment or something that was >> Yeah, that was that was your 20 your October 23 count, >> right? And so what was the impact of like the state aid numbers? Would that
be a driver of decreasing revenue for the following for the 24 25 year? >> No, because your your your state aid remains stable. It didn't really change much. Uh it's kind of a mystery with the state as to how the how the a and the count really affects districts. uh your
your aid I used to be completely relying upon that count. Nowadays I see counts that are off and there's no change in state aid. I I can't I can't really speak to how the state interprets that but like I said your state aid has remained stable. Unfortunately has not gone up but has remained stable.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Sure. >> Any other questions from board members? Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Swisser. Um, Dr. Felry, anything else? Yes. In your report?
Yes. Okay. Good. Okay. Good. Okay. We're going to have our public comments before we finish our report of superintendent. During this portion of the meeting, district residents and staff are invited to address the right on audit items on autumn items
only. The board requests that individuals state their name and town of residence or school of attendance for the record. Additionally, all in-person public commenters are asked to please sign in. All comments should be directed to the board president and depending upon the nature and complexity of the
question, it may or may not be answered during the meeting by the administration. If so, the response would occur after this public portion of the meeting has concluded. Although the board may not respond to all items raised during the public forum, all public comments will be considered. The
board asked that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding personnel matters are discouraged and cannot be responded to by the board. Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of New
Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public. Please note that if any member of the public becomes disruptive during the meeting, the board president may terminate the participant statement. Continued disruptions may result in
removal from or adjournment of the meeting. Each speaker statement will be limited to three minutes in duration. We will start with in person and then move to online. Remember to have your full name if you are online. This is for public comments on audit items only. Is
there anyone in person? I see no one in person. I see no one in person. Um, Tim, would you please unmute our first guest online? >> Hi. Can you guys hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you. Thank you. >> Uh, John McGaz, it might be a little
noisy. The muffler in my car fell off and it's I'm in the parking lot. It's a long story. Um, so I I want to I uh so I want I want to encourage the board to really really not rely on just what
you're hearing and to pour through the ACFR. The ACFR is sort of the like authoritative document on what the board actually uh what the district actually spent money on. And I I really encourage
the board to look at what the AFCR um shows and compare that to what the original budget was that you approved the year prior. And I'm just going to I'm not going to go too much into this because there's been a discussion back and
forth, but security and this is no longer philosophical. It's a cost issue. I mean, we went from $50,000 to three years ago or four years ago. We are now at $400,000. We are a small, low crime community with
like 2,000 students. There cannot I cannot think of a good argument as to why we're spending that much money when there could be services for tutoring and all these other great things that we could use that money for. And what happens with security, and I
pointed this out last year, is that you start off with a budget amount at the beginning of the year, it increases, and then when the the next year comes in, you budget off of that increase versus going back to the year prior. And it's not just security. I'm going to ask you
guys to really look at those baselines from the prior year cuz I mean I it feels like and I'm not saying it we are but security we're definitely bleeding money on but and I have to look at it and I'm comparing ourselves to other districts and I'll be putting that out
soon. Um but security has been through the roof. Um thank you very much and have a good night. >> Thank you. >> I see no one else online. So, at this time, we'll close our public
comments on audit items only. Dr. Feltry. >> Thank you, Mr. Swisser. Um, we are proud to recognize the following teachers as the 2005 2000 2025 2026 Governor Educators of the Year. Um,
Emily Muieri from uh Mary K. McMillan, Mary Neenfur from William Woodruff, Michelle Guerrero from Mountain Park, Matt Madura from Thomas P. Hughes, Doman from uh Columbia Middle School, and Don
Bucken from uh the high school, GL High School, Governor Livingston High School. Um, we have uh an upcoming community engagement. The Mountainside and Berkeley Heights Public Schools invite parents to a 60-minute presentation and
discussion with Detective Lieutenant Tom Rich focused on helping parents understand social media and cyber security. This is a parents only event being held on December 15th at 7 p.m. in the GL auditorium. As we reach the close of this calendar
year, I find myself pausing to reflect on the incredible journey we have shared this past year. In the hustle of our daily educational mission, it is rare that we get a moment to truly be still. I hope this upcoming break provides exactly that for each of you at home and
here at the Deis. My wish for you this holiday holiday season is simple. Peace and light. May you find peace in the quiet moments with loved ones. Stepping away from a busy place of our schedules to recharge and reflect. May you find
light in the joy of our children whose curiosity and spirit brighten our hallways every single day. We wish all of you a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday season filled with warmth and connection. May you enjoy time, a time of rest and renewal with those you hold
dear as we prepare for the opportunities of the new year. Thank you. And this concludes my report for tonight. >> Thank you, Dr. Velry. Oh, yes, Mrs. Jolly. >> Sorry. So, just a question about um you know, and congratulations to all the teachers um for the teacher of the year
honors. um you know uh but I so I I asked you this over email like typically the board members like Pam and I are leazison to uh for that you know particular I guess honor and um and I guess I was a little surprised to see um
the pictures and social media that didn't include us. Can you tell us a little about what happened in the process? >> Sure. um with Thanksgiving and me being away and then it being scheduled on December 4th, there was a oversight in the invitation. Last year, I believe um
I requested that the board liaison were invited. I when I asked when I got there on December 4th and I asked are the board liaison here? I was greeted with surprise that um and it it was an oversight. So, I apologize to both of
the liaison that that actually happened. Thank you. Anything else? Okay. Uh, Madame Secretary, report of the business administrator board communications. Okay. Well, our business office team has been working hard to keep operations running smoothly and following best
practices. Uh, we have at this point completed our portion of the QAC that was submitted, DRTS, the comprehensive maintenance plan. and we're now working on ASSA and chapter 44 submissions. Um, as you know, the recent audit went smoothly even though some of the reports
from the state of New Jersey were delayed due to the government shutdown, but thanks to the diligence of the Berkeley Heist Business Office staff, all requested items were provided to the auditor on time and in full, which helped mitigate delays and allowed the report to be filed by December 5th in
accordance with state deadlines, which remained unchanged. The business office has also begun budget discussions with administrative team to review district needs and priorities for the upcoming year. We continue to assess salary adjustments, monitor benefit changes, and evaluate the district's needs for
the 2627 school year. Board members will receive updates through the committee structure and dedicated meetings in January as the budget takes shape. I want to say a big thank you to everyone in the business office for your hard work through the summer administrative changes, your attention to detail during
the audit, and your dedication to ensuring smooth operations because it's been a very hectic couple of months. I want to say thank you to Mrs. Kana for your service. Um, in the short time I've worked with you, it's been a pleasure. And finally, from all of us at the
business office, we wish everyone a safe, healthy holiday season and sincerely appreciate the support of Dr. Feltree and the board of education over the past few months. Thank you. >> Any questions for our board secretary?
Okay, thank you. Moving on to comments from the public on agenda items. During this portion of the meeting, district residents and staff are invited to address the board of education on agenda action items only. The board requests that individuals state their name, town of residence, or school of attendance
for the record. Additionally, all in-person public comments commenters are asked to please sign in. All comments should be directed to the board president and depending upon the nature and complexity of the question, it may or may not be answered during the meeting by the administration. If so,
the response would occur after this public portion of the meeting has concluded. Although the board may not respond to all items raised during the public forum, all public comments will be considered. The board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically,
comments regarding personnel matters are discouraged and cannot be responded to by the board. Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the
public. Please note that if any member of the public becomes disruptive during the meeting, the board president may terminate the participant statement. Continued disruptions may result in removal from or adjourment of the meeting. Each speaker statement will be limited to 3 minutes or duration. We'll take in-person comments first, then
online. If you are online, make sure you have your first and last name. Is there anybody in person who would like to make a comment? I see none. Um Tim, do we see anybody online? I see no one.
There's no one online. So, we'll conclude our public com uh comment section on action agenda action items only. Moving on to minutes. May I have a resolution for all board members for
approval of the minutes? >> Thank you, Mrs. Stanley. I'm sorry that was Mrs. Kana. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Any discussion? >> Yes, please. >> Yes, Mrs. Jolly. So, um this was a
discussion that is I think is probably still ongoing um over email, but the format of the regular session minutes has changed. Um, so you before it was very precise in that it was almost
transcripted, right? So that everyone's comments are were recorded as is and there was no bias, if you will, or or errors, I guess, like, you know, if you're transcripting it, it makes it less prone to errors because you're writing exactly what everybody stated.
Um, and so in this um, I guess in this version of the minutes, right, I think there were a couple of errors that were found. I'm not sure if I saw the latest version that was corrected, but it was also, you know, we had a very large meeting uh, with respect to the referendum. There was a
lot of discussion, a lot of Q&A, and in my opinion, I guess I don't feel that um, a lot of these discussion points were captured. So, you know, even um if the questions were captured, none of the responses were, for example, you know,
the fact that we had an alternate proposal that went up for a vote for the questions, it wasn't even stated why the or how the questions were different. Like, it just lacks substance. And I think there was one actual error. >> Yeah, there was one actual error. I
don't know if they actually fixed it, but one of the motion that actually did not pass, it's showing as motion passes. >> So, >> an update was sent out this afternoon for that. >> I I don't think that's >> and sorry, and just one point and I
think this change was made like without, you know, um letting the board know, right? And in times where um I knew that the the the minutes were very detailed I can you know skim through them and now that they are paraphrased or summarized
you know that takes you know looking at if there were to and you know with a fine tooth comb and then in the past we've also had lots of back and forth when certain things were missed and that actually created uh and and that actually created um a lot of noise around minutes getting approved in a
timely manner. center and that's why it was shifted to this exact, you know, almost verbatim style of minutes and now we're moving backwards. So, I think we're going to run into the same issues we had in the past. The the only other thing that I'll add
to what you said, Natasha, there I think there are two links that basically take you to the YouTube recording of the meeting. And I when I clicked on one of them, it doesn't actually take you to the the
spot in the recording when that portion starts. So, it's hard if you were not at the meeting. You don't know what you're looking for. So, it's I I don't know. There must be a way to sort of bookmark a certain, you know, timestamp where you
can link it. Uh I so I I'm not comfortable saying yes just because I haven't seen the correction come through. Uh if there's a way that you know it can be approved in the next meeting or well I won't be here but just
so that it's it's accurate and it's it's consistent with how we've done it. So I get that the last meeting was like five hours no seven hours I think. So it was it was a long meeting. So I I I completely understand. >> I don't know if you want me to comment
on this. >> Would you like to comment? >> Let's see things working. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. A little closer. >> So, we're doing the minutes in consistency with other districts and with the way that New Jersey school
boards and the Open Public Meeting Act uh has us do them. Um full transcripts are available um if you watch the video, which are posted online. So those things are never going to be like left off to the side. Unfortunately, when you're talking about resources, it takes my
assistant about two straight weeks, 10 business days of straight watching these videos and typing out the minutes in order to get them uh a transcript, right? And she's not a stenographer, right? So um in order to we're and in my
experience uh in writing board minutes we're going to um we are relying on our video for the detail portion of it and doing uh moving more towards the overview portion of it which should be
nonbiased in what we're stating. It's this this was the topic that we discussed. This was the topic that we discussed. um referencing where it could be on the video is not a bad idea. Um I can look into how that would be done.
Appreciate that suggestion. Um but uh we are using a lot of our employee resources where they could be uh you know where we have a lot of other uh projects and places that those could be used. and we are being consistent uh
with not only my experience but uh if you you know looking at other districts and what's suggested. So that's really all I have to say and I'm certainly willing to discuss it outside of here further. >> Thank you. Yes, Howard.
So when I hear that it takes 10 business days to fully go through a whole entire at max roughly >> and type it >> and type. Yes, I understand that it might take a while to type seven hours worth of information, but I feel if
you're paying someone to do it, that sounds like a ridiculously long time for your assistant to be doing that. >> That is not their job. >> That's not their job. >> Not job. No, they're not a stenographer. uh their function in the office is not to be transcript doing transcripts of uh
video meetings. No. >> Would it make sense for the board to hire someone partially to with for their whole purpose to transcribe meetings so that it doesn't take that much time to fully get minutes prepared? because as
I've seen just here I understand how much of an issue board meeting minutes is >> right so um let me try to explain this that is another position that it costs money right district and we're trying to avoid excess cost
>> yeah and I do understand that >> we're also trying to avoid excess loss to our office where we're spending time doing things that really aren't >> necessary based on OPMA and um >> and uh standard practices which are
standard practices throughout I mean I've done >> I think over 200 and something board meeting in my life so and um and and while I appreciate the board is always very very very
keyed in on detail um we do have the videos to back up >> uh what we're doing here so uh to alleviate that I'd like to be more consistent with the rest of of the state uh as far as our minutes and that's the
goal, right? To kind of >> that's the goal. So hiring somebody >> I like it, you know that that's the way we want to do it. But I mean then you you're talking about there's a financial aspect to that too, correct? >> So we're trying to save money. >> Yes. I would also recommend to look at the opportunity cost of hiring someone
to uh go over the meetings because I feel if you hire someone on more of a seasonal basis and you pay them per DM then that would actually save the district money and lead to these conversations not having
to be had. >> Right. Right. So, um I do appreciate that, you know, what you said about trying to be consistent with the rest of the state, but like I don't really I guess care if we are consistent. Like I want the
meeting minutes to be meaningful. And so when I'm reading like, oh, we discussed this, so what, right? Like there were no points of view. And like I said, even even the motion to vote on different set of questions, there was no why. Like there it could have been even one
sentence. like it's just it was such a I guess full rich meeting with so much conversation that it like it you know we were here for seven hours and the minutes don't do it justice and maybe they don't and I guess like yeah seven hours it's a lot to be verbatim but they
need it but there needs to be more substance so >> I hear you >> okay any further discussion >> I have a question can we maybe come up with something middle groundwise >> that if if I I'm just trying to come up
with a solution here. If some board members feel like the content isn't full enough, while others think it's too much, and I do think 10 business days for staff is excessive, and I don't mean they're taking too much. I mean that's a lot of time.
>> It really is. >> So, where can we kind of come in the middle? >> Right. It's certainly a conversation I'm willing to have with anybody. And I would and I would certainly listen to anybody's suggestions because I value all the suggestions that I get. So I
mean it's conversation I'm willing to have. >> Thank you. >> So one idea is I think when you doesn't YouTube do like a transcript for you? So, I have looked into that um and and Google Meet and such, but unfortunately
in this setting where we only have it over here, it's not going to pick up who's speaking, right? So, it will pick up the verbiage of what's going on at the meeting, but it won't say person A is speaking, person B is speaking, and it won't note it that way in
transcribing it. So, that's that's kind of the hurdle that comes up with that. >> Yes, Howard. I'd also like to say in addition to what you're saying with that um since we live in 2025 in the millennium of artificial intelligence uh there are several
artificial intelligent transcription companies that you can hire that are actually relatively cheap and do a pretty good job of differentiating between voices. And I think that if the school would like to look into that and help alleviate some of the stuff that your assistant is spending two 10
business days on doing in addition to uh their other work, I think that the school district could look into that. >> Right. And as somebody who seems up and up on the 2025 stuff, maybe a little more than I am, I would appreciate any suggestions that you want to throw my way. I'll look into them.
>> I could potentially send you an email giving you some resources. Pippa, >> um, on that topic, I was actually just thinking about that because for my work, we typically have meetings online and so with the Zoom, it can also get pretty fuzzy and I was also on yearbook in my
sophomore year and typically we use something called Otter AI. I don't believe you have to pay for it for basic like transcription. I think that's something you could look into, but I know like Howard just mentioned, there are like monthly subscriptions, but I feel like they shouldn't be over $10 a
month. And I think they do do a pretty good job of differentiating who is speaking because through my online meetings, uh either it does it by like tone of voice, like inflection, um and it writes it down or even if you just have like the periods of where people
are speaking because the AI could just be used as a baseline. So that way your assistant would still be able to contribute and be a part of the process because obviously artificial intelligence it does have its places but I do think that having people involved in something such as the board of
education for the community is still valuable. So I think that it could definitely be like Howard mentioned a good baseline that you could look into and then uh depending on what the board decides if you want more descript more description in the meeting minutes the assistant could also add into that. So,
I could also send you an email about that or show an example because the transcriptions usually send to my boss. So, I could just ask her to forward it to me. >> I would really appreciate that and thank you very much both of you. >> Thank you. Any other Okay, Madam
Secretary, roll call vote on minutes. >> All right, Mrs. Terrarero. So I'll say yes with the understanding that whatever corrections are were corrected because I didn't see the new minutes um you know that Diputy
had identified and understanding that moving forward we'll try to come up with a happy medium so that everybody can feel comfortable with the minutes. I'm okay with that. >> Mrs. Jolly. >> Uh yes for the executive session meeting
minutes. No for regular session meeting minutes. >> Mrs. Connor, >> yes for the exact minutes. No for the regular minutes. >> Mrs. Stanley. >> Yes. >> Miss Bradford. >> Yes. >> Motion passes.
>> Moving on to finance. I'd like to bring it to the attention of the board members that we have a finance addendum on a blue sheet of paper which is number 16 resolution authorizing approval of settlement agreement. So may I have a
motion for finance resolutions 1 through 16. >> So move. >> Thank you Mrs. Connor. >> I'll second. >> Thank you Mrs. Stanley. um finance and facilities committee report. Um we did not receive permission
from Dr. Forer. We sent him the minutes for the finance and facilities committee. I did not receive anything back from him about reading it aloud. Did anyone else receive anything about reading finance and facilities meeting aloud tonight? Okay. Well, that most of that was the
audit because the auditor presented to the finance and facilities committee. So, we can leave the rest of the issues to next time. In terms of athletics and co-curricular, Mr. Dylan is not here. We did receive an email from him requesting that I read
the minutes for uh athletics and co-curricular for the athletics and co-curricular committee meetings. It held on December 10th, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. It was a virtual meeting for all participants. Mr. Dylan, the chair, was absent. Mr.
Hendrickx was there, Miss Nicholson, Dr. Feltry, myself, Deb Terrarero, and the chair asked me to take minutes. The agenda, Mr. Hendricks began the meeting with updates on the winter sports season with good student participation. Schedule on the Union County Conference website. We discussed online ticketing
available now for winter sports such as ice hockey. The arenas for ice hockey are Cody and Wanakco, and swimming will be taking place at Morris Unionshire. There are updates on the press box and storage unit. Electrical and sound are being installed. The GL branding and
logos will be installed in the spring. Updates on the turf field. The turf field was installed in 2017. It's nearing the end of its 10-year life cycle. Recommendations. Uh turf field needs fluffing and that's a term. And also the other recommendation was to
create a long-term plan for replacement of the turf field. Uh we talked about the vote students having access access to the athletic Google classrooms for updates and some coaches they have even gone above and beyond in posting in Google classrooms as well as emailing parents and that was a thank you to
them. Updates on fantastic Friday which is January 9th and Super Saturday which is January 10th. Highlander week begins on January 5th at pep rally on January 9th. The committee concerns. Mrs. Terrar brought up fundraising requests by athletic clubs. The district is very
grateful to the fundraising provided by the clubs for the students. There was a discussion on the process and the recommendations were Mr. Hendricks and the administration are developing streamlined procedures and guide guidance for all fundraising within the district with an emphasis at this
meeting on the athletic fundra fundraising. There's a need to educate parent club officers and participants on process and procedures for fundraising. Um our discussion was avoiding pressure on families for fundraising goals. there is an opt out for fundraising and
avoiding public tracking of individuals fundraising goals. Also ensure that funds raised in the current season benefit the current athletes. Uh also looking ahead at our local and community fundraising efforts rather than online. There was a discussion on baseball
bleachers brought by another board member and the concern about the safety and the replacement of the ad is on the administration and the athletic director's radar. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Any discussion on the minutes?
Okay. Technology and communications committee report. Mrs. Terrarero. Uh the technology and communications committee met on Friday, December 5th. Uh there were a couple key pieces of information that we discussed. We discussed the Google Classroom access
for UCVTS students. Uh Berkeley Heights public school technology staff partnered closely with the UCVTS technology staff to successfully allow BHPS Google classroom access to the UCVTS accounts. This collaboration ensures
that students have seamless access to digital platforms supporting athletic communications and enhancing coordination between the schools and student athletes. Um XTEL renewal and this is actually on the agenda tonight for everyone. Um the district is
planning to repa replace eight pots lines currently supporting the lens which is the lockdown notification system. These lines include six pot lines across the uh six schools in the district and two elevator pots lines at
Governor Livingston and Mary Kay McMillan. The replacement will transition these connections to pots over LTE under a 36-month contract. Cost summary is the monthly service cost is $651.85,
a one-time installation cost of $2,93. An additional service included is EAC. Uh this upgrade ensures continued reliable communication for lockdown notifications while modernizing infrastructure away from traditional
copper lines. And the last thing we talked about was the UPS installation. And I know we had approved those a while ago. Um the installation of the new UPS systems were successfully completed at all district schools between December 1st and
December 3rd with the exception of Governor Livingston High School. Governor Livingston remains the only site pending installation. Work at this location is scheduled to be finalized prior to the upcoming holiday break. And that's my report.
>> Thank you. Before we go on to number 16, which is the resolution authorizing approval of settlement and agreement, I'm going to ask the board if they have any questions on the committee reports. >> Yes, Howard, >> how long do the the backups last? Like
was the battery life for those? >> It's about 30 minutes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes, Mrs. Connor. >> Um, going back to the discussion. So, well, first thing, I'm so glad that the UCVTS students have access to the Google
classroom because that was a big heartburn. Um, I don't know if this necessarily solves the problem for for them receiving notifications from the district about delayed schools. Um, so
delayed buses to UCBTs or if there's a cancellation, the buses are not going to run. I don't know if this solves it, but at least for sports, I think it's the step in the right direction. I I'd like to just confirm that they will get the
notification when the buses, especially the buses cuz that is their dependency on the school district when it comes to, you know, bad weather. So, Dr. Fel, if you can just double check that they are on the list of of u the the text
notifications or the email notifications. >> I don't think that's Google Classroom. I think that's something totally separate. >> Yes. >> So, it's not Google Classroom. Does that mean that they're on the list now? No. >> I'll I'll ver I'll verify because I thought we rectified that last year
because that was something I faced when I first came and had my first snow day. >> That's right. Found out the hard way that people weren't getting notified. So, but I I'll double check because I do know Jeremy sent me an email today where he updated a bunch of lists and they have little snowflakes next to them. So,
we'll make sure that we have the names. We know who go >> right. We know who goes there. >> Exactly. Exactly. So, I'll clarify. Thank you. >> Thank you. The I want to go back to the discussion on the fundraisers. So, I thought I heard that there will be an
effort to make sure that the fundraiser is benefiting the students in the season. So, I know that there was at least one fundraiser that was done in the fall. Um, do we know how and what shape or form the soccer teams are going
to be able to benefit from that fundraiser cuz their theirs concluded already? >> Yeah. About the soccer team. >> So, um I can reach out to CJ specifically and find out what they use the money for. >> Okay.
>> Right. And just to clarify too, like so we are going to be and and uh Dr. Feltree and I spoke to CJ and we have been working on these donations and fundraisers because we want to make sure that they align with our district goals, right? That's very important that we understand what's going on. Um, so it's
it's conversations that we've been having throughout the district and with our very generous donors and um, so you know it's it's it's a learning curve for some, but um, once you sit down and have those conversations, it seems to be
going pretty well. That's that's good. So for the fundraisers that have concluded already, is there going to be like a formal, you know, how we have we have a donation on the agenda today? Are we expecting to
see such a donation on the agenda where we the board would accept that from the entity that ran the fundraiser? >> Correct. Correct. And we're looking at the timing um of those donations as well. So, we want to make sure that we
are receiving the donation requests uh uh prior to them actually happening so we can review them, right? Which is >> I I think that would be that would be really helpful because then it sort of links to your point about what does the district need and what is that
fundraiser exactly supporting? >> And and we and to be honest, we haven't come across any kind of fundraisers or donations at this point that aren't linking to something that we don't need. So, I just want to make that clear because we are super grateful for those and yeah, so but yeah, to continue to
monitor them. >> Yeah, >> I know there was one for soccer in the fall. I just didn't see it on the agenda and I'm not sure what the future of those funds are, >> right? And it might be a situation where they're actually donating directly to
So, there's there's differences, right? So if like this if a a team wants to get sweatshirts for their their uh members, right? That's not necessarily the kids are going to go home with that. They're going to have them. That's not necessarily a donation to the district.
That's a donation to the players. So there is a slight difference on how we manage those donations. Um donations that go to the district, presentations, um things that have assigned value that the district utilizes, those are things that we have to monitor and and and look
at. So because some I think um Gil you mentioned the the wrestling fundraiser >> in in the minutes the soccer fundraiser was exactly it done in the exact same way. So I don't know how or who's making
the distinction on what is initiated by the district versus somebody doing it oneoff. So I think there needs to be some clarity on what's going on because these are big numbers, right? >> And we have, you know, an athletics budget already. So it'll be important
especially for the people who are, you know, making these donations. They really want to support the team. They really want to but what is that uh going towards? It's it's important to have that accountability, >> right? And those and that's the purpose of these conversation that that we've
been having. So absolutely and to be compliant. >> Thank you, Mrs. Stanley. >> So, um, when it comes to the donations, right? Like, so we've had I I don't want to stop teams from fundraising off
season, right? I don't think that's the purpose of saying that it has to be used for this year. I think we've had trouble in the past where there were big fundraisers and then they were keeping it for like a big event in
a year or two, but that is not fair, right, for the kids who are not going to be here in a few years, right? I think that's very different than them having an offseason fundraiser. And I want to make sure that we clarify that because I do want them, right? Like the soccer team will have multiple fundraisers this
year for next year, right? Um, I think we just need to clarify, right? Like we should not be holding funds, right, for for seasons, right? But not being able to have a fundraiser throughout the year. I don't think we should stop that,
right? Um, I do think that we need to look overall, we've I've had this conversation before with the athletic fee, right? What is it actually going to, right? which which group right is getting those fees, you know, like I
I think that's where parents are struggling because some of these sports are being asked to do big fundraisers, some of them are asked to pay for the rink time, right? And how are they handling that and making sure it's fair for everybody, right? And we want everyone to be able to participate no matter their
wealth of donations, right? And I think that that that's important when you come to public school. I do want to push back a little bit on this donation thing. I think it's very different than when we have a family who says, "I want to
donate this to the school," right? That needs to be on the agenda and the board needs to approve it because maybe it's not something that will be useful to the district, which is what we talked about in finance, right? Someone might want to donate a plow, but if we don't have the equipment to use that plow, then it's
right, we should not be accepting it um if it's going to cost us money, right? But I think when you're talking PTO's and BHFs, a lot of these people are working directly with the teachers for grants, right? A lot of these people are working directly with the principles,
right? So they are not like I want to donate this, right? They are working with the principal and the principal saying, I want this, I need this. And they are like, oh, we're having a fundraiser. We can use that money for that. And I think how we handle that is really important, right? because these
people give a lot of time and a lot of energy and they work really closely with our district to not make them feel that they need our some approval, right? So coming up with a process for them is one thing, but trying to make them feel
like, right, they're outsiders, right? Like they are separate organizations, but they've been working with our staff, right? And we need to work on the communication from staff to us, right? Because there were some donations that the the administration were not aware of, right? But that's not really the PTO
or the BHFs or even the athletic um booster club's fault, right? So, we need to start getting those communication lines a little bit better, but I want to make sure that PR-wise we're making sure that people understand that we don't want them to have to get
permission to host a lunch and learn that is being asked for by the district, right? um it's very different than someone saying I have this I want to donate it right when they're raising funds specifically to help that principal and that teacher and grant that teacher's
wish and I've had conversations do you real quick I've had conversations at lenoa with the PTO and BHF um and we do above all express our sincere appreciation when I did my walkthroughs of the
buildings and the principles just glow about all the contribution appreciate contributions that they give to making the schools better. Uh it's absolutely fantastic. Um so we've we've talked about uh ways that they can make sure
that we're doing things in a compliant manner where we're making sure that everything's aligning with what we need as a district. Um I think they were very receptive to the conversations. There was a little push back at first because you know people love change, right? So, um, but I think they have a direct
access to me at this point. Um, if they have questions, um, if they have concerns and I'm willing to answer them. So, and I think that overall at the end of the conversations, they were pretty positive. Um, they understood why that we need to do this. So, um, and continue
to work with them and always express sincere appreciation. >> All right. So, um, what I was going to say is that with these fundraisers, the way it hit me, at least as a parent, right, and getting all the information is that we're con and again, this is not for the PTOs or the BHF because and
those donations do go through the approval process. So, we do know that they are specifically geared towards educational items that um, you know, the building principles would uh, recommend. Um, it's the athletics ones because there's especially the ones where you're
being asked to donate money and hit a certain target. It's not a car wash. It's not a it's not a bake sale. It's just give me money and, you know, I have a $20,000 goal, which is, you know, in, you know, those are the ones that we need to
really maybe have an inventory of. And it's not even giving permission, but just to know what is out there. So, when you're budgeting, you're like, "Well, maybe I don't need to budget for the mats because they're going to be provided for the fundraiser because that's what they say they're fundraising
for." Um, but I think we also do need to be careful of that these are kids getting these apps and they're asking for money. I I'm not sure that's necessarily the best way to approach fundraising.
>> I just wanted to point out some of the other things that we talked about in the committee. Um, also address things like making sure families understand if they can't participate that their child isn't going to be dinged, you know, because that's a big issue for
me. >> Excellent. And that is the one thing that bothered me when I saw the format in which they were fundraising. everybody had a goal and um then it then it becomes competitive and that's not
always great and it's you know people received text messages they basically just blasted texts to contacts um and if you as a parent didn't know that your child was doing this and you were surprised because then you have people
texting you asking hey what's going on and you have no idea so I I just think that there needs to be some structure around this, especially when these fundraising emails are being texted out by using the students cell phones,
right? It's not a blast that that's like the booster club email that says these are the fundraisers. The format of fundraising is very different. And that's what I want to highlight here. And the the other thing honestly is when I saw the fundraising texts, it's
unclear who's asking for the funds. Is it the district? Is it the booster club? Is it a third entity? Because it is even when you and I did donate. I couldn't tell who was I sending the money to, but there was this thing that you know you're being asked because you have
quote unquote a goal. And I I think it plays into the minds of the students. So I I just want us to be careful. This is also a little bit of a financial thing, too. I mean, the the boo it's coming essentially the money is going to the booster club. Those are 501c3
organizations. Those are taxdeductible. And if you're getting those texts, people probably don't even know that they can deduct that on their taxes at the end of the year. So, I do think that the messaging needs to be made a little more clear. Um, and it does bother me that those texts are coming from
students. It probably should be coming directly from the booster club. Howard. >> And as a student, I can attest to what Mrs. Connor was saying. I've seen recently that students have been saying,
"Can you please donate? Please donate. Please donate. I need to reach my goal. I must reach my goal." Emphasis on the word must. Must means that it has to be done. If you put a goal on a fundraiser, it turns it into a competition, not
something that is for the good of everyone, you could say. And I feel like with the fundraiser we've been referring to, it turns into a sort of pseudo pyramid scheme. That's what I would like to describe it as. So, and I looked at
the website and I saw that it's descriptive but nondescriptive at the same way. It doesn't say exactly what the appropriation of those funds and where those funds are will go to, how they'll be used, when they will be used. I think that the goal of fundraising is
a overall good idea. I'm on the student council, so I know firsthand how important fundraising is. I just think that if you're raising sums that are that large that it just needs to be a little bit more clear for people who are spending their hard-earned money and putting it towards those organizations.
>> Yeah. And I just Right. So I want to remind all of us though that this is a separate organization from the Berkeley Heights Public School, right? So we cannot tell them exactly what they can do. our job right is to ask the administration to kind of set up some
right rules and and stuff for them on how we are going to do this right but I do want to make sure that we understand that this is a separate organization from us right and when we're talking right there are some issues that we are seeing right and they do need to be addressed but again right I feel like
the PTO and BHEF are very different right they're not using students for fundraising for the the most part and I feel like they got caught up in these emails like this is what we're doing and this is how it's going to go and I think it went off really bad and we've had
some PR issues with them recently and I think doing it all at the same time came off really poorly. So, I just want to remind us they are all all three of these organizations are separate organizations who do this to benefit our students and us as a district need to
come up with ways to say, "Hey, this needs to be done this way if we're going to accept these donations." And that's that's our role, >> right? And I want to clarify the timeline a little bit because the issue with the PTO came up um not not that it's an issue but um when we got a
letter saying what was donated last year and that's not compliant. So we had to put a process in place to make sure that we were being compliant and getting those donations on as they came or if if they wanted to donate for teacher grants they could say okay this
year we're going to donate $2,000 to teacher grants. then they can disperse them. Right. >> Right. So, but they don't necessarily know that. That's why they've always reported at Right. Which it depends on their fundraiser, right? And it depends on what the teacher asks are, >> right? So, they they can modify. They
can they don't have to if they don't get $2,000. You know, this their intent, right? They could they can say that. Um we've had these conversations like with the PTO and the BHF over the last month. the athletics um that was something that
was um really brought to our attention last week uh with you know how these donations are going out and conversations you know because they do have to align with our district goals right so they're two separate things as far as I'm concerned because we do have
to make sure and and this was expressed that we do have to make sure that our students aren't feeling like they have to participate that they aren't being singled out if they choose not to or if their parents don't want them to, right? And that is something that we are discussing and we are continuing to
form, you know, guidelines on how these are going to be done. So, nobody feels like they're obligated. And, you know, for parents, some parents don't feel comfortable doing it, right? And they don't want their kids doing it. They should be able to opt out without the kids being like pointed out like they're not the ones that are doing it, right?
So, um, those are all things that we're like looking at and taking into consideration when we're having conversations about these donations and with administrators. >> In the Yeah, >> discussion before we turn it over to our board attorney. >> Just a quick question and um regarding
the audit. Um, so this is number 10 where we approve the audit. So, I know there's been some conversation about like what that really means and if we're required to approve or just accept. And I mean the the audit has already been sent to the state. So, I guess I'm just
kind of trying to understand what the purpose of approving it or is approve even the right um thing to to do whether we accept it or like what does approving really mean?
So, and I'm I might want your help here too a little bit. Um, so I have had a couple discussions about this and you know, um, the audit is the audit, right? We're they're coming from an outside company telling us how we did. We have a deadline for the state. >> The audit finished up probably in the
week before December 5th. We didn't have we did not have a board meeting at any point from November 20th, right? >> Um, so we have to submit to be compliant, right? So this is I I you know how would you describe it? It's uh
>> so I I think that >> without getting lost in the verbiage I do think that the board's vote is akin to accepting the audit rather than something to approve because you can't disprove it, >> right? You're accepting what the outside
professional has done. So, I know what the language is, but in terms of the role of board, to answer your question directly, you are accepting the audit and under normal circumstances, you're accepting it and then having it sent to Trenton. Under these circumstances, you're ratifying what has already been sent.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Any other Okay. At this point, I'm going to ask our board attorney to discuss number 16. >> We're good on it, >> which is on our blue uh finance addendum sheet. Yeah, we're we're going to um cover that assuming it's voted on and
approved by the board. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, Madam Secretary, roll call vote. >> Oh, sorry. We need a motion. >> I think 16 first >> uh the whole thing. No, we're doing the whole thing. >> So, doing 16. >> Okay.
>> I just have a couple of questions on others in the same >> of course. I think one was about the transportation with Warden Township. The last item in that number 15 I think
>> this one right here the >> 15. >> Yeah, I have a you have a different number >> 15 that says approve joint transportation agreement with Warren Township. believe this is something that should have gone on the agenda over the
summer. So, this is a route that we have. So, >> because it wasn't in the attachments last I checked, unless I missed it, >> right? I don't have an answer for that, but I can get you one. >> Well, I was just curious on why we are
partnering with Warren for one route. Is this route not covered through the routes that we approved in the last meeting? the the four student routes >> it is separate from them that I can tell you.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Any other discussion? Okay. We've had a motion. Sorry. Yes, Mrs. >> Sorry. So, I know we didn't have a curriculum committee meeting, but there are some use of some funds that I think maybe Dr. Mark can speak to because otherwise we I would have read them out
as part of minutes. um curriculum committee. Isn't that coming up next? >> No, there there was no meeting um but this was something that would have been discussed had we had a meeting prior to the to this. >> Thank you, Natasha. And uh would have been read out uh to to her point in
curriculum committee minutes. So number 12 is approving professional development services uh with Oh, let me go back. Number 11 is approving an MTSS NJTSS professional development and support services funded through title 2 federal funds. These are
federal funds that are dedicated for uh teacher professional development and databased instruction. And so this is a contract with a um with a company that is going to be working with the school district to work on our tiers of support. One of the things that we have
heard um or that I have heard continuously since I've come aboard is the need for working with students uh who are in the middle. And so we talk about doing a really great job for our students uh who are classified or who have designations. And so this is to
shore up our supports for students and our system uh across the district to support students that are across all ability levels. And so it looks at remediation as well as enrichment. And this is and there's a delineation of the
funds spent um for the intervention interventionist professional development, building based interviews, handbook development, data team process training, interventionist and counselor coaching and planning as well as virtual consultation hours that will um that
will be dispersed throughout the district. Number 12 is an approval of professional development services uh with up the bar funded through our title three federal funds. Another ask of teachers throughout the district. Um title three funds are dedicated for
multilingual learners and one of the asks of the teachers has been to improve the sheltered instruction training. So training for teachers who are not certified in English as a second language in order to have to embed in their instruction
ways to address students who are still learning the English language in a varying proficiency levels. >> That was one of my questions. So thank you. >> Sure. Thank you. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> All right. So I do have an answer about the transportation. So the transportation is us transporting a
child. Um, so we are actually that is income. We are transportation. We are transporting a special ed child to CMS. >> It's an out of district >> out of district coming in. They're paying us to do it. >> That wasn't very clear in that. So,
thank you for that. >> Any other discussions? This this is a little out of turn, but I realized that one of the things that we discussed in the personnel committee is actually sitting in this section, not not personnel. So, um if if you haven't read
the minutes, uh this is item six. Um there is uh a request to basically have um an LDC, a consultant to help with the evaluations.
Um this is basically adding extra capacity should we need it. So they would be on the the approved panel. >> Thank you for that clarification. >> Just one more comment then um for uh number 14 um which is the uh donation of
a shooting machine for the basketball team. I just like to thank the Riviker family who I know is very generous and um yay. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. Any other? Okay. Roll call vote. >> Okay. Mrs. Terrero.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Jolly. I am a yes on everything except I'm going to abstain a number two because I think I still have some outstanding questions. >> Mrs. Connor? >> Yes. For items 1 through 16.
>> Mrs. Stanley? >> Yes. and Miss Bradford. >> Yes. So, at this time, Madam Secretary, has it passed? >> Motion's passed. >> Motions passed. Okay. I'm going to ask our board attorney.
>> Uh, thank you very much, Madam President. So, the uh item 16 that you referenced involves a legal action filed against the district and former superintendent Dr. Vley in uh 2023. That matter was handled through your
insurance carrier which provided you with indemnity and a defense and uh the defense was handled by a firm appointed by the insurance carrier and as a result I'm going to defer to my colleague from that firm so that he can uh
handle the ramifications of the settlement that the board ratified this evening. >> Good evening. In light of the settlement, I'd like to read the following statement. Excuse me. Uh, parties agree that the plaintiff's description to the school board at an open meeting in November of 2022 was not
erroneous. As stated by then superintendent Vley, a student did bring a box cutter to school, which the board acknowledges is defined as a weapon in the district policy book. The plaintiff's description of threats in a failed lockdown drill were also accurate. plaintiff regrets the
circumstances surrounding the events that gave rise to the lawsuit, but found this action necessary to establish an accurate factual account of the events. Superintendent Barley is no longer employed by the Berkeley Heights School Board. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay, moving on. Personnel, may I have a motion, please, for Thank you, Mrs. Ana and a second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mrs. uh Jolly. Okay. Uh personnel committee report. Uh we already approved one of the items that we discussed. Um the we briefly discussed item two and item
three, which is uh the health and PE teacher. I believe there's an open uh position that the district is looking for um to to find um uh a longerterm individual in that role. We already did
talk about the LDTC consultant uh position. That was that was pretty much the um discussion in in personnel. >> Thank you. Any questions or discussion from the board? Madam Secretary, roll call vote.
>> Right. Mrs. Terrarero, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jolly, >> yes. >> Mrs. Connor, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stanley, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bradford, >> yes. >> Motions pass.
>> Thank you. Moving on to education resolutions 1 through three. All board members. May I have a motion? >> So move. >> Thank you, Mrs. Connor. A second. >> Second.
Thank you, Mrs. Derrero. Good >> came from. >> She's all over it. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Uh policy committee report. >> No, >> curriculum. Sorry. Education is curriculum. did not have a curriculum.
Is that correct, Mrs. Jolly? >> Correct. Our next curriculum meeting is December 19th, I believe. >> Correct. Thank you. Roll call vote. >> Any discussion? >> Okay, >> Mrs. Terrarero.
>> Um, so under number one, case number 297068GL, I'm going to have to abstain on. Can you repeat that? 297068GL. I'm too close to it.
Um, other than that, everything else is a yes. Mrs. Jolly, >> yes. >> Mrs. Connor, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stanley, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> yes. >> Motions pass.
Moving on to policy. May I have a motion, please? >> So moved. >> You're on a roll, Duty. >> Okay. >> Yes. Keep going. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you, Mrs. Stanley. Thank you, Mrs. Connor. >> Policy committee report. Mrs. Stanley.
>> So, we did not have a policy meeting because these are all second reads. Um, so whoever becomes the chair next year for policy, I will send you our last uh agenda so that way you can keep up to date on some of the ones that were still open. But these are all second reads. Um, and nothing has changed since the
last time. >> Any discussion? >> The only thing I want to say is um I I want to acknowledge the hard work that the policy committee did team did this year. the committee was really worked hard and you guys put a lot of stuff put
forth and you really thought long and hard about everything you put through. So, I really want to thank all your hard work. >> Thank you, Madam Secretary. Roll call vote. >> Mrs. Terrero, >> yes. Mrs. Jolly, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Connor, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stanley, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> yes. Motions pass. >> Moving on to strategic strategic planning. Uh the strategic planning committee report.
I'll pull it up. The final strategic planning community event was held on Monday, November 24th, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This was an opportunity for community members to give their input as to the direction of the Berkeley Heights School District in
the upcoming five years. Information on the five-year strategic plan will be updated on the district website and the Berkeley Heights Public School Facebook page. The theme of the event, the community event was, "How are we going to get there?" Developed statements and objectives. The attendance was the
highest to date. Mrs. Gan clearly collected the input from the community members and presented it to the administration for creating an action plan with objectives and timelines. >> So, Kale, um, yes. Can will the board be
privy to see the output of that like before it gets published onto the website? Meaning like so you know you had all the sessions right? Um what does the strategic plan look like or what is a draft of the strategic plan at this
point? Can we look at that? And >> I sent you the report from Jean Clearary and the board buzz as well before it got put on the um on the website. But right now the out of the three strategic plans became the goals and the objectives and
now it comes to me the district to create the action plans. Those will be shared with the board before they get put up on the on the website. And I I guess I missed it and I apologize but you know as we look at the agenda right we have um you know the district goals
the three district goals. Yes. And they and they are morphed or evolved into the strategic plan as well. >> Yeah. But the strategic plan won't go into effect until 2026. I it'll take us several months. We will the target goal for the action plans is April. Okay.
>> And so the strategic plan will go into effect in 2026 2027. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah, >> but I just want to clarify, right? So the the topics have already been chosen by these committees, right? So you don't get to change them. Correct.
>> What you get to do now is create the action plan for how that's going to move forward. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Any other discussion? >> The plan part. >> Yeah. >> But the the action items because I think that was a question at the at the strategic meeting with uh community
members, right? One of their questions was was like, well, will this change? Right? And it's the answer is pretty much no, right? Like you chose those three things and now the the district has to actually make the action plan to make those things happen. Um, so it will
be less us get like approving it more them coming up with action plans to actually make it happen, right? Because that's what the community came up with. And I just want to thank everybody who came out because it is timeconuming but there was really good conversations had. We had a lot of staff that came and I'm really happy and um that they took the
time to do that and get involved. Anything else? Okay. U negotiations report. The negotiation committee members did not meet this month with the representatives from the head custodians contract team. Discussions will continue on the contract. Negotiations committee
for the ad hoc Mountainside Berkeley Heights send receive agreement. An internal meeting was held on Thursday, December 4th, 2025 for Berkeley Heights team members to review a proposal from the Mountainside team and to create a response. A proposal was shared with the Mountainside negotiations team on
Friday, December 5th, 2025. On December 9th, 2025, a request was received from Mountainside asking for more time to review that proposal. The teams will meet again in January of 2026. The negotiations team for the Berkeley
Heights uh education associates agreement, those negotiations will be beginning in January. Um are there any liaison reports? >> Just the BHEF. I don't know if are if you work on the report out or
>> do you want to do that? >> Sure. So um they had a lot of their grants fulfilled. So one of the grants was they had um equipment going to the theater at CMS. Um so they they fulfilled a lot of those. They recently
had their uh sip and no what was it called? Plaid. It was something plaid. >> Oh. >> Oh gosh. >> Sorry. >> They just had one of their big fundraisers, the adult fundraisers, and it went really well. Um >> plaids and pints. >> Yes. Plaids and pints. And then they had
um they have they're coming up their student grants are coming out. So, if a lot if you have a student, you might have received an email saying that their student grant thing is out. Um, they really encourage every school to do this because sometimes it's one schoolheavy. Um, but some of the really great things
that they've had, they got um movable benches for the the soccer teams at CMS. Um, they got photography equipment for GL for these student grants. So, it's a really great way for your student to kind of say, "Hey, this is important." I think William Woodruff last year got a
Cricut machine for the teachers, right? Like so really fun stuff um that comes from the students, right? And and maybe are outside the box. So encourage your students to fill that out. Um and they're working on um future
fundraisers, but I don't have anything on when that is. >> Thank you. A update on the board goals and ad hoc committee was created and that committee is continuing its work for presentation in January. The Berkeley Heights Town Council meeting was held on Tuesday, December 2nd. A new
chief of police was appointed, Captain Frankie May, upon the retirement of Chief Will William Ives. Frankie May is a native of Berkeley Heights. So, it's nice and he knows us well. Um, if there are no other liaison
reports, we will move to comments from the public on any topic. >> Sorry, Gail, can you can you who can you confirm who's on the ad hoc committee? >> Which one? >> For the board goals. >> Board goals. >> Yes. The ad hoc committee was created to complete the board goals uh for January
2026. Uh there were three volunteer board members. That was Mrs. Terrero, Mrs. Stanley, and myself. The specific purpose of this adco committee is to review the previous board goals, review the summary report from the board's online self-evaluation prepared by the NJSBA field representatives to create
and update new board goals for 2627 and the committee will be in effect until the board goals are completed and the committee is just starting its work. There've just been initial phone conversations started and we did have your suggestion of just looking at those previous goals and thank you for that
Mrs. Jolly. All right. Uh, comments from the public on any topic. During this portion of the meeting, district residents and staff are invited to address the board of education on any item. The board requests that individuals state their name, town of residence, or school of
attendance for the record. Additionally, all in-person public commenters are asked to please sign in. All comments should be directed to the board president and depending upon the nature and complexity of the question. It may or may not be answered during the meeting by the administration. If so, the response would occur after this
public portion of the meeting has concluded. Although the board may not respond to all items raised during this public forum, all public comments will be considered. The board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding personnel matters are
discouraged and cannot be responded to by the board. Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded by the laws of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public. Please note if any member of the public becomes disruptive during the
meeting. The board president may terminate the participant statement. Continued disruptions may result in removal from or adjourment of the meeting. Each speaker statement will be limited to three minutes in duration. We'll take in person first and online. If you are online, make sure you have your first and your last name. Is there
anyone for the public? And I see no one online. Is that correct? Mrs. Connor, may I turn the rest of the meeting over to you? Thank you, Gail. Are we hitting?
>> Do we have any new business, old business, anything? >> I thought you were Sorry. I thought you were going to do like paper plate awards. >> I was a little nervous.
That's a thought. Um, so with no old business, um, time to adjourn the meeting. Uh, motion to adjurnn. So moved. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Motion to adjurnn. Pass. Voice vote. >> I >> I >> meeting is adjourned. >> Time. Oh, >> that's a good record. Good last meeting. You closed it out early. That's a record.