WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=XBw8SZ6xNjE

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: XBw8SZ6xNjE):
- 00:03:27: Call to Order, Roll Call, and Executive Session
- 01:08:11: Return to Public Session: Steam Tank Challenge Presentation
- 01:17:58: CVC and Co. Eco Wave Invention Presentation
- 01:24:58: Board Questions and Feedback for CVC and Co.
- 01:29:14: Student Representative Report: AP and NJSLA Testing
- 01:31:33: Business Administrator Report: Tuition and Bond Sale
- 01:33:45: Public Comments on Agenda Items - None Given
- 01:35:05: Approval of Minutes, Finance Resolutions & Committee Reports
- 01:39:35: Finance, Facilities, Athletics, Technology Committee Reports
- 01:39:58: Discussion on Tuition Rates and Budget Software
- 01:48:05: Addendum Discussion, Field Trip Equity Question
- 01:51:39: Motions Pass, Addressing Alphabetical Order Voting
- 01:55:30: Personnel Resolutions and Committee Reports
- 01:57:46: Education Resolutions: Athletics Schedule Discussion
- 02:03:19: Strategic Planning & Negotiations Committee Reports
- 02:05:12: Liaison Reports, Mother's Day Wishes, Public Comment Instructions
- 02:07:57: Public Comment: Enrollment Numbers, BHEA Impression Discussion
- 02:11:02: Board Clarification and Questions Based on Public Comment
- 02:14:51: Motion to Adjourn Meeting


Part: 1

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Call to order. Meeting not motive statement. Adequate notice of this meeting of the Berkeley Heights Board of Education was given as required by the Open Public's Meeting Act NJSA 104-6 and in accordance with the updated regulations.

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On January 7th, 2026, notice the board education meeting schedule was posted on the Berkeley Heights Board of Education official website, posted at the administration building, provided to all Berkeley Heights public schools, PTO presidents, and the BHEA president,

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filed with the municipal clerk, and provided to the public library for public inspection. Miss Nicholson rolling. >> Mrs. Akiri, Miss Bradford, >> here. >> Mr. Dylan, >> here. Dr. Forger >> here. >> Mrs. Jolly

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>> here. >> Mr. Morales >> here. >> Mrs. Stanley >> present. >> Mrs. Terrarero >> here. Flags. Please stand to the flag of the United States of

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America. To the stands nationy andice for all. Adjournment 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 104-6.

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And whereas the Open Public Meetings Act provides that a public body may exclude the public from that portion of the meeting at which it discusses matters related to those identified below. Matters rendered confidential by federal law, state law or court rule. Individual

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privacy. Collective bargaining agreements. Purchase or lease of real property of public interest can could be adversely affected. Investment of public funds if public interest could be adversely affected. Tactics or techniques utilized in protecting public

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safety and property. Pending or 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

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matters related to students, personnel, negotiations, and legal matters. And be it further resolved that the minutes of the discussed of any of these items will be disclosed public will be disclosed to the public when matters have been determined in confidentiality is no

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longer applicable. Can I have a motion to enter into an executive session? So moved. >> Second. >> Bradford is second. Um voice vote. All in favor? >> I >> uh enter into executive session at 6:30.

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Can I have a motion to return to public session? >> So moved. Miss >> Bradford is first. Have a second. >> Second. >> Miss Jelly is second. All in favor? I >> report to the superintendent. Thank you very much. So, as you all can

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see, tonight I am incredibly proud to welcome the Thomas P. Hughes Elementary School Quest students to our meeting. Yay. Thank you all for being here. They are here to showcase the innovative project that has propelled them to the finals of the New Jersey Steam Tank

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Challenge. For the first time since participating in the New Jersey Steam take challenge, a Berkeley Heights public schools elementary team. We had some middle school teams. We found out after this, but elementary team has advanced to the final round. The CBC and

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company uh team from Thomas P. Hughes Elementary School earned this distinction with their invention, the Eco Wave. Uh under the guidance of Mrs. Winski Quest students formed teams to brainstorm ideas, select a project, and prepare for the challenge. They created

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a 3D model using Tinkercad and worked on developing their pitch video to explain their idea, the materials needed, and their motivation for developing the project. Um, they had uh uh judges come in. Um, I know some of you were able to be judges to come in and give them some

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feedback along the way. Um, four of our uh, BHPS Elementary Quest teams advanced to the regional rounds. Um, of 131 elementary teams competing in the round, the top 20 teams advanced to the

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finals, this team being one of them. And they are now preparing for the final round by meeting with subject matter matter experts for advice on their invention. and they're also creating a working prototype of the eco wave to show judges during their presentation.

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Uh the final round will take place during the week of May 18th and then in June the top three elementary schools will be announced and then tonight I believe we're being afforded a little sneak preview of what's to come. And so

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we welcome you to showcase and show off for us please. Hi, I'm Pam Wilinski. I am the elementary steam and quest teacher. And I just wanted to go through some of the things that Dr. Feldry was just telling you about the program. So, every year my

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fifth grade Quest students at Hughes and Mountain Park participate in the steam tank challenge, which is sponsored by the New Jersey School Boards Association. The steam tank challenge encourages students to work together to identify and develop innovative solutions to

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solve a real world problem by modifying an existing uh product or inventing something which does not already exist. The steam tank challenge consists of three levels, elementary, middle, and high school. Each level has a first,

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second, and third place prize. It is intended to be open-ended to maximize student creativity and to allow them to take the challenge in any direction they wish. Uh but students no matter what they create or problem solve must learn to consider the impact of environmental

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and climate change whether directly or indirectly. The steam tank challenge is completed using the engineering design process which takes the students through the steps of asking questions, imagining and brainstorming solutions, making a plan,

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creating a prototype, and improving on their prototype and plan to make it better. The students use this process to guide them throughout the Steam Tank Challenge. In the first steps of the challenge from October to December, students learn about the challenge and start

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brainstorming ideas and forming groups. From there, they create an outline of their project and begin their research. The students design a 3D model of their prototype using Tinkercad on the computer. Then they create a two-minute pitch video for the first round of the

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challenge. This pitch video explains their idea, their motivation behind this idea, and showcases their 3D model. The Quest students go to GL in December to film their pitch videos with Mr. Vorhees and the GL students in the TV studio.

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The GL students edit the videos for us and then we submit them to the Steam Tank Challenge. This year's ideas included the self-planner, an invention that takes care of your plant by itself. It consists of a dome made of transparent

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bamboo, a tube that collects rain water, and a valve that controls the amount of rain water your plant should get. CVC and comb, a fully eco-friendly boat engine that has a vacuum that sucks up water, compresses it, and shoots it out, propelling the boat forward. Paint core

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allows quick and convenient painting by creating a paintbrush with a hollow core for paint that will drip into the hairs which get covered with paint. Then we have the changer, an environmentally friendly shoe that changes from a boot to a sneaker. It has

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three attachable parts, the sole, the boot, and the heel. Hydrobuddy was an efficient water bottle made out of 100% environmentally friendly stainless steel with metal sensors to show you how much water you drink. It changes color for

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the amount of water you need to drink and connects to an app that tracks your water intake. And then the eye guide, which was a camera device that helps blind people have a safer way to travel on foot. After you set a destination, it will lead you uh it will lead you by

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telling you when to turn, to stop, when you arrive at your destination and so on. So then our next steps were from January to March where we were preparing for the regional round. Here the students had to design a prototype using classroom

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materials and create a five-minute presentation for a panel of steam tank judges. The regional round is set up like the TV show Shark Tank where after the presentation is complete, the judges have an opportunity to provide feedback

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and ask questions. The students are judged based on their presentation and how they answer the questions. To prepare for this round, we invited a panel of guest judges who came to our class, watch each group's presentation, and then provided feedback and asked

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questions. These guest judges included Dr. Feltry, Mayor Deanni, Mrs. Tero, Miss Bradford, Mr. Durfaner, Mrs. Nardy, Mr. Morso, Mr. Madora, Miss Batista, and Mrs. Bell.

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In March, the students participated in the regional round, which is held virtually. The steam tank judges include teachers, business and industry leaders, entrepreneurs, US Army engineers, university staff and leaders, and staff from education focused nonprofit

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organizations. So, the breakdown of the challenge, there were 620 teams in New Jersey submitted their pitch videos from grades K through 12. 335 teams advanced to the regional round. Out of those 335 teams,

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131 were elementary teams. From the 131 elementary teams, 20 teams advanced to the final round. And for the first time in our elementary schools, one of our teams from Hughes, DVC, and CO advanced to the final round.

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This team has now been working to prepare for the final round where they have to give another five-minute presentation to a panel of judges, but this time they have to create a working prototype that shows proof of concept and highlight what they've been working on since the regional round. They also

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have to meet with subject matter experts for research. This team has been working hard to prepare for this round. They have been meeting with me during lunch and recess and win periods to work on their invention. The final round takes place virtually on

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May 20th. In June, the top three elementary teams will be announced and then these teams will present at the New Jersey School Boards Association conference in Atlantic City in October. So, if you attend this conference, please make sure to check out the steam

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tank presentations. I know Miss Bradford attended this year and it really helped our teams when she shared what she observed from those winning presentations. And a side note is actually Miss Bradford is the person who brought this idea of the steam tank challenge to me and has been an incredible experience

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and I thank Miss Bradford for sharing this with me and for supporting all of our teams. I am so incredibly proud of all the teams who have participated from Berkeley Heights in the Steam Tank Challenge. Each group listened to one another, built on each other's ideas,

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and turned challenges into opportunities. Their teamwork, creativity, and problem solving skills truly set them apart. Tonight, our team advancing to the final round, CBC and Co. is here to share their invention with you. This

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innovative team is diving into the future of marine technology with a bold mission to revolutionize the boating market with a new eco-friendly engine. Their solution aims to reduce water pollution and protect marine life. When they are done, they will take feedback

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and any questions from the board. So, I present to you Cameron Vom Cooper and Drew CVC and Co. Hi, I'm Cameron. I'm Vio. I'm Cooper. And I'm Drew. >> We are here today to prevent our

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invention of the century. CVC and co presents the eco wave. I love marine animals and want to protect them any way I can. I've been a huge fan of marine wildlife since I was able to talk and I

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want to protect them any way I can. My dad will never let me go on any cruises since they are so bad for the environment and boat motors spill about 25 million gallons of petroleum annually. I love sea animals and I want to protect them. So, we are here today to tell you

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about how our invention helps the environment. Currently, boat engines directly discharge unburned fuel and oil into the ocean. >> In shallow waters, a spin of a propeller turns sediment, which creates turbidity,

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which blocks sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. In shallow waters and in the deep, a boat propeller could hit and hurt fish. Boats also release nitrogen and sulfur oxides. That is a big problem because this type of gas isn't just bad for

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fish. It can threaten desalination plants that supply 300 million people with fresh water. Also, over 1 million marine animals die from boat pollution every year.

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Over the years, the amount of petroleum spilled by boat engines has spiked from 614 million gallons in 2015 to 1 bill560 million gallons in 2025. At this rate, boats will spill 2 bill560

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million gallons of petroleum in 2035. This is bad for animals because if our math is correct, in 2035, 1,600,000 marine animals will die every year due to boat pollution. Boat engines definitely use a lot of gas

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and pollute the water and air. So that's why we made CVC and Co. We designed a fully naturally powered boat engine with eco-friendly materials. Our motor works similarly like a jet ski.

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Here's our first prototype. The tube and funnel are made of recycled steel and aluminum. The mesh is made of polyethylene which is recyclable and reusable. The wires are made of recycled copper and bamboo.

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The water goes through the tube and the d salt and dirt gets filtered out. Then the water becomes compressed and shoots out the back of the engine. The water shoots the the water then shoots out of the tube and propels the boat forward.

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The wire connects to the solar panels and charges the vacuum. If the solar panel stop working for some reason or if it gets damaged, there will be an extra battery which connects to the same wires as the solar panel does. Also, if the solar panel has any leftover charge when

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the boat is not moving, it will be sent to the same battery for more life. The mesh stops fishing plants from clogging up the vacuum. We made a working model to show how our motor works. stimulating the vacuum and the tube that

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compresses the water to shoot it out. The pan is a model boat. When you put the pump under the water, it propels the boat forward and it works on a solar panel. And that is how our motor works.

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Our motor is made to fit pontoon boats. According to one of our research sources, the average price for a normal boat motor is $8,000 to $60,000. The Eco Wave would cost $21,400. All of our materials are from instate

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suppliers. >> We would get our polyethylene from Lindel Bassel in Edison, New Jersey, which is 41 cents to 55 cents per pound. Our aluminum is from Risco Industries Incorporated in Edison, New Jersey,

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which is.7 to $2.20 per sheet. For steel, we would be getting it from Atlas Refinery Incorporated in New York, New Jersey, which is 1 to $3 per pound. The copper wire is coming from Paige Electric Company, which will be anywhere

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from 120 to $140 for 500 ft. The bamboo will also come from Paige Electric Company in Mountainside, New Jersey, which will cost $18 to $35. Cooper Electric will provide solar

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panels and inverters, which will cost $550 to $770. Our vacuum pump is from Bernardsville Hardware in Bernardoldsville, New Jersey, which will cost $10,000. The 30 kowatt battery will come from

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Home Depot in Wung NJ and it will cost $10,000. We met with an engineer named Mr. Healey who is chief chief operating officer of Versa Valves. We talked with him about how to stop

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fish from getting stuck to the filter and he told us to make the filter a shape that is not flat. An example is a semisphere. He helped us figure out that beeswax coating stops metal corroding.

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Mr. Healey recommended that we look at jet skis and how they work to confirm our idea is possible and feasible because jet skis work like our motor. We looked at average boat motors and their horsepower and found out we needed

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40 to 90 horsepower for our motor. Maybe my dad will let me go on cruises if our motors can work for them. >> We believe we can save marine marine life with one step at a time with our motors. Thank you for letting us present our idea.

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>> Um, I'd actually like to say we are very proud of you for what you've accomplished so far. Congratulations and best of luck in your next competition. Um, I had a question for you. How did you guys come up with the name uh CBC and Co.

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originally and then when completely change our name so we just added >> great >> um thank you very much. I really see the improvement that you have done since we

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last saw you. Um I really liked your graphics. I appreciated the clearness of them and the uh understanding that we could really see them. Your model has improved also that you've created another model which was I think excellent. I like that your price list

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included local sources here that they could be looked at and your expert for your proof of concept I think gave you some very good ideas similar to the jet ski. And uh having your expert input I think you're going to do great. I wish you all the success coming up in May

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20th on your next video and hope to see you in October down in Atlantic City. Well done. >> Congratulations. >> I have >> I was very amazed to see the price list. Amazing job. So when you So

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you are expected to make a prototype a working prototype. So how are you going to test? Are you doing it in a bathtub? How big is it going to be? >> We have like a sink and then we can like >> Okay.

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>> So, it'll not grab any floating material or a fish. >> Okay. >> Okay. Great. Congratulations. Hope you win the prize. >> So, congratulations, kids. This was um an excellent excellent idea and I I just

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want to make sure so your your um concept I think will work both in fresh water and salt water. Is that right? Yeah. So that'll be great. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Congratulation guys. Yeah. I see you guys in the future.

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The shark tanks. >> Any other questions? Maybe they should look into patenting it. >> Can I actually see your prototype? I'd love to see it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, show yourselves off. Let's go.

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>> Okay. Here. Come on. You guys want to come on? Hold on. Let me shut this. Um, yeah. So, basically just use the orange clip to try and compress the tube to shoot the water out. >> Then we use Velcro strap to attach.

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>> Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> Good luck. Mrs. Visinski, I have one. Are all their pitch videos available? Like, could we put them on our district website?

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>> Yeah. I mean, I have all of them, so that's have to Yeah. >> Yeah. I think it'll just motivate the next year. And even for the people who did not make it to the final round having them on our district website um calling out that would be a great

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>> way of you know recognizing their work. Wonderful idea. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> They did great right? >> Yes. Thank you again. All right. I do I I know neither one of our student reps are here. Um but I do

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have a report from Howard. So he says, "I apologize for not making it in today. The AP exams do take a hit on you." Speaking of AP exams, my only update for tonight is that AP testing will continue at GL throughout this week and next

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week. Students across multiple grade levels are taking exams in subjects ranging from history and English to science and mathematics. The following week, NJSLA testing will begin. Freshmen will be taking the English language arts and mathematics assessments, while

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juniors will be participating in two days of the state science testing. Additionally, the Governor Livingston class of 2027 Student Council is currently holding its Memorial Day flag fundraiser. Flags will be placed one week before Memorial Day weekend and

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will remain up until the week after. If you would like to order a flag, feel free to reach out to me, Howard Aerson, or scan the QR code on our flyer for more information. As always, thank you for your continued support of the students and staff at Governor Livingston. and he'll leave us tonight

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with a quote from Reeba McIntyre. To succeed in life, you need three things. A wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. I think that quote especially applies to this time of year for students. The wishbone represents ambition and goals. The backbone

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represents perseverance through long nights of studying and testing. And the funny bone reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously through all the stress. Thank you. And that concludes my superintendent report. Very

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unique. Dr. Belchure. >> Um, comments from the public on agenda items. >> Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. >> I'm sorry. Okay. >> Report to the business administrator. >> It's always hard to have to go after these kids, you know, like this is the

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second time. They're great. Um, so just a couple of updates. Um, you'll see in the addendum that there's a change to the tuition. The district adjusted the average daily enrollment figures utilized within the budget software. After further review of the underlying

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enrollment and attendance data during the budget development process, it became apparent that the automatically generated AD figures reflected in the home room software for the 2627 budget year were not fully aligned with the district's actual enrollment trends and supporting school register summary data.

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As a result, the district worked through the appropriate review process to ensure the figures were more accurately reflected to the student population being served and the corresponding tuition calculations generated from those figures figures. This adjustment was made with approval of the county to

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improve the accuracy and reliable of the per pupil calculations. The bond sale was completed on April 30th. Finance and facilities committee will be reading out results and corresponding statement. Central office continues to work collaboratively on planning and coordination for the referendum projects

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now that the bond sale process has been completed. Current efforts are focused on project scheduling, financial planning, coordination with consultants, stakeholders, and preparing for the next phases of design and imple implementation. Thank you to the buildings and grounds

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director, custodians, maintenance staff, custodial staff for their hard work and dedication in maintaining our facilities uh in good condition and ensuring ongoing compliance throughout the district. We we greatly appreciate the thorough preparation and attention to detail demonstrated in advance of last

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week's QAC walkthroughs. And finally, happy Mother's Day to all the moms celebrating this coming weekend. >> Are you done? Okay. >> Comments from the public on from the public on agenda items. During this portion of the meeting, district

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residents and staff are invited to address the board of education on agenda action 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

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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

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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

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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

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removal from or adjournment of the meeting. Each speaker statement will be limited to three minutes in duration. I will take in-person comments first and then move on to online. Does not look like I have anybody in person. Um and

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there is nobody online. So we can close that out and we will move on to minutes. Resolution one. All board members. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. Miss Bradford's first. >> Second. >> Mr. Morales's second. Discussion.

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Okay. Madam Secretary, roll call, please. >> Miss Bradford, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stanley, >> yes. >> Mr. Morales, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jolly, >> yes. >> Mr. Dylan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Akira, >> yes. >> Dr. Forger, >> yes. >> Mrs. Terrero,

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>> yes. >> Motions pass. >> Finance resolutions 1 through five. All board members, resolutions six and seven, Berkeley Heights only. Do I have a motion? >> We also have an addendum. Also make sure you mention >> Okay, just a reminder everybody, there's an addendum.

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>> I I'll move make the motion. I'll move. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Okay, Miss Bradford. >> Uh, roll call, please. >> Or do I actually have questions? >> Committee report. >> Okay. >> And minutes.

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We have to make motion for resolutions through all board members and resol. >> Okay. So, you want me to reread this? Okay. So, for finance resolutions 1 through 5 and resolutions 8 through nine, all board

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members, resolutions six and seven is Berkeley Heights only. So now I have to have a motion for that. Or did we just do that? >> Um I'll make a motion for executive finance or something. >> Okay. >> Um and then I move on to committee

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reports. Okay. >> So finance and facilities. So, the finance and facilities committee met on Friday, May 1st, um from 1 to 2 pm. Uh the first agenda item is the bond sale. Uh during the bond sale on April

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30th, uh the district received a total of seven bids, of which four were deemed compliant and eligible for consideration. Three bids submitted by UBS Financial Services, uh, Mezero Financial, and Wells Fargo were determined to be non-conforming as each

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exceeded the allowable premium limits established in the bid specifications and were therefore rejected in accordance with the terms of the official notice of sale. The remaining compliant bids were evaluated, resulting in a successful award to Raymond James and Associates as the lowest true

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interest cost bidder at approximately 3.77% ensuring the district achieved the most favorable financing outcome. So, uh the 3.77% um is uh a better rate than the 4.15

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that was assumed um in the referendum materials. So, it's a little bit of a break for the taxpayers. Small one, but still better than you know uh better than um the getting it above 4.1 for uh5%.

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Um and as Jennifer said, the bond funding will occur in miday. Um subsequently, we discussed some of the um agenda items that you'll see as uh on the finance resolution on the finance resolutions. Um there is a resolution on

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the agenda for special bond council to review bid documents and contracts related to the referendum. And we also discussed this um uh at the last board meeting as well. Um the service cost for this uh attorney would be 185 per hour

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not to exceed $20,000 for the 2627 school year um without approval from the board. Also, there is a resolution related to the CMS roof as it relates to a change order. Uh because this relates uh because the change order is related

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to delays and deficient work by the contractor requiring additional work from the architects, our bill from the contractor is reduced by the amount that we need to pay to the architect. Uh there's also a resolution regarding the audit corrective action plan. This was

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noted that um in the audit uh it was noted that some checks in the student activity accounts did not contain two signatures. There's a resolution to approve the corrective action plan which outlines the roles and responsibilities and the procedure. >> Um athletics and co-curricular

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>> nothing to report. We haven't met since last week. >> Technology and communications. Nothing to report. We haven't met since the last time I reported. >> Discussion. >> I I have a question on the

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new tuition rates. So, I I didn't quite follow along. Um the changes are due to more accurate student enrollment numbers. Is that right? >> Correct.

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>> Yeah. >> Correct. They were um initially coming uh reporting into the home room software as uh 760 which um would have put us at a 8.5 absenteeism rate. We looked into it

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further realized we're only about 3% put us up to 797. So with the work with the county, we adjusted that number uh because it was actually increasing the tuition rate for this year. So that

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adjustment decreased the tuition rate. >> Okay. >> So if I may ask, so the current number is 797 students at >> average daily enrollment. >> Average. Okay. >> Yeah. Average daily enrollment. Not to be confused with actual enrollment,

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right? >> Okay. And what was it reported originally? 730. >> I'm sorry, what? >> What was the original number that was reported? >> 760.6. >> Okay. >> Do you maybe want to explain what average daily enrollment means? How that's factored?

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>> So there average daily enrollment is generated through powers school and it's submitted into the student um the student and school register summary, right? Which is a separate report in the home room portal. The home room portal

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is where we do our different reports from different sections the district. Um that report reflected uh and it's generated over three years and that last report for this budget was showing

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760.6. So in running an analysis to try to determine how our per pupil costs were comparing um and determining what factors were affecting that that was um one of the factors that

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were was increasing the cost and um so we had to mitigate that to get that up to be reflective of what we actually are at which is a 3% or we'll say a 97% attendance rate. We'll keep it we'll keep it positive.

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And so um and that was accurate. So that number based on um you know 832 students ended up being 797. >> And just to be clear that's for the high school. >> That's just for the high school. >> Yeah. I was my question was going to be

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this is for the high school because overall we are at 2,400. So our average daily enrollment should be in thousands of >> Yes. This is just for the high school because it was I was looking into that. >> Can I just follow up though? So the but right all of the numbers came down not

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just the high school numbers. Right. >> Right. >> Okay. >> But that was based off of our new um the final budget. >> Right. >> Yeah. So with the if you remember from last week we had the additional 517,000

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that was applied in the healthcare that actually increased our 9 through 12 um and increased our uh per pupil cost because that's how it gets factored into it. So, it the decrease um in talking to

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the county actually from that increase right before we finalized rei revised and finalized the budget was almost $1,000. So, it came down to where it was by about $1,000 with the adjustment from

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760 to 797. >> Go ahead, Dr. Porter. >> You said uh it's averaged over three years. So why would you go back three years? Uh it would seem like the cost should be only measured against current expenditures.

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>> It's how it's how the home room software runs its calculations. Although the um the number that we were looking at um the 797 was actually the number that was

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accurate. Right. So, um, there's a whole calculation that I can go into with you at some point, but I'm not prepared to do that right now. >> The three-year look back is in the is in the is in the statute. It's the way the it's written. >> Uh, okay. So, that explains that you're

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following the statute, but the statute doesn't make sense to me. >> Yeah. I I we'd be here all night if I could explain to you what went on in Trenton. I I'm not going to try to do that, but that is what it requires. It's it's to to compensate for changes year overyear to better pass the most

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accurate cost on to your sending districts is the is the principle. Does it work is a different question but that's what it I believe that is the intent. >> What's the statute number if you could >> I well I'll send it to you. I I don't off my head but I'll send it to you. I can look it up right now. >> Okay.

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>> Any other questions? >> One more. Do do we anticipate that this correction was it only an error for the 20 26 27 or do we have any other published documented numbers which would also have

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been affected by this update. >> So the prior years in reviewing >> seem to be accurate. >> Yes. And does the auditor look at these numbers? Like if we so we found the

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discrepancy in just this year. So when we have an auditor look at our numbers, don't they confirm our enrollment numbers across the across the board? So the auditor okayed our enrollment numbers though. >> Well, this is uh the enrollment number

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that's going into the 2627 budget. Okay. So that hasn't been audited yet, but they would have would have. >> Okay. >> And that often causes adjustments after we get our certified audit. >> Okay. >> And you'll see in those certified tuitions because it kind of goes like on a rolling basis.

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>> Got it. Thank you. >> Actually, when you look at the audit report, it's section J has the enrollment numbers and that's unuded. >> Right. >> So, but there might be another section that I don't recall, >> right? But

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>> might have other audited numbers. I don't know. >> Right. So, we're working with 2627. So, that this that's next year's budget. So, it'll be audited the following year. >> Yeah. I I guess I'm just a statement. I

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guess it seems like the software wants you to budget based on the number of kids you expect to show up each day rather than plan for that everybody will show up one day. And that's um it's odd to me,

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>> right? and agreed that, you know, when you're budgeting for a school district, right? We're budgeting for our enrollment. We're determining how many teachers we have and how many classes we have. We're not going to say, you know what, maybe only 797 will show up. So, we're going to cut a couple classes here just in case that happens to keep our

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budget down, right? We don't do that, right? So, those numbers are generated through those initial numbers are generated through that calculation. >> I think Thank you. This uncovers a little bit of the curiosity I've had because these numbers have been elevated

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and if there the cost per pupil doesn't actually account for every pupil, only those that show up on a daily basis. Um, obviously that would inflate or make the plus per pupil higher because you're

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basing it off of a lower number than the true enrollment in a building. >> Thank you. That's Thank I've been asking for some clarity. is much clarity. I appreciate it. >> You're welcome. >> So, I just also just wanted to highlight in the this is off top off this

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particular topic, just in the addendum. I think um several board members requested that we add the maximums um into the budget. Uh not into the budget, they're in the budget, but just to kind of bring them forward. Um and uh so they are in the addendum. And I do want to

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mention on that that when we do the contracts that are associated with our renewals, we are going to also again mention those maximums and reiterate them uh when we do the renewal resolutions uh May 28. >> May yeah because I was just previously I

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think historically we've done it with the budget on the annual maximums and I asked this question during tentative and I was told be I think this will be included with the final budget. We made a mental note to ask you but forgot. So now that we

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have an extra meeting, I have one question on uh agenda item. I think in the finance it's number six approved student educational field trips. Uh this is for Colombia Middle School. I think we've also so this is only one

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particular um group that is going. So this is a question to Dr. Maher and Dr. Feltry. Um I've seen couple of trips. It's number six approved student educational field trips for Palumbia Middle School

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outreach to grace. So when we do field trips for elementary schools and for GL, we try to keep it equitable. We offer them. So but the field trips at CMS only seem to be happening with two particular clubs. So is

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is there a possibility to offer field trips to all clubs or is it only for couple of clubs that we are spending the money we don't want to feel we don't want students or parents to feel that you know certain clubs are being preferred for field trips while

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the rest of them don't get to go. >> So so field trips through student clubs are initiated by the adviser of the club. Um, but it is certainly something to look into about equitable access to field trips for the middle school and I'm happy to share and discuss that with the middle school principles.

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>> Thank you. >> Yeah, this one is an elective class. It is outreach is an elective. >> That's correct. There is >> but point I understand that you're talking about just a portion of the student population. >> So there are STEM related clubs, there

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are robotics, there is music related clubs. they would like to go to the Nokia Bell Labs not very far you know not until summit but what the concern that's coming from and I did not want to like pick these particular clubs is we are spending money we are allowing the

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advisor so maybe this is a conversation with the staff and the building principal that if we are offering these clubs to certain elective classes what about robotics or you know going to a museum nearby Does anybody else have anything?

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>> Okay, Madam Secretary, roll call, please. >> Miss Bradford? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stanley? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morales? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jolly? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dylan? >> I'm going to be yes on one, two, three.

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I'll abstain from four. Yes on five. Yes on eight. No to nine. >> Mrs. Akiri. >> Yes to all. >> Dr. Forer. >> Yes to all. >> Mrs. Terrarero. >> Yes.

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>> Motions pass. >> I have a question. Why uh according to Robert's rules, aren't we going to go the voting? Previously used to be based on alphabetical order. Now it seems to be >> I just do it based on the order on

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paper. Yeah, previously I think forever we used to always like even at the last meeting I wanted to question that we always do it alphabetical order right last yeah >> I don't think there's any particular order we just keep it >> is this discretion of the the board

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president Robert's rules Robert's rules says it's alphabetical >> I mean let's just kind of leave it the way it is tonight and then we can discuss No, it was like that last year, Debbie. It was always alphabetical and

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then now in the over the last couple of meetings. I'm just curious and Robert's rules does say it's alphabetical. >> I mean, is there an issue? I mean, is there >> No, I'm just curious like if we if we are bound by Robert's rules of order, we should follow them. That's about it. Well, I think our attorney just basically told told us that

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>> I mean I I mean if the policy says you're going to follow Robert's rules, but you also create your own policies and you know if the board I think I believe you all have a policy about suspending a policy, right? You have written lots of policies about how you'll interpret your own policies. U

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it's very common for boards to sit in deis to vote in deis order and have the vice president and the president be last. Alphabetical is also very common. There's really no reason why you could not set your own rule. You're not arbitrarily bound by Robert's rules by some thing other than your own decision

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to follow it. So of course, if you have said you will follow it, that means you should follow it. But you also could say we don't want to follow it anymore. We want to do it this way. And that is also fine. >> I mean, I think we're the beginning of May and we're talking about this now. >> I don't understand why this is being

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brought now. >> I wanted to ask internally. The thing is the seating arrangement was never different like you know. So I'm just curious and I wanted to ask like can we not just follow Robert's rules? That's about it.

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>> I think at this point let's just leave it as it is tonight and let's not complicate things and I think it we can have a >> just go by alphabetical order which is what we did last year. >> I I think you're complicating it. Let's just move forward with the meeting. >> How is it? >> Let's just move forward with the meeting

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tonight. Okay. and then we can talk about it. >> So, from what I hear from the board attorney, the board needs to determine how we're going to >> So, I think that you're there's a lot of technical aspects of Robert's rules that the board is not following on any given night. I think that if the board is

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going to try to go in that direction, it will slow the process to a halt. I I don't know that you said point of order and so your comment may be out of line consistent with Robert's rule. I think that if the board wants to take a vote at this time um to how you're going to vote, you are entitled to do that. You

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also could just move on. There is a motion pending though. So again, pursuant to Robert's rules, we need to have an intervening motion to make a motion about how you're going to vote on the current pending motion. >> There is no motion right now. She hasn't. >> I thought we were about to just vote on there. There was actually voting occurring, wasn't there?

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>> No voting. We just finished that vote. >> So there's no pending motion. So you could make a motion to change it. >> No, I don't want any motion. I there is no pending motion. I just wanted to I I'm okay to continue this way, Debbie, but >> I just want clarity for next meeting. >> Okay. So, yeah. So, these have been the

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same since uh Deb and Natasha have become president and vice president in the order. Um so, you know, whatever directive I'm given by the board, I'm certain to follow, but um it hasn't changed um under any directive from us.

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Moving forward, personnel resolutions 1 through 11, all board members. Resolutions 12 through 16, Berkeley Heights only. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. So that's Miss Bradford >> and Mr. Morales. Committee reports. Personnel.

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>> Yes. I have the committee reports. The personnel committee just met this week on Tuesday, May 5th from 12:00 to 106. Um members were in attendance. Agenda discussions items included. The committee discussed salaries for yearly

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unaffiliated contracts. Um administration and business office positions. The committee began preliminary discussion of one instructional coach in the district. The committee discussed summer employment contracts for the child study team, extended school year, school counselors,

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and general summer employment. The recommendations or action items were request for a consolidated list of summer employment, request for job description of the role of instructional coach and a request for a pictorial representation of organization of

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instructional coaches. The meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m. and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19th. >> Discussion. >> I just want to say uh thank you to Mr. McGovern who is retiring, resigning. Um,

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and thank you for his service and also he was one of the founders of the robotics teams that we saw last year. I mean last week. >> Thank you, Gal. I'd like to second that. Um, you know, I think he is a wonderful physics teacher um, you know, through

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personal experience and was one of my daughter's um, favorite teachers this year. So, um, you know, it c he will be missed. Anything else? Madam Secretary, roll call, please. Miss Bradford, >> yes. >> Miss Stanley,

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>> Mrs. Stanley. >> Mr. Morales? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jolly? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dylan? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Akiri? >> Yes. >> Dr. Forer? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Terrarero? >> Yes. Motions pass.

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Education resolutions one and two. All board members resolutions three Berkeley Heights only. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Miss Bradford's first. >> Second. >> Miss Stanley is second. Committee reports curriculum. >> Uh we didn't have a curriculum committee

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meeting that >> um discussion. >> I I saw that there was an email that went out about the athletic schedules. It was just like uh FYI, right? There was nothing that like has changed since this current year. Correct. There just was a question to

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see the schedule, so I sent it out to the board. >> I only I only asked because like two years ago, I think they changed the football schedule a little bit, right? NJIA asked for it to move earlier, so I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't something like that. >> Nobody made me aware of any changes from

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last year to this. >> I didn't think so, but I just wanted to double check. Thank you. It just um I hesitate when things are on our agenda to vote on that we haven't been given the documentation to be educated on. So um originally it was come to the board

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office and find it on file and I thought it was something that would be easily scanned for all of us to come to vote more educated. So it really was just me trying to make sure that all of us were a little bit more educated to rather than just rubber stamping this. So, if you want to take a look, it's got all

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the fall sports, their opponents, the dates, so on and so forth. Right. So, um >> Yeah. So, I I didn't critique it for when it was going to start. I do it looked like the same. There's going to be a game before school starts, but it looked similar. >> Yeah. No, I I agree. I agree. I liked it

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when we could see everything. Um but I just I wasn't sure and I didn't have time. So, I only had it on my phone, so I was like, "Oh, no." >> It wasn't to alert you. It was it was just hopefully to give you a little bit more information to make an informed decision. >> No problem. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Is there a reason why it's not like a

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separate document that's attached on the attachments? Is is that a protection thing? What's the reason for that? >> I don't know. >> There's nothing specific. >> I think it was just last minute missed the attachments. >> Yeah.

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>> Certain things that don't get flushed. I don't know. Okay. There's lots of questions I have about processes. Still learning. >> I I appreciate receiving it. I I agree. I don't like to vote on things that I I

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don't see. And uh I did look it over. As far as I could tell, uh uh the sports were not infringing upon the academic time. Is that Natasha is shaking your head? >> No, they I don't see why they would.

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>> Well, sometimes uh people want to cut into academic. >> Yeah. There there may be one occasion if there like a rare occasion if some if the kids need to leave like maybe a 230 to get somewhere especially at the high school to get to like some away game.

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>> They were all departures at three. >> Y >> so it looked okay to me. >> Yeah. Yeah, I didn't look into it with detail, but I would anticipate that potentially with some sundown restrictions um that potentially one or

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two um or a little earlier, but we could certainly look into it. Um >> that's all I was. >> Okay. >> Any other discussion? My only um this is also the schedule is just for the but I

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was thinking the use of our grounds I think by our wreck and the PAL teams that's not in the schedule right and we don't get to but that's yeah >> yeah what we're voting on is specifically the uh the governor

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Livingston sports teams their fall athletic calendar right so the the games that are currently scheduled the opponents times the locations. Um it was important because uh there's some work that has to be done around insurance I believe right and prepping um buses and

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so on so forth. So this is specific to where are our student athletes going for the fall sports season? What days when it has nothing to do with uh lending our fields out to other entities. >> Yeah. Because the reason I ask is there is also a different calendar I believe

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on use of our grounds when our students or our games are there versus you know when it's available for wreck and PAL team themes. So I was hoping we could see that but that's if that's not something that needs to be voted on. I'm fine.

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>> Madam Secretary roll call please. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brad Miss Bradford. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stanley >> Mr. Morales. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jolly. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dylan. >> Yes. To one and two.

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>> Mrs. Akiri. >> Um on education. I want to abstain on one and three and yes to the rest. Dr. Forger. >> Uh yes on one and two and then on three.

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Yes on 306 973 underbar CMS. Yes on 306855 CMS. Um yes on 307309 THE and no to the others.

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>> Mrs. Terrarero. >> Yes. Motions pass. >> And I'll just clarify I was a yes >> on on camera now. strategic planning. >> Uh so we don't have another meeting um on the books yet. Again, we'll probably

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meet in August. I double checked the form today to see if there was any questions um so that we could make sure we get you any answers. Um I don't see any questions, so if you do, please put them in there so we can get back to you. Um but yeah, that's it for

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>> negotiations. Yes. Uh uh the Berkeley Heights negotiation committee met internally on Monday, May 4th from 10 to 11:05. Uh proposal was received through the Berkeley Heights Board of Attorney on Thursday, April 30th, 2026. A request

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was made by the board president to have an internal meeting to discuss the proposal from the Mountainside uh board of education attorney and the mountainside negotiations committee. A discussion of the received proposal followed. A discussion led by the business administrator on how

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calculations have been done through the budget software. Discussion by the business administrator to help make the committee aware of all aspects of the calculations and there was a request from the committee for the B board attorney to continue conversations with Mountainside. The meeting adjourned at

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11:05 and the next meeting has yet to be scheduled. I can report that um the negotiations committee continues to meet with the BHA and we are making progress and um we

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will keep you posted. Leaison reports. >> Yes, I have the Berkeley Heights Town Council met uh Tuesday, May 5th. Last night, an Eagle project was approved from scout Jimmy Barter to build a future botchi ball court at Peppertown

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Park. The council passed a resolution permitting fireworks at the GL graduation on June 17th. Thank you. The council introduced an ordinance regarding uh regulating the use of electric bikes, electric scooters, and motorized bikes. More will follow on that information. The council introduced

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an ordinance prohibiting yard waste into waterways. This is to aid in flood mitigation efforts. And the council introduced an ordinance amending the township code on filming in town. For more information, go to the town website. Um the head custodians

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committee also is just continuing and the Union County Educational Services meeting tonight. So there was no Berkeley Heights representation at this meeting tonight. That concludes it. >> Quick quick question. Did did you say fireworks would be allowed or would not be allowed?

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>> Yes, would be allowed. >> And the head custodians hasn't met right since last year. We we correct. So continuing we are waiting for them to get back to us. >> Correct. Any other reports or any questions?

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>> I just want to say happy Mother's Days to everybody >> and the public as well. >> Um, okay. 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 items. The board

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requested 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

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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

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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 be liable for any comments made by members of the

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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. I

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will take in-person comments first and then online comments. I do not see anybody in person. So, I see that we have somebody online. If you could please promote them, that would be great. >> Uh John McGuz, Berkeley Heights. Uh so,

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I I wanted to get to the enrollment issue. My understanding is that we get to $1,000 less per pupil cost from what number

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from what's on the ACFR from what's on from what's on what >> you're looking at the budget versus the budget the audit number the audit reports are measured separately. >> Okay. So, and and are which is more

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accurate or what is a more accurate enrollment number? The budget or the audit? >> The audit that's done after the budget year is over. >> Okay. So, and and the audit enrollment number is pulled from where?

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The enrollment number. I'm sorry. Excuse me. And if you don't have the answer, this isn't like, you know, I'm grilling you. So if if you know I'm not like I I'm just trying to get information. >> So why don't you give us all the questions and then hopefully we can

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>> Well, the questions depend on the answers. I don't mean to be difficult, but my my point is this and and I don't think, you know, I'm not trying to accuse anybody of anything. It's just a frustration that precedes the current administration. And that frustration is that enrollment

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numbers shifted from one report to another depending on what and I don't think that's the case here. I I genuinely believe that. Right. So I just want to be very clear in my understanding that the enrollment numbers or the the ACFR

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is the document to go to in determining cost per pupil. >> Right? So the ACFR >> when the ACFR comes out in December, right, our audit and we accept it, that

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generates the actual tuition amount for that year that it's auditing, right? And then those amounts are adjusted. >> All right, perfect. That that's all I wanted to know. And then I do have some follow-up questions for you, Jen, that I'll email you. >> Sure. >> Um because there are some numbers there

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that I I do have questions about. Now that there are people that can actually have a conversation, uh, I might be able to get that. The the other question is on the BHEA. Um, I I I think I'm allowed to talk about that. I'm not in the negotiations committee. Um, my hope is

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that there there's going to be some and I think our, you know, I think there's a lot of fantastic teachers in the district. you know, uh I think that there were some concerning exchanges that I had in terms of what the BHEA's impression was of the board's authority

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uh to influence um what goes on in the classroom. And you know, my hope is that that understanding is clarified and reflected in the contract. Uh that's all. Thank you and have a good night. >> Thank you. >> Can I ask a follow-up question just for my own clarity based on some of those

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Can I ask a follow-up based on some of those questions? >> Sure. >> Yeah. So, I know at least in the motion we uh approved tonight, it was tuition, not cost per pupil, right? >> Certified tuition. >> Okay. So, some of the differences would

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be a tuition for a send receive uh partner would not include things like transportation for the local district. So, the certified tuition rate and the cost per pupil are in fact different.

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I don't know if I can answer that because of the negotiations that are going you you went through how Okay. >> Right. >> Got it. >> I I would I would hope that uh a tuition rate that you are asking send receive

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relationship partner. You would not include your own transportation cost to get your own students to your building. Right. that that's a that's a local thing that that shouldn't be costed or passed on. But I could be wrong.

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>> I have I just have one question. So the auditor gets the number the enrollment numbers from the home room the same software. Jen, >> you're going to have to follow up with that question. I mean because I'll ask Bill, but you have to keep in mind too and I think the one place where we can't

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we have to be careful not to get confused, right? is that when we're developing a 2627 budget, >> this is based on data that was put in right from the prior year that was calculated in the register summary,

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right? That right. So then that report >> No, no. What was the thing? >> Hold on. That report goes into our 2627 budget. >> Right. >> We don't we will not be auditing that budget, the 2627 budget until after the

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2627 school year is done. And then that will take those enrollments from that year and adjust the tuition. >> So the starting number for 2627 budget preparation because our budget preparation starts in fall or you know

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we basically start reaching out to the building principles and everybody for what your asks are. So my question is when you're planning for uh the planning for 2627 budget started in 25 in fall of 2025.

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So a starting number for enrollment of let's say 2,400 students or something is coming from the last year's audited number or no? >> No. So that comes from a report that's done um and it's actually done through the school registar. Right. Okay. That

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report is done at the in June. >> Mhm. >> Right. So that report was done in June of 2025. >> Okay. >> Right. For the 2425 school year. >> Mh. >> And utilizing numbers that were generated through powers school which is

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our software program or student software program every familiar with. Right. So then that number goes into its own report >> and then when we put the information into the budget, that number from June 2025

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>> goes into I think it's like page 29, right? >> It goes into there to give us our AD, our average daily enrollment. >> Okay. >> Right. >> So after 26 27 is done and they're auditing it, they will actually take the enrollment from that year.

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>> Right. and they will apply it to adjust to the tuition. So you'll see like different adjustments that occur over time. Um you've projected, you have certified, you have final. So that's kind of how that falls in line. Go.

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Thank you. Does anybody have anything else? >> Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Yes. >> Move. >> Second. >> You want? No, I just >> Who was first? >> I >> I don't even know who was first.

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>> All right, Jolly Morales. >> Yes. >> Um, all in favor? I I >> And end of meeting is at 8:43.