like to call this meeting to order 6:45. >> This is a special meeting of the Bin Township Board of Education held for the purpose of approving a resolution authorizing the submission of a bond proposal question to the voters of the township and any other business that may
come before the board. In compliance to chapter 231 laws of 1975, the notice of this meeting was advertised in the Mars County Daily Record and copies of the agenda of this meeting were appropriately posted and made available to the public. Mr. Bardock >> here. >> Mr. Bryer >> here. Mrs. Cabana
>> here. >> Mr. Chen, Mr. Hittinger >> here, Mr. Johnson, >> Mr. McBride >> here, >> Mr. Mill, >> Mr. Rosen >> here. >> We have quum. And we also have Mr. Fini.
>> Okay. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> So good evening everyone. At tonight's
meeting we will be taking an important step towards the future of the township school district. We will vote on a resolution that authorizes the submission of a bond proposal question. We can take this official action now that the New Jersey Department of Education has reviewed and approved
proposed projects to include in a bond referendum. This project list was shaped by an analysis of the district's most immediate needs along with community feedback following the failed 2024 referendum. What does this mean for the community? The district will hold a
fallen referendum on Tuesday, November 3rd. The proposed projects will focus on facilities and educational needs. Over the next three months, we will continue to share information about the projects through district and communicate community communication channels and
will offer opportunities for community members to learn more and ask questions. We will develop a comprehensive website that will provide information such as project details, financial facts, and a list of frequently asked questions.
Thank you so much for being here, and we are excited to share more detailed information with you in the upcoming week. So, we've seen correspondence. May I have a motion to approve board business item number one? >> Is there a second?
>> Second. Any questions, comments, discussion? >> Yes. Um, I would just like to discuss a little bit as a board. I know we met as committees last week and the only unfortunate part I found at that was I
think we gain knowledge information when we banter and go back and forth and have conversations and we had that as committees, three or four of us. Unfortunately, we didn't get it as a whole court, which I think would have been advantageous. I'll be honest that I
feel for the taxpayers of Newton Township that believe me, I understand all of our needs and things that the building needs, HVAC, lighting, everything, new classrooms that are not shared. But I do
feel with the way it came back from the state that what would be covered at where we would get 34 cents on a dollar from the state aid and then those other projects that wouldn't I feel it would have been advantageous to break it into two
questions. And I voiced that during our committee meeting last week. Unfortunately, I feel like I'm the only one that feels that way. But it is just as easy for anyone in the public that wants everything to very easily hit two buttons as it is to hit one. And I think
to divide it out under those projects where we got the state aid and those projects that weren't as covered would be a much more beneficial way of doing it for the residents of Blue Township instead of it just having a big number.
It could have been broken down and let the people decide. Let [clears throat] every resident that feels we need everything. It's just as easy to hit two buttons. It is not hard to hit two buttons. And I just um I know the other board members feel differently, but I do
believe and wish I I could have wish that you could have been a little bit more banjo or to hear from you. Why do you adamantly think one question is the right way? >> I'll go. >> I would love to hear from you. I feel that we feel this is the right mix of
projects the right thing for the students we should go all in this is everything is important it feels if it's two questions my opinion I respect your opinion it feels as if one is less than
>> so I guess the only way I mean and I agree all of that's important >> um I think the shared classrooms unfortunately that were part of the second for we have three different proposals to the state. Not proposals,
but three different applications to the state. Um I wish some of the things were in different mixes because I I absolutely agree. Um unfortunately, we're coming off of a referendum that
failed at one question and I feel like we need to learn a little bit from that as well. Again, it's just my opinion. I know the rest of the board feels different. I respect that. I can understand that. But I I just that's my own opinion about any of the other important >> I can't disagree that all of the
projects are important. >> I just as I said I don't think it's any harder for someone to press one button or two. Maybe in perception as you said or the way it's perceived it could be a little different. Um
I feel we could have packaged the questions more of where we got 34 cents on the dollar from the state versus I I feel voting. Why did they put this in?
So the first one is hardcore infrastructure. No doubt this will lead to that. The second one is just as important the educational needs, but it's going to look like the second. I just didn't tell it. >> I personally disagree with that question. I don't think I think that's
going to >> Please speak up if you don't think the mic. >> Did you hear me? >> I I think that any questions are first thing for you to have questions will imply that question two is less
important. I think that is just not correct. And I definitely I see the arguments for having questions. I also see to see the very arguments too about because questions are treated differently under
the state policy. So I mean I don't I just wanted to say I don't I also disagree that having two questions would have implied thinking about how important you w >> I agree. I don't think we would have put them in there if we didn't feel weakly
about community input. I mean, we've spent many months doing research. >> Yeah, >> I think now that we got the numbers back, um, I just thought too much question might be a better way to go. Anybody else?
>> Yeah, I just love that. We all just report questions a lot of work for so it's all very important and like we all think very it's written here. I don't think
drafting a different >> I agree with that. I don't think any board member is taking it any less seriously but I'm with you. It's all working. >> I don't think all that is Christine. I really appreciate >> with the board because I did bring it
up. I know the committee and then I felt like my three people or whatever we were last week. It didn't get hurt again. And I just want to make sure you all know that I really felt and I still feel um strongly the two questions.
Unfortunately, the numbers these days and the referendum we had, you know, price increases and everything else. Um, and believe me, this time we really scrutinize what we need, but the numbers come back as they do and they're very
high. And I'm cautiously optimistic. I mean, I really hope everyone realizes how important everything is, but I still think they could have done that hitting two buttons. >> Thank you. I just want to say something.
I want to bring something up and appreciate the work that the board has done. And I I really plead to the public to come to more board meetings because you can see over the past year or two, we've had lots of discussions and lots of debates,
public ones where there's disagreement, different perspectives and things like that. But really, this board is solely focused on what's best for the kids first and then the wider community. I really appreciate the ability for people to have different opinions and voice. So I just want to thank this board for
that. >> I would chime in just one thing. I I think that this board has worked very very hard on this deliberation process. We took longer than usual. I think with our architect and those were meetings. Some people did come to those meetings. I think that the designs that we ended
up whittling down. We had a extra-large option. We had a very small option. We really worked with a couple of middle options. we got something that was just right for the kids to get our kids and teachers out of closets. Um, as far as the question of one question or two questions, I think the whole board supports the work that we did, but for
me and I think a lot of my colleagues, it's about looking at the educational vision and we see this as one complete package for the future of our town and for for the future of our children. And just to put that in perspective, I believe I don't want to someone can fact check me on this, but we spent $20 million on this building in the year
1996 at a referendum. If you adjust that for inflation, this amount of money that we are asking for bonds is far less adjusted for inflation. >> Correct. >> I believe it was $20 million. >> No, we spend on this referendum in 96.3
>> 2000 2001 2001. Sorry, I misspoke. So that was almost almost 30 years ago. We had um we had a referendum to expand the building. It's been almost 30 years and I think that we see this as a as a single package. We did discuss and I did take seriously the idea of splitting
into two questions, but I believe that having one question um is something that will get the needs met now and kicking kicking the can down the road will subject us to more inflation and more cost increases in the future. >> I guess I can say also ponder the two questions. So I I took that very
seriously. But I I do believe that everything that we considered, we did start out with a lot of things in front of us and we did discuss everything very thoroughly and got it to where it was. And I I too believe that everything has equal importance at this point and I
feel be one question because everything is important. >> I come from the same lens. I think you know infrastructure is important just like you invest in your house when your air conditioner dies we have to do that here those are basic needs but the
further futuristic need is our children and we are we have providers on parks we have shared classrooms I don't think that's acceptable for this kind of school district so that's where I stand behind one question >> I was incredibly torn on this as well
but in the end just looked as others have said, I do believe one question is the way to go because every all of it is equally important for our kids and um as the board did a lot of hard work on this analysis, but I also would like to thank
Mr. Fertini for his analysis and insight and all the work you put in uh in in providing the vision and the plan for how to make this school better. um when some of the on some of the plans for the educational I wasn't quite sure but
after speaking with you on why we need uh the classroom ch the classroom changes and some of the issues kids are having a good band room music group um I saw I saw how incredibly important it is just as important as the infrastructure
projects >> I wanted to I don't want it to come across other two questions I deem any of this unimportant. I just feel like that when we got the numbers back from the state, we needed
to look at things closely and determine how maybe instead of one big number, it would be better to digest it into two. Um, so again, I don't dispute anything. I think I was one of the ones that even had mentioned when the architect first
came back with a grandiose plan, how about instead of a grandiose and a minimal, let's come to the middle and that's actually where we are. We this is the plan. So, we did scale back from where we were initially. So, um I just as I said, I don't want anyone to think
any of this is unimportant. I do think they're all very important. I again just don't think it's any more difficult to split it and have it be clear. I said from the beginning where we're getting more of the state aid and then we're not getting as much
>> I don't want it coming off we think that you think these things are unimportant. I get it. That's not >> No. And I appreciate this that this is what the board is all about is to be able to have these discussions. I felt a little confined just speaking my mind in my committee on Tuesday and it was the
first meeting. I asked Lauren and she very nicely got back to me to tell me how it affect people felt but it's not this live discussion. So I appreciate all this. >> So on that point actually question I think I understand what the
what the word is but the point is made. um about state aid the second paragraph says final eligible costs approved by the education are $21.2 million so I think around million that number 21.2
million is all the emperor structure package like 15, >> right? >> And then like a quarter of the educational piece like the Is that right? >> Well, the educational piece they actually were surprised they gave us they gave us
>> they gave us how many fully >> wait for the for the educational piece, >> right? For the educational part. So we got we got 34 cents on the dollar for all those big >> 2.7%. >> The other one's a smaller project which
is partial eligible and not eligible. The big the big project that we're talking about here were all considered eligible by the state. So they based that state aid on eligibility. So the projects we put forward classroom management all those were eligible for
state aid. But there's a portion that not >> small small part came under the uh $600,000 section. >> Well, you were saying the eligible cost is 21.2. So there's 7.
>> It's about $7 million not eligible >> and that 7 million is out of the 118. >> Correct. So yeah, the question said appropriating 28.458 million that's the full amount of
projects final costs are 21 to 265 million which is inhib >> which is exactly what it is. So it's the HVAC and the abatement the nurses in the art room that was all considered part
>> and then in that second questions it it really came down to if you figure it's 118 it's almost 12 a third of it they considered at 34 >> I know it's not >> is that correct John among
[clears throat] >> so that's helpful >> yeah I mean >> 2.7 7%. >> Oh, yeah. Out of the the 11, the uh four were 4.5. >> So, just about a third.
>> It's good to have the proper vote. I mean I do agree that would the way to do this is two questions different with the a but it you know again as I said I mean I I hear the board and I will [clears throat] be
unified with the board but I had to express my feeling that I truly believe it would have been better off the question. >> Any further comments before we move to vote? Motion on the table. We have a second.
So, the question is on the adoption of board business number one. And this is a roll call. >> Mrs. Barta? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brandon? >> Yes. Mrs. Dean? >> I guess I'll answer the way Barry answered the other question the other night. Hesitantly, yes.
Mr. Hicker, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. McBride, >> yes. >> Mr. Mills, >> yes. Mr. Rosen, >> yes. Mr. Par and then the question is on personnel motion number one and a motion to
approve personnel motion one. I'll move second. Okay. Any questions, comments? >> Uh, I have a question. The effective date is September 28th. Do we expect the teacher to be teaching beginning September to that date or she going to
be as >> So there questions on the adoption of personnel motion number one and this is a roll call. >> Mrs. Barta, >> yes. >> Mr. Brandon, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hus Johnson. >> Yes. Mr. McBride. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bill,
>> yes. Rose, >> yes. >> We are on to open session. The public comment period will be limited to agenda items only. Please be mindful that public comment periods are available to enable the public to give comments and feedback to the board. Personal matters
and day-to-day operations are not appropriate subjects for board meetings. These can always be most effectively resolved with the appropriate staff members or administrators. According to the change of command concept, questions may be directed to the appropriate school personnel or board through email.
Please state your name and address for the record and all comments are limited to 5 minutes. >> Questions, comments have [clears throat] Mary Leo, 24 Glenborn Drive. A couple questions. Is the roof done now?
with this section that they've been working on >> the gym. Is that the last section to be completed? >> No, there are a couple of small sections. We did the the bulk of all the roofs. So, the one that's over the upper gym and the hallway. >> The only thing they have to do in this project are the the flashing and some of
the metal work, but the roof is sealed up. >> Okay. So, once that's done, the whole complete roof is done. >> No, there were a couple >> just a couple little couple small small pieces. >> Okay. All right. So my comment is that we had almost a $50 million referendum
voted down and we're coming back with close to double that. So that's and I understand being on the board previously how you're responsible for education of the students, but you also have to be fiscally responsible to the community.
And 30 years ago, we had the same number of people in this community that we have now. We couldn't get when you're talking about past referendums, there was never a $20 million referendum. One was $2.4 million that got knocked down until we came back at 1.3, which is why we have
an undersized chip. And the second one, which I think was in the early 2000s, um was maybe 4 million somewhere around there. There was never anything close to anything. So that's that's one thing. class size.
I came to graduation and there were 38 students that graduated from 8th grade. How many sections were it? One of the three sections. That's small. It's not a private school. It's a public school. So, going forward, I don't know the other numbers. I know
projections are projections. They're always higher than the numbers actually turn out to be. And I know in the past we have had to a couple years not have to we used to have a inclusive four-year-old prek program for everyone
in town. We had to stop that for a couple of years because there wasn't room for it. I don't know if that's been thought about to gain a room back. Uh the teach as far as teaching goes it it's my understanding and I could be wrong. We
used to have team teachers. So sets five, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade. Used to have um one math teacher for fifth and sixth, one for seven eight. From what I understand, from being told, we have one math teacher for 8th grade, one for seventh,
one for sixth, one for fifth. I could be wrong. I could have gotten wrong information, but we'll have to help you with that, especially when there's so few children. I I would like, you know, maybe we can break down numbers in the future when we're presenting to know the
number of students in the school. And when I'm looking at the the schematics of the addition, we're not we're losing any possible ground we have outside for children to play. You're going all the way up to the and the softball field all
the way up to the infield. At least that's what it looked like online to me. And in the back you're losing most of the playground space. It is a K to8 school. So I think we have to I understand small group instructions, but I don't know how we can be maybe can
get classrooms by making two sections of a grade that has 38 children or whatever. I know you've done that in the past with one grade level. I don't know what's that's why I I can't really say cuz I don't have the numbers of all of
them in front of me. And then um uh let's see the band and the chorus rooms. They were in the last referendum that was done in the school and the teachers at the time that was when there
were 550 kids in the school. Um were thrilled with those rooms and now all of a sudden they're not good. So I just don't I know things change. I don't think anyone is against infrastructure. No one is at least the elderly people in
town around but even others are against air conditioning because everyone has air conditioning now you know let's and the and the new boilers we put them in I don't even know what year it was probably at least 25 years ago so uh you know you understand infrastructure I just think you need to be fiscally
responsible and to have a 15 almost $15 million referendum be knocked down and come back with almost double not quite according to you know what you pick is a lot. It's a lot to ask from the same number of people in
town. That's all. Thank you Ellen at 24 Split Rock Road. Um I wanted to start out by thanking the board and Superintendent Fini um as always for volunteering your time working on this. I know u Mr.
you've had tons of meetings on this. I know I've been there and spoken to you um about my thoughts on this. Um and I want to say with respect to the referendum, I completely agree with Christine. Um, I worry that we are going
to repeat history here that by putting everything together in one, I think there is going to be incredible sticker shock in town when people see this number. And I wish that um we could
unbundle the um the referendum because I worry that we're we're doing an all or nothing gamble and that we're at risk of yet again the referendum failing. Um and
you know I I think to what uh Mary Leah was saying too that for people who were here when we had 550 students in the school and I think we roughly now have 400 the optics of us saying we need more
space when we have 150 fewer students is a tough one. I understand and I know Mr. Patini we've talked about the need for specialized classrooms. So, I do get it, but I'm just saying I'm worried that when you lump all of that in together
that it's going to be a tough cell. Um, and I'll finish up by saying that um, and I I I've spoken to several board members about this already. I am really upset that we didn't learn from last time and that we're yet again spending
$40,000 on a PR campaign. There are 4,000 registered voters in our town. So that means we're spending $10 per voter to do a PR campaign. And I feel like off
the top of my head I can say there's um email, there are letters that come out from the school, there's the township newsletter, there are four Facebook pages that pretty much cover most people in town. we have the front board out
there and I think with all of those vehicles that you know look at all the people who came in here today right and I I know you didn't get wild attendance at your meetings but I know that people did come so the people who are interested and paying attention are
going to pay attention I think spending $40,000 or whatever that amount is on a PR campaign I'd rather see that money go to the kids than go to education But thank you for doing all of the hard work on this. I know all of these things are
necessary. We need an update and HVAC. We need the roof fixed. We need all of these things. But I'm just worried that lumping it all in together is we're going to repeat what happened last time. >> Yep.
>> Any more comments? >> I wasn't really a comment. I put out a question. So when you go to the ballot and you search I'm sorry. >> Oh Rich Caseto 359 proud road. [laughter]
>> So when you go to the ballot box and you see it there, what is it going to say? Is it going to say a referendum for $28 million? Oh, but the state will cover 7 million. So it would really only be 21. Oh, and by the way, when you distribute
that out, it's an increase of $297 a year in your taxes. You know what? How much information is right there like in the referendum? >> You have a copy of the agenda cuz that that's the resolution. That's the ballot. >> That's actually
legal. Uh it's a legal wording that will be on the ballot. So, I apologize. I did not >> That's okay. >> It's in the It's in the box. >> It's in the box. So, that was prepared by our bond attorney. So, does it tell people how much it >> So, it doesn't say how much your taxes will increase. It does say
>> the final cost after reimbured, >> right? >> That's information. >> That's part of the PR camp. >> Okay. >> Strike one right there. Lauren Martin 11.
That was my question. I assume this proposal question is going to be what's out there and I was at the Oak meeting and I've been trying to follow along. I send them on so you could ask the question. I'm going to answer them last time around, right? I'm not even sure what the difference is between the two numbers and I have been trying to up. So
I feel like if I don't know, you didn't know when you're on the board. General Ed is not going to know. So would there be maybe a little more clarifying language? Wouldn't that help? I feel like
I agree that it people are not going to try and they're not going to any of these things. They're not going to go any other risk. They're just like they don't understand this. That's my worry on that one side. I'm trying to figure it out. By the way, what we saw was voting. Yes, this time
is has to make sense to the average person to think of. My other question is if it's no, do we have a contingency plan? Some of
the things in here have to be done. We have a board meeting that the architect mentioned that something breaks on on our heat, the school's closed, right? So emergency plan in place if they say go
down no trying to talk about question >> and I guess I just my other question is was there a meeting from the applicant board because the only way I found about this is someone actually saw on Facebook I'm not off on social media that's
pretty it was from word of mouth so I don't know yes email but I think more just even just emailing the parents beforehand meeting. So I don't think I email about someone message
>> in the town. >> No, no, it wasn't about Facebook. >> I just looked at it. Yeah, I know most want higher attendance. I know a lot of people are not passing it some more
location. >> That's ideal. I'm going to work on you guys. >> Fair point. Just to let public know that we've had three or four other meetings that were regular scheduled meetings and just nominal amount of people. I I hear you. This was a special one and we do
need to we've had a lot. These are good points to bring up because what we have to post in the lobby, we have to send it to the town's newsletter. We have to put it on our website. But when someone says, "Well, I didn't see those." Here's another one.
That's really great information from us. So, thank you, >> Mark Pascarella, 12 lane. Um, I do have to now that you voted on this, is this like a done deal now as far as it's going out as one question or is there a possibility that you could change your
mind on this? >> This is formal tonight. >> Okay. So, it's done for us to even say anything, >> right? >> Well, I mean, what's the point of the public input on this >> since it's it's a done deal,
>> right? I mean understandably this was a a board decision where we got tons of feedback over the last four months and then as committees we've you know discussed this and brought it together. >> Did the was the was there feedback or question and I apologize for not coming for more meetings and stuff. Was there
discussion amongst these groups as far as how to present this with between one or two questions? >> We primarily used our professionals our bond attorney and used other leverage other board administrators they live in this community any those people that you
spoke with >> might have been better to speak with people in the community how it was received versus people who don't live in the community in all honesty and I'm sorry I don't mean to be argumentative on this because it's a done deal but I do think this is very precarious going
out as one question and the way it's worded I I mean I'm trying to figure out here I mean I don't think the average person understands what this means coming money from the state and you They just don't. People are busy and they're going to the first thing that pops out
is is 28 million. >> And I think that's really essential feedback is as we move forward the next few months, we'll be bringing in our bond attorneys and financial people to get the public to understand what it means. >> I you know, have you met has a PR company being I mean, are they going to
be doing the same thing that the last PR people did? >> The same people. >> I'm sorry. >> I think it's the same people. >> Oh, for God's sakes. Really? I'm sorry for being so disable. I think they did a horrible job last time.
>> You put in some measures or checks and balances. We've created in our last board meeting two weeks ago, communications committee comprised of individuals who a lot of us have marketing and PR experience and backgrounds. But we are members, elected officials, as you well know, having been
in this seat. We're not allowed to sell it. So, >> no, I know. Listen, I was like on a committee that volunteer that basically stuck mailboxes to get it past reaching out and we didn't have email in those days. So, it was it was pretty brutal. I
mean, I'm here for trying to get this to get what you need, but putting I'm just I think this is an uphill battle and and if my understanding is correct, you didn't even have really a good support from your school community for that last passage.
Where are the people? There weren't many people who voted in general the last time. Right. So, I'm sorry. There weren't a lot of people who voted in general the last time. So, my point I think between Mr. Fertini and the board's efforts to really be out here the last year discussing this and getting having focus groups and having
community connections gave us the information. >> You did a phenomenal job in that really total reach out. It's the best I've ever seen ever. So to piggy back off of your feedback, that's going to be the next three months of seeing all of us in the community and our grassroots efforts to
engage you and answer your questions more thoroughly as we become even more educated on the process as well. We're volunteers. That is why we engage professional organizations to be a public relations committee to guide us, but not to spearhead it the way you saw
at Gibson. Unless that adver that marketing firm actually did some put their boots on the ground in the community and talked to people then quite frankly a lot of money for something that they don't have that feel >> I mean on that on that point I think the
PR firm kind of takes the environment they have and they use it the environment years ago was different than it is now in terms of knowledge receptive hearing information so I think however you feel it went last time with
that firm and how the whole process went. The process is different now. The environment is different. So I I wouldn't be sort of to say, well, last time it didn't work. Last time I did it in, so this time I needed to. It's just a different things are have changed in amongst the school and the community. So
I personally don't think you can say last time it didn't work. They're just going to be permanently. They're always bad. It's guaranteed to not work. How many meetings have any of the people from the marketing firm been to and actually heard whoever the public had to say? Have any of their reps been to
anything? >> We just hired. >> Do they intend to come to any of the meetings or anything to hear what the people are saying? >> Absolutely. >> And with all the focus groups and ad hoc committee that Mr. Certaini established earlier in the year before we even had
construction plans. We based those construction plans and those architect feedback sessions based on the the meetings that we created internally and I I do believe we had some interactions together too. You had interactions with Mr. Pini. So this is an open forum in
terms of we had tons of information given to us um over the last six seven months. >> Yes. Is there a liaison to the township committee for this board? >> That yes. >> Who is that? >> Yes.
>> Is that you? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, you are the liaison uh officially to the township or you're not township committee member though? >> No. >> State your name and address. >> We can see Rachel Maria. um 10 camp and
this is the first fored meeting we've ever been to but we saw it on Facebook or we have posted it. Thank you. Um we both have kids here so we think this is obviously important. This might be a question that you guys all already know the answer to. What um
as parents at the school, how involved can the school get in kind of communicating that we want people to vote? I mean I will be totally honest. I didn't even vote last time. I didn't even know it was a thing. It it um
I I I think it is really important, but what I know you guys are volunteers and you guys can't sway people to do things. Um but is there anything that the school can kind of do just to talk to the parents >> because I feel like the on >> Okay, that I mean if there's anything
that we can kind of do, we're happy to help. >> Yeah, we're happy to help. Um because we're not I >> just see me after the meeting and I'll bring your name in. >> Members are free to do it. Me >> right. So I mean we've just been sitting here being like we're just going to walk and tell all of our neighbors that they
have to go vote. But I mean that we could go up and down our streets. There's 10 people that live there. It's not the biggest thing. >> Don't be afraid when we are in the community. We plan to do that. Obviously, we're not allowed to sell, but we at least want to advocate, inform, and answer these questions that
we're still getting educated on and informed of as well. So, I just thank you for that. >> Just tell people to go vote. >> Thank you for Go ahead. >> Hi, I'm Ray Manard and I live with 38 Birkwood Lane and um I came prepared
with something to say tonight, but I'm not going to say it because I think we've covered it pretty much. Uh the one thing that I do see in reading what's in the box in this bond proposition is a lack of really clear plain language on how what this really means. Um I can
read it, I can understand it, but I've been to many of the meetings as some of you and Mr. King certainly know. So I'm sort of very pro having this work done. I think the school desperately needs it. But I think there needs to be a very strong common language approach to what
happens if this is not approved or if it is approved, what it covers, the percentage that the state will pay for what for what uh part of the bond, etc., etc. So that people really realize that we're getting a big discount if we approve it. And I think that that's not not always been clear. And I think that
will go a long way in selling your proposition. >> Thank you. I have a follow question. So the numbers that are listed then you said we have public meetings. So is what they're comprised of out on
our website and we're not going to pass from June or May. I didn't see it. So is there like how did one actually find out what is making you basically just discussing it but so in our April sorry March April
meeting the architect was here twice. If you go on the referendum tab on the website, all the slide presentations give you the breakdown of what each uh project costs. >> Does that answer your question? >> It's also on the website. I think it's
part of it. It's all going to be >> right. >> Anything new and in terms of when we submit to the state, they tell us how much they're willing to pay. So, we were even surprised that they paid for the addition. Correct. And gave us that percentage back. So, this is all new
information for us. We just got these letters what, a week and a half ago. So we intend to disseminate this information in with our architects, our bond attorneys, in workshops, in public forums, in any capacity to communicate with you. This is not a not transparent
discussion future. >> Jennifer Neil, 74, Ben Road. Um, so I agree with Ry about more like plain language in the box, but I and I hope that when we go forward with this
argument that you consider just using the mail because there are a lot of people in this town and a lot of people stay here, retired people stay here. It's a great town. We have a great tax rate. So there are a lot of people in the town who don't have kids in school.
And I was here for the last referendum and the superintendent principal sent a letter but it only went to people who had students in the school and I don't think I had a student in the school at that point. So the only way I found out was from like some friend who got it and
told me about it. I was like oh I so you know and I'm a pretty finger on the pulse person on this town. So I I read everything. I'm on Facebook. I'm very connected still even though my kids are not in the system anymore but I
don't know how much a stamp costs today but I would really implore you well I know but I'm saying how many people here you didn't know about you you knew about it because it was on Facebook a lot of people don't use social media they don't
use Facebook people you said before what was sent out by the superintendent um a letter about the referendum the last referendum. Oh, >> no. No. I'm talking about >> I don't know the year. I don't remember what [laughter] year.
>> The last time this was presented as a referendum, the superintendent principal sent a letter, but the letter only went to parents >> in the township. And we have a lot of people in the town who don't. And you
know, I look, my kids aren't in the school anymore. I really care about this school. I care about the town. I care about the school. I care about the future in our community. And I think a lot of other people do, too, that don't have students at school. So, I just
consider using snail mail. I hope that you do that to get the word out about all of the forums you're going to have, all of the, you know, any kind of opportunity where there's going to be something. And I I think and I had a little marketing background but uh don't
you have to hit them three times? Like I mean you can't >> seven. Okay. So you know you can't medium >> one right but um I just my two cents on that. So and and thank you so much for all the work that you offer. >> All right. Get that cough woke up for
me. Uh John Moran 12 Janet Road. Um, my wife and I moved here 25 years ago to for the school system. That was about the last time there was something done. I'd be preaching to the choir if I didn't say, "We've done a lot of work on our house. We need to do it on this house." Uh, two sons graduated from the
school in 125. So, like, you know, we've shared experience. Um, [clears throat] I've been to many, many of the meetings over the last few months. I've seen Greg Smay thing, both presentations. I keep him in front of people. Greg's great. I don't know if that part is is a contract or
not, but he's a great salesman. Um I just uh we do need to make this this happen. Uh we need to uh I'm going to look at the camera too in case anyone actually reads but notice these things. As Mr. Fini said at the beginning, we need to get more people these meetings. We need to get your neighbors to the
meetings. Um all the information is on the board of ed website, every presentation. Um so you can read it and it go through line by line. I was happily surprised to hear that we're getting any more money than we thought we were. Um, so that's a good job. So, let's just really try to support all
these guys. Oh, one I I promise I wouldn't go too far into this subject, but regarding the leazison with the township, I realized two different things. One, I forget what was saying. It it wasn't really advertised. Can we at least get the township to advertise these meetings on their
marquee? Can they pitch them? Nice. So uh and the other >> township the township gets a little >> that's a great idea. So um at minimum
that and the other thing um I would say is >> to is there a way um somehow and maybe go to the township meetings and say hey guys you've got a lot of money in your surplus um and I
can give you all more information on that much more than most other towns it's a rainy day fund this is a rainy day uh you're talking about the repairs to the roof and one of the meetings I heard that well since the last referendum didn't go through. And I might be mixing metaphors and roofs, but we had to repair one roof that would
have been covered by the referendum and it would have had the state cover 34% of because the referendum didn't go through. We had to pay for it. So when you mentioned the roof repair earlier, that made me think of that. And you know what happens if this is kind of catastrophic failures? We can't have that happen. You know, people people
move to this town for the the school, not for the bigs. So let's spend our money wisely. >> I do that. >> Thank you. Can I just one quick comment Mary Leo again? Um on on the website you had the
main question and then the two options below it. Was this in this one? Is it the second option? >> Do you know on your website? So you had the main question which was like 16.5 million somewhere like that. And then there were two other options you had.
>> Option two. So >> it was option two. >> Option one was build one. >> Okay. An option 1D you called it or something. >> Yes. >> Was to build two museum. >> Okay. >> I think you're saying all the opted for
the two >> project scale. You're ask that was the only difference. It was building one additional >> Okay. >> Whatever size space for chorus ending share. >> Thank you. That's what I mean. I could have added it up when I got home, but I
just >> the numbers aren't exactly match. and and then I I agree with Christine. I think you're missing an opportunity to have two questions, but again, I know all the work that goes into this, so that's your decision and I appreciate
that. And then can you please John M. John, can you do you know what's the average increase in taxes for the average household in the town would be with this? >> Right now, we're trying we're trying to go through all the numbers and make sure that we get out the correct information, everybody. So that'll be coming in the
probably within the next few weeks rather than doing it now. I want to make sure it's all correct going through it with a financial people. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So as a PSA to some of it that talked about educating the community because that's all we can do is educate the community. >> We will have sessions to go through and
this is another question by community member the project list the cost. >> Oh I have lots last time. >> Tell everybody. We want people to come. We want to tell them what's going on and just what the projects are, which is all we can do. So, by all means, I hate
having a tour with poor people. >> They have a board meeting with nobody in the audience or poor people. So, tell people to come. We're happy to get >> people always come when there's >> they will come. I think eventually in the last one, not many came. So, tell people to come. >> Well, now we have 28 million reasons.
[laughter] >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. Great. >> Go ahead. >> And Dixon, 450 Rockway Valley Rally Road. I have a question. When was the decision to go from one
to at one point maybe you were going to split it into two bills and then you decided to do it in one? When was that decision made and has the public been able to comment on that before you guys voted on it? Yeah. So, a decision was made in in
private committees as a board. So, we did that about a week ago. We had all of our committees. We met with our bond attorney because what happened is we got our letters of what was going to be funded back from the state. Met with our bond attorneys, our financial people, and then decided at the board. >> So, you never got any feedback from the
community? Thank you. Marty Pascal with Dr. Lane. Again, I thank you for your time and effort you put into this. I do know like just as an EF just trying to have done this in the past as far as like putting the on their
little signage, they require you to contact them personally every time. You can't just they will not accept if you give them a list of your our meetings and you post them. they won't do it. So, it's like it's almost it's very hard >> each time >> each time you want something, you got to
send a separate email over there or whatever. And it would be like too like if you do have a meeting that's going to be discussing a referendum, it might peique some people's interest a little bit like, whoa, what's going on from that standpoint, they didn't get it on the Baltimore. It's unfortunate that they're so
ridicul. Thank you for that feedback so we can >> push it a little. >> You definitely have to, right? It's just not a >> I don't It's not a good reason that they get >> uh follow up. Um do you know if the PR
company's planning to start their activity with a widespread town survey? >> We already had a town survey at the beginning of the year. >> Yeah, I took it. It's it's to me utterly inadequate to answer the question answered.
>> What do you like better, science or math? You know, I mean I I what do you think is more important? You know, you that's that's not the questions we should be asking to pass this referendum. You have groups of voters potentially. Um I have kids in the
school. I have kids that just graduated the school. I don't have any kids in the school. you know, I'm not sure I even want a school, right? There may be people who want us to uh send everybody. Um, there are all these categories of
people who voted on the referendum and they fall into different age groups and they're married and they're not married and they all need to hear a particular message in order to understand why they should
vote for this thing. Cuz they're it's easy to say it's all about the money. It's the money and it's don't spend any money. But getting to them to spend that money requires a deeper understanding of who they are and what they're thinking.
And that any I run a marketing agency. Any major project we we do starts with a survey. It's just the starting point. And I think if this group of very intelligent people sat and thought about it, they could quickly understand the
questions they would need to answer to formulate the messages that would resonate with the right groups of people. Cuz that didn't happen last time. I can tell you that for sure. And the questionnaire that was put out there doesn't answer those questions. I if someone is managing this firm, I
would tell them we need to have questions answered about why people shut this down. who who are the people that shot it down and why did they shut it down and you should develop your messaging off of that. >> We appreciate that feedback. That is an area that we're working on. So, just to
give you context, about a week ago, we established a communications committee. So, it's myself, Chris Johnson, Paul Rosenberg, and Francis Hittinger. I have a marketing and sales background. So, we're going to be spearheading a grassroots approach, taking ad hoc
feedback, focus group feedback, survey feedback, and we welcome your feedback. We want to hear from our constituents who have advisement and have a pulse and understanding of what the needs are in this community beyond the nine of us here. >> Yeah, I'm I'm, you know, I'm really just
focused on the messaging. What >> No, no. I mean, that's the messaging. >> Yeah. What do I What do I have to tell these constituent groups? >> Exactly. uh uh to get them on board. >> Thank you. >> One other quick one. I'm sorry, John.
Sorry again. Thank you, John Draper. Um >> can you get a table at the national night out to go there is that night be able to get I don't know details. We tried to get a table, but we were told we need the permit. Um but might have to ask PDA.
But if you could do that, that would be just here we are board event. You got any questions? I mean, you'd be wear some bubble wrap or something, but [laughter] >> you have next week. >> Do you have plans to attend as much as
possible um together, you know, we're doing some different We'll have tours. We'll have presentations, forums. Like I said, I'm part of the HSA. We're doing a fall festival for the whole community in September and we'll have tours on that evening as well. So we're doing everything grassroots. We agree.
>> We attended some bingo sessions. [laughter] >> There's >> I lost [laughter] beyond. >> Once again, Dixon 450 Rockway Lake Valley Road. I don't have kids in the school system. I never got a survey. I never get any of these things because
they all go to people who have kids. So, how did we find out about school stuff? >> I didn't get it either. I had to dig for it on the township website. >> And I think that's the uniqueness of our town, right? We don't technically have a
community center of sorts. This becomes the vehicle of community input right here in municipality. So, we really want to utilize this plan as utilizing this school as an opportunity to become a communication vehicle for the long term to have spaces for us to all use
together. I think that's really important to point out as to why our vision is this. >> Hi, Sarah Bernard, 515 Rocket Road. Um, I went here and graduated in 1985.
Um, which is really cool. Um, it's good to be here. Thanks so much for all your hard work. Uh I guess the one thing that comes to mind as you're thinking about all this work, and by the way, I love the communications engagement plan. I do think that as a taxpayer, regardless of whether you have a kids in the system or
not, everyone should be covered. I'm sure you can do that. So that's really important. Um but I do think one really important piece of this communications plan, the outreach, and securing the votes that you need. By the way, it would be interesting to know how many people in the township do or don't have kids, that percentage margin, and how
many people do you actually need to vote on. But understanding the math on that would be helpful, I think, for all of us. But the other piece is um you know, there's a it's a tough time to be in education, right, in the future. And I think that township in particular has a
lot to be proud of. um the way that you teach the kids and the inclusive environment here and how generative it is and how proactive and and sort of open and inclusive it is. Um, I really would like to see the marketing campaign
reach out to educators in the community that are actually do this for a living and help amplify those assets because I do think it's what differentiates Township from a lot of other places in New Jersey and northern New Jersey in particular. And I really think we need
to lean into that. um particularly because there's a lot of people that um I think would vote for this or not vote for it based on what they know about the curriculum. So the more you can talk about the curriculum and and amplify the teachers voices and what the kids are learning and how wonderful that is and
all that stuff. So don't shy away from the qualitative, right? When you're doing this work, it is about money, but at the end of the day, I think people's hearts are moved to put a vote in the right place if they feel really confident about the qualitative value. So thanks
questions for the work. >> I just want to circle back on do we have contingency plan or no? I don't know if I can yes or no. I think the contingency plan will be developed if we fail.
>> Will be developed if we fail. We'd like to think positively of the structure. >> I just think I think that's important when you do the PR is to explain to people know it doesn't really impact those here that don't have children or take children in town. is voted no when
something breaks that they finally go we'll fix it with the next you know budget that won't certain things as I was explaining will not be able to be fixed if the school shut down so like that I think is an important distinction to be reiterated so just as you were at the architect
meeting so just for context we have been working on the roof for a lot of years and different projects through capital reserves we do have some capital reserve it will not in full transparency pay for all the infrastructural needs here so that is a real risk. >> Well, well, something to add to that,
too, is not it won't pay for it, but if something should happen like your boiler fails on December 20th and you can't get it fixed the day after tomorrow, the kids are all turned loose on the streets and um [laughter] coming to your house. >> They probably will, but that's that's
something that's that's something that's a very real possibility. So, I thank you for thinking ahead to make that not happen. But the cruel reality is if it's 10° outside, it's going to be 15° inside and everybody's going to get the phone call to say, "Come and get your kid because we can't support them here at school." So, um, that'll cause a
reaction. >> Hard to put that in a box. >> It is hard to [laughter] put. >> You're right with pictures. >> Thank you all for your feedback. So, I'm going to make a motion to adjourn this meeting. May I have a motion, please? >> A second. Second. All those in favor say
I. >> Thank you.