Right. Good evening everyone. We are back from close session. Thank you for your uh patience to to start this evening. Uh at this time, we're to go back to section three of the agenda, which is the pledge of allegiance. So, if you'd like, please join me in the salute to the flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> Right. Up next, item six, the
president's report. I'll be very brief this evening. I hope everyone in our district and our communities is having a great summer and getting some uh getting some relaxation and uh hopefully reading a few good books. Uh I do just want to thank everyone who has been working through the summer in our district uh
here at the Wade building and throughout our schools getting ready for a big school a big start to the school year uh coming up. So that's the only thing I have for my president's report this evening and that brings us to section seven of the agenda which is the superintendent's report. Mr. Beers.
>> Okay. Thank you Mr. Pepe. So, there are two things I just want to uh provide the board of education and the public with an update on. And the first one is a referendum project summary. All right. So, I I'm happy to report that a lot of our projects are are really moving along
as scheduled. I know we're still early in the summer. There are two months to go, but thus far we we are happy with what we see. So, as we know, Hamilton, JFK, and Van Holton, they were due for um an an electrical upgrade and and to
finish out the HVAC so air conditioning can can uh be supplied come September. So, Van Holton has been completed, right? So, they had their electrical shutdown. It's now back on. Hamilton was shut down today and we're still awaiting
um we're still awaiting a solid date for JFK. The windows phase two the middle school as well as Hillside, right? The middle school is largely complete and as is Hillside, so we're in good shape there. The middle school sixth grade edition,
it's great news. We we have a meeting next Tuesday um with with the principal uh administration u as well as Bob Leto solutions architecture and and Bennett who who's our contractor to really go
through a punch list. So we're at that point where everything is is essentially done. We're developing a punch list for any of the fine fine uh items. And then once we go through that, the the final part is to to really clean and wax all the floors and get furniture installed
as the final um the final part of that. So dare I say that we are not just on schedule, but maybe ahead of schedule. Bennett's been an excellent contractor for us in that regard. And um I think we're in really good shape with the uh
middle school edition and and later what we have to discuss in the meeting is um to really set up a groundbreaking ceremony right with the board of education. We've got a photo op etc. >> Cutting >> ribbon cutting ground. >> That's it. We broke ground. [laughter]
>> We're not going back to the beginning. >> We could do the before and after photos. Right. So you had all of us with a pile of dirt and our shovels and now we will be there uh to uh cut the ribbon on on the um on the new addition. So the
secondary part of this addition is is reworking the sanitary line replacement which is underneath the kitchen and cap and cafeteria B. Right now there there's a a large trench in in the middle of the cafeteria. They have laid the new uh the
new sanitary pipe and things are proceeding as planned. Middle school interior renovations are underway. There are 12 classrooms that are getting renovated and um right that's uh that's the one that's probably
the largest undertaking at this point. So this is going to be a major push to the finish to to make sure that these rooms are ready for the students come September. Bradland Gardens edition. We're we're happy to report that it that it does remain on track for completion in September for for the opening of
school and and uh we're happy about the progress that's been made there. And the primary school restroom renovations, we've got six schools and the Eisenhower classroom renovation. Both are on schedule for completion this summer. We're really happy with the contractor who who's on this project because
they've made substantive progress um throughout the summer on these projects. And then finally, Adamsville, Bradley Gardens, and Crim, they're they're having the HVAC done and uh and the electrical upgrade. So, Adamsville has
had their electric upgrade. We're in the process uh not we are the contractor's in the process of of installing the the HVAC units and uh you know in the classrooms. Bradley Gardens is well underway. We've
got to get a date for the for the service shut off and CRM essentially just needs the service to be shut off, re-energized, etc. Um so PSEG will do what they need to do because everything's in place there. So finally
I want to thank Mr. Leo Solutions Architecture all the people who are involved in these projects because it's quite a lot of work um that's going on right now and knock on wood we are we we like to believe right
now we're in a good spot to open everything up come September. So we we will keep you apprised of of um of those developments. So, next I would like to share
I'd like to share some of the the um academic reports that we received a few weeks ago and and it's the 220 2026 AP results. So, we we will have a more indepth uh discussion on testing results not
just of AP but other things. So, I don't want to steal Jason Mariela's thunder, but I think we we've really had an excellent result that I'd like to share with the board of education and the community. And um let me just put it in present mode.
And and this is tremendous where the results that that we have right now really show four years of continued growth in this area. I if we go through and we'll take you through this graph that you see on the left hand
side is the passing rate. So these are students who receive a three or above on on a on an AP exam. So in 2022 we had an 86.7% rate. Now in 2026 that's up to 95%.
And what's interesting about that rate climbing is that at the same time that the the rate of students who are succeeding on an AP uh class went up, we are vastly expanding the number of students who take an AP test. Right? So
the exam growth as we see it's up 49.6% from 1,366 to44 exams. The mean score is 4.10 which is up from uh 3.86. 86 and again 90 uh
the uh percentage of students who earned a three or higher. So the next slide it is interesting as well because the question always is well okay that's how many kids pass but what about
kids getting a four or five? Well, the students who earned a four or five have gone up substantially as well. All right. Um 2022 67.1%
of all test takers uh received a four or five or I should say earned a four or a five. We had a slight dip in 2023, but then you see a consistent rise. And what I have here are some of the uh subject areas on the right hand side where we saw the largest areas of growth.
Government politics, physics one, macroeconomics, US history, calc BC, microeconomics, psychology, and physics C mechanics. So this is an impressive result. Um this is an impressive result. uh and and
again 40 point 40% of of the students received a five and um again this is something I wanted to share with the board. It's it's quite an accomplishment and um we know the the overarching theme and
the results that we're seeing is as follows. We knew all along that providing additional students to access to high level courses would benefit everybody just with with when we all started here and when I say we all I mean Dr. Jones
started around the same time I did as is Dr. Fonder really the the whole central office team as well as uh Mr. Hamburger, the Dan Hamburger, the principal at the high school. We all started around the same time and looking at student data,
we saw that students had a high level of success on these AP exams, but we really had a cohort of kids who would be able to succeed if they had access to these classes. So, we knew that providing additional stu students access to high level courses
would help everyone. And the problem that we faced five years ago was not a lack of academic rigor. The problem is that we had exclusionary practices that prevented students from accessing this higher level coursework. And by expanding offerings and access to AP courses, students demonstrated the
aptitude and work ethic necessary for success in a college level class. And and why this is important is as follows. We know that and we know from uh you know AP because they have data sets for
you know for decades that students who who just take an AP class are more likely to succeed in college when they go to to a school, right? Just having um access or exposure to the high level content helps students down the road
when when they go to college. So look, we we believe that all of our kids are are capable of amazing things. Some just needed the opportunity to thrive. And I'm especially proud of the work done by the teachers uh right because it wouldn't happen without them. Uh the administrators at
the high school subject areas supervisors, our principal, the work of Dr. Jones uh and the curriculum department to make this goal a reality. Right? We know that student achievement does not occur by accident. It's really a summation of competent policy,
competent practices and and and competent people at every step in every step of the organization to to really look at our course of studies, develop pathways and opportunities for students uh that they otherwise would not have had. And and then last but not least,
probably most important, hey, congrats to our students, right? because the the main thing is we offered these kids the opportunity to take these courses and thrive and they did it right. They proved us right uh that they could do it. So, I just wanted to take a minute or two and and share this with all of
you because it's quite an accomplishment. And um I I know I'm a broken record on this, but you you have schools all over the state that say, "Hey, we want to raise student achievement." Well, everybody does. But
the way to raise student achievement is by developing a pathway, developing supports, and then making changes on the fly when you see that things aren't perfect. I mean, a lot of times we know that that institutions,
right? It's not that we're sloppy about things, but you don't want to let perfection get in the way of progress, so to speak. So you want to do it say if we have to make adjustments, we make those adjustments and and we continue to move on. So we we're pretty confident
that this trend is going to continue. Um and and uh our kids deserve it. Taxpayers deserve it and uh congratulations to everyone who who helped make this happen. So that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Beers. Is anything else
this evening before we move on? Um, no. I I don't know when you want to discuss the the board retreat. >> Board retreat. >> You want to talk about that in in in new business? >> In new business a little bit about that. I know there's a whole lot to discuss at this point, but I want to see what everyone thinks and sure has any thoughts. >> Mr. President,
>> Mr. Lee, >> uh, will superintendent take any questions relating to the report that I was just given? >> Well, that's uh, the superintendent. I didn't hear him offer any. Mr. Beers, you like to take questions? >> I'd love to. >> All right. Thank you. uh relating to some of the referendum updates. Um I was
wondering and I guess for the public's information as well, how much generally over under budget are we with some of the existing projects that we have going on right now? >> Oh, my my presentation was on the projects that are underway and that are in the uh >> correct
>> in the queue, so to speak. I don't have that information that you're asking for at my fingertips, but certainly as always, Jeremy, if you give me a call and set up an appointment, we'd be more than happy to go through these things with you if you have specific questions related to that. My door is always open. >> I think that members of the public
should know. >> Oh, no. It it wait, can you repeat that question? >> I think members of the public should know, but that's beyond the point. I was just asking about whether or not to what extent we're currently over under budget so I can understand whether we have any
sort of you know wiggle room from a financial perspective with some of these upcoming projects that you discussed. So um my other question was you know with I know there's a lot of the HVAC bids that are going to be coming out for some of those projects. Um do we expect a lot of
cost pressures with those bids that are coming out? Um, again, my my report was providing an update on the work that's underway in the buildings and and to give you the the boots on the ground. There could be potentially another time in the meeting to discuss that, but my
presentation was on the work that's being done, not on bids that are going out, things like that. So, I again, I just don't have that information for you right now. And and that's not to be evasive. I I just don't have it. But I'm unprepared for that question because it has absolutely nothing to do with my
presentation. >> All right. Well, that's on the referendum. Thank you. >> I'd like to >> Excuse me. I'd like to ask about the academic report as well. >> Would you like to take a question about the academic report or are we ready to move on? >> Sure. I mean, >> listen, I would I would have prepared
these questions ahead of time, but I I didn't really get the presentation ahead of time. So, it's difficult for me to say I could have sent these questions earlier because I I didn't know what was going to be presented. So, um I know it's good and I appreciate sort of looking at those four and five rates as well because that's typically where most
colleges will offer uh course credit. Um and I was just wondering obviously you highlighted a couple of courses where we saw some great gains in success rates of students getting threes, fours, and fives, but were there any sort of courses where students are still struggling where we maybe saw those
rates fall or not increase nearly as much? Well, sure. We we offer 28 different courses. So, I provided you with with the ones with the greatest gains. I mean, when we have our testing report, we can provide the whole matrix of
everything. But again, this is incredibly positive news. Um I I'm not aware of any where it it went backwards. I think it's which ones ha have made the largest gains because
again we we've got an incredible growth in in this area. >> Well, I was I was asking if you were aware of any courses that didn't experience these large increases in gains. >> Well, it's it it's ranked. So, these are the top 10.
>> So, I was asking about the bottom 10 for example. >> I'll provide a testing report. Please, please let Bob complete his thought. I I think one of the issues with that too is a lot of these are small programs with a small number of students. So if we're talking about Excuse me,
>> I'm in the middle of a sentence, Mr. Lee, >> with a small number of students. So if we go class by class by class, we're calling out individual teachers and individual students. But as you said, the growth has been the growth has been there. I think it's evident in what we've seen seen tonight. But as also as
Mr. Beer said, "If you had specific questions about specific areas, I I think you have a wonderful resource at your fingertips." >> My door is always open. >> Mr. I I mean, I'll say this to the public. I would love for you to make an appointment to come and we could go over anything you want to. Okay.
>> I I've made that overture many of times. I I hope you take me up on it. >> All right. We are going to move on Mr. Singer. I just have a quick >> because because it's been asked um in our FFT uh folder which everyone has access to uh back in May we were under
budget by 1.76 million and it's my understanding that that that was communicated to Mr. um yesterday, but I just want to make sure that he that he knows where. >> Well, I'd like members of the public to know that amount. >> Well, then you could have actually just said that you asked and that you
provided that number, but instead you didn't want to provide that number. Like you asked Mr. Beers and you have that number. So, if you want the public to know, >> I'd like members of the public to know. >> Then you could say >> it's a very easy thing to say, "Hey, I I for this is not my report." >> Excuse me. For once, it'd be a great
thing to say, "Hey, I have some good news, everybody. this district which I am of which I'm a board member of is doing a great job. We are under budget on the referendum and I don't think you're much interested in broadcasting good news. >> It's important to know so welcome to and
now information >> that amount was much larger. >> So I thank you >> in the past and it's gone down substantially. >> Of course. >> All right we are going to move on to committee reports. Thank you for that Mr. Singer. Uh
uh this should be [snorts] quick tonight. Uh Mr. Jooshi, academic committee. >> Yeah, our next meeting is August 10th. >> Right. Uh finance, facilities, and transportation. Mr. Singer. >> Um we don't have a meeting schedule, but we're tentatively scheduling it for
August 19th if the members of the committee are available. >> Is that a is that >> the Wednesday before the next meeting? >> Okay. Thank you. Uh Mr. Walker, personnel committee. Um, our next meeting is August 18th. It is confirmed with um, hey
>> Dr. Fonder and it'll be at 5:30. >> 5:30. And, uh, community relations uh, with Miss Locker. Miss Lockin is not here this evening. Mr. Beers, you mentioned that you would be interested in setting up a meeting sometime soon. I know you had a few things you wanted to discuss so we can get that on the uh, >> absolutely >> on the schedule. I'll talk to Jen as
soon as she gets back. All right. Are there any liaison or delegate reports this evening? >> Yeah. Um, we had a successful DED Foundation of Bridgewater Ren had a very successful third annual golf outing and
um a lot of u good funds were raised for grants for our staff members. So it was a great success and Mr. Moran was the uh the organizer and we did a wonderful uh outing in spite of the rains. [laughter]
>> Yeah. Thanks to the Ed Foundation uh for that. It was a great meal at least. I get the golf in the rain, but it looked like everyone who who did had fun. Any other >> really wet say it was pouring at the end pretty hard. [laughter] >> I'm sure everyone finished all all 18 holes, right?
>> A lot didn't. We actually we we we we persevered through and finished all 18 holes. It was fun. >> I don't know, Mike. It was dry in the clubhouse, wasn't it? >> It was. I was I was very comfortable in the clubhouse. >> Your friend. >> All right. Uh uh from the burrow of Raritan, just two things. both relating
to the Police Benevolence Association, the uh the PBA. They are hosting on SAT uh this Saturday from noon to 6:00 right on Somerset Street their first uh street fair or at least the first street fair in a long time. Uh free for everybody to
come. Uh be activities for kids, some bounce houses. Uh there are I think as many as 50 food trucks and and vendors who will be there. There'll be live music. Um so thank you to the PPA for uh providing that. It's been a uh look forward to seeing everyone or hopefully
seeing a lot of people and hopefully hope hopefully have nice weather for the uh street fair this Saturday afternoon in Ritan. Also, the PBA is running a um school supply drive for students at uh Kennedy School. So, thank you very much
as as they do every year. So, thanks to the PBA for uh providing that very important resource for uh kids in Ritan and in our district. >> It's this Saturday, right? >> I believe it's this Saturday. Okay, let me can confirm. It is uh Saturday, July
25th uh from 12 to 6 o'clock on West Somerset Street. So, right in the So, so right downtown over 50 food and craft vendors, live music and family activities. >> That's a great question. Um
I [clears throat] I I I know when they have the Baselone uh parade that the banks there are a number of banks right in that area open up their um municipal building lots >> there. There's a lot >> there anymore. >> There's a big lot in the municipal building and the police station. I'm not sure if that'll be open, but there are a
lot of side streets. I don't think there should be many street closures outside of Somerset Street itself. So, I I think parking should be fairly uh I I I don't think it should be too bad, but that's a good question. You you can park in my building if if
you really want to. I mean, I'm I'm like a half a block away. All right. Any further liaison or delegate reports? All right, seeing none, we are moving on to item nine of the agenda and that is open to the public. Individuals and/or
groups are invited to present their concerns, comments, and requests to the board of education at this time for any matter. In accordance with board policy, members of the public are allotted one opportunity to address the board for a maximum of five minutes during this
portion of the meeting. And please be advised that a video recording of this meeting will be posted on the district's website. Uh is there anyone who would like to address the board this evening on any matter? And if you could just uh give us your
name and town of residence uh before you begin. >> Uh my name is Chris. I live in Bridgewater. Uh I was here earlier uh the school year complaining about how this started in July. How the brother
guard school which had left windows open, boards on and doors wide open. Well, it's still going on. school ended what uh June 12 13 14th there still are are four smartboards on windows are
being left open air conditions are being run at night I usually take my walk at night 9 10 11 o'clock at night and I was taught my previous positions in work if I don't if I don't document it it never happened so I take pictures every time I
find smartboards on windows open last weekend the windows were left all open there's a bird stuck in uh be uh A3 A14. Um I'm glad that the teacher in A13 following up leaving her Etsy account up on and she turned off her account for
her Smartboard this summer. But C3 still has a Smartboard on. It's on all the time. It was on all summer. I came in September, October, complained about it. Still has it on. I just think it's ridiculous you having it on. uh your contractors who are running the um
school now have the gym light on. The gym lights on seven days a week, 24 hours a day. It's ridiculous that you're wasting all this electric and time. Also, classroom uh B9 uh B9 B11 have air conditioning on running at night most of
the time. Also, B11 another room was smartboard on. And then in December, uh I think it was uh the 20 um the 15th when you had a big snowstorm, whoever's plowing decided to hit the the gate in the back, rip it off and leave in the
middle of um Ardmir and Pine. I almost hit it. The um county uh when they were doing the um recycling was nice enough to pull out of the middle of the street. It was left there for about two days on the corner of uh Pine and Ardinir.
Sorry. Um, Pine and Bram, my mistake. It just this you have one. Why are we wasting so much money and electric at the school? I've walked past like uh JFK. They're keeping everything off. They were smart after last year. They
are keeping doors closed, locked, and everything. I have pictures of all these windows. I just stopped there before I came here. I found six windows unlocked, wide open. Um, and again, smart birds are on. I just would like to see stuff stop being wasted because everybody's
talking about green this, green that. Why are we wasting like I have pictures if you want. Thank you. Thank you very much for coming, sir. Anyone else uh with comment for the board tonight? Again, this is the one
opportunity for comment on any matter. Okay, seeing none, I'm going to close the section of public comment and we are going to move on to section 10, which is approval of the minutes. Uh, do I have a motion for the approval
of the minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Before we uh vote, before we have any discussion, I'd just like to comment that um the May 19th minutes for close session, the first close session and the second close session have been have been added to the agenda and they are in the
folder. Any discussion on the minutes? Seeing none, Mr. Lomsky, please call the role. >> Mr. Singer, >> yes. >> Dr. Lee, >> abstain. >> Mr. Ly.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jooshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Muna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. The motion carries. We're up to personnel. Personnel 2701 and personnel 2702.
It's It's strange to see 27 instead of 26 there. It's hard to believe we're into that that year already. But nonetheless, personnel 2701 and 2702. >> So moved. >> So there. Okay. a motion and and a and a second. Any discussion on the personnel addendum?
>> I have a little bit of just a question, >> Mr. Lee. >> Just to clarify for members of the public, um with these uh certified staff evalu evaluation frameworks, those are the same as we've used in the past. Correct.
>> Yes. For our certified professionals, we generally use the Danielson framework, which is one of the state approved ones and probably the most commonly used one. Um we've been using it for um over 15 years. And then uh for the the uh
principles and administrators, we use the one developed through the department of ed, the uh NJ people is the the name of it. Um and we've used these for the last number of years. So this uh attachment for the board is actually the same exact document just with a new personnel label as uh as last year.
There's no change there. Mhm. >> And then for the personnel addendum, I know there's a lot of um movement of classrooms. So that's related to the collective bargaining agreement, correct? As some teachers have to, you know, spend a lot of time moving between
buildings and classrooms with the new changes from the referendum. >> Yeah. So, we we uh our district is one of the most transparent in the state because I've looked for other uh contracts, and some districts are harder to find, but ours, it's very easy to find the contracts for our collective bargaining agreements in the uh business
section of the of the uh website. Uh page 20 has an addition for this contract uh that is specifically for elementary teachers who are moving a classroom that they would be paid uh the equivalent of the curriculum rate, which
is $312. Because we're doing the reconfiguration of schools, we have lots of teachers moving. Normally in a regular school year, there'd be, you know, dozens and and this year there's a lot more than that. Uh between the fourth grade teachers moving, the sixth grade teachers moving and then also
movement within the buildings as we're uh implementing full day kindergarten and have a lot of other uh district priorities uh that are that are happening in the buildings. >> All right, that's all my questions. Thank you. >> Just to follow up on that, it's a good point, Mr. Lee. Uh, I'm guessing there are probably plenty of teachers who are
spending well more than that one day making their classrooms the best place for our students. Yes, if I know anything about teachers of those grades. >> As somebody who was an elementary teacher in Bridgewater Ren for a number of years and moved my classroom three times uh and then one time to a different school. Uh, yes. It takes well
more than than a day. So, it's very nice that the uh the board and the the Bar were able to agree on on something that's reasonable for for both parties and acknowledges the time and effort that goes into that. Any further discussion?
Okay, seeing none, Mr. Lomsky, please call the role. >> Mr. Singer, >> yes. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney, >> yes. >> Mr. Jooshi, >> yes. >> Mr. Walker, >> yes. >> Missa, >> yes.
>> Mr. Pepe, >> yes. >> The motion carries. >> We [clears throat] are up to >> Would it be all right if I jump? >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry, Dr. Fonder. Yes. you I I told you I would no more you remember I would I tell you 30 seconds ago I was telling myself don't forget to go to Dr. fonder and I did. So,
>> I was just going to jump in. There's on the agenda there's no assistant superintendent report, but I was just going to jump in with something quickly here since we just did the the personnel section. Um, we had a really great recruitment season uh in in the district. Uh the the board of education saw lots of our new hires between the
May, June, and and July this one uh personnel addendum. There's not going to be that many more in August for a very good reason that we've done a lot of the hiring much earlier than than we had in the past. Uh that's a a a tribute to the the human resources professionals that work in the district, all the district
administrators, but really even beyond that, everybody, the secretaries that work at the administration building and in the schools, uh all the teachers and staff. I I I remember saying, this is some number of years ago, it might have even been when Dr. Fakara was the interim superintendent, that uh while
other districts were having trouble finding people, we were still in a in a in an okay place. uh partially because Bridgewater Raridan is an easy district to get to. We have a lot of highways running through the school and we're we're fairly centrally located. Uh what I found more recently definitely over
the last couple of years is we really are like a destination district and in a way where when one of the questions I ask when I'm doing uh final interviews with all the certificated staff is you know what what made you interested in this position when I say this position I mean Bridgewater Raridan in addition to being a a high school English teacher or
kindergarten teacher whatever it is. Uh and there are a lot of people who are saying I wanted to work in Bridgewater Radaran. Uh people from other districts saying I was waiting for there to be an opening in in my field in Bridgewater Riden. And then also uh at the college university level, a lot of people
seeking out the Bridgewater Radaran table, uh seeking out interviews with Bridgewater Riden. We have a lot of people who who really uh were coming out of school and saying Bridgewater Riden was was tops on my list uh of places to work. Um, when I ask people like, you know, about that, they say that they
hear it from people who live in the town that are residents and say, "It's a great school district." And, you know, like we've we've had so much success there. My kids love it. Um, I went there maybe. Uh, we've also had people talk about how current staff members have told them about working in Bridgewater Riden and and all the positives related
to that. Um, we are really looking forward to kind of then focusing on those new staff members and welcoming them. We do a new staff orientation this year. The first day of that is is August 31st. We typically partner with the the BRA to to make sure that there's a warm welcome for
everyone. Um so we'll be doing some kind of welcome for the new staff members and then they'll get joined by all the teachers and staff who report on uh Wednesday, September 2nd. Uh and that's really when the people feel most welcomed when they they have the returning staff there as well and and they and they feel a part of a of a
great school district community. Um I'm happy to to to share that uh you know we're in such a good staffing place uh better than we've been other summers past which I think is a tribute to kind of our district being efficient but also
attractive to to job seekers. Uh we do still look are still looking for this is a good opportunity for me to you know share this uh substitutes especially in certified positions like substitute bus drivers certified teachers who want to be substitutes with us. Uh we have that $173 a day rate uh for certified
teachers for next year and also for certified nurses who'd like to be our substitute nurses. Um I am predicting a question that Mr. Lee could ask of what about the positions we didn't fill. So right now if you go onto our district website in the employment opportunity
section uh there there is a leave replacement special education elementary teacher at Adamsville school. So if anyone knows anyone who might be interested in a position like that, that's a position we're still hiring for. That's actually right now the only certified staff position that we have open. Uh there could be other leave replacement positions that come
available, but right now that's the only one that we have an active posting for. And then we're looking for a uh lacrosse head coach for the spring. Uh so we have time, but uh but we we we'd like to get somebody into that role uh sooner rather than later. The only other thing I wanted to mention while [laughter] I have the uh the
microphone [clears throat] is uh this is tangentially related to personnel is we carefully monitor the enrollment especially at the primary schools where we have the seven schools to make sure that our class sizes are where we want them to be. Uh the district administration and the board of education have been really kind of
determined to make sure that even through these very difficult budget years we've had that the the student experience is something that we're we're not sacrificing. uh there is a board policy that kind of guides what the ideal class sizes are and we've really tried to to hold to that even as we've
you know had some shifts in enrollment and we've implemented full day kindergarten at the uh two schools last year and then and coming up this year at all the schools the uh kindergarten class sizes that we have now with the number of kindergarten students is 15 to 21 students per class uh JFK school
there's slightly fewer than that but we expect more later registrations because of the the number of rental properties ities in in the area. Uh first grade our class size range is 15 to 22 and then in second and third grade it's 17 to 23. Those are exactly where we want them to
be. we have uh enough room to kind of absorb uh students who might be late registrants, but we have predicted for, you know, uh based on previous years and our experience of of of where we want the class sizes to be and and we're looking forward to a great start to the
school year with class sizes that are uh really ideal for elementary school teaching. >> That's it. >> Thank you very much. It was a great update. >> Thanks. >> Appreciate it. All right. Now we will move on to curriculum 2701 through
curriculum 2703. Uh do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion and a second. Uh any discussion? I just wanted to say for my part, I'm going to be recusing myself on curriculum 2703, which is uh has to do
with the acceptance of a J1 visa student because I uh personally know one of the people involved in preparing the um the application. So, I'm going to recuse myself for that for that reason. Although, generally speaking, I'm glad that the board has decided to give this
a try and go in this direction because I think it's good for our community. But I'll uh recuse myself in this specific student. Any further discussion, Mr. Lee? Um, I know that we're going to have one of the new courses as well, the AP business with personal finances. This is going to be the first year that
Bridgewwater Ritan offers this. So, I guess this new textbook purchase is related to that. Correct. >> Yes, Jeremy, you're absolutely correct. And it's not just Bridgewater or Raritin. It's a new AP course that College Board is offering. So, that is what the new textbook is for. It's a
brand new course. >> All right. Perfect. Thank you. It's great too because we hear that's one of the things we hear a lot of from the community is and maybe not necessarily in the terms of advanced placement work but just in general personal finance and being able to handle your personal finances and having that skill moving
on. So I think it's great the district is >> I think we have excellent enrollment right now like better than we even predicted so it's exciting. Yes. >> Awesome. That's great to hear. I have a question. >> Muna, >> I was wondering is it um breaking any sort of confidentiality to ask are the
Jaywin students going to be at the high school or are they somewhere else in the district? >> They're high school. Now, we did add the paperwork into the board drive. We did it late today. It was added because actually we were still collecting. We have a whole checklist of forms that we
need to collect and verify when we um you know approve students. So, that's why it was so late. next time. Hopefully we'll get that to you earlier. But yes, >> I and I think the J1 program is exclusively for high school students. >> I think so, too. >> Or some age range that's close to that.
Yes. >> I think that's reflected in our policy also. But good question. >> Any other comments or questions from the board? >> All right, Mr. WSKY, you please call the role for curriculum. Mr. Singer. >> Yes.
>> Dr. Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jooshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Muna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> I recuse myself on curriculum 2703
and yes on one and two. >> Okay. Motion carries. All right. Moving on to business. Uh 2701 through 2716. >> So moved. >> Motion. Is there a second? Second. Okay.
Motion in a second. Any discussion or comments from the board? >> I have a >> Mr. Lee discussion. >> I mean, we we I only realized pretty recently, but we had a couple of a good number of new agenda items that were
added. They were added at, you know, 400 p.m. or so, and I I don't I don't think this board has had enough time to review it. I mean, it's we haven't had enough time to actually go through a lot of these uh different agenda items. You
know, the RFQ, we didn't really have a lot of time to review some new agreements and some of the new purchases, the new change order. You know, we didn't have any that much time to uh to really actually go through a lot of these new additions. Um, and I
don't want to say I'm opposed to anything here, but I don't think it's right for us to be adding agenda items two hours before the meeting and and you know, expecting the board to approve it because we just didn't have the time to actually review this and ask the
questions that we wanted to ask. And I don't think it's right to be approving it at this meeting. We should we should be approving this at the next meeting really um instead of approving it last minute when we haven't really had enough of an opportunity to actually read through all of this. Uh so I'd like to
make a motion to postpone this. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to postpone business 2711, 2712, 2713,
2714, 2715, and 2716 for approval at the next meeting. >> Can just for my clarification, can you say that again? I'd like to move to postpone business resolution 2711
to 2716. >> Okay. So, >> to the next board of education meeting. >> 2711 is what we discussed in close session. Right. >> But this was added to the agenda 2 hours before. >> Okay. But we were able to but just so the public knows that this didn't just
>> We're not I'm not talking about one thing. I'm talking about 2711 to 27. I made my motion. There's no debate. Is there a second? Mr. >> Jeremy, I'm the superintendent of schools and I'm going to chime in when I when I when I need clarification. Let me fill you in on that little secret. >> No. >> Okay. So, right now there's a motion on
the floor to postpone. Mr. Mr. Beers was asking a clarifying question. He's more than welcome to do that >> to make sure we have exactly your intention uh captured in the motion. >> So, 2711 the approval of the settlement >> to 2716.
>> Okay. I'd like to make a motion to postpone approval of these business resolutions to the next meeting. >> All right. Thank you. Just so I'm aware of this. >> I appre I I just wanted for the record that we did discuss the one in Okay. close session. >> Right. And there's a motion on the
floor. >> Second. >> Okay. A motion and a second. All right. Discussion on the motion. >> I have some discussion. >> I'm going to give anyone else a chance because you did discuss it actually a lot. But point of point of order,
>> Mr. Lee point of order talked about the motion before you made it. No point of order. Someone else excel is here. Does anyone have any discussion on Mr. Point order? You're supposed to recognize the person who first made the motion. You're not doing that. >> So, if we postpone these uh items that
Mr. Lee has indicated um would that um prevent certain projects from moving forward? Are these if >> would it would two of them can I speak or No,
>> absolutely. >> Just just a couple of them so you understand on 2714. I I really can't speak to when they went on the agenda, but what I can say is that's the money that's awarded to us for the grants, the title 1, 2, 3, and four. They just give
you a set amount that that's what you're approving that we accept that money. I work like behind the scenes doing the application, which takes quite a while. Um, it's due July 30th, but as part of the application, you have to put the date that the board's going to approve accepting the money. So, it would just
have to wait till August, but then we can't spend the title money. So, you know, title one is for two elementary schools, title two is the professional development, title three is for our English language learners. Some of this poor timing is just when the state
released the grant because trust me, I get right on that. And then title 4 is to it's really expanding programs. We work with our non-public schools on this. Um and then just related to that, like the 2715,
there's a part of title one where you're actually allocated like a specific they give they tell you the amount of money that you're allocated for a neglect. it's neglected neglected funds and that would be for students who are in residential um places like visions and
pathways. So um they tell you this is the amount that they're giving and then when we have students who are considered neglected students they would receive counseling through that. So that would just have to wait until it's approved. And then the competitive contracting
award that and you'll be able to explain explain this a little better Kevin but you know when we are looking to do professional development and we do an RFP where we're um having people submit to do this professional development for a year. You know we have to wait a
certain number of days. They give us the contracts. We have to open them. We use a rubric. There's a scoring process with multiple people. And so it's just, you know, it's a it's a lengthy process. Um, again, it can wait till August. The
thing is we can't hire anyone until it's approved. Am I correct on that or I don't know. That's all I know. >> Correct. The vendor can't perform any work until they're approved. So, I don't know when you planned on having that professional development, but >> right for us, it would start in
September. What we would need to be able to do is just um be able to secure specific dates. So, if we have to wait for the next board meeting to approve the dates, that's could be challenging. But otherwise, you know, we're not going to start professional development in August.
>> So, I'd like to resp please please wait to be recognized, Mr. Lee. Thank you. >> Sorry. I appreciate you letting me know about that specific grant information. I will >> still respectfully you haven't been recognized. I someone I wanted to see if someone else would like to speak. Mr. Singer, would you like to say something?
>> Yes, please. >> Mr. Singer is recognized. Um, with regard to business 2711 through business 2716, there's only one of those agenda items that actually has an attachment and it's so there's very little to have
been read in preparation for this meeting. Um, and the only one that actually has an attachment is business 2712, which is our agreement with the ESC for them to purchase lunches for us, which it's my understanding is what we do every single year. Um, so it's the
same pretty same same agreement pretty much year after year. Um, so with that in mind, having read through the agenda before the meeting, I'm comfortable with the additions to the agenda. >> Thank you, Mr. Singer. Mr. Melani,
>> just really quick, there is something also for 2711, but that was sent to us yesterday. So I think we all had that 24 hours ago and could have read it. >> We had a lengthy discussion. Well, we we had discussion. We had a fullome discussion meeting. Yes. So we have had that in session
>> more than just a few hours. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Lee. >> On the point about 2711, it's true that this was discussed in close session. However, we were given only maybe out of that whole discussion. The close session
lasts about 30 minutes and it's obviously it's important that people in the public most importantly have an opportunity to review this. I don't think members of the public are, you know, hitting refresh, you know, uh, minutes before a meeting to see whether
or not, uh, you know, there's been new changes. And I think, uh, members of the public expect us to make sure that things as important as a settlement agreement are on the agenda well ahead of time so that members of the public can view it and if they wish to can
speak about the issue here in public. Um, and just to address uh, um, Mrs. Jones, Dr. Jones's point. Um, I I understand the importance of making sure this is approved on time. The board can decide to have more meetings, but we
chose to cut meetings and that's why we're going to meet next August at the end of August, even though we're already, you know, halfway through the summer. We could have approved this two weeks ago. We could have approved that. We can approve, we can decide to make a vote to approve this 3 days from now. we
can make a vote to approve this one week from now to make sure we're actually following all these different timelines. Um, but the board chooses not to have those meetings. Um, and then also as well and but I do want to recognize the importance of these grants. I don't I'm
not saying I oppose anything on the agenda, but what I'm saying is I oppose the fact that they've been added last minute. I don't think members of the public were given enough time to actually think through what they would want to see in the agenda and think through uh you know sort of questions
they would have for the administration or or have an opportunity to prepare any remarks that they want to bring up during public comment. Um and then to Mr. Singer's point about how only a couple of these had attachments. We still may have questions about these agenda items and we got to email them to
the administration ahead of time and we got to wait for a response and it's really unfeasible to do infeasible to do that within a less than 2hour timeline especially because if it's coming out of four a lot of us are coming out of work a lot of us are busy during that time um
so I want to note that as well um this is ultimately about my opposition to approving it now but perhaps it can be looked at later once All board members have really thoroughly gone through uh the agenda and you know had more than two hours to go through this
>> point of information just to make it clear we've always had one meeting per month in July and August correct summer >> I believe that's a long-standing practice of the board and just to push back a little bit on that miss Mr. We also have the meeting to ask questions.
Obviously, it's good to get questions out ahead of time, especially very specific ones, but we're having a discussion about this right now. I mean, there is only one attachment. I'm not sure if has has I'm not sure if the administration has ever in the, you
know, 100 plus years history of this um district gotten a question about the lunch vending agreement with Ed services. Not to belittle it, but I I'm I'm not sure if that comes up very often. and the board can have a discussion about about it now if it so chooses. Um, but thank you for your
motion. Any further discussion on Mr. Lee's motion? >> I have just one last remark. >> Sure. Sure thing. Just to summarize, even if we did discuss and even if we had that conversation, Mr. President, members of the public probably would not have had the opportunity to clearly review these agenda items that were
added. And because a lot of these things are well, one of them is very important and the other stuff are still noteworthy for people to review. It's important that they have that ample opportunity. Um, and I don't think that they were given that opportunity. >> Of course, Dr. >> I just want to say one more thing that I
don't think I clarified this. This is good to know, too. Um, when we're talking about the competitive contracting awards, actually, we pay for those out of title 2 money. So the professional development money that we get through the federal grant we use to
um bring in cons one of the ways we use them is to bring in consultants to provide the professional development. So just so you know that's not something that's like in addition in the budget. That's >> they're linked together. >> Yeah, they're linked they Yes, they are linked together. >> Thank you for that clarification. >> And and I should also say last year's
deadline from the state was October 30th. Okay. >> Oh, [laughter] so they threw threw this uh they threw you a curveball. Makes sense, right? Uh, Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the role on Mr. Lee's motion to postpone U 2711 through 2716?
>> Mr. Singer, >> no. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney, >> no. >> Mr. Jooshi, >> no. >> Mr. Walker, >> no. >> Miss Hassuna, >> no. >> Mr. Pepe, >> no. The motion does not carry. All
right, we come back to the business agenda. Any co any further discussion on the business agenda? >> I have Thank you. >> Um just for my just for the public's clarification, can you walk through the force concrete and masonry corpiser
classroom renovation uh I believe it's uh the oh sorry I'm looking the GL group uh middle school interior renovation. There is a use of allowance of 24,000. And I was wondering if you could uh talk a little bit about uh what was that use of allowance for
>> for clarification. We're on business 2705 in case anyone's curious. >> Thank you, Mr. Singer. I appreciate that. >> Yeah, >> new change order. >> I I think that question well >> the change order is for additional
asbestous that was uncovered during some of the demolition. um this exceeded the kind of allotted amount that was put into the bid. So that's why that's a an extra cost and additional light fixtures in two of the
classrooms. >> All right. And that's all in addition, >> correct? >> That's all in an addition. Okay. >> M >> Oh, no. This is part of the classroom renovations, not the addition project. >> Okay. >> And I received this this morning from our architects. So that's why it came in
late. >> No worries. Thank you. >> Right. For my part, I would like to thank uh our generous uh donors who have donated to the district uh the Crim uh primary school PTO for uh their donation of electric projector screen. Maybe it's
movie night. I'm not sure. Sounds like fun. Uh the Crim School PTO again for uh classroom uh books for books for classroom libraries. And in particular, a uh a big thank you to the friends of the Bridgewater Library who have donated who have made a
a very generous $50,000 donation um to the district um for and I believe the intention is to is for that to be used for as much as possible for books for libraries is my understanding. So, thank you for the very generous donation from the friends of the Bridgewater Library
and for everything they do uh and have done to make the library a place for everyone, our students. And I I was there earlier today. It was busy and and getting a lot of use. And I know they have they they do a lot to make that
library a great place to be in addition to the staff there. Any further discussion? >> Mr. LSK, can you please call the role uh for the business agenda? >> Mr. Singer. >> I'm recusing myself from business 2701. I'm abstaining on business 2708.
>> Yes to everything else. >> Dr. Lee, >> abstain. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes to 2701. Yes to 2702. Um, for 2703, I will abstain on the CM3. Music and
Arts, Briggs Associates, MAP, Restaurant Supplies, Curriculum Associates, uh, purchases. Yes. On the >> slow down a little. Okay. >> For 2703. For 2704.
Uh, yes. 2705. Yes. 2706. Yes. 20 2707. Yes. 2708. 2709. Yes.
2710. Yes. Uh 2711 abstain. Yes. To 2712. Yes to 2713. 2714. Uh and then yes to 2715. And then abstain on 2716.
>> Sorry to interrupt. Mr. Wsky. Are you good? Are you satisfied with that? I know you had a lot to to to note down there. >> I got it. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Mr. Maloney. >> Um, I'll abstain on 2701 and yes for everything else. >> Mr. Joshi,
>> yes. >> Mr. Walker, >> I will recuse myself on 27-12 and yes to all the others. >> Mrs. Sunna, >> just yes. >> Mr. Pepe, >> yes. And I believe the entire motion passes.
>> Correct. Thank you. Right. That brings us to special services 2701 through 2703. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion and a second. Any
discussion on special services? >> I'd like to be recognized. >> Dr. Lee. >> Um I think uh it's great to see that we're making an investment in special education. I would like to uh get a little more knowledge about what's the current status. Uh how is the program
right now? Where is it offered right now versus what is this new uh expansion? >> You're talking about 2703 >> establishment of a special education program at the middle school. >> Sure. So, so what we have in this in
this case is we have students who are aging up, right? So, they're currently in our system. They are our students. They're going to be housed at the middle school um next year. We're talking about a program that has seven students, one
teacher, and four instructional aids. This is an autistic program. Um the the benefits of obviously offering um instruction to uh disabled students wi within our boundaries is as follows.
Um well, there are a couple couple things. One, we believe we can do a better job than out of district providers. And two, it it provides parents the opportunity to send their their children to the neighborhood school versus when students
are placed out of district. Uh many times they're placed on a bus, it can be some distance away and and a student with a disability, it it um it can be a difficult uh transition. So that's what the purpose of this is and
and part of it is expedited with um the movement of sixth grade to the middle school. So these programs again the the age range can be over three grades. So we're looking we're looking at students within that age group and right now there are seven students again one
faculty member three instructional aids and they have been reassigned from prior uh uh assignments again because this is a group of students who's aging up um but but uh you know for for the purposes
of code etc you have to actually create the program in the school um that it's going to take place in. So, it's really not a a new program, just one that's continuing with the students that it currently serves. I hope that answered your question. >> What's the plan when they further age
up? Do we plan to establish STEM in high school? >> Absolutely. >> They they have a program. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And then to me, the biggest takeaway from the this is discussed in the in in the meeting notes that went out to the board is the ability kids to stay for the students to stay in in
their school with their friends with people they know from the neighborhood. Absolutely. And and and >> and as as to the greatest extent possible um be mainstreamed with with students from around the school >> and familiarity and routine are are very important for students. We also
currently have autism classes at Crim, Bradley Gardens, Miltown, Hillside, and the high school. So, this will fill that gap. >> Is um Mr. Beers, I know we have the unified program at the high school. >> Is there any uh program in place at the
middle school? >> There is. >> There is. Okay, that that's great because I I see it. It's a little more visible at the high school, but it's wonderful that it's happening at the middle school as well. And we'll go perfectly with this. Absolutely. >> New program if approved. >> Okay. Any further discussion?
>> I have more regarding this if everyone else is done yet or wanted to say more. >> Thank you for that. Let me see. Anyone else have anything on the business? I'm sorry. The special services. Dr. Lee, go ahead. >> Okay. Uh, so I was curious like are are there changes in whether they're in the genet classroom or are they in a
self-contained classroom with this program? >> This program is largely self-contained. >> Okay. So what's our consideration for the uh least restrictive environment for this group of students? >> We we do all the time. I now I I didn't
know I it was going to be an interrogation on on the specifics, but anytime we possibly can, right? Uh the goal of special education is to to integrate students as much as possible with the general population. And there are times that they do it,
whether it's um what's the name of the fizz class? the uh >> PE partners um you know during lunchtime during electives and things like that students are are uh I don't want to say mainstreamed but they they are uh they
interact with the general student body at different times but we can certainly provide you more information Dr. Sylvia is away this week but if you'd like that I I can have him send you and have a conversation with you on specifics. >> Yes I would like to follow up on it.
Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I any further discussion on special services? >> Further discussion, >> Mr. Lee? >> Yes. Um, so I'd just like to say I think it's um it's definitely something that's worth looking into and I just want to make sure that obviously members of the public have a little more information
beyond just we're establishing this program. Um, so what's I guess kind of the incremental cost to offering this program versus what we currently have and you know from an alternatives perspective is the only alternative out
of out of district placements um or are there other sort of in-house solutions that have been considered? >> I'm not quite understanding the question because this is the in-house solution. But >> and it's it is a cost-effective program
as well. But I I would prefer not this is something that um it's cost effective for the district as well. But cost effective is one of the pro parameters that we utilize in this. Um the most important factor in our estimation is to
be able to keep students with a disability in their neighborhood schools. Um, so again, I I don't I don't want to muddle this where where you mix up a a student's outcome and opportunity with a number because under IDA that
doesn't factor into the consideration of of uh creating a program. >> I'm just asking what are some of the additional costs associated with the program? And I am telling you the costs as I had said previously
are a teacher and four instructional aids. >> So what is the cost? >> I I do not have that and I'm not going to go into it because I'm not going to muddle the cost of the program with a student's education because I might be vi excuse
me. Can you shut off your microphone? I'm talking Please shut off your microphone. I am answering your question. >> Thank you, Mr. Lee. >> Please shut off your microphone. >> I'll wait. I'll wait.
>> Mr. Lee, now you're Mr. Lee. I am going to say this as calmly and as succinctly as I possibly can. I'll wait for your attention. Do I have your attention?
The benefit of this program is that we are able to keep students in a school with their peers in a neighborhood. It's advantageous for the students. This program is comprised of a teacher
and four instructional aids. I am not going to provide you in this venue with statistics or a costbenefit analysis because you know why that would violate IDA.
Why would it violate it do you ask? Do I have your attention? Because I see you writing and I don't feel I have your full attention. The goal in special ed is to provide the best possible outcome of for students
with a disability. Muddying this issue could leave the district liable. I suggest that you take that advice and I'm answering your question as best I can, but I believe it's time to move on.
I agree. Any further uh comments from the board? Seeing none, Mr. Lanssky, can you please call the role for special services uh one through three? >> Mr. Singer, >> yes. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney, >> yes.
>> Mr. Jooshi, >> yes. >> Mr. Walker, >> recuse on SS 2701 and yes on the others. >> Mr. Sunna, >> yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. The motion carries. Hurry up. We
are up to other 2701 and 2702. >> So move. >> Motion in a second. Any disc any discussion would need to be in close session. Okay. Uh Mr. Lky, can you please call the role for other?
>> Mr. Singer. >> For other 2701, I will abstain on 31 310951. Yes. on the rest for other 2702 I will recuse on 39 309173 yes on the rest
>> Dr. Lee >> absain on 2702 yes on 2701 >> Mr. Lee >> uh yes to 2701 and abstain on 2702
>> Mr. Maloney. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jooshi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Walker. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sunna. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pepe. >> Yes. The motion. Uh the motion carries. Right. That brings us to policy. Uh once
again, we're going to go by uh academ by by committee. So let's start with policy 2701 and 2702. Do I have a motion for the academic committee policies and regulations? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion and a second. Any
discussion on the policies? >> I have a motion. >> Okay. Please wait to be recognized first. Mr. Lee. Any discussion? Mr. Lee. >> I move to postpone policy resolution
2701 and 2702 to the next BOE meeting. >> Okay. Motion to postpone. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any discussion? Mr. Lee, since you didn't make any comments beforehand and to explain it, I'll give you the chance to go first.
>> Thank you. >> Like, >> it's the middle of July and so families are packing up their cars for summer road trips. They're managing child care. They're trying to earn a well-deserved break. As you can see, we don't have a
very big crowd today. Uh they don't really care as much about, you know, what the board of vet is doing because it's summertime. Kids are in summer camp. People are not in school. And this for the rest of the board majority seems to be the best opportunity apparently to roll out this
big omnibus policy change. The single bundled package has a lot of sweeping fundamental alterations to a lot of critical policies and there's a lot of new material that I think deserves more consideration and deserves more scrutiny
particularly from the public. We're seeing changes to graduation pathways, curriculum transparency, library curation, equity frameworks, and there are nearly 50 pages of text involved here. when you look at the
original attachment. So when we bundle these dozens of pages of all these different educational shifts we put into one single package and we try and push it through the quietest moments of the summer, especially after having cut meetings
repeatedly over the last several years to limit opportunities for members of the public to speak up about this. It doesn't serve the public. This is the board majority hiding from the public as it relates to these board policies and proving pushing them through while
people aren't paying attention. Our community deserves complete transparency. They deserve deliberate and careful governance. They deserve to be treated like adults. This policy post to postpone seeks to hit the brakes on
this process being done in the middle of the summer when no one is watching. It seeks to ensure that these massive changes are not pushed out all at once. That's not a thing in a deliberate attempt to stifle. No, you cannot. She cannot interrupt. >> We're not lying. >> She's not allowed to interrupt me.
You're lying. >> No, that's not a point of order. You cannot interrupt me. Can I please I put out point of orders repeatedly and I've never been heard. She's putting out a point of information. I'd like to finish my remarks before I hear her point of information. I deserve I think I deserve a little bit of decorum. >> I'm I'm I'm going to hear the point of
information. >> Point of information. Hypocritical question Mr. L Mr. Beers if we have done everything to provide this information in advance did we not discuss all of these before and did we not put these out on the agenda in advance as
required. So just to clarify that we're not hiding anything >> and these are second point of order excuse me point of order. You see you're listening to her point of order but you're not listening to my point of order. >> Do you see how that's hypocritical here? >> I'm not getting any decorum. This is why you don't get any decorum cuz I don't
get any. >> Oh god. >> I'm I'm trying to finish my remarks back and you won't let me talk. >> Thank you, Mr. Sunna. Mr. Lee, I gave you another minute. >> I'm just shocked by the amount of hypocrisy this board has. They ask me to be decorum, turn off my microphone, yet
I'm interrupted repeatedly with point of orders. I bring up point of orders and and they never get heard other people with a point of information. Continue. I will continue. By postponing this vote, this delay will guarantee that every single policy gets
careful scrutiny, particularly during the school year when parents are actually learning and figuring out what's going on here at the board of ed versus in the middle of the summer when no one is paying attention. This status quo approach relies on bundling and
rushing through policies while no one is watching. It attempts to overwhelm members of the public with a massive document dump while the public is disengaged. And we're treating public oversight as an inconvenience to be bypassed. But the vision of this
po postponement seeks to build is one of deliberate and uh deliberate and careful governance. It replaces the rushed summer rubber stamp with a thorough and transparent review process so that we make sure that no policy that affects a
child's future is ever passed in the shadows when people aren't watching. The board owes it to our families to debate these massive changes during the school year rather than rushing them through while the whole community is on vacation. And for these re reasons, I
urge my colleagues on this board to vote yes to postpone. >> Yes, >> of course. >> I I just want to make one comment because I do I hear what you're saying, Jeremy. I just want to point out that in the drive for academic committee, in the board drive that you all have access to
for academic committee, you can see the broadcast that came out from Strauss Esme in April of 2026 and almost every single one of these policy. I think there was one that wasn't on it. I mean, it's 1, two, I'm looking at now. 3 4 5 6
7 8. They were all on it in April. So, we had the academic committee at the beginning of June. So, certainly there we weren't seeking any kind of weird, you know, package to hide things from people. It was released in April. We did first reading in June. Here we're back in July for second reading. I mean, it
doesn't matter to me like if you change the policies or not because these are all compliance anyway. But that's when it was released. So I don't I can't speak for what the state I don't know how they make decisions or about when they release things. But I don't want anybody listening in the audience to think we did that. Of course
>> and and I'm just disgusted by the implication that >> honestly I like parents and partnering with parents. I think >> certainly and and and one thing that I think I draw from this community more more than anything is that >> families and and residents trust the school district. The school district is
one of the first things that people tell you about why they moved to this district and why they moved to Bridgewater, why they moved to Raritan because they have great schools. I parents I've heard so many good things about
teachers and administrators and to imply that there's a lack of trust. I know maybe in your fantasy world, Mr. the public's out there uh with with pitchforks coming at us. But this but these are two communities that trust their schools, trust their teachers, and
trust their educators with their with their children. And now there might be a pointer a pointer here and there that pe people disagree on. But this fantasy that you're broadcasting to the community, I think on deaf ears, honestly, because we haven't heard
anyone from the public tonight. I haven't got any email about any of this. Um, certainly you have you may have things that you disagree with, but to imply that the look, you can come at me if you want if I'm trying to do this. I didn't tell Straussme to send out those policy alerts when they did, but to
accuse the administration of oring this to try to sneak things through. Excuse me, I have the floor. >> That was the implication that could that listening to what you just said, no, I'm not going to let you draw from. I have the floor, Mr.
is is is really disgusting. So any further discussion on the motion to >> I I have >> Mr. Josh. >> So just for the public just for the public's knowledge, this is second reading. We had all these
policies up last meeting in June. So this is not the first time. No one is putting this through while everyone's on vacation. This is a second time, second reading as the procedure goes. And as Dr. Jones said, this was broadcasted out
in April. So this is going on four months. We're doing our jobs and approving policy as they come. There is no hiding here. And to lie to the public, as the president said, is disgusting,
frankly. >> What's a lie? >> Thank you. >> What? >> What's a lie? that we're passing this without public's knowledge. You said that in your statement that we're bundling this together while everyone's on vacation enjoying their summers.
Everyone enjoying their summer thinking this through. >> Yeah, that's true. >> This is the procedure. This is second reading. What does a second reading mean? >> We approved first reading, >> okay, >> in June when people when it was the summertime and we approved it also during the summer time while was in
July. >> Actually, it wasn't in the summer time. Our last meeting was before the end of school. >> Before the end, >> Mr. Singer, I have to say that. >> I'm sorry, Mr. Singer. >> Yeah. So, first of all, >> I apologize for the way I said that. Mr. Singer, >> our our our meeting was prior to graduation, so it was not summertime or
vacation or anything like that. Um, and postponing it to August when people still on vacation really not going to be the point. So, I guess you're going to try to postpone it to September. So rather than have the policy in place
that is required probably for September incorporation under the law I'm guessing for a lot of this under QAC uh you'll want to postpone it to sometime in September I'm guessing. Um I don't think it's necessary and I'll tell you why I don't think it's necessary. It's not necessary because we can pass a policy
tonight and we can propose a a revision to the policy at the next meeting. We can propose a revision to the policy by sending it to Dr. Jones and Mr. Johi in the academic committee and asking them for future revisions. Just like we're
revising these policies now, they can be revised later on. The timeline is somewhat irrelevant and I guess a red herring to Mr. Jooshi's point. >> I I have >> Okay. Any further any further discussion? >> I have some further discussion. >> Please.
>> No, I have some further discussion. >> I make a motion to call the question. >> Second. >> As a motion. >> I have a point of order. I have a point of order. a question. >> I have a point of order. >> What's your point of order, Mr. Lee? >> My point of order is that as a body smaller than 12, motions
to motions to close debate should not be entertained on bodies smaller than 12. >> I'm over I'm overruling that. Um >> I would like to appeal that decision. >> No. For somebody who's making a motion to postpone, Mr. Lee, you're dragging this out. All right. Uh Mr. Lumpsky, can you please call the role on the motion
to call the question on Mr. Lee's motion? I think that's a twothirds majority of those present in voting. >> Mr. Singer, >> yes. >> Dr. Lee, >> no. >> Mr. Lee, >> no. >> Mr. Maloney,
>> yes. >> Mr. Jooshi, >> yes. >> Mr. Walker, >> yes. >> Mr. Sunna, >> yes. >> Mr. Pepe, >> yes. That's a two-thirds majority. And the motion passes. So, we are on to Mr. Lee's motion to uh postpone policy 27.
Basically, the main motion that's on the floor. Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the motion on the motion? Call the role in the motion to postpone. >> Mr. Singer, >> no. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney, >> no. >> Mr. Jooshi? >> No. >> Mr. Walker? >> No.
>> Mr. Sunna? >> No. >> Mr. Pepe? >> No. The motion fails. All right. Any further discussion on policy 2701 and 2702? >> I have I have I have a motion. >> Hey, please wait, Mr. Lee, to be
recognized. Discussion on policy 2701 and 2702. Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> I move to divide policy 2701 on the adoption of the academic committee policies to consider each policy
separately as individual motions. I object to the making of the motion. >> Point of order. Point of order. Point of order. >> All right. There's no objection. Mr. Walker, just can you explain your reasoning? Second. >> There's no point of You cannot object.
>> Can't discuss motion to >> You cannot object to overrule. Mr. Lee, there's a motion on the floor right now. There's no second. >> What were you doing? >> You cannot You cannot object to an incidental motion. He says a motion to to to divide >> all those Roberts rules police.
>> Yeah, because that's the bylaws. >> You said >> okay. Right now there's a motion on I want to keep this clear from Mr. Lomsky who's uh taking minutes. There's a motion to divide the question policy by policy. Mr. Lee, do I understand you correctly? >> That is correct. >> Okay. Policy by policy for both uh one
and two, right? >> Okay. No, for policy 2701 only for >> just for 27 just for 2701. >> Yes. All right. Is there a second? >> Second. >> I object to the making of the motion. Okay. Debatable question.
>> Point of order. Point of order. >> So you object So you object to the consideration of the question. Does it sound right? >> Point. Point of order. >> Okay. >> Listen. You should you need >> Okay. >> All right. >> You can only object to consideration of
a question on the main motion. This is not a main motion. This is a motion to divide. >> I I'm going to go ahead and agree. I'm going to agree with Mr. Lee on that. I don't think this is the right time for that particular motion. >> Mr. Lee has done motions in the past that I have done. Yeah. >> So, >> that's not true. I've never done that in
the past. >> All right. Right now, I'm not hearing discussion on that. Mr. LSK, could you call the motion on the role to divide the question? [snorts] >> Mr. Singer, >> no. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney,
>> no. >> Mr. Jooshi, >> no. >> Mr. Walker, >> no. >> Mr. No, >> Mr. Pepe. >> No. The motion fails. All right. That brings us back to the main motion 2701 and 2702. Seeing none, >> I have a I have a I have a I have an amendment.
>> Mr. Lee, go ahead. Please. >> I move to amend policy 2701 to modify the existing policies with the language that I emailed to the board and the superintendent. >> Okay. I'm going to rule that motion out
of order. We are in second reading. I uh we have a substantial I'm sorry I'm in the middle of addressing your point. If you would like to appeal my ruling, you're welcome to. I'm going to rule that out of order at this time for the following reasons. One, this is second reading. According to our bylaws, the
second any substantive uh provisions need to be made during the first reading. Otherwise, we would have to go back to first reading. So, that's the first reason I'm going to overrule it. The second reason I'm going to overrule it is because I read through most of your uh motion. in the language that
that you emailed uh as I'm supposed to do per our bylaws whereas a recommendation at at the discretion of the board president can be um sent to the superintendent or to a board committee. the language that you sent is so
contrary to the ideas that to to to what the main motion to what the amended policy is trying to do it it it's not worth considering. Um and since it's second reading and it hasn't gone to any committee uh the superintendent I don't believe Mr. Beers
have you had time to exhaustively go over the very significant changes that Mr. Lee is seeking to make to our curriculum. I looked at it, but I do not think it's worthy of debate. >> Okay. So, I'm going to rule that point of order. I'm going to rule uh that amendment, that motion out of order for
now, >> and I would I would like to appeal the decision of the chair. >> I I I I respect that. Is there a second to appeal my decision? >> I have a point of information. >> Sure. >> Can a motion be ruled out of order? I I don't know. Just I just don't know how
this meeting can go. I I just >> We're on second reading. Um that that's my my decision for now. Uh you're welcome to um to to vote the other way. I won't take it personally if if you vote against my ruling though. >> I feel I would like to protect our board members ability to speak.
>> Um so >> that's fine. Right now just to be clear, there's a motion to appeal. Would you like to second that motion? >> Yes. >> Okay. So a motion in a second. Um does everyone understand my ruling? Any questions? >> Uh Mr. LMS. >> Point of order. Point of order. Point of
order. >> Yes, Mr. >> Point of order. The motion, >> yes, >> to appeal the decision of a chair is debatable. The chair can speak twice at the beginning, at the end of debate, and all members have one opportunity to speak on the motion to on the motion to
appeal the decision of the chair. So, if you'd like, you can speak once and I can speak, other members can speak once, and you can speak at the end, but this is a debatable motion. >> That sounds fair to me. Would you like to go first? >> I would. I'd like to address your first point about the fact that we can't amend second reading. If you actually read
through the bylaws, you would actually see that we can, as a matter of fact, amend second reading, but then we would essentially be passing these policies for first reading again. It would come back on for second uh reading at the August meeting. The only time that a
second reading can pass with any changes is for minor changes. But you mentioned that we cannot amend the second reading. We can amend a second reading but then it becomes a first reading of that because of the substantial changes. And then for your second point about the spirit of these policies, the board doesn't operate on the spirit of these
policies. We have the local authority to decide what we want as a district. And I want to make it clear that voting against this appeal of the no that voting in favor of this appealing the decision of the chair is a vote in favor of making sure that members of this
board can make m motions without it being unilaterally shot down by the board president which I don't think is a fair or reasonable governance procedure. Also want to make it uh make a note that we are allowed to make motions and we should be allowed to debate these
motions. And I also want to make a point as well that in in the very least we deserve to have a discussion about this amendment and talk about why you do or don't like portions of this amendment. I think the public deserves that. So I would say this, if you support the
amendment, you would be voting yes to this appeal of the decision of chair and if you don't like it, then you'd be voting no. >> Thank Thank you, Mr. Lee. Would anyone else like to uh comment? Again, this is a discussion on a motion to appeal my
ruling, Mr. Singer >> since you won't take it personally. [laughter] >> And I want to start by saying that I don't support the amendment. >> However, >> I believe that the attempt to revise the
this policy uh in the way that's been proposed uh is the only way that is the best way to do this at this time. Uh there was no committee meeting between the last board meeting and this meeting. So there was no opportunity for the
committee to uh review any kind of proposed amendments. That being said, I understand that that wouldn't have gone to the committee beforehand anyhow because that's not how the timeliness works for some people. So with that, because there was no committee meeting in between the last board meeting and
this board meeting, I suggest that there was no other way for Mr. to accomplish what he's trying to accomplish. >> Thank you, Mr. Singer. Anyone else? Again, I won't take any offense if I'm overruled. All right. Uh I I I think I said my
piece. Um Mr. LSK, can you please call the role on the motion to um appeal the ruling of the chair? >> Mr. Singer. >> Just to be clear, a yes vote is in favor of >> appeal.
>> Overruling. Yes. >> The overruling. >> Yes. >> The yes is telling me, Mike, you're wrong. >> Yes. >> Sure. >> Dr. Lee? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lee? >> Yes. >> Mr. Maloney?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Jooshi? >> Yes. I think I'm confused. Yes, >> Mr. Walker. >> I'm going to abstain. >> Muna, >> I'm going to say sorry. Abstain as well.
>> And Mr. Pepe should probably >> I'm glad we had a discussion. Uh I'll I'll vote yes. I'll overrule myself. >> All right. Which brings us back, I believe, to Mr. Lee's motion, which now did have a second. Correct. There was a
motion and a second. So now we have Mr. Lee's main motion. I get to one second, Mr. Singer. Did everyone receive that? Everyone has it in front of them. Right. Mr. Singer, >> I'm going to move to table the discussion of the revision of these policies to a future time uh when the
academic committee has the opportunity to actually review the proposed revisions. That being said, I'm not moving to table the adoption of policy 2701 and policy 2702. I am moving to postpone the re the revisions uh
consideration. >> Point point of order. >> Yes, Mr. Lake. >> Point of order is that any motion to table would apply to not just the amendment but the main motion. You cannot table the amendment. If you table the amendment, you table the amendment
along with the main motion. You cannot select what you table and what you don't table. That's not that's uh that motion is out of order because it all incidental or all subsidiary motions apply to the main motion including the motion to table which is a subsidiary motion.
>> Mr. I defer to you on that. >> All right. I I'll defer Mr. Lumpsky. What do you think about that? Is that that makes some sense to me >> as much as I would >> Can you repeat it? >> So the Mr. Le made the So there was a
motion to amend this policy. um quite substantially. Mr. Mr. Singer um moved to table it and there's been object there's not a second yet but there's an objection to tableabling of the amendments to the policy because it goes
under the main motion. >> So the amendments hold on the amendments haven't been approved yet. >> They haven't been they haven't been uh considered yet. There has not been a vote up or down >> for for ease of the meeting. I will withdraw my motion. >> Okay. Okay, the motion is withdrawn.
Thank you, Mr. Singer. Thank you, Mr. Lee. Thank you, Mr. Lumpsky. >> All right. >> I think that's a great motion. I'll make the same motion that Mr. Singer made. >> I'll second that motion to table. >> Wait, wait. I'm sorry, Miss >> They want to table it to cancel the level. >> Okay, we'll table
the uh the amendment. What? What a minute. >> Yeah. Well, you just said that that was out of rule. >> So, so to be clear, Dr. Clearly you want to table any revision of the policy but still vote on the policies. >> My understanding I was actually going to
ask after you made that motion because I feel like these amendments are essential and I think this amendments are quite tied to the original motion and as you said there wasn't a opportunity to actually deliberate that uh I would think that table and the whole thing
would make sense including the amendment. Our board needs sufficient time >> to look at it. >> Okay. She can >> The board is looking at this for a number of months. >> So, Miss to Dr. Lee, can you restate your amendment? Your motion, please. >> The motion is to table the amendment
that Mr. Lee made regarding policies uh 2701. >> Okay. I'm going to rule that out of order because to do that would be effectively postponing the whole the main motion as I heard the conversation over there and that motion's been made and defeated already. So I'm not going
to entertain that motion at this time but thank you for making it. >> Right. Any any further discussion on on the uh motion to amend? >> Mr. Mr. President, I would like to discuss my amendment. >> Mr. Lee, go ahead. >> Thank you.
The relationship between the classroom and the living room should be built on foundational trust and collaboration. The district and the parents should be partners. Both sides should be working together to set the next generation of leaders and students up for long-term
success. But today, I feel like that partnership is strained. I feel like it's adversarial. Uh you know, our board our board sometimes treats parents like adversaries. Point of order is >> people that are insificant refer to yes
we have an opportunity to change that today. We have an opportunity to change that today by voting yes to this amendment. >> That was a point of order. >> There's a point of order on the table. Uh since I'm I'm going to entertain that because to discuss an amendment you have to >> Okay. I will talk about it. I'm I'm
talking about it. >> Mr. Lee has the floor. >> Every policy are you referring to >> to all the policies? It's the whole main motion because we voted we we voted down the motion to divide. So now I'm talking about my entire amendment to that to all
the seven and the 50 pages of the policy that you're proposing. So I'm talking about the amendment right now. If you'll just give me an opportunity to speak. Every student deserves a learning environment that challenges them to reach their absolute highest potential. And every family deserves total
transparency. This package of policy amendments seeks to restore the true promise of equal opportunity and parental empowerment. And if passed, these policies will mandate that all core instructional materials, supplementary reading lists, and digital
materials are placed on a continuously updated publicly searchable online repository before they are introduced into the classroom. Excuse me, I'm speaking. I would like a little bit of decor, please. This will guarantee that
the district's focus is strictly directed toward objective academic excellence and student advancement, ensuring that sociological or emotional initiatives never supersede core academic requirements. Furthermore, these amendments will explicitly
guarantee a penaltyfree process for parents to excuse their children from any health or sexed instruction that conflicts with their sincerely held moral or religious beliefs. And when it comes to our school libraries, this framework seeks to establish clear and
objective standards for what is developmentally inappropriate, strictly prohibiting visual or explicit written descriptions of sexual acts. and our elementary and middle school libraries. This is pure common sense.
>> More importantly, it will establish individualized principal. >> Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's take the middle of speaking. I'm in the middle of speaking. Long >> to take a minute. >> I'm talking about my amendment and I'm allowed to speak about it.
>> You can walk out. But this is pure common sense allowing parents to have a voice in what their kids are learning. >> 8:43 minutes. >> You're going to end You're going to end They're going to end You're going to end this the stream so that people can't hear about this amendment.
Is that what's going to happen? You just ended the stream. >> The law is we have to implement it. You're correct. All right, we are back. It's been three minutes. Hope we are back. Order, please. Thank you. We have an amendment
from Mr. Lee to policy uh 270 to all the policy. It's all the academic policies that are on the floor in front of us. Mr. Can you >> I would like to continue my remarks your silence. >> We are calling the role. >> Mr. Singer, >> no. >> Dr. Lee,
>> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney, >> no. >> Mr. Joshi, >> no. >> Mr. Walker, >> no. >> Mr. Sunna, >> no. >> Mr. Pepe, >> no. The motion fails. >> Right. Any discussion on policy 2701 and
2702 as it currently stands? >> Ask some questions. Seeing none, >> I have some questions. Uh please ask your questions all at once and then any response can come from the administration. >> Sounds good. >> Thank you. >> I would like to first focus on the resources materials policy. There's a
big change there um about removing parental notification uh for for uh any rated PG-13 movies that may be shown to students that was removed. Uh the resources and materials
obviously does not apply or is related to the freedom 2530. >> Thank you. >> Relating to library books. Will the administration please explain which specific district practices would make it desirable to stop notifying parents
if rated R or PG-13 materials are shown to children because this is being removed from the policy. I just comment on on that one thing because I had the same question and I went and did a little bit of investigation. I couldn't find a single other at least I checked Somerset
County. There is not another board or school district in Somerset County that has that policy. Now, do I think that other districts in Somerset County are showing uh PG-13 or Rated movie to kindergarteners? Of course not. I just I mean maybe there's a more wholesome answer from the uh administration, but I
think that's handled on on a school basis. I don't think we need a board policy on that. >> That's what I was going to say. So to clarify because I saw the Instagram lady do that too. She like did the whole thing and she like talked herself through it and got herself confused by the end. But here's we're actually not removing that. So it's removed from the
policy only because when Strauss asked me what they did was they revised the policy when the new law was made regarding the freedom of reading whatever it is act. So when they added the library right policy which is a new policy because of the new law what they
did was they revised the existing policy just to take out the library language. But what happened to us and I think this happens sometimes with our policies is if we had a policy that was like partially strame and partially people adding things to it. I think what
happens sometimes is when it gets revised like something that somebody added gets revised out of it. I personally don't care if you have like people still signing things for, you know, because you know what? We're going to continue to do it. I hope all the teachers hear this. We're going to continue to do it anyway in the high
school because it's good for us too because then if a teacher's going to show something, they also are checking it with a supervisor. So there is like an extra kind of lens on it and we do we'll still this is a practice will continue but it's like Mike said like there are a lot of things that we do in
practice and that we continue to do but we just don't write them into policy because sometimes then when you revise the policy again it gets very muddled. So there was no like I think like the Instagram lady she interpreted it as oh look what the district's sneakily trying to do during the summer. I can tell you
I'm not a sneaky person. I will just directly tell you this is what we're doing and this is why there there's there there's nothing about I mean we want we and I'll speak for the whole administration we want to partner with parents so I mean you know there's there there was nothing to that
>> so I'd like to say I appreciate that's a practice but I want to make sure that we make sure this is a practice that continues on and I want to make sure that policy reflects practice and so my my point to that is if we're continuing
to do it, we should still keep it in the policy, not for the sake and not try and just constantly mirror whatever straws as we should be making sure that policy mirrors practice. That's a good governance. Uh my next question is that this text and I'm sure you're going to give a similar answer
uh you know same policy resources materials must provide and I'll quote major opposing views on controversial issues to teach critical thinking. Um that part has been also removed. Um obviously the state didn't enforce this deletion. Probably strame did but if
we're expecting to possibly continue a practice of making sure that balanced viewpoints are there then then why are we also removing this from the policy and how we can we make sure that our policies reflect the practices of the administration.
>> What's your question? I'm not sure what it is. It crosses out the requirement the new policy resources materials for major opposing views on controversial issues. So that part is being taken out of the
policy. And so I'd like to understand because it's not being forced. Why is the administration actively >> Mr. Singer has a point of Mr. >> the the the language is actually starts with wherever possible. So I'm not sure that it's [clears throat] a requirement per se. He said, "But shouldn't it be a
requirement, especially for major polarizing ideas that may be talked about >> point that's an opinion? >> It's not polarizing." So, I mean, we're we can we can debate this all night. >> Is it this >> and can we go through the list of questions like you had said initially
because this is just going to go on. >> Okay. I'll go through my list >> later on if we go to the library materials, also known as the freedom to read act, whatever that means. Uh the regulation 2535
uh says that the makeup of the review committee uh or it talks about the makeup of the review committee for any challenged bucks. Um there's only one required parent, one to sit on that panel and there's at least four district employees. So, I'd like to understand
why we want to only have one parent versus having four district employees. And shouldn't a committee reviewing community standards be primarily made up of members of the community and parents rather than >> That's an easy answer. So, you can save your your saliloquy here
>> because that's what the law specifies. >> But we can change that to make sure there's more parental. >> I wouldn't, >> but you can. And that's a part of why >> this isn't a debate. >> Why do we You ask the question on why is
there one >> because that is what the law specifies. >> Correct. But it doesn't say there can anymore. It doesn't The point is the point is that's the that's the the minimum. We can have more than that. All right. My my next question is that
obviously we are legally and allowed to restrict access to developmentally inappropriate materials. That's that and you know we're allowed to do that, right? So that the state law doesn't define what this is. So why doesn't this policy specifically
define what developmentally inappropriate? Why doesn't it define that? And why are we establishing those follows boundaries? >> The law. >> It follows the law, but it doesn't say we're prohibited from defining what it is. >> It follows the law.
>> Are we allowed to define >> That's my answer. >> Are we allowed to define what developmental thousand educators? >> I think I I think I answer Mr. Lee's question. >> Experts on it. >> Why doesn't it do that? The policy follows the law. Thank you. I'm done with my answer. >> Okay. Now, well, continuing on. It says
that a challenge book must remain available for students. I agree that's part of the law. We can't do anything about that even if the review is ongoing. But the law doesn't prohibit us from implementing automated parental notification systems if students check
out a challenged book. So why don't we use our local authority as a board to ensure that parents are notified when their kids check out books that may be under review? Thank you, Mr. >> And that's my my other my other question
is we have we utilize a maximum deadline of 60 days to review bucks. 60 days as a third of the school year to review books through the committee and then after that it goes to the board and then it has other deadlines and by the time that there's a decision made on whether a
challenge buck remains in the library or not >> because school year 60 days >> that's the maximum >> law. Thank you. No, I >> we you asked why we're doing it. If I Well, >> I don't think people understand >> first, Mr. Lee. I don't think you're
understand or maybe I'm not understanding what you're asking. You asked why do we go with 60? >> Okay. >> Because wait, wait. And now I'm answering you. Are you ready? News flash. Because it's the law. >> So >> that's what it specifies. So that's what
we plan to do. And I know you object to following the law all the time. >> That is an >> what we try to do in this district. >> That's an untruthful statement >> is we is we follow the law. So I'm done with my answer. Thank you. >> I agree. We should follow the law. But
>> say for my own for my own I think this is kind of continuing the the representation of the community that we have that we're getting dozens and dozens of objections to books in our libraries. >> We're not. >> We No, we're not. We want to make sure we have a good process. I know you would
like those because it would kind of feed into your narrative, but the fact is since I've been on the board, I think I've gotten exactly zero emails. We've had emails about different issues. We've had public comments about different issues. I think zero of it has been a book that's inappropriate in a classroom library or in a school library.
>> Can I just interject? >> So, I could be wrong about that, but >> No, I mean I s I started here as the English supervisor and you know, so there there are times where you do get an objection from a parent, but we always work with them. The reason you don't hear about it is because we always work with parents. Um, our curriculum resources, not in the summer when we're
writing curriculum. They're always posted online. Um, you can see what we're reading. You can see what the curriculum is. If they have questions, they can ask teachers. I think the controversial issue one is interesting because it's covered in another policy. 2240 is controversial issues. It goes through exactly what you're saying about
different people's responsibilities. Um, and I think the reason that it was revised out of the other one is because there was all this extra stuff that was put into it that actually just exists in other policies more appropriately. As far as the representation on the committee, I think probably the reason
it's one community member, multiple staff members is because if you look at the the law, it's that multiple staff members actually um are in different roles. So you could have a teacher, you could have an administrator. There are different roles because it's different stakeholder perspective that you're
trying to get. And I mean honestly, as far as library materials, side story, um, as we're moving everything because we're changing to K3, four, five, I actually had all the intermediate school, the two librarians, they went through their entire catalog of books
because we know our sixth graders are moving up into the middle school. And we moved anything that we thought was more appropriately um more appropriate for those sixth graders who are moving into the middle school. A lot of it's like ya literature which is why when we got this donation
from the lovely people who gave us the donation for the libraries that's why you'll see the two at the intermediate schools are slightly higher and that's because they know that we have to purchase more books because we did move out anything that we thought might be too mature for fourth and fifth graders. I mean, we always look at that because,
you know, we also care about students and want to make sure that they're reading things that are appropriate. >> So, I think that's kind of adding to my point that we want to make sure that policy reflects practice. Good practices should be reflected in good policy, but I want to go back to my point about this
maximum 60-day timeline. You're right, that maximum 60-day timeline is from statute. It is part of the law, but there's nothing in the law that prohibits us from using a tighter statute. So my question is why is our regulation adopting the maximum allowable delay instead of establishing
a shorter more responsive local timeline to address the concerns of parents? >> Just >> I answered that question. >> Mr. Malone. >> Yeah. I just want to ask there's nothing in the policy that prevents us from doing it sooner, right? >> It's just we have up to 60 days, >> but we can choose a
>> 10 days. It'll be done in 10 days. >> We can choose smaller timelines. That's my point about this. All right. >> And we should >> All right. Uh, so there's motion on the floor for policy 2701 and 272. >> I haven't asked my questions.
>> Please call call the RO. >> Mr. Singer. >> I'm sorry, Dr. Lee. We're calling the RO right now. Thank you. Point of order. >> We're voting on the policy. So policy, academic policy 2701 and 2702. >> We're not on 273 yet.
>> That there was not a motion for that yet. We're doing it's different committee, so we're doing it separately. Thank you for your question. Mr. Lomsky, please call the role in 2701 2702. >> Mr. Singer, >> yes. >> Dr. Lee, >> no. >> Mr. Lee, >> no. >> Mr. Maloney, >> yes. >> Mr. Jooshi, >> yes. >> Mr. Walker,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Sunna, >> yes. >> Mr. Pepe, >> yes. The motion carries. >> All right, we're up to policy 2703, approval of community relations policies for second reading and adoption. There's only one policy here. Um, is there a motion?
>> So moved. Mr. President, I object to consideration of the question to pass bylaw 0169.03. >> Okay. >> Consideration of the question before the main motion. So I will entertain it. This requires 2/3 majority to sustain
the objection. >> Right. So >> there discussion on this? >> I don't think there is >> because I'd be curious why we want why we're objecting to this. >> There's no discussion on this motion. That is the >> that's fine if there's no
>> that's the process as I understand it. We haven't done it a lot. >> Um >> so basically that's saying something is that a motion is so bad that we shouldn't even discuss it. >> Okay. Okay. >> It requires a two-thirds majority to be uh sustained. I think the same motion was made before this policy last time.
Mr. Lumpsky, uh can you call the role, please? >> And just to be clear, voting yes is we're going to move forward with this policy discussion. >> Correct. >> No, hold on. So, so >> so there's been an objection made to the consideration of the question. So, it's voting to sustain the objection. So, a
yes is I agree with the direct objection and no is I don't agree with the objection. >> That's why I asked for clarification. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Singer. >> No. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney, >> no. >> Mr. Jooshi, >> no. >> Mr. Walker,
>> no. >> Mr. Sunna, >> no. >> Mr. Pepe, >> I'll abstain. Uh the motion is not sustained by the by the board. So we uh go back to the main motion which is policy 27 uh 03.
>> Motion. >> Yeah. I'm sorry, Mr. Lee, you haven't been recognized yet. I'd like to have a little bit of discussion first if there is any. Would anyone like to discuss this policy? >> I have a motion. >> Okay. I I would like to go first. Actually, I still have some reservations about this policy. I I agree with the
with the spirit of it. I I think that having a policy that is not enforceable really in any way and I've spoken and corresponded with the board attorney on this is not a practice that we necessarily want to go down. Um
I also worry that it's going to turn a focus to what everyone's doing on their computer at every moment or what they're everyone is checking their phone for the time or texting their kid or something whether that falls in line with the policy or not. Uh there are many
districts that do not provide devices to board members and they're able to function. Um the board attorney wasn't familiar with any districts that have that specific policy. You can only use a district advice. Um and I I certainly
not enforceable outside of a meeting. So, I I I don't love that you can be on, you know, access documents on your phone up until the call of a meeting and then um something changes. So, I still don't support this. I agree with some of the ideas. I think it's something we could talk about for board norms, but that's
just where I I I I am on this. There's some good ideas in there, but in practice, I'm not quite there. >> Um any discussion, Mr. >> Yeah, and and I I kind of agree with you as well. The only concern I have is what I had brought up before about the security reasons. You know, uh, but
you're right, this could be a board norm perhaps. >> I did talk to to Miss Lockin like about about a week ago. She's not here. Uh, she's the chair of the community relations committee. She was would be fine if we uh tabled it to to consider later, but I leave it up to the board
for for how how to proceed. >> I have a motion. >> I have a question. >> I'm going to try to have discussion first. Mr. W. So what's the administration going to be? What's the policy for outside devices in the district both the students, staff and community? What are our rules with that with security and things like that? You
know, so just just wondering how it works. >> We have a guest network. >> You got so someone but if a student can a student bring their own device to school? >> Can a staff member bring their own device to school? >> Yes. >> Can it be used in the instructional environment?
>> Yeah. I I mean people would use the guest network. >> Okay. >> I mean do it do we recommend it? No. >> Okay. >> I mean but we provide >> you know certain device I mean some people like to let's say use a Mac >> or something and they may use that. And
my followup to that is students, even though if they can't have their own students or staff or anyone who has a district account, >> is there a rule against accessing like if you have a homework assignment to do and you don't have your device with you, can you log on to dad's laptop or
>> or yeah, from home and somewhere else and access the Google suite and everything through there just the same way the board members done or in many cases the phone. Yeah, I could tell you most most boards of education don't provide devices to board members. There's something to use when you come in and that's it.
>> Okay, Mr. >> I have a motion to amend bylaw 0169.03 by substitution with the amendment that I emailed to the board and the superintendent pertaining to this bylaw which is grounded in common sense and
real state statutes and not madeup laws and fake problems. Uh, I make a different motion to >> Okay, hold on. >> First of all, Mr. Lee, in in the future when you're making a motion, that's not the time to editorialize about what the
motion is. So, that's the first thing. There's a motion on the floor. There's some I'm sorry. For what reason would you like to be recognized? >> I would like to make a motion to just table this um proposal at this time. >> Okay. Motion to table the main motion. >> Main motion.
>> Okay. I didn't hear a second on Lee's motion. >> I'll withdraw my motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Lee. There's a motion to to table uh policy 2703. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you, Mr. Lee. Uh any further discussion on >> point of order. Actually, a parliamentary inquiry. Yes, sir. I
believe that the motion to table is not debatable, so this would go to a vote of the board. >> For me, Mr. LSK, can you please call the role in the motion to table? >> Mr. Singer, >> yes. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. Mr. Maloney, >> yes. >> Mr. Jooshi, >> yes.
>> Mr. Walker, >> yes. >> Mr. Sunna, >> no. >> Mr. Pepe, >> yes. The motion carries and the policy is tabled for now. Uh, the first reading still holds up. So, if the board wanted to bring it up in the past, it will
still go to second reading barring any uh changes. All right, we are up to item 12 of the agenda. Old business. Any old business? Mr. Lee. >> Okay. And uh item lucky item 13, new
business. >> I have a few words to say if I can. >> Yes, Dr. Lee. >> Thank you. Um actually, I have a word of appreciation. Uh I'm really excited and grateful to be back here tonight. Uh probably many of you have seen or noticed that I've been away for a couple
months and uh uh so taking my role here tonight is something that I do not take lightly. Uh and I uh feel that I have cherished it and so tonight I'm here with great honor responsibility over the past several months. Uh it really is a is update for everyone in the public.
I've been uh on a unexpected journey u after being diagnosed with cancer. Uh it's a bow duct cancer or the name the long name for it is colandro carcinoma. It has been the most difficult experience of my life. Um I had
treatment and surgeries and uncertainties and many days that tested my limits and my family and my loved ones. While I'm still recovering now, I'm grateful to be able to be here thanks to the excellent care I've got and grateful for the opportunity to
return to serve this community that I care so deeply about. um being away was not easy uh and I appreciate our board worked together uh on the issues that uh pertain to our students benefit and all. So thank you
for your for all you do and uh I want to thank for the support from family and friends and colleagues, neighbors and community that carried me through the hardest time. Um I want to also say the appreciation that uh this support
compassion that reminded me that our school community is more than just an organization. It is a family. Uh as I return I do so with renewed gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. My commitment to our students, our families, our district has only grown
stronger. I'm here to listen and to continue making decisions that reflect what is best for every child in this great community that we serve. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. [applause] and hope you and your family are doing well. >> Yes. If you need anything, be sure to
let let me know. >> We'll do. Thank you very much. >> Any further? >> I have a motion, >> Mr. Lee. I move that the board direct the superintendent or designate to maintain, fully staff and fully fund the
immersive full day gifted and talented and academically independent programming for the 2026 2027 school year and expressively prohibit any administrative action to discontinue, reduce or alter the format of these programs from their
established stat uh structure. I >> don't want to open up a >> Let's do me a favor. Let me see if we have a second first. >> Okay. Second. >> Second. >> Second, >> Mr. Beer. Since this was directed at
you. >> No, I'm going to go order. >> The maker of the motion can be recognized first. >> No, I don't have No, I'll I would like to direct I would like to go to Mr. Beers first. >> You can violate the rules if you want. and and we can debate this. We can file
motions. There's no AI program for 2026 27. It's gone. It's done. We voted on it. That ship is sailed. There are no plans to bring it back.
And I I mean I I'm kind of flabbergasted at the question, but after tonight I shouldn't be flabbergasted at anything. Um but the program's gone. It's done.
And it is not coming back. And that's what you need to know. And and I can tell you the reasons why. We believe that students will be better served in their home schools. That's our that's been our stance. We
have multiple meetings. We're here for hours. It's done. As a matter of fact, there there was uh something that I shared with the board of education. Uh Mr. Banga had filed for emerent relief on this issue and it failed on
every single count for emerent relief. So I I don't know how to break the news to everybody, but a AI is done. That's it. And and for my part, I discussed this with the board attorney
anticipating not before this meeting, but when uh this is a little bit when when this is coming up and I was told in in uncatategorical terms that the board cannot uh direct the administration to run a particular program or to have a particular class uh to to we do not
assign staff. So that's not a program that even if we wanted to, that is not something we can do. So Mr. Lomsky, can you please call the role on that motion? some discussion. >> There was a discuss, please call the role on that motion. >> Point of order. I'd like to discuss it and you haven't asked for further debate
before asking for a roll call. >> This matter is settled. >> You didn't ask. You didn't ask for debate. >> Mr. Singer, >> no. >> Dr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Lee, >> yes. >> Mr. Maloney, >> no. >> Mr. Jooshi? >> No. >> Mr. Walker?
>> No. >> Mr. Sunna? >> No. >> Mr. Pepe? >> No. this board. As long as I'm president, I want to spend as little time debating, discussing things that we can't do. I would like to change the weather tomorrow. We're not going to debate and discuss it because we don't have control over it. So, there comes a
point where we have to move on, Mr. Lee. So, I hope that you'll reflect on that just a bit, even if we even though I respect you disagree. Um, any further new business? Okay. We are going to end today by going into close session. We do not anticipate any action when we come
out of close session. Um so let me go back to the front here. Uh whereas discussion by the board is required on matters that are exceptions to the requirement that a public body holds its meeting in public and whereas the topic for discussion is personnel and whereas
it is expected that the details of discussion may be made public as soon as the issues may be acted upon publicly be resolved that the board enters into close session at this time. Do I have a motion? Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed?
>> Okay, we are in close session. Again, we do not anticipate taking any action when we come out. Um, thank you everyone if you're leaving for coming and joining us this evening.