We're good. >> Okay. Welcome everybody. Welcome this evening to the uh Caldwell West Cwell Board of Education public conference meeting on April 13, 2026 at 700 p.m. The board met in executive session at 6
p.m. in room 105. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss personnel litigation, miscellaneous, and old business matters. This meeting has been advertised and is in compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, MA, and NJSA 10:4-6, also known as the Sunshine Law. The
matters discussed will be made public when confidentiality is no longer required, and formal action pursuant to said discussion shall take place only at a meeting to which the public has been invited. Welcome to the public conference meeting. It is 7:02. We are in the
cafeteria at James Cowell High School. The board of education meeting will be streamed live. All community questions and comments will be welcomed in person. The call west kawa board of education public conference meeting is compliant with the open public meeting act and NJSA 10 col4-6
also known as the sunshine law. Notices have been sent to the progress koella New Jersey and the star ledger New Jersey and tap into West Essex. Notices have also been posted at the board of education business office Harrison school building Grey Street West Cwell New Jersey and have been delivered to
the clerk burrow of Caldwell and the clerk township of West Cwell for posting. Brian can you take the role? >> Yes. Mr. Dabola >> here. >> Miss D. Martini >> here. >> Miss Landalfi Jefferson >> here.
>> Miss Mac >> here. >> Miss Groso. So, we have four voting members present. We have a quorum. >> Okay. Can we stand for the pledge of allegiance? >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Brian, are there any communications for the board this evening? There were none. >> Okay. Dr. Fernari.
>> Good evening, everyone. So, at this time, I'd like to invite our middle school uh House Leader Representatives Mason McGoldrich and uh House Leadership and Franklin Daughter, House of Integrity. Gentlemen,
good evening. Dr. Funari and the board of education. Thank you for inviting us to speak tonight. And I am Mason from the House of Leadership. >> And I'm Franklin from the House of Integrity. GCMS was proud to celebrate another Make a Difference Day on March
27th. Make a Difference Day is an annual schoolwide event dedicated to helping the community. Each grade had a service project where students participated in hands-on activities to help people in the community. The sixth graders partnered with scene hall to fight
against food insecurity. The seventh graders participated in a St. John's drive and provided essential items for those in need. And the eighth graders partnered with love for our elders and wrote letters and provided care packages for our senior citizens. The keynote speakers were cited by the
students as especially impactful to them. Sixth grade keynote speaker was Mera Meta, Nina Deng, and Lucy Sandor from Novel Futures and Voluntine. The seventh grade keynote speaker was William Daring, who spoke about overcoming the stigma and tribulation
that come with having a speech impediment. And the eighth grade keynote speaker was Matt Balance from the Tigastola Foundation. Many other community leaders also were present and were very grateful for their time and efforts. Finally, make a
difference day is meant to honor former president principal Mr. Brown as he was the one who introduced GCMS students to the idea of serving and helping the community around us. Grover Cleveland Middle School celebrated its 100th anniversary with a
special community event held on March 18th in the school auditorium. The e uh the evening brought together alumni, students, staff, and community members to honor the school's history and lasting impact. The program featured
performances by the GCMS band, chorus, and orchestra along with appearances and reflections from distinguished alumni representing multiple graduating classes. Guests also experience a live podcast recording, a historical presentation, and student artwork
displays. Kamor uh Kimore uh items and guided tours of the building. Uh overall, the event serves as a tribute to the generations who shaped GCMS while se celebrating its legacy and future. Don't miss the following upcoming
performances at GCMS. The spring orchestra concert on April 23rd at 7 p.m. The spring band concert on April 28th at 7 p.m. The GCMS spring musical Spongebob Squarepants on May 8th at 600 p.m. and Saturday May 9th at 1 p.m. and
6 p.m. Come for an enjoyable time and see our talented students perform. GCM uh GCMS students are encouraged to sign up to participate in the 2026 CWC EF 5K run/walk which take which takes
place on Saturday, May 16th. House points will be given for each student who participates. One thing that I one thing that being a house leader has taught me is the role of leadership. Uh, one thing that being house has
taught me is like how to be uh cooperative leader like responsible and how to like lead events. Thank you for having us. And are there any questions? >> You guys are awesome. I I do have a question. First, I want to say thank you though for mentioning the 5K and I have
insider information that GCMS has a lot of students registered so far. So, that's awesome. Keep that up. Um, if you can remember back to Make a Difference Day, what were some of your favorite like people that you met or presentations that you heard about?
>> Uh, one of the presentations I liked was uh I forget what it's called, but it was like I don't know. That's a tough one. >> That's right.
>> There was lots of good ones. Like the military people came in with like the wounded warriors and they talked. >> Good job you guys. You guys did awesome. >> Thank you. your birthday with us tonight. Yeah,
happy birthday. >> A sporting his brother. >> All right, that's great. Um, just a few more things on the superintendence report this evening. Um, so as of today, April 13th, we still have one more inclement weather day that we haven't
used. As long as we don't have any wild and wacky weather events between now and the next board meeting, it's uh it's my intention to um recommend to the board that we put that day uh as a giveback day and add it to our Memorial Day
weekend on the Friday before Memorial Day. Keep your fingers crossed. I don't want to see any snow, although we've had snow in April before. Um, okay. So, um, also at our April 20th
board of education meeting coming up, we'll be recognizing, um, the accomplishments of, uh, students that have, uh, done some wonderful things at the local, state, and national levels that occurred in the fall and in the
wintertime. Um, so we're going to have a full house, I think, at our next meeting because we have many students who we'd like to recognize. And then those students who will who have accomplishments similar kinds of accomplishments in the springtime will bring them back closer to the end of the
year for for a recognition as well. So um we're looking forward to that. Um on Friday, April 10th, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony at Jefferson School to open the new book vending machine that was generously donated by the Jefferson Elementary School HSA. Student
representatives from each grade level participated. The book vending machine will be used as part of a reading incentive program at the school. Thank you to the Jefferson HSA for making this happen. It should be noted that we're very fortunate to have many groups and organizations that work tirelessly on
behalf of our students and our schools fundraising for special projects that are outside of the district budget, donating equipment, and supporting our extracurricular opportunities for students. We are so very grateful to you all and we'll continue to share more about this work over the next several
months. Board members, this concludes my report. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask me questions. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, as you can see, Miss Groso is not with us tonight. She has a work obligation, so I will be stepping in to share out the president's report.
Um you'll notice on tonight's agenda that we'll be voting next week to withdraw funds from our capital reserve um fund to uh to pay for the roofing projects at both Wilson and Jefferson schools. So these are educ educational
buildings. Our students are housed there. Our teachers are housed there. It remains a priority of the board um that we maintain these buildings and we take care of our facilities. So, we will be voting again next week to withdraw the funds from our capital reserve to take
care of those projects. Um, thank you, Brian. Because we are also going out for a couple grants, uh, to help sub, um, offset the costs of the roofs. So, uh, again, thank you for moving quickly on that project. Okay. Um, so, as far as how this might impact the fieldhouse
project, well, it does. Um we um you know two months ago the roofs were not on our agenda and with that February blizzard they wreaked havoc on the roofs and now it's become an item that we have to address. It requires our attention and so as a board we have discussed
putting that project on hold. You know we're we're still committed. We still have the goal uh to move forward and to create a space for our athletes that is both equitable and safe. However, the roofs are our priority right now and we will be um using that capital reserve to
for that project. So, once that work is underway, we're going to come back together. We're going to um revisit the scope of the fieldhouse. We might need to make revisions because again, this is an emerging issue. This really just came up in the last two months. So, we are going to meet as a board. We will
discuss our options. Um and we're going to determine what makes sense, what's, you know, fiscally responsible. Um and again prioritizing the needs of the district. So you're you're gonna have a chance to get up and speak um during our public comment section. Okay. All right.
Um I just want to remind everybody too that the board is aligned um in its belief that we are not going to drain our capital reserve fund. That is something that we feel strongly about and that we're all in agreement with. And that is why again we've decided to move forward with the roofs and then to revisit the um the scope, the phasing
and the timing of the fieldhouse project. That being said, we still have the goal to eventually get uh a space for our athletes that is both updated, safe, and equitable. And as always, we will continue to be transparent with the community as we um you know have
discussions and as we're able to update you during our meetings. Okay. I just wanted to also highlight a few upcoming community events that are happening across the district. And thank you, Mason, because I think actually you mentioned a couple of them. Um so I I did want to mention the 5K that's coming up. Registration's open. Make sure you
sign up and get out there and log some miles for our education foundation. Um there's also a yoga event, a parent child yoga event that's presented in partnership with a mindful nest. Uh that sounds like a really cool event on Tuesday, April 21st at Grover Cleveland
Middle School and that also supports the education foundation. Um Spongebob the musical, as the boys had mentioned, will take place on May 8th and that's a middle school production. Um, and finally, I just wanted to highlight the CPAG uh committee will be hosting a special needs resource fair. That's
something I think this is their fourth year doing it. It's an awesome event. It's held at the high school. It's two hours and there's all these different vendors that are out there um you know with their programs or their services um that they provide. You know, students, not just students who have IEPs, but
students with 504s or any student honestly. Um, I go every year. I always find a new vendor or um, you know, program to pursue and I leave with a bunch of goodies. So, if you're free on April 22nd, make sure you come out um, to support the CPAG. Okay. And that
concludes my report unless there's any questions. No. Okay. All right. Um, so we are not going to do it's not a well, we are voting on one thing tonight, but um, we're going to do committee reports next week. So, Marica
before the vote. Okay. Sure. Okay. So, we're going to roll into public comments on agenda items only. So, these are just for items that are on our agenda tonight. Um, public participation shall be governed by the following. Participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface
comments by an announcement of their name and address. Statements are to be delimited to three minutes duration. Participant may speak no more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer. Boards use the
public comment period of the meeting as an opportunity to listen to citizen concerns but not to debate issues or enter into a question and answer session or a cross-examination between the public and individual members. Be aware that not all issues brought before a board meeting will be resolved that evening. Boards may respond to public
comment by seeking additional information or by de delegating the authority to investigate the issue to the superintendent or his or her designate. The presiding officer may interrupt, warn, and or terminate a participant's comments if it exceeds the allotted time or is objectively obscene.
Participants may be civily liable for any obscene, defamatory, or slanderous statements made during public comment. So, with that said, would anybody like to come up to the podium for agenda items only? Come on, Liz. >> Hi, Liz Hart 149 Ravine Aav. I have a
question on the budget that is listed on the agenda that states the capital reserve account withdrawal. So, even though I know you just mentioned, right, that the Jefferson and Wilson roofs are going to be prioritized. Um, and then also the Washington elevator is listed on there as a withdrawal from CAP reserve. But within that same paragraph,
there is the mention of the six million. So, is that going to be rewarded for the next meeting's agenda to be removed and or, you know, reduced? Possibly. So, I know, you know, we had talked about that $6 million number as being the threshold that we were willing to spend. Um, so
now obviously, yes, we will come back together. I I don't know that that's feasible for us, at least right now. Um, so potentially that could change and I don't know, feel free to add anything Brian if >> if I if I may. So as you know Liz, uh, budgets are just plans, >> right?
>> So the budget has a 6 million which would be which was the max. So we could go zero, we'd go six million. The plan doesn't have to be activated. U so we may or may not change that number just as we find out what our capital reserves
are um available as we look to do the project this project after the roofs u it could be some portion of that but we don't we don't have to change that because it's a plan uh the plans can change so we may change that but we don't we don't have to >> okay but just really quick right so the
math is that according to the current balance statement it was 9.2 2 million is cap reserve. So you have 1 million for the Washington elevator. You've got another 1.2 for Wilson, another 1.4 for Jeff. So that's 3.6. 3.6 + 6 is 9.6,
which is4 more than 9.2. >> That's correct. >> So it it can't be six million, right? >> Simple math, correct? >> Yeah. Okay. Just want to make sure. So the math is a math thing. So just want to make sure we're clear on that. >> I absolutely agree with you. >> Awesome. Okay. Thanks,
Okay. Anybody else? All right. Okay. We can go on to All right. Marica, can you um Oh, I'm sorry. Sure. Go. Yep. >> Alex 5 Ellis. Um I guess just a question. Why did the board decide to
use the reserve fund for the the fieldhouse? because it was voted down a couple times, >> right? So, it was voted down a couple times and so we have that capital reserve that's that's for a very specific um it's for projects around the
district. So, we feel that it's a priority for our students and our athletes. Uh the the building itself, I don't know if you've had the chance to tour it, it's in horrendous shape. It's it the facility needs to be um we need to put something there for the kids, but
right now it's not on our agenda. Um, but we will be using capital reserves for that. It's not though. I think there's some confusion. I don't know if that's where you're going. Whereas the referendum was something that we were asking the community to assume some of that tax, right? It would show up as a
tax um to the community members. The capital reserve is not. That is our capital reserve fund. So, >> no, I I understand that. Yeah. No, I understand that point. And I guess just a question was I think given the sentiment from the community, I guess the feeling in some parts of the
community is that we're kind of going around the referendum and the the results of the referendum. And so we're just using the back door at the cost of a reserve. You know, a roof is a great example for how things will pop up.
>> Uh and I'm sure that >> there other things will. So just kind of curiosity speaking like Mhm. >> You want to have a minimum. Sounds like there's flexibility on the minimum on the reserve. So, just from a capital planning, >> one roof, there's another school, you
know, this school may need a roof at some point. I'm sure this one's going to be a little bit more than a million bucks. >> A lot of the um facility updates that were actually included in the first question in referendum um the first referendum, question one. So, we were anticipating having some um projects to
do around the district. So, we were mindful of that when we put question one out. Um, as far as the fieldhouse, the board stands behind, you know, safety and equity for our kids and we feel that it's an important project that we're we're going to pursue. >> I I think it just be helpful for the community that you kind of put your
thoughts around how you manage the reserve and the priorities. I think that would be very helpful for people in the community to understand given that we've kind of gone through almost a year of discussion about the fieldhouse and what's the best approach to it.
>> Thank you. Thanks. >> Anybody else? All right. Go ahead, Ree. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, motion to approve item A only under curriculum and technology on this evening's agenda.
>> And do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Brian, >> yes. Uh, Mr. Diamola, >> yes. >> Miss T. Martini, >> yes. >> Miss Lendali Jefferson, >> yes. >> Miss Mack,
>> yes. >> 4. Motion carried. Okay. So, sorry it's my first time filling in for Julian, so I'm just uh getting up to speed here. All right. So, we're just going to preview the agenda um quickly. Uh and again, next week
we'll be voting. Okay. So, just again thumbming through um we're going to we have some field trips on there which is always fun to see. um and really across all levels of our elementary school, high school, middle school. Um we are also voting
on some ESY appointments for our extended school year. We have uh also our summer enrichment program for 2026. We'll be approving staff for that as well. Okay. We talked about the um the
withdrawal of our capital reserve funds. Um, we also have some school meal prices for the 2627 school year transportation contracts for some out of district placements. And again, we mentioned too that we are
going out for some grants to help offset the cost of the roofs. We also have really an exciting item here, our JCHS steam project. Again, that was a part of the first um question on the referendum. The steam lab is going to be amazing. We're really really excited for it. Um
so we'll be voting on some um equipment quotes to to go into that steam room. Okay. And I think and then we have some use of facilities for our Boy Scout troops, the Wil Wilson
HSA and the high school HSA. Okay. And that's it. Okay. All right. So we're going to be rolling into public comments. So this is for and if anybody wants to get up and speak on anything does not have to be on the agenda. Okay.
Um I'm going to read that same blur. Public particip participation shall be governed by the following. Participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an announcement of their name and address. Statements are be are to be limited to three minutes duration. Participant may
speak no more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. All statement shall be directed to the presiding officer. Boards use the public comment period of the meeting as an opportunity to listen to citizen concerns, but not to debate issues or enter into a question and answer session
or a cross-examination between the public and individual members. Be aware that not all issues brought before a board meeting will be resolved that evening. Boards may respond to the public comment by seeking additional information or by delegating the authority to investigate the issue to the superintendent or his or her
designate. The presiding officer may interrupt, warn, and or terminate a particip participant's comments if it exceeds the allotted time or is objectively obscene. Participants may be civily liable for any obscene, defamatory, or slanderous statements made during public comment. Would
anybody like to come up and um comment about anything off the agenda? >> No. Take your time. >> Hi, it's Arlene Katran 35 Olden Circle. Has the board have any discussions on
the fact of all the new housing that's going to be coming soon? I mean, the whole area by the shop right is 10 acres. That is that is definitely working. That's going to be especially uh low income. There'll be a lot more kids. There's going to be the new
development with the old um Welsh farm property that's approved also low income. That's going to be a huge development. And now the possibility that the Toyota or across the street is going to be also
low income. We're going to be that the town pressure is pressured to have more lowincome housing and they have to meet standards. So the three housing developments is going to affect the
schools and I I'm not part of you know on a general basis but I'm hoping you at some point you guys will talk about that because more more kids will be coming in and it's going it's going to be more challenging and you know so like you mentioned
having a little extra reserve you may have to have more classes may more teachers things that you perhaps you weren't thinking about anything we could do to not raise our taxes would be wonderful. >> So that's a comment. So hopefully you'll
get a chance to really discuss it. So anybody want to comment, go for it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for that information. >> Good. I wrote a thank you all for letting me speak tonight. I'm actually on spring break
from my school so I had availability. My name is Lynn Stevens. I live at 8 Dylan Road. I've been living in West Coal for 58 years next month. I graduated in 1983 and my daughter graduated in 2011.
Just a little background to give all who are here tonight a different perspective about the Fieldhouse. Excuse me. I played three sports every year throughout my high school years. I played college sports. My daughter played division one volleyball and
played volleyball throughout her high school career. I am a physical education teacher, have been a phys and health teacher for 28 years. However, I I am here to speak tonight to express my my strong disappointment at the board's decision
to bypass the majority of voters in our towns who voted no to this, not once but twice. Spending $100,000 to put this on a ballot could have been you the money used to tear down the fieldhouse.
Fiscal responsibility is not simply about simply saying no to large projects. It is about saying yes to the right ones. It is of my opinion that this board lacks clear judgment with regards to important decisions that affect all
stakeholders. At a time when many Essis County schools need to seriously think about their expenditures due to budgetary concerns, Caldwell has found a way to build their brand new state-of-the-art fieldhouse. Anyway,
projects such as the as these deserve deeper scrutiny. Every dollar allocated to this renovation, and I I I know there's different amounts, right? You're saying it's six million or here and there. Give a give a dollar or two here and there, is a
dollar not invested in academic excellence and safety improvements. Nothing speaks priorities more than a shiny new fieldhouse as opposed to new bathrooms across from the gym and boys and girls locker rooms that still look
like they survived the Titanic. These are the same bathrooms from 1982, which is my earliest recollection. I seem to recall years ago when the school board was pushing for a new turf field. They installed it, but there was
a problem with it. as evidenced by it not draining properly during a boys lacrosse state game just three short years ago. What will happen if the fieldhouse goes over budget or there is a similar problem? Where will that money come
from? Finally, I want to end with the school motto which is to foster, inspire and champion learning for all. Defining foster is to encourage or promote the development of something, typically
something regarded as good. It is evident to the people who voted no to this project that this is not what is best for all. Why isn't it evident to the board and opposing views? I am hoping the board will reflect on their
decision about what is best for all and not simply best for some. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Dale Brown and I live on Hillside Avenue in West Cwell. Um, I have some questions. Firstly, I
want to second what Lynn had to say. I agree with her on almost all of her points. Um, I have some questions. I really I don't I don't understand how we went from 15 million to 8 million to 6 million to
I don't know how many million. That would have been my first question. My second question fundamentally is were plans and bids presented for renovation rather than demolition
because we've got a um a brick fieldhouse that could be renovated for a a greatly reduced price even from the stated six million. Um,
I guess to reiterate on what Lynn said, there's um there's nice to have and there's need to have. And I really really sincerely hope that this board gives further consideration to the nice
to have versus the need to have because from our vantage and I I speak for a lot of residents of this town. From our vantage, there are so many better ways
to allocate the funding than what's been so-called selected by the board. >> Thank you. >> Yes. My name is Samantha O'Neal and I'm live at 14 Johnson Avenue.
>> Christina Press, 22 Eastern Parkway. >> Christina and I are two mothers from Wilson School. We stood at this podium approximately four weeks ago and asked for school security to be placed on the agenda. And back on March 9th, 2026, the
board informed us that they would discuss it in executive session and go from there. As of tonight, April 13th, 2026, it is still not there. That is unacceptable. You have built the walls. You have locked the doors. But
when those walls fail, and we all know they sometimes do, there is no one inside trained and ready to respond in real time. So we are asking again, why do we not have a trained, experienced law enforcement presence in our schools every day? This is not a luxury. This is
baseline safety. This is someone who will walk the halls during periods between periods, excuse me. Someone who notices when a child is struggling before it becomes a crisis. Someone who knows which students are being targeted, which groups are bullying, and which
child has become quietly withdrawn. This is someone who teaches digital safety before a mistake turns into a tragedy. Someone who builds trust with students so they speak up instead of saying staying silent. This is someone whose sole responsibility is safety because
right now that responsibility is being stretched across our administrators who are already overwhelmed. How many roles are we expecting our principles to fill at once? They are currently our educators, our administrators, a counselor, and now frontline security. Those numbers just
don't add up. Let's be clear. This is not about politics. It is about whether there is someone inside our buildings capable of making a decision in the moment that matters. Every day this is delayed. It's a decision. A decision that everyone hopes
that nothing will happen. Christina and myself are not willing to make that gamble with our children's lives because later is not a plan. We would like a date. Thank you for your time. Thank you. >> Did you want to speak to or your
>> I mean I just I guess the question is why has it not been added to an agenda after now how many meetings since we were here last? >> So the board has had discussions in executive session and to the extent that we've asked Dr. Fernari to engage our SRO officer. We do have one in the
district which I know Dr. Fernari shared um during the last board meeting um in addition to engaging our local chiefs of police to come in to and speak with the board about our existing protocols um and and have a conversation and a dialogue. I mean I don't know that it's
something again I think it was said last time that you know it's going to be discussion um amongst the board. So I don't know if you want to add you have anything >> if not I can >> you could
>> yeah I can say a lot but m so um Mr. McCarthy is actually our school safety specialist across the entire district. Um, in addition to the relationship that we have with both of our police departments, um, and all of the other safety protocols we have in place, we
have the opportunity and the ability to immediately have police response in our district. Um, we're blessed that we have two police departments, but their resources are limited as well when it comes to also
having officers that would be typically a class three officer, which I think is what you're describing. Um, they're typically retired police. They're part of police department. Um, it's a process. It's not a it's not a, you know, let's put it on the agenda and
hire someone kind of a position. But I don't want you to think that we're not looking all of the um and assessing all of the practices that we have in our district and making improvements. We've made a number of uh safety improvements this year. And every one of them is in
conjunction with both of our police departments. Our police officers are in the schools. They not only drive around our school buildings, they come in, they talk to the administrators on a regular basis, our SRO and other officers. So,
um I don't want anyone to get the impression that we don't have that relationship with the police departments, both of them, because it it exists. In addition, anytime that we have a question, they are so responsive to us as far as what practice we have in place now that maybe we can make
improvements on. We are um we're always looking to make sure that what you're describing is not the scenario that happens here. We're not sticking our heads in the sand. We're trying to make sure that with the resources that we have that we're covering as much of that
safety territory as we possibly can. And you know, strengthening the walls is important. Making sure, which is part of our um our referendum that was passed. Um we have schools that that currently do not have the double entry vestibules that will have them. Those projects are
happening during this summer. Um you know, so the the things that we have in place now are always going to improve. So, I just wanted to make sure that that I shared that with >> all due respect, superintendent, the township of Cedar Grove, to my
knowledge, has retired law enforcement officers who are not class 3es that go through the police department. >> So, it's a separate entity where the board of education could basically advertise. They would have specific guidelines,
>> good standing within the last five years with whatever department they were with and they could come and be in the schools all the time. And I'm a local first responder in this town and have been for 20 years and I understand greatly the manpower issues that our
police departments go through. But there are other options for us like getting a retired police officer or from a security company where there's people who have been trained and are held to a state standard.
Why can't we look into that? >> Well, that's that's not something that we have that we said we wouldn't look into. I just wanted to make sure that I understood >> what kind of police presence you were asking about. But thank you for the information. I appreciate it. I just want to end with, you know, I think
we're talking about making things a priority. Um, you know, like keeping the kids safe, keeping the building safe, but this should be a top priority >> because this town is behind the eightball against every other town in the surrounding area that has these
security officers already. >> Thank you. My name is Carol Snyder. Um 77 Hillside Avenue. I just wanted to piggyback one thing that I'd like you guys to be very sensitive to. Um because I know we're all
very vested in the bottom line and with regards to the budget and the fieldhouse and so forth. We would appreciate better communication on what's going on because we found out through the back door about it was 15
million then was 8 million then 6 million. So we would request that you guys really keep us informed about what's going on >> the website. >> Yeah. So just so uh that you're aware over the the time that the district has been talking about and working on this
field test. Now I I'm a resident too. I I live in West Cwell. Um so this is a topic that has been at many many board meetings and we always provide information. We have a a section of our website that's dedicated to the
referendum. So um the one thing we're not allowed to do is send out mailers. We're not allowed to solicit, you know, information. We're not even Yeah. You know what? So, we use the mechanisms we can and we are allowed to use, but you know, we we even thought about um you
know, giving people more information on lawn signs and that didn't that that wasn't really something we could do either. So, you know, we are working within the channels that we can and we're hoping that um if people have questions that they email me, email Brian. We're we're
>> very um open to responding to questions that we receive. So please feel free to reach out to us. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Hello board. My name is Kimberly Lie. Um I am a mom at Wilson School as well and I just wanted to speak on what Christina
and Samantha were speaking on. Um, superintendent, you had said that you were working with the local police and you were building our walls stronger to keep our our children safe. Um, I was wondering and I I know this is my first board meeting, so I'm not really sure how it works, but um I was just wondering if you knew how long it took
for the police to respond. >> Uh, I don't know that. Okay. But I you know and I I but to respond to >> to like an event, a tragedy or when they're called upon >> here >> anywhere like a basic response.
>> So in our district, >> I don't know that we've had a situation where >> just a basic police response. >> Yeah, that's that's different in in so many different um it'll be different in a place. For example, I used to work up in Sussex
County. The dis several of the districts that I worked in did not have their own police department and the police departments that responded to those districts were either the state police >> or the county police that were pretty far away from the school where I was working. >> Yeah.
>> So that response time would be extremely different from the response time that we would have say in a Caldwell or a West Caldwell where our police departments are much much closer. >> I and I'm thankful for that. But also I want to say do you know how long it takes in a school or any kind of um
place where tragedy will happen before police can get there? How many minutes do you think >> I don't know Brian has the state given any you know >> No that's not it's not uh >> it's not a measure of >> it's not homogeneous uh uniform like type information.
>> It's just an average. If you had a lockdown that was called and it was a live lockdown, not a drill, then I would imagine it would be not instantaneous, but be very quick. >> So, we practice and we do drills. Um, the police forces are sometimes
involved. Um, they get immediate notice if there's actually a real um situation. >> So, they're very close. So, I would imagine the response would be very, very quick. very quick. >> So, we haven't really tested, you know, forcing that situation, >> right? Maybe it would be interesting to
talk with the police to see to test their reaction to uh um a thing just so that we can see the response time because you said you're building better walls. We're getting a vestibule. I know in some instances the back door has been left open. That's not a vestibial. Somebody can get in that way. Um also,
when in a school shooting, it's it's known that the the biggest tragedy happens in the first two to three minutes. that is that is not enough time for somebody to get there. >> So, while we are building the walls and trying to keep the people out that we don't want in
>> unfortunately and I hope this never happens here, >> but it could happen. They could get in. >> We cannot rely on the walls we build. We have to rely on a trained officer, somebody who will put their life on the line, who runs toward the threat. You
have teachers saying all the time, I remember the teachers used to they used to say, "Oh, maybe our teachers will carry a guns or we'll do this, we'll do that." You cannot put this on our teachers. >> No, no, no, no. And that was never something that this >> Not here, not at this board. But I just know it. But just know that, you know, the the um
>> one of the first things that school districts do as far as um protecting, >> we are talking about walls and doors and vestibules because those first couple of minutes, the more you slow down the bad guy, the better chance you have.
>> I agree 100%. But when when we um when we look at our own practices, when we have the police departments come and tour our buildings as we're doing any kind of a drill or when they just stop in to if they see a door open, they immediately say to that principal, >> we got to fix this
>> 100%. >> And you know, so we learn every day from the police department that we have working with us, the two departments that we have, >> right? And I'm just I'm just trying to paint a picture. No. And I totally understand >> that the response needs to be in within the house
>> for our children. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Sure. >> Okay. Come on up. >> Um, so in the last couple of years, >> can you just remind me Alex and five Ellis? >> Got it.
>> Um, so in the last >> couple years the some of the schools here had instances with swastikas being drawn. Mhm. >> What does the board have done other than from an administrative perspective and then just using as an example, you know,
that's a hate crime. >> City of New York treats it as a hate crime. >> Yes. So do we. >> How do we treat it here considering we've had recent incidents? >> So several things have were done. One of them we have to remember that as an educational institution, our main
tool is education. And we want to make sure that not only do we have more frequency and the staff being alerted to if they see something, they need to report it immediately because sometimes when uh when you're in an
environment and it's okay to have graffiti on the wall or if you're in an environment and it's okay for their to be writing in a bathroom for example, whatever that writing might be, it become you become blind to it. So here when that when any of that happens, we
immediately notify the principal and the head custodian and typically also our buildings and grounds uh director gets involved and we learn about it too. So physically we have people with eyes on as far as the education portion is
concerned because we know that sometimes it is children sometimes it is others coming into our schools. For example the the situation that we had here at the high school not too long ago um there was a swastika drawn. It was in a locker room. It happened outside of school
hours during a time when there were lots of people in and out of this building. And so there was no way really and Mr. Develin was very clear about in his letter to the community about not you know he was honest about it. He said we don't know if this was our students but it's still our responsibility and we are
going to take that responsibility. So educationally we have programs that we've had in place for students. We have done and will continue to do parent workshops so that parents know um not only how to address it with their
address situations like this with their students but all with their children but also how to come to us with questions how to make suggestions and recommendations to us. Um so it's again you know we've we've brought in talked to folks at the state department to get
more resources um so that we know that our messaging is on point. So, you know, we're trying to be as comprehensive as possible with this. >> So, maybe I can clarify my question from >> because it's because it's treated as a hate crime. >> Yes. >> How is the police involved in these instances?
>> They are notified immediately. >> And what >> so >> what have the school has the board >> effectively in conjunction with the school >> uh taken any actions from the investigation that the police department has done?
So I maybe I'm not understanding your question. So the board of education is >> has the child that has the person has the has the has the police in I guess maybe to be more blunt and clear about it. Has the police investigated and come to a conclusion just like they do
>> in any other incident that there is involved in the town. Um, and does the board does the school board have a policy for effectively other than an administrative >> uh notices being sent to PE to to
parents about what to do because that's part of the sorry for me personally apologize for interrupting you but I think that's part of the concern for safety that some of the parents have noted noted already >> because it starts with a graffiti and it
escalates and it escalates ates in other places outside of thankfully this community. >> So the board of education has a policy. >> Oh, I'm so sorry. Sorry. Is that better? >> Okay. The board of education does have
policy around bias and hate crimes and that policy is followed and implemented in the district. One of the aspects of that policy and also in our memorandum of agreement with law enforcement is the type and the frequency and the immediiacy of reporting any of these
things to law enforcement. Sometimes depending on what is found there is um you know you can identify how it happened and who may have done something and in other times you can't. So the
police help us work through that. There are also provisions within the police department's requirements that perhaps at some instances when there is hate crime identified that the prosecutor's office gets involved. >> So great example, was the prosecutor
involved in these two incidents? >> The prosecutor's office was notified. I really can't get into the detail of the outcome for a lot of that because it it's specific to >> No, that's fine. But I want to make sure you you know that we do have that mechanism. It's just it's, you know,
I've been in this town for about six or seven years. >> Okay. >> And there's been like two or three incidents. >> Mhm. >> And there hasn't been um, you know, there's clearly because there's happening, they keep on recurring tells me that there's no
repercussions. >> Well, it's not >> that be made, >> right? Like typically a drunk driver when he flips over his car, he gets arrested. Typically, he doesn't do it again, >> right? But there's no way to say that if it's
happening in a school that it's the same person over and over again. If it's happening once the same person, right? >> Right. >> It doesn't have to be the same person. >> No, it doesn't have to be the same person. And that's why the messaging and the education are so important and we are working with our community partners
um who you know we have a synagogue that's it's right next door to the middle school for example. We attend we work with them. >> Very closely involved in these discussions. Yes. >> And with us we you know we are part of that conversation. So you know the um I
think the one aspect that we really can't speak to as an outcome you know if a if a person is identified we can't disclose no matter what it is. If a child does something we don't dis you know disclose the discipline that's related to that child. So it would be
true of a small infraction or a larger infraction. So you may not hear about that outcome, but understand that there there is a process in place. >> Okay. >> Okay. And if you have any other questions, feel free to call me. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Charlie Daughter, 37 Grover Lane. >> Timmy D, 37 Grover Lane. >> Uh this is our first board event meeting and we have a question. I didn't think we'd be up here, but before we do, uh,
we did want to take a minute to say thank you for what you guys do. We have children who've been in the district now for nine years, and we've always been appreciative of the administrators, the teachers, the aids, uh, faculty and staff, but we've never taken a minute to realize what the board does. Uh,
spending the past hour here with you, I recognize the awesome responsibility that you have, and I appreciate the decisions you guys are, uh, forced to given the responsibility, the privilege to make. So, we appreciate that. And our question is, do you want to ask or you want me to? We the other day uh Franklin
and eighth grade had a list of courses to select for nth grade. And when we looked at the foreign languages, we saw some really great opportunities uh options really. Spanish, Latin, really cool stuff. Um stuff that can help you broaden your educational spectrum. And then Timmy and I think Marielle, my
daughter, who's in sixth grade, they both asked about sign language. And do you see that as an oper option maybe in the future that might be available to students? Yeah, that's uh that's something that we would love to add to our cadre of world languages. It's uh we have we would have to find a an appropriate
certified teacher of American Sign. Um and it's something we haven't talked about it as a board. So, I'm jumping the gun here, but uh but as far as that's concerned, it's certainly something we can consider. >> Okay. Thank you. That's what we're here for. Anything else? >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Thank you guys. All right. Anybody else? Yes. Come on up, Liz. >> Hi, Liz Hart. 149 Ravine A. Um, I do have a couple questions, so I hope I'm like the last one. I didn't want to I wanted to wait my turn. Um, so the first
question I have is about the field trips that are listed. So, does that come out of our operating budget or does it come out of each like how does how did the field trips get funded? >> I'm not staring at you, Brian, but >> well, I can tell you that, you know, as
far as most field trips, we have some kind of a cost that parents contribute to. Um but you know we also know that if if a trip is um within our purview and we have a bus available and it's not going to interfere with the
transportation of students to and from home to school and school to home at depending on when that trip might be. It's much less expensive for us to transport than it is for a you know a professional transportation company. So the cost differential is different. Um
there are some trips that are curricular in nature. In other words, they are directly related to coursework that students are engaged in. >> Sure. >> And then there are some other trips that are more rewards oriented or outside of the scope of the of the children's actual educational program. So some of
those are treated a little bit differently. But Brian, as far as the dollars and the cents, I'm going to leave that to you. >> Sure. Um and you had email me a similar question the other day, >> but but this is Yeah, it's not even related to that. Sure. Yeah. So the field trips, it depends on the field trips. >> Okay. >> Uh depends on the school the activity. I
can say that some of the trips may be coming out of student activities accounts and you had asked about that and they're different than an operating budget. These are accounts that are held at each school. They do audit the bank accounts but they essentially collect uh
through school um say um advisory or sponsor activities and they can collect money for some some type of future goal could be a field trip something else for the students and the money could come from there >> right sometimes the money for field trips can come from parents uh what we
do or what we have done recently because transportation costs have um have probably doubled in the last couple years aware of that. So, we do have we did put money in the operating budget. You say coming out of the the general fund. I use those same words general fund or operating budget to subsidize
some of the schools. So, that the schools do have money to reduce some of the costs because if we went to the parents and say you got to all kick in 100 bucks for the transportation, it becomes prohibitive, right? >> So, it depends on the situation. So, it could be a combination of those resources to fund the trips.
>> Got it. So, like for example, the first item on the field trips for the boys lacrosse, right, to go and see two former students play that is that funded by the student athletic department budget or is that like how does that get funded? And then even the bus, right,
that was great, right, when the girls basketball team uh went on to the state champs and then there was like a free, you know, um spectators bus like how did that get funded? >> So, it again it depends. Yes. So, you see something where uh one of the sports
teams may apply and say, "Can we, you know, we have someone who graduated playing lacrosse at Ruckers. It'd be great for the team to go see them." If we have a bus that's available, sometimes we can run one of our 54s or smaller buses. We could >> we could we could use those. We'll pay
the drivers. Sometimes they are subsidized by the parents because it's really an extracurricular activity. All right. Sometimes uh we can we can fund it. >> Okay. >> All right. If they are doing something where they are going to the state championship and we want a private
charter bus, then we've had times where the booster clubs have volunteered to pay for it because they don't want to arrive to the championship game on a on a yellow bus. So, >> okay. >> It depends. >> So, it really Okay. I I also just want to mention, right, because the FLA team
have several uh students that have qualified for nationals, right? Yes. >> And I don't know if Mr. Mr. Harper has like reached out. So, apologies, Mr. Harper, if you're listening. Uh, but I know it's very expensive, right? So, they're all flying to Texas. I don't
know if that's getting subsidized by the board or if that was put in to be subsidized by the board, but I feel like >> for every single year, I feel like this is maybe the third year in a row where the FAA team is great. And those two students came, you know, maybe I think back in February to speak about FBA and
how the board, it would be appreciative if the board could really get behind them. And it's an amazing feat that every single year our students seem to manage to get to, not manage, but like they're great and they get to nationals. It would be great to see uh some offset
in in the cost for for those students that have achieved that as well. >> Yeah, I agree. Okay, so that's my spiel on field trips. Then I just just want to kind of go back to the uh to the fieldhouse really quick. So I know we mentioned that it can't be the six
million because the math isn't mathing, right? So let's pretend it's some number south of the six million, right? And I know that the board has uh basically expressed that it is their pro prerogative to use the capital reserve how they deem they want to. But I just
want to pose a question that I know in the last board meeting the like the proposed budget was kind of highlighted where the local tax levy was going to be increased, right? I believe it was going from uh the max is supposed to be 2% but
then there's room for increase. I believe Brian you said it was 3.97%. >> 3.9. >> Okay. So, it's close to double, right, of what the allowable tax I feel like last year might have been 1.9 something that or maybe I'm wrong two. It was two.
So, we're still close to double. Um, and that I know was due to health care costs, right? That we had to help subsidize through taxes. But while the board is making it their prerogative to spend cap reserve, which doesn't impact the taxpayers, the cost to maintain the
fieldhouse, lighting, like so electrical, cable, water, those are all going to impact the taxpayers who have, you know, as many people have stated, voted down twice to not increase our taxes to fund the fieldhouse. So, I
just want to kind of make >> that statement. Yeah, sure. Go ahead. set the record straight. Yeah. >> So, uh the referendum, yes, >> we have two referendums, >> right? >> Uh school districts are required to go out to the public to borrow money. So, the referendum
>> is to borrow money. Uh it's not to spend cap reserve funds that the district may have. So, for both referendums, the first one was larger. There was going to be a borrowing of 13.5 million, right? >> Um the town said, "No, it's too much." the and we disclosed the tax impact. The
second one was for a smaller um correct >> fieldhouse where we weren't going to put any money in but we're going to borrow eight and a half million. Um that was to borrow money 20 years there would be a tax impact disclose the likely tax impact. So the third one here is we're
not going to referendum. We uh we have money that the board could choose to spend or not. Uh we don't have to go to the taxpayer to ask to borrow. Right? >> So that's that's where we're going. So that's what the referendum is. >> Sure. >> Um and as far as the borrowing now, um just to go back to your question. >> No, but I'm what I'm just saying is I
get it right. You guys are the board is stating it's your prerogative to spend the cap reserve. I'm not debating that. What I'm stating is that there will be an if you're saying right now that the only way to balance the budget, right, is to increase our taxes to help offset the cost for healthcare. And I know you
said next year you're going to go out and like, you know, re uh >> shop around. >> Reop Yeah. shop around because you have to do that every year but >> the costs will go up the operating cost which is taxpayer funded
>> correct or not. So, we are operating the fieldhouse right now, >> right? But if you're talking about a substantially larger fieldhouse, which has substantially more bathrooms, there's a shower for the coaches, there's, you know, cable for watching
videos, right? Um, replay and blah blah blah. So, that those are costs that will increase just by the sheer size of whatever this proposed fieldhouse is. If you maintain the same footprint of the fieldhouse, sure potentially the costs,
the operating costs would stay in line, but from the designs that have been, you know, presented and if it's six million and you want 64 locker rooms for men and women or boys and girls, whatever, right? It will cost more money to pay
for the water to pay for the electricity and andor cable. That's just kind of the statement that I'm making that I feel that we the board should take into account um when you discuss size of what this new potential fieldhouse would be
and and I just also wanted to make one statement. So there was a statement made about me in the February meeting that said that I was vocal against the fieldhouse and that is inaccurate. Every single time I've come up to speak about the fieldhouse it has been about the cost. I'm not anti-equality
for, you know, women or, you know, young ladies. Uh, I am just looking at this with the fiscally responsible lens, uh, for both myself and the other taxpayers in the community. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Liz. >> Agree.
>> Okay. All right. Any other people want to come on up? No. Okay. All right. Okay. Um, that being said, can I have a motion to enter back into executive session? >> I'll make a motion.
>> Can Can I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. All in favor? Uh, I >> I >> All against uh no. >> Any abstensions? >> Motion carried. >> Thank you. Thank you everybody.
>> We'll be back next Monday, right? Timmy, happy birthday.