WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=aE6uDCp3AU0 Part: 1 1 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:54.879 There's Saturday tables like blew into the pool and stuff. >> I mean like we've had umbrellas come down and stuff but like I've never had an entire table go into the pool. >> You know 2 00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:10.959 doing one after the other. >> Okay. Tell them do we do three in a row that week and good Friday. >> So something like that. >> What? Okay. >> That tent is so mangled after that storm Saturday. >> Did you see it? >> Yeah. >> No, cuz I was only there I was there Friday. 3 00:03:10.959 --> 00:03:32.280 >> Oh, you didn't see us Sunday. The posts were all angled in. It was all >> I don't hear. >> What do you want me to get in touch with >> Sound is on? Can you not do that? 4 00:03:35.920 --> 00:03:55.440 >> So, we're >> we're live. Just we're live right now. Sound is on. Okay. Yeah, sure. >> Oh, yeah. Sure. Sure. >> I'm usually here by 8:30. So if you want to come anytime after 8:30 5 00:03:55.440 --> 00:04:16.799 come whenever you want. >> Thanks. >> Great. >> Get yourself there. >> Here. >> You don't even have to present. 6 00:04:16.799 --> 00:04:51.440 >> So far nobody's here. >> Oh yeah. So everybody's watching. Oh, >> we didn't live stream. You could have just been like, "Here's a presentation." >> We are live both streaming and >> I hope they didn't hear that whole conversation about 7 00:04:51.440 --> 00:05:27.960 home. It was not >> These chairs are so comfortable. When I first started coming, I'm too >> Okay. All right. Call the meeting to all. Please rise for the flag salute. 8 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:46.560 >> 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. >> The Cedar Grove Board of Education's Never mind. Let's start that again. The 9 00:05:46.560 --> 00:06:01.840 New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Cedar Grove Board of Education 10 00:06:01.840 --> 00:06:18.720 has caused notice of this meeting to be advertised by having the date, time, and place thereof posted on bulletin boards in the district, published, and or transmitted to the Verona Cedar Grove Times newspaper, tap online news, filed with the township clerk, and posted on 11 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:35.280 the district website. Do I have a roll call, please? >> Mr. Alban, >> here. >> Mr. Mozilla, >> here. >> Mr. Pal, >> here. Miss Keegan >> here. Miss Doris >> here. Good evening everybody. 12 00:06:35.280 --> 00:06:52.479 >> At this time I'd like to open the meeting to public comment agenda items only. Seeing that there is no one here to speak, I move to close that portion of the meeting and move on to um committee reports. 13 00:06:52.479 --> 00:07:10.240 Uh we don't really have any committee reports today, but I do want to say a couple things. Um exciting night today, right? Um tonight we after many many years of lots of hard 14 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:26.560 work and time and effort by many different people, um it's the uh we will be voting on the questions for the referendum and Dr. Fat is going to be speaking about that in his presentation, but a lot of time and effort from a lot 15 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:43.360 of different people is coming to fruition tonight. So, I'm very excited and I'm sure I can speak for the rest of the board. We're excited that tonight is really going to start the next phase of the referendum. So, later on in the meeting, we will be voting on the um 16 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:57.919 ballot question. So, I am excited about that. I also want to take a few minutes to just talk about uh the prom, the junior senior prom. So, some people may know, not everybody, that at the very last moment there was a fire at the 17 00:07:57.919 --> 00:08:14.960 venue that was housing our junior senior prom and um the district was not informed until literally the night before, the day before. So, I just want to take a few minutes to thank the uh all the people involved that on a dime 18 00:08:14.960 --> 00:08:32.080 had to pivot and um come up with some really creative ways to ensure that our students had the time of their life. And from the feedback that I got, it was absolutely beautiful. The pictures that I saw was absolutely beautiful. And the 19 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:47.440 students feedback was all very positive. They had a fantastic time. So I just want to thank the class adviserss uh Mr. Goggerty who was uh in attendance um our whole district security team that was also in attendance to provide extra 20 00:08:47.440 --> 00:09:03.839 security because the um venue was able to house the students outside. So it was all open. So our security team attended our full administration and the all the um help that they had. But more most importantly our high school principal u 21 00:09:03.839 --> 00:09:21.600 Mrs. English who dropped everything, went to the venue, um, made sure every last detail, was picture perfect for our students. So, I really wanted to just take a moment to thank everybody, but um, a special thanks to Mrs. English who 22 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:36.880 really took went above and beyond to make sure our students had um, the time of their life. And we appreciate all the students and their ability to pivot at the last minute and the families and the parents because I know how stressful that evening is and everybody came 23 00:09:36.880 --> 00:09:52.000 together and it's just a reflection of the Cedar Grove community. So, thank you everybody. Um, okay. With that, >> thank you. >> It over to Dr. >> Madam President. Thank you very much and good evening Cedar Grove school community. Let me also just echo the 24 00:09:52.000 --> 00:10:07.839 same sentiments about the prom and our overall team's uh response. Couldn't say enough about the leadership and the care they took uh for our students. Um and it was really inspiring to to see. Um and then also uh tonight is a really big 25 00:10:07.839 --> 00:10:24.560 night for us as a board and a community. It's a milestone that's been many months, if not many years in the making uh through a lot of judicious work by many stakeholders and experts that have been working with our organization to determine uh what our ultimate needs are 26 00:10:24.560 --> 00:10:39.760 uh to continue to invest appropriately in our schools. So, I salute our board. Uh I can't say enough uh about their commitment these last 18 months. Many board retreats, many discussions determining um how we could get to this point. And so tonight I'll be presenting 27 00:10:39.760 --> 00:10:57.279 to the community um our overall uh um summary of what our referendum projects will be and the structure of the referendum which will be voted on September 15th. And everything I share tonight plus many more materials that will be created will be housed on our 28 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:12.640 website. And I will be going forward uh with a road show tour if you would this summer. Uh we'll host community forums. I'll look to also join other meetings that are already in process. just to make sure that our community is well informed about both the capital project 29 00:11:12.640 --> 00:11:28.959 needs in the district, what we're the problems we're trying to solve for and full transparency on the cost and the tax impact. So, let me begin there. The first slide you see behind me, I want to highlight right here, you see these three totals. There's a total project 30 00:11:28.959 --> 00:11:43.839 cost $62 million. That includes all of the projects in the referendum. Again, it's going to be a two question referendum. And so, total cost is the 62 million. But then, please see right below that, the state aid number, just 31 00:11:43.839 --> 00:11:59.839 under 25 million. That's $25 million in aid that if it doesn't come to Cedar Grove, it's going to go somewhere else. It's why the referendum is such an important cost-savings initiative for doing capital projects over a 20-year period, and it's so critical. And then 32 00:11:59.839 --> 00:12:16.480 you see that final number, 37 million. That is the local impact, tax impact. And so underneath that, you then see question number one, all the projects in question number one. And you can see the average um estimated annual average cost 33 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:31.920 per household is $384. Broken down monthly is 32. And then same for question two, $2.49 and then 21 per month. for both questions to pass, you're looking at a monthly impact of 34 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:47.760 $53 based on average assessed home value. Now, in the coming weeks and months, I'm going to share more information with the community about average assessed home value versus market value. They're two very different numbers, and so we'll be putting out information about that for the community 35 00:12:47.760 --> 00:13:03.440 to digest as well. Let me go into some more of the specifics about the why uh and why we think this is so important. So we have very significant infrastructure needs which I'll get into but we also have extremely congestion in our end schools and growing at the 36 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:18.000 middle school. We need to bring relief to both the middle school and the end schools in terms of our overall class sizes and enrollment projections. I want to highlight two numbers up here for you. Uh the first uh this is our current 37 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:35.040 enrollment number right now and that's over 50 students more than it was from a year ago. But then I also want to highlight for you right here, this is our registered kindergartens for September 165. We've already opened the seventh section and class sizes already 38 00:13:35.040 --> 00:13:53.040 are projected to be as high as 22 to 23 potentially going north of that. If you look here from kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth grade, and you look at those numbers compared to 165, there's a clear trend in where our enrollment sizes are going. And that is 39 00:13:53.040 --> 00:14:09.839 also supported by the birth rate projections here which we expect to be at a total enrollment of around640 by 2028 2029. So that is a significant driver for this referendum initiative. Here is a summary of the two questions. Essentially question number one is 40 00:14:09.839 --> 00:14:24.399 focusing on infrastructure projects across all four schools. Uh it also highlights the need for restored science labs at the high school. Uh those are safety matters. Those are roofs. Those are HVAC systems across all four 41 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:40.880 schools. Question number two is essentially the question of reopening LRP and all the costs that are associated to reopening LRP by September of 2028. This important point here in bold, I want to just highlight this. The bond 42 00:14:40.880 --> 00:14:56.959 proposal question for number two will only go into effect if the bond proposal for question number one is successful. said another way, if question one fails, question two cannot pass. So, we must solve for our infrastructure problems 43 00:14:56.959 --> 00:15:12.240 first before considering the reopening of LRP. That's intentionally designed um in terms of what our priorities are for this referendum. Here is an overview, these next few slides of the projects. Uh you can see to the left here, you can 44 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:27.920 see from this to this. So, these are current conditions. This is these are actual pictures of the current roof at the high school. This is what a restoration would look like. And then these highlighted areas here are the impacted areas. It's not all full roof 45 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:43.600 restorations on all four schools, but all four roofs across all four schools do need work. Next second floor here, you see this is the science labs. These are the photos of current state of our science labs. Here are modernized 46 00:15:43.600 --> 00:16:00.079 science labs. Um and then you also have the full replacement of our HVAC system at the high school. The current system is you is consistent to is the original system when the school was opened in the early 1960s. 47 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:17.040 Next you have our middle school. This is by far of our four four roofs. This is by far the one in worst condition. You can see some photos down here and you would see a full restoration of the middle school roof that's needed. And then this winter uh we had at times five 48 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:33.519 to six classrooms without heat. They were heated through portable units like this. We were on the verge of situations of students being in classes with jackets on. Um and the AC systems, we have about nine units that are currently not functioning properly. 49 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:48.639 North Enn Elementary School AC upgrades and partial roof restorations. The exact same for Southoun AC updates and upgrades and partial roof restorations. You won't see heat upgrades for the end schools. Their units are fairly new and 50 00:16:48.639 --> 00:17:03.600 functioning well, but they do not have the AC upgrades that we deem are needed. And uh I wanted to highlight this. And now I'm switching to LRP. Uh so here we focus on rest restroom upgrades, various 51 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:20.240 building upgrades which do include HVAC, windows and PA systems. Board office would stay at LRP but be reduced by 50% and move to the first floor. Additionally to LRP we'd have general classroom upgrades. You can see some photos of some current the current 52 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:36.000 situation and then what the upgrades would look like including a music room. And then really before I get to the tax impact, this is the last big project. Um, we've done our due diligence over the last year talking to various consultants to determine traffic 53 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:51.440 patterns and the consequence of traffic patterns on Pmpton by reopening LRP. And it's really been determined that the only viable option is to create a driveway, an access drive that connects LRP through Panther Park. Um, and that 54 00:17:51.440 --> 00:18:09.280 is really the most efficient. Um and we see it as at this point the only option for reopening LRP as a 345 intermediate school. Uh so this project is also a referendum project and was funded um at 40% of state aid. 55 00:18:09.280 --> 00:18:24.880 Next two slides are an overview again this will all be on our website tomorrow is an overview analysis of the overall tax impact. I want to highlight for you this bar graph here. You notice the impact increases over a period of time and then then begins to decline. That is 56 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:41.360 old debt that we will be projecting to go off of our books by 2032 and 2033. So you see that is on the horizon. And then you can see the overall breakdown based on average assessed value home and what those co costs are uh for the proposal 57 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:57.679 number one. And a reminder, proposal number one is all of the infrastructure projects at all four schools, including the science labs. Here is the analysis for proposal number two, the total cost and then the tax uh debt analysis as 58 00:18:57.679 --> 00:19:16.080 well. At this time, that concludes the presentation. This and many other materials will be placed on our website starting tomorrow going through into the summer. And as I mentioned earlier, uh community forums will be hosted uh and variety of 59 00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:31.039 different initiatives when we come back to school uh will be uh undertaken to ensure everyone is well informed about this referendum vote on September 15th. And in summation with this referendum, we are looking to address needed 60 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:48.000 infrastructure projects. uh we need to invest in our schools for the next many generations of students and families to come and the congestion at our end schools and the middle school by reopening LRP. In a nutshell, that's what we're looking to solve for with this referendum initiative. And with 61 00:19:48.000 --> 00:20:03.280 that, um unless there are questions from board members, u Madame President, I can turn it back to you. >> Thank you. >> Any comments or questions at this time? All right. 62 00:20:03.280 --> 00:20:18.640 >> Nice presentation. >> Thank you, Dr. T. All right. So, we do have a little bit of business to do today. So, we can move into that. Um, all right. So, under business administrators report, can I 63 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:36.159 have a motion for G1 through G6, please? >> So, can I just note that we skipped public comment because there's no public. >> I did that. Did you say that? >> I did. >> My apologies. >> Yes. >> I did that before our presentation. 64 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:53.280 Okay. Motion for G1 through G6, please. >> So move. Second. >> Comments, questions, discussion. Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rosilla. >> Yes. 65 00:20:53.280 --> 00:21:07.760 >> Mr. Pallet. >> Yes. >> Steven. >> Yes. >> Miss Dora. >> Yes. motion. >> Thank you. Okay. Under human resources, can I have 66 00:21:07.760 --> 00:21:23.120 a motion for H1 through H9? H9 is a carry-on uh resolution that I'm going to read nine. Now, the Cedar Grove Board of Education hereby places employee ID number 1585 on administrative leave with 67 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:40.240 pay on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 through a date to be determined. Employee number 1585 shall be given notice of this action by the board secretary with a copy of this resolution at the earliest time to be transmitted by certified mail return receipt 68 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:59.039 requested. >> Have a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Al. >> Yes. >> Mr. Marula. >> Yes. 69 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:13.280 Yes. >> Miss Keegan, >> yes. >> Yes. >> All motion pass. >> Thank you. All right. At this time, I open the meeting to public comment on any related school items. Seeing that there is 70 00:22:13.280 --> 00:22:28.640 nobody here to speak, I move to close that portion of the meeting. Uh announcement of future meetings. Our next meeting will be um in a couple weeks, June 24th. Um regular time meeting time will be 71 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:43.440 6:00. Is that accurate? Yes. Please note the change of that. Um executive session will be at 5:30, regular meeting will be at 6 and then the following meeting will be July 14th. Same times. Executive session at 5:30 with regular meeting at 72 00:22:43.440 --> 00:23:01.000 6:00. Both to be held at the uh high school here. Uh if that's it, nobody else has any other things. I uh move to close the meeting. All in favor? Hi. Meeting closed. Meeting adjourned. Thank you. 73 00:23:03.679 --> 00:23:19.840 >> He's hanging in there. He's taking over. So, >> I know >> he's got a work out for us. >> I see uh Carter all the time. Mike Carter. >> Oh, yeah. >> Cuz he uh he trains my kids. >> My grandkids. Yeah. >> He teaches them hitting, 74 00:23:19.840 --> 00:23:29.200 >> you know. He's a great coach. >> I see him everywhere. That's where I was. That's why I was rushing today. They were hitting me. >> Tyranny.