Good evening and welcome to the April 15th tax day Clinton Board of Education meeting. Will everyone please join me as we rise to salute our nation's flag? Oh, it's over there. Move it. I pledge
allegiance to the flag. >> All please take a seat. Thank you everyone for coming. Roll call. Mr. Mr. Brunzak >> here. >> Mr. Kenova here. >> Miss Estri Barnes >> here. >> Mr. Paris >> here. >> Mr. Ragsdale >> here. >> Mr. Ciano >> here. >> Miss Suarez here. >> Vice President Santiago
>> here. President Bassford >> here. >> Mission statement. Commissioner Ciano, would you please do the f the honor? >> Absolutely. Thank you. The mission of the Clifton School District in an open and reciprocal community partnership is to provide all students with a quality
education to develop the skills necessary to become literate lifelong learners who are responsible and productive citizens contributing to a democratic society in an everchanging world. >> Thank you, Commissioner Ciano. Commissioner uh Vice President Santiago,
the Open Public Meetings Act. >> Thank you, President Basford. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right to the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discuss discussed or acted
upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, Clifton Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be publicized by having the date, time, and place thereof posted at the city clerk's office, Clifton Public Library Administration building, senior citizens nutrition center, on cable TV, in the
local press, on the district's website, and mailed to presidents of parent teacher organizations. This meeting will be tape recorded in accordance with policy 0168. >> You have impeccable timing, sir. Impeccable timing.
>> Good evening. Uh, ladies and gentlemen, we have the honor of having a special presentation by our Senator John McKon to our own Clifton Commissioner Elias Ragdale. >> Perfect. Perfect timing. >> Senator, let us get your mic, please.
even just get it a little closer if you can. >> I got a big >> I'm sorry. My back is to whoever it's back to very much so Madame President members of of the board. Thank you so very much for giving me a couple minutes
of your time today and uh please I'm sure as you always do to acknowledge my friend the mayor who's been just pleasure to work with over the past several years of represent I'm not going to talk about
Okay. What do the kids do? Right. That's thing to do. But I I really wanted to mention to her and and say that's one of the many things that you should all be uh very very proud of. Uh the the musicians, the uh thesbians, God knows
the scholars, the athletes. Uh Clifton is really and its high school and its school system is a special place and we'll do everything we can to uh to support you. I had a nice talk with the superintendent. I said, "We got a lot more money." He says, "It's going to the damn charter schools. Would you do something about that?" We can't. But uh
in sincerity, I really came here to pay a little homage to uh Elias Ragsdale. Uh Elias, as I'm sure you all know, I'm assuming that I know you're looking around, you all look a little at same age, maybe, but uh but I believe he's the youngest uh gentleman or person ever
elected to the board of education, which is a feat in and of itself. Uh but before you get too full of yourself, uh you know, I thought I'd mention uh Edward Rutled and Thomas Lynch. They were both representing the great state of South Carolina and they signed the
Declaration of Independence when they were just 24. So, I mean, you know, I know you're on the board of ed and all, but uh, you know, you'll put it in perspective. And, you know, I was thinking of our founders in this year of, uh, you know, our 250th anniversary. Uh, Alexander Hamilton was 21, James
Madison 25, Aaron Burr 20, James Monroe 18, and although not an American, the marquee of uh, the Lafayette was just 20. Uh so I use those ages uh to juxtapose that to you. Uh I'm sure all of you and forget about the politics
aside. Uh I can't imagine that you take someone that was the president of the student union uh a half a dozen years ago. Somebody who gives his time when there's a water break. Uh not that he's paid for it or not that anybody was looking, but I guess a few people did uh relative to uh providing water to the
people of the city uh that needed it. uh the work you do at the uh at the food pantry uh just everything uh since I've been privileged to represent this city. I've seen you at what flag raising, what cultural rep, you know, uh celebration and and what a great thing. What we need
now is hope, right? What we need now is young people willing to uh step up. Uh when someone young usually asked me if they should go into politics, I said, "If you want agilation, learn how to play the guitar." Uh and I'm sure all of you can equate to that with the service
that you give. Uh so Elias uh I would on behalf of my legislative group uh Alex and Colassos Gil and Rosie Begoli and frankly uh from Governor Cheryl and all of us in the legislature want to congratulate you on the achievement of
your election and look forward with just big saucered eyes to all the great things that you with your colleagues are going to achieve going forward. God bless you all and thank you. So, congratulations again, Commissioner Ragdale.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And thank you to our Senator John McKan and our mayor Raymond Gowski for for coming. Thank you very much for being here. It means a lot when we both have a good alliance between the two groups back and forth across the street. So,
we're going to go on to our board committee reports. >> Yes. >> Oh, sorry. Thank you. I'm way ahead of myself. Our student rep, Jenna, didn't mean to pass you up. I'm skipping around on the agenda. Thank you.
>> Madame President, may I use some superintendent uh in May I be indulged for a moment? >> Yeah, ahead. I know what you're going to do >> because Jenna probably won't announce this, but I will. Uh, I was recently informed that our student rep, uh, Jenna
was, uh, not only accepted to Cornell University, but did I hear you're getting a full ride? >> YES. >> That is Wow. >> Congratulations, Jenna. Well, can't think of a more deserving uh, young
woman and look forward to seeing all the great things you do in the future. Thank you guys so much for your support. It means a lot. Thank you. Well, to follow that up. Good evening. Um, last month we had our student verse staff basketball game with the staff
once again winning the game, ending with a three-point shot from Mr. Hamda. I know overall overall the night was a success and we would like to thank everyone who helped make the night possible and everyone who supported. This Saturday, we will be having our culture night at 6 PM.
Admission is free and open to the public, and it will be a night filled with celebration, food, and performances. Next Friday, the SCA will be hosting movie night for the senior class at CHS to watch High School Musical 3 this senior as we enter the fourth and final marking period of our high school
careers. On April 2nd, we will also be having our annual CHS film festival at 7 PM. Tickets are $10 and we invite everyone to come out and support and acknowledge the hard work and dedication the students have given. Next, the CHS talent show will also be on May 1st in
the CHS auditorium, and we invite everyone to come see the wonderful performances. We have a very full schedule as the school year starts coming to an end, and we hope that everyone will come out to support and celebrate the end of the school year. Next, I'm happy to say that the student parking lot has been some has seen some
improvement with the security guards staying outside longer before home room, ensuring students who aren't supposed to be there don't enter. We hope more students in the future will will have access to parking and we appreciate the efforts that have been made so far. Finally, as the third marking period comes to an end, I am happy to report
that students feel their teachers are continuing to support students outside the class and after school as support and tutoring are still being offered by many teachers. Thank you. >> Thank you so much to our student representative and congratulations once again. Your father must be very happy
but more so relieved. The cost of education is unbelievable. So we're going to go to our committee reports and thank you for reminding me. Commissioner Ciano, I would like to start with finance. Our our chair uh Commissioner Brunak.
>> Thank you President Bassford. Finance was on March 31st, 2026. Those present were myself, Commissioner Santiago, Commissioner Kenova, Commissioner Ragdale. Admin attended was Mark Mr. Jingerro,
Mr. Uchi, Miss Cusvich, and Mr. Doctor. Meeting start time was 5:00 p.m. Meeting end time was 6:17 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Items of discussion. Finance committee minutes were the 2026 2027 budget discussion. The committee
reviewed a comprehensive budget frequently asked question outlining the impacts of various tax levy scenarios for the 2026 27th school year. The scenarios at a 2% tax levy increase. The district would require a
reduction of 49 positions. As of March 31st, 33 of these reductions would be achieved through attrition, including retirements and resignations across instructional and support staff, as well as two administrative positions. The
remaining 16 reductions would directly impact programs, increase class sizes, and limit hiring capacity. At a 4% tax levy increase, the district would still need to reduce 25 positions primarily through attrition. At a 6% tax
levy increase, no positions would be eliminated. However, the district would still be unable to hire the 11 teachers required to fully staff the new middle school. The committee noted that under all scenarios, two, four, and 6% respectively, there
would be negative impacts on programs, increased class sizes, and insufficient staffing for the new middle school. administration fir further noted that in order to maintain a fully status quo budget while also hiring the necessary staff for a new middle school, a tax
levy increase of approximately 10% would be required. Budget drivers. The primary driver of the budget is a 31% increase in health benefits totaling 13.6 million. Additionally, charter school
tuition cost increase $3.8 8 million, 23%. While the healthcare adjustment allows the district to raise the tax levy up by up to 4%, generating approximately $6.4 million. The district still began the budget
process with a $15 million deficit at a 2% levy increase. State aid for fiscal year 2027 increased by 6.3 million. However, when offset by the charter school increase, the net gain is 2.4 4 million, which is insufficient to cover
rising costs. The funding adequacy under the school funding reform act, the district's local fair share adequacy is calculated at $198 million compared to the to the proposed 2% tax levy increase of $156 million, resulting in a gap of
$42 million. The committee emphasized that the district continues to operate below adequacy. Comparative spending. The committee highlighted the district continues to do more with less. Noted rankings among 90 districts 96 districts as follows. 74th
in administrative spending, 63rd in per pupil costs, 82nd in operations and maintenance, 65th in classroom instruction, and 62nd in extracurricular spending. The tax impact based on the
average assessed home value of $180,519. The estimated annual and monthly tax impacts are as follows. 2% increase is $16 annually or $8.83 monthly. 4%
increase is $212 annually or $17.66 per per month. And a 6% increase is $318 annually or 26.49. 49 monthly. The committee discussed the significant financial challenges facing the district
and the difficult decisions required under each budget scenario. Does anyone have any questions? >> Commissioner Suarez. Thank you, President Basford. Thank you, uh, Commissioner Bunza for the report. I really appreciate it. Um, and this question is likely for, um, central
administration. if you can please detail the impact of um classroom sizes and what the impact is on students and teachers um and the details whether or not how it's going to be attributed districtwide please I would like I would like to understand I would like for the
community to understand as well >> Mrs. best. Thank you, Miss Suarez. The the sad reality is that when we lose positions, whether through attrition or other,
the only result is increasing class sizes when those are classroom teachers. The only way to reduce class sizes is to hire more teachers. So the impact will be felt whether it's through attrition which we hope uh will be the case. Um,
but we also have a situation where even best case scenario, if if the board votes for a 6% increase, which we can do with the healthcare adjustment, we're still going to be short 11 positions that are necessary at our new middle school, which will impact the class
sizes at our new middle school and our other two middle schools because we'll have to take staff from there. So, the reality is it's very simple. The less staff you have, the higher class sizes will increase and most likely negatively
impact academic achievement, social, emotional, everything. So it it could have a significant impact. And finally, I would add that it's unfortunate that none of this is the fault of anybody sitting on this deis
because this board has been fiscally sound, fiscally conservative, fiscally responsible. But things out of our control like a 30% health benefit increase um is something that is simply killing
us. Thank you, Dr. Roberts. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Commissioner Brenak. I'm going to ask uh Commissioner Paris to read the education minutes. >> Thank you, President Bassford. I'm not
going to repeat some of the things that were discussed in the finance minutes that we also discussed in education. Um so, our meeting was on March 31st. It began at 3 pm. President were myself um vice president Santiago, Commissioner
Suarez, Commissioner Estri Barnes from administration, Dr. Roberty, Miss Kusalevich, Mr. Jingaro, Mr. Doctor, uh Dr. Chavez, who's a director of special services. Uh special education update
was provided by Dr. Chavez. Our preschool referrals to date are 170. Our school age referrals to date are 180. The following programs are at or near capacity. Grade nine multiple
disabilities. High school resource room for biology, world history, American history, Spanish, and algebra. High school autism. High school LLD severe. Elementary autism is completely full
with five group size exceptions granted from the New Jersey Department of Education. Middle school LLDS hybrid is completely full. Middle school emotional regulation impairment program will have approximately six additional students
for the 2026 2027 school year. Autism all grades will be completely full for the 2627 school year. Elementary emotional regulation impairment classes are near full capacity. Elementary LLD severe is currently full
and will not have enough spots for the 2627 school year. Elementary resource rooms, several of which are full now and several will require Paris due to their group sizes. Other special education updates. Uh
Karen Pon, the district supervisor of autism programs, will be presenting at a New Jersey Department of Education forum on April 23rd on our district's utilization and implementation in our autism programs of the Department of
Education's quality indicators. The department has disseminated surveys to paraprofessionals, special education teachers and principles to gather input on the need for more paraprofessional training. The survey data will be analyzed and used to develop a
paraprofessional training program for special education Paris. The special education parent advisory group met in March for its third meeting of the school year. A presentation entitled Sleep and Nighttime Routines was presented by one of our district
behaviorists. The next meeting is scheduled for May 19th at 6 PM. The department is busy preparing our data for the state's extraordinary aid application that will be submitted in late spring. Uh some updates from Miss Kuselvich
concerning u multil- language learners. Some numbers have gone down. Currently, we have 1,447 multil- language learning students with two students in the queue for being tested. This is a reduction in new students being tested weekly and a
slight reduction in overall multi- uh language learner numbers. Numbers will drop when we get access scores back in June, anticipating uh at 10% or more students exiting our multil- language programs. These
students become F1 or F2 exited students. We still have to track them. They will technically still be multil- language students but receive reduced services. Usually a good portion of students who exit get replaced by others coming into the district. Given recent
reductions in new student testing, there may be some reduction in multil- language learner numbers for the next year. Uh staffing is uh similar to what was discussed. in the finance minutes.
Uh I will skip to the last paragraph which is as we plan to provide a thorough and efficient education for students next year, we are closely monitoring potential reductions in multi- language learner numbers, staff retirements and resignations as
well as special education increases. 10% of all budget lines, including all instructional, co-curricular, and extracurricular areas have already already been done in preparing the 2% budget. An explicit plan for exactly
which classes may be reduced or increased will be subject to all of this data and new enrollments. Some examples of data being monitored to make the best decisions for students are two potential general education classes that may be collapsed to to make room for
specialized programs and un underenrolled electives at the high school may be combined or collapsed and pocket redistricting may take place in elementary schools to avoid splitting classes. The meeting was adjourned at 3:52. Any questions?
>> Commissioner Suarez. Thank you um very much. And this was briefly alluded to in the last paragraph. Um but for the incoming students um that are either newly classified or new to the district, what's the plan in place um for the
programs that are at or near capacity? >> Uh Madam President, can we ask uh Miss Gusvich to address that? >> So right now we're able to add um what are called they're they're individual waiverss for class size. Um this was
actually the first school year that we had done such waivers um I believe in my entire career here. Um so we had already started doing such waiverss this year where we petitioned the county for one child at a time increasing the class sizes of those special needs classes. Um
in many cases triggering the need for an additional paraprofessional um but not in all cases. It depends on the situation. Um so there will be more of those. Uh but we are also looking at some restructuring and moving around other programs. So again hopefully the
fewer um staff we need to go down by the more flexibility we would have to do some of that combining to create positions. Um you know by going down a gened section to go up a special education section which is what we also
did this year. um three of our new special education sections this year were as a result of closing general education sections that were underenrolled. So that is the same plan going forward. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate that input. Um I had a follow-up question,
but if it No, it escaped me. When it comes back, I'll ask it another time. Thank you so much. >> Any other questions? Uh moving on to our facility report. Uh Commissioner Brunac, would you do the honor, please? Thank you, President Basford.
The facilities committee occurred on March 31st, 2026. Those in attendance were myself, Commissioner Paris, Commissioner Ciano, President Bassford. Those from administration who attended were Dr. Roberts, Mr. Jingerro, Mr. Uchi, Miss
Cusilevich, Mr. Doctor, Mr. Maldonado, and Mr. Marion. Meeting start time was 4 p.m. Meeting end time was 4:50 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Items of discussion were the buildings and ground updates, the handy
chairlift installation as school number 12 has been completed and has successfully passed inspection for use. The maintenance team will begin painting yellow curbs around the school grounds and designated bus drop off zones to enhance safety. Additionally,
maintenance staff will start servicing all classroom units, including cleaning and filter replacements during spring break. Custodial teams will conduct a comprehensive deep cleaning across all schools. Trees at the CHS courtyard.
Quotes were reviewed for the removal of dead trees and and brush in the rear courtyard at CHS. This work is being considered as a preventative measure in anticipation of potential roof replacement project. The space may also be repurposed for future student use.
Capital project updates. roof replacements at CHS and school 12. Plans for for roof replacements at both CHS and school number 12 were discussed. Required asbestous testing will be completed prior to moving forward. Bid specifications are expected to be issued
within a month. Parking lot paving projects. Summer paving projects are planned for CILA A, CILA S, and school number nine. CHS and Christopher Columbus parking lot expansions. is the district architect
will develop specs for parking lot expansions at Christopher Columbus and CHS which will then be sent out for bid. Stadium turf and track replacement. The stadium turf currently three years past its lifespan at over 13 years old was
discussed. The district has been proactively allocating funds in capital resist reserve over the past three years. The committee agreed to utilize capital reserve funds to initiate the replacement process. Does anyone have any questions?
>> I have a commission >> um >> more comment to just for clarification on capital projects. Uh Mr. Uchi, my understanding those funds are dedicated strictly to capital
projects. Can we transfer those for in for instructional support or for any positions that we might be missing? >> No, we may not. We have to use it for capital projects. >> Thank you. I just want to make it clear because we're going over this these capital projects and might come to mind
that you might think, well, these are optional. We can take that money and use it elsewhere. We cannot. That money is earmarked for capital improvements. >> You just read my mind, Commissioner Paris. I was going to actually ask the superintendent the question because we're we just got through a a finance
report saying that we we're going to have a shortfall if you know 11 positions. So, I think that we keep on uh as we go through the months and we get closer to the final budget date, we have to keep on expressing that that the improvements we make on the facilities
are from money that we saved in a savings account to put we can't spend it legally on anything else but facilities and capital improvements. So, for people to say, well, why can't you move money? We are legally not allowed to do that. So, we just want to make sure that everybody knows that and that there's no
issue. With that being said, um I'm going to form an ad hoc committee on our RFP committee. Um I'm allowed to have four members. Um thinking about June for this committee to get together and start just looking at some of our vendors and the cost and see where we can basically
sharpen our pencils up. If anybody would like to be on that committee, please email me or discuss it with me. I'm not going to have a lengthy discussion tonight, but if you're want want have interest in it or want to talk to me more about it with the superintendent because we the three of us actually talked about this and I think it's time that we start looking at some of our
vendors and maybe sharpening some of our pencils up a tad. So, all right. I just wanted to make that announcement. Any other questions about any committee reports? Yes. >> Yes. Um, >> so the uh the turf replacement, do we have a I know we we didn't even start
yet, but do we have a projected date where we're not going to affect any sports? >> The athletic department is so pleased that this is happening. They will said they will move whatever they need to move in order to make it happen. However, the reality is it's only going
to take I think they said two weeks and like like once they get in two weeks. So, um there's definitely time between June and July where it won't impact uh any of the sports. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And it will not impact graduation
because when I get reminded of that every every year graduation rolls up from 2014 from my son that his class was the only one moved to from the field. So, >> um that was time that that was when the turf was done. So, 2014. So, it's
already a couple years past its um >> 12 years old. >> 12 years old. >> And um I was worried about that because just like you know, you get anything under warranty, if there's an accident and it's not in warranty or you know, you've gone past your prime on
something, that's another liability to the district. So, it needs to be done. Has to be done. Any other questions? Okay, moving on. We're going to go to public uh comments. Um, I'm going to read the statement first and then we'll go to uh virtual. Um, this portion of
the meeting is open to the residents and non-residents of Clifton for the purpose of addressing any subject matter pertinent to andor directly related to the operations of the Clifton Public School District. Residents and non-residents are required to sign the
register provided for this purch purpose and state their name, address, and subject matter. Comments are limited to five minutes per person. Issues raised by members of the public may or may not be responded to by the board. All comments will be considered and a
response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that the members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged
and will not be responded to by the board. Students and employees have specific rights, legal rights, uh, afforded to them by the law of the laws of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the
public. Members of the public should be considered members of the public should consider their comments in light of legal rights of those affected or identified in comments and be aware that they are they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. Um, Mr.
Foul, do we have anybody online? >> We do not this evening. >> Motion to close remote. >> Motion Commissioner Brunak. Second by Commissioner Paris. Do I need a roll call? >> No. Okay. All in favor? Yes. Right. Uh,
public comment. Anybody in the public would like to get up and speak? You have five minutes. Thank you. Sorry. Do you want me to start over? >> Okay. Good evening all. My name is Sherie Morola, president of the Clifton Education Association and proud art
teacher at Wedger Wilson Middle School. I sit here tonight representing the teachers, paraprofessionals, and various support staff who work tirelessly every day to serve the students of this district. My dear father once told me that any money spent on education is the
greatest in investment not only for my future but for the future of others. Any chance we have as educators to invest in that future is imperative. For years, this board has asked educators to do more with less. And for years, we have delivered. We have pivoted. We have
adopted new technology. And we have provided emotional support to students and parents dealing with unprecedented challenges. I am here tonight to strongly support a six 6% tax increase. We understand that asking for more money
is a significant request and we do not take it lightly. We know that taxpayers are feeling the pressures of a higher cost of living. However, we have reached a breaking point. We cannot continue to deliver the quality of education this community deserves while working with
less. We ask our board to go to 6% for the people who cannot. For our hungry students so we can still feed them on half days. We ask our board to go to 6% for the band kids for whom music is everything. We ask our board to
go to 6% for our heroes and cool kids who teach the younger generations to be strong and kind. We ask our board to go to 6% because every child who needs basic skills instruction should get
basic skills instruction. Our schools are at a at a crossroads for many reasons. We must rise above this as a community and come together to make our district the best in the state. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Would anyone else like to address the board? Seeing none. Oh, sorry. Good evening. Is it on? Test one 1212. Good evening. I My name is Diana Farcus. I am a sack counselor at Woodro Wilson
Middle School. I would love to invite the board of education um district leaders, staff, families, and community members to our third annual mind music and movement festival being held on May 2nd at 11:00
a.m. It is a celebration centered on wellness, creativity, and connection. This event is designed to bring our school community together through power of music, movement, and mindfulness. Our goal is to create a space where students and families can engage in activities
that support mental and emotional well-being, encourage self-expression, and strengthen relationships across our schools. The festival will feature interactive experiences, including music, guided mo guided movement, and opportunities for reflection, each
aligned with our commitment to supporting the whole child. We would be honored to have the board and members of our community join us for this meaningful event. as we continue building a culture that prioritizes mental health, belonging, and student voice.
Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you there. >> Thank you so much. Would anyone else like to see um adjust the board? Seeing none. Oh, here we go. Okay. Good evening, Dr. Robert Toy,
President Bassford, the board of education. My name is Erin Teen. I am a kindergarten teacher at school, too. Um, first I'd like to begin by thanking Dr. Robert Osie for coming to read to my class a few weeks ago for ReadAcross America Week. Um, we appreciate you
taking the time out of your day and sharing a love of reading with some of Clifton's youngest learners. My class enjoyed laughing with you and listening to your stories. The reason I am here speaking tonight is to address the current substitute plan that was put in place in February of this year and how
it is affecting the students at the elementary school level. I am asking that you consider the following points while working on the budget for next school year. The current substitute plan is not sustainable at the elementary school level. There are no Kelly substitutes
covering any classroom teachers in the elementary schools. This leaves the principles and administrators at the elementary schools to figure out coverage for every absent every absence every day. They are forced to choose to pull teachers from their daily work to
cover these absences or split the teacher's class who is absent across the other sections of that grade level. Regardless of what choices made, the general education students are suffering. The teachers who are pulled from their daily work are usually
reading specialists, basic skills teachers, and ESL teachers. These teachers are crucial academic support sri pro providers for our young learners. They are reassigned from their positions so that they can provide full
day coverage for other absent teachers. This directly impacts our most struggling students. They are missing out on one-on-one and small groupoup support instruction multiple times a week. The goal of these programs is to close achievement gaps.
Many of these students could need to repeat the current grade they are in without this extra support that the district has promised to provide. These children could also end up in need of child study team testing and in IEP without this academic support. As the
board stated at it last meeting, the special education rate in Clifton schools is 24%. that number will only continue to grow if these support teachers continue to be pulled daily to substitute. The second option of splitting the class
does not work at the elementary level either. For those of you that don't know, this would be taking the absent teacher's class and adding half of them to two other classrooms in the building. For example, if one second grade teacher
is absent, her 24 students are split, sending 12 to one class and 12 to another, making each of these classes approximately 36 students for the entire school day. The this directly affects learning. A
classroom teacher comes to work to teach her specific class. Now, she does not have enough seating. She does not have enough instructional materials for the day to run smoothly. The classroom teacher cannot teach lessons that he or she has prepared for that day on the or
the daily targeted small groupoup centers that are required by our math and language arts supervisors. Now, every student in that grade level is affected by that one teacher's absence. Therefore, we ask you as the
board of education to please consider coming up with an alternative substitute plan for next school year while preparing the budget. This is my 13th year teaching in Clifton and there were many ways that this district recruited and employed substitute teachers before
the days of Kelly substitutes. Thank you for your time and your consideration. >> Thank you. >> Dr. Roboti, would you like to address >> Mrs. teaching. I just want you to know that I agree with everything you said and I don't want you to think it falls
on deaf ears and I don't want you to think we don't know the impact it's having. Um I want to assure you that it's going to get better. Not tomorrow, but it's going to get better. And um Miss Kuselich wanted to share a few words if if you don't mind.
Mrs. ambassador. >> I completely agree with everything that you said and this is absolutely the last thing that would have ever come across my lips. Um I the only reason that we had to go in that direction was because
that was literally the only line of any lines out there where we were not committed and we could actually stop something. Unfortunately, it has a devastating impact especially on the elementary schools. Um, however, we have
been monitoring it every single week and each week we have been adding some substitutes. It's just going to be in a slightly different format. So, we've been adding more paraprofessional subs. As powers are out, more powers are able to get um replacements. The specialist
teachers were getting the replacements. So that even though there may be a split or you may have to cover, you would still be able to get your prep. So you'd have just those few precious minutes for that purpose. Um we are now because the numbers have been
really holding steady and low. Um and there have been some other improvements. This is something weekly where Mr. Jussi and I look at the number of absences, the number of subs used. We're going to be adding floater subs to the elementary schools starting next week. Um, and
those are hopefully as long as the absence rates stay low, we're able to keep increasing those throughout the year. Unfortunately, this is something that's completely out of our hands and we're trying to manage it as best we can. That being said, each of the budget scenarios that was
presented does keep the substitute um package so that we have substitutes intact for September. So, you know, had this not been for this massive crisis overnight of, oh my god, the health insurance spiked, this would not have
happened this year because there was enough money in it initially. Um, so that is something that is built in and buffered into all three budget scenarios that are being discussed for September. And there is some relief coming um over
the next couple of weeks, provided things stay the way they are. Would anyone else like to um address the board? >> Seeing none, motion. >> Motion to close. >> Motion by Commissioner Brunac, second by
Commissioner Ragdale. All in favor? I. Anybody opposed? Okay, moving on. I'm going to ask for a motion to um u move the adoption of minutes from March 17th and March 19th in one. Roll call. Motion
to adopt the minutes of March 17th to 19th. >> Second. >> Motion to move both minutes by Commissioner uh Paris and seconded by Commissioner Brunak. Any discussion? Any changes? Any concerns? Roll. Roll
call. >> Mr. Brunzak. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kenova? >> Yes. >> Miss Estri Barnes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Paris? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ragdale? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ciano? >> Yes. >> Miss Suarez? >> Um, yes. abstain on March uh 17 minutes. >> Vice President Santiago,
>> yes. >> President Baser, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Uh we come to the superintendent report. >> Thank you, Madame President. Good evening, uh members of the board of education and the one Clifton community. Uh it's an honor to be here with you
tonight. Uh I did have a 25minute superintendent report planned tonight, but I am going to seed my time because uh through no fault of her own, we did have a five-minute presentation planned for autism awareness month that for some
reason I take responsibility did not make it to the agenda. So I'm going to seat my time to our supervisor of special education uh autism programs and ERRI uh Karen Pon DeLeon.
uh who's going to uh just take a few minutes to talk about Autism Awareness Month. >> I think it's on now. >> Yes. Okay. So, my name is Karen Bonce. I'm one of the supervisors of special services. I oversee the autism program, ERI
programs, among other things. Uh, in honor of April being autism awareness, uh, thank you for giving me a few minutes to speak. I just want to really talk about what autism is, what it looks like, and what we do here as a district.
Okay. So, what is autism? Autism is a developmental disability that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world around them. It's called a spectrum, as I'm sure you've heard, because every child is different. Some students need more
support, some less, but all of our students have unique strengths and needs. You'll see many of our students not only in our self-contained autism program, but um and the classrooms, but also other settings around the district and gened classrooms, etc.
So, some key characteristics in schools, autism can look very different. Some students use devices to communicate. Others struggle socially or with routines. Sensory needs can also make environments overwhelming. And behavior
is often a form of communication and not just something negative that we're trying to manage. Okay. So, our students bring incredible strengths. Many are detail oriented, very honest, sometimes too much um and
extremely creative. When given the right supports, they really show tremendous growth and progress. Uh some of the challenges we know our world is not all autism friendly, right? Some have sensory challenges, hard social interactions, and often lack
awareness and unfortunately acceptance, which is why we have April and very thankful for that. We need to build awareness. We need to be respectful when talking about individuals on the spectrum. We need to celebrate their strengths, their
talents, and we have to advocate for them. So, what do our students need? Our students with autism succeed with what they have structure, clear communication supports, and instructions tailored to their needs. These are the foundations
of everything we do. So what do we do in district? In our district, we've built programs that are structured and evidence-based. We use visual supports, communication systems, and in a few slides, I'll show you some pictures. We have individualized teaching strategies, and our team work
closely together to support each students. These includes teachers, par profofessionals, our behavior analysts, our child study team members, our related services, and our families. It really is an amazing team-based approach. So, what does this look like in action?
You'll see pictures of our classrooms, our individual student work areas. We have individualized schedules for our students. Uh we have our, like I mentioned, our related services and speech work together. We have communication boards.
One of our students here is using a communication device. And if you visited some of our schools like school 161 14, we're very lucky and appreciative to have these amazing core communication boards that staff can use while outside in recess and working with our students.
We also have amazing sensory spaces in our classrooms and supports for our students. Here you see Mr. Jingaro with Chewy and you see Rocky uh Miss Fitzpatrick's dog from uh school 14. And they have been instrumental for our programs. Um, and as I'm sure you've
heard, Rocky for one of our students at school 14 has actually helped one of our students say her first words, which we've never heard before. So, it has really been an amazing addition to our program and our students, and we're very grateful. So, thank you very much.
So, um, I just wanted to say autism is not only about recognizing challenges, it's about celebrating diversity. And absolutely none of this would be possible without the staff who show up for our students every single day. They're the rock stars, the muscles
behind the work, the ones who bring patience, compassion, and dedication into every classroom every single day. They're the true heroes of this program and they really deserve to be recognized and celebrated, which is why I invited a few of them here. I wanted to say thank
you for EVERYTHING YOU DO. DON'T BE SHY. TEAM. >> ONE, TWO, and three. >> Thank you. And ready. Perfect. One, two, and three. Big spot.
And last one. One, two, and three. One more. I'm so sorry. Ready? Um, one, two, and three. >> Awesome. Then I would just Yep. Perfect. >> Okay. Ready? One, two, three.
And two more. One, two, and three. And And that should be good. But one more. One, two, and three. >> Karen, I had a question though. You might want to go to the microphone to
answer so they can hear you. >> Karen, the the uh the communication boards on the I think you called them communication boards, the one on the playgrounds, how does how does that work? So those are um so the core that's so they are the same core communication
boards that are on our student AAC devices that they use. So they have the most common words like go more. Um so the the words that are really mostly used swing, stairs, up down things like that
>> and the students point and so they point right. So in there they have it in the classroom. They carry it with them. Staff carries even on their lanyard just pictures. So our program uses a lot of visuals where they point. They reinforce
good job more things like that. So it really has been amazing and a great addition. >> Thank you so much. I want to thank our the Clifton Education Foundation funded two of the two boards that we do have and um Miss Ko had reached out to me about coming up
or applying for a specific grant to be able to fund additional ones and we're hopeful that will also create the movement within the Clipton community for those sports to also be accessible in some of the recreation centers throughout the district. >> Thank you. Don't leave Don't leave. Does any of the commissioners have any
questions about the program you like to ask? very thorough. The presentation was outstanding. >> Thank you. And I have a question. >> Join and um log on to the presentation that myself and a the other two behaviorists and our assistant technology coordinator is hosting on
April 23rd for the Department of Education at 10 a.m. >> I have one question. How did Rocky interact with the student to get the student to talk? >> Rocky has been amazing. He's super sweet. Um, we were able to introduce him
into the classroom. Um, the one little girl said dog. She just saw him and was petting him and said dog for the first time and we've been integrating him into speech sessions and she's been able to imitate words and sounds >> and amazing. Parents must have been over
the moon they heard that. >> Yeah, we love it. >> Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Another I'm not going to talk anymore after this. I promise. But this is the perfect segue into this program, our therapy dog program, and a budget situation. I can't
tell you how many times I've heard in the past few months that we're spending so much money on therapy dogs. All right. Well, two things. One, we're not. All right. So, the therapy dog program, the only thing the district pays for is
the initial training. Everything else is covered by the employee. The purchase of the dog, the food for the dog, the vet bills, everything is covered by the employee. The district pays for a one-time training. But you ask that one parent
how much she would pay to have her child speak their first word >> with the help of a therapy dog. And that's priceless. You can't put a dollar amount on that. So, anybody who's saying look at the therapy dog program to find money, you're not going to find money
there. And the the benefits far far outweigh the costs. Thank you. >> You're going to make me cry. He's he just dropped the mic. Okay. So, I'm not going to I'm getting getting really choked up here because I I know the
benefit for the sta students, also the staff with the dogs and the community. So, it's been very well received. board has a lot of work to do in the next couple of weeks to figure out what we're going to do with the budget, but I want to talk about a couple of things that are coming up. Um, this Saturday we have
Touch a Truck in honor of autism awareness. Uh, it's um, I had it on my phone and my phone just went down, but just give me one second. It's on Brighton Road at 51 Brighton Road in Clifton. Uh it's by the Clipton Firehouse number five. Uh 10 am to 2 pm.
Uh it's in the city of Clipton is presenting it in honor of autism awareness. So uh it's very well attended. Please come out and and show your support for the community. Uh one of the local um special education uh groups are going to be there. I think the recreation department and the health
department and a bunch of other uh nice organizations are going to be there. So please come and support them. at five o'clock Saturday night at CHS. We have uh the CHS cultural night. Um so, uh many uh nice events going on there as
well. Which leads me into something that's being sponsored by the Clipton Education Foundation on April 22nd at CHS. Um is the film festival and it's a fundraiser. It's $10 a person uh for the
actual education foundation. So, it's all connecting, right? You're you're looking for boards. There's a fundraiser going on on the 22nd. Bring your friends, bring your family. That auditorium seats 800 people. It should be packed. All right. We all if we all
support it. So, let's try to get out for that. On the April 25th, we you all got a flyer. The Clipton Hero The Clipton Heroes Parade Committee is having a fundraiser at Athena Vets at six o'clock. Uh, anybody wants tickets? Um
they're $50 each. The money goes to uh the Avenue of Flags group and the uh veterans that they do, all the events they do. Kevin Gorman 2011757 5956.
Um we also have lollipops and uh roses on May 16th at the high school. Um $7 admission at uh 2 p.m. So please come out and support that. I don't know if I missed anything. I'm sorry if I missed anyone.
>> Oh, >> May 8th. The the Clipton Scholarship um um the Clipton Superintendent Scholarship Fund is May 8th. It's at >> the Elon >> the Elon and uh the tickets you can see
uh get to Jennifer Algier. You can contact me. I'll uh flip your information to her for tickets. Please come. It should be a good night. We have to start supporting each each of these events and each other. That's how these groups survive good things. Look what look what they did for students. That
communication board is priceless. Priceless. I can't I can't tell you this whole night is Thank you so much for doing this tonight. It was a nice surprise for all of us to have that. I appreciate that. That's all I have to say. We're going to move on to our uh B uh b education and administration. I'm
going to look for uh Commissioner Paris to read our resolution on autism awareness. >> Thank you, President Bassford. Whereas autumal autism awareness month observed in April seeks to celebrate and
promote acceptance of autism spectrum disorder, a condition affecting one in every 35 children in New Jersey in 2026. And whereas individuals with autism spectrum disorder can lead independent, purposeful lives when provided with the
appropriate support systems and opportunities they rightfully deserve. And whereas for many individuals and families impacted by autism, acceptance remains one of the greatest obstacles in finding and establishing a strong supportive network. And whereas policies
must be put in place to eliminate barriers for individuals with autism, enabling them to thrive in their chosen communities. And whereas self- advocates, family caregivers, professionals, and others dedicated to expanding opportunities for individuals
with autism should be acknowledged and celebrated for their invaluable contributions. And whereas one of the primary goals of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month is to raise awareness, foster acceptance, and empower individuals within the autism community
with the resources necessary to live full and meaningful lives. And whereas the ultimate goal is to create a world where everyone in the autism community feels accepted, supported, and connected to the resources they need at every stage of life. Now therefore, be it
resolved in recognition of the increasing prevalence of autism diagnosis, the Clifton Board of Education proclaims the month of April as a time to celebrate the uniqueness of individuals with autism. Learn more about autism spectrum disorder and
empower those affected by it. We encourage all to wear blue this month in recognition of in solidarity with our autism community. >> Thank you, President. Thank you, Commissioner Paris. I keep on doing it. Uh, next is our Arab Heritage Month.
Commissioner Suarez. >> Thank you, President Bassford. Whereas the Clifton Public Schools Board of Education recognizes the importance of honoring and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Arab Americans. Whereas Arab Heritage Month provides an
opportunity for students, educators, and community members to learn about and appreciate the contributions of Arabameans to our society, culture, and history. Whereas the celebration of Arab Heritage Month fosters inclusivity, diversity, and understanding among
students, educators, and community members. Whereas, it is essential to promote cultural awareness and understanding to combat stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Clifton Public Schools Board of
Education hereby proclaims the month of April as Arab Heritage Month in Clifton Public Schools. Be it further resolved that Clifton Public Schools shall incorporate educational activities, programs, and events highlighting the history, culture, contributions, and
achievements of Arab Americans during Arab Heritage Month. Be it further resolved that Clifton Public Schools encourages educators to integrate lessons and materials about Arab American heritage into their curriculum throughout the school year. Be it
further resolved that the Clifton Public Board of Education encourages the observance of Arab Heritage Month through various activities such as cultural performances, guest speakers, art exhibits, film screenings, and community discussions. Be it further resolved that Clifton Public Schools
encourages students, educators, and community members to actively participate in and support the celebration of Arab Heritage Month. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Suarez. for school library month in New Jersey. Commissioner Ciano, >> thank you so much.
You know, I got the one with the smallest font, right? Everybody sees that? Just making sure. All right. Whereas the month of April 2026 has been designated nationally as school library month by the American Association of School Librarians. And
whereas school libraries with Clifton Public Schools strive to provide equitable access to resources and instruction for all students. And whereas Clifton Public Schools libraries endeavor to provide materials and resources that reflect the diversity of
our students and communities while upholding a student's freedom to read. And whereas the libraries of Clifton Public Schools provide resources and instruction to support the implementation of New Jersey student learning standards. And whereas the school library media specialists of
Clifton public schools develop information literacy skills instruction to empower students to effectively locate, evaluate, and apply knowledge. And whereas the school library media specialists of Clifton Public Schools play a crucial role in literacy
development, fostering a lifelong love of reading among students. And whereas the school library media specialists of Clifton Public Schools curate literature appreciation activities and promote both content and recreational reading to every student. And whereas the libraries
of Clifton Public Schools contribute to students social and emotional learning needs. And whereas it is both fitting and proper that special recognition be given to the school libraries and the role of certified school library media specialists in ensuring an environment that fosters reading and learning,
investigation, and research and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge for all students in New Jersey. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Clifton Board of Education recognizes April 2026 as school library month in New Jersey. >> Thank you, Commissioner Ciano. I'm going
to look for a motion to move B, education and administration 1 through eight. >> Motion. >> Motion by second. >> Commissioner Paris, second by Commissioner Brunak. Discussion. >> See, >> Mr. Brunzak.
>> Yes. Everything except EA5. No on EA5. >> Mr. Kenova. >> Yes. No on EA5. Miss Estri Barnes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Paris. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ragsdale. >> So, should I have asked a question before? Yes.
>> If I want a discussion, is that okay? >> Yes, we'll yield to you. >> I have um for policy 5145.7. First of all, is this a statemandated policy or is this something born out of the district administration?
This is based on state law so it's required. >> Okay. It's state law and it's required. So if this board if majority of this board votes no, what happens? >> Actually that that uh scenario has come
up in in some districts. Um the fact is with or without this policy the administration has to follow the law. So my directive to administration would be that we follow the law. um this policy is aligned with the law. Um so I would
recommend passing it but if it was not passed we would still implement it. >> Right. And you see because honestly with this policy I have I don't agree I don't disagree with 100% of it. There's no like amending it or is there any kind of point of amending it
going back to committee kind of things >> there. Listen there are some problematic areas. There are some areas that people are uncomfortable with. there are some areas that um people simply disagree with. Um but and I might ask ask our
board attorney to to give some input. My understanding is that this this policy falls directly in line with what the law is and what the law requires. So what discretion you have in this policy, I'm not sure there's much discretion, but I don't want to put you on the spot. Um De
um I'm sorry I did not introduce everyone into the public. This is our attorney of the night, uh, Diana Dori, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. Um, yeah. So, the policy as it's written and and on the agenda to be adopted is consistent with the law of
the state of New Jersey with regard to all the elements of it. So, um, the the district is required to follow the law. This policy, as Dr. Roberto said, just simply reiterates that. Mhm. >> I I have a question to um to the
attorney. We we um swear um we take an oath to uphold the constitution of the state of New Jersey. If we do not follow the law, are we in violation as board members for not following through with this policy because it's a mandated policy with the state?
>> In in what way? What? I'm just trying to understand the question. If this policy goes down and we don't implement it, can we be um held liable as not doing our our job as commissioners of the board of education? We we swear that we're going to uphold the law of the constitution.
This came this mandate came down from the state of New Jersey. So basically, we have to we have to honor the law. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. Okay. >> All right. That's the only one to know. Sorry. >> Mr. Bronzak. Commissioner Brazak. Thank
you, President Bassford. Last meeting, Miss Miller said that this was not a mandatory policy, but if we do have this policy, this is one of those Strauss estimate things. If we do have this policy, this portion of it is mandatory. That that's what I recall hearing at
last meeting. Thank you. >> Any other questions, Commissioner Rexel? Yes, because yes, I am going to ask the other question that and I know I asked you this before as well when I saw the policy itself. I I think one of the concerning points of the policy is is
the restroom situation and one of the important parts of the statement though is that this identity has to be consistently asserted. So if and that's something I did not know actually and that's why I had asked you because that was something that did stand out. So if you can just explain that that process
so that people at home also understand what it is. I know you gave me a certain number of how things are now. I don't know if you can say that there but just how minuscule it is. >> Yeah. The the the policy and and the law
for obvious reasons say that the gender has to be consistently asserted. Meaning you can't you're not changing genders every day. You want to go into the boy's bathroom today, so you say you're a boy. Tomorrow you want to go into the girl's restroom, you say you're a girl. Uh the
fact of the matter is that the words consistently asserted mean you have to be consistent in what you're saying you are. Um and we have a plan in place for as the policy states. There is a there's a plan that's put in place with the counselor
um for this type of of thing that happens. and we have uh we make individual on a case- by case basis plans for bathroom. So there's not going to be a time where au where a a a
male is walking into a female bathroom. We have genderneutral restrooms. We have a restroom as you probably remember when you were a student alliance. We have a genderneutral restroom where it's just it's a single restroom. We also have accommodations where certain students can use the nurse's office if necessary.
So that is one of the problematic areas that a lot of people have had problems with the whole restroom issue. It's not it's not an issue at Clipton High School. >> And and then just just finally, although we're voting on this today, prior to today, that's been the procedure done.
>> Nothing's changing, >> right, >> in our in our administrative procedures. >> Okay. >> With that, I'm going to vote yes. >> Any uh Commissioner S. voting yes to everything except EA5. And I'd love the state to come in. I could
tell them how awful this thing has been written. >> Commissioner Suarez, >> yes. >> I'm taking over your role. >> Sorry. >> Vice President Santiago. >> Yes. President Basford. >> Yes. >> Motions carry.
>> Mrs. Bass, may I just address Mr. Bren? I guess is correct with what Miss Miller said at the last meeting and there was some confusion over on the policy. the check box that says mandated, monitored, and other and what that meant. And we had done some research. Mr. Doctor had
sent sent that out. It's still not very clear in my opinion. Um, a monitored policy is policy topics addressed in the monitoring process when we get monitored by the state. A mandated policies explicit explicitly required by statute, administrative code or state board
resolutions. And critical other reasons which this one falls under is policies that are indicated as necessary, including those mandated in court or commissioner decisions, implicitly mandated by a legal requirement to develop rules and
regulations, or which address other necessary or sensitive aspects of district or charter school operations. Seems to me that mandated and critical other reasons in some respects are very similar. Um, so I I still am not fully clear on
what the difference is. Um, but I do know there is there's a law, >> but I'm with you, >> Commissioner. >> President, yeah, I believe this policy because we switched from Strauss SMA to
school boards as our policy service that this is their version of 5756. um which the vast majority of school boards in the state of New Jersey have adopted. Um, a handful have abolished it when
they attempted to put policies in place in opposition to it. Actually directing uh the the uh state's attorney general actually took those districts to court and they're still those are still being litigated, but they were not allowed to
replace that policy with the version that they chose. This policy supports the law against discrimination in New Jersey. Um, so all it really does is it helps our staff, gives them some guidance as to what to do um, in these
situations. So it's it's it's not mandatory, but it is mandatory that we follow the law against discrimination in which this process and procedure, this guidance would be in accordance with. >> Commission.
>> U Thank you, President. Thank you, President Paris. I I was going to say this this is not a new policy. We've been talking about this for years at this point, right? And and there is a mandatory policy and to President Paris's point um when districts have
fought um either they're penalized or there's a suit or whatever and it's just more dollars that um attorneys, no offense, uh you know, they it's just lawsuits that money goes to fight and the attorneys make money out of this.
Um, you can fight the state if you want to, but um, many have failed and it just ends up being a waste of of taxpayer dollars. >> Any other comments, questions, concerns? >> I got something. This has nothing to do with anything we're talking about. So,
it's been a heck of a week for me, so maybe I'm going to make myself look like an idiot here, and I'm just very tired. >> Commissioner Barnes, did you vote on that last round? >> Yes. >> Okay. I didn't hear you, so I'm sorry. >> You checking me? checking me. I did.
>> I said yes. I waited for questions. I clicked. >> She voted very quietly, but she voted. >> You record Mr. Did you record her vote? Okay. >> So, any other comments, concerns on this section? >> Yeah. >> Yes, it passed. >> Miss Ber, I have a question.
>> Yes. Commissioner uh uh Kenova, >> so what's the difference between having a policy like this versus just saying we will follow the law, period? I mean, because I think everyone here is okay with following law. We're not we're not okay with certain sections of this policy. Me personally, there's one in
there that says, you know, uh that parents are going to kept be kept out of the loop, you know, and we're not literally says like this is the exclusion list of people we're not going to talk to about this situation under any circumstances. And a parent is listed is listed there. Now, if it was my child, I'd want to know what's going
on. You know, if something was happening and they were getting into fights at school, you would let me know. But in this situation, you won't. So, I mean, I I guess that's me personally having an opinion about this, but at the same time, if we just say we're following the law, period, and that's the way it is, and then the interpretation of the law
is whatever the interpretation is, not this interpretation that we're setting here as the example, then I think that's that would be okay with me. >> Mr. I think the >> I'll just say Commissioner Kenova, the >> the exact situation you just mentioned
is what the state attorney general has brought litigation against all those districts who tried to put in policy in opposition what you're saying and to leave it. It's not really fair to our staff to leave it up to each individual
to interpret the law against discrimination. This gives them guidance. just gives them clear guidance on what they should do. Um, and those districts that decide to abolish that, they really open themselves up to some
very mishandling of of these situations because they may not be in accordance with the law against discrimination. This is really really for staff to provide them with guidance. >> That was what I was going to say, Mr. Gova. It's really to give staff guidance on what to do instead of saying follow
the law because they're not going to go look up the law. they can look up the policy and I believe that one of the changes or something that has changed that the the parental notification was a problematic issue the fact that parents were not
going to be told believe now that the the the policy has lightened a little bit where it it is on a case-bycase basis um that under certain circumstances you can disclose that >> which continues to be vague. That's the entire point. It's it's still a gray
area. And that leaves it up to our staff to have to make a decision which could be, you know, a difficult decision. >> Madam President, >> one other comment. According to the New Jersey school performance report, our
district has uh less than 1% non-binary undesated gender students in it. So, we're really spending a lot of time on what is really very very very tiny situation in our district
>> and >> yeah and I'll just add to everyone at home as well you know we can create and deal with the policy itself but this is the law so it takes that step up but laws can be changed so we can change we here cannot change this law but there are people that represent you and various forms of government that can
change this law so definitely be sure to reach out to them about your concerns if that is something you're concerned about. There's nothing we can do about that law particularly. >> Vice President Santiago >> and sorry just echoing President Paris's comments is um even in society, you
know, the the population of trans people is I wish I had the number. It's like something less than 1%, right? It's like a minuscule amount. And I get it. But even as a parent myself, right? We're
talking about the average parent just going literally by the numbers will not come across this situation, right? It's we're talking about a minuscule minuscule amount of people and we're making the situation I
believe much larger because what if what if what if what if what if what if um and just the reality issue is just um not as big as we are um right now experiencing even with our students or
even with the the amount of people in the the uh population. Vice President Santiago Commissioner Suarez >> just want to ask Dr. Roberts, have we had any incident with parents involving this topic to your knowledge?
>> Not one that has come to my attention >> because as long as I've been on the board, I haven't heard of any yet that have come to our attention. >> No. >> Commissioner Suarez. >> Thank you, President Basford. I just found the language so um people at home know what we're discussing. Uh and it is
worth um understanding but in and to um the comment about it being vague. I think it kind of has to be so. It reads students who do not do not want their parents guardians to know about their transgender status shall be addressed on a case-byase basis. In some cases, notifying parents or guardians carries
risks for the student such as being kicked out of their home. Prior to the notification of any parent or guardian regarding the transition process, school staff should work closely with the student to assess the degree in which, if any, the parent or guardian will be involved in the process and must
consider the health, well-being, and safety of transitioning student. And I think that's the spirit of um what we're discussing here. I I I too would want to know um what my um son is experiencing and want to know, but I also know I wouldn't kick him out of the home. Um
and I think it I think it has to stay on a case- by case basis because as educators you can get a sense of when a child is at risk um of being kicked out. Unfortunately, a lot of our unhoused youth are um in the LGBTQIA
community um as a result of their identity. So, we must be understanding and compassionate to that. Um and that vague language, it keeps our even that very small percentage of students safe. >> Thank you, Commissioner Suarez. Anyone else? Commissioners uh Kenova.
>> So then I would state that in a policy. I would say that if you feel that that in in the household or the situation, the student is unsafe, you know, to let them know. But that's not what we're saying here. We're saying that the exclusion list is all these people and parents. So that's that's why the two just don't match. So I don't really
understand it. But >> anyone else? >> Okay. We're going to move on to PC CE personnel one through Can I have a motion for one through 19? Motion >> second. >> Motion by Commissioner um Brunac, second
by Commissioner Paris. Discussion. >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Brunzak, >> yes. >> Mr. Kenova, >> yes. >> Miss Estri Barnes, >> yes. >> Mr. Paris. >> Uh, yes, but abstaining on number 15 in my name only. And number 16. >> Mr. Ragsdale.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Ciano. >> Yes. Abstaining on P5, my name only. >> Miss Suarez. Yes. >> Vice President Santiago. >> Yes. >> President B. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. >> Next up is D Finance Facilities. We are
looking for a motion to uh for a motion for D1 to 14 to move all all this. >> Motion. >> Second. Motion by Commissioner Brunak. Second by Commissioner Kenova. Discussion.
>> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Brunzier, >> yes. >> Mr. Kenova, >> yes. >> Miss Estre Barnes, >> yes. >> Mr. Paris, >> yes. >> Mr. Ragsdale, >> just abstaining on the Kowanis Club donation. Besides for that, yes, >> Mr. Ciano.
>> Yes, we're on finance, right? Yes. Correct. >> Okay. Abstaining on F-13 Tomahawk promotions check 226860 from a business relationship. >> Miss Suarez. >> Yes. >> Vice President Santiago. >> Yes. >> President Pas.
>> Yes. Motion. >> Commissioner Rexel, do you need? >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I need to abstain on check 226860 P15. >> You got it. >> Maybe I should make him go before you. >> Okay. We're going to move on to board member comments. Uh, Commissioner Estric Barnes, if you would do the pleasure,
please. Um, I don't have much. I just wanted to shout out the Clifton. Is this the appropriate time to say this? Okay. Thank you. You're my guy. Um, I just want to shout out to the uh first all city choir at Clifton High that a week or so ago. It was phenomenal. Amazing. And shout out to all the kids and all
the educators, music teachers. It was a really good show and it was like standing remotely. So, it was packed. It was good to see so much community support. Um, I also want to shout out the school 15 PBS lipsync show. the kids worked their tails off and that was also wonderful to see. Um, I want to shout out Elias for your recognition tonight. I think that's phenomenal. I'm super
proud of you. Um, and those are my those are my comments. I don't have much. >> Thank you, Commissioner Estric Barnes. Commissioner Rexel. >> All right. I'll try to be brief as well. Just a few things. Uh, first of all, thank you to Senator McKon, to liaison George Silva, and county commissioner D'vor for coming. Um, it's very
appreciated your recognition, and I just strive to do the best that I can. Um, congratulations to Tony on your new grandchild, Commissioner Santiago. Sorry. Um,
vice president. Absolutely. Sorry. Um, I'm happy to see that that parking lot measure when it comes to security staying out a little bit more at CHS. That is a direct result from our board and student admin administration collaboration meeting. So, uh, that's great to see. Congratulations, Jenna, for your acceptance and forward to Cornell. No surprise at all. I remember
when uh when we were on the march out team together, you came in I think as a freshman and were competing just as well as a senior. So no surprise at all. Um I do want to wish condolences to Commissioner Ciano for the loss of Mali. Um thank you President Bashard for the
initiation of the RFP committee. Definitely will be uh needed and is a measure to take to try to save some costs. It April is autism awareness month. So just want to read this as well before we conclude this evening. I just want to take a moment to acknowledge that April
is autism acceptance month. In Clifton, our strength has always been our diversity and that includes our neur neurodeiverse students. I want to extend a profound thank you to our incredible special ed teachers, pair professionals, therapists, and child study team members. You are the backbone of our district. Your patience, expertise, and
unwavering belief in the potential of every child does not go unnoticed. So, thank you to all of you. And then two last things. First, I know one of the teachers had come up about Kelly services. I'd like and I guess the whole board may be thinking about this as well, but administration to rethink
about moving this substituation in-house, not putting the responsibility on on a secretary, but hiring even if it's a part-time HR specialist. Um, I was talking to someone who is an administrator in the city of Pake a couple days ago, and I know they used to
use Kelly and have switched back to in-house. So just you know at least taking a look at it to see if there are some kind of cost savings that can be done. Um and maybe present it to the board again if the whole board agrees with that. Um and then I'll finish up with that policy thing again just to
make clear to the community. I am uncom I am not comfortable with 100% of it and I have questions that I think really should be best answered by experts and professionals. Parents being aware of things going on with their child. I wish there were age parameters to it at least. Um, so I definitely have a lot of
questions, but the law is the law and I certainly respect and concur with administration to follow the law in their in their daily procedure and again encourage people that have issues with the law to take that up with your elected officials. Uh, so with that, happy Cinco de Mayo.
Be kind, be safe, and good night. >> Thank you, Commissioner Ragdale. Commissioner Ciano, >> thank you so much. Good evening, everyone. Thank you, Jenna, for the student rep report and congratulations on Cornell and your full scholarship. You're just a testament to our district.
I Oh, I also want to thank the speakers from the public for sharing their thoughts with us. Uh before anything else, I want to extend a warm congratulations to Vice President Santiago and welcome in his newborn grandchild. I wish her nothing but health and happiness throughout her life. Since April is school library month, I just want to shout out our
libraries and our local branches. They are a vital part of this community and their programs are truly incredible. As a proud library card holder, I urge everyone to visit and take advantage to all they have to offer. Therapy dogs. Therapy dogs. Therapy dogs. Man, have I been saying that since I got on here?
One in every school. I think that makes sense. And they are not expensive and they are invaluable. So, I would like to see that continue because this just shows how amazing they are. Uh, on a more somber note, I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family of William Stru. Bill was a great man and a
proud veteran. I have wonderful memories of our conversation and his fantastic sense of humor. He's going to be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Turning to town business, just addressing the upcoming tax reval, if you look at the neighboring towns going through this process, the resulting tax increases are
alarming. Um there's quite a few towns going through this, but when I was able to research, we're talking Patterson. We're seeing residents hit with increases of$4 to $6,000. When combined with other rising costs of taxes, they're actively pricing people out of our state. In my profession, I see this
every single day. People aren't just selling to downsize or upgrade. They are being forced to move because they simply cannot afford these sudden hikes. We must take this seriously to understand the severe impact it has on our residents. I also want to acknowledge a few important dates. Today, fun fact, sad fact. 114 years since the Titanic
sank in 1912. Did you guys know that? Profound moment in history worth remembering. Additionally, I want to wish our community a happy holding. It's celebrated on March 4. This fourth, this vibrant Hindu festival of colors beautifully celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.
Okay. On a personal note, thank you to everyone who reached out to me regarding the passing of my 16-year-old Maltis Molly. She gave me the best life and I was incredibly lucky to have her. Losing an animal is one of the heaviest feelings imaginable. A quote that I always think of
is, "I have loved you your entire life, and I will miss you for the rest of mine." Uh, I'm going to end tonight by sending my best to my friends Bill Gibson and Robert Papawitch. I hope each passing day brings both of you closer to a full recovery. Have a wonderful evening. Be good to yourselves, your fur
babies, and each other. Thanks. Thank you, Commissioner Ciano. Commissioner Suarez, please. >> Thank you, President Bassford. Um, good evening everyone. Uh, Jenna, Jenna, what wonderful news. Congratulations on your full ride to Cornell. Very welld deserved. Uh, and I also want to shout
out school 8, Mrs. Munoz and the fourth grade teachers for an outstanding event today. I had the privilege of witnessing brilliant and beautiful students become historical figures during their living wax museum presentations. It was so evident how hard the students worked. Their posters were stellar, their
costumes were sharp, and they all had fantastic monologues to recite to their visitors. The students stayed in character and were just a true pleasure to see them showcase their hard work. Um, also, thank you to Miss Teen for detailing how the substitute plan is currently impacting students and staff.
I know and trust that the administration here made the best decision they could given the budget. But still, it is very helpful and insightful to understand how the substitute plan manifests on a daily basis. Understanding the circumstance is certainly worth considering. And for the
community, I hope that it's helpful to hear how being tight with the budget, doing more with less, impacts our most vulnerable students who need extra support with learning. I also appreciate the compassion and foresight of our central admin for seeing this issue and
making plans to manage it the best way possible. Also, thank you for the presentation on autism awareness. What incredible things you're doing for our students. It was so insightful and helpful for all of for all to understand the spectrum that autism is. Thank you to the staff who
support our autistic students in all kinds of ways. You really are superstars. Uh, Commissioner Oaniano, I'm really sorry. My condolences with you. Um, and on that everyone have a good evening and be well until next time. >> Thank you, Commissioner Fues. Commissioner Bronzak. Thank you,
President Bassford. Good evening, everyone. First, I want to give my deepest condolences to Commissioner Ciano and his wife Ricky on the loss of their dog Molly this week. Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof. Next, I want to congratulate Vice President
Santiago and his family on their new addition to their family. I hope and pray mommy, daddy, and baby are doing well. Congratulations to my wonderful colleague, Commissioner Ragsdale. And uh shout out to Senator McKeon. He was like
bing bing bing boom boom boom photo ops and he was out. I would have him back anytime 6 months or later than that from now. It was absolutely fantastic. The man is all about business. He knows a lot about history. He rang out a lot of names, a
lot of ages. So that pedigree itself is absolutely exceptional because I know some history teachers including Dr. Robert Tozy. that he knew that info is very impressive. He was out fast. Lastly, um I want to thank my colleagues,
administration, staff, parents, students for all the hard work that was put into the all city concert series. I was fortunate enough to see the all city chorus along with uh my daughter, Commissioner Estri Barnes, Commissioner Paris, and dozens of members of the administration. It was absolutely
outstanding. Uh and that was only for the course portion. We even got there early and um Principal Habedank and me and my daughter were watching the Artemis 2 launch because it was around the same time. So we got there early so we could
see it blast off. So I mean what a night and and the finale was, you know, Mr. Alleswood said it's going to be breathtaking and it absolutely was. So, it was the theme song for Liverpool, I believe. Uh, the soccer club over in the UK or whatever, and I don't know what
there were, like 500 kids singing or more. Uh, it was absolutely beautiful. Shout out to everybody. Thank you for your time and God bless America. Have a good night, everybody. >> Thank you, Commissioner Franciaak, for your stylings. I appreciate it. Commissioner, Commissioner Kenov,
please. I don't know how to follow bang bang bang or woof woof woof but um congratulations to our student ambassador Jen on our Cornell scholarship. Uh Mr. Ragdale, congratulations on your award tonight. Um congratulations to our our VP Mr. Santiago on your granddaughter. Parents
raise children but grandparents spoil them and get to hand them back. Um condolences to Mr. Ciano on the loss of Molly. Um I just want to mention that the programs we have here for special needs are truly remarkable. I mean, you see some of these things that that they they show here that no other schools are
doing, right? Um, and I just want to make sure that that everyone realizes that we're funding these programs because of exactly what Dr. Roertosi said tonight that, you know, it means something to the parents and to the to the children of this district. Um, as for the budget, you know, nobody wants
to talk about a tax hike. Um, but it's evident to me that we need to do something here because kicking the can down the road is just not the answer. Um, and maybe tonight we can have some some conversations about it. But, uh, that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Kenova, Commissioner Paris.
>> Thank you, President Bassford. Uh, congratulations to Grandpa Vice President Santiago. Granddaughters are the best. We already had this discussion, so if you need any advice on how to move forward, uh, let me know. I'm a expert on granddaughters. Um,
also, thank you to so so much to the rock stars that we have in our district. are that that uh provide such a fantastic education environment for our autistic students to learn. Um you're
you're the reason we're here uh to make sure you are successful and have what you need with our most some of our most special students. Um I also want to make a few comments budget-wise because we haven't done a lot of discussion on that. Um, the New Jersey Constitution
has a mandate for thorough and efficient education and I just wanted to address one part of that. One is efficiency. So, here's some real numbers for Clifton. Um, the state average spending
on students in Clifton, I mean in in uh uh in P County is $26,133. The average cost of student uh per student in Clifton is $22,322.
Clifton has the lowest per pupil cost of all PI county municipalities. The highest cost district is actually one school P Valley at $35,000 per student and coming in close second PCTI at
$28,000 per student. So from the point of view of efficiency, um I would say at least amongst our our immediate neighbors and if you delve even further and look in the state at districts of similar size to ours, we definitely meet that efficiency
standard. Um as far as general taxes go in P County, there's 16 municipalities. Clifton's average taxes is $11,63. Um, out of the 16 municipalities, Clifton's
overall taxes rank 13 out of 16th. Meaning there are only three other towns lower in cost than us. Those towns are Wanuku, West Milford, and Patterson. And the the delta, the difference between us and the lowest, which is Patterson, is $77.
So we are also on average as a municipality u a pretty efficient pretty efficient system. Um, you might have heard earlier when we had our report, our committee report, um 10% of all
budget lines, remember this, 10% of all budget lines have already been reduced for the 2627 budget. Uh that is millions of dollars that we were taking out of literally everything, every area in this
budget. Um and it still leaves us in a situation where we have a tremendous hole. So, I would just ask uh my fellow commissioners during the next week or two or three or however it is to the next meeting um please be sure to ask
Mr. Huchi and Dr. Robert Toy all your questions about the budget where we're at. Um where we need to go. Um, but I like like uh Commissioner Kenova um are very concerned that even even if we give every penny we can uh even if we
can do our full 6%, we are still going to have to make tremendous cuts uh throughout our district. Um that's all I have for this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Paris. Vice President Santiago.
>> Thank you, President Bassford. Um, I might go a little over. There's a lot. Um, happy, uh, Arab Heritage Month and Public Library Month. Uh, public libraries continue to be a crucial part of our community. Autism awareness month. The city of Paic is doing an
autism job fair this Saturday. The city of Paic on Pollson Avenue, they have a recreation facility and um, I'm going to probably attend. Try very hard, but I'm I'm pretty sure I'm going to attend. and I'm a member of the city's ADA committee. So, I've already we have a
meeting Monday. I've already forwarded this and said, "Hey, what can we do to try and bring something like this to the city?" Because I've know I' spoken with parents and um you know, besides a job at the supermarket, you know, there not a lot of employers who um you know, make
make positions available for um our special needs students. So, something I'm going to try to champion and see. we have to research, understand what it is. But hopefully we can do a job fair in the future here, autism job fair, but that is this Saturday for for anybody who wants to attend. Um earlier this
month, we attended the CJAL, the Clifton Junior Athletic League, uh baseball opening day and parade. It was President Bassford, myself, Commissioner Ishik Barnes, and Commissioner Ragsdale. It was great weather for a parade and for an opening day. Um there are more. There's going to be a Clifton Girls
softball little league opening day Friday. May Memorial Park and then there's the other Clifton Little League baseball uh league on the 18th at uh 10:30 a.m. in Mount Prospect. Sunday there's the Clifton High School pancake fun Clifton High School uh softball team
pancake fundraiser I'm going to attend. That's 8 a.m. Applebees. I have to because I have two nieces on the team, but I would do that anyway. Um Touch a Truck uh autism awareness we spoke about earlier. It's at the fire station on Brighton Road. Um, Saturday night, the
culture night. Um, that was discussed as well. Tomorrow night, our board is being honored at the Boys and Girls Club gala um for our relationship and partnership we've had over the many years with Boys and Girls Club. Looking forward to celebrating. Commissioner Ciano, my
condolences. Um, we lost a dog in the past as well, and I feel your pain. They are 100% like family. Um, Commissioner uh, Ragsdale, congratulations. You're welcome. And, um, you're right.
You know, Senator McKeon, you know, a lot of times we talk about like, you know, young people, they don't know what do they know, right? And I'm so glad that he brought the history of so many of our founding fathers were in their 20s, right? And there are so many people today like you making a difference as
well. Um, she is here. The princess Harper Santiago is here. Our granddaughter, my son Anthony, and my daughter-in-law Siobhan. Uh, welcome their first baby yesterday. Everybody's well. Thank God. We are all very happy. Um, really qu
last minute on the budget. So, I heard I heard a saying that a politician tells you what you want to hear, but a public servant tells you what you need to hear. Um, so this job we we we take an oath to do what's in the best interest of the students education. I'm a taxpayer, a
property owner. The majority of us here are. We have to be crazy to be increasing our own taxes. Um, but the job is not or should not be uh definitely be here for my own pocket, right? Um, or my own benefit. I didn't run this for this job to be zero on the
budget. if the needs of the districts and the students require uh more than that for a quality education, nor do we have a blank check. Um we're not here to throw money around and we don't do that. Um to me, the fiduciary responsibilities in to ensure that the administration is
being cost-effective and responsible as well as providing a return on investment uh of the people's money. But um I see the taxpayer like a shareholder in a private business. Um, but the return on investment is ensuring that our students
have the resources, the opportunity to become successful and functioning members of our society. We heard today Jenna Alnur, our student rep, getting a full ride to Cornell Ivy League. That happens very often, not not spoken
enough, but happens very often. Um, we heard um about our autism initiatives. We heard about Rocky the dog helping one of our students stay say her first words. Uh there are plenty of uh Clifton public
school products um making a difference in all walks of life right now. Right on this deis the majority of commissioners are products of Clifton public schools. Um these are just some examples of the return on investment to the taxpayer um
and as fiduciary responsibility as I see it. That being said, this budget remains a difficult decision, but that's why the people elect us is to listen, research, ask questions, and then make informed decisions with the students best interests in mind. Thank you. Good night.
>> Thank you, Vice President Santiago. Um, speaking of the budget, um, administration has given me their word if we need to meet again, they're available. If you guys would like to do like we did with the vacancy, meet in groups, we could do that as well to have discussion, frank discussion. Uh I think
everybody knows where they're going at this point. There has been really no no uh um hard, you know, mean discussion. It's been what are we going to do? And tonight we witnessed our return on investment. I I wrote down ROI. So, you
kind of grabbed my words out of it to see from a from a parent perspective to raise a a general education student and a special needs student that if I if he didn't get what he needed to
get from this district, I don't know where we'd be. And he returns that investment to you people every day of his life. and it's his ba base and it's his foundation and it's his roots where he came from that he does great things every day of his life. He puts his life
on the line. But because Clifton gave him that foundation, he is helping other people and so is my daughter in her way too. She helps every every day. So I thank you all for that. And because you gave them what they needed because you didn't skimp on the budget, they're
they're products of this community and I thank you for that. So my look on my take on is I have to do that for others. I can't see skimping on anything that when it comes to our students and if it takes us to uh buckle down, we have to buckle down. So I'm going to ask anybody
that wants to meet, we'll meet. We'll discuss. If we have to do it in public, we'll do it in public. Whatever you guys want to do, I'm here like you all. We're we're we did a great job with the vacancy, so we're moving it forward. So, I'm sure that this board will come to come to a a solid decision on May 17th
when we have to pass the budget. Um, but to see the return on investment with tonight with the autism presentation to know what the the therapy dogs are doing, you you can't put a price tag on any of that stuff. You can't really put a price tag on it. And for somebody to
say that we're not doing our fair anything fair for the um the community, I look at I always say it's a triangle. The students are on top and then you have the taxpayers and you have the community. So it's the triangle we have to worry about every day. We have 11,000
students. How much almost 1800 1,800 employees that we have to take care of. That's our worry. These nine people that sit on this deis we have to worry about that. 24% of our population special needs students. Okay. The other
the other 76% is our gened. So we have to worry about every single day. Somebody asked me how many kids I had the other day. I said almost 11,000. And they looked at me like I said we have to worry about them every single day. We don't do the we we
do this 247. We're all eating, drinking, and sleeping it 24 hours a day. And and I commend all of you to do this. I'm confident we'll come up to a good decision on the 17th, but I'm available if anybody else wants to get involved and we get a little down in the weeds
and and discuss some more and see where we can come up with. Um, first off, I need to say condolences to Molly and this Molly Ciano, to Ricky and you. It's very hard to lose a fur baby. Um, it
just it just takes a a niche out of your belt. To the Stro family, Bill, I got to know him at the 911 events. He always showed up and saluted our our victims and he was he was just a a gentle giant to me. I have to uh do this because he
keeps me smiling. I have to say condolences to the Fukus family. My dentist's father passed away, Tom Fukus. And uh um I'm sorry, George. We had multiple conversations about aging and parents. So my heart is with you. I will
see you tomorrow sometime to wish you condolences in person. Um congratulations to Jenna. Uh your your parents have to be so relieved right now. So relieved. Um congratulations to Commissioner Kenova on the success of
your daughter becoming an academic awards recipient. >> Okay. another return on investment. Okay. Can the youngest the youngest you have the badge of honor now to wear that? Well, congratulations
Commissioner Ragdale and you rolled out the our senator. So, I hope that the team of legislative get to use that relationship and do great things for us. And to Papa Santiago, I don't know what they're going to call you.
Grandpa, Papa, >> whatever it is, wear that badge with with Jeep. >> Jeep. I love G-Pop. All right, we're gonna have to get you a hat. Gop. Well, congratulations to On Harper. That what a blessing to your family. I don't have much. That's it. Um, I'm going to move
on to new business. Do we have any new business? >> Just do did we talk about that August thingy um with the change with the date change for the meeting or not? Gina sent something
>> from the 20th to the 27th >> needs a date in August. >> Did we discuss that at the last meeting or >> so? >> Yeah, we voted on it. >> Yeah, at some I guess it was last meeting. We I I believe we voted on the change. >> Yeah, I thought it was the June meetings
though, but whatever. >> It was in an in an ideal world, it's better. And if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. That's fine. It's better for administration the later in the month for for late hires. But you also give me that authority over the summer to hire employees. So if the 20th is
best, it's really not a big deal. >> Do you need >> I mean the thing is it's it's like the last week before school starts. You know what I mean? So a lot of people are away that week. >> I'm perfectly okay with reverting to I don't I honestly don't remember a discussion on it. I don't even remember
a discussion. >> I don't either. That's why I want to make sure I wasn't >> No, it was the June date that we voted on. >> The June dates we moved but >> we were trying to accommodate some people's, you know, um >> back to the original >> what the original date was. >> It was the 20th. The original date was
the 20th. At some point in time, it was talked about it wasn't last. >> I I would I recommend if the board is good with it, we go back to the original date of August 20th. I I concur. >> But there was a reason. >> Yeah, there have to be a reason.
>> Look into it. >> Okay. So, let's >> You think so? Yeah. >> I'm going to ask uh Dr. Couldn't you let us know? >> Yeah, we could do a search on what the history behind that. >> We'll look into that and we'll shoot we'll shoot you guys an email tomorrow
and if there was no what's the good word? If there's no real good reason for it, we'll go back to the 20th or we'll vote on it at the next meeting. >> Commissioner Suarez, >> I know for my myself that's my birthday, so I probably won't be here. I usually go away. So I if we're vote
if we're voting on something, I don't know who else will be out to your point if anyone's on vacation. We just considering the numbers that we might need. >> I I remember that that it was her birthday. That for sure I remember cuz that was but I don't recall the rest of the convo. >> All right. So, administration will get back to us and then we'll have the
discussion at our next meeting >> and then if we need to change it because we have to vote on change. >> Any other any other new business? >> No. >> So, M commission >> um >> so I know it's it's new business here and it's not necessarily new business
but at what point are we going to have a conversation about our budget? I know that we said that >> we could change it at any time. So, I mean, if people are ready now and have some conversation now, I I don't want to wait until the day of and then we have this big like, uh, you know, >> I don't want to either. That's why I'm
afraid. That's what I wanted to address, Mrs. Basser. Thank you, Mr. Kenoba, for bringing it up. >> I expect early next week that we will give you the more formal 2%, 4%, 6%. While we've given you numbers, you know,
49 positions, 26 positions, this and that, we'll have uh by early next week, we'll have a much better idea of what those positions will be, which will give us a better idea of what that impact will be. Uh I would suggest then we
either schedule our committee meetings uh earlier and do kind of what we did last round where we talked about budget at each different committee >> or we can have two ad hoc uh meetings uh on a night. >> We could do three three and three. We
could do bang out one night three budget committee meetings like we did with the vacancy on the board. Um, so if I get the 246 information to you next week, um, the week after, maybe we could have those meetings and then that'll give you
another week to make your decision. >> You guys comfortable with that? Because I've been saying we should have another meeting in between, but I don't want to obligate everybody. This is a busy time of the year, but we need to I I want to hear what you guys have to say. I want to know hear your thoughts. I have to
make we have to make rough decisions and we need to know what each other are thinking. So I think we it has to be in public if we all meet. We can also do Could we do that virtually? Are we allowed to have a virtual in public meeting for the budget? >> You could >> we could do that as well. This way you guys can all be in the comfort of your
home. >> Yeah. My only concern with naming particular positions like that would be that then people would think oh if there's an issue next year then I know that my job is next or >> why why committee >> whatever mindset that is. Yeah. So >> all right. So we can also do committee
or the three three and three virtual and then we can bring it back. The discussion has to come back. We have to read a a committee report. Just commissioner ra. >> Yeah. A little different. Again I don't know if the whole if majority of the board needs to be on board with this but if administration could look into that
in-house for substitutes thing at least just look into it hiring an HR specialist the possible savings for it next year. Um you know >> I I have a question about that. um
previous to through you Dr. Roboti to um assistant superintendent lever. I'm trying not to be rude. >> Are you rolling away? >> I'm rolling away. No, I'm trying to I'm trying to let people see her and I because they actually people from the audience have actually told me they like that when they see you talk. >> Um
>> you have a very soothing voice. >> We just like I like hearing voice. Um, if could it be doable that we hire a special s person, not a secretary where it gets thrown out and and I'm going to let Mrs. Kalevage talk. She'll speak
much more eloquently than me. But here's the budget. Here's what you should know. When we did this on our own, which was just two years ago, our coverage rate hovered between 40 and 45%. meaning we could only get coverage for
substitutes at that rate. Kelly, because of their vast network, was able to get that coverage rate up to a whopping 97 98% >> 95 96 97%. >> Which was they solved the problem almost
too well, right? They were getting we were getting subs for positions that maybe necessarily didn't always need subs, right? So, we could do it. We would just have to find a a better way of of recruiting staff. Kelly's a large company. They have vast resources.
That's all they do, right? That would just be a small piece of what we do. And that's we didn't we didn't do it very well for whatever reason. So, >> if I can just comment, it's not that Kelly was too expensive as to why we stopped why we cut the subs. the that
contract was the only contract that we could just stop spending on. It's not that we the money was built into the budget to pay for substitutes, but bec and and the money was there to
cover and keep substitutes all year. But that was the only contract that we could just stop because of this massive spike in health care costs that happened in the months of December and January
and a massive spike in teacher absences that month due to illnesses. So it's not that the the contract itself was too expensive. What Kelly does for us we could never replicate. It's not just it's not just getting the subs. We're
still spending a ton of money on Kelly because they're providing us with 70 of our para profofessionals who we would otherwise not be able to hire. We were also under hiring paras because we hire our par profofessionals at a part-time
uh basis and we are not allowed to due to the American uh the ACA act make them full if we make them full-time we have to pay those full-time benefits. Kelly can offer benefits to people without that cost to us. They're able to sell
the benefits to those people. So then they're more willing to work for us. There there are many layers to using Kelly services. They are also providing us with a I want to say it was 14 the last time I looked staff members that we
have not been able to hire due to the teacher shortage. So there are many layers to this. It's not that we stopped the contract or or we didn't stop the contract. It's not that we pulled back on the subs because they were too expensive. We pulled back on the subs because that
was the only flexible line where we could stop spending immediately overnight with no other repercussions while still keeping all of our paras all of the other um we're still using subs and we're slowly adding them back. The
problem was that massive very unexpected spike in other areas where we had to find funds to recoup in um and this was the only contract that could just be stopped at the moment. I don't know if Mr. Jussi wants to add anything to that.
>> Um honestly I just I concur with everything you're saying. um the the cost might we we can do an analysis the cost might be greater with the whole hiring paris or um substitutes at more than 30 hours a week because then we have to offer benefits with the
affordable care act. So that's a huge factor to that weighs into this >> and we've looked at that in the past that's millions more um in order to be able to provide those power professionals from that in that direction. So yes, there is a cost to
Kelly, but there's also a huge savings to Kelly. And it's not like this was the only reason this was chosen was because this was the only place, you know, we can't like stop a computer programmer in the middle of a year, you know. So um and many other things are massive
contracts that were were tied to this was the only one that could be paused like this. There's money. The money is built in for next year. And and Dr. Roberts is 100% correct. going from a 45% fill rate to a 97% fill rate. Prior to Kelly, that was the teacher's biggest
complaint that we could not get enough subs to provide coverages. So, what they're what the what's happening now is what was happening just before Kelly as well. It's actually a little bit better now because we are still providing some subs. Elementary
teachers prior to Kelly weren't getting um their preps. That was the big concern. they didn't have any preps at all. So there there's there's more to it than it's not just that it was that Kelly was too expensive that it's a it's a it's a far more nuanced um situation.
>> Thank you very much for the response. >> Any other discussion? >> Okay. I'm going to look for a motion. First I'm going to read my statement. At this time the Clinton Board of Education will move into executive session pursuant to the posision provisions of New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. the
majority of NJSA 104-12. The matters to be discussed are of a confidential nature and may include but not limited to personnel matters, contractual negotiations, attorney client privilege, communications, and/or matters involving
litigation or anticipated litigation. These discussions are not appropriate for public disclosure at this time as they may compromise the confidentiality of individuals, the board's legal position, and ongoing negotiations. No
formal action will be taken during executive session. Action, if any, will be taken upon return to open session. We anticipate returning to the public session in about one hour. It's 9:03. So say uh with the fivem minute recess 908
uh for board members to have a break. Uh with that being said, can I have a motion to go on executive >> motion? >> Second motion by Commissioner Brunzak. Second by Commissioner Suarez. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Brunak, >> yes. >> Mr. Kenova, yes.
>> Miss Eric Barnes, >> yes. >> Mr. Paris, yes. >> Mr. Ragdell, >> yes. >> Mr. Ciano, >> yes. >> Miss Suarez, >> yes. >> Vice President Santiago, >> yes. President pass. >> Yes, we are recessing right now. Thank you. We back at about 10:08. Okay, welcome back. It's 9:54
p.m. We're returning from executive session. Could I have a motion to approve G1 through G7? Oh, so roll call. Sorry. Oh, roll call. >> Mr. Brunette, >> here. Mr. Kenova >> here. >> Missric Barnes >> here. >> Mr. Paris >> here. >> Mr. Mr. Ragdell here. >> Mr. Ciano, >> present.
>> Mr. Wararez >> here. >> Vice President Santiago >> here. >> President B, >> I'm here. >> We have a quorum. >> Okay. Uh, could I have a motion to accept G1 through G6? >> Motion. Mark. >> Okay. Motion by Commissioner Brunzak, second by Commissioner Ciano. Any
discussion? >> Roll call. >> Mr. Brunzak. Yes. >> Mr. Kenov. Yes. >> Miss Esk Barnes. Yes. >> Mr. Paris. Yes. >> Mr. Ragdale? Yes. >> Mr. Ciano? >> Yes. >> Miss Suarez? Yes. >> Vice President Santiago? Yes. President Bassford. >> Yes. All in favor to adjourn.
>> Any opposed? >> Good night. See you next meeting.