Good evening everybody. Good evening everybody. I would like to call this meeting to order. >> Thank you so much. I would like to call this meeting to order. It is May 18th and adequate notice has been provided for this meeting. Miss Coleman, roll
call, please. >> Mr. Chu, >> here. >> Mr. Craig, >> here. >> Mrs. DeMarco >> here. >> Mrs. Divine >> here. >> Mrs. Mcowski >> here. Mrs. Sherman >> here. >> Mrs. Z here.
>> Mr. McMillan here. >> Mr. Dulkus here. Mrs. Maya here. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Okay, there is no executive session for tonight. Um, I would like to make a I have a motion to answer committee of the whole, please. So, we can do our
presentations. >> So, move >> and a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. >> So, first up on our list is the teachers and staff of the year. Good evening and welcome everyone this evening. As Kelly just shared, we are
going to begin by recognizing six uh staff members and teachers from across our district. um instructional assistants, classroom teachers, district support staff members who every day for many, many years in their roles have gone above and beyond to serve our kids,
to serve our school community as a whole, to um bring to life our district's mission and values, and we're so thrilled to recognize all six of the these folks this evening. Um each of them is going to be called in a second to come up to the podium. um their
principal or their supervisor in some cases many individuals are going to speak on behalf of each of our um nominated uh winners. Um and as I think has become a bit of a tradition here um if the teachers and staff members
themselves want to say a few words um you're very welcome to to do so. Um and so uh we're going to just go in the order um that is printed in your your board agenda. And so that means um first up with a big round of applause please
is Miss Kelly Curley. Good evening everyone. Can everyone hear me? Okay. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. It is my honor and privilege tonight to recognize this year's elementary teacher of the year, Mrs. Kelly Curley.
In her role as a special education teacher at Zay North, Mrs. Curley exemplifies everything we hope for in an educator. She demonstrates an unwavering commitment to meeting the individual needs of her students.
In fact, to step into classroom 124 at Zay North is to step into a master class in differentiation. Mrs. Curley understands that each student learns differently, and she thoughtfully tailors her teaching to
meet individual needs, ensuring that every child has access to meaningful, engaging learning experiences. Because of her, students who may have once struggled find confidence, independence, and success.
What makes Mrs. Curley truly except exceptional is the caring and nurturing classroom environment that she creates. Her classroom is more than just a classroom. It is a family. It is a place where students feel safe,
valued, celebrated, and loved. She builds relationships rooted in trust and respect, ensuring that every child knows they belong and that their unique strengths matter. Because of her encouragement and
support, students gain confidence, independence, and pride in their accomplishments. Mrs. Curley also has an incredible gift for creating meaningful learning experiences and treasured memories for her students and their families. For
instance, her annual Thanksgiving celebration brings students, families, and staff together in a spirit of gratitude and community. Her heartfelt Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrations strengthen the connection between home and school while making
families feel truly valued and included in their child's educational journey. and of course her beloved Polar Express. Celebration during the holiday season fills her classroom and our school with joy and excitement, creating magical
moments for her students. None of this work none of this amazing work of course happens in isolation. Mrs. Curley leads an incredible team of instructional assistants in classroom 124. Under her guidance, they exemplify collaboration,
dedication, and a shared commitment to student success. Their teamwork creates a strong support system where every student receives the attention and encouragement they need to thrive. Together, they are a model of what true partnership and education
looks like. Beyond her classroom walls, Mrs. Curley is a passionate advocate for inclusion, acceptance, and awareness throughout our entire school district and community. She has spearheaded meaningful activities during inclusive schools week
and neurodeiversity celebration week, helping students and staff to better understand, appreciate, and celebrate the strengths and differences that make every individual unique. Her leadership in organizing the annual districtwide autism walk at night park
has brought together students, families, educators, and community members in support of acceptance, awareness, and unity. Through these efforts, Mrs. Curley has made a lasting a lasting impact far beyond her own classroom. Mrs.
Your passion, creativity, and unwavering dedication have made a profound difference in the lives of your students, their families, your colleagues, and our broader community. You inspire those around you, and you remind us all of the life-changing
impact that educators can have. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. We are so proud to celebrate you today, and we thank you for the extraordinary you work you do each and every day. Thank you. Thank you so much, Matt.
Can you guys hear me? Good evening, Collingswood community. I am beyond grateful and thankful to receive this award. However, this is not a one person award. This recognition belongs to all the educators who work in my classroom every single day. The ones who give
their all, who continue showing up when days get tough, and who love and support our students unconditionally. I would like to share this award with my incredible instructional assistants, Miss Tica, Miss Kirsten, Miss Issa, Mr.
Gavin, Miss Karen, and my co-pilot, my most reliable and truly amazing, Mrs. Linda Smith. You are all part of this teacher of the year recognition. I'm also blessed to work alongside some of the best educators anyone could ask for.
Thank you, Mr. Jenna, for being such an amazing principal. You wear many, many hats, and we truly appreciate everything you do. Thank you to my work family for your kind words, support, and lasting friendships over the years. It means the world to me. As my dad always used to
say, it was always in the cards for me to become a teacher. I actually started my educational journey in a different direction before realizing my true passion was working with and teaching elementary children. I absolutely love what I do and over the years I've
realized it's the small things that make this job so rewarding. It's the aha moments when you see a student finally get it. It's the hugs from a not so affectionate student that make your heart flutter. It's hearing the first word from a student who had not yet
spoken. It's the smiles you catch from a student learning how to express their emotions. Those moments are what make this profession so special. I want to thank my family for being here today. My mom, thank you for always pushing me to
strive to do better in school and in life. To my husband, Mike, thank you for your patience. I come home exhausted and sometimes a little defeated. You always have a cup of coffee ready to go and a smile on your face. To my brother Hugh and sister-in-law Sue and my nieces,
thank you for being my biggest cheerleader throughout the years. And to my children, Mark and Grace, thank you for putting up with teacher mom every summer, making you journal right projects and testing out lessons on you. You guys were real true person. Uh
lastly, I would like to address the board. I'm asking that you please try to save as many as of my colleagues jobs as possible. Try and find funds anywhere. Squeeze the bud budget as tight as you can to save teacher jobs. Our students
benefit from consistency, relationships, and the daily commitment these educators bring. Thank you again for this incredible honor. Next, we are thrilled to honor and recognize the middle school teacher of the year, Laura Gillen.
Good evening. My name is David Olive and I'm the principal of the College of Middle School. Tonight I have the good fortune of honoring two outstanding educators, two folks who we are very fortunate to have at College of Middle School. I'll start with Miss Laura Gillan. Miss Gillan brings the effort
and the energy to our building each and every day. If you're ever up on our third floor, I encourage you to visit Miss Gillan's classes. Even if science is not your favorite subject, Miss Gillan teaches in a way that will hook your interest. We see this regularly as she hooks student interest with a
hands-on approach to the subject. As a valued member of the science department, she is eager to collaborate with her peers and seek feedback. Her instructional expertise and dedication to professionalism made her a natural choice for mentoring new staff.
Anyone new to the principal role will tell you that in this job, you will need to have a few go-to staff members. I have leaned on Miss Gillan several times this year as one of those go-to people. It was Miss Gillan's can do attitude and initiative that helped spearhead the
grade 8 Campmason overnight trip. I'll tell you that this was an outstanding experience for our students who left with some great memories to take with them. When it comes to serving our students and community, Miss Gillan is always one of the first to roll up
her sleeves and embrace the challenge. The teacher of the year is a formal recognition and an honor that has been around for decades here at Collingswood. Looking back, there are some truly legendary names on this list. Great
people. Miss Gillan, you are an ideal choice for this recognition, and it is a great honor for me to present you as the Collinswood Middle School 2026 Teacher of the Year. I'm gonna keep this short because I
teach science and not language arts. I am incredibly honored and grateful to be named the teacher of the year for the 2026 school year. For the past 14 years, I've had the privilege of teaching middle school science at Collingswood alongside some truly amazing educators
who inspire me every day. Teaching has always been about more than just science facts. For me, it's about building relationships, creating a classroom where students feel comfortable to be themselves, and helping them stay curious about the world around them. I love incorporating
hands-on learning experiences that make science meaningful and memorable, but I also believe humor plays an important role in the classroom. A little laughter can go a long way in helping students feel com, supported, and excited to learn. Thank you to my students, colleagues, administration, friends, and
family for your support throughout this journey. I look forward to continuing to inspire students to explore, experiment, and most importantly, never stop questioning. And next, our high school teacher of the year, Miss Heather Brown. little shorter there. My name is That's
fine. My name is Colleen Hart. I am the assistant principal at the high school and it is my pleasure to um introduce Miss Heather Brown. Miss Heather Brown teaches our young adults in the Ignite program. And that program is far more
than just academics and life skills that is needed to be successful in the world. She teaches them how to be kind, compassionate, hardworking, and genuinely good human beings. Every single day, she creates an environment where students feel supported, valued,
and capable of becoming the very best version of themselves. She understands that true education goes beyond the classroom and that sometimes the greatest lessons are found in empathy, service, and in human
connection. Miss Brown consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that all her young adults not only have the materials that they need to succeed, but also the opportunities and encouragement to grow
into confident, caring members of society. In a stu if a student needs clothes, she quietly finds a way to provide them. If a family needs food, she steps in without hesitation. She teaches her students that success is not
only about taking care of yourself, but also about lifting up your friends and classmates and neighbors along the way. Her actions model generosity, humility, and selflessness in ways that leave a lasting impact on everyone around her.
She is the master of everything. She manages job coaches, placements, people in and out of the classroom, bus trips, everything you can imagine with the
absolute organization of a masterpiece. Her commitment extends beyond her classroom walls. Miss Brown supports the entire Collingswood, Woodland, and Oakland communities through her work helping run the Panther Pantry at the high school. Through this work, she
provides dignity, comfort, and help and hope to countless families, often without seeking recognition or praise. She sees needs that others may overlook and works tirelessly to to meet them simply because she cares deeply about her students and the community.
This year when unified bowling team unexpectedly unexpectedly needed a coach at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, Miss Brown immediately stepped in and said, I got it. No problem.
Full on. I was like, I need a favor. And she was like, I got it. That simple statement perfectly captures who she is. Someone who never hesitates to lead or support others when they need it
most. Her willingness to jump in whenever she is is needed speaks volumes about her character, dedication, and her heart. Miss Brown is truly one of a kind. She has the personality of a unicorn, rare,
extraordinary, and unforgettable. She possesses the fierce loyalty of a mama bearing, always protecting advocating for her students and colleagues with unwavering passion.
At the same time, she demonstrates the ingenuity and creativity of Einstein, constantly asking herself, "What can we do differently to help our young adults learn, grow, and become better people? She's innovative, compassionate,
dependable, and inspiring all at once." Simply put, Miss Heather Brown changes lives. Her impact reaches far beyond academics, touching the hearts of students, families, co-workers, and the entire community. The world is better
because of educators like her. And Collingswood is incredibly fortunate to have Miss Heather Brown as someone so dedicated and selfless and extraordinary as the high school teacher of the year. All right. I am not that tall.
That's Is that Is that good? I'm so sorry. All right. Thank you. I am so sorry. I wrote a long speech. So get ready guys. All right. Good evening everyone. Um I have to tell
you losing to students um on a television game show is much easier than this right now. Um so there's a myth that because someone is a teacher, they must naturally be a good public speaker. I am not one of those teachers. Um I'm
probably currently bright red. Um and there will probably And so there's also no mascara because um waterproof mascara has nothing on me. Um there's a lot of emotion packed into this 5 foot 2 inch
body. Um since I was little, I wanted to be a teacher. I still have some of my childhood books at home. Um filled with scribbled and made up student names and spelling word lists. Um that dream did take a brief uh back burner when I thought I wanted to be a marine
biologist, forgetting that I am terrified of sharks. Um, I feel very humbled to be standing here tonight, but to be honest, I do have three little secrets um to share. Secret number one, I absolutely do not do this job alone. I
very much resonated with Miss Curley's uh speech. Um, a supervisor asked me at the beginning of the school year, um, what was my secret for getting my job coaches, which are my aids in my classroom, to come back every year. And I was just like, I don't know. I guess I'm lucky. So, I will go back to my
classroom and I tell my job coaches and why my one job coach, Mrs. Tatlin Smith Williams, said, "Shucks. Just tell them it's because we're family." Um, so family. Uh, what we've created together is so much more than just a
program in 104. Um, it truly is a family and that's because of my incredible job coaches and what they bring to Ignite. Um, and what they bring to me and to my students. Uh they pour their unique life experiences, education, knowledge, and
personalities into our room every single day. They are there because they believe in our program and our students. And I cannot do this job without them. Sometimes during the day, I just sit back and I smile watching the scenes of the day unfold. Students chatting around
the coffee pot, waiting for coffee to brew in the morning. Um a job coach and a student folding laundry and talking together about the weekend, another job coach helping a student with a worksheet. And it's beautiful to witness and I know it could not be possible without my job
coaches. So, I have to share that little secret. Um, and that endless support doesn't stop at the classroom door. It follows me home uh to my amazing family, especially my husband Dan. He is my biggest supporter and the real MVP. Uh over the years he was willing
willingly taking on so much behind the-scenes work. Uh helping me prep projects and lessons, listening to my ideas and taking over as the grocery shopper and dinner maker so I could take classes. Um he gets the absolutely exhausted and overstimulated version of
me at the end of the day and instead of complaining, he just asks how he can help. Um so I truly couldn't stand here without him tonight. Um, and then there are my children, uh, who love to mock me when I use my teacher voice, um, and call everyone
friend. Uh, but who love my students and program like they're our family. Um, and of course my mom who's never stopped pushing me to finish out my dream. Um, though this award is only possible because I have so many amazing people
standing beside me um, and encouraging me. And that's not even counting the phenomenal teachers, case workers, supervisors, and school staff that I have the privilege to collaborate with every day. Um, it truly takes a village, and I appreciate the heck out of my
village. Um, secret number two, my students teach me far more than I could ever teach them. Um, I don't know if that's too much of a secret to too many teachers. Um, they bring out the best in me while it's my job to bring out uh the best in them.
Uh, secret number Hey, every day is a reward. Even the worst ones. Um I'm a believer that something good comes out of every day. There's there's a little glimmer, something good. Um no matter how small, but we all have those days, the ones where you're driving home
crying hysterically the whole way home and your husband's already knows to be standing at the door waiting for you to give you a hug when you walk in. Um, but it's on those days that we learn the most about ourselves, our students, and about our own strengths and weaknesses
and how we can be better for the next day. In 2016, I applied to this district because I thought applying to my husband's alma mater would be serendipitous. Um, I love getting to show his old volleyball pictures hanging in the hallway to my students. I am
beyond thankful for the support this community has shown our Ignite young adults um and our program. and I look forward to continuing to advocate and celebrate the many talents of my students. Thank you. Next, please join me in congratulating
our elementary instructional assistant of the year, Miss Stacy Jackson. A little higher. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening. Can everyone hear me?
The definition of an instructional assistant is an educational professional who supports lead teachers in managing classrooms and executing lesson plans. This describes Miss Jackson perfectly.
I know when Miss Kersio went out on um her leave last year um or a few years ago actually uh Miss Jackson was right there uh helping. She know exactly which math the students needed, whether it was twodigit addition or subtraction or
there was stretching to multiplication. She knew she said, "Miss Hson, this is exactly what they need." I can appreciate um that um the detail and knowing exactly what each of your students um needed. Uh Miss Jackson works diligently with our students each
and every day, enabling our students to grow both academically and socially. Just today, um, as Miss Rimchuk and I were deep into, I believe, bordering or makeup testing, uh, we were invited by Miss Cersio and Miss Jackson in the classroom to go out to see the
butterfly, uh, releases and we instantly put down what we were working on and we joined the class. It is such a beautiful classroom uh, community that you have established along with Miss Kersio um, and the other assistants in the classroom.
Miss Kersio, who is here this evening, uh, stated, "No matter the challenges, she, Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson, approaches each day with a positive attitude, and genuine love for every student she works with. Stacy
consistently goes above and beyond her role, offering patience, care, and unwavering support. Miss Jackson truly makes a difference in the lives of both students and staff. I can also appreciate that many As you see me in the hallways going back and forth in
different places, I can always stop in and um you probably don't realize, but you're such a safe place. Pause. I can look at you at your table working with your students sometimes. Maybe I'll even stop and sit down. But it makes a difference. So, I appreciate you being
there for even for even me. Um Miss Jackson, of course, Sharp appreciates you so very much. And congratulations. Thank you, Miss Henson. Um, I don't have anything formal prepared, but I do want
to say thank you to the board and to um, everybody who nominated and voted for me. Um, I truly do love what I do. I'm completing my 19th year in this district and 16 of them have been at Sharp School.
Um, and I truly do appreciate the entire staff and administration, Miss Henson, who brings a nice calming energy to the school when we need it. Um, I truly love the the students that we work with. It's
fun. It's still fun for me to sit and teach them things and and with a repetition that might drive most people crazy, but when they finally get it, it's very exciting. And we celebrate each of our students anytime that they
succeed. Um, thanks to my family who's always been supportive and endlessly entertained by some of our stories and again sharp staff and a special shout out to Emily Persio
who has always had my back and always advocates not only for her students but for her assistance in the room. Thank you. Next, we recognize our middle school, our secondary, excuse me, instructional
assistant of the year, Mr. Rob Thompson. Okay, it's good to be up here again. Coach Robert Thompson, also known as Coach T. Coach T is an instructional assistant who offers support to our special education students. But his work
goes far beyond this group. Simply put, Coach T is everywhere. Whenever and wherever you need him, he finds a way to appear. You will see him providing onetoone academic support and also offering comfort and a listening ear to a student
who is struggling emotionally. Coach T is a consistent and calming presence in our cafeteria, our hallways, and our building at large. He serves lunch duty each and every day. And outside of the building, you'll find that he's a familiar face on campus. From serving as
an assistant coach with the high school football team to chaperoning middle school dances to assisting us on overnight grade eight field trips to Camp Mason, Coach T is a fixture. He is punctual. He is dependable. And he always goes the extra mile. He embraces
his role with professionalism, positivity, and enthusiasm. Middle school is a transitional time for students. They are not yet of high school age and yet from a developmental standpoint they have aged out of an elementary setting. Our primary focus
and objective is to prepare them. That is to push them to learn as much as possible to obtain the skills and knowledge they will need for high school and beyond. Coach T is a great example of someone who can thread the needle to strike the balance that allows him to push students
while at the same time making them feel welcome and supported. Coach, it has been a great pleasure getting to know you and work with you. I congratulate you on earning your secondary instructional assistant of the year honor. Congratulations.
Good evening everybody. Hope you guys can hear me. I'm going to keep my speech short as we're going to take the time to thank the board administration for having me and the fellow honores here tonight. It's truly an incredible night and you know special occasion to even be
nominated for this recognition is an honor itself. So, it's beyond incredible to have been the one that got selected for this award, especially when I have so many great co-workers um that also got nominated for this award. I owe a huge thank you to this community that we
have here in Collinswood, to all the teams and athletes I have coached, to the students I've worked with, and to the great staff I've worked with past both past and present. All different aspects and roles are what makes this community great. And I'm beyond grateful
that I have the privilege of working here and being a part of the school community. Thank you to those that nominated me. Thank you to those that have helped me become the educator that I am today. And I want to thank everyone that is here tonight for coming out and supporting
all of us. Thank you. And last, but certainly not least, we recognize and honor our district support staff member of the year, Mr. Spencer Tussy. Hello Tonight, I am honored to introduce to you our district's support staff member
of the year, Spencer Tussy. Spencer's work ethic, attitude, and dedication truly stands out. This individual consistently goes above and beyond, never hesitating to step in wherever needed, and always willing to take on any task, big or small, to support our
schools, staff, and students. Whether it's responding to an urgent issue, helping a coworker, or quietly handling the jobs that often go unnoticed, they do so with professionalism, reliability, and pride. What makes this person especially deserving of support staff
member of the year is not just the hard work they do, but the positive example they set for others throughout teamwork, dependability, and commit commitment to our district community. Please join me in congratulating our support staff member of the year, Spencer Tussy.
Thanks everybody. I'm really not a public speaker so be really short. Thank you to the board. Thank you to everybody who voted. Thank you for everybody who comes in every day and does the hard work that really needs to get done.
Doesn't go unnoticed. We do a lot of a lot of day-to-day operations that definitely go unnoticed, but you know, it's an honor to be even voted for this. So, I just want to say thank you to everybody. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for all the presenters and for all the award recipients. Can we have another round of applause for all of our recipients? Truly, you are the the best of the best and we appreciate all of your hard work and everything you do every single day. And um we wouldn't we wouldn't have a
school without any of you. So, thank you so much. Um, does anybody else want to have anything that they want to say before we move on to the next presentation about these award recipients or anything? >> Um, I just want to say again congratulations and th this has been the
most amazing part of of like my week and just to see the camaraderie to see the support in here and you know clearly our our staff is a family and it's wonderful to see. So, thank you everybody uh for being here tonight and thank you especially to our award recipients for all your hard work and dedication to
give to the kids. Um one thing I'm hoping and I've been talking to Miss Turner about this um Miss Turner about this um I would really like to see recognition for Collingswood teachers at the county level and even the state level. I think our educators
are so deserving of entering into the governor's educator of the year program and I'm hoping that we can get um some of our educators of the year to apply for county educators of the year and then even be qualified for state educators of the year. It's a wonderful
program. um all uh educators and um educational assistants are eligible. So that's something that I would hope that our administration would um start to look into um to get the recognition that our teachers deserve. Um I would just like to say thank you to
all of the teachers um who help students throughout, you know, throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school. Uh, I just want to say thank you guys for everything you guys have done. Once again, thank you so much for being here and thank you for all of your hard
work throughout the year, every day, all the time. Uh, we're going to move on now to our uh, postsecondary plans counseling and program of study update. Yes. Okay. Just making sure. Good evening. My name is Kim Halenbeck.
I am the school counseling supervisor for the secondary level and I'm here tonight to talk to you a little bit about what our department does. Um kind of a tough few acts to follow, so bear with me. Congratulations.
All right. Um first off, we have our high school counseling team. We have our ninth grade counselor, Mr. Adams, who is also our student assistance counselor. Mrs. Latoya Goodall and Mrs. Kylie Smith are 10th through 12th grade counselors by alpha. Mr. Isaac Mendelson is our
school social worker. And Miss Leia Watt is our administrative assistant. At the middle school level, we have Miss Adrienne Earl and Mrs. Siobhan Bunches. And we also have Mrs. Carla Dickinson, Dickerson, sorry, as our administrative
assistant. So, as school counselors, part of our job is to service all of the students in the school. We service their academics, their career and uh career and college planning, and then also their personal social
Um most of what we do at the high school level is getting ready for that next step postsecary. Most of the middle school focus is on um emotions and personal social and mediations and really getting ready for high school.
So there are some direct services that we provide to our students. Um we do a lot of inperson actually everything basically is in person with us. Uh we meet with our students on a regular basis. Um we counsel them obviously but
we also advise them. We give them um support and what their thoughts are for their future um without telling them what to do. That is the hardest part of counseling is you know what they should do but we can't tell them what to do. We kind of have to guide them there. um our
indirect services. We do a lot of um collaboration with the teachers and the administration um for our students. We consult with all of those bodies as well. And then we do uh referrals to outside agencies should
that need come for our students. All right. I have some data. Yay. For our middle school. So, our middle school, we have about 479 students enrolled. We have um 357 academic meetings that have happened so far. Uh
536 parent contacts and uh I'm sorry, personal social meetings. So, like I said, that's really heavy in middle school. Parent meetings, we've had about 80 of those formally. Um our INRS meetings, we have monthly.
Uh we have 61 active 504 plans just at the middle school. We have a social media account. We are um sponsoring a career week this week actually um culminating in a career day on Friday for our eighth grade and then they also
do advisory cup awards throughout the year. So lots of fun at the middle school part of their classroom lessons. So they do push into classrooms. They do a lot on gossip and rumors and conflict resolution, getting ready uh for the
next grade, career exploration. They're just some of the topics that they hit uh mostly through the advisory period. They do sponsor the peer tutoring program. So, they assign students to those services and coordinate through the NJHS
students. And then obviously providing small group small group counseling um with an organizational skills focus because if you've ever seen a middle schooler you know they need organizational help. So
we do a lot of that at middle school. Um in those advisories they schedule monthly meetings where they push into the advisories and they touch on the topics that you see here. Some of them are behavior expectations, student recognition, attendance, how to access
Genesis and how to use that student portal, um substance abuse, school values, and so on. Okay, here's our high school counseling data. So, like I said, high school has a little bit of a different feel. We have
674 students currently enrolled. 111 of those students have um completed substance abuse counseling or are currently in that counseling. We have had 2,271
academic student meetings to date. 134 parent meetings, 50 classroom lessons. Uh 25 of those lessons are focused on Naviance, which is our college and career program that we use. And then 25 of those meetings are
focused on course selection and preparing the students for the course selection process. We have 62 active 504 plans at the high school. And we also have a social media account with lots of followers. All right. For our college and career
focus, like I said, at the high school, that's a lot of what we're doing. Uh we actually take our kids on college tours and to college fairs. We've had 110 students participate in those. We've had 16 college representatives actually come
to the school. We've had 12 military, seven workforce or trade schools. We al we actually took our kids to um a trade school campus this year as well. We've had 149 college applications submitted.
We've had 157 acceptances to date. 2,686,500 in scholarships so far. More to come and all of our students are using Navian. New this year on December 18th, we sponsored an instant decision day. So,
we had the colleges that you see here um either come to Collingswood or they presented virtually to students. students had to apply to their schools and complete the whole application process, submit transcripts and whatnot. And then the college representatives
gave the students a decision on site. So that day some of our students walked away with multiple acceptances to schools. It was a really great day. These are the students that participated this year. Like I said, it was our first year. It's like kind of our inaugural
year. I don't know if I said that right, but uh we are definitely going to expand it for next year. What you see in the picture are some of the students that are virtually talking with the college admissions counselors. Here's a couple of the pictures that we took with the students.
You can see their excitement. Stockton was a big one. Stockton um actually came on site and Stockton gave out not only acceptances but they gave out scholarships and housing scholarships. So it was pretty cool. Mia rad it in.
And then there's Nana who really raked it in. She applied to every school and got into every school. So it was pretty cool. It was very exciting to see. Um the kids were super excited. We made big announcements throughout the day of all their acceptances. So, it was a big
deal. We also uh brought back the CHS alumni day. So, we had alumni from previous years come back and speak with our students about their experiences in colleges and trades. Um it was really a
a good atmosphere. Um nice and positive. The kids were excited to be back and they were excited to speak with the students. So we had different topics that we broke the alumni into. So we had some students talking about academics
um in college and how you manage that campus life, all of the pieces that come into living on campus, housing and getting involved in activities and clubs and then how do you pay for college? Uh work studies, part-time jobs, loans, things like that. So, the students were
able to circulate through the three different groups and topics and speak with the alumni. It was a really good experience for both the alumni and the students. Plus, we got to see some of our former students. There's all the seniors that participated with the alumni. It was a great day.
A little more high school counseling data for you. Um, each year we give the PSAT and SAT school day in October. So, all of our students took um those assessments. We have uh so far I've had 21 students participate in the Saturday
SAT program that we have. Uh we have 15 AP courses this year, 254 students that are enrolled. So, that is the number of enrollments uh total. We had 123 students um test AP exams
these past two weeks in May. that just ended. We have 22 dual credit courses that we offer. 389 students are participating in those dual credit courses. Those are with Camden County College and one is with Stockton.
And then we also have 510 of our students enrolled in CTE courses. So we're busy at the high school. All right. This year we were fortunate to have Mr. Mendelson joined our office
and he is our school social worker. We inherited him from our wellness staff. So, we were able to um bring him into our office and and get him working with all of us um cohesively. It was really a great experience for everybody. The
difference between a social worker and a school counselor, everybody thinks that we just counsel kids, but social um school counselors focus on academics, careers, and personal social. Social workers are licensed therapists that can actually counsel and provide therapy to
students. So, Mr. Mendelson's services are invaluable. Um really, he can provide that ongoing support that some students need and um really check in with those kids on a on a regular basis. And that's really what this says. Um, I
I put that pyramid on there because any of you that have gone through the the education courses throughout your life, you know that we need the basics. We need the bottom of that triangle in order to be successful at the top of the triangle. So the basics are safety and
security, food, water, rest, love and belonging, selfesteem, and then selfrecognizing. Okay. So really super important that we have that support of our school social worker. So Mr. Mendelson helps all the students
six to 12. He works with both the middle school and the high school students. He does individual and group counseling. He works on coping skills and problem solving, behavioral challenges, a lot of emotional regulation, crisis. He's our man that we go to for
crisis. um he does work with attendance and community resources. He supports HIV. He helps with all the education that we do for um positive school climate and for our staff. So, he really is an integral part of our school
community. This is just some of the data that I pulled for um what Mr. Mendelson does. So, as far as crisis referrals, you can see throughout the year how many of those crisis referrals that he has
worked with. Okay. Teacher referrals. These are just teachers walking in and talking to Mr. Mendelson about a student so that he can then speak with the student about what the what the concern may be. Some of these may escalate to crisis sometimes
without intervention. Then there's new referrals. They sometimes come from parents or they can come from just students walking in and referring themselves. We have outside counseling referrals. Like I said, we do that as social uh as
school counselors, but the school social worker does that as well. Um he refers to after school counseling and outside therapy. He is providing case management, ongoing case management for 230 of our middle and high school students. So he is busy
busy as well. All right, let's talk about the program of study because that comes out of the counseling office as well. So this year in our program of study, we were able to um update some program language that we have. Some of our course selection
guidelines were modified um slightly. We were able to put direct links into the table of contents so that uh parents and students can just look Intro to engineering. Click on it and it takes it right to the description. They don't have to leaf through 90 pages of a book.
Um, we modified our grade level promotion credits. So, we had it as 30, 65, and 90, but we made it 30, 60, 90 to make it clean. So, these are the number of credits that students need to move up to the next grade level.
We renamed literacy acceleration and math acceleration to literacy and math support. We are renaming transitional math to graduation math to match the graduation reading writing course that we have. Both of those are for our portfolios for
the state for graduation. We updated our four-year plan to a seven-year plan and we also updated our grading scale. We added some new courses as you can see there. One of those that we're really excited about is AP language and
composition. We are also um offering next year's senior late entry and early release. So if students are um where they should be on their credits and they have um their attendance is good and
they would like to leave early or come in late, they have that option. Okay. So that is something new for them this year. Um, dual credit now includes French 3, four, and five, and Spanish three, and four.
And we also added a course called Tomorrow's Teachers. And then we added some elective middle school course offerings. I had a lot more on this slide, but really right now, we're looking forward to graduation. All of us, the students
and the staff. So, we're really excited. We're gearing up for graduation, preparing for that. We have our scholarship night this Thursday as well. So, um, really exciting things coming along in the counseling office. That is it for my information to all of
you. Do you have any questions for me while I'm here? Okay, I'm gonna have a seat then. Thank you very much. Just a quick thank you to Miss Helen Beck for all that information. That was very helpful and informative and it's
nice to know that there are lots of things happening all the time that we we know very little of. So, we appreciate it. Thank you. Uh we're going to move on right now. We're going to move again and have the uh school budget update. Looking forward to the next season. So, good evening. Good evening. Thank
you so much for being here. Um, before uh we get started, we just wanted to just to recognize again um celebrating our phenomenal uh staff of the year. Uh they work day in and day out. Uh and despite any and all challenges that come
their way, they still uh prioritize, put our kids and our community first. And so can we just give them just another round of applause, please? Tonight's uh presentation or update is not going to be uh talking about numbers. It's going to be talking about
impact. And so budgets by themselves are uh uh spreadsheets, facts, and figures. Uh but when you take a step back, budgets are not just facts and figures. They're people, their experiences. um their values. And so, uh we wanted to
give our community just a snapshot in what do some of those numbers mean and what should the community expect as we plan throughout the summer and move towards uh September. And so, we continue to be driven by our mission and our vision as well as our
district core values of student success, equity, and inclusion team and family. Just wanted to highlight um just a few areas. And so, uh, our school district continues to set a high standard as it relates to what's happening, uh, inside and outside of the classroom. And so,
what you see, uh, over the last three years is that we've seen, uh, consistent and continued, uh, growth and and and improvement, uh, despite every challenge that has come our way. And so, uh, we will continue to, uh, push and focus on
what's happening in the classroom and how we can provide meaningful support to our students and our staff. We just wanted to highlight just a few, uh, achievements. And so, uh, this particular year, we're extremely proud, uh, to report that we have cleared our
weight list for preschool in Collingswood, uh, for the first time, meaning that we have now reached what is called preschool universe or universal preschool levels of highquality educational experiences for the families of Collingswood. Uh we'd also like to just give uh just a
kudos and a round of applause to our hardworking high school staff who were awarded earlier this year with the college board advanced placement school honor role. Uh this award is specifically uh uh goes to schools that have continued to show improvements in
providing increased student access to a rigorous college curriculum and continue to influence and support a collegegoing culture. We'd also like to acknowledge our students uh specifically our students who work extremely hard to develop their
skills in multiple languages. And so this year uh nine uh Collinswood High School students earned the New Jersey seal of biiteracy. And so this is a state uh distinction that goes on their uh diploma for uh students that reach
high level proficiency in more than one language and demonstrate a degree of readiness to help them excel when they graduate from high school. Our priorities moving into the 262 27 school year is to continue to improve the
alignment of our teams to better support our goals and our objectives. To actively engage our community to address our our infrastructure challenges. To continue to find ways to secure additional adequate school funding. Actively pursue additional streams of
revenue to support innovative student learning initiatives that are largely driven by our classroom educators. and to commit to supporting and retaining dedicated faculty and staff. In terms of instruction, we will continue to move and transition uh towards the science of
reading and we will be uh migrating away from uh the traditional readers writers workshop. And so, um, our teachers this year piloted multiple, um, curricula, gave us feedback, uh, and we were pleased to report that we will have a a
multi-year phased in curriculum adoption at the elementary level to continue moving in in that trajectory. We will expand the usage of our universal screeners in order to give our classroom educators uh, timely information so that they can personalize instruction for our
students in math and reading. We will also continue our focus on data driven instruction aligned specifically to school goals and then break that down to by grade level and by student level. And then we will also continue to strengthen inclusive practices through the
recommendations from our district inclusion task force. PreK to five, uh we will support the transition of the Garfield closure and continue to provide a continuity of care for elementary students. We will continue to update our infrastructure to
support our MTSS uh tiered system of support model. We will uh continue to maintain universal access to high quality preschool in Collingswood. At the uh secondary campus, we will support the transition to a unified uh secondary campus. We will continue to support uh
updates to the infrastructure to sustain our tiered system of support. and we will continue to provide support um to uh implement our math curriculum with fidelity in the operations field. We are seeking to establish a school-based
technology lead program to support instruction. We will establish consistent cycles of technology replenishment to also support instruction. And we will actively seek operational efficiencies and additional shared service opportunities.
So what does all this mean for 26 and 27? And so we have uh reorganized uh the district infrastructure to provide more timely support to schools placing the greatest emphasis on what's actually
happening within the classroom. And so, uh, this summer, all of our school leaders, all of our, uh, district leaders, as well as their, uh, administrative assistants will be going through targeted professional development, uh, in the areas of, uh, strategic priority management to make
sure that we can be uh, of greater degree of support of what's happening within our schools. We will continue to support the Garfield transition and that continuity of care. And so as of late March and April, working groups were established with ongoing meetings which will carry
through the remainder of the summer leading us into September. On May 7th, new school placements were shared with uh current Garfield uh parents and guardians. Um between uh this week and next week, there will be a series of
walking field trips to their new school assignments so that uh students that are transitioning to the remaining four campuses begin to become part of their new school culture. In June, um there will be uh continued school social
events at all of our campuses and this will be for students and families. And then there will be legacy events um at Garfield as we continue to celebrate uh Garfield between now leading up until the summer. Uh in July uh by request
there will be a new student buddy uh meet and greet for uh families and students that want just an additional personal touch. And then in August, there will be welcome events for new students and families and teacher meet and greets. Um, as as as usual,
in terms of that continuity of care, all of our elementary schools uh are consistent in terms of their academic programs, their specialty areas, uh, support teachers as well as MTSS coordination, gifted and talented, special education, 504s, and multilingual learners that will remain
consistent across all elementary. Our character strong curriculum will continue uh to be supported as well as our elementary wellness team uh which provides whole group, small group and individual uh counseling support to students and families that will also uh
persist. The unified campus initiative was announced uh back in September of 2025 with a goal of uh creating a seamless academic and social experience for students 6 through 12. uh enhancing the
efficiency of how we use our spaces, how we use our staff in order to be able to support our students, strengthening the vertical articulation and the opportunity for accelerated classes for students ready for more rigorous environments. Reduce transitions and
increase consistency in school culture and expectations. And then ultimately to respond proactively to the financial challenges within our state, within our county, and declining enrollment patterns. And so what does that mean? There will be a restructuring of the organizational
chart in order to provide increased leadership support to the secondary campus. Management and operations at the secondary campus will be broken down by grade level six through eight, nine through 10 and 11 through 12 with directors of instruction, school climate
officers and administrative assistants providing uh strategic support interspersed throughout the entire campus to be more responsive to the needs of students and families. There will be there is the restoration of the a 6 through 12 special education
supervisor role. the restoration of a 6 through 12 athletic and activities director role and the 6 through 12 a consolidation of the counseling uh center and the wellness center supports will continue. And so we're pleased to
report that we uh were able to uh restore with permanent funding our school social worker. So, the wellness center will remain open uh for the foreseeable future and there will be consistent access to therapeutic services as you heard earlier from Miss Halenbeck that our students uh
desperately need. It'll be a continuation of our restorative code of conduct and uh sorry Chris uh there will be a phone free distractionfree uh continuation moving into the 2627 school
year uh specifically uh aligned with the new uh cell phone free schools law uh signed by the governor earlier this year. Um we are currently working on the revised activity fee structure uh for
middle school. Um and our goal is to begin sharing what that new structure will look like uh before we go home for the summer. And so there is a a team of professionals that are looking at how do we provide a continuity of service uh
with the least disruptive um uh and the least uh uh uh burden on our students and our families. Um continuing to just acknowledge the uh
yman's effort of our counseling team um soup to nuts. They revised our program of study um based on a lot of uh growing and evolving needs. Um we are very fortunate to be in a school district that has um students across multiple
performance levels, a wide range of interest and balancing that each and every year. It takes a degree of finesse. And so we're extremely thankful for our counselors um for what they do day in and day out in order to strike the balance and then put together a program of study that honors uh what
students are asking for and what our our community uh values. And so just to illustrate the level of opportunity for our students uh large in part thanks to our uh STEM supervisor
Mr. Klein as well as the administrative team and the staff at the high school and middle school was we wanted to create a flowchart of what opportunity looks like within a uh unified campus. And so uh we'll be sending uh this out
um uh districtwide later this week. But what you will see is that there are on-ramps and off-ramps dependent on where students interests lie and also where their abilities um and their efforts take them. And so we have created uh flowcharts so that students
can begin envisioning what opportunities they might want to take advantage of and in what form uh as they move towards uh graduation. And so we have created those in uh English language arts, history and humanities,
mathematics, science, and also looking at our CTE pathways. And so we're also very fortunate to have a wide range of not only just elective offerings like art and music, but we
also have four-year learning trajectories in the area of career and technical education. Those will also be outlined uh for students in the community to to be able to review and to consume. We will continue with our commitment to inclusion uh with the goal of uh uh
furthering the integration of our uh uh concepts across district culture. And so the actions that we will continue uh uh to take are partnering with All-In uh which is formerly the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education um
with targeted professional development and technical assistance for not only our middle school but also for Sharp. Our middle school moves into phase three um of that uh partnership for the 2627 school year and Sharp Elementary moves
into phase two. This year uh we had an inclusion task force made up of a diverse group of community members. Um they held uh meetings to discuss short-term and long-term goals for not only Collingswood but also for Oakland about
how do we build appropriate capacity and continue moving on a pathway to provide a more inclusive environment for our students. They have uh completed a task force uh technical report based on their collective efforts and they
have made very specific recommendations uh that the board is currently uh reviewing and we will be working throughout the summer in order for those recommendations to begin materializing in the 2627 school year. Uh some of those uh recommendations are facilitate
a purposeful culture and mindset shift with clear expectations and accountability. strengthen our tier one supports for academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Provide initial and ongoing professional development at the district level as well as at appropriate
staffing groups. Continue our partnership with CPAG as well as allin and build a cross district inclusive practices partnership uh between Kingswood and Oakland. And then also working to working towards a goal of district-wide expansion of co-eing
across all grade levels. This year we also were tasked with uh taking a critical look at artificial intelligence. And so on the agenda uh for refresh read this evening is um a policy uh a district policy about uh
artificial intelligence. And so uh the task force were their first task was to actually look at the policy because we can't put together an appropriate plan without there being a policy in place. And so in essence, what the policy uh uh
really looks at is being able to provide not only protection for students and staff, but to also put our educators in the driver's seat about what is and what is not appropriate in the classroom in terms of the usage of artificial intelligence and to make sure that there
are checks and balances uh that are aligned with academic integrity as well as access to technology that is continuing to evolve at in rapid pace. And so uh upon uh a final board approval
um uh with a targeted approval in June, uh we will be working throughout the summer um to begin identifying what does that uh plan look like and how do we over multiple years begin moving and shifting within that direction uh to bring these
uh new tools uh to students and to staff um in in a very uh intentional and secure way. And so what are next steps as it relates uh within the the the budget process and the budget structure?
Um continue to advocate for fair funding. And so on May 1st, uh, Collingswood and O and our sister district Oakland, we are part of a large regional consortium of, uh, school, uh,
and, uh, district leaders, board members, community members, uh, advocates pushing for, uh, fair funding. And so on May 1st, uh we sent representatives to meet with a team from
the New Jersey, uh Assembly Majority Leaders Office. Um and there were a laundry list. There were three pages of recommendations that were being provided within this meeting. Uh but some of the topics included unfunded and underfunded mandates, school fund, the school
funding reform act, uh issues with the current funding formula, the concept of regionalization or the difficulties associated with a potential mandate for regionalization, pilot funding or the need for pilot funding to equitably be distributed to
school districts within their their localities, the rising cost of healthcare, and then ultimately um what type of campaign would be most appropriate in order to lobby our state legislators to act to be able to uh to to combat what we're all have been
experiencing over the last several years. And so we will continue to ask for our community to join us in this ongoing discussion. Uh we are asking for our community to contact local and state legislators, write letters, send emails,
participate in uh public forums, participate in public hearings, let your voice be heard in Trenton, and put the pressure uh where pressure is needed, which is making sure that we're not continually placing the the burden of uh
school funding on the backs of homeowners and taxpayers in our local communities. Uh we're also asking for uh uh systemwide community support to welcome Garfield families whose students will transition to new schools for the 26 and 27 school year. And we're also asking
for our community uh to bring your passion and your expertise by joining your local PTA. And that concludes my report. Are there any questions from members of the board? >> Um so I have a question about uh unified
campus and the initiative. Um we've spent the better part of this year organizing and getting ready for next year for the unified campus. Um it's from my seat I see um the organizational chart is completely revamped. Uh one of
the reasons for unified campus is to uh review you know or help our declining enrollment patterns. So I would like to see or district is going to do and how this will support um how the new unified approach will
help keep our students here and how will we measure that besides just you know increased you know what are we measuring it against you know those are just my main questions >> it's a great question I I I think it's it's there there's a couple of things
that um drive uh student interest and satisfaction and it's making sure that we have a robust robust set of offerings that are aligned with where they're they're interested. Um, and so continually going back to students and asking them uh what are the types of
programs that they uh find most interested in in participating in and making sure we can deliver on those. Um, paired with making sure that um staff within the secondary campus are being appropriately supported. um and making sure that school leaders at the
secondary campus are also supported and are given the opportunity to um to make decisions about how they're supporting their students, how they're supporting their staff while also uh from a district perspective seeking additional partnerships in order to increase
opportunities for additional students. Um that could come in the form of additional send receive relationships with other districts. It could come in the form of offering programs um and marketing those programs differently so that uh students from u uh other
districts are actively choosing to come here. Uh we currently max out our school choice program and we we always have a wait list. Um that number is driven by the state but we're always applying for additional school choice numbers u which is also helpful. Um but really the the
number one thing is making sure that we are being responsive and listening to what uh students are asking for in terms of the environment that they're participating in and then trying to accommodate as many of those requests as possible. That's the the the best way to be able to
maintain a degree of enrollment. Um but families have choices and we have to we have to compete. um families are within their full right to make sure that they're doing their due diligence to make sure that their kids are getting what they need. Um and so it it requires
us every single year to think and rethink how we're providing services, how we're communicating and partnering with families. Um and then how we're promoting all of the good things that our students are continuing to do day in and day out and continuing to promote
why we should be their first choice. But how is the unified campus going to produce more enrollment? >> The unified campus is not meant to produce more enrollment. The unified campus is in response to declining enrollment. >> Um I also had a question um with the
reworked uh class pathways that you showed up there. Um, you also mentioned that students who are uh, you know, learning faster, more advanced pathways that they could start at a younger age and there'd be less of a a gap from 8th to freshman year. Um,
currently the highest levels of classes go to the fifth level of a language. Do you think we could also find ways that now that we're all one one campus where we could have courses that also go five maybe six years of the whole from what
used to be middle school to high school from now just one constant thing. Do you think there could be a way that we have a class that keeps that long continuity? >> You now have uh there is now no barrier that prevents that from happening. And so I think that in the near near future
that could absolutely be a possibility. >> Um Dr. Medall had a question about the leadership structure um that I'm I'm looking at here. So when we're looking at um directors of instruction um Mr. Oliviver, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Newman. Um can you just explain a little bit
about what what that means like what what that entails? So in in essence um they are in essence the instructional leader for their assigned grade levels and so academics uh culture social emotional supporting
the the the staff um the uh they would be the primary go-to for families related to those specific grade levels um uh and and technically the direct supervisor for those grade levels even though there are other individuals that
also providing support uh whether that be um humanities or STEM or special education or or or whatever. Um and so they will be uh interspersed throughout the campus rather than being concentrated in one or two areas. They
will be uh in spaces to be closer to where students and staff are to provide to provide more responsive support. And um just as a follow-up to that, will that will those responsibilities include um you know uh disciplinary or restorative justice roles as well for
those classes? >> Yes. Yes. >> Thank you Dr. McDonald for the presentation. That was very helpful. I uh especially appreciated the slides on the pathways. They're very detail oriented and helpful information I think for everybody to have. Sorry, trying to
talk louder. I said thank you for the presentation and I appreciated the the slides on the pathways. Thank you. I thought I had it all the way up. And uh I thought that was helpful information. And uh we're going to move on if nobody else has anything to add.
Section five. Going to move over. Travel so far. Uh can I have a motion to uh exit committee of the whole please? >> And a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. Future dates and miscellaneous information. U just take a look at the
um the calendar of dates there and take a note of the things that are important to you that you would like to attend. Uh just a note for us, a plug for us, our next round table is going to be um June 4th. It's going to be earlier this time around at 5:00 pm because that is also middle school orientation and we're
going to have it in the LMC. So that we're gonna some of us are going to be there for both of those things. So uh we'll start our presentation a little bit earlier hoping that we can capture that crowd of people to to attend that. Um is there anything that anybody wants to add to the miscellaneous states and
information? Okay. Section six, uh routine business. Can we have a motion to approve the uh minutes of the meeting? >> So move and second. >> Second. All in favor? >> Okay. At this time, we're going to have
our student reports. >> So, the first thing that I just want to touch on is the award shows that are coming up. The best of class awards are taking place at Camden County College tomorrow at 5:00 and Collingswood has eight students attending. The visual and
performing art awards are taking place on Wednesday at 6:30 in this very cafeteria with the dedication to the mural in the back corner in honor of Miss Winkler. I would just like to say that Piper Wright and Miss Armano have done a beautiful job of putting the
mural together. And to cap off this week's awards, the scholarship night will be taking place on Thursday in the auditorium. Moving on to the TV studio. Over the past three months, the Pause TV Club has just been working really hard behind the
scenes. We have had the 10-day film challenge, which for those who do not know, students are challenged with creating a film with a given prompt in just 10 days. Collingswood had a film move on to the top 10 in South Jersey. That film being The Better Miller, which was produced by sophomore Bella
Consolvi. And we wait steadily to see the results of the 10day challenge. Along with the 10day challenge, the TV program has had seven Emmy nominated videos and has won four Emmys out of the seven nominations. These winners include
These winners include senior Raina Bar, senior Miles Fischer, sophomore Bella Consolvi, sophomore Raphael Pizzatulo, and sophomore Emerson Burke. It is quite unheard of for three sophomores to win Emmy awards. The fact
that three sophomores won Emmys won Emmys is a a monumental feat. Though the program has rad in four Emmys and seven nominations, the TV room still has its struggles. The computers often crash during during editing. And from
personal experience, I was working on a documentary which was one of the nominations included in the seven that I had mentioned. My computer would constantly crash and when a computer crashes in the middle of editing, you don't know if the project was will save. There was an instance where I was
halfway done my portion of editing, which took almost three weeks to get that far and my computer crashed and when I opened it back up, the entire project was gone as if it had just never existed. I had a complete meltdown. And this was
extremely frustrating because my countless hours of work had all just amounted to basically nothing and I had to restart from the beginning and from scratch. This also led to me buying a personal MacBook and my own Adobe Premiere Pro
account to finish my documentary without the crashing occurring. Sophomore Bella Consolvi has also had her fair share of computer crashes and has done the same thing that I did. As you know, MacBooks are about $900 to $1,500 brand new, and we paid out of pocket just so that we
could finish our projects. My MacBook alone was 1,200 on top of the Premiere Pro account. And to be honest, this is very unsustainable for the TV program, and we cannot operate like this much longer. our switcher was which also allows us to
switch between different cameras during our live stream and our CG program which allows us to put different picture boxes and announcements on the screen are both 10 years old and with them being 10 years old they both crash and sometimes take 20 minutes to load these programs.
There have been many instances where we have had to run our show without CG because the program simply will not load. We need to replace the hard drives in three of the computers so that we can run our studio efficiently. These new hard drives will will allow us to update
the software to the best of our ability. But because the hard drives are seven plus years old, we are not allowed to update the software, which causes different applications like the CG program to run extremely slow. To simplify this, imagine having an iPhone 7 and trying to make it run like an
iPhone 17. It's basically impossible. The cost for the new hard drives would be about $3,000 and the cost of the CG program would only be about $1,500, which we desperately need to operate. We have good computers in the studio. They just need a refresh. Also, for those who
know, we have not been live since March 27th, which was about a month and a half ago. And to clear the air, the cameras are completely fine. It is just the tilt action on the tripods and the cameras are and the cameras are not broken. We also need our Max to be connected to Ethernet which will allow everything to
run much more smoothly. We have good equipment in the studio and the equipment does not need replacing. It just needs basic maintenance. If we had the IT support, we would be fine. But without the IT support, it is very very unsustainable to continue to
operate how we operate right now. The students have deadlines and we cannot wait another six months for help. The best way I can put it is imagine having an art studio trying operate without paper, pencils, paint, or canvases. As a
senior, I'm simply asking for help on behalf of the TV studio. All right. Thank you, Kenny. Um, so I wanted to start off with uh tonight, this will be my last time here. Um, I will be out for the June meeting. So, um, thank you to the whole board for
having me here this year. So, uh, here is the list of things I will report on tonight. Uh, first of all, the reason I will be unable to make the June meeting is uh, our semianual German trip and exchange. Um, huge shout out to Herollers. has been running this exchange for more than 20 years with our
partner school in Ulish. So our trip will be uh 10 days through uh Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland and ending in South Germany. And then the German students participating in the exchange will spend 18 days in Ulish with their partner family visiting places like Cologne, Aen and the
Netherlands and many more spots. Um, one of the many prides of CHS is that is our German program and our German trip. Um, today we had our uh, monthly lunch with admin. Um, huge shout out to Mr. Klein
for stepping in this year and uh, you know, being that friendly face and that uh, you know, listening ear to all the students in student council and those who um, who want to get their voices out to the school and to someone who can help us make a difference.
Um, so our spring sports are starting to come to a close and I don't have all the information yet. I actually have a form open right now with only uh the boys tennis stats in for the year. Um, but they have done very well. They had a record of uh 15 to three. Um, we may not
realize it, but sports is one of our biggest ways that our school gains reputation throughout all the other schools, all the other towns is, you know, the first thing is you ask is, "Oh, how's that school? What other sports teams do?" And that really shows, you know, it shows a lot of of who our
students are and who who our teachers and our coaches are. Um, highlights being the girls basketball team breaking tons of records in one year, cross country and track making it to states, uh, tennis making it to, uh, the championship, plenty of of really good sports
achievements throughout the year. Um, so for the Google form that I usually send out, um, students were asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how their year was. And uh the average rating 5.78 out of 10. Um that's okay. Some tens, some ones. It really does depend on on who the student
is. Um uh students were asked about their overall experiences for the year. Um and overall students uh mentioned, you know, struggles, very stressful years. Uh sophomore year being stressful, junior year being ultra stressful. Um a lot of
criticisms over the new phone policy. Obviously, a state mandate cannot be changed, but you know, they still have they still think they have a choice in that. Um, some students, however, loved their year. Freshman enjoyed the new Renaissance program that they got to experience. Um, and hopefully with these
with the uh new changes to, you know, the unification, we can implement Renaissance across all grades um to make it fair for everyone. Um, they felt they got a good a lot of recognition for their good grades and their hard work in school. Uh some people really enjoyed
making new friends coming from uh from other districts. Um overall a wide range of experience from all types of students. Um you know, you can't really point out what specifically makes or breaks the students here. Um but if it's possible,
you know, try our best as a district to listen to each student and and maybe collect and work on uh what makes their year. Uh the last question was open-ended for any positives, negatives, or comments on the year. A majority of
the responses were well thought out um and pushing for phone policy reform. Pretty rapid how quickly they they came up with that. Um obviously mandated a state level, but if enough students are prepared to respectfully push for reform, uh maybe it'd be worth a shot to
give the students a voice, an outlet to state what they think, you know, would be best for the students. obviously already done at the state, but you know, if if we are serious about student voice and student um student activism, get, you know, that's one of the things
they're willing to fight for. Not the best thing, but you know, one of the things they're willing to fight for, might as well give them a chance to to try it out, see what they can say and and have a say in, you know, the government that directly affects them. Um, and then the last statement that I
have uh for me was uh just a reflection on everything that I've done and in this position. First of all, thank you all again for uh having me up here. Um it was quite an experience. Um very interesting. Um
definitely an intro into small politics. Um thank you for letting me get the voice of other students out to the public to the people who can make a difference. Um uh I learned a lot. how to speak in small government, how to form reports of the student inputs, and overall a little
little intro to politics. Uh, I did not initially know what I was getting into this year, but now I understand the realities of our town and our schools. We're a special town, only about 14,000 people and some of the loudest voices. Yeah, I think all of you would agree. Um, our town is incredibly vocal about a
lot of issues, big or small. A tree gets cut down and the whole town knows on Facebook. We lose teachers and staff throughout the district. And again, the whole town knows and has something to say. It's both beautiful and sad that our town is so vocal. It's amazing that our town is close-knit and will uh and I will say that public disclosure this
course is very good, especially in our situations, but I feel that often people lose sight of the goal. We seem to struggle to see eye to eye for what might be best for our town, our schools, and our students. In this position, I've had more meetings than I could care to count. More times I've had to come early and stay late than I would care to
count. Um I've had many many conversations with board members, administrators, teachers, community members, um business owners, uh non organ, uh nonprofit organization runners all across the board. Each
conversation I try my best to talk about the good in our schools and what would be best for the students and often I feel defeated in the conversation for all of the students efforts and advocacy. We are met with oftentimes blank stairs and empty promises. So the final point of my remarks are try not to
think about the profit, the numbers, the charts, the graphs. Think about the students. When you ask us for our opinion, don't just write it off as a part of a checklist. Listen to the students. Students can come up with some great ideas. Students don't think of lining their pockets. Students often advocate for what would be best for all because they aren't incentivized with
money or power. So, in the future of the school, wherever we may end up, I know I'll end up back in that crowd watching these meetings go on, listen to the voices of the students that you hear every day. Uh to the children you govern, to the the voices
that will remember how they were treated here, the voices that live with the decisions of our government, our state, and our local board of education. That is all we have for tonight. And thank you for Are you sure you want to follow that? That was amazing. Thank you to our
student reps. We really appreciate all you do and coming. I know uh tonight uh you mentioned that you might want to go out into the audience and be a participant. So, you're welcome to leave the table. Thank you so much. We appreciate all your time. Now we're going to move on to the superintendent
report. >> No pressure. No pressure. Um so section 8.01 um is the enrollment report. Uh April of 2025 enrollment was uh 2220.
Uh April 2026 2196. that report is attached. Uh 8.02 03 and 04 are the safety drill suspension and anti-bullying report. Um and just have one additional announcement because
Kenny actually stole all my thunder with all the positive news and so thanks Kenny. Um we uh forgot to mention and and give kudos to our phenomenal softball team for back-to-back division championships. And so let's give them a
round of applause. And so these amazing student athletes, they battled their way uh back uh and made the most out of every opportunity. Um and and we are so incredibly proud of what uh not only what they do on the field, but what they also do off the
field. Um and so which includes mentoring younger students, uh doing fundraisers to be able to support their schools. uh and then being a really positive uh productive presence both on and off campus. Um setting a really positive example of what it truly means
to be a student athlete. And so uh just wanted to give them uh their flowers and and recognize them. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Okay. So we are going to move into our public comment section of the evening.
Um, so for the public comment section, please stand, state your name and address, and keep your comments to three minutes or less. Miss Coleman, are you able to keep time for us, please? The public is reminded to resolve all concerns and complaints that should first go through appropriate staff members and administrators.
And again, we are going to listen and take some notes and follow up on the back end. Can everybody hear me? >> Yes. Okay. I'm Alex Gonzalez, the certified school nurse at Zay North. On Friday, May 15th, the nursing team was told that the open school nurse position
due to the resignation of the Tatum nurse would not be filled. We have not had a nurse in every building since the 2324 school year. When most people think about school nurses, they picture someone putting on band-aids or giving out ice packs. But we do far more than that. We manage chronic illnesses and severe allergies, support students
mental health, administer medications, monitor illnesses and outbreaks, and provide health education to name a few. Some students do not have consistent access to medical care, and the school nurse is a healthcare provider they see with any regularity. We are trained medical professionals who serve as the first line of defense when emergencies
happen. In an emergency, seconds matter, and without a nurse in every building, we are placing our students at undue risk. Children today come to school with chronic complex medical disorders that require monitoring medical care and in an emergency and immediate response from a school nurse. Parents in this district put their trust in us to care for their
children and that trust is weakened when there is not a nurse in every building. Dr. Mutell spoke about intensity of service provided to students at the last board meeting. I'd like to give you a glimpse into my day. My daily medication schedule at Zay is as follows. I met at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11, 11:30, 11:50,
12:20, 12:30, 1:00, and 2:30. I care for a diabetic student and a student who receives their hydration and nutrition via a G tube. I care for a student with refractory epilepsy who needs their rescue medicine at the onset of a seizure. Add in visits for illness, injury, and mental health, and you can
see how busy my office is. Year-to date, I have had 4,175 visits. CHS has had 7,34, CMS 7,223, Tatum 5,282, Sharp 2694, Newbie 1,234, and Garfield
916. Keep in mind that newbie and Garfield have shared one nurse for the past two years. We are continually being told to do more with less. Teachers, building secretaries, and principals already have an enormous workload because this administration has been increasing our workload as we lose staff members and physicians these last few
years. Asking them to manage medical visits and student emergencies because there is no nurse in every building places an unfair burden on them and further increases an already overburdened workload. We should not be compromising on student safety. This year, I had a student come to the office with non-specific symptoms of just
feeling unwell. During an assessment, her heart rate was in the 230s. Normal is 60 to 110. I asked her parents to take her to the ED for suspected super ventricular tacoc cardia a condition with which she was diagnosed and underwent heart surgery for this year. Without a nurse in the building, who was responsible for making these medical
decisions? Who recognizes the difference between a minor issue and a medical emergency? Without a nurse in every building students fall through the cracks, every student deserves access to health care support during the school day and a medical professional who can make sound clinical decisions about their care. I do not know what next year's nursing coverage will look like
for our students, but I can tell you that their health and safety will be put at risk with this decision. I urge this administration to reconsider the elimination of another nursing position. Thank you. That's going to be hard. So, I'm Haram Bataloney. I am actually um so my
address is 229 Manheim a Oakland. I am the preschool nurse for CCC Park. Um so I am speaking tonight only uh not for myself but the rest of the amazing school nurses in the district and uh for
the students and staff that needs are becoming harder and harder to safely meet because of the continued nursing shortages and lack of support. Right now many nurses in the district are being pulled multiple schools across the district due to lack of substitute nurses and the loss of our Tatum nurse
position and our Garfield nurse position. These are not minor needs. These are students that have serious medical conditions who require skilled nursing care, close monitoring, emergency planning, and immediate response when something goes wrong. When one nurse is expected to cover multiple
buildings, student safety suffers, there is no way around that reality. In elementary preschool settings especially, many children cannot verbalize symptoms or explain when they are in distress. Some of our youngest students and babies in my schools um
require, you know, tube feeding, seizure moni, diabetic management, emergency medications, behavioral cardiac support, and care plans for life-threatening allergies that some of these little ones don't even know they have yet. These are responsibilities that are required
trained medical professionals, not coverage gaps, delays, or improvised solutions. Um, as the preschool nurse for Parkview and CEC, I am also rout re routinely expected to cover all Zay, Sharp,
Garfield, and Tatum when the district is short staffed on nurses. This as well as the other nurses in the district are pulled to help. Like the other day I was pulled to Tatum and the middle school high school nurse are coming to cover my buildings and the sharp nurse covers my
buildings and um they see 100 to 150 students a day in middle school high school. So my buildings not only they're covering that they're covering my buildings and I'm at TEM. In addition to covering multiple buildings, I'm responsible for managing all preschool,
kindergarten, and CST registration, medical charts, and documentation. The nurses are maintaining accur accurate medical records, reviewing health histories, and suing and ensuring compliance with medical plans and state requirements. Just this past week,
during which it had been a normal day covering only my two buildings, um I had to run back and forth between Parkview and CECC five times last Friday. In addition to my regular responsibilities, nurses throughout the district are frequently pulled from their assigned
schools whenever a substitute nurse cannot be found for an absence, which is often. Um the district currently does not have enough substitute nurses or full-time nurses. As a result, nurses are stretched across multiple buildings. And this issue extends to preschool,
elementary, and high school, of course, and deserve. >> Thank you, Miss Batalin. I'm sorry to cut you off, but your time is up. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. >> But the current system is not sustainable and places both student and safety and nurse lure at risk. >> Thank you.
>> Good morning. Thank you. I'm sorry. Good evening and thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. So, when we talk about population decline, I mean, who would want to send their kids to school here when there is not enough security? Oh, my name is Marshall Lisky Peoples. I apologize. Um, so I just want to talk a
little bit about as the only female security guard in Oakland, Woodland, and Colleagues who is now laid off. What I do, um, I have been advocating for the past four years that we have more um, not just security, but tighter pass restrictions. I'm frequently told not to do write ups on students because it's
too much on administration. This is the first time in probably four years that the hallway was clear during lunch. Thank you to Miss Ambrose for, you know, giving me the opportunity to put in some suggestions and having students in the cafeteria, only leaving when it was time to go to the bathroom. Um, teachers have
mentioned since me being laid off that they were concerned about how the next year is going to be. There's not enough security as it is. There's not enough people to cover bathrooms. Um, I was called to cover a class today and I'm frequently called to cover classes because I'm the only security guard that has served. Frequently, there's not
enough staff period, let alone to cover classrooms. Forget about the bathrooms. Almost every single call that we get, either I answer it or I assist my co-workers, just go up there just to make sure everything is okay. I do residency checks. I have asked
multiple times to be CPI trained to be an instructor to help my um coworker Ruben. is the only one in the district who trains everybody in Oakland, Woodland, and Collingswood, and I assist with every single training. I'm the only security guard that assists with him, and he's the only security guard that does CPI training.
Um, since I've been here in the past four years, there has been less female fights. I apologize. I'm just very passionate about these these students. >> Thank you. The reason that there has been less
female fights is because a lot of times the girls felt comfortable to speak to me. Just today, a girl came to me and was crying about in the bathroom that something happened at home and how she's kicked out and I'm the person that she feels safe with. I bring snacks for the kids. I bring the backpacks. I bring a lot of food for the Panther Pantry and I
make sure to do deliveries. I bring a lot of female ministration products because frankly, I apologize. Frankly, as a woman, you know, the cardboard administration products are not enough. And some of these pads are so thin that it doesn't hold anything. These girls need more. And maybe they don't have it
at I'm sorry. Maybe they don't have it at home. And I'm not fighting for my job because I make a lot of money. I only make like $23,000 a year and I have a really long drive. I drive like two hours every day back and forth to get here. I'm here to fight for the students. My apologies. And I just want
to give you a real example of why it's important. I apologize. Why it is important to have a female security guard. Earlier this year, this girl came up to me and she told me that these boys were making very inappropriate sexual comments to her to a point that she was suicidal. I brought
it to an administrator. I started the hip investigation and I was told to pass it to one of my male co-workers. This girl has has a history of sexually abuse and trauma in her life and she didn't feel comfortable talking to a man frankly because who wants to talk to a man about such sensitive topics. I've
done it in the middle school as well. I do the hip investigations in the middle school and I assist in middle school and high school. I'm the only one trained to do both. Next year if one of the guys call out, there's only one in the middle school, one in the high school. And if one's doing residency and a fight breaks out, they're all alone, which is not fair to my co-workers. But this girl
felt uncomfortable reporting this sexual comments in front of this man. She retracted what she said and she said she doesn't want to speak. Later that day, maybe a day or two later, I found her curled up in a fetal position during lunch um next to the gym. She was hiding and
she told me, you know, she can't take it anymore. So, I made a comment to her during lunch and she just wants to go home and she wants to kill herself. I brought her to the counseling office and everyone was busy. So, I sat with her from the end of lunch until the end of the day when finally her counselor was
available. And then 15 minutes after bringing her to her counselor, I was called to take her to the bathroom and wait in the bathroom with her to make sure she doesn't do anything while she's using the bathroom. Next year, if I'm not here or you don't hire another female security guard, you're putting these students at risk. And frankly, I believe that's why a lot of people don't want to send their kids. They don't feel
safe to send their kids. Thank you for your time. Hi, my name is Marielle Bendalian. Um, good evening. I want to speak about the decision to lay off our only female security guard, Marsha.
First and foremost, a lot of the work Marsha does goes unseen because she's never asked for recognition, but our students and staff see the impact every day. Even with a long-hour commute and limited hours, she is always the first person to respond when help is needed.
Marca brings in backpacks, feminine hygiene products for students in need. She mediates conflicts before they become fights. and she creates a safe space for female students who are uncomfortable speaking to admin or older male security guards.
There was even a situation and she just mentioned it um where a female student specifically wanted to speak to Marsha because she felt comfortable and safe with her but unfortunately Marcia was told not to handle her case. That student later struggled seriously with um with thoughts of self harm. this
could have been avoided had we let the one person many of our students run to for help um help them. And I'm not saying one person can fix everything, but having trusted adults like Marsha students feel safe opening
up to can make a real difference. In fact, this year is the first year in a really long time where we have had the least amount of fights and that's solely due to the incredible work of Marsha. Um, she doesn't just take security calls, she builds genuine relationships
with our kids to the point where they run to her for guidance. Not to sound cliche, but she is truly the eyes and ears of our hallways. I ask the board to seriously consider what our students will lose by removing someone who has quietly done so much for the school
community. Thank you. Robin Hogan, president of the Collinswood Education Association. >> Oh, okay. Start again. Robin Hogan, president of the Collinswood Education Association. Tonight, the CEA is here to
speak with one voice. This district is facing huge challenges and the challenges are not over. They will continue next year. It is precisely because we face critical challenges to public education that we need to have confidence
those and those that are charged with leading the district through these challenges that we are going to be led with transparency putting aside all private motivations except to achieve what is best for all of our students. It is the opinion of our members that we
do not have confidence in Dr. McDow to meet this moment. 90% of our members participated in the vote in which they unanimously voted to move forward with the following resolution. Kylie Smith, high school counselor,
adopted unanimously by the Collingswood Education Association, Monday, May 18th, 2026. Resolution by the members of the Collingswood Education Association for no confidence in the leadership of Collingswood Public School Superintendent Dr. Frederick McDow.
Whereas the Collingswood Education Association is a union of nearly 230 members working in the Collingswood School District across a variety of jobs, including classroom teachers, nurses, school counselors, child study team members, librarians, and media specialists, athletic trainer, instructional assistants, and office
service personnel such as administrative assistants. Whereas, the CA has been incorporated as a labor organization since 1962. And whereas CA members are committed to fostering an educational environment where students thrive, educators are respected, and community
partnerships are strong. And whereas Dr. Frederick H. McDow Jr., Dr. McDow was hired as superintendent of Collingsville Public Schools on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021. And whereas the leadership of Dr. Mr. McDow directly impacts the morale, retention, educational programming, and
effectiveness of faculty and staff as well as the overall quality of education in our schools. And whereas under the leadership of Dr. Frederick H. McDow Jr., the Collinswood Public School District has experienced a troubling pattern of staff turnover, particularly of veteran teachers, which jeopardizes
the consistency and quality of student learning. Since his tenure began, there have been resignations and early retirements of over 150 staff members. A noticeable decline of staff morale as confirmed by numerous CEA members and student representatives to the Collingswood Board of Education. A
failure to address legitimate concerns raised by the faculty regarding morale, workload, and working conditions. Grievances filed by the CEA for the first time in several years, some 10 grievances to date. Lack of transparency regarding fiscal decisions that directly affect classroom resources and staffing.
a failed bond referendum that was taken before the community without input input from CA members resulting in a loss of critical time, effort, and resources. Latoya Goodall, counselor at the high school. A sustained breakdown in
communication with educators, staff, and the community. a clear uptick of CEA members in Collinswood residents speaking during public comment of board of education meetings over the past several years to share their personal statements in direct opposition of Dr.
McDow's plans, practices, and policies. a prolonged delay in contract negotiations resulting in over 300 days from July 2024 to June 2025 without a fair and equitable agreement. Lack of
clarity and transparency regarding the wellness center grant spending the hiring of consulting firms and audit agencies while in a budget deficit. Most recently is the money being spent to redistrict Barfield students. For example, the elimination of our
full-time multi-ter system of support employee. His work has enabled the high school to have the lowest level of absenteeism in years. Page 10 of vision 2026 strategic plan edited by Dr. McDow
has a chronic absenteeism uptick as an overarching challenge to the district. The elimination of our multi-ter system of support educator also diminishes opportunities from page 10 of the vision 2026 strategic plan including programs such as tomorrow's teachers and the
partnership with local businesses to get real world experience the inability to provide reasoning for the lack of Chromebook dispersements to students in need furthering the lack of equity. Dr. Mr. McDow dissolved the secondary equity council without explanation to the
members who put in hours of unpaid labor. Lack of a clear plan to address the needs of our special education population due to the budget cuts. Failure to prioritize timely communication when faced with potential budget deficits. Failure to maintain
strengths identified in his vision 2026 strategic plan by WH Adams and Associates edited by Dr. McDow June 2022. These include the inability to maintain high school enrollment despite the rise in school age children
throughout the community. A failure to prioritize performing arts programs and opportunities. A failure to prioritize strong social and emotional learning and mental health supports. And the limitation of career and technology education elective options and pathways,
including computer science, foods, and child development. Kevin Adams High School Counseling Department. Whereas CEA members understand the severity of this decision and not did not arrive at hastily and whereas our students deserve better.
Now, therefore, it be resolved that members of the Kwood Education Association hereby express no confidence in Superintendent Dr. Frederick H. McDow Jr. citing a consistent failure to lead collaboratively, ethically, and effectively in a way that will support the future of our educational system.
And be it further resolved that CEA members implore the Collins board of education to provide Dr. Mr. McDow with the appropriate rice notice and release him of his duties as per article 9 of his contract with the board. And be it further resolved that this resolution be formally communicated to the Collins
board of education, shared with the wider school community, and submitted to appropriate media outlets and educational partners to raise awareness of the urgent need for a change in the leadership direction of our school district. Thank you. I'd like to call this meeting back to
order. Is there anyone else coming up for public comment? Sorry, I have my speech on my phone. >> You want to give it a second so I can hear you? Yeah. Give it two seconds. All right. Am I good now? All right. Uh, good evening board. Uh, I'm Axel Mullen.
You might remember me from two months ago. Um, when I came to you guys about computer science. Um, this morning I was allowed to listen in and ask questions during a meeting between Mr. and the student board the uh lunch that um
somebody mentioned earlier. Um and I asked the question about if uh computer science coming back next year was possible and he said that it was very unlikely. Um and I do understand how difficult it is to find a teacher for a
specialized curriculum but it has been two months and there are still multiple months until the next year. Um Another thing Mr. Klein said is that we already have the model for a curriculum and the resources for computer science. Uh like I said at the meeting two months ago, computer science
is an essential course for practically any STEM career in the modern day. Every year that you wait is another year um is another student's future hindered bas uh basically because um you know every year
that uh we wait and that they don't have a computer science program they are set back from other students that are candidates for going to that same college. Um I also feel that most or much of the progress that has been made
for any topic such such as this um has been very like behind closed doors and just like hard to access publicly like um we don't really get progress reports is essentially what I'm saying. Um so if you know if there's any way that there
could be like progress reports issued out during these meetings um towards issues that have been brought up previously that would be amazing. Thank you. Hi, I'm Jim D. Simone. I live at 126 East Browning Road. Um, I've been a taxpayer here in Collingswood for over
21 years. I uh was floored when I watched the uh committee the whole meeting last week and there was discussion around item 13.23. I was appreciative of Miss Hogan for sharing that these were significant increases and I think that it's
incredibly important for the board of education to realize that these are your employees. It is up to you all to be making decisions around their salaries and their salary increases. You should not have been finding out about significant salary increases at a meeting. That should have been information you were
all aware of ahead of time. You should have taken part in the process of negotiating those. The salaries should have shared with you beforehand. Any desire to make significant increases should have been shared with you beforehand. I also was reviewing the board agenda and I noticed that we're
transferring several administrators into new positions that are just being approved tonight with their job descriptions. That's item 13.28. I am not aware whether those positions were properly posted or not in compliance with equal employment opportunities. If they were not posted and the positions
were not applied for, then it's incumbent upon you to vote no to those transfers. It's also incumbent upon you to vote no to 13.23 because you were not included in the negotiations of the non-affiliated staff members. Thank you for your service and
I appreciate that you're going to take the time to vote properly on these two items. Thank you. Okay. Um, so I do I have to formally public acknowledge
the resolution from the CA. Do I do anything with that? >> I don't need to formally acknowledge their resolution at all. Okay. Got it. All right. Moving on. Um, thank
you all for speaking and we're going to go to section 10, the business administrator board secretary report. All right. Um, item 10.01 1 is a listing of your April 2026
monthly transfers. 10.02 is the board secretary treasurer's report and cash flow analyses. 10.03 is your student activity cash report. 10.04 is the food service financial statement for the month of April. 10.05 are the
purchase orders that have been issued during the month of May. And in 10.06 6 are the warrants that will be paid uh tomorrow morning pending approval this evening. With that, I'll run right into section 11. Um so item 11.01 through 11.08 are
those items that I just mentioned. 11.09 is approving the 2026 2027 tax remittance schedule. Excuse me. And that is that is the um the tax schedule has already been signed by the bureau. So this uh remittance schedule
will be sent tomorrow. Item 11.10. This is a resolution that has come in from New Jersey School Boards Association. Um, I believe most school districts in the state will be adopting it, but it's just imploring the governor and the legislature to do something
about the rising costs um of health care that are being passed down to school districts and then ultimately passed on to taxpayers. Um, basically a show of basically a show of force. 11.11 um is approving a joint transportation
uh agreement with Rancopus Valley Regional High School. 1112 is appointing um is uh approving Cammy County Educational Services Commission. Um they do a lot of our special ed transportation, vocational transportation, and they help with CST
evaluations as needed. 11.13 is a listing of all of the 2526 um out of district placements, both specialed and tech school. 11.14 is approving um the breakthrough coach. They're going to provide consultant
services, basically professional development to all of the Collingswood um administrators, their their administrative assistants and some neighboring districts. Um that's going to take place on June 29th and June 30th. 11.15,
excuse me, is uh an addendum with ESS. ESS is our provider of our outsourced instructional assistance. So, this is uh an addendum and uh the rates are attached to the agenda. 11.16. It's a shared service agreement with the Bureau of Oakland in the amount of
$40,000 for trash removal. 11.17 is um pro, excuse me, approving a contract with Virtua to provide physical therapy services for the next school year at a cost of $85 an hour. This was procured uh through RFP and the uh
evaluation rubric is attached to the agenda. So with that um 11 items 11.01 through 11.17 are what uh we're looking for approval for tonight. >> Can I get a motion to approve set items?
>> Have a I just real quick to make a motion in a second and then we can do questions. That's okay. Thank you. >> Can I have a motion? Thank you. And a second. questions or comments from board members? >> I do. It's Lou Greenwald's name is spelled wrong in the resolution. >> Thank you. I'll fix it.
>> Okay. >> I had the wrong one. I'll do it right now. Excuse me. >> I just want to say thank you for updating 11.13 to reflect a little bit more broad. So, thank you for changing that. Um, and oh, sorry. I just want to
say thank you to Bethanne for changing or updating 11.13 out of district placements. Um, and I also kind of just wanted to make a real quick comment for anybody that's watching for 11.14 that that money is pulled admin. Um,
uh, what is it? >> Yeah, it's in the it's in the PSA contract, right? They each get a lot. When >> I first looked at that, I said, "Oh, that's a lot of money." And you explained it very well last week. So, it's a pool of professional development money that just so people understand. Thank you.
>> Any other questions or comments from board members? Okay, Miss Coleman, roll call, please. >> Mr. Chu, >> yes. >> Mr. Craig, >> yes. >> Mrs. DeMarco, >> yes. Except on 11.15 where I have to abain for conflict.
>> Thank you, Mrs. Divine. Yes, >> Mrs. McCowski. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Sherman. >> Yes, except for item 11.11. I obtain >> Mrs. Z. >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dilus. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Maya. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, we'll move on to section 12 curriculum. The two of us are coughing up here non-stop. We apologize it. Uh good evening again. Um items uh
12.02, 12.03, and 12.04 are some remaining field trips for the conclusion of this school year. Um as I shared at committee last week, item 12.03 states none at this time for middle school. But ple please note if you are here tonight or
listening at home that that doesn't mean that there aren't any field trips happening at the middle school but rather usually starting in uh January February schools are um submitting all of their field trips for um the spring uh field trip season. Um, and so I just
wanted to note that um to to ensure that everyone knows there are if you look back at the um first or second page of the agenda, you'll see all of I don't know 30 items long events and happenings at the end of the school year here. So um many festivities and uh activities
happening at all of our buildings through the end of the year. Item 12.05 05 is one um uh approval for a medical um home instruction placement. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Hal Turner. Uh can I get a motion to approve items 12.01 to
12.05 >> and a second. Any questions or comments from board members? >> Miss Coleman, roll call, please. >> Mr. Chu, >> yes. >> Mr. Craig, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mr. Marco, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dine, >> yes. >> Mrs. McCowski,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Sherman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Z, >> yes. >> Mr. McMillan, >> yes. Except for where required to abstain. >> Mr. Dus, >> yes. Except we're required to abstain. >> Mrs. Maya, yes.
Okay. Item 13, personnel or Yes. All right. Here we go. Item 13.0. 1 is a listing of substitutes and tutors.
13.02 is travel expense form for May 2026. 13.03 um is approving Jennifer Antwistle, long-term sub replacement teacher at Collinswood Middle School. 13.04 is approving Anthony Jones, long-term sub
replacement teacher at the middle school. Um 1305 and 1306 are FMLAs. 1307 um Bina Tatum has announced her retirement. Uh we wish her very well.
13.08 uh Chelsea Skinano is the LTC teacher. Yay. Very excited. Um this is a very hard position to fill. So we were actually very excited we were able to fill this one. Uh items 13.09 is approving Isaac Mendelson as the wellness center social worker. As Dr.
McDow uh said in his presentation we were able to um bring him back with some savings in the budget. 13.10 is revised contract. 13.11 is approving Christine Davis as the Zay North preschool grade um a revised
contract. Excuse me. Issue a contract Christine Davis. It says she Okay, that's why. Okay. Um the next item 13.12 is provide um Madison Alenback Sharp School preschool teacher preschool
through five teacher. Uh 13.13 is a termination of an employee. Excuse me. 13.14 um is a listing of um preschool through grade five instructional assistance part-time.
13.15 grades 6 through eight instructional assistance part-time 13.16 grades 9 to 12 instructional assistance part-time 13.17 is a listing of the 2026 20227 elementary lunch aids in the
district um they work about two hours a day 13.18 is um approval of elementary lunch supervisor at newbie 13.19 is the listing the 2627 preschool through grade 5 permanent subs um by
each elementary school. 13.20 is the 2627 grades 6 through eight permanent subs. Um we have three of them. Uh 13.21 2627 grades 9 to 12 permanent subs and
we have four. 13.22 is the 2627 school security staff. 13.323 is the 262 27 unaligned staff um for Collingswood and Oakland school districts. 13.24
is the building services employees. These are your custodians and your maintenance crew. 13.25 is um the county contract approval submission for both Meredith and I. Um by law our contract has to go to the you
guys approve it twice. you approve it to go to the state and then when the state approves it then it comes back for final approval. So you'll be seeing this item a couple times. 13.26 is approving the following staff um to do AED training on Tuesday, July 7th. 13.27 are the staff
transfers or reassignments. 13.28 is the administrator transfers and reassignments. 13.29 is the spring summer preschool hours. 20 um 13.30 is the 26 2026 summer ESY
staff and program. 13.31 is the CST summer IP meetings. 13.32 is summer CST staff um and shared with Oakland for both programs. 13.33 is the 2026 uh summer related staff. So
these are staff that um um work with uh ESY. 13.34. Um, it's approving the 2026 summer psychology intern, excuse me, 13.35, 2020. Oh, should I
should say, excuse me, I see a typo. I should say 2026. I will fix that. Uh, summer CST assessments. And then the last one, there should probably been the very first item, so I apologize, but there's nobody here. But this is a huge recognition of our retiring faculty and
staff that are listed um in the agenda. Lisa D'Angelus, Ingred Kinkler, John McConnell, Rick Pence, Anita Jena, Regina Tatum, Maria Tessing, Windsor Yamamoto, Karen Principado, and John McMullen. And um we thank them for their
many years of service. Um and with that, items 13.01 through 13.36. Thank you so much. Uh can I get a motion to approve set items? >> So moved. a second.
>> Second. >> And any questions or comments for board members? >> Um, uh, regarding the timeline particularly for 13.23 and 13.25, can you clarify what are the
timing constraints for both of those items in terms of the need for us to review and approve them in May versus another time? I'm sorry. Which items? >> I'm trying to take minutes and and do everything at the same time. >> I'm having a very hard time hearing
tonight. Can everybody turn up their It might just be a me thing, but volume's up and Thank you. >> 13. So my contract >> and 13.25. What are the time frame >> requirements? You mentioned that there are some. So >> So 13.23
again, we could do it in years past. we should just do everything in April, but in the last few years, we've been having to riff. So, we rush, we try to get everybody on the agenda for April, or excuse me, yeah, for the May 15th deadline, and then we wait for everybody else. In a perfect world, we would all get everybody on one
agenda and just be done with it. Um, so the timing is unfortunate. Um, but I do have to have contracts in place for all staff for salary to start on July 1. My contract in Meredith's
and and the superintendent by law uh superintendent and assistant superintendent, business administrator, our contracts have to be um they have to go to the county for review and approval before you can submit final approval. So, this is the submission to
go to the county. So, the county is going to get a copy of the contracts. They're going to get an Excel spreadsheet and they're going to get the board resolution approving our contracts for approval. They're going to approve it or ask questions and then when it comes back with final approval, um the
board then votes on final approval of the of our contract and that's just law. So >> So your contracts have to be approved by when? July one. Yes. Prior to July one. Yes. And the other contracts need to be
approved by when? July one. >> Correct. Yes. I need to have all employment contracts in place for next school year by July one. >> Okay. So, I'm gonna >> I just have one comment. I just would
like to um congratulate the staff that's being recognized that served a long time in our schools and we appreciate all that you've done and um I just want to give them a shout out quickly before we move on. >> So I would like to make a motion to
table 13.23 and 13.25 25 until our June meeting. Um so that we can actually our discussion at committee the whole was well long and um I think it warrants a discussion so that we can all get there and also given that we so I am making
that motion. >> Can I get a motion to approve the table? Oh, can I get a second? I'm sorry. >> I'll second that. Okay, Miss Cole roll call, please. So I have a statement about the motion now being considered um
which is that we we had an executive session discussion about this item. Um uh Miss Coleman also sent out an additional explainer to the entire board this weekend. Uh I I don't agree with this motion at all.
I think that we need to take a vote on this item. It is easy for us to target uh the the pay of a few staff members who are not
represented by a union um because of whatever appearances we we believe that is. But what we have essentially in front of us is we've already passed our balanced budget.
In it, our administration has worked to cut one of their positions to save an instructional assistant and then figure out a way in which to redistribute that work. We're talking about a a list here that includes our
finance office, that includes our IT folks, that includes our our payroll people, that includes our buildings and grounds folks. We we like to say up here that that we
need help with it, but really we're not willing to pay for IT support. We're in the midst of of financial struggles and we're saying let's kneecap our financial office. I mean, we've seen
what what happens there in Montlair. Just recently, they had to go out for a double referendum because their financial office seriously messed up, left their district in a million
multi-million dollar hole. So they had to go out for a double referendum where only one piece of that passed which was to close the hole and the other piece to to raise revenue for future failed.
We're saying we're willing to risk the well running of our business office because of appearances that is the discussion that we had last week and I very much so disagree with
that. This again is is one in a long line of continuing to pick and choose what parts of our school district are worthy of support and not worthy of support. It's continuing to pit different parts of our
school district against each other rather than us as a board doing our duty to figure out how to raise revenue for our districts. That's our responsibility. And if if
we're going to sit here and and vote no on these pieces and and and pass the buck and say, "Great. Uh now, uh Miss Coleman, you have to go back and explain to your staff how the plan that we figured out to make
this work got voted down by the board." That's just us bucking our responsibility. >> So, Mr. true uh respectfully tableabling it to June is not saying no. It is asking for time for us to have a
conversation around par across all roles. I'm not undervaluing or diminishing the value in anyone in this list. I think it is as we discussed it was not that um my particular view um so let me be really clear is about how are
we having a conversation because as you just said that we are having a discussion. We did not have a discussion of what was presented. we simply responded to it. Um, and so I think it is just prudent to allow us time to ensure that we have a pathway to just
like our represented staff have the pathway to equitable pay rates, consistent pay increases, we as a board have a responsibility to ensure all staff receive that. Right? So it is not either or from my perspective. This is
all about the team. I'm suggesting time. Now, if we want to proceed and see where the chips fall, then we can talk about a no. But that is not what I my motion was. >> I >> So given that we've already >> I disagree that this doesn't send a very
clear message of where we value and who we value and who we think can wait. Um I think these individuals do an incredible amount of work and underpaid like many within our within the halls here. I think we we've heard that pretty consistently. We've heard it pretty
consistently. Um we sat in for an hour. Um we had our committee of the whole uh we many emails back and forth. Been doing this long enough. I don't know what waiting another month is going to do other than send a message that
we're going to delay. I I really encourage the board not to delay this and to just let them go about getting ready to do their work because they've got to close out our year. They got to get ready for getting into the summer where the work then continues so that they can be ready for the following
school year. These are going to be the people that if we want to go out for an operational referendum are going to be doing the hard work to ensure that we can actually make the dollars and cents of that fit to say now here that we're going to take an extra month to have a conversation
about this when we've already talked about it. We've already gotten information I think sends the absolute wrong message to people that we're going to be asking to go out to the community to get us more money so that we can continue to pay everyone across the board. I think we saw here today expect
that there going to be conversations about raises for others as well, particularly if we're able to bring in more money. But to hinder this group at this moment I think is not a very good decision and I would advise the board not to take it. >> Okay. Thank you. There was a motion and
there was a second. So I do need to proceed with roll call. So what I'm sorry go ahead Megan. >> Can I just ask a clarifying question? Um m Mr. Vine, what uh what would this timeline um like what would the plan be? We be talking another session or committee the whole I just wasn't sure
what like are you talking tonight? our June meeting. This would be on the agenda for us to discuss. I mean, respectfully, we've just been told it would have been on in April. So, um it is the delay. It's not my intention if we I made a motion. Let's vote on the
motion. The motion was to move it to our June meeting. >> I was just clarifying the committee of the whole or um regular voting hold and board meeting. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So if uh just to clarify, if you vote yes, you are voting to approve the
motion to table the discussion to June. If you vote no, you are uh want to not table the discussion until June to proceed with the vote today. >> Let's call roll call, please. >> Mr. Chu, >> no.
>> Mr. Craig, >> no. >> Mrs. Mr. Marco. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Divine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Sherman. >> No. >> Mrs. Z. >> Yes. >> Mr. McMillan. >> No. >> Mr. Dulkus. >> No. >> Mrs. Maya.
>> Yes. We're split. I'm going to let that sit there a minute because I think that it's important to recognize that we're not we're not all on the same page. It is what it is. We're not all on the same page. We We all have to be on the same page. I hear what everybody is
saying. I appreciate all your perspectives, but we we need to get on the same page with this one. And I think that if there's a possibility that we can have further discussions about it and get to where we need to go, then I think that that's where the work has to come.
Can I just say one thing? Being it affects me, Meredith, it's kind of weird. Um, I don't want to put words in Meredith's mouth. I'll just speak for myself. Um, if I know it's 55 right now, but if if it's going to people are going to vote
no, just vote no. Um, so I so we know what we're doing over here. Um, I don't know that delaying a month is going to do anything. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to
um explain further, but I I just feel if the vote the vote for contracts and compensation for the board office staff is going to be no and my again, they're unrepresented. So, I I'm
doing my best to represent my staff, but if it's going to be no, I think for planning purposes, it it works better for the board office staff that they know now because we've been spending the last since you guys approved the job descriptions last month. We have been
cross-training staff. Um, I will stop doing that. I, you know, like they're spending extra hours learning additional responsibilities and if it's going to be a no, I'm going to roll all that back. I don't want to waste any anybody's time, including my own. So, respectfully, I I
just think if you're going to vote no, let's just take the vote and and just get over it. That's all. >> So, I I'm I mean, I'll just be really transparent. It's not actually no, it's the the amounts and what we're trying to understand is how do we get to doing this for everybody and getting them to
the rates that you like to is having clarity on where we're going next. Um and the intention is not to have the discussion in this moment around that. It was to get to well what's our next step? Are we going to expect this going forward? Should we anticipate this as we
go out to the community to ask for more investment in our entire staff, everyone on the team? Right? Getting more clarity around that because the spread is significant. And so how do we get to a spread that is easy for everybody to
say yes is ultimately what we're trying to discuss. Now if we don't want to look I'm prepared >> doing different jobs though the comp the level of compensation is going to look different. I think to assume that everybody is doing the same it's being spread out across
>> I we had this we had this conversation already and I feel got emails and responses about this. It's like >> I don't know what else we need to hear. The conversation was very clear. 3.3 for all online staff and it's adjusted for additional uh additional um uh duties uh
put forth or or to uh be able to uh meet uh somewhat meet market rate for really important positions. That was very clear. It's it's been something that we've discussed. Again, to delay this does nothing but add
uncertainty uh uh for our our business office. If we are not willing to pass this as a board, then we should not pass it as a board. If we're willing to pass it as a board, let's pass it as a board. >> It was also clarified at the last
meeting and via emails that this these are positions that cover two districts, Collinswood and Oakland. And so the breakdown Collinswood pays Oakland pays mostly uh 12% for most of these positions except for the assistant PA
that is an 80% pay and Collinswood pays the rest and the cost to the district is significantly less than some of our neighbors for positions like a BA and a director of curriculum instruction significantly less than our neighbors in Haden Township. Um, I don't know what
other information is needed from board members in order to make this decision. Everything I don't not sure what else is needed. >> Our next step to to to be able to provide more raises for all of our staff is to pass an operating referendum
at a high level, millions of dollars. That is how we do it. That's something that we've been talking about for years now. That's been made clear for years that Dr. McDow has made clear to us in our community for years. And whether or not we want to
accept that or not, that is the truth. Um I would just add and like be I won't speak for Betham, but I will speak for myself, which is to say that um I I would If you're if you're intending to vote no on 3.25 tonight or in one
month's time, I think I would respectfully request that you do that this evening um as I would need to be immediately finding and seeking other employment if there is a no vote on my contract tonight, which of course I would understand and is within your right, but I would request that you do
that as soon as possible. I'm I'm also going to speak about just how this is I'm I'm going to call >> so can I >> I'm going to call out what what is has been going on for years which is a concerted effort to cast doubt
on the quality and the work that our central office does. This is another piece of of that that continuation of >> and again it is just putting >> different parts of our district against
each other rather than having us as a board >> recognize acknowledge and work towards a real solution which is to raise revenue >> for this district. >> I'm going to call for a recess. So let's take a five minute break and then we'll come back. Okay.
I think what's that? That's like a a motion for a recess. >> Yes, I I'll make a motion to a recess. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. >> Sorry. Can you clarify how long So, uh, be before we vote on this, I
would like to say, um, I think I think Saki is going to make a motion to go ahead and proceed with the vote, but before we do this, I just want to say that, um, Dr. McDow, Miss Coleman, >> sorry, sorry, can can you speak up a little bit? I didn't quite hear what you said. having a hard time hearing. Thank you. Yeah, >> I think it's low today.
>> So, miss my I found out I realized earlier that my volume was all the way down. So, >> turn mine all the way up. So, I'm good. >> I think the PA in general is low. Like the PA the main line is low. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. >> Um so, Dr. Dr. McDonald, Miss Coleman,
um can you please uh in our next committee meeting bring up the idea of creating some we can create some sort of policy around um how do we go about making sure that the online staff is consistently is consistently paid and what their
raises what their increases should be or how we go about that process that there's some more consistency. >> Uh yeah. Yes, we can uh we can we can draft a a a policy and then um create create the chart based on the variables
in the policy. >> Okay. >> Um so I'm going to make a motion to um proceed with voting for 3.23 and 13.25 >> second.
>> Sorry information. I actually think we need to go back and and um we need to go back and disapprove all the items from 13.01 to 13.3. >> The motion failed. >> Right. So So I guess there's no other >> No, I I was just codifying that we are.
>> So can I have a motion to vote for items 3.01 to 3.36? >> So moved. >> Yes. >> We're already done. We're already call please. Thank you. Just call the question. Can we call the question please? Yes. Roll call, please. Okay.
>> Mr. Ch. >> Yes. >> Mr. Craig. >> Yes. >> Mrs. DeMarco. >> Yes. Except 13.23 where I vote no. >> Mrs. Divine. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McCowski.
>> Yes. Except for item 13.23. I vote no. Mrs. Sherman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Z, >> yes. I vote no. >> Mr. McMillan, >> yes. >> Mr. Dus,
>> yes, except we're required to abstain. >> Gotcha. Mrs. Maya, >> yes, with the exception of 13.23 where I vote no. Okay, moving on. Thank you everybody for your comments and all of your discussion
over the last uh week or so. Uh moving on to section 14 uh policies. All right. Item 14.01. Uh, it's approving the first first reads of policy 236 2365 acceptable use. Um,
that's the art I can't speak anymore while it's coughing. Acceptable use of generative artificial intelligence. That was what Dr. McDow was referring to in his presentation. and the first reading of policy 8461 and that's reporting violence and vandalism. That's a revised
policy. Um 14.02 is a second read of policies 4352 3362 and 2530. Once approved tonight, they will become policy.
14.03 03 is approving um uh a revised regulation, regulation 8461, reporting violence and vandalism. That only requires one read. Once approved tonight, it will become a regulation. And that's it. >> Can I get a motion to approve items 1401
to 1403? >> So moved >> and a second. >> Second. >> Miss Coleman, roll call, please. Or questions or comments from board members. I'm sorry. I might be missing this, but 1403.03. Does that have an attachment on it? Did
I miss that? >> Yeah, I don't see anything. It's in 1401. >> 1403. The regulation. >> Yeah, the Yeah, the documents in 1401. >> It's in 1401. Okay. Thank you.
Stacy. Stacy, we'll make sure we we move it to the right spot. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Miss Co. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Chu, >> yes. >> Mr. Craig, >> yes. >> Mrs. DeMarco, >> yes. >> Mrs. Divine, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mcowski, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Sherman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Z, >> yes. >> Mr. McMillan, >> yes. >> Mr. Dulus, >> yes. >> Mrs. Maya, >> yes. Moving on to section 15, miscellaneous. Uh, anybody would like to report uh
report on that. Uh, section 15 are uh the HIP reports from the previous month. Uh, 15.01 uh 15.02 are the corresponding um administrative uh roles uh with the u
updated duties aligned with the unified campus. >> I know. Um can I get a motion to approve items 15? I'm sorry. >> 1501 to 1502 >> in a second. >> Questions or comments from board
members? >> I just have one question. Have these um job descriptions been uh presented to or discussed with the people that are going to be doing these particular jobs? Yes, we sent um drafts uh to CPSA. Um they
provided feedback uh and then we updated the drafts before we uh presented them to the board. >> Okay. >> And so they're not new positions. They are existing tenure administrators that are being um uh transferred into a a new
role. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Miss Coleman, roll call, please. Mr. Chill, >> yes. >> Mr. Craig, >> yes. >> Mrs. DeMarco, >> yes. >> Mrs. Divine, >> yes. >> Mrs. McCowski, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherman,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Z, >> Mr. McMillan, >> yes. >> Mr. Dus, >> yes. >> Mrs. Maya, >> I'm sorry. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Section 16, public participation. We had that uh last week at our
committee, the whole meeting. Um, so we'll motion uh to adjurnn. Can I mot I would like to be recognized to make a statement, please. Um there's a lot that that went on tonight.
Uh, you know, I would like to uh take a moment uh to urge us as a board to take responsibility for
raising revenue for our district and for pushing back against a very easy uh but wrong method of just attacking our own
rather than facing the hard truth which is that we like many other districts throughout New Jersey are facing financial difficulties that will require more
investment from our community. I've been up here almost six years and I've seen consistently that there is an easy route for us as a board or or for us as a community which is to try to blame everything on one person despite the
fact that we've dug out of a pandemic despite the fact that we are facing real financial struggles. I'm just going to go ahead and read off a list of articles I had prepared previously. Plainville Board of Education laying off nearly six, this is this year, by the way. Plansfield Board of Education
laying off nearly 60 employees. Middletown Board of Education laying off 40 employees, closing two elementary schools, and raising taxes. East Brunswick proposing 6.16% tax increases, eliminating 10 staff positions, increasing student activity fees, and reductions in transportation
options. privatizing janitorial services for the coming school year. Montlair closing one of its middle schools to save millions. Cherry Hill cutting 72 positions while also considering renovations to to elementary school at the same time.
Hundel School Board increasing average property taxes by 762 per year while cutting 33 positions. Washington Township cutting 52 positions. Westwood Regional Board of Education cuts 10 positions and raises taxes 6.7%. Bridgewater Raritan BOE proposing
cutting 29 positions and uh along with a 3.23% tax increase. Roxbury School Board adopted uh a few Mondays ago a budget that raises average property taxes $680 a year while eliminating 27 staff positions.
Right. This is a town where 65% of their property taxes goes to schools. Bernard's Township cut 25 to 30 jobs. new activities fees of $50 to $200 and a $489 tax increase.
And that that's one of the most wealthiest towns in New Jersey. West Milford closing second elementary school in three years. Redbank Board of Education looking to raise taxes 9.52%. Essen Board of Education raising taxes by 12%.
I'll just quote the retrospect. March 22nd uh or 27th 2026 front page Kings of schools proposes Garfield closure. Staff cuts tax height. Township schools face $1.3 million gap as health costs surge. Height school tax
up 6.93% as aid falls and health costs jump. Bington sets school calendar tenative budget with 5.99% tax height. I can go on and on and on and on. And the reason why I say this is is to
say that we have real structural issues that we have to have the guts to face. We have to have the guts to go out and ask our community, the voters, to raise revenue so we can pay our staff so we can bring back services.
We cannot be caught trying to destroy our own rather than actually putting forth real solutions. This past contract negotiation cycle with the CA, we passed the highest rates they've seen
since I could research. I was really proud to have had a chance to work with Dr. McDow on that, but I was also very clear that when we did so, we would have to raise revenue to pay for that. If we want to continue to
provide higher and higher salaries for our hardworking staff, we as a board have to take that responsibility and stop blaming other people. Stop blaming one person for the difficulties
that we face. Attacking our own doesn't help. we have. So, I seriously encourage our entire board to to really introspect and think about how we're going to sell to our community a multi-million dollar
referendum so that we can build back our schools. Thank you, M. >> Thank you, Mr. Chu. >> Miss May, may I say something brief briefly? um to just
things that I was thinking um while while listening to the last, you know, maybe 30 minutes of uh our meeting. Um I'll just say this. Uh I think we're all very schooled in our our current budget crisis. Um we've been talking about it
for months, years. Um and I would just respond that you know there are things that we can control right now and there are things that we cannot control and there is advocacy and there are all the things that so many people are doing which is extremely important you know
but one of the things we can control right now is how we spend the money we do have and I think that um an operating referendum which we will be asking voters to approve.
Um, I think we also need to control whether or not we take the concerns of the community into account when we go to them because they're going to be the ones that were asking to vote yes on something like that. So, we we need to listen to all sides, including the
people that we are going to be going and asking for additional tax raises. And um if we don't listen to those concerns as well, then um I think it's going to be a very hard sell and I think we need to keep that into account as well.
>> Thank you, Miss Mcowski. >> Can I please have a motion to adjurnn the meeting? >> So moved >> and a second. >> All in favor?