like to call this meeting of the Deco Township Board of Education. This is going to be our work session. Like a motion we go into executive session, discuss confidential, legal, and personnel matter. Moved by Mason, second by Caleb. All those in favor?
I abstain. Motion carries. Go into executive session. like Board of Education to order. First, a moment of silence, please. Thank you. Let's rise for the flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. [Music] Reading a statement of adequate notice
exhibit A. Notice of the meeting pursuant to the open public meetings act given as follows. Advertising and the courier post on January 19th, 2025. Posting on school boards and main entrance stores on January 15, 2025. filing written notice with the clerk of
the Lango Township on January 15, 2025 and posting the notice on the district website www.theano.com on January 15, 2025. This time before we go into the meeting, I'd like to turn everything
over to Mr. Santiago for student recognition and then we'll go into the audit and approving our teacher. [Music] Good evening everyone.
Um the student of the month we will be calling first the elementary and then we do have our middle school students as well. So first I want to start with prek if August is here for prek. Come on up [Applause]
August. So specific categories are asked of the students. Um so some categories are what's your favorite fruit? All the set is oranges. Favorite color is blue. Favorite animal is tiger. August's birthday is May 2nd. And this one made
me laugh. When I grow up, I want to be a daddy for Luke here. Luke is not here. and it was confirmed in August. Big's favorite of food is chicken and French fries. Color is blue.
Animal is lion. Birthday November 14th. And would like to be a firefighter when he grows [Applause] up. Julia Julia is not here. Uh favorite
food is blueberries. Color is purple. animal monkey. Birthday March 23rd. And when Julie grows up, she wants to be a teacher. First grade, Gabriel. No favorite. Okay. Gabriel's favorite food
is burger. Color all of the colors. Animal cheetah. Uh birthday is September 19th. And when Gabriel grows up, wants to be a gamer. That's Gabriel. Come on, gamer. I'm going to read it again cuz
you're here. You're special. Okay. Gabriel. Gabriel loves um his favorite food is burger. Colored all of the colors animal cheetah. His birthday is cover 19. And when Gabriel goes up, he wants to be a gamer. And this is
Gabriel. It's JT here. JT. So Timothy's favorite food is fake. His favorite color, he has it own, is green. His favorite animal is a doll. Birthday January 11th. And I can't wait to see this. When JT grows up, he wants to be
the delete fanatic. [Applause] Overy. Over in second grade. Ary's favorite food is pizza. Her favorite color is pink. Her favorite animal is a tiger. Her birthday is June 5th. And when she grows up, you won't be
an Olympic star. She wants to be a soccer player. Third grade. Adam's favorite food is beef. His favorite color he too has it on is green. His favorite animals are dogs. His birthday is January 23rd and
when he grows up, what we all need a firefighter. Thank you. [Music] Analy favorite food is mac and cheese. Her favorite color is all the colors in the rainbow. Her favorite animal is a cat. Her birthday is August 13th. And
when she grows up, she wants to be a dentist. Ethan, fourth grade. Okay, so Ethan's favorite food is chicken. His favorite color is red. His favorite animal is a dog. Birthday is March 3rd, related. And when he grows
up, he wants to meet a YouTuber. And that [Applause] is we had a nice discussion about this today. just chilling. His favorite color is light blue. His favorite animal is a dog. His birthday is June 12th. And when
he grows up, let me know what restaurant he wants to be a chef. For fifth grade, Cash Cash's favorite food is tacos. His favorite color is blue. His favorite animal and I just found this out of the room. It's a
cater. His birthday is April 30th and when he grows up he wants to be a gamer and has cash. Ethan Ethan's favorite food is pizza. His favorite color is red. His favorite animal is a dog. His birthday is December 18th. And he too believe wants
to be a gamer. And last but not least is Ameilia here. Maybe he's not here. Lady's favorite food is pizza. Her favorite color is all the colors of the rainbow. Her favorite animal. She told me animals in the zoo. So it's zebra. She told me
her birthday is August 2. I'm sorry. Her birthday is August 26th. And when she grows up, she hasn't decided yet. [Applause] Come on up. So, Julia is one of our kindergarters. Julia's favorite food again is blueberries. Her favorite color
is purple. Her favorite animal is a monkey. Her birthday is March 23rd. And Julia wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Did anyone else come in? We would love to recognize you if you did. Middle school is Selena here. So Selena's favorite hobby is
playing piano. Her favorite movie is Detective Con uh who is stake song forever. Both winds of fire and dragon prophecy. A fun fact about Selena is she likes keeping beetles as
pets. And when Selena grows up, she wants to be a vet or a YouTuber. That's Selena. Mary Grace. I didn't see her. Mary Grace favorite sport or hobby is softball andor acting. Her favorite
movie is Young Sheldon or TV show. Her food is steak. Her song is Wild Ones. Her book is Wonder. A fun fact about Mary Grace is she's good at softball. And when she grows up, she wants to be an actor on Broadway. And that's Mary
Grace. Mariah, are you here? Seventh grade. Mariah's favorite sport of hobby is art. Her favorite movie or TV show is 911. Her favorite food is taco. Song tick tock songs. Her favorite book is I
survive books. Fun fact about her is I have four birds and one bunny and four siblings. And when she grows up, when she grows up, I will be a she, the way she said it is, she wants to be in a bird store and help the
birds. Noel, I didn't see Noel. Um, her favorite sport of hobby is basketball and drawing. Movie or TV show is Alice in Wonderland and Big Bang Theory. favorite food is pasta song headlock both on birthday a fun fact about her
and I've seen this from her she loves to help others and when she grows up she wants to go to college and become a teacher and then eighth grade Emanuel Emanuel's favorite sport hobby is football video game his favorite
movie and TV show The Sandblock. Love that movie. Food pizza song. Headlock treehouse says when he wants to grow up, he wants to be a contractor and then he put her hair and serve this fell. And last but not least, Amy. 8th
grade as well. Amy's favorite sport of hobby is drawing. Playing and field hockey. Her favorite movie or TV show is Barbie food wings song Drake party book a child called kid and when
she wants to grow up she wants to be a lawyer and that [Applause] is up here for all those kids come up we'll take a brief five minute recess good evening everyone once again
it's our pleasure We're going to talk about results of the audit for this past fiscal year. My name is John Weiss. I lead the audit team. I'm from BKCCPA out of Flemington, New Jersey. And my goal here tonight is to take all the information that's in your hard coverver
audit books and boil it down into some charts and financial facts. We find the best way to do this is to start with revenues, go into expenditures, and then finally talk about surplus. Looking at revenues, the first page of our financial
facts, we see that from 10,000 ft up, revenues were down approximately $96,000 compared to last year. Now, from district to district to district, big ones, little ones, a couple of the consistent things I've
seen are the sunsetting of federal grants that were temporary, namely the American Rescue Plan grants and the ESSR grants, the the uh the ESSR ones for three had a um two year life while the
other one had a three-ear life. And both of those have sunseted. So we expect to see revenues being down and uh as our charts indicate revenues down for it. There was also a dip in state aid primarily extraordinary
special education cost they were down compared to last year and with extraordinary aid if you have a lot of that you also have what comes with it. Those are the extraordinary special education costs. So that being down is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. Also, there was the loss of
maintenance of equity aid and that was kind of a runoff revenue in the 2223 area. One of the other things we've seen are bumps in miscellaneous income, particularly interest on bank accounts. And I wasn't disappointed when I looked
at Delanco school district bank activity. Interest is up for Delanco just like it is for everybody else. Any questions, comments, concerns on revenue before we look at a couple of [Music] charts?
Okay, moving on to the charts. What I like to do in the top leftand corner is do a pie chart detailing what our revenue stream is. And as we can see by the dark green wedge, most of our revenue stream comes
from the tax levy. The lighter blue part represents our state aid. The red part represents our federal sources. And that red wedge is going to get even smaller after this year. As we mentioned before, the grants are no longer a thing. And the smallest
miscellaneous income, your interest on bank accounts, your receiving tuition, things of that nature. To the right, we look at the tax levy and we and we stretch it out over 10 years.
looking for any unusual spikes or decreases. And there's nothing really all that unusual about Delano because the top blue line is the tax rate that you control. The dark the green line
represents the municipal debt and the purple line represents the county. And as we can see with the blue line on top, for about the last five years, it's been relatively steady. Looking at our bar graphs, we can see that the tax the tax
levy has inched up a bit. State sources, as we talked about earlier, we had a little bit of a dip between this year and last year. The federal sources, they draw my counting on the loss of the ARS grants. 22 and 20 22 and 23 were years where the
district had a lot of that. There was a lot less in 2024 and now that's pretty much gone. So we can expect those red lines to be closer to where they were from 2015 to 2020 going forward. Miscellaneous income like we talked about earlier had a bump in things like interest on bank accounts
and things like that between this year and last year. Any other questions, comments on revenue expenditures? Okay. Financial facts about expenditures from 10,000 be up. Overall
expenditures are down a little under $300,000 compared to last year and operating expenditures are down about $115,000. The biggest increase is in uh tuition is in instruction costs while
the biggest decreases in tuition costs the students that we send out. And Del Longo is unique in that the grades 9 through grades 9 through 12 sent to the Riverside school district. So we expect to see that number a bit higher than you would expect to see it in other [Music]
districts. In terms of nonoperating things, capital outlay was a little bit less than it was last year. The district bought vehicles in both of the last two fiscal years. 22 23 there was a bus and 23 24 they bought another school
transportation vehicle. As we can see with the charter school tuition and tuition that we talked about earlier, that's going to be where most of the decrease goes between this year and last year. Now, what I wanted to do on the next page of our presentation that these
are our two pie charts. I wanted to see exactly what what kind of what kind of functions the district is allocating expenses to. And in most districts I go to, I expect this pie to be full of
green, blue, and purple wedges. And I'm not disappointed when I come to Del Longo. The green being our regular and other instruction. The dark blue pie wedge represents tuition. And that also includes the students we're sending to Riverside for grades 9 to
12. Students in instruction related services, our nurses, guidance counselors, child study team, the librarians, that's where those are categorized. And the purple wage, employee benefits, primarily health
benefits. And as I said earlier, my part is about 75%, which is what I expect to see with most schools I go to. So now that I know that I want to go down and see exactly well now we know what types of things we're finding. We
want to see exactly um exactly who's getting the money. As we can see most of it is in the form of salaries at 36% benefits 10%. Makes sense. The employees are what's going to make the engine come for the district and it's like all
districts. We talked about earlier the got a large blue wedge which we know is coming because of where because of our Riverside situation. Smaller things like utilities, cleaner, repairs and maintenance supplies, purchase services,
your occupational therapists, physical therapists, your auditor, your attorney, they all go into that area. What we also wanted to do was do some bar graph comparisons which is on the next page of our
presentation. You can see regular instruction and other instruction relatively stable a bit of a spike in 2024 for other instruction. Tuition down a bit like we talked about earlier when we talked about expenditures on
financials. Students and instructional related services are ticking down compared to last year. Administration plans and maintenance are relatively flat. Transportation costs are up and they're all they're up for pretty much everybody across the
board. And employee benefits had a little bit of a bump there. That's primarily in health benefits, which is also something we see from district to district. Any questions, comments on extension before we go about surplus? Okay, talking about surplus and now on
the financial fact [Music] side when we do our comparison between this year and last year about $33,500 less in surplus. There was a net increase in excess
surplus of 260 260,000 decrease in encumbrances and what the big incumbence was in 2223 was the vehicle we talked about earlier in the district law funds were encumbered those were not delivered until 2324 so we can't recognize the related expenses
of that and a bit of a decrease in unrestricted fund balance we and I'm going to talk about this more when we move on to our pie chart and bar graphs. Now when we look at our pie
chart chart on the top of next page, as the money goes from green to blue, the money gets less restricted for things. Restricted excess excess surplus are the uh dark green wedge and the
slightly lighter shaped green wedge. In the state of New Jersey, if you're a school district, you can have too much money. And what the state does is they look at your ending balance after your revenues and expenditures are
booked. And based on what's in there, you can only have a certain amount. And in Delanco's case, it's [Music] $250,000 plus any unbudgeted state aid amount. Any state aid received over budgeted amounts. So in the MCO's case, they are
$250,000 plus about another $230,000 in unbudgeted state aid that was realized and that represents the lightest blue wedge in the top leftand corner. Our assigned fund balance of 628715 that represents amounts of fund
balance that was anticipated as a revenue in the subsequent year's budget. Our committed fund balance represents our uncover. That's a relatively small amount for 142. Our capital reserve, that amount is restricted for amounts
that are in the district's long range facility plan for applicable capital projects. As we can see, uh over half of our over half of our pie chart is made of a excess surplus as going to be designated for budget 618,048.
for the year we're in now and 948505 for the year currently being budgeted for for 25 2026. As we look at our bar graphs below, we see that the restricted the restricted balance has come down in the
last 5 years. It's kicked up a little bit from 23 to 24. That represents the excess surplus amounts. Capital reserve has been flat over the last 5 years. pretty much just bank account interest staying in cattle reserve. The big bump in incumbences
right below represents the vehicle that was encumbered at the end of 2223 that was eventually expensed in 2324 almost kind of like a runoff. The assigned fund balance the mass of 23 24 represents amounts of
surplus that are used in the subsequent year's budget and our unrestricted fund balance on the bottom. And we can see that it went up a bit in 2021 and22. That was primarily the state allowing
you additional free surplus in light of a co in light of the co emergency. That ended in 2023 and as we can see it starts coming down comes down a bit more in 2024. Any questions, comments, concerns on
surplus? Okay. a word or two about the audit. What we typically do is we'll come in, we'll visit during the summer. We'll look at everything from minutes of board meetings, the financial statements, the bank statements, the payroll journals, the cafeteria records, the student
activities, and even school enrollment. The results of the audit yielded a few recommendations that I want to go over with the board tonight. We did recommendations to uh make sure make sure bookkeeping and bank
reconciliations were prepared timely and accurately. I'm happy to say corrective action appears to be being done on that because I've talked to the school business office consultant a couple times even this week. So I know that effort is being made to fix that. We
want to make sure that reading signatures are clearly indicated on all vouchers. make sure that state state filings are done timely for the three-year payroll certification which I believe was just done and the TPAF pension reimbursement
payment meeting with that I'll be happy to take any more questions comments from the board okay my contact information has made available to everybody should there be any questions comments concerns I do want to thank the board very much
for giving us some time tonight to talk about results of the audit. Thank you very much. I'd certainly like for this to be posted on the website for everybody to see. Okay, moving on with the agenda. I'd like a motion for the approval of the
audit report. Moved by Joanne, second by Ryan. Are there any questions or comments? This is a roll call vote. Mr. Yes.
Mr. M. Mr. Mr. Hopkins. Yes. Thank you. Motion passes. Make a motion for the approval of the correction plan for the audit exhibit B on your drives. Moved by Mason. Seconded by Kayla. Questions or
comments. Roll call vote. Mr. Johnson. Yes. Mr. Yes. More. Yes. Mr. Jazz. Yes. Mr. Ser. Yes. Mr. Hopkins. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Motion passes. Thank you. Like a motion
for the approval of minutes of the February 26, 2025 regular meeting. February 26, 2025 executive meeting. March 4th, 2025 executive meeting. March 5th, 2025 executive meeting. And March
10th, 2025 executive meeting. Moved by Mason. Second. Seconded by Josh. Any questions or comments? On the regular minutes, this would have topic. All
right, this is a voice vote. So all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. Uh community liaison reports. Is Sydney Greenidge here for
Riverside? Sydney Greenidge will start attending meetings. I believe uh I didn't know she was going to be here tonight, but yeah, wanted to make sure that we gave her the opportunity just in case, but I'm sure Mason will update us later. Delanco PTO
[Music] seller Mus I don't blame noise. Nothing crazy uh from us. Chick-fil-A Dine and Donate is tomorrow from 5 to 8. I know it contradicts a little bit with the Delro banquet, but if you are able
to come, please do so. Uh, we made a little over $600 the last time we did it. So, we would love to anything we can get going towards end of year stuff would be amazing. Uh, 4 programs started today. They will run for the next se
what is it? April, April 16th. April 16th on Wednesdays. I don't know that we're going to be able to do it this year, but K through 2 fills up faster than you can blink. So, we are going to try and get a second group. Um, if not
this year, we will try for it next year. So, it'll be two days a week. We'll have an A group and a B group. Um, because that is right, everybody's excited at that age and they want to do it. Um, so it does fill up very, very quickly. Um, this is not PTO related, but I'm going
to say it anyway. The eighth graders are doing a nothing but pink fundraiser for their end of year dance, field trip, all that stuff. Um, it is cash only. It is due the 28th of this month. Um, you can send it in with your child. You can send
it into the school and it will get put in there. All of that goes directly to them. Um, like I said, we don't have anything to do with it, but I just wanted to put it out there for them. Everybody's field trips have been submitted. Uh, transportation is booked. Uh everything from assemblies to field
trips is done. I think there's one or two that we're just waiting on final invoices. We came in with a goal last year. We wanted to send everybody on a field trip in assembly. We had that goal again and to do a little extra this year. The safeties will also be getting a field trip at the end of the year.
They um sh do not know for the teachers in the room. So we know nothing. We are surprising them with that. Um, book fair is uh run by Wendy again this year. It is the 31st of March to
April 4th. Setup is on the 28th. That will be Friday. I'm not sure where our spot is yet. Um, and please be on the lookout for signups, especially for the little kids. It's like hurt and cats. Uh, trying to get them all to buy books.
They come in with $10. And here here's $500 worth of books. things. So, definitely even if you can just come in for your child's slot, if you're able to do more than one slot, um again, the older kids, not so much. They're pretty good for the most part, but the little kids definitely need the help. Um
friendly reminder, our spiritware store is still open for purchase of all kinds of Deleno gear. I know a lot of people put stuff in for the spirit week that we recently just had. Um, I talked to Ken from DVO. I think it was last week. Um,
and she said she would let me know this week when orders are done. If they are being sent directly to the house, they will go to you. Otherwise, I will pick them up and I can let you know when to get them from me. Uh, the big one, uh, we had our
monthly meeting on the 11th. Our terms are coming to an end in May, which is when voting will take place for new officers. At this time, the four of us are not rerun. Um, so the next couple of meetings are pretty important for
parents, teachers, admins to show up and see what we're doing. Um, if you're interested in running, please come let us know. You can reach out on our Facebook page. You can send us an email. Whatever works for you. Um, you know, we
came in and did what we really wanted to do and I think we exceeded our expectations and um, I couldn't have asked for a bunch of better people to work with. They were amazing. We absolutely knocked it out of the park and I really didn't do anything. They
did all the work, let's be honest. Um, but it was it was awesome. We had a really good run. Um and so yeah, we will be talking about what the future of the PTO looks like, what happens if nobody um does step up. Um if that is the case,
we will have a discussion and figure out what we need to do because we want to make sure that we are still able to do stuff for the kids. Um the PTO can sit dormant for up to two years. So there is definitely even if something doesn't
happen this year and somebody comes in next year and says, "I really want to do this." There is always that option. Um, our next meeting is April 8th here Pearson in the cafeteria. So, please come. Um, we would love to have you all. The invitation to that extends to the
board as well. We would love to invite you to come as community members, parents, we do a live video as well. Um, thank you for your questions that you had. It was amazing that you attended. Um, if you have any questions about the future of the PTO or what we're doing
with here, you can reach out to us as a group. All four of us have the answers to everything. And if you don't, we can absolutely figure them out to you. Um, but it is, you know, parents, community members, however you're coming. Your support is amazing. Thanks, Recreation Township
Committee. Mr. and commission. Uh for the township, our last town committee meeting was this past Monday night. Our budget for the year was introduced and the public hearing on it will be on April 21st at 7:00 p.m. The
complete budget and information on it is on the town's website at Township.com. Our next meeting is April 7th at 700 p.m. We have our latest two police officers getting sworn tomorrow and Jackson. So you're going to
start seeing them around town shortly. And at our previous meeting earlier in the month we swore in Baselor as our new police chief who took over for Adam Filter who retired at the end of the year. And we also gave the officer of
the year award to patent Jacob Lner. Jake also just completed his training for the lead program and is now one of our lead instructors along with Sergeant Earing who kids of course love for recreation of the Easter egg
hunt is April 12th at 100 p.m. That's on the event lawn at Field of Dreams and of course the Easter money will be there. And besides basketball season, baseball softball season is starting this week
and opening day celebrations are April 26th and I'd like to welcome everybody to tonight's meeting as far as the president's message goes. Uh just kind of a quick update. We have been through
as a collective board now two rounds of superintendent interviews and we have our next round next week, a third round interview where we've narrowed our candidates down. We've had some excellent candidates and some excellent interviews and uh we are excited about
the future of our school district just uh being involved in this process has been a grind. I'd like to thank our our maintenance staff who's been here pretty much every night until 10:00 and uh your hard work does not go unnoticed, Brooke, for uh for being in
the office there greeting all the candidates as they come in. Uh we really appreciate that so we don't have to crossing out the candidates as well. And we really appreciate all the the work you've done in the night that you have with that. Really appreciate that.
Um but yeah, we're we're uh really looking forward to that. Um as many of you know, we had an open board seat here and uh as of about 15 minutes ago, we had a letter of interest up here. Um, so I'm
going to ask before we do public comment on agenda items if the board is okay with um me suspending the rules to potentially just ask the candidate who happens to be in attendance a question or two as the
interview and then uh we potentially vote and then if we uh we vote to accept that particular uh candidate onto the board then they can at least move forward with their finger printing process and everything before
the uh the process of uh being sworn in and everything which should take a while. Yeah. We can we give them the rules we can do this without having I checked because all we have to do is go ahead. Yep. Thank you. So I did check that unless Miss Plum is approved. I'm
okay with this. Okay, fair enough. So, uh, Miss Pal, you submitted a letter of interest here for the board of education vacancy. Would would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself, why you would like to come onto the board and
serve uh on our final seat here, and uh, you know, what your goals may be. Certainly. So, my name is Katherine Plum. Uh, I've lived in Hello. Many of you have already known me from being around town. Um, I was previously a PTO
officer. Uh, very active. My children are in the district here. My daughter is in the middle school and my son is actually one of those ones that has been sent to Riverside for high school and loving it over there. We have lived here since 2008. Uh, I am not a stranger to
the neighborhood. Uh, lived and grew up in Riverside. So, Deleno River's area is home. Always has been and always will be home. uh working professionally, full-time job for over 20 years. Uh we can delete that movie for a moment. Uh
so I graduated instantly from college, joined right on with the team, and have been there since moving around in various roles. Uh why do I want to join the board? I've sat here and I've listened over the many years since both of my children have been little. You've
heard my voice many times. And it's time. It's time for me to sit on that side versus this side and help out and be a member of that team opposed to over here. Want to share the rest of those questions because I got some of them.
Does any other board member maybe have a question to pose to Miss Point? just just we always say about the time commitment and given the kids and your time commitment your job with the family
um sometimes it's not just once a month and there is a required training for all important so have to ask this is something you're going to embrace in knowing yes that there's going to have to be adjustments
absolutely thank you so much um so I I understand that it's not, you know, once a month kind of thing. Um, I can be here thankful for my husband who is able to help out with the kids when there are sporting events or different things that are happening with them where they need to go someplace and I need to be here. I'm willing to make those adjustments
for this time frame. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Does anybody else have a question? Seeing none, does anybody want to go into executive to discuss or do we want a motion to vote? you would like to discuss. Okay, I would
like to go for uh move for a brief executive session no more than say 5 minutes and we will come right out. We'll just go to the back classroom right here. Motion for executive session moved by Mason, seconded by Kayla. All those in
favor motion carries. Okay, follow me back to work. 7:55. I'd like a motion to approve Catherine Plum as a board member as a one-year unexpired term. It would end in
this coming December. She'd have to rerun in um November should she wish to continue. Moved by Joanne. Second. Second by Ryan. This is a roll call vote. Mr. Bass, yes. Mr. Bar, yes. Mr. Mr. D,
yes. Mr. S. Yes. Mr. Hopkins. Yes. M. Yes. M. Yes. Thank you. Welcome. uh we all need to be in contact with you now to get the fingerprinting process done and all of that because that stuff has to be done before you can be sworn
in and take part. Thank you. I'd now like to open up the meeting for public comment on agenda items only. Go ahead. The mic? No. Um Heather Phillips, 209 Edgewood Avenue. I just had a quick
question under superintendent report. It does have the graduation ceremony is June 13th. On the school calendar, it says June 18th. And also on the school calendar, it doesn't show the 16th of April as a half day. And I believe
February 5th meeting, you did make that a PLC day for the staff. Um, it's the day before the day before spring break. So, it is a Wednesday. So, I just kind of wanted to ask about when is graduation. for my own notes. Can you can you repeat
those dates just for my own notes? Sure. Um, what this here says graduation is the 13th. The school calendar says it's the 18th. And then the other dates are in April. I believe it was your February 5th meeting that you made April the
16th, which is a Wednesday, a half day for students, a PLC day for staff, but that's not showing up on the school calendar. And that might also affect the 4H club because I think I heard them say their last day is the 16th. So um just
kind of yeah some things that might Okay. I'm going to refer that to the superintendent and ask that he corrects those dates on the school calendar. For clarification purposes though, Dr.
especially um with my own son graduating uh high school and everything this year. What date is the eighth grade graduation officially? Have you guys on the calendar on the calendar?
So, let's put that on the record that it is the 18th and we're going to have that change if you can on the school calendar and post it properly on the school website. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any other comment on agenda items only?
Mr. Bart on the budgetary on the budget. The tax levy is let's see there 7 million496004.
Right. That's taxing. Oh, no. So, right now it's very very preliminary and I'm sure as we get to that piece of the agenda, um it's more kind of out there. And I I'll also say that as we continue to narrow down candidates that
we are uh looking at for the chief school administrator position that our goal is to have that person selected at the end of this month and hopefully do that negotiation process very quickly so they can be involved in this budgeting process and have a hand in what is
happening in the coming year. Is there any other questions or com or anything else for public comment on agenda items only? Was there anything on the online form? Are we
No. Okay. Okay. With that, we will close public comment on the agenda items and uh superintendent report. Dr. Fitz. Thank you very much. Uh Mr. President, let me just talk a little bit about our children. I get a chance to walk the
hallways daily and I get a chance to see the kids, but I ask them questions. How are you doing? How are you raised? And you know what they do? They send the question back to me. How am I doing?
We have a mutual exchange of information of doing fist bumps across this school. I just want to tell you we have some marvelous kids here. It's less
than a half of 1% that occupies our time. So do not move do not go around telling people that we have bad kids. Woody has some marvelous teams and that's what keeps me out of bed every
morning and that what's drives me to make sure that I work with the great staff here to say let's provide the best for our youngsters. Okay. And we are doing that and I'd like to thank this board for
supporting us in doing that. We're looking at our educational programs for next year now and we're doing our testing of our of our youngsters that's taking place. We're doing annual reviews of special
education for all of our youngsters to make sure that those IEPs are up up to date and that includes our students who need speech assistance. We have that person on our staff to do that.
We're doing the evaluation of our staff in in in relationship to the Donald and I'm getting some interesting observations from that data. We have good teachers. We have good teachers. We will
continue to support our staff in refining their skills of being a better teacher. Okay? So, we're doing that. you will meet our requirements for all of our observations and evaluations. I provided you with a little timeline
uh for the DIPs that we have to provide to the state of New Jersey. We're in compliance with them and we will meet those uh we will meet those deadlines and we will pro provide a report to them as requested.
As we enter the new year next year, I want to I want to share this observation with you is that we have to do some heavy lifting. But you know what I found? People are coming to me from the staff in this school district indicating
a willingness to help us do the heavy lifting. and and I want to tell you he said that's remarkable when staff will come forward and says I'm willing to
help you. I have the skills. I went out and acquired the skills to be able to do this for you in the school district. And I think I want you as a board and as citizens to recognize that you have
inhouse people who are willing to work with us on these heavy lifting projects that we got to do. We're planning for summer school. It's what we call the extended school year. ESY we plan to run it between July
uh 8th and July 31st for our special education students. We have some students who miss some time whether it's in speech therapy, whether it was in physical therapy, but whatever those those IEPs call for, we are going to honor that request and make up the time.
So that's why we're having summer school to make sure that we fulfill those requirements for all for all our our young end of the school year. Activities are coming up on us very fast. We have less than 60 days to go in school. You
might call it a calendar days, 90 days, but we do about 20 days a year uh for instruction. We take out the for holidays. So, we probably somewhere down 55 days, if not less than that. Okay. So, we got a lot we got a lot to do. We got a talent show that's coming up in
May. Uh we've nominated a student to uh to participate in the Burlington County School Boards Association meeting that's coming up on March the 24th. Our graduation ceremony now is scheduled for June 18th, right? Okay. So, we will have
that graduation ceremony. What about this eighth grade dance? Is that date is correct for the eighth grade dance? I want to check all these digs. Indeed is correct. All right. Very good. Okay, we are dealing with the preparation of budget. We're looking at
our staffing for next year. We're looking at renewals for next year in terms of all of our staff uh and whatever position. uh that it's going to be a minimum and that we will be adding to the budget because our budget is
still very thin and that we just don't have a lot of space and money uh for for new items uh in the new budget. But we have we're in a good position this year and that uh and the children just marvelous. Okay. And I just want to keep
emphasizing that. Oh, I forgot something because I'm supposed to share my presentation with Mrs. Thomas. Okay, if you don't know Mrs. Thomas, she's our grant writer and uh she will tell you about she'll tell
you about the longest experience that we had yesterday. Miss Thomas, would you like the mic or you? No, I think I can present loud enough. Good evening everyone. Good evening. So wonderful to see those of you that I have met
previously and meet those that I have not met previously. I'm just going to speak very briefly on um grant opportunities. We have identified some grants that we are
working on. Um, we were one of two districts in Burlington County that just received funding through Sustainable New Jersey to get that um, garden, the community garden back up
and running. We've also submitted a grant opportunity for a $150,000 playground. So we are hoping that we will hear back from the department of community affairs in the
affirmative for that. Um essentially what we have done is review through the regular review of um opportunities that are presented both federally and state
and also local and private foundations which include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation looking for opportunities to write for grant funding. We all know that funding is very limited. So, we sit
and we review opportunities that the district will be eligible for and then apply for them. Um, and we continue to hope that our efforts will be successful. Um, some of the other
opportunities that we have successfully, one include the EV buses. However, that required a significant amount of funding that the district is just not in a position to match. So
again, we will continue to look for all types of opportunities. If there are things that you become aware of, I am certainly happy to apply for those. and um we hope
to continue to be successful and bring funding into history. Are there any questions? I know that was very um good for this. Is this in addition to what Miss
Weller has done in first grade with the plantings or is this is that separate? This is separate. Okay. So is that going to continue for the what you do with the garden? So this the same garden as the well I
do. So it's joint. Yeah. It's joint and the garden in the back that's Yeah. I was going to say you talking about the garden in the back of the playground there. Yes. You should also tell the shoe that we're very excited about this tree
planting climate issue and that we found out yesterday that the municipality is already a part of this initiative. Yes. And so we would like for the school to get connected with the township on this
climatic issue of you know tree planting. Well, we don't want to plant too many trees around our building here, you know, to push the leaves and impact on the roof and stuff like that, but we were certainly trying to camp on that tree planting. Let me just tell you
about the selection bus. When I first arrived here, we decided to apply for the selection bus. I was I mean I'm still excited as I now but Arlene tells me I don't have the money uh to do uh the ground preparation to get you know
an electric outlet for it and stuff and all those kind of things. So I'm telling you don't turn that bus back. Let's keep it and work on finding the way to get to make it work. I believe there are enough great electricians in
Deleno that will help me get a 440 line somewhere in this in this area for for that bus. What is that? Lo to the city. We can't we can't Oh, I'll find a way to use that.
So, going back to the going back to the shade tree piece. Um, as we had talked in the past, we're going to every township committee, um, subcommittee, group, commission, and joining that, and we're reporting back as we can. So, there's actually been that budget
process. So, we'll have to look at that because actually the Sha Tree Commission has it mapped out. I'm right, Mr. Bartley, with the with the report that was given from Sha Tree with the mapping for the next year for the trees. That was a request to add in.
Okay, thank you. Thank you. And notwithstanding that opportunity, we're finding that there are a lot of organizations that are looking for partnerships and collaboration between school districts
within your local municipalities. So as they fit what it is that the board will approve and what is needed in the district, those are certainly things that we can follow up on. Thank you very much. Thank you.
On the superintendent report, I'd like to uh have a motion to approve items 1, 2, four, and five. Number three is being correct. Okay. 1 3 or 1 2 4 and five.
Moved by Mason. Seconded by Caleb. Are there questions or comments on the resolution section of the superintendent? I I just have one question. um for the uh the increase of the five students
that we've had since January, are all of those children being educated here or is it over or is it Riverside and here all Riverside? They're here and they have to be here. So they're they're they're
any other questions or comments? Do you have any data to um to back up um what happened with special education and students or is this just um
what would you can you get a little bit more um I'm just there like with regard to the annual reviews for the special education students. Okay. In terms of we can we can get that
data we can disagregate the data and tell your report that is known for action. Which what item is it? No, the corrective action document that was exhibit B in the drives was the uh the like two or three um things that the
auditor actually uh mentioned during his presentation about like the signatures on the line timeline document. I can believe that hold that six. I passed out a sheet earlier. I'll come back. That was when we were an
executive and obviously at the end we'll go back and briefly to finish what discussions we were having. Okay. Thank you. Okay, seeing no more questions, uh, this is a voice. All those in favor, please
signify by saying I. I oppose. Abstain. Abstain. Motion carries. Thank you. Uh, budget and finance motion is requested to approve items 1 through eight on the budget and finance
section. Moved by Josh, seconded by Mason. I'm happy to see that uh we also applied for the NJC uh cyber
security endpoint uh protection solution stuff uh and that's free for the first year and then you continue to uh move on and then after those four years you kind of evaluate and everything and it it's very
um common place in the in the IT world which Australia lives in and Um, we'll have to see that we're going to be taking advantage of that. And I know I have a uh a desktop table exercise with them in a couple weeks as well. So, get into that stuff's
free. Any other questions or comments? Okay. This is a roll call. Mr. Yes. Mr. Bar. Yes. Mr. Line. Yes. Mr. J. Yes. Mr. Taylor, yes. Mr.
Hopkins, yes. Miss, yes. Miss Stone, Motion passes. Operation facilities. Motion requested to pass the report on maintenance facilities. Is it adopted? Moved by Kayla, seconded by Mason. Any questions or comments on the
maintenance activities report? Hearing none. This is a voice vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I opposed. Obstain. Motion carries. Uh, Riverside, Mr. Hopkins had a report that was forwarded out to all
of us. There anything you would like to add on that report, Mr. H? Sure. Just for the good of u of the group, some highlights from my report. Uh if you see construction happening at Riverside, don't be surprised um now and summer. Um
so right now you'll see um the whole front lawns in front of the high school and middle school is all um taped off there. There going to be seating there. There was an issue um when they were doing a roofing that affect that. So that's happening. Um also um HVAC
systems for the gym um are being replaced this summer. that will affect um the gym, the athletic um center uh the the usage of those, but the gym will still be uh accessible during the summer, but um only half of the time. Um
it was also great to um hear all about the uh the district goals um and uh the importance of uh communication and looking at data um in the Riverside Township School District. Um and one thing that I thought was interesting
during um their workshop that I just wanted to to share um both with the board they they've read this but with everyone um is uh when we went over their preliminary budget um and you know the position things like that um they uh
the their superintendent Mr. Adams did um mention that there has really been a huge increase in interest in the arts um among their students. Um so they are focusing on that um and also on um some
athletic commissioners. Um that's it. Thank you and congratulations to Maroon for 4. That sorry late is what is it? Uh NJSBA, BCSBA, Miss Schwin, Joanne, you forwarded out
something to add as well. Um township committee, Miss Lo is going to be forwarding something out. Uh but we've had a very busy couple weeks doing interviews. So, uh we will get an update. uh in our emails within the next
week or so from Miss L. I would like to say Brian just checked me. I said that bloody center I meant fitness center. Um that's all I was in. [Laughter] Um moving on to personnel. A motion's
requested to approve items A through C in the personnel section. Moved by Josh, seconded by Joanne. Are there questions or comments? I'd like to thank the service of Miss Harper, Miss
Rapanella, and Mr. Stockton. I'd like to also give them a little round of applause because they already I think it would be helpful for the school, the town, the unity to invite them actually and have a public
record that they maybe they were they I don't know that were they invited for something. So I think it's important it's a lot of years here. Um I think it's a good idea and I think that what we should do um is anybody and
especially moving forward I think it would be a great thing to invite that particular year's retirees to and meeting at the end of the month whether it be or end of the year whether it be May June right before they go
probably not June because June is crazy possibly in May to honor every retiree that we have between now and then. Um I know I said some uh some words last month about our retirees so far. And I think that would be a certificate of
appreciation day. We'll recognize them in a similar fashion as we do the students in a month. Maybe just without their favorite colors and maybe favorite foods. Maybe favorite foods. You know what? They want to get
young and have them fill it out. What's that? And and have a section about their their favorite memory, what they want to be when they grow up. They want to be what they want to be in retire. What career number two? I think it'll be
good. Honestly, so let's do that. I like that. Yes, we do. Um, I have to move on to uh we actually have to have a roll call vote for personnel vote. Any other questions or comments on person?
Seeing none, is there a roll call vote? Mr. Yes. Mr. Ber, yes. Yes. Mr. Jackson, yes. Miss, yes. Mr. Hopkins, yes. Mer, yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Uh, old
business. Okay, seeing none, new business. Okay, seeing none, uh, public comment on any non-aggenda items. Open it up for public comment on any non agenda items. You look like you're back and
forth here a little bit. Matt, you just can read the agenda item real quick. I just on the personnel with Miss Harper retirement should have voted no.
Even Even if we voted no, I have a funny feeling it wouldn't stop. Most certainly they they will absolutely do this. Their service to the Lanko is commendable. the amount of years that you see on there, 26, 28, 30, that's loyalty. That's we
found a home, right? That's that says something. Um, and we obviously are going to miss them and and as we look forward to um the coming years and and people that could potentially come in and replace them. I know that as a school administrator, and Brian can echo
this, uh, you know, when you have an opening, you don't look for hiring somebody to fit in. You look for hiring your next great person, your next person that's going to be that 26, 28, 30 year teacher that's going to be that legend people talking about. Um that's
the for all. All right. Any other comment on non-aggenda items? Okay. Seeing none, I'd like a motion to go into executive session for discussion of uh confidential legal and
uh continue discussion from uh previous confidential legal person moved by Joanne, second by Mason. All those in favor I oppos no action taken when we come out. So the only action we'll be taking is us
a journ.