like to call this meeting of the Delanco Township Board of Education back to order. First, a moment of silence. Thank you. Flag salute. 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. Mr. Hopkins here. Reading the statement back notice ex public meetings act as followers advertisement post on January 19th,
2025. Posting on school boarding boards and main entrance doors on January 15, 2025. Filing grant notice by clerk of Delango Township on January 15, 2025. I'm posting a notice on the district's website, teleno.com, on January 15,
2025. I'd like a motion to approve the minutes of the January 22nd, 2025 regular meeting, January 22nd, 2025 executive meeting, and the February 5th, 2025 special meeting, exhibit B in your draws.
Moved by Miss Slimline, seconded by Mr. Hopkins. Are there any questions or comments? Okay. Vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Abstain.
I have to abain coming January to February as I same. Other than that motion carries uh community liaison reports. Uh, Riverside High School. Uh, did did Mr. Adams send
in? Yeah. All right. We'll have one for next month. Um, Zango PTO. Happy anniversary. Thank you. Appreciate it. Uh, just a couple quick things, nothing crazy. Uh, the Chick-fil-A dine and donate has been
rescheduled to March 20th. Um, because of the weather, we canled it. It was probably a good idea. There was lots of snow and stuff. So, if you don't feel like cooking that night, please head out to the dining and donate. K through 24 starts in a couple weeks. Forms are going to go home within the next week.
Um, they will be Wednesdays and that will be our last group that starts the 19th. A reminder, our spiritware store is still open. You can find the link to shop on the PTO Facebook page. There is a QR code on the bulletin board outside.
Um you can also find it on the school website that was put up for us. Um that store is going to be closing on the at the end of the school year. Um it will not be open anymore. So definitely get your stuff, get your gear cuz that will
close. Um not sure if it'll be a two week store like previously done. Um but the permanent store is going to close at the end of the year. Um field trips are continuing to be booked. Um I think everybody with the exception of fourth
grade I have seen come through for requests. Plays, the zoo, Franklin, there's lots of good stuff. Um and again everybody prek through 8th is getting something which will be awesome. Recently we were given donations from a
former uh Deleno employee who has passed. Um Rosemary Hall served the district for 25 years in lie of flowers. Um we they dedicated any funds for donation to the Deleno PTO that raised
$325. Um the family has requested we will make an eighth grade end of year award. An eighth grader will get an award in her honor. The rest is to be used towards field trips and other things that the students need. Currently, the book fair is scheduled
for March 31st through April 4th. Setup will be on Friday the 28th. Um if that changes, we will definitely let everybody know. We will need volunteers to help us during the day. Even if you're only able to come for your students time
slot, it's probably like 20 minutes. Especially the little guys, they go really fast and they pick up $900 worth of books and they're like, "Hey guys, let's do that." Like, "Okay, well, hold on. You got 10 bucks." So, I would love to give you everything.
Come on. Um, so definitely we will have a signup sheet. Wendy will put that out um probably the week before so everybody can get signed up. And our next meeting is March 11th, which is Tuesday. It's at 7 p.m. It's held here in the cafeteria.
We do a live feed as well. Uh this is an important meeting. Our terms are coming to an end. Um so if you are interested in taking over a leadership role in the PTO, that would be a good meeting to come to to find out more information,
what's involved, things like that. Um and you know, it's a big one because we'll be discussing what happens. Um but yes, our terms end in uh voting will be in May. Um and then our terms will be done in June and the new officers would take over in June. So if you are
interested in doing that, please definitely come get more information. Um that's it. Thank you so much. Thank you. Tissa Recreation Township Committee. Mr. The floor is yours. Thank you.
Um our uh last council committee meeting was this past Monday night. Uh the main part of the meeting went pretty well. Nothing major report other than normal business. We went into our budget work session um to review the various commissions budget requests for the year
and various boards. And again yesterday we had another long budget work session to work through our budget to provide our residents with a sound budget and minimal increases possible. fully recognize the cost of everything is up for residents. At the same time, costs
are also up for the township, especially healthcare and everything else. But we're doing everything we can to be as fiscally prudent as possible. Come out to our next county committee meeting. It's Monday night, 7:00 p.m. at town hall. And again, the budget will be on
as well. Uh for recreation, as hard as it is to be, Easter is only about a month and a half away. And our frenzy Easter Bunny will be making appearance at the annual NC hunt. That's April 12th at the Field of Dreams, 1:00 p.m. And
more information following on that. Our L volley Bowl volleyball, I tried to say, is every Monday night from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Pearson gym. No recreation or skill required. And for Del Spring baseball, softball,
and T-ball, registration ends this Saturday. Delports.org or all players ages 4 to 15. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Parley. Uh first, I'll say I'd like to welcome everybody to the meeting. I'd
like to take a moment to publicly thank uh two longtime educators for their years of service to our school district, our students, and our community as they embark on their next adventure, which just so happens to be retiring. I'm
slightly jealous. Um, first off, uh, Peg Harper, proud Delanco resident, Peg Harper, is she here? Oh, no. Peggy's taught here in Delanco for 27 years, 39 years total. She's
taught both of my older children, including my daughter, who is majoring in biochemistry, molecular science, and I'm sure her passion was lit in part through some of her time here in Delango. your you know her passion for teaching, dedication to her students,
her ability to inspire them and made a lasting impact on many students lives. So, thank you. Uh second, Theres Raphanela has been the school nurse here for 29 years. She too has cared for my
children when I couldn't when they were in school and they didn't feel well. Uh school nurses are more than just nurses though. that are sources of comfort, strength, guiding hand to a lot of students. Her kindness, compassion, and unwavering care who certainly made an
impact that will not be forgotten. I'd like to thank her as well. Congratulations to both of you. I wish you guys nothing but the best in your retirement. Mr. Stockton as well. Mr. Well, I didn't get that email. I didn't get um but Mr. stock.
I'd like to thank you for all of your years of service in Delango. I wish I knew a number. Um, but it certainly has been a long time. I will put something together for that one next month. All right. Um, I'd also like
to update the public on where we are in the superintendent search process a little bit. Uh, we've reviewed all of the responses of the public and of the staff members from the NJSBA surveys. We've also reviewed all of the candidates submitted materials and we've
voted as to whom to interview. First round interviews are going to be conducted soon. Second round will follow. Third round if necessary. Speaking for myself, I know I'm personally excited for our process. I look forward and I'm sure we all look
forward to introducing whomever our chosen candidate is going to be in the coming months to the public. Um, and that's all I have for right now as far as the uh, president's message. And now I'd like to turn it over to Dr. Fitz and the administration for uh, the
students of the month presentation. Thank you very much, principal. Will you prepare now? Wait. Good evening everyone. The uh characteristic for this month uh for January was
responsibility. So just a little brief uh description up to of responsibility in the school setting. Students being responsible is essential for both personal growth and the overall success of the learning environment. Responsibility means taking ownership of their actions such as completing
assignments on time, following school rules, and treating others with respect. When students are responsible, they contribute to a positive atmosphere that fosters collaboration, trust, and discipline. Being accountable for their behavior and work not only helps them succeed academically, but also prepares
them for future challenges by teaching valuable life skills such as time management, self-discipline, and problem solving. Responsibility is key to building a supportive and productive school community. So now we're going to start, but I have to go back to last
month because this young man uh was not able to attend last month. So if Luke Ginty can come up here, so this is a brief uh message for Luke. God bless you. Luke is a bright student who has an
impressive talent and love for spelling production company names on his whiteboard. Luke loves Disney and drawing castle. Luke's favorite color is green. He likes to sneeze and loves pizza.
Congratulations, Luke being the student of the month. And that was for last month uh for Luke because Luke couldn't make it to the board meeting. So now this month we are going to honor the students for responsibility. So, first is Jacine
[Applause] Da. So, Jacqueline's favorite animal is a kitty cat. Her favorite color is purple and pink. Her favorite game is I spy. And when she grows up, she wants to be a princess.
[Music] By the way, Luke does like high fives. [Music] Come here. You're done. Next up is Penelope Duza. [Applause] [Applause] So Penny's favorite um animal is a pig.
Her favorite color is red. Her favorite game is tag. When she grows up, she must be a police officer. Is Liz Pereira here? Liz. So Liz's um favorite animal is a
giraffe. Her favorite color is purple. Her favorite name is Uno. And when she grows up, she wants to be a doctor. So that's Liz. Here comes another Duza. Alice. So Alex's favorite animal is a lion. His favorite color is red. His favorite game
is soccer. And when he grows up, he wants to be a policeman. Haley Adams. No. So Haley's favorite animal. I don't know what she meant to say about this, but it it looks like
hyen. I don't know what that is. H I E N U. Favorite color. Thank you. Favorite color sky blue. Favorite game is basketball. And when she grows up, she wants to be an artist. And that
is Nicole [Music] Mueno. Okay. Nicole's favorite animal is dolls. Her favorite color is purple. Favorite game is Uno. And when she grows up, she wants to be a teacher. That's the ball. Penny.
Penny. No. So, Penny's favorite animals are are monkeys and dogs. Her favorite color is red and pink. Her favorite game is Mario Kart. And when she grows up, she wants to be a [Applause]
YouTuber. East. Okay. So, Ethan's favorite animal is dog. His favorite color is blue. Favorite game? Fortnite, Dragon Ball, and Sparking Zero. When I grow up, he wants to be a
football player. That's Ethan. Dalton. Dalton's favorite animal is cat and dog. His favorite color is red and blue. His favorite game is Fortnite. And he too, when he grows up, wants to be a teacher. And that is Dalton.
Leo, nothing to sue [Applause] that. So, as they get higher grade, they have a different questionnaire. So, we asked Bill's birthday, say November 23rd. Three words that describe him are kind, loving, and a mathematician.
Favorite hobbies are soccer and riding bikes. His color red, yellow, and blue. Bulk the academy. Food rice and beans. Subject: math and social studies. Place Philadelphia Union Stadium. Um, his
favorite sport is soccer. two goals that he has for this year is get physicals and take a free kick in a soccer match. And that is Leo is
Scarlet. Scarlet. So Scarlet's birthday is October 3rd. Three words that describe her. Smart, uh, crafty, and fun. Her hobbies are drawing and reading. Color is red. Book
Caroline. Food waffle. Subject math. Place holes. Sport pinball. Two goals that she has for this year is of reading more and making more friends. And [Applause]
that's Aaron here. So A's birthday is January 7th. Three words that describe her are funny, kind, and smart. Her favorite hobbies are knitting, coloring, and drawing. Her favorite color is purple. Favorite book is magic treehouse. Her favorite food is
pizza. Subject is science. Place Bunzilla. sports, soccer. Two goals for this year is to write better and to do good on test. And that is rain. Okay. So, rain is December 6. The
words that describe rain are joyful, kind, and respectful. Favorite hobbies are dancing and softball. Color is pink or yellow. Both a baby finish club favorite food pizza subject math play her home or bed. Sport dance and two
goals are to be a lead in a dance and to have good grades in [Applause] that is here. No Cameron. So Cameron's birthday is May
16th. Three words that describe them are happy, happy, kind, and friendly. Hobbies are gaming in sports, color blue, book detective, favorite food is spaghetti, subject is math, place the
Bahamas, sport, soccer. Two goals for this year is to continue to practice reading and practice sports. And that was game. [Applause] Now for the middle school um the students just have a brief uh comment
that we make about them. So is Greg here? Greg is one of our eighth graders. So the description for Greg is Greg shows responsibility by consistently completing his assignments on time and helping others whenever they
need assistance. And this is Greg. Thank you Greg. Is Riley here? Okay. So, Riley demonstrates responsibility by always staying organized, meeting deadlines, and being a dependable team member during group
projects in the school. And that is Riley Eli. So the way Eli shows responsibility is by actively particip participating in class. He's keeping track of his task and always respecting the rules and expectations set by his teachers. Mrs.
[Applause] Eli is Brayen here. Okay. So Braden's um responsible by consistently arriving on time. He stays focused during uh lessons and ensuring that his work is complete to the best of his ability. That is
great. Stephen Steven demonstrates responsibility by consistently arriving on time to school. He stays focused during his lessons and balancing many after school sports and school work. And that is Stephen
And lastly, Gio Jim Marco. Gio Marco demonstrates responsibility by staying organized. He completes his task without reminders and is always being respectful to both peers and teachers. And that is Jim Muscle.
[Applause] Superintendence report. Dr. Fitz, thank you very much. You're welcome. Is it on? Thank you very much. But I want to say to parents, thank you for
sharing your children with us. I get a chance to see them daily as I walk up and down the hallway when weapon is permitted and to see them on the playground. These are some lovely children. Okay. So, it makes my job very
easy to say what can I do to ensure that they get the best education and have the best opportunities to learn. So, I want to thank you for sharing them with us and giving us the opportunity to work with the children.
This time invite all students of the month up for a photo and uh we'll take about a 5m minute recess and we'll reconvene for the rest of the meeting presentation here. Thank you very much Eric. I want to do a presentation with you and share
some information, but I really want to just tell you about the process and the work that that's been done. The first communication is up on the board is the evidence that we have submitted the document to the state department of education. They reviewed this document.
They've accepted the document and they plan to visit us, I believe, in August of 2025. So, the document is in accepted and we currently working on the document. What is this
document? This document is nothing more than a report card for school district. There are five areas that a school district is evaluated on. They are evaluated on their
instruction and their programs for youngsters, regular education youngsters, special education youngsters. They look at our finances, physical management of our funds to make sure the
funds are being spent in an appropriate way and that we have true accountabilities for all of our funds. They deal with governance. Do we have good policies and procedures for our
youngsters as well as for our staff? They deal with operation. How do we run and operate our school business? We must operate our schools according to the guidelines of the state
department of education and be consistent with federal guidelines where they pertain to us. They are concerned about our personnel. Do we have adequate credentialized personnel to work with
our children? We passed in one of the five areas. We did not require sufficient points to be successful in other areas. It was in personnel that we
passed. But what did we do? We put together a comprehensive team of people and group of people to work relentless on preparing the document to send to the state department of education. What are
the documents? If you want to have some good midnight read, we'll be happy to send you the 185 pages. Okay? But I'm just going to go through and tell you a little bit about what is in this document.
In this document, you will find us addressing all of our deficiencies with specifics. We tell you what we're going to do, when we're going to do it, and how we're going to do it. If you want me to read from the document, I'll turn to
one just to give your sample. Same for instance over in the finance uh section. We said that the VA designate will confirm all applicable signatures for payments of services and goods as
intended for the proper for the proper forms before processing for payment. That's the level of accountability that we will do just in the business area. Now let's turn over to education where you kind of heard me
talk about some of these issues in education to deal with the robust curriculum. We came to education. Here's what it sounds like on on the education side. The school district will identify
a gifted and talented teacher. The CSA design will retain this person for the 2025 202 26 school year. The CSA design will retain a certified teacher two fifths or three fifths to coordinate and
run the program. The CSA design will hire a consultant if they are not able to find a suitable teacher or the CSA design will contract one of the employees already employed by the district and utilize this statement to
pay this person to coordinate the TNT program. I'm just trying to say to you, we have written this thing with specificity, with timelines, and that we they will come back to see if we're doing all of these
things that we need to do to correct all of the deficiencies that they identified in our programs. I can spend the rest of the night going through this but every one of these areas we have addressed
them and they have accepted. Let me now move to the to the next point. Can you find the sheet for me now Bill? I want to talk about the contributors. Okay, I want you to take a
look at the contributors. I'm trying to point out that this is intensive work that must be done timely with precision and will be held
accountable. It took this group of all of these people to get this product developed and get it to the state department. I'm grateful for the time and the effort that they put into the
project. They work relentlessly And with us no one person can share. The work must continue to go on. Now these people are going to drop
off and the bulk of this work is going to be left to the school personnel. That's the leadership of the school, the principal, the vice principal, the guidance personnel, the teaching staff.
and the board. I want to express appreciation to all these people. If I had time, I would call them out by name, but you can see them up there because they got to continue to do this
work. To you as a board, I say to you, you really supported this movement. If you look back in the recommendations that we brought to you earlier, you did
not push back on a single one of them. That's why we were able to get this document done, get it into the state department of education and get them to give us a response so
quickly. I don't want us to slow down one bit. I want to drive this project at full speed with an inbound superintendent coming in not to push
back one day on it because we owe it to the children. We owe it to the staff and we owe it to the citizens of this community. All right, I'm available for any questions
you might want to ask. like to have a copy, a personal copy to read through it. It's a public document now and it can be yours and this [Music] behaves to the board. I believe the
first one is the April the April week. Okay. So, we're going to continue with that. But I think Arlene, you had said it's submitted. Did the county superintendent's office approve this? Oh, yeah. It's
already an issue with the April. Okay. Yeah, they they should update us on progress on this. We should get kind of periodic updates as far as I'm concerned with that as well. We got to take some time.
We do we can do the I'd like a motion uh to continuing on the superintendent report motion to approve the superintendent report resolutions items 1 through nine practice
shinline seconded by Miss Luda are there any questions or comments on any of the resolutions in the superintendent report questions about there's a notation about the um which number are you speaking at I'm trying to Please safety concerns. Oh,
okay. So, that's the discussion topics. Okay. Safety concerns. I want to express appreciation to the municipality. They have provided and they made available police uh uh protection in the areas of
the traffic deal with the traffic flow through through here. We still have a lot we still have some work to do on that because we still have congestion out there. Okay. But the citizens are cooperating pretty good with us. Okay.
But it's still an unsafe setting. Okay. in terms of the traffic flow through here. Some of this probably you're going to deal with later during the year because you might have to enlarge your parking lot
or do something. I I don't I don't know what. But we are monitoring it directed and I I have a swagger sticking swagger stick that I use in the morning out there sometimes to help guide the traffic and and to keep it and keep it
moving. and our staff is working with us in terms of safety patrols uh to get the traffic. So do you because on the agenda it says still remains an issue. Do you believe the interventions with the police department and the staff
here that these circumstances are? No, they're not going to go away. I can tell you they're probably not resolved because I one of my comments on this actually and I was going to bring up um this far from the discussion topics but I wanted to give all the
other board members a chance obviously first um I was happy to see that the Delano police need words of police to increase that presence um especially in that lot just this past month my father-in-law got you know somebody did
a hit and run on him in that up and they had to get the police involved and everything and it it's something that it's even hitting close with me. So, it's something that that obviously everybody knows about the concern that we have out there. Um, but continued
collaboration, continuing to work with them, not just a oneoff thing, is going to be um the most efficient thing that we can possibly do. So I' I'd like to obviously in updates or whatnot that we can pass on to the rest of the board
kind of know you know by something like hey you know what what are we continuing to do what's the police recommendation things along that check there was a committee set up um a parking lot so maybe I don't know but something to think about that should
be resurrected um you know, and collaborating with uh there was the opportunity through Senator Singleton for that wish list of of money and one of the items that was submitted
to the township was Yeah, I don't think anything about it. So, maybe it's a good time to press and look never grant funds coming through um you know different avenues something that
are there any other questions or comments on the resolutions um number three is this specific just to one family is a kit container
This is specific to individuals when identified one by one. Okay. This is an issue that we've been living
with and that we say we have to see how we can address this uh in a systematic and a very tactful way in a respected way. And we believe that this is the
best way that we can do it. But we have exhausted our ability to verify to confirm and to to establish that uh the person our person is a is a true
resident by providing us with all the documentation necessary uh to establish that. We've been very fortunate to have Parker K Amy in particular who kind of like living with us through this project
and that she has provided us with good documentation process guidelines in structure on how to do it. And the person that we have here to be approved is a person who's working in other
school districts and carry out this work. And so we'd like to bring this person to this room one by one case basis. Can you another Yeah, we've had several attempts that we believe that this is the best one. So
the other ones are kind of defin five and six board obviously approach the grant. I just have I'm just interested to hear what are your visions of these grants five and six are granted to us and what is
your vision for uh the board they're talking about uh I believe some plant growth they want to grow tubs of food uh in in in the district here I think
that that's what that is all about and I think that other ones is unknown right now. We just we're just out there trying to get some grants. We'll figure out what we're going to do if we can get them. Yeah. Yeah. Good observation. One is a
playground. Uh because we have kids up here who are middle school kids. We had to make repairs in this playground for safety first purpose because we when we first designed that playground it was not designed for the kinds of weights
that we have in terms of children who are in grade six seven uh but has been making changes and correcting that. And then number five I know or excuse me number six you um you know because Josh about four, five and six.
Number six, which was the solar, wind recycling or similar sustainable initiatives. What do you envision with that? Some of those things that we might go into, let's say, sorting out our trash uh in terms of say plastic cans
and stuff like that. Some of these things are going to be instructional areas. Okay. Uh just tonight I was I was on a webinar just before I came in here about solar and
wind and turbines. I'm I think that we've got to get our kids involved in this. So, I'd like to see this become a part of an instructional program to say, "If I can get it ready, let's teach our kids about harnessing energy from the sun.
Harvesting and capturing energy from the wind." Yeah. So, it might be just a teaching tool. You might not see him or something. Josh, I don't know if that answers all your question. Don't get it for sure.
For number four, would that look like an after school club or would that be instructional? I believe it's going to be more instructional. I don't have all the details right now but as soon as we can
get some more detail it's got to come back I'm just asking you guys allow accept are we responsible for does that come with managing the funds responsible for the community. The way this great comes in we get the money we have deposited over
here in an account. Okay. And now we have to see how do we say we're going to spend that money and we have set up a budget. I I just don't have all those details in front of me. She will not be involved in the office.
No, she number seven. Actually, it's not a question. It's um a thanks. um securing um that percent. Uh Miss Arine, thank you so much for your due diligence and
working with uh Brownstone on that. Um it was it's actually been noted in different planning boards in our town about that. So what's interesting is we have money wired to us today. So we'll be earning
about five months interesting. I wanted to thank you for that because I know that um from the just another notation for the budget piece um our given that we're going to have the the number on
Friday. So for our next meeting we'll have a preliminary March 19th we adopt the preliminary budget. Right now I'm working on getting a number for salaries for next year moving
up to teachers as far as steps. So I don't know exactly where we're going to be in the budget. Okay. Thank you so much. Should we have a continued communication leading up to that as far as what we're going to be looking
at way from you obviously as we find out more information what you guys are collaborating on going up at least 20% health insurance going up so I know somebody in the audience has done an excellent job trying to put out some of
that information um to contact people about the rise energy rates before the March meeting. Okay. Thank you very much. All right. Um this is a voice
vote. So all those in favor please signify by saying I. I oppose. Abstain. Motion carries. Budget and finance. A motion is approve requested to approve items one
and two. Item three has been struck from the agenda. So there's no line item transfers for an office, right? Need a motion. Moved by M. Schlimline, seconded by Mr.
S. Are there any questions or comments on budget and finance? Seeing none, this is a roll call. Mr. Yes. Yes. Mr. Jackson, yes. Mr. Mr. Hopkins, yes.
[Music] like a motion for the operation and facilities section item A moved by Mich by Mr. Hopkins. Are there any questions or comments on the report on maintenance activities?
can help you out. We are trying to get a public service grant that will pay for about 80%. So you're talking about 800,000. Are there any other questions or
comments? Oh, sorry. Yeah, we still that room. Yes. Yes. And we can put some money aside to keep that group together for the next year. Oh yeah, the
I think the cost of good shape now. We had a few. And then my next question is how much you give us an estimate of how much money. We'll have her Thank you.
I just want to make sure that that isn't that I mean replacement I would assume means they actually replace a camera taxpayers. general. I'm sure I know our um principles bring up those particular
panels kind of every morning as part of their morning routine ensuring that everything is operational to be able to make sure that if something is not operational by somebody security seeing no more questions. Uh
this is a voice vote. So for approval on the report on maintenance activities, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I see. Motion carry leazison reports. Mr. Hopkins sent one from Riverside. Anything you'd like to add, Mr. H? Uh
just would like to add um that it's been really great getting to know their board, their administration. Um I'm excited to advocate for for our students um at Riverside. Um and additionally, from my report. Uh, I just wanted to highlight something that I thought was
was pretty amazing. They spent a full hour on awards just here. So, it was pretty pretty amazing. Um, partially because they had a special award that night um honoring the students that have received or would receive um the New
Jersey state seal of literacy. So, 30 students um between juniors and seniors there. one student um there is no skill for triiteracy um but one student did earn um her two state skills for bi literacy um which is pretty pretty cool
so it's fun fun stuff to hear about I know exactly what you're talking is such an impressive every conversation I have ever had and kind of reminder to all board members I the uh the night to all of you
if you would want to attend that was sent out by our just kind of a reminder. Okay. Uh NJSBA, BCSBA, Michelin wine sent out a report. Anything you would like to add J? Uh just that the uh the governor had his address uh yesterday.
Um school there was quite a bit on the school board school form formula. Um, and it's, you know, they're looking at a max of 3% on the base of last year. That 43% was a one and done. So, we move
forward with that. Um, certainly noted here about pending legislation that's actually not been introduced in the assembly yet. Um, but in the Senate, that's going through several modifications. So, we'll see what's happening. Um, through the delegates, we did advocate for uh bringing back the
need for funding for special education. Um just a couple questions. Well, you'll be shocked. Um um did one
thing that was talked about in the director's meeting. I have to find it. It was about one second, please. I'm so sorry. Um it was about uh the school board association recommended that all speak to council to determine the best
way to resend or revised current policies to ensure that there is compliance with the 20120 Title 4 regulations um that could have any complaints that could have occurred between August 24
and January 9th this year. I'm just asking so that was it was a it was very much stressed. I just didn't know because we don't want to anything getting that's so I didn't know
um just making sure I know it. The other thing to note is the county school board associations 8th grade dialogue is coming up next month and the applicant the due date is the third. Has somebody been selected submitted?
It's been distributed. I don't just because that's that's a that's deadline from that Mr. Township committee is Miss Ludo. Miss Ludo sent out a uh an update, right? So, anything you would like to
add on that? Not to add, but I'm very excited. They um the friends of Brunson County um animal shelter presentation for TNCO. Their goal is to go to every municipality, get or put in place so
they're so we can become a zero kill county. Um it would cost nothing to the residents. Um all their all the treatments would be paid for by them. Um it just allows like the animal control to be able to capture
um bring them there to get fixed. Um the most exciting thing is that the next committee is going to start planning the centennial. So that's regarding personal motion. Sorry.
Go ahead. Yeah. Sorry. Go ahead. Um, one thing that came up um during the budget talks, the library had said that they had put in a proposal with the school district on a joint endeavor um for sharing the books and it was I actually
went back that night and looked I didn't know about it. Can I defer it back? I believe you want to tell them about that project. So right now we're we're working with the library to get um
specific grade levels to be able to go in and uh check out books. That's what we're working on. So it's because at the meeting they said just you know they said that they hadn't heard. So has there been a reply at that point? I mean at least tell them we're
working on it obviously because at the end of the day we do want that collaboration. Um so you know I would at least tell them where you are in that process and how they can collaborate because one of the things that we have been advocating for is having our
students utilize that space, having our students go there. Um I know my wife has been taking my kids there handful of times after school um you know the past couple weeks and picking them up. Um so
it's something that the kids obviously are going to be excited for. So, I know that that may be some scheduling things, but let's let's be uh let's make sure we reply and get um everybody on board because I think it's a a bad look. If um you know, a
committee somebody says they didn't get a reply, it's kind of like we're not allowed to reply back. You know, there's we're handcuffed as far as when public comment can happen just like everybody's kind of handcuffed in various spots, right? So I want to make
sure that if there's, you know, let's limit the amount of shape that anybody can have, right? Is there was it is it a proposal? No, it was just a conversation that we had. We sat down and just talked about allowing the students to come in
um basically the elementary school at a certain time of the day to come get books when they're open. Um preferably after 2:00 cuz that's when they're fair. Yeah. Okay. I thought it I'm sorry. I just Is this exactly this what the
program? I'm going to assume that this is what the program um where kids can come to the library. Thank you. Thank you. You will be two during school today. Thank you so much. Um on to personnel section. Make a
motion to approve items A through E in the personnel section. Moved by Mong. Seconded by Mr. Hopkins. Are there any questions or comments in the personnel section? Seeing none, this is a roll call vote.
Mr. Yes, Mr. Hopkins. Yes, sir. M regarding old business, um we will be going into executive session after this meeting for a couple reasons. One, uh was communicated Another is you know some confidential
legal contract management um that we will go into as well. Is there anything else on old business that we would like to bring up? Can you just get an update on over there?
No, no. I don't even know. probably more than that. I only gave us 5,000 $15,000. any updates to the world. What world languages program? Well, that
uh that's a that's a TV program. That's to be we have no progress to report on that. You can look forward to that come come September. That's an ide. Okay.
What's the subject? We received our parents conferences. We're going to be talking next week and I just wanted to discuss exactly how that came about. All right. Raone, would you be up to speak
about the parent teachers conference and how that came about. So before you do, can I can I talk about the call that I had? Yes. Just today. So I I sent an email about that. I think the rest of the board does know about that that I
sent an email regarding that. Um as part of the uh response from administration before the meeting, they gave me a call. Didn't have a chance to send out this particular piece. Actually, I did send a little bit out of this. They stated that
um prior to CO that historically parent teacher conferences in the second semester were um by invite only. I I still express my concern and
uh Miss Kanty who was there did state that if a parent does want to have a conference that teachers would be accommodating um for that if parents did want to have a conference but um Mr. Santiago, I don't know if you have any other update
with that. I think you were in the room when they called as well, but I wanted to at least state that that call did happen and I know I sent out at least a little bit of an update with that. Um, go ahead. So, with the um improvement plan that was sent to the state, the 5th
and the 7th became PD days. So, that took away from the parent conferences and in order to accommodate u the conferences, it's only one night. And for example, we have teachers who have 27 kids. There's no way a teacher is going to see 27 parents in a 2-hour
span. So that's why the concern is more who do you really need to see reach out to those parents because that's the most important right now to give an update on progress, grades, behavior. Um so that's where that came from. So my understanding is because those two days
it could also have been parent competence days have changed to P days because of our district improvement plan. Yes. um that that's the reason for it this year and this would be kind of a oneoff thing because continuing years it would go back uh to what it was as far
as the three days. Yes, Mr. How many students do you expect to question? That's a good question because everybody's different. That's a very good question.
I was just you know concerned because I know how hard it is to get serious crime. So this is just a conversation out loud with the community. So it wasn't something exactly why. And the other the
other concern is also let's say um someone wanted to talk to the teacher for a little bit longer. The conferences we had in the past were 10 minutes each and it was like you got to go cuz there's somebody else waiting. You know, at least here the focus would be what
are your major um parents that you need to see? Let's give them the time so we can work together try to justify you know this is how we can work with you to get the child either behavior wise, grade wise, whatever this situation is to improve. And will all teachers be
required to attend the evening session from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. whether or not they have an appointment or not? Yes, that's part of their DTA contract. You're welcome. Thank you. No problem. Any other new business? Okay. I'd like to open the
meeting up for public comment on agenda and non-aggenda items. Uh public participation during board of education meetings governed by policy 0167. The board of education welcomes comments from the members of a public. Concerns about the school district should be addressed to the appropriate
staff members prior to being brought before the board. Also, please note that the board may be hearing your concerns for the first time and may not be able to address these concerns during our meeting. An online form for public comment has been provided.
the president or vice president will read the comments from the online forum during the board meeting and uh was there any public comment online? None. Okay. So, at this time I'd like to open up for public comment in the audience.
I don't know who raised first between Caroline and Matt. Kayla called Karen. Thank you. Um, just looking for a update on the Walnut Street school lease. I had several people ask me about it recently,
including our construction department regarding CO. So, just looking to see. I know they're supposed to take possession on the first. Is there an update to that? Is that something that we can discuss in public? That is part of our close session. So, I can't comment
on that. Okay. When you can just let the township know what the status is. Absolutely. Thanks, Mr. Bartlett. Because you raised your hand. Secondly, or did Carolyn steal your fund? No. That um question on the grant from the grant
writer. I know we hired a grant writer almost a year ago, give or take. And the only thing I was a thing that we got out of this grant writer so much money is a $2,000 worth of community. What else is this grant writer doing? And are we
going to get anything out of everything we're paying? Well, Dr. I hate to interrupt you. Is this grant writer a contractor or employee? She's an employee. Unfortunately, um the board can't talk about employment
matters to the public. I'm not asking about the employment. I'm asking about any grants that are coming into the district. Okay. Your your question sounds differently to me. It sounded like you were asking about this part, you know, what are you getting out of the grant writer? Um I
mean it's a borderline issue by the way you phrase it. I mean because certainly the um application for grants um is public information. The amount of grants we receive is public information. All of that is public information. But your question to me is sounding a
little bit more performanceoriented. So I'll just I'll just caution Dr. Fitz that of course this is uh you can comment about employee performance matters in public session. I'll rephrase my question. What grants have has the
district received since we have worked on a grant right now? We received one grant which received a grant. I believe it's an electric bus grant. It won't get here for about another year.
Turned out the bus would have been 375,000. We just don't have money for that especially. So we haven't received any grants. But we have we have the community bart. The other two have been significant
monies. 100,000 for the playground is that that's a receipt. No, we just your question was specifically about what's been received. Correct. And we didn't get the touring. We had a large
touring we didn't get that and I assume the grant process writers still looking for more tons of grants, right? get something out of it. Did you guys
happen to apply for that uh NJC cyber security room? NJC. Yes. Anything? Okay. Did you get any uh response back? I know we just recently got positive news. Yes. So, I'm sure more
positive coming. All right. Any other public comment? Seeing none, I will uh close public comment and I'm going to move to go into executive session for confidential legal matters
uh with our board attorney. So, I'd like motion for executive session. No action will be taken. Uh let's just say we're going to be in executive session for a half hour by Miss Lima, seconded by Miss Lugo. All those in favor signify by
saying I I opposed. Motion carries. We are now back in regular session. Like a motion to move. Moved by Mr. Seller. Seconded by MLine. All those in favor,
please signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Abstain. Motion carries.