Good evening everyone. Uh, I'd like to call this meeting to order. Will the secretary please call the role? >> Annabbr >> here. >> Timoth Cummings. >> Antonola >> here. >> Jamie Falco >> here. >> Lewis Figureroa >> here. >> Lorie Harrick. Lee Wuhong >> here.
>> Wilbur Pan >> here. >> Maryan Tananiels >> here. We have a quorum. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. Okay. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed and acted upon.
In accordance with the provisions of this act, the East Brunswick Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted at the Board of Education offices located at 760 Route 18, East Brunswick, New Jersey. Written notice was also provided
to the Sentinel, the Newark Star Ledger, the Home News Tribune, the Alternative Press of East Brunswick, and the Municipal Clerk of East Brunswick. All board of education meetings with the exception of executive session discussions are videotaped for later broadcast. It is the policy of the board
of education that videotaped meetings are not edited for any purpose. Individuals who speak at the board's public's meeting should be aware of these videotaping rules. Okay. We have need for a closed session. Whereas the board of education must discuss matters
which are not appropriate for discussion in a public meeting. And whereas these subjects are within the exceptions to the open public meetings act and are permitted to be discussed in closed session pursuant to NJSA 104-12B. And whereas the board of education intends to discuss matters as outlined
in the agenda. Whereas the length of the closed session is estimated to be 1 hour after which the public meeting of the board shall reconvene and action will be taken. Now therefore, be it resolved that the East Brunswick Board of Education will recess into close session for only the A4 said subjects, and be it
further resolved that the East Brunswick Board of Ed hereby declares that its discussion of the A4 said subjects will be made public at a time when the public's interest in disclosure is greater than any privacy or governmental interest being protected from disclosure in accordance with the Open Public
Meetings Act. Do we have a motion? >> Move. >> Second. >> Discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Opposed abstensions motion carries. We are enclosed. All right. Good evening. Good evening everyone. We are back from closed. Uh
before we begin, Miss Mrs. Heric extends her apologies for not being able to be with us tonight. Uh and we are going to jump right into our superintendence report. >> Good evening. Tonight's boardroom features work um artwork created by our talented students
from Bound and Frost elementary schools. The artwork will be available for viewing through April 10th. The art teachers of these talented students are um Brook Sabone and Julia Kumasinski. Dr. Na Delgado is a principal of Frost
and Miss Christine Christina is a principal of Bal Monroe. On Thursday, February 26th, I had the pleasure of joining Frost Elementary for their annual multicultural celebration. This vibrant event served as the grand finale to a month-long exploration of
the diverse cultures that shaped their school. Thanks to the collaborative spirit of the students, parents, and faculty, the Frost family came together to truly learn from experience and celebrate their rich community heritage.
It was a lot of fun. Lots of food, too. Earlier this month, our elementary schools came alive with the magic of storytelling for Read Across America. I had the pleasure of visiting classrooms at both Central and Chitik, and there's truly nothing like the energy of a room
full of engaged young readers. Board members also had the opportunity to read to students at Central. It was It was so much fun. I read The Big Cheese to Mrs. kill his kiss. >> You're so cute. >> Seeing their eyes light up as we turned
each page reminded me why fostering a love for literacy is the greatest gift we can give our students. Thank you to the teachers and staff for such a warm welcome. On March 4th, we get around.
Um, on March 4th, along with board members, I attended the National Honor Society induction at the high school. The high school chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 114 new members. The ceremony centered on the four core values of the society. They are
scholarship, service, leadership, and character. And then after the National Honor Society, I enjoyed attending the Hammershaw Drama Club production of Willy Wonka Kids. >> That was so good. >> That was so good. Their hard work, imagination, and collaboration
transformed the stage into a world of pure imagination. I wrapped up my final meet and greet at East Brunswick High School on Thursday, March 5th. Over the coming weeks, I look forward to sh um sharing a summary of the community's feedback and our next
steps. And then following the meet and greet, I attended the EBEF student association volley game volleyball game. I was thoroughly impressed by the students organizational skills and their ability to execute such an engaging and
successful event. We just sat there and enjoyed the show. It was so wellrun. Was really proud of our students. On Monday, March 9th, still um I attended the NJSA women in leadership conference where our own
Bella Voce ensemble delivered a standout performance that left a lasting impression on the audience. And coincidentally, one of the keynote speakers is an EB graduate, Bonnie Taylor. So, I took a picture. It was like a whole EV reunion. It was very
nice. On Wednesday, March 11th, visual arts students from Church Hill Junior High School and East Brunswick High School showcased their talents at the Middle Sex County Teen Arts Festival at Middle Sex College. Students had the opportunity to have their artwork
individually adjudicated by professional artists and participate in the variety of visual art workshops led by working professionals. We are proud to announce that five East Brunswick students were selected to advance to the state teen arts festival
where their work will be showcased in June. On Thursday, March 12th, Churchill Junior High School hosted a compelling presentation by Living Voices for 8th grade social studies students, which I had the pleasure of attending. The
featured performance, Fly for Freedom, starred Jasmine Eileen Kohl's as a young 1940s pilot striving for the double victory, peace abroad, and an end to segregation at home. The students were deeply engaged throughout the show,
which concluded with an insightful Q&A session with a performer. In sports, our JV girls basketball team won the GMC JB tournament on February 25th by
defeating Colonia. Senior Dominic Leisak won his 100th career match during the state tournament on February 26th. And um Ava Katano became the first sophomore in school history to record a
1,000 points in girls basketball on March 3rd. >> Fun fact. >> Fun fact. >> I heard her mother >> also got it in 10. >> I heard that too. >> That's pretty cool. >> Very cool. The Church Hill Junior High School Theater Program is proud to
present Legally Blonde Jr. on March 25th, 26th, and 27th at 700 p.m. This high energy musical follows L. Woods on her inspiring journey of determination and self-discovery brought to life by
our talented student cast and crew. We invite the community to come out and support our students for an evening of fun, music, and outstanding performances. Tickets can be purchased at cjhs.booktick.com. The East Brunswick Education Foundation
will be hosting their 32nd annual partner in excellence award dinner and hall of fame induction ceremony on Wednesday, April 26 29th, 2026 at the Pines Manor in Edison. More information
can be found on our website. Just a few reminders. Schools will be closed for all students and 10-month staff on Friday, March 20th. Schools will be open on Monday, March 30th, and Tuesday, March 31st.
Schools will be closed Wednesday, April 1st, Thursday, April 2nd, and Friday, April 3rd for spring recess. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Man. Uh so we are moving on to our first
presentation of the evening, the finance committee of the whole and our 2027 budget discussion. >> This is uh I want to say it's a joint. >> No, Joe's got this one.
No, it's joint. But um but Joe is going to work us through some things to keep in mind and what we're thinking about and what we do know in terms of numbers and what we're still looking to find
out. And um this is to get us ready for the tentative budget. And it's a tentative budget because the way it runs, the way the state has it set up is we have to put something through to get the process started. So the tenative is
just what it could be but not necessarily because once we do that then the work begins. It is the budget in May that's going to really get us to what we're going to do
for 2627. But beyond that, I think it's really important for us to understand. We did the the last time we were here, we talked about just the basics, what we should know, right? Um, and what we're thinking about. What we want to share with you is just the the facts that we
know for now. Um, we want to show you the numbers and then we're going to have a conversation about it. I want to be very clear that we are not taking any action today. We are having a conversation. Okay. >> Can you say that one more time, please?
>> No actions will be taken today. We are having a conversation. This is what transparency looks like. And I know we will have a robust conversation today. And I just crave indulgence for people to pay attention and be better informed.
And um and please be nice to Joe. Go ahead, Joe. Well, I I do appreciate that. Um, so just to set the the tone so we are all on the same page, this is not a presentation. This is a guided tour of
a discussion. So, we have some slides that will keep us, you know, going and we, like we talked about, we've had uh two rounds of small group meetings. Um, you know, thank you to the board for all the time um and and effort that went
into that. So, you know, we committed to bringing that back to the whole to speaking in public. So, um, let the journey begin next. So, the goals of this conversation, uh, again, open discussion on the 27 budget. We're going
to go over state aid, charter school, health benefits, special education, transportation, the shared services agreement, the short-term debt piece of it, uh the cost of sports, uh free and reduced uh student fees, and then budget
reductions. So, if you recall back in February, um when I did the presentation, uh we talked about state aid, the factors. So, state aid came out. Um, this is a comparison of the current year state aid
compared to next year's state aid. There's a couple important pieces. The uncapped aid, that's when this that's the state formula. That's how it runs. But again, like I spoke about last month, there's a lot of other factors
that go into the formula. Last year, there was a cap on the amount of decrease in state aid. If you look in the column increase decrease over prior year, if we didn't have that cap, our state aid would have went down $5.2 million for FY26.
Because of the 3% maximum decrease, we lost 1.1 million in state aid and our actual state aid was 37.3 million. For 27, uncapped state aid is almost 41 million.
The actual increase should have been 3.6. six the maximum that we could receive is 6% of that so it's 2.2 million the actual state aid is 39 million591
so we are happy that our state aid went up we are not happy that it didn't go up enough all right so mixed bag so if there's if the board has any questions on this slide um have at it
Ju just just a quick question. If I remember right, in fiscal year 24 um we're still not even up to the level state aid that we got that year, right? >> Um I believe we're right there without having the exact number. It's very close. Um but it's
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I um I I looked it up earlier today. I think we're still not there. Just to put that into context. >> Yes. So even the number is match but the buying power decreased a lot due to the inflation. I just let people know that.
>> Right. So couple other things to note on this slide. Um the cost or the the allocation the state gives us per gened kid uh student and special ed student uh both increased by the CPI and we'll talk
about what CPI is in another slide of uh 3.58%. The main reason why our state aid increased were the factors that I talked about the equalized valuation factor and the income factor that the state applies to those numbers. They both decreased
significantly. So uh the income or the uh equalized valuation that I spoke about that was spot on. Of course, the income, we didn't know what that number was going to be. Uh, and there was other things, but it's the factor that de uh changes
from year to year, which makes it very difficult to try to forecast on what our state's going to be. You know, that that's an 8 million almost $9 million swing if it wasn't capped. So, trying to plan what those variables are make it
very difficult. Right. Any other Okay, next slide. So, charter school. So, you saw state aid was going up 2.2 million. Unfortunately, the charter school payment that were mandated to budget for
is increasing $960,000. So, on the screen you see a comparison of the current enrollment, uh what charter schools we have, uh current year compared to next year. Um the biggest increase again is Hatikva. Uh currently in the in the budget uh the state for
the current year said we had to account for 393 students. As of March 12th, 2026, they have 398 students. Uh they're projecting 435 students. So there, you know, that's a 42 uh student increase
budget-to-budget comparison, uh, which results in the most significant increase of 924,000. Uh, along with two additional brand new charter schools that, um, we have students attending. Um, and I think the
thing to look at there is for one student, they're there's three charter schools receiving they each have one student. They're receiving over $43,000 per student. >> Sorry. >> Oh, okay.
>> Yeah. Um, so I I seem to remember I could be making this one up, but I seem to remember that Hectiva was close to maxed out in terms of their enrollment. How How are they able to add more than 10% of their increase their student enrollment by more than 10%.
>> That is a great qu question. I I I don't have a good answer. Um, I apologize. I don't know how they can project >> that and not be questioned. >> Okay, >> Jamie. >> Um, >> I have Did you have another Sorry, Wilbur, if you want to finish.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And and um I also um remember hearing something about forecasting. Uh is that something that the charter schools are can do in terms of coming up with these numbers? >> Yeah, I'm sure you know they can forecast. They might be saying, okay, their their kindergarten enrollment might be
increasing. um the levels of of students that are from East Brunswick. We know charter schools are supposed to be community based, but a Tikva in particular um carries kids from various uh districts. So, they can be projecting that the East
Brunswick population will increase going there. Um the only thing I can say twice a year we do uh verify our enrollment. So, uh, at October 15th and then also at the end of the year, if the enrollment is not what it's projected, we end up
not paying that full amount. But that doesn't help us with the budget because we're required to budget that payment. >> And I think it's important to note that the restrictions that are put on public schools are not put on charter schools.
So, we have guardrails. There are different there there are things we can and cannot do. There are line items we can use and cannot use. Even the per pupil cost, we never get it all, but those rules don't apply to um charter
schools. >> That was actually going to be my question. Um as far as funding goes, I know that the state gives us different amounts based on um the student profile. Um but sometimes that's prrated. For
example, um in our case, we would pay that full amount without proration to these schools. Um you know, depending on student need and of course we want to support student needs, but there is no state law that creates equity within that.
>> I think that's a fair statement. >> Thank you. Okay. >> You're doing a good job, Joe, because a lot of the questions I had, you already answered for me. So, thank you. Um, so just looking at this, the state aid that we got is pretty much going to be handd delivered to Octiva and the other
charter schools, right? >> Like 45% give or take 40 45%. >> N looks like we got 2 million more. >> So half half of our state aid is going to a school that has no regulations at all and that we can't control. And just
for clarity, we can't project in our what our schools are going to look. Right. Right. Correct. >> Right. So, our state aid is based off of actual enrollment as of October 15th. >> Thank you. Just wanted to make sure that was clear. >> And we know and I think we know for sure
that since October 15th, our numbers have gone up, but it's not accounted for. >> Right. >> Yeah. I I spoke about the increase in added district placements by 11 students since October. There's no additional state aid for those 11 students that
have been placed whether they've moved in new or you know required those services. >> One more question. So are they allowed to um open enrollment in the middle of their year? Can they reach out to you in December of next year and say listen we have two more students that have joined us? >> Yes.
>> So what will happen? >> So say they're projecting the 435 and they end up at 450 >> right? we have to pay them additional that was not budgeted where we can't there's no mechanism for us to say oh we want more we have to deal with what we have
>> they get to take away from what we have to finance what their needs are >> and just so the community understands just in case anybody's confused we're only paying for East Brunswick students that are attending their schools correct >> yes >> so hopefully our our families and our community see how amazing our schools
are and bring their students back into our schools because every student that's going there. They're taking $16,000 away from our budget to be able to create a better learning environment for our district. All right. Thank you. >> Tim, did you want to
>> It's not 16,000. If you calculate the transportation actually, it's 18,000. >> I'm just going based off the transportation. >> We'll get to that. >> Transportation. >> Sorry. >> That actually was a question. Does that I'm just looking at the bottom two for instance. Does that 43,000 include
transportation or is that just tuition? that's just tuition. Those students are hit multiple buckets. So, um the gened special ed low income component potentially uh English as a second language speech there there's different
uh dollar amounts that the state assigns that um so depending on their you know student characteristics that that determines the funding level. >> Thanks. And then do you um recall or know off the top of your head our per
pupil cost estimated? >> I would say 18,000ish. It depends. Um the software breaks it out. >> You know, kindergarten first to >> fifth, 6th to 8th, 9 to 12, and then the
different uh self-contained uh classes. >> Thank you, >> Jamie. And then this may have been brought up in previous years or previous budget meetings, but um Joe um can you just please confirm we have no tuition negotiation ability with any of these
charter schools. They give us a bill and we pay it and we don't have the ability to give comp values or anything like that. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. Yeah. So, and my following comment is not going to say any of these six
charter schools are doing this, but if you uh read recently over the last 6 months, there have been several charter schools that the administrative cost, the owner, uh the owner's family members are all making, you know, half a million
dollars, uh for their roles. Uh there's one that was making even more. Um, and that goes into, you know, their operational cost. Um, you know, not necessarily what we have to pay because that's determined by the state, but
they're operating with no limitations where we have administrative cost limitations that is dictated by the state. They're not held to the same standard. >> Anything else? >> No. So, if I think we can all agree that
not only does the state need to work on the funding formula, they also need to work on the regulations surrounding charter schools because with the financial crisis that's going on right now, and it's not just East Brunswick, it's all the schools. A lot of the financial problems that districts are facing are the mandates that come with
the charter schools. And it's not fair because they can, you know, pick and choose lack of mandates. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. Anybody else? >> Next slide. >> Okay, so this slide just dictate, you know, dictate I can't speak. Um, it
shows, how about that? Uh, the charter school tuition plus the transportation because it's just not the tuition. We're obligated to transport those uh students as long as they meet the state requirements. So for FY26, uh, transportation was 546,000.
27 it's 552,000. We're projecting. So the total is, you know, for next year's budget, $800 million is coming out of the budget and going to charter schools. >> 8 million. >> 8 million. I'm sorry.
>> Did I say 800 million? >> Yeah. Um, listen, >> drink some water. >> Yeah, forgive me. Uh, the the numbers, it's been a little bit intense with the numbers, so they're all they're, you know, running together. >> Joe, don't make those mistakes when you're doing those
>> slides. That's why I have Tara to check me. >> Good job, >> Tara. All right. Any questions on this? All right. Next slide. >> I have a just a comment. These transportation costs, those are not including children that are in our district that don't go to charter
schools that just go to parochial schools or private schools. Correct. Do we have a number of how much that how much those transportation costs are? Because I know we do subsidize. So the way uh the non-publiclix work you either get aid and loo uh the state determines the threshold. Uh right now it's like
1,100 and change. Um if if we cannot transport them on a bus for less than that then we pay them directly. That amount excuse me in the budget is approximately 340 $350,000. Um and then if we do have to transport
them that's on another line. I don't know that off the top of my head, but we do have that split out. >> So, including that, that would put us at $1.1 million that we're spending on schools that our children are not enrolled in. >> Correct. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Health benefits. This is a it's a big number. Um, our premiums are increasing by 22%. We are self-insured. Um that's a very large percentage. We haven't seen a increase like that in
forever. Um in reference comparison, the state health benefit plan is going up 31%. So between the 22% premium increase and then the employee contributions decreasing
and this shift in staff, you know, staff are moving to the chapter 44 plans. So let me explain that chapter 78 determined several years ago how much the contribution that the employees had
to make to cover their health benefits. >> Uh how many years ago, Matt? Like five years ago. >> Chapter 78. >> No, chapter 44, I'm sorry. >> Yeah. So chapter 78 was passed June 28th, 2011. Chapter 44 became effective July 1st, 2020.
>> All right. So with chapter 44, those contributions are significantly less. Chapter 44 was intended to bring down the premiums. Uh that has not happened. Chapter 44 establishes a minimum level
of coverage that we have no choice but to provide. So the savings are not there. are actually losing uh money or increasing cost uh when staff go to the chapter 44 plans and all new staff uh the only
option is to go to the chapter 44 plans. So uh if somebody retires that were in the chapter 78 plans, new persons hired, they go into the chapter 44. As a result, a complete combination of all that health benefits are increasing $7.9
million. >> Joe, just for a comparison, what was the premium increase last year? >> Last year was 7%. >> Okay, thank you. >> Joe, can you give everybody um an explanation on why staff would go from
78 to 44 so it's just that they understand what would make the staff change? No, I'm going to apply some basic numbers. So, under chapter 78, um they're all of our direct access plans, the traditional plans. So, say the
premium for family is $40,000, but an employees contribution under that plan was $7,000 a year. by going to a chapter 44 plan family the premium only in decreases by $1,000.
So the district is still paying $39,000 for that plan but their contribution is decreasing by 60%. So it's the level of benefit there's not that gap you know it's still a very good plan but the contribution is so much
less. So, um I think in the beginning staff were nervous to make that change, you know, because they had good benefits and as time has evolved and more, you know, staff are retiring over those years, they're going to that more
affordable plan for them. But on our end, it we're not so lucky. I mean, I think people should know under under chapter 78, you have family coverage and you make more than $110,000, you pay 35% of the premium cost of the
plan. So, if you have a $45,000 plan and you have family coverage, you make more than 110, you're paying $15,000 towards it. Under chapter 44, the the level of benefits are not very different. Um, there's a few more restrictions in the
chapter 44 plans. It's not tied to the premium. It's their salary and it's capped at it can't exceed $9,000. 9,000. Yeah. 9,000. >> So, this was something that was passed. It
was passed July 1st, 2020. Didn't take effect in 2021. But any new employee, as Joe said, has to go into the chapter 44. The difference though is any employee that was prehired prior to July 1st, 2020, they have the option to
stay in chapter 78 plans will go to 44. I can tell you across the state, most of the people are going to chapter 44 because a you contribute less and you're getting probably a benefit package that is 95% as good as what you had, >> right? >> So it it it just the law that they
passed did not have its intended results. They're projecting we're going to save a billion dollars. It's actually probably cost districts a billion dollars >> and our district is in a better position with the health care because we have private, right? So,
>> you're self-insured. So, you guys are better than if you were in the state plan. I mean, there's districts where if you're in the SEPPP, the state plan, it went up between 31 and 37% depending on their usage. So it and they're predicting that next year
>> the state plan is going to go up another 50%. >> So right now the direct 10 plan in the state the direct 10 family plan direct 10 is the richest plan. >> The family plan is $75,000 for family coverage. So if you're paying chapter 78 you're paying $25,000 for
family coverage. Or you could go to chapter 44 get a plan that's almost as good and be kept at 9,000. So that you can see why employees are making the change because $25,000 is absurd, >> right? So state aid funding formula
reform, charter school reform, and now we need healthcare reform. Just want to I just want to tally up as as we're going. >> Okay. So any question other questions on this? >> And Matt, was there a change coming for this next year? >> So there's there's there's discussions
right now. the legislature is actively looking >> at coming up with a new health benefits plan. Um, and you you have to understand changing a plan in the state is a pretty ownorous thing. I mean there everyone says, "Oh, the legislation governor can
change the law." You have to understand there's lots of different unions. It's not just the NJA. You have the NJA. You have all the state colleges. They have CWA employees. You have police. You have fire. There's lots of different unions at all different levels. So they they
they're looking at and they have to work with unions. The what's interesting is the teachers in K to2 districts, teachers, staff, they're in what's known in a state plan called it's called the school employee health benefit program. The school employee health benefit
program has nine commissioners on it. Three of the commissioners are members of the NGA. three members are like the the I think the treasurer from the governor's office and three other members are appointed by the New Jersey school boards and they all have to come together to make changes to the benefit
plan. Well, they never they never can agree to make changes and it it gets roadblocked. So, I know for a fact that the legislature is looking at coming up with some type of legislative change to fix this because what you guys have
here, this is literally across the state. And it's not just across the state at K to2 districts. It's across the state at municipalities, at county colleges. You have a 4-year university in Hudson County that's being closed down and being taken over by another
four-year university in New Jersey. It's not sustainable. And so I think the governor is aware of it. So is the legislature and that's what they're going to work on. But they have to work. There's a lot of stakeholders that come in. So this isn't a quick fix. This is something that probably will happen
during 2026 for like a January 1st, 2027 uh or July 1st, 2027 implementation. The other thing too is chapter 44 expires December 31st, 2027. So nobody knows what happens when that expires.
Okay, anybody else? All right, next slide. >> So, we move on to special ed. Uh, as noted uh earlier, uh we've increased uh added district placement since October 15th by 11 students. Um, with that comes
additional services, purchase services, whether it's 1:1 aids, 1:1 nurses, OTPT services. the net increase that we're projecting in those lines is $2 million. Um,
you know, the these are uh services that are legally required and the important thing just like with the charter schools, the added district placements have no caps. They can charge what they want. We
routinely receive notifications by law. If their uh tuition is going to go up over 10% during the year, they have to notify us. Um and there's nothing we can do. We have to accept it. And then once they finish their audit, we get a
certified tuition bill a year or two later uh stating, well, you know, we thought the uh tuition was h 100,000. It's really 110. You have to pass the extra $10,000. Very rarely do we receive a refund of overpayment.
I don't know how that always works in their favor, but it does. >> So, >> does this include the transportation also? >> No. >> Okay. >> This is just straight tuition and purchase services. >> And and the reason I'm asking is because for special education that
transportation also includes aids and things on the bus as well, right? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Okay. >> Can I uh just bring up one other uh issue with um our special education students in our budget which doesn't have to I'm sorry which doesn't have to do with costs and I know I've mentioned
this before but I think it bears uh repeating with our discussion here. Um so in the past um the way that our special education funding comes in in terms of what the state gives us is they uh ask us um what percentage or how many
special education students that do you guys have will fund them and we say we have x number of special education students and our number has been around 19 20%. Uh now and the state says right we're assuming everybody has 15%
instead. Um, and I remember I did a back of the envelope calculation u based on that. And what I figured out is that you can look at it this two ways that um, uh, puts this in real numbers. Um, and forgive me if my numbers are wrong. Um, but they're I think they're pretty much
uh, in in line with what I had figured out. Um, what the state is saying is that in East Brunswick they'll uh, fund 1300 uh, special education students in our town and their remaining 200 can just go take a walk. um or if we had actually got funded for the work that we
do, we'd be looking at an extra 5 to7 million a year. And this has been happening for close to a decade, as far as I can um figure out now. Um back uh earlier in the in the um uh in the uh early part of 2025, the u New Jersey
Senate put out their um numbers regarding the budget and where state aid was going to be going towards education. And they did mention that they were going to now look at every school district and count up the actual number of special education students that we um
that we have, which would be better for us. However, I also noted, and I know um I've said this before, um it's often good to hear what's not being said, and what was not said was how much per student were they funding. And I haven't
gotten hard numbers yet, but and please correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like uh they're funding less per student even though they're counting up the total number of students. So, it really becomes a bit of a wash in terms of our special education funding. Is that right?
>> I think that's accurate. I think it >> also proves your your statement that in the current FY26 year, uh we had less special ed students. So, our state aid was based off of less and we received over $11 million for special ed state
aid. This year, we have more students, we're receiving 10 million. >> Mhm. >> So, again, it just reiterates the frustration with the state aid formula and trying to predict how to to budget
and and plan and effectively plan. >> So, yeah, it your comments are are correct, >> right? And and I want to be clear, you know, I know we do a great job with um with our special education. We have a lot of really dedicated people that help these students out. And I'm a
pediatrician, so if we're doing something good for kids that need help, bring them all. You know, that that's kind of my my feeling about about this. But the other way to look at this is that um if we were funded fairly for the great work that we did, that's our budget deficit for the past two two years, right?
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. just in um going to Trenton and and hearing about how funding is um you know of 13.1 billion dollar that I think uh Governor Murphy had allocated and the last year of his um terms
I think 1 billion was spent on onetoone high impact tutoring if I'm not mistaken. how the state decides to support the most vulnerable is decided um in ways that don't seem equitable to your point Wilbur right because if you
treat every child equally then there wouldn't be this disparity in in funding I'm not saying that the state is right or wrong in this but I think that when you have people who are not educators or doctors or people who understand
pediatric learning and what literacy should look like. You have money spent in ways that are altruistic but not necessarily impactful. But again, that comes back to the funding formula issue, which is not something we can address
here. Um, working with what we have um, and really analyzing where we can spend our dollars to create the most strength for each student. I'm really proud to say we've done a great job of that. Next slide. Okay. Transportation. So, transportation, we're uh projecting
an increase of $973,000. Uh the increase is based off of the required routes. Um we do not offer any courtesy busing. Uh in this district, the required routes are determined based
off of distance. Uh students live from schools. Uh for elementary it's like 2.1 miles. For secondary it's uh 2.3 and then hazardous routes. So of course what's a hazardous condition? Route 18. We don't have students walk across route
18. Um there there's a criteria that's determined once uh it's determined it's hazardous uh transportation is provided. Uh CPI of 3.58%. CPI is the cost price index that the state determines
um that a contract can increase uh and be renewed at that percentage. That's the max. Um we are currently in negotiations with all of our contracted route providers um to bring that down.
Uh the budget has 3.58% in it right now because if everybody takes the max that's what we're required um we were successful last year in bringing that uh renewal percentage down from CPI and I hope we are successful again this year.
Uh the other thing with this slide this does not include our in-house transportation. These are just contracted routes and we are about 60% in-house 40% contracted routes and the
special ed out of district placements are built into this um because of the distances usually they're traveling we use contracted uh providers for that. Just a question. Um, with regards to gas prices, regardless of gas prices, the
the max CPI is the max CPI. >> Yeah. So, the state does a formula. Uh, hopefully the gas prices go back down as quickly as they came back up came up. Um, but that will be determined in the next round of CPI. They don't issue it,
you know, it's not a uh living number. They do it every, you know, six months or so. So, um, yeah. And that that will be a factor I'm sure. >> Quick, excuse me. Beyond um the out of district in routes that are we may or
may not, you know, they come to us. What internally here in East Brunswick, what would contribute to like that increase? Would it be new housing developments popping up that would, you know, require Can you help explain some of those factors? >> So, we've had to add uh several routes this year. um it's due to um if it's not
at a district, right? If it's internal, uh a new development opens up and there's 80 new students that they're not getting on an existing route. Like we we're probably adding two buses. Um we also look at uh the the time spent on a bus. You know, we we don't want a
kindergarten student on the bus for an hour, right? So, you know, it's managing and balancing all of that. Um, you know, we we heard about, you know, the redistricting, which is going to
take a while, but we have those pockets that that do cause, you know, increased costs, but that's not going to be solved overnight, and we're not taking any action um to to to solve that. Um, but that is something that, you know, we'll will impact in the future.
>> Yeah. >> But no action. No, >> taking action just not today. Yes. >> So, is our transportation department essentially evaluating that on an annual basis and >> Yes. >> redrawing all of this on an annual basis?
>> So, the the routes the the where students are going that doesn't get re redrawn but the routes are re-evaluated every year because you know you have kids in fourth grade going up to Hammershold. So, what are the incoming kindergarteners that are going to that
school? So, uh it is a process. Um, in fact, I have a meeting tomorrow with transportation to see where we're at and, you know, see if we can gain more efficiencies. >> Is there software that's being implemented to >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We we have a mapping software and
a route software that, you know, you punch in the addresses and it >> determines and then it you go through it and make the the tweaks that are needed. >> Cool. Thank you. >> Okay. Next. Okay. shared service
agreement, short-term debt. We have a number of shared service agreements with the township. Uh we did one for the ice hockey arena, um for providing transportation for their summer camps, uh for their trips. So, we also do
short-term debt. By law, school districts are not um it's more complicated and we don't get the same rate interest rate if we do short-term debt. So, we do shared service agreements with the township for that
financing. Um, it's part of their annual process. They can issue debt every year um bond anticipation notes and all that. So, we piggyback on that and then we pay the township to pay down that debt. We
have a short-term debt uh issue that is expiring after this year. It is a recommendation not to renew that. As a result, that's a decrease of $762,000 in the budget,
but there are ramifications, right? Um impact of replacing vehicles. So, those cycles have to be looked at and and changed a little bit. Um capital improvements. Uh we're doing the
Irwin roof this summer because of a short-term debt agreement with with the township. Um the Frost parking lot is on tapped and that that's all how it's being financed. So uh it's part of a bigger initiative that we're taking internally to look at those projects,
what funds we have available and re-imagining what the priorities are. Um the issue will be in five years. So we have a gap no in you know term you know
no loan expiring to to replace. So in 5 years we won't have that automatic renewal. So this is a impact now but we'll show up again in five years. All right. And hopefully in five years we're in a better financial condition um to
you know determine what what we're going to do. Um so next. All right. So budget projection the projected revenues uh right now is
$28,857,000. The projected appropriations are $214 million. That leaves us with a deficit of 5.5 almost $5.6 million. So, I know again I'll reiterate that the
community uh we received a lot of comments like, "Oh, great. Your state aid went up. All your problems are solved." But again, we were happy to get more, not less, but it did not solve our problems. Just by the items that we just went through, you know, that that
totaled 112 million. Um >> 11.9. >> Thank you. That was pretty close. So >> somebody's coming for your job >> and twothirds of that was healthcare. >> Yeah. So, you know, it's it's a big
lift. So, we're not out of the the wood yet. We we have a lot of work to to do, but right now as we sit tonight, it's 5.6 million. Any questions on that? I'll get into some of the uh reductions that we've
talked about. Um so we've already restructured the financial services department with some movement of staff. Um we're reviewing all contracted services. Um whether change in level of service uh shifting what
those services are. Um we have a couple retirements uh that are on the support side that will not be replaced. our shared service agreement uh coming off and then we are going to be
allocating the cost of of certain positions lunch aids and custodial during the lunch service time to the child nutrition department. So there are a number of things uh in next week as we go into the tenative budget
we'll start talking about solid numbers where we're at with that. Um, but those items do add up to not half of what we're looking at, but you know, a decent chunk. Um, but there's still a tremendous amount of work that that needs to be done to close that budget
gap. >> Do you have that number? >> Approximately 2.5 million. >> So Joe, before you move on, so I just want to make sure. So you mentioned that the retirements are this will not be replaced will not
be replaced is limit to the supply side not the teaching and instruction site. >> No. Yeah that's correct. >> Okay. >> This is so the work we've been doing is really looking at operations right. So we you know we've talked about this. I
think we did, you know, part of what we we said we were going to do was try to balance the budget as much as we can and not take things away from children, right? So that's how we had to start. We had to start to look at how
can we do what we do and operate for less. So we started with us. We did not believe um that it was fair to start from the classroom up. So, we inverted that. Um, and that's been the work. The work has
been um tedious. I really have to thank Can I thank my team? I have to thank my team because we've been going just line by line looking at
how can we do more and how can we allocate for some of our people to do a little bit more and maybe free up um a position. So that's what we did with financial services. For instance, we had somebody who was leaving. Very important
piece of it. Um I think a few months back we re um we had the board approve job descriptions collapse that. So just that's looking for efficiency and alignment. Um just because we're doing that does not mean we're going to give
less professional service. is more of looking at where are the overlaps and can we have people extend themselves and I have to say that's the that's what we've been doing with that. So that's what we did with and even in renewing all contracted services Joe has been
calling up people and threatening them. No >> not far from the truth >> to continue to give us what they give us and even better for less. So that's ongoing. Of course, we have some few retirements and you look at attrition and we're also looking at places here
like okay how can we either figure out how to do some of the things who's close to who's able to take on a little bit more what can we do with technology to help us for better efficiency all of that and um just really looking at
things like from that um perspective to get us to and so far we've been able to get 2.5 million the problem is it's not the problem just that's The challenge >> is the time it takes, the effort it takes, and it's a it's totally a team
effort. So, the core team here is looking at each of their departments and going and and saying, "Okay, this is what we do here. How can we do this there? Can you take this on? What's smoother?" So, everybody's going to do a
little bit more so that we can um close the gap. But I think that's it's fair to say that it's that's pretty much all industries right now, right? I feel like every industry everyone's doing a little bit more because everyone has to work with a lot less. >> Yes. >> So I appreciate whoever's going to be doing more. I I appreciate you.
>> All the central office folks, you seeing them here. >> Thank you very much for the clarification. Thank you. >> Okay. So next slide. So during our small group meetings um
there was a request to to see how much um the actual sports cost, right? Like to show it to you know currently we charge $125 per sport. Um so this slide and the next two slides uh
depict the sport. These this is fall sports. the direct cost in the budget, the direct costs are coming from the FY27 budget that we're projecting, you know, for cheerleading. It's the first one on on top. So, anything associated
with the cheerleading team for the fall, uh the coaches, if there's supplies, uniforms, you know, not maybe not officials, but maybe if they're going to a competition, anything that can be identified for that sport, that's the direct cost for the sport. The fixed
cost would be transportation, right? Uh in the budget there's a transportation line item for athletics. Um and we have the detail behind it, but from year to year, uh the you know, cross country might make a finals that, you know,
typically they don't make. Uh so it's based off of the fixed the trainer like we don't allocate, oh 20 minutes is for the cross country team and an hour is for cheerleading. So those are the fixed cost that pi that total of fixed cost are
divided by the number of total athletes that were uh registered and that comes up with the 45052 as the fixed cost. So um cheerleading again just because it's first on the list
49 athletes. So the cost for cheerleading would be $90049 for them. So >> perthlete >> per athlete. Um so each sport is detailed out. So this is just a
reference um for the board for the community to see okay we're charging 125 but the actual cost is uh more. So uh winter all the winter sports. It's important to note on this slide, um,
dance is fully parent paid. Ice hockey is fully parent paid. The ice hockey cost is significantly less because of the shared service agreement with the township. ICE time is extremely expensive. It was
over $20,000 for the current year. If we don't have to pay that, that saves money to those parents that are fully funding the ice hockey program. So, typically it's it's it's double that amount. Um, we'll figure out the cost, projected
cost. I think this year it was 2500 and then when the actual costs come in, if it was $2,100, you know, it's a $400 difference. We refund the money. We never overcharge. We we charge them the actual. Um, so that's important to note. Uh, dance is the same way. And then
spring, uh, is also there for reference. >> That's right. So on average, parents are paying about 10% of what the cost is for each sport. >> Okay. >> Wow. They're all good for my position. >> Wow. Joe, see Joe.
>> No, but I think it's important to note that I do have a question. I've been getting this question asked to me a lot from parents and I've been able to answer it because I know the answer, but I think it'll be better if the whole community got it at one time. when um specific teams are doing fundraisers, for example, the football team does one,
the baseball team does one, it gives a goal to each student uh to each athlete. Where does that money go? >> So, those are run through the booster clubs, um the the parent organizations that we have nothing to do with it. We don't receive that money. I I know they
do a lot of great things. They'll, you know, do the the pasta dinners or they'll buy, you know, sweatshirts or whatever. you know, all that money they're raising is going back into the team or they'll do the end of the year banquet, whatever the case may be, but that doesn't come in to the district and
it doesn't factor into any of these numbers presented. >> Okay. I wanted to make that clear because I think a lot of parents did think that it was going towards payment and you know, everyone was getting a flat rate >> and um thank you for this because it was definitely eye opening to see how how
much it does cost for each athlete to play in the sport of their choice. Um, and for just for clarification for the for the people are at home, the gymnastics team only has eight athletes, but that's what the team >> Yeah. So, gymnastics only has a varsity
team. >> The other thing to note that, thank you for bringing that up. >> So, baseball that includes middle school through varsity level. So, that's all inclusive. Um, so you'll see like spring track, there's 440 athletes that
participate in that. That that's amazing. But that's from the middle school level, freshman, JV, varsity. Um, so different sports have different limits. We, you know, we don't have a middle school team for everything. We don't have a freshman JV, uh, for
everything. So, it all depends on, uh, what the need is, how many kids are participating, what the competition is. Not a lot of school districts around us do not have certain teams at the freshman level. So, uh, it's great to have a freshman team, but they might not
have anybody to play where they have to travel far distances. Um, so that that all has to be, you know, looked at when you're when you're looking at this. >> Jamie, >> Joe, so as I was reviewing these numbers, there's quite a range of expense, right? Um some sports co um per
athlete cost is almost 2,200 others is approximately 473 but every athlete um would pay the $125 >> dollar fee regardless of the district cost. >> Yeah. Currently it's 125. Um we just
raised that fee this current year. It was 50. Uh we were one of the first school districts in the state of New Jersey to charge um way back when 2010ish. uh and we kept it at $50 until last year. Um 125 is probably on the very low
end compared to other districts. >> And that was my follow-up question. In light of the fact that um athletics while they are critical to supporting mental and physical health, the state does not consider them to be part of thorough and adequate education. >> Correct.
>> So, um technically we do not receive funding for any of this. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. And if you know, not that we would be in this position, but if the state did come in because we couldn't adopt a balanced budget, the first thing they would go after is all your extracurricular
activities. >> Do you have a total cost of what all the sports um all the athletics cost in a in a budget year? >> I think it's like 1.1 million. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, and since you brought that up, Joe, that if that that would be the first
thing the state would go after, if the community wanted to, because I know this came up in years past, to do paytoplay for all the sports, would that be an option? because the you know while that that sounds it sounded uh drastic to me but what the response I received and
maybe Antinet and Lou can speak to this better was um it was actually baseball parents who told me that you know the students who make the baseball team are spending uh an like extensive amount of money externally anyway um and they're the ones that make the team based on
performance. So maybe you guys can >> right and and again this is separate from the school any school expenses but in order to let's use baseball as an example. Um it's it's the way it is right now in athletics and I'm sure if if you don't live in this town in other
towns it's the same way. It's a year round process. Um you know many many moons ago kids played two three sports. You see less of those athletes now and more you know I'm playing this sport and I'm going to play it year round. And there are many organizations that are
involved in that at high costs, >> but it's the cost of playing. If you want to get to the level that you're looking at, you know, freshman, JV, varsity, you need this year- round training or at least some training uh to to do that. So, those expenses are quite high. Yeah.
>> Yeah. So, those are the students that end up making our teams anyway. So the the argument I heard was that the parents wouldn't mind doing paytoplay because this actually the per athlete cost of like a,51 for baseball is still less expensive than what they're paying.
>> Absolutely. It's less expensive. However, it does add on top of you know what they already paying. So, so that's that's a concern in terms of, you know, the amount, but uh it's much cheaper this, you know, season than if you took
a a club team and wanted to play for a season, >> you know, the expenses are quite a bit higher. >> Okay. >> Based off the the feedback that I've gotten from the community, honestly, last year when when um middle school sports and freshman sports were on the chopping block was they didn't even ask
us if we'd be willing to pay. So, I think I mean hopefully we're not at that level, but I think that when you're considering raising fees, you still wouldn't be asking them to pay the full full cost, right? You would just be raising the fee. I don't know,
Evelyn. >> Yeah. Listen, we need to balance the budget. Everything is on the table, but we will not be saying, "Oh, pay for the full price." We will probably present to the board if we raise it X amount this
is how much we're going to get and it will go into and if we raise it this amount so that the board can determine what's fair what's not fair what's drastic what's not drastic >> because it still wouldn't be covering the total cost of right it's just asking parents to contribute a little bit more >> inflation
>> so and I guess that's that's a good point so if there there has to be levels and I think if we see levels as a board at least we can tell the community listen this is this we believe is fair. This is not so fair. So, I do think that that's important um for us to do as we move forward. >> And I think that's what Jamie was
alluding to by, you know, asking about the >> like saying that everyone pays the same fee even though it's not all the same. Yeah. >> Yeah. And um just a quick follow-up question, please, Joe. Have we explored what other districts who are able to sustain their sports programs do? Do
they have parents pay a percentage of cost or is it a flat? Have we explored um anyone else's strategies with this? >> It's usually a flat fee. >> Um sometimes it, you know, if the fee is high, they'll put a cap on it. So if a you do have an athlete that plays three
sports like or you have multiple children playing, they'll say the family maximum is X. Um >> you know, there's different ways to do it. I'm not aware of any percentagebased um because again these are projections
based off of enrollments that we know from spring of last year because tryyouts are still going on. All right, so we don't know those numbers yet and those numbers are going to change every year. So it's going to be a moving target. The costs are going to change
every year. So if you said each sport's going to pay 50% of the cost, we would still have to budget something because that 50% might be a little bit low, you know, when when the actual expenses come in. Um, so in and honestly the manpower
to track that uh when we're trying to be more efficient and more reasonable with our manpower like you know >> and actually I really appreciate that perspective right because in being prudent fiscally um we also have to consider our manpower and um we don't
want to stretch our talent too thin. You guys are already doing so much. I just um wanted to mention that uh when I've had conversations with uh u families whose kids are playing sports and that and the subject of paytoplay uh
comes up um the way the conversation always seemed to be pitched is they the intent was oh we would be completely happy to pay whatever it costs to keep our kids in sports. But in but in terms of actual dollar amounts, they were talking about a couple hundred bucks,
>> which is nowhere close to what the actual cost. >> Well, which is why I thought it was important for everyone to see how much I don't think they everyone realized how much it costs to play the sports. And yeah and and and more broadly that uh that generally uh tends to be an issue with many of the ideas that comes up
that um there's no real um clear understanding of what the actual costs are that that we have in terms of uh supporting our our students and uh and often an overestimation as to how much income can come in. >> And I think Dr. Madman and Joe are doing
a really great job with especially the transparency of this. >> Yes, Tim. Um why are dance and hockey fully parent paid? >> So dance and hockey are relatively new. Uh there was a community want uh and
desire to have those teams. Ice hockey goes back 20 years when it first came up and uh those parents at the time were told no. >> Uh a couple years ago um they were told yes. But with strings, the strings being here's the cost. it you're responsible
for the full freight. Um, and the parents at the time agreed to that. Uh, and dance is this is the first year of dance second, I'm sorry. Um, and it was the same same deal. So, uh, as there's a
want or a need for new sports, knowing that the budget constraints that we're under, you know, certain, uh, sports are willing to pay because they see the the fee of whatever dance is is, uh, a lot less than the dance studio, uh, that
they're going to. Uh, it's the same thing with travel baseball. You know, I can tell you, you know, my son hasn't played, you know, he's in college, he hasn't played for a number of years, but between the travel, the expense for those academy teams, uh it it's costly,
you know, um it's probably 10 times what that is if you add it all up. >> Uh and as a parent, I can tell you, you know, you can play for all the greatest academy teams. You can you can be part of the most the best dance studio. being
a member of your school team, >> there's nothing like it. You know, the energy um and everything is the same thing. >> Um you know, so you know, there's the benefit to the student, but it's also the benefit to the school community. Um, and I think that's all part of stuff
that we struggle about and that, you know, maybe we don't talk about, you know, publicly, but that is something that weigh on us, you know, when we're making well, when the board makes these decisions. >> And that's why I think it's important for families to know what the cost is
because I mean, just for basketball in the last couple of weeks, it's been amazing to watch those teams. Very entertaining. The it's bringing the students in to watch, parents. I had people in the audience that were watching the game. I mean, I didn't have any kids in the game. I was there cuz my daughter and I like basketball. We want
to watch the games, but there were just neighbors that heard about the girls and the boys making it all the way to the end and they were coming and you know, and I think it's important. Athletics is not an extra for me. For me, the athletics that we offer these children is a lot more than just a sport
to play for fun. It builds their self-esteem. For a lot of the students, it's a place where they can create have a family, >> have that sense of bond. Um, it puts a little pressure on them to do good in school because they don't want to disappoint their coaches and they definitely don't want to disappoint their friends if they can't play that
day or that weekend because uh, you know, they're not doing what they need to do in school. But for me, this is an investment worth protecting. So, if the community is feels like I do, which I think they do, and I think Lou will also, I mean, Tim is also a sports dad.
I think everyone here pretty much, right? >> No. Okay. Um, sports is more than just something fun to do at your school. Like Joe said, it it is a completely different feeling when you're playing when you put on your Bears uniform.
>> If I if I can just add to that, that was well said. Um, you know, it it when it comes to sports, when it comes to certain activities, you know, band, choir, all those things, we're talking about what this community is made up of. >> You know, the kids go to school. I'm sorry. Thank you. The kids go to school,
they work so hard in school, they're great academically. >> Um, but you know, when you ask kids later on in life, what do you remember about school? They rarely say, I loved that math class. They might have loved it, but they don't think it. They think about the team they were on. And I taught math, so believe me, I'm not
picking on math. But I I think you you know, you have to look at what brings people to the table, what makes people feel that EB Green. And you know, when I see the the new the group of kids at the high school with their new varsity jackets on, you know, it is so cute. But
and the first time, well, you said, you couldn't said it better. First time you put on that uniform to go play a game for your school, that's that's you never forget that. And for for our kids, I think that's something that we have to continue on. And I know that we are going to do that. It's just a matter of,
you know, making it affordable and making it work for everyone. Um, but you know, again, we have such great programs, such great families and and coaches and a community that supports. >> You know, as Antwanette said, you go to games and you see people that have no connection to that particular team, but
they want to come out >> because they bleed EB Green and they want to support our our programs. The same with >> when you go to concerts. I remember I'm I'm sorry I don't want to embarrass anyone. The last concert I went to, I see Wilbur. He's running down the aisle taking pictures like like like a happy, you know, he he's part of this
community. He wants to take pictures of what's going on out there. I love that. I mean, that's just what we're about. >> So, you know, these kinds of programs and the arts, you know, we'll find a place. We have to find a place for them because it's just too important and I know that's what we're going to do. Um,
so we appreciate these numbers and and again full transparency and that's what's great about this because we have a, you know, some numbers to look at and to crunch. Oh, thank you. Yeah, I'm about to pass it to >> I just if you don't mind, sorry. I think if we're going to be re-evaluating all of this, we do need to consider whether
or not dance and hockey are established enough to be no longer parent play. >> I think that we really need to consider that. >> I couldn't hear you. >> Yeah, I could. >> Oh, it's all right. Um, I think that I don't know what the threshold is that we've used to evaluate whether or not something is or is not parent play or
parent pay, excuse me. Um, but it seems to me like these programs have been around long enough and are well established enough that we maybe need to move them out of that category and put them with all of the other sports so that they are not solely parent pay
activities. Just throwing it out there. I I think we're going to have to do a lot of discussion and and evaluation of all this. And yeah, >> keeping in mind that at the end of the day, like we said earlier, the state doesn't care. >> I I actually had a a private meeting
with a certain senator. This was two years ago before I was even on the board, and he said, "If you guys want it, pay for it." >> Um like verbatim just like that. So it's just >> That's fair. >> Yeah. But we I I agree. We have to >> re-evaluate. Yeah, I was just going to
say I'm so relieved that we're not like where we were this time last year going, "Oh, we're going to have to cut this sport and that sport and you know what a nightmare." Um, so I'm glad that we're we're going away from that. I was just
wondering um with the amount that the parents are currently paying. So it's 125 per sport, right? And I see that there's really a wide range of how much it costs to run each sport. Has there been any consideration giving to like a
tiered system? So if you're in a more economical sport, I want to say cheap >> I mean like track which has like 400 kids >> because it doesn't sliding scales, >> right? like a sliding scale because uh it doesn't cost as much to have a track
team as it does to have you know something where you're having to rent facilities. >> I don't know. >> So I I think everything is on the table. Okay. Right. So whether it's free, 125,
250, full freight, sliding scale, that that is a decision that the board is going to have to make. >> The numbers >> um based off of the numbers because understand like >> right now we're in the position for every dollar we increase in expense, that's a dollar added to the deficit,
right? every dollar we decrease from revenue that's you know so it's as long as we keep on moving forward and trying to close that gap and make it where you know uh we we do a computerized online registration system and payment so as
long as we can program it you know we we can make it happen um so yeah I I think we have some flexibility um and you know we can bring some different options you know if we raise it $10 what you know because then you can do the math right like $10 on this many athletes, you can
say what is it if it's 20 uh if it's a sliding scale. Um so I mean obviously a number of board members are very good with the calculator. So >> I think all of them I think you're in trouble. >> Yeah, I know. I I know
>> because as as a a a parent, well, my my kids are all adults now, but you know, they were all in the marching band and we did whatever we had to do to make sure that we had money for those kids because marching band was so important
for them. And the amount of money and time that my husband and I spent, you know, we were band parents for nine years. uh and the fees and everything else we paid and we sacrifice to make sure that our kids could be in the marching band.
And so I'm sure it's the same for a lot of parents. And um if we have to raise the rate a little bit a little bit more to guarantee that those kids can stay in the programs that they love, you know, if if we could in a perfect
world, we wouldn't we'd be able to offer everything for free. But because, you know, in our hearts, that's what we want. We want that. >> But we can't because we're being we're being beaten down by the state pretty much. you know, somebody who comes along
and says, "You have to do this, this, and this." And then makes a mess and goes, "Okay, go figure it out." >> So, I personally would rather see raising rates, whether it be on a sliding scale or whatever, so that we're still able to offer these quality
programs to to to students. >> If I may just say one more thing just on this, um, you know, we all know that academics is number one. You know, we're that's what we're built around. That's what we have to do. we have to do that right. Uh we have great faculty, you know, we we're doing a great job that we
can do better. Yes. If we can, we'll do better. These are are addition. So that's why when we sit down and we look at numbers to you know what we're going to do, it's reasonable. So, I think I think that the sliding scale idea um you know or or you know at some point having
to pay more is going to be a reality and I think that's what the public will have to see that you know it's going to be a reality um because we really don't want anything to affect the academic portion of what we do and I think that's you know that's without discussion. Um, but these are the other things that also
help round out what our families and our kids think are so important um, you know, to to East Brunswick and why many of families live came here for academics number one, but all the other stuff, too, that is so important to this community. So, thank you. >> And Joe, do you know, have you asked
neighboring districts what they're charging for their athletics? I haven't we haven't gone out and surveyed, but we have a sense of what is out there because what is it? >> So, you know, it's 250, it's 325, >> you know, like with the 325, I know
there are some caps on there. Um, some Yeah, some districts are moving away from a specific sport or club and going to just an activity fee almost like a college setup. >> Um, now there's pros and cons to that. you're not going to charge a
kindergarten student the same as a high school student because just the options are not there. So, you know, there there's a number of ways. Um, but I safely say that we were on the lower end of what we are charging. Uh, not saying
that I recommend increasing it, you know. Um, I I don't have an opinion on it. >> You know, where does the board on stuff you recommend? you know, just making sure >> I had researched. Yeah, I had researched last year neighboring districts when when that was on the chopping block and
I was like, why would we we're charging $50. Why would we cut this without even offering it? And I can speak for baseball because I've been paying baseball for 100 years. EBBL, our amazing um local BA baseball complex
that has brought all of our kids here, >> it's more than $50 for T- Bowl. So, when you're playing on your school, middle school, high school team, it's a big deal. Parents are able to do it because they're already paying for it just for T-ball.
Um, soccer. I can speak on soccer because my daughter's in soccer. I think that it's important to to understand that this is something that is important to the community. And um I did have a question actually. Anna had a Anna had
uh mentioned SL a scaled a tiered pricing system >> would that be difficult because obviously the numbers are changing every year right so if that's it would be difficult right >> because if there's you know the popularity this year is uh soccer >> and then in four years from now it's not
soccer anymore >> and then you know >> bowling bowling bowling's blowing up and everybody wants a bowl but bowling is only $50 well don't quote me it's a lower price than the other sports, but now bowling is the more popular one.
What would like how do you uh adjust that? >> The thing that we would have to do is come up with a set metrics that doesn't change every year and it has to be based off of something. It just can't be arbitrary. So number of student athletes, is that based off of a
three-year average, a fiveyear average? The cost, is it based off of a multi-year? like we just have to make sure that we're not constantly changing it because I think that's unfair for the public too because then they can't plan. >> Um so yeah, there's just we would have
to really think about that and come up with a this is what it is and it's set in stone how this is going to happen, you know, for that year. Um so we're not midport or, you know, right before winter sports starts. Oh no,
that's a little bit much. we need to change because then we can't budget properly either. >> Is that one of the advantages of an activity fee because that number should be more stable because it's going to only be uh dependent on the number of students in the school district. >> Yeah, I think that's why some student uh
school districts have gone to that, >> right? >> Yeah. All right, that was great. Next slide. >> All right. So another thing that um the board spoke about in small group was the
uh the impact of free and reduced students. So currently the district's procedure uh policy is not to charge or to wave the fees for those students that qualify for free and reduced meals. Um, for those that you don't don't know,
the USDA and the state of New Jersey uh determines the income levels when you fill out the lunch application based off of those uh criteria. We use that to determine your reduced and they do not pay for a number of things. um for
sports, clubs, uh field trips if applicable, device coverage, um the gened uh inclusive prek program, um which is a state required program where it's a mix uh of special ed students and
prek gened students. um if the the fee um is $450 $460 for those uh kids for the month. If you're on free and reduced, there's no fee for the gened inclusive for the special education kids
that are classified. They they are in that program with no fee because that's part of the their educational component for the law. So, um, you know, they they pay nothing whether we want to move forward, the board wants to move forward
and change that policy. Um, you know, that that's a point of discussion. >> Jamie, um, what aside from the, um, offering the food, the free and reduced lunch and, um, breakfast for students,
what does the state require of us to subsidize? >> That's it. >> That's it. were legally required. >> That's the only legal requirement. Okay. >> The food system. Um >> yeah, >> do we have a total cost of what it's cost what the district has been um
subsidizing? So, if we take those five items, and there's a several smaller items, but you're looking at approximately $250,000 a year uh between the different components um that you know are applicable across all grades.
>> Um I just want to point something out because you just said that the board would have to change its policy. uh the board's policy wouldn't have to be changed because our policy currently says that the board may may provide all
of these things at no cost. So I think what's happened over the years is that um that has turned from may to will or should and uh there's supposed to be there was supposed to be some sort of metrics in place and there isn't
>> and I think because correct me if I'm wrong but to qualify for free and reduced lunch there's no actual check like anyone can fill out the application and then it's a 3% >> random check right >> so um with the lunch applications by all
uh we're only permitted to do a 3% uh random sample of those applications um and go into detail unless there's cause uh put forth by an administrator. Um so yeah, there there is verification to an extent.
>> Um and that's based off of household uh income. So if you have two families living in one household, it's everybody the you know uh there's eight people and the total income goes to that. Um the policy refers to that income level
that's determined and then says we have the ability uh to charge or not charge. And if there we've done this in the past where if somebody falls with a financial hardship they might be on paid lunch but there's a financial hardship. there is a internal process to for them to come
forward and we go over various things and we see now part of that process might be you know various employees have paid the fees uh the the mayor's charity fund EBF like there there's been a number of avenues and I mean Lou you can
probably speak a little bit further into that while you're here >> um because it used to go through your your office um so yeah there there's different mechanisms But there is that flexibility like you stated like it says may so you know we would just have to
shore up what that is so it's applied consistently uh and not arbitrary. >> Yeah. And I I so I just wanted to make that clear to the public that what we've been doing is actually above and beyond what the policy even says where it's just been a one-sizefits-all as opposed
to uh it should be being checked and so we're not changing anything. >> Okay. Just uh just Joe, just a quick question. So you mentioned the 3% of the folks that you can um review um but that is strictly for the state plan, right?
In other words, for the free and reduced lunch and all. >> Yeah, that's through the um the lunch program. So, you know, I I would get legal advice before like if we were to extend that, >> you know, to to check more um to make
sure we're not >> My only questioning one problem and creating another, >> right? No, no, great. Again, you go through the proper channels. I was just wondering if there's a way to review for these sports for instance or you know for these these activities if there were
people who are really in need and you know just could not afford this and we couldn't help out other families may have more flexibility. So something to do you know so that those families who are still um you know unable to we we wouldn't want students not to be able to participate because their family cannot
absolutely afford it. I'm not agree with that. >> That that's something that I think we all I mean I will tell you right now that's not something I would I would agree with. >> Yeah. And I think that's that was the intention of our policy is that to really ensure that the people because the again like the application is just
anyone can fill out that application and get free and reduced and unless you're randomly selected in that 3%. >> So the point of the policy existed before any of us were even here. So >> I think it encompasses that. So it's just a matter of putting in like a metrics to determine >> right. Okay.
>> Who should really be getting those extras beyond the food that the state mandates. >> So I just that 3% check is is different if we go into this. That's I guess what I'm trying to say is back to the food. >> Right. Okay. I just want to make sure that >> I think my hesitation or concern would
be because we're using that as the mechanism, right, to to determine >> if these other items are free. Are we violating that piece of the that law that we have to comply with by checking additional because it's
connected? I would just want to make sure that's why that gentleman over there. That's why >> the gentleman to do we have a lawyer here. >> So Mr. >> Yeah. I mean, >> remember this this this your policy says
May. >> The free and reduced lunch deals with child nutrition to make sure that >> children who um come from financially distressed families have the ability to have lunch and breakfast so that they
can be educated. If you have an empty stomach, you can't concentrate. um sports and things of this nature, those are not mandates. I mean, you know, give you an example. I I went to a public school in Somerset County. When I went there, we didn't have a football
team. We had a soccer team. We didn't have enough kids to do both. Um so, you know, the I think you guys could set up different criteria for these things. Um you know, clubs, sports, um you know,
>> field trips, >> you know, field trips, uh device coverage. Now device coverage is tied to learning. So that would be a little bit tougher I think to to do because you could actually impact the kids learning. >> Um you know the general education
inclusive prek I don't know and we I'd have to research it. I don't know if using the free and reduced is the right benchmark for all this stuff. I think you could probably look in. We've had cases, by the way, that we've dealt with with free and reduced where we've been in situations
where, not here, in other districts where the free and reduced, they do a look at it and the person's living in a $2.5 million house and they say their income level is $15,000. Like, wait a second, something's not adding up here. Um, so you know, I think that this is
something we could research and then maybe come up with some type of metric where you know, you might be able to dig deeper into the finances where you're not making a freeuse. They have to show demonstrate something to get a reduction in this. >> No, what I think Lou is asking is would
you be legally allowed to use more in-depth um evidence I guess? Absolutely. That's what I'm saying. >> You would be allowed to because that's what Joe was wondering. think you would be allowed to you would just set up a different metrics and you wouldn't be basing it off the free and reduced. you
would be basing it off of, you know, >> do you qualify for >> but I think what you'd want to do is the free to reduce you may want to tie it to I'm just give an example device coverage. They need a device to learn. >> So I think that that one you'd probably want to leave with like the free and reduce. >> Okay.
>> But other things like sports, clubs, uh inclusive prek, things of that nature, we we could research and see what else you could look at. >> Very good. Would the board be willing to do a discounted rate versus not offering
it at all if you didn't qualify? If >> there might Okay, let's say we use these metrics and and the family's just $10,000 over what the metrics say and and $10,000 when you have gas, electric, the food prices are up, $10,000 makes a
big impact in a family. Would that be something to consider >> for? >> Absolutely. And I think the board could ultimately set those metrics where you you can figure out, you know, it's got you have to have certain percentage over
this income level to then go into like some type of tiered system. >> And that's why the way the policy is written, I'm pointing here. There's no policy there. I don't know why, but the way the policy is rent uh written would allow the board to be able to u do it at
their discretion. Correct. >> Yes. And I but I think that Joe made a great point. Whatever you do, you don't want to do it in an arbitrary fashion. I think that the way you do it is you'd have to >> add research what you could do. Look at what other districts are doing. And the reason you look at why other districts
are doing it is that if other people have perfected it, >> you don't recreate the wheel and you know that they haven't been legally challenged. >> So, you don't want to be in a situation where it's going to get you a legal challenge. You want to make sure it's legal, it's fair, it's um, you know,
enforceable, and that it's consistent so that Joe and his staff can make sure that, you know, there's there's a methodology behind it um that you can use consistently throughout, you know, not just one year, but throughout going forward,
>> right? And I'll just add one thing. whatever is decided part of that determination has to be is it manageable right so if we have 1100 athletes a year putting in and some
they're repeats but you know say there's 700 unique families that are putting in for this stuff in order to verify like that takes time right so if if we want a 100% verification that or do we do a random
sample random check. So we put it out there that like okay you you have to submit whatever payubs a tax return whatever uh if you want to participate and then we do more than 3%. you know a reasonable amount um so people know we are checking
um and then what are the ramifications if we find somebody is not being truthful right so I think if we're going to go down this road we have to be look at a global start to finish what the ramifications are can we actually do it
um and you know go from there because if we say oh this is going to increase our revenue by $50,000 but we don't have the manpower to do it or the uh software to do it, then you know we're not gaining anything. So, um that that's just
something to keep in the the back of our heads as we go down. >> I just wouldn't feel comfortable removing any of these things from students who actually need it. So, whatever metrics that need to happen, >> um I would be okay with that, like you said, as long as it's within reason.
Good point. >> I I I especially am concerned with the uh genet inclusive prek item being on this list. Um mainly because um there's a ton of data and research to show that if you intervene in the preschool uh years, you get a huge bang for your buck
in terms of how those kids um turn out. And those uh benefits are seen over an extremely long period of time. Just to give you an example, uh the immediate things you can see is like you know test scores. you you go to prek, your test scores are better throughout school. If you don't go to prek, that doesn't, you
know, that that doesn't happen as much. But then if you look at things further out, um if you go to if you go to preschool, um your chances of getting in trouble with the law as a as a student is less. Um your chance of going to college are better. Your chances of
getting divorced go down. Your starting income uh when you actually start working goes up. Um, and this has held up over a long long uh time. So, I understand the need to save money, but part of this is looking at spending
money smartly, right? And that that point was made uh earlier tonight. Um, and I've ju just overall in terms of education, I think there's there's not many ways of spending money more smartly than putting it into
preschool education. And um given that we're talking about the u uh the students that qualify for free and reduced, I'm going to give them the grace that to um assume that the students we're talking about actually do qualify for free and reduced um uh
lunch. Those are actually the most vulnerable kids um in in our school district. And so to and and for those families um it may be that the difference between um gaining access through this program
to the gened inclusive prek program. The choice isn't oh am I going to do this or am I going to go to daycare. The choice is do I do this or do I do nothing for the kid when he's three and four years old. So that's a um thing that we should keep in mind as we're discussing this.
There are no legal mandates to offer prek. >> No. Um we are not obligated. We're obligated to offer um those students identified as special ed uh like early intervention and then the the preschool
disabled programs. >> But no, we are we are not. So, so we are offering free tuition to students to place um gened students in this inclusive prek program >> because I and I know Louise is right
there, but I believe it's you want a 5050 ratio of classified gened >> more gen >> more gened than special education >> and people don't want to enroll in this if it's like at like you know people who
are not free and reduced lunch don't want to enroll in this >> there there's a a mix um because for the ELA program through community programs there is no discount. So some people if they qualify they might go to the AM session in this program where it's free and then only have to pay for half the
day. Um one thing we didn't talk about uh we also offer a discounted rate for free and reduced students in the early morning and after school program uh to make it more affordable um for those that population. So that would that
would be an impact in the enterprise if the policy or procedure changed. >> And Joe, forgive me, I think this might have been discussed in the small groups. Um the the total cost of this um of subsidizing the students for this prek
program, would you be able to tell us an annual amount? >> So right now, I believe we uh calculated the amount for this current year is like 184 186,000 something like that. 168. Yeah. But >> so out of the $250,000 for this
category, $168,000 of it is for this specific line item. >> And now that changes from year to year. That's based off of >> But just this is this year. >> Yeah. >> So if you remove this one item, the other things that we're giving to students that are free and reduced are
not really impacting the budget. I mean, every dollar impacts, but this is the most impactful part of the budget, and it's not statemandated. >> And forgive me, Wilbur, because I actually grew up on welfare, so I do know. When you are in a situation like this, the state does give you options
for um prek and daycare in New York. I don't know if that's different in New Jersey, but I know in New York, if you are financially unstable, they do offer your student your your child um the ability to go to school >> down to preK3,
>> right? It is the largest dollar amount, but it's also the most expensive, >> right? Because it's $460 a month for 10 months compared to a onetime 125. So, it >> Yes. But it's relative. I just wanted to be clear because when you said $250,000,
I'm assuming that's sports, clubs, field trip. I mean, not really field trips, but device coverage, but it really isn't that much for those items. It really is the preK general education inclusive program. >> And this is just an incentive just to
get the >> No, I I don't want it to be connected to being an incentive to attend >> the inclusive program. It just happens to be that for those kids. And there's a lottery that goes on to ask the question and this is important for the uh
community. >> There is a lottery that we do every year to when you know students enroll we always have excess number of students wanting into the program >> and then you know it's a lottery and it just you know if you do qualify it's it's free.
>> Yeah. How many um how many how many more um uh families are going into the lottery than actually get a spot? >> I don't know that number off top, >> but um >> we can get it. >> Okay, thanks. Um >> usually not.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. And and again, um the concern I have has nothing to do with what our legal mandates are. My the concern is we provide education. Um, and it was mentioned earlier that uh what we're trying to do is avoid impacting our
students. I think it's a hard argument to uh make that um restricting access to the general ed uh inclusive prek program uh is not impacting students. There are students we may not be legally mandated um to provide prek, but they're still
our students because it's our program. Um and also we we're not legally mandated to provide sports either. So, >> but the programs exist, Wilbur. We have them available. And as a mom who paid for ELA for kids, um you know, it it's I
believe there's ways to make things happen um if you need them to. And I won't speak for any family in this district. I can only speak for myself, but prioritizing preK as a pediatric doctor as well was a priority for me. So
I went without things during co so my children could stay in a STEMbased prek um when I had no income when I was home on maternity with an infant. So at the time when I was financially hard um in hard places I still found the money and
again this is a different environment. I don't speak for anyone else but as a parent who's been in that position I made it happen because my children come first for me. Um, I think that also because there's a lottery system, we are restricting access because not
everybody's selected. So there's still a there's still not equity in this program of how we're doing it. And I guess that's an issue for me because if we're going to offer some free, we should have it all free or none free because there there can't be cherrypicked things. I I
just I don't see how that's equitable personally. But I do agree with you um about the importance of prek um and supporting our most vulnerable students. It's a really good point you made. >> When uh when I first moved to East
Brunswick 10 years ago, Adrian, my son was um prek I know he's going to kill me. He is at the age of to be enrolled in prek and I was excited. And when I found out how much it was going to cost and I was home with two little ones, we couldn't do it. So I homeschooled him
myself. And then when it came time for my daughter to be able to go to prek, still couldn't afford it. So she in I had her in a in a program that was two days a week because that was within our budget. >> So I have been in the situation where I
had to, you know, make a decision for my family of, you know, could we afford it or we couldn't. And thank God, uh, East Brunswick schools are really good because Adrian's doing well. >> Yeah. >> Without prek. >> A quick question. >> Yeah. Um on this, do we have the ability
to create sort of like a fund whereby if uh members of the community who have more financial capacity could contribute towards individuals who do not >> uh we cannot set that up? >> No, we cannot solicit
money that way. Yeah, I mean you guys have I mean you guys have incredibly generous community with like the EVF and stuff and they make >> I don't have a mic. >> Tim and I are sharing um uh you guys have an incredibly generous community
with with your your foundation that does offset lots of costs that the taxpayers are normally born. >> So um I I don't think that you know I've had I've had you know wealthy community members and you guys had one here. You had a very wealthy person make a
donation to the district a year or two ago. >> Oh, for the um >> Yeah. So, you can do things like that. But I think it'd be very difficult to to have a fund like a kitty. >> I don't think Joe I don't think you're a honor that you keep a kitty
where like a rainy day fund. It sounds good, but um I don't think that that's legally permissible. >> That's good to know. I all I'm saying is there's there is incredible capacity in this town as well. And if I were selecting my device coverage for my kids next year and there was a button that
said contribute $25 for a kid in need in your community, I'd be, you know, tempted to do that. Me too. >> And I could handle that. >> Um, so I don't know. I mean, it it just an idea. >> Sorry. >> Well, never mind. >> It's a good idea.
>> I liked it, Tim. Thank you. >> I like it. >> So I think the uh EBF and the Mayoc Charit Fund we're are doing a lot. So once in a while we received a grant application you know for students supply it. Last
night we decide sponsor one student the parent parents come to the to the school district. provide the one month uh child care and job and students cost.
We always supply for this one. So this community is very generous, very generous. Every year we raise very good money and I believe EBF are doing the same thing. >> So we should appreciate and we should everyone should enjoy and we should join
that organization. But to to be honest for every listening >> for every yeah I am but unfortunately for every organization everything same oh you say the same people you know we need more people new people join those
uh charity activities >> thank you I I think I think you know again needs discussion but um to lose point earlier there needs to be a metrics because the the free and reduced
is on an honor system so to say and you know I would like to think that everybody is honorable but we know that that's not necessarily always the case so maybe just a metrics around that >> I mean the one thing that people should
be one thing people should be aware of is when you're when when parents are filling out these forms they're certifying this and so if they're committing a fraud. It's a fraud on a public entity. So, you know, people if people are committing frauds on public
entities that can subject you to civil and possibly criminal liability. So, it's important that people don't commit fraud because >> Matt's like, >> "Yeah." No, but I mean I think that that it's important that everyone in the public knows that it's important that you you don't want to do that because it
really can. So, I mean, give you an example. You don't have this, but there are certain districts where people will enroll their kids in the school and they don't live there. They think they're going to this happens a lot um in in in certain towns that border towns that
don't have nearly as good school systems. So, they'll commit and they'll have the kids enrolled there. They're going to school there. They're not residents. And so, what ends up happening is you go through residency hearings, you go to court, and the judge orders them to pay back the tuition. Now, you just heard what Joe said. Per people p people tuition is 18,000. You
have a couple kids going to school illegally that could be 36,000 for a year. It's a couple years it could be 72,000. There's many cases that we go after for other districts where people are committing fraud like that. So there are consequences if you're caught and I
mean hopefully the people aren't doing that to you to this district because you guys are incredibly generous and you're looking out for the best interest of of these kids and this district the things that you do are I think always with
student centered. It's always what's in the best interest of the student so that they can get educated. And I think that that's what's driven this district for so many years. So, um, luckily in the years I've represented you, I've never seen a case where you guys have been confronted with somebody who's
fraudulently trying to get get over on the district. >> Thankfully, Matt, wait. Do you have a cotton for you? >> Oh, no. We work very hard on that. >> Yeah. You, by the way, on the on the on the You guys have You guys have the
greatest watchdog ever >> and and and and nothing gets by gets by Karen. Nope. Karen is amazing. She's on the registration p. She will find you. >> And to close this part. Well, just to
note there several years ago, there were there was a board of education in a big city where the board president and several board members did apply and were approved for free and reduced lunch and they were caught and they were prosecuted. So, it does happen. Oh,
yeah. >> When you get to that extent again, not here. up north in a big city. Um, so you know it it it does happen. So the honor system, yes, but there are ramifications. >> Real ramifications. >> Yeah. >> Oh, wow. That's disgusting.
>> Based on my my school bucks account, I'm definitely not in that category, right? >> And and we appreciate your business. >> Um, so last slide. So key dates. Uh Wednesday we have a special board
meeting on March 25th to adopt the tenative budget, the starting point. Uh we have April 9th and April 23rd board meetings uh where we'll continue the discussion. May 7th is the public hearing and the final adoption. The
thing to note coming out of the April 23rd meeting, we have to know where we stand. All right. Running the revisions through the state department of ed system, uh, budget system is a process.
There are things that it checks for. We have to make sure we're in compliance. Um, so you cannot go into that public hearing and make changes to the final adoption. Okay? So, that's a very
important note. So, um, a lot of work to be done and I'm sure, um, the board will and the administrative team will be spending more time together. >> Yeah. Um uh I just want to circle back uh Joe to one of the points that you
were um making early on in terms of um uh the increase in the state aid and how it's actually not as much as it may look at despite people coming up to the um a good number of us and congratulating us
on the situation that we're in. Um the my my my view for what it's worth on our budget situation is that the root causes and I've been talking about this for a while for those who bother to listen to me. Um my my um my my my take on the root cause is that there are costs that
we actually don't have a lot of control over. Um and you highlighted some of those health care, transportation, the charter schools. um uh th those costs are rising at a rate that the uh 2% cap
that we have in terms of um in terms of what we're able to do with taxes just doesn't make sense. Uh special education um also uh because of the rising cost of the out of district pay uh placement plus the issue that we have in not being
funded fairly for the great work that we do for those student uh for those students. And it is true that our state aid went up by $2.2 $2 million, but our shortfall this year is 5.6. And if you put those two together, we're at 7.8 million. Um, which is exactly where we
were last year. And I think that's just a reflection that the root causes of our issues have not changed. Um, and it's going to take changing the rules of the game. That's the phrase that I like to use to to um really make a dent in this
situation. And that's why um I'm hoping everybody that listens that that uh is here or watches our YouTube um gets on uh gets on board with uh the advocacy efforts that I know Dr. Mammon is uh putting together. Um because these are
all things um that are happening because of the guidelines and the rules that the state has placed on how we can manage our budget. Um and until those change, if those things change, um we can do this again next year and the year after that and the year after that and the
year after that. And that's not a situation that I would like to um be in. >> Yeah, just agree with you. Um Wilbur, thank you for that. Um I also want to thank um Dr. Mammon and her team and Joe
and her team for as Anna so adequately put it before a much different feel this year than last year. Um the way you're approaching it is a more positive way and I think that's what we really need because Wilbur's right. I mean this is not going to change and anytime soon
unless we get that legislative support, but we still have needs and we still have wants and in this district that we have to take care of. So um thank you for the work that you put into this. I know it's a lot. I know there's still going to be a lot more. I know we're just scratching the surface now, but uh I want to thank you all for that and
your teams. >> Thank you, Anna. And then An >> Yeah, I just wanted to mention thinking back over the last two budget seasons, so this is not including this year. Over the last two budget seasons, we have
eliminated 95.5 staff positions. 95.5. We're already down, not even thinking about any cuts that might still be coming. That includes
68.5 teachers. So, when we're talking about, oh, do a little more. Um, do you know what do a little more means to a teacher? That means you get extra kids in your class. That's the do a little
more. Um, we eliminated uh 27.5 elementary teachers. I mean that's a lot of 27.5. We eliminated 17 Hughes staff uh teaching positions.
Um when you look at the number of secretaries that we had and eliminated, I think there were 10 and a half complete gone secretarial positions and that doesn't include the ones who went from 12 month to 10 month. All of the
work that they were doing was important work. and the community expects the same level of work to be done by less people. So, that's just something I want to throw out there to the community. And I know another one is, oh, there's too
much fat at the top. Well, let me tell you something. Um, I now correct me if I'm wrong. I think we're down to one assistant superintendent. >> You weren't you were not always the lone ranger. We used to have multiple
assistant superintendent. Um, so we're down to one and in the last two years we lost six people from central office administration. You're cutting margins really close.
That means anybody who's left is got a lot more work to do. And again, we we as a board and as a community, we expect the same level of service, but we don't have the people to do it. So, I just want to throw that out there
for whatever it's worth. >> Thank you. >> Did you have your hand up? >> I don't know if I can follow that, but I wanted to give a shout out to Tara. Um, >> hey, Tara. Tara applied for FEMA to see if we can
get any any reimbursement. And no, it's a big deal because I'm always about the revenue, right? >> Yes. >> Um to get reimbursed for the snow plowing that just had to be done this this season. Joe, could you just let them know how much we actually spent on snow plowing off the top of your head?
>> For the whole year, just this past was like $280,000. So, if it wasn't for efforts like Tara um to help us get some of that funding back, we would have a def we would definitely have more problems. So, I appreciate you, Joe. I appreciate your
team, Dr. Mammon. This was definitely a difference. This is the way it should be. This is the way it should be. So, I I appreciate you um listening to the community and listening to us and we all have the same goal, which is to protect the students as much as we can.
>> Yeah. So, just one note on FEMA with the government shutdown, we haven't heard back. >> Um, but since you mentioned it, we're we're trying, but you know, we're waiting on the federal government. Um, and I just want to reiterate again what I started off saying, the appreciation
from I think the administration on the commitment to the board. It takes a lot. We we've been meeting during the day. You you all have lives and jobs in the evenings multiple times. Um, so I'm sure the the charm is going to wear off uh with me and you know Anonet's going to
be throwing hands at me soon, but um it's worth the healthy debate, right? Like it's worth >> it's worth the time in the >> the conversation. You know, it's really important. I I I think I'm comfortable with saying that we have peeled back the
curtain and you guys are seeing much more than what you're accustomed to. >> Yes. Um, so you know, we'll we'll move forward as a team and get this resolved. >> Yeah, definitely. >> I was going to save this for the or Go ahead, Jamie. >> Can I just um
>> What I really appreciate about this conversation is the T-word didn't come up a lot. >> Which T word? >> Tax. >> Tax. Because um sorry to touch on the sensitive topic, but um I'll go there. I'll go there for Joe
>> because um with our tax levy, if we increase it 2%, that's approximately what? Three million. >> Yes. >> Um then then the current average assessed um house in East Brunswick is approximately $122,000 with a tax bill of just over 15,300.
Um that increase would be about $600 a year for that average family or $50 a month. Um I think about the seniors. I think about all the people that that impacts that may not have children in the schools. So, I really do appreciate
that we are looking at equitable ways to increase our revenue to the district for the things that we offer that are not part of a thorough and adequate education. It's important that we consider that 62.75%
of this town's tax bill is already the school. Yes, that's lower than other districts, but we have to be fiscally prudent. So, thank you for presenting numbers and not just jumping to tax increases. >> Thank you. Jamie Le, did you have your
>> Yes. So, uh as to the we have been dealing this with every year. So, the change must from the top. So, that that's why I urge everyone to join the uh the lobby and advocacy group. So, uh,
please mark your calendar. March 20th, uh, Lieutenant Governor Dr. Codewell will join our Middle Sex County School Board Association meeting March 20. So, it's >> Oh, I'm May 20. I'm sorry.
>> So, May 20, it will be in PI minor. So, please we will prepare the dinner for you. So we should talk about funding formula, special education, charter school. So it's good time, good opportunity for us to show up.
>> Yeah. >> Lovely food. >> We will prepare very good food. Yeah. You know, we pay for it. You don't need to pay. So the May 20 uh 6:00 uh May 2000.
Yeah. I send an email. Yeah. Are you inviting the community or the board? >> At least both should show up. >> Okay. No, but you have to be clear because >> so >> no we can't. >> So you know it's good opportunity for us
to talk. You know every time I talk I always emphasize full fun special ed. The school board should have the bargaining power. At this moment we have no bargaining power. We just cut the check for any influence thrown to us.
So there's many we should talk. It's good opportunity. Thank you. >> Thanks. Thanks Lulu. >> I was going to save this for the for the good of the cause of the board, but my mic is on if you can't hear me. Okay. I was going to save this for the for the
good of the cause of the board, but since we're wrapping this portion up, um I I'm grateful to Dr. Mammon and Joe and Tara, but I'm also grateful to the board because everybody should know all these people up here worked round the clock.
Uh they came in for two um separate sessions and then not only that, but then we debriefed after. So the amount of thought and like effort that went into that was remarkable. Um I I think we've been on the phone these last two weeks more than we've ever been. So, um,
I I'm so proud to be a part of this team and people who are thoughtful and have just like diverse schools of thought and how to bring those to the table and it's a true representation of what this community is looking for. So, thank you all. >> Thank you for being at every single
meeting. >> All right. Okay. Okay. No. Uh, so our student representatives report, I think Jane is at the cheerleading banquet tonight, so we don't have a student representative report. So we are moving on to the for the good of the cause for the public.
The board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. To protect the privacy of all students and staff, concerns regarding individuals, students, and staff members should
generally be addressed by first meeting with the appropriate administrative staff. Public participation shall be permitted only as indicated on the order of business and board bylaw 0164 and shall be governed by the rules outlined in the agenda. If anyone would
like to address the board, please come to the podium, state your name and address, and you will have three minutes. Is there anyone wishing to address the board this evening? One going once. Going twice. >> I try to get more and more. Okay.
>> Yeah. Okay. All right. Public comment is now closed. Okay. So, we are moving on to board of education item one. Do we have a motion? >> Move. >> Second. Discussion. >> Discussion. Item one.
>> No discussion. Okay. This is a voice vote. >> All in favor? >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Abstensions. Motion carries. All right. Business and support operations items 1 through 14. Do we
have a motion? >> Move. >> Second. Wilbur and Jamie. Discussion. which items are >> 1 to 14. Uh business. >> So I said I have no problem being the bad guy. So I'll be the bad guy. We're
in the middle of a serious seriously high budget deficit. I I understand it's similar to last year. Last year was high. This year is high. items six through nine which are overnight trips which I understand no >> that's the next session >> okay sorry hi there we're on business and support operations
>> okay no I'm good with those yes anyone business and support operations items 1 through 14 discussion anybody >> going once twice okay this is a roll call vote >> Anna Brun >> yes >> Timothy Cummings >> yes >> Antonet Ibola >> yes
>> Jamie Falco >> yes >> Lewis Figurero >> yes >> Lee Wu Hung >> yes >> Wilbur Pan Yes. Mary Antenna. >> Yes. Motion carries. All right. We are on to curriculum and instruction items 1 through 10. Do we have a motion?
>> Move. >> Second. >> Will Jamie Ben Wilbur discussion? >> This is me, right? Yeah. This is >> I'm waving. All right. I have a concern here for a couple of
these items. mostly because actually I want to first start with I like a positive first. So I appreciate that a lot most of these trips are student sponsored but we still have fees with that come along with these overnight trips. Two of the trips are taking place
right here in New Brunswick overnight or multiple days. Um when you calculate all these overnight trips I'm averaging it to 19 and change. $20,000 for a handful of trips. The the the district has to be
consistent with what we're telling the community. If we're telling kindergarten students and first graders, second graders, third graders, fourth graders that we can't do district trips because the funding isn't there, but then we're giving $20,000
in stipens and hotel fees and dinner for extracurricular activity trips. I have a problem with that. So, I wish that we had all the money, like Anna said before, to pay for everything. I would I would love it. I think it's amazing. I actually think it's impressive how far
all of these u clubs and teams have are going. But if these are if we're able to do school trips like this where students are sponsoring them, why can't we bring back the elementary school level trips? Because you wouldn't have to pay anything if the parents are paying for
it because the teachers already being paid for the day. There would be no stipen, no hotel fair, no food. Um, and those trips I'm talking about going to Rooker's Garden, to the pumpkin patch, to the state house. These are these are major major memories like we were saying
earlier that children bring. It's not always about school inside the classroom. There's learning opportunities outside the classroom. And um during our on Monday night there, we lose the chair of our student services committee. We got feedback from a lot of
the counselors that the the elementary school students that are coming in are not the same as they used to be. They have different needs, different wants, different challenges. >> And one thing that stood out the most to me was the social part of them. You know, they're they're not as social as
they used to be. And um Miss Sultana is a mom to one of those kids and they're co kids. So, you know, they're pregnant during COVID and then the first three years you can't leave your house. you you have to be afraid to go places. And now these children were they're going to school and now they're in the same four
walls with those children and they're not going anywhere. They're not experiencing life outside of school other than when they're with their families which everyone's busy honestly. So how much exposure can they get to Rooker's Garden or the pumpkin patch or state house? So what what my problem
here is not that we're I'm going to vote yes for this obviously because it's an important trip, but if we have to be consistent with the message. So if we're going to allow trips, it can't be cherry-picking trips. It has to be we're doing it or we're not doing it. And that's how I feel about it for the
following year. >> Dr. Newman, >> I appreciate >> your impassion. I wasn't here last year, so I don't not know. Um, my understanding is that those trips had to do with elementary. These
high school trips are often tied to the course of study. So, it is um part of their programming and Dr. Bully can um you know, hop in here if I'm my understanding that it is some of this. I
do know um the the one in New Brunswick there's a lot that happens in the evening with them after the full day. Is that a model congress? >> Yes. There's a lot um of coming together and debriefing on the day and social activities for the kids that go way into
like 10:00 I believe at night and for that reason is why they stay and it also and then the other one um has to do with the the business >> the model Congress is um the students are paying their hotel costs and the transportation is funded through the
cyborg grant. >> Right. Right. I saw that. Right. No, I I said I appreciate that students are paying for >> I think I think what what you mean what you're saying is is true and valid that we did cut the elementary trips altogether. I think that it was tied to maybe the transportation costs. I don't
know if that was rolled into the the parent uh fee for those trips, but it is certainly something that I guess we can discuss. >> No, I'm definitely looking into it. Um as you know, I think I already said yes to a particular trip this year already.
No, it's not on the agenda. >> Yeah, I know. But um it is a priority for me. I do believe that learning extends beyond the classroom and the kids need that. I I think that we just have to find a way to
fund it, right? Um it's the elephant in the room. Um something has to go. So that's something that we believe in strongly that has to happen and again part of this process so that we were intentional and you know uh
I know we discussed earlier about how intentional it is it is because I we do not want to be callous with this >> right >> it's easier to just cut but I know that um from past um years here what the what the outcry has been and that is why
we're pushing ourselves to make sure that we so even though we're cutting for certain things we're also uplifting and strengthening our programming and kids students experience. So I can only say to you that the high school is a different the junior high high school
those tied to the courses but there is an argument to be made for the elementary trips and I promise you I'm going to look into it and >> and it might also be helpful the way honestly the way we saw the breakdowns tonight for the sports you know they might have charged parents $12 for the
trip but maybe the trip actually costs way more than that. So >> it is transportation for sure. So we'll look into that. That transportation was the impetus for that one. So >> okay, >> we'll you know Joe is on it. >> Poor Joe. Sorry Joe every day.
>> It was more than just transportation. It was you know if nurses are required to go on the field trips even if they're in in town. It's the issue of not being able to get uh contracted nurses or subs to cover um when our nurse accompanies.
Um >> then we can say that. >> So that that was a big thing. Um and then not to bring this back up again, but the free and reduced kids like you're not passing that cost on to other families that are paying and there's no
funding mechanism. There used to be money in the student activity funds given by the PTAs, but all those funds have been depleted over time. Um, so that I it was twofold with that. >> I do have a question and this brings it back to the point that Tim said earlier. When you're when you're including the
when you're um considering the free and reduced students for field trips, right? You said you can't put that cost on to the other families legally or you it's just not in good faith. >> I legally I don't. >> Matt, can you confirm that? Yeah. Uh I >> for
>> So So what she's saying is like if let's say the cost of a trip is $100, okay, and like if there's five kids going on the trip, can you charge a $120 to the four kids who aren't free and reduced >> to to subsidize the kids are? No, you can't do that.
>> You can't we we can't Sorry. We can't pass on um >> You almost had a horse. >> We We can't pass on costs that the law mandates that we, you know, provide for to other families. That's that basically is is like a secret tax. We have
>> No, I just I I know the answer, Matt, but I just wanted you to say it so people know. So the co so it wasn't just transportation. It was also having to cover the fees of students who are free and reduced. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Now you go up.
Yeah, but I think this is a what? >> No, I'm I'm not I'm not Excuse me. They're trying to take your role tonight. You're trying to take my >> I missed out because of situations. >> Um No. Okay. So, um >> so I think I think to Antwanette's point, the main thing is like before we
eliminate trips altogether, just ask the parents if they'd be willing to pay for them. Um, my one thing is on item 10. This trip already happened and uh I just want to make sure No, it's okay. But I just want to make sure that you know,
>> yes, >> the feeling should not be that because the board is inclined to give our students everything they want. >> Yeah. So, so this happens occasionally. This is legally permitted. You're just authorizing it. These were your wrestlers who made it to the state finals, which is like an incredible
honor. And so and unfortunately you don't know they they they win the regions >> and you have a board meeting before the finals. So you guys are authorizing it but but the you have done this in the past and it's just because of the timing of it. The timing between the regional
terminate and the finals is like two two weeks and you didn't have board meetings between >> yeah it's an NJSI sanctioned event. I did have actually now that Mary mentioned this I did have a question about this because this trip specifically wasn't sponsored by the students. This was completely uh covered
by the district correct and is that because there's just a fee for the sports and this isn't included or >> because it's a NJSIA event. Um we have to pay for the hotel rooms for the coaches for the uh wrestlers that make it. I believe we had five or six this
this year which is a high number for us. Um, and then you know the transportation cost. So yeah, this was there was no additional funding offset by parents for for this >> because you're not allowed to or because I just want to make it clear like are
would you have been able to have the parents pay for this trip? >> Generally the answer to that would be no and and it's because of the timing usually. So, for example, with the hockey, they they came, they petitioned, they said, "We want to do it." And the board was agreeable to do that. There's
a lot of planning. This literally happens within like a two-e period. >> Um, and the the the the reality is is that the they're part of your sports team and the parents have already paid an activity fee, okay, for them to
participate in wrestling. >> And you're fortunate that you had five star athletes that got that far. It's no different than if you know your girls tennis goes to the state finals, there's an additional cost because the state finals aren't in the East Brunswick. They you they always pick places that
are far away. Um and the problem and the reason that the wrestling people always say why don't they pick another location? The reason they pick Atlantic City is because the the convention hall is big enough because they have to have multiple matchs. There's like eight or 10 matches going on all the time.
>> Okay. And there's very few Iraq reg is not big enough to handle this. >> Thank you. >> I just wanted to be clear. My propos my proposed plan was not to frontload costs onto individuals who can cover it. Mine
was to tap into the collective goodwill of the community and invite people to help support those in need. >> No, we we know >> which is apparently illegal. Tim, we know and appreciate your philanthropy only. >> Still a good idea, Tim. Still a good idea.
>> All right. Uh, okay. So, this one is a voice vote. Yeah. So, all in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. Motion carries. All right. Human resources items one and
two. Do we have a motion? Move. >> Second. Wilbur. Jamie. >> Discussion. No. Okay. This is a roll call vote. >> Anna Braun? >> Yes. >> Timothy Cummings? >> Yes. >> Antonet Ebola? >> Yes. >> Jamie Falco? >> Yes. >> Lewis Figureroa?
>> Yes. >> Lee Wuhong? >> Yes. >> Wilbur Pan? >> Yes. >> Maryan Tananiels? >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. Student services items 1 through six. Lo >> second.
>> Jamie Mover. Discussion. Anything? >> Okay, this is a roll call vote as well. >> Anna Braun, >> yes. >> Timothy Cummings, >> yes. >> Antineta, >> yes. >> Jamie Falco, >> yes. >> Lewis Figurero, >> yes. >> Lee Wuhong,
>> yes. >> Wilbur Pan, >> yes. >> Maryan Tanya, >> yes. Motion carries. Okay, we are on to committee reports, information items, and for the good of the cause for the board. Uh, I guess we will start. start
with. Did we start on last time? We start with Anna. Okay, we'll start with Anna. >> Um, I wanted to commend the Church Hill Percussion Ensemble um who was chosen to play at the New Jersey Music Educators Conference back in February and I was
fortunate enough to be there and the kids did such a great job. Um, and normally they don't accept seventh graders. It's usually high school groups and college groups. So to see our kids playing there was amazing.
And of course the directors were um Chris Bouvier and uh Joshua Becker. And another um event March the 8th and afternoon of strings was a recital to benefit the EBA philanthropic fund which
provides a scholarship to a high school senior uh going into education. And we had four of our staff members who who were part of this recital and they were Christopher Beck Beckett Elementary
Orchestra, Alex Nelson Hughes Orchestra, Susan Muse Churchill Orchestra and Arvin Gopal East Brunswick High School orchestra. And it was amazing because this this is not their day job is to
play a professional concert, right? that the fact that they could play uh perform on their instruments to such a high level. I was sitting there thinking, I can't believe this is East Brunswick. I can't believe I'm sitting in my hometown
hearing teachers performing at this caliber and that I'm not sitting in New York City. So anyway, congratulations to them. >> Thanks, Hannah. >> That's super impressive. >> Yeah. Um, I was at the uh parks and
wreck committee meeting last night in the ice arena. Those of you who haven't been there, Sunday is the grand opening. It It's just a very impressive building. Most people, I think, have probably seen it. >> Yeah, >> it's really remarkable. Um, so just kudos to the town on that. Uh, there's a lot going on. These people have a lot
going on. I was taking notes and then my hands started to get a little tired. So, um, I would check the website, but you know, there there's a community yard sale on April 11th. Um there is on March 28th there's a clothing drive at the youth center. I mean just a lot of
communitydriven activity. So really do um look at that as a resource. Those of you who take you know who use the summer camp as I you know my wife and I do with our kids over the summer that registration is now open. So people can register for that. So great group of people doing a lot of incredible work in the town and really encourage people to
check it out. >> Thanks Tim. Well, we're gonna So, Wilbur has graciously offered that we uh keep him second to last. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh two things. So, as for the ice arena, so they will have
green open this weekend, but please watch out. Uh Mayor Cohen's charity fund, we are planning a big event there. It's for free. So, check out the website. So, last night we tried to make final decision, but we couldn't. So, watch out. There will be very big event.
It's free for East Brown residents. >> And second, last week, last weekend, uh my family went to Central Jersey Educators uh uh m music educators associate associations uh event the
string and chamber orchestra there. So that happened in Mono High School. My family there, my boys said, "Wow, this high school is so beautiful." So I said well when they plan for it when they open the door it's already
small capacity there too many students so my boy said the board should do better job and additionally the children many east students sixth graders seventh grader and eighth graders chosen to to play
there they perform so good you I I really enjoyed it's really professional level I should give our teachers a lot of credit. The students and the teachers guidance, they put so so much time to practice. I'm really proud of them and
proud of my son. My son was there. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Leo. Jamie, um I'd like to start off um thanking the Frost community. Uh I'm we're a Frost family. on the 26th was Frost
Multicultural Night and it was such a pleasant experience to be with my neighbors and then look up and see a few board members and then look up and see our superintendent and my daughter was just aruck
>> by Dr. Mammon like she couldn't get over it. She's like, "Who is this glamorous woman?" She goes, "Mom, that's our superintendent." like she she was like just floored by her and just having you there really meant a lot to me as a mom. So, thank
you for that. >> Um I also want to thank the Islamic Center of East Franwick for hosting an interfaith dinner on March 7th. Um Ramadan is a a really special time um for the month of Islam or I'm sorry for
um the Islam community. Uh Muslim neighbors do not drink or eat anything at all, not even water from sun up to sun down. Um when they break fast, um it's a kind of like a time for gratitude and community. Um the Actar dinner was
beautiful. It was really lovely to see um so many people from different faiths come and just share camaraderie and um eat together. So um I was really grateful to be part of that. Um, tomorrow is Eid. So, warm wishes to all
of our neighbors who celebrate. Um, we had Holly earlier this month. It's still Lent for uh, Christian Catholics who celebrate. And I did just want to put on everyone's radar that the Human Relations Council Unity Walk will be on May 11th of this year at the municipal
center. We would love to see everyone come and support our neighbors. Um, the human relations council is made up of 15 community members from all different walks of life in our town. We are committed to inspiring camaraderie and
community wherever we can. Not just encouraging tolerance, but true embracing of our cultural differences and appreciation for why a community like East Front is so special. So, if you could please pencil that in, we'd love to see you there. Um, and thank you
to this board. I know everyone has said that um, you know, everyone's working hard up here. There's a lot of people who are not sitting on this board who also work hard. I want to thank everybody here and not here who are working on this budget. >> Thanks, Jamie.
>> Thank you. Okay. Uh, this past Monday, March 16th, we had our student services committee meeting. It was good to to see everyone again. Um we talked about our glow or what's working in the departments uh the grow what we still need to work on and some of the goals.
Uh Danielle Bllock and uh many of her team members were there, Heather Mills uh with school counseling and of course our own Louise Sultana Loraca who's here with special education. Um and uh they did a very nice job of letting us know where we're at. Um there is work to be
done and I'm confident that we will get there. I want to thank Dr. Mammon and the administration who were there. Uh Karen Keegan for her work with student services, our staff who attended, our parents who attended, and of course our board committee members who were there. So, thank you very much. Appreciate it.
>> Thanks, Lyn. >> Now you guys get to hear the exciting stuff happening in Trenton, which of all the things do you think they'd be working on, this is a bill that they're working on, which I'm not happy about it, but it passed the assembly. So, the assembly, not the assembly, I'm sorry, the assembly
committee. It was the assem the labor the assembly labor committee. Oh boy, it's been a long day. Um they met on Monday and they approved this bill which means it's now moved on to the next phase. The bill number is A1161. This bill is not just for schools but it
would affect schools. It's for all um all businesses. when you post um an available position on your website or any public forum, you they want to find you between $300 and $600 for every
single day that that post doesn't come down once that position is filled. Obviously, everyone, this is what they're working on, guys. This is what they're working on. So obviously there was a lot of push back especially from the schools because we have so many budget constraints as it is but also
there was push back on it because this isn't a problem that exists. I I have never seen anybody complain about this at any business. Um because if you see a position online and then you call up and you say the position's been filled usually somebody just okay I you know I
forgot this slipped my mind. I can't imagine Karen or anybody else who runs our website is gonna forget to take down um >> posting >> a posting. But if we have a four-day weekend, that would be ridiculous to charge school districts that. So obviously
>> I don't even know how it did it. It it did pass the committee. It's on to the next phase. Hopefully they amend it at least to take the schools out of it. This is actually going to hurt small businesses, but I have to always worry about the schools. Um then there was another bill which I like this bill. Um the sponsor of this bill is Troy Singleton and they're appropriating $15
million. So this was also met in um the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. The bill number is 71815 and it would establish a solar energy grant program within the board of the public uh utilities to provide grants for schools to get solar panels.
>> So hopefully that goes through. Yeah, that's a good one. And then this is this one is actually one that I'm very I'm very very passionate about. Um, it's got bipartisan support. Hopefully, it goes all the way, but it wouldn't even start until wait
>> until August of 2028. So, what they want to do is they want to take four substances that are found in foods, chemically created foods, and they want to make them illegal. So, bromeminated vegetable oil, potassium, bromate, propyl, baron, I don't even know what
that is, and red dye 3. >> They So, yeah. And no, please don't do that. I actually want to take these out of the schools right now, but that's a different conversation. >> There's so much data and science that supports removing these food dyes from
students period, but especially students who have who suffer from hypertension or hyperactivity, >> ADHD >> ADHD, but even students could be sensitive to those food dies. So, um there's on both sides bipartisan
support. The primary sponsor is uh Shama her and Valina Reynolds Jackson and she's actually the chair of the education committee. So hopefully >> we met her last time we were in >> we did. We met her last year. She's very nice. Um and again that wouldn't happen till 2028. But if we can make that
happen here sooner, >> Joe, that would be great. >> You could just let Aramac know we don't need red slushies in the lunchroom. I would appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Januette. Um, did they mention anything about um the vision requirement bill
that's um coming up? They're looking to create um vision exam mandates for kindergarten entry. >> So, these are three separate committees and th those are the only those are the only bills that I saw that was related to education. If it's coming up,
>> you would probably see that in the health committee I would assume. >> It's actually through it was introduced through education. Terresa Ruiz did is what I read, but I couldn't been another meeting since the last meeting we had. So if it was discussed at that one, I could look up and see. But >> um I was I was focusing more on the
budget stuff. >> I just for for literacy that was one that um when I saw that that was introduced earlier this year, it kind of stuck with me. So that's why I asked because you're so good. You really have a pulse of like what bills are pertinent. >> I didn't see it. >> Yeah, I didn't see. Thank you. But they
haven't had an education committee meeting since when I since the one I was there the day after um >> January Jan >> in January. So maybe Yeah, maybe it might be coming up. >> Thanks, Antonette. >> Wilbur, are you doing uh Lor's or do you want me you're going to do it? Okay,
>> I can do Yeah. So um um again Lori Herrick isn't um here uh tonight. She had a conflict. Uh but uh she did have a um report regarding the curriculum committee. Should we have the first two >> because we didn't talk about them. >> Yeah, I know.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So, so, so basically um I I'll just hit on the most salient uh point here. So, we had a presentation on the literacy pilot including background data and overview of uh CKLA. Uh there was a lot of discussion focused on the program strengths and challenges, the
implementation, data collection, cost, professional development and how success will be measured. Additional discussion is needed and the curriculum committee will reconvene in April. So that's it. Um in terms of uh other things, a lot of this has been mentioned, but I went to
them as well. So I went to Central twice. Once for international night, which was awesome, and ones for read across America, also awesome. Um there's nothing like grabbing a book at random and then reading in front of uh reading it in front of kids that you've never seen before. So uh that was cool. and
also multicultural night at uh Frost was uh very uh cool too. The one thing I want to point out is that this event was so big that in the big multi-purpose room they're like all the countries and then they put China and India in two other rooms because there were just
there wasn't enough room. So um so I'm waiting for them to hang a sign in the lobby that says Pacific Ocean because that will make this the most geographically accurate international night out of all the schools. So, just a just a thought. Um, I had the pleasure
of uh attending the um Fast Break Buddy Ball All-Star game. It's a wonderful event as it is every uh every year. Really good to see the community come out uh for that. Um I I was able to uh drop in on Dr. Mammon's last meet and
greet with the high school students. Um, my only comment is I don't know why the high school students really didn't want to meet with her, but arranging for two snowstorms to uh put it off as like a is a little bit over the top. Um, the Willy Wonka uh performance of Willy Wonka by
the Hughes Drama Club was really outstanding. U Miss Kio should be uh really commended for putting that production together and and and um uh my biggest takeaway from that besides it being a wonderful um production is that my kids went through drama club
throughout all the years and I do not remember their production at Hughes being anywhere near as good as this one. So she's really kicked the uh the program up um uh by uh by a lot. Uh Legally Blonde Junior's coming up at the end of the month at uh Churchill. That
ought to be awesome. And the last thing I just want to know is much more on a personal um uh level. So Leslie Gatner um was one of our PE teachers. She spent 38 years in the uh district and she also happens to be my backdoor neighbor. Um
she was one of the first people uh we met when we um um when we moved to East Brunswick. Um and we're just sort of like puttering around our house and getting used to the house and all of a sudden I hear this voice over over the fence. Hello. Hello, you know, welcome
to the neighborhood and and she's been a dear friend um you know to us and and and all that time. Unfortunately, she passed away uh recently. And I just wanted to um mention her because again, she spent um her entire uh career uh
teaching PE in our schools. And um if she's an example of how good our teachers are um then we're actually in really good shape um in in terms of what we're doing for the students. And that's that. Thanks. >> Thank you, Oliver.
Okay. Um so again, thank you to the board. Thank you to um those parents who are part of those committees because I know that takes a lot away from your time as well. Um I I won't reiterate everything because I was at a lot of the same events, but I do want to give a
shout out for the Frost International Night. Uh Mr. Chris Finnegan was there and he was he did a performance um with yeah with his sons uh at playing Irish music and um my daughter said like wow I didn't realize that
music also had a language and I never and I know you'd appreciate that I never thought of it that way that music has a language it's an international thing but um he's super talented and I didn't know this but he told me he does all these parades and things for uh St. Patrick's Day. So, that was really nice to see how
talented our staff are. Um, the other person I want to give a shout out to is Dr. Ed Bashure. Uh, those snow days that we had when everybody was like bunkered down. Yeah, he is cool. So, he has a social media page and I think he intended this just for high school
students. He did a snowman contest. Well, this quickly picked up across the district and all the kids wanted to be a part of it, not just the high school students. So, he actually entertained this and like shared their stuff on Instagram and it was really nice. I think they knew that they were entering it and they weren't going to win the
lunch that he was providing, but um they were happy to just be a part of it and then when they saw their pictures on social media, they were like, "Oh my gosh, he's he's including us." So, that was really great. And and I think um educators like that are what make our district stand out because they go above
and beyond. I mean, he could have just been sitting at home enjoying his snow day as well. So, I I really do appreciate that. Um, just a reminder that the EBEF dinner is uh Yeah, Jack made sure that I say this, the EBEF
dinner is uh April 29th at the Pines Manor. It's not too late to get your tickets. They're available online. >> Um, and that I think is all I have. So, yeah. Thank you everybody. All right. Um, motion to adjurnn.
>> Move. Second Wilbur and Jamie. All in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. Motion carries. Have a good evening everyone.