[Music] Yes. >> Good evening and welcome. We love a full house and we love learning across the district and we love little people in the front row. It is the happiest of our meetings. All right, I'd like to call
this meeting to order. Could the secretary please call the role? >> Anna Brown >> here. >> Timothy Cummings >> here. >> Jamie Falco >> here. Lewis Figureroa >> here. >> Lorie Herrick >> here. >> Lee Wuhong >> here. >> Wilbur Pan >> here. >> Maryanne Taniel >> here.
>> Heather Gloss >> here. We have a quorum. Please rise to salute the flag. >> I pledge algiance 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. 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 interest 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 and posted at the East Brun or the Board of Education offices. Written notice was also provided to the Sentinel, the New York 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 meetings should be aware of these
videotaping rules. All right, and we will go to Dr. Veleski with the superintendent's report. Thank you, President Guas, and good evening everyone. The artwork on display in the boardroom this evening was created by students from Hammershold Upper Elementary School. The art teachers of
these talented students are Kathern Barrett and Miam Kulik. Um Russ Petranco is the principal. Last week we were fortunate enough to be able to host a training for so sources of strength program. Excuse me. And
thank you to Jen Stson and the East Brunswick Alliance for funding the training. We had 50 staff members from Hammershield Upper, excuse me, Upper Elementary School, Churchill Junior High School, and East Brunswick High School attend the training to learn more about
the program's core values, and preventative nature to address suicide, substance abuse, and bullying in our schools. The program utilizes a strength-based model to teach students how to cope with and manage life's challenges. Students
who are nominated for this program will be trained next. And they will act as peer leaders in their buildings to spread messages of hope, help, strength while acting as connectors for the struggling peers and connecting them with trusted adults.
A very special thank you is an order to the mayor's charity fund for providing breakfast, coffee, and snacks, as well as Maria's Pizza and Miltown and Jersey Mike's East Brunswick for providing lunch. We are always thankful for those generous donations.
On Saturday, October 11th, the East Brunswick Marching Band delivered an outstanding performance at the NJMBBDA competition hosted by Monroe Township High School. The band earned their highest score of the season and proudly
took home awards for best visual in their class and best visual of the entire show. And it was an incredible accomplishment. So congratulations to them. You can catch the band in action again this Saturday, October 18th, and that's
when the East Brunswick Band Boosters Association hosts the 42nd annual East Brunswick Marching Band Festival at East Brunswick High School. The evening will feature performances by 18 high school marching bands, concluding with a showstopping performance by the East
Brunswick High School marching band themselves. This event is the band's biggest fundraiser of the year, so come out to enjoy an exciting night of music and support our amazingly talented students. Last evening, the CPAG town hall proved
to be a highly productive and unifying event, successfully bringing our community together in support of our students. The town hall served as an open forum that facilitated essential collaboration, critical dialogue, and shared commitment to our special education programs. Board members Lori
Heric and Wilbur Pan were also in attendance. The special education leadership team and CPAG leaders extend their sincere gratitude for the passion and valuable insight and deep engagement demonstrated by parents. And I know that's shared equally by this entire board of
education. This collective effort is vital as we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive framework dedicated to the success of every learner. In the month of October, each of our community-based elementary schools in partnership with Keep Middle Sex moving
hosted a walk to school day. The goal is to teach children in Middle Sex County the importance of walking safely and the benefits of walking as a means to get to places to exercise and to help the environment. On this evening's agenda is a resolution
of proclamation for National Principles Month. and I'm proud to recognize the critical instructional leadership of all of our principles and secondary assistant principles. We appreciate their dedication and commitment to all students and the East Brunswick School community.
Also on this evening's agenda is a resolution of proclamation for fire prevention week which is October 5th through October 11th. We are grateful to fire marshals Jason Whan and Shawn Birdie and the fire prevention bureau and all the volunteer firefighters who
serve the entire East Brunswick community. The athletic department proudly recognized our graduating athletes by holding senior night celebrations for every fall sport. Congratulations to our September high
school athletes of the month. Students were selected for this honor by the coaching staff based on performance, demonstration of leadership, effort, and practice and of course for modeling exceptional character. On Sunday, November 16th, the East Brunswick Education Foundation will be
hosting their annual 5K walk run bear crawl in kids fun run. Get in those steps while meeting new neighbors, supporting school spirit, helping to fund grants across the district. Visit our website at evbnet.org for registration information.
And just a reminder, schools will be closed Monday, October 20th, and parent teacher conferences will take place on Tuesday, October 21st through Friday, October 24th. These are single session days for all schools, but lunch will be served in grades K through six. Thank
you. Thank you. All right, we have resolutions of appreciation and recognition. Are we going out there? >> We are going to go out there. >> Okay, we are going out there. >> Why are there two >> one?
>> Okay, just check. All right. Our first resolution is for fire prevention week. We call pulling people up now or >> um you could read it first. Whereas, according to the National Fire Prevention Association, October 5th
through 11th, 2025 is designated as fire prevention week with the campaign theme charge into fire safety lithium ion batteries in your home, focusing on the safe use, charging, and recycling of these batteries. And whereas East Brunswick's first responders are
dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire injuries through prevention and protection education. And whereas committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living and visiting our town, including our educational community, the East Brunswick Public Schools welcomes
East Brunswick Fire and Emergency Services personnel into our school to educate our students. Now therefore, be it resolved that the East Brunswick Board of Education recognizes October 5th through 11th, 2025 as fire prevention week and encourages all the people of East Brunswick to heed the
important safety messages of fire prevention week 2025 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of East Brunswick's Fire and Emergency Services. And be it further resolved that the East Brunswick Board of Education appreciates the efforts of East Brunswick Fire and Emergency
Services personnel to make our community a safe place in which to live. >> You need a motion. >> I need a motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? >> Our first responders are the best. >> Thank you.
>> All in favor? >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. [Applause] All right, we had a motion in a second, but we did not >> correct. >> We did not have a vote. So, all in favor?
>> Opposed? Abstensions. Motion passes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. All right. I move that the board of education approve the following resolution. Whereas schools inspire the
next generation of professionals, political leaders, artists, educators, and others who contribute to a healthy and prosperous society. And whereas principles and assistant principles are responsible for providing instructional leadership and professional management
in our schools. And whereas principles and assistant principles set the academic tone for their schools and work collaboratively with teachers to develop and maintain high curriculum standards, SEP performance goals and objectives and ensure high quality instruction. And whereas school principles and assistant
principles are responsible for the safety of their students and the security of the school. And whereas principles and assistant principles are key to implementing state and federal education reforms in New Jersey. And whereas the month of October 2025 has
been declared National Principles Month and is dedicated to recognizing the significant contributions of our nation's principles and assistant principles and the enthusiasm they have for providing quality educational experiences and guidance to their students. And whereas the East Brunswick
Board of Education recognizes and appreciates the skills, dedication, and commitment of its principles and assistant principles and the challenges they face daily. Now therefore, be it resolved that the East Brunswick Board of Education recognizes and commends its principles and assistant principles for
their continued service to our children. Can I have a motion? >> Second. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> Okay. Discussion. >> Principles are awesome. >> Yes. So the principles and assistant
principles not just awesome they are the foundation of our school district they are the business card for East Bronzik community and the school district when parents have any concern they pick up the phone call the principal's office
you principles and assistant princip principles answer all their questions and either emergency or now emergency so you answer all the question parent have. So if the their phone the phone calls are not answered, they will cause all
kind of anxiety or all kind of things. So thank you very much. I have three children in two in Hammershot, one in Church Hill. Sometime I forgot the passport for this Dennis parent access. I pick up the phone, my phone was
answered. that make me so happy because my my boy sits sit next to me says dad how can I get access so that is just one example and sometimes this student forget about their ideas and they forgot
about their lunchbox you guys were they answer all kind of tiny but extremely important things so that's why I say you guys the cornerstone of this community this school district thank you very much as a board member, as a parent, as
taxpayer, as as a East Bronsonic community member. Thank you. [Applause] I would like to add as a lifelong educator that I often believe, you know, you may think that the teachers are in the room with the children and that's
what sets the tone. And it does on a day-to-day in the room, but as goes the principles, so go the schools. And if you really want to look at where we need to be thankful for the security of our children, for the academic growth, for the excellence, for the support of the
students, the staff, everyone in the community, it always goes back to the principles. And in talking to many of these principles, their knowledge of their individual communities and what works for their school, which is different depending on the schools, just shows such a love for the community and
their students, and I am just deeply appreciative. >> Anyone else? Yeah, >> yes, thank you. Um, as someone who was fortunate enough to work with most of the principles and assistant principles as well as of course our entire staff here, uh, I'm so grateful for what you
do on a daily basis, on a yearly basis. Um, as my two colleagues already said, you know, you are the cornerstone to what really makes this district tick. But in addition to that, you build that school climate for the kid who comes in in the morning who doesn't have maybe
the best home life. Our principles are critical for that that that child. You may not always know it, but it's it's there. And for those kids who are going through our uh system, our secondary schools, our assistant principles,
toughest job in the district, by the way, being an assistant principal of a secondary school. Um, but it's very, very rewarding. And for our principles who guide the way all along, thank you. Thank you for what you do every day. We couldn't be the kind of district we are
or we want to be without you. So, thank you very much. As I'm looking I'm looking at the the row of principles, I worked for some of you and um I can't tell you what an absolute pleasure uh my experience as a
teacher in East Brunswick was. I worked for a lot of different principles and vice principles and um by far you folks here are top of the top and I just want to let you know how much you are appreciated because I know being a
principal you're not always feeling the love from maybe your staff who are coming in and complaining my room's too hot my room's too cold you know a million in one things that you have to cope with and so I just want to let you know how much you are appre appreciate it.
>> Anyone else? >> I just want to remark. >> No, that was very applause. They didn't mean to interrupt applause. Um, just on a personal note, as a student when I was in East Brunswick, I'm embarrassed to say that immediately to mind, I can't
remember every principal I had because they were so amazing at making things run seamlessly. I was focused on athletics, academics, and the arts. And I'm so proud to be sitting here and I see the continuation of excellence that empowered me to be here and I'm very grateful to all of you personally as a
parent, as a board member. You guys are just I don't have words. Amazing. Thank you. >> Tough acts to follow, but um we have some of the most amazing principles in this district. Um I the amount of advocacy that you display is remarkable.
Um, I think it's often overlooked that they come to after school events late into the evening. They're accessible even on the weekends. Sorry. Um, and um, you know, the the the humility that you display is remarkable. Um, you know, for these kids, I've seen them slime
themselves, tape themselves to walls, uh, go into dunk tanks, and we have pictures to prove it. So, thank you for all that you do. You are the heart of this district. Thank you. All right. >> Still awesome. >> Oh, okay. I was more not more.
>> Okay. All in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. All right. Motion carries. >> Okay. We've got some awards or certificates. Joanne Shimiller, principal of Irwin Elementary School. It's been a pleasure.
>> We stand in front. >> Yeah, if you don't mind, we'll just wrap around. >> Joseph, principal of Wartoer Elementary School. [Applause] Dr. Nyrie Delgado, principal
[Applause] Oh, those are pretty. >> Thank you. >> Peter D. Bernardi, principal of Lawrenburg Elementary School. [Applause]
>> Hello. >> Thank you very much. That's appreciated. Thank you all. Thank you. Dr. Michael Gascal, principal of Central Elementary. [Applause] >> Thanks, Mike. >> Glad you
>> because of their coach, >> Kristen Gino, principal of Bound Monroe Elementary School. Thanks for listening. >> Cheryl Jones, principal of Memorial. >> Thanks, Cheryl.
>> Tatiana McBride, principal of Chidik Elementary School. I don't think she's with us tonight because she's on leave. But we have Rachel Solomon who's acting principal at Chitik Elementary. [Applause] Thanks
Russ Patrono, principal of Hammershold Upper Elementary School. So you don't get Tom's >> Tom Husar assistant principal hammer Enoch Naimichi, assistant principal. >> Thank you very much.
>> Matt Hannis, principal, Church Hill. [Music] Jennifer Cunning Cunningham, assistant principal, Churchill Junior High School. >> Thank you. >> Alexia Duca, assistant principal at
Church. [Applause] Ian Ian Ivanovich uh principal assistant principal at Churchill Junior High Dr. Ed Bashure, principal of East
Brunswick High, >> Erica Dles Santos, assistant principal, East Brunswick High School. Thanks, Len Pazeno, assistant principal at East Bronzac High School.
[Applause] And I'm sorry, Chris, because of your name, Christian Azo, assistant principal. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm gonna try to get a picture.
>> We're gonna switch. Stand sideways like a bridal. >> Really sideways. >> So, just before you all go, before you all go, >> I know there's been a lot of great things said about all of you. Thank you for 11 and a half years of support. I
appreciate it. [Applause] >> I apologize. I just wanted to say thank you for first of all the the beautiful proclamation but also the anecdotes u your support. We we are grateful for it. So on behalf of the principles and supervisors association, thank you for
the proclamation. Thank you for the support. All right, that moves us to some of the best parts of being on the board of education. First, we have our student representatives report. Jane, we are so happy to see you.
>> Thank you. Happy to see you as well. Good evening everyone and thank you for being here tonight. It's always a pleasure to be here. Um congratulations to our principles and administrators. The school couldn't run without you. Your partnership and support make all the difference in helping us create the kind environment where students can
grow, lead, and thrive. I have a few exciting updates and events to share with you. So, let's jump right in. First, a big thank you to our walk to school safety ambassadors who hosted their first event of the year last Wednesday, October 9th. We had over 30 elementary students and their families participate and it was truly a heartwarming way to kick off the school
year. This coming Saturday, we're proud to host the 42nd annual marching band competition right here at our school. It's an incredible tradition where we be welcoming 18 high school bands from across the region. Our own EB marching band will also perform. Doors open at 9:15 and performances begin at 4:30 p.m.
All are welcome in 10 and cheer on those hardworking performers. Words from a senior Michael. I'm always excited to perform, but the home show is different. We get to play for an enthusiastic crowd on our home field, and you just feel excited and appreciated as every last person around you is cheering for your band. It's a really amazing feeling.
Homecoming is right around the corner, and I'm super excited. Students will be busy decorating the halls and participating in our spirit week. Just a reminder, community pass tickets must be purchased by tomorrow, so please help us spread the word. For our students in grade 10 and 11, the PSAT will be
administrated on October 28th. Meanwhile, seniors will attend their senior seminar that day. It'll be a half day, giving students some time to reflect on life after high school or maybe just take a nap. I support both. Friday, October 24th, we'll host our spirit rally during the school day
followed by the big homecoming game that evening. We're encouraging everyone to wear pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month. It's a meaningful way for our community to come together in support for an important cause. We sold over a thous,600 pinkout shirts and we're hoping everyone is decked out in
all pink. Our first ever tricks and treats event is coming up soon. It's going to be a thriller night. This family-friendly celebration will feature over 40 different activities for kids prek through 4th and our high school clubs are thrilled to be hosting. It's shaping up to be a fun and festive day.
Looking ahead to November 18th, we'll be introducing a new format for the Anderson Bowl, a co-ed flag football tournament with 16 teams. As our fall as our fall sports seasons begin to wrap up, many of the teams are celebrating senior night, a fun tradition that makes us feel a little
nostalgic. I had my own senior night recently, and I can tell you it's a special milestone that stays with you. Over in the arts, our music program continues to shine, and our course is hosting Coffee House tonight, where students showcase their talent and creativity. Lastly, we're continuing to
offer teacher-led tutoring every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school. Support is available in all core subjects and it's open to all high school students. Thank you and as always to our board, parents, administrators for your support, enthusiasm, and commu commitment to our school community. We
truly cannot do it without you. All right. And now, although fire prevention is so important and we're so grateful and the principles are amazing and we appreciate and applaud you, this is the best part. All right, we have learning across the district from Irwin
Elementary. [Applause] >> Good evening. Um, I'm Lindsay Lori. I am the PEP chair for the East Brunswick Education Association. The East Brunswick Education Association is proud to present our first learning across the district tonight featuring Irwin School.
Learning across the district is part of our NJA public education partnership grant. Each year we are awarded approx approximately 36,600 dollars from NJA to sponsor community-based activities such as this
event, EV day, the winter wonderland educator signing day, staff awards celebration, the uh butterfly kindness effect, the East Brunswick business day activity, the EBEF bear crawl, the
student t-shirts for the kids races, the VFW W support and the senior citizen support the EB fire department and more. Additionally, we also receive an additional $36,600
for our NJA fast. That's family and schools work together for children. Some of the learning activities we sponsored are the math discovery night, coding night, Mozart fest, international literacy night, remarkable reading for
kindergarten and first grade, prek, have you seen my lion, second grade soggy foggy campout, and the splash bash, which is our one of our favorite events for our special education students. Our teachers apply for these grants and the
EBA purchases learning materials and other supporting materials, food supplies to help make these events successful. Thank you to all the teachers who wrote the grants and to all the students and parents for participating. The EBA is proud to
provide a total of $73,200 in grant money to our community and schools last year and this year will be no different. So I'd like to introduce and the students are really eager to present to you tonight. Okay. Thank you.
[Applause] >> Good evening. Um thank you to Ebea for uh procuring this grant every year. I know I think I speak on behalf of all my fellow principles that any opportunity that we have so that you can see how awesome we think our students are and know they are uh is a great opportunity.
So my fourth graders are here tonight um to talk to you about my favorite subject which is social studies and um if you remember when you were in fourth grade in New Jersey then uh you learned about New Jersey history. That's what the predominant uh theme of the curriculum is. But when you learned about it, you probably had to take a test where you
just memorized all the county names and, you know, you had to be able to write it all in a map. But the way our students are learning about New Jersey history is through what we call discovery zones. And discovery zones are uh group based projects that are completely studentled. They're created by our wonderful fourth
grade teachers, but uh each uh group has a topic that they research and find out about and then they present to their peers um what they learned about. So tonight they're going to be presenting to you about New Jersey's regions. So, I'm happy to have our fourth graders from Irwin School come on up and join
me. [Applause] >> In social studies, we became New Jersey travel agents. We learned all about the regions of New Jersey. Specifically, me
and Madison are travel agents for the Atlantic coastal plains region. This project was done by researching the four regions in New Jersey using our social studies textbooks and Chromebooks. We worked together to build
our travel brochure to try to convince people to want to visit our region. We researched in our textbooks and used our Chromebooks for additional information. We were looking for interesting facts about the Highlands region. >> Specifically, we researched about
location, climate, landforms, resources, and fun facts for our region. >> We used all the research and worked together to create our brochure. >> Did most of the drawing and coloring while I did the writing and tracing. We work together to make sentences that
describe why you should live in the Pont region of NJ. We hope you lick our brochures. So for our first section of our brochure, we have location and climate. So, we
wrote down our climate and also drew a picture of where the highlands is. Uh, we wrote down our climate and their climate in the highlands. Uh, overall, we have hotter climates cuz their land is leveled up higher than ours.
Inputs and resources. Mand for valleys, forest, mountain, bodies of water. Resources, minerals, rocks, flesh, stones, crops. Most common tree types, red maple and northern red oak.
[Music] In the region of um Pedmont, there are cliffs up to 450 feet tall next to the Hudson River called the Palisades. The Pimont is the most populated region in New Jersey and half of Trenton as
well as other populated cities are all in Pedmont means foothills. The Metife Stadium, Red Bull Arena, the American Dream Mall are all here as attractions. location. The Atlantic coastal plains are found south in New Jersey and covers
about half the state. And also the Atlantic coastal plane is not very high above sea level because it used to be on the bottom of the sea floor. The Atlantic coast landforms and waterways. The Atlantic coastal plains landforms
include many wetlands and a lot of beaches. The Delaware River goes along the Atlantic coastal. >> We hope you enjoy. Miss Brown, Mrs. Milan, you have to come too. Okay.
>> Come on, scholars. >> Get in the front. In the back. >> Yes, please. >> Very nice job, everyone. [Applause] All right, at this time I want to thank our students for being here. That was phenomenal. It is the best part about
being on the board is getting to see these presentations and our amazing students. But at this time, I would like to call a brief recess to let our youngest audience members perhaps go home. So, we'll call a brief recess and we
will be right back. Good. >> All right, we are back. And I felt very disappointed when I watched a very small person when I said we were in a brief recess look so excited because they thought there was going to be a recess. >> Oh, I'm like, "No, honey. You just get
to go home." But >> there was disappointment there. All right. Next up, we have >> Can I uh Sorry. Is it okay if I just make a um some comments before we start the for the good of the cause? I know it's unusual, but um given recent events and the way my phone blew up yesterday,
I' I'd like a chance to >> I think we should hold that for the good of the cause for the board. Okay. >> And Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. 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 importance of allowing members of the public oh sorry and community interest to protect the privacy of all students and staff. Concerns regarding individual students and staff members should generally be addressed by first meeting with the appropriate administrative
staff. In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, the board shall provide a period for public comment at every meeting of the board. Uh each person is allowed three minutes. The board secretary will keep the time. If you step up, if you could give your name and address, unless you are a
student, in which case just your name and your grade, we would appreciate it. Is there anyone here wishing to address the board? >> Come up next. Thank you. Jack Levit for Springfield Road. I am the chair of the East Brunswick Education Foundation.
Here to tell you that two things. First, um we had two meetings so far this year. We gave away 20 grants totaling just under $37,000. So, we are off to a good start heading toward our fourth million $4 million.
[Applause] In order to do that, we raise money throughout the year with various events. And our next big event coming up is the um EB bear crawl. And I checked our registrations.
And we have one board member and one superintendent signed up. I'm wondering if there's going to be more. I hope there will be more. We have nine out of 11 schools with teams,
faculty teams, as well as a bunch of students. So, I'm looking forward to seeing all of you there that day. Uh, running, walking, crawling, biking, whatever you choose to do and always supporting EBEF. And finally, happy
birthday, Dr. Boly. [Applause] Okay, good evening everybody. Um, my name is Brandon Rucker. I am from Ruckers University here on assignment. But also, first and foremost, I'm also um East Brunswick alumni. So, happy to
>> I'm sorry, we just need your address, too. Just your street address. >> Street address. Oh, um, Selton Road. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay. So, my one question I have here is for harassment, intimidation, and bullying. What are
your numbers from last year compared to this year? >> This is the time when the public can come and speak to the board and we have to listen. We don't do a question and answer back and forth. So, we can put you with somebody to talk to after. >> Okay. >> All right.
If you if you you actually see one of the ladies with their hands up right there. >> We we gave a presentation about this. We'll be able to provide you uh real time data u by connecting with those ladies right there. >> Oh, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Anyone else?
>> All right, I'm going to close the public portion. All right, this leads us to our first item or our first agenda items, curriculum and instruction items one through
oops seven. Uh, can I have a motion? Please move. >> Second. >> All right. >> Uh, Jamie and Wilbur. Right. Discussion. 1 through seven >> just one through seven for curriculum and instruction.
>> No discussion. >> Just want to, you know, mention some of these items are for the uh drama club and I can say from personal experience that these folks do an outstanding job. >> Thank you. >> All right. I also just want to say I'm
excited to see some of these spring performances and also um for number six, the Minding Our Children LLC. I've seen George Scott speak before. I know he's done presentations before for the school and I just encourage parents that are able to go. Um the presentation is going
to be entitled when you are worried about your child on January 12th at 7 o'clock. And um I think it's uh great for the district and parents to um to be able to talk about children and their
well-being together. And um I just encourage people to attend. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. This is a voice vote, right? >> Yeah. >> All right. All right. This is a voice vote. All in favor? >> I
>> um opposed. Abstension. All right, motion carries. Moving on, we are up to business and support operations items one through >> 18.
>> 18. 18. Can I have a motion, please? >> All right, Lori. >> Second. >> And Wilbur. Hi. Discussion. >> Yeah, >> it's a lot. >> Yeah. >> Oh, go ahead, Wilbur. >> We always go to Wilbur last go. Um uh so I I just had a um a few uh basic
questions. Um so the first two on the bill list um I I know there's a reason for this. I just couldn't remember. But when I was looking at the list of payments for to Delta Dental, the range of payments seemed to be quite wide. Um going from like $11.60 up to 72,000. So
I know there's a reason for it. Can you remind me what it is? >> Yeah. So um we received the the monthly bill. That's the larger bill. And then there's administrative. Um, we also receive it based off of coverage. So, it's broken out. So, that's how we process it.
>> So, depending on who's getting what services and >> so presumably 1160 is for toothbrushes or something. >> Okay. >> False. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, second question is on the item for HCIA there two lines for
$549,000 which total to 1.1 million uh total. As we know, this is always a big impact on our u budget. Um, I just wanted to check is this 1.1 million for the entire school year. And the second question is, we know that changes happen. Is there a time that we can expect changes?
>> Can you tell me what page? >> Oh, sorry. Um, that I didn't put down. Apologies. [Applause] While whoever's looking for that, I'd just like to remark that um for item 14
um the donation from the Horowits family, um I appreciate their thoughtfulness. this in supporting our arts program. >> Joe, it's uh page 14 on the bill list payments pending issuance. So that's item number four.
>> Report page 14. You said >> 14. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Just one second as I get there. >> So the $1 million payment to Hatika. Is that >> Yeah. Yeah. 1.1. >> Yeah. So um this is for October and November. So this is the new payment
schedule um for the current year. Uh and it is it it did go up um say it was like $500,000 overall for the year compared to the prior year. >> Right. Right. >> Um so my question was um I u my understanding is that hectiva um can
actually change this u value at some point during the year. Do we have any idea? >> It's based off of enrollment. So right now um we do the October 15th count uh which the report's not due until the beginning of December. So, um, if their enrollment went up, we get adjusted to
their actual and then at the end of the year, they also do another enrollment report. So, if it goes down, so there's a possibility it might go up. It's all based off of enrollment of East Brunswick students. >> Okay, great. Thanks. Um, last questions on the comprehensive maintenance um
plan. It looks like that the anticipated changes from the 25 26 year to the uh 27 um 27 27 26 27 year are all pretty small especially if you compare the jumps from 2425 to 25 26. Um how solid are these
numbers? >> It's a guesstimate. It's a 2% increase. Um >> obviously we're working on the budget. We don't know where we're going to stand. This is a state required report. Um I wouldn't put much reliance into anything on that report because it
reports last year's expenditures. Those numbers are the numbers, right? Um this current year is based off a budget. >> It's only October and next year is to be determined. >> Y >> um >> and also take note on the first page of the M1, um it says like $143 per square
foot for construction, which is grossly understated. So, uh, it's a state requirement that we comply with, but that really doesn't mean anything. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You have to approve it. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thanks. Appreciate the clarifications. >> Anyone else there?
>> Yes. Um, I have a question on contract uh for all car towing and recovery. Uh, is this something that's a real issue for us in the district that we need to um employ them or or work with them? I noticed it says something about
$100 per sign that we have to pay. Are there any other costs to the district and I'm just wondering, you know, what what this is about. >> So, um, over the years, uh, we've had vehicles that have been left on our property, uh, especially during snow storms where they've been plowed in and
it becomes, you know, a safety issue for people plowing and then, uh, you know, it slows us down and incurs us more cost to remove the snow. So, uh, we went out to bid a couple times, didn't find anybody bidding, so we contracted with
them. The cost is the signs. That's a onetime fee. And then any cost to tow and store the the vehicle would be on the the person, the owner of the vehicle. So, um, it hopefully that won't be the case, but it allows us to have that option.
>> So, this is an issue. This is something we've we've had issues. >> We've encountered it several times over the past several years. How did we handle it in the past? Just out of curiosity, >> the cars got >> plowed around. >> Plowed around. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, Dr. Figaro, just to just to clarify,
this is to expedite just the removal of vehicle just to expedite recovery of the parking lot and things like that, but typically during snow. >> So, the signs will be posted at the different schools. Yes. >> For this. Okay. >> Yeah. each location. Um
it's not so much of an issue here, but um assuming the 12 locations, support ops would is not an issue. So, but definitely the 11 schools. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Mary. >> Uh so on agenda item nine, um business
and support operations, I'm on page the page numbers are a little weird, but it's page five for the title one part A. He has a secretary >> on item nine. >> Item nine >> say page five.
>> Page five. I mean the page numbers are numbered weird. Not really. >> This sorry this report has five section or four sections to it. So on the bottom uh left hand corner does it say like NJS 3 NJC 1 >> NJC 2 short B2.
>> Okay. And Okay. NJ and page five. Yeah, for the title one. >> Okay. >> So, for the for the unrealized, can you just explain what what happens there? >> All right. So, without getting too into
the weeds of the accounting, the special revenue fund works a little bit different. So, we recognize the revenue based off of what we spend. The balance of what we don't spend is unrealized. So um the take the second line there that's
the 2025 award it was 1.1 million >> we had expenditures of 801 >> okay >> thousand so that becomes the revenue revenue you recognize the actual the balance was not spent so it's unrealized
we carry that over so it it's here it's in hand well actually we're entitled to it we didn't draw down but we haven't spent it, we're entitled to spend it. So, we get to carry it over one year. That's how the title grants work. There's a one-year extension. So, it
goes almost into a reserve to sit there and wait. Um, and this is common um that we have carryover because some programs take place in the summer. Um, and then the balance carries over and it goes on from there. >> Okay. But do we know what what it's
going to be used for? Um I mean >> because we're asked to vote on something >> it would be identified in the grant already. Correct. >> So where is that countering staffing? >> Right. So the grant was >> sorry. So no go ahead explain >> the grant application was already
approved that was approved last August or September um >> of 2024. >> Correct. Okay. Because that the state or the federal government releases the grant applications when we're within the year. that makes it challenging. That's why there is a carryover.
>> Okay. >> There's a lot of times we don't get notified what our award is until after we start the year. >> Okay. >> So, um the board approved the application back then and the application identifies what we're spending, what what the the basis is.
There's various requirements that we have to meet. Uh that goes through the approval process at the state level, the federal level. Uh and then we also have to report on what we're spending. Um, and there are times that it's subject to our annual audit, uh, if we're fortunate
enough to be selected for a title one audit from the state. So there there's checks and balances along the way. Like we we couldn't say in the application, uh, we're we're going to pay partial salary to five teachers and then go buy, you know, uh, or or redo the football
field with the money. Okay. It's very regulated. So, I I actually have a question on that because um I emailed about this. The we at at the August of this year board meeting, we were told that nine out of
our 11 schools are title one schools. And that statement is actually not entirely accurate. We're receiving title one funds. We are not title one schoolwide programs. So, I want to make sure is the title one funding being used for the title one students only. It's
for the title one schools and you're you're correct. >> No, no, no. We don't have any title one schools. So, let's clarify that East Brunswick has zero title one schools. >> There are a number of our schools that receive title one funding, >> but it doesn't make us a title one school. >> Correct. So, okay. >> The the verbiage does become very uh
important >> particular. Yes, of course. >> So, um there the funds and correct me if I'm wrong, Dr. Bully, the funds are not uh directed only to the students. It's to the the school, >> but it should not be if we are not a
title one school. >> We're not a title. We don't have any title one schools. Is that statement correct? We have nine schools, >> schoolwide program. >> Correct. So, we have nine schools that are receiving title one funds that we can't call ourselves title one schools. That's like saying we receive STEM
funding. We can't call ourselves a STEM school. >> Yes. So those funds according to state regulations, correct me if I'm wrong, are supposed to go directly to the students that are impacted by title one free and reduced students only. >> Correct.
>> Yes. Supporting the students. Yes. >> No. Supporting just those students. >> Correct. >> That is correct. >> So is is that how the money is being allocated? Because I I can't find that anywhere. >> I mean there are a lot of lines in the
application. Some are offsetting some of the staffing positions in the building. >> Okay, so that's my second question. According to the regulations, those funds are not supposed to be used to supplant. They can only supplement. So why are we using them for salaries that existed anyway? No,
>> there there is a whole calculation is that that we have to do to prove that we're not, you know, supplanting versus supplementing. And that is something when especially when the state comes in and does a a title one audit they're they're looking at there there's a calculation formulab based process.
Okay. >> Um so you're absolutely right. We cannot take the district's responsibility and put that on to the grant. We're supposed to be supplementing it enhancing to to get those funds to where they need to be. >> Okay. But how can we see Yeah. Exactly. Why can't we see where that it's
directed to those? I don't want to see who the students are. It's just how how do we ensure that it's going to those students only because it sounds like someone was under the impression that we had title one schools here. >> If I could, Dr. Tanos, I think I and I
agree with you. We we internally have had a conversation. There was a correction based on your feedback and your information >> that we're not referring them. We no longer refer to them as title one schools. They are schools receiving title one funds. >> Right. So that that's a clarification
and a correction we're making internally in our communication. Um our applications for the grants are scrutinized and they're audited um at at a variety of levels both at the federal level and our internal auditors look at
them as well. Right. So there there are there are there's a lot of oversight into what goes into those grants and how those funds are used. >> But Dr. Sorry, sorry, Dr. Bleski, those when those auditors come, they're not
asking to see which students that money is going towards. So, I I'm asking where is the oversight to ensure that this money is being used only for our title one students because I don't want to make it so that our most vulnerable students are not getting what they need.
>> Can I just make one clarification? The title one funds are also for um basic skills. It's not just low income students. But how are you ensuring that regardless >> the and again Dr. Boly correct me if I'm wrong but the salaries that we allocate
are for basic skills teachers or supplemental you know an additional push-in teacher um to to address the basic skills. >> Okay. But like last time in that the in the September 18 agenda, we voted on an
item that was for salaries for title one. >> And some of them I I I have no I I'm questioning what interaction they have with students in general. So that wasn't clear. And that vote was made under the
pretense that we have title one schools which we don't. Is it so >> is it possible just a suggestion on the microphone but is it possible to have like the one of the grant applications and maybe like the auditor's report available so that perhaps you know you could have an an opportunity to sit down
look at those documents and kind of see if there's x amount of students who qualify for the funds how the grant like kind of requires that is is that would that like be helpful like illustrative to see like here's the grant requirements here are the amount of students who qualify here's the orders
report I don't know if that would be helpful. A >> reconciliation you mean? >> Yeah. So, if I may just based on it, um I think and and Dr. Daniels makes some very good points. Is it possible for us to get more information on that because I think it's it's critical that we um look at and see where that money is
going and making sure that our students are are are most as as Dr. Tanya said, you know, our students that the money is budgeted for is go it's going in that direction. And this is not to say that we're not doing that. It's just that so that way we we are sure across the board um you know that we're doing the right
thing for for all of our kids >> from I can only speak from the financial side like yeah we can provide the um the application. It's not going to be pretty because the state has a grant application software that you can't print from. So
it'll be >> print screens and copy paste. Um so we can do that. >> You can walk me through. >> Yeah. I'd like to see >> but my my main concern is that a statement was made that we have nine title one schools. So I just want to make sure that
>> the money is being funded the way it's supposed to because if we had nine title one schools that mean we could use it for the entire school and we shouldn't be doing that and I just want to make sure that's that's not what's happening is it? No, the your the verbiage definitely has been misused by us
because we are not >> okay >> a title one district but we not at all >> allocate title one funds to those schools so I think >> internally that that's just what we we say but you're correct the application there's two options and we don't qualify
we don't have 40% free and reduced right >> um at any school although we do have 25 28% at some schools which you know is on the rise Um, but yeah, I I think that very valid point that we have to correct our our language so it's accurate.
>> I appreciate that. And if I could if we could walk through that, Mr. Cotchfeld, I would appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Can we turn off the air conditioning? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Anyone else? >> Lever.
>> So, I have multiple questions. So please I have a multiple questions please stay with me for the item number five the comprehensive maintenance play. So uh for this year and next year uh we
budget $2.26 per square foot for every building no matter how old the building is. And uh for 26 27 we budgeted $2.2507 for each square foot. But when I look at
the 2425 actual cost so every building is is different for for example the high school we we spend 1.836 per square foot and for the church hill we spend $1.64 per square foot and the
Hammershot 1.86. So my question is when we do the budget we very just set the number for every square foot. If the unused budget where will it go and if surprisingly we need
more extra money for one school the roof. So where can we get the budget? >> So that's for item number five. >> Right. >> Would you like to know? >> Sure. So the it's important to know that the numbers broken down by school. When
we do the budget, it's at the uh it we budget at the school level but it's reported at the district level all the per the state chart of accounts. So if bound is less but shitic is more it it
you know it it's a collective money that that's moved. Um, you know, it some schools have more events going on. The the high school is very active. Hammershold is very active because we're renting out. Churchill is active, but not to that extent. Um, you know,
because they they don't have the the amount of clubs, the the activity. So, that that does increase the custodial cost, the cleaning cost. Um, so those are are factors. Um, and again, I I would just advise the board to not put
too much credence into the 2627 number because we have not developed the the budget. It is just a 2% increase off of the current budget. All right? Because we do have to report something um per state requirement.
So you just simply set up the number put it there and then when there's extra cost so you allocate the money to for different building is that they are trying to say yeah it I believe that the right way to look at it is that the
custodial cost for you know salaries is aligned um if we have a maintenance contract as the district holding account and then it is allocated across um off the top of my head we did not exceed
that budget um so we didn't have to tap into anything else um you know to to clean our buildings it was properly budgeted >> so if there's any sass unused budget where will those unused budget go >> it goes to other areas that might need
it if the overall budget in total has a excess fund balance it goes um into the fund balance and then depending on the calculation it would as a budgeted fund balance to offset the tax levy in a future year. >> Okay, thank you. So, let's go to the
item number 12 [Applause] >> off the agenda, Mr. H. >> Yes, the item 12 of uh business and thank you. >> Two, >> student transportation services.
>> Yeah, the for the community program. >> No, the item two or 10, I'm sorry. No. Uh 12 112 12. >> I'm sorry. Sorry. >> Yeah. Number 12. >> So for the community program >> that's 13.
>> Did Did everyone get it? >> 13. >> No, that's >> uh item 13, right, Mr. 13? >> Community programs. Is it the community >> enterprise financials or the >> enterprise? >> No, he he's looking at item 12. That
>> the item 12. There are multiple part. >> Okay. Inside the package there is a community programs profit and loss statement. >> Yes, there's a interest 72,772 for the about uh for the about $1
million uh the cash value. So that is very significant amount. But when I look at other items, I never say any interest. We have for certain account we have multiple million dollars. So where
are those money parked in which bank? And do we earn any extra interest from those account those asset? Let me go to before the detail. Okay. If we go to agenda 11, so there the balance is
almost $80 million. This I want to know if this $80 million produce any interest. Yes, we our banking structure is set up where we have an interest bearing account. So if community programs has a
cash balance, the interest earned is allocated to them. Just same way with child nutrition. Um we have multiple funds the general fund special revenue fund uh we have nothing in our capital no activity and then the debt service.
So interest that is earned is allocated throughout but we all of our excess funds are in an interestbearing account. >> So the why there's no showing for the income as the interest just like the item 12 the uh community program.
I'm >> sorry can you say that again? So I just point out for the community program there's more than $70,000 interest showing as the income for other account for so we have a multiple million
dollars parking there and why there's no income showing on the statement >> the income is up top on the community programs you have tuition and then you have interest on investment this current year was $66,000 last year it was 72,000 there was >> yeah that that's why I I appreciate
that. But if we go to other item, let's for example item agenda number nine, the monthly uh certificate certification and a budgetary item. So there we have multiple million dollars parking there
and in the asset or any income. Why there's no interest for those? >> Right. So on if you go to the on the bottom lefthand corner the NJ SEC number two report and it is page one
interest on investment we earned this past year $1.1 million. >> So the entire >> you're looking at the balance sheet the balance sheet would not reflect the the revenue. So I I the reason why I'm asking this question is I spoke with board members in Addison Township. Every
year they move their money in a high interest earning account. They got multiple multiple million dollars. Those interest actually help them expand the building classroom everything. So that thing I I suggest we the our finance
department should do the same. try to use the current money let them make more money the interest for us when we anticipate the more budy cutting so any interest in should million dollars is
very precious and that's what we should go >> and um valid point but I believe Edison received a windfall of state aid and I think they have like $30 million sitting in their capital reserve account we don't have the same cash balance that's very important like I don't want anybody
to think that we're not trying to maximize our interest. Um but it it is a little bit unfair to compare us to another district not knowing what their cash balance is. >> Okay. So since you talk about the reserve account, what's the balance for for our reserve account?
>> Which which one? Our capital reserve is down to >> very little couple hundred,000 I think. Um >> no, the state required minimum 2%. How come we only got hundreds? I I was referring to the capital reserve account. We are at we have our 2% excess.
>> Um but >> okay 2% let's say we have $200 million budget. So 2% we will have about $4 million. So how where is this $4 million? How much interest does it generate?
But it that four million is a component of the balance sheet. All cash right on there are times and if you recard recall to previous times I get up and talk about the audit report and the balances I do show the cash you
know that we have at the end of the year. Uh over the years we might have at the end of the year $50 million in all of our bank accounts. Um but you know it fluctuates throughout the year. All of that money is in interestbearing
accounts. Now, that doesn't mean $50 million is, you know, that that benchmark across the whole year. Um, you know, there are times depending, you know, summer is a little bit more because we're not paying staff, right? But then we have payments. We have our
bond payments, our lease purchase payments that impact our our cash balances. But all of our cash are that's available that's sitting in our accounts are earning interest. >> Okay. Uh I suggest uh uh you should make
a a detailed statement at least share with the board members. We need to watch out. You know, it's very important to for us to maximize whatever we have. Oh, I I I can I'm going to call you, you
know, for further answer. Thank you. >> All right. Anyone else? C >> can I ask for clarification of Mr. Hung's request? Are are you Mr. Hung, are you asking for a special report or identification in our current financials
of where that investment >> so interest is earned? any ass any cash in the parking in the account at least I want to know is there in the interestbearing account and how much we
get from it uh accumulatively I believe we should have very significant income from the interest only >> right any other discussion >> just to that point. Are m um Mr. Kotchfeld, are the interest rates
standard for schools? >> So, I think that's part of Mr. Hong's question is is there some sort of like high yield interest account that Edison is investing in? >> And I don't know, school districts are limited to what they can invest in um
because obviously we can't invest in anything that's risky that will lose the taxpayers money. Um so the our current setup um with our bank is we have a compensating balance. So uh typically in
today's market uh there's fees for everything. Cash a check, you make a deposit, there's a fee, right? Right. >> So we don't pay those fees. It's called compensating balances. Right. Right. >> And then the interest rate and we're always uh in communication with our our bank to ensure that we're receiving, you
know, a legit rate. But uh there's not that much fluctu fluctuation and like if if the prime rate is 4%. You know, we're not getting five. >> Yeah. >> You know, but I'm making sure we're not getting three, you know, >> Mr. Hong's question is how is Edison
able to do this? Perhaps next week since it's school boards, maybe like a discussion can be had and hey guys, what are you doing? >> I I I can just tell you they they do have more cash on hand, but I don't know what they're investing. >> I'm sorry. Forget about Addison. You know every year every month we had EBF
meeting the treasury report how much interest we earned for the money they have as the number is now small most of the time it's five figures >> that is where we should explore at this
challenging time Um, so if I could ask a question, a clarification question. So is the board asking for a specialized report that reflects our interest income?
>> But at least I want to think, >> Mr. Crossfell, is that possible? >> I I can I don't know if it's going to meet your needs without knowing what exact No, no. I'm I'm I can't see that. So, I'm just I'm sorry. I'm just looking in
that direction. So, uh without knowing exactly what you want to see, I mean, we can have a follow-up conversation. >> I really think, please correct me if I'm wrong, Lew, but I think his question is are we making sure that the interest that we're getting from the bank is the maximum possible interest? And he's
asking why is another district able to do this? I understand what you're saying, but I guess there's no harm in just asking them h how are you able to do this? You know, I think part of um you know, being in this budget situation that we're all in is tapping into each
other and seeing, hey, can what what are you doing that we should be doing and vice versa, like cohesion? >> And I I can assure the board that from time to time, uh the banking business is put out for for bid. Correct.
it's for the the core business function that that's been a while like you know our our payroll account and our AP account but yeah we are constantly looking at at the rates and in communication um >> the best deals we can get for the district
>> um you know it >> so the why I'm such a big deal so look at this the same item this community programs only 2024 audit result the interest is more than 70 almost 73,000
>> correct >> so that's why they don't have too much money they said is the the balance the the total income is 3.6 6 million tuition and then that tuition generate almost $73,000
interest. That is very significant amount. If we have millions of dollars in the reserve or in any account, we we should go after try to get more. Anything
else? >> Well, I'm going to call you again. So, I I I need more if if the board policy allowed. I'm going to talk to you, Jill, >> for for more. >> We need a special session.
>> Be careful what you wish for. Like, I will put you all asleep after a while. >> I'm not trying to cause problem to you, Joe. at this special time. >> Uh we we're we're going to do the budget very quickly. We we we have to be very
serious about this. >> You know that that's you know if I'm not going to compare with I'm not trying to compare with the apple and orange. So the reason why I mention school district is if we can utilize this pool so we can
do a lot of good things. You know when we I remember last last year so when we cut one position is a few thousand dollars to reduce the bus route is hurt and if we can make th hundreds
of thousand dollars interest that will help us a lot. >> Agreed. I think we I'll talk to Mr. Crushfell. We'll talk we will look at what I would propose is maybe a mockup report showing the board and then seeing if it meets your needs and it could be
modified at some point in the future. >> Yes. I >> especially during budget development >> you could use it as a tool to to be able to guide some of your decisions. So you can mark you can redact the account number the account code but I want to
know the balance and which institute it is staying and how much interest we get from last year. >> All right. >> Do we need more clarification or are we on the right track? Okay. >> I'm going to start looking this way.
It's very hard from the center sometimes. >> I I >> Any other question? There we go. >> I Sorry, you looked this way. >> No, I figured we weren't I figured we weren't quite there. >> I think so, if I remember correctly and I feel like it was right when Dr. Pan
came on last year, Mr. Julian did he broke us we had groups and times so we could meet virtually and we went over some of these items and what the words meant and and just kind of broke it down for people that had questions that were
probably helpful when we received items or our agendas and our budgets and going going into budget season. And I think the ultimate need is that as a board, I think we want to just be well informed. Like we just want to know what
what questions we can have that we can answer to help people in the public. But I think um and ultimately I was going to suggest this at the end during open comment, but I think having the opportunity whether it be you or
somebody else just stand up there and say like these are the words that we use when we talk about title one funds and this is what it means. This is the words that we use when we talk about this in the budget, right? Our capital reserves, what it can be used for, what it can't. And I know that last budget season we
started that and and we wanted people to be more aware of what the breakdown is and what it means. I think we need to continue that. I think we need to work on it so people have more like of an awareness and it's across the board and it's shared. That's what I think. That's
where I think we're going. And as for interest, like yes, I'm sure that schools carry different amounts depending on their increase or decrease in student in aid in state aid and what can be carried over and what can't. And I think it provides us the opportunity
next week when we're at school boards to ask people to and so we will and we'll report back to you too, but we'll see you there too. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. Anyone else?
All right. This is a roll call vote. >> Anna Brown, >> yes. >> Timothy Cummings, >> yes. >> Jamie Fer, >> yes. >> Lewis Figuro, >> yes. >> Lori Heric, >> yes. >> Lee Wuhong, >> yes. >> Wilbur Pan, >> yes. >> Maryanne Tanos, >> yes.
>> Heather Goss, >> yes. Motion carries. Moving on to special education and student services. Uh, no. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Human resources went to the bottom of the page. Human resource resources, personal actions. It's just one item. Can I have a motion, please?
>> Move. >> Second. All right. Wilbur, then Lori. Um, discussion. Um, >> I'll just say quickly, I think it's important to note from the perspective of where we sit that there's a major change upcoming for those in the community who are not aware, um, that
our assistant superintendent, Mr. Juliana, is also retiring. I think it's okay to share that. Um, and I think it's important that we share that news. So, um, you know, between Dr. Veleski and Mr. Juliana, I think I heard that he's around 31 years in the district. Dr.
close to 12. That's a collective, you know, 43 years of experience uh that will be leaving the district within about 4 months of each other. Um that's significant for us as a community. That's very
significant and um we have to move forward. I have every confidence in our incoming superintendent and am delighted and know that she will lead us uh in the right direction. So, I'm happy about that. But, you know, it is important
that we uh acknowledge this change and uh prepare for it appropriately. So, just want to point that out. >> Yeah. So, um I agree with what Mr. Cummings just said. However, all of our personnel here are important and
valuable. I just feel like this one should not have been a line item on an agenda. respectfully. Um, the board should have been made aware of this because this is a significant change and I I would appreciate that moving forward
when it's such a enormous position that we are made aware well in advance. >> I found out when you found out. >> I I didn't see you, Heather. You're looking at me. Well, I'm >> I'm so I
I'm trying to figure out how to navigate this. Francis, um Mr. Juliana is not rice tonight. Um I I believe you're going to have to have a conversation with him directly.
>> So, because he's not right, we shouldn't about Mr. Juliana. this is about in general like I think that sometimes when it's a when it's like such a significant role um all of our all of our educators are valuable our teachers our staff our aids everybody is valuable to this
district but when it's a position that's this significant moving forward I I would appreciate if the board would be made aware this isn't directed towards Mr. Giuliana >> I understand >> in general there was there's no need to rice anybody that that was just a statement Dr. about
>> Oh, I understand. I understand. >> And I agree with uh Maryanne. So, the the school district has two most important positions. Number one, superintendent. Number two, business administrator.
So, it's such anything bigger like that scale, the board should be notified, should let people know there's huge changes coming. We don't need to be specified since his name is on the agenda. So we got to know that when we receive the agenda, but it's such a big
announcement. We we we I I really should we should know it earlier. >> Yeah. And and I think also, if I may, uh I think the timing is also important in this situation. Um based on going into budget season, I think something like this we should have been we should have been aware of as soon as possible. Um
you know, not at what I consider the last minute. So I do agree. I just wanted to wish Bernie happy retirement. Being retired is awesome and I'm genuinely happy for him. He can have a whole new, you know, career. Maybe he
can run for school board in his hometown. So, congratulations, Bernie. >> Anyone else? >> All right. Uh, this is a voice vote. Yes. Uh, roll call. >> Oh, sorry. I didn't see that there. Oh,
I'm sorry. It is. Roll call vote. >> Anna Brown, >> yes. >> Timothy >> yes. >> Jamie Falco, >> yes. >> Lewis Figuro, >> yes. >> Lori Herrick, >> yes. >> Lee Wuhan, >> yes. >> Wilbur Pan, >> yes. >> Maryanne Tananiels, >> yes. >> Heather Boss, >> yes. Motion carries. Moving on now to
special education and student services. Can I have a motion for items one through five, please? >> Second. All right, Lori, then Wolver. Okay, discussion. >> Yes, Lori. So, um really just some
comments and sorry, I'm going to take a minute. Um under number one, nursing service plan and school nurses service report. I'm hoping that everybody on the board took a look at this because this is amazing. I like went through and I'm
just going to read for a second. Um our school nurses are amazing. They promote health. This is all the jobs that they have. They promote health and safety. They um they work on assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating
um nursing care in an ongoing matter. Uh matter. They work on individ individualized health care plans, seizure action plans, asthma action plans, uh for they seek information regarding health histories, practices, environmental concerns, safety issu
issues, communicable disease patterns. Uh I mean they consult with PA parents, guardians. Um I could go on. I'm just trying to highlight some of this stuff. They serve as a counselor, the role of counselor to students, parents, and staff regarding health issues. Referrals are made to school psychologists,
student assistant specialists, school counselors. Um they educate staff, they provide parent education and I went through and I did based on some of the schools um the number of health visits compared to the total number of school
days and there are some days and like you the elementary schools that we have like 24 visits per day. I mean there's like over for what is this? This is Chidik. So we have total visits to the health office 4,440 in 180day school year. So the work that
they do is amazing and um they serve not just as nurses but as liaison between staff and parents and students that have issues with concerns with food insecurity and clothing. I know the
nurses at the elementary schools keep extra clothes in case somebody needs to change and they just think of all these things and having to check all the food for the school parties. I remember from the elementary PTAs and they're like it's crazy. Um so I just want to thank
them and I feel like this is the time that we get to do so and and just appreciate them and and thank them for for just being that that that person there for them. So thank you. That's it. I agree. Anyone else? Luke.
>> Yes. Just uh first of all, well said, Miss Herrick. Thank you for for saying that because you're absolutely right. Everything you said and more. And and the more part of it is what you don't see in the data sheets. Um our nurses are sometimes the the first person that
students want to go to in the morning and sometimes the last person they want to see at the end of the day. our nurses are social and emotional supports um along with our teachers and our student assistant specialists and and our administrators, but our nurses are so critical to the to what we do here in
East Brunswick. Um and you know, I I also want to to uh along with my colleagues to say thank you to our nurses um to Daniel Bllelock who is in charge of our nurses and and does such a great job. uh without you again as I said earlier you know about our our
principles um there are certain things that don't go on the data sheets that our people do so well and our nurses are one of those those people or those groups of people that work so well with our students and our families and we really can't thank you enough. So we we
do we do want to say thank you and give big shout out to our nursing staff. Thank you. over. >> Um, so I can speak from personal experience that there are two types of physicians. Those who get along with and appreciate the nurses and the dumb ones.
Uh, so um, but um, again a lot has been said. You know, the thing that caught my eye is the uh, list of med medically complex uh, students that our nurses help take care of. And this is and and these this list is not insignificant at
all. Um we have uh kids with seizures, we have kids with cancer, we have kids with immuno deficiencies, cardiac uh disease or uh organ transplant recipients. The the list goes on and on and on. Um it's a really impressive
effort to be able to support uh these students as they um as they come to school every uh day and my my hats off uh to them for uh for fulfilling that role. Um, I did have one question in terms of the uh nursing uh policy
though. Um, sometimes when uh uh kids uh go on field trips, they're on multiple buses. Um, and the nurse has the EpiPen. So, what happens when a kid who needs an EpiPen is on one of the buses that the nurse is not on? Um, I don't know if anyone has the answer here, but I just
wanted to raise that question. >> I don't have the specific procedure, but I believe they're all put on. >> They are. They're assigned to the same bus. >> All right. Um >> and and you also have staff who are EpiPen trained, >> right? But
>> I I was EpiPen trained. So I had that kid's >> Yeah. >> Epipen. >> Yeah. So So where this came is a while back a parent asked me about that because their kid had severe allergies and um it was their impression that the nurse with the EpiPen was on one bus,
but the kid was on uh on another. Um, so I just wanted a clarification on that. And you can be EpiPen trained, but unless you actually have the EpiPen there, right? >> Yeah. They would >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So they would give us whatever the pouch was. Okay. That that we had, right?
>> So, and we knew who our student was. Okay. >> That if if for some reason the nurse wasn't there, there was one of us who the nurse trained to use the EpiPens. >> Okay. Great. Thanks. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Go ahead, Lea.
So when I look at the numbers you know I divide by 180 days per year. So for almost every elementary school they got one nurse but they have minimum 25 visit every day every day school day. So it's
amazing. So I agree with whatever uh my colleagues said but I want specially thanks to our nurses. So when we look at what they did, it's everything. It's all rounder for small things to big things
the one singlehanded in each uh school. So from for the elementary school, we only have one certified north fulltime, no part-time uh no clerk. So the single-handed take care of our more than
4,000 5,000 elementary school students. Thank you. Oh, you you guys are doing great job every day. More than 25 visit for every school. So, >> anyone else? >> All right. I wanted to go last here
because um with a certain amount of irony, I was reading these reports and shortly thereafter the school nurse called me. Um, my youngest is very athletic and very talented and incredibly clumsy and also deeply loving
of the school nurse. And the part that really struck me in looking at these numbers and the number of visits and the number of responsibilities and my child attends a very large elementary school. So, I just feel like that number is amplified. Is are the phone calls that I get reporting exactly what
happened with my child, exactly what was done and exactly how she was when she was sent back every time. Even if it's not exactly in the moment, it's before the end of the school day. And I just marvel at the level of personal care each child receives um considering the
weight of the job and the duties that go with it. And I am just very grateful in specific to one of our school nurses because I do believe my child is in her office at least twice a week and she is still treated each time with the same care and seriousness and I've yet to be
told that it's annoying. So I'm just deeply appreciative but this list really like I don't know how they do it. All right. Uh it really is. This is a roll call vote. >> Anna Braun. >> Yes. >> Timothy Cullen. >> Yes. Jamie Falco,
>> yes. >> Lewis Figaro, >> yes. >> Lorie Herrick, >> uh, yes, but abstain from number five. >> Thank you. Lee Wu Hung, >> yes. >> Wver Pan, >> yes. >> Maryanne Tananiels, >> yes. >> Heather Goss, >> yes. All right, motion carries. We are
up to uh committee reports, information items, and for the good of the cause for the board. Um, last night I will just start that I attended the recreation and parks advisory board. Um those meetings,
by the way, are open to the public and their dates should be published. But it is it is heartening to see the number of people from the community that come out to discuss the resources in the community, the parks. Part of the discussion last night was about how a park that was underutilized could
perhaps better serve the kids in the community. Um discussion of how Crystal Springs can best serve the community and meet its budgetary requirements. Um, this meeting was short and it was still well over an hour. So, I just wanted to
report back, not that there were any huge information items, but just a deep appreciation for the number of people in our community representing so many different groups that come out to talk about recreation, especially for our kids. So, thank you. Anyone else? >> Um, Madame President, I move to discuss
a vote of no confidence in board leadership. >> Okay, that would need a second. We'll second. >> Okay. >> I would request before discussion why
>> um it's come to this board's attention that there has been difficulties in communication and transparency. Those of us who sit up here are of equal standing to each other. So when business is conducted on our behalf and without our knowledge or consent, we believe that
according to Robert's rules, we have the right to discuss a vote of no confidence. >> What business are we referring to that was done on our behalf? >> Madame President, there was an email sent uh from you, Heather Guas. It was
sent to the um entire school district. I received it as a parent. I never audited or read it as a board member. and had no knowledge of the emails um to be sent. I feel that if we are a united cohesive board and the NJSBA guidelines for
presidency communication are minor communications, a major communication in which I statements are declarative. It seems like it is an overstep of your role. >> It is true minor minor communications are allowed on my own judgment but Dr.
Veleski do you want to explain here some? Are we referring to specifically the announcement of the superintendent selection >> among other things? >> A vote of no confidence um is not the same as a censure. >> Yes, ma'am. But a vote of no confidence is not the same as a censure. I am not
seeking disciplinary action for this email. You asked me for an example. A vote of no confidence according to Robert Tools is a declarative statement of this board that we are dissatisfied with your leadership. >> I was asking Dr. though to reply. You made a very direct statement about that
email. I do agree with Robert's rules about going out on my own and only making minor statements and I asked Dr. Veleski to expand on what happened there. >> Ma'am, but we're debating the motion of no confidence because we have a second. That is for all of the board and um
that's according to this. You cannot preside over this if it is in regards to you. >> All right. Then that would go to the board secretary. No, >> it either goes to board secretary or board vice president. It's vice president, right? >> Thank you. >> So, this is just a motion for a no a
vote for no confidence. >> A vote for no confidence. Yes, ma'am. >> Discussion. There can be discussion on the motion and then there would have to be a vote. >> Thank you. Yes. Um, so I invite the board at this time to also voice their opinions, please. >> Yeah, I I agree with what um Dr. Falco
said. I received an email as a parent that said on behalf of this board, it had one signature on it. Although to to my recollection there were eight of us who were involved in that process. Um, additionally it was you know
disheartening to receive that as a parent when I am an appointed official and there have been numerous occasions where as an appointed official I feel that a lack of a response or an incomplete response has been an impediment in my ability to fulfill the
duties of this role. >> And again I ask that Dr. who >> but this has nothing to do with Dr. Respectfully President Gas that this has nothing to do with Dr. This is in regards to a vote of no confidence in
your leadership not Dr. Respectfully. I am asking for Dr. speak to a situation that you just said or that Dr. Falco said I had a part in that you felt was inappropriate or not the leadership that
you wanted. Dr. has information to go with this as to why I did that. And if you're going to do this in the public and cut off and imply that I have wrongdoing, I do think that I should be allowed to ask for more information to be brought forward.
>> So, respectfully, according to NJSBA rules, this has to be done in open. >> No, just so you're aware, this isn't meant to this is not, by the way, easy and this is not meant to disparrage or embarrass anyone. This is
In regards to leadership, this has nothing to do with you personally. >> I would beg to differ that this is not meant to embarrass especially with the timing with the election because I'm only president
to be discussed from this day. >> I'm speaking >> point of order. This is not how we would be conducting the debate. Um this is an open discussion. This is not a dialogue back and forth. >> All right. Who recognizes who speaks in this position?
>> Well, President Guas is still the president. She still presides over the meeting. This is an open motion. Discussion is still on the table. Board members are all able to um provide comment and discuss it. And then at some point when the members uh indicate that
discussion is done, there's nothing else to discuss, you can move it to the floor for a vote. And what's the potential outcome of a vote? >> It's just a vote of confidence. It doesn't result in anything actionable. >> All right. If if we are insistent that I
not ask Dr. Veleski to speak, then I'm being put in a position to not be able to explain why I sent the email, which perhaps is the point of this. Um, I believe that Dr. Dr. Vleski has the right to speak as a non voting member of
the board at this point, does he? >> Dr. can choose to provide information, but he can't be compelled to say anything. >> Okay. So, I'm not compelled, but I'm I believe one of the elements that you're
discussing here may have been the communication or the announcement of the selection of a superintendent. >> No. No, >> no, it's it's the announcement that the email that went out to the entire district. Dr. Falco, is that the email
that you're referring to as well? >> Yes, ma'am. The one that came from East Brunswick Public Schools, uh, signed by President Heather Goss, >> right? Announcing the selection of a new superintendent, >> indicating that it was on behalf of the board. >> Okay. >> No one is to conduct board business on
behalf of this board unless this board is made aware, even the board president. the board president can only do so after they have consent from the board to act on their behalf. >> So I'm aware of um anecdotal I have
anecdotal evidence that a conversation occurred in the proximity of multiple board members that a communication was being prepared that a new superintendent had been appointed by the board. I'm aware of that. I witnessed that. I witnessed acknowledgement by certain
members of the board sitting here tonight that yeah that was going to happen >> from Nicole Tibbitz to the district. We received that email as well in official capacity along with a picture of our new superintendent. So there were two emails,
>> right? And we typically would communicate to our larger community the action of the board. And historically, at least over the 11 and a half years of my experience with East Brunswick, >> president of the board was the spokesperson for the board
>> after consent from the board. >> You you cannot act on behalf of the board without consent of the board. President of the board is the first among equals. It it does not give a you know, you can do whatever you want. >> And this is specifically after requests
for improvement in communication and processes for communication. One of my email requests was for a process outlining communication if we don't have a policy or regulation because unanswered emails create unproductive opportunities because we're not able to
collaborate or get information. So, we come to these board meetings with our questions that are unanswered. Again, that speaks to a lack of leadership and a there should be proactive information offered in leadership, not reactive requests from people who are your
equals. >> I agree that the member of the board the boards all have equal equal value, equal weight, equal voices. I don't debate that at all. Um, what I would like to say is that the number of emails that
come every day um, as board president are substantial and I read them all. But the other day I tried to put together, this was in the end of September, I was trying to catalog in response to people's requests that I be more
responsive. I took just one board member's emails and tried to reduce the font, take out, you know, all the big spaces between because I wanted to print them because I find um the email server difficult to go back through. So I tried
to print them all and put them onto one doc. And I worked at this for a very long time and I was thinking in my brain as a methodical person that I I wanted to create some kind of spreadsheet so that I could keep better track of because I've said to board members I read the email sometimes I email back
sometimes I call Dr. Veleski to ask him to take action on it. Sometimes I try to get more information and make a phone call. But in trying to collect the emails just from one board member, I realized once I had put this doc together and I was only through from July
to midepptember when I looked at it to print it, I was shocked to find out that it was 197 pages. The emails from this board are substantial and I read them and I
act accordingly to try to find information which I have said um I have tried to be more responsive. A lot of the emails that I receive are a question which I answer which is followed by the same question the same question the same question rephrased.
It it is frustrating on the communication. I've asked for some things that were frustrating that multiple board members asked for to discuss in close session so that the full board could have their voices heard there and could be a part of the
discussion that it shouldn't be an email conversation and then I was met with frustration that I was putting it into closed for the board to discuss. It is it is a tricky path. It is and this has been I mean everyone said when we got
here that this was going to be a tricky year for the board. I mean we had people of very different viewpoints. I have done my best to bring people together under certain goals. I was asked the night of after we um approved the
contract for the new superintendent which was a very happy night. I was asked to put together an email which I told board members out here there was going to be one released that night to staff because staff should be informed first. I stand
by that. Everyone agreed that I spoke to um and that there would be a second one in the morning to the community. I sat in here and worked with Nicole Tibbitz, but this came at the directive of the superintendent who can direct me to do things in that capacity.
>> That is correct. He is the chief officer of the district and he can make those requests which is what he did. >> So he requests some of you to discuss with the board. You are the essentially liaison to discuss with this board. The the authority of this board cannot be
undermined. We are a board of nine and I stand by that and and not just I stand by that. That is NJSBA rules. This is a board of nine. We have equal authority on this board. Sorry, Wilbur. Go ahead. So, um I'd just like to provide a little
context on this and um this is not this is a discussion I've been thinking about a lot and it's not one that I really want to participate in, but um from from my point of view, there's been a consistent pattern of limited communication that could have been more
frequent, could have been more more more regular. and I've provided feedback on that at times over the time that I've been on the board. I know that other board members have done so as well. And for what it's worth, I haven't seen a
whole lot of change in the pattern of communication. Um I don't want to really litigate the um the the the announcement because then we get into technical things that are I think we're we're losing the uh the force for the trees.
Um, and I don't um, uh, and and so I want to provide a sort of a big picture view from where I sit in terms of the superintendent search for Dr. Man. We set an aggressive timeline and we executed on that. And
that involved a lot of talking among us back and forth and and frequent meetings and and we were able to get our choice as superintendent, which is terrific. That's what happens when we have good communication.
On the day that we u made made our selection, the next step was to um offer a contract. And I know that there are a variety of things that happened that caused that to um uh that caused snafoos and things like that, but from my
perspective, there was radio silence from the day that we made the selection to the day that we found out that the contract contract was done. Um that's a and that was a pretty long time to wait without anything. Even a simple things
are in process, we don't have any more news would have gone a long way. um just something uh as simple as that. So contract uh goes out we have the announcement we have the issue with the uh um with with the announcement that
again I don't want to get into the um details but now the process is um on moved on to the onboarding and transition of Dr. from man into um her new position and that um has been less than ideal as well because I've had very
little insight as to what's going uh going on and arguably um when someone is uh is stepping into a new role the whole transition thing is one of the most important things in terms of um in terms of success and that's why the board is
so vested in understanding the process of the onboarding process. Now, I want to make it clear. I'm not really interested in saying, "Oh, well, these meetings are happening three days apart. Maybe they should happen four days apart." I just want to know that thing
things are moving along. And two things happened recently that um I think for me illustrates um fi, you know, uh the the sort of blank wall of information that I I've been getting in term in terms of
this. The first is the CPAG meeting that um that Lori and I went to which was a fantastic um event and I thought it went very well and hats off to the CPAC folks cuz they're wonderful people. I I I I they they do an incredible job. But um
that's when I found out that Dr. from Aman had been meeting with our special education um team including Luis and everyone else which is great because my understanding that went very well which is awesome but it would have been nice for us to know that such a thing was was
going on just again because we have so much vested in this that sort of flow of information would be extremely valuable for all of us I I believe the second is the thing that happened in terms of a dinner between Dr. from man and the
mayor and whatever. And I don't want to get into all the details cuz that's not the point. But it seems to me that the re one of the reasons that this thing sort of came about and and I heard about it basically
yesterday when my phone blew up is again a bit of a lack of of communication um be between members of of the board so that things were happening without other people knowing. Um, and so from my
perspective, um, again, I don't want to litigate all the details of a of an email or anything like that cuz I don't think that's particularly useful, but there is a pattern of communication that certainly could be improved and it and
it hasn't been and it's impacting, I think, the whole onboarding uh process. And I really regret having to make these points, but where we're at right now is that we need a successful trans uh transition from Dr. who's put a lot of
time and effort into our school district to Dr. Man. And we need this to be as seamless as possible because Lord knows we have a lot of problems that we need to deal with come 2020 uh 2026. And my view is that our current
leadership is not facilitating this. This is not a knock on the current leadership because what we're what I'm asking for is being given more than what uh than what's available. And I want to be clear about this because this is
election season and I do not want anyone to use what I'm saying here as a weapon against anybody. Want that to be clear. This is actually not an uh an evaluation as to whether or not anyone should be on
the board of education or not. I want to repeat that. No one should weaponize this at all. There's a difference between membership on the board of education and leadership. And that to me that that
that's what this is about. Thanks. I would like to respond. Um I am careful to balance my role as a board member and board leadership to make sure that I am staying in
governance and policy which is our purview and I am careful to not overstep into the day-to-day administration of the district that it is hard and I am very careful. I do believe based on what
I'm hearing that members of the board believe that I'm having more conversations about day-to-day administration that I am not. We spoke this afternoon and I'm I'm disappointed in some of what you said because we spoke this afternoon and I know you know
Wilbur that I found out about what was exploding on Facebook from you. Um, and yet you're saying, you know, you want updates, you want I had I am in no
way involved with the dinner with uh the incoming superintendent, the mayor. And in fact, I told you I didn't know about that, but that I would reach out to her to find out where the truth was in that,
which I did, and I called you back. That was at the exclusion of time at home with my daughter and that certainly was at the exclusion of dinner. But I was good to my word. I reached out. I found out what was going on. I also spoke to Leeu. I found out what was going on and
I called you back with that information. The other part of our discussion this afternoon that I'm still grappling with. I mean, I'm willing to do that and you know, I I have thought through. I said I had no information different
from the board about what was happening with the transition. I I am concerned for the number of emails that I am CCD on that the board sends to Dr. that no one asked Dr. that I'm aware of.
I mean I wasn't CCd. Um so the question isn't asked. I I would have said I have no more information. And part of our conversation was that you said then I should be sending out regular emails saying I have nothing to report. Um so I
if that's what the board wants for the remainder of this year for me to send a weekly email on Monday that says I have no information to share with you. I can do that. Um I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain about that but I I certainly can do
that. Um, but I just feel that there's a lot of substance here accusing me of knowledge that I don't have and then not sharing this which I didn't have to share. But if it is what the board wants for
the next two months for me to send I will send a weekly email on Monday saying what it is that I'm aware of. Um, I did when I spoke to Dr. from Aman about scheduling an upcoming meeting and what the board wanted and concerns
there. Um, I did relay that to the board. That was the update that I had. That was the information I had to share. I did send that. Um, and then we had some follow-up discussion about dates, which I was happy to see work out so well. But I've I've shared what I have
to share. I am I am frustrated for the amount of time that I spend reading updates and trying to find information for people or get back to people or find out how to handle things. I am frustrated that where my
failing is is not sending an email out more frequently that says I have nothing to tell you. But if that's if that's what this board needs for communication, I am more than happy to do that. It feels
it feels routine. Um, this has not been this has been an excellent experience and this has been a rough experience. It's an excellent experience because I'm so amazed that we pulled together and we hit that really rigorous time time
schedule to be able to offer our first choice a contract and get our first choice. And I have said before publicly um it was intense. uh the schedule that you know Bernie and I first put together and brought to the board and the board
agreed to. I was deeply grateful for because it accomplished the goal that we wanted despite people um trying to figure out why we were doing it that way. there are too many districts looking for superintendents and I shared with the board that my goal my thinking was we needed to get out ahead of
everybody and there were other board members that said we wanted the best for East Brunswick and I really thought that was the way to go and we accomplished that. So that part of being board president, I feel incredibly proud to have been able to meet the goal to find
a superintendent as a board and be a part of the leadership there who I think is going to be incredible for the district. Um, other things about this uh have been very frustrating like spending I was on the phone today from 1:00 until
I left to come here with board business and I I will send emails that say I have nothing to say but I spent 1 to six well 1 to 5:30 I left
but no I was on the phone in the car. I take that back. I spend from 1 to six on the phone with board members and getting information for board members and answering board members emails um and finding information to answer the emails and I I will also throw in there a PTA
phone call and then checking back about that. And I just it has not been it is frustrating to spend the amount of time that I do and that I have made a choice to do in the place of things like
my family to be told that it is not enough which is fine if it is not enough that is grand. Um, I have no intention of wanting to be board
president in January if I am reelected. I have too much on my plate coming up next year to do so. And I am very, very excited about the new superintendent. But this what this board asks for is
sometimes very difficult to understand because part of our conversation this afternoon was you said, "Well, we wanted to know this." And I said, "But no one said that, and therefore my mind readading abilities have failed me to
know to send an email to say that I don't know anything about the thing that you want to know about that you haven't told me." Um, >> Madame President, I'm interrupting because according to Robert's rules for section 28, um, you cannot make a second speech on the same question so long as any member who has not spoken on that
question desires the floor. Furthermore, a member who has spoken twice on a particular question has exhausted their right to debate the question for the day. Should you have further remarks, I do suggest you hold them. >> Thank you for that. >> So, I actually have a remark on that. So, uh, President Guas, this is a shock
to me because >> I'm sorry, but then if you're going to apply that rule, doesn't everyone have to follow it? >> But we're remarking on this. >> You already spoke though. So, have we exhausted everyone's first right to speak? >> Leu, you wanted to? Yeah, we I think we had one person
>> member running this meeting. >> It's an open discussion. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. What was the question? >> Dr. >> Dr. Dr. was asking about parliamentary >> a particular board member appeared to be running the meeting. I asked that question
>> and I said it's an open clarification. >> I thought that was clear. >> It was not clear to me. Not clear to me at all. Okay. So, I have uh I want to I I believe the public deserve
a clarifi clarification for what happened. I try to I I will tell you everything from my heart. I'm not a person never I never lie. I'm going to tell you what happened. I'm a person I want help always no
matter and which capacity. After we got new superintendent I ask me a few question for myself. Number one question is is Evelyn a is espons employee yet? My
answer is no. Not yet. Second question is is Alfan a good person? My answer is yes. And the number three question I I ask myself is can I treat her as my friend,
personal friend? My answer is yes. And then my first question for myself is can I introduce my new friend to my old friend? Of course yes. As a professional, I match my old friends in
match my brokers everybody expert witness that's why I set them up. We have dinner together. We have coffee out. You know that's the way I conduct my business. After I answer my own four questions, I said that would be good
idea to to bridge the incoming new superintendent and our current mayor. Let them become friend to know each let them know each other because that will be good idea to help.
Of course, Dr. Mor is not East Bronic employee yet. So there is no so-called B business for me or for anybody to talk about it. So for that reason, so I tried
to to match them up. I made a reservation and I sent the my reservation to a number which uh Alan normally she don't check. So she didn't know where we got their time and a table
and of course she didn't show up. And then after two days she found out oh there's a message here. So she called me immediately. I said that's okay. I there's nothing formal. I just tried to set up a friends dining out. Nothing
serious I you know if you have time we can do it again and very unfortunately you know I'm you know I'm only the person now busy mayor is very busy Dr. memory is very busy so nothing happened. So if the public believe I made mistake
I will apologize. I'm trying my best to help. That's always have been doing for my last nine years. When I first run my oldest boy only less than two years old I'm doing this. It's not for myself. If
the result is people believe oh leave made mistake I I'm going to apologize. I'm willing to take any consequence. I'm I'm the person with, you know, integrity. I'm never lie for anybody. I never vote against my my will because
the purpose here is try to help the entire community. That's the my intention. That's my sole intention to try to have my new friend meet my old friend. And unfortunately, it didn't work out that well. know the result was
very dis you know uh not as planned. I I I'm I'm sorry it's my fault if you guys believe if the community believe I apologize from my heart. I'm I I believe you know I'm acting as a normal person as a professional. I
always just like I did every day, you know, I dining out with my friends, my new friends, old friends, my clients, and if anyone in the community want to hang out with me, you're welcomed because it >> so you know that that's the thing. I
want the public know what is really happened because I'm the party. So that's is the truth. I don't want people guessing for anything. That's is the entire thing what happened and the result is is now make some people
unhappy make people angry I'm sorry I apologize for it I I'm not with any bad intention and if I'm willing to do anything to compromise this to remedy this that's is me you know I apologize if you
believe I made mistake then I will take it as mistake I still you know that is my intention That is where my heart is. I want to help. I am desperately want to help. Why? Because this town is in very critical moment. We have new
superintendent which provide us a golden fe opportunity to sail to the right direction to the next level. That's why I'm so desperate. I have very high stack on this community. I don't know how many
families have three children in school at the same time. I'm have three I have three children. I work for every day for the for the commuting. I'm not for myself. So that's for the same reason I I tried have my two friends meet to
dining out. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I'm sorry. So that's what the story is. And then I I really hope commun community understand I didn't do anything with bad intention. If you want to talk I'm open.
If you want to blame me I'm going to take the blow. I'm sorry for that. >> I would say uh Leeu things don't always work out the way we intend, right? And I I respect and appreciate the fact that you're and I do believe you that your intention was pure there. I think it was
a mistake. Um, and I and I have a lot of respect for the fact that you uh apologize. Um, I think personally for me, I I think that the uh look, we're two and a half weeks away from a major election that is going to drastically change the uh four
of the seats up here, right? I don't think all four incumbents are coming back. I I don't have a crystal ball, but that's just a feeling. Um, so I I look, I haven't been overly pleased with um communication that has gone on, you know, some of the things that I've heard
here and how we've handled that. It's a tough role. I'm sure it's a tough role. Um, and I don't really envy you for being in that position, Heather. Um the leadership in any organization in any or you know company team or whatever is is
complex compelling and and requires someone with a lot of you know really strong skills and um you know I think we're learning through this process that as we look forward uh we really need to identify someone who has the ability to
communicate effectively and bring people together and um you know help to orchestrate healthy dialogue and uh that will that will play to the service of the community at large as we go forward. So I hope that you know we all keep that
in mind as we continue to progress here. But at the end of the day for me uh you know we're two and a half weeks away from something that is going to drastically shift the dynamics of this space. And I frankly and I've asked for this and I put this in an email three or four weeks ago or whatever. I said we
have we're in the midst of the most massive transition that any of us are going to experience here. I'm really proud of the work that we did to find and secure Dr. Mahan. I think she's a dynamic human being who's going to lead us in a very positive direction. I'm so excited about that. But we need a plan.
You can't move anywhere in any direction without a plan. And if people aren't rowing in the same direction and the problem that we have had, and it's a deficit of ours, is that we haven't been able to establish that. And that's not fair to her and that's not fair to us. And you know, without that, this
happens. Everybody's confused. Everybody's angry. Everybody's blaming each other. It doesn't work. Like, it just doesn't work. So, so we need leadership that's going to help us to push that plan forward and it's going to pull in the expertise of all of the bright like bright and dedicated minds
that are sitting around this table and and all of the incredible people who are a part of this community, you know, within the district. and we need to help to support Dr. Man through that process. So, we still don't have a plan. That's not fair. And it's po it's crazy.
I mean, it's like absolutely crazy that we don't have something that we can hand to her and say, "Look, this is what we envision for you. It's not set in stone, right? Plans change. Things things shift in life. That's part of being human. But you know that to me right now I think
personally that we're better served like dedicating the time and the energy towards a plan. Let's focus on what this looks like. In two and a half weeks we're going to have a really clear understanding of who the new people are who are going to be coming in to help
push that forward. I think that's where this conversation should be. I I I don't see another way. I think it's I think we're we're kind of just stepping backwards to be quite honest with you and it feels like a little bit of a
waste of time. Uh my opinion um but I you know I just wanted to share that. >> Could I could I say something? >> I I I think I need to clarify for the public and the board that this
transition is not happening in a vacuum. So I I want to distinguish Mr. Cummings, are you talk when you say a plan, are you talking about the board's plan? >> But I I think we're also getting out of the scope of the current discussion which is I think on communication and
not so much on transition. Um so I just want to be mindful of that because you are within a certain >> Okay. >> Yeah. limitation. >> Okay. >> So do I answer? >> No. >> That's crazy. This whole space is also
crazy. I I mean I have to admit like it's just like we can't have a conversation which I hear you and I have a lot of respect for you but like that's another thing that drives me nuts about being up here. >> Oh gosh. Okay. Um, I think collectively
what we're like I think we all went through the process together of picking a new superintendent and felt like supercharged and super excited about that and the prospects that it brings and she brings
and I just feel like somewhere between that meeting and here we lost our place and I feel like the gap is just too it's too far when we're going through a transition and it leaves
and creates this emptiness and this creates these fractions and these silos and we we live in them, right? Because things show up in places and we're like, I don't understand why this is on Facebook and I don't know about it or I go to a meeting and community members
know this and I don't know this. And it's really hard because this is supposed to be our main source of dialogue, but we survive on having one a month, which is not it it's not it it does not set us up for success at
all. And um I just feel like it has created a vacuum. It has created a vacuum that I feel like some of us are in feel like we are in. and to continue on this path. I just feel like again we
I'm I'm sorry, but I'm going to say the transition word like there is no like I just feel like we're sinking because there's no plan and if there's a plan maybe some of us know it and some of us don't. I don't know. >> Can I clarify? >> Yeah, >> I'm not saying those discussions can't
happen, but there's a motion that's on a particular topic. So, but you can have that discussion still within the good for the cause just >> after the motion has been decided. So, you can still bring that up Tim too. I'm I'm just this particular motion. >> So, maybe I just I'll change it then to
like leadership. I don't think it's any I don't think it's a fault. I don't think it's a person. I don't think it's a fault. I just think that this system and this creation is not set up for success in the way that we need to be communicating to see a a successful
transition. And so I I I don't know the outcome here, but I just know that collectively as a board we have to move forward together because that is the only way we work to support ourselves in the community. And we are elected here
to support kids and to support the community and again we have a new superintendent and we want to collectively support her. So, I think communication, however, it has to be reestablished, like has to to kind of
find a way that we can work together and we all feel heard, we all feel responded to. And I and I also say like the whole PTA thing, I'm one of the people who sent two emails and and didn't get an
answer until the day before when collectively we all got an answer. But then it seems that some people got answered before that. And it's like again value. We're all equal, right? And it's again I don't think it's a fault of anybody. I just think that we need to as
we move forward create better ways to communicate. So we're all at the same table. And I don't feel and we don't feel, hey, I'm sitting next to Tim and he knows things that I don't know, but Anna doesn't know either, but maybe Wilbur knows. And I feel like that is where we're we're breaking down. And I
think that we need to fix that and we need to say like this is our our plan of communication. This is how things go out. Do we need weekly updates? I'm happy to get a weekly update that says there's no weekly update. Maybe it just makes me feel better and and I just know everything is okay,
you know, like or if there's things going on then we need to know there's things going on and collectively how do we and maybe Francis at the end of this you can let us know how other boards that you've worked with handle this when we can't respond to everybody in an
email we can't do shared shared Google docs about things and make comments so how do we work on collectively going like going forward forward. I think that for this board that means adding more meetings or putting in more time. Um I don't know. And so perhaps as we go
forward that's a discussion that the board has to take. But meeting once a month is is not setting us up for success and it it is not supporting um a transition. And I think what you're hearing, Heather,
is we just want this board wants to be well informed and we want to be a healthy board that communicates and collaborates together. And that's that's what I'm trying to say. >> Yeah. I have to I I just tagging on a
little bit what you said. I hate surprises. I absolutely hate surprises. Don't give me a birthday party, a surprise party. I don't want any of that stuff. I want to know things ahead of time. I want to be prepared. And this is
going back now to the budget season where there was a big PTA meeting at Hammershold and I was on my way to a township council meeting. The next thing I know, my phone is blowing up. Anna, where are
you? Like, what do you mean where am I? I'm going to the township council meeting. Oh, well, there's a presentation going on at Hammershold. What do you mean there's a presentation? I don't remember seeing anything about a presentation. Well, there was a
presentation given by Dr. Bolley and uh President Gaus was there and we didn't know anything about it. And then I'm reading about this meeting on Facebook the next day. That is not good.
that is inappropriate. I had to go and send an email and say, "Hey, why is a presentation being given that we know nothing about because you're talking about changing Hammershold to an elementary school?" I think that's something that we should know. We should
have had that information. I had to send an email asking, "Hey, can can we at least have the PowerPoint presentation so that we know what was given?" So, I mean, this this has been an ongoing issue with communication. It's not just,
you know, the last few months. And um that's my two cents. >> I can respond to that because that's a different issue >> as everyone else. >> No, she's already spoken. >> Same problem. >> Spoken. Who wishes to speak? >> Everybody's gone.
>> Yes. Okay. So, then >> Yes. Yes. >> She asked first. She just raised her hand first and she's going first. So to address the PTA meeting, there had been a large community request for more
transparency from the board. Could we answer questions? There was a request from directly from Maryanne as PTA president, not as a board member that could I come to the meeting to answer
questions. And I said that I would try. This was new for a a board president to go out and do, but the community was looking for more opportunities to voice an opinion and answer questions. And I said I really couldn't
speak um to what was happening. Dr. Bolley was going. I had no part of the presentation, but I said that I would take and my intention in going was to take notes and bring back to the board. And I took a lot of notes. Um and there was a lot of discussion about how the
public felt about uh the budget proposal, about how we felt about the budget proposal. Um obviously our meetings went very long about that. My intention was not to be there to do anything other
than respond the way the community had. I responded to the PTA's request to go. Um, interestingly, there was feedback that that was a good thing to have done to be there. And I tried to just and I kept saying at that point, the board
doesn't know what the board doesn't know. If people in the PTA want to voice concerns and I can take that back, that's a good thing. Um, Dr. Bully answered questions about the program that she had. I didn't have answers
about the program um or the proposed program. But it's interesting because at that point in time there was so much talk about increased increased communication to the board
from and I said I would go. I was asked to go. I said I would go. Um, I didn't make any statements on behalf of anyone other than to answer questions mostly about board procedure and
to listen to a lot of concerns. It was a very long meeting. But Marian, so just to that PTA meeting, yes, I I was am PTA president, co-president now um at that time and we heard from our
constituency that they wanted to have a meeting because there's a plan, there was a presentation given here in this room about changes that were coming. It was something that Dr. Bronn said that triggered everyone to say, "Hey, what's actually going on here?" So, our
constituency asked for an uh ad hoc meeting. This was not planned, not on our agenda for the year. We held the meeting. President Guas reached out and said, you know, um I did not reach out to you about that. >> You This was at the ad hoc meeting here,
the different ad hoc meeting back in March. >> Oh, okay. Yes, you did reach out. You reach >> I'm sorry. I thought you were talking about the PT that you want to be more involved and more aware. So when this opportunity came, I said, "We're having a PTA
meeting. If you would like to attend so that you can see what the concerns are from the community, this is a good opportunity for you when they don't have three minutes to stand at a podium, but you're in a room with them and it can be a back and forth and a discussion. >> You accepted. Dr. Bully was a surprise
to me. Dr. Bully showed up and said, "Where can I set up?" So I think what what uh Dr. Bronn is referring to is the presentation, not your presence there. Just for clarification. Okay. That presentation was a was a surprise to you as well. I believe >> it was. >> Okay. So, so just to clarify like that
had nothing to do with your presence there. As far as your comment about um the amount of emails that are sent because I I also heard this from the community that I apparently send way too many emails, but I like to make informed decisions. So, when I send emails, my
emails are valid. there's nothing in them that is annoying or um you know things that I should already know. My emails are asking they're the same questions that I ask in here and I don't know if if anyone feels that my comments
are not substantiated but they are um because oftentimes they're clarifying things for people on this board including you President Goss. And so it's it's really upsetting to hear that it's frustrating how many emails are
sent because to me as a leader what I would see if I was getting so many emails I would say we have we have an issue here because we should be making it should making things clearer so that we're receiving less emails. Um, and maybe that's something you're not used to, but
I I'm all about hard conversations and I'm all about sending emails to get my questions answered because I am not comfortable voting on anything that I don't have every answer to. If there is even a doubt in my mind, the smallest doubt, I am more inclined to vote no than to vote yes. But I don't want to
sit here and vote no on everything. So, I tried to make the most informed decision possible. with regards to your statement about uh would you like to send an email and say I have no information to report. That's a problem for me. There should be something to report. You have told us that you have
conversations with Dr. Daily. How is it possible that there is nothing to report from those conversations? You have also sent us in emails letting us know that you spend hours on the phone with administrators and this and that and like even during the superintendent search. How is it that there is nothing
to report back to us? you know, I I feel like I'm oftentimes left in the dark and uh I'm constantly reminded of my tenure on the board, which I'm very well aware of. Um, but I don't think that negates my ability to make decisions on this
board. So, when I send emails, I expect them to be responded to. And when I rephrase my questions, it's because I didn't get an answer. Um, and you know, if if the answer is vague, it's really like I
don't know if it's because I didn't word it properly in my question and that's why I've rephrased it. Uh, and oftentimes it is. Um, I mean, I asked for a communication protocol and I received an email back from you saying, "Who do you want to rice?" I didn't want to race anybody. I was asking for a
communication protocol of, "Hey, this is what's expected. You send an email, this is when it should be responded to. Superintendent to board, board president to board members. That's a standard thing. That's like that just I'm all about setting people up for success. And if we don't have protocols in place, how
how do we know that needs aren't being met and expectations aren't being met? So, you know, um I understand it's frustrating for you to have so many emails, but if you're getting so many emails from so many board members, that should be a very telling sign that there's a communication failure.
somewhere along the line. And it shouldn't be that I'm sitting here right now feeling like I send too many emails and I will continue to send emails until December 31st unless I'm reelected back in. And I don't think it's fair to sit here and say, "Oh, well, there's a transition and it's just another two and
a half weeks till elections and then uh till January because I have been appointed to this role until December 31st." And I guarantee everyone I'm going to give 200% until December 31st. So I'm not sitting back and just waiting
for an election. Sorry, it's not going to happen. Thank you. I agree with that. But I also want to say when I said there were a lot of emails, I was trying to create order to make sure that I was responsive to them. You and I had talked
about responsiveness and I was trying to see where, you know, I had followed up but not gotten back to you to say that I had followed up or I had gotten information but hadn't put it in writing back to you and I was trying to create order when I saw how many emails had accumulated. And not that it's
frustrating to receive that many emails. I just in my mind have a hard time reconciling that I'm communicating or I'm answering or I'm following up on that many emails to then also be told that I'm not communicative because it is
substantial. Um, which is fine. Sorry, President Guas. I'm sorry, but you know, when when we were doing the the the superintendent contract, how many emails did you receive from all of us collectively? And there was no response for days. For days. So, please don't sit
here and tell me that you were responsive. Like, that's you're making me look like a liar, and I'm not because everyone can attest to that, >> you know? And and we were all you were spending hours on the phone. So were we. We were calling each other like, "Did you hear anything? Did you hear anything?" That's that's not a fair
statement. So, please don't say things that, you know, make me look like I'm saying things that didn't actually happen because they did. And everyone can attest to that. And I spoke to the board after that and said I would in the future having to do with the search if there was nothing
happening sent an email that said that to date there was nothing happening because that was why the pause there was nothing happening. So, um I I I I I had a request for some information a while ago and this is after we've had conversations on
communication style. Um and to my mind, communication style is a choice. You know, there are many models of communication out there and people can pick and choose what fits well with them. The particular um question I remember um is how many students
currently are in the Hammershold and Churchill music programs and how many students participate participate in nth grade sports. Pretty factual things that uh administration should be able to um uh handle. And I didn't need it in a
hurry. Um, and I sent the request um to the superintendent and the BA and CCD the president and the vice president because that's generally what I do in in in those um in in those types of things. Um, and I waited and the only response I
got back was from the president that said, "Oh, this will be presented at a retreat that we'll be having." I don't know what retreat that was referring to. Um, but it seemed odd to me that a data point that I was interested in in order
to try to figure out things about the budget issue that we were going to be facing um, you know, uh, come uh, come the next calendar year couldn't have just been answered. Um, you know, and again, I I don't want to be litigating
individual u uh, points here. I think the main thing is that there's an overall pattern of communication that is less than ideal for the transition that we're looking to facilitate here with
Dr. Man coming on on board. And as far as I'm concerned, number one, the comments I'm making are intended as feedback. And we all know that feedback is great because feedback should be gold in in terms of how um in in in terms of
the uh things that people tell us. That's how we should be um uh that's how we should be thinking about it. And the second thing again this is our number one priority right now to make sure that this transition happens well. Um and
I'll just make the point again that's why we're so invested in it. And to me, there was a clear pattern of communication that was highly successful during the search. And that's why we executed so well on that. And now and then after that and we made
our decision, that pattern of communication went away and and and uh and now we have the situation that we're in. Um so to me, it's pretty clear that really is the issue.
Yeah. Well, if we when we get to closed, that is at the request of the board. The item that was added to closed is the transition so that the board can discuss >> and and I also don't understand why it needs to be enclosed either.
>> Right. >> Okay. So before we move on to that topic, is there any more discussion on this motion that's on the floor? >> I just I just do want to add that this is this is not at all personal. This is a matter of making sure that Dr. Man is
set up for success and as good leaders, we need to make sure that we're aligned and I don't even know that we are because we can't meet unless we're, you know, we're in quorum and that it has to be an open. So that's what this is all about. This has nothing
to do with you personally when this idea was presented to me. I did check if we can have this conversation enclosed because you know this is a little awkward a lot awkward actually. And and you can see from everybody nodding nobody's happy about this. I felt
squeamish. Um I I actually turned to Lou and I was like I feel nauseous. Um, but this this was not intended to um embarrass or you know negate the service
that you've put into this board. And and like Dr. Pan said originally, this is not about anybody's ability to be on the board. It's a it's a question of leadership because that requires a certain level of communication. That's all. I just want to make that clear. Had
this discussion been able to be had enclosed according to the law and the the regulations, we would have and that's what I would have preferred. That's all. >> For a point of clarification, couldn't this have gone under board self-governance enclosed?
>> Um, no, this is a public item because it's regarding just uh leadership the board officer position. >> I check NJBA. I did Heather. I'm sorry.
>> Can I I'm gonna to echo what Miriam is saying. It's this is very difficult to have here in public, but I think that what we're hearing is the the shift of the board to say we
want more communication. We want to have the same level of involvement as each person that sits up here. And again, I don't want to litigate each fact, but I also feel like as the committee head for
the EBA negotiations, I sent emails. Leo sent emails and I asked like what was going on? Like at the end of October, this is going to start to happen. I'm new on the committee. She Maryanne's new on the committee. I just need to have some clarity. Like we need to have some
discussions about this. Um, Liwu sent an email asking as a follow-up because I had spoken to him at at uh the Middle Sex County School Boards and I'm like I haven't gotten anything and I I'm a miss because I I I really just feel
like I I don't I don't know, right? And then come to find out that there was already a discussion that took place that this wasn't even going to happen until January, but it wasn't shared with the board. we collectively the board the committee for negotiations or the
greater board was not in tune for these conversations and this is where I feel like it's it's a struggle because again I think we don't want the responsibility to be on you Heather we want it to be shared like yes you are a board president but we
want to all be a part and and help and pick and assist you and do what we can um and and I it's not about like I I'm grateful for the leadership that you have shown for financial when we did the
budget in public. I think that there are changes that have taken place over the past few months that have put us on a positive trend. I just think that we're just saying like these things happen and again people in the community know or other people know that we're putting off
negotiations and waiting till everybody new is in place or there's a new board and and Evelyn and Dr. Mammon is here, but we don't know. And it's like we're just it we're in the dark. And I >> I thought that email was directed. >> Yes. But
>> to Dr. Veles, >> I just feel Yes. But I think you like you were on it and you were on leus and I think that you know that we're just at like I think it's the responsibility of leadership to say they're waiting for an
answer or they're sending you emails or they're calling me. I called and I had asked you is everybody okay because nobody's answering my emails and I felt like I feel this is like this is a horrible way to do this and maybe we need to
contact about having to do this like this is is not what I think we want to come to the table to bring I think we're just I think I there's just trying to be feedback about how as a board we want to
move forward We want to be at that table to know like this is the reason why these are being are are being put until January and this is the thought behind it. We just want it to be shared and I think that's all anybody up here is
trying to say or at least I'm hopeful. It's not a personal it is not personal attack. I just and I know it feels that way because I I of course it does. No, I I know it does. And I'm just I just
think like I I just think that we just want to be well informed. And I think that we just want to be those like stu, you know, like the leaders and the stewards of the community to say, "Yeah, we we know that's going on. We know and
we hear it and we got you." Right? Like it's we're working through it. and feel confident that as a board we're working through it. But again like and it's just the setup of again there's we sign we have a new superintendent
there's a contract and then and again like not the fault of any one person but we have this this this time and I hate to repeat it again but this this large gap of time where things just it's like the world continues to move on and we're
just stuck saying okay so where where is the transition we know Dr. Min is here. We know she's meeting people. We want her to, but hey, we want to know. And I I don't know like I don't know if responsibility wise like as a leader um
it just falls I guess on the president to to kind of collect and divide that information. I I don't know. And I don't know what that looks like for going forward. >> I I don't know. >> I didn't have that information to collect and divide any more than you
did. And you send emails to Dr. Velesi when you have questions. You always have. You've always said you're sorry if it's, you know, you try to find a balance. >> Hi, Ben. >> I think we're off topic from the initial motion. >> I would wait for guidance from the attorney on that.
>> I think the topic is still consistent, but um you know, if the conversation is really just repeating itself, you can call the question. >> Okay. >> I'm trying to move too, but I don't want to get accused of moving the meeting. My apologies. >> Well, that is that is how it seems. Um,
>> no, I was just looking at for the communication portion. If you sent it an email to Victor, I don't know if you had a follow-up conversation. You reached out to me and said, "Is everything okay? I haven't heard." I reached out to find out if everything was okay. And then you
heard. >> Yes. And then Yes. But at that time, the decision had already been made and nobody on the board was part of that decision. But I wasn't a part of I I actually can't participate in that at all. >> But Heather, you should be. That's part of leadership, right? Like you should be
a part of that conversation. So if you are not a part of the conversation, it's it's on you as the leader to say, "Hey, I need to be a part of this conversation. We are an employer. We can't just not have any like we're a governing body."
You should feel the need to say, "Hey, what what's happening here?" because this is this is our vision. Is this aligned with our vision? You're having meetings daily. What is it that you're discussing then? You know what I mean? >> She said that she hadn't received an answer and she reached out because I assume that there is an answer being
given. The email was directed. I reached out and made sure that she got an answer. >> Yes. But at that time I had I hate to I hate to to go to like go piece by piece but I I know I had sent I think Maryann had sent and I think we had sent and I
think the that's the problem. We're all like that's part of the problem. We're all just hanging there waiting and it's like this like is it happening? Is it not happening? Where do we have to go? Where should we be? I don't want to wait till the last minute. I don't want to look illprepared. Right. As a board, we
are elected and here to do our job and to be prepared and to when we represent ourselves at a committee meeting or a negotiation meeting to have the information that that we have or that enables us to make good decisions and that's it. Like but but I think it's
just been our like since the finalization of of Dr. Commandments contract. I think we've just been floating. And I think that for many of us, we just
want to be standing on hard ground and saying we have a plan. We're confident in our plan. We can change our plan. We can tweak our plan. It can look different, but we know everybody knows the next
steps. And I again like it's not a personal I don't think it's a it's a fault of yours. I think if you haven't been a a part of a superintendent search like and had to to navigate this process um
but we we need to yeah to communic like there needs to be some more communication and I I don't know you know we can collectively talk about how that looks and what the expectations are of the board as a as a whole I
Well, I don't know how to answer for I'm not answering emails on behalf of the superintendent. I am circling back when people come and say they still want answers. Um but apparently that is on me too. Um that's all I've
got. >> Yeah. And I am I do want to say I added I think October 6th to the closed session agenda the discussion that people were asking for. So this the repeated we need
a plan. We we're supposed to be getting there so that everybody can voice their opinion about what they want that to be or ask questions about the questions that keep floating around about what's happening. I have questions too. Um, so it is it is frustrating in that I set
a time for that at the first available time and we will be having that meeting to be told that we should be having that meeting. It's at whatever o'clock when we get done here. >> No further discussion. You can move on. Can
>> can I just get clarification on what the point of this vote is? >> It's a vote of no confidence. >> And there's no outcome. It's just a vote that we express whether or not we have confidence in just the president or the vice president and the president. >> The motion was made for the president.
>> And when it's done, nothing happens. >> Correct. >> Okay. expression. >> So, we're going to take a roll call vote. >> All right. >> It's it's a voice vote. It says because it's a main motion. >> Um, it can be a roll call.
>> Just can't be less. >> Anna Brown. >> Yes. >> Sorry. Can you clarify what a yes means and what a no means for this? Do you want to answer or want? >> Um, >> it seems like a yes would be in favor of
a vote of no confidence and a no would be against the vote of no confidence. >> Great. Thanks. >> Thank you. Anna Brown, >> yes. >> Timothy Cummings, >> abstain. >> Jamie Falco, >> yes. >> Lewis Figuro, >> yes. >> Lorie Herrick,
>> yes. Lee Wuhan, >> yes. >> Wilbur Pan, >> yes. >> Maryanne Tananiels, >> yes. >> Heather was >> no. >> 711. Motion carries.
>> All right. Anything else for the good of the board? I need a motion to adjurnn. >> Wait. No. Okay. No. >> Glober. Second. >> Given no. >> Um additional >> gi given the discussion that's happened.
Um we're to my mind we're still in the position that we were at the beginning of the discussion. Um, it's not clear to me that there's going to be a plan to
optimize the transition of of of our new superintendent into her new into her new role. And given the tenor of this discussion, given the tenor of this this discussion,
it seems to me that the root cause is with the board leadership. So I'm very reluctantly making a motion to have the president step down in order to facilitate a successful transition. that I I also want to make it clear that
that's the only reason why I'm making this motion. And again, this has nothing to do with the election. This has nothing to do with being on the board. This is strictly a
leadership issue. And again, this is a very serious thing. I don't do this lightly. This is not what I'm uh what I'm about. What this is about is moving our school district forward because the number one priority
for all of us should be the students. In order for the students to thrive in our school district, we need a great operation. If we have a new superintendent, that transition into the operation needs to be seamless. And that's not what I think we are seeing
right now. This should not be used for entertainment. So, Dr. >> Shouldn't Sorry. >> Yeah, >> Dr. Pen, if I may. Yes. >> Um, so in order to remove a board president by vote, you'd have to demonstrate that there's some sort of violation of law.
>> Um, and just noting that because this could impact all any future board president, right, if this process is not followed. So, if you are going to move that motion, you'd have to also express or make some sort of demonstration of how the law was violated u by the board president or what law was violated by
the board president and failing to carry out her duties. >> Okay. >> And that's the specific law and failing to carry out the duties, not like >> speeding. >> Mhm. >> No, thanks for that. >> So, just to clarify, there's not a motion on the table because it's an invalid motion.
>> Um, it's for Dr. answers to assess if he has a a motion that would meet those requirements. >> Hey, thanks for the information. I really I really appreciate that. >> Sure. >> Um and to that I'm just going to say what I say uh said
before. I think this is really important that we get this right. Um and that means that we need clear communication. There are many ways to do this. There are many ways to do this successfully. It's up to the leader to actually execute on that and do it successfully.
I've done it myself. So, I'm not going to make a motion. >> All right. If there's nothing else, I need a motion to adjourn. >> Lever. So this is not a pleasant
meeting. I want to report to you that normally I don't report my meeting in Trenton but last Friday I along with other 22 board of directors we removed NJ
New Jersey school board associations president. So you guys got the news >> you know Miss Mrs. Smith was removed last Friday and there was no reason was given but we did
find he violated two rules of NJSBA. So we you know so the voting was 19 to four. So the the fast majority support that idea. So we dis we we removed her. That's the things
I I want to report to you and people got to know what happened there in Trenton. We we got I was submitted to to Trenton for meeting uh due to the sensitivity of the topic. No virtual option was given. So for
multiple Friday night I went there we talk about we analyze the evidence very badly. I I'm the only lawyer for the for that board of directors. So my role was uh so difficult but finally we we vote
1904. So totally 23 board of directors vote 19 of them support. So Mrs. Smith was removed. So I'm sorry to it's really not good experience but we experience
tonight again. And another statement I want to make is it's not easy. Well, forget about I'm done. >> Okay. Anything else for the good of the cause for the board? >> Sorry. I know it seems um like minor
compared to all this, but um we did say we were going to discuss the PTAs and the fee schedule for them. Um because I I believe that uh you know our PTAs are a vital part of our schools. Um every dollar that they make goes back to our
schools. I think that the PTA PTAs and the PTA president's council understand that we have to pay for things like custodian and security because those are things the school would normally have to cover. But as far as paying for the facilities themselves, um especially on
nights when those facilities aren't being used, uh I would like the board to reconsider that policy. >> So I had a conversation, as I had said, I followed up with Dr. about that because it needs to go for the public's
understanding to change anything that's policy. Um that's governed by statute. We can't just decide up here that we would like to change that. Um so the statute says that we have to have first the idea considered in policy and that would have to be the majority of the
board or a number of the board members I guess. Is it majority or a number of the board? I just assumed if there was interest >> to forward it to a committee. >> Yes, majority. >> Okay. So the majority of the board would have to be interested in forwarding this to the policy committee which is why I couldn't just instantaneously
schedule a policy committee. So, I had intended to discuss this during the good of the cause, but I don't know, things got distracting. Um, but I did speak to the president council president today. Um,
I'm still I I am fine. If the board wants to put that forward to the policy committee, what will happen is it will go to the policy committee. If the policy committee wants to make a change or a revision, they will bring that forward to the board. The board has to go through two readings before there can be a vote. So if it seems as though
things are moving slowly, it's required by statute that it moves in that direction. Um my conversation with the president's council president um was and I related to Dr. Vleski
wasn't on the fee schedule was not the current was not the concern that she had. Um, and I I think we're gonna need I don't know I we're gonna need some feedback on to how to separate your role as board member and your role as PTA
president because I was referred back to you as a PTA president to ask for more clarity on what was wanted there. >> Well, I think Mr. Jacobe already commented on my role. I would only have to abstain from the voting as a PTA member as would any other PTA member up
here. Um, so my PTA presidency doesn't uh negate my ability to vote on anything. It's only a PTA member. So if anybody's a PTA member, which I hope you all are. So then what happens? You know, that means none of us can vote. I mean, I don't know.
>> Clarification on that. Um, so yes, you can hold dual roles as PTO president and board member. You just have to make sure that when you are on the deis, you're advocating and you're serving as a board member, not the PTA president. So, for instance, I'm just using an example. Let's say there's an event you want to host or have the school co-host with
you. You wouldn't be able to do so as a president. You would say, um, Dr. Velelesi or maybe the building principal. Um, as the PTA president, I'm asking for, right? You just have to make sure those those rules are very clear. As far as voting, um, if you are bringing something to the board because
in your role of PTO president, you find it would be beneficial for the PTA, the fees would be adjusted or reconsidered or whatnot, that's something you should abstain on because it's really coming as a PTA president. Um, if it's something that generally the board had revised
facilities policies that stress SMA for instance recommended, it's not coming through you as PTO president for any recommended change, but it's just more standard of course change. You would not be conflicted. you would be able to vote on that. So, it it would depend and I mean always seek clarification in those areas just to be sure. Um, but just
going back to that, it would require the board to approve of it to go to policy and then >> and we're not voting on anything tonight. This is just a discussion. >> I'm just going to be looking I'm going to be looking for consensus on going to policy committee. where I needed
clarification was I'm not entirely sure what we want to go to the policy committee with. Um I spoke and got one item from um Jamie Wasserman. So I did get the one item from her that she wanted
considered. Um and that was about the use of the the stage area in Hammersh if it has availability. um which I'm very clear on and would be happy to recommend that that go to policy and ask that other people support that um if if it was available and she
was very very clear about if it's not rented in any way. Um but as to the fee schedule there there wasn't clarity in that conversation about what the PTA was asking for. So we need more clarity about what we're going to the policy
committee about and that's why I was not sure about the the mixed role or the dual roles not to say mixed >> if there's a co-president I would have the co-president that just just to keep it you know separated >> okay
>> all right so do we have consensus >> president >> go ahead >> for this uh phase schedule multiple issues for this. So the number one we need to definitely re uh rephrase it.
Number two, how to treat our own PTA differently from other nonprofit organization in town and outside this town. I made it very clear in my emails. So we need do this in a large scale
because our current face schedule is driving people out. We lost hundreds of thousands of renting dollars. We need definitely we reset revisit either the finance committee is a large or the
the policy committee I think both committee need get involved. We need a visit for the reason PDA raised the money for our children. This they spend every dollar they raise for our children. So it's my opinion they should be treated differently from
from other nonprofit organization and uh additionally we need to redo this uh re reexamine the current face schedule. So if those too many it's my opinion multiple
organization couldn't get it because it's way too expensive they can move they can go to Monroe for the same purpose for $500 for here is too many so we need to be realistic to access the
renter and the additional fee we're going to charge at the same while we are solving our community at the same time we collect some risk to help our budget shortfall. So that's we got to be
balanced with me. Let me finish. So we need balance the the fee, the surface fee, the security fee, generator fee. We we need balance. I think this board definitely need revisit this thing. We need attracting more renters to our
school district to use our facility to generate profit. Instead we are charging if we're charging too much people will move out we you know I I believe there are more suppliers than than demand we need be
very very careful when we our intention is to make some revenue to help ourself but at the same time we need to serve our clients and make sure they are affordable and for
our clients they're not not every clients different Not every nonprofit organization is different. We need to keep this in mind. So just as my own opinion maybe you know it's for you guys consideration but at this moment I
there's a need for the re revisit but I suggest what this will be done after Dr. member on board because she will be the next leader for this and I would suggest we postpone for two or three two or
three weeks and let Dr. Memo to be part of this pro this procedure and decision. >> How long does it take though? >> Well, the entire pro this fisc need to be revisited. >> But how long like Heather said it has to go through policy committee and then two readings. How long? Well, when the
decision which should be made then >> for the length of time. >> So point of clarification >> has to go back to policy whether it's changing the policy or regulation right um and there is both for this >> if it's a policy change it's two
readings if it's a regulation change only it's one reading so you could adopt at one singular board meeting. >> Okay. >> Um so it's a matter of what are the revisions what do they look like? Are they impacting the policy? The regulation, the regulation defines the
class. And then based off of that, we would also if there is an impact to the fee schedule. So the fee schedule is also just a regular motion. So potentially two meetings depending on the timing of when a policy committee
can can get together. Um and then from there, right? I just want to be mindful of where we are in the school year and that some of our PTAs would like to be using that. That's all you know >> and I think if if needed the financial
committee should have a special meeting that is doable because finance committee or no I'm sorry policy committee only have a three three board members >> finance committee >> no I'm sorry as a policy policy committee. So the policy committee only
has three board members. We can call a special meeting for this regard and it's for if we need the finance committee but I don't think we have to do this for the finance committee. >> So that's but I I strongly suggest let's
wait until Dr. Member on board because she will be the leader for future years. I I I really want she be part of this procedure. So just a reminder that the finance committee is a board of the whole and uh there
>> in my humble opinion for what it's worth I think there is an impact to finances. So you know the result of the policy would trigger some financial discussion because as we all know there there was an impact on during the budget and the budget discussion and adoption of
changing how we charge and when things are available. Well, they're they're kind of connected. >> Can I ask for clarification about um Leu was saying that PTA should be treated differently and it's not is can I have
clarification on that? >> So, in the regulation there are four classes. Um and I'm sorry I don't have it in front of me so I'm going to go off the top of my head. Um >> Mr. Crushfeld, did you sent that email to the entire board? Correct. >> Uh I basically >> Yes. So the the regulation defines class
one as the board of education um the school district. So of course we wouldn't charge ourselves if we're holding an event at any spot. Class two is the PTA. Nonprofits are in class three and then class 4 is all other
within the fee schedule. There are certain premium spaces that everybody except for class one the district would pay for. that being JMPAC. Um, just the JMPAC, if you're using a
microphone, we would charge a LEC for like a dance competition, but we wouldn't charge a PTA or a nonprofit. Um, the football stadium is a premium space. The uh new field hockey softball
uh spot is a premium space. Um the just for a little bit more information, uh the classroom space uh for a nonprofit is $6 an hour. >> Pretty good. Um so but the PTA does not
pay for a classroom. Um we do pay uh charge for like you said SSOs and custodial if we have to add just so the public knows we char we we do not make money off of those charges. uh it's it's kind of a a wash because
most of those events are taking place after hours or on the weekend and we are paying those staff members overtime. Um so um but there are some non-negotiables based off of security committee. If you're holding an event, you're going to have an SSO because that's the standard
that we've established. Um, and you know, if you're holding an event with food, we're going to have a custodian because it has to be cleaned and returned for service for the next instructional day. So, um, you know, there there I know there's a cost and,
you know, it wasn't too long ago I was in front of the PTA council taking some lumps, but that's all right. Uh, it it's worth the conversation. Um but you know there is reasonleness but there's also
you know in these budget issues like how how do we manage that and I'm sure that's going to be a a topic of conversation again. So hopefully that gave some clarification and and some information to the public and that answered your question.
>> Yes it did. So, I do know one of the questions that um had been asked was if it would be possible to change the fee or to alter the fee for the JMP pack if it was not being rented as a premium space and the
PTA was using another space of the building at that time. Um so that would be something to go to policy committee and then we're looking at the fee schedule is what wants to be looked at specific. I think speaking as a board member speaking as a board member that
>> um the the thought is you know the PTA's every dollar that they make goes directly back to the schools. So why are they not in the same tier as the schools? Meaning not to use the premium spaces on like if the premium spaces it's a night where they're bringing in
revenue obviously we wouldn't are do you want to >> Yeah. I I do want to clarify because it does seem like your comments are more PTA president because you're advocating for talking in general just >> I I understand you said that you're talking as a BTO member and I'm I'm um telling you this really as protection
>> but the content of your discussion is more advocacy for an organization that you're the president of. So I think just the better course of action might be if this does go to policy and and finance like let those members have those discussions and the PTA can certainly
give feedback to the board members to consider during those meetings. So it's not like you're unable to contribute but just being mindful of the platform that's being used right now to advocate for certain things and >> okay let let me let me add up it PTA is
different from school. That's for sure. There's two legal different identity but for the nature of the PTA they raise every dollars for our and spend every dollar for our children and teacher we definitely should treat it differently
so we can solve the problem we treated it different as special identity but PTA is totally different from school so as hopefully I can answer your question the typ PDA trade differently so we can say okay because you are PD PTA when not
going to charge you for certain thing. >> It has >> Okay. So, I'm looking about sending this to policy, >> but we're going to send policy policy. Okay. >> All right. I'm looking for Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
>> Yeah. Ju just a one other point of clarification because I know the Chinese school has been used as a point of comparison here. I I understand the rate is $6 for the classroom, but the Chinese schools use multiple classrooms. So, is it $6 for each?
>> It's $6 per classroom per hour. There's a a different fee for the auditorium. >> Um, >> for the different spaces, you know, if they're using the cafeteria, um, so the fee schedule does state what those fees are. >> Um,
>> you know, there was a time when we had two Chinese schools operating at a Churchill, an AM and a PM. We're down to um one and I believe it's the PM. I'm sorry if I >> We used to go to the A.M. >> Um and I've over the years I've had a number of meetings with their leadership
about cost. >> Um >> you know I I know the AM school left because of enrollment plus cost. Um >> we were able to successfully work with the PM uh school to reduce the number of classes, you know, and and rightsize it.
Um, and also remind them if you know, and I'm not implying that they left areas a mess, but if they left the rooms the way they found it, that would take less time to clean it and return it. >> So, um, there was a time when we had both. The recommendation from us was,
well, can you guys run at the same time because then you would save on security and stuff and that that just wasn't a viable option for them. So, you know, I think it should be noted that there is appreciation and understanding that, you know, there's a cost and we don't want
to drive somebody out. Um, but you know, that and we try to work as much as possible. Um, and make sure we're not overcharging. Um, just so the board also knows when an event is put in to school dude, that's our facility rental
management system, a quote is done, but we always build on the actual. So if somebody says they're going to be in for 10 hours and they're only in for five, >> that's what we're building on. All right. So um you know uh we've had a number of conversations with the custodial staff and the management on
that side to ensure that you know >> we are moving at a very brisk pace to you know get the rooms cleaned and move on. So we're we're you know there is some understanding and and I hope you know that that helps. It doesn't solve
the problem. Um, and that was some of the conversation at the PTA president's meeting, you know, trying to understand and come to to bridge that. >> Um, so, but it sounds like we still have some a work in progress. >> Yeah. Okay. Thanks. I I I just wanted to
clarify that it wasn't $6 for the entire weekend for the Chinese school is more than that. Okay. Thanks. >> All right. So, I'm looking for consensus. Um if we have a majority of the board that wants to send this issue to the
policy committee to convene. Um anyone interested in this? No. One, two, three, four. >> Okay. >> So nine. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Anything else?
All right. I need a motion to go. Oh, sorry. Sorry, I have to read the closed. >> Uh, we have closed though, right? >> I'm sorry. I didn't mean to >> the board if the board chooses that unless they they don't need that. But
>> but I I just have a I have a I have a question. >> So, Mr. Hong suggested waiting until uh Dr. Mammon's start date of December 1st or after to have the policy committee meeting. We
I don't know if that's the pleasure of the board. When when is the policy when would you like to convene the policy committee? I guess is my question. >> I would like sooner. >> Yeah. Why not now?
>> Right now? >> Not now. No, not now. >> But I would say I would say due to the time frame starting sooner is better than waiting. So we would have to work the schedule that meeting and coordinate schedules. >> Just clarification.
>> Okay. All right. We have a 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 within the exception to the open public's meeting act and are permitted to be discussed in
close session pursuant to NJSA 104-12B. And whereas the board of ed intends to discuss matters as follows, those items listed on tonight's agenda. Whereas the length of the closed session is estimated to be one hour after which the public meeting of the board shall
reconvene and action may be taken. Can I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> Wilbur, >> second. >> And Maryanne, was that you? Okay. Uh, all in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions. All right, we are
enclosed. Have a good night.