All right. Good evening and happy summer to everyone. I would like to call this meeting to order. Would the secretary please call the role? Anna Bronn here. Timothy Cummings here. Jamie Falco here. Lewis Figueroa.
Lori Herrick, Lee Wu Hong here, Wilbur Pan here, and Heather Goss here. Please rise to salute the flag. I aliance 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. Welcome. The New Jersey Open Public Meeting 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 Board of Education offices. Written notice was also
provided to the Sentinel, the New York Star Ledger, the Home News Tribune, and 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, good evening. We are starting with a very pleasant item, the oath of
office. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Maryanne Tananiels I, Maryannos, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States
and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and allegiance to the same and to the governments established and to the governments established in the United States in the United States
and this state and this state under the authority authority of the people. Under the authority of the people, I also solemnly swear I also solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law prescribed by law for the office of member
for the office of member of a board of education of a board of education and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all duties of that office all duties of that office according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So
help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. You may not take your seat. If you could please sign. Thank you. It is so nice to begin with something happy. All right. Having said that, I am sorry,
but we have a need for a close session. So, we were here, we're celebrating, and we're leaving. All right. Uh, whereas the board of education must discuss matters which are not appropriate for discussion in a public meeting. And whereas these subjects are within the exceptions to
the open public meetings act and are permitted to be discussed in closed session pursuant to NJSA 104-12B. And whereas the board of education intends to discuss matters as 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 will reconvene and action will be taken. Can I get a motion please? Second. Wilbur and Jamie. All in favor? I opposed.
Abstensions. All right. We are enclosed. After some congratulatory hugs, we will all be back there. Hi, welcome back. Um, we are going to begin again with the superintendent report. Thank you, President Guas. Good evening,
everyone. Um, East Brunswick High School continues to shine academically with outstanding results from the May 2025 advanced placement exams. Our students and teachers performed exceptionally well, surpassing both state and global
averages in nearly every AP subject offered at the high school. Across all content areas, our students achieved an impressive 95.44% pass rate, meaning nearly all students received a score of three or higher,
which is a benchmark for college readiness. Several courses saw 100% pass rates, including AP US history, Spanish literature and culture, German language, drawing, and 2D art design.
Congratulations to our AP students and of course our educators for making this remarkable achievement and for continuing to set such a high standard of excellence for East Brunswick High School. I would also like to share that 443
students out of 694 and that's 64% indicated they were accepted to their first choice college. In between working hard on student schedules, our school counseling team has been hitting the road to visit
college campuses to learn the latest updates on college admissions at some of our students favorite schools. These visits are private tours for the EV counseling team, which allow our staff to get a feel for each college campus to better inform our students as they apply
for college. Our counselors visited the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Westchester University, Universal Institute of Technology, and Brookdale Community College. There's still many more visits to come. Counselors will be touring Ryder University, University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel throughout this
month. During the first three weeks of the summer early learning and kindergarten readiness camps, the students embarked on a variety of exciting and enriching adventures. They roared with the excitement on safari adventure day,
transforming the classroom into a lively jungle as they spotted snakes and channeled their inner wild animals. Imagination took center stage during Royal Kingdom Day where they laughed, played, and created their own happily ever afters. Carnival Day brought high
energy fun with ring toss games, face painting, puppet theater, and joyful time with friends. And one special day was filled with wagging tails and big smiles as a furry friend paid a heartwarming visit to the classroom. The campers also experienced a peaceful
and mindful yoga day where they stretched, breathed, and balanced their way through calming movements. These first three weeks were packed with creativity, exploration, and joyful memories for all. So, so far, it's been a great summer. Thank you.
Thank you. I would like to say I was just told this morning if anyone has a young enough child to participate in community programs during the summer. I was just told this morning by my seven-year-old going into third grade that she wishes she could still do the summer community programs and she wanted
to know if she could visit her teacher. It left that much of a lasting impression. I also wanted to congratulate our AP teachers. The fact that we had a 100% pass rate in a push, I'm sorry, AP US history is just astonishing and so amazing to hear
because that's often students first AP class. Many many students it's an underclassman uh class and many many students it is their first exposure to the AP curriculum. So congratulations to our teachers and our students. Right. The next item on the agenda is the
superintendent search update. I would first very much like to thank the community for their participation in helping us develop our leadership profile. Um I also want to say that we are extremely happy with the search firm
that we chose to help us find our next superintendent and they were extremely happy with the community response on the surveys. We received a higher than average number by more than a lot and they were just happy to see such a high
level of community participation through the survey. Um we I spoke to someone from the firm yesterday and they are very happy with the number of applicants that we have received. Um while I won't go into specifics, we have received a
rich number of applicants and our process closes for applications on April 1st. August 1. I'm sorry, August 1st. goodness. Sorry, August 1st. Um, I don't want it to be April. I'm very much enjoying summer, so a little off my game, but it closes August 1st. Um, and
I also wanted to thank the community for being helpful with participation and developing the leadership profile because there are many districts in our county, in fact, neighboring districts that are searching for a superintendent. And by being willing to step up and be
helpful, we are leading our area in a search for a new superintendent, which hopefully will lead East Brunswick to get the best of the best. So, and thank you to the board for the help with that as well. We've had a lot of meetings. All right, this brings us to the good of
the cause for the public. The board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. To protect the privacy of all students and staff, concerns regarding 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.
Each person is able to speak for up to three minutes. The board secretary will keep the time. If you step up to speak, if you could give your name and address unless you are a student and then just your name in your school, we would appreciate it. Is there anyone wishing to address the board?
Allegra Sidler, 12 South Woodland Avenue. Um, I'm sure you've seen my email that I sent earlier today, but I just want to restate that ignoring the history with this individual is not to the benefit of the students and certainly not to the benefit of the reputation of the board. I say this with
the utmost respect, but it is direct. There are nine people seated here and you all have an incredible amount of power. Please use it to the benefit of students and not the feelings of adults. anyone can rubber stamp an agenda and doing so in light of the February 13th
meeting and everything our group of parents has shared regarding the ILA curriculum and doing so in the same day in which the regulations for the position are up for revision for everyone to see for themselves renders these seats and regulations
performative. As an outsider, I would imagine these decisions are tough to make when you might not have all the relevant background knowledge. However, you do know now what the state initiatives are. You were mostly here for that presentation which touted the
existing curriculum. And if you haven't realized already, you were essentially lied to by omission that night. Now you are being asked to reward this individual and cement their position within our district, further entrusting them with the education of our students despite all of this. Please, for the
sake of all of our students, but especially the youngest, I am pleading with you to not approve the personnel action for the language arts and social studies K through six supervisor position. Thank you. Thank you, Alra. Is there anyone else wishing to address
the board? Hi everyone. Good evening. France Snow Eyes 7 Schindler Court. So, um I just wanted to in fear of kind of um missing opportunities again, I decided I would take tonight to offer some suggestions on things that um can be done in the
school district as a as an educator myself. So, I would like to offer immediate steps that we can take to make the district safer and more inclusive for every student. Um these actions that I'm going to recommend tonight do not require spending. They do not require
assemblies and they do not require anyone to create policy to make them happen. Okay. Um number one, principles and leaders. I would love to see an alignment of school missions and rights. Right. Each principal and school leader
should open the school year by revisiting the school's mission and clearly communicating what student, teacher, and parent rights and responsibilities in every building are. Why does this matter? This creates shared understanding, sets expectations,
serves as transparent checks and balance system. It also empowers teachers who are mandated reporters to recognize and act when a student, especially one from a vulnerable group, feels unsafe. When these protocols are front and center,
teachers are reminded of their legal and ethical uh duties, reducing incidents that are being ignored or dismissed, which we often see happening with cases of anti-semitism. A media and professional development.
There are four organizations that I'm going to list for you tonight, all of whom will give you free everything at your disposal, an array, a buffet. You have the IA, the Israeli American Council. You have the Anti-Defamation League, the ADL. You have Stand with Us.
You also have Facing History and ourselves. All of whom have curriculums that you can access for free, plus training. We also have a relationship with the federation that we keep touting, but as of today, nothing has
been put in the schedule other than at Hammershold, which was done in June. Okay. Why does this matter? Teachers and staff should feel prepared and supported. That's why they don't intervene. They're not prepared and
they're not supported. They don't know what to say. You have to educate them, model the inclusion, not just simply respond to crisis. Transparency. We can talk about this for days. For some reason, only one incident is in the
state database. That's an incident I reported. So if we have hipster, I'm wondering where all of our incidences are. Okay, I have 19 on a separate document. Partnership with the organizations.
Okay, why is this all essential? The NEA this week wants to sever ties with the ADL. This is urgent. It's critical because our schools are at risk. Okay, time. Thank you, Grim. Hi. Part two.
Sorry. Uh Dana Nazaria um Independence Drive. Your name again, please. Dana Nazaria. Thank you. Um why taking action to piggyback? Why taking action is essential. The recent decision by the NEA, the National
Education Association to severize with the ADL makes our work here even more urgent. At a time when hate and bias are rising, trusted partnerships are breaking down. Without access to these critical resources, our schools risk being less prepared, less united, and
less able to protect and educate all students effectively. Our children's safety depends on us today. We cannot afford to lose another summer to inaction. The time to act is now. Proactively, collaboratively, and
with urgency. Let every one of us, administrators, board members, teachers, and families, step up to model the integrity, courage, and community we say we value. And I'll just say offscript that my daughter suffered
um because of the inaction of this board. My daughter had to file a HIB and uh which I'm sure you've all read and it continues to impact her
today and it's real. And I was not planning on speaking at all tonight, but it is it's it's real. Okay. She was the the last one in our family to graduate from East Brunswick, one of four. And every single one of my children, every
single one graduating from 2019 until 2025 was impacted by anti-semitism in the schools. So this is not just theoretical. Okay. Anyway, thank you for listening. Please take the action that is at your
fingertips that we've been told would be taken. I was promised um after the incident with my daughter that there would be district-wide uh training and I I I expect that to happen. I I certainly expect that to happen. Thank you.
Thank you, Donna. Is there anyone else? All right, I'm going to close the public portion of the meeting and move on to tonight's agenda. All right,
I'm going to ask to move the entire agenda for the sake of our newest member. That in no way precludes discussion of any of these items. So, if you could just give what section and what item number you're referring to um
so that we can all catch up and share in the discussion, that would be helpful. Also, uh just please be aware that if you missed a meeting, we have several minutes up for approval and you would have to abstain on those. All right. Can
I have a motion to move the entire agenda? Move. Wilbur and second, Jamie. All right. Is there any discussion? I'm sure there is. Wilbur. So, sorry. All right. Um I I I do have
um a few uh questions um here. Um so in business support operations item number two regarding the out of district tuition rates. Um my expectation I think a lot of our expectations is that we're going to be facing another seven and a half plus
million uh dollar budget deficit uh for next year. Um I I don't know if this is possible. I just but I just wanted to ask um is there room to move on the tuition rates that we're providing for out of district? No. Um so these are the school district our East Brunswick public school
district rates uh they are formula driven by the department of education. Um and then what happens at the end of the year after the audit is completed the rates get certified. So what happens in those
instances is that if that real rate, the true rate at the end comes out to be less, we would need to refund the difference to whomever paid. Um and conversely, if it was more, the um
school districts, what have you, would have to uh pay us the difference. We can't just come up with a number. Sure. Okay. I I didn't think so, but figured I should ask. Dr. Pan, if I could, I just wanted to reinforce that because we also use this
tuition rate to assess uh charges to individuals who may be um non-residents who are attending our schools. And so we discover that and we do actually bill them tuition. Yep. For the days that their children are in
our schools. So having that certification to back up our our billing to them is really important. Okay, great. I just wanted to piggyback and make sure I'm clear on this. You're talking about the non-resident. Just wanted for clarity because if you're not looking at the agenda, you
said out of district and that would be children with IEPs. This is for non-resident. Yeah. Sorry. Sorry for not being clear on that. Oh, just wanted to make sure I was in the right place as well. No, that's that's exactly what I meant. Um, let's see. for the uh billist payments pending issuance agenda item
five. Just a very quick question. The first item is um and if you don't if we don't have the answer here that's fine. Um it's mainly for my um information. Um the first uh vendor is AM Inc. Um um is is there a full name for that
vendor? If we don't have the information here, I can't tell you what um what AM uh would stand for. That is their business name. AM. Um yeah, that's all I can tell you about that.
So So when we see a vendor name and the name is a bunch of initials, that's actually their business name. That's correct. Got it. Yeah. All the vendors are reflected based on their their business names. Perfect. Um on item number 10
still under business. Yeah, it's still under business. Sorry. Thank you. I'm trying to find it, too. Here it is. Um I just um was having a hard time just figuring uh the section towards the bottom of the list of budget
adjustments. Um there's a number of items that appear to be uh related to um special education, but then the boldface thing underneath that says electricity. Um I think I know what's going on, but I was just um want to make sure I was uh
understanding that. What page are you looking at? Uh on the agenda item. I have the agenda. Yeah, this first the f very first page right about here where um where there are several items that
Yeah. Oh. Uh that's the header for the items right below it. Below it. So, custodial services um reallocating funds into um electricity costs. I I I I see. But then that means that the header above it reads I film for
student IDs which also um didn't make sense. No, sorry. Um that was right below it. So, the electricity is a description for the items right above that. Okay. So, those are reallocations out of various accounts uh to cover the um
additional electricity costs of $421,000. Got it. Okay. Yeah, that's what I thought. Sorry, I misread that. Yeah, I was just having a disconnect because of of how that was uh working for um the uh um under SPSS.
Sure. on the May monthly school report um for the withdrawal which agenda item? Sorry, I'm I'm skipping ahead to monthly school reports under um Oh, that's under special and student services number two.
[Applause] Give a moment. Page 27. Um yeah, May or June? On page 27. Yeah, the withdrawal report on the very second page of that packet.
Yes. Yeah. It says one of the students went to Canada. Uh but it seems to be listed as out of state as opposed to out of country. Um I'm relatively sure that Canada is not a state yet. So um just I just wanted to note that.
Um, and then the last thing, um, I'm skipping backwards because I wanted to save this for last because I think it's the most amount of discussion. Um, for item eight under board of education where we have the first the first reading.
We're on page page eight of the agenda. Thank you. There's the um first reading for the job descriptions. Would it be okay um uh two things? Would it be okay to just review the process for the first and second reading just
for the public's analogy as to what we're doing? I believe this one is only one reading because it's a regulation. Okay. Am I correct though? Yes. Regulations have one reading. Okay. Got it. Okay. Um the the other uh question that I had is in the job description itself. It appears that the
um uh more specific language as to um uh the areas that these uh positions would be covering has been deleted um as opposed to being updated. So for example um for uh super uh supervisor of uh uh
language arts which is now supervisor of language arts and social studies. It used to say that, sorry, let me pull it out here. The job description used to say that um the job was for language arts and then it was just um uh deleted entirely
instead of being updated to language arts and sciences, if I'm reading that correctly. Um, my concern is that somebody might be looking at this job and and see that the written scope of the job might be beyond uh they might think they would be asked uh to do
something that was beyond the scope of this um a position like that if the uh uh guard rails aren't put in. Um I I I don't know what the best answer is. I just wanted to bring that up as an item for discuss. Nicole, did you want to add to that? Well, actually, Dr. I'm sorry, Dr.
Bully. Sorry, Nicole. Um so the positions will we within the bud budget process we had eliminated four supervisor positions and we combined some responsibilities.
So one um individual will be overseeing language arts and social studies K to6 and another individual will be overseeing language arts and social studies English and social studies for 7 through 12 and the same for math and science. Right. Right. If I may.
Yeah. Yeah. So within the job description for example, do you have a copy of that? I have it online. So if you look at u um on the first page of it number five um under qualifications
and um it indicates um uh uh effective I'm going to read only a section of it effective innovation uh effective and innovative instruction. Right. Um what Dr. Pan is referring to is that language arts which was there previously
is being struck. Um and I think if I hear it correctly that why not um add instead of striking language arts why not add to that and social studies. Yeah. So and that carries through in several
places within throughout the job description. Yeah. Okay. there. Um, yeah. One other example that's probably um more nerve-wracking for someone that's looking at this job um position is that it used to say prepares and documents budget recommendations for the language arts department, prepares and
administrators uh administers the department budgets blah blah blah. Um and that for language arts department was uh struck. Um, and so again, my concern is somebody looking at this position is that they may not they may question, well, which budgets am I going
to be recommending for? Uh, because that's not specified. Um, you know, whereas I, you know, I my idea is that if we're combining um, you know, we're combining this position so that we have language arts and social studies, then that language
would be updated to say language arts and social studies departments or something. Oh, I have a solution. Okay. So, um I think what um um to address that uh if it's uh if the board uh has
no objection in those areas where the uh department or area of construction is shown to be struck, we'll just we'll just modify that to add the additional area uh throughout. So, if that's acceptable, then that's how that would be reflected throughout.
That's perfectly fine by me. Okay, I'm done. Thanks. We are all in favor of greater clarity. Anyone else? Okay. For the business and supporting operation. So for the number four and the number
five we have uh bill list payment issued and bill lease payment pending. So I realize there are some payment to made to PSNG. So every family got hit in June got big
utility bill uh charge hike. So I just want to know so this bill had the impact to our school district and what kind of impact will have for next year's budgetary planning. So Bernick would you please
update how what kind of the payment increase June compared with May and what kind of impact will we have to our future budgetary uh job planning? So um and this is spec specifically with regard to electricity.
Electricity. Yes. So um we we uh are as I mentioned to you earlier uh um u Mr. Hong um we are analyzing to see what's happened in terms of the rate. If you board will
recall, members of public will recall that uh we had anticipated a significant increase to the electricity budget because of rate increases uh that were approved by the um board of public uh utilities. Um so we are taking a look at
what does that how is that reflecting itself in our bills. It's very hard to tell right now because if we compare um you know May to June uh the weather is going to be a factor because air conditioning may not have been utilized
at the same degree that it was last year for example or even the month before. Um we don't have all of the June bills yet. So those are still outstanding. But what we are looking at and I think this is something um that will be uh more
helpful and that is um what are the rates the rate changes. So we're analyzing the rate changes for um PSENG from June 1, what was prior to June 1 and what was as of June 1 because that was the date at which um the rates
changed and also what was the rate change um for JCPNL for those periods of time. But what's important also is the fact that uh what the what is reflected as the rate on the bill isn't per se what we are paying because we are part
of a cooperative and the cooperative has a lower rate. So we're looking at what that change was, where did it go from and to so that we can see what kind of a comparative that comes to and then try and do some kind of a projection based
on what happened last year and how does that translate forward. That's about the best we can do because we don't have a crystal ball, right, for what's going to happen over the next 12 months. uh but we can take our utilization and try to
translate that into what the new rate um rates are for each of the categories. Does that make sense? Yes, that's the job I want you to do because in a few months we are going to deal a new budget period. So uh another question is about
finance tip this uh business and operation same item 14 it's 2025 enterprise internal service and fiduciary uh finance report is of May 31st 2025.
So the community program uh in uh provide a lot of help financially to our program but governor Morphy announced that we should provide free prek or kindergarten for every kid.
So will this new policy or new law impact our community program income and what kind of in impact to our future budget? Right. So, um,
let's let's first talk a little bit about context. How much does our community programs uh support the general fund budget? And, uh, that support uh is in the range of about $2 million
that is earned and transferred over to support the budget, the regular budget. Um, Governor Governor Murphy um did uh push for um uh uh offering prek, universal pre
and universal prek and full day kindergarten. We're okay with full day kindergarten. We've had that in place for a number of years now. Um this was uh signed into law uh I I don't remember the exact date, but it was
signed into law by Governor Murphy and I I believe and I downloaded the the legislation and and started to analyze what it says. Um my read in this and I believe what is
key for us is that it refers to school districts receiving preschool education aid in three fiscal years. So this year, the next fiscal year, and the year after that.
Key words now. and participating in the pilot program established by the commissioner. We are not participating in a pilot program. So this leg there 19 pages of legislation. Um, it talks about the
funding, what the funding formula will be to provide monies for this, but everything appears to be geared toward those districts participating in the pilot program. So,
based on my read, I'd say this is not impacting us right now. We're not participating in a pilot program. That's not to say it won't be something to come down the road. But getting to the bottom line because I mentioned what this community programs
so how this community programs support the regular budget. If mandatory preschool were to be uh coming to East Brunswick, that would kill the community programs enterprise. And I don't see how the
state aid to run that program um would be sufficient to even cover um the costs. No, I I just don't see that. Um it's just not going to happen. We we are looking at this. We're looking
at the law, but there's also, you know, as we all know, uh there's an opportunity for change in in administration uh in November. So I I think what it does is it points us in a direction to say that even if u as Mr.
Juliana says if you're in the pilot program and have three years uh in this program you you would be impacted. It tells us to get ready as as a district for what may come three years from now. Um but we don't know what what a change
in leadership will be either uh with uh potentially a new direction by a new administration. So losing income is just one impact. If you are required to pro provide free prek education, do we have
enough classroom? Those classroom need to be with toilet with the special design for those youngsters. So when you think about it, there's there's a lot to this. So, so there there's there's more to this legislation because
um the if if a school district for those school districts that are going to be impacted by this um and right now we are not but um those school districts if they don't have the facility
to uh provide the full day prek uh they will contract with providers ers in their community. So the kinder and you know other similar kinds of programs that exist. Um
concurrent with this legislation um the governor also signed other legislation that expanded um the uh conditions for awarding contracts under the u bid or competitive pricing
uh uh scenarios. So, um, it doesn't have to be in district. It can be in a private enterprise that we would that a school district, not East Brunswick right now, but that a school district would be paying that private enterprise
to provide the prek program for the district. And then there are a lot of compliance issues also um that are uh delineated in this legislation which I I honestly I did not get into. Uh my concern was how does this affect us
right now and over the next year or two. Yeah, I I understand the impact is not imminent, but we need to prepared for future. I'm I'm not trying to get you hard time, but we just we just need get ready. Please pay attention closely to
the development of any new law or any governor's signature and inform this board. But I I think to your point with regard to space Um if this if this were to actually be required in a few years um it it would
be a challenge because the space would not really I I don't see how that would exist and we've got room for the growth that's happening right now. But uh to add um a prek program for three and four year olds um that's really going to push
the envelope. So one thing I didn't say because I don't want to scare you. If we have to do that, we need to hire a lot more teachers. That will be big big money. Well, Mr. Hungu, I want to I want to assure you that we are looking at the
law. We are paying attention to it. Um it there's the predictability factor that we have here that this this legislation points us in a direction of where the state is going to go. But in terms of contracting with prek prek uh
private providers, they have to be qualified. They have to be willing. They have to be able. Uh so we don't know what the capacity of our private uh provider community is for how many seats would be available in in this kind of scenario, this kind of roll out. So this is brand brand new, but we are looking
to see what that what those options might be if we in fact become impacted uh at some point. Thank you. How are you? Hi. I'm welcome. Thank you. Uh so I had questions on uh
item eight on page eight. Um so I see that these are going to be combined roles, but what kind of training will these individuals have? Because it's my understanding that these are existing and not um new. So what
kind of training will they be receiving to to ensure that they can cover both sets of curricula at the same time? Um the individuals are um collaborating with each other obviously and the uh had transition meetings with those who were
um holding the roles. They're also um attending meetings with um representatives from the department of education who oversee the departments um as well as studying the standards and requirements and meeting with teachers in the in the different departments. Okay. and and what resources are being
provided to them? Because if they've only been doing one and now they're adding another, what kind of resources are they being provided? And what what do you mean? So I'm assuming that if they've been doing math, for example, and now they're also being added science, it's been maybe quite a number of years since
they've touched a science curriculum. That's right. So there was tr we've had transition meetings since the announcement with the um former uh supervisor in that content area with the new one to transition um the resources
and go through all the updates in the department and everything that's happening in the department. They're studying the standards for their new content areas and they're meeting with the representatives from the department of ed so that they can understand the scope and and vision for the work of that new content area. they're meeting
with the teachers in the department so they understand the needs and um you know current practices in the in that department and planning next steps. Okay. And um you know it's it's my understanding that they don't need to be experts in that
area of study that they're going to be supervisors for and this is more of an oversight. Is that correct? Um no that is that is correct. So when somebody becomes tenured as a supervisor, they're tenured as a supervisor, their expertise is
supervision of certificated staff members. Um they don't have to be content area specific experts in it. Um that's just the law of when you become a tenure supervisor. Okay? So their expertise is really supervision, evaluations,
observations, uh writing the observations for the non-tenured and tenure. That's the real expertise. And then the content area is something that they can develop that they don't there's no requirement and there's nothing in the law that says you're a supervisor of mathematics or you're a supervisor of language arts. You're a supervisor and
then and then you we can uh in your job descriptions and job descriptions by the way are manager prerogative. You guys can change your job descriptions. So if this doesn't if you're not pleased with this you guys have the ability to say you know what we try this it's not working. we're going to do supervisor of
mathematics or supervisor or or change it from K to 6 to K to 12. That's the board's prerogative. Um, but under the law, the the the certificate is in supervision. So that's why and you'll see this happens and it's
happening literally all over the state with all what's happened budget-wise is they're looking to have people develop um understand what they're supervising so that they can properly supervise the experts and the experts are the
certificate staff members. So for example, if you're a high school science teacher, you have a specific certificate. An elementary teacher could now teach that. You have to be certificated. Supervisors do not have that. The content area
expertise lies with the certificated staff member. Okay, thank you. And so, forgive me, but then who's the curriculum expert if it's not the supervisor? Well, they certainly know the curriculum and they understand the curriculum, but
as Mr. Gio said, they're supervising instruction. So, they're the experts of instruction, right? But then who's the the subject matter expert is my teachers are the subject matter experts as well as the supervisors have a wealth of information and understanding of the content
and and very often just so folks know the uh certificate teachers in the various areas during the summer are the ones that are working on drafting the curriculum working with the standards etc. Um, so you it's a it's a village.
It's a team effort, but the content area specialists, the teachers, the ones that are instructing the the students, they're they're they're integrally involved in the developing the the curriculum for what the kids are learning and it's got to follow the state law, of course, but that's what
happens each and every summer. You have curriculum writing to update the curriculum based on what the standards are put out by the state. Okay. And then um last question is the K to6 because I I'm not sure if we have
the same amount of teachers for K to six and 7 to 12. So is this an even split? Um the workload will be unified at the upper schools. There are assistant principles in regards to um evaluation. Is that what you mean? Evaluations. Yeah.
There's there are more administrators in the secondary school. We also have our K to2 supervisors. So the workload will be equitable. The workload will be equitable amongst the supervisors and the principles to for the for the supervision job descriptions. Yes, the supervisor.
So this is not just the supervisors. Then the the principles are also assisting with these with teacher evaluations. What do you mean with the supervision aspect? So this is supervisor these are supervisor regulations, right? So the supervisors and assistant principles observe the teachers as well
and the supervisors do. Okay. So that's how we're compensating for the lack of an even split between K to 6 and 7 to 12. Um I I'm not I'm not sure I understand. So there's two there two departments in the secondary schools and are there more
teachers K to six than are in the two departments in the secondary schools? Is that what you're asking? That's the question. Uh I don't have a head count off the top of my head of how many teachers there are, but the workload will be equitable because there are additional administrators in the secondary schools to help with the
teacher who who are assigned to teacher evaluations. I believe it's the administrators, the principles and the vice principles have always observed. Teachers aren't getting observed by just their supervisor. They're usually getting observed by a supervisor, a vice principal, a principal,
which gives you more information. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off. No, no, I just Mr. Okay. I'm h I'm sorry. I don't want to uh pick back Marian's point. So, my understanding this job prescription is
only for year fical year 2026. So, this I I'm trying to find out the rationale behind this change. So apparently this job description is uh based on try to separate different grade
instead of the subject. So I think if supervisor for a certain subject I anticipate he or she should be expert in that subject that help that person to understand number one job
responsibility number two help he or his hers job. So that will be very important. I suggest maybe because this fiscal year already started on July 1. I I suggest maybe in future with a
policy committee should revisit this job description to find out what other school district are doing, what we should do, what is best for our student education. So this is my point. uh this
I I know some school disuse are subject based some is uh grid based but there's a lot all kind every each way has a valid argument and as an east is different we this topic was the
our discussion in future and and just can I use the envision program as an example but with the envision program I believe it was uh the conversations were being had with the um curriculum supervisor. So I you know now
in hindsight I'm kind of wondering well why weren't those conversations had if they weren't the subject matter expert um as opposed to saying it's the teachers who are the curriculum experts but Dr. Bolic in En invision
when we rolled out Envision the teachers were involved in that process as well. Yes. And to can you explain to what degree we had visitations to other schools? Yes. Yes. I think what you're saying is that the supervisors need to be the curriculum experts or to some extent. Yeah.
Correct. And I I'm not arguing with you. Yes. They they they are in their current capacity and now they're taking on another due to the elimination of four positions. They are uh taking on another content area and they're going to become
the experts in that content area as well to the best of their ability. Okay. and and we're providing resources to ensure that it's to their best of their ability. We are. Okay. Is is there going to be some measure of those resources and to check in with them? Has a plan but put been put in place to see
um how they're coping with these new roles and responsibilities that they've been given. I I meet with each supervisor on a regular basis as a check-in. I go to department meetings. I do walkthroughs in the buildings with them. I'm in the classrooms. I hear from the teachers and
um uh you know like I said they had transition meetings with the former person. There's three-year plans for each of the departments in place and they are going to carry that out. They're not coming in to the departments to change anything up immediately. They're listening and learning as they
learn the content area and become uh skilled and uh build relationships with the teachers in those departments. Right. All right. Oh, go ahead, Tim. Switch topics real quick. Um, on business operations, the number eight,
um, can we just elaborate a little bit on the I'm all for obviously doing whatever we can to keep technology in front of our kids and equip them with the skills and resources they need. But, you know, anytime you see a number like that in terms of the purchase of 800 laptops,
um, it jumps out at you obviously in light of what we've been through the past two years and then what we're anticipating in the upcoming year. So, can we just elaborate on the need for that and how we're continuing to manage? Uh, looks like we got the best man to uh to answer that question coming up. We do.
So, those laptops are for the kids that are going from se um sixth grade into seventh grade. So K through six, they use Chromebooks. Once they hit seventh grade, they're moving on to Windows laptops. The devices that we're getting back from the high school seniors,
they're not, you know, it's it's a challenge to keep them running as long as we have with the way that the budget cuts have happened. Um, so that's, you know, directly based on the estimated number of enrollments we're going to have for seventh grade next year. And
those devices, we're getting them for $355 each, which is an amazing price. Do we typically do that then every year? Is that Are we making that level of purchase every year for every for the laptops? That's what we do every year for the uh for the seventh graders. And the Chromebooks, we don't get every
single year. We usually get those, you know, every three or four years um to kind of, you know, age out the the devices. The Chromebooks last a little bit longer. I'm assuming the answer is probably no, but is there any resale value than table equipment?
No, they're more valuable for us to save as parts. So, we use devices that still run for loaners. When a kid needs to have their device repaired, we give them that. Um, and then the ones that don't function, we have storage where we keep them. And
when a key needs to be replaced, when a screen needs to be replaced, we we utilize every single part possible when we can. So they're more valuable to us in that uh regard. And Mr. Electronica, can you can you just emphasize your brake fix uh capacity in
your department because you've expanded that quite a bit over the last couple of years? Yeah, so I mean we do all of our repairs inhouse um with the exception of, you know, some of the the equipment that's under warranty if it's beyond our capabilities, but our techs are certified for Lenovo and Acer. So we do
uh a lot of the warranty repair work ourselves and we get reimbursed by the vendor. Um, but the the technicians are all certified for those devices and you know the number of devices they repair on a daily basis is staggering. If you
look in Genesis and see how many tech visits they get at Church Hill Junior High, it's crazy. They're kept very busy. Anything else from Mr. Dramic? Okay. All right. If there isn't anyone else, I
would like to chime in. Mine is happy. Um, on page 18, number 15 under I don't know what it's under. Under business and support. Under business and support. Thank you. Um, I just wanted to comment in a very
large budget or a very large agenda that I would like to thank the Church Hill Junior High School PTA for donating money to be used towards the purchase and installation of two water bottle filling stations because I feel this is not only so beneficial for our students.
I mean, it's a health issue. I appreciate that they carry the water bottles. I appreciate that they can refill, but I also feel it's a values-based education. you know, we don't want them just constantly throwing away plastic bottles, but to start carrying their own water bottles. And I know that at some of the elementary
schools, the PTAs have done the same thing. I know the Memorial PTA did that. And it's just it's a gift that keeps on giving to our kids, but it's also value teaching. I feel the same way about item 17 on page 20, which is East Brunswick
earned first place at a competition and won $2500. Um, which recognizes the school's outstanding efforts in climate education and sustainability. So, I like that our students are out there competing and winning their own money for the school,
but at the same time, it's being more cautious and educated about our resources. I just think these are positive things. Anyone else? I want to give a shout out. No, since you just mentioned that, I want to give a shout out to Mr. crotchfelt and his department because they've been
instrumental in implementing along with Aramar uh really uh environmentally sustainable solutions uh you know in our cafeterias as part of child nutrition. So thanks to everyone. Thank you. All right. Is there anyone
else for discussion? All right. This will be a roll call vote abstain. Um, item two, page five, item three, page six, item seven, page seven.
Oh, hold on. You're going too fast. I apologize. Page five, item two. Yep. Page six. Three. Three. Okay. Page seven. Um, number seven.
Seven. Another seven. Okay. And everything else is yes. Noted. Thank you, Timothy Cummings. Yes. Uh abstension from six and seven on page seven. Noted. Jamie Falco.
Yes. With abstension on board of education. Uh item five on page seven. Noted. Sorry folks, it's taking longer than usual. Uh Lori Herrick, yes. Lee Wu Hong,
yes. Wilbur Pan, yes. Maryann Tangos abstain on one through eight. Those would be all the minutes. Uh and regulation noted. Uh and the rest are yes.
The vote on this. Okay. Thank you, Heather Gu. Yes. Motion carries. All right. Motion carries. We are on to all the way at the back. All right. committee reports, information items, and the good of the
cause for the board. Um, I did want to begin with some thanks. Uh, Moren Berserk, who is our Tap into East Brunswick reporter, who has just been a resource and just a wealth of information for the community, uh,
recently retired. She announced her retirement. And I want to thank her for the service to the board, but more as a parent, I would like to thank her for her service to the community. Um the number of board meetings that Moren sat here till very very late to make sure she had the fullness of what was going on to be able to report to the
community. I think that she has been just such an asset to East Brunswick as far as bringing us together as a community. I cannot I mean I've lived here a long time but to attend each v event everywhere the way she has and
report on it and I have talked to her at times about her desire to make sure that she reported with a detachment and showing both sides but her presence here has just been especially valuable for the community because the community does want to know what's going on in the schools and we have a lot of schools and
over 8,000 students and she was here to bring that news to everyone. on um with a very accurate eye. So, I wanted to thank her and wish her well in her retirement and I hope it is relaxing and wonderful. That's it for me. Anyone else?
Yeah. Um so, um I I wanted to note um the East Brunswick um uh uh farmers markets that have been uh happening recently. I was able to attend the first one, wasn't able to attend the second one. But I do want to note uh that as part of the activities there, there were
stu two student groups uh that performed. One's lunchtime um which is a huge band. Um I don't know how many u I've lost count of as to how many students are in that band, but it's more than the Grateful Dead, which is saying
something. Um and the other is six to1, which is really awesome jazz funk group. Um, unfortunately, most of those, uh, students are graduating, so I'm not sure what's going to happen to that group, but they've been terrific over the, uh, years that they've been playing as well. And they both performed at the first
one. I believe Lunchtime performed at the second one, and 6 to1 will be performing at the next one uh, coming up. And I just wanted to call this out because um often uh not often sometimes I hear um you know people mention that well the schools don't really do
anything for me because my kids aren't in the schools anymore and that is clearly untrue. I'm not sure, you know, why folks would say that, but the fact that our students are participating in a real and important way in a town event uh
bringing value to our community, I think is something that needs to be uh called out and those students should be congratulated on uh on on that. So, uh did want to mention that. And the other agenda item that um I think should be mentioned is the Special Olympics grant
um that that we have um because that is also an awesome thing even though it's a very small item dollar-wise on the uh uh on budget-wise uh compared to our entire budget. But I also want to echo um Heather's point that this um uh besides
just being a inherently good thing to do, it does uh signal values that we want to pass on to our students. and just another example of how our schools are contributing to our community. Thanks. Thank you.
Anyone else? Um, just one quick mention, the Human Relations Council is looking for student liaison. Uh, if any students get to watch this broadcast, I would love to get an email from you. Um, and, uh,
we're looking forward to having a robust interaction with our community. Thank you. Uh my final thought is I am the board's representative. Oops, sorry. I'm the board's representative to the recreation and parks advisory board. Um there is a
great deal of activity coming out through our rec sports right now, especially for our younger students. And so much of that information normally comes out on the virtual backpack. If you read if you read the principles newsletters that come out, there's so many activities at the bottom for our students. But during the summer, we
don't have those coming out to you. So on behalf of the rec sports, uh please keep watching on social media, on the township sites because there are clinics, there are opportunities for our youngest kids to get involved long
before they get into the schools even. And to say athletics is a huge part of who we are and just want to keep pushing forward. There's teams out there for everyone. They are constantly recruiting. So, wanted to add that in.
All right. If there's no one else, I need a motion to ad second. Oh my gosh. Jamie's cold. All right. Jamie the Jamie and Wilbur. Jamie then Wilbur. Discussion. No. All
in favor? Opposed? Abstensions. Thank you everyone. We are adjourned.