Good evening and welcome and welcome to our newest face. Congratulations and welcome. [applause] Thank you. We are so happy to have you here. That being said, would the secretary please call the welcome?
>> Anna Braraw >> here. >> Timothy Cummings >> here. Jamie Falco >> here. >> Le Figureroa >> here. >> Lorie Herrick, Lee Wu Hong, Wilbur Pan >> here, >> Maryanne Tangos >> here, >> Heather Gu >> 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 [clears throat] the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Great and welcome. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act 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 by having the date, time, and place thereof posted at 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 public meeting should be aware of these
videotaping rules. And now the moment we've all been waiting for, the superintendent's report. Good evening. So, it's day four for me. [laughter] It's been a fun four days and uh I have
had the good fortune of just visiting and seeing a lot of our teachers, our kids, some of our schools. I have three more to go, I believe. Uh, but it's been it's been exciting. So, um, so I get to share a few of the things I've been up
to. So, okay. Wait, wait for it. I have no idea what I did with my there. All right. Got it.
So I did visit um Hammershold um elementary school. I did Chidik. I did Bound Monroe, Frost and Irwin elementary schools so far and Church Hill of course. And it's
been it's been it's been great. You know, it's one of it just really affirms one of the things I really loved about East Brunswick. And as I as I go and even though on Monday we had a little snafu, it was just a little one. It was good to be able to to to go there. Even
today we had a little snafu. The welcoming has been great. Anyway, so but on Friday, November 21st, I had the pleasure of attending the high school fall drama production of Radium Girls. if you've not or if you didn't
go, you missed. It was directed by Jeffrey Davis. And um I got there early, so I was able to talk to Jeffrey Davies and I learned a very interesting detail I thought the public should know. Um these are the things we never talk
about, but the little What do the kids say now? A little extra sauce. [laughter] Um, so on October 6th, Flora Davis, the director's Jeffrey Davis's mother, um, and also an author of Moving the Mountain, a history of the women's
movement since 1960, came to the rehearsal. And if you know anything about Radium Girls, it's about that time when women didn't have a voice was, you know, it was. And so for them to see this 90-year-old woman talk to them about some of her experiences and not
being able to have a bank account, the students went in there, it came from a place of knowledge and they acted accordingly and it was amazing. She provided them with just just invaluable resource that firsthand historical
um account. um she gave a short presentation of her life and um what life was like for women during that time period of the play and then spent almost an hour with them um just answering their questions just for the love of it. Um those are things that we do not it's
not clickbait right um so that was really good so this depth of kind of like a historical insight clearly just enriched the performance and if you were in the audience I I happened to be there opening night with Dr. bully wasn't amazing. Um it was it was fantastic.
Anyway, I had to share that. You're going to hear more of me talk about kids. [laughter] And then on Tuesday, November 25th, I attended the um 50th annual Interfaith Community Service at St. Barts and um the East Brunswick High
School Honest Concert Choir. Do you see do you spy Jane in that picture in the middle? Right. Um they were invited by Pastor Thomas Wong to participate at the service and the students performed um what was the one selection? Draw the circle wide. It was composed by Mark
Miller who's a composer for New Jersey. And you they rocked it. We were so proud to be there. There were some of us just smiling, so proud like proud mommies. It was fantastic. Um the arts department kicked off its winter concert series on
Tuesday evening. The Church Hill seventh, eighth, and nth grade bands along with the honors uh wind ensemble delivered just really stunning performances filling the JM Park with beautiful music and the um the concerts were directed by Mr. Becca and Mr.
Bouvier. Uh there are remaining concerts so make sure you attend some December and in January to experience the outstanding just outstanding talent of our student musicians. All performance dates are listed on our district
calendar and begin at 7 pm. Five of our students were selected to represent East Brunswick High School at the Rowan University Windfest on Tuesday, December 2nd. They rehearsed for the full day and
performed an evening concert at the university. It was outstanding. The opportunity for our kids to perform alongside uh highc caliber musicians in the university performance venue was uh uh amazing.
I'm a little cheated. [laughter] Chik Elementary School ended November with their monthly mission assembly. The students were given the mission of showing compassion throughout the school day. During the assembly, one student from each class was selected from their
collection of PowerUp tickets to be recognized for successfully achieving the November monthly mission. And that's the picture you're seeing. And last night, I attended the football booster club banquet. [clears throat] [laughter]
It was a great event that allowed it allowed me the opportunity to thank our parents for all they do on behalf of our students. It was very well attended. Over a hundred I think parents, right, Mrs. Vera?
>> Yeah, it was. It was. And I got to tell them how much I love football and how I was missing something academic to come to a football banquet because why not? So, congratulations to our November high school athletes of the month.
They were selected for this honor by the coaching staff based on performance, demonstration of leadership, effort in practice, and for modeling exceptional character. It's what we like to see. So, the East Brunswick Education
Foundation will hold its annual book fair this Saturday, December 6th, and Sunday, December 7th, at Barnes & Noble. Please stop by and support EBEF. They do a I I know I don't have to say how many
great things the foundation does for us, for our children. Um there we just really sincerely appreciate um the foundation for constantly consistently awarding the district so many valuable grants that have really
significantly enhanced our schools. As I visit schools, I get to see some of that. It's really nice. And just a few reminders, Tuesday, December 23rd will be a single session day with lunch served for
students in grade K6. Our schools will be closed for winter recess starting Wednesday, December 24th, and classes will resume on Monday, January 5th, 2026. Our district offices will be open on
Friday, January 2nd. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and profound good wishes to the board, the community, our staff. May you all enjoy a happy and h healthy holiday
season and uh Heather Guas, this is president, madame president's last >> it is >> board meeting with us. I just want to thank you for your many, many years of service. I have certainly enjoyed
getting to know you and um being able to talk about education from a place of knowledge. So, I've really appreciated that and the way you've welcomed me into East Brunswick. So, good luck, have fun, do great things now.
>> We are so excited to have you. >> All right, we are moving on. And that is lovely. Thank you. We are moving on to our student representatives report. We have the always fabulous Jane. [cough] >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. I'm excited to share some of outstanding
things happening soon over the past few weeks. Dr. M. I love the report. Thank you so much and welcome. >> First, the Anderson Bowl on November 18th was a huge success with the debut of the brand new format that included both boys and girls. We had eight teams come out to compete. Uh the destroyers
were our winning team. I enjoyed watching the thrill of it all. The new structure brought in so much participation and we were thrilled with the turnout. The event also raised 1,300. And if you'd like to see some of the action, check out NHS on Instagram for great content. On the performing arts side, our fall play girls has
officially closed. The show was incredible and our cast and crew put their hearts into every performance. Now they're shifting their gears preparing for the st in January. Last night, we hosted sophomore parent night where families got a presentation to help them navigate the high school timeline from
the 10th grade perspective. As many parents know, sophomore year can feel a bit overwhelming, so we were glad to offer support, resources, and reassurance. Our community has also been busy giving back during the EVF bear crawl. Both staff and students volunteered their time and energy for the 5K run. It was a fantastic showing
of EB pride and service. On the music side, the EBHS band concert is tonight, so we want to send the performers a big good luck cheer. The orchestra concert will follow next Tuesday and we hope to see many families there. Finally, we have some great events on the calendar. Bollywood night on December 19th.
Tickets are on sale now. Mr. EBHS on December 18th, a talent show and pageant hosted by the senior class. We're excited to see who will be crowned the winner, and I'm hoping it might be me. [laughter] Our winter sports season is underway. Hockey and swimming is already off to a strong start with their recent win.
We're looking forward to an exciting season across the board. And on December 10th, the student council will host the holiday market. This is a totally studentr run event where students share their passion products, display their crafts, and offer items for the community to browse and enjoy. It's a wonderful chance to support creativity and grab something unique. I can't wait
for everything that's still ahead this winter. Thank you, and happy holidays. >> Thank you, Jane. [applause] >> Do you know how many days till the break yet? >> Um, about three. She's not positive, so we're not that stressed yet. [laughter] My students
didn't know at all today. I was pretty impressed. All right, we are up 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 staff member or the appropriate administrative staff, excuse me, in order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment. The board shall provide a period for public
comment at every meeting. Each person who comments is allowed up to three minutes. When you step up, if you could please state your name and address, unless you are a student, and then just your name in your school, and the secretary, the board secretary will keep the time. Is there anyone wishing to
address the board this evening? All right. Seeing none, I'm going to close the public portion. All right. [clears throat] We have we have some changes to the agenda that we were sent, but the one on the deis is correct, right? >> Yes, that's correct.
>> Okay. [snorts] >> Um, can I have a motion for board of education item? We're down to just item one only. Correct. >> Yes. >> Move. >> Second. >> M and Jamie.
>> Right. Discussion. >> All right. This is Oh, sorry. >> No, I um wanted to question policy 1320. Um I just wanted to make sure that uh Evelyn has had a chance to read this
over um this particular policy which is duties of the school business administrator and board secretary since you know we have changes coming. So I I wanted to put that one on the side. Uh, and maybe I want to make sure that you
know about it and that you approve it before we go and approve it. >> Yes, I did. >> You did? Okay. So, you're you're you're cool. >> Yes, I'm cool. >> Okay. That that [laughter] thing. Thank you. And um uh I just wanted I guess it's been taken out. I I didn't get the
minutes the remove. >> It's only item one now. >> All right. That was good. I'm I'm I'm good with everything else. Thank you. >> All right. Anyone else? >> All right. This is a roll call vote. >> Anna Braun, >> yes. >> Timothy Cummings, >> yes. >> Jamie Falco, >> yes.
>> Lewis Figureroa, >> yes. >> Lorie Herrick, >> yes. >> Wilbur Pan, >> yes. >> Marian Tangos, yes. >> Heather Gu, >> yes. Motion passes. Can I get a motion for business and support ops items? This one goes on forever and I didn't write
it down. I am so sorry. Items 1 through 25. Move. >> All right. Jamie then Wilbur >> Grace >> discussion >> I have I had some quick questions on [laughter] item number five regarding the uh transportation um I know this is
a short-term contract do we have an estimation is how long this uh that short-term period is expected to be um until we receive receive bids and they're qualified to be awarded. >> So that's going to be probably a month
>> month >> by the time the process ends. >> Um so we're December 4th now, >> probably the second meeting of January, I would say. >> Okay. All right. Thanks. On um item 23,
the uh school bus evacuation uh draw reports. I noted that on some of the reports um in term there's a on the reports there's a line for name of persons overseeing the drill and some of them just have school security in that in in that uh part. Is that all right?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> So school security officer. >> Okay. Or without identifying a particular person. That should be fine. I'm just looking for the reports. So, just give me a moment, please. I think that's I think that's fine for
for uh this purpose, but I think what we'll do is we'll have transportation make sure that they identify the individual's actual name for the future. >> Sure. Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Yep. >> That's all I have. I will say as somebody who got to run be the person who ran one of those drills,
nothing is as exciting as an elementary school child jumping out the back of the bus and yelling we first thing in the morning. It's a fun drill. Anyone else? Lori. >> Yes. Uh first, not really questions, just comments, I guess. Uh 17. The gift
from Lowe's. That was very nice of them to give us some washer and dryers. We'll take it. Very appreciative. Um, thank you to Memorial School um, PTA for donating money for a laminator. In my old office, laminators were
like the cream of the crop that had to be hidden in a secret office. Um, so thank you for that gift. And then I just want to recognize um Allison Lee who was um received the uh 2025 Regeneron Science
Talent Search Award which I know is [snorts] brought in by like brought to the board but I just think that's a really great achievement. So congratulations to her and I think that's it. >> Ditto what you said and you can skip me
now. All right. Um, I wanted to ask well I wanted to thank the memorial PTA. I know there was that's a particularly needed gift. There was a need for a new laminator and as a memorial mom who has a child who loves things that are laminated, it was sad when we didn't
have one. So that was very generous and needed. I wanted to ask if the Mr. Juliana could explain item number four why we went that way. Um, because it has come up in the past. It's for the cure arena for graduation and there's been a lot of discussion in the past about is
that expense worth it? You know, could we have graduation here? Um, but since we kind of go through that every year, I figured I would just ask up front why we didn't decide to have graduation here. >> So, that was something that we looked at quite extensively during uh the last budget cycle and it was something that
we thought uh we might be able to have onsite. Uh but when we look at the costs to have graduation at the high school uh they were excessive much more than having graduation offsite at the cure
arena and the added issue is weather. So having the graduation onsite at the high school with now being able to guarantee weather becomes an issue for us as well. So cost and guaranteeing the actual date and time. I just wanted to share that
for the public again because the number [cough] I have sticker [clears throat] shock about the number, but when we looked at the high school, the facility wasn't as good. Parking is a huge problem and um and access for people that can't climb into bleachers, but also it costs more, which was a
surprise. Anyone else discussion? Miam. >> Sorry. Uh just a couple questions on um business and support agenda item three uh page 48. Van Clee engineering.
There's an $85,000 um item. Can What is that for? I'm probably not going to be able to tell you what that is in this instance without uh going to the actual purchase order, but let me take a look at the um
the item. You said it was item three. What page is that on? >> 48. >> Um just because it's 85,000. So I was wondering what that was for. Page 48. Uh, >> I don't see Van Clee on page 48.
>> Did I say page 48? >> Page 48. >> It's 48. >> Van Clee. >> I'm on agenda item three. >> Right here. >> Yeah, it's on 48. >> Right in the middle.
That's a different packet. >> It's agenda item three. >> Business and support operations. Isn't that what we're on? >> It is different from >> Oh, it's a different It's a different report than the one that I have in my
packet. Um, Van Clee. So these are one, two, three. So three different I would say three different projects just based on the purchase order numbers. Um I can't tell you specifically which but I can tell you that the projects that
they have been working on uh would relate to um the uh parking improvements at Frost, the parking improvements at Chidik. Um the
uh closing out of the girls uh softball and field hockey complex. Um, and one of the other projects, uh, is, uh, the retaining wall project, um, at Church Hill. So, I would say they're probably
all related to those projects. >> Okay. So, these are exclusively, um, labor costs, not for materials or anything. >> Oh, no, no, no. These are strictly for the uh, engineering uh, planning uh, for projects. >> Okay. And then um [clears throat]
agenda item seven uh page page no page 19 that's one two third actual page uh the $10 million is that the bond
referendum What's this one? >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Mine are sorted in order. >> Sort of shared services. >> Uh, Miss Tangus, where are you again on
that? Oh, I see. >> Agenda item. Oh, this is um establishing the accounts uh for the uh shared services agreement. So, uh whenever um we have new accounts to establish
that's established by way of a transfer. Okay. >> So, we show the revenue side and the appropriations side. So, this is establishing the last uh shared services agreement that the U district entered into with the township. >> Okay. But did that have anything to do with the bond referendum?
>> No. >> Okay. >> No, no, no. This is this these are for um um projects and uh purchases that were part of the shared services agreement that would take place in the current year.
>> Okay. Um I think I am that's it for me. [cough] Oh, um one last thing. I have to abstain on item 20. Uh just for the public, if you're not aware, this item pertains to um Hammersheld PTA facility usage. And
as I am co-president there, that is a conflict of interest for me. So I will have to abstain on this. However, I do have a request perhaps we can look into in the future. Um I want to recommend that our all of our PTAs, booster clubs
be able to use our facilities when they are available. uh when they're not being used to generate revenue um to their convenience uh across the district. I feel that you know our schools should service our students and our community
first. Um so perhaps that's something that we can look into and I believe I can say that because that is not a conflict. I'm not part of any booster club or uh any other PTA just a recommendation. Okay. Any further discussion? All right, this is a roll call vote.
Could you call the vote roll, please? >> Anna Braun, >> yes. >> Timothy Cummings, >> yes. >> Jamie Falco, >> yes. >> Lewis Figueroa, >> yes. >> Lorie Herrick, >> yes. >> Wolver Pan, >> yes. >> Maryanne Tangos, >> yes. Abstain on 20. >> Noted. And Heather Goss,
>> yes. Motion carries. All right. Moving on to curriculum and instruction items 1 through eight. Can I have a motion, please? >> Second. >> Jamie Wilbur. Discussion. [cough] >> No. Are we enough?
>> Okay. Uh, this is a roll call vote. >> Yes. Anna Braun? >> Yes. >> Timothy Cummings? Yes. >> Jamie Falco. >> Yes. >> Lewis Figureroa. >> Yes. >> Lorie Herrick. >> Yes. >> Wilbur Pan. >> Yes. >> Marian Tangers. >> Yes. >> Heather Gloss. >> Yes. Motion carries. Moving on to human
resources items one and two. Can I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> Second. >> Wilbur Lori. Discussion. All right. This is also a roll call vote. >> Hannah Braun. >> Yes. >> Timothy Cummings. Yes. >> Jamie Falco.
>> Yes. Lewis Figareroa, >> yes. >> Lorie Herrick, >> yes. >> Wolver Pan, yes. >> Marian Tangos, >> yes. >> Heather Gu, >> yes. Motion carries. Moving on to special education and student services items 1 through six. Can I have a motion, please? >> Move.
>> Second. Wver. Jamie. Discussion. >> Wver. >> Um, and just um little procedural uh thing. So for um uh item six, uh the monthly school reports clearly were um prepared prior to Dr. Mammon coming on
board. Um I just want to make sure that's okay. Um that she's a signatory on these things. And I know that the last time we had the situation was over a decade ago. So we've probably um you know forgotten what uh um if there are
any issues here. Just doing a double check. >> There's no issue. >> No issue. Okay. >> All right. Thanks. >> Any other discussion? >> All right. This is a roll call, so if the secretary, please call the role. >> Anna Braraw, >> yes. >> Timothy Cummings, yes.
>> Jamie Falco, >> yes. >> Lewis Figureroa, >> yes. >> Lorie Herrick, yes. >> Wolver Pan, >> yes. >> Harry Tangos, yes. >> Heather Goss, >> yes. Motion carries. Moving on to uh committee reports,formational items, and
for the good of the cause for the board. First, we have the curriculum committee meeting from October 29th, but I think we'll go past that because Mr. Holly is away >> to report out on. Uh bringing us to item two, board member reports on committees
andorformational items. And we'll just start on this side. [cough] Anything over here? Um, no, but I just noticed something. Sorry, can we go back for a second? Business and support operations agenda item three. Um, I believe that included some of the travel from school
boards. So, I don't know if people were supposed to abstain. >> Did it? >> Yeah. I don't know if you guys did. I see. Uh, page four is now >> the votes already recorded. >> Oh, >> so we not going to go. I mean, I'm not
in there, but I know other people are. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I was focused on the per you can move that one item. >> All right. >> It's business and support item agenda.
>> Three. Okay. That's why I'm number four, >> Heather. >> Uh, I just need to pull three. >> Make sure it wasn't the one that I gave to. >> Yeah. Here it is. >> Page four is Anna. >> Page 13 is Lou.
>> Well, on [clears throat] this item, would we not just be abstaining? >> You would abstain onelves on >> just on yourselves, >> right? >> Okay. >> You should revote it and and just abstain as yourself. So, let's have a um another motion. Uh this time on bill
list for payments pending issuance December 5th, 2025. >> Can I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> All right, Wilbur. >> Second. >> And Jamie. All right. This one's a roll call vote for sure. >> Yep. And um and I'll note uh the
purchase order number so you're not having to spend some time to >> research that at this moment. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh Anna Braun. >> Yes. Except for what I have to abstain on. >> Noted. [laughter] >> Uh Timothy Cummings. >> Yes. >> Jamie Falco.
>> Yes. >> Lewis Figueroa. >> Yes. Except for what uh my personal >> noted. Lorie Herrick. >> Yes. Except abstaining for my own payment. >> Noted. Wilbur Pan. >> Yes. Except for whatever I'm getting
going to get in trouble for. >> Noted. Marian Tangos. >> Yes. and my sincerest apologies for bringing this up. >> It's no problem. Heather Gloss. >> Yes. Abstension on my own item. >> Okay. Noted. >> All right. >> Motion cares.
>> Motion still cares. [cough] All right. [clears throat] Back to board member reports on committees orformational items. Trying again at this end. >> Um, [snorts] >> no, I'm nothing. Yeah. Okay. just want to wish everyone in the
district um all our neighbors a uh happy and healthy holiday season. >> All right. Uh I'll go last, I guess. Tim, >> this is committees. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I I want to give a plug for the uh I serve on the sustainability committee. It's a great group of people um in town
and there's so much uh potential there and a lot of tremendous work that I know is already going on. And Jane, you could probably speak to some of the work that's happened at the high school with folks who are really, you know, focusing on um trying to be better stewards and take better care of our resources. So, um I have I I have been a member of that
committee just for this year. I missed the last meeting unfortunately, so I don't have any like updates right now at this moment, but I do look forward to in the new year uh sharing more about some of their initiatives and the work they're doing and exploring some new opportunities to really be better. I think the other benefit to that obviously in addition to you know being
good by the earth is is there can be significant cost savings opportunities there as well which is a hot topic for us. So um just putting a plug in there and and I want to thank the committee members who are so dedicated to that effort. >> Mr. Cummings may I ask is that the township sustainability task force? >> Yeah.
>> If you I'm not sure if you realize Stephanie Hollesman who's a teacher. She'll be teaching this human impact and community action class. >> Oh that's cool. She's great and she's a wonderful member of that community of that team. So, uh I know she's very dedicated and brings a ton of expertise. That's cool.
>> And the public should know this has been a long time passion of Mr. Cummings because I believe before you were on the board while you were waiting one time >> during a meeting um he came back to tell us that one of the toilets in our facilities was That was you, right? >> The toilet was running non-stop and he
wished that we would get it fixed because it was wasteful. I tried to fix >> and he tried to fix it while he was waiting. >> So, this is sincere and a [clears throat] passion of his. Lori, >> um I just want to wish everybody um a nice holiday season. Check out Winter
Wonderland on Saturday. Um I saw Radium Girls. It was really awesome. Um, oh, and last night there was a few of us that was at the New Jersey school board's meeting and we got to um learn
about and try their AI security system like Evolve where you could walk through and it um detects all sorts of things. I mean, it was a lot of fun to play with and try to see
what um uh you know, what we could um catch in there. And um but I thought it it really gave us um a good opportunity to have um smaller level and maybe sooner or later bigger level thoughts on
security. I know that money is a concern, but I think we talked about um last night some of the schools that had were there presenting Colonia, South Planefield um talked about having a really supportive community and
supportive board. And so they see safety as many layers and so um again like it's not perfect, right? They definitely laid out um some of the concerns regarding it. Um, and it certainly wasn't a plug for that for the
evolve system itself. You know, there's other schools, I guess, that use other methods. But it was interesting. It was interesting to see and to have a, you know, security discussion and see what's going on at other schools in [clears throat] Middle Sex County.
>> I don't know. >> So, uh, I'd also like to wish everyone a great holiday season, whatever it is that you're celebrating. It's always a a wonderful time of the year. Um, I also was able to see the play which was terrific. Um, the uh the the kids year
over year just really step it up in terms of their uh per performance and I didn't know much about the play other than the basic plot. Um, but I was astounded by how well the acting uh was.
If uh um uh the the the spring musical I believe is Spongebob the musical. a little bit lighter on on on on on that. Uh but that should be a good good time as uh well um also want to give a plug for the uh uh uh the the uh EBF thing at
Barnes & Noble this weekend. They do terrific work and is welld deserve all of our uh support. Um want to also note that um Dr. Mammon showing up and moving an entire grade school on her first day
on the job is quite the flex. Um um but but but also um I um you know from what I heard um most importantly one of my friends has a kid in the uh ELA program at Lawrence Brook and I asked him you know how he thought things went as far as he was concerned.
Everything went like super smoothly given the uh circumstances. So you know that and uh and from my perspective that's uh a uh a real you know plug for how well the team as a whole worked you know from administration to the teachers
and staff to the to the kids for um going along with the uh ride. My friend said that as far as his daughter was concerned it was like a big old adventure to go and check out Hammershel and hang out in the library and she apparently uh loved it. Um there is one question I just want to bring up in
terms of the rest of the um meeting. I know that on the agenda we're going to be moving into in into closed and there are two items there, one including the uh uh retreat. Um but I was wondering if there is a possibility we could have at
least some of the retreat in in open. Um and the reason is that there's actually guidance on the NJ SBA website um in terms of uh board retreats and how they should be uh done uh done in public. Um I realize that perhaps not everything on
that agenda uh needs to be done in closed, but it also appears to me from the uh uh from the board from the board retreat agenda, there's stuff that doesn't have to that that falls outside of what normally would go and close. So, I'd just like to bring that uh bring
that up uh for discussion before we before we head on to that part of the uh um uh and the reason I'm asking is because um we you have a new superintendent who I know is like very
committed to communication is um as all of us are and so might be good to have the public just see what it is that we're talking about in terms of this first retreat. Um, I would like to just join in with an
opposing point of view there. Um, I receive copies of the agenda and it gets forwarded on later, but I would like to say it's the first time that I've ever received the agenda to be sent to the board attorney for review. That was not something that I had been a part of. Um,
but that was how thorough you were in doing it. So, our agenda was reviewed by the attorney to make sure that everything should be enclosed. Um, my my concern is that we do talk a lot about transparency and wanting to be
transparent for the public. It's become quite the buzzword, but a great deal of this is evaluative for our new superintendent and how we're going to be evaluating because I believe you were raced, right? >> Yes, I was. >> She was raced and um >> Yes, I was. [laughter] >> Did you race yourself? Was she raced?
No, I did not. Nicole Nicole Rice. >> Thank you, Nicole. She was right. Um, which if the public doesn't know that she is aware that she'll be discussed in close session. Um, but it is I I understand the desire to do things in
public, but I am concerned. We have a new superintendent and I would think on our first meeting we would want to be welcoming her with warmth, not putting her in an awkward or embarrassing situation. So to be clear, this isn't an attempt to put anyone in an awkward situation. Um, you know, that's
certainly my not my intent at all. Um, but it does appear to me in terms of the items on the agenda that there actually are things that can be discussed in public that avoids the whole evaluation uh part. Um, and
uh, and so I'm going to take issue with the implication that I'm trying to cause an awkward situation here. just asking the question. >> Sorry, can I can I just uh from the NJSBA website? Therefore, it does not matter if your board calls such a
gathering or a retreat or a training session. If the gathering is open to a quorum of the board and you intend to discuss public business, then the OPMA applies and the public must be provided with notice and the right to attend. I don't believe what we're discussing is
Dr. Mammon's ability to be evaluated. We're discussing district goals and objectives. So I agree with Dr. Pan that those should be inopen. Um I know that Dr. Mammon also wants transparency. So why can't we discuss those things in
open and then discuss anything that pertains to evaluation and closed because these are district goals and objectives >> and I do think that we're smart enough to be able to split you know things into one category or the other. >> I think Dr. members. >> So, yeah.
>> So, they're not district goals yet. They are board um there are goals that I have to talk to you about so we can work together to determine if that's the goals you want from me and you still
have input to say yay or nay and based on the goals that we talk about what becomes my board priorities. that's how you evaluate me. So I would need you know the evaluative tool. There are all these things that we have to talk about in terms of this is how we'll measure
you and some of it has deliverables and things like that and because I don't know that it's ready for Broadway. I don't know that part. Um and I think that's typically why it's considered evaluative and why I was rised.
Now once that's done, it is my understanding that the next board meeting when we've agreed on yes, we agree with you. These are board goals. We've added our input. We like it. We're proud for the public to see
it. Then we get to present it to the board. I believe in January. Dad is my understanding. Now, are retreats public? Yes. The problem with this retreat is this is my first one and we have to agree on my board goals and priorities
within 60 days. That's why this part of it is closed. Now the 100 day plan, if you want me to talk about the 100 day plan, for instance, I could do that. I don't there's nothing in the 100 day plan that is um >> no there are no there are no
deliverables there. It does kind of overlay with the board goals and priorities that I want to talk about, but I could do that. However, um I defer to the attorney and and just to
that end, Mr. Jacobe, I asked this question last time at our last board meeting and you told me that whatever portion would be an open could be an open and then you would look at the agenda and >> and I did look at the agenda and in
talking with Dr. Raman uh and Mr. Giuliano who had the agenda um when you look at this most of these are evaluative of the superintendent. Um I I don't have it just says 100 day plan. I don't know what that is. I didn't see
that that the the one part, but it's it it's uh review of superintendent's goals and norms. Uh establish share understanding of priorities and governance rules. Those are things that you as a board have to give her Dr. Mann direction on. This is what we want you
to do. >> I do. >> Once you guys accomplish that, [clears throat] that's evaluated. That's how you're going to evaluate Dr. Mann. And what's in what's a little unique here is you're doing this mid school year. So you're starting December well today's December 4th but you start
December 1st. So I would say that most of these are evaluative if uh there's ones in here that um and this is just looking at this piece of paper that that [clears throat] was provided to me. U if the I don't know what the 100 day entry plan is. If you don't think that that's
evaluative then you can discuss it. The the issue though is let's hypothetically say that you guys Dr. Raman thinks that this is should be one of her goals or or a board goal and a board goal is also going to be Dr. Raman's goal. If you guys disagree and say no, that's not
what we want. We want B instead of A, that might change the whole 100 day plan. So my thought was you guys would set the goals this evening, come to an agreement on it as how you're going to evaluate her, and then you would you could have a a retreat or a presentation to the public saying these are the goals
that we established in the closed session. So it is your legal advice that we are not violating OPMA. >> You're not violating OPMA. And if you're in if we're in close session and you start veering off into something that's not evaluative and a goal, I will tell you that that would not be appropriate
for the closed session. >> I just want to add in for the public the 100 day plan also has items that slides that are deliverables how we will measure if those goals have been achieved which would make that evaluative too I believe. Yeah, it's a link.
>> It's a link. It's a blue link. Um, but the other thing is I would also hope that we would give I I obviously have believed in transparency. We moved the entire finance to the committee of the whole, which I'm proud of us that we tried that. I don't know that I would
want to do that again. I don't know how successful that was for the board or for the public, but I believe in transparency. I would prefer to see Dr. from a man's finished presentation in January, right? In January, ready for the public so that she could put forth
what we had all agreed upon in a polished, confident way. But that's just me. I'm just one of nine on this. >> Yeah. So, under the Open Public Meeting Act, you can go into close session for nine items and it's listed right on your agenda. >> Legal advice of any any type of
evaluation of personnel. This based on my discussions with Dr. Vermont is for you guys to establish how you're going to evaluate her, get your feedback, get your understanding of what your vision as a board is and how she's going to deliver it. So that is evaluative
because you're you're literally setting up her goals and objectives for the next 7 months, 6 months and 28 days actually to be exact because the school year ends June 30th. Um so when you look at that, that would be close session. legal
advice is closed session. If you guys are going to be discussing things about um you know, let's change the board meetings. We instead of having it on Thursday nights, we want to make them all on Wednesday nights. I'd say you can't discuss that in close session. You got to do that in public. What you can
do is right now the estimated length of time is 3 hours. Uh and it says after action may be taken. Um, I don't think it would be fair to the public to have them sit here for three hours and come out and say, "We're not taking any action tonight." I think what the safer
thing to do is if you guys veer into something that [cough] I think is not a close session discussion, it's not evaluative of Dr. move on, you would just not have that discussion and you do it at the next meeting and then you'd have a a time when you guys can make a presentation to the public about what goals and objectives you as a board have
established for the superintendent and for the remainder of this school year. Matt, if I can add something please, just a note um that while the close session resolution says that action may be taken, it was indicated in that way in case something was pulled for
discussion and legal clarification >> uh during the close session. So there there cannot be any action because this is a special meeting and we can't add anything to the agenda for further action >> that was not already listed. >> Right.
>> Okay. So, so basically, if I understand this correctly, um, uh, with the agenda the way it is, there's no way to split out the evaluative part from just the content of what we're talking about. >> Dr. Pan, in all honesty, I don't know. I I I can just read the agenda of what's
there. >> Um, when I look at the agenda that Dr. Roman put together, it it looks to me like what it that is about is to instead >> to set up her evaluation. Yeah. >> So I don't think you can pull it out. If
there's something in there like if Dr. Rick man I was giving an example says I want to change the board meeting nights to >> Wednesday nights instead of Thursday [clears throat] nights. I say that can't be discussed here. You have to put that in the public. >> I think that what what I would suggest that that that you do is once the board
comes to it and Dr. Raman is comfortable and and everyone has established the goals for her evaluative process for the next 6 months 28 days. um you guys would then do it at a public meeting. Whether you do that at the reorganization meeting >> um or you set up another special meeting
where you can involve the public in it, but I think that this is based on my review and my discussion, this would be evaluative. And I don't I don't think there's a way to break it out that I know of without knowing the content. I I I don't I haven't seen Dr. Man's
presentation or re reviewed any of her materials. I just looked at her agenda that she put together. >> Okay. All right. Thanks. Um, yeah, thanks for the info. Uh, that's helpful. I'm good with that. Can I just offer a counter thought process to it as well? I I personally don't see any reason not to do it all enclosed. I don't think it's
fair as well to our new superintendent. She's been here for 4 days. Um, I mean, really like no, you you we have to we have to build our relationship still. We don't know you and you don't know us and you can't and you have so much to learn. You have so much to take in. You you
just got here. You brought us a plan. We said we're going to do this together and closed. And I think that we just need to honor that and move it forward and give you the respect that you deserve to to and I know I'm not saying that it's not I'm not saying it's disrespectful. I get it. But the the we we have to we need
some alone time, right, to to figure out who we are and what we're doing here. And we are going to have a slight shift come January, but you know, we we need to get ourselves settled, too. And I think that we can do that in a more intimate fashion in a closed session to really like establish and make sure that
we're all on the same page and moving in the same direction. I think that opening it up to the public while they should know these things ultimately it's our job first to ensure that they're in place and that there's a stable, you know, picture in front of them. Um I I just I just don't think it's fair to you to bring any of this into open right
now. >> Yeah. Just can if I may just add to that. This is really the first time we've had an opportunity to meet with Dr. from since she's been hired. So, I do think that we all need to discuss our concerns, our issues, make sure that we're all on the same page moving
forward uh before we present a uh anything to the public. I think especially in a transition like this, I think that's really extremely important. So, I agree with uh Mr. Cummings. Thank you. >> Anything else?
>> Um I have just oneformational item. Um, I would like to thank the Memorial PTA. We've been My child has been experiencing theater week all week. It is I know the elementary schools each do it differently, but it is such a huge endeavor. It's the most children I've
ever seen packed on that stage together. I'm really looking forward to their production as I haven't seen the production of The Goodbye Gulch since my older two were in the exact same production um many, many years ago. So, looking forward to that on Friday night.
Um, I also wanted to thank Dr. Man. You have to imagine her first day of work. Uh, we talked briefly on her way in and a few minutes later I've got a text that says, "Powers out." Um, I don't think she ever actually got into
this office that day. She was just running with the teams and did an amazing job. And the part that was most amazing was what you got a day in two days in before >> barely >> a a day in >> a day >> almost a regular day. Um and then she
texted me and she said powers out here and I really thought she was joking. >> Like obviously she was just trying to one up and make me laugh in the morning but turns out it was true. Um, so she has been working smiling and with humor
and meeting people and coming together to work instead of coming together to work in a soft gentle open. Um, it has been forged by fire this week. >> And the nicest part is that as board members, I know we all receive phone calls from the public because I have an elementary school child. I have a lot of
elementary school friends. And the Lawrence Brook parents were really, really happy with how the day went. They felt safe. They felt informed. And the kids were super excited to be at Hammershold. I mean, they just don't seem to dislike that experience. We have learned apparently that was a good time
and they have such envy of the cafeteria there. So, [snorts] >> um, if there's not anything else there, uh, we have a need for a close session. >> Sorry, can I say something? >> Sure. >> Um, so in our new superintendent, Dr. man alluded to this, but Heather, it is your last meeting and you did put a lot
of time and energy into this space and um you know it it's not an easy job as all of us sitting up here know. Uh so I do think you deserve to be recognized for that and I just would like to pause and and you know say thank you uh for the time, energy and effort that you put towards um you know trying to continue
to support and uh establish and and you know build up the well-being of this community. So um thank you. >> No, thank you. It [applause] has been I am I am not big on public displays. It that is not my jam. Um but I would like
to say it has been a phenomenal experience. It has been an amazing experience learning from Dr. Wleski. It has been an amazing experience learning from you sir. It has been an amazing experience learning from you sir. And it has been an amazing two months getting to know you and work with you as an
educator. I feel so excited for our district for what is to come and so grateful to Dr. for what he has done and I just I can't move to close session without thanking Karen and Janet because >> the best >> they are the best and >> the best team.
>> I have talked to Karen when she was out of state to ask for help on things and she never mentions it. People tell me later they're like she's not in the office today but um they are just flawless in their support. So and I would like to thank everyone else for
the support that they have given. So close session before I become 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 discussion in closed session pursuant to NJSA 104-12B. And whereas the board of education intends to discuss matters as are listed in tonight's agenda. Whereas the length of the closed session
is estimated to be three hours after which the board or sorry the public meeting of the board shall reconvene and action will not be taken. >> All right. Uh can I have a motion please? >> Move. >> Wilbur. >> I said it first.
>> Oh sorry J [laughter] I didn't hear you at all. I am so sorry Jamie. Then Wilbur, >> do you want to arm wrestle over it? >> All in favor? >> More? >> Opposed? Abstensions. All right, we are enclosed. Thank you everyone. [clears throat]