Good evening everybody and welcome to a regularly scheduled of the East Windsor Regional School School District board meeting board of ed meeting. Written advanced notice of this meeting was provided at least 48 hours ago. Such notice provided the time, date, and location of this meeting and included
the agenda to the extent it was known at the time. Notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with law. Minutes of this meeting are being kept by the board secretary and will be made available promptly to any member of the public requesting them from the board secretary at 25A Leen Lane, Heightstown,
New Jersey. Minutes will be provided at cost and accordance with board policy. Are there any board members present who believe this meeting to be in violation of the open public meeting act? There being none, we may proceed. In compliance with the fire code of the
state of New Jersey, I call your attention to the emergency exits for this room, which are located behind the audience and to our left and right. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Okay. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Item C. >> Having read the materials received, I move the agenda be approved as
submitted. >> Second. Pull the board, please. >> Mr. Defalco, >> yes. >> Miss Drake, >> yes. >> Miss Laruso, >> yes. >> Mr. Ly, >> yes. >> Miss Patel, >> yes.
>> Mr. Weekes, >> yes. >> Miss Lans, >> yes. Item D. Be it resolved that the East Windsor Regional School District may hold two close sessions at this meeting. These closed sessions concern personnel in the HIV report of April 13, 2026. Minutes of
these closed sessions will be made available to the public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. >> Second pull the board, please. >> Mr. Falco, >> yes. >> Miss Drake, >> yes. >> Miss Laruso, >> yes.
>> Mr. Ly, >> yes. >> Miss Patel, >> yes. >> Mr. Weeks, >> yes. Miss Lans. >> Yes. We'll now move on to item 2A, our student representative report. >> Good evening. We are excited to be back and hoped everyone had a wonderful
spring break. As we quickly approach the end of the year, many students in the senior class have decided where they will be going to college next year. And Danny and I are excited to share our commitments. I will be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology studying advertising, marketing, and communications with a minor in
journalism. and I will be studying at the University of Pennsylvania for computer engineering. >> This week, the National Honor Society will be hosting its blood drive where students are able to donate blood for a good cause during the school day.
Students can sign up for what day works best for them and what time will work best for their schedule. Next, on Thursday, our F FRC robotics team will compete in the Tri-State District Championship at Lehigh University. Over the past few months,
the team has dedicated long hours to designing, building, and programming the robot, and the team is excited to showcase their new robot design. This competition also determines if the team advances to the next stage, which is the um World Championship, which would be at
Houston, Texas. This Friday, our Adalante Club will be hosting their first ever dance show where they will be honoring Latino countries through music and dance. Tickets are now for sale and $4 for $4 for students and $6 for adults. Good luck to all the dancers and crew. We
can't wait to see the amazing show. Next, Sophia and I have heard that our new principal will be in the building soon, and meetings are already being planned with the student council as well as other student groups to give the next principal the opportunity to connect with our school community.
>> As we wrap up the school year, next Monday, all grades will have their town hall meetings to start preparing for the next year ahead. As we finish the year and finish the year strong, during the junior town hall meeting, Danny and I will be talking about the opportunity to be the next board of education
representative. We are excited to share information about this amazing position. Next, with take your child to work day being on the 23rd, students are excited to visit their parents' workplaces or u meet their ch their teachers children.
And we are and we hear that there are some fun activities planned at the Heights High School. With prom season quickly approaching, the HHS Girl Up Club is hosting a prom dress drive where girls can pick up pick out dresses donated by members of the
community. This will take place on April 29th at 2:20 to 3:30. >> Lastly, student council has begun planning Ramboozle, which is our high school's annual outdoor festival. We are reaching out to food vendors and organizing activities to make sure that
this year's event is a success. Students are especi are especially excited for the dunk tank as well as the pi pi a teacher event that we have this year. This concludes this week's report. >> Thank you very much. >> Can I ask a question about ramboozle?
>> I don't know if you guys would actually have the answers. >> Dennis for ramble. Mark, do you know um I know in the past there's been weather issues. Wasn't last year like a thousand degrees and the year before it may have rained or there was a threat of rain.
Are we like I feel really bad because you guys really plan it and then something always happens with the weather. >> Even like last year it was so hot. Um I don't know what you would do for that but just curious if that's taken into consideration because it's such a huge
undertaking. Thanks. Any other questions? >> Okay, we'll now move on to item 3A, our superintendence report. >> Okay, good evening, East Windsor Regional School District. So, I will begin just by congratulating Danny and
Sophia. Glad you made the choice. Fine choices. Uh, welld deserved. So, uh, good luck as you continue that transition. So, I'm sure that's a bit of stress relief for you, right? Kind of knowing where you're headed. So, congratulations. A couple of updates for tonight. Uh, first thing I'd like to
just share on Saturday, this past Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the science symposium. Uh, this is our third year uh with the science symposium. It's really a collaboration between the school district and the South Asian Cultural Society of East
Windsor. Um, and really it's a science fair, a STEM initiative of sorts. We had it for students uh in the elementary schools as well as our middle school. Had about 90 students who participated. Uh the event uh served as a celebration of curiosity and creativity as well as
critical thinking. Um that really kind of defines student learning across our school. So um I'm pleased that it's our third year. Uh great turnout from students uh parent support as well. I do want to congratulate all of our talented students who participated on Saturday
and uh definitely want to give a special uh recognition to uh the East Windsor Regional School District uh teachers and and supervisors who took the time on a Saturday morning uh to serve as judges. So Jodie Foster who who's uh one of our
supervisors as well as some teachers that attended Jessica Suda Matthew Sherman Lauren Craraven Randy Tomkins Bio Alexis Orrain Jessica Mendoza and Claire Vulaka. So definitely thought it was a great day well attended.
Our student representatives talked about the robotics team. So I'll just echo the sentiment in terms of them participating uh this weekend at Lehigh University. I do want to share that um on Saturday March 28th I did have the opportunity to
attend the first Mid-Atlantic Robotics Competition uh in Ben Salem, Pennsylvania. Great atmosphere uh very competitive but very supportive in terms of the schools who were participating. I was I was wowed uh by the level of ingenuity and
innovation but just teamwork and collaboration that that that was on display that day. Uh so it was a weekend competition. After the two days, our team Mercury 1089 concluded the weekend with a record of seven and five. Uh fortunately, as we heard this evening,
uh enabled them to um qualify uh to compete in the district championships this upcoming weekend at Lehigh University. Uh during the competition that I attended, team Mercury 1089 were also awarded the innovation and control award for its outstanding use of sensors
and programming. Also, sophomore Arian Roy was one of two students to win the prestigious first leadership award. So, Arian will now compete against other students from from various districts at this weekend's competition as well. So, congratulations to team Mercury 1089 and
to the first robotics adviserss Chris Gregory and Julie Eli. Just a reminder that um on April 16th this week, this Thursday at 6 PM here at the high school, uh Hugh CPAG, also known as Heightstown East Windsor
Special Education Parent Advisory Group in collaboration with the East Windsor Regional School District Student Services Department, will host a special education transition fair. Uh so this is really for the the families of those students who have IEPs and 504 plans. uh
an opportunity for them to attend and explore various resources. Um receive expert guidance, an opportunity to support their children through the various stages of their educational journeys. Uh food and refreshments will be available. I believe it's going to be
housed here in cafeteria R and once again beginning at 6 PM. Uh in closing, just as a reminder again echoing our student representatives, uh did share a communication to families indicating that April 23rd, Thursday, April 23rd
means serenated by music. I like that. Uh April 23rd will serve as take your child to work day. Um this will serve this is for students in grades K through 12 and this will serve as an opportunity for obviously students to to kind of shadow their
their their parents and their uh respective workplaces. Um I also shared that our uh employees here in the district will also participate in that and they're welcome to have their their children in attendance for the day as well. As a reminder, uh those families that communicate with their respective
school, their child's school, um that their child will be participating and take your child to work day, this will serve as an excused absence. I think in the communication that was sent home was also a reminder that that absence can be recorded in the Genesis parent portal and we will note that as an excused
absence. And with that, that concludes my report. Thank you. Okay, >> thank you Mark. Does anyone have a question? Board members? No. Okay. Um, we will now move on to our first opportunity for board member
comments. Any members of the board wish to comment? >> Hi. Um, I just want to piggyback on Mark's comment. uh we had our amazing uh third science symposium and I'm thankful for our district support as well as
South Asian community and all the staff who volunteered their Saturday's time to judge the event. Uh the kids were amazing. Uh when I started this year two years back we only had 11 teams and this year we had 34 teams and this is a
little bit different from science fair. This is team building working with each other. you have two participant up to five per team and they have to come up with a plan to present their ideas and their projects. So I wanted to thank everyone who were part of it also the
board members who made time out of their schedule to come and support our kids and I'm very proud of our little scientists of our little kindergarteners displaying ability to speak to the judges and as we start earlier on they'll be able to grab it when they
come to the high schoolers. Thank you so much again. Any other board member comments? >> Okay, we now move on to our first opportunity for public comment. Any members of the public wish to speak? Okay, thank you. Please approach the podium, state your name and address and
also record it on the clipboard to the side. Um Paul, would you have a microphone? >> Thank you. >> Oh, okay. Very good. Also just wanted to mention a quick reminder
that each public comment can last up to three minutes. Thanks. >> Good evening. Um I think you know by now my name is David Cargill. um and that I'm the father of a student here in East Windsor Heightstown High
School who has been very interested in forming a fencing club for sport fencing uh here at the high school. Um, you may remember that uh about a
year ago I came before the board um presented uh a list of eight excellent very persuasive reasons that the school should have a fencing program. Maybe the most important one perhaps is the fun
and exercise for the students. Um the other very important reason is that uh colleges do look at sports programs and college coaches do have substantial input on recruiting athletic uh athletic
students. In fact, through my you may remember that I'm an experienced NCAA uh fencing referee. Um, I've done Ivy League matches and I've spoken with
uh coaches at various levels and I'm I've been told directly that those coaches have influence in bringing students to the schools. So,
um, my goal here is to, uh, bring to Heightstown High School a fencing program that allows our students to make use of that kind of influence from the coaches. And to enjoy, you know, the joy
of fencing. Um, let me give What's my time? >> You have about one minute. >> Oh my. All right. I've met over the year with uh Mr. Vincent. I've communicated with Mr.
Daniels, Miss Riggy, Mr. Faraga as athletic director. They have all been very, very supportive. Very supportive. They have helped me move things forward. They've gotten me through the certification process. I've gotten fingerprinted. We're ready to go. We
have everything we need except for a teacher sponsor or district staff. sponsor now. >> 30 seconds, please. >> Thank you. >> I suggest that you ask Mr. Daniels to review the procedures for the new clubs.
A big problem here is that teachers aren't compensated for the first year. And we're asking a lot of them if they're going to start in a new club. And I also suggest that the school review think about what what whether you want new clubs or not. think about how
to fund those clubs and whether what kind of what kind of uh approaches the school can take to bring student bring teachers to these these clubs for example they could be compensated
instead of non-compensated right from the start so >> time please >> thank you may I leave a document with the board >> yes thank you absolutely Let me say this is a proposed draft
proposal. So it's at the earliest possible stages of something that Mr. Daniels can look at and think about for procedures for starting new clubs. Okay. Let me give this to you. Thank you. Are there any other members
of the public who wish to speak? the bottom right, the little person. You're welcome. Uh, >> I apologize for reading, but I want to keep my comments under time. Last month, I spoke to this board about adopting a parental rights policy for opting out of the district mandated onetoone device
program for the 2026 2027 school year. I followed up my comments with emails to each present board member. I'd like to thank Mr. Labberty for his response. He indicated I should reach out to the my child's teachers and their principles, which I did. Each principal then directed me to speak with the superintendent, which were trying to set
up a meeting. Um, but in my follow-up email to everyone on the board, I made mention that while ideally we would hope that you can respect our rationale behind an opt- out program. Ultimately, our hope is that even if you don't agree with the reasoning, you would agree that
a policy which gives parents the choice is appropriate. Uh if you'd like more information about what is guiding us, I suggest reading the digital delusion by neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath for the data behind how edtech has failed our students.
Um and just to clarify, I'm not just a dad who read a book and had an idea and was convinced that there is a problem. I've been teaching in public schools in New Jersey for over 25 years, and I've witnessed the capabilities, skills,
and mental health of the children in our schools diminish because of the intrusion of edtech. My co-workers in my building, friends and colleagues who also teach, they teach in New Jersey, they teach across the country, are experiencing some of the same issues.
And I urge this board to make partners with the parents who recognize the dangers inherent in accessing these devices. Adopting an opt- out policy so our children can experience an educational setting that is free of edtech just like each of you had uh I
think is an invaluable experience. So thank you for your consideration. >> Could you once again I'm sorry please state your name and address and then be sure to sign in. It's okay. >> James Abalone 15 Edward Drive. >> Thanks. >> Sorry. It's okay. Any other members of the public wish to
speak? Um, okay. There being none, we are going to move into our first executive session. Yes, it'll be 15 minutes tops. Thanks. Thanks. Welcome back everybody. Uh we'll now uh
begin the next half of our meeting with old business. Um we have our 2026 committee meetings listed. Um, tonight there was a finance committee meeting and coming up next on May 11th is the curriculum committee meeting. So, does
the finance committee like to report out? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Dina. Uh, we had our um finance meeting and uh our 2627 budget is submitted for the to the county for an approval and we
are not making any changes to staffing as well as our programs. uh our deficit we will account using u taking money out of the supplies or equipment or another line item of expenses to minimize any
cost or deficit that we had for our budget. Uh we are doing our facility project for summer 2026. Uh one of the thing we're doing is um Heightstown High School athletic field renovation. Uh the left side of the
field will be replaced with top soil and sod. Uh we will also be doing evac uh renovation for Heightstown High School uh in 100 wing section part of the building. Then the 300 400 and the
gymnasium as well as the administration offices. We also we will also be doing the G andr renovation that include in modernizing classrooms uh new ceiling lights um and uh painting and so forth.
We will also be renovating the WCB uh we are doing uh renovation to the five classroom as well as renovation in the bathrooms as well as additional lighting for lights and paints in the theater. We will also be doing
renovation for EMK parking lot. Uh there's a lot adjacent to the current lot where we'll be doing uh extension of the new additional spots as well as refersing reurfing
the painting on the new old lot. Uh we will be also renovating the high school hallway flooring um and ceiling lights. And that's all I got. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Does anyone have any
questions? >> Okay, we'll now move on for our second opportunity for board member comments. Any members of the board wish to speak? Okay, there being none, we'll move on to our second opportunity for public comments. Any members of the public wish to speak?
Okay, please approach the podium, state your name and address, and if you could sign in with your name and address as well, and you'll have three minutes to speak. Thanks. All right. Good evening. My name is Daniel Cargill
and I am My address is 29 Milstone and I am one of the current founding members of the upcoming fencing club. As brought up in previous meetings, the addition of Vincent Club provides significant
positive opportunities for the school and students now and in the future. I with the help of my father David who spoke previously have been trying to get fencing in motion in the East Twins Regional School District for the past 7 years now
in in fifth grade. We started it when I met with the principal at Bill and I'm here to show my interest and the interest of those around me in the club and seeing it go lengths and bring the
opportunities for these students that want to fence and want to enjoy this this this club. And what I would propose to help with finding staff representatives would be
something we we've reached out in throughout throughout High School and Mr. Vincent has reached out and we've we've we've made steps in the past to try and get a teacher sponsor for for the club. And what I would propose is
something more districtwide if that would be possible. So something like an email just sent to sent to all the teachers in EWRSD elementary schools gr to try to get someone who could who could help make this happen because
there is interest. I have I have an email list of some 60 students who would like to see this happen and I think and we think it would be a very good thing for the school to have. That is all.
Thank you for your time. Thank you. Are there any other members of the public who wish to speak? Hello, good evening. I am Nathaniel Kung and I attend Heightstown High School as a junior. Now, to build off of what
Daniel was saying about the fencing club before, I believe that the addition of the fencing club to Heightstown High School would be extremely beneficial in a variety of ways. Firstly, fencing is a great semi- highintensity, fun, safe, full body workout for students who are
looking to get more physically active and some after school exercise. This gives students who may not have access to a gym or similar gym equipment at home uh the opportunity to keep their bodies healthy while also participating in the super fun activity such as
fencing. Additionally, fencing doesn't actually require much training and isn't as harsh on the body as other sports like track, basketball, and a lot of others. And this makes it easily accessible for practically everyone. So, anyone could really join and have fun
and participate in the sport. Also, since fencing is hopefully going to be implemented to the school as a club, it will be extremely low commitment compared to if it were implemented as an actual sport. This means that if a student joins the club and doesn't actually like the sport, uh
they aren't obliged to continue attending the club and it would be far less punitive as if it were an actual sport. Lastly, there has been lots of evidence towards support for a fencing club. As one of the founding members and leading
promoters for the club during Heightstown High School's Rush Week, I can confidently say that we were able to accumulate approximately three plus pages full of signatures by students who had actual interest in fencing acting as clear evidence of a fencing clubs of the
fencing clubs garnered support. Now, with the help of the board and active support by Heightstown High School, we can make this dream dating all the way back to the fifth grade, originating from a kid named Daniel Cargill, come true.
Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Good evening. Mark Monia, 224 Sunside Avenue in Burl. Um, as I'm listening to the students speak here tonight about a fencing program, that's passionate to
me. It should be passionate to all of you. in hearing that this started seven years ago and here we are and I don't know what's taking so long when you have 60 students that are interested in this. That should be something that you should
embrace. You know, when I was in school, I played soccer. There was all kinds of programs available. There was no fencing back then during my time. But I think you should support these kids. You know, these students are really into this and and this is my first time I've been in a
meeting in years and this is great. I really wish you would support them. You know, they're out here. One's here with his dad. He's trying to get the program going. I I would support this. I really would. And I'd love to see you support it, too. I
don't know what's taking seven years to get something going. Some are going to graduate soon and never even see this program take place. So please look into it for them. Bring their dream alive and you know support them.
>> I appreciate your time. That's really all I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other members of the public who wish to speak? Okay, there being none, we'll move on to item eight.
Item eight, policies to be abolished. Item A, policy 3362, sexual harassment. Item B, policy 4352, sexual harassment. >> Second. >> Any questions?
Please, please pull the board. >> Mr. Falco, >> yes. >> Miss Drake, >> yes. >> Miss Laruso, >> yes. >> Mr. Lavy, >> yes. >> Miss Patel, >> yes. >> Mr. Weeks, >> yes.
>> Miss Lans, >> yes. >> Item nine, >> mandated policies for first reading. Item A, policy 0142.1, nepotism. Item B, policy 1220, employment of chief school
administrator. Item C, policy 1552, sexual harassment staff. >> Second. >> Any questions? Please pull the board. Mr. Defalco, >> yes. >> Miss Drake, >> yes. >> Miss Laruso,
>> yes. >> Mr. Labry, >> yes. >> Miss Patel, >> Mr. Weeks, >> yes. Miss Lans. >> Yes. Item 11. >> I think we missed item 10. >> Sorry. Item 10.
>> Item A, regulation 1552, sexual harassment staff. >> Second. Any questions? >> Please pull the board. >> Mr. Falco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Drake. >> Yes. >> Miss Larusa. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lavy. >> Yes.
>> Miss Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Weeks. >> Yes. >> Miss Lance. >> Yes. Item 11. >> Motion to approve routine items by exception. Having read the materials received, I move that the board approve the routine agenda items as submitted.
Item A, staffing for April 13, 2026. Item B, HIV report from March 23rd, 2026. Item C, approve new field trip sites for upcoming trips. Item D, approve HHS overnight trip to Spain, Madrid, and Barcelona, spring of 2027.
Item E, approve HHS scholarship opportunity, James Russo Memorial Award. Item F, approve HHS scholarship opportunity, the Brad Deore Fairway to the Future Scholarship. Item G, technology recycling badge number 69. Item H, approve travel and related
expenses. Item I, approve student services department surplus property disposal requests. Item J, out of district placement. Item K, professional services for students. Item L, resolution to issue -ate form 471 award
for EWRSD networking equipment. Item M, resolution to issue -ate form 471 award for HHS and EMK network cabling. Item N, resolution to issue -ate form 471, award for EWRSD virtual environment and battery backup. Item O, co-op purchases.
Item P, professional service contract for SSP. Item Q, transportation. Item R, transportation joiner. Item S, report of the board secretary and financial report for February 2026. Item T, expense and transfer reports of
school monies report for February 2026. And item U, bill list of April 13, 2026. >> Any questions? a second. >> Second. >> I'm sorry. Um, any questions?
>> No questions. Please pull the board. >> Mr. Falco. >> Yes, but abstain from travel expenses related to myself. Miss Drake. >> Yes. With the exception of travel expenses relating to myself.
>> Mr. Russo. >> Yes. But abstain from um H the line that refers to myself. >> Mr. Ly. >> Yes. And same abstension for travel
expenses for myself. Miss Patel. >> Yes. Except the travel expense on item item 11 number H under my name. Thank you. >> Mr. Weeks. Uh yes, except for item H. Anything under my name? Miss Lance?
>> Yes, except for item H, travel expenses related to myself. We have no need for an executive exe second executive session this evening. That concludes our meeting tonight.