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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=2VgNwmbPzqQ

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Yep. You didn't select. Check one, two. Check one, two. Call to the order. Flag salute. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nationy

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and justice for all >> roll call to >> yes Mr. Vichel Patel >> here >> Miss Pang >> here >> Mr. Shei >> here >> Miss White >> here >> Miss Anjuna Patel

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Mr. Lugo Mr. Mr. Ronak Patel >> here. >> Mr. Ero >> here. >> Mr. Azerella >> here. >> You have a quorum. >> Opening statement. >> In accordance with the open public meetings act, public law 1975 C231 sunshine law, the Edison Township Board of Education has caused notice of this

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meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the board of education administrative offices and on the on the board's website. >> Thank you. In accordance with NJSA section 10 col 4-12 township board of education adjuns to

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confidential session for the purpose of discussing the following confidential personal and board matters student matters pending litigation legal matters property acquisition and HI do I have a motion to privilege uh adjend to the privilege session

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>> motion >> I second >> all in favor >> I >> I >> thank you and we'll be we'll come back probably in uh after 30 minutes. Thank you. We are reconvening to the open session. Uh I want to start with some student

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recognition. The first one on the list is Sanvi Bud and team member Shria Reddi. Uh San Bad is a rising sophomore from JPCs high school who has formed a nonprofit organization called we are with you. The organization is to

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advocate and support children with the cancer. We are with you care founded by Edison New Jersey student with a mission bigger than themselves because every child deserve to be heard supported and fought for. So I'd like to invite Dr. Kim to talk more about it. Thank you.

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>> Thank you Mr. Patel. So I'm Dr. Kim the principal very proud principal of John P. Stevens High School and we're going to invite up next to us we have Samvi Bot and Shrea Reddi and both of them were involved um I believe Samvi started

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the organization we are with you care um where they were really supporting and advocating for uh children with cancer and helping families associated with that. So this amazing nonprofit that they've started we just wanted to recognize their their work with it. So,

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congratulations. [applause] >> You want to come on up and take a picture? >> Yeah. I just want to say something when they're taking the pictures. This is, you know, a group of uh students that formed this uh organization. And you

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just see the uh two JP Stevens students here. they actually have an army of uh students. Uh some of them are elementary and and middle school as well. So uh I hope when the high school kids graduated

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uh you know we'll have uh these younger students uh continue the journey and it's a great organization and uh you know um a great initiative from our students and thank you Savvi and thank you for your team. [applause] Okay. So the next one in the list is uh

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Odyssey of mind team from from Wood Wilson. Dr. Kim. >> So I'm very proud to introduce the first place and world champion winners from the Woodra Wilson Middle School Odyssey of the Mind team um for performing

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extremely well at the world finals in Iowa. So, they went all the way out to Iowa and took home that beautiful trophy up on stage. And I'm very proud to have them join us. Well, eventually some of you may maybe in a year or two, but um

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joining us at JP. So, um if I'll call you up and you can get your certificate and then you can go on up and we'll take a picture with that big beautiful trophy. Um okay. So, Aus Cucheria [applause] Dimahi Samant,

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[applause] Aan Yadav, [applause] Arya Patel, [applause] Prash Habar [applause] and job dot [applause] >> well president can I say a couple words

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>> of course >> yeah sure go for it >> so uh these are students who became the first place award and this is the first time that the wood Wilson have this and this I think it's the first time in our

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district I might if you know right so uh you know Dr. him. These kids are coming to JP. All right. So, uh they will continue. I hope they continue their journey when they're in high school and uh continue to be number one in the world. All right. Thank you very much.

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[applause] >> Yeah. Can Can the board member have the honor to have some pictures with these kids? >> Sure. >> Why don't we have a picture with them? Go on down. Yes. [laughter] I can autograph this for you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Come on.

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>> [laughter] >> You ready? >> Yay. [applause] Take another one. >> Oh yeah, let's do it. Take it with the girls. Jerry wants >> Jerry was so >> Jerry's good. >> Oh my god.

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[laughter] >> Okay, perfect. >> Excellent. I always whisper them. Somebody's always got the tickle in their throat. We'll drop it off to you. >> I agree. >> I hope they're none of them. >> Next award.

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>> There's two more. >> Yeah, we're in good. We're in good shape. >> Thank you. Okay. So, moving on to the next award. It it it is for Ria Ray for the Eagle Scout project. Dr. Kim. >> Yes. So, Ria Ray who is a student at JP

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reach uh reached the rank of Eagle Scout which is an extreme accomplishment and she did her project at JMP, you know, beautifying um and and cleaning up um some areas of J uh James Madison Primary School. So, we're really

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proud of her. Is Ria here? >> Okay. So, we'll get this certificate to her, but she did a a great job and I know that um Mr. Syler is really proud of the work that was done there as well. So, congratulations to her. [applause]

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Okay. And the last but not least is for the director of the uh New Jersey Nutrition Association. It is with a great honor we announce that Armida Calwell has been named director of the year by the New Jersey School Nutrition Association. Armida is a 30-year food

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service professional and serve as our director of to the fifth largest New Jersey public school district public school. She ensures her team serves meals to approximately 17,000 students daily across 20 schools. Uh Dr. You want to add something to it? Yeah.

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So, you know, for those of you that um know Armita, she is the heart and soul of uh the backbone in relationship to our nutrition program and our food service program. Uh what an unbelievable accomplishment. No one could be more deserving. It's a pleasure to work

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alongside her each and every single day. I know many of the board members as well um share my sentiments in relationship to that. And it's our honor, Arita, to uh congratulate you officially this evening. Why don't you come on up? We've got a few pieces for you. Have a round of applause for our meeting.

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[applause] >> Yes, we will. We will. I thought you going to make a speech. I'm going to have you make a speech. Then we come >> up there. >> I made her make a speech, then we come. >> She didn't have to. All right. Now we come. Have a have a picture.

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>> [applause] >> I will say this wonderful district. >> [applause] >> lead. anyway. >> All the best. >> Enjoy your summer, guys. >> Yeah, >> enjoy your summer.

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>> It'll be over before you know it. Oh, my summer's not ending. >> Three days. I'll have summer all year round. >> Take the trophy with you guys. >> You're dead. Okay. Don't forget the trophy.

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Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Good night. >> Let's give it a minute for them to walk out. >> Okay, we'll start with the next thing. It's a superintendency board. >> Thank you very much, board president Patel. Good evening, ladies and

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gentlemen. Uh the 2025 the 20 25 20 am I saying that right? [laughter] 25 to 26 >> 25 26 it's a little bit easier to say that has come to a successful close uh and while we celebrate our achievements we are already beginning planning for the next ac academic year and that is

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completely underway I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated teachers our administrators our support staff for ensuring another productive year for our students uh thank you so much for the work that you do you make my job very easy um I also want to

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congratulate all of our recent graduates and take a moment to specifically recognize Mr. Charlie Ross as he celebrated his final graduation ceremony within our district. Uh Charlie is a staple of you know Edison High School synonymous with its success. Um and

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what's great about Edison High. So um Charlie, thank you so much for your service. We'll we'll we'll see you shortly. We're not we're not done with you yet. Uh I'd also like to thank uh the board of education on my behalf and my central office team's behalf. Thank you so much for your continued support,

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your vision, your insight, um, and moving things forward in a progressive manner. And that that that service does not go unnoticed. Uh, our schools remain active this summer as well too. Extended school year program is set to begin uh, Monday, June 29th. In addition to the uh

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educational program, uh we've also got several facility projects that are moving forward, construction infrastructure improvements across the district, uh including the installation of air conditioning at JMI, JMP, and Washington schools, uh the Ed Yeah,

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right. That's Yeah, that's a Thank you. uh as well as the Edison High School uh orchestra room um and as well as the uh the major additions that we put on over at um uh JMI as well as John Marcel are pro are proceeding very very well. Uh

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and uh finally just to talk wrap up a couple pieces. um our our career connections hub, which is our which is a district-wide digital resource for college and career readiness that all of our students can access, um continues to expand. Um we've announced new

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internships and partnerships with the YMCA, edtech companies, um Harvard University as well, opportunities for there. Uh this Friday, we'll be conducting an outreach to students and staff at Edison High School, Success, the Success Academy, and John P. Stevens

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High School to encourage participation in these valuable work-based learning experiences which are you know in the area of uh you know 50 or or 60 that we've actually been able to get to the finish line. We're adding this each and every single day. Um it's located on our

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district website. So any parent that's um interested or any student that that's interested in access accessing some form of a work-based learning experience, please go ahead and and check that out on our website. And finally, as we close out 25 and 26, we are proud to begin

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another year of our strategic plan, vision 2030 for the 26 27 academic cycle. Uh this year marks a piv p pivotal fra uh phase in our long-term roadmap. Uh we remain committed to infusing the portrait of graduate and

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all aspects from kindergarten through high school. Uh again, I thank the board and our teachers for our continued support in not only u establishing these goals, but um uh measuring them and making sure that we are constantly improving. And that is the close of my

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report today. Mr. Patel, >> thank you. Um board president's report. I want to piggyback on what Dr. Ali said about the internships. um for this generation of kids, the classroom, you know, hands-on experience supplements the classroom learning and

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and that's the best way to learn and and get the, you know, career ready, not just, you know, college ready. So, I would encourage all the kids to look at the internship if it's open on the website, it's available. So, please apply and and make use of your summer. Thank you. Uh next thing is review of

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agenda item. Dr. Alilli. >> Yeah, sure. So, as we move through the report for uh personnel, we have um our regular uh items on that agenda. We have our um resignations and terminations, appointments, leave of absence. We're also appointing coaches for the fall uh

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as well as additional recommendations made by the superintendent of schools. As we as we move forward through administration, we have our annual adoption um statemandated uh plans and appointments as listed here. Um we have the approval of our policies within our

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first reading um in which we will be discussing that at the uh which we did discuss at our uh policy meeting which occurred during June. Uh we have our agreement with the NJSIA which needs to be board approved each and every single year. Uh as well as the

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uh the Hib report um that is approved from the uh previous board of education meeting. Uh as we move forward to curriculum and instruction, ladies and gentlemen, we only have the approval of one piece and that is the professional development item for June 2026.

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Uh and finally, we have our out of district placements for our special pupil services as indicated um in the documents provided to the board. And now I will turn it over to Mr. Toth for the finance section. >> Thanks, Doc. Uh under the finance and facilities section, we got the bills

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list up first along with our meal prices for the fiscal year 27 along with tuition rates and uh subscription busing. Uh under contracts, we're authorizing the use of co-op uh contracting through the various agencies that we work with along with New Jersey

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state contracts and awarding some professional service uh contracts. Item D is change orders on our capital projects. We have three at our district-wide AC project. Uh two of them are for additional piping case work, flooring, and some valve work. And uh

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one is for a credit uh that we're going to receive um for some work that we're not going to be doing in terms of uh paint. Um under grants, we have no nothing to report at this time and nothing under the transportation route report at this time either.

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>> Thank you. Next thing is public comments resolution only. Okay, I see none. Motion close. Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> Okay. Uh, do I have a motion to approve personal reports? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Roll call.

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>> Yep. >> Mr. Azerello. >> Yes. >> Mr. Erico. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ronak Patel. >> Yes. >> Miss White. >> Yes. >> Mr. She. Yes, >> Miss Pang. >> Yes, >> President Patel. >> Yes.

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>> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Next one is motion to approve administration curriculum and instruction and pupil service pupil special services. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Oh, that was close. [laughter]

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>> Russ [laughter] Ty goes to the runner. You got it, Russ. All right, Mr. Azerillo. Yes, >> Mr. Erica. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ron Patel. >> Yes, >> Miss White. >> Yes, >> Mr. She. >> Yes,

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>> Miss Ping. >> Yes, >> President Patel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Do I have a motion to approve finance? You >> Oh, >> Miss Patel, I didn't see you step in there. >> Gotcha. And on the on the on the

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previous one, I didn't I didn't get your vote, Miss Patel. Yes. >> Thank you. You snuck up all quietly. [laughter] >> Yeah, that's okay. [clears throat] Do I have a motion to approve finance? >> Motion. >> There you go. Second. >> Okay. Roll call.

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>> Okay. Mr. Azerella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ero. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ron Patel. >> Yes. >> Miss Anja Patel. >> Yes. >> Miss White. >> Yes. >> Mr. She. Yes,

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>> Miss Pang. >> Yes, >> President Patel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Next, we have committee reports. The first one is trans transportation committee, Mr. Etica. >> Thank you, Mr. Patel. Uh the committee uh committee members and attendees were

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myself, Miss White, Doug Gillian, Dr. Alderelli, Dr. Hus, and Mr. Toth. Uh the committee discussed subscription busing program and reviewed options for establishing a fee structure that would make the program financially sustainable for the district. Additional discussion

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focused on potential purchase or lease of additional buses and the possibility of expanding in-house transportation services using district employee drivers. This approach may reduce overall cost compared to a reliance on outside transportation contractors. The committee antit anticipates that the

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number of subscription bus routes and riders will be reduced compared to previous years. As far as field trips go, the committee reviewed field trip transportation costs and discuss funding options. Moving forward, transportation for select field trips will need to be funded through individual school

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building budgets or supported through parent organizations, PTO's, fundraising efforts, or direct parent contributions. maintenance and transportation of operations. The committee reviewed and ant anticipated transportation maintenance costs, noting

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that bids are currently being solicited and that substantial increases are expected to reduce long-term maintenance expenses. The committee discussed hiring an additional certified mechanic to perform more repairs in-house, purchasing bus parts directly through

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cooperative purchasing programs, taking advantage of taxexempt purchasing opportunities available to school districts, employing a shared service agreement with a neighboring district that already operates a transportation garage and vehicle lift facility. These strategies may help offset increasing

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maintenance and repair cost. Transportation fleet inventory. The committee receives an update regarding the district's transportation fleet. Several buses are scheduled to be retired due to age due to age, wear, and overall condition. During the contract uh during the current school year, the

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district purchased two 24 passenger buses and one wheelchair accessible van. The ma estimated cost of a new school bus is approximately $185,000 per vehicle. At this time, no funding has be been allocated within the current budget

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for the purchase of any additional buses. Meeting adjourned. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next one is policy committee report. Mr. Patel. >> Thank you, Mr. Patel. The policy committee took place on

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Monday, June 3rd to at 4:30 p.m. at Education Center. Attendees were myself, Mr. Lugo, Mr. C Dr. Elder Ali, Dr. Valentine, Dr. Hus, and Dr. Tuhi. The policy committee reviewed Straw SME

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policy alert 237 and is recommending the policy listed on tonight's agenda for board approval. The committee also discussed the imple implementation of district new cell phone policy including communication and expectations to

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support successful rollout for 2026 27 school year. And this concludes the report. >> Thank you. Next one is public comments. choice ship Edison, New Jersey. I would like to say um congratulations to all our grads

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from Edison High and from JP Stevens and you know and all the students that were here tonight making us very very proud of them receiving that award and being the first one in this district to receive such a prestigious award is

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outstanding and I know that now I'm going to miss uh Principal Charles Ross. What a dynamic guy. What an outstanding guy. What a cheerleader for Edison High. You can just feel his energy when he enters this this meeting. He didn't miss

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anything. He was always always always always for the students of Edison. And I just I hope we can find someone to fill his shoes. If not to fill his shoes, at least to come close because I think he was just such an outstanding guy. Not

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saying that the rest of the teachers and the principles and everybody in the school are not outstanding people because you know Edison we always want the best but some stars shine brighter than some stars sometimes. So I'm just saying that I'm going to miss you

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Charles. I'm not going to have anybody to spar with about you telling me how great great and how outstanding your students are and how great your school is. Thank you. >> You next. Yes, Mr. Mara. Anthony Marine,

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uh, here to speak again about the parental bill of rights, which I've emailed to you twice. Once a couple days ago and once back on February 4th. Unfortunately, it's a necessary piece of work because parents these days just

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don't seem to get the rights that so many others do. There's nothing in this bill of rights that diminishes any rights of the students. New Jersey law against discrimination

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has tons of rights for the students. There's nothing in this bill of rights that impinges or diminishes that in any way. And as I've said before, but it bears repeating.

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Our US Supreme Court has weighed in on this very strongly. In the recent case of Mirabel versus Bont, it held this is a case that originated in California. Yeah, it's in from California on a policy that's very

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similar to the policy that board wiped out last May 5756. Supreme Court said the state argues that its policies advance a compelling interest in student safety and privacy, but those policies cut out the primary

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protectors of children's best interests, their parents. The same true the same is true of subclustive parents who object to policies on due process grounds. In other words, both due process and freedom of speech and religion

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come to bear here. Goes on to say gender dysphoria is a condition that is has an important bearing on a child's mental health. But when a child exhibits symptoms of gendered dysphoria at school, California policies conceal that information from

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parents and facilitate a degree of gendered transitioning during school hours. These policies likely violate parents' rights to direct the upbringing and education of their children. This is our US Supreme Court.

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The bill of rights which I sent to you is completely consistent with what our US Supreme Court has said. There are opt out provisions in here where let me read one of them.

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In accordance with current federal and state laws, any child whose parent or guardian presents to the school principal or designate a signed statement that any part of the instructions in health, family life, education, such education is in conflict

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with his conscience or sincerely herald moral or religious beliefs shall be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and without academic penalty to the student. This is an excellent piece of work. A

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lot of work went into this. The Colts Board of Ed put this together and adopted it. I ask that the Edison Board of Ed also adopt this. Some on the board here may have campaigned on parental rights. In other

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words, when you were running for the board, did you say, "I'm for parental rights?" Well, if you did, put some teeth into it and adopt this Bill of Rights. If you don't, what kind of

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what kind of advocacy what kind of policy were you running on when you were running? When I was advocating against 5756, thankfully now gone in Edison, I spoke of the fifth commandment. How can you argue with that? God says to honor mom

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and dad. We just celebrated Father's Day back in May. I think it was May 10th. Mother's Day last May. Every year it's on our calendar. Does anyone argue against? Of course not. Is there a parent here who wants to be dishonored?

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No. I don't know how many on the board are parents. We all want to be I'm a parent. I'm a grandparent. Honor mom and dad and adopt this policy. also spoke to the golden rule. Do unto others

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as you you would have them do unto you. You can't argue with that either. Everyone loves to to live by the well. Everyone likes to to be the subject of golden rule. It can be a hard little rule to live sometimes,

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but it reaps wonderful benefits. do [clears throat] to the parents of Edison what you would like done for you as a parent here in Edison. Adopt this this bill of rights. Send a message to Edison. We're with

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you. We support you. We want to give you the kind of support that a parent deserves. Thank you for hearing me. >> Thank you, Sue. Sue Campion Shiff for Court and Edison.

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Um when the calendar first came out, I came down to ask about um Passover, which we have always um had off, and I know it's hard to find um time to give all the holidays off, but we've always had Passover. Uh, all I had simply asked

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for was the PD day be moved to the week before and two early dismissals. It's an 8-day holiday, but the saters are um most people celebrate it the first two days. Um, when I left that meeting, I watched the rest of it at home and I saw

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person after person after person come down and thank the board um because they wrote letters to you and asked you to not take eat away and make that a makeup snow day. So we all lost a day of spring break and we were extended a day which

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affected everyone but out of respect because it was a holiday you didn't take away Eid. So I'm asking you for the same respect for um Jewish students for all the Jewish teachers to simply make them early dismissals. It does not change the

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calendar that much. It doesn't take away a day of school. it it you don't have to make it up to just make them early dismissals and not make it a PD day because then the teachers have to work and we've done that before with Jewish holidays and you don't have time to get home and do what you need to do. So I'm

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just asking you out of respect the way that you did for other people to make them early dismissals. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? [applause] Yes. Yes. Thank you. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle.

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This is a great time of year because we've come to an end of another great school year and there's so many people to well wish to. Um the administration has done a great job even though it was a tough year. The teachers and and the

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rest of the staff just keep plugging on no matter how things get. So I appreciate each and every one of them. To the students that graduated this year, I wish them the best of luck and I hope their future is as wonderful

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as they have been students at in our district. To all the teachers, please take it easy over the summer. You really need a breath because of all the things that you have to do during the year. I always say take a minute and smell the

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roses because you're going to need it because September comes around so quickly. I do have a question though, changing uh thoughts. There was something in there about subscription busing and uh I know it was part of the uh

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discussion in private session. there was something in the agenda uh regarding a subscription busing and one of my neighbors is uh very uh agitated because he needs to know that his child will get to JP Stevens in September and he's

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talked to other parents and he never gets the same answer. So hopefully uh it'll be coming out soon and I was told that uh it'll be through the parent portal. Uh and hopefully he'll be able to get in because my neighbor will just

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be just so upset. Um so the other thing was the cost with the rising cost of fuel and the rising cost of buying vehicles. Right now, we're talking 185,000 for one bus. And

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then you need to hire more uh drivers, which has not been a fun thing to begin with over the years trying to get uh bus drivers. And without Joe Romano reminding everybody every month you want to be a driver, we still have the big

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sign on Pearson Avenue looking for bus drivers. So, that's a big consideration. It's not as easy as it used to be. And my final thing is to wish Mr. Ross a good retirement. What a gentleman and a

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kind man reaching out to everyone in the district regardless of what school or what part of town you're from. He took such good care of his students at Edison High. But as a parent of of children that did not go to Edison High, he

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always reached out and made sure he knew knew enough to reach out to everybody to say what's good about Edison and not only Edison High, but all of Edison. We see it every month, all the different recognitions we have, and we should be

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proud of that. and we look forward to the future that everybody enjoy a quick summer because September comes quicker than all of us can think of and thank you Dr. Alderelli for being at the forefront. >> Thank you. Anyone else?

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>> Yes. >> Good evening. Matt Revnack, ETA president. So, first of all, congratulations to all of our graduates from both Edison JP, those that moved up grade levels from the middle schools to the high schools, from the elementaryaries to the middle schools. Um, but especially our graduates from

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the high schools, best of wishes to them in the future and college and whatever other endeavors they undertake in their future. Um, I also want to mention to the staff that retired, all our retirees, um, or those that are leaving the district otherwise. to our retirees

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especially, thank you for all your service to the district. It's been a pleasure working with you and representing you as one of your union leaders. Um, wish them all the best in retirement. Mr. Ero, congratulations to you. I know

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you'll be retiring, I guess. What do you have like two days left? >> Three more days. >> Three more days. So, I nobody's mentioned it, but Mr. Erico and I go back a long way. He was also a teacher in this district for a while. Um, and so I know it's your last couple days and

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best wishes to you as always in your retirement. Um, I also want to mention a couple other things. Um, first of all, I know Mrs. Campion spoke about the um, having days off for Passover next year. I know this has come up and again I just want

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to advocate just out of respect for everyone's beliefs and religions and all. I do hope the board does the right thing with that. I thought it would be on tonight's agenda. Obviously, it isn't, but hopefully moving forward there'll be that calendar adjustment for that purpose. Um,

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next thing up, July 4th is coming up. I've always like, you know, talked about all the holidays. I did it with Memorial Day, etc. You know, we have some issues in this country. We're not perfect, but celebrating our 250th anniversary of the start of this

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country, we're still the greatest country in the world. We have freedoms that no one else around the world has. And while we have our problems, it's it is a time for us to celebrate and, you know, give thanks for what we do have in this country. And like I said, the liberties and freedoms that we we do

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definitely um possess. Uh next thing on the agenda, um Mr. Ross, I wish he was here. I didn't get to speak at the last board meeting about him, but you know, he was the perfect person to an extent for Edison High

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School coming in at the time. Um, I really did appreciate work with him quite honestly. We got off to a little rocky start when he first started. Um, but we warmed up to each other. I think we became pretty decent friends. Um, gained a lot of respect when he became

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president of the supervisor administrators association. a number of times we would work together and confer on things etc etc but most importantly what he did and and leading Edison High School um like was mentioned before there's probably no bigger cheerleader

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the one thing I'm happy for is having to get up and speak either after him because he was such a dynamic speaker that it was always a tough act to follow or knowing that he was coming up after me perhaps you know um was always a tough tough uh pill to swallow but I do

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wish Mr. Ross, you know, the best in retirement and whatever endeavors again he undertakes moving forward in the future. And finally, um, with summer upon us now, everybody have a great summer, time to rejuvenate, relax.

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Hopefully it's fun-filled, safe in your travels. Hopefully everybody's getting away vacationing. Um, and most importantly is to, you know, relax and and catch up on some sleep or whatever it is you need to do, get ready for the next school year. Thanks.

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>> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Yes. >> I have a quick question about your name and address. >> My name Oh, Renee Cavaria, 10 Louise Road. Right. >> Um, I have an interest in the high school here. I am a band and choir

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parent. So, I was wondering if you guys were going to announce who our new choir director is going to be or do I have to wait for that to come out in the meeting minutes? >> Well, I'll let you finish all your comments and then >> that's the only question I have is who our new director is. You can you can

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take a seat and you oh we we are still in the process still in the process of of finalizing those details but um prior to any any recommendation from from those purposes we have to inform the board of education has to be put on on an agenda at that

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time too. I would imagine though the rumor mill in Edison is is quite active. So I would you know you may know before before I know. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Very curious. >> Anyone else?

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>> Motion to close public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Board member comments >> before me remember at this time. >> Yeah. Before we start the comments uh can I ask Dr. already two questions that's uh on on the mind of a lot of the residents. >> Yeah.

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>> One is brought up about the subscription. The other is about the summer camp because uh the summer camp is camp is based on enrollment. Some of the classes has does not have enough people to enroll. So the students wants

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to enroll in other pro other uh classes that's going to start a little bit later. So two questions summer camp and transportation. >> Yeah. Perfect. So to begin with summer camp, Mr. Shei, right? Some of those classes that didn't run, right? The program that you're speaking about is self- sustaining, right? It's got to pay

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for the cost of the class, the teacher, uh so on and so forth, supplies and materials. In the event that we were not able to run a class as a result of low enrollment, um students will have the opportunity to enroll in additional classes um as long as there's availability.

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Great. And then for transportation in relationship to that, yep. you know, the board approved tonight the uh transportation uh subscription busing rate. Um we are, you know, in a position right now where we are going to open our portal shortly. Correspondents will be coming out from the district office

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within the next two days. Portal will most likely open up on Monday the 29th. It will be opened up for the entire month of July. It is on a first come first serve basis. Um you know in in years past you know the board of education has been fortunate enough um

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to provide a subscription brushing program that was very very robust. Um the task this year is that it's going to be self- sustaining and um we do believe we can run a comparable program. Um it will be limited uh you know depending upon the routes. We want to make sure

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that um you know the cost is associated with the cost of the route. We did a lot of due diligence on the back end to determine that specific number in concert not only with our transportation committee but our business office and the transportation department. Um so uh you know moving forward we'll we'll

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hopefully be able to provide um you know a program that's >> Thank you. >> similar. Did I answer the question Mr. She? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Next board member comments. >> I'll go I'll go first. Uh thank you board president.

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>> Seniority >> senior I've been here more than six months and 23 days [laughter] >> five months. >> So uh again I would like to thank Mr. Ross um very much. Uh he was here with uh a couple of my children. Um and u he

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does a great job not only for Edison High School but for Edison Township. Uh he's always visible. He's at almost every event that he could possibly make. Um he's he's gonna be a tough person to uh replace. Um also like to congratulate

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the graduates uh from JP Stevens and Edison High. They were great ceremonies. Dr. Kim did a great job. Mr. Ross did a great job. Um again, they uh all did very well. Uh also like to thank all the staff that includes everyone from bus

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drivers to custodians to groundskeepers to teachers to parsers, lunch aids, whoever it may be. It's a long school year and it's not an easy job in any of those positions and I would like to congratulate them and uh also uh want

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them to have a a great relaxing summer. Thank you, Mr. Patel. >> Thank you. Yes, >> I'd like to agree with board member Ralph Ero uh and congratulate all the uh Edison High JP Stevens students. For me, it was

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an honor and a privilege to attend. uh being one of six and having four sons, I've attended quite a few high school graduations, but that was my first time on stage where I could feel the hand the excitement in their handshakes and see

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the Texas wide smile on their faces when when you handed them the diploma and you shook their hands and I said, "Congratulations. I wish you all the best." Your chapter in life, you have a Everybody has a book with chapters. They just completed one chapter in their life

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and they now begin the next chapter in their life. This chapter they'll have they'll happen to have more opportunities to have a stake in what goes on in their lives and write this chapter. So congratulations to all the graduates, their families, their

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friends. It was two great ceremonies. Congratulations to the teachers, all the faculty, two two great principles and the administration and anyone that was there and it was a joy for me to be there and I enjoyed being there with my

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fellow board members and I'm very happy for the students and wish them nothing but the best. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Yes, >> I I know I can't talk. [laughter] So

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congratulations to uh uh Ralph who was retiring as age as 35 uh five years in way too young to retire. >> Um [clears throat] great uh you know he works in our district and other district

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and now he's retiring enjoying golf or baseball. Um uh talking about Charlie Ross he he's usually here and today he's not here. I I think he's in Canada watching the uh the World Cup if I remember correctly.

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So I hope to see him next month. Um I was very happy to be invited to name the entrance way to the stadium as Charlie Rosway with board member Jill Genie White, uh Russ, and Ralph. and um he's

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going to leave a lasting memory for um the students and the community and especially for the Edison High community. Um he will [clears throat] be missed um and we'll it's a it's a very tough

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task to find his replacement, but uh we'll we'll see we'll try to do a good job, right? Um, also, uh, I'd like to thank Ralph and his team for, uh, have a successful

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negotiation contract with with the custodians union. We just, uh, approved that contract and my understanding is a contract also rectified by the union member today. So, congratulations uh, to them and thanks for the hard work of the

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team to get it done. Um, as far [clears throat] as the graduation, just want to say a couple of things. Um, this year JP Stevens made a small change. They have all these students announce all the um graduate graduates. These 12

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students did a fantastic job and uh we know these some of the names are really hard to pronounce and they did a fantastic job. they took their responsibility very seriously and um you know they my understanding they contact

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mo most of the students to make sure the pronunciation is corre correct so uh kudos to them for um get [clears throat] it done um I also want to say something specifically about this graduation

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we have we graduate probably a little bit over 1,200 students this year uh from both high schools 20 of these students are from our success academy. Okay. 12 of the students are from Edison High, eight students from JP.

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Of these 20 students, some of them are going to college. And uh we have [clears throat] done the the board and administration has done a good job of fixing that building to make a success academy. We uh bring these

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kids in a district and so far looks like we have a successful program. In the past, these kids were sent out of district and we paid about $3 million each year to send these kids out of the district and we're saving a lot of money

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by bringing them in and also have a successful program. uh we want to replicate this for special needs population and the goal is to bring at least half the students in district and that's even more savings um

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[clears throat] to educate these kids in district and you know uh have the program in home instead of sending them out and also paying the additional transportation cost. So we have a very successful story

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for the success academy. We want to replicate that for our special needs students. Uh that that's it. Thank you. I just want to wish everyone a happy um summer break and take some time enjoy

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and come back relax for another school year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Yes. >> All right. Um, I just want to basically echo everybody up here as a board member. I think the best thing that we

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do or that for me anyway is graduation. To see like almost 1,200 students graduate, you know, first Edison High and then JP Stevens and the the minor change that was done with JP Stevens was incredibly good. Edison High just has it

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down pat, you know. So, but the the graduation ceremonies for both schools were just so outstanding. But we had several things leading up to graduation. We had our scholarship programs. You know, we did Editson High, but JP

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Stevens again was wonderful. The people were so generous. The donors and the scholarships that were awarded helped out so many students. It was just it's just amazing to be a small part of this and to see it happen and to see it

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benefit so many people and then to now I have to say something about the incredible Mr. Ross who is such an amazing human being. I think I was the first person he met when he came into district. He will tell you that you know

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and it's true. I was with him when he went for his interview and uh you he was amazing then and he's amazing to this very day. We will miss him. He's been such an asset to the district. But I

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wish him well. He deserves everything good in this world. He's a wonderful human being and thank you for listening. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Um I I just also want to I mentioned this in the graduation but I want to say it again that you know uh

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best luck to Charlie. Um I can't say that he's the pre prettiest cheerleader but I he's definitely the most hardworking and longest serving cheerleader for Edison High. Uh best luck and uh also you know good luck to

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Rough enjoy your retirement. And lastly, um, just to all the staff members and educators and our students, enjoy your summer. This is, uh, you know, one nice break that we're going to all going to have. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Uh, one more thing I forgot.

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>> So, uh, it's a public announcement that, um, uh, we have two beautiful tennis courts, uh, in JP Stevens and Edison High. Those courts are open to the public. So, the

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JP Stevens courts has lights. I think right now the light turns off about 10 to 10:30. And uh since Edison High is in in the residential neighborhood, it doesn't have the the the lights, but it's open and people can take advantage

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of these beautiful courts and also the stadium of those uh both schools are also open. So, um people can go run the track, uh play, you know, soccer or football, but uh just, you know, um

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don't occupy the the the the field for the entire day and uh leave it to some other uh people as well. And please, please follow the rules and uh don't be that one guy uh who is going to ruin it for for the uh entire community. So the

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JP tennis court and Edison tennis court is open to the residents and also the two fields the football fields are o football and and um um the [clears throat] track of open to um the public both high schools

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>> and what would you say? >> No, it's outdoor. We open it outdoor. We're not allowing people going indoor right now. And thank you to Mr. >> Oh, the fitness center is there's not Yeah, it's been open all the time. Yes.

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I thought he was talking about the uh Yeah. Yeah. We called a adult playground. So, enjoy it [laughter] both of them. Yes. >> And thank you to Mr. She for getting those tennis courts open. Thank you. >> So, [snorts] Mr. Congratulations on your return. I think Mr. She is giving you an

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idea on where to spend your time. >> Tennis court, fitness court, track. >> Take up tennis. Uh I don't know about the track. I'm not a track guy. >> Cool. Well, thank you. Anyone else? >> So, Ralph, you got a challenge from Joyce. She she going to play tennis with you. >> Yeah, next week. >> I have to get a racket.

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>> Yeah. Next next Monday. So, uh Joyce going to wait for you. >> You you're going to meet you're going to wait for him at the Monday morning 8:00. >> Okay. >> Board President, I like also would like to congratulate Ralph on a on his

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retirement. Welld deserved. enjoy your retirement. And uh also with the uh success academy, that's 20 that's a that's 20 stories. >> 20 >> 20 20 individuals that could have been lost that may just because they go to

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another school, they may not have had the same >> you may not have had the same results. So, not not only did was it a was it a cost savings, you kept them in house, you kept them,

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you know, you you know, you kept them under tabs and you and you had a great faculty and principal at the success academy and that's exactly what it was. was a success. 20 successful stories that of 20 individuals that you could

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have lost, but you didn't lose. And not only did they graduate, you have some going to college, some going into trades, and uh I I like to see that continue and even expand. That's it. >> Thank you. Anyone else? I

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I just want to echo on everybody all my fellow board members said. Uh I want to congratulate and wish all the best to the Edison High School principal Charlie Ross and cong all the best to Ralph for

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after 3 days he will be retiring. And last year I did not got a chance to be witness the ceremony but this for the high school graduation ceremony but this year I did but I still I missed the Edison high school ceremony but I was

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able to be part of the GP Stevens high school ceremony. Uh I will say congratulation to all the students who graduated from the high school middle school and thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Do I have a motion to close?

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>> Motion closed. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Thank you. >> Meeting agenda.