Ender eer. Emor eer. Am I eer? Emor eer. Am I eer? Emor eer. Am I eer?
Emor eer. Emor eer. Am I eer? Emor eer. Am I eer? Emor eer. Am I eer?
Emor eer. Am I eer? Am I eer? Emor eer. Am I eer? Emor eer. Am I eer?
Emor eer. Am I eer community in India and they will continue to exist. There are countless historical accounts and medical peer-reviewed journals to support this. This is an issue about the safety
of trans students and it has been harped on over and over and over again tonight. I know it has been said before, but this will be blood on your hands. When I went to high school, I knew
people who did not come out to their parents, who still are not out to their parents because they would get kicked out. I knew people who had a bag packed underneath their bed with all of their essentials for a week minimum because they were in fear of getting kicked out.
And this policy is exactly what protects them. And it's that protection that we have to value. Another note on a lighter matter, a lot of people have been talking about using the restroom. Um, as someone who uses the female restroom, I have never
once felt unsafe going to the bathroom with women with transgender women with non-binary people. Never felt unsafe as a result of it. Also, it's not like people are trans just to go to the women's bathroom. That's not happening.
Not a thing. Um, and to the people here who feel sorry for me because I am queer, I don't want your pity. I want you to pick up a book, a medical peer-reviewed journal perhaps, and educate yourself and come back to this
conversation knowing a little bit more about trans issues. Thank you. Thank you, [Applause] Brian Rivera, Edison. This is like got shorter or this got
funnier. I apologize. Uh good evening. Um Brian Rivera Edison. I come here before you tonight as a father of two students that had Edison, an educator, a resident, uh union vice president, 25 years in education, a former board of education
member that sat next to all of you. Um, I'm someone that believes in transparency, accountability, and doing what's right for all of our students in our community. Uh, I'm deeply concerned not only about the proposed removal of policy 5756, which directly impacts
students, families, and staff, but also about how this issue has been handled from the beginning. Policy 5756 designed to protect some of our most vulnerable students was placed on the agenda for removal without prior discussion without input from all board
members and without legal guidance being shared with the full board. The last conversation I had with Mr. Roth as a board member, he told us to stay far away from this. He said, "Do not engage in this policy." So, I don't understand. He's still sitting with you and we're
engaging with this policy. So that's why I don't understand. I really believe the full board was not given any information or any guidance. Uh this lack of transparency became even more apparent when the chair of the policy committee publicly stated
at the last meeting that he was unaware the policy was even being placed on the agenda. When questioned, the board president responded by saying, "I can do that." and followed up with the remark, "How else am I going to get rid how else am I going to get it
abolished?" That comment alone makes it clear that there was never an intention to engage in open dialogue with the full board. It shows disregard for transparency, proper governance, and the collaborative process that should guide decisions of this
magnitude. So, last week I had some questions that were never answered. So, I figured I come last, so maybe they will be answered. Well, I apologize, Miss Connley. To Jerry, Ralph, and Shannon, uh, you were all board members when this
policy was reviewed multiple times. It went to committee three times. Um, and then it was voted on for the first reading and the second reading. You all voted yes. Um, my question to you is what what has changed? You know, why is it an issue now five years later? I
respectfully ask each of you to clearly state your position because there's people in the audience that want to know why. We still have we haven't heard the why. To Ralph, you served as a teacher, a vice principal, principal, security officer,
and you're currently in the classroom. With your broad experience in education and student safety, are you comfortable voting to remove a policy meant to protect students, especially some of our most vulnerable? To Anja, Ronic and
Vishel, as board members, I ask you to consider this. If a student feels unsafe or unsupported in sharing their gender identity or sexual orientation at home, do you believe the school has the responsibility to provide that student with a safe conf confidential
space? If so, how do you think removing policy 5756 would impact students in that situation? I want to end my comments by saying abolishing policy 5756 without a new policy ready and vetted is irresponsible and undermines the
district's duty to protect all students. My suggestion uh is to take a responsible path and to engage all stakeholders including students, parents, educators, legal experts, the LGBTQ uh and advocacy groups and draft a new
policy that maintains protections while addressing any concerns. Only then should the policy be replaced. Other than that, I'm asking you to do not abolish this policy. Thank you. And if you want to answer my questions, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
[Applause] Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. Well, we're all talking about policy 5756. You heard from residents. You heard from outertowners. You heard Jenny White's
suggestion. By the way, I'm so proud of you. Yet I stand here with a horrible feeling that things will not change. Please, if you really want to antagonize me, prove me
wrong. And depending on the outcome, do you think this discussion is really going to go away? You've had someone in this audience, I want to say the past
year coming month after month after month, meeting after meeting after meeting. Well, now we have a larger audience. I wonder if these people will be coming back month after month after
month to remind you that you might have but you I have a chance you could prove me wrong that you did the right thing or you didn't do the right thing and that's all I have to say about that. Are we still I still have time. Do
we get another public discussion after this regarding like uh committees and questions regarding committees? Are you done with your questions?
I'm going to answer you when you're done. Well, I'm just going to say it on a different note. Yes. See, I didn't get a finance and facilities minute in the sheets. So now
you don't have to answer me, Jerry. Thank you. Don't have to answer that. I was going to answer you, but you say I don't have answer, so I'm not going to, you know, answer you. So you said that. With that said, uh, do we have any other public comments on
policy? Motion to close. Motion to close public comment. On policy. Okay. Do I need a roll call or or or uh you know that was a motion to close public comment? Correct. On policy.
We're on policy. On policy only. So you can still have your comments. Do any board member have any comments before we vote? Uh wait. Take the vote to close public comment.
Okay. Then put the motion and the second on then you have debate. So close the public comment first. Okay. Okay. So we'll All right. So Okay. So we are uh do a roll call.
Roll call. Uh Mr. Erica. Yes. Mr. Ronak Patel. Yes. Mr. Lugo. This is the uh closed public comments, right? Public comments on policy. Yes. Okay. Miss Ana Patel. Yes. Mr. Romano. Uh, yes. Miss
White, yes. Miss Pang, yes. Mr. Vish Patel, yes. Mr. Shay, yes. Closed. Now, can I have a motion to approve policies? Thank you. A motion to approve policies. Motion. Do
I have a second? I approving policies. Okay. So, you going to open up for board member comments? Yeah. No, you Okay. Yeah. Go ahead. Any board member who have any comments before we roll up? I'm sorry. Who's this? Who's the second district? Thank you. Jerry, thank you. Uh, just to let you
know, I will be voting no. But my comment is I've listened to the public and still I still believe the public is is spoken and I'm going to vote no. But the
facts the facts are is that I have to protect students. That's what my job is. My job is to see that it runs well. My job is to hire the best
people, the best associates, the best superintendent, the best BA. Now, I have concerns with a couple of numbers that the BA talked about, but that's not it.
I personally believe from all the testimony that I've heard that 5756 I'm not going to vote to repeal it. It's going to
stay. The public has spoken. All of the public has spoken. that our people that our people are talking and there's a separation of church and state. You see that's one of
the big issues. Now if you want to come here and you want to talk the public education you understand public education there's a separation of church and
state I believe in that now when you come here and talk about church or you talk about God it has nothing to do with the board of
ed. Now, the people have spoken and I I 100% 100% I will vote not to repeal. Thank you. Thank you, council pre uh board president. Any other board members?
See none, can I have a roll call, please? Mr. Ero, yes. Mr. Ronac Patel. Yes. Mr. Lugo. No. Miss Angina Patel. Yes.
Mr. Romano. Excuse me. No. So you you guys voting no on all the policies. You understand that? I understand that. No. Thank you. Okay. Miss White. Okay. Um, my position remains the same.
So for policy 5756, I am a no. Noted. Everything else is a yes. Everything else is a yes. Else is a yes. Thank you. Miss Penn. Yes.
Mr. Vishel Patel. Yes. President Shei. Yes. Motion carries. Excuse me. Okay, so we're going to move on. So, next up, uh, committee reports. First is
special ed committee, Ronic. So, special education had a meet meeting on May had a meeting on May 7th to at 4:30 p.m. and the attendees were myself,
Dr. Tuhi and Mrs. White. In this meeting we have talked about the district conducted throughout review of statement of assurance from all interested privatelic child care centers
in Edison. Following the review partners were selected to serve as a preschool location for 202526 school year. All secondyear preschool student has been guaranteed a seat. Families are
asked to confirm this information in Genesis if they have not already done so. First year preschool student placement will be determined by lottery. The lottery drawing is scheduled for the June 4th. The total
grant application will be approximately 3 million which aligns with the average state awards. And the last, the district looks forward to productive preschool program in 202526 school years. And this
concludes the report. Thank you. So u finance facility Michelle. Yep. Hello. The finance and facility meeting happened on May 12th from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. In the attendance was Vishal
Patel, Ralph Farico, Ronak Patel, Jarishi and school administration. We discuss uh purchase of 430 Talmage and 50 lilac. We also also discussed the GMI bid awards and financing
authorization and we discussed the professional services uh for 2026 architect and attorney for facilities. There are no change orders and we discussed the JP SC JP Stevens science lab u um improvement and that's end of
the meeting. Thank you. Thank you. So uh we uh also had a a meeting yesterday um in attendance was myself Ronic Patel and administration team. So the meeting was to uh review the uh
healthcare renewal marketing uh the uh the um market our business. So July the RFP renew marketing uh NJOSC compliant RFP medical the it was released on March
21st and due on April 4th received two bids and two declines. Um the uh health insurance broker performed the claims pricing analysis and for dental they also released on March 21st and due on
April 4th and received three bids and six declined. Uh they also performed a self-funded uh analysis reinsurance. This is for um um what you call um for what's the word for the the
reinsurance? Stop loss. Stop loss. I'm sorry. Sorry. Uh release on May 12th and it will be due on May 30th. Uh the final uh insurance for reinsurance will be finalized on June
15th. uh they also performed the renewal report revised budget projection and uh you know we're very happy to report can I say that yet or no okay so uh we are uh getting some additional information
from the uh the um the health broker we will finalize the uh the vendors and the premiums very soon so stay tuned so that was yesterday didn't time to write all the minutes okay so next up we have uh
curriculum and technology and student achievement committee. Mrs. Ben uh the curriculum committee has the meeting on April 23rd from 400 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Ed Center. Attendee are myself, Jerry Shei, Vishel Patel, Ron
Patel, Dr. Cohen, and Dr. Adari. A few updates. The um try to be short. The administration has adopted a new um app parent square. This is to unify communications across our grades K
through 12 because currently we're using uh different apps to communicate with parents. So this platform will replace multiple tools with one consistent userfriendly system improving communication for parents, teachers and
coaches. We have a update on the biios academy at JP. 24 students have been officially admitted to the biomed science academy. Notification email has have been sent. We look forward to
hearing any feedback from parents and students. We have a computer computer science academy updates. The review process for scores and prerequisite is still underway. Acceptance email are expected to be sent out this summer. We
also discussed the pathway and pro pathways and programs for 20 26 to 2027. We have planning we have planned for new pathways including business premed pre-law and trade and tech technical
careers pathway along among the others. Um that's it. I'll go over the next meeting uh the next report next meeting. I think I'll you know cut this one short. Okay. Thank you.
Any other committee? See none. Let's open for public comments. Anything come to the public. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle. I did not get the minutes of the finance
committee either meeting. So I saw the curriculum. I saw the special ed, but it's finding very funny that we did not get the finance and facilities
uh committee me minutes because I do like to read them just in case I have a question, but when you go through them the way you do, I don't get a chance to question anything that I've heard. So, uh, I know I've brought this
up numerous times and therefore a couple of meetings I did get them, but I guess tonight there was a very good reason for them not being there. And on another note,
I'm very disappointed, very disappointed. And we'll have to see. Maybe next year with a different board. It'll be brought back just like this was brought back this year. Next year it could be the same. I
guess we'll have to wait and see. Thank you. I just want to let you know for my report, the meeting did not end until probably 6:30 last night. So, I did not have a chance to write my committee report. And I work full-time. Sorry. I work full-time. I have other family
events I have to take every night. With all due respect, yeah, responsibility. Okay. Yeah. So, uh, any other public comments? See none. Can I have a motion
to close? Okay. Oh, my I'm sorry. I I will be quick for the sake of time. So, I just want to jump on top of Mr. Ross what he said before again you know congratulating the staff today that was recognized you know basically they stand out as the best this year however it's on a daily basis from Dr. Alderelli and
his staff up here through all the buildings, my members, our certificated or non-certificated. I know we believe left our custodians, our bus drivers, our teacher aids, everyone that does a fantastic job and giving the kids in Edison perhaps the best education in the state of New Jersey for a public school.
Second thing I was going to say it was easier for me to dress this morning in a tie pick, but I now I have to say yesterday morning. I wore my uh flag tie in, you know, respect for Memorial Day. So, happy Memorial Day coming up to everyone. While you're sitting around
and going down the shore having your picnics, everybody considers that the, you know, kickoff of the summer basically. But please remember what the holiday is about. Memorial Day is to celebrate and honor those who who gave their lives so that we have the freedoms that we do in this country. So, you
know, take a minute out of your, you know, picnic time, your short time, etc., and think about the people that did that for us. Thank you. Have a good night. Thank you. Good evening. Brett Baker, Addison, New Jersey.
I too, Mr. Shei, have a job. I too wake up at four o'clock in the morning. I too am busy. I respect you. Thank you. I'd like to apologize to my former students who experienced a Brett Baker
who learned well on the job about how to handle and respect student differences. I'd like to re apologize to the current students kindergarten through 12th grade at Edison public
schools who heard the things they heard tonight. In particular, those at my favorite Edison school. I'm not allowed to have favorites, but my children go there. So, you know, Jason always holds my heart, and I love seeing a member of the staff back there. I'd like to apologize to every single
member of that community because I know that community matches every other school which includes the schools that many of your children go to which are beautifully diverse, welcoming, inclusive environments. And despite the vitriol that gets bashed around here sometimes, I think we lose sight of our
kids. So, I thought I'd share a resource with my remaining time. Um, P flag pag.org has published a website uh web page titled transgender reading list for adults. As a social scientist, it's my
responsibility to inform those of you who feel that uh biological sex is the same as uh gender, which is non. Gender is a social construct and the binary in and of itself uh is a recent evolution. Um, even the Bible and old Hebrew
recognizes the diversity of of gender. Uh, so thanks to P Flab, I P Flag, I quote them, uh, with the remaining time, questions about transgender issues, gender identity, and transitioning aren't just for kids and young adults. Adults have plenty of questions about those issues and several more besides.
How best to help a child who's questioning their gender, how to help a friend or family member in transition, how to be a good friend or ally, or how to navigate the many complex legal issues that surround being transgender. The answers to those and many other questions can be found in the books below. I would like to pause and note
that this is germanine to the conversation of the board because 5756 seemed to protect these students. So maybe we could do some reading. The book Authentic Selves, Celebrating Trans and Non-Binary People and Their Families, is a beautiful and powerful book developed by interviewer Peggy
Gillespie and published by Skinner House Books, created in collaboration with P Flag National and the Transgender Legal and Defense Fund. Authentic Selves celebrates trans and non-binary people and their families in stunning photographs and compelling stories. The book Becoming a Visible Man by Jameson Green, Ph.D., combines candid
autobiography with informed analysis to offer a unique insight into the multiple challenges of the female to-male transsexual experience, ranging from encounters with prejudice and strained relationships with family to the development of an FTM community that's female to male for those of you who are new to the conversation of an FTM
community and the realities of surgical sex reassignment. The book, Gender Born, Gender Made, Raising Healthy Gender Non-conforming Children by Diane Erin Saft, PhD. Aaron Saft offers parents, clinicians, and educators guidance on both the philosophical dilemmas and the practical daily concerns of working with
children who don't fit a their quotes typical gender mold. She debunks outmoded approaches to gender nonconformity that may actually do children harm. And she offers a new framework for helping each child become his or her own unique, most gender authentic person.
The book Gender Outlaw on men, women, and the rest of us by Kate Bournestein. Part coming of age story, part mindaltering manifesto of gender and sexuality drawn directly from the life experiences of a transsexual woman. The book helping your transgender teen, a guide for parents by Irwin Kger. If you
are the parent of a transgender transgender teen, this book will help you understand what your child is feeling and experiencing. Irwin Kger is a clinical social worker with many years of experience helping transgender teens. This book brings you the insights gained from his work with these teenagers and
their families. The book, He's My Daughter, a mother's journey to acceptance by Eve Langley. Linda's account of how she adjusted to the reality that her eldest son had decided to physically become a woman, is the story of a family. Tears and laughter, support and withdrawal, accompany Tony, now the eldest daughter, as she maps out
her new life. And with her all the time is Linda, her mother, helping to select her wardrobe, guiding her in the subtleties of speech and behavior, and supporting her, especially in the early stages of her new life as a woman. But Brett, why oh why would you dare read a
list of 10 books to us at 12:57 a.m. on Wednesday? Because for two years, I've watched this board. So, it's not just you all, it's those who preceded you and it's those who will come after you. I watch this board entertain a debate that
seems nonsensical at best, that it's the social media conditioning children to be trans, that it's this and that it's that. And we seem to not look to our history. We seem to not look to the past where we see that transgenderism and
gender non-binary and gender non-conforming transcends humanity from before recorded history. And this board chose the tactic of fear.
Fear. My six and a half, almost seven-year-old son, I'll end with, listen to my speech, not once, not twice, but three times and asked me each and every single time, why, Dad? Oh, why can't we just treat everybody with respect? Thank you. Any other public comments?
See none. Motion to close. Do I have a second? I Okay. All in favor? I I Okay. Now we're open for board member comments. Any board member? I am. Yes. Go ahead. It's almost 100 a.m. in the morning. So,
good morning. Thank you everybody who came out today. the the community who took time to share their views on policy 5756. Your voice matters and I'm here
tonight to honor the trust you have placed in me. Tonight I voted yes to repeal the policy 5756 because I made a promise to uphold parental rights and I believe parents deserve to be active informed partners
in their children's life. That belief guided my vote. Now I want to make it something very clear. Repeating this policy means that parents will affirmatively continue to be able
to freely speak with our staff about the children within the framework and the procedure established by the district administration. This way. This was a concern raised by
some in the above above above ablois abl sorry sorry ablausement of the policy 5756 ensures the parents communication with the district staff will be unfettered.
It restores restores trust in our educators to use judgment and compassion compassion while also involving parents when appropriate. At the same time, it is important for every family to know that
our school remains safe spaces for all the students. There are other existing policies that continues to protect student from bullying, harassment and discrimination and those protection remains firmly in
place. Repling this policy does not take away support for any student. It does not erase anyone's identity. What it does is bringing parents back into the conversation. And I believe that when schools and
family work together, students are stronger for it. I remain committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, identity, or needs feel valued, respected, and safe in our
school. and I'm equally committed to respecting the rights of parents and encouraging honest open communication between home and school. Let's continue work working together to make Edison school and place
where the student and families will support it. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any other board members? Yep. Yes, Mr. She. Yeah. So, I I want to thank you everyone for sharing their passions and and perspectives. I mean, I I learned a lot today.
Um I want to talk about three things. First I I take my job as a on on this side of the dash very seriously. I know it's a privilege to be here and I I respect and support all the students all the residents including
LGBTQ. There are three reasons I voted to abolish the policy today. Um number one I believe policy 5756 is redundant redundant to NJ polic NJ guidance and all it creates is confusion and
listening to both side of the people proved my reason that it is creating confusion. Second, I believe parents are the best people to guide their students and I understood by listening to all of you that there are exceptions and I have and
I'm sure I'm speaking on behalf of the entire board that our school district will handle those exceptions sensibly. You don't talk for me and empathe empathetically. You don't talk for me. And and the third reason um abolishing 575 policy 5756 doesn't mean that LGBTQ
students are not protected. they don't have a safe environment in in a school. It does not mean that teachers will be forced to talk to the parents. Uh it does not um so so that those are the three reasons. The second thing I want to talk
about is I think lately in all the meetings I I hear this one line that it's not board's members responsibility to run the district, it's board members responsibility to govern the district. I I think there are different perceptions of that line. it seems among everybody.
Um but I would like to say the first thing the board members responsibility is to take an action based on their knowledge based on their principles and values. I have always taken any actions and will continue to take actions based on my knowledge, my principles and my
values. And and the lastly I want to talk about you know one of the expert you know one of the line from teachers video today where she said it's it's good to speak out when you disagree. It's it's okay to be curious and ask questions as long as you do it
respectfully. And I would urge everybody including the board to to continue to speak out and raise questions and and do it respectfully. Thank you. Excuse me. Excuse me. So any other board member any comments? Yes, Ralph. Oh go
Mr. Romano. My job is to see our runs well. It's not to put my personal opinions. It's to see that the board runs well. It means that the superintendent, the BA, and all of the
associates, they do their job well. It's not my job to take and tell them what to do. Thank you for your time. I'm out of here. Thank you, Ralph Eric. Yes. As Mr. Romano said, it is the uh board's job to
make sure the administration does their job. Well, it all depends on which way you're voting. It seems like because we voted down finance, but that was the recommendation from the administration. We v wrote down personnel, but that's the recommendation of the
administration. So, sometimes we follow them, sometimes we don't. Eh, whatever. But back to this policy. Uh, as an educator for 25 years, um, I will never ever not help a child, no matter what the situation is. I don't care what it
is. I've had children come to me that said they were abused by their parents. I've had children come to me with sexual questions. Okay, I I'll help. I mean, I'm not the expert. I'm going to admit it. So, I sent it to the SAC counselor or I sent it to one of the counselors.
Okay, so to Excuse Excuse me, please respect your fellow board members. to to think that I would not support a student and I don't think any teacher in this town would not support students no matter what. Um this policy was around
for eight years before that. How did we handle this stuff? We handled it. All right. We handled it. We worked with the community. We worked with the parents. We worked with the student. We worked with the counselors. So to think that the students are not being protected is
hogwash. Thank you. Thank you. Any other board members? So, uh I just want to thank all the audience for came in today and share their uh experiences uh and their concerns with
us and I think we had a relatively very good meeting and both sides respect each other. Um I hope that you know moving forward uh this is a pattern of how we're going to conduct the meetings. um you know all the board members has
spoken about this policy and I rate my read my statement before the I opening up the uh the statement for the public comments. So I just want to add something that's not related to the policy which is um you know Mrs. Pam me u mentioned about the p different
pathways. One of the pathways is is um giving our students uh uh trades experiences in trades in uh other areas. So I'm very happy to report that um um the district has secured 12 internship
positions uh for the summer. We have four positions for architect and we have four positions with healthc care brokers and we have two positions for the magar bank. Uh we will have students at each high school. The students from the
Edison High School will be working in the tenno mall branch and the students from the JP Steven will be working at the Inman Avenue branch. And uh we just secured two more um positions for our food vendors. So, we'll continue to work
with our vendors and let them give back to the community and provide our students with real world experiences. Uh, it's a win-win for both. And on top of that, we we have been consistently providing 20 uh internship positions to our students, 10 uh tech positions to
fix computers and uh and uh images of computers for the new year. Uh and also we have 10 positions to work with the uh our facility department uh to um to help um our facility the folks fixing whatever we have in the buildings and
have the students gaining some experience. So so far we have secured 32 positions for our students for the summer. So we'll continue to do that. I hope we'll have more. Uh with that said, uh if I don't have any board member comments, can I have a motion to adjurnn? Absolutely. Motion to
adjurnn. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? I. Okay. Meeting adjourned. Thank you very much. Good night.