God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh yes, Mr. Vishel Patel >> here. Miss Pang >> here. >> Mr. She >> here. >> Miss White,
>> Miss Ana Patel >> here, >> Mr. Lugo >> here. >> Mr. Ronac Patel >> here. >> Mr. Erico is >> here. >> Here he is.
>> Mr. Azerello here. >> Here he is. All right, we have a quorum. Cool. Opening statement. >> Yes. 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
meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the Board of Education administrative offices and posted on the board's website. >> Cool. In accordance with NJSA section 104.12, the Edison Township Board of Education
adjuns to confidential session for the purpose of discussing the following confidential professional or confidential personal and board matters, student matters, pending litigation, legal matters, contracts, property acquisitions, HIV reports. Motion to
motion to adjend to the privilege session. All in favor? >> I. >> I. We expect to come back between 6:00 and 6:30. Thank you. >> 6 and 6:30. That's right. >> Reconvene to open session. All in favor? >> I
>> I roll call. >> No, you don't need a written. >> You don't need Okay. Superintendence report. >> Great. >> All right. >> Thank you so much, Board President Patel. Uh good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope all is well. Much like everybody else in the room, I am sure we
are uh wishing for uh warmer weather where the sun comes out and we do not have to worry about ice on the ground, uh school closings, and uh snow melting. Um as you're as uh everybody is aware, the first uh two days of school that were closed came out of the beginning of
spring break. Um uh we are actually monitoring the weather coming up for the next couple of days as well, too. Looks like we're getting a little bit of weather tomorrow. uh potential for uh Thursday into Friday as well as Sunday into Monday. Uh the third day that we took which was today uh we will announce
next week. We'll get correspondence as to which day we will utilize to make that one up. Um perfect, perfect. Sorry about that. Um and in relationship to that, I I just wanted to take an opportunity to thank uh Mr. Calibus, Mr. Murphy as well as
all members of the uh buildings and grounds maintenance and custodial department. Our schools looked absolutely fantastic. I had the opportunity to drive around town today. Uh everybody was out working. Um and it was really really a a satisfying and
pleasurable piece to be the superintendent of schools watching these guys work every day. So Mr. Cobb, Mr. Murphy, thank you so much for your leadership and relationship to that area. Got it. Perfect. All right. Couple uh couple events coming up here, Mr. Patel. We have uh ReadAcross America, which
will be celebrated March 2nd to the 6th. Uh this year is the Champion of Kindness. Beyond just reading, our students will participate in activities that bridge the gap between literacy, social, and emotional growth. Uh look out uh for some special guest readers. I
think I'm sitting alongside many of them currently right now uh as well as myself and members of the administrative team that will be in and out of schools. It's uh highlight of the month is to get in and uh sit on the carpet and read some uh really interesting books. Those principles do pick out some good books for uh uh everybody to read. Greatly
appreciated. Uh we are also in the tail end of winter concerts currently right now. Uh Menllo Park and and Linda had theirs. Uh we have upcoming uh MLK I believe on February 27th hopefully weather permitting. Uh couple in pieces of information for the board. We are
still in the midst of reviewing and revisiting our uh scheduling for middle and high school. We have a couple surveys that have currently uh been approved and are scheduled and I think have gone out uh not only to students. There is one set for parents as well uh staff members. So you'll be seeing those
coming through thought exchange in relationship to perceptions of uh things that they like about the schedule, things that they'd like to see changed at that time frame as well too. We have some school visitations that we've been coordinating. uh we've had to uh cancel our last uh strategic meeting and we're looking forward to rescheduling that in
the coming weeks. Right now it's been a little hectic with the weather unfortunately and as you know March is coming up. Our next board of education meeting will be our preliminary budget approval meeting um as we are in the midst of budget season and making sure that we are providing a quality
education here uh in in relationship to being fiscally responsible. Uh and that concludes my report. Mr. Patel, >> thank you Dr. I want to echo Dr. Re's appreciation for our building and staff. So, thank you for making sure our school
can operate, you know, regularly starting tomorrow and I'm looking for for read across America and and and be part of the reading club. So, thank you. That's all I got. Great to >> Awesome. Mr. Toad. >> Yes. All right. First up under finance
is our reports and our finan financials for the month including uh our audit. Uh we have from uh our audit uh firm HFA Mr. James Nameoth here would deliver the audit report for the fiscal year 25. Uh we have some contracts this month pretty
light one uh technology contract and I believe one for some concrete and masonary repairs. Um, under procurement, no items, uh, facilities. We do have some change orders. One being at the Edison High School interior and
alterations project and one at the John Marshall um, renovation and building edition project. Under grants, uh, we have, I believe, one item and that's for the submission
of the high impact tutoring grant. I don't know if uh everyone's heard, but that has become available throughout the state. So, we did get our application in. And then under transportation, uh we have one uh route to report at this time.
>> That's it. >> Yes. And at this time, we'd like to invite Mr. James Nameoth from HFA to provide the board with the FY25 audit report. >> All right. Thank you, everyone. Um my name is James Neimoth. I'm a supervisor
with HFA. Um we are we reporting on Edison's 2425 audit report. Um my goal right now is just to take couple minutes just take this 200page report and summarize it into just a few key details. Um so in the audit report
itself we issue a couple of opinions um basically on our opinion on the district's financial statements. Um the first uh the first opinion we issue is called the independent auditors report. Um this is basically conducted with generally accepted auditing standards um
and government auditing standards. Um we issued an unmodified opinion which is the cleanest opinion that we can issue um basically saying that the financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects um for the year June 30, 2025. Um, another report that we um
issue is called report on internal control over financial reporting and compliance. This is not an opinion, but this is more of a report on the district's overall internal controls. We um we conduct several compliance tests, local public contracts, laws, stuff like
that. Um, we did not come across any instances of non-compliance um or other matters that are required to be reported. Um and then the last opinion that we issue is called the independent auditor's report on compliance and over
internal control for um your single audit program. So when a school district, township, governmental entity expends over 750,000 of federal or state funds were required required to perform what's called a single audit, which is basically a mini
audit inside of the whole scope of the audit. Um the programs that we tested this year were um child nutrition cluster which is your food service um for the federal side and on the state side we tested your state aid public which is one of your biggest sources of you know revenue for the district um
along with reimburse tap for that report we issued an unmodified opinion um and there were no instances of non-compliance or any findings to report for that. Um, the last couple things I just want to talk about for the overall
financial statements, we did not have any financial statement findings for the year June 30th, 2025. Um, the district has done a great job at, you know, bringing over the past couple years that I've been on the audit. Um, you know, getting everything in tip-top shape. Um,
so this, I believe, is the third year in a row with no financial statement findings. Um for we have a separate report that we issue called the auditor's management report where we noted something um a finding for the district's net cash net cash resource
schedule. This is something that we see across the state. Um it's not a financial statement finding. It's just something that goes in the separate report that we issue. Um basically just when the co and art funds were um given
out uh the state gives us a formula to um for the districts to kind of windle down that cash. Um we see it a lot across the state and this is just something that um the districts statewide have to um just kind of come up with a plan to try to reduce the
overall cash in their food service. Um, and the last thing I just want to go over number-wise is your main fund balances in your general fund, which is your main operating fund. Um, for the year 2025, we ended a year with about 59.3 million. Your capital reserve had
about 23 million. We had a budget withdrawal of about 10 million. Um, your maintenance reserve had about 1.3 million. Your emergency reserve had about a million. Uh, your unemployment reserve had about 750,000. um your incumbrances, which are your uh open purchase orders for goods or
services not received yet, had about 1.6 million. Um excess surplus, this is basically um a formula that the state gives us for your overall unassigned fund balance. Anything over 2% of your total expenditures has to go into this
fund called excess surplus, which will then be budgeted um in two years. So this excess surplus for this audit of about 6 million will be budgeted in the 2627 budget. Um last year we had excess surplus of about 16.9 million which is
being budgeted in the 2526 budget and your overall unassigned fund balance which is the maximum that you could have because anything else falls in Texas surplus is about 8 million this year. Um and I did just want to take a second to thank uh John Jackie the board Dr. Dr.
Alderelli, Dr. Alderelli, um John staff, Jackie, everyone. We come out in October and November when there's not snow outside. Um for a couple weeks, um they they give us everything we need. Um they're great at getting back to us um
and really make it easy for us. So um if anyone does have any questions, I'd be happy to take them. If not, John does have my contact if you think about them later. Um so yeah, that's all I got. >> Michelle? >> Yeah. Yeah. Can you uh you know I know
it's a 200page report. Can you send the the board a summary of you know just a couple pages >> and also the the findings and also I need to the the number that you you mentioned about different funds. I like to see that as part of the writing as well. So
>> absolutely I could send you the summary I have uh to John. >> Yeah. I actually have the synopsis. It's actually for everyone could see it. If you go onto our website it's posted under the business office. Click on the business office tab and the synopsis is there. It's two-page synopsis of the audit. Give you a pretty good idea of where we stand
>> and those money dollar amount is also in the two-page synopsis. >> The the like the fund balances. Yeah, there's a breakdown of it. >> It's in the Okay. Yes. Then you don't have to do anything. >> Awesome. >> We're pretty good at what we did. >> Yeah. And I, you know, I just, you know, commend
uh JT and his office for doing a great great job. And if I remember in the past couple years, we always have some little things here and there. And I'm very glad to see we have nothing. Y >> and we have read in in you know in the in the newspaper there are a lot of districts have issues. >> Y
>> and the two district in Middle Sex County is our neighboring district you know uh Perth Amboy and Spots word and I'm glad that we're not in that in that in in in that group. >> Absolutely. >> And uh thank you know kudos to the uh the BA office and the team.
>> Absolutely. They do a great job. They, you know, they take care of us. So, >> HFA has done a great job. I'd like to thank Miss Betie. She's not here tonight. Also, uh Miss, uh Mr. Garland and Miss Mendes who's here with us. They've done a really, really great job in the last couple years uh you know, helping to get us on the right path and
then again with your office as well. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Again, if anyone has any questions, just John has my contact so you know feel free. So, thank you everyone. >> Well, next is our student representative. Is that Arouch? I'm
sorry we don't have a seat but yeah with you here. Come here. Yeah. >> Wherever you if you want there you can do it there. Right there. >> Thank you for coming in the snow. >> No. Yeah.
>> You can sleep in tomorrow. >> It's a delayed open. It's not school that closed. All right. sleep at >> just a just a little bit. >> It's slippery though. >> Floor is yours, Mr. Arish. >> Thank you. >> I mean, I I try to be on time as much as
I can, but yeah. >> Um, yeah. So, hi everyone. My name is Arouch Bola. Um, I'm a junior at JP. Um, and I'm one of the co-presidents of the student council. I'm here to give you guys sort of a recap of what's been going on over the past month at JP. Uh
first of all, you know, some big things have been happening. We're kind of moving on into the latter half of this school year with, you know, transition into the third marking period. With that, we're also transitioning to sports. You know, the end of the winter sports, we're moving on to um spring sports. And then most importantly for
some people, you know, seniors are finally getting their college decisions. A lot of happiness going around, but then also, you know, people like me starting to plan to go to college. you know, it's a it's a weird time, but I think it's going on well at JP. In terms of events at JP, we've been privileged
to have a lot of events. Um, particularly, we've been having, you know, a lot of cultural events. Uh, firstly, at the beginning of this month, we had teacher appreciation night with the girls basketball team playing and we honored our teachers who work incredibly hard at JP. More than this, we also had
our Chinese culture club celebrate Lunar New Year by going around with a dragon. you know, it's really interesting. I got to see it in person. And on top of this, we also celebrated Marty GR this past Friday and that was a really um nice appreciation for that. And then our band
had their annual winter concert. And on top of that, for the NGMEA uh all state auditions, we had 22 students make it. And according I take band as well, so I take huge pride in that. And I think that was 25% of the total students, which is amazing. And we also had the
JPS Science Olympiad compete at the Princeton University Invitational and they placed in the top 25%. And that's about it for our events this past month. From the student council side, we had the family feud night. Um, and I thought that was incredible, you know, with the new auditorium, which so grateful for.
We had the TVs, we had the new uh speaker system. That was really great. That went really well. Um, and right now we're partnering with a nonprofit. It's a food drive called Norish America and it's dedicated to dor uh donating organic food to families in need. And so we're currently working through that.
We're working with the entire school and our own student council executive board. And lastly, we're having a volleyball tournament this upcoming Friday and we're really looking forward to that. We have about seven or eight teams uh in attendance. And so overall, February has really marked strong student achievement. You know, students getting
uh their college decisions, student getting their uh semester year grades. And we just want to thank you all for your continued support of the JPS community as we move on into the second year. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Well done. >> For for him.
>> Go for it. >> I just have a question. >> Go to the B microphone. >> Edison. >> Oh, she can repeat the question. He can repeat the question. At Edison High, the seniors go visit the elementary schools
and they do a a wave. Does JP do that? Somebody asked me and I didn't know and I said I would ask >> as far as >> Can you repeat the question? The people on the on the TV, they might not hear it. >> Yeah. So, the question is, uh, do the JP students wave to the elementary school students or the seniors wave to them
like the HS students? As far as I'm concerned, I don't know of anything like that. I mean, I don't I don't know that the student council deals with any of that. Maybe they the seniors do now, but I'm not too sure about that. >> Could you look into that? >> Yeah, I could look into that. Oh, that's my advice. >> And and you can leave if you want. Up to
you. You're welcome to stay here. >> I had a huge break, right? I finished. >> Stay here then. Thank you. Nice. Nice to have you. >> Are you happy with the two day uh two day off, the early spring break? >> Oh my god. >> Are you Are you very happy with that? I was like out of my mind on Monday when I saw my
>> Can you go home? Tell your parents that, please. >> All right. Thank you. Cool. >> Well, I'd like to invite our attorney to read the statement. >> All right. I think this is working. >> This was a resolution of suspension in
the matter of Andraana Patel. Whereas Anda Patel respondent is a school official as defined in the school ethics act serving as a member of the Edison Township Board of Education located in Middle Sex County. And whereas by decision dated October 28th, 2025, the
school ethics commission found that respondent failed to file complete personal, relative, and financial disclosure statements as required by NJSA18A12-25, NJSA18A12-26, and NJAC 6A28-3.1. And whereas the commission recommended
that the commissioner of education impose a penalty of removal with such removal to become effective immediately upon adoption by the commissioner of education. However, if respondant filed her disclosure statements before the commissioner of education adopted a
final decision, then the commission recommended that the commissioner of education in lie of removal impose a 30-day suspension with such suspension to become effective immediately upon adoption by the commissioner of education provided the school official provided written notice that the
disclosure statement has been completed and filed. And whereas respondant filed her disclosure statements on November 3rd, 2025, which was after the issuance of the commissioners of the commission's decision, but before the commissioner of
education issued a final decision. And whereas by decision dated December 12th, 2025 and because a respondent filed her disclosure statements after the issuance of the commission's decision, but before the commissioner of education issued a final decision, the commissioner of
education concurred that a that a penalty of suspension for 30 days was the appropriate penalty in the above captioned matter. And whereas NJAC6828-9.11D provides that for a penalty of censure, suspension, or removal, a resolution
shall be adopted at the commission's next meeting following the commissioner's imposition of the sanction, and the resolution shall be read at the board's next public meeting following adoption by the commission. shall be posted in such places as the board posts its public notices for no
less than 30 days. Shall be published online on the board's website if available for no less than 30 days. And the reading of the resolution shall be memorialized in the board's meeting minutes and once approved, a copy of the minutes shall be forwarded
to the commission. And now, therefore, be it resolved that the commission adopts this resolution stating that respondent is hereby suspended for 30 days from December 15, 2025 to January 14th, 2026 as a penalty for having been
found to have violated NJSA18A12-25, NJSA182-26, and NJAC 6A28-3.1. And be it further resolved that the Edison Township Board of Education is ordered to read this resolution as its ne at its next regularly scheduled public meeting following the
commission's adoption to post in places such as the board posts its public notices for a period of 30 days and to publish it online on the board's website if available for no less than 30 days. And be it further resolved that the Edison's Township Board of Education shall provide the commission with the
minutes once adopted from the meeting at which it reads the within resolution. >> Thank you. >> You're done, right? >> That's all. >> Thank you. >> Um can I make a comment? >> Sure. >> I think this is overreacting on the uh
the ethics board. It's way overreacting. I had to file that five times and three times I had to do it in John's office. He had to help me to get filed. So in order for them to censure someone, do something. Get your acts together first
before you start doing something right. The the ethics board, they have much better issues. They're not they're not look they're not doing nothing and they pick on something like small as this. And I hope that for the record we also appeal that decision as well. So um you
know that's just my comment. It's total inappropriate, you know, for them to to do something like this. And it's it's their fault because their system was not up to date because she she did try to file and doesn't work. And I I'm the the the approved that it did not work twice.
Oh, well actually four times. It's about four times. >> So that's my comment. any >> y even I had a similar issue like when I file it the very first time and it got rejected but I did got that notification
and then I have to refile it again so but I but there was no reason for rejection though why it did not got uploaded >> it's just not an easy process >> y cool thank you um review for the agenda item Dr. Sure. Thank you so much,
Board President Patel. Um, our agenda items as this is a combined caucus meeting. Uh, we have our personnel report in relationship to the appointments as well as resignations, terminations, and some of the retirements that we currently have. Uh, commitment to our professional development institute for the teachers
that are receiving first, second, and third increments. Spring sports will be underway hopefully, right? Baseball starts next week, right? Somewhere in that area. So, uh hoping that uh you know we'll get creative and have some indoor practices at that time too. Um we
have our salary guide credits for our staff members that are pursuing uh post-secary degrees as well as our district-wide programs that are title funded for our uh elementary and middle schools. There we have our administrative report from curriculum
under administration. Right now we have uh the celebration of youth youth art month which happens every single uh March. We are looking forward to an outstanding display of the talented uh students as well as their teachers who showcase uh not only their artwork but
their sculptures uh and do so in a manner that really highlights our students talents. Uh we also have uh policies from alerts 235 and 236 this month uh many of which are mandated others uh which are being revised current policies that the board of
education have adopted. This is the first reading of those policies as well too and they are attached for the board of education's review. Uh we have our memorandum of agreement with NJIT for uh student placements in relationship to our partnerships and the
potential to uh uh expand upon those pieces especially for our CTE programs that we're moving forward with. Uh and we also have the approval of the January uh uh HI report as well too. Under curriculum and instruction, we have our
uh testing schedule for the spring of 2026. Robust testing schedule uh beginning in March, concluding in May with their makeups. Uh we have February is a big field trip month if you could take a look at it right now. from Medicine High School to JP Stevens. We
have uh DECA indoor color guard uh FCCLA, all of the uh spring uh field trips that that transpire during this year as we kind of wind down the remainder of the school year. We also have a professional development report attached uh for the board's review. Last
but not least, we have our special pupil services report for our outofd district placements for our special education students as well as homeless McKinto act. And that concludes my portion of the report. I do believe my colleague uh talked about the finance report
previously. >> Thank you. Y >> okay so we'll move on public comments for resolutions only. >> Okay. Uh motion to close public comments. >> Motion to close. Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Okay. Board member comments resolution
only. >> Uh President, I just have a a couple of uh questions if you don't mind. President, >> thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um just looking at the uh the resolution just to really quick. I see there's um
uh an award contract for repair and replacement of district sidewalks and curbs, catch basins for 175,000. Is this going is there a particular place in need that needs this repair? Sure. So, we're going to be doing repairs, Mr. Lugo, throughout the district, but I'm going to let Mr. Kibas speak to a little
bit more about each location. >> Sorry. >> Want to see your pretty face. >> We want to make sure you get your steps, man. >> Yes. Board member Luggo, there is um there is a plan in place to meet uh with individual principles to discuss their
needs uh and evaluate what they uh what they need. There are some uh some areas of concern specifically at uh Linda Now and a couple other schools. I don't want to go too much detail, but yes, there is a process in place to get that addressed. >> Okay. So, so is the 175 is the cap? Like
if you don't have all the places, how would we come up with the number? >> No, 175 is a cap. Uh we'll we'll do what we can for 175 and we'll evaluate it then. Okay. >> Okay. Good. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And and and just one more really quick. >> Um then under under the uh the
transportation section uh resend the balance of contract um right here um due to many service failures. If we resend the balance uh what are we looking at numbers wise if we uh if we're not going to be uh fulfilling the rest of this
contract? Hang on one second. Is that with just pull it? >> Yeah. 6G under transportation. >> Yeah. Uh I believe that this uh company went out of business. So the balance we'll use with somebody else. >> Oh, the company went out of bit.
>> Correct. There's been a few uh transportation companies, some larger, some smaller that haven't been able to meet the obligations of their contract. And if whether it's we go through ED services or they're under contract direct with us, we'll take the steps to cancel the contracting and then go out
and do an emergency contract or utilize the funds to obviously, you know, fulfill the the rest of the obligation that we're required to for our students. >> Gotcha. But but but those outstanding funds, we're able to read redirect. >> Yeah. They stay within the transportation budget and they're utilized to um continue to provide
services for students to get them to and from school just with a different, you know, contract vendor. >> Right. Right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Lo. Anyone else? >> Okay. Do I have a motion to approve personnel? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Wow, that was close.
>> No, it's not even close. >> I'm going to go with Mr. Shei and Mr. Azerello. >> Yeah, there we go. Thank you, >> Mr. Erico. >> Yes. >> Mr. Azerello. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ron Patel.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Lugo. Yes, >> Miss Ana Patel. >> Yes, >> Miss White. >> Yes, >> Mr. Shei. >> Yes, >> Miss Ping. >> Yes, >> President Patel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Thank you. Motion to approve approve administration, curriculum, and instruction and pupil services. >> Motion. Second. >> Okay. >> All right. Same same way as last time, Mr. She Mr. Azerell. Um, okay. Mr. Azerella.
>> Yes. Mr. Ero, >> yes. >> Mr. Ronak Patel, >> yes. >> Mr. Lugo, >> yes. >> Miss Anja Patel, >> yes. >> Miss White, >> yes. >> Mr. She, >> yes. >> Miss Pang, >> yes.
>> President Patel, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Do I have a motion to approve finance? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Wow, that's three in a row. >> Closing it. >> We should play that. >> Convening for the second. Pick three done yet? Tonight? Get the ticket. All
right. Mr. Azerella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ero. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ronak Patel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Luga? >> Yes. >> Miss Sanja Patel? >> Yes. >> Miss White? >> Yes. >> Mr. Xi? >> Yes. >> Miss Pang? >> Yes.
>> President Patel? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Now we have committee reports. First one is policy committee. >> Yep. Mr. Patel. >> So we had a committee uh policy committee meeting on February
February 4, 2026. The committee conveyed to perform comprehensive review of district governance and to address emerging state guide guidance regarding the school operations and key discussion point
included are annual compliance review. The committee verified the completion of various statemandated administrative task including professional appointments, curriculum updates and safety certifications.
Budgetary planning. A discussion took place regarding the budget for the upcoming FIS fiscal year. General policy alerts. The committee reviewed multiple policy alerts including alert 235 and 236 which which Dr. Elderly just
mentioned previously which covers a range of updates to district regulations. Fiscal and health governance discussions were held regarding the technical updates to financial oversight policies and protocols related to the student
health permissions operation operational and legal designations. The committee reviewed the reviewed the assignment of personal authorization to handle specific legal communications.
Instruct instructional material and staff conduct deliberations occurred regarding the management of library collection and the consolidation of regulations governing staff behavior.
Governance update. The committee examined updates to pol policies regarding the internal relation and the app applicability of the certain rule to specify staff groups event
security initiatives. A proposal was discussed to modify entry requirements and the bag restrictions at the athletic venue to improve safety. At the last electronic device guidance, the
committee explored potential revisions to student device usage policies based on the recent state recommendations. And that concludes the report. >> Thank you, Mr. Patel. The next one is the next one is finance and facilities.
Uh the the the meeting happened on February 5 at education center and the key highlights of the meetings were we discussed budgetary planning. A status update and a general discussion took place regarding the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Property
acquisition updates were provided regarding the timeline for necessary state approvals related to a specific property purchase. Infrastructure development committee reviewed options for building new student center through a phase of the EC program transportation
service. A review was conducted regarding the pricing structure for the subscriptionbased service subscriptionbased busing financial oversight. The results of a recent audit were noted which reflected the current standing of the district's financial
records. Capital projects committee assess the status of upcoming capital projects for the next fiscal year. That concludes the report. The next one is transportation committee. >> Transportation. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Patel. Transportation.
All right. We discussed the fleet management. There was discussion regarding the condition of the bus fleet in including units uh currently out of service and potential need for vehicle replacements. Uh department equipment. The committee reviewed the status of camera systems within the department.
Subscription services. A plan was discussed regarding administration of subscription busing, including processing of applications and placements of students. Route adjustments, potential corrections to certain school maps and specific residential area assignments were reviewed. Field trip field trip
activity. The committee noted the total activity involving field trips for the current academic year was informed by the administration that protocols for field trips and budget allotments will be looked into. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next one is township
leazison committee. Miss Bankship. Um yeah, township lea committee has a meeting on February 5th from 12:30 to 1:30. Attendees myself uh Michelle Patel, Jerry Shei, Dr. Edelli, Dr. Hus, Mr. Toast, Mayor Jooshi, Chief of Staff,
uh Mr. Deal, and Councilman Bureau Patel. So Krisco went over Americans uh 25th anniversary celebration. We engaged students in brainstorming ideas for educational programming and students involvement related to the
celebration events. Discussed joint planning efforts and proposed timeline. We have action items. Continue coordination between the school district and the township for upcoming commemorative events.
Um the responsible party will be Dr. Hus and mayor's office. Shared service collaboration school facility usage. We reviewed the current uses use of school facilities including recreation and athletic fields. We discussed the ways to streamline this rental and
reservation process to improve efficiency and better serve our students and residents. Action item would be district to contact township recreation department to review current facility usage and
explore process impro improvements. also discusses resource sharing opportunities including combined purchasing and storm coordination. Also talk about some old business uh including Woodro Wilson
Middle School cricket and baseball field. Action item would be council will revisit the resolution. God >> bless you. >> Resolution R426 07204. uh with Councilman Bureau Patel. Also,
we discussed the 401 division street status. The action item would be explore the potential use of the opportunity the property property currently for sale that may benefit the school district.
Also discuss the JP Stevens storm water trench maintenance. The action item would be district to obtain research findings from the township engineering department by Mr. Toes and uh we have talked about the long-term
finance opportunities. This this is where the district can really benefit from the collaboration with the township. Discuss the potential shared financing strategies to support facility enhancement and upgrades while minimize
minimizing taxpayers burden. Last we discussed the sidewalk safety and infrastructure Floyd Street improvement near JP Stevens High School and enforcement of sidewalk ains ordinance for new constructions
within two miles of schools. Collectively the committee conducted a highly efficient meeting with clearly defined goals, action items and designate responsible parties. Special thanks to Dr. Alderelli, Mr. Toth and committee
members for proactively identify collaboration opportunities. Appreciation to the mayor's office for its enthusiastic partnership and willingness to work closely with our district. Thank you for Councilman Bureau Patel
for taking the lead on several of the discussed initiatives. The committee look forward to our next meeting. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next one is curriculum committee. >> Back to back.
>> Uh yeah, curriculum committee has a meeting on February 10th, 4:30 to 5:30 at ad center. We have only one focus for this meeting, expanding our summer program. We all know we have a very long 10 week summer and we want to our
students to enjoy a fun and welldeserved summer break. We also recognize the importance of providing meaningful academic opportunities. We do not want our students to spend the entire summer playing video games and being disengaged. So instead, we we aim to
provide structured programs that allow our students to in explore interest, strengthen their academic academic foundations and get ready for incoming school years. In previous years, we offered a summer in en enrichment program primarily serving grade K
through eight along with several sports programs. This year, we are significantly expanding our offerings. We have designed and launched an entire series of new courses targeted especially towards our middle school and high school students. These courses are
structured in flexible formats meeting approximately 1.5 hours per class over two weeks or four-week sessions. Most of our class our new classes are in person as I believe face- to-face interactions is important for these classes and also
keep our students focused. We also offer these classes with a hugely discounted rate for our students. And trust me, I've signed up for many out out of school uh summer camp for my kids. So we are offering all these classes at most
like one-third of the regular market price. So um we are opening new s new classes for middle school called junior scholars. In addition to previous math courses, we are adding the following new courses.
Essay writings for each rising sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, CSI, crime scene investigations, intro to AI engineering, premed junior and cool chemistry
for middle schools. These are and for our high school, we are offering high school SC scholars. In addition to previous courses, we will be adding the following. All of them are inerson classes. Essay
writing, public speaking and debates, premed, pre-law, robotics, intro to business law, intro to marketing, political science, intro to an anatomy and physiology,
EHS STEM Academy and biomed academy in both high schools. So although the meeting lasted only an hour um the work behind all these changes require extreme extensive planning and collaboration. I would like to sincerely
thank Dr. Alelli for his full strong support for these new expansions and Dr. Valentine for taking the lead in working with me over the weekends and throughout the week to finalize the requirement and redesign the entire summer program. We
are hopefully we're hopeful that this summer all of our students from K through five and especially our middle school and high school students will have a productive and enjoyable experience that thoroughly balance fun and growth. So stay tuned for more to
come. We're going to uh send out notice for these summer courses soon. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Pang. And I know there was a lot of back and forth between you and and district leadership to make it happen. So appreciate your time and commitment for that. Um, next is athletic committee.
>> Thank you, Mr. Patel. Um, it was held on February 11th here at the office. Uh, we got an update on all the winter sports both at Edison High School and JP Stevens. Uh, it was a very successful winter season. Uh, we discussed the hockey cost. Uh, it cost about $70,000
and we're going to look into our agreement with Matuchen because we're part of the Matuchen. So, we're going to see um if we're getting our fair share. Uh discuss freshman teams and participation. Freshman teams seem to be an issue for whatever reason. Um I don't
know what what the students are doing, but hopefully they're doing something, you know, other than sports and maybe academic. Um we went through the updates. I did ask uh Mr. Marzano um to see if he could send the board uh like
Mr. uh Ross does at Edison High School the schedule for athletics. So, we all couldn't possibly attend. Uh that's the way I find out what's going on at Edison High School. Um and I attend when I can. I've attended a few at JP Stevens, but that's only because I, you know, saw an
email or whatever. Um we discussed the spring sports uh and equipment needs and uniform needs. Uh nothing out of the ordinary. Um coaching vacancies. JP Stevens still needs a track and field coach for throwing events. Edison High School needs one assistant boys
volleyball coach and a track adviser for intram murals. Uniforms discussed agreement. We have an agreement with Under Armour where we get uh 40% discount. So all our u shirts and uniforms I guess. So we're going through Under Armour where we get 40% off. Um
middle school flag football pilot program to begin in the spring. Open gyms are doing well. Mr. Betell um volleyball, lacrosse, basketball seem to be the three major sports that they're interested in, but uh both athletic directors said it's doing very well. Uh
cricket field for JP Stevens Stevens, they're going to use Woodro Wilson's home as a home field and work around the middle school schedule. Uh building and facilities. Um there's some requests. Edison High School's training training room needs some upgrades and remodeling. I know Mr. Collabos is looking into
that. Nothing major. Uh JP Stevens weight room and training room. Same thing. We're looking into that. Uh wish list. Big wish list here. Edison High School would like a new gym. >> Good luck with that. Uh wish list. New bleaches for JP Stevens with the storage
underneath. I guess they don't have any storage underneath. So again, nothing for this upcoming budget. Hopefully for the following year if we could. Um we'll do what we can. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Mr. I mean just a little background on that
open gym. I think Mr. Aro and I have been working for what you know 12 months to figure out opening our gym so that our students can practice of hours. So we had to work with the township to understand when they are using the gym and the when gyms are available and
finally we figure out a schedule and then you know both the high schools are opening up the gym so that our students can practice and play sports you know after school. So thank you for making it happen. >> Mr. Mr. Patel, can I talk about the library board that wasn't on the agenda? >> Absolutely. >> I attended uh two meetings with the
library board. Um Dr. Alderelli's uh consigliary. Um um the library board's moving along. The North Edison library is coming along. Um there was a woman I'm waiting for an
email that is would like to donate a thousand books to our preschool program. So, I told her as soon as I get her information, I will forward it to Dr. Tui. Also, uh Allan, the uh director of the libraries, would like to see what we
can do with the schools coming uh fall with the uh bookmobile. They're getting a brand new bookmobile. So, I'll have them contact Dr. Elderelli and we'll go from there. Great. Thank you. >> The next one is special education committee.
>> Thank you, Mr. Patel. The special education committee meeting was held on held on February 4th and the timing were 4:30 p.m. in the location caucus room and the attendees of this meeting were Mr. Lugo, Mrs. White, Mr.
Azerell, Dr. Tuhi, Dr. Elderly and Miss Guzman. So discussion was held regarding the program changes at Edison success success acade academy for year 2526
school year specifically the increase in the size of the program with the addition of staff. The expansion of the Edison success academy to include tuitionbased placements was reviewed along with
clarification of referral intake and placement procedures. Prosperity a virtual counseling service at Edison Success Academy provides guidance on how to transition internship
into employment opportunities after high school. An overview of behavioral threat assessment and management was provided including the background and purpose of the framework.
The protections afforded to student with disabilities with the within the process and ongoing staff training and implementation efforts were also reviewed. Staff wellness support and available district
resources were reviewed such as district wellness portal, wellness collective, reward program were highlighted, mental health and wellness support for students were discussed. And that's concludes the report.
>> Thank you. Public comments. Public comments. Yeah, go for it. We should let the kids let the kids speak if they wanted to. >> Yeah. >> He's a boy scout. He's gonna go. >> Hi, Harish Satini, 45 McKinley Street.
Hope everybody enjoyed shoveling the snow. More is coming. Anyway, uh so several things. First and foremost, the Stopfinder app. I am not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but I have really no clue what it
really does, if at all it does anything. And I heard the same comment from uh some other parents. When I open it, all I see is a map of North Edison uh which I really don't need at this stage u after living there for so many years.
North side of Edison, sorry. So um I tried it at several times when the bus is on time when the buses are late it's still the same. So I thought the whole idea of having that was to inform the parents whenever there are delays or
something of that sort but uh I don't know uh so some clarification on that front would be helpful. Uh second we spend millions on the gyms which is good. Uh how difficult is it to spend a
few thousands on some strength training equipment for uh middle school gyms? Um next is next is that parent teacher conference. I know uh I joked about this spoke about this earlier that uh you really need to
have a high-speed internet connection like the Wall Street traders at Goldman Sachs have uh to get the slot. Um so again I'm not sure of the legal issues. Um but is it possible that if a person if if the student is doing all
okay maybe don't even send them an email uh their parents. Again I as I said I don't know all the legal ramifications of this. So just an idea uh or send them uh a teacher could send them their parents an email that all is good. this
is the uh written report and keep that reserved for uh the students who are really in need of it because we really need to I mean fix that it it's high time every year it's the same story every year on social media on all the groups it's the same discussion um so
once again coming to the same old topic and uh some people will not like this but I have said this almost an year back it is about the school calendar and
the as someone once said in the what's that ETA conference uh the both the strength and the weakness of Edison schools is the diversity so because of diversity and the various cultures we have lots of religious holidays yes and that's why um
school extends into well beyond the mid of June and we have the AC problem in summer I mean everything is known there's nothing new that I'm talking and as of this week obviously lot of parents are extremely pissed off. Um
so Rockstar uh you are the target. >> So two days are already gone in the spring break and I don't know how and where you are going to adjust the third day. uh going forward one suggestion is uh maybe we could uh not have uh
President's Day. I believe except for President Trump, everybody else will be okay with that. Just an idea. But more importantly uh we spoke about the sensitive thing the religious holidays. I mean the elected members especially uh
should be in any anywhere actually anywhere in the world they should be representative of the demographics of that particular area be it a country or a state or a town or a county or whatever and unfortunately uh yes Edison is a diverse
township which is uh good but we need to be fair we need to give one religious holiday of choice to the major cultures obviously we cannot give religious holiday to all the different cultures living in Edison that then it will be like I don't know school will be like
continuing well into July if that is not possible one religious holiday per culture why don't we just remove everything and follow the woodbridge model and whoever wants to take whatever religious day off they will take off for that matter I'll be
very frank and honest here I don't know which um Indian Einstein proposed uh that Diwali should be the holiday for the Indian-Americans but as far as I know both the religious ceremony and the
fireworks ceremony on Diwali is in the evening there isn't much to do during the daytime uh since you are giving holiday if we cannot clean the house on the weekend we especially in my family we do it on the day in the morning but otherwise uh there are other major
Indian festivals uh for which holidays could be given but anyway That's not the topic of discussion. The main point is we need to have proper spring breaks and fall breaks so that students uh get a break from the hectic tedious schedule and uh for that we need to uh streamline
things in terms of uh the holidays. Uh I mean I can't be more frank than this as I said either follow Woodbridge model which many people won't like or just make it fair and square for everybody.
So some people getting more, some people getting less. It's always a point of u not so very uh friendly discussion. >> Thank you. >> That's it. Thanks >> you address. >> Yeah, sure. So uh you know thanks for
bringing the stopfinder uh information to uh to my attention. I first Mr. To. Yeah, I mean, we this is the first complaint that I I've had uh I would say this school year in response to Stopfinder. Um that being said, listen, um I'm more than welcome to have someone
reach out to you um from the department to help you kind of work through any issues that you may be having with it. Um but in the interm like if there if there is an issue when it comes to transportation, obviously you call um but like many of our routes, not all of them are on stopfinder. So I always um revert to, you know, you have an
assigned uh bus stop time, right? And uh let's say it's 9:00. Well, there's a rule of thumb, and I know we put out the information many many times, that you should be out there um about 5 to 10 minutes before the bus arrives. So, as you know, if it gets here a little bit early, you're not missing the bus. And I
think uh that's been, you know, we put that information out probably over the last two years, early when I've gotten here. And there's um it it, you know, it it's allowed for students to, you know, not have to wait outside for 30 or 40 minutes. um because I think our buses are pretty much hitting their targeted stop times uh on their routes. But we'll
definitely have someone reach out to you and help you along with the software. >> Great. >> Parent teacher, I think, can we come up? I mean, that's >> Yeah. So, these are conversations that we've had not only with uh Mr. uh Ravnik and Mr. Capion, but but listen, we we we
fully understand that um you know, look, parents want to hear all things about their students, about their children, right? They want to hear how well that they're doing and how we're going to push them forward and how we're going to challenge them. And also, you know, those conversations where um we can provide a little bit of remediation and extra support for those pieces. I I do
understand um that conferences are usually dedicated to to the latter to those students that um need a little bit of extra support, right, or aren't progressing as we um uh as we move forward throughout the school year. Uh there's probably a happy medium in there
somewhere in relationship to that. I I don't discount that um the uh the ETA as well as myself and members of our organization can come up with a happy medium on those pieces in order to accommodate uh draw draw uh a balance between those, right? It's kind of like
the school calendar almost. It's drawing a balance, right? So, right now, you know, there's pictures of my face with dart boards on them, I'm sure, on North and South Edison currently right now, right? Which which kind of comes with the territory. It's also there in the summer when it's June 24th and you're on the second floor of Edison High School
and it's 126 degrees in one of the classrooms too. Um I I do hear you in relationship to equity across not only uh the holidays that are associated with specific religious components. We do try to balance them. Um but also the uh
understanding that there there might be a model in which we do you know follow uh just legal holidays right which would be um you know election day it would be president's day it would be all of those components that we do which which eliminates any type of bias right or any
type of favoritism towards any you know particular religious holiday it's it's the and I just actually told the board in in uh in close session the the school calendar in closing uh school day is probably gives me the most anxiety of any decision that I that I have to make. I mean, we're getting weather tonight,
too, right? Which is the reason why why, you know, I I I felt the need to call a delayed opening, right? We've got, you know, 3 ft of snow currently on the ground. Of course, the timing for this snow is coming at 4:30 in the morning, right? Can't come tonight, which makes us makes it a little bit easier. Coming
at 4:30 in the morning. I I worry about 17-year-old uh student drivers on the road that early. um as well as our buses at that time, too. Uh and and so, you know, if I have the opportunity to delay and still get a full day of school in, you know, that's I'd rather error on the
side of caution that way. Yeah, I'm a little conservative in my thinking. Um but uh I I do hear you about the school calendar. Um we are looking at alternative drafts in relationship to building in more snow days for next year, too. I can promise you that you will see versions of that uh for the upcoming approval in March as well as
some other components that we're working at with the board uh as well as uh Mr. Revnick and his leadership team too. So I I I hear you uh on all of those. Um >> and it's you know it's kind of six in one half a dozen in the other. It's it's tough to make a good decision
>> that that's equitable across everything. the dumbbells. I missed the conversation about the >> I think it's a strength training, right? Any equipment, anything you can do, but students can practice strength training. >> Yeah. I mean, we've got a uh a really good weight room over at Herbert Hoover as well as all of our schools, right?
And I know that some of our staff members utilize both of those in the morning, too. So, um Yeah. Yeah. So, I I would definitely advocate um you know, through budget allocations, the middle schools for for those pieces. >> Sure. Yeah. Great. >> Cool. Anyone else comments?
Yep. >> Conway. >> Elizabeth Conway, Edison, New Jersey. I would just like to follow up on the snow days. I was very surprised to hear that there was no snow days uh in the calendar this year, which doesn't allow
for um days off. Is that correct? >> This year? Yeah. >> Let her finish the question. >> Okay. So, and then what happens though is if none was put in, uh, now we are taking away from the
spring break. Uh, I know a suggestion was made to follow Woodbridge, but my daughter works in Woodbridge and she's in school longer than Edison is, and they don't get all the religious holidays. So, I think there's got to be
some kind of happy medium in between. Uh, so you have a lot of homework to do prior to uh next year's calendar. Thank you. >> Agreed. >> Thank you. >> Agreed. >> So, we did have snow days built in. They were just they were just built into
spring break. Um, which is well well it's it's not uncommon though, too. I actually did a historical uh piece when I looked at this before. It was definitely done in Edison prior to the building in of snow days. there was usually two built into spring break which was always done. Now unfortunately
um you know we've been on the plus side of giving those days back to the community over the court. Right. So if if if I'm look in fairness to me if I'm looking at the record it's been pretty good over the last five years thankfully with with in relationship to that. But but unfortunately you're only as good as your last decision. Um but but right but
but but with that wii with with that being said, Miss Conway, we are definitely looking at uh days for next year to build in outside of spring break um for those pieces which I'm sure will win favor. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Y
>> good evening. Anthony Maro from medicine. I'm going to speak about something I emailed to you earlier February, something called the Parental Bell of Rights. Um, it's an excellent piece of work produced
by the Colts Board of Ed. It honors mom and dad. I mean, who doesn't want to who who thinks we shouldn't honor mom and dad? When I was advocating against policy 5756 back
whenever I would often quote the fifth commandment in the ten commandments, honor your father and your mother. Who can argue with that? I don't know how many board members are parents. If you are, you probably know what it is to be
dishonored. I am a parent. I'm a grandparent. Shame on me. I know what it is to dishonor my parents. We don't want to do that. Unlike 5756, which you thankfully
abolished last May, this deals exclusively with parents. There was a time when the rights in this bill of rights that I sent to you were understood. It was common sense. You didn't have to put it in writing.
things like opting out, things like parents have the right to consent or decline physical or mental health services offered by the school. Of course, of course, mom and dad have that authority. Now, you got to put it in writing.
That's well, so be it. Then put it in writing. Here it is. Some of you may say, well, we already have policies in Edison, Mr. Mara. If those policies are strong, then why
did I have to and why did others have to fight so hard to wipe out 5756? 57. I started advocating against 5756 in August of 2023. I had to take a break because of health issue. I resumed in
February 2024. Two 20 Yeah. 24. From there to May when you abolished it, I was before the board almost every meeting. There was a lot of fighting, not with fisticuffs, but there were verbal back and forths with those who
didn't like wiping out 5756. If parents rights are so supreme, then why was there such a why is there so much, so much fighting? This is the gold standard stuff in here is outstanding.
Honor mom and dad, adopt this as a bill of rights. If you choose not to adopt this, what do you say to the parents of Edison? We don't want to give you rights. We don't want you to have the kind of common
sense rights that I think all parents in their heart know either should exist or it better exist. I'm old enough to remember when this stuff was common sense. Honor mom and dad. Adopt this bill of
rights and you will do you will bless the parents in Edison. I thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next, please. >> Good evening. Paul Lond Woodbridge. Um, I've been teaching now for 17 years.
It was a second career for me. I teach science in alternative high school in Union County. I'm special ed endorsed. And I just want to give you a report from my perspective. Uh, but I do want to piggyback a little bit of what um
Tony had referenced. In Woodbridge, we do have policy transgender guidance 5756. Uh boys are allowed to use the girls' room if they're so inclined and they have no affirmative positive uh duty to report to parents if they're if the
child is socially transitioning. They do stock the uh the boys room with tampons for for trans girls. And uh I just want you to know that it is still alive and woke over in Woodbridge. Now I uh I've done a little research being science
teacher background and the downturn in public schools actually started back in 1967. A lot of people don't realize that a study on the GDP gross domestic product uncovered that there was a first time in decades that there was actually lower
performance on standardized tests uh in 1967 as there had been up to that point. By 1980, high school graduates were a full grade and a quarter behind their peers
before 1967. So, the fact that we're going, you know, a race to the bottom is not a new phenomenon. And I don't I certainly don't lay it all on the feet of this board of ed. I will tell you, I've been around long enough to see the unintended
consequences of policies like No Child Left Behind. Indeed, my own school district was caught cheating. The superintendent and teachers were feeding students the answers to highstake tests so they can graduate on time and not appear to be a failing school district.
Putting pressure on schools in that manner did not do anything to turn things around. nor did Common Core, nor did park testing, or all these other grand ideas come from the Department of Education, which I'm glad to see is being trimmed down and eliminated.
What's happened, what's been lowered along with with outcomes, is expectations. As a teacher, I can tell you, and as someone who's now 63 years old, the expectations both academically and behaviorally have gone way down.
what kids can get away with doing these days, we couldn't get away with on our day. And uh and and as far as academics, we know the nation's report card in New Jersey, eighth graders are running around 35% proficient in reading. I
mean, again, I don't lay that at the feet of this board. I just want to put things in context. Uh you know, a few extra holidays or a few less holidays is not really the secret to what's going on here. So, I I just have a couple questions. In Woodbridge, they changed
the director of of diversity, equity, and inclusion, they changed his title officially to director of access and engagement. But if you look at the job description, they changed instead of diversity, they they use the word different. It was very superficial and
an obvious way to dodge the federal government which is taking a strong stance against the concept of indoctrinating our children with policies that are Marxist in or origin. Uh DEI is a direct descendant of critical race theory as much as they
like to deny it. Uh gender queer ideology is what put tampons in the boy's room. Uh these are not central and core to an education. They never have been. They never will be. If they're running out of steam, it's not because of the Trump monster administration.
It's because a lie pushed so hard can only go so far and so long before it's been revealed to be a farce. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> My name is Gerald Maglo. I'm from the
Dolores Turo Foundation. We're in Neptune. Uh I've been here several times. As you know, our our um uh mission is to protect children from abuse, neglect, and um exploitation. I wanted to thank you um President Patel and your entire board for your
outstanding service to the community. I've been to many boards of education. Um your district performs outperforms me most of the districts in New Jersey. You're up there with the top. uh your graduation rates are higher uh than the
average rates in especially I think JP um whatever your school was again 96% graduation. So you're doing an outstanding job. But I'm here um to urge you to adopt following Tony's um recommendation the parental bill of
rights. Um it's simply a summary of already existing state, local, and federal laws in a document similar to what Colts neck has done. It would not constitute any new policy or mandate uh just easy access for parents to know their existing rights. It does not harm
uh vulnerable students. It does not impose any ideology. Uh it does not replace instruction. On the contrary, it builds trust. Uh and information builds confidence and transparency builds partnership and partnership builds
stronger schools. Um so the successful education of our children as you know because you are performing uh some at the top of the um levels here uh requires cooperation between home and school. Um, so when parents feel
informed rather than sidelined, uh, when they feel respected, um, the relationship strengthens and I know you pride yourself on community engagement, uh, rightfully so. And providing a parents bill of already, uh, of existing
rights um, reaffirms that commitment. It's not about confrontation. It's simply about clarity and it's not about control, just cooperation. Um I do want to point out that um in support of parental rights, there was a Supreme Court decision in the last maybe month
or two that ruled u and that's the Ma Mahammude versus Taylor that ruled schools cannot shut parents uh or disregard the relig religious obligations for their children and they have a right to know what their children are being taught. And I know that, you
know, you did make some change uh repeal a policy that interfered with those rights. And I bring up parental rights um because in light of some New Jersey legislature that passed during the lame duck that will definitely affect directly affect you. And there's a bill
um 3156. And while it allows school-based health clinics, which is not a bad doesn't sound like a bad idea, it's not an issue about school space or economics, but rather direct influence and access on children um and parental rights and control of health care uh
decisions is at stake because the the state is also wants to lower the consent age to 14. So that with this bill and with the lowering the consent age um the uh for 14 there would be exp uh this would mean that a health center placed
in a New Jersey school could provide services to any student without parental consent and this legislation moves the primary uh health care from the school to the school environment where doctors and administrators replace parents. Um
so that those are some of the reasons why really to bring up parental rights is is important at this time. And the last thing I just simply want to say um that uh being that you were one of the first to resend or did resend policy 5756,
you may be interested to know um that the um the the Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society and the Professional Association of Trans Transgender Health are all being sued um for deliberate lies and colluding to
suppress the truth truthful studies that showed that those claims uh were false and those false claims were the basis of 5756. So I applaud you again um for having the wisdom uh to be able to see through that and um I thank you very
much for for what you do and for how you serve your community and the students and the state of New Jersey. Uh and um I thank you for the opportunity to allow me to bring this to address this board. >> Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Yes, Mr. Romik. Matt Revnack, ETA president. Um I'm asking that my six minutes, if I go a little bit over, be waved as the union president. So, a couple things. First, thanks. >> Uh, so couple couple things. First of
all, I want to thank the board. We had our volleyball tournament last Thursday. Thank god we picked last week before the snow came. >> Uh, it was a great event. It's always great to get people around the district together. Good competition. I'm glad nobody got injured other than I know Mr. Kibbos took a little bit of a hit. Um,
two too, sorry. But I do thank you. I also thank there's two board members that have already contributed and I do appreciate that. I'm hoping that the rest of the board and participants, our goal is to try to raise this is all about fundraising for three charities. Camp Kitty Keep Well, Buddy Ball of Edison and ETA scholarship fund which
goes to our students at Edison High and JP. So our goal every year is for each team to contribute at least $600. Usually the schools do a little bit better than that even. So, you know, if you do have money, get it over to my office or call me or whatever and I'll be glad to pick it up. All right. Uh, as
far as the calendar goes, um, if Dr. Aldi's number one with being Dart Stone, I'm probably number two. My phone blows up. I get texts and emails as soon as there's one inch of snow or whatever. Um, you know, what's going on? What's going to happen? So, you know, one thing
suggestion, I know I heard about Woodbridge, etc. Um, you know, and I do believe a lot of respect toward the different religions and everything else that comes into play here. You know, the students do have a right to take the day. um you know if necessary for religious purposes. Um so that's
something that to keep in mind. I do think that you need to use every possible day. Now we have still have a long ways to go in terms of snow. I mean they're talking next Tuesday a possible 3 to five inch or possibly more. So you know what we are we are far from getting
out of the woods of this. Um as far as next year's calendar goes, I was hoping it would be one presented today because that's one of the people things my people are badgering me about. they try to plan their vacations for next year and you know all the child care when you know their their children have school
and ours doesn't and vice versa. So um you know but it's something I know I sent Dr. Alderelli four calendars. Um you know we've discussed certain things within them. So I'm hoping you know we have a decision soon on you know moving forward. I do understand the confusion.
I know Miss Conway brought it up most of the time and I've been in the district 37 years. I am here longer than anybody in in this room. Um, you know, there are a couple times in which it was done this way. Usually speaking, there's additional days built in and are given back. I did mention that to Dr.
Alderelli. It's always better to give something back than take something away. Um, so hopefully that'll be a consideration. I know the calendars I gave, I did build in snow days um, for next year. But, you know, it's it's it's it's going to happen. I said I'm going out to buy a snowb blower because I'm
getting too old to shovel two feet of snow. I know I'll buy a snowblower and for the next three five to five years we won't I won't have to use it. That's right. >> You know, it's it's Murphy's law. Well, not in my pocketbook. It's >> Murphy's law. >> But but anyway, um you know, sometimes you're damned if you do, damned if you
don't. >> All right. Um as far as uh one thing came up, uh the board policies that are listed, usually there is a list, the actual policies with like the crossed out revisions and all. We didn't see anything on that
>> the attachments now. Okay. because I was going to say I looked this morning and there was nothing on attachments. Um, sometimes we do correct thing, you know, catch things. So, we'd like to bring that to your attention before you have, you know, your second reading and adoption of those. So, thank you. I didn't, you know, know that they just
appeared. Um, read across America. Uh, yes, great time. Uh, we'll be having, as always, it culminates in our ETA awards ceremony. um in which we honor usually the two best per grade level up through the uh and including the high schools.
So I'll get you guys a day for that. I know Dr. Alderelli has always come to it which we appreciate. Um as far as the was mentioned about the athletics and opening the gyms um you better check into that. I believe that
is illegal by NJSIA rules um that you cannot have students um in the facility in which they participate in sports. I know I coached years ago and that was the case um and my daughters were both softball players uh into the late 201s
and even there I actually ran it one year in an offsite. We were told and I as far as I know the rule has not changed. you don't want in any way our our sports or anything being sanctioned because we did something you know against the NJS NJSIA
rules. Okay. The final thing I want to mention I know it's coming up um the budget. I read your state of the Edison address um besides being here and and hearing you talk about it but I actually read it pretty in-depth and it was very it's
very impressive. The one thing I was a little disappointed on when it came about budget and finance, it did say that, you know, overseeing and make sure that every dollar is pretty much spent for, you know, the benefit of students, which I think we all believe that should be the case. You know, one of the things
I was questioning, you know, is the district health in terms of fin the financial stability right now. Um, I guess part of that was answered with the auditor today. You know, it concerns me when he said, I believe it was last year, two years ago, you know, we had
16.8 million in excess funding and last year or this year, I guess, it's like just over 8 million. That's $8 million less to play with. You know, I spoken here about the five years of zero budgets. Um, you know, Governor Shur
will be having her state of uh or her budget actually for the state on March 10th. Within a day or two, we usually get our numbers. Last year, we were cut 2.8 8 million. Who knows what it's going to be this year because there is a a budget deficit as well. So, you know, I
think we need and I hope that you guys will take a good hard line at that. You know, it's easy to say, "Well, things aren't be affected." We know they are. Okay. When a budget is frozen in October and you can't always get the supplies you need or this program is being looked
at as potentially being cut or, you know, uh a program that a teacher use in the classroom, it's a little too expensive. Principles are being asked or administrators like to look and see what ways they cut. And I believe in financial responsibility, believe me, I
think the district needed to do years ago, I talked to the business administrator, when Mr. Mashad was here about doing a total fitness report of your district, you know, financial staffing, etc., etc. I don't want to turn into places like Hackittown. I know
was mentioned like Spotswood and Panway. It's also East Brunswick and South Brunswick, by the way, who have issues. Piscataway, uh, Old Bridge. So, there are districts around us that because of certain things are struggling right now. Last thing I want to see is our kids
programs affected, staff cut because that means increased class sizes. Um, you know, and and that's not good. Uh the final thing as far as budget, I have been contacted by a number of people in the community about the presentation of the budget in the past. There was always
a document given where it was literally broke down almost line by line based off of how everything was spent, percent, you know, increases or decreases in that particular line item. And you know, I said, "Well, listen, I can get up and
and mention it." Um we're all taxpayers. We all like to see where the money is spent and that's just something I wanted to share with the board. Um because I have received some phone calls from members of the community. >> Thank you. >> Final thing before I step off. I've been in this district 37 years and I
appreciate you guys coming out. I don't see the parents in this district of having an issue as not being part of the process being engaged what goes on here. In fact, it's even more so than ever before. I know committees that have been
set up. You know, these guys last month adopted their office hours. Um there's constant comm you know engagement from the parents. You know, I know that there are things that if a parent sends in like they don't want their student, you know, to opt out of this or not be
taught, it's always granted. So, you know, I appreciate you coming out, but I know in my 37 years here, that has never been really an issue, especially more recently. Thank you, Matt. >> Anyone else?
>> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. I guess board me board member comments. Go for it. >> Thank you. Uh, one thing Mr. Revnick mentioned was about the open gyms. Is
this working? >> Yes. >> Working. Okay. Um, I think, and we'll check into the use of the gym. I think it's allowed if the coach is not there. >> Um, as long as the coach of that particular sport is not there. Yes, >> it is allowed because I coached before
and I know Mr. Revnick coached before. So, as long as there's not a coach there for softball, baseball, whatever program we have there, I think we're in good shape. >> Um, couple things I wanted to mention. I forgot to mention in the athletic report, um, since Mr. Ross is not here, which is sad because I know he would
like to be here. Um, we had some uh good things. How does he say it? >> Um, >> what's great about Ed? >> What's great about Edison High School? Okay, >> we had a uh third male uh athlete score a thousand points in basketball. Uh,
unbelievable. I was there. Um, I'm going to try to pronounce his name. Draj Samper Boyina. >> I'm so sorry I messed that up. But, uh, we did do well. I know the board of ed posted a picture of it with his coaches.
Congratulations to him and his coaches. Um, we also had and I was there for these uh two 100 win wrestlers and I think more to come. Um, Fernando Avalon and Jeremy Negron both uh recorded their
100th win as a wrestler. Um, also getting back to Droj, um, not only is he third male, he's about 10 points of being the top male scorer in Edison High School history, which I think he already may have accomplished the rest of the games are away. So, I think he had one or two games after that. So, I'm sure he
is the top scorer in Edison High School history. And, uh, I wish uh, Mr. Ross well and hope to see him soon. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Yep. Genie. >> Okay. I just wanted to uh say thank you
to our buildings grounds maintenance. The guys have been doing an incredible job with an incredible storm. I rode past um Ben Franklin on my way here and it's clear. It's it's amazing when you
consider the amount of snow that we had. But as always, they are outstanding guys, you know. Good job. We're really proud of you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. She. >> Yeah, I just want to echo that. Uh, you know,
you know, Mr. Murphy. Okay, Mr. Civus, great job. And I normally I don't trust you guys, so I went out. So, I went out yesterday to check out the work. >> Good to meet you. >> So, I went out to check out the work that you guys been doing, right? All your your team has been doing. I'm very
very impressed. What's when I hit the school ground and my car was sliding back and forth, you know, on Grove and Newover. I was going to go to the south that I say, you know, stop it, you know, safety first. But the great job on the school that I saw and um you know, um
today I on my way to to work, I I saw them all clean, blacked out all the way. The the the the bus uh depot is also clean. Um so we're ready to open the school tomorrow. Jerry, excuse me, Jerry, you could have called me. I would have told you
Southside Edison was clean. >> Oh, okay. In good shape. >> Yeah, I should have called you on that. >> So, uh, next time. All right. >> Okay. >> So, um, I just want a a couple things that, um, uh, we have an open office hour, uh, for the board members, which
is this, uh, Thursday. Uh, two slots, 12:30 to 1:30 and 4:30 to 5:30. If folks did not get a chance to uh come to a school board meeting today, uh they can come on Thursday, two slots to meet the board members face to face to talk about
anything that they want to talk about, right? Um the other thing is the student ambassador program that we um started this year. We had 239 students applied. 239. >> Uh this is from eighth grade and and up.
So a lot of interest and uh we're going to announce these ambassadors very soon. So each board members has the task of pick up you know uh um the ambassadors from you know each schools. Um the other
is the volleyball um the ETA volleyball. I you know I hope they raise a lot of money and um you know uh JP Stevens won the uh the championship but for the record there's only one team who beat JP Stevens
okay that's a BOE team right so we're going to practice a little bit more and we're going to be the champion next year and you will see a trophy right sitting in the front ne at the next year >> Mr. Shi I think if we had uh Dr. is saying we would have won. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Outside the you
know striker. Yes. Right. And also um on March 3rd we uh is a reg registration opening for the pulse program. The pulse is parents united listening sharing and engagement. Is
that correct? >> Got it Mr. >> Okay. Long words. So um basically you know the board members and uh you know the the committee committee community relations committee and our administration team meet with the parents. We hear your your concerns. So that's another opportunity for these
parents to come in and let us know what uh what they want. Right. Um the other thing is uh great news for what's great about Edison. I mean Mr. Ross is not here today. Uh we have
another student with the name of Neil Arisani. Um he made a good choice of going >> to >> I'm sorry. Army West Point. Okay. >> West Point. So very very smart choice of
not going to Navy. Sorry. Um this is the third students in the recent years from Edison High that you know uh went to West Point. uh his brother is a cow over there. Cow is a
third year. Um so he's gonna have one year overlap with his brother and also his cousin went to West Point. I think he graduated a couple years ago but he was from JP. So um you know um a kidding
aside uh there are five uh militarymies army the best of course. Uh then you have air force, naval, uh coast guard and marine merchant. Um they're all federalmies. Um I hope to see more
students applying for those. Um thesemies the opportunities from thesemies provides to students is way over than these Ivy Leagues. you know uh uh people will say hey you you're full of a crap but I have the experience to
say that the opportunity from these militarymies you cannot beat you know the even these top Ivy League schools you cannot beat that. So I hope to see more and more students um going to these militarymies, not only these federalmies
or othermies as well uh to have the opportunity to uh serve the country, right? Um so I guess that's it. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Anyone else? >> Oh, oh, one more thing. The uh summer
scholar program that uh um Mrs. Japan mentioned a lot of work has went in um and more is going to uh more is going to come for the details these summer programs um so I hope that um you know
we'll try to get more interest from our students to get into these programs instead of playing you know video games as u you know Mrs. Chan said so um you know uh stay tuned for more detailed information on that. Thank you. >> Thank you Miss P. Yeah. Uh I just want
to say that uh I was at the um ETA volleyball events last week. Uh great events, great charity and I think we had I I was playing all games. Maybe that's why we didn't win. But uh I think we if we practice a little bit more because I
haven't played in like 20 years. Uh we might have a chance next year. So yeah. Um but thank you for organizing this event. We really had a lot of fun. Um just another note that I I was just thinking of this office hour that you know we're really trying to engage our
parents to communicate with our board members. We wanted to hear you. Uh so we had this office hour this Thursday noon session and afternoon session. I'm going to ask Dr. May we can provide a zoom link um that we can broadcast to all the
parents because I think a lot of people may not be able to come in person to meet us. So if we send out a Zoom link, you know, they can they are more than welcome to just dial in and talk to us. We, you know, uh we're going to be here every month for this office hour thing.
So please, you know, have any issues, any concerns, any complaints, you are talk, you're going to talk to us directly, just the board members. Thank you. That's all. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Yeah, it's a last Thursday of each month. last Thursday of each month, two
slots, 12:30 to 1:30, 4:30 to 5:30. >> Thank you, Mr. >> President. Yes. Like Dr. Alderelli said and uh Jenny White said and uh I'm sure everyone here thanks uh to Mr. Kolibas
and Mr. Murphy. Uh it's it's not easy the leadership not only to get a job done but to have the tremendous responsibility of having their employee safety involved as well because without the employees the work doesn't get done.
Doesn't matter how smart they are, how dedicated they are, the the employees, you know, it comes down to the employees wanting to do a good job and and knowing that they're appreciated as well. Many, many parents, many, many students, faculty, they're staying home. They have
to make the decision what time to go out, when to go out, when to plow, when to shovel the sidewalks, when to put ice melt down so that the faculty, the students, the parents can get get the kids to school safely. So it's a
tremendous responsibility and with that hard work, dedication, not only from their leadership, but also building the men and women of buildings and grounds and and the custodians to through their hard work, dedication. I know I do it as
well. So I have a tremendous appreciation for what they do and the men and women that provide a safe parking space and a sidewalk for the students to walk on. So thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Gibbus. Can you say something real quick? >> Yes, please. Yes.
>> Go get him. Will >> your school is >> first of all, you know, it's the old adage, uh, a team is only as good as the manager. Is is true. And I appreciate not only the board's dedication to get us the equipment that we need. >> You said the other way around, Willie. >> What's that?
>> You said team is only as good as the manager. >> I said I said I said the manager is only as good as a team. >> Oh. So, >> yeah. So, yeah. So, um, honestly, uh, thank you. It's it's not me and and Scott. We're we're the leaders, but it's it's our men and women that are out there working throughout the night, working all day yesterday. And again,
it's the board that gets us the equipment. And with regards to volleyball, even though I fell and took a good hit, I got up and kept going. So, >> we will win next year. Thank Thank you. Thank you. >> You bounced back better than a ball. >> Thank you.
>> Motion to adjurnn. >> I second. >> Second. All in favor? I adjust the weather Yes.