Again, good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> All right, it's good to see everyone and we'd like to welcome you to our regular business uh board education meeting for Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, notice of
this meeting was emailed to the press and the Daily Journal. Notice was also delivered that day to the Egg Harbor Township Clerk and posted on a bulletin board in Township Hall. On Thursday, June 11, 2026, notice of a change to this meeting was posted in the legal notices section of the district's web page. Notice was also delivered that day
to the Carper Township clerk and post on the bulletin board in Township Hall. Okay, so now we'll have roll call. Mrs. Bird >> present. >> Mr. Buyers >> here. >> Mr. Delabara >> here. >> Miss Heyman >> here. >> Mr. Ireland >> here.
>> Mr. Sepy >> here. Mrs. Sagi >> here. >> Mr. Price >> here. >> And Mrs. Gerbert Floyd >> here. At this time we'll have our flag salute to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. At this time, like to have a motion to approve minutes, minute items 4.1 through 4.2. >> Mr. Price, I'll make that motion.
>> I'll second the motion. >> Any discussion? >> Seeing none, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Bird? >> Yes. >> Mr. Buyers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Delibark. >> Yes. >> Miss Hyman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sepy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Price. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gerbert Floyd. >> Yes. All right. Superintendent report. >> Right. Good evening everyone. Who could believe that? We are here June 2026. It
is the last month of the school year and um >> Excuse me, Dr. Gucho. >> Sure. >> I hate to interrupt you >> during the board meeting, but I'm going to, >> but I do. >> Is this the right mic?
Test test test. >> Uh so many of you see Dr. Dr. Guso at the meetings and she does not like the spotlight if you don't know that about her. But
tonight we're doing a thousand hon we're honoring our retirees. We're honoring our student representatives um our athletes. We're we have a lot of recognition tonight and we're a great district. We're not perfect but we're a great district. And a great district um
has to have great leadership. No one's perfect, but um a person's heart and compassion and love for education um is important. And Dr. Gusa, we just want to let you know on behalf of the board of education. We appreciate
you. >> We appreciate your leadership and your years of service to a Carver Township School District. um when I was an employee here, when I first met her, she was the principal at the high school and um
first female superintendent in Agar Township School District history and also she has been honored um and recognized as Atlanta County Superintendent of the Year. So, I think she deserves a round of applause for that.
And they say give people flowers when they can smell them, right? So, and you honor people when you can. Um, and you give honor where honor is due. And I can definitely say um we want to thank you because um I know that
there are times where we hold your feet to the fire. Uh we ask you a lot of questions. We acquire we require a lot of accountability. Um the the school board has one employee,
just one, and that's Dr. Grushio. She's our one employee that we're responsible for. And we um hold her in high esteem, but we also hold her with high accountability. And I just want I just wanted to say that publicly so people know we worry her to pieces
sometimes about everything from the students lunch in the cafeteria to the staff, you know, uh their morale and what they need. Um we don't leave any stone unturned. Am I right? Board education page. >> Stay on that one page
>> just so you see it. And and most of you if you're an employee and you have a supervisor You praise people in public, but you correct them in private. So, Dr. Guso, we appreciate you. We appreciate your transparency and your openness and
working with us, and this is a well-deserved um honor. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you so much. >> She's going to get me later. >> Yes, I am. Yes, I am. Um, thank you. Thank you so much um for interrupting me. But you're right, I'm humble. It's
not about me. The award, it occurred as recognition um because of the people I work with and all the great work um and the students and what they do to make this place a fabulous place to work and a great place to learn. And it's all about the people. It's not about me.
Somebody had to get the award. All right. So, thank you again. I appreciate it. All right. Now, let's talk about student achievement and recognizing the great things that our students do each and every day. Um, in our school district, uh, we had athletic signing day, which was very, uh, proud moments
for parents and students, senior students who made decisions where they're going to go to school uh, next year. Uh, moving up ceremonies uh, were going to be occurring from elementarymentaries to our middle school. Of course, our high school graduation, middle school, junior
national honors society um programs and ceremonies occurred. Character education awards were given out these next two weeks. There's a lot going on. Lot going on. End of the year promotions and the reading awards that occurred in our elementary schools in the areas of world language a seal by
literacy u for our senior students. And this this is really unique to um Egg Harbor Township. You're going to hear a little bit later how the citizen model program. Um, and RC biiteracy is very special because look how many languages
here our students have mastered. Um, not only could they speak it, they could read it, they could articulate, they can communicate and we're very proud. Students will wear um medallions on graduation night and they being recognized for the different languages that they are experts in. and we have
the global seal seal of biiteracy and these students are experts in these areas uh um global seal of biiteracy so congratulations to them also congratulations our science department uh received the green flag certification
um Chris Delaney Mr. Valardi, I know he's here this evening, shared this with me. I'm very very proud of this award. We get it each and every year. Um, but to continue it and we the addition of the greenhouse um is amazing. Um, makes them qualify for the certification even
more. The do dongrass projects, the student leadership and the bo the department of education recognized our dunrass program. So to to have that recognition on their table is quite an honor. climate and culture, lots of field trips. They end it. Um,
as June began, we had a lot of field fun days, barbecues, pep rallies, and celebrations. It just increases the the um morale of the students and fun days. I mean, we've had a long June and we're one of the latest schools getting out. But we have spirit Fridays going on,
students of the week, senior trip just occurred, the Greek Olympi Olympics at the middle school, senior Olympics will occur at the high school. students celebrating having fun with the World Cup that's going on and Eagle Academy having their barbecue. People's Choice Award is going to occur
at our middle schools, one at each middle school. I believe Walders in the day, Fern was at night. And the prom was last Thursday night. Uh what was it almost just over 900 and some students there. Um it was great to see everyone smiling. Here's some pictures of our
students um in their gowns and tuxedos. You see Carter right there. out in the front. Um, saw him that night looking all dapper. Did you have a good time? >> Great. >> Awesome. Awesome. All right, that's what it's all about. So, success, another successful prom. 8th grade dance is
coming up on June 19th. That'll be held here at Alder. And we had family bingo night with our intervention team put together, grades K through three. This was held at Miller Miller School. Uh, it was really neat to see the families coming in getting their resources for the summer. families
eating pizza, students, uh, sharing books and games. It was a good time. Community partnerships. We thank Atlantic Care for being partner. EHTPD, EHT emergency management, project graduation staff, um, our ED Foundation
who sponsored scholarships and mini grants, went to the dinner last night and we honored our students who received those scholarships. Reed's Farm Market. Um, I see Liz, Miss Butcher here, who uh reached out early in the year and shared the
importance of maybe connecting with Reed's farm. And I went over and met with um Cookie and her staff. And now Mr. Patel and our uh food services department have made those connections and that partnership. And it's awesome because it's all about fresh produce uh
lettuce, cucumbers, and strawberries being served in our cafeterias. Atlantic Prevention Resources um that they shared their their resources with us and as you see the mock trial I'm sorry not mock the mock car crash that occurred at the high school was our emergency management
at the town and Jeff Ziggler who speaks on Holocaust just did presentations at Miller school and I believe the high school last week saw him Friday said he always has a good time this is lead day at Miller there pictures that Mr. batterish B shared all the fun the
students had out with the emergency management crews. Okay. And now I would like to start uh our presentations with our athletic teams. Mr. Kevin Rutled, who is our athletic director, is going to assist me.
All right. He's got a plan here. We're going to begin with our high school boys volleyball team. And what an exciting group uh this group is. I am beginning to study volleyball more intense these days and um it's just amazing to see
some of them are really tall um um how that ball is spiked and this young gentleman up front here he can really spike a volleyball but I'm going to let um Mr. Rutled and coach Christian explain a little bit about their season
and why they are the champions that they are. You guys look good. I love the shirts. Thank you. There you go. Um, so first of all, I'm going to embarrass coach a little bit here. Um, volleyball here is about was it six
years now for boys volleyball. Um, three years ago, we have enough teams in the Cape Atlantic League because, as you know, in the HT we're one of the first to start anything around here. So, um, now we have enough teams in the Cape Atlantic League three years ago to start a tournament. So, now we have an annual tradition at EH where we get to host that tournament because we're the top
seed um, year in and year out. And these boys and the work that they put in is a testament to that. A lot of these kids are going to be able to move on to the next level because of the the competition that coach Ouij puts in front of them. He could easily stay in the Cape Atlantic League and just play the teams that are locally around here,
but he challenges this group. They travel they travel an hour, hour and a half to games to play some competition. Uh because they need it because they're that good. Um they set a school record here with how many was it? 22. >> 23. >> 23. I'm I'm assured you won.
23 wins uh this year which is pretty incredible. Uh to three losses I believe correct four 23 and four up close. >> All right u but here I'm going to let coach talk about specifics and what makes this group so great. >> Hi everybody. Uh so yeah so um these
boys are 23 and four this year. They broke like nearly every school record that you possibly could terms of volume stats and efficiency stats. Um and yeah it's just the program growing in the making. So, four years ago, we were able to start a freshman program. Uh, and
these seniors, some of the seniors here, how many of you were on the freshman team that year? Uh, and we knew that by getting them a place to play and so that they didn't have to compete with the sophomores and the and the juniors for JV time, uh, would flourish into something great and this year is the
culmination of that. So, yeah, so we were 23 and4 overall. Uh, we were 16 and0 in the Cape Atlantic League, which is pretty spectacular. And uh I don't know if you read the article in the paper a few weeks ago, but uh we are overall in our six years, we are 70 and seven against Cape Atlantic League
opponents. So we're proud of that record for sure. Um and it's a testament to their hard work, their dedication uh to learn the game and to grow the game. Uh their dedication to work with the middle schools to help kind of mentor those guys. Uh I see some of our colleagues, the bus drivers who got us to all these
games. I appreciate you guys for getting us there. Uh they're just as much to get credit cuz I have them driving to Hillsboro or Old Bridge and you're like, "How many hours is that?" I'd be like, "I'll get you home after dinner tonight." Uh for sure. So uh without them, you know, we wouldn't be able to
challenge these young men uh to help them achieve their greatness. So proud of them, grateful for you guys for being here and doing that. Uh yes. So our first one is not that's not of course uh is John Leak. junior setter.
>> Uh JD Biglia, junior setter. Sorry, all the way down. >> Get them all the way. >> Okay. Dark Lawn, sophomore. >> Darko uh led our team in kills as a sophomore. Kills are uh sorry, it's called a kill. It's a terminal hit like
a spike not not a violent game and that um yeah sorry so yes so when you terminate the play with a spike it's called a kill in volleyball and Darko uh unanimous first team capable landing league allstar as a sophomore pretty spectacular so thank you Darko great job
Dylan Gonzalez sophomore uh Thomas Nordicvichu senior here. Thomas's season uh unfortunately was cut short with a knee injury, but uh Thomas, I would have imagined would have been a first team cable landing league allarcer this year, too, if he had gotten to play. Uh but he's got surgery coming up
in two days. Yeah. So, to repair many things. Um, so I I want to just mention Thomas's courageousness uh with dealing with that and his optimism with dealing with it and his dedication to come each and every day and support the team even after the fact that he couldn't be there. So uh that just shows how much a
family volleyball is. Uh I'm fortunate enough that I also coach in the girls team and you can just see how tight these young people are uh with each other. So I'm grateful to be part of that and witness that. Uh senior Brian Lee Uh, sophomore Mai Whitehead.
Mai was a second team cable landing league all-star. Uh, which features bright. Got a couple sophomores who are touching the ceiling practically, right? Uh, not yet. Uh, sophomore Mick Stickle. Senior captain Ifas Husan.
Ifas was also a first team cable landing league all-star and broke a couple school records, but most mostly uh career digs. He was our our back row defensive player. So, uh, good job. What's do you know what what's the what's the record, Nas? Uh 383
>> 383 383 career digs. Great job advance. Uh Maji Magenoi, Junior Libero, uh senior Bryce Lake, captain. Bryce Lake also uh set a school record. He first team Cable Lang League All-Star
uh school record in career kills. again, terminals stats. Uh, 534 career kills. >> Yay, he's amazing. >> Price Lake playing at Drew University, uh, representing us Drew University next year. Uh, so we'll, don't worry, we'll
schedule some Sorry, Buster. We're going to schedule a game up in Drew by Drew so we can catch him play afterwards. So, >> I'm going to read it. >> And everybody, >> that's everybody. I hear it, right? >> Yeah. Yep. >> All right. Boys volleyball team. Congratulations to them. If
>> you don't mind, Dr. Ger. So, I just wanted to recognize I asked these guys to wear last year's Cape Langley Championship jerseys. I'm excited that next year it'll say backto back Cape Atlantic League champions. Congratulations to them. Dr. >> I just want to read what their certificate says. Hangover Township
School District Superintendent Athletic Award um high school boys basketball volleyball team and um their 2026 Cape Atlantic League champions and coach here's a um certificate for you. All
right, but we have another recognition. Yeah, take and gentlemen congratulations to you. It's not an easy task. I did have an opportunity to watch you play three or four times this year and I was quite quite impressed. So keep it up. Um I'm
learning the game. You guys are growing the game and you represent a township high school and our community as champions. So thank you. >> Do you want everybody or >> Bryce? If you wouldn't mind, could you just step forward for me for a second
there? Uh so um as an athletic director uh at the end of each season we have votes for um different criteria of aspects whether it be a person that comes uh that that comes back from a serious injury or whether it be a person that persevered through hardship um or
whether it be in Bryce's case the spring Cape Atlantic League athlete of the season and we got the opportunity. So, we are talking about nine sports in 22 different schools and we are talking about the male athlete that everybody
looked to that said, "This kid stood out." And when I brought it up at the meeting, you know, of course, I had coach send me um all his incredible stats and nominations and all that. Uh when I brought it up at the meeting, athletic director looked at me go, "Number 19." And I said, "Yes, number
19." Uh cuz that's how much he stood out and how much you impressed everybody did. And and from my side of things, I know I don't get to coach with you every single day, but I can tell you from from looking from the outside in, you might be a better person than you are a volleyball player, okay? >> Because it it was incredible to watch
you both on and off the court, and I really do appreciate you. All right. >> All right, volleyball team, thank you so much. You are now dismissed. >> Thank you, Dr. Thank you, Coach Reese. I just want to
add Christian is a graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School and when I served as principal, we had many, many conversations and I'm just want to say I'm proud of you. Thank you. >> Okay, moving on to our crew team out in the water.
That's John Kelly. >> Some more tall gentlemen. Oh, yeah. >> I'm just feeling really short today. Okay. >> Okay. All right. So, we're going to begin by uh recognizing our Atlantic County champions for 2026, our high
school boys crew, varsity 8. Um, so before we allow coach to introduce and say things about the team, I just want to go over the fact that I I say this to to the crew coaches non-stop about how I I think crew might be one of the most sports that I respect the most due to the dedication that it takes to
be successful. Every single day these guys are working whether they're at the school, whether they're on the river or whether they are at home. Um, you know, these kids are non-stop. They're doing everything they need to do to be successful. And I always say that the the the
idea should be about the process, not the results, because the results will follow the process. And that's what's happened here. We have how many years in a row now, coach? >> Four. >> Four years in a row, they are Atlantic County champions. >> And I think the trophies, is it this big?
>> They make them big. >> All right. without uh what I what we'll do here is go to will announce their names and I'll come down. >> Okay. Uh our first we have our Coxim Pereier Periq. This is Perever's Pier. Come on down.
>> Pier's first year in the Varsity 8. He uh has I don't know for th those of you that don't know, but the Coxin is uh invaluable. There's only one of them in each boat. He steers, he guides, he coaches, uh, and he motivates. So, he's he's, uh, got a lot of talents, and he
sometimes has to put up with a lot of business from the other guys, but but he pushes them hard and does a great job, and we're lucky to have him. Uh, next is Guido Vicero. Guido is one of the great leaders on our team. This is his third year in the
Varsity 8. uh the past two years he's rode stroke seat which is the seat closest to the coxin. He and Pereier have become very good friends. Um sort of but uh they uh they get along great. They work well together and uh it's uh
it's imperative to have that kind of relationship you know in in this sport. You know it's really a collaboration uh from a lot of different levels. You know you have a leader like Guido working with uh someone who's fairly new in Preier and kind of teaching him the ropes and and Pierre relaying what he
sees. It's uh it's a unique relationship in sports. Uh next we have Thomas Corkran. Tom rode seven seat. He is not here tonight. Uh then we have his uh cousin Daniel Corkran. Daniel, this is Dan's uh second year in the
Varsity 8. Uh he's uh one of our stronger guys. He's uh he's a great leader. He's leads by example as much as anyone else does. Uh always willing to help out and get get us on the water, help get us off, and uh great motivator
in general. Uh next we have Lucas Jackson. Lucas is the young buck of the group. He uh is a s just finished his sophomore year, first year in the boat, and has uh made tremendous strides from his freshman year. uh really matured, grown
up, and we're we're looking forward to having two more years from Lucas. Uh next we have Shane Butcher. Shane, uh Shane's first year in the boat. Uh he will be taking his talents to Jacksonville University where he will uh row for the for the college team there.
Uh Shane is uh done a phenomenal job of of improving uh being one of the more powerful guys in the boat and in general uh just a great great leader through attitude and uh example. Uh last uh next
sorry uh we have Roco Ricardi. This is Rocco's third year in the Varsity 8. uh he uh he came on as a sophomore. Uh he reminded me a few weeks ago of how much time he spent on the rowing machine between his freshman and sophomore year to build himself up and
uh has been doing a fabulous job all three years. We're very lucky to have had him and and uh Rocka will be taking uh himself to St. Joe's University where he will row for their their crew team in the fall. And now we have Aiden Folultz. Aiden
this first year in the Varsity 8. Aiden's going to be a senior, so we'll be having him back. Very fortunate to have that. Uh Aiden Rose uh up in the front of the boat and you know, he's one of the more technically sound guys on the team. Uh does a great job, has a
very sweet stroke. uh you know, we got to get him uh to uh be one of the bigger leaders next year as we get into uh his senior year. So, looking forward to that. Uh Reed's not here tonight. That's it. Okay. Yeah. So, uh one thing I would
like to add, this is the varsity 8 RA uh team. Uh but we we have other other events that we row in. And uh this year we won the boys trophy for the cow which is uh the second time we've done that in the past four years which is uh a bit of an achievement. You know you look at at
the other teams we go against the mainlands the um St. Augustine Preps they're all much bigger teams than we are. They enter more events and you know can score more points. So when we can do something like that we feel like that's quite an achievement. Uh we really do have a complete team and that's always a
nice thing to be able to do and say. So, thank you. >> All right, gentlemen. Congratulations. >> You're all set. Thank you. >> Coach Coach, you have to get your certific certificate. >> Okay. Thank you, coach. And gentlemen,
very, very proud of you uh to represent Aar Township High School in Atlantic County. Um it's a hard task. I know you're out there in what, midFebruary? It's it's cold out, windy. Um but you persevere and you China's champions. But before you go, how do you line up in the
boat? Can we see that? >> Where's the coxman? >> We're rowing. Which way? Which way are we going? We're going that way. >> We're going this way. >> In the front of the boat. >> Okay. All right. >> All right. May you always remember your
positions as champions. Congratulations. Thanks, John. Okay, moving right along. Mr. Lledge is going to speak a little bit about another team who are Atlanta County champions, our high school boys, track and field.
>> Coach P, do you mind asking our track athletes come on out? do them separate too. So tell a little bit about the team. >> So these are our two of our exceptional track athletes. These young men were h happy to be a part of our 11th straight
Atlantic County Championship for boys track and field. First one I'm going to talk about and I have some notes here because we have some incredible athletes here. I know it's may maybe not be the best one just because right after you win a section championship, you're you're gloating a little bit. I can see it. Okay. U but
no, that's it's pretty impressive. Ari had an undefeated Cal Ch uh competition season. He was the Cal tournament champion two years in a row. He was a Cal Group 4 South Jersey champion and his time of 1403 was the third fastest in school history for the 110 hurdles.
I guess I forgot to give your certificate. Congrats. >> Next is Xavier Cool. Xavier was in also an undefeated Cal competition season. Two-time Atlantic County champion, a state qualifier in three events, the 4x1, 400, and 400 hurdles, and the 400
hurdles section champion. Gentlemen, once again, thank you. Is this on? >> Maybe >> testing. Hello. >> Use gym voice. >> Gentlemen, once again, thank you so much for your contributions to the athletic department, not only with your individual competitions, but the
standard and the bar that you guys set for everybody under you, whether you know it or not. Those freshman, those eighth graders, those seventh graders are looking up to you and they want to be the next Xavier, the next AR. All right. Thank you guys. Congratulations, gentlemen. We are very proud of you. Thank you for
representing our high school um not only in the county but also throughout the state. Thank you. Okay, continuing moving on to golf. She's girls golf. There she is. I embarrass you a little bit. Juliana
is one of our most accomplished female athletes that we've had in this building. Juliana, I get again I had to write this stuff down because there's so many awards for you. U but she is a threetime Cape Atlantic League champion. He is a twotime Atlantic County
champion. And that would be more except we didn't have an Atlantic County championship until two years ago when our coach decided to start the whole championship up mainly because I think he might have had a ringer. I'm I'm guessing. But um at the end of the day, it was a pleasure
watching you out in the course. I tried to get around as much as I could. Um, you represented us with class, character, and dignity everywhere you went. Um, and the last one I forgot to mention was you were also a 2025 um, South Jersey coaches tournament individual champion as well. I didn't want to leave that.
>> Julia, you will be missed. Thank you so much for your contributions to us, to the county, to the community, and I hope you come back and coach one day. >> Thank you, >> Juliana. Congratulations. We're very proud of you and you know golf is a lifetime sport so you know whether you
take it on in in college um but definitely you'll be you know something good to know and be able to do and you can ask any of us who participate in golf tournaments it's very difficult so keep keep it going hit them straight all right
okay this award uh this recognition uh has is not something that I stand up here and and do every year. In fact, um this goes back to 1999 since uh a female athlete
from Herbert Township has received this award award. As a former coach, um I know it's like it's it's an award that is just amazing to have an athlete receive. Um it's it's covenant. It's it's prestigious. And um I can't say how
how proud I am to be able to have an athlete here in Egg Harbor Township to um win the 2026 old grad award. And uh Mr. Rutled will explain a little bit about the criteria and um a little bit more about Casey Valardi who I remember
when she was born. >> Uh so first I want to take some time to explain as Dr. Gucha said the old grad award. So, the Old Grat Award, um, every school in Atlantic County gets to nominate one male and one female, and they have to be a multiport athlete. They cannot just play one sport. Um, and
of course, that means the world to anyone that's grown up in a life full of athletics like myself is someone that takes their time to be great in multiple things. And that takes a lot of dedication because, um, in this day and age, everybody's pushing you to do one
thing, do one thing, do one thing. And to me, that's a travesty to kids. Um, I think it's important to make sure that you're getting a a number of different coaching, a number of different aspects, number of different um, revelations, but going into this, we get to nominate a one male and one female. So, as we do
that, you know, it's 13 different schools. We'll put them out there. Then there's five finalists. And when we put that out there, you don't always get selected. You don't always have a kids. There's criteria based on awards based on um nominations blessed on based on teams based like first team all ccow
things of that nature um that go forward. Casey here happens to be a three sport athlete. She happens to be a three sport captain and she had multi multiple years as well I believe. So this award the first time this award was
given out was 1894. This award's been going on for a very long time as you can see by that board right there. They're trying to fit all the names. I think they need a bigger board. But um as you can see, we're going through this whole process. There has now now that Casey has won with there's only been 11 EHT students that
have won this award. And as Dr. Gucho mentioned, the first since 1999, u from Katherine Skakorski, which I believe she might be a staff member here. I could be wrong on that. Um so long story short, I'm going to embarrass you a little bit about some of your accolades here. Okay. As I said, your
three sport captain, three sport athlete, multiple first teams. I couldn't even list all the teams that I have here. We'd be here till midnight. Um, including multiple South All South jerseys. This year, we also get to nominate a national woman in National Girls and Women in Sports Day where in
the state, every school gets to nominate one person that they believe represents their school and what it means to be a female athlete. They get to go up to Rucker basketball game and compete up there. And Casey was our nominee for that because anyone who has seen this kid compete understands that she understands what athletics is. She
understands what it is to be a teammate. She understands what it is to be there when you're down, be there when you're up. She'll also be playing in the Super 36 this when's the game? >> I already played in it. Okay. Um she played in the Super 36, uh which means
the top 36 senior athletes for softball in the state of New Jersey um get to play in So, it's like basically like a super senior all-star game. She also holds seven records for softball. Single season hits 42, career hits 137,
stolen bases 41. Career stolen bases 109 single season triples six career triples 13. She has a season of 100 uh excuse me, she has 100 runs, 100 hits, 100 stolen bases. Now, George, I'm not a baseball guy, but
she finished this season with a 658 batting average. Is that good? >> That's called filling the stat sheet. >> Yeah. >> So, I I laughed when um you know, midway through the season when coach came to me and we were talking about how incredible her season was going at the point. I
think I think you might have slumped because you were hitting over 700 at that point. And I said, "Why are these teams pitching to her?" And her answer was, "Because if they walk her, she's just going to steal second and third. So, um, just an incredible athlete to watch, not only there, but on the field hockey field and in the pool as well,
um, where she was a major contributor as well. So, um, I'm going to embarrass myself. Remember, last year, and this is, you probably don't even know this. Last year, you were such an accomplished athlete. The end of the softball season, I went up and softball program, for those who know, we've been we've been very strong the last couple years. And
and Casey's obviously been a big part of that. And I went up to her father and I said, "We are sure going to miss her." And he goes, "What are you talking about?" I said said, "Wasn't she a senior? She's been dominating for three years. I just assume that he no, she's she'll be back." I said, "Well, that's awesome." Uh because that's how much she
was dominating from such a young age. Um and that's not obviously that common. So, um again, this is an award that you're bringing home to for the first time since 1999. >> Again, congratulations. We're so proud of you and I know your parents are as well and your teammates. So, thank you
um for making the board for EHT. Thank you. Congratulations, >> Kevin. These are yours and these are some volleyball experts. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Relage. Appreciate your assistance. All right, we have some folks here that we uh would like to show our
appreciation to. Um that is our board of education student reps, Carter Chu, and Aan. come on up. AND I cannot believe a whole year has gone by so quickly
for these young people here to attend board meetings, take part always with a smile. Um the passion that they had when they presented um the happenings that were occurring throughout the month um in our schools. um they're so dedicated
not only to their school, to their classmates, um and to this board of education. So, we are really going to miss you. Um you bring a lot of charisma uh to that table right there. and you set a great example um for those that
will follow. And um each uh board rep will be presented a plaque tonight that they they could look at, but at the end of the meeting, you have to give it back to me because on graduation night at the commencement ceremony, uh you will be presented uh these plaques again um in
front of the public and your the class of 2026. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. I enjoy um your presentations. I enjoy watching you grow, seeing in the high school, uh seeing at volleyball game, seeing at the prom, um even the presentations you did
for New Jersey school boards, and um for for the administrators, um we appreciate you. So, thank you. And I'm going to turn the mic over to the board president. >> I just want to say to um Carter, we'll get to Eva next. Carter um is a man
after my own heart as in bringing life to a meeting. >> We can do business and still have fun and still have a great time because we spend you said we spend a lot of time together. And I just said, "Oh, I got to match his energy. We got to make sure that we're just as excited as they are."
So, thank you for being you. Don't ever change. Ever. Be who you are. And we're very proud of you. You want to read the plaque, too? Just want to read the plaque. It says, "Presented to
student representatives to the board of education with the greatest appreciation for dedicated service to the children and schools of a Carver Township." And congratulations to you, Eva. you, the two of you, I always I don't know if you what you watch on the news, but I watch
um Mike and Alex in the morning and the two of them remind me of Mike and Alex. They have a they're like they they feed off each other. They have a great personality um match together and it's been wonderful having you and having your input and we really
appreciate you all. We're very proud of you to to have you to be our board representatives. Mr. Congratulations. >> Also featured on a Carbor Township Living Magazine, the dynamic duo that they are. So that's speaks to it all. So congratulations. I'd like you to stand
there as we welcome our two new board of education uh student reps. Jackie, you want to come in? So, this is actually a very big process for us. Uh, we had 22 people put their names in to be student board reps, which is a a record for us. And our
representatives for next year are Anastasia Mitnik and Nicholas Nachef. We are very excited to have them here. We've uh we've met a couple times already. they know what the expectations
are and uh and they're they're ready to to fill some big shoes. So, we'll see you guys in September. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Jack. >> Okay. Congratulations and welcome. Out with the old, in with the new. Thank you so much. Congratulations and welcome.
Welcome. Congratulations. All right, just a few uh PR announcements here. Our sixth grade open house will be on Monday the 22nd between 6:00 and 7 at Alder and Fernwood. Uh if you are a resident um have a child in fifth grade and you do not know which school your child's going to, you can
always call central office or Mr. Badisby at Miller school. He didn't give me a hard time on that. Hey, good. All right. Whatever I tell you to do. Okay. We have our moving eighth grade moving up celebrations will be June June 24th. Our
older students will be recognized in right here at the courtyard and the Fernwood students will be in the auditorium at Fernwood. That's that'll start at 9:30 and we look forward to that great event. And speaking about great events, it's one of the greatest events in I say of all of New Jersey.
It's so prestigious and it's just so beautiful. uh the high school graduation which will begin at 6:10 uh right here right here at the um high school stadium. Uh so the class of 2026 beginning next Monday will start some graduation festivities. They will be
walking through the the seniors will be walking through the elementary schools and to uh see their their teachers and have their teachers see how they've grown and have they what they've achieved. And then beginning on Wednesday, they'll have graduation practice. Thursday graduation practice.
They'll have their senior picnic and um other festivities. We have seniors awards this Thursday and the big night will be next Friday um in a beautiful nice sunny evening in Egg Harbor Township. Pushing a little forward into the fall,
our Eagle Fest 2026 will be September 26. If you know any vendors, if you want to share any um thing that you have in in terms of activities or things that crafts or um you represent the school in any way, please let us know. You are all
welcome. Okay. Now, we're going to begin some more congratulations and recognition. And this goes uh out to the what I call the class of 2026 um and our faculty members and staff members um who have decided to turn the
page uh to a new chapter. So how we're going to organize this is I'd like the board of education to come on down to the floor. >> Yeah. >> Dr. Charlton is going to begin >> the presentation and I will do some
reading and we have flowers and plaques. Okay. >> Is that the video? >> Where's the video? >> Which one? This one here. >> Okay. Got it. >> All right. Yep. yours.
>> Right. While we get started, I just wanted to give you a couple of numbers here. Since July 1st of last year, we have had 49 retirements in the district, representing 1,095 years of service. Think about that. A millennium of service.
16 of those exceptional people are here tonight to be honored in person. But we also wanted to give due to all 49. So if you turn your attention to the screen while we take some uh little time and have some memories about some great people that have served our district.
>> Egg Harbor Township School District wishes to congratulate our 2526 retirees. James Alton, James Baldi, >> Valerie Beck, >> Marilyn Lesnik, >> Maryanne Cassidy,
>> Catherine Calhoun, Karen Cope, Donna Craig, >> Julia Datlo, >> Michael Dickerson, Mary Devito, >> Carol Ela, >> Julia Funk, Jill Haynes,
William Hillary, Marica Huntley, Tracy Pur, Jennifer Irwin, Adrien Jackson, James Ella Johnson >> Margaret Kelly >> Nicholas Lovalo Robin Mack
Miriam Martinez John McCoy Margaret McGawan, >> Marie McHugh, Daniel Medica, Danette M. Medica, Rosa Melendez, >> Susan Monty, Cynthia Morris, Albertson,
>> Adriana Orgo, Lynn Peligrini, Kimberly Pettit, Ramon Rodriguez, >> Anoria Skonga, McInness, Karen Semit, Denise Smith, Maria Stouse,
Kathleen Talbakia, Marcel T, April Vicaro, Shannon Ward, Patricia Warren, Jane Wilhelm, Barbara Williamson, Michelle Mimi Wiseman, Catherine Wright.
Congratulations to all of our retirees. Okay. So, in our tradition, I'm going to call up the retiree. Dr. Gio is going to say a few words. The board president and vice president are going to hand out flowers, a plaque, and a certificate. And if the retiree would go down the line, our board members are up here and
want to give you final farewell and say thank you for all your years of service to the district. >> So let's get started. Mr. James Alton, 19 years of service from Alder Avenue Middle School. Okay, James Alton. James is retiring 19
after 19 years at Alder Avenue Middle School as a seventh grade science teacher and advanced science teacher. He transitioned to teaching following a 26-year career at Caesar's Atlantic City. And after 26 years there, he thought that was the end. But little did
he know that teaching science at Alder Avenue Middle School was just the beginning. and he looks back finally on his silver team family, his iron arrest team, and his science department, which is the best in the land. His retirement plans include buying guitars to keep
pace with his brother, and bird watching. He says he would love to teach forever, but unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. And got science? You bet. Congratulations, Jim. Congratulations.
>> You just want to introduce him coming up. Next, >> Mary. >> All right. >> With 17 years of service to the food service department, Mary Devito. Mary Devito. Mary started in 2009 is
retiring 17 years with the food service department. Uh she absolutely loved working in the food services department with her colleagues. Um and she considers it a gift. She considers working with she considers working with the students to be the most rewarding
part of her job and loved making them smile and and she absolutely could with the smile radiant smile that she has. Her future plans involves relaxing, traveling, taking her first ever summer vacation. And remember >> for all of us as she says to dance like
nobody's watching. Congratulations. >> Going to miss you. >> Miss you, too. Thank you for everything. It's a pleasure. Thank you. >> With 34 years of service to the high school, Miss Carol Elwell.
CAROL ELWELL spent seven her entire 34 I'm sorry yeah 34 year career Carol wow in Egg Harbor Township High School in the fizzed staff in the fizzed department in the gym starting in 1991
served at a as a substitute teacher she coached freshman basketball field hockey and track to about 1997. Uh, Carol says she views her students and colleagues as the best part of her career and it's an honor to work at Egg Harbor Township High School. In her retirement, she
plans to travel and spend time with her family. And you should. Congratulations. You're too young to retire. You're too young to congratulations. with 48 years of service to the district, Mr. William Hillary.
I don't think I ever saw you cords without your cowboys hat on. >> This man right here is an inspiration. >> He comes to work each and every day uh for to serve his building, his school. Um he cares about kids. He care cares
about the faculty. He is Mr. Eht in the beginning of the school year. He received um an EHT jersey and I you are part of our team and always will be. I want to thank you for your service. We love you. We're going to miss you. You
sure you want to do this? Take it back. But I know they say when you know it's time, it's time. So my man, enjoy yourself. All right. You deserve it. and thank you for all that you have done. You know what he told me? He said, "Take care of this place."
>> Yes, >> I will. I promise. Mr. >> Mr. Cords. >> Mr. Cords. >> Mr. Hillary's nickname is Cords for his love of basketball. with 28 years of service to the
district. Miss Tracy Hurst. Tracy Hurst. Tracy's career in the district began in 1998 working at Davenport and Miller teaching third grade before returning back to Davenport and moving into a title one position in
2012. Tracy feels blessed to work with her teachers throughout the years. She's proud of her award-winning writing and art programs, and she traveled to Mexico to study monarch butterflies to create a monarch butterfly curriculum, and that was through the Geraldine Dodge
Foundation grant, something not everyone receives as well. So, uh, Tracy is very proud of that, and she's very proud of her students. And Tracy, thank you for serving us, um, your career here in EHT. We appre appreciate the work that you've done in and outside the classrooms.
Thank you. Good luck to you. With 24 years of service to the district, Miss Robin Mack Robin wanted us to know that she was hired by Dr. Heiri and um she went the alternate route in education to get her K to five cert and later served as a
title one teacher and she became the parent coordinator for for title one at the Miller school. She's in instrumental in bringing fun motivational activities to the students and staff through the Renaissance program. And she's proud of dancing with the staff, her pumpkin
decoration projects, pep rallies, and employee incentives that she's been part of. But Robin is a dedicated educator. Um, and she plans to travel, too. Prague, Indonesia, Portugal, Hawaii, on and on and on. So, you go, go, go, girl.
Um, we thank you for planning uh the family nights. Um, she's thankful for her colleagues and she considers them lifelong friends and she's an avid bird watcher and wants to increase her bird count and spend time with her grandchildren. So, good luck to you,
Robin. Thank you. Thank you. with 22 years of service to the district. Miss Margaret McGawan. >> All your principles are here. >> You got a hugger. Margaret McGawan came to teach to at Egg Harbor Township High School after a
number of teaching number of years teaching at the elementary grades at Davenport. She's been a fierce advocate for her ML students and has worked hard to help them find their voice as they got used to a new language in a culture here in the United States. We thank her for helping to prepare her students for
life after high school graduations. Margaret, thank you so much for your dedication and your service. Thank you. Good luck. >> With 25 years of service to the district, Miss Marie McHugh. not here. No,
it >> Marie must have not been able to make it tonight. So, we will make sure she gets her award. And we are going to move on to Mr. Dan Medica with 24 years of service to the district. There we go. Dan Medica has spent 24 years teaching
sixth grade at Fernwood Avenue Middle School and he says that was the best life. He has the best life doing so. He's his major highlight of his career was working with colleagues to create the annual sixth grade Greek Olympics which has been going on for 20 years or so. Um he is moving to Maryland to be
closer to his family and hopes to continue his passion for teaching in his new home in his new state. Dan, good luck to you and thank you for serving our students with 25 years of service to the district. Cynthia Morris Albertson.
Cindy Albertson is retiring after 25 years with the transportation department. She served on many committees at in the transportation department and she found training new drivers to be the most rewarding experience of her career. Her retirement plans include relaxing on sunny beaches
of Florida, volunteer in her new community, and spending time as Nana to her grandchildren. Cindy, thank you. I had the opportunity to recognize Cindy at the transportation barbecue uh on Monday. And uh I can't say enough. I mean, I'm going to miss you. We're going
to miss you. your dedication um to the transportation department, to the students, um to to sharing the expectations of transportation, the expectations of what it is to ride on a bus, and then to to hold students accountable, to hold staff accountable.
It's all because of safety, right? And you do a great job, and that's why you're selected to be the trainer for our new drivers. And um I encourage you, I know you're going to Florida, but you know, we really could use that position to help us out. So, if you ever feel like volunteering or whatever, we're
here. All right. So, thank you, Cindy. Um, we go way back. We had her her boys in in in high school when I was principal and uh we we formed a relationship, but uh always dedicated. >> Yeah, I we talked to you on the phone a few times, but anyway, but uh feel free to give me a call. Enjoy your
retirement. Good luck to you. Do you need some more? Huh? Do you need some? >> Yeah, she's >> all right. With 24 years of service to the district, Miss Susan Monty. The food services department.
Food services department has a good time. Susan Monty retiring from the district with 24 years of service. First joined the team as a substitute cafeteria worker in 2001. Was officially contracted as a permanent employee in
September 2002. always always a smiling face in the Alder cafeteria. Uh she treats her students like they are her own and she welcomes everyone students, staff, um administration, always with a smile,
always having a good time. You sure you want to do this? >> Oh, all right. I don't cry. All right. Congratulations. We appreciate you. We appreciate your your enthusiasm and um that's going to be missed. That fire that fire you have.
So keep it going wherever you go. So good luck to you. All right. 25 years of service, Miss Kimberly Pettit. Kim's journey is filled with passion. She says that
teaching is um not a career but it is a passion, it's a calling and um that really tells a lot about about Kim. She's a has taught third, fourth and fifth grades uh K to3 GT PEP. She's
named Miller's teacher of the year in 2013 and has played a key role in launching the district's advanced math and renaissance programs. She has fond memories of the Renaissance activities, the Penny War, the Winterfest, the Miller Mural, pep rallies, and the Phillies game with staff. She plans to
travel the world with her husband, read more books, and attend concerts. Uh, an EHT school district will always have a place in her heart. And um, I saw your name on there. I'm like, whoa, you're too young. But all right, go have
fun. I'll let you go. I appreciate it. I had a great time working all the committees that you served on. I appreciate all the work that you've done. So, good luck. >> Do it while you can. Do it while you can. >> You got it. Thank you very much.
>> All right. with 27 years of service to the district. Miss Karen Semit Karen served Egg Harbor Township for 27 years, starting as a high school guidance counselor before becoming the supervisor of health fizzed in nursing in 2004. She's proud that her daughters
received defined education within the district. In retirement, she plans to spend time with her aging parents, sleep in, and enjoy books. Congratulations with 29 years of service to the district. Miss Shannon Ward Shannon is retiring after 29 years. She
grew up in Egg Harbor Township and has served as a teacher in multiple grades and as a Renaissance adviser. She considers EHT her home and treasures the impact she had on her students. Her retirement plans include moving to Maryland to be near her family and would
love to work in a public library and travel to Scotland, which is her dream trip. She also wants to visit US national parks. She admires Dennis Bert. Had to put that in there. I just saw him last night. It's looking good. Yeah, I would have told him. But anyhow,
congratulations to you and good luck in your retirement. >> She already has a job lined up in her retirement. She wants me to tell you she's going to be the library assistant in Northfield. Very good. Amy.
>> All right. From our wonderful transportation department with 32 years of service, Michelle Mimi Wisman. >> Don't worry, I got stuff. I got stuff. >> Yeah. Sorry I missed you on Monday. Um, you were out driving the bus. That's okay. That's what you No. No. So, Mimi
Wiseman has been part of the district since 1994. She was a familiar face to everyone in the township and widely known to her students and community members as bus number 11, Miss Mimi. Um, she loves the township. She loves her students. Uh, again, a big piece of our
transportation department. Um, you know, had high expectations for our students. all around safety but had a good time where she was wellliked and you're going to be missed and I already heard your students are a little concerned that Miss Mimi is not going to be there so in
the bus back. >> Okay. Okay. You're welcome. Come on back. Come on back. Thanks John. Stay honor. So Mimi are >> good luck to you. Appreciate you. with 25 years of service to the
district. Miss Katherine WRIGHT Cat Wright began her career in fifth grade when Alder Avenue served as an intermediate school. In those early years, she says, helped shaped her passion for education that led me to the last 18 years teaching in
8th grade ELA. She's taught in the same classroom at the Alder Avenue building for entire 25 years. I I don't know if anybody can say that. That's pretty good. She spent 18 years uh as I said, teaching the ELA and
um she has fond memories, right? So she loves how things can always improve for the betterment of the staff and students. Um the eighth grade stepping up ceremony she believes is a wonderful event. There's some change she has seen. Me many memories stand out as the project piece mini grant.
This grant allowed our their classes to take a trip to Stockton and a college to attend a live performance and meet Holocaust survivors afterwards. The blue team will always hold a very special place in her heart. The motto is blue team rocks. blue team rocks that
reflects their spirit and bond that they have as educators. She also participated in the cake club which will also be a special memory that she will cherish the great time celebrating birthdays throughout the year. It's an honor to serve as an EHTa rep. And she's also
been fortunate to work and learn from exceptional administrators over the year who have supported her growth throughout the year. Their leadership has helped shape not only her teaching career but perspective as an educator. One of her favorite pieces of trivia that she shares with her students is being in
that classroom for 25 years. As she says, "Retirement is bittersweet, but there's three grandchildren that she will serve." Um, there's the talk of the great loop boers who complete the journey are called loopers. So, looking
back, she's incredibly grateful for her journey, the people, and the countless moments uh that have defined her in education. and treat teaching has truly been the most wonderful part of her life. So, Kat, congratulations. Uh, thank you for your service. Uh, going to
miss you. Your students are going to miss you. Um, you know, you're icon here at Alder Avenue and can't go wrong with Mrs. Wright. So, congratulations. I'll bring one and we have a retiree that was able to join us at the last minute. So, with 18
years of service, Miss Jennifer Irwin, come on up. How many years? >> Jennifer Irwin, ELA teacher at Miller and Fernwood. She started a career at Fernwood, served as an NJA rep. She uh has her memories are collecting items
for soldiers each year um during the holidays. The stockings for soldiers. Thank you for doing that. Very very important. Um and a great supporter of Renaissance and staff and student activities. Jen, thank you for your service to our students. Um they appreciate um your your smile. Um your
your dedication to them and um just being there for them is means everything to them and to us. So, thank you and good luck to you. I just want to make sure Maria Mcu didn't walk in since we started just in case. Okay, we'll make sure we get her recognition to her. So, what I'm going
to ask is Mr. Vargas has been very nice to take individual pictures and he's also going to get a group picture. So, if all of the uh recognition retirees could come up with your award and or your flowers and we'll get a group picture up here, that would be great.
because we are ready. I know a lot today, but I am not going to recognize this. The last regular. >> Who's that? I know. I saw it. >> Okay. Friends, family members, if you want to
scooch up and get a picture up here, please do. >> Good luck everyone in your new chapter of life. I hear it's exciting. All right, let's try one more time. Three, two,
>> good luck. Thank you. Now that we're done, just always know you can call Egg Harbor Township School District your home and you're always welcome. Thank you. Just a few quick recognitions while we're wrapping up. Dr. Guchio's assistant, Sandy Ferola for all the
plaques and everything. She organizes all that. HR coordinator Tori Bordar, she does all the decorations that you see around here. The Alder custodial crew always does a great job. And our students from the high school communication academy that do the narration on the video. And Mr. Vargas
for organizing the whole video. Thank you to all of you. How about one big round of applause for all retirees before we start? >> Dr. Shriner say stuff elaborate more. Obviously, a lot of recognitions going on. Uh we
have programs uh to highlight. So, we will begin um or continue if you will. And I'm going to hand the mic over to our supervisor of world languages, Dr. Michelle Shriner, who's going to share the model heritage program and also speak a little bit about the seal of
biiteracy. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Tonight I am so proud to share with all of you the wonderful news that our district's Espano Blantes program has been selected as a model program for the state of New Jersey as a model program.
Yes. Thank you. Thank you. So what does that mean? Well, as a model program, we host districts that are looking to implement their own Espano Atlantes program. And in fact, just last week, we hosted two administrators from
a district in Salem County. So, perhaps you've heard the term Espano Applantes. Maybe you're not sure exactly what it means. Um, but our Espano Applantes program is a Spanish program for students who
already speak Spanish to help develop literacy skills at a high level. Just like students who already speak English take English class every single year to improve their literacy skills, students
in the Espanol classes do the same, but in Spanish. The stronger students literacy skills are in one language, the stronger they are in other languages. And this year, I'm very proud to tell you that we have more than 450
Egg Harbor Township students taking Espanol's classes from fifth grade through 12th grade. And now I'd like to introduce the teachers in our program. So if the teachers would come up please as I introduce you. At Miller School, we
have L. Nelly Kena and Nicole Cheney at Alder Avenue. We have Gabby Priestley at Fernwood Avenue. Jenny Dilks at the high school. Oed Perez and Gloria Dear Rosa. It is thanks to the passion and
dedication of our teachers that our program has been recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education. Without strong teachers, we would not be a model program. It this does not happen without their hard work. And I thank
them for their hard work every day in and out of the classroom. Our district is fortunate to have them among the faculty and I am so fortunate to work with them. And we have some students here as well
that I'd just like to call up. Um, and I'm not going to get everybody's name, but uh, we have Jadelis, we have Andres, we have Jeffrey, we have Anelis, uh, maybe Isabella's Kim, and Emmanuel. If you would come up, please. If I didn't call your name, please come up.
And I'm going to invite our two students, Jeffrey and Emmanuel, first here to the microphone to share some remarks with you. >> Um, hello. My name is Samuel Leonardo Castro. I've been going I've been in
EHT. I've been a resident in EHT for the past 5 years. I'm a junior in HD High School. Um, currently I'll say the program has been like one of the most influential influential parts of my life. I love the people. I
love uh the teachers. They are really respectful people. Really encouraging people. They encourage like students to participate in like events like these uh to get good grades. like if somebody's
doing like kind of bad in their classes, they they'll notice and they'll talk to that person uh specifically. Um yeah, it's just a really encouraging program. I I love the program as
Yeah, that's >> uh good evening everybody. Uh my name is Jeffrey Portillo. Uh and being part of this Panavlantis program has been one of the best parts in my high school experience. Uh it's more than just learning a language. For me, it's been about the
culture building uh sharing, creating confidence and creating that meaningful connections with teachers along like the years. And teachers always like encourage us to grow, challenge yourself while making every class feel welcoming and engaging. Again, as the manual said,
it's not only about grace issues, about being there, being present, and like feel what it's like to be like part of your culture even though you're not in a country that it doesn't share as strong as it could be. Uh what makes the program truly special is the people over
the years. We build friendships, your experience, and support one another inside and out of the classroom. And we're like a big familia for the most of us. and I'm grateful for everything this program has taught me and for everyone who has made it feel like home which is gues um I will al also like share a word the
program is hard it it is challenging for a lot of us even though we speak Spanish it's not as is easy as like Spanish 101 no it's like English like honors or AP level English but in Spanish basically
Um even though it is hard you find ways to like work with it and they uh the teachers and at least in the high school cuz I didn't have ispmanlantes in front with um in the high school they encourage you as I said to like work
hard and like they help you throughout the work process and yeah it's really helpful and I'm glad I'm a part of it. very heartwarming um and we appreciate you sharing um your feelings and your
experience. So um very very proud teachers thank you so much for the impact that you've made on on the students participating in this program and this is unique program this not every high school has this um Dr. Dr. Shiner has worked many many years. Um I
traveled to NJ DOE. I know Miss Moss traveled to NJ DOE um to to hear about the recognition as Dr. Shiner uh was recognized for the program. DOE comes in and visits the high school and um top-notch top-notch impressive checks
every box and more uh to put us on the map right and everybody here is a part of that and it's because of you uh that it's successful. So Dr. Dr. Shiner, you too get a certificate for your valuable contributions to Hispano Blantes and recognition as a New Jersey model program. Your effort and professionalism
are sincerely appreciated. So, thank you so much. Appreciate it. I had the privilege of working with Dr. Shriner my whole career here. In fact, I remember her being on the interview committee when I interviewed for assistant principal of the high school. So, we go back five years ago. Yeah.
Five years ago. So, >> thank you. Thank you. Have a great summer. Thank you. Good job, guys. Good job. >> Oh, wait a second. Missing a slide. Did we miss a slide?
Want to go on to this? Anyone want to skip to the next one? >> Go back one. >> No, no more surprises, please. >> No more surprises. >> Although Mrs. >> I know she wants to, but
>> Do you want that? We can. >> Yeah, you up. Okay, we had an administrator's meeting last week and um in those administrators meetings we we share right as administrators we share what's going on in our departments, what's going on um
in schools, how we serve as kids um and the special education teams presented to us and shared with us um a grant that they received. I was like, "The board has to hear this." And I know it's a long night, but the board has to hear
this. Um, it's quite impressive. And, um, they're going to share a gamma presentation >> on special education. >> Just kidding. So Pam Henley, this director of special education is looking at me and um I'm going to hand the mic
over to you and you're going to introduce your team and uh talk about your systematic change for inclusive education. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Um I have Christina Adam here with me who is one of our special education supervisors and Kim Cavino. We had applied for the New Jersey All-In
grant, which is a grant to help support inclusive education in the schools. It is a three-year process, and it is a long process, but we were awarded it at um Swift Slayball School Complex, and so Christina has been spearheading this and
this was one of the presentations that we had to do. We had a wonderful inclusion night the other night or when was that? That was April. >> In April and it was a very nice turnout. We had a lot of people there, but I'm going to let Christina um go over this. And all right, so we're going to start
with what is inclusive education. So, we are trying to get all of our students to learn side by side. We want everyone to feel like they belong here and really work together to have an amazing opportunity for education. Um overall we've implemented a lot of uh staff
training um in the universal design learning and inclusive strategies and we're really trying to get more community engagement going on families and partnerships involved. Um when we have more support with at home then we see more carryover within our you know our classrooms. Um and it's just really
nice to be able to communicate with our families and have them be a part of their students education. So where we're headed right now we have a three-year vision. Um, we want to make sure everyone feels safe, valued, and included. And by our five-year vision, we really want to be able to make it
meaningful. We want to have it make sure that the impact is there. What we're striving for is appropriate for everyone. We want everyone to feel safe, valued, and included. And of course, make sure that their academic is on par with being with everyone socially and emotionally.
So, here are our numbers. Uh, currently in comparison with the state's inclusion numbers, we're really not too far off. We're doing really great. Um, and we're really hoping with this grant we're going to be able to mirror all the things that we're learning for inclusive practices across the entire district. Just because it's for Switzall doesn't
mean that it's only for Switzall. Um, we have been working with our supervisors and our teachers to be able to implement a lot of the things that we're learning. Um, so yeah, we're hoping by next year to be able to increase our inclusion by 10% or more. Um, we're hoping to be able
to have more of our students with disabilities in general education settings. Um, we're really hoping to build on our staff capacity. We're providing more professional development. Um, it's really great. The all-in program provides us a lot of Padlets and education so they can do it on their own
time as well as, you know, uh, opportunities that we provide for them. And also again, our culture of belonging. We're really trying to, you know, hone in on the values of diversity. So, what we've done so far with our professional development, um, our inclusion inclusion awareness session.
So, Julie Long's Julie Lang is our coordinator. She's been coming into our buildings, uh, monthly and meeting with us and coming to our specials areas, coming to our our classrooms, seeing what we have as a district and what we're providing for inclusion education. Um, and really just giving us some great
insight of how to make it better. And, um, really proud of our inclusion community night. We had the largest inclusion community night in South Jersey. It is our first one and we had 36 tables um of community and district partnerships and it was really fun
night. We had a really great turnout and um our board everyone came. It was so wonderful to see everybody there and support it. Um so it was such a lovely night and it's going to be uh spotlighted in the All-In magazine. They did a nice write up so hopefully by the end of the summer we'll have that.
So, uh, what's working? We're starting to get more parent awareness and engagement. They want to come. They want to see what we're doing. They're asking to how can we do this? What can we do at home? Um, we've been hearing a lot of teacher success stories in the classroom just from the small things that we've
learned. Um, and increasing teacher buyin. You know, this it's really difficult sometimes to just be able to change up what you're doing. You're get in your natural, you know, environment and you're just doing the same thing every day. when we're changing up the routines and just seeing small changes can make everything go such a long way.
Um, and our lessons learned this year is that change takes time. We didn't realize how much time it takes. But, um, it's been celebrating the small wins. We put some some win walls up and just like a little post note, what was your win today? Even if the student came into class and they were, you know, able to do one small thing, that's amazing. Um,
coaching matters more than the meetings and and then community events really build trust quickly. So having our parents come in and having that partnership with them has been really such a nice experience. So next year, like I said, we're hoping to have at least 10% more for our inclusion um and the inclusive settings.
We're hoping to host it, well, we are definitely hosting another community night hopefully with more partnerships. Um we're going to try to we're currently working with our building principles to reshape schedules, maybe um add in some different adjustments for our extracurricular
um specials. And then also, oh, what was that last one? >> It's not showing. >> Oh, we want to celebrate our wins. Every little every win counts. Um, so if that means we're I'm going to try doing some 10-minute weekly check-in, some extra coaching, and then well, you know, if
whatever didn't work today, let's try something tomorrow. So, we're not going to give up, we're going to keep trying. And just a little nice picture of what we had. Our staff members came in blowups. We had donations. It was just absolutely amazing. the the excitement
in the room was so nice to see. So, and we have been renewed for another year. So, we're really excited to see what next year brings us. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Okay. Ready? So, uh, this is Jamie Ang. Uh, she was
here earlier. Um, she, uh, works in our transportation department. And I was at the WAWA on June 4th at 9:29, 9:26 in the morning cuz I checked it when I took the picture on my phone. And I see this
woman. She's like, she's walking. So, I'm saying I'm like I said I I wrote I was driving. I said, "Are you okay? Do you need help with anything?" I didn't know she was um a bus driver. I know she was an employee of our district, but she was just walking like she was looking around on the ground. And she was like, "Oh, no." She was like, "Um, I was just
out here um because I had a student on my bus." She said, "I'm a I I drive the um I work on the with transportation." I said, "Okay." And she said, "I had a student another student um I guess their stuffed animal. It somehow it flew out
the window. It It was >> Someone either threw it or she dropped it. She had it out hanging out the window. Bottom line is the child was hysterical crying and she was like, "Oh, you know, I'm sorry about your about
your stuffed animal." And she said, you know, she said, "I just I told her I would see if I could find it somewhere on the road." She was out there scouring the ground for this child's toy. And I literally just happened to be I said, "Are you go?" I just thought she
was like her car broke down. She was That's what she was doing. And I said to her, I said, "What is your name?" She was like, "Uh, it's no big deal." I said, "What's your name?" I said, "Um, I want to give you a shout out because you know what? These are the type of people
that we have working in our district." she she you know risking life and limb for the stuffed animal for a child to bring that child some peace and I just said you know what I said I just want to make sure that she gets recognized and she didn't know she was like oh that's
okay I said no we're going to do it so I just want to thank Miss A and if you see her and thank you to the transportation department um for all they do um and we have great people that work here whether you're in the classroom on the bus and just wanted to recognize there.
Okay, continuing with the superintendent's report, we have some reports that are mandated that have to be shared with the board and the public. And we're going to begin with assistant superintendent, Miss Lily Moss, who will share the New Jersey performance report
from the Department of Education for the 2425 school year. I don't even remember how to do this on the regular. >> All right. >> Hi everyone. Um it's been a really great night of celebrations and now George and I get to present our statemandated
presentations for you. Um we'll try to make it as painless as possible. So I am reporting out because the 2425 school year New Jersey performance reports were released. Everything that is in this presentation we have already presented
about before. So all of the data that's in here on student achievement, chronic absenteeism, um the SSDs reports we have presented about throughout the 2425 school year and now the state has compiled all that
into the performance report and so I we are going to just present that again. So, as you know, every year New Jersey puts out the school performance reports. It was a little late this year, which is why I'm presenting it in June. Um, but it is a way for them to compile all the
information about our district, uh, our course offerings, our student achievement, absenteeism, like I said, along with our graduation um, rates and so on. It will be posted on our homepage. You
can also go to the nj.gov gov where you can search by school and by district. So like I said, you will get the school and district overview, our demographic information, information about student growth, our college and career programs, our graduation and post-secary
information. Um, and this is a way for our school accountability. So here is our student enrollment and demographics. And again, this is 2425, not the current school year. Um, so in
2425, we were 50% um free and reduced lunch. We had 17% students with disabilities, 4% ML, um 7% for homelessness, 2% for foster care, and 1.3% for
military connected students. The next will be our student growth overview. And if you remember, we presented out separately about our results from the DM and from NJSLA. Here was our growth in the 2425
school year. So here was our SGP scores. And if you know, an SGP score is what they're looking at for grades 4 through 7 for math and grades 4 through 8 for ELA.
Here is our um participation and proficiency rates from 2425 school year. Um and we know that that these rates are not what we're looking for. This is the federal accountability rate. So this is a little bit different calculation.
Um and we did a lot of work this year in reaction to this score from the 2425 school year. And I'll get into that in a little bit. Here is our graduation rates and pathways. So, um there were federal changes, but they did not impact the graduation
requirements in 2425. And as you know, um our graduation rate is always pretty high here in at um in EHT. So, our four-year rate was 92% and our 5-year rate was 94 94% which is well above the state
average. chronic absenteeism. Last week, last month, uh, Mr. West had reported out about our chronic absenteeism in attendance. Um, across the board, our chronic absenteeism is going down. Um, and this
is something that we continue to work on every year to make sure that our students are coming to school and to make sure that we're keeping them in school once they're here. You can look across at the different grade levels. Um, preschool obviously
has a higher rate. Um, it's hard to get those kids or little ones in every day. Also, any parents out there, you know, that first year of school is a lot of illnesses. Um, and so you'll see that that absenteeism kind of bell curve, right? And then we have our seniors who
sometimes uh we have to to get to school at the end. College and career readiness. Um here we have our percentage of students in the district that are enrolled in college and career took the SAT dual enrollment courses where we are well above the
state average. Um we do offer quite a lot of dual enrollment courses at the high school in all different content areas a lot beyond what traditional offerings are. and of course the very high percentage of students in our high school that earn that seal of bi
literacy which you heard about earlier. Student safety, don't worry, you're going to hear more about this in a minute when Mr. West presents. Um, but here are the numbers in our district. We do a lot around training with our student safety. Um, and if you look at
the New Jersey performance report on the website, you'll see that we have narratives for each of these different areas that explain the intensive and extensive trainings that we do. Um, the way that we practice in our classrooms and how we provide trainings and support
for both our staff and students. Early childhood education, as you know, every year we expand with our preschool grant. Um, and this has been the growth throughout the throughout the few years that we've had the preschool
student supports and services. Um, here is a list of how many employees that we have in the district in relation to the number of students. And like I said, there's lots of ways
for you to be able to look at that. Um, so I thought it was really important just to kind of talk about because this is old data, what we've done in response to the data. So throughout the 2526 school year, we have really done a lot to acknowledge what we had noticed in
that 2425 performance through our state testing and through our absenteeism and the different things that we saw. and we established our PD pathways which was a way for us to have our staff choose a different pathway for professional
development so that we could dig a little bit deeper into the different areas that are affected within this. We um relaunched our professional learning teams and established guiding coalitions in all of our building. We have an early literacy focus. Um we implemented a new
screener in our K to3 using a cadience. Uh we have been piloting literacy programs in grades four to eight. We had a tier 2 website made for math. Uh plus implementation of number sense routines to help get those foundational skills
going in math. Uh PD and coaching for tier three and all of our programs that we have in our K to8 programs. And then we are working on our tier 2 implementation um throughout the district. Our plans for next year are to
continue to grow in all of these areas. I'm excited for the different things that we are going to be able to implement to increase our students opportunities and hopefully grow student achievement and learning for our staff.
That's it. Thank you so much. Thank you, Miss Moss. appreciate the presentation, but also appreciate how you dive deep into the data uh and create um committees if you will to research committees on on data and um performance
and you know creating the um the uh PD pathways just so we have a different angle to um addressing uh some of the data and making improvements in our district. So that's all you and I appreciate that. Now
we have assistant superintendent Mr. George West. >> Okay. >> Again, another mandated presentation SSDs and HIV which you monitor and oversee all year long. >> Y thank you Dr. Gio. Um the principles did call me on Monday and they said uh
Mr. West, are you going to do SSDs? Cuz we want a front row seat. So, you can see the impact um that that um that I have with the SSDS. So, cultivating a safe and positive school climate. Everyone hang with me. It's been a while, but you guys are all doing great.
This is 2025 2026 uh midyear student safety. This is for reporting period one. So, reporting period one is September to December of this of this of this year of this school year. So, the big picture, the things that we
found out from a transparent reporting uh situation, rigorous tracking of mid-year incidents show a significant year-over-year drop in overall investigations. Um, our culture is proactive for our students. Uh, EHT has a comprehensive multi-ter support system, you know, ranging from our
therapy dogs to targeted character education. And as far as our school self assessment, we routinely score uh in the 75 76 77 range year in year out. Kudos to our principles, kudos to our um our sacks. Uh kudos to educating um the
whole school culture uh on ways to be uh productive students, um nice students, right? And uh doing things right day in and day out from a school standpoint. some executive summary mid-year safety climate um um information that we
received. Our total incidents have a little bit of a shift. We went from 87 to 75. So this is remember this is comparing to last year's uh reporting period to this year's reporting period 1. Um so we saw a a rise in substance offenses where we saw violent incidents
decrease. Okay. As far as uh and I thought this was a very important uh data piece um in this presentation, our significant decline in restraint and seclusion, we went uh from 74 um to 45. You can see someone's excited about that
as well in the back. Um so districtwide physical restraints dropped immensely, sharply from 74 to 45. Um we have the DOE who's come in the last couple of years uh to provide um PD uh for our staff and we're seeing the results of that. And then target HIV
concentrations. We had seven confirmed cases for reporting period one. That's pretty consistent the last couple of years of where we've been as far as confirmed HIVs. So this is a year-to-year uh incident comparison from 2024 to 2025. You see
our violence incidents uh went down. Our vandalism slightly went up. Our substance abuse uh did go up. Uh and that is a THC related reason why. Um weapons offense uh no change and confirmed HIV is a slight increase but
like I said fairly consistent. So that gives us a total um of of of 75 compared to uh 87. Uh like I said 21% increase in the violence incidents um decrease I mean and 78% increase in substance offenses.
As far as HIV, this is the legal threshold. This is the definition. Uh the action is any gesture written, verbal, physical or electronic on or off school grounds. They have to have a motivated perceived characteristic um as part of this uh HIV uh law and prongs
regarding these are four of the many race, gender, disability and religion are the big ones. Um and the impact uh when we do an investigation with our student assistance counselors, there must be a substantial disruption in the educational process. Uh there has to be physically or emotionally harm,
demeaning or creating some type of hostile environment. uh this part another piece of data I felt was extremely impressive for us our total investigations went down by 20 uh 37 percentile um from 202425 to 202526
um so we're doing a nice job educa educating our students we're doing a nice job educating parents uh we are thorough in our investigations uh we are a non-discretionary district meaning if someone thinks that HIV is taking place.
We um we open up an investigation. That's that's just what we do and that's who we are. This historical HIV trend slide, this just shows the confirmed cases and the students that are involved. So December, going back to December 2021, uh there
were 10 confirmed HIVs. In 2022, you see nine there. 2023, you see six. In 2024, you see five. And then uh this past reporting period one you see seven the uh light green dot shows the the students that were involved in the
confirmed cases. So you see 20 going left to right you see 25 19 17 uh 13 uh and 16. So you see um you see our numbers slightly decrease a little bit um and the involvement of students uh you know it was pretty um it was pretty
steady through through this uh through gathering all this data. Um the big thing with HIV with confirmed cases, what we've seen is middle school, seventh and eighth grade. Um a lot of inappropriate comments. Um and we learn this through our school safety team
meetings. We look for trends. Uh we look to see what's going on with our students. Uh so I'll be working with our middle school principles and we'll look to put a plan together uh to continue to uh address students and to continue to address that trend. Um, and we have done
an amazing job with that and we'll continue to do that and uh we always preach it's it's not real hard to be nice. Uh, so we'll continue to do that. It's a simple concept. I wish the world would follow that um to a tea year uh day in and day out.
As far as the prevention echo uh ecosystem from a safe school uh climate standpoint, uh divided up in three categories, emotional and mental support, character ed, and positive reinforcement, uh from therapy dogs to ESS, uh to our wings uh program and our
counseling department, uh they play a major part in this. and um Insight's going to take over for effective school solutions and they're going to carry the same responsibilities as far as character ed be good people K through 12 little spot uh little spot of emotions our pacers lessons and videos and spread
which is a component of be good people um throughout the district we we have built-in time uh for these lessons middle school use convocation elementary has it and high school has it built in and we continue to um basically educate
ate our students on positive mood and attitude, understanding others, respect, civic engagement, um self-control. These are all the many lessons that we provide to our students. Communication, healthy relationships, um you know, conflict
resolution, all those things that are important in life uh when you move on after school that we try to teach our kids. And then you see on the positive reinforcement piece the sore tickets uh uh they are a big sell within our district the uh you know safety
ownership accountability and respect. You know kids get recognized for behaving well in the hallways on the buses in the cafeteria um you know um in the classroom. So that is a positive incentive for our kids that they work for day in and day out. We recognize
students of the month. We obviously uh year in and year out have respect and red ribbon weeks and uh I know the middle schools do an excellent job of positive phone calls home. You know, catching parents off guard. They get that call and it and it really strikes a chord and is very impactful uh for our
parents. As far as building a climate of safety, um this is just a a slide that's uh piggybacks off the things I was talking about. Um, we do HIV train our entire staff uh through via public school works. Um, I talked about our school safety team meetings looking for trends
across the district. Um, our solicitor, Miss Elco, um, every year in year out, we meet with our vice principles and our SACs and we receive training on the updates in HIV and HIV law. Um, we have anti-bullying modules. our INRS team
plays a integral part in mentoring our students and like I said the principles make sure that this takes place in their buildings uh because it's important it's important to educate our students it's important to hold them accountable and it's important to follow up and stay through that process um we have spirit
weeks we celebrate a lot that's important it's a it's a a stress reducer for all it's a happy time and a lot of people get involved with that and that's part that's uh important for uh building morale how um and and everyone has a good feeling when they come into the school build in school building.
As far as HIV case followup, um victim and and aggressors, we routinely do counselor check-ins. We we monitor any nurse visits. Um we integrate effective school solutions, perform care, Atlanticare healthy school specialists. Everyone, you know, it's a village.
Everyone plays a part in making sure um that our students are are are doing the right things. We review academics and attendance. We track behavior through Infinite Campus. Uh we have mandated sessions with follow-ups with our counselors and behavior specialists. So
the work never ends. The work never ends. And obviously um from MTSS, PBIS, our climate our climate programs, we stay on top of our kids, schoolwide assemblies, and we have focus character ed education monthly themes that it's important uh for our school district
that we started a couple of years ago. And I believe June is reflection. So that's what we're uh that's where we're at now as the se as the season slash school year is coming to an end. Safety net protocols uh kind of like what I talked about with the victim and
regret and aggressor. We routinely check the academics reviewing report cards, progress reports, doing teacher check-ins to see how the students are doing that are involved in HIV cases. Obviously, the counseling piece uh with check-ins and follow-ups, uh the mentorship through INRS and the ongoing
monitoring, that's that doesn't stop checking in on our students and how they're doing. Uh and obviously the nurses play a huge part in this as well. You know, are you are you seeing students coming to your office? Are they sharing any any information to you? So, the more people that we have involved and the more information that we know,
uh we're able to address our kids. Moving beyond some other things that we do, um, if there are confirmed HIVs or or incidents, uh, where it may not be a confirmed HIV, we check hallway traffic. We try to separate kids. Um, we make
sure that we have a supervision and uh, in certain areas where we think students may be, hallways, buses, locker rooms, and and playgrounds. And we routinely look at our policy 5512 on on HIV looking at conditions and act actively
revising any type of uh institutional policies that may come at breast to us. And the last slide that I wanted to show I I thought it was a cool slide. Uh so it's our it's the eight core elements of self assessment. Um every year we get
graded uh on those eight prongs. You see HIV programs and initiatives, uh, policy training, staff instruction, curriculum skills, personnel, incident reporting, and investigative procedures. And like I said, we're routinely consistent in that 76 range. Kudos to our administrators,
kudos to our Sachs, uh, kudos to everyone that, you know, obviously plays a part in the world of our children and impacts them in a positive light. Some next steps and commitments. Um, submission. We've already done the submission of mid-year statement of asurances uh with a self assessment. So
that's already been posted on our website. Um we will continue to like I said have our ecosystem go prevention of ecosystem where we're targeting and uh we're going to focus on middle school students. I mean we're going to focus on all students but obviously there's a middle school piece that we uh that we
need to target. And then I will present to the board in the fall the whole SSDs uh from um September to June. So you'll get the whole layout of the land and I'll show the progression of where we're at from a school district. With that
being said, thank you to everyone. Thank you for sitting in the front row and thank you for your patience. Appreciate it. >> I'm sorry I'm a mess. >> That's okay. That's right. Thank you, Mr. West. Appreciate that. Um, tonight we sh I shared we shared a lot of our
passion here in Harvard Township um athletics retirement community folks who serve our students and I want to share another passion. One of my passions um and I explained this before I shared
this before um from the time I was born the power of music. And I'm going to speak from the heart. >> Microphone. >> It's on ran out again. And I'm going to speak from the heart
>> and I'm going to speak from transparency and I'm going to speak facts whether you believe it or not. Music in our schools is very, very important to me and to this board of education,
to the administrators in the room, to the teachers in our district. Because music supports learning, emotions, culture, and community. And I'm sure some of the signs that the kids are holding up say that as well. Hold
them high, folks. Because music is linked to memory skills, concentration, problem solving, accountability, and innovation. And it's helped me along the way in my life to express myself, to figure things out, and a lot of times to
release my stress. Whether I play my piano, I sit down and play the guitar. Back in the day when I played the clarinet and the saxophone in the band. Music is training.
It improves our abstract reasoning skills. It's important for math, science, and history. And the research says, and I know it builds eye hand coordination because you get old like me, and you wake up and the hands are feeling stiff. I said, I got to sit down. I got to play the piano. It's
going to keep me sharp because music is a different language, too. Not everybody has the ability or the talents to be able to read music. And I take that I value that that my father taught me that at a very, very young age. Our music
programs here and we see build teamwork, self-esteem for our kids. It's an outlet for stress and I can relate to that. The collaboration and student security and we heard students speak about that. And music allows culture to come alive
and we see that in our schools. It's so beautiful. The songs that the kids sing, the music that they play at all the different levels and age groups in our in our school community. the expression of our students, the costumes they wear,
it speaks to who they are and they get to express themselves, they play, they dance, wonderful performances that we have and it we we're able to express a diverse cultural that we have here in Egg Harbor Township all through music.
Music in our schools builds community. It allows us to celebrate. Our performances are outstanding, second to none, and brings parents in our schools. The participation of parents are so
important to me, so important to the sport of education. Everyone's welcome to our school, but when there's a music event or find a performing event, performing arts event, the parents are there to support. So
with that said, the board heard you. I heard you. But a month ago, we listened. And the report at the end at 11:30 or so at night was there was going to be
research done in the school district. And there was. And there was going to be discussion in the committee meetings. And there were many and I shared this presentation in the last committee meeting uh which was last Tuesday
to show that music in our school is important and to show what music looked like in our schools in the 25 and 26 school year and what music's going to look like in our schools in the 26 and 27 school year.
In the kindergarten, theater, music, and no art was provided to our students. But next year, we're going to have a fine and performing arts course where students will receive those three areas of fine and performing arts. In grades one through three, general music last
year was taught one time per week. Next year it will be taught one time per week as a special for the students. At our Miller school, grades four and five. In 25 and 26, the students
participated in band, orchestra, choir, and general music. In next year 26 27, students will participate in band, orchestra, choir, and general music. In the middle schools
doing our research, we saw in 2526 band orchestra and choir students had every other day for only a half year. Why why would that be only a half year and students were pulled out of their win during the other half the year when they
could? But next year in middle schools, students will have band, orchestra, and choir every other day for a full year. So we're improving the music education in the middle school. Students going to have those courses every other day for
one full year. We're able to work that out. So we're very very proud of that work. and as it flows from the middle school into the high school. Well, first the middle school extrac extracurricular activity is I do want to show that we have band choir and orchestra last year
and we will have the same for next year at the middle school level and at the high school. Look at all those courses we offer in 2526. CP band honors band, CP orchestra, honors orchestra, CP concert choir, CP vocal ensemble, piano lab, theater, recording studio music
theory, Eagle Academy music and AP music theory. That's this past school year and next school year we will be offering the same. So I felt the need to share that with folks in the audience with our board of education and with our community that's
watching. I also want to add that we've many many meetings with principles and the supervisor of music education per fine and performing arts. So he even told me you can say this is Dr. cake approved and uh we thank him for our
support, his support. We thank you all for listening and understanding. But I thought it was a very very important need to share with you how important music is in our schools and it's not going to change. It's not going to
change. So I know some folks were upset um that you know there's rumors that you know Miller band was cut or high school band was cut and this no folks. No, folks. High school extracurriculars 2526. Here's all your different uh groups. And
in 2627, here's your extra here's your groups for extracurricular activities. So, I I I really all the things we did tonight, I wanted to make sure that the board um saw what the work that was done and the public understands um you know
that that we care that we heard um and if anything we improved um the time that our students get music education particularly in the middle school. So, thank you principles for attending the meetings. Thank you Dr. Kadetski. Thank you, Miss Moss, for the work that you
did the curricular wise. Um, and thank you, board, for listening. Right. Um, Madame President, that concludes the superintendent's report. It was probably one of the longest ones, but it was it was filled with happiness and good news. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Dr. Guccio. at this. Oh, you good? >> Okay, perfect. >> At this time, at this time, we have our student reps. One last time. Carter, you reminded me
this is one last time. It's all right. Give it Give it to him. >> Give it to him. >> All righty. That >> energy stretch first. >> Yeah. Yeah. I got to stretch a little bit. All right. Good evening everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight. Uh my name is Carter Chu.
>> Good evening everyone. My name is Eva Nye and today we're going to start talking about our social studies first. So recently our AP gov class took a trip to the state house. Students got to get a tour of the state's capital rotunda as
well as the house and senate chambers. Students were also able to participate in a simulation where they were given a bill to pass. And this bill was on whether or not cursive writing should be required to be taught in the elementary level. Um, I found that this was really
interesting because it was an actual bill that was introduced to the legislature and it wasn't just um something that was made for our simulation. Um, but what they got to do was vote on the bill and also discuss whether or not amendments should be made to it. This
trip was made completely free thanks to a grant that was earned by Mr. Marty, the teacher of APV. APG also took a trip down to Washington DC. This is the second year in a row that students were able to tour the National Archives where they got to see
the actual copy of the Declaration of Independence as well as other fundamental United States documents like the 19th Amendment. Um, and we also got to see the Capitol Rotunda. All righty. So on that same field trip,
we also got to see the old house chamber, uh the Senate chamber and the current house and Senate chambers. And we also were able to visit both uh the offices of Jeff Vandrew and uh AOC. All righty. Um art history. So AP Art
History took a big field trip this year to New York City to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the first time that the class was able to see and actually be able to attend the Metropolitan. Students got a tour of the Greek and
Roman galleries. They got to see a special Raphael exhibit. And they got to explore all the different parts of the museum as well as Central Park, which was right nearby. I I'm telling you, after seeing this this incredible
incredible museum, I want either a marble statue of myself or or an oil painting. I'll take either. Sorry. Um, and the Holocaust trip, uh, sorry, Holocaust class also took a trip
down to Washington DC. They got to see the National Holocaust Museum which was really interesting. Um Carter is going to talk a little bit about Boys and Girls Day. >> All right. So next week uh juniors Anastasia Mitnik and Aliyah Hamid,
Raymond Bonsu, and Daniel Schuling Camp will be attending both boys and girls state. If you guys recall from um when we spoke about this a few months ago, this is a week-long program where our juniors will be able to learn about the form and the function of our US government, the New Jersey government uh
as well as the legal system and just democracy as a whole. Right. Best of luck to them. Okay. And now a little bit about uh music in our district. The high school choir had a very successful spring concert this past month featuring all types of different music from different
cultures around the world. Um, the choir also had their annual trip to Dorney Park where different groups including the vocal ensemble, which is the advanced ensemble, as well as the two ac capella groups, Tonal Point and Acquired Harmony, were able to compete against
other choirs across the tri-state area. Concert Choir, Vocal Ensemble, and Acquired Harmony all earned first place ratings. And one of the other ac capella groups, Tonal Point, earned second place. Vocal Point, sorry, Vocal Ensemble received best overall choir.
And Abraham Michael was named best high school soloist for the second year in a row. So, a big congratulations to him. All right. So, as we wrap up the school year, right, our scholastic extracurriculars are also ending out on a bang. All right. Um, our New Jersey
Science League competition has officially come to an end and may I just say so many of our students did an amazing, wonderful job. um our very own Anastasia Mitnik. Again, she placed third in the state uh for
anatomy and physiology. Senior uh seniors Trina Gro and Alex Griffin ranked third and fourth for forensics and the EHT team that they were actually on would then go on to place second in the entire state of New Jersey.
uh freshman Simran Abir and San Hana Rajes uh ranked sixth and 24th respectively in the entirety of New Jersey for biology and Andrew Gali and Mina Chowry, both juniors, ranked second and 10th in the state for chemistry. The
two of them and the team that that they were on would also go on to place fourth in the entire state for the team-based competitions. One of my favorite parts of June is Multicultural Day. So, this is actually going to be tomorrow. Multicultural Club
is hosting this annual celebration. Um, and the day encapsulates just a lot of food, games, dances, and fashion from cultures all around the world. Um, I always look forward to getting to see everyone all dressed up and getting to try new foods.
Oh, also happening tomorrow is math day at the high school. So, um, all of the AP math classes as well as just the regular math classes, they will be able to come out into the field and we'll be able to actually celebrate uh play games about math and basically just have a
wonderful time outside in the sun. All righty. Um, talking a little bit more about academics, uh, the Fernwood and Alder National Junior Honor Society recently had their induction. So, biggest of congratulations to all the
wonderful, um, boys and girls that were able to be inducted this past week. Um, Nor Eastern Nick, a local celebrity, is coming to visit Miller next week to actually talk about the weather. And this is an incredible opportunity for
the students to learn about the weather, for students to learn about how the climate is changing and what they could do to change it. All right. Uh ooh, cornhole with cops. I know that that sounds exactly like what it is. The student
students at our lower uh elementary schools were able to play cornhole with the cops. And also in the elementary schools at Swift and Slavable, students got to do the ice bucket challenge to celebrate their booster thawn goals being met. All
right, now we have a lot of senior celebrations beginning. Uh, who is starting? Where is it? Right. Okay, Carter's going to start. All right. So, uh I want to say around about 3 to four weeks ago when Eva was
on her field trip to the state house, um I and along with a few of my friends were actually able to attend an academic lunchon. So, uh this academic lunchon was meant to commend a few of the seniors here at EHT for their outstanding academic achievements throughout high school. So, biggest of
congratulations to William Seaman, Bellina Zang, Kiara Michaela Igana, and Olivia Leang um that were able to attend this lunchon at the C view. Uh they were all celebrated for receiving the top five GPA in our school district.
Okay. And last week we had our prom. So a prom is held at Harris every single year and it's organized by the junior uh class. So this year it was class of 2027 which Anastasia Mitnik is class president of. So
big thank you to her and her committee for organizing all of it. Um, we also want to give a big congratulations to um, our king Ari Bell, our queen Paige Pacwin, our prince Blake Wenszel, and Princess Chris Christina Tran. All of
them were nominated and voted by their classmates. >> So, speaking of prom, the Monday right before prom, we had what's called our mock car crash, right? where students got to see a firsthand of account of
what a drunk driving accident would actually look like. So, our mock car our mock car crash exhibited every step of a real life accident from the initial scene inspection, calling the ambulances and the fire trucks, saving passengers
with EMT services and the jaws of life, flying passengers and actually the emergency helicopters and finally the the very unfortunate passing of a passenger which uh led to both the medical examiner and theerary hearse.
Um, it was an incredibly eye-opening experience and an educational experience for all those who attended. So, please on behalf of Eva and I, we would like to extend a huge thank you to the A Harbor Township Police Department, our voluntary fire department, EMT services,
and everyone else who made this wonderful educational experience happen. Also, last Tuesday, our seniors got the opportunity to attend the senior trip to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. Take it
from me, it it was honestly a once- ina-lifetime experience. Like, I'm not saying that just to be, you know, cliche or anything like it genuinely was. Um, we were able to enjoy all the wonders of Hershey Park, the roller coasters, the arcades, restaurants, water parks, so
much more, right? and all in the company of of good friends, our peers, and and dare I say, dare I venture to say like some of the people that I would consider my family at this point. Um, I had an absolute blast. And well, this this may be a little controversial here. This may
be a little controversial, but I honestly believe that it was more fun than prom. I'm just putting that out there. I'm just putting that out there. >> Okay. And tomorrow, June 18th, will be our annual senior award night. So basically in this night, seniors will be
celebrated for their accomplishments over the past four years and uh scholarships and other awards will be received. Uh here students that earned their seals of biiteracy will also be recognized. Some students were actually able to achieve seals in their native
language or another language learned. Um there are a few people that were able to earn two seals including Michelle Anderson, Lydia Bonsu, Alan Mahia Alimman, Miguel Espina Agur, Learta Redi, Rude Rose Selva, Andreas Varela,
sorry Molen, Valina Zang, and Perry Zong. And we also want to recognize Isaac Solano who was able to earn three seals this year in Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Tomorrow, students at our high school will also be celebrating their academic
excellence through um the annual academic breakfast while they feast with friends and peers. These students will be celebrated for receiving a weighted GPA of 90% or higher across all four marking periods this year.
Also happening at the high school are the senior Olympics. So I believe next week every single English class in um the high school will not every single English class every single English senior class sorry will be participating in senior Olympics which is basically um
like this this one-day competition where the seniors will are competing against one another to see who technically has the best English class. And and these competitions will range in a in a bunch of things. There'll be a tugofwar there'll be a mattress run. There will be so many different things, so many
different games that I'm really quite excited for. Um, also happening next week is the district clapout. So, our seniors will be celebrating uh this year through a new district clapout, a district-wide clapout. So, just like how
we have the clapouts that happen at the high school, we will be walking throughout the district um to our old elementary schools to see all of the little kids and all of our past teachers. And finally, graduation.
So, graduation is happening on June 26 at 6:10 p.m. at the high school football field. This will be a remarkable end for the class of 2026. The end of four years
of hard work, studying, volunteering, going out with friends, h making new ones, stress, excitement, laughter, and every single one of the bittersweet moments that made our memories. And as always, Project Graduation will
be held at the high school right after from 11 PM to 5:00 am. So, for those that don't know what Project Grad is, for one night, the school's entire hallway will be transformed um and completely decorated with games and other activities. Um, one of my favorite
parts was getting to see the hypnotist the past two years. It's so funny getting to see your classmates just be like sleepy and like just disillusioned. Um, another one of my favorite parts is getting to do tattoos. There's a bunch
of little stands and you also get to do your own. Um, and also one of the best parts is the food. There's lots and lots of food. Um, I know that I will be getting some nice cotton candy this year. But yeah, as this is the last meeting for Carter and I, we just wanted to say
a big thank you, especially to the board. Thank you for giving us this opportunity for letting us see and hear a little bit more about the inner workings of our district. I know one of my favorite parts is getting to hear about the budget and the um more like
class. What's what is the committee? What is your committee? >> Curriculum. Yeah. And you would begin with a C. Um, yeah, it's always it's so cool and I'm gonna miss it so much. Um, Carter, if you want to say a little bit. >> Yeah, just just thank you all for this
incredible incredible opportunity. Um, it was extremely eye opening. It was extremely educational. I love the fact that you all or or maybe not you all, but some of you guys fight over who gets to second the motions like that. That
that is a little idiosyncrasy that I have picked up on and I have enjoyed every single time. But yes, thank you all. Thank you all. >> And you'll be in good hands next year. We have two very strong minded uh
students. Yeah, excited. Thank you again. Thank and thank you and thank you to both of you for all your hard work, your dedication and um it's been a pleasure to serve with you and you are 100%
right, Carter. That is the I don't know where that what it is. I don't even try to get into the competition. I just say whoever I'm I never I'm like no motion. I don't even even when I was a board member, but that's something we do. But um it's been a joy and I wish you all the best and just know that both of you
are destined for greatness. Whatever you put your hand to do, it's going to be wonderful. All right. All right. So, next we have our public comments for
agenda items only. The board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents. This meeting will now be open to public comments, three minutes per person on agenda items only. If your question pertains to litigation, student or
personnel items, uh, please see the superintendent after the meeting as the board does not discuss these matters in public. Depending on the nature and the complexity of your questions, the board secretary may ask for your contact information so that someone can get back
to you with a response. As a reminder, this is a public meeting and all comments should be appropriate for a public setting made and made in a respectful manner. Please come to the podium and state your full name and city of residence.
And this is for agenda items only. agenda items will be >> talking about um the subjects 10 all the things that >> correct >> okay great um first >> is it
>> it's on now thank you >> thank you um so it was very good I wanted to say a few things about what um the superintendent's report and all the other uh things as well >> I can't do Could you say your name for the record? And typically no agenda
items are items the board is going to vote upon today. The second public comment is for any you would like to talk about even though it's already been discussed tonight. >> That typically what the board does is agenda items are typically the agenda items that the board is actually going to vote on.
>> Okay. So anything that that Dr. Gio or anyone else has presented on would be after the board. Okay, I understand that. My name's Leona Conungle. I live at 28 Winterberry Road here in AHT. I'm sorry that I forgot to say that. Um, so I was looking through the agenda items
and I saw and I understand um uh one of the um the bylaws that you're uh reviewing um about um basically board meetings. Um,
let's see. Uh, let's, uh, 0161. Um, all meetings shall be called to commence not later than 8:00 p.m. and shall end no later than 10 p.m. at night. I know that's a change. I'm sure that's made in response to last week, uh, last month when we were here until
about 11:30. Um, given that it is 9:35 right now and we are just getting to this portion, I'm really concerned that that will be used to keep uh community members from being able to express their
concerns about other things in the district when we don't get to talk about anything until 10:00 and then we are required to end the meetings by 10:00. that does not seem very good for our community. Um,
so if that is something that the board is going to put into effect, I think that you will need to reduce some of uh the other presentations that happen earlier on. Um, perhaps they could be at
different times. uh because I do believe that having all the retirees honored and such is important, but so is hearing from your community. Also, I see that there um you've also have to go through
um there's a new policy or an expansion of the policy on uh publicizing the board meetings. Um I am concerned that by putting it in a let's see an online publication that publishes once a week these should not be things that are
behind pay walls because that would um not be in the spirit of uh making um board agenda items and board meetings publicly available if one cannot reach that.
Is there something else? I think those are the things that I had to do had to say about the agenda items. Thank you. Julia Hunter, Windswept Drive at Harbor Township. Um, I did see on the agenda that is not here tonight but was available online but could not be
downloaded that the two positions at the Miller School for the riffs are on there so I can speak about the music program I presume. I didn't also see drum line or wind ensemble on the presentation about middle school and I would like a followup on that. I also and I'm a
little bit angry because I've been here for a while and I've been here before. I think it is misleading to tell the students that things will remain the same. I excuse me. I'm just going to interrupt because I was just checking. I just want to confirm that there are no riffs on the agenda tonight for music.
>> There were two positions at the Miller School. So, are you telling us those are not the music teachers? >> There are no music positions on the agenda tonight. >> Okay. Because when I looked at the agenda earlier, there were two riffs in the music department. I just want to be clear. >> Didn't say music department. It said two riffs at Miller.
>> I'm looking at I'm looking at Dr. Charlton and who is our director of human resources to confirm that that is correct. So I just want >> So there are two eliminations on the agenda for Miller school. However, there are special education teachers and a reorganization that are also being created in another building to serve the
students. >> Thank you then. That's what I would like clarity on. I appreciate that. I'll be back later though. >> All right. See anyone else for public comment for agenda items only? >> So, I just want to clarify, you brought up the music program. Are we allowed to
talk about the music program right now since it was brought up already? >> That's press items. >> I can't hear you. >> That will be four non-aggenda items >> even though it was already brought up initially. We have to wait.
>> Yes. >> All right. So we'll be closing out our uh public comments for agenda items only. At this time we are going to go to personnel. I do not have anything additional. Madam President.
>> Okay. Thank you um folks for being patient. You learned a whole lot about our school district this evening. Um I'd like to announce the new personnel for Egg Harbor Township School District. >> After the board votes on them,
>> hang. >> Yes. I'd like to have a motion to approve items 11.10, excuse me, 11 2 through 11.9. >> Motion Ireland.
>> I'll make the second of the motion. >> Any discussion? Any discussion? 112. >> Can I have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Bird, sorry. I'm a no
to 11.6 six because while positions that directly serve students are being reduced or left unfilled, I cannot support salary increases right
now. So with regret, I'm a no. I'm a yes to everything else. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Deabarka, >> yes. >> Missyman, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mr. Sloggy, >> yes.
>> Mr. Price. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Gerber. >> Yes. >> I'm clear now. All right. Here we go. So, news new personnel just approved uh to work here in in the in the school
district. I will begin with Ryan Cook, who is the culinary arts teacher at Eagle Academy. Welcome, Ryan. Jennifer Reid, teacher, preschool, Swift Slay Complex. Ralph Pelgi, teacher of preschool at
Davenport, a teacher of special education at the Swift Slayball Complex. Jenna Brungard, Jennifer George, teacher of mathematics at the high school. Joanne Sullivan Cantor, cashier
and assistant cook at Alder Avenue Middle School, Diane Crannish. Okay, two very, very patient people. Congratulations and welcome to A Harbor Township School District. And with that said, uh it is time to celebrate. You probably missed the dinner reservations.
uh know your party, but go on out and celebrate with your family. Welcome. And uh we will be following through. HR will follow through with uh the paperwork steps and uh enjoy your evening. Thank you for being here. Administration, it's been a long night.
appreciate you being here celebrating um our our retirees and our students and I know tomorrow comes real quick. So, have a good night. Jim's hurt. It's hard sitting there.
As everyone is exiting, I just also like to thank uh Committeeman Mr. Castellano for being with us tonight. Jackie, >> thank you. >> This is that thing I got to give you. Sorry. >> At this time, we are going to have our
go to finance and operations. Mr. Smith, are there any updates? >> All right. So, a few questions came in regarding uh some purchase orders, cooperatives, uh a couple things like that, but a few board members sent in questions about the resolution to
transfer into surplus. Uh so, I just wanted to touch on that and and let everyone know how that works. So, the the motion on the agenda is an estimate. Uh and then the actual transfer into the reserve, if any, would happen in November when the audit is complete, and it's always a year behind. So, uh the
the excess surplus that's in the 2627 budget, the 2.6 6 million. That's from the June 30, 2025 audit. So the excess surplus from the 63026 audit will go into 2728 uh budget as revenue. Uh we've been drawing that number down each year to
the goal is to get that to zero. So we're not relying on that to fund the budget. Uh and then talking to Dr. Gio at our next finance committee. We'll go into more detail on that. uh we'll show the last couple years and we'll show the calculation so that everyone's on the same page and we'll send it out to the
full board. >> Thank you, Mr. Smith. Uh Mr. Buyers, you can give our um committee report. >> Thank you. Uh first of all, uh I'd like to thank uh not having to go right after the student representatives because
they've been a hard act to follow all year. So, thank you for putting personnel first. uh finance meeting met on the 9th at 6 pm. We had a short meeting again of an hour and 33 minutes. Uh attending were Mrs. Bird, myself, Mr.
Buyers, Mrs. Gilbert Floyd, and Mrs. Lagi. Administrators attending were Dr. Charlton, Dr. Gushio, Mrs. Moss, and Mr. Smith. Uh first, we discussed transportation department. We completed the second round of bus evacuation drills. We're expanding the Wayfinder
program for September and we're in the process of ordering eight new buses for the 2026 27 school year. Uh food service department. Mr. Patel presented an informative update on the status of food service department and took questions from the committee. We're continuing
with free free breakfast for all students and will maintain the same lunch prices next school year. Facilities. The committee reviewed the outside use of facilities linked to the agenda and several board agenda items including the annual lead water testing statement of
insurance, dual use renewals, a project change order and bid awards for architectural services, fire and burglar alarm services and generator services with the referendum. There's no update at this time. The district's architect and engineer are continuing to work on
project designs. the business office committee. Uh the committee reviewed various items on the agenda including the appointment of the QPA, cooperative purchasing agreement renewals, authorizing account and check signitories, cancellation of outdated checks,
reestablishment of petty cash funds, SJ gas service agreements, and a resolution to transfer surplus to the capital reserve during the audit process. Several items on agenda were reviewed for approval, including monthly reports,
various tuition and transportation contracts, professional services contracts, grant acceptances, insurance renewals, sick time pad authorizations, insurance distributions, and the 2027 prom agreement. Mr. Smith reviewed a preliminary meeting
that was held with the HT Recck Department, EHT Soccer Club, and Cedar Stars Academy about a possible partnership to involve field upgrades for the district and the soccer club. Uh, as more information becomes available, they'll share with the committee.
The committee discussed Eagle Academy quick claiming deed and the June 5th, 2026 letter received from the township. we could discuss the topic at length and we're in favor of meeting with the township before the June 16th board meeting tonight to find a mutually agreeable solution. We'll hear more
about that later. As part of the ongoing 2026 27 budget discussion, Dr. Gushio reviewed the current fine and performing arts offerings at all grade levels and the offerings for 2026 2027, noting that the middle school will increase and the rest will remain the
same. Uh, did I miss anything? Okay. Uh, we recommend moving forward with the action items discussed. Thank you, Madam President. >> Thank you, Mr. Buyers. I need a motion to approve item 8.2.
>> So made second. Ireland >> any any discussion? >> Um, Madame President, I just have a quick clarification, please. Um, Mr. Smith appointment at the QPA. Just to clarify, that's you. You already are
and you're going to just be reappointed. There's no >> correct. Yeah. >> By statute, we have to appoint someone, >> right? Okay. And the other thing is >> with the um the surplus to the reserve account, how much is in there right now? I know I saw it somewhere, but I just wanted to confirm it with confirm it
with you. How much is in the surplus account right now? Uh so it was about four million when the school year started and so far from that we've deducted the bathroom renovation project at Swift and Slayball. So it's about uh 2.5 million.
>> So So we So okay, that's how much is in there at this time. >> Yes. >> About 2.5. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Berg 8.2. 2, right?
>> Yes. 8.2 only. >> Okay. Yes. >> Mr. Buyers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Delabarka? >> Yes. >> Missyman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sepy? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy? >> Yes. >> Mr. Price? >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert Floyd? >> Yes.
>> I need a motion to approve finance items 8.3 through 8.5. >> Mr. Price, I'll make that motion. >> Second. Hyman. See, I can't even compete. Dis any discussion
on those items? Any discussion? >> All right. See, may I have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Bird. on the no to pay off. 60256042 232
604 320 60442. Yes to everything else. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes to everything except for 8.4, which I abstain. >> Mr. Delarka, >> yes.
Uh, Miss Hyman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ireland. >> Uh, real quick, Miss Hyman, you probably need to abstain from 8.4. >> You're on the list. >> I'll abstain from 8.4. Yes to the rest. >> Okay. Uh, Mr. Ireland,
>> yes to everything except for 8.3. PO 600989 604274603923 uh 604182603925 for which I'll abstain >> Mr. Sepy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Price. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert. >> Yes. We are moving on to um curriculum at this time. Miss Moss, do you have any um updates? So, there were a few questions that came
in and quite a few surrounding um our new partnership that we're going to have to replace our current uh mental health provider, effective school solutions with Insight Health. So, we have used effective school solutions for the past four years since the return basically
from COVID to help provide some onsite clinicians to work with our students. um and they their model has changed over the past few years and it's become increasingly
um harder to maintain with cost. So they were trying to build insurance and do different models that that just weren't working for us as a district. So um we are switching to Insight Health. Um we have met with them extensively. They serve many schools in our county and
throughout the state um and have transitioned many school districts from effective school solutions into insight. They offer not only those clinical services for our students but help provide additional services such as clearances in house and providing
families with support to establish wraparound services as well. So, I just wanted to clarify um why we're making that change and and how that change will even better serve not only our students
but but our community. >> Thank you, Miss Moss. Mr. Sepy, would you be able to share your committee report? >> Gladly, Madame President. Thank you. >> Good evening, everybody. Uh we had our curriculum meeting on the 9th of this month at 7:40. Our meetings keep
starting later. Thank you. finance. Um, the length of our meeting was an hour and five minutes. We're moving in the right direction. The members present were myself, Mr. Price, Mrs. Gilbert Floyd, and our attending administrators were Miss Moss, Dr. Gio, Mr. Smith, and
Dr. Charlton. And our subjects discussed were as follows. Uh, we reviewed field trips and professional development as we always do. That's in the right direction. Miss Moss shared that she would be giving a presentation at the next board meeting which you all heard
the NJ state performance reports and that summarized the data for the uh previous year. Uh in addition to that she also shared um information about the lift grant that will be coming uh to preschool. We'll get some literacy in
our youngest uh students. Uh Dr. Grio explained about a collaboration with the township to have seventh grade students submit artwork uh for a calendar that will be submitted through the clean community grant and and we love that. Uh
a chronic absenteeism survey will be sent out uh to families and you'll see that as that comes forward. Links to all summer work were shared. uh information regarding the senior clapout, which we've already heard. Again, we'll that'll take place on June
22nd. The seniors will have a great time with that, I'm sure. Uh a followup on uh the grading committees was shared and uh our pilot program, Otis. So, you'll hear about that in the coming months. uh an
update on the associates degree pathway with Atlantic Cape Community College was given and I'm happy we certainly have made great progress with that as Miss Moss and Miss Elco they did meet with representatives from uh the community college and we're going to we're going to develop a wonderful plan with them uh
over the summer. Again, surveys were given out and they're under analysis uh and we'll hear about them in their entirety in August. ASL uh will be a discussion topic for the 2728 budget. I'm very happy we again
move forward on that. Uh we had discussed actually finance had mentioned this claim deed for June 5th. We met with the township today. So you'll hear about that further. And then finally um part of the ongoing 2026 2027 budget
discussion, Dr. Gushio reviewed the current fine and performing arts offerings at all grade levels and offerings for the coming year and she noted uh that the offerings at the middle school will increase and the rest will remain the same. Uh possible items
for the next meeting will be our continuing uh discussion items, summer curriculum and annual survey results. Our next meeting will be August the 11th at 700 p.m. at the central office. Thank
you, Miss Moss. Anything in addition to that? >> Okay, >> Madame President, thank you so much, Mr. uh Sepi, for your report. And at this time, I will need a motion for
item 9.2. >> Motion Ireland, second by >> any any discussion? Oh, I'll make that motion. >> Is the motion I set her up? I'm sorry. I set you up.
>> I'm I'm sorry. Let me just make sure. >> I I did that by accident. >> I have no discussion. >> No discussion. >> Okay. >> Mr. Mr. Smith, >> Mr. Smith, were you able to determine who made the Got it. >> Okay. That's all I wanted to make sure
we had that so we can move on. So, I said no, there's no discussion. So, at this time, >> at this time, we're going to have roll call. >> Mrs. Bird, >> yes. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Delabara, >> yes. >> Miss Heyman,
>> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sagi, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> I got a red mic. >> Yes. >> Now, my mic is >> It's on. >> It's on now. Mr. Price. Yes.
and Mr. Gerbert Floyd. >> Yes. At this time, we're moving on to our policy committee. Miss Hyman, would you be able to share your report? >> Policy committee met on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 at 5 p.m. The length of the
meeting was 1 hour. >> Okay. Board members in attendance was Mr. Lou Dearka, Mr. Patrick Ireland and myself, Miss Wanita Heyman, administrators attending, Dr. Gushio, uh, superintendent, Mr. George West,
assistant superintendent, Miss Lily Moss, assistant superintendent, and Mr. Dan Smith, business administrator, as well as, um, Miss Elco, our um, board solicitor. Subjects discussed number one, bylaw 0161, call adjournment, and
cancellation. The committee reviewed and discussed the bylaw and agreed to all language requiring board meetings to conclude no later than 10 p.m. unless a majority of the board votes to extend the meeting. Bylaw 0161 is up for one
reading and pending board approval. Now, tonight someone mentioned about this change in the time. I just want to let y'all know we have custodians who get off at 11:00. They need to get in here to clean. And not only that, our air and our heat cuts off at a certain time. So
that's the reason for this. Number two, bylaw 0162, notice of board meeting. The committee reviewed and discussed the bylaw and approved language directing the board secretary to publish legal notices on the board's
official internet site with conspicuous link on the district homepage in accordance with the law which is NJSA 353-1 and bylaw 0162.01. Bylaw 0162 is up for one reading and
pending board approval. Bylaw 0162.01 legal notices. The new bylaw mandated by Strauss Esme was reviewed and discussed by the committee. Key provisions include one, the board's official internet
website must be publicly accessible free of charge with a direct hyperlink to legal notices placed predominantly on the on the homepage. Two, the board must maintain an online archive of legal notices for at least
one year. Three, legal notices must remain on the notices web page for at least one week or longer if required by law before being removed to the archive. Four, the board must submit his legal notices web page hyperlink to the
Secretary of State for inclusion on a statewide public notices web page. The bylaw 0162.01 is up for two readings and pending board approval. Four, bylaw 0143,
board member election and appointment. The committee reviewed and discussed the bylaw and determined that no changes are needed at this time. Policy 8561 procurement procedure for school nutrition programs. This mandated
revision from Strauss Esme was reviewed by the committee. The policy aligns with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture model policy and is required for districts participating in the federal school nutrition program, national school lunch program, and or school
breakfast program. Policy 8561 is up for one reading and pending board approval. Six, regulation 2460.30, 30 additional compensatory special education and related services. Um this
is up for abolishment tonight. The committee reviewed and discussed this regulation which was originally adopted in response to the CO9 pandemic because the underlying statutory uh requirements expires after the the 2023
2024 school year. The regulation is no longer effective and should be abolished. Regulation 2460.30 30 is up for one reading and pending board approval. Other information discussed during the meeting was as part
of the ongoing 2026 2027 budget discussion, Dr. reviewed the current fine and performing arts per offerings at all grade levels. In the offerings for 2026 2027 school year, noting offerings at the middle school will
increase and the rest will remain the same. Mr. West also discussed the possibility of utilizing Strauss's estimate online policy platform to provide public access to the district's policies. The proposal will add a link
on the district's website directing users to the direct district's policy library. The policy committee expressed support for implementing this addition. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, August the 11th, 2026. And possible topics to
be discussed at the next meeting. Policy 5200, attendance. Policy 5600 student discipline and code of conduct. Policy 5516 personnel enabled devices. And that concludes my report.
>> Thank you so much uh Miss Heyman for your report. U Mr. West, um I do apologize. uh did not defer to you if there was any questions or anything we missed. >> Oh, no worries, Madam President. There was one question in regard to policy. The question was, does utilizing Strauss
SMA's online policy platform to provide public access to the district's policy cost us anything? Uh so the answer is yes. The cost would be a onetime setup fee of $1,995 and then an annual cost of $2,240.
Thank you. And did you want to share any >> if I could have 1 minute and 19 seconds to give a short blur? Absolutely. Yes. >> On the hall of fame. >> So the hall of fame committee met uh two weeks ago to review progress and the plan for the class of 2026. The induction process. The committee
discussed e expanding marketing efforts through staff emails, the district website, road signs, social media, parent square, and community partnership to increase nominations and public awareness. The the the screening committee continued to organize nominations, verified candidate
information, and gathered supporting documentation while the selection committee refined its voting process utilizing an initial four-tier ranking system, followed by a final point-based ballot to determine the five inductees. Finance discussions focused on
sponsorships, donations, pre-event meals, and community partnerships. While ceremony planning included venue logistics, um announcements, plaque design, student involvement, social media promotion, and event timing. members reflected positively on last
year's event, particularly the video presentation and student participation while identifying opportunities for improvement, including transportation logistics, um enhanced student engagement, streamlined presenter remarks, and greater promotion of the Hall of Fame
content. The committee also reviewed the projected timeline for the class of 2026. As a as of present day, the nominees have been selected and will be notified in the next couple of weeks. The induction event is scheduled for Friday, September 25th, 2026 prior to the
football game. Thank you very much. >> I believe you stay in your time frame. Thank you so much, Mr. Mr. West. >> All right. I need I need a motion. >> Can I make that motion?
>> Hold on one second. Um, I need a motion to approve policy items 10.2 through 10.6. >> I'll make that motion. >> Point of order. >> Do we have discussion first? >> Do we have what? >> I did.
>> You'd have a motion. >> First the motion, then we discuss. >> Yes. I just want to say we do motion first, then we do discussion, and then we do a roll call. >> Somebody make >> No problem. So, Mr. Smith, were you able to capture the motions? Okay. Any
discussion? >> Yes, >> you can go ahead, Mr. Buyers. >> Thank you. Uh, what are the logistics of dealing with the work that we have to do if we hit 10:00? When are we going to do that work if we can't finish it? >> If it gets voted down, how are we going
to do the work that we're supposed to do? >> Miss Heyman, would you be able to >> I don't understand the question. If we decide to end at 10 o'clock and not extend it, but we still have work to do. What are the logistics to get the work done? >> Because we got work to do, that will
end. If we have work left to do, we have to >> then why make this policy change? >> So, normally we get done by 10. >> So, we can get done by 10. So, the workers, the custodians can do their job. And like I said, everything gets cut off at 11:00. So, yeah.
Is it possible to change the policy as far as custodial staff and their hours and their pay or are we constrained by some kind of contract? >> So, that's something I think we would have to discuss in executive session. That would be a negotiations topic and a personnel decision.
>> Thank you. And and I just wanted to say that um like you said, we have the option to extend uh the time of the meeting um with the majority of the uh board of education. So
our meetings usually don't last that long normally. There are times when we do have that happen um when there's you know situations um or you know the meeting goes long like like tonight. and if there's times when people do, you
know, want to speak. So, this is not an effort to cut the voices of the community members off, this is just um an effort for us to kind of be cognizant of what we're doing. And like I said, we have the ability to extend the meeting.
Madame President, discussion. I was just going to comment on it. You pretty much >> you pretty much echoed my sentiments on that. Um, we do have the um ability to vote to extend it beyond 10 p.m. and that's it. So, if if it does go over, we
can certainly entertain it at that point and continue the meeting. >> Thank you, Mr. Price. Mr. uh Ireland. >> Yes. Um something totally separate but uh related to policy. I just want to emphasize how great it will be to go
with Strauss SMA online policy stuff because the public I don't know if you know if you go on to our policies and regulations you go and you have to put a keyword in that has the subject of the policy and regulation if we go forward with the other uh imple if we go with
the other company if we go with SHMA basically you just put one keyword in there and then it shows up all the regulations and all the policies that go there so it's going to help the public kind of look at every policy that we have and every kind of uh um regulation that we have. So I think it'll be better
for transparency for the public to to do that and then it's just a lot easier and I hope it alleviates a lot of problems. That's all. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Yes, >> I have a question. Is Strauss asked me on it's in this
>> in this policy. Where is it? So other on missedure thing it says other information discussed during the meeting was Mr. West also discussed the possibility of utilizing STR assessment bullet point number two >> number two
>> on her report. >> Okay. Well also back to uh the 10:00 cut off. Could we amend that a little bit? Just just to say that if there's still
business to conduct, we can extend. >> Okay. Whatever. I guess I'll miss them. >> And I would just like to say also if you have not noticed um that our Yeah, it is past 10 o'clock and
we're still working. Um and I will say this um if you have not noticed that our particular board of education we are very um we have questions we have discussion we you know we talk we um so it's also
helps us police ourselves if if that helps. >> All right so you have a question you have something miss bird? Yeah, I sure. Sorry. >> That's okay. Don't apologize. >> 10.2.
We very rarely have board meetings that go this late. Maybe a handful a year. Why are we changing our policy for just a few meetings?
I understand that the lights might go out or the heating might change or the cooling at 11, but I can count during my first term and so far during this term, how many meetings were we were here that late
on a few fingers? >> Actually, Miss Bird, it was 8:00. I made it later. 10:00. >> So, I still have the floor. >> Yes, I made it later. Two hours later. Yes. Is it still my turn?
Okay, thank you. So, even with no voice, I'm going to finish my speak my speaking. I just don't see the point. If people come and they want to talk,
we're here to listen until whatever time it takes. And that's what we should do. That's exactly what >> and we shouldn't have to take another vote on a night because if people aren't feeling what they're hearing, we could
vote nope, we're not going to keep it. And I'm not saying we would do that, but it could happen. We don't know future boards. This policy is impacted by future boards that are not here yet.
We don't need to do this. I'm finished now. Like I said, it used to say 8:00 p.m. We changed it later, 2 hours later to 10 p.m. And it could be changed at any time. So, it's not like it's you're
committed to it forever. Okay. >> All right. Any more discussion, comments from board members? All right. Thank you, Mr. Debark. So, could we have a roll call, please?
Mrs. Bird, >> no to 10.2. Yes to everything else. >> Mr. Buyers, >> no to 10.2, yes to everything else. >> Mr. Delbar, >> yes. >> Missman, >> yes.
>> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Price. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert Floyd. >> Yes. >> Thank you. We are
moving. We're moving on to new business. I need a motion to approve new business item 12.1. Motion Ireland >> second. >> Any discussion?
Seeing no discussion, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Bird, >> yes. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Delabarka, >> yes. >> Missyman, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. >> Mr. Sep. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sloggy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Price. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert Floyd.
>> Yes. >> Uh, moving on to old business. So, I need a motion to approve. Are you sure I got my items? >> I need a motion to approve. I I have a statement that I'd like to share after
we do our motion during discussion. 3.1 >> I'm sorry 13.1. Thank you. 13.1 through 13.3. >> Do you want to read 13.2? >> Mhm. She's just going to read them first.
>> I'm going to read them first and I'll explain. I'm going to say this to um uh that Okay. Motion 13.2, a motion for the A Carver Township Board
of Education to provide legal authorization to allow a Carver Township to continue to utilize the back of the Eagle Academy property block 5610, lot 14 for the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection 2022 storm water grant municipal parking lot green infrastructure improvement project identified as SWM 2022 EHT0000169
as a part of the A Carpet Township Municipal Building Parking Lot Reconstruction Program, excuse me, project. The purpose of the legal authorization is for the A Carver Township Board of Education to work collectively, excuse me, collaboratively with the A Carver town with a Carpar
township so that a Carpet Township can uh receive a grant to assist in completing the infrastructure improvement and parking project project um lot project. 3.3 is a motion for the Acarper Township Board of Education to
authorize its representatives to work in collaboration with Acarper Township to have Acarbush Township complete the necessary steps to work on subdividing block 5610 lot 14. So, I need a motion
to approve old business items 3.1 through sorry 13.1 through 13.3. >> Motion de la >> second. Hyena. >> So, I'm going to say discussion and I'm
going to um share. So, the township uh reached out uh to the board of education and requested that we take action to support um the grant a grant that they applied for. Um
and we felt it was necessary that the board of education and the township committee um would meet um to have a discussion um a healthy discussion um to get more information and to review documentation. We requested from them so
that we can make an informed decision. um when we met uh we met today and we were able to come to an agreement that reflects I believe collaboration and transparency um in our community and I think it's
very important for uh two of the most important entities in our township which is the Aar Township committee and the Aar Township Board of Education to have a healthy working relationship where we can
communicate and do what's best for our community um working together collaboratively. So that um I feel like was very um I think that was a great a great thing that happened and I think that takes um cooperation and
transparency on both sides. So I do appreciate that uh taking place um in our in our meeting today. So, thank Mayor Farmer and um Deputy Mayor who met with us today and I think that we're um
headed in the right direction to show our community and our students how to work together and you can agree to disagree and you can work together for what doing what's best for the community. Um any discussion board members discussion or comments?
Seeing none, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Bird, >> yes. >> Mr. Buyers, >> yes. >> Mr. Delabarka, >> yes. >> Missyman, >> yes. >> Mr. Ireland, >> yes. to everything except for 13.1. I
have to abstain. >> Mr. Sepy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sagi, >> yes. >> Mr. Price, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Gilbert Floyd, >> yes. >> For administrative monthly reports.
>> Okay, we're good. All right. So our next step is uh public comment and I did read the statement already but this is for uh non-aggenda items. This is public comment.
Please come to the mic and state your name and your city of residence. Your full name please. >> Hi. Sorry. Is it on? My name is Christine Silverberg. >> Not on. Okay. Um and I live uh in Egg
Harbor Township. Um and I wanted to thank the board for all of your time and all of your efforts. I hear that so many people talked about the music program um over the last month and I really appreciate it. Um I am disappointed obviously that there was no way to that you were unable to find a way to
maintain the music department at the level that it's at right now. Um, while it sounds great on paper to be adding to the middle school program, um, I'm not sure how one person can do more at two schools than they were only doing at one school. But hopefully, um, you will
collaborate with those teachers and find a schedule that will be best for all of the students. Um, my big concern now is it's my understanding that honors language students don't get a win period. So, if that is the case, um, will they have to choose between having
band or orchestra and having an honors music class or an honors us language class? So, I don't know if you would be able to give me that answer tonight or get back to me, but I am concerned because I do have a rising seventh grader who will be eligible for honors
language in seventh grade. Miss Moss, could you be able to? >> Um, so no, that's not they will have the opportunity to do both. Um, and there's even been emails. I met with the two middle school principles today. Um,
because there's been other nuances within schedules where there they will not have to choose. >> Okay. >> And actually in the past that kind of has been an issue. So now the way that we were able to work the schedule, they won't have to do that. Okay. All right. Thank you very much for your time.
>> U Thank you, Miss Moss. We just want to have everyone if they can ask their questions and then if they're able to answer, they will. We want to make sure you have your three minutes. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Sorry, the timer is not Okay. Um, so 35 days ago, I stood here
at this exact place and delivered my testimony on why we need to support the band programs. >> We just need your name, sweetheart. Sorry to interrupt you. >> No, you're fine. You're great. I just wanted to get your name and your city of residence. >> Sierra Citron and I live in EHD. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> 35 days ago, I stood here at this exact
place and delivered my testimony on why we need to support the band programs. I'd like to remind you that around 10 minutes before that, Dr. Gushio, you said nothing would change and assured the crowd. Unfortunately, your statement has not proven true to this day. And I'm sure I will you will hear from many students and adults alike that the music
programs need to stay. And I agree with them completely. But today, I'd like you to see the effects these actions had have had on the students here at EHT. To help you understand, I'll explain what happened after we, the kids involved in the arts, received the news through the Parent Square email on Thursday. It
stated, and I quote, "All music ensembles will now take place during our win time. If your child wishes to take band, orchestra, or choir next year, it will serve as their primary wind block. It later states, "This also gives students more time in their schedules for music than in previous years." And as you say, we only had a half course.
And I'm not sure if you know how the schedules work here at Alder, but coming from a student myself, what would happen is you would take band as your class for half of the year, and band is no longer a class starting next year, and then the other half you would do it during your win period. So, it's not really um full year now if you kind of see what I'm saying because there's not a big change
because you're just taking when your full year and any kid who takes honors language or receives um language help usually has that during their win period. So, you kind of see where this contradicts itself and gets a little blurry and kind of you're it leaves the question of well, how are you going to fit all these like stuff together? Does
that make sense? Um um this statement does not reflect the reality students are experiencing. It also failed to mention one very important thing. Music is no longer a class, which means we cannot receive a grade for it. If our community is expected to support these programs, they need to be
informed. When our district pushes statements like this, it leaves adults uninformed and prevents them from fully understanding what is being taken away. I truly wish you could have been in the music room that day and heard the whispers and the sadness in so many students voices. But you weren't. As I continued through my day, I saw so many
of sad kids and warned them and as many art students as I could. I saw the sadness in their voices and the glimmer dying in their eyes. But again, you weren't there. See, you make these decisions without having to witness the outcome. I want you to know, and I apologize for repeating myself cuz I said this last time, that at a district
that prides self on inclusivity and our arts program setting us apart from the 7,785 schools in New Jersey, these decisions do not bring shame to the arts. These decisions do not reflect the values that our district claims to uphold, including you and the board of education. If you truly care about our district, you will
continue funding the arts. you will continue these classes and you will not fire teachers. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. >> Hello. Okay. Hi, my name is Ashley. I live here in EHT. I'm going to read you a poem about um a band.
The loudest. The loud the loudest thing in the school used to be the band room. Brass shaking the walls. Drums louder than ba bad days. Kids finally breathing after holding everything in a in all class long. Now they talk about it
cutting it away. Like music is extra like creativity is a privilege. Like stress disappears just because nobody hears it anymore. Funny how there's always money for new buses and fresh pavement. Another parking lot painting painted perfectly
straight but somehow not enough for one room where some students actually felt alive. How some kids How some kids walk these halls invisible. Some feel unwelcome before before first period even starts. Some
carry anxiety in their backpacks heavier than textbooks. And still the programs looks at programs and that make people feel seen and call them optional. Ban wasn't just noise for some people. That that was the reason to come to school at
all. And nobody should feel ashamed for being angry about that because cutting away the parts that helps students feel human while building prettier pavement isn't responsibility. It's backwards. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Ashley.
My name is Lucia Dunkelberger. I am an EHT resident. I'm a basist in the general and the advanced orchestra. I'm also a member of the FMA choir and select choir. I recently spoke out at our last board meeting where we were assured that the school district would
not be limiting the arts programs. Meanwhile, two amazing fifth grade music teachers are being cut, as well as the middle school orchestra, band, and choir programs are being reduced to only win time instead of being an elective option for class as it was previously. This is
a punishment to the kids who participate in honors language programs because they do not have a win period. They will only be able to participate in music programs during focus 40, which occurs only twice in a six-day schedule. That means some weeks there's only one Focus 40 a week.
And if a student misses a day of school and needs to make up school work during Focus 40, they will not be able to have a music lesson. It is frustrating that I work hard and as a result of my hard work, my options have been more limited. In addition to limiting access to music
classes in middle school, students will no longer be able to have it as a choice in their electives. The options for elective classes have been reduced each year and now we are no longer given a choice of which classes to take. I'm asking the leaders here today to make
good on their assurances that there will be no loss of services by keeping Miss Sarah, Mr. Sutton in their positions and giving students the freedom to have a say in their education to show us that in the real world world the leaders of those who are in power are true. The
words of those who are in power are true and translate into we real action and are not just pomp. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Duckberry. >> Good evening. Thank you so much everybody. Liz Butcher, 327 C Pine
Drive. Um I want to speak about um the agenda items earlier regarding the school performance reports and regarding the inclusive practices presentation. Um Miss Moss, thank you for your presentation.
I have been reluctant in coming up here for a few years, but I was thinking it had to do with the CO 19 pandemic, thinking that, you know, our kids were going to take some time, right, to catch up. But I want to draw especially the board's attention and I implore you to
dig deeper at these math proficiency levels, 27%. The state proficiency level is at 42%. We went down this year from the previous year as well as the previous year before
that. And I come here tonight as a concerned parent. My youngest, who Amy knows well, is three years behind in math. Three years. So, I will spend hundreds of
dollars, possibly thousands, this summer getting him a tutor when really, you know, Dr. Gio has said before that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.
and I don't see the evidence-based curriculum, the level of intervention, the tier three support that's needed for him to progress. And I have to wonder how many other special education students in this district make up that
27th percentile for your math proficiency rates. So again, as a concerned parent and citizen in this community, I'm asking the board respectfully to dig deeper at this data and find out what the plan is in this
school district to bring these math proficiency levels higher because I think we have reached crisis levels in this district for these math levels. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Hello, my name is Sophie Clan and I and
I am a resident in EHT. I am a sixth grade student at Fernwood Avenue Middle School and I am an advanced orchestra. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. I'm here because I want to talk about my fifth grade music teacher, Miss Samantha Sarah, and why I really hope you will keep her at Miller Elementary. I started
playing the viola in fifth grade, and Miss Sarah was my teacher. At first, I didn't know anything about it, and honestly, it was pretty hard. There were times where I wanted to give up m but Miss Sarah never stopped believing in me. She always encouraged me, helping me when I got stuck and reminded me that practicing and being patient would pay
off. She didn't just teach me to how to play the notes on the page. She taught me how to actually love music. She made our lessons so fun and something I looked forward to every week. She made me want to practice at home because I wanted to make her proud and get better. Because of Miss Sarah, I got to play at
the All South Jersey Elementary Honors String Festival for two years in a row. And I wasn't the only one. She helped a bunch of other students from our school make it into honors groups, too. She spent extra time helping us learn the music, build our confidence, and get ready for the big performances. I know I
wouldn't have been able to do it do that without her. Miss Sarah is specially trained to teach string instruments, which I think is a really big deal. She knows exactly how to help students learn the violin, viola, cello, and bass. It takes a lot of skill to teach four different instruments at the same time
to a room full of beginners. If she leaves, it will be super hard to find someone who can keep our orchestra program running as well as she does. I think Miller Elementary needs to keep someone who is such an expert because future students deserve the same chances to learn from an amazing teacher just
like I did. But what makes Miss Sarah so special isn't that she's just a great music teacher. It's that she truly cares about us. She notices when someone is having a bad day. She celebrates us when we do well. And she always makes us feel like we can do anything if we keep trying. Teachers can change a student's
life. And Miss Sarah definitely changed mine. Keeping her at Miller Elementary isn't just keeping a teacher. It's an investment in the future for every kid who wants to play music. She helped me find something I love to do and gave me confidence to help me do everything else, not just music. If Miss Sarah
leaves Miller Elementary, future students will miss out on the kindness, encouragement, and excitement that she brings to school every single day. Please keep Miss Sarah on staff. She is more than a music teacher to us. She is a role model and someone who has made a huge difference in my life and for so many other kids. Thank you for your
time. >> Thank you. Hi, Julia Hunter at Corporate Township. I'm back a little less angry, a little more tired. Um, I wanted to ask my question about drum line and wind ensemble at the middle school level. I
didn't see that on the slide when Dr. Guche was giving that presentation earlier as them being called out as still being available at Miller and F no Alder and Fernwood. Um, is this going into my time when I ask the question? Just because I want to take >> We just have you can ask the questions.
>> I That was the question. Okay. I Is wind ensemble and drum line still going to be at middle school? I didn't see it on the slide. >> U They said they will get back with you. If you want to leave your name and information, they can contact you. >> Okay. >> Just to verify. Um, so that shouldn't
have cut into my time, but I just want to say that I think it's misleading to tell these kids that the programs will remain the same. When last meeting and this meeting, we've heard from their experiences that when there is less educators and less time with and educators that have available time for
them that it makes it harder for them to fit it in their schedules and it makes them have less access to these programs. I also want to say that over the last few meetings we've heard a lot about the tax levy being steady steady a steady tax levy um a steady tax levy is not the
budget and a better question I have is rather than worrying about what the tax levy is is how the funds are being spent within the district as a taxpayer I would prefer my tax dollars to go towards paying the educators that impact kids lives and keeping the programs that
matter rather than things like replacing Chromebooks administration online learning programs or anything related to AI. I took the survey that went out and was alarmed by the number of questions around AI that is going on within the district. And that's all I had to say.
Thank you all for your time and for letting us continue to speak tonight. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> My name is Josephine Dowy. I live in Egg Harbor Township and I go to Alter as a sixth grader. When I first started playing my instrument, I had no idea how
to play it. I thought I would never be able to play it or read music. But because of these wonderful band teachers, I am able to read music, and I'm currently in an ensemble. It is already hard for me to go to band at least once a week. And having one band teacher teaching band in two schools will make it even harder for me to go to
band. Ever since I started band, I loved it. It would be so sad if these future band members will not be able to go to band every day if they need help or just need to practice. You may not realize it, but if you take just one B teacher away, you will be taking you will not
only be taking away multiple futures, but you will be taking in multiple friendships. >> Thank you. My name is Jen Dowy and I'm a resident in a Harper Township. I'm a mom to seven um six kids in the school district and one recent graduate. And when we moved
to the area, we chose EHT in part because the f of the fine and performing arts program in the district. We loved how much time and energy was placed on the arts. Our kids aren't athletic, but they love music and theater. My older kids have all played in band or orchestra, and they have worked on
middle school and high school plays and musicals. My kids sang in choir, and I my little ones love singing in class, especially theater class with Mr. Ponte. I have a gaggle of musical kids. Even though I have never played an instrument in my life, I have no musical talents,
no musical abilities. But what I can tell you about music is that it has been my kids lifeline. There are times where my kid is only passing classes to stay eligible for band. When my kids are having a rough day at school, they go to the band room. When something amazing
happens, they go to the band room. When they get to school early or they stay late, they go to the band room. When they're happy, they play music. When they're sad, music helps cheer them up. It's honestly their lifeline. And last month, so many kids, including my four oldest kids, stayed at the school board
meeting for nearly 5 hours. Many of them, including two of mine, bravely moving out of their comfort zone and publicly publicly speaking in support of music. I assure you, there is pretty much nothing else that would motivate them to sit so respectfully through hours of adults talking. This is
important not just to my kids, but to all kids. And my oldest kids have experienced not having an instrumental music teacher at their school full-time. My daughter started playing violin in fifth grade. And in middle school, her teacher was there only half the week because she was at the high school the other half. And their practice area was
on the stage in the cafeteria. And often she could only go to lessons during another grade's lunch because her teacher was trying to see all her students in half the week. I've been in a middle school cafeteria, as I'm certain many of you have, and it's no surprise she said she couldn't learn anything with all of that noise. And she
ended up failing the class and giving up on violin because she said it wasn't fun anymore. And she surely wasn't the only one. The impact that one year had was the end of her playing music. One person simply can't do the work of two and give 100%. And truly, it's an unfair ask. And
I think it's important to note that my current middle schooler, my daughter was just up here speaking, she does have a full-time band teacher and she still misses lesson times because her band teacher is asked to cover other classes when teachers are out. These kids are smart. They know that the district is telling them that even though music is
so important to them, it really doesn't matter to the administrators. And it's happening at the lower grades, too. The librarian, who is an amazing librarian, is asked to cover music class when the music teacher's out. So, the kids are really missing music and library. And all this is happening before music cuts
have even started. And there are music cuts. I understand that music is not being cut out, but it's being reduced and our kids will suffer. Just last week, I received a notification on Parent Square there will be that there will be no dedicated band class in middle school next year. Kids will be expected to go during their win time,
which I know stresses my daughter out, and I'm sure other students, too. And to my understanding, students in honors language can't participate in band during win at all, and they must go during convocation. And now I'm extra confused by the disconnect in what was sent to the parents from the middle school band teachers on parent square
and what was presented tonight. It also appears from tonight's presentation that kindergarten I have like two more things that kindergarten will go from two classes to fine arts um instead of three or what two days. >> Thank you so much. >> Music matters in EHT.
>> Yes ma'am. Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Samantha Cook. I am a resident of Ear Township and the mom of three students involved in the MOS music program in our school district. I think that this started out as an effort to save Joe Sutton's job. Um, which shows how valued an educator
he is, but I think it has shifted in pro into protecting the music program for all of our students. Losing Mr. Sutton will impact all of our students across all the programs when students needs are not met. My youngest child is a sixth grader and older. Her and her friends have been talking a lot about losing
Mrs. Don as their teacher next year. No shade to Mr. Spats, but they love Miss Donie. They They're very upset. They're They hate it. My daughter is worried that having a teacher come to Alder only for after school will result in less practice time. They will not have a dedicated band class next year. Instead,
they'll go to during the win period with all the band students in their entire grades. So, the entire sixth, seventh grade class in one period every other day. Um there's not going to be any specialized instruction at that point. This year, my daughter goes to band during her wind this semester. So, she
went for her band class last semester and now she's going this as much as she can, four days a week for extra lessons. Uh, she's upset that they're going to lose that as an opportunity. Um, a student at the meeting last month said that the band room was their home. I think it was actually a Dowy that said it. And my kids agree with that
sentiment. All of my kids, my son goes to the band room when in high school and my daughter goes to Mr. Miss Don's class. Uh, the middle schools currently have concert band. They win ensemble, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, which started this year, but I guess we're not doing it anymore. Um, support and then they also do audition based
ensembles outside of the school supported by their band teachers. My understanding is Mrs. Danty will be handling the alder after school rehearsals while Mr. Spats does the teaching for the band classes during the day. So, after a full day of teaching 125 fifth graders at Miller, we're sending Mrs. Danty to Alder. That's an
amazing plan. Like, there's no way I would do that. Not a chance. Stretching teachers all over the district to make this budget cut work is crazy because we all know that is not tenable long term. Last year, a decision was made to combine the high school concert band and honor wind ensemble into one class. My
high senior, my student hated it so much. He's actually not taking band next year as a senior because he was so disgusted with having to an ineffective program. The because they combined the concert band with the honors band, he wasn't
challenged at all. He it wasn't what he expected from our music program. He's actually not taking it next year at all. He's doing marching band, but he's not doing it no matter what I say. However, they have reversed that decision. So, now we are going back to having two separate PL programs. He's still not
doing it. But the fact that they just that they have reversed that decision and went back to two separate concert and wind ensemble classes shows that the district heard and understood the program program, I'm sorry, the problem and reverse course. I encourage you to really listen to the students here
tonight and those last month and reverse this decision as well. My son will, like I said, will not continue with marching band. He was so disgusted. So my question is, how many students do we have to have so disgusted by the upcoming changes that they turn away from music? Also, how many students
and families have to get up here and tell you what this program means to them before they're listened to? We beg you to support our music programs in full. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Hi, I'm Kelly Tosh at Coco Harver Township. I'm a parent of three children
who all started their musical journeys in the fifth grade band program at Miller School. I attended their band concerts and back then the bands fit comfortably on the stage in the Miller school cafeteria. Last month, I attended the fifth grade concert at Fernwood School. The band e was easily double the
size of my kids' bands. The massive surge in participation is due to Joe Sutton. Students see how passionate he is about teaching their music and they are naturally drawn to him. We see that exact same magic happening with the high school marching band program as well.
Students match Mr. Sutton's level of energy and excitement. Losing Joe Sutton will severely damage both the grade school music program and the high school marching band. and forcing our middle school band teachers to stretch across multiple buildings to cover fifth grade
is not a viable solution. I know this because I have seen firsthand what happens when we overextend our music teachers. My youngest child was casually of the same strategy with the chorus program. In seventh grade, when she finally gets to have a dedicated music class, she was told she couldn't have
chorus. We were told the reason for this was because the chorus teacher would be at Miller school on the days when she had her special. She was forced to go to chorus every other day during convocation. It stressed her out tremendously and her other teachers were unhappy she was
unable to use convocation for other class. She also had to miss gym class to just fit in lessons. Ultimately, her chorus grades suffered because it was impossible to fit in enough lessons in a month. That ended up being her very last year. Of course, a program she loved was
ruined for her because it stopped being enjoyable. The harder we make it for students to pursue music education, the less they will love it, and enrollment numbers will plummet. If we want our children to thrive, we need to make our music teachers more accessible to them,
not less. I urge this board to protect our students education and keep Mr. Sutton at Miller School. do not compromise the quality of our music programs to patch a hole that shouldn't be made in the first place. And there is no way we can maintain all the planned music classes that were up there with
less teachers. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh hello, my name is Nicholas. Um I am an Egg Harbor Township resident. Um, I moved here in 2017 and I joined the fine and performing arts in 2019. At the time there were about 17 music teachers and
now we're down to 10. Um, with all the budget cuts that is that's almost half of our program. Um, but there isn't cuts, right? There are currently 123 Miller students in band. Um, when I took Miller band, there were only about 70 to
80. Um, and I'm not saying it's a teacher change, but since Joe has joined, an increase in almost 40 to 50 students um has been seen at the Miller school. Um, and that's out of the 1,200 students attending the school. Um, that's almost a tenth of them. The
margin is, um, sorry. Uh, now I'm not saying I do not understand the budget cuts that need to be made. However, I think there are they are being made in the wrong places. Rather than Joe being Joe Sutton being just a teacher, he is an escape and a friend. He gives students a safe place in a tiny
band closet. Even if they don't have one at home, I know Joe Sutton is not just a teacher, but as but as someone I can talk to. He is always a friendly face, someone who listens, encourages, and believes in his students. When you make a decision, when you make decisions about funding music programs and the
people who lead them, you're not just affecting um classes or budgets. uh you're affecting students, their opportunities and the places and the place where many of us feel like we truly belong. The music program is more than an elective. It teaches discipline,
teamwork, leadership, responsibility, and perseverance. It gives students a reason to come to school, a place to make long a lifelong relationships, and an outlet and an outlet during difficult times. For many of us, it is where we've grown the most, not just as musicians, but as people. Every cut to this program
takes away opportunities from current students and future generations. Once these programs are diminished, it is incredibly it is incredibly difficult to rebuild them. I ask you to invest in the students who proudly represent Egar Township at football games, parades, concerts, competitions, and throughout
the community. We are worth that investment. Please do not let the music program continue to shrink. Protect the teachers who inspire us, uh, preserve the opportunities that have shaped so many lives, and ensure that future students have the same chance to find their passion and their place that I
did. Thank you. Hello, my name is Jackson Hunter. I resided in Egg Harbor Township. So, I was a student I've been a student in the district for many years. I went through the fifth grade music program, sixth, seventh, eighth grade, and high school. I've been in the music program for all this time. I understand how it works. If
you're cutting music as a class, students that take honors language, they won't have an opportunity for this. Yes, they might be able to go to a convocation, but that's a short period. It takes at least 10 minutes to take out your instrument, tune, set this up. It won't work. Oh, my bad. So, um, it won't work. You
can't take away this opportunity from the kids. Yeah, you're saying you're proud that it'll be all year round. Well, they're going to be learning less and all these like you continue to brag about how good of a music program we have, right? But if you're taking away the core components that make this music
program what it is, how will we continue to thrive? That's all I got to say. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Amelia Simkin and I live in HT and I'm a freshman. I'm here tonight to talk about the budget's decisions regarding our music and elective programs. Middle school is
exactly where I found about choir, theater, and color guard. Participating in these programs personally changed my life, giving me a place where I finally felt like I belong and where I could tr truly be myself. Programs like band, choir, and theater are so much more than just a class period. They are a family.
Half of my friends now are people that I met through band and color guard. And these programs have allowed me to build deep friendships and get so much closer to people. The teachers in these programs actually care about us. And Joe Sutton is a perfect example of that. Uh yeah, while the cuts are starting out
in the younger grades, they are already spilling over to affect the upper grades and educators like Mr. Sutton. Removing these teachers from our programs would be deeply harmful because each of them has a great impact on so many students. Losing them directly impacts a lot of kids and their overall performance in
school. What everyone is forgetting which I find horrific is that a great portion of the children in our school are not athletic. So these programs are vital for them finding their place in community within the school system. Not everyone could be a jock or a cheerleader. If these classes are removed or restricted early on, younger
students will never get the opportunity to know what they want to pursue by the time they reach high school. Furthermore, if we lose staff, our remaining directors will have to travel between multiple schools just to keep programs running. This means high school students will get much less focus and support from their directors and then in
the previous years. We often see funding go to more new physical upgrades around the school. Yet, our very unperforming arts programs is our district is now currently struggling to survive. We often talk about school spirit and the performing arts are a major part of that. At every major and minor school
event, the band, the color guard and theater and choir provide the energy and are a main reason the community comes together. So, please continue these to support these opportunities and our teachers for the students. Thank you. Hi, my name is Carrie Sutton. I live in the HT and I'm a senior at the high
school. Um, and I would like to tell you about why I believe that this year I've received the least amount of music education in my entire schooling in this district. Um, I've been a part of the band program since fifth grade since I was able to start. I'm in marching band. I'm the drum major and I'm also the president of the music honor society.
Um, so my first two years of band class, there was three classes. Percussion class, wind ensemble, and symphonic band. Symphonic band is for anyone, no matter your skill level. England ensembles for the advanced kids. Last year they cut the percussion class.
Okay. This year there is one band class. While on paper there are two band classes, a symphonic band still and a wind ensemble. They happen at the same time in the day. So how are we supposed to have two band classes at the same
time when there's only one band room? So instead we all go in one classroom at the same time and that's extremely unfair. So me who I've been progressing very well. I've been a part of all state. I've I've been first chair. I'm
I've been told that I'm very advanced and sat sitting in the same room right next to a student who's just started playing an instrument. How are they supposed to learn how to play that instrument? And how am I supposed to get any better if we're being taught at the same time? What are we supposed to be learning? And now I'm not being
challenged. They're not learning anything because we're just stuck in the middle and they're not learning. I'm not learning. So I haven't learned anything this year pretty much. And that's nothing due to my teachers because they are all extremely knowledgeable and talented in what they're doing. But they
have they aren't able to teach us because there are too many of us in one room to be doing anything. And this is due to the fact that in the morning my band teacher has to go to a different school. So instead, he has three blocks in the day to teach all of his band classes and
all of his orchestra classes. There are two orchestra classes and should be three band classes and that's five classes that he only has three blocks to teach. So I don't really know how that could work, but thanks. >> How you doing? Uh my name is Robert
Sutton and Garber Township. Uh first I'd like to thank everybody for letting us speak. Thank you for staying um last month as well. Um I want to talk about music and my son Joe. Um but hearing I just want to make a comment about
hearing about the 10:00 U vote that's going to be talked about. Um, I think it's going to cut yourself short. And also, if this is where we're supposed to come and have an opportunity to speak, um, I don't think that should be cut because some sometimes you're going to
have a little bit of time, sometimes you're going to need a lot of time. Why even have it come up that you're going to have to possibly make a vote and even take a chance on somebody getting cut, whether it's yourselves or the public. So, uh, I'd just like to ask you to have
a second thought on that with hearing the discussions from not only the board, but uh, the public on concern about the 10:00 as well. So, for the music and my son, um, we're here, I'm here tonight,
we were here um, last month. And I'd like you to just take a second thought on what took place last month. how many parents, how many students came here to show support for Joe and other teachers
and um came up here and spoke and also um I hope you noticed whether they didn't even speak um but there were several teachers here as well supporting Joe. So, I want to make sure that you're taking a second look and seeing all this
and seeing your community come out and tell you what they want. And it's something that you all need to hear and really take seriously. I know you're going to say you're going to take it seriously, but we're up here talking
about it for the second time. And you're going to talk about the music program, how great it is. And it is, but you don't have it. You don't keep it when you cut great teachers. And that's what
you need to keep here. And Joe is a great teacher. Make no doubt about that. He has love and compassion which you talk about and that gets talked about a lot. Joe does have love and compassion for music
and that started when he was in fifth grade and never stopped. And the short couple of years he's been teaching, he's made such a huge impact. And that's proven by what's going on here tonight and last month.
And I urge you to make the right choice and what this community wants. and that's to keep the good teachers here. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Sonia Cruz, Egg Harbor Township. Um I am here representing Project Grad. I'm the
Project Grad coordinator. Um thank you for the students for the wonderful things you said about Project Grad. Um we start in October with fundraising and planning for it to all end the last night of graduation. So, we are here. I don't have any paperwork. I will email
it to you. I'm sorry, but we're here to ask for our annual donation to go towards project grad. And also, um, I want to thank Jackie Gugno because she's been very helpful in supporting us. It's a lot of departments in the school that work with us, security, facilities, all
it's a huge group of people that make this event very successful. And we're talking about 30 plus years. So hopefully we can keep the tradition alive by having community members support us, volunteer, and just um
spread the word that Project RAD is here to stay. Thank you. Thank you. Um we're going to uh close out our public comment. Um but before we do, I just wanted to say um on behalf of the board,
I want to thank every student, parent, staff member that came out uh today to express their um feelings and their thoughts and um share what was on their heart today. Um
we we act we do hear you. We heard we and just going to say we heard you last month and we're we're here to hear you again today. Um just know that um there have been cuts um in multiple departments
um throughout our school district. Multiple areas have um are feeling the crunch um not just our music department but um we do hear you. So the the budget affects not just the
music department, it affects a lot of um departments and just just wanted to share that with you. And I at this point I will have to make a a motion to go into executive session
um for personnel items. Um no action will be taken. This is taken. This is in reference to uh the superintendent's um evaluation >> motion. >> Second Ireland. >> Any discussion?
>> Seeing none. Um roll call please. >> Do we have uh call for this? >> No. Okay. >> Yep. Mrs. B. >> He said we don't have to do a roll call. I apologize. >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> I
>> again out and no action will be taken.