meeting of the Elizabeth Board of Education. This is a combined regular agenda and business meeting of the board of education. This meeting is being held in accordance with the schedule of meetings adopted at the organizational meeting held on January 6, 2026.
Notice of this meeting of the Elizabeth Board of Education has been provided to the Star Ledger on January 12th, 2026. Notice of the rescheduling of the meeting from July 23rd, 2026 to July 21st, 2026 was posted on the district
website on July 6, 2026. Additionally, this notice is posted on the bulletin board in the lobby of 500 North Broad Street. And pursuant to this act, a copy has been filed with the city clerk of Elizabeth, New Jersey. We want to welcome everyone present here at school
number 51. And to our television viewers to this July 21st, 2026 meeting of the board of education. We are here to govern, provide management, oversight, and make policy for the district. The superintendent manages the district. This is a meeting of the board and
public, not a meeting of the public. This being is being recorded and will become part of the Elizabeth Board of Education permanent record. So that the recording will adequately reflect the proceedings. Please refrain from talking while others are speaking. We ask that you silence the sounds on your
electronic devices since it is legally mandated that these proceedings be accurately recorded. We may have to ask for order periodically should noise begin to interfere with our recording capability. There is a public portion of for the citizens to address the board.
Participants for the public portion must personally sign in prior to the start of the public participation portion so that they may have the opportunity to speak. The sign-in sheet states the name, address, telephone number, and the reason that the person wants to comment, whether it is an agenda item or a
general education comment. We are pleased that you have taken time this evening to join us here at the board of education meeting. Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth public schools. Mr. Kennedy, roll call, please. >> Barbosa, >> here. >> Batalis >> here.
>> Chevz she's >> the call keeps dropping. Mr. Kennedy >> Clairvoyant Noel Jacobs Marina Ortega >> present. Kabas Pastana >> here. >> Rivera >> here.
>> Carvalo >> here. I ask that everyone please stand for a moment of silence. >> For Anthony Brenti, retired truck driver utility person at the warehouse plant and property. Teresa S. Dur Jervari,
retired social worker at Abraham Lincoln school number 14. and Mary Elizabeth Cranford, retired custodian at Francis C. Smith ECC school number 50 and George Washington Academy of Science and
Engineering School number one. Thank you. Our condolences to the families. At this time, I would ask uh board member Charlene Baffles to please lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Please remain standing for the Star Spangle Banner by Francis Scott Key.
Oh, say can you see by the dawn early [singing] light so proud we held [singing] at the twilight last
stripes and bright stars through the [singing] fight or the rampart. Hearts we watched were so galling [singing] and the rockets red glare. [screaming]
The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still [singing] there. Oh, say does that star spangled
Yet for the land of the free and the home of the brave. >> Thank you. At this time, I ask board member Rosa Mareno Ortega to please lead
us in the pledge of ethics. As a member of Elisai public school professional learning community, I would treat people as I wish to be treat to do that I play too. Understand that the school community is a special place. Listen respectfully when someone else is
speaking by pay close attention and not interrupt. >> Dress speak and calm voice and use proper language. Dress appropriate for teaching and learning. Inspire the best in myself and other by celebrate successful and learning from mistake.
Care about others by demonstrate act of kindness via lifelong learning by taking every opportunity to learn from others. >> Thank you. Everyone may be seated. At this time, the microphones are open for public comments to those who have
signed in prior to the session. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes in duration. The total time of public comment shall be limited to 60 minutes. No individual is able to yield their time to another individual. All statements shall be
directed to the presiding officer. No participant may address or question board members individually. Each speaker shall comply in all respects with board policy 9322. The following rules shall apply. Time limits will be strictly enforced. No
personal attacks on individuals or naming of individuals. No vulgar indecent language. A person may address the board no more than once during a single meeting. Comments will not be debated. Any person in violation of the policy will be warned and their comments
terminated if needed. As a reminder, this is a meeting of the board and public, not a meeting of the public. Christina Morera Okay, good evening. I want to start with the dis um something disturbing that
happened at the last meeting. Mayor Bowage came here to grace us with his presence during Councilman Frank Quest's retirement recognition. And instead of keeping the focus on that moment, he used part of his remarks to take a shot at the people who come here and speak
up, he referred to us as crazies. And let me be clear about who he was talking about. Parents, students, staff, residents, people who take time out of their lives to come here and ask questions about schools, budgets,
safety, special education, and accountability. What made it worse was watching you, Madame President, laugh and clap in support of these comments. The actions, those actions speak volumes, especially because Miss
Carvalo, you work for city hall and the mayor is your boss. When he insults the parents and residents and the board president laughs and claps along, the community should ask themselves if this is what we really want representing our school district. You may not like the
questions and you may not like me, but you are accountable, but that does not make our concerns any less valid. And that brings me as to why I'm here tonight. At the last meeting, I brought up the New Jersey school performance report card and the difference
between the schools that keep showing up at the top and the schools that continue to show up at the bottom. For that, you madame president and the superintendent had nothing to say to the community. I understand test scores do not tell the whole story. No one is saying a child,
teacher or school should be judged only by a test score. But when the same schools keep showing up at the bottom and the same ones keep showing up at the top year after year, questions need to be asked. What are why are the schools
what are the schools at the top doing that is working? Is it leadership? Is it staff intervention programs? additional funding, whatever is working there, why isn't it being brought into other schools that are struggling? Parents have a right to ask these questions, and
you as our elected officials have an obligation to let us know. I also want to bring up the bell-to-bell cell phone law. The law will affect students, families teachers administration and the daily operations of our school. So, where is the communication?
Where will the phones be kept? How will emergencies be handled? What about medical issues, IEPs, 504 plans? How will this be enforced? Maybe you should concern yourself with that instead of clapping and laughing when the mayor makes ridiculous comments. Lastly, the
city of Elizabeth runs a special needs program in our schools, specifically at school one. Apparently, the district here has no records because I emailed Mr. Kennedy and his response was there's no retrievable records. So, can you please clarify who is paying for the
program that is running at school? >> Thank you, Miss Morera. Dr. Patty Galante. >> Thank you, sir. Good evening, Madame President. [clears throat] Mad Dr. Hugo Meyer and the rest of the
board. Last month I spoke regarding the placement of 10 trailers on the property of school fort annex. I also talked about how this is discriminatory dangerous and can be very isolating to our autistic students. This month I
would like to address if the teachers who will be transferring there have been told I didn't see anything in the in the minutes so far. Is there a plan for moving the teacher supplies? I know if a supervisor had to move or an
admin was being moved to a new office, the custodial staff would be right there to help out. Is there a plan to have these 10 teachers meet ahead of time? Talk about their unique situation and then how they
will have to lean on each other and work together because after all they're going to be stuck outside by themselves in trailers. Again, I will ask, will these brand new classes, are they brand new classes or are we
taking classes from schools that already have autism classes and moving them to school 4? If these classes are made up of students who will be moved from one school to another, when are the parents going to be told? I don't know because I
haven't heard anything. Based on the new school's level of services and interaction with regular students, IEP meetings may have to be held before those students can be transferred. Finally, if these classes are not ready
for day one, although I went over there today and I think I saw new trailers. There were a bunch of old ones, but I think I saw new trailers. Is there a plan in place to minimize the sensory processing issues these students could have?
Just imagine [snorts] 30 autistic kids all melting down at the same time. You wouldn't want to be there. I hope I also hope there'll be an administrator or a supervisor
just for that group of classes who truly know special needs and the law on site as well. I hope the myriad of possibilities that this will bring about
has been thought out and is in place to reduce what could be catastrophic to the students who are going to be put in those trailers. Thank you, Mr. Miss Galante. Maria
Loren. >> Good evening. Today I want to address the 21page newsletter regarding extended school year services or ESY as found on page two of that newsletter which Mr. Glacken just handed you all. What concerns me the most is the
misinformation surrounding ESY in this district. ESY is frequently presented to families um as an application process when the law and the district policy describe it as a special education service that may be provided to eligible
students through the IEP process. The district's own memo states that ESY is quote a special education and related service provided to a student with a disability beyond the normal school year in accordance with the students IEP at no cost to the parent. It does not
describe ESY as an application. State regulations make it very clear that the IEP team, which includes the parent, which we often forget, must make an individual determination regarding a student's need for ESY services. The
team must consider all relevant factors including regression, degree of progress, emerging skills, interfering behavior, nature and/or severity, bless you, of the disability, and special circumstance as listed in Roo versus
Fountain. And a district may not limit ESY services based on these categories or type of services, amount of service or duration. When families are led to believe that ESY is something they must apply for rather than something that
must be considered through the IEP process, it creates confusion and undermines parents understanding of their rights. This issue reflects the broader concerns that parents have repeatedly brought before this board regarding transparency, accountability,
and compliance within the special education department. This is why parents have called for a full and independent audit of special education services such as the one that was conducted by Jersey City. And I'm understanding that our board member Rosa
Mareno is very familiar with that because you work in that district. I urge this board to ensure that families >> we're not debating this Rosa. I urge this board, and you can reclaim my time, that the board to ensure that families receive accurate information and that
the district practices fully comply with state and federal special education requirements. This is an obligation, not a privilege for us or our kids. It is inappropriate. Somebody clearly isn't proofreading. And
now this is the second time or more than that that I've come to a board meeting and I don't see any accommodations being made for those that have current and visible disabilities here so that they can have their speaking extended. That's also an accommodation that should be made and it's discriminatory in
nature not to allow those with disability the same amount of time or park in the parking lot which is with public fund. >> Thank you Miss Loren. Quesan Little. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Good evening.
>> Thank you. Thought I was in a room by myself. I'm here tonight uh because number one, we know over the years the harsh punitive policies against black and brown students in this district must change. And I hope it is my hope that this new school year that is approaching
that we include students who have been hurt, harmed, inflicted with any type of pain, ounce of suffering over the years involved in the decision-m process so we can actually improve policy that have been harming black and brown students in
our district. We need to eliminate this stigma or this cancer that exists in this district that have been trying to force students to drop out at the age of 16. That is still alive and well. That
is not a new discussion. You all have known this for nearly a decade. And yet, this is still a thing. Our babies are still being told at schools, you're 16 now, dropout. You're 16 now and dropout. Let me ask you a question. Do you believe that that is occurring at Frank
Cigarell or that is occurring at Hamilton Upper Lower Academy, whatever those school name replacements are now? No. It is still occurring at your quote unquote dumping ground high schools, which is The Wire, Hoy, Edison, maybe
Jeff. That has to stop. It should not be occurring at any high school. We should be reaffirming our placements in our babies's lives and saying that you are in this room because you belong here and this room is incomplete until you get
here. We should not be forcing them out. They are in your care. They must be nurtured. They must be loved. They must be accepted. They must be cared for. They must be valued in all aspects of life. Not being forced out, not being degraded in the sense of education or
being turned to back on. They need that nurturing and love because that may be the only love that they receive during the day. So I hope that we make that corrective action plan and really start valuing our baby's lives in all aspects of life, but
mostly while they are in our care during the hours of 7 to 4, 7 to three, whatever it is, and really make that big turnaround because they feel how we make them feel. They see how we with the things that we say to them. Words hurt. It have
consequences and it does cause pain whether we see it or want to believe it or not. And we always have the capacity to reverse quiz. It starts from the top on down. When that directive is given from the superintendent's office or the board, our teachers, our staff should
feel that. They should adhere to that and it should trickle down onto our babies. That is why they're here. But we have to be more nurturing as a district and that must start from the top on down. We have to eliminate the whole getting trying to push them out. No, they're here because they belong here.
And I hope that we change that practice. Thank >> Thank you, Mr. Little. >> Mr. Kennedy, please let the record reflect that uh Commissioner Jacobs is here. At this time, I close the public comment portion of this meeting.
Commissioners, we will now go through the agenda. Tab 1A official and private minutes from June 15, 2026, June 18, 2026. Tab 1B, treasurer and secretaries report from May 31st, 2026.
Are there any questions from the board? hearing none. Mr. Kennedy, please add tab 1 A and 1B to the agenda. Tab 2A, personnel report. Madame President, I'd like to ask Mr. Palary to please uh
provide a summary of our personnel report. >> Good evening. So our personnel report this month includes eight retirements. It includes two promotions, 46
transfers, 30 salary changes. Of these promotions, uh, one was a registered nurse to a school nurse, the other was a CDA to a bilingual teacher. Um, the transfers are attributed to resignations retirements collapsed classes, uh, administrative requests,
certification changes, and program realignment. for the uh 30 salary changes of those 29 of them were primarily reflect the advancement through masters or doctoral programs or approved graduate credits.
Um and overall um it just shows that there's our our district has been in an active in the workforce management by addressing all the separations retaining teachers and bringing in staff uh to to meet the needs of the district. That concludes my report.
Thank you. Are there any questions from the board? >> Madam President? >> Yes, Commissioner Jacobs. >> Yes. I have a question for Madame Superintendent on the ESA, ESSA funded positions where I see
that the we have our cultural coaches, our instructional coaches, and also our reading interventionist. >> What page, Commissioner? That's page 37. So my question is um first if you can give a brief description of what these
positions um are responsible for and what exactly how they help our children in the different roles. And first if you can you hear me? You can hear me now. Right. Okay. First, if you could give a brief description of uh the responsibilities of these roles in
assisting our children um in their everyday learning and also um are all the instructional coach positions funded through title one or title three or title two rather. >> Thank you Mr. Jacobs. I would gladly provide an overview. First, I'd like to
begin with u an acknowledgement with regard to the federal funding that is referenced in our board agenda this evening. we uh are fully funded. Uh very happy to be able to report that to our community. And then with regard to your question as it relates to the federally
funded positions, we have the school climate and culture coaches, one at Hollyy Academy and one at Edison Academy. They are social workers and their main uh task is to address chronic absenteeism. So at both of these
schools, they have their guidance personnel as well as their school social workers. And then this these two positions are above and beyond the school climate and culture coach where they are both assisting specifically at 9th grade to address chronic
absenteeism. As we continue down the list, as you can see, we have instructional coaches for English language arts and we have instructional coaches for mathematics. The primary function of an instructional coach is to be able to provide support to our
teachers. Not only firstear teachers, but also providing instructional strategies to all teachers, whether you're a veteran, whether you are beginning your career at the Elizabeth Public Schools. Uh they are providing on-site coaching in our classrooms.
You had a question with regard to all of our coaches whether they are funded uh through the federal dollars and that is uh correct. All of our ELA and math coaches are funded under title one. Uh additional positions that you see listed
on the board agenda include a portion of our director of staff development and innovative program. 60% is charged to title one as well as a staff development coordinator of which 60% of the salary is charged to title one and the primary
function is to ensure the proper monitoring and expenditure of all cost associated with the federal uh title one, title two, title three and title four. Now under title two we have teacher interventionists that are
funded. The primary function is to be able to work with our students and uh in small groups or one-on-one and provide them with the necessary support to ensure that they succeed in uh the respective grade levels. So they work
with children that range from kindergarten through fifth grade. We also have reading specialists that are included on the list before you. And the primary function is to be able to uh work with providing strategies to our teachers to ensure that our students
that are struggling readers are provided with the appropriate interventions. The reading specialists also serve students in select schools. We also have our instructional coach for science. And the instructional uh similar to the English
language arts and the math coaches, the primary function is to be able to visit all of our science teachers, be able to provide the appropriate support uh with the curriculum and ensure that the uh curriculum is being implemented as um
as deemed to. in addition to ensuring that uh support is provided with the appropriate professional development. Now we move into title three and the primary focus of title three is to address our multilingual learners. We have our bilingual psychologist and our bilingual psychologist plays a critical
role uh because uh the purpose is to work with our parents as well as our students in all of the schools. We also have a bilingual social worker with a similar function as the bilingual psychologist to be able to work with all of our schools and with our f our
families. And then lastly, we have a teacher with a title of newcomer specialist. And the primary role of that person is to be able to work with all of our new entrance that are new to our country and be able to assist our
families with acclimating to uh their new uh schools and provide them with a wealth of information regarding the appropriate resources both in Elizabeth and in the county. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Superintendent. Um, and
I think that role is very uh vital and crucial to our our children as they have ones that especially struggle uh with math or English. Um, I happen to So, if we're saying that all of the instructional positions are funded through that title one, I do notice that
a recently hired or rather promoted uh coach is not included on this list. We can discuss this more offline. Thank you, Madam Superintendent, Madam President. >> Thank you. Are there any other questions from the board as it relates to tab 2A
personnel report? Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy, please place tab 2A on the agenda. Tab three, tuitions report. Are there any questions from the board?
Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy, please place tab three in the agenda. Tab four through 4D superintendence report. Madame superintendent. Certainly. Um I'd like to be able to
highlight uh under tab four we have our field trip considerations and included in that report of course we have some of our principles that have already submitted their request for field trips for uh the 2627 school year. But I also
would like to take note on page three, our supervisor of bilingual and ESL education has included three field trips on pages three and four where our students that are uh enrolled currently in our summer programs. Uh we'll be
taking a field trip to Union College. Um and this is an opportunity to uh visit the campus and to be able to learn about the offerings at Union College. And we also have uh students that are going to be uh taking a field trip to Kain
University for the same reason to be able to explore their areas of interest. And lastly, we have a field trip to the Lincoln Technical Institute for the same purpose. All three sites will be providing a proper orientation to our students that
will be visiting. And it affords our eighth graders an opportunity to be able to begin to identify what uh areas they will pursue when they graduate from our Elizabeth Public Schools. Thank you. >> Thank you. Are there any questions from
the board? Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy, please place four-4D in the agenda. Tab five, authorizations report. >> Are there any questions from the board?
>> President, >> Commissioner Moreno Ortega. >> Yes. Um may um is in page number one. Okay. Top five. Page one is authorization to apply for
funds. This is a little public school will be authorized and applied for accepting fund for department of education from the individual with disability education. Somebody can explain this for me please. >> Certainly. Uh so we have the application
for the idea uh funding our individuals with disabilities education act. This affords us the opportunity to be able to um cover the expenses that are related to tuition for our students that are attending uh schools outside of our
school district. So, as you can see there, there is uh two categories, one that is basic and one that is uh preschool. In addition to that, there is a portion of the IDA funds. It's a 15% that is reserved and it is specific to
ensuring that we are working diligently on uh addressing the suspension uh rate in the district. So, it affords us the opportunity to work on bringing uh consultants into the district uh to work with out of Rutgers University
specifically to work with our families, to work with our principles on examining the suspension rate and ensuring that we're putting the appropriate strategies in place so our children are not missing instructional time um and ensuring that supports are being provided uh in all of
our schools. So, that's really the primary uh purpose of the idea fund. Thank you. I have another question and it's my last question. Page two. Thank you. Uh on page two, I see something
like I'm so exciting. If the Lisai police school will be authorized with partnership with New York Academys for 2026 and 2027 and I personally know the New York Academy science. My
question is in referring to the project will be select Elisa public school. How we'll be doing that specific selection with this partnership or we already have some school life is previous selection. It's a great a great
>> yes schools this is the third year I'm happy to report we're going into our third year of our partnership with the New York Academy of Science and it's an incredible opportunity. The schools are already uh the same schools each year that we are supporting and it is an incredible initiative where scientists
are working side by side with our students in their science classes. So an a very enriching experience uh for our students and for the schools that form part of this partnership. So we're very grateful. >> Thank you,
>> Commissioner Baffles. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Uh I have a question on page seven. Uh the last one for the donation. Uh are these only is this money only open to uh Frank Curell students or is it open to all
high school students? >> Thank you Miss Baalis. So this funding is specific to the Elizabeth High School and I would like to acknowledge uh Mr. Patrick Hackett has been uh contributing for years um multiple years to ensure
that the Princeton Review SAT preparation course uh is those uh costs are covered for a total of 50 students. So yes, this is a donation that is specific to Elizabeth High School. >> Okay. I have another question about that because Elizabeth High School covered
all five houses years ago. He this this person did not attend the school when it was Frank Cigaro. So how that's why I'm trying to understand why we're sending to Frank Crow. >> So the schools were there was a plan back in 2005 to divide the high school.
So since then Mr. Hackett has been contributing to the Elizabeth High School following um having uh once all the high schools were branched off in standalone. So this was specific to Elizabeth High School. Yes, absolutely. >> Thank you.
>> Certainly. Madam President. >> Yes, Commissioner Jacobs. >> So, I also shared um Commissioner Baffler's concerns being that um this program is a very um exceptional program and it was my understanding that um
earlier this school last school year that this program was going to be taken over by the district and rolled out to the other schools. Is that true? Madam Superintendent, >> Mr. Jacobs, we do have SAT prep courses available to our students. It's built
into the curriculum. So, it is across the board in all of our high schools. >> I thought that this I thought from the way that I thought it was explained that it would be like a a separate standalone program similar to the way that this program is administrated. Correct. >> It is built into the curriculum. So, we
have taken all of the strategies uh that are offered uh and built into the curriculum to ensure that our students are properly prepared for the SAT program. Uh we also, you may be recalling, we offered uh SAT prep program on Saturdays as well that was
specific to um all of the high schools. >> So I if I recall correctly, I think that we expensed about a million dollars. >> Jerry, can you talk in the mic? >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> It's okay. Just move the mic over. So, if I could recall correctly, I think that we expensed approximately a million
dollars to implement that across all the high schools for all the students because I recall thinking that it was kind of unfair that this was only available to the Sarell students. It'd be interesting to see now at this point in time because it's been implemented over the past school year if there's
been any increase in our SAT scores. So, I'm wondering if that could go to ED management and then be shared with the other board members for their review as well. >> Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. I'll gladly prepare a report and present it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Superintendent. >> Thank you. Are there any other questions
from the board as relates to authorizations report in tab five? >> Madam superintendent, >> I have a question. Thank you. So, it's also actually page seven and eight where the authorization to accept donation. I have um and again
I want to thank everyone that always remembers to donate especially laundry detergent from Philip 66 for the laundry room at um Nicholas um school number 23. But my question is if um any community
member or anyone wants to donate what's the process that they have to or who do they need to contact? Let's step back step back. Who should they contact? So you have an option um the our schools work have multiple partnerships that they work with. So certainly a
communication coming as in as you see here on the agenda Philip 66 correct coming from the particular entity to the school principal is certainly appropriate um and or to the district directly to uh the superintendent.
>> Thank you >> Madame President. >> Yes, Commissioner Jacobs. >> So um thank you for bringing that up. Um, Commissioner Barbosa. So, um, I'm seeing that. So, we have a new laundry room. I'm wondering, um, there was a grant program, I know, uh, two years ago
that supported, um, laundry facilities in the schools. Was that done through that program or was this done independently? >> Um, that uh, pro that actually uh, was an initiative in the district that started
many years ago. I can't pinpoint specifically the year, but it was an opportunity to have a washer and dryer in the schools to be able to, you know, in the case of an emergency be able to wash uniforms, but we also have parents that donate uniforms to the school and
it's an opportunity for the uh school personnel and they love doing this is washing and preparing and being able to provide those uniforms as needed. So, it's really uh an initiative that started many years ago in an effort to be able to help and expand the uniform
initiative. >> Thank you, Madam Superintendent. >> You're most welcome. >> Any other questions? Hearing none. Mr. >> Madam President, I have a question. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Thank you. No problem. I'm very pleased to know that the district on page number two is partnering with UCJ Union College
of Union County, New Jersey for the adult basic skill grant funded by the Department of Labor. This is a great opportunity for some of our parents, some of our families that perhaps they they want to improve on their English, perhaps somebody that doesn't have a
GED. If there's a family or there's a a parent that would want to take advantage of this grant, which are evening classes, what would be the process for someone to do that? >> Thank you, Mr. Rivera. So, uh, we have Dr. Mosley uh, prepares flyers each year
and they are shared on all of our social media sites. They're also shared electronically as well. So, it's all posted, which is a requirement of the grant to have a communication plan in order to recruit for the program. Thank you. >> Uh the program starts in October. So I
know Dr. Mosley starts very early with promoting the program >> and we usually post it on the community connect on our website also. >> This is not Sorry, Madam President. This is not the first time that this is being offered. >> No. >> Do we usually max out at the 16 participants?
>> Yes. >> Uh we always max out all of the seats and there is a wait list as well. >> Sure. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy, please add tab five to the agenda. Tab six and 6A, the finance and
accounting reports. Are there any questions from the board? >> Madam President, >> Commissioner Jacobs. >> So on tab six, um item eight, Magic Touch Construction,
which is the security vestibules. Um, Madame President, is that the uh grant program um that you had been working on? >> Yes. >> Are you sure? >> Mr. Kennedy, I I want to say yes, but I correct. >> You should answer. >> That is correct.
>> Yes, it is. >> So, all of those costs will are covered by the grant then. Correct. >> Yes. Correct. One school 9 school number 80, 87, 87A, and 89 are covered by the grant for the f for the vestibial. School 80 is um Edison.
>> School 80 is Hamilton Preparatory Academy. >> Hamilton. >> Yes. The main entrance at Hamilton. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? Hearing none. Mr. Kennedy, please add tab 668 to the agenda. Tab seven, award
of contracts. >> Madame President. >> Yes, Commissioner Baff. I have a few questions. >> All right. >> Um, please indulge me. Uh, okay. Uh, page number five,
the last one. Um, what is that Latino Institute? What are they going to what are the topics? It just says virtual workshops presentation, but it doesn't give me what the topics are. Is it catering to just Latino um and Latina uh students or
is it open to everyone? >> It is uh thank you for your question. It's actually open to everyone. So we have been working with the Latino Institute for several years now. Uh we have uh Mr. Earl Brown and also um oh
I'm drawing a blank on the second name. My goodness. but they provide a series of workshops both virtually and in person to all of our families. So, uh this the menu of options is presented
initially uh to all of the parents and then throughout the course of the year parents are surveyed for additional topics that they will be interested in. So, for instance, financial literacy uh is an is an offering. Um there's um how to obtain your driver's license is
another topic. There's a series of topics that are already offered in advance and then through the survey. There's an expansion on the uh courses that are offered to to the families. And it's really quite interesting how this has grown over the years. uh I believe I
had shared this perhaps with our ed management committee where uh the in-person is less of an interest for our families and really the virtual workshops have taken off because it's an opportunity for families to be home and
they're able to log in and be able to receive their information. So we keep track on the length of time that our families log into the various workshops and then from there they're evaluated at the end with regard to which topic had the uh greatest interest. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Certainly. >> Moving forward though, can we add a little bit more information? For example, the one the VIP consulting it says professional development for teachers to support instructional growth. I didn't know this was the one I'm referring to was for families. how I
know that by explanation, but it wasn't in the in the description. So, we can do that. That would be great. >> Thank you. I will take note of that and ensure that in our future recommendations that's made very clear. >> Thank you. Uh on page eight, the last one again, uh the lost
mountain, um is are we providing calculators or just a license for calculators? This is a testing requirement that students be provided with uh the calculators. So this is
actually uh Texas instrument um the subscription for the students to be able to have the calculators. Right now the uh state assessment utilizes a um electronic uh calculator that they're as the student is uh solving the equation
they're accessing u a calculator that is uh so those are subscriptions in order to provide each student access to that. >> Okay second question what happened to the calculators from last year because the students are still our students except for those who graduated and those who are going from seventh to eighth
grade. So what happens to those calculators? >> Yes. So it it appears that calculators have a very uh short shelf life >> one year >> because this is something that we have been uh purchasing on an annual basis. Uh so certainly each school conducts an
an inventory and in fact the inventory is shared with our director of research evaluation and assessment and then determining the uh whether the calculators are working properly and the company does that verification for us. So that is done in collaboration with
Texas Instruments and then they provide us uh with the replacements and that's the contract that you see before you. >> So every student gets a new calculator every year. Not for every student every year. No, not at all. Not at all. I can certainly provide you the unit price for
the calculator. Uh but this of course is a requirement for all students that are testing uh grades three through uh nine and then grade 11. >> Thank you. >> Page 11, uh the third one down.
So, do all of our vehicles have a tracking system currently? And what was what prompted this this contract to add this to the cars? >> Yes. So, as an example, um all of our school buses do have the tracking capability. So, our uh administrators in
the transportation department are able to view exactly at any given time where a bus is and be able to track data in terms of the length of time it takes from going from uh one neighborhood stop to another one. So, yes, absolutely. >> But this is not the buses. It says
warehouse vehicles. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. So, contract with vehicle tracking solutions. Yes. Um, all the vehicles have GPS. Absolutely. >> No, they're about to put them in there now. I was wondering why. Is there >> No, it's a renewal of service.
>> Oh, I missed the word. Did I miss a word? Hold on. >> Renewal of six. >> I didn't see that. Oh, >> it doesn't say, but that it's the yearly. >> You forgot the word renewal. >> It's the yearly fee for the tracking system. >> Okay. I didn't know that. Thank you. See, I wouldn't have asked that question if I saw that. Okay, thank you. Uh, page
12. Sorry if anyone has any questions. I apologize. I will stop soon. Um, one, two, three, four. Number four. >> Uh, the auto body shop spray booth. What
is being replaced for that amount? >> It's new. It's a new spray booth. >> It's a new thing. >> Yes. >> It says a replacement of a It's a new Is it new or >> new spray booth? >> Excuse me. >> It's a new straight uh spray booth that is being installed. >> That is being installed. Okay. Thank
you. >> Uh page number 13. Do we really access Okay. One, two, three, four, three. Three down. Are we really Do we access the pool still? I haven't talked about this pool in a while. So, do we still offer summer uh
swimming classes during um those who attend Dwire and Hollyy or is this just a summer thing because we're renovate doing renovations to the pool? >> Is that four down? One, two, three, four. >> Contract with >> Excuse me. What page? >> Page 13.
>> Page 13. Contract with PRAVCO, Inc. >> You see it? >> Mechanical room renovations of the pool in sport. It's the mechanical room. >> It's just the room. >> It's not the pool. It's the >> It's not the pool room. Okay. >> Are we still using >> There's a wall. There's a wall in there
that needs some serious repair and now we're addressing that. >> Are we still using the pool? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Two both pools in the district. >> Part of the That's where I stopped. So, I'm done. Thank you, Madam President. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Are there any
other questions? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Moreno. >> Oh, I have one more. I apologize. Okay, sir. Hold on. Commissioner Marina, >> I apologize. I apologize. >> Uh, madam superintendent, are we going to be what are we doing with the schools? Are we painting the school buildings during the summertime for
those who request it or is it everyone doing the painting for? >> Uh, no. We have select schools uh that are on the list for paint projects, whether it is um offices, hallways in particular. I um had to go back to our uh so all of that information is
captured at the time in which we are building our 2627 budget. So uh we meet with every single principal and we discuss what the requests are. They identify what um upgrades are necessary in their building. painting projects uh
usually come up as one of the areas that are necessary and then from there our director of plant property and equipment will evaluate the request and then include the projects as part of his budget. Yes, absolutely. >> Thank you so very much. >> If memory serves me, we we had the
breakdown a couple of agendas ago. Mr. Kennedy can get that to you. It was very specific to the schools, the hallways, the lockers. >> Yeah. Mr. Kennedy, can you send that to me again? I'm sure you sent it, but please so I can look at it. It was almost >> summer project. >> The award of contract was in one of our
agendas. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Marino Otega. >> Yes. Thank you, Madame President. Uh my question is I have three question. Page number four. Uh the last one I see a
contract with great organization like personally I know minding your mind is a organization who support a student from kindergarten to 12 especially in mental health and all the struggle and
challenge the student have. Uh my question is how will be select the school who will be participate and also how will be select the student because as a teacher I know sometime is the
teacher who notice who have mental health struggles also is they know first I know first is somebody doing no good in my classroom than my principal. That mean what will be the protocol to you
know support because this is amazing program but my question is we we ask the teacher the teacher reference to the principal based on how many student we provide that specific workshop in that specific school or how we doing this
selection of these specific uh contract like it is amazing but I wonder if how we identify the students because sometime is hard it is hard for me to identify sometimes somebody who have a
struggle sometime different st member a security who identify sometime is a as somebody who work at the cafeteria I noted like somebody eating by themsel or somebody that I have lunch how we select that students for this specific
situation thank you madam superintendent >> but I know uh Ortega so with regard to this it's both uh teach it's both a teacher referral as well as the mental health team working collaboratively to be able to identify the students. So that is the process teacher referral and
as well as the mental health team. So um if a guidance counselor has been working uh with a group of students right uh periodically then they're being recommended because they would benefit from the workshop. So it's done collaboratively. Certainly the teacher is first and foremost most important
because uh the teacher's working directly with the students on a regular basis. So their uh recommendation is critical. >> Now I want to comment something for the community. You cannot forget like our school system and thank you to our school system have a program on our
computer student computer device and that specific program can cash in any word or situation and I personal uh work well on me with my daughter because every time she writes something like
they call you and they bring that's mean this is for the parents know this is another way like the school district three can catching if somebody's in crisis because this is my as I say as a mother for a personal case. Now my um
next question is um the contrast with my access is on page let me see because getting older I need my glasses excuse me my dirt community >> mind >> okay page number six uh number four
contract uh don't laughing because some of you will be using glasses too thank you okay page six uh the class contract um is with my access. This is the one that is
is the my access is the platform we see in our student computer when the student can see how they write, how well they submit the essay and everything. >> Mrs. Bortega, uh I think you're taking over the superintendent's position
nicely there. [laughter] That's exactly correct. my access uh will read what this student has written and be able to uh provide feedback with regard to areas of improvement. Absolutely correct. We've had this in place as part of our curriculum for many many years and it's
a program where our teachers have always provided very positive feedback our students are improving their writing certainly >> because the teacher can identify faster student need provide. And the last part
not is page seven the contract with a great company Savas learning company. My okay we all the school have these SAS like IC for uh science and for math that
is correct because I'm I'm not sure we using for science language art and >> uh Mrs. Moren Nortega which item on page seven >> page seven um the first contract with Savas Learning Company. I'm sorry. >> Absolutely. In fact, we were with Savas
Learning Company today as part of our administrators institute. So, Savas um provides uh our mathematics um program to our students. They provide a critical service because it is not just uh the implementation of the curriculum but
they also provide job embedded coaching and in addition to that they also provide uh feedback sessions to our administrators where they are reviewing the strengths and the weaknesses of the program and working directly. So it's it's phenomenal. You're working with
administrators, you're working with your teachers, right? And also you're observing the implementation of the program at the student level. >> Yeah. This is one of the companies I hope never disappear for our work. Uh because it's a great great company. Uh thank you so much for answer my
concerns. Um thank you madame president. >> Thank you. Are there any other questions from the board as it relates to tab 7 award of contracts. >> I have one more question madame president. >> Um so it's page 15 the contract with the union county educational services
commission. And if you don't have this answer now maybe you can let me know. Uh, so the project search at overlook, I know our special services is sending one of our students. Would you happen to know if we have any other students at Project Search? I love that. >> I will gladly uh provide that
information to you. I do believe so, but I will let me confirm, please. >> Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions, >> Madam President? >> Yes, Commissioner Rivera. >> On page number three, I just want to publicly express my my gratitude for contract with C's Axis changes
everything. thing. I know we did it last year and we're going to do it again and help a lot of our students with private schools and colleges. It would be helpful not now but later on if could you just provide a report of how many students were impacted this previous year. >> I would be glad to provide that. Um
absolutely great partnership and I agree with you. It has certainly uh benefited a lot of students. I'll provide a full report to the board. Certainly >> truly is a great program. Are there any other questions or concerns? Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy, please add tab seven
to the agenda. Tab eight, miscellaneous communications. At this time, we don't have any. Moving on to tab nine, claims list. Are there any questions from board?
Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy, please add the claims list to the agenda. Tap 10 through 10R. >> Madame President. >> Yes, Commissioner Bless. >> Uh for 10F, two things. Uh in the beginning it says
whereas the board possesses seven and then it has a five in there. So I don't know if we're doing five or seven uh vehicles. >> It's five. It's five. >> That's being corrected. >> Thank you. And then will we be paying a service fee for this
to happen. >> So, Commissioner Bathlas is referring to 10F >> 10 still 10F. Yeah. For us to sell those vehicles, will there be It says 100% goes towards a total high bid. Will do we have to pay a service fee for them to
do that for us? >> No, it's it's they put out a bid and that's what we got for the for the vehicles. >> Oh, that's what we got. Yes. That's for those five cars. Mhm. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Kenny. That's because they aged out, correct?
>> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Tab 10. 10 A 10 B. 10 C 10 D India's Independence Day
10 E we spoke about 10 F 10 G 10H 10 I 10 J it's payment for unused sick days
10K payment for unused vacation days. >> Are there any questions or concerns? >> Yes, one question. 10 commissioner. >> Yes. Uh it's just quick question. We we have Canel learning. How many um >> what are you referring to?
>> Uh 100 approving a contract with Canel learning inc. Um this contract is for how long? >> Oh, >> it's only for one year or every year we
renew with car learning. >> This is an annual uh contract. Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So Mn O All right. 10 P Q 10 Q
10R Are there any questions? >> And one one other one was just added 10S, the requisition for taxes. >> There we go. >> Is that here? Okay. Thank you. 10s is not in your agenda.
>> Okay, it's in front of you. Any questions on 10 10s? Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy, please add all the resolutions to the agenda. At this time, the president requests a motion to go into private session to
consider matters exempt under the Open Meeting Act, specifically for discussion of personnel matters, specifically personnel tenure charges, reorganization, and negotiation. Legal matters, specifically workers
compensation, specifically L, N, M, L, and LS. policy revision contract matter, specifically contracts for summer cheerleading skills camp. The board will reconvene in public and may take formal action. May I have a motion and a
second? >> Has been properly moved. I need a second. >> A second. >> Has been properly seconded. Mr. Kennedy, roll call, please. >> Barbosa, >> yes. >> Bathless. Chevresz,
>> yes. >> Jacobs, >> yes. >> Marine Ortega, >> yes. >> And Pastana, >> yes. >> Rivera, >> yes. >> Carvalo, >> yes. We are in private. time. I ask the superintendent
to present the HIV report. Thank you, Madam President. So, pursuant to board policy 5131.1, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in New Jersey statute 18837, the results of each investigation shall be reported to the board of education no later than the date of the next board meeting following completion
of the investigation and include any services provided, training established, discipline imposed, or other action taken or recommended by the chief school administrator. Since our last board of education meeting on June 18, 2026 and through June 25th, 2026, our school
counselors and schoolbased social workers have completed 29 HIV investigations. Of these investigations, 12 cases were founded for HIV as per New Jersey law. There were 10 males, 22 females, 26 regular education students, and six special education students that
were the alleged victims. There were 29 males, 15 females, 36 regular education students, and eight special education students that were the alleged offenders. Of the 12 cases founded for HIV, one case was founded based on race, national origin, one case founded based
on gender, one case founded based on mental, physical, or sensory disability, and 11 cases were founded based on other identifying characteristics. of the services provided in the actions taken for these investigations. There were 10 skill development lessons trainings, 22 counseling sessions, one behavioral
intervention, six referrals for outpatient mental health treatment, two changes of classroom, one change of school placement, three administrative counseling sessions, 12 inchool detentions, 22 parent conferences, and one referral to agencies. Six out of school suspensions and six cases
continue to be monitored. The HIV statute further requires that at the next regularly scheduled meeting after the board members receive the initial report of HIV investigations that the board issue a decision in writing to affirm, reject, or modify the superintendent's decision pertaining to the 73 cases that were reported to you
at the last board meeting on June 18th. In order for you to do so, the investigation summaries for those investigations which were reported to you at the last board meeting have been provided for your review prior to voting. And this completes this month's HIB report. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, at
this time I would add additional items to the agenda. Mr. Kennedy, are there additional items to be added to the agenda? >> Yes, there are. The first thing we have is a consideration approval for summer cheerleading skill camp. We have a
reorganization for business office administrators. And if I may, we have our first reading of policy 6142.11, cell phone and personal electronic device policy. The policy is available
for review in the office of the school business administrator. And those are our additional items this evening. >> Mr. Kennedy, kindly add the additional items to the agenda. At this time, I'm asking for a motion and a second to approve the entire
agenda and the additional items added. >> I make a motion to approve the agenda in in Saturday plus the added items. >> Second. >> The motion has been made and properly seconded. Are there any questions or
comments? Hearing none, Mr. Kennedy. Roll call, please. Barbosa. >> Yes. >> Chevron. >> Yes.
>> Jacobs. >> Yes. >> Morino Ortega. >> Yes. >> Concavas Pasta. >> Yes. with an abstension on tab 5 page 4, tab 5, page five, and tab 7 page 14.
>> Rivera, >> yes. >> Carvalo. >> Yes. with an abstension on tab 4 1, tab 7 page 2, tab 7 page 21,
resolution 10H and resolution 10K. >> Thank you. With those votes, the agenda has passed this evening. >> Great. >> Thank you, Mr. Kennedy. May I have a motion? No, we're done. We're done. We're done.
>> We done. >> May I have a motion to close the meeting? >> I make a motion to adjurnn tonight's meeting. We need a second, guys. >> Second. >> All right. Motion has been properly made and seconded. Mr. Kennedy, roll call,
please, to close the meeting. >> Uh, Barbosa. >> Yes. Yes. Good night. >> Chevresz, >> yes. Good night everyone. >> Jacobs. >> Yes. Good evening. >> Marina Ortega. >> Yes. Have a good night. >> And Pastana.
>> Yes. Good night everyone. >> Rivera. >> Yes. Good night. >> Carvalo. >> Yes. Good night everyone. Thank you.