16 members of the public in attendance. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Dr. Berellini, >> Miss Brown, >> present. >> Mr. Leia, >> present. >> Miss Favich, >> present. >> Miss Coriva,
>> she won't be making it tonight. Absent for the record, Mr. Rosenberg >> here. Mr. Santana, >> Miss Kiba emailed the board in advance and she has a a work related um um
business to take care of. Present. >> Thank you, Mrs. Man. >> Present. >> We have quum. Thank you. The New Jersey Open Public Meeting Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of the public bodies
at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with provisions of this act, the Fair Law Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof distributed to the persons on the approved list, posted in the board of education administrative office, and sent to the Bergen Record
and the Herald News. The announcement posting for the regular monthly meeting along with the date, place, and time thereof was distributed on January 8th, 2026. Please join me in the flag salute. Ice 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 for. Okay. So, we will be starting this evening with our board member can vacancy candidate interviews. Um,
Mr. Cruz, would you please pull the first name out of um >> I would like to make I would like to make a statement about the process. I would like to make a motion to make a statement about the process of how we got to this day. >> Second.
But but if he already made a motion in a second, there has to be a discussion. >> That's what the law >> I defer to you. >> So you wanted to make a statement. >> Yeah, I would like to make a statement about
>> second. So you can't deviate from Robert's rules and then have the discussions. So no, there has to be a roll call because right now on your agenda it says interview. So if you're going to delay an interview you're going to have to have a vote to see you delay an
interview to have this discussion because there's nothing on the floor. Generally when you have a motion in a second it's a motion to second or an action item then you have a discussion the action. This is not an action item. You're trying to create an action. So you have to do roll call.
>> So for the record this is a a roll call to make a statement before interviews. Uh Dr. Bertellini. No, >> no. Be before interviews how certain board members were excluded from participating in the process. I would like to make sure that it's included to
make a statement that certain board members were purposely excluded by leadership. That's what my motion >> point of point of information. Uh just to clarify, what do you mean by leadership? Because some people may think you're talking about the superintendent, >> the vice president and president.
>> Roll call, please. >> Dr. Bertellini. >> No. Miss Brown, >> no. >> Mr. Leair, >> no. >> Miss Fellage, >> yes. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> no.
>> Mr. Santana, >> yes. >> Mrs. Man, >> no. >> Motion failed. >> Can you please call the first candidate? >> First candidate's uh Julie Casoy. Miss Casoy, please join us right up here. Um, and we will get started.
>> Miss Casoy, um, Mr. Cruz will be asking you questions. Sorry. Thank you for participating our community's governance. Good evening, Miss Katoy. >> Good evening, Mr. Chris. >> Uh, tell us a little bit about yourself
and why you're interested in filling the open um schoolboard seat. >> Of course. So, my name is Julie Casoy. I have been a 17 17year resident of Fairlon. Um, I have three children, one of whom is currently still a Fairlon
High School. Other the other two who have graduated from the Fairlon school system. I'm sure many of you know I have uh I recently sat on the board for the past year uh having been appointed last year to fill a vacancy. I then ran for I know that was one of the questions I I
ran in the board of ed election in this past November. I came in fourth um in the election. So I did not win the first round as multiple actually members who are currently sitting here and others who have sat here in the past. Um but I did have the most next number of votes.
So I do feel like I am qualified and by the the public um interested in in having me here. So I have completed my first governance training. I spent the past year learning and listening and collaborating with the other board members and I would look forward to
coming back and continuing that work. and I think I have a lot to offer and um continue to to serve the students and the community of the town. >> Thank you. Second question is, what do you believe are the greatest challenges
currently facing the school district and what do you see as the board's role in addressing those challenges? >> Sure. Um well, as we know, many school districts all face the same challenges. A couple of those that I think are the greatest challenges for this district
being um mental health and wellness, addressing needs of the growing multicultural community in Fairlon and keeping up with the everchanging academic needs honestly of our students here, whether they um are going into trades or colleges or military, whatever
path they choose to make sure that they have the skills they need to be successful in whatever path they take. Um I know that that is something that um is facing all of the districts and Fereralon is is no different. So um challenges here but also opportunities
for for growth. Um was that part of the question is what what the board's role is in those did you ask that already? >> Yes. So so basically yeah um and then the third question what do you see as the role of the school as a the role of
a school board member? >> Sure. So the the board's role in addressing those challenges, the board of education, we stand by this, and if you look up a definition anywhere, is not to run the schools. The board of education is here to set direction, provide guidance, ensure that the the
district can tackle these challenges effectively with the proper budgeting, with the proper oversight, and the proper policies and procedures in place. Um the board is directed to decide what challenges are most important to the district. what are the areas to focus on both financially through administration
staffing all of those needs um and communicate those needs to the administration the administration's role is there in to run the district dayto-day and to turn that board of education's vision into policies and action so where the board governs is my
time up no okay I heard a beep sorry when the when the board of education visions turns into policy and action when the board governs administration manages and executes. So, the board decides where to go and the district and administration decides how to get there.
>> Did I answer the question? Yeah. >> Okay, good. >> What issues? Sorry. What issues or concerns do you have regarding the school's district's operations? >> So, again, every district has room for growth. Every district has room for
improvement. No one is done growing because there are always new challenges to face. I think some of the opportunities for development in Fairlon could be to review communication and transparency to allow parents to engage more with learning opportunities for their students. Um, taking a deeper dive
into student support services, mental health being a real issue and a challenge for a lot of the students. So whether that be mental health counselors, guidance counselors, other resources to serve the the everanging needs of our student body, I think there is room for growth, room for improvement
and we have work to do. And our final question for you is uh what areas would you like to see strengthened in our district? >> So I think again I'll piggy back on the the same answer that I just gave which is um community transparency involvement
of the family members um student support services and making sure that there are resources available to help our students deal with their day-to-day challenges and with their plans for going forward. Thanks.
>> Thank you so much, Mr. Cruz. Our next candidate, next candidate is uh Stan Lynn. Yeah, >> Mr. Lind, thank you so much for participating in our community's governance. I am just going to get a um
copy of the question so you have them in front of them in case you need to reread it once they are read to you. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm an educator by trade. We're all multi- uh style learners. So, I want to give you that opportunity as well. It's actually fine.
>> Water would be great. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr. Lynn, the same process will apply. Uh, Mr. Cruz will read you the questions and then you answer them as you see fit.
>> Miss board members step out. Make sure that they're >> Okay. Good evening, Miss Lynn. So the first question is uh tell us a little bit about yourself and why are you interested in filling the open seat of the board um and have you run for
election of a school board and why or why not? >> I come from a family that moved to Fairorn in the late 1970s. So my family's been in Fairorn for approx about 50 years. Uh Fairorn's really given me an incredible opportunity. I
went through Fairone School District after graduating from Fairone in the uh I won't say the year, but let's say before the year 2000. Um I I I uh I was accepted to Ruckers College where I completed a math degree. And it always struck me when I was at Ruckers, I would
be sitting in an English class and there were definitely students from other districts and at that time of course I didn't call it districts. I was a college student. But it struck me that I was given tools that those students were never given. And that really really uh always impressed me how well the
Fairmont School District did in preparing me for college. Uh after college I um graduated and I ended up uh entering the IT uh IT department at Sony Electronics and um I took a few years in Sony let's say about seven or eight
years and then Sony decided to move to San Diego and I was hired as a math teacher at Wayne Hills High School. So I've been a math teacher in Wayne Hills High School for the last 20 years. So really when I say why I would want to serve, it was really the opportunity
that I've been given that extends to my brother, my sister, and my children. I've been impressed with Fairlorn and as a teacher in Wayne, it impresses me kind of looking at my students where I I see basically the same opportunities I've been given, they've been given. And u
this is a number of years back when we used to have cafeteria duty. There was a police officer from uh Patterson that was working. he was uh substituting and he would he looked at around the cafeteria and he just said to me, "These kids have no idea how lucky they are." And that really impressed me and it made
me really think deeply about how lucky I've been to be a resident in this community. >> Thank you. Second question, what do you believe are the greatest challenges currently facing our district and what do you see the board's role in
addressing those challenges? And lastly, uh what do you see as an u the administrator's role in addressing those challenges? >> Uh the greatest challenges facing our district, if you ask around, people will talk about overcrowding the building in town. Maybe they'll start talking about
the gifted and talented program in town. But um the real challenge is whether or not we are preparing students for the future. The US started with an agricultural economy. Then we transitioned into an industrial economy,
then an information-based economy. We're now transferring into an artificial intelligence economy. So, I like to listen to a lot of podcasts and I like to really well, I'm a math teacher, so I'm interested in technology. And um
basically um after uh COVID I decided to go back to school and I'm currently a a graduate student at William Patterson with with a master's degree in STEM steam. When you listen to most of those experts they feel that our economy will look totally different over the next
five years. So the real challenge facing this district is whether or not we're preparing our students for that new economy. So we can't we don't know where it's going to land but we could give them the tools where they can navigate that economy. >> What do you see as the role of the
school board member? >> The role of the school board member. I've actually learned a great deal attending William Patterson. So I'm well into that program at this point. I've started we just started. So I just started my fifth and sixth class. It's a
10. It's a 10 course program. So the role of the school board is really our number one job is to is to um hire the best possible superintendent we can because the superintendent really sets a direction for the school and that
direction permeates to the principles and from the principles it goes down to every single classroom. So all the all I took educational research over the summer and it was a really a fantastic uh course. Got to read different peer-reviewed articles. I never really
saw peer-reviewed articles before. It was a it was a moment. We had weekly assignments where we would have to read an article that was like 30 or 40 or 50 pages. uh digest the data and tell and tell the professor how we would institute those
changes or what we've learned from that and how we would apply that in our academic setting. Well, every single article I read came back to the same thing that if the person at the top builds an environment of teamwork that
that policy permeates down to the teachers in the classroom. If somebody comes in and dictates how things are going to run, people just shut down and nothing happens. And I can't really talk about my school district probably in public, but um I it's been a wonderful
experience working there. But I have I have seen that personally and I'm sure other teachers in my school would probably say the same. >> Thank you. What issues or concerns do you have regarding the school district
operations? The major issues is I my concern would be for preparing all our students. There's different paths for every student. When people talk about AI, it turns out it's the white collar jobs that they think will be cannibalized in the future. So if we
have students that are geared towards the trades or mechanically inclined, I think we should have programs in place that will help those students be successful in that avenue. I think for too long in education, we've had one direction and that direction is just
pointed towards someone going to college. Now, if that's where their direction is, we of course need to support that. But if there's other students where their direction is to go into the trades or an apprenticeship, we should have programs in place to support that.
So, the number one thing I would say is that we start recognizing that there's different paths for everybody. And for too long, since we're basically mostly teachers in schools, we've been successful at academics. That does not hold for every student.
>> And lastly, Miss Lena, what are what areas would you like to see strengthen in our district? >> I certainly would like to see us communicate better with parents. There's always room to improve. I would also say that we have to address
a technology policy. When I think back when I first started teaching, the kids really didn't have cell phones. They had these flip phones. They they weren't smartphones. Let's say over the last 10 years as the iPhone came into place. It has been
detrimental to students. And uh every teacher knows it's been detrimental to students. And now the research is showing us it's been detrimental to students. And now they're and now they are starting to address it nationally. We need to be forward facing
and think about how we're going to handle that. If I as a new teacher when classroom management wasn't so easy for me, I would worry about having five minutes of downtime. Now I'm now I'm the veteran teacher, so I know how to handle classroom management. But if I would
tell my kids, we have a few minutes left. Um usually what the kids do is they hang up the couchs in the couch pockets as they walk into my classroom. So, they don't have their calculators on them in my classroom. But if I tell them we have a few minutes left, the first thing they do is they'll go get their
phones and they're on their phones. They're not talking to each other. They're not communicating with each other. They're just on social media. And social media has been very bad for students. It has impeded their social growth. It has impeded their academic
growth. Now, some people don't want to hear that, but every teacher knows it's true. And if parents don't know it's true, I can tell you it's true >> as a parent and as an educator. >> Thank you very much, >> Mr. Lynn. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you, >> Mr. Cruz. The next candidate, next candidate is uh Seth Guten. Mr. Guten Plan, the same process will apply. Mr. Cruz will um read you the questions. They are available to you on that piece of paper. Thank you so much for participating in our community's
governance. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. uh tell us a little bit about yourself and why are you interested in filling the open seat on the board and have also tell us if you've ran for an election on a board seat. Why or why not?
>> Hello everyone. My name is Seth Guten Plan. Um I'm in my 17th year as an educator having taught both in public and private settings including three years in the Tene public schools as a special education teacher.
I'm now in my 10th year at the community school, which is an outofd district placement school for students with language-based learning disabilities. I work at the lower end high schools. Um, I also have a personal connection to this work as I'm a graduate of the
community high school. Um, and someone who grew up with a learning disability myself. Um my wife and I chose to move to Fereralon when she was pregnant with my son and we did not know a single person. We knew no one in Fairlon. The reason
why we moved to Fairlon of all the places in Bergen County, we were looking just in Bergen County was because of the reputation of the public school system and the value the community places on education. I'm interested in serving on
the board of education because I believe my professional experience particularly in special education technology as I teach technology and computer science and supporting diverse learners can help inform thoughtful student centered decisions while working collaboratively
with fellow board members to continue strengthening an already excellent district. I have not previously run for election. This vacancy opportunity felt like the right way to step into board service to learn, contribute, and support the district in a way that's
grounded in listening and collaboration before considering any future steps. >> Thank you. What do you believe are the greatest challenges currently facing the school district? What do you see um as the board's role in addressing those
challenges? And lastly, what do you see as the administr the administration's role in addressing those challenges? >> Sure. Like many districts, Fairlon is balancing several complex challenges at once. Supporting a wide range of learners academically, socially, and
emotionally while maintaining strong outcomes is a major one. Another one is navigating rapid changes in technology, including AI, in a way that enhances learning without widening gaps. I see the board's role as setting the vision,
priorities, and policies, making sure decisions are aligned with the district's values, long-term goals, and fiscal responsibility. The board should ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and evaluate outcomes without micromanaging. The administration's role
is to implement the vision, managing day-to-day operations, supervising staff, designing programs, and bringing data and recommendations to the board. When the board and administration trust each other and stay in their respective lanes, the district is strongest.
>> Thank you. >> Sure. When the board and administration trust each other and stay in their respective lanes, the district is strongest. >> What do you see as the the role of the school board member? A school board
member's role is to serve the entire community by focusing on governance rather than management. That means uh setting policy, approving budgets, ensuring accountability, and supporting the superintendent while keeping students at the center of every
decision. It also means listening, listening to parents, staff, students, and administrators even when perspectives differ. Effective board members ask good questions, base decisions on data and policy, and act as a team rather than as
individuals. Ultimately, the role is protecting what works, improving what doesn't, and making decisions that are sustainable and equitable over time. >> Thank you. What issues or concerns do you have regarding the school district's
operations? Well, I want to be careful here because as a board member, I would rely heavily on the administration for operational insight. That said, I'm al always interested in how districts ensure consist consistency and communication across buildings, especially in areas
like special education services, technology integration, and staff support. I'm also mindful of workload and burnout, making sure systems and initiatives are sustainable for teachers and staff. Strong operations are often invisible when they're working well, but
they matter tremendously to student outcomes. My approach would be to learn, ask questions, and support improvements through policy and planning rather than jumping to conclusions. >> Thank you. And and lastly, Mr. Gut plan, uh what areas would you like uh would
you like to see strengthen in our district? >> Beeron already has many strengths. So, I see this more as building on what exists. One area I'm particularly interested in is continuing to strengthen inclusive practices, ensuring that students with learning differences have access to rigorous, meaningful
instruction with the right supports. I'd also like to see continued growth in how technology is used instructionally, not just as a tool, but as a way to increase access, engagement, and real world skills while being mindful of
equity and appropriate use. Finally, I think strong communication and smooth transitions between schools are areas every district can continually refine and I'd be interested in supporting efforts there. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. >> Next candidate. Next candidate is Chase Willie. >> Chase, thank you for being here and participating in community governance in light of the fact that you are also in midterms. >> Thank you. Thank you for having me.
>> So, Mr. Willie, tell us a little bit about yourself and why you're interested in filling the open board seat. Um, also let us know if you have run for election of a school board, why or why not. >> Um, I haven't ran. I'm a senior in high school. I just turned 18 on Friday, so I
couldn't run. But, um, >> thank you. Thank you. But um I'm running because I believe in um three key principles being fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency. And um
always making sure that you're putting the students first and you're prioritizing um their life beyond graduation. Um I'm a lifelong uh Fairon resident, 18 years. Um I'm a senior at Fairon High School.
Um, as a senior, as a student, I see firsthand how board decisions affect students and taxpayers. And I think that gives me a very good perspective on different kind of policies, different kind of um, initiatives that the board
votes on and looks at. Um, and I think that perspective that's grounded in fiscal discipline would really benefit the board and uh, their insights. >> Thank you. What do you believe are the greatest challenges currently facing this school district and what do you see
as the board's role in addressing those challenges and what do you see as the administration's role in addressing those challenges? >> So the biggest um challenge I see currently and this is across every district in New Jersey in America is uh
trying to balance academic excellence through financial pressure. It's very difficult to make sure that every student has the resources they need to learn in a collaborative environment and an environment that fosters growth and learning
with financial um pressure, financial need. Uh budgets are very limited. Obviously, you don't have all the money that you need to do certain things. And I think also preparing students for college trades, uh, military,
uh, whatever they want to do postgrad is very important. Every student has their own path and every path should be treated the same. Um, as far as the the roles of the board, the board's role
is just to set sort of a guideline or a framework of what the administration does dayto-day. The administration handles the day-to-day aspect. I kind of compare it to like the legislative and the executive branch. The board's more like the legislative branch, whereas the
administration's like the executive branch. >> Thank you. What do you see as the role of the school board member? >> The role of a school board member is to lead with integrity. Number one. Number
two, you have to hire a good superintendent, which I feel our board almost always has. We've always had a great superintendent and that's probably the biggest because the superintendent holds 99% of the responsibilities and then the board
fills in the other 1%. But um yeah, I mean it's mostly just to again offer that framework for the administrators in the elementary schools, middle schools, high school, um
support educators, represent the community, things like that. >> What issues or concerns do you have regarding the school's district operations? Um, one concern is ensuring that spending aligns with
student outcomes. Like I said before, every student has their separate path. Whether you want to go into the trades, whether you want to go into the military, whether you want to go to college, every student's different. Every student will do different things postgrad. And every student deserves the opportunity
to learn what they want to do and make that decision. Um I also think um which has been spoken by multiple other candidates is communication clarity for parents and students. Um I think that oftent times
in just in general students feel alienated through from processes like this. I think the board has done a decent a good job with the student reps from the two middle schools and the high school is great great um initiative but oftentimes students feel alienated and I
think that's another big concern. >> And lastly, Mr. Willie, uh what areas would you like to see strengthening uh in our district? >> The main thing that I'm really passionate about is workforce and career readiness. I think that our schools do a
good job at this, but you can always be better. You can always be better. Make these um programs more efficient. Um like I've I've mentioned before, every
student has their own path and our system needs to reflect that through different programs. Um I've seen firsthand how students benefit the most while learning um under real world experiences. So I think we should
try to expand our career programs like our CTE programs is a big one I think we should expand. I would look to um formalize partnerships with local businesses, uh municipal departments as well as um people in healthcare, trades,
finance, so we can give students job shadowing opportunities, internship opportunities or mentorship opportunities where they see fit. Um I also think would like to expand our financial literacy programs. I think
that a big disservice that education does, not necessarily here, but in general, is students don't know what to do with their money. They don't know how, they don't know anything about taxes. They don't know how to budget, things of that nature. And I think a lot of times young adults are burdened by
debt, which is one of the biggest issues in America. And I would like to expand so every student knows exactly what to do when they get out of college. Thank you. >> Thank you so much.
>> Next candidate, uh, Diana Sapala. Miss Sapola, same applies. Uh Mr. Cruz will read the questions. Thank you for your participation in our community's governance. >> Welcome Mr. Aala. So the first question is uh tell us a little bit about yourself and why are you interested in filling the open um board seat? Uh also
let us know if you have run for uh election of a school board, why or why not. Okay. Good evening everyone. My name is Diana Sapala and um the gentleman that was up before me is one of the main reasons why
I want to run. Um I love students and I think they uh deserve the best um opportunities that we can offer them. So um I have been an educator for over 20
years. I'm in the doctoral program at Satan Hall University and I should be actually graduating this semester. Um in fact my dissertation's on um how AI is used in schools. So um needless to say
it's a timely uh dissertation and yes I have run uh for the board of education um before but uh due to I went to the training the first training for board members and only to realize that
at that time I had a little bit of conflict of interest um so as a result I had to uh drop out so uh that's obviously um going to be well it's resolved at this point. So um I also
have served on many boards um not necessarily boards of education but I was president of the association of mathematics teachers of New Jersey and I also had served on NCTM if you're familiar with national council teachers
of mathematics. Um so I served on both of those boards. I'm very familiar with Robert's rule of orders and I know how to work with members on the board which that in itself can be you know an art so
to speak. Um and like I said I have been president and in Julie's position and understand how it's how to run a board. Um let's see. So, I'm interested because I love
Fairlon. I've been a resident for over 20 years. Um, and I think our students deserve the best. So um and I also feel like my background
attributes to um this position and my major as well since my major is um educational uh management policy um and leadership
and I'm at Satan Hall University. So um I would love to utilize those skills. Okay. What do you believe are the greatest challenges currently facing our school district and what do you see as the
board's role in addressing those challenges and what do you see as the administration's role in addressing >> so we have we have a couple of uh challenges um but those challenges are no different than many of the other schools especially in New Jersey um one
somebody had already mentioned mental health but I think that's true throughout the whole state um The other uh challenges is the fiscal responsibility. We're entering into um a new funding
formula and as a result that always affects school different uh districts differently. Um I think the school board is going to have to have a a solid understanding of that funding formula when it comes out and be able to make
decisions appropriately. um based on it and also sometimes it requires the school board members to go and advocate for the school district if need be if the funding formula is not
fair to and equitable to say fair lawn. So that's one of the major things that I I feel really passionate about. I also feel like that one of the other challenges that I think people are overlooking and that is the quick
advancement of um AI artificial intelligence is changing so rapidly and trust me try doing a dissertation that you started three years ago. I'm not kidding and it's been it's been a it's been a roller
coaster. That's all I'm going to say. However, um I believe that I think we need to prepare for that and I'm not so sure that all districts are prepared for what the you know AI is
bringing forth and we need to also prepare our students for the their future not what our future is for their future. So I feel pretty passionate about that and I think I can be an asset
in that capacity. So and what do I think the administrative uh administrative's role in addressing those challenges? Um clearly they need to plan for the future and additionally as far as the um school
board we need to support our administration. We have great leaders here in Fairlon. I want to make sure that we keep them. Okay. We have excellent teachers. So, um I'm really hoping that we
continue with the excellent education that Fairline um brings to uh the residents. >> Thank you. What do you see as the role of the school board member? >> Okay. So, and I know a couple of people
have mentioned this before, but I'm I'm going to draw everyone's attention to I love the fact that our website actually states what the role of a school board member is. And I notice that very often coming to these
meetings, there are people that'll bring up issues that the school board really can't do anything about, unfortunately. You know, it's more along the lines of you should really be going to administration. You should be going through the appropriate channels. It is
not the school board's role to run the school. It is the school board's role to set policy, make sure that we are fiscally responsible, we're upholding the law,
and that we are providing a thorough education for our students, all students in Fairlon, in the Fairon school districts, I should say. Um, thorough and efficient education. I should use the quote in the
state law correctly. So, um, so as a board member, it's our responsibility to uphold the law and all of the state statutes, um, not to necessarily address all of the problems that some people have
individually. >> Thank you. what issues or concerns do you have regarding the schools district's operations? >> So, um, one of the concerns that I actually have and I know I put brought up the whole
artificial intelligence issue. Um I think first of all fair has done an excellent job on hib harassment intimidation and bullying and they have really done a lot of things that that surround that and even with mental health health have made some
advancements but with the new technologies that are coming out and it's you know more than just AI I believe that there might be some issues that um we need to make sure that we're prepared for that
you know might come up in the future and we need to know how to handle those and be proactive in that realm. So if I have to say anything about operations that's it. Um I also do think that
communication and transparency are really important for um our community. Remember our students should always come first. Our children always come first. They should be the first and foremost in every decision that we make and all of
the operations should reflect that. >> And finally, Miss um Sapala, uh what areas would you like to see strengthened in our district? >> So, it's it's interesting. Um the gentleman before me had sort of uh
stolen my thunder, so to speak. I I I felt like um I feel like CTE is the area in which I think that we need to strengthen as a district. Um there are certifications out there in which many
students whose pathway and he t he discussed um about pathways. Many students have different pathways and some of them are are college or maybe some of them may be college later like my own father actually went into a trade. He was an electrician first and
then he went to college and got became an electrical engineer but and I believe that there could be many students who are in that kind of a path as well. Um CTE is a growing industry. There are so many things to offer and the
certifications um that are out there are incredible. And if students can get certified in certain areas um you know upon graduation when they go to uh apply for
a job or actually even get a job they are more likely to get the higher pay because they have the certifications and they know that and they're going to be probably hired over people who do not have those certifications because they
know that there's a set standard. So I feel like that that's to me that would be the biggest thing to strengthen. Um you know communication is is another and transparency but more importantly I really would like to see our CTE program
expanded upon and that to me is one of the biggest um and it has been said that the mindset and it's not just fair line it's I think it's all Bergen County is only college. Well there are some people that should go into the military. There
are some people that should um or want to go, you know, work on cars or um you know, be an electrician or a plumber. We need all of those people whether or not anybody realizes it. They're all really
important to our our community. Um additionally, I would like to see that the community has a little more input on some of the board goals. Um so I think that you know it would be helpful. I
know that that when we presented the goals or the the goals were presented um past couple of years there was some input even from various board members that you know they might have disagreed with certain things. I just think it would be a great idea if we can have um
more community input and everyone have a say in what the goals are because after all this is our school. This is our district. This is everyone's. So, and as a board member, you work for
the community. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Next candidate uh on ahead as Ryan. >> Did I say it correctly? >> Yes. Perfect. By the way, >> Anna hits as Ryan.
>> Yes. Miss As Ryan, thank you for joining us. The questions are in front of you. Mr. Cruz will read them. Uh, thank you for your participation in our community's governance. >> Mr. Asan, uh, tell us a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in
filling the open board seat and also have you ran for a board of education? Why or why not? >> Before answering to your question, Mr. Cruz, I would like to say that I was completely not ready for this format. I didn't even have notes. This is my very first attempt to participate in
community. Um so um I just wanted to say that my first reaction was to run away because I was not ready for public speaking. But I'm very glad that I stayed because I really enjoyed the candidate speeches and the environment is very nice. No
matter how the meeting will go, I will stay engaged. Yes. And um now about me, I am resident in Fairone for last five years. a mother of three children, a toddler, um elementary school kid and a middle
school kid. Uh and my motivation to participate in board of education first of all comes to support my kids and education and the community where my kids are growing up. I have background in um engineering uh chemical engineering and environmental
engineering. I have master's degree in financial management and also I have MBA in project management uh and product management. So mainly my uh professional background is to analyze that data uh to
make decisions based of data um budgeting communication with a variety of people stakeholders uh from different background different cultural uh backgrounds um yes basically.
>> Okay thank you. Second question is uh what do you believe is the greatest challenge currently facing our school district and what do you see as the board's role in addressing those challenges and what do you see as the administration's role in
addressing it? >> Yes, it's very hard to talk and not to repeat whatever was said before me. Um I have to say basically the same things. The challenges are everywhere the same. the technology uh improvement and um
it's very hard to understand what kind of um effect it will have for future generation. It's very important to be in touch with society with um community to understand their needs and to navigate based on data and um based of the needs
of the students. Um yeah and administrations the main role is to um support super uh attendant uh to make decisions um and support in all other areas.
>> Thank you. What do you see um as a role of a school board member? Um so as I said the main role of the school board member is to support superintendent uh to have to communicate strongly with the community uh to be in touch with
whatever changes are happening um in technology in society and support. The most important thing is to support the student emotionally socially and of course academically. What issues or concerns do you have regarding the school district's
operations? >> Um well I would say I have u a lot of assumptions but my background teaches me to be based on the data to uh uh that's why um I need more information. I'm very eager to learn more to study the field.
Um, yeah, for now I don't want to mention anything because basically I'm very happy with the district. >> Thank you, Mr. Asar. And then lastly, what areas do would you like to see strengthening uh in our in our district? >> Well, besides my kids, the other factor
that is motivational for me is the families and how invested um people around me and parents are in education and growth of their children. And I see huge potential in fair loan in in in kids and I think there is huge area to
uh have programs that will have better support their academical invest um improvement um and also it's very important to be in touch with community to have um communication communicate to understand
the needs of the students the needs of the parents and the needs of the society population. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. And you did great. Take a deep breath. >> You did.
>> Next candidate. Marcies, >> Miss Reese, thank you so much for your participation. Same process applies. So, Miss Ree, uh, tell us a little bit about yourself and why you're interested in filling the open board seat and also let us know if you have ran for the
election of school board, why or why not. >> Sure. Um, first just want to take a minute to thank the board for uh, having me here and to interview me as a candidate. And I want to also commend all the other candidates that have applied because I did run for board of education this past fall. obviously did
not win. I didn't do too bad for my first time. I I was only about 250 votes behind Julie Casoy and uh I did receive a lot of support and I learned a lot and it's uh definitely intimidating to get up in front of people and speak. Tell you a little bit about myself. I am a
third generation lifelong resident of Fairlon. My grandparents moved here in 1954. My mother and her siblings grew up here and my mom decided she had to live here because it is a great town. Uh, I went through Raver and TJ. I graduated Fairlan High School in 2001. My, uh,
children, I have two in Linrest and one in Memorial. And I actually have a niece in the high school and two nephews at TJ. So, my one brother stayed local. My other brother is actually serving on the board of ed at his town and is um the president of the Hall of Fame for the
sports within town. So, we are pretty dedicated to our hometown. I have a pretty long history in education. My first experience was doing service learning with Mrs. Hayek and as uh 14 I volunteered at an aftercare after school
program actually at Radburn and that really uh got my love for teaching going. Since then I have taught I've been a substitute teacher I've been a teacher aid I've taught preschool. I was a special needs teacher and I had the incredible experience of homeschooling
my children for five years and now I'm teaching with the Union County Educational Services Commission offering support services for uh students in grades 1 through eight and my main goal for being here is giving back to the community that helped shape me. I've been here my whole life and I have three
children that are in the schools and I just really want the best for them and the best for our community. >> Thank you. What do you believe are the greatest challenges currently facing this school district and what do you um see is the board's role in addressing
those challenges and what do you see is the administration's role in addressing those challenges. >> So I don't think that our issues are really a one-sizefits-all because we're 10 schools across a district with various grade levels and various needs. Uh I think the biggest
challenge is making sure that we are prioritizing meeting all of our students needs from challenging our gifted and talented students and um sorry protecting our special education students who are oftentimes our most vulnerable. Uh as a parent in town
obviously I hear lots of complaints that some parents are still dealing with overcrowding in their schools. Some students in K to6 are unhappy with happier science and history programs. But I think if you break it down and look at our schools as a whole, the biggest challenges in our high school
are cell phone use of which the state did just pass a policy uh career and technical education which is going to be a big thing shaping us hopefully going forward and also effective use of AI middle schools. I found that uh probably the biggest challenge are the number of
hibs and the bullying that is still happening. We all know it's a rough age. So just figuring out how to fix that. In elementary school, there is a big community concern on gifted and talented opportunities and not enough ancillary teachers to support our students. Um
most of these issues can be addressed through the board creating new policies or strengthening the policies that we already have in place. And the administration's role in addressing these challenges is to follow through with whatever policies are set forth by the board because board sets policies and the administration follows through
with them. >> Thank you. What do you see as the role of the board school board member? >> The role of a board member is to work collaboratively with the other board members to make sure that our district is functioning properly. The board
functions by committee but doesn't run the school district. I think a lot of people forget that members oversee the superintendent and they create policy which the superintendent then implements and they also negotiate contracts and approved budgets. The role of the board as a whole is to ensure that the
district is wellrun through the creation of wellthoughtout policies that are updated as needed which serve as a guide to the superintendent and then provide direction for our district as a whole. >> Thank you. What issues or concerns do
you have regarding the school district's operations? >> I'd say my biggest concern is to make sure that we are being fiscally responsible. We Fereralon's in the fortunate position where the majority of our budget is actually coming from our tax dollars and not from federal
government. And if there are any funding cuts, we should still be able to run our schools well. and it's just really important to make sure that we're allocating our funds to be in best to be serving our students um and best serve
their needs. I will say that while our district does have challenges like every other district, our PTOs do a wonderful job with community collaboration. The new playgrounds throughout our district are fantastic. The new electronic boards are incredibly helpful. branding. I I
wasn't initially on board with that idea, but the students are taking more pride in their school and the most important part of any school district is that our children are thriving and that their social and emotional health are needs are being met and overall I think
we're doing a good job in that area. >> And lastly, Miss Ree, um what areas will you like to see strengthen in our district? I would like to see as mentioned and as a parent clear communication and transparency. Parents are not always aware of what programs
and opportunities are available for their children and they're often not aware of the proper channels to follow on the chain of um to follow or aware of the chain of command. If there's an issue, a lot of times they rush going straight to the board. That's not how it
works. the parents should understand where to start and where to go because the board should be the court of last resort, not the court of first resort. Um, the other thing that I would really love to see despite the outcome of whoever gets on the board this evening is a stronger sense of community on our
board. um less animosity, more modeling of the behavior that we wish to see from our students because while the superintendent does a fantastic job of guiding our schools, the board does set the tone for our district and I just
really want to see a greater sense of community on our board. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much, >> Mr. Koreah. You're up. Final candidate, Matthew Korea. >> I say correctly. >> Corier, it's not phonetic.
>> Matthew, >> my apologies. Mr. Corier, thank you so much for your participation in our community's governance. >> Thank you for having me. >> So, first question, Mr. Corier, uh tell us a little bit about yourself. Why are you interested in filling the open board
seat and also let us know if you have ran for uh election on the school board, why or not? >> Sure. Uh before I begin, of course, uh madame president, superintendent, I will acknowledge the board attorney as
a fellow esquire and uh and board members. You know, thank you for having me tonight. Very excited and thrilled to be speaking with you to take these interview questions to hear the wonderful ideas that each of the candidates came and had the courage and
composure to speak to you tonight. Now, my name is Matthew Corier. Um, I am a sixth generation Fairloner. My family came here in the 1890s. Uh, they have been involved in the Fairlong community since that time. As a
matter of fact, my mother currently teaches in the school system and Thomas Jefferson. Her name is Cheryl Corier. My grandfather uh was involved in education in an ancillary way. Jack Lrosa had started the father's club at Pramis
Catholic. Uh and I myself teach not as a profession but I do teach I have my uh real estate instructor's license. I uh teach real estate agents as part of my legal profession and I do uh do
educational programming in town. Some of you may have attended it particularly during Feralon's 100year anniversary celebration. I chaired the uh history subcommittee and put on various events and programming related to town history.
Um I myself uh having a passion for education though not directly serving in it saw this as a terrific opportunity to become more involved in my town because civic duty has always meant something to me. Um I
think that all of us have a responsibility to contribute to the cohesiveness and improvement of our society and this opportunity uh rarely comes as we know and I wanted to make sure to try to take advantage of it. I
also wanted to you know piggyback off of the side comment but I did also mean it seriously. I I am an attorney and I think that this board often interacts with the law. There's uh code that
dictates how money in some instances must be spent. There's code that dictates how certain students have to be uh cared for or have to have programs instituted around their circumstances. And to have a board member who is versed
in the law whether that is reading contracts, employment disputes uh is a valuable asset I think to any board and we all know that uh the gentleman who was on the board who had a legal background has now transitioned into uh the municipal government. So there is I
think humbly a need for that on this board again. >> Thank you. What do you believe are the greatest challenges currently facing this school district and what do you what do you see is the board's uh role in addressing those challenges and what
is the administration's role in addressing those challenges? Well, I see five challenges and so did my uh compatriots here who also spoke and I think that's a terrific thing that we're all kind of on the same page here. And to me, the first one is
destigmatizing mental health while also providing meaningful and supportive resources and treatment programs for that so that we can allow our students to succeed. AI absolutely would be number two. the
responsible usage of AI. Number three, I was spoken about as well, development and overcrowding of the schools or at least the perception of that. Um whether or not it's true or not, it's something that weighs heavily on the minds of the citizens of this
town. And I know that for a fact when we uh presented uh for the 100red-y year anniversary, we did a program at the rec center which was decently well attended by 150 uh residents and it was on the development of the town from 1924 to the
present day. After we had finished the presentation, we had opened it up to public comments. And the very first public comment was about uh whether or not the development and continued development of the town would jeopardize the quality of our school system due to
over crowding. And that question also garnered the most feedback and discussion from the rest of the attendees of the event. So there it's definitely at the forefront of the mind of many of our neighbors. Uh number four
would be the common struggle of any board that deals with fiscal responsibility and that is how do you manage unlimited wants and needs with limited resources.
And number five to me um has also been mentioned and I certainly don't think it should be overlooked. We live in a very multi-racial, multicultural community and it's very important that we develop
the a process where all segments of that community can feel heard, represented and feel that they are contributing to the the decisions that are being made. Now you asked as a piggyback on that,
what is the role of the board in addressing these issues? And the role as articulate once again beautifully articulated uh by those before me is the board sets a vision,
the board sets a map and then does hand that off to our competent administration to execute on that framework. But the board does play a crucial role that the administration does not necessarily play and that is we take the
pulse of the people. We are supposed to hold public hearings which you do to make sure there is no disconnect between the actions of the administration and the will and desire
of the people in the community. And we serve as that conduit which is a very important task. and I know one that all of you here don't take lightly. >> Thank you. >> What do you see as the role of the school board member?
>> Well, you back to being uh a conduit uh for the public voice. The role of school board member is to interact with the public. At least that's how I see it. Now, that
to me is not necessarily just limited to the public hearings. Now, I'm not saying that a school board member should go rogue and should be interacting with the public without the consent of the other schoolboard members, but I'm saying that we live in an age of social media where I think the school board as a whole can
engage the community and once again get the pulse of the community through the use of social media. I also think that the uh role of the school board in many cases is dispute resolution. And I think that uh some of
you were on the board uh in October of 2024 where there was uh an incident uh at the I believe it was the high school's club fair and uh that was resolved of course uh by the
superintendent. uh the mayor was also involved but I recall that uh the incident in the club fair for those who might remember it. Uh there was an interview done with individual who was dissatisfied with the decisions of the school surrounding that club fair and in
that interview they had asked her what she had done to try and bring attention to her dissatisfaction and the very first thing that she said was I approached the board of ed. So in many ways the board of ed can also serve as a dispute resolution uh forum.
>> Thank you. What issues or concerns do you have regarding the school district's operations? You know, for me, um, I had mentioned as the first issue or difficulty facing the school was destigmatizing mental health.
And I wanted to reiterate that. Um, because I think long has it been a tradition that mental health has been viewed as taboo or as something incurable or in a way almost as victim blaming, as
it's just something you have to buck up and get over. Um also and once again this was articulated well before too especially by the young gentleman there I was very impressed which is
if you want students to maximize their potential you cannot put them in a box. And when we say that in the context of the education system what we mean is that the goal of education cannot simply
be to advance to the next level. Now that can be a goal. It must be a goal, but it cannot be the only goal. And we need to make sure to have resources available and simply declare the aim that it is okay
to educate yourself and have a vision of your future that isn't simply taking the next step to higher education, vocational school, military service. Those are all noble endeavors and pursuits that should be equally
supported through our educational system. And just to um because I think it is tangential to it, uh the concept of life skills. I remember when I was in the Fereralon school system, there was a course uh called life skills and I think
it was at the middle school level, which I think is is actually a little early. I think it probably should be at the high school level, but I don't believe that course is still available. And um there is a bureaucratic side to life unfortunately. Um and to have a
head start on understanding insurance concepts, co- insurance, deductibles, premiums, tax obligations, tax brackets, nothing too in-depth, but at least an advanced uh prep uh would help students succeed
in other avenues of their life. And finally, Mr. Corier, uh what areas would we like to see strengthened in our district? >> I would like to see uh the school used as a center for civic and community engagement. And this is something
actually that we've already been doing. Uh you may remember this as well. just uh January 8th uh the high school was uh the high school uh had generously hosted the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence kickoff event. Uh it was
very well attended and there was representation in that programming in a town hall style in the gymnasium from the elementary school students to the middle school students to the high school students plus um of course
involvement from parents uh school and town officials and even uh vendors and performers from outside of the town. Um that was a committee uh the 250 anniversary committee that I Michael Rosenberg sit on and still sit on and I helped plan that event. Uh we helped
plan um with the school actually for the 100red-year uh celebration. Jeannie Brown may remember this. Uh we engaged the students to interview uh citizens of the town uh about uh what it was like to grow up in the town in yester year. And
then we presented those uh oral history interviews done by the students at the uh gala for the hund ann 100-y year anniversary celebration of the town. And that was a committee that I chaired and sat on and helped work on that programming as well. So I would do what
I've been doing just more so. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. So this is the commencement of our candidate interviews. Can I get a motion to recess into closed?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> um I am just going to ask all community members to um >> uh there are chairs waiting outside and I'm going to give everyone like three minutes to hit the bathroom.
on uh their schools so you guys can join us up front. TJ Ezra Memorial, welcome Lily, our Memorial Middle School representative. Haley, our TJ middle school representative. And welcome back,
Ezra, our Fairland High School student rep. Um, Haley and Lily, the floor is yours. First and most important, a special thanks to our custodians and the buildings and grounds department led by Mr. John Yobs for all of their hard work
in clearing the snow from this past weekend storm to ensure a safe reopening of schools on Tuesday. We appreciate all of you. >> Looking for a night filled with live art, games, trivia, raffles, and lots of fun? Then grab a seat for our second live canvas event at Memorial Middle
School. At the live canvas event, you will watch teams of students, staff, and families create large scale paintings live on stage while you enjoy trivia and raffles because who doesn't love winning things? Best of all, every dollar raised supports Marble Jam, a local nonprofit in Hackinack that provides incredible arts programs for individuals with
special needs, including some of our former Memorial students. Join us Thursday, February 5th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 right in the Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are just $5. And you really won't want to miss the intermission to purchase student art and baked goods from our arts and crafts
club and life skills students. Come for the art, stay for the fun, leave knowing you supported an amazing cause. Our thanks to the TJ PTO's for organizing various activities for the students during the winter months. Over the next few weeks, students in grades five and
six will be invited back to school for Friday game nights and the winter dance for students in grades seven and eight will be on Friday, February 20th. As presented back in October, Memorial is snapping with excitement as we prepare for the upcoming drama production. The Adams family. The cast
and crew have been working really hard and are almost ready to bring this delightfully spooky family to life. Performance dates are February 27th and 28th. Any board member who would like to attend is welcome to a complimentary ticket. Just reach out to Mrs. Schwint at Memorial to secure your seat at this year's spookiest show.
This year, the TJ Drama Club will be presenting Beetlejuice. Our performance dates will be Friday, March 6th, and Saturday, March 7th at 7 p.m. In addition, we will be hosting performances for first and fourth graders from Mils, Radburn, and Warm Point. Any board member interested in
attending is asked to contact the TJ office for complimentary tickets. In preparation for their performance, thanks to the grant from the TJ PTO, the drama club hosted an artist in residency on January 13th. Life's most persistent urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Inspired by and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial is continuing its efforts to live up to his words and our motto, "Enter to learn, go forth, to serve." As you know, this month we honor Dr. King's life and legacy. As is our tradition here at Memorial, in Dr. King's honor,
we participate in a do something challenge to encourage, inspire, and promote acts of service and reflection during the months of January and February. And in observance of Black History Month, we will be offering a number of opportunities to engage in learning and service together here at the many events that our school
community will participate in during our do something challenge. Dream Tower tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a powerful display celebrating student and staff dreams and visions. Soup or bowl of caring collecting soup donations to support the Fairon food pantry. Valentine's for senior citizens and
veterans. Handmade cards created in partnership with Fairline for all ages and our veterans. Valentine brunch for senior citizens. A joyful multigenerational morning of food, fun, and connection. Honoring service professionals. Recognizing our police, firefighters, EMS, school security, and
crossing guards at our points of light ceremony. Wrapped in kindness pet blanket drive. Supporting seeing eye guide dogs with towels and milk bone donations. Memorial spirit week. building community through drama within fun and welcoming future Falcons and seniors to our performance preview.
Each year, TJ's physical education and health department organizes a volleyball tournament TJ Cares in February for students and faculty and teams are invited to donate a selected charity as part of their entry. This year, we are pleased to share that in partnership with the TJPTO, we will be continuing
our support of pediatric cancer care with donations to charities selected by each of the four families at our school that have been impacted by this disease. Jackson Strong for the Walsh family, the Peter Tisco Foundation, Hackinac Children's Hospital for Kaylee Wong, and
the Charlie Landers Foundation for Lucy Malooa. Our month in our month of giving in February will also include a collaboration between our student council and the Fairlon Education Association. Students and staff will be working to stock the Fairlon food pantry the week before and the week after
Valentine's Day with high priority needs including both food and household essentials. Congratulations to our students in chorus, band, and orchestra for an outstanding performance during the 2026 winter concert two weeks ago. As you know, a performance like this is not possible without the direction and
support of the music department. A special thank you to music supervisor Mrs. Lopez and musical directors Mr. Glock, Mr. Zinberg, Mr. Rosorio, and Mrs. Diamontes for all their patience and guidance throughout the first half of this year. Finally, congratulations to our grades
five and six and grades seven and eight band, chorus, and orchestra for an outstanding winter concert performance last week. A special thanks to Miss Silverman, Miss Cosmmy, Miss Saranova, Miss Bowden, and Mr. Kirk for leading what is one of the best middle school programs in the country.
Good evening everyone. As always, Fairon High School has some exciting events on the horizon. So, first the sophomore class council has announced the sophomore semiformal. The semiformal will take place on February 20th and will have a winter wonderland theme.
It's an event our sophomores always look forward to and is sure to be a very cool event. Get it? Cuz winter wonderland. Last week, our class councils ran a joint food drive encouraging students and staff to support families in need
within our community. Students were encouraged to bring in canned food to their home rooms. And home rooms that had more than 50% of students participating had the possibility of winning a bagel breakfast. It's been great to see so much strong
participation and generosity across the school. Next, I hope you're all hungry because as we speak, the junior class council is having a nest pizza dining night. This event will be going on until 9:00. So, if this meeting wraps up in time, I know
you said it might go long, but you can always order in. You can always order in. Might you can order in. I think they deliver locally, you know. Uh we'd appreciate if you could go down to Ness and grab some pizza. In the athletics department, our cheer
team recently hosted the Cutter Classic, a cheer competition that brought teams together and showcased incredible school spirit and athleticism. And exciting news from the girls fencing team. Three three members of the fencing team
were crowned girls foil division champs at the Santelli tournament for the second time in a row. Congrats to Carolina Lazar, Bela Nicodemus, and Satie Hand. Students at Fairlon High School have
officially entered midterm season, and we are wrapping up our exams on Monday. Most students appreciated the snow day, which gave us an extra day to study. So, thanks, Dr. Dianio. In addition, our National Honor Society students offered tutoring sessions to
help their peers prepare for midterms, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting one another academically. The senior class council also offered support for studying students by selling study grams with supplies and treats as a sweet pickme up. That's all for
tonight. Thank you for your time. Thank you guys all for the update. We are very much appreciative when you guys attend. We realize how busy this week is. So, we are going to dismiss you. So, those of you that do have midterms or other work to do, um, thank you for coming and participating in our
community's governance. And then, can I get a motion to go back into closed? >> So, second. >> All in favor? I I >> have a good night, guys. Good luck with studying. Mr. Bertellini, Dr. Bertilini, >> thank you. Present.
>> Miss Brown, >> present. >> Mr. Leah, >> present. >> Miss Vvelovich, >> present. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> here. >> Mr. Santana, >> present. Miss man
>> present. So, first and foremost, we want to thank everyone who um applied and interviewed this evening for our vacancy. Um getting up in front of people that is live streamed in person is brave and
challenging at times. So, we are very grateful that you all want to participate in our community governance. Um that being said, I am going to open up the floor. >> I would like to make a motion. I would like to make a motion to have >> Open up the floor here. Give me a second. I promise. I'd like to open up the floor for nomination.
>> I would like to make a motion to make board comments on tonight's interview. >> Second, >> general comments. >> Dr. Bolini, >> to have general comment to have just
general comments on the on tonight's interviews. >> So, I made the motion. That's >> the >> So, just clear. >> Yes. >> Correct. >> First comments, then nominations. >> Mr. Santana, you have to have this.
>> Yes. First comments. First comments, then nominations. >> But you can't make nominations. Just comments. >> Yes. >> Dor. Roll call for comments from the board. Uh, Dr. Bertellini. Yes, >> Miss Brown. >> Yes, >> M.
>> Yeah, >> we're gonna talk about I just want to be clear. We're agreeing to comment on the people who just spoken >> or the process. >> I made the I made the motion. Let me >> I'm just trying to be clear.
>> No, I'm not voting for that. It's only on the people who applied making comments. Give the public >> I'm not doing >> the idea of >> turning that back on. You're not commenting on the process. The process is laid out in no one. >> Wait, what? What do you mean we're not
commenting on the process? We have freedom of speech. We can comment on anything we want. >> That that motion >> that is legal. >> Failed. No, you're incorrect. No, that motion was f seconded. >> It failed. So, she cannot >> Your motion, Mr. >> It wasn't my motion. It was her motion. No, your motion was to have comments on
the the the candidates without a nomination. That's the motion on the floor. Second, I speak for myself respectfully. My motion was comments on tonight's interview. That's
it. I'm not micromanaging my my fellow board member speech. It please. >> Okay. Third time. Respectfully, my motion is make a motion to allow
board members to make comments on tonight's interview and process. The comments can be what the board members feel they should be. >> Let's not micromanage our freedom of speech. >> Point of clarification, if the process was all okay and there was nothing that
was shady, >> I'm going to actually ask you to stop speaking and we're going to go for a roll call. >> Well, that's not kind. That is not kind. >> We cannot. We are voting on your specific motion. We're not going to make >> Well, you cut her. You cut her off when she was speaking. >> That is actually my role as the lead.
>> No, your role is not to be unkind. You have to be kind to one another. We need collaboration. >> I voted yes. Initially, I thought it was just comments about the candidates. I did not think it was uh pro about the process. So, I will vote no now. >> The candidates.
>> Same with me. No, >> Mr. Blair. >> No. >> Miss Favelovich. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> No. >> Mr. Santana. >> The motion was on the interview.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Man. >> No. >> Motion favor. >> I make a motion to nominate Stanley to be the board. >> I have to actually second >> or again. >> Guys, hands go up. I No. It's why I came
up here so that we can actually do this properly. Okay. So, we are going to do that. >> I'll make a motion. No, I was >> I'd like to make a motion. >> I I make a motion. >> No, I had She was He was first. I was second. He was third. No, no, that's not fair. Listen, >> excuse me. >> I was second. >> I make a motion, too.
>> I want to be second. I He did his motion. I want to be second. >> Who Who did a motion? >> Well, Mr. Santana did >> point of order. Point of order. They they called out a motion. Miss Brown had her hand up. >> No, but we we were not told that we had to.
>> Point of order. The the chair has to open the floor for nominations first. >> Correct. >> But I make but I point >> his motion. I want to make my motion. We didn't say we have to do our hands. >> Please open the floor for nominations. >> I open the floor for nominations. I make
a motion. >> M. Brown. Thank you. >> No. No. But that >> I'd like to I make a motion. I'd like to make a motion. That's not how it works. >> That's not the process. >> That's not the process. We're just First we were not allowed to do the process because everything was done hush hush. Now we can't even make a motion. This is
just ridiculous. Like this this process is like hush hush. Like >> can you please I'd like to nominate Miss Fa had her hand up before. >> I'll second it. That's fine. >> That's not fair. >> Matt. >> Coria.
>> Corier. Sorry, Matt. I'll second it as a team player and then can I do next if it if it fails? That's fine. >> Like to do next after >> roll call. >> Dr. Bertilini, >> no. >> Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Mr.
>> Yes. >> Miss Favllovich, >> can you come back to me, please? >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> no. >> Mr. Santana, >> who are who are we voting on? Matt >> Cor.
>> No. >> Miss Favalovich. >> Uh, yes. >> Mrs. May. >> No. >> Motion fail. >> I make a m >> I make a motion to nominate Stanley.
>> Second. >> St. I'm I'm sorry if I'm sorry that I pronounced your Santana second. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry again. You didn't mean to be disrespectful. >> Roll call. >> Dr. Bolini.
>> No. >> Miss. Brown. >> No. >> Mr. Lea. >> Yes. >> Miss Favllovich. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rosenberg? >> No. >> Mr. Santana? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mayan?
>> No. Motion failed. I'm >> Mr. Santana. >> I would like to make a motion to nominate Marcy. >> Mar, you have to say her last name. >> Marcy Ritz. I apologize if I mispronounce your last name. >> Second.
>> Roll call. >> Dr. Bolini. >> No. >> Miss Brown. >> No. >> Mr. Leair. Yes, >> Miss Favvelich. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> No,
>> Mr. Santana. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Mayan. >> No. >> Motion fail. >> Dr. Berlini. >> I make a motion to uh nominate Julie Casoy. >> Second. Roll call.
Dr. Bertellini, >> yes. >> Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Mr. Leair, >> yes. >> Miss Felv, >> unequivocally, no. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> yes. >> Mr. Santana,
>> no. >> Mr. Mayan, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Congratulations, Julie. Be it resolved that the Fairlon Board of Education hereby appoint Julie Casoy as a member of the board of Fairlon Board of Education to fill the vacancy created
by the resignation of Joseph Beldowski effective upon successful completion of the required criminal background check continuing until the board's next organization meeting on January 2027. Uh can do I need another motion?
>> Okay. >> Okay. Um, >> I make I make uh a motion for board members to make uh comments about the process. >> Yes. Second. >> That was already a motion.
>> No, but he did it. But he >> That was not my motion. I did not make a motion to make comments about the process. >> Okay. Roll call. >> You need a second. >> I really did. Let us talk.
>> Dr. Bolini, >> no. >> Miss Brown, >> no. >> Miss Leia, >> no. >> If everything was okay, then we should have have no problem. If there if this nothing had happened wrong, then we could I just wanted to say then there shouldn't be a problem to vote. If the
border keeps closing our mouth, there was a problem. Laws were not followed. And the answer is no. >> So much. Move on. >> That's apparently point of order. We still have a roll call. I we called the roll call. If she's choosing not to vote, then we move on. >> I said don't yell at her.
>> Nobody's >> you raising your voice at your fellow board member. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> no. >> I'm going to still speak. >> Mr. Santana, >> why are we silencing ourselves? >> Yes or no?
>> Excuse me. That was not kind. I would never silence a board member. >> Mr. Santana, we are in a roll call. Please vote yes or no. I just can't believe it. >> Welcome to abstain. >> I'm going to vote uh how I feel like I'm going to vote. But we are silencing
ourselves. What are we afraid of? >> Mhm. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sentenna, >> my vote is yes. >> Mr. um Dr. Berlini, I am going to move to superintendent comments. And if you don't have any specific comments, I would like to open up the floor to our
um NJSBA reps who are here for our schoolboard ethics training. >> I yield my time back. >> Thank you so much, Melissa. Please join us up at the podium. Thank you so much for being here. We apologize for the delay. I do understand this was pretty
lengthy this evening. Um if everyone would like to stay and continue to participate, we would really appreciate that. However, we do realize that it is 9:30 p.m. and that there are other things that some people may have to do. Um, so feel free to, you know, sneak out
or head out as you so choose. Thank you again for your participation and the floor is yours, Melissa. >> Oh, there it goes. Okay. >> Okay. We ready? Okay. Um, so as um Julie
introduced me, I am Melissa Del Roso. I am your field service representative from New Jersey School Board Association. Um, I support Bergen County and we are, for those of you that don't know, field service representatives are here to support the board members. We are an association. New Jersey School
Board Association is an association for the board members. Um, so I'm here for training purposes, but I'm also here if you have any questions, you can reach out to me. All my information is on the um website for New Jersey School Board Association. I'm actually going to give,
if you can give me a second, handouts to pass around each, please. Okay. Okay. So, what we're going to be discussing tonight is the um ethics. And typically board members will discuss ethics once a year. Um and this is one of the biggest things schoolboard
does in the beginning of the year. We come out and we go over it with the boards. Um so, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. There are a lot of slides. It is late. I'm not going to go into um too much depth of every one of the cases. However, with the slides, just so you
know, you will get a copy of these tomorrow, sent to you through the board. Uh there'll be an electronic version. So, as you see with the presentation, there will be a bunch of links. So, you'll be able to delve into the resources a lot deeper in your free time. So, if I'm not getting into every
detail, you won't be missing anything. You'll be able to dive into those on your own. Okay. So to get started, so to begin with, the disclaimer is that you will be getting legal information this evening, but you will not be getting legal advice from me. I'm not your
attorney. Um, so the legal information is for you to review, and if you ever need legal advice, you get that from your board attorney. Okay? So the school ethics act was put in place um in order to protect the public and to
make sure it is essential that the conduct of the members of the local boards of education and local administrators hold the respect and the confidence of the people. So that is the purpose of the ethics act. The ethics act applies to school board members as well as administrators.
Um, but it goes a little bit further than that. And the main point is to avoid conduct. Avoid conduct which is in violation of the public trust or most importantly the impression. You're going to hear that a lot this evening. It
isn't just about intent when it comes to ethics. It is about the impression um or the perception of the public. Okay. So, who enforces the act? It is not New Jersey School Board Association. We are not the board police. So, you should feel free to come and discuss any
questions you may have with us because that is not our role. We do not police you. Um, we are here to support you. However, the school ethics commission or the SEC is the body that is charged with enforcing the act. The SEC is made up of
nine members. Five are non-school officials, two are schoolboard members, and two are school administrators. They are appointed by the governor. Um what I will tell you is in the past couple of years it has not been a complete board. There have not been nine members. There have been six. Um and the ones that were
missing were two school board members and one administrator. Um that'll come in down the road a little bit more important but they have not been functioning as a full commission um for quite some time. So the provisions of the act and the accountability. So there's four parts to the act. There's
mandatory training, code of ethics, disclosure statements, and prohibited acts. The disclosure statements and the prohibited acts apply to both board members and administrators. Board members get the added benefit of having mandatory training and the code of
ethics that apply to them. Okay. So, mandatory training. Um, do we have any new board members that have not been on before? >> Okay. Okay. So, um I'll go over this quickly.
You all are familiar. I'm sure everybody in here has taken governance one. Um and then you need for your second year of your first term, you need to take governance two. For your third year, you would take governance three. And then governance four is for your first year
of your second term and any other term thereafter. Okay? And it's very very important. Uh the SEC takes it very serious that you do your governance training, your mandatory training, and that you do it within the time required. Um I won't get into new board members um
since it doesn't affect you, but basically they have a shorter time, and that's a newer requirement that they have a shorter time of 90 days to get that done after they're sworn in. Okay. Financial and per personal relative disclosure statements. uh you will need to do your disclosure financial
disclosure statements um with by April 30th. I'm sure everybody here has done them before. It's very important that you take it seriously and that you really um fill in everything that you can. We'll talk a little later about a case uh where that wasn't done accurately.
So since I have been giving ethics training now uh for a couple of weeks and um because we we start in the beginning of the year, it's a new training every year. So, as I'm going over and over this, um, what I didn't tell you is I was a board member for nine years in Ultipan. So, I have done
your job. I have sat in your seat and I fully get it. So, I've done these statements, but after doing ethics trainings, it makes you think a little bit more about what you need to be reporting. Um, so just be aware if you're not sure, over report or check with your BA or, you know, even if you have to run it by your attorney. Don't
make the mistake of not reporting because you will be responsible and held accountable for that. And the SEC starts with um it's it's pretty serious the um ramifications of making the error. Okay? You don't get excused because you made a
mistake. Um so financial disclosure case, this is an example of it where um a board member inaccurately completed the the disclosure statements and it was about their personal business and basically at the end of the day they just left something out, didn't think it was a big deal and it ended up in a
reprimand and a um you know it's an issue. I would appreciate if we could go around the room and um uh I guess we can start. Yeah, if you don't mind, and if you will read the code of ethic, um, you know,
we'll work our way around the room. I promise I'll make it quick, but this way you read it and I'll make a comment on it. >> I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations of the state board of education and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes
shall be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures. >> Okay. So, what this means is you are a representative of the state. you are a local board member, but understand where your um power comes from and the
authority of the role that you sit in. So, what you're stating here is that you are going to uphold and enforce all the laws, rules, and regulations put forth by the state. So, any state mandates, any state laws, any of that, it is your job sitting at that table to uphold
those laws. You may not personally agree with them, but part of taking your oath and following the ethics means you you are held to a different level of accountability. Okay. Um, so that means I I like to go back to masks because
it's a little bit easier, right? So there were mask mandates. There was a lot of personal feelings about that. It was a rough time, right, when we were going through COVID and there were board members that felt that it they shouldn't have to follow, right? or we should the local board should be able to decide instead of the state. That is not what
you are allowed to do. You it is your job to follow the mandates and the state laws. That doesn't mean that you don't have another role in this. It's very important that you understand as a board member sitting at this table, you're doing board business. You also have the ability to be involved in helping to
change legislature and and I won't get into too much detail and you could certainly call me with any questions, but that's what New Jersey School Board Association can help you with as well. I encourage you to get in involved in the county level and the Bergen County level meetings. You can get involved in the county level for um leadership roles and
you can get involved with New Jersey School Board Association as well with that. And the New Jersey School Board Association has two delegate assemblies. I'm sure you have a representative for the delegate assembly and you as a board can can create resolutions to bring to the delegate assembly if you have things
that you don't agree with. Um, if as a board you you know you agree and come up with a something that you want the state to hear, that's what schoolboard association will then go forth if it's voted on at the delegate assembly and it's approved. So you have a voice in another way. That that's the importance
of understanding the first one. And they're not going to be all in this depth, but it's a very the first ethics thing is very important. I don't think most people realize the the full impact of it. Yes. >> Sure. >> Something like this state changed the funding.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. As a matter of fact, a couple of years ago, um it all blurs now, so I'm not sure how long ago it was, but it was a topic at the delegate assembly and it was one of the first ones that I had um attended and was able to vote for with my uh from my district. So, yes, it it's
important to follow that and I know I feel like my experience as a board member, I did not fully understand the benefits of New Jersey School Board Association and all the things that were involved. So, I'm always open to conversations if you want to give me a call for for more in-depth. Again, I'm not going to get that deep into it
tonight, but absolutely there that was a major piece of one of the delegate assemblies back when they changed the funding last time or there was the discussion around it. >> Okay. >> Are we allowed to ask questions during her presentation or shall we wait until
she finish? >> I I'm fine with it. Um if if it starts getting to be a lot, I would just say that let's save it or I might say I'm going to cover that. But yeah, I would think that was appropriate. >> I I'll wait until you're done. I don't want to overwhelm me. >> Okay. Thank you. Um
B, please Jean, could you read? >> That's okay. ability, race, sexual, >> right? So again, that's pretty obvious. You're making decisions for all children, not your own experience with your own child in the district or
obviously no special interests. Um, and you know, no personal perspective. So you could do C. >> I will confine my board action to policym, planning, and appraisal. and I will help to frame policies and plans
only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them. >> Okay. So, this this goes to what we heard a lot from the candidates this evening that policym is one of your main roles. It is how you govern it. It is where the most of your authority comes
from. Um as well as planning and appraising, you're appraising um the performance of the superintendent who leads the district. The other piece of that just um something of interest is the part that says um you only do it
after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them. That is why you have public comment. That's why you do two rounds of your when you do policy changes, you do two readings. It's the opportunity for you to hear before you make a vote what the public is interested in regarding that policy or
what their opinions are. So that is your opportunity to hear from the public. Yes. In your opinion, is it better to discuss policy in a public setting before as we're making the changes or should we do it in committees where it's like nobody can hear it and they just put it on agenda? Because in this
experience, every time I try to make changes during a com board meeting, it always says, "Oh, the committee heard it. That's it. We we're going to vote." >> Okay. So um again I won't I won't get too much into the detail from we we can always have other um training sessions
on we could talk about board responsibilities in with policy and other things there's plenty of opportunities for us to get into that um from the logistics but what I will say is it is very common especially policy we again in my old district we operated
we were a small district K through eight we had a a committee of a whole everything we did together the one committee we had was policy committee because it can be very detailed and there's a lot of pieces to it and you do need the input from the administration because it's a very important um
cohesive relationship in order to come up with policies. However, it is the brought then from policy committee as all committees. The information is the goal is for the committee members to dive into the detail and like I said policy can be very detailed and there's
a lot of little pieces that you have to sort through and options but then they're brought to the whole board and the board has the opportunity to discuss those. Okay. I will carry out my responsibilities not to administrate the school but to work
but together with my fellow board members to see that they are wellrun. >> Right. So that's the New Jersey School Board Association mantra. We live by that and I think everybody heard that a lot this evening as well. Um, so it's really important to remember uh
not to get into the weeds and the board is about the what and the administration is about the how. Okay. Okay. So you have no individual authority. We do get to hear a lot of new board members come on and say, "Oh, I represent the people that voted for
me. I feel strongly that I need to speak for them." What I will tell you is when you once you are seated on this board and you take your oath, your responsibility to every is to every individual within the community. No specific groups. You represent everybody and most importantly, you represent the
children in the district. Um, you're their voice and that's very important. The other thing to remember is the only way that these uh business moves forward and students are um getting the best that they can from their board is if you
function as a cohesive group. Um and what that means is I recommend that you find some things that you can agree with um and move forward with those instead of focusing on the things that you find opposition with. Not to say that
everybody doesn't have a voice because they do. But the key here is that you want to do the best for the for the students and the best thing for them is moving the business along which is what the board is here to do. >> Okay. F
>> sorry. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment uh to special interest or partisan political groups or to use schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends. >> Right. So this is again building on what I just said. You represent the entire
community. Okay. G I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which if disclosed will needlessly injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters, I will provide accurate information and in concert with my
fellow board members interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school. >> Okay. So, as a board member, you hold a unique position, right? You're the the conduit between the community and the school district. So the person you're
working with is your superintendent to get um your policy and you know your overview and then your superintendent is the person that works with your staff and your district and your school, right? And then you also represent the community. You're kind of playing two
roles here. You represent uh sorry you represent the district to the community, but you also represent the community to the district. So you're bringing it back. The key here is um understanding that you also need to do that within your ethics role. Right? So anything
that's discussed during executive session, anything that's personnel related, anything that's confidential must remain confidential. The other thing is when you are providing information, it's really important that you're providing accurate information and not just your opinion when you're
working when you're talking to the community on behalf of the board. Okay? So, if you're out in the community and somebody's asked you a question about something that you know, you know, what do you think about the test scores in the district or something like that, just be careful that you're representing
the district in a positive way, but you're also accurate. So, what I will caution you on that is I will get people say, well, our, you know, some districts say our test scores are terrible, so how do I say they're they're good? You know, that's not accurate. There's always a way to communicate thing in a something
in a positive manner without making it a negative. Um, and that's really what your role is. It's to be accurate and to be truthful, but also to to support the district. So, that's one thing. And the other thing is as the board makes decisions and you take votes, there will
be times you will be in agreement with the vote and there will be times you won't be in agreement with the vote. The most important thing is understanding that you operate as a whole board. So whatever decision is made by the board is a decision that you must support. That is your role as a board. Once the
decision is made, you know, you have your opportunity to vote and you have your opportunity to speak to that vote. Um and you will be heard. But more importantly, then you must support the decision made by the board because that is part of being a board member. Okay.
H >> I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer. >> Right? So the the key there is that you're making your personnel recommendations based decisions based on
the recommendation of the superintendent. You don't hire and terminate or renew individuals on your own. That is through the recommendation of the superintendent. The one person that you have the opportunity to evaluate and to hire um and approve
contracts for is your superintendent. That is the person the one personnel person that you are responsible for. I >> sorry I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties. Okay. Um again that goes to
speaking about the district and and positivity and everything else. Um, what you don't want to do is go out on um on a rant on a teacher that you're not a fan of or on some other administrator that you're not a fan of because you had a bad experience as as an individual,
right? You want to make sure you have to be aware that as a board of education member, you are always a board of education member. You have your rights as parents. I'm not saying that's not the case, but you will always be looked at as a board of education member. So always keep that in mind when you're out
in public and um discussing things. Again, accuracy and all that is important. Okay. >> I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act on the complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution.
>> Okay. Um so this goes to the whole chain of command, right? So, if somebody comes to you at pickup and has a um opinion or a complaint about somebody, what you want to do is respond by sending them back to where they have the issue. You
always want to say, "I really can't get into that, but I recommend that you speak to whoever that person is. If it's a teacher, always encourage them to go back to the individual to try to resolve the issue, but then work their way up the chain of command. You don't go from the teacher to the superintendent. You
go from the teacher to the principal or whatever." I know you have have that um I think you have that on your website right about the chain of command um depending on the district go through the proper channels. It's really important that you understand that because and and don't get the details. Don't get the dirt. Don't try to find out what's
happening because as the board if it ever escalates um to that point, you do not want to have yourself in the weeds there because then you would actually need to recuse yourself and step away once you're involved in the situation. So stay out of the situation. I also recommend that you let the
superintendent know um as well as your board president if you hear something that goes to the point of knowing what's going on in the community, right? And you don't want your superintendent um or your board president surprised. So that's another reason to go to them and it's, you know, just to give them a heads up so they can be prepared
accordingly. Okay. Um, and I I also don't want to lose um the point here that if you were to step in, you're undermining your ad your staff and your administration, which is the worst thing you can do. Um, so the chain of command is there for a reason
and it's important. All right, so now that we're done with those pieces, let's talk about ethics complaints. Um, any person can put an ethics complaint against a board member. That is any person at all. Doesn't have to be a community member. They could be outside
the community. It could be another board member. It could be anybody. Okay? There's uh specific details in there about how it's done. And it's not easy. I will tell you that it is not easy to do because you have to really prove it. Um and there's a lot of details. So, as you go through some of the opinions or
more importantly some of the the actual complaints, a lot of time you will see that the commission has decided there's not enough support to prove whatever the situation is. All right. So, um, you can file the complaint. The timeline is
there. Um, I will recommend strongly that you don't go right to following filing an ethics complaint. Do everything within your power to avoid that. Have conversation, get somebody to help you mediate a situation. It's one, it's not a good look for the district.
Um, especially if you're doing it internally. It's also very expensive for the district. Um, so you want to avoid that at all costs. Okay. So what happens if you have an ethics complaint? What what are you know what are the ramifications of it? So the penalties or sanctions the SEC
recommends um their decision after reviewing the complaint. They recommend to the commissioner whatever they feel it should be. So the options are reprimand which is basically a slap on the wrist. Um censure which is a uh
public statement made at your board. there's a resolution that you need to publicly state um so everybody kind of knows it's there and it's on record. Suspension where you can be remove you know suspended for 30 60 days etc. And then the last one is removal. Okay. So
um we'll go through a bunch of complaints and you'll see some things. It's really hard to say where it's going to fall out. But the other thing that you should realize too is ethics complaints are brought against individuals that's that don't realize sometimes like it's not always the worst case scenario. There
are board members who think that they're really doing the right thing. Their mind is in the right place as far as they're concerned and they truly think they're doing the right thing and it turns out to be an issue because again it's not about intent. It is about perception from the public. Okay. Um, if you're not
sure, if you're not sure what you should be doing, for example, if you're not sure if you're conflicted, let's say, um, on personnel or on something along those lines, have a conversation, uh, with your, uh, board, ask to speak to your board attorney to have it reviewed
what your situation is, um, to find out whether or not you are going to have a conflict or if it's an issue. Okay? I will also let you know that if you do that, it is imperative that you follow that advice. Okay? Um and that's what
this slide goes to about the advice of council and defense for penalties is basically if you listen to the advice and go off and choose to do something completely different or if what you offered up to the attorney doesn't have all the pertinent facts. So the decision you know wasn't clear to the attorney or
all the facts weren't there so it might have been a different way. Just keep all those things in mind. The goal is always to protect and make sure you're doing the right thing. Okay. Um let's see. Reduce instructional time. So I'll use the second example here as a
quick one. Um a board member sent an email about attending um a CPAD which is special education parent um advocacy group. I believe that stands for a meeting as a member of CPAG using the board member email. In doing so, it creates a justifiable
justifiable impression that objectivity or independence has been impaired. So in this particular situation, there was a board member who happened to be very involved in the um CPAD group. Okay. They also happened to hold a seat on the
special education committee. Um so there was a lot happening in there that could create um some issues and some conflicts. Right? So here you have a board member who's very passionate about that special education piece um and very knowledgeable which would seem a a positive
in doing so they kind of got things crossed and stepped out of line because they were speaking for the volunteer group right or the giving their opinion in that role but they sent out an email as a board member which then gives the
perception that they're acting as a board member. Okay. So, that's an example of one where they didn't real it was just a mistake. They didn't realize, but it is an issue and it's an issue because it's how it's perceived um by the public. All right. Um and and so
that was a reprimand. Um and I also will caution you that when you create committees and you're on committees, if you are heavily involved in something personally, you may think that's a benefit to be on a committee for that. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. So give that
some thought because you don't you don't want to get involved into something that becomes gray, right? You want to be able to separate things and act as a role personally because if you start to confuse the roles, the public public is going to confuse the roles. Okay? And
that's what we're trying to avoid. Uh 15 plus board member took an appropriate action that was beyond the role of the board member. Board member usurped the authority of the superintendent who was responsible for discipline recommendations. I'm going to go through this quick again. And I'm going to try not to dive into too many of these because it's late and and it's
a lot. >> Yeah, that's okay. That's why I'm going to try to move it along. So, this scenario is interesting because this is one of the more I guess blatant ones, right? So, there's a board member who's friends with a teacher in the district and the teacher was going to be
discussed in ex as a personnel matter in executive session. the teacher chose not to appear for the executive session but asked their friend who was the board member to take a letter to the board um explaining their position. The board
member went to the uh the staff member's house, picked up the letter, brought it to the board meeting, asked the BA to make a copy of the letter, never mentioned a word to the superintendent. They go into the executive session, hand out the uh letter, and obviously
completely um took over inappropriately with the defense of the staff member. Okay, we all see how that crosses the line. Okay, so that ended up in a um 60-day suspension. So, that's a that's a
pretty pretty pretty bad one. All right, so recusal versus abstension. Um just for people so that you understand the difference. You recuse yourself when you are unable to vote on something because you're conflicted um for a legal matter
etc. Just make sure when you're recusing yourself from a vote you're recusing yourself from the conversation as well because when you're recusing it's usually that you're conflicted. Okay. Abstension means you choose not to vote. you may not uh a good example is if you
choose to abstain from voting on the previous minutes because you were not at the meeting therefore you didn't have access to it. Okay. Um so that's just some the difference between the two. Yes. >> Are they recorded differently on the agenda? >> All right. So, this is um
I have with me tonight my senior FSR, Maryann Freriedman, and I'm going to defer to her on this. This is going to be one of those call a friend uh questions. Um so, uh here you go, Marian. So you recommend us having an additional
box on our agenda on for voting that has a recusal. That's what you recommend. in favor of whatever the motion Okay, we're we're going to go right into that now. Anyway, relationships um and definitions and that kind of stuff. Um
so, as Maryanne mentioned, um this is the one that gets really dicey and complicated, right? when you're conflicted depending on um family members whether they're immediate family or relatives they're all defined within u the code okay and a relative can
create a conflict so if you have a relative in the district working in the district you wouldn't be able to be involved in anything related to um the supervisor up which means if you have a relative that works in the district and
by the way that's if you had a relative first and you became a board member. If you're a board member, you cannot have a relative uh be hired into the district. Okay? So, just for clarification on that, if you have a relative in the district, you would not be able to be
involved, say, in um negotiations for sure, you need that would be a conflict. You wouldn't be able to be involved in the evaluation for the superintendent because that's working the way up the chain and that would be a conflict. if you're not sure um and if you see on there and you're like I told you you're
going to get a copy of all these slides tomorrow. So anywhere you see links and and the other cases and some of the cases that we talked about and some of the cases we aren't going into if you click on those links they will give you the full detail of the complaints or the opinions or in this case A1-23 is the chart that goes through a huge list of
your relatives and it's like your second cousin twice removed third row down um kind of situation. So you'd go through that to be able to get an idea, but again at the end of the day, always go to your board attorney for final um review. Um but you also are the one that's responsible to know if you have a
conflict. Okay. Um so we talked about ethics complaints. There is another option which are advisory opinions. Okay. The key to an advisory opinion is it happens before you do something, not after the fact. So, um, you want to ask
for an advisory opinion if you're not sure how to act on something or if you're conflicted or those kind of things. That's what advisory opinions are for. The SEC reviews advisory opinions. Um, one of the things I mentioned earlier that there are only
six uh com uh members on the commission right now. In order to publicize a opinion, they need six members to vote on it. Um, so that's part of the problem with it not being fully um, seated, right? It makes it more difficult and
one of the reasons um, we get inundated with opinions and stuff at the end of the year because it's like I guess they finally get it all together and they're able to shoot down a bunch of stuff. So when you'll see on this slide, you'll see a ton of stuff that really just came out in December um, for opinions and things like that. The other thing with
opinions are only board members may request opinions and they need to be real situations not theoretical and they need to be related to the board member. So um you get don't get to ask about well if there was a board member who did yada yada right it has to be related to
your situation not necessarily because you're checking out on somebody else. You also need to review the opinions. Um, the SEC doesn't want you to waste their time if the opinion's out there and they're really easy to read. They're much easier than the complaints and you'll see in a few minutes and we'll
get to that slide. If you were to Google it as a question, they're really easy to find. So, um, you can always go in there and look and see if you're not sure. Okay. And it's something about remember future cont conduct. I'm going to go back to the same thing I mentioned with the attorney situation. If you get an
advisory opinion and you choose to do something different, um the SEC does not look kindly on that. So that's just something to keep in mind. Um let's see, advisory opinion, an opinion as to whether that's basically
what we just covered. Um and again, look at the existing advisory opinions before requesting one. So here's a whole list of them. Um, it is five after 10. So, I'm not going to get into too much detail on these. As you can see, they're
very simple. The way the question is, can you know board members volunteer for businesses who donate to the district? They're very specific, very clear, very easy to um search. Okay? And then when you click on that link or if you find
the advisory opinion, it's going to go into the detail. Remember the detail is important too that everything is put into there um for that circumstance and that no pertinent detail is left out. Um again I'm going to try to move these
along in order to um for the sake of time. Benefit the ethics regulations definition of a benefit a direct or indirect advantage profit privilege or gain whether personal financial or otherwise. Um, so this is this is again
where it gets dicey, right? Because what you may perceive as a benefit might be different than what the public perceives as a benefit. It's the perception. There's an example in one of um, let's see if this is the one. Oh, here's a good one. All right. A board member spoke during the board meeting about how he was running for general assembly. He
was using his position on the board to solicit support and or votes for his personal political campaign. And he used the schools to acquire a personal benefit. So basically he sat at the meeting and just as they were going into I guess he brought it up during new business while the board was still conducting business. I have a I have an
audience of people here who think I'm great. Just by the way why don't you get out there and support me? Obviously that is using the role in a way that was beneficial um to him as a person. Now, there's another case where a board
president was also involved in a volunteer organization and it was a volunteer organization that helped tutor um students and um studentu students with um
that were were struggling and in a financially strapped district or area. So as a board I mean this is the this is the ideal situation right where you have a board member who's obviously involved and interested in the education of children and he's also doing volunteer
work complete volunteer work there is no obviously I'm going to assume you all know there's no paycheck at the end of the year for the role that you're doing here right you don't get paid for that surprise so um it's the same situation with the volunteer role that he was also doing so
this is an amazing person right totally in it for the right um he brought the information to the district and he helped spread the information about the organization and got the organization involved into the district. It there was a complaint filed
and it was found to be um it was it was an ethical it was an issue, right? So it was found against him the complaint and that's an example that you may not realize there's a benefit there, right? And the benefit was to the organization to get into the district. That's where I
say not all ethical errors are done um in a bad way or you know you have to be aware and be careful and what you think might be something good might be perceived differently or you might be missing a piece of it. Okay. So always try to keep that in mind as you're as you're going through what you're doing.
So prohibited acts um is obviously something too you need to be aware of what you can and cannot do. That was part of the um the four pieces that I showed you earlier. So, recuse yourself if there's a benefit to you, the school official, or your immediate family due
to business interest or professional activity in conflict. Remember, it's not always a financial gain. It's not always about being tied to money. Um use of position to secure unwarranted privileges, advantages, or employment. Financial involvement that may impair
objectivity. Service or employment that may prejudice independent judgment. obviously gift favor etc offered with intent to influence and financial gain. Um you shall not represent any person party other than the board district in matters
before the board. Um so that goes to the example I gave you earlier right where the board member brought the the teachers or or staff members side to the table. Um so she was representing somebody else obviously. Um and
not a conflict if not acrewing a greater gain gain than any others. So an example of that would be if you have a student in the school and you're it comes before you on the agenda that your child's in the marching band and they're all getting new uniforms. Just because you
have a child in the band, your child is getting the same thing as everybody else. You do not need to recuse yourself from that vote if you're not comfortable. Just also air on the side of caution. If you're not sure if you should do something and you're in the in the moment, abstain, you know, or you
know, if you're not sure, just be careful. Um, yes. very small token. Is that acceptable or not? >> I have to say yes or no. >> I would I would air on the side of declining. >> I I would tell them to be perfectly
honest with you. I greatly appreciate this and and I'm thrilled to be part of this and I'm glad you've included me. I just want to be very careful and and honestly I don't think you'll insult them with that. Um an error on the side of caution. Again, remember it's the perception and
and you don't want somebody else coming back and saying even though you don't think it was a big deal, you you those are the kind of things that come back to haunt you that it's just not worth the the energy. Okay. All right. I'm going to skip these because I think I've covered some of
them anyway in the other um situations. Uh conflict of Yeah. >> Oh yes. Oh yes. Yes. Yes. You're going to get you're going to have all the opportunity in the world to read this. I really I'm really trying to be conscious of your time. I would go into it a little bit more depth and and have a
much more rigorous conversation on it because it is very important subject. The other thing too is as you're reviewing it, if you have any questions, pick up the phone and call me. Call me anytime. That's what I'm here for. more than happy to get the calls. All right. And if I don't know the answer, I'll phone a friend. I'll get the answer from Maryanne. Um, you know, like I said, I'm
newer in the role. I started in September, so I've learned a lot already, and by next year, I'll probably be uh right up there with Maryanne, maybe. Uh, but Maryann's been doing it over 15 years, so she always has a little bit more than I will. All right. Hiring personnel. If the relative already works in the district, we've
covered that, right? You need to know where your limits are. you may not hire the relative of a board member or chief school administrator. Um, so we pretty much covered that. Um, impact on committee assignments. When a relative works in the district, that's another thing. You want to have this
conversation with your board president in where you would feel that there's a conflict. If you are put on a committee that you feel is a conflict, have the conversation. Air on the side of not being involved. Yes. You said not to hire anyone who's a board member, but we we used to hire people like for summer
camps that were board members, children for substitute. Is that allowed? >> So that also goes to your nepotism policy. You can look at your policy. There are policies that exclude summer help for students. Um always go to your policy if you're not sure. And um that
is a part of the policy that can be decided. That's part of the conversations that happen in um the committees to your point, right? because you can include certain things and exclude certain things and then your committee will bring it with those pieces to the board to make the final decisions. But it is very common to have
that exclusion for students and and things along those lines. Um collective bargaining. This is a chart which again you will have access to which will kind of give you an idea of whether or not you're conflicted. Um so relationship to the board member. I'll just tell you how to read it. So we'll go through the first line.
Relationship to the board member whether it's an immediate family member or relative. you go works in the district? Yes, they do. Are they a current member of the statewide public teachers union? No. Do they per can you participate in negotiations? No. Can you vote to ratify the contract? No. And the reason for
that is typically most compensation within the district is um dependent on or related to what is decided in that um negotiated u contract. Okay. Campaigns and collective bargaining. Um, I won't
go too into this because um, just on on a high level, we don't have new board members um, that have just been elected. But if you are a board member who received union endorsement, you may be conflicted. And and this is you're going to get a lot of this, right? You're going to ask, you're going to call me up
and you're going to say is and I'll say you might have an issue. You might, right? Because again, ethics is a very gray area. there are black and white when there are ethics decisions that meet specifically what you're looking for. Um, but otherwise we go into a gray
area and again I will I can't overly say it that you must you should air on the side of caution with what you do as a volunteer role. Don't get tangled up into conflicts, right? So a board member who receives union endorsement may be conflicted from collective bargaining if negotiation begins within a year of the
election. So, if the um if you're endorsed, but it's not it's almost to the point when you go through this, how much did they endorse you? Did they send out a ton of emails? How, you know, were they on their soap box every day? There's literally levels of this. So, that's why it's it's that real gray
area. Then, the endorsement of a candidate by a local um or national statewide union doesn't create a per se future conflict unless a financial contribution is given with the attempt to influence. So sometimes you'll get a financial donation to pay for mailings
and stuff like that. Um, you know, it's it's politics. So if you're in that position, choose wisely whether or not you want to accept it. Um, and again, just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you
should do something. So if the, you know, the ethics says, yeah, you know, it's not a conflict, do the right thing for your district as well, right? So if you feel like you shouldn't step up to it, um, you know, or you don't think or or if the president is assigning committees and
you feel like that's going to be an issue in your district. Some districts not going to be an issue at all. Some it will. Just make the right choices. Does Just because you didn't break the ethics doesn't mean that you shouldn't still be aware of what you're doing. Yes.
Yep. Yep. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> I know for a fact we're talking about teachers unions, but I'm going to phone a friend on the PBA part. Miriam, not just me.
So the PBA, if you get endorsement from the PBA, that is not a conflict. Teacher union is because you're going to be voting on their contract could effectuate and and if the union endorses you, if Flee endorses you, it's a one-year bar. Or if you accept money from them, it's a one-year bar.
>> Thank you. No, we went to we went to phone a professional on that one. Sorry. Yeah. Thank you. Thanks, Marine. Volunteering in schools. This is a big one. Um so volunteers volunteering in the school is allowed. Okay. So the
first question is always can I volunteer in the school. Um so as a board member you it is always best practice that you come into the school when you're invited into the school. Okay. So that's number one. That being said I'm not referring to
attending school events, athletic events, plays, music, concerts, all those kind of things that are open to the public. Yes. But your job is not to come in and walk through the school and appraise what's happening in the school. You will find yourself if you
have a student, excuse me, within the district that you might find yourself in the school a little bit more, right? Whether you're volunteering it, you in for different things. Always let the superintendent know and your board president um if you're going especially the superintendent, maybe there might be
reasons you don't want the board president to know if it's something personal for your child, but let the superintendent know you're coming in. just a phone call, simple phone call. It's not a matter of getting approval. Um, if you're coming in to meet with a teacher or doing something as a volunteer, the the point of it is to let
your super superintendent know so there's no surprises. Um, chances are it's not an issue, but I promise you the minute you walk in that through that door, within five minutes, the majority of the staff know that you're in the
building. Um, that's just common. That's just what it is. uh you are always a board member and it's not necessarily a negative thing. It's not a bad thing, but there will be some individuals that will be nervous because of that. So volunteering always keep the key things to volunteering are don't handle money.
Do not put yourself in a position that you're supervising either staff or children within the district. Okay? Um and and if you're in volunteering, volunteer as a community member, a parent, don't
don't wear your board hat within the district, okay? Because again, that's where we start to get like a little bit dicey and muddy and and we don't really want to go down that road. Um, I'll give you an example where there was a um a
grandparent on a board who was looking to um she uh she had a daughter who was the PTO president, vice president, something with the PTO and a grandchild in the school wanted to come into the
district, wanted to help out and volunteer. Um, and then just made a comment uh about a table, right? and said, "Can I get an extra table?" Or or she just went ahead and said they were sitting at their PTO table for back to school night and said, "Oh, I just want to I'm going to take that table. We need
more room." The principal in in the district said, "Oh, no, no, that's for the soccer group or whatever." It was for something else. And she made the comment, "Oh, well, I guess we better put that in the budget next year to get an extra table." a comment like that, I 100% am very confident that that board
member did not mean that in a way that was being, you know, uh, influencing or, you know, it was kind of like a joke, an off-handed they're they're a good person. That's that is not what the the point of it was. But then again, you're looked at differently as a board member.
Just remember that you make people nervous sometimes, right, staff? That you're evaluating them and that you're watching them even when you're not. It's just that's just how it is. Yes. >> Close your eyes. No, I'm kidding. Go ahead. Go ahead.
>> So, as a parent, you're not a board member. What would you do? So, what I would what I would warn you if you tell me that you you think that um like the garbage can wasn't emptied or you don't like the sign on the wall, I probably wouldn't say anything because
as a parent, I probably would. But if you say something that see something that's like dangerous or really out of line or there's a problem that the principal may not be aware of, that's different in the moment. Have the conversation and make sure you state I I you know, not here as a board member. I'm just here to let you know. I just
saw that I happen to be here picking up my child. It put yourself Make sure you're you're backing yourself off that you're not coming off in, you know, a threatening or evaluative role. >> Yeah. And again, I'm not saying like flail your arms. I'm not I know I'm
doing I know I'm doing it, but that's not what I mean. I'm just being dramatic. But you know what I mean? I would walk a fine line there. And um I will also of course defer to your superintendent, but I think if it's something that's dangerous or something you're worried about, that's different. Deciding that there's
too many gu I mean board members do this and that's why I said jokingly close your eyes but kind of don't close your eyes because you get too deep into it and that isn't your role and it gets confusing. Okay. Um but there's nothing wrong. You're going to hear things and
you're going to um hear things from the community. you're going to see things. If it's something that's a really big issue, do not I wouldn't call the superintendent tomorrow. I might mention it next time I see him. Right. Especially if it's a big issue. I'm sorry.
>> Right. >> Don't handle it. What voice said was don't handle the money. Right. >> Yeah. I I would avoid it if there's somebody else there with you and working with you. That is, you know, you're not alone.
>> All right. Well, >> yeah. >> I I would do it as a last resort. Let's put it that way. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because it just puts you in a position that's compromising, right? And
it's more for your protection. So, a lot of these things that we're talking about, right, with ethics, it's not an issue until it's an issue, right? And like I told you, we're not the police and there's no, you know, nobody from the SEC sitting in this room watching
necessarily or at the carnival watching. But what will happen is somebody in the public sees it and it's usually going to be somebody with a magnifying glass looking for an issue for somebody. So, you could be putting yourself in a position
right, that you don't want to be in. So, I'm not saying close down the carnival, but just try to maneuver your volunteers um accordingly. Okay? So, again, visiting the school, everything's up there. Advise a superintendent. You'll be in
school as a parent or a volunteer. Refrain from any related board discussion or vote. Stay on point with the purpose of the visit. If you see a teacher, don't walk in and say, "Oh, what do you think about the new curriculum?" Like, you wouldn't say that as a parent. Well, you might, but probably not. Okay, so that's what's
important. Social media, social media is a joy. Um, okay. Very gray area. Once again, if what I will tell you is if you have a page up as a board member that you ran,
um, you know, your campaign page, take it down. Um, that's the first thing I would recommend. The reason I say that is they they're up in perpetuity, right? So, you may have posted something and most people aren't going to know when you posted and you posted it prior to even being on the board, but somebody's going to look at that, not look at when
it was posted and make the assumption that it's current and now you are sitting in a seat where you have knowledge. And by the way, you're assumed to have way, way more knowledge than you actually have, okay? And way more authority than you actually have. So, that's the perception piece. And
they may read into it and read it incorrectly. Take the page down. You do not want to be speaking as a, you know, individually for the board. That's the key to that. Okay. Um, also on your personal page, I don't if we're going to get into this. On your
personal page, um, you have the right to have opinions on things. You absolutely do. Um, and sometimes we get caught up in things. I'll go into the school shootings and that kind of stuff, right? And and in the role that you do, you can get very caught up in that, right? Um,
so if you want to make a statement, just be very careful what you're stating and make sure that you you are making it clear that you're not speaking about the district or you're speaking about a larger subject, for example. Um, just be very careful what you're doing, keeping in mind that everybody's going to think
you know something that you don't know. There's also a disclaimer that we recommend that you use. Again, this will be in your packet. The disclaimer is not a get out of jail free card. You can't put the disclaimer up and just go off and say whatever you want. It doesn't work that way. It will not help you. Also,
be careful um about posting about personnel and um yeah, personnel in the district. Basically, that's another big one where board members will rant and go on to social media about something um and then you can't do that. You just
that's part of the ethics that we read earlier, right? So, be aware of that. Be very careful. >> Does that apply to administrators? Excuse me. >> Does does that apply to administrators >> in the district? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, just a hypothetical question.
Can uh an administrator go on social media and said, "Oh, we might we maybe we're expecting to hire, let's say, a music teacher next year, but you know, pending board approval. Would that be a conflict statement without making the
disclaimer?" Because the administrators have to make a >> I'm going to don't the administrator have to put a disclaimer on social media. >> No, they don't. >> So the difference between an administrator, remember what I told you guys earlier on? >> You guys aren't just elected officials. The board is the employer.
>> So you pass policies. So in your policies, you have policies about uh social media use by both certificated staff, which your administrators are, and non-certificated staff. So, you have a very detailed thing and there's been lots of certificated staff and
non-certificated staff who have got in trouble about their postings on social media, but they don't do a disclaimer, but they have to comply with your policies because they're your employee, >> right? Do you have a policy on board member social media? >> Yep.
>> For board member two. That's good. >> Uh I don't know if they have a board member one. They absolutely have them on what? >> Okay. But you they absolutely have them. >> Yeah. the others I'm used to, but some some some boards do uh social media for board members, too. So, the other piece of that, right, is beyond what is in the ethics and in the gray air and
everything else, policy. Every time I get a call, the first thing I do is look at your policy um to see if there's and there's usually a policy FYI. Um so, yeah. Um, >> and lots what you're saying about the the ethics cases because I've been
involved in hundreds of them >> um through the insurance carriers signing it right now. Mo, a lot of them are emanating out of social media. >> Yes. >> Board members doing it. I've had board members who put the ethic the disclaimer on it and then they go and bash a
district employee and they think it's a go free from jail card. It's not >> exactly. And in that case, the board member was suspended for 6 months. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's um you really have to be aware and be careful and remember again it's a perception. Um and just basically doing the right thing. Oh,
Maryanne's got a I was going to go there. I was going to go there. I always start. ask question because um we asked a couple of these questions the last couple years towards um president or
not. Um We have been told that it's still not best practice to respond to questions on social media either as a board president or as a current like in candidate. Correct. >> Talk about
That doesn't mean Right. >> Right. And if you're in one of those Facebook mom groups, right, because we all have those, um, you're going to see a lot of things in there. Uh, don't comment on them. Don't, and now you have the anonymous feature. Don't comment on
them. Uh, even anonymously, and it'll drive you crazy because it's misinformation. It's killing you right now, but I promise you somebody will get on there and put the right thing, but that's another example. You could take a screenshot, send it to the superintendent. This is part of knowing what your community is thinking, what they're feeling, etc. And if they have a
lot of incorrect information, um, that's something you want to be aware of. But also remember, it's usually the squeaky wheel, right? On social media, you're getting a lot of the people out there that want to be heard, but it's not necessarily representing your whole community, especially because it's a large community here, right? Um, so
don't necessarily be reactive, but be aware of what's happening. Uh, um, okay. Phones. Um, texting from the board table is a big one. Um, make sure I recommend not having your phone on the
table just as a as a recommendation. That being said, um, you know, I started I had, uh, kids that were with babysitters when I was at board meetings. So, I completely understand that you need to be able to see if there's something happening. Um, and even now, if I were sitting at a board
table, I have a daughter in college and I'd want to see if she's calling me if there's an emergency, right? So, I'm aware of that. And again, let's remind us that we are all volunteers here, right? So, um, what I recommend that you do is if you have your phone, don't
touch it like you just did like Right. Right. My point is that you didn't like you pushed it aside. The point I'm not calling you out is doing it wrong. I'm calling you out on doing the right thing. Okay. So, so keep it to the side. Do not scroll through your phone. I I will I cannot emphasize this am enough.
If you have a presenter in the room or a um especially the students or somebody speaking when when your community comes up and speak, do not have your head in your phone. Don't scroll through your screen on your computer because it gives a really bad impression, right? And it's really about the impression again over
and over and over again. Also, if you're texting somebody and somebody over here is texting somebody, you've now just created a major problem, right, for your open public meeting act. They can open that information. they're going to assume you or you are texting each other, having side conversations. Again, it's all assumptions. Might not even be
what's happening. Just don't do it. It's also very disrespectful and rude. Um, so don't do it. And if you do get a call or you do see an emergency, excuse yourself. Hopefully, it's important enough that you're going to excuse yourself. And it's not like, you know, just to hang out and talk to somebody, but excuse yourself. Remove yourself
from the table. You don't want to be picked up on a on a on a speaker on a microphone and things like that as well either. Just separate it. That's all. Okay. Um, okay. So, we're here. We're at the end. Resources. Um, all throughout this slideshow, there are tons of
resources. Read the cases. And when you get into it, you're going to get onto the site where all the cases are too, right? And you could read historical ones. And, you know, and it's going to tell you in complaints where they are, and there there are complaints right around here that you will be able to relate to. Um, and I do want to say, and
I know I'm going to take questions, but before I forget because I'm going to forget once we get into this, um, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you do. Your volunteers, it is way late, past my bedtime, and you're here, and you're listening to ethics, it's even even more. Um, but your time
is valuable and it is appreciated. And I just want to say as somebody who's done this, I appreciate you and thank you for everything that you do. Uh, it's a lot of work and it's really hard and, um, give yourself that. Okay. Questions? Yes. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just wanted to
read the state this um thing. Thank you for bringing this topic to the front forefront. I'm a BOE member who believes this graduation rate is outstanding. Two students out of 400 did not graduate which is a testimony to the work of our students, teachers, administrator. We
always need to improve but fair loan schools will exceed. Support me for this election would be very much appreciated. I will bring in to share more messages on this group as approach as a November approaches. Is that consider without putting a disclosure? Is that considered >> is that a candidate? >> Yes. >> And a board member
>> at the same time? >> Yes. >> I'm going to defer to your attorney on this one. Generally, generally I recommend that folks use the disclosure. Um there is um some leeway when somebody is actually in the process of running for office. Um
and I've done a lot I've litigated this this issue. Um you know, people will open up Facebook posts to run for office. They'll post things. they'll get a following on their Facebook and then they become a board member and they have
all these followers and then they start getting comments they don't like and they start blocking the comments. You can't do that. Now you have create a limited public forum. You that Facebook page is open. My recommendation is stay off of social media if you're an elected official. Um, but I think the safer
course of action is if you're running for office uh and you're a sitting board member, you should use the disclaimer because you don't want to have um the perception in the public that the board is you're speaking on behalf of the board. You got remember you guys are
sitting in here, you know, each month members of the public don't come here all every meeting. Certain members do, but a lots don't. So they say, "Oh my goodness, that board member said this." is that's what they might take that as you're speaking for the board. So the disclaimer is the safest course of
action. But as I said before, the disclaimer is not a go free from jail card. You could you can use it to say this is my own opinion, but if you use it to say your own opinion and you see something completely outrageous about a staff member or the district, you could
still be subject to ethics. So my question is can you say students, teachers, administrators, could you list any of that? Would that be okay? Because technically you're kind of like speaking about them. That's what I'm >> No, if you're just talking generally if you're saying something positive, you
know, so proud of our I mean let's I've seen people on their Facebook board members on Facebook page want to congratulate our uh you know winning girls field hockey team. They made it to the state champion. So proud of you. That's that's not revealing anything
confidential. If you said, "Oh, last night we had a private discussion about the superintendent in close session," then you got a big problem. Um, remember, as I told you guys, you're not just elected officials. You're an employer. You employ this is the one person that you supervise, but you have
a whole series of people, hundreds of people that work for you guys, and you guys set the example uh for your employees, >> right? And just to add on to that, when you're a candidate and it's one second, when you're a candidate and you're uh running against you're a sitting board member and you're running against other
individuals, hold yourself to a higher caliber, you don't have to get into the um into the mud, per se. There are ways. There's always a way to present something in a more positive um fashion. And I I've had this question from a candidate who said they're putting all this stuff out there about test scores
and I agree that the test scores have to come up and it's but I can't say the test scores are bad because I'm a sitting member and it's unethical and I'm held to a I said you're right but you have a different position. You know you use your head in the situation. They're saying what they would do but they don't know anything. You're a board member who who has been active in
working with your board and and you know that kind of stuff. So there's always a way to make it more positive as opposed to trashing um and stuff like that. So take the high road um along those lines. I'd also encourage if there's any kind of communication. Let's say you have an
issue going on in the district um a hot ticket item. It would be best practice to have some talking points for your board members that you're all on the same page that you're all saying the same thing as far as facts and accuracy. I'm not trying to say that you all need to have the, you know, same opinion,
etc. But if you're going to be out in public and there's a hot thing going on, have some, you know, language in your head and and know some, again, I don't want to say script because it's more about knowing the points, being accurate and having correct information so that you're not when you're put on the spot
that you're able to answer without being like, "Oh, I don't want to talk about it. I can't talk about it." Um, because that goes against your role as well as being a community, you know, uh, conduit. I'm sorry. Yes, you had a question. >> Yes. >> Yes, I have a few questions. Um, my
understanding is that the school ethics act was created to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest, not to restrict discussion or discourage board members from asking questions. Can you clarify how we we as board members stay true to that original intent while still
fulfilling our duties publicly? >> Um, as in discussion at the table? Yeah. >> What what do you >> right so Robert's rule gives you the opportunity I know everybody here is very well versed in versed in Robert's rule and you have the attorney to help
you with that as well. Um you have to balance your voice with getting the business done in the district. Um so here you are like right now quarter to 11 and you know it can become cumbersome and if you get too caught up into debate
and discussion um you know there's there's ways to do it. You can have timers where everybody has so much time to speak obviously and everybody gets their opportunity to speak which is the key. But also remember when you're having discussion you're not having debate. You're you're a a few key things about that is you want to stay away from
personal um personal like um personal feelings and related words along that line. Stick to the topic on the table. Stick to the point. Don't be name calling. Don't don't get emotional. You should remove the >> emotional. Aren't we human beings? >> Human beings are emotional.
>> Yes. Yes. But we're also professionals and business related and and that you're doing the board business here. Everybody has emotions. That's that's that's >> okay. I I will reduce the several questions that I have out of respect for the public and and the and and the board members. Uh another question and then I
have a comment. Uh many board members across the state feel hesitant to speak because of fear of ethics complaints. What protections exist to ensure the law isn't used to discourage leg legitimate oversight? I don't know if you're
familiar with I won't name the boards but there are there are some boards that millions of dollars missing in their budgets and the public is saying why where was the proper oversight and many
people in the state many board members uh are complaining that usually when you are the no vote or when you ask questions or when you uh uh are not saying, you know, let me let me vote how everybody else is
voting. But when you are uh you know, questioning certain things, you're seen as the bad apple. But then when years pass, those board members retire, we have a huge problem. And then the public is concerned where was the proper oversight. So again, what
protection exists to ensure the law isn't used to discourage legitimate oversight? Because we're here to provide oversight. We're not here to be buddy buddy and be best friends and hugs, but not provide the proper oversight. >> Right? So you you would ask questions um
related to the topics and and the subject matter. You would do it within the time frame and the Robert's rules that you know the parliamentary procedure that you have in place. Um and you would vote according to what you feel. you don't have to vote with the rest of the board. You have the right to have an individual vote um and vote
according to your conscience. >> So, a board member that is that is trying to be independent, do his proper oversight uh can do that without feeling hostile or harassed as a board member. Am I right or wrong?
>> Yes, you have a right to your vote. >> So, I just to end Thank you. Just to end my comments on this topic, I just the public doesn't know this. Okay, the you know the the law says the board is required to be a member of the New
Jersey School Board Association. That's the first thing the public needs to know. Okay, we have to pay a fee of almost $30,000 a year to be part of the New York City School Board Association. They provide training. However,
your presentation was great. I really appreciate your time, but I hear a lot of fear-mongering and I'm a second term board member. I made some mistakes in the beginning because I didn't know a lot of things, but I have seen and experienced
um discourage legitimate oversight and fear of because of fear of ethics complain. Okay. Uh I do not respectfully I do not agree that p personal perspective should
not be part of someone's judgment. You cannot detach from your personal opinion on anything because that's part of you. That's basic humanity. You cannot detach from your feelings about anything. Anyone that says my feelings don't come
into contact with my just lying. You can't take your heart and your brain out of anything. Okay? And we have, this is just my opinion. I'm not asking for a response respectfully. Um, we have some very seasoned, experienced board members here that some of us are learning from.
We have new members, newly recently new, and we have one recently elected. I don't want to find years, 10, 20 years from now that, you know, something went wrong with money because of oversight.
I rather hear people asking tough questions and respecting the right to ask questions and provide the oversight than being buddy buddy buddy. And just as we're not supposed to be hostage to special interest group, there are many special interest groups. There are many
special interest group. Special interest groups are uh represented very well with a lot of money. And what I would like as a a person of color, I would like the New Jersey School Board Association to be more diverse. I would like them to be
more representative of New Jersey. New Jersey is very diverse now. And I'm not talking about only ethnic and racially diverse. We're I'm talking about uh um we have people with different philosophies from different walks of
life. And there are many board members throughout the state that feel the the the ethics law is being weaponized to silence board members who are exercising proper oversight over district finances.
Okay. And staying in their lane, okay, talking about issues that relate to board members. All right? So, I don't want to have to read in a newspaper that another district in the state is missing $50 million. I don't want to have to read that another district in the state
is missing almost $20 million and have to lay off many many people and many people are going to lose their jobs and homeowners are going to raise the taxes because it was not proper oversight because probably perhaps the board members that wanted to provide the oversight were bullied, harassed,
belittled, silenced for having a different opinion in the meeting on social media and in the community because some of us don't look the way the majority of the people look. So I would like I would like to set the record straight. You are a special
interest organization. You represent the interest of board members. But I really would like for for New Jersey school board association to be more representative of all the board members, not just the board presidents and vice presidents who want everybody everything
to go smooth because we are not here to be bothered. We're here to provide the proper oversight respectfully stay in our lane supporting the superintendent, but at the end we have to provide the proper oversight for the children and the taxpayers. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Um I just I just want to let to to your point. Yes, the uh board members are represented by New Jersey School Board Association and the districts do pay membership um for that, you know, and it's by statute. Um, but
the objective of that is to be able to provide you with the training and also that we do represent every single board member. Um, which I mentioned earlier when we started, you should feel confident to be able to pick up the phone and ask any questions um, and get
any advice. There are tons of training opportunities for you as individuals as well as board members um, you know, and coming in as a board and we have different levels of certifications etc. So, um, in addition to all those things, as an FSR, when I tell you to call me,
the association also has, um, attorney of the day. If you have a legal question, again, they're not going to give you legal advice, but they will give you legal information. Um, we currently have a retiring, uh, BA of of the day, so we will have that position
again and, uh, when it's fulfilled. And the key is if you have questions that you're not sure of with your finances or things, those are the experts that we have in house to help assist with that um and to give you guidance and give you information. Of course, you always have your district administration and your
board attorney who's the one that you want to go for. Um because again, it's your board attorney who's going to be defending you. Um I'm going to wrap this up just because of the timing and I know you still have board business, I'm assuming. So, uh for respect for >> the entire agenda. >> Yeah. In in respect of that, I
apologize, but in respect of that, um I just want to say my my phone number is on the website. Um and um feel free to call me with any questions. I will send this out. I'll also make sure my information is on uh the email that I send out to be distributed to board members. And um there are plenty of
opportunities as board members to be involved in the association. All board members are voted by, you know, by the public. And then as board members, you do have absolutely the right to be involved in the association on various levels from the county on up to um the
actual New Jersey School Board Association board. Um so thank you again for having me this evening and I want to again thank you for what you do and appreciate what you do and um wish you luck this evening so that you don't stay here all night.
water. Okay. This agenda item provides an opportunity for committee chairs to present brief summaries of proceedings from their most Oh, >> I do. I do. I want >> Can I
>> I have to finish reading. These committee reports are not agenda items or business of the board. These reports are forformational purposes only and reflect activities that have already taken place. Questions regarding these reports are forformational purposes
only. Questions from this from the public can only be asked or comments upon during other business portion of the agenda. This is not an appropriate time to introduce new business items or engage in extended discussions on topics that should be
addressed through proper channels. Committee chairs are reminded to keep the reports limited to three minutes maximum based on the written meeting minutes. Focus only on the key action and discussion from the most recent meeting. Reference when the next meeting is
scheduled and avoid introducing new business that has been not been properly vetted through committee. Submit any written summary reports to the superintendent and board secretary for inclusion in the minutes. So based on that, we didn't have any committee meeting. Yeah, but I want to talk about a comm my finance committee.
>> It's a report. It's a report. What happened? >> I'm gonna superintendent and legal counsel that other business then because it's not based on >> any >> it is it is a it is a report about a
committee >> but it's not this specifically specifies that it's committee meeting report. >> It's a report about a committee. >> That be under other business. This is about >> you're still going to talk about it. So, let me just finish it. >> All right. So, I'm going to move on and
we can talk about it during other business. >> Point of order. >> Point of order. >> Point of order. We have a committee report. The chair of the committee has a committee report. >> We don't have a committee. >> You have to circulate the report in writing and then you present it. There's
not a committee report. It would be better to do it under other business because you haven't had a committee meeting on that yet. The policy says committee minutes, not report. >> Well, there's no minutes. >> No minutes. >> It says reports. Reports is anything
that happened in the finance committee or >> we don't have a finance committee though. Okay. This portion of our board meeting is specifically for comments on resolutions listed in tonight's agenda. When speaking, please state your name and municipality. Specify which resolution you are addressing. Limit
your remarks to three minutes. State law prohibits board members and administrators from discussing personnel matters, student discipline, or other confidential issues. Please note that this is not a dialogue or a Q&A session between speakers and the board. While we
may not respond immediately to or every comment made tonight, all input is carefully considered and helps inform our decisions. Responses come may come through emails, reports, board statements, website updates, or after the comment period has closed. Thank you
for your participation in our school community's governance. Just to remind everyone, I do apologize for this. This is our board agenda. I understand that it's 11:00. This is public comment for 7A through 15AB.
>> Point of point of information that is not correct. It's not It's not correct. Anything on agenda items are the public comments. If it's listed on the board agenda, it's board comments. Please do not
micromanage the right of the of the of the public to speak. Anything on agenda item, it's fair game for them to speak. Please, why do you keep doing this? Now you want to micromanage and silence the public. You do this to with board
members. Now you're doing it with the public. Please stop. >> Thank you for your comment, Mr. Santana. The board uh the public is open to discussion as open on the floor >> for agenda items only. >> I just said on for agenda items only.
People can that's pretty clear. >> Agenda items. Okay. Floor's closed. Um, I will open the floor for board member comments on agenda items only. Miss, >> before before I start, I wanted to ask the attorney a question. Am I allowed to talk about the process now of picking a
vacancy? I'm not talking about the actual vote or the vacancy filled. >> That is part of the agenda. >> That is part of the agenda. That's that was the question that we started and you clarified that anything on the agenda >> if you if you want to talk about make your comments and then and I'll correct
it if you if you want to talk about um agenda items. Go ahead. >> Can I talk about the process not the vote? >> You can talk about you can talk that's an agenda item so you can discuss it. >> Okay. So my comments are strictly against the process not the vote of the
vacancy. I'm speaking tonight because I was excluded from the process of filling the current board vacancy and because that process was determined by leadership without the participation or authorization of the full board. The vacancy was advertised before the newly constructed board was even convened. It
was advertised at 8 10:00 in the morning. The new con board convened at 7. That alone is deeply concerning. A board that has yet met cannot authorize procedure, timeline, posting or interview process. Yet those steps were
already underway before the full board had the opportunity to discuss or vote on any of them in public. At that point did the full bo at no point again at no point did the full board meet to determine how the vacancy would be
filled. We did we did not vote on the timeline, the posting of the vacancy, the interview format, or the interview questions. Instead, leadership attempted to obtain board approval through email surveys. I want to be clear for the public under the open public meetings
act, board members may not may only vote in uh at a priv private properly no noticed public meeting. Board action cannot occur through email, survey, or private communication. Asking board members to vote through a survey
is not permitted and does not constitute legal board approval. Despite this, the survey was later characterized as board approval. Interview questions were shared with the public before they were shared with us with the board members. Newly board members were completely excluded from the process and were never
given the opportunity to participate in decisions that would directly proceed to formal board vote. I was also troubled by the statement tribute to a board council in indicating that interview questions were approved not only by the majority of the board but also by the administration.
Administration does not have does is not does not approve board interview questions and have no role in authorizing the board vacancy procedures. This includes inclusion of the >> I'm going to I'm going to cut you off right now. You're now revealing attorney client privilege communications which is totally inappropriate. Do not mention me
or what I what advice I've given to you or the board. That is You have no right to wave the privilege of the board. Stop now. >> Okay, let me continue. The inclusion of the I'll come back. >> Anyone else? Mr. Santana. Oh, I'm sorry.
I told Mr. Rosenberg he would go next. My apologies. I just want to wish all the people that are on the retirement list, Miss Cashion, Miss uh Francis, Miss Gthards, excuse my if I when I um butcher your
name, Katherine uh Menigan, Miss Ray, Mr. Schmelts, and Miss Dro. Happy retirement. >> First and for and forth most I would like to wish everyone happy Black
History Month was not even mentioned. It's going to be Black History Month in two days. Um, okay. Okay. In regards to the vacancy and the you know the process uh I want to speak briefly from the standpoint of
good governance and transparency. My intent here is not to make accusations or question anyone's motives but to ensure that we are all operating with clarity, consistency and accordance with our obligation as a public body. As board members, we have a fiduciary duty
to act in the best interests of the district and the public, which includes being informed, asking questions, and part particip parti stop my comment. Please pause the the the clock, please. Okay. Um,
particularly those involving board vacancies. I do want to express a concern related to process based on the information available to me. The full board the full board was not formally involved in the decisions to
publicize the vacancy nor were we given an opportunity to review or discuss the process or the questions provided to candidates. Additionally, previous requests to review policy 0143 as a
board were not taken up. I which I made that in a public session last year several times. Watch the tape. I raised this concern from the p from the perspective of a reasonable
observer. The absent of board involvement in these steps could create the appearance that proper procedures were not fully followed. Too bad the New Jersey School Board Association rep for ethics left. Um, and in in in situations
like that, it may lead some to question whether the spirit or potentially the requirements of the open public meetings act or the school ethics are were satisfied. Again, madame president, my intent is not to assign fault, but to
ensure that we as a board are protecting the integrity of the board. And when I say the board, I mean the nine, the eight of us because I believe that we should operate as a board of nine, not the board of we have five, we have five
votes, we have the majority. That's that's cooperation. That's not collaboration. That's not peace. That's not harmony. That's not working together for the children. That's not modeling proper behavior when we have so many bullying cases. Again, my intent is not
to assign full but giving every member the opportunity to fulfill the fidiciary role appropriately. I appreciate the opportunity to raise this in the interest of clarity and good governance moving forward. I'll go next to address other items on the agenda.
>> Anyone else? Okay, Miss Valvich, >> I will come back and other items about um vacancy, but I wanted to ask a couple of questions about the um actual agenda. I was just wondering on page 114 it says that we bought coffee cups, coffee lids,
and an actual coffee machine. I was just wondering why. It also says that we bought a 75 inch Roku smart TV. I was wondering why did we do the district do that? I also wanted to know the superintendent holiday breakfast meeting. Who is that for? Is that for
students? Is that for uh staff? Who exactly is part of that? I am so happy that we got two playgrounds. Unfortunately, it cost two $220,000. So half a million dollars we paid for mills and forest. Although I'm a proponent of the playgrounds, I want the
playgrounds. I wish we can also do bidding. I understand that we did cooperatives, which we can do, but I also wish we could since it's almost half a million dollars. We actually did a bids too to see which one is cheaper, maybe which one could actually save the district money.
Um, also the Valley Health System, um, there was no bids. When I asked if there would be bids, they said they did not have the opportunity to solicit additional build bill, uh, bids. So, how can we approve something that does not have a bid? Uh, I don't understand.
Maybe the attorney can clarify that. I also didn't understand why are we paying for CBC, blood count types, blood chemistry, lipid test, and sleep apnea. How are we using that for? I don't understand. I understand a drug analysis and height and weight when we pre-screen
any employee. Totally get that. But I don't understand the sleep apnea. Why are we paying for that? Uh the community school. So each community school has a markup. Okay, that's fine. But some of them like the pickable has a 31% markup.
The Lancet and Lancet has 11% markup. The ACE valuable has a 35% markup. So I don't understand how are the markups actually determined and why is it not one particular markup rate so that it would be fair to all the companies.
Uh the health evaluations checklist I did um it's not attached. It's just one page. How am I supposed to know what we're supposed to do with that? I wanted to discuss policy number 3130. Um there's a lot of uh so I'm going to be making motions when we actually approve
it. And I wanted to say thank you for to their urban PTA, the forest PTA, the Louiswis and the de Iron Works for their donations. I didn't see there was a markup for the summer camp mark. Is there a summer camp markup on our bills? It says the AT&T
for December was for long-distance service phone calls, but I don't understand that because anywhere in Canada, New uh America, and um Mexico, it's considered all on one plan. So why are we paying for long distance? We're requiring for long distance. So I wasn't
sure about that. Policy 3130 has a lot of issues that I feel uncomfortable for. One of them is that the the the 9130 I've been talking about. Okay, I'll come back. I I'll actually when I vote I'll make motions.
just waiting to be recognized. Uh on 7A, I mean this respect I I mean this respectfully as a constructive criticism, Dr. Donio, the reorganization minutes were not available days prior to the agenda.
That's an issue. I would like them to be available um in a timely fashion. Uh I would like to congratulate all the retirees on 9A. I wish you a safe and happy retirement. Um, I need to recuse
myself on 10 A6, 10 A12, and 10 A17. Um, I'm going to abstain on 10 A18. 11 uh 11 A. I just have a simple question to the superintendent. When I'm done,
you can answer. The district follow board policy 1530 um 11E. Uh, is this extra instructional time based on in on our instructional
priorities, Dr. Dionio? Such as math, math, science, and ESL improvement. Um, on 13B. On 13B, the agreement the agreement states on page one, item four. The contractor acknowledges that the
community school would allow a 10% discount on the listed rates to senior citizens age 65 and over. I'm asking myself like logically, how many senior citizens are asking for a discount to take the PSAT and SAT? I I don't mean
this sarcastically, but this is actually a test for high school student. There's no senior citizens waiting to take that test to get the 10%. Why don't we make a motion which I will make a motion to give that 10% to single parents parents on uh on on students on free or
reduced uh lunch okay and people struggling there's a lot of people struggling with afford affordability there's no senior citizens signing up to take the PSAT than the SAT okay uh uh 13F will there be academic activities
planned for the uh spring mini camp vacation Uh, I am not comfortable with students being supervised from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. only by an aftercare and before care staff member. I would like to see a certificate of staff, a teacher. You
know, I appreciate the donations for 14A uh 14 C. Dr. Indonesia. Why do we need a private company uh to tell us uh that the outsource company that we hire to perform a contract is doing their
job? Isn't that why we have a business office? Like why do we need another why do we need an external provider to tell us that a that a contract is being fulfilled or not? Like that I don't understand. Um 14 I
Okay, I ran out of time. Um, I I would like to ask for the the indulgence of the board to allow me one minute to finish. Oh, I have to second it. No, I just want to I just want to just one minute to finish if the board president will allow
me one minute to finish. Thank you. Thank you. 14. And I apologize to the superintendent. I had a um I I wasn't feeling well. I literally almost faint the last week and I couldn't send you the questions. This is the first time that I actually didn't
send you the questions since I've been a board member. So, if the some of the answers you don't have, it's okay. Uh 14 L. Uh never mind on that. 14G. Um, correct me if I'm wrong. Uh, before we
consider renewing a service, shouldn't we go out to get proposals to compare services and prices? Taxpayers deserve to know we are getting the the most value for their hard-earned tax dollars. So unless we are legally required to
approve that agreement with Valley Health System, let's not approve it so we can get quotes to see if we can get the most bang for our buck. You know, people are working hard to pay the taxes. There's an affordability crisis going on right now. Uh 15A,
uh how is the district preparing to ensure that policy is fully implemented? 15B. Why do we need to change this policy and replace superintendent with assistant superintendent? Isn't it common language to write
superintendent? Oh, he's designated. >> Thank you, Mr. Santana. >> I'm sorry. I apologize. >> The floor is closed. Can I >> can I please get questions answered before you vote? >> I'm about to answer any questions that I have before I defer to the
superintendent. Thank you so much. Uh I have no responses. The board has a process in place with the administration to submit questions. We answered approximately eight or nine pages of questions. Uh the administrative team and I put recommendations forward. So
for operational reasons, there are reasons that they're forward for board approval. Um and we follow all district policies. Thank you. Uh >> point of clarification. >> Yes. I'm waiting for it to be recognized.
>> Okay. So my question is that question was submitted and there's not no response for that. That's why I wanted to know >> if you look at for the health safety evaluation checklist there's no question. >> There is a response there. Go back and check. >> Can I get a motion?
>> Oh and then for clarification one more. If we don't have the bids and we need to have the bids, are we allowed to vote for a company that we didn't have get bids for? There were no bids on the playgrounds. >> No, I'm talking about um
Valley that according to the questions, >> it's a professional contract and your business administrator gets quotes before they do a professional contract. Um I can tell you that just I just looked at the the rates those are common rates. You have to have a health care
provider. You employ student employ lots of faculty and staff members that have medical issues that arise where you have to have people um examined if they get hurt at work. Uh if somebody's under the possibly under the influence of drugs or
alcohol, you have to do the same thing with students. So, you do have to have um an entity in Valley Health. They laid out all the different things. That's why there's all these testing requirements um and bills for all the different ones because there's a whole host of things that come up when you are employing
people and you're also supervising children. So that's why you have it. But that that is a professional service. You're dealing with medical care professionals. Anyone who has a license, doctors, lawyers, accountants, um those are professional services and are not required to be bid.
>> Thank you. Can I get a motion for 7A? >> So moved. Roll call. >> Dr. Bolini. >> Yes. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Sorry.
>> No. On the January and abstain on the December meeting. >> Mr. Rosenberg. Yes. Abstain on the uh December meeting because I wasn't a board member at Santana. >> Um abstain on the reorganization
meetings minutes because they were not available to this prior to the regular meeting. Uh, yes on the rest. >> And for the record, the minutes were posted uh 48 hours ago. >> Um, Mrs. Mayan. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Can I have a motion for 9A through? I'm lying. That's not something we vote on. >> Uh, point of >> I'm sorry. 9A point of point of information. the the point of
information, the the the Google Docs have a history, >> right? And January 27 morning, the minutes for the reorganization minutes were not posted. Just just for for clarification, you could you could go back and check.
>> Roll call. >> Dr. Bolini. >> Yes. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Ma, >> yes. Miss Favvelich. >> Uh, no. On 9B, Noah 9 C.
>> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. >> Mr. Santana. >> Yes. Happy retirement. >> Mrs. Man. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Can I get a motion for 10 A through D? >> Yes.
>> Second. So, >> um, >> Dr. Bartellini, >> roll call. >> I'm saying yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. By the way, this is a great time for a a consens consent agenda. >> Miss Brown.
>> Um, abstain on 10 A18. Yes. On everything else. Missilia. Yes, Miss Five. >> No. On 10818 Rosenberg. >> Only time I agree with Ed on that
subject, but yes. >> Come on. >> Hey, >> come on, >> Mr. Santana. recuse myself on 10 A6 uh 10 A12 10 A17
and abstain from 10 A18 yes on the rest >> M >> yes to all but 10 A18 I abstain on myself not Jean >> I'd like to make that clarification But
I abstain on myself, not Julie Mayan. >> Can I get a Oh, I have to >> Yeah. >> Can I get a motion for 11 A through I? >> So moved. >> Look at you. Welcome to the party. Okay. Roll call. >> Dr. Bartellini.
>> Uh, yes. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Ma, >> yes. >> Miss Felovich, >> abstain on 11 A1. And then 11 D5
11d5 is a no and 11 I is a no. >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. >> Mr. Santana. >> Uh due to the fact that none of my questions were answered, I will have to vote accordingly. Uh 11A
uh abstain. Um, and everything on the agenda is fair game unless you ask something that requires research. Wh why can the questions be answered? This is 11 E. Um,
abstain. My questions were not answered. Uh, 11 I no. Yes. And the rest. >> Mrs. May. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Can I get a motion for
12 A and B? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Dr. Bertellini. >> Yes. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leair. >> Yes.
>> Miss Favvelich. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. >> Mr. Santana. Yes, >> man. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Can I get a motion for 13A through G?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Dr. Bartellini. >> Yes. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leia. >> Yes. >> Miss Felovich. >> So
>> point of order. Um point of information. What item are we voting on? 13 A through G. >> I I when I make when I um made a comment, I said that I was going to make a motion for 13 um
for 13B. And I and I stated the motion instead of having senior citizens get a 10% for the PSAT SAT, have single parents and people on free and reduced income to get the 10% off for the PSAT
SAT. I said that I was going to make the motion, but you went ahead and did not. Are you board president? You have to keep track of what we're saying. >> 13. Okay, I'll make the motion. >> We're in the middle of a roll call. >> Yeah, but >> No, no. How about giving parents a
break? >> No, you said we can make a motion during when we when we vote. That's what we were told every single time. >> I said it before. >> In the middle of So, you've already called 13 >> A through G. >> A through G. You got a second and a
>> second. You're calling second and a roll call. >> But that's how they said when you're time to vote, that's how you do it. >> You can bring that up. You can bring that up under under uh other business at the end. >> The board president is keeping notes. Aren't you keeping notes of what we're saying when we're going to say we're
going to make motions? >> But it's also your respons. You know what? I'm actually not engaging in this conversation. >> No, we should be engaging because parents and sing single parents, empty nesters, and people who are struggling, they need help from us, too. It's not just tax tax. >> So wait, I just want to clarify now. But
you know, I understand that, but just to make sure that I understand. No, but I want to know when we are making the motion, we make a motion when you first second and then I say I make a motion. Is that how you want us to do it? Now, >> Miss Felich, can >> I'm going to come back. >> Can you can the attorney please clarify
how he would like us to do it? >> You're in the middle of a roll call. Do the roll call. >> Yes. Yes. >> Mr. Santana, >> we're voting on on 13 >> um >> for the reasons that I stated 13B. No, I
will be making a motion to support the people of Ferong who need help. 13F. Um there was no answer to it was basic question. Um I abstained for 13F. Yes. on the rest.
>> No on no on 13B, no on 13 C, no on 13D, and no on 13E. >> Just for the record, everyone. >> Oh, Miss Mrs. Man. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Um, so, so just so an answer, I'm
looking at the contract. This is the the this is a standard contract community school that deals with it. If you look the the the 10% is for seniors at the community at the community center if they're providing services there. At the very bottom of
the contract, it says it's a per student PS uh tuition. So, I don't even think that the 10% is applicable to this rate. >> It's a standard contract. >> Yeah, your community schools. It's a
it's a community school contract that's standard that has to do with if it's community school for each course provided if it would be a 10% unlisted rate for seniors but if you go
down to the bottom this specifically has a rate and it's for per student and it covers preps for 9th to 12th grades so it would not even be applicable to seniors. Can I get a motion for 14 A through L?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yeah. >> Dr. Bertilini. >> Yes. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Mia. >> Yes. >> Miss Felovich.
>> No. On 14 C. GNF. >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. Mr. Santana >> abstain on 14 C for the reasons stated before. Abstain
on 14G. Yes. On the rest. >> Yes. >> Motion cars. >> Can I make a Can I get a motion for
15? >> I would like to make a motion. Perfect. Yes. >> Oh, can I >> second? >> Can I can I say my motion now? All right. So, policy 9130 is the public complaint process. Basically, if a person has a complaint, they go to the
teacher first, then they go to the principal, then they go to the um administration such as uh the assistant superintendent. Once they got to that, they also go to the superintendent. If they still are not satisfied, they get to go to see the board. That's basically the basically we are the fourth level
appeal. I think it's fair that if the administration gets a certain amount of days to response to an email, especially since we have an attorney at any time of the time of day, they'll answer it right away. Most parents do not have that. They have to spend a lot of time making
up. So, I make it a motion that the amount of time an administration has to respond and board the same time should be given to the parents. >> Second. Can we have a discussion now? >> You just had a discussion. >> No, that was my motion.
>> A motion in a sec. You motion? >> Yeah. And then we have a discussion. Every time you have a motion and a second. That's Robert. Am I missing something? Is it new now? >> No, it's not new. You had the discussion. You didn't make >> No, I never made the >> motion. There's a second to a What you're talking about is you just said
how you want to amend the policy. I want to add that to the policy stating that or I want to state to the policy that whatever the amount of days is allowed for administration to answer emails. So if it's 10 working days, 10 whatever then the policy
>> I have a president have a comment on that motion >> we put that in and then they put how many days reg would be how many days they just choose and the policy we say what is the framework that's our framework. So are you talking about the
>> So if there's a like correspond so this is you can't amend this now this this is now a second reading you're talking about policy public complaints P130 >> it is a sec excuse me I didn't interrupt you let me finish it is a second reading
so you cannot amend a policy at a second reading what you have to do my recommendation is you'd adopt a policy policy can you can make a recommendation to the policy committee to >> we don't have a policy committee >> frankly and and if I'm looking at the um
the policy um it doesn't set forth any time frames in it that would be done in the regulation >> I understand that but as we were told we set the framework and the administration creates what how we say what they say how so we say that there has to be the
same amount of time the administration creates how many times it's not my job to tell them make it 10 days Make it 7 days. Make it 40 days. If the administration's cho choosing, we say what they do. How and the how is how many days they feel comfortable. >> Point of information.
>> Well, so regulations are adopted by administration. >> I understand that. But the policy forms >> comment and then and then the superintendent can put that into a regulation and share that with the board. >> Why is my time going while the attorney speaking? >> So you got you've made your your point.
You can't revise a reading a polic Second read it. >> I tried to make that comment last time based on your advice. I was told we my comments cannot be read in public. That was on that. It's not attorney client privilege because it was on the agenda that we just approved. It says the
attorney says we are not allowed to read readers comment. Literally that's what it says. I asked why. I was told then no response was given. >> No idea what you're talking about. >> If look at the agenda that's what it says. >> Pretty good memory of what >> that's what it says on the agenda. >> Everyone that this is not a back and forth. Can I make I would like to make a
comment on her motion. >> Hold on one second. Mr. J Gobe, you are saying to us that we cannot >> you can >> make a motion because this is a second. >> If you have a material change to a policy at a second reading, which this
would be, the policy fails. My recommendation is you pass the policy as it's written and the regulations which will follow the policy can reflect what Rita has just indicated about the time. you adopt this policy, >> but it's a disadvantage towards I've
been talking about the same thing for five months about this policy. We've been revising this policy for five months >> because we already have a motion in a second. Oh, we don't have a second yet. >> Yes, we do have a second, Mr. >> Okay. So, what do we do? >> My ad my advice would be to vote on this policy adopt it.
>> But we currently have a motion on the floor >> for what? >> Read the motion is on the floor. Are you saying it doesn't count because it's second read? No, no. She She made a motion to amend it and I'm advising her that you can't amend. If you >> We were told we can't as I'll go back to the first reading.
>> Please be clear. If you amend this policy, you have to go back and have another first reading. >> That's fine. What's the big deal? >> Then you don't have a Then you don't have any complaint procedure at all. >> We do have a complaint procedure. Currently, we can use our old one. What's the difference? We have a We have one since >> Look at the policy. The policy that's on
the agenda does not have time frames in it. It does not have >> I understand that baby ha the old policy and I've been talking about this with you and I've been s and during public meetings I can send you the videos if you like. >> So we currently have a recommendation from >> I'm allowed to send it to you and I
won't be charged. I will send it no problem. >> Recommendation from the attorney to vote on >> Madame President I have I had a comment on her motion. >> We're not allowed to do the motion. >> She had to withdraw the motion. But I'm not withdrawing the motion because I don't think it's fair that
administration of the school gets 10 to 10 days while the public gets >> information respectfully. >> Respectfully the super respectfully I >> defer respect. Let me just >> I just want to defer to the superintendent. >> I I want that's exactly who I'm
referring to. This when we met the superintendent >> I'm going to defer to the superintendent. Go ahead. >> Thank you madam president. Board regulation 9130 is what we call issued and issued regulation
is controlled and administered by the administration. Miss Favlovich, you have brought this topic up before. The administration has taken it under consideration and we have not made the change. And what you have before you tonight is a second reading
as Mr. Gioe presented and that does not stipulate the number of days. So, as a result, it's a second reading recommendation for a board vote. And as I see it, the motion is moot because it does not apply because there's no
timeline in the policy. >> I'm not asking for a timeline. I say the equal treatment. It's not this is not equal treatment of people and the board. >> Can I please have my time? >> I don't think we can because we cannot move forward with the current motion on
the floor. The board is advising us that we cannot move forward with this motion. We have to vote on what's on the agenda. >> You read the policy. There's no time. The time frames are set forth in the regulation. >> So, let's follow the legal advice, Mr. Felic. Unless we drew withdraw your
motion, but I'm entitled to make a comment on the motion. >> You need a motion and a second to to >> Okay. So, do the to So, >> it's a good point though because you're saying we can't even
>> there's nothing to amend in the in the policy >> the policy just so we're clear. >> Yeah. >> Well, we'll never do it after the fact. >> We have not had a policy meeting in two years. Give me a >> So the policy just so we're very clear
>> what the policy says procedures in the policy that you're that's for second reading procedures for the resolution of complaints regarding district staff members the educational program instructional and resource materials and the operation of the district shall be governed by regulation 9130 that's where
it has all the time frames >> respectfully to my colleague call a question >> so we are now voting on >> nine Uh, whatever. >> 15 A and B. >> Yep. A, B, and C. >> You're voting on 15.
>> The agenda. >> The agenda. >> We need a motion. >> Motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> You don't get to do both. >> No, he Mr. Rosenberg did the first one. Yeah.
>> Roll call. >> Dr. Bertellini. >> Although I agree that there should be commonality between the two sides based on what I've been advised to by our attorney. I am voting yes. >> We just vote. Yes. >> I just voted yes. It was quick. >> Miss Brown?
>> Yes. >> Missia? >> Yes. >> Missich? >> No. >> Mr. Rosenberg? >> Yes. >> Mr. Santana? Based on what the superintendent stated, I will I will I will vote yes,
but hopefully the the board president will will convene a policy meeting ASAP. >> Mrs. May, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> This portion of our board meeting is specifically for comments on any matter.
When speaking, please state your name and municipality of residents. Limit your remarks to three minutes. State law prohibits board members and administrators from discussing personnel matters, student discipline, or other confidential issues. Please prohibit
please sorry. Please note this is not a dialogue or Q&A session between speakers and the board. While we may not respond immediately or to every board comment made tonight, all input is carefully considered and helps inform our decisions. Responses may come through
email reports, board statements, website updates, or after the comment period closes. Thank you for your participation in our school community's governance. The floor is open. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Bana Tchenski. F1 is my municipality. I'm speaking again tonight regarding the
board of education vacancy process because I raised these concerns at the last board meeting and they were not addressed. Since then, the process has continued in a way that makes those concerns even more significant. This is not about personalities or
qualifications. As we've seen today, um we had very highly qualified candidates and I would like to thank everybody for taking the time to do this. This is actually about the process compliance with board policy and public confidence
in this body. Fail on board policy 0145 section two states that a board member shall resign immediately upon election or appointment to an incompatible office. The language is clear and unambiguous. It does not hinge on a
swearing in date, the passage of time or administration convenience. The purpose of this policy is to prevent conflicts of interest and manipulation of timing. New Jersey courts have been clear, including in case of Armenia versus
Monroe Board of Education, that when a board adopts a policy, it is bound to follow it as written, not reinterpreted after the fact. At the last meeting, I raised concerns that the vacancy process appeared predetermined. Tonight, the board has interviewed multiple highly
qualified candidates. Yet, the outcome has aligned precisely with the statements made before any vacancy existed, indicating that Miss Julie Casoy would be back on the board in a couple of months. Even though she was voted off in the election by the members of the Fereralon community, when
concerns are raised publicly and not addressed, then the process unfolds exactly as predicted. It creates a reasonable appearance that the vacancy was not generally open despite the formal solicitation resumes. New Jersey law under NJSA
18A12-15 and 18A12-15.1 governs how board vacancies are to be filled. But transparency transparency is not satisfied merely by conducting interviews if the decision has effectively already been made. The Open
Public Meetings Act exists to ensure that public business is not decided privately and later ratified publicly. Even the appearance of that undermines trust in this board. Tonight, I'm placing on the public record that these concerns were raised, not addressed, and
then reinforced by subsequent events. The sequence matters. Policies exist to protect the integrity of this board and the fair alone community that it serves. When policies are selectively applied or reinterpreted after the fact, public trust is damaged and raised raises
serious concerns about transparency and board's compliance. Thank you for opportunity for the opportunity to speak tonight. Don't be Good evening. My name is Maryanne Sahori. I have two children in Fairlon schools, a sixth grader TJ and a
sophomore in high school. I'm proudly the PTO president at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and the vice president of PTA council. So sorry, so nervous. First, I'd like to thank and recognize our administrators, teachers, and staff. It is because of their tireless work that our district functions every single
day. They are at the backbone of this community. However, they are succeeding in spite of the constant distractions coming from some members of this board. While our staff is doing an amazing job, we aren't seeing the same professional standard from everyone on the stasis.
The role of the board of education is policy and oversight, not acting as judge, jury, and executioner. When this platform is used for grandstanding, it isn't just disrupting a meeting. It is breaking the trust of this community. If your comments, questions, and insights are not centered around meaningful
discussion, you are simply a distraction. It is deeply offensive to hear hateful labels like supremacist or anti-semitic weaponized to trigger a reaction. It is beneath the dignity of this office and is simply not how human beings should treat one another. Healthy
debate is one thing, but if the goal is to insult rather than help, you've lost sight of why you're here. This behavior not only creates a hostile environment for everyone from our students and staff to the people in this room and others that are watching at home. Board members
should be advocating for all Fairlon students regardless of their race, religion, or culture. The same is true for all the members of this board. Positions are earned through collaboration and mutual respect, not through identity or background. No one here is being denied an opportunity
because of who they are. You are simply being held accountable for how you treat others. I truly appreciate anyone's willingness to serve this district in such a selfish way. But if you're more focused on getting attention than doing the work, you're no longer serving the public. If the goal is the spotlight
rather than the students, you really don't deserve to be a part of this important mission. Our community needs to unite behind people regardless of their personal or political opinions who can be productive members working together for the greater good of the community they serve. We cannot allow
any member of this board to discredit our school district and we must hold you to a higher standard because the chaos we are all seeing is totally unacceptable. I want to leave you with a question to reflect. When your time on this board is done, will you be remembered for helping our students thrive or just for chaos that you've
created? It is really time to move past the noise and to reenter this board because our children's education is not secondary here. It's literally the reason why we are all here every single month. Thank you for your time. I'd like to submit a copy of my remarks for the
official record. I have a huge truck. >> Good evening. Almost good morning. We're still here. I just wanted to say thank you to the board. I really appreciate this opportunity to come back to continue serving. I promise to do my absolute best to work with everybody
collaboratively regardless of whether we agree, disagree, but again respectfully to move along our business and to make sure that we represent ourselves in the way that we would like our students to represent themselves in our community. That said, I also just have one little point of information that I wanted to offer and share. I know there's been
questions about free SAT prep. Um, I don't know if this is common knowledge, but College Board apparently now offers free boot camps for SAT prep through the College Board site. If Dr. Dianio will be willing to share this with the high school to perhaps Mr. Gorski can push
this out or if we can make this more known to the um folks in town who need it. They offer four-week free boot camps to students before every single SAT sitting. So this is something that is done through a agency group that's associated with college board called
schoolhouse.world that also affiliates with Khan Academy. I am not endorsing in any way personally or in any way this organization. I'm just saying this came to my attention and I know that this has been an area of concern. So I just wanted to bring that forward and share that information with the rest of the district. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve. I'm looking
forward to being back next month and um continuing to do the good work that I know we all are here to do. Thank you. Thank you. >> Oh, my name is Stan Lyn. My municipality is Fairlaw. I've been a math teacher for I
started teaching SAT prep in 1997. Uh when we talk about a free SAT course, there is a difference between a student going online and take and having tutorials and a licensed teacher teaching a course. I teach uh the SAT
prep course at my high school which offers it for free. It is a it's given after school twice a week. One hour for English, one hour for math. We are compensated for that basically. Uh the
around about $40 or $50 an hour. So when we talk about the money it takes to offer a free SAT course, it is minuscule for a budget of $150 million. So what I would say is that would be offered to students that can't afford
it. I see nothing wrong with that. Thank you. I just want to preface this with a note that it's late, but I'm gonna since I think everyone is done, I'm just going to take my two back tobacks and I probably won't need all of it. Um wasn't expecting to be standing here at almost
quarter to 12. Good evening. My name is Marcy Ree. Before I begin, um fair municipality. Before I begin, I just want to extend my congratulations to Dr. Disio on receiving an award for his community leadership committee. This is an outstanding achievement, but not many people are aware of who makes up this
committee, when they meet, or how residents can join. I'd like that this information can be made available to us so that those interested can participate. It's a little ironic to me that the board had a presentation on ethics this evening. I was a candidate in this past
fall's board of ed election and I appreciate being considered as a candidate earlier this evening. I think of myself as an honest individual ruled by morals and ethics. I'm not a denialist and I believe I conducted myself with grace this past fall. In fact, I would not be standing here in this capacity right now had Mrs. Julie
Casoy not been nominated back onto the board this evening. When I ran this fall, I ran an honest campaign. I did not speak badly about any other individual. Neither did Mrs. Consoy. In fact, she apologized to me for how a former mayor made insinuations about me.
However, tonight I find myself, while unsurprised, incredibly disappointed at the lack of ethics and morals held by some members of this board. The problem I have is not with Mrs. Consoy. In fact, I think she's an excellent candidate. The issue is that a question was asked
of the board and ignored. Why did Mr. Baldowski not resigned immediately upon election to our town's council. He even appeared to attend council events as a member of council while still a sitting member of the board of ed. Why have rules if you're not going to follow
them? I believe Mrs. Mayan, perhaps Mrs. Casoy, and former board member Mr. Baldowski have been incredibly unethical in not following the very bylaws set forth by this board. Upon his election to the council, as per the bylaws of the board, Mr. Baldowski, who practices
educational law, and therefore his actions are even more concerning, should have resigned immediately. Had he resigned, the board would have sought candidates and interviewed them in November or early December, and there were a lot of excellent candidates tonight. So, this is not about me. Mrs. Casoy was a sitting board member until
the evening of January 7th, and she would not have been eligible to apply for his seat. It seems quite possible that other residents have brought this up as well, that Mr. Baldowski delayed his resignation so that the seat would be open to Mrs. Casoy. The entire interview process this evening was a
sham and incredibly frustrating, just a dog and pony show because the majority of the board had already decided that despite which applicants applied, Mrs. Casoy would be nominated to be back on the board. And I'm glad that all of the candidates tonight were heard, but backroom dealings have no place on our
board of education. While running for the board of ed this past fall, some questioned my ability to serve because I had homeschooled for my my children for five years. While I am incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity, can I take my three other three minutes? It is because of this town's board of
education that I homeschooled to begin with as the distance learning plan that was unveiled in the summer of 2020 was a disaster and our town's children had the incredible disservice of being out of school from March 2020 through March of 2021. After growing up in Feralon, I
chose to raise my family here because of the schools. And ever since the CO 19 pandemic, the board has fallen further away from doing what is best for our students and is doing more of what is best for themselves. The board meeting on January 28th, Mr. Rosenberg stated that there's no majority or minority on
the board. But he got it wrong. Majority is not in regard to skin color or ethnicity, but rather viewpoints. As soon as one individual votes, 95% of the time I and likely any other observant town member can tell exactly how the remaining members will vote. There's a lot of animosity on this board and a lot
of silencing. I can see throughout many of the meetings that I have attended disdain for one member in particular that is constantly interrupted and silenced. Most of you think he's angry, but I see it as passionate. Mr. Santana was elected by the people of this town to serve on this board, and he's constantly silenced. Did you ever stop
to think that maybe instead of interrupting him and just letting him finish his three minutes, you might see him differently, maybe he might even talk less. Just kidding. Mr. Santana is passionate about his beliefs and dedicated to serving the residents that
elected him. Mr. Rosenberg has stated in the January 8th meeting also that there's no anti-semitism in this town. I think he needs to do a little more research on that or talk to his rabbi because while I canvas this fall, many residents mentioned how many hibs include this alarming issue. I'd also
like to add that when emailing the board for the vacancy, I noticed that Miss Coriva's email address for the public to email was spelled incorrectly and bounced back to me. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that this was a coincidence. This town is in need of a change. Many parents are not are afraid
to speak up, but I am not. I plan to reach out to concerned parents and speak up on their behalf. I along with many other residents am appalled by Mrs. Mayhem and Mrs. Cazoy, Mr. Baldafi's lack of discernment in following the policies and regulations set forth by
this very board. I do intend to run for the board of education again this fall. Thank you. Yes, there are two comments. Uh, Elena Sina states Marcy should be selected for vacant BOE seat.
Bella Cavaleric states Marcy is undoubtedly the best candidate for board member position in my opinion. Those are the only comments. I'll be your but >> so I'll continue my paper that I wanted
to read all evening. When I requested basic information such as the survey results, interview questions and memorandum from board counsel related to the vacancy, I will the leadership of the board refused to provide it. When I a when I requested access to board counsel to ensure compliance with the
law, I was told I was not permitted to contact council even though other non leadership board members were allowed to do so and were included unrelated correspondences correspondences. I also wanted to correct the record regarding the claim that interview questions were approved last year. Last year I
completed a survey. I did not vote. I did not approve interview questions. Not public uh vote ever occurred. A survey is not a substitute for board action. The authority to fill a board vacancy belongs to the board as a whole. Acting
collectively and publicly, individual officers do not have the authority to establish procedures, represent decisions as finalized or exclude board members from a procedure the entire board is legally required to undertake. When decisions are made privately, when
votes are thought sought through emails, when information is selectedly shared, when admin uh administration is presenting a uh when newly seated board members are excluded, the result is a process that lacks transparency and public
confidence. I am placing this on record so the public understand that the vacancy process did not reflect open governance or equal participation. I I also want to make sure that I I wrote several emails about this to leadership. I also several other board members wrote
and none of our emails were ever responded to. So that's was one of the things I want to talk to you about the finance committee. Since I was the chair, I need to address a serious cons issue
regarding the finance committee ability to function. As a chair of the finance committee, I have made repeated attempts over several weeks to schedule a meeting to address multiple um topics that were submitted by board members. I requested ability uh availability, proposed numerous dates and times followed up
when responses were not received and attempted to accommodate the administration schedule. Despite these effort, the commit the committee has not met. Every proposed meeting time was either declined, ignored or um conditions on unreasonable constraints, including late night hours. When a
meeting time was identified that the ministry could attend, objections were raised without offering a viable alternative. The outcome is clear. The finance committee has been has unable to meet not due to the lack of effort, but the lack of cor cooperation. Committees
are meant to do the board's work between meetings. when a committee cannot meet despite repeated outreach. This is not a scheduling prank. It's a government's problem. I'm placing this on record because continuing action det undermines transparency, delays financial oversight, and prevents the board from
fulfilling its responsibility to the public. The finance committee must be allowed to meet. And thank you, >> Mr. Santana. Yes, I'm I'm about to begin. Okay. I I from the bottom of my heart, I
would like to wish everyone here peace and health. Peace and health. Like in capital letters. Um PTAs and PTO's are the lifeblood of our district. Um I was actually planning to
attend a few events, but I I feel now kind of like unwanted to attend in support. I think we have to be very careful uh how we say certain things because you know we we may disagree. We we have
the right to our opinion but we have to make sure that we don't send the wrong message. We have to make sure that we um that we work together for our children even if we don't agree. Certain statements do sound um exclusionary.
Um I would like to um I don't know if if you've been following the news, you know, we have a very diverse community. I support all the children of Ferlone. Uh recently um in New York City, there was a terrorist attack. The Jewish
community uh was attacked in New York City. The Shabbat house, the Shabbat institution in New York was attacked. Shabbat, I'm sorry, Kabat. I'm sorry for the misprononunciation. The Kabat house was attacked. Um, this is very sad. I I
cry literally when I find out. And I just wanna I just want to say to the Jewish community that you are in our in our thoughts and prayers, you know. Um, I didn't hear anything from the
community about about next month, Black History Month. Black History Month is part of is American history, you know. Um, we need to recognize that in our district, our children, many of our children will
have to wait until college to have a black teacher. You know, we do not have a diverse workforce. We do have a diverse student population. We do have a diverse community in Ferlone. Um,
you know, let's think about that for a minute. Um, just want to say about the candidates. All of you did great. Um, I encourage all of you uh to run for office, but I
just want to say something about um, Mr. Willie, and I apologize if I mispronounce your name, your last name. I'm so proud of you. Your parents should be so proud of you. They are obviously very proud of you and um you you are a
true testament to the quality of education that the children of Feron are receiving. I go a second time. >> She she slipped out. >> Yeah, you can do it for that. >> Mr. Rosenberg, I see your hand raised,
so you must have a comment. >> I do. Then go ahead. >> Thank you. Um, couple things. First of all, um, as for last month's meeting, um,
and comments about anti-semitism, I don't believe I ever said there was no anti-semitism in Fereralon. As a Matter of fact, I'm on the record many, many times saying there is definitely anti-semitism in Fairon. And I have had anti-semitism
um in this town given to me against me since I grew up in this town, including in school, um including on our emergency services
in town. So, I I I want to say that. Second of all, last month there was a vote about changing dates on the calendar because of Jewish
holidays. And I didn't vote I did vote yes at the end um because I saw the futility of voting no but I I also said I was going to do my homework
and I did do my homework and um we were correct in changing the date of the July meeting. I don't feel we were cor correct in changing the date of the December meeting because um as told for
me from a kabad rabbi actually um and um from another gentleman that has a business in town. Hanukkah where it is a holiday that many people celebrate. It
is not a holiday that we have to not have meetings on. I would have made sure that people had time to celebrate Hanukkah and light candles, which is the which is what most people do. Um, most Jewish people do.
And I certainly would make sure if board members need to take off that night because because of they need family time, that's an excuse to take off. It's a good excuse. As a matter of fact, as um the attorney said, it doesn't even go
against your uh meetings in a row that you that that you could get uh uh dinged for. So, um December is just a rough month to schedule meetings in. And there's a lot of We happened to have a meeting that
night. We were having the meeting. It happened to be on Eastern Orthodox Christmas. So that I thought was interesting too. So I think we all need to ratchet it down a tiny bit because otherwise we're not doing what's right
for the kids of feral. >> Miss Brown, >> um I just wanted to Did she >> Okay. >> Um I just wanted to again They're probably all sleeping now. um congratulate the uh girls fencing team
um for repeating their uh their Santelli um win this season. Um it's a really big deal uh that they were able to do it twice. Uh they fence almost every um fencing team in this state. So for
the fa the fact that they could do it as young underassmen last year and then repeat it again um is just a testament to their hard work and the fencing team's hard work. So I just want to congratulate them. Um again I wanted to also in the spirit of what um my
colleague across the uh aisle said um I also wanted to acknowledge that this month is Muslim American Heritage Month. Um, I wanted to recognize all students um and their uh their month as well. Um, I look forward to recognizing and
celebrating Black History Month next month and all of the concurrent months after that. So, um, but I didn't want to miss January. So, uh, happy Muslim American Heritage Month and to all of the students in our community. Thank you.
My timer didn't Why is my timer? >> All right. So, I actually was also not sure what's the community leadership uh committee uh is uh as I was wondering if the superintendent can kindly explain who's on the committee, which board members
are on the committee because I don't think I ever received any maybe I'm wrong any follow up exactly what the the committee does and what they're actually doing. So if you could kindly provide that information I would really be excited. So this week I had the um lucky
to be part of the ESA at night conference and they were talk um workshop and they were talking about um computers and like social media and everything as for your kids and how what to do and what not to do. I thought it was great. We're so lucky in this
district to have ESS and to provide such amazing services where parents have different workshops. I also am so happy that they finally are recording the meetings and if a parent cannot come because cannot be on Zoom at that time because that's usually where bedtime is
you can actually w listen to it later. So I thought that was awesome. So I'm really really excited about that. In December, in November, we had a policy committee and the policy committee stated that we want to have a policy committee actually and somehow it never
ended up on the December agenda or the January agenda. So, I was wondering if the chair could explain why are we having policy committee. We all agree on the policy and it was never put on the first read or second read. Also the board retreat we had a civility clause
for board members where board members cannot scream, yell, belittle, threaten the normal things. So um and unfortunately since March it was never put on the agenda and there was an incident in December between me and the board president and she told me well
it's not a loss. I can do it still to you. So I would like to know why was it not put on the agenda for first read or second read the actual policy since March. Why are we having the retreat? Why are we having a policy meeting if we are not actually going to do a first
read and a second read? I just don't understand. So if that could be explained to me also I was part I was lucky to be part of the education committee uh last year and one of the things that the committee all agreed was the chain of command. So I was wondering uh to actually explain to the parents
what is the chain of command if you have this situation or if you have that situation and the administration and everybody was in agreement and I was so excited and I wanted to know what is the timeline when it will be posted. So at least I think we talked about it like five months ago or six months ago maybe
I'm wrong. Uh if it is already posted that's awesome. If you could just direct me so I could see it that would be awesome. Thank you so much. Have a great evening. Like I was saying before, I was congratulating all everyone who put their hat in the ring um for the vacancy
position. Unfortunately, the process in my opinion, I mean, was what it was. I won't go further than the comments that I read before on it. Um yes, happy Muslim American month um to all the the Muslim
American uh parents and community members and students. Um empathy, kindness, collaboration and teamwork. I heard that a lot uh throughout the interviews.
Having empathy, it's part of tolerating someone else's point of view. Uh, and that's something that we need to model in our community. Um, bullying, harassment, intimidation,
you know, if we don't uh respect the views of everyone, you know, you don't have to like any of us. You don't have to vote for any of us. You don't like any board member, run for office. Replace us. vote us out if you don't like any of us. That's your right. You have a right. You
have a freedom of speech. But, you know, I want to leave the board better than what I found it. Before I got on the board, the two um schools that became blue ribbon were not blue ribbon. Black History Month was not a
day off. You know, we didn't have the Bergen County program where students were able to earn a two-year degree while in high school. Um, our engineering department uh was not getting grants of thousands of dollars
from Colombia Bank. Uh, our playgrounds were not being revamped as they are now. There are many changes that we, not Mr. Santana, but we as a board have done together. And we as a board are supposed to function collectively
together. We're supposed to make decisions together. And when some of us get frustrated, it's because decisions are being done not together. And the code of ethics says we're supposed to do things as a board together, not
the opposite. Okay. I read from other B boards that are becoming more diverse because of the communities changing that the way they are dealing with with you know some natural conflicts is thinking not as a board of five but a board of
nine a board of nine this is the mentality that I have now is just because you have the majority of vote to to do something that doesn't mean you should do it let's build consensus let's try to be on the same page and let's work together as a team because that sends a message to the community and the
community is hearing that there's a lot of infighting and it's because we need more >> oversight. Antana, >> the floor is closed. >> On 226 2026, we have our regular monthly meeting and our education meeting. So,
you'll note the change. At 700 p.m. at Edison School, Eugene Ambant public reading room, room 19. On 3:12, we will have a work session for our budget presentation at 7:30 p.m. Edison School, Eugene Ambant Public Meeting Room, room 19. And then on March 18th, 2026 is our
preliminary budget adoption. 7:30 p.m. Edison School, Eugene Ambant Public Meeting Room, room 19. Have a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. >> All in favor? I >> have a good night.