Facebook. >> Oh. >> Okay. Ezra will be here soon. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> The regular monthly meeting of February 26, 2025. needs to be corrected was
reconvened and called to order at 7:56 p.m. at Thomas Edison School Eugene Ambant Public Meeting Room, room 1937-1 Fairone Avenue, Fairone, New Jersey. There are 10 member 11 12 members of the public in attendance.
A roll call, please. Dr. Bolini Present >> Miss Brown >> here. >> Miss >> present. >> Miss Felovich >> present. >> Miss Coraliva >> present. >> Mr. Rosenberg
>> here. >> Mr. Santana >> present. >> Mrs. Man >> present. We have >> corn. 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 interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Fereralon Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be posted by having the date, time, and place thereof, distributed to the persons on the approved list, posted in the board of education administrative
offices and schools, and sent to the Bergen record and the Herald News. Additionally, the Fairland Public Library. 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.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation with all. So this evening we start with our
education of the whole committee. Um I would like to ask permission please let me know if I need to do a motion if everyone would be comfortable with having our student representatives Gallardo and Cassandra Lim go first. Ezra is on his way. He will be here
momentarily. Um that way they are not waiting for the presentation. If you'd like to stay, you are absolutely welcome. We'd love to have you stay as long as humanly possible. Um, but we also understand that as students, your time is valuable.
>> Okay. Is everyone in a comfortable with that? >> Okay. So, Ellie and Cassandra, welcome. Ellie Gallardo is our Memorial Middle School >> uh student rep. Cassandra Lim is our TJ Middle School student rep. And Ezra
Fineman, congratulations. uh one of our newest NHS inductees. Um congratulations to you and all of the inductees last night. Our Feralon High School student reps will begin first and then we will give you the opportunity to
excuse yourself and we will continue on with our education of the whole meeting. Um Ellie and Cassandra, it's all yours. >> Night of Beetlejuice at TJ is a week away. will be performed on Friday, March 6th, and Saturday, March 7 at 700 p.m. with a show for first and fourth graders
from Mils, Radburn, and Warren Point on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. Any board member interested in attending is asked to contact the TJ office for complimentary tickets. And the moment we have all been dying for has arrived. Our delightfully dark
and deliciously funny production of the Adams family opens tomorrow at 7 pm with a second performance on Saturday at 6 pm. Join us for an evening that reminds us that being all together ookie is something to celebrate. Also tomorrow, first and fourth graders from Forest
Lank and West Morland along with friends from the Fairon Senior Center will enjoy an early performance. Thank you for all for all ages for providing snacks and refreshments for our special guests. We are pleased to share that our annual
TJ Car's volleyball event raised $4,000 for our various pediatric cancer initiatives. $1,000 will be donated to each of the following organizations. St. Baldwick's Ambassadors in honor of Kaye Juan. The Peter T Foundation in
memory of Peter Tiscoco. The Charlie Landers Foundation in memory of Lucy Maluso and the Jackson Strong Foundation led by TJ faculty member Tara Walsh. Several Memorial students auditioned for New Jerseys School Music Association
Region One Choir and we are thrilled to sing their names to you this evening. Cassidy Bait, Lily Baliseros, Elena Zang, Alexander Ramos, Tablada, Sanjana Barth, Dimmitri Figureroa, Isabelle Kennarazzi, Liam Rosenwig, Adrita Gupta,
and Isabella Shapiro. Rehearsals begin on March 4th at Memorial Middle School. We welcome you to come by and listen to the magic that comes together with such amazing talent. Congratulations to all the students who auditioned and to those who are accepted. We are pleased to share that Amelia Chen
trumpet and Jung Yong Jin clarinet have been recently selected to the New Jersey music educations. Over 500 students audition across northern New Jersey including Bergen Payic Sussex Morris Warren Essex and Hudson counties.
Roughly 80 students are accepted and placed into two select ensembles. The symphonic winds and the concert band. Congratulations to Amelia and Jangyong on this prestigious honor. >> As a brief updates to last month's kindness initiative inspired by Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. memorial students and staff continued to leave a service in compassion. Donations from our soup drive were delivered to the Fairon food pantry. More than 250 Valentine's cards were shared with seniors throughout Fairan for all ages and we are delighted to host three 30 seniors for our
Valentine's brunch. We have we have also collected hundreds of items through wrapped in kindness pet blanket drive to benefit the seeing eye of Morristown. Our kindness spirit week will conclude tomorrow as we recognize rare disease day by wearing stripes and support. Thank you to Memorial's PTO and Fairina
for all ages for always supporting our initiatives. Throughout the month of February, TJ has been actively learning about influential black Americans as part of our Black History Month celebration. content area. Classroom teachers in each grade level delivered lessons throughout the month
on a variety of topics including the role and impact of black soldiers in the Revolutionary War, impactful voices in STEM, readalouds in our language art classes and the history of blues and jazz, and how the genres evolved in a the African-American countries of the
southern states and gave rise to modern genres such as pop, rock, and hiphop. In addition to our black history studies, as part of our Holocaust instruction in grade 8, we have begun trips to the Holocaust Museum in Center for Tolerance and Education in Rockland,
New York. Students will attend one of the four sessions February 19, February 27, March 16, and April 10th. And we are thankful to our PTO who will be covering the cost of this trip for all students. February, our morning announcements
highlighted influential black Americans and their lasting contributions across themed weeks, including trailblazers and change makers, innovators, scientists, and engineers, writers, poets, and voices, and artists, athletes, and cultural impact. Each week concluded with a student call to action,
encouraging kindness, courage, and positive community impact. As we close the month tomorrow, students are invited to reflect. What from this month will you carry with you moving forward? All right, good evening everyone. I have some exciting news to share with you all
tonight. First up, the winter wonderland themed sophomore semiformal was held on February 20th in the A gym complete with a DJ and catered food. Sophomores had a ve a had a fun and cool evening. Get it?
cool with se right winter wonderland theme. Yeah, got it. Okay, just checking. Our uh our freshmen are looking forward to the freshman dance and game night scheduled for March 7th. Game nights are always fun nights for our students to connect
and build the cutter community. We'd like to extend a special thank you to our parents from the parent teacher association for their generous donations and support which help make these grade level events possible. Moving to academics, our honor societies are
currently preparing for their induction ceremonies. In fact, the National Honor Society induction took place just last night, recognizing students for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. It was a very meaningful night, and thank you to the
board members who attended. Our theater program is also preparing for this year's musical Chicago Teen Edition which will run from March 13th through March 15th. Tickets are available at the Fairlon High School musicals.
More information is on the Fairlon High School website and we hope to see you there. Turning to athletics, our winter sports have had great seasons. The cutter's hockey team was named Big North Patriot
Division Champions. Congratulations to our hockey players. And the Fereralon High School high school girls basketball team are undefeated league champions and have moved on to states. We wish them the
best of luck as well. The senior class council has several activities coming up as well. Today they're hosting a nest pizza fundraiser. And I know last time when the juniors had a nest pizza fundraiser, I said that if the meeting finished in time that you should go run down and get pizza. And I
know you all said that that's very unlikely that that would happen. But uh maybe this one will finish on time. Or maybe just maybe we'll go with delivery. Go with delivery. And if you do, be sure to mention this the uh senior class council at checkout to help support the
class. Additionally, seniors are looking forward to their class pajama day on March 6th, which is a classic Fereralon High School tradition that seniors have looked forward to since the day they were freshman. And last, but definitely not least, some
exciting news. SGA will be holding the second annual Gift of Life stem cell donor drive in partnership with the Interact Club blood drive on June 3rd. Last year, SGA held its first Gift of Life drive where we registered nearly 70
new donors. And incredibly, there's there has already been two matches for patients in need of a donor from the drive that we held at the high school. Gift of Life was so impressed with our drive last year and they are very excited to have us back this year.
That's all for tonight. As always, thank you for your time. Thank you guys all for being here. Um, feel free to uh join us in the audience or excuse yourselves. Thank you guys for coming and thank you for being a part of our community's governance.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. It's okay. >> Okay. We are going to move into our education of the whole committee. Um and I will defer to Dr. Dianio, Miss Keller, Mr. Def Franco,
Miss Lindsay, Miss Prima Vera, and and Mr. Mr. Placente. Sorry. Sorry, Damon. Um, anyone else? Okay. To present. >> Thank you very much, Miss Mayan. Um, at this time, um, Mrs. DeFranco, Mrs.
Keller, and our elementary principles who are here with us this evening that were just introduced, uh, will be presenting on the state of the school's midyear update. So, welcome Dianio, myself and Mr. Franco have shared this and really it's a big team
effort and we felt it was really important. You get to see the pictures but it's really important to get full perspective. So we're all going to be here sharing different things along the way so you can get a sense of in all of the buildings what what is happening. Um all right so we had um done a survey
last year and got feedback from the community from staff um from administrators and a sense of what we want to focus on and some of these things are going to be similar in the past to things that we have worked on but we wanted to restructure a little bit of how how we work in it. So we have three goals this year. First of which is
empowering pathways to excellence. This has some similarities to things that we have done last year like MTSS, but this is really working with each student um working individualized really focusing on the academic piece. For goal two, it's cultivating belonging and community. This is definitely a topic we
have talked about as a group in lots of different ways in our buildings. You can hear it from our student dialogue and what they share in terms of what we're working on in our buildings. Um and we want to value that as well. So creating environments where everyone can thrive together, getting a sense of what's going on in our communities and our
schools, being reflective on that and planning, working on that just like we do, looking at data just like the academics. And then finally, goal three, we heard a bit about this last year um in our May meeting. This is about sustaining um building sustainable foundations. So thinking about our
facilities and our demographics and whatnot. So, this is a much larger goal um just because of timing and because of the substantial amount within each of these goals are three different topics. We're going to focus on goal one and two for tonight and then leave goal three for our May meeting where we'll
summarize and get into the depth of all of our goals and really the full year. Okay, so moving on to goal one. So, goal one is um a summary of three different areas. So in that survey that we sent
out, these were the top areas that we really felt like we wanted to work on. One of which being multi- um tiered systems of support, MTSS. So we'll talk about all of these things in depth in terms of where we are and then what we've done this year. But this is really
layering and ensuring that we have strategies to make sure students are receiving the appropriate interventions that they need. Um second of which is iron arrests. These things are also tied together in a lot of ways. So making sure that we're identifying as early as possible and supporting our students so
that they're getting the academic and behavioral supports that they need. And then finally, middle school and high school schedule optim optimization. So maybe not something that's come up a lot in a board meeting, but definitely something that's come up a lot in our administrative meetings and our specific
building meetings and talking about, you know, does the schedule meet all of the needs of our students. So this is something we've also been talking about and this did come up a little bit last year with previous goals in terms of like CTE and differentmies and things like that. So that embeds that is similar to what we have talked about in
the past. Um all right so in terms of you know what my notes are off on this um sorry just looking at the both pieces of it. All right. So in terms of MTSS, so MTSS is we from many of us with being
educators, you know, the classic triangle, but in terms of the tiered supports for students so that they're getting the services they need. So in the bottom tier, the general core instruction, this is the framework for where the majority of things are happening. This is happening in the general classroom. It's the supports and
things that we've put in to ensure that students are learning as well as differentiation, small group, things of that nature. Our second level, our tier two is our targeted interventions. So this is maybe pull out intervention groups. Thank you.
>> Appreciate it. Um targeted interventions um where some students are identified and pull out also pushin models um for that. And then finally tier three which is more intensive support. So we're going to describe that um in a little bit more depth and how we do that through some of our examples uh about to
happen. So what we've done in the past in terms of you know focusing on this last year to ensure that we're doing this to our full capacity and and in turn to grow with this is one professional development literacy has been a big focus especially in the primary grades. So ensuring that all of
our K to3 teachers are Orton Gillingham trained so that they are able to identify reading difficulties in their classroom and then give supports for students who have those. Um, an additional piece of this is datadriven instruction. So, we have lots of different elements of data that we
collect. We have dibbles, we have data points, we have math benchmarks, we have linkit, we also have linkit as a warehouse that stores this data. So we were able to look at this data through link it and or dibbles um boost and you
know whatnot and target our instruction for students and looking at and making sure that we're making groups based on need and whatnot. Um and then finally programmatic resources. So this is something that the supervisors and principles have done a really fantastic job with over the years which is
evaluating what we have deciding if that works seeing if we need to add stuff. So MClass and Boost is something more recent that we've added. FRA is something over the years um for math um and whatnot and a few of the other ones. >> Yeah. >> Hello. Good evening everyone. Um so I'm
I'm going to talk a little bit about some of those programmatic resources. Um three of which we focus in on math. Um our third and fourth graders work on Fracks which is a web-based program and it in they're interacting with fractions
and um it's standards aligned and the kids ask to use it. They love it. It's a program that they're utilizing right now because that's some of the units that they're in. We also have reflex mass and what's nice about um both of these is
you can make them individualized and they adapt so that it really works at the child's level and it also provides the teacher with some data after the child's finished working. And every night they're working on what's nice about is that it aligns with
our lessons with our everyday math program. So they can actually give some of that during a lesson um as part of like their mouth rotations. So it's been a great program for us and I'm going to talk a little bit about the ELA resources that we have. So this
year we have Boost, which is an individual computer-based program to help target skills of students that have needs based off their Dibbles benchmark assessments. It's adaptive to the learner through a skills game. Um it's our first year. there's really positive
feedback and the students are really enjoying that. Another program that we are using is no red ink in the upper elementary and this is to help students master writing and grammar skills. It's embedded into the writing portion of the ELA block. Um it's personalized. They
actually even some of the um elements include the students name once they start to log in as part of the writing process. It provides diagnostic data to target specific skills. And another one is common lit which supports our reading
um portion of our program. It provides more robust grade level texts. This program is utilized in the middle and the high school and we decided to bring it to grades three and four to provide more robust uh grade level texts. It allows to create targeted lessons. For
example, a skills lesson just about main idea to really hone in on those skills. >> Good evening. So, this next slide is going to focus on some exciting um updates to our intervention program. Um so the last slide kind of talked about a
lot of the data that we're using uh to identify our students and with that streamlined use of data through linkit through Dibbles and through some of our um curriculum benchmarks we were able to um identify our intervention students this year a month earlier than prior
years. So with that said, we were able to start um identifying our students in language arts and math um a month earlier than we than we have done in the past. Um with that said, we've also added um three data team meetings. So
these meetings are held three times a year. Um and they include our literacy and math coaches, um our intervention teams at each of the elementary schools, and our classroom teachers as well as support staff. So, three times a year,
um, we'll have data team meetings. Um, building principles will be involved in the meetings as well. And those meetings are really to I to to take a look at every student in our buildings to look at how they're doing um in regards to their language arts and math skills, look at areas they're growing, and then
also look at areas that um they still need improvement. And in these data team meetings, students are um able to be exited from intervention programs. So, we're now able to look at students periodically throughout the year, students that are meeting grade level
expectations. Um, they could exit our intervention program and also within those meetings, we're discussing students that might be qualifying for intervention who did not qualify the um the cycle before that qualify now and we're adding them into our programs. So,
this really has a true ITR um RTI model um within our elementary schools. Um and probably this is my eighth year as principal at Forest School and and the last bullet point I think we've as a district um have improved you know more than any our collaboration um within our
intervention program that includes our super our you know building principles, supervisors, um special education, our multilingual teachers, um support staff, our literacy and math coaches. um everyone is now
involved in uh the success of our students and and really looking at um how we can target instruction in our intervention programs, collaboration from from classroom teacher and intervention teacher. So um I think just
you know as a whole our intervention program has really um improved based on these three criteria specifically um this year. for today. >> Um just as an example, today I received from one of the specialists an anal
analysis of by by classroom um of students and what the skills are. And so now I can go in and look at well what what what was done here in this classroom and then that teacher needs to share that out with the other teachers so that we're all we're all on the same
page. All right. So, you've likely noticed in the past few board meetings, there's been a few extra compensations for title funding and district funding in terms of tutoring programs. Um, my bunch of different ways, NJPA, um, NJSLA. So,
these are things that we've been able to use um, some title one funds as well as some district funds to increase student intervention time. Some of this is push in, some of this is pull out. Um, actually Mr. Mr. Penci is going to talk a little bit about this at Forest for Title One.
>> So, thank you, Claire. So, um Forest was fortunate um this year to receive title funds and um you know, Claire and I sat down and and we talked about what would be the best way um that we can use these funds to support to support our students. And um so with the title with
the title funds, we were able to add um 15 additional intervention sections in language arts and math. that's per week. So when you add that up over the course of, you know, 20 to 25 weeks, we're adding um some real intensive tier three
interventions for our students. So we focused on um at far school, we focused specifically on second, third, and fourth grade. Those were our target um grade levels. And then we were able to give additional intervention for some of our neediest tier three students. um but
also create sections for some of our multi-ingual learners who did not qualify for intervention um based on on on um you know some some scheduling um um supports that they had. we were able
to find additional time in the day to give phonics instruction to um you know some of our multilingual learners which is which is obviously a great intervention also not just at Forest across the elementary schools um with title funds we are running NJSLA um
preparation classes after school those are happening in third and fourth grade um and as an administrative team we discussed focusing in on um on our level three students our our our um approach coaching or um you know just proficient
students. Those are the students that we're looking at that need a little bit of a jump um in order to meet grade level expectations. So we're focusing um you know our our afterchool and just uh tutoring program on um you know those
students as well across the elementary schools >> and because that is district funded that is able to be all of the elementary schools to be able to do that. Um, in terms of secondary, um, so there's a few different things that we've been able to work out. So our high school also
receives title one resources. So one of the things is NJGPA read remediation. So I'm going to highlight first language arts. So grade 11 did a push-in model where they identified specific sections, many of which had multilingual learners or special education students in it, which would benefit from additional
instruction. um teachers collaborated with one another, sometimes team teaching, sometimes they're taking individual students to be able to add in more conferencing um to to really make sure that they're tailoring the needs of the students. So, this is all being done in the leadup to our NJGPA test which
will be in March. Similarly, um same kind of data analysis that really happened um for middle school and mathematics. So looking at the data, really assessing the grade levels or the classrooms that really need the most. And in some cases that might be a specific grade or it might be specific
classes, finding teachers within their schedule that are able to then have two content teachers just like language arts. Two teachers that are able to work with students so that in this math model, they can have multiple small groups operating where some of the students, you know, they're they're similarly grouped. So they're able to
then target the instruction at working with students that are, you know, already meeting or exceeding and pushing that or students who are maybe not meeting or exceeding and then working on the skills that they need to based on that. So those sessions are once a week and then as we get closer to NGSLA,
there's additional added sessions to really, you know, just kind of make sure we close up any gaps that we're noticing along the way. Okay. So, those are some of the things that we've seen over the course of the last few months um for approval and just the various different ways between the elementary school, the middle, and the high to really target
our intervention and the needs of the students um to make sure that they're getting what they need. Another thing that we've done is we've established a district um MTSS committee. This idea actually came from our language arts supervisor, Dr. Pankoitz. Um in all of these conversations and this being one
of our goals, he really wanted to sustain this work. So a group of us have met together and collaborated and shared and just talked about what are different processes in our schools and how are we like Mr. placenta just shared in terms of you know what forest did to be able
to find additional intervention time you know how are we working with students where you know schedules may be a little bit more difficult and some of these things that we're talking about you know with NJGPA and NJSLA have come through these conversations so sharing these things formalizing these best practices so that all of our different schools can
can learn about that so this is an initial stage um but it's exciting and something we're going to continue so we can keep growing with that um and then finally in terms of um talking to the team in terms of more tier one and two supports, right? >> No.
>> Yeah, sure. >> Um actually that's the next slide. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. All right. Sorry. Um and so finally we have um personalized learning time in the elementary school and really honing in on the we mentioned through I
think particularly with what Miss Prima said and Miss Lindsay with our resources in our supports ensuring we have a really strong foundation for tier one and then ensuring we have vast resources in tier 2 for this pull out because really a goal here is ensuring that you
know we're making sure a strong enhanced MTSS model is making sure those INRS referrals are are solid referrals because we've done so much of our supports to our students so that when we're moving forward um they really do have the data that they need. I was just
having a conversation with Miss Lindsay about this the other day where I said you know would you bring this to the table for INRS and she's like I wouldn't even brought that yet because we would have had this data this data this conversation and this element. I was like, "Okay, that's good to know." Right? So, those are the kind of things that having a strong MTS model has built
up so that they're moving on to INRS when they need to. >> It's on there. Okay. Good. And speaking of INRS, what is intervention and referral services? Um, intervention and referral services um is mandated by New
Jersey Administrative Code. Uh, Mr. Placenti talked about collaboration and a collaborative team that has been weaved throughout MTSS and also leading into INRS. So this is a committee that comes together when students are struggling, need some assistance. It
could be for a myriad of reasons. It could be academic, it could be social and emotional, it could be attendancebased, anything that might hit the school day. Um, who do we involve on these committees? Just like Mr. said before again collaboration is just
growing and growing and growing as we talk about these district goals. It can be any staff member, any certificated staff member. We have school counselors. We have special education teachers, general education teachers, other teachers that know the student well, a school nurse if it's a health condition.
Anything that is the um problem feature that is coming to the table or the issue at hand, then we have those staff members participate. Parents are also part of this team and they are a crucial part of this team. Um how does it
operate? We have meetings on a regular basis. Each school defines their committee. Each school sets up a meeting schedule. Each school invites their members and puts it on a uh structured kind of rhythm so that those plans can
be reviewed and those plans can be um changed or resolved or modified in a uh regular schedule. Um I want to thank uh Mrs. Lindsay. She's going to come and talk to you about the
next slide, but I want to thank her and I and I want to thank Mr. Catillaa because a couple of years ago they um gave some guidance at one of our county meetings on how to hold INRS uh and uh meetings well and how to build that within your school district. And I asked
Mrs. Lindsay to come with me and she did and she agreed. So thank you for that. And now she's going to talk to you on the next slide about all the great things she did. And I also want to thank Dr. Anthony Gatillaa, supervisor of counseling and wellness, who also took strong initiative and created a
committee last year and created our guidance documents. And I think that was crucial and integral to the to the flow and the functioning of the INRS committee that we have in all of our buildings today. So, I'm going to let Mrs. Lindsay talk to you about all the great things that she did.
>> Thank you. Um so yes I had the fortunate opportunity to go to a um state developed best practice on INRS and what I learned there I brought back to the district. One of the things that um was
realized is that the state recommends having a manual. We did not have a manual and that is something that Mr. an that Anthony put together. Um I was was able to get a sample from the best practice district that was there at the
meeting and we modeled it after that. One of the pieces that we were also looking at is the critical piece of the parent input. We didn't have a parent input piece to it and now there is a questionnaire that the parents bring with them to the meeting. Um, and one of
the things that I realized was, you know, the the goals and and the and how focused those goals need to be in order for us to closely monitor those students and their progress. And so those goals
were focused as smart goals and we did include specialists into that meeting because they were able to pull up data at that moment and help us make very succinct goals that were attainable and then see where to go from there. So it's
been really really helpful. We have a premeating and then we have the meeting with the parents in it. So when they come in we can sit down and say these are the goals we're looking at. This is why we're doing this. this is how we're doing this, this is who will be doing it, and then we'll follow up with you in
this many months. And it's worked out really well. Um, and having a manual also allows us to keep all of the paperwork and information in one place and everyone across the district is using the same forms and the same
languages. So, it really has been something, you know, personally, I have found we've had fewer um referrals because of it, and we've had more children either move out um or have services provided um because of it. So,
it's been something really, really positive. All right. And then our third strategy is looking at our middle school and high school schedules. And when you think about INRS and MTSS, you might not really think that scheduling goes in with that, but it it really does. Um, first of which is schedule is really
important to make sure you have the time a day for these different supports that we're speaking about. Um, additionally, the structure of a day, the length of a period, um, you know, how much free time can affect things like attention and behavior. So all of these things really are connected and this has been a topic
that has definitely come up um of the most recent schedule change um quite a few years ago that we went through as a district. So schedules are always important to look at and reflect. Um so why are we specifically looking at at the middle school and high school? Um some of which things that have come up
um are the things we've talked about in previous slides like time for interventions and additional supports, but additionally things like science and social studies and having more time in those subject areas specifically at the middle school. And so what the team has done is we're really in this initial part of um the stage where we're
exploring and we're analyzing the information that we have. So a lot of things go into that. So looking at our priorities, asking questions of what do we want in a schedule? um what are our goals? Um what are our our target times that we're looking for for various different courses? Um what are
requirements like legal requirements that we need to have like recess time and things like that? You have to be making sure that you're following codes and everything when you're changing stuff. Um we collected data. We looked at um various different minutes um building constraints, different information, um current schedules, lots of different information so we can just
be fully informed with the what we have. We reached out to other districts and just looked at different schedules. some of our administrators um had gone to a a professional development on schedules and then turnkeyed that information with the scheduling committee that we have to just learn and get some ideas. Um we
came up with a survey. So the most recent thing that we did as of January was um the middle school team specifically it being a little more complicated having two middle schools. It's not just changing one building, right? You're you really want to be aligned with both of the buildings. So our teams have really been getting together more with the middle schools
together to really get on the same page. supervisors, principles, you know, all of us involved. So, we created a staff survey and administered that SAP survey and also collected more feedback from the staff in terms of, you know, their values and what they're looking for, their noticing of needs of students. Um,
so again, it's really exciting to reflect and analyze and think about our needs. Um, this obviously would not be something that would be in the possibility or realm of changing in the next year or so because scheduling changes take more time. there are maybe smaller things that some of this information that we can find that we're
able to work on, but schedules are a little bit larger than that. So that's why when I say this is in the early stages of of figuring out because a lot has to go into the four grade levels. So and now we're on goal two which has um three strategies within it. uh community
and climate regularly evaluating school culture and climate to ensure positive inclusive environments for all. And we have uh certain activities and um uh things that we do within the district that meet that section. inclusive access initiatives. Anything and everything
that we've been doing programwise, classwise, student activity-wise, athletics wise to increase opportunities for all of our students on all and especially all of our students with um different needs, more notably special needs, and our cell phone policy
revision, which everyone has worked wonderfully uh wonderfully hard on. Um we worked great as a district on it and um there's there's still some change ahead in the future based on some recent law but um we will talk about that as we
get into the next uh slides. So I think this is my favorite. When I talk about school climate I really talk about that feeling when you walk into that building. What is that feeling that you get? Um what are school climate teams? Every school has one. Who's included on the team? Principal, the
anti-bullying specialist. We have parent representation, teachers, and may include other staff members. And really, what is their role that they play? And what they do is to develop and foster maintain a positive school climate by focusing on the ongoing systemic um
process and practice of the school. So, what might they do? We're going to review some of the trends that we see, some of the needs that we have. Um, we're going to do it not only across the school, but maybe on a certain grade level or a group of students. Um, we're going to review some profess
professional development opportunities that might arise. We're going to review our HIV self- assessment and any other data that is relative to school culture and we meet um often to kind of talk about these trends and just to see like
what can we do to just increase that um like positive school climate and that what I describe as like that feeling um that we're doing. So for example, we do have subcommittees that are in our buildings. We have kindness committees. We have no place for hate committees. Um
there's certain initiatives that we have and we really celebrate diversity through schoolwide activities. For example, one of our No Place for Hate activities that we focused on this year at Mils and I know other schools have done this activity as well is to introduce the colors of us book first.
And what we did was to held discussions about skin color and all of the different beautiful colorful words to describe skin such as honey and cinnamon and things that can relate to students like cocoa or butterscotch. And what we
did was we gave them their multicultural crayons and we had them create a self-portrait of themselves. And it looks very very different. You can see in the pictures of our proud friend over there showing just his um self-portrait. we took it a step further um for some of
the students to create poems around that and that feeling um for that. So that's, you know, some of the examples at Mils and I know other schools have done that too and my colleagues are going to share some of their examples as well and we're proud to recognize that we are gold star
no place for hate schools. >> At Bradburn um we this year new newly developed kindness committee made up of fourth graders. They were chosen by uh staff members and the kindness committee is the group of students who took the
lead and went into every class and rolled out the no place for hate pledge and they did a a small skit and then everyone signed the pledge and they went into every classroom in the school. Um they also developed a kindness week and
every day they provided activities and different um games for the kids to interact so that we can promote kindness within our school. They put up um flyers and pictures and different things um that the children walked around the
school and and looked at. Um one of the other things that we do that is unique to Radburn is um culture day. Our PTA sets up a full day of immersion in a culture. So this year um in March, we
will be learning about the Philippines. And so from the start of the day where the national anthem is sung by a Filipino um friend and of a parent, um the whole day will be about learning
about the Philippines. We will taste their food. We will learn about their art, their dance, their music. Um, again, they are fully immersed in that culture and it's a wonderful experience and I can guarantee or I know every year
the kids turn around to me and say, "Mrs. Lindsay, this was the best day ever." Because they just learn so much. Um, so it's it's it's a great opportunity that we have. Okay. And the last example, if you could look up at that picture, see a cute
little girl that's there holding holding the sentence starter. So, um, at Forest and Warren Point, Forest School and Warren Point, um, combined. Yes. Last year for a No Place for Hate activity called Mix It Up at Lunch. And I don't know if uh if anyone here um I'm sure
your children went home and talked about it, but so really the the the activity was um children an opportunity to sit at different areas of the lunchroom. Um and they were able to sit with students at different ages in different classrooms. And then at each table um there was
different sentence starters that the children picked out of a small bucket and it uh fostered the children to communicate and socialize with children they know normally um sit with or speak to. And um with the goal to create new friendships and that was something that
it was a monthly initiative that we had at Forest School and at one point that month to uh we challenged our children to make new friends. So this was one of our mix it up activities and the children loved it so much that we actually did it a second time. So it was a great opportunity um for students just
to um to interact and uh socialize with with children that they don't normally sit with um in different classes and we had um staff members that volunteered their lunchtime to facilitate the conversations at each of the tables and it was a really great activity um that we're going to continue to do at at
Forest and I know Sue will do it at Warren Point as well. Thank you. And I just wanted to review some other kindness activities um at the secondary level. I do want to give um Mrs. Gans uh a shout out for her program uh called be
a buddy not a bully that she started at her elementary school. It is a which incorporated a schoolwide system of recognition and um points were gathered per class that could get that could then get cashed in for a schoolwide activity if there were enough points collected
per group. So, it's a group-based contingency. Everybody has to work together in terms of being a buddy. Um, and just like a really uh wonderful almost precursor to positive behavioral supports that was started. So, that was really wonderful. And at the secondary level, kindness acts are not lost. So, I
just wanted to make sure that I reviewed with you. Um, children uh students at the middle schools make kindness commitments. that's kind of an act and a pledge that they begin um in uh at various times throughout uh during the school year. There are kindness weeks
but also that run concurrently with those um pledges that they make on a regular basis. There's the heroes and cool kids club um at the high school um and we which links middle school and high school students especially during those transitions so that there isn't
such a disconnect between middle school high school and then creating those you know barriers or shifts that um might lead to something that we don't you know want to be led to in uh terms of unkind acts and I really want to uh really thank um our teachers who are
responsible for the day-to-day implementation of our curriculum that we have and also our student services department because many of the activities I described to you um we have personnel that are leading those activities within that department and some do so on a volunteer basis even
through an afterchool activity. >> All right. So the team had talked a little bit about some of the expanded no place for hate activities that they've worked on this year. Additionally, in um a few months ago in a board meeting had come up um the topic of what are we doing in terms of celebrating our
different diversities um and here we go um our diversity and how are we recognizing and being inclusive and whatnot. So, one of the things we decided to do as a district is be reflective with that. And we did an audit of what are the different um inclusion activities, what are the different equitable resources that we're
sharing, what are the different cultural things that we're doing. And so all of these different things that we've been talking about, we put together. So we looked at curricularly, what are we required to do, what are we doing, where are we going beyond, how are we collaborating and sharing resources, did a lot of information gathering. All of
the different principles have so many different things when within each of their buildings that they've done and shared and put all of this information together. Um, you know, you heard from our student representatives um before, but things that we've done, you know, with like for instance, even just with, you know, recognition of February being
Black History Month and what are we doing within our buildings for the different NJDOE required recognition months, but also just additional days like Chinese Lunar New Year and whatnot and, you know, all of these things we're celebrating. So, that has been a really nice um um ongoing resource that we're
adding to um and looking to figure out like what are some next steps with this like what can we do um you know sharing different ideas that we really liked in different buildings um you know different things that certain PTO's and PTAs have done and what we might want to do like you know with Radburn and Culture Day and all different things
that we're doing in terms of sharing. So, we're in the process with the audit and continuing as we go through different months adding in the different things. Um, so for instance, Miss Lindsay is going to talk a little bit about Radburn, >> right? So, well, both Forest and Radburn
are French schools. So, we um collaborated with Miss Cas Madame Kazmir and we had a Mardigra um about a week ago and so that went really really well. Um, one of the other things that um our uh diversity committee wanted to do was
highlight the many cultures within our school. So, this year we created a family recipe around the world. And so families submitted recipes from their culture and shared a story, a family connection and I compiled them into a a
book and parents will get a get a copy this this upcoming Friday folder um of all of the family recipes that were shared and we have five continents represented in here and it was uh something that I hope to expand moving
forward. Let me take a look. And so as we've talked about and I really think you can get a feel from that how important culture and climate is. And some of our schools over the course of the last few years have done various different surveys because it's good to just like we assess and we want to know where students are academically
assess to understand where we are um culturally and and where we are with the climate within our buildings. And so for instance, last year Warren Point did a survey that helped update their mission for their building. And so some of the schools asked to do something similar.
And so um along those ends, we um started research and have discovered um New Jersey works with Ruckers and there's a survey called NJ Sky. And NJ Sky um allows us to um they've worked in dozens if not hundred something districts without throughout the state
over the course of the last few years. some of our schools. >> You did, right? You worked with them as well, didn't when we met with them. You did, right? >> Yeah. With the record. Yeah. So, >> yeah. So, West Morland and Radburn both had had previous experiences with them.
So, we are going to be working on a climate survey with um the support of this program. And even more so in an exciting way, um we were selected a part of about a dozen districts to take part in the cohort for coaching. Um, so they're actually going to work with us
in a little bit more in depth. So, similar to the scheduling, we're in the initial stages of this where, you know, no surveys, that's not happening anytime soon. We'll go through all the steps for that, like community notification and whatnot and approvals and everything like that. But as a team, we've been going through why do we do this? Getting
familiar with the platform, what kind of data can we get? We got to meet with some of the other districts and share people that have done it and what did they learn from it, what are their recommendations and whatnot. So, we're kind of toward the end of that initial preparation work and getting ready to move forward with um you know some of
the next steps in terms of you know making a broader um group of people aware and some of our inclusive access initiatives. um always uh maintaining academic rigor in our classes, infusing college level prep work in all different
facets of our um different types of uh classes that we have, grades 5 to 12. Um for our special programs, as you all know, um we expanded in-class resource for grade nine this year um in science and social studies thanks to your support and your budget approval. We
also added elective opportunities for our bridges students, our students in our multiple de uh disabilities and transition programs. These included um music, art, personal financial literacy, American musical theater, woods and
creative writing. So now there's a lot of offerings for uh our students which make it um commensurate to general education peers in terms of those kind of offerings. So very proud of that. Very proud of our electives teachers who took initiative, signed on, said, "Hey,
I'd love to um I'd love to participate. Can you um show me how I could adapt my teaching in order to include uh students of all different needs. Way to go, aces to them." And also, you'll see some pictures here for uh we expanded, we
started unified sports last year and expanded it this year to bowling. You'll see some of our pictures there. Last year, we started with track. Um the sky's is the limit with this. Hopefully year after year we'll be able to uh add uh more and more athletics to this. Um
uh thank you to everyone at the high school who has participated in this and our coaches who really made this happen and our supervisor of student services Natalie Balon who worked with administration and our coaches in order to improve this and get this together.
Oh, I can. Okay, thank you. Um there it is. Oh, I pressed it too quickly. save the best for last. So, our other goal was the use of uh technology and more notably cell phones. Again, very proud of all of this work that we did last year into this year in order to adopt a
board policy about cell phone usage. Uh we did this at the building level with two different meetings. We sent out a thought exchange to the community. We had committees that included teachers, parents, administrators, um other certificated uh staff. We also um ran
this through all of our board committees in terms of our proposal. We will need to pivot a bit because within this process the governor signed into law a change and a mandate that uh we will have to update this policy. We are waiting for more uh guideline and
regulation through um our uh Strauss me uh Strauss Esme uh server which usually helps us pull all of that information together. But we will get that in place before uh the next school year. Um it's always good to have the best guidance coming from that source in order to give
us um some sort of roadmap for this, especially since it has changed uh several times. And this concludes our presentation. Again, just wanted to say thank you to uh all of our diff district staff, everyone here, not only standing up
here, but also watching at home because they do um they're very interested in their schools and their students. They want to make things happen. And thank you to all of you for being so supportive. Uh the best is yet to come. This is only the beginning. We'll give you an update in May. And thank you very much.
two questions. Miss Brown and Mr. Santana. >> Um, I just wanted to say thank you to the team for your thorough presentation. Um, I it just gets better and better every year. And I just wanted to say um
kudos to you, Miss Keller, because I remember when you came in um what I I remember when you came in and we approved you and you were very all of your answers and everyone was so impressed with your data background and I just it's very evident as to why like
it's really shown through and your collaborative approach and your just team building to get everybody together um and to unify everybody across the district really shown SH through particularly for me in this presentation. So I just you know I'm thankful that we hired you. So um but
you know the whole group I think you did a really great job. Um I really like I you know you guys are very thoughtful with this. Um I really feel like we are heard and you know that shines through with what
you're presenting to us. specifically when you talked about um really focusing in on approaching the students who are approaching or just over the meeting expectations line. I know that that's been a big um point that we've been discussing when we see our state testing
that we really want to see those students really pushed through. So, I really appreciate you, you know, taking that and um running with it when you're when you were thinking about, you know, how you were looking at the data and how you were planning for all the students.
So, I really appreciate that. Um I love that you guys uh really went above and beyond to really hone in on our on in on our INRS um model. And you have a manual
and things like that. And as an educator myself, I feel like INRS is such a big pool to dive into. So, I really appreciate that. Um, you miss uh Mrs. Jill Lindsay. Sorry, I knew I was going to do that,
too. It's the microphone. Um, I appreciate that you took the initiative to go to that um that presentation and brought it back. Um, and I'd be very interested as an educator to see that manual. Um, I'm really excited to see how you guys are
going to implement um, science and social studies at the middle school level, hopefully fully year curriculum because I think that's really important and I feel like that's the next step for us testing wise. Um, you know, I'm interested. I'm excited to see what the scheduling is improvements are going to
look like in the future. Um, also, Mrs. Lindsay, I'd like a copy of that recipe book that you created. Okay, great. Um, I'd also uh I really appreciate the community climate assessment that you guys are creating and that you're going to implement. I think it's really
important to really um access our community because we are a very uh diverse community and I think our input our community's input is very important in all of this. Um >> thank you Miss Brown >> and great job with the unified sports. >> Mr. Santana,
>> good evening. Thank you uh all all of you for the wonderful presentation and thank you for the hard work you do for our children going above and beyond for our our the future of our society. Um I I am happy to hear that collaboration
has improved among the uh the the schools. Okay. Um I I like what I'm hearing about the data the data teams meeting three times a year. I would like for the for um uh science to also be
included in those data teams uh that you have for language art and math. um sign uh s four years of science is of the highest priority for the board members speaking right now and also for the New Jersey school board association because
that was an issue during the delegates assembly that was very um of high importance to many school boards throughout the state. uh not only because of the outcomes that we're seeing statewide, but we want to put
also high importance on a year round science courses. Um I really like that you're being you're being proactive in in terms of um providing tier one and tier in tier 2 instruction be before INRS referrals. This is very
commendable. Uh um we're funding districtwide after school academic programs. That's great. I'm hearing that people are volunteering for things. Uh I am not a fan of of volunteering uh for our workers. I think a worker should be compensated. So um
that's discussion for another day. Uh um I like hearing that schools are talking to each other about best practices. If this is so then we should see increased outcomes throughout the schools. Uh, as a board member, I would love what is
working great at Forest to also be replicated at Rapper and what's working great at I mean, too bad we don't have the the principles from West Morland and and um Linkress here and and Warren Point, but whatever is working in those schools also to be replicated in other
schools, not only because it makes sense to me uh as a board member, but also from an equity point of you and this board is very um um very much uh preoccupied to making sure that we have equity across our
schools. Um I'm curious to ask if we have a 504 committee uh since you know we do have an IRS which is mandated by board policy 2417 and and and state code but I'm curious if we have a 504 committee at
each school. Uh so I see that the the principal from rapper attended a PD on INRS. Uh I would like I'm curious to know how does that information disseminated to all the principles and I wait to go a second row
>> Dr. Bolini. >> Thank you. I have four brief points. one wonderful effort for everyone very detailed I would have mentioned some things but Jean mentioned them all so I want to thank Jean for doing that saving me some time um can I read them oh I can read my notes
you can't read my notes but I can read we used to sit next to each other but I asked to move so first point was a wonderful effort that Jean interrupted me two I love the cookbook love the cookbook my brother's a chef I'm I'm I wanted to make sure I
talked about it before I passed it down. >> I know. I know. But that's another point I'm bringing up. It was a short presentation here, but you take can add more talk to my and then two suggestions. One, make this is the first year, right? Did I hear that correct? First year, somebody cookbook
>> first year. So my suggestion is to make it digital >> and share it with the all the schools, all the parents. Me, I would love to have a copy, but if I lose this piece of paper, I can go on our website and get the digital version of it. That's all. Great job, guys.
>> Miss Velvet, >> thank you so much for the wonderful presentation. I have a couple of questions. In the beginning of the presentation, there were three programs for the English and three programs for math to help students succeed. I was
just wondering is are any of them um give parents to use those programs at home? I know Excel you can use at home with your child, but I was wondering is there any English program where they can actually help their child to succeed better because obviously sometimes people don't have the right textbook and they're not sure how to provide them
success and if it is which which of those programs allow parents to get uh to help their child at home. So that was my first question. Um Dr. Palente said um that students are identified a month earlier. I was just wondering when were
they when do they get identified? Uh another thing is it says that you were given multi-ter support system which I think is amazing but my question is are parents notified that a child is getting the services and are parents do they sign the permission slip is there and
then do they actually like they do they can how can they how can they be more involved with this? So that's my question and then I have oh the IRS manual um is it available for parents or is it in district only? So I
wasn't sure about that and that's it. I'll come for the second round. >> You actually have a little bit of time >> 135. No. Anyone else? Miss Corva, >> I just want to say thank you so much for this wonderful presentation. And there
is actually a book when I bought my house. I did have a cookbook from I don't recall which book it is from 1982. There was a cookbook from one of the elementary schools. So, just want to give you a heads up. Somebody tried it before. It's amazing. It was like actual little book. I don't recall which one,
but in 1982, somebody actually did it for us. So, thank you so much for that presentation. I'm not >> anyone else before Mike. >> First of all, I want to thank you. That was an incredible presentation. Um I I'm
really enjoying I've always enjoyed the collaboration between while you guys um and and the subject supervisors. I don't want to leave them out. Um thanks for coming, Mr. Dorsa. Um but uh
you know what I've noticed the last few years is how much you've been trying to get the different cultures in your school um and in the
different schools. And you know our schools are different. They're the same, but they're different because it's no secret that in this town, different parts of town have different
um have different little communities in it. And the fact that the elementary schools, you're going to see that the most because the middle schools have a much broader area. So, the elementary schools, you're going to see that the
most. And I love that we're showing all different cultures, not just the culture at the schools, but you're also honing in on those cultures, too, at the schools. Um, and and I' I've
noticed it. It's not just in a report. I' I've absolutely positively have noticed it. Um, I was involved when I was teaching, I was involved in a whole IS revamp
at my school and I it it's nice to see this and I'm glad that we could send like one of you to the to the course and then you turn key it to all the other uh principles because I know you guys meet
every month or you know probably numerous times. Um, so I I really appreciate the whole thing. I have to digest it a little bit. Um, but it it's definitely heading in the right direction, I think. Thank you.
>> Anyone else to >> I just have a really quick question. Um, if it's not already up there, I haven't checked, um, but it just came to my head. Uh, would it be possible, if it's not already up there, to get the unified sports schedule up on the athletic website, too? Again, I'm not sure if
it's already up there, but if it's not, I'd love to have it up there so we know when we can come cheer on our unified sports teams, too. And can I get a t-shirt? >> Mr. Santana, >> you stayed um one of you. Um and just I just wanted to say I I pray that all the
principles who are not here, they're well, that their families are well. Um you stated, one of you stated that you compare our practices with neighboring districts. Which districts are you specifically comparing uh us to? Um
you mentioned several uh kindness programs. I would like to know uh are those kindness programs evidence-based programs? Uh also um I would like to see as a board member greater visibility and
sharing of this wonderful programs. I don't think the community is aware of I wasn't aware of some of these programs. Uh so I would like to see if maybe our social media can include uh newsletter can include these wonderful programs. This is this put a
big smile on my face but we are not notifying the community about this not enough. I I have this first time I'm hearing about some of these programs. So perhaps we can do uh increase capacity in in terms of visibility and sharing
this outside of the schools so the entire district know this wonderful activities. The family uh uh recipe I think that's a wonderful best practice. I couldn't find a Dominican uh recipe, a Puerto Rican recipe, Cuban, Jamaican or
a Russian, Korean, Ukrainian, Indian, Israeli and and etc. But it's a wonderful initiative. um the um thank you so much for including our special needs community with the inclusive access. And last but not
least, I kept saying this about the cell phone policy to my fellow board members that the cell phone policy um um needed to have some changes for lack of other words. And I'm glad the state actually agree with my view and I see
that we're going to have to make some changes to make it a little tougher if I if I could guess because the state law is actually a lot stricter than what many people realize. Uh last but not least, I would like to state that uh
recently in Congress uh many a few neuroscientists um um testify about the negative effects of technology on children development, including decreased cognitive abilities,
mental health issues, and learning difficulties. Speaking about uh Jenzers, I just want to say that out there because um there are parents, believe it or not, who kindergarten parents, first grade parents, they don't want their child to
have a computer. And you know what? The more I read about the research, the more I understand those parents. And I understand that we need the technology for the data, right? But the way children actually learn the most based on research is through non-technology
basis. And I welcome you to read the re to read the and watch the report from those neuroscientists uh who know a lot more than me. >> You don't have anything else? Anyone else? Michael, >> just real quick. Um I'm I'm looking forward to being part of the cell phone
uh discussion because I'm really keyed in on that. But I'm going to caution us to also speak to um to start listening to some of the our
parents because some of our parents are writing on social media that we're crazy if we're if they're going to abide by if they're going to let their kids abide by the policy. So, we're going to have a lot of we're going to have our hands full and I'm for the policy, but we're
going to have our hands full once we put the policy in place. >> Thank you. >> Um, and the floor is closed. Uh, thank you guys so much for your time and your effort. Dr. >> I'll uh turn it over for any of the
responses to those questions to uh any of the administrators who just presented. Um if you'd just like to if there's anything specifically that you'd like to follow up on. Thank you. >> Okay. So um >> there were a few questions. I'll I'll
answer them now. Are there 504 committees in every building? Yes, there are. Um, how was the information from the professional development for INRS uh disseminated? Um, Mrs. Lindseay went to that a couple of times. Um, like I said, I I I had her come with me on one
occasion and then she also signed up for the subsequent one. Also, Mr. Gatillaa and then all uh within that within those two administrators that attended that PD, we also developed a INRS committee. So all of that that information was disseminated through a district-wide
committee. So multiple stakeholders were able to receive that information. Um in relation to um the INRS manual um it is a district document. The parent does complete the parent section of the
document. However, when a parent attends the INRS committee meeting that all of that information is reviewed. Um a parent can have that information. Um, but the the manual itself is just a general manual that can be kind of populated. Um, and we were lucky enough
when the county held that meeting, we had a neighboring district who shared that with us. We then modified it for our needs. So, it's just kind of like a a a standard document. Um, unified sports schedule will work on that. Um, are the kindness programs
evidence-based programs? Um, some of these programs are led by initiatives and ideas that come from administrators and teachers and counselors and staff in the building and many of them are connected to our curriculum through
either Sanford Harmony or that like activities that um follow through that curriculum and also our curriculum that we created as a district but remember we created it um on the prongs of the castle model which is an evidence-based
curricula. Ulum. So there are components of all of um I think Castle has eight different components or six different components to it and Sanford Harmony is based on those same components as well. So all of those kind of pillars and and and hallmarks come from that. So to
answer your question, yes it is. But I will say there's a little creativity based on our students, based on our buildings, based on their um identity as well. Um, and in terms of students being able to be identified one month earlier for some of
our programs, I think what Mr. was trying to speak to was uh in relation to by having all of this collaboration, having all of these data resources um and having these database meetings, we were able to kind of s scoop up students who um may be on that
cusp um like we're talking about in terms of approaching or not meeting or students who really needed some stronger intervention and by refining our methods, we were able to do that sooner rather than later. Um, I know I see that on our end even as it gets up to the CST
referral process. I could see that happening um a little bit sooner, which is always wonderful because we want that intervention to start and then the least restrictive environment to to kind of happen as students get older. And I think those were the questions that were related to here.
>> I'll take that. >> Oh, yeah. >> All right. So, we have we do have programs that um students can use at home. I know for some of them letters were sent home for instance boost for um our primary age students but there are additional resources like Epic and EXL and I can find out you know how that was
maybe disseminated to parents and what we can do to publicize that information for students who receive tier 2 services. Um so tier one would be in the classroom um regular instruction personalized learning time. Tier two would be identified by an interventionist. those parents receive a
letter. Um it might happen in the beginning of the year like September or so and then it also just happened again in January for any students that were additionally identified for intervention. So those parents are made aware and and they reach out usually with questions. I know myself and the principles have you know talked with
different parents and you know help them understand um what the needs are and what the program is about. um point made um bless you um about science, including science through these conversations. That is definitely something that we have been working toward. Um just last
week we met as a team with um the content supervisors, the um specialist um coaches as well as the gifted and talented team to talk about not just language arts and math but also science and the various different things we can do to take kids that need enrichment or
beyond um and what we could do for that. So science is included in that and similarly you're right in terms of intervention and other data um you know in terms of a focus um for scheduling things that we've been researching are similar districts districts that have five through eight um because that's an
important grouping of students that is unique um so that's something we've looked at as well as others but those are definitely an area as well as districts that have two middle schools it helps to kind of see similar um neighboring districts and how they have operated their schedules and then I will
just say the princip principles do send um weekly s'mores. Um I I know I read it for the elementaryaries as well. Um and I've seen some of the middle school newsletters, but you know, they highlight some of these things and initiatives on a weekly basis with like nice little pictures and things like that. So um their schools are aware of
those initiatives and I would like to just you know point out that I would like to thank Miss Lindsay, Miss Prima, Mr. Presenti and Mr. or so for attending um but their willingness to present. When we had come up with this idea for sharing with the two state of the schools, we really envisioned that um
some people would help the first time, some people would help with the second time. So some people volunteered to help with our our May meeting as like kind of closing it out. So we just wanted to spread the wealth. We thought having you know 10 of us present at the same time might be tough but we really did want to hear from multiple voices. So um that was the the planning in terms of that.
So, okay. >> Ma, >> Madame President, I have a a burning uh question. May I please ask that question um during business? >> Can you have the prerogative to open it so I can ask that question? >> Is closed. Thank you though.
>> You could be kind and open it. >> We are going to move forward with the superintendent's comments. >> Thank you very much and um thank you everyone. have a great night and thank you for coming and for presenting this evening. Well done. >> So, I had a few updates uh this evening
for superintendent comments. Uh I want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary teamwork that kept our schools uh that reopened our schools after this uh very snowy season that we've had. Um our facilities and custodial teams did a tremendous job
working around the clock. Um the amount of hours that they put in, the effort that they put in at all 10 schools and surrounding areas was incredible. Um so thank you to them for creating safe spaces for our students to return to school. I would also be remiss if I did
not thank the Fair Law Department of Public Works. Um because they too were working round the clock all around town in order to get our our community safe um with the amount of snow that we received. uh and and they were very helpful with the schools. Uh special
thank you to our police department for all of their efforts as well throughout the storm and uh and to our crossing guards that are keeping our students and our families safe in getting them to school. So, um special thank you to all of them. Uh it has not gone unnoticed. I mean, I think we're up over 35 inches of
snow this season already. So, it's quite it's quite a bit. Uh I'm also pleased to report that the Fairone Public Schools has successfully certified the SSDs report. That stands for the annual
student safety data system report uh for the current reporting period which is from July 1 through December 31st. Um the SSDS captures uh school data that's related to incidents of violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation,
bullying, as well as HIV training and prevention programming across all schools. Uh this report is submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education and it was successfully submitted in January within the time frame um and
deadline. Our multi-year data trends uh reflects meaningful and sustained progress in school climate and student safety. When comparing recent school years, overall district incidents of confirmed HIV cases and substance related incidents are trending downward.
A reflection of the intentional prevention focused work happening across our schools every day. And a lot of these efforts you've heard even through the state of the schools update tonight. all of that work that plays into the culture, climate, and belonging within a school community. Our elementary schools
continue to exemplify this prevention first philosophy, consistently reporting minimal incidents across all categories. And these programs continue on into the middle school and high school. We remain committed to using data transparently to drive continuous improvement and to
ensuring that every student in Ferlone feels safe, respected, and ready to learn. Um, just shifting gears, uh, You heard Ezra earlier, but I want to just shout out again last night a number of us had the wonderful opportunity to attend the National Honor Society
induction. Uh it was a wonderful ceremony. Uh congratulations to all of our student inductees. Um a really really special night for them. Uh a testament to all of their hard work, not only in scholarship, uh but but in service and leadership and character. Uh
and in addition to that, um I do have to commend Mrs. Velasco uh and also Mrs. Springstead who are the adviserss who did an amazing job of putting a beautiful ceremony together uh to honor our students and to make a very special
night for our our parents and families. And then last but not least, uh we're proud to share many of you have already seen it that Fairone High School with college board was recognized with a bronze award for enhancing access. That's a national recognition given to
schools that have meaningfully increased participation in advanced placement coursework among their student population while maintaining strong performance outcomes. So, not only has Fairlon High School uh increased the opportunities, increased access to more
students to achieve with rigorous coursework through advanced placement courses. uh but the the achievement scores have also improved from 84% to 96% in the past three years. So uh that does not happen by accident. That is a
testament to strong curriculum um amazing teachers, thoughtful supervisors and building administrators and district leadership focusing working together collaboratively and setting up opportunities for our students to be able to succeed. Um, just want to thank
all of the AP teachers for all of their hard work and the commitment that they make and uh, not only in what they do every day, but committing themselves to their professional development, to their craft. So, that concludes my superintendent report this evening. >> Um, the next thing on our agenda is the
resolution honoring Black History Month. What I'd like to do is start with Anthony. We'll go this way. Um, and just we can read it aloud by paragraph. uh just start go from your bold when it
comes to the next bold the next person >> it's one >> whereas >> whereas the month of February is nationally recognized as Black History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the achievements, contributions, and enduring legacy of black Americans who
have shaped the history, culture, and progress of the United States. And whereas the contributions of black leaders, educators, scientists, artists, activists, and community members have profoundly influenced our nation's development, strengthened democratic
ideals, and advanced the pursuit of equality and justice. And >> whereas schools play a vital role in educating students about diverse histories and experiences that form our shared national story, fostering
understanding, respect, and inclusion within our community. And whereas the Fairon Public Schools are committed to creating learning environments that celebrate diversity, honor cultural heritage, and empower every student to learn from the past while shaping a
better future. Now therefore um be it resolved that Fereralon Board of Education hereby proclaims February 26, 2026 as Black History Month in the Fairon Public Schools and encourages students, educator, families, and community
members to participate in educational programs, reflections, and activities that recognize and celebrate the rich history and ongoing contribution of black history of black Americans. It will further resolve that the board
of education affirms its commitment to equity, inclusion, and educational excellence for all students. Sorry. >> Point of point of clarification. Why Why isn't there a voting uh a roll call for
the resolution on the agenda? There's no voting for for um >> one L. >> We can move it. >> Okay. Move it for approval. >> Second. roll
>> discussion. I have something to say. >> Dr. Berlini who corrected her like that you >> all right enough please. It's my only suggestion is one I fully support the resolution but so we don't have to do this every year. Can't we just say PL
proclaims February without 2026 so we don't forget to do it next year? We just do it Feb February, not 2026. So we have to do it next year. February 2027. Why can't we just do it now for the forever? No.
>> Okay. But it is February what is it? 26th. So we forgot. Okay. Forget it. I just want to say that this resolution I asked for this resolution. I wish
I wish we the board had it sooner because I would like I I wanted to to include certain things on the resolution. Um but I I'm appreciative of the resolution. Uh this is my my fifth year on the board and
it was way overdue. Um, we don't have to change the date because why would why would anyone forget black that there's Black History Month every February? Black History Month is American history. All right. So, um,
thank you for the board finally having a Black History Month resolution. Um, I I I tried to have this pass for many years in the past. It took time, but it eventually happened.
I just wish every every bore in the future does the right thing. Thank you to this board, >> Miss Brown. >> Um I just wanted to thank all of us uh working together and I want to thank Dr.
Dianio for um spearhead for getting this on the agenda. Um I'm proud to be uh one of the board members who get to read from it um and that my sons get to watch me read from it. So, thank you. >> Okay,
Mr. Rosenberg, >> I just want to say first of all that that I agree with Mr. Santana that uh black history is American history and that's important. And the other thing um I just want to make clear that our
schools have recognized Black History Month in their schools for as many years as it's been around. So, it's nice that we have a resolution. The resolution does
nothing in my opinion as much. What does more is how we um act in the classrooms to make black history American history. >> Mr. I just want to say this resolution um
this resolution was first time I was on the board in February 2020 2021. This was my first uh second motion in my entire life as a board member. That was five years ago. So I just wanted to say that and I thought that was just such an
interesting circle back six years later almost six years ago. >> Okay. >> Go ahead Miss uh Dr. Denisio. >> Uh I would just like to thank uh Miss Mayan as board president. She's the one who actually moved this resolution forward. So, thank you, Miss Mayan, for your leadership.
>> Uh, Mr. Cruz, the floor is yours. >> Dr. Bertilini. >> Yes. Miss Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes, >> Miss Favvelich. >> Yes,
>> Miss Coraliva. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes, >> Mr. Santana. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Man. >> Yeah, I thought you said Mr. Yeah, sorry. Okay, >> motion carries. Thank you. Um, and I am
now going to um defer back to you for the swearing in of Miss Casoy. 21. >> No, Berina wasn't here. Oh, I was I got >> I didn't This was just after >> Oh,
sorry. I didn't >> do solemnly swear >> so >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true I'm sorry and that I will bear true faith >> and that I will bear true fa and allegiance to the same. and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in the United States >> and to the governments established in the United States
>> and this state >> and this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority >> I state >> I truly >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I possess the qualifications >> that I possess the qualifications >> prescribed by law
>> prescribed by law >> for the office of member of the board of education >> for the office of member of the board of education and that I am not disqualified >> and that I am not disqualified >> as a voter >> as a voter >> pursuant to >> pursuant to
>> RS19 >> RS9 >> or F-1 >> or F-1 >> nor disqualified >> nor disqualified >> pursue to conviction of a crime >> due to conviction of a crime >> or offense listed in >> or offense listed in >> NJS 188
>> NJS18 >> 12-1 and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> and partially >> and justly perform all duties >> and justly perform all duties >> of that office of that office >> of that office
>> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability to GO uh Mr. Cruz, when you are ready, roll call, please. >> New board. >> No. Roll call of the new board.
Roll call. Dr. Bertellini. >> Present. >> Miss Brown. >> Present. >> Miss Aaliyah. >> Present. >> Miss Felovich. >> Present. >> Miss Coraliva. >> Present. >> Missoy. >> Present.
>> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Histo. >> Mr. Santana. >> Kirby. Present. >> Mrs. Mayhem. >> Present. We have quum. Thank you. >> This agenda item provides an opportunity for committee chairs to present brief summaries of proceedings from their most
recent committee meetings. 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 the public can only be asked or commented upon during the
other business portion of the agenda. This is not an appropriate time to introduce new business items or engage in extended discussion on topics that should be addressed through the proper channels. Committee chairs are reminded to keep reports limited to three minutes max based on the written meeting minutes. Focus only on key actions and
discussions from the most recent meeting. Reference when the next committee meeting is scheduled. Avoid introducing new business that has not been properly vetted through committee through the committee. Submit any written summary reports to superintendent board secretary for inclusion in the minutes. The floor is
open. >> On February 19th, I emailed the finance committee minutes to all board members and the board secretary. I did not use the board member at fairlon.org email because uh because an individual identified as bar member number nine has
been added to the distribution list prior to being sworn in. As a trustee um sent an email documenting this situation along with the photograph to ensure the confidant of the board materials. I want to make sure that sensitive information remains secure. Prior to the finance
committee meeting, I also requested presentation material in advance but did not receive them. On August 24th, 2026, the administration provided its own version of the minutes to the board. Policy 0155 stated the chairperson, which is me,
>> uh, Favlvich, I'm just going to ask that you specifically >> Yeah. Yeah. I am talking because m it it's part of the minutes. It is part of the minutes. Uh Dr. Deniseu added it this morning. So he added he >> could be reporting on just the minutes.
Part of the minutes everything I said was part of the minutes. So I nothing Dr. Denisio added another. So I just want to make sure uh the chairperson shall zero policy 0155 stated that the chairperson shall keep reasonable and complete minutes of
the meeting. The minutes shall be emailed to the entire board within three days of the meeting or three business days if the school is not in session. I fulfilled my respleteness of the record. The following topics were discussed during topics. We talked about the health care cost and the how
expensive they're going to be and the increase and a district currently spends $17 million per year on health care cost. Uh building grounds. Uh upcoming projects for next year were presented for each of the schools including safety mitigation for the wooded and and
forested area at TJ. The administrator will provide a follow-up on associated cost repairs to the small playground at Thomas Jefferson were also addressed. Transportation we talked about subscription busing. Um this is busing
that is a karath uh route to route four and uh parents h pay around $700 a year for it. In the high school 64 out of 108 seats are utilized and in middle school 84 out of 108 seats are utilized. Discussion included a potential lottery
system for empty uh empty seats particular for students on the other side of the Broadway such as where McDonald's is. uh the comm or like Blige Manor and all those areas. The committee requested analysis on whether the super using its financial um breakin uh break
even including capacity weightless policy and the physibility of opening additional seats and technology presentation will be um done at the next meeting. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> I have a question for the chair for the chair of the finance committee
>> at this time. Just like it stated before, there's no time for questions. Why? That's part of that's part of Robert's rules. We get to ask >> We were told we are half >> Yes. Last time the board attorney did say so. >> Let me turn my mic on. I keep forgetting. So, no. The the right now
what you guys should do. You guys have coming up on your agenda. You have board comment for agenda items. This is an agenda item. >> No, it's not. >> Yes, it is. >> He's the attorney. Why are you correcting the attorney? >> Listen, they can ask a question. >> The attorney is correcting the board president.
>> Hold on. Please don't don't you are disrespecting the board attorney. >> Mr. Santana, remember kindness is free. >> You don't exercise kindness any meeting you exercise kindness. >> They can't ask a question during
Yeah, I said during other business. >> Okay. So, you can ask questions during the other business item. >> You can ask of clarification. >> Point of order. The Robert's rule state when there's a when there's >> Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse
me. Excuse me. Please don't interrupt me. when we had the presentation when we had the education meeting presentation. We had m we had comments. >> So then why did we have comments during that presentation and we can't have comments now during a committee presentation? Doesn't make any sense.
You are not running this board in a united fashion. >> You being you you're not bringing unity to the board. >> Point of clarification before in January. >> Miss Felovich, >> you've nodded at me so I assumed you
said yes. In January, we were allowed to ask finance questions and now we're not. I like No, because the attorney said it was allowed and it was allowed after all the all the members presented. >> I went back and I reviewed it and we keep having inconsistencies. So, I'm going with what he initially told us,
which was in December when we changed the statement that it has to be asked during new business. >> Under new business, >> but then people forget like it's going to be two hours later, which makes no sense because it's that's the point. We're not supposed to speak and provide oversight. That's the whole point. The board president doesn't want you don't
want board members to have oversight. Please continue. >> You don't want board members to have oversight. >> But if he did it in >> you actually you breaking the law. You breaking the law right now by not want by refusing board members to have oversight of the district. >> Point point of clarification.
>> Stop. Stop. >> Guys, >> I'm not a bobblehead. I'm not here to raise my hand and say yes to everything. I'm talking to the board president right now. You have to follow the law and follow board policy. The board attorney just corrected you and you corrected the board attorney. You are telling pressuring the board of attorney to
change his mind and he changed his mind. >> I didn't change my mind. The board president showed me that it says under other business. I was mistaken. I said you get a comment but it's under other business. And the reason it's under other business is that each one of you has access to the committee reports. So
they're right before you. So you have a question, you can raise it during other business. you do get a comment on it but it's just at the later portion of the meeting. So >> then we should have more time then then we should have more time not micromanage our own oversight time. >> So
>> right so let right now the public you have to get to the agenda. The whole purpose of this is so that the the public gets to see the agenda items and the action items on the agenda. So other business remember these are committee reports. You're not taking action on the
committee report. The board president is playing games on this board. First of all, we supposed to have oversight and by not asking questions to the chair, we're not providing oversight. So, if some of you are here to just be botheheads and raise your hand and say yes, okay, you don't have a problem. But
some of us are actually here to provide oversight. >> I can't. >> Okay, stop being a dictator, Miss Mayhem. Okay, first of all, I'm not a bobblehead. >> Don't make comments. >> I'm not just going to say it. I have to say I my vote is based on a decision I
make, not by you. I'm not listening to that. I'm not listening to that. >> That's slander when he says where belare. >> I will share it, but I'm not going to let that go. I'm sorry. I apologize for being rude.
Again, the education committee mostly talked about the budget, coming up budget and the preliminary budget considerations for the next year. It's going to be very tight as as uh Rita said with the health increases, etc. But the committee did talk uh about our athletic programs and and adding as as they said in the meeting today uh more
unified sports. We also discussed things that we're going to need for next year educationally. Uh again, the budget. I know uh we got the email today in regard to the schedule. It's been changed, but there's a lot of things in the budget that we may have a problem with this year because of health benefits going up. And then additional staffing for the
gifted and talented was discussed at that point. I think we decided let's say I forget what we decided. No, we just got know we're going to discuss it further. What do we I don't remember. Oh, okay. Well, if it's perfect, then we don't need to. Uh and then the f then the last point was what I was just
talking about the discussion of the district's fis fiscal outlook for 2026. Every district is getting hit hard by some of the increases and uh we're we're we may be in we may have to it's going to be difficult. Uh we're going to talk about the budget again and and we're going to have another meeting before the
budget's finalized. So that's it. Thank you. >> Anyone else? We had a student services meeting and it's basically the same as everyone else is saying where um we went over how many
teachers to add um especially in the uh in um in the um the for the ancillary teachers for the for true teachers in science and ICR. Yes.
and for 10th grade. Um and we also discussed the um athletic programs. Um and um that was about it. We will continue the discussion when we start talking about the budget more.
>> Okay. Um this is the portion of our board meeting that is specifically for comments on resolutions listed in tonight's agenda. When speaking, please state your name and municipality of residence. 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 this is not a dialogue or a Q&A session between speaker and the board. While we may not be may not respond immediately to or every comment made tonight, all input is carefully considered and helps inform
our decisions. Responses may come through emails, reports, board statements, website updates, or after the comment period closes. Thank you for your participation in our community governance. The floor is open to public. >> One of information, the board president
stated board resolutions. Not everything on the board agenda are resolutions. They're board items. Mr. You need to be recognized. >> You need to be factually correct. Yes. Just reviewing I just have to make sure
uh that this is the appropriate portion with the public comments related to agenda items. Just give me one moment. >> There actually are not. There are comments, but they're going going to be for the second portion of this evening's public comment section.
>> The floor is closed and I will now open the floor to board member comments. Miss Brown. >> Um, I have a question before I start. uh anything that was brought up in the superintendence report. Is that an agenda item that we can discuss now or
do we have to wait? I just want to comment on something but I don't know if I have to wait. >> You you have to >> he Yeah, the super any comments as the superintendent made in his superintendent comments section. Can I discuss that now or do I have to wait till new business? >> New business.
>> Okay. Thank you. Then I have no comments. Miss Sevelvich, >> as a board member, my responsibility is fiscal oversight, transparency, and ensuring that decisions are made through proper process. First, I would like a
clarification regarding legal expenses. Last month, the attorney builds total bills totaling approximately $12,000. This month, they are totaling approximately $24,000. I'm not making any accusation. However,
I'm requesting clarification. What is driving this increase? What authoriz authorization these expenditures and how can we ensure legal costs remain aligned with student center priorities. Legal services are sometimes necessary, but we
owe the taxpayer and an explanation when expenses double month over month. Second, I would like clarification regarding advertising. I'm sorry. The attorney is speaking and I'm losing my train of thought. Is there a way point of order
>> they not talk because I get confused. >> Point of order. >> Please continue. >> I would like to clarif clarification regarding advertising decision. It appears that the district uh advertising will be placed on the north jersey.com and the district website. My understanding from the January 7th
meeting was that the board would determine advertising placement collectively. If I if that understanding is incorrect, I respectfully ask for clarification of the process used. I would like also like and I'm going to make a motion for us to
consider expanding outreach to additional platforms such as the shopper which everybody gets in Fairlon and tap into news which is a free website where you could get newspapers uh news to ensure broad community awareness of the
meetings. Public participation and access are fundamental to transparency and democrac democratic governance. Third, regarding online payment system, I understand that there were four vendors that were evaluated. Venco, Rev
Track, Kev Group, Software 4, School, and Omelia. I am sorry if I mess any of them up. I also understand that a formal bid was not required because the cost did not exceed the bid threshold. My question is not whether the district complied with the bid threshold but
rather what criteria was used to select ref. Was the was there a comparative analysis presented and why was this not brought through the finance committee review if that has been our past practice? If the past if the practice of
routine routining operation rooting operational decisions through committees is evolving I would simply ask that the board be informed so expectation are consistent I'm going to come back
anyone else >> I just wanted to quickly recognize our two retirees for their 20 plus years of service to feralon especially Miss Cortez, who I had the honor of having as a um confirmation teacher. She's an excellent educator, an even better
neighbor. Unbiased, but um best of luck to them both. All right. And that's all I have. >> Corva. >> Um I just want to talk about the standing orders that we are going to be reviewing. Uh one of the standing orders that I want to talk about is um
>> Oh, sorry. Point of clarification, uh, the standing orders are not, there's nothing confidential, but they're only in executive session. I just want to protect her. She's new. >> They are actionable items, so you can discuss them. >> And why? So, can they be listed also in
the public comments area, too, because it's only an exact, so I wasn't sure if I don't want her to get ethics charges. She's new. So, that's what I want to make sure. >> Can you actually pause that, Melissa? Thanks. Can you please clarify your question?
>> Standing order. If you look at our agenda, it's under the executive session, not under the public session, which doesn't make sense because there's nothing private in that that thing. That's why >> they're on the they're on our agenda 8D under superintendent. >> Yes.
the actual orders are executive, not and that's why my question is because there's nothing identifying. I just she's a new board member. I want to make sure that she gets clarification before because there's nothing identifying and we're still doing it where public record is
found. Thanks. Um, there's nothing in it that identifies a specific child. So, you can that that can be discussed, but those are standing orders because you need to have a a physician. That's why every school has a designated physician
because you need basically like a prescription. the nurse can implement it, but they need a doctor's orders to affectuate that. >> So, they can be put on the for the public as well because it's only on our executive session. That's what I did understand why they can be added. Right.
Just >> we're gonna let Miss Coralva ask her questions. Thank you. >> Miss Corva, I can speak. >> Yes. Okay. All right. Hi. I'm sorry. So I am talking about the Epipens and the
um Nephi which is the new um prescription drugs for um children with allergies. So my question was originally with these standard orders. I wanted to make sure that the emergency medical boxes are in each buildings. This is a very something that I've been talking
about for years now that we need to have emergency boxes just in case we have an emergency and the nurses are not available at our buildings. we are training our staff, but I as a parent and like I don't see these boxes. So, the answer was yes. I would like to see
where they are. And then I'm pretty sure a lot of the public would also like to know that our schools are staffed with emergency boxes with life-saving medications such as EpiPen, Nephi, um, and any I'm assuming benadryil, something that would help our children
with life-threatening allergies. Uh there was also um medicine that we are distributing to our staff. I don't understand that. I've asked that question. What if the staff is allergic
and they have an allergic reaction? Are we taking a liability? Like I'm not understanding why are we distributing such medications to staff like this was you know I mean like one of them is like Tylenol. You only usually take Tylenol if you have like I don't know a
temperature I'm assuming. I don't know some of these things feel if you're going to take these medications you should be going home. Um there was medication that is was described as hurricane. I don't know what that is. Um flaxel is um it causes a very strong
reaction if you're allergic to aspirin and cicellites. So why is that even on the list? We could use other antibacterial things that don't need to be. So again, I'm not sure what these things are. Thank you so much.
Anyone else, Mr. Santana? I haven't even started speaking. Why is what the time has started already? on on AD the standing orders. I've been a board member for this is my fifth year. I have never seen any of these
standing orders. So, this is a surprise. Um I don't know what am I missing. AD, are we legally required to provide meds to our employees uh at taxpayers expense? Are we legally required to do that? This
is this is potentially a Pandora box and could put the board at legal exposure. Uh anyone with common sense would tell you someone is has an allergic reaction to a medicine that the district provides, guess what? We are exposing ourselves
legally. And this is why many districts don't do that. Uh in my 22 years in education, I have seen a lot of things go wrong in in some districts. So I want to make sure that we're being cautious. Uh 9 A4. Uh I'm glad the anti-semitism
worshship uh was was that there is an amount because the amount was originally on the agenda TB TBD to be discussed. Um nie that to be Yes. To be determined. Na. Strong evaluation training. Uh Dr.
Donio, why is the training happen in June? What if we have new uh administrators coming in July 1st? Uh what was the rationale? Um um there are items on on the Mills website
from six months ago for 10 10 E4 uh 10 E5. Uh, did the district fill the the the vacancy for the for the interim assistant principal for the high school? Um,
12 A 12 A 12 A through M. Who determines the markup fee? Dr. Donio, how are we ensuring fairness for all providers? We should have a board policy that determines the markup fee. um 13C
uh the bills there are a tons of redaction the bills are not supposed to be redacted for board members they supposed to be redacted for the general public us as elected official in order for us to provide the proper oversight we need to
know how we are spending the money who are we paying it to it's not appropriate to have pages and pages of mass Massive reduction not appropriate. Uh 13J the payment system. Why did it why did this not go
into the finance committee not following our own protocol? >> Anyone else before I start round two? Oh, sorry, Michael. I'm so sorry, Michael. >> I accept your apology.
Um, I I just want to note for the record that as long as I've worked in school districts, there's been standing orders by and and in this district as a as a a board
member. There's standing orders made every year by the doctor that our school doctor and that's the standing orders are for the nurse. It's not for the public. The standing orders are for the nurse and what they could
do, what they could do and what they can't do. Um mostly what they can do. Um, the only thing that's in the there is EpiPen boxes in certain places, but again, if you're not trained to give an
EpiPen, then it shouldn't be out in the general public. This is the the standing orders are for our school nurses to operate to operate and um and dayto day and
whether it's for adults in the building, children in the building, it doesn't matter. The adults in the building could give could give their consent to take a Tylenol for a headache or something, but
the nurse could do it. And there's no reason why not to. It's the the amount of money is negligible and it might save a staff member having to go home with a headache. So, um that's that's what I
wanted to say about that. Um and uh that's it. >> Miss Sevelvich, >> this is the first time I noticed the district the district is applying the following over-the-counter medicines for adult. Milanta, Marilax, Pepto-Bisma,
Bismol, Tums, Benadryil, Id Tanol, Advil, Ad Advil, Aspirin, Robbitasin, Ambosol, and Orael. I also noticed with my questions that um ambassol is called Ambles and Orael
is spelled orange gel. I noted into my questions, it says it was going to be fixed. I looked at the agenda. It's not fixed. So, we're approving medications that are incorrectly spelled. When I inquired about the cost of the district, I was told that it does not exceed the allocated amount for the health supply
lines approved for each school annually. I have served as a board member for the past five years. I've never previously seen these medication approved to staff across all 10 schools. I asked whether this is a new practice or if it's a legal or policy requirement that I may
not be aware of. I also asked what percentage of and the answer was NA. I also asked what percentage of these medication are typically utilized in one school year and the response was NA. Again I would like to know more information about the usage tracking and
the cost oversight to ensure transparency and effective re resources. management is if it's not used very seldomly, why are we spending thousands of dollars on medication that may not even need most people don't even use or
even know that they exist. Second, I would like to raise the question about the um the standing order with attendance. This there's a standing order that order that students should not be returned to school until they're free of a fever for 24 hours. In elementary school, if a
student returns for the doctor's note, Genesis currently records this as unexcused absence. In the middle school and the high school, similar absences are called verified. This discrepancy matters because and in elementary schools, families may receive letters
warning that their children is at risk of repeating a grade due to the absences. If the absence that comp complies with the 24-hour fever rule are being coded as unexcused, family may be penalized despite following the good health guidance. I'm asking full
clarification on why the code diff uh coding differs between elementary and secondary school and how the district ensures consistent in recording absences across all grades. I also believe that if we're going to send these notices to children, many parents will not follow
this rule. So there has to be some kind of co coding where it's verified as in middle school and high school. I also am not I also don't believe that the markup fee for the community school should be different. Every company should have we
should have a one type of markup fee or maybe if it's uh excessive use another fee but I just don't think various type uh markup fees are appropriate. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Miss Coralva, >> I could talk on any um
>> I could talk about this. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Oh, yes, you can. Sorry. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Hi. So, I have a question about So, I just checked my email and realized there were things added to the agenda which
was approval of to change board of education dates and uh which is 13 m I believe. So it says revise budget calendar and but then the email did not say that. So I'm very confused what why
is there things being added after the fact like I'm I'm not sure like you know I literally just happened to look into my email and there are things added. So 13m I believe is being moved from March 18th and it was added I'm assuming while
we were on the way here. >> Oh okay. Thank you. So once again, like this is I get a printed um agenda and this a lot of things are not included in it. So I'm very confused why I'm just
finding out this at 10:02 p.m. And h how am I supposed to even go? Should I be should I be rereading the agenda? Like I'm very concerned what's happening right now. Miss Corley, are you are you finished? >> Okay. Am I supposed to say something? >> Yeah. >> No, I didn't know if you were done. Oh,
okay. Anyone else? >> Mr. Santana? >> Yeah, I'm confused, too. Uh, there was an item here with the uh updated budget uh not the budget, the updated board meeting uh meetings, and I can't find it
on the agenda. So, we have to um we're going to have to I'm going to make a motion to establish a cuto off to not make any additions to the board agenda. Uh because we have full-time jobs, I can't be on the computer checking, you
know, checking 247 was being added. So, just as the superintendent has a a deadline for board members to submit questions, we also need to have a a a deadline uh for the agenda um not to be updated. That is very reasonable unless
it's legally required. >> I can just answer one question. >> Reclaiming reclaiming my time. Can you allow me to finish? >> Oh, sure. I'm sorry. >> Thank you. It's okay. Reclaim. That was like 15 seconds. >> All right. Um I appreciate the the
excellent job uh our fine and and when and wise board attorney is doing. However, um uh the invoice is quite high compared to the prior month. So, I would like to see as a board member uh not
that we stop using our our wonderful board attorney, but that the board president uh exercise greater leadership and provide the board me the board the board of education at every board meeting with a tally of who is using the board attorney,
how many times the board attorney is being used by whoever is being used. The board attorney is not anyone's private attorney. The bar attorney is not the attorney to to you know the bar attorney serves at the pressure of the board and the superintendent by contract is
allowed to use the the board attorney. However, we need to keep track of the money and how often the board attorney is being used because we don't have unlimited uh uh pockets. The wallet does not go
that much. We we are in a affordability crisis right now. So we I would like to the board and I'm going to make a motion. Okay. So that the board the board president provides a tally at every board meeting of who's using the board attorney how many times is being
used every month because you know we have to find we have to keep some control because we don't have unlimited amount of money. The taxpayers are not and not everybody in this town is wealthy, rich and a millionaire. Sorry. Uh maybe you are. We are not. Um,
>> hey guys. I'm just going to ask that you just let him finish. I just let him finish. >> My time was interrupted. We're claiming my time. >> Ed, >> no. My time was interrupted. I was interrupted again.
>> Point of clarification. >> 14. Can we just give him that? >> Reclaiming my time. My time has been taken. >> 30 seconds. >> Oh, okay. 14A that policy. Okay. I believe
that policy was not fully discussed at committee because from correct me if I'm wrong from my understanding when that policy was discussed in December a board member was expelled from the committee.
How can you put a policy on a board agenda when a board member was not present to discuss that policy? Remember this is a board meeting. This is not an administration meeting. We run we run the meeting, not the other way around, okay? And that doesn't mean we cannot
support Dr. Donio. We can walk and chug them at the same time. In this country, we walk and chug them at the same time. We can support her, but we can do our oversight properly. >> Properly. >> Okay. The floor is closed.
>> So, um, Mr. Santana and I I I forget Mrs. Uh, Miss Coral Leviv asked the same question about the change of the dates. Um, that did just happen this week. So, generally what happens is the the governor uh gives a state of the state
kind of like the other night was a state of the union state of the state. The legislature on Tuesday in a phone call vote uh allowed the governor to move her state of the state and they do this typically for firstear governors to
March 10th. that put it back a month later. And as a result, at the March 10th state of the state, the governor uh introduces her tenative budget. As a result, the state aid numbers that school districts get are two days after
the state of the state. So that you won't get your state aid numbers till March 12th. That puts off your budget because what you had done is you you had your tenative budget on March 12th. So, because this the legislature this Tuesday pushed the dates back, it threw
off your March 12th and and 18th dates don't work because you won't have enough time to get the state aid numbers. No one knows what's going to happen and then have Jorge put together a budget for you guys to introduce as a preliminary budget. That's why the move is um with regard to your questions
about um legal bills. um you know legal bills they eb and flow on given months. There's there is a law there's actually a regulation it's called the accountability regulations and it mandates that the only people who can contact the board attorney directly are
the board president the superintendent uh and with the superintendent's permission um director of human resources other assistant superintendents uh uh Mr. Diaz, the BI, we um
Cruz, I'm sorry it's getting I'm getting late. Mr. Jorge, the BA can contact me. So um and what happens is they have to review the bills to make sure that and they have to check it. It's it's actually your super and your business administrator that go through to make
sure that there's nobody else contacting us in it. And that's done by law. So there is a tally on the bills. Um, I can tell you that that we h we have been heavily engaged in uh a lot of stuff dealing with the um the union and
different items. I've been working closely with uh your human resources director, but it e and flows. I I think that you'll see that in in summer months things are are much lighter. you generally what happens with legal bills for districts just from my 30 plus years
of doing this is that heavy billing typically happens in the spring because you're you're dealing with you know budget there's there's issues could be negotiations things like that and it typically and then if you get into like
non-renewals and things like that prior to May bills are very light generally in in the June July August even September months And you'll sometimes see um activity in the fall, October, November. So you
generally that's where bills go because the workflow es and flows in the summer. There's not a whole lot of you know there's a lot of preparation that your folks do here, but there's not a lot of legal matters that are happening. But when you have you have a you have one of the biggest school districts in all of
Bergen County. You have a lot of employees, you have a lot of students, and you have lots and lots of legal issues. And our job is to try to help mitigate against risk and loss. And that's why, you know, the spending of the money is to really um preserve the taxpayers. We have 60 attorneys and we
have people who specialize. So when they pick up the phone and call, and I think any one of them can attest, when they pick up the phone, they get an answer like right away because we know the law and we know what what applies and what doesn't, and we can send you in the right direction. Um, but I hope that
answers your question, Mr. S. >> Thank you, sir. You're always very polite and kind. >> I just wish the board president will also be polite and kind. >> Uh we responded to uh based on the practice that we have the board
questions uh were submitted on Monday. The administration prepared over several days the responses. We provided 13 pages of responses to the board questions. Um, so everything has been answered that was
submitted through the process. But to the point of just providing some context, I'm going to ask Mrs. DeFranco uh around the standing orders piece to just give some clarity. >> Thank you. Um, I think actually Mr. Rosenberg summed this up well, but I'd
be glad to review that again. Um standing orders are provided every single year for functional operations within the school district. these standing orders. You'll notice from the um uh uh the actual line for approval is
um additional the additional piece to the standing orders relate to a new FDA approved product um of nasal spray epinephrine that parents have received prescriptions for for their children in the school district. um we would like to
be able to fulfill parents wishes as they would like their child to receive this medication and therefore um we wanted to include that on these additional orders. Um those plans have already been approved by our school physician and by the nurses in our district. This is just an additional
measure to make you aware um for lifesaving allergy conditions. The medications that are listed have been longstanding. I do want to note and point out for clarity that these medications are not something that is just pushed and provided as open. These
are over-the-counter medications that are regulated by the school nurse who is a certificated staff member and also under the provision of the orders that you have read tonight and have been provided. In my experience in overseeing the nurses, um we have not exceeded any
supply order as uh it is a negligible amount. It is not something that it like I said that is given out on a constant basis and in fact it may assist um a staff member who um may not be feeling well and may be able to get them through
the day which does not which would not uh interfere with the natural flow of instruction. These medications are related again for over-the-counter use for mild pain, nausea, soreness or skin irritation. As to the question about um the state
allowance of absences, this has nothing to do with the standing orders. These are guidelines for when children can or cannot be in school and those definitions here in the standing orders are medical definitions. The other definitions that um I have received questions about relate to how the states
def how the state defines those absences which unfortunately sometimes are different than a medical condition. Um and uh I am hoping that these standing orders are passed tonight so that uh epinephrine spray can be um continued to be utilized uh under the care for
students in our district. Thank you. >> Um board president, I asked the board attorney if we are legally required to approve this. >> Mr. Santana, if you'll just let me finish answering your questions. >> Yes, you are legally required to do this. What you're basically doing is
you're you you the board appoints a school physician every year. Every school district has to have a physician. And so the physician is giving a prescription the equivalent of a prescription to the nurses saying you are authorized to take these types
of you know to administer and the different medicines that are set forth. A nurse on their own behalf can't do that. They're not they are while they're medical professionals, they can't authorize the administration of a specific medication. So the doctor when
they give these standing orders, the doctor is looking actually at the individual students and what their needs are. So I would strongly recommend that you guys pass this because it this is what allows your nurses to ensure that the the the students and frankly it's
not just students, you also have staff members that have medical needs. Um, you do have staff members that have different things and your the nurses don't just take care of your students, they do take care of your staff. >> If if if a staff member has an allergic reaction to an over-the-counter medicine
that the nurse provides, are we legally are we legal jeopardy? >> No, the legal jeopardy is so you got two different things. If you have an adult who says, "Give me Tylenol," just for an example, and they have an allergic
reaction, um, they've requested it, the nurse, that that's not the nurse's job to say, "What is your medication? Uh, what's your allergies?" If there's something that would be that person would then have an act cause of action against the medicine that they had the
reaction to, a nurse cannot administer medication to a child without parental permission. and and and a doctor would not allow a nurse to do it unless there's a medical prescription authorizing it. So the doctor, your doctor, reviews the medical prescriptions that the individual
students folks have provided for each each of the kids and then gives a standing order for all the different types of medications that the nurses are authorized to administer under the guidance of the doctor. The other reason that you have a medical doctor is if a nurse has a question, they have a doctor
that they can immediately go to and seek medical advice. So, I would recommend that you guys pass these standing orders because it is really for the safety of your kids. >> Point of clarification from the attorney. >> Yes. >> These standing orders are for what? From what to what September? From last
September to June or I don't it doesn't it doesn't like say >> these are just additions. They they they they're ongoing. These are additions because there's been changes in medications. >> Oh, so every year we don't we're going to approve them in February. Correct.
>> Yeah. You you approve them and and then and if there's a new medication that comes out in May that you might have another standing order. These happen more often than not because different or you might have a new student that comes into school, it's a new medication that you've never seen before. The the the
the physician has to provide that standing order. >> Point of clarification. Mr. Rosenberg, >> just I don't want to beat this, but I just want to make sure everyone realizes what we're voting on. Correct me if I'm wrong that
if we vote no, the old standing orders are still there. The only thing that's not that we've done is not allow parents to use that spray uh effin >> that that
physician >> but the old but the old >> the old >> standing orders are still there. >> They're there but the doctor doesn't just give orders the standing orders. >> Thank you. These standing orders are all
tied to specific individualized students. And so the doctor has looked and said, you know, Matt Yakobe needs this spray epinephrine. He can't take the injectable. So he's he or she I don't know if your doctor's male or female he or she is providing these
these orders that then gives your nurse and it actually gives you guys liability coverage because your nurses are now relying on a medical professional and your medical professional the doctor has malpractice insurance which you have to have when you guys appoint him. So again
I think that this is this is really for the student safety to pass these standing orders. >> You just you just you didn't really answer my question though. What >> if we voted no? >> The old standing orders are still there. So, so the only thing you're voting no
on is if a parent wanted to give that spray epinephrine. >> Um, if you voted no, if it didn't, they wouldn't be allowed. >> Then the nurse couldn't administer that medication. They'd have to rely on the old setting orders. >> Point of the problem. The problem though is >> that that that particular student might
not have the medicine that needs to be administered. >> Point of information. >> Yes, Mr. representing >> what uh the gentleman to my right um Mr. Rosa confused me. Um so you're you're you're saying Mr. B
attorney that the last standing orders have a uh unexpired board approval. >> The standing orders are tied to individual students. So the last standing if we don't like
the the gentleman to my right Mr. Rosenberg said if we don't approve this the last standing order will be the default uh approve uh for >> I would assume I would assume so I don't know >> I don't assume so I don't assume so
because the board have not authorized that >> can you clarify that because I what I hear the confusion to be is that people are confused by the specific medication but what both Mr. Franco and Mr. Jacob are saying are these are new medications
that children are required to have. So we have added additional standing orders so that these students can be given their prescribed medications that are emergency based and if we do not approve this then we cannot administer those medications to these students who could
potentially require these medications. >> That's correct. >> Thank you. >> I just I had a question. There's misspellings and I brought it up to the administration. >> They're working on it. I just can't. We don't have the signatures yet because they had to get sent back. >> So, we're going to put it the actual correct spelling. I just if you're going
to approve medication, they have to have the correct spelling. Otherwise, we look funny, too. >> We need to get back. >> Okay. Just making sure >> relation to this specific topic. Yeah. >> Is this something that we could move to the next meeting? >> I would tell you that because I would I
would adopt this tonight and then when when you get the ones with the corrected spelling, you guys could read them. It has to be like what is that? Like we're just voting on it once again. >> Yeah, you just vote on the one with the correct >> spelling amendment copies. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um just to add two additional
questions for clarification, please um note that February bills and June bills are heavily redacted because it is when we return Aiden Lou to any um family. And so you do have the ability to review
unredacted bills with um Mr. Cruz um if you let him know. Thank you to the several trustees who did that. >> Point of information. >> Hold on please. And then um there was one more
Ah um over the course of January and midFebruary there were nine requests for legal counsel advice from board trustees and this is why you do see a noted um
increase in board counsel having a conversation with board leadership. Nine requests were made over the last six weeks. Thank you. >> I had a bottom of information. >> Yes, Mr. Santana.
>> Thank you. Um the process that we have to review bills, I don't know why we want to have we want to have uh uh past practice whenever it's convenient for some board members. The process that we had in
place to review bills was a board member will make an appointment with the superintendent and then we will walk board members will walk sign in following the board policy right come duly with our ID and go into the
business office and review the bills. We have never had the BA present when we are reviewing the bills. The BA the BA is busy running the business office. I don't think we should have the the business administrator sitting next to a
board member and bre breathing on our neck while we're looking at the bills. Not appropriate. We never done that. He should not be doing that. Okay. So, whoever is telling him to do that, that we never done it like that. That's not a past practice. That's not appropriate.
And that's not a good use of the busy gentleman's time uh to be holding our hand while we're looking at a at a bill that that's not appropriate use of the the the business administrator's time. >> Thank you. >> Can I get
>> Will the board president uh agree with what I just say? >> Thank you. Can I get a motion for 6A? >> So moved. >> Second. Roll call. >> Yes.
>> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Miss Elliot. >> Yes. Miss Favvelich >> 6A. No. >> Miss Coraliva. >> Abstain. >> Miss Coy.
As I have not had access to email or the ability to review this, I will have to abstain from this. Thank you. >> Mr. Santana, >> pass me. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> yes. >> Mr. Santana,
>> I'm staying. >> Miss man, >> yes. Motion carries. Can I get a motion for 8 A through 8E? I make a motion so to for a D I want the standing orders
to be part of the public content for it to be part of the public content. Currently it's only executive content. I would like since they're public record and we approving public record. >> I'm I'm second it only because the board attorney uh gave his blessing to it. So
this is why I'm second it. There's no problem with having that as part of the the uh the approved resolutions to have that attached. Not a problem at all. >> Roll call. >> The uh motion again
>> to have the standard order part of being public content since it's public record and not executive content. >> Dr. Bolini. >> Yes. Miss Brown. >> Yes. Missilia. >> Yes.
>> Miss Velvich. >> Yes. >> Miss Cor. >> Just to clarify, I'm only voting for eight. >> Yeah. The motion. >> Oh, the motion. Yes. >> Mr. >> I abstain. >> Mr. Rosenberg.
>> Abstain. >> Mr. Santana. >> Yes. >> This man. >> Abstain. Motion carries. >> So now we're going to go back. Can I have a motion for 8 A through E? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Roll call. >> Dr. Bolini. >> Yes. Miss Brown. >> Abstain on 8 B18. Yes. On everything else.
Mia, >> yes. >> Miss Felovich, >> no on 8B and yes on everything else. >> Miss Coriva, >> no on 8B. Um, I cannot vote on something
that I wasn't provided before. 8C, I was only provide partial information. So, unfortunately, I cannot vote on something I was not provided. uh standing uh 8 D like David. Yes. And there is no E, right?
>> Is there E? >> Um no on 8E. When was this added? Because this is not an >> this morning. >> Oh. >> Um no on 8E. And now there's an F. Uh one second. I did not see this.
There's nothing in F. There is >> Okay. >> So, A, yes. >> B, no. C, I was not provided with uh full information, so I would have to
vote no. Uh D as David is yes. And then we added which letters? I apologize. >> E is no because I was not provided that information. I want to amend my vote and change 8 B to no as well. So no on 8B as
a boy and 8E as an Edward. >> Again, I just tell you guys that was only changed because the governor's state of the state. So the state you can't have a budget introduction if you don't have the state aid numbers. That's why those were changed.
>> Yeah, that just h that just happened Tuesday night. >> I know, but we were given it only today. Okay. >> Thank you, Miss Cassoy. >> Okay. Uh I'm going to vote uh given the board attorney's comments
and explanation. Yes. On 8e and abstain on the rest of the items, please. Thank you, >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. Mr. Santana. >> This is a difficult vote. Um
A B No. I do not blame the administration for adding AE in the last minute because that's beyond control and we have to be fair, right? But the governor of New Jersey, she does not run this meeting
and I am really looking forward to how much she loves Furlon. I want to see how much aid is Furlong going to get because we got a decrease last year and I'm really looking forward to see how much she loves Flo. Okay. I want to see how much you love >> Feron. You're recognized.
>> Um Mr. >> Yes to the rest. >> Yep. >> Motion carries. Thank you. >> Can I get a motion for 9 A through E? >> So moved. >> Second. Roll >> call. Michael Bolini. >> Yes. Miss
>> Brown. >> Yes. Yes. >> No. On 9E. >> Yes. And everything else. >> Mr. Coriva, >> could you please come back to me? >> M Soy,
>> again, as I did not have access to email prior, I'm going to vote uh to abstain, please, on those. Thank you. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> yes. Mr. Santana, >> I asked a simple question. Why are we
training the staff in June instead of in July? >> Point of order. >> So, because that was our answer, I'm going to abstain on 9 E. Yes. On the rest, >> Mr. Coriva,
>> I'm abstaining on 9 A7 and 9 A1. And then I am no on 9E for the conferences, the ones that have my name, right? Julie.
And then um yes, for everything else. Yes. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. Abstain on myself. 911. Motion cars. Can >> you just abstain on myself for
>> Gotcha. Can I get a motion for 10 A through G? >> So moved. >> Roll call. >> Welcome to the right. >> Uh yes. Yes. Yes. Brown. >> Yes. Mr.
>> Yes. >> Miss Vyovich. >> No. On 10 E4. 10 E5. Abstain on 10 A5. 10 A5. Yeah. Does that make sense?
>> Okay. And everything else? Yes. >> Cora. >> Once again, this was changed at the last second. I did not I cannot vote on something that I did not receive. I re everything that was in the agenda that was provided to me is out of order. So I
don't I would have to vote on no on everything. >> Mr. Coy >> abstain. >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. Mr. Santana. >> Um abstain on 10 E4
E as an elephant. Uh abstain on 10E5. Yes. on the rest. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Can I get a motion for 11 A through C? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call. >> Dr. Bolini. >> Yes. >> M. Brown. >> Yes. >> Mia. >> Yes. >> Miss. Felovich.
>> We are in 11. Correct. Yes, >> Miss Coraliva. >> Yes, >> Miss Cooy. >> Abstain. >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. >> S. >> Yes. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Yep. >> Can I make a motion for 12B? >> I make a motion. >> I make a motion for um for the legal mot uh legal notices. I what is it called? 13. 13. I >> I'm on 12.
>> Oh, >> yeah. 12. >> Oh, 12. Oh, is it 12? >> Just you just >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm >> making sure that I >> can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Oh, yes. >> Roll call. >> Dr. Roselini.
>> Yes. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Miss Felovich, >> no. Cora, >> am I allowed to make a motion? >> No, you have to make a motion. >> I was sh when I was trying to
>> four. >> That's what remember I jumped in. That's how you have to do. You have to jump in. If you don't jump in, you have to >> uh this is a >> B through M. >> B through M. Yes. Um >> can you come back to me? >> 12.
>> M soy >> abstain. >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. Mr. Santana. >> Um, abstain on 12 A through M. Yes. On the rest,
>> Miss Coriva. >> No. >> So, Mr. Santana, there is no A. It's B through M. So, you're abstaining on the whole thing. I asked a question about the discrepancy on the different uh markup rates and
>> I hear you. I'm just ask I want to clarify. You said A through M and the um items are B through M. Are you cl are you abstaining on everything? >> Stand on everything. >> M. >> Yes.
>> Motion carries. >> Go for it. >> I want Okay. So, I would like to make a motion for Oh, >> no. >> Yep. I'm >> She voted. >> Oh, no you did not. We didn't come back to you. >> Sorry.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. She did. She did. >> Go ahead, Mrs. >> So, for 13 I I would like to make a motion to add tap into news and the community newspaper. >> Second.
>> Roll call. Wait, we can have a >> discussion. >> Every time you have a motion, second, and a discussion. >> You've already shared >> well other people. >> You're welcome to. >> What's the cost? >> I don't think we should vote on it tonight since I don't know the cost.
>> Just obviously. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm just saying >> if it was put in the finance committee then we can discuss it and I would have the or or if you want I can make a subsidiary motion for it to be put in the finance committee and we'll just for the next meeting so it's only one month we'll just do it.
>> Yeah, I agree. My my recommendation would be passes. The reason it's effective March 1st is they change the open public um meetings act where you do not have to after March 1st you do not have to spend money to save taxpayers
money by publishing in the newspaper. The state this is giving notice of how you're going to do it. Everything's going to be electronic. All of your notices will be online. All of your bidding will be online. And then there's going to be a state uh site. They haven't actually put it up yet, but
there'll be one state site where everyone can go and do a search. It's basically going to be obviating the publications in newspapers. >> Point of clarification, north jersey.com cost a lot of money, too. It's not a free thing. >> This is just this is
>> No, it's North Jersey. It's expensive. I would rather have tap into which is much cheaper. under the public meeting act you have to the law it's changing the what my suggestion would be you pass this this evening and then >> but it never comes back I I asked for
other motions to be put in formally and it just gets ignored >> discussion Julie Can they move it to finance? >> Top the top news is for anyone who I only lived in Ferum for less than 15
years and I know for a fact that the top news is very affordable and very cheap. I know for a fact that the top news is very affordable and very cheap. And I know many leaders from the community, many parents, many
grandparents, many community uh people read the top news. We had had superintendent in the past who love to read a tool. So why not support a community business that
actually people read? What is what is what we we can approve it and have the BA negotiate a a a a fair rate or add an amendment to her motion
with a set price, you know, it should not we would not commit to more than let's say $100 a month, you know, or $200 a month. That's fine. >> But it's worth doing it. >> It's worth doing it because we're supporting the community. We advertising what people actually are watching
because I don't think people are saying I got to buy the the newspaper that cost $4 so I can find out what's going on in in in the schools. That doesn't make any sense. >> North jersey.com is actually expensive. It's $12 a month. >> The seniors read that that shop shopper paper and the a lot of millennial
millennials do read and generation X and boomers do read the top news. So, I will add a friendly a friendly amendment to make to make it top no more than $250. No more than $250 a month.
>> Why don't we make it $150? So, it's a How much do we currently spend? Coin of clarification on >> Mr. Santana, are you finished? >> He's actually made a motion, a subsidiary motion, I think, >> um, >> to add to it, right? I don't think he did. >> Are you listening to what I speak? >> I think he did. >> I did. I just said it right now.
>> Mr. Santana for someone who promotes kindness. That was very rude. >> It's not kind for you to not do active listening. >> I'm taking notes. You did. >> You can walk and chew gum at the same time. >> Mr. >> You b president. You have to listen. Active listening. >> I'm not your secretary. Thanks so much.
>> If you want to run the show, you have to perform. >> You're not performing right now. >> So that can we put a cap of less than how much? >> Hold on. Because everyone gets the opportunity to speak. Why don't we just let Mr. Rosen Mr. Rosenberg speak >> and then we can make a cap. Would that be better for every
>> I made a motion. >> Guess I have to second it. He made a motion to lower to put a cap. take out the second motion. >> I remove my motion for the the I remove
my my second for the first motion and I make a motion to have the same motion felic stated and add a caveat $250 max monthly.
>> It's not going to break the bank. more people are gonna are going to know what's going on here >> for both. >> No, no, no, no, no, no. I said for top No, for tap into $250 a month and for the the shopper, >> but no, combined. Well, can let's make
it combined, Mr. Satan. Let's make it combined. >> Combined? Yeah, >> that's a lot of money. Two uh >> means that means >> I know what combined means. >> I know. >> Yeah, but that's less than than what you're saying. >> Um, make it 200 and
Make it two $225 >> combined, right, Mr. Santana? >> Yes, I said it three times. Combined >> three times. >> Did you do the >> Did you second? >> I I seconded, Mr. Cint.
>> We just want to give everyone a little bit of information. Um, so we still are required to advertise statewide virtually. Um, just so you guys are aware, tap into
statewide is $250. >> Yeah, I I have the um the document in front of me. Uh, if we only want to do that locally, that would be $75 a month. >> I I changed my motion to 75 70. I
withdrew my mo Thank you, board president. Uh, I withdrew my mo my my my mot my my my motion and I update up out update the price to be $75 for Top News plus a hundred bucks for the shopper. >> We still are required.
>> But you are we are keeping the North Jersey. We're keeping the North Jersey. I didn't say to me to take >> We're keeping what we have. We adding a community-based newspaper. >> I just want to go back because part part of the discussion was that NJ.com is too expensive. It is expensive. >> And so now we're going to keep nj.com
and t spend $75 for the tap into it. And I don't actually know what the cost of the shopper is. I don't have that. >> But it should be local. That's what I'm trying to say. Nurse.com cost money. I want something that local people can actually >> guys. You can you can expand it to add
in tap into. You have to have the wider circulation statewide because when you go out to bid if you're looking for a bid construction whatever you have to have statewide things so you get competitive bids. If
you only did bids in in feralon tap India you might not get the most competitive. >> Okay. So can we just add >> you can add you guys could my understanding is is that Mr. Santana um took took stole Rita's motion but no it's the
motion to add tap into uh for local advertising as well as the other two statewideway newspapers for an additional 75 >> there's only one >> but since I since I was provided information which I welcome greater information okay uh that $75 will cover
statewide advertisement on the top news >> no that will cover local lose and tap into >> $250. >> 250 $250. That's fine. >> A month. >> And how much? That's fine. $250 cost a month. >> 20
>> and tap into $250 per advertisement also for the month for each for one. >> It it just says to have an advertisement. It's 250 stateide. I update my motion to the cost that the board president just stated. It's not nickel and dime the community. The
community needs we need to work with the community. >> Yeah. But you guys could do it at the 75 for your >> Yes, that's perfect. Sounds good. >> I would I would recommend that you keep it just for tap into community based so your community knows what's going on. Yes, that's where they're going. But you're using the statewide newspapers
for the when you do a bid or or a legal note. >> Perfect. I agree. >> Perfect. I agree. >> Thank you. >> Y uh board counsel. >> No. No. So, I think what you guys can do is you're going to This is an amended motion to include tap into for local
advertising not to exceed $75 per month for the tap into cost. >> Yes. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Okay. So, that's what you're going to vote on. So, you should do a roll call on that amended motion. >> Please don't ask me any more questions. I'm ask >> Mr. Rosenberg.
>> All right. I have some qu I have I have a thing on my pad that says how much will it cost and what are the implications down the road. So I want to be clear
if you're worried about the town knowing when our meetings are and that kind of stuff we have it in buildings. We have it in our school buildings. We we could put it on our message boards, which are
all over town now. We could put it on the town message boards for free. I don't care about $75 a month. So So just hear me out. from from the beginning when I was
raising my hand and had to wait to to um talk, I was going to say the same thing basically that the board attorney said. The reason for legal notices and that's what we're voting on. We're voting on legal notices. The main reason, bless
you, the main reason for legal notices are for bid spec for for for to to to advertise bids, advertise that that people aren't looking for the t to the tap info for
bid information and stuff like that. They're looking at north jersey.com. They're looking at nj.com. Um, that's where they're looking for that stuff because there there's no reason for them to be they just don't.
Yes. If you if you if you think that advertising in the tap info is going to get you a another person at the meeting or watching the meeting, it's just not going to do it because people know
basically when we meet on Thursday night, the third Thursday, but there's a list that they could they could see at the library. There's a list there's a list on our website. So, if you want to spend the $75, go
right ahead. But it's not going to it's not going to accomplish what you want to accomplish. So, the tap info is a statewide thing. The the person the person that
reports for Fereralon is Justin Fereralon. Um, but it it isn't really set up for meeting notices. I've never seen a meeting notice on tap info and I do read tap info all the time. So, if
you're So, there's kind of no reason why we're going around and round on this. >> Point of clarification, >> it's not in the library and our notice paper doesn't say it's in the library. >> Excuse me. >> It's not in the library. I was >> Well, it's supposed to be. So >> well it's not
>> so deal with it another way not at the meeting. >> Miss Brown, >> call the question. >> Point of order. I would like to speak in in support of my own motion. >> Call the question according to Robert's rules is after everybody had a chance to talk.
>> So that doesn't apply. Sorry. need a second for call >> after people had a chance to speak on the motion. That's what Robert's rule said. You can't call a question unless everybody had a chance to make a motion. >> Why don't you share three minutes?
>> Yes. Thank you. Um, look, I I made this motion. I second. I I update it. I I listen to the attorney. I listen to the board uh uh president. I'm open-minded. I changed my mind. This is how we should be operating.
Okay? Not with a fixed mindset, but with a growth mindset. Okay? If people know when our meetings are, it doesn't look like people know when our meetings are. Number one, we have two members of the public here. We are not utilizing the
free press that we have available to its full potential. And I mean this with kindness, love, and respect. We have social media channels that I have been asking since I got on the board my second term that every time we have a board meeting, our Facebook district
Facebook page, district uh uh um Instagram page should be putting when we have meetings who the board members are. People don't even know who are the board members are in this community. We get new residents moving in every single year. We're not utilizing our free
press. Therefore, we need to utilize the community resources. people read the the the top and it's not just for bids. Legal notices are not only for bids. Meeting dates according to the to to the the the open public meetings act are
legal notices and whatever we're doing is not working. We have two members of the public and there happen to be not a regular Mary in the community. They happen to be people who are pretty well known in the town.
So, why don't we think outside the box and do something different? You know what I'm for? Don't even I'm for like not advertising in the in the North Jersey. Okay, we will do we will do it because we will do it. But we're not working with the community. We're not
letting the community know what we're doing because we're not we're not listening and talking to where they meet. People love to read the top news, but you don't want the advertise the advertisement there. I believe if you are reasonable and if you want to see
more than two known faces here, you will you will support this motion with a strong yes. Make that your first non-traditional vote, please. It's not going to hurt you. Okay, >> floor is closed.
>> Roll call. >> Why is this Why is the floor closed? Okay, >> Dr. Roselini. >> All right. I'm the only senior citizen on this board. I know people always say I'm a
support of this group. >> I'm a senior citizen. I walk my dog. >> I'm No, I'm going to do what I want to say something before I vote. And when I walk the dogs, >> I'm going to say to you the same thing I did. >> And they all they all continue.
>> Except that I'm going to ask you to be respectful of me and acknledge. >> No. Miss Brown. >> No. >> No. >> Miss Favvelich, >> yes. >> Miss Coriva,
>> yes. >> Mr. Soy, >> abstain. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> no. >> Mr. Santana, >> is this appropriate? Is this appropriate to scream like that to scare me? I don't want to sit next to him anymore.
I'm sorry. I'm not going to sit next to him anymore because he made me feel uncomfortable. I'm sorry. >> Mr. Santana, >> Mr. Santana, >> Mr. Santana, please. >> Dr. Bertoini can can uh change his his vote. I do walk my dog too. Um I would
like to vote yes and I love senior citizens. >> Thank you. >> Abstains. >> Wait. I speak for myself. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion for eight? >> I make a motion for I13J.
I want to make a motion that we follow our past practice because everybody keeps telling me past practice, past practice, past practice that it goes back to the finance committee. We discuss it and then it goes back to on agenda. It's not just put on the agenda and not put in the finance committee. We always discuss things and then we put it
in. >> What's your motion? So you're t you're motioning table and return >> to pass to follow past practice by putting it go through committee process before I put it >> specifically what you want to do with 13J which is >> to put it to put it in the finance
committee >> to table it and put it in the finance committee to follow past practice otherwise I'll just keep putting motions in >> that was actually on committee in November >> well I wasn't I was in there and when I asked it wasn't there >> it's it is in the minutes for anybody
who um reviewed them. >> But then why did it take three days, three months to put it in? >> Nobody can. >> Mr. Mr. uh Cruz said that they had to review said proposal. >> He can speak for himself.
>> So in in November, the uh finance committee did actually review um the uh a few options and at the time there's a committee at the high school. So this is basically for student activities a point of sale system and for the last three
months uh the high school has been very involved. They've gone into a few presentations to look at three different platform options and uh finally last month uh they moved forward and narrow down based on costs and functionality that this platform is the recommended
platform to be utilized at the high school for student activities. Um, so do we have a second? Do you want to move forward with your motion? >> No, because when I ask for questions, they they was not provided to me this information when I asked for when I question.
>> I still would like to if So you're saying the students picked this, >> the advisors picked this? >> Yeah. I just not until we >> can she can he say what he wanted to say about this because he was part of the finance committee. I was never part of
it. So I don't know. >> Oh, you weren't either. I'll resend my motion. That's fine. >> Then can I >> can I say why I was >> The motion's off the floor 13A C through N. >> So moved.
>> Roll call. >> Dr. Burchilini. >> Yes. >> Miss Brown. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Miss Vvelovich. >> No on 13 I abstain on 13 J. No on 13 M.
Uh, no on 13 C. Oh, okay. And then J, I think that's it. Everything else? Yes. >> Miss Coriva, >> please come back to me. M soy >> abstain please. >> Mr. Rosenberg.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Santana. We we can't support a community based uh top news. We should be ashamed of ourselves. Uh no on 13 I we don't support the community. Yes on the rest.
>> Miss Coriva. No on C, I and M like mom and abstain on J and everything else yes. So it was C like Charlie, I like India,
M like mom. No, and then I'm abstaining on J like Jessica. >> Oh, Jersey and yes for do. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. Thank you.
>> Can I get a motion for 14A? >> So moved. >> Uh would like to make a motion to table 14A. >> Second. >> Discussion. Okay.
>> Yes. >> All right. Why did I >> Sorry, Miss Brown. So, wasn't wasn't the original 14A the motion was made and seconded before Mr. Santana's? >> So, actually reading.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> No. So I don't need to resend anything. >> Okay. >> So we we can't vote on table in it. >> No. >> No. It's a second reading. >> Can I get a motion?
>> Oh, you already got one. >> Yeah. >> Dr. Barcelini. Yes. >> Uh what am I voting on? I'm sorry. 14A. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Missile, >> yes. >> Miss Vivovich,
>> no. >> Miss Coriva, >> no. >> Mr. Coy, >> abstain. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> yes. >> Mr. Santana, >> for the reasons I stated before, abstain. >> M. May.
>> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. This portion of our board meeting is specifically for comments on any matter. When speaking, please state your name and municipality residents. Limit your remarks to three minutes. State law prohibits board members and
administration from discussing personnel matter, student discipline, or other confidential issues. 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 comment made tonight, all input is carefully considered and helps inform our decisions. Responses may come through
emails, reports, board statements, website updates, or after the comment period closes. Thank you for your participation in our community schools governance. Good evening, Mercy Ree Fereralon. Um, several board members questioned the attorney fees. Might I remind everyone that the January 30th board meeting
began around 6 p.m., ended like 12:30. Tonight, we're hovering around 5 minutes so far. If there was less contention, maybe shorter board meetings, maybe some of the attorney fees would go down a little bit. In regards to advertising, >> in regards to advertising, while I do understand that the legal requirement is
that it's post statewide and north jersey.com, if that meets the requirements and it's $20 a month, that's great. Myself as a citizen, it would cost me $15 a month to have a subscription to north jersey.com. I don't read it enough. however, tap into
is free for residents all over. Also, I agree with Mr. Santana. Facebook annoying but free. Instagram also annoying but free. And everybody in this room is probably on Facebook, some more than others, and Instagram as well.
People look at them. Um, aside from that, I come to you tonight with two concerns brought to me by parents of our community. The first I have also found myself questioning as well is the decision to no longer publish the list of students who achieved honoral
principles list or high honoral. These lists have been shared for years at the very least online dating back to 2012. Not only has this change not been communicated to parents bringing highlight to my issue on open communication in our district, but the why has not been shared. Several parents
have reached out to their principles and simply been told we're not sharing the lists anymore. This is an issue of privacy. Parents can disclose much like a picture release if they're not comfortable with their child's name being published on the websites. If this is an issue of privacy, then why do we
share our athletes names or our actors names in our drama productions or our musicians names in our concerts? To no longer publish honoral seems as though we are no longer celebrating academic achievements and only athletic achievements. This is unfair to the high achieving academic students that might
not be athletic or artistic. Our high school was just given a bronze distinction on the AP school honor role as well as an AP access award. This is an outstanding achievement. We should not only be celebrating our district's successes, but we should also be celebrating all of our students achievements and not just some. Our
students successes are our district's successes. Please don't take that from them. My second concern is in regards to kindergarten placement. While it is a state mandate that students must be five by October 1st of the new school year to begin kindergarten, many districts allow parents the opportunity to test their
child in if born within a few weeks of this date. A district parent reached out to me to address this concern. She reached out to the appropriate channels and was told it hasn't been done before. Not that it can't be done, just that it hasn't. End of conversation. So, the question becomes, why can't we do it?
I'm going to run out of time and seeing as there's only one other audience member um if I can just take my second three minutes if you >> actually I'm going to ask you to sit just because I do also have to do I don't know what's on the Google doc. >> Right. I just have one literally a
minute but if you want to go and then I'll finish. >> I make a motion for her to continue. Give her one minute. >> Second. >> Give her one minute. We have two members of the public. >> All right. Go ahead. Okay. So question becomes why can't we do it? Districts like Manalapan, Summit, Madison, and
Rosland allow for students to test in. Some even extending the date to those turning five by December 31st of the new school year. In fact, Madison schools actually note that retention has been shown to be detrimental to the social development of children. If a parent can choose to hold their child back because they don't think that their child is
ready to start kindergarten, even if they are five before October 1st, then a child should be able to test in as well. No parent would do the disservice of pushing their child ahead if they aren't ready. Take for example USATF. I'm a coach for uh the track. The United States Association of Track and
Field. They use December 31st as a cutoff. A child that is currently eight but will be nine by December 31st competes with nine and 10-year-old athletes as a nine-year-old. Some of these 10year-olds might even turn 11 on January 1st of 2027. This seems unfair to younger, smaller athletes, but it is
just as unfair to hold our younger students back from reaching their potential when they are ready. We need to consider allowing students, especially those with birth birth dates near October 1st, to test in. Thank you. Point of clarification.
Oh, when you're done. Yes. Maybe that side. Good evening. My name is Pashan Ochenski. Municipality is Fairon. I'm speaking here tonight regarding the swearing in of Miss Julie Casoy. At the conclusion of the January 29,
2026 board meeting, Miss Casoy approached me, verbally assaulted me, and threatened to sue me for defamation of a Facebook post that I had made. My Facebook post addressed the actions of Miss Julie Casoy, Miss Julie Maym, and Mr. Joseph Baldowski regarding the
breaking of failon district policy 0145 and the manipulation of the member vacancy process. Failon district policy 0145 section two states that a board member's election or appointment to the office of mayor or member of the
governing body of failon triggers an eligibility. The election concluded in November 2025. Yet the resignation did not occur until January 26 upon swearing in of Mr. Joseph Baldowski to the Ferlone Council. Threatening a
member of the public for speaking about policy concerns is intimidation. It is an attempt to silence constitutionally protected speech. I have a first amendment right to question board actions and hold officials accountable. Additionally, when I had submitted an
OPER request for board of education emails regarding the member vacancy, my request was denied on a basis that it returned 3,354 emails. And this was just for this specific vacancy.
And the district was unsure whether all of them all of the emails fell under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, which requires public agencies, including Board of Education, to provide access to all government records unless a specific exemption applies.
Denying transparency because the volume is large further erodess public confidence. Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, transparency is not discretionary. It is required by law when criticism is met with threats and
requests for transparency are denied. Public trust in the governance of the Ferlon Board of Education is lost. Public trust is the foundation of ethical leadership. The community deserves board of education members who uphold policy and bylaws, respect the public, and operate
with transparency. Accountability must apply equally to everyone. The public is watching. Trust once lost is not easily restored. >> There anything on the Google doc? >> Yes, there are >> Harold uh Mats Matskovich Barlon. Some
of the most valuable school work that my older daughter did in elementary school was in gifted and talented classes. Unfortunately, those classes only start in third grade. Therefore, it would be ideal if G&T program could be extended to grades K through two, especially
given that it seems to be required based on 2020 New Jersey strengthening gifted and talented education act. Thank you for your attention and consideration. Mel Dershaw Perilon Police would like to thank Kathy Cortez for her many years of
service and the many children she patiently and lovingly helped during her 22 years working in our district. She was so special to so many kids, my daughter included. She was always so helpful, kind, caring, and made a lasting impression on Gian. I cannot let
her retire without thanking her and wishing her the absolute best on her retirement. Thank you to Dr. Dianio, Mrs. Keller, Mrs. DeFranco, Mrs. Thai, Mrs. Maym, Dr. Bertini, Mrs. Brown, Miss Casoy, and our student services chair, Mr. Rosenberg, for attending the FLEE
dinner, dance, and casino night. With the support, encouragement you all provide, FLC can continue to do the work we do for our children and our schools. Thank you for believing in what we do, for believing in us, and always showing up for the children of Fairone. We appreciate you all.
Jonathan Fulip uh comment is please create G&T program for K to2. Karina V Cole. Dear board of ed, I am respectfully requesting that our district expand ELA subscription for elementary
students. This request aligns with district goal number one empowering pathways to excellence by unlocking every student's unique potential for achievement. The ISL standards aligned platform provides focused practice and diagnostic data
that enable teachers to identify skill gaps, differentiate instruction, and monitor student progress in order to strengthen literacy skills and improve readiness for state assessments. It is also an effective and indispensable resource for atome practice. The platform mirrors the adaptive approach
of the NJSLA adaptive assessment and tailors practice to each student, providing an equitable tool accessible to all learners regardless of their socioeconomic background. Our district current subscription allows access to the New Jersey SLA language arts module
for only 1 minute and 14 seconds per day, which limits meaningful literacy practice in reading, vocabulary, and writing. Given that testing begins on April 27th, I hope you will take swift action to secure immediate support uh for full student access. Thank you for
your continued consideration and support. Um the same individual, Karina Vall also states, "Dear board of ed, I'm respectfully, it's the same listed twice, so we can ignore that." Um Mel
shower, seeing the changes and improvements in the INRS system is a dream come true. So many parents would share their experience at their school with parents uh that weren't getting the same experience in their school. And now with the manual, Miss Lindsay spoke, this will be a thing of the past. This
is amazing. Thank you all for constantly moving us in the right direction. Karina Vall uh speaking again states at home ELA resources are currently insufficient. Common lit isn't accessible from home
and no red ink focuses on grammar games rather than NJSLA align prep. Every student, including tier one, deserves equitable access to effective practice. IXL, as mentioned in your presentation, is already a proven daily math resource
that students can rely on at home and providing it for ELA would give them the structured standards aligned support they need to succeed. Delaying the support risks leaving students unprepar unprepared for NJSLA. Next speaker Zana Mansilla
states the behavior during these meetings are insane. What are we five? How in the world are these meetings not about our children and what needs to be done in the district to allow them to succeed and thrive? Instead, I feel like I am watching a circus. This is not
about you and your feelings or politics or a popularity contest. This is all about all of our children. Get it together or resign. It is becoming an embarrassment that this is what your children what our children are supposed to look up to years from now when a
kindergarten student is graduating. Don't you want them to say thank you for making the best decisions for my future? Because that is what they will be grateful for. Excuse any typos, but my goodness, you do not need to be best friends, but be best for kids in your
position you hold. Stop fighting. Thank you. Now, Jurower states, "As a parent, as a voter, I feel board members are elected for a role that in >> point of information clarification, aren't only twice the person you did three times. Isn't only two comments
allowed?" >> I actually don't answer that >> because we allow person to speak twice. Therefore, we allowed to have two comments. >> It would be based on three minutes. I don't know. >> Correct. Two comments according to board policy. >> But we have a two comments that they can come up twice. They talk two minutes,
they talk one minute, they come up once, they come up twice, and we're done. >> Two comments. >> Had two. >> Those are all the comments there. Okay. >> The floor is closed. Um, do you have any responses? >> I do.
So I will just uh speak in response to gifted and talented programming to just clarify any potential misunderstanding. Uh there is a gifted and talented program for K to2. So uh I'm going to go through a couple of points. Identification procedures.
It's push in. It's a push-in model, not a pullout model. Um and it is in alignment with uh the state law and through NJQAC we even received confirmation last year that we are in accordance with the state law because QAC we passed that area for gifted and
talented that was reconfirmed last month by the executive county superintendent Patrick Fletcher. Um couple of points around the K K through2 gifted and talented program. The K K through2 continuum utilizes an interactive push-in model with flexible groupings
designed to be responsive to early childhood needs. The district uses the link system to analyze multiple data measures regularly. Elementary teams, grade level teachers, literacy and math specialists, coaches, administration. They meet three times a year to review
this data for all students, ensuring identification remains responsive and flexible. The universal push in gifted lessons model ensures all students are exposed to GT instruction preventing students from being overlooked. Second
point, public posting policies and services. While our recent uh the district website provides transparent access to goals and identification procedures. While our recent audit commended the amount of information provided to parents, the gifted and
talented team continues to make updates to the parental resources and the websites. Inherently, because K through2 is a pushin model, it does not have the same need for the amount of information that our pull out model would require. And the third point, enrichment versus
gifted. In a K through2, we provide both. GT teachers provide pushin services and critical thinking activities while classroom teachers implement supplemental extensions for students demonstrating specific strengths. Our content areas also have
robust areas of extension and enrichment. This MTSS aligned approach exceeds baseline statutory requirements and was validated by the 2020 2025 QAC audit. Thank you.
Okay, the floor is closed. Um, Dr. Berlini, the uh meeting is yours. I'm going to excuse myself. I have a sick child at home. Have a good night. >> Sorry. I just closed my computer. >> Word comments, right? Okay.
Yeah, because I don't have to close my computer. Thank God that we're done. >> Okay. Board comments. Who wants to talk? All right. One, two, three. >> Do you No, I I didn't look over here first, by the way. Did you notice that?
I look right over there. One, two. I'm sorry. Ry, you had your hand raised. You had your hand raised. Oh, all four. Let's go first to Mr. Santana. We're not going to interrupt anybody. I'm going to use this thing. >> Thank you, doctor. Don't start the time. I haven't started yet. Thank you.
>> Why am I vice president? Ow. >> Because you didn't because you didn't vote for me. >> Aren't we on TV still? >> I would like to take a moment to speak broadly broadly about governance and accountability and our responsibility to the community. As board members, our role is not only to approve programs and
initiatives, but to ensure they are effective, transparent, and align with our core mission, student safety, academic excellence, and responsible stewardship of taxpayers dollars. When parents look at issues on the newspaper such as harassment and bullying, or
ongoing litigation or school climate, they are not asking for slogans or one-time programs. They're asking for consistency, clarity, and results. That means reviewing whether our current approaches are working, whether our policies are being applied fairly, and whether our code of conduct clearly
defines expectations and consequences. The same applies to transparency and operations. Whether it it's whether it's committee processes, communications, facilities maintenance, no removal, or program implementations, residents expect a district that follows its own
protocols, communicates clearly and hold itself to the same standards we expect of staff and students. I want to be clear, raising these questions is not about criticism for its own sake. It's about continuous improvement and responsible oversight. Strong districts
are not afraid to revisit programs, review outcomes, and correct course when needed. As an educator and as a board member, I believe we best serve our students, families, and taxpayers by asking hard questions respectfully, insisting on clear policies, and keeping
our focus on safety, learning, and trust. That is a standard I will continue to hold myself and the district. Thank you. Then I have another one. I want to address several governance concerns that I believe are serious and
require reflection by this board. Our effectiveness depends on professionalism, transparency, and mutual respect. When committee processes are bypassed, when board only communication or list include individuals without authorization, or when bills come to us heavily redacted,
it limits our ability to provide meaningful oversight on behalf of taxpayers. Equally concerning is when a board member question goes unanswered. Respectfully, inquiry is not obstruction. It's part of our fidiciary
legal responsibility. In knowing those questions, we can trust and accountability. Finally, tone and conduct matters. How we speak to one another, especially during public meetings, sets the standard for the entire district. A culture that
tolerates intimidation or dismissiveness at this table, risk normalizing it elsewhere, including our schools. I raised these issues not to escalate conflict but to but because strong schoolboard models the behavior they
expect throughout the organization. Professionalism, transparency and respect are not optional. They are foundational. Thank you. >> That was excellent. Mr. Santana, three minutes at the buzzer. You're finished. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Uh Mike.
>> All right. Um couple things. First of all, last night the National Honor Society um induction 88 students 88 students got inducted into the
National Honor Society. And the best part of the whole night, besides me seeing some um some students that I know up there, the best part of the whole night was listening to
uh the principal, Mr. Gorski, explaining how the National Honors Society is not about is not just about academics. Obviously it has academic rules but it's more about service
um leadership and >> and uh what's the fourth >> character character >> character and um he made a big point about that and it's it's very very very very true. Um, so the the other meeting I was
at was student dialogue with with um yes, with Mr. Verdillini. Doc, I'm I'm sorry, Dr. Verdilini. Um, and let me tell you, it was some of the
same kids that we saw last night. And I happened to see some of the same kids had attended a leadership conference sponsored by the um uh Rotary Club last year and last summer. They came today to
explain their experience and what they got out of the experience. It was these same some of these same kids but 88 kids made National Honor Society. If those are some of our leaders
of tomorrow, we are in really good shape. Um, as far as how many where am I? All right. Um,
you know, I ran for election again and I'm very disappointed because meetings of the board of education, the board of education has meetings that we allow the public to
act, but the most important part of the meeting is is running the business of the board. And I think some people are forgetting that. You know, last month the committee meetings were all about the budget,
which is another one of the most important things we do. And so, if there was a couple things, I I will go again. >> I was looking. It's also what time is it? Almost time for uh Stephen Coar.
>> Yeah, Stephen Coar in 10 minutes. Uh Mila, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Thank you so much. Good afternoon. I would like to briefly address an issue of governance consistency. In recent communication, a fellow trustee raised an important point regarding adherence to established board protocols and open
public meeting act and guidance of board council when engaging in governance related discussions. I agree that these standards are critical. Transparency, equal access to information and compliance with statutory requirements must be guided how we operate as a
board. However, these standards must be applied uniformally to all nine members in this governing body. Effective governance requires that each trustee has timely and equal access to the materials necessary to fulfill fudiciary
and oversight responsibilities. When access to documentation, prior record, financial materials or administrative responses in is inconsistent, it creates not only confusion but also undermines the collective function of the board. The board sets policy. The
administration implements policies. Trustees cannot properly exercise oversight if access to information varies by individuals. This is not about personalities. This is not about disagreements. It's about governance integrity. If we are going to
reference OMA board protocols and council guidance as guardrails for email communication and public deliberations, we must ensure that these same guard rails are applied consistently across the entire board and administration. I'm
asking that we reaffirm publicly and clearly that all trustees will be treated equally, that board approved actions will be implemented as voted, and that requests made within a scope of fidiciary responsibility will receive
timely and consistent responses. Uniform standards protect us all. They protect this board and most importantly, they protect the public trust. And I would also like to make a motion. No motion. She can make a motion. Wait,
>> he can make a motion. >> Yes, motions motions can be made. However, traditionally >> I didn't say it was. I'm just saying traditionally since I've been on the board, people don't want to put motions out without going through committee. >> No, I think she can put a >> Okay, go ahead.
>> Go ahead. What am I doing? >> You're making a motion. The one you wanted to make. I would like to make a motions that once the agendas are distributed to the board of trustees, we are not adding anything on it. Uh we all work, we all have
children and the only matters that should be put in are urgent matters such as I believe assuming hip. It's legally required. So these are the motions that I would like to put in once the motion is distributed by to the trustees. We're not anything we're not adding additional information that needs additional time
to review. I would like to amend that motion. >> I second it. >> Wait, before the second I I was gonna amend it. >> Okay. Can you hear? >> I said I would like to amend it before she say second. >> I take it back. >> Okay. I would like to amend it. Okay. Because I spoke about that during my
earlier comments. I will amend the the the motion to for to protect us legally, right? to include any legally required items or resolutions.
However, uh you got to have a deadline. Just as we have a deadline to submit questions to superintendent, there's got to be a deadline for us. Unless we're not reading the the the entire agenda and the updates, we need to have a deadline so we can have an organized process just
as the superintendent has an organized process to receive the questions by and send the questions to us by a certain we need to have also a process otherwise >> Mr. Santana Rita you want to >> I think I think Mr. is thinking of a different motion. She is making a motion
as much as clarification. Miss Kuriva is making a motion that uh after Thursday distributing our agenda that nothing is added unless the board approves to uh unless the board agrees to do >> I understood the motion. Yeah, that's I
I said I I I I will I my my exchange is the motion that she made plus at unless is legally required. >> Said that she said that >> unless it's legally No, she mentioned hi. >> All right. Okay. Rita, do you want to take back your second?
>> I'm going to second it or take back, I guess. And then Okay. All right. >> And then second whatever he said. >> So, all right. Did you write it down? >> Okay. >> Discussion. >> Me, are you okay? But Millie, are you okay with it? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Can you explain to her what she just knew? She's having trouble understanding.
>> She uh Mr. Sant Wilin wanted to sec No, he wanted to change amended. So he amended it to uh nothing whatever. Go ahead. >> So Mr. Santana amended the motion to uh state that uh unless it's legally
required uh no additional uh changes will be added to the agenda. Uh, and you said after Thursday. >> So, so the other piece I just want to defer to uh board counsel because I believe um we
have 48 hours on establishing the agenda publicly, >> right? >> And and traditionally the board gets their agenda a week before the meeting. >> So that so then this is actually establishing uh basically a resolution
to leave it as a week ahead of the meeting. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. So, discussion Mike, this is a a not a great motion for quite a few reasons. First of all, you're
you're cutting your superintendent's legs off, which you don't want to do. You know what? We've gotten a couple different additions. One is HIB which is legally required and the other one was
about a meeting change on the budget schedule because the state changed it. So you can't do a budget meeting without the numbers because the numbers won't be right. So there's no reason to do a
budget meeting when the numbers aren't going to be right. It's it's just He It's not like we're getting inundated with emails from the um from the superintendent changing
the changing the the meeting agenda. Okay. The meeting agenda was changed today just for that just for that those budget meeting dates. You you can't you got to stop cutting
off the superintendent's legs. He he's a very he's a very accomplished superintendent. We got we voted unanimously on him. A matter of fact, the whole
process was great and he has loads of experience doing this. So I I just can't anymore. >> Thank you, Mike. I'm going to go to this side just to see. >> Just now I'll come right over here.
Anybody? Miss Julie. >> Um could I ask our superintendent just to weigh in on this on what the implications of making of voting yes on this would be if that's acceptable. You could choose to not, but if you could. >> Um thank you. Um so to some of the
points that were made you wouldn't be actually cutting my legs out. You'd be cutting your own. I just implement policy and run this place with the amazing team that we have here and across our whole district. Um, we are either the largest or the second
largest school district in the county of Bergen that fluctuates back and forth between us and Rididgewood. That fluctuates by like 50 kids every year, right? So, the resolutions that were just noted already for tonight, budget schedule,
budget calendar that's been revised based on the legislative body at the state level that approved a two-eek extension for the governor, which then extended it. So, that was communicated to you. So, I recognize that it's challenging for you, but you all signed
up to be board members just like we all signed up to be school administrators. And there are going to be some lastminute things at times. That's a significant one. Um, by changing the budget calendar schedule, that actually gives you and us more time to do the job
the right way to put the financial resources in front of teachers and in front of kids in the buildings to make sure that we continue to uphold the outstanding education that we've come to expect. Um, personnel hires. We have 1,200 employees in this district.
We have constant vacancies in the district. Permanent positions that are tenure track, short-term positions, vacancies that are leave replacements. We have people that we cannot control when they actually commit and accept job
offers. We only meet once a month. If we do not have the flexibility to put those resolutions forward, then that means we are going to have vacant classrooms, which is bad for kids for education or a lack of education, and it's also bad financially because
it's going to drive up the cost to fill those courses. Um, other things that are are required are HI. I mean, there's a whole slew of factors that are imp that would impact this board. um and it would
be very very problematic. So uh the board policy states that we provide the agenda to the public 20 uh 48 hours before we do that. Um we give the agenda to the board a week in advance so that way you have ample time to prepare. Um
but it would be my recommendation uh to not vote to pass this resolution because you would be handcuffing yourself. >> Okay. I had my hand up. So my problem is that I constantly find like settlement
agreements and things that are like we need to thoroughly read and they are not highlighted and I it's just every single time before the meeting I scramble like the first TW I read the agenda thoroughly like crazy. I spend a lot of time reading it. I ask always questions.
I always have 20 questions. Every single board member knows, oh, that's Rita's asking questions. But at the end of the day, I come back like before the meeting, I'm scrambling. Oh my god, did they add anything? Did they add anything? They add anything. And it's not highlighted. And sometimes I say, oh wait, there's a settlement
agreement. We never discussed it or there's something like that so valuable and so important and I don't even know until like 30 minutes before and we get an email. Sometimes we don't get an email. Sometimes it's highlighted, sometimes we don't. Before we had like what's it called the PowerPoint PDF
before Bordax we used to have like some kind of working document. So anything that was added or changed that would have a like a working on Google. So AI was changed to this or this was changed or we used to get an email before when we started on board. We used to have like thousands of emails when you changed but once like 48 hours starts
can they turn on the feature. So anytime you change anything it just pops us an email. Hey, I 7i I was changed to blah blah 7J. So at least I know, okay, go look at 7 I. Otherwise, I scramble and it gives me like anxiety every single board meeting just to look to make sure
that I I'm voting on what I'm actually voting on. And sometimes the letters change and then I vote and I'm like, "Oh my god, I don't know what letters." And now I look like an idiot in front of the public because I don't know what I'm voting for. And I and I prepare. I really do. I spend hours preparing for
each of the meetings. Thank you. >> Okay. Anybody else first time around? Oh, okay. Sorry, I'm looking. I thought you did right. Go ahead. >> Okay. Look, um, in the real world, everybody has deadlines.
>> This is not unreasonable. Uh, um, it's actually standard practice ac across many board of educations to have a deadline for the district. So we have an orderly poor process, poor meeting.
Okay. We need to provide the the the rationale for this Dr. Donio is that we need to provide the proper oversight and unless we are just here raising their hands saying yes and going home. Uh we need to have the time. I heard I heard a
board member say he needs time to digest. We need time to digest the information. Okay. To study the numbers, read the information. Uh this is not personal, this is business. Uh like a former board member used to say. And in
order uh we are volunteers. Yes, we sign up, but we're not getting paid. We're not we're not the the federal council giving themselves thousands of dollars in stipens. We're not getting paid for any of this. And our time is valuable. And we cannot be on a computer every day. Oh, let me see what changed. Unless
we are not reading the agenda, which I'm I'm questioning whether we are actually reading the agenda because no one should be happy about all these changes. Yes, if they're legally required, they're legally required. But whatever is not legally required, it's a common practice
for boards to set a deadline to the administration because administration set a deadline to teachers. The administration set a deadline to central office. Therefore, the the administration set a deadline for board members to submit questions. So, why can't we submit a deadline also
to make our job easier of oversight, which is our job, our responsibility to provide uh um fidiciary oversight. Um, if the deadline if if having a deadline to the administration to to to not change the the the agenda a week before
the agenda, if that's a problem, then we shouldn't have a deadline to submit questions to the superintendent. And why we have a an a a deadline to submit questions to the superintendent? Because it makes his job easier. Therefore, it makes my job easier as a board member
that to not have lastm minute changes unless they're required by law because unless you're not reading the agenda, you shouldn't mind having to read a 700page document added in the last minute. And I think some of us are not
reading the agenda. I'm telling you because why would you welcome last minute changes that are not legally required? So, everybody should vote yes for this. It's a best practice. Okay. Uh many boards across New Jersey use it.
How do I know? Because at my training for three days in Princeton, I um when I was a new board member, many board many board members throughout the state uh express that to me. Well, yes. Make your job easier. And we run the meeting, not the other way around.
>> Mr. Santana, >> I'm gonna I'm gonna give you a second. I'm gonna go first. All right. Can I go first? Am I allowed to do that? Okay, because Julie does music, but I want to say something. Does anybody know how many districts this week have changed their meeting dates because of the budget changes from
the governor? I would say most because how are we going to make a budget without knowing the numbers from the state? We can't. We just can't. So, again, I've been on the board now four years. Very rarely do we change agenda items this late.
We have to change it. We don't have a choice. We don't how we expect them to make a budget with the two of them and and the and the administrative staff without knowing numbers. We have a tough enough budget coming. We all have been most of us have been in committee meetings and we know how dangerous this
budget's going to be, how tough it's going to be to make sure that we don't have to cut staff, cut programs because health benefits are going through the roof, other things are going through the roof. So, how do we how does anybody vote yes on this when we don't know the
numbers? That's it. Mila, thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I will not Okay, fine. We I will go with that we need to change budgets, but this is not only about budgets. This is about uh adding information that is not provided to us. I get a printed material for whatever
reasons. I read those materials. I'm also a parent, so I have other responsibilities. I also have a job. Regardless, this is not just the date of the budget's changes. There is multitude of other changes. And then um superintendent said that there was 48 hours that we need to provide the agenda
to the public. Does that mean that agenda that was provided to the public 48 hours in advance can be changed? That's where the issue. So we could change if we're providing something to the public 48 hours in advance, we it could be changed. Is that my
understanding? >> Okay. So that is not only disrespectful to me as a board member, it is also becoming disrespectful to the members of the public who actually do read the agendas as well. If we have a 48 hours things that we certain things that we
cannot do like okay fine the budgets things it's a state thing but why are we adding other things and there's multitude of letters and for those who are reading and the board members who are watching they're not understanding what are we talking about at the end of the day and then when we are say stating
that the BOE received the Q&As's um two days in advance that response was provided on the 25th which was yesterday at 6:18 after hours. How is that helping us to use the governance?
Um, just to make another thing regarding the food the food dinner that we received. Thank you. Oh, it's only about the budget. I'm sorry. Oh, it's only about the motion, right? So, I could not talk about anything else. Okay. So, at the end of the day, it's not only about the dates. Fine. Those are the things
that are unchangeable, but it's about other things that are putting constantly put in. There was two things that they were He promised to stay. There were two things that were put in that were highlighted. I knew that changed, but unfortunately there are other things that are being changed that I had no
idea were put in and nobody told us about it. Can you just put my clothes? Yeah. Very, very quickly. >> I call the question. >> Oh my god. He recognized me. He recognized me. So Look, look, >> Dr. Bertini Wil, I'm sorry, Mr. Santana,
real quick. I was in the middle of speaking and I did not finish because the council decided to speak and I completely lost my train of thought. So, I asked uh Miss Bates to pause my time, which was not advised. So, right now, okay, so at the end of the day, it is not a matter of just changing. Thank
you. No, no, thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. I almost called him missed my hand. I I looked at Sorry. Uh it's not only a matter of the date changes. There's multitude of other changes. This agenda and the prior agenda, this is my second public meeting. Agenda is constantly being
changed. If we're changing agenda and if we are not being able to give us time frames, these had to be highlights. There has to be a memo that is provided to the board members because it is unfair not only to us, it's only unfair to the members of the public who actually read these agendas. Thank you. I am finished now. Yeah.
>> Sorry. Thank you, Wil. One minute. >> If if h if hypothetically a member of the public did an open request and they want to know how often we open uh an agenda, I would be curious to know
how how often each one of us actually opens the agenda prior to the meeting. Why am I making that uh rhetorical comment? Because if you are actually reading the agenda and studying the agenda as we we have a legal respons we
have a legal fiduciary responsibility. Let me tell you what that means. If we have money missing 10 years from now, 20 years from now, I do not want the history books of feron to say you didn't make the time to read the agenda. you
just approve and there's no way you were able to read a document that was uploaded two days before that is 700 pages and you voted yes. A reasonable person will vote yes on this motion because we want to have order. Right now
the administration is imposing to the board when we have to send meetings when we have to send questions by and we don't have an organized process. >> Thank you Mr. Santana. >> Call the question. >> Second second >> call the question Mr. Cruz, right?
>> Yes. Uh, >> Miss Brown, >> doing great. Dr. Oh, I'm not first. >> I like this. >> Can you restate the motion, please? >> So, this motion is to uh make no changes to the agenda unless it's reg legally
required to be added um once the board receives it uh a week before the meeting. >> No. Mr. Leer, >> no. >> Miss Felovich, >> yes. >> Miss Coriva,
>> yes. >> Mr. Cassoy, >> no. For the reasons the superintendent stated. >> Mr. Mr. Rosenberg, >> no. >> Mr. Santana, >> yes. >> And Dr. Berellini,
>> no. >> Motion fails. I would like to make a motion. >> I would like to make a motion. >> No, I'm Can I just >> I can make a motion according to the Robert's rules of order. >> My motion. >> Can I just speak, please?
>> Santana already. Wait, Rita. Wait, Rita, I'm sorry. >> No, but wait, hold on. >> He spoke once. So, can I speak once at least? >> Mr. S. Yes, you will. Mr. Santana, our attorney's leaving at noon. Uh, at mid noon. >> Yes, I know. >> Midnight. My motion will be very quick. Rita requested we're not going to have discussion and then votes and all first
we'll do read you want to come back and open session after 12:00 fine but Rita first goes ahead Rita >> okay so a member of the public talked about children's kindergarten can the attorney explain to us can we change that cut off time from October 1st >> that's >> that's first going to go to the education committee
>> no but is legally allowed that's what I'm asking the attorney >> you can change >> uh your mic your mic >> yeah I think >> you can legally change that um I've I I I've researched this before. It it varies from district to district.
>> Um but generally whenever you have a a a policy um that would have to go through education and then your policy committee. >> Okay. My second question is when we make a motion does it have to be followed? >> Is it is it legally required to be followed? >> What are you talking about?
>> By the administration. If we make a motion tonight, whatever motion we made tonight on the agenda, is it legally required to be followed by the administration? >> They're saying if we vote on something, does he have to do it? >> If it's been approved, yes. Yes. If you've approved agenda items on here,
they they're followed. >> They have to be followed legally. >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. So my question is I made a motion in 2021 and uh that says seconded by Miss Fa to post the criteria for eligibility for the gifted and talented program including reach on the website
of the respective the criteria should be included including test scores test scores the criteria should be specific enough to allow parents to understand why their child was not or not included included or not included in the gifted and talented program. So, we have a motion. It was seconded and it was
passed and it's still not implemented. That's what I'm I've been talking to you about this for a while. That's why I want to understand. I asked for it. It's board governance. I don't understand. I've been asking this for the past and it says we don't have to provide criteria, but it our motion says it does.
>> But that was before I believe. >> Doesn't matter. It makes the >> And I also add >> we do we've said this in committee. We do percentiles. >> We do percentiles at all of the schools
local school norms. >> That's fine. >> You you cannot have cut scores. It's based on percentiles and those cut scores vary every year. >> I am. >> So, if I may finish, >> as Miss Keller said earlier, there have been updates to the website. There are
no cut scores that could be included for K to2 and there have been updates regarding the percentiles for grades uh three through five. So is there is there any criteria because I I emailed the superintendent and I of the Bergen
County and I said to him summary the five points failure to publish K through2 gifted and talented criteria as blah blah uh as the absence of a formal identification uh committee pro uh committee or process for the K through2 or no published criteria for seven
through so I made these five the most important is number two absent of a formal identification committee process for K through2 He responded to me and I quote, "The five points you summarize at the bottom of your note can are easily addressed by a dialogue with the district." So I'm asking for a dialogue.
I've been I asked for this to be put on the education on the commit minutes and it was >> Thank you, Rita. Thank you, Rita. >> Do I have a motion to go into close session? >> I had a motion table second. >> What happened to the motion on the table that I had? Dr. >> We didn't have that. We're going to come back if you want to. Whoever wants to
stay after close session >> on what Rita on what Miss Fab said the criteria Dr. Denio is blurry. >> Understand that Mr. Wilin we understand that we're not gonna stay here right now. >> It's 5 seconds. >> No, it's not 5 seconds. It's never 5 seconds. >> The image for the criteria never is
blurry. That's 5 seconds. >> Dr. Denio, the image for the criteria online is blurry. >> Excuse Mr. Santana. >> That's five seconds. >> Can we have the vote? >> Wait, hold on. >> Yes, I want to vote. Miss Brown, >> we're voting to go into close session.
Yes. Yes. >> That we we promised. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Anybody opposed? >> Okay. >> Yes. >> I had a motion on the table.
>> Okay. Yes or no to this vote, please? >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Okay. We're in close session. I told him midnight. He's going to turn it back on. What's your motion, >> Wil? >> He's I told him at 12 o'clock.
Otherwise, he's fired. >> Uh, sure. >> Oh, that's a great motion. >> Okay. At this point, it'd probably be voted yes. >> My go ahead, Wil. Go ahead, Wil. >> Okay. My mo >> All right, Wil. Go ahead. >> My motion is two to two
uh two problems to solve in one motion. Go ahead. >> Okay. Motion is to u respectfully request from the superintendent a with the legal bills with the the legal bills to include a
tally of who is contacting the board at the board council board council. >> Okay. Okay, Italy. And within that motion also to rein in the board president using the the board council as
her private attorney. >> Okay, fine. >> So, >> do we have a second? >> Limiting the use of Wait. Limiting the use. >> I heard it. I heard it. Do we have a second? >> You have Do we have Rita said second? Any comments? >> Yes. Comment. >> Wait, hold on. It's 12:03. Comments. Anybody from over here? No. Who's over
here? >> No. >> Yes, you raise your hand. I'm not going to give you time. Anybody else >> for comments? >> Yeah, because before we call a question. >> Oh, what was his motion? I >> his motion is to take a have a tally sheet for who calls the board council. Uh board counsel and how much time does
uh Julie does it. The board president. >> I actually like I actually like how our I want to say something. I like how our Bush Law Group does uh the bills because what they do is they do it by case. So we can see by case. Oh, this case cost us $7,000. So maybe as a board we can
say, hey, that's going to be So I kind of like maybe we can revise to make it by case versus just by dates. >> Okay. >> Okay. Let's >> wait. Can you explain this? >> Wait, first do you have a comment? >> Yes or no? >> Can the board >> No, I'm ask I am running the show right now.
>> My comment is can the My comment is can the BA answer that? >> Okay, for that What's your second comment? I'm not telling you to do it. >> Okay. My second comment is I lost my train of thought. Um, okay. So, the reason the reason we are doing this is because the bills went from one
month 14,000 to almost $30,000. >> Okay, >> that's almost $300,000 a year. We don't have that kind of money. So, we should have an organized uh system, okay, for the board to see just how many times
certain individuals are utilizing the board attorney. And the the other part of that motion is to reign in on the board at the board president using as she pleases the board attorney. And this not your private attorney. >> I don't think she does that, but we're
going to have a vote. We're going to have a vote >> last time. >> Oh, no. I'm fine with that. Then I want to speak one more time. >> Okay, go ahead. Do it. >> No, no, about my about >> all anything >> because I only spoke once. >> We only had one motion. One motion
>> and that was it for the night cuz it's 12:05. >> That's okay. You can't cut us off. We have one more time. I just I need >> All right. Go ahead. Say it then. >> Motion. >> We have to >> Oh, the floor is closed. All right. We have a >> Say call the question, somebody. >> I call the question. >> Thank you. >> Second.
>> Roll call. >> Wait, can he explain what he was saying? Why we can explain it? >> So the reason why the Bush Law Group um invoices are itemized by case is because it goes through insurance and then in order for us to ensure that we're um
tracking the deductible for each case. We we basically have to ensure that uh we're reaching that $10,000 deductible for each case. >> How does that differ from what we do with him? We we we're not getting reimbured from our insurance when when council.
>> All right. All right. Call the question. >> But the difference is just by date. It's not by So it can >> I know. But but he explained it and you can accept it or not accept it. We have a vote. Call the question. >> Miss Brown. >> No.
>> Missia? >> No. >> Miss Favvelich? >> Yes. >> Miss Coriva? >> Yes. Miss Casoy, >> no. >> Mr. Rosenberg, >> that would be very dangerous. >> Mr. Santana,
>> saving money is not dangerous. Yes. >> No. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't call my name. >> I forgot. I apologize. Dr. >> No. >> Motion failed. >> Okay. Uh, make a motion to close the meeting. >> No, no, no. We have second round. This second round. We always do.
>> We only did one. We did only one one round of open comments. We didn't do second time. We called a question. >> No, call the question is to a motion, not to public comments. >> Live after 12. It's tomorrow. >> No, we did. No. No. Do we have a motion to close? Anybody make a motion?
>> Second. Second. >> Second it. We got it. >> Call the vote. >> Yeah, >> it's 10 after 12, guys. >> How many? >> It's 10 after 12. >> Maybe we need to meet more times than once a month >> or >> leadership. M. >> Yes. >> Oh,
>> to call close. Okay. >> Yes. Yes. >> Miss Velvich. >> Mike. Mike, please. Please, please. I'm not sure what happened, but please, >> we don't need it right now. >> No need. >> Miss Coriva, >> I don't know what I'm voting for. >> You're voting whether or not we're going
to go home. >> I I guess. Sure. >> Mr. Tired, >> Mr. Rosenberg. >> Yes. >> Mr. Santana. >> All we needed was >> Yes. Dr. Veline. >> Yes. Definitely. All right. Have a nice night, everybody.
Don't you dare insinuate that I don't read