All right. Good evening everyone and we apologize for running a few minutes late during executive. Please be advised, the public has been duly informed of this meeting in accordance with chapter 231 of the public laws of 1975 by posting at least 48 hours in advance, a notice in the
bulletin boards in both Stevenson and Churchill schools, a notice to the township clerk, a notice to the Herald, and the Progress News. Now, please join us for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance >> to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh before we turn it over to Mr. Gupta, I'd like to apologize. Apparently, we're
having a HVAC problem this evening. So, the room is a bit warmer than it usually is. So, if you haven't noticed that, we apologize. Um, a couple things I want to touch on. First and foremost, obviously, thank all of you for coming out. I know
this is a very crazy time of year with uh school ending and sports and uh year-end activities. So, we greatly appreciate everyone taking the time to come out here and support our retirees who have done a fantastic job for our district uh over the course of many many
many years. Um before I turn it over to Mr. Gupta, there is one thing that I would like to touch on that uh we feel is important uh to keep with being as transparent with
uh the community as possible. uh our finance committee uh is exploring options to refernish both schools uh student desk, teacher desk, credenza, so on and so forth. And in the process, we've come to realize that we are
talking about a significant amount of money and with that the board has decided to do its diligence and receive several quotes as opposed to just taking the first state quote. So, uh, Wally, our BA, who unfortunately couldn't be
here this evening because he had a family event, um, has the opportunity to bid through a state contract, and when that state contract comes in, the school has the right to go with it without receiving other bids. But the bid was uh, so astronomically high that we
really had no point of reference. So because of that, we've decided to do a little bit more diligence, take a couple weeks and see, you know, what opportunities are out there to give the district the the best deal possible. But
yeah, so just a couple things so that we can reference back to this at a later date. So if you're a state contract, it means you can provide a quote to the school and the school does not have to go out
to bid. So you been vetted by the state of New Jersey. You are on an approved vendor list. You provide a quoteation for whatever services or or goods that you're looking to purchase or work have done in the schools and you can approve
that without getting multiple bids. Now, if you are not in the state contract, the process is a little bit more detailed. It's a little bit more lengthy. You have to uh come up with a big spat. It has to be a public bid. It has to be published. Um there's uh I
guess a lot more leg work involved, which is what we're in the process of doing now. Uh and the real reason that we are uh expressing this to the community now um is because at some point we are going to have to hold a special meeting. Now to be as
transparent as possible, this is a project that is going to be in excess of approximately a million dollars. So it's not a project where it's a couple hundred,000 where the board felt comfortable just saying, "Hey, yes, we're going to go with the state contract." We're actually doing
everything in our power to make sure that we spend the least amount of money for the best uh product available. Now, I do want you all to keep in mind that we haven't updated the furniture in Stevenson and Church Hill schools in approximately 25 to 30 years. So, some
of our teachers that have been around that long could probably attest to that. And uh it's definitely something that's necessary and needs to be done. I I think our students and our teachers and our staff deserve it. But with that being said, with that
dollar amount, this board and it's uh and my colleagues really feel that we have to do our diligence to make sure that we are are really looking for the highest quality uh furniture at the best price possible. So you will see at some point probably a meeting a special
meeting before June 30th because the money that is being utilized Joan if you want to touch on that is a sur is it's some of our surplus money right it's it's unspent money so instead of instead of just putting that into cap reserve we're just
going to put it to use uh and I think the other important thing to mention is and you maybe you were going to get there is uh this does not have some kind of waste to it So this is not okay if we pass a referendum in a year and a half this doesn't just go away. This will fit into that referendum. And as a matter of
fact, some of the some of the furniture won't be changed because we're not sure about the referendum yet. Meaning like the specs might not work. So we're holding off on that. >> So yes. Uh so I thank you. I was going to get to that, but that's an important point. We are not going to furnish classrooms that are going to potentially
change throughout a past referendum. So if we feel and our architect on record for the referendum feels that this section of the school or these classrooms in particular are going to be affected, we are going to purchase
furniture that has a uh a long lasting a 25 to 30 year lifespan, but also furniture that will be ready available in a year or a year and a half from now. hopefully when a referendum passes so that we can at that time furnish those
classrooms with furniture that actually matches you know with the furniture that we invested in throughout the district. So again just in an effort to be as transparent as possible we are looking to pretty much reout both schools with
the exception of some classrooms. So, if you do see a special meeting, um, please feel free to come. Please feel free to ask any questions that you have, but please know that the board's doing its diligence to make sure that whatever
money we spend and allocate is the best deal possible for the district for the best product possible for our students and teachers. Uh, and, uh, after boring you with all of that, I'm going to turn it over to uh, Superintendent Gupta.
Thank you. >> Thank you. I think we're we're going to all go down there because before we honor our students for all their awards, we have some honory we have some retirees to honor. I don't think they're going to change their mind with the new furniture coming in, but we do want to iron you. So, do we want to just head
down there and then I'll speak. Give us a minute. So, I'm going to go in the order of years. So, with 21 years in our district, um Rita Schubach, who's who's here today, has been an aid and she has been with me at Stevenson. So, I'm going
to miss her even more because she did we did spend a lot of time this year at Stevenson. So, Rita, if you want to come up. [applause] >> [applause] >> You don't have to give a speech. And some of you, we will cut the mic if you try to give a speech. Especially this
one. 25 years. Everybody knows her as Miss Sue. >> Come on up. Su Healey. [applause and cheering] >> How many of you in here had a prek student go through Miss Sue? She knows everybody. We're gonna have everyone come back.
>> Yeah, you can come back. Don't worry. Recently, the HSA honored this person. She's been at Have you been at Churchill the whole time? >> So, 27 years. And she can tell you the furniture has not changed in all the time she's been there. >> She probably has her own personal chair
in there. But we'd like to honor Jolene Dixon. [applause] [laughter] Thank you. And with 35 years in, she has meant everything to special services and I've had the pleasure of working with her the last couple years with Stevenson and
she's been in the main office taking on that role as well. But after 35 years, Jane Serpico is hanging it out. Come on up, Jane. [applause] And just a few others I want to mention. They couldn't make it tonight. Um, Patricia Lazto, the nurse at Stevenson.
She is retiring. Only four years with us. You don't need that much of applause. No, she's had a long career as a nurse and she's been wonderful at Stevenson. and also at Stevenson for many years and he started as principal this year at
Churchill 22 years Dr. Shabuko [applause] and the winner for the most years 38 years with Fairfield Public Schools. He's been most recently our nighttime custodian, Mr. Bob Woodson. [applause] And just because you're wondering, Dr.
Shabbuko and Bob Woodson got plants and not the bouquet. Um, and a shout out to Bernice the Florist who did amazing job. She's right here in Fairfield. She always comes through for us. So, a shout out to her. And now I want to move on and honor our students, retirees, if I'm
sorry. >> Oh, >> please feel free to come in. Absolutely. >> Oh, more people coming in. If our retirees would like to stay, um, you can stay for the rest of the board meeting, but for now, we'd like you to come right back up here for a full picture with everyone.
>> So, retirees, bring your flowers right back up here for a picture. So, if anyone would like to take a picture, please come up at this time. Good. Selfies. [applause] AGAIN,
before our uh awards, we just want the board wants to thank everyone that's here and being honored tonight for your service to the district. Uh all of you have meant a lot to our students and your co-workers. I know personally um
one of my children had Mrs. Dixon and she was absolutely amazing. She was everything he needed. So I want you to know that you will be missed. We wish you well and we hope you have a happy, safe, and fulfilled retirement. Thank you very much. One more round of
applause for them. [applause] And Miss Sue, Miss Sue, you still here? You had Mia, but we didn't have to talk to you much because she never really required. Yeah. And we were on Zoom. I remember. >> Thank you. Yeah.
>> Okay. [laughter] >> Let me just follow those people. We're just names. All right. So, we're going to start with our Stevenson students that were students of the month for June. We honored Stevenson students of the month uh last month. So, these students were
left out. But now that we're in June, we're going to go ahead and start by honoring the students of the month. And these are our Cardinals. >> Okay. So, our best in the nest in kindergarten was Gianna. And in first grade it was Giovana. And
in second grade it was Isla. >> Come on up. [applause] All right, girls. Who's who? [laughter] >> Thank you very much. [applause] So, I'm actually not introducing a cardinal or a bulldog, but
a candidate who won a certificate for the state. So, each year, Essex County holds a My Essex County poster contest for all the fourth grade students. The goal is to create a poster that highlights the history, the beauty, and the people of
Essex County. The students submit their poster to the county clerk's office who vote and choose the winners. Out of all of the grade four students in the participating schools in the county, we are excited to honor Charles as one of the winners for the contest.
[applause] >> Congratulations. >> All right, now we're going to move on to the Bulldogs of the month. The Bulldogs of the month in third grade for the second half of the year were Nicole, Rita, and Olivia. Those are who's here.
And then Joseph and Mila, who are not here, but we could still give them a round of applause. And those of you who are here can come on up. [applause] >> [applause] >> So, fourth grade, our for fourth grade, our bulldogs of the month were Anna Maya, Nathaniel, Ella, and Robert.
[applause] And for fifth grade was Clement, Sebastian, Laya, Leo, and Phillip. [applause] And for sixth grade, we have Dylan, Aisha, Dante, Luchiano, and Aiden.
[applause] Yeah. Bring them up here and then if they want to leave kids in the parents. >> Yeah. At this time, we'd like to invite all of the children up behind the deas for a group picture and another big round of
applause for them as well. [applause] >> Oh, up here. >> Up here. They usually come up here. >> Come up here, guys. >> Pretty cool up here. Come on up. >> Yeah. standing or >> Yeah, we're standing >> last time we sat
it out $10 here. >> You know that give me a high five. [laughter] What's up? Scoot over. Great job everyone. [applause]
>> Great job, guys. >> Yeah, she's >> I just saw Do you want to give them an opportunity a minute? >> A chance to clear out first. >> So for all of you that that received an award and you're not staying for the HEP
awards, you guys are free to go and that'll open up some space for everybody. And again, congratulations to you guys. Well done. [applause] Congrats. All right. So, now we're going to turn our attention to our HEP awards. So, if Miss Nazarian can come on up.
[applause] Hello everybody. Okay. Hello, Board of Education, administration, and families. I'm Dory Nazarian, the Stevenson Steam and Churchill High Enrichment Program or HEAC teacher, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to recognize the
inspiring accomplishments of so many of the highenrichment students this evening. We compete in a number of competitions throughout the year and every year our students raise the bar higher and higher. Although there isn't room to portray all of their projects,
there is a photo display in the entrance way if you want to see some of what they did. Tonight, I'm going to recognize the winners of three of our competitions. As I call each winner, could you please come up and stay up for a photo and then we'll move on to talking about the next
competition. In the fall, the students took part in an Essex County steering committee for the gifted and talented programs problem solving tournament. Students competed in teams utilizing a variety of problem solving
crosscurricular problems using speed, ingenuity, and accuracy. Out of all the gifted and talented students who competed from districts all over Essex County, these three Fairfield students ra ranked at the very top. Please
welcome up in third place, JC [cheering] for you too. Congratulations Cameron C. >> No, J. [applause] Congrat and Viv. And in first place, Vivana H. [cheering]
[applause] CONGRAT ANOTHER [applause] of our competitions was the New Jersey Consortium for Gifted and Talented Programs Design Challenge. Third through fifth grade students designed the perfect classroom and sixth through 8th
graders designed the perfect playgrounds. The students blueprints had to be drawn to scale on grid paper. They had to include a theme and an explanation meant to persuade a school district or town council to consider building it. Out of over a hundred
projects, Fairfield ranked in the top. As I call each student, can you please come up and stay up for a photo before we move on to the last set of competition winners. First, the semi finalists M and Isa P for their combined c. Come
on up. Here we go. Congratulations. Congratulations >> for their for their combined culinary arts and dance studio and for his art studio.
Nicholas M. Elelliana H, who sadly could not join us for tonight, was also recognized for her fashion design classroom. [applause] For her multi-ubject fifth grade classroom, Morgan Z.
[applause] and for her cosmetology classroom. Madison Z [applause] for his computer technology lab. Luke B. [applause] And on to our sixth graders for his dinosaurs themed playground. Shane B.
[applause] Congratulations. And for his technology rich, environmentally conscious playground with hidden twists, Nathan A. And please welcome back for his sports
themed playground, Cameron C. And last, but certainly not least, the NJCGTP's winner of the sixth through 8th grade category, our own Meline P for her. [cheering] >> Congrat
themed playgrounds. Okay, guys, look at Miss Watch out. >> Yeah. [snorts] The last competition I'll be telling you about this evening is the New Jersey Consortium's Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Character Education and
Cardboard Engineering contest. Students waited months to hear the results of this intense competition. First, they had to research different pillars of character, practice techniques of cardboard engineering, experiment with approaches for recording. Then they
recorded a backstory that could be represented by their project in which the main snow person or animal represented a pillar of character. Next, they used engineering design to create their projects out of mostly recycled or
repurposed materials. Projects had to include at least one moving part and one electrical component. Last, they created a video explaining the story, pillar of character, building process, and a full demonstration of the components for the
judges. Out of nearly 300 entries, I'm thrilled to announce the following winners. Please come up and stay for one last photo. First, the semi finalists. In fourth grade, Charles Z for his honesty piss Nocio and for his
citizenship snowman. Logan L. And for his citizenship, Snow Dino, Marco C. [applause] And in grade four, for her caring snow girl, Matteline A.
[applause] Congratulations. And for their caring snow friends in fifth grade, Madison Z and Elelliana H. Now we move on to the top three. For the third place winners who will be receiving tokens that I have been
assured will are in route and will be delivered before June 18th in third grade for her caring snow friends and animals. Shannon D. And in grade six for their caring snow
friends, Shaniah S, Aiden M, and Lyra S. [cheering and applause] >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Sadly, we had no one who came in second place, but we do have first place.
Our first place winners in grade five for her citizenship snowman, Morgan Z. [cheering and applause] You got >> And in grade six, for their honesty and trustworthiness, Snow Mountain, Dennis B
and Aiden B. Congratulations. [applause] Congratulations. And the overall competition winners who demonstrated all of the pillars of character in their snow castle resort, sixth graders Vivana H and Maline P.
[applause and cheering] Okay. >> Yeah. >> [applause] >> All right, Mrs. Nisarian, we're going to ask everyone that received an award tonight to come up. But before we do so, we would just like to take a second and
the board would just like to acknowledge Mrs. business for such a wonderful job [applause] that she does with our HEP program. It's her enthusiasm
is contagious. Her love for the children is unwavering and we are extremely lucky to have you. So with that being said, great job. >> THANKS. NOW, everyone that received an award, come up. We're going to take a picture
with everyone. >> Take that out of the way and move those things. >> Can I help move the table? >> Why are we gonna add to it? >> Yeah, you're right. Joe, take it easy now. [laughter] >> Math is hard.
>> Yeah, I'm wearing a t-shirt. I said it. Everybody talk about me. >> No problem. I'm dying. >> [applause] >> Mrs. >> Want to come up here? You sure >> hold on. Hold on. Everyone
>> hold on. >> But wait. Um, I'm so proud of all the students. Even those students who did not place in the competitions help their fellow engineers during the building and testing process with constructive
criticism, questions, and suggestions. A win for Fairfield is a win for all of us. These students are able to accomplish all they do thanks to their perseverance, creativity, and involvement from their amazing families and of course the support of this
program from the administration and the board of education. I feel blessed every day to get to teach you all. Thank you. [applause] >> Before we proceed with the remaining minutes of the agenda, we're going to give everyone that would like to remove
themselves a few minutes to do so. So, thank you for dealing with the uh heat. We appreciate it. Have a happy and safe summer. Are you overachieving over there or what? >> I need my glasses.
>> Well, welcome back. >> At this time, Mr. Gupty, do you have anything else? >> Nope. That's it for me. >> All right. Our business administrator report we're going to forego since Mr. Lindsay is not here and we're going to move on to board committee reports.
>> Okay. I just have one quick HSA report. This is an announcement for the incoming kindergarten families. Don't forget the HSA is hosting a Popsicles on the Playground play date June 25th from 5 to 7:00 p.m. It's a great way for kindergarteners to meet some new friends. Also, on behalf of the HSA,
it's been a busy few weeks as we approach the end of the school year, and the HSA is very thankful for all of the support they've received from parents and volunteers to ensure all of these activities and events this year ran smoothly. >> Thank you very much. And just to touch on the Fairfield Municipal Alliance,
this past weekend we had our first bike rodeo in I believe the the last 10 or 12 years. It was a huge success. It wasn't particularly the date that we were targeting. Uh we were looking for something in April, but given the
circumstances, I think we had 45 uh participants. It was a fantastic time, and we'd like to thank uh Mr. Gupta for pushing that for us and all the Fairfield Municipal Alliance members that came out to help set up work the event and breakdown. We greatly
appreciate it. Uh with that being said, I think we're going to close this portion of the meeting and we are going to open the floor up to public comments on agenda items. Seeing no one in the audience, we're going to close that portion of the meeting
and move on to finance. The following finance motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda, items 1 through eight will be voted on in one motion. I so move. >> Second. >> Mr. Fe. >> Mr. Fey. >> Yes.
>> Miss. >> Yes. >> Miss Altai. >> Yes. >> Mr. D. Pascal. >> Yes. >> The following contract motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda. Items 1 through 14 will be voted on in one motion. I so
move. Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Feety? >> Yes. >> Miss Street? >> Yes. >> Miss Altai? >> Yes. >> Mr. D. Pascal? >> Yes. >> The following administrative motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda items 1 through 11
will be voted on in one motion. I so move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Feedy? >> Yes. >> Miss Street? >> Yes. >> Miss Altai? >> Yes. >> Mr. D. Pascal? >> Yes. >> The following buildings and grounds motion is made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda item one will be
voted on in one motion. I so move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Feedy? >> Yes. >> M street? >> Yes. >> Miss Altai? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dascal? >> Yes. >> The following personnel motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. [clears throat] Anything placed on this agenda items 1 through 22 will be voted
on in one motion. I so move. >> Second. >> Have a roll. >> Mr. Fiti. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Miss Altai. >> Yes. >> Mr. V Pascal. >> Yes. The following curriculum motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda, items one through
two will be voted on in one motion. I so move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Feedy? >> Yes. >> Miss? >> Yes. >> Miss Ali? >> Yes. >> Mr. D. Pascal? >> Yes. >> The following policy motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda. Items one through four will be
voted on in one motion. I so move. >> Second. >> Roll call. Mr. Feedy? >> Yes. >> Miss? >> Yes. Miss Altai. >> Yes. >> Mr. D. Pascal. >> Yes. Public comments on non-aggenda items. Anyone? >> Seeing no one going to close that portion of the meeting. Next meeting be
resolved that the next meeting will be held in person on August 20th, 2026th. Public work session beginning at 6 p.m. followed by executive session with public session resuming at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Municipal
Building. May I have a motion for adjournment? Motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Safe, happy, and healthy summer, everyone.