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. >> The New Jersey open public meetings law is enacted to ensure the right of the
public to have advanced notice and to attend the meetings of public bodies which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the act, the Fortley Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published on October 17th, 2025 and posted on the district website at
www.fle.com published in the board's designated online media outlet as papers and record leisure filed with the clerk of the bureau of court lee and mailed to all persons if any who have requested said notice. Please be advised this meeting is being recorded and may be broadcasted
on local TV and online at a future date. The open public meeting act allows for remote participation at board meetings. It defines meeting as any gathering whether corporal or by means of communication equipment which is attended by or open to all of the members of a public body held with the intent on the part of members of the
body present to discuss or act as a unit upon the specific public business of that bodies. Roll call please. >> Miss Kang >> here. >> Miss Colback. Miss Curry >> here.
>> Mr. Knight, Miss Cotang, >> Mr. Lopez >> here, >> Miss Morell >> here, >> Mr. Rubino >> here. >> Miss Re >> here. The board will be convening to
executive session to discuss legal personnel and other confidential matters. The board will reconvene into public session at approximately 7:30 p.m. I have a motion to go into executive session. >> Motion. >> Motion Rabbino, second Curry. All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice and to attend the meetings of public bodies in
which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the act, the Portland board of education has caused notice of this meeting to be published on October 17th, 2025. Posted on the district website at www.fle.com lb.com published in the board's
designated online media outlet newspaper the record in the star ledger filed with the clerk of the bureau of Fort Lee and mailed to all persons if any who have requested said notice please be advised this meeting is being recorded and may be broadcasted on local TV and online at a future date. The open public meeting
act allows for remote participation at board meetings and defines meeting as any gathering whether corporal or by means of communication equipment which is attended by or open to all of the members of a public body held with the intent on the part of the members of the body present to discuss or act as a unit
upon the specific public business of that body. Roll call please. Spider King. Miss Curry >> here. >> Mr. Knight >> is absent.
>> Miss Cotang >> here. >> Mr. Lopez >> here. >> Miss Morell >> here. >> Mr. Rino >> here. >> Miss >> here. >> I'm here until the end of the year. >> I'm sorry. Did I miss you? Miss >> Colat.
Miss Byer Kang by no >> I'm not giving >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> The board convene the executive session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss legal personnel and other confidential matters. Miss Kazo, will you begin by sharing your
superintendence report? Yes. Thank you, Mrs.. Good evening, everyone. To those of you joining us in person and to those of you joining us um via Zoom, um thank you for being here tonight. Uh to begin, there have been three HIV cases reported to date. All of which um for this for the month of October. All of which have
been unfounded. I'm sorry, not for the month of October, since the last time I reported. All of our safety and security drills for the month of October were completed in accordance with New New Jersey State Code. Um tonight, it's my pleasure to welcome two Fort Lee High School seniors, Isabelle Lynn and
Jessica Hong, who are here to share important information about their school. [Music] The varsity boys soccer beat Morris Nulls to advance to the second sound of state tournament but lost in the quarterfinal to Rambo, completing their
season at 13 and4. The Fort Le football team completed a perfect season with the win over Richville Park in the Ivy League champion going 9 to0. Senior Luke Senator was awarded North Jersey athlete of the week after leading the football team to his first undefe undefeated
season since 1932. As October was National Principal Month, the school counseling department would like to extend an heartfelt thanks to Miss Ning, Mr. Brennan, Miss Williams Glover, Mr. Androsio, Mr. Gyardano, Mr. Mr. Diaz and
Mrs. Winn for their continued support, leadership, and collaboration. Your particip uh your partnership is greatly appreciated. The Fort High School Theaters production of Our Town is just around the corner. Performance dates and times are Friday, November 21st at 7:00
p.m., Saturday, November 22nd at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 23rd at 3 p.m. On Sunday, October 26th, the Fortley High School string quartet performed for their friends of the Forly Public Library brunch at the Double Tree
Hotel. The quartet is made up of Philip Hang, Anna Hong, Yun An, and Chloe Hong, and is under direction of Mrs. Mary Stevenson. A reminder that the PSAT and NMSQT scores are now available. Sophomores and
juniors who tested on October 22nd should log into their College Board account to view their score report. Congratulations to all four um all fall sports teams at the conclusion of their seasons. >> In honor of Veterans Day, the Fort Le High School student government together with the board of education
administration and staff invite you to join us in honoring our heroes. The front of our historic high school is decorated with American flags, each representing and honoring past and present members of the armed forces. Additional flags will also recognize those who serve our community, including
members of the Fort League Police Department, Fire Department, and emergency medical services. We invite you to participate by purchasing a flag in honor of these dedicated men and women. Each flag cost $1 and will stand as a tribute to all honors for their service. All proceeds will benefit
Fortley BFW programs. Thank you, Jessica and Isabelle. So, this week we are administering the NJSLA adapted field test. It will be the new standardized assessment for the state of New Jersey. Um, we are conducting a field test required by the
Department of Education this week in preparation for the full official administration in the spring of 2026. I want to extend my appreciation to our counselors, our testing coordinators, our technology department, and our teachers for their patience and teamwork
as we learned about this new assessment system and for their support, the support that they provided our students through this change. Tomorrow, as our students mentioned, is Veterans Day. It's a time to recognize those who have served and continue to serve our country. I'd like to extend a special
thank you to our Fort Lee veterans. If you drive by the high school, you'll see the beautiful display of the flags that they conduct annually um in their honor. And there's also going to be a Veterans Day ceremony 11:00 a.m. tomorrow at the Fort Lee BMFW Post. Um so I encourage
everyone this week to take a moment to reflect on their service and gratitude. Uh this week is also National School Psychology Week, so I'd like to show appreciation to our school psychologists for their important work supporting students learning and their well-being.
November is also parent engagement month in the state of New Jersey. And so I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to our parents. Um as well as celebrating American education week recognizing the dedication of our teachers, staff, administrators, and
families. So thank you to all. And that is the conclusion of my superintendent's report. [Music] >> Thank you. Do we have any committee reports? Do we have any board members with questions or comments on tonight's
agenda or other topics? [Music] >> With regard to 5F um insight medical health services provider, they're new to our district. Um Diane, do you can you
talk about the type of medical service that they will be providing to our district? >> Yes. So, initially the plan is to focus on our grades 5 through 8 students. That's where we see the greatest need at this time. Um they will provide
counseling, small group counseling to students um in need, but they also provide family therapy. Um we also have access to their system for professional development. Um they also will provide a screener um if needed. Uh so we are
looking forward to working with them to help us continue to address student needs with regards to counseling, mental health and social emotional um support. >> Is this a second layer of support? Is this a second layer of support that
once our guidance counselor determine they need additional help, they will bring them in or are they on site to We will have a clinician on site. Yes, there will be someone on site 5 days a week. >> Um, at which school? >> At the is middle school. Got it. Okay.
Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Um, before we open the floor to the public, Mr. Buggy, you want to read the walk-in 11P? We have a walk-in resolution. >> Thank you. Uh, so this will be
resolution P1 or 11P whereas the fourle board of education is a local board of education dy organized and existing under the laws of the state of New Jersey. And where is employee ID number ending XX91
is employed by the board as a teaching staff member. And whereas pursuant to board policy number 3161, the acting interim superintendent has presented evidence in support of her determination that employee has displayed a deviation from normal physical and mental health.
and whereas the acting interim superintendent has recommended to the board based upon said evidence that employees submit to a medical examination as to determine employees fitness for duty. And whereas the board has heard and reviewed said evidence and found it to be credible and sufficient to support a reasonable belief that
employees ability to perform their duties as a teaching staff member is impaired by a possible medical condition. And whereas NJSA18A16-2 [Music] allows a board of education to require its employees to submit to a medical
examination and NJAC 6A 32-6.3B permits a board of education to require an employee to undergo an examination whenever in the district board of education's judgment an employee shows evidence of deviation from normal
physical or mental health. Now therefore be it resolved that the board in its judgment has determined that employee shows evidence of deviation from normal physical and mental health and the evidence provided by the acting interim superintendent supports her recommendation that the employee submit
to a medical examination in accordance with board policy number 3161 being further resolved that the acting interim superintendent on behalf of the board shall provide employee with notice of the board's action and a written statement of reasons.
Thank you. I have a motion to open the floor to the public. >> Motion Morell, second Curry. All in favor? >> Any opposed or abstensions? Okay. We will hear first from members of the public physically located in the cafeterium. Then we will take questions and comments from those participating
remotely. Participants are limited to three minutes in which to make their statement. For remote participants, please select the raise hand button. District tech coordinator Mr. Roger will recognize each community member in the order of raised hands. Please remember to unmute your microphone. Everyone, please state your name and address for
the record and begin your comments. Again, please limit your comments to three minutes. Do we have anyone in public with us this evening who wishes to speak? Good evening everyone. My name is Priy. Um my address is 429 M Avenue. Um we
also have CPAC updates. I have the privilege of leading the CPAC leadership team for this academic year and I would like to share a few updates with the board and our parenting community. Our first parent only CPAC meeting in October was a great success with over 26
parents in attendance. We had a wonderful representation from families across all grade levels from pre prek through to the fortress program and even a few out of district families joined us. The concerns raised during this
meeting were shared with the district and I will be providing updates and feedback to the parents at our next CPAC meeting. As promised, this year's leadership team remains committed to supporting parents by providing a platform to raise awareness about
systemic issues and to strengthen all advocacy efforts. Our next meeting will be held virtually on November 12th at 700 p.m. We're excited to welcome our first guest speaker, Miss Lauren McMillan, one of our district's board
certified behavior analyst. Our district currently has two BCBAs. If you'd like to learn more about their roles, how IEP goals are developed, and how teacher training is supported, we encourage you to attend. We also kindly ask that during the Q&A session be
reserved for parents who currently have children in the district, including out of district families as well. Other interested attendees are welcome to send their queries directly to the CBA leadership team via email and we will be happy to raise them on your behalf. I
would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to to George, our transportation coordinator, for his tireless work in making the new bus tracking app available. A big thank you as well to Diane for her continued support and to all our special education parents,
Keith, Andrew, Cynthia, Nancy, Lynette, and many others who advocated passionately for this initiative. Because of your efforts, the bus tracking app has now been enrolled to all our students. not just to those in our special education.
Your advocacy has truly brought peace of mind to so many quarterly families who rely on school transportation. So, thank you all for your continued partnership and commitment to our children's success. Good evening everyone.
My name is Sylvia Hannah and I live at 2416 Rosen Street. From my understanding, we currently have inclusion classroom at school number one. For those who might not be familiar, inclusion classrooms are
deciding to bring together neurodyiver diverse and neurotypical students in the same learning environment supported by two teachers, one special education and one general education teacher. The two main concerns raised for this type of
classroom no matter how well intended this type of class classrooms uh is are lack of support for the teachers. It has been brought to our attention that the kindergarten inclusion classes at school number one has no prop professional assigned to
support the home uh the home room teachers in the class. In this setting, inclusion means that this class has mostly neurotypical kids and some of them have an IEP. This lack of support makes it
challenging to maintain an inclusive learning environment that sets all students up for success. It also places a significant strain on the special education teacher who is responsible for not only providing instruction but also
managing students who require frequent resurrection to complete their work. No information point number two no information or guidance to the neurotypical students and their families.
The concern that has been raised is that families of neurotypical students receive little to no information of or guidance about inclusion and the neurodeiverse peers. Um
I'm sorry um or guidance about inclusion and the neurodyiverse peers their children share the classroom with. As a result, we are seeing instances where neurotypical students may misunderstand or dist distance themselves from their
neuro diverse classmates, sometimes even using hurtful labels such as bad or crazy. Additionally, at events like back to school night, there isn't any communication or education provided to parents about the inclusive model.
Without such understanding, the true spirit of inclusion that is fostering empathy, acceptance and shared learning risk being lost turning into more of informality than a meaningful practice.
We are not asking for ch uh for child's private information such as IEP details or diagnosis to be shared. Rather, we are advocating for intentional awareness and educational programs that help neurotypical students and their families
understand better and embrace the inclusive environment they are part of. Uh, having said all of that, can you please let us know how um you can assist the inclusion classroom with your with a par
profofessional? Mana, your time is up. Just grab the photo. >> Yeah. So, the final question is, how can you help us uh to get a par profofessional for the inclusion classroom in a school number one?
>> Thank you for your comment and for your questions. um paraprofessionals are provided in classrooms either based on a child's individual educa educ education program or based on class sizes. Um so in kindergarten if class size exceeds 25
students that might be 26 um then we are required to provide a power professional. Um if unless a child's you know IEP calls for it that would be a requirement but that is also something that is budgetary related. Um, and regarding getting par professionals
in kindergarten classrooms, that would be a bigger conversation. >> Um, I'm sorry, but your time is is up. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Hi, how are you? I'm Peter, 237 Avenue. I'm here today just to make a statement
to thank all of you for your service. Each and every one of you does a great service to the board of education. At this time, I want to thank Mike, Paula, and Casey for your service. It didn't always feel like it, but I assure you that your service was greatly appreciated and was not that you guys
were doing what you thought was the right thing for the town. And I want to congratulate our three members who are now elected on the board of ed. I don't think it's been certified yet. So, um, that was Michelle, John, and Keith. Congratulations to you guys. Now that
the election is over, that was an arduous task in itself. But serving on a board of education is an even more difficult task. As you guys all know, I served on it previously with many of you, and I know how difficult a task
this is. So I urge you guys to work together and accomplish the goals that need to be accomplished and do the tasks that need to be done. In saying that, as part of the governing body and as the liaison, the mayor and council, you have our fullthroated support. Every council
member and mayor will tell you again and again that we are here for you and I will tell you I am here for you as well. If you need me, we are here for you and we can work anything out that you guys need. Thank you so much for your service and continue doing this great job. Thank
you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else in the public wish to speak before? >> You can move the microphone up if you want. >> Yeah. Okay. Justin Rivera, 2185 Avenue. On election
night, the message from Fort Lee was unmistakable. Our community is done with bullying, fear campaigns, and the politics of intimidation. The election results were more than just numbers on a screen. They were a clear collective stand for decency, truth, and respect.
For months, a handful of agitators tried to turn policy 5756 into a wedge, twisting it into something it wasn't. Instead of honest, fact-based discussion, we saw manufactured panic, wild exaggerations, and personal attacks. And some incumbents chose to
echo that noise rather than correct it. They aligned with people more interested in outrage than outcomes. Individuals who thrived on stirring conflict rather than solving problems. But the voters of Fort Le saw through it. This election was never truly about a policy. It was
about whether we let fear dictate our values. It was about whether bullying becomes a political strategy. It was about whether we allow misinformation to overshadow the real work supporting our students and educators. And to that, the community loudly and clearly said no. No
to scare tactics, no to divisive rhetoric, no to the voices that sought to intimidate, distort, and divide. Instead, Fort Lee voted yes. Yes to transparency. Yes to compassion. Yes to sanity. Yes to our teachers. And yes to
a school environment built on respect, not chaos. To our newly elected directors, the election results are not just a victory. They are a responsibility. You have a given mandate to lead with integrity, to communicate clearly, and to anchor every decision in
facts rather than fear. We are here to serve every family, every student, and every educator, regardless of who shouted the loudest during the campaign. And to the parents, residents, and students who refuse to be intimidated by a gaggle of bullies and gag flies, I say
thank you. You show that truth still matters, importantly, that decency matters, that community still matters. This election was a referendum not only on policy 5756, but on the tactics used to weaponize it. And Fort Lee answered
with resolve, "We reject bullying. We reject fear. We choose better. And that choice is one we should all be proud to stand behind." Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Um we have my first time on the road. Uh
so I have two topics for tonight. First one is a request. When can we get like a treasury report? It's been months since I've been asking for one and I'm seeing the expenses go up 1.5. We have 6 million this month in bills. And I would
love to see you know one of one report at least. We haven't seen one at all. Uh the other question that I have for you is when can we expect the district to comply with Mahmud Taylor? The Supreme Court has been clear that the parents have the right for religious
accommodations of the curriculum. That means that if a parent decides that the kid is not ready or doesn't match their religious beliefs there's a sex education and healthcare curriculum. they're allowed to exclude their kid,
wrap up their kid from those classes. But in addition to that, any lesson and any material from across the curriculum that doesn't match their uh religious beliefs. Right? So with that in mind, I want to ask when can we expect a platform for parents to review
curriculum and see if the provided materials match their religious beliefs and a platform to opt out. Furthermore, what needs to be done is you got to teach the kids that unwanted talk about gender and sex is consider sexual
harassment in New Jersey, in New York, corporate America, everywhere. You yourselves wouldn't talk to each other about sex or gender in a meeting in public and a teacher wouldn't talk normally about sex and gender with that kid. The expectation is that the same
treatment should be taught to the kids also. So these are some topics that Thank you. As far as your as far as your question about the treasurer's report, the board did approve the July and August and most
recently at our last meeting approved the secretary board secretaries and treasurers uh report. Uh I would suggest you go back and and check the agenda and follow the hyperlink and you'll be able to see both those reports. But it's
November now. >> The board approved July, August, September, and later this month they'll be approving October. >> Just before you get all your is that conclude your uh comment?
>> I guess so. Well, no. No. It's not going to be a Q&A back and forth. if she'll answer to the extent that she can, but I just want to make sure you have all your comments and questions out now before she stumped. >> That's it. >> Hello. >> So, with regards to um the legislation
that you announced, we did reach out to Strauss Esme, who was our policy provider um so that they can give us a model policy from which we can work. Um and so, and that is the process whenever something like that gets passed, we reach out to our policy provider, we get a policy, and it goes before a
committee. So that is in process. Um and then as far as access to a curriculum platform, all of our curriculum is on is online through our Atlas platform. Parents can view it at their leisure. Everything is there. Resources, our core
resources are available and if you have any questions regarding any other content, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher first. Um and then you can go from there down the chain of communication. I believe your time is up. If you have additional questions, I would suggest
emailing them to either superintendent andor the executive. >> Is there anyone else in public who wishes to speak? Okay, we're moving to Zoom. Mr. Roger >> Melanie Goodman, you've been promoted to
panelist. Please unmute your microphone and feel free to share your video. Please state your name and address for the record. You have three minutes. Melanie Goodman. >> So, good evening. Actually, it's Andrew Goodman. I'm on Melanie's account, 326
Bridge Plaza North. Uh, I'm just calling to find out the update on the bus tracking that was mentioned earlier because I know I did not receive an email about that or a link. So, I was wondering when is that going to go live I guess is the right word and also how
will parents be notified about the bus tracking. Thank you. >> So, regarding the bus tracking, it's my understanding that correspondents went out to families uh last week. If you have any request um questions regarding your child's specific bus and bus
tracking for that bus, please reach out to our transportation coordinator, George Sakasan, and he will get back to you. >> De Kato, you've been promoted to panelist. Please unmute your microphone and feel free to share your video. Please state your name and address for
the record. You have three minutes. Hi, Steph Cotzo, 281 Tom Hunter Road. How are you guys tonight? First, um I wanted to say that with regards to the curriculum that is going on in the
classrooms or the passouts, parents are are not seeing anything. Also the way that the curriculum is written for the child in first or second or third grade um parents are not being
informed ahead of time of what is going to be discussed in class or a notification being given. Also there have been children that have been able to access books that are very detrimental to them and the
parents are upset about this. Uh, also this week I received calls from a few people who said they were strategically being left out and sending information to the CPAG and being left out of
meetings and they called to contact me and I just wasn't sure who the liaison at the school is for CPAG if the parents are having a problem internally with the leadership there.
Um third is last week it was discussed that there was a child who had been abused in our school physically abused that was a special needs child and the board didn't come back with a response or make a response with regards to that.
The mother in the room was pretty shaken, seemed like she was being mocked by the panel. um that that just can't happen anymore. >> Uh in in the court in the room, uh
before uh on on 910, I actually went to the attorney that was there um I think his name's Lester. I'm not really sure what his last name is and to and notified the president of something that
had occurred in the BOE meeting room of a harassment that was done and basically they were like just deal with it. I wrote in with regards to an ethics complaint to the entire board. Uh not
one person responded to that even that they had received it. So, while the board of education is functioning, I just hope we can get the answers on these things because oftent times nobody replies.
And it seemed like this uh mother last week that was just shaken about her baby not being physically okay in a classroom was mocked. So, these things to me are very troubling.
And as a stakeholder, I just would like to get an answer specifically on the curriculum and the access to books for small children that go against, you know, their parents wish. >> So the one question I heard was that if a parent is having difficulty getting in
touch with CPAC leadership, who should they contact? And the liaison is our director of um special services, Miss Monica Hines. Um however, CPAC does have an email address um and you can reach out to them directly as well. Uh regarding advanced notice of curriculum,
our curriculum is online um all the time, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Parents can actually go online the prior year to view their child's curriculum for the following year. At times there are changes that happen over the summer. Um,
but our curriculum is online and if you have any concerns, if there's a parent out there that has a concern regarding any material that their child comes home with, um, I encourage you to please reach out directly to the teacher. >> There are no more raised hands.
>> Thank you. May I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion public. I was saying adjourned public. Sorry, it's been a long day. >> Motion. >> Motion to close the floor to the public. >> Motion.
>> Okay. Motion co second being. All in favor? >> Any opposed or abstensions? Okay. Moving on to resolutions. May I have a motion to approve item 1B through 7B? >> Motion morale. Second. Pull back. Roll call, please.
[Music] >> This fires Ken. >> Yes. call back. >> Yes. >> Miss Curry. >> Yes. >> Mr. Knight is absent. >> Mr. Cotang.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Lopez. >> Yes. >> Miss Morell. >> Yes. But I know on my name on >> Mr. Furbino. >> Yes. >> Yes. May I have a motion to approve items one
BNG and 2 BNG? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion. Moral. Second. Rabino. Roll call, please. >> Miss Buyers. Pen. >> Yes. >> Miss. Col. >> Yes. >> Miss. Curry. >> Yes.
>> Miss Coten. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lopez. >> Yes. Miss Morell, >> yes. >> Mr. Rubino, >> yes. >> Miss Rtor, >> yes. We have a motion to prevent item 1s. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion Rubino. Second. Morell. Roll
call, please. >> Miss fire. >> Yes. >> Miss Colbath. >> Yes. >> Miss Curry. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ms. Cotang. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lopez. >> Yes. >> Miss Morell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rabino. Yes,
>> Mr. Richtor. >> Yes. May I have a motion to approve items one cur and two cur? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion. Moral. Second. Curry. Roll call,
please. >> Miss Buyers Kang. >> Yes. >> Miss Colbath. >> Yes. >> Miss Curry. >> Yes. >> M. Coten. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Lopez, >> yes. >> Miss Morurell, >> yes.
>> Mr. Rabino, >> yes. >> Miss Rector, >> yes. >> May I have a motion to approve items 1 F through 5F? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion Curry. Second. Morell. Roll call, please. >> Miss Bless Kang.
>> Yes. But I'm going to abain on five. >> Math. I'm going to stayain on yes to everything else. >> Murray, >> yes. >> Miss Cotang, >> yes.
>> Mr. Lopez, >> yes. >> Miss Morell, >> yes. >> Mr. Rabino, >> yes. >> Miss Rector, >> yes. >> May I have a motion to approve items 1 P through walk-in 11P? Motion >> motion morale second call back roll call
please Kang >> yes >> col >> yes >> and curry >> yes >> miss coang >> uh yes and uh to 2p um it's really um
incredible that uh this par is resigning spoken in the district so I wish I wish her all the luck Mr. Lopez, >> yes. >> Miss Morurell, >> yes. >> Mr. Rabino, >> yes. >> Miss Recctor, >> yes.
>> Okay, moving on. Is there any old business? Any new business? >> I want I have a Yes, I have a >> So, in regards to the busing, I have a question. Did all of the students who
needed to get the bus get the bus? any student who met the eligibility um criteria. Yes. And who and who submitted payment? >> Okay. because I happened to see on the bills that there was um a payment uh
given back to uh one of the students families and um then I happened to see um that student which I haven't spoken to the family or anything but I'm trying to get from you what the story is because I was very upset because that
was one of the front and foremost of the the movement to get the buses um that student was. So, I wasn't sure what had happened. Um, if all the students got the bus that needed it and >> the students that met the eligibility criteria, yes, they received they are on
the >> eligibility. Okay. >> The distance that met the distance requirement. >> Okay. And then how much does the bus tracking cost? >> Um, I'm not quite sure. The district has had it for a while. Just uh Oh, no, not the bus tracking, not that, but I'm not quite sure off the top of my head how
much it costs. I would have to look into that. Okay, that's something to think about. I just I hate to think that that some students are I mean it's getting cold now. They're walking to school and they're like nine nine years old and they're tiny and there's a lot of things
that happened. So, um that was very big on my heavy on my heart that the for students to be able to get to school and then to see that a payment was was sent back to someone. Um, and then to see,
you know, with the name of it, it it was it's was upsetting to me. Um, and I wanted to try to find out how many students are in that situation. >> So, maybe that's something, you know, we could communicate, but
kids need to get to school and it's going to start snowing soon and, you know, the roads are slippery, so that's enough. Yeah. Right. Okay. Thanks. That's okay. >> Are the buses filled? >> Um, it's my understanding that at this
time the buses, all of the buses aren't filled 100%. There are a few seats um that are open in case we have new students that come into the district that require transportation. Uh but also two of our buses were down. Uh so we also need to be careful. We need to have
spare buses um available just in case one bus becomes inoperable. And as you all are aware, the district did purchase two the district did purchase two new buses that one we're expecting in December and the other one we're expecting um in the spring hoping to um
switch out our old buses and >> allow those students >> and modernize our fleet. We'll have to switch out the buses that are holding on by a thread. >> Oh, so still students won't be able to have a seat on the bus. No, but it what it may allow us to do is extend the tracking because the bus tracking
because we will own those buses. >> Okay. So, the students that get the bus, we'll make sure that where they're at, but the students that are walking that get hit by cars and are alone, we will have no idea what happens to them. I mean, I understand that that's a priority of this board,
but the request that was made by the board at the beginning of the year was carried out and executed and we kept the board informed every step of the way of what we were doing with busing with the fleet that we have. Just unfortunately, we don't have an extended fleet to offer all of the students that that want the
the transportation to get it to get it to them at this time. leasing some buses from Leonia. >> Yes, we we still are. >> We get our two. Is it possible that we you know you get presented with the numbers to have like an additional bus?
We will have to switch out two of our current buses that are really I believe one we just got back from the shop and then another one um we will have to switch we will have to switch it out um
because I I'm I'm not quite sure. Let me let me get all of the specifics and then I'll get back to you. I know that at the beginning of the uh school year, our priority was just to even get the bus
going and um and given the short staff situation um we sort of agree let's make let's choose a solution that would address immediate issue which is to offer us to
as many student as possible. And we also discussed if there were o open seats um that we consider the possibility of offering them to family knowing that if we have
if if they're the last one on the bus if they need to give up those seats for a student who live beyond the two mile that we will do that. Um so that one we've taken as much proceeds as possible and to service as many students as
possible. Um so I um want to suggest bring that up again if that's a possibility to um to explore that. Um if George ultimately he is the person who need to manage that but it you know that is a possibility to open up to that
possibility. The other the other factor involved is routing. So what the the the mileage that we selected um was from a side of town that we were able to accommodate from that school three right >> side of town to the intermediate school.
Some students that may fall into you know not necessarily in that mileage requirement but are very close to it live what was explained to me on the opposite side of town. So the routes would become impacted. So it's not necessarily just about seats on the bus.
is also developing routes so that students can be picked up in time to get to school. >> I I totally understand. Um you know once uh George has all these um amazing tracking system in place um if we can
have a presentation on our transportation services just we've never been given one. We don't even know how many buses, how many routes. um we would love a presentation by him um in terms of what we're offering what we what is a
capability capacity and um and how we marry that to meet so I think that community would feel a lot more informed you know what what the challenges are for you office absolutely and that's why in the beginning of this process we met
in board in small group and committees to present a plan um that everybody was part of. Everybody gave their feedback. We kept I mean, you know, everyone aware of our next steps in a step-by-step process every week and that's where we
are. Um, as you also know, what we did mention is that there's some additional steps that have to be taken to provide a more comprehensive approach towards subscription busing. So, I just do want to say that from the time that we heard about this in July that we moved very
quickly to implement a subscription busting plan and that the board was informed in committee of the steps that we were taking that we were taking. Okay. >> Just wanted to welcome um Michael to uh to our first meeting. Welcome to the
team. Um, I want to also um echo um our councilman's comment. Um, there's still more meeting to come, so we're not there's no goodbye here yet. Um, and then lastly to the parents who spoke earlier, she's not here anymore. Um, 3
minutes is not enough to solve any problem, but three minute is enough for us to hear your concern. So, I hope that you continue to work with Diane and her team and um and allow allow
her team to respond to you and allow us to respond to you. Don't get despair because the three minute didn't give you all the answers you wanted to hear. >> Thank you. I have a motion to adjourn. >> Motion Rino second.
>> Second pullback. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you.