I pledge to the flag of the United States of America to the stand indivisible with liberty and justice and justice for how to say
the New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice and to attend meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted. Athon. In accordance with the provisions of the act, the Fortly Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be
published on January 10th, 2025, and posted on the district website at www.floe.com, published in the board's designated online media outlet newspapers, the record, and the Star Ledger, filed with the clerk of the bureau of Fort Lee, and mailed to all persons if any 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 caporeal 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. Mrs. Buyers King, Mrs. Colbeck. Mr.
Ms. here. Mr. Knight here. Mrs. Cot here. Mr. Lopez here. Miss Morell here. Mr. Ramino here. Mrs. Rner here.
The board will convene 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 morale, second Curry. All in favor? I.
Any opposed? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation 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 at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon in accordance with the provisions of the act. The Fortle board of education has caused notice of this meeting to be
published on January 10th, 2025 and posted on the district website at www.flbbo.com lb.com published in the board's designated online media outlet, newspaper, the record, and the Star Ledger filed with the clerk of the Burough Fortly and mailed to all persons if any who have requested said notice.
Please be advised that 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 corporeal 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. Mrs. Buyers King here. Miss
here. Mrs. Hurry here. Mr. Knight here. Mrs. Fang here. Mr. Lopez here. Miss Morell here. Mr. Rino here. Mrs. Richtor here. The board convened executive
session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss legal personnel and other confidential matters. Dr. Kravitz, will you begin by sharing the superintendent's report? Yes. Good evening everyone and thank you for coming in. Thank you for those on Zoom. 1,361 days ago, I had the privilege of returning to 4K as
superintendent of schools. It has been truly a rewarding experience, and I am deeply grateful to for the opportunity to serve this community. Over my 12-year career with a tenure break in between in Fort Le. I've had the honor of working at Fort Lee as a teacher, vice
principal, principal of two different schools, and most recently superintendent. While there are many accomplishments I am proud of, what stands out most is the chance I've had to work alongside so many dedicated and passionate individuals. Although we sometimes have
differing opinions of the what and the how, our shared commitment to the children of Fort always remained our common ground. As I look forward as I look toward the future, I offer this reflection to all stakeholders. Always keep the bigger
picture in mind. There is meaningful work happening here driven by people who deeply and work deeply care and work tirelessly to make a difference. Success is not the responsibility of one person. It takes a collective effort. I leave
you with a reminder of what I've consistently emphasized. Follow the process and respect the chain of command. When these principles are overlooked, disruption follows and the ripple effects can be difficult to contain. Thank you all for your
collaboration and support. I am truly thankful for the time I've spent here and for will always be close to me. Thank you. As far as his which I have to report, we have 10 cases and six were added. Thank you. Thank you. Do we have
committee reports? Good evening. Uh the negotiations committee met this past month, last Monday, and we uh reached an agreement with five administrative group. Um and that contract was ratified on 8 on
Thursday and you will see that um resolution made on next um the curriculum committee met last Thursday to um uh to discuss the new English language arts program that's
that will be adopted this Miss Kim, the K26 ELA supervisor presented the recogn program. She briefly reminded us the rationale for the new literacy program which is to
align with the NJSLS standards as well as bringing a comprehensive program to replace the current peace meal programs that we have in in ELA 5. meaning the district is using different textbooks, different resources for writing, for
reading vocabulary. So that um so that it's quite it's quite disconnected. Um the selection process narrow the there was a committee among the educators and um the teachers narrowed down to two programs. The program that
was chosen is called HMH um HMH um and that it had been piloted through K25 over the last years and um feedback were given um between the two programs.
um this H&M age program was re highly recommended um between the two. And so um the committee reminded the feedback from the committee is to um remind um as we roll out this program
that parents u remain um engaged um provide feedback to teachers, provide feedback again on the chain of command. If you have any concern to bring it to your teacher and um if you're not getting the feedback you need, continue to escalate until um you know until you
have the answer that you need. Um after the full implementation, we also recommend that there's a way to allow par uh the um parents to receive a workshop. So, similar to the math program um meeting that was held last
year, there will be one health for ELA and we really hope that this new program will bring bring a a more connected um platform for both teachers and students. Thank you. Thank you.
the ad hoc RFP uh committee for the superintendent search firm met on the 17th. Uh we sat with three different firms and the
committee is moving forward. I believe tonight it's on and the resolution was working with um documentation was sent to our board members to for their proposal and uh that's who I would have
any board members have questions or comments on tonight's agenda or other topics. So just a few things one I just wanted to um sort of express something Junth this year I got a couple calls
from community you know expressing some displeasure with the fact that we were open on Junth and um you know I just I guess I can't speak on behalf of the entire board but um I can certainly say that it was an oversight on my behalf that I voted a one that didn't include it as holiday um I also just wanted to
point out that it is definitely marked as a pay off next year. It's on calendar. So, I just want to bring that up. And then I said one other question. A couple meetings ago, we discussed um looking at anonymous reporting tool for students,
teachers, and parents. I'm just wondering if we had any sort of up the anonymous reporting tool versus uh we don't have any updates on that yet. Thank you. Any other board members have questions
or comments? on 23F um the unanticipated or unexpended appropriations the surplus currently with what we have encumbered what is that number currently projected to be
so as for the 256 budget that was submitted by Michael Simon and the board approved the allocations to capital reserve maintenance reserve emergency reserves were budgeted at $0 so going forward we will review the facility plan and ensure the appropriate
reserve funding is planned for the 2627 budget year consistent with regulations and districts. I'm sorry was I didn't hear the amount that we currently anticipate to be able to put into our capital reserve and
other fund. No, we currently do not have a number. Well, we we we we know today what we have encumbered and we know what we haven't encumbered. And so what is what is the total amount currently that's
unencumbered that was allocated for the school year? So once I get the exact number, I can give that to you tomorrow morning. Okay. I mean, we we have a resolution on tonight 23F that anticipates some amount
at the end of June and we're only 7 days from the end. You can't we don't know whether it's 1 million, 2 million, 5 million. No, not at the moment. Okay. Um, there was an item on the bills
paid list that kind of jumped out at me. It was a payment of over $80,000 to the United States Treasury. And the description says IRS fourth quarter penalty. What What kind of penalty would we be paying of 80? That's that's a
teacher salary. That that would put someone in the classroom for a year and and and and I think I our step one is about 72,000. What What is that? And how did that come to be that we had paid a penalty of $80,000?
So that was due to the previous payroll coordinator we had and he did not pay taxes on time and that was the penalty we received by IRS and a fi a 501. Oh, we're not a 501c3 a public entity. what we would have to pay
a pe a penalty of that magnitude for I mean what did what did we miss or or how could it be like so significant for a public school district how could it be so significant school district because our payroll runs about $55
million $16 million um that's one of the reasons why we had a change in in payroll and that was brought to the board of education I believe committee as well. We spoke about we talked about it in private session about the pay situation mistakes that were made and we
rectified as soon as we come back as far the consequence with the IRS you know that's unfortunately that's what happened and I think there was even a question about weified by insurance and I might have been from that side of the room I'm not quite sure but I know that's one of the concerns we have so we
received the notice and we paid that uh penalty Any other questions? Okay. Is it can anyone on the committee the ad hoc committee elaborate in any way how you narrowed down um the search
and identified this particular firm 20 for 20F and was the committee unanimous or um you know it's just kind of a name um without being in the interviews maybe someone could say why this particular
firm rose to the top if I may I would suggest that that topic discussed in post executive session. While it does reference uh the search criteria for a search firm which is a quasi professional service, it is directly and intimately related to a
personnel decision that has to be made by the board. So I'm not saying the question is inappropriate, but I think that it would be more appropriate to be discussed in closed executive session to maintain the confidentiality of the uh process leading to the selection of the candidate.
Well, let me ask it differently. One other question then. Um the contract that we're approving um requires the board of education to conduct the background check on any candidates that we're interested in. Is that normal? Because I would think that that would be
one of the the issues we would want a professional search firm. None of us I mean look I have some access but I don't use it for my board of ed you know how would we even competently do an effective background search? So board
members, any any and all questions related to the search and selection of your next superintendent uh would be appropriate for discussion in closed executive session under the personal exception of the open public meetings act. Um and so I would just ask all of
you to be guided accordingly in the future. Um with respect to a background check like many if not most most or almost all things uh the board can rely upon uh its designate to do that. So I presume that the search firm would kind of take the lead in doing all those
steps towards the uh selection of the candidate. Just to follow up on what Holly said before, um on Wednesday, June 18th, after the committee met, there was an email sent to all board members with a summary of each interview of all of the
firms um explaining that one was excluded because no one was excluded and there were reasons that were listed. Why? Just just reference the email. Just there was there was an email sent. I read the email. The these were questions that I had in spite of the email. Okay. The the
email itself also is confidential and should not be disclosed to the public. I would just like to follow up with that you never responded to the email with any of your questions. So, they couldn't have been answered before. I mean, and it was because I because I
because we're hiring a superintendent, I thought that it would benefit the entire board to to learn the answers and not me just sending emails. that has not been a very productive course of action for me to get information. Okay. We almost sat through an hour and a half close session
and you never asked one question about that. So, um that answers kind of several questions there. I didn't think that that was a proper private session discussion.
Okay. Any other board members have questions or comments on tonight's agenda? Okay. May I have a motion to open the floor to the public? Second. Motion Rabbino, second Curry. All in favor? I. Any opposed or abstensions?
We'll hear first from members of the public physically located here this evening, then take questions for and comments from those participating remotely. Participants are all limited to three minutes in which to make their statement. For remote participants, please select the raise hand button and
Mr. Roger will recognize each community member in the order of raised hands. Please everyone unmute your microphone, state your name and address for the record and begin your comments. Again, everyone is list limited to three minutes. Please make your way to the podium if
you wish to speak. Good evening everybody. Pet 2185 mo. We thought our last meeting as CPAC leaders was the last one. So we have and you're correcting me. 7 days, seven hours 40 minutes and 50 seconds. Same
time Dr. Travis has left. Uh Jun um fun fact just mentioned in New Jersey we made it a holiday before the federal government did and they made it the third Friday of every month. So that's why it's on Friday next year because the 19th falls on a Friday. So my question will be is it a coincidence
that it's on Friday or did we actually move it as a district or Friday? Um but I'm pretty sure it's on Friday. The second thing is um a parent asked me about a special education committee um being on the board of education um and
they said they never heard of CPAC meetings and I said I didn't know it existed. I know there was a talk about it a year ago um but they actually said someone said that the special education committee looks forward to working with them. So the question is is there a special education committee? How often
do they meet? I guess this is for you president. How often do they meet and minutes available or anything like that? Are those all your questions? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Do you want me to answer the special
education? I'll do the other two first. Okay, go ahead. So, um, many districts around the state have chosen the 19th or the 20th. So, when it first came out, there was a federal and there was a state. So, if you look at others, like I said, surrounding districts. We observed the holiday on the 20th this year. Um, I
said several us. No, this year we observed that we observed it on the 20th as opposed to next year. Next year you can look up the date but if it's Friday it would be whatever fall belongs to that it's the 19th so that's the reason why we did it this year like I said along with other districts special
education committee is your question special education committee does exist this year it was new um it consists of four board members morel in place of me because I sit on most committees um but she wanted to be on it so um and Miss
Kobat is the chair Was that all your questions? Yeah. Okay. Anyone else in public want to speak? Good evening everyone. I'm Maggie. I maybe one for one um Avenue and my question is also about the
special education because I have three child um two in high school and then one is going to intermediate school and I would like to ask for more support in high school for the counseling department because my kid um one has like depression I'm very fortunate that
like when she's very serious and she was in uh middle school educ community school and middle school like a counselor was very amazing. She gave a lot of mental support like personal meetings like every week touching base with my daughter whenever she needs her
then she talked. So then she's done a lot better in high school. So that I have no issue with my son that he was okay in she and he had very um amazing counsel in um surgery
and then he has very amazing counsel in also in media school and middle school like they're wonderful and then they give a lot of support to my son. So I don't have like a lot of issue with my son in like um in early life but when it comes
to high school I know that every time um I found all the college application a lot of the the counselor they give a lot of support to the student on the academic side but is it possible that they gave more support to the student on the mental issue mental side because for
especially child um the need is not only on educational purpose of educational area what they need help from the school is uh really the mental support so that's why I have a lot of um struggle with my child and then I work very
closely with the counseling department and I have like a lot of meeting with them but at the beginning five or four was like enough for my kids I don't really need IP before because I have a lot of support but when he goes to high school um after a couple meeting I asked for IP meeting and then he got turned
down because he has no issue with the educational um area because um he had no problem with learning. But what special educational uh area that the child need is really the mental support from the school or um maybe executive functioning
that kind of like area. Is it like any possibility increase the resources of the counseling department so that they have more chances to work with the student on the mentor side instead of just academic side? Because right now like um personally I I'm not supposed to
talk about very personal thing but because the school did not give um enough support to my child then I choose to take the risk for him to fail the subject and at the end I help him at the final exam. So he got passed but I really want to show to the school that
like all those mental um like special need uh kids they really need more like mental support from the school instead of just educational. Do you have any other question? Just one. So, uh, we're looking in the next school year, so starting in September,
to have additional supports in our high school regarding mental health and other programs for the district. We are budgeting. We're looking at how we can squeeze that in, but we think we have an ability to add some significant assistance to students who need some
wellness and mental health uh. Yeah, I think like all the campus are very amazing but like they the student they need like constant support from the counselor. It's not just here and there one of like the uh study child study
team one meeting two meeting for all those mental health like student they need like constant meeting just like the um elementary school intermediate school and the middle school they did a wonderful job constant meeting but when it comes to high school the school expect childrens to be like more
independent but if they have the issue they can't really help themselves they need the school teacher for help like counseling to help them instead of they reach out for help Like I feel like the counseling department should be a little bit more proactive to reach out to the staff to the children. Also at the high
school there is a student assistance counselor a sack and we also have a social worker at the high school designated. Yeah I understand the issue not thank you. Thank you.
Hello everyone. My name is Julia Chenn and the 2200 North Central Vote. I just graduated from Fort Le High School last week and uh I remember six years ago when I was in sixth grade or just about to enter seventh grade uh I was preparing
for my transition between elementary school to middle school and a big part of this transition was the lack of school busing and for students who lived outside of accessible parameters and today I'm here back again to express my same concerns about distinct issue, but
this time for my little brother, George. Naturally, back then, my parents were worried about my safety. I was really tiny as a kid that was fairly distractable. And if I walked that 1.7 miles, my parents fear that I'd make a wrong turn, get completely lost, end up
in the wrong town. And they feared that if I through high traffic areas, I'd get distracted, get into an accident. And then they feared if I went on public transportation, I'd get off the wrong wrong stop, potentially ending up miles away from home. There was just was a lot. But at first, you know, being
almost 13, I thought their fears are completely unfounded. But now that I'm an older, almost indulging off to the college at USC next year, I'm able to understand that at 12, almost 13, I was pretty immature and naive. Though I did never end up at the wrong town or in a
wrong stop, I was pretty vulnerable. I was an underage child in a crowded anti-trans bus filled with plenty of grown adults. Sometimes at like 4:30 p.m., which doesn't sound very late, but in December, it's pitch black. But, you know, being almost 13, I was
totally ready to take on that challenge. But my brother is nowhere close to turning 30. He's 10, almost three years younger than I was at that age of transition. And currently he's expected to do the same thing I was expected to do and walk from our house to the middle
school/ Indian school area. My parents can barely trust me at age 13. How could they expect him to do that at age 10? Not to mention, I started school in middle school of 2019. Since then, there's been many shifts in traffic congestion and commuting patterns.
Intersections at George Washington Bridge have been ranked as the worst traffic problem in the entire US for seven years straight due to mobile traffic long tracks and construction zones and subject for construction zones. There's just been a lot of them
like such as the uh upgrades on the mo. I'm pretty sure we're all familiar with the closing down half of the road and whatnot, but construction zones like these have dropped the rush hour traffic speeds to record lows, worsening commuter times for parents and children
alike. I remember standing at that bus stop or for a different reason lately having to wait like 20 minutes. The bus was 20 minutes late from that congestion. So, I know you all care about the education of Fort Snow. Part of this is to be able to make it to
school safely and on time. As parents, guardians, aunts, uncles, grandparents, I urge all school buses, especially beyond intermediate school. Now, I'd like to welcome five brothers who are [Music]
Hello everyone. My name is George. I graduated from fourth grade at fourth grade this year. Next year I will be going to the Fort Le intermediate school and I am not sure if I will have a spot on a school bus to go to school. The
intermediate school seems very far away from me in school free. I used to walk to school every day. School free roughly half a mile away from my house. It took me over 15 minutes to walk there every day. I mean it's going to take me like
an hour to walk there and from the intermediate school and an hour is a very long time. I heard that the transition from elementary school to intermediate school is not easy. So I need to study more during my
time at school. I have a student receive really good grades. Next year I want to get A's in my class as well as well. To do that, I need to study and I don't want to waste an hour a day walking homely studying. I know
you all care about the safety and education of the children of poor leave. I am just a child who wants to learn. So, please give me a spot on the bus. I I turn this I don't mind responding for let me just if I can first of all congratulations on
USC and congratulations George for responding and giving our whole presentation just to clarify some of the you know the things we've discussed in the past and we continue every school district in the state of New Jersey has a cap of 2% you know you mentioned that the mental health uh program that we're
looking to bring in which is about $155,000 That's the same cost as a bus for us to run on the bus. So when we looked at programs knowing that we only have a 2% cap. So we can have elementary, we could try to increase elementary music or we can have a bus. We can have more
elementary teachers teaching world languages or we can have a bus. We can have a mental health program or we can have a bus. Those are choices we have to make because we don't have enough money for everything. So as we make these decisions, the goal of every district in the state is to make sure kids are
educated. Um, and that's the most important thing, fundamental education, that that's what we're here for. I recognize the need for a bus and absolutely agree. But when we look at our budget and understand that we have this cap, that cap does not allow us to go over significantly to add busing for
everybody. So, it's choices that we have to make. You know, music program in younger grades, mental health programs, all of those things, they all cost money. So, we are limited to what we can increase at a time. We also have to worry about our infrastructure because we can have a very nice bus take you to
a building that, you know, doesn't have air conditioning or doesn't has has really poor bathrooms. So, those are the decisions we make and I I recognize it's not the most popular decisions, but that's the reality that we live in in a time where we are 2% gap for our school budget. So, thanks
at the other side of the uh bridge. And this is my dog. I live just one block away from my house. My family missed it by only 0.1 miles. But the small number makes a big
difference for me. I have to walk 30 minutes. I live across the bridge where roads are really busy and dangerous. There are no crossing cars. Sometimes there are no sidewalks. My mom and dad both works and we don't
have a car. I can't take NJ transit either because I'm not old enough. I know other kids near my house take the bus. They are just regular families. I don't understand why I turn. Sometimes
it rains, sometimes it snows, and get really cold. I get tired and scared walking that far by myself. My parents worry about me a lot. I don't think it is fair that I just
because one mile too far I have to go do all this. Please help families like mine. Please let kids who don't have a car get a bus even if they just live a little outside of
the road. Thank you for listening. Is there anyone else that wishes to speak? Andrew 326 bridge plaza north. Um so my favorite subject those you don't know what it is especially parents advisory group. Um we have a date yet for the annual meet and
greet. I know that you're not going to be here and I don't be part of leadership anymore but it's planning things the future. I was wondering if there is a date that is set for back also the um the 18 21 year program 18 to
21 year old program which is the fortress which as you know I feel about the threat program um I was wondering if maybe these young adults did that right finally about six months but that right maybe
like like and I don't know if that um the preschool school they have a some program I'm not sure or not because maybe those young adults can do instead of going to quote unquote set school year a internship and that get paid so
it could be you know something future fun um also um last but not least almost on 18F I noticed the standard procedures 2025 2026
I noticed on that names on it. I noticed that the business administrator was not on it. I know superintendent the um assistant um superintendent and the assistant VA, but did not see the business administrator's name on that. And also looking at the packet tonight,
I do not see the business administrator's name. I see the assistant business ministry. I know it's like he's not here tonight because when he's still with us and see how leave and see we're very sick I'm curious also finally I just want to say thank you to
Dr. parents. Um I know we've done a lot of things to especially parents advisory group. Um all you the only thing you always told us was yes yes yes and yes we did a lot of great things together. U we will miss you and tell you that and you know you and also mon phenomenal
board for all this say just thank you for everything. Thank you. Thanks. And thank you. I have microphone. So, in response to some of your questions, the former business administrator has
resigned and taken a position in another district. Um, as far as internships, we don't have any of them for the uh fortress program as of yet and the preschool program does not run in the summer. And as far as the date for CPAG, I don't remember what uh the director of
special education or had mentioned at the at the last meeting we had in CPAC, but I'm sure if you email her, she's probably working on those dates and I think they might have I thought they had one in August they announced. I'm not quite sure if I remember, but I thought that I think there was a tenative date
that she announced at the CPAG meeting. So I think that that's a go in for that one, but again, I would confirm with the director of special education. Thank you. Please everyone my name is SH Julian and George's father. We did this
bus thing probably about 26 years ago and one of the solutions that we came up with was if the parents could pay extra funding to get this the bus money and we did. I think we paid close to $1,000
semester and uh and obviously was cut in half during CO. Um but we're glad that you could do that. And my question up here is one just to remind everybody how bad traffic is. There's a there's a stop sign about thousand ft from our built
that nobody stops it. It's from road coming up to North Central Roads. It's literally everybody just takes it. And I we all seen this uh throughout for le right nobody really follows because we're in Fort Le is in the middle of
it's for le just in the way of New York cities right everybody just get in and out in New York City for le just in and most people who travel through this area do the same thing not not that many trash are actually from so the question
here is what options have you guys thought of other than we spend $100,000 here, $100,000 here. If you guys thought about asking parents for money, buy a minivan so the parents could one of the parents could drive. I drive hour and a half to Stanford for work. I got there
three days a week. If I could be here more time, I would obviously drive my kid car. Um, so I really would love to hear what kind of options you guys and solutions that you guys have come up with other than the fact we're going to spend hundreds of thousand here or none.
I mean this is there there are creative solutions here and I'm hoping you guys could take time. We don't have a lot of time left uh to come up with something because a lot of parents could actually benefit from this as you all know we all have things that we can do in the morning and I have taken George and
Julian to school many times. It's just that you know with the back to work and I changed my job I work at Stanford that makes it very very difficult and I'm sure some here some parents are here is under the same situation. So um once again my name is Sing Chan and I hope
you guys take my suggestion and think of certain ways to kind of alleviate the situation. Thank you. Thanks. So we we will continue if we have when we have space like we did in the last year and when we have space for subscription
busing there will be a fee associated um like we did last year the same way with the lottery and we will have that same thing. So there are options. I can't guarantee how many spaces we'll have just like we did last year but we will have that subscription bus but those are based on our a lottery of the seats
available to those buses and you know we can always look at other alternatives but you know in a budget and I know I understood the reference but that's what we have to do we are charged fiscally responsible to run make sure that we use the money for education um and that's
what that's our charge here and and I recognize that but there's a reason why there's statutes and what they do regarding mileage and things like that. Just like other towns, everyone follows those those statutes accordingly. So, we're trying to do the same. But we do have options and that is the subscription busing that has existed and
this year we will continue the same way a lottery based on the open spaces on those bus rides. Are there any other questions from audience here? All right. My name is Candace. I'm at um West Place for School 3 as well and I love our
community and I am very grateful um to be walking distance from school grade. We love it so much. I don't know that. Sorry, my daughter's going into fourth grade. So, we're going to be, you know, fall 2026. And I think we're the only school that's north of the bridge. And
so, I think there needs to be serious consideration for our district specifically. We just I understand that New Jersey as well as a law that it's a two-mile, but like you know, other neighbors have said, Orley is incredibly
congested, that those intersections are deadly. These kids are nine, 10, right? I understand you're saying your hands are tied, but you know, like my neighborhood said that we're looking for you to be advocates for our kids. It's a safety issue, right? When you say that
that money is earmarked only for education, getting to school safely safely is part of that, right? Getting to school safely and on, you know, back again, that walk on Google Maps is 40 minutes. I I don't know. Sorry. I don't know
anybody who's doing a 40-minute walk with their 9-year-old um in the morning. If we're in a car, right, that adds to the congestion. So, all we're asking, like you said, is creative solutions to think about whether it means that they're paying, but I'm sure there are many parents that are dual income
families. I'm a teacher myself. I don't see my kids when they wake up. I'm at school. So, I can't it's not even an option to drop off. So, we're just asking, you know, I don't know. I was I think maybe a little trigger when you responded with like a budget response. I get it. Um, you know, but I think we're
looking for a little bit of understanding that there's a whole district of us that you're asking our nine and 10 year olds to walk across, not across the GW, but over to the other side. That's my two cents.
Appreciate it. Thank you. And we'll keep looking. Well, right. ask for those in person so that we can move on to those. No, we're going to raise that microphone. Okay. Hello. Can you hear me? Yeah. Yes.
So, just to reiterate actually that's in 24 23 first. Um I have an older son that goes to the middle school um 8th grade. I'm from the south. There's no way I'd allowed him to walk from First Street, literally on the same street as Pool Three, all the way over here. There's
been times when I've had to walk to come pick him up or walk to drop him off cuz I too don't have a car. But by the grace of neighbors, I can borrow a vehicle from time to time should he miss the bus. Last year, I was told that he was not going to get on the bus. I'm single um income, single mom of three children,
so he's supposed to be on the bus. He didn't get on the bus until day two. So, I had to take him the whole summer. We were practicing like, okay, I gave him my air tag. We washed it in the washing machine. That felt epic. But there was a try there, but still being told that he was going to have to walk. I can only
imagine with the moms that have little girls, even George, having to walk that far. It's ridiculous. Um, and then I know we had did a little bit of research, Mary. I think I might have just forgot to say it, but even according to New Jersey law, DPS can
come knock on our doors if we're sending our kids out there dead young and crazy traffic cuz we have a major traffic issue. Kids at age 10 while school based on child protect services guidelines, this situation could be considered neglect. the guidelines mentioned high risk or unsafe neighborhoods, children who may
fear lost, unable to handle mercy, extreme weather or lack of um appropriate clothing and we need just about all those conditions just from the distance, the high traffic and the inclement weather. So again, thank you for trying, but there's got to be a bigger try. Like
that's crazy. That is wild to make these kids walk that far. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Roger Mail, 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. Uh, hi Mel Kamasco to fight for Tom Hunter Road. So first thing I want to say thank you to Miss Con from school
dynamics. She did a wonderful job as a first time in the district teacher. I mean the my kid over there was very happy with her and um he learned a lot and overall I think what they have there it's a good program. It also helps the
kids in the fortress to get life experience. And I encourage every parent that has a school aid preschool or you know if to consider the school number to annex as a potential prek.
Um I'm also saying that um I'm I'm sad to see the school number one teacher sorry principal resigning. He from what I could gather he was very friendly and very involved with the
activities happening in the school. He always walked the around the school grounds and you know you can always ask him questions. So I'm sad to see him go. Now in regards to some complaints that I have. So I'm
looking at the budget and I have some questions. I'm seeing, you know, as Paula mentioned, we have the IRS penalty. I find that disturbing that we have to address it in a private settings. Granted that Dr. Kravis just said that
our business administrator just quit. I don't see how that can be private in any form of you know cuz at the end of the day it's a penalty on public money. So it would be you know as we as the community perhaps should get like an
explanation of what happened and how can it be avoided. Now the other thing is I'm seeing an item spent here for um it's called collaborative equity and it's labeled DI Consulting. It's for
$21,750. I'd like to know more about that and how what what does you know how that money is spent and what do they teach and more details regarding the consulting and lastly I still I'm still waiting for
like a satisfactory response in regards to my IEP problems and trying to figure out what happened to you know during last year I I don't think what was communicated in regards to uh the the school aid that my kid was
assigned is acceptable and I've sent the message to the board. I'm waiting for responses. So that's what what I you know wanted to say. Thank you. Thank you for your questions regarding the IRS. That was a as I said that was
part of conversations held with the board and brought up tonight. As far as the collaborative equity, this is Kayaso going to answer. And as far as your emails, I know that you have been there are at least five emails from the director of special education, including
uh 4 days ago, 5 days ago going back and forth explaining what what we understand to be correct. the best thing to do as I as I said um and I believe that they're going there is going to be another meeting in what I'm reading on those emails and that will be addressed but there have been about five or six emails
going back and forth to the director of special education and yourself. Thank you. Um in regards to a question regarding um comprehensive equity solutions, that is a professional development provider that the district hired to work with our
administrators as well as our intervention and referral services teams, otherwise known as our INRS teams to address um the citation that we received by the Department of Education for being a significant proportionality um with special ed with regards to our
Hispanic student population. um they that vendor has been working with our INRS teams to establish consistent protocols and procedures to ensure that our practices are equitable across the district. Steph Ko, 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 Cot 281 Tom Hunter. Can you hear me? Cuz I'm not at my usual. I don't know if I can be heard.
Yes. Okay. Thanks. Um I also had a question about the IRS um payment that I saw in the budget. That was one of the things I was going to ask about. And the other question I had was it looks like on the budget
we're paying $40,000 to police officers and then 37 around there. Maybe my numbers are wrong. I'm doing it from memory about um you know more patrol in the schools. Do our tax dollars originally pay for the
police? Is this Maybe I missed it because I wasn't on in the early beginning. What exactly is going on with that? Are the police not um in the town available to be in the school? And why do we have to pay extra money for that?
And that's number I don't know if it's different if those if those are the RSO officers and and also is there somewhere where we can see what was taught in this DEI training cuz I had originally asked the question a few meetings ago if it
was just for the Hispanic population and um what's going on because we're not able to get a breakdown if it's legal illegal students that are in our schools. because New Jersey has that law that you can't see what it's for. But if
we have illegal students in our school costing us extra money and then it's coming out of our school budget, potentially that 22,000 could be used for busing or something else. That seems like a fine that was put on our school, but was it for students that we're
taking in that aren't even from our district or are illegal? Those are those are questions that I want to get to the bottom of. I'm not sure if I can, but that's all that's all I have.
You have any other questions? Not sure. That's it. Okay. So, as far as the class 3 officers, we have uh we have a shared services agreement with the Fort League um burrow where we pay for class 3 which are recently retired officers who are carrying a gun, who
wear a uniform. This is for police department. They are limited to what they can do for the police. But for us, they are part of our regular routine and they are dispersed within our district. We also have an additional seven or eight uh former officers whether the
sheriff's department and police departments who work for the Fort Public Schools and we have an outsourced u school security team that we are that we that are in on all of our schools manning doors in certain areas. As far as
the training, with regards to your question, the funding um comes from federal funds received um from our IDA um funding. Um we are required when a district um has a citation for significant disproportionality. We are
required to allocate 15% of those funds to address that issue. So that is not coming out of your operational budget. that is coming from grant funds that we are required to spend specifically to address that issue
and one and one last point about the uh police officers. It is routine for the police department to walk through our buildings. I believe they have over 500 walkthroughs per year as that is part of their routine to be in and out of our buildings every day. So there are police
officers in the buildings walking through as part of their daily routines. Thank you and thanks to the chief for doing that. There are no more raised hands. Thank you. I have a motion to close the floor to the public. Second morel. Any opposed?
All in favor? Sorry. All in favor? I I abstensions. Okay. Moving on to resolutions. May I have a motion to approve items 1B through 3B? Motion Moral second. Curry. Roll call, please.
Mrs. Buyers Kang, yes. Miss, yes. Mrs. Curry, yes. Mr. Knight, yes. Mrs. Poten, yes. Mr. Lopez, yes. Miss Morurell, yes. Mr. Rabino, yes. Mrs. RTOR, yes. We have
a motion to approve item 1 BNG. Motion second. Motion. Morell. Second. Rabino. Roll call, please. Mrs. Buyers Kang. Yes. Miss Cola. Yes. Mrs. Furry. Yes. Mr. Knight. Yes. We're
excited about it. Mrs. Cohen. Yes. Mr. Lopez. Yes. Miss Morell? Yes. Mr. Rabino? Yes. Mrs. Verter? Yes. May I have a motion to approve item 1 S? Motion. Second. Motion. Morell. Second.
Curry. Roll call, please. Mrs. Bang. Yes. Miss. Yes. Mrs. Curry. Yes. Mr. Knight. Yes. Mrs. Colang. Yes. Mr. Lopez. Yes. Miss Morell? Yes. Mr. Rino?
Yes. Mrs. RTOR? Yes. We have a motion to approve items one cur and two cur motion. Motion moral second by Kang. Roll call, please. Mrs. Buyers Kang, yes. Miss
Bulba, yes. Mrs. Curry, yes. Mr. Knight, yes. Mrs. Golding, yes. Mr. Lopez, yes. Miss Morel, yes. But I abain on to see you all. Okay. U Mr. Aino. Yes. Mrs. RTOR. Yes.
We have a motion to approve items 1 F through 31F. Motion. Second. Motion. Quotang. Second. Rabbino. Roll call, please. Mrs. Buyers Kang. Yes. Except for 23F.
Okay, Miss Bulva. Uh, yes on everything except no on 1F, 2F, 20F, and 23F. Okay, Mrs. Curry. Yes. However, I'm going to abstain on
23F. Okay, Mr. Knight, yes. on all items with the exception of 20F which I vote no on. Okay, Mrs. Um yes on all um and staying on 23F.
Okay, Mr. Lopez. Yes, I'm all and I'll stay on 23. Miss moral. Yes. Mr. Rabino. Yes. Abstaining on 23F as well. Yes.
Mrs. RTOR. Yes. May I have a motion to provide 1 P through 21P? Motion. Motion. Morell. Second. Rabino. Roll call, please. Mrs. buyer's name. Yes, Miss Bulan. Uh, yes on everything, but
no to the name Ernie Zabbo on 3P and no to resolution 12P to create a new night custodian position. Okay, Mrs. Curry. Yes, Mr. Knight.
Abstain on Ernie's name. And I'm going to also abstain on as well. Okay, Mrs. Going. Yes, on all and abstain on name Lamb on 3P. Okay, Mr. Lopez, yes.
Miss Morell, yes. Mr. Rabino, yes. Mrs. Richter, yes. May I have a motion to approve items one P and two P motion second motion second
roll call please Mrs. Buyers Kang yes Miss Kath yes Mrs. Curry yes Mr. Knight yes Mrs. Fing yes Mr. Lopez. Yes. Miss Morell? Yes.
Mr. Rino? Yes. Miss Greger? Yes. Is there any old business? Um I got to follow up. I know the busing issue is something that that is near and dear to my family. If you personal people spoke tonight, um I know that J
is an issue. It was not an easy job for you. the business administrator in the interim. Um to use the money for education like you said won't happen unless the kid can get in in the morning and with absenteeism as one of our
concern. One more impediment to for the kid not want to go to school. Parents can't bring those kids to school. Education can't happen if they can't get to school. And secondly, we don't We can't afford to have one incident of a
child getting paid walking from the school free area who knows that it is a real hazard. It is a real hazard. I'm happy to forego and let my 12year-old 13year-old walk, but I can't imagine a 10year-old, a
lucky year walking in the dark, especially in the dark. um walking home and and and so I ask you to please um I know that I've stated in an email to um to you um
to have a clear clear outline on our website what is qualification what is the registration process what should parent ex when should parent expect to hear from the district whether their child qualifies in the past two years
parents hear as late as the day before school starts whether their children qualify for plusing or not. We want to work with this year, but it cannot happen. And I know you've made that promise. You won't let that happen this year. So, I just want to reiterate
that we don't allow this to happen this year to to have busing information that we sent out so late and and to not have a way to accommodate even their parent has to pay to give them that option to pay to put a child on the school bus and
not on in J transit. Um, and then second point I want to raise um is to support that parent. Obviously, there's a gap between middle school and high school in terms of our mental support for students. Um, so I hope that we can make even small progress in in in in that
direction. Thank you. As far as far as busting as far as busting, you know, I understand completely, but again, and we have talked about it came up in the policy committee. It came and came up last year. I know prior, you know, in
prior years they were, you know, they were just doing busing randomly aan loo people were getting paid. We make those decisions and I agree with you wholeheartedly that, you know, it's important to get students there, but I also recognize that, you know, we're sitting in a building that the air
conditioning doesn't work and I get calls from board members saying, "Why doesn't it work?" And that's $2 million. So, you know, as we make our decisions of what we can do and what we can't do, I I I want the board to recognize that. And I you know as every superintendent has said here when I look back and
understand by speaking to them all we work at the at the will of the board. So if the will of the board is that busing is important and that's their choice then please understand and that's all I ask for me or for any superintendent who would take this position understand and please don't ask why can't we have world
language in the elementary school why can't we have an elementary ban like we used to you know why can't we do this why can't we do that because there is only certain dollars that we have and can we ask you to let us know what that tradeoff is so the public knows what
trade-off are we making and and and and we can make it together as a community and that doesn't fall on you to make it and get away of that decision. Though it's not about me and I would never say it's about me. It has never been about me. It is about the role of the
superintendent is to not be micromanaged. The role of the superintendent is to listen to the board of what they want. Then it is my decision. That's why you went through New Jersey school board's training to understand that you set what you want and it's my job to make it happen. So or let me rephrase that. It is the
superintendent to make it happen. So if the board says we want busing that that's our job to make it happen. It is not uh I have not seen a successful where we're voting on in a board or as a community of whether or not we do this or do that. It makes it very difficult
to manage and that's probably one of the reasons why we've gone through so many superintendents because at the end of the day this is our job to make those decisions. What what we're being told to do we will do. Um, so I know since 2020 2020 2004 when I started open for those
of you who didn't know I started as a teacher and now it is 2025. So that is 21 years there have been 11 superintendents and there's a reason for that. So you know we'll make those decision.
So to be fair I don't think we can compete with to be fair. Well I didn't say my other district and I appreciate you bringing it up but I I didn't say that. I'm saying to you in in the context of what we do our job superintends.
So I all I ask respectfully is that you understand we're making a decision. and we're trying to make that decision as best we can to service all my point is to advocate for counties who are making it clear and loud about safety and if if
advocating for safety is interfering and getting out of our lane then this is a lane that I do want to get out of because we do have a traffic problem in Fort it's not a gear right I think you know Dr. Travis has
made the point that if it is the will of the board to move forward and either raise taxes or cut programs so that we can find more busing then I think that's the point he's trying to make. Thank you. Go ahead. I mean I I think that there are other options like so I voted
no tonight because we were creating a new position. Tonight's agenda had a number of new positions. So I think what Amy is asking for and I think that it would be helpful for the board to know the cost to provide so that if we have to go to our parents and ask for a
little bit more contribution on their part. I frankly thought that it was decided we were coming up with $155,000 and I frankly thought that the busing issue was solved for this year and I guess it's not. It is a very big safety issue in our community. We have a very
Excuse. Can I finish? So, so busing to me is a very significant safety issue. Fort Lee is not like many other suburban Bergen County towns. I mean, you know, we have
pedestrian accidents all the time. So, I I do think I want to I I want to endorse expanding opportunities and whatever the numbers are, I think the board needs to be presented with that. Um, I also want
to ask about 23F because we typically do this resolution at about this time and we have a sense of what the number is and my understanding is that we need to make that transfer before the end of the school year. So, what is our path
forward on that? How do we find out approximately what the number is? And how do we are we going to forfeit putting this money in our capital reserve if we don't because I don't think the vote passed tonight on 23F. You had a lot of abstensions and I don't think there was a majority. So what is
the path forward? So I think Lester is going to speak to that. But just to clarify the the night custodian that's a position control number. By state law we were supposed to be putting every employee every position
with a control number. So we didn't necessarily add a position that position control number and as you know Christina explained we have an overlap of one person going in while another person. So you would see that position control
number disappear on come August 1st. So every position in every building under every category needs to be classified with the position control number and that we were trying to do. So there was no necessarily additional person. The
the language of resolution 12P presented to the board stated, "Therefore, be it resolved that the Fort Le board of education upon recommendation of the superintendent approves to create the following
positions for the 2025 2026 school year." And we've never had a supervisor of special education. That is absolutely a new position and and the resolution said that the night custodian is a new position. That is that's the language in
the resolution that the board was presented with. Right. But you specifically asked about this, but that's fine. Cool. So board members, if I may resolution 23F, I think it was um I spoke with the business administrator. My understanding
is that the vote tally was three yes votes or three affirmative votes and six abstensions. Um I also reviewed your policy number 01. A number of us voted no. I voted no. I didn't abstain. I don't abstain. What
was Can you recite what the outcome was of that vote? A number. Which number was it? 23F. 23F. What was the outcome? fatalities. Three people that didn't that said yes. How many said yes? How many said no? How
many I guess four abstain, two, two said no. How many said yes? So, three yes, two no, four abstensions. Correct. Mhm. Okay. So, let's make sure we're clear. Three yes, two no, four
abstensions. Correct. Is that a yes? Yes. Okay. So according to Robert's rules of order, a vote of three yes, two no for abstensions passes. Abstensions acquies to the
majority pursuant to board bylaw 0165 voting. Uh there is no enhanced majority required for what I understand is a simple budget line item transfer. So my opinion is that that passes this evening. I will nonetheless double check it um this evening but as of now three
yes to no four abstensions pass this question about the busing situation. Uh first of all two questions. One is uh what is the typical number of the difference in the number between the people who the seats we have pay as you go and people who participate the
lottery. What's what's the difference in those two numbers typically? So, not to be sarcastic, when when you say pay as we go, I don't know. So, you said that uh that we make seating available to students that can pay for the seating on the bus and that that happens through a lottery. Is that correct? No. So, so let
me clarify. We have we have busing that's required if their special education and their IEP dictates that they need busing. That's that's one category. Second category is anyone who's over two miles, right? That's another category. In the case of this particular area, there was in the past
subscription busing pay as you go. Um that said any extra seats we would let the parents pay and we would fill them up. So if let's hypothetically you had a special education bus, two people on it, they had an extra 10 seats, you'd pay there were 10 seats available. That's what we would add. We would add as
subscription something to pay. Yeah, that's what we're still doing. We haven't changed that at all. So my question is I'm trying to ascertain the amount of people who are participating in the lottery versus the amount of seats and what kind of number are we left with at the end of that of people that don't concede that want just so I
can understand the problem better. There's there's a significant number who were getting it for a very inexpensive car. I don't remember the first year. I don't know the number off the top of my head, but that that number and then what we ended up doing last year is running a second bus and we don't have enough of
our own buses to to send our students. So we traditionally we'll run some of the routes for our special needs kids. We're going out of district because that's the most costly. So, in order to recoup some of that money, we'll do our own buses and try to um tar the buses, meaning they'll make a run to let's say
Leonia, come back, take another run to a student in in Pal Park as an example. That's what we're trying to do to save money for a bus. Yeah, got it. I guess what I'm trying to understand is how many people are getting turned away like how many are being turned away. I'm trying to understand the the size of the
problem. I don't have I can I can Yeah, we can do last. Also, I'd like to make a motion to create a committee to explore this the bus situation in in further depth possible. Is that possible? Madam President,
there's a motion second from somebody. Anyone have a second to create a committee to explore the bus situation? And then around the finance, I thought it was discussed in finance and policy. It has Yes, it has in policy and
finance. It's been discussed. I don't even have it under the policy and speak about it. Yeah. Does anyone want to make a second to Mr. Knight's motion to create a committee? It would be an ad hoc committee. I mean, I'm fine to to have a committee
look into it if if people want to constitute a committee. Is there any reason why part policy and part finance? No. Yeah. No, no reason why. It seems to make more sense if if you're
looking at finances overall as far as what you want to prioritize. Seems to make sense that busing would be part of that. We could just could just be, you know, accelerated or
look at it. Okay, because we're looking at all the others and the priorities are we have things on B&G we want to see. We have, you know, the air conditioning. So, look forward to hearing about a finance committee meeting happening soon
then. Yes. And we come up with a list and then the board decides what what is it that they you know where do they want to allocate the money. I think that's a great approach. I just want to wish Dr. Priv
and um you know I I I for one have a deepation for your strategic and forward thinking approach to running a district a very challenging district u to the number of of children and buildings facilities that that we have to oversee.
Um, you know, I and I and I have a deep appreciation for your cander and the way that you've ingrained yourself in the community. Um, you you're there at a lot of uh events in town and uh thank you. Thank you for that. Uh, she shows that there's
um just want to also say that um, you know, he was recruited to not just any district but one of the best districts not in the state but in the country. uh that says a lot about uh who your performance, who you are and what you've
achieved. So I I I know that I will will miss your presence. Um but I also um understand that uh your management style and approach has always been to develop others um and to build a team around
you. So I know that we're still in good hands with the folks that are um in that building. So thank you. Thank you very much. What? Well, can I can I do this before you go on your 20 minute rant? Okay, so we know you don't like a lot of
fanfare, but I had to keep something to you. So here, this is for you with appreciation. We honor you in recognition of your passion and commitment to the district in all your time. So thank you. said, "You feel okay with that symbol." Go
ahead, Allie. I get to go. Yeah. So, I had three minutes. Huh? You have three minutes. Thank you. I've had my name I've had the pleasure of knowing this gentleman
for 20 years, maybe a little bit more than 20 years. Um and he is a kind and gentle person. He had always thought of when he left
his home. Yeah. When he came back, he wanted to do everything and anything that he could do to improve student achievement and just the community at large. And
he is definitely going to be sorely missed. I'm sorry that he's leaving. I understand that he got a better opportunity, but I'm sorry that he even had to think about leaving
because that's a loss to all of us. It's a loss for all of us. And uh he will always be my friend. He has always been my friend. I think I've seen him
Did I rate a total of maybe three times those 20 years at my instigation doing the best and I'm going to miss them and this town is
going to be such because truly I don't care what anybody says that states are Thank you. Any other board members wish to speak before we adjourn? Go ahead. I was just
going to say uh also thank you to Dr. Gragas. I joined the board about the same time that he became superintendent. I know that I was really um in the final round when when at the interviews and really I you know
um one of the things that I thought that I had I really looked at because I didn't know all the you know qualifications or all of the roles that you needed to play but one thing that I didn't do always look at is executive presence and that's something that you
exhibited then and you have exhibited that in the last four years that I've known you and so I appreciate that. I've learned a lot from you. Um and so I just thank you. Thank you for the community and thank you for everything that you've
done for our students, for our community and for the world. Thank you so much and we best of luck. Congratulations. Congratulations on your next endeavor that you
You're very smart. I've always said that. Smart and dangerous. Um, it's very good. And I'm happy that we had you. I'm happy that my my child was able to go through my school. I'm grateful as a parent that
you listened to me when I needed someone to listen to me. Um, I'm grateful to you board member that you educated me on certain things that I didn't understand. Um, I wish you all the best in everything that you do. I
am very grateful. And I want to switch gears because I didn't get to say it earlier. I should have said it when the meeting opened, but um I want to say thank you to the entire district for such a wonderful week that the students had throughout the district, the middle school graduation, the high school
graduation, all the fun things that the teachers, the administrators, the adviserss, the counselors, everybody worked so hard to make such special memories and moments for these young adults and young children to to take onto their next their next journey. And
I wish all of them well. I wish all of everyone well. I'm my heart was breaking these young um these young children thinking of them walking. Um and it is dangerous, but I believe and I know who we are sitting here and I know that
we're all kind people who have big hearts and we know that we will find a way to get those little ones to school and and with them in out of harm's way. Some will. Um we may have to say some prayers but um I know from uh experience that prayers are answered. So thank you.
Thank you so much. Good luck. Thank you. Thank you for your professionalism here. We can always agree on everything, but when we disagree, you never shut yourself out and you hear us. You listen to us.
Um, I am I'm so sad you're leaving. Um, I'm so happy you're leaving. I am so happy to tell the world that we send away our superintendent, one of the best sweet district because that means
our district is the is one of the best and that's why you are here and you're always welcome. You're always welcome back and the door is not closed.
Um, if that commute gets to you, we have a better commute. So, thank you. Thank you. So, I I wish I was there in person, but um unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.
Um I'm extremely thankful um for the trajectory that that you've put our district on and the momentum that you have created for us. Um, obviously it would be better if you kind of carried us forward. Um, but you know, once I
kind of Googled Jericho, there was like no trying to sit you down and changing your mind. Um, they're very lucky to have you. Um, I'm disappointed that you're leaving, but you really put us in a tremendous position and for someone to be able to pick it up and move us
forward. And we really needed you at the time when you came in. and um very happy that we were able to get you for the period of time that we had you. I wish it that it was more um but what you accomplished and and in that short
period of time um is visible and um we were very lucky to have you. Thank you. May I have a motion to adjourn? Second furry. All in favor?