I pledge allegiance 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. >> So, we have our election results from
November 4th. The official results, John Tiger, Chris Dexter, and Brienne Stevenson are um going to be sworn in tonight. So, the oath of office is going to be handled by Mr. Lassard. >> Yes. We'll do Chris when he gets there. Yes.
But John and Leenne, if you could rise and raise your right hand. Uh, and just >> repeating. >> Repeat after. Yes. Yes. So, I uh state your name. >> I Brian Stevenson. >> Oh, I got one question really quick. Are
we doing this simultaneous? >> Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. >> Can we uh >> Do you want We can be separate. >> You want to go first? >> I'll go first. >> Go ahead. Well, you can read yours then if you want to do it that way. >> I, John Tiger, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the
United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and elect allegiance to the same and the government established in the United States and this state under the authority of the people. So
help me God. I, John Tiger, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of board of education and not disqualified as a voter
>> pursuant pursuant >> pursuant to RS194-1 and I will faithfully and partially and justly perform the duties of that officer according to to the best of my ability. So help me God.
>> I'm just going to read through. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I, Brienne Stevenson, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and
this state under the authority of the people. I, Brianne Stevenson, do solemnly swear that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of a board of education, am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS1941,
and that I will faithfully, and partially, and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. >> Um, Chris actually wrote back. He is on his way. He got held up at a practice, so he'll be here soon. >> Um, so we'll do a roll call. Um, Jesse
Vaughn >> here, >> John Tiger >> here, >> Chelsea Stole is absent, Brian Stevenson >> here, >> Charlene Molnar >> here, >> Chris Dexter's coming, Kathleen Adams here, >> Caitlyn Fredo >> here, Mandy Joust here. >> So, do we now nominate a president?
>> Uh, we'll do that after the ethics. >> Okay, we will do the ethics training. Thank you, Miss Mitchell. >> How are you, everybody? Thanks so much for having me in. Congratulations. Uh, so in your packet, you have an acknowledgement of receipt. If you can
uh sign that and get that over to Chris so that he can put that in the file to show that you've uh satisfied the ethics uh portion. Every year you have to have ethics training um and have discussion on the code of ethics. So that's what we're doing tonight.
So just as a disclaimer uh you know this is not to give you any legal advice. This is just to go through the code of ethics and um some of the provisions that the uh ethics act provides. So when we talk about the ethics act,
we're talking about the respect and confidence of the people and that um your conduct is avoiding any type of um justifiable opinion of the um community, saying that you're going against uh your duties as a board of ed member. So we're
going to talk a lot about that justifiable um impression that the uh the community has um especially when we talk about social media. some of the things um that you do um in your everyday uh just to correlate with your
um board of ed conduct. So, we're gonna we're going to talk a lot about that today. So, the ethics commission uh is comprised of of nine members themselves. So, there's five non-school officials, two school board members, and two school
administrators. You can see there on the bottom that the two um board members that's vacant. So if you choose that you need another volunteerism, you might want to go ahead and apply for the ethics commission. I'm sure it's uh quite fun.
So uh as the provisions of the act, you have to have your mandatory training done every single year as a board member. You have to abide by the code of ethics. Um and then all school officials have to have their disclosures done and have to abide by the prohibited um acts
that we'll we'll talk about briefly. This is your mandatory training. So, in that first year, Brian, you're going to have to finish that in 90 days, but then everybody else has their mandatory training. They have the full year to do so. Um, please try to get that done uh
right before the holiday though because this past two weeks has been a little bit of a disaster trying to clean up if you haven't done your mandatory training. So, um in that first year, you're doing that in the first 90 days. we do have an option to go away for the
weekend that um your district doesn't pay for that at all. That's subsidized um by a uh a committee um that uh actually gets donations for that. So um please feel free to do that if you if you choose. Otherwise, you can go online
and do the um in person um live virtual or or self-paced either one. And then in that second >> it's a weekend away. >> It's a weekend away. Yeah. Yeah. It's really It's really great. It's on a Friday and then it goes all the way through to Sunday and you learn a lot. I
I just I think it's well worth it. Um especially if the district's not paying for it, right? So, um really good to do. It's in January and February. Uh you could choose, but um that gets filled up very quickly. So, if you do want to do
that, just let Chris know. Um and in that second year, you're doing governance two, which is a finance piece. And in the third year, you're doing governance three. Now, if you were reelected um to your position, in that first year, you need to do governance four. Um so, Chris, you were reelected,
so you will have to do governance for this year. And then, John, also, you'll have to do governance for this year. Those financial disclosures, they're really cracking down on that. So, please, um if you're a brand new board member, you have to have that done in
the first 30 days. If not, if you're returning official, you have to have that done by um April 30th. Um please make sure that you fill it out properly and take a little time with it because you can see here that we're we're getting more and more cases um based on
them not being filled out properly. So, there was a case where um there was a board member that didn't disclose her spouse's business um you know uh situation with uh his interest and it was it was problematic and because they
do actually read through those disclosures, you have to make sure that um they're filled out properly. So, any relative you have to disclose that works for the school district um things like that. And then also it'll ask you for
business interest. Um that is because sometimes you're voting on something and there might be a benefit to you that you're voting on because maybe your spouse is involved in that business interest. So they're looking much more closely at this. And keep in mind that
the disclosures are public so that any member of the public can can look it up and and see. It's super important that you fill it out properly because we have people call in and say that the disclosure wasn't filled out properly. >> Do they email us a link? Reminds me or do we have to go on school board?
>> Usually the BA and then the reminders. >> Yes. >> And then the calls >> and the text messages. >> It's a big deal. So please, like the minute you get that link, if you could fill it out right away. And if you're struggling, you have my cell phone
number, please call me. I can help you through it. So this is the actual code of ethics and we don't have to go through um each individual tenant but if you notice on the bottom it says standards that's the um actual uh information that they use
when there's a complaint uh lodged against a board member. So uh just be mindful of those standards under each um individual tenant like tenant A speaks about upholding the rules and regulations of the state. That's what that oath was just about today. Um B, uh
that one's about making sure that you represent all students, not just certain groups of students. That's important to be mindful of that. C is um confining your board uh you know, surfaces to just uh planning,
appraisal, and um and policym super important that you don't go outside of your lane as a board member. that you stay within uh the the uh duties that you're abide by. And then um D is about not administrating uh the school so that
you're making sure that they're run well. You have um that uh duty of oversight, but you're not like getting down there and and doing all the uh day-to-day activities. So, um, we have a lot of problems with D where, uh, board
members feel like they should be part of the day-to-day activities and that's not for board members to do. Um, E is not making any personal promises. We see E a lot of times. There's issues when people are campaigning um to be a new board
member and they make all those promises and and that's fine because you're not a board member yet. So, you're making those promises to everybody. But then when you get on a board, your real authority is only as a group at a public meeting. So we see a lot of violations with E where board members feel that
they can take on something for the community that they're really not um supposed to. And then F, um we're seeing that same thing with that campaign mode where you um are being supported when you're campaigning by maybe special interest
groups, things like that. Um, but you can't come into the board table and then just talk about that special interest and represent them. That you're supposed to make sure that you're not getting any personal gain um for your friends or family. you're supposed to be um you
know making sure that all children your your represent >> Kelly we actually had um a member of the public come to one of our meetings and her question to the board was what happens when the Democrats get in and like I mean she was she was going at us
>> and I was very proud of this entire board because no matter what you feel like your political persuasion is everyone held tight to that's not what we do here. We're not in control of that and that's not what we do here. And
everybody here had really great responses to this woman who um she she asked >> 10 times. I don't know. Yeah. Like she was really >> Were you here for that? >> I don't remember that. >> It was a It was a summer meeting. You
remember? >> Yeah. >> Did she? >> No. Tell me what the hell's going to happen. >> Yeah. She was like, "Tell me that what's going to happen when the Democrats get in and we're like, I don't that's >> not what we do here. We're not like here for that. That's a violation of
>> Yeah. So, I was really proud of our entire board because everybody kind of was >> dis, you know, dispelling the situation and like that's not what we do here. We we don't have power to discuss that at this time." Yeah. >> She kept at it. >> We're seeing that that um polarization
for a political like I mean just crazy. we're seeing that. Um so good for you all because uh some boards are very divided on that and and it's problematic. >> So um so that's good. >> And then G making sure that uh when
you're in um committees and when you're in your executive session, all of that is confidential. A lot of times board members think that it's just when you're in executive session that it's confidential and that's not really the case. Sometimes there's things that you're talking about in committee level
that is confidential. So just be mindful of that when you're having those conversations in committee that it maybe not ready for the public to to know yet. So um super important there. >> Is the rest of the board allowed to allowed to know what the committee knows? >> Of course. Yeah, it's in the committee
reports. You should be having committee reports for your um committees. That's all good. Um but we had um we had a case and you'll see that in here where a board member uh they were discussing uh certain things and it had to do a little bit with negotiations at a committee
level and the board member felt that it was important to tell the entire public and it really hurt the um unions uh you know the negotiations with the union. So um so yeah so sometimes at committee level there's still like that confidentiality piece. So just be
mindful of that. And then um h a lot of times board members feel that um they can recommend somebody uh for a position. It's only for the superintendent to do and then you're going ahead and and voting on that. So um you're going to appoint the best
qualified person after the recommendation of the superintendent. So just understand you know that uh that two-piece. Um you know we always say that board the board is the what and uh the administration is the how. And when you kind of keep it in that level, you
understand what your roles are. And then I um we see a lot uh with this, unfortunately, we have board members that feel that they need to speak out against staff members that they're not happy with or if a community member is
not happy with a staff member and the board member feels that they can take to social media um to to discuss the uh issue, that is a nogo. that's a violation against I and we've seen unfortunately a couple of of situations
with that. So, um we support our staff in in good um duties uh that they have here at the school. So, we should be supporting them and not um you know making comments on on their duties. And then um Jay uh we see some
violations there where um board members will be approached by a community member and feel the need to fix the problem themselves. When a community member comes up to you and has an issue, you should always be a barometer of the community, but then you should hand that over to the superintendent so that they
can um fix the problem. And also know um that when the community member comes up to you, you should talk about the lowest level of chain of command. So that's where you should focus that community member on like how did it go when you talked to the teacher in the classroom?
How did it go when you talked to the principal? That type of thing because that's where they should be starting. They shouldn't um try to the board member should not try to fix the problem themselves. So, uh, make sure that if you do have a situation where a community member reaches out that you
let your superintendent know. So, that's all the tenants and that's in um your little packet there. Uh, but we can talk about complaints. The um ethics complaints, anybody in the community can put in an ethics complaint. They have 180 days to do so. they have to cite
what section of the act um they're you know feel that there was a violation and then they have to give factual evidence and that's where those standards come in that I just talked about they have to actually speak to that that's usually where um the complaint kind of goes
sideways because most members of the community really you know they give kind of like surface level um thought process on it and if they don't give factual evidence uh it will get thrown out but from time to time. You know, the community members are are right and and
there is a complaint that's valid and there are some um some issues with that. But what the um the uh commission did was they actually are starting to impose this uh $500 fine um for frivolous filings because we're seeing a lot of
times where community members are just kind of going on a witch hunt for board members. So, they're starting to do this. This was always out there that they could do it. Um but now they're really uh ramping it up because it the amount of ethics complaints that we had
last year just skyrocketed um mostly around social media and we'll talk about that in a little bit but um it's just been it's just been really difficult. The other thing is we've had board members have complaints against each other. Now when that happens a lot of times the board um attorney gets
involved and that gets very very expensive for districts. So, um we ask that the board members try to settle their own issues instead of going to um the ethics commission with that. So, these are the actual penalties uh if
you're found to be in violation. Uh one is the reprimand and that's just basically a slap on the wrist saying that you know what, you were found in violation, just don't do it again. Then it gets a little bit more serious. the censure is actually read at a public
meeting and then it's um adopted into a resolution. So that's a little bit stronger. And then there's a suspension and that's usually for a certain amount of days. Um a lot of times that's based on uh violations a lot with uh social
media we're seeing where they'll say, "Okay, you're off the board for 60 days because you violated the tenants um because of the social media that you put out." And then uh removal. We don't see that often, but now we're starting to see that a little bit more with mandated
trainings. Uh that board members feel like they're just not going to do their mandated trainings in the appropriate time. That's a that's a big problem. Uh so we give you all these notices, you know, this time of year, but by the end of this month, really, if you're not
done, they're t they're taking those board members off and and then that's it. They do give you a chance. they'll send you a very strong email saying like you have this amount of time. If you don't do it, you will be taken off the board. So, um please make sure that that
mandatory training is done. This is becoming very popular and it's the advice of council defense. Um, just keep in mind that all four of those factors have to be met to be able to utilize this um, advice of council
defense because a lot of board members are saying, "Okay, I was found in violation, but I went with what the board uh, attorney set." Well, you better make sure that you have all four of those satisfied. Um, because otherwise that's it's not you're not going to be able to utilize that. But
that is a provision that they do have, but it's very very fact um based uh and specific. So uh just make sure that if you are going to take the advice of the attorney that you told the attorney ahead of time and you told the whole story to the attorney.
And then um I'm going to email you this presentation. So you'll have all these uh cases for this year. Um but I just wanted to draw your attention to this uh bottom one. when you're using your email um from the board, please don't use that
email for anything else but your your board like back and forth things that you have to do for your board. This board member um used their board email for a CPAD um situation and she was on um the CPAC and that and that's great,
but she utilized her board email so it made it seem like it was like an official um you know email from the board itself. What's >> CPAD? um special education paragraph. Sorry. >> Um so >> we have one here.
>> Yeah. So you just have to be careful when you use um that. Another time that we saw a reprimand was when board members like will send out something to town council. Then there's like a conflict there. So just just be careful
with using that board email. Then the other case I wanted to talk about is that one with the um 15 plus year board member. A lot of times people say to me, well, how come every year we have to do this ethics training? You know, I know it all. We've done it a
million times. Well, I mean, sometimes board members that have been around for a really long time go off the rails. So, this board member thought it was a good idea to usurp the uh you know the superintendent's authority and go to a a
uh teacher's home, pick up a letter and and uh from the teacher, give it to the BA, tell the BA, do not give this to the superintendent, and then at a board meeting when uh they were talking about um this case, the board member didn't uh
recuse themselves either. So that board member was promptly taken off for 60 days. So um yes, sometimes this is a little bit boring the this uh code of ethics, but you could see even a 15-year plus uh board member um sometimes goes
off the rails a little bit. So uh this is newer guidance and we talked about this last year, but they they definitely want us to talk about it again. So recusal verse abstension. So when you're voting, uh a lot of times board members think that um you they
just want to abstain if they don't sometimes they don't want to vote. Sometimes uh they feel that they can abstain if there's a conflict. And if you have a legal conflict, you're supposed to actually recuse yourself from the discussion and the vote. So an
abstension is only when you don't have enough information to make an educated decision on a vote. But a recusal is when you have a legal conflict. So, um there's a there's a difference to that and then there's a difference in the tally as far as the vote goes too. So,
um just make sure that if you do have a legal conflict um because of your job or because of a relationship that you recuse yourself from um the vote. >> So, on tonight's agenda, Jesse's brother is a janitor here and there is a change to his contract. So Jesse should recuse
himself and not abstain >> from the vote and um the discussion. >> So uh so what they say is because um the discussion piece is because you kind of sway the vote with your discussion. So if I start talking about that contract
and then I say, "Well, I've recused myself from the vote." Well, you already kind of swayed, you know, that kind of thing. So um just be mindful of that. Uh if you do have a legal conflict, >> do you have to verbally recuse yourself from the discussion or you just don't say anything? >> You could just not say anything and then
when it comes around to the vote, you just recuse. Yeah. >> Now, some board members take it to the extreme and say they get up from the table and they move into the audience. Um we're told that you don't really have to do that. And then in your packet, I put a um
rendering of what's defined as a relative. It's all the way at the back of that packet. I think it's just so much easier to see that um because it really gives all the little nuances. Yeah. So, you might just want to keep that on you every once in a while just to see if if you have a conflict or not.
But that really speaks very directly to that. And that came out in uh 2023, so it's very current. And then advisory opinions. Um the ethics commission also does that. So if you're going to do some type of conduct where you feel like I don't really
understand if we're allowed to do this or not, you can write into um the ethics commission and then they will give you a rendering of um you know what their opinion is on that um you know whatever kind of activity that is. Now, just keep
in mind that there's numerous numerous um you know, advisory opinions so that you can just go on the ethics commission and and see that um as you can see, I'll I'll show you in a couple minutes that there was like probably about 20 25 this year. Um we have this little policeman
because we say that, you know, a lot of times board members say, well, it's just an advisory opinion. So, an opinion per se is like not a law. And that is true. Um, but we would say that if a police officer told you you'll get arrested if you do this, you wouldn't test that. So,
um, please don't test the advisory opinions. If the advisory opinions there, I would just take that rendering as, um, something that you should kind of follow the conduct. So, um, we don't have to go through all these, but these are some of the advisory opinions, um, that came out
this year. Um, so in that email that I'm sending you, you could just click on this if any of these interest you. Um, but uh, you know, they they give them every year, all year. And then, um, we put this into your
packet because when you have a benefit, whether it's direct or indirect, you should shy away from that vote. Um, so like if you have maybe an indirect kind of relationship with a business that you're voting upon, then you should shy
away from that vote. Um, even if it's not directly involving you. So like let's say it's something that would be very close to uh, you know, family member or what have you, you should probably just stay away from that vote because remember it's that justifiable impression of the public that we're
concerned about. A lot of times board members feel like, well, you know, I can be impartial, but you know what? If you think it's a gray area, you're better off just not voting. And then the prohibited acts, we talked about that. Um, any type of business interest, uh, you know, that's
considered a conflict. So, you would recuse yourself from that. Again, here's some of um the prohibited acts cases. uh we don't have to go through those, but I just uh wanted to put those in your packet so you can see some of the the newer ones that came
out. And then when you are a board member, uh know that we can't hire uh a relative of your you or of the CSA. So, um there are some caveats there, but mostly we we cannot do that. So sometimes board
members like if they have a child that they really want the the district to hire then they step down from their seat because of that. So just just know there are some limitations there but um that's something that you we can't do.
And then also if you have a relative that's in the district um like this one board member had a domestic partner that worked um as a transportation specialist um that board member wouldn't vote on anything to do with um the transportation and wouldn't be on a
committee that would touch anything to do with uh transportation. So, um, when you're making your committee arrangements today, just be mindful of that that if you have a relative that could touch one of those committees, you might not want to, um, serve on that committee.
>> This gives you just a little rendering of collective bargaining, whether you're allowed to be on negotiations or not. Um, we put that in there. So, we have a lot of questions during negotiations time whether you're allowed to. Um if you see there that like if you're not
working for the district, you can't actually be on negotiations, but you can um you can vote on ratifying the contract as a board member. So we give you this little graph here so that um when it comes to that time, you know
whether you can do that or not. >> It's that time. >> It is that time. >> That's a tough time. That's a lot of work. >> So good luck with that. >> Right, Mrs. Zucker? >> Oh yes. and my co-chair and another member.
>> If uh you ran and uh the union supported you in any way for your campaign, you can't be on negotiations for an entire year. So, just be mindful of that. Um that's really not prevalent, but uh some some districts it is. Volunteering in
schools. Yes, you can be a board member and volunteer in schools. The only thing that we say is that um you know be careful with handling of money if you're a board member. You know maybe you should shy away from that type of volunteerism. And if you are going to
give any type of um you know uh reprimand not reprimand but more like guidance to a staff member. If you're going to give any type of directive to a staff member. Let's say that you're working with like the theater group and
the theater director you're going to be telling what to do. As a board member, you can't do that type of volunteerism. So, um just if you think about any type of directive um with a staff member, then you really couldn't. Could it could you go on a field trip? Could you read
to the school? Um >> PTA, >> you could you could be on PTA. You just can't give directive to any type of staff member. So that's, you know, that's fine. >> Um, >> they used to say that you couldn't even be on PTA. Now they've changed a little
bit of that guidance and kind of softened that because there was um >> there was a case that uh a board member was really upset about that. They they spent a lot of time with the PTA. They felt that they could do that. Um, you just can't vote on anything that has to do with the PTA. So if the PTA is giving
you some type of funds, you should >> So we can be on the PTA. can donate to like the fundraisers and stuff. We could do all that. >> The donation I would pass through um the board attorney just just to be on the safe side because that was like a huge
thing where um there were board members that used to donate and they were like, "Well, can we just donate through our husbands?" Like that type of thing. Um so they say, "You know what? The board attorney would be best for that." Um, but a lot of boards now are aren't being
able to donate things, things like that. >> Okay. >> What about I'm looking at the giving and receiving. >> Yeah. Is it appropriate for the board of education if we pulled our own money to like send in bagels for the staff during teacher
appreciation week or because in the past the board has done that and then we stopped doing that at the direction of we can't give gifts to the >> Yeah, that's what they say that you really like is >> shouldn't do that. >> No. >> Okay.
>> No. Um, sorry. >> Send your bagels tomorrow. >> They just, you know, it just can be a a tricky kind of situation. So, they say um not to do that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Sorry.
>> And then visiting a school, you should not be as a board member a staple in the school whatsoever. A lot of board members think just because they have the little clicker that they can just come and go. That's not the case for a board member. a board member needs to tell a superintendent that they're going to be there for what reason, volunteering or
what have you. Um, but you shouldn't be in all the time. Just know that sometimes board members in the school make the staff a little uptight, you know. Um, like just like any authority figure, >> do they make you upight? Yes, sometimes
they do. So, I just just know that a lot of times I I remember when I was a board member, I was like, "Oh, no. The staff doesn't feel that way." And then I remember we were chatting in negotiations like we were having dinner together and they were like, "Oh yeah, we feel that way." And I was like, "Oh my gosh, I didn't realize that." You know, like it's a little uncomfortable.
So, um, just know that yes, sometimes they feel a little uncomfortable. So, just, um, if you can limit, uh, the times that you're in school and let the superintendent know when you're going to be there. And then social media. Social media, please. Like, I I know that you have
your first amendment rights. It's a great thing to have first amendment rights, but if you're speaking about anything that has to do with the board, any kind of conversation, any um coming vote, uh staff in any way, it's a no-go
as a board member. You you can't um >> what if it includes a curse on a non board member thing? If you're totally posting on something else and you use a bad word, >> is that an ethics violation? because you're held to a higher standard. You
are you are held to a higher standard and they're saying that anything that you wouldn't say at the board table, you shouldn't say on social media. Now, some board members say, "Well, I have my First Amendment rights and I can say what I want." You can, but think about what we said about the Ethics Act and
the justifiable impression that you're speaking in your official capacity. Everybody knows that you're a board member. So now you start going on there and you say things, you know, you're held to a higher standard. And I know that's unfair, but it's it's the way it is. So any like if you think about any
politician, they're held to a higher standard. Um they politicians, >> but you know what I mean? Like like an official type of uh So I I just um I caution >> we're better than politicians. >> You are because you don't get
>> changing kids lives. But if you are going to go on social media, and yes, you can go on social media, but if you are, please parrot this exact disclaimer. Now, this isn't a get out of jail free uh card, but it does um say that you're speaking as a
private citizen and that it's your own personal opinion as a private citizen. Um but you need to use both parts of this disclaimer exactly the way it is because you can see here where there was um you know, a violation. the board member just said that they were just
speaking as a private citizen but didn't say that they were um not speaking and representing the board. So just utilize that entire thing on your Facebook page or what have you. Um just to make sure that the public really understands where
you're coming from. But when we talk about content, like even though you have that disclaimer, doesn't mean that you can just then go off and talk about things that that happened at the court because then that's circling it back to your official capacity. So, um I hope
that makes sense to everybody, but it's it's like the number one reason we have ethics violations is because of social media. Um, and as you could see here, I put in um all the the social media cases that we just recently had. Um, but
they're discussing uh, you know, board minutes and and things that went on. Um, they're discussing who they're who they feel should be on the board as a candidate. You c you can't do that. Um, anything that has to do with the board, you should not be putting on social
media. And then keep in mind too um that texting at a table is a real nogo because if a uh member of the public sees that you're texting at a table, they can Oprah your your telephone. So
if you want all your texts read um by a stranger, then text at the um board table. But they can do that. So please know that um they have the right to do that. So if you do have your phone out and you're texting, just know that that could happen to you. and and it has
happened to a couple of my board members. Um and then uh also uh first and foremost that you are um an advocate for your child. However, you're not supposed to use your board um seat when you're like speaking to staff members.
You're not supposed to talk about, you know, you being on the board. You're supposed to have your parent hat on. So, just know that that's um really important. And then if you do have a campaign page, you should shut that down once you're done with your campaign. You should never um go from the that
campaign page now that you're a board member. Um because that can that identifies you as a board member and it could be from the public feeling that you're speaking for the >> We've received a lot of mixed reports on that >> the campaign page. >> Yes.
>> Yeah. Anything that identifies you as a board member, it makes the the public feel that you're speaking in an official capacity. >> Yeah. But I mean, I've talked to a lot of people from school boards about that and I feel like we received like you are looking at me and saying the same thing, right? That they were saying, don't
delete it because then you're it's like you're like trying to hide something or something, right? Wasn't it >> a couple years ago, don't delete the page. >> Yeah. And then I asked about it cuz I'm particularly like I have one and >> I mean you don't have to >> if you're using it as you could just don't post from it.
>> Well, you can if you're using it. So the one that I have like and I had asked about this previously is that like I'm using it as like a campaign page for moving forward. Like I'm not you don't post current like I don't know how to word what I'm trying to say.
>> You're running again after this one. You go girl. Well, or or maybe I want who knows maybe I want to go on and run for something else. You're using it more as like a campaign like as a political candidate kind of page rather than you're using it as a page for that. And they said that that was okay. >> Yeah. I mean the guidance that we get
from uh you know the ethics commission says do not go from that page because that's giving that justifiable opinion that you're speaking as a board member. Um, so >> but then that only matters if you're speaking if you're saying things that are >> it has to do with content too, you know.
Um, >> but you know, it's just this is just guidance to just kind of keep you out of that um ethics violations, you know, issue because if you get into some type of ethics complaint and then utilize the
um the board attorney, it it's costing the district money. So, I don't know that it's really worth it, but that is the guidance and um you could click right on there uh that little hyperlink in the email and it'll it'll speak to that. Um but yeah,
and then I have I put the resources in so that you can easily um look up all the cases and things like that if you want to. And uh this is um board member appreciation month. So, thank you so much for your service. We really help. We really love that all the help that
you do for all the students. And I know personally because I was a board member, it takes a lot of time and effort. So, thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Kelly, while we have here, could you speak quickly? Um, I've mentioned to the board the idea of becoming a certified
board. Could you like explain that in better terms than I have? >> Yeah. So, um, so Kittinian Green just got certified this year, so happy day for them. >> And, uh, yeah. So, um, every time I come in, you get credits for, uh, becoming certified. And a certified board is 16
credits across four years. It used to be that you had to have the same board members over and over for those years. They took that away. So, um, so every time I come in, you're getting credit. So, I think right now you have like, I don't know, four or five credits. Um,
because I've been in for self-evaluation and ethics. Um so you get to that 16 credits and then you get uh board certified >> over what time period? >> Four years. >> Yeah. >> So like you speaking tonight is that like one credit? >> It is. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. So um so and then I could
come in for any type of topics you know >> individual things don't count towards >> they don't. No. So um I could do any type of training that you want. Sometimes uh you want to do board norms document. We could do an exercise on that. We could do a board retreat to do board goals and district goals. um that
you would get about four credits for because that's something that takes a little bit of time and um and you should be doing that anyway. Um if you want me to go over the CSA evaluation, like the process of how to do it, um that's a credit, you know. Um all those types of
uh trainings, anything that you want, I could come in and customize and you're getting those credits. >> And what would like how would you explain to the board the benefit of being board of being a certified board? >> Yeah. So it means a lot to your community, you know, it means that you sat together and you trained together.
And what that shows is you're moving the needle for student achievement. And so we find that um in the Lighthouse study, I don't know if you ever read into that, but it says that boards that train together and and do all these exercises together actually move the needle um for
student achievement. And that's that's why it's a big deal. You know, >> when did our four years start? Four years ago. It's like you know it's like continuing >> as long as you get that 16 in like four years ago like like say today four years ago now you'll that credit will drop
off. >> So you have to maintain 16 in those four years >> and then do you have to maintain do you have to maintain that to continue to be certified or once you're considered a certified >> once you're certified then you move on to master certification >> and that's a big deal. >> Nice.
>> Yeah. That's only 10. >> Now Kelly is coming to every one of our meetings. >> Yeah. No, it's fun. I live close here. Okay, great. >> Sounds like being a certified board just means you're better friends. I mean, >> I think I think that you're well educated and um and you're making
decisions based on strategic focus um because you you're learning together and you're learning how to do that because you know I I just think it brings >> but it affects our ability as a board. No different, right? >> I think it does. I I mean my personal opinion >> no like it wouldn't give us no more
ability to do anything different than we >> already said she said we move the needle on student achievement better if you're certified which means you would be more effective >> I think so >> you know >> how does it move the needle on student achievement >> how does it move the needle on
>> they say that like because when you're doing when you're learning together and you're you're organizing all your strategies like you're doing like do you ever do board goals and district goals as a workshop together. >> We haven't. >> Yeah. So, when you do that, that's all
that focus towards student achievement. You're you're constantly looking at um at all of those indicators and making your goals around that. So, super important. So, that constantly pushes that needle. Um >> and would you suggest like August for
that? Like the board retreat because in my previous district we did that. >> So, like the August meeting, it's not like we actually go somewhere and camp. It's not like a real retreat, but we'll actually be here like maybe like two two or three or two or three hours before the >> meeting. Yeah. Yeah. Just before we go
at that. >> So that might be worth worth exploring for the upcoming year >> potentially. And you said that's how we tried to do that once, didn't we? We did goals once. >> Yeah, we did ours when it was like but not as like a >> I think it was when we came on.
>> When we first came first came on. Yeah. >> Yeah. Might be worth considering. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> I remember when I came on, we tried doing a retreat. That was >> We did. I remember when we couldn't get everybody to agree on a >> Well, they were trying to do like a Saturday and it was like my kid has
basketball, my kid has this, my >> I could do it whenever whenever you want to do it, you know. Um but uh >> and like I said, we could just do it like two or three hours before the scheduled board meeting were already that day in August. >> Some people want Mr. God gives us more time.
>> I mean, my board >> I would like to move forward with I would like to be your person. I think it would benefit us. >> You know, you >> and our students, >> you pay to be a part of New Jersey school board, so you might as well take advantage of it. Doesn't cost anything to your district for me to come in and do training. So, >> no, I'm happy to see you come. >> Yeah.
So, I I just think it's a I think it's a great thing. If you want to do it, I'm in. >> Well, and a lot of other districts in the county are moving forward. Like there's other districts that are close to now getting it right. So we also >> Yeah. So um I have uh Vernon um who >> Sparta uh who else?
>> Can you email us how many points we have so we know like and when they drop off like >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. Yeah. >> So then we could see what we need and we can evaluate like >> So our training has to be at a public session. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. It's a public it doesn't have to
be a formal like >> board meeting where you're passing resolutions. usually. >> No, but the public invited in. >> And the public doesn't usually show up for those things, but they can, you know, >> Mrs. Zacher will >> But if we had bagels, we couldn't give
public, right? >> Well, to the public, not to the teacher. >> Could give it to >> not teachers. What? Wait, I feel like that's gifting it to gifting it. >> So, >> you got to bring your own bag, Mrs. >> Stop. I'll say just
>> what if we don't specify it's for the teachers. We just get bagels and say and I'll get someone breakfast but just don't say like here the board is giving you this. >> Well, thank you Kelly. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much.
>> Have a good night. >> You too. >> We would like to swear in Christopher Dexter. Stand and read your thing aloud. >> Yes. Raise your right hand. Sorry. >> And then you can read the cheerleading practice. Did you say
>> that? You can just read >> both. Is it the same part? No, >> they're different. >> Read the two paragraphs. >> Two paragraphs there. >> All right. I, Chris Dexter, Jr. solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States and this state under the authority of the people. So help me God. I, Chris Dexter Jr. do solemnly swear or affirm that I possess the qualifications
prescribed by the law for office of member of a school board of education and am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS19 uh 41 and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the
best of my ability. So help me God. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So now we have the appointment of officers. Do I have a nomination for the president? >> Yeah, being mainly just >> second. >> Second, >> third,
>> fourth, you've been doing an amazing job and we appreciate you. >> But her word is that this is the last time. >> Yeah, I said that last year too and nobody took me up on it. Look around people. >> Okay. Um, a motion for quite
>> Did you need a vote, Mr. Lassard? Yes. >> Yes. >> I do. >> Okay. Adam. Oh. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> All not in favor say nay. No. >> Is it nay? >> Can um I'd like a nomination for
vice president Caitlyn Freda. >> I think it's going well. Second. Um, all in favor say I. I. All in. >> Nay. Anybody a nay? >> No. >> Do you need a motion? Motion to close the vote.
>> Motion to close for nominations. >> Motion to close for nominations. >> Second. Second. >> Motion again. >> Motion again. All >> in favor? >> I. >> So, we also have the delegate appointment for New Jersey School Board
Association and Sussex County School Board Association. And I want to say that I think just last meeting we appointed Kate Adam. I would like to nominate Kate Adam. >> Second, >> second, third, fourth, fifth. Okay. So, we have committee appointments and this is like in a different um order than I
kind of want to go. So, this year we have teacher negotiations. Um we have we have started with a committee on that. We can shake up the committee on that. Um >> Brienne, I don't know what you do. Are
you conflicted? I'm an NJ member. Okay. >> So, the committee at this point is John Tiger, >> Chris Dexter, Caitlyn Fredo, and Mandy Joust. Does anybody else who is not conflicted, you're all conflicted, >> want to be on it? No. So, that's the
committee >> for negotiations. >> Negotiations. Yeah. >> Um, >> I guess put that down as personnel and transportation to personnel is teacher negotiations, right? They're conflicted. They can't discuss anybody. >> Um,
>> facilities. Mr. Lassard, we need to get back into the sewer discussion, >> right? >> I was wondering about that. >> So, um >> Oh, I'll go back. >> But now that the new may Who is the new mayor? Do we know? >> It's not until tomorrow. >> Oh, tomorrow they'll put in the new mayor. Um, and David Silverthornne is
out. So, we can contact and start working on that again hopefully. Um, so Brian, just to let you know, we have three septics on site. Uh, one is original for the elementary school to the building. It means it's 75 years old is we're 75 years here. Um, we are in a
sewer tie-in district. So that committee would work. We have already done a study um, and we've worked with a design firm, an engineering firm to get that going. I don't know how much you know about sewers, but you could learn.
>> I don't know a lot, but I guess we would be in the tie-in district. What we would not do is tie in the >> we would not tie in the surrounding community. It would be strictly for the school. But it is something that is kind of imperative. >> You did you looked at like
>> we had studies >> tying into the community versus not. >> Yes. Yeah. We went down to the Frankfurt town meeting and >> gave them the whole >> Yeah. So we've been working with the mayor mayor Tony Fredo of Branchville and Mayor Dave Silverthornne of
Frankfurt. Mr. Silverthornne has now been elected commissioner. So they will pick a new mayor tomorrow night apparently. Um so we will reach out to the mayors and start that committee again. Just so you know the president is on every committee. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And you can only have four people
because it can't be a quorum. >> So >> So you're on every committee. >> So excited to be president. >> She loves being president. >> Good for you. >> You're doing a great job. I've been here for wait 50 minutes.
>> So facilities meetings also Jamie was on >> facilities is also some of these committees work during business hours. So like if you're at school it may be a conflict. >> It might be a little hard. >> Yeah. So um >> like the policy and curriculum makes the most sense but is that redundant for me
to be on? >> It's not redundant. It's just >> assuming we have other teachers on that. >> Yeah. Are we doing communication still? Because I would like to be on communications. >> You could do communications. What I would like from communications, sorry, if anybody else wants to do it because I
started it and then I stopped it. >> Communications. >> Yes. But I think we should be in after every the Friday after every board meeting, we should be in the bulldog bulletin with a synopsis. >> I was already thinking we need a picture of the people we swore in tonight for that. And we So if you want the training, the ethics training,
>> if you want to do that, do you want to do you want a committee to work through it because I know you're very good at grammar. the end. >> I mean, I don't know about that, but um I I do not mind a committee, but I don't also don't mind doing it myself. >> K Adam herself. I trust you to do it.
>> Yeah. Great. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> She's very good at grammar. >> I'll do facilities again. >> All right. So, facilities was Jesse, Caitlyn, Mandy. >> I'll do that again. >> Chris wants to >> Jesse.
Well, what what I'm saying is teacher negotiations personnel committee is going to take up a lot of time. Hopefully not that much time, but it's so with with the people on negotiations, I would kind of steer clear of putting
you on many other hard committees. It um budget and finance. I feel like this year as well, there will be a little bit more of a deep dive than last year, such as the year we had Mr. Mooney. It was tough, right? um with negotiations and uh
and different things. Um the budget this year could again require a few meetings that are during the day. I don't mind them being on Zoom, but I know I I don't know because I'm not a teacher, but I know teachers you have like a finite amount of uh break time to even get on
Zoom and it's at like an awkward time, right? Like >> So that one's tough, too. >> I was on that. >> You were on that? Yeah, >> I'll be on it again. >> Wait, which one are we talking? >> Budget and finance. >> Okay, I I do not want to be on that. But I have >> your communications by yourself.
>> Yes, but I'm looking at I'm just trying to like keep notes here. So, budget and finance. We have >> Mandy, Caitlyn, and Chris. >> Not John. >> No, it's with my brother. What am I conflicted
with? Like, what would I be able to do? >> Because he's not a member of the union. Right. >> He's >> I mean you you could be on most committees. You just like if we're talking about anything that involves like either changing like the facilities
staffing maybe or >> some drastic thing has to do with the appointment. You would want to excuse yourself from that. >> And for this they offer Zoom meeting like sometimes available. >> We try to do it as much as possible. Yeah. >> Because it's hard. If I'm available to
do that, I would uh volunteer for that >> for the negotiations that I got on. No, I I can't do all that Zoom stuff. Um, >> no negotiations. >> No, you're going to be here for like until midnight. >> Yeah, you'll be here for hours >> until Mrs. Ecker and and get tired.
You're here. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah, >> Mrs. Eard's got her energy. the table and they don't >> Well, it's really it's really a lot of, you know, you're coming to the table, they're giving their proposal, you're giving yours, you're seeing what you can
agree on right away, but then you're going back and forth because they have to go back to their committee. They discuss, they come back and say, "All right, we're willing to do this, this, and this." Now, you have to go back in Mr. Newman's office and discuss with your committee. Are we willing to take this, this, or that, or can we do this,
and that? Like, so you're negotiating, but your whole team has to meet. So it goes like that. >> It's mostly in person. >> You're gonna need the oxygen. >> So then, so for facilities, we have Caitlyn, Jesse, right?
>> Yeah. >> Mandy. >> Mandy. >> I said Chris. >> Chris sounded super excited about me. Too many other things. >> Yeah, Chris is on a lot. John, you want to be on facilities? >> No, cuz it has to do with like grounds work and stuff like that, right? Uh, you
could be conflicted. >> Yeah, cuz Yeah. >> All right. It's Mandy, Jesse, >> and Kaitlyn. >> Kaitlyn. >> What do you have? >> I don't have anything right now. >> So, policy and curriculum is the last one. So, we'll do >> policy. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, so it's John, Charlene, and
Brienne on policy and curriculum. So, just so you know, Brienne, usually policy and curriculum, we meet like 5:00 before the board meeting. >> Okay, that's great. I'm going to put Chelsea on. >> And then we have Chelsea. >> Wait, one more time. Who is that? John. Oh, and Brienne. Okay.
>> So, put Chelsea on facilities. >> Perfect. >> Okay. >> So, who's on budget and finance right now? >> Chris. >> Chris. Caitlyn and Mandy. >> Yeah. And who's on negotiations? >> Chris, Caitlyn, Mandy, and John.
>> You got them all, Mr. Lassar. >> Nope. >> All right. >> I think I got it. >> All right. Let's go. Budget and finance. Mandy, Chris, and Caitlyn. >> Got it. >> Communications. Kate's >> facilities. Mandy, Caitlyn, Jesse. >> Chelsea. >> Chelsea.
>> Okay, I got that. >> Policy and curriculum. Brienne, John, and Charlene, >> and yourself. >> And me. Personnel/negotiations is John, Chris, Mandy, Caitlyn.
>> Okay. Well done. >> Motion to open public comment. Second. Anybody? >> Is this right? >> Did you see it says happy birthday derby out there on the sign? >> Motion to close public comment.
>> Oh, never mind. >> Mrs. Zacher, >> I just wanted appreciation month. I guess we can say >> at the end of the month. >> Thank you, Miss Sucker. Motion to close public comment. >> One at the end of the month. >> No, you need a first.
>> Who's a motion to close public? >> We don't have to. >> You guys are good. >> No, we're good. >> We're good. >> We don't need executive session. We're happy to not even motion on that. Um >> Oh, yeah. >> You need executive sessions?
>> No. >> All right. So, we have our regular consent agenda. I want to say on here you have 2026105-3. We're adding 20260105-4 to allow Mr. Rubball to go to county
band county band. >> Um, so he was he was accepted into that program. So, congrat 12 month to a 10-month for >> Yeah. And Chris, are we able to change it approve the hiring to change the contract so it's not concluded for Jesse because he can't app we can't have him
approve someone hire anyone? >> So under three >> would you pull it as a separate resolution or just >> technically he can't we can't hire a rev involved in hiring a family member but he was already here before
>> it should just be change the contract >> change the contract instead of hiring right that's what she just said. Yeah, because she's saying that he like right now he can't say he wants >> that's on. >> No, he would recuse just to revision. >> You have to recuse all together >> and then recuse from the vote. >> Recuse from the vote. So you would only
vote. >> So for that one I said I I have recused. >> Yes. Yes. >> And then um so number four is written in as uh Mr. Rupal's class trip. Do you need another one, Mr. Lassard? >> Nope. >> Okay.
So, but we'll do them as two separate two separate votes because I have them as two separate resolutions. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Doesn't it usually say on here like >> what I read? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz I Well, >> it's all right. >> It's not a consent agenda. That's why it's just >> Oh, it's a regular agenda to be voted
on. So, the following items are matter of routine business and will be voted on in two motions. So, for 20265-3, uh motion to second. Second. >> Um, all right. K. Adam, >> yes. >> Chris Daxter, >> yes. >> Charlene Molnar, >> yes. >> Brienne Stevenson,
>> yes. >> John Tiger, >> yes. >> Jesse Vaughn is recused. Caitlyn Freda, >> yes. >> Mandy Joust, yes. All right. So, we have um the following matter items are matters of routine business and will be voted on in this motion number
2026105-4. It's the class trip. Um motion >> second. Yay, Charlene. >> I'm never fast enough. I might forget about it. That's like the first time I ever
got to be fast. >> Congratulations. >> All right. Caitlyn Fredo, >> yes. >> Jesse Vaughn, >> yes. >> John Tiger, >> yes. >> Brienne Stevenson, >> yes. >> Charlene Molar, >> yes. >> Chris Dexter, >> yes. >> Kate Adams, >> yes. >> Mandy Joust, yes. >> Motion to open public comment. Second,
>> Mrs. Thank you for putting your daughter's name up on the board because the fifth grade team is getting >> PTA is working with us. >> I took both my girls >> money for our camp. Thank you. >> Good. >> Yes. Support the PTA.
>> Motion to close public comment. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Um other items good of the order. We have the next scheduled meeting on January 26, 2026 in the library at 6 pm. >> Special order. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. Um so obviously with our 75th um anniversary for our school coming up May 15th is going to be our community day. Um, something we've been discussing in as a administrative team is like a token of our appreciation
are uh shirts for the staff. You know, nice Frankfurt School, you know, shirts uh for the staff um you know, purchasing them um as a token of our appreciation uh for the staff. You can wear them throughout the school year. You can have them for years to come. But for the
staff that you know help out or are participating in community day, we thought it would be nice to kind of make us stand out and how proud we are of our school and our community. So if that's something you know the board is sorry to throw us on you like now for the first time but >> where did we get the money from?
>> So so we're able to work it out especially since we were able to although we've had a lot of unbudgeted items fact that we had the unanticipated tuition revenue I'm able to offset it. >> We have another student starting today tuition based. >> Yeah. So this year we have a little bit,
not a lot, but I think it partially it's due to this also being our 75th anniversary and we can have a community day that we'll be able to have staff represent Friday. So we're going to have an early discuss on that Friday. >> Oh, nice. >> And then it will start at 4:00.
>> Wait, was that voted on? >> Manny recommended. >> Yes, I voted yes. I mean would there be a consideration to sell shirts too to like the community for the 75th anniversary? >> I mean so separate from that we are having as you know our community
planning you know committee uh stuff like maybe that's something like >> even if they do like online sales beforehand and then instead of purchasing them all and then >> is this something is this I'm just asking and God I'll get an ethics
violation. Is this something like Mr. Far does the shirts for like our cheer team like is is is it something that you can use him or do you have to use a different >> I mean >> will be well FL was an embroidered through a third party. Um okay >> it is kind of
>> always it's a gray area if you have staff that are benefiting off of the board selling services. So that's should be shied away from >> u but either way this would be >> set up the way it would be set up is that it would be an online store. Our staff will get an email say you have
period of time to make your selection which is essentially it's >> the size >> of your size >> your size put your order in and then they'll all be delivered. It was discussed doing more towards community day, but the idea is the plan was a quarterzip shirt that has the the meatball on it and that says 75 years.
>> Meatball. >> The bulldog. >> The bulldog. >> I didn't know this history. >> So anyways, uh and that kind of coincides with teacher appreciation. >> We had April teacher appreciation week. So that would be like a nice time to maybe have them. We're getting like a
nice quarter zip with the thing. >> Yeah. But the hope was if it's a sweatshirt, >> is there enough money to give it to people sooner or not to get that? >> Or can we buy our own? >> Chris said we'll make it happen. Yes. >> Well, you're going to be a community. So, you are you are representing the
board. So, I would like you everyone to feel included. So, >> I mean, we can also check out that first place spirit wear that uh online. I like this idea like trying to sell them to the public and we could upsell a little bit to try to make money for community day. >> Yeah. Maybe not the corner zip but sell
like a t-shirt >> but like try to do it beforehand so that money can come in. >> Can I just tell you too like if you want people to wear that at community day it's May 15th. Like it's going to be hot. >> That's why I wanted to give them out sooner. I mean it's >> for the 75th year. It's the 75th year.
>> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Got him next week. >> Yeah. Although it goes till what time does community gather it goes. >> You never know, mate. It's 4:00 to 9:00. Might get a little chill. >> I wanted it till 11, but nobody agreed with me on that committee. Dancing quarters.
>> Yeah. Like dancing away >> with a meatball. >> Yeah. We haven't done anything like this probably at least 10 years. So last time we did anything, we had those mighty mugs >> which there I think there's one left.
you know, um, but it's been a long time since we've done it, so it's not not too frequent. >> Okay. So, if we have the money and you want to do a quarter zip, does is everybody okay with that? Doesn't that be an official vote? You're okay with that? Especially if the board gets one. >> Absolutely. Especially if the board gets
um, >> call that lady back. >> Sorry, I don't want to let go. But one more thing I think is worth noting. We had our midyear budget review today with the county office. So, every year, every school district has to have their midyear budget review. That's what the county superintendent, the county BA
over, you know, at Sussex. Um, just want to commend uh Chris over here. Phenomenal job. Um, >> they were impressed. Like, usually they ask you a bunch of questions, but you know, the county BA was like, "Basically, everything you submitted on
the sheet, it makes sense. Like, this is phenomenal. Great job. No audit recommendations." So, good job, Chris. >> Thank you. We appreciate you, Chris. Yep. >> And then they also noted because they asked about our attendance. So if you recall last year we were on a corrective
action plan because we were 10.1% and the state deems 10% as the um threshold which pretty much everybody's over 10%. So we got our new numbers and we're down to 8%. And they were just like thrilled. They even asked like hey at our next like meeting like can you like present
like what you guys did? I was like sure. But no, of course, I I just, you know, basically long story short, it's just the kids want to come here. The teachers are happy to be here. They're proud to be here. That reflects on our kids. Um, you know, just the fun activities that weekly, you know, monthly activities
that we have planned, the pause initiative that's still going strong. You know, we've had our pep rallies. So, it's a lot of things for the kids to be excited about here, I think, and that in turn has gotten us below and off that corrective action plan. So great job Frankfurt Township school, you know,
community on that, being recognized by the county office and being commended. So good job everybody. >> My daughter loves her teacher. >> Oh, that might Are you going to put that in the bulldog goes in that information or >> if you want? >> I think we should vote it in for Friday like write something up for Fridays
and kids of the school. So I think that's absolutely >> You going to do it every Friday or after every meeting? >> After every meeting. >> I I think like as necessary. Yeah. Yeah. I would say >> after meeting because people don't know after meeting people don't know what's going on at the meetings and then they put stuff on Facebook and you're like
well if you went to the meeting you would know you know like that was an easy answer but like as board members we're really not supposed to respond. So like sometimes I sit there and I'm like oh that was at the meeting. And I do I could publicly thank Lara Longberg because she's the one that will be like
that was at the meeting for four meetings if you were at the meetings. Like she was really good about that. I hate being like watching it and you can't say anything and I'm just like, "Okay, I'm just going to sit here." >> Yep. Same. And >> scroll by. >> Um, so on that note, at the end, if we could get the three people that were
just sworn in tonight and maybe Mandy, you want to be in the picture, too, since you're >> Okay, never mind. Mr. Newman and the three people that were just sworn in again tonight um for a picture. I'm going to all the pictures. They don't want to see me on there. That picture of me with Mr. Post, I'm like so embarrassed. I'm like, I look terrible.
>> You're the only one that thought you look terrible. multi-purpose room. I'm like, is there a new picture of the building with the new roof on the website yet? Cuz the it was the old one, >> right? Yeah. When they were doing construction, >> so we've been waiting for that. >> So much nicer now.
>> Yeah. When the weather warms up, we're definitely going to get out there. >> New picture. >> Or if anybody's like stopped there at the half, send it our way. Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> What was I supposed to do? I I don't know what I was supposed to do that. >> We'll talk about it on Monday.
>> Yeah. We'll have my stuff. Um, motion to adjurnn. >> Well, I got one question. Yeah, I got to go there. >> The money for the shirts. Where are we getting it from? >> We are offsetting with >> pretty much it just freed up a little
bit of budget because we have the unanticipated revenue for the tuition that we're receiving. Next year it just gets absorbed into the budget, but this year it was just unanticipated. So, we're using, >> you know, it's a few thousand dollars >> to cover it, but um
>> it's a very infrequent expense and I figured it'd be a good token for the staff as well as being that it's >> a it's a good token. I just uh feel like parents are going to have some questions. You know, we've done a lot of stuff to uh debit ourselves. I mean, I'm
I'm not against it. I'm not against it, but now we have parents paying for sports and everything else in public school and we're >> finding little bits here to I'm just asking questions, I guess. Trying to ease the tension for when the question comes up.
>> I understand. I understand. That's why I didn't want to do anything. Certainly would not do anything like that without you all. >> Uh >> and when you when you do have it, can you tell us what the cost is? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Because also if we sell the everything to the public and like we
upsell, we could use that money to pay for like the staff and stuff instead of laying out the money. Yeah, >> that would be like like you know how the kids just do with the candy, you know? >> That's what I'm saying. >> That's my suggestion to do it. >> That'd be awesome. >> Yeah, cuz on that spirit store, they could do
>> the same emblem or whatever you're making up with the meatball, Mr. Lard. They could put that on a shirt that you could buy for your student, your 75th anniversary, >> right? >> Whatever. So, this is the 75th graduating class. Is that what we're saying? The >> 70. >> Wow.
>> That's cool. >> Crazy. >> Yeah. >> A lot of kids. >> 75th year. That's up there. >> She got that right. >> Well, we're working on getting that out of there. >> Did we make a motion? Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion
>> second. >> Good job.