like to call this evening to order. Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 231, public laws of 1975, this meeting has been duly advertised without jury times and the sentinels. Commencable clerk for the township has been duly notified. The requirements of
posting notices have been met. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and
justice for all. >> Jini >> here. >> No >> here. >> Brown >> here. >> Floyd >> here. >> Wilson >> here. >> Smith >> here. >> Star >> here. Go >> here. >> We have the floor.
>> All right. There's no need for executive session tonight, so we're going to go right into our presentations. I'd like to make a motion to approve the opening of the public hearing. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? Good evening tonight. Welcome to our budget presentation. Um I'm Dr. Christ.
I'm the superintendent and this is our uh business administrator, RBA, Trish Birmingham. And uh tonight we are going to present to you the budget for the 2627 school year. This slide here outlines the district's annual budget development process
spanning November through May. The timeline begins with the board's approval of the preparation schedule and the opening of the budgeting system for principles and supervisors to assess program needs and submit requests. Throughout the winter, the BA and superintendent review, refine, and
prioritize these requests, developing a preliminary budget for administrative and board review. Tenative budget is then approved for submission to the executive county superintendent. Once authorized, the budget is then advertised. Budget process culminates
with the public hearing tonight. Our mission and vision were considered carefully when developing the budget. Many factors contribute to the orderly operation of a district, many of which are not directly evident. Our next slide will review some of the many factors that go into budget development to be
considered while also staying focused on our district's mission and vision. So during our budget development process, the main priority was how we can um maintain orderly operations and still address our mission mission and vision which is providing uh needed
services to students while also closing a budget gap. Listed here are just some of the many factors that were considered during this process. Some of these factors were able to be adjusted by us as a district, such as moving professional development costs out of the direct budget and over to grant
funds, reviewing our subscribed services carefully to determine where we could be more efficient on what we weren't currently using and other um factors. However, there are many cost factors listed that are not directly controlled by the district, such as health benefit increases, inflationary costs of
utilities such as electric and gas, and the expiration of federal COVID grant funds. And here we highlight some of the district's efficiency efforts, which are efforts to maximize efficiency and reduce cost through shared services,
cooperative purchasing, and strategic use of external programs. These initiatives include participation in statewide and regional energy and transportation cooperatives, leveraging federal programs such as -ate, and expanding shared service arrangements with neighboring districts and the local
police department. The district also reduces operational costs through technology efficiencies, participation in the school health and storage funds and the use of indistrict professional development, outsour outsource cafeteria services, and multiple cooperative purchasing networks to secure
competitive pricing. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate the district's commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources while maintaining essential services. This slide of efficiency efforts compares the district's total budgetary comparative cost per pupil to the
Gloucester County average and highlights Franklin's continued cost efficiency. For 2526, the county average is $19,998 per pupil, while the township of Franklin's cost per pupil is significantly lower at $16,261,
approximately $3,700 less per student. Importantly, this lower cost is not simply the result of having fewer students. The NJDOE metric removes non-comparable expenditures and standardizes the calculation across districts, allowing an accurate comparison of core operating costs such
as instruction, administration, and required services. Franklin's lower cost per pupil reflects sustained efficiency efforts and discipline budgeting, not reduced enrollment alone. Slide seven highlights the major functions
supported in the 2627 budget, including core instructional programs, essential technology systems that keep classrooms and operations running, and the staffing required to provide teaching, student services, building operations, transportation, and extracurricular activities. Together, these elements
represent the foundational resources needed to operate the district safely, effectively, and in compliance with state expectations. This slide highlights other operational categories which are several core operational areas which are also supported in the 2627 budget including
mandated services, transportation operations, health benefits, school security, facility and strategic plan initiatives. It reflects the district's responsibility to fund the legally required special education services and out of district placements, maintain
transportation operations and fuel costs, and absorb a significant increase in health insurance premiums. The slide also underscores essential safety measures such as school resource officers and district district-wide alarm services as well as ongoing facility work that prioritizes
efficiency and in-house maintenance. Finally, it includes strategic initiatives to support strategic sorry to support communication, recruitment, and continuous improvement. Together, these categories represent the foundational operation functions necessary to run the district safely and
effectively. Table here shows the monetary breakdown of expenses categories according to activity as well as the change from 2526 to 2627 as proposed. More detail of activity items will be given on the next slide.
Showing in classroom instruction, the net decrease is attributed to the reduction of course or staff as well as reduced school budgeting funds. Support services, the net decrease is attributed to the reduction in force or staff as well as reallocating professional development costs to grant
funding. Still included in this category are required onetoone nursing costs, assisted technology items, and student achievement software application costs. Administrative costs. The categories net decrease is attributed to the reduction of force or staff. Still included are
necessary continued strategic and long-range facility planning costs along with other negotiated contractual costs and professional costs. Operation of maintenance and plant increase is attributed to contractual salary increases and overall utility and
insurance cost increases. Student transportation services net decrease is attributed to Decrease of funds for unanticipated special education outside placements, transportation requirements, employee benefits. The net increase is
attributed to increasing estimated health benefit costs in accordance with contractual benefit obligations and the overall rising cost of healthcare. Capital outlay is used to record equipment purchases and capital improvements. The net decrease is attributed to fewer projects to be
completed in the 26 27 year. Slide 10 shows the pie chart of the previously detailed activities as a proportion of the full budget as categorized. Classroom instruction includes expenses directly related to the classroom such as teacher salaries, instructional supplies and materials and
out of district placements or tuition related costs. Support services include supplemental expenses related to the teaching process that are designed to assess and improve students achievement such as assisting the instructional staff with the content and process of
providing learning experiences. Administrative costs include board of education expenses such as New Jersey school boards association membership, workshop and conference costs, board docs, insurance, legal and professional costs such as auditor, architect,
engineer, school position, advertising, telephone, technology, shared service contract costs and principal, secretary, superintendent and business office salaries. These expenses are associated with the activities of establishing and administering policy for operating the
school district, the schools, central services and technology services. Operation of maintenance and plant includes expenses associated with required maintenance, custodial services, care and upkeep of the grounds and security.
Student transportation services includes expenses related to transporting students between home and school, including supervision of transportation services, vehicle operation services, monitoring services, and vehicle and maintenance services. Employee benefits include FICA tax, PUR
pension liability, workman's comp insurance, health benefits, health waiver payments, disability insurance, per contracts, and tuition reimbursement. These benefits include related are related to payroll and salary payment. And capital outlay outlay is
districtwide equipment items, infrastructure projects, andor assets with a value greater than $2,000. This pie chart shows the expenditures categorized by service or idol as a proportion of the full budget. Obviously you can see the salaries and benefits
are about 75 to 76% of the full budget. Salaries and benefits include the salaries of course and wages paid to all employees and staff members. Benefits include the FICA tax, first pension liability, workers comp, health benefits, and medical waiverss.
Contracted services are home instruction with outside vendors and or current employees, OTPT services, professional services, absence and submanagement software, financial accounting, human resource and payroll software, information technology management, water
and indoor air quality testing, school resource officers, fleet services and repair, medical and mechanical and alarm services, and printer copy and leases. Other purchase services include mileage reimbursement and travel expenses,
student information and food service management software, telecommunications, insurance, newspaper advertising, school administration and BOE professional memberships and publications. Aid in lie of transportation payments and joint transportation agreements.
Outside placements is that tuition paid to other educational facilities for regular and special education, tuition to private schools for disabled students within or out of the state, state facilities and charter schools. Support supplies include nursing
supplies, supplemental curriculum materials, speech, audio, OT, PT materials and devices, custodial supplies, buildings and ground supplies, facilities supplies for plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems, and vehicle and transportation fleet maintenance
supplies. Instructional supplies include curriculum supplies and materials, Chromebooks, smartboards, curriculum subscriptions and licenses, student consumables, teacher resources, and classroom furniturees. Utilities include electricity and
natural gas. And capital outlay again is building and land improvements valued greater at $2,000. This chart outlines the district's operating budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. As is typical for New Jersey public school districts, salaries and health benefits comprise
the largest portions of the total expenditures, reflecting the personnel driven nature of public education. Due to significant budgetary constraints, the district has implemented stamping reductions and the remaining personnel cost shown here represent the resource
required to sustain core instructional and operational functions. within the limits of available funding. Other expenditure categories including transportation, special education, tuition and services, technology, maintenance, insurance, and curriculum capture the essential supports necessary
for compliant and effective district operations. The distribution of expenditures demonstrates the district's continued commitment to fiscal responsibility while navigating reduced resources. Slide 13 represents a detailed analysis
of the 2627 salaries and staffing distribution across the district's employee groups. Salary allocation chart illustrates that the majority of compensation expenditures are associated with TFA and TFSA positions reflecting the instructional and support roles that
make up the core of district operations. The accompanying employee count chart provides context by showing how staffing is proportioned across these same groups, highlighting the relationship between headcount and total salary investment. Together, these visuals demonstrate how the district's remaining
workforce following recent reductions is distributed across bargaining units and administrative categories and how compensation resources are aligned with the personnel required to sustain essential, educational, and operational functions within current fiscal constraints.
This slide outlines the staffing and operational reductions included in the 2627 general fund budget. In addition to the elimination of positions across instructional support, clerical, transportation, and maintenance areas, the district has also reduced several non-personnel expenditures, including
supplies, district funded field trip costs, transportation related time, and certain tuition contingencies. These actions were necessitated not only by ongoing fiscal constraints, but also by the fact that the district has already exhausted one-time funding sources such as excess surplus and available phone
balance that previously helped offset rising costs. With those temporary resources no longer available, the district was required to implement permanent reductions to align recurring expenditures with recurring revenues. Collectively, these adjustments reflect the district's continued effort to
maintain core services while responsibly managing limited and diminishing financial capacity. This slide summarizes the instructional and operational impacts resulting from the district's staff productions for the 2627 year. On the instructional side, fewer available teaching sections may
require the redistribution of students, leading to larger average class sizes in certain grades or subjects. While maximum class size limits and room capacity guidelines remain unchanged, the district anticipates adjustment to classroom assignments to balance
enrollment across the remaining staff. Operationally, the reduction in personnel will require will require essential duties to be redistributed among fewer employees, which may affect workflow efficiency, processing timelines, and day-to-day coverage. The
district expects increased consolidation of functions, greater reliance on shared responsibilities, and a heightened focus on prioritization and efficiency while maintaining its commitment to delivering core services within available resources. This slide provides a summary of the
district's anticipated revenue for the 2627 budget and highlights a significant decline in total operating resources. A major driver of this reduction is the complete loss of onetime revenue sources and the district that the district previously relied upon. First, excess
surplus of $1 million in the 1920 budget and then fund balance in years after. Excess surplus represents unspent funds above the 2% cap permitted by the New Jersey Department of Education and fund balance reflects accumulated savings from prior years. Both have
non-recurring resources that can and should only be used once and the district has fully exhausted these temporary supports. As a result, the 2627 budget shows a reduction of more than 2.18 million in fund balancing 11. Although state aid, extraordinary aid,
tuition, and the local tax levy show modest increases, these gains are offset by decreases in miscellaneous revenues, transportation revenue, and sharply reduced withdrawals from the maintenance and capital reserves. Overall, the total operating revenue is declined by nearly 2 million, underscoring the structural
budget challenges the district faces as recurring revenues fail to keep pace with rising costs and the one-time funds are no longer available to bridge the gap. covering fund balance. Using fund balance as a as a revenue source creates a gap when the prior year does not
generate the same level of unspent funds. Fund balance is not a recurring revenue stream. It represents whatever money happens to remain at the end of a fiscal year after all obligations are met which the district has had over the years to different extents given those
budget year actual costs versus initially budgeted. When this builds the budget, assuming that a certain amount in fund balance will be available in the following year, it is essentially counting on leftover money that may or may not exist to the fullest budgeted amount. If the actual year-end results
fall short because cost increase, revenues came in lower than expected, or unexpected expenses occur, the projected fund balance does not materialize. This creates an immediate shortfall in next year's budget because the district planned to use dollars that no longer exist. These result in a structural gap.
Recurring expenditures exceed recurring revenues and the district must make reductions or find a new revenue to close a hole. Covering state aid. State aid we received an increase of 6% which was the maximum percentage a district could receive in 2627.
However, it should be noted that the district is considered under adequacy. covering extraordinary aid. School refunding form act of 2008 established the special education extraordinary aid to assist district with special education students that have high
educational costs. Reimbursement requires an application process with funds being reimbursed for eligible related expenses exceeding 40,000 or 55,000 depending on classification and placement. Also depending upon funds available at the state level.
Tuition received a minimal increase of $48,000. This includes payments from Newfield Board of Education that are estimated according to enrollment projections and are agreed upon for the 2627 year as well as the reconciliation of tuition
from the 2425 year. It is imperative to note the new field board of education continues to make timely payments and does not have any outstanding owed amounts. Transportation saw a minimal decrease but is budgeted as based on the 2526 uh
revenue projection per the estimate per estimated funds and agreed to with new field board. Miscellaneous income includes funds from SEMI, the special education Medicaid initiative, shared services revenue with
DELCL for our CAFM, and interest 2526. Miscellaneous income includes funds that were transferred from 2425 as an adjustment for prior year incumbrances, meaning items that were encumbered in 2425 and payable in
2526. Local tax levy. Each year, the tax levy can be increased up to 2% of the previous year's levy. Should the budget not utilize the full 2% available, the remainder becomes bank cap and is available to use within the
next three budget years prior to expiration. Given the extenduating circumstances of budgetary increases and expenses, it is necessary that the 2627 budget was balanced with a 7.38 tax levy increase allowable from an adjustment due to
rising healthcare costs as compared to the state of New Jersey increase. The county average of school tax levy increase is 6%. covering reserve funds. Minimal funds from the maintenance reserve are being used to support the general operating budget expenses related to districtwide
required maintenance. Funds from the capital reserve are being used for concrete repairs due to safety concerns at the bus garage. This slide highlights a nearly $2 million reduction in total operating revenue for 2627 driven primary by the complete loss of fund balance and
sharply reduced withdrawals from maintenance capital reserves. Even with modest increase in state aid, tuition, and local tax levy, these gains are not enough to offset the elimination of one-time revenues and declines in several other categories, resulting in
an overall decrease of 1.99 million in the district's operating budget. This slide provides a multi-year comparison of major revenue and expenditure trends, showing how shifts in the local tax levy, state aid, contractual salaries, and healthcare costs have shaped the district's
financial position. The 2627 budget reflects substantial increases in both tax levy and healthcare renewal rates with premiums rising 17.5%. Because healthcare renewals must be budgeted based on estimated staffing at
the time of preparation, actual costs can vary throughout the year as staff are hired, retire, or change benefit elections. These population shifts directly influence the difference between projected and actual expenditures. Also a contributing factor is the
long-term impact of chapter 44, which restructured employee health benefit contribution schedules as compared to the chapter 78 contribution schedules. Since July 1st of 2020, this change has resulted in more than a $1 million one $1 million in unrealized employee
contributions that previously helped offset the district share of health care costs. The combination of rising premiums, reduced employee contributions, and year-to-year battery ability in staff eligibility contributes to the district's widening structural budget gap.
This slide explains how the district's 2627 tax levy increase exceeds the standard 2% cap due to state authorized adjustments. Because the state projected a 31.9% increase in health insurance premiums, the district was permitted to
apply the healthcare cost adjustment allowing a levy increase above the 2% limit. Slide also notes the expiration of previously unused bank cap which can only be applied for three years after it is earned. Combining the allowable 2% increase with the healthcare adjustment
results in a total tax levy increase of $967,000 $967,954 or 7.38% for 2627. Slide 19 summarizes the estimated tax impact of the 2627 budget, showing how the proposed tax rate translate into
annual and monthly changes for homes at different assessed values. The average Franklin Township home would see an estimated increase of about $172 for the year. It also clarifies that property taxes are based on a home's assessed value, which often differs from its fair
market value or potential selling price. Another contributo note is that the township's ratables increased by 5.7 million from 25 2025 to 2026, reflecting modest growth in the tax base. Overall,
the proposed budget results in an estimated 8.99% increase or $1,000 of assessed value. It's also happy to note that the taxpayers have received direct savings in the amount of 2.3 million since 2013
regarding the funding of the roofing project um that has not been passed through the taxpayers but has been paid by debt service with capital reserve funds. The district the school district is the heart of a community directly influencing property values which
influences community composition. An investment in your school district is a direct investment in your property and your and your community. As superintendent, I will always advocate for for getting what we need to run the school district property. But I'm also a New Jersey taxpayer and I understand there's a delicate balance between the
two. However, I do feel like it's one of those things where you get what you pay for, and I do advocate that we support our schools because it's an investment in our community. So, I want to take the time to thank the board of education for their volunteer work, committing uh making a commitment to making our
schools the very best. I want to thank the staff for doing more with less and never wavering in their commitment to the kids is what is so important. to the administration for their countless hours we have spent in meetings these past few months and their absolute detailed laser
focus and attention in helping to create ways that we can save money and to construct this budget. I want to thank the parents and the community members for their endless support of what we're all trying to provide for our students and investment in our community. And finally, I want to thank the students for working hard and always representing
Franklin Township the best that they can. Thank you. All right. At this time, um public comment on agenda items only. >> We're not We're not open yet. One second.
All right, let me restart. At this time, I'd like to open to public comment for agenda items only. As a reminder, each participant is asked to give his or her name and address prior to making a statement, which be limited to three minutes in accordance with our board policy 0167.
Please keep your comments respectful and non-daboratory and maintain the level of decorum appropriate for a public meeting where minor should be in the audience. Comments and questions will be addressed to the extent possible after the close of the public comment period. The public
comment period should be limited to 60 minutes. All right. Make a motion to open to the public. Good. >> Yes. >> Hi, Courtney Zatitus, teacher at Ritter School. Um, in the presentation, there was one slide that I wanted to ask a
clarifying question about. It was slide 15, I believe. In the section that said, "What will not change as an impact to staff reductions?" It said, "The maximum class size limits remain the same." Um, according to the board policy, it does not specify class size. So, I was
wondering if I could get some clarification on what the class size that we will not increase past would be. >> So, we'll address if we can at the end after everyone's public comment. We're taking notes and your concerns are being recorded. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Good evening. My name is Stacy Swopee and I'm the proud president of TFA. Our association is comprised of 123 certified staff members. Tonight I'm speaking on behalf of the dedicated
professionals who serve this district. April 24th was a devastating day in our district. 13 teachers plus various support staff receive reduction in force notices. The impact of this reduction is widespread. It leads to larger class
sizes. Research shows that class sizes less than 18 produce more engaged students, more one-on-one time with the teacher, less behavior problems, and overall greater student achievement. This moment on April 24th did not happen
overnight. For years, the board chose not to raise taxes. This came at the expense of long-term stability. When a district avoids investing in its schools, the cost does not go away. Choices have consequences.
The preschool expansion was denied without public vote. A preschool that would benefit community members and attract families to our district. A preschool that would bring in revenue for each child enrolled. Consolidation with Deli was rejected again without
public vote. A consolidation that would enable Franklin to combine resources with Deli and reduce spending for top administrative salaries. The reason given by the board for rejecting such changes was uncertainty about the tax
impact. In the past eight years, 60% of certified staff left the district due to low pay and or morale. To fill those vacancies, the district hired new staff at higher steps. That is paying more later because the board failed to invest
earlier. Tonight, I urge the board to work together with the association in these difficult times. Our students deserve stability. Our staff deserves respect. And our community deserves to know that decisions affecting school
professionals have been reviewed not only through a financial lens but through an educational one. Thank you. >> Good evening. John Sagano, teacher Ritter School, members of the board, Dr. Kellogg. I'm
addressing the board this evening as the senior veteran teacher in this district. As most of you are aware, I am closing out my 36th year in the township, and I'm praying for another 36 years. In my entire tenure in the district, including
the 20 years I served as president of the TFAA, I have never seen what I witnessed on Friday, April 24th, namely the dismissal of 13 teachers along with four other staff members from our district due to a reduction in force.
You can check the records on the board going back to 1990 when I was hired, but I personally cannot rec recollect a time when there were more than three to five teachers let go in one year due to a reduction in force. This should be an embarrassment to this district. I also
want to make it clear that I don't blame you, Dr. Kellogg, for this. The board hired you and the first major task you had to do was to figure out how to make the budget work. If anything like something like this makes your job harder because ultimately you're the
person who gets blamed for this. It's hard to establish a good working relationship with your staff when you are looked as as the bad guy and as the person who gets rid of people. To the members of this board who have sat on it for many years, you need to look in the
mirror along with those who recently served and are no longer on the board. Over the past eight years or so, you have hired at the recommendation of the former superintendent many teachers at step 18, the top of our guy. These are
all good teachers and colleagues who came to the district with years of experience, but you had to have known that eventually we would have to pay the price for these decisions. We have a salary scale for a reason. Granted, the salaries are the lowest in the county
and some of the lowest in this state, but hiring people and having them climb the ladder helped keep the budget in line. This is a fact that can't be ignored. I'm aware we have an economic crisis in this state due to extreme rising cost of insurance and gas prices.
But to cut 13 teachers is not the way to get your budget in line. For 36 years, I've heard this board brag that we had the lowest cost per pupil in the state. Now, we're paying the price. My question is what are we going to do about it? Each month you ask Mrs. Doden to report
on student data. Many of you know I am not a data person but there is one piece of data should be true. The smaller student toteer ratio the better the results. Apparently that piece of data has been pushed to the side if it matters at all. All this being stated we
need to find a way to make this work better. If any of these teachers whom you let go still want to work here, give them a contract. Let's get together. administrators, teachers, board members, and community members, and figure out a way to get the numbers to work. Building the budget shouldn't be all on the
superintendent and the BA. It shouldn't be all on the board either. It should be a combined effort. >> I have three sentences left. May I continue? >> May I continue? >> Thank you. There's three sentences left. In these difficult times, we should be working together for the good of the
district and more importantly for the good of our students. I'm sure we can all agree that it won't be good for our students to be in crammed classrooms additional and lose additional instruction. It's not about the data and the ridiculous test scores. It's about our children. Let's fix this.
>> Thank you. >> Good evening. Nancy Kennedy, 7-Eleven St. George Street. So, I rarely come to board of education meetings. I save all my meeting fund for township committee. And if you've managed to catch any of the township committee meetings on
YouTube, you've probably picked up a theme that's complained about a lot. And that's that to the detriment of the township, professionals who may have some disconnect with our community values have been relied upon. I don't really know Dr. Kellogg at all. I'm sure
she is a wonderful human being, but I do know a lot of you on this board. And while I would say it's fair to say that we don't always agree politically or in any way, uh I think we all share very common values. And those values include
taking phenomenal care of the children of Franklin Township. I don't think there's one board member that I know who would disagree that your number one obligation in sitting here as elected officials is to the children of Franklin Township.
Knowing all of you, knowing how successful you've been as business owners, as educators, as administrators, as coaches, you get it. You get what's important and it's the kids. So, like Mr. Aglaniano, a brilliant man, said,
"What can we do about it?" Because if the input that I'm seeing from the residents is reflective of how most people feel, we don't think it's an appropriate solution to fire 13 talented teachers, and I believe it's four very
needed support staff. You all are smart. You all have roots in this community, and you know what it takes to get it done. Please tell your administrative staff this isn't going to fly. We are not the school board who cuts 13
teaching positions and turns around and gives the administration significant raises at the same meeting. Not that that administration is undeserving. Most of them, you know, again, some of them I' I'd go to the mat for their phenomenal, but holy cow, guys. Uh the
salaries were posted one minute on Facebook and taken down the next. That's not the board members that I know. You all are about transparency. You're about the kids. Please, dear God, take those values that all of you live with your own families and go back to your
administration and say, "Not on our watch. Maybe taxes need to go a little higher. Maybe things could have been done differently here or there, but not 13 teachers, not our kids. We have different values than that here in Franklin Township and we all need to
get on board and see what can be done. Thank you all very much. Good evening, Jason Brandt. It's quite disappointing that you've chosen to implement this three-minute rule when you rarely get members of the
public that come here to speak. Your policy on public participation states that the board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of
community interest. three-minute rule does not reconcile with that statement. I have a list of questions here. I'll go through them as quickly as possible as I am time constrained. A lot of the reliance of your budget preparation was
on um health insurance costs. What other health insurance options did you look at, if any? Are those options available uh to the public to view? As Mrs. Kennedy uh referenced um on your
human resources agenda, you have item G13, which are non-unit staff salaries that um were initially proposed at a 4% increase, which is far in excess of prior year increases. Those salaries were posted publicly and then removed.
Are they going to be voted on this evening? and if so, at what percentage increase? Also of note that wasn't discussed in the budget presentation was a $2 million deficit that was identified in the 2425
budget by the auditor. How did that $2 million deficit occur? And what type of effect did that deficit have on this year's budget preparation? It's interesting that the $2 million that was overspent then is exactly the
$2 million that seems to be what the reduction in cost this year are. Lastly, the 13 teachers and I believe six staff members, how were they chosen? What were the criteria used in order to
make those determinations? Was the board involved in that? Do you know who these individuals are? Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Hi, Colleen Whitner. Jan Bear School,
second grade vice president, TFA. The presentation you give uh that you gave, was that posted somewhere? >> Tomorrow. >> Tomorrow it will be on >> website. >> Website. And my question has to do with uh when they mentioned smartboards and
Chromebooks, it was in the budget. Are we getting new ones? >> What did that exactly encompass? >> I understand. That's my question now. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Lisa Henan, 166
Trimmel Avenue. Uh, tonight I'm here on behalf of my children. I have three children in the district. And what I'd like to say to the board of education are these pressures that were addressed in the presentation such as health care and transportation are not unique to
this district. And other districts are facing the same, if not more, substantial decreases. did not get state aid, but yet they're not making reductions of this size. The proposed loss of 13 teachers is not
a minor adjustment in a district this size. It will certainly impact class sizes, support for struggling learners, and the quality of our students education. And as a parent, I'm asking the board to make more responsible decisions. When I
looked at the past 5-year budgets, there were two with a 0% increase. That is not sustainable to run a district. Um, I'm asking for manageable incremental increases over time. I'm asking for voting on budgets that
are reasonable for the taxpayers and to not deny mechanisms for additional revenue, such as universal preschool, that could bring money into the district and offset these prices. voting not to increase the budget is kicking the can down the road and leads
to what we're seeing today. And also for transparency purposes, I think this budget presentation should have been available in advance so that the public could have looked at it and had their questions um ready in advance. Thank you.
Hi, Sarah Thirsten, 2735 Tuahoo Road. I just have one quick question. I come from the private sector and I was just wondering why there was no email sent out to everybody to see are you getting ready to retire soon? Are you going to
quit soon? Perhaps you could have reduced the force through attrition before laying people off. That's it. Thank you. Nick Dilvio, 698 Grant Avenue. Um just from a an outsider looking in
looking at the buzz of pre presentation it seems that you got increased state aid ratables went up and you cut salaries but we still have a 7 and a2% tax levy increase. When I was on this board I had
a heart attack at a percent and a half and now you're going up to 7.38%. I just want everybody to know here on this board that you don't have to feel obligated or guilty to vote one way. Okay? You got to remember too that this is you you're responsible to the
taxpayers of this town. Okay? And um I just want you to know that don't feel pressured to vote anyway because I was in the same boat you are. I had nervous stomach every time that I had to vote some certain way. Michelle knows that. So um thank you for your time. That's
it. Any additional members of the public? We were just saying in order to get um definitely efficient responses, debating whether it's better to answer a few now, but wanting to make sure that we give the best answers like when and how to give which answers. So, if you can just
bear with us for one minute, some answers may be tomorrow probably posted. Some may be, you know, emailed directly to the person where we're going to do what we can to answer some of them now. Okay, bear with us one second. So, I guess I can start with uh class
size. So, I will get back to you on that one. But where is that going? Right. What um that would mean traditionally whatever the class limits are now, they wouldn't go above that. So I know let's say typically at JF you might have a class size of like 22 first graders
maybe 23 depending upon right like the section at the most like it wouldn't go over that but whatever you traditionally have right now in whatever building whatever grade level it wouldn't go beyond that. Unfortunately, some of our more supportive settings with general ed
that might have some special services, even though it's not required, they're the ones that would then see an increase and they might have a more typical class size range, but the general overall class size will not as a max increase.
Does I don't know if that answered your question. So would an ICF section likely see more of an increase or that's not what you're >> So I will say just to set the precedent for everything else um we'll try to give the answers based on the original questions. We're not really going to go all the way back and forth but just
whatever the typical limit is now that's what would be for the max for going forward. So that would be a regular ed setting and then I setting like that type of thing. Um currently, um also the districts that currently have preschool funding prior
to this year receive 90 to almost 100% funding, um for their program. So a lot of times district can offset costs by allocating certain regular district funds to a preschool budget and be able to garner in more actually more revenue than what they currently have. So
preschool back two years ago would definitely be a financial win and a resource for the district. Unfortunately, what the state has now set out is that any new districts that apply will only receive 60% funding for that new program, which means the district would have to fund the other
40% on their own. That extra 40%, as you can see from the presentation, we don't currently quite have that. So, it used to be the current funding if you already have a preschool does allow for you to get extra revenue, but they're not carrying over that same formula to districts that apply now. Actually, that
started last year. So, I just wanted to make that known as well um to to the public. Um I think Mr. Roso has a comment. >> Yeah, just to address the comments regarding administration salary, we are currently in negotiations and no numbers have been put forward. Um we've um I
can't talk about specific personnel here in public health session, but I can tell you that we've joined in on um shared services for certain personnel which allowed us to have cost savings um for our district.
Um I also uh Smartboard and Chromebooks we have to budget for a certain replacement cycle. So it was asked about is everyone getting new ones? That would be yes and no. Meaning as the Chromebook cycles go through, there always has to be money for the replacement. So, as they age
out, we want to replace those that have aged out. So, it's a recycle. It's a replacement pattern. And there is money budgeted for um boards that go down. You get replacements if your board goes down in your classroom. So, there's money allocated for that. Is it a whole new fleet for everyone? No. It's just the
the typical um a lotment for cycling of maintenance. Um We did approach um at the question about asking about retirement that was made known that um each
each uh union was asked about like the situation and about concessions and if anybody um I know the building principles definitely you know kind of we're we're trying to find out if anybody was even closely even remotely considering retirement. Um we absolutely would prefer to do something through
attrition. Um however no one applied for retirement. So yes if there was an opportunity to replace something through attrition that would definitely would have been our first choice but unfortunately um none no applications for retirement came across um our attention. So that was pretty much all I
could answer right now. There are a few other things that I do have highlighted on here that I will get back to certain people and and put out but that's all I have for now. Do you have anything else for them? >> Um just one comment of those who are concerned about the tax rate. Um just So, you know, um, us around this table,
it was a very stressful few months. Um, very stressful. We don't take this lightly. We do put our kids first. Um, which is why we need to raise taxes. And if we didn't, there would be more cuts. So, we did what was best for our kids and educating our future. Just to know
that. make a motion to close public session. >> All in favor? >> All right, moving on to uh reports. Um I don't have a president report but um Kellogg report um is there way
>> can we skip and go to >> um Mr. Lee, do you have any updates regarding the JPA? >> I just wanted to let all of you know that if you look at the daily clips on on the schoolboard website, a lot of um
questions answered recently regarding uh conflict of interest on the board and uh whether or not you know there were there was it was through the ethics committee. What do you call that? Yeah, the school we commission stating um what a conflict is. There was some
kind of wild uh questions like if you're living with somebody who's only, you know, is that they're not your wife, can you do can you still like there were some interesting questions. So you get a chance if you're bored and when you read it, he'll tell you some fun stuff.
I apologize. Normally, we had this loaded up, but because we had the other presentation, this one is now tested. So, login Please. Yeah. Sorry. Um, the reason why I just definitely wanted to take the time is just because
I know there's been a lot of tension and a lot of things that aren't obviously on the positive side tonight. I want to take a moment to reflect a little bit on the positive and what we do every day when we come come here to educate our kids um in Franklin Township. And so I always like to highlight a little bit about where I've been and where I go
through in the district. And I just want to thank um Miss Enders for inviting me. Uh me and Miss Dolan went to a fourth grade language arts class. Had a lot of information about the revolution. We played Jeopardy. Um you know, challenged the kids. I was laughing. I was nervous I was going to lose to one of the kids,
right? are like reminding you that. But are you smarter than a fifth grader vibe and that's that's a lot of pressure. So L me and Jamie teamed up and we tried to do the best we could um to to hang tight with those kids with our revolutionary war knowledge which was I definitely was sweating that out. So thank you Miss
Enders for making a fun activity for the kids and for us. Um I got to walk the halls of critter. They do a cool uh thing where they had all different famous people. The students all had different um famous people that they had pictorial representations of that some were like life-sized and they had um
little blurbs about them and then they also presented. So it gave them a chance to practice their speaking skills in the hallway in the sixth grade hallway. And I really enjoyed hearing from a lot of the kids directly, hearing about the people they picked, why they picked them, and hearing all about their famous person. So that was really nice over at
Rare. Um we had another big county unit brief uh last reunification exercise for the year. we won't do another one until the fall. Um really Gloucester County is leading the way in this effort and I'm really proud of the county people who are working in those on those efforts for having in case god forbid we ever
needed to use that. Um and then finally on an ultimate happy note uh we did go to uh Gloucester County Institute of Technology. They host the teacher of the year um celebration for all of the teachers of the year in Gloucester County. And um when you walk in, I asked everyone to please meet me in the
parking lot. I said like I would love for us all to walk in together because what they do is Gloucester County Institute of Technology lines the hallway with all different students and staff and they give the teachers a standing ovation of applause um as they enter. So I'm like I I'm I've already
got tricked into that once showing up solo. I'm like I'm like stop clapping. It's not for me. Clap for the teachers. So um I just thought this was really weird. And I don't know if you can't hear it, but as they're walking, there are three
teachers of the year. And like this huge hallway, that's mine. That was me filming walking behind them and everyone's clapping and cheering and celebrating our teachers of the year. So, it was a really wonderful um a really wonderful lunch and celebration with them.
And I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation if you ask. I am going to read this cuz I felt like this has been a very long arduous few months and I was nervous that if I tried to say this off the cuff what I want to say won't come out. So basically I want to take a moment to
express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the staff that have been affected by the district's reduction force. I want to be clear that this decision is in no way a reflection of your performance, dedication or the value that you have brought to the district. Each of you has contributed
meaningfully to our mission and vision and your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Please carry forward the knowledge that your work here mattered and was deeply appreciated. I wish each of you the very best in what comes next and have no doubt you will continue to do great things.
Again, these decisions were made from a financial perspective and this not was this wasn't because no one thought they weren't necessary and so it is with a heavy heart that what we have today. But I just want to sincerely thank everyone who was affected. I appreciate your time.
Thank you, Dr. Kellogg. Um any board of FDA reports? >> All right, seeing none, we're going to move on to approval of minutes. Um, I make a motion to approve the minutes from March 18th
and March 23rd. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> All right. Human resources. Has everyone had a chance to look over? >> Mr. President, why what is the reason we don't have close session to discuss G tonight?
>> To discuss J section G. >> Yeah, >> there are a couple things on there we we we didn't go over at the work session. I thought >> what did we go over? >> Um non-unit and
um >> 15 >> the job description. >> Job description. >> No, we went over the job description. Yeah, we did because that was just one word. Maybe >> um the nonunit I don't remember
reviewing that in close session. What about the N? No, that's not um this is just hiring 11. Correct. Correct. Because
we haven't settled with any group for next year. Correct. All that's listed are employee names. Any salary that's listed are ones that have not been negotiated and finalized. So, there are zero salary changes on anything on this agenda. >> And same with 12. Correct. There are no
well part-time is if I'm not mistaken that's the same. There's no change. Okay. >> So this this what this has nothing >> there's no financial 12 cuz I just don't remember talking about that. >> Correct. And that's why there's no financial changes listed on tonight's agenda for that reason. Correct.
>> Future agendas. Correct. Future agendas. Yes. >> Any other comments or questions regarding resources? Any other questions? >> I said yeah, I shut my mic off. That's
>> all right. So, I make a motion to approve human resources items as recommended by the superintendent G1 to G18. Do I have a second? Lloyd, >> yes. >> Wilson,
>> yes. >> Smith. Yes. >> Yes. >> Chang. >> Yes. >> Cunningham. >> Yes. >> Doyle. >> Yes. >> Brown. >> Yes. But no to 11.
>> Yes. All right, moving on to education items. Any board member questions or comments? All right, I make a motion to approve approve the education items that recommend recommend sorry recommended by
the superintendent uh items H1 to H5. Cting. >> Yes. >> Doyle, >> yes. >> Brown, >> yes. >> Lloyd, >> yes. >> Wilson, >> yes. >> Smith, >> yes. >> Star, >> yes. >> Changing, >> yes. >> Yes.
>> Motion carries. >> General administration superintendent report. Board members, you have any questions or comments? I just want to thank you for responding to my inquiry about the one I All right. Seeing none, I make a motion
to approve district items recommended by the superintendent. I one to I6. Do I have a second? Smith, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Jane, >> yes. >> Cuttingham, >> yes. >> Doyle,
>> yes. >> Brown, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Wilson, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Operations. pressure board members. Any comments or questions? >> I just want to clarify.
>> I'm sorry. Sorry personify that that 4% that you had mentioned that has not been put out there or negotiated or anything like that with what we're doing today. >> There is no one on the agenda tonight
that received any type of release at all. um the only thing that was inadvertently put on an agenda and then removed was because they had not been discussed yet with you as a board in a work session or an executive session due to p or personnel issues. So that's
typically what goes on and just out of habit but it hasn't been discussed yet. Um especially when we say administrators there is a non there's two non-unit administrators but the majority the rest of the administrators are in an administrative union and they haven't finished negotiating yet. So, um there's
nothing decided for them at all. So, um unfortunately sometimes misinformation gets out to the public and and thank you for clarifying that, you know. >> Yep. >> It's a position we're in. >> Oh, yep. So, that was not nothing on the
agenda for tonight. Any other questions for operations? All right. Seeing none, I make a motion to uh approve operations agenda items recommended by the superintendent J1 to J17. Do I have a second?
>> Trish star. >> Yes, I have seen from >> Chang. >> Yes. >> Cunningham. >> Yes. Doyle. >> Yes. >> Brown. >> The whole thing.
>> Just pick what you want to say next. >> Four. >> Which number? J4 >> 17. >> And to confirm, yes. Everything else, >> yes. >> Lloyd, >> yes. >> Wilson,
>> yes. >> Smith, >> yes. Not to 17. >> Yes. Great. Moving on to old business. Um, we have our total items on here, our yearly planning calendar and our board meeting schedule. Um, I know we've gone back and
forth about board goals. Um, I think it's very important now that we do some kind of goals specifically related to finance, budget, um, learning more about that. Um, we can talk about that at a work session. But we kind of all agreed
about some kind of finance committee. I think this is where this would come in and we could do better. >> Didn't we also say we're going to maybe make some kind of modified I think Kristen did a modified board assessment. So we kind of Alicia and I talked about putting that on the back burner until
all this is kind of you know decided. Um and then we'll do this kind this board assessment and then go from there on what we decide we should do as a group if whatever. >> Yeah. Dr. kindly created like a self-ealuation kind of put it into
simpler terms um so we can do that together and what we need to work on >> but there should be a budget committee >> we finance committee yes we'll work on that yes >> I know you were working on getting
Any other business? Any new business? policy. >> The question was, are we having a policy committee meeting? I don't have a currently scheduled with all the negotiations, but if we want to get together a date that we think works,
maybe um there's two different negotiation dates in May. Um maybe like June, we could put something on the books. Um, so if the policy committee, if you want to like start an email with us and let me know when you're available and then I can get a mutual date that works.
>> Okay. >> All right. Um, we move on to public comment section. I'd like to make a motion to open to the public. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any members of the public address? Thank you for uh not answering any of my
questions. >> There was a comment about misinformation as it related to the 4% proposed salary increases for the non-unit staff. Someone prepared an agenda. Someone put
in salary increases of 4%. I have it right here. The numbers are here. They were put into the agenda. They were subsequently removed. It's not misinformation. It was posted. It was 4%. I know how to do math. And it's now gone. And I'm glad that it's gone. And I'm glad that you
guys didn't vote on it this evening because it sounds like maybe you'll actually finally discuss it prior to voting on it. Are we still in the the no questions, no answers? >> Yes. >> Okay. I'll have another question that
you may or may not choose to answer. Um, the SBA contract, which is generally on the agenda this time of year, is not on the agenda. When will that be on the agenda? And is there a proposed increase associated with that contract?
No answer on either. >> Thank you for your comment. >> Okay, we'll we'll infer the answer on that. Thank you. I'm just going to move this >> discuss personnel matters in public session. >> Don't list on the agenda.
>> You put the numbers out, not me. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Hi. Um, can everyone hear me? Okay. Uh Melissa Vanine, TFA, I just had a couple of questions um after you reviewed your first um answers to the public. Um can
anyone and I'm just not sure. Are we considered a title one school district still? We have never helic. >> That's okay. If I'm not allowed to ask it, just let me know. I didn't >> ask whatever you want. >> You can. Is that your Is that your only question? >> No. So, I just wanted to make a comment
after that. If we are considered a title one school district, a lot of um the members of the public brought up about class sizes. I believe there are certain regulations um according to New Jersey um law, whatever you want to call it, about
class size class size not exceeding certain numbers. I just wanted to make sure that that was going to be on everyone's mind when class sizes needed to be adjusted. And then one other random thought um by
any chance um as far as like bringing in revenue, has anyone discussed or talked about advertising on our buses or looking for advertising um from like local businesses to bring in revenue.
>> Yep. That was my my only questions. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We do receive title one funding, but we are not considered a school districtwide title one district. So, yes, when I think one of the parts of the slide presentation said for the maximum class
size, I know there's not a direct policy, but it was about um continuing what was here, but also within state applicable code or policy. So yes, if we were schoolwide, we would make sure we were applicable with all codes and any type of regulation that we would need to do because yes, schools that are
underperforming, title one schools do have similar class size tax requirements than regular, but we don't have a um title one designation as a district. So, well, we'll definitely make sure that all of those codes are absolutely adhered to um any that apply to us because again, things can always change
and that's dependent upon your of course like free reduced lunch population which has to constantly be reviewed and make sure that we are up in compliance with all of that. Um revenue I don't know I think three of the buses have a test ad already up to
five buses that do have ads already. Um and we are getting more. So that was that just came about two or three months ago um that we are getting advertisers local advertisers and they are starting to advertise on our buses bringing in uh revenue for the district. So absolutely that's a great idea and we are actually
doing that now. It's just and it's only five out of the whole fleet of like 21. So um and that's I guess not. Sorry. Thanks. Okay. John Sagano once again. Okay. I'm sorry. Uh I just want to Okay. I I Okay.
I've obviously been at many board meetings for many years. Okay. And I don't always m don't always want to agree with Mr. brand on things, but I don't understand why suddenly we're at a 3minut. I know that's always been the
rule. I know it's always been there, but this board has always been very transparent and very accepting in allowing people to speak. Mr. Star, when you were president of the board of education, Mr. Shanklin, when you were president of the board of education, okay, it was never an issue. If somebody
talked for three and a half minutes or four minutes, it was never an issue. And I would hate to see that this board goes to that kind of a situation where somebody who has a prepared statement which I was what 15 seconds over 20
seconds over should be cut off in the middle of that statement. I just don't think it works for the public. I we this board okay we those of you who have served on this board for a long time we've been back and forth you know I've been back and forth with you about many things but I just encourage you let's keep that transparency open. Let's keep
that discussion open. Let's not close it down. I just think it's important that if a member of the public has a question or one of one of your teachers has a question and again you you've answered the question. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that that the cut offs the stops the you know okay you your
statement is you know 15 seconds 20 seconds too long. It just doesn't bid bode well for this board and you've never done it in the past and I would hate to see it happen now. That's that's all I'd like to say. Thank you. >> Good evening.
>> Hi. Good evening. I just had a couple questions. Um, >> your name? >> I'm sorry. Brook Sanders, uh, TFA membership chair, uh, but also resident 112 Lewis Court Prangle. Um, a few questions I had in regards to, uh, the
reductions that were listed. Um, a few of the reductions that were listed were school related supplies, reduction of transportation related time costs and district funded portion of field trip costs. So, I just wanted to see if there
was any type of clarification on or expansion upon what that meant or is that something that uh you don't necessarily have the specifics for right now. Um, and then the other I guess just not comment but question uh or a
continuation of a question. Uh, I believe I'm just I feel like there is a little bit of a miscommunication with the question of the max class size in our board policy. There is not a number that's listed, which is fine, but I
think we're wanting to know what is that number. And so I understand if that's cannot be answered tonight, but I think that's kind of what we're missing here. We don't know what the max size is. Um, and I know that some numbers were thrown around, but I don't know if those were
just like examples, so to speak, not necessarily the set specific numbers, but I do think we would like to know what is the max class size number. But those are my just threeish questions. Thank you. Anyone
else for the public? >> I'm sorry. >> No, you're fine. Um, Kim Davis. I am a parent of three children in the district, 3653 Tucker Road. I just have a couple questions um in regards to student enrollment. How are the students
residents audited to make sure that they are not residing um that residence is actually true not coming from a different town or district that we're paying for enrollment? How often is that audited? I know upon enrollment we have to provide documentation, but how far
after is that audited? Um, in regards to student tuition from outside Franklin Township, will that be increased along um with taxes? For instance, if they're coming from Newfield. Um, also, have we evaluated restrictions
on transportation such as now I don't know legality issues at this moment. I know when I grew up it was you had to live a certain distance from the school in order to receive transportation. Of course, that's an inconvenience. is something that I do utilize, but inconvenience um sometimes has to be
sacrificed when we have to make budgets cuts. >> Thank you. Anyone else from the public? Alex, if you make a motion to close the second comment section, do I second? All in favor? Yes. So for those who need an answer for
addressing your concerns, um Dr. Kellogg um will be doing some research and we'll be reaching out. >> Yeah. So they're telling me that they'll probably make it like a public announcement, a newsletter, a letter or something for you guys to get those
answers. Okay, I'd like to make a motion to adjourn. Do I have a second? All in favor? Thank you.