Good evening everybody. Welcome to the Franklin Township Board Education Meeting. Today is Thursday, September 25th, 2025. The time is 6:32
p.m. Uh Brian, can we have roll call? >> Mr. Demaglio, >> here. Mr. Greo >> here. >> Dr. Hopkins >> here. >> Miss Inosencio, Mr. Jackson >> here. >> Miss Lort
>> here. >> Miss Maris, Mr. Parker, Miss Singh, you have a quorum. >> All right. Also, Brian, can you do the um Public Meeting Act statement for me? In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, public law 1975, chapter
231, Sunshine Law, copies of the public meeting notice were sent to the Courier News, the Home News Tribune, the Star Ledger, the Franklin Reporter, Tap into Franklin Township, Franklin Township Clerk, Manager, District, Schools, Offices, and Associations, PTO Presidents, and posted on the district
website. >> All right. Can I have a motion to move into confidential session? So moved. >> Moved by Nancy. >> Second. >> Second by Walter. >> A seconded by Walter. All in favor? >> I.
>> All right. Motion to adjourn to the confidential session for the purposes of discussing confidential matters including special education settlements and personnel matters. Members of the confidential session would be made public when the
reason for confidentiality no longer exists. We'll see you folks later. All right, folks. The time is 7:30. We are still September 25th, 2025. We are back from um confidential
session. Um the purpose of discussing confidential matters includes special educational settlements and personnel matters. Minutes of the confidential session will be made public when the reason for confidentiality no longer
exists. All right. Um, yeah. So, he did that. Uh-huh. All right. You have your hand up, Erica. Okay. Uh, Erica, let's do the pledge of allegiance since you had your hand up.
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.
>> Bill, let's do the mission statement. >> Yes, sir. Oh, it's working. So, the mission of the Franklin Township Public School embraces its diversity,
fosters excellent educational innovation, and empowers all students to achieve their highest potential. All right. Can I have a motion to adopt their agenda? So move. >> So moved by Nancy. Second.
>> Seconded. It was a tie, I guess. Let's go with um Jimmy, seconded by Jimmy. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Um we have the student report by Haiti. >> So, hello. Like already mentioned, my
name is Haiti and I'm one of your student government POE liaison. Um here are some things going on at FHS. So, currently the senior class is getting ready for early events of the year, including their homecoming on October 18th. Franklin A High School Model UN
will be hosting their FHS Model UN conference in conjunction with Rucker's IDIA on October 18th, 2025. Freshman will be electing representatives for their class council after club rush at the end of September. In late July and early August, JCellers
went to nationals at Miami University in Ohio where we spent a week exploring the classical world. Here are some of the people with achievements from that event. So we have Saurin Decker who's a rising senior. He got first in digital scrapbook, second in chess, and 15th in
shot put. Emma Kazov, rising senior, 10th in English oratory, first in sculpture. Emma ran our fellowship meetings for the state every night and also ran for national office. However, unfortunately, she didn't win national office, but put forth an amazing campaign. Coral Lowry, rising senior,
sixth in slogan, first in digital scrapbook. We have Ella Pavwell, Rising Junior, fourth in digital art, and many more accomplishments to be very proud of. Finally, on the calendar, Club Rush will be running on September 30th and October 1st with clubs looking to
attract new members. >> Thank you for that report. Excellent. All right, let's move on to the superintendent report. >> Sure. Thank you. Sorry. >> Sure. Thank you. uh first start of the school year. I want to take an
opportunity to thank the many who were involved in getting our schools up and running for day one for the 2025 2026 school year which obviously occurred earlier this month. The start was smooth with the exception of the usual transportation challenges. Um we move a
lot of kids and sometimes that brings about its challenges. At this point we believe we have a solution to most if not all of our transportation issues. I can tell by the uh all clear which is now coming just about normal time that we're running about as efficient and
normal as always. Um so that's a good thing. With regard to faculty and staff, all reports thus far been positive and students and staff alike seem to be happy to get the new year rolling. Our back to school nights, with the
exception of Franklin High School, um, which is happening tonight, by the way, have all been completed. And I hope our families found the evenings both useful and informative. We look forward to continuing our efforts to
strengthen the school and family partnership as the year progresses. There'll be lots of opportunities for our families and our school uh students as well as faculty to come together for the benefit of our kids. QAC monitoring.
We are scheduled for the New Jersey Department of Education monitoring, often referred to as QAC, and that'll occur this year. We're what's called a cohort one district. There are three different cohorts and every year the state travels around to the different
cohorts across the state and um does their monitoring. We're currently in the self-study phase of monitoring. We'll be working over the next several months to complete the district performance review documents in each of the five areas that are monitored by the state department in
preparation for a late January visit by the state department of education monitors. The areas being monitored are instruction and program, fiscal management, governance, operation, and personnel.
Operations and personnel. Those are the five areas that the state will look at and what they'll be looking at is compliance to the state board regulations. We look forward to working with the county office who will be our monitors and the state as they work
through this labor intensive but yet important process. And I want to take an opportunity to thank Dr. Dan who leads our charge in this area along with uh many who are on the committee as we go through the self-evaluation and then later the validation of the self-study.
So thanks Dr. Dan and everyone else who's involved and uh that's it for us. Thanks. >> Thank you Dr. Riv Valley. Now to the um board president report. I would like to ask for a moment of silence while we
remember two recent warrior alumni who was tragically killed recently. First, John Jonathan Martinez who graduated from our road to su success program in 2023
and was killed in a auto accident in mid August. and Vincent Vei, class of 2021, who died in a motorcycle accident earlier this month. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the
family and friends of these fallen warriors. Let's have that moment. Thank you. Staff news. Congratulations to technology co coach TZ Samaris on the release of the children's book he wrote
and published called I'll visit space from here as one of his co-workers share Ted's creativity and passion for inspiring kids shines through on every page
student news. Congratulations to FHS senior and motocross driver Shannon Schwarz who was named student MVP for the month of August by NBC New York news.
Finally, as you can't see behind me, we have begun to build the Warrior Pride Wall with banners for some of the schools and district accomplishments we have recently shared. That completes the
president report. Uh motion to open for comments from the public, five minutes per speaker. Agenda items only. >> So moved. >> So moved by Erica and seconded by Nancy. Once again, um five minutes only. Agenda
items only. Oh, good. Good evening. Um I the opening mission statement I think you failed the uh students from the Franklin Township because the data that we've have to exceed that the
mission to make sure the students are excelling. They're not excelling. First of all, Franklin Township only rates 7,01 out of the 24,000 high schools in the total country. >> Also, they only >> Did you state your name, sir?
My name is Martin Zeptar. >> Your address? >> I'm 728 New Brunswick Road, New Jersey. >> Okay. Name has to be stated first. >> Okay. Sorry about that. >> No problem. >> I didn't know the routine. Anyway, continue on. Franklin Township.
Franklin High only ranks 228 out of all New Jersey high schools, which puts it in the lower less than 50% of the problem of the public schools in New Jersey. So therefore, your mission statement is failing the students of
this county. That's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Seeing no one else, Mr. President, I move to close the public session. >> Second. >> So moved by um Bill and seconded by uh
Nick. All in favor? >> I. >> So move. Okay. >> I I don't see where Mr. President. >> Yes. I don't see where the gentleman who just spoke,
but maybe you could clarify where that comes into the agenda items only. Is that because the mission statement is on a piece of paper? It's not an agenda item to talk about our test scores tonight, is it? Uh >> Dan, are we doing anything on test
scores tonight? >> Well, we let the gentleman have the mic based on the I guess the read it at the start of the meeting. >> So >> So it's part of the meeting. >> Well, he made his statement, Bill.
>> Oh, very good. >> Let's move on. >> I mean, I I don't get it. I I was going to make a motion to strike the comments from the public record cuz it's not in it's not on the agenda. The gentleman speaking about our test
scores saying that we're low. There's no item on the agenda about that. Now, he could come back afterwards when it's open to anything. Then it's fine. >> Well, that's up to you guys. >> Well, um I guess you put into a motion then, Bill.
>> Yeah. I put a motion to strike what the gentleman said and invite him back at the end of the meeting. >> Anybody want to second that or >> second it? >> Okay. So, it has been moved and second. So um for the record um the gentleman
that has spoke for agenda item only is welcome to come back during the uh uh topic for any uh for to talk to us for any topic only but um we encourage you
to come back at that time which would be lay on in the agenda. So that has been um >> you have a motion. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry. So, it has been u moved by Bill, seconded by um U Jimmy. All in favor?
>> I >> I >> All right. Let's do a roll call, Brian, on this matter. >> Mr. Dele, >> yes. >> Mr. M. Mr. >> Yes, Mr. McCoy. Yes.
>> Motion pass. >> All right. So move. All right. Let's go to um so once again uh I think the motion was on the floor to close the um the session all together right now.
>> Okay. I just I guess let's go to um the committees reports now. Um we could uh the committee report is on the website and unless um anybody have any questions or want to share something that they
feel though that is important to the um board that they uh want to share or share um out loud with the public that is something special within the reports. Everybody could read it on the website.
Uh Erica, you have any questions on any uh of these reports? >> Uh Dennis, you are you going in an order here? >> Yes, I am. >> I'm sorry. >> Um Jimmy, >> yeah, just one question for the policy
committee. Um there's going to be a discussion, I guess, of acceptable use of AI. Um, is that going to come in the next couple of months or do we do we have an idea of what we're going to use or allow the children to use? >> Who's who's the chair for that? That's
you for policy. >> That's me. >> Okay. Yes. Uh, repeat. Uh, repeat for the policy chair. >> Bill. >> It's Bill. >> Bill. I'm policy chair. But what what policy you're talking about? What you doing? you got there's an upcoming
policy with the use of of AI and I think in the in the report it's that you guys are going to come back in a couple of weeks. Do we have any idea yet what we're going to think about using or what we're going to allow? >> Yeah, sure. Uh actually if you go online right now and our parents can do the
same so can our students and our faculty is already working with that. There are guidelines for use of AI >> that are online. A lot of what will be contained in the policy will reference some of the guidelines. And I want to
credit Dr. R SALA or Dr. Amy as I like to call her. She is the director of instructional technology who's worked very hard and actually will be presenting if you're so interested. She'll be presenting at the October New
October or September Artem's not here. Is it? >> Yeah. I want to hear about it. October, the October >> New Jersey School Boards Association meeting on how to manage AI in your school district. So, uh, she's doing a tremendous job. We are working with the
policy committee to formalize the policy, but in the interim, of course, it's out there and it's moving. So we we did create temporary guidelines in order to at least provide faculty, students and
parents alike with guidance and I encourage you to check it out. >> I will and that's one of the reasons why that you put that out there. >> That's all Jimmy. >> That's it. Thank you. >> All right. Bill, you up. >> Mr. President, you you um mentioned
earlier in the evening that you're impressed with um some facilities improvements and innovate. I'd like to if you could just for the purpose of the public recap some of your impressions, >> right?
>> Yeah. Um Walter, can you share um the um some of the highlights in facilities? Um some of the highlights um are zoo fall of course if everybody knows um we're getting pretty close to that um
being completed and everything that we need to to get that up and running. Um Ryan Ellis is our solar guru and he does a great job. It actually be kind of great if he could actually come in >> one board meeting and actually go over
his solar report. But um he usually gets his solar report every month u or every yeah every month. And it's actually a great insight on um the systems that we have, how they're being utilized, how we're actually regaining those assets
and putting back into the school district. Um now we're just working on um there are some roofs that need to be repaired in some of our school districts, some of our schools. So now we're just looking at what we need to do. um in terms of
getting the lease back again with these solar panels and um you know going from there. Um what else? >> Mr. Jackson, can I ask you a question? >> Yes, sir. >> Is it possible uh to recommend to the
superintendent to have uh Mr. Ellis come at the next meeting, give a report? I'd like the public to hear how much money this board of education is saving the taxpayers in solar panels. Most people don't even know about our
solar panel initiative. So I I know that we're saving I know it. I don't need it for me. But I remember the incubation of these solar panels on our schools when I was a principal. I think I tried to get one out McAfee. The
school was the roof was too small. I slept on the roof, but it was too small for solar panels. Anyway, uh can you take care of that, Mr. Jackson? Have a presentation. >> Yeah, like I just Yeah, I think that'll be a great idea. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Yeah, he is doing phenomenal job, Bill. Phenomenal. >> Anything else from you, Bill? >> I think I think it's great. I mean this is in zoo fall and the things that are going on in this district are very impressive >> very students
>> very impressive >> I mean I went to a couple of events uh where the school's being used by so many people outside groups inside groups athletics they come from all over the state to use Franklin High School for a
wrestling thing and in the in the spring thousands of people That's just incredible what we've done. >> Yes. >> So, I will trumpet this for the rest of the year. Get ready. Uh so, okay. Thank
you, Mr. President. Pro Tim. >> Um Nick, any um questions or any um thing you want to share within your committee or any highlights or any questions within the other chairs? nothing with my committee, but I do have
a question on um the ad hoc for athletic. Um I'm just >> Jimmy. Jimmy, can you hear him? >> Yeah, >> I can hear him. It's actually >> So on the new the proposed job description we have that the athletic
director still reports to the principal. Was that going to stay the same or was that up for discussion at some point? Yeah, I believe if I'm not mistaken it was report to the superintendent and or designate along with the principal. There's no way to separate the athletic
director from the principal because the high school principal is responsible for all athletic programming according to NJSIA guidelines or bylaws at the high school. So for example, if Dr. Solomon,
our former principal of the high school. If he were still the principal and a kid participated illegally, it would be Dr. Solomon who ultimately would be responsible, not even the superintendent. Um, so the high school principles in the state of New Jersey are the ones who are responsible for the
high school program. So ultimately the person who's running those programs, it would be hard to totally separate them from the responsibility of reporting to that person. So it's going to be a combination type of report and that's the main reason why we had lots of discussion about that and as I had
shared in New Jersey um because the way the bylaws are written with regard to governing those programs it becomes the principal who's responsible for when there are issues or you know eligibility issues or whatever the case may be. So,
uh, it makes it very difficult then for that person not to be directly involved since they're working on their behalf. >> Thank you. That makes sense. I just had heard we had the discussion and then I didn't know how that got resolved. Thank you.
>> Yeah. Um, well, um, I'm going to stay on that topic though before I go go to you, Walter. Now, with that said, just popped up in my head. So I guess with the new AD that will come on board, I guess the
principal at the high school will have to get involved or with or the the AD itself would be just hire and join hips with the principal and answer to
the superintendent. Correct Erica or John? You want to answer that? >> Sure. only because I know the structure well and it'll be a combination of both. Right? So, there's districtwide programs and our athletic director who is involved with athletics districtwide and
then we have some district-wide programs for students with special needs, our challenger program type of programs. Um so those are programs that other folks are involved but directly the high school programs um that would need there
there'd need to be some oversight by the principal because ultimately principal is responsible. >> Yeah. Okay. So I guess my question is that when the AD comes on board or during the interviewing and doing that
particular process the principal itself what would be their role in involvement and um liking disliking >> yeah they'll be they'll be part of the school committee >> okay that was my question
uh Walter Uh, no, I'm good. Thank you, >> Nancy. All right. All right. Uh, let's go on to new business. >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion to move R1 monthly reports.
M1 minutes of board meetings. A1 travel and related expense reimbursement. A2, approve school connected organizations. A3, week of respect, which is October 6th through the 10th and extremely appropriate right now. Um,
A4, Fire Prevention Week, October 5 to 11. School Violence Awareness Week, October 19 to 23. National Principles Month in October. A8 Self Assessment, Harassment,
Intimidation, and Bullying Grades. A nine, allow independent athlete to complete. A10, revised policies, second reading and adoption for policy 2422 and policy 622. A1, new policy, second
reading and adoption for policy 5339. A12, revised policies first reading. Um, I'm not going to read them all. Um 813 revised bylaws first reading for 173
and bylaw 174. A14 facilities use. A15 New Jersey stride shared service agreement. A16 special education settlements. A17 uh New Jersey
um 4S uh memor memorandum of understanding. A18 charter school expansion application comments and recommendations. A19 2526 calendar adjustment for Franklin High School only. B1 warrants
and payrolls. B2 financial reports. B3 contract approval A through um I B4 change orders. B5 cooperative purchasing. B6 non-public school nursing
services for uh school year 2526. B7 uh revise of revised extraordinary aid reimbursement. B8 school breakfast, lunch and milk prices for 2526 school year. C1 out of district school year or out of district students 2526 school
year. C2 field trip destinations. Uh no destinations at this time. C3 field trip applications, which is um the high school model UN overnight trip and the high school science research
club um scheduled to go to North Branch in in Bridgewater for American Rocketry Competition. C4, approve highly effective educator activities. C5, Satan Hall University student belonging study. P1, revised job descriptions,
which is the athletic director. P2, workers compensation. P3, personnel report number three, dated today. And that's it. >> All right. So, we have a motion on the agenda for R1, M1, A1 through A19,
B1 through B8, C1 through C4, >> P1 through P5. Any questions? Uh, >> uh, no questions. >> What's C5? >> Yes, C1 to C5.
>> What was C5? I I just want to note Mr. President all the within this agenda all the various schools, universities, jazz groups,
uh neighboring schools using the services of our buildings, which is great. And so there's a lot of neighborhood activity plugged into our school system making use of the facilities that we're
proud of. Okay. Let me make that correction though, Bill. Um we have the motion for on the agenda for R1, M1, A1 through A19, B1 through B8, C1 through C5,
P1 through P3. Any questions? I might ask each member. Erica, you have any questions on there? Jimmy, >> no questions. >> Uh, any other questions, Bill? >> No, not at all. I just wanted to comment on the uh community outage that we
demonstrated. >> Okay. Um, >> no. >> Nick, >> no. >> Walter, >> no. >> Uh, Nancy, >> can I get a second then? >> All right. Um, Brian, can we get a roll call?
>> Mr. Deglio. >> Yes. Pix. >> Yes, except for uh B1 as it relates to Elizabeth Avenue School. >> Okay. Mr. Greo,
>> Miss Inosencio, >> yes. >> Mr. Jackson, >> yes. >> Miss Lort, >> yes. >> Mr. Parker, >> yes. >> Dr. Hopkins. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Uh mot now motion to move
to comments for the public. Any topics? Five minutes only. When you step to the mic, please um state your name and your address. >> So moved. >> All right. So moved by Bill, seconded by Nassie. Nancy. All in favor?
>> All right. It's open. I'll sign it. Good evening. My name is Martin Zapatar. I live at 728 New Brunswick Road, Somerset, New Jersey, 08873. I just like to make a statement that the mission
that you're trying to get the students to excel in the Franklin High School, the Franklin Township schools, at least in high school, you're not doing the job by their own data. in your quoted new
best high schools of 2025, Franklin High School ranks 7,01 out of 24,000 schools in the entire country. That's not excelling anywhere. Also, Franklin High School doesn't even
rank in the top 50% of New Jersey high schools from the same study. So therefore, I like to know how you going to turn it around for their kids that are in the eighth or lower grades so by the time they graduate, they can succeed
in their lifetime and go to college. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Seeing no one else. >> Hold on. We have We have somebody coming up. >> Yes. Yes,
>> Mr. President. We have another person coming up. >> Yes. supposed All right. Good evening, members of the board. Uh my name is uh Kachi Inju Madu. Uh, my address is 3110 Holland Drive. Um, I'm a
me I'm a mother of Joseph Madu, a fourth grader, fourth grade student at Claremont Elementary with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder.
I'm here tonight to put on the record a history of serious concerns regarding how my son's educational needs have been mishandled since he entered Franklin Public School at the age of three.
My son again is in fourth grade. He is 9 years old. I've retained both an attorney and an educational advocate who are supporting us, my family, uh, in this matter. Uh, what I share tonight is based on my firsthand experience and
years of documented correspondence with the district. Number one, there's been a denial of access to inclusive classrooms. From as early as 2016, I requested that Joseph be given an opportunity to
interact with general education and more academically appropriate peers. His then social worker, Jennifer Chang, told me this would be not allowed because he might disrupt other students.
Later, Ryan Green explicitly told me my son would not succeed in the next in the least the next least restrictive environment, which is the language and learning disability classroom. Yet, my documented classroom
observations show that Joseph consistently engaged in activities, was never disruptive, and was often the only verbal child in his classroom. Number two, COVID learning loss and denial of
compensatory services. On June 30th, 2022, I met with then social worker Jennifer Chang and Ryan Green to discuss COVID related compensatory services. I explained that Joseph had lost in more had lost more than a year of in-person
instruction as well as critical services like speech therapy and occupational therapy. virtual learning was completely inappropriate for his needs. I requested additional one-on-one support to help him catch up academically.
Ryan Green told me that the only compensatory services available were extended school year, ESY. I made it clear ESY alone was insufficient and asked for a structured plan to close the academic gap. To this day, no plan has
ever been put into place to address my son's loss of learning. Number three, there's been a lack of academic instruction. Until I retained an advocate this year, Joseph's IEP contained no academic goals,
no reading, no writing, no math since kindergarten. My first imperson observation after co revealed Joseph using a laptop not for academic purposes or programs I
got ready excuse me but to watch YouTube simple songs nursery This is not an education. This is neglect of my child's right for free appropriate public education. Number four, mishandled child placement
in the LD classroom. In 2024, after years of Joseph is pre briefly, excuse me, thank you. In 2024, after years of advocacy for my son, Joseph was briefly placed in the LD
classroom. I had requested for 101 aid support to support his transition. This request was ignored. Without support, Joseph struggled and the district labeled him as
aggressive. This label was unfair and accurate given his 5 years without any documented destructive history. During my November 13 observation of Joseph, um I saw I observed him working
independently on his task already master task. He showed um he was he was able to complete his task without any adult support. Um however, when he became bored, he resorted to stmming. Instead of redirecting my son of or helping him
manage his anxiety, I saw the classroom aid ignore him the entire time. My observation was documented and reported to the district. >> Ma'am, um >> I'm going to wrap up. >> Yeah, go ahead. Thank you. I I'm going
to just scroll down to this um the most recent incident when I met with my son's uh current teacher. Um I discovered Joseph seated apart from his classmate. His classmates at a separate desk with the sign reading sit in chair hands to
self quiet mouth. As a parent who has documented observed the practices used in my son, Joseph, I must raise serious concern about the education appropriateness, ethical standards, and legal compliance of the behavior reminder and isolated desk arrangement
used in his classroom. I was informed by his current teacher, Emily Kaiser, that the table was carried over from last year. Uh uh the visual the visual support used um um
with discriminatory. It targeted only Joseph at his desk. Quiet mouse is uh dehumanizing. It's insensitive and is disrespectful. It stigmatizes his disability and silences his natural communication differences rather than
encouraging alternative methods such as AAC, verbal appropriate approximation or peer modeling. Um I'm just going to my final request for the board. Um respectfully I I ask this board this evening to investigate and hold accountable those responsible
for denying Joseph access to inclusive education. I required the district to provide compensatory services, including intensive 101 academic instruction and therapeutic support to make up for the years of loss services and discriminatory practices like isolation
and stigmatizing behavior signs and in ensure parents are treated as equal members of the IEP team. Um, Joseph is a bright, verbal, and capable child, but for six years, Franklin Township failed to give him a fair shot. His his story highlights systematic failures in
special education that this board has admitted it has not been fully informed about. I stand here tonight to shine a light not just for Joseph but for every child whose voice has been silenced. >> Thank you for sharing that. Uh anybody else?
>> See no one else. I move to close the public session. So moved by Bill, second by Nancy. All in favor? >> I >> I. >> So moved. John, you want to respond to any of this?
>> Sure. Uh Dr. Lin, if you could just copy that name and we'll make sure we reach out and we'll get our director of people personnel services to be sure to reach out. Uh with regard to the first comments, um you know, I certainly make no excuses and we realize there are
varying opinions on what people consider to be a successful school district. Um we do emphasize growth and we seem to be making some headway on growth. Uh and we'll continue to do that. There are
also measurements like student engagement, uh, success of our students post-graduation, and we've had some phenomenal students who have gone on to do some remarkable things, Tony Award-winning dancers, we had uh, uh,
singers, dancers, we've had, you know, pilots, we had some of those folks here more recently. Um, skills and leadership and empathy. Uh I would put our kids against and in fact we do in lots of our clubs uh where
we're off competing model UN and some of the others we get a lot of very positive comments made about our students and their leadership ability and their empathy as you heard from our student representative tonight. Uh not only well spoken but can articulate very well. Um
and then of course as Mr. Ripple mentioned, and so have so many other board members, our connections with the community and our partnerships and all that our students do outside the walls of the school make a difference, too. And uh and I know
sometimes it's easier to just lean in on test scores and say that really is what measures the success of a school, but it is it's part of the part of the formula. No question. And do we need to make some headway there? For sure. Um but we do
have significantly higher challenges than most other places too in a lot of the places that you mentioned. Uh we have a higher rate of students with special needs that attend our schools. We have higher rates of students with socioeconomic challenges. We have an
over 40% free and reduced lunch uh population. And research will tell you certainly not Dr. Valley, but you can read the research and the literature and it'll tell you that a student who falls below that poverty line is much harder
to educate than a student who is above that poverty line. And you know, there are folks that have dedicated their life on to help making that move needle move. And you know, we do some of that and we're working hard. Um, but we also have to meet some of the basic needs of our
students. Some of our students don't get the quality care that lots of other students get. They don't get fed regularly like some of ours. That's not because our parents aren't able or or or don't want to do it, but in some circumstances, there might not be that
ability. Um, English as a second language. We have a higher population than most. We are above the average. And again, um, for some of our students, it's the first time that they're in the country and, you know, months later,
we're slapping a test in front of them. So, there are lots of things that uh, high rates of bilingual students where English isn't even spoken at home. So, we're extremely proud of our kids. I I just want to put that out there. Um, and
I would put many of our kids up against whomever and I'm sure you would be proud as a community member. I'm proud of our faculty. They come to work. They work
hard every day. And a lot of them are reaching into their pocket to make sure that students have their next meal. A lot of them are making communication home to translate for the parents of these students so
that the parents can become involved. Again, the challenges here and the challenges within our community are different and every school district's different. I'm not saying that other school districts don't have some of those same challenges, but I can
tell you this where I I believe by demographic study, I believe you're going to find, not to be quoted because I'm not 100% positive of this, but we're the second most diverse school district in the state.
>> That's actually true. >> That's correct. >> Thank you, Erica. >> State. >> And it's probably you told me that. This is something I'm quite proud of. >> But we are and that comes with challenges. And I'm not saying that we should ignore test scores cuz we
shouldn't. We should use those test scores to inform instruction. And we do. And we do and we'll continue to do that. And because of that, we built this wall.
Cuz a few years back, we couldn't have put much on that wall. But right now, there's a couple banners on that wall. And are we proud that we're in the top 40% of best high schools in New Jersey? Absolutely. Do we
want to be number one? For sure. Can we be? Yes. I'm not saying that these things should be excuses cuz they shouldn't be. But like any good team, any good organization, it takes time. And the harder and the
higher your hurdles, the more time it takes. So, I would be remiss if I didn't speak to that. And I hope, and again, we're not always going to agree cuz some people boil it down
and they boil it right down to that test. I'm just saying we've got to think about and I'm just asking I'm just asking you to think about some of the other things. Don't be hyperfocused on just one measurement of success because there are
plenty of others and our kids do very well meeting some of those others. So, um that's really all I have to say. Uh but I'll end with this part as we speak to that. That's not to say, and I this probably
about the third time I said it, that's not to say that we can't continue to try and do better. And we can't continue to try and meet those standards. And we will and we'll continue to push growth because the only way
you're going to get to meet those standards is by continually pushing growth. So the needle's moving, may not be moving fast enough for some of us, me included. everybody. You know, I'm probably the most impatient guy, but the challenges are bigger.
So, please be patient, keep working with us, and uh and we'll get there. That's it for me. >> Thank you, Dr. Vali. Now, we going to move to the good of the order. Um Erica, what you got good?
>> Good evening. Um just basically um wanted to welcome all our students and staff back for a new year. Um I wanted to again I know it's been said thank all the people involved in getting our schools ready um to open to our students this year and just wanted to wish our
students and staff a wonderful school year. That's all I have to say. >> Jimmy just wanted to send a huge shout out to the teachers. Um, I've heard tremendous things spec specifically um concerning their care and preparation for the kids in the new year and I'm looking forward
to a really great year all around. >> Bill, so sit back and relax, folks. >> First of all, it's a gentleman who spoke. I want to thank you and congratulate you for having the courage to get up. We're in America. You have a
right to say whatever you want. Um, two things I want to talk about. Uh, and then I'll talk about my kids. The other night, this Mrs. Dr. Solomon,
this is for you to take back to Nikki Tatum. The other night, I was at the gazebo for an 80s concert. And you know, whenever I go there, there's a lot of people I know and I'm walking around talking to people.
I was standing there listening to the music and this gentleman comes up from behind me and he says, "Are you Mr. Grippo?" I said, "Yeah."
He said, "Well, I want to thank you." I said, "How are you?" I said, "Well, what do you want to thank me for?" He said, "Well, I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for you and your program."
I said, "What program?" He said, "Well, over 30 years ago, maybe 40 years ago, I was a complete high school failure. I was ready for the end.
I was the worst family life student. They wanted to get me out of the school. And then I found the adult school program and a diploma that you signed. Your
signature is on this diploma, Mr. Grippo. I said, "Really?" He said, "I don't want to brag or anything." So then Councilman Vasanella comes up to me and stands next to me, Jim Vasinella.
You can't stop him from talking, by the way. And he stands next to me and he says, "Bill, you will not believe this gentleman." I said, "What? What are you talking about?" He said, the gentleman now says, "Mr. Grippo,
I'm a doctor of physics, chemistry. I'm published seven times. I've authored a book. I'm a professor. I'm standing there with my mouth open.
And he said, he pointed to me and he said, "You signed my diploma when I was nothing." I I mean, I had goosebumps that night. I didn't I didn't even ask him his name. He He told me his father's name was Zultan. I could get this. The reason I'm
telling you this, Nick, is he would be a great speaker for Nikki. And we could get his name from Jimmy Vasinella. He was so grateful to the Franklin Township public schools for saving his life. That's the way he
put it. He said to me, "I want you to know I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you." Quote, I said, "I didn't do anything. I I signed the diploma, but we had heroes like Doris Stevens, Marilyn Paluso. These are people who worked with these
kids. You know who they are, Nick. And I work with these kids day in and day out where other people kicked them out. So, I wanted to tell you that story. The other thing, and I really want to commend
uh not that Dr. Ravali isn't a cheerleader, but tonight I really heard him in his best form talking about our school system.
And here I go again. I got five kids. Every one of them are a sixf figureure super success. And if you ask any one of them, why are you so successful?
I'm talking business leaders. I'm talking the United States government, a particular Department of Justice. I don't have to go into details on that. I'm talking about owning businesses.
If you ask any one of them, why are you successful? They're going to say two things. One is the diversity in Franklin Township public schools. The very diversity that causes the test scores not to be as high as they are because some people have different economic
levels. But because I was able to mix with so many different people, my son would never be a top US attorney if it wasn't for this school system. If you ask my son Daniel, who's a top
Amazon engineer, retired military, what was he? Uh, uh, Dennis, naval commander, whatever, captain, whatever he was, 23 years in the Navy, started as a nuclear engineer.
>> If you say to him, >> Danny, what turned you around? He would say, Mr. Henry Terrell. You don't even know who that name is. Do you remember Helen? Terrell.
Did you know him? Nick Terrell. Best physics teacher in the state. Changed my son's life. And you think I'm going to sit here and listen to people say about test scores? Are you? I'm going to miss being on the board
event because I love just talking about the great things that happen in our school. My daughter Mariah, I can't even get into the success she has become. Not because of the bracelet business,
but because of her personality to work with people from Taylor Swift to kids in high school wearing bracelets and a multi-million dollar business in 10 years.
This is all because of Franklin schools. And of course, we as parents made sure they studied. That's the other half that Dr. Ravali alluded to tonight when he said some kids don't have the support at home.
So, and there there are people in the audience I see a lot of people Helen whose kids are very successful because of this school district. So, I'll never, you know, I I I wear a t-shirt, warrior for life. And and and Nancy Lord's the
same way. Even though we don't agree at everything, the one thing is we're both warriors for life. >> True. That's true. Right, Nancy? Say yes. >> I mean, um, so you you could fill this audience with
people who could sit here and criticize. I take every one of them on. You can sell this or with people who criticize test scors. It's not the test scores. It's the teacher who enlightens the student. My son Nick, when he was in high school,
this is the top attorney now in Washington DC. HE WAS DOING RAP MUSIC IN HIGH SCHOOL. HE wanted he wanted to be a rapper. He didn't care about studying. Then he met a teacher
who he fell in love with reading and wanted to become a lawyer. And the last story I'll tell you about is my son Billy. He went to Franklin High School, got in more trouble than any Donna Bernett was a principal. She called me
up once and Sam Hooper, you know Sam Hooper, Nick, he said, "Mr. Grio, your kids causing trouble." I said, "What are you calling me for?" GIVE THEM DETENTION. Suspend them. Well, you know, you're Bill Grio. You're a prince. I DON'T CARE WHAT I AM. You tell you do what you have to do. My son Billy
got in so much trouble smoking in the boy room. That was a song. He fell in love with tropical fish. Went to Ruckers University for marine biology. Today he owns a fish factory as big as
this room and designs and installs aquariums for the rich and famous in Boca Raton right out of the ocean. And the other day he called me that I'm done. He said, "Dad, today I performed my first surgery."
I said, "What?" He said, "Yeah, I was working for one of the aquariums in the city of Bokeh where they have these big fish. I forget the name of them." Oh, the fish had something stuck in its
mouth. It caught a wire or something and it was it was going to die. And Billy never did surgery and he called a local vet from another town who specializes. And the vet guided him through oral surgery on the phone to save the fish's
life. >> He could have called me. >> Yeah. >> This is amazing stuff from Franklin Township public schools. So when people out there say, and I hope
this is recorded, oh, the test scores, oh, the kids are failing. HOW COME WE'RE NOT AS HIGH AS PRINCETON? THAT'S all nonsense. Show me what they do with their life. What kind of citizens are your students going to be?
>> Point. >> That's what we get in Franklin. >> Mhm. >> Amen. >> Nick. >> Okay. So, I won't be as theatrical. >> Your kids are super successful. Are you kidding? >> So, I want to wish all the students a
successful year. Yeah. Um I actually on the day the school opened got an opportunity to see some of the schools and I um was over at the high school. I was very impressed with um the uniforms
that the coach football coach has the football players wearing um throughout the school during during the week. And then I understand that they wear a button-down shirt on the day of the games. They looked really nice and um
very good idea. I was very impressed with that. Um we have the clothing drive for project graduation coming up on October 11th starting at 8 a.m. over at Samson G. Smith School. And for those that wish to attend the memorial service
for Vincent Vali, um that family was a McAfee school family. Um, it is tomorrow morning at 9:30 over Princeton Alliance Church in Plansboro. That is all I have.
>> Walter, no quot definitely not coming after Bill Gripple. So, the only thing I'm going to say tonight is continue to be Franklin strong. Thank you, >> Nancy. Um,
so John, to your what you were talking about, I actually was wondering what makes Franklin great and um I love AI. So, I did my factchecking and I have a ton of information on why we're why
Franklin is great, why we're a unique district compared to other districts, how we compare to charters, um the difference in reporting and just a whole bunch of different things that just, you know, you go down that rabbit hole and just keep getting all that information. So, I have all that um should you want
to read it, but I know that you know it and I know that everybody sitting here knows it. So, um, I wrote something, so I, um, so bear with me. So, as my term on the board comes to a close and a milestone birthday approaches, I've been
reflecting not just on policy, but on legacy, on how we show up for for our students, our staff, and each other. I have served on this board for almost 19 years. And I can't remember a time in my adult life when I wasn't volunteering or trying to make the world a better place.
I had my hand raised since I came out of the womb. I've seen the us and them thinking can start at the board level and trickle down into classrooms before it reaches the kids. Our students can't learn if they see adults dismissing or hating one another.
We live in one of the most diverse communities in New Jersey and we're proud of that. But diversity alone isn't enough. We have to talk to each other, not just assume, we'll argue. That's why I believe so deeply in culturally responsive learning and social emotional
learning. These students understand one another, regulate emotions, and build relationships across differences. They prepare students for a world filled with challenges like misinformation and violence, but also collaboration, opportunity, and joy. And that brings me
to something fundamental and very much in the news lately, the first amendment. The very freedom protected in our constitution is the freedom of speech. That's not just symbolic. It's a reminder that our words matter. That speaking up, listening, and seeking
truth are essential to democracy and to education. Before spreading gossip or misinformation, fact check it. I use Snopes, ChatgPT, Facteck.org, Politact, Reuters, and the Associated Press Press.
sources that are committed to accuracy. Our curriculum includes digital citizenship starting in elementary school, teaching our students to evaluate information critically. All 10 schools in our district have a seat have achieved sustainable Jersey for school
certification with several earning silver level uh recognition that reflects in our commitment to be responsible and form citizenship online and in real life. Oh, I blew this up. I also want to recognize our staff. While
no organization is perfect, the vast majority work relentlessly, often behind the scenes to support our student success. I want to take a moment to acknowledge recent hardships in our community. We lost Walter Jackson Senior, the father of my colleague Walter Jackson, just last month. Our
board president, Ardman Singh, is not with us tonight because her father suffered a major health issue in India. And tomorrow we laid to rest Joseph Allori, a former student whose life was just beginning. He just graduated college full of promise and potential. Those moments remind us that compassion
and empathy are not just values we teach, they're values we live. Honoring life, showing up for one another, and holding space for grief are part of how we build a caring, resilient school community. Let me share a personal story.
I'm turning to Bill here. My husband, a friend, and I were talking. He assumed he wouldn't agree with him and didn't want to share. He finally gave in. Proof that nagging can be a civic virtue, but we didn't agree with everything, but we understood some of his points. Sometimes listening first actually
works. Who knew? As Mr. Rogers said, when we listen, we learn. And when we learn, we can better understand one another. That's the lesson we want our students to learn. To listen before assuming, to seek understanding even when you disagree. To honor every voice.
to seek truth and just maybe to share a smile along the way. As I step away from this role and into the next chapter, I carry these lessons with me and I hope our students do too. In the spirit of digital citizenship, I used AI to help refine this speech. The thoughts and
values are mine, but I believe in modeling how we can use technology thoughtfully and creatively. It helps me organize my thoughts and my Christmas list. It's easy to criticize from the sidelines, but it's harder to show up, listen, and lead with integrity, especially when no one's watching. And
that concludes my comments. >> Thank you, Nancy. Um, leaves me. Um, number one, uh, going back to the, uh, liaison report, I'd be remiss to, um, I want to thank the, uh,
one of the liaison that I'm part of is the chamber of commerce and, um, we have the president at the end of the table and they are doing wonderful things. Um they u one thing to u look out for uh
like every year is the scholarship that they are promoting in the district for um for the high schoolers and others within the district too the other um schools. Um,
one of the things that I I I might have to I'm not going to um be long, but um to piggy back on Dr. Rali and um Mr. gripple and um some of the things that
Nancy had um spoken also that when my daughter when I moved my daughter into the district itself one of the reasons cuz we had other options and matter of fact I talked to
one of the main reason was um Walter Jackson and his family and um we have other we have options and Walter and others um sat down with me and was expressing what the district had to
offer. And I was weighing it out, weighing out. And then um I looked at the the real world, what what type of world do we live in? And um
we lived for I'm a firm believer of education itself is just not academia. It's more so or how can you adapt into the community itself and function
outside your community into the real world. So that was one of the reasons um why uh I uh my daughter came into the the district itself. And once we got
here, wow, it was a wow factor. One thing that since I've been a board member that I always tap the mic and always um uh uh share with those is the resources
that the district have to offer from your APS from your ROC from your um trades is phenomenal of all those different
students going in different avenues, sharing the same building, sharing the same experience. And every year I challenge each class 2026
you are up that you look at the graduating class from those who are going the academia route versus the other schools surrounding us.
And then when they move on, um the um my my daughter was in the class of 2022 and the places that the schools that they went to and how they are metriculating
it is phenomenal. And like I said, I could go on and on and and share what my own daughter is doing, but I'm not looking at um the ROTC program that is going on within the district, road to
success, the trades that is coming on board. Um, and yes, I think for those I think the two folks that came up to the mic cuz we need to
hear it, you know, we we we need to hear um from all spectrums and it's just and that's how we become stronger as a district. We need to hear it. We need to hear uh what those feel those that we
are our shortcomings are. But we are able to explain our shortcomings in a sense that based on our diversity, you know, um just with the test scores with, you know, one thing that um
uh uh we share or one of the things we are proud of is being a district that gravitates folks that have special need students and how compassionate We ought to receive them and make sure
that we try our best to educate them and prepare them to be better citizens. But hopefully I wasn't as long as Bill, but I'm going to end. But um but that's my go the order. And like I said, uh
welcome back to the uh 2020 uh uh well the class of 2026 is up and um we we off and running and let's have a a good successful safe year. Can I have a motion to end
the meeting? >> So moved by Nancy, >> second by Erica. So move and second by uh Erica. All in favor? Hi. >> Ajourn. around about