Hello everybody. I hope you're doing. Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act chapter 231, public walls of 1975, this meeting notice was sent to the Asbury Park Press on July 2nd, 2025 and
is legally advertised in the Adbury Park Press issue of July 7th, 2025. All municipal clerks of the townships, the burls within the regional district have been duly notified and the requirements for this meeting was met on
July 2nd, 2025. Please stand and join me in the flag of the republic for it stands nation. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm skipping the roll
call. Roll call. Good evening. Uh, Mr. >> M. Bruno, yes. >> Mrs. Capella >> here. >> Miss Butcher Parkus >> here. >> Mr. Higgley >> here. >> Mr. Lav >> here.
>> Mr. McC >> here. >> Mr. Messinger >> here. >> Mr. Bruner >> here. >> Thank you. >> Now, do we have any changes in order? >> Yes. Okay. Yes, Mr. R. In addition to the items that were noted on the agenda that was preprinted prior to the
meeting, uh the board also discussed uh exception number three, the student suspension report and student discipline matters. >> Okay. May I have a motion to approve the October 16th, 2025 regular meeting
>> minute? Uh offered second by >> Yes. That's a team down there. >> Yeah. >> Any discussion, please? >> Not hearing any discussion. Roll call.
>> Mr. Resto. >> Yes. >> Miss Bruno. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Capiello. >> Yes. >> Miss Butcher Park. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Higgley. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lavin. >> Yes. >> M. Pic. >> Yes. >> Mr. Messenger. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brenn.
>> Yes. Just a note, communications are on file in the business administrator's office. And now we're going back to superintendent report. >> Great. Thank you, Mr. Bruno. Good evening. Um to start off the meeting this evening, uh we're going to have one
of the representatives from our executive student cabinet uh speak with us this evening. Um Blake Roanovitz is the representative um here at Colts Neck High School. Um but I meet with an executive cabinet um monthly um a
representative from each of our high schools. Um they were selected at the building level by their principal as an outstanding representative and leader in their school community. Um when we hold our board meetings at the buildings, uh
the executive student cabinet makes a presentation and I am going to ask um the folks that are here this evening to pay very close attention to Blake uh because he also has a special announcement um and some special news that he's going to share with us. Uh so
Blake, the floor is yours. Good evening everyone. My name is Blake Rubenowitz and I am a part of the Colts Neck High School as the representative for the executive student cabinet. With today's meeting being held at Colts High School, I'd like to share how our
district's programs have shaped my educational journey over the past four years. One of the strengths in my mind of our high schools in the FHSD school district is our small learning communities, including magnet and pathway programs.
These communities do more than just provide career exploration. They create meaningful connections and allow you to see the same faces in lots and lots of classes. was build relationships with peers who share the same interest and
aspirations as you yourself. Moreover, you develop bonds with teachers who understand your goals and can guide you accordingly to reach those goals effectively. these this sense of belonging transforms
education from something you attend into a community you're a part of which I know firsthand because I am in two different small learning communities at Coulson High School. First, I am a cyber security pathway program as well as
being a naval junior ROTC program. First, the pathway I'll speak about is a cyber security pathway program. This pathway prepares students for careers in the fieldless cyber security and new age of technology.
This is achieved through many engaging simulations and the unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals from around the state as well as allows you to gain firsthand knowledge of cyber
security field. Specifically this year in my cyber security 3 class which is a dual enrollment course through Fairley Dickinson University we work on getting a certification that's nationally recognized like the Google or type plus
level certification as well as all the grades also participate in the national cyber league competition as well as other capture the flag competitions throughout the year. This has allowed us where throughout
these competitions, the team has never been lower than the top 100 in the nation collectively every single year. Thank you to Mrs. Seraniano and Mrs. Bakco and now going on Mr. Gatala. Moving on to another program at Colts
High School, the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corporation, otherwise known as the NJRTC or National Champions. This is a 4-year leadership program that the mission of the NJRTC
is to instill in students in the United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, personal responsibility, service to the United States and sense of accomplishment which also provides the ability to push honor, courage and
commitment to every single cadet so that when they leave the school they abide that by every single thing they do in Moreover, in every cadet that comes to our battalion, this is achieved by the instructors and the cadet staff building
cadet's individual self-confidence and leadership abilities to enable to succeed and excel individually and collectively as a battalion to anything they do later on in their life or in the military as a whole. Additionally, there
are three main teams. the AAD competition team which includes athletics, academics and drill as well as cyber patriot, drone, sea purge and orienting teams which we have placed
very well in so far this year and hopefully we'll have the same results we've had in years past this year as well. Moreover, we have once a cycle inspections, leadership classes, and naval history classes that are very comprehensive and build off each other
every single year, all four years. So that way when you leave this program, you have a deep understanding of true naval values as well as naval history and what the US Navy represents, what it stands for that makes us so powerful as a country.
Furthermore, on an individual level, I have competed in the NCL, Sire Patriot, C Perge, and AAD Nationals and C Perch in my four years here. Consequently, I have grown to learning to lead cadetses and team effectively
and efficiently with success in this from as little as two people on Sar Patriot some years to being the PT captain where I led over 60 cadetses every morning here at 6:30 in the morning through being national champions
my freshman and sophomore year as well as placing within the top five last year in the virtual competition because of the government losing funding we had to do virtually last year which hopefully will be back this year but we'll see moreover throughout all that where I
found is that as captain in those multiple different multitudes I have excelled and learned how to lead the most effectively efficiently way possible which I will use for the rest of my life just recently the things that Col High School and the district as a
whole have offered through the past four years have allowed me to earn acceptance to United States Naval Academy. >> Great job. >> Congratulations. >> This I could have never have done without the amazing opportunities this
school and this district have granted me. So I want to say a very big and humble thank you to Dr. Danghu also as well as the vice principles and the staff here at Colson High School as well as Dr. Hazel and everyone else in this district that keeps us as strong and
powerful to be one of the top districts in the state to make us so that way we can have be this successful and this challenging to other districts for this year and many more years to come. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. You
definitely have excelled in leadership and I appreciate your service and your attention at all of our meetings. Uh you are a fine representative of Colts Neck High School, our school district, and the executive student cabinet.
Congratulations on your acceptance. Uh thank you tonight for sharing about your experiences in the magnet program as well as the pathway programs uh here at Colts Neck High School. Uh we are so extremely proud of you. We know you're going to go on to do some great things.
So congratulations to you. And I met your um amazing parents that are here this evening. Congratulations to uh to both of you. Thank you. Thank you for tonight. >> Thank you. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. But I just want to say
go Army Navy. Thank you very much. board report tonight in my coaching years. Um we do have a board report tonight and Mrs. Capello, the English town rep. >> So um this this um policy report um we
actually did not meet in person um because of the time frame of um the date of law where we needed to institute this new polic regulation. So, we got together um online um reviewed the
policy back and forth with any changes or questions. Um so, just so you know, um it's a little out of the ordinary because of the time stamp. Um I think it's December 9th that um the law becomes effective and because of the way that board u meetings fell. Um this
policy is going to be on um the agenda for there's three policies and one regulation and they're going to be on for approval. Usually you um they're on for like the first reading and then the next meeting they're on for their final approval. Um but the change was made
like I said because of um time frame for um the mandate of the law. So policy 2530 um resource materials um has been revised to align with district practices and remove any reference of the term
library. I guess library is too old in in today's world. Um policy and regulation 2535 silly enough it's titled library material. Um, in accordance with the passage of the Freedom to Read Act, school
districts are required to adopt a written policy and procedure to address the curation of library material and to process any requests from individuals with vested interest to have library materials removed from school district libraries.
Individuals with a vested interest is defined as any teaching staff member employed by the board of education. Any parent of a student enrolled in the school district at the time that the removal form is filed and any student
enrolled in the district at the time the removal form is filed. Um so some some changes more specificity as to who those um invested interest individuals are. Policy 9130 public complaints
was revised to better align with district practices and provide a current procedure while removing any reference of the term library materials as defined in the Freedom to Read Act as well as any reference um to library books. Um,
and so like I said, they're on for um the agenda for other people. Um, and just it seems silly to me and I'm sure to you too because we're eliminating the word library in one place and using it in 10 other places, but you know that's
how the system works. So we we're doing this so that we're compliant. >> Okay. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Berto. Just to piggy back just and just to clarify that the uh the reason for the emergency adoption uh is not due
to any dereliction or lack of action by the board itself. uh rather the Freedom to Read Act was adopted back in January of 2025 and one of the requirements was that the Department of Education was charged uh with creating model policy uh
and creating uh model um removal forms or petition forms. Um those forms were not made available until recently as was the policy. So the holdup was on the Department of Education's part in terms
of rolling out that that model policy, not on the board's part. We had to wait for the model policy to come out and then for the board's policy provider to provide us with with the policy and the regulation. So that's the reason for the emergency adoption. That's why the timeline got compressed.
>> Thank you, Mr. Farah. Are there any changes to the fourth you would like to make? >> Yes, Mr. Bruno. So, uh, in the back there is a a walk-in addendum item that's in the orange paper. Um, and it's
basically the approval of three additional advisors, uh, and coaches. Uh, basically refer to it as approval on our area, which is G7. >> G7. Now, we're ready for public
participation. I have Chris Starvak from Moonlight Drive. Six Moonlight Drive. Hello. Uh Christa Stback, Six Moonlight Drive, Cold Stack. Um the fact that I'm standing here and
about to say this is so outrageous to me, but I'm going to try to keep my composure. I picked up my son from school on Tuesday and he got in the car and readily announced that the Nazi girls from Manipan High School were
transferred to his school. >> Stay back. >> Yes, >> I apologize. >> Yes, >> we're going to refrain. >> Okay. >> Personal attacks. Okay, >> that's excuse me. Excuse me. >> Okay, I will I would rephrase. >> So, I just ask please.
>> Okay, that's fine. That was the language that my 15-year-old son came home and used. Okay? That is not language in our home that we use at all. But I'm going to reference, and if anybody doesn't have this, I brought copies of the New
York Post that references these said girls that are now students. And I won't for the sake of my personal beliefs repeat the disgusting, despicable nature of what was posted by
these children. Okay? That if an adult did this, they would be probably arrested, cancelled, unhirable, and probably put in prison for terroristic acts. Okay? killing an entire population and posting about it
is blank unacceptable behavior. So my question to the board is when this went viral and Dr. Hazel I saw your comments where you noted that this does not happen in school. This is hate that comes from the home which I completely
agree with you. who on this board chose to transfer these two children that in my opinion should not only not be allowed in public school, they should not be allowed to interact with the students of this amazing community of Colts neck. So my
question is for this board, why are they in our school? Because it's my understanding that you either have to be zoned to be here or selected to be in a program. So why do we have these children that are making headlines on the New York Post embarrassing our
community and quite frankly are despicable hate spewing people. So my question is why are they here? >> Why is Can anybody answer why are they here? We can't discuss, you know, individual student matters.
>> We're not asking about individual. >> Okay. Okay. That's twice. >> Let me just back up for a second. I'm not sure if you've been to our meetings before. Okay. The way the board operates public comment, okay? Board listens
residents concerns. It's not back and forth. It's not question and answer. >> Okay. >> Okay. The board will respectfully listen to everybody's comments and in the end if the board is able to there will be response otherwise there may be followup from the member of the administration to
speakers that speak tonight. We don't recognize shouting out from the audience we don't recognize proxies. We run an orderly meeting and orderly public comment. >> So I would just ask please everybody has a first amendment right to make their
comments. >> Absolutely. you you if if you're concluded. >> I'm not concluded. >> Not a problem. Set aside three minutes per person. >> Okay, that's fine. >> If we get to that point, I'll just kind of wave. >> That's fine. Absolutely. >> I'm going to conclude by saying it is my
absolute mission along with every other parent that I've spoken to today and we have a wide reach to get these children out of our school district. They don't belong here. They shouldn't be here. Nobody wants them here. their own town
doesn't want them and we take them in. It's unacceptable. It's not going to happen. And these meetings were going to get more and more challenging if this is not addressed immediately. And if anybody would like to see what the children that have been just welcomed
into our school are posting, here's copies here for you. Happy to share. Thank you. Courtney Courtney McCormick 5. I have the same similar question. Obviously, we're just curious as to why these students were transferred. And
also, I'm hearing that this is something that happens quite often, moving kids around. We have our own problems with students here. I'm sure there are fights, there are things like that. We should be handling those students. We shouldn't be having kids come in who aren't in part of our programs and who don't live in town, moved into our
district, and made our problem and our students problem. I have two students who go here and I have a freshman. I don't want her having to interact with kids like this from other districts that are being not other districts, other towns that are being moved here because they're not being dealt with in that community. And I get it if you think you
have to separate them, whatever, whatever the behind it is. It's not okay for our kids to have to deal with it instead of keeping them where they are or moving them out of the district completely. So, as parents, I want to know why is this something that Freehold Regional is doing when there's a problem
in another building, moving them to our building and making them our problem. Next up is Holly. Holly, you're gonna say your last names. Holly, say the last name. >> Yes, Holly Mleski from 11 Clover Hill Road, Colts Neck. Good evening, Dr.
Hazel and members of the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education. I first want to read a disclaimer to let you know I'm speaking tonight on behalf of many concerned Colts Neck High School parents. However, note these statements are mine alone and do not represent any organized
associations at this time. Our community is deeply concerned that several recent district decisions involving student placement appear inconsistent with protections and requirements established by both New Jersey and federal law
and that these decisions have created serious challenges to the safety, climate, and educational quality at Colts Neck High School. Number one, as our other parents have mentioned this evening, without a response, I'll raise it again. Number
one, anti-semitic incidents safety obligations under New Jersey and federal law. Students involved in anti-Semitic acts were reassigned to Colts High School instead of receiving individualized disciplinary responses
and being dealt with and managed appropriately in their own schools in which they were assigned aligned to based on residency. This appears inconsistent with obligations under New Jersey law against discrimination. NJSA
105-1 New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights NJSA 18A37-13 Title Six of Civil Rights Act of 1964 US Department of Education OCR guidance on harassment and bias incidents.
Please be made aware if you're not already. These laws require districts to prevent harassment, protect targeted students, and respond appropriately to bias motivated behavior. Placing students involved in anti-Semitic conduct into a
school with a significant Jewish population without a safety, safeguards, or parent notification seems inconsistent with these obligations. Number two, ESL consolidation without
added resources. If I make this statement and there are any inaccuracies, please do educate me. I'm open to this. But to many of our knowledge, as Coltsneck parents, the district has concentrated all regional
ESL students at Colts Neck High School. Yet to our knowledge, it's my understanding no proportional increase in staffing, supervision, counseling, or instructional support has been provided. I'll look to you for answers on this when I'm finished.
The situation appears inconsistent again with New Jersey and federal laws. New Jersey Administrative Code 6A16-9 programs for English language learners. Title six, language access equity.
IDA, when ESL students also present language impacted disabilities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, access and accommodations, title 9, safety and sexual misconduct response.
NJ DOE elell guidance parents have reported safety behavioral and inappropriate incidents, including in our bathrooms at Colts Neck High School and most visibly out by the lockers exposing all of our children to
these behaviors and acts. Parents have without adequate support, supervision, language instruction, counseling to help with this integration. The district may not be meeting its responsibilities to provide equitable equitable access and maintain
a safe learning environment for our Colts next students. Number three, nonresident transfers. And this includes compliance with placement and safety standards. When I say non-resident transfers, I don't only mean those who
reside within Colts Neck. Uh but >> sorry, you're about past three minutes. >> Please allow me to continue. Please sum up. >> Parents have observed transfers to Colts neck high school who don't reside in Colts neck. We are aware that there are many who are aligned based on uh where
they live. However, it's also our understanding that many others outside of those territories have been permitted to attend in Colts neck. I know personally that when I moved here and I believe there are other parents in this room had to show all documentation
before I moved into this town from Linkraftoft my every documentation proving that we're residents and pay taxes. Um it appears and again correct me if I'm wrong that we have students who have not done >> Excuse me ma'am. We're we're past the time. Can you please
>> Okay. Well, the final thing I'll say I'll skip as you're you're aware at least you are now. um you're in violation of many New Jersey and federal laws by actions and inactions related to these student transfers to Colts Neck High School. And let me add, we're
clearly aware that the problem only gets worse as we are anticipating who knows how many more, but a pretty significant population of students to be added to the school. Let's also add the recent uh transportation issues and accidents that have occurred as a result of these
transfers and increased uh uh transfers to our school. >> And then finally, because it involves safety, I will continue speaking to make you aware >> that if you haven't already that a safety team needs to be assembled in this school. >> Excuse me. Excuse me.
>> Again, this is involving safety. I doubt there's anything more important that you have to say, sir. With all due respect, >> ma'am, we we we have a policy that we adhere to. >> Safety comes before policy. >> Holly, >> the New Jersey law requires you to
assemble uh and act a team uh to ensure that our students are safe from those who have committed anti-semitic remarks and threats and who you have allowed into our school without notifying parents of Colts High School.
I am finished with all due respect but again I will state that safety comes before anything that anyone has to say. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. We're going to personal negotiations. We're going to take G1
>> to K. Oh yeah, this is the end of publication. More signups out there. >> So we're going to take personnel and negotiations G1 through K2. G12
>> the entire gender G1 to K2 >> I didn't hear the second >> that second >> yes I have discussion board >> not hearing any discussion roll call Mr.
Mr. Atollo, >> yes. >> Miss Bruno, >> yes. >> Mrs. Capello, >> yes. >> Mr. Butcher Farcus, >> yes. >> Mrs. Higgley, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lavin, >> yes. >> Mau, >> yes. >> Mr. Messinger, >> yes. >> Mr. Bruno, >> yes.
>> Thank you. Do we have any old business board? Any old business you like to discuss? Not hearing any discussion on old business. Any new business? No new business, board. Okay.
Not hearing any new business. May I have a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting? >> I'll make that motion. >> Mrs. V. Yeah, I need a second. >> Second,
>> Mr. Berto. Second. Mrs. >> All those in favor? I >> I