Pursuant to the upper public meetings act chapter 231 public laws of 1975. This meeting notice was sent to the Asbury Park Press on July 2nd, 2025 and has been newly advertised in the Asbury
Park Press issue of July 7th, 2025. All municipal clerks of the townships and burrows within the regional high school district have been duly notified and the requirements of posting of notices have been met. On July 2nd,
2025, uh, Mr. Bombardo, would you like to lead us in the pledge of allegiance? Yes. 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. Okay, with respect to organization items on the agenda, items six uh C1 through C6.
Some of the highlights here are appointing Sly Cooney as the auditors of the firm, reappointing law firm as attorney, and also various insurance brokers.
Does anybody want to put forth a motion to approve item C1 through C6? Move. Second Miss Capello, second from Miss Bruno. >> Discussion.
>> Roll, please. >> Miss Bernham, >> yes. >> Mrs. Cabella, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lav, >> yes. >> Mr. Restor, >> yes. >> Mr. Restor, >> yes. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. With respect to item D, which is the meeting minutes from our May 7th, 2026 meeting, someone want to put forth a motion? >> Motion second. >> Second. Mrs. Bruno and Mr. Ber
>> roll, please. >> Mer, >> yes. >> Mr. Scottell, >> yes. >> Mr. L. >> Yes. >> Mr. Meer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Messenger. >> Yes. Thank you. >> With respect to communications,
Mr. Secretary, your communications on file in the office? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. We'll go to Dr. Hazel and the superintendent's report. >> Great. Thank you, Mr. Messenger. Uh, good evening, everybody. Um we are entering into the phase of the school
year that most of our students and staff are getting excited about. Uh the conclusion of the school year, but looking forward to graduations across our six high schools um and also our raise academy. Um final examinations in
the school district will be on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with graduation on Thursday, June 25th. Just want to go on record with the times of our graduations across the district. Um our first school that will be graduating is
Marorrow High School um at 10:00 a.m. Uh Freehold Township High School and Manalapan High School at 11:30. um Howell High School and Freehold Burrow at 100 p.m. and Colts Neck High
School at 2:30 p.m. So, we are looking forward um for some joyous celebrations uh with our families and our graduates um for the class of 2026. I'll be there
in the long road. >> Exactly. Exactly. Bright and early. Um and the weather looks terrific. Um so that's always a big fear of all the administrators. Um but looks like we're going to have a beautiful day um in the 80s. So um not on it, but uh the reason
we did some adjustment to our times was to afford the district some flexibility in the event of you know thunderstorms or bad weather coming through that we could make an adjustment to later in the day if need be. you know, going to a
makeup day the following day. Uh, but, uh, we feel really confident, we have to go in really confident that we are going to be able to, uh, graduate all of our students, uh, our seniors on Thursday, June 25th. Um, I have two uh,
presentations this evening. Um, the first is the SSDS report. Uh, stands for student safety data system. Many of us know it as the um electronic violence and vandalism system. Uh this is a
reporting system used by school districts and the New Jersey um department of education where we submit bianual and annual records regarding school climate and safety. In the district, we track incidents of
violence, vandalism, weapons, substance offenses, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, and street removals. Um, this is a requirement that we do. Of course, uh, this is a district that looks very closely at our data. I'm going to be
reporting on phase one, which is September of this year, September of 25. That data goes through December of 25. And then when we finish out the school year, um you know, once we uh get into the fall, we will then be reporting on
phase two. So right now, this is phase one, September of 25 to December of 25. Um for violence, vandalism, and substance abuse. uh vandalism. We had uh six cases, two weapons, six substance
abuse for the first phase of the year, 26 confirmed hits, 18 alleged HIS and 20 incidents of violence. When we break up violence, it's broken up into categories of simple assault
where we had two cases. Sexual conduct, we did not have any. sexual assault, one seven threats and 10 fights for vandalism and weapons, damage to property in phase one, two, false public
alarm, we didn't have any threats, four, and trespassing, zero. Um, as I said before, possession of a weapon, uh, two, um, and none with assault of a weapon for substance abuse, um, for phase one,
five cases of confirmed use, possession, two, um, sale or distribution, refusing an exam, or drug paraphernalia. We had no cases. Um, in terms of the substance abuse, the
illegal substances, um, used, uh, four were marijuana. Um, we didn't have any with unauthorized prescription drugs, one alcohol, and, uh, amphetamines, narcotics, over-the-counter drugs, cocaine, depressants, hallucins. We
didn't have any. Um, as I said before, for the HIB incidents, uh, this is something this district takes very, very seriously. Um, we had 26 confirmed HIPS, 18 alleged. Um, that's a total of 44.
Uh, across our district, um, and many of our assistant principles and administrators are here. Um, we put a lot of work into prevention and intervention programs across our school district. Um at the beginning of the school year, at the midway point, we
push into classrooms. We are always conveying to students um you know our expectations uh conveying to them what is in our code of conduct, what consequences uh come for their actions. Again, we're a high
school only district, grades 9 through 12. We're working with, you know, students um, you know, 14 to 18 years of age, uh, going through sometimes very challenging times. Um, our district, um, has done extensive work in our, uh,
school counseling offices and support services. Um, we have our staff and our administrators trained in restorative practices. We have a number of community partners and alliances. um a true community effort to try to
educate and engage kids so that they do not fall into you know any of these areas. Students mistake mistakes happen. We want to make sure that we are there to support students if they do get in any kind of trouble, that we have
corrective action plans, that we have counselor support, that we have prevention programs, that we have guest speakers other than the voices of our administrators in the room so that we can constantly message to them um you
know the importance of um you know, positive behavior and you know, having respect for themselves and for our school community. Um so, um I know we work really hard in these areas. Every year kind of data shakes out a little bit different. In some areas, our
incidents are up and in some areas we are down. Uh the one area that I do see um a steady decline over the years uh is in substance abuse. Um so, um we're happy to see that. But again, this is something that we as a district and our
administrators are extremely uh vigilant. The second is our district and school hit grades. Uh we um need to publicly report and uh put on our website. Um state law requires each school to
complete an annual HIV assessment. Uh we have to utilize a rubric. Um, our principles and administrators walk through this with our teams. Um, looking at policy, prevention, programs, um, staff and student training, our
investigation techniques that we use, reporting procedures, curriculum, and parent outreach. For the 2425 school year, our district earned a perfect score in those areas for our efforts to curtail any incidents of harassment,
intimidation, and bullying. Um, this is a continued effort. Um, actually each hit matter, uh, an investigation is reported to, uh, this board of education. It is something that we take, uh, extremely, um, extremely serious in
our schools. I know on our administrator's part, lengthy investigations um and a lot of prevention programs uh to ensure that students um you know are um like I said respecting themselves and respecting our community.
The other piece I wanted to go through since we are now in final exam season um as I said on Monday our students start with their uh final exams and um some concerns have kind of percolated um in
the district in regard to um a new rule that we put in place um and it pertains to um an effort to curtail our issue with chronic absent absenteeism when a student is absent from school um
more than 10% of the total school days. So 10% of 180 if they are out 18 days of school um the student is chronically absent by the um state standards. If a
district has schools that are exceeding 10% of their population being chronically absent, um then um the district needs to engage in an action
plan to improve um absenteeism across the schools. Our district does exceed the 10% across all of our schools. uh we presented a plan um to our public um at
our um August 27th um meeting in 2025 and you know in that plan um our district set forth as everybody knows with senior we always had senior exemptions. Um, we also have exemptions
for students that are in AP courses and IB classes and you need to meet a certain grade threshold first and foremost to even be eligible for an exemption. Now, students, in order to be eligible for an exemption, a student must have 13
or less cumulative days out from school up until the day of that exam administration, which would be as of um today. We're out from school tomorrow. exams start on Monday. So any student that exceeds those days uh and again
senior exemptions students in AP classes they have to sit for their AP they have to have a certain minimum grade but they cannot exceed 13 days out. Um if they do you would the student would not be able to be exempt from their final exam. Um
our district is going to continue to evaluate our um our CAP which is our corrective action plan for student attendance. Um we have made you know great strides in reducing um absenteeism. Um there is even kind of a
a casualness about okay I'm not exceeding I'm not at that day so I can take a day off. Um every day counts in school. We need our students here. Um and you know our data thus far looking at last school year as compared to where
we are now uh we have improved by you know five percentage points across the district. Um so we're really proud of that work. We have a lot more work to go and um our teams will be convening over the summer uh just to see other measures
that we need to put in place to ensure that our students are coming to school um on a on a very consistent basis. Um but um 13 days is um what students would need to be under in order to be eligible
for that exam exemption. Um so I just want to share that information with the board um with our public uh and remind everyone um I know for the administrators that are here, you have worked so closely uh with all of our students. uh students also could
potentially if they exceed um certain number of days they could potentially have withdrawal credit in their courses. Um so this is something we're taking very serious as a district. Um again we are here for students if they need any
you know supports but um we do there is an expectation that we want students here on a consistent basis. I just wanted to share that because I know some um matters you know have percolated up to the you know the board level. >> I think that's it Mr. Minger. Thank you.
>> Anybody have any questions? Okay. There are no board reports to report on. So before moving on to public participation, Mr. for our uh any changes to the agenda you wish to report? >> Yes, Minger. So, uh in the back there's
an attachment with reference to an addendum uh specifically resolutions H1, H3, H6, H7, H13, and H19. And then with reference to correction on
H19, one of the uh candidates um regarding the reappoint of coach substitutes um and other kind of area the change on custodian specifically
typo with reference to the last name which will be corrected on the minutes if this matter is approved. And then finally, um, the administration is withdrawing resolution L3, uh, with reference to some routine appointments. We just have to kind of make a couple
revisions and then we'll represent it back in July. And I believe we're Tusano has some additions with reference to the resolution for the U executives, >> the exec session. Yes. Thank you. Uh in
addition to the items that were noted on the agenda was preprinted prior to meeting tonight. Uh for exception number three, uh the board did discuss uh the student suspension report, student discipline matters and appeals and also discussed uh student attendance. Uh in
exception number six, the board discussed uh summer school secure summer school security projects, excuse me. In exception number seven, we're discuss the negotiations with the uh bus drivers association. And uh in exception number eight, we're
discuss superintendent evaluation and contract. Thank you. Anybody wish to speak during public participation? More. >> Good evening.
Um, so, so for some of you that don't know me, I am a I am Antonio Lombardo. Um, I I I graduated from Marbor High School last last year and uh I'm now at township for the workplace training
program and uh this is this is uh the the the final board meeting of the of of the of the school year. And I thought that that uh that maybe I should do a of of a of a reflection of what h of of
what of of my of the of the of the school year. So um um excuse me for my uh my st my my stuttering. Um overall it was it was it was a a a good
school year. Um, I saw I I've been seeing a lot of uh changes throughout the district. Um, I think uh I I think everything um went went out went out
well. Um, I think uh um I think uh um I think uh I think uh I think uh
I think uh I think uh everything went went uh went well throughout the year. Mhm. >> Um I I will I will I will still I will still be here for for the for the next
uh couple of years. >> One more year, right? Is it um >> workplace training? >> Um I'm I'm going to be staying here for two more years. >> Oh, okay. So we got you back for a long time here. That's good. >> Yeah. >> Perfect. Perfect. >> It is. >> You have to do more monitoring of
everything going on in the district so we can get more reports of the good stuff going on. Well, thank thank you very much. >> Thank you. You're doing a great job. >> Thank you. Oh, >> can I ask can I ask you a question? >> Yes. So, with respect to workplace
training, could you like explain what that really means? Like are different employers coming into the school? Do they have you going out to employers? How does that work? >> I could explain. Uh so it's so um if so
the workplace training program is is a specialized program. So um s seniors across the across the schools can apply and can apply and if and if they're accepted will attend uh township uh for the for for one year, two years, three
years. Um we we do have comm community partnerships and we do go out to work uh on a daily basis every day to learn uh what what's it like to work in the community as in as student internships.
And I got to say um for um for the two of what two two of my internship turn two my internships went out very well. Um uh and uh just uh only uh one one internship did didn't work out well for
me. >> It's a learning experience. >> Yeah. >> Right. Um, but uh I'm I'm I'm looking forward to to figuring out my my hopefully to going to the YMCA in in in
September and uh going to um to uh job sites in uh during the ESY program. Uh that's so uh and uh not not only do we do um going out to work every day um
we we host uh tradition events like the thanks the Thanksgiving feast uh that in uh on the half day of Thanksgiving. We we do uh um we do uh we do we we we've been doing the the
Philly pre Philly pretzel factory sales uh through throughout most of the school year. I've been I've been on Patreon news throughout the year and uh that that's that's pretty that's pretty
that's pretty much it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Antonio. Thanks for sharing. Oh, >> and uh lastly, I just wanted to recognize Dr. do Dr. Blakeley for everything that you've done throughout
your time in in the district. Um um I'm I'm going to see you next Thursday. And uh you you you will be missed and and uh before I go um I would like to congratulate uh one of the administrators that's being approved
tonight as as uh one of the next assistant principles at Mara High School. Thank you. Okay. Well, speaking of promotions and personnel, we'll move on to H personnel and negotiations.
This is items H1 through 21. So, there's cavalcade of appointments, retirements, and resignations in this agenda item. Does anybody want to put forth a motion? >> Motion.
>> Second. Mr. Mezer. Uh discussion. >> I'll have some discussion. >> Mr. Meer, >> I see some familiar faces in the audience tonight. Uh namely Mrs. Levanco and Mr. Cretzmer. I'll start with Mrs.
Levanco. She uh she taught me algebra 2 uh freshman year. Uh I'm very excited for her to see that she will now be a mathematics supervisor for the district. So, a massive congratulations. And if there's one thing I won't forget from that class, it is always opposite day
inside the house. Uh, as for Mr. Cretzmer, I never had him. I've seen him around. Great guy. I know he'll do well in his role. I always uh I remember that that trip on on the luggage bus for uh for the Deca competition and a very big
congratulations to you as well. >> Very good. Congratulations. >> Yeah. Um, so I want to officially introduce um >> vote for Okay, roll call, please. >> Miss Bruno, >> yes. >> Mr. Scavell,
>> yes. >> M >> Slav, >> yes. >> Mr. Mezer, >> yes. >> Messing. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And now. >> Now. >> All right. Um so this evening we have um two current uh Freedell Regional Preschool District uh teachers that are
being promoted to supervisory positions. These positions are mathematics and science academic supervisor positions. Um this evening uh we have um Miss Alexandra Levano and uh Mr. David Cretzmer. Um we welcome you to the uh
supervisory team. Um going to start with Mrs. Lancco. Um, if you could please STAND in interviewing her. She is a proud graduate of Howell High School um and is um currently serving right now as Mr.
Mezer said, a math teacher at Kneck High School and she started her student teaching here um about 13 years ago. Uh she's going to start this August as a new academic supervisor uh for the district but will be assigned to
Marorrow High School. Um and when you come on working in the district, right? It's working for the district, working as a collective team. Uh but your assignment uh will be at Marorrow High School. Um she brings a great deal of experience and expertise to this
position. Uh certified in mathematics, ESL and special education. Mrs. Lvanko has taught all levels of mathematics up to and including AP calculus. She was named Colts High School's teacher of the year in the 2122 school year um and
recently presented at the association of mathematics teachers of New Jersey um at the conference bridging language barriers in the mathematics classroom and I know you've done a lot of work uh with our multilingual students over at Colts High School. uh you serve on
multiple committees so coming with a lot of experience on the bilingual parent advisory council. You serve on the INRS team. You've been trained in restorative practices. You're on the NHS faculty council. You've served as a new teacher mentor. Uh you've been a part of our
professional learning communities on our PLC and in preparing professional development through also the skip committee. Um you are committed to continuous learning. um you just exude that in the interview with so much
positivity. Uh you foster a growth mindset um which we are looking forward to working on on our team. Um those who work with you each day describe you as the go-to person uh for teacher leadership and praise her dedication
that she has for students and for staff. So we are excited, Mrs. Blanco for you to join Marorrow High School to join the team there and uh the district team. So welcome ABOARD MR. CRETZMER. Uh we welcome Mr. David
Cretzmer uh new position uh as an academic supervisor of the mathematics and science departments at Howell High School. I couldn't believe it, but a longtime employee of the Freehole Regional High School District. You spent time at Marboro High School and now at
Colts Neck High School. Uh you've taught science and we are very excited about having your expertise joining the district team um in science. You've uh taught for over two decades, almost as long as you've coached tennis. You're excited about those tennis courts coming
across the district. He also has worked with uh the district as a teacher coach for technology integration and application. Uh you were in that position for five years. You've been a member of skip and professional development and and have helped and
worked with teachers so closely um especially during your time um as a teacher coach. Uh you have extensive experience with curriculum development and implementation. You've led workshops and training sessions for teachers and staff on lesson planning, data
collection, and instructional strategies. Uh you've been a presenter at multiple conferences, including one sponsored by HSY, the International Society for Technology and Education, New Jersey Educational Computing Cooperative, and for Lincoln. Um he is
described by those who have worked with him. They praise him for his enthusiasm, positivity, and resourcefulness and describe him as someone who improves everything with which he is involved. So tonight, as a district, as a board, we are excited to welcome you um to Howell
High School um to join the administrative team there, the supervisory team, and also uh the district leadership team. So, welcome aboard. Okay, moving on to item I, programmed operations. This is I 1 through 12. Uh
here's the payment of claims, the renewing of the Ponttonian food service contract, um insurance contracts. here. Also included in IA is the shared services agreement with several police
departments in the district. So does anybody want to put forth a motion to approve I 1 through 12? >> Motion second. >> Discussion. >> Roll call, please. Miss >> Bruna,
>> yes. M >> Camilo, >> yes. Mrs. Lavin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mezer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Messinger. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. With respect to J buildings,
transportation, a physical plant. Uh public really should be aware here that there's uh some large contract awards. Uh you know, Dr. Hazel has consistently kept uh the taxpayers up to date on
where their tax dollars are going with respect to the infrastructure improvements in the district. Um so if we look at items uh J1 through 10, some things here are there's uh HVAC bids. Uh
there's a chill replacement at Freehold High School for a significant amount of money. Also, there's a almost $300,000 award here for uh the wastewater treatment plant at Colt Snack High School. So, anybody want
to put forth a motion to approve items change 1 through 10? >> Moved. Second. >> M discussion. Anyone? Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bruno, >> yes. >> Mr. Capiello.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Lavin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ritzer. Yes, semester. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. With respect to K1 through 16 educational programs, uh there's some
donations here and also out of district placements. Can I have a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mr. Med, Mr. Bruno. Discussion. Okay. Roll call, please.
>> Miss Bruno. >> Yes. Mr. Capella, >> yes. Mr. Lav, >> yes. Mr. Mer, >> yes. >> Mr. Me, >> yes. >> Okay. With respect to L administration,
as was mentioned earlier, there's um an exclusion here. So, we'd be voting on L1, 2, and 4, which were in the original agenda. And the most noteworthy thing here is
setting the board meeting dates for 2007 and actually into January of 2028. Anybody want to put forth a motion? >> Move. >> Second. >> M. Roll call, please.
>> Miss Bruno. >> Yes. >> Scapella. >> Yes. >> Miss Leaven. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. Sme. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Anybody have any old business? >> I just wanted to make a comment if I
could. >> Absolutely. >> I just wanted to say how happy I am to see um student teachers back in the district. Okay. Back on the agenda. Um classroom student teachers, which we hadn't seen for a while because of some
issues not related to us, other issues. Um, and I'm I'm very glad to see them um coming back to us because um they're the future. How many of our student teachers end up as our faculty? So, I'm glad.
>> Okay. Uh with respect to business, I want to reiterate what Mr. Lombardo had said earlier about saying goodbye to Dr. Blekeley. This is his last freehold regional meeting. He will be attending as principal of Mumb High School.
So, he will be missed, but I'm in Wall every single day. And like I've said before, read the Co-Star newspaper, so I'll get to read about all the interesting board of education meetings there and what's going on.
Uh, so yeah. Well, I'll see you at graduation, but I just wanted to say uh your tenure has been phenomenal and uh both my kids were there during your tenure, so I know how good of a place it has been. Any
other new business? Okay. Does anybody want to put forth a motion to adjourn this meeting? >> Motion, she's not here, so I'm doing it for you. That's great. >> I hereby adjourn this meeting.
I'm assuming all