I'd like to call this meeting to order. The mission of the Freel Township School District is to honor and support every learner every day on the journey to become curious and engaged members of a diverse global community. A notice listing the time, date, and place of this meeting was posted on the public
bulletin board of all Freel township schools on the entrance door to the administrative offices of the board of education on the district website at the office of the Freel Township Clerk and published in the Asbury Park Press on January 11th, 2026. Please join me for
the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Can I get a roll call? Mr. Devita. >> Mrs. Bran. Dr. Casey. >> Mr. Conford >> here. >> Miss Crosby >> here. >> Mr. Gulo >> here. >> Mrs. Lambert >> here. >> Mrs. Spieler >> here. >> Mr. Sullivan >> present. >> Mr. Marisso >> here.
>> Thank you. Okay. Can I get a motion for the approval of the March 24th regular meeting minutes? >> Have a second. >> All those in favor say I. Any opposed? Mrs. Lambert abstains.
And can I get a motion for the approval of the March 20 March 24th executive session minutes? >> Second. >> Thank you. All those in favor say I. Any opposed? >> One abstension. Okay. Thank you. Uh
communications. >> Our communication for this evening is enrollment. Uh February of 2026, we had 3,360 students. March of 26, we had 3356. You compare that to March 25, we had 3,422.
And that is all for tonight. >> Okay. Um president's remarks. Not a lot on my end to report other than that the graduation dates and times have come out. It's going to be uh June 18th for those of you that want to mark your
calendar. We're going to do Eisenhower at 300 p.m. and we're going to do Barcelo at 5:30 p.m. Again, that's on June 18th. For all board members here to mark your calendars and anyone in the public, um those are going to be our
dates. With that, I'm going to move on to the administrative report. >> Thank you. Uh on a similar note, uh by the end of the month, we will put out a Google doc uh with all of the moving up ceremonies, the fifth grade moving up ceremonies at our elementary schools and
our two eighth grade graduation times for board members to indicate which you'll be attending. Um you'll have plenty of time to fill that in in the month of um May and first half of June so our administrators know. Um, but we'll have that out soon so that you can sign up for those events so we know
who's coming. Uh, today I sent um a message to the Donovan staff and the Donovan families that for the 2627 school year we'll be adjusting the school times. This is some feedback that we've received on a regular basis since school times changed. Several years ago we went to three and a half tiers. We're
removing the Donovan tier. So we'll go back to three tiers. Um, it shifts 15 minutes earlier. Um, so Donovan currently opens at 9:00 with school starting at 9:10. It'll be on the same tier now as Kina and Ericson opening at 8:45 with school starting at 8:55.
Dismissal previously or currently is at 3:45. They'll dismiss at 3:30. Um, each year we have less and less buses that are required to service Donovan, which allows us to do that at this point. And that is something from the staff and the community alike that we've been getting a lot of uh requests for annually since
that change has been made especially with the dismissal time. So next year three schools will be on that pure tier three and hopefully that'll make the lives of our staff and stu uh students and families those that school easier. Um since our last board meeting we had 10
reports of harassment, intimidation and bullying. Out of those 10, seven were founded and three were unfounded. That's all I have. Okay. What's the opening statement uh question? >> Sure.
>> We are now sending announcements in the uh like PTO newsletters of this, right? Do we need to add that here or do we not? >> It's not an official. That's the official. Well, Bob can speak. That's the official that we're required to notify. the PTO newsletters are uh arm
of your committee actually the action plan to get more involvement into um board meetings. There was a big thing. >> Good question. But no, we did that as the >> that floated around about I want to say three or four years ago where we were like are people really grabbing a newspaper and the law was antiquated by
re picking up a physical newspaper and then they changed it. Remember that you could do like an online version of a published paper >> but this is we're doing the best we can with this. But >> the the way the law works now, and it just changed in March, so we're, you
know, 45 days in, is that twice a month now, we send these tiny little blurbs to the Aspbury Park Press that says the Freehold Township Board of Education has all their public announcements on this link. And then we So it costs us a few dollars to do it that way. Um, but then
we post everything online. So if you go to the front page of the website now and if you look at any districts right now it's one of the first things it says postings or Yeah. And so you can go there >> honestly in 2026 >> public announcements and you click on that tab and everything's there.
>> Yeah. When it says on the >> add >> I got you when you put on the district website >> right off that should get most people. >> I I think it was a win-win for everyone. We pay less despite having to run these two tiny ads
every month because like the budget ad that we'll have to run normally was like5 or $600 now. >> It used to be the Star Ledger and the Azer Park. >> Yeah, it it used to be two >> two newspapers. >> So, >> yeah. All right. >> Prince is dead. >> Yes, it is. Unfortunately. Or
fortunately. >> I love print, too. >> Hey, look. Our agenda is still printed. I don't know how much longer that's going to last. >> It was supposed to go >> five years ago. You got to get rid of us dinosaurs. >> All right. Um, is there any other
administrative report? Nothing. Okay. Then we're going to go into public participation. Uh, this is the first opportunity for public participation. If anyone wishes to address the board, please write your name and address on the sign-in sheet and state uh your name for our records. Statements are limited to three minutes
and should not be abusive, obscene, or defamatory in nature. Okay. I see nobody approaching the podium. We'll go right to personnel policy and communications. Mrs. Crosby, >> thank you. Good evening, everybody. Um, the personnel policy and communications
committee did meet this evening. In attendance were myself, Eleanor Sullivan, Michelle Lambert, uh, Mr. Dixon, and Dr. Brethower. Uh, we discussed agenda items inclusive of nursing coverage, instructional coordinator job descriptions, uh, as well as our committee goals. as I did
promise we would be discussing the first meeting of April. Um so quick overview on that. Um one of the previous uh committee's goals was to implement new member onboarding which we all discussed
uh last summer in our um retreat. So um we did already beta that Peter I think you are a beta. Um, sorry this guy. Um, >> he's twitching. >> Do you want to answer questions? Am I being tested? Um, so there were two
sessions broken down which was seemingly helpful because there was so much information. The first being uh really about board related items, boardmanship, voting, um, all the good things. Um, and the second being a meeting with administrations who cover uh, each of
their roles um, in the district. So um that is has been technically already started and will continue. Uh we also talked about mentorship within the board on an ongoing basis which has been informally done for years. I know Michelle has played a big role in that
with a lot of us that are sitting here right now. Um and we talked about maybe making that more formalized moving forward. uh for professional development as the second uh goal for the committee. We are moving that primarily to summer
to continue discussing because uh we have yet to really survey what the needs or wants of uh further development are from the board. So we'll be doing that in hopes to uh structure for next year. >> Thank you. >> Oh, I still have to talk. I talked I
spoke a lot which I'm not used to. Apologies. I know. Here we go. All right. Three, retirement as listed. Um, we want to congratulate and thank Julie Visttor Cohen for her her years with us.
Four, resignation as listed. Five, new employment as listed. I want to congratulate our new staff members. I welcome them in. Six, salary adjustments as listed. Um, note that items two and three are prrated.
Seven, resend uh offer of employment as listed. Eight, lease of absence as listed. Nine, extend or change long-term assignment as listed. 10, temporary change of assignment salary adjustment as listed.
11, additional compensation as listed. 12, additional compensation driver training as listed. 13, unpaid days as listed. 14, ESY 2026 staff as listed. We have to flip to page 16 it is and end
up on 17. 15 summer evaluations as listed. 16 summer band program as listed. 17 affirm bullying investigation findings as listed. 18 student teacher practicum observation placement as listed. 19 certified
substitutes as listed. 20 non-certified substitutes as listed. medicine. >> Excellent. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Do we have any questions? Our policy committee, >> right? Uh
the curriculum committee did meet today in attendance. >> We got to take a vote. >> I thought you had a question. Just got rolling. That's okay. Don't worry. We'll get you out of here.
Um, are there any other questions or Okay, I think we're good. So, let's get a roll call, please. >> Mrs. Bran, yes. >> Did we get a second? >> We did. >> Okay, >> we did. Uh, Mr. Arjulo. >> Oh, thank you. >> Uh, Dr. Casey, >> yes. >> Mr. Confory, >> yes. >> M. Crosby, >> yes. >> Mr. Gulo,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Lambert, >> yes. >> Mrs. Spieler, >> yes. >> Mrs. O Sullivan, >> yes. >> Mr. Amaroso, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Thank you. Now we'll do the curriculum committee. Dr. Casey, >> yes. As I rudely stated earlier,
uh the committee meeting uh did meet in attendance were myself, Mr. Confory, Mrs. Spieler, and Mrs. Montgomery. Uh we did discuss the and review the board goals uh action plan. There were
four action plans. Um and two we have initiated and are ongoing on a monthly basis. Uh a third we decided is not relevant because it was based on the um the referendum and so it's sort of in
the past. Um and the third we added another one um which is to look at the oh where'd it go?
uh explore alternative tools for improved uh school home communication um that we're going to start to to work on. So basically there were three actionable ones, two we're well into and then one new one.
>> Great. Thank you. And as uh I will move to approve number three, home instruction
and number four, 2026 summer band program schedule as listed. >> Excellent. Um do we have a second on that motion? Second. >> And do we have any questions for curriculum team? No questions. All right. All those in
favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Finance and facilities and transportation. Mr. Garula. >> Hello. Uh, finance, facilities, transportation committee did not meet tonight. Our group consists of myself,
Ronaldo Bran, Mike Amarosa, and Bob Dvito. Who did the bills? >> I do. >> Okay. Thank you, Camela, for doing the bills. bills and claims. We had uh as follows. We had a total of $4,694,3456.
I'd like to move uh travel and related expenses as listed, transfers as listed, disposal as listed. Number six is OEC non-public agreements as listed.
Seven, New Jersey Farm to School Procurement Initiative, NJF2, SPI, as listed, adjust tuition contract for received students as listed, sale checks as listed, and
number 10 is 2026 summer ban program as listed. >> Short and sweet tonight. Very good. I'm happy. >> I'm happy. >> Do we have a second on that? >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any questions for our finance
and facilities team? >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Very good. We're going to move on to old business. Do we have any old business on the table? We got our committee um updates which was great. I
thank everyone for that. Um, do we have any other old business to discuss? Okay, new business. I have a few items. Um, there's a uh New Jersey school board county meeting coming up on May 5th and
um, Mrs. Lambert, you're going to be getting an award for 15 years of service. >> Or Me, too. >> Me, too. >> Yes. I left me out because I'm making the announcement,
but that's all right. Um, so, uh, you can attend virtually or you can attend in person at Squire's restaurant in Long Branch. Mrs. Lambert, are you going to be there? >> Yes. >> I I should be there. I have a flight in the morning and I will be there by 6 p.m. unless my flight has a problem.
>> Okay. >> But I I plan to be there. >> I was going because I figured you were going. >> You're not going. >> I'm going by the skin of my teeth. >> Okay. >> I arranged my flight. I have to move my daughter out of Clemson that weekend. So, I'm flying in May 5th at 800 a.m. So, I should be here by like that should
be fine. >> You guys are approaching longevity before I came here in 2004. They're all some of them are in the 20s. >> Yep. And then, um I wanted to tell the board April 28th, we have an issue that came up that we
need an executive session. We'd like to meet early at 6:15. Is that a problem for any of the board members or can we meet a little early on April 28th? You want to pull your calendars out? >> Maybe five minutes. >> We can do five minutes. You're good.
>> 6:30. >> 6:15. So, um I I just want to make sure we have a quorum. >> You're good. >> That's a regular meeting date. >> Yeah. Elena, are you good? >> She's checking. >> Michelle, does that work for you?
One, two, three. >> I should be good, too. >> Four, five. It looks like we have five. So, I think we're good for that if we want to advertise that. >> Oh, yeah. We want to We'll just repost. We'll send it out to all the places that it says that you read and then we'll post it on the website. >> Okay.
>> So, we're just starting the regular meeting at 6:15 >> for executive >> executive session at 65. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Few more upcoming things. Lots of new business. Um, Superintendent Eval.
Um, Neil's going to have all his input in by May 1st. So, I'm going to start um nagging all the board members to open up their evaluations after May 1st. It may be that he can't get both his goals achieved by then because there's some
data that's missing, >> the district goals, >> district goals, >> the district goals. >> So, if he's going to get it done anyway because we have a statutory deadline to make sure we get this approved. And then if something isn't ready, Neil promises to give us an update over the summer.
>> Yeah. The way I have to mark it in there just so it is memorialized is um not there's three different categories basically. It'll it'll say in progress and I'll give an update on where we are. So if it's um typically for the I Ready one, I will not be ready. So I'll give
you an update on where we were in the winter, which isn't a great measure, but it'll give you something really. And then you'll get the true report when Becky gives her presentation to the entire board on all of our I already data. Um so as we go through each goal,
um if I can report on it, I will report on it. If I can't in progress and I'll give you the best update that I can. >> Fair enough. Just because the goals have to align with the statutory deadline and some of the data doesn't always line up. So it's not a perfect evaluation, but it is what
it is. Um and then of course we have our board self that's going to come up. And then we have to have a retreat. So we don't have to set the date now, but we should start thinking of a date over the summer um when we all want to get together and what kind of a retreat. So
I do take ideas if anybody wants to email me, hey, I got an idea. Why don't we do this or that? Um we're in the planning stages. So feel free to shoot me an email and let me know if there's anything that you think would be a good idea for a retreat. and also any topics that you would like discussed at the
retreat. If there's a certain issue or topic, we'll start I I'll take notes and we'll just start listing them. Anything you want to talk about, we'll put on there. >> Whatever you like, as long as we have time. Usually, we try to get through most of the business and at the end we
can try to have an open session. Um, but we'll put something together. It's early, but I'm just mentioning it now. So usually you get the more it sits the more we start getting some issues that are you know relevant. Uh that's all I had. Do we have any other new business?
No. Okay. Um I have no further remarks. We will move into the second opportunity for public participation. If anyone wishes to address the board, please write your name and address on the sign-in sheet. State your name for the record. Statements are limited to three minutes and should not be abusive,
obscene, or defamatory in nature. And this would be on any topic. Okay. Um, then we're going to have to move into an executive session. So whereas pursuant to NJSA 104-12B,
the board of education may exclude the public from that portion of a public meeting at which the board discusses any of the matters described at NJSA 104-12B1-9. Now therefore, be it resolved that in accordance with the provisions of the open public meeting act, the board of education shall conduct a closed session
pursuant to the personnel and legal exceptions prescribed by NJSA 104-12 for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Personnel central office administrators contracts, superintendence contract, pending or anticipated contract negotiations with
our FTA negotiations and our TWWU negotiations. It is anticipated that the length of time of this executive session will be 60 minutes, God willing, and that action will not be taken in public after the executive session. Be it further
resolved, that said discussion may be disclosed to the public when reasons for discussing and acting upon it in closed session no longer exist. Um, do we have a second on that? Second. >> All those in favor say I. I. >> Okay. Thanks folks for coming out.