and let me know when we're ready. We're ready. Adequate notice of this regularly scheduled meeting of the Frenchtown Board of Education has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act by notification to the Hunter County Democrat on January 16, 2025. A copy of
this notice has also been posted at the public school at the municipal building and filed with the barrel clerk. And we'll stand for the pledge. 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. Mr. Blackburn here. Mr. Germany here. Miss Howard, Miss Klein here, Miss Nahara.
Miss Portalo here. Mrs. Nent here. Um, and at this time we'll open up to public comment. Is there anyone in the public who have comment? Well, thank you for coming out. Thank
you. Appreciate your attendance. Good. Um for six and seven will uh those will both be addressed in um the president report. Um director, do you have anything you
wanted to note from the board secretary report? Um, anything? Yeah, just on just that the schoolboard candidate kits are available and guess we had one submitted already. First in counties um they're due on July 31st. You can
find a copy on our website and um the school board's um workshop. I don't know if anyone's interested. I sent a Google form. Um, I didn't get any responses. So, right now I don't have anyone registered. Um, but if you'd like
to attend or please let me know because there is an early bird that I think it's going to expire soon. Um, that's all I have for today. I guess just a maybe just a quick update on that we did have our you know we have
our killer project going on and um we're waiting to hear what the delivery date is going to be but there was some preliminary work that was done over spring break just to kind of get things started. Um, but I can, you know, send updates in the summer just to let you
know like, you know, when we expect that to be delivered and installed, but it's it's been ordered and we're moving forward with that. And through the preschool expansion um aid, we are doing some um upgrades to our preschool classroom like new
flooring and some uh new cabinets and lowering the sink and um doing some things in there. to make it more little people friendly. So big not
tennis court. Yes. Okay. Um so we'll move forward to the minutes and we'll need a motion to approve the minutes from the May 13th regular and executive session. So moved. Any comments or questions?
Okay. All those in favor? I opposer abstain. I'm going back to that. That's fine. Yeah. Get there. Okay. Um you want to go ahead with your record? Yep.
All right. Good evening everyone. Um just some quick, you know, overview. Um, with our HIV, um, there was no incident this month. There was no short-term
suspension. There are our dates of our security and fire. J, we ever had one HIV incident in a year ever before? You're aware of that seems pretty good
to me. I'd have to check it. I I feel like we last year I think we were three out of I feel like there might have been three out of five five inches and three burned I feel like last year off the top of my head but I could check that. Um
but maybe not maybe I didn't know the top of your head that's going to bring you record it along to the team for sure. Thank you. Okay. Um, so we'll need a motion to affirm the May 13th HIV report.
So moved. Okay. All those in favor? I the minister abstain and then we need a motion to approve the submission of the equity the comprehensive equity plans seconded Jim do you want to speak to
that at all any comments or questions is saying different than any changes from the prior year so yeah I mean the biggest thing I think takeaway way is if in your packet there's just language
regarding like race creed color um national origin that's just been replaced by NJC 6A which is just back to code um that's that's for sure that's the biggest one and then if you look at
the very end the employment contract practices that were in the previous one are eliminated admiss those are to two of the biggest changes. Um, as well as ELLL or ELLL is now MLL, right? Just
staying on with current. Um, but the team, you know, looked at all this, reviewed those and again being compliant with that statute, um, was key and, you know, our team took a, you know, took a hard look at that, had multiple meetings
on it and feel very confident. What did the MLM multi language learn? first place together. So I'm saying the first change you mentioned rather than making specific reference those characteristics it
refers back to the statute. Correct. That in turn defines and that's in multiple multiple locations throughout the document and it just keeps referring back to it puts in categories. Yeah. So we, you know, we've been staying steady with our policies. We did a, you
know, we again checked schoolboard references to make sure that we're up to date with everything as part of this process. And, you know, we've been staying current with that. Is um access to the school part of this or is that a separate uh policy? access
to school um by uh like community members or no by uh like law enforcement like entrance to school. Yeah, that's that would go back to it's not in it's not a bit that visitation is not in here. Um to my best knowledge I can I'm
not sure we should we've tightened that up with our two additional policies in you know what we approved March and April right um and we communicate out to our staff or staff question.
Okay. All those in favor I opposed or abstain. Then we need a motion to approve the submission of the 2526 emergency virtual and remote instruction plan.
So moved comments or questions on that? Any changes? No significant changes again language ELLL. Um we kept to you know once we found that
back and we want to think about it but when we go back if we have to go back that way we found a nice of that half day model um periods teacher access in the afternoon so we kept all that plan the plan that we ended ended on in that situation is what we stayed with um but
no no significant changes as as that was a process we made some changes initially during the covid period and postco period um But we've made minimal changes since just for wording and maybe just a change of title or vendor or something
like that. Okay. Okay. All those in favor? I opposed or abstained. And then we'll need a motion to approve uh this submission of the 2526 security drill state assurance.
Second comments or questions on that? All those in favor? Opposed to abstain. Okay. And then you're going to speak to I'll add to that. Indeed. Regation.
Yeah. Okay. All right. Good evening again, everyone. Um so I just wanted to we'll talk a little bit more about the regional innovation update when um Kate speaks. Um, great end to the end of the school year as always. You know, um,
last time we met, we were talking a little bit, you know, in our testing period, which I will touch up on a little bit here. Um, but I just want to really open up fourth mark period, honoral. Just quickly, fifth grade, Ruby, Mia, Arthur, Rabbi, Olive, Oliver,
can't mess that up. Then high honors were Ryan. And in seventh grade, Isaac, Ronin, and then high honor, Haley. And in eighth grade, Giana Hope, Rihanna, Jasmine, and Penny. And then our high on her, um, Ameilia Hope as well. So, I just want to really say, you know, kudos
to them, kudos to the teachers, kudos to the community as we talk about in graduation and numerous other opportunities at the end of the year. It's really a team effort amongst everyone um to put these students where they are and in their own self, you know, um, uh, motivation to be a part of
it and challenge themselves. So, I just wanted to say that one last time. Um, also as part of our ceremony, I think for those that were at the end of your ceremony starting last third margin per we got we received some support from
Burrow the mayor and burrow council and wanting to be a part of our honoral breakfastes which are first, second, and third margin period. And then the way the end of this school year ends, they're part of the end of year ceremony. So um Mayor Meyer and Michelle Lead were in the third marking period
when Mayor Meyer was unfortunately only able to make it um to this one. U but Michelle Lee Fab again came with Hannah which again was nice for students to engage with them as part of the end of your year ceremony. I know Adam few other Julie were there um so we
appreciate that that it's just another you know representation of community and school um and for them to acknowledge you know the effort that they're doing too. Um so I think the students are seeing some value in that and like no another piece of paper another um accolade for them. So we want to
continue that tradition. Um I think it's you know it's growing right it's it's be a beginning week of tradition. Um so just eighth grade awards um got to be a part of it June 2nd with um were hope
and Amelia which was awesome. I was kind of keeping it secret last meeting. Um, but they were anom or acknowledged as our two students at the high school. So, each school district nominates two two students um academically that are, you
know, that deserve to be up there as part of that celebration. So, they got to be there with um other students and other districts and other families. And I think we had a really great night. Um so, again, we wish them the best as they go off into high school. But um again congrats a million hope. Uh end of year
we had our numerous you know our many activities that are part of what we do at the end of the year here. Um from you know the end of year prick day for preschool and it's just culmination of all the things that we do throughout the year. Eighth grade trip to Philly uh Philadelphia field day middle school
math really growing each year. That's something we started a couple years ago and it gives all our to engage in some math enrichment skills of being part of the projects that students build themselves some collaborative you know most of them
are collaborative projects um so it's just neat to see the students work in that manner um it's a great motivating activity as we complete the end of the year um after testing is towards the end of the marking period so that's been I think just overall received well not
only by the students participation level in the middle school. Um, but also the students that are participating at a younger level and you know that they go home with some prizes. So that's always I was like still talking about that. We love it so much.
So good. So you know and we do we get some really good feedback from the students on those things. Um early or uh K2 at their end of year picnic down you know unfortunately it had to be shifted a little bit but they improvised really well I think. Um we
had a nice PD day on the 5th. So students and staff had got, you know, opportunity to connect, kind of do some culmination activities within. Um so that's always a win for us at the end of the year like that as we prep do grades and we're looking at data and we're looking all the different things that we
need to do as preparation for next year. um finishing with a you know, you know, eighth grade graduation, which again I I never I'm just never surprised by the amount of people that show up for these
community events. I think I saw more past students than ever in my time here. I mean, every time I turn around, there was somebody else to say hello to or somebody else saying hello and hugging and it was just a really um you know, great ending to the school year with that group and so many past students
came out to support them um as well as community members. Um really good. So, thank you to the seventh grade parents out there that also helped um with the food in the cafeteria. Um we can't do it without you. Um what else? And then the move up ceremony the next day. It's it's
a whirlwind, right? that 24 hours is just um but again acknowledging all the little things that students do whether it's band or chorus or part of river union stage um we've been doing the K4 math packs awards so giving students
that are really showing their you know progress in their achievement of math um as defined by the teacher and in their data they get they're getting awards and something to walk away something to remember um so those things are really Um, you know, they're just really great
moments that I feel that we're continue to capture at the end of the year. Um, of course, Marley came by one more time um to be a part of that as well. Um, so again, I just as we conclude those years, I just really want to thank again
every all the community members um that came out for that. Obviously, the BOE members that come out and be a part of it. I know everybody's got work and jobs and and other commitments, but when you're there, it really just makes a difference. Um, and I just appreciate it because you get to see you get to see,
you know, our community in action and our students in action. Um the also part of that ceremony for those um who got to see you know or maybe you actually did see that because it was part of the volleyball game post game
which unfortunately the teachers after getting a nice 10 lead we ended up losing the next two sets. So we lost you got green. Um yeah some some Blackburn guy kept scoring on us. Um Mr. Moran came back for part of that. He was also there for graduation. Um, so
he's officially retired. So I just wanted to take a minute and Kate and help me a little bit with this was, you know, Mr. Moran was with our district for 27 years. During his time at FPS, he taught a number of areas, but mostly was passionate about technology and history, specifically current events and
historical events. Um for many years he was the Frenchtown Education Association President was then JA representative who was an active at the county level um and state level and he attended many sessions in Washington DC throughout his tenure at FS. Mr. Ran was a coach um and
toward the tail end he was after school led many after school activities such as volleyball, basketball and soccer clubs. Um we just want to say Mr. Ran you'll be missed and may your retirement be filled with happiness and new endeavors. Um so it was really great to see Mr. Moran um
at those two events at the end and student made a nice banner for him and he got to you know kind of go up in that sense. So just wanted to acknowledge that moment um for Mr. and I know so many people who also you know got share in that and many of the
students which was really neat to see. Um, two things just from last meeting I just wanted to address. I think we had a discussion about the student performance letters, right? And I just want to be
clear and that and Kate, maybe you'll talk about it a little bit too, but I just want to really be clear that at no point was it intentionally not trying to be transparent with the community. It's the approach that we've used, you know, while I was principal and we had a
different superintendent. Um, and now I've been in in this role, right, for the last couple years. So, it's the same approach that we that doesn't mean that that's the right way to do it, right? Just being very transparent with it, but it's also wasn't intended to be not being
transparent with the community. It's one of those things, well, this is the way we've done it and maybe it needs to be looked at. So, I I appreciate the the comments of, "Hey, maybe we need to look at doing that better, but at no point was it was trying to be hidden to the community." So, I just really want to be
clear with that. That's never the intention of anything that I'm doing, nor do I think that's what, you know, the French Board of Education wants to do. Um, so I think it's definitely a reflective moment for us. Um, and it's something that, you know, we'll we'll definitely take a look at over the
summer and let's see what we can do with that. And maybe it's maybe it's something sooner than later. Um, but I'm just going to leave it at that. But at no point was it trying to be non-transparent, highly excluded from our community. Which letters were these, Jen? Those were the the
um student performance reports that we sent out. Oh, that we've done in every spring. Um, people had mentioned last meeting that maybe doing some bullet points to just summarize. Um, so that's something that I definitely will look at, but I just wanted people to be clear
that that certainly wasn't the intention and even if it was getting spun that way, I didn't want it to be. Um, the last thing I know, we were asked about the testing approach last year. Last time we met, we were in day two of
testing, right? We had just completed day two. So, I think many of you know um we've talked about different approaches that we've taken with our state testing, but I'm just going to go review the plan
because it seemed to be unclear for some reason. But we certainly communicated to our families, right, um that testing was occurring and made sure that those things were going on, right? and making sure each night send an email reminder.
Um, which you know is is is not always I think people need to understand that those things take time and they take effort in order to do like hey take a picture or two of what went on today and then we get it out and so forth, right? Um, but making sure our community knows, hey, this is what's going on, this is
what's going on tomorrow. Each day those students in grades three through eight get a part of they get to have a breakfast which is honestly amazing and as I shared a little bit out that week or towards the end of the week you know
we're 97% or 98% attendance in K4 I read I'll check my email to get the right information at time but those that's something that we've seen since we went to this approach last year all the students come not just the testing
students but students come. Also during that time we're doing movement activities. We're doing um different movement activities like races and beanback tosses and um you know sometimes the teachers jump in and make it very fun and light and so forth and
it's part of that preparation, right? Or getting some movement. There's certainly much data out there about movement prior to activities engaging. It's it can be a really positive thing academically. Also getting food in your bellies super important and can be very helpful. It's
what's trending is certainly our attendance looked great that week. Um so I just wanted to be clear with some of those pieces um that we're doing. In addition to that prek, kindergarten first and second this year got to make
an overhead announcement with me, right? We went around showed everybody a schedule. It was a wonderful thing, right? students are. So, we're laying that foundation at preK 2K1, two, like something different's going on, right? You're a part of it. You're cheering them on. That group also was part of at
the end of the day in home room activities or when they had a moment of time of filling out positive cards and putting them in the table. So, when the kid students came in and received some breakfast for the school and again, kudos to the rest and her team for coordinating this for us for the second
year in a row. Um, so students feel good. They can pick up a card. They can do those things. Parents this year also had the opportunity to fill out positive things and to encourage our students, which many of their parents took advantage of. We left them in the dropbox. We
communicated out. Um, so that was another piece slightly different than last year, but just another way to improve um that engagement, that participation for students. Again, all well received from the student level. non-esting students level. They love I
mean they couldn't they were waiting for me to like is it going to be our class today? Are we going to make that announcement? So I think we're m we're changing that culture and mindset that hey this is what's going on. It's a little different this week. It's not your turn yet young ones but it will be
a part of what we're doing. Um during testing, same thing. We've eliminated those distractions. In previous years um sometimes a student would be able to get a book or an iPad. um something else when they were done with the tests, we we enga we stay
engaged with the test, go check your work, those type of things. So that's another strategy that we use this year. Um and similar to last year, teachers are also all have positive enforcement passes like good job in state testing if they stay diligent and they're watching,
they're observant. Um, so most students got two passes throughout the the testing time to go and get a positive treasure box um, object or reward or whatever. So that's another piece. So just trying to be as clear as I can be about what we're doing with the testing
plan um, when they're completed. So then when everyone's done, then there's another opportunity for movement when it's all completed. We also create an opportunity for them in the coming week or so to cash in their prizes because that's kind of the first thing they say when
everything's done. It's like when do I get to catch? So I think overall we're observing we're observing more engaged students in the learning process. Um I'm not going to say everyone but I think we're we're creating a culture and a
very open supportive environment for learning to participate and take the test. Um so those things I I feel very confident that we're doing. Now piece of that right is um
the outcomes right and the results right and those things are things that we're now you know that we wait for and so forth. I think also to be a be in the know that again we had teachers practicing sample tests right because
sample tests the state testing does sometimes look a little different right so practicing tests modeling some tests with the teachers we use ESP periods to do some targeted um instruction um we also just used the afternoon
periods during state time to target some 15 minutes of targeting other pieces is um that teachers felt like it was needed. So, and this all goes back to our data pool from the beginning of the year. So, in the beginning of the year, and I think I talked about this in in
our this is was a key piece of team meetings this year. All our all of our teachers each grade level, we looked at state testing, looked at their results, looked at standards, we identified three standards that we did poorly on, right?
We and we shifted. We also then identified the three standards that we did the best on. Right? So if you had 10 out of 11 students got this or 11 out of 12 students got that, we eliminated a day of instruction on that and we picked it up on the bottom half. So that strategy is something that we worked on
throughout the year. Built into that then was individual strategies that were established in the beginning of the year and then also midyear of how your child's doing. Is your child responding to one-on-one at the back table? Was your child responding to small group
instruction? Does your child need a man manipulative in your hand every step of the day? Well, if that's what it is, then those were things that was observed and put to your child's plan that's embedded in our team PLC. Um,
so I just so with that pieces also a question was asked what things did we change? Well, we as I think everyone knows, we added an additional K4. We had added an additional math period in this year's plan, which I intend to do again
with our team this year. Um, we had we we had had Pearson, but we had SAVIS K5 math program. So, that's that was something new this past year. Um, reflex math was something we had had in our program, which is another math
supplement, grade three through five. That was something that we've had in recent years, but we didn't have it previous year, but we put it back in this year. Um, Mrs. Arens and I actually will be meeting in the coming weeks to look review the data. She's very excited by it. Um, so I think those are good
things. So that's something in 35 um that again a little bit shipped. and talked about all those how that state testing piece um was taken in consideration and how we broke that down, right? And we really just shifted
some focus. So when we did some ESP target there or afternoon sessions, we we looked at that grade level and we looked at those standards and we were making sure that we had an extra 10, 15 minutes, whatever was needed to just review that and hey, remember we know how to do this and model this. Um so th
those were some of the strategies. um that we did and we used. Um I hope that better explains some of the things that we did as part of testing and I certainly could be a little bit more maybe um transparent in next year's plan
when we're talking about some of these things and I intend to. Um but I just wanted to really have our breakdown. I think what's really unique is we've created this plan last year. some of our neighboring districts have
taken pieces of this plan and put it into theirs. And I think that's I think smart and I think it's also flattering in some sense that we're you know our team's making some recommendations suggestions that other people are seeing some value in and saying you know what maybe maybe they're on to something
there. Maybe maybe we should be doing that too. Um so I just want to really say kudos to the team for working on this. Obviously, you know, it's it's going to be a work in progress and we're always going to move and shift according um to what happens. But the data of the scores is is the next important step.
And when we receive them, we're going to look at them and then and then again make some approaches and and um assign some strategies and possibly some curricular supplements which we did again plan for budgetary wise um to do
this coming year. So, I hope um that explains some of those pieces. That's so good. Um and then the last thing and I really want to brag about it
is again another you know fees idea is summer scholars and you know this is really aligned with a lot of what we heard I'm going to say what we were trending and hearing in strategic planning. For those who haven't been here a couple years ago, we used esser
fser funds to do some academic um achievement support over the summer. So, Miss Schz, Miss Bilman, and Miss Sak had been a part of that and we had different grade levels and students would have, you know, prevent that summer slide and do some activities. Teachers would
communicate and say, "Hey, they could really use help in this, this, and this." And those are the things they would focus on. So this year we took the idea again budgeting for enhanced academic support club in our next year plan and we created summer scholars. So
yes, Mrs. Thompson is the head of that. But I think also don't get lost in there that all the teachers on their way out this year and that was also utilized the PD time, professional development time on the fifth and prior was and you know some of our team meeting time was to
create packets. So every student in our school has grade level packets summer work right to prevent the summer slide and what we're seeing in a very short time and I shared this with Teresa is we're
we're ranging right now we have 10 10 days and we're ranging anywhere from 14 to 28 students which is really awesome need and we that's why it's important to have some of our eighth grade volunteers and you know Miss Thompson and I were
talking today potentially we might even add another adult staff um to that scenario. Um and again if that's the worst problem that we have is that we have to hire an additional staff because this program is going to thrive right out of the gate. It's it's a great
problem for us to even agree um with that. So I think you know we're you know I'm excited to see students in action. I think it's going to be they're going to get rewarded for their for their efforts. They're going to have teacher support there. They're going to have
some of our middle school um support, you know, students that are eighth grades that in eighth grade that are going to be allowed to help and support. And I I'm sure as I look at, you know, there's going to be sixth and seventh graders that might be done with their work and they're going to be able to turn around and help that kindergarten, first and second grade. So I really see
it as a great um community building, school building, spirit building opportunity as well as reinforcing those academics. Um so I know m Mrs. Thompson likely will join me here in August. Um because we'll be recapping, you know,
looking at some percentages of how many people participated and all those things and you know what activities might have, you know, those are things that we're going to be reflecting on. What activities really, you know, did students complete on their own? what activities did they need support that and things that we'll have to reflect on
again. Um but I'm really you know I yeah Mrs. Thompson I'm super excited but Mrs. Thompson is like to the you know to the ceiling um about this and I think we're really happy to support her but again it started with the teachers you know planning those grade level appropriate
things going hey what what could our student my students benefit for in preparation in the next grade and having that communication with the next grade level teacher. Um, so we really truly team effort there for sure and I look forward to talking more about it when we
get back in August. Um, so yeah, good way to end for me. Anyway, I know there's more to come, but Okay, thank you. Thank you. A couple comments. Yeah.
Um, first of all, um, it's great to see some of the discussions from the academic achievement committee and from strategic planning being put into action already. Jim, that's that's terrific. Um, I'll also say that as a parent of a
kid who really struggles with the testing, there wasn't anything near the dread this year around the um, testing as it was last year. And I think it's doing large part to the socializing of and you know the um making it more of a
schoolwide thing and the breakfast and the and the physical activity. It just kind of like deescalated it in the mind of the student I'm thinking of. Sure. Um, so I want to
applaud that that change um and that effort that the the whole team uh put into uh making that making that happen on such a fairly rapid turnaround. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I'll definitely share that with them.
Okay. Um I just had a couple of things for my report. Um, so I'll tag on to what Adam was saying about the academic achievement committee. Um, so as everybody knows,
we've been working throughout the year with um input from Jim and staff and um there will um once the schedule is created, which is a task that's done over the summer, there will likely be
there will be some um changes that will need to be communicated to the school community. Um, when Jim and I spoke about this and how, you know, how when and how the communication would happen, it occurred
to us that our next our meeting in August is on the first day of school. So, um, clearly we would rather have that stuff go out before school starts. So, we were hoping to change the August
meeting date to um you know enable a conversation around those changes um before they go out to the community. Um so, we were thinking um
I have the calendar in front of me. Sorry. The the date of the current meeting is August 26th. Um, so we were thinking possibly the 19th. I won't be here, but I could possibly
attend virtually. Okay, I'll make myself available. Good for me. Okay. All right. So, we will change the date of the August meeting from the 26th to the 19th.
Um, and we will get the um some of those changes out to the board at least a week or two in advance so that the board has a chance I mean the academic achievement committee is probably pretty familiar with them but so that the other board
members have a chance to look at them um and know what we're discussing. Um so as we talked about during the strategic plan planning planning um we
because of the way um our action plan will come out in August our hope was that we would not adopt goals until September. Um so I just wanted to remind everybody of that kind of push in the
goal setting schedule. Um so in August um Jim will present his um action plan from the strategic planning um or from the strategic plan and um at
that point we'll have um the action plan, we'll have the evaluations and then in September we'll be able to um approve goals. Um, and that that was something we talked about when we were ending
strategic planning, but I just wanted to give everybody a reminder about that. Um, last month I had talked about the self-evaluation which is available at um on New Jersey school boards. if you
haven't already, if you could go in and um complete that so that we will have that compiled as well before the August meeting. So, I mean, if you can do it by July 15th, that would be great. So, that
um you know, that gives them time to compile it and us time to look at it before our meeting in August. Oh, we've received that link, right? It's you just log in to New Jersey School Boge and you can go to it's it's in the same section where the CSA
evaluation is just the self evaluation. Um and finally um and this is another scheduling question so I apologize. I spoke with um Matt Davis in Holland
Township. Um they are still awaiting a finalized report, regionalization report. Um they did receive a preliminary executive kind of report, but it's um
lacking a lot of information. Um so they're they're waiting on um a report that is complete in order to do a presentation. Um their hope however is that um so they have their June meeting
tonight then they have a meeting in August like probably on the 26th um they're hoping to do a special meeting in July to do the presentation. So um we don't have to do this right now but
in the coming days I'm going to be texting everybody saying like give me a heads up about what week you're away. we'll see when the most people are around and they do also um live stream so you can log in if you're
away on vacation or if you decide not to log in because you're away on vacation that's fine too and we'll you know we'll obviously share the minutes and share whatever presentation is given um and as I stated last time we will get to look
at the report at least a week or two before any present any presentation is made at a meeting so that we can prepare with um questions and and you know anything that needs clarification.
Um I think that's all I have. Um but yeah, I will send out that um that text about July schedules and they'll be doing the same thing tonight. They're doing the same thing. Yeah. I'll connect with Stephanie tomorrow and see where
we're at. All right. All right. Um, so moving on. Um, we have no policy for this evening. So then we'll need to move to the consent agenda. And we need a motion to
approve items 12.1 through 12.29, which includes the two finance items in the addendum. to move. I'll second and
I will just wanted folks to know that I'm here and I can vote if that's appropriate. Okay. Comments or questions about our consent agenda? Thank you. Country sh. Yeah. Um I did just want to add to what Jim uh
said that um you know Pete will be missed. He's he's been a real um just a supporter of everything we do at Frenchtown School. um he's you know throughout his tenure here has you know
been present when big decisions need to be made and he's um he's uh he and I have had a a good relationship as his with him being president of the FBA and he's um it's always just been open and clearly I
think clear to both of us that we both have always just wanted what was best for FES and the community and the students. So, I appreciate him and um he will be missed. Thanks. And I'm a little jealous that he's here.
I handed out a separate um addendum than what was attached. Yeah, I just want to make sure you know which action items you're approving. The ones that were attached to the original agenda are not the ones I sent. I've gave you a different one. So, that should be the um
the preschool private provider contract and then there's an addendum to that contract and those items are in the um in the folder as well. The addendum really just describes more because they don't have a full classroom how some of the minimum
payments are going to be distributed. Um and then out you know with the and there there were no changes to the language. The language um is what the state proposed language is. And just for your awareness, their
official name has changed and they are now go by river river crossing YMCA. Do we know for next year how many Frenchtown preschoolers will be born? Currently two. Nice. So we're wereing
and we're going to continue. I know we have a um I know Pam Pamel effect promoter I think they have another tour next week um from another family. So um we're going to keep you know promoting and as we were in contact with them they're going to keep trying to you know
grow it right. Um so if you know anybody you know there's there's opportunity up there. So Teresa, can you just clarify? We are still including the shared service agreement um for music.
We we will be doing that. Um it's not on the agenda because I haven't calculated amount yet and Califon knows I'm waiting for the state to release the health benefit increases for January. Okay. And
that hasn't happened yet. I even made sure and went on their website today. Uh so until I know what the full cost for the year is going to be and they know that. So we we'll probably approve that in August. Okay. Got it.
What's um administration transition that we're paying Deborah Dman important? So Deborah is going to be our on our team this year as parttime supervisor. She also teaches ELLL here. Um so we just there's some initiative things that
I want to bring her into for her transition. Yeah. Just her coming to FS in that role and just you know u there's certain uh meetings and there's trainings that I want her to be a part of um with me and you know and as we build together you know it's it'll be
another um despite parttime a part-time administrative mind in the building which I think is good. she'd been in the building. So, I think there's some, you know, she'll definitely have some insight. Any other comments or questions on the
consent agenda? Then we'll need a roll call. Hey, Mr. Blackburn. Yes. Mr. Germany, yes. Miss Howard, yes. Miss Portal, yes. And Mrs. Yes. Okay. Um, do we have before we go to
public comment, is there any other new business from the board? I have one. I'm sorry. No, you go first. Dusted on June 3rd was the Hunter County ESC's uh re reorganization meeting. None of the officers changed. There were a couple
small changes on their own staffing, but otherwise it was uneventful and nothing to report. Thank you. I have the print out. Oh, do you have time to hand it out? Yeah. Okay, great. So, just a little bit of context. I know sometimes in these meetings I have been
uh guilty of potentially overfocusing on our standardized test scores or maybe catastrophizing things a little bit more than they should be. And so one of the things I had shared at the academic achievement meeting was a piece of just history information research that I had
found about the state of Mississippi and this thing called the Mississippi miracle. I think I had like kind of mentioned it offhand, but I wanted to provide it said that a printout would be appropriate for the meeting. A print out for the board members so they know what it is and I'll run you through it really
really quickly once we have an audience. I think I have just enough. So in 20 2002, Mississippi was dead last in their reading scores for fourth graders. they were 50th and by 2024 they became fifth and right
now Mississippi is number one in the nation for score growth in both reading and math over the last decade which is really really impressive and no one would think that Mississippi would be the like state that comes through. The way they did it was pretty kind of uh
statemandated and they had these kind of six steps. One was they retrained all of the their teachers K through three in the science of of reading. They provided literacy coaches for schools that needed extra assistance that weren't meeting
specific metrics. They then put in a lot of early frequent screenings. So they constantly had data throughout the year to figure out how are students learning. And then they did something that's a bit um kind of I guess sensitive in in the state of New Jersey in particular, which
is for students who could not pass a reading assessment by the end of third grade. And they had multiple opportunities to take it summer school, they would keep those kids back in third grade for one year. So they did what they called a purposeful retention. But once they did that, they made sure that
those kids got 90 minutes plus of uh daily reading instruction. And one of the beautiful things about this is by the time these kids that were held back in third grade got to sixth grade, they were actually ahead of all of their peers. So they weren't just catching up, they were ahead. Um they also put in
some really serious system accountability kind of elements into the schools from the state. So districts that didn't improve um had kind of the state of Mississippi come in and there was increased scrutiny. And then another thing is they just purchased high
quality instructional materials. They revamped their libraries especially as it came to reading the reading. The reason that like both math and reading improved in spite of them having massive math efforts is because they connected the fact that if a child cannot properly
read by the end of third grade, they will struggle with history, with science, with math, with anything that requires reading comprehension, which I think we all as parents know, but like they have it here in data. So I thought just very quickly like some of the stuff we're actually already doing, but would
this be possible in our district? like could we copy something that we know has worked and has moved a state from dead last to fifth. And there's six kind of replicated initiatives that we could put in, which is funding a district-wide
initiative to really train all of our prek through four teachers in the science of reading. Some of them may already have this training, but we could kind of require the same number as they do in Mississippi. Um, for extra support, we could invest in a literacy
coach. we could implement more universal K- through4 screenings and just testing for reading. So we weren't relying on just standardized tests at the end of the year and waiting for the scores in September, October, but we could actually tell throughout the year how
our kids were doing. And then um creating and Jim, you're already doing this a summer camp, but this would be an offering just for those struggling readers, especially those third graders that are like on the cusp to fourth grade, but aren't quite there yet. and then providing intensive support to any
third grader that was not proficient by the end of third grade but is now in fourth grade with additional um hours, 45 minutes, 90 minutes, whatever it is time after school to help them with their reading. This could be done either
with teachers, volunteer force, whatever. And then rebuilding our classroom libraries to be a bit more phonics aligned and having the appropriate books for K through four. And so there's many different ways to to measure this. I Teresa don't need me from across the room, but I was like
trying to figure out financially just so the board has an understanding like that this is not necessarily cost prohibitive for us to do the cost of doing something for three years is around $140,000. Again, not Teresa approved and I have
made it a bit more conservative. Um, but it's less than $50,000 a year if we wanted to try to implement something like this. Um, and I just wanted to throw it out there because it is something that has worked in another state has data behind it. Um, so we don't have to kind of like reinvent the
wheel. We can just really just steal what's working over there really well. And I want to share it with everybody. You can do your own research. If you just Google Mississippi Miracle, you you'll see a lot of really feel good stories about it. and Louisiana has since picked up the same thing and now they've seen their growth patterns also
go up. Thank you. Yeah, thanks. Um I I attended this morning a call um a presentation on a project that I've just been supporting at work about summer
learning and they mentioned this but um there was a a um it was just very interesting some of the research that's been done and how much kids lose over the summer and it was making me think of you know our summer program and that I'm
grateful that we're kind picking that up and the difference between what that time in the summer does for kids who are from families that are struggling compared to kids who are not is just
really significant. So, um you know, definitely a lot of really good research and a lot of really good programs out there. Um but I appreciate this. Thank you. Um, is there any more new business from the
board before we go to public comment? Yeah. Any public comment? Um, so three things. I'll try to remember them all. Uh, first just I guess working backwards. Uh
I said this before the last time in one of these this came up but I my understanding is part of how they kept this affordable relatively affordable was using volunteers and you need volunteers there are volunteers in the community and I'm one of them would be happy to
help with reading fun if everyone should enjoy um and both my kids are reading pretty well and one of them is not even in kindergarten so Um second, oh yeah, the other two things
are both of the scheduling things. um for the regionalization study that do we just like go on the Holland website to figure out when they're going to do we get to see that or it's an open
meeting so you can um we'll we can put it in on the website but you can attend the meeting in person or we'll put the link on as on the website as well to let folks know it it seems like it's sort of an important thing for us yeah we would definitely
We actually have to advertise it anyway, but we will we will definitely do that. So, we'll let folks know. There is no date as of yet because neither board has a July meeting. So, it'll be it'll have to be a special meeting, but once there's a date, we'll we'll post it. How
am I actually going to remember to check and make sure that Right. Uh and then the other was we were talking about scheduling changes that would need to be communicated to the parents before the school year if that's
scheduling of like school day or anything like that. No. No. I my what I was saying was we the changes that um there are no scheduling changes that I know but our staff creates the schedule
over the summer. So, um, we're waiting for that to be done before initiating any changes in grading policy or anything like that. Okay. Well, so it's more stuff that would occur in a handbook. Yeah. Right. Like as it relates to academic potentially cell
phones, things that came out of strategic planning. Yeah. So, we we're communicate out ahead. So parents and families and students, you know, obviously it'll be a little, you know, there potentially are going to be some changes. Um, so we want
to give people time to take that in and then, you know, follow, you know, follow appropriately and so forth. Should we discuss how it if and how we want to let the parent community know about the regionalization being in
Holland? It just occurred to me as Ted was saying like, you know what I mean? Most people don't even know that this study is happening since they're not showing up to board meetings. I think these three guys are exceptional. Thank you. But you know what I mean? Like do we want to say that once we know once we
once that date is set that we'll send an email to the community, the school community as well as the wider community. I know the mayor sends out his like emails that go out townwide. just like how much promotion do you think is appropriate for something
that's as significant as it? It's that's really hard for me to say without having seen the presentation or the study. Um I agree if it's something worthwhile. I think we should kind of get the word out far and wide. Um and I
guess I mean either way we'll publish it as because it's a public meeting. Um, but yeah, I mean, we could I would c I would certainly absolutely let like the mayor and town council know
about it and um we'll put it on we can put it on our Facebook and we'll put it on we'll send out an email and put it on the you know the front of the website. Well, we get the weekly email updates, right, Jim? this
summer that we we can't I mean I think we don't do them every week but we'll do we'll put it in there at least once. Yeah, we definitely and I think we could once we know the date we can certainly just put an email blast out with the link. It might be worth it the next one
that goes out saying, "Hey, this is coming up. We'll let you know the dates." Yeah. Um great. Yeah. I would love to honestly like I think Mrs. Snider and I are waiting for the report first because we've been um even so I
think the public knows should know what's been going on behind the scenes a potential giant lie meeting because we're just going to have to walk it back like we have been with you guys unfortunately last two maybe okay nothing happened instead of dead okay yeah I think what Jim's saying though is
that the possibility exists that there will not be a July meeting the possibility exists in August Thank you. But um in the in the meantime, I think it's a really positive I think it's
something people are concerned about and just letting people know that we're working on it and it's in process and they're being hurt is I think it's just an important message. So may also I agree pepper but the kind of
helping people understand what the report is and it isn't like it's not a binding document because there may be some suggestions you know like merge these schools and like everyone's going to be upsetting them know like it's going to happen anyway. Yeah.
level of like this is what it is, this is what it isn't to not panic people who may see it or hear about it or whatnot and that it was at no cost in the districts too. Yeah, there's there's a significant amount of information to get in that email. I agree. But also just
committing to a communication strategy before you know the details of what's in the report might might be seen as a as a Yeah. transparency. Yeah. Yeah. And I know it was also discussed um at several
of the tables at strategic planning. So um so that's good too. So hopefully those folks will help to get the word out. Um is there any other public comment? Okay. Um then we are going to need a
motion to move into executive session to discuss terms and condition of the employment. So moving. Thank you everybody. Have a great see you all soon. Bye.
Bye. Yeah. Well, that's why you were asking can I can I Oh, we'll be finished. Okay. Okay. We made a motion to adjurnn. Okay. So moved. I'll second. All those
in favor. rental.