[Music] Good evening and welcome to the Galley Township Board of Education. Today is July 14th and this is a regular meeting. In accordance with public law 231, both adequate and electronic notice of this meeting was provided to the press, the Gallery Township Municipal Building, and
the District website on January 12th, 2025. May I have a roll call, please? Mrs. Chester, here. Dr. Pmentor, here. Miss Laia, Mrs. Avery here, Mr. D here, Mr. Gentiel here,
Mrs. Hermanau here, Dr. Basher Blau here, and Mrs. Carmen here. Can we all rise for the flag salute led by Dr. Parmentor, please? I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We do have approval of prior meeting minutes this evening. June 9th, the regular meeting minutes and June 9th, executive meeting minutes. Can I have a motion to approve those items?
So moved. Second. And that's just a call vote. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you. Reading of communications, please. Good evening. I'd like to uh bring to the board's attention as well as the
public a thank you letter from the Goway Township Fire Chief Mooney in appreciation of a recent donation. I've mentioned before to the public that the district has taken on initiatives to help support community uh ventures. Um one being of course the fire
departments, other nonprofits would would also consist of um the police department education foundation um and and so on. Um, this all comes from uh dress down days. So, you know, one of the uh things that we do as a district is once a month we have a collection uh
where staff can wear jeans on Fridays and we just ask for a small monetary donation and we basically give back to the community uh through these partnerships. So, huge thanks to uh the GTA, GTPSA and also all of our other non-affiliates who participate in this
venture and um you know, we like to be able to give back. So, um more to follow. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Santilly. Moving on to presentations, please. So, at this time, uh, I'd like to recognize one of our board members. Um, I know that, uh, you know, public in the
public. U, you may not realize what it goes what goes into being a board member. There are, of course, required trainings, um, for board members, uh, which, uh, board members have to complete. There's also trainings that I would consider that are voluntary. Um,
and at this time, uh, we'd like to be able to formally recognize and congratulate, uh, Mrs. Belinda Chester on achieving certified board member leader status through the New Jersey School Boards Association for Board Member Academy. This honor certainly
reflects Mrs. Chester's dedication to effective school board governance and we uh look forward to recognizing her, having her be recognized uh at an upcoming Atlantic County School Boards Association meeting. Um so again, congratulations, Mrs. Chester, and thank
you for everything that you do. Congratulations. Moving on to public comment. The board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents. This meeting will now be open for public comments. Three minutes per person on agenda items only at this time. Public comments on non-aggenda items will be available at
the end of the meeting. If your questions pertain to litigation, student or personnel items, please see the superintendent after the meeting as the board does not discuss these matters in public. Depending upon the nature and complexity of your questions, the board secretary may ask you for your contact information so that someone can get back
to you with a response. As a reminder, this is a public meeting and all comments should be appropriate for a public setting and made in a respectful manner. At this time, is there any public comment? If you could just come to the microphone and state your name and address and sign
in at the signin sheet, please. Let them turn Let them turn it up. We can't hear you. He's right behind you to turn the microphone up. Can you hear me? Okay. No, you have to get closer. Can you hear me now? Barely.
Can you turn it up? Can you turn the microphone up from the back? Thank you. Oh, perfect. Canina mens Gallery Township agenda item 10.2. I have a question regarding this. Um I guess it's a new policy. Uh why is
it needed? Um it says um for the safety of the students. Does that mean that the students are not safe currently in the school system? So that's one question and the other question that I have is do um the language in that policy suggests
that it may be implemented or not implemented. So if it's originally done for the safety of students, why will not be implemented? So why is there a maybe? If it's really necessary for safety, I think the language should should be
changed to either shell or cancel the policy altogether. So I think this is a little bit more public discussion that needs to occur uh before the board votes on that. And the other uh question that I have on that is the necessity to
include a suicide hotline uh phone number on the student identity card. That implies that the students are all suicidal which means that all students have mental health issues. Uh coming from the healthcare industry uh this is
a false assumption. um only rare cases do children commit suicide. By including the suicide hotline on something like the ID card, you're planting this suicidal ideiation in the mind of the students. I should caution the board
members uh to really review that policy very carefully and uh uh remove that clause from including su suicide in any kind or normalizing suicide in any kind of school practices or processes uh such
as ID card. Thank you. Thank you. And that was regards to policy 10.2. So if she could if anybody couldn't hear the beginning she was respon. Yeah. Anything to say?
Is there any other comments this evening? Okay. Seeing none, we will move on with our agenda. report. Superintendent report. Yep. All right. So, just to provide some summer updates. Uh, first and foremost,
our extended school year program has begun for ESY. Our extended school year program is geared towards um students with IEPs and special education students who participate in extended school year. It takes place for four weeks or 16 days. Um, so that is well underway. Um
and and ultimately um usually every week we provide a culminating activity. This past week for instance the students were participating in um some carnival games and different activities um to have them collaborate with the student other students and staff. In addition, summer camp is taking place here at GTMS. That
is also well underway. Um and we are able to provide a service to our community to have students again participate um in both academics and also other engaging activities um that also allows for additional field trips uh as well as in you know days here in
GTMS where students are able to also participate in field days as well. Um so that has been underway. Uh in addition to that pops and theater is taking place uh when we talk about some of our save the dates later uh in our agenda. um you know, Little Mermaid will be a
presentation. You can see the backdrop here. Um that is starting to be created. Um but they will also uh share their culminating activity um for both pops and theater uh later this summer in a few weeks. Uh so we're certainly looking forward to that. In addition, there's
lots of uh different projects taking place. Uh so I want to thank our uh maintenance department for their um support and also patience. um you know, every every time I think that they probably walk in my office, they they are keeping their head down walking by the door because I'm grabbing them for
for something else. But um they have been great with keeping these buildings uh up and running and preparing for the new school year, not just the normal cleaning and remediation that takes place, but also other projects that I know the finance facilities uh committee will report out on. Uh we have some uh
HVAC upgrades taking place at all four of the elementary schools. Um we we had a successful chiller installation here at GTMS which was well overdue uh since the building just celebrated its 25th anniversary in addition to some other uh projects that are taking place uh
throughout the district to create additional learning spaces for our students uh for small groupoup instruction. So a lot going on this summer uh and I want to give credit to you know all of our 12 month staff especially our maintenance department for their support. So that concludes my my update. At this time, we'll turn it
over to our attorney's report, Miss Halco. Good evening, everybody. Since the last time we've met, I've had the opportunity to work with the district on some student matters, some staffing matters, and some contractual matters. Thank you. Moving on with student enrollment.
So, at this time, items 6.3, 6.4, and 6.5 are allformational items as listed and attached for the board. No vote is needed. Thank you. Curriculum and instruction, please. So, at this time, item 7.1 for field trips through 7.3. Uh, we're
looking for a motion for approval. Can I have a motion to approve items 7.1 through 7.3, please? So, move. Second. Is there any board comment? May I have a roll call? Mrs. Chester, yes. Dr. Permener, yes.
Miss Laia, yes. Mrs. Avery, yes. Mr. Dace, yes. Mr. Gentiel, yes. Mrs. Termino. Yes. Vice President Basher Blau. Yes. And President Carmen? Yes. Moving on to finance and facilities. Was there a meeting today?
Yes. So, we met prior to the board meeting. Uh there were no questions regarding uh the bills list or the financial reports and we did have a review of some of the agenda items including the facilities forms that were in the agenda for this evening, preschool waiverss, and we also went over some of the facility summer
projects that are currently taking place. Thank you. Moving on with finance and facilities. Thank you. Items 8.2 through 8.27 are up for your approval. Can I motion approve items 8.2 through 8.27, please? So move. Second.
Is there any board comment? May I have a roll call? Mrs. Chester? Yes. Dr. Permentor? Yes. Miss Laia? Yes. Mrs. Avery? Yes. Mr. Jay, yes. Mr. Gentiel, yes. Mrs. Harmonell, yes.
Vice President Basher Blau, yes. And President Cararman, yes. Moving on to personnel, Mr. Santilli. So, at this time, we're looking to approve items 9.1 through 9.6 as listed and attached. Thank you. Can I have a motion to
approve items 9.1 through 9.6, please? So, moved. Second. Is there any board comment? May I have roll call, please? Mrs. Chester, yes. Dr. Pmentor, yes. Miss Laria, yes. Mrs. Avery, yes.
Mr. Dace, yes. Mr. Gentiel, yes. Mrs. Hermanel, yes. Vice President Vasher Blau, yes. And President Cararman, I will abstain on item 9.3 and yes to everything else. Do we have to pause for new hires at
this time? Uh, yes, we do. Okay. So, at this time, I'd like to introduce um I believe we have two of our new hires here uh with us tonight. So, welcome. And for the first time in public, a proud Galloway welcome to Miss
Jennifer Levens, who is our supervisor of student services. Welcome. And also our new supervisor of special education, Mr. Dominic Mavi. [Applause] Welcome.
Congratulations to both of you. And at that point, moving on to policy, please. So, at this time, we're looking to have a motion to approve policies 10.1 through 10.7 as listed and attached. All
are for a second and final reading. Can I have a motion to approve items 10.1 through 10.7, please? So, move. Second. Is there any board comment? Yes, if I might. I'm sorry. Yes. Uh with regard to the comments as to one uh 10.2 uh policy 5517.
Uh just for the record, I'm a member of the policy committee. I heard the uh I'm sorry I couldn't hear you, but I heard the individual's uh concerns with regard to that. We will be having a policy meeting between now and the next board meeting. And even though this is a second reading, uh the board does have
the freedom to move to amend the policy. Uh I will take what you said under advisement. take a look at your concerns, look at the uh statutory and regulatory uh requirements imposed by the district both by the legislature and the under the administrative code and uh ensure
that one what we're doing is compliant with statute and two that with regard to your concerns which are legitimate and are being taken to heart uh if there's any way that we can address them within that context. So while I'm voting yes for it, it's with the understanding that we will take a look at it uh at the next
policy meeting. That's the only comment I have. Thank you. Any other comments? Uh yes. Um so my comment is if you read the beginning of it, Mr. Gentiel 5517, the board of education recognizes school building security measures are important for the safety and welfare of all
students, staff, parents, and community members. However, on this bill, u on this policy, if some if a child was to call this hotline that's supposed to be implemented on their badge, I will read um some comments that were made from the
New Jersey Family Policy Alliance to the state where they wrote, "The New Jersey Family Policy Alliance Center opposes this bill that they passed in order to implement this, by the way, upon wellocumented evidence that for teenagers facing mental health struggles
and emotional disorders to have a successful outcome of treatment, more parental involvement is necessary. However, an operator of the New Jersey suicide hope line, they call it the hope line, who receives and responds to a telephone call for a minor who is 16
years of age or older for counseling and support the operator identifies as a high risk or committing suicide, possibly shall place follow-up calls to that minor and text as appropriate without the necessity of obtaining
parental consent or authorization. Once again, the parents are being left out. We are deeply concerned about instances where parents are not notified that their ch child has been classified as a high risk for committing suicide by a
suicide hotline operator. And and this letter goes on, I'll be glad to share it with anybody who wants it. I can say that um it seems to be a pattern here with the parents. It's definitely a pattern and I think that we need to really take a look at this. I don't think Mr. chill, you should say yes, but
that's your that's up to you. I think it should be tabled and I think it needs to be amended and I think parents need to be included in everything, including what's going on with their children with every possible thing. I remember when my son was um Anthony was in kindergarten
and I got a call from the teacher and she told me that she felt that he needed to go on riddlein because, you know, he was a he was a foster child. I adopted him because of he was a ADHD. They they diagnosed him and I asked her who was she to tell me and I liked her very
much. I was very nice. But who was she to tell me he needed to go on medication when she's a teacher? Is she a counselor? Is she a mental health counselor? Now we do have mental health counselors now in the school. However, they will teach the teachers. They'll give them a two-eek program on suicide. And I did make a comment about that last
time, Mr. uh Centilli about we should be teaching the parents the same thing about suicide. They should be able to come into the classroom and see what the teachers are being taught. So parents are also aware. So I'm just saying there's a lot of things that happen in the school and parents need to be privy
to all of them. Thank you. Ethel, you had you had made a statement that this was for for students 16 years and over that the suicide hope line would call them back and not their parents. Is that correct? Is that the statement you made? Said 16. Yes. Minor. And in our district
K to 8, do we have any students over 16? Well, you do have Absigami. Absami is not our district. It doesn't matter. It's just it's implemented throughout the state. Absami is not our district. It does matter, but it does apply to our younger kids, too. It does apply to the younger kids, but if they're I'm trying to understand
your point, and I'm not arguing with you. All right. So, let me 16, do they call the parent, is the hotline going to go on the kids in preschool and in school here, K to 12? Is it? It's a good point. We are not K to 12. I don't You sit on a board for K to 8, not K to 12.
That was something I read and I will verify that, but it's probably younger, too. If it's 16, I'm sure it can be younger as well. That's what I would ask. I'm just asking for clarification to what you said. So, if I could just jump in. I believe the policy committee chair has said that um he's voting yes, but they're bringing
all the concerns back to the policy committee meeting. And I do want to say we don't just randomly pick these policies. This policy itself cites a law. Whether we agree with it or not, the fight would be with the legislature to possibly change the law if we have an
issue with it. But right now, the law does say that if you're a public school that has kids in grades 7 through 12 and you issue a student ID card, it shall have printed on the back of it the telephone number for the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Helpline and contact information. So that's why the policy is
there. But I agree with Mr. Gentiel that we can certainly look at the policy, see if there's something we could do to amend it or to look at it. And I do think it's important to take the public's consideration and the committee's consideration and have that discussion at the committee meeting. I think they're all good points that you're bringing up.
Is it possible to withdraw that policy from the vote tonight? And is that what your motion is? Is that make a motion to withdraw policy number 5517 from approval tonight? Can we do that?
Okay. Can I have a roll call on the Can you read the read exactly what you would like so Joy can put it in the minutes? Exactly what is your motion, Mr. D? My motion is to withdraw from policy approval policy number 5517 till further
looking at by the policy committee or our attorney or anybody else. So your motion is to table it. Table motion 5517. number policy number 55517 item number 10-2. So we have a first by Mr. Days and a second by Miss Hermanau.
So can I have a roll call, please? And this is just for that motion to table it. I'm confused. Is the motion to table or to withdraw? To withdraw. You have a motion on the table to table the one policy number. What do we need to do?
Withdraw it from approval tonight. So tableabling it would move it off of the agenda and you could look at it another time. Withdrawing is it is withdrawing it. So are you asking to table it to get more research information? Table it to get more research on this particular policy.
So we're tableabling the motion is to table policy number item number 10.2 policy number 5517. Okay. I have a question. Isn't there already a policy in place? This is just a replacement policy. Is there a policy
already in place? This is a new or is this a new one? Okay. Thank you. Any other comments? So on I'm sorry. Uh with regard to discussion on Mr. Day's motion, I don't believe that that's an unreasonable request. Kids are out of school till
August anyway. It's a practical matter. It's not going to make any difference. So I support the motion. Yeah. I would just like to add that I feel like, you know, we do have a lot of mental health issues now happening in the school. That's serious, you know, but you go to the hotline because I've gone to the hotline. It's all state.
Everything goes to the state. What I would say too is is that, you know, our kids, a lot of the policies that we put in that I've been against, like 57, 56, they hurt our kids more than they help our kids because they confuse them. You know, transgender, uh, it's fluid, like
I'm Frank today and Betty tomorrow. It's very confusing for children that can't emotionally handle this. On top of it, uh you have things in where you teach them sexed about an alternative to birth um to reproductive health care is
abortion. Well, by the way, women that have had abortions, 35% to 45% of them have suicidal thoughts. We're not helping children with some of the policies that we have. We're hurting them. So, I really wish we would take a look at this and really do more to help our children and and let the parents be
notified on everything. Thank you. So, can I have a mo we have we have a motion on the floor, right, to table 5517. So, at this point, can I have a roll call for that motion only? Okay.
Um motion to table policy 5517 until reviewed by policy committee or just tabled 5517? Till it's reviewed by the policy committee. Okay. So I have a first by Mr. Dace, a second
by Mrs. Hermanale. Uh, Mrs. Chester. Yes. Dr. Permentor. Yes. Miss Laria. Is this to agree to uh table? Yes. Okay. Yes, I do.
Mrs. Avery. No. Mr. D. Yes. Mr. Gentiel, yes. Mrs. Hermanau, yes. Vice President Basher Blau,
yes. And President Corman, yes. Now we need a motion. Have we already motioned for the other policies? Motion in the second. We already did. Okay. So now, can I have a roll call for policy 10.1, 10.3 through 10.7?
So moved. Second. Can I have a roll call, please? Mrs. Chester, yes. Dr. Permentor, yes. Miss Laria, yes. Mrs. Avery, Mr. Dase, yes. Mr. Gentiel, yes. Mrs. Hermanau,
yes. Vice President Basher Blouse, yes. And President Carmen, yes. Old business. This time, we'd like to approve item 11.1 as listed and attached. Thank you. Can I have a motion to approve 11.1
which is affirming the HIV determination report please? So move second. Any board comment? May I have roll call? Mrs. Chester, yes. Dr. Permentor, yes. Miss Laria, yes. Mrs. Avery, yes. Mr. Dace,
yes. Mr. Jentiel, yes. Mrs. Hermanau, yes. Vice President Basher Blau, yes. And President Carman, yes. Moving on to informationational items, please. 12.1 is a board calendar is listed and attached. 12.2 or special events as mentioned earlier. Uh the
Little Mermaid uh is listed uh in GTMS as July 24th and July 25th. Um you can join at 6 PM and then matinea at 100 p.m. Summer's Pops uh concert GTMS 7:31. You can save the date for 6 PM start.
And of course save the date for our ED Foundation events. very important to help offset some of the uh teacher grants, field trips, and so on that we have here in the district. Uh Ed Foundation golf outing is on September 18th. And then also the designer purse
bingo is on October 17th. Thank you. And as always, we would um hope that the board supports the children and the Ed Foundation by attending these events. Board meeting date change. We do have a board meeting date change
at this time. Our originally, our August board meeting was August 11th. It will now be August 18th. It's a week later. And that'll also be um advertised as well.
At this time, we'll open up the meeting to public comment. Again, the board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents. This meeting will now be open for public comments, three minutes per person. If your questions pertain to litigation, student or personnel items, please see the superintendent after the meeting as the board does not discuss these matters in
public. Depending on the nature and complexity of your questions, the board secretary may ask for your contact information so that someone can get back to you with a response. As a reminder, this is a public meeting and all comments should be appropriate for a public setting and made in respectful manner. If you have a comment, please
come to the podium. Good evening. If you could state your full name and address and then sign in. My name is Renie Fishman. It's 614 South County. We can't hear you. Benny Fishman. Uh 614 South County Boulevard. Aver city 215.
Okay. I didn't get her name, but I got Eggover City. I'm still Galloway School District. I'm sorry. It's still Galloway School District. Okay. The part of Can Can somebody help with the microphone again? [Music] Okay. Can you hear me?
A little bit better. Yeah. Okay. Um I I um I have a preschool in Galloway and um I'm a little concerned about the governor's um three bills that he has put out. Um and I just am not understanding the math that he has. Um
it's it's um just getting on the website, you're seeing that the schools are are in debt and um they're struggling to keep their doors open. Some schools are going to be closing. You're laying off of teachers. Um cutting out the electives for the
children and um but I don't understand then if you're doing all that then why are are they wanting to hire more preschool teachers and when we have preschools? because me as a business owner, I've been in business for 20 25
years now. It's a small business and um it's getting harder and harder to keep my doors open. Um co I did excellent because I was a virtual daycare. I my I was it was phenomenal. I did really good while other um and that was because I have a lot of childcare network children
and it was sad to see a lot of the businesses that didn't have um childcare network children those businesses were closed and um but um this year I only had seven kids and I'm licensed for 24 and I c I called Rucker Childcare and I'm like what is going on here and and
she said it's because the pres uh the public schools are taking our preschoolers and she said I'm not the only daycare that has called them and it's very frustrating to me because this is my only only only um income that I have and and at any
moment I could be shut down and as of as of January my enrollment is one and if I don't and basically what has held me through this whole year with my with my six seven children which is babysitting money it's not overhead money was my afterchool program and it's it's just
very concerning where you know the public schools are saying you're laying off teachers and you know you're in debt. Why are you opening up more preschoolers and taking away from mostly single mothers and small businesses in our neighbor in our in our county here?
And um that's just very disturbing. and our businesses bring in taxes and um and then I did because I once a year licensing comes through and everything and checks me out and all the preschools and um I had I had mentioned
this to her and I had asked her I said are you guys planning on because it was the four four year olds and then the three-year-olds and and it's just going down and down. And I said, "You're eventually planning on going down to infancy, aren't you?" And she just turned around and looked at me and said, "Yes." And my heart just sank. Just
literally sank. And I don't know, to me that sounds like socialism. And um that's very concerning. So just thought we'd bring it here. Thank you. Thank you. So the the only thing I would say to um
to your comment is um while I can't speak to whether or not this is going towards socialism or not, what I can say is that um the preschool funding uh is a completely different funding source at the state right now compared to our regular budget. Um so there are two
totally if you ever saw a budget presentation here um there are two different buckets of money as we kind of present. Um and that is just by design from the state. Again, we have an election coming up in November and right now we were strategic this year to not
grow too much and mainly because we want to wait and see what is going to occur for the future. Um, but in terms of where the state is, we're mandated to have preschool disabled classes for students that are found through early intervention. However, our three and fouryear old uh programs um yes, they
have grown over the past few years um mainly because of the funding, but also in addition to the fact that we still also haven't met a full universe yet. Um so we have still approximately 70 to 100 students eb and flow during the course of the year that are actually still on a
wait list. Right. But I don't understand why you hiring more teachers for the preschools when you're laying it off teachers. That doesn't make any sense. That's that's why I was sharing with you there are two different funding sources. So because the state had made an initiative to get behind preschool and supporting that
preschool work, they funded that differently than they would our state aid um which is a whole different funding source. So um more to follow, but I would really just go to your legislature and in Trenton and continue to follow um that and and and ultimately that's where the conversations would
take place. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any other public comment this evening? Hey uh Panina Meds again uh just to follow up to the previous speaker. Um it
is really a departure from the K3 system by taking on uh prek I'm in preschool. Uh it's basically government inserting itself to the parental rights again. So uh it is socialism. It's actually even worse than that. But anyway, um my uh
point today is I want to thank you for serving the community, volunteering to be board of education members. Uh I think the community uh appreciates all the work and time that you put into this as board of education members. It is
fitting fitting that today is bestie day marking the beginning of the French Revolution to gain freedom from tyrannical French rulers in 1787. 263 years later, Galloway Croatia's
board of education members can begin today the revolution of freeing Galloway students from tyrannical government regulations and na's political fiats. Unfortunately, many of the current school policies are in violation of the
US Constitution, US federal laws, anti-discrimination laws, individual freedoms, free speech, and parental rights. It is time to end the war on children and freedom from psychological, emotional, and other manipulation
disguised as new educational methods. I call upon the board members to harness your courage and strike down these policies and return to strict academic traditional education. Being progressive is in practice being
regressive while depriving students from real 3R education. Continuing to ignore reality and defy federal and state laws will result in loss of federal and state funding to the school. Moreover, it will
force parents to embark on legal actions to protect their children. Lastly, the school budget is out of control. Taxpayers cannot afford to keep paying higher property taxes with each new year to support the schools. It is simply not
sustainable. Tom's River School's bankruptcy should be a warning sign to all New Jersey schools. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Hi, I think you know who I am. So, I am Ethel Hermano. I am a resident of
Galloway. And the reason why I'm up here speaking, I'll tell you now. I am a resident and member of the school board in Galloway. During the March board meeting, there was no concluding comments from the school board and the meeting was adjourned promptly. At the April school board meeting, a similar
procedure was followed. When I inquired the president, Susette, are there any comments at the end of this meeting? She responded no. I then asked when was this change? When did this occur? And she informed me that she said when I decided.
According to the bylaws, board members have the right to publicly express their views on any matter, including those related to the board and the school district, board members authority 0146. How many years have comments been allowed for the board members at these
board meetings? And why is the president now opposed to our commenting? I have also observed that the management of board meetings has often been inconsistent. For instance, when I motioned to repeal 5756 with Jenny and she seconded it, it
was a lengthy debate that ensued basically trying to stonewalls from from voting to the extent that I was fortunate to that evening that a city councilman was here, Tom Bassford. He was present and he defended me and Jenny. In fact, he said we have the
right to motion and asserting that a vote should then be conducted a meeting after after we motion that a vote should be conducted. How can you expect us to understand when you don't understand how to run a meeting? This is merely one of many concerns I have regarding the way
the board operates. As the president, vice president should be establishing the guidelines for all demonstrating consistency for board members. I have many observations. I am requesting that the board members be given the opportunity to provide comments again at the end of public
meetings as it was done previously. I understand that there may be disagreements among members during these comments. There are many. However, disagreement does not equate to dysfunction. Reasonable people can and do disagree. The board should serve as an example of
that. Respectful dialogue between people with differing opinions should be encouraged. Restricting board members ability to share their opinions hampers the board ability to identify what is in the best interest of the district. I urge the
board members to reinstate the board comments. I guess specifically the president since it was her decision. We should engage in open and respectful discussions to demonstrate to our administration, students, and parents and staff that we appreciate diverse
opinions and perspectives. This is the fundamental basis of our democracy. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any other public comments this evening? We don't have executive.
Good evening. I'm Kelly Grace, taxpayer here in Galloway. I just wanted to say that I used to be on the board of my development that I live in and pay taxes at. We used to have somebody on the board
who came with a lot of good ideas, but because it cost a little more time during the session, there were some board members that didn't like her because she brought up things that were thoughtprovoking and that would be good for the
community, but it wasn't their idea. She was frowned upon and she was I absolutely treated to a point where we had to speak to each and every member and say we are we here for your good for
your personality to be fed for whatever it is. If you don't want to be part of the board that does good, then maybe you should think about either reviewing what we have in place as policies or maybe excusing yourself. But I think
back to this woman, I go, you know what, she had some pretty doggone good ideas. And because that she came at a time where other members had been there for for a length of time, they didn't like her. And I see some of that going on
with a couple of the board members here. And I see a decline in how respect should be for each and every one of you. I saw a little bit of glimmer of hope tonight when I saw where I thought, you know what, the board members truly
looking at what's best for children because I saw you pulling back on a policy that really could do some damage. And I thank you for that. I really stand and say thank you. Thank you for stopping and thinking about the
children. Not to imply that you don't always, but I am afraid that there's personalities that are getting involved here that may be not facilitating what should happen in the best interests of children. You used to be able to go ahead and
answer questions from the public and you ditched that. You used to be five minutes to talk. You ditched that. And so then there's things that, you know, I just see and other people, it's not me. I was very quiet. You haven't seen me up
here in a little while. And I was just noticing what is going on, what's being said. And you know, it's it's it's it's showing public that we can't have a board that respects views of each other and wants to investigate a possible
chance that this could be something better for the kids. then what are we here for? You know, what's what's really going on? So, I just had to to voice that. I don't expect any comment. I want to thank this woman. I had never seen her before that
came up. Thank you for saying what she did. I think that helped a lot and I I just I I appreciate you folks. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any other public comments this evening? if you could state your name and address
and sign in, please. Hi, my name is Patrick O'Keeffe, uh 204 East Talls Court. I'm a Galloway taxpayer, parent, educator. There's a lot going on here tonight. I'm going to just try to make a couple um quick reflective points. One, a couple things came up about prek. As a parent of young
children, I do not at all uh perceive the offering of a public education um to three and four year olds as socialism. This is an equity and an access um
debate and obviously I think it should not be a debatable point that we should be offering these services to young kids. Um also importantly there were a lot of comments made about mental health. Very concerning to me. We are a
public um school system and while the New Jersey Family Policy Center has a very official title, it is a religious organization that advocates not based on data or fact but on what
they believe. And as a public uh institution, we should not be taking opinions that are not based in fact or data to insinuate that offering a suicide helpline to children who might possibly
in need is detrimental to their mental health, is dangerous, and should immediately be condemned. Because you think it hurts children does not make it. So we need to be making decisions that are based in
fact that are researched. People make policies at the state level because they are equipped with the tools, the training, and the understanding to do so. Just because you can show up
publicly and get people to clap at your assertions that these things hurt, it is dangerous. I am a teacher. I have have students that have made the decisions to take their lives and it is sickening to
me that it would be a debate that it would even come to a debate to offer mental health services while at the same time not being aware of what age students even go to this district, what schools are even a part
of this district. Be informed. Be informed before you make these assertions because they are dangerous. You think they're true, it does not make them true. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any other public comment this
evening? Is she good enough to make comment? Is she commenting? Good evening. My name is Virginia Laa. I am a student. I'm also We can't hear you. You have to get closer to the mic.
How about now? Is that okay? Perfect. Okay. My name is Virginia Laa. I'm on the school board of Galloway, which is a privilege. As I told Ethel when we ran, I said, "If it's if it's meant to be, if God wants us on there, we'll be here."
And here we are. I came for the parents and the children. I have been a school teacher for 15 years. I have had many students that were confused.
I did even high school I subbed many many students and even especially today with what's going on in the world today if they ever needed counseling and help they need it now with what's going on in the world we need to be there for them to instruct them in the way that they
should go and parents should be involved I mean I'm a parent I'm a grandparent I'm appalled that's why most of my grandchildren are in in a Christian school for that same reason because some of the policies here I'm not in agreement with and that's why I ran.
Seriously, I'm just I just want to say one thing. If you are really here for the children, then you have to really step back and say what would I do if it was my child that was being molested? If it was my
child that wanted to change their identity, if it was my child that wanted to commit suicide, you have to like step back and put your shoes in that parents place. And I'm sure if you really think about it, you would think differently.
I'll tell you another thing that I'm really concerned about and I you might not think it has anything to do with it but I really do think a couple of weeks ago or months ago someone right here at this podium asked how many of these board members believed in God and only
three people raised their hand. I can't even believe that Ethel me and Rich Das I I really can't believe and I know I'm sitting next to someone and I know that they know God and they love God. So to not acknowledge him in public is not
good because he said if you don't acknowledge me before men I will not acknowledge you before my father in heaven. So we have to be very careful as board members who were really representing. We might get something from the state but we have access to be able to change it. We don't have to
always go by what they tell us to do. I'm grieved again sitting up there. I don't ever talk unless I feel like the Lord wants me to talk and I'm very bold when he wants me to talk. Please pray about every
situation that you are voting on. It's important. It could be your child, your grandchild, because a lot of people can't afford a public a Christian or or a public a school that you have to pay for. a lot of charter schools, you know, people
send them to private schools because they're not in agreement a lot with the public school. So, I find it a privilege to be on this board. I pray that I'm received most of the time. I really am received. I I'm very upset sometimes
because my my dear friend and colleague and board member when she starts to say something, she was like ridiculed and made fun of in front of everybody. I mean, do you want to see and we're on we're on live here. People can watch
what we're saying and for some people that love her dearly and maybe people that don't even know her have made said something. I can't believe that they would talk like that to her. She really needs an apology. It's not right. I on the other hand hardly ever speak. I only
speak when I feel led to speak. But I think every person on here deserves respect and honor. People voted for each one of you. I love and respect all of you here. I pray for all of you. Ethan and I pray for the board. We pray for the school system. We pray for our
students. I just carefully ask you to please consider when you vote for whatever you're voting for and whatever you're talking these policies, think about it if it was your child or your grandchild. Thank you. Thank you.
I'd like to make a comment, which I typically don't do. I'm going to make a public comment. I'm just going to sit here and not walk down. I can assure everyone in this room that everybody that sits on this board takes their job seriously. We ran for the
board for a reason. Everybody has their own reasons, but they are good reasons. Everybody puts the time in and takes their job seriously. Don't know if anybody knows this, but this is not a paid position. There are people that have sat at this table who
have done it for more than 20 years. Every month, every week, committees for more than 20 years. Not because we get paid to do it, because we want to do it. And I assure you that we take every decision
into we take all views into account when we make our decisions. And I want to make sure that both the public and other board members understand that our views as
individuals don't necessarily reflect the votes that we're making on behalf of the children. We are here for all children, not just a certain group of children, not just a certain class of children. We're here for all children and we are making the
decisions that we feel are necessary based on that. So I just wanted to clarify some of these comments here this evening. Anything else? Thank you. Do we have any other public comment this evening? We do not have
executive session this evening. So can I have a motion to adjurnn, please? So moved. All in favor? Meeting adjourned. Thank you so much.