board met in executive session tonight. We're now ready to go on with the public portion of our meeting. Uh we did not have any public correspondence between our last meeting on uh April 8th and now. Uh the president's report will be
very short. I want to encourage you all to come to the arts festival ecoair which is on May 16th from 10 to 3. Uh there will be all kinds of wonderful things. Uh student art, the board of ed will have a table. Come and see us. The foundation will have a table. It's a
wonderful community event and it should not be missed. And then I wanted to give a brief report about the new law dealing with ebikes. And the reason for this is because there has been a big uptake up tick in the number of accidents
involving children on ebikes, including one on Sunday uh in Princeton involving a 12-year-old um riding an ebike collided with a car. uh that student died yesterday. Uh so I wanted to talk
to you about the law which was passed just at the end of the last legislative session. Uh it was signed on January 19th, 2026 and it makes some substantial changes. It gives New Jersey the tightest regulation among the tightest
regulations of ebikes in the country. Basically in short, you have to be 15 to ride any kind of a bicycle with a motor. even a bicycle that has fully operational pedals that just has a motor for an assist. You have to be 15 and
even when you're 15, you have to have a specific motorized bicycle license. If you are 17, um you can have either the motorized bicycle license or a driver's license. Um all ebikes have to be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
Uh and the owners are required to maintain liability insurance for their ebikes. Riders are also required to wear a DO D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do D do approved motorcycle helmet rather than a standard bicycle helmet and also ebikes are
banned on in interstate highways any highway with a speed limit exceeding 50 m an hour and any highway that a municipality deems offlimit to ebikes some municipalities at Princeton University for example has outlawed ebikes on campus you can ride them to
campus but you can't ride them within the campus. So, um the unfortunate student in Princeton was only 12 years old and riding an ebike. There are some fines. If you're found in violation of this law, the first fine is $50. So,
it's it's not an enormous fine, but this does recognize this this went through the legislature very fast uh in recognition of the fact that so many of the ebikes are out there now. So many people have them, the prices of them
have come down. There's probably a used market in ebikes and there have been an awful lot of accidents. So, um just uh an update on that law which is now in effect and that is the president's report, superintendent's report.
Greetings, Glenidge School community. I'm happy to report that we are going to honor our valvictorian and saludiatoran um today and I'm going to hand it over to John Lawler to give you all the awesome stats on these two fine
gentlemen and their award season is starting up. Mr. flower. >> Thank you, Superintendent Kivet, and members of the board of education and members of the public that are here today. Um we are very um excited to be
honoring two of our uh wonderful Glenidge High School riders today for a tremendous accomplishment um in the classroom, but um goes very much far beyond that as uh leaders in our student uh school community. Um,
you really set the bar when we talk about a tradition of excellence for what you have done in the classroom, on the soccer field this year, which was a great exciting adventure. Um, but also as uh leaders and role models for um our
our younger students, particularly we have obviously seventh and eighth graders in this building. You really set the bar high for them and uh we're so proud of you. Um I was just talking with Mr. Phoenix um as we were getting set up today and he told me a great story about how um he runs a leadership program for
our for our students and they they talk about different leaders and they ask um students who their role models are and you often hear you know you know famous uh leaders or you know their parents too but um you two were mentioned by these
students right so um we really are so proud of you there's so much more celebrations this is really just the beginning of it. Um we look forward to celebrating with you next month with the Essex County. All the validictorians and saludiatorans will meet um at the Nenina
and um it's a really cool event. We uh the adults we all kind of sit around um around the room and in the center you're there with your peers from across the county and then we hear your stories about what you're doing next year. Um and after that we have our senior awards at the end of the month and we'll be
recognizing you there. Uh this is a very exciting event. Um and then lastly, of course, is the um the main event of the year at our our commencement ceremony on June 18th. But um on behalf of the uh Glenbridgeidge High School community, first we want to recognize, please come
up. We'll get a picture with uh Superintendent Kivet. Uh our saludiator for the class of 2026, Nate Cashmire. I put you on the table. And now for our uh class of 2026 valadictorian uh please join me in
congratulating Jacob Javier. Jacob. >> Oh my. Waiting. It hurt your voice. Would you like to also >> thanks for telling a lot. >> Thanks to all for joining us.
Okay, next up for the superintendent report is the budget presentation done by our school business administrator, Barbara Murphy. Good evening. Tonight we'll be presenting the Glenidge
Public Schools 2627 budget. The budget has been developed through collaboration between staff, administrators, the board members, and the finance committee. And the process involves very many months of planning, review, and discussions to ensure that
the district continues to meet the educational needs of our students while remaining fiscally responsible to the community. Okay. Do I point it this way? There we go. Oh, thanks. I want to take a moment to highlight the
continued success of our students. Glenidge High School continues to be recognized both at the state and national level with strong rankings in the US News and World Report. We were ranked number 11 in New Jersey in 2024 and the top 10 ranked above us were all
admissions only schools. We continue to see outstanding student achievement, including national merit recognition, strong AP participation, and a 99% graduation rate with the vast majority of our students continuing on to higher
education. Our students continue to excel in AP placement in advanced placement programs with a significant number earning distinctions at various levels. These recognitions reflect both the rigor of our academic programs and the dedication
of our students and staff. We also continue to see growth in our seal of biiteracy program which recognizes students who demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages. 15 in Spanish, 16 in French, four in
Chinese and one in two languages. This is another example of the diverse opportunities we provide at the high level and the high level of achievement of our students. Oh, went too far. We go back one. Thanks.
So, I want to briefly provide some context about the proposed budget and the broader budget climates climate that school districts are facing this year. The proposed budget for the Glenidge Public Schools is $44.2 million with the tax levy increase of 2.7%
with which includes a health benefits cap exception of.7%. Um across New Jersey, districts are experiencing significant cost pre pressures, particularly related to employee health benefits and the
contractual salary increases. On January 1, 2026, the school employees health benefits program implemented premium increases of approximately 30%. Many districts that participate in the state plan are are experiencing very
significant cost increases as a result. Glen Ridge, we we were in the state plan, but we were able to move to a private plan effective January 1, 2026. And by doing so, we avoided the annual increase of more than $1.5 million.
We anticipate in our budgeting for a significant increase in our rates for January 1, 2027. Another major driver of school district budgets statewide is negotiated salary increases. The average settlement across Essex County is approximately 3.6%.
Which is significantly higher than our allowable 2% tax increase. Many school districts in Essex County are feeling are feeling the struggle with the financial pressures. According to recent news articles in West Orange,
a $14 million budget gap is expected to cause the loss of at least 70 full-time staff positions. In Montlair, the district is planning nearly $6 million in cuts, including 32 teachers. In New York, the district expects to cut
30 teachers, six administrative positions, and nine school support positions. In Livingston, 40 staff positions may be cut to help balance the budget. The list includes 11 teachers, 15 aids,
eight support staff, four student support staff, and two administrators. Bloomfield is proposing to cut 24 jobs and freeze salaries for non unionized staff. In Belleville, a combination of cuts to state aid and federal grants have put
the district in a $2 million hole to kick off their budget season. South Orange and Maplewood is looking to cut about $6 million from the budget. A total of 23 positions are potentially on the chopping block. So, it's pretty grim out there. And while Greenidge was able
to avoid the most significant impacts this year, particularly particularly with respect to health benefits, those cost pressures still exist. What many districts are experiencing now could very well become a reality in the
coming years if those trends continue. Slide shows a comparison of the district's general fund revenues between the current year and the proposed 2627 budget. As with most New Jersey school districts, the largest portion of our revenue continues to come from the local
tax levy, which funds the majority of district operations. We'll be using $300,000 from the maintenance reserve to support several necessary facility maintenance projects across the district. In addition, the bus budget includes 1,632,000
withdrawal from the capital reserve to fund a major roof replacement at the at the Glen Ranch High School. The proposed tax levy increase is 2.7% which includes a 7% health benefits cap exception permitted to help offset
increases in employee health benefit costs. We'll notice a significant increase in tuition revenue this year, which is up about 35%. And this reflects the growing demand for our prek program. As a result, we will be opening an additional prek class this
year, which includes the addition of one teacher, two prek aids, and classroom supplies. The additional tuition revenue generated by the new class will cover the cost of the added staff and program expenses.
State aid in Glenidge uh increased by 3.8% to $2,67,000. Overall, this revenue structure reflects the limited amount of state aid our district receives and continued reliance on local tax levy to support the educational programs and services
provided to our students. As you can see, the largest portion of our revenue, approximately 82% comes from our local tax levy. State aid represents about 6% of our total revenue, which highlights the limited level of
state funding Glen Ridge receives compared to many other districts. Approximately 5% of the budget is supported through fund balance, which allows us to stabilize the tax impact while maintaining responsible reserve levels.
The remaining revenues come from capital reserve withdrawals, tuition revenue, maintenance reserve, and other miscellaneous sources. Overall, the chart illustrates the district's continued reliance on the local tax levy to support the majority of our educational programs and
operations. This slide compares the current 2526 budgeted expenditures with the proposed 2627 budget, showing how district funds are allocated across the major spending categories. As with most school district budgets, the largest portion of
expenditures supports instruction, both regular and special ed programs. The special education instruction shows a 10% increase reflecting the continued need to support special ed services and student programs. Instruction other category which
includes basic skills and other instructional supports like English second language reflects program adjustments to support students student needs. Co-curriculars and athletics show a modest increase. Tuition for out of district placements is up 10%. and
reflects the district district's continued effort to manage special ed placements while meeting student needs. The support services category is up 8% and includes such areas as health services related services like speech,
OTP, one-on-one aids, guidance, child study team, library media, and professional development. The large increase here represents additional one-on-one aids and a social worker at the high school. Oops.
Maintenance operations reflects the ongoing costs required to maintain and operate our school buildings. This category includes custodial services, utilities, building maintenance, repair work across the district. The budget includes $300,000 withdrawal from
maintenance reserve to fund several important maintenance projects which include roof repairs, door and window repairs, and flooring repairs. Transportation costs are down as we have a few out of district students graduating this year. Employee benefits
represent a significant portion of our district expenditures and they include health health insurance, pension contributions, and other contractual obligations. While Glenidge avoided the 30% increase in the state health benefits program this year, we are planning for a
significant increase in the upcoming year. Capital outlay reflects investment in district facilities and equipment. This year, the budget includes the million6 withdrawal for a major roof replacement at Glennage High School.
The overall total general fund budget is approximately 44.2 2 million with the tax levy increase of 2.7%. This chart provides a visual breakdown of how the district's expenditures are allocated across major spending categories. As you can see, the largest
portion of the budget supports instruction, including both regular and special ed. When salary and employee benefits are combined, they account for approximately 70 77% of the district's total budget. The remaining expenditure
support areas such as facilities maintenance, transportation, administration, student activities, and other operational services that allow the district to function effectively. Overall, this budget reflects our continued commitment to supporting the
classroom instruction while responsibly managing the operational needs of the district. For capital outlay and project allocations, our proposed budget includes the following key capital outlay and project expenses.
Prometheium boards, copier replacements, floor scrubbing machines, classroom flooring at Rididgewood, principal office flooring at the high school, high school door buzzer system, high school CAD lab upgrades, high
school roof replacements. These projects reflect our continued investment in maintaining and improving school facilities, enhancing educational technology, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure. Overall, the budget for the upcoming
year reflects several key increases. These increases primarily reflect staffing adjustments needed to support student services and the expansion of our prek program, which is funded through increased tuition revenue. Salary and benefit costs represent the
largest increases in the budget. social worker salary and benefits, prek teacher salary and benefits, two prek aids, and six additional aids at Central Forest and Ridgewood.
I also want to take a moment to recognize the incredible level of community support that exists in Glenidge. Our athletic teams and co-curricular booster clubs consistently provide uniforms, equipment, and supplies that enhance our programs and student experience.
The Glennidge Education Foundation plays a critical role in supporting initiatives that go beyond what the operating budget can sustain. Funding programs like capturing kids hearts, virtual high school opportunities, professional development, and teacher
grants that directly impact classroom instruction. This year they raised and donated over $100,000 to our schools. Our home and school associations are equally impactful, supporting everything from technology and furniture to
assemblies, student activities, and even buildings and grounds improvements. Their contributions help create engaging, modern, and supportive learning environments across all of our schools. They've donate donated monetary donations of close to 30,000, but
there's a bunch of other items that they have brought on their own and donated. In addition, the Music Parents Association, CPAC, Gas Lamp, Gaa, and other organizations along with generous private donations continue to support
our students in meaningful ways. This level of partnership is something that truly sets Glen Ridge apart and we are grateful for it. This slide shows the estimated impact on the average taxpayer for a home assessed at approximately $1.2 million. The
increase is projected to be about $387 annually or about $32 per month. Thank you for your support. And do we have any questions from board members? >> Board members questions
>> actually. Could you um explain to us a little bit in terms of your process and like thinking ahead the um how you reconcile this the state calendar with their budgeting versus our
school calendar and budgeting. like when you're looking ahead for potential increases and >> first so this the state budget basically would affect our state age which is that 2.6 million. So we're and we only find that out at the very end of our budget
process. So we usually go through the whole entire budget cycle preparing for a budget for the same increase in state aid because they're just we find out at the last minute and then we always kind of have a plan B. um you know what could we cut if they did cut you know we had
heard they might cut up to I think it was 3% is it 3% or 6 3%. So I knew the number was 75,000 which was the maximum they were going to cut this year cuz Betsy had her ear to the ground in Trenton and told me so we had plan B ready with um knowing what we would have
to cut. Um, but luckily we actually got a little boost and we were able to fill in some of the things that came up. And as far I think we had another out of district placement in the meantime. Um, but as far as state health benefits goes, it's very difficult to predict what next year is because we're getting
no input because the rate increases are January 1 and we're creating our budgets and we're finalizing our budgets for presentation, the first presentation in March. Um, so we're way ahead of the schedule when they're implementing their rate increases. So we really don't know
what's what's going to happen there. Um, so we just do we do the best guess that we can. We're estimating um 20% just because everyone else went up 30% and we were able to stay flat. So we're anticipating that next year we would probably have a bump to get us closer to
where everybody else is. >> Okay. >> I don't know if that answers your question. >> Yeah. Yeah. I was just I I know there's like a disconnect with the the timing. >> Yeah, >> it's hard to to manage that. So, thank you for looking ahead. >> Other questions from the board.
>> I just want to say um after working with you on the finance committee over the past year and really observing firsthand, you know, the thought and the care and the level of detail that goes into this um into our budget. I I just want to say thank you. I mean, we
hear, you know, both as board members, you know, what's going on in the state, but also as residents in New Jersey and in the county, what's happening in other districts. And I know you referenced this, but the fact that we have been able to um avoid the pitfalls that other
districts have um have fallen into, you know, for a variety of reasons. It's just it's amazing. And um I I don't think the words thank you can adequately, you know, express how grateful we are, you know, for all that you do, but I will say them anyway.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. That's very kind. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> I think we would all second that. Barbara, being the only district in the county that's solvent, I think it's a major major coup. >> Thank you. Okay. Any more questions?
All right. Anything else in the superintendent's report? >> That concludes the superintendent report. >> Okay, we've come now to the first public comment period for questions or comments on agenda items only, including the budget. Um, if you have a question or comment, come
up to the lecture and uh, no questions or comments. Okay. And I'm looking at our friends in the back. Any questions or comments? All right. I will skip all the directions for questions and comments then. and we will uh there is if you think of something there is a second
public question and comment period at the end uh for questions and comments on agenda items or other items pertaining to the running of the schools. So um board members it is not the first meeting of the month so we don't have our normal committee and liaison
reports. However, we do have our student rep and we are anxious to hear what you have to say. Hello. Okay. Um, at the high school, NJSLA testing is taking place next uh this week for the 9th graders, and 10th through 12th grades have delayed
openings with school opening at 10:00 a.m. Um, testing started today and will end on Thursday or possibly tomorrow. Um, AP exams begin next week and will end on Friday, May 16th. The high school has also had many induction ceremonies in the past few days to honor high
achieving students in their respective classes. The English honor society induction was last week. The computer honor society induction ceremony was last night and the French honor society induction is this Friday or Thursday. Um the art show for art students to show
the art show for art students to showcase their year's work also took place last week. Um also we've had a very successful spring season so far with many of our county tournaments starting this week. Um notably the golf team is 14-1 and leads the SEC Liberty
Division. Um, the boys lacrosse is currently ranked number 16 in the state and has a record of 9 to3. Girls lacrosse is currently ranked 20 number 20 in the state of New Jersey and is 4 and three with their only losses to top 10 teams.
And um the spring concert for band and course is now scheduled for Monday, June 1st at 7:00 at RAS and spring day is scheduled for Thursday, June 4th with a rain day of Friday, June 5th. Um lastly, Friday is decision day for the seniors and
they'll be wearing college t-shirts to school to celebrate their post-graduation plans. Okay. Thank you very much. Does anyone else on the board have anything from your committees or leaison? It's timesensitive. Okay. Uh continuing
uh we have minutes uh from April 8th and uh April 21st. Uh the 8th is from executive session and regular session. The 21st is regular meeting. Uh you've all had a chance to take a look at them. Um does anyone have any changes to the
minutes? >> Okay. Jocelyn, would you move the minutes? >> Sure. I move item M1. All right. May I have a second? Second from Duval. Since no one has any changes, Barbara, would you call the role? Miss Akiwandi. >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet.
>> Hi. >> Mr. Dod. >> Yes. >> Miss Gotautle. >> Yes. >> Miss Graham? >> Yes. >> Miss O'Neal? >> Yes. >> Miss Ginsburg? >> I. Motion carries. Okay. Personnel. Anthony, would you move the personnel
items? I will move items P1 through P10. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second from Joselyn. In keeping with our rules in the board members code of ethics, uh personnel related items are discussed in executive session. That
being the case, uh Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akin Wandi. >> I. >> Mr. Bonnet. >> I. >> Mr. Dad? >> Yes. >> Miss Gotautle? >> Yes. >> Miss Graham? >> Yes. >> Miss O'Neal? >> Yes. Miss Ginsburg. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Trisha, would you move the
curriculum item? >> I move C1 A through H. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second from Anthony. Any comments or questions about the curriculum items? >> All right. Barbara, would you call the role? >> Miss Akimwandi. >> I.
>> Mr. Bonnet. >> I. >> Mr. Dinard. >> Yes. >> Miss Gotautle. >> Yes. >> Miss Graham. Yes, >> Miss O'Neal. >> Yes, >> Miss Ginsburg. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Before we move to business items, I would draw your attention to item B6,
uh, which includes donations from the Forest Avenue Home and School Association of Classroom Furnishings, uh, instructional materials, library enhancement, etc., uh, in, uh, valued at about $4,300. and also donation from the Ridgewood
Avenue Home and School Association, monetary donation for display of RAZ logo created with Legos by the STEM science and math program. Uh, and to the tune of about $2,400. So, thank you to both of those home and schools. Uh, and
now, excuse me. Um, Anthony, would you move the business items? Yes. I'll move uh items B1 through B believe it's
uh 13. Okay. I apologize, Kristen. I should have had you. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Okay. Any questions or comments on the business items and including our budget?
>> All right. Barbara, would you call the role? Miss Akini. I >> Mr. Bonnet >> I >> Mr. Den >> yes >> Miss Gotle >> uh yes to all except abstaining from item B4. >> Miss Graham. >> Yes.
>> Miss O'Neal. >> Yes. >> Miss Ginsburg. >> Yes. >> We have now reached the second public comment period for questions or comments on agenda items or other items pertaining to the running of the schools. Uh questions or comments? No. Are you sure?
Okay. Uh, that being the case, may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Uh, I'll give it to Darius with a second with Anthony. It was a tie. Thank you for