Good evening, >> Mr. Canelis. Can you call roll, please? >> Miss Karasola, >> here. >> Mr. Cohen, >> here. >> Mr. Corey, >> here. >> Mr. Hayward, >> here. >> Miss Palamus >> here. >> Mr. Randelle. >> Miss Stevenson
>> here. >> Miss Calves >> here. >> Dr. Robinson >> here. >> We have a quorum. Thank you, Miss Carousel. Can you lead us through flag salute, please? >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Adequate notice of meeting in accordance with PL1 1975 chapter 231. Notice of tonight's meeting was mailed to the
record in the Ridgewood News on January 7th, 2025. Notice of this meeting was also mailed to the burough clerk and was posted on the bulletin board of the board of education office in the administration building on the same date. Miss Calv, are you able to read the mission statement, please?
>> Yes. The Glenrock School District, founded on principles of education in partnership with a supportive community, provides an exceptional education to all students to cultivate resilient, responsible, and engaged global citizens. >> Thank you. Thank you. All right. So, um,
today we have two uh, wonderful presentations. We have the National Merit Scholarship Program semi-finalists as well as the National Merit Commended Students. >> And Dr. Daniel will be presenting us. Good evening. The National Merit
Commended Scholars are high achieving students recognized for their outstanding performance on the PSAT. Commended scholars represent the top 3% of test takers nationwide. This recognition acknowledges their academic excellence, dedication to learning, and
potential for future success. Commended scholars often receive accolades from colleges and universities, showcasing their commitment to academic achievement and their potential as scholars and leaders in the chosen fields. We would like to congratulate and rec recognize
11 students of the class of 2026 as National Merit Commended Scholars. They are Ashley Chen, Khloe Jang, Victoria Johnson, Jenna Joseph, Caitlyn Kim, Jay Krabbeck, Olivia Lee, Kira Lynn, Drew
Sahu, Neil Saxina, and Zachary Yona. [Applause] Congratulations. Want to get a picture?
One, two, three. [Applause] As the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition progressed, Standout students across the country have been also named semi- finalists, showcasing exceptional academics and
dedication to their studies. Each year, semi- finalists are selected based on their performance on the PSAT, placing them among the top scorers nationwide. To put into perspective, over 1.3 million juniors entered the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT last
October and roughly 16,000 students nationwide out of 1.3 million have been named semi-finalists and two of them are from Glenrock High School. We would like to congratulate and recognize the semi-finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition. They are
John Merchant and Joseph Yu. [Applause] [Applause] All right. >> Students and parents, you are more than welcome to stay for the meeting, but if you have other things to do this evening
tonight, right now would be a great time for you to slip out. So, nobody will take any offense. Thank Okay. Um that is it's wonderful to celebrate um just educational excellence. So, congratulations to all of our students and then we'll move on
to our regular agenda for our Cal meeting. Um, nothing under personnel under general. Can I get a motion to discuss G1 and through G2, Miss Parliamentis, seconded by Miss Carousella?
Questions or comments? Miss Carousella? um on G2. I just want to say how excited I am about this. I think it's great. We're a small district and when we're able to collaborate with a partner to enrich our own sports program, it's a
it's a win for everyone. So, just really thankful to the parents who worked on this and the students that are going to be participating. I think it's really fantastic. >> Absolutely. I I second that as well. I know. Um I mean I don't even know how long ago it was. Like I felt like about two years ago Christy Chin um asked if
if if there was a way for this to happen and had done like so much work in terms of getting this done and and and calling schools and uh arranging things that meetings and things like that. So it's really really impactful when um parents
you know work work with us to get this done. So, thank you so much, Christie, and thank you to all of the families that um uh it took to to put this together. So, that's wonderful. Christine, >> same thing. I Stephanie said it perfectly. Just it's it's an amazing
accomplishment. I'm excited to see this added. >> Awesome. Great. Um All right, we can call >> Miss Carousella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohen. >> Yes. Mr. Corey, >> yes. >> Mr. Hayward,
>> yes. >> Miss Palamus, >> yes. >> Miss Stevenson, >> yes. >> Miss Calves, >> yes. >> Dr. Robinson, >> yes. >> Motions pass. >> Thank you. All right. One moment. All right. So, the next thing on our
agenda is policy. Um so there are a couple different um policy discussions here. Again, you know, we have uh the bylaw for policy 0174 um that we need to um discuss.
Just to to reiterate, I would say that, you know, I guess I would want to know from you all what additional or what changes you're looking for in terms of um the policy 0174 and and just, you know, like
for anybody that's listening. Um it's policy 0174 is really just about um our use of legal services and you know we can identify um if there are any changes that we want to make in terms of who um who gets the ability to contact the
board lawyer and what direction we go with that. So um what are your thoughts? I know it was brought up at the last meeting. So what are your thoughts? >> Yes. I, as I said the last meeting, I'm in support of it just being the board president has contact with the attorney.
I think it streamlines everything for us and it's one voice on our behalf that was talking to to him or her. >> Okay. >> Yes, Mr. >> Yeah. So, I I agree, but uh the board president for sure 0174
agree that the board president should be speaking for for the board. Uh just on 0145, I think so two things. one, you mentioned last time that uh we should look at the resignation no more than two weeks. So I think we should
>> Yeah, I'll I'll um I'll talk about policy 0145 right after >> specifically to that and I think it's in real time the uh the saying good cause uh is is is actually now be uh becoming a problem because who defines what could
cause and uh >> I'll be able to tell you um what I spoke with Mr. Zimer about. >> Okay, great. Because we're we're just getting an email about good cause. So it' be good to >> I can tell you. Yeah, I can tell you. >> Um, all right. So, with policy 0174,
um, yeah, >> just to echo the point, currently our board structure is a cal committee of the whole, I think this makes sense to have the board president even if we have ad hoc committees or other subcommittees because those are different directions, but that communication still
consolidates up. So, I'm fully in support of that because I think this policy will uh will last and be durable through other formations of the board. I agree. Um and I mean as you know many of you have spoken with Mark and like
even Rod Hara when he was our board lawyer. So if you need to speak with a lawyer and you think that there's like the just cause for it then you just reach out to me and or um our CSA as well you know where that's applicable
then we're able to talk. So there's not really a change in your ability to access the lawyer or legal services. It's still available. Um okay. So that'll probably be again on
our next meeting um to adopt and fold into our policy and we'll make the adjustments. So I think the things that Strauss asked me um requested were just very much like your standard uh legal language. It didn't really change the
policy itself. Um, we just need to mark or annotate that our process isn't changing. Um, and that's it. All right. So, policy 5339.01, the student sun protection. Dan, you had mentioned something before
with regards to that. Did you have anything? We hadn't been in discussion on it before, but I just I think when we discussed it before, we were stuck between the choice of two uh two options and then reading this further uh that
it's just these are optional additions into it that just add additional administrative process and layers and constraints. So, we have a policy that kind of reads that sunscreen is a good idea. >> Yeah, >> sounds fine to me. Um hearing a little bit of feedback from the school nurses
uh in our last meeting on it didn't really convince me that we need to add in more process and layer. Uh but if we had that more formal feedback going forward, you know, we we reopen these when we need to. I just haven't really understood there's a need to add in the extra pieces.
>> Okay. >> Yes, Miss Parlamus and then Miss Carousel. So where it says optional, we have to vote that in. Correct. Yeah. >> So as it stands for this policy right now, we're just saying yes, kids, you can come to school with your nonarosol
suntan and great have at it. Correct. And that's that's where we're at. And the optional is adding in if they go on a field trip or anything, I I would favor not having any limitations for having them. they can just bring it at will if they want as long as it's
non-erosol. >> Okay. >> So, um, one of the things that was mentioned, I guess, so I I compare it to also like camp, right? Our kids go to camp that we have a I go to Spring Lake. So, then they
have to have um sunscreen and the policy there is that the staff can't apply it. they can only like they it has to be aerosol if they're applying it because they can't put hands on children. And so I would I I would caution any process that would
then require any of our staff members to put hands on on children for that reason. And so I don't know. Um hold on, let me pull this up. One second. Carry on one second. >> Dr. Yep. I think you're pointing to the
second part here that sunscreen can be can be aerosol. The policy limits aerosol entirely and then you can add it back on if and this seems like a process to establish um if it as such the
district prohibits the use of sunscreen that the principal or designate designate may deem harmful to students with asthma or other respiratory illness. So now we're putting the burden on the principal to determine if aerosol harms the student and that's >> so I think I like the way that that I
imagine this policy going and I think I would ask administration is at the beginning of the school year you know like if it's part of like some sort of questionnaire does your child have any problem with aerosolized whatever like it's just like one of those things like do they have an allergy to nuts do they
you know whatever it is and so if there's an issue with regards to aerosolized product you know, like that child might be removed from from the area. That's the that's the way I I read it. I would like to know from the administration if there's you know I
know you might not be able to answer but yeah you know I I think that if you do not allow for aerosol and especially if you have depending on the age of the child if you are asking for any staff member to assist um in in the use of the
product it's going to need to be aerosolized. So, >> oh, I'm sorry, Miss Carell. I guess >> I was just going to clarify. You were saying that you wouldn't do either. We'd skip both optional ones because they're optional. We don't need it. The other
policy stands fine on its own, right? >> I feel like I've become the >> No, that's what I was thinking. Like, it says optional and I'm like, well, we don't really need that or we don't really need that. >> I kind of want to pull back a little bit. This is a great reason to have committees. This discussion could be back. I mean this is like so when our
committee of the whole so this is this is the the the complication with this structure that has existed for >> you know years before my tenure right so committee of the whole is where we basically are sitting in committee right now
>> the only the odd part about it is that we're sitting in committee having these discussions while people are watching and if if if it doesn't feel organized then it feels like we're not accomplishing our goal like we're afraid to say something or to make a mistake or like to to bring up something that could
cause alarm because we're meeting in this kind of structure which was determined for reasons that other boards might be able to weigh in on if you were on them. So we the time of to have these kinds of open conversations is now like in our current structure and I mean I'll
say this to the community like if you could pardon our you know lack of knowledge on certain things or questions on certain things or we had to come back because this is like this is the only time and and it has been asked of us to have more of these kinds of discussions
in public. So this is like literally >> this is it >> then this is the transparency we are trying to deliver. um >> imperfect. >> On your point though of um aerosol being a non non-cont that does make a lot of sense. >> Yeah. >> So I I could see why just this
discussion that makes more sense to to add that in. So thanks for adding that and thanks for pointing that out. So >> yeah. >> Yes. Go for it. >> So I think the first option doesn't make sense. The first option requires permission to carry sunscreen.
I think sunscreen is a is a basic thing nowadays and so I don't think we need the first option. Second option is that the kids can bring sunscreen unless the principal says otherwise. Yeah. And so I think it's fine. I don't see any risk with the second option. So I would
strike the first one and just add the second one. I don't see any risk with the second one. Uh it just allows the the administration to put something in the future if they need to. >> Yeah. >> Yes. After we discussed this at the last meeting, I think there was some confusion whether or not the staff had
weighed in on which one that they preferred. Do we I was confused and I love that because first I thought it was no, we didn't hear from them. They want to hear we had a say and then at that something was said where it sounded like they they had an opinion. So do we know if the staff who actually has to implement this has an opinion? I'm
assuming it's going to mostly be school nurses. >> Yeah, I I think we we'd have to ask uh Dr. to trust in and and find out from there. It would be nice. I mean, any of anybody that's watching, I know we often have um GREA members that are here to to
be able to pass that on as well. Like that would be helpful. Yes. >> I would just note the last line of the policy that says nothing in this policy shall be construed as requiring a staff member to assist a student in applying sunscreen. So, it's off the table for staff with
the policy regardless of options. >> Okay. >> Right. >> Yeah. But if you're teaching kindergarten and some student needs help putting on sunscreen, I don't know any kindergarten teacher that would be like, "Yeah, now do it yourself." Like, a teacher's natural instinct is to help their students. Especially, I don't know
that a 5-year-old is going to be able to put their sunscreen on properly. And I mean, obvious wearer myself, but you want to make sure our kids are protected from the the effects of the sun. So, I mean, we're saying that we're not going to require the staff, but >> you want to make sure your staff are
protected, too. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Which is why I don't I don't have an issue with the aerosol where it's easier for a young child to to use that as opposed a teacher's going to help their ch their student because that's what they do. >> But I would also think that most
teachers would take the children outside. they had aerosolized cans, right? And it's like stay here and let's everybody line up and get them sprayed down before they head out to wherever. So, I don't see a reason to restrict it at this point. And maybe that could be
up to the discretion of the teacher in the classroom based on feedback that they get from parents about particular students and potential allergies. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Both. And again the second option allows for the principal or designate to
change things later on. So >> it gives the option for the administration to to change. So that's why for the second option on risk related as the first option I think we we would all agree that we don't need notes for to bring sounds.
>> All right. All right. So are there any other questions or concerns? I know we can ask again for formal feedback from from uh staff. Um and if there's any like a GRA representation here, if you're able
to also um weigh in through your chain of command, that would be helpful. Um and then and then it'll it will come up on our on our next agenda um for decision. So, if we can have like a straw poll, I guess just to see what where the where we are as a board. If
you're wanting option like we'll call it option A, if you could raise your hand, option B. Okay. All right. And then we're waiting to hear formally from administration if there's any, you know, additional
thought process with regards to sunscreen. So, thanks. Just pull up the thing. Okay. So, then on to bylaw 0145. Uh so at the last meeting our special
meeting um I mentioned policy or bylaw 0145 with regards to resignation and removal of any board member and if there's a um a clause or any kind of like restriction where we can say like like what if you said that you're you're resigning you know six months from now
or something like that like um is there a time limit that can be placed and preliminarily the answer was like well maybe um I spoke with uh uh Mr. Zitimemer and he said um today I actually spoke with him um asking him to do kind of like a review um the legal
process of like whether or not that's something that we could enter into our bylaws and he said that um he wouldn't he wouldn't advise it like the the state would say like a three consecutive um three consecutive meetings. However, um
he said that with regards to um what is that good good good cause? Um the good cause is often left up to you know like this open discretion like who gets to determine it. There isn't a good answer there. There isn't a good answer like it
it's something that could be potentially touchy. So you know good cause is going to be a point of contention essentially legally. So um so he said that at this time that he would just recommend us
leave the policy as is. Um and that you know like yeah you can't the only the only body that can remove um a board member earlier than usual would be the school ethics commission. You had a question.
>> Yeah. C can we put good cause comma is as is decided by the board majority or >> he said that that good cause is going to be open to interpretation like you're not able to easily define it. It's going to depend
like it might be situational or >> but but somebody has to actually vote on the good cause. somebody. >> Yeah, we would then Yes, we like So, yes, we could turn around and say that, you know, like we didn't think that it was good cause and involve our lawyer in that process, but it is like through
that pro like we wouldn't be able to put it in the policy to say like this, this, or this. We basically would go through the process and say that we don't believe that something is good cause and then our lawyer would then weigh in and make that kind of like legal determination. Um, and if there was a gray area, then that would change.
>> So, so the lawyer will ultimately make the call. It would it would have to be supported by our lawyer. >> Okay. >> You know, I think that we wouldn't >> we we would have like no leeway to make that decision without having um legal
weigh in on that. Otherwise, you open yourself up to litigation or ethics complaints. So, questions, comments? All right.
old business for the policy update. Do you want to um talk about or talk through it for us? >> Yes. So, we're currently reviewing uh all the policies. We're starting with the mandatory policies as uh defined and
we're we're in this process of uh getting the the awards and the and the policies themselves and and drafting them and then we'll bring them to to first reading. So, we're focusing on the mandatory ones first and then we'll start to tackling that once. >> And thank you, Mr. Canel. Um, and and
Miss um Jean really just helping us like get information from Strauss May to see if um you know like to find out when some of these policies might have been updated because I know typically when we get the policy updates, we find out which ones are mandatory, which ones are
recommended and then we make the adjustments. But it seems like the NJSBA is saying that there were additional ones that we haven't updated that should have been updated. So, um, we're finding out that information and then we'll keep a tally and update and then we'll bring
the the policies um, forward. All right. Accurate. All right. So, on to governance. Any old business or anything that you want to discuss for governance?
I think my only you know standpoint here is like our governance again like just for anybody that happens to be watching is is committee of the whole and so there are two common structures that um that exist with with school boards
across the state. It's committee of the whole as well as committees. Um when was the when was the change made? Like 2019 or 2018? 2018. So in 2018, the board at the time decided to it was 19.
>> 2020. >> Yeah. So somewhere somewhere between 2019 2020ish. Um the structure I would say like when I came in it was like I think the first year that we had gone to committee of the whole structure. Um and so
some of the differences between our governance structure and other um other boards across the state are that you have sometimes you could break up into different committees like all of these things that we're talking about right now. We're talking about policy governance, instruction and programs,
special services, management and community business, whether it's like fiscal or operations or buildings and grounds and things like that. You could have other boards might have individual committees that um are split up amongst the board where you're able to talk you know about about each of these things as
a as a committee and the structure that we went to was um a a cow or a committee of the whole. So instead of having individual like smaller groups talk you know and meet like let's say monthly or bimonthly or
something like that with with all of these things um we decided or it was decided that you would have a committee of the whole meaning like we're talking about each of these items together. The challenges again there are that everything is then in public and it's
not so much a transparency issue um between us and the public because anything that is going to go to um you know like a vote or anything like that would eventually come into the meeting that is in front of the public and that's basically if you were going to make a decision to you know change
programs when you first have that initial conversation and say is there a problem do we see a problem what are the types of things that we could do. Sometimes all of that work is done in the background and that's essentially what the committee work would be and and then you come and you bring it you bring your findings and then you bring it to
the the decision makers and then you have this whole discussion about what it is that you found and then you vote on it. And so the challenge and I I've spoken with various field reps over the years. Um the challenge is that when
you're having those early factf finding conversations and you're just like, "Oh, I wonder I wonder should I do this? What do we think? It's very limited when you're having all of that in public because you're afraid to say something that could potentially be wrong or look
stupid or like whatever it is. And um but that is our our structure. So little by little, we have been talking a lot more in in public with regards to all of these individual things. And I would say that unless the board decides that they want to change their their structure, we
just have to get used to having these kinds of open, you know, conversations with the community and the community allowing us to be like, oh, you know, like that that wasn't a good idea or that was a good idea or like, you know, that's this is the process. Um, so
that's I figured I'd take that moment since we didn't have anything on governance to just review that. Any questions or comments or thoughts about about it? Um any wishes in terms of what we're currently doing
or to make it more effective? Okay. Oh. Oh, sorry. >> Just wanted to clarify that when there are the committees, those are smaller groups of a max of what four? >> Like not Yeah. Four. >> And so typically not public at all. So
that's that's just a one of a huge distinction. Mhm. >> Yes. >> They don't have to be non-public. I know that some >> Yeah, the the committees the committees um it's not a quorum. So, it's not a decision-making body.
>> Um, >> right. But you can still make it public. >> You you you could, but then >> then what would be the difference as well like doing it here too? It allows to do more meetings and more operationals and allows the board to uh
focus on more things rather than uh having to concentrate uh at one meeting. I have seen that happening in real life in other districts and uh the the depth the depth that you can
go into conversations in a committee even if it's public because you just focus on one thing is much deeper. The committee can bring uh experts. You know if we had the committee uh on policies we could have a conversation
about the sunscreen policy separately with a long conversation and bring the experts to it. So uh or or budget or curriculum. Um so the cow system does not allow for indepth conversations and
uh dive deep dipping into groups. So >> yeah, I think like based on our current cow system like each topic like at we have like a 20 minute maximum unless we decide to extend it um which we could at
any point in time. So, we really technically could talk for as long as we decided. However, um I I agree with you like it's a lot to focus on all of these things if you're going down like you get fatigued. But yeah, that's just
>> the other part is that there's no owner because if there's a committees there's an there's a chairman for the committee and they own it and and that's their their focus. Uh, and I've I've literally been in subcommittees, conversations that have been for several hours like
budgets or or curriculum >> and and that's why I I think that the uh committee structure is is much better. Uh I know we're doing some hybrid and and we're looking at it which is great but yeah I see a lot of more advantages
of uh committees rather than account. >> Thank you. Okay, >> I was just getting to add to that that um I think the duty of a committee is to present it to the whole board, too. It's just an opportunity to go into that rabbit hole and pull something out and
really kind of refine the messaging, which is something that is hard when there's nine of us discussing a whole topic. I think we're all very politely waiting our turn to add in something. Somebody might say something twice in a row I agree to, but I don't want the public to have to hear it a third time. So, it just kind of goes it goes away
and it looks like individual voices. whereas um if there were committees and so I'm I'm often stepping on the gas to say hey these are this here is an opportunity for a committee to work um they only work when the committee is functioning in a way that it's the owner
uh of that of that information yes but not that decision so that we're here to present and then get get the rest of the board up to speed on a more involved discussion so >> because part of part of at least the concern that I had heard about the committee structure was that if you you.
It is also a potential way to block it out from getting to the rest of the board. Like in terms of uh information and how it's shared, who's on the committee or how how like if if you're like let's just say people are humans are humans. So if you decide that you
want to do an initiative but you want to steer it in one direction, then it can be steered in that direction. and next thing you know you're presenting it to the whole board and you realize like that it wasn't as broad of a search or a broad of a like
discovery period that you thought like it can be guided um in that small environment. So it's, you know, I think it's it's either way either thing that we do like there are risks and benefits. Um, but you know, we can continue to have the
conversation and always open to hearing from you what you know like what you want to see or what you want to see more of. So all right, underp um was there a PD day for staff?
>> There was. Um, as you know, there are a couple half-day PD days throughout the year. Um, the first one is was today and the second one I I think is in March 14th, 12th, I don't know, somewhere in there. Um, and um, yeah, so there were a few things that happened today as far as
what was going on. We we really did it more localized for elementary type of things versus the the middle and high school. Elementary had some specific PD things that they wanted to focus on, including additional training for the fourth and fifth grade teachers for the the Sunday program, the new phonics uh
word study program that we're rolling out this year in fourth and fifth. So, we brought those folks back to give them a little bit more. Um, they also had various things on assessment and phonics practices kind of for K to3 for those kind of refreshing from from last year.
Um, CPI training, which is crisis prevention and intervention. uh some training on the new line boards which are smart board but different brand and they behave differently. Yes, Ed. Okay. Okay. >> Um so I know there they did some things with that. They did strategies for
students with um ADHD. Um other things about classroom management, engagement, things like that. Um at the middle school and high school, we focused a lot more on SEAL for teachers. So we brought in a a presenter from a organization called Inhabit, Sean Pritchard, who did um a
lot of mindfulness and breathing and and you know body awareness and those things with staff. Um and then all staff got or all affected staff anyway, let me let me change that way. Got some training on the NJSLA fall pilot test that's coming
out, which I'm sure you're nodding your head, I'm sure. So in case you're not aware, the NJSL NJSLA tests which happened in the spring are going to a new format, a new provider, a new everything this year. And so in late summer, they told us, "Oh, we're going
to do a a run through of the test in in the fall." Um, so we've we've been putting that together. Um, just some highlights for that. I think you're going to get the information soon as as parents and community members. Um, all school districts with eligible students are required to participate in the fall
field test. Um the window we have to do it is within three weeks. So October 27th through November 14th. We're doing it October 28th, 29th and 30th because the following week we're not here and the following week is I can't remember why there there are
other reasons as well. Um the students will be taking a sampling of items and not a complete test for any subject. The tests are reading, math and and writing. Um we won't get any scores from this. We'll make it really clear. We're not getting scores. Parents are not getting scores. Students are not getting scores.
They're testing the test. Um so the field test is um about the quality performance of test items, not to measure student achievement. So like a few years ago when we had that start strong test in the fall, we got results. We're not getting anything this time. We're just going to make sure the whole thing actually works. Uh it's also going
to require a schedule change at the middle and high school. There'll be a delayed opening for seniors a couple of the days and one day is kind of mixed. So just want to let you know that's all coming. And uh so we spent time today prepping teachers for this new platform and all of those things. >> Thank you.
>> Any questions? Yes, Mr. Bus. >> Um the elementary training that they did, was that done at the individual elementary schools? So they all stayed at the same school? >> I believe that they put all the fourth and fifth grade teachers in one location for that. >> And was the Sunday um training for the
phonics, was that done by like a certified teacher that came in or how was that done? through the Sunday folks, the the the people that make the program and sell us the program. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um Oh, so also
like I guess I'll just add it under governance. Um >> or well, it'll go under community. So I I sent you all a link. I'm trying to um put all of the HSA calendars on like a link that you could subscribe to into
your calendar just so that we can see where they all are. Um I think it it could be challenging um historically for us to make all of the meetings. And so sometimes the meeting might fall on a day that you can go or that you can't go
and someone else can go. And if we can just try to find a way like even checking in with each other like I can do this meeting, I can't do that one and like you know figure it out um just so that we're able to attend um at least have representation. There are many that
are Zoom so a lot of times you might even be able to attend a Zoom for um a school that you might not you know have signed up for. So I'm going to get that information. and I spoke with um or emailed our HSA president and um she
said that she was able to they're they're going to put the federated HSA calendar up this week and then that will um I'll manually enter all of the different dates in there and we can make sure that we have um representation. I know that the federated meeting is this
week. I know Miss Cal you said you're going to be able to go unfortunately after work. Um and then we'll kind of like roll it out from there. >> Oh yes. Yes. >> Um I also added CPAC to the calendar. Um they have a meeting this week.
So I saw that meeting for this this time and it said that administration like when in your experience when it says like administration um not attending does that mean that they typically would also not want us to attend because I wasn't >> so that usually means that like Dr.
McKay won't be there um I'm unique situation because I'm also a parent. >> Yeah. So, I don't know. I think it's okay for to go for a for all parents or >> maybe for the ones who are parents that go. Yeah. No, there's not like an
agenda. There's not like a report from Dr. McCay on the agenda. So, it's not >> Got it. >> But I don't think you're not allowed to go. >> But I guess I can check in with the team and find out. >> Thanks. >> The train I went to one of their trainings last year that they had >> Yeah, I know that was um one of their
programs and they have one coming up in early November again. >> It was excellent. Um, so but let me ask them for more clarity on that. I'm sorry. I don't >> Oh, it's okay. No apology needed. Thank you. All right. So, um, high school cell phone policy.
>> I mentioned that this at the last meeting that the state put out a had a commission that did a report on cell phone use in high in schools, not just high school. And they recommend a beltto bell ban at the high school level. Um, there are many school districts around
that have absolutely no cell phones out during the day. The kids put them in a pouch. You can have them released at the end of the day. Some schools have it. You just don't take it out, but you could have it out during lunch. So, what I would like to do is to look at our current policy. I'd like to get input
from the administrators, the staff, and the families to see what would is our current policy okay in Glenrock? Do we need to have a total ban? Just to kind of explore our options on this to either like I said keep this the same or to to
make it a little more um a little stricter. The department of ed has guidelines like questions that we should be asking like what happens in an emergency like I know my friend's daughter school lost power so they all said take your cell phones out and call your parents but kids don't have their
cell phones. Obviously that's not going to happen. So, I would just like us to look at that and see if we need to change our policy or keep it just to get a a a feel for what everybody else in the community thinks. And a student, I'd like to hear what the student said.
>> Yes. >> I think last year, not this time, maybe in the spring this um came up, I think I think you brought it up, Boaz, right? Um, and so we were hoping to hear like from our um, high school like is it something
that is amendable to the at the high school level? Is it not? Um, I think we still want to hear and figure out like what the thoughts are, what the concerns are, um, what the feedback is and so that is definitely a great idea. Thank you. >> There was a good article too. Some
superintendents spoke in different districts and some were all for collecting them at at during the day and there was another superintendent who said if we're you know this is a part of a child's life with you know so we all know the ills of social media and we've all probably spent too much time on our
phones but we also have to teach them how to use everything properly and if you just take something away sometimes they may not learn that. So, I just think it's a really good discussion that we can have as a community to craft a policy that I mean, we need buyin from everybody because if this is what we're going to say, then we need the support
of the staff and the families. >> Um, Christine and then Stephanie. So, I I did read a few different versions of the band, but this bell to bell, from my understanding, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, is not really like you put
the phone away when you walk in the building. You put it away in the classroom. Um, so you're banned in the classroom from having your cell phone, I think, is what the state policy proposed is. Is that what your understanding is? I think it leaves it open to
interpretation because there are school districts in the area that actually collect their phones and the kids put them in some pouch and then when they leave at the end of the day they go to the magnetic strip to open the pouch and take their phone. >> Yeah. Because I >> or there's lockers. I think some school districts use lockers and some don't. You just have to keep them in your backpack. So I think it's kind of left
open to interpretation. Okay. I did see that there's funding, state funding, I believe, available for schools so that they can actually have the purchase of those bags for each classroom, which leads me to think that it's it could be, you know, >> I think that grant that's out there, if
I read it correctly, is only good to the end of this month. >> Well, that's apply. Really? Is it? What? It's only good to read. I read that story quick and I saw it yesterday and it more, but I don't know. Greg, did you get it? Do you know if we got anything? I have not seen a grant in that.
>> I mean, I don't know if the way our policy is written out, maybe you may fall into it because the kids aren't supposed to have them, but it's I think it was that it was a minimum of $500 to five pouches or whatever it is, but I looked at I'm like that's like that's like a quick turnaround. >> Yeah, I I didn't see that timing, but
yeah. >> Interesting. Okay, so more to follow, I think. Um, go ahead. So, so it's not a secret that I support a full band van dubel including the high school. It's working great in the elementary school. It's working great in the middle school and that's why they extend at least that
was the explanation that they extend in the middle school. So, we have a blueprint. I don't see a reason why not to implement in the high school. But, um to to Mrs. to to the point like I don't see like why won't we start doing a research or ask the community or ask
parents and and students. So, I'm not sure what will be the next step with that, but I do support uh starting the the community survey and the community engagement. I think it's a good time. >> I just want to make sure we, you know,
talk to the the teachers and the um principal. Uh it was at high school back to school night, which was amazing. Both of the back to school nights have been really fantastic this year. And every single teacher actually addressed what their policy in their classroom was. A lot of them had pockets or cubbies or or
something. So, um, definitely a group that we would want to weigh in heavily on what works best in the high school. >> So, to that point, it might be interesting to get some data because I don't have any information about how many students, you know, in the high
school run a foul of any of the classroom policies or the school policies. I know last year my own kid came home and I had to come up to the school, but other than that, really absent information. So, it' be interesting to see how well students are adhering to the current policy.
>> I'll add one of the teachers said that the incoming freshmen, it's been um remarkably smoother this year because they're coming from the middle school which already has the new policy. Um, >> for what it's worth, >> Yep. I mean, certainly this if there was
going to be a change, it wouldn't be able to be done without the input of administration, the teachers, the parents, etc. And so I would expect the same thing. I think at this point all it is is that we're bringing it up again. And um we would like the data. I mean
that's that's what I'm hearing. >> Yeah. All right. So I'll >> sorry. So can instead of asking for the data again, can we can we put a you know board a decision or request or a formal request to get the data or the opinion
of the administration because I don't want to keep delaying it from >> so that is I can't direct what's in goes on in the schools. I know you know that but I'm just saying that for the purposes of of our meetings. I can't I can't direct like I can I can ask for
the information. I can say you know formally again like we when we spoke about this in the spring uh we said that we were going to revisit it over the summer and as we all know there have been lots there's been a
lot of activity you know with regards to the board since the summer till now. So we're just going to ask again we're going to put it in I'll put it an email and I'll I'll send it and and make the request normal. No problem there.
All right. Um, so on to AI. Um, there's been there's a variety of things. So, I'll start by saying that one of the things that I found online just that popped up on my my Facebook was in Anglewood
um the teachers union there as well as um in coordination with the NJA and this other um organization called the Lynden Institute for AI Literacy. They're having this big free parent workshop with the intro to AI and um it said it's
hosted by the Lynon Institute for AI Literacy in partnership with the um teachers unions and it says come curious, leave confident, discover what artificial intelligence really is and how to support your child's learning safely and responsibly. What you'll learn is plain language AI basics every parent can understand. Real examples of
AI that help with homework, eating, organization, and also how schools think about responsible and ethical use. It's for parents, caregivers, community members, etc. And so I looked up um this Lynen Institute and just as like I just
sent a request that says, "Hey, can you like send me a little bit more about your programs?" Um but I thought that that that like you had said before that there's many different places where um AI like where you would touch on it like whether is it, you know, a curriculum
thing, is it really for professional development? Is it something that we could host things like this where there's a parent workshop where you're able to talk with your kids? One of the things that you sent me the other day was um called uh learn your way. It's a
Google program and it it takes the information that um like that students would have say say you have a student that really loves basketball, lives and breathes basketball and they are now in
physics class and you're basically able to load the um load the lesson into this AI program and then say like well what how does the how does the kid like to learn? like what are what are the things that they're interested in? And you would just basically say, okay, they're
really interested in basketball. They're really interested in these other things. And it would pretty much take that lesson and then translate it into a way that somebody that's really, you know, very fluent with basketball knowledge would be able to apply the program. And I thought that that was really interesting. And it and according to
that um uh article or video was saying that it has increased the ability for children to just understand the concepts. Um, that being said, I've also read other articles that talk about um the concerns about AI and um
not even just like the ethical use, but that the kids aren't really understanding the foundations of of the information. Like if you have it's different like if we're using AI, you know, we're all subject matter experts in whatever our profession is and we can use that to enhance our um discussions.
However, when kids don't necessarily have those same basics there, it it may um it may stunt certain learning. Um so, I just I guess I'm I'm curious, you know, hearing from, you know, staff and
administration, what what are the ways like where where are their areas of opportunity um for our programs and like you know, are you I don't know are you able to tell me? So, I know that a couple of our supervisors are putting
together a presentation to share with the board about things that we have done with AI and and kind of where we're leading towards with AI. Um, I'm not sure what meeting they're scheduled to do that, but I know that they're working on that and and we'll be happy to present to the board. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you.
>> Any other questions, concerns, thoughts? Okay. All right. On to our next thing. um fiscal management Mr. Thank you, Dr. Robinson. Um so we are
all of the eyes are dotted and teas are crossed on our uh audit for the 2425 school year. Um I received draft financials uh this evening. At some point this week, I will be dropping into
uh a board folder all of the documents uh that you that we're going to be issuing and Paul Lurch will be here um at our November 10th meeting. Paul is our audit partner and he will be here to review the audit with you and answer any
questions uh that you may have. Um I can tell you just as a preview uh it is a clean opinion with no recommendations. Um, so that's all good news. Um, moving on to some old business. Uh, our press box, uh, bid opening is this Wednesday.
Uh, and I know that a number of contractors have picked up a bid package, so hopefully we'll have a healthy pool. Um, and lastly, our playground uh, over by the early childhood program area uh, is has
finally been completed. Uh the water management system has been installed. Uh the ground has been repaired and uh we're actually growing grass in some spots. So it's all good. >> Excellent. Thank you so much. Thank you. It is exciting that that project is
pretty much at punch list time. So any questions about any of those items? All right. Thank you. Nothing for operations and any liaison reports.
All right. Yeah. No, that's fine. I mean, we kind of like talked about how we're going to have the HSA meetings and CPAC coming up, so there's not really anything to report yet. All right. So, now we're opening uh public comments. It is 8:06 PM. If you have any comment,
please state your name and your address. And you have three minutes at which time you'll hear um a bell go off um just to let you know that it would be appreciated if you wrap up your comments. >> Good evening. Um, since I see an empty
chair, um, I don't see our CSA here. So, um, I'd like to acknowledge, like you did as well, to the Glenrock High School administration for their back to school night. I think they did a great job. Their administration was around the building all night talking to parents. Teachers did a great job of uh, with their presentations and the NHS members
around the building took care of all the lost parents. So, they did a great job. Um, Dr. Robinson, a question for you, and I'll go through all my questions and I'll sit so you can answer. Are you made aware of when the CSA is not in district? Um, I asked this because in
the CSA contract, uh, the board president must have approval, um, of any requests of two consecutive vacation days as well as any personal days. Um, the annual school boards uh is coming up. I assume a couple of you are
going down to Atlantic City. I did not get a chance to look at the past agendas, but was our CSA approved to a go? Okay. If that was approved, I would ask that you consider rescending that because I think his presence is needed here in the district and not somewhere
else. Um, cell phones, I ask you please to talk to the teachers. Don't worry about what the parents have to think. Worry about what the teachers have to think because they are living with the kids in their rooms every day with the cell phones. So, focus on them and what they want. and then share with the kids
the why behind the policy and why it's important for them to be focused on their classes and not necessarily scrolling. And my last one, uh, you mentioned that the CSA was asked, I believe, over the summer to give you some input and information about the cell phone policy
of the high school. I'm guessing that was ignored since you don't have any of that information to share. All right. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. Good evening. Dr. Angela Pooie Bender, 55 yardly court. Um, not surprised that
he is not here this evening disappointed because he has a job to do. Uh, as I bear with me as I go through the agenda because there are several things that I wanted to just point out and the policy with the legal services. I agree wholeheartedly that there should be one
voice that contacts our board attorney and that would be the board president and the other board members have the right to know that um you can use NJ school boards for free legal advice. So that's an area where if you have a question and someone's not available to
help, you can actually pick their brain and find out what that answer might be. Um special services. It was mentioned about CPAC. Uh in my past experience, I've found that it's wonderful for the
parents. It's great if Dr. McCay can bring in some speakers to help provide that. However, I think it's uncomfortable for parents if schoolboard members are in attendance. I don't think it's appropriate. That's my personal opinion. I think that um when there's
issues that occur, it makes it a little challenging that they have questions to ask the experts that come to speak to them when there's school board members sitting there. Just my my personal opinion. Um I was glad to hear about the early
childhood program. However, I would like to um plant the seed for the little ones that perhaps maybe in the future we can develop a program for a TAP program teachers that are aspiring students that are aspiring to be
teachers and to work with the prek. That's an old early childhood lesson some of you may remember. I looked up the cell phone on October 1st. The New Jersey DOE came out with a
broadcast and it states that it is um open extended from July 1 of 2025 to June 30th of 2026. So that gives you a little bit more time to look into that. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you. How you doing everybody? Roy Clipper, uh Winslow Tyrus. Thank you again all of you for taking time. It looks like you came from work. So I appreciate your hard work and dedication. I'm a little disappointed as the other two people before me that the superintendent is not here. I was looking hopefully to address
him face to face. I'll be sending an email um with a couple questions that I have and copying you guys as well is but I guess for the public and many people at home watching how many absences in a row are excused for the superintendent? Uh number one.
Number two, at what point does the board start taking actions uh when someone doesn't show up for work? Number three would love to know what the responsibilities of the superintendent are as it relates to attending the school boards. And the question I would ask I would love to ask him in person is
and again correct me if I'm wrong. I remember in one of the meetings I was here uh the superintendent failed to fill out his evaluation form. So I'd love to know if that was ever filled out number one or number two. What plan does a superintendent have in place to get the school back on track from the 97th
ranking to the top 20 that we used to be? Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other members of the public that would like to make a comment? All right. Um, we can close public
comments at 8:13 p.m., please. All right. So, some of those I can address. Um, I'll start with the questions um about uh Dr. Charleston. Um, absolutely, Mr. Clipper. Um, you said you wanted to send an email. I would also recommend that recommend that
you send the email and um ask the questions that you have. Um as to like certain reasons why or why someone is or is not here, I want to be very careful in terms of how I answer that question. Um except to say that uh that he's he's
he's allowed to to not be here um tonight. Um, so, um, I I just had to be very, you know, like careful for how I answer any kind of of personnel like related questions to make sure that I'm staying within, um, you know, guidelines and not giving more information than
should be or or things. There's nothing abnormal so much about like his his his lack of presence tonight. Um, with regards to uh contract things, the contracts for all of the employees since it's a public
um it's your public employees. Um, so our superintendent, assistant superintendent, BA, our teachers union, our administrative um union, all of those contracts are available online. And so you're able to see um, you know, like the details that you were asking
for. you'll definitely be able to find like how many absences and things like that. Um yes, anytime there we the school board is we have one employee like we as a as a board only have one employee and that is the um
superintendent. All of the other employees then fall under an organizational chart underneath that superintendent. So yes um I do get information um when there are you know like days that need to be approved and
things like that. So I do um and then Yep. That's all I can say about that. Um you'll be able to see like anytime that there's uh anytime that there's an action with regards to school boards that does get placed onto the agenda. So
yes, um those things have been approved. rescending them is is not on the on the table right now. But yeah, I hear you. Um when it comes down to um the cell phone policy and the
teachers first aspect, absolutely we want to hear from our teachers first. Um and we we weigh their um opinions on on whether these things can be executed or not executed. Absolutely. We weigh the the teachers um desires um for that. And
so that's part of what it is that we were are we are asking for um and and and going to get. Yeah. Um, when it comes to the TAP program that you mentioned, that actually was part of the preschool
program goal that we had uh an opportunity to have our seniors um andor anybody that would be enrolled in that program then work in the classrooms with the with the children with the prek group and providing kind of like a
pathway to help um produce educators um and and and children that are like nurture children that are interested in education. Um, so I I will ask for an update on where we are with that. Um, and it's still very early because we just started the prek program. So I I
don't even know I don't even know where we are with that. But I will ask for um an update to see, you know, like how that process has been going um now that school has been in for about a month. Um, and thank you for the information about
the cell phone grant, which we'll definitely take a look at. I think that answered all of the questions. If I did not answer all of those questions, um, or even if you found them unsatisfactory, please send me an email. Please send me an email. Um, I I love receiving your emails, so please do
that. All right. So, uh, our next meeting, um, is going to be the 20 7th, I believe. Yes, 27th. Um and yes, school boards this ne next
week. So if I can get a motion to adjourn our meeting. Miss Carousella, seconded by Mr. Hayward. And we are adjourned at 8:17. All in favor? >> All right. Any oppose?
Thank you.