WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=1g4-_0ZBSgc

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: 1g4-_0ZBSgc):
- 00:00:03: Meeting Called to Order and Minutes Approved
- 00:02:11: Introduction to Governor Educator of the Year Awards
- 00:03:33: Educational Support Professionals of the Year Honorees
- 00:07:16: Teachers of the Year Honorees - Elementary Schools
- 00:13:45: Middle School Teachers of the Year & District Winner
- 00:16:32: Recess and Agenda Changes Proposed by Superintendent
- 00:20:11: Public Comment: Counseling Position Changes Concerns
- 00:23:26: Public Comment: Candidate Meet and Greets in Schools
- 00:25:31: Public Comment: Further Concerns on Counselor Changes
- 00:32:29: Response and Reports: Solicitor and Personnel Committee
- 00:33:59: Superintendent Report and Consent Resolution Discussion
- 00:35:53: Roll Call Vote on Consent Resolution
- 00:39:22: Business Administrator Report and Financial Matters
- 00:40:35: Discussion and Motion to Table School Board Calendar
- 00:42:42: Debate on Brett Denovi Contract and Special Education
- 00:48:29: Special Services Director Justifies Special Education Spending
- 00:59:06: Continuation of Special Services Director's Justification
- 01:00:08: Roll Call Vote on Business Administrator Report
- 01:01:53: Old and New Business: Transportation and Goal Setting
- 01:05:07: Public Comment: Controversy around DeLeo Termination
- 01:10:05: Public Comment: Support for Policy 7510 and Meeting Dates
- 01:13:02: Public Comment: Transportation Policy for Walkers
- 01:14:47: Public Comment: Playground Conditions at Elementary Schools
- 01:19:26: Public Comment: Grading Policy, Special Education and Support
- 01:24:33: Board Member Comments: Special Education and Recognition
- 01:30:51: Board Member Comments and Motion to Adjourn


Part: 1

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I'd like to bring this meeting back to order, please. >> Do it again. Uh, Miss Gore >> here. >> M. Hutchinson here. Mr. Masky. Mrs. Mashki >> here. >> Messed that one up. Mr. Pelis

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>> here. >> Mrs. Tersy >> here. >> Mrs. Henry >> here. >> Mrs. Johnson >> here. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes of executive session regular meeting April 20th, 2026?

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>> So moved. >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Miss Gore, >> yes. >> Mr. Hutchinson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mashki, >> yes. >> Mr. Pelis, >> yes. >> Mr. Tury, >> yes.

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>> Mrs. Henry, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnson, >> yes. >> Can I get a motion to approve board minutes, regular meeting, April 20th, public hearing for the annual school budget? So moved.

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>> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Gore. >> Yes. >> Does she have to abstain on the 27th? >> We're doing here on the If you were here on the 27th, abstain on the 27th. >> We're doing both.

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Were >> you weren't here? You >> You were here for the the budget hearing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. What am I thinking? Um, Mr. Hutchinson. >> Excuse. >> Yes. >> Oh, Suzanne. Mrs. Masky. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pelis,

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>> yes. >> Mr. Tari, >> yes. >> Mrs. Henry, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnson, >> yes. Okay. At this time, Mr. Bill, would you please take over? >> Thank you. Uh, Mrs. Johnson, members of

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the board of education, May always brings a uh great event uh which we are about to start. Um we continue to part participate in the governor educator of the year process and uh we are fortunate

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that we have uh so many hundreds of great educators here in Gloucester Township and they have a rich tradition and they continue to um impress not only families but uh the entire educational community here in GT and rather than me

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speaking I think the recognition program should begin. So I want to thank Mr. Tro for his efforts. Mrs. Johnson, can you join Mr. Tro and I as we honor those uh recipients for this year. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Uh Mr. Bido

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already gave a great um introduction. I won't um belabor that too much. Um but I would like to welcome everyone here as we celebrate the heart of education, our teachers. Uh tonight we honor the inspiring individuals who shape the future of students in G in the Gloucester Township School District. And

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so as your name is called, please come forward to receive your commemorative award. We have a certificate for you as well as uh a plaque for you to hang in your home or your classroom, wherever you choose.

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We're going to start with the educational support professionals of the year. So from Ann Mullen Preschool, we have Christina Warner. >> Christina is recognized as a wealth of knowledge who is always eager to share her innovative ideas with her

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colleagues. Her expertise significantly contributes to the educational environment in our preschool. Congratulations From the Glen Landing Preschool, we have Angela Rice. Angela is a driven leader who excels at

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uniting families with school staff to create a cohesive support system. Her leadership helps bridge the gap between home and school, benefiting our students. Congratulations. We have two honores from Aeriel Elementary for our educational services

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professionals. And the first is Bernardet Bleer. Bernardet is described as the heart of Ariel's preschool. Known for demonstrating consistent kindness and dedication to her students each day, she puts her heart and soul into her job

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performance. Congratulations. Our other honore is Tracy Katz. Tracy is a proactive and friendly speech therapist who builds a strong school community through her involvement in multiple committees. She's highly dedicated as she port student supports students with IEPs and provides guidance

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to her colleagues. Congratulations almost went out of order. That would have been terrible. Um, our next honore is Janine Develin from Gloucester Township Elementary. Janine shows exceptional dedication to helping students build vital

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communication skills and the confidence they need to thrive. She's a resilient leader with a compassionate impact on her students and staff. Congratulations. And our final educational services professional is Casey Khan from JW Lily

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Elementary School. Nurse Casey is honored for her care and responsiveness in meeting the medical needs of her students. She's an organized and constant communicator who goes well above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in

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her care. Congratulations, Thank you. >> And now we'll begin honoring our teachers of the year from Blackwood Elementary School, Jessica Wesalowski. Jessica is a dynamic and creative educator who fosters an engaging

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classroom classroom by transforming lessons into immersive experiences such as undersea worlds. She is highly flexible and dedicated, often going out of her way to provide clothing or mentorship to students in need. Congratulations,

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from Choose Elementary School. Brittany McFarland. Britney is a nurturing educator recognized for building strong, loving connections with her students, mentees, and their parents. She takes great pride in her preparation and is deeply involved in school programs like the

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mentor and SOS programs. Congratulations >> from Ariel Elementary School. You know, got a little got a little rivalry going there with Blackwood, right? Patrice Robinson, right? Like Please, please, please don't make us

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call security. All right. The SRO's are off duty. All right. All right. Patrice is celebrated as sunshine in human form for her unwavering positive attitude and professional leadership. She's a skilled problem solver who excels at helping

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students at all levels, including those with significant challenges or anxiety, feel safe and successful. Congratulations, A very wise man hired her once a long time a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away. All right. From Glendor

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Elementary School, Katherine Russell. Katherine is a skilled teacher who excels at building meaningful relationships with her students to support their academic success. She's highly regarded for her leadership and her commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging classroom experience.

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Congratulations from Gloucester Township Elementary School. Jacquellyn Low. Jacqueline is a dedicated educator who leads by example and creates a positive learning environment through her unwavering professionalism. She is recognized for her ability to inspire

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students and foster growth within the Gloucester Township community. Congratulations from the JW Lily School. Christopher Blank. Christopher is a respected educator who is dedicated to enforcing and encouraging student growth. His

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impactful teaching style focuses on helping every student reach their full potential. Congratulations, from the Loring Fleming Elementary School. Kimberly Graci Kimberly is an impactful teacher who specializes specializes in and supports

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the unique needs of multilingual learners. Her dedication ensures that all students, regardless of their language background, have the support to succeed. Congratulations. And our final elementary school honore from Union Valley School, Christy Ta.

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Christy is a skilled teacher who provides expert guidance to students with complex and diverse needs. Her specialized approach helps her students navigate their educational journey successfully. Congratulations. And now our middle school honores

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from CW Lewis Middle School, Chelsea Shiloh. I guess Chelsea's not here tonight. Chelsea excels in the classroom while simultaneously leading initiatives that foster a positive school environment. Her leadership extends beyond her

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students to the entire school community. So congratulations to Michila. I think she's involved with just about every club there. So she might be busy at work. From the Anne Mullen Middle School, Allison McMaster.

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Allison is recognized for building lasting relationships and helping her students become responsible, independent learners. She is particularly impactful in connecting classroom learning to real world experiences through hands-on programs. Congratulations.

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So, our final award of the night is to honor and to announce this year's district teacher of the year, Glenn Landing's teacher of the year, Miss Mindy Gold. Mindy is a passionate and committed math teacher who consistently finds innovative ways to help every student

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succeed through targeted support and encouragement. She's a cornerstone of her school community, known for collaborating closely with colleagues and connecting deeply with families to ensure student growth. Beyond her instruction, Mindy contributes her time and energy to creating a positive,

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welcoming, and safe space for everyone who enters her classroom. Her dedication to excellence and her ability to inspire those around her truly exemplify the qualities of an outstanding educator. Through her leadership and heart, she serves as a remarkable representative of

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the Gloucester Township School District. Congratulations, Mindy. Mindy's getting two very heavy awards. She might need help getting those to the car. So we thank each of you again for your dedication and commitment to the students of Gloucester Township School

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District. You exemplify excellence and truly represent the quality educators we have here in Gloucester Township. So again to all our honores congratulations and uh we appreciate everything that you do and how well you represent all of

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your colleagues. So thank you. So, at this point, we're going to take a short um recess. The educators of the year and their families, guests, anyone they brought with them, as well as the administrators, I know can head down to

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the I was trying to come up with a fancy way to say the uh the very nicely decorated gym. Uh we've got some lovely refreshments for you and it's very nice down there. will be able to take photos down there with anyone you brought with you as well as your administrators and uh and friends. All right. So, with

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that, we will take a short recess and then the regular business meeting will reconvene in about five minutes. bring this meeting back to order. Mr. Bill, do you have any changes to the agenda? >> Mrs. Johnson, good evening again. I do.

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if the board uh would be good enough. Um this is something that actually would be um in section 8 which is business administrators because it's just the appropriate section for purchasing. But under 8.4 I'd like to add letter H. And if the

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board would indulge me I could read in 8.4 um >> H I'm adding H letter H and 8.4H reads as follows. as a superintendent recommends the approval of a contract

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with grade MS for the purchase of new curriculum adoption for ELA uh grades one ELA1 grades one in the amount of $63,6861. The funding source for these curricular materials is an impact grant uh which is

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received from the state of New Jersey. Um and the accounting code is 243216410 0. Not that you need to know that but that is um a supply account and that will be for um

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and 63,60861 for the materials and an additional $65,66.50 50 cents uh for uh textbooks from grape mines and um that um they are materials

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that we would need instead of waiting till June um for that u resolution. There are committees that are being sent to work this summer. These materials are needed. So I would appreciate the board

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considering adding that. So um when Mr. McColi gets that, he will ask for an amended uh section from his report. And that's all the changes. >> Thank you. At this time, we have public comments for agenda items only if anyone would

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like to speak. >> Hi, good evening. Uh Jeff Emerson, GTA. Uh I'm back this month in regards to the proposed counseling position changes that are scheduled to take effect next year. Uh I previously spoke to the board of ed on April 20th but I've not heard

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anything back there has been any update. Uh approximately three years ago the GTA brought a matter to Mr. Bilo and administrative team in regards to the everinccreasing challenges and behaviors in our schools and the need for additional social emotional support for our student population. Our elementary

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schools, many of which are close to the same number of students as the middle schools, were under intense pressure to meet the needs of all the students in their care, with just one counselor as opposed to the three that are each in the middle schools. Uh, two counselors in each of the larger buildings has been instrumental in ensuring the needs of

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our schools are met. I may go a week without seeing some teachers in my building, but not a day goes by without seeing my school's counselors moving about the building from one student in need to the next. I'm here once again to implore you to reconsider this proposal by admin to utilize counselors as

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special area teachers. Would counselors be the best option to teach groups uh whole group lessons? Perhaps, but that is debatable. Regardless, any benefit of having counselors in the classroom is far and away overshadowed by the negative and unintended consequences

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that will follow. The most notable be the individual and small groups that need their specialized time and services to perform in a public school environment. I would like to ask the board of ed to consider that the district hire fourCL special area teachers to make up the difference for

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the four Spanish teachers were initial we were initially missing. This proposal is asking elementaryaries counselors to teach over 30 SEAL classes in each of the larger buildings. Each building special area teacher typically teaches five to six classes per day.

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Each special is 40 minutes. So that 120 minutes per day. Every other cycle they will be out of the classroom and not completing duties they are typically required or asked to do. On top of that, right now many counselors like nurses work flexible lunches to ensure that

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student needs are met and often eat with those small groups. The GTA will now look to ensure that since they are being asked to teach, they are scheduled 30 minutes duty-free lunch just like other instructional personnel. And like other instructional personnel, they will need

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their average of 54 minutes of prep each day to ensure they'll have time uh to plan their lessons. So to summarize, this is 120 minutes of teaching, 30 minutes of lunch, 54 minutes of prep, or three and a half hours per day. each counselor won't be able to do their jobs

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every other cycle or being asked to do what they're currently doing. This new proposal in effect puts us closer to where we were three years ago when we just had one counselor. I would now like to share a list of duties our counselors currently perform each and every day. Uh

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counseling responsibilities, individual, they do group, they do lunch bunches, student requests for counseling, parent requests for counseling, teacher requests for assistance, i.e. EP counseling, crisis counseling, classroom.

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Sure. >> Anyone else? Good evening. >> Yep. I can see. >> Okay. >> Denise Coin. She's landing. Um, tonight's vote is more than just allowing meet and greets in our school. It's about transparency, fairness, and

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giving the public equal access access to people seeking to represent our community on the board of education. For years, residents, school principles, and parent groups has have asked for the opportunity to hold candidate meet and greets in our public schools, and those

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requests were repeatedly denied. the limited opportunities for voters to hear directly from candidates, ask questions, and become informed before votes, before elections. Our schools are public property. They belong to the taxpayers and to the community, not to any

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political group, party or organization. Public facilities should be available in fair and equal manner to all candidates and members of the public regardless of political affiliation or viewpoint. Allowing these events promotes openness,

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civic participation, and informed voting. It gives residents a chance to engage directly with the people asking for their support and helps strengthen trust in the election process. Transparency should never depend on who's in power at any given moment.

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Politics should be based on fairness and equal access to everyone. Approving this policy tonight would be an important step to improving public engagement and restoring confidence that our schools and our public institutions are truly open to the entire community. I

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encourage the board to approve policy number 7510. Thank you. >> Would anyone else like to speak? >> Mr. So to continue with their um responsibilities, they have classroom

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lessons, schoolwide resources, behavioral intervention plan supports, handle with care responsibilities, attendance checks, and to call up when uh and call ups to follow or to follow up. uh their procedural responsibilities, crisis counseling,

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oaks referrals, care solace referrals, DCPN completion of requested uh reports, handle with care, hibs, SSDs annual reports, 504s, IEP, parent requests, SSI paperwork, threat assessment team, progress

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reports, IEP goals, plaps, castle referrals, behavior reports, uh committees they serve on, MTSS, INRS, PBIS title one helping hands uh PLC's resource meetings CST meetings

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RTI meetings counselor meeting administrative counselor meetings uh other responsibilities not included uh duty for arrival and dismissal student of the month assemblies and lunchrooms mentor programs calming reset room parent teacher conferences and providing

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tier one resources and supports for seal behavioral issues and tier 2 and three supports uh for behavioral issues. So now with this new policy, the elementary counselors will be asked to perform all this in addition to losing large amounts of their day to the

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classes. The GTA was never included in the discussion to eliminate half the Spanish lessons and put counselors in the classroom. Had we been, we could have voiced our concerns with having to wait until May and be in the position we are now. So, while I clearly believe this

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proposal is not in the best interest of our students, it also goes against what we stand for as a union. I would like you to read you the school counselor job description as created by the board of ed. The performance responsibilities for counselors when they are hired says

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assists students in evaluating their aptitudes and abilities through the use of teacher comments, interpretation of individual standardized test scores and other pertinent data. Works with students in in evolving educational and career plans in terms of such evaluation. Two, maintain student

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records and ensures their confidentiality. Three, provide information and prepare recommendations for colleagues and admissions and scholarships as well as potential employers and other agencies. Four, works to resolve students educational handicaps. Five, works to discover and

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develop special abilities of students. Six, works to prevent students from dropping out of school. Seven, plans guidance field trips to schools, colleges, and industry for interested students. Eight works with students on an individual basis in the solution of

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personal problems related to such problems as home and family relations, health and emotional adjustment. Nine, confers with parents whenever necessary. 10, interprets interprets the guidance program to the

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community. 11 provides inservice training and guidance for teachers and student teachers as requested. 12 advises administrators and faculty on the matters of student discipline as requested. 13 assists assists in the orientation of new faculty members. And

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finally, 14 other tasks as from time to time may be assigned with the scope of his or her employment and or certification areas. Nowhere in this listing is anything remotely close to ask to asking the counselors to do what you are asking.

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Then it leads me to ask the question, can you change the if you can change the counseling job description on a whim, who or what is next? Am I going to be asked to put away library books as a duty, answering phone calls in the office, clean up after students in the cafeteria, or perhaps walk around the

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playground and pick up trash as I monitor students? Where does it end when admin feels they can unilaterally change performance responsibilities without negotiating the impact of those changes? This proposal also doesn't appear to have been just thought of recently. Our

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councils were asked twice this year to document everything they do in 15minute increments. Not only is this demeaning, it's downright insulting. I ask you to ask Mr. Trow and Mr. Klein to see these reports and you will see for yourself everything they are asked to do to keep

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our schools running. These reports did demonstrate one thing. It showed the astronomical amount of things they're asked to do each and every day. I leave you with some questions and things to consider. What will happen when there is a crisis? Will they be pulled from a classroom or will the paperwork just be

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saved for them at a later time? Can you ensure their prep time in duty-free lunch? Are parents going to make to be made aware of this plan to diminish Spanish and bring inclines? Are parents going to be um given a choice to opt out if they choose? Are

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additional teachers going to be handled with care trained when counselors cannot leave classes unattended to assist with a crisis? Counselors will now have to be disciplinarians when teaching a classroom as opposed to being the safe person they are now for students to confide in. You're asking them to wear

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two hats. Is that fair? Counselors will be the only special area teacher to be required to be part of mandatory committees like INRS, school climate, PBIS, 504, threat assessment, and HIV. The proposal creates an imbalance of duties and different job descriptions

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between elementary and middle school counselors. Do the counselors need a teaching sir or will they receive training to teach whole group lessons? I conclude that I'm extremely concerned for the mental health needs of our students, but I'm also equally concerned with the mental

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health needs of our counselors and this and that this proposal puts them on a fast track for burnout. This proposal takes nothing off their plate in regards to the things they're being asked to do every day except to limit the amount of time they have to do that while increasing their workload without that

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impact being bargained. Our counselors are amazing people with the biggest hearts. Most would just quietly do what is asked of them because they don't want to rock the boat and the students are their number one priority. My role as GTA president puts me in a unique position to look out for just not just

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the students but certified staff as well. And I need to say that this proposal proposed plan appears to be in violation of the GTA contract. I implore you to sit and have the discussions amongst yourselves as to why you feel this is the best path forward. I ask

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that you please reconsider this proposal and look to fill the hole left by left there by the Spanish teachers some other way. Some other way that will not be of detriment to the students and the staff that serve them. Thank you.

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>> Thank you for your information. >> Mr. Bido, can you meet with them and go over everything with them? >> Absolutely. I'd like to meet with Mr. Emerson, Mr. Trow, and uh Mr. Klein certainly is in the back. Mr. Klein,

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welcome. Uh I think it's obviously an important issue and um I think uh that type of face to face communication is warranted under the circumstances. >> Yeah. >> Okay. At this time, uh report of the solicitor, Mr. Long.

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>> Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. My items were discussed in this evening's executive session. Okay. Um, board committee reports personnel. >> Uh, we met on April 13th. Uh, we discussed the selection of the new

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director of special services. >> Thank you. Curriculum. Um, Mrs. Galanick's not here. Um, we did receive uh the notes from Mr. Tro for the curriculum. So,

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At this time, can we have the report of the superintendent, please? >> Uh, thank you, Mrs. Johnson. Uh, we've already, um, handled item 7.1, uh, which is the recognition ceremony. So, if I could, uh, ask for a consent resolution

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for 7.2A 2 a through seven point excuse me six N as in Nancy >> can I have a motion to approve please >> as yes that's as amended thank you

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>> thank you motion to approve please >> so moved >> second anyone have a questions or comments I have a quick comment 7.3B. Uh, Miss Coin's comment. I would hope

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the board is affirmative in that. I too agree that the building should be used for public access. >> I have also a comment on 7.3 C as in cat. Uh I am happy that the

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grading system has been changed. So therefore our students are not uh let down when they have a 84 and it's a C. Um so I um a little old school also uh to confirm or to um cosign on what Chip

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said. Um 7510 I think is um a great progress to see how um school board members could better serve their community once they are elected and so therefore there is some um visibility

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with school board candidates and the public. So I would hope that the school board uh approves that as well. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Um, can I have a roll call, please?

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>> Miss Gore, >> abstain on employees numbers 570 and 2066. Um, no to 7.3B and yes on the balance.

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>> Noted. Mr. Hutchinson. Um, abstain on employee ID 5721. Uh, no on 7.3B and yes on the rest. >> Noted. Mrs. Masky,

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>> no to 7.6 L, employee ID 4198. Also 6421, 6426, 6776, and 6703. Um, yes to the rest.

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I have to look at the video for that one. Uh, Mr. Pelis, >> I'm going to vote on 7.6L, employee number 4198. I'm a no. Uh, yes on the rest. Mr. Tercy,

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7.6 L. Um I'm a no on 5515 6421 6426 6776 and uh no to 4198 what

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and yes to the Mr. Henry, with regards to 7.6J, 6 J. I am a no on employee number 5515

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6729 6421 6426 6767 6760 6703 on item number 6.6 6 L. I am a no on

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employee number 4198 and employee number 3193. Yes. On the balance, >> Mr. Johnson. >> Yes. Um abstain on under 7.6L 6L numbers

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2080 1 968 148 6208 4556 2037

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and no on employee number 4198. Yes, on the balance. I've noted. >> Mr. Bellow, will you please send that letter tomorrow? And I'd like a copy nonrenewal.

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Thank you. All right. Moving on. Um, where are we? Report of the business administrator. >> Uh, yes. My report begins on 8.0 know with uh 8.1 asking uh the board to table

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8.1 um we don't get the bank statements until May 4th and the agenda went out May 6th so we weren't able to do any balancing so asking the board to table uh 8.1 I don't know if you want to do that all together as a mo one motion or you want to do it separately um

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>> we can do it as a as a group >> do it as a group >> okay um then um through 8.2 to as amended on uh 8.4H which was added by the superintendent all the way through 8.7

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F. >> Can I get a motion, please? >> So moved. >> Second. Any comments or questions as amended? >> Yeah, I have um a question. Sorry. Um with regards to

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8.7 F as in Frank. Um the school board calendar meetings. Um I do appreciate that the majority of these meetings are on the third Monday

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of the month, but there is a small handful that it is either on the second or fourth Monday of the month. And especially in this today where there is a council meeting that is affecting the

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nine of us that have been elected and and most of the audience the budget being u talked about. I would have liked to have that opportunity to attend that council meeting. Um so I would ask the

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board to table F. So therefore we can either go for another day that there is no conflicts of going to council meetings as we the nine of us are taxpayers and we should be able to

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afford that right to go to that meeting as well. Um and is it does it have to be a Monday that we meet? Could it be any day? Could it be a Tuesday? Could it be a Wednesday? Could it be a Thursday? Does it have to be Monday? No, it does not have to be a

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Monday. >> You're amazing. >> Board sets the schedule. But are are you making the motion to table? >> I am making a motion to table. Yeah. >> Ask for a second. >> Second, please. >> Second. >> Discussion amendment. All in favor? >> Any questions, comments?

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>> All in favor? I >> I >> I any >> All right. So that's So that's tableds. >> Okay. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Now I have some more questions.

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>> Sorry. Go ahead. on 8 four C the top right hand corner. This is in my crawl with the how much taxpayers pay this one company Brett Denovi.

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I would highly recommend everybody vote no for that because they have been gouging us for so long in my opinion. That's just my opinion. We we have to find a better solution. So, I'm going to say please vote no for uh endorsing

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Brett Denovi for the next contractual year. Also on 8.6B, the upgrades to air conditioning and heating. I am on the building and ground

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committee. I'd like to commend Mr. Moli and Sonni Umar for going we we didn't we didn't let them off easy. We fought for over an hour um in that meeting of trying to get the best temperature for

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those teachers in those four schools at a reasonable price for the taxpayers and Sonnie and Jean came back with more appropriate numbers. There's a grants out there. They found creative ways and I

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we need to jump on this price because they did a lot of hard work and um establishing that. So, I'm encouraging everybody on 8.6B to vote yes because that took a lot of hard work and time and dedication on

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their part. Um and there's Oh, and I'm in agreement with tableabling the the meeting. So >> well that already so with respect to Brett Denovi I mean I it's a topic that we've discussed for several years on

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this board. Um and look if you know it's a conversation of course that can continue on how we use these services but I think the key to everybody is the as needed basis. Um we can discuss how they're used when they're used what

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they're used for. That's fine. That's another conversation. But legally, I know there's a lot of kids with IEPs who rely on those services for Brett Denovi that we don't have a solution for at this point. I get >> Well, I implore the board to get a solution. >> I that's a different conversation, but

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I'm just talking about for this exact vote. I think we're running we would run into some serious legal issues if we voted no to that as an as needed basis. I'm not in any way denigrating >> millions of dollars a month. >> I hear you. millions.

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>> I hear you. >> But that's just I just have to fill that information. >> We have people there are people out there. >> It doesn't have to be this company. >> My I have a question though. Is this a contract that we're >> as needed?

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>> But I'm just saying previously we had where there's a contract. If we were to turn around and vote no for a check or whatever, we're in violation of a contractual agreement. >> If we they were to say that they record, right? Yes. >> So in this situation, I'm saying is

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>> we can opt to not use them because it's as needed and not have any legal conflict. >> Well, the issue the issue wouldn't be with Denovi. I'm talking about I follow you there. >> The that's what I'm talking about the IPS. You can choose not to enter into a contract with Denovi. I am just telling

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all of you that I would have grave concerns legally from a filling IEPs and providing FAPE. I would do we have alternatives that we could use. >> It's an as needed service. So you can you can award it and just not use it.

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But there there are other ones in here that do exactly. So what's going to happen is you're going to raise the cost for another vendor. There's three vendors in here that do nothing but provide these services. So, if they're not going to go to Brett, they'll just go to another one

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because unless we provide the service where their own staff, which has been very hard to find, which is a different topic that we can't decide tonight, um they're going to have to come up with a solution between now and September. And actually, these start July 1st, and most

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of these kids that provide this or that need these service actually start that weekend after July 4th, right? So you're talking within the next two months they'll be needing these services >> teachers and and AVAs and all in the summer. We definitely can.

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>> How how close was was the low bidi with the next vendor? Was it was it closed? >> You say we can use the other vendors that are on the >> but we can use them. So we have the option two. >> Oh, he's saying if we vote tonight we get Brett for a year. You have three.

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>> No, but you can choose to use them. You could choose to use one person or 50 people. That's what you decide to do. >> The other but if you don't approve them then then you can't use them at all. >> Yeah. But the other question with these RPFs >> RFPs

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>> or are Yeah, I I got the right letters, right? >> Um were these presented to the personnel committee beforehand for review and acceptance? >> No, they're not. It's purchasing. It doesn't go to personnel. They're low. They're low bid services that are bid

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out every year. >> Millions of dollars is the low bid. >> So, >> absolutely. Of course. >> Yeah. >> There's there's there's nursing services our teachers millions. >> There's nursing services that are here. There's all kinds of that are here.

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>> Can you join us, please? >> Good evening, everybody. Thank you for letting me speak. What you just stated would literally cost this district the entire cost. It will break your bank. The law requires that every single child

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start with their education in their least restrictive environment. >> Correct. >> Every child who has a Brett Denovi or an RBT is a candidate for an out ofd district placement. There are no out of

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district placements available for most of our students. I just spent the last couple of months recreating programs. Next school year, we will have 33 self-contained classrooms from prek to

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8. Excuse me. Yeah. From prek to 8. Nowhere in the state of New Jersey at a pre-K to 8 district do you have 33 self-contained classrooms supporting students with significantly in very intense needs. I have been on

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litigation every almost every week arguing with people who my staff are getting beat up, principles are getting scratched. I had a first grader kick a hole in the wall, trash the classroom,

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beat up teachers, and this is ongoing in just one classroom. We have so many students with significant needs. If we do not have access to these resources, then you're going to be paying $100,000

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or more just to get a student in a program. And for every day that you do not have a program for that student, then you're going to be on the hook for compensatory education. Right now, I have a first grader that the law is requiring me to pay, and you haven't

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even received that bill yet, $750 a day just for them to go for a couple of hours because they have behavior issues that cannot be managed. The law requires this. So you voting against it

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is only going to make your life miserable and cause every single one of these teachers to file grievances. Other parents are going to file complaints against you. It is a a systemic issue and it's not just here in Gloucester

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Township. And the law also states that you can't put a penny or a dollar on a service for a special needs child. You have to give them the service that they deserve legally or you're violating their civil rights. You cannot put them in a classroom with someone who is

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someone's grandmother who does not have the techniques to intervene with them and demonstrate to show progress. These are all legal requirements that you are obligated to do and vote on as a board. You need to know who your community is.

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Right now I have had over I've had 285 referrals for child study team. The int the uptick in the preschoolers and kindergarteners with diagnosis of autism

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has grown so much. We don't have the resources to support these families. And there's multiple people, multiple families living here that don't live here. So, please stop saying about the dollar

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amount because you're never going to combat from when the parents sue you and then everybody else starts suing you because you'll have a class action lawsuit. There's a CPAG parent right there listening to everything that's being reported. You guys need to read

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the administrative code. Now, I've sat here for years. I've never said a word. I've done everything that you've asked me to do >> and then some. You're asking my staff to do stuff that is way beyond their capability. We don't even have enough

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speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or tough study team members to manage what's going on here. >> When I leave, >> why not? >> Because you don't have the resources. Financially, I made a huge cut in my

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budget and I was asked to make cuts with staff and I was creative in going around and creating resources and supports to address the needs because guess what? That's their legal obligation. This is their least restrictive environment, not

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somewhere else. And nobody else has a place for them either. Braftoft is about to open another district in Mount Laurel. transporting a kid alone. That doesn't even talk about that 75 $80,000

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that's flat for the tuition. It doesn't include a one-on-one aid which is another $60,000 and it does not cover the uh transportation and then kids are on buses for over an hour at a time

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because we're packing them in. It's unfortunate. I hear what you're saying and the team is doing everything in their power. These teachers and these staff are working like dogs to manage the situation. They do not have the

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cooperation of families. They come to school. They drop the kids off. You try to call them. They don't come. They say it's our problem. Your turn. My day off.

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And people it they they will tell you ask Ariel how many times they're running up and down the hallway for gened kids. I had a kid strip butt naked in a kindergarten class

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attacking other children. Gened >> and Brett Denovi cures that. >> Hey Brett Den, it's not about Brett Denovi. It's somebody. He's the only person in the area that can keep you out of court. You want to know why? It's

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because he has the resources and the supports. He provides the additional staff. He goes away. There is a specific uh requirement for the amount of people and you don't even have the BCBA support. They are required for every RBT

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that you have. They have to have so many hours of supervision. Brett provides that. If there is an absence for a child or that 101 or RBT is absent, he provides the sub. Any of our people go out, there's no substitutes. Not one

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agency can cover a sub. Now, we've been very strategic in our budget proposal. I think you were told that last time. We're really smart about how we use our resources. But for you to vote no against him, I'm telling you, you will

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have parents here on June. >> I'm not saying not give the quality your assistance. I'm saying choose another vendor. >> There are we're using everyone in the area that and they can't even support us. >> You just said we had two more bills

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>> that we use them. Brett is not the only resource we use. >> Is that the second vendor? Whoever applies who met the criteria, we use a ton of people. >> A ton. >> Jean, to clarify, you said there's no

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there's three that can be used that we have that are in here. So, it's doesn't mean one. >> Delta T, Brett, Denovi, First Children's Services, Interactive Kids. >> So, this isn't as needed. We can use any

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of them as we need to fill. There's another one on there should be on there as well, but they they don't have the resources. You have a major problem in society right now and they there is a

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huge uptick of children who have diagnosis of autism or significant disability. >> It's only going up and it's what one in 36 Dr. Martin. >> Yes. and it's growing. And since preschool and registration,

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I've had to I had a a spare class, but I had to open that spare class so that I can accommodate the ones that I know about. When I leave on June 30th, you wait and see what happens. You're going to run out of space. you're not gonna

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have the the space to meet the needs of the kids that are coming in because the ones that don't come in, okay, it's the ones that the parents wait till they see a school bus and then they show up and say, "Oh yeah, it's time to register."

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So, the number of K and the transfers. I just had a whole family of children transferring. You know that one of the girls was a threeon-one at fifth what third grade because she was beating beating people profusely and they were clearing classrooms out came

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from Collingswood and it's three three kids. I can't support that. I don't have three onone. And we're also have a duty and responsibility to the education of every single child that walks into this

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school. The law says that a child because I just had this argument with the the the attorney on Friday, a child should not and cannot be a significant disruption to the educational process of another

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child. So, when I have this one first grader who is clearing out a classroom on a regular basis and my babies are sitting out in a hallway or in another room for two and a half to three hours because they can't get them back in class

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and the resources and the adults because the principal's in there, the assistant principal's in there. My staff, my supervisors are down there, the BCBA is down there. Okay. The nurse. Who else? The counselors. They're here. They'll

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tell you. >> I know. I was there. I was on the other end. >> Say that again. >> I was on the other end. I was in a classroom. >> You haven't experienced anything that they have. You're in a middle school. These >> Oh, we cure we cure them by middle school.

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>> There is no comparison to the type of child that we were supporting when I started in 2012, which is why I'm retiring. I can't do it anymore. I don't have the tools. I don't have the ability

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to do it anymore. And I refuse to put myself in that position because the law requires that we support kids. And I'm not going to do it on a on a shoestring budget and someone telling me I can't do something. I have to go to sleep at night.

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and you have a ton of children that are coming through here. Okay, thank you very much. >> Questions? >> Anyone? Any other questions? Roll call, please. >> Um, Miss Gore. >> Yes.

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>> Mr. Hutchinson. Yes, >> Mrs. Mashki. >> Yes, as amended. >> Mr. Kelis, I'm abstaining on the Bretonovi. And are we doing checks now? >> Yes. >> Yes.

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>> I'm abstaining on 140989. And I'm definitely voting yes on 86B. All the rest is definitely a yes. >> Noted, Mr. Tersy. 8.4.

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No. Um 8 8.7 C. I'm a No. Uh oh. A point. E um I'm not sure why we are moving the

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date for the next meeting. We get any context for that one. So I'm a no on that. And we already tabled F and yes to the rest. >> Uh Mrs. Yes to everything but 8.7F which we tabled.

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>> Mrs. Johnson >> um abstain on check number 141 0004 and 141 080. >> Yes. On the balance. Noted. >> Motion carries.

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>> Thank Mr. Bido. Any old business? >> Um Mr. Johnson, member of the board. Uh the transportation uh committee did meet um last month. We had a resident uh let the board know

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about a mishap we had on one of our buses. So, I wanted to report back to the board and the public that certain things were done since we last met. Um, first thing was that I issued a kind of

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a directive to the transportation department and to the school administrators that once a child is boarded in the afternoon, uh, no one can disembark the child. So, we don't want a

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repeat of parents trying to rush uh buses whether they are delayed or behind. Uh the only exception would be if someone's trying to get a student off the bus currently, it will take an administrator to come to the bus. Um and

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then the protocols in place to relay information uh to the transportation department dispatch where we keep a recording. So we have kind of a trail of where the student is. So uh nobody's really going to get off the bus. If the parent want them, they have to go to the bus stop and wait unless they get

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administrator pull the child. Second thing was that for all the schools, they're now on our phone system is a afternoon recorded message including the board office if they have the main number. And when you reach the school,

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the first option is uh now states it's been in effect since last week. Uh and parents are calling it. And if you call and you have a question about the afternoon run and want to talk to someone in transportation, uh we have um

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staff um to arrange their schedules and have our dispatcher there to 5:30 I think is the cut off time. So most of the problems that we have would be in that time zone. So we wanted to be a little bit proactive. I know that uh

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that parent was somewhat stressed so we wanted to react to it. So that want to report that to the board. >> Thank you very much. >> Um you're welcome. >> How about under new business? Anything? >> Uh yeah, Ashley, you uh you gave me a bit of new business. on the July 20th

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meeting, if we're allowed to meet on July 20th, um we will have um goal setting um at 6:00. So, whenever the July meeting is set, >> um um we will have goal setting that

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will be facilitated by New Jersey School Boards Association. Dr. Brando will be there. Again, I think one hour has been earmarked for that. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Did I miss something? Then why would we not be able to meet in July? >> We haven't set a meeting yet. >> Oh, >> we haven't set the meeting yet. Got it. We got tabled.

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>> The only thing is we are committed already with Dr. Brian Law. >> Brando. >> Brando. >> Yeah. >> So, >> we can work it out. >> Okay. Yeah, because she has a schedule that she has to keep. Also, >> we can always schedule just a a meeting,

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a special meeting portal setting on the 20th as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> All right. At this time, would anyone like to speak on public comments? >> Um, Mrs. Before we start the time, Mr. Deileo, I understand this is the third

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board that you've brought these identical complaints to. You can absolutely speak. Nobody's saying you can't, but just want to be clear. If you want to challenge in any way anything that you feel that has happened to you or that it is wrong or that is illicit or illegal, this is not the forum for

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that. You can read your same AI generated comment. That's fine. But I just want to make you make it clear that this is not the forum to challenge anything. So you can have your time. >> I'm going to speak. >> You can speak. just said because I'm a taxpayer and there are different people,

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different employees in this room tonight and they need to know what's going on. >> I just said you could speak. >> Okay, I'm going to repeat what I said last month, just so you know. >> I'm a taxpayer and I pay a lot of money in taxes.

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>> Do you have anything new that you can add to that? >> Do I have anything new? Like I just said, there's employees in this room tonight that need to know what's happened to me. And you know, nothing from the board has given me the board

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has given me no info. Yes, I've been here coming here a year. Okay. Everyone needs to know what's been done to me because I've been a 37year employee of Glustester Township Schools.

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I'm a taxpayer and I pay a lot of money in taxes. >> Okay, go right ahead. >> So, I'm going to say what I need to say and you just gave me you just gave me a minute off the clock so you can take that clock back to three minutes. >> You can start over. >> Yeah.

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>> Okay. Yes, I did repeat this uh last month and I'm going to repeat it again. Darthothy Hope DeLo, terminated employee of Glouester Township Schools. This was sent to me and I'm going to repeat it. Yes, I read it into the record uh last

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month. Darthy Hope DeLooleo's situation based on the letters attached policy number 4161 and her own testimony appears to reflect a troubling combination of procedural violations possible abuse abuse of administrative

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policy and potential retaliation particularly when viewed in the context of reneering eligibility for lifetime medical benefits. Here's an informed analysis. Number one, policy number 4161

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seems to have been used as a tool for termination. Critical point, policy number 4161 was adopted December 2023 after she returned from medical leave and had already been cleared by her own doctors.

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It appears this policy was either retroactively applied or created in anticipation of using using it against her which may show intent to remove her before she hit the 25-year contracted

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milestone. Number two, she was cleared by her own doctors but still forced into psychiatric evaluation. The policy says the board can require exams if there's evidence of deviation from normal health. However, in her documentation,

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there is no clear documented evidence shared with her justifying psychiatric testing, no hearing occurred where she had the chance to contest or defend herself. Instead, the district appears to have unilaterally decided she was

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unfit without due process. Number three, there are serious concerns about procedural misconduct. Termination appears to have been termination appears to have been issued by the superintendent alone with no clear

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evidence of board of ed of board of education approval. Policy 4161 mandates certain step steps notice and opportunity for hearing for determination before enforcement. a process for mutual doctor selection.

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Option to submit her own provider in parenthesis providers. Her story in the documents suggest these rights may not have been honored. Number four, the timing and motive are highly suspect. Termination date

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November 6, 2024. Medical benefits end November 30th, 2024. There's a contracted service 24 years and seven months in parenthesis just shy of the 25 years required for lifelong health

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benefits. That fivemon gap is pivotal. >> See if there's anybody else. >> I have to check to see anyone else like to speak. I would like to thank the members of the board tonight that voted for policy 7510. I think everybody understands that

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I've been asking And now I >> would like Okay, it's not my name. As I said, I wanted to thank the members of the board that voted to approve policy 7510. I started asking for that

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policy almost 10 years ago uh when it was first new in New Jersey. And uh we now have hundreds of schools in New Jersey to hold forums. And I never understood why anybody on our previous board would want to prohibit um allowing

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that to happen in our district. I also have spent probably a decade at voting places um on election day and there is a huge number of people that do not vote for the school board and people I spoke

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to that strangers that I would ask why not why are you not voting they said because we don't know any I don't know anything about the people running I only know about one I don't know about anybody else I tried to find information online I couldn't find it so I think it I've been asking for it for so along

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because I always believed um you need an educated voter and a school district should want to allow um parents and residents to come to the school if a parent group wants to do it uh and and hear from everybody uh that's running,

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everyone who's on on the ballot. So, I wanted to thank everybody for that. I also want to mention that I too think that I've never understood why our council and our school board couldn't get together and change their meeting dates so they're not on the same night.

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I've been a a resident of this town for longer than I want to say because I'm not young. Um, and I would have liked to have gone tonight to the budget meeting at the council, but my first priority has always been hearing what's happening

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in the school district because I've had so many children here for many, many years. But, so I think that's something that you should discuss and consider. I don't know if you can ever get council to, you know, want to work with you, but I guess it, you know, it's worth certainly a try. And, uh, thank you very

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much. >> Thank you. Good evening, TJ Shug from Somerdale. Mr. De Lao, I just want to say that dig about the AI chat generated conversation was rude I I thought was inappropriate and disrespectful. If you need AI to help you, you use AI to help you. Yep.

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My name is TJ Shug and I'm a resident of Gloucester Township. I'm here to follow up on a transportation policy suggestion that was raised earlier this school year regarding flexibility for students designated as walkers. We understand that the policy was reviewed and that no changes were made for this school year.

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However, the underlying issue still remains. Currently, buses in our district run with available seats while some students within close proximity are still required to walk even when they are being dropped off at child care locations along existing bus routes. We're asking the board to consider

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whether when capacity already exists and no additional cost or route changes are required, there could be flexibility to allow students to use available seats from established stops. At this point, we would appreciate clear guidance on whether this policy will be reconsidered moving forward and what the timeline

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would be, whether over the summer or in the upcoming school year. I know if I was open to a conversation with that, if I could submit a proposal, some kind of input. >> Okay. The policy committee will have to

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review that. >> Okay. Will you be reaching out to me directly or was that something that I follow up? >> Yeah, you could you could always submit a proposal at any time to the board members emails and it go to the policy committee and get referred to the policy committee. >> Great. Thank you very much. >> Thank you.

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Anyone else like to speak? >> I'm Rich Child, Blackwood, New Jersey. Um, my kids go to uh Blackwood Elementary, and the outside playground there is like sawdust. Uh, we have play sets all over the

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township. We got big parks with million dollars worth of stuff and we go out there and we got one of those number two plastic slides, you know, and I'm just trying to figure out why we don't I mean, I'm not asking for like a metal slide or the old, you know, twirly things where everybody gets swung

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around, but you know, can we get some swing sets or something that these, you know, I mean, they're kindergarten. They're not going to they want to play. They don't want to, you know, go out to a whole bunch of wood chips and and try to figure out where they lost their car, you know. And I've noticed that a lot of our schools don't have any type of play

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sets. I know years ago you guys said something about maybe insurance or whatever, but you know, every other town, they all have big playsets and they're getting bigger and they're better and they're getting wheelchair people with um to get swing sets and stuff like that. So I I think it's about

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time you guys start looking into that so they're not just playing in dust and dirt. >> So you know >> Thank you. >> Yeah. I mean we pay a lot of money in taxes and >> you know it's all sitting at parks and not at the schools where it's usable. >> So

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>> thank you. Sorry about that. >> No, I was expecting. >> Good evening. >> Hello, >> Kyle from Blenheim. I have five daughters that are either in the closer town of schools or going into or already graduated. And I just wanted to second

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had a question. What is with the playgrounds or lack of playgrounds in the elementary schools? I hear all kinds of rumors of why we don't have them, but I just wanted to get it straight from the board. Why? >> Mr. Bella, would you like to answer that?

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>> Well, the district has never really had a great deal of playgrounds on the school campuses. Um, when I came here over 20 years ago, I think there was one at Choose Elementary School. was in poor

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repair, uh, poor condition, and it got disassembled because of, um, safety concerns. Um, but it hasn't always been just a um initiative of the district to put

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playgrounds u at the elementary sites. >> I mean, is there a reason why? like every other town has them and then it's like really closer town the only town does and we go from town to town all over New Jersey over the country.

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>> I don't know if there's like a a set program to to deny them but I I know we don't have them. It's I know that there are several with township um parks but not at our schools. >> Yes. Yeah. Uh well I mean is there any

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plans to go forward with that looking into that? Maybe get quotes or anything like that? Have you the board ever spoken about that >> or can they? Well, the board of education when it comes to facilities has something called a five-year um plan

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and it normally has like meat and potato things like roofing system, door systems, but you can add playgrounds to uh the long range facility plan and you can systematically begin to put them in. >> Yeah. >> Uh with a plan. I mean, everything starts with a plan

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>> and um but certainly comments from the previous gentleman and yourself. I think the board should have um a discussion at the buildings and grounds committee. There's a subcommittee of this board and they do meet. Um I know Mr. Pilis spoke

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earlier tonight of something that Mr. Mcoli and Mr. Umar had been working on um with programs from BPU. In this case, we had a fantastic opportunity to replace uh the original boilers at Charles Lewis School. And so that was an

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opportunity we we wanted to take advantage of the discount, but having having a plan of something like you're mentioning can dis be discussed in a subcommittee >> so we can put it on the agenda. >> Okay. >> Well, I really appreciate if you guys at least discuss it.

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>> Sure. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Have a great day. >> Thank you. You two. >> Anyone else like to speak back? >> No. Hi, Natasha Palmer, Union Valley and Ariel Elementary. Um, I just wanted to say a couple words of support for the

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changes in the grading policy as well as policy 7510 and also changing the date of the meeting so that they do not occur on the same date as the council meetings. Also just wanted to say just a quick word about special education just because I do have a child that's in

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special education and I know it's expensive. I understand the significant cost that it costs to a student that it costs to the school district and I want to say that overall my personal experience has been that Gloucester Township has done a great job educating

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my child and I would hate to see money get in the way of that continuing. So, I just want to express my appreciation for um the counselors, for the teachers, for all the support staff. Um PTO, she received the whole alphabet soup. Um and

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so I understand the cost. I cannot tell you how much of an impact that the services have had on my child. When she was born, she was pretty much nonverbal. She had three words when she

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was one. um and going through both early intervention services and the phenomenal staff at Ariel and Elementary, it has made such a difference. It's to the point where we can't get her to stop talking. So, but I I just want to express the appreciation and support for

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the staff. And while I know it's expensive, the lifelong value that it is having is so much more. And if there's ever anything that I can do to help fund raise, offset costs, I know there are a lot of other special education parents that agree with me. They'd be willing to

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do whatever we can to make sure that our children grow up to be successful because once they leave here, they're going to be out in the world and they can contribute if they get the resources that they need now. So, I just want to

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say thank you and thank you Dr. Nie. Dorothy Hope Deleo. As I was saying, number four, the timing and motive are highly suspect. Termination date November 6, 2024. Medical benefits end November 30th,

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2024. Years of contracted service, 24 years and seven months. in parenthesis just shy of the 25 years required for lifelong health benefits. That fivemonth gap is pivotal. Terminating her before

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the threshold under the guise of mental unfitness with policy enacted post incident raises a serious question of bad faith intent to deny earned benefits. Number five, potential legal and civil

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rights issues. Darthy may have grounds for multiple legal claims, including retaliation under New Jersey whistleblower and employment laws, disability discrimination if her illness was used as pretext, violation of due process under New Jersey education law

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and employment protections. Union failure to represent if her union rep in parenthesis CCD only didn't advocate properly. Breach of contract or imply covenant of good faith regarding her medical benefit eligibility.

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Conclusion: Dorothy's case strongly suggests an abuse of authority and policy to strip her of benefits she was about to earn after decades of service. The evidence and timing appear highly orchestrated. This is not just about Darthothy. This

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could affect any employee nearing retirement and the misuse of policy number 4161 warrants public and legal scrutiny. And the other thing I want to bring to light is at the last meeting, Mrs. Johnson, you asked me what exactly do you want?

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And you repeated it. What exactly do you want? And I said I wanted a written and verbal apology. And that's not all. I SAID I WANTED ALL THE BACK PAY. I WANTED my benefits for life. And there's a couple other things that I think you

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don't want to talk about RIGHT NOW. AND I have heard nothing. We all KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING. We all know where it's going. >> Thank you. Denise Coin again. I just have a quick comment regarding the playgrounds. If

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that's something that the board was to entertain at some point, I'm sure that there's community groups in the township 501c3s that may be interested in helping out with that. And that's something you should maybe look into and put out to the community if you chose to entertain

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that idea. >> Thank you. Anyone else like to speak? Seeing Seeing none at this time. >> Where are we? Board member. >> Is there any board member comments?

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Anyone like to speak? >> Yes, I would. >> Okay. >> I am pro pro- education, pro- student, pro everything. I came it comes across as I don't care about special ed. That is not true. I taught special ed for 37

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years. So I understand where you the teachers are appreciating it. I'm fiscally trying to get it responsibly done. We don't pay our teachers millions of dollars, but we'll pay an outside company millions. It's not right. So I

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am pro teacher, pro kid. I really am. Mr. Bill, did Jill Trainer show up tonight? Did Did you invite Drill Trainer to your for the uh >> She wasn't able to come to this meeting, but she plans to be at a future meeting. Yes.

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>> Okay. I I didn't know if she was out there with the large crowd. >> No. >> Okay. So, she will be coming soon. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Jill Trainer is our new replacement for Dr. Martin. I would like to meet her personally and talk to her about how she's going to use Brett Denovi, how we're going to do it. Miss

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Guilt, I know you're out there. you the frustration I felt is what I'm I'm feeling the other side of the table, but um we we're fiscally responsible to the taxpayers and we have to make sure that the children are getting the services at a reasonable cost. Now, this was a4

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million dollars tonight for for one month. So, it's it it it's a hard pill to swallow up. um uh playground the people Rick Kyle Miss Coin

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I used to be on that side asking for playground so please I'm now on building and ground I'm going to keep bringing it up so make sure you know that at the meeting. All right. Uh uh I had the privilege of going to Glen

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Landing's Leo Award ceremony. For those who don't know, it's like a people's choice. The teachers nominate a student, the student, the parents, the community. Beautiful ceremony. Our new teacher of the year for the district, Mindy Gold, created it, established it, worked for

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it, got it going, and um she's a well-deserved teacher of the year, as is all the teacher of the years. I commend all of you. Not just the teacher of the year. If you're teaching during this time, hats off to you. I commend you. I had to

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get out. All right. Uh, also, I was able to go to a not the teachers teacher of the year, but they had the power professional dinner. And the excitement that our par

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profofessionals got just by being recognized is one little nugget of how we can increase the morale in this district because if we have people coming and going and they're coming and going for the wrong reasons,

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but we have to increase our morale. Teacher of the year, great idea. Par, we have to acknowledge everybody from the ground up. And if we don't and we overlook it, it it's not a good sign. So, and Mr. Emerson, your your fight for

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the guidance counselors, commend you, union all the way. Been on the other side, I knew what it took to do that speech tonight. So, don't think it was on deaf ears. All right. Then there's one more thing. Mr. Chuck, want to

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commend you for coming out tonight. I I I hear the I watch the buses go down my street and there's 12 kids on a bus and yet one person can't get on the bus. We I understand there's legal aspects and you don't want people taking them off

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the bus. We're trying to get these kids in the school safely as safely as possible and we got to look at a policy to get these it it shouldn't be it shouldn't the the hard part getting to school shouldn't be getting to school. that we shouldn't be an obstacle for our

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own district, you know, so it's not following on deaf ears. I'm going to keep well, as much as I can talk about it, but um and but I'm pro teacher. I'm pro kids. I didn't I I know Dr. Martin got made it sound like I

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don't want to help a special ed child. That's my least I felt that way by being saying that it's neglected. We have to be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers while at the same time saying, is this the best route? How long has Brett Denovi been on

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our payroll? How long? How many years? Several. And we don't have an HR that can fill these positions. Like they're out there. We have to advertise for them. Just putting it on

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Indeed or whatever. There's you got to aggressively do job fairs and do things like that. I just I just think this district for morale purposes, for financial purposes, for the basic simple things like a playground equipment,

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getting a a second grader on a bus, we can do it. This is in this is like in our grasp, but we're not. We're we're letting them down. I'm on a little tiring, but thank you teachers for all you do. teacher appreciation principles. I see some of

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you out there that Thank you, too. Supervisors, there's administrators, they're doing a they're they got it tough, too. They got to deal with that kid getting sent to the office. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> But anyone else?

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>> Yeah, mine's not mine's uh going to be a blip. Um, but I think today was really important because it shows that members of the audience, um, if they keep showing up and they keep attending meetings, um, they're going to make a

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difference. So, um, thank you, uh, Miss Frretz, for for not giving up and fighting the fight. Um, it is a really great thing to have 7510 for the members of the community. Um so therefore

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schoolboard candidates and members of the community could interact and people could make an informed decision. So um thanks once again and congratulations to all the teachers uh of the year um as my mom is a retired school teacher. Um it

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it's it's it's a really cool thing. Um so congratulations again. Thanks. Anyone else? >> Okay. Um, actually I do. Congratulations to the support staff. I too went to the to the dinner um for the support staff

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of the year. Congratulations to the teacher of the year and to Mindy Gold. And also the other night I also had the chance to um go to Camden County. our one of our teachers from Anne Mullen,

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Kristen Kowski, uh was teacher of the year for the county of of all all Camden County. So, uh she was um she she was uh

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honored there. That's all. Thank you. All right. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. >> All in favor? All right. >> Thank you.