I'd like to call the meeting to order, please. The first time I never thought I'd say this. This is Thank you. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Notices of this meeting were forwarded to the Inquirer, Courier Post, Clerk of the Township, the district
website, and members of the board of education, and posted in the board of education offices at 17 Road, Blenheim, New Jersey. Please note that the board meeting may be audio videotaped. Can we please rise for the flag salute? I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America to the father and justice for all. Can I get a roll call, please? Mrs. Fritz, here. Mrs. Ganick, here. Mr. Given here, Miss Gore here, Mrs. Henry here, Mr. Hutchinson here, Mrs. Johnson
here, Mr. Stantino here. Mr. O'Donnell here. Uh, we're going to move right to 7.1. Mr. Bilo. Good evening, Mrs. O'Donnell. Uh, members of the board of education, members of the public. Uh, this is
always a great event for our teachers and our support professionals. Uh it begins with a request to have our individual buildings identify uh people worthy to be
recognized. Some of those individuals, it's sometimes parents, many times it's staff, many times it's administrators, and they do an excellent job to define the commendable aspects of some of uh our best teachers here in Gloucester
Township. And with that said, uh, we want to recognize them tonight. I know Mr. Cho is going to do most of the, um, pitch, but I'm going to be up there to hand off, uh, something, uh, to remember this evening. So, uh, Mr. Tro, are you
ready? Ready. Good evening, everyone. As Mr. Bido said, "This is really one of the highlights of the school year when we take this opportunity um to recognize the 2024 2025 educators of the year for Gloucester Township Public Schools. Um
we have two categories where we recognize individuals. We have the educational um services professionals as well as our teachers of the year from each of the individual buildings. Um when it comes to the um our education
educational service professionals, we take honor um uh nominees from throughout the district. We form a district committee. We review those and then select um those that are going to be recognized. So we will begin with them and then we will
ask them to walk up when you hear your name called. If you will come up, Mr. Bilo has a certificate as well as a nice momento from the board of education to recognize your achievement. So we'll begin with our educational services professionals and our first honore is
Lori Rubin from Ariel Elementary School. Ariel school counselor Lori Rubin is always willing to help colleagues in need. She's a trusted staff member to all. Congratulations. Our second honore is Maria Mazio from Anmala Middle School.
Maria is a wealth of knowledge, always eager to share her ideas. She works hard improving the emotional well-being of all at Mullen School. Congratulations. Our next honore Kathy Schmidt and Mullen Middle School counselor Kathy Schmidt has been
rallying the Mullen community to get involved in school activities for many years. Her ability to mentor and develop future counselors should be applauded. And our final educational services professional, Tara Toppen. Also from An Mullen Middle
School, school counselor. Tara Toppen goes above and beyond the expectations of her role. She leads many resources such as the school climate committee, making Mullen an enjoyable environment for all. You haven't noticed Mullen School has the most stable student body out there
with this uh counseling team uh keeping everything under wraps and helping everyone work through um all the issues of middle school. So, we are going to be moving on to our teachers of the year. First from Blackwood School, Lisa McGee.
Lisa McGee has a gift for making each student feel that they can accomplish anything. Mrs. McGee is an exceptional special education teacher whose worthwhile recipient of educator of the year. Congratulations from Choose Elementary School. Colleen Van
Aen. Fourth grade teacher Colleen Van Aan always has a smile on her face and her students are first on her agenda. Colleen's classroom management helps all of her students achieve academic success. Congratulations from Ariel Elementary School. Ryan
Thylo. Miss Stylo's willingness to participate in many district committees and pilot programs makes her an ELA expert at Ariel School. Her work ethic and dependable nature makes Miss Stylo a wonderful teacher and colleague. Congratulations from Glendor Elementary School. Amanda
Lily. Amanda Lily's love of teaching began at home with her mother's strong educational values being a kindergarten teacher as well. Amanda uses her background in special education to cultivate an inclusive classroom. Congratulations from Gloucester Township Elementary
School. Emily Mason. Emily Mason reinvigorated the long-term America longtime Americanism program at GTE as their fine arts teacher. Mrs. Mason has become a beloved part of the school community, refreshing everyone's musical horizons.
Congratulations from JW Lily Elementary. Jod Civitarice. Jodie Civetrices radiates positivity and excitement in her classroom and in the halls of JW Lily. Mrs. Civotes instills a love of school in all of her fifth grade students.
Congratulations from Loring Fleming Elementary School. Lisa Caparelli. Second grade teacher Lisa Caparelli is the ultimate advocate for her students. Her dedication to her students academic and personal growth is evident year after year.
Congratulations. From Union Valley Elementary School, Carla Pelori Graines. Carla is an extraordinary educator who has made a lasting impact on the lives of many students. Carla's kindergarten students are ensured personalized
learning and support. Congratulations. And now to our middle school teachers of the year from CW Lewis Middle School, Jennifer Cardamone. CW Lewis teacher leader Jennifer Cardamone has inspired, motivated, and instilled superior math
values and practices in her students. Jen is always there to uplift the morale of the faculty and staff. Congratulations from Glen Landing Middle School, Nicole Maccgarvey. Nicole Maccgarvey has been an asset to Glenn Landing's school
community since 2012. Her dedication to her craft and work ethic are to be commended. Congratulations, Our final recipient from Ann Muller Middle School, Heidi Kowalsski. Heidi Kowolski's impact on
Mullen's school community is profound and her dedication is unwavering. As a sixth grade ELA teacher, Heidi is a collaborative force, always willing to support students and colleagues. Congratulations. And before she walks away, we also want
to make sure that we take a moment to recognize Heidi as our district teacher of the year. So, congratulations. So, we have more for you. Here's your certificate for that as well as yet another momento. So, congratulations. All right. Thank
you. So, again, what a great night for us to honor really the heart and the heartbeat of the school district. We know that obviously anyone involved in our public schools is important no matter what their role. Um but those that are clearly and truly on the front lines each and every day are those that
we honored tonight and we appreciate how you represent um your colleagues, our school district and our community so well. So, thank you for all that you do. Congratulations. And um to honor you further tonight when we do and the board decides we're going to break and you'll
let me know exactly when that is. I believe you were also notified down in the lovely, beautiful, as only a public school can do, uh, gymnasium. We've got it all brightened up and we've got some refreshments, light refreshments for you down there that you can go down and kind of celebrate with those that have come
with you um, and to support you tonight and we can go down and celebrate there um, as we um, break here from the the main part of the meeting. If you want to come back and enjoy that later, you can as well. Um but we will be uh breaking and you can go down to the gym to be
honored there. Further honored there, right? Thank you. Okay, we we are going to take a 10-minute recess now. Pictures and all of that will be taken down there. So, congratulations
everyone. Um, approval of the minutes. Can I get a motion to approve um the executive session minutes for April 14th as well as the public hearing um on April 28th?
So moved. Second. Um thank you. Mrs. B first, Mrs. Johnson was second. Okay. Can we get a roll call, please? Mrs. Fritz. Yes. Mrs. Scalanick. Yes. Mr. Given. Yes. Miss Gore. Mrs.
Kalanick. Did you miss 428? You missed 428. Can we stay? We're gonna have to back up just a hot minute. That's okay. Yeah. April 28th. Mrs. Gallen. We're going to do Mrs. Gallanick
again, please. So, April 14th. Yes. And um we're April 28th. Abstain. Thank you. Noted. All right. We're through. Miss Gore. Mrs. Henry abstaining on 414. Yes.
On 428. Mr. Hutchinson. Yes. Mrs. Johnson. Yes. Mr. Dentino. Yes. Mr. O'Donnell. Yes. Um, can we just back up again? I am so sorry. Mrs. Gore, I missed your
vote. Was that It was Yes. 414. Um, I think 4:14 for executive session. That's the one we went in later. I think you went home ill. I think you I think you might have missed the executive.
Yeah, she's going to abstain all the way around. Sorry about that. I should have had that conversation prior to the meeting. The whole Okay. Dates. Yeah. If you if you look at the minutes, she I know. I know when she left. Yeah.
Thank you. Um, can I get a motion for the board minutes for the regular part of the meeting, April 14th and uh the public hearing on April 28th? So moved. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. Second. Uh, Mr. Gibbons with the
second. Can I get a roll call, please? Mrs. Fritz? Yes. Mrs. Scalnick? Yes for April 14th and abstain for April 28th. Noted. Mr. Given. Yes. Miss Gore.
Yes. For April 14th. Abstain from April 28th. M. Sand. Abstain from April 14th. Yes. On April 28th. Mr. Rochinson. Yes. M. Johnson. Yes. Miss Stantino. Yes. Mr. Adon.
Yes. Um because everyone is here otherwise we wouldn't have Oh, nice. Mr. Bill, are there any changes to the agenda before I do public comments on the agenda? Uh no, we're not. Okay, perfect. Um so
public comments on agenda items only. Anyone? No one. Seeing none, we will I know. No, I can't. We will move on. Um, report of the solicitor.
I'm very tired. He does not. Um, okay. Uh, committee reports. Can we get the committee report for the special education? Absolutely. The special services committee met on
May the 6th. Um it met uh through Zoom. It was Miss Gallan, Miss Hendry, and myself as well as the members for the Department of Special Services Administration. The committee learned about the various programs offered to special education students currently enrolled in the district. A re we did
review the special programs special uh service delivery and program rosters were discussed. Enrollment projections for the upcoming school year were reviewed. The department is at a maximum capacity for special programs and there is a significant number of potentially
eligible kindergarten students who are currently in the registration process. The department also reported on the overabundance of students enrolled in the special education program on affidavit which has been an ongoing issue um and the impact on enrollment
and the district's budget. Other topics we discussed were staffing, uh, autism program quality indicator results, state self audit, professional development, curriculum, roadblocks for service delivery, and department goals. Perfect.
Is there any questions on that committee report? No, but I was there too. Yeah, she Yeah, she said about how many are on affidavit. Mrs. Gore was there, too. Correction, Miss Gore was there, too.
That's sorry. Thank you. And I'm st about how many were on affidavit that you were saying you guys were discussing? A lot. A lot. 150 175. We have a lot. She knows that
because the process is easy, right? because well when when somebody submits an affidavit and they can prove that where they are staying uh lives in town, we have to take Yeah. So there's we're very limited in what we can do other than stay on top of it and we
issue monthly the um notices of ineligibility when we find that it's pretextual. Um I know one thing that I've discussed with Mr. Bilo and Mr. Hildebrand is remember these affidavit are sworn statements and we're a public entity. So it would be false swearing if
somebody submitted false information uh for the purpose of attend attending school in this district. Uh so one of the things that we would like to do moving forward is putting more stringent language just saying if you submit
knowingly false information not if circumstances change kind of thing but if you submit something that is knowingly false to us you're committing a fourth degree crime. And I think we should beef it up in that regard as well. We would also have to it's it's like children. You also then have to
follow through with the thread. That's right. And then if word go arounds. Yes. And many of that we see in executive session without getting into too much detail are they originate out of affidavit situations and then we discover there's evidence that is not
what's occurring. So that's some of the ones we see. What is the punishment of the fourth degree? I have never once in 15 years, Mrs. century see anyone ever get charged with it. So the but the uh penalty for a fourthderee crime I
believe is up to 18 months in jail which is not going to happen and I believe up to 2,000 in fines if I recall correctly. But if you do the letter you probably could put in the letter their their consequences. I think that would scare people more as opposed to like a fourth degree like that's the exact Yes.
Exactly. It's it's a fourthderee punishable bot. So that that's a great point. We'll So what we'll do is we'll Yeah, we're working on that and uh show it to the board as the form. Perfect. Yeah, we need to tough continue that conversation. So the number was like I
couldn't My hearing is really bad. 150 170 170 students. Okay. So, nine students costing over a million. Is that what we said? So, they're taking away services, right?
Residents, right? Well, we don't know that they're not residents either, though. Well, we don't know that those specific ones are. I'm just saying that some that may be here on affidavit could potentially be taking away well but but remember it's okay it's okay if you're here on an affidavit but you actually have to be
true. So what an affidavit just to take a more 30,000 foot view of this. What an affidavit says is due to a family hardship like these are real situations which we see that are legitimate affidavits. Because of family hardship we are staying with this other person.
It's either a family doesn't it can be it doesn't have to be a family member and they are keeping us as they are our own and that the child is their own and that person has to prove that they're residing within Foster Township in that situation. I think everyone would agree
that's okay. It's the people falsifying it. And I think that's a credit to our program that we have and we have seen, you know, again, without getting too much detail into it publicly, um, some of the ones are the situation that we've found to be untrue are ones that are
receiving services that are attracted to this district by virtue of what we have and what we offer. So, it's not necessarily the people who are legitimately here on affidavit and staying with a Glosser Township resident. It's the people who are just
using the piece of paper, not living here, and then getting the services. Those are the ones that are the problem that I think we have an obligation to address as a district and a board. Agreed. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions on special services? Um, the
curriculum committee report, please. Sure. Uh we met on uh April 14th. Um Mrs. Johnson was in attendance. Um Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Trow, and myself. Uh Nicole Troncoal.
Trangelo. Thank you. Um she gave a presentation for the preschool. Um she told us that the lottery was complete and over 370 preschool children are on a waiting list. Um and she gave us um a lot of
statistics and um you know the students that are in our program are doing very very well. Um but the issue is capacity and environment. Um she puts together a summary and I'm going to read it to you because to me having over 370 students
on a waiting list is not good. And also we are outsourcing to um Goddard school. So kids aren't even attending our school. They're attending other um schools and then we have to pay those schools. So overall the preschool
program is a quality program and continues to um remain stable each year. 80% or more of our students exit the school year meeting or exceeding widely held expectations for their age group in all measured areas.
Most scores persistently below acceptable are indicating areas of concern are related to the gross motor spaces, transitions, and/or the environment largely due to the program sharing spaces that are not designed for or particularly accommodate um best
practices for early childhood environments. Uh, I know that we had a bid out for um someone to summarize um some space that we could um you know build for um this space issue, but I think we need to
light a fire under that because um I mean if I came to live in Walter Township and I couldn't put my kid in school, I'd be mad. So, and that was what we talked about at the curriculum. Thank you. Any questions on that?
I will say I just I feel like the um the preschool program is just so new and just became available um to the residents of Gloucester Township and has grown. I I can't even tell you. Mr. Tro could probably give the numbers on, you know, the first year how many we could
we could house the second year how many we could house. I know that um where they are is probably not the most ideal. Um, but from where we came from to where we are now, I I just think is is leaps and bounds. Can we go further?
Absolutely. That's just my opinion. I have a quick question. Yes. With regards to preschool, if ideally, how many how many preschoolers do we have right now um in in preschool?
I don't know that anyone has that number right now. Mr. would be the person that keeps that one and he's he's with the teachers. Oh, we need Can we just turn on mics? I we can hear you, but if people go back and watch they then you're we're talking to ourselves. So,
with regards to So, we have like 400 kids, let's just say. Mhm. And there's another 370 that needs to go to school ideally. I mean, because I wasn't in that meeting, is her idea to have two
preschools and one in like opposite sides of like the town, like how how would that work? Good evening, Mrs. Hendry. Yeah, it's a good question. Um, yeah, we probably could house about
750 kids if we had facilities. uh we're kind of tapped out as everybody I think in this room knows and it's been a yman's effort to stick students in middle schools and all sorts of
available spots but we just don't have any space. Um, I originally thought one building could be sufficient, but you you it probably has to be what the board does in the end, but it's going to be a
building as big as any elementary school the district has. Um, and remember, Dr. Martin, uh, for these students, we also need to equip that building for students with challenges. So um it may be
something on a magnitude of 800 850 that is a very large building and it may not be on one floor if it is at just one location it may have to um be two floors. So your your point though if we
did have it in proximity say north and south for transportation because it is a um it is an adventure to go and pick up 800 children and get them to a single
area on time given some of the constraints that exist in transportation. So um I will update the board. It's probably going to be something that you see in in district goals. Um but one of the goals was to get an architect. That um architect uh
RFP did go out. Unfortunately, no architects responded to it. So I've asked Mr. McCauley to put it out a second time and we're going to kind of poke the bear a bit with some firms we know of. If that um proves again not to
have another architect under the statute, which I'll go over with Mr. long. If you have two times publicly advertised for a service, including professional services, you can go directly to a firm and then begin negotiations as long as it's fair and
approved by the board of education. So, I'm just I'm kind of jumping ahead, but I'm trying to give you a thorough answer. We need an architect before we even know some of the answers you've even put out here today and some of the detail that Mrs. Galla talked about. If I'm I was just thinking about the the transportation aspect of it. Like if you
have all those students because we would use those school buses again for elementary and middle school like so I'm just logistically I'm like wait a second it might be it might mean not just a preschool it may be two preschool. It's a big example of what Dr. art and the department of special
services when we have to go out to unique neighborhoods, pick up children and then bring them to say choose because that's where that one specialized program is. So now you have hundreds of students. So it's going to be logistically something that's a good
challenge, but I I think we're up for it. I think I agree with Mrs. Gall. You know, you're in town here. We have a preschool program. I think our teachers do a great job in that preschool program. and to have almost 400 of them not being educated in in in those early
years that they're just like sponges and to get on track I think um continuation of that would be a disservice and I think we all see that Mr. I just want to state that you did accurately portray the public school contracts. Well, so well done. Mr. So with that RFP though,
if I recall reading that and it's been a little while since I read it, but it was pretty limiting of who could respond. It was like you had to be within five miles of the district building. It was 50. I thought it was five. I spread and yeah, there was there
was a a lot of five. If it was five, I think we getting ourselves Yeah, there's nothing prevents us from following firms that do a lot of school work and say, "Hey, we're out here." Is is transportation something that we have to provide for preschool? Yes. For
the grants we get. Okay. Well, funding is not guaranteed either. Yeah. I do want to say that funding is not not guaranteed. And anytime the state gets in trouble, they can yank that preschool money back and the taxpayers are stuck footing the bill. And we have no idea what the state government and this year
they took $900,000 of preschool money back. I'm just saying when the state goes for money, they're going to go after prek. Special ed out of district that's already been through the school district. Agreed. Right. Okay. Is that it for
curriculum? Um how about the AI committee? Okay, that's me again. Uh so on April 17th, uh we had our um AI committee meeting. Um in attendance were myself, Mrs. Henry, Mr. Hutchinson, and Mrs. Fritz. Um, administrators in
attendance were Mr. Villo and Mr. Tro. We also had a guest speaker, uh, Steven Wells came to the meeting. U, we learned a lot about what's going on in technology, um, from Stephen. Um, we also, um, we we've made really great strides
in this um, committee. Um, Mr. Tro did a survey with the teachers about AI and what they know about AI. and um he gave us a presentation of you know all different graphs and everything. Um so our plan going forward is uh we're
summarizing everything and we also have uh three committee meetings, three committee members going to um a seminar that's um by the school board of New Jersey on um June 6th and we're going to uh put a summary together of everything
that we learned and all the information we gathered and uh we would like to present it to the board um probably in August or September and I'll talk to Mrs. Donald about that when we could fit it in and there was there was a little bit of talk of bringing stuff to the policy committee as well. So yeah
perfect that was our last meeting and we did that last meeting. Okay. So AI committee is the um committee that are the overachievers. You see any questions on a that's your favorite committee right? I'm not on it but they really knock it
out of the park every time. No questions about that one. Um I will do the professional services and personnel. We met on April 28th. In attendance uh was Mr. Biligo, Mr. Tro, Mr. Marcato, Mr. Gibbons, Mrs.
Henry, Mrs. Dentino, and myself. Uh Mr. Mcoli was in attendance while professional services were was being discussed and um the bid process we talked about and then he exited the meeting. Um and then we finished it off with talking about various personnel
matters. Um, I would like to add a a D. Um, let me do uh E. The policy committee met as well. Mr. Gibbons did not want to wait until the next meeting to give that report. So, he's going to give that
tonight. Well, I could report on it. It happened in the past already. So, that all in one session. Yes. Well, it's it was very short. Yeah. On May on May 5th, um we met via Zoom. uh in attendance was um Mrs. Johnson, myself, Mrs. Henry, Mr.
O'Donnell, and Mr. Bilo. And basically just started the ball rolling on uh revising the discipline uh steps of, you know, repeat offending and kind of talked about who should be brought into this and how to set up the next
meetings because of um things that were brought to our attention from the public meeting. I forget the last one, the 28th, I think it was. 14th. Thank you. Uh, yes. Any questions on that? If you turn on your microphone, you can
answer them. Mrs. Dino, I have no questions. Mrs. O'Donnell, so we also um we all discussed an ad hoc committee for HIV appeals um because they are extremely time consuming. So, I
am trying to set that up. I did send emails out. Mrs. Johnson replied. Um I think I sent it to Mrs. Gore and Mrs. Dentino. We are the only ones that are not on four committees. Everybody else
is. So I was hoping that you join me on that committee. If you could respond to my email, that'd be great. Thank you. Any questions about that? Okay. Uh report of the superintendent. Thank you,
Mrs. O'Donnell. Item 7.1 has already transpired. Uh once again, I want to congratulate um all the teachers on their just recognition. Um one discussion item that I I did want
to add is uh recently um the Glosser Township Educational Foundation had a fundraiser. Um it was well attended and it was um as fundraisers go very
profitable and um fortunately that um is what the foundation is for because last week um we had the tragedy of a second grade student pass away in one of our schools. Uh obviously the foundation
is trying to help that family. Um, we've also had a staff member who was burned out of their home. They are also receiving funding from the foundation. Um, tonight the teachers are getting a
little reception that the foundation is paying for and ultimately all of the retirees from July 1st of 2024 through June 30th of 2025 are going to be recognized by the board and the foundation in early June. So, um I just
wanted to um say that, you know, it's great to have the means of a charitable entity to when for for this big family we you work in every day. Things happen, life things, bad life things, tragic
things happen, and it's nice that the trustees of that foundation see fit to um you know, just contribute the money back. Agreed. So, I have item 7.2 2 A. I'm asking for a consent resolution
7.2A through 7.6. Um, I'm going to say that's P. Mhm. Can I get a motion? So moved. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. Second. Thank you, Mrs. Gore. Any questions? May I get a roll call,
please? Mrs. Fritz, yes. Mrs. Gaik, yes. Mr. Given, on 7.6L, let me just double check that's right. Yeah. Um, I'm going to abstain on employee
4198. Yes, on the balance. Uh, Mrs. Miss Gourd uh abstain on 5700 2650 and 2066 for 7.6 what was it? F L L. Um and then yes
on the balance Miss Henry. Yes, Mr. Hutchinson. Yes. No, Mrs. Johnson. Oh, we're gonna We You have an extension? Yeah, that's right.
Um staying on 7.6 L. It was employee ID 5721. Yes. On the balance. Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. I'm going to abstain on staff ID number 7.6L.
Numbers 2080 1 968 5572 148 6208 4556 and
2037 yes on the ballot noted Mr. Dentino yes Mr. D Oh boy, I I emailed this to him. I'll do as slow as possible. I am so sorry, but
I have a lot. So 7.6A I am abstaining on um guilt 7.6 C number 6687.6G
6G 0593 and 2273 7.6 J 5996 and then 7.6 6 L 0593 2273
2963 3396 3705 3746 5882 6687 Yes, I'm
noted. uh report of the business administrator. Yes, May seems to always be a very very busy month. Um asking for the board's approval for um 8.1, which is the board secretary's cash summary
report, all the way through 8.7 D, which is the meeting schedule for the upcoming year. Can I get a motion? So moved. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. Second. Thank you, Mrs. Gore.
Any questions? I do. Okay, Mrs. We'll start with Mrs. Johnson. We'll go around the table. Um, several uh meetings ago, you had mentioned please that um with we were discussing the Mullen electricity. Yeah.
And someone would you was coming out to take a look. Do we have any Yeah, actually Mrs. O'Donnell sent me an email about that today. Um, I can tell you this, but I'm still trying to get clarification on it. We
were credited $18,000. So, but I don't know if that's all we're being credited. There was no explanation for it. Um, so I'm still trying to reach a supervisor. when you get on those calls and you go through
those chains with them, it's you it's like an endless thing. Um, so I'm still trying to get explanation as to why, but I don't I do not think they actually came out and changed that meter because I keep asking Sonni. He says, "No, they didn't come out." So, and I have a what
do you call there when you call there and they give you a a a number. So, I have a number, but that person I can't reach that person that originally gave me that number. So, um, I'm still trying to find out exactly why we got an $18,000 credit. Um, I thought I would
got something in the mail, but apparently not. So, I'm going to keep calling. Can you view it online? You can you can view it online. Well, with this this current bill here, we have four schools, Lewis, Ariel,
Lily, and Union Valley, and the total for them was $19,726. Mullen alone is is $18,790 for a difference of $937. So for we've got four schools against one school with a
difference of $937. And when you compare it to last year, it's astronomical. It just doesn't make sense. So when when board members protest things that that just aren't working for us, we typically just vote no. And I am going to start voting no on
the ACE bills. And then maybe Atlantic City Electric, you can say, "Look, the board's going to start voting no. We got an $18,000 credit and an $18,000 bill. Yeah, it's hogwash. Yeah, I'm I need to get an explanation. I need to get an explanation out of them. With regards to
um the electric bill, do you have like a repres like do we have a representative like like a rep? There's no person that just handles like schools or government agencies or when you I'm calling the same number you're calling in. Oh, that's um Yeah,
it's frustrating. No. And then you have you have to go through the the first person and when the first person can't do anything for you, he puts you on hold for like 15 minutes for a supervisor and then you get on hold the supervisor. Supervisor puts you on hold and then
they hang up on you and then you got to call back again. Yeah. How about how about we call the news? How about we just call investigative reporters? Are we allowed to do that, Mr. Long? Do we have a right to call investigative reporters? Is that the question? Yeah. We are still in the United States of
America, Mrs. O'Donnell. So I think we have something to give. So here here's here would be the options. I would say Board of Public Utilities. We could, you know, look, there's no easy solution. But I mean, I think board of public utilities and our legislator. I think something's going something's going on
with them. That's why the credit came through. So we need someone to actually tell us what went on. So sometimes you see that when they um change a meter. So I'm surprised that the meter No, that that's that's that's when it went up. When when they changed the meter is when it went up. Mine's
going. Yeah, mine went up. It's outrageous. Something something's gone. We We have to do something different. Start calling our assembly people. Start calling our Let's do something. We've been asking for entirely too long. Mrs. Johnson, did you have anything else? No,
that's it. Thank you. Mrs. Hendry. Yes. uh with regards to 8.7D as in Dena um with with the calendar of meetings for for next year
um what is the thought process in and doing it? Do you look at like um events already for the school things like that only because um granted we don't have a lot of people
in this meeting today but you know there are residents who are concerned for both school boards and what's going on in our schools whether they're teachers or taxpayers uh or parents and then they may be concerned what's going on uh in the
township. And so right now with what you have, here's one, five meetings out of 12. So not too shabby, but there is five meetings that there is a conflict where somebody may have to flip a coin or rock paper scissors of which one they're
going to. And I wouldn't want to deter somebody to have to have a conflict that they're going to go to one over another. Um, so just wanted some clarification on that. Mrs. Hendry, you mind if I answer that?
Um, back when this issue first uh came to bear about 16 years ago, I went to the vault and I determined that the Gloucester Township Board of Education's been meeting on Mondays for eight
decades. Yes, ma'am. So if someone has to move their day their time and I don't think it should be this entity but that's my own personal opinion. Understood. And on top of it when people did approach from the public and ask
that the meetings be recorded. I believe this board of education has gone full measure to have a sophisticated uh well we have Mr. Chrisman doing it this evening and we have cross trainin all our texts. So we do put those meetings up. I know you can't make it, but I
think we've at least taken the right steps forward. But I just want to like add context. But I did um go into the ball our permanent files. That's how long we've been meeting on Mondays. Could you have a kumbaya with with the township to see if they can do something?
Yes. How do you spell kumbaya? I don't know. Kaya. Sure. Sure. I mean I mean Sure. We can ask. We can ask. It's a free country, right, Mr. Didn't you say that? Free country is from five minutes ago. I see your point. I just want to let you know here are the rules. You got
to meet once every two months. Your reorganization meeting has to be in the first 10 days. Otherwise, board sets the schedule like any other public entity in the state. So, this Well, no. What I'm saying is it's it's recommended as part of it and the
board approves it. And of course, as Mrs. O'Donnell and I have talked about a few times and then Mrs. Presidentino, when you were president, a uh board president can call a meeting at any point. Of course, you need a quorum to do so or a majority of the uh board members can call a board meeting. But
also remember this that we can add meetings, we can subtract meetings as long as we stay within the guidepost of at least once every mo every two months and again first 10 days for rework. Um, then you know, it's just a matter of when you can get at least five of you
here to act on the board's business. It's a step in the right direction. We're talking without microphones on and it's stepping in the right direction. Any other questions? No one. Okay. Um, I have none. I I was I was going to do my um electric
complaint, but I just Mrs. Johnson helped me out with that. So, I have I have no other danger going left. I know, right? Call me tomorrow. I'll be on the phone. And then ABC, CBS, Fox, pick one.
Yes. Um Okay. So, can I get a roll call then? Mr. Spritz? Yes. Mrs. Ganick? Yes. Mr. Given? I'm going to vote no on check 137272. I was going to do a Lance the
Electric too, but I'll let you make a phone call still on that one. And uh yes on the balance. Noted. Miss Gore. Yes. Mrs. Henry, I am voting no on check number
137272 along with no on 8.7D. Yes. On the balance, Mr. Hutchinson. Yes, Mr. Johnson. Number 137282 and
137370. Yes. On the balance. No to Miss Dentino. Yes, Mr. O'Donnell. I am abstaining on 8.3 number 137298 that was abstaining on that one
and then yes on the balance noted. Uh Mr. Bill any old business Donald board I wanted to uh commend Tom Nichols who is a music teacher for Charles Lewis
school. Mr. Nichols for many many years uh facilitated the Gloucester Township night at the Phillies. Um Mr. Nichols has announced his retirement. Um and he just does a wonderful job. Uh all of our
students in the honors band get the uh recognition of playing the national anthem at that game. So, he's just done a great great service to this district and all those uh students and their families. I just wanted to not let that pass without that recognition.
That's all I have on our old business. Is someone else going to take that on now that he's retiring? I have spoken with Dr. Cristo and there is yes another we have another Philly young yeah hopefully a young fine arts teacher that can do it for uh couple decades but um
it's going to be difficult to fill Mr. shoes. Okay, great. Uh, any new business? Not at this time. Uh, public comments on any item. We used to keep tissues up here. Need a tissue.
Right. Listen, you got your committee reports now. It's a good substitute. Seeing that, I'll move on. Board member comments. Oh, we'll we'll start Mrs. Yeah, let's start with Mrs. Tino. Uh, could you turn your microphone on, please? I just wanted to congratulate all our
professionals um that were acknowledged tonight. Um, teachers of the year and Mrs. Kolki for district teacher of the year. Thank you, Mr. Gibbons. Um, yeah, I also wanted to congratulate all the uh award recipients tonight. And um I didn't
realize last meeting that teacher appreciation week would have been past before this meeting here. So, uh, happy teacher appreciation week and thank you for coming out tonight, Mrs. Johnson. Nope. Congratulations to
all the staff receiving awards at this time. Anyone else? Mrs. Hendendrick, just want to congratulate all of our teachers. Um, it's pretty cool. Um, two of my boys had Miss Ven, so um, it was really cool to see her up there.
Sweet. Mrs. for um basically just congratulating all the recipients this evening for the awards teacher of the year all the service um providers and also to say that I have had the opportunity for the last few years to attend the Phillies night and went what
it was like two weeks ago and it was absolutely amazing. I congratulated Mr. Nichols myself. Um he's done a phenomenal job so I can't wait to see who's going to fill his shoes but all the best to him and um yeah thanks for coming out. Thank you Mrs. Gallin. Congratulations to the teachers and
education um service professionals. Um I did attend my first um special services um meeting um last week and I wanted to um just let everybody know that I learned a lot and um they were speaking another language when I first got to the
meeting. Um but everybody that was on the call um was very gracious and gave me an acronym sheet and such. So, thank you so much for everything you do in that department and um please pass it on to all the teachers there, too. I know that you're trying to get things done with arm tied kind of behind your back.
So, um and I wanted to thank the AI committee members, too, because everybody's showing up and um it's, you know, time out of their day and I really appreciate them um supporting the committee and supporting me. So, thanks. Great. Um I didn't mean to skip you.
Everybody else when I said any comments they all jumped at their microphones so that's why I kind of went to them. Do you if you have something sorry um again I am uh want to wish all the teachers um the teacher appreciation I also my boy uh one of my
children had Mrs. Vanen think she looks wonderful not even a a day changed which is amazing and uh that's it that's it. Thank you very much. Anyone else? Um, so
the Phillies night was the same night as bingo. Am I correct, Mr. Bido? Where they raised a lot of money. I went to bingo instead and I won nothing. Just so you know. That that is by that
is this is all all by design. It's probably at the Phillies. Phillies was the same as the mental health. If you were both out there, you would have won. That's correct. Back here. I did do the bingo though. I also did um I just did a production of Legally
Blonde at Mullen. Oh my gosh, how stinking cute. I never saw the movie. Um but I drugged my 21-year-old daughter. Don't make fun of me. I drugged my 21-year-old daughter who kind of explained and giggled in all the right spots because she saw it. Um I would
highly recommend the board members if you get the opportunity to do some of these events at your home schools. Oh my gosh, go do it. It's so much fun and I highly suggest uh candy bar bingo at an elementary school. Like honestly, it is a good good time. So, um I would hope
that you try to get out to some of these events. We also did um the UV uh lead graduation. Um it was great seeing those kids recognized. Um I also want to thank all of our teachers um and our dedicated professionals for all the hard work they
do on their recognition tonight. And that is all I have. Uh can Oh, can I get a motion to go home? Second. Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Mr. Given.
Uh, all in favor? I have a great night.