like to bring this meeting to order. >> Adequate notice has been given of this meeting as required by law. Notice has been in the district official newspapers, posted in the Absigami, Cedar Creek, and Oakrest high schools, and forwarded to all of the clerks of
the municipalities within the school district. There are two opportunities to address the members of the board. The board values and welcomes comments and opinions from residents as long as remarks are not personal or discourteous. The public comment portion of the meeting allows the board to
listen to community members and to hear their opinions on school policy and operations. The first public portion is reserved for persons wishing to speak about agenda items only. The second opportunity following the action items is when residents may address the board
on any school related issue. Each speaker is asked to limit their comments to three minutes and you are not permitted to yield your time to another. The public comment portion of the meeting during both sessions will not exceed 30 minutes. Upon being recognized, persons wishing to speak
should stand and identify themselves by name and town. >> Please stand for the flag salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And I ask for a moment of silence. >> Edmonds >> present. >> Garrison >> here. >> Gunther >> here. >> Hartman >> here. >> Hassa >> here. >> Carli >> here. >> Storio
>> here. >> Wright >> here. Hal >> here >> have a quorum. >> Okay. >> Need a motion for the minutes. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. The minutes from November 17th
have been moved and seconded. Any questions, comments, or corrections? >> Roll call. >> Edmonds. >> Abstain. >> Garrison. >> Yes. Gunther, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hasa,
>> yes. >> Kurly, >> abstain. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Hal, >> yes. >> Okay. Uh, we have a special presentation tonight. >> We do. I'm going to ask uh Absigami
principal Dan Kern to come forward and introduce his Absigami State Championship Band. as we have the opportunity to recognize and honor and our marching color guard who were
named US group open champions on November 1st under the direction of Um, Mr. I did ask to put together a short little couple minute video. Um, so
we had one student do like a synopsis of the fusion. Um, so we can let that play and then I can Maybe a little bit more into some of our leadership. We were silenced. After a long season of preparation that
began in the spring, we first competed on September 13th and then every Saturday until November 8th, remained undefeated in New Jersey, winning state championships in Robinville. In addition to those nine first place finishes, we also received 18 captain awards along the way, including best of states. We
ended our competitive season at Betlife Stadium on November 8th, a national competition that included bands from many different states across the East Coast. We finished in the top five, remaining the highest scoring Jersey band in attendance in our group. In addition to 10 dedicated staff members that work with the band, we have
a team of students. This year's donations were English and Jackson Wade. Our captains and six leaders include Ja Kennedy, Janker, Louis St, Sam Walsh, Kevin Hank, and Adrian M. This was a great year for us and we thank everyone that helped make it
possible including the teachers and Ben cran association. So just a couple highlights we very much appreciate the opportunity to to um see you all tonight. Um they were mentioned on on the video, but I do think our student leadership team is here in I'll
just give them a quick shout out. Maybe ask them to come up. Why not? >> We have two drum majors, uh Angel Salano and Jackson Wade. And then representing the various sections of the band in a particular
order, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Jason Shanker, um Lily Stairs, Gavin Kane, Sam Walsh, and Ms. Sam, an extra shout out. Um so just a couple of highlights. Uh
the video mentioned some of this but we were 51 members this year. We um as you may be aware students have the opportunity to perform with the marching band um of their business day
line. So um I know press has a few uh students that we did as well that was new. Um for us we compete in what's called the open class. So in um New Jersey there were 27 groups uh 27 schools in our group based on size. The
top compet um they were undefeated over the course of the year. Um the activity is often times very subjective. They get judged by a panel of five um each week who then tell me all the things that we're doing
wrong better at. Um so every Saturday as as the video mentioned from the beginning of September they went out and um performed with groups uh from from across the city. Um
and as I know it's kind of hard to hear but um after they won state championship we went on to perform at Stadium was um beyond New Jersey. So there were a lot of groups from throughout the East Coast. we ended up as the top New Jersey
band there um and ended in the top five overall. So, I'm very proud of the work they put in. I'm very appreciative. Obviously, you can see me roll free when you need to bring more chairs, but I I if I can um also mention our booster
leadership because it's because of the parents that were really able to accomplish so many things um from a variety of resources. I know some of you may be more familiar with the activity than others, but the parents are just as part of the show wheeling stuff out on the field, building things for our
crops. Um so it goes without saying that we are very appreciative of all the resources that they bring to us as well. Um, our band president also at the state as well as if I could just say that from the second
there's not one organization in this building time in on or around this campus or band whether it's 105 degrees in August, a weekday, a week night, a weekend, a holiday, whatever the case may be. Um, early in the morning till late at night
with the lights out on the stadium, the band is always here. So, I just want to point that out as well that nobody is more dedicated as you guys undefeated and have such a great >> I'd also like to say congratulations to you know Mr. Ro, your staff, all of the
students, and the band parents. I was a band parent, band president, band parent president. Like I if you haven't ever been involved in an activity that spends countless hours, you don't know how hard everybody's working. So, and I know it won't work without the parents, won't work without the students, you know,
giving of their time and their dedication and your hard work. And um so congratulations. That's a great great season. So, thank you for coming tonight. SO, I'll say the quiet part out loud. If you all want to go to dinner, now's your time to get up and run.
Un you are more than welcome to stay, but you're going to leave. >> Thank you very much and congratulations again. >> Congratulations. I think it was you. I didn't see There's no one left. >> Okay, I'll start with committee reports.
Program committee, Mrs. Gunther. >> Yes. Um, the program committee met on November 20th. I'm going to discuss just a few points and then Mr. Raina will go in detail about the the rest of the
meeting. We had a very um interesting discussion on final exams. Um I found it interesting and um Mr. Joe Sabbath presented career readiness initiatives and I am and I
think the whole committee is very impressed um with the career readiness in initiatives and the work that Joe Sabbath is doing. I'm very pleased with that. Mr. Raina, >> sorry. Um, the final exam conversation
was deeper than just are we going to or are we not going to have a final exam. We talked about rigor. We talked about increasing expectations across the board, college prep, honors, and AP. Um it's a conversation that administration started in the summer and
it's um highlighted by the recognition that every student in our building is now three or four years back in a building since COVID and we needed to return to um if you will a little bit of a stricter set of expectations and and
being a little more rigid in terms of what we were looking for students to produce. So it is a deeper conversation beyond just the final exams. Um the uh career readiness uh Mr. Sabis shared some of the programs that we've
been working on. I've shared some updates with the board over the last eight or nine months. Um I know over the summer I shared with the board the number of students we directly placed into the trade unions into companies like Atlantic City Electric into
Atlanticare. That is something we continue to do. It was a board goal if you remember a year and a half ago. Um, we are getting there. We're not done. We, as as an example of something we've never even done before, we are still in contact with last year's graduates. And
a month ago, we just sent out information for a job fair. I shouldn't, no, not a job fair, a job training program at an organization in Pleasantville. and we actually had 12 or 13 students sign up and seven families go. So we are continuing to offer
programs out for for even our graduates. Um we talked about dual credit and AP for the full board. I have numbers with me the committee members members if you recall that night there was some issues with the data. I have the corrected data
reports so I'll give them to you tonight. Um, we did we we showed the committee. We're finally getting into the the 2020s. We are no longer as as most of the board members are aware of, I
believe, all our course description book lists every single course that we offer in all three high schools. It has always just been a PDF copied on to the website and just kind of listed in a static display. We are
creating a flip book that has interviews with staff, interviews with students, videos. We'll also allow parents of seventh and eighth graders especially because they're the ones that struggle the most. They come to high school, there's this 80page book and they're
trying to get a handle on what what they're going to take and counselors go out and meet with them. But the first time you send a student to high school, that course description book is a little overwhelming. So, this flip book is going to allow a parent now to actually go in and click on a link that says freshman available courses and that'll
instead of listing 23 science courses, we'll just list the three that are available to freshmen. So, once that gets done and our goal is is by mid January to have that done, but it's going to be continually upgraded. I'll share that out with the whole board, but the committee got to see a couple of
examples of what it looks like compared to a traditional PDF. Um, we also shared some of our updates in terms of course changes. Nothing too dramatic, mostly name changes. However, we are in a couple of our magnet
programs. I'm trying to get everybody into the mindset. Um, whether it is our technology, whether it is our security systems or our course programmings, I want everybody in the mindset of three to five years, everything should be touched. So the computer science is
making a flip towards coding and AI and and that is a result of where the technology market is going right now to try to be a little bit more responsive. The biomed magnet at Oakrest um we've entered into an agreement with ACCCC and
you are going to be able to save a year off of their nursing program by going through and following the course requirements at Oakrest. So, you'll be able to get an associates degree in a year of going to ACCCC or I believe it's called a BSN, which is typically a
three-year program in only two years at ACCCC. So, that's time and money. So, those are just a couple of examples of some of the things we we talked about that night. Um, but again, trying to get everybody into this mindset and and in a couple of months, we're going to talk to
you about some technology changes that we're examining. But myself, Alang, security, the assistant principles, we are examining again in this 3 to five year window all of our security protocols and systems and technology in
the district to make sure that we never get too far behind. We're never going to have to play catch-up multiple systems at a time. And the same goes for the educational programming. >> Thank you, Mrs. Gunther. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Activities and athletics. Mr. instructor.
>> Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Hulk. Uh the athletics and activities committee met on Tuesday, November 25th. Uh we did a fall athletic summary at high school football. Uh head coach Warren Smith is doing a great job. He's got strong
communications with the local youth programs and the committee as well as his player development. Uh Gami Boy Soccer seated seventh in in the group playoffs this year. They hosted a home game and Miles Henderson was named to
the all state uh all state team. Uh the girls soccer program were Cal champions at Absigami, fourth seed in the state group tournament. Uh they also hosted a playoff game this year and multiple uh Cal uh players were selected to the uh
Cal team uh this year. Girls volleyball, eighth seated in the state tournament this year, also hosted a home game and won their first round playoff game. At Oakrest High School, cheerleading had a great season. Football unfortunately experienced a rebuilding year. Uh boys
soccer had an excellent season with 14 wins and other fall sports uh performed well. Uh at Cedar Creek, I'm I'm sure I'll steal somebody's thunder here. at Cedar Creek High School. Uh the football program, um since our our meeting has
now won the group three state championship, a true state championship now, uh is in place. Uh coach Jim Melody was praised for his uh his coaching and uh many seniors are expected to play in college, including some division one
players. Uh the girls tennis program at Cedar Creek are state were state champions. I mean, excuse me, conference champions. and the boys soccer program also uh conference champions and uh a strong rapport is being built between
the coach and player. So uh which is a really good way to to build your program when the coach is is um building that rapport. We also talked about some coaching decisions that will be uh being made next year. Uh there will be some I
think only one coaching change and that is being handled with the athletic uh director at that school. We also talked about our fall participation numbers in athletics. And right now all three schools, which I think is amazing, are reporting that it's between 25 and 30%
of all students are participating in a sport this past fall. And looking at the numbers for the winter, it's going to be about the same. And um it's been the trend going uh p in the past years uh here. So it's it's a good thing that we're seeing students involved in
sports. Um we also talked about the activities including clubs and performing arts. Uh all three schools are reporting about 50% or more of the students are participating in activities, clubs and performing arts. Uh and it remains that the zero period
is becoming a a benefit to to that. A few standout programs at Absagami FBLA uh Grow and the state championship marching band and that's group two which you heard today. uh Open Champions. Um, also at at Oakrest, the Falcon Flock,
Esports and Art Club, and at Cedar Creek, the culinary uh freshman transition and environmental uh competition are some of the uh the the leading um activities at those schools. Um I I thought was a big thing when when
they showed the the um uh the clubs. There's a list of volunteer clubs that are um unpaid clubs that teachers are taking it upon themselves to um uh volunteer their time to, you know, maybe a student or or
select amount of students maybe one get into something. Um, and one thing that stand out was the the Lemon Club, and I believe that's the uh if if you recall, it's the um um >> fundraising for children's cancer >> for the for the children's cancer. So,
and I believe now all three schools are participating in that club. Um we also went over uh the the flag football, which we've been talking about for the last several years. It's been a a um a club. Next year, it's actually going to be sanctioned by the NJSIA as a as a
false as a excuse me, as a spring sport. Uh we're going to do a survey at the end of the year to see how many of the girls are going to want to participate. And as you know, uh they only can participate in in one sport per season. So, right now, since it's a club, they're allowed to participate in flag football and
another sport. But, you know, next year once it becomes a full NJSIA sanctioned sport, they're only going to be able to do one at a time. So, we're going to see if uh we'll be able to participate and if it doesn't affect the other sports as well. Uh we also went
over girls wrestling program. I believe there's 18 to 23 as as of that meeting uh uh female wrestlers uh throughout all three buildings. uh they're going to practice that together with their with the boys teams at their each of their own schools. They're going to combine
and and wrestle as a combined uh uh team for their uh their their matches. And one thing was was interesting. It says that the state says the a girl cannot wrestle a boy in any match and if they
do they are ineligible for the state you know championships or any uh postseason play. So um we're making sure that there's enough matches for for our girls to participate and be eligible for those um uh postseason uh matches. We went
over the our concession stands as you know uh you know those uh were held off unfortunately for you know budgetary reasons but we finally got those approved. Cedar Creek construction as you know has already started. Grounds broken and I believe uh footings and things like that are done. There was a
few modifications that had to be made uh to the design and um those are moving forward. both Absigami and Oakrest demolitions have already started and those are all interior upgrades being done in those two buildings. Um we also talked a little bit about the Oakrest
gym floor which we've talked about internally here. Um the winter schedules were discussed the coordination between the coaches and athletic director at Oakrest have coordinated and uh everything seems to be um handled and being able to take care of
their schedules. Unfortunately, they won't be playing on that floor this year. We're hoping to have it ready by the end of the winter season. And then we also talked about some budget uh um possible budget issues, you know, down the road and where there may be some
needs to, you know, uh make some some cuts and nothing at this point, but we're just, you know, making sure that uh everyone's aware that that could possibly happen. So, that's what I have. If there's anything else, let me know. No, I don't think so.
>> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Okay, I'll move to board member reports. I'll start with our students first, Sophia. >> Okay. All right. So, good afternoon everyone. Um, starting off with our turkey trot which happened on Thanksgiving. Uh we it was hosted by a
Gabby's girls athletic association and it was a really huge success with over 80 runners participating which is like a really like a lot amount and this is our second year hosting it so we are like really surprised with like the turnout rate so that's really good. Um last week
we announced our teacher of the year Miss uh Mrs. Panoy who is also the head teacher of our autism program as well as recognizing our educational service professional of the year Mrs. is uh Brennham. Um as for we have a few like
dance things coming up in December and there will be a winter dance show on December 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the pack as well as the band and choir concert on December 18th at 6:30 p.m. as well. Um we also have a bunch of inschool drives
coming up. For example, uh the holiday food drive hosted by our Absy Gami Interact Club is from December 16th to December 18th, as well as our art club who's also hosting a food drive as well from December 8th to December 19th. So,
a lot of donations are going to the local Beacon Church. And then FLA will be hosting their blood drive on December 11th and students over the age of 16 with parental consent will be able to donate. Um the guidance counselor is also the guidance
department is also hosting toys for tots which collects toys for like troops as well. And then lastly there will be a clothing drive um hosted by interact club as well in early uh January. So we're really like excited to see like how much we could like collect and just
like contribute to our community since it is like during like such holiday season as well. And like I personally wanted to wish all of you guys a good holiday like a happy holiday season because we won't be seeing each other until like January. So, thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. I'm sorry, Caitlyn. >> Okay. So, I would Hi, everyone. I would like to start with um our Hunger Games simulation. So, basically that was um led by Mrs. McIll, which taught teaches adventures and literature. And basically
it was a day where students got to play as tributes. And they got sponsors to get canned foods to donate to the local food drive. And they played games the day before Thanksgiving break and donated three trucks of canned goods to
the First United Methodist Church, which is the Maze Landing Food Pantry. And on Sunday, National Honor Society teamed up with Davey's NJHS to wrap books and set up like a Christmas shop for less fortunate parents um which was
essentially a store of toys and presents with clothes, bikes, and all kinds of stuff for um them to shop for free. Um, also our pep rally will be via video because of gym the gym reconstruction
and so that they can still receive recognition. The boys swim team won their first swim meet and 12 days of Oakmiss started today which was basically spirit days and we will also be having a blood drive on December 17th
led by NJ sorry national honor society. Um and advertising and home rooms will start on Wednesday. And on December 20th, the knitting club is hosting a knitathon, which is basically they're going to knit stuff to donate to the
community shelter. >> Okay. Thank you, Vinnie. >> Um, hi. So, I'd like to start by mentioning homecoming for Cedar Creek. It happened this Friday. I think it was a big success. I heard everyone enjoyed
it very much. Um, obviously with the start of winter sports rolling around, everyone's getting back into the rhythm of their sports schedule if they participate. And that's that's going on throughout the building. If you if you stay after, I'm sure you can see plenty of athletes
working their hardest. Um, as mentioned by Mr. Storio, our football team did win the group three state championship and but actually more than that, the entire town of Egg Harbor City and the fire
department and police department hosted a parade for them after they won the game. Uh I heard Miss Gunther was there. Um, so I I heard that was a wonderful experience and I think it's just great the community interaction between the
athletes at the school and the different programs. Um, the fall play was also a huge success for the theater program. Uh, I heard many people found it very funny. And last but not least, I'd like
to thank our teacher and eder and service professional. Uh our guid one of our guidance counselors won it, Mr. Cade for the service professional. And as for the teacher of the year, I'm sure many of you know her. Uh Miss Briles won. So
huge shout out to her. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Any board members with something to report? >> This is awesome. Um so besides echoing what a you know brilliant job the school did for their theater production here um
that was amazing. Um I personally through Hamilton Paris wanted to just recognize and thank the honor society um for working together with national honor society and um I don't think that you
give it the credit that it's due. Um these kids, it was approximately uh 30 kids total between the two schools. Um came together to craft dozens of books and then literally went into an empty
classroom that had hundreds of toys that were in just garbage bags. and they turned all of that into time period of 3 hours um into a beautiful workshop that now parents are going to be able to go
and and shop in that like but um they just created such a a warm and welcoming space and they work together so beautifully incredible to say the leadership and just the the incredible job. So just
want to really give them the credits hard work and thank you. Anyone else? Okay, this time I'll open the meeting to the public. Anyone to speak on an agenda item only? Oh, just come up to the table so we can
hear you. And if you'd introduce yourself. >> It's Is it on? Okay, great. Hi, I'm Susan Colgus. I'm from Galloway and I'm here to talk about the marching band and how proud I am of them and my journey as
a parent of a freshman from Galloway who's in the magnet program at Zeder Creek, but is in the absami marching band. Um, and um, I didn't quite understand. They said it was a sport over the summer, what this was going to entail and how much parent
involvement was was a part of this, too. Uh, and I learned pretty quickly that, uh, with 12-hour days and, uh, you know, exhaustion and car pooling and sometimes going to the wrong high school, not remembering that, wait, you're Cedar Creek and they have a band, but you need
to be at Absagami to get on a bus to go somewhere. Uh, the journey of seeing the dedication of Mr. O'Keefe and also how he's pulled in staff and the Galloway Township Middle School music teacher so that they are they have this incredibly rigorous program and they are feeding
right into Absigami and those kids are just amazing with their ability and what they are able to do. And then when he is over at Cedar Creek he is in their pet band. Um and to say that he is do this is a part-time job. It is between 20 to
30 hours a week of time outside of school. It's in the evenings, it's Fridays, it's weekends, it they are traveling. Uh they were in Oldbridge competing. There was one day they were in Old Bridge and then they had to go out somewhere in Gloucester County and do a second competition. They're going
to be going to New Orleans in uh March, I believe. Um and this will be the first time that my son is flying on an airplane and he's not bringing mom. He's doing it with the marching band. um and to see his tremendous growth and responsibility that has come out of of
his freshman year of doing this marching band. And this is a kid who um had learned the hack in second grade music class that if you just open your mouth, uh it looks like you're singing. You don't actually have to sing and you'll still do okay in music. So, I kind of was wondering, are you actually playing
an instrument? Have you just like taken that that that level of a hacking uh the trombone or are you actually playing this trombone? um and he reach recently competed to uh and he's third chair for trombone for the jazz band at Cedar Creek. But just to say that the
dedication of the the staff uh of Mr. O'Keefe um his enthusiasm, his passion, the rigor, the high expectations, I um just see things in a really just a different way. Uh my husband and I were educators. My husband teaches at Davies.
I teach at the College of New Jersey and I am in schools like Princeton, West Windsor, Plainsboro, Montgomery all the time. I see uh places where people, you know, are leaping into amazing futures and I see that same opportunity for my
son um here and I'm thankful for that. And I know um you don't get a lot of people coming to these meetings. You know, where we're at, we're at the Galloway meeting. It's that was a packed meeting, too. Mr. O'Keefe was there too. He came that we were there and then we came here. Uh it's there's always a lot
of controversy over there. Uh but but since we were here, I thought I would stay and let you know that um that zero period is really helpful. It's it's helping him to be successful. The magnet program giving people, you know, something to to like hope for and to see
a path um for so many people, for so many dreams, for so many different kinds of kids, for the diversity that is this area, how important that is. and I appreciate the work that you are doing. So, thank you so much. >> Could Could you just spell your last name? I'm sorry. I apologize. >> It's hyphenated.
>> Okay. >> Uh C O L L- G U E D E S as in Sam. >> Thank you. I apologize. Thanks. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you for the words.
>> Anyone else wishing to speak? Okay, there's information items listed on page two. I'll go on to page three. Business agenda action items. >> I'll make a motion to move B1 through B5 on page three.
>> Second. >> Okay. B1 through B5 on page three have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments on these business action items? Edmonds, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes.
>> Hasa, >> yes. >> Kurly, >> yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Hal, >> uh, abstain on B2. Yes. On everything else. Thank you. >> Okay. Transportation agenda action
items. I move T1 through T24. Second. >> Yeah, it's me. I'll second. >> Huh? Second. >> Second. >> We did it. >> They're dueling a second. >> They all want to be >> Okay.
>> Okay. T1 through T24 have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments on all these transportation items? >> Okay. Wright, >> yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Kurly, >> yes.
>> Hassa, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Edmonds, >> yes. >> Hal, >> yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Education agenda action items. >> I move E1 through E6.
>> Second. Got that. I'll give you that one. >> He got that time. >> One through E6 has been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments on these education items? >> Edmonds, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther,
>> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hasa, >> yes. >> Curl, >> yes. >> Storiio, >> yes. Right. Uh, >> no to E5, yes to everything else. How? >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Uh, personnel agenda action items.
>> Sorry, that's me. >> Yeah, personnel. I'll move P1 through P7. >> Second. >> Okay. >> P1. >> Who is the second? Lois. >> Lois. Yeah. P1 through P7 have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments on
these personnel items? >> I >> I'd just like to say um with regret for P1, he was here >> Yeah. >> a long time and um put on some amazing shows in the past >> during the school year. Yeah. And in the summers, too.
>> That's it. Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else? >> Edmund. Yes. Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hassa, >> yes. >> Carly, >> yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Hal,
>> yes. >> Okay, Mr. Rain, superintendent report. >> Thank you. Um, first off, um, I want to recognize the, um, A Harbor City Mayor, Lisa G.
Petty and the A Harbor City Fire Chief and and actually the captains of all of the different A Harbor City and Mullica firehouses. Um the parade for the football team uh after they got back from Giant Stadium was very impressed.
Sorry, it's still Giant Stadium in my mind. Um was very impressive. Um and I I shared the video with the board. I shared with the board that the coach Jim Melody uh he also recorded a video that went out
to all of the staff and students and parents uh at Cedar Creek. He also sent it to Mullica and Egg Harbor City and Port Republic schools and he sent it to the mayor and the police department and the fire departments which so I just want you all to know in addition to you
know the wonderful support that night Cedar Creek turned around and also said thank you uh because it's not it's not easy to do it it doesn't happen everywhere you know I've I've been a part of it in the planning side I know at Oakrest we had everything on hold one
day when I was principal Unfortunately, the team lost up in Delran. But, you know, the to have the comm the communities ready to respond in that fashion and for a Harbor City and Mullica and and everybody that night.
Um, just so you all know, Scott and I were driving home and by the time we got to the Raritan Bridge, they were already knew what time they were all going to meet and where and everything was planned out. So there is some time and focus that goes into it. So but a huge
thank you and a shout out to the Ink Harbor City community for that night. Um we held our district articulation meeting last week with our constituent and sending districts. We followed a model since I became superintendent of kind of every other
year. We get everybody together. So, it's the principles and the guidance supervisors and the district supervisors for greater egg with the superintendent, the principles, the guidance, the child study staff from all of our constituent
and sending districts in one room. And then the next year, Cedar Creek meets with Egg Harbor City, Mullica Port, Oakrest meets with Hamilton Township, Gam meets with Galloway. So, nobody goes more than two years without kind of hearing all the updates. There's a great
turnout this year. We had over 30 guests from our constituent and sending districts. We spent about two hours together in the Absigamian library. We shared with them some of the career updates and the focus that we're putting on that because we want them to start
delivering the or echoing the message that we are delivering to seventh and eighth graders. If you think you know what you want to do, let's start building your schedule as a freshman to get you there. We've gotten you. The board has heard me talk about this
before, especially in the summer retreats. We're trying to move away from freshman cookie cutter schedules where everybody kind of gets the same thing. You know, you're a hands-on kid. Well, let's find a way to get you on a wood shopper. Let's find a way. You know, you're a computer kid, even if it's not the epsam, a computer science magnet.
Let's start getting you in computer science and computer principles as soon as we can. Um, and so that was an opportunity for for us to share all of that with our constituent and sending districts. There were also some really good conversations about things that we
know we need to work on. So, for instance, one of our goals this year is attendance. We admitted to our constituent and sending districts, we need help, you know, and and we're struggling with it, but we're trying to tackle it. We're looking at a couple of different ways to do that, but at the
same time, let's make sure if our constituent and our sending districts have identified a student who's struggling in middle school, make sure we get that heads up in August because we would like to start September one of freshman year creating a program for
that kid and for that family instead of responding three months in when there's already some time lost. So, it was a it was a good dialogue. It was very productive. Um, I gave you a draft of the calendar. This is one of those years. Those of you that have been on
the board a while know it happens every six or seven years. We have to start students before Labor Day. This is one of those years. So, staff will be in on the Monday and Tuesday before Labor Day. Students will be in on the Wednesday and Thursday before Labor Day. We'll still
give everybody a 4-day weekend to visit family, to get their last shot in at the beach, etc. Um, but if we want to get our three graduations together in the same week and be out in the third week of June, this is one of
those years because Labor Day is so late. We need to jump that. There's still a couple of language issues I got to clean up. As I said, this is a draft, but just look at the overview and if you have any thoughts, please share them with me, answer any questions. I have also shared a copy with union
leadership. My goal would be in January to get this locked down, okay? So, we can get it out to our families and they can start planning. There are lots of performing arts events coming up. Student reps talked about that. Um, I shared with you, I believe it was last
week, a calendar of some of the events. If you've got something you want to go to, just shoot me an email and I'll make sure that we have an opportunity to set some tickets aside for you. um students mentioned it. All of our teachers and educational service
professionals of the year were recognized. Um we are going to do what we have been doing the last few years instead of having them all come to one building. We're going to space it out. I believe it's going to be February, March, and April or the end of January, February,
and March. So the teacher of the year and the ed services professional of the year come in their own building. So, you'll be able to meet over the three month span all of the educators of the year and the uh ed service professionals of the year. Tom wanted me to let you
know we're going to he's going to be reaching out in the next week looking to set up a finance meeting. Um it is tied to some of the gym floor conversation different jobs and roles in the district as well. But so Tom will be reaching out
to you and other than that um I don't have cookies. Madame President always provides those. Uh but I just wanted to wish all of you a happy holidays and thank you for the time. Um I I do truly appreciate this board and what you all
do and the time that you all give um and the honest conversations that we have. And I I think that's an important part of the success that goes out into the community and goes out ultimately for the staff and the students is that you ask questions and we have conversations
and that's an important part of this. So I thank you all for that and I wish you the best for the holidays. >> Thank you. >> Okay, I'll keep it pretty short because I think we've hit on just about everything. Congratulations to the the uh Cedar Creek football team, to the Gam
Band, and to all the other activities that are finishing up. It sounds like every school had a lot of uh good things happening between sports and activities and plays. Um I just also wanted to reiterate the happy holidays to the staff, the students, and the members of
the board. And um hope everybody enjoys their time off in their winter break and has some time to spend with their family and relax a little bit. And the only other uh reminder is on the 11th, that's Thursday, right? Thursday, is the county meeting which is being held instead of
at Great Bay, it's at Alder Avenue School in EHT. Um and it's going to be one of the lawyers from Cooper Levenson, uh person I know, Amy Elco, will be speaking about uh school law and changes
or anything they think that she thinks we need to get updated on. So that'll be on Thursday night at Alder Avenue and it's hybrid. So if you can't go, you can always um sign in. Just make sure you register. You can reach out to uh Sylvie if you haven't already done so. And
that's all I have. So I'll go to old business. New business. I know I have an agenda. >> I move new business one and new business on the addendum. >> Second. >> Whoa. Okay. New business one and new business
two on the yellow addendum page you have um have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments on these? >> I do. >> Lois >> on the first one. >> I see the effective date starts in
December. Will they be getting full credit? >> No, it's prrated. They only get paid for the portion they're teaching that sixth class in. Not the payment, but the students. >> Oh, yeah. >> They they get full credit for that. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. No, these are certified
science teachers. They're picking up a six section due to a medical emergency for another staff member. >> Uh, they're picking it up for Okay. So, it's been started since September. >> The teacher was in there. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> No, no time lost. Okay. No time lost.
Okay. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Edmonds, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hassa, >> yes. >> Carly, >> yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright,
>> yes. >> Hal, >> yes. >> At this time, I will Oh, is there any other new business? too. >> I might have extra. Um, okay. Uh, at this time I'll open the meeting up to the public public anyone wishing to
speak on any matter. >> Hi, Vince Beckio from Mala. Um, so our oldest son, oldest of five, um, is a senior this year. Uh, he was homeschooled up until high school. Um, and we really struggled about sending
him to Cedar Creek. Um, we just weren't sure that it was going to be a good fit for him. We had homeschooled him because we thought that he was exceptionally gifted and we wanted him to uh, be able to maximize his amount of time. And so I'm prefacing the statements by saying
that we have been really thrilled with Cedar Creek. Um absolutely astounded with everything that it has to offer. Um but the only thing um now that he is um soon to be graduating and he's applying to universities and he's applying to
very high-end universities and you don't know what you don't know. So I have a higher education but I didn't know um that he uh many of the people that he is competing with um are presenting research projects and internships
um and things like that that we just never explored for him because we just didn't know that. Certainly uh we should have done some more research. certainly um you know the guidance departments I I don't know that they would even really be
aware of um how competitive it it is and uh he's at a disadvantage because he didn't have exposure to those things and I'm not blaming anyone and I'm not the only reason that I bring it up and wanted to speak is so that maybe that starts a conversation maybe we can talk
to some people at the tech center u for at Cedar Creek the engine he's not in the engineering program but he wants to be an engineer So maybe an internship at somewhere like that or um maybe there are people who are working on their PhDs or uh postocs whatever uh they're doing
and they have some research projects that our students may be able to assist in it will help them and it um hopefully it will perpetuate um that then they become the mentors for the next group of people. Just hoping that something like that can at least be a subject of
discussion. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh, good point. And, um, did you get the last name? >> I do. Okay. Right. Yeah. >> Just double checking. >> I'm actually going to ask um you, Mr. Beckio, we'll I'll have Mr. Parker and Miss Zar reach out to you and have a
conversation. I appreciate you bringing it up. We're always willing to to learn and open to suggestions. Um, we do try and offer some programs. We have >> 10 or 11 kids doing monthly internship programs at the tech center now, but it
it kind of grew out of the magnet program. So maybe we need to do a better job of opening that up to others, but I'll have Mr. Parker and Mizar reach out to you and start a dialogue to gather some more info. Thank you. So he would have been >> it may it may have been yeah there there
are actually um and I sorry >> huh >> no no no no no I as I ah >> um >> everybody >> that wasn't just my tonitis everybody heard that right
>> um no no it's it's a it I really truly appreciate it and and we need to do a better job of thinking about that. I I think we probably do some of that, but we do it in silos or in pockets instead of making it more aware of everybody. So, that's somewhere where we got to do
a better job. So, I appreciate you giving us a reason to have the conversation. Thank you. >> Um, hi, my name is Joseanne Weiss. I wanted to bring up in response to that. Um, I'm the chief judge for the science fair, the Jersey Shore Science Fair,
which goes on in March and Greater Egg Harbor Regional has very few students that that um participate in that science fair and that's something that students can put on their resumes. Um they compete with all the way from
Cape May County all the way up to Mammoth County and we have like maybe one student from Absagami sometimes sometimes I don't think we've ever had anybody from Cedar Creek. So maybe that's something to also think about and getting some students involved in the science fair which is very competitive
because uh high schools ma mace and mast and high-tech high school compete and some students down here do win and they can win scholarships if they move on. So that's something to think about and that's something that goes along with what you were saying too. That's what
made me to think about coming up to talk about it. So, I am the chief judge and if anybody also would like to judge and see what it's like, we can pass it on to the teachers and invite them to come and become a chief judge or to become a judge, I'm sorry. And um see what it's
like and see what the science fair is all about and maybe we can get it going in the schools here. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay. Is there a resolution for executive session tonight? >> There is not. A
>> I make a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Second. >> First, you have to ask. All in favor? >> All in favor? I >> any objections? >> Thank you.