Is the farm market gearing up for the opening? >> Doesn't doesn't work in 2026. >> No. >> Half of us wouldn't be able to. >> Yeah. >> Exactly. >> Hopefully get up and running.
>> I don't know. or something. Uh >> I hope Yes. >> I'd like to call this meeting to order. >> Adequate notice has been given this meeting as required by law. Notice has been forwarded for publication in district official newspapers posting the
abscammy creek and okress high schools and forwarded to all the clerks and 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 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're 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
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. >> Can I ask for a moment of silence? >> Edmonds Garrison
>> here. Gunther >> here. >> Hartman >> here. >> Hasa >> here. >> Carly >> here. >> Storio >> here. >> Wright >> here. >> Hal >> here. >> Zio >> here. No >> here. >> You have a cor. >> Thank you.
>> I need a motion to approve the minutes. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. The minutes been moved and seconded. Any questions, comments, or corrections? Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hasa,
>> yes. >> Kurly, >> yes. >> Storiuro, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Hal, >> yes. >> Motion is approved. >> Okay. And before I turn the page, I just want to make sure I take a minute to say thank you to Chef Martin, Chef A, and the students that were preparing and the
the one that's here tonight for we appreciate all you do. Okay, I think we have some presentations tonight. >> We do. I'm going to ask Mr. Kern to start with a new uh club at Asagami, the chess team.
special presentations uh this evening. One is the new creation of our turn to our advisor. >> Hi everybody. My name is Christina. I'm the advisor of chess club and chess
team. Um I want to thank Mr. Third and every member of the board for your support. um providing us transportation to our away matches and our tournaments was vital for us to be able to uh participate and we had on it every
single thing that we did. I also have to thank the creek and press advisors. I couldn't have done it without them. They were so helpful. Every email I sent right away. Um and Sean Olsen as well was a massive help uh with getting this
off the ground and getting us um the right place. So um that's it for me and now I have Kira by the words of your encouragement. organization competition.
Thank you for all the past year. It was also the light. And I was also received customiz and all our fundraiser starting year with only five members.
I would also like that we have our I would also like to thank our incredible looking for the upcoming so this will allow us to bring even more students
in the future we also also help members continue building everything as well as celebrating the Our goal is to make thank you again for support. Awesome. Well done.
vice president. >> Um, so, um, I'm a freshman here at Absami. So, this year I joined like a lot of new clubs and like sports. And I just have to say like being in chess, I grew so close to these people. Then I
grew close with like any other sports or activities I've done. It's just like it was so like before this year I knew how to play chess, but this year I really grew. I learned new tactics and strategies and I just like loved playing with these people and I grew closer to
them. Like on the bus rides there, it was just so much fun. We would talk and we would play games and then after like our matches, we would all get together and talk about them and it was just like one of the most fun experiences I had for like tournaments and our all our
matches. Um, and it also like for zero period every C day we had chess club. And when I didn't know like if I didn't have a place to go, I knew I was always welcome in Miss Pelino's class to play some chess with these wonderful people. And I just learned so much and I grew as
a person through chess. And this year we also have something new. We have senior scholarships. Um, and it's not that much, but it will help the seniors if they're going to college or whatever they're doing after high school. We just want to help them and like push them to be their best and to strive for whatever
they can do. And just overall, I'm so excited for next year to definitely get my friends more involved in chess, teach new people because we are very opened. If there's people that like don't know how to play and they want to play, we will definitely teach them. We want new
people to come. And overall, it it was one of the best experiences I've had this year and I look forward Good. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for coming tonight and speaking to us. >> Sounds great.
>> Nice job. Um, just to give an outside perspective, I was on the I've been on the Cedar Creek chess team for four years now and this is the first time Absami's really had a team. So, I'm very happy to see that it's now spread through all three
schools in the district and I think that's a fantastic accomplishment for them. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Mr. Kern, I thank you for opening the doors back up. I appreciate that. You want to move on to our governor's
educators of the year? >> That's part of the baseball team. They did win. >> Uh so each year districts throughout the country recognize two of their most outstanding teachers by nominating and then vote for our year as well as the
educational professionals of the year. Uh this year both of our employees fall under the same kind of department. One special and one child team member supervisor of one of those departments is here tonight to introduce
her recipients, Miss T. So I would like to start fightational in her role as LGBT high school friend is someone who put students at the center of everything she does. Her dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for others make her an
invaluable part of our school. This year, Missand supporting students in both the county reach and school program. He stepped into an additional leadership role by adding all the ST to her
capacity. She has embraced talent wholeheartedly showing that students individualized support while also helping staff maintain high quality services across the program. Mr. friendly case with incredible
attention to detail taking time to understand strong trusting relationship with conducting evaluations collaborating with brings empathy
clarity and a calm steady presence that everyone involved. What really stands out about is how she goes beyond the job description makes her every work valued undersod will support her collection.
Hi, I want to just thank everybody so much for the nomination and the kind words. You know, I feel so blessed to be I am literally on a team. Um the child study team does not operate, you know, on an island and
>> um it's just really, you know, I've I've been around, you know, other districts and I have to say that the people here and the programs that you guys provide to students with special needs are fantastic. They're effective. They're useful. They have real life
applications. and the support that you provide to the staff to do what they need to do is unmatched from what I've experienced. So, uh I've really appreciated getting to expand my role, work with the kids out in the in the
community has been life-changing. Um the kids here are really special. The families are great. But, you know, it it really was such an honor to be recognized and I love working here. So, thank you so much.
>> Come on. What are you doing? I shouldn't. Um, it is also my pleasure to be here tonight as our teacher. Bridget and I actually started our career teaching English next door to each other. It's been pretty special
where that journey has taken today. We are working in tandem again in a very different way. Partnering with Jason row are heartbroken. Having a front row seat see her work every day. I can honestly say that this position incredibly well.
Bridget is truly the heart of our awesome program. Now in his third year, built it from the ground up, designing curriculum, creating systems, establishing a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and capable. As the program expanded this
year, she naturally stepped up in the leadership role, mentoring new staff and helping ensure across the class. She coordinates a large team of power professionals and related service providers, always keeping the focus on what is best. D built strong trusting
relationships with the family and uses data in a very intentional way to drive students growth and celebrate progress. What really sets Bridget apart though is who she is day in and day out. She's thoughtful, organized and incredibly dedicated, but also someone who give up
someone who will give up her prep time for the student with a colleague or solve a problem before it actually becomes a problem. Our classroom is a place where students feel true a true sense of belonging and that doesn't happen by accident. It's because of all the care.
Bridget's impact goes beyond beyond her. He has helped build something really meaningful for our students and our community and I'm grateful to work alongside her. It's an honor to introduce and celebrate Bridget Pal as our teacher. Right.
I don't wing it so well, so I brought a speech. Um, this moment represents a journey nearly 30 years in the making for me. I'll probably get emotional. I said I wasn't going to. Um, I have three years as a pair of professional, nine years at an
alternative school, and 18 years here at Epagami. I've worked as in-class support resource room and now in the harp autism program. Along the way, I've also had the privilege of serving as a twirling coach, dance coach, color guard instructor, cheer coach, homeown
instructor, private tutor, school store adviser, and a union rep, which basically means if there was a job available at some point, I said, "Sure, I can do that." These roles have created unforgettable memories.
It's both students and staff both in the classroom and beyond. It's the relationship, the growth, and the shared moments that I will treasure the most. These experiences are what make me
career make me so proud to be a teacher. I'm truly honored and grateful to be named teacher of the year. First, I'd like to thank three of the most important people in my life. My parents who have been at everything I've ever done, including Banquer tonight. And
yes, they still show up like I'm in a high school performance. My husband who's also here, who has been my confidant, my cheerleader, and the one who listens to all my daily stories, whether he likes it or not. Thank you to my past supervisors, Meg
Gowalis and Joe Sapp, for seeing something in me that I didn't see in myself when they asked me to start the autism program. I'm not sure if it was confidence in me or they just had really good timing, but I'm grateful they asked me. Thank you to my current supervisors,
Cass, Dan Kern, and Renee Seagler, for your continued support and belief in everything that I do for our program. To my past co-workers, thank you for being a part of this journey. And to my present room co-workers, case manager, Miss Rea, and our BCBI Gina Brower, I
appreciate you being everything I need you to be, even when it's not easy. and for always keeping a sense of humor because let's be honest, sometimes that's the only thing that gets us through our day. A special and heartfelt thank you to my fall cheerleaders and my fellow autism teacher, Kaylee Mlacklin,
for believing in me and nominate me. Their support means more than I can express. And my cheerleaders will forever hear me in their head saying, "One more time, girls, five, six, seven, eight." This recogn recognition is increas in incredibly humbling
especially coming from such dedicated and talented colleagues many of whom deserve this just as much as I do. So thank you to the staff who selected me. I'd also like to thank you the board of ed for recognizing this honor and the Ralph Martin grant committee selecting
the heart program as a recipient of the Ralph Martin grant scholarship. I'm deeply appreciative of this opportunity and your continued support of the work that we do in the heart program. Importantly, also, I'd like to thank all of my students, past and present. They are the
reason I show up every day and strive to be better. They challenge me, confide to me, and keep me on my toes more than any lesson plan ever could. I share this honor with all of my students. Lastly, I want to share with you that I did apply for the county teacher of the year, not
for further personal recognition, but I thought it was important to highlight Absagami and the Greater Ant Carver Regional School District as a place where students receive a truly inclusive and diverse education. While I know the pool of candidates I will be going against will be strong. I am grateful
for the opportunity to be chosen to represent the heart energy program and to share how we are making a difference in both students and staff's lives. I want people to understand what an incredible opportunity this district provides. Not only for students with special needs and autism, but for the
general education population as well. Every student and staff member who interacts with my students, whether in the hallways, at the snack shop, or in the Harp coffee park is better for having done so. We are making a difference not only in our students lives, but in the lives of everyone in
our building. And I feel that's something truly special to our school district. So, thank you again. picture. Clear. Hello. Hello. Before we move on, could I just add a couple words before we move on? I just want to
add um every teacher of the year, every educational services professional of the year um is is picked out of a hundred or more uh various people. So, every year there are serious conversations and ongoing um debates in the buildings
about who the the recipients will be for the year. But one of the things I want to point out tonight that both of these individuals deserve so much credit for in working in a high school, any day can go in any direction. You you can have it laid out. You can have it planned. You
can have your calendar set for this is what I'm going to do at 8. This is what I'm going to do at nine. And when you've got 900 or a thousand or 1100 teenagers, those days very rarely follow the the plan. Um, but if there is a world that is most likely to have a different day
than what is planned for, it is in the special ed world and especially on the child study team um or in our specialized program um heart for the autism student. So I the other thing I just want to make sure that everybody recognizes is that among all of the
compassion and all of the empathy and all of the vision that they have for their students, they have to also be among the most forgiving and the most malleable people in the building because no day is going to go the way you think it is going to go. So, I just want
everybody to hear and I want to specifically note for the two of you that that is not something that is lost. That among all of your other skills and assets, the ability to walk into a room and and and read what is going on and determine what
is best for that student of need in a moment of need is very very impressive. So, thank you both for everything you do connected to that. Uh at this time I'll move to committee reports. Finance committee.
>> Thank you Mrs. H. The finance committee met on March 16th. Um first we talked about the budget which Tom will be going over. He sent us an an email plus he provided us with a hard copy tonight.
Second on the agenda was the referendum update and u nothing dealing with the concession stand. Nothing had been done for 2 weeks at Cedar Creek because of the bad weather, but we are still expecting to be
finished by June 1st. Um on that on that um issue. Next was a talk about Absagami and Oakrest concession stands. The floors in both are done and the toilets and the sinks are in progress but will
be done by the end of March. We will know more because there will be a meeting um tomorrow on that. Then we also talked about um the work in the pack at Oakrest in the auditorium and crest to finish up and um
they will be meeting with the building staff for that. Progress has been made, but there's still uh work to be done. And last on the agenda was the leaf grant with schools for grounds equipment. This will be a shared service
for leaf vacuum and the cost is 100,000 and the grant will cover 75% of that. >> Just to clarify, the grants with Mullica Township. >> Mullica Township, not the school. >> Correct. >> Sorry. Um, for the budget, um, I emailed you some information. Um, so I'm going to go
over some of it for you. If you have any questions, please let me know. Um, the first page after the memo is the budget revenues. I'm not going to go over each line, but uh, on the general fund, the top section, as you can see, fund balance is just about the same amount
that we budgeted last year. Uh, tax levy, we have the 2% amount going up. And we're also able to use a health insurance adjustment uh that allows us to increase uh the tax levy by another 882. Uh this is needed because our
health insurance is going up uh 12% which is $1.3 million. Um as you know the last few years we've done a very good job at keeping our health insurance flat or at 1 or 2%. Uh but certain factors have caused it to go up. We're
still investigating. We talked about the possibility of self-insuring some prescriptions. We're still talking about those possibilities, but right now we believe the worst case scenario is a 12% increase, and that's what we're budgeting for. Tuition, as you can see, went down about $150,000. That's due to
the number of kids coming in from Port Republic and Washington Township. Uh miscellaneous revenue just uh it's based on what we actually the last full year. So, I brought that down by $100,000. State aid, as I let you know earlier, went up $2.1 million.
We're estimating $100,000 more in extraordinary aid, and our Medicaid, which is a small amount, went up 821. So, the total amount of general fund went up three $3.5 million to 4.19%. Special revenue fund, um, basically the
county recommends that we budget 75% of our current dollar amount. So, you'll see every single item went down by 25%. debt service fund. Our debt service requirements for next year are down $86,000. So that brought both our tax levy and
our state aid down for those amounts. And on the bottom shows you the summary of the tax levy general fund with those two items I mentioned above. We'll be up 1.6 million which is 4.39% and our debt service down 70,000. So the net amount
will be 1.549 million up 3.85% 85% over last year. Uh second page I have there is the history of the constituent breakdown. Now I I gave you like 20 some years. You don't need to look at all that. But for 2026,
if you compare it against 2025, you'll see that Egg Harbor City's responsibility went down a little bit. Galloways went up a little bit. Um Hamilton's went up a very small bit and Mullikas went down. So we talked about winners and losers. That's how it's done
by the allocation of who gets what. So Egg Harbor City was a big loser last year. They are a little bit of a winner and same thing as Mullica and Galloway and Hamilton will be going up a little bit this year due to that responsibility.
The other item that goes into the tax rate increases is the ratables. Um I have the next sheet shows you the assessed valuation as of February for the four municipalities. Egg Harbor City, Galloway, and Mullica all went up slightly and Hamilton
Township went down slightly. So, Hamilton had more responsibility and their ratables go down. So, they're getting hit in two directions. What this means for your tax rates, um the next page with the highlighted amounts, um Egg Harbor City, if you're
looking at the third column, the tax rate, Egg Harbor City will see a decrease of 1.47 cents in general fund. Galloway will see an increase of 3.24 cents, Hamilton of 4.01 cents and Mullico will be going down 2.08 cents. Debt service
you'll see they all going down and below is the total amount then for each municipality is Egg Harbor City will be going down 1.7 cents. Galloway will be going up 3.14 cents. Hamilton will be going up just under 4 cents and
Mullik will be going down 2.7 cents. Um the sheets after that are the current right now with expenditures. Um I want to give you a couple highlights of what our budgets are looking like. Uh major increases in this budget. Obviously I just talked about earlier health
benefits at $1.3 million. Our transportation is up $667,000. Salaries are up $2.2 million. And then also we get a dollar amount in our state aid. how much we have to pay for state facilities for those students
who are placed. Um that's up $470,000 over last year. So just those four items alone is an increase of $4.5 million. So you see why, you know, we get an increase of state aid of over $2 million, but you know, we still have to raise the taxes due to the fact that
these amounts are going up. A couple positive things in the budget were ACIT tuition is actually going down this year by $49,000 and our total amount of special ed tuition is down to 68,000. So that was a perfect year for those things too to
happen to help us out a little bit too. Um what happens at this point I am still finalizing putting information into the budget software which is um a major Jenga puzzle. uh you know, I'm still dealing with the fatal errors as they
call it. I'm trying to fix those. So, that'll all be put in and then I will uh download the budget to the county office by Friday when it's due. Um we will wait to hear back from the county if there are any comments on the budget. I will address them as they come in and then
our budget hearing is on May 4th, I believe. Any comments or questions? All right. This item will be on the the under the business section to be approved tonight. Thank you. And if you
think of anything, you you take these packets home, read them in bed, you have some questions, please reach out to me. I'm I'm available. >> Mark, >> the only question I have, should conflicted board members abstain or
recuse themselves on the budget? Are we permitted to vote on the budget since salaries and health benefits are? Yes, you are. You can vote on budget. >> Thank you. >> Okay, this time I'll go to board member
reports. Anyone wishing to share? Mrs. Garrison. >> Thank you. On Monday night, I attended the eighth grade dialogue up at Mullica School, elementary school, and I got to listen to all the eighth graders in
Atlantic County um from all the elementary schools. And um I've been to them in the past. They've been enjoyable. Gives you hope for the future. Um, a lot of the questions dealt with things that we deal with here and
we have issues that that come up and had to make policy for. Um, AI was interesting um to hear the students talk about it. A lot of pros and cons and the same with the cell phone in the classroom. It was interesting to hear
them talk about pros and cons. So, it there is hope out there. Thank you. It was very enjoyable. I got to enjoy it. Thank you. >> I apologize. I'm going to go back to students now. I I kind of got lost my focus. I'm still like taking in all that
stuff that the two teachers shared. That was just wonderful. Um so, Venenzo, would you like to share? >> Sure. Um so, in the school, spring sports just started up um with various teams having scrimmages and matches already. Um, one of the notable things
that happened recently with that was several sports teams just got back from their sports trip to Florida in order to participate participate in tournaments down there. Uh, I heard they did fairly well down there, so that's good. Uh, we
have a pep rally tomorrow to celebrate the start of the spring sports season as well. Um, NHS just had their induction for the 20 for the new junior members. So, that was very exciting.
Congratulations to them all. Um, coming up is a is a school Italian-American club trip to Italy over spring break. Uh, so that's very exciting. And today I
believe is the honor the district honors band concert is being hosted at Cedar Creek. So I hope they're doing amazing. And that's about all. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you Caitlyn. >> Hi. So um yesterday was be the change
day at Oakrest, which was basically a group therapy session with teachers and students. um they were kind of just sharing their life experiences and emphasizing mental health. I heard there was a lot of good tears, but um our academic team won
second at the brain ball yesterday. Um we also had the women in history breakfast earlier this week where inspiring guest speakers, female speakers came in and interacted and presented with students. Um this week is
our spirit week. We also have a pep rally. volts scheduled for Friday, I believe, but it's looking like it might rain. Um, we also had our NHS induction earlier this month. The tennis team visited Princeton University just to check out their tennis program.
And oh, our biomed career symposium is tomorrow, which is basically medical professionals come in and they talk about their jobs to our biomed students and we get to ask them questions and learn about their jobs. Um, one of them is an Oakrest alumni who graduated from
UPEN. Top first. You might be first actually. >> Number one in her nursing. >> Number one. Number one in her nursing class. Yeah. So, she's working at an ICU in Delaware Children's Hospital. We get to hear from radiation therapists, dermatology, PAs, psychiatrists, and
ultrasound tech. And you get to choose. We fill out like a form beforehand. And the Percy Jackson play is this weekend. It's tomorrow and Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 pm. Thanks. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other board members
wishing to share? >> Question. >> Remind me after. >> I don't think it did, but I want to confirm that. Sorry. Okay, at this time I'll open the meeting up to the public. Anyone wishing to
speak on any agenda item. Okay, seeing none, um, information items are listed. So, I'll move to business items. >> Business items can be found on pages 3 to six, items B1 through B13. I'll make a motion to move B1 through B13, pages 3
through 13. >> Second. >> Okay. B1 through B13 have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments on these business items? >> Gunther. >> Yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hasa, >> yes.
>> Yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. Hal. >> Yes. >> Motion is approved. >> Transportation items. >> Transportation items uh T1 through T32 could be found found on pages 6 through
16. >> I move T1 through T32. >> Second. >> Who seconded it? Please. >> Carrie. >> Carrie. >> Carrie. >> Okay. Uh T1 through T32 have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments
on these transportation items? >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Asa, >> yes. >> Perly, >> yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Hal, >> yes. >> Motion approved. Mrs. H.
>> I need to abstain on B5. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Education. >> Education. >> I move E1 through E7. E7.
>> Second. at E1 through E7 of the movement segment. Any questions or comments on these education items? >> I just have a reminder on graduation dates. >> I didn't open the link. >> Uh yeah. Um give me one second.
>> Sorry. >> No, you're good. Um updated. We are June 17th for Oakrest and Absami and June 18th for Cedar Creek. >> And the time is like 4:00. All are at four o'clock to allow for weather delays
like we've had often the last couple of years. >> So they won't be staggered at >> No, they will not >> at Absagami and Oakrest. >> No, they'll both begin at 4:00 >> because we went from three days >> to two with So we're trying to avoid
Junth having a graduation on Junth. >> But years ago, we used to have one at four and one at six and we can't do that this year. Well, if if the predominance of the board would like to do that, it it I can tell you one of the concerns
that I expressed when I was a principal is sometimes when people get up off the stage and leave while students names are in the middle of being called that >> Well, that's rude. That's just rude. >> But it but it used to happen quite often. Um and so that was one concern. And the other concern is the last couple
of years we've had weather delays. Um that starting earlier allows us to make more adjustments in terms of when we're going to start. If the majority of the board would like me to move it to four and six, just let me know. I'll let the principles know. I know the principles
preferred to all start them at 4:00 so they had more flexibility. Um, but if the predominance of the board, send me an email or we can discuss an executive and and I'll make the adjustment. >> Well, you can't be two places at the same time. >> You cannot. >> And if the board wants to attend all of
the graduations, they won't be able to. >> Correct. >> And do we have any parents or grandparents who would have students at both schools, the individual schools? >> To my knowledge, there are no parents that was a I'm sorry. You want me to finish? >> No. Yeah. I'm sorry. I have to
apologize. To my knowledge, the PA the principles did look at parents and there were none. Not all grandparents are listed in Genesis. So there would be no way for us to know ahead of time. Again, it's a little bit of an unusual day to have four a year to have four
snow days to get us backed up into this situation. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments? Hasa, >> yes. >> Kurly, >> yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther,
>> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hal, >> yes. >> Motion approved. >> Okay. Personnel items. >> Personnel. Sorry, that's me. E1 through E17. Second.
Okay. P1 through P7 have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments on these personnel items? >> Carly, >> yes. >> Storio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes. >> Hasa,
>> yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Superintendent report. Mr. Raina. Thank you. Um I had emailed you and I I think I briefly mentioned it at the last board meeting. Um we had partnered with Atlanticare to do free preventative
health care screenings in the buildings. Those have occurred. Um Atlanticare staff spent between two and three hours in each of the buildings on a given day. Um between 20 and 35 staff depending on the the building came down and took
advantage of those free screenings. Um, so Atlantic Care was pleased with the results. Staff was very appreciative to have the opportunity to not have to go anywhere. Again, those screenings also didn't impact um any type of a physical or impact their insurance in any way
since it was part of an Atlanticare program. So, a good number of staff did take care of it. As I mentioned to you previously, Atlantic Care and I are in conversations. We may look to do something in August for staff or for students and families as well. Uh
especially before the school year. You know, we have to acknowledge the fact that a lot of our our students and family dynamic um preventative health care is not always something that there is the time or the affordability for. So, if we can offer it through this
Atlanticare program, I think it's a good partnership for our communities. Um Mr. Storio, I'm going to send you an email in the next couple days. And for everybody who's on the athletics and activities committee, we're going to look to get together probably the week of April 13th if that works. But I'll
start picking two of the nights with you and then we'll send it out to the committee. We'll have our winter wrapup. We'll look at that point. We'll also be on the other side of all three um drama presentations this spring. Uh I was fortunate enough I saw Creek and I saw
Gam two weeks ago and three weeks ago. They were wonderful. Uh, Oakest, as was mentioned, starts tomorrow night. It's Thursday and Friday at 6:30. Saturday at 1 PM. If any of you would like to go, just shoot me an email and I'll make sure that they put a couple of tickets
aside for you at the door. Um, the as an update to the concession stands, I walked them on Friday um with building managers. toilets uh are functioning at both Oakrest and
Absagami. So, we're hoping that by next weekend, which is what we wanted, we'll be able to have those facilities open for our parents as the spring sports season starts as well as for our organizations that rent our facilities. Instead of having to use portaotties,
we'll have the the facilities open. So, there has been progress made in the last 10 days since we had that committee meeting. Um along those lines, Tom, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we have finally closed out the HVAC work here at Absagami.
>> Waiting for final billing. >> Waiting for a final bill. Um so if you recall that started about two and a half years ago. Uh but there were a number of issues that we were not satisfied with, especially the rooftop units in a couple of areas. um whether it was installation
issues or workmanship issues on the factory side. Um it took us this long to finally get resolution, but we do have resolution on all those HVAC units. I I share that also
just because that is something that we are running into. Um Tom and I when I say we and and when I talk to other superintendent and and other business administrators nothing in the HVAC world in the
plumbing world in the electrical world is being done in a timely fashion and being done I'll say the old saying was do it right the first time. Um there is a lot of followup work that goes into to get these pro programs completed and
again unfortunately you know when I talk to other superintendents it it's it's not an isolated incident here. So I just want to continue to keep you aware that was a major um Tom I believe it was about 6.7
or 6.8 million worth of federal funding >> that we did HVAC projects with it. We started three and a half years ago. We started Gam 2 and a half years ago, and it's taken us that long to get contractors to finally finish with all
of our fixes and concerns. Um, Mr. uh, Vincenzo over there was being modest. He left out one accomplishment. Uh, Cedar Creek won the 2026 brain brawl. Uh, I believe it was held Tuesday, correct? Uh, I'm guessing the
reason why he didn't bring it up is because he was one of the students that was on the county winning team. So, congratulations to you and your teammates, sir. >> Thank you. >> Um, so they will now move on to the next level of of competition. Um, but that's
an impressive it's an impressive contest. Um, it's literature, math, geography, history, science, famous quotes, and Nobel Prize winners. So, four or five kids studying and working together to master all of that
information to have one of our schools again come out on top. I think that's I think that's two years in a row for Cedar Creek, right? >> I believe so. >> It's two years in a row for Cedar Creek and I think it was actually Oakrest the year before that. So, the district is on
a good run in that area. And the last thing I just wanted to hit on, um, I want to thank Tom for the budget work. Um, this was a very challenging year as as most are, but this year especially, we had accelerating health insurance
costs. As Tom shared, that is a a statewide issue. Um, districts that saw increases larger than ours in terms of state aid are laying people off due to health insurance costs. Um, that is how
significant it is across the state. It is one of three conversations that we focus on as superintendent when we communicate with legislators. Um the other being the the other main one being the funding formula in general because the funding formula right now kind of
handcuffs us in terms of keeping up with accelerating insurance costs. And if you if you're like me, you've certainly noticed also over the last year that your utility costs have gone through the roof as well. that is something we face
also. Um so when you you know when Tom mentioned those numbers before four issues very quickly got us up four and a half million dollars. Um you know and and none of them are are issues necess only one of them is is an issue that really we ultimately have control over
and and that's part of what's frustrating as superintendent and as BAS when we talk to legislators, you know, where can we get some assistance from the state? Um, and this was a topic when we were on the phone with three legislators last week. Where can we get
some assistance in getting some of the public utilities to rein in their costs, especially for public entities for everybody? Because I can't imagine electric is looking at something like a 40% increase over a two and a half year period. But for us, especially in the
public sector, we we could use some help in these areas. Um, so Tom, you know, did a fantastic job. We were also working on a shortened schedule um because of when the governor's budget addressed it was pushed back because there was a new governor. They did buy
us a little bit more time, but you still feel like you're you're starting later than when you start every year. And emotionally, that's a wait also. Um and I'm very fortunate. You know, Tom and I started texting, I think on a Sunday,
and by by noon on Monday, we knew everything we were doing. We knew where we were cutting. We knew where were we making adjustments. The principles were involved. They came in, met me 8:00 in the morning. And I've told you before, we had been planning for this and Tom had been planning for it with his
buildings and ground staff. So really within about a day, we were able to make all the adjustments we needed to make and that is because of the work he puts in ahead of time. So thank you partner. >> Thank So and that's it. Thank you. >> Um all right. I just have a couple
things. Uh first just a reminder the last county board of ed meeting will be um at Great Bay Country Club u May 16th >> 18th >> 18th I need to have more coffee. Um all right
so I'll move down to uh just kind of repeating what James just said. Thank you for uh Tom for the presentation and for Tom and James and everybody that worked on the budget to get the numbers together. um we're never happy to see to have to raise taxes or to go above that
2% but um hearing from people in other districts, people are all facing either huge cuts, cutting teachers, cutting programs, and um you know, that's always the last thing we want to do is have to to cut things that'll hurt the students.
So hopefully this will get us through and and uh maybe somebody somewhere will get a handle on some of the costs. Um, I visited Cedar Creek to do the for when they had their mock trial, mock elections.
>> Um, Kim had invited me, Kim Brow, and uh, it was really interesting to see all the hard work, see what the students were doing. Um, got to I went there and spent a couple hours watching people come in from different classes. When the classes changed, would sit at tables,
they would go to vote, and I got to go through to see what that was like. and they, you know, checked in with the people that were checking their names were on the voting re, you know, voting thing. They had a ticket then and they put in to make sure that they were they had registered to vote that it went through. Then I went through and got to go to the actual voting booth. And the
student that was uh helping at the voting booth or the person that was out there said to me, "Have you ever been in a voting booth?" And I said, "Yes, I have." And my first time was right after I graduated high school. I was, you know, like it was just a lot of fun to see the excitement. And then when they came back out, they were sitting at the
tables and actually a student had put together a packet where um you could go through and learn things about the United States like history and um talk. But it was just nice to see, you know, enthusiasm and such an important thing that is important to all students. And
there were people there from the voters league and also just, you know, that was very great. I love getting a chance to go into the schools just like I love hearing the presentations from, you hear me, I get all excited. It's like I go home and my poor husband has to listen to me go on and on and on and I'm like I'm just so cool. So, and tomorrow I'm
coming here for the grow program. Um we had a presentation on that before and tomorrow they have a keynote speaker coming and then uh a program for the students and the chef when I was telling the chefs you know how much we appreciated the food they said they had made like enough food for I don't know
150 people tomorrow I think uh to feed them tomorrow too. So, they took care of our dinner tonight and they're making food for that tomorrow at the school. That's just um I hope everybody has a good break to staff, to students, and to the families too that get a chance to maybe catch
their breath and recharge a little before you come back. It's been a crazy winter and all the days, you know, snow days and everything else. So, I hope everybody has a safe, healthy break and I will go back to me.
>> Nope. Not ready for executive session yet. Okay. Old business. Anyone with old business? >> Yes. Miss, >> uh, are we going to be back on target? >> Yes. I mean, I'll meet with the group and we'll come to some dates.
>> I was just curious if that was >> I I don't imagine it happening till after break, but I want to get some dates before we go on break so we can uh work on that. So, I'll probably see each of you tonight. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Old business.
>> Are we on new business? I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I just said new business. Yeah. >> Okay. I move new business one, two, and three. >> I didn't hear you. >> I'm sorry. >> One, two. >> New business one, two, and three. The addendum.
>> I know it's very difficult to hear. These microphones don't seem to be working right. Can you hear me over there? >> Can hear you. Yep. Yes. What >> did you second, Carrie? You did. I second. Yep.
Okay. A. >> So, new business one, two, and three have been moved and seconded. Any questions or comments? >> Roll call. >> Bartorio, >> yes. >> Wright, >> yes. >> Garrison, >> yes. >> Gunther, >> yes. >> Hartman, >> yes.
>> Hasa, >> yes. >> Kurly, >> yes. >> Hal, >> yes. >> Motion approved. I just wanted to note um the new supervisor of accounting was hoping to be here tonight, but she's currently uh the business administrator for a harbor city. So, she had a budget meeting tonight, too. So, she's a very
excited. She is an Afghani grad who actually won the Ralph Martin scholarship back in the day. So, I'm very excited to have her aboard. >> Okay. Any other new business? At this time, I'll open the meeting up to the public. Anyone wishing to speak on any matter?
>> Okay, seeing none, is there a resolution for executive session? >> There is. Pursues the subject section seven and eight of the open publics meeting act. The following subject will be disclosed in a session of the board of will be discussed, sorry, a session of the board of education closer to client. Anticipated that the audience
mentioned the resolution can be disclosed to the public when a decision is made upon the same or in the case of personnel issues when the need confidentiality no longer exist. Formal action closing executive session may be taken. >> I need a move. >> Second prime was
>> yes. >> Thank you. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Those against those abstaining still move. >> Okay. Quick break.