Okay, great. Okay, I'm going to call the meeting to order. Please rise 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. Rudess. In the event of an emergency, all people may exit right or left from this room and proceed to an exit door. All doors will open from the inside.
The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this
act, the Hen Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published in the North Jersey Record Herald News, the board's official newspaper on January 15, 2025. Notices of this meeting indicating date,
time, and place were posted publicly on the door of the main entrance to the school and filed with the clerk in the municipality of Hailen. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Cerna, >> here. >> Mr. Colada, >> present. >> Miss Kadra, >> here. >> Mrs. Fischer,
>> here. >> Mr. Buzzman. >> Mrs. Johnson here. >> Mr. Martinez here. Mr. Williams here. And Mrs. >> here. Thank you. Okay, >> so before we begin, we'd like to
recognize our board president, um, Miss Lisa Issa and Mr. Raphael Martinez for their years of dedication, service, um, dedicated service on the Hilton Board of Education. Serving on this board requires commitment and care, and both
of you have given that generously. Um, personally, Mrs. is that as a board president over the past uh two years, your leadership and guidance had had made a lasting impact. Um and I've personally learned a great deal from working alongside you and I'm truly
grateful for your contributions. And Mr. Martinez, thank you as well for your service and for the perspective and commitment you brought to this board. On behalf of the board of education, thank you both for your dedication to Hilden and its students.
>> Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. I'm going to save my remarks for my report, but Mr. Martinez, would you do you want to say anything? >> Say it to the end. >> Okay. All righty, then. Let's move on. Uh, so no correspondence. Can I have a
motion to accept prior minutes? Second. Moved by Mr. Martinez, seconded by Miss Johnson. Roll call, please. Mrs. Cerna, >> yes. >> Mr. Kavetta, >> yes. >> Miss Gado, >> yes. >> Miss Mrs. Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnson, >> yes.
>> Mr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Issa, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to open the floor to citizens on agenda items only? >> Second. >> Uh,
moved by Miss Johnson, seconded by Mr. Martinez. Roll call, please. All in favor? >> Okay. All in favor? I. Okay. >> So, is there anyone uh who would like to speak on agenda items?
Anyone here? Anyone on Oh, M. Mr. Fischer. Go ahead, Mr. >> Fisher. Fisher. We have MC Held. Uh, even though it's already taken place on the agenda, it is on the agenda. And I too would like to echo your vice president's comments commendations of the retirement.
Uh Rafie Masel, uh your over six years on the board, um is been marked by great growth, uh having served with you as a board member of Manchester and continue at county meetings and workshops. Uh I
know that you don't just take this lightly that you're committed to, you know, being trained and educated as a board member and the role of the board member and doing the right thing for students. uh your kids have come through here
involving your involvement especially with the PTA you know it's exempt some great things I just I want to thank you again for everything that you've done uh for the kids the teachers the taxpayers um it's
not an easy job some people think that it's, you know, they come in with an agenda. Uh, you can't come in here with an agenda. You have to be open-minded, listen to your administration, listen to your staff, get to know the building, get to know what's going on here, and we all have
done that. So, >> thank you so much, Mr. Fischer. Um, anybody else? Anybody online? Dvin, >> online. >> Okay, then. Could I have a motion to close? Second.
>> Moved by M. Martinez, seconded by Miss CuadraD. All in favor? >> Okay. All right. So, let's go to reports. Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us tonight. Since this is my
last uh on the meeting, since this meeting is my last on the board, I'd like to share a few things. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the amazing place that is Hailen Public School. If I didn't believe that wholeheartedly, I wouldn't have entrusted my own two kids'
education to the professional and caring staff here. My children, one who already graduated and one in middle school. And all students at HPS have not only received first class instruction in academics. They have also had countless
opportunities to be involved in extracurricular and social activities that have allowed them to learn and grow in a healthy and positive environment. They have had the privilege of attending an incredibly multicultural school which in and of itself is an advantage and a
gift because it has instilled in them open-mindedness, acceptance, tolerance, and the ability to see the value in diversity. This will surely help them go into adulthood with a more global perspective and a kinder outlook.
For all these things, I am ever grateful to the whole HPS community and I am honored to have been a small part of this legacy for all HPS students. I also want to note that tonight concludes seven years that I've served on the board of the Hen Board of
Education. I was appointed in 2018 and again in 2019 to fill interim seats and then elected to a three-year term in 2019 and 2022, this last term as president. During that time, I served on the
committee for the superintendent search in 2020, which culminated in the appointment of our dedicated and highly competent chief school administrator, Chris Waka. I was deeply involved in the district's navigation of the CO 19 pandemic, serving in particular on a
special leadership committee that in collaboration with the administration, teachers, and staff, successfully implemented a comprehensive plan that made it possible for HPS to be the public school with the most
in-person days during the 2020 2021 academic year in all of Pay County. I was on the negotiating committee with our teachers union in 2023 that resulted in a fair contract on both sides of the table that all parties were satisfied
with. And I've been involved in every aspect of board work, including budget, personnel, curriculum, security, policy, community engagement, and board governance matters these past seven years. Under my tenure as president and at my
request, this board began holding annual retreats which have served as an opportunity for board members along with our chief school administrator and our business administrator to create and refine board goals that ensure accountability and encourage
professional development so that we are in turn a more informed and responsible board that's better prepared to serve our district. Our retreats have also helped establish the f the framework for important initiatives such as discussion
of relevant educational topics, more involved committee work and onboarding for new board members among others. And given a school board's main responsibility to provide its superintendent with a thorough and fair annual evaluation, I also initiated and
executed a succinct process for the superintendent evaluation. I am happy to share that I was notified in November by the New Jersey School Boards Association that I have earned the credential of master certified board member. I'm especially proud of this
achievement because it reflects a lot of time, work, and dedication to educating and improving myself as a board member. All the trainings, workshops, webinars, sessions, meetings, assemblies, and networking were all worth the effort
because they help me better serve our district and ultimately our students. I want to end my report by sincerely thanking Mr. Waka and Miss Austin for being wonderful and supportive partners in this school board work. I want to thank my fellow board members, past and
present, for their collaboration and commitment to the board. In particular, I'd like to thank Mr. Guzman and Mr. Martinez, who have served with me this entire time and been a large part of all the things I've mentioned. They've been partners and friends. Mr. Guzman, thank
you for your guidance and trust in me as I took on the role of president following your tenure. It's been invaluable and appreciated. And thank you HPS teachers and staff. Without you, there is no Hen Public School.
Keep up the incredible work you're doing. It's been my honor to serve on this board and to advocate for the district. In my eyes, HPS is the best school in New Jersey, not because it's perfect, but because it's ours. And that is a
beautiful thing. I'd like to wish everyone a happy and healthy happy and safe holiday season with all good things in the new year. And with that, I will turn it over to our chief school administrator, Mr. Walker. >> Thank you, board president. And I know I'm not going to say anything as
poetically beautiful as as you did. Um, but I wanted a hand. >> Yeah. >> I think about, you know, board members. I've said this before, but I I'll a little more detailed explanation now. >> I think that like a lot of people can
consider running for a board. You know, that that's the easy part. Um but like running for a board takes a whole lot of bravery. Um because you might win, you might not win or you might have won and then you run again and then you didn't
win. Those are the three most common outcomes. Um, but the reason I say it's bravery is because there's really no external benefit to being a board member. Like all of us, myself included, get the same big fat paycheck of zero
dollars uh for our philanthropy and volunteerism of being on a board. Um, and in return, we get people aren't sending us emails telling telling us how handsome we are, how great we are at the meetings, or all the lovely things we
say. Um, you know, people come to us with with issues that are important to them or concerns that are important to them and and you know, they they trust us to be the stewards of, you know, steering the district in in a direction they want. Um, but it takes a whole lot
of bravery to win an election. It takes a whole lot of bravery to lose an election because it takes the most bravery to put yourself out there. Um, so I'm I'm always appreciative of that. And u you know Rafie and Lisel um you guys and George are the three board
members that are still present when we had you know when I was wearing a mask and so was you know Mr. Fischer and Allen like when we were marrying masks and and and having these these interviews um you know and I we've seen
a lot of progress you know at our school because of that. We've seen a lot of parts of Manchester too because of that. Um, but like the school's come a long way. Like there's a whole bunch of kids that go to preschool now that didn't go to preschool. Um, because you guys were on the boards and you set that as a
district goal. Um, there's a whole new playground um, an inclusive playground because you're on the board and and you set that as a goal. My job is just to accomplish the goals um, that the board directs me to accomplish. And I think
the goals we put were to to do our best during CO and we did. Uh our goals were to to expand the building and we did. Our goals were um you know to always do what's best for the students best interest and we did. Um and and I'm I'm
blessed to have been partners with both of you. Uh you're both friends. You're both great for the community. Um you know Hen's very lucky to have you. So, that's my first note and I I can go on forever on this note, but I got to go back to the meeting. Um, my second agenda point is that we're really
excited that u we have a an educational service provider of the year and uh a governor's teacher of the year. And I haven't announced this yet. I want to announce it first here, but we'll make a big hoopla on Facebook and then, you know, in you know, either April or May or whatever meeting is best for the
candidates that won, we'll we'll look to do the celebration for them. Uh, but we have a a teacher that's been with us for 30 years, three decades. Um, and this year, and I know Amanda will will definitely, and Miss Sullivan will definitely agree with me. This was, and
I only I'm only in that meeting to be a tiebreaker. That's my that's my role, just to break a tie. Uh, but this was the most I I don't want to use competitive, but like this is the most robust collection of of of, you know, great advocacy we've had for who should
get teacher of the year. And this year, Miss Nton won it. So, I want to say congratulations to Miss Nton. You know, some of the letters that were written to her by her colleagues were were were quite profound. So, congrats to her. I also want to give a congrats to our edigation ser ed educational
service provider of the year Miss Chrissy Sarissian three literacy specialists and she focuses upon uh the students whose test scores and data show us that they might need the most direct you know one-on-one or small groupoup assistance for literacy and writing and she
predominantly does that from grade five through eight and she does a great job but she's always a team player and there's been a whole lot times when you start kissing where it's like, hey, uh, we have maternity leave. When you get maternity leave for like May and June or a maternity leave for like just two
months, it's very difficult to fill them because who's going to want to hire get hired for just two months, right? Uh, Miss Sarcasian's always been so good about like being a team player and and going to where we needed her to go. Uh, so I think they're both highly deserving of the award, as is everyone else that
applied. Like this was such a good year. So, you know, kudos to them. Now, um, on this agenda, you're going to see a whole lot of stuff about our prek submission. Uh, as you know, our, you know, when Ellen was on the board with Jeff, we only had 30 preschool seats for
the whole town. Now, we're we're we're at a much higher number. I think we're either 105 or 90, top my head. Um, and back then, unless you were special ed, you were three-year-old, you wouldn't be on you. There was not a spot available to you uh for preschool. Um, but you
know, this board over the years through their advocacy and through their direction, they're voting yes to our expansion, voting yes to this and that and and thankfully the state also was was looking to push getting more and more kids into our pre-K program. Now that we're at that generally 90 or 105 I
I forget what is right around 99. >> Yeah. So like we're we're triple the point we were in the last seven or eight years, which is a great improve level of improvement. Um, and if you were a four-year-old and your parents registered you on time, you got in, which is something we never but we we we
would have never we never been able to say that. It's a big deal. Um, and the state says and the state pays for, you know, a very very very large percentage of our preschool program. Um, and the state said, "Well, now you have to offer at least 10 general ed spots to
three-year-olds." Um, and yeah, we're gonna they're paying for our program, so we're going to say yes, right? Um, but that makes it worse. It's it's that's where the lottery is now. And if you have a three-year-old that wants to go to preschool, they're general ed, it's just super competitive because we we
know we have more than 10 three-year-old parents that would love their kid to be able to go to full day preschool. Um, so that that's where it's competitive now, but like this is a good problem as compared to where we were. Um, so we're really proud of that. But you're going to see a lot of the preschool
application. Uh, I know that tomorrow morning there's a winter concert. Um, you know, we encourage all board members to come. We we typically reserve seats for board members that for uh our eighth grade graduation. Um, if you tell me now that you or tonight that you want to
come, I'll make sure we get a seat for you reserved. Um, but like if you come on time, there's going to be a seat for you and you could watch the kids. And the cool thing about this year is I said like I loved their concert last year and I said why is our kids only singing one song for great. So now they're going to sing two songs. So you get double the
value if you show up. Uh which will be fun. Um and on 123 is going to be our winter dismissal. And this is like the longest winter break we could like logistically. We're going to be out for a long time this winter break. Um but you know we wish our kids and our staff you know the best during that time. Um
just for the agenda item 9.2 that relates to our uh 5year teach plan goal of teacher recruitment. I'll be at the Monontlair State uh university. Uh that's the out of all the teaching recruitment job fairs. That's the the primo one. That's the one you want to be
at. Uh we've hired every year we've hired at least one candidate from that fair. Some years we hired two or three, but that's really important to get to go to. So I'll be there with our our teacher recruitment specialist, Miss Pozano. And then we usually look to like include someone from the special ed department so they can represent us as
well. Um for item 8.6, I want to thank uh a good buddy of mine, the superintendent of Clifton, Danny Rubertazi called him and said, "Listen, any chance you could let this teacher that's going to come to us leave early?" He says, "I'll do my best." And uh you know, luckily he was nice to me and he he let
this teacher start a little early. So she's going to start a little earlier. Um and you know Lameique is going to talk a lot more about that but um we we know how much this board's been you know advocating you know fiscal prudence and then and just a strong and extended
fiscal outlook. Um, so I know Miss uh Miss Austin's met with all the vice principles and the super we don't have any supervisors, but all the vice principles and the special ed director and they've made their their skeleton budget and LMA is going to come to an agreement with them on on those on all
those budgets and then LMA and I are going to schedule time down very soon. Um, but essentially we're going to make, you know, in our head a couple different budgets like the times of plenty budget, state aid stays equal budget and and a budget where, you know, here's what
we'll get cut if if if the budget doesn't work out the way we wanted to in terms of state aid or federal aid because let's let's be real, we lost $1 million. We didn't lose it, but we didn't get the $1.2 $.2 million when it comes to the total collection of state
aid, federal aid, special ed aid, and preschool aid. All four of those went in the negative. Um, so, you know, and even when that happened, we didn't have to riff anyone, which is what we what I really don't want to do. Um, so we're proud of that, but we're going to keep
planning, you know, towards that goal. So, that's my report for tonight, and I wish everybody a happy holiday. >> Thank you, Mr. Waka. Um, any questions? >> Okay, then I will turn it over to Miss Austin, our business administrator.
>> Okay. Thank you, Madam President. Um, the finance team, we met yesterday, >> Monday. >> Monday. Monday and we went over all of the agenda items on here and I just wanted to point out a few of them. Um 13.3
is our safety grant that we get every year. And these are for expenses that we've already paid for. Our insurance company allows us to um put a grant uh put a um a submission for reimbursement for some of the security items that we
pay out on an annual basis. And it's just it's a small gr grant but nonetheless it is something that we've gotten in the last um few years that I've been here been you know helpful every year to kind of you know rely on that um that money every year. We also
have our use of facilities which is 13.5 and we had a brief discussion on looking at the policy again so that we can come up with a fair um charge for the class three in um vendors or participants that
would like to the for-profit ones that wants to um rent our facility. So, I'm asking that, you know, madam president, that the board does take some time to look at that so that we can, you know, come up with something that's reasonable and more competitive um you know,
compared to some of our surrounding um districts. Okay. And the other item, we talked about the fundraisers on here. We also talked about um our um massio statement and understanding um that that
is um money that is um that we have to pay each year for our food service company and we discussed the 13.19 and 13.20. This is a cooperative um gas resolution that we um participate in in
order to get um better pricing when it comes to gas and electric rates. and we um asked any if there was any questions regarding the bills list and we noted that the helping handover fundraiser came on after the um initial um agenda
was sent out and also like Miss Zwaka said we discussed about the budget development meetings that we had. We had um I had meetings with all of the administrators. We talked about all the budget goals and constraints. week I've asked um administrators to maybe you
know to look at a 10% um less to overall for each budget to start the budget right now is in the pre-state aid stage. So, we're going to finish and complete as much as possible before our state aid numbers come out. And we're going to
have that all ready in enough time so that everyone can have an opportunity to review the budget, meaning um the board members so that we can kind of be prepared on whatever happens in February. All right. We also um are asking our administrators to be
descriptive, add quotes and um backup and supporting do documents and prioritizing any wish list items which um we've already discussed about that and any personnel needs or concern which you know Mr. Walker and I will discuss after they they're done with their
budget. But the object is to try to get it done as you know we can be close to finish in January so that when February comes around we're just focusing on if there is a deficit that we can um manage that properly and we we already have a
plan in place on how to deal with that. So that that's the purpose of the goal of um starting the budget, you know, earlier than usual so that we can all kind of be in a um brainstorming um situation if we have to if the state numbers don't come out the way we're
anticipating. All right. And I think that is oh we I also noted the federal um carryover funds that came in um which is specifically in title one because I just wanted to let the board know that we did receive um our um
carryover funds that are available. We do have to allocate them but we did discuss discuss with one of the admin to at least have title one funds cover the salary that was not covered in the beginning of the school year. So we we're going to use those funds for that. So, and then we allocate the rest of
them and we also discuss um um the rental fees and the HVAC HVAC concerns. If you have any questions, I can try to explain that. >> Any questions for >> I just wanted to know 13.8 and 1322. They're the same thing, right? For the
helping hands. >> Yeah. So, the reason we we indicated it twice was with the uh like the the special notation 1322 is it came late uh it it's my decision whether to put something on late and this is a
philanthropic thing u that I that I I think we'd all agree what we would want u you know and this this club advisor has been so solid where they they know that they you know it won't be an issue getting it on time next time. They're just they've been solid for us.
I I think my question is just like it's the same thing. We don't have to worry about separate things. Okay. Any other questions for Miss August? >> Okay. >> And let's move on. Thank you, Miss August. Um let's move on to committee
reports. So, uh personnel and management, Mr. Martinez. >> Nothing to report this. >> Uh curriculum and technology. Miss Pado, >> nothing to report. Agenda items only
agenda items. Okay. Policy. Uh, Mr. Petta, >> nothing to report. >> Security and safety. Mr. Petta, >> agenda items only. >> Community engagement. Miss Padrad, >> nothing to report.
>> Finance and physical plan. Mr. Martinez, >> like Miss Austin said, we had a meeting on Monday. Monday. and um >> okay uh state and county miss. >> Okay. So I did leave a um a one page uh
on your desk to go over this. Um, as districts close out the calendar year, the New Jersey Department of Education and State Board of Education continue to advance regulatory and fiscal guidance that will help um shape planning for
2026. Uh, in early December, the state board adopted amendments related to educator preparation, certification, and professional standards. Um, the New Jersey Department of Education also released its 2025 taxpayers guide to
education spending, providing updated uh statewide data on school funding and expedentials. Um throughout December, the legislator legislature um entered its lame duck session with both Senate and Assembly Education Committees uh
reviewing bills that are affecting public schools uh including topics such as funding transparency, district planning requirements, and educator certification pathways. Um the New Jersey Department of Education December
broadcast included guidance related to um financial aid application completion, special education mediation agreements, and newly released preschool expansion aid opportunities for the 2026 2027 school year. So that's um something we
can look into as well. Um on a county level, the P County Health Department and United for Prevention um continue to emphasize on youth wellness and substance use prevention uh with additional funding opportunities expected to open later this month.
County legislators remain engaged in adv advocacy efforts supporting transportation and security aid for smaller districts. Um, looking ahead to January, uh, districts should anticipate continued legislative activity, the
start of the new gubinario, uh, administration, and further New Jersey Department of Education um, guidance as planning begins for the fiscal year of 2027 um, budget cycle. I also added on the
bottom um, some upcoming uh, NJSBA trainings that I are very important. Um there is a webinar that's coming next week on Monday that is um in reference to our reorganization meetings for New Jersey school board members um
next Monday on the 22nd. It is a virtual meeting at 10:00 a.m. if you guys can make it. And then for those of us that need to finish our governance training, I did add those there. Um those are going to start in February. So just there for your information and that's
all I have. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you so much, Mr. Mado. I appreciate that. >> Um, hey, Mr. Brown, any >> question? Um, was there an update on the bill? I don't remember the number. There was one in the Senate, one in the
assembly for four school uh district consolidation. >> Anybody know that? I don't think that's gotten past the assembly. The proposal stayed. >> Okay. Because they mentioned at the county meeting, they said it was up for a vote, but I don't remember. I don't think it's I'm not even sure it's gotten
out of the committee yet. So, >> no. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. And I'm sorry, Mr. Brown, did you have anything to report? >> Okay. Okay. So, let's go back. Uh,
so for personnel and management, are there any questions on any of the personnel management agenda items? >> Okay. Then we have Mr. Martinez. >> Uh, personel. >> I'm sorry. I was to let you need help. You want to start again? >> Yeah. What did you say?
>> I was told to let me get out something. If you could start that. >> Oh. Oh, yeah. No. Um, well, so Mr. Brown doesn't have anything to report. So, we're going back to the committees now. >> Um, and I asked if anyone We'll start with personnel and management if anyone
had any questions and nobody did. So, um, Mr. and Mr. Martinez. >> So, I'd like to move 8.1 through 8.7, please. >> Okay. Moved by Mr. Martinez, seconded by Mr. Ketta. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Cerna, >> yes.
>> Mr. Colada, >> yes. >> Miss Gado, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. >> And Mrs. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Curriculum and technology. Are there any questions on any of the agenda
items? Okay, Miss Miss Padrad. >> I'd like to move items 9.1 through 9.4. >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Padra, seconded by Mr. Martinez. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Cerna, >> yes. >> Mr. Ketta,
>> yes. >> Miss Gado, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. Security and safety. Mr. Kleta.
>> Uh, let's make a motion to move 11.1. Second. >> Moved by Mr. Kleta, seconded by Mr. Martinez. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Cerna, >> yes. >> Mr. Kleta, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorado, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. Martinez.
>> Mr. Williams? >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Finance and physical plant. Are there any questions before we vote? Okay, Mr. Martinez, I'd
>> like to move 13.1 through 13.2. >> Second. Moved by Mr. Martinez, seconded by Miss Fiser. Yes, sir. >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Cerna, >> yes. >> Mr. Ketta, >> yes. >> Mr. Dorado, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Johnson,
>> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Mr. Williams, >> yes. >> And Mrs. >> Yes. >> Okay. Do we have any new or old business, Miss Fischer? >> Yes, I have a few things. Um, first of
all, I'd like to congratulate Mr. Martinez and Mrs. Za on a wonderful job being a board member here at Hilton Public School. You make a difference in the lives of the students and the administrators and teachers here. And I thank you so much. I know how difficult
it can be, Mrs. Za, to be the board president. As you know, I was the board president for many years at Manchester. It's not an easy job, but when you have a board that works together, it makes it a lot easier. And I want to thank you so much for
putting the children of Hen Public School foremost and Mr. Martinez the same. We are going to miss you very much. I'd like to congratulate Miss Nton. I
worked with Lynn for many years and I congratulate her. She's put in so much work here at Hen Public School and to Miss Sariss who I've known for many, many years. She
is a prodigy of Manchester Regional High School knowing that our public schools do work and I'm so proud of her. I'm proud of both of them and I want to congratulate them both. And at the last meeting um our HA union
president invited board members to come and see how our classrooms are running here and I took them up on that opportunity to do that. and Amanda, we walked through the school and we
visited quite a few classrooms and I'm very happy and amazed of the great things that Hilden is doing since I left here. And for example like the kindergarten they're writing in braille they're learning phonics
they are learning about folktales they are learning words like suede and journey and kindergarten. >> I was just like wow that is great >> you know and going to um like the third
grade and like half the class was BSI. Yes. >> Yes. And there were 16 kids. And this is where we were talking about our special education teacher being needed here at the school. Um that is one of the school
that is one of the classes that we really need a little bit of help in. And then we had our inclusion class >> which um the teacher had such a grasp on
the students and everything that they were learning and I was so proud of her. I mean she I I can't say enough about it. You know I for me to be speechless tells you about what we're learning here. the kids that are using their
Chromebooks, they're doing uh independent working in the classrooms. AI is coming to the the uh forefront now. Um, and it's just a testament to Hen Public
School, how our school is working and how Hailen is at the forefront of education in Pay County and having children that went to the school here and seeing the children that are coming through our school and seeing our
teachers and our administrators who are doing a great job. You're very well organized. You're welloiled machine. And I'm just so proud of you all. And I take I would ask any other board member here
to take that opportunity to come through the school and see exactly what the teachers are teaching and what the students are learning because they're not just names on a page. They're not just numbers on a finance ledger. These
are students that would like to show you what exactly we're doing here. So, I would ask each and every one of you to come on in and see what's going on here. And I think that's about all I have right now. And thank you very much for
the opportunity to come in here and see everything that's going on. And I thank everyone because like I say I'm I'm a I'm new again on board and I want to thank the board for the things that they have done since I left the district and
I think that we should definitely continue that. Thank you. >> Thank you for your words if I can add on to that. Like there we're blessed to have this staff. There's no doubt. We're we're very blessed. I agree with you. Yes.
Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Fisher. Uh, anybody else from new business? >> Thank you. Um, so I just have a quick message as we close out 2025 and um are prepared to reconvene in January. I just want to extend a warm holiday wishes to
all of our board members, to the administration, staff, parents, and especially to our students. Um, thank you all for your continued partnership and dedication to our school. Um, I want to wish everyone a safe, restful, and joyful holiday break, and we look forward to the work
ahead in the new year. Um, we are excited uh to welcome our newest board members coming in in January who will be sworn in. Um, and I look forward to uh working together in continued service to our district and our community.
>> Thank you, Miss Mr. Martinez. >> So, um, I guess we're almost done, right? So, I guess it's my turn to to give my spiel. Um, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the Helden board of education, Mr. Waka, Mrs.
Augustine, staff, students, and fellow board members. Um, for the opportunity to serve this community over the past six years. It has truly been an honor to work alongside dedicated board members, administrators, teachers, and staff who
consistently put our students first. During my time on the board, I'm proud of the work we accomplished together, whether it was helping pass or and oversee responsible budgets, supporting improvements to our school facilities, expanding or strengthening academic and extracurricular programs, and always
advocating for the needs of our students and families. These achievements were the results of collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the education. This experience has taught me the importance of thoughtful decision-making, open dialogue, and long-term planning. I'm grateful for the
trust placed in me over these six years and the opportunity to contribute to the growth and stability of our district. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this journey. I will always be proud to have served the the children and the families of Helden, and I wish the board continued success in the years ahead.
Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Well, I would also like to congratulate uh Miss Snotton and Miss Cassian. Um that's that's wonderful news and I'm glad that they're being
recognized. Um and I also just want to add uh one more piece. So after the presentation on board norms at our last meeting, I took some time to look through the packet that Miss Mitchell shared and to reflect
on this past year's board meetings and activities. I offered the board this parting feedback as constructive criticism and with good intentions in regard to board norms and specifically some of the points that Miss Mitchell stressed.
It's true that it is beneficial for board members to have differing differing opinions that can make for deep discussion and good decisionmaking at the table. However, there are two issues that come into play. Number one is to consider whether the difference of
opinion is a matter of an obligation that board members have to fulfill their duty. In other words, are they factoring in the professional and firsthand recommendations of the superintendent in their voting? And are they fulfilling
their legal obligation to the district as opposed to their own personal opinion on what should or shouldn't be done? The second issue is how to disagree with fellow board members. No board member or anyone at the board table for that
matter should ever have to walk into a board meeting worried that he or she is going to be verbally attacked by other board members. There is no place for yelling, banging on the table, making unfounded accusations or general
hostility. That should never be a concern of any board member. in the best interest of all HPS community stakeholders. I truly hope that the board can start fresh and move forward from here. And with that final input, I sincerely
wish the board all the success in the world because your success is our district's success. I'll be watching because I'm still an HPS parent and I love this school and I hope that you will all always do right by it.
Thank you. Um, and with that, we will open the floor to board uh to the public. Can I have a motion to open the floor? >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Pado, seconded by Mr.
Martinez. All in favor? Hi. >> Do we have anyone in the Mrs. Powski? >> Good evening. Um, I'm Amanda Pilowski, president of the Hen Education Association. Uh, on behalf of the staff, I would like to thank Mrs. Fischer for taking the
time to visit our school on December 9th. Uh, your willingness to be here, walk the halls, and we really walked the entire building. um third floor, but we were everywhere. Um and to see our classrooms in action
means a great deal to all of us. Uh we truly appreciate your continued support and commitment to education and the interest you show in the experiences of our students and teachers. And again, the HA would like to um extend the invitation to the members of the board
of education to come spend some time in the building with us to see firsthand what takes place. Um, I would be happy to offer that to anybody. Um, just >> thank you, Mrs.
Anybody else? Is there anybody online? Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Gonzalez. >> My name is Hilton Gonzalez, but this is Street. You know that president has the board. This is our
school, our heart. We believe that we never go forget healthy school. Our teachers when I walk in that door, I smile. They smile when they walk in. >> So you you have to be part when you come
in because all your love and respect. Okay. And it is the same thing. No matter what we do, we get older. But this is our heart. Like I said, that you see all the features. This is smart.
Why? Because we did a great job. Okay. So, I love you all. Merry Christmas. Enjoy your life. Peace. I see you soon. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. Gonzalez. Thank you very much. Um, is there anybody online?
Okay. Well, then with that, can I have a meeting? Um, I'm sorry. Can I have a motion to adjourn? >> Second. >> Well, I need a first. >> You got to close out the >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. So, can I have a um
There's always something. Um can I have a motion to close the open floor? >> Moved by Mr. Martinez and seconded by Miss Johnson. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. And then can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Well, let me say thank you guys as well.
I didn't get a chance to say that, but thank you for everything you did and thank you and congratulations to the teachers. >> Thank you, M. Johnson. Um, okay. So, can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So, move. Second. >> Moved by Mrs. Fischer, seconded by Mr.
Martinez. All in favor? >> Okay. Merry happy holidays everyone and is