Good evening everyone. Welcome to the December 16th meeting of the Hamilton Board of Education. I'm going to read the open public meeting statement. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend any meetings of public bodies at which their interests might be discussed
or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Hampton Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, purpose, and place thereof published in the Hampton Gazette and the Press of Atlantic City and posted on authorized premises. Roll call.
>> Mrs. Baronata >> here. >> We'll note in the record that Mrs. Burns is excused. Mr. Koya >> here. >> Mrs. Donio >> here. >> Mrs. Fallon >> here. >> Mrs. Hunter >> here. >> Mrs. Po. >> Mr. Po. >> Mr. I'm sorry. I apologize.
>> [laughter] >> How do you identify aologize >> here? >> And we'll note that Mr. Thomas is uh excused. Mr. Lions >> here >> and the representative Mr. Donio >> here. We'll rise for the flag salute.
>> 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. >> Okay.
>> All right. Before we get started, just a few things. The purpose of this meeting tonight is to fill the board vacancy uh left by Mr. Shipion, who resigned uh at the last board meeting. But before we get into that, just a few things. Um, number one, for the board members, you
were emailed a copy of next year's calendar of meetings. Um, we'll look to adopt this at the January 8th reorganization meeting. So, if you haven't had a chance to look at it, please do. And if you have a conflict or if there's something that we can maybe
work out ahead of time, uh, just reach out to to Tom or, uh, Terry and we can figure that out. But I just wanted to they put that in my pile here. So, I just want to touch on that. Next, I'm going to welcome our new um interim
business administrator, uh Mrs. Terry Weeks. Thank you for being here with us. >> Thank you for having me. >> Thanks for >> fun so far. >> Great. Busy three days for you. Uh certainly. Um also, I want to talk a little just take a quick moment. Uh it was a very sudden
thing prior to our last meeting, but I just ask everybody to uh think a good thought for and observe a short moment of silence for Cindy McBride who was a uh staff member here for many many years and as the school nurse at the soy school um and was a really valued member
of our staff and you know lost a a valiant fight to cancer recently. So, we certainly think of her and her family uh during a difficult time. And I'll ask everyone to observe a short moment of silence. Thank you. Um couple other notes again before we get into the we'll have public
comment and then we'll get into the the meeting a bit. Um, it's obviously been a pretty busy three days this week here uh in in in the school district starting with weather uh snow on Sunday. Uh, I want to thank our staff, the buildings
and grounds staff and the administration for doing an excellent job to get the parking lots and the facilities ready so that we could open school on time uh and get everybody here safely. So, we're looking forward to hopefully uh maybe a quiet winter, knock on wood, so they
won't won't have so many of these. But again, folks did a really great job. In fact, they worked so hard that uh a local dance studio that had rented the performing arts center was able to hold their event and it was a packed house and they were very happy to do that. So, we certainly thank them. Um, on Monday,
as I think some of you are aware, we had a uh the fire department responded to the Hamilton Middle School regarding a uh potential propane leak. Uh staff did a great job responding to that quickly. I'll thank the fire department for their diligent work and our maintenance and
facility staff for their work, especially in, you know, while it was unfortunate we had to evacuate the building for a time out of an abundance of safety and caution, we were able to get kids back into the gym for a time and then return them to their classrooms a short time later. So, we certainly
thank them for that. Um, and lastly, it's been a a difficult busy day here in the school district regarding the earlier incident at the high school. uh you know a function of the time we live in is that these incidences occur even
in a place like Hamilton which I would uh level against any other community that were safer than most. Uh these things don't seem to happen here but today they did. And so I'll thank the teachers and the students for doing a great job and following procedure uh in
the Hampton Police Department and their law enforcement partners as well for the good work that they're doing. Um, I know I took a number of calls from parents, as I'm sure a number of board members did, uh, as well as most of us worrying about our own children. But it is I'm fortunate to have a situation like this,
but also I feel fortunate when the system works and the process works and we're able to uh, resolve these issues as quickly as we can without disrupting the school day more than we absolutely need to. That said, as we mentioned uh, in Mr. Ramsay's message earlier to
parents if your child is concerned or you have questions as a parent or if you need anything or need to be supported uh reach out to your child's teacher at the lower levels or your building principal whatever whichever option you choose and we can make sure that we will provide them with the resources they need moving
forward. The issue remains the incident from today remains under investigation by the Hamilton police and updates on that regard will come from them as they are available. So, >> Mr. Lions, if I uh could thank, you
know, as a as a current student here at Hamilton, you know, I want to thank the police department for showing up so quickly. I mean, it was really comforting to see how quickly they responded to the school, you know, in light of whatever threat or whatever was going on, but it was comforting to see
that. So, I wanted to thank them. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Um, we're going to go to public comment first, then we're going to go into the candidate interviews, and then we're gonna move on to meetings. So, this is the first of two opportunities for the public to be heard. Please
approach the microphone, give your name and address for the record. There'll be a second opportunity for public comment uh toward the end of the meeting as well. All right. Oh, okay. Come on up. Hi, my name is Kristen Wilson. Um, my
address is 114 Bachelor Lane in Hamilton. And before I begin my prepared piece, I do want to also echo the sentiments and thank the staff, the police department, everyone for keeping all the kids, including my own, safe. It was a scary day, but thank you very
much. Okay. [clears throat] Good evening. My name is Kristen Wilson. I'm a parent of three children in the Hamilton School District. On Friday, I received notice of an opportunity to apply for the vacant position on the board of education with an application
deadline of that same afternoon. Upon further research, I learned that the board provided notice of tonight's meeting approximately one month ago, but that notice did not advertise that the board was accepting applications for the vacant position. While notice of the
opportunity to apply was recently posted on the district website, the document properties of the notice indicate that the document was create created on December 10th. The deadline to apply was 2 days later. This short time period for me raised a question about the integrity
of a profoundly important process, the selection of a school board member. because that decision is typically made by the 10,000 registered voters of Hamilton. The New Jersey School Boards Association provides best practices for filling vacancies when schoolboard members are in the unique position of
substituting their vote for the votes of the public. The NJSBA states, "Yours will give you the basic minimal procedure you must follow. Keep in mind that the person whom you appoint will have the same roles and responsibilities
as any other board member who was put into office by the voters of your municipality. Thus, the search for successor should be as wide-ranging as possible. Because you're acting tonight instead of 10,000 Hamilton voters, I
suggest that this would be an occasion when the board chooses to follow the best practices recommended by the NJSBA rather than the minimum requirements of the bylaws. As set forth by the NJSBA, you want news of this opportunity to
reach all sectors of the community. Featuring the notice on your district district website is a given. Consider also social media, school newsletters and backpacks, a press release for your local newspaper, and manually tacking up paper postings at the library, post
office, senior center, even supermarkets. The New Jersey School Ethics Act states, "In our representative form of government, it is essential that the conduct of members of local boards of education hold the respect and confidence of the people."
And so I ask you to look at the best practices and reflect upon whether sufficient steps have been taken to ensure public confidence in a process in which you are essentially the vote of the people. Perhaps the fact that only
one application was submitted causes you to pause and ask whether the notice and amount of time to apply were sufficient. Ask yourself whether simply posting the notice on the district's Facebook page might have generated the or garnered the attention of an additional applicant or
two. If you allow this vote to go forward on such a fundamentally important issue without insisting that best practices are followed, how can you assure voters that you acted in a manner that they can trust when you exercised a vote on their behalf? By law, you have
65 days to fill this vacant position. Please consider postponing a vote tonight, extending the date to submit applications, and following the best practices of the NJSBA to provide notice. At the end of the day, you still may have only one candidate whom I am
sure is well qualified to serve just as her father served well for many years, but at least members of the public who were promised transparency and accountability can have confidence in the process. Thank you for your attention and the opportunity to speak this evening.
>> Thank you. >> Anybody else from the public wishing to be heard? Again, you'll have a second opportunity at the end of the meeting. >> All right. Seeing none, I'll we'll move into the candidate interviews. >> If I could if I could make a motion I'd
like a to make a motion in light of um Miss Wilson's public comment to postpone and reopen the search. Um, I do agree with what Miss Wilson said. I think that
we um we didn't officially have the opening until Mr. Shippon resigned on Thursday the 11th. And I think the perception is that many residents felt like it was um not enough time. and I
realized that something was posted for the special meeting but not specifically the opening in the gazette. Um, additionally at the November and the December meeting. >> I don't want to interrupt you, Mrs. Dono, but if you want to make your
motion on the qu we can you can comment once the motion is second. >> Sure. Sure. >> So I'm just saying but go ahead and finish. I don't want to interrupt. >> Okay. So I'd like to make a motion. >> Okay. >> To postpone. >> You're right. So I shouldn't No, you're fine. I I see what you're saying. I need a second to >> You're fine. Okay. So, the motion is to
postpone the process. >> Yeah. Just give a little bit more time in in the um effort of transparency. >> Okay. Uh is there a second? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> See none, we will resume the normal
course of business. Okay. Um All right, Mr. Antonio, I will turn this portion of the meeting over to you as you have the questions and you're going to be running the interview process. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Lines. Good evening, everyone. If I didn't have a chance to say good evening to you personally, good evening to you. Um, we
are here to fill a vacancy uh pursuant to New Jersey statutory law and pursuant to um or uh bylaw. Uh I would note just for the record that the vacancy occurs during the term of this board and even
though you have 65 days to do so when a vacancy occurs during the term of a specific board it should not wait until another board because a a newly duly constituted board will be convened at reorganization. The board only lives from reorganization to reorganization.
So while you can't fill a vacancy that will occur in the future in this board vacancy that occurs at this time should be filled at by this board. I would also add just I think everyone understood that at the time uh both the uh school board election municipal election there was a very good chance we would have
more than one vacancy based on the operation of law because of the provisions with regards to inconsistent interest and that had been discussed at great length by this board of education at its numerous meetings including but not limited to the meeting uh immediately subsequent to the November
general election uh where it was discussed that there would need to be action taking that some time for this board to fill a vacancy that would occur by operation law considering that uh the inconsistent interest. Nonetheless, we're here to fill a vacancy. Uh there
is no there are best practices that are recommended. There is no regulation or statutory provision on point. Uh you did advertise, you did accept applications and you are going to engage in interview process. That interview process is informal. Uh there's only >> um can you just repeat that? So you're
saying that we did discuss it at the November meeting that this vacancy in the process I >> if I recall correctly we did if I recall correctly we we discussed that we would have to now I'd have to go take a look at the video or it was discussed in executive session when I gave some legal advice in that regard as well but I
>> but that should also have been open public that wouldn't just >> Well when I talked to you it's not almost is almost not always open >> right but I'm saying the public perception is that I don't believe it was discussed in public >> the opinion it's the perception or the opinion. Be careful. Don't quote perception with your own opinion.
>> No, I'm just saying listen, if we >> position Yeah. >> My only thing is it just I think even if we had opened it for a little bit longer and still got one candidate, at least then people would feel that there was a little more transparency. So that's all >> it's okay. I'm just saying that I sorry
if I recall as well, one of the things that was the complexity was trying get to get the meeting before winter break. That's why we're having this meeting. If I recall, that was part of a very uh >> Yeah, but we also didn't get involved >> discussion. >> It was, but we also didn't get a
confirmation of the December meeting, the 16th meeting until much much later. I don't know the exact date, but I know in our committee in our um emails, we didn't get notified of that confirmation until very close to that 16th.
>> So, okay. Continuing. >> Yeah. Okay. So, um, see what I have here right here. So, what will happen is the board will ask questions in public so that the public has the opportunity to see the questions, hear hear the
answers. Um, then the board will adjourn into executive session to discuss the merits of any individual candidate. Uh then the board will convene in open session to take action on the vacancy.
Um and at that point that individual will have 30 days to do a background check uh which is required by law now for board members. You can't get sworn in immediately. You need to have your background check and a criminal history review done by the New Jersey Department of Education. Once that is clear, Dennis
swearing in can occur. Um, does anyone any questions about the process I've outlined? Seeing none, uh, you come up, just introduce yourself, tell your name to everybody.
>> Good evening, everybody. Thank you for having me tonight. >> Good evening. >> My name is Gemma Geralo. My address is 326 East Orchard Street, Hamilton, New Jersey. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what makes you a good fit
for the Hamilton Board of Education? >> Absolutely. So, I'm a former graduate of the Hamilton Public School District. I was class of 2017. Following my graduation, I had the privilege of attending Atlantic Cave Community College as well as Ruckers University, Camden, where I obtained my associates degree in biomedical science as well as
my bachelor's degree in chemistry, all through the New Jersey Stars program. Following my college graduation, I began working as a professional in a company called Medline. I work in med device sales as well as distribution. So, prior to my career, can you guys hear me? >> Pardon me. Yeah, speak closer.
>> Yeah. Can you hear me now? Sorry, I'm short. There's only so much I could do. >> Good. Is this better? >> Sorry, guys. Oh, good. >> So, my first role within the company of Medline was working in education for clinicians. I traveled nationwide anywhere from California, Kentucky, you
name it. I worked bedside both in the operating room to help educate clinicians and speak publicly regarding our products. I've since moved into a different role where I work with distribution and helping hospitals around our area fiscally be responsible as well as provide them with the best products and care that they can for
their patients. I feel that I'm equipped to be on the Hampton School Board as I am a more recent graduate who's been in the professional world more recently seeing the changes and adaptations with technology, AI, and all the things coming into play both in high school and in college as well as in the
professional world. I feel as I would be a benefit to the Hamilton School Board to help take areas of opportunity for improvement as well as expand upon the areas that provided me a solid foundation to be where I am today. >> Fantastic. What is your understanding of the
board's role and what goals would you have as a member of the board? >> Great question. So, my understanding is that it's the board's responsibility to provide every student with a solid foundational base of education, whether it fits their needs to be continuing on to college, to go into a trade, whatever
it may be. It is our responsibility to provide each student with that opportunity. It's also our fiscal responsibility to handle the taxpayers's dollars as responsibly as possible. We want to ensure that every student gets what they need, but we also provide the taxpayers with the affordability to
ensure that the local community is provided. >> What goals would you have as a member of the board? >> The goals that I would have as a member of the board are to continue the great STEM programs that we have here and expand upon the more realistic things. I think a lot of different things is like real life applications as I've seen
going through the real world. I see a lot of people my age struggle with student loans and preparing for the future coming out of high school, not knowing what they want, not knowing what to expect. And I think that's something as far as a high school curriculum that we could expand upon. I think as far as early education, I think things like physical activity are amazing for early
development. So having a physical area like a gym or maybe a bike path for younger children would be incredibly beneficial. We would also like to see some infrastructure updates. Hamilton is seeing some of the most students that we have ever seen and we have a larger population here in Ton and we need to
make sure we're equipped for that. >> You are at a store or at a youth sports event and a parent comes up to you with a concern regarding their child's teacher and teaching method. What do you do? >> I'm sure this happens to you guys pretty often. I see you guys in the community
so much and it's wonderful how much you serve. I think the best thing you can do is hear the parents concern. advised them to go to their child's school administration and start the process that way. As a board member, we're able to continue to follow up with the investigation to make sure that the issue actually gets handled, but advise
them to start at the district school level. >> Are you able to make the time commitment that is necessary to serve on the board of education? >> I absolutely am. I'm not known for doing anything half-heartedly, and I wouldn't be up here if I wasn't passionate about what I believe in, and that the students of Hamilton deserve a fabulous
education. Is there anything else you would like the board of education to consider? >> I'm excited to serve with you all. Okay, >> that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you guys. >> All right. >> Can I just say something? [clears throat]
>> Can I say >> Yeah. >> As I'm listening and and listening to the comments and Mrs. Wilson. And I'm sitting here thinking that um people that are involved in politics know that
they even have sometimes a struggle to get people to run for mayor, to get people to run for town council. Um people don't always have the time, the commitment. Um I have talked to people
uh when there was an opening and they had an interest and when they serving and applying I don't think that we've done anything quite different than we have any other year but um how do we get people interested you know how do we get people you know to sign up and like I
said you there was a point in time also uh when I myself tried to get Mrs. and to run for school board. And for one reason or another, it's a time commitment. Your family, you you know, you just can't do it. People just don't
want to volunteer, but you you know, you think of your family first, what you what your commitment is if you have to travel and and uh your kids in the school. But I think maybe there's something that we can do out there to get people interested. uh people don't
necessarily want to put up with having a really thick skin all the time and and and being chastised and being well you you know you should have done this you should have done that but I think it's the commit I really think it's the commitment issue and I think maybe there's something that we might be able
to do to make it more interesting to say that yes you could do this there were people who were thinking about running because I talked to them and they called me and said they were thinking about running and then when push came to shove of, you know, their college, their kids
are in college, they're going to follow them in college if they're playing sports or whatever or just, you know, having the time to visit. So, it it's not that people are not interested in thinking about it. It's just I think it's a commitment thing and um that's
all I have to say. >> Okay. >> All right. I'll entertain a motion to go into executive session. >> So move, >> Mrs. Bernat. Second, >> Mr. Koya. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. So, for those of you in the audience, we're gonna journ into
executive session. Uh I anticipate the board will discuss what it has to discuss and then we'll come out and take action. >> Yeah, I got one thing. Brian do his thing. Good. >> Yeah, we are back in open session. Um, I
will entertain a motion to appoint and fill the open seat. >> Motion. >> Uh, okay. Let's get the name. How about you amend your motion to include the name >> uh motion to um what are we doing? >> Fill the seat.
>> You want to read it in? >> Read it in. >> Do you need a motion to fill the vacant seat by Gemma Dorado? >> I'll make a motion to fill the vacant seat with uh and appoint Gemma Geralo. >> Mr. Koya first. >> Second. >> Mr. Pia second. >> Roll call.
>> More questions. I I don't hear any. Is that okay? Yeah. >> Mrs. Baronado, >> yes. >> Mr. Puyo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Donio, >> abstain. >> Mrs. Balon,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Hunter, >> yes. >> Mr. Poa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Skola, >> yes. >> Mr. Lion, >> yes. Motion carried. I'll move to the uh and congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Um, we'll move to the addendum. We have
one item for finance. Um, since it's just one, I'll read I'm going to read it into the record. Resolution 2512R resolve that the H board of education approved change order number three for access controls and cabling in the amount of $6,312.94 for the Early Childhood Center PreK
expansion project. This will be deducted from the allowance of $200,825 leaving a balance of $194,5126 and not and will not increase the overall contract amount. This is regarding change orders 2 5R and 6 for
the early childhood center prek expansion project. I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion Mrs. Fallon first. >> Second. >> It's not five R and six. No, it's just change order number three. >> Change order number three.
>> I'm sorry. This was the other item. I apologize. Okay, that's my fault. I read that. Okay, so first second. Uh, roll call. >> M. Feronado. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fuya. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Donio. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Balon. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Hunter, you're abstaining. >> Mr. Po, >> no. >> Mr. Schol. Mrs. Skola? >> Yes. >> And Mr. Lions? >> Yes. Motion carried. That takes us to the end of our business for this evening. This is a second opportunity for the public. If anyone wants to wish
wishes to be heard, come up to the podium. Give your name and address. Seeing none, I will entertain entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Mrs. Hunter first. >> Mrs. Bernado second. All in favor? I. Any opposed? No. We are journed. Thank you everybody.
different.