Call the meeting to order. Welcome to the December 11th meeting of the Hampton 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 may be discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions in this act, the Hamilton Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, purpose, and place thereof published in the Hamilton Gazette and the Press of Atlantic City
and posted on authorized premises. Have a roll call. >> Mrs. Baronado >> here. >> Mrs. Burns >> here. Mr. Foyer >> here. >> Mrs. Jonio >> here. >> Mr. Donio >> here. >> Mrs. Fallon >> here. >> Mrs. Hunter is excused. Mr. F
>> here. Mr. Shipion >> here, >> Mrs. Skola >> here, Mr. Thomas >> here, >> and Mr. Lions >> here. To the flag of the United States of America, to the stands, one nation,
indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. All right. First up, we're going to have uh Mr. Ramsey with a combination of his superintendent report and some reporting on NJGPA and NJSLA score analysis. Mr.
Ry, >> thank you, Mr. Lions. Uh each and every year, students in the Hamilton School District and students across the state of New Jersey take several standardized assessments. One of the standardized assessments is the NJ GPA. That's the
graduation proficiency assessment that's given to all 11th graders throughout the state of New Jersey. The other assessment that is given is the NJSLA. The NJSLA is given to students in third, fourth, fifth, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and an
11th grade science test as well. Uh each and every year our students take these assessments. Each and every year a presentation is given in September or October where the scores of the Hamilton High School students are shared with the
public during a board of education meeting and the scores are also posted on our website. Um, tonight I'd like to dive into the scores a little bit and compare the scores of Hamilton elementary school, middle school, and
high school students with other students in Atlantic County and other students throughout the state of New Jersey. So, I'm just going to highlight u some of the work of our students and our teachers and our supervisors and administrators. So, first thing I'd like
to talk about is the NJSLA. Um, you know, jumping around with the NJSLA in the Waroy Elementary School. I'm proud to report that our third grade students in the ELA exam scored in the
top 29% of Atlantic County third graders. NJSLA math. In fourth grade, our students scored in the top 32% in the top third of students in Atlantic County. In the NJSLA fifth grade math,
proud to report that our students scored in the top 24% of students that took that exam in Atlantic County. Uh, super proud of our students. Our our teachers work very hard meeting our war soy elementary
school students where they're at when they enter the elementary school. Some of our students don't speak English at home as a primary language and they meet the students where they're at at the Warren East Elementary School and work extremely hard teaching them the New
Jersey state learning standards. As the students progress throughout our school district, when they get to the Hamilton Middle School, I'm super proud to report that our sixth grade students in the NJSLA and English language arts,
they scored in the top 19% of the students in Atlantic County did better than 81% of students that reside in Atlantic County. the NJSLA 7th grade ELA exam. Our seventh grade students scored in the top
21% of the students in Atlantic County. In eighth grade, our NJSLA ELA scores, they scored in the top 18% of the students in Atlantic County. And
in the NJSLA algebra 1, they were second in Atlantic County out of all the middle schools. A great job by our middle school teachers and staff and students and their parents for supporting them.
If you take a look at the high school, um, as a former high school principal, I'm certainly proud to report that the high school, when you compare us to the other schools in Atlantic County, the other high schools, NJSLA, ninth grade,
English language arts, reading and writing, number one in Atlantic County. Better than Mainland, better than Egg Harbor Township, better than Cedar Creek. You think of the high schools in Atlanta County, our scores, ninth grade ELA, we're better.
NJSLA 9th grade algebra 1 number one again in Atlantic County. NJSLA 9th grade geometry. We have some extremely bright kids that take the algebra exam in the middle school. So
when they're in ninth grade, they take the geometry exam. Once again, we're seeing a common theme. number one in Atlantic County. And the one test that I think is most important, and Miss Balon was talking
about it earlier, is the culminating activity of all these exams is the NJ GPA. That's the exam the students need to take as when they're juniors in high school to graduate from high school to meet their state testing graduation
requirement. That NJSLA that I just covered gives us a snapshot of where students are at at a certain point in time, what we need to work on to get them up to speed before they graduate. But as far as the NJ GPA, the 11th graders, and Matthew Donio,
that was you last year. You were an 11th grader. You're NJSLA reading scores and writing scores, ELA, number one in Atlantic County. 20 points or more above the state
average outstanding. And certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Our NJ GPA math scores were second in Atlantic County in math behind Mainland Regional, another terrific high school
as well. Super proud of those results. And the last thing I wanted to share with the board and with the public is in the state of New Jersey there are 31 high schools that are district factor B
high schools like Hamilton High School. The district factor groups are determined by socioeconomic status and how many free and reduced lunch students that you have in your building. There's 31 high schools in New Jersey that are
similar to Hamilton's high school in the makeup of free and reduced lunch students. And I'm proud to report again on the NJ GPA scores in English language arts, in mathematics out of all 31 schools across New Jersey
from Bergen County down to Cape May. Hamilton High School, number one in ELA scores, and number one in math scores. And once again, these scores are shared each and every year in September and October. And if you look on our website,
you'll be able to find the scores as well. I'd also like to take a moment. I know we have a couple of board members who I know tonight is their last board meeting. Uh, Miss Linda Burns, who was a school teacher in the Hamilton School
District for 38 years. Is that correct? Served 12 years on the board of education as well. I'm not as good as in math as the Hamilton High School students, but I think that's 50 years Burns of service
to the students, to the parents, to this community as a teacher and a board of education member. And you know, I want to thank you in public for all that you've done for our students and all that you've done for the community as a board member. And you know, you're
certainly going to be missed. your expertise as a former educator and you know everything that you bring to the table and I wish you a long healthy happy retirement. I am super excited that your grandchildren attend the Hington School District and they're
doing exceedingly well and you know if you ever need anything you know don't hesitate to call. So congratulations and I wish you well. and another board member is moving on to uh serve the community in a different capacity. Um no
Ray Cypion I've known for many many years. Uh Ray's been on this board of education for over a decade for a long time. And you know, one thing I can say about Ray, I don't think Ray I've ever had as much fun as we had last year.
When we went to the War Soy Elementary School and we visited one of the multiply disabled classrooms and Rey wanted to have pizza with the students and Mr. recipion and I had a ball that afternoon eating pizza with the kids in
that classroom and Ray like I don't want to say you missed your calling but to watch you interact with the students and you know watch how much fun you had that day and how much fun I had with you that day uh no I'm going to miss you've been a great board member and I know now
you're going to serve the town of Hamilton in another capacity as a town council member and without a doubt I know you're going to do a terrific job. >> So, you know, thank you very much and congratulations to you. >> Thank you. >> And you know, the last thing I want to
do is wish everybody a merry Christmas, a happy new year, a happy Hanukkah, and you know, and 2026 is going to be even better than 2025. So, thank you, Mr. L. >> Thank you, Mr. Ramsey. All right. Now,
we'll move to uh board member comments. So, I'll start to my right with my friend, Mr. Thomas >> just congratulations. >> Same here. I want to thank everybody and also acknowledge that I served here as a
board member with former students. >> I had Luke. >> Wow. >> And Ray >> and he was always this or >> who was worse. Happy holiday.
>> Ray tell it's not Kelly. >> All right. >> Yes. Um, boys bowling is off to a 3 and 0 start. sports report. >> Friday,
>> basketball and wrestling begin on December 15th. Hamilton High School will host the 2025 wrestling kickoff tournament on December 20th. Girls basketball Holiday Invitational
will be held at Hamilton High School on December 27th and 28th. and spring sports registration will be open uh from December 15th to February 1st.
And then um I just wrote a few things I wanted to say after 10 years. >> Is that okay? >> Sure. >> I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it. >> All right.
Um, 10 years ago when I was appointed to the board, I learned quickly the highs and lows of being a Hampton School Board member. So, Steve, pay attention. I was sworn in with my wife and then
twin three-year-olds at the time holding the Bible in what would be one of the proudest nights of my life. Uh minutes later during the public comment, someone in the audience got up and commented on how unhappy she was with
the decision, how the wrong candidate was selected, and why so and so was a better choice. And then I heard, "Welcome to the school board, Mr. Chipion," from former board member Leo Pati
u as he shouted. And I learned that that night meant there would be many highs and lows being a board member. I wrote down troll for the person that came up, but I I was kind enough not to say that. I left that out. Anyway, >> you said it anyway.
>> No. Well, I I just wanted said I did. I wanted to make sure you know I didn't say it. So, >> troll. Um, I want to thank Dr. Dan who was my first superintendent. He helped mentor me and and still is the first person that calls me and congratulates
congratulates me after each election. I was then happy to be a part of the small group that selected Ramen Gecko as our my second superintendent. She was a huge help to me um especially with my monthly reports.
She did write them all. I can't deny it. But Dr. Dan started that. I will say that he started that and was very pleased that they were read. Um, and she also helped me with with so many other things. >> And I I hope so. And I and I and I want
to thank her for everything. >> Why didn't you ever ask Tommy right now? >> What's happening? >> Why didn't you ask? >> Because he passes it on to someone else. >> And and in what I feel was one of our best decisions as a board member was part of the six I was a part of the six seven member committee that was selected
Mr. Tom Ramsey to lead our district in the future. I know he'll continue to do a great job. And thank you for for always helping and answering the phone when I call. I also want to thank Barbara Prettyman. She's just she's just such a special
person. Um and she always supported me and helped me whenever uh I needed it. And um I'm proud that everything we accomplished over the past 10 years with all construction and upgrades uh to the buildings and our curriculum.
We do have the best and safest school in the state in my opinion. We have the best teachers, the best staff, administrators, everyone that works here, aids, cafeteria staff,
the best. Um, thank you to the current and past board members for putting up with me and all my moods and fooling around. And I'll never forget uh how you treated me and my family after my accident. Um, I'm proud of my record in 10 years.
I've only missed three board meetings and always had a committee report every month. Even though Tommy never had one, I always had one every month. uh also filling in for members that couldn't make committee meetings.
Um so hopefully that person that um was unhappy um would be happy to to find out everything that that uh we all accomplished in the past 10 years. Finally, want to thank my family for
allowing me to serve on this board for 10 years and and on the new board I'm about to serve on. And thank all you I thank all you guys. I love all you guys and um it just was a great 10 years and thank you. >> Thank you.
>> That's all I have. >> Um Linda, good luck in the future. Uh if we have some time, I can dulge into Ray for a half hour, 45 minutes. Um mainly talking about the uh some of the
committee meetings and the sugar that went through our systems during those meetings. Uh, but Ray, it's always a pleasure to go to the comedy school. We're going to need some jokes and some levity here because, you know, that's that's what Ray provided for us. Um, other than
that, merry Christmas. Have a good new year. >> Thank you. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Lions. Um, also like to thank Mrs. Linda Burns for her uh, service to the community. Also, she was one of my favorite art teachers that I
had in class. Um, we you'll be missed here for sure. Uh, Rey, I don't think I need to say anything to you because I'm sure we'll start on talk every other day or every day. Uh, and I'd just like to wish everybody else a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.
And Tom, I'd like to say that these I'm very impressed and honored uh to be on this board and representing a school district with uh scores that you've just showed here. And that's it's very impressive. And I'd like to thank our staff, students, administration,
everybody that puts in their hard work uh to get this district to the top of that map right there. >> Thank you, Mr. Qu. Um the only uh thing that I have from curriculum most of it has already been
said that we are hiring in the um middle school the uh tech teacher uh Sandy Estella um she's a Rowan University graduate in computer science. So we welcome her to
our staff. The other thing that I just want to say to everyone, Linda, you have Thursday night free now. You can something to do. I'm sure Devon, you both know what to do or I have time and I'm sure you have a plenty of time
with your grandchildren and you I'm sure you enjoy them. Uh Rey, I'll be listening to you on council. Yeah, >> watching your every move. >> But I would like to say a thank you to
all of the students and staff uh who were so generous and volunteered and in the high school, middle school, every school uh to provide food and toys for the holidays and so other people can
have a good holiday and you know, good for them. And it's so nice to have the empathy for other people and to make sure that you know a child gets a glisten in their eye with something that Santa brings them and they made that
possible. So to everyone have a safe and happy holiday and that's it for my report tonight. >> All right. Thank you. >> Just want to wish Mrs. Burns well. 50 years is something to be certainly proud of. It's really wonderful. So, thank you
for that long time of serving. >> She looks like she could go another 30 or 40. >> Absolutely. And Rey, 10 years is nothing to, you know, shake a stick at like congratulations and I'm looking forward to having you as a council person. Um,
so thank you to both of you and just uh very, you know, it's our family. I feel like I I I view I'm sorry I'm like getting into like a little thing here, but I kind of view the schoolboard as like a family where, you know, where where do we always do we all get along all the time? No. Do we all agree with
each other all the time? No. But I think what's the purpose of a family? A family is to serve and and set up the next generation for success. And I think that's that's what we're trying we're all trying to accomplish. And I think we all do share that common bond. Um, so
our family's changing a little bit, but we're, you know, we wish you guys well and we I'm excited to have Steve on board and I just want to wish everyone merry Christmas, happy holidays, and we'll see you in the new year. >> Thank you. >> So, I don't have a committee report. Um,
but I'm just going to echo what everyone else said. Linda, I wish you the best. Um, Ray, I will see you around. I can't wait to watch. Um, I will miss you here even though I've only been here for a year on this. I know you missed all the good stuff.
>> Um, and Steve in the audience, um, can't wait to have you join us. Um, congratulations and, um, these scores are phenomenal. Um, I'm really proud of our our school, our students, our teachers, uh, and the parents, um,
because they all had something to do with this. And I when I see this, it just it just makes me so happy to sit here um and know that we're surrounded with so many caring teachers and administrators and parents and students. Um and this just talks for itself in my
opinion. Um other than that, merry Christmas and um we'll see you next year. >> Thank you. I don't have any committee reports, but I would like to also give a shout out to the custodial staff in the elementary
school because I heard that there was like a very bad flu. I I mean, kids were going down the hallway and I just, you know, it's those are the days that you are really grateful for our staff, our teachers who take care of your sick kids
and all the staff um that clean it up. Unfortunately, we all know how that's not the fun part, but we really appreciate everybody doing their best in those really bad situations. Um, I'd also like to thank Rey for your service to our board.
>> Um, wish you the best of luck on town council. Uh, Linda, I would also like to thank you for your 50 years of service. the institutional knowledge that you bring to this board is just unmatched and it's been really um very rewarding
to learn from you and you've been a great mentor to me as a new board member. So I appreciate all of your help and support and guidance. So good luck to you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So I want to start off uh by thanking everyone involved in this
year's annual Powderpuff flag football game. Uh the seniors won. It was a major success and in one night I'm proud to announce that we raised over $3,000 which was split uh $1,780 for the
Hamilton Cancer Foundation and $1,230 for a local family affected by cancer. So I think that beat the all-time record for the event as well according to >> Pretti. Great job. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Great job. Um, it was a really fun time
for all of us involved. Uh, so I was really happy when I found out that we had uh broken that record and raised over $3,000 for such a great cause. Um, but I do have to add that the Powderpuff football game isn't the only charitable thing that we're doing this time of year. Um, right now student council is
getting ready to go to Leap Academy in Camden. Uh, we're going to be delivering gifts to kids that may not be able to have a big Christmas at home. And our members go out themselves. They buy these gifts based on uh the kids' wish lists and then we uh go to their school
in Camden and we get to open them up together. So, it's such a heartwarming moment when you get to give those kids their presence and you just see the smiles on their faces. So, it's really one of the most meaningful trips we do over the course of the year. So, I'm excited that I'll get to do it again one
more time. Um but I could go on forever with all the fundraisers and drives that we do this time of year at the high school. uh they all benefit those in need. So, I encourage everybody to stay up to date on our social media uh with everything that the clubs and organizations are doing to help this
holiday season. And uh I do want to thank Miss Burns and Mr. Shipion for their service on the board. >> Um and uh welcome Steve. We'll see you next meeting. And that's it. >> All right. Thank you. >> One of the teachers text me today
going around the handles. Do we have any plans for over the Christmas break? >> It's a It's a great question, Barbara. We did it over the weekend, too. Before this week when we knew the flu bug was
going around of the Mr. Cody and the his staff, they were all over it. They deep cleaned uh the buildings and uh was like three of the kids leave and then they come back and then another one. >> It's still going. It's still going. So, we appreciate all of their efforts
because it is we're still observed one of the bus drivers before he picked up the elementary rout. He's pulled along the side of the road wiping down everything. Thought that was outstanding. >> Um, I'll keep my comments brief. Again,
I'll echo a lot of what's been said already. I'll thank Mrs. Burns and Mr. should know for their uh service to the board and and doing all the hard work to support our kids and support the staff and I'll by extension thank your families because I think a lot of people don't realize the stress it puts on your
family when you have to be at board meetings and committee meetings and you get questioned out in public and all the hard work that goes on here and that does have an effect on your family. So, thank you both and good luck for what's next. Um and certainly I see Mr. Stephan who's in the audience and welcome him. even touch and talk it through. He's
done a great job of getting acclimated being with Mr. Ramsey and the administration to hit the ground running uh when the board reorganizes. So, last thing I'll say in, you know, my report is, you know, a lot of people talked about it tonight. You know, it's the holiday season. Uh it's, you know, Hamilton's a great place to be during
the holidays, but one of the scores that we talked about is still up on the screen is, you know, we're number one in district factor B. District factor B is really the socioeconomic status or makeup of your students. Um, and I've quoted this statistic before. Here in Hamilton, we've got almost a 50% free or
reduced school lunch rate. While Hamilton is a really nice place to live, there's a lot of really fortunate, successful people here, there are a lot of people and a lot of kids in our schools every single day that struggle. And so, I'll ask you all to support the work being done in each building and the
stuff that Mr. Donio talked about with the student council. Uh, try to help us and help our kids. There are so many people who uh many of who choose to remain anonymous to just reach out to you know staff in in the schools and say look I'm coming in with jackets give me
sizes I'm coming in with food I'm coming in with presents uh folks reach out and just do that because it's the type of family we live in and again I I applaud everyone who takes that step to try to give to others so just try to think of our kids that don't have a lot and try
to do what you can that said we'll go to the for first public portion of the public comment portion of the meeting. Anybody that wishes to address the board, come on up to the microphone, give us your address, and you can make your comments. I don't see anyone. So, we'll move past that. There'll be a
second public portion at the end of this meeting. We're going to go to the published agenda. We'll start with finance items 1 through 17. I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> Mr. Koya first. >> Second. >> Mrs. Scholas. Second. >> Roll. >> Mrs. Feronado. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Burns. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Donio. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Stalin. >> Yes, >> Mr. Mr. Shion. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Uh, yes. Abstain number one. >> Number one. >> Yeah, I was not here last
>> and Mr. Lions. >> Yes. Motion carried. Next, we'll go to I'll take a motion for personnel items 18 through 45. >> Mrs. Bernado, first >> second. >> Mrs. Fallon, second. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Baronado. Yes, >> Mrs. Burns. >> Yes,
>> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Jonio. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Allen. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Shapone. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes, >> Mr. L. >> Yes. Motion carried. Next, we'll take program students and miscellaneous items 46 and 51.
>> Motion. >> Mr. Koya. First, >> second, >> Mrs. Granado. Second. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Feronado. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Burns. >> Yes. >> Mr. Koya. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Donio. >> Yes. Mrs. F. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fa, >> yes. >> Mr. Shafon, >> yes.
>> Mr. Mrs. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Lines, >> yes. Motion carried. Next, we'll go to the agenda. We'll take finance items 52 through 60. >> So moved. >> Mr. Shino, first >> second. >> Mrs. Schol.
Roll call. >> Mrs. Baronado. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Burns. >> Yes. >> Mr. Puya. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Donio. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fallon. >> Yes. Mr. Po, >> yes. >> Mr. Shepon, >> yes. >> Mrs. Schol, >> yes. And Mr. Lions,
>> yes. Motion carried. Next, we'll take a motion for personnel items 61 and 62. >> So move. >> Mrs. Granado, first >> second. >> Mr. Shapion, second. Roll call. >> Mrs. Fonado, >> yes. >> Mrs. Burns, >> yes. >> Mr. Foy, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Donio, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fallon, >> yes. >> Mr. Fo, >> yes. >> Mr. Shion, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yes. And Mr. Lions. >> Yes. Motion carried. That takes us to the end of the published agenda. Published addendum.
>> We got um I'll I'll entertain a motion for item number 63, which will be a a resolution or a motion accepting Mr. Shipion's resignation effective immediately. >> Mr. Koya first. >> Mr. Pia second.
>> Roll call. >> Mrs. Faron. Yes, >> Mrs. Burns. >> Yes, >> Mr. Foy. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Fallon. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Obstain. >> I don't want to go.
>> Mr. Yes. And Mr. Lions. >> Yes. Motion carried. Okay. Next, we're going to go to the second portion of the public uh second opportunity for the public to be heard this evening. Um, seeing none, I do see Councilman Marino in the audience here. So, welcome. Um,
seeing no one wishing to address the board, I'll close the second uh public comment and we'll take a moment. I'll ask Mr. Ramsey to give me a hand here to do some presentations. >> All right. So, we have a a plaque for for you, Mrs. Burns, for your uh 12
years of service to the board over and above your 38 years of service as a teacher. I hope that this plaque is just as nice as the one you got when you left us uh as a teacher. If it's not, I'm sorry, but Mr. Ramsey, go ahead and present that to you. We'll take a few photos.
All right. Now, let's see. We have one more for Mr. Shipion for his 10 years of service to the district. Again, I can assure you, Ray, that that will be nicer than anything anyone in town council would give me. So,
>> I just All right. have last thing we will take a motion to adjurnn which I'll only accept from some combination of Mr. Shepon and Mrs. Burns. So a motion >> motion >> second. >> See you all later.
>> All in favor. >> Good night everybody.