meeting of order. Start with uh the flag salute. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. This is the annual organization meeting for the Hamilton Board of Education. Uh the open public public meetings act statement is um uh is noticed in the uh agenda. And first we're going to read
the results of the 2025 um election. >> Do I have the results in here? Sorry. >> There we go. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Oh, yeah. Good luck. All
right. So, we have Mr. Steven with 10,427 votes. Okay. 1,961. And then for Miss Barbara Bernado,
1798, >> Williams, >> Mr. Lions, 1843, >> and that's Mr. Kelly. >> And Mr. 33. >> No, never mind. Right.
>> Never mind. >> Okay, you're fine. >> So, we'll start with the swearing in >> Mr. Lions. Good evening. Where's the Bible? >> Coming. >> There we go. >> Good evening and uh congratulations to
the uh winners of the board. I looking at you, Mr. Donio, you haven't changed a bit. I left here nearly a decade ago and you're still in the same seat. So, God bless you. God bless you. >> I had to I had to do that. Um, Mr. Lions, congratulations. We're going to swear you in if you'll put your left
hand on the Bible >> and raise your right hand. >> However you want to do this or are we fine, Jay? >> Yeah. >> I state your name. >> I, John, >> do solemnly swear >> domly swear >> that I will support >> I will support >> the Constitution
>> Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution Constitution >> of the state of New Jersey state >> and that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> to the same >> and to the governments >> and to the government
>> established >> established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> I do state your name. I John
>> do solemnly swear >> doly swear >> that I possess >> that I possess >> the qualifications >> qualifications >> prescribed by law >> prescribed by law >> for the office of >> the office of >> member of the board of education >> member of the board of education >> and that I am not disqualified
>> and that I am not disqualified >> as a voter >> as a voter >> pursuant to statute >> pursuant to statute >> nor disqualified >> nor disqualified >> due to conviction >> due to conviction >> of a crime >> a crime or offense >> listed in statute
>> listed in statute >> and that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of that office >> office >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> so help me God >> so help me God
>> congratulations my friend Next up, we have Miss Barbara Baronado. >> We have the Bernado family come up. >> I don't think anybody's left at home, Barbara. I think you brought them all. >> Just one. You're going to get on that side. Left
hand on the Bible. >> Not like you're correct, Barbara. Not like you've ever done that before. >> Barbara, wish you all all the best for the next three years. >> I state your name. >> I, Barbara. >> Raise your right hand. I
>> do solemnly swear >> domly swear >> that I will support >> I will support >> the Constitution >> Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear >> and I will bear
>> true faith >> true faith >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> and to the government >> established in >> established >> the United States >> the United States >> and in this state >> in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people.
>> So help me God. >> So help me God. I state your name. I >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I possess >> that I possess >> the qualifications >> qualifications >> prescribed by law >> prescribed by law >> for the office of
>> for the office of >> member of board of education >> for the board of education >> and that I am not disqualified >> and that I am not disqualified >> as a voter >> as a voter >> pursuant to pursuant to >> nor disqualified due to conviction
>> due to conviction >> of a crime crime of a crime >> or offense >> or offense >> listed in statute >> listed in statute >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties
>> of that office >> of that office >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations Barbara. Sorry. Next up, we have Mr. Steven Dano. I gave it to him.
>> Where is it? All right. I'm Jim Kershield, County Surrogate. It's a great really a great honor for me to be here. Um, and because this is Stephen's first election to the school board, I just wanted to tell you I think this is an outstanding board and
I want to tell you what I think you are going to have here. I think you are getting an individual of great enthusiasm, of a great work ethic, um, someone who has certainly got a tremendous appreciation of teachers and
respect for education and coaches. and somebody above all who has a a great desire to serve and to improve the lives of the working families in this community and above all a deep love for
the schools of Hamilton which goes way back with him and every member of his family. So Stephen, thank you so much for inviting me to do this. I know you're going to do a great job here. So please uh raise your right hand and repeat after me. I
>> I do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
>> and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the state >> and to the governments established in the United States >> to the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> under this >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority. >> So help me God. I
>> I Steven >> do solemnly swear >> domly >> that I possess the qualifications >> I possess the qualifications >> prescribed by law >> prescribed by law >> for the office of >> for the office of >> member of the board of education >> member of the board of education
>> and that I am not disqualified >> I am not disqualified >> as a voter >> as a voter >> pursuant to statute >> pursuant to statute >> nor disqualified >> nor disqualified >> due to conviction of a crime conviction >> or offense >> or offense >> listed in statute
>> listed in statute >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially and justly >> partially and just >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office of school board member >> the office of school board member >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability
>> so help me God >> and congratulations She needs to come to every board. >> Can we have another round of applause for baby to steal? >> All right. And our next uh board member will be swearing in tonight is Miss
Gemma Geralo. >> Thank you, James. I have to say it's always a pleasure to be somewhere with the surrogate as well. Our offices are down the hall from each other. Um, this this oath of office, I've done
hundreds, but this one's a little bit special to me. So, congratulations, Gemma. Left hand, raise your right hand. I state your name. >> I, Jim Gerald, >> do solemnly swear. do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the Constitution
>> the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey. >> I know you heard this enough, right? and that I will bear true faith >> And that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> allegiance
>> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government >> to the government >> established >> established >> in the United States >> United States >> and in this state >> this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> so help me God >> I state your name >> I
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I possess >> that I possess >> the qualifications >> qualifications >> prescribed by law >> prescribed by law >> for the office of >> for the office of >> member of board of education >> member of board of education >> and that I am not disqualified
>> that I'm not disqualified >> as a voter >> as a voter >> pursuant to law >> pursuant to law >> nor disqualified >> nor disqualified >> due to conviction >> due to conviction >> of a crime >> a crime >> or offense >> or offense >> listed in statute >> listed in statute
>> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. Congratulations. You got the short
All right, we'll have roll call. Miss Baronado >> here. >> Mr. Coyo >> here. >> Mr. Dano >> here. >> Missio >> here. >> Mrs. Fallon >> here. >> Mr. Ao >> here. >> Miss Hunter Woodford is absent this evening. Mr. Pulio
>> here. >> M school >> here. >> Mr. Thomas >> here. >> Mr. Lions >> here. >> And Mr. Donio. We have four. Okay. Next on our agenda is to call for
nominations for board president. >> I'll put forward the name John Lions board president. >> Second. >> Are there any other nominations for board president? I have a motion to close the nominations for board president. So moved.
>> I have a second. >> Second. I'll roll call on that. >> Mr. Baronado, >> yes. >> Mr. Puya, >> yes. >> Mr. Dano, >> yes. >> Mr. Donio, >> abstain. >> Mrs. Fallon, >> yes. >> Mr. Geraldo, >> yes.
>> Mr. Puyo, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thomas. >> Oh, sorry. Mr. Lions. >> Yes. >> Next round. Uh, no. I think we're good. Good. >> Okay. >> Congratulations.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we're going to open nominations for vice president. I'll entertain a motion. >> I nominate Loya. >> I'll second it. Mrs. Fallon first, Mr. Pa. Second. Are there any other nominations? I'll take a nomination. I'll take a
motion. The nominations be closed. >> Mr. Rado first. >> Second. >> Mr. Skola. Second. Minado. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dano. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Abstain.
>> Mrs. Bon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Geraldo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Julio. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fio. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Lions. >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Congratulations.
>> Okay. Thank you. Good. It's okay. >> Yeah, we got you. We got you. >> All right. Next, we're going to review >> the mail. You never know. >> Next, we're going to review the board member code of ethics. It's in your packet, exhibit C. Uh, it's actually
18A124.1 in state statute, items A through J. So, that's in there for your review. Next, we're going to go to public comment. This is the reorganization meeting. So, we're actually going to have multiple opportunities for the public to be heard. But this is the
first one. So, if there's anybody that wishes to address the board tonight, just come on up to the microphone, give us your name and address. Seeing none, we'll move on from the first public portion. There'll be three more after this. Next, we're going to go on the reorganization agenda for action
items one through seven. I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> Mr. Koya. First, >> second. Mr. Skola is second discussion. >> Well, Mr. L, if I could just just weigh in on the on the um number three, the
code of ethics um New Jersey QAC requires that you have a discussion regarding the code of ethics at your reorganization meeting. I think it's sufficient that you've um advised the board members to review the code of ethics 18A 12- uh 24.1 that applies
directly to board members. 18A 12-24 the school ethics act applies to board members and board officers I mean school officials uh the code of ethics is written in the positive it is a positive set of ways about which you should govern your behavior as a board member
school ethics act is written in the negative it provides what are conflicts of interest of matters for which you should abstain or recuse yourself um most important rule of course is that you don't run the schools you ensure that they're wellrun in addition I would suggest that if you ever have a question
with regards to a specific vote as either violating the school ethics act or code of ethics, please reach out to the superintendent and myself. And in addition, we can uh facilitate getting an advisory opinion from the school ethics commission. Finally, make sure you do your financial disclosure forms as well as your training. Those are the
two main ways by which board members uh end up getting in trouble with school ethics commission's failure to do training or to fill out their financial disclosure forms uh fully. So that I think you have sufficiently had a discussion for purposes of QAC. >> Indeed. >> The
>> Yes. >> If someone feels there's a violation, is that up to just board members, somebody in the community, uh employees, and where exactly does that violation um information go to the board, state
department of education, the board of ethics? So the school ethics commission is of but is but not in the New Jersey department of education. So they hear allegations regarding violations of the code of ethics and the school ethics act. Uh it's through a formal petition
process. Uh if somebody feels that an ethics violation has occurred, you have 180 days to file. There's statute of limitations on that and it goes through the commission. They issue a determination of probable cause or a dismissal and then they will send it to the office of administrative law. After
the office of administrative law, it goes back to the school ethics commission and then ultimately to the commissioner, but commissioner only has the authority to determine the penalty, not whether the uh ethics violation actually occurred. That's solely within the school ethics commission's authority. Um it's a lengthy process.
It's very expensive. Um and um one of the problems is or not I shouldn't say one of the problems is under 18A a board member who's been charged with an ethical violation is entitled to an attorney paid for by the board of education. So that process often times
can be exhaustive. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. So we've had discussion. Now we'll have roll call on items one through seven. >> Mr. Baronado. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fuyo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dan. >> Yes. Stonia, >> I'd like to recuse myself on number one
just for the perception even though I know I'm not conflicted and yes to everything else. >> I'm sorry. Number one. >> Thank you. >> Mrs. Fon, >> yes. >> Mrs. Derella, >> yes. >> Mr. Pio, >> yes. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Lions.
>> Yes. Motion carried. Okay. So, what we're going to do now, we're having two schoolboard meetings. There's the reorganization meeting. Then we're immediately going to go into our regular meeting. However, what we'll do next since everyone a lot of families in the audience, a lot of people here, I'll give our our newly sworn in board
members and newly elected board members an opportunity if they have anything they want to say or anyone else for that matter. If anybody has a board member comment before we we'll take a little break here in between. So, I'll look to my right, Mr. Steph. >> Yeah, I don't know if uh Jimmy Kersio is
still here, but I want to say thank you to him and way to power through that. Um, I'm honored to take this seat. Uh, thank you, Hamilton, for placing your faith in me. I will work tirelessly for our students, our teachers, and the future of the school district. I'd like
to thank my wife, Michelle, and my kids, Stephen, Giata, and Angelina. I'm so grateful that we got to experience this all together. Um, I'd like to thank all my family members, uh, who are here and, uh, who have supported me throughout this entire
process. Um, and to the board. Um, over the past few months, I've had the privilege to to get to know a lot of you, uh, including Superintendent Mr. Ramsey. Uh, thank you all for being so welcoming and, uh, I look forward to working with all of you.
>> All right. Mr. Thomas, >> happy new year. >> Mrs. I want to start by saying thank you to everybody who gave me this opportunity and voted for me to be here and gave me this opportunity. I look forward to serving my community and I thank my
family for the support and the friends that came out tonight. I look forward to serving you all and making you all proud. >> Mr. Split the report happy new year everybody. I want to thank you John for putting Jenna next to me. So you know she's obviously way better looking than
Gray and uh we will make her funny funnier. It's very fun. >> I'd just like to wish everybody a happy new year. Welcome aboard to our uh new members and I can't wait to have a great successful year here at the Hampton Board of Ed.
>> Um thank you everyone for your continued faith in me. Um, I will do everything that I can possibly do uh to help the students of our school district to uh back up teachers, the administration,
and do whatever I can to continue to make this such a great place for our students and their education. I would like to thank my family for putting up with me all these years that I have been involved in either politics or this school board. Um, tonight I have with me
uh four of my grandchildren, the light of my life, my husband, my son, my daughter-in-law, my daughter, my son-in-law. Um, I am blessed. Um, the only one who couldn't be here because she went back to school early. She had a
um her cut off date was January 5th, which was kind of early. A lot of a lot of uh students are still home for the break. So, I miss her here tonight, but she's with us. So, um, but thank you. Thank you very much. >> Just want to say happy new year to
everyone. Congratulations to Mrs. Bernado. Welcome to Mrs. Miss Smith, Ms. Dorado and Mr. Dphano. And Mrs. Bernado always served as a wonderful mentor to me and I hope to pass it along to you guys. So, welcome and looking forward to
working with everyone. >> Can I just add, did I forget my husband? There you go. >> Sometimes I, you know, I I go over the list. Oh my god, did I forget anybody? I'm sorry.
>> I am what I am. I can't help it. >> Um, I just wanted to say happy new year to everyone. I'm very excited that I'm going to continue to be able to work with Johnny Lions, Barbara Bernado, and I'm also very excited for the new opportunity uh to work with Stephen
Gemma as well. So, welcome and Congratulations. >> Um, congratulations to the D to the new board members. Uh, happy to have you guys here. And 2026, I don't know. I think Christine and I are probably going to cry a lot because it's our son's the
beginning of their um end of school. So, they'll be graduating. So, looking forward to a great year and um wishing everybody an awesome 2026. >> This is not my normal report, right? We save that for the next, >> right? >> Okay. Awesome. Well, in that case, uh,
congratulations, Steve. Uh, looking forward to sitting right across from you and also congrat congratulations to Gemma as well and, uh, Mr. Lions and Mrs. Mrs. Bernado. >> Looking forward to working with you all. >> Thank you. May I sorry, may I add a congratulations. I I congratulated three people. I thought it was done.
Congratulations, Mr. Lions. I apologize. >> Let me say this. Um, so I just want to say thank you first to my family uh for allowing me to serve. It is a lot of work to be a member of the board of education. Takes you out of the house and takes your thoughts away from your
family on a lot of nights so and days. So I certainly want to thank them and my friends for supporting me and the Hamilton community for supporting me so many times in g in schoolboard elections. Uh, and I'll thank my fellow board members for their support, uh, and
their their help with this journey that we go on together every day to educate the 3,000 plus kids in the community. Um, to the, you know, for the newer board members, it's a school board's great. I tell people all the time it's it's the best job in elected elected being an elected official on school
board I think because you see every day just how important the work we do is and you can quantify the things that you're doing every day by walking in the classroom or seeing a student in the community and that's not that's that's a special thing. It's special for all of us. Um so I thank you all for being here
and for putting your time and all the things. I'll thank Mr. Koya. you know, Luke and I uh you know, Luke, Tom and I talk every day. Uh you know, most of the time it's because there's something going on, but uh on the few rare occasions it's not because there's something that needs attention and
that's fun. It's fun to work with people that you count as friends. So, I certainly appreciate that. So, what we're going to do now, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. We'll take about a fivem minute break. People want to take some photos and visit with their family. Then, we're going to resume. We're actually then going to go into executive
session. at the end. >> It's six at the end. Okay. Very well. So, we're going to adjourn this meeting, take a five minute break, then we're going to go into the regular board meeting. So, anybody who would like to stay, you certainly can. Um, before we do that, I'll just acknowledge there's a
lot of folks here that came out to see everybody, some of the elected officials in the room. Uh, Atlanta County Clerk Joe Geralo, Atlantic County Surrogate Jim Persio, Hamilton Councilman JD Calderon, uh, Atlanta County Commissioner from the fifth district,
Jim Bertino, uh, newly minted uh, former school board member Ray Shipion, now Councilman Ray's here as well. I think I got all the elected officials in the audience. If I forgot someone, I I certainly apologize. I my good friend Rob Phylen who's here representing
Congressman Jeff VR with that we'll do a motion to adjourn and we'll take a five minute break. >> Motion >> this is Fallon first. >> Second. >> Mr. Qu second. All in favor? >> I will. We'll be back in five minutes.
Please take your seat everyone. We're about to start >> now. >> Uh so we've completed our reorganization meeting and we are now in the welcome to the regular meeting of the Hampton Board of Education for January 8th, 2026.
Um, we will go into executive session at the end of the meeting, but we will be voting on things before that. So, for the rest of the board, myself included, if there's something on here that you have a question about or you would like to go into executive session to discuss it, uh, we can certainly do that. Just
give me the high sign and we'll pull it off and do it at the end. But in the meantime, we're going to pick up with the first, this will be the second public portion of the evening. Anybody public wishing to be heard? I don't see anyone. So, we'll move past that and we're going to go to
presentations from our building principles. So, take it away, Mr. Mat. Hello. Happy New Year. Congratulations to the returning board members. Congratulations and welcome to our new board members. Looking forward to working with both of you. Um, first I'll
give an update on high school sports. Our athletes of the month were Sarah Griffith and Vince Polarmo. We had a senior, uh, Mitra Samson. She broke the school record for indoor shot, but she now holds that new record. Um, very exciting for her. Boys basketball is off
to a four and four start. They had a huge win the other night against a very good vining team. And we actually have two undefeated teams still going right now. We have boys bowling at 6 and 0 and we have girls basketball which is at 8 and0 right now. So, it's nice this this keep in the season to have a couple
undefeated sports going on. >> Um trips. If you remember last year we started uh freshman and sophomores going away on class trips. We're continuing that this year. It's going to be the tradition moving forward. And tomorrow we have the sophomores going away. They're going to Camelback Mountain, you
know, to Poconos's and they'll do a full day of snow tubing and uh the water park there, the indoor water park. So about 100 kids leaving first thing in the morning and getting home tomorrow night, which is pretty exciting. And last but not least, uh we invite everybody on
January 2nd to the National Honor Society induction ceremony. It'll be held at 700 p.m. in the performing arts center. It was a great night last uh last time. It was a great night when I did it, you know, 15 years ago as a guidance council when I was there.
>> What was the date? >> Uh January. Go ahead. Calendar 22nd. >> Uh 22nd. >> 22nd. I'm sorry. >> 22nd 7 p.m. in the pack. You stay afterwards for a nice dessert set up by Chef Lou and his kids. >> All right. Thank you everybody. Happy
New Year again. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, Dr. Happy New Year. Welcome to our new board, our new and returning board, and Miss Weeks as well. Looking forward to working with all of you. Um, Hamilton
Middle School is entering the new year with renewed focus on academic school safety and positive behavior as always. Um, first I just want to thank Mary Young from the Hamilton Drug Alliance who's sponsoring right now for our
seventh graders educational sessions. um that Atlantic Prevention Resources puts on for our seventh grade students during their study hall periods. Students are receiving three informative sessions. They began in December and they're
ending in January. And these are different than the presentations we had last month. Um one lesson is on mindful media. you know, the dangers of social media, escaping the vape, and just the
facts about marijuana usage. So, we also thank Atlantic Prevention Resources. Um, they provide classroombased instruction across Atlantic County. Parents were informed of these sessions and we encourage our parents to continue discussion at home. Um, this week
students of all grades are busy studying for the spelling bee qualifier and we're looking ahead to the spelling bee next month. Good luck to our students taking the qualifier tomorrow. And unbelievably, the second marking period ends on January 28th and the third
marking period is beginning and that's uh signals the end of the year and starting, you know, all our fun things for our eighth graders. So, we're looking forward to a successful second half of the year. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. >> Good evening. Happy new year.
Congratulations to our returning board members and our new as well. We look forward to working with you. First, I would like to thank our Hamilton Home and School Association for their $500 donation made to our uh care closet and pantry. I would also like to thank them
for another uh successful year facilitating Santa's holiday shop. Our students were able to browse and shop for friends and loved ones this holiday season, and it's definitely not an easy undertaking. So, thank you to Kelly Betsel and all of the parent volunteers
that came in to help. I'd like to thank our music teacher, Miss Bagleani, our instrumental teacher, Miss Barka, and our strings instructor, Mr. Duffy, for their hard work they put into preparing our students, our fifth graders, for the winter concert. Their time and patience
were reflected in the students confidence and excitement. And each of these instructors is fairly new. We're brand new uh this school year. And they've done a really good job of settling into our school community. and we appreciate everything that they do
for our students. We'd like to recognize the following Hamilton individuals and community members for donating either family meals, holiday gifts, winter coats, and or gift cards to students and families in need during the holiday
season. Uh supporters included the Women's Civic Club of Hamilton, Traditions at Blueberry Ridge, the Police Activities League, Hamilton High School, Student Council members, Kowanas Club of Hamilton, Mother Cabrini Lodge,
Tim Tropies, Christopher Sako Food Drive, Marian Templeton, and of course, Mr. Robert Caperryy. uh their generosity was very much appreciated and the students really enjoyed um receiving their gifts before
they left for Christmas break. Uh we're in the planning stages of implementing a tutoring program at West and based on teacher input this year. We will focus on grades three to five as well as our bilingual learners. We're hoping to employ more teachers this school year to
reduce the class size. Uh we're looking at early March into April as a as a start date uh two times a week for eight weeks and we will keep you posted. And finally, I'd like to acknowledge as it's on the agenda tonight, a letter of
retirement from Mrs. Daria Dphano. Mr. Dphano has been a member of our faculty since 2001. She's taught second grade and third grade and will be completing her 25 years of service in June. So congratulations, Mrs. Mrs. Dephano on
your welldeserved retirement. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, Dr. SL. >> Good evening everyone. Happy new year. Congrats to our new and returning board members. I have a few recent events to talk about. Um, first I also want to ex
extend our thanks to Mr. Bobby Caperryi for his generous donation also to the ECE and also for a last minute request from some of our staff members. Um Mr. Caperryy came with a train in tow and
set it up in our um bus area and took our children, our preschool disabled children for rides before the Christmas break. So it's absolutely beautiful. So thankful um for to him and all he does for our district. Um today we had uh
bilingual first and second grade classrooms at both ECEC and West. Um welcomed members from Hamilton High School World Language Club for a special literary and cultural experience. Uh the high school students visited uh the classrooms of Miss Rosado and Miss Lions
to read a passage about the three kings celebration which is celebrated on January 6th. The high school students read in both English and Spanish and discussed the cultural significance of the holiday. So, thank you so much to Miss Mendoza, the adviser of the World
Language Club, Miss Rosado, and Miss Lions for planning such a wonderful, enriching experience. I wanted to also mention um a wonderful author visit we had before the break. We had the author uh Jack Jokenan who read his book, A
Stray Dog for Christmas: How Susie Was Adopted to Our Students. This visit was especially meaningful because the author brought Susie, the dog, featured in his book. Mr. Jokan shared Suz's adoption story. Maybe some of you heard it on the news. Um he explained that Susie
wandered into his home in Philadelphia when the front door was accidentally left open. Needless to say, the family ended up keeping her. And he also spoke to students about writing and the process of becoming an author. Special thanks to Miss Donio for coordinating
this engaging and memorable visit. We also had our theater students present their parent show in December. They did a beautiful job. Um, we thank our families for attending as well as our theater adviserss, Miss Oliva and Miss Hagen. Um upcoming we have a preschool
clothing drive and our preschool fashion show as part of their current unit study unit of study. Preschool students are learning about the features of clothing and giving back to the community. So we are again partnering with the women's civic club to collect and distribute
gently used clothing to local families. Preschool families can send donations to school with their students through January 30th. And to accommodate their unit of study, we will have our I think it's our third annual fashion show on Friday, February 6th. So students will
again walk the red carpet dressed in an outfit of their own choosing. It's quite the event. Um and the show will be recorded and parents will receive a link. Finally, a reminder that parent conferences will take place next week at both ECE and West January 13th, 14th,
and 15th. and students will follow a single session schedule dismissing at 1:15. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> John. I actually had a quick question. Um I was curious, I meant to ask Mr. Matina if I could ask you um about zero
period. And what was interesting is yesterday, um my daughter interestingly was like, "Mom, I got to get to school early because one of my friends and I want to do we want to study during zero period." and they said, "If I don't get
to school on time early, the library is completely booked with other students studying." So, I wanted to give you that feedback, but I was just curious, too, um, how zero period is doing. And I feel like it sounds from my perspective and what I'm hearing from my students, it's
sounds like a really good thing. >> I'm sorry, I'm I'm waiting for Mr. continue to come into the microphone so that the rest of you know so at home they can >> like I was just curious if there are other things that you didn't expect to see. >> I can actually say something real quick. We kind of had this conversation. >> Pardon me one second. Mr. Tina answer
>> absolutely me and Matt speak every month and you know we always talk about zero period and it it's going well. I mean it's it's honestly it's going better than well. Um kids are getting a lot out of it. There's it's it's kind of a meet the kids where they're at >> beginning of the day. That's the way I
look at it. Sometimes they just need to kind of hang out and chill for a little bit. We don't know what kind of morning kids had, right? But it's there for all that extra help they need. I mean, today we had um a former sack counselor here, Big Al, came in, spoke to our FCA students. We had club stuff going on. We
had Miss Hansen talking about flag football in her group. You have kids making up tests, you know, throughout the school instead of making up during class time. Um we talked to the police recently about them coming in and giving a presentation also. um you know during Blue Devil time. Overall, it's really
it's well structured. It's it's really it's great because of two things because of the kids and the staff. The the staff are doing a fantastic job with it. They're promoting themselves of when they're there and all their activities and the kids are just taking advantage of the opportunities. So, I'm very happy
with it right now. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And I mean, I wish you could see how packed the auditorium gets for our student council meetings now. I mean, part of the reason we're able to do so many new things now is because of all the members that we have. So, it has
been really successful. It's uh it's very flexible, too. You can really kind of go anywhere in the school and, you know, do what you want. >> That's great. Good stuff. >> All right. Over to you, Mr. N. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Lions. I'd like to start by congratulating Mr. Lions and
Mr. Koya uh both for their appointments and their nominations and appointments as school board president and school board vice president. I'd also like to take a moment to welcome and congratulate our new board members uh
Mr. Ala and Mr. Dphano on their appointments to the board of education. I've known uh Gemma and Steven for many years. I remember when they were students at Hamilton High School and I can tell you we have two terrific
additions to an already outstanding board of education and I look forward to working with both of them. Uh, one thing I must mention tonight and I want to acknowledge that January is school board appreciation month. And on behalf of the
faculty and the staff of our district, I'd like to take a moment and thank each and every one of our board members for all that they do for the community and our students. Your time, efforts, and unwavering commitment.
You make sure that our district is one of the best in South Jersey. And for that, I thank you. Tom Brokeoff once stated, "It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference." And each one of you as board members make a difference in the
lives of children each and every day. And finally, as we begin another calendar year, I'd just like to remind our students and their parents the importance of coming to school each and every day. Uh there's definitely a
correlation between student attendance and academic achievement. Uh there are so many amazing things happening in every school and we need your children in school so you could take advantage of what's going on. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Anthony. Okay, this will be the second opportunity if anybody on the board has anything they want to forgot to say earlier perhaps or anything they want to go over. So I'll just go around the board. Anything new? Stephan, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Mr.
>> I don't want to disappoint. I'm sorry. Um, some athletes were mentioned and and this term is is uh astonishing with of what the teams are accomplishing, but I don't think I know sometimes I uh bring up um athletes and
their accomplishments and I think we kind of overlooked. I wanted to to say that Gabby Childs uh field hockey player was the 2025 press field co field field hockey player of the year. I thought what you know that was a a wonderful
accomplishment for her and she had a great season and you know all the teams you know good luck to them. Also on the wrestling team Vinnie Polmo is someone to watch. They all are someone to watch, but um I don't want to jinx him, but he
was the uh number one Oakbrook wrestler and he was also nominated uh he was the um most outstanding wrestler in that tournament. So, there's a lot of of the things going on. Also, I wanted to
mention um the HF is having a um fundraiser dinner dance on I believe it's January 31st and they extended the deadline to buy tickets. So, if anyone is interested in that,
that is available on Facebook also. But just looking forward to a great year uh 2026 still. I'm still not writing it, but I'll get used to writing it. But um you know good things to come. That's all I have. Thank you.
>> Absolutely. >> Um not nothing to report. >> Uh I just have a quick report um on safety and security. Um I just sincerely would like to thank our families and the greater community for
their patience cooperation and understanding of the procedures that must be followed when a critical incident occurs. We recognize that these situations can be concerning. We appreciate the trust you place in us as we work closely with local authorities to pri prioritize the student safety.
The safety of our children remains our highest priority. Our safety and security committee along with Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Matina met with the Hamilton Police Department to carefully review current safety procedures and discuss additional steps to further strengthen school security. The meeting focused on
preparedness, proactive measures, clear communications, and teamwork to ensure that the students and staff were protected at all times. Through continued collaboration with the law enforcement, staff, families in the community, we remain committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for
every child. We are grateful for your ongoing partnership and support as we continue to review and enhance our safety procedures and practices. Um, I just wanted to let you know that um, we are very aware we our safety of our
students is number one. Um, and I just wanted to thank uh, those who understand that and we'll continue to to do our job in that area. Uh, and thank you for the Hamilton Police Department for uh, the teamwork that they provide here with us.
And I've already welcomed Gemma. So, uh, that's all I have. Thank you. I don't have any committee reports, but I know oftent times a lot of parents don't really go on the website and read the agenda. So, I just wanted to point
something out. Um, number 35 on the agenda, we are passing a policy on student fundraising. It's nothing radical or crazy, but I will say that um when I read through it, I found it to be very interesting. I've had several
parents ask me and I'm sure other board members have gotten the question too, probably more in the high school, but you know, we've get we get a lot of our um sports teams and academic teams and different groups do fundraising and they've asked different questions, you
know, how does this work, the vertical raise, where does it go? And there are some really good policy um in there's a lot of good policy information in that uh policy I guess I should say. So I thought it was very interesting and and uh I would encourage
everybody to read it especially if your child is on a sports team. I found it real eye opening learn some new things. >> That's all I have. >> All right. >> All right. Uh so there are a lot of exciting things in the works here at the high school. Uh just today our student
council officers uh we had a meeting with Miss Kristen Santilly from Falsam. Uh she joined us to explore some ways that we can get involved and join forces with their very successful St. Baldick's Foundation fundraiser for childhood cancer. And uh in recent years Falsam
has actually raised tens of thousands of dollars for this charity. Um and I know we could join forces with them and do something great together. Um and it was a really great first meeting. I'm looking forward to sharing more details with you all uh over the coming months.
And uh next we have the annual freshman sophomore hop on January 30th. Uh the class officers are going to be selling tickets during lunch periods starting on January 12th. Uh and one last thing, uh before Christmas break, uh Mr. Matina
and I met. We talked about uh some possible improvements that we can make uh and some potential new experiences we can add for students taking the media electives here at Hamilton High School. Um a lot of schools now have their own video production and live streaming
capabilities for sports games and other school events. Uh and I think it could be something worthwhile for the future. So next week myself, our journalism teacher, Miss Kur, and a few others will be going to EHT and Absigami. uh we're going to see the things that they've done over the years to improve their
media departments and uh we're going to try to bring back those ideas and hopefully apply them here at HHS. Uh I will say even though we could use some newer technology and other improvements, the foundation is definitely here, uh we have some amazing teachers I have to shout out. Miss Gur, who I already
mentioned, and also Mr. Joseph, who just helped me submit a short documentary to the Garden State Film Festival today. Uh, a lot of our high school graduates also currently have successful careers in the media world and I think that shows that we can succeed there. Uh, so I'll have more for you guys on that as
we continue to talk about it over the coming months. And that's the end of my report. >> All right. Thank you. We're going to go into the regular agenda. Uh, we'll start with finance. We're actually going to pull item number eight. Uh, the solicitor has some work
to do with that. So we'll bring that back at the next meeting. So I'm going to ask for a motion on items 9 through 24. >> Motion. >> Mr. Foyer. First >> second. >> Mr. F. Second. Roll.
>> Mrs. Baronado. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fuya. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Donio. >> Yes. >> Mrs. B. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Geraldo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pulio. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes. Motion carried. Next, I'll
entertain a motion on personnel items 25 through 32. >> Motion. >> Mrs. Mrs. Bernardo. Second. Roll. >> Mr. Baron. >> Yes. >> Mr. Foy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dino.
>> Yes. To all but number 29 after >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mera. >> Yes. >> Mr. William. >> Yes. school. >> Yes. Mr. Lawrence. >> Yes. Motion carried. Next, we'll go to program students and miscellaneous items
33 through 37. I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> Mrs. Skola. First, Mr. Koya. Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Geraldo, >> yes. >> Mr. Fio, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> And Mr. L. >> Yes. Motion carried. We'll go to >> We'll go to the addendum. Finance items
38 through 42. I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion. >> Mr. Sten first. >> Second. >> Mrs. Ranado. Sack. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Baro. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fuy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dino. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes,
>> Mrs. Bon. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Dorado. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Lions. >> Yes. Motion carried. I'll entertain a motion on personnel item number 43. >> So moved. >> Mr. First, >> second.
>> Mr. Koya. Second. Roll call. >> Mr. >> Yes. Mr. >> Y. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Modia. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> and Mr. Williams.
>> Yes. Motion carried. This takes us to the end of the regular meeting agenda and the addendum. Um, this is the second opportunity, third opportunity for the public wishing to be heard. Anyone wants to come up to the microphone? A man who needs no introduction. Board member and current councilman Ray
Shimone. >> How are everyone? Ray Shimone, Fairview Avenue. How's this? Um, I was happy to hear Mr. talk about uh the the you know getting more involved in in the TV and everything. We're looking to add more
content. I I met with uh Superintendent Ramsey, so that would be great. We're really looking to add um streaming any live sports events right on channel 9. Um also playing, you know,
reruns of the games. We're really looking to add as much content as we can and we were hoping to get um the school involved. So, I was hoping, you know, if you want to take lead on that or because we have a, as you know, we have that great TV
studio upstairs on the third floor that we have uh that we got a grant for. So, and we really want to start using it um instead of just having um parades and and few it, you know, few things and meetings on channel 9. We really want to
um add a lot of content. So, I was I was happy to hear that. Um and I will be the education chair, so I will be at the meetings. They missed my seat, but I will guess I'll have to stay in the back there. That's okay cuz this
wobbly thing's getting me very nervous. So, um that's all I have and uh congratulations to the new members and returning members and um have a great 2026. >> Mr. Shipy, yes. >> Can I also recommend that we um in doing
this, one thing I'd love to see and I know other board members have recommended this as well is having our board meetings also live streamed on channel 9. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. I think it's really hard for for people to go to this site and see it. So, >> anything that we can do and replay them?
>> Absolutely. We we're really looking to get as much as as we can. We have a lot of lot of ideas um especially with you know students do we can't do any advertising but we wanted to um get the students to just go out and spotlight
some businesses. um also interviewing teachers and and and uh you know >> and I would Ramsey. Yes. >> I would even recommend too so many of you are familiar with the Atlantic County Teen Arts Festival and a lot of
the students come to downtown and this past year especially we had I remember it was William Davies Middle School. >> I believe it's in Maze Landing. Their media students were unbelievable. So this can also in my opinion can trickle
down to the elementary or not the elementary but the middle school as well because >> absolutely >> you know young people today they have cameras they have >> knowledge they you know it's it's much easier than when we were >> younger editing and all of those things.
So yeah absolutely >> I took a tour of of this of the studio. It's it's amazing the equipment they have. It's I mean they have everything a green screen and it's like set up to just you know uh just go and have a a news show but um
>> so we also want to get Stockton involved you know both town schools with with sports and and meetings and as much as we can get. So, um, I'll definitely be, you know, contacting you after we go and
visit the other schools and everything and and again, I spoke to Mr. Ramsay about that. So, we're going to we're ready. They want to dive in as, you know, as soon as we can. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Ray. We look forward to working with you and the rest of town council to hopefully bring some of those
resources to our kids. Um, >> can I just bring up one more thing? I'm sorry. I don't want to prologue. we don't have to have a discussion. But I think there's two things that we all need to be looking out for and reading about and finding out about. One, the
governor's uh idea to ban cell phones in schools. Uh look into that, what it involves. And the other thing is I've been reading about they're trying to bring back the um um redistricting and consolidating schools.
I've read a couple articles on that and they want to let the smaller schools I think is could it be less than 500 students um around there to consolidate with other districts. It hasn't gone anywhere. It's been in the back burner I
think for years but um they're bringing it up again. So I think it's something that we have to be cognizant of. Um, you know, we could talk about it at another meeting, but if you, you know, you're reading anything out there, especially about the cell phone, um, you know, keep track of that.
>> Thank you. >> Today? >> Yeah. The governor signed it. >> He signed it. >> And and it gives the uh, Department of Education 90 days to issue guidelines on policies that every board of education will have to minimum standards for
guidelines that every board will have to adopt. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Um, just two other short notes. I I neglected to mention earlier, but I want to thank and and sort of acknowledge and appreciate uh Mr. Dphano
and Mrs. Dalo for the several hours they spent with Mr. Ramsay touring the district and taking a look at what we have here and really getting up to speed well before they were sworn in. So, it's uh there's a lot of work, a lot to do, and so it's great that you're in the ground running. So, I wanted to just
publicly thank you both for making the time to reach out not only to board members but also to the administration. Um, and also one last thing for me, a quick commercial for the high school mock trial team. Uh, they'll be competing at the Atlanta County Courthouse next week on Tuesday the 13th
and Thursday the 15th at 5:30 p.m. Um, for anybody that has an opportunity to get down to Maze Landing to to take a look, it really is interesting. And for anybody that wants to win schoolboard member trivia, Mr. Donio and I started our work together way back in January of
98 at the Atlantic County mock trial competition where we both had less gray hair. Um that said, the board's going to go into exe for the benefit of the public board's going to go into executive session. We will not be taking we will not be taking action after that.
So we'll come out and adjourn the meeting. Uh but I'll take a motion to go into executive session. Mrs. Bernado first. >> Second. >> Mr. Skull second. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Thank you everyone. We'll be in executive session.