WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=UELJarcgkRA

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: UELJarcgkRA):
- 00:00:00: Meeting Opening, Hamilton Middle School Geography and Spelling Bees
- 00:03:16: Middle School Sports Teams Successes and Accomplishments
- 00:07:19: Senior Trip to Disney, PA Speaker Upgrade, Blueevil Time
- 00:10:01: Honoring Coach Ryan Stagger for Girls Basketball Achievements
- 00:11:12: Coach Stagger's Remarks and Gratitude for the Award
- 00:12:51: Early Childhood Education Center Updates and Celebrations
- 00:15:54: Warney Soy Elementary: Fundraising, History, and Field Trips
- 00:18:30: NJQSAC Visitation Feedback and Budget Presentation Plans
- 00:20:24: Board Committee Reports: Thanks, Senior Advice, and Curriculum
- 00:27:14: Buildings and Grounds: ECEC Project Ahead of Schedule
- 00:30:27: First Public Comment: None
- 00:30:27: Regular Agenda: Finance Items (1-42)
- 00:30:56: Regular Agenda: Personnel Items (43-80)
- 00:31:34: Regular Agenda: Program, Students, Miscellaneous (81-87)
- 00:32:04: Addendum: Finances Items (88-89)
- 00:32:22: Addendum: Personnel Items (90-92)
- 00:33:11: Second Public Comment: Tammy Leonard's Statement


Part: 1

1
00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:15.519
Good evening everyone. Welcome to the April 16th, 2026 meeting of the Hamilton Board of Education. Uh we'll start tonight's meeting. I understand we have some presentations. Uh Mr. Ramsey, do you know who'd like to go first? >> Dr. Reski raised their hand.

2
00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:30.800
>> Okay, start with the middle. >> A lot of visitors. >> All right, starting with Hamilton Middle School. Dr. Reski, >> good evening. At this time of year, it's my pleasure to recognize a few

3
00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:47.120
outstanding achievements of our students this year from our annual geography B and spelling B competitions. First, I want to make it known that just to qualify to compete in these annual competitions is very impressive. Then to

4
00:00:47.120 --> 00:01:04.640
compete and place is a memorable win that I know our students will carry with them for life. I know that I have. In ancient times, in the early 80s, when I was in middle school, I won the spelling bee and then placed second in districts.

5
00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:21.200
To this day, I still have bragging rights. So, you'll have bragging rights forever. I think they're about to expire, though. So, I'm sure that the parents here in attendance with their children are proud and should be very proud of their children after a very Oh, let me get my certificates. Can you

6
00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:43.840
bring my Sorry. after a very competitive geography B battle organized for the last 20 years by Mr. Misara. We have our winners who received large trophies upon their win. After I call

7
00:01:43.840 --> 00:02:01.000
your name, please come up to receive your certificate and then you could take pictures after all the winners are announced for the geography B. Congratulations to our third place winner, eighth grader Landon Johnston.

8
00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:31.520
Congratulations to our second place winner, seventh grader Gavin McCormick. And very notably, our first place winner also played placed third in last year's

9
00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:53.519
geography B when he was the sixth grader. Congratulations to first place winner, seventh grader, Philip Graasso. Okay, congratulations to our winners. if you want to take a few pictures. >> So, why don't we stand over guys? Why don't we stand over to the to your left

10
00:02:53.519 --> 00:03:14.040
here, Dr. Reneski, and your parents can come out and take photos if they want. >> Step one of those. >> Yeah. Yeah, we have one for athletics. I agree. That'd be nice. >> Oh, boys.

11
00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:33.599
I agree. Congratulations to our students. Now, it's my pleasure to introduce our spelling bee winners. Out of 70 students who took the test, only 27 qualified to compete. Miss Coyle, who's run the spelling bee for years, also wanted me

12
00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:50.080
to stress, we're proud of all of our winners who have qualified to compete in both competitions because it's no easy feat. Congratulations to our spelling bee winners. I'm sure their parents are proud as well. These winners all receive large trophies, too. After I call your

13
00:03:50.080 --> 00:04:16.079
name, please come up to receive your certificate. Congratulations to our third place winner, seventh grader Jeremy Ryan. All right, lost my place. Congratulations to our eighth grader. Second place winner,

14
00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:38.560
Thomas Chapman. And our first place winner pulled off a hat-tick. We don't think this has ever been done. And HMS first congratulations to Olivia Kiola who's won the Hamilton Middle School spelling be three years IN

15
00:04:38.560 --> 00:05:15.120
A ROW. THEY ALL SHOULD BE VERY PROUD. If you want to come up and take pictures again, >> okay, we're very proud of our students. Um, at this time of year, quickly, I'm happy to give a shout out to the overall success of our Hamilton Middle School

16
00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:29.360
sports teams. This past year, we had a very successful teams. I mean, very successful teams. Our fall teams set the tone with impressive records, including field hockey at 10-1, girls soccer at

17
00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:45.919
10-2, boys soccer at 93 and one. Cross country added to the fall success with the boys finishing six to4 and earning second place overall at the Atlantic County Championships while the girls posted a strong 6-3 record and secured

18
00:05:45.919 --> 00:06:02.479
third place overall at the Atlantic County Championships. That momentum carried into our winter season where girls basketball after losing the first game of the season won 12 straight games to finish the season 12- one demonstrating teamwork at the

19
00:06:02.479 --> 00:06:19.199
highest level. Boys basketball battled through a competitive season to earn seven wins and wrestling added a strong 5-3 record. Volleyball ended the season with an impressive 6-2 record. Building on that success in current events, the

20
00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:36.479
spring track season is off to an incredible start with the girls team qualifying for the Penn relays next Friday, April 24th. Anissa Blackwell, Everly Husta, Kylie Sable, and Giata Leelli placed second out of 18 teams and

21
00:06:36.479 --> 00:06:52.319
shattered the record they set just last year, signaling another exciting chapter for our program and adding to the excitement of our athletics at Middle School. Over 50 students are participating in our intramural sports, tennis, and volleyball this spring. Um,

22
00:06:52.319 --> 00:07:12.599
I'm looking forward to a successful end of the year both academically and with our spring sports and clubs. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. >> All right, presentations. What's Who's next? Mr. Matina, come on up.

23
00:07:19.039 --> 00:07:35.039
>> Good evening, board. Um few weeks ago I got to go on a senior trip again this year. It was a fantastic time. Went to Disney with a great group of kids and a great staff. Um it was that week where everyone was scared across the country about TSA shutting down. So there's a lot of

24
00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:51.280
trepidation of what was going on the trip. Our travel agents did a fantastic job working with us and our chaperones were just awesome. I really give a shout out to them. I think people think that when chaperons go away on a Disney trip, you're just, you know, not really working all day long. they they go on about four hours sleep and they just go

25
00:07:51.280 --> 00:08:07.280
all day long. They really bring it. So, great job to them. Great job to Stacy Pretty for leading that trip. Um over Easter breaks, spring break, we had a nice upgrade to the school, which is our PA speakers. So, in a recent survey that the high school held about security, the

26
00:08:07.280 --> 00:08:23.360
staff felt that our our PA system was uh too low and wasn't able to be heard during announcements. So, we had a outside company come in. They did a fantastic job. So when we return from spring break, people are actually saying, "Can we turn the volume down?" So that's a good problem to have because

27
00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:38.320
you don't want just announcements to be heard when the school's silent. You want it heard between bells and during cafeteria time as well. So that was a nice upgrade for the school. During Blueevil time, we keep expanding our Blue Devil time to make it even better for our students. We're actually

28
00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:55.360
bringing in a lot more guest speakers to talk to our students. This had been done in the past during class time and we would have lost instructional time during it. So now we're having in the morning during our blue devil time. And two recent ones were just the other day we had ACCC here um from the health

29
00:08:55.360 --> 00:09:11.680
professional institute and they talked about you know being an EMT and paramedic. They talk about pathways and job outlook in the emergency service job field. So that was that was well attended. That was here at in the library. And then last week we had a former student that graduated here in

30
00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:28.880
2011. Her name is Megan Granon. Anybody that was here at the school during that time remembers Meg. Mr. Ramsey does. Dr. Reeski does. I was a guidance counselor during that time. Um, you know, she was born with a very rare condition called metatropic dysplasia. You know, she

31
00:09:28.880 --> 00:09:45.920
faced a very hard life, but she overcome all these obstacles and got to share with the students. She went to college. She got her graduate degree. she became a teacher um and she was back here talking to her students. It was inspirational. Plus, we also had a focus group there of our future nurses club.

32
00:09:45.920 --> 00:10:01.519
So, the future nurses got to hear from her what it looks like to be a great nurse because she spent good chunks of her life in the hospital. So, it was a really good, you know, presentation and we're looking to bring um Meg back next year in the fall to talk to a bigger group of students also. So, it was

33
00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:18.079
really cool. Um, and one of the great things I like about coming to these board meetings is when I get a chance to honor people and you know, we have coach Ryan Stagger here tonight. Coach Stagger's been with the girls varsity program for three years. And you know, girls varsity basketball has had its ups and downs

34
00:10:18.079 --> 00:10:34.880
over the years. Since coach Stagger's been here, it's been stable. He's had a overall record of 56 and 28 to leading to this year where the girls were 23 and seven. They were Cal National Champions. They won the Holiday Invitational Championship. They were the Cal

35
00:10:34.880 --> 00:10:52.279
Tournament semi-finals in the Cal Tournament semi-finals and in the uh group three semi-finals. It was a fantastic year for our girls and as a result, Coach Dagger was named Press of Atlantic City Coach of the Year. So, I like to bring coach on up right now.

36
00:11:12.560 --> 00:11:29.360
good evening uh members of the board of education. Um I'm truly honored and grateful to be recognized as coach of the year. Uh this award it means a great deal to me because it reflects the hard work that everyone in the pro has put in especially the work we did together

37
00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:44.320
during practices and film sessions and seeing it all come together on the court was a great reward itself. I sincerely appreciate the board's continued support of our athletic programs and student athletes. I would uh I want to take the moment to thank the incredible uh group of young

38
00:11:44.320 --> 00:12:00.959
women on our basketball team for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to one another and uh our women made this season so special. This recognition is just as much as deserves as it is mine. I'd like to also thank my assistant coaches for their constant support,

39
00:12:00.959 --> 00:12:17.120
insight, teamwork throughout the season. Coaching is never a solo effort and I'm fortunate to have such a strong partners on the sidelines. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the Hampton administration for their continuing encouragement and belief in our program. Your support allows us to

40
00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:42.360
create meaningful experiences for our student athletes both on and off the court. Thank you again for this honor and recognition. It is truly appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you. Photo. All right. Who's next? Dr. Cle, come on up.

41
00:12:51.519 --> 00:13:07.440
Hello. Good evening. Just a few updates from the ECE. We recognized World Down Syndrome Syndrome Day on March 23rd with students and staff wearing bright crazy socks to celebrate inclusion and their individualism. We were also grateful to

42
00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:23.760
have welcomed parents into our classrooms. I just wanted to offer our special thanks to Mrs. Robels and Mr. Sandavville and their son Emmy for visiting and reading in all of our 15 preschool classes. On March 16th, we celebrated a very meaningful milestone

43
00:13:23.760 --> 00:13:38.880
for one of our students who has been part of our school community for four years since joining our preschool disabled program at age three. After a long and challenging journey with leukemia, including multiple hospitalizations and many health

44
00:13:38.880 --> 00:13:55.680
complications, he reached the incredible milestone of being cancer-free for 5 years. Our school school community came together for a clap through to recognize his strength and perseverance. It was a very joyous and emotional moment for our students and staff. And our students

45
00:13:55.680 --> 00:14:11.839
were also excited to celebrate their classmate as he marked both this milestone and his seventh birthday. I wanted to just express my appreciation to our staff, our teachers, aids, and nurses who have supported him over the past four years. We're so proud of his

46
00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:27.519
progress, not only in his health, but also in his academic growth and determination that he demonstrates straits each day. Our kindergarten students recently completed their World Travelers unit and have begun preparing for the annual Little Italy play, which

47
00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:42.720
will take place April 30th and May 1st. for parents. This is always a special event and we look forward to seeing their hard work come to life. Last weekend we kicked off our annual Bubbles for autism event featuring an engaging and interactive bubble show for all

48
00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:58.800
students. As a followup, our entire school will participate in a schoolwide bubble activity outdoors on April 29th. At this time, we will present a check from our school fundraiser for Camp Sun and Fun. And I know Mr. Morell has a little bit more to say about that. I

49
00:14:58.800 --> 00:15:14.720
wanted to thank Miss Almenta, Miss Stephanie Douly, and Miss Hagen for their work in planning these events. And finally, today we had a Bollywood assembly for our kindergarten and first grade students. Bollywood dance is a vibrant and expressive um dance form

50
00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:30.880
rooted in Indian culture. Students were introduced to its energy and cultural significance and they had the opportunity to learn and perform a short routine. It was a lot of fun. So, thank you to Mr. s our world language teacher and Miss Ruchi for organizing this

51
00:15:30.880 --> 00:15:47.880
engaging and memorable experience for our students. Thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Y. I understand Dr. Tro is out. So Mr. Morell is here tonight to fill in. So come on out.

52
00:15:54.160 --> 00:16:09.759
Good evening. I'm excited to share with all of you the amazing things that are going on at Warney Soy Junior Elementary School. I'm happy to report that through the combined efforts of our staff, students, and community, we were able to raise $13,935 for the American Heart Association

53
00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:25.360
through our Kids Heart Challenge. >> Coach Dianis, Coach Effinger, and Coach Diosi all worked really hard to make this a possibility, and we sincerely appreciate their help in making an impact in the lives of children and families across the country. April is autism awareness month and West

54
00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:40.160
will show support by raising money for Camp Sun and Fun, a summer camp which serves children and adults with developmental delays and autism. We will be selling t-shirts to students and staff and also autism awareness bracelets to students during lunch periods. Students in our MD and LLD

55
00:16:40.160 --> 00:16:55.839
classrooms will assist in selling the bracelets during lunch periods. All proceeds will go directly to Camp Sun and Fun. We will also be partnering with Lieutenant Sha Graasso and the Shauny Shoehands Race for Autism, which is held on April 26th. It is our pleasure to show our support to this great

56
00:16:55.839 --> 00:17:12.000
organization. Representatives from the Hamilton Historic Preservation Commission, the Hamilton Environmental Commission, and Oak Grove Cemetery will visit West to present an educational program to all fourth grade students following the completion of their Lenny Lape history

57
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:27.679
unit. During the presentation, students will learn about the historical significance of the Salem Oak seedling that has been planted at Oakrove Cemetery and how it connects to the history of New Jersey and the Lenny Lape people in South Jersey. As part of the program and in connection with our

58
00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:43.200
country's 250th birthday celebration, the groups will also introduce a student poster contest. The contest will conclude with an award ceremony that will be held at a future Hamilton town hall meeting. Lastly, I just wanted to give an update on some fun field trips that we have going on. um at West this

59
00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:58.400
past Tuesday, our third grade students went on a field trip to the Adventure Aquarium where they learned about various sea life. Saw a lot of the parents come out. They had a really good time. A lot of good reports for them. And then coming up, the second grade students will be going on a field trip on May 13th to the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia to learn about

60
00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:15.039
science and nature. Thank you so much, >> Mr. Moral. Just briefly, the event uh with the Historical Society in the Salem Oak, we're not going to be walking over. >> No, unfortunately, we're not going to be able to make that a possibility. >> See the tiny tree? Yeah, that was I got a lot of feedback from students. >> Yeah, I really And guess what? We went

61
00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:30.080
out there and and made sure that they were safe and we got a lot of help from the SRO. Um I think the best practice would be to to learn as much as you can >> and view the tree from afar at a safe distance if you can see it. I like that. Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you.

62
00:18:30.080 --> 00:18:46.320
>> Okay, we'll go right into Mr. Ramsay. >> Thank you, Mr. Lions. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Did you have something? >> I know. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. >> I just made a noise. I'm sorry. No problem. I'd like to begin by thanking our teachers, uh, supervisors, and administrators for their hard work

63
00:18:46.320 --> 00:19:03.520
and careful preparation for this year's NJQAC visitation, which took place on March 31st. CUSAC visits happen in New Jersey every 3 years and the purpose of those visits are to evaluate the quality

64
00:19:03.520 --> 00:19:21.039
of instructional programs, personnel, fiscal management, operations, and governments of your school district. While we will receive the official report from this year's visit at a later date, which I will share with the public when I receive it, I could tell you that

65
00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:38.400
the visit went exceedingly well, and I've received a lot of positive feedback about our entire educational community, which I'm extremely proud of. Our students and their teachers are also working extremely hard making final preparations for the upcoming adaptive

66
00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:53.760
Cambian NJSLA. The assessments are now approximately 3 weeks away and will provide the district with important data on reading, writing, mathematics, and science that will

67
00:19:53.760 --> 00:20:09.039
ultimately help drive instruction throughout the district. And finally, I'd like to thank Terry Weekes, Marjgerie Crawford, and the entire board of education for their efforts with planning the 2026-27

68
00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:24.640
proposed school budget. I will be providing a comprehensive presentation on the budget at the April 30th meeting and that's in about two weeks. So, more information will be forthcoming. Thank you, Mr. Lines. >> Thank you, Mr. Ramsey. Let's go right

69
00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:41.200
into board committee reports. I'm gonna mix it up here. We'll start with Mr. Fa. >> Okay, Mr. Stefan, >> nothing to report. >> Okay, Mr. Thomas, um I I want to thank this board number one. Um it it the these people in this

70
00:20:41.200 --> 00:21:00.000
room. Um give thankless hours of donated time. It's a tough job here. Um it's tough job on any board. Um, but I appreciate every one of you's um as a as a as a uh peer group because I've learned so much from all of you. Um, and

71
00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:15.039
and you guys do make it happen, right? You guys give this give these students the best education possible. Um, and I want to thank you for that. Um, the next thing I just have an ask of the students in particular, the seniors. Um, you know, we're going into the fourth mark

72
00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:32.080
period. It's going to go extremely quickly for the seniors because there's so much going on and you need to enjoy the moment. Um Will and I next year will be celebrating 40 years class reunion. Um and and it's uh >> nothing.

73
00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:47.679
>> I I'm just telling you, slow down as much as you can. >> Enjoy the moment because these are the times that you'll never forget >> is is your classmates and at the end of the year. So, um it's going to go quickly. just slow things down and take a breath.

74
00:21:47.679 --> 00:22:03.919
>> Now, of course, John and I graduated at 7 years old, so I like how we feel that part. >> College at 14. >> All right, we'll keep going here. Uh, Mrs. Straw, >> I'd like to congratulate uh coach of the year over here. Fantastic work with the

75
00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:19.760
girls basketball team as well as the geography and spelling be winners from the middle school. Thank you guys. >> All right, >> I'll echo that. Congratulations, coach. and of course our our B winners from the middle school and you are right senior year I look back on it so fondly and I

76
00:22:19.760 --> 00:22:36.799
wish I want to now give a message to the juniors the sophomores and the freshman like I wish I enjoyed each year as much as you know senior like you really because you there are opportunities all through high school all through school to take it all in and slow down so that's great advice for all of our students thanks John

77
00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:53.280
>> all right this is cool >> all right so messages to seniors must be the going thing for the Um, and I have one as well. Uh, so good evening students, parents. Uh, as we approach the end of another school year and our seniors prepare to take their next steps, I want to take a moment to

78
00:22:53.280 --> 00:23:09.679
share a message that I believe is incredibly important. This is a time filled with excitement, but also pressure. Many of you are making decisions about your future, where to go, what to do, and who you want to become. And in today's world, it could feel like there's only one right path.

79
00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:25.360
Social media often paints a picture that success means getting into a prestigious or I believe college, having everything figured out, and following a very specific road map. But I want to be very clear that path is not for everyone, and that's absolutely okay.

80
00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:41.440
What you see on social media is not always the full story. A photo of a student signing a college commitment may look like the perfect moment, but it doesn't show the financial stress, uncertainty, and personal struggles struggles that may come with it. And while those accomplishments should be celebrated if they align with a

81
00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:57.280
student's goals, they should not become the standard that everyone feels pressured to follow. I speak from personal experience. I was the financial aid reduced lunch student and I remember feeling like I had to keep up with friends who were heading off to a prestigious college. For a moment, I

82
00:23:57.280 --> 00:24:12.159
thought that was the only way to succeed. But my path looked different and and the realization took time, honesty, and and courage. There are so many meaningful and successful paths. available to you. Community college is a strong and practical option. Trade

83
00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:27.440
schools offer valuable in- demand skills. There are career pathways that can lead to stability and success without the burden of overwhelming debt. These choices are not less than. They are simply different. And for many, they are the right fit. I also encourage

84
00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:44.000
families to explore the scholarships available on the Hamilton website. There are opportunities out there that can help your journey be more affordable and accessible. And to our students, not everyone is meant to follow the same path. And not everyone is meant for a traditional college experience. That

85
00:24:44.000 --> 00:25:00.880
does not define your worth or your potential. What matters is that you make a thoughtful, responsible decision that aligns with your goals, your circumstances, and your passions. I always tell my son, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. That is the goal. Not chasing a

86
00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:18.600
title, a name, or an image, but building a life that brings you purpose and fulfillment. So take your time, ask questions, be realistic, be responsible, and most importantly, be true to yourself. So that is my message to the seniors. Thank you.

87
00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:35.520
>> That's a very good message, Mrs. Bernard. >> Good. Good. Um, as far as curriculum, there really isn't anything new on this agenda as we're winding down the year. I did want to give a shout out to one of the high school teachers, uh, world language teacher, Casey

88
00:25:35.520 --> 00:25:51.840
uh Bala, is that how you say your last name? And she was awarded um the uh grant for the Costa Rica echo tourism study. So, good for her. She applied for that and she was uh she was praised for

89
00:25:51.840 --> 00:26:09.360
her commitment to connecting students with realworld language experiences. So, I'm sure that her adventure u to this to Costa Rica will enhance her classroom and what is presented in her classroom. I want to give a shout out also to all

90
00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:26.400
the uh middle school. We heard tonight the teams. I mean, that's a great feeder program for our high school. So, I'm sure the coaches and all look forward to to all those students coming um to the high school. Also, uh it's Mr. Thomas. Um, I don't know if he's just being

91
00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:43.200
modest, but you your school was on TV, wasn't it? Weren't they? >> It was. >> What was this? What's the name of the show? It escapes me. >> It was a quiz show that Fox >> the quiz show the qu and Lexi D. Roza who now teaches uh she was a student here. She was really winging out those

92
00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:58.960
answers. That had to be exciting. >> It It is. And And the funny part is so it originally we were on it last year. >> Oh, really? They had a cancellation the last minute and called the district and said, "Can you film this? Can we come down tomorrow?" >> Oh, wow. >> And do this and and that that happened

93
00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:14.799
and it went live I think 8:00 that night. >> Yeah, that was so exciting to see that. It had to be a happy, you know, a happy occasion for your school. That's all I have. >> Excellent. Mr. way >> uh from buildings and grounds. Just a quick little report on our ECEC project

94
00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:30.880
which is still underway uh ahead of schedule and uh still currently under budget. Uh believe we have all the uh cubbies are installed. We're in the process of installing the actual flooring right now. The walls are painted. Getting ready to put some

95
00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:46.720
ceilings up and we expect our staff to be able to move in when when Mickey >> right after school. right after the end of the school year, >> which we initially had uh scheduled two weeks prior to school opening. So, I

96
00:27:46.720 --> 00:28:03.200
think we're going to be about a month and a half, about 6 weeks ahead of schedule, which is great. Uh other than that, our grounds are in fabulous condition as usual. Our grounds guys are obviously the best around. You can just tell that by looking around. Thank you guys for all that. And everything else

97
00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:19.840
is going smooth on our end. All right, just a couple brief comments. I'll echo my thanks to the to Terry and her team and the business office and the administration for putting together the budget. We'll be back to you in a few weeks to complete our final adoption and go through all the things we need to go

98
00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:36.000
through and inform you about what that looks like going in the next year. Um certainly I'll also echo the comments folks made about uh the journey in being a senior. uh you know it's been a while but I can still remember like it was yesterday my senior trip Mr. Hamilton

99
00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:52.559
and a number of other really defining moments uh during my time here when I was in my senior year. So I certainly agree with all the comments everyone's made. Um I'll also thank and uh Dr. Slay talked about it uh Amy Clauss from the foreign language department, Joe who's

100
00:28:52.559 --> 00:29:08.080
really doing a great job for us at the ECE. Uh I I know they worked hard to get the Bollywood thing put together. Saw a video of it today. Looked really exciting. See what the kids were really into it. Uh really happy to see that sort of thing. I know that's continuing districtwide. The last thing I I'll

101
00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:23.120
mention before we go to public comment is I I want to offer my thanks uh to Tammy Leonard who's a you know deputy superintendent here but has agreed to step in behind doc Dr. Slay as the ECE principal. Um, you know, in I've been

102
00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:38.480
here a long time and everybody steps up when they need to, right? You know, last summer the administrators move furniture, they cover classes, they do the things that need doing. And this is just one more example of the spirit and the team that we've built here and the leadership culture that we've built here

103
00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:54.480
where people willingly step up and step into jobs. Uh, you know, our our costs are tough. We got, you know, contractual obligations, health care costs, utility costs, costs are going up every day, but we are able to uh defay some of that and keep the money in the classrooms. And

104
00:29:54.480 --> 00:30:10.159
that's from staff members stepping up, administrators stepping up, and really seeking an opportunity to do well. So, I I'll I'll offer my thanks both in a personal capacity on behalf of the board. Last thing I'll say is uh you Mrs. Donio and Mr. Donio are absent tonight. I understand they've had a

105
00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:27.120
tragedy recently, a death in the family. So, we're certainly thinking of them tonight uh as well. Now, we'll go to public comment. This is the first of two opportunities for the public. If anyone wishes to be heard, you can step up to the microphone, give us your address, and say what's on your mind. Seeing

106
00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:43.760
none, we'll move to the regular agenda. I'll take a motion on finance items 1 through 42. >> Motion. >> Mrs. Fallon, >> second. >> Mrs. Skola, comment. Roll call. >> Mrs. Baronado, >> yes. >> Mr. Poya,

107
00:30:43.760 --> 00:30:56.880
>> yes. >> Mr. Dphano, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fallon, >> yes. >> Mrs. Geralo, >> yes. >> Mr. Poa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Skola, >> yes. >> And Mr. Lions, >> yes. Motion carried. Next, we'll take a

108
00:30:56.880 --> 00:31:18.080
motion on personnel items 43 through 80. >> Motion. >> Mr. Skull first. Don't jump at one second. Mr. McCoy second. Roll call. >> Mrs. Paronado. >> Yes. But I am going to abstain on number 61.

109
00:31:18.080 --> 00:31:34.240
>> Mr. Kuya. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dphano. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fallon. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Geraldo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Po. >> Yes. >> Mr. Skola. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lions. >> Yes. Motion carried. Next, we'll take a motion on program, students, and

110
00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:50.720
miscellaneous items 81 through 87. Motion. Mr. Koya first. Mrs. Bernado second. Right out of the gate that time. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Baronado. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ko, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dphano, >> yes. >> Mrs. Fallon, >> yes. >> Mrs. Geraldo,

111
00:31:50.720 --> 00:32:04.720
>> yes. >> Mr. Pleo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Skola, >> yes. >> Mr. Lions, >> yes. Motion carries. >> All right. Next, we'll go to the addendum. Finances uh items 88 and 89. Motion >> Mr. Koya first. >> Second.

112
00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:22.159
>> Mrs. Bernado second. Roll call. >> Mrs. Feronado. >> Yes. >> Mr. Koya. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dphano. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fallon. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Geraldo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Playa. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Skola. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Lions? >> Yes. Motion carried. Next we'll go to

113
00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:38.320
personnel items 90 through 92. >> Motion. >> Mrs. Fallon. First. >> Second. >> Mrs. Skola. Second roll call. >> Mr. Feronado. >> Yes. Abstension on 91 and 92. >> Mr. Kuya.

114
00:32:38.320 --> 00:32:56.399
>> Yes. >> Mr. Dphano. >> Yes. >> Excuse me. >> Oh, yes. >> I need to abstain on number 92. >> Uh, Mrs. Fallon. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Terrell. >> Uh, yes to 90 and 91 and action for 92.

115
00:32:56.399 --> 00:33:11.360
>> Okay. Mr. Poa, >> yes. >> Mrs. Skoola, >> yes. >> And Mr. Lions, >> yes. Motion carried. That takes us to the end of our published agenda and the addendum. This is the second of two opportunities for the public. If anyone wishes to be heard, come on up to the

116
00:33:11.360 --> 00:33:29.279
microphone and give us your your name and address. And all right, Mrs. Leonard. >> Hi, uh, Tammy Leonard. Uh, I just want to take a moment to thank President Lions, all the members of the board of education, and Mr. Ramsey. I am deeply

117
00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:46.159
honored by your confidence in appointing me to the dual role of assistant superintendent and principal of the early childhood education center. After 12 years in this district, I can say without hesitation that Hamilton is a truly special place to serve, and the

118
00:33:46.159 --> 00:34:02.720
people are what make it so. I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated and talented educators, staff members, administrators anywhere, and I'm grateful every day for their commitment to our students. I'm especially excited

119
00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:17.520
for the opportunity this new role brings, the chance to work directly with our youngest learners in preK through first grade. These are the years when students curiosity is sparked, confidence is built, and a lifelong love of learning

120
00:34:17.520 --> 00:34:34.399
begins. Partnering with the remarkable team at the Early Childhood Education Center to shape those first experiences is both a privilege and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. To the board, thank you for your trust, your vision, and your continued support

121
00:34:34.399 --> 00:34:53.520
of our children in our schools. I look forward to the work ahead and to continuing to serve the Hamilton community. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Mr. Koya first. >> Second. >> Mrs. Bernardo. Second. All in favor?

122
00:34:53.520 --> 00:35:06.440
>> I. >> We're journ. Thank you everybody. >> Yes. Oh, just in case anybody wants to know what I was

