Uh motion to go into regular public meeting 7:00. >> Motion. >> Roll call, please. >> Vote and we have Mr. Ploose. Uh do we have a second? >> Second. Sorry. >> Can I try? That's okay. >> Okay. Roll call, please.
>> Uh Ms. Angel. >> Yes. >> Ms. Scott. >> Yes. >> Ms. Nicholson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ploose. >> Yes. >> Mr. Uh Ms. Bone. >> Yes. >> Uh Dr. Vega. >> Yes. Meeting regulations. During each regular
meeting, two opportunities are provided for citizens to ask questions and to make comment. During the first opportunity early on the agenda, the meeting is open to the public for the purpose of addressing items listed for approval on this agenda only. The second opportunity occurs just
prior to adjournment when citizens may address any subject matter that is pertinent to and/or directly related to the operation of the school district. Persons Persons wishing to speak must, upon being recognized, rise, state their name, address the subject matter.
Comments and questions shall shall be addressed to the Board President or presiding officer and shall be limited to 5 minutes per person. The Board may or may not respond to issues raised by members of the public at the time they are raised. But, we'll provide a response if and
when appropriate. The Board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Please note that the Board will not respond to comments regarding students or Board employees in light of privacy rights held by those individuals. Moreover, the
Board discourages comments about such individuals and will not be responsible for such comments. Members of the public who choose to speak during this public session should carefully consider their comments since they could be held personally liable for any statements they make.
Finally, please note that in accordance with the district policy, the Board will not officially comment or respond to any matter mentioned unless it can confirm that the matter has first been brought to the attention of the appropriate school personnel in an attempt to resolve the issue.
Publicly heard agenda items only. Approval of minutes. June 9th, 2026 regular meeting. Public and private. >> Motion. >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Goff? >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> [clears throat] >> Moulton? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Flu? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Boone? >> Yes. >> Dr. Vega? >> Yes. >> Mr. Clavijo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Arentrout? >> Yes. >> Correspondents, reports, superintendent reports. >> Good evening everyone. As we conclude another successful school year, I'd like
to begin by recognizing two very special milestones that took place last week. We held two outstanding graduation ceremonies, my first as superintendent of Hawthorne Public Schools. We congratulate our eighth grade graduates as they transition to Hawthorne High School and wish them continued success in their years ahead. To our graduating
seniors, we are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and we wish you the very best in all your future endeavors. Looking ahead to the summer, leadership camp for our incoming sixth grade students is scheduled for the week of August 10th through the 14th at LMS. Leadership camp is a one-week, 30-hour
program designed to help students successfully transition to middle school. The program is staffed by our members of Hawthorne a police department in partnership with Lincoln Middle School personnel. Through team-building activities, leadership development experiences, and school orientation opportunities, students become more
familiar with the LMS environment while building important skills and relationships before the start of the school year. Families interested in learning more may contact Sergeant DeLallo at adelallo@hawthornepdnj.org. Tomorrow, parents of our rising fifth grade students will receive information
regarding an exciting new opportunity being offered through the Hawthorne Public Schools music program. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, interested fourth grade students will have the opportunity to participate in an introductory instrumental music lesson prior to entering the fifth grade band
program. These optional lessons will be held before school, 8:05 to 8:40, and are designed to provide students with foundational musical skills and exposure to instrumental instruction. From September through January, students will have the opportunity to learn flute,
clarinet, and saxophone. From February through June, instruction will focus on trumpet, trombone, and percussion. Students will receive approximately one lesson per week based on enrollment and scheduling. At this time, the district is collecting interest information from families with
additional details regarding scheduling, transportation, instrument rentals or purchases, and program expectations to be shared in the future. As we close out the school year, I would once again like to thank our incredible staff for their dedication, commitment, and hard work on behalf of our students.
I also want to thank our parents and families for their continued partnership and support throughout the year. Finally, thank you to the Board of Education for your leadership and commitment to providing opportunities to all students. Together, we've accomplished a great deal this year, and I look forward to building on that success in the year ahead. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh committee and liaison number four >> [clears throat] >> This month, the committees did not meet. However, Miss Aaron Trout does have a committee report for council liaison. >> Thank you, Vice President Malki Colson. >> You're welcome.
>> Uh a few things regarding um the council and the town. Uh just a reminder, the Hawthorne Farmers Market started. It's on Sundays from 10:00 to 1:30 at the library. Also, the summer concerts will be
beginning Saturday, July 11th at the bandshell behind the pool. And lastly, the Hawthorne Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary fundraiser to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation. They're
selling American flags. The money goes to the fire department. It's a great cause for our volunteers, and orders are due this Thursday. So, if you reach out to um the Hawthorne Ladies Auxiliary or any of the fire departments. They can get
you that information and the pick up for the flags is on Saturday. >> Just a little bit about the town. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh curriculum and instruction, Mrs. Goff. >> Thank you, Vice President.
On behalf of the committee, uh pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the committee on curriculum and instruction recommend following resolutions, CI1 and CI2 on page four. I can't see. CI3 through CI7 on page five. On behalf
of the committee, I so move. >> Second. >> Mhm. >> Go ahead. >> Go ahead. >> I like this. Any discussion on those items? >> I >> Yes, Mrs. Goff. >> Um Mr. Minion Yes. I know that
the state often does things says things and then does the opposite. I I was under the impression that remote instruction was not allowed, but they're still requiring us to produce a remote instruction plan. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Correct. >> I just wanted to make sure.
>> We're required to have the plan in place, which is each year it's basically the same plan that we have from the prior year, but in the case that something significant were to occur and we had to drop into remote instruction, the plan is set. >> Okay.
Um yes, and I also I was just trying to look it up in the past to see if I could figure it out on my own, but for CI4, the Bear Cave tuition, >> Yes. >> that is a significant increase. >> No, we raised it slightly last year and
it's directly related to the services and the staff that are within the Bear Cave. Um and then in comparison to what other districts are charging for their 18 to 21 programs, I would say it's very reasonable. >> Okay. We did change it last year, right? Like didn't we approve it? Correct me if I'm
wrong. >> change it >> We did. >> to lower it to be more >> Um >> We we increased >> people in? >> We increased the uh tuition because the tuition was low. So this is an additional tuition. Right now we only have one tuition student
>> Right. >> for this year. Um which the district that we're receiving in from will be charged that for next year. >> Okay. Do we have anybody else so far? Like enrollment-wise? >> We're we're projecting that we already have from in-district and the one
out-of-district student that we're going to have anywhere from six to eight students, which is a pretty significant amount. >> Yes. Okay, great. Thank you. Any other uh >> Do I do I have a question about the students in the now? If if the the tuition that we're charging for the
Bear Cave um had Do we know what that looks like in relationship to other similar programs? >> Yeah. So in the past we were very very low. And then last year we approved to increase it. I I don't know off the top of my
head. I want to say about $78,000. But in looking at what other programs are charging, the move to move it to 103 is not the highest, not the lowest, but I would say it's close to being right in the middle. >> So then so then that implies that a
market study was done to see where we fit. Would it be Would it be possible to share that with us? >> Sure. Yeah. >> The finance committee did request that at some point that I'm glad to know that one was done. >> Yep. >> But we would appreciate seeing the uh the findings. >> And and what Ms. Vacali does is she
looks at the cost of providing the service, which is the employees and resources at Bear Cave. But I can definitely uh give that to the board. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So, we're we were just looking back I don't know if this is correct, so
maybe we could look into it, but it seems like we doubled the cost from last year. >> So, >> Is that possible? >> As I said before, with the increase in numbers of students, which potentially and I will look into this further,
>> Okay. >> potentially means that we have to have additional paraprofessionals or support staff there. That would be It's not a number that we just based upon like in comparison to other districts. It's doing a study of what the cost is to provide the service to
>> For their For their IEP specific needs? >> Right. >> So, if a child needs a one-on-one or something else, obviously it's going to change, which is kind of to put a one price per >> On an annual basis, we should be analyzing the needs of our students, the number of students, and what it's going
to cost us to provide them the level of service that we provide. >> I mean, it makes sense. It's just quite different. Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Anybody else? Okay. So, roll call. >> Ms. Monkey Colson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Blues.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Bone. >> Uh yes, but I recuse myself from CI3 and CI7. >> You mean abstain? >> I think I'm supposed to recuse. I know it's not a choice, but that's what I >> but I can add it. >> CI3 and CI7, correct? All right, thank
you. Um Dr. Vega. >> Yes. >> Mr. Clavijo. >> Yes. >> Ms. Arentrout. >> Yes. >> Ms. Goff. >> Yes. Okay, personnel, Mrs. Arentrout. Thank you. The following resolutions are
pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. P1 through P9 on page six, P10 through P18 on page seven, P19 through P29 on page eight, which
continues on to page nine, and then P30 and 30 P31 on page nine. On behalf of the committee, I so move. >> Second. >> Discussion? >> I have my usual comment, but there are there
are many new hires on here, so we'd just like to welcome all of them to our district. We look forward to joining us for the school year. >> Thank you, Mrs. Arentrout. Anyone else? Okay. Uh roll call?
>> Mr. Peluso? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stone? >> Yes. >> Dr. Vega? >> Yes. >> Mr. Clavijo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Arentrout? >> Yes. >> Ms. Gaul? >> Yes. >> Ms. Monkey Colson? >> Yes. >> Finance and administration, Mr. Clavijo.
>> Thank you, Madam Vice President. We have a couple of donations. They are listed on page nine. Uh first donation, A, acceptance of a donation of miscellaneous supplies in support of the Bear Cave program valued at $7,500 from Robert and Cheryl
Pasquale. B, acceptance of a donation of $1,000 towards gift cards and prizes for the PBIS rewards program at LMS from the LMS PTO. C, acceptance of a donation of $9,126.35
towards the LMS sixth and seventh grade field trips from the LMS PTO. D, acceptance of a donation of $1,500 to towards the LMS seventh grade field trip project soar from the Municipal Alliance of Hawthorne
and E, acceptance of $4,920 towards LMS eighth grade dues for $30 per student from the LMS PTO. Thank you to all the generous donations and donors including Pascuales, uh the LMS PTO,
and uh the Municipal Alliance Borough of Hawthorne. Action items pursuant to the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools, the Committee on Finance and Administration recommends the following resolutions. On page 10, F1 through F4,
and on page 11, A1. On behalf of the Committee, I so move. >> Second. >> Seconded, Mr. Peluso. >> Discussion? Mrs. Goff? >> I would also like to thank the donors. I mean, it's unbelievable that so many
people in the community are willing to to help us out. PTOs especially. This is a little $15,000 from Lincoln Middle School PTO. Um what a great idea to help pay dues. Just a really great idea. Um and a little bit goes a long way. That's just exceptional. And to the
Pascuales, um thank you. >> [clears throat] >> I agree. >> Second. >> Second. >> That is a great idea. And they work really hard. All of our PTOs work so hard. Um so, thank you.
>> Okay. Well, anybody else? Sorry. Roll call. >> Mrs. Boone? >> Yes. >> Dr. Vega? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cubillo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Arentrout? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Goff? >> Yes. >> Ms. Smokey Colton? >> Yes. >> Mr. Peluso?
>> Yes. >> Okay. Please, Mrs. >> In accordance with NJAC 6A:23 to two, colon 11B:C3
and C4, It is recommended that the board approve the bill list for the month of June 2026. >> Second. >> Seconded by Mr. Clavijo. Discussion? And roll call, please. >> Dr. Vega? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Clavijo? >> Yes. >> Ms. Arentrout? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Goff? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mulkey-Colson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Peluso? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bowman? >> Yes. >> Okay, buildings and grounds, Dr. Vega.
>> Thank you, Madam Vice President. Pursuant to the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Committee on Buildings and Grounds recommend the following resolution, BG1 on page 11. On behalf of the committee, I so move. >> Second.
>> Seconded by Mrs. Arentrout. Discussion? And you're ready, roll call, please. >> Um Mr. Clavijo? Yes. Ms. Arentrout? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Goff? >> Yes. >> Ms. Mulkey-Colson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Peluso? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bowman? >> Yes. >> Dr. Vega? >> Yes.
>> Okay. Publicly heard. At this time, members of the public may ask questions or make comments on educational issues or school matters. General comments and questions. Oh, just kidding, that's up. I don't know why I never
Okay, general comments and questions from the board related to the school district. New business, old business. We'll start with Mr. Peluso. >> Um I just want to wish everybody a happy and safe summer.
Congratulations on graduating another class. Um I think everyone here who did speeches did a great job. And uh I'm proud to be part of this board. Enjoy your summer. >> Thank you, Mr. Bruce. Mrs. Eichel trout. >> Yes, congratulations to our graduates
including Mr. Minelli's Minelli's daughter who graduated eighth grade not from Hawthorne but last week as well. >> [clears throat] >> I hope everyone has a great summer and best of luck to our one high school student who was off to the Marine Corps.
He actually left he yesterday. I know yeah, so best of luck to him and that's Thank you, Mrs. Grove. >> I would like to congratulate all of our graduates. The majority of all of us up here attended the graduation both middle
school and high school. It is a hands down my favorite part of the job. It reinvigorates me. Just to see the hope and the potential. Not sure if any of you if you still have the program from the high school looked at the universities and colleges that
the students got into. They're exceptional. We have some really exceptional students. >> [clears throat] >> And that that just always pushes me to to come back up here and make sure that every student has everything that they need to to move forward.
Thank you to Randy for going into the service. I get choked up every single time we have a student who does that and it's such a selfless act. But it has been a great year, Mr. Minelli. Congratulations on surviving your first year. Um
as Mr. Bruce said and it's a pleasure to sit alongside of all of you up here and and do what we do. Have a nice summer. >> Thank you, Mrs. Grove. Mr. Coliba. >> Oh, I can go first. Go. >> Sure.
>> I also want to say congratulations to all the graduates and I want to thank the staff and everyone so much. Not even just eighth grade and high school, but my daughter just graduated fifth grade and the amount of thought
that went into it by the school community was just beautiful. So, thank you so much for all of that and I hope everybody has a wonderful summer. >> Um, I I echo everything that has been said by my fellow board members. I hope
everyone has a happy and safe summer and rest up. We will see you all in September. >> Likewise, want to thank all the PTOs, Project Graduation for all the work that's gone into the year. My fellow board members, it's been, you know, a handful of a year.
I want to thank our summer employees, our staff. There's a lot that happens over the summer in the school system. Um, you know, before prior to being on the board, you know, you think that summer is uh, the buildings are empty and there's not much happening, but actually there's there's quite a work that goes on. So, I want to want to
thank them for that. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Mr. Curiello. Um, I think everyone has said everything I was going to say. Um, I wanted to congratulate all of our graduates, LMS and high school. I got to um,
handshake our high school students and hand them I call it shake and bake, shake and take. Um, but I don't that feeling, I left there and I couldn't even sleep. The feeling of I don't know, it brought me back maybe in college like I was we were Jen and I
were just there, I feel like not too long ago in that position, but some of them were nervous and some of them were so excited and some were jumping up and down out of their seats, but to be able to hand them that diploma and say congratulations, I don't want to cry, but I say it was
like other than my children, it was one of the top experiences of my life. I didn't realize how much I would get out of that experience. Um but I am so grateful to be on this board and to be able to do
that and I think it does mean it helps to have those moments because it's been such a rough year um for all of us. So to be able to sit there and watch them graduate and we were all smiling ear to ear the whole time. It was perfect night, [clears throat] it beautiful weather.
Like we weren't dripping in sweat like we usually are. It didn't rain. Like it was everything just came together and it made it really us realize why we're doing this. It's not for the pay. We joke around about that, right? But that's really it's really for those moments. Whether it's a fifth grade
graduation, a preschool graduation, um eighth grade graduation, Bear Cave like it just I don't know. Those moving up ceremony, they're just so special. The clap outs, all of it. So um thank you to the community. I love this town.
And um you saw it you saw it this week at those graduation ceremonies and all the support. So I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy summer. And thank you to our superintendent for getting us through this year, first year. >> Thank you. It's pretty awesome.
>> Thank you. Okay. Um motion to go into private session. >> Motion. >> Not doing that. >> We're not doing that. >> Motion to close public session. >> Second. >> All right. Motion by >> Alex.
>> And seconded by Mr. Palouse. >> Roll call, please. >> Ms. Goff. >> Yes. >> Ms. Smokey Calton. >> Yes. >> Mr. Palouse. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bowen. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vega. >> Yes. >> Mr. Clavijo. >> Yes. >> Ms. Arambula. >> Yes. >> Thank you, everyone. Have a great night.
>> Mhm.