Meeting regulations. During each regular meeting, two opportunities are provided for citizens to ask questions and make comments. 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 adjourment when citizens may address any subject matter that is pert to andor directly related to the operation of the school district. Persons wishing to speak must upon being recognized rise, state their name, address, and subject matter. Comments
and questions shall be addressed to the board president or presiding officer and shall be limited to five 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 will provide a response if and when appropriate. The board asks that members
of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of the other individual 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 the 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 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 and attempt to resolve the issue. Public be heard.
Agenda items only move on to approval of the minutes January 20, 2026 regular meeting public and private. >> Motion >> motion by Mr. Mr. Cleo second. >> Second is by Mr. Carr. Discussion.
Roll call, please. >> Mrs. B. >> Yes. >> Miss Multiclson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Paloo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bone. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vega. >> Yes. >> Mr. Carr. >> Yes. >> Mr.
>> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Correspondence. >> No correspondence. Moving on. Reports. Uh, our council representative is not here tonight, but we'll move on to our super chest report.
>> Good evening. It's hard to believe that we're already in February. At this point, we're more than halfway through the school year, well into the work of this year, and also actively preparing for next school year. This is a critical time where we continue to support strong instruction in our classroom and student
growth while also planning for next school year to ensure a smooth and successful transition. I'd like to take a few moments to highlight several important updates and celebrations across our district. Kindergarten registration for September 2026 remains open. Registration information is
available on our district website and has been shared through our announcements. As a reminder, the process begins remotely by visiting the website and uploading the appropriate documents. Once that step is completed, additional information will be provided to families.
February is Black History Month, and across the district, our schools are incorporating meaningful activities and lessons that recognize and celebrate the contributions, history, and achievement of black Americans. I want to thank our staff for the thoughtful ways they bring this learning to life. Looking ahead, we
will soon celebrate ReadAcross America in early March. Schools will continue to share information through weekly announcements, and we encourage families to stay connected. I always look forward to this time of year. I'm looking forward to my first opportunity to visit our elementary schools to read to our
students. Earlier this month, we also recognized National School Counseling Week. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our school counselors for their incredible work they do each day. Their support, guidance, and encouragement play a vital role in our
students academic success and overall well-being. Would also like to recognize Dr. Feifer to for her leadership for our counseling department. For our families of current fifth grade students, please be sure to mark your calendars for Hawthorne Police
Department leadership camp, which will take place August 10th through August 15th at Lincoln Middle School. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to build leadership skills while working closely with our local police department and school staff. Registration for that
starts on March 1st. We're also excited for Hawthorne's second annual multicultural night on February 25th at Hawthorne High School. This year's theme, strong roots, many branches, one Hawthorne, truly reflects the strength and diversity of our
community. Our schools have already begun showcasing this theme through bullets and boards featuring the many countries and cultures represented in our district. We encourage families to participate and join us for what will be a meaningful and celebratory evening. In athletics, our winter sports season is
beginning to wind down with several teams celebrating senior nights over the last couple weeks. We commend all of our student athletes for your dedication and sportsmanship throughout the season. We also look forward to continued competition as teams finish out their schedules and participate in postseason
play. Our clubs and extracurricular activities continue to thrive despite the cold weather. Students in our studio art honors class have begun work on a new mural at the high school, continuing our value tradition. We also celebrate Faith Martinez who recently performed at
Carnegie Hall, an outstanding accomplishment. In the upcoming weeks, students will participate in a variety of enriching experiences, including multicultural night, club sponsored events, and educational trips such as visits to Ellis Island and Metlife Stadium. And
finally, the big reason that we're here tonight is to recognize the 30th annual Paya County Poster Contest. This longstanding event celebrates student creativity and artistic expression across the country. We are incredibly proud of the Hawthorne students who were
recognized and honored this year. Their work reflects both talent and dedication and it's a testament to the support and guidance provided by their teachers. At this time, I'd like to invite Mr. Pisaka to come forward and to announce our student winners and recognize the
teachers who helped make these achievements possible. Mr. P. wasn't where to go. Um, as Mr. Minionelli said, State County Post been going on for over 30 years. I've been here, this is my uh 13th year
here at Roosevelt School and um, every year our our students are recognized. Um, >> no, I'm I think I'm good. Um, so you know, again, you know, we have a history of being recognized. Uh, I know
Washington in my time has had a first place finisher. Jefferson has had a first place finisher, but this year Sarah finally got us over the edge. So now all three schools have first Sarah. We've also have some other students we're going to recognize as well. Um, I do want to thank Mrs. Colob
and Mrs. Haskup, our teachers. uh who um and we did have a ceremony at the state county safety um academy recently where our students were recognized uh with all of the over 1,000 entries um
that were uh submitted to the contest. But I do want to take some time at tonight's meeting to call you up and give you another special honor because um we actually received a citation from our state senator Kristen Curado uh
addressed specifically to these students. So I'm going to read it to you. Um it says, "Dear author board of education, as your elected representative in New in the New Jersey state legislature, I would like to congratulate you and your students, Sarah Durash, Esmeralda Franceski, John
Talentino Jr., and meal a day on their success in being recognized at the state county poster calendar contest ceremony. Their commitment and dedication to excellence have been shown through their beautiful artwork. I have enclosed citations on behalf of the 40th legislative district for these impressive students who received honors
at the state county poster calendar contest award ceremony. I wish you and all your students the best of luck in your future endeavors. Here's the important part. If I can ever be of any assistance to you, please feel free to contact me. So you four kids now have a state senator and owe you a favor. Very
nice. Um so at this time I would just like to force students to come on up and get their citation from Senator Curado. So uh this is a day come on up. Mrs. Polo, why don't you guys come up real quick and take a picture with
you guys over this way? >> We'll give you some more space. >> Smush together. Everybody smush it. >> Excellent. Look at me. And for the Hawthorne Board of Education, we have posters if you want
to put one up in your kitchen. Don't take too. >> Thanks again for coming out. >> So, we're going to take a two-minute break. You're welcome to sing for our annual audit presentation if you'd like, but if you want, if you want to take pictures, you're welcome to. If you want
to leave, you're welcome to do that also. But thank you to the families that came out tonight. And once again, congratulations to our amazing students. All right everybody at this time we have our presentation of our 2024 2025 audit
provided by Mr. of subly and >> uh good evening. Uh first I'd like to thank uh Sandy Mel staff at the uh district is quite helpful. It's difficult doing an audit but we're doing an audit when neither one of them were in charge for the year we're auditing was very difficult. So we appreciate all
the help they gave us. Uh you have two reports tonight for consideration. Uh the first the larger report is your annual comprehensive financial report. That's basically for your order report. In there is your financial statements, your notes of your finance statements and all the schedules. the state wants
in there. Um, as we do our apply our procedures, we have three opinions in this report. Uh, the first opinion I like to talk about is the financial opinion. Uh, that's where we say whether your finan material mistaken and fairly stated. Uh, you have a modified or
unmodified opinion. Uh, this year we did have one modification for the opinion. Uh, it dealt with your competent absence absence liability. There was a new accounting standard this past year which made the calculation more complex and how you calculate what the liability is. Uh we were not provided the information
for that. Uh so there is that qualification. Now this doesn't really affect your your your financial well-being. It's more two schedules in the order report that are required by the state where it uses long-term liabilities. Your books are not kept on that accounting method. Your
budget's not kept on that. It has no bearing on your on your fund balance or how you budget or your day-to-day operations. It's just a schedule that the county gods want in the order report. And since we didn't have that, we didn't have that liability, we had a qualification for that. But it's strictly a compliance issue. Uh and does
not affect your bottom line at all. Uh like I said, every every other part of your financial statements were considered unmodified. Uh so we had no issues with that. The second opinion in your order is your single order opinions. That's when you if a district spends more than $750,000 of either
federal or state funds, you have to have a separate federal single audit or a state single done. Uh the district had both a federal and state sing this past year and uh we had no issues with either one of those. Everything was in compliance. So a clean opinion on that. And the last opinion uh we'll talk about is the government auditing standards
opinion that deals with your internal patrols and your compliance with all the rules and regulations that the state puts on your district. And if we have any findings or recommendations, we would have those in your orders manage report this morning with two reports. And this past year, we did have a number of findings recommendations that I just want to read and go over. If you have
questions, you can feel free to feel free to ask. Uh the first finding deals with your uh with your payroll accounts and it reads an analysis of the balance on deposit in the salary payroll agency accounts was not maintained in the timely manner. Uh you have a debt payroll bank account.
You also have a payroll agency account. That's where your funds go for your federal taxes, your state taxes, paying your pensions, and then also your net payroll is where you pay your pay your employees at. Whenever there's a balance in there, you should have an analysis of what makes up that balance. This past year, there was no analysis of that
balance. So therefore, there's a bonding recommendation that you should have an analysis of the balance. That way, you'd be able to tell, have you overpaid those federal taxes? Have you underpaid the state taxes? It kind of tracks how your pension is being paid. And without that analysis, you you can't really tell that. So that was a finding of
recommendation. Uh second finding uh is that your the district did not update goes back to my original qualification of my opinion. The district did not update it compensated absence valuation to comply with the recognition and measurement requirements of Gazby 101. And the recommendation is
that the district update it compensated absence valuation to comply with rec recognition and measurement requirements of GA 101. Once again, your compensate absence balance. That's where you're paying out your your employees for sake of vacation. There's a new accounting standard that came forth uh that supposed to be calculated that wasn't
done. So you can make sure we have that for next year. Uh the next finding uh reads our audit revealed instance of missing journal entries which resulted in several inaccurate account balances. During the year you have certain things go on during the year where the state withholds money from you and you have to
make certain journal entries to account for that. The previous business administrator for whatever reason did make some of those entries. Uh so eventually we had to adjust it. Sandy had to adjust the records and those were eventually based on your finance statements are properly stated but for whatever reason you know previous business administrator was not here to
ask but she did make several of those journal entries. Uh the next line deals with your bank reconiliations. Uh we know that monthly back reconciliations were not maintained in a timely manner and contain reconciling items due between bank accounts that were not cleared in the
following month. uh you have bank reconciliations should be done every month right after right after the month's over. Uh there was a delay in getting those bank reconciliations done. Why? We don't know because like I said before previous administrator were no longer here. Uh but the whole control of
doing a bank reconciliation is to do it timely. You have to do it as soon as soon as the month's out. That way if there's any issues you would catch it immediately. Doing a bank reconciliation three months after the fact is not the control you want to have in place. You want to have that done right after the month is out. And that was not done. It
was eventually done uh after after you was out with uh Sandy and uh uh the treasurer. Um but once again the whole control to do that in a timely manner. That way you'll catch things early on. Um the next finding uh deals with your
federal state grants. We know that there was no reconciliation between what was reported on the district's accounting record for federal grant expenditures and what was drawn down for reimbursement on the state of New Jersey Department of Education Office of Grant Management E-wing system. Uh you guys get a lot of federal grants and as you
spend that money, you're supposed to draw that money down from the from the state of New Jersey through the federal government. There is no analysis as to what you spent compared to what you drew down. And unless you have that analysis, you're never going to know whether you drew everything down. Now you guys had draw downs and everything seemed like it
was okay but there should be a detailed analysis to be able to reconcile those numbers back as we we spent X we drew down why those should obviously reconcile and that was not being gained and that was a repeat finding from previous year also uh the next findings deal with uh your
food service uh first the first finding on your food services we noted that cash receipts for the months of April May and June were were not posted to the tennis system in a timely manner Once again, for whatever reason, when we came in and looked at the records on on your on your accounting system those months, there was no receipts posted to
assist at all. Why? We don't know why. Uh, no, no one here to ask. So, Sandy had to go back in and kind of not recreate it, but had to go back in and post those to the accounting record. I think we came in late September and noticed that. So, it had to be posted back in October. Once again, it's being done after the fact. You want to post
your records in a timely manner. We had no issues with what was posted eventually, but it should be done in the time of that. Uh, and the next finding is our examination of the district's food service fund balance at year end revealed that net cash resources exceeded 3 months average expenditures.
The federal government has a compliance since they give you guys subsidies. They don't want your your cafeteria almost making too much money. They feel that if we're giving you subsidies, you guys should spend that money that they're giving you down and benefit the students. So, there's a certain calculation that that we have to do and
you uh this was over by it was only $3,000, but anytime you're above that calculation, we always have to have a bonding recognition in there. Uh and the last one deals with your capital assets. Uh we noted that the district continues to accumulate cost in
the construction progress account for projects that have substantially been completed. uh you guys had a a referendum uh going on for many many years now and spent a lot of money on that referendum doing various building improvements. That money system kind of accounted for in a construction progress
line as opposed to assigning it to a building at your fixed asset ledger. It's gotten to the point where it's it's over $16 million where you guys have spent money that those monies need to be assigned to to whatever building those improvements were done and that has not been done. So, we're recommending that
you either go in and allocate those or I mentioned to Sandy, maybe do a new count because the district hasn't had a fixed asset count in over 10 years. So, usually the way it works is you'll do a count every once in a while and you'll give them your additions and deletions for for the years as they go by, but
then it'd be a good idea to have another account. Sometimes come in and recount everything again. Uh so that that would be the easiest way probably the most productive way to to fix that find. All right. So that was all the recommendation that I have. Uh any
questions on any of those specifically? >> Um yes, >> a lot of a lot of these uh for example I was trying to take notes but you talk really fast. Sorry. And it's okay.
That's fine. Um So for example, reconciliations monthtomon was one of the things you pointed out something easy I can understand, right? Maybe a little bit better than the absence liability. >> That's a little more complex.
>> Is there a time period this school year that you're looking at where you saw this missing? Was it the entire school year that it didn't happen? >> It was. Is there a certain month that we missed something or >> Yeah, >> eventually you guys get a a report that
you that you approve every every month. But on those reconciliations, there's miscellaneous reconcil between accounts that belong to different accounts. It should have been cleared up every month. So you eventually got reconciliations, but in I believe it was the the payroll of the AT
accounts, they were not correct. So, but so it wasn't I haven't seen that report you're holding. Yeah. And referring to, right? So, I don't know what I don't have anything to refer to. You're not saying like it was done until I don't know June and then it stopped and then
>> uh I don't know the exact timing of each reconciliation but I said when we've been at your end we look for the final reconciliations and that's where the problems were were they the final and they were incorrect and then Sandy had to come in and kind of redo them right
>> uh which once again it's tough when the previous administrators not kind of ask them what the issues were >> um but I said it gets back to the whole you want to do things timely and I preached this saying recently it's you can have a reconciliation but if you're
not actually looking at what's on there it's not really worth a lot >> do you see this in other districts where there's a change in >> unfortunately yes >> okay this is like we've never had a list of things that I can't even write as fast as you it was always or usually one
and it's always that uh cafeteria balance because >> it's hard to you know but >> um >> yeah we whenever there's this much turnover I think saying maybe the 5A in five years here >> and so that kind of >> does things differently
>> well even for superintendent like that changes things as well does our two head people both brand new like I I >> and your payroll clerk was also relatively new also >> unfortunately that's a question for discussion and we and we do see that a lot >> okay
>> so it's not it's not out of the ordinary doesn't make it right but it's not out of the ordinary when you have that kind of turnover Okay. >> To have those recommendations. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And also a lot of the recommendations kind of follow with the course of that kind of situation happening, right? Like
if you had someone that was a long time VA, you probably wouldn't see some of these fines. >> Yeah. And then I should say this, but a lot of times when you have an injured VA >> Yeah. >> there's not as much vested. >> Well, that's that's why I'm asking if
there was a time period for C for these things. >> Yeah. Once again, for for all all flashes, this top last year, but when you have an inter PA, they're I just don't think they're as invested as opposed to when you have someone who's got a full-time career, plan on being here for a while, they're more invested.
So, whenever we see an intermission, >> okay, >> it's worth noting that the interm that we had, she came in in February. So she was actually closing out the previous BA >> who had closed out a previous VA.
>> Sorry. Yes. >> No. Um we do I don't know the current status of our agreement with them but we did um have advocate which is a um >> yeah a cafeteria audit. I don't know how to explain what advocate does. They
oversee our They oversee our contracts for our cafeteria. >> We paid an extra fee under the recommendation of this previous interim VA, okay, >> with Advocate. We paid a fee to them to oversee the cafeteria stuff. And I hear a number of cafeteria recommendations, which makes me not so happy that we had
someone specifically looking at that. >> Well, it's it's it's I don't know what exactly they were looking at. So, they they would be the ones who are keeping your books and posting your receipts. I mean, to me, that's that that comes from the business office. Okay. Um, and like I said, I don't not sure exactly what
they do. Andific resources, you don't really know until the year is out what's going on with it. So, that's kind of a tough one to monitor also. And that's that's that's a bonding recommendation we have in a lot of our districts also. It's been a problem the last couple years more
subsidies. So, it's not out of the ordinary to have that, but I don't know exactly what they're what they're >> and I don't think they began until like May or June. So, yeah. >> Yeah. So your point is well taken Abby, but I don't think they, you know, it kind of it coincided with when with when
Sandy came out on board. >> Okay, >> that's a good point. >> So Mr. Minelli, can we get these in writing? >> Yes. >> All the recommendations normally it's like some years we get the actual >> Yeah. Some years we go paper >> just just got this done. So I think I might as well point this out right
now. It is >> it's in the board folder. I did >> uh we met with the auditor yesterday to receive his findings which the turn around time to create the cap sheet which is in your board folder. We're literally working on it about an hour and a half ago. So I think it speaks to
and to Alex's point the timeline for when the previous BA left. interim BA enters and I was in touch with that the interim BA she was obviously here when I was here and I I will say she was working to make it all work but between
having a new payroll person not having a full understanding of the district I don't point Paul at anybody previous or anybody here tonight it's just the nature of the timeline and the newness of an understanding of what was going on in district what I will say is that many
of the things that we were uh denoted on that were not correct. Sandy has already put systems in place to correct them. And Bill, I think you can speak to that to a certain degree. When we were going through the findings yesterday, Sandy said, "Well, I have this in place now."
And so, I know that's required for you to put that in writing, but we've already come a long way to correct it so that those things aren't going to continue. >> Yeah. And once again, I don't want to throw in people under the bus, but Sy's got a vested interest because she she's going to be here next year. she goes, I'm going to be here with the same
things and she's going to have to answer to those. So, when you have the turnover you've had over the last couple years, well, there's no answer to that. So, uh I I I have full confidence that this will be correct. >> Can I ask a question? >> No, it's not public comment.
>> I just >> um so lastly, when do I know you do this for a lot of boards of districts, when is the when do other boards normally do their audit? Is it February or January or is there a better time period to do it?
>> It's it's whatever whenever you're ready. I said we have we have we do 33 34 board. So we kind of do it whenever whatever board is ready. It was a little bit more difficult this year doing this board just because Sandy was brand new. The payroll clerk was brand new. So it was a little bit more tough pull for her
but like like Matt was saying she was too busy trying to >> run the district have me throwing questions at her. So it definitely took a lot longer. You're not saying when if it's better in January or February, you're saying when they're ready. >> Yeah. When they're ready, we we >> Okay, so
>> that makes sense. I actually have one question. So >> basically, out of all your findings and recommend recommendations, what you're saying is that most if not all of them were based on timeliness. However, once all of those documents and the books were, you know, completed basically
everything reconciled. Thank you. Everything was >> what it had to be. Perfect. So timeliness was the issue. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I thought just you know financially wise uh the district had I would call it a
stable year. Uh you started the year off your operating fund with a fund bounds of uh 10,834,000 and the end of the year with 11132. Now that sounds like a lot of surplus but a lot of that money spoken for. Uh the the parts of that fund balance are
$176,000 are year incumbrances. That's things that you guys have ordered at year end that were spent out in the year you're in right now. Uh the next one would be your excess surplus from your current year. That was $1.1 million. There's a calculation whether you guys are all aware of it where anything above 2% of your surplus the state counts that
as excess surplus that has to be at least that amount has to be used in your fiscal year 27 budget you're working on now. Uh your excess surplus in the prior year was a million59. Uh that was used in the budget you're in right now to help balance that budget. You have a capital reserve of 3,170. You
have a maintenance reserve of 2,182. You have an unemployment reserve of 174. Your unassigned fund balance, that's your 2% number is uh 2,178. And then your final piece is your assigned uh fund balance 1 mill9. That helped balance the budget right now. So
a very a very stable stable year financially for you. >> And I'm not talking. >> Yeah. Any questions for the order? >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Right. Moving on. Leon reports. Um Mr.
Car legislator. Thank you, Mr. President. The comm uh the Senate community and urban affairs committee. He has two measures which directly direct communications for school districts. Bill S807 sharing pilot revenue with schools and bill S1370
which schools and childcare centers. The sharing pilot revenue with school districts is uh to ensure all school districts benefit when municipalities approve redevelopment projects using payment and tax agreements which otherwise bypass traditional property tax distributions to schools.
Municipal municipalities must share pilot revenue with school districts unless an alternative agreement is reached. There are two options. Direct payments to districts uh through residential projects based on the number of school age children living in development times the state per pupil funding amount is
one. Uh non-residential or mixed use projects 5% of the pilot revenue or equivalent in kind value and funds divided among the districts proportionately if more than one serves the municipality. Uh special project agreements which is the alternative. Instead of cash payments, parties may agree to provide
school related benefits such as capital improvements. facilities or infrastructure support educational programs or services and the superintendent leads negotiations on behalf of board of education tax letter requirement which would be an amendment if the district receives cash pilot revenue. The funds must be used to
reduce the property tax levy payment is deducted from the district's allowable levy under 2% cap and special project agreements are exempt from this requirement. Some of the uh some impacts on the districts would be a new revenue stream for redevelopment, former role in
pilot negotiations, and a potential for target school improvements via special projects. Some of the concerns the NJSBA has have on this is that reduces the ability to address enrollment growth for new housing, long-term structural funding gaps for pilot pilots expire,
and limits on future revenue due to levy cap adjustments. Bill S70 which is mercury free flooring requirements. Purpose of this is to protect students and staff from exposure to mercury vapor from certain legacy materials. Some of the provisions would be new construction renovations and
construction permit issued only if the flooring materials are certified mercury free and the existing flooring protocol would be if flooring may contain mercury districts might certify flooring certified flooring is mercury free. Conduct air quality testing implement mitigation measures if levels are unsafe
such as hback adjustments or ventilation improvements. Retest air quality remove flooring if hazards persist. Some of the requirements for removal being removal must occur within six months and final air quality assessment. One six-month extension allowed for extended circumstances. Disposal must
comply with environmental regulations and some of the impacts of the district benefits will be clear safety standards. Flexibility mitigate rather than automatic flooring alignment with NJ Department of Health guidance. Potential cost savings versus replacement. The considerations possible capital cost is
required. Need for environmental testing during projects and project planning timelines effect. Both bills were approved by the committee community and urban affairs committee and may advance further legislative process continued monitoring.
That's thank you administration. Thank you Mr. President. The committee met in person last week. The bulk of the uh discussion revolved around the uh developing of the budget. Uh the committee scheduled to meet uh
once again this Thursday to uh discuss the budget development. Um the cave rent was discussed. A landlord has offered a three-year lease extension with a 6% increase from
the current annual rate of 64,200 to 68. 400. We also discussed the uh referendum leftover funds and the projects that we're going to be um worked on. Uh for the time being while the budget gets
developed and we figure out where we stand from a financial perspective, those projects are going to be put on hold. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, >> council personel. Miss Aratro. >> Thank you, President Tataro. a few
events that are going on in the community from the mayor's letters and reports. First, the New Jersey League of Municipalities has announced the Lewis Bay second future municipal leader scholarship competition for our
Hawthorne High School uh juniors and seniors and essays are due to the mayor by March 9th. Second, in the community, there's a second round of applications for the hometown heroes banners to honor service
members from the community. Those applications are due at the municipal building by March 6th. Third, the Hawthorne Rotary Club is hosting a taste of Hawthorne at Macalus on Tuesday, March 24th. A nice way to celebrate all
the restaurants and businesses in town. And Lastly, the next council meeting is tomorrow night. And regarding personnel, we did not meet, we have some updates that we'll go through on the agenda. That concludes my reports. >> Thank you.
>> Curriculum administration, Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The CNI committee met on February 10th. Um the first thing we discussed was the 1A um program update. Mr. Minionelli and Dr. Traona um and the supervisor meet
regularly to make that it's moving along that day. They had actually met to um talk about the impact on current schedule. They're estimating with the data that they have uh using a rubric for um entrance into the program. They'll have between 20 to 26 students
in each of the classes. There'll be one section of each. Um those are the four core classes again, English, math, social studies, and science. Uh there is the potential for there to be multiple sections as the program moves on. There
are multiple ways of entry. So if you don't get in for the first year, data is then reconsidered the second year and vice versa. If you are in and you don't meet the criteria, then you will not be in. Uh network will still be an option even for those who don't get into one. Apparently that was a concern that had
come up in one of the parent nights. Um they will be sending a letter home about qual about about your uh entry into the program on August 1st. So that would be before you get your schedule at leadership camp for those incoming uh
sixth grade students. The next topic of discussion is elementary literacy night. So the night will be March 4th. Uh there is a K to2 woodsy sensory theme. 3 to 5 is an escape room theme. They're going
to be run in 30 minute intervals. Students must be accompanied by adults, but the 3 to five group can work independently. on the agenda this evening should have been approval for teachers for coverage. Um the next topic of discussion was the
academic study coordinator. There was someone hired. They started at this time of this meeting. They said about two or three weeks prior. So they're working on uh an actual demonstration of the savings that will receive. the current person gets paid
$150 a day, which is less than the sub coverage that would be needed to cover all of the classes. Excuse me. Additionally, we brought uh we were discussing the high school scholarship program. So, currently it's run so that students
are eligible if they live in Hawthorne and graduate from a high school. Uh we were discussing the criteria for that. Um I did we did ask committee asked for more feedback on the number of students that apply and and the breakdown of how
many of those students are in or out of district students um and also uh we will be discussing further how we award the scholarships. Other districts do panel uh this district does the actual um the the benefactors
select the students themselves. So there there's um some discussion there. We then moved on to discussing redistricting, an ongoing conversation that we're having um this evening. I do believe is the point.
>> Uh it's not on the agenda. It's on the next policy agenda. >> So we will be discussing and and hopefully it will appear on an agenda a policy that was shared. Um it's actually the policy that uses um called assignment of students.
Uh simultaneously we're doing a service from Frontline which which looks at the actual boundaries and the streets and can highlight where students are currently living and how many students in each area. So, it's like a a real time look at where everybody lives in
the district. Uh there is a charge of $8,000 for the base service and then additional fees for each other service. But um Tamer and Mr. Minionelli are working on that uh exploring that option. The polic uh assignment of students basically says
that we will be discussing it in the policy committee but the tenants are that uh the district will assign students to schools uh considering the following special and mandated programs siblings and class size. So those are
the three major tenants for the policy here. Um and then we also discussed hip training which will be next week which was this week. Uh and that is all.
>> Thank you. NJSBA and P PCS SBA is proposal. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So for NJSBA, I have nothing new to report. We have not met. Um so I have no update. For County School Board Association, we had
a meeting um online, a hybrid. Oh, it's actually all Zoom, sorry, virtually. Uh it was on fostering student achievement insights from district leaders. The next meeting um will be the fourth annual
unsung heroes. It is no longer at um it was supposed to be held in after high school. It is now going to be at in West Milford High School. >> Yeah, I know. Um it will be March 25th,
2026. Um, they did post a link to go on to RSVP for board members and superintendent. Um, that needs to be done by March 11th. If you plan on attending, it's on their website. Um,
student nominations need to be in by February 25th. So, I flipped that. That's what 10 less than 10 years. >> We're on that. I appreciate the uh update about RCP. >> Okay.
Um and so that's it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Have CPAC PTO's Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I will start with Roosevelt since we are here. Um
maybe we'll skip that one. And um we'll start with the high school. PTO is meeting tomorrow night, uh the 18th at 7:30 p.m. Um, one thing to keep in mind is is this Saturday the 21st in the high school
cafeteria uh to benefit the class of 2027. It's a a pancake breakfast. It's open to anyone who wants to attend. It's going to be cash only and it's from 9 to 11:00 a.m. again this Saturday. >> I think it's $5. >> It's
>> I think it's five. Oh, I didn't put the email down. Thank you. I think it's $5. Appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Um, and I have uh a lot to kind of mention about Hawthorne CPAC. It's on their
Facebook page. It's Hawthorne NJAC. Um there's several shared um upcoming events that are sponsored by out of district um organizations and um you can get more information there, but I thought there was a few
really good ones. Um dates will be posted on there, but I believe February 25th, which is next Wednesday, there's a um an attorney Paul Prior who will be talking about special need trusts. Um,
also decoding uh dyslexia is on March 21st and uh again more details are on the Facebook page. U there's a a free a free event for inclusive resource fair on
March 3rd. It's um Gigi's Playhouse. Imagine a classroom where everyone is supported, seen, and celebrated. Uh that's the goal of the education um symp on March 7th. And of course um I'm going
to remind you again that the 8th annual 5K color run walk is May 3rd. $200 will be awarded to the Hawthorne School District that has the most registered staff. So please staff get involved if you can. Um and that will me just check
one more time. See if I can pop up my report on Roosevelt. I apologize for that. Here we go. Humdinger's Giveback night is Thursday, February 26th from 6:30 to 9:30. It's $40 per person for an hour of
bowling, unlimited play card for arcade, batting cages, laser maze, slices of pizza, unlimited drinks. Tickets must be purchased in advance um by this Friday, February 20th to ensure accommodations. Again, all this information you can find
on each PTO Facebook page. Now, that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Moving on to buildings, grounds, and policy. Dr. Vega. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Buildings and Grounds Committee um met in person on February 10th. Um a couple of items were
discussed. Some were already um touched upon by uh chairperson Mr. Harold. Um with regards to the referendum projects that we will be focusing on, um we're looking at focusing on the safety of the district.
Um and most of these projects will be taking place or should be taking place sometime in the summer. Um we're looking at standardizing exterior doors throughout the district so all buildings have the same keys to entering. replacing a door in the high school and
adding some swipe entries. Um, we're looking at the visitor management software in all of the schools to make sure that any and all visitors that are coming into our schools are being properly vetted before actually entering. Um, and we're also looking at adding some security upgrades to the
board of educational office. Um, with regards to the barricade, Mr. did mention um that we will be entering into a three-year lease which will allow consistency in the monthly rent with no increases throughout those three years.
Um and then we have and we're looking to update our school safety procedures including our safety protocols and student reunification plans and that should be coming in a couple of months. Um, we also have two
um shout outs that I would like to give. I don't know if this is an appropriate time has to do with buildings and grounds. Um, on Monday, January 29th, it was the Monday right after that snowstorm. Um, I mean, I would like to thank Manny for all of the help that he and his team his team did in making sure
that all of the buildings were diligently cleaned and made sure that the property was safe for all the students to come in. And then um uh the following Monday or two Mondays after we had that really cold weather
and we had some pipes and leaks and LMS and Roosevelt. Um and Manny also was able to manage that very quickly without with little to no disturbance to the school day. So shout out to Manny. Thank you.
>> And then with regards to policy, policy did not meet this. Understood. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for bringing that up. I'm moving on to curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Jo. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent schools of the media
curriculum instruction, recommend the following resolutions. CI1 through CI3 on page five and CI4 on page six. On behalf of the committee, I move second.
>> Second by Mrs. Eric. discussion. >> Uh, Mr. President, I just have a question. >> Sure. >> So, I noticed um on the field trips we're splitting the middle seventh grade um same location, but splitting them in
half. I I'm assuming obviously we don't post dates for a good reason where they're going to be. Um so, I was just curious as to why. That's a first >> that I've seen. They always >> Yeah. And I think in this particular circumstance, it's from the transportation perspective that we have
multiple buses out. So we'd have to outsource which you know the cost of busing if we were to get additional buses. >> Oh, right. Not using a school bus. Yeah. >> Right. Right. Right. So So we're limited in our ability to trans transport kids within using our own resources.
>> So it would require a level of fundraising or cost >> or how how are we splitting them like out of order? Is it I was just curious if they're going to be like with the same cohort or >> like they're friends. They can actually enjoy it. All right. Just I'm curious.
>> Reach out to Mrs. Deborra again. >> Um and then I think that's my only question. Thank you. >> Who else? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Mr. Paloo. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. B. >> Yes. >> Dr. Vega. >> Yes. Mr. Kong, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Miss Arantra, >> yes. >> Mrs. G, >> yes. >> Mr. Tara, >> yes.
>> Moving on to personnel. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions are pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. P1 through P6 on page six. P7 through P19 on page seven.
P20 through P28 on page 8. P29 through P32 on page 9 and P33 on page 10. On behalf of the committee, I move second.
>> Second by Dr. discussion >> question. >> Um P.6 the uh district res registration coordinator that's uh registration for the district that's uh that's not a
districtwide registration that's only for special education in that district. We decide to make any new registrants go through a central process which is >> um Miss Kaiser has a vast history of managing registration and just
standardizing our practices and ensuring the appropriate paperwork was in place. Um that's a new um initiative that we introduced to the board earlier on in the year but we felt like one person handling it rather than multiple across the schools would be a benefit for the
district. So then who's register who's reregistering this year? Who will that be? Who will that apply to? >> So uh kindergarten right the 8 to nine but we've also talked about in curriculum instruction. Uh Miss Goff had
mentioned the idea of potentially moving to a model where we are periodically picking different grades to have people reregister just to ensure that um we have students that live in district that are attending our schools.
Do we continue to yearly have our out of district and special need students reregister? Is that an ongoing practice >> for out of district students? >> Yes. >> Uh that's a good question which I will find out. >> Yes, the answer is yes.
>> Anybody who is has an average tuition is registered including PCI students annually. >> Got documentation every year. >> Awesome. From the PCTI perspective, that's something that we always keep tabs on. I didn't know if you were speaking on the special education. >> It is as well. Anyone who has tuition
aside to that I I know >> it's done. >> Awesome. >> Good. >> And this year I believe it's kindergarten, five into six, 8 into nine, and then obviously the uh district placements, >> but we did talk about potentially a
random third grade. >> Sure. >> 12 just to to keep people on their toes and I know it's Now it's digitized. It's a little bit easier to provide the documentation. >> Awesome. Thank you. By the way, it still seems healthy trying.
>> Yeah. Agreed. >> Any other questions? >> I have a few comments. Um, first I would like to thank the volunteer coaches. There's two on this agenda. Of course, we appreciate anyone who's willing to volunteer their time to help out our
students. Also, welcome to the new hires. I believe there's a few new par professionals that are joining the district and there are several um people who are stepping up as chaperones and and it shows all of the great events and
things that are going on in the district and then also thank you to the to those who are chaperones and participate in those events as well. And then lastly, wanted to comment on all of the students who are doing their field experience
here. I think for I'm not sure, but it looks like there's more math and science and special ed students that are doing their field experience here than usual. Usually, it was more English and social studies. So, it's nice to see the math
and science future teachers and hopefully they have a good experience here. So, Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Dr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Carr.
>> I've recused myself from P30. Yes. And all >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Miss Art. >> Yes. >> Mrs. G. >> Yes. >> Miss Multicolor. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Moving on. Finance administration
Leo. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, finance administration donations. On page 10, we have an acceptance of a donation from Emily Adair of a TMA five drum drum set with bride, crash, high hat, and thrown.
A hammer drum kit, a drum dial position drum tuner, a Remo 10 in practice pad, four pairs, First act 5B drumsticks and a Vic Earth American Classic 5B
drumstick sticks at a total value of $458.82 to the Haw School Music Department. Well, I don't understand what I just read. Thank you for the donation. Action items pursuant to the
recommendation of Superintendent of Schools. The Committee on Finance and Administration recommend the resolutions on page 10 F1 through A1 and page 11 A2 through A4 on behalf of the committee and so
>> second by Mr. Carr discussion roll call please >> Mrs. Phone >> yes >> Dr. Vega >> yes >> Mr. Carr >> yes >> Mr. Yes,
>> Miss Art. >> Yes, >> Mrs. G. >> Yes, Miss Multicol. >> Yes, Mr. >> Is it too late for me to make a comment? I apologize. >> Did you say comment? >> He did. He did. And I didn't speak out quick enough.
>> Um, on A4, I just kind of want to point out something that this is something we're doing uh a little different this year. And um We're we're going to we're going to kind of monitor the situation and um and
just, you know, try to make it as as quick and as reasonable as possible. I just know that the committee discussed a few things um to try to put a cap on it. So, I just wanted to, you know, mention to the rest of the board that um it's something that's going to be ongoing and
monitored um not just open-ended. And I'll now say yes, >> Mr. Yes. >> Claims. Dr. Baker. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um,
I went over the claims for February 2026 in accordance with NJAC 6A 23-21 BC3 C4. Um, approval of the February 2026 bill list. It is recommended that the
board approve the bill list for the month of February 2026. Um, of the board. >> Second second by Mr. Cleo. Discussion. >> Roll call, please. >> Dr. Vega,
>> yes. >> Mr. Carr, >> yes. >> Mr. Clement, >> yes. >> Miss Art, >> yes. >> Mrs. G, >> yes. >> Miss Colson, >> yes. >> Mr. Paloo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Spone, >> yes. >> Mr. Taro,
>> yes. >> Dr. builds and grounds. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Pursuant to the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools, the Committee on Buildings and Grounds recommend the following resolutions. BG1 on page 11
um into page 12, BG2 on page 12 into page 13, BG3 and 4. Um on behalf of the committee I so move >> second by
>> discussion. >> Roll call please. >> Mr. Carr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Art. >> Yes. >> Mrs. G. >> Yes. >> Miss Multicult. >> Yes. >> Mr. Paloo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bone.
>> Yes. >> Dr. Vega. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> All right, Dr. D, you're right back at your policy. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Present to the recommendations of superintendent of policies um of school, sorry. The committee on policy recommends the
following resolution PO1 on page 13. On behalf of the committee, I so >> anybody else for a second Mr. Carr second discussion Roll call, please.
>> Mr. Kho, >> yes. >> Miss Artra, >> yes. >> Mrs. G, >> yes. >> Miss Multicult, >> yes. >> Mr. Paloo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Stone, >> yes. >> Dr. Vega, >> yes. >> Mr. Carr, >> yes.
>> Mr. Petaro, >> yes. >> All right. At this time, public be heard. At this time, members of the public may ask questions or make comments on educational issues or school matters. if you want to. >> Oh, I'm so official.
>> Hi. Am I supposed to say anything? >> Name and your address. >> Alyssa Schlotsburg. I teach at the high school. I do not live here. Okay. Does that work? >> Yes. >> Here's my quick question. I had a question about the cafeteria money. Did
was what he was saying because I married an accountant and I teach English and I don't understand money. >> Did he say we have extra money to spend on the students? >> So no, >> we have extra money but it can only go to >> that's why every
>> No, I don't mean like on the students individual. I mean like food for the students so we could improve the quality. >> No, that's regulated by the >> So what are they supposed to spend the money? >> Exactly. That's kind of the >> conundrum always. >> Okay. That's what I was wondering.
>> My opinion, which I'm not either, you know, involved with the auditing process either. So, it sounded to me like he said we were $3,000 over what we're allowed to have in the account. >> So, we're making his comment was we're making too much profit. So, maybe we can
reduce prices a little bit. >> Prices. That's that's all we can do. >> Got it. But you can only spend cafeteria money on cafeteria products like an oven. >> So not like better quality food for the students. No, >> that's from Ponttonian. That's
>> That was my big question. >> Question. >> Yeah. >> Anybody else from the public heard? >> All right. This time we'll do general comments and questions from the board related to school district. Let's go around comments. New business or old business. Please state which one it is
when we get to you. Starting on my right, >> I have no Thank you, Mr. President. >> Congratulations to the poster winners. >> Uh I do. Wow. I'll be quick. Um so I just wanted to mention I don't I don't think Anthony did. March 20th is um the
middle school's March Madness dance. >> Um hopefully the dance after that we could maybe plan at the high school to have I know we talked about this last month. >> Moving moving. >> Yes. Just one just one just to give them a little taste of the high school and so they can see it and um you know see what
it's about to help them want to go there. Uh junior police academy. I saw we approved those for tonight on the agenda. Um, and that's always really an excellent program for our kids. Um, the
225 is a diversity dance at the high school. Fish and chips on 228. >> I always love to fish and chips. It's so good. I believe it's for the it was for the band. I think it still is. Um, McKenzie Doyle was student of the month, so I wanted to give her a shout out. And
Mr. Doyle. Um, and I believe that's it. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone and we will see you next month. >> Thanks, >> Mr. Joe. >> Um, I don't have a lot. Congratulations
to our poster winner. I will proudly hang this in my office in Ponic and talk about how it's one of our students. Um, there is a basketball game this Saturday at 10 at the high school. There's not a lot of weekend basketball games, so if anybody's available to attend. If not, you can watch it on Huddle. Um, and
that's it. That's it. Um, I was going to mention also about the Fish and Chips Center on February 28th. It's in support of the high school marching band. I don't know if we mentioned that, but so let's support our band if you can. >> So, I will pick you back on that and say
that I apologize because as a band parent, I'm ashamed of myself for not wearing that round. But, uh, Erica, to your point though about some of the events, I try to, um, >> I try to mention ones that are available to the public, um, because sometimes the
rest of the community doesn't need to know where our kids are going to be, but >> like the LMS dance, like I get it, >> right? So, yeah. So, so that one I wouldn't mention, but I would mention the um fish and chips dinner because the outside can come in and help support
>> um, you know, the van. So, thank you for bringing that up. >> That's Mr. President, I missed something. You don't mind? Just wanted to give a shout out to the boys basketball team. I did have an opportunity to go watch him play at Eastside High School. We were in it right up till like, you know, third
quarter, our our second best player got injured, so he didn't have an opportunity to play. And while we while we were the away team, we actually had more fans in attendance than the home school. So, >> thank you. That's it. I'll just piggy back on some of the stuff that was said
earlier in regards to Manny and the buildings and grounds crew. Uh kudos to them. They did a great job. Uh you know, nobody has a magic wand to just wave around when these type of things happen and try to make these problems go away. Uh but they get here early and they they
resolve the problems and allowed our students and staff to get the schools safely and uh in a timely fashion. So, I really appreciate them. I also want to give a shout out to Sandy uh those sitting next to I'm not trying to, you know, butter up too much here, but uh, you know, honestly, for what you've had
to do over the last several months, I think that has not gotten recognized enough. Uh, because taking over from what we just heard from the auditors and having to resolve a lot of those issues while still maintaining the district in your capacity, uh, I think uh, should be
uh, commemorated and and and recognized and, uh, you know, appreciate all that you have done, um, and continue to do. And lastly, uh you know, I won't share the date, but uh you know, it's my last gal pow dance this year. So, you know what? I'm gonna be out of the fifth, you
know, elementary now. So, I'm very happy and proud to be doing that at the end of the month and uh looking forward to doing that. >> That was a Jefferson only. >> It didn't have that. >> It is. Yeah. So, but you know what? >> Very proud of doing it and you know,
last year my last daughter, so it goes by a little too quick. So, So they they've become different. It's sad how they give us >> goes a little too quick, but >> looking forward to it, but a lot of things going on in the district. >> Don't forget leadership camp. >> Well, yeah. And that's right. Yeah.
Right around the corner is leadership camp. That's right. Cannot say enough about that. >> So yes, amazing, >> exciting, >> great things. That being said, uh may I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion to wow. Mr. Blues executive.
>> Yes. discussion. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Yes. >> Mrs. G. >> Yes. >> Miss Multi. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Carr.
>> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Good night everybody.