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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=008S3GCpSW8
Video-2: youtube.com/watch?v=pBRMrvhX1gY

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Thank you for your patience. --------- We were going to just go ahead and begin in just a second. Uh we have a agenda tonight, though. Again, I would like to call this meeting of our Board of Education to order. Would you please join me in the flag salute?

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Pledge allegiance to the flag >> of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Please be seated. And a good evening once again to

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everyone. Let me adjust my glasses just a moment. Pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as follows by having the time, date, and place of the meeting posted on the bulletin board in the administration building, by sending a copy of the

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meeting notice to the Star-Ledger newspaper and the local source, by filing a copy with the Township of Hillside and Hillside Public Library. Roll call. >> Okay, roll call. Ms. Best. >> Present. >> Ms. Agwohiokpe.

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>> Present. >> Mr. Myers not present. Ms. Horton-Givens. >> Present. >> Mr. Okai. >> Here. >> Ms. Parks. >> Here. >> Mr. Shapiro. >> Here. >> VP Hargrave. >> Present. >> And President Dr. Howard.

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>> I am here. Thank you, Mr. McNeal. Do we have any announcements? Okay, we have no announcements. Therefore, we're going to move right into our agenda. Uh there will be a presentation of the audit for the fiscal year ended June

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30th, 2025. Do we have Mr. Schiff prepared or we prepared to Thank you, sir. The floor is yours. Good evening. >> Let's turn it on.

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Better. Uh I'm here to present the fiscal year 25 annual comprehensive financial report and auditors management report. Uh you should have two reports in front of you. The bigger one is your ACFR. That's where all your financial statements are, your notes to your financial statements, and all the various schedules required

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by the state department of education. And the second report is your auditors management report. This is where we have certain things we're supposed to review during our audit and if we have findings or recommendations, you'll have findings or recommendations in the smaller report. Uh that's the report I actually want to talk about first. Uh >> If you would, sir, just speak a little bit louder, please. And if you need to

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pull the microphone up to that system, no worries. >> Better? Okay. So, in the auditors management report, uh we had several findings or recommendations I just want to read into the record. And if you have any questions on them, I'll I'll do my best to answer those. Uh on page two of the auditors

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management report, our first finding uh reads, "In testing of our claims, we noted several purchase orders were processed as confirming orders. This is where goods and services are procured prior to funds being encumbered on the accounting system." And our recommendation is that funds be encumbered prior to procurement of goods and services.

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Uh you're supposed to operate an encumbered accounting system where if somebody wants to order goods or services, they need to put a requisition into the business office to make sure that funds are available uh prior to making the order of the the goods. When we did our testing, we noticed a lot of invoices were prior to uh were were put

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into place prior to those funds being encumbered on the accounting system. That can jeopardize you overspending a budget line item. All right, on page three, uh the next couple ones deal with the payroll. Uh the first finding reads, "An analysis of the balance on deposit in the salary and payroll agency accounts was not

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maintained. In addition, federal and state payroll tax forms were not filed in a timely manner. So, your payroll funds get put into your net payroll account and your payroll agency account, and if you have balances in those accounts, you should have an analysis of who those monies belong to. Uh the district was unable to provide an analysis of what those balances were,

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and then several your uh tax reports for the federal state governments uh were not filed in a timely manner, which resulted in, you know, fines being assessed to the district. Uh the second The next finding with payroll is the required certification, e-cert, of compliance with requirements

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for income tax on compensation of administrators to the New Jersey Department of Treasury was not filed by March 15th, 2025 due date. That's strictly a compliance issue where the state wants somebody in the in the business office to sign off on the fact that all administrators were uh taxed properly.

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No issue with the way the way people were taxed, but the state wants to get this form sent to them by March 15th, and that was not done in the district. Uh the next uh finding deals with uh compensated absences. Uh when reviewing the district's compensated absences records, we noted an employee that had accumulated

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vacation days in excess of the number of days permitted by the employee's contract, and the recommendation reads that the district review policies controls over the recording of accumulated vacation days. Uh the one employee we were looking at uh for the contract had a certain number of days per that liability uh spreadsheet we were given, he had more days available

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to him to to uh that he had accumulated. Uh flipping over to page four, uh we noted several expenditures were misclassified. In addition, several budget lines were over expended. Uh this dealt with uh two different two different reasons why this happened. Uh

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transfers to your from your general fund budget to your capital projects fund are supposed to be charged to a specific line item in the budget. Uh instead, they were charged to a construction line. Once again, nothing, you know, the the funds belonged in the capital projects fund, just where they were charged on the budget was incorrectly done.

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And one other one other issue was in charging of leases, there's a certain line that the the state of New Jersey want you to charge for the for the lease payments. It was charged to the incorrect line, but we moved those payments to the correct line. It's an over expenditure. Uh so once again, it's a one issue the state just wants to make sure you guys are

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following the chart of accounts. Uh the next finding uh deals with the board secretary's records. Uh we noted several reconciling items on the district's bank reconciliations that were not cleared in the following month. Uh each month you guys have a treasurer report that's which is your bank reconciliations. Uh and those were done every month, but

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there was several reconciling items on there that lasted more than 1 month where one fund with the fund maybe the general fund. money I don't know if I got they should be cleared the next month. The reconciliations were done, but nothing was done that is that were quality

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reconciling problems. Uh the next item uh deals with your grants on page five. Uh our audit noticed several prior year prior year open grant balances that have not been cleared or record as of June 30th, 2025. You guys have uh a lot of grants, a lot of federal and state grants. Uh and

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there was no analysis maintained of what made those balances up. If you had a receivable balance where the state owed you money or if you've been over overpaid money, but drew down too much money. There's a balance uh called it uh deferred revenue. There was no analysis of what actually made up those each each one of those balance for each of your grants.

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Uh the next one also on page five at the bottom uh deals with your TPAF reimbursement Our audit noted that the reimbursement and supporting documentation prescribed by the Division of Pensions for TPAF FICA payments uh made by the state on behalf of the school district for those employees whose salaries are identified as being

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paid from federal funds was not remitted to the state prior to the end of the 90-day days after the close of the fiscal year. Uh the state reimburses all all New Jersey school districts for for the employer share of FICA and also contributes pension on your behalf. Uh but if you can get those funds reimbursed in the federal grant,

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you're supposed to give that money back and you're supposed to have this form filled out by Excuse me, 90 days after year end. That was not done. Or the money was paid over to the to the to the state of New Jersey, but it wasn't once again not done in a timely manner. This was after the 90 days. It

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was after 90 days by the time we got the money to them. Uh flipping the page seven, our audit of the district's purchasing revealed that several vendors were paid in excess of the bid threshold without evidence of bidding or contracts being awarded by resolution of the governing governing body. Uh we always review your uh your vendor history to see if

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anybody's being paid higher than the bid threshold. And if we do notice some, we'll we'll test a few and say, "Okay, were they approved by the governing body? Were they approved in the minutes?" Uh and there were several vendors that were paid in excess of that threshold where we did not see any award in the minutes. So, anything over the bid threshold really needs to be Get

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your Get your approval. And flipping the page eight, uh this this finding deals with your student activities. Our examination of the district's student activity funds revealed funds were not always deposited daily. Three number of receipts were not always issued or available for audit. Signed requisition forms were not always available for audit. Invoices were not

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also available for audit. And canceled checks were not always provided by the bank. Uh all you have various student activity accounts for all your schools. It's kind of outside the business office's purview, so they don't they can't really watch over that. Uh but you have a district policy that kind of tells you to have all these controls in place. And we had several issues when we

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were doing our testing that there were you know, the controls were not in place for that. Uh so, that's all I have for the auditor's management report. Does anybody have any specific questions on any of those findings? >> You wouldn't >> Uh Sorry, I have a question on page two

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when it comes to the official bonds, the NJSA 18A:17-26, 17-32. Can you explain a little bit about that specific finding? >> Yeah, so there's there's there's no

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finding for that. That's That's just boilerplate state masters to to list that down in the report. >> Mr. Piro. Nice to see you again. Good afternoon. Thank you. And thank you for the presentation on Monday. Greatly appreciate that. Um in the back of the report, it notes a summary of the findings.

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>> Yes, again. >> Um there's an asterisk affixed to eight of the 10. Can you clarify for the board and for the public what that asterisk represents? >> Yeah, so if there's if there's an asterisk, that means it was a a prior year problem also, so it wasn't corrected in the prior year. We we had

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the same issue in the prior audit. And some of these recommendations actually go back multiple multiple years. Uh so even though there's been a corrective action plan approved every year, it's obviously not been, you know, um put put into place. >> Thank you, sir. And for the full

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understanding of the board and for the public, most of the things that have been identified are either addressed or in the process of being addressed. Am I correct? >> Yes. Yes, so so any any final recommendations, we will have to prepare a corrective action plan for, and you'll approve the corrective action plan. >> Thank you, sir. I just want to make sure

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that's very clear, not only just in full transparency to the board, but also to the public as well. And I do also appreciate your efforts. It's a very forensic and uh detailed report you've given us in terms of our budgetary process. I appreciate that. Any of the board members have any questions or concerns?

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There being none, thank you very much, Mr. Such. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, sir. >> Um just uh Dr. I just have a moment. Just to let everyone in the audience know the the ASFR and the AMR are both on the district's website for public viewing.

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So, yeah, so if you go under the business office link on the website, you'll see a list of links after you scroll through the staff, and then you'll see a link to those documents. So, I just wanted to let you know that if anybody wanted to

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look at any of those documents um in their spare time in more detail. >> Thank you, Mr. McNew. This time we'll have our superintendent's report, Dr. Perez. >> Good evening or good happy early afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for coming.

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Uh this will be the uh last superintendent's report of our school year. So, I wanted to make it a little bit memorable. I thank all of you who are here, and uh we're going to get this uh on the road. So, oh. So, I'm not going to mention all the

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highlights that we have. There's so many that we have from one month to the um next, and I always I always end up feeling bad because I think I left somebody out. I also want to make sure that I'm uh cognizant not only of everyone's efforts, but also community's time. I think we also have our student

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representative who highlights a lot of the highlights that we end up mentioning in our So, um in the past month, sorry. What's on my mind here?

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So, earlier this month we held we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the high school, and this was as a result of the Sustainable Grant that we received from um New Jersey Well, it's it's the it's funded by We actually received a $10,000 grant through the Sustainable Jersey

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Grants Program by the NGA, and this is an all-year hands-on learning experience for our students. It's an opportunity for them to not only learn about gardening, but also learning about the the cycle of plants and so forth. So, we wanted to really just bring this up

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because this is a collaborative effort. You know, it's there are few, but it's done by many. The next piece that I also wanted to highlight was congratulations to our elementary school winners who won the Charlotte Jones Black History Month We had the uh president of the

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of the NAACP, Ms. Gales-Watson, actually come personally to each of our elementary schools and present the awards to the winners. To receive uh um special shout-outs to Hurden-Looker for two particular reasons. They were

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the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey for Schools to support the creation of the Miyawaki Schoolyard Forest. And this is where students are continue learning about diversity. They have the opportunity to continue to understand the uh the impact and the

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pros of the strengthening uh climate resilience. So, I like that we're doing this early on and that we're not only introducing our kids uh um Another word I'd like to also um congratulate Hurden-Looker for is they

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received the Gold Eco-School uh from Gold School Eco from National Wildlife Federation for the continued work with the climate literacy and how they're engaging their students all the way around. This is something that we're not only looking to have at Hurden-Looker walk through

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Black These today we actually celebrated the crossing guards. This is one group that they The This is an opportunity today that we had to not only engage with them one-on-one, but also really get to know them because

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students wouldn't feel safe crossing the streets. Really without them, we wouldn't be uh this wouldn't be as full as it is now with their presence. So, a couple of upcoming events, we have Juneteenth tomorrow and the township is

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having their event. I encourage all of us to be a part of it. I look forward to seeing as many faces of the district there on Saturday. I said I will be there, but I wanted to share that. I also wanted to remind everyone and also say thank you uh not only the years in the district, but

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the years in the district and that we have coming up the following ceremonies at our middle schools as well as at the school. I provided the dates there for you. A congratulations to all of our scholars for moving on. Our high school students are going to be making you

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You make us proud. Now, as regards to our monthly uh spotlight series at actually closed out by our one of our last remaining schools, and that would be Hurden-Looker Elementary School. This was an effort that we as a team decided that we needed to put in place

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because we wanted to be sure we were really lucky with celebrating everyone that makes up our school and contributes to the culture and climate that we are trying to foster for our students. So, with the uh Hello. Now, you'll be uh recognized and celebrated.

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I would definitely encourage you to go to our district to look at the slides and look at the pictures of the people who are really supporting your children move up and forward. Sorry, I didn't realize I didn't I didn't flip over. My apologies. Um thank

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you, Ms. Pino, Ms. Alvarez, and all of Hurden-Looker Elementary School because like our other schools, you're continuing to push our just as first and that of your support staff and everyone that makes up your building. Oh. Okay, so there was one more slide

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that's not here. It is called the Hillside Who's Who, and that is something that I thought was important that we actually have a culminating event at the end of the school year to recognize the efforts of our students across the schools. So, I'm

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going to um we ask principals to come up and go to the school school section as we're going to highlight not just the work students that you're going to be hearing whose whose names you're going to be hearing, but we're actually going

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to be highlighting first the collaboration that they're developing with each other and the manner in which they're supporting each other now as peers, and it's not anymore the peers that are serving as mentors, but how they're also serving as mentors mentors for their classmates. I'm going

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to start with AP Morris. It's all right. Okay, so with AP Morris, we do want to highlight our kindergartens our kindergarteners and our first grade students for their achievement in the DIBELS assessment. The DIBELS assessment is a conducted throughout the year for our

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students and it really measures their fluency, their comprehension, and their scores in ELA overall. So, it gives us an early indicator of their uh their their moving forward. So, I'm going to read the names, then I'm going to hand the awards to um Miss Reeves, so just wait

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until they come up. So, in first grade, we want to definitely identify the first set of 10 scholars with the highest overall reading in DIBELS. First is with uh Noah Burton,

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John Carballo, Dyer de Fu I have Uden and those are our first graders you can start to come up stand right here baby thank you Bobby I hear Bobby These are our first graders ladies and gentlemen

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And so now for our kindergarteners celebrating our kindergarteners being a part of Hillside school too and again like I said this is going to be a culminating activity that we can hopefully continue into next year to recognize not just the work that our students are doing but the manner in which they're improving throughout the

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year so excellent job to our kindergarteners and please excuse me for any mispronunciations ahead of time and um Mary Destin >> [cheering] [clears throat] >> All right, so students who had my first graders

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>> [laughter] >> Okay, so if you want to take your pictures, you can go ahead and take your pictures. These are our scholars for AP Morris. Nice job, everybody. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you, parents, for

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uh starting this work early and allowing us to celebrate your children coming out tonight. Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> You go back to mom. You can go back to mommy. So, the next school I'm going to come call up uh because Ola Edwards has their dance

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tonight, they're not going to be in attendance, um or at least the whole group isn't going to be here, but I'm still going to honor the names that we were given. We were given names of students who aren't necessarily um or only uh performing well academically, but these are individuals that both

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Principal Davis and Vice Principal Guilford identified for their work as leaders. And not only leading the school, but being peer leaders and helping helping their their classmates out throughout the year. So, the names of Ola Edwards Community School

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awards would be Jalal Araba, Willow Yonker Willow Yonker, Harley Richie, Aden Patrice, Naila Collington, Grant Experience, Gabriel Rosario Ramirez, Zachariah Jones, and Janiya Lanier. We know you're having a good time at the

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dance tonight, so just give her a little round of applause. So, the next award is going to be from DeAnna G. Taylor. This is an interesting award, so come on over. Because in recognizing our students and all of their efforts, Principal Edwards Principal Edwards, excuse me. Principal

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[laughter] Principal Graham looked at the work of the of all of his grade levels, and he identified that his third grade students overall not only performed academically at their highest, they also continue that collaborative effort working with

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each other, and he's seeing early on the the leadership skills that we're looking to build within the district among our students. So, thank you very much Principal Graham for the work you're doing for our students. So, this is the award to Graham, here you go. He's going to be presenting this to his

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third graders next week on Monday. So, we have Principal Walker. Miss Principal Edwards, if you could come up. My apologies. DeAnna G. Taylor Academy third graders, if you are here, please stand up. Oh, come on up. Come on up, sweetie.

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Come on up. Does anyone want to say anything? >> I feel with immense pride and gratitude for the work you've done this year. You have been leaders throughout the year and you stayed on top and you questioned me when am I going to get my certificates? Did you notice that I I

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got this many missions this week? You kept me on my toes. I appreciate you. >> [applause] >> All right. All right. All right, thank you. >> Can you all take a picture? >> Yes. >> Come on, move back, Evan. >> One more, one more. Smile.

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>> All right. All right. >> So, another elementary school we'd like to recognize performing part of Hillside Who's Who is Hurden-Looker Elementary School. Hurden-Looker Elementary School. And these are our climate ambassadors.

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This is a new club that was in established this school year and we want to not only recognize the students there, but also the ones who really helped with making the work move forward and that is led by our math and science teacher, Ms. Grace Petroccia, who is on hand to help present the

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awards. So, I'm going to go ahead and just call the names out and then we'll have the students come up to get their awards and then their pictures taken, of course. So, we have We have Esther Agwuenu. Sorry. Jayden Williams.

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Zayda Gonzalez. Jayla Jenkins. Jaylen Jenkins, excuse me. Jake Ortiz and Milly LaLand. Who does Hurden Elementary Hurden Looker Elementary Schools Who's Who

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for the 2025-2026 school year? Thank you guys for forming PART OF THAT. >> [applause] >> HI, SOPHIA. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. WE'RE NOW GOING TO move over into our middle school. And like Ola Edwards, HealthEd Innovation Academy is holding

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their social tonight. So, we're going to be identifying and recognizing their names tonight, and they're going to be submitting their recognition over at their social, which is what they're already doing. But, I'm going to still go ahead and say their names because it's important for us to hear the names of the individual students that are really not only progressing

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academically, but who are actually exhibiting the leadership skills that they've learned throughout the school and now for HealthEd Innovation Academy, we're looking at Muhammad Soule. Remi Ritchie Christina Bautista

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Derek DeLeon Isabelle Gittens Tanaya Weeks Weeks Shayla Mora Alexis Yanaga Michaela Thorbourne Jeremy Mambo. They will be given their awards on

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Monday when they return, and so I just wanted to advise all of you that everyone everyone is being named as being submitted. But, if we have Do we have an HIA in here? Oh, yes. Okay. This is great because you're the face of HIA and I appreciate you representing for your classmate.

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Any other HIA visitor here? Mohammed? Okay. Do we have any other HIA students? Come on. COME ON UP. >> [applause] >> COME HERE, BOBBY. ANYBODY ELSE?

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Please don't be shy. This is an opportunity for us to see who the who's who is of HIA. Outstanding miss lady. >> [laughter] >> And I just saw one of our moms who was a crossing guard who was celebrated this morning. Mom, do you mind standing up? Who was one of our crossing guards who

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was celebrated and honored this morning. The next middle school that I want to um recognize into our who's who of Hillside Public Schools is WOK. Dr. Rolston, please come up. >> [applause] >> So, there are three groups that are

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being set apart here in WOK. These three groups are being identified for very specific traits and qualities that they have been developed through the hard work and efforts of Dr. Wilson and Ms. Reese and Scott Jackson. So, Ms. Reese and Scott Jackson, if you don't mind coming up here as well. >> [applause]

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>> So, I'm going to recognize the first group and then you can come up. The first group is being The first group of students will be recognized for their leadership skills and the manner in which they have conducted themselves throughout the school year. We want to bring up Alonzo and Andrew Coley.

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Okay, so the next uh group is My Sister's Keeper. Justina Walker, Brandy Paul, Sarah Aguilar Fonseca, London Wright. Please come up. Don't be shy. We can always go to her to take the

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picture. And the final group of students that is going to be recognized tonight for their leadership qualities and the manner in which they have peer mentored each other is My Brother's Keeper, Josiah Minto, Donavan Schuler, Ali Ziziar, and Edward Munoz.

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One of the great things about My Brother's Keeper and My Sister's Keeper and really having all of the students who are being honored tonight are recognized for their efforts in the way that they collective care for each other and really pushing each other forward. It's not just about leadership, but in order to lead, you also have to be willing to

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be supportive of the people that are around you and be able to promote them forward as well so that they themselves can think up. So, I'd like to thank our building administrators, not just at the middle school, but throughout the elementary school, for your leadership and your guidance and the opportunities that you afford our students every day

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throughout the year, and not just during the school day, but after, of course. So, thank you. Thank you. >> Principal Emma Naka. >> High school principal. Here you go. Okay. So, we also have divided this up into um two sections. First piece of the the

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first part of this is going to be honoring Priscilla Colman. >> [applause] >> So, this is an incredibly exceptional young lady. She is not only strong academically, but she is someone who has exuded not just someone um

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peer support, but she has been collaborative, she's been helpful, she's been welcoming. She's one of the very many warm faces that will greet you when you see her in the hallway, but if she knows you or not, she will still smile and make you feel like you're a part of the high school, and you're part of the instructional staff. So, I want to recognize her Miss Priscilla. Thank you

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so much for having her. Now, the last and final group, but certainly not the least, cuz you are the best of the best, and you're the best. Um is our student council leadership. Uh This group is led by Miss Deutsch, and we wanted to not only recognize them as

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student council members, but really what made them want to step into that role, and how this is actually building them for any other additional roles post high school that they'd like to take on and how they're already leading that effort and that work. Current roles as high school as still

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say high school students. So, I'd like to identify the following officers. Alexa Abreu Rodriguez Oluseyi Cole Jada Ferrer Oh, my my congratulations. Zara Lewis

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Kayla Obeng David Opoku and Christopher Segura Ferrera. Rotang, if you could come up as well. And quite frankly, I should have done this in the beginning. Any and all teachers really should have come up and been a part of this. So, my apologies.

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We'll fix that noted for next year. But, like I said, it's not just the principal that are the ones that are managing and bringing this forward. It's really also the teachers, the vice principals, the parents, the aides, everyone and anyone that forms part of the school community. This is a result of your efforts, the

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fact that we have opportunities to celebrate the students, to recognize them beyond the academics. Being able to see what a talent we have them them instructional leaders for doing the work that you're doing. Come on. You're a teacher.

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Um So, we have someone who's shy, but okay. So, thank you for the work that you're doing already. Thank you for the manner in which you've been counseling our students and pushing them forward. And I look forward to those of you that are moving on as seniors, can't wait to hear what great things you're going to be doing and accomplishing. And for those

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of you who are still here, know you another year or two. Thank you, everyone. Oh, did you have a picture? Can I take a picture? >> Okay. Tell me the correction. Okay. So, I there may have been a um an error

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in one of the graduation dates. One of the graduation date is the 25th. My apologies, so I will go back and fix that. Excuse me. >> WOK? >> Oh, yes. That would be for WOK, which is next Thursday, and for Hillside High School, which is also next Thursday.

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And A is Monday. That one I do believe I got correct. >> [laughter] >> The other one that I didn't get correctly. So, um as a final note, it has been a pleasure being the curriculum and instruction director and also serving as acting superintendent. It's been a privilege to not only work here, but to

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serve you in the capacity that I have been in having the opportunity to serve in this school role. It has not been an easy road. It has not been something that uh we and myself have strived to in any decision that we make is is

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centered on data, is centered on not just the promises and sure that we're bringing the right things at the right time for our students. So, I do thank all of you for the opportunity to engage with you, the opportunity that you're affording me to be here, and I look forward to

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continuing to work for you and with you in the upcoming school year. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Perez. Thank you so much. And can we give all of our scholars and our staff members That's where the work truly does get done. At this time, we will have our student

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representative report. Jada, if mic's all yours. >> Good evening, everyone. My name is Jada Prayer, and I'm here as a Hillside High School Student Council Board of Education Representative. June has been a very busy month for Hillside High School. Finals began on

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June 17th and will conclude on June 23rd. On June 1st, the Student Council took a trip to Six Flags for the for the annual NJASC award ceremony, where they won awards. One for

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awarded to schools who make a positive impact on their school climate, culture, and community. And the other award was state charity, awarded to schools who raise money to support the

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NJASC determined state charity of the year. This past year it was Crisis Response Canines. On June Canines. On June 3rd, the GSA Club had their annual Pride Picnic, which turned

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out amazingly. Many students came to the picnic and had an amazing time. On June 13th, the GSA C and Jets Club went to Dorney Park. They had for a end-of-the-year celebration. We all had an amazing time.

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Speaking about trips, on June 26th through July 1st, Dr. Ellis is taking a group of students to Peru. Also, our Jets Club will be going to Washington D.C. for competition on June 20th

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Additionally Jets my apologies. See a good and system here on June 23rd The Garden and Math Club and Spanish Club three end of the year party for their new members in their group.

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Finally this is a big move for our class of 2026. On June 9th Hostos High School hosted senior awards night. June 10th was yearbook signing party. On June 12th there was a senior sunset

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with the district kindergarteners. And on June 24th there will be a senior barbecue followed by graduation practice at 8:00 p.m. And lastly on June 25th it will be graduations for our seniors

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at 6:30 p.m. I hope you all have an amazing rest of your school year and I hope you all enjoy your summer. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you Jayden. And Jayden to all the members of the student council I want to thank you so much for your hard work. You have done a

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a great great deal a really really intensive and hard work representing your college representing your other students so I applaud you tonight. Do I have a motion to go into public comments? >> Is there a second? All in favor?

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>> It's been properly moved and seconded so at this time at this time do we have anyone wishes to come to the microphone for public comments? Oh excuse me absolutely. Uh just give me one moment. Please be advised that residents are requested to

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state their names, addresses, and subject matter in the event that it appears the public comment portion of the meeting may exceed 15 minutes. Presiding officer may limit each statement made by a participant to 3 minutes in duration. Issues raised by members of the public or may not be responded to by the board.

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All comments will be considered and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. Board app- The public participant must follow the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged and will not be

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responded to by the board. Students and employees have specific legal rights afforded by the state's by the laws of the state of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by members of the public. Members of the public should consider their comments in light of legal rights of those affected

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or identified in their comments and be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. That said, please again give your >> Joanna Johnson, 318 Highland Avenue, Orange, New Jersey. Good evening, President Howard, board

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members, um Superintendent Perez, administrators, colleagues, family, and friends. Tonight, I stand before you with a grateful heart. As you may or may not know, I'm retiring after 26 years of teaching

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in Hillside Public Schools. It has been an incredible privilege to spend my career serving the students and families of this community. Throughout these years, I've had the opportunity to teach, mentor, support, and learn from

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thousands of students who have left lasting impact on my life. Watching young people grow, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals has been the greatest reward of my profession. I thank my colleagues, administrators,

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and the Hillside Education Association members for their support, collaboration, and friendship throughout my career. The relationships I have built have made Hillside feel like a family.

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It has never been just a job for me. I love the work we have done together to educate, inspire, and advocate for our students. As I begin my new chapter, well, I will carry with me

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with memories, lessons, and moments that I will treasure forever. Thank you so much to the Hillside community for allowing me to be a part of your children's lives. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve the district for the

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past 26 years. I leave with immense gratitude, pride, and hope for the future. Yeah. >> Diana, if I can say so, I certainly speak I know I speak for everyone. We could never ever repay you for truly

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truly your dedicated lifetime of service and commitment to our students. Um and you've done so with grace. You've done so with a plan. You've always done so with a smile. Um I could think I can speak for everyone in this room. Someone may succeed you, but I don't think they'll replace you.

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God bless you in your next chapter and good luck to you. >> [applause] >> Angela Lawler, 54 Harding Street. First and foremost, I'm a little bit upset with all of you because you approved her retirement. So, you know, that's going to make it a little difficult for me, but I am happy

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for her. Um but I'm angry at all of you for approving it. I know funny, right? I'm the funny one. Not all the time. Um I also would like to say thank you to everyone for allowing the Hillside Education Foundation to support the track team. Um

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the Hillside track team students went to nationals. Um and they were trying to do lots of fundraisers. They were able to raise a lot of money, but they fell short a little bit. So, last week Ms. Cook, who's the chairperson

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saw on Facebook that they were looking for funding to continue their journey onto nationals. So, the Hillside Education Foundation along with some other organizations in Hillside. So, applause to Hillside community. Um we're able to donate funds

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So, they are there um or in the process of getting there. I've been texting back and forth with the coach. They will send lots of pictures once they get there and I wish them the best. Um I told them to please be safe, come home safe, but do their best. Support us as you know, so

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we can support them so they can represent us as best they can. You can. So, Erica, um many of you don't know, Erica Salad El Akuna is the TV production teacher at Hillside High School. She is um the new vice president

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of the Hillside Education Association. She has big shoes to fill and she will be my Vanna. So you will see her if you see me, you better see her. Otherwise, she's going to be in trouble. No, no, I'm teasing. She So she just has something to hand out to everyone that kind of is going to go along with something that I just

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wanted to state tonight. So I know that I didn't know if you guys were going to announce, but um No? Okay. So we'll just >> Down the road, yes. >> We're going to skip over that. Okay, got it. So good evening President Howard, board

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members, Superintendent Perez, staff, parents, and community members. As I said, my name is Angela Lawler and I'm speaking tonight on behalf of the Hillside Education Association as the proud president. Over the past year, our district has faced some of the most significant

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financial challenges in recent memory. We have been told repeatedly that Hillside is experiencing financial distress. We have watched the district reduce staff through a reduction in force and soon taxpayers will absorb a 6% tax

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increase. And now we are learning that a charter school is potentially coming to Hillside. Which will result in an estimated $6 million budget cut for the district.

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Whether one supports charter schools or opposes them, the financial reality is unavoidable. Less funding means fewer resources available to students who remain in Hillside public schools. As we look for As we look toward the

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future, the consequences become clear. A hiring freeze will likely limit our abilities to replace retiring teachers and support staff. At the secondary level, this means larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, and potential elimination of academic electives that provide students

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with opportunities to explore their interests and prepare for college and careers. It means school teachers may be required to teach classes, reducing preparation time and increasing workload. While our teachers will continue to do a students, increasing demands will reduce

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support and reducing support is a key factor for burnout and exhaustion. At the elementary level, the situation is more concerning. Unlike secondary schools, elementary cannot simply add another teacher to a uh teaching period to a teacher. When vacancies cannot be

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filled and class sizes must increase, more students are placed into fewer classrooms. Individual individual attention decreases. Intervention becomes more difficult and students' needs become harder to meet. These are not hypothetical concerns.

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These are predictable outcomes of a budget reduction and staffing shortages. This is why I'm asking the board to fully to carefully examine the district's spending priorities. On tonight's agenda, you will see that the district is moving to restore three

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instructional supervising positions and a director's position. The salary cost alone for those position positions, sorry, exceeds $450,000 annually. When pension and health benefits are cost are included, the total cost

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approaches $700,000. At a time when we're facing a $6 million loss of revenue, when taxpayers are being asked to contribute more, and when employees have been laid off, when the future and when future hiring freezes appear inevitable, we must

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simply ask a question. Is this the best use of our limited resources? I want to be clear this is who occupy these positions. This is a discussion about priorities. The district absolutely needs strong building leadership. Vice principals are

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essential to maintain school safety, student discipline, daily operate and daily operations. No one is questioning the need for those position. Whether or not Hillside can afford additional layers of administration when classrooms and school buildings are

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facing increasing strain. For approximately the same cost as restoring three supervisors and one director, the district the district could support multiple teachers, custodians, secretaries, and security personnel. Employees who interact

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directly with students every day and have a measurable impact on the learning environment. Research consistently shows that students benefit from smaller class sizes, safe, clean schools, and increased access to adults who provide direct support.

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Teachers, custodians, secretaries, counselors, security personnel are often the first people students and families rely on every day. At a time when every dollar matters, we should be investing in for in first in the people and the programs that

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directly serve students. The financial challenges facing Hillside are not temporary. Um, state aid uncertainty will continue and budget pressures will continue. That means every staffing decision must decision must be viewed through the lens

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of long-term sustainability. Tonight I just urge the board to consider whether expanding administrated staff is the right decision at the moment. And whether those resources would better be directed toward preserving classroom instruction, maintaining reasonable class sizes, protecting electives,

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supporting school safety, and ensuring that our students continue to receive the education they deserve. Question before us is not whether administration is important. The question is whether this additional administration should take priority over students. Thank you

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for your consideration. And again, we are not calling out those administrators that are listed on there. What I was saying is that we need to make sure we take deep dive at for us to do this, it's going to get harder. Thank you.

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>> [applause] >> Thank you, Ms. Moore. >> I'm sure. Say that with love and respect. Thank you for helping. Uh good evening, Erica Saladelacu 23 Arch Young Road, Wayne, New Jersey. Um good evening, board members, Mr.

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President, uh Superintendent Perez, and members of the Hillside community. Thank you for being here tonight. Tonight, you've heard about budgets, staffing, financial challenges. I'd like to talk to you about what those decisions look like from a student's perspective.

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When budgets become tight, opportunities rarely disappear all at once. They disappear one at a time. An elective isn't offered. A teacher isn't replaced. A class gets a little bit larger. A struggling student gets a little less support. Over time, students

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begin to feel the impact. One of my greatest concerns in the effect of a hiring freeze could have on the opportunities available to our students. Courses like psychology, sociology, business, anatomy, peer leadership, the arts in general, and

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technology are often viewed as extra. These students, they're the classes that make school meaningful. Research shows that students who feel connected to school have a better attendance, better engagement, and stronger academic outcomes. Elective

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courses often create that connection. They help students discover future careers, develop leadership and communication skills, and answer an important question. Why am I learning this? Opportunities must lose more than course choices. They

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lose pathways, passion, and connections that help them stay engaged in school. But, electives are only part of the story. Hiring freezes, staffing reductions lead to larger class sizes, fewer intervention services, fewer clubs and enrichment opportunities.

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Students, teachers are asked to take on one more responsibility, more students, in some cases, additional classes. Over time, burnout becomes a reality, and students feel the effect when educators have less time, less energy, and flexibility to meet their needs. Perhaps

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most concerning, schools lose their ability to innovate. Instead of asking, "What new opportunities can we create for students?" we begin asking, "What can we afford to keep?" That is not the future our students deserve. As this board makes difficult

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financial decisions, I ask you to look beyond the sheet, but consider what students will experience in the classroom, because students will not remember budget They'll remember They'll remember the teacher who had

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time to help. They will remember the opportunities they were given opportunities that they lost. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Do we have any other members of the community who would like to make a comment?

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>> [laughter] >> Um Jada Ferrer, 1610 Aldine Street, Hillside, New Jersey. Um I have two things that I would like to speak about. One, um as a student of Hillside High School. As I said, um two of our teachers became a victim of budget

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One, Ms. Balgree. I do not have much information about her, but from my friends' views, they loved her as a teacher. Also, Mr. Boyle, our athletic director, he's our only athletic director, I think. And my experience as a volleyball

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manager last year, he is a very big need for our sports programs. Every time I go in there before a game to fill up our water bottles, he helps me with injuries,

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helping them do ice baths. I love the It's a very big need for us. Just thinking cuz we did mention last week on Friday David about that. I want to say goodbye. This will be my last board meeting that

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I'll be attending as a board of education rep in 2026-2027 school year, but I hope this is not goodbye at all. I hope to see you soon. Maybe sometimes next year. I just want you all to know I'm thankful

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for you all because like weird. Come up here, but this has been a great thing for me to get over my Sorry. Thank you all for being part of my journey of my life because this is a

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very big thing for me. Thank you. I hope you all have an amazing day. Enjoy your summer. Happy June. >> Jayden, Jayden, do me a favor. Stay right there for a moment. Uh Attorney Hamlin has something he wants to say to you, dear.

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>> Good evening. My name is Ray Hamlin. I'm a lawyer. I've spent the last 36 years in courts all across the state. All I do is talk to people, strangers, all the time. It is extremely difficult to do.

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Not everybody can do it. Not everybody wants to do it. I remember seeing you in I think August or September of last year. I could see the nerves, but you challenged yourself. You came to every meeting. You spoke at every meeting. Not to your peers, you

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spoke to adults. You spoke to the superintendent. You spoke to the board president, to board members, all the people in the public. I told Dr. Howard that I wanted to personally applaud you because I think that's significant. Maybe the vast majority of people in

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this room, or maybe in the school, wouldn't do what you're doing. So, continue to challenge yourself and sometimes when you don't really see it, there are people that acknowledge it. I'm one of them and I wanted to applaud you.

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>> [applause] >> Job well done, Jayden. And I can assure you you'll be seeing us again. Hopefully you know we'll be. Have a motion Does anyone else uh any members of the community? Uh we have our mayor. >> I mean maybe just one second. Motion to extend public comments.

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>> Oh, was it over? >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Good evening, everyone. Congratulations, young lady. That was beautiful. Um I'm almost, you know, a little uncomfortable with what I want to talk about.

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So, we're talking about budgets. We're talking about money. We're talking about spending. And all of us know that things are tough right now. There is one pot of money. It's the tax dollars, right?

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Township money, the of Education money, it all comes from taxes. And so, I'm looking through the agenda and I see about a million dollars worth of appointments, director titles, supervisor titles.

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We didn't get to see the original budget. I know we're separate entities, but there's one pot of money. So, when you consider the Board of Education went with the 6% tax increase,

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you consider that 6% tax increase was accompanied by riffs. And we come here tonight and the agenda includes a million dollars of people being added back. My first question is, where does the

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million dollars come from? Because if you needed the 6% in addition to the riffs that you took, where does the million dollars come from? And at any time, anything that could have been done

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differently? Because we have to absorb 6% you voted on into the municipal budget. It's one pot of money. So, even if we could have made a decision this time

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to have a collaborative conversation about where else we might have been able to cut or how we could have worked together to where you were cutting, we could pick up the cost, we might not be here. So, I am very disappointed.

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I am as a taxpayer first, but as someone who has been diligent in my efforts to collaborate this year. Because I just don't know that we had to be here like this. So, I wanted to make sure that I said

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that on record. It's not an attack. It's not a knock. As they say often in education, it's an opportunity for us all to learn from, right? So, some of you know and maybe some of you don't. My background is in accounting and finance. Over 30 years.

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As is Faheem Ra'oof, who's not just the CFO, he's a CPA. He I mean, he can do all types of accounting. Finances, I feel like could have been handled a

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little bit differently. So, I hope that when you're looking at these documents related to labor, related related to finances, that you all take all these things into consideration, like some of the people have said before me, because if we're not adding people back

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that are going to help the students, why are we adding them back? If everything is going to be a director or a supervisor, who are they directing? Who are they supervising? How is it impacting those students who are coming into the different school doors that we have here in the

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municipality? And how is it impacting the taxpayer? Because if it's not making a positive impact on the students, if we can't recognize talent in the district and hire from within when we have the opportunity to do it,

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So, these are the questions I have. Not as your mayor, but as a tax-paying citizen who understands the numbers, who recognizes the significance and the importance of making sure that these students have what they need, not once, but every day

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up at school. So, those are my concerns, and I wanted them to just be on record. You all I I pray that you have the intestinal fortitude to make the decisions that you need to make for the reasons that they should be made. I >> [applause]

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>> Thank you, Mayor Hayden. Do we have any other members of the community who wish to speak tonight? >> [cough] [clears throat] >> Um, good evening, board members. My name is Sir David Poku and I'm the new community outreach and board of education representative. And I first

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wanted to say thank you, Jayda, for your service and I look forward to serving the school and the greater community. But I just had one question because me and my peers, we are all wondering this new They're like a purpose. Is there a name to it because this has been going on for

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like maybe since I was like a seventh grader in high school and I heard the rumors. But we just wanted to know like if what is it the name, where it's going to be if that's possible to be answered. >> I'll address that. Who's going to address that? >> I think in new business. Mhm.

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So that will actually be addressed in new business and we'll be actually provide everyone with an update to the charter school. >> All right. Thank you so much. Thank you. Amen. >> [applause] >> Good evening. Sorry for my for my late arrival. I was down my school. It's

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Shawn Lovell, 32 Bailey Avenue, Hillside, New Jersey. Um, I'm here to speak up plainly tonight. I understand there's a decision for the superintendency of Hillside Board of Education being considered. It's my opinion that I fully endorse the

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candidacy of Dr. Royce C. Wilson for several reasons. Uh, one, he came here five years ago. On behest, after considerable time off of work for a situation in his own job, where he showed a great a great deal of integrity

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and ethical standing. And since then, he's taken the school that I graduated from that was a worst-performing campus and now he has the highest scores in the district. Not only has he done that, I've seen the relationship he's built with these kids, especially when I look at the mentoring

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program, but most importantly, several times I've been invited as a guest for his assembly. I think, when I look at his situation and I look at who he is, not only has he adopted the town, more importantly, he's made himself a part of the ethics and the integrity and

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the fabric of the school. The thing that I think that really tells me the most is that one day when I was there, as I was sitting there and the kids had an argument, we were doing a restorative conference, and I was sitting there talking with these three kids. As I sat there, Dr. Wilson walked down the

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hallway. They didn't refer to him as Dr. Wilson. They referred to him as the big W. If you know anything about kids, that when they start calling you nicknames, they start sharing your food, they start showing up in your office,

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well, I think the big W needs to be a part of this district. At the head of this district. And one reason, one of the main reasons is because he will not be encumbered by outside influence. He will vote in the best interest. He will make decisions in the best interest of this

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board, the parents, and most of all, the children. That type of independent thinking has brought his district, his school out of AIP within 2 years. And now we're looking at a situation where we have some hard budget cuts coming forward in our district.

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He's able to make those without being influenced. And I think most of all, he has the integrity, he has the intellect, but most importantly, he's shown he's had the track record. And what I talked to you here is that this man came here 5 years ago, we brought him in, and I've seen him grow.

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I've had the pleasure of working with him prior to that for over 20 years as a public as a colleague in North Public School. And I've seen him have the same success. So, if you want a man for this job, if you want somebody to lead this district, I think it's time that we look to him. We need to look at home.

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Cuz even though he lives out of town, his home is here. Cuz many a nights he's there late. The big W is who we want as the head of the Hillside Board of Education. I say this firmly as somebody who's grown up in this town. I graduated from W.O.E. and I firmly supported all

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the students. I recently gave a scholarship to one of your high-performing students at Hillside High School and it's not the first time. The big W, Dr. Royce C. Wilson, deserves the superintendency not because just because those kids called him the

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big W. And when I saw it, they meant it. They take something from him. And I've had the opportunity to live around in my on my block on Bailey Ave. Four or five kids live around me and they all speak highly of Dr. Wilson. So, if you want somebody who is going to

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act with integrity, someone who's going to act with intellect, someone who's going to not be encumbered by outside influences, and be answerable to you, the parents, and the kids, that's your man. That's who we need to be. Especially in this time when we're looking at a

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situation where we were asked to have once again a 6% tax increase and we lost and we were missing a million dollars. Unfortunately, it's brought back. We brought a lot of those kids back. A lot of those people back. So, I ask that you take this into consideration for

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somebody who's going to be retiring as a public school employee and also a long-time resident of this school. Thank you for your time. Thank you, sir. >> Round two. Angela [clears throat] Lawler, 54 Harding Street. Um since it was brought up about the

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superintendent search, I was unaware of the candidates um that were running for superintendent. Um is that published anywhere? >> The candidates that were is not published anywhere. The candidates were

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published when we were putting out the uh SBA guidelines. So, no, that wasn't published publicly, no. >> Okay. I I didn't remember seeing the names of the people that were in the running. That's why I was asking. >> No, that's done through NJSBA guidelines.

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>> Right. I thought so. Um Okay. I guess, you know, this is Are we making that decision tonight? I think that's what Mr. Lovell said, so I was a bit confused. Okay. Um are there more rounds that we're going through still? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you.

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>> Do we have any other? >> I haven't spoken at one of these since before the pandemic. Um with good reason. Michael Mandi, 1133 Woodruff Avenue. First off, Ms. Best, I want to wish you all the best, no pun intended, next week. We will miss you at graduation.

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And I've known you a very long time, and I wish nothing but the best. Um Dr. Perez, I am speaking on behalf of myself and a lot of my colleagues at Hillside High School. I've been employed by Hillside for 21 years. November 2005, I was hired by this district. I have been here for if I count every person

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who's ever held the title of superintendent, acting, or interim, 14 different individuals have sat in that seat. And I thank you so much for all the support that you've given us this year. The hard decisions that you've had to deal with, and I told you before, I want to say it on record. Now I feel like I'm

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I wanted to just say thank you for everything, and the students of the high school definitely see you. They see you at things. You were with us all of that lovely time at the awards night. Um you came out for Act X to support us at the state awards dinner. You hooted

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and hollered when we won major metal at You know this and we thank you. Um I feel like I'm about to sound like John Blackman for those of you who know him. 21 years, two what two contract pay freezes. Uh this is a third round of the

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riffs. Um My family's lived in the town since 1952. I feel like we're not going anywhere. Um How do I word this properly? We have to make better decisions with the money. My taxes are through the roof and it's not because of the town.

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I know this. I'm not stupid. I I've been the treasurer for the HCEA for the last 13 years. I understand money. I do a pretty good job at that if you ask my president. But the fifth best book in the state from that's NJEA quoting. Um

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Please think not only of the kids but of the taxpayers. Because you do have a lot of families that do not have kids or kids who go to Hillside public schools and jack and things up 6% squeezes it even more. And to me as a taxpayer, I'm not even looking at I had colleagues who cried on my

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shoulder when they were told they were being riffed and then get told that you know, you're not riffed, you're not renewed and then we're going to hire back a million dollars in admin. Please keep these It's like It's $3.99, first time under $4 in

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months. It's tough right now and then when we look at these plans and we see the money and the charter school and all the money that we're going to lose from that. Please keep these things in mind about physical responsibility. Okay? I know a lot of y'all sitting on this

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dais. I know that you guys know what you're doing. I trust trust you guys. I I I actively do. Eric, I remember you in hallways in high school. Okay? Like I no stranger to this stuff and again, I haven't spoken at a meeting since before

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the pandemic with good reason. I felt like I had to get up here and say something tonight because it it's not looking like it's going to get any better. With things coming down the pipe, and it's not even stuff that's like in the shadows. It's kind of like the with we

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don't know what's going to you know, we got to have that emergency fund. You don't know when a roof might collapse through the state at WOK again. What? What, three roofs now? Something like that in the last four years? We don't know. I you know, you you have things that come up, and yes, there's insurance,

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but you still have to have that emergency money. I saw in the budget that there's four different accounts or something. 5 million, 5 million, 5 million, 6 million. Where is that money coming from if we're short so much money? We're short money what, a month and a half ago? We had like two back-to-back meetings on

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budget, and then all of a sudden, okay, we're going to we'll bring back a million. What? Like two colleagues that are going to get brought back in other positions. Great. What about the rest? We're at a we're going to have oversized classrooms, and I've had the classes where my entire schedule is 30

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kids. It's rough as anything to teach five classes at 30 kids, and then the possibility of being asked, "Oh, by the way, can you do another class?" That's that's too much. That's draining, and that's just on the high school. It's going to get rough, and look at the

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turnover that we've had on staff since the pandemic. We've we we're short teachers, teacher shortage. Okay? And now we're getting rid of the ones that want to be here I just ask please keep these things in consideration. I know that you you all

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will figure this out, and hopefully it works out for not just the kids, not just the teachers, but the town. There's there's what, over 20,000 residents that we have to keep in mind? 6 square miles isn't a whole lot. We all on top of each other. It is hard to not

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know everybody in the room if you pay attention to the sound. So, I thank you and again next week. Yeah, so see you at graduation. >> Thank you, Mr. Mann. >> [applause] >> Do we have any more community members

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who would like to make a public comment? There being none, motion to close public comments. >> Is there a second? All in favor? >> Aye. Thank you once again to all the members of the community for expressing your thoughts.

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Um truly it does does not fall on deaf ears and we're certainly going to take your comments and your thoughts into consideration. I assure you of that. I'm going to speak a little bit to that later on. At this time, Ms. Hargrave, would you uh

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Well, what is she saying? You want to hear what she's saying? No, but want to address some of that. You want to address any of these in public comments? >> What was the question? >> Just going to open >> I don't mind speaking to it in new business. >> Mhm.

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>> I think I first want to speak to that. >> She says she wants to speak to it in new business. She wants to speak to it during new business. Okay. >> After hours? >> Mhm. That's her call. >> Um yes, hello. I

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There was just one part of the the agenda that I I would like to address that I I know that people see the number and they're wondering like how do we have this money? The answer is that we don't. So, there are several

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resolutions under finance where let me figure out where they start and I'll I just want to provide context. So, motions 12, 13, 14,

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and 15. So, I think what stands out is that you see a number that says $5 million. Let me provide context for what those resolutions actually mean. So, when the district receives an audit,

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as a part of the audit, the there is a component of the audit where the auditor identifies that the district may have excess surplus. Surplus has to be designated somewhere, you

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know, like an emergency reserve account, capital reserve account, a maintenance reserve account, potentially to address the emergencies of the district like the gentleman um spoke about. So, the reason why these motions are

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here is to allow the district the flexibility when the reserve amount is identified, whether it's a dollar or a million dollars, that we have the flexibility to

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actually put the money into an account because the resolution is board approved. So, and that resolution is generally presented at this time of the year. If we don't have the resolution on record,

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then we can't put that money into any of those accounts. And that's the reason why we have the resolution. And the dollar amount, it's only just it's more just in case,

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you know, like let's say for example, we put $500,000, but then it comes back and it says we have $600,000. Well, we can't move the 600,000. We can only move the 500,000.

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So, the amount is really just a blanket amount just to ensure that whatever it is will be covered. You know, so there's no $5 million. I do apologize. There is a mis- You know, if that was

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how it was was was received, and I can certainly understand that that man, you guys have $5 million to put away. No, we don't have anywhere near that. Really just the language of the resolution to allow us to account for the fact if

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we do have, you know, like additional funds left over in the budget that we have a place that we can actually put these things into. That's really the sole purpose of those

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resolutions that I identified. And as I stated before, they have to be on this board agenda because if they're not, then we lose that that flexibility to be able to use any potential unreserved funds and

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deposit them into any of those accounts. So, I just felt the the need to address that. Thank you. >> The other part that I'd like to address because there are a number of misconceptions that were presented.

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We're not hiring new individuals back all the way. We have individuals that have been working in the district for at least a year who are being reappointed. Uh we're also not bringing every administrator back or all the administrators back. There is, yes, a

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plan in place, but when we were blessing the budget, there was make sure that those positions were in place because we couldn't completely um break down an entire understand what the optics are, and as I shared with Mrs. Lawler a couple of days ago, I completely understand the

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concern. I completely understand the optics of it. Completely respect Perfect. Minister, what about the teachers? There are teacher appointments. We do have vacancies that we did chip for and that we're looking to hire. In terms of the

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we people based on the certifications that they hold. So, we have to be mindful of while we do have individuals that have been riffed, we to see which of those individuals holds the certification. And if you look at

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the agenda, there are a couple of There are at least a few that are being reappointed. able to continue to move forward, we will do that. We only bring new candidates They're not um fit a position,

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or we have to look to an external candidate to be able to bring a department or a particular building forward. So, I do want to clarify that it's new individuals all the way around that are being brought forward. We are reappointing individuals that are existing and we're not bringing all the administrators that were let go.

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I'm getting that's now thing up. Now information and any private information with that regard, but I do, as I shared with Mrs. Lawler on Tuesday afternoon, I do apologize for the manner in which it looks.

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wool over anybody's eyes. We also have to be mindful that there are people that were in these positions, but we're also trying to on the right positions. Which is why we um had to move in the direction that we did, but nothing that we have um problem.

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that we have not budgeted and was not used as a position in order to balance the budget. I just wanted teachers back. Are we counting it up? back. We will We will speak more to the impact of the

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charter school during new business. >> Thank you, Dr. Perez. Assuming you have anything further? >> No, I don't have anything further. Thank you. >> Thank you. Vice President Hargrave, would you move the committee reports, please? >> Uh board member Shapiro, can you move um I'm sorry, can you report on finance

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committee meeting? >> The finance committee met via video conference on Monday, the 15th. And we received a comprehensive report from our auditor and spent some time talking about the findings and deficiencies

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um that were discovered um caused tremendous amount of concern uh over how those things occurred and on the necessary steps from a corrective action plan perspective. We'd like to say that we discussed agenda and non-agenda items, but we did not.

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The committee actually did not address any of the agenda items and subsequent to the meeting, there were significant revisions to the agenda. The agenda that we had prior to the meeting does not reflect the agenda that was distributed to the public. So,

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we discussed the audit, but not the agenda. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Board member Egwuhide, can you report uh building and grounds? >> On Monday, um June 15th, the building buildings and

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ground met and two items were discussed and they are the uh to remove the two Can you hear me? Two items were discussed. That was to remove uh the fully depreciated uh

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classroom trailers and also to accept the school bus emergency evacuation drill report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Board member Okai, please provide the education report. >> Good evening. The education committee

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met on June 15th to discuss line items 1 >> Thank you. >> And 16 was just added. My apologies. >> Thank you. Board member Parks, can you report on policy? >> Um the committee for policy met on June 15th virtually to discuss items one and

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two about um revisions of policies, policies in the works, and also the abolishment of some policies. Um just to keep in note, there's a lot of things happening in education, so don't be surprised if there's more policies to come.

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Um especially we talked about the cell phone ban policy per se in every district and um how that's going to affect um the district as well. Even though you don't see it on the page, um just be mindful that it may pop up soon. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> And board member Beth, can you report on labor relations? >> Good evening. The labor committee met Monday, June 15th to discuss a plethora of items on the labor as they have been brought up by some of the

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public and executive session. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Madam Vice President, I just want to note or comment um on the labor agenda. There are nine blanks on the agenda. In

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addition, the agenda as we received it today is 20% longer than the agenda that was given to the committees. Um, and I have not had an ample opportunity to run this agenda and compare it

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to the agenda we received, and that applies as well for the finance committee. So, we're behind on our work for both finance and labor as a result of significant changes that were made and not properly communicated to the board.

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>> Thank you. Is that it? >> And that concludes the report. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Vice President Hargrave, and thank you, Mr. Shapiro. We'll make sure that's certainly written in the record. That said, um,

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do I have a motion to go into executive session? >> All in favor? >> I really don't >> Be it resolved, pursuant to the open meet public meetings act, that the Board of Education meet in closed executive session at this time to discuss matters relating to personnel, pending or

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anticipated litigation. >> Um, excuse me. Um, Mr. Shapiro, I know you mentioned finance. Is there Is there any specific item that you like to bring to the attention of the board? >> Okay.

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Okay, then. Got [clears throat] it. Okay. Sure. >> I just want to be clear. >> Excuse me. >> a presentation from the auditor. >> Yeah. >> Right? >> Yeah. >> And then the poll was ended before we addressed any item on the finance agenda. >> Okay. >> Not a single item on the finance agenda

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>> was just asking. I was just asking. >> And then there were substantial changes made. 25% more was added to the agenda. >> To labor, you said. >> That was my comment about labor, but if we go from 16 to 20 on finance, that's an addition of four items. That's 25%

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over 16. So, we substantially changed the finance agenda as well, and we never even got an opportunity to discuss it at all. >> Okay, understood. >> It's not the first time we've had this challenge. >> Well, then maybe we'll address it and

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make the meetings longer so we can ensure that we're covering all of the agenda items. >> We covered none of the agenda items during the meeting. >> longer to ensure that we're covering the agenda items. >> First of all, there's >> That's what I'm saying. >> point of order, gentlemen, there's a motion on the floor.

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So, we can we'll do that with that. And again, uh this is something we can address in executive session and then bring that back before the the community. There's a motion on the floor to go into executive session. Is it Allow me a quick disclosure.

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Particulars, student or It's attorney-client privilege. The board will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of the closed session. Matters discussed in closed session will be disclosed to the public as soon as the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Thank you. I did.

Part: 2

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I >> thank you very much. >> The board agenda we do have a an add you >> want me to read it >> please. >> Okay. So on the labor agenda we are adding number 59.

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Motion to approve appointment of Christy Tuminelli as director of funded programs compliance and registration at a salary of $145,57 um effective July 1st, 2026 through June

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30th, 2027. >> Thank you. Mr. Shapiro, would you move the items under finance, please? Second. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> I wanted to say something before we go.

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>> Okay. Um, >> wait. Um, I'm sorry. >> Um, wait a second. We have a question. >> Yeah. >> Oh, you had a >> Oh, you had a question. I was gonna say something, but go ahead. >> You want to say it first or you want me? >> You can say your I just want clarification. I believe you addressed

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this earlier, but um I want to make sure for 12, 13, 14, 15. I think it's only >> Yeah. Yes. >> Why do we have so many like is different

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accounts like >> a question? Yes. So um the the question for the audience in case you didn't hear for motions 12, 13, 14, and 15, why do we have so many? Well, the reason why we

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have so many is because each of those represents a different type of reserve account. So like if you have like emergencies, there's a reserve count that a reserve account that you can set up for

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emergency expenditures. If you like have capital projects, there is a reserve account you can set up for capital projects, you know, or like for a maintenance reserve there, you know.

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So there's all of these different type of reserve accounts and the generally what happens is when a district has some sort of unanticipated surplus, what you try your best to do is you try to fund

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those reserve accounts in the event that you have an emergency or you need it for something because then those are additional funds that you can draw from in the event you don't have from your budget because you put it aside. So like

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like right now, case in point like in our capital projects emergency reserve in our capital projects reserve account we have north of $200,000 which is very little in our emergency reserve account.

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We have zero and our maintenance reserve account we have zero. So generally when you you have some sort of surplus the the the idea is in order for

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to put less strain on the general fund budget when you have the excess surplus you try to put money in those accounts and that's the reason for these and as I had stated before um

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while there's an amount of it says not to exceed $5 million. I could assure you that our, you know, excess surplus will probably reach nowhere near $5 million. It's just that it's just a blanket

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amount just so if for some reason we did get lucky, we don't have to I don't have to come back to the board with another resolution saying, "Okay, well, we actually underbudgeted

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for this and we need, you know, we have more money than we did. Now we need another resolution to put that extra money there." So that that's really, you know, what those resolutions, you know, are for. And thank you for the question because

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um, you know, I want to make sure that the the public understands that that we're not saying we have $5 million. It's really just it's we're trying to, you know, we get these approved. And part of the reason why we have to get them approved is that you do this

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annually. You usually do it around June. And with the excess surplus amount, that um amount is determined, you know, by our auditors. So, we don't really know the amount at the at the moment. And that's what that's for.

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>> Thank you. >> No problem. Thank you for the question. >> I'm actually going to wait until after the vote. >> Yeah. Until after we're all finished voting. Yes. just say say my comment >> voting in general miss best or just on

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this particular on the financ >> it was >> yes >> I'm just waiting for the roll call >> okay >> okay okay roll call um Miss best aguide >> yes >> missra Abstain 1 2 8 9 and 11. Yes to

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all. >> Just give me one sec. >> Um if I can I know I don't normally speak. I just want to make sure that um there's understanding about you know what you

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know in terms of those particular ones. Eight is the the audit. Nine is the actual um corrective action plan for the audit to you know to correct it.

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11 is the tax levy, the money that we actually get from the township to fund the district. So, I just want to make sure that that those things are understood. >> Thank you. >> Sure. Okay. You said you abstained from them, correct?

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>> Okay. And just tell me one more time what they are so I can make sure I have them. >> One 28 9 and 11. >> 12 8 9 and 11. Thank you. But everything else is yes. >> Yes.

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>> Thank you, Miss Martin Given. >> Um I say yes to all and I'm abstaining from 11. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Okad.

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>> Yes. Miss Parks. >> Um, I'm going to abstain from 11 and >> Okay. Thank you. Mrs. Shapiro, >> VP Hargrave. >> Yes. >> And President Dr. Howard.

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>> Yes. Mr. Okai, would you move building grounds, please? >> I'd like to move line items one and two for buildings and grounds. >> Thank you.

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Okay, roll call. Miss Best, Miss Aguede. Yes, >> Miss Mester. >> Yes, >> Miss Wharton Given. >> Yes, >> Mr. Okai. >> Yes, >> Miss Parks. >> Yes,

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>> Mr. Shapiro. >> Yes, >> Hargrave. >> Yes. >> And President Dr. Howard? >> Yes. >> Miss Horton Given, would you move items under education, please? >> Yes. I'd like to move items 1 through 16

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under education. >> Is there a second? >> I have a question before we begin, >> please. >> Yeah. Number five. The attachment um doesn't have any

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filled in on it. So, I'm not sure if I I imagine that's not an error because there's probably no school board. Um, so we probably didn't approve any trips for after graduation. >> Yes, I believe that is right. I believe

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that is correct. >> Well, we don't have any. We could strike it because >> I guess we can strike it. We don't >> I just want to confirm, right? The attachment was blank. Correct. So the the the attachment says no trips. >> Has no trips. Yes.

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Also, as a a reminder under education, those who are listed here, please remember to abstain for the part with your name is mentioned in regard to the NJSBA conference. >> Go ahead, Mr. McN. >> Thank you.

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So, we're striking five, correct? >> Want to leave it? Oh, >> okay. Got it. So, thank you. So, we'll leave five. Okay. Okay. Roll call. Miss Best. >> Miss Auid.

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>> Yes. >> Mr. Estraum. >> Yes. >> Miss Horton Given. >> Yes. and abstaining from 10. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Okai. >> Yes,

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>> Miss Parks. >> Yes, >> Mr. Shapiro. >> Yes, sir. >> VP Hargrave. >> Yes. And I'm abstaining from nine. >> Okay. Thank you. And President Dr. Howard?

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>> Yes. abstaining on 11. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Miss Parks, would you read you move items under policy? >> I would like to move items under policy one and two.

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>> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call. Miss Best, >> Miss Aguided, >> yes. >> Mr. Estraum, >> yes. >> Miss Orton Given,

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>> yes. >> Mr. Okai, >> yes. >> Miss Parks, >> yes. >> Mr. Shapiro, >> yes. >> Lee Hargrave, >> yes. >> And President Dr. Howard, >> yes.

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Before we move on to the labor agenda, we have an additional walk-on that is an oversight. It will be listed as I believe sorry >> to walk on. >> Well, she mentioned she read one already. She read 59 already. So this

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would be item number 60 following miss uh DP Hargre's walk on item 15 which reads as follows. That's correct and and again in the interest of transparency this is because of determination has not been made. So

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this was done in absentia. So which reads as following there's the motion to reappoint Dr. Gretto Perez as director of curriculum and instructional and instruction effective 7126 and to appoint Dr. Perez as acting super to

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extend the appointment of Dr. Perez as acting superintendent all in accordance with the same terms previously approved for the 2526 school year and these appointments may be amended as the board was appropriate. We have any questions on the added added

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motion there being >> Can you hear me? Um, can you read the part again? I'm sorry about extending the appointment for Dr. Perez. I just want to make sure I'm clear on >> Certainly. Appoint to extend the

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appointment of Dr. Perez's acting super. You want to read the entire thing or just that portion? >> No, that portion. Yes, that >> to extend the appointment of Dr. Perez's acting superintendent. All in accordance with the same terms previously approved for the 2526 school year. And these appointments may be amended as the board

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deems appropriate. Questions? Okay. So at that point, um, Miss Best, would you move the items under labor? That would be now 1 through 60. >> So I have I do have a question but I

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think I have to ask it after. >> No, you can ask it now. So if we can um just for everyone um clarification understanding if you do we vote on that um title

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before the how do you place someone in something that's good >> unless on the >> It is on this agenda. >> The job description is on >> Yeah. Yeah. If If the job description is

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on there, where's the job description at? In labor. >> It's in labor. >> So, you want to separate that and vote on it first? You can. >> No. No. You can. >> You can. >> The question is, is it >> No, not necessarily. No. I just wanted it to be

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Yeah. For purposes of >> question >> making it clearer, I would separate it. Do that one first and then have a vote on the remainder of the on the remainder of the agenda. >> That would be item number 14 if I'm not

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mistaken. >> It hasn't been moved and second nothing. It's under discussion. >> I'll just move and second that job description first. >> So 59 is the job description 14. 59 is the room,

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>> right? >> But 59 is >> actually is a couple, right? >> Oh, 54. That's the job description. >> Oh, 54. >> Right. Yeah, >> that's the job. 54.

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And then 59 is the is the appointment in that job description. >> Number 54 under labor. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> No, you gotta roll for >> Oh, that's right. Because you're trying you're treating it separate. Oh, okay.

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Give me one sec on that one. >> So, for 54, correct? >> Mhm. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Um, who who's the second on that one? >> Thank you, Miss Marks. >> It's a tenure position,

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>> correct? Okay. We have a Okay. So, we have a motion. We have a motion. >> Yeah. Yes, we we do. I'm I'm Yes. I'm doing a roll call for it now. We Okay. So, roll call. Miss Best.

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>> Miss Aguided? >> Yes. >> Miss Estraa? >> Yes. >> Miss Horton Given? >> Yes. >> Mr. Okai? >> Just for clarity, this is for motion 54. Just 54. >> Okay. Abstain from 54.

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Thank you, >> Miss Parks. >> Going to abstain. >> Okay. >> Mr. Shapiro. >> Yes. DP Hargrave. >> Yes. >> And President Dr. Hour.

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>> Yes. >> Now, Miss Best, could you move the rest of the items in labor, please? >> I would like to move 1 through 60 under labor minus 54 because that's going to be separately. >> Yes.

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>> Okay. Is there a second? Second. Okay, roll call. Miss Best. >> Yes. >> Miss Agued? >> Yes. >> Mr. Estra? >> Yes. >> Miss Horton Given?

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>> Yes. With an abstension from uh what is that? 4 5B. >> 5B. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Okai. >> Yes, except the following. Um, no to 5B.

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>> No to 5B. Okay. >> Abstain from 10 11 14 >> 10 11 14 >> and 59 >> and 59. Okay, got it. So, just so I'm just so

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I'm clear. 5B. No to 5B. Abstension for 10, 11, 14, and 59. >> Correct. >> Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Miss Parks. >> Okay. You ready?

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>> So, I'm going to abstain from 10, 11, 14, and 59 including >> 59. >> I'm standing from 32B. >> Okay. 32B. Yes. And I'm going to be

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saying no to 55. And I'm going to be saying no to 5B. >> 5B. >> Yes. >> Okay. Got it. So no to five. Got it. So let me let me just repeat some of this so I can

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make sure I have it. So you're you're saying no to 5B 55. You're abstaining from 10, 11, 14, 32, and 59. >> 32B, >> 32B. >> Yes.

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>> Thank you for the clarification. 32B and 59. Is that correct? Okay. Thank you. And yes to everything else. Is that right? Okay, got it. Okay, Mr. Shapiro. >> I'm just confused for a minute. Give me a second.

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>> Sure. Sure. Not a problem. Um, I want to vote yes to 60. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Okay. >> The other motion as well. >> So, all right. What? I'm sorry.

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>> Yes. >> Okay. Got it. Okay. So, we're good. Okay. All right. VP Hargrave. All right. Um, I say I abstain from 5B and yes to everything else.

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>> Okay. Abstain from 5B. Oh, sorry. Abstain. U let me correct that. Abstain from 5B. And yes to everything else. Okay, understood.

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And President Dr. Howard, I also obtain 5B and a yes to everything else. Um, so hold on. One, two, one, two, three,

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four. Okay. Um, can you just confirm what from 1 through 60 - 54 did and did not pass just now? Sure. So, in terms of

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what Yeah, cuz No, I'm I was trying to tally it up. Yeah. Yeah. I'm a little Give me a sec because I'm a little confused, too. So, so one, two,

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three, four. Okay. Okay. So 5B has four yes votes which and then two nos, two abstensions.

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Man, this is confusing. I'm sorry. >> Three extensions. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I'm I'm Give me Yes. Give me a sec. >> My number had >> three extensions. Yeah. One, two, three abstensions, two nos.

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>> I got it. Three abstensions for 5B. >> No. >> So there's no majority on 5B. So 5B did not pass. >> Right. Thank you. >> So yes, no affirmative vote on 5B. So it did not pass.

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Um, >> nobody else has the schedule >> other than other than 5B. Yeah, other than 5B, everything else is in the affirmative. >> Sure. >> Thank you everyone. Is there

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anything further or any old business or anything that any new business? Well, there actually there's quite a bit. Um, Miss Best, I'm going to just defer to you in just a moment. Dr. Perez,

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defer. Give me a minute. >> So, there was a question early on with regard to the charter school. We received word that the charter school has been approved. In addition to that, there I there's still a part of the process that still

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needs to be completed. Um but provided that that last piece of the process uh goes through, we will have the charter school in effect for the 26 27th school year. I want to um

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just re reiterate a couple of more than a couple of points with regard to the commentaries that came up during public speaks. Um it doesn't fall on anybody that this has not been a very easy process and unfortunately there's a lot

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of decision- making that happens behind the scenes that the public is not privy to. With regard to the decisions that we had to be that had to be made, there were no additional administrative positions added. There were reappointments of individuals

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who have worked in the district more than a year and they're being reappointed at those positions as you see listed in budget. The other piece that I also want to um just provide clarity is when the BA budget was

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balanced, it was balanced with a number of positions in place. There were certain positions that could not be budgeted, but we also had to be mindful that we had to come certain positions, particularly NCI to make sure that we were being while

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responsive to the fiscal constraints that are before us, but also being mindful of the need that we still have instructionally. So there was a 30% um department is reduced was reduced by 30%. So I did want to just clarify that that

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we don't have new individuals from the outside coming on. Single administrator was returned. There are reappointments of individuals who have been in this district for more than a year. A couple of whom are already approaching tenure. So I just wanted to

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bring that up since that was stated more than once that we are bringing million dollars and where is this million dollars? Those positions were once again accounted for in the budget when we went ahead to balance it and we had accounted for having to collapse not just CNI but

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other departments as some programs. So I wanted to just be clear with that since the idea of having a million dollars available and we could have brought teachers back. That's not the case. I also want to reiterate in terms of riffing we are not assigning or

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reappointing anyone. We're not assigning anyone to a position without looking out the list of that. After we list groups, we then determine whether or not there are individuals that hold those certifications. So, if you look at the labor, we do have

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individuals going from one school to another because they have the certifications for them. There are still vacancies, however, that we have. We will be those positions were never frozen. There was a comment also about freezing positions and not bringing them back. there are vacancies that were

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accounted for in our budget so that we could hire for those positions hopefully sooner than later. Unfortunately, the riffs that we have on the list do not hold the certifications that are needed to fill the we currently have in the district. So, I just wanted to provide

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that um clarity and reiterate that because while I understand the optics of the motions and how the impression is that we brought feels as if we brought all the administrators back, that is not the case. Nor is it the case that we have a million dollars that we just

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assigned to administrative positions. Not at all. We did not only reappoint individuals who have been in the we also reappointed teachers in that group. >> Thank you, Dr. Perez. Oh. Oh, >> no. We're going to get to that in a moment.

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>> It's best. >> Uh, good evening everyone. Um, just to kind of piggyback on what Dr. Perez was stating um and also to address comments that were made um earlier in public

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comment um in reference to you know from um what the mayor was stating um to the board. Um, one, it's it's it's great to have a mayor that is willing to collaborate and work and partner with the board cuz we've waited, you know,

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many years for th for that opportunity to really happen. And I believe that um that this administration is definitely trying to put their best foot forward along with our district to make sure that we are one. I mean, we are separate

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entities, but to collaborate and to work together um as as any town and school district should. So, I definitely um think that that's um very admirable um of her to to take that stance right away as she has um come into this new

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administration. Um but, you know, there's there's two sides to a budget as as it was stated. And you know, I'm sure, you know, we're talking about what what the school board currently um is facing, but we've had two years of our

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taxes also being raised on the other side. And I'm not sure if there were any uh deep collaborations with the board on those uh measures to to to raise those taxes the way they were the past two years.

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Um, and you know, everyone always says like the school board the school board because we take up the majority of a budget, but that's not just Hillside. That's every municipality. That's just that's how it is structured. Um, and that's whether you have children in the system in the district or not. That's

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just a part of being a wonderful taxpayer. That's just, you know, what it is. Um, so I just also wanted to state um that you know in the past years I've been on the board almost eight years and

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we've harped on 0% tax increase 0% tax increase while where where it sounds great as you can see years later it was really hurting the district. So when we did do the 2% you know they were looking at us like we were crazy thin but you

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have to do that. It's it's it's just things that you just have to gradually do so that we aren't hit what we are now. And it could be worse. There are other districts that are they're a lot worse than us. But, you know, obviously right now we're trying to rectify those

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mistakes and we have to work decisions the district. And I think Dr. President is doing a a a good job. I think she's doing the best job that that she can along with Mr. McNeel with the with what she has. And it's it's a lot. It's not

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easy for any of us. Um so I just want to make sure we all take that into consideration um all those years that we did the 0% and and we're kind of here. So um I just wanted to things back on the table for everybody to remember um as we move

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forward in the season going into this the new school year for September. Thank you Dr. Howard. >> Thank you Miss Best. Just briefly to add to what you want to say. Um in addition to that, as you said, yes, there are, as the mayor rightly pointed

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out, there are two pots of money, but I certainly don't want to make sure that we're very clear that we don't conflate that issue. Um there are a host of other mitigating factors that come into this. Our ratables have been at a standstill for almost eight or nine years. We've

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taken a three two 3% hits in state aid over two years. So, it's not something that, and again, you're absolutely right. Um, you know, better, you do better. The tax increases should have been probably gradually brought in. There was a 4% tax increase since I've been on 2% at one juncture and 2% again.

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But, um, it's the nature of where we are. So, again, we have to look at the whole thing as a community and to the point where if we're going to be one community, we have to do that. And at some point, yes, collaboration within due bounds and boundaries is a is a wonderful thing. Um, and I I do believe

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that we're on the road to that. Um, it's just not going to be an easy process. It's kind of like gaining weight. You know, you didn't gain weight overnight. We're not going to lose it overnight. So, it's just going to be something that's a slow and steady process and requires everyone to come to the table and really just to be be about honest

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about our intentions and move through and true with our intentions. But that's all I had to say about that. Um, we have any other new business to come before the board or anything more that needs to be addressed. Did you you have something? >> No, I don't think I have anything.

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>> Dr. P, there was something you want to add. Okay. Uh, at this time, um, I do have some comments, but I'm going to ask any of my other colleagues. Any other board members have any comments before we proceed to close?

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>> I do. I do. Um, I wanted to also say publicly, you know, that it it's it's a new day and um it's good to see that the partnership that um we are building with

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the township and and our mayor. It it's really great to see that. Um, and it's this has been by far and I've been on the board I think this is my sixth year. Um this has been by far the hardest time

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um with the state of where we are uh fiscally as well as some of the challenges that we're having not only because of things that may or may not have been done but things that are being passed down by our government and so

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forth. So, I just want to say to the community, um, also thank the community for coming out and voicing your concerns and your continued partnership because we have to do this

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together. You know, where there's unity, there is strength. And I just believe that if we continue to um work at it and work hard at it um and

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keep going for the sake of our scholars. It is so important. Our scholars are at the forefront of this all. They are so important to each of us. I I can say that. um with working with my peers here, I believe that the scholars are at

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the forefront as well as our staff, those that are here to support our scholars as well. So, I want to say that I appreciate everyone. I appreciate the administration. I appreciate our acting superintendent, our VA, um the task

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that's before them and the hard things that we've had to do. Um whether we agree or we don't agree, I have to say that I still appreciate the work at hand. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Horton.

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Anyone else? In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, again, this as we come to the close of another school year, um as Miss Horton Given very rightly pointed out, this has been probably the toughest one I think I've seen in a while. There's been a lot of things that have come down the pike

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on the national, state, and municipal level. Um, and they're not going away. They're not going away. Things are only going to there's going to be a little darkness before the dawn. But one thing I know about this town when I moved here 17 years ago was I wanted to be here

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because in addition to something I always wanted to live as a child, this is a place of resilience. This is a place of toughness. This is the place of a township where people just don't give up in a town where people believe in each other. We have our ups and downs, but we may fight a little b ourselves,

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but we're never going to let anybody from the outside beat us down. So, we're going to go through our highs. We're going to go through our lows, but ultimately, as long as we're moving forward, I think that's the best thing. We learn from where we've fallen, and we celebrate our triumphs when they come

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through. On a more pleasant note, uh I do want to thank uh Miss Candy and um Principal Davis for their the color run. We had a great time uh getting really all colored up and um and and really just for a great cause with the kids. It

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wasn't as well attended as we would like. So next year we're hoping that we'll be much more well attended, but we still had a wonderful time. Um to the parents, I'm going to encourage all of you if you're seeing this or hearing this, please do me do us a favor. One, just be very safe during the summer hours. Two, make sure that your children

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remain active learners all summer long. Make sure that they're reading. Make sure that they're doing something to engage their minds. And let's have a little less screen time and a little more book time or pen and paper time. Do some things that are going to keep their minds active and sharp so they're ready to come back swinging for the fences in

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September. Um, I absolutely want everyone wish everyone a happy Junth. Uh, it's not just a day off. I'm going to ask you to please make sure that at some point tomorrow really just delve into the history of Junth is a pivotal point in our history that often gets overlooked but so so

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meaningful so meaningful to not just people who look like me but to everyone because it really is a bastion of freedom that could and a mod model of freedom that could speak to generations in different nations. And lastly, on a more much more more positive note, I

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wish my colleague uh the very very best on our nuptuals next week. Um I guess we can't call you best anymore, but you still will be. Um but again, we wish you the best of luck. Remember, it's just it's an absolute marathon, but

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you're built for it. You're welcome. Does anybody have anything more? That said, do I have a motion to close? >> Who said motion first? >> Okay. Is there a second? Okay. All in favor?

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>> Thanks. And have a great summer, folks. And um we'll see you in July. See all at graduation.