WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=cpFSwiXlQJ0 NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: cpFSwiXlQJ0): - 00:15:50: Meeting Called to Order, Pledge, and Roll Call - 00:16:58: Pause for Executive Session; Reconvene Regular Meeting - 01:14:21: Roll Call After Reconvening and Minutes Approval - 01:15:41: Superintendent Report: Student Board Representatives' Updates - 01:27:26: Acknowledgement of Student Achievements and Representatives - 01:30:38: Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Reports and Updates - 01:33:03: Open Public Comment - No Speakers Present - 01:33:21: Finance, Personnel, Travel/Development, Services Resolutions - 01:36:41: Addendum - Economic Measures Transportation Changes Explained - 01:44:23: Board of Education Member Comments and Adjournment Part: 1 1 00:15:50.160 --> 00:16:06.160 Give us 30 seconds. >> Okay. >> And we are live and good to go. >> Okay. I'd like to call this um HPAC on board of education regular meeting to order at 6 >> 65 >> 05. If we all please rise for the flag salute. 2 00:16:06.160 --> 00:16:21.920 I aliance 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. >> And we have the opening statement 3 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:38.320 according to the agenda. Mr. Halenback, can you please call the role? >> Dr. Capella >> here. >> Mr. Davio >> here. >> Miss Shra >> here. >> Mr. Chaffy is absent this evening. Mr. Warren >> here. >> Miss Paulina >> here. Mr. Citri here. Miss Gulan will be 4 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:58.720 joining us virtually later. And Miss Felman >> here. Can I please have a motion to go in executive session? >> I'll make it. >> I'll second. >> Uh, Miss Capella, >> yes. >> Mr. Davio, >> yes. >> Miss ShraMM, >> yes. 5 00:16:58.720 --> 01:14:03.840 >> Mr. Chaffy is absent. Mr. Warren, >> yes. >> Miss Pelina, >> yes. >> Mr. Citri, >> yes. is absent. Miss Falcony Sugar. >> Yes. Okay. >> Uh you're going to hit pause this time. I still have that souvenir for that one 6 01:14:03.840 --> 01:14:21.440 kid. He hasn't come back yet. >> Hi everybody. Good evening. >> Can I have a motion to reconvene? Second, can you please call the role? Yes, Matt. >> Can you grab my laptop off my desk so I 7 01:14:21.440 --> 01:14:37.280 can get J. >> We do have one board member this evening that's going to be attending virtually. So, uh, just want to >> grab the ability to to get her on. Actually, I could do it from my phone if we had to. Um, let me just get the roll call here. Dr. Capella 8 01:14:37.280 --> 01:14:52.719 >> here. >> And Mr. Davio >> here. >> Miss Shrimp >> here. >> Mr. Chaffy is absent this evening. Mr. Warren >> here. Miss Paulina >> here. >> Yes. >> Mr. Citri >> here. Miss Gulan is absent right now until I 9 01:14:52.719 --> 01:15:09.080 get her on. And Miss Falcone Sher. >> Yes. >> I just told her stand by. >> Yep. >> Perfect. >> Can I please have a motion to approve the April regular and executive uh minutes? >> I'll make it. I'll second. >> Any discussion? 10 01:15:11.360 --> 01:15:26.080 >> Dr. Capella? >> Yes. >> Mr. Davia? >> Yes. >> Miss ShraMM? >> Yes. Mr. Chaffy is absent. Mr. Warren, >> yes. >> Miss Polycina, >> yes. >> Mr. Citri, >> yes. Scooon is absent. And Miss Falcone Shuker. 11 01:15:26.080 --> 01:15:41.199 >> Yes. Next, we'll move on to the superintendence report and report. >> All right. Let's see how I can do multitasking today. >> Wait, should you be abstaining for this vote from last minutes? Great. 12 01:15:41.199 --> 01:16:00.880 >> Um, he he can he can review them. Yep. Sorry. >> All right. Um, superintendent report this evening. I always want to defer to our student representatives to kick things off. I'm not going to guess what order you guys are going to go in 13 01:16:00.880 --> 01:16:17.760 tonight. So, keep me on my toes as I try and get logged in and I'll get one of our board members to join. And who's who's up first? >> All right. It's all you Reagan. >> Good evening, everyone. First off, I'd like to talk about spring sports. Most have finished their season besides softball. They have two home games 14 01:16:17.760 --> 01:16:33.920 tomorrow and Wednesday. So, come support the girls. Um, on spring sports this season, guys track ended with a record of five and one in the dual meet season. And girls track had their first win in a dual meet in about seven years. It's been a while. Um, with sports, the 15 01:16:33.920 --> 01:16:49.199 sports award ceremony for all seasons is tomorrow night, 6 p.m. in the auditorium to celebrate our athletes from all seasons. Student council elections for class and school offers officers are taking place this Wednesday and the NH National Honor Society and National 16 01:16:49.199 --> 01:17:05.440 Junior Honor Society induction ceremony is this Thursday at 6 p.m. in auditorium. Come and congratulate all the inductees we have this year. Um like we'd like to congratulate all AP students who were worked throughout the school year. Testing wrapped up last Friday and we had students take exams for chemistry, English literature, US 17 01:17:05.440 --> 01:17:21.679 history, English language, world history, environmental science and psychology. And prom is at the chandelier in Flanders next Thursday 5-28. Come see students at red carpet in the high school gym before. Um and thank you for having me this year. >> Absolutely. 18 01:17:21.679 --> 01:17:37.840 >> Thank you, >> Lily. Hello. Uh good evening. Um these past uh these upcoming two weeks, we have the SLA testing. That's May 18th through 29th. Today we had our math testing. The reading testing is 19 01:17:37.840 --> 01:17:54.400 tomorrow. The writing is the 21st and the science is the 26th and 27th. The makeup test will be the 20th, 22nd, and 28th. Our literary magazine is getting ready to be sent to the publisher. We're just putting the final touches on the magazine and making sure that that 20 01:17:54.400 --> 01:18:10.400 everything looks good and is aesthetically pleasing. Uh, stop by the English classrooms because I believe that they'll be getting copies as we did previous years if you want to look through them. All of the work is submitted by students and teachers at our school. And we're trying to do a section this year where we have some of 21 01:18:10.400 --> 01:18:26.000 the middle schoolers who want to some of the seventh graders can submit things to the literary magazine as like aspiring chiefs. I think it's a really cool idea and I think that this is going to be one of our better magazines. Also, our yearbook has been sent to the 22 01:18:26.000 --> 01:18:41.120 publisher and it's scheduled to arrive in the last week of school. So hopefully we'll get it before the last day of school so that we have enough time for everyone to sign everyone's yearbooks. I was also on yearbook staff and I can say it looks very cute this year. Our 23 01:18:41.120 --> 01:18:56.239 cheerleading team has already begun its fundraising for this upcoming season. Um we we will be at the townwide garage sale June 6th and June 7th by firehouse number three in Habacon. Um, we're very excited to start our 24 01:18:56.239 --> 01:19:11.920 fundraising early this year because we are hoping to go to Disney again next year as we did this previous year. Also, this year we're trying to become a tumbling team, which is very exciting because it's been a while since we've been a tumbling team, and that's such a 25 01:19:11.920 --> 01:19:29.520 big part of cheerleading that we're all very excited that we think we might actually accomplish it this year. Our senior awards um will be on June 2nd. It's where scholarships will be presented by a bunch of miscellaneous groups. Um I'm very excited everyone 26 01:19:29.520 --> 01:19:46.320 people can show up and support their seniors or favorite seniors. Um our concert band had our concert last Thursday. We had our fifth and sixth grade band who performed earlier in the night and then we had a little bit of a break and then we had a bunch of 27 01:19:46.320 --> 01:20:01.840 performances starting with our jazz band. Then we had the seventh grade band with the tri uh tri high schoolers helping out with them and then we had our 8th through 12th grade band. Um I played in the concert and it seemed like everyone 28 01:20:01.840 --> 01:20:17.280 really enjoyed it. I was there for the middle school concert as well. Everything went really well. So that was great. Lastly, our uh our drama programs song Chikatita from the musical Mama Mia will be going to state teen arts and 29 01:20:17.280 --> 01:20:37.360 everyone who is in that number is very very excited about it. Lastly, thank you all so much for having me this year and for having us this year. We really appreciate it. >> Thanks, >> Natalia. service. So, I'm gonna segue off of what 30 01:20:37.360 --> 01:20:54.320 she said about Chikatita. Um, not only that, we had a lot of artwork that also was selected for state tards. And then on top of that, each school is allowed to send three small ensemble pieces. They can be solos or just in small numbers for like the small ensemble instrumental section. And all three 31 01:20:54.320 --> 01:21:10.960 pieces that um Pakong sent all got selected for state and they only take like three or four. So, that was really big. Um, I'm performing a solo. Natalie Leb, senior clarinet player, is also performing a solo. And then the two of us are also performing a duet. Um, so that's great along with the artwork. Um, 32 01:21:10.960 --> 01:21:26.400 I'm pretty sure we're all really happy about this, how states is going to come out. That's on June 2nd. Um, so along with that, Try, who performed with our seventh graders, as Leia said, will also be having our annual recital on June 5th, a Friday. It's great. It's a lot of 33 01:21:26.400 --> 01:21:43.840 fun. Usually there's snacks, refresh refreshments, uh, and there's a lot of great music and it's all student led. It's we have our supervisor, our band director supervises, and then the students run the show and it's really we have a lot of fun with it. It's like our favorite thing to do all year along with our service projects. Um, upcoming is 34 01:21:43.840 --> 01:21:59.440 the induction/showcase. Come support our new inductees. There's and along with that, the showcase should really make it worth everybody's time. a small donation to the organization and everyone loves performing. I know Lil Lillian is performing. You guys are 35 01:21:59.440 --> 01:22:16.239 performing. We are doing or I am in two numbers. We're doing XWS from six and we're also planning on doing Sublock Tango from Chicago. >> Two very fun numbers. >> Yes. And there's a lot more. So, it'll it should be really good. Um and then also this past Sunday, just yesterday, 36 01:22:16.239 --> 01:22:30.960 the Marching Man car wash at Lakeside Tire. It seemed like everyone was having a really good time. I mean, we're washing cars and like how fun can a kid be washing a car. I know I watched my sister wash a hose off car, so that was really entertaining. Um, along with 37 01:22:30.960 --> 01:22:47.199 that, the signups for marching band and I know Lily just said that cheerleading started fundraising. So, the signups for marching band are due on May 28th and our first rehearsal will be June 3rd. So, it'll be >> here the earliest that the marching band has ever started. So, I know personally as someone that's going to be a senior, 38 01:22:47.199 --> 01:23:04.560 I'm really excited to start early. Um and then this Saturday and this Monday are our Memorial Day parades that we will be marching in. Same for for the marching band. Uh the step off for the Saturday one in Hope Paccom is at 10:00 a.m. by the police station and then the 39 01:23:04.560 --> 01:23:20.960 one in uh on Monday and Stanh Hope. The step off is at 1 pm just in the area. So come support the marching band. We've been rehearsing. Our last rehearsals is on Wednesday and I'm sure there's a lot of kids that are really excited to march and some their first time marching in a 40 01:23:20.960 --> 01:23:38.080 parade. So, uh, along with that, the So, this this next one's kind of big and I I know I've been performing with the ensemble for the past like I'd say two to three years. Um, so the Sussex County Youth Orchestra, the concert this year 41 01:23:38.080 --> 01:23:54.159 is being hosted at Hope Pack on High School. Norally it's housed at uh it's hosted at other high schools nearby and it's a an organization that they just they love to support us. say I know um there are they're offering it's all student it's all selected the kids are selected just based off of their 42 01:23:54.159 --> 01:24:10.960 performance in uh county organizations and they're offering scholarships to kids in our school and it's really great because they give a lot of so many great opportunities and then on top of that two of our seniors Natalie Leov and Dominica on clarinet and trumpet will be performing solos with the orchestra and 43 01:24:10.960 --> 01:24:26.800 they will be in the front of the stage performing a solo in front of everybody so that's really really exciting um on top of that and SLA testing is happening. I don't know if somebody mentioned that. Uh so NJSLA testing um and our finals will be June 4th, 5th, 44 01:24:26.800 --> 01:24:42.960 8th, and 9th. So the Thursday in June, the Friday, the Monday, and the Tuesday. So good luck to all students that are taking finals. And yeah, it's a final. So, uh lastly, I just on behalf of all three of us, I'd like to thank everyone for having us all here. I think I speak 45 01:24:42.960 --> 01:24:57.520 for everybody when I say that we really love doing this and we hope to continue and support the community in any capacity that we can next year. Thank you. >> Thanks, girls. Just a point on finals, too. I spoke to Mr. Jensen. The finals going to count if it's a full year class 46 01:24:57.520 --> 01:25:15.280 for 10% of your grade for the year. I know that midterms were a little different, things like that. So, spread the word. They matter. >> Absolutely. Ladies, I want to um I want to thank you right on behalf of the board, certainly myself, the meetings 47 01:25:15.280 --> 01:25:30.960 that you've been able to attend given your crazy schedules and all of the things that you are involved in. It it's a great way, one for the board to hear from you and a lot of the the wonderful things that you do, but also for the community to hear all of the great 48 01:25:30.960 --> 01:25:46.239 things that go on in our high school and that our students in this wonderful community are part of. And you know, sometimes it's only the the difficult things or the bad things, right, that everybody hears about. They don't always 49 01:25:46.239 --> 01:26:01.920 get to hear about the wonderful students that we have here. You all are are shining examples of that. Um, and I want to thank you for one for being here and two for putting your hearts into this community and Hope Hakong High School. 50 01:26:01.920 --> 01:26:20.239 So, thank you ladies. I really appreciate it. >> Thanks, girls. going to keep my um the rest of my report brief this evening. Um there is one change on the agenda under item C. Uh we will be approving the second 51 01:26:20.239 --> 01:26:37.679 reading of HIB reports for April. We will not be approving HI reports for uh May on first reading. That will occur during the June meeting. Okay. So we will simply be striking uh hib reports for May 2026 on first reading um that 52 01:26:37.679 --> 01:26:54.400 were presented this evening. Uh with that any questions for the board or from the board before we call roll on this one? >> Okay. You you want to get a motion? >> Yes, sure. Um can I please have a motion to approve the superintendent for item 53 01:26:54.400 --> 01:27:10.560 seven? >> I'll make it second. >> There you go. >> Dr. Capella. Yes, >> Mr. Davia. >> Yes, >> Miss ShraMM. >> Yes, >> Mr. Chaffy is absent this evening. Mr. Warren, >> I'll stand. >> Thank you, sir. Miss Paulina, 54 01:27:10.560 --> 01:27:26.800 >> yes. >> Mr. Citri, >> yes, sir. >> Miss Gulan. Miss Gulan abstains. Miss Falcone Schubert. >> Yes. >> Okay. Next, we'll move on to acknowledgement and correspondence. 55 01:27:26.800 --> 01:27:40.880 So, congratulations to the following students who were chosen as Hopackon Middle School students of the month for that standing performance in April. Grade five, Ashley Arnold. Grade six, Amir Bazadi and Avery O'Brien. In grade 56 01:27:40.880 --> 01:27:56.639 seven, Hayden Dhorn. Congratulations to the following students who were chosen as Opacon High School students of the marking period for their outstanding performance in the third marking period of 2526. Grade eight, Riley Stewart. Honorable 57 01:27:56.639 --> 01:28:12.159 mention, Kennedy Ram Rayondo, Bin Tracy, and John O'Brien. Grade nine, Grace Jagardis. Honorable mention Salame and Salame Hortando, and Genesis Santos. 58 01:28:12.159 --> 01:28:29.760 Grade eight, Elijah Ba Bailey. Grade nine, Tama Zabbo. Honorable mention, Dne Wack. Grade 12, Kayla Wright. Honorable mention, Kion Simpson. And now we'll take a moment to honor our student board of ed representatives. 59 01:28:29.760 --> 01:28:46.159 Whereas Natalia Jirena Roman, Reagan Grava, and Lillian Zinsley have served with distinction on the Hopakam Board of Education. And whereas through their leadership, the Hopakam Board of Education has gained fresh insights into student concerns, student priorities, 60 01:28:46.159 --> 01:29:00.880 and what is on the mind of young people in our community. And whereas they have further contributed to the community by serving as a valuable spokesperson, sharing the student perspective at board meetings. And whereas Natalia, Reagan, 61 01:29:00.880 --> 01:29:17.360 and Lilianne exemplary com commit. They have an exemplary commitment to fellow students and the school district as promoted through clear communication between the board district administration and the student body. And whereas Natalyia, Reagan, and Lilianne 62 01:29:17.360 --> 01:29:34.560 has maintained a professional decorum at board meetings, shown respect to board members, and strive to learn the proper etiquette of serving on a school board. And whereas they have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the education of all students without neglecting their own responsibility to strive for success 63 01:29:34.560 --> 01:29:50.560 in the classroom. Now therefore, it be resolved that the Hopakon Board of Education recognizes Natalyia Jirena Roman, Reagan Grava, and Lilianne Zinsley's dedication and commitment to the advancing educational opportunity and communication between the board, 64 01:29:50.560 --> 01:30:06.159 district administrators, and the student body. And be it further resolved that the members of the Hopakom Board of Education extends their sincere appreciation to Natalia, Reagan, and Lilianne for their dedicated service on the Hopakom Board of Education. And be 65 01:30:06.159 --> 01:30:21.120 it further resolved that the members of the Hopakom Board of Education extend their best wishes to Natalia Dire Roman, Reagan Grava, and Lilianne Zinsley and all of their future endeavors. Thanks, girls. And just as a side note, 66 01:30:21.120 --> 01:30:38.880 u we did put applications out for our board of ed student representatives. So everyone is welcome to apply. You can apply online is for rising juniors and seniors. And the due date is this Wednesday. Okay. Next, we'll move on to parent teacher organization representatives. 67 01:30:38.880 --> 01:30:55.040 Hi. >> Hi, Miss Nikki. >> Hi. Yeah, I' I've missed you guys. I haven't been here in a few meetings. She kind of stole everything that I was going to talk about. Um, so yes, our new season, uh, the kids applications are due for marching band on May 28th. They are having, she's having leader 68 01:30:55.040 --> 01:31:11.040 auditions on June 1st. That's really exciting for our upper classmen. Um, and we are already planning for this upcoming marching band season. That's earlier for us. It's usually something that happens right before band camp in August. Band Camp is scheduled for the 69 01:31:11.040 --> 01:31:28.000 second week of August. Um, we're kind of figuring out how that's going to look because the building is going to be closed. That's fine because we're super flexible. Um, so we're really excited for next year. Thank you so much for everything that you all did this year because it was a year that had some 70 01:31:28.000 --> 01:31:44.719 challenges, but I think the kids did a really good job. They were resilient. Um, and they had a great year and I'm looking forward to an even better year next year. >> Thank you. Mind you, Project Are you? >> Uh, I just going to say for Hepto. Um, their color run is June 6th 71 01:31:44.719 --> 01:32:00.960 >> at Hilltop >> at like two o'clock if I remember that time correctly. And then they have their ice cream social on June 9th at Tulsa at 6:00. >> Thank you. >> Project graduation, we're on the home stretch. Um, we're going to be hosting it uh June 11th and through the night 72 01:32:00.960 --> 01:32:16.320 and into the morning of June 12th. We're having it at Spa 23. We are still looking for some parent volunteers to do the overnight. Uh, you will ride the bus out with the kids. You will get to chaper and the kids. We feed you all night long. You can partake in the uh 73 01:32:16.320 --> 01:32:34.080 entertainment we have. Um and then bagel breakfast when you return. >> Thanks. Um I just have an update from the PTSO. Uh we purchased Zorb balls for the school. Have you seen those things where like it's a big bubble and you just No, I don't know. 74 01:32:34.080 --> 01:32:48.719 >> Bounce into >> bounce into each other. Yes. The insurance company approved it. Um, I'm not sure what it'll be used for, but I'm hoping like a fun field day. Um, and we are going to have our ice cream social on June 3rd during all lunches. So, 75 01:32:48.719 --> 01:33:03.040 we'll send an email out to you all. It's always a fun day. Um, I just love looking at the pictures of the kids eating the Spongebob and Spider-Man ice cream. You're never too old. And teachers, I should say, and teachers. >> Yeah. And that's it from the PTSO. Anybody else? All right. Next, we can 76 01:33:03.040 --> 01:33:21.679 move on to public comment. Thank you. Oh, nobody's on it. Is anybody in the Anybody in the public like to speak who didn't get a chance to sign in? Okay, move on to finance. 77 01:33:21.679 --> 01:33:41.159 Can I please have a motion for finance item 11? >> I'll make it. Second >> either one. >> Any take either a coin. Any discussion on finance items 11? Um, that should be 78 01:33:41.679 --> 01:34:01.840 just keep it at D. Where's my mess? Finance goes right to D. Okay. So, all of 11. Any any discussion on finance? Okay. Hearing none. >> Dr. Pella. >> Yes. 79 01:34:01.840 --> 01:34:17.199 >> Uh, Mr. Davio. Yes, >> Miss Shramp. >> Yes, >> Mr. Chaffy is absent. Mr. Warren, >> yes, >> Miss Paulina. >> Yes, >> Mr. Citriarch. >> Yes, >> Miss Gulan. >> Yes. >> Yes. And Miss Falcone Schubert. 80 01:34:17.199 --> 01:34:35.679 >> Yes. May I please have a motion to move item 12, personnel? >> Second. Any discussion? >> I would just like to u take a moment. Um item A on the agenda is um Miss Mary Burns. Um Miss Burns has been with us 81 01:34:35.679 --> 01:34:53.840 for 22 years. Um she will be retiring at the conclusion of this school year. Uh I've had an opportunity to work with Mary uh as a middle school principal, a high school principal, um and throughout a number of roles in the district. She is a uh a wonderful lady dedicated to 82 01:34:53.840 --> 01:35:09.600 science and our community. And I want to wish Mary uh the best of luck in retirement. Uh I know she's got uh a lot of things on on her agenda. So I want to congratulate and thank Mary for her service. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? 83 01:35:09.600 --> 01:35:31.199 >> Okay. Can you please call the RO? >> Yeah. On page 12. >> Yep. >> And item 12. Dr. Capella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Davio. >> Yes. Miss ShraMM, >> yes. >> Mr. Chaffy is absent. Mr. Warren, >> yes. >> Miss Paulino, 84 01:35:31.199 --> 01:35:45.199 >> yes. >> Mr. Citri, >> yes. >> Miss Gulan, >> yes. Thank you. And Miss Falcone Shoua? >> Yes. Can I please have a motion to move um items 13 travel and professional 85 01:35:45.199 --> 01:36:06.000 development 14 student and services 15 resolution 16 Cus County co-op to the addendum. So 13 through 16 >> it's going to be 13 through 86 01:36:06.000 --> 01:36:25.360 >> 16 13 through 16. Do you have a motion? >> I'll make it. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Discussion on items 13 through 16. >> Thank you. None. Can you please call the role? >> Dr. Capella? >> Yes. 87 01:36:25.360 --> 01:36:41.199 >> Mr. Davio? >> Yes. >> Miss Shramp? >> Yes. M. >> Jaffy is absent. Mr. Warren? >> Yes. >> Miss Paulino? >> Yes. >> Mr. Citri? >> Yes. >> Miss Gulan? Yes. And Miss Falcone Schubert. >> Yes. 88 01:36:41.199 --> 01:37:05.520 >> Can I please have a motion um to move item number one on the addendum under resolutions? >> Make it second. Any discussion? >> So, let me let me go through uh the two items on the agenda this evening. uh on 89 01:37:05.520 --> 01:37:23.119 the on the addendum this evening. Um as we have discussed in committee meetings um this month, we continue to look for ways to economize um and find additional savings u especially given the fact that we are 90 01:37:23.119 --> 01:37:40.080 staring at additional costs um that were not present uh when we struck our budget. And so one of the things that happened last year because the budgeting process starts in January, budget gets approved in April um on final approval 91 01:37:40.080 --> 01:37:55.040 and then you have this time of period from May to the start of the school year when things come up that aren't are aren't budgeted for. We have gotten to the point over the years with state aid cuts that we don't have cushion to 92 01:37:55.040 --> 01:38:12.239 absorb um large unexpected costs. And one of the things we saw last year was two special needs students moved into the district late in the school year. Um the cost of educating each of those children just their tuition at 93 01:38:12.239 --> 01:38:27.840 specialized private special education schools is $126,000 for each child. That doesn't include the cost of extended school year. doesn't include the cost of occupational and physical therapy or transporting those 94 01:38:27.840 --> 01:38:45.119 students. And if you remember in the June time frame last year, we ended having to cut four additional positions to be able to absorb that cost. So, one of the things we've continued to do is look for additional ways to save. Coming 95 01:38:45.119 --> 01:39:01.679 out of the pandemic, we saw transportation costs for bus transportation sore. We also saw a shortage of bus drivers and we saw a shortage of the availability of contractors to be able to deliver on 96 01:39:01.679 --> 01:39:18.800 contracts. uh and working with our transportation cooperative, we were able to go out and secure buses during a time period where the wait time on new buses uh for purchase were 18 to 20 months. Um we were able to get a hold of buses on 97 01:39:18.800 --> 01:39:34.639 lease purchase. We expanded our transportation department to bring that inhouse. As we've gone over the last three years, what we've seen is that the transportation market has stabilized for outside vendors. And we've also seen 98 01:39:34.639 --> 01:39:50.800 that pension and health care costs have soared. Our health care costs have gone up 29% and 31% just in the last two years, making the break even for us providing transportation inhouse no 99 01:39:50.800 --> 01:40:06.000 longer sustainable. and working with an outside vendor like we had done for 20 plus years is now more costefficient for us. So there are two items on the agenda this evening. The first is a resolution 100 01:40:06.000 --> 01:40:22.960 that allows us through auction process to sell off our vehicles that we have under lease purchase. We will be uh keeping two of those vehicles for the purpose of providing support for some special needs students in wheelchairs 101 01:40:22.960 --> 01:40:38.239 and also to provide some additional transportation for field trips, athletic trips, and things of that nature at a cost savings to the district. That's item number one. Item number two, under the Sussex County Regional Cooperative, 102 01:40:38.239 --> 01:40:54.159 uh they are a CTSA. We serve as their uh as their local education uh association. Um we are asking this evening that we will be abolishing the positions of bus drivers and bus aids through the co-op 103 01:40:54.159 --> 01:41:10.960 this evening. That's item number two on the agenda. That will allow us to uh accept bids from outside private contractors um to complete transportation services for the district. We have bid all of our 104 01:41:10.960 --> 01:41:26.560 existing transportation routes as a block. So it will be one transportation company unlike some other school districts that have multiple different transportation companies. Um the lowest responsible bidder for that process is 105 01:41:26.560 --> 01:41:43.280 Craft Bus. Um they will uh also be looking to lease one of our parking lots uh for additional revenue to the district. um that will be behind the high school gym where our current buses are to bring in some additional revenue. 106 01:41:43.280 --> 01:42:00.000 Uh Craft Bus has agreed to uh offer jobs to all of our current bus drivers um that wish to take them up on that offer. Um and this is a company that has a tremendous both safety and and customer 107 01:42:00.000 --> 01:42:15.600 focused reputation. um I feel very comfortable um recommending the award of that bid as well uh to that company. So that's items one and two this evening. If there's any further discussion from the board, I certainly welcome to answer 108 01:42:15.600 --> 01:42:30.239 any questions that you may have. >> Jeeoff, can you um just give us an estimate of how much it's saving us year after year? >> So if everything goes perfectly, remember that savings account that I said we do not have. Um, 109 01:42:30.239 --> 01:42:45.520 worst case scenario, $375,000. Best case scenario, $425,000. Um, we need to uh bid out our extended school year for our special ed students. That's not part of the cost. Um, but 110 01:42:45.520 --> 01:43:02.159 typically it's about 60 to $70,000 a year for that summer service. Um, that'll eat into that a little bit, but this will give us the opportunity to have a little bit of savings. um to deal with whatever may come down the pike 111 01:43:02.159 --> 01:43:19.679 here as we go from May until the school year starting up um and put us in a position where we won't have to if something comes out of the woodwork, we wouldn't have to lay off a staff member. Uh obviously, school districts are different. We can't just go out and borrow money if a large bill hits us. Um 112 01:43:19.679 --> 01:43:35.440 we have to have that revenue readily available to do that. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or discussion? Okay. So, I believe we are voting on item one. >> Item one, yep, is I have a motion by Miss ShraMM and a second by Dr. Capella. 113 01:43:35.440 --> 01:43:50.480 >> Okay. Please call the RO. >> Dr. Capella, >> yes. >> Mr. Davio, >> yes. >> Miss ShraMM, >> yes. >> Mr. Chaffy is absent this evening. Mr. Warren, >> yes. >> Miss Paula Chain, >> yes. >> Mr. Citri, >> yes. >> Miss Gulan, >> yes. 114 01:43:50.480 --> 01:44:08.159 >> Yes. Thank you. And Miss Falcone Schubert. >> Yes. Can I please have a motion to move item two on the addendum? >> I'll make it. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> None. 115 01:44:08.159 --> 01:44:23.840 >> Dr. Capella, >> yes. >> Mr. Davio, >> yes. >> Miss ShraMM, >> yes. >> Daffy is absent. Mr. Warren, >> yes. >> Miss Paulina, >> yes. >> Mr. Citri, >> yes. >> Miss Gulan, >> yes. Thank you. and Miss Falcone Schubert. 116 01:44:23.840 --> 01:44:39.440 >> Yes. Okay. Next, we'll move on to board of education member comments. If you'd like to make a comment, I'll start to my left, go down the row. >> Um, thank you to those who came out tonight. I wanted to wish our high school students good luck on finals. Um, 117 01:44:39.440 --> 01:44:56.400 as a teacher writing finals, it's not as fun as you think. So, we understand the struggle. Okay. Um, and I just want to remind everybody that the hard decisions we make about finances and stuff, um, they are hard and sometimes we don't 118 01:44:56.400 --> 01:45:11.520 have a choice and we have to do what's best for the kids. >> Mhm. >> And that's it. >> They're not easy. >> Thank you. >> Uh, thank you everyone for coming and I'm hoping everyone's enjoying this beautiful weather and I'm hoping it stays this nice for the graduation 119 01:45:11.520 --> 01:45:29.520 coming up on June 11th. I have nothing. Okay, >> Jim, >> just wanted to share my appreciation for the uh books and beyond ceremonies that happened last week. They were great. my daughters uh in Durban and Tulsa both parttook and uh went very nicely and 120 01:45:29.520 --> 01:45:46.239 also both my girls took part of the bike earlier at Durban which was well attended and the uh the community sponsors that came out to help with helmet fitting and checking bikes and make sure everybody's safe and refreshments and having the ability to have some fun with the friends after school. It was it was really nasty 121 01:45:46.239 --> 01:46:02.320 nicely done. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Um best of luck with finals. I can't believe we're saying that already. Like this year went by so fast. Um I want to just say congrats to Mary on her retirement as well. Um and also thank you to you ladies for all you've done 122 01:46:02.320 --> 01:46:18.800 this year as well. Appreciate it. >> Want to echo that. Thank you student representatives. You girls do a great job. Um and good luck on finals as well. >> Thank you. Um just to kind of echo what Natalia said and what we're all feeling is this addendum was tough. Okay. Our 123 01:46:18.800 --> 01:46:35.119 bus drivers are amazing. they are our eyes and ears and hearts. Um, you know, from the minute that the kids, you know, step on the bus, I feel safe knowing that they're with them. And I'm grateful that the company is able to offer um our staff positions. 124 01:46:35.119 --> 01:46:51.679 Um, with that said, I do want to kind of talk about it's like the end of the year. All these events are coming up and there's been a lot of talk online about what our school district does and does not do as far as um providing opportunities for our kids, you know, kind of extracurricular outside of the 125 01:46:51.679 --> 01:47:09.520 classroom. Um, what we just did on the addendum is an example of the position that we are in. it's very hard for us to do anything extra in addition to just making sure that our classes have what they need and the focus is on academics and safety. Um I would love to be able 126 01:47:09.520 --> 01:47:25.280 to you know provide more for the students outside of the classroom but right now that is our focus. Um but what I do want to say is in conjunction with the PTO's, parents, staff, teachers, administration, we do provide a lot for our students and I know the kids 127 01:47:25.280 --> 01:47:41.440 appreciate it. Sometimes the adults get hung up on the check boxes and what this district have and this district doesn't have, but um we do a lot and I appreciate everybody who helps because I know it's a lot of work. So um as far as I know, kindergarten has fun day. All of 128 01:47:41.440 --> 01:47:58.159 the elementary grades have field day. Um all the mentor grades have field trips. We have assemblies. We have um very cool experiences like Jim just mentioned, books and beyond that's not traditional that has been going on. I think my mom and Mrs. Plantomura started it and I am 129 01:47:58.159 --> 01:48:14.000 too old to tell you um how long ago that was. Um we do have a unique situation in our district where the seventh graders graduate, move up and go to the high school when there was overlap for a couple of years and that interim we did 130 01:48:14.000 --> 01:48:30.480 seventh and eighth grade events but those days have now gone. We are a district that has eighth grade in the high school. Okay. The kids have adapted beautifully. Every eighth grader that I talk to is happy to be up there because middle school is middle school. So what we do for seventh grade is a moving up 131 01:48:30.480 --> 01:48:46.639 ceremony. We have a breakfast. We have a dance. We have a funday. They're getting their own yearbook. All of those things are happening. They might not wear a cap and gown, but their name gets called. They get to walk across the stage and it's a lovely night. And then once you are in the high school, the eighth graders are included in all of the 132 01:48:46.639 --> 01:49:02.960 events. They attend the pap rally. They can go to homecoming. Some of them can even participate in some of the clubs, not the sports, but they're there. They're they have um good relationships with the with the with the teachers when they do become, you know, officially high schoolers. So, I think that's a 133 01:49:02.960 --> 01:49:18.960 great opportunity and there's so many things at the high school that our kids can take advantage of. I don't need to speak to it because you guys did a great job of it. So, I just want to say that yes, our focus is on academics and safety and we do the best we can with what we have to offer the kids opportunities. And not for nothing, 134 01:49:18.960 --> 01:49:33.520 there are only certain amount of days in the school year and hours in the day. And my kids are busy and I know you guys are and I'm sure you guys can say the same thing. So, thank you to all of you. And if anybody would like to help with some type of ceremony, additional field 135 01:49:33.520 --> 01:49:50.719 trip, after school talent show, the more the marrier. We take the help, but it costs money and it costs and it's a lot of time. So, I know that there's PTO's and parents who are willing and able to take in those those volunteers. Off my soap box now. Uh, thank you all 136 01:49:50.719 --> 01:50:10.080 for coming and I just need a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make it. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> We are adjourned. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you all. Thanks. >> Sweating. Where's the AC? AC doesn't 137 01:50:10.080 --> 01:50:21.560 work in here. We don't spend the money on here. >> Back to exhibit A. >> Okay. Keep Keep.