Welcome to a meeting of the 10 Central Regional High School Board of Education. Please be advised that this and all meetings of the board are open to the public and media consistent with the open public meetings act and that advanced notice required therein has been provided. Meeting notice was also
posted on the district website in the boardroom of the upper school campus sent to the new New Jersey Herald tap into and sent to the clerks of Delaware township eastwell township Flemington Burough Rariton Township and Readington Township. the public will have an
opportunity to be heard as shown on the agenda. Um, I do also want to point out that we have an addendum to the agenda. Um, it is provided with the other paperwork. Those items will be voted on after executive session. And
can we all rise for the flag salute? >> Roll call. >> Roll call. I'm sorry. >> Sorry. [laughter] Just a test. >> Sorry. Test. Roll call first then the flag salute. Okay. >> Sorry. Mrs. Spitzer, >> Miss Bryce >> here, >> Miss Gong here,
>> Dr. Halpern >> here, Miss Lacosta >> here, >> Mrs. Rothal >> here, >> Mrs. Santangelo >> here, >> Miss Wallace >> here, >> Reverend Williams >> here, >> and Mrs. Kellogg >> here. Now, let's >> now will everyone please rise for the flag salute.
Miss Rothell, would you read the district mission statement, please? >> Hunter and Central is an innovative educational community dedicated to the intellectual, social, and emotional safety and growth of all students. While fostering curiosity and promoting wellness, we aspire to create powerful
learning experiences, establish strong partnership, and serve as contributing members of society. Thank you. The first item on the agenda is the approval of the February 17th, February 26th, and March 11th minutes and
executive session minutes. Do I have a motion? >> Second. You can try >> after after you second it. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, Sandra moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Is there any discussion on the
minutes or the executive session minutes? >> Um I do want to correct u the last meeting um but actually Mrs. Santangelo and I got confused as to which executive session I wasn't in and I was there in January on the Zoom call and I was not
there in February. So when I abstained from that uh decision I should not have but I do want it on the record that I was there in January. >> Thank you. Any other comments on the minutes? >> Okay, Mrs. Spitzer, roll call vote. Miss
Bryce, >> yes. Mr. Gong >> abstain because I was not there. >> Dr. Halpern, >> I was there. Is this all three? >> The 17th. >> I was here on the 17th, the 26th, but not the 11th.
>> Okay, we're taking the 17th. Is that a yes? >> I thought we moved all three of them. >> Oh, we did? Okay. I'm sorry. Yes. >> So, Miss Miss Price, let's start again. Are you okay with all three? >> Yes. >> Thank you, Miss Gong. I am fine with six and seven but not five because I was not
present. >> Dr. Halpern, I was here for five and six but not for seven. Miss Lacosta, >> yes for five and six, abstain for seven as I was not there. >> Mrs. Rothell,
>> approve five and six. Abstain from seven. >> Mrs. Santangelo, >> yes. Miss Wallace, >> approve six and seven and abstain from five. >> Reverend Williams,
>> yes. >> And Mrs. Kellogg, >> yes. >> I believe they all pass. >> Thank you. Um I I would just note on the agenda that we have received correspondence and it is on file with
the um board secretary and With that, I'll move into the president's report. Um, I would just like to thank Miss Kangala Hade, Miss Spitzer, and their teams for the work rep preparing for the budget retreat and
the 2027 2026 2027 budget. Every department has fully reviewed their budgets and identified opportunities for efficiencies and cost reductions. I've been consistently impressed by their expertise and professionalism of our business administrator and her staff.
Their focus on fiscal responsibility and long-term planning has put our district on solid financial ground. As we learned during the budget retreat, financial pressures beyond the control of the district are projected to escalate costs for the district. In the 2026 2027
budget represents a measured, thoughtful, and imprudent approach to managing these escalations to reduce the risk of budgetary shocks we've seen in neighboring districts. As we continue to hear in strategic planning and is articulated in the 2025 2026 board of
education goals, the community wants to create more opportunities for our students and that remains our focus. Miss Kangalosi Hade, offer to you over to you. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Kellogg. Um, tonight I'm going to switch up the order of events in my report
because we have a variety of students here. So, I want to be sure that we're respectful of their time and their evening commitments that they have. So, I'd like to start with our students and then I'll move into the majority of my report. So, first I'd like to ask our student representatives Bronwin Downey
and Alexis Chen to provide us with their report. >> All right. Good evening everyone. Our names are Madani and Alexis Chen and we are your student representatives on this board of education. Tonight we'll be going over student news getting through the month of March. This month, while myself and the rest of
the school enjoyed a few days sleeping in last week, the class of 2027 was less lucky. For three days, the juniors woke up bright and early to take the NJGPA or New Jersey graduation proficiency assessment, which assesses English language arts and mathematics skills in
order to screen for graduation readiness. Speaking of life after Central, on March 17th, Hundred Central's College and Career Center hosted its annual college fair, inviting over 150 colleges, trade, and technical schools, military recruiters, and other
post-secary options for students of all grades to speak directly with representatives about their respective institutions, and learn about options available to them. And while you likely didn't catch many seniors at the fair, don't think they're off celebrating just yet. This week, many of us, Bronin and
myself very much included, have been working to complete Hundred Central's local scholarships. These scholarships offer both merit and need-based financial support to collegebound students with various specialties, services, and contributions to the community. Lastly, in student news, our
speech and debate tournament, our speech and debate team hosted the annual state tournament here on campus. The team welcomed hundreds of competitors from dozens of schools with the help of students, staff, and family volunteers helping to put this event together. In musical news, our orchestra had a
successful spring concert last Thursday. But if you happen to miss it, there will be a band concert this Thursday as well from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the auditorium. And in case you couldn't get enough of our uh Thesmians from the spring musical, there will be another Thesian showcase this Friday from 7:00
to 8:30. As far as spring sports, our spring sports season has begun with girls flag football, boys tennis, track and field, boys volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, and softball starting off their first practices and game strong. Before they begin, however, we're proud to announce that the girls winter track team, our
group four state champions. In spring sports news, our girls flag football is off to a an amazing start with a win of 470 against Piscatoaway last Wednesday. >> [gasps and laughter] >> We encourage you all to check out Central's newest sport for their second game on Wednesday, March 25th at 4 p.m.
Boys volleyball will start off their season this Thursday at 5:15 against Hopewell Valley and boys lacrosse will begin against Wayne Valley this Saturday morning. As always, Alexis and I wish the best of luck to all spring athletes, and we can't wait to report out their amazing accomplishments in the last months of the school year. In student
input news, our February student admin lunch on the 25th was spent reviewing the results of the January poll survey in comparison to the one that we gave out in November. One notable difference between the two was a significant drop in respondents. So, this much smaller
number thus made us understand that the data we were gathering in the survey would be only representative of a smaller, more vocal population of students rather than the school at large. But we still found an increase in people thinking there was enough opportunities to get involved at Central. And in line with this finding,
students suggested having a commitment rating next to each club name on the school website to show students which clubs, for example, have meeting attendance requirements or which ones are just for fun to encourage more involvement across a wide variety of clubs with less stress for students looking to get involved. In regards to
the mixed data on how effective the 82minute class blocks were, one student pointed out that for them the length of class wasn't as important as how a teacher uses it. For a class with a variety of work types and periods for brain breaks, the student didn't mind how long the class actually was, which
informs how teachers can structure their classes for maximum student engagement. Finally, we also discussed the upcoming climate and culture survey which was sent out to students to complete at the end of last week to share their strengths and challenges surrounding their school. And we're excited to look at this data as it comes in and share
some results in an upcoming presentation. Thank you all for listening to our report tonight. We hope everyone is having a great start to the spring and we're excited to continue sharing the passion for students here at Central. >> Okay. Thank you, Brahman and Alexis. And
I love that commitment rating that we came up with at the lunch. I thought that was a great idea to increase just students awareness of what a club's typical commitment looks like. So, great idea. Thank you. Um, next up, we have some students to honor and celebrate. We typically honor students twice per year,
as you know, but the recognitions tonight are more timely. So, as such, I wanted to be sure we recognize them at tonight's meeting. So, I'm going to ask Mr. Grant, our principal, to come forward and kick us off with honoring first our National Merit finalists.
>> All right. Thank you very much and good evening. Uh, so we are very excited and honored to announce that we have two National Merit Scholarship finalists in the class of 2026. One of them happens to be right there. So, Bronwin Downey,
come on up. Yep. [applause] So joining Bronnin 2 is Philip Kazansv. I I don't believe he was able to make it tonight. Um but Bronwin and Philip, congratulations. And just to give you a sense of what National Merit Scholar
Finalist is. It's a um one of approximately 15,000 nationally. Um which means the top 1% of all test takers of the PSAT initially go through the semi- finalist process. And based on the PSAT scores, academic record, school
recommendations, and their own essays, um they met first the semi- finalists. And then recently, this past month, they were recognized as finalists, which um to become a finalist, a semi-finalist must submit a detailed application, include high school transcripts, a
personal essay, and SAT or ACT scores that confirm the PSAT scores that they had originally. Also, the school has to endorse them officially. um and provide academic records and you know understand again being named a finalist is a very
prestigious distinction and often highlights top academic talents on college applications. So Bronin congratulations and Philip too if you're at home congratulations and thanks for representing us as well too. [applause] Another person I'd like to recognize
here and her name is Ha Mustafa. So Hia I don't believe was able to make it tonight. Um but so as as school board members you may know the Hunter County School Boards Association hosts an annual event where they recognize what is called the
unsung hero and is is basically to look for somebody who uh maybe isn't the top of the class or maybe isn't the all state in something but is somebody who goes above and beyond just day in and day out and maybe in some places
wouldn't be recognized. Um, but they, you know, and that association goes forward and identifies one 12th grader from each of the high schools in the county and one eighth grader from each of the eighth grade buildings throughout the county. Um, and they were recognized
last month over at JP Case with a really nice ceremony. So, I'd like to just speak on behalf of Hia. So, here is Hunter and Central's unsung hero. Uh, she has worked incredibly hard to earn a 3.7 GPA while taking honors and advanced level classes. But what really sets her
apart, even while she meets her own challenges, she never stopped showing up for others. She volunteers at speech and debate tournaments, stays active and interact club, tutors younger students, and goes out of her way to make sure no one feels left behind here at school.
That takes a special kind of strength. Every day, Hira comes to school with a smile and treats everyone with genuine warmth and kindness. She's the student who notices when someone is sitting alone and brings them into the conversation. She's the one who stays behind making sure everything's cleaned
up while everybody else has left. And she doesn't do these for recognition. She does it just because that's who she is. So here is journey all while caring so deeply about her community is what is being an unsung hero is all about. She
shows us what real character isn't about avoiding isn't about avoiding challenges. It's about rising above them and bringing others up with her. So uh we again I was honored to be able to go and recognize her last month at JP Case for that ceremony and I wanted to
mention her here tonight. Um, so congratulations, Hira. [applause] And, uh, the last group that I'd like and I like to invite them all up. So, Eagle Scouts, if you would come on up. If you guys want to line up along here
and then what I'll do is when I call your name out, step forward and I'm going to talk a little bit about what what you did to achieve this. So these are our folks here that are Eagle Scout recognition over this past year. So from troop 65 and Ringo, I'm
going to mention their name and also give a brief idea of of what they did to accomplish this. So I don't believe with us tonight is William Boyce. William Boyce constructed 40 birdhouses um to help retain the local bird population
and lessen the environmental impact on a redevelopment project in the area surrounding JPK's middle school. So congratulations William who wasn't able to be here tonight. So Jackson Jackson Kelmer Jackson Kelmer Jackson step
forward Zelmer I'm sorry. Yep. Jackson constructed a 15 foot diameter fire ring area um with a central fire pit and benches up at Spruce Run Recreational Center located up in Clinton, New Jersey. And it was to create a safe and
communal campsite that supports large grouping um camping. So congratulations, Jackson. [applause] Uh Michael Jorris. Michael, step forward. Uh, Michael installed eight flag polls at down at Surgeonsville, VFW, American Legion, one for each of
the six branches of the military and two, one for the MIAs and one for killed in action. So, congratulations, Michael. Thank you for your work, [applause] Jonathan Harvey. So Jonathan um he created um created content a content refresh and layout
design of the website of the Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church in Ringo. He led a group of scouts to improve the website's usability and communication process. So congratulations Jonathan. Thank you [applause] Jason Snider Jr. Jason.
So Jason restored and renovated the giving garden at the Flemington Jewish Community Center over on Sergeantsville Road as well. Led a group of volunteers to remove rotten materials and prepare and install new materials this a year ago for preparation for the spring
planning season of spring of 2025. So again, thank you Jason. [applause] And rep representing troop 90 up in Branchburg, we have Jaden Weiss. Jaden. So Jaden's uh the project uh he created
was supported the Rucker fish tagging research and education program by contributing valuable scientific data from 73 tagged fluke. This information will be combined with data collected and reported by other volunteers uh fishing
in Barnagut Bay and near Barnagate Inlet during 2025 uh year. It helped research gain a deeper understanding of fluke migration patterns, growth, behavior, habitats, lifespan, and recapture rates. In addition, 98 fluke were harvested
from Barnagut Bay and sold to local restaurants and also allowing to donate $360 to the Flemington Area Food Pantry in support of community members. So, thank you, Jaden, [applause] and Jeffrey Weiss. Jeffrey. Jeffrey's
project was to deploy 12 concrete artificial reef balls at Barnagate Light uh reef site in New Jersey. This initiative will support the local fishing community and boost the economy in Ocean County by attracting sought after species such as summer flounder
and black sea bass, benefiting bait shops, marinas, and charter businesses in the area. Additionally, the reef balls will create habitat for more than 150s of species of fish and crustaceans. So, thank you very much, Jeffrey. [applause] And these projects, you know,
collectively are not not alone what makes an Eagle Scout. All the scouts here held several positions of leadership within the troop throughout their scout career. They participated in a variety of service projects, earned a minimum of 21 merit badges, and attended
camping trips. These scouts continue to support the troops and community by attending meetings and participating in service projects. And I I want to thank you, too, because I'm big proponent of community. And thank you very much for stepping up and serving our community. Thank you.
[applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you, Mr. Brandt. And congratulations and thank you again to our students. We're so proud of you and we're so we're so proud that you're also representing our HC community. Thank you. And thank you parents for coming. I hope you got your pictures. I saw you
trying to sneak them in there. Um, and don't feel like you have to stay. I know it's late at night, so if you need to leave, that's okay, too. I do just want to say that. Um, Bronwin and Alexis did an excellent job, as they always do, on showcasing our students and the many events that we have going on here at
Central. As they noted, we did kick off spring last week with some state testing with the required New Jersey graduation proficiency assessment that is now adaptive and that was for our 11th grade students. We do have more testing ahead this spring with the New Jersey student learning assessment that's adaptive for
9th and again 11th graders as well as AP testing in May. However, spring is very busy beyond testing as I'm sure you all know. We have many athletics and co-curricular activities events planned. So, I hope we'll see some of you or all of you at one or more of these events.
Um, please check the calendar on our website frequently. We do try and update it as often as possible. So, um, I also wanted to note that we had our second strategic planning session on March 11th with 63 attendees. Through the guidance of Dr. Tian and Mrs. Porier from the New
Jersey School Boards Association, we work through a portrait of a learner activity. essentially, what do we believe all students should leave here with when they graduate? Excuse me. I'm sorry. While I participated only in one breakout room of about 15, I was really thrilled to
hear what each of the other groups presenting. It was truly electrifying and I don't know those of you who were there if you felt the same way. Um, we heard about ensuring that students find their place at Central and that they feel engaged with their coursework and additional extracurricular opportunities, incorporating future
focus concepts like AI into more coursework and providing students with more opportunities for passion and career development and refocusing our work on students executive functioning skills, their emotional well-being and their adaptability. I am particularly grateful for our student participation
at each as each of our students there presented for their small groups in front of 60 plus people which is no small task and that includes our two student representatives right here and I'm very proud of our community for coming together and for collaborating on this activity to bring us to our future
goal areas. These goal areas are now student learning experience, future ready engagement and health and wellness. So, I hope everyone will join us for our third and final strategic planning session on April 14th at 6 PM in the commons. At this session, we will
develop goal statements for each of our goal areas as well as objectives for these goals. So, thank you again to everyone who has participated thus far and thank you to our board for supporting this important work. Before we move into the tenative budget presentation, I want to ensure I note
the HIB and suspension report on the agenda. We do have HIPS tonight in executive session and the HIB report action item reflects HIPS from executive session on February 26 and a followup again in executive sess in executive session on March 11th. So that's it for
my report and I'll pass it back to you Mrs. Kellogg and I will hand it over to Mrs. Spitzer for the the tenative budget presentation. Um, Bronin and Alexis, you are are welcome to stay or welcome to to head off. It's up to you.
Mr. 11. Sorry, I didn't before I could uh actually even try and grab it. 69. Okay. I don't really know where to leave my water, but just in case. Okay, I think
we're good. Good. Okay. Okay. And BOE members, you do have this as an attachment. You also have a a print out, I believe, in your folder. Okay. All right. So, good evening again. We're happy to be here tonight and present you
our recommendations for the 2026 2027 budget. This is our tenative budget presentation. This is really a followup from our budget retreat from last month where we took you through some specific mechanics of developing the budget as well as some of the discretionary items.
And at that time we did not have state aid numbers. If you recall that was due to um the governor being new and pushing back the timelines. But since then obviously we have received our state aid numbers as have all districts in New Jersey. Ours went down.15%
or $7,246. um we had been budgeting anyway with the assumption that seed aid was going to be flat. So this reduction is nominal to our budget development at that time. So tonight, Mrs. Spitzer and I are going to take you through our long-standing budget strategies as well as specific
recommendations for the 2026 2027 budget. So I want to start with our mission statement. Mrs. RTell, you just read that for us, but I'll read it again um because this really does ground us and this is what it's all about. So Hunan Central is an innovative educational community dedicated to the
intellectual, social, and emotional safety and growth of all students. While fostering curiosity and promoting wellness, we aspire to create powerful learning experiences, establish strong partnerships, and serve as contributing members of society.
So what this is really reflecting and what everyone should be keeping in mind as we go through this is our priority is on our students. And there there's the slide that says our priority is our students. So our district obligation is to ensure that our students meet or exceed the New Jersey student learning
standards. This illegal requirement for all districts. I'm proud to say that our tenative budget maintains all academic programs that we currently have and in fact were able to enhance some programming without a fiscal impact. For example, we are adding two new magnet
programs in performing arts and education. In addition, we're adding a 1 plus one pathway for the students in the biomedical sciences academy to earn one year toward an associates degree in health science at RVCC. We have a large program of studies which enable students to pursue their
passions. And it is important that we continue to support this. In addition to our academics, we're required to provide students with the supports and resources they need to meet the New Jersey student learning standards. This tenative budget continues to fund academic support and
interventions under our multi-tered system of supports which you've heard about many times as well as counseling and mental health support and supports within special education which are required. Additionally, we are very happy to say we can continue to fund our
co-curricular and athletic offerings for the 2026 2027 school year. So I just spoke about strategic planning a few minutes ago and I want to emphasize that we have seen both through our strategic planning sessions as well as through discussions with students or parents
either at the student leadership lunches or informally that these are the highlights of their time at Hunan Central. This overall experience that brings together all of these pieces is what sets Central apart and it's why we continue to prioritize them from a funding perspective.
So, just some highlights before we get into some nitty-gritty. As part of our budget retreat and in committee discussions, we've talked about New Jersey school districts facing sustained structural fis fiscal pressures as expenditures outpace our revenue growth.
Our 2026 2027 budget continues the past practice of budgeting strategies that prioritize disciplined financial planning, clear prioritization, and responsible long-term decisionmaking to maintain program quality and fiscal stability, which is one of our budget
objectives. As I noted, the budget sustains and even enhances all academic and extracurricular programs and sustains the highly qualified staff needed to teach and manage programs. We are not relying on one-time revenue sources or
temporary revenue sources. And we are minimizing local tax levy increases while addressing large increases for healthcare, inflation, and utilities. And if you recall, Mrs. Spitzer went into detail with those at the budget retreat. With this, we are gradually using the
tools available to us and want to do so in a way that is ethical and respectful to our school community members and taxpayers. And that allows us to not only plan for next year, but for the future of Hunan Central. With state allowable healthc care adjustments and
banked cap, we can raise the tax levy to 5.73% without going out for vote. However, again, we are approaching this from a standpoint of fiscal responsibility and longevity for the district to minimize the impact to the t to the taxpayers
year-over-year. And this is why I, in collaboration with our administration, I'm making the recommendation to increase the tax levy by one additional percent over the cap or 3% total. I will now pass it over to our esteemed business administrator, Mrs. Spitzer to
explain our budgeting philosophy and strategies and to give you some more detail in our tenative budget. Thank you, Miss Kangalloi Hay. I apologize. I have to use many techniques because I can't see that. Um, I'd like to start by talking more about
the budgeting strategies that have been in place for many years here at Hunter Central. Um, our goal is to remain consistent in budgeting and limiting the impact of the local tax levy through utilization of ser surplus and reserves accounts while avoiding the fiscal
cliff. The sat strategies include um Oh, I didn't turn it. >> I know. I didn't want to push it. >> Where do I push it? >> Just the that guy. Sorry. >> Oh, I might have gone too far now. Okay. >> Okay. So, our strategies include generating consistent levels of surplus
year-over-year. I will explain what that means as we go forward. Utilizing unrestricted and restricted surplus, utilizing legal reserve counts, um, which are, um, it's a state term when you say when I say legal reserves, it's not for attorney fees. It's specifically
for capital reserves, maintenance reserves, and other legal reserves we're allowed to have. We um one of our strategies is to continue um building our reserves so that we do not need to um incur a debt service um by needing to go out to
referendum. And we'll talk more about that. In 2021, our debt service expired. Um we did not need to go out for additional debt service uh to do capital projects or building uh projects. Therefore, that was a direct uh savings to taxpayers. It was direct tax relief.
We don't use temporary funds for permanent expenditures. We talked about that at the budget retreat. And if staff reductions are needed um over the years, over the last several years, we've been able to um absorb those through mostly through attrition as much as possible.
Can you hear me? Oh, okay. So the first thing that it's important to understand um is there is a lot of terms that are are reported in official documents such as our audit such as our budget
as well as discussed in many forums that are confusing and need clarification. In addition, it's important to understand how each of these buckets must be considered during the year-end close the audit and also during the next year's budgeting process all in
combination. A forward thinking and planning approach must be included. Developing a budget is is more than just estimated revenues and expenditures in one year. You must plan several years in advance. That's where the following buckets come
into play. I'll define surplus first because it's a word that can be very confusing and misleading all at the same time. In New Jersey, budgets, a budget surplus or a deficit is defined by the difference between your audited revenues
and your audited expenditures. If your revenues are higher than your expenditures, you have a you have a surplus or a net profit. If it's the other way around, sadly, you have a deficit or even a loss. We are required to do something that with that at the end of each year, and there are only a
few things we're allowed to do with it. So basically surplus is unspent funds as of June 30th of any fiscal year. Unrestricted surplus is a portion of the fund balance not allocated for certain purposes and we're allowed to keep it in
our own reserves and that's 2% of the audited expenditures. So the New Jersey school budget um so surplus is basically divided into two pieces if you will unrestricted and restricted. And it's important to
understand the difference. Unrestricted, as I explained, is used to support next year's budget if needed. It is limited by the state regulation that it's 2% of the audited expenditures or $250,000, whichever is more. So, if you can imagine being in a small district, you
have $250,000 in your unrestricted reserve. What that would mean to you is if you have a change in your special ed population by maybe one or two students in that given year after your budget has already been struck, that 250,000 is all you have to be able to cover that. Okay?
It's more here because we have a bigger budget. Um but it's the same concept. Those are the reasons why we have that unrestricted reserve. Anything above 2% is restricted and it's determined at the end of every single school year what we can do with that money. We can only put
it in two places and I need to try to focus on my slides because I'll just keep talking. The unrestricted part is again those above 2% or we are allowed a couple of allowances and that's just going to muddy the waters right now, but we can
talk about that later. The restricted surplus is the balance over 2% and we're allowed to do two things with it. We could one give it back to taxpayers and tax relief and that technically the technical term for that is you will see it in the audit.
It's called excess surplus which is very misleading. It's excess in the current year but it's not anything we can use. It's designated for the next year's budget. The other piece is it is also called the budgeted fund balance. You'll see it on our motion tonight. It's $3.9
million. That also is the budget's way. You'll see that in the userfriendly. It's the same number. It's the same information. It's budgeted to be given back in tax relief in the next year's budget. That money is generated from that
surplus as well. The other thing that we are allowed to do with this excess surplus is to put it into what's called the legal reserve. Again, as I briefly spoke about earlier, that's not to pay pay attorneys. That's to reserve for our future. That's to plan as we continue to go forward. and we have done a really
good job making deposits into capital reserves as well as maintenance reserves. And so those are two that we mainly use. We do also have an emergency reserve that was put in um years and years ago. And it's not as easy to get the money out. So we don't use it um as
much. I think the last time we took out out money was when we put in uh new security systems and that was quite a while ago. What's important to understand is that restricted um surplus cannot legally be used to
fund our budget. It it it only goes in by board action in June. We do a board uh motion every June to put money into both of those reserves. Usually we do a not to exceed balance because we're not 100% sure what that number is going to
be until the audit is complete. But we use these methods and these buckets to be able to keep the budget consistent so that all of a sudden you don't have a big jump in one number or the other because that's what what's going to happen is you're not going to be able to
recover that in the coming years. And that was one of the things we stressed when we talked about the budgeting workshop. We talked about as the natural progression of the budget is going to go forward as our expenditures continue to exceed our our revenues, naturally that
structure is going to be squeezed. We're not going to have the ability to create the same level of surplus. So what does that mean? We start by not putting as much into our reserves because you got to keep your tax relief flat because if you don't keep your tax relief fat, we're going to have to go up a lot more
than 3%. And that's not going to be an option. The reason we had a choice this year is because we're able to still keep it flat. So that's the first thing that's going to go. And I think I'm way off my slides. So let's talk about what that looks
like. This is a slide that represents and it's nine years because I couldn't fit 10 on here. I apologize. And be able to read it. Not that I can read that anyway. But basically what this gives you is a a look back of the last nine years of what
we have created in budgeted fund balance. Again audit calls it excess surplus. The budget module and and the budget process calls it budgeted fund balance. That's tax relief. That's excess surplus that was generated in the
prior year of of of our bookkeeping, if you will. It's generated every year. It's either a surplus or a deficit. If it's a deficit, we're in a lot of trouble and the state of New Jersey will be in here quicker than you can blink your eyes. Um, so if you look at this, you can see that
budgeted fund balance tax relief is very consistent. We go from 3.9 million, a little over four, 3.8 million, 3.8 million, a little over four. We jumped a little bit there. We must have anticipated something that was going to happen in 23 that we wouldn't be able to make up in revenues, etc. What does this
tell you? that we've done a really good job maintaining a revenue stream consistently that we've been able to make up either in cuts or we've been able to make it up in some other revenue without exceeding substantially the um tax levy calculation.
What also is important to note here is if you look at all of the state aid numbers as well for the last nine years, you can see our state aid numbers have been decreasing. So, while our state aid numbers are decreasing, we're still maintaining our tax relief at a at a a standard level. And we will also in the
next slide, we'll talk about how we're able to um maintain um additional funding at a standard level and that's how we're able to stay stable. Okay? So, as long as we consistently
budget as long as we can, provide the same level of tax relief, continue to put as much as we can into our reserves, we'll be able to self- sustain and weather the storm for a longer period of time. This next slide just represents what's
happened uh numerically in our state aid. The the first slide just represented the total amount of the state aid. This actually represents what we've lost in the last several years in state aid. Um oh sorry I got to talk into the microphone. And what this
overall represents is we've gone down about $784,000 or 13.73% in state aid. that money is able to be recovered with minimal impact on the tax levy because again we have the bucket of money that we're able to manage over time through the auditing
process to be able to keep us consistent. The other thing that we're allowed to do with our surplus, there's two things. Remember tax relief. The second is to put it into a legal reserve. Not to pay legal fees, but to reserve for our future. Two important things that we do with it is we put money in capital
reserve. That is money that is reserved for facility projects. It's tied directly to what we call a long range facility plan or it's an LRFP. For those of you who hear hear us talk in acronyms, this is approved by the state of New Jersey. The amount that we maintain in reserves cannot exceed that
balance. We we have to show that we have projects for which we're going to use this money for. The second thing we use is um the maintenance reserve. This is something else. This is more for maintenance projects. If a a air conditioning unit needs to be repaired or a boiler needs
to be repaired, those are bigger, pricier things that aren't necessarily um budgeted in the budget dollar for dollar. And what we're allowed to do that again ties with the state of New Jersey tells us we have to maintain a certain dollar amount in maintenance. We
have to produce um we have to maintain our buildings at a certain level. They give us a square footage per dollar per square footage. are the total is about $2.9 million. What you do there is if you need to use it, the first place you look to put it back at the end of the
year to maintain it at the maximum level is maintenance reserve to get it back to 2.9%. That gives you flexibility between what you're doing in your budget yeartoyear as well as how you're using your reserves to bas basically make more money, not make more money, but make your money work a little better for you.
Um, and we do have emergency reserve. As I said to you before, it's I'm I'm not sure which BA is responsible [laughter] for putting money in there, but it's been in there for a really long time, and I think we were successful in being able to do a couple of projects with it, but is very very restricted. What's the benefit of having the
reserves accounts? One, I don't have to go out for referendum when I have the level in capital reserves that I do. Going out to referendum isn't fair to taxpayers. I can sustain where I am and where I need to be based on what I have in capital reserves. Not only that, but
that capital reserves generates close to a million dollars in interest income every year. Again, tax relief. Tax relief. Okay. The other thing there is we applied for 15 rod grants two years ago. We received all 15 rod grants in
order to be able to initiate the grant. The grant represents the state will fund us 40% of the um final eligible costs, if you will, of the project. It's not the budget. It's you have to prove and give them receipts
and they will reimburse us up to 40% of the final eligible costs. If I didn't have 60% my 60% of those projects in capital reserve, I wouldn't have gotten the grants. That's over $3.5 million in this year's budget that we anticipated in getting
back from the state of New Jersey that we wouldn't have had had we not had money to be able to show was available for our for our 60%. So what does that mean? Our capital reserves are going to last a little bit longer because as time goes on,
we won't be able to maintain them at the same level we've been maintaining them for the last 15 years. they will naturally decrease because there's no place to be able to generate the surplus from. Our expenditures are exceeding our revenues. This is a list of the capital projects
that are included in this budget. Um the total is 11.6 million. Um I know that's a scary number. You're going to say you're going to spend all my capital reserve in one year. What are you doing? You just told me you needed the interest income and you can't put it back fast enough. Two things. One is this is the
budget. It's not the actual number. If the bid comes in less than this, we only move the money and use the money that we're allowed based on the bid specs. Right? So, we move a contingency. The board approves to move the money into uh the general fund. It goes into fund 12 for capital projects. And if it's not
used, it goes back to capital reserves. I cannot supplant my budget with any money left over from a project in either maintenance reserves or capital reserves. In addition to that, the asterisk ones in this of the 11.6 million are rod grants. Up to 40% of
that money will come back from the state. So, we won't be using all of it. We'll have to move it because I'll have to pay bills until the state gets around to giving it back to us, sadly. But, there will be a motion to put it back into capital reserves as soon as we get the refund from the state. And that's about
$3.5 million. So, this isn't 11 million $1.6 $6 million that actually is going to leave Capital Reserve. It may temporarily um but I do anticipate a large piece coming back from the state of New Jersey as well as hopefully um the bids come in
a little bit better. And actually I have two on the agenda tonight for approval and they both did. I wanted to show you this because this is very interesting. Um, and this is why capital reserve again is so important in this district only because you have it.
It's going to be very difficult to begin to generate it and build it to the levels we've had to. But this is what it's done for you. This again is the last nine years. You can see that in 1819 1920 through 2122 I had a debt service payment in excess of
$2 million. Right? That debt service payment expired in 2223. We didn't increase it. We didn't go out again. We didn't raise a tax levy. That was an instant 1.72% tax levy decrease to every taxpayer in
our sending district. What that means is if you can look at this and the reason we did this slide is because we wanted to show that over the last again nine years. I think it's a little bit longer than that but I can only fit nine. We exceeded the the the
tax levy cap of two of 2% twice. Twice. One was in 1920 and one was in 2021 and they were minimal. One was at 2.45% and one was 3% on the dot. We are asking for that this year up
until this point two times in the last nine years. And in addition to that, we've we've exhausted the tax levy or the debt service tax levy. So you're not paying that anymore. And we don't need to go out until you get to the point where you're unable to sustain the
capital reserve account to the level that you're sustaining it to be able to do the projects on your long-range facility plan. That's coming. That's coming. The trick is to make it not come too fast. Try we're trying to plan it out. Try to use all of these buckets of money. You cannot just look at revenues
and expenditures, anticipate the gain or loss, and say, "Okay, that's what my surplus is going to be." Because if you do that, you're going to have big swings in either your tax levy relief, I'm sorry, in your tax uh your budgeted surplus or your tax tax relief, or you're going to have a huge swing in what you're able to put in your capital
reserves, which again impacts interest income. Our revenue sources are limited. That big big blue piece is is is tax levy. Sadly, 99.9% of the districts in the state of New Jersey have a pie chart that look
just like this. Okay? We can't control it. We're doing doing the best we can um with what we have to work with. The lighter blue is the capital reserves. Again, if we don't use it, we don't use it. I'm sorry. If we don't need it, we don't use it. And if we do need it and
we bring it in and we don't need to use all of it, we move it back. So that's a wash on the debit on the revenue and expenditure side. You could see that the um the orange piece that's not such a bad size if you look at the overall overall picture. Tax relief, budgeted
fund balance, excess surplus, all the same thing. [clears throat] Challenges that we've had in doing this budget. We talk about this every year. We talk about it every year. It's just like you're experiencing at home. We have inflation and and rising rising
costs for supplies, utility costs, maintenance, and upgrades to aging facilities. But again, one of the reasons we're successful here and we don't have it as much in our budget is because we have reserves accounts to do it. If I have a an aging maintenance problem and I don't have it in my
budget, I could take it by board action. and I could take it out of maintenance reserve reser preserve my budget and if I still if I don't have it at the end of the year it doesn't go back. So it gives me another tool to be able another bucket of money to be able to plan for these types of things. And capital
reserves is tied directly to the long range facilities plan. We're all really excited about mortgage rates going down. At least I think they are. I I don't know. But um sadly when that happens as well when we start adjusting adjusting that rate so do our interest so does our interest rates. Um
so we've been anticipating a decrease in interest income as well. Um not only because as you use your capital reserves or you're not able to put as much in but also because our interest rates are going to go down. So our interest income is going to go down. What we've done here is um we have several several CDs that are invested over time. Some expire
in six months, some 12, some 18, some 24. And what that gets us is extended um guaranteed income, if you will, for an extended period of time. It's not going to all expire in one budget year. So, as it expires, we continue to reup
it so that they continue to expire at the same time or not at the same time. I apologize. So, we have all of those issues at home. Right here, we experience more issues. Those are things that that school districts
just just experienced because of of of the work that we do here. Um I I explained the loss in state aid. You know, it would be great if the state funded us. Every school district stands up here and screams the same thing every year. It would be great. They don't they don't um cap on increases in the local
tax levy and a potential fiscal cliff. If we do not budget to cap, you don't have a foundation to build on. It sounds insane, but we're self-sufficient because we maintain that level of the uh the tax increase.
If we didn't and we budgeted zero, could we do it? Sure, we could do it. We potentially could do it. I can't wait to read this headline. We could do it. But what does that mean? That means no money in capital reserve, no money to give
back in tax relief. It's a bigger problem. It's a bigger problem. Plus that basis for your tax levy isn't growing at 2% plus 2% on top of that. It's compounded. So you can do it. That's not our
recommendation. It's to do this gradually. Put a little less in capital reserves because you're not going to generate the expendit. You're not going to generate the surplus anymore. As that starts coming down, eventually it's going to hit the tax levy. You got to do it in combination at this. I'm sorry, I apologize. Not the tax levy, the tax uh
relief line. 10303. I've said it. I've said it before. Sadly, I used to call it a revenue stream. I needed to be more clear. It's tax relief. Declining enrollment. We've talked about that for a really long time. We adjust it as best we can as we go forward. We
adjust staffing. We adjust supplies. We do it the best we can with what we have to work with. Out of district placements is something that we have no control over. We cannot control from a special ed perspective what what um services we provide. It's
state it's it's the law. It's mandated. Um sadly this year one of our challenges is we have a big change in that population. We have a big uh nth grade class coming in with more out of district placements than we have graduating. And this happens. I think last year or two years ago it was the opposite. We were able to that was that
was a that was a success in our budget. And this is how things happen. We also have students that are enrolled at the uh county vocational school and to themies. We pay tuition for that. So as that enrollment goes up, as those students uh choose to go to that pro
those programs instead of coming here, we pay tuition for that. Not only do we pay tuition for that, but we also pay to transport them, which adds buses and sends it to different locations as well. And of course, we have contractual obligations. So, we talked about that in length specifically about uh salaries
and payroll uh at the budget retreat. And this again is just a quick quick look because it's a powerful visual of what happens if we do nothing with the tax levy. If we keep the tax levy fat flat, what this means if we don't increase it gradually, what it means by
the year fiscal year 31, our salaries and benefits will exceed our total tax levy. the whole thing. The whole thing. So, what we can do to preserve a little bit longer is to slowly increase that
and build on it. You'll start to see things del, you know, decreasing going into capital reserve and keeping other things standard. Those are the buckets of money we're allowed to work with. Health benefits costs are killing every district in the state of New Jersey. Every single one of us. We're lucky here
because we were we we're part of a a a it's called a shift which is a state health insurance fund. So it's a pool so you kind of get experience with other people. There's good, the bad, and the ugly. Um but you have to be accepted into the program. We were accepted into the program in 2021. We have done really
well. This is our first doubledigit increase uh in the last six years and it's 18.6%. Last year we were at 9.2 9.2. 2. Not only is the premium increasing, but chapter 44 still
continues to um hurt us. What chapter 44 is is um the law that dictates the contribution from the employee receiving the benefit. Um it went into effect July 1st of 2020. If you were a new employee in a district, you had to go into either
an EHP plan or a GSP plan. And you were part of chapter 44. And what that meant is the goal was, and for those of you, this isn't the first time you're hearing me say this, um, what the goal was at the time, and it was brilliant quite frankly, was that we would offer a less
robust plan at a lower cost and we would tie the health benefit contribution to the employees salary instead of to the cost of the premium because what goes up faster, the cost of the premium, right? And it's a lower percentage. So theoretically, it's a win-win. the
district won't have to pay as much for the cost of the premium and the employee doesn't have to pay as much on the contribution because now it's driven by their salary. Well, surprise surprise, when the rates came in for the EHP plan and the GSP plan, they were almost the
same cost as the legacy plans. So, what happened there is we're paying more for the premium than anticipated but getting way less in contributions. That's direct dollar fordoll additional
cost for the district and to date it's it's substantial. It's substantial. I don't have the the number here because I was trying to keep it short and sweet. Um but it's substantial and we have to prove every year that we're losing money. We have to actually do a report to the state of New Jersey to prove that
we're losing money. Because if we don't, the law says if you make money, in other words, if the real thing, if it really worked the way they planned, and we saved money, what would happen is the state would go back in the year in which we saved it, which is the year we're living in, deduct the amount from our
state aid, and then take the 2% that we could build on going into the future. So those are I'm sorry it's not state aid our tax levy and wouldn't allow us to increase the full 2%. That has not happened here thankfully
declining enrollment I'm going to have Miss Kangelo Zay talk about okay this is okay. Okay. As we've mentioned as the board has discussed for some months now um we've been seeing a decline in enrollment and um Mrs. Spitzer actually put this together and I
I thought it really illustrated really well kind of what we're seeing. Um so I do want to point out that our numbers have decimals in them and um when you see this it's because students who attend Polytech shared time count as 0.5. So we don't have half of a student.
That wouldn't make sense obviously but our students who attend Polytech count for 0.5. So that's why you're kind of seeing that 0.5 there but you can certainly see the decrease over time. Um, additionally, our on the the right column our instructional and support
staff. Um, you also see decimals and that just has to do with the FTE or the equivalency of the them being full-time. Um, and sometimes if they've left midyear and we don't fill the position, it works out to a weird decimal as well. Um, but you'll see student enrollment
has de declined 499.5 students in this time frame. And you'll notice um we have already absorbed staff positions through attrition such as retirement or resignations. And we do mention this every year in our budget presentations, but I thought this was
nice to illustrate for you all to see. Um, I think it's important for me to note that staffing needs are not as easily predicted in a comprehensive high school as they could be in say maybe an elementary school because we have so many diverse certifications and they're
required by the state of New Jersey. Um, and we have over 270 courses. Staffing is not is not as simple as just a simple division problem. So in other words, you know, in an elementary school, if you see you're losing 20 students, 25 students in a certain grade level, you
know, oh, I can probably go down a third grade teacher or whatever it may be. It doesn't work out like that in a high school. So, we have a very we have a tricky puzzle to put together, but we do put it together and we look at trends and we kind of see what courses haven't been running and where the enrollment is
lying. And sure enough, you can see a few years ago, we did start to decrease our staffing um again through attrition. And again, that's retirements, resignations, openings that we have that we just don't fill. Um so I do want to point out it looks like just from last
year to from yes, last year to this year, we've we're decreasing 13 of roughly 13 if you take away decimals. Roughly 13 staff. um that does not include the two administrators that we eliminated last year. And I did want to
go into a little more detail because this is I think an important point um that due to our budget challenges and our declining enrollment, we are looking at qu cutting 20 staff positions for next year. Almost all of these are going to be made through attrition. So that
again, retirements, resignations, open staff positions. Um, here is kind of a breakdown of what they're they're working out to be. It's two administrator positions, eight certificated staff positions. We are looking to restructure our support staff
and we're also looking at restructuring our security staff. Um, with the restructuring of security re, you will recall that we now have a security position um, excuse me, security coordinator position in lie of a fifth security guard here. And with this,
we're looking to restructure our security department. um with his collaboration and guidance and this includes a reduction of a class three officer. We still have and I still recommend we maintain one school resource officer and two class 3 officers with Ritan Township Police
Department. Um we also estimate close to $200,000 in breakage for salaries on positions that we do need to continue to fill. And again, this staffing impact is being recommended under the the calculation of the 3% tax levy. Um, I
want to emphasize one more time that no academic or extracurricular programs have been changed or reduced. And I'm going to hand it back over to Mrs. Spitzer to discuss the impact on the tax rate. I just want to put a number on um
[clears throat] what Miss Kangallo just explained. The total reductions in this year budget year-over-year with breakage, staff reduction, and elimination of other other services is about $1.9 million. What does this mean for your tax levy in a regional high school? It's confusing
[laughter] because your tax levy is based on a lot of different I'm sorry. Tax rate, not levy. Levy is the big one. Rate is what not that yours isn't big. It is. I shouldn't have said it that way. I apologize. Um we start with we get what's called an equalization and enrollment document that comes from um
the state of New Jersey. It's based on all of our sending districts uh values. God bless you. values um home values as well as their enrollment that comes directly from what they report to the state of New Jersey. It breaks it out as to what is um high school students
versus elementary students and it goes through a calculation through an um uh and and gives an allocation of the total tax levy to that that specific district. Once we get the share of the levy, then it gets divided. The next step is to divide it to figure out what your rate
is. that's uh directly related to what the ratables are in your town. So we get all we gather all that information. This is the equalization and enrollment. So basically what it does it has the equalization val it has the equal value for each of the municipalities. This is given to me. We don't we don't have
anything to do with this. I'm my guess is this is coming from a a tax authority somewhere. It takes the elementary enrollment and the regional enrollment. That's coming right off of the ASSAs. It's coming off my ASSA. It's coming off the elementaryaries, ASSA by district. And then it determines what percentage
is elementary and what percentage is the high school and it gives us it takes that percentage to give you the times the equalization value and says that's the percentage that's allocated to the tax levy. So if it's a 2627 school year,
this percent share is what's out the last column if you will is what's allocated to the regional high school of the total tax levy. So, what does that mean for each of you and and the towns you live in? >> I'm sorry. >> I'm just saying,
>> can you not hear me? >> I can't hear that live stream. >> Oh, sorry. Oh, goodness. Okay. So, what this means for each of you is basically our actual tax rate for 2026. The first two columns, what you're going to see is
based on $100,000 of assessed value. And the reason we do that is because it's easier to do the math, right? If you have a $400,000 home, you multiply by four. If you have a $300,000 home, you multiply by by three. If you have a million dollar home, you multiply by 10, I think. Um just just so it's easy for
for for mathematic purposes quickly in your head. So the first two columns, first column is 2026 actual. The 27 uh estimated is the second column and the third column is the difference between the two. So for Delaware Township or
I'll use Ritton for example um their tax annual tax rate for going from 26 to 27 is going two down $229 per $100,000 of assessed value. So when you look at that and you say okay but my house is worth
$400,000. I multiply that by four. So what what I did is what the next column is saying and then I'm I'm saying how much is it going to cost me a month. I'm taking it one step further. I'm saying okay the 229* 4 divided by 12
it's going to cost Ronton Township taxpayers in this year budget.76 cents per that's on a $400,000 house. Okay. And then what I did and and the reason we do this and we do a year-over-year change it's a cumulative number. And the
reason we do that is because in some of these smaller districts, a change of one or two students could make the tax rate look crazy changed. But if you look at it over time, it flattens out a little bit. So what this first gray column does
is it gives you a five-year change in the tax levy on $100,000. So, Delaware Township and Readington look to see looked to seem like they, you know, they went up about $60 per 100,000. And then what the last column
is doing is it's saying, okay, now my house is worth 400,000. I'm multiplying by four. What does it cost me a month that I'm dividing by 12. So, the monthly 5-year change for Delaware Township is $20.17. Rariton Township, again, $345.
Flemington's down $3949. So this is how this tax rate is calculated. In closing, I'd just like to say we're reading, we're listening, we're researching, and we're planning by using all of the stabilization mechanisms that
we have preserved and by using what is available to us based on state guidelines to not only avoid the fiscal cliff, but to postpone it as long as possible. We need to postpone for as long as possible with the hopes that somehow the state of New Jersey will figure out how
to fund school districts. Not only that, they'll help provide some sort of relief for our health benefit increases. Until that happens, it is the recommendation of this administration to continue the successful 100 central budgeting strategies that will slowly
adjust based on structural pressures where and how revenue is generated to support future year expenditures with as little impact as possible to programs, staffing, taxpayers, and most of all our students. Mrs. Kangalowski, hey, would
you like to finish? >> I would. Okay. Um it's no secret this budget process this year has been one of the most challenging for me I think for everybody um across school districts. Um however I'm confident that this is a
responsible and forwardthinking budget that includes substantial cuts but no impact on programming and minimal impact on taxpayers. I'm also confident that as we continue to prioritize our students as well as utilize our Hunter and
Central budget philosophy, we can continue to build the foundation for future growth at Hunan Central, not just for next year, for our full future. So, thank you. And that's our budget, our tenative budget presentation. Our public hearing for the final budget is Monday,
May 27th at 7 p.m., right? >> Oh, it does say April. I just said May. [laughter] I was reading ahead. I either May, I don't know. Correct. So, April 27th, excuse me, at 7 PM in the IMC. >> Are you okay to take questions from the
board? Is there anyone that has questions for Mrs. Spitzer or Miss Kangala Hay? >> I have a question. So my first question is I'm just curious why we haven't followed policy 6220
with regards to bud budget pres preparation >> and what specifically in the policy are you referencing Miss Santangelo? >> So I'll read a piece of it just so the public is aware. So policy 6220 budget preparation. A
proposed budget requires the critical analysis by every member of the board of education during its preparation. The administration shall work with the board to ensure board members have a thorough understanding of the budget appropriations, budget revenue, the proposed educational program, and the
budget's impact to the local tax levy. The board shall be provided the following budgetary information, and there are six items on that. In addition, the budget will be presented to the board to allow adequate time for review and adoption. So, not only did we
not get a lot of this information, but we also only received this presentation today after 6 p.m. So, it's so today um the presentation was posted, by the way, it's never been posted before, but if you read through that policy, I believe
it talks about final budget, not the tenative budget. >> No, it talks about preparation. It's budget preparation. >> Yes. And this is part of the preparation, >> right? >> So for the final budget, all those things listed, you the board will have this. >> I would just let you know that other
districts around New Jersey are already posting these details way before their meeting. So in if you're asking us to approve a large budget tonight, we need to have information
ready to be able to absorb it and to understand it and analyze it before we do that. One thing I would just say is um it would have been good to bring that up at when you you didn't see it on the budget because our understanding of 6220
when the policy was revised I believe on first read in September was for the final budget. >> Yeah. And I I would like to point out that we did have a three-hour operations and transportation meeting and there is a seven-page set of committee minutes
that Mrs. Spitzer and Reverend Williams put together and you have >> I read I have it with me and I read it literally. >> My point is that you have access to all the people that were in that meeting. So if there were questions
>> we don't >> as you know we don't we've been blocked from information and it's not shared with the full board. There is no information that is not available to you through the processes that we have in place. >> That is not true. So we didn't have
>> Were there any I'm sorry. Were there any other questions from Mrs. Spitzer or Miss Kangalosi Hay? >> Yes, I have an additional question. >> Okay. >> So I wanted to know um what is the pro uh projected amount if any that will be added to capital reserves fund on June
30th, 2026? >> I don't have that number yet. So we are like a few months away, right? So how do we not know that? Oh, okay. So we don't know that number. Okay, that's interesting. So again,
right, so when we look at year-over-year and the capital reserves, I just want to make a point that out of Somerset County and Hunter County, we are at the top of the range with capital reserves at 29.1 million. the the next closest uh school
is Bridgewater, which has 7,000 students and like 10 or 11 buildings at 23 million. >> So, it's just interesting to see that there's a over projection in my opinion
versus the expenditures and that what why do we need a capital reserve that is so high? >> What what is what over can you please define what overprojection you're referring to? >> Right. So, a lot of the estimates, right, have been underestimated. >> You're talking about for the project.
>> I'm not sure what budget over actuals is what she's trying to say. >> By budget over actuals for capital projects or budget budget >> budget budget. >> Okay. Well, >> so budget is done >> pretty far in advance. And because of the way we budget here,
if it wasn't, there wouldn't be $3.9 million in in in tax relief. And I I I don't know this answer, Mrs. Santangelo, but does uh Bridgewater Ritton have a debt service. >> I don't know. >> No,
the debt service we don't have. >> Yeah. >> What did you say? I'm sorry. >> If you're going to say those things, then turn your microphone on so we can all hear whatever conversation is going on over there. >> I I want to keep it focused on the
budget. I have more pieces to look at in a budget than one number, >> right? But you're asking us to approve it tonight and we don't have the full picture. >> Yeah, it's tentative, but we still need some of that information, right? To be able to approve that. >> And you will get it before the final
budget, >> but but you're asking for us to approve it tonight. >> Yes, we are. >> So that that seems inappropriate and unacceptable to be honest. >> Well, it was never done ever before. Well, again, >> and in the policy that was revised in
September, it says final budget. >> So, right 2025, >> that was the second read. The first read was September because we canceled the October meeting. >> So, if you would like to propose, we're actually the policy committee is
considering, sorry, Mrs. Bryce, if I'm stealing some of your report, uh 6220. So, if you'd like to propose for the tenative budget, I think that's a a good suggestion and you could do that by emailing Mrs. Bryce and then we'll bring it to the next policy committee.
Okay. My other issue is with the health care healthc care cost. So, last year you talked about how the health care cost was reasonable. This year we're talking about the 18.6% increase. When I
watched the presentation from our insurance broker, Brown and Brown, they didn't seem, first of all, they didn't project out year-over-year, and they didn't seem overly concerned. In fact, it there was encouragement in terms of the prescription number, right, that he
he had cited that it was going to go down um and that they were in the middle of their quotes. So, I'm not sure when we talk about a fiscal cliff, right? So, last year we're in good shape. This year we're falling off a cliff. >> No, I didn't say we're falling off a cliff. I'd like to correct you on that. I said we're we're gradually going up.
>> Okay. >> And if we don't make changes now, you will follow the >> Okay. But those projections of the 20% or whatever it is year-over-year with the healthcare costs is not based on any data that I've seen. >> Um, it's based on an estimate that I actually got from that exact same
broker. >> Okay. Well, >> I actually have the numbers. >> Okay. So, maybe you should share it with us then because the presentation that you shared with us didn't have any of that in there and I and I checked it twice. I spent a half hour on it to doublech checkck that. So, if there was information that you should have provided, then you should have sent it
to the board. That's my point, right? We don't have all the information, but you're you're asking us to approve it tonight. And that's a problem, >> and it's a reasonable request. By the way, >> I would like to add that, you know, Miss Miss Gong and I were at a leadership summit held by New Jersey school boards,
and this is an issue that is being faced by school boards across the state. Um the basically what we were told is that prescription drug costs are going up about 30% across districts and 72% of that increase is related to GLP1 usage.
So this is something that there may be offsets in the future when it comes to reduction in long-term health issues and there certainly is optimism that you know the GLP1s will have those long-term effects. However, right now, um, what we
were told is that that that is really what's driving a lot of the prescription costs at this at this time. >> And I agree with that. The insurance broker did talk about that, but I'm talking about the actual premiums. He's he's encouraged that the prescription premiums uh can go down. So, that's
important to note. I think that's a that's a good question. Um, and we absolutely could have shared those numbers with you had you asked in advance. Um, and I think I sent I sent out that healthc care presentation a few weeks ago. So, I I am actually glad you watched it. I appreciate you reviewing
it. I would have appreciated the questions in advance because she could have provided that to you. >> I've asked quite a few questions in advance and you know as well as I do that I don't receive them. >> I think you have to that question would be best sent to Mr. Williams who's our
chair. >> Okay. >> So, I followed up with a question to you Mr. Williams and you didn't respond to it. >> Great. >> So, I don't know what to tell you. >> I I would just like to add to what Lisa is saying. I sent an email on February 20th with eight items to help us
understand the budget and I received not one single answer. >> Not one single answer. >> And I will add to that because prior to the budget retreat, we also sent in questions and none of those were addressed either. So the questions that we received through
the proper channels were were addressed. >> No, they weren't. Right. And that's a problem, right? So if the board member feels like they're not getting the information they need, that should be addressed >> prior to the meeting. >> Like these are these are conversations
that we can certainly have prior to the meeting. I I will tell you as the board president, I was not made aware that there was any information that there was that any board member did not have access to that they wanted. >> And if that's something that you can't
bring to me or Miss Gong, if you're not getting the relief that you need through the committee chairs, please please do that. I mean, elevate it through the chain of command within the board. Okay? But again, I I can't fix something that
you guys don't raise as an issue prior to the board meeting. >> Okay, with all due respect, you are part of the problem because you have implemented a process that bottlenecks all information. So, that's almost impossible, right? >> You mean like the committee emails we
had last year? I mean, >> that actually worked out really well because every single question was answered and not only was it in the minutes, >> excuse me, was not. >> Yeah, they were. Okay. Um, >> yes. >> Are there any other questions on the budget? >> Thank you.
>> Yes, I actually have a comment uh and a question. So, FRSD when it looks at their enrollment, it's increasing. So, our enrollment is decreasing, but eventually the kids that are from our ascending districts are coming into
Central. And I'm just wondering how we how we look at that. you know, F FRSD is looking at a what is it a 7 um I think a 7.26% tax levy. Um just as a also a matter of
comparison, Darth Hunter uh Vorhees is looking at a 4.46. So 3% is well I don't love it as a taxpayer um you know I guess we are sort of inching closer to a fiscal cliff but my question is really
more about the population. How do we how do we deal with that? Um I don't or maybe it's something that uh we really have to think about in terms of increasing enrollment from FRSD into uh the future. >> Yeah, I think that is why we wanted to
do the demographic study and I think it was suggested last year. I went back I have an email from a former board member in July. Um and I think it's not just that we know our sending districts are seeing increased enrollment right now. there's a lot of building going on and
so we want to understand how will this impact us. Um and you're right Miss Gong that 3% it's above the 2% and we understand that we're trying to be respectful but also think of the future planning for Central. So, we don't want
to be in a place where we stay flat. We stay at 2% and then we're closer to where that cliff is coming and we have to do a 10%, an 8%, a 7%. We would rather go slowly over time to make sure
that we're protecting the future as we go while still reducing, right? It's not we are still making reductions. So, I just I have a quick question about um so it wasn't really discussed in this presentation, but I went back and looked
so I have budgeting experience in the position I'm in. So, I spent some time looking at the C1s and I grabbed a couple of line items that tend to have pretty consistent overbudgeting on a regular basis. So, has there ever been any consideration in year-over-year
decreasing in that? I mean, in one particular instance, it was 1.2 27 million that we overbudgeted. >> What was the line item? >> It was energy costs. >> It was energy costs because energy costs were probably very unpredictable and we had a situation where we had a large refund because we had a malfunction with the meter,
>> right? But we didn't adjust as time went on. So then we had 1.7 million 1.07 million the next year >> and that's what's rolling to your 3.9 tax levy relief. So had that not happened, right? or happened in a different line. Yes, they can be
adjusted and they are adjusted and other lines are adjusted and money is transferred all the time. But if you take all of that out, you have no $3.9 million or $4 million in tax relief. Forget about putting anything in capital reserves.
You can do that. >> So, you're saying that overage was not put into capital reserves? >> It's a it's a combination. And I believe I don't if you're looking at the C1 from this year, I think it was about a $12 million surplus. Part of it went into the reserves and part of it went into cap. It it that's that that's all we can
do with it. >> Okay. So the question that I'm asking then is are we being physically responsible when we have a $12 million over budgeting in this past year and continue to feed the capital account
when it's at 29.2 million. And we will probably use based on the information you gave us about 8 million next year for our capital projects and continue to receive interest on the 22 million 21 million we're not spending. So we
haven't done a lot of capital projects in the last several years. So that has that has increased since co and changing in administration with the change in superintendent projects changed philosophies changed we changed in uh um we got a new field buildings and grounds in order to them to be able to get up to
speed plus on top of that we weren't able to be able to get equipment we postponed some HVAC projects because we couldn't get the units so that's going to accumulate in there that didn't change our plan that didn't change what we wanted to do it's still on the longrange facility plan that has not
changed what has changed is we didn't spend any of it. >> So, it's going to accumulate. >> So, I think that that's the question I'm asking. Are we being physically responsible asking our townships to pay an additional 1% when we have had an exploding amount of surplus that has
gone into capital reserves when we have not needed them. They will continue to grow whether we put 2 million or 12 million in at the end of the year. >> Now, is it I'm sorry. Is it that we haven't needed it or that we haven't been able to spend it? We haven't been able to spend it,
>> but next year we're only spending 8 million because you can only do so many millions of dollars worth of projects. >> It's allowed to be on there because it's on our long range facilities plan. Correct. >> That's correct. >> We cannot have anything above the long range facility plan. >> That is not the question I'm asking. I
can answer your question simply. No, you don't have to put that money in capital reserves. You can give it naturally. And this is what we talked about at the budget retreat. Naturally, as the expenditures are starting to severely severely exceed the revenues,
you're not going to be able to generate $12 million in surplus. You're not you're not I'm not going to give you a surplus number right now because I won't be held to it. But you're not generating even $10 million this year in surplus. You'll be lucky if you hit eight.
>> I have one more question. So is it anticipated that the funds will again be added to capital reserves at the close of 2026 2027 fiscal year we have available is this if the you want to keep that levy flat that you're
giving back. You want to keep that budgeted surplus flat because if you don't if you don't you can only let me go back. You can only do two things with it. Say we generate $8 million in surplus. I'm just making up a number. I have no idea. Not 12, not 10, five. Okay, you want that
budgeted surplus number to be somewhere around 3, nine or four or that's going to have a tax impact, right? So the difference between the five or the eight, you got to put it in another reserve. Those are the only things you can do with it. So if you don't put it
in the reserve, it goes all the way back to taxpayers on that line. That's great for one year because you're not going to be able to continue at that level of generating surplus year over year over year. So you'll have a huge increase in in budgeted fund balance going back in
one year and you won't be able to recover the next year. >> I just think at the 29.1 I don't see that we're going to use all of that money in projects. So again some I >> the long range facility planning >> No, I understand that. I understand that and I know the rod grants and we get
40%. I understand that, but I think I I just wonder, right, the priority of the projects, are they really a priority all the time? And could we have given some of that money back and not taken that 2%. Because >> are are there specific projects on a
long-term facilities plan that you'd like to not do? I mean, I I believe that that what we approved that plan last year. >> Well, I don't know. it sometimes it it feels like it's changing. But are you going to answer that question, Heather? >> Ask it again because I'm conf I don't
know. Okay. >> So, I'm asking if you're anticipating that the funds um will again be added to capital reserves next year, right at the close of 2026 and 2027. >> I anticipate there will be something added to capital reserves and maintenance. >> Okay. Do you know how much
>> off the top? I do not. I don't have a number. Okay. >> And I won't be to it. >> Okay. But then you're asking the taxpayer for the 1.8. 8 and you're going to still put money in capital reserves. >> It's the money that's going into capital reserves has nothing to do with this
budget. Has nothing to do with it. As I explained, that was money that was generated last year. I can't I can't offset the current budget. >> So, if you >> I'm sorry, Lisa. Where's the one I'm sorry. Could you just tell us what the
1.8% I just got lost at the end of your question. >> 1.8 is how much we're asking to increase our tax levy. That's the 3%. >> So you're adding it to the last year's. >> So if if we're doing that with this coming budget, right? And you're going to also add capital reserves. Why would you do that? Because it's two different
budget years. And it's going to flow differently. Any surplus we generate this year. Let me take a step back. If I increase the 3.9% or $3.9 million in budgeting one balance right now, okay, I increase it. I
increase it to 4.9. I'm just saying and I can't generate that level of revenue that level of revenue in or surplus in this year right that 4.9 million next year becomes two
right what happens >> I'm just saying that the money that you're asking for the 1.8 8 million. If you're going to also put money in capital reserves, I think that's a big ask. That's all I'm saying. So, >> I don't think you're understanding how the money flows. We
>> can can I can I my my understanding of what we're trying to accomplish is to keep the flow of money relatively even year-over-year so that we are not attempting to
be like some of the other districts and raise taxes, you know, six, seven, eight% year-over-year as um as conditions change, right? So, if we have a a larger number of special education
students that need additional money or if say the buses get struck by lightning, right? Like what whatever the or you know perhaps gas goes to $7 a gallon, right? Like what whatever it is that we can't predict. The way we have
conservatively budgeted in this district has allowed us to maintain a a tax levy and and a a flow of money that gives us the flexibility to be consistent over time and and that's what you're asking
this board to continue to allow us to do. >> Yes. >> Okay. I just think the 29.1 million is disproportionate to the size of the school and other districts. So I think it's excessive. >> Sorry. So what was the last
>> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> If I could, you made you made an important point in that if we're going to compare ourselves to other school districts, we have to understand if they have a debt service and if they have a dead service uh you know then then uh
that their their surplus you know means that it it wasn't sufficient enough. Well, what the debt service means is is that they either had a huge project that they needed to do that they could no way in a million years be able to fund with capital reserve, which here because we do have such a high that's that's higher
and likely here in the near future. >> But what it also means is it's a different tax levy, which is not the same one. It's a tax levy. >> And and in regards to the capital reserve, if you put more monies in the capital reserve than than there is for the long
range uh facilities plant, you can't do that. Correct. >> So, so it you can though put monies in there to account for what we have for the long range facilities plans. Otherwise, if there's not enough money in there when projects come or need to
be done, we either increase the tax rate uh we we we we uh either go out for a debt service of which you reduced u uh in the what was the year of 2022 to zero. >> Yeah, it was eliminated. But but just to
just to clarify there is it's going to take a long time for you to get to that point, right? You're not going to run out of capital reserve money um unless you do $20 million worth of projects, which is physically impossible, right? The reason we're recommending to do it gradually is because you will eventually
run out. you will not be able to support anything going in there eventually because you the last number you want to adjust is the tax relief number because as soon as you reduce that that's direct impact on the tax levy. You either increase the tax levy or you have to cut
a lot out of your expenditures. So that's the last number you want to hit. It's not a perfect science. It's not going to happen in one year. I can't say you I'm going to put no money in capital reserve because the only other option to do is to give it back to the taxpayers which sounds fabulous. It
would be great but only for one year because I don't have that same revenue stream going forward. So if you don't use all your buckets eventually they will all go away and then you'll have challenges meeting your expectations for your buildings and your maintenance. That's a while away. It's not anytime
soon but it's coming. And all we've tried to do is explain to you that it's coming. I I know, but I don't know if we know that. Like, so where's the data for it then? Why don't you why don't you include that? So, the other thing is though, I'm not saying we shouldn't keep capital reserves. I understand that we have to
have the money in there for the in order to get the rod grants. I do understand that, but I still think 29.1 is high. >> The question million that we're spending this year on projects that that are needed, we don't have to go out some of it.
>> Yeah. Uh And we don't have to go out uh either for debt service or further increase in the tax rate. >> Yes, we do. We do have the flexibility right now to pick the projects that are priority. Correct. We you may not have that opportunity in the future. I don't know when that'll be.
>> So, if you have this information off the top of your head, what were the capital reserves in the last couple of years? Just out of curiosity, you know, I'm >> They've been going up about $4 to5 million a year. >> All right. So, our capital reserve fund balance, whatever you want to call it,
has actually been fairly constant, right? >> No, no, I'm sorry. What did you What do you mean? >> So, so we've been putting into capital reserves from surplus about $45 million a year, >> right? >> The last couple years. >> Okay.
>> When was the last time we did a big >> Yeah, we haven't done a huge The science labs probably. Yeah, we have not done a large project with the long range facilities plan in a few years and that was due to the former superintendent leaving me coming in. We had to revise
the LRFP which I appreciate those of you who supported that in I think it was in December we did that. Um so that's when that's why there's more money in there now and I believe that was reported in the audit. if you go to the audit, that's what they were saying. >> And also, some of the the goal was
always to to to match what you're able to or try to match what you put in what you take out, right? So, if you budget $5 million worth of projects, hopefully you can put that back. So, you kind of keep it standard. It always kind of stays the same. But with the changes that went on and what happened with CO
um and the supply chain that we weren't able to get a lot of our projects really kind of >> slowed us down a little bit, but the money was already there and the process was already there. No, right. That that really is sort of my point that if you know we've put some money into it each year. This board has actually looked at
capital reserves and so this year we're saying it's large or uh some of the board members are saying it's really large but it's been there. It's been large. >> It's always been between this is the highest it's ever been since I've been here.
>> Right. But again, >> which is why we have the other projects in >> that's why we really pushed projects this year. >> So capital reserve fund in 2019 was $18,500. In fiscal year 25 it's 29200 which is a growth of $10.7 million in six years.
>> Yeah. >> Six years. >> Yeah. And that's that's a net. >> Six years. >> But it's also because you it's also because you've added projects uh in in in there that that we feel are needed. >> Support your plan. Yes. That's a net number, too. Absolutely. So, we put in and we've taken out. Yes, it's a it's a
it's a $10 million >> growth. I'm not happy about >> on any projects in the last >> 3% but I'm a lot happier compared to 7.24% for FRSD and 4.46% for North Hunter and Vorhees. So, don't get me wrong, I'm not a bad situation as
a taxpayer. >> I'm sorry, Leslie. I didn't hear you. I I thought she was done so I didn't mean to speak over her but I was like I don't think our goal is to compare ourselves to a bad situation. That bar is real low over there. Not looking to perform to that level. >> I would agree with that but I think our
goal is to keep ourselves out of that situation. >> And I understand that and Jessica I this Jessica I have a question. Um actually can we wait because we're going to have a discussion after um before we vote on this that the board members can discuss amongst ourselves. Um, so are there do
you have any questions for Miss Kangelo Hayade or Miss >> It was going to be a clarification of something she asked, but if I can ask it later, that's fine. >> Yeah, absolutely. Are you is there are there any other board questions? Because if not, we'll go to public comment and then we'll come back and allow the the board to have
additional discussion on this. Okay. Thank you both very much. Can I get an idea of how many the next thing is going to be um public comment. So can I get an idea of how many folks are intending to speak at public and this is for only things on the agenda which does include
the tenative budget. So, can you raise your hand if you are intending to speak? >> One, two, three, four, sorry, six, seven, eight, nine. >> Um, so can I have a motion to reduce the
time from five minutes to three minutes so that more people can can speak? >> Motion. >> I'm sorry, I counted nine. Would you like to put your hands up again so the other board members can can count? 8 3 four five six seven eight nine.
>> Do you count? >> I feel like we've had a board meeting where more than that have spoken for five minutes at a time. >> Uh no. When we have a large number of people, we reduce the time. So, um >> I'm not sure. Nine people counts as nine, but >> Well,
would the board like to let everyone speak for five? So basically, I either need a motion to extend the public comment to 45 minutes or I need a motion to reduce the the amount of time. >> Motion to reduce. >> Okay. Do I have a second?
>> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. Mrs. Spitzer, do we need a roll call or can I do a voice vote? >> I'll do a roll. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Her. Yes,
>> no. >> Mrs. Roel, >> no. I don't think we're giving our people enough time. >> Mrs. Santangelo, >> no. >> Miss Wallace, >> yes. >> Reverend Williams, >> yes. >> And >> yes. Um, I will also remind the public
that we have a second public comment period at the end. So, if there's anyone that doesn't feel that the three minutes is is sufficient, there is another option opportunity to comment at the end. Um so I will ask this public comment is only for items that are on the agenda which again does include the
um the tenative budget. Uh will you please come up and sign in announce your name and your township before you speak and Miss Kangelo Hayade will um have a threem minute timer. Is this counting as my time as I fill this out?
>> Just making sure. >> Yeah, signing in does not count as your time. >> This doesn't work very well, by the way. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Thank you. >> Oh, well, if I hadn't shut off the TV, I
I was gonna say, "Ma'am, can you see the timer?" >> Um, >> I'll give you a wave. I >> It's kind of small. I'll do the best that I can and I'll try and be quick. Okay. >> Okay. What do you need to know for me now? >> Uh, your name and where you're from. >> Okay. First name Esther, last name Morai, municipality is Flemington. I'm
going to go quickly. I reviewed I've reviewed the user-friendly budgets and want to highlight a concerning pattern in Central's financial practices. Over the past eight years, the district has increased the tax levy from 51.6 million to 61.2 million, which is an increase of
$9.6 million. How uh during that same period, the capital reserve balance has increased by 14.5 million um from 14.6 to 29.2 million. In other words, the reserve growth has exceeded the total increase in the tax levy. And this
raises a fundamental question. Are current budgeting practices consistently producing surpluses that are then redirected into capital reserve? The data suggests a pattern where expenditures may be overestimated or surplus underestimated resulting in excess funds at year end that are
transferred into reserves. If this is occurring regularly, it's important to ensure that taxation is aligned with actual operating needs. The concern is reinforced by the variance between projections and actual results. So for example, the June 2025 capital reserve balance was projected at 4.2 million,
later revised to 19 million and ultimately came in at 29.1. Variances of this size point to challenges in forecasting and make it difficult to rely on long-term projections. So looking ahead, plan capital spending also appears unlikely to significantly reduce the reserve.
While about 11.6 6 million in projects is listed. Rod grants offsets may bring that to closer to 7 million, leaving a remaining balance of roughly 22 million. And that raises another question, which is the current reserve level aligned with identified needs. When compared to neighboring districts, Central's reserve
also appears unusually large relative to its size. Most nearby districts maintain significantly lower balances. And while Bridgewater is comparable reserve, it operates a much larger scale. Maintaining a strong reserve, yes, is important. And I understand the goal of reducing reliance on f future
referendums, but it's also um reasonable to ask whether there's a defined target for this reserve and if not whether one should be established. There have been references to this fiscal cliff given the district's history of large variances between projected and actual outcomes. It's important to understand
what data supports that projection and how reliable those forecasts are. So given that 7.5 million has been added to the capital reserve just over the past two years, the proposed $1.8 8 million tax levy increase this year deserves closer scrutiny. At a minimum, the board and the public should have clear
understanding of whether current budgeting practices are generating recurring surpluses and whether that approach aligns with the principles of transparity, transparency, I'm sorry, and needs-based taxation. You know, I hear a lot about this health, mental
health, counseling services. You all concerned about that. You're concerned about uh declining enrollment. So, my question would be, if we have declining enrollment, why do we need this extra money? And are we a school or are we a mental health clinic? I'm not really sure. Maybe I need some clarification on
that. And Miss Spitzer, you you seem really worried. You said the quiet part out loud at least two times, so I don't know what was going on there, but I think that we're we should be afforded some clarification. >> Thank you, Miss Malik. >> You're welcome. Have a good night.
>> You, too. [applause] May I say something? >> Sandra Dbor, Raritton Township. So clearly after the presentation, you're going to move forward with raising the taxes above the 2% C uh cap, but I'm not sure how that can be justified when you
just stood here and showed us the enrollment is down um for the past 5 years at least 500 students. So that you're losing almost 100 students a year. I really do think that you need to figure out what the reason is behind that because I can tell you as I stand
here, I already know families of fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth graders that are already considering not coming to Central. So I think that this is a big problem that again you need to really start to look into and figure out why. And I agree. So I think again the
narrative of raising um health care cost is what is the narrative that is being floated but the reality is if the enrollment is down how can you justify this and I think that perhaps you need a restructure of the administration and staff not teachers that needs to be
reviewed and I agree I think that this capital um reserve um or the capital improvement fund rather is very high. I mean, again, most schools are running with like one or two million, not $29 million. Thank you. Thank you.
[applause] Rebecca Peterson, Roten Township. Um, I just wanted to clarify. We didn't cut administration last year. They were unfilled positions. Actually, the administration's at a higher level than we were led to believe. So, I just wanted to make that clear. Since 2019, the enrollment at Hunter Central has
dropped 22%. And the district has framed this as a population problem, but the data says otherwise. In 2019, two more freshmen started at Central than completed 8th grade from the sending districts. Last year, there were 46 students who completed eighth grade and did not end up at Central. Over the past
six years, 162 students completed 8th grade in our sending districts and chose another school. In the last two years alone, one in every 10 students goes somewhere else. That's not a demographic problem. That's a confidence problem. And until this administration gets
honest about what the numbers actually show, the students are going to keep leaving and the taxpayers are going to keep paying the price. So what is the price? Well, we had a 22% decline in enrollment. The tax levy increased 16%. That means that the cost per pupil from
our local tax levy alone has increased 41% from under $20,000 to $27,671 per pupil. Teaching staff has been cut 4%. Spending on instruction is down, but general and business administration spending is up 21%.
In 2023, the district paid off its debt. Instead of paying the roughly 22 $2 million a year in debt costs, we're now earning 2 million overall on the investments according to the um ACFRS. And that's a swing of more than $4
million annually. But the taxpayers do not see this money. it goes into the reserves. Over the past six years, this district has spent $10 million on capital projects and the capital reserves account has grown by 10 million from 18.5 million to 29.2
million. And that cushion was built on the backs of taxpayers and we were told that it's important to have this and I agree. It's important, but it's grown. It can stay where it is for now. Families in Flemington and Raron Township particularly have absorbed an
18% increase from FRSD in just two years. Our pop as our population has declined. You continue to increase the levy. You have a hefty cushion. So now when people in this community are really struggling, you've decided to jump on the bandwagon
of every other district who actually is struggling and say put your hand out and ask for more. The numbers are clear. You don't need it. This as Mr. Williams likes to say is reprehensible. Maybe this is why people have lost
faith. You complain that you might see the fiscal cliff at some point in the next 10 years. The taxpayers are at the fiscal cliff right now when their taxes, their property taxes have gone up half as much again in 5 years. That's a fiscal cliff. It's not just about
Central. It's about the people in this community. Thank you. [applause] Oops. All right. And >> name in town, >> right? Sean White, Raron Township. Good
to go. All right. Um yeah, we my uh my wife and I moved here about four years ago uh from Bridgewater. We're a family. We have four kids and um like everybody else uh taxes have just gone up every year and it's a big ask and so hearing
this it's not the best of news. Um I understand that adjustments are necessary and at times unavoidable. Um but given the state of 100 central I don't see how such an increase makes sense. Um, student enrollment has declined as as has uh been talked about
already over the past decade. Operational costs have remained the same. The current senior class is the smallest in the school's history. And from my understanding, this is a topheavy school with administrative staffing structures that are not warranted for the amount of registered students. I believe a worker deserves
his wages. Um, but who's benefiting from our tax dollars? The purpose of the school is the education, the students. But with declining enrollment, I've got to ask, is the purpose still about education or is it more about salaries and benefits? Um, academic performance is also concerning given the fact that
the board is planning to increase our taxes. Language arts scores have declined. Algebra 1 performance is below state average. Science scores are the lowest recorded recorded to date from my understanding. Um, and it's now been brought to our attention that the school has been overestimating on long range projects
for years. Last year you overestimated $4 million and instead of returning that money to the public, you keep on you keep it held in capital reserves, an account that is now sitting at, from my understanding, $29.2 million. I'm glad to see that 11.6 of it is now coming.
You're going to be using that, but I think more could be used to prevent the increase in taxes and especially as this is continuing to rise every year. I don't see why we have to go to this 3% c uh tax right now. I have connections with a lot of people in this uh in this
community in Hunter County. I work with families. I work with kids. And I can tell you that families are really hurting. And so, you know, you got energy prices going on. You've got a war that's going on. Every all the prices are going up and yet um you're I mean, this is going to continue to hurt
people. Um I know a lot of families that are considering moving out of the area and no one's flooding to New Jersey. Uh, it's the state that everyone's leaving and I feel like this is just one more reason for people to leave and I just don't want to see that for our state. Thank you.
[applause] uh Marco Tumalo with Rar and Township. Um certainly going to echo what everyone else more or less came up here and said. Um but I just want to mention first of all, I've been coming not so much to your guys meeting so consistently, but the F
FRSD in the township. So I'm not just like a flyby here reacting to what you guys are doing right now. Um so it's want that to be said. Um, [snorts] so I understand there are laws, mandates, regulations, and uh, state constraints.
Um, I understand every problem cannot be pinned on one board or solved with the snap of a finger. [snorts] Um, but quite frankly, our hands are tied or it's that board or it's that thing. Um, for me is just not a good enough answer. I think
it's honestly disrespectful at this point. [snorts] um and insulting to all of us here who pay our taxes. Um at a certain point when the system keeps producing outcomes that frustrate taxpayers, families, and residents,
[snorts] repeating that the law is the law is not leadership. It's just you guys surrendering to the rubber stamp approval you have to keep doing. If the law is not working for the people, then the answer is not to hide behind it forever. I would encourage you guys to challenge it, to organize
against it with the resources you have. Pressure for reform and demand for something better. And I say that from coming to these meetings and hearing everyone kind of do a lot of yapping about it and not really seeing any results. We [snorts] told Swicker, we
did that. We're still here raising the taxes. Um, and in the history of this country, let's take a step back. Um, this is how anything changed, right? [snorts] American colonists did not politely
accept a system that they believed was failing them. The civil rights movement didn't happen because those individuals felt that they were being failed. [snorts] Um, change happens because ordinary people get tired of being told to sit down, wait their turn, and accept what they were given. These [snorts] boards,
you're the ordinary people that have the infrastructure to represent us. And >> one, two, three, five times we are saying you're not representing us. [snorts] Fifth time today, hopefully four more. The nine that we counted come up too.
[snorts] Um, this is where most of us are at. I don't know if everyone in here is, but it's a decline in confidence. It's rising costs, constant stream of explanations. We don't see enough urgency. We don't see any ownership. we saw before you guys were just pointing
fingers and like that's not cool to watch really as a constituent. Um I appreciate the deliberation but you guys are clearly not working together. [snorts] Um yeah, just there's no aggressive advocation for the taxpayers, the
families. You guys talk about the students. I go to the community planning meeting. you know, [snorts] we have this 99% graduation rate, but how many of those kids are graduating college or what? I you know, I don't know. It's like hyper focus here.
>> You can I was going to say if you have more to say, you can speak at the second um public comment. >> Thank you. >> I mean, I wish it was extended because five minutes. I don't know if nine people are actually come up here. [applause] >> Exactly.
>> Is that it? Um, good evening to the board members and meetings. Uh, my name is Samir Rajes. I'm from Rajitton Township. uh but I came here as like a public comment like from an RSA that is a robotic support association for which we want to bring
some some things attention to the board me uh the board members so our club is being comprising of like families from the past >> I'm sorry this public comment is for things that are on the agenda if you're talking about the rep the robotics club
that would be appropriate for the second um public comment I apologize but I am very interested to hear what you have to say. So, I hope you stay and speak in the second public comment. Um, but this is only for agenda items and things that are being voted on the agenda >> because we have some of the parents
here, but it's getting late and some of them already left. Uh, because we waited for so long. Uh, we were told like when the public come and comes like we can come and address it. Uh and yeah if you guys have time like our team may
not take that long in the five minutes we'll be done and we can address it and leave. >> What can we do >> or if there is nobody else to address for the budget? >> I I was going to say can you wait until the end of this public comment and then we'll take a motion to to hear your if
you're okay with that. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else that wants to speak on agenda items? Um, my name's Frank Dumbreski, Raritton Township. Um, I didn't come prepared with a lot of information on the finances. Uh, my neighbor had just
mentioned that the meeting was tonight, so I came. But I did go to the Raron Township Board of Education at uh, uh, couple weeks ago, and it was basically the same thing. Finances, insurance cost, the predicament that the board's
in. [clears throat] And they started off by saying, "We're not here to bash the teachers. the teachers are all deserving. They work hard and uh we we really don't want to go go there. We just want to talk about the finances. So, [clears throat] me being a past
union president, I says to him, I would love to negotiate against you because you're the board and you're sitting there telling me how wonderful my members would be if they were my members. I would just ask for more money. But the point being is
after after listening talking to the board and listening to what they have to say so much stuff is mandated and the cost a lot of the costs are just there and it's frustrating because the homeowners see their taxes going up. They're coming to the board meetings. They're trying to express their
frustrations. The board has their frustrations. You all work hard. You're all doing the best you can for the community. But there's really nobody that's advocating for the taxpayer because the board um the state basically
is is u making the mandates. The board's trying to accommodate the mandates and uh it's just a very frustrating situation. As far as the reserves, I get the point you're trying to soften soften the tax base for the taxpayers because
at some point if if that money is depleted, then there's going to be larger increases. And I think it's just a frustrating situation for everybody. I don't know what can be done about it. Um it seems like there should be a coalition of boards because it seems
like Tom's River and all the every board in this state seems to be frustrated with with the state of New Jersey and yet there's no coalition or union of the board members going to Trenton beating on the table saying we had enough. This
this is unacceptable. So again, I'm listening to everybody what they're saying. I don't know what the solution is. I don't think you people know what the solution is. But the real problem, I believe, is in Trenton. That's all I got to say.
[applause] Don Barnacle, [clears throat] Raron Township. When my family's expenditures exceed my revenue, I have to cut my expenditures. I can't have the I don't have the luxury of asking my [clears throat] neighbors to pay for my uh my expenditures.
[applause] You mentioned that uh the cap has only been exceeded twice in the past. Uh 2% in 2025, which was last year, and 2.45% in 2019. But next year, you're projecting that you want it to increase that uh that cap. Uh you want to exceed
that 2% cap by to 3%. That's a significant amount in terms of that'll be the greatest in the last nine years. My belief is that if you just were to eliminate the health benefit adjustments, you can probably bring that down to about 2.5%.
My other question for you is you have six HVAC projects that are earmarked in terms of capital expenditures. My question is, assuming that this budget passes, are you going to be able to complete all six HVAC projects given the supply delays associated either with the
tariffs or with the manufacturing base? That's my question. Thank you. [applause] Is there anyone else for public comment for items on the agenda? If there's not, can I have a motion for
a five minute additional public comment for items that are not on the agenda to allow the robotics club to speak? >> Second. >> Second. >> Second. >> Mrs. Spitzer, do we need a roll call?
>> Miss Price? >> Yes. >> Miss Gong? >> Yes. >> Dr. Halpern? >> Yes. >> Miss Lacosta? Yes. >> Miss Rothell. >> Yes. >> Miss Santangelo. >> Yes. >> Miss Wallace. >> Yes. >> Reverend Williams. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Kellogg. >> Yes. >> And I apologize. I didn't ask how many
people were going to speak before about the robotics club before I did that. >> Is that just two? >> Two people. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Three. If there are two of them because we extended for five minutes.
It's okay. Thanks. Uh good evening board of the members um and administration. Uh my name is Samia. I represent the robotics support association. For over a decades, our group has been a dedicated parents both current and alumni
families. We stood behind this that what we believe as a premier STEM program. This program is not just a club. It's like a high performing organization. Our student have consistently brought in pride to the school through awards from uh not just in district and also
regional level and they have represented world championship also multiple times. Uh but this has an impact on not just the competition floor. Uh our students have also contributed through STEM for seniors grow a row and local pantries.
So they are also doing some community service through this projects. We have gained a real world experiences in electrical engineering, mechanical design, marketing, project management and skills that put them really years ahead in their peers. I've seen this on
my own son, my older son who got in like a n teenager. But through this program and this mentorship he has received, it has transformed him in developing a rigorous work ethics and stepping into significant leadership roles. uh today
he is in a premium university doing computer science program and also contributing back by volunteering in the local robotics competitions. Uh he's not an outlier like him there are a lot of his peers. We currently have five aluminies who have returned back to the club as mentors. So this cycle of
students becoming teacher is again a ultimate proof of the culture that we have developed here. Um and this is inspired two of our long-term mentor Mrs. Ward and Mr. Jacob to step up as faculty advisor as Mr. Broca had is
moved out to being a retirement style. So we are incredibly thankful for their leadership and for the consisting support the board and administration has done to our team. Uh but now that Mrs. Ward and Mr. Jacob are moving back to their mentorship role, uh the RSA and
the parent community, we are looking forward to work with the board and the school administration. So we are confident that uh we have we have will be have the board will do the necessary to secure the leadership and funding needed for survival of this vital group.
Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Hello everybody. Uh my name is Dennis. >> Can I get you to sign in? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. while we reset the timer. >> Hello everybody again. My name is Dennis Dennisov. I'm from uh Reington, New
Jersey and thank you for making the time and making the exception not making us wait. I also want to speak on behalf of uh robotics and well first I want to thank you for the work that you're doing. It seems like it's difficult. There a lot of arguments. I understand that the recent budget crunch uh it's difficult but um you know with regard to
robotics I understand uh that we do have uh declining attendance declining enrollment uh in the school but uh the robotics club seriously has been um I want to say a bright spot. I uh you know we moved to Readington about 10 years ago with the purpose you know we wanted
to live in uh Somerset County but we moved here for this school district. Uh I didn't know that my son was going to be into robotics or into coding but um the club has trans transformed him. Me and my wife we attend all the um uh
competitions and as was mentioned before they did make world championships and I don't know if you guys know this or not but in the last uh competition I think they placed third. The only schools that are considered better than us than Hunter Central are elite private schools. you know they have unlimited
budgets etc. What you guys have done here what the robotic club has done here is really amazing. I mean what um before we joined what I considered to be reach schools for my son are now safeties. Um and that name Hunter Central Regional High School when they come out on the
floor they do represent not only on the state level on the tri-state level and at Lehi and then Houston in world championships and I think this year they're going to make it again. So um I want to well second what was said before me I want to make sure that um the faculty oh I want to speak about the
faculty the amount of time that's being spent by the faculty is enormous I estimate about 300 hours in this in between January and um uh and May which is the crunch time and then um another 200 hours throughout the year um and I
just want to make sure that the faculty whoever is assigned to leading the club is they're recognized for that and they're being compensated So if this club is not funded and it's lost, it would be a huge opportunity lost because the fundamentals are here. You guys have
the infrastructure, you know, you have the labs, you have the equipment, you have the knowledge, you have the mentors that are coming here. Mentors are ex alumni who are now working at Johnson and Johnson at other huge corporations who are coming back to teach the kids coding, robotics and engineering, everything else. And I believe it's
having a huge impact on SAT scores, on their attendance, on their interest, on everything. And you know, if students are first, I want to make sure that that program stays funded adequately. Thank you for your time. [applause] >> Sorry, we got one more.
>> Are is there anyone else that was planning to speak? >> I think it's just me. >> Just just you. Okay. >> Hi, Allison. um from Flemington. Um just more of a personal type of statement. My son is a freshman here and he is in the
robotics club which is I say academia. He's also doing track which is sports and he's also doing drum line which is music. So as all parents I'm sure we want our children to be well-rounded. So, I just wanted to say that I know that there I again I'm new, so I'm not
really quite sure about the robotics situation, but I think it's that there's not an academic advisor. So, I really hope that the school could get someone because again, and then I never been to a competition for robotics. And I actually think it should be a sport. Um, I don't think it should
be an adviser. I think it should be a coach. What these young men and you know, women are doing in this sport, I say sport, is amazing to me. Um, so if no one's ever been to one of these competitions, it is again not a club. Like he told me, I'm I'm joining the
robotics club. It is not a club. So I really do hope that whoever here, the board, the admin, that they could support that and give that club the recognition it needs. Thank you. [applause] >> Sorry, an important point I wanted to
make. the student that's missing from the merit award scholarship, Philip Kazansf, he's not here because he's next door in robotics. He's actually coding. So, just a heads up. >> All right. Thank you. I'm going to close public comment um and move back on to
the the business portion of the meeting. So, do we need to move the hips? >> It's in the organization. >> Okay. So, I'm >> Okay. So, I'm going to move organizational item H1
um HI uh 2619 20 and 21. Um do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> Mrs. Spitzer may have actually any discussion. Yeah, I just have a comment.
So, although I received clarification on a HI matter due to inconsistent information reported, I submitted a follow-up question necessary to fulfill my oversight responsibilities before voting tonight. Instead of receiving an answer, I was directed to use a Google
form unilaterally implemented by the board president without board authorization. This, in my opinion, is overreach. The board president's role is to facilitate not control information. Restricting access to time-sensitive information prevents informed decision-making and as a result I cannot
vote on HI number 21. This is arbitrary and beyond the authority of the board president. Any other discussion? Okay. Roll call. Mrs. Spitzer. >> Miss [clears throat] Gong. >> Yes.
>> Dr. Halpern. >> Yes. Miss Laccasta, >> yes for 19 and 20, but no for 21. >> Miss Rothell, >> yes to 19 and 20, no to 21.
>> Mrs. Santangelo, >> yes to 19 and 20, no to 21. >> Miss Wallace, >> yes. >> Reverend Williams, >> yes. >> Miss Bryce, >> yes. And Miss Kellogg, >> yes. Motion is approved.
>> Dr. Halpern, do you have a report out on the student life and program committee? >> Dr. Halpern. >> I'm sorry. Sorry. Start over. The student life and program committee met on March 4th. In attendance were Jessica Kendalloi, Hayade, Sandra Gong, and
substituting for me, um, Matthew Hall, Darthia Kellogg, Nicole Bryce, Marisella Wallace. The committee approved five action items: tuition and transportation, foreign exchange students, and three overnight trips. The tuition and transportation The committee reviewed a tuition and transportation
contract for a senior student to attend Montgomery Academy for the remainder of the 2025 2026 school year. The placement is intended to allow the student to graduate in June following significant challenges that made remaining on campus unfeasible. The cost for the remainder
of the year is $39,78.93. Foreign exchange students. The committee reviewed requests to approve four foreign exchange students for the 2026 2027 school year from Italy, Spain, and Germany. I'd like to note that my family hosted an AFS student from Argentina for a full school year when my sister was
still in high school and I was a junior in college. It was a wonderful experience. She is still in touch with us. Overnight trip indoor color guard. The committee discussed an overnight trip involving 13 students and four chaperones to attend the tournament indoor association Atlantic Coast Championships in Wildwood, New Jersey
from April 29th to May 3rd, 2026. The cost is approximately 150 per student funded by families and fundraising. Another overnight trip, the band orchestra chorus to Disney World. The committee reviewed a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida from December
5th to 9th, 2026 for approximately 150 students. The trip was moved to December rather than spring break to allow coral students to participate in the Epcot candlelight processional. As part of the discussion, the committee updated the motion to require 15 chaperones to maintain a strict 1 to10 ratio. One
chaperone will be a nurse certified to practice in Florida. Overnight trip youth and government club on the website. Um, the committee reviewed a trip involving um, excuse me, forget that on the website part the youth and government club. The committee reviewed
a trip involving approximately 30 students and three chaperones to attend the New Jersey youth and government conference in East Brunswick, New Jersey from April 24th to April 26, 2026. The cost is approximately 600 per student funded by families and fundraising. I would I want to move action items I one
through five. Second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. Mrs. Spitzer, can I have a roll call? Dr. Halpern? >> Yes. >> Miss Lacasta? >> Yes. >> Miss Rothell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo? >> Yes.
>> Miss Wallace? >> Yes. >> Reverend Williams? >> Yes. >> Miss Bryce. >> Item number four, I'm going to abstain. just my youngest child may be one of the estimated 150 students on that trip and
I just want to avoid any real or perceived conflict and yes on everything else. >> Mrs. Kellogg. >> Yes. >> Oh yes. Motion carried. >> You got one more person.
>> Oh, did you forget? >> It's a yes. >> Mrs. gone. [laughter] >> She said yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Sorry. >> Reverend Williams, operations and transportation. >> The committee met on March 17th. Uh in
uh present were myself, uh President Kellogg, uh Sandra Gong, uh the BIS administrator, Heather Spitzer, Maryanne Stokes, and uh uh uh Secretary of the Superintendent Jessica Kangalloi Hay. We
engaged in a thorough discussion of the 2627 tenative budget. Uh as was discussed tonight, we are looking uh at a tenative budget of 85,442,298 uh inclusive of the capital reserve uh withdrawal uh and a tax levy of
63,27,333. We discussed health benefit adjustment of $611 uh which uh asking for an increase in the tax levy above the 2% cap of additional 1% to offset the substantial increase in health benefit costs of the
capital reserve withdrawal of the $8,936,491 that is budgeted to support the summer projects uh of which was mentioned earlier six HVAC projects two roof projects that are a rod grant projects
and making uh Central eligible for up to uh 40% um reimbursement from the state. We also discussed the addition of Vanguard as an authorized 403b tax sheltered annuity provider for the district employees at no cost to the
district in accordance with board regulation 6520 uh.2. We discussed the purchase of Chromebook computing devices for instructional use from Dell Technologies at a total cost of 135,931.50
uh approved and funded by the 2526 schoolyear budget. The committee discussed accepting the gratitude uh with gratitude the donation of catering and paper products from the Islamic Center of Hunter County with an estimated value of $500 to the central
uh high school Muslim students association and friends. We also discussed the transport of Hun Central students with Hunter County ES ESC uh which are three routes noting that once the quote threshold is exceeded a formal bidding process uh
will be required. In addition, we discussed awarding the contract of uh for HVAC upgrades to the IMC and music buildings to Central Pack Engineering Corp. uh as the lowest uh responsible bidder. This bid is under project budget uh inclusive of
architectural and engineering costs uh and has been approved as a rod grant uh with a reimbursement of up to 40% of eligible costs. Similarly, we discussed awarding the contract for the partial HVAC upgrades at the 910 112 buildings to Environ
Envirrocon LLC as the lowest responsible bidder. Uh again this uh this uh contract came under uh under uh budget uh inclusive architectural engineering cost and has been approved again as a rod grant. Uh we also discussed the
appointment of methyl and uh to provide representation and ethics complaint for board member uh per docket uh hash uh number C71-23 in regards to a 2025 attorney rates that were uh mentioned uh uh at the last
meeting. Uh we reviewed the uh spreadsheets that were prepared by uh one of our board members and business administrator. Uh one of the things that I will uh uh like to highlight there was a discussion of $20 per hour and I uh uh one of the thing that uh we've noticed
is that the that that both spreadsheet indicate is that the a $20 per hour increase or 11.4% 4% increase in board counsel rate um had been realized last year when Dionella Gorman and Morlock were at a rate of $175
uh and going to uh Aphroazi, McDermott, uh Mastro and Murphy at a rate of $195 per hour. The spreadsheets uh also uh acknowledged that the that last year's uh uh approvals of uh of actual billing
rates of of the billing rates um uh in uh or are are on record um per the June 16th uh board that approved the uh uh the contracts uh professional
services contracts And also uh in included that any rate that was not specifically stated uh was on file and was known and and and was transparent to to to the board at that time and uh was known as the actual billing rates were
uh were approved uh all last year which which stated what they what uh for instance with GIO when they went from $175 to $185 in July of 2025. uh the the board continued to approve those actual billing rates. So it was transparent, it
was known and uh those rates uh were uh were known to all the board members at that time and understanding that the rates that we're talking about or are rates that were approved from last year committee discussed the requirement uh
under NJ uh AC 6A 23A uh-5.2 two to establish annual maximum dollar limits for prof professional services as part of the budget process. Um there was also an in-depth discussion on how uh surplus or budget uh budgeted fund balance is
generated in the district budget uh and it was explained at the conclusion of a school year. The district surplus budgeted fund balance is finalized during the audit process. Therefore um I'd like to move items uh J1 through 11.
Do I have a second? >> Second. Okay. Any discussion? >> Uh yeah, I would like to address uh Vernon's comments. Uh first of all, um I raised >> I'm sorry, Mr. Rothell. Is this on an action item? >> It is on an action item. Okay. It is on
um the uh financial documents. >> Okay. Thank you. So I raised concerns regarding substantial discrepancies in the billing and approval of legal contracts from 23 through 25. Regardless of whether you say those bills showed the dollar amount, we are volunteers. We
are not looking at the contracts on a daily basis. So we are going under the assumption that you guys have been transparent with us about what we should have when all of the other years we got the dollar number in the voting mechanism. But last year it said on
file, it was fair for us to make the assumption that it was at the same rate, not an increased rate. In addition to that, the minutes only reflect that the 2526 attorney rates. I sent documentation
from 2021 on. However, after that meeting, I was asked via email by the superintendent to provide my findings and was informed that would review the matter. In my view, this is issue was not adequately addressed and there
appears to have been no meaning meaningful in counting tonight adequate addressing of it. Um, the meeting minutes reflect simply nothing else but 2025 attorney rates. The committee reviewed the spreadsheets. That's what
we were given based on all the information that I had put out and asked for information on. I have not received any follow-up discussion or clarification despite what I had submitted with questions. So again, this is a troubling lack of transparency and
oversight based on what you submitted. you you understood what the what the rates were. You you no you you all you all you voted on the the the budget on on the contracts last year over 25 of
the 49 items that were on there were on file and at that time wouldn't it have wouldn't it if you didn't know what they were wouldn't it have been uh behooved uh the board at that time to have asked those questions I I mean nothing has changed
>> Vernon you are twisting my words first of all the only reason I went back to check all of that was because an amendment was made. >> This isn't an action item on the agenda. >> This is an action item. It's invoices. >> Is there a specific question then that you have on the invoices that we are
approving this month? Because >> all the legals >> all of all of the legal. Okay. So, it does appear that the committee went back and reviewed the 2025 2026 rates which would be associated with these invoices. Am am I understanding that correctly?
>> Yes. And their response was the committee reviewed the spreadsheets. >> Okay. >> Period. >> End of discussion. >> Were there any discrepancies identified in the invoices for this month? And >> the discrepancy is that we are now being
asked that it is our fault as volunteer board members that we didn't catch that arbitrarily an increase in salaries was made because we looked at the bills but didn't understand there was a $20 increase. The only reason we knew to ask about the $20 increase is because you
were asking for another $20 increase and a change in scope of a lawyer. So that made me go back and check everything to find out what was going on. >> All of those rates were presented by the R No, no, no. By the RFP committee when we received all of that information. All
of those rates were presented in the documentation. I'd like to see that documentation because I went back and reviewed all of the all of the motions in the report from that RFP committee because those those attorneys were ranked based on cost as well as qualifications.
>> So, >> you know what's ironic about that though? Shank Price was at the bottom, right? So, we just gave them a $20 increase and expanded services >> for a firm that we didn't even select, right? They were at the they were at the bottom of the totem pole. And the issue
why we're bringing this up, and I also have comments about it, is because if we're not going to receive the reconciliation information, we can no longer vote for anything financial. So, and and it doesn't lose me that you guys
are asking us to approve a 3% increase, but you can't even be accountable to us for questions about this. And we laid it out in specifics, and I know what you're trying to do, D. you're trying to divert it to say if it's not an action item, it it's it's always going to be an action
item because now we can't trust that these things are accurate and we can't vote for them and we have received zero information and Vernon, your minutes did not reflect those additional comments that you just made >> for our review. >> Let's let's can I can I just say one
thing? Let's be clear. When we went when we decided to go with chain prices as board council at $200 per hour, that was over and above the $195 per hour of approing. When the board last year decided to go from
Dianella uh and Gorman from $175 an hour to $195, that was the $20 per hour increase. >> That is clear that >> No, no, no, no. In 2024, there was a resolution for a $180 rate at shank
price and the next thing we know it's a $20 increase. >> You went from Danello at $175. That is that is your March 24th meeting $175. >> I'd like to see that because I think
that actually the contract >> to appro at $195. Did you not go to appro at? I'm going to cut this off because this is not relevant to the the discussion tonight and I'm No, it is relevant. I understand. >> Here's the other thing I want to ask.
>> Vernon, did you read the shank price contract? No, cuz this is relevant. It is not relevant to anes because if you do not understand the if if you do not have an understanding of
the rates that were approved by this board last year they were not approved by the whole they were not authorized by the board. >> We have a lot I'm assuming we have a lot to discuss twisting the fact 100%.
Yes, Danella was 175. Correct. We got rid of Danella. >> Correct. So, we changed and hired another. >> Those aren't the ones I was questioning though, D. I was more questioning the the lawyers that we have maintained for years on end where up until last year we
were told the rate at which we were being funding them. Then all of a sudden, we were no longer told. And we were just you're now saying in this report that we were supposed to as volunteers I have spent hours upon hours looking back because I was confused
about why you were asking for a raise at the last meeting as well as changing the scope of a lawyer. So I went back and said this isn't a $5 raise as JCH is saying to us. This is a $20 raise because it was not record
for >> the reason why we're having this conversation right now is because nobody's answered our questions right >> there. I I there are two different questions here. The actual increase for what we were using as a board attorney
went from 190 >> question. >> Correct. However, I do understand that yes, my and and my understanding is that the rate that we will be charged for board counsel is different than the rate
that was on file for shank price, which is why we had the motion last month to increase that rate. >> There's no >> So, we we're talking about apples and oranges. We're talking >> resolution after the $180. So, that's
where we get the $20 increase from. >> Correct. But it's only a $5 increase from the board council we are actually using. And we're still paying the $180 rate for other services that shank price provides. And you're also paying a $200
rate before we even increase it and a $385 rate. So that's still in question and nobody's answering that. The $6,000 invoice that seems to be missing. I asked for the check number and I'm not getting that information either. >> I don't believe that's been paid yet. It
was attach the that invoice was attached but it has I am >> that invoice was from October >> right >> and it hasn't been paid yet >> no it hasn't >> will it be paid >> h >> will it be paid >> it's my understanding it will be paid but >> so how could that be paid because again
that's a conflicted situation right that did not seek board authorization so just because shank price is on our roster doesn't mean that it doesn't require board authorization when we're talking about an ethics complaint and that whole thing was conflicted. So
I don't even think we should be paying that. >> So >> that was not properly >> the the way we have always handled ethics complaints and processing of invoices and I believe there is a process in place that was put in place last year. If that attorney is rostered
by the the district, if it's an attorney that we already have a financial relationship with that and UDICA, our insurance company, approves the use of that attorney, those invoices are paid by the district and are reimbursed. If
it is an attorney that we do not have a contractual relationship with, for the example, David Rubin or Meth Fest, then the board has to approve a separate contractual relationship to allow the district to pay those invoices. But the
>> the issue though with that, >> let you finish, please. >> However, those attorneys are already approved by UDICA. So the district knows that they will be in reimbursed at the rates that are approved by the board prior to the motion being brought.
>> So you just said that at the rates approved by the board. There are rates in those bills that I have no record of the board approving a $385 an hour charge >> and a $200 an hour charge. And I also asked to see the UDICA reimbursement uh
letter and we did not get that to verify that. So that's the issue. that is not that is not the rate that the contract was for. So that's why I'm saying we did not get proper broad authorization for that and that's an issue. I I believe that there are different contracts for
different things with different and and I I understand the confusion of it. However, I think that I don't think we're going to resolve that this evening and if there are invoices you feel the need to abstain on, I respect that. But
I believe that we have a much larger discussion to be had on the budget. So um >> I disagree because we if we can't fix >> Miss Miss Santangelo, we are we are not going to resolve that at this. So you're you're
>> But we're not okay. But we're not going to resolve it >> after this meeting because you guys have blocked us from all information. You refuse. Jessica, I've sent you four or five emails and you've kicked it back to D when she's conflicted on this very issue. That's not appropriate. You don't
report to D Kellogg. You report to the board and I'm just following the handbook procedures which say it's supposed to go through the president. If the president is conflicted, go to the vice president when I asked you if you said it wasn't about her. Miss Santangelo, the
procedure that you put in place allows you to go to the board vice president and I don't believe that that has been exercised. You also have the option to build a consensus among a majority of the board because the superintendent
works for the board majority and that's what our our handbook says. So if you build a consensus, if you talk to five other members of the board, um that is the whole purpose of that Google form is to allow all of us to see the
information that's being requested and make sure that the board is directing Miss Kangalloce Hay, not any individual. And having all of us individually asking for information, she can't there. There is no way that
I'm sorry you're not Superwoman. I apologize. [laughter] But if all nine of us are asking for different information at different times, it creates a situation where it is impossible for Miss Kangallosi Hay to do the job that she is hired by us to do to
focus on the district and to focus on what is best for the students. So yes, we have a process in place that allows the board without creating a quorum to identify information that is important to a majority of the board and request
that of the superintendent and the business administrator. But unless that consensus is reached, we are not asking the superintendent to jump through hoops for each and every board member. So work with your fellow board members, work
amongst ourselves and when we have a clear ask of the superintendent, we will request that of her. So that is completely counter to what you did last year by inundating her with tons of [clears throat] emails. And the reason why we hired an HR director was to alleviate her um some of her
responsibilities, right? To answer those questions. You report to the board and it's a fiduciary oversight. This isn't a committee issue. This doesn't go into a committee. This is a fiduciary issue that some of us can't vote on because we're not getting our answers. Okay? And that system is not going to do it. And
Sandra, you already have that email. You forwarded it to De and Sandra and nobody's doing anything about it. So, we have clear discrepancies here that are not reconciled. It's financial. And if we can't trust you on this, how can we trust you on uh asking for a 3% raise in
the uh tax levy? It's it's not a good look. Uh, I do just want to ask Dean, excuse me. I'd like to ask that whatever um Mrs. Rothell provided that we all get provided. Then we all get information
about what was looked at and so you all understand it. >> I do not disagree. I asked for that. >> Okay. I'm not saying you just >> I was specifically asking the superintendent for the information and yet even though I was told I would get clarification, not you are missing the point. I am not
arguing with you. I am suggesting that it makes sense that we each get the all the hard work that you got and and that we all have an opportunity to see it. I'd be interested in knowing where the things fell through the cracks because what what I'm seeing is >> and we did look into those questions and
they were discussed at but as per a directive we received last year for minutes we were keeping minutes minimal. I think it's impossible to discuss them all. >> That is correct. So I think we have to figure out the committee member directly to ask the question. >> That's I think we have to figure out how
to address questions in the committee. >> I I Sandra or Mrs. Gong I agree. However, this is being >> perturbed. This meant that the superintendent was speaking and she was I think she was actually saying kind of
what I was going to say in that we were told to keep the minutes minimal. We're trying to find a balance I believe between just writing one sentence and you don't know what happened at committee versus capturing a whole conversation because that was a complaint last year. So, I believe we're still trying to find that balance. Um,
last year we did have some committees that answered questions directly in the minutes, not every committee. So I think that's a discussion for you all to to have. How do you want to follow up? That's not for me to decide, right? That's for you all. Is it individual follow-up? Is it in the minutes? I can't
direct you. You all have to come to >> explicitly told that I would receive follow-up information that it would be discussed at follow. I will say on Heather's behalf, she has um extensive research on it.
>> And Mrs. Santangel, I believe that you did get a response from Mrs. Kellogg, but you've never actually asked me about it when you think that Mrs. Kellogg is conflicted. So, if you think she's conflicted according to the handbook, you do go to the vice president. So, you can send me the email. >> I'm happy to look at it.
>> You have the email already. >> Okay. Are there any other discussions that we want to have on action items? I know Miss Lacosta, you had a >> Yes. Um, are all the lawyer invoices in
question right now from your perspective? >> Yes. Okay. >> Contracts I'd like to see the resolutions that support the contracts with the increased rate. We cannot find them. So, we went on board docs. Jessica did the spreadsheet
and there is no supporting contracts um that the board authorized with those additional increases and that's the issue. >> Okay. So >> I I believe that the rates were authorized by UDICA not by the board and I don't believe that there's a contract associated with that. Um but we will
certainly see >> if that's the case then then Udica needs to we need to see the letters then to support that. Right. So that's the other issue. I I think the concern is that ethics complaints are theoretically um
confidential until they are adjudicated. And >> not when you're asking for authorization, not when we're paying a $6,000 invoice though at a higher >> rate. We're not we're not we are being reimbursed by the insurance companies.
you're allowed as oversight to ask for that letter to show that we are getting that reimbursement >> and we we will work with board counsel because I believe that board counsel is given different direction on that. But that's something you can ask board counsel in um executive session when
she's here. >> She's what? >> They're here. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry, Miss Lacosta. You had a question earlier and >> anything I was going to ask was addressed quite frankly by public comment. though I don't want to drag it out. >> Okay. All right. Are there any other
discussions that anyone would like to have on the other specific action items before we vote? >> I just want to add I guess comment and perspective for all of my fellow board members and the fact of when we think about the fact that there are invoices and outstanding things to be paid that
could be at $385 an hour. I understand we need to un discover whether or not it's being covered by insurance, but there's lots of things between one, two, and three that all have these bills in question. And I think that's the benefit of talking about this as a group at the
table is to bring these things to light to make sure people are voting with all the questions at hand. So, so I think the other issue is too with regard to myth vessel. So that resolution is here because it appears to
show that this process does not was not followed when a board member sought legal counsel regarding an ethics complaint back in October of 25. It only became evident during the recent Shank Price vote last month that personal conflicts and required procedural steps were not fully addressed. So just because again shank price is on the
legal roster doesn't give the district the authority to approve those higher rates that we talked about the 200 and 385 which is part of that outstanding $6,000 uh invoice. Repeated request for the documentation and reconciliation goes unanswered. And so the things I was
looking for was um that we should be seeing is requesting the indemnification, confirming the coverage through the district's insurance policy, approving representation at set rates, and formally authorizing that payment. So that did not happen in October. So
now you're correcting it by doing it now. And that's an issue. >> Actually, no, that that is not correct. Um, in October the request was submitted to Udica to
use shank price and that was approved. When the district decided that they would like to expand the services and and Miss Kangalosi Hay requested that we expect the service extend the services of Shank Price to include board counsel.
They transferred the case to Meth Vessel. That was all done through Udica. All of that paperwork was provided to Heather and be before the change was made to shank Price on our agenda. Now,
I understand that you feel that you should have access to all of the legal information related to any ethics complaint that this board has to approve a a an invoice for. That is not the
case. And there are attorney client relationships within those ethics complaints that this board according to our board attorney does not have access to. Um it is a confidential matter. So I
I I understand the frustration with this but this is a situation where you have to trust the administration that these processes have been followed. And if you cannot get comfortable with that, you are welcome to abstain on any invoice
that's associated with an ethics complaint. Okay? It's not just the ethics complaint, right? It's all of it. So, it's not acceptable not to receive answers. If it's if if that's the answer, then that should be expressed. But that wasn't. And also, I think the
other issue was it's it's a conflict. So again, how do we So that whole thing h has just been completely um convoluted, right? Like it's so why even have an invoice if there was a conflict? And I asked to see the
conflict review, but I don't have that because the conflict review is done by the attorney for the person with the ethics complaint. And that is an attorney client privilege document or process that this board doesn't have
access to. It's not the board itself does not do a conflict of interest, >> but the invoice was on was attached right for us. So >> because that's the process through which we I mean if if you'd like to change the process so that the board no longer sees
invoice associated with ethics complaints so that you don't have to question the the dollar amounts or um you I I I don't know I don't know how to fix this process given what given the structure we currently have. Like last
year the board decided it wanted to see every um invoice for every um attorney and that's a process process that we have continued. But what that means is that there are going to be invoices for ethics complaints that this board is not
going to have any understanding of what that attorney did or what not even necessarily who that attorney worked for. Um, and so I I again we can we as a board can discuss a different process for that,
but right now that's the process that that we're in. >> And what's the reason then why there was no answer for the other um case that was um build at a higher rate,
the discrimination case. >> It's the same thing. The same Thank >> Ballard. Yeah, it's it's being built to Udica now. >> Correct. >> Yeah.
>> So that would be nice to get an answer on that, right? That's a simple, right? So why can't I get an answer on that? >> We we did talk about it at >> right. But again, nobody's contacting the board member who has the question, right?
>> No, I understand. I hear you saying that. >> I hear you saying that. I think we that's got to be figured out among this board. How do you want to do that? >> But I hear you saying that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, as a result, we're not going to be able to vote on those things because of that lack of information. And
that's really unfortunate. >> All right. If there's no further comment, um, Mrs. Spitzer, roll. I just want to I my final thing is I want to make a motion to amend the agenda agenda item under committee item four on the 2026 2027 tentative budget to reduce the
general fund tax levy by 1,835,747 to a new total of 61,191,586 and the resulting new total budget amount to 83,66,551 and to eliminate the 600 111,916 health benefit adjustment. >> Second that.
>> Any discussion? >> What's the impact of reducing it? >> I don't know. Miss Santangelo, would you like to explain the impact of that reduction? >> Yeah, the reason why I'm doing the uh motion, >> no, not why you're reducing it. What exactly how exactly is the effect on the
individuals who are in on the district? I am concerned about the burden on the taxpayer and I don't I I am not convinced based on the information that we got at after six o'clock and the lack of um additional information on the questions
with regard to the capital reserves right that Heather didn't want to answer. So I don't feel comfortable moving forward with it. So I think we should bring it back. I think we should take a pause. I think we have a very high capital reserve and I think we should take a pause on it.
I mean, I I I already spoke numerous times about the fact that I think that we consistently in a very high level over budget. So, we should be able to find $612,000 somewhere for this year and give the
taxpayers a little bit of a break considering what is happening in all the other districts that they're associated with. >> And I agree with that. >> Okay. Okay. So, just just so I'm clear, you've listened to the the budget retreat. You have heard from our
superintendent and our business administrator that we cannot maintain the programs and the staffing and and all of the other things that that we are trying to maintain to meet our goals with without going to this 3% cap. Is
that my my understanding? So if if we reduce the three if we reduce the amount of the budget and and go below that 3% cap, there will be additional staffing cuts, program cuts because it's we have to go back we have to go back to the drawing board because
the money comes from the money immediately cut staff is completely and totally unfair. >> The money comes from somewhere but but that that's that again that's why I'm I'm asking and and again we had a budget retreat. We've gone through all of this information. You know, I believe that
we've had several discussions. I know there were discussions in the personnel committee related to how these this budget would impact operations at the in the district. Um, and so I I
I if if there are if you would like to reduce the budget, I would like you to come to the table with specific things that you don't think that the district should do. But wouldn't that be us diving into the operations? Like that's not our role. >> How is this not diving into the op into
the minutia? I know I will not give you $600,000. Like I don't understand how and you all need to figure it out. >> I don't think that's what we're saying. We're saying I don't think that's what you're saying. You're essentially saying I'm reducing I'm reducing the budget by a million dollars. You guys go figure it out.
>> It's not a million. It's 612,000. But I also think that's out of context in the sense of over the last 10 years we've had no problem consistently. I understand in an isolated year someone might budget X and Y is left over and therefore it goes into capital reserves
but to have 7 8 n 10 years of consistently getting to this place of how much are we at Jessica 29 >> right 29 like I think everyone's asking to be held accountable to 10 years of behavior that put us in a position that
$29 million versus $600,000 and now be accountable to do something about it. I think that's what we're saying. I agree. I think it's worth the exercise to take a pause and take another look >> and we've heard from our taxpayers. So, I think that's important and and there's
more of them. This is just who showed up, but I think we should really take a look at that. So, again, my my understanding is that we do not have the option of taking a pause this we we need to approve a
budget this evening. Um, so I mean >> a tenative budget this evening to meet our statutory requirements. So I I don't know, Mrs. Is there anyone else that would like to comment on on Miss Santangelo's like because I I I do not
feel comfortable arbitrarily reducing the budgets that were brought to us by the administrators and and the experts by an an amount of money that has been floated at this meeting without an understanding of what impact that would
have on the district. And while I do completely respect that raising taxes is not a popular thing to do and and this certainly impacts East Damwell more than it impacts any it bas based on the budget presentation you can
see that our tax levy is is is the most increased this year. Um and I I I really do respect that concern. However, I I do not feel comfortable with an arbitrary adjustment
at the meeting that somehow someone else is going to have to figure out in so >> so I think to your point has any >> there's Lisa's motion but then there's the concept of like from where I sit
voting yes to a tentative budget that has the 3% attached to it is not something I'm comfortable with either. So where's where do we go from here? Because it's either a yes or no and based on how we stand right now for me it would be a no. So
>> and and I do understand and I don't know if there's flexibility to look at the numbers between the tenative and the final >> um from a statutory perspective is that >> a lot of time >> there is but not a lot of time
>> I mean >> yeah it's called tent >> correct >> see also on Heather's thing eastwell actually goes down almost $40 a I don't think >> Delaware Township goes up $20. Readington goes up $20. >> That's over the the five years. Um like
this year individually, East Aml has the the largest increase. >> So, >> so I if I could just add I think it's um a question of what the board's philosophy and strategy is for budgeting. We've been following what the board has done. You know, obviously way
before me, before Heather even, we've been following that same philosophy because nobody kind of ever said change. It's changed. Um, so I think we heard Heather say we can Excuse me, Mrs. Spitzer. I should be more formal. Um,
that yes, we could do 2%. Um, but we don't that really hurts us for our future. So when we are planning the budget, we're trying to be future focused, not just next year, not even the year after, but I'm talking five years from now, maybe even seven, eight
years from now, right? So that so it's it's just a matter of what the the board is behind in terms of the philosophy. But what I'm saying is given that the taxpayers are getting walloped on so many different things particularly Flemington Raridan just in the school districts aside from all the other
things that are going up. If you're projecting this for a concern five to seven years let's either decrease that to maybe a half a percent or hold off one year if we can and talk about it again next year. Why would we wall up ev
every school district in the same year when we really don't need to? >> I think we're we're trying to go small as we go. Um that's why we didn't go to the 5.73%. You know, >> I'm trying to negate that. I don't think
it's appropriate at at this juncture. >> Right. And we also >> Mr. Santel, can you just repeat what you're suggesting? >> What are your numbers? >> Motion. Mhm. >> And what is what is the motion? >> The motion is
um to reduce the general fund tax levy by 1.8 million roughly. >> And so where does that take us in terms of a tax >> levy? >> Back to last year.
>> Back to last year was back 0% increase this year. >> No. If it's back to last year, it's a 0% increase. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, the motion the motion >> and again, let me just say this, too. I just I don't think with the health care
cost, I get that it went up 18.6%. But we do not know what's going to happen. And again, I I found it encouraging what the insurance broker said about the prescription piece. And so, we don't know what's going to happen. I don't agree with the 20% 20% 20. I don't agree with that. We do not
know. We can't go off of that. A lot of times, that's what I was saying about the capital reserves, we overestimate it. So, I don't I think that's a danger zone. So, again, I don't think we it's prudent to um project like that. >> So, I just want to ask you, so with your
motion, you're saying don't ask for any tax levy. >> Correct. >> I'm not sure that this district can do that. [applause] I can't support that motion. You know, you're right. The future is
uncertain. Right. When I looked at Jim Finn's presentation from Brown and Brown, I came away with a different impression and that was um you know, it's not a good picture. >> You have a more optimistic picture.
Well, he talked about all the different plans, right? But the plan we have, the shift plan, so he was optimistic and so I was encouraged by that. Again, he specifically spoke about the prescription plan, which was a very high plan and he was optimistic about that
and he's in the midst of getting quotes. So, that's that's a good sign to me. >> What when I listened to him, what I got out of it was that he was not anticipating this kind of increase year-over-year. And additionally, he even stated that a benefit that we'll
have is that chapter 44 is expiring. So when we go back to contracts, we have a little more wiggle room and that we currently have a very high CL claim rate. So that suggests quite possibly that we have a population in our school district that has a has a higher amount
of going to the hospital, to the doctors, whatever. And those things could be changing as we have a younger population. >> Actually, the answer in the younger population Ellen, we can't hear you. >> I was going to say you didn't use your >> the can cancer rate in the younger population, the under 40 has
skyrocketed. Colon cancer now is higher in them. >> He didn't >> I don't think any of us can judge this. >> He didn't talk about the specifics. He just basically said that we have an incredibly high claim rate. >> Okay. So, we are going to vote on Mrs.
Santangelo's motion to amend the um the the tenative budget. So, Mrs. Spitzer, roll call. >> Miss Laccasta, >> yes. >> Miss Rothell, >> yes. >> Miss Santangelo, >> yes. >> Miss Wallace, >> no.
>> Reverend Williams, >> no. >> Miss Bryce, >> no. >> Miss Gong, >> no. >> Dr. Halpern, >> no. >> And Mrs. Kellogg, >> no. >> Motion fails. >> Okay. So, is there any other discussion?
>> I'm sorry. What is >> Yeah, >> you got a robotics program about to lose their funding and you're talking about healthcare and prescription drugs for you guys. >> What's wrong with you guys? What's wrong with you? Sorry. >> Is there any other >> Can use your
>> I was going to say there there will be a public >> Oh, there we go. >> Didn't I get reprimanded for this last year? >> I was going to say yes, you did. >> You got to use the gel. I think >> could you please stop? >> I was gonna say
>> I was threatened to be removed for this exact behavior last year. >> Yeah. Thank you. Is there any additional discussion or can we move to a vote on
speech items one through four or items? We might need to take a recess. >> Okay. They got to calm down. Why don't you just say we're going to take a recess if if it doesn't >> I was gonna say >> ma'am we're going to have to take a
recess if you don't agree to either not not have an outburst or or leave and then all of us are going to be here much later. So I I there there will be a public comment later and you're more than welcome to share all of your thoughts.
>> Okay. Thank you. So, Mrs. Spitzer, can we have a a roll call on items 1 through 11? >> Miss Lacosta, >> no on one through four, yes on the balance. >> Miss Rothell,
>> no on items one through four. Yes on items 5 through 10. And no on item 11. Miss Santangelo, >> no on items 1 through 4, no on 11, and yes to everything else. >> Miss Wallace,
>> yes to all. >> Reverend Williams, >> yes. >> Miss Bryce, >> yes. >> Miss Gong, >> yes. >> Dr. Halpern, yes to one and two and three.
Yes to four, excuse me, number two. We have a bunch of different invoices. Not are those just lawyer invoices there. They look like lawyer ones. If that's the case, then I'm going to say no on number two as well. Yes on one, no on two, yes on three, yes on four, yes on
the rest. >> And Mrs. Kellogg. Um, yes on one under two. I'm abstaining from check number 85267. Yes. On 3 through 10.
And I'm abstaining on number 11. All right. Motions carry. Thank you, Miss Gong. Personnel committee. Personnel committee met on March 17th. The personnel has 14 action items this evening that are recommended by the
superintendent. Please note that a few items have already received interim approval. The reason for that is that an approval was needed prior to today's tonight's board meeting. While we have many standard personnel actions on the agenda, I'd like to bring your attention
to a few key items. For item one, under separations, there are four retirements and one termination. For the four retirements, we have Vincent Diko with 31 years of service, Richard Monakio with 26 years of
service, Julie Blake with 19 years of service, Lauren Kelvosa with eight years of service. We'd like to wish those four well in their retirement and thank them for their dedication and service. I think I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. The sentiments voiced
by these retirees retirees include how much they will miss their colleagues and the district, but also how proud they are to have worked with our students. Items number two through 10 include a position change, four appointments for hourly positions, confirmation of a
start date that at one point we had a TBD, appointments for five substitute positions, a special services AM PM supervision, appointments of two staff members for the AEL program development, uh two teachers uh to be home
instructors for our students, a substitute teacher appointment and approval for overtime work as it relates to AMA AP testing. Item 11 lists eight staff members for professional development. Item 12 lists an unpaid
athletic coach for tennis. Item 13 is there as we had to amend or correct information such as dates or a category. For example, we had listed a coach as softball when it was really lacrosse. And we also added an hourly rate. Item
14 lists leaves of absences with paid and unpaid dates. With that, I'd like to move items 1 through 14 from the personnel committee. >> I have a second. Second. >> Any discussion?
>> So, I I will echo Mrs. Gong and say um congratulations to those teachers, staff retiring. Um it is a testament as to how long someone will stay in the district. So greatly appreciated. >> Well said.
>> Thank you. >> Okay, there's no other comments. Uh, roll call. Miss Spitzer. >> Miss Rothowl, >> yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo, >> yes. >> Miss Wallace, >> yes. >> Reverend Williams, >> yes. >> Miss Bryce, >> yes. >> Miss Gong,
>> yes. >> Dr. Halpern, >> yes. >> Miss Lacosta, >> yes. >> And Miss Kellogg, >> yes. >> All motion. Oh, yes. Motion carries. Miss Bryce, policy committee. Uh, the policy committee met on March 4th. In attendance were Vernon Williams,
Dellog, Jessica Kangalloi, Hay, and myself. Although Jessica Roofl was not able to make the meeting, she did review the agenda and provide comments prior to the meeting, which I appreciate. Uh, thank you to all committee members and other board members who reached out
regarding policy items. The committee is reviewing the 8000 section of the policy guide. Several policies and regulations are in need of updates to align with the Strauss Esme versions and some policies and regulations are missing. All updates
are minimal and the committee did not receive any uh questions or concerns about the items listed under L1 and L2 of the agenda. The committee has seven items for approval on first reading.
Policy 8110, attendance areas. Policy 8210, school year. Regulation 8320, personnel records. Regulation 8420.1, fire and fire drills. Regulation 8420.2,
bomb threats. Regulation 8420.3, natural disasters and man-made catastrophes, and regulation 8420.5, asbestous release. The committee has two items to abolish on first reading. Uh
regulation 8420.3 hostage situations. This was a homegrown regulation. Uh the committee is recommending the Strauss Esme version of regulation 8420.3 which I just mentioned above. That's the natural disasters and man-made
catastrophes. Um and second policy 8445 telephones. um it's a homegrown policy and is unnecessary. The committee has nine items for approval on second reading and four items to abolish on second reading as
detailed at the February 26th board of education meeting. Uh and as listed under items L3 and L4 of tonight's agenda. Uh I would like to provide additional detail on a few of these items that have generated more
discussion. Uh, first there's bylaw 0177, professional services. Homegrown language in the current version has resulted in prohibiting and delaying district operations. Proposed revisions include the superintendent notifying the
board about going out for RFP and providing the vendor's proposal to the board. The board attorney uh reviewed this bylaw and recommended the proposed language which balances transparency and micromanaging and hindering district
operations. The current budget process inherently sets spending limits and the committee is evaluating incorporating maximum dollar limits in the budget preparation policy. Uh second, there was policy in regulation 2535 library
material. This is a new policy and regulation in response to a new law and we are advised to follow Strauss Esme. Uh the pertinent Hunton central staff who reviewed the policy and regulation are comfortable with Strauss Esme's
recommended language. The committee did not receive any questions or concerns on first reading prior to the February board meeting. Um, and there is consensus that adding language circumvents the law and would send the wrong message to our staff.
Regulation 5530, substance abuse. Uh, this regulation is reviewed annually and the proposed revisions decrease the consequences and align with the current code of conduct. We have now had three separate attorneys who specialize in
educational law review this regulation to confirm compliance and address concerns. I would like to point out one minor change that was made to the proposed version based on comment by a board member. Um all references to loss
of parking now say loss of parking privileges. Since this change is minor, the regulation does not need to return to first read. Um, and lastly, I'd like to make uh just one comment regarding policy 2530 resource materials. Um,
recall that Strausses may revised this policy to clearly delineate between library material and resource materials. Uh, the committee has not received any questions or concerns over this policy to date. Yet, at the last board meeting,
three members voted against it. Um, I just don't completely understand why and I respectfully ask that future concerns are shared so that they can be addressed in committee. Um, and with that, I'd like to make a motion to approve agenda
items L1 through L4. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? So I think the reason why we haven't submitted some of these questions is because of the lack of confidence in the
new committee structure. So I think that's the reason and I just want to address uh the professional services policy. So last month we did confirm that our board attorney at the time worked on that policy. So it wasn't a homegrown policy. He added in language
to improve the transparency and accountability. It has nothing to do with micromanaging that. This actually came out of a real need because the district uh did not include the board in an RFP process even though the board is mentioned you know 80s something times.
So that was the issue. Um and then again it's put on an agenda for the board to approve and the and the board does not have any information about it. So that was the issue. So, um, I disagree with the characterization of that policy, and
I'm curious what attorney it is. Now, apparently, we have a new attorney that we're using. Obviously, it's not Kyle, uh, cuz he's the one that worked on it last time. So, and if we're talking about the homegrown measure and you're in the 8000s, I would expect then that care policy is going to be completely
abolished because it was entirely created outside of our policy vendor. And with regard to policy 2535, the freedom to read act law clearly provides for board involvement in curating library books just like we do with the curriculum every year. Failing to
exercise this oversight is a missed opportunity. Proper review ensures that books are age appropriate, educationally valuable, and do not advocate unhealthy or risky behaviors. Unlike some materials currently in our library now, as I cited last month when I talked
about the Let's Talk About It book, we consistently talk about student mental health and safety. And that book runs completely counter to that. Lisa, can I just address or confirm a couple of things that you brought up? Um the your first comment about the
structure of the the committee and the level of confidence in that. Um, as the chair of the policy committee, I have received pages and pages and pages of questions and concerns and comments from
several board members, which is great. I I want to hear from you. Um, I think we've done a pretty good job of addressing every single point in committee and coming up with very detailed uh, policy committee meeting
minutes. And as Miss Kangalloi Hay alluded to earlier, this is something we're trying to strike a balance as a board how meeting minutes were provided last year versus how they're provided now and going forward. Um the minutes
I've done are probably the the most uh detailed whether that's right or wrong. Um but trying to address everything that various board members and committee members have brought. Um the just to
correct it's not I didn't say bylaw 0177 professional services is a uh completely homegrown bylaw or policy just that it contains homegrown language which the district has found to be too restrictive
in their operations since that was last um adopted. The attorney is Kyle. So, I understand you had a verbal conversation with him last year. Um, and this was Kyle who we spoke with emailed with this
time around as well. Um, and we're not finished with review of the 8000s. We've had a tremendous number of policies that were revised and new last month. Um, continuing with the review of the 8000s.
We didn't want to overwhelm the board. So, we went through what roughly half of the 8,000s. >> More in the 8,000. >> There are more in the 8000s and we still have the 9,000s to do as well. Um, and so we're just moving step-wise through
the entire policy manual. Um, and the care policy, I'm sure, is uh one of the policies that will be up for discussion. It's it's part of the rest of the the 8000s. Um,
I think I hit everything, but I just wanted to Yeah. confirm. >> So, I wasn't referring to the minutes. I was referring to the actual email regarding uh professional services. So, it was questions about Kyle uh working on it, right? And so, we had a back and forth about that. And so, I referenced
email dates and things that he and we talked about it in executive with him. So, um, that became an issue because there was some disputed information about that and it wasn't accurate. So, we cleared it up.
Just so I have a question for for Mrs. Santangelo on the you referenced the book, Let's Talk About It, but we do have a process if a parent wants to request that that book be withdrawn from the library. And I'm just curious, are there other books that you think should
be withdrawn from the high school library? >> That is a book that came to my attention. Yes. I I I don't know if people are aware of it. That's why I brought it up. Um again, I'm talking about the curation of books coming into the school like that. Right. So that particular book had a very disturbing
disclaimer on it that I don't think kids would read. It's microscopic. And I think the information in that book talks about very risky behavior like going to pornographic sites. STDs are no biggie. Um you could take medication for it with
no regard for uh side effects. And you know who's going to be um consulting with those kids if they're looking at that book. So I was just referencing it to that particular book. Like I I don't think we should have books like that in our library. I don't think it adds any educational value. The book was
dedicated to all ages. I don't think it's age appropriate. And that's what I was referencing. >> What was the disclaimer in the book? >> Disclaimer was to seek medical uh professional advice. And so what kid, what minor is A lot of these kids don't
even drive, right? So are they going to actually ask uh I I can't even imagine that they would read that. I don't even know how I picked it up. It was really tiny. But how would a kid seek medical advice for that book? I mean, we're we're going to get into a discussion here that I really don't want to have,
but I personally I don't have a problem with a book that a child can read, identify with it, and have it have him get medical or professional advice. I do not have a problem with that. >> Right. But how does he get there? Right. So, he's in the library. How does he seek medical advice?
>> I was going to say, so this this discussion is outside of the the policies. Um, so any other questions or comments on the policy, Mr. Roth? So I I do have I I just would like to restate um sort of my stance on 5530 the
substance abuse policy. Um not specifically anything against the committee discussion and the result more in a broad sense. Um after further conversations with my student which I have spoken about in the past, I have become even more concerned
um in one instant um that my student who was present in the bathroom when a vape sensor was activated not only had her person searched but was also escorted to the classroom she had left to to go to the bathroom and was escorted back to
that bathroom or to that classroom to retrieve her backpack that was not on her body in the bathroom where the vape sensor went off. Um, and that was also searched. So, I found this particularly troubling. Students
are not allowed to bring their bags into bathrooms. I literally had to ask my students multiple times, are you telling me that if you're caught in a room where a vape sensor goes off and you don't have your bag, they are going to take you back to your room, collect your bag,
and search that? I they literally were like, "Mom, you're why are you being so stupid?" Yes, that is the result. So, I just felt this raises serious questions about whether reasonable suspicion standards are being appropriately applied, especially when
the item being searched was not in the students possession at the time the alarm was triggered. And given the recent numbers that we have seen show the failure rate of vape sensors, this new information further reinforces my belief that current practices are not serving our students appropriately and
that I still believe significant changes to this need to be looked at. >> Any other comments? Just a comment um based on Nikki saying like you know we have first read second read feedback totally agree there is a chance that despite even if we went back and forth I
know I did not um we may still vote no like okay because I it felt like you were setting the expectation of like well you shouldn't vote no if you've asked all your questions. >> No um and I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry if it came across that way. My point was more um I actually really
appreciate this year so far the openness at the table and the back and forth and the deliberation and I think part of the value in that is especially when we have difficult decisions um based on the discussion at the table
we may change our mind right there and that could be beneficial at times. Um, my point is when I was preparing the report for tonight and I was reviewing all the items on our agenda, one of those things being the minutes from last
month's meeting, um, and I noticed there were several no votes against the resource materials policy and there was zero indication. Why? No emails, no phone calls, no discussion at the table,
nothing in committee. I went through my entire Google Drive and searched for 2530 thinking maybe I forgot, maybe I missed something, maybe I didn't answer somebody's question. Nothing. So that that was my point. If there is an item
on the agenda that's recommended to approve and it's not approved, I assume there's a good reason. And everybody's reason is valid. I will respect that. Um I was just kind of surprised that there
was opposition with zero understanding of why. And if there is opposition, I think we'd all like to hear it and try to incorporate changes. Um the policy committee meeting that we had in
February when we had a lot of changes from Strauss Esme through their alert, lots of new policies, mandated changes. Um there were a lot of questions and comments and we made some changes accordingly. There was some really good
valuable back and forth discussion. So, that was my whole point. I know that's a long response to your comment, but I just want to clarify that. And >> and I just want to um address Mrs. uh Rothell's comments because um you know,
I'd like to know more about sort of the failure rate. Is that what you called it? Or success rate? Failure rate. Success rate. Um so one question though is should this policy are you suggesting that the policy uh wording be changed or is it that we should actually look at um
you know the halo sensors is I guess what they're called >> to be honest Mrs. is gong. I'm not entirely sure what I'm suggesting. Um, [laughter] but I I do inherently believe that we're not applying appropriate measures to our
students. If the vape sensors are failing more than they're succeeding, and we're making students who are in the bathroom be escorted to their classroom where their classmates watch them grab their bag, leave the room, and go and be searched. I mean, everyone is talking
about mental health and this and that. Can you I mean my daughter that this happened to has a speech impediment and she was like, "Mom, it was so embarrassing." And I think it's terrible that we do this to our students. So, I don't know if I'm saying change the policy or I I I don't know what I'm
asking, but what I'm asking is that this really and truly needs to be better evaluated. >> I agree. I um I just want to say what I heard you say was more about the application of reasonable suspicion and I take that you know I I've been listening to that and I
do want you all you all should know that we have been speaking to the attorney about that. Um what you told me tonight is something new. I didn't know about that. I don't think that's the norm but it could be a one-off. I don't know but I
will look into that practice. >> Yes. So, I will look into that and um you know, if there's anything else that comes up, you can feel free to share it with me and you know, I'll look into it. >> Can I ask a question? And not to put you on the spot. You may not have an answer
right now, but um the regulation 5530 for substance abuse, I know it's required to be reviewed annually and I believe it's typically eval or reviewed in the summer by the principal, all the
vice principles, the counseling team. Um and last summer it was reviewed. Um it's not always revised. In this case, it was because revisions were warranted. Um,
the student code of conduct was updated or changed at the same time. And so part of this re revision is to align with that. So my question is um the next review, annual review, is it coming up
in a few months? >> Yes. Yes. And actually it's a great point. This should have been revised earlier. um it went through code of conduct but not the regulation itself. So the goal would be to have especially things that impact students right in
this case because the discipline was decreased. I'm okay doing it now. Um but we would like to have it in place before the start of the school year. So that's the goal. It's the same thing with our code of conduct. Like really those two if they're going to be updated should be updated together in the summer at the
same time. Good question. Okay. Are we ready? Any other comments? All right. Mrs. Pitzer, roll call. Mrs. Santangelo. So, yes to everything but um under item three,
it would be no to 3, seven, and eight. I think that's accurate. And L2 is okay. The last one abolish. >> Which one? So mine says two. So one, two, and four are okay.
>> Yes. >> The full items and four. >> I think she's asking about >> L1, L2, and L4 are acceptable. And then you were saying no to three, seven, and eight within number three. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Miss Wallace.
Yes to everything except number three. Number eight. No to that. >> Reverend Williams. >> Yes to everything except uh 38. >> Miss Bryce.
>> Yes. >> Miss Gong. >> Yes. Um, I'm voting yes, but I think we have another issue really about the halo sensors or vape sensors, whatever their official name is.
>> So, yes. >> Sorry. Yes, >> Dr. Halpern. >> Yes, I agree with Sandra. >> Miss Lacosta. Yes for L1 2 4 and no under L3 for the
three seven and eight. Miss Roth thou >> I'm just going to make this less complicated. Um yes to L1 2 3 except number eight and yes to number four. >> So no to number eight and >> no to number eight and L3.
>> Miss Kellogg. >> Yes. So um >> the the the final will be reflected in the minutes but I believe eight and L3 failed >> but the final will be reflected in the minutes.
>> Okay. All right. This is now the general residence forum. Oh >> I I always skip that. It's at the very bottom of the Okay. Additional business. Are there any um other committees, liaison reports or additional board
business that anyone would like to discuss? >> Yes, Miss Bryce. >> Um I have one thing as the liaison to the parent engagement committee. Um I just want to uh say a reminder, the next parent engagement committee meeting is
this Wednesday, March 25th at 6:30 p.m. here in the IMC. uh prevention resources will present on the current trends in substance use for teens. The presentation will include information on alcohol, nicotine vaping, and THC vaping, fentinyl, and other current
substance trends, including catam, cava, caffeine pouches, and more, as well as the impact each has on an individual. Uh, prevention resources will also share information on the 911 lifeline legislation, the New Jersey overdose prevention act, and helpful hints in
talking with kids about drugs. There will also be a locked box of nicotine and THC items providing the opportunity to see some products uh currently on the market and severalformational handouts will be available. And just a reminder that parent engagement committee
meetings are open to all central parents and guardians. And again for anyone interested, uh it's this Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30 in the IMC. Thank you. >> So real quick, uh tomorrow I will be
attending um a webinar through NJSB um that will be centered around educational highlights of the proposed uh fiscal year 27 state budget. So, I will bring back any feedback I have from that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else?
>> Is it a committee thing or is it a board comment? >> All right, I'll just bring it up. So, uh, Mrs. Kellogg and I attended an NJSBA session with other board presidents and vice presidents on March 7th. Um and it
was good to actually sit with other presidents and vice presidents um and exchange best practices. Um one of the um issues that came up or actually not an issue I think uh to a board member it
was really how do you make your board communications a little better. Um and uh there was also a session on um regionalization which was uh quite interesting and uh regionalization
studies are done uh at actually no cost if you can find a partner to do it with but we just haven't been able to find a partner to do that with it with at central. Um the other item uh that came up is that uh at the end of the session
they had this uh sort of exercise called toss and throw uh not people but paper and it was uh at the end of the day I'd say that most of the comments from the presidents and board pres vice presidents was that it's all about the
students that's why we're we're here as volunteers. >> Thank you. And I I will just add that um the the regionalization grants or study grants um it that was brought up at the the podium a few months ago um and a lot of the discussion was in in most cases
the regionalization piece isn't really um doesn't provide a whole lot of cost savings. However, the process itself um does a great job of identifying shared services and additional efficiencies that um you know where we could save
taxpayers quite a bit of money. Um and it was very disappointing that we couldn't find a partner to to go through that process with. So, >> and I'm just going to jump on board that um this is not something we would probably want to spend our own funds on
because it's between I think $1500 to $200,000. So, that's why the grant opportunity um is a good one, but we just won't be eligible if we don't have a partner district. So, any other comments? All right. So now for real, we're moving
to the last residence forum. Um, so this is a a residence forum for any item, anything you'd like to discuss. It doesn't have to be items on the agenda. Um, can I have a show of hands of how many folks? Three, four, five.
>> Okay, I think we can leave it at five minutes if it's just five folks. >> Six. Okay, >> let me just >> Seven. All right. None of us wanted to go home and go to sleep tonight. It's all good. Hold on. Let me just I'm
sorry. I'm looking at people see this. All right. Rebecca Peterson or Township. Again, I just wanted to touch up on a few things that came up during that lively conversation. Um the the biggest overbudgeting in our budget the last few years has actually been in the benefits.
It was over $2 million in 2020, 2020, and 2021. It was just under a million dollars in 2022, and it was over $1.8 million in 2023 and 2024, and over $ 1.5 million in 2025. So, that might be
where that money can go. But yes, I agree with Miss Rothell. Please stop talking about teachers heads that are going to be cut. There's other places and that can't always be the go-to. Um, as for Shankpright's RFP was 185, not 190. So when it was signed at 190, it
was not based on the RFP rate. That was at 185 and that was only a few months before that contract was signed. Um, as for the handbook and communicating with the president um, and the superintendent, board members are not permitted to email staff or administrators except for the
superintendent from their board email. Um, urgent matters may be sent directly to the superintendent, but the email must CC the board president. So, that is permitted in your uh handbook. Um, so a lot of uh you know there there's a lot
of um [laughter] interesting things going on about the whole ethics thing, but I wanted to point out that when you actually recuse from a vote, you're supposed to recuse from the entire discussion. So the fact that you brought up you brought to the board this choice about Shank Price when
you then recuseed from the vote that doesn't that doesn't make it a recusal. A recusal is you don't go into executive session. You don't go into pile into committee. You step away from the conversation entirely and remove it from yourself from it. That's not a recusal otherwise. Um, and as for as long as
we're going into the you're going to be reviewing the um, regulation for substance abuse, you should also take time to uh, review your random drug test policy because apparently it's a homegrown. I looked at
this after I kind of this kind of piqued my interest. It didn't come trigger our review last year for some reason because it was a necessary policy. I guess strame doesn't have one. Shank price uh shank price um NJSBA doesn't have a policy for it. Our current policy is not
legal. Any u substance random drug testing we've done for probably the last 15 years or so is not legal. So um probably want to get an attorney read the actual administrative code and what is required to have in that policy and in the regulation before you do any more random drug testing. So while you're at
it, thank you. [applause] Gina Chrysatello Raritton Township. I'm going to be really, really quick. The only thing I was going to say is you guys got great energy up here. I just wish you guys would stop fighting with each other. Use that energy to go fight against state because nothing's going to change. So, thank you. Have a good
night. [applause] Good evening, Suzanne Bokeage, Raritton Township. Um, I don't know if I was understanding correctly everything that I heard um tonight. So, I'm going to say what I think I heard and you can correct me. I know you don't usually respond,
but um have with Miss Spitzer's um presentation, I thought I heard that um there's a 2% um increase cap that's kind of built in and then requesting another 1% to make
3%. And then I thought I heard that, and I don't know if I understood correctly, that that additional 1% um if it's not used, it has to go into the capital reserve fund.
No. [laughter] Okay. All right. All right. Um I'll just keep going. Uh so we have 29.1 million in the capital reserve fund and which has keeps building and as somebody had brought up there's only been twice in
the last two years that we've gone over 2%. Um I'm noticing that I believe that the 11 million for the capital um improvement projects um is part of the budget.
Correct. Um okay then I'm reading that um there's a request to take out of that 29.1 million capital reserve 3,379,200 to go to these capital projects.
Okay, because that's written in there. I know I got that right. My question is, why can't we take more out of the capital reserve and reduce the budget? I mean, isn't that what it's there for, these capital projects?
So, if we're going to be taking 3 million, why not take why not take 9.1 million and leave a 20 million capital reserve? Then we wouldn't need to have raise taxes, right? I mean, or the, you
[snorts] know, so that aside, um, it seems to be a good move from what the way I see it. [snorts] I also want to point out that, um, New Jersey does have the highest property taxes in the nation. I know a lot of people just expect, oh,
yeah, every year something's going to go up. It's gonna, well, why why does something automatically have to go up? I think we need to be very fiscally responsible especially in a state where many people have said prices are going
up and New Jersey is a very expensive state to live in. I also want to point out that um [snorts] our school has staff and teachers 575 less than half of that is teachers.
It's administration, um, staff and whoever else. We already have a one teacher to 10 student ratio, which is excellent. We have such high administration.
Maybe we need to look at that and see what are all these administrative people doing now that we have less students. Do we need all this? I know that there were some that um by attrition um which we talked about
um also in terms of benefits for all these extra administrative people I mean and paying benefits to them that is also quite a cost involved there. So, I just wanted to bring these things out that I
think they need to be looked at. And I mean, with the 575 staff, only 226 of that is teachers. I mean, that's I just think that's amazing. So, [snorts] anyway, I think that's all I
wanted to say. So, thank you for your time. [applause] Hello everybody. Uh, Robert Lka, Raritan Township. I just wanted to to have the board consider all the comments about taxes here today because as we all love
Hunter County and we particularly love Flemington. That's why we're all here. That's why we we send our kids to a wonderful school that's run by a wonderful staff. But it's becoming really hard at this year just in particular. So most of us who were here, right, we got hit with a stormwater bill
this year also. I don't know if anybody went to those meetings, but that was a $320 levy out of nowhere for me, right? My taxes have doubled doubled since I've gotten here now. I pay my taxes. I'm all good with it. Um, but I think there's a
point in time where we need to take our foot off the gas and figure out how we can make things work well for the kids with what we have. And with that, I think I had to echo some of the sentiment about the the large reserve
that we have that I get is part of a larger process. It's part of a larger uh maintenance program which frankly I there probably has been a meeting on it and I haven't been here for it but it would be kind of interesting to see what is this $29 million allocated for like
where is it going because I really don't know and I realize these buildings are expensive to maintain. I get it. I I truly get that and that you might need to spend five or eight or$10 million in a year but but where is it all going? And maybe we
could skip a year or two on this. Maybe we don't know need to go to 3%. Why don't we go to 1.5? Why don't we like meet in the middle? I think we could probably meet in the middle somewhere. And and so my ask here is is actually twofold. One,
time permitted, I asked the board to go back and try to sharpen the pencil on the request for more funds. Two, I also would like to see if there's any avenue that we could take new technology to reduce the overhead in administrative
staff that is being charged to the taxpayers to operate the school district. Right? There's all sorts of new technology out there between Agentic agents uh and and new technology stacks that take care of daily everyday tasks
like bookkeeping tasks or accounting tasks or things like that. I'm not really clear how they may apply to the public sector because you guys live in a different bubble than the rest of the world, but it may not be it may be worthwhile just to at least investigate it. Okay, so that's all I had to say.
Thank you. >> [applause] >> Do I have to write my name down again? Okay. Um I wasn't I don't really want to say but Miss Gong mentioned the like the regionalization study and I've been really curious about this and I don't know if you guys are willing to answer me here. Do you have would it be and
I'll follow up at the community meeting I guess but my question would be does it have to be with another high school or could it be other districts? And then my next question would be why don't we focus and advocate? I can understand if you guys are having hard time finding a partner district. I would love to go to more meetings and talk to them about it and ask them, but I've thought about
this myself. New Jersey is very redundant and it's very inefficient and wasteful. So like how Flemington Burough still exists doesn't make any sense to me. Um you know even in East Amway or Delaware like at this point we have enough technology and resources to bridge the gap of the
distance those people felt a 100red or 200 years ago or whatever. Um so the question is does it have to be a high school? If not, let's try maybe a community thing. You know, Readington Town, all these sending districts just become one district. I
came from Hillsboro. We were one whole [snorts] district. Not a great district, you know, FBI and all that stuff over there. But I'm just trying to say um it's it's insanely redundant in New Jersey. It's way too expensive. Um,
I just hope you know we can get creative and stop asking us and yeah, so that's the ask. [applause] >> Hi, Sandra D'Vor Ritton Township. Superintendent Kangallocei, your salary is funded by the taxpayers and what I'm
hearing tonight raises serious concerns. It appears that critical information is not being provided to all board members, particularly those in the minor in the minority, which hinders their ability to fulfill their duties as elected officials. You are accountable not only
to the board, but to the public as well. This lack of transparency is not acceptable. Even if we are not present at every meeting, we are paying close attention and we are seeing what is what we are seeing is deeply concerning. Now that this has been raised publicly, I expect that all necessary information
will be provided to every board member moving forward without obstruction. Williams Wallace Bryce ran on doing better. So tell me, how is this better? Raritan Township residents will be affected the most by a 3% tax increase.
We recently had a tax increase from FRSD, which by the way, you called out Gina Christatello on your campaign ad here. To set the record straight for called her out for raising taxes, but to
set the record straight, she voted no to increase the taxes. And FRSD is increasing their taxes as well again. And then there is this whole debate about this $20 an hour increase for the attorney, which again, Williams, Wallace, and Bryce, you called out Claudia Gray on your mailer for allowing
high payment legal fees to um and now here you are trying to approve this $20 increase, which is complete hypocrisy. While the attorney, Will the attorney or attorneys representing Mrs. Kellogg in her ethics complaints be receiving an increase as well? Mrs. Kellogg seems to
be draining the funds with her three ethics complaints. And since she voted for her own legal invoices at the last meeting on her ethics complaint with probable cause, that's also um another ethics violation. And she and Miss Kangalloi Hay create the agenda. So how
did she not know that there would be a vote on her legal bills? Williams, Wallace, and Bryce, the reality is you are not doing better after your three months on the board. You are actually doing worse. You are raising taxes, which breaks the district goal from last year. and you have a president continuously incurring ethics
complaint because she is not suited for that position and you are doing nothing more than rubber stamping these decisions that she's making. Thank you. [applause] Um, on the issue of the finances, when I went to the Rabbitton Township uh board,
uh, that they were talking about the financial situation over there, and I do remember the insurance guy, he was saying that the state has mandated that he can only negotiate with X amount, I think two insurance companies. he doesn't have the freedom to negotiate
with multiple insurance companies to reduce the rates and he was saying that his projection was the rates insurance rates for health care would be going up as high as 30%. So I think it was mentioned here that
people were saying that they didn't feel was going to go that high. Um but that was his projection. So that's one thing [clears throat] I want to bring up. Another thing I want to bring up, that's not why I came here tonight. We're talking about mental health and students
with mental [clears throat] health issues and the counseling at school. When I went to school, I wasn't a very good student. I stayed back one year. My parents sent me to my aunt and uncle sent me to Columbia University for testing. They said they tested me. They
said I was highly intelligent. But when I went to school, I just didn't want to do the work. I just didn't want to do it. [laughter] My parents would sit there crying trying to get me to do my work. I didn't want to do it. It's as simple as that. So, as
I went through school, naturally, sometimes I'd be disruptive and stuff. Most of the guys I hung around with in school was the same way. We were just going through the system. Um, but I always remember the teachers that were nice to me.
[clears throat] I think it made a a big difference. As far as going to a counselor, as far as being directed to go to a counselor, I wouldn't like that. I was who I am. That's just who I am. I made a good life for myself. Went to school for air
conditioning. I've always had a good life. I live in Hunter County. Um, I just don't see where the school feels it's their obligation to try to fix every student. It's their obligation that a student should go to a
psychiatrist. If they told me to go to a psychiatrist, I would resent it. I would feel different. I'd feel even more different. That something's wrong with me. That's somehow it [clears throat] would would uh amplify the fact that
well now I'm even more different than other people. So, [clears throat] I'm I'm just feel and I talked to a lot of teachers. There's frustrated, some retired, some quit. And they said their biggest problem is they just want to go to school and teach academics.
They just want to interact with the student. And they have all these these programs and all these things they're supposed to be doing beyond teaching and they don't like it. And me, but I think a student, like I said, myself, I just
who I am. It's not the school's fault. It's not the teacher's fault. It's nobody's fault. It's just that's how I went through the system. So, I don't have a degree in psychology, but at the same time,
I just I just don't know if that's the way to go with a lot of these students. I think it's more important for the teacher to just show an interest and be kind to the student. That's it. [applause] We will close public comment and move on
to board comments. Are there any board comments this evening? Actually, I should have added a uh I'm sorry, a a committee um comment which is that uh we had our
first uh meeting for bus driver negotiations and we are going to um set up some meetings and uh we will keep everyone posted. >> Sounds good. I'll keep mine brief, but I wanted to um
rectify I guess the minutes. I had stated that I had emailed my email in 223 to uh Mr. Williams. But actually, I went back and checked um I had emailed uh Miss Kangalissi Hay after
our meeting um at her request prior to the board president's um decision to change our communication practices. Um the other thing I wanted to point out, so some people might make fun of me, but I'm I write notes like crazy. And so I
just quickly went back and September 29th was the only meeting that I've been involved in where we changed the time and on four other occasions, three other occasions, we had seven people, eight people and 12 people speak at five
minutes. Given the intensity and the ask of the board, I think it was highly unfair to cut our taxpayers time when they should have been able to speak for the full five minutes. Um, on a lighter note, um, I
have a student who's a winter athlete and I just want, you know, I was following a lot of the sports and I'd like to recognize the winter athletes. um they uh had incredibly successful seasons this year and not only are they
do they demonstrate a top tier athletic program um many of these students um perform really really high academically. So to maintain such a rigorous program, excel in counties and divisions as well as maintain 4.0 GPA I just think that
they should really be honored for that. Anyone else? One more. Sorry. Um, just I saw the musical Wonderful Town. I always want to call it a Wonderful Town, but it's wonderful town. It really was wonderful,
Joyful. Um, the music, the acting, and uh, I wanted to get up and do the conga with them at the end. >> Great. All right. So, um, given the time, we are going to convene into executive session. I can't believe it's 11 o'clock
already. This is is going to be lovely. >> Um, we are going to discuss HIB as well as personnel and potential settlement agreements and litigation and student matters. Um the board will
have action after executive session. So and we anticipate an hour and a half hour >> hour hour and a half of executive session. Um so um can I have a motion to convene into executive session? >> Motion. >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Not over yet. I'm not sure how many >> leave it here. >> Yeah, give me that one. >> A lot of those on that side will go over
there. I'll figure it out. We have time. We got time. Oh, we got time. >> What's that? >> Are you looking for >> Yeah, just send me.
But I did All right. >> All right. Thanks, David. >> Is there anything I can do tomorrow morning? Well, you're running. >> Yeah. Try safe. Yeah, but I'm a vegetarian.
Was that too rude? What's that funny thing? >> I have Sarasota premium roast. >> Everything else was decaf. You guys say what's Sounds darn
it. Just wait. >> No, they're coming back. >> No, these are all here. Oh, um, [laughter] [laughter] >> are you laughing at me? We're gonna be here forever.
>> Thank you very much. >> Listen, as long as you're happy, you know, as long as the board's happy, right? All right, come on. >> We'll make it work. Like I said, >> oh my god, my pen got stolen.
When I said this, I just want, >> you know, >> huh? I said, you know, I just want to go over tickle. >> Don't touch my feet. That's the worst thing to ever do. >> No, that's I would never. I'm just telling you. >> Don't touch the feet.
You touch my feet, I beat you alive. >> What? >> What? Are you not allowed to go home yet? I say >> me too jam >> and then I um I wait in the parking lot.
>> That's good. So nobody attacks them. >> You don't see nothing. >> Comfy. Is it comfy? Where you going on your trip? >> Arizona. >> Is it I have to spend eight days eight hours in a lab for eight days.
>> So eight 40 hours in a lab. >> Yeah. >> For what? >> Uh or one and two labs. >> So I'm 2 right now and then I have but I can't take the lab online. So I have to go there and spend more
money that I don't have. What are you uh what are you trying to get your degree in? >> Developmental cell biology. >> Cell biology. >> Yeah, I want to work with viruses or embryos. >> I'm trying.
>> They all just go back there around. Unknown caller. >> We can't put this stuff away until they're gone, right? >> I know, but would you want me to >> How do you want me to help you? What do you want? >> I don't know yet.
I got lots of time, so I'm just kind of meandering at this point. Everything just gets kind of faced toward the stage. That's it. Just in rows. I'm not going to do anything fancy with it. >> Probably take your mic here.
20 minute lecture to much. We good to go? Okay. We have three motions to address. Um >> from Yeah, from yesterday. There you go. >> Yesterday. So, I'd like to move item Q1,
the long-term suspension from school. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. Miss Spitzer, can I have a roll call vote? >> Reverend Williams? >> Yes. >> Miss Bryce? >> Yes. >> Miss Gong? >> Yes. >> Dr. Halpern? >> Yes. >> Miss Lacosta?
>> Yes. >> Miss Rothell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo? >> Yes. >> Miss Wallace? >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Kellogg? >> Yes. All yes. Motion carries. I'm also going to move items A1 and A2
on the addendum. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. Okay. Any discussion? >> Miss Spitzer. May I have a roll call vote? Miss Bryce? >> Yes. >> Miss Gong? >> Yes. >> Dr. Halpern? >> Yes. >> Miss Lacosta?
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Rothal? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo? >> Yes. Miss Wallace, >> yes. >> Reverend Williams, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Kellogg, >> yes. All yes. Motion carries. Okay. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. [laughter]
>> All in favor? I. All right.