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Good evening and welcome to a meeting of the Hunter Central Regional High School Board of Education. Please be advised that this and all meetings of the board are open to the public and the media consistent with the open public meetings act and that advanced notice required therein has been provided. Meeting

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notice was also posted on the district website in the boardroom of the upper school campus sent in the New Jersey Herald tap into and sent to the clerks of Delaware Township, East Amill Township, Flemington Burough, Rariton Township and Readington Township. The

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public will have an opportunity to be heard as shown on the agenda. Miss Stokes, roll call, please. >> Miss Bryce, >> here. >> Miss Gong, >> here. >> Dr. Halpern >> here. >> Miss Laccasta >> here. >> Mrs. Rothell

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>> here. >> Mrs. Santangelo >> here. >> Ms. Wallace >> here. >> Reverend Williams and Mrs. Kellogg >> here. >> Thank you. >> Please rise for the flag salute.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have the minutes for the May 18th

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board meeting and the May 18th executive um session. Do I have a motion for approval? A motion for approval of the minutes. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any comments or corrections? >> I have a comment on that. I just wanted

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to make a comment that the minutes in my opinion are not accurate because not all the matters discussed during executive session were protected by attorney client privilege. This concern was also raised regarding last month's executive session minutes. I communicated my

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concerns to the full board by email following that meeting and also stated them on the record at the last board meeting. So based on my understanding, these two instances raised concerns regarding compliance with OPMA. Thank you. Any other comments? I will

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just say that the board attorney was present at the executive session um and did not indicate that there were any open public meeting concerns. Miss Stokes, roll call. Miss Bryce, >> yes. >> Miss Gong, >> yes.

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>> Dr. Halpern, >> yes. >> Miss Laccasta, >> no. >> Mrs. Rothell, >> no. Mrs. Santangelo, >> no. >> Ms. Wallace, >> yes.

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>> And Mrs. Kellogg, >> yes. >> Majority, yes. Motions carry. Um, we're now going to convene into executive session um, specifically to discuss a personnel matter. Do I have a motion to convene into executive

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session? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. All right. Good evening everyone. Thank you for your patience. I apologize for

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the extended executive session. Um, may I have a motion to reconvene into open session? >> My motion to reconvene >> and a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Motion passes.

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Um, okay. So, on the agenda this evening, we do have correspondence received that is on file with the board secretary. Um, and then we will kick off with the president's report. Um, I guess good evening everyone. Thank

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you all for coming. This is one of my favorite meetings of the year, one of our, you know, two student celebrations. So, this is always um, you know, a wonderful evening and I appreciate everybody coming. Uh, I'd like to start tonight by acknowledging the exemplary service of our business administrator,

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Mrs. Heather Spitzer. In the five years I've had the pleasure of working with her, she's demonstrated integrity, excellence her in her work, and a deep commitment to the success and stability of our district. She's patiently answered countless questions and has

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clearly explained the most complicated and convoluted accounting. Um, she even made it so I can understand it. and her service to the district is greatly appreciated and she will be very missed. She retires at the end of this month on June 30th and we wish her well

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in her retirement. Um, a high-erforming school district isn't complicated. It runs on trust, clarity, and a shared sense of purpose. People feel safe to speak up, ask tough questions, and say something when things

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aren't working. Over the past year, we've seen a pattern emerge in the discussions at the board table. Many items move quickly with little discussion, but others like mental health services, budgeted reserves, teacher professional development, or

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attorney usage get picked apart in a very different way. And the playbook is always the same. We're just asking questions or we're just doing diligence. But it doesn't feel like that anymore. It feels selective, targeted, like

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certain issues are being held to a different standard. And the goalposts keep moving. Answers are given. More information is provided. And still, it's not enough. At some point, diligence stops looking like healthy skepticism

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and starts looking like constant underlying and impossible to satisfy distrust. And when that message comes from the board, people hear it clearly. The board doesn't trust its own professionals.

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That matters. It creates a climate where suspicion starts to replace collaboration. The exact opposite of what strong schools need. What we heed, what we heard during strategic planning was a desire from our community to create more supportive,

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personalized, and engaging opportunities for our students. But you can't build that kind of environment on top of distrust. So as we move into planning for the next school year, I hope we recommmit to the norms and expectations outlined in the

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board handbook, focusing on benefit to the students, treating everyone with respect, and operating with honesty, transparency, collaboration, and shared decision-making. With that, I will pass it to Miss Kangalloi Hay for the superintendent's report.

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Thank you, Mrs. Kella. Good evening, everyone. Uh, we are in the month of June, which is obviously one of our busiest times of the year as we approach graduation. I'm looking forward to formally celebrating our class of 2026 on June 18th at our graduation ceremony.

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Our seniors have left a lasting impact in our school, and we're proud of all they've achieved and accomplished during their time with us. So tonight we're celebrating their graduation a little early as we also celebrate the other student and staff recognitions and accomplishments. Before we get to our

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recognitions, I would like to ask our student representatives, Bronwin Downey and Alexis Chen to share their final report for us as student representatives to the board of education. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. Our names are Bronwin Downey and Alexis Chen, and we are your student

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representatives on this board of education. In our final student rep report, we'll be going over student news throughout the final months of the school year. The Commons was a busy place at the end of June. The Science National Honor Society held their annual STEM showcase with students displaying

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their high-end research projects, oobleck tutorials, and robot basketball skills. The next day, seniors bass in their bright futures following graduation with a what's next celebration in the comments where we ate too far too many cookies with red and black sprinkles and fought our raffle

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tickets for Lululemon gift cards and butter squishies. Finally, art students were able to show off their unique creations in the fine arts showcase on May 29th and 30th. Moving on to the auditorium, seniors received over 80 different scholarships on senior awards night on June 3rd, as well as orchestra,

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athletic awards, and ROC appointments. Tomorrow night, these students will close out their year with senior sunset on Steuart Field. And senior prom will be held this Thursday before seniors graduate after two half days on June 18th. To round off the year with some awesome music, Central's coral students

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kicked off the spring performances off strong with their spring coral concert, including a puppet filled rendition of Manor Muppet and an energetic collaboration with Central's pit orchestra for Battle Hymn of the Republic. Energized after Memorial Day weekend, Central hosted three days in a row of amazing performances. The

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freshman instrumental concert, the full orchestra and percussion concert, and the Thespian End of Year Showcase. Not to be outdone, Triions Around the World Showcase on June 4th. Finished out the year strong with songs in many different styles and languages, including a hit from the popular show Eurovvision about

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a sauna. Don't ask. At this point in the year, our spring athletics are in full playoffs mode. During the last weekend in May, Hunen Central's track and field team produced three group four stain champions. Seniors Casey Kinsley for the 400 meter

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hurdles, Molly Domery for the 3200, and Olivia Silver for Pvault. And then just this past weekend, Casey became the meet of champions champion in the 400 meter hurdles, setting a school record of 5191 and the first to hold such a title since 1999.

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Senior Ryan Shalley earned silver in Pva and Olivia Silva also earned second in Pvall. and Molly finished fifth in the 3200, setting yet another school record of her own of 1031. Plus, the success hasn't stopped there. Our men's baseball team became group

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four sectional champions against Oldbridge in an incredible 14 to1 game on Friday. Today, the team moved on to the state tournament against Kingsway, playing in the semi-final round. Moving on to student input news. This month, our student lunch group took an in-depth

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look at the climate and culture survey results. During this meeting, we divided ourselves into small groups where we looked at different sections of the survey such as belonging, academics, activities, open-ended, etc. The first step in these small groups was to notice. So, for example, when looking at

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open-ended questions, one uh question that we found was that we had consistent high students to uh satisfaction with extracurricular and course offerings here at Central, which is consistent with our poll surveys. New areas though, such as desire for more consistent updating of grades and more empathy for

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students busy schedules were also brought to light from the survey. The next step in this meeting was to wonder or to ask why. So for that same group, students uh said that perhaps a lack of structured timeline for grading could help with more consistent grade updating. As for staff empathy, students

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also mentioned not having designated time to really communicate or talk about what was going on outside the classroom. The next and final step was next steps. So this was broken down into three time domains. Basically short-term, long-term um or something that could be

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accomplished within a year and then uh much longer term. So something that takes more than 3 to four years. And then who it affects, whether that's staff, students, or the entire community. Using that same group, we recommended that for um grading uh that for grade updating, setting some sort of

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um grade deadline policy, which would be a short-term goal that affected mostly staff. And then as for staff empathy, potentially implementing more tier one check-ins with teachers. Overall though, Rowan and I have been spending these last few weeks tying up the last knots of our positions before passing this

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platform on to the next student representatives. Thank you all for listening to our report tonight and at every board meeting for these past two years. Alexis and I are so grateful to have support from the administration and the board as well as the public as we work to showcase the passion students have for essential. Thank you.

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[applause] Thank you so much, Bronwin and Alexis. You're not you're not out of the spotlight just yet. We do have an item under the organizational items on the agenda to give you a proper recognition and send off. And I was trying to think of the perfect thing to say about your

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service to our district and to your peers. And I think the most pertinent phrases are simple. It's congratulations and thank you. Um, as we're leaning into student voice more and more, the both of you are glowing examples of embracing

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that new role, making it your own and having a positive impact here at the school. You have made sure to get yourselves out into our school community and to talk to students. Yes, even in the crowded 910 cafeterias. Um, you listened to all voices, summarized the

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feedback you heard from your peers, and always brought forward solutions and ideas. Your leadership throughout the student poll surveys as well as the climate and culture survey reviews was commendable. Uh Alexis, I still cannot forget you talking to a student group about stratifying data and honing in on

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every verb to ensure students taking the survey would know what we are asking. You wanted to ensure we would receive actionable feedback just like you just talked about so we could continue to grow. Bronwin, in your second year now as student representative, you have taken our student representative program

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to a new high. Last week in our interest meeting for student representatives, you said something so wise, I'm not even sure you realized, but you said, "You don't have to agree with all the ideas, but you have to hear them and bring them forward." This really stuck with me, and

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I think it's an excellent example of how you and Alexis have approached your mission this year. Congratulations again and truly thank you for working with Principal Brandt and I. You have created a sort of symbolic torch for student representatives and you'll now be passing it forward. I'm so proud of you

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and I will miss having the both of you here. Thank you. We're going to cl [applause] little little token that's just a little token of our appreciation. Um, so next, this is one of our board of education meetings where we honor the achievements of the second half of the school year.

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So I'm going to step over to the podium to kick us off and then I'll pass it over to Mr. Brandt, our board members. I'm going to ask if you could just relocate to the front row while we do that. We're good. Yes. Okay. Perfect. Okay.

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First, I wanted to start with honoring some of our staff who are retiring this year. Um, they all could not be here, but I do have some folks who are here and I wanted to bring them up and thank them for their service for to Hunter and Central. So, first I'm going to ask Phil Brocaw to come up. He's a teacher in

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technology, engineering, and design [applause] for 10 years of service to Hunter Central. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Would you mind standing here because we'll take all the retirees together. Okay. Next, I'd like to ask Miss Julie

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Blake to come up. She's a counselor here at Hunter and Central for 19 years. [applause] Okay, next. Vin Demo, a teacher in fine arts for 31 years here at Hunter Central. [applause] >> [applause]

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>> Okay, next we have Gan Mance, one of our par professionals, 15 years here at Hunter and Central. [applause] Okay, next up is Rich Manacio, one of our social workers on the child study team. 26 years at Hunter and Central.

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[applause] Okay, last but not least, Linda Smith, one of our bus drivers here for 12 years. Amazing. [applause] Okay, I believe that's everyone that RSVPd. Yes. Did I miss any of our retiring staff?

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Okay, we're pausing for a photo. Thank you so much. We Listen, we do have to get new staff members, but just remember you can never be replaced. Thank you so much for your service to Central. Thank you. [applause] Thank you.

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Okay, I'm now going to pass it off to Principal Brandt to kick off our student celebrations. >> All right, so thank you very much and thank you board. Uh, thank you very much for hosting this twice a year where we get to honor um and recognize students

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and teachers and advisers and coaches who um who've really made some outstanding accomplishments throughout the school year. We had one back in December and so this this is going to encompass um achievements that took place over the winter and in the spring.

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And I also want to thank them also for being the great representatives of Hunter and Central for us. Um, you are the people, uh, students, staff, uh, who any people outside of our district, outside of our community, you are the

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people. You're the folks that people interact with and learn what Hunter Essential is about. So, that is so amazing to me that you do it with class and respect, and I appreciate that so much. And when I like run into family members in North Jersey or even in

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Lehigh Valley where I where I live, uh people know Hunter Central from you. Not from me, not from any of the rest of us here, but from you. So, thank you very much for that. I appreciate it. Um so, there's three parts to this. I'm going to actually pass it over back to Superintendent Kangalissi Hayden a

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second. So, we have students from the curriculum and instruction areas to recognize, music, activities, and athletics. And I'll I'll finish that in. All right. All right. So, Miss Angelos8. >> All right. So, we're going to do this in bunches. I think the names that I call

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as I call you up and you know the order because I told you before the meeting. Um, if you just come up and we'll keep you here and we'll do a group photo. Okay. So, first I would like to recognize Devin Campbell. Come on up Devon first. You got it. [applause]

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So, we are incredibly proud to recognize 11th grader Devon Campbell, who has been selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants to attend this year's prestigious Governor School of Engineering and Technology, hosted by the Ruckers University School of Engineering. As one of only two nominees

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from Hunter Central, Devon stands out among an elite group, fewer than 100 students statewide, or just 15 to 25% of all nominees are accepted into this rigorous program. Over an immersive three-we week period, Devon will

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collaborate on cutting edge research, tackle innovative design projects, and network with fellow top tier peers and industry professionals from across New Jersey. Please join me in congratulating Devon on his remarkable achievement. [applause] [applause]

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Next, I'd like to bring up Nenina. Nina Jaler. Okay, we going to splat Nina. [applause] We are proud to recognize Nenah who has been awarded the prestigious Renolier Medal from Renelier Polytenic Institute. This distinguished honor recognizes

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exceptional high school students who have demonstrated outstanding strength and success in the fields of mathematics and science. In addition to the significant academic recognition, medalists who apply are admitted to and enroll at RPI are awarded a phenomenal

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scholarship worth $40,000 per year, totaling $160,000 over four years. Please join me in celebrating Nenah for this extraordinary achievement. [applause] And last but not least, I will ask Philip Kamasco to come up. [applause]

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We are incredibly proud to share that this year and Central had an amazing 115 students earned the New Jersey Seal of Biiteracy, demonstrating academic proficiency in two languages. However, one exceptional student went even further. Please join us in recognizing

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12th grader Phil Kamasco, who has demonstrated his fluency in three distinct languages, English, German, and Latin. To achieve full fluency across three languages requires an extraordinary amount of dedication, hard work, and linguistic skill. Please join

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us in congratulating Philip on this outstanding and unique accomplishment. [applause] Congratulations. And you three. Oh, we're going to do picture. Okay, next I'm going to pass it over to Miss Moss, our supervisor of student

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activities as well as many other things in our school. All right. So, I'm here uh to start to celebrate our music program. So, we >> just keep moving. It's okay. >> Thank you. I just want to make it

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easier. So, I'm going to call them up in groups. If you want to come up this way and we'll do the same exact thing where we'll take a picture. So, we have some noteworthy accomplishments to celebrate with our music program. Our music teachers build out our students skills and confidence so they're prepared for

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elite external additions with outside groups. Uh, one of our music teachers is actually here today, Mr. Hilka. So, for you to come up when you're ready, come join me. We're going to share a choir first. Yeah. [applause]

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into the choir groups. The CJ MEA region Honors Choir concert was in February and our choir director Megan Patrucian was pleased to have eight students from the choir program selected to perform. You can come up as I say your name. Uh in mix choir,

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Grayson Bryce, Kira Farley, Gabby Knox, Luke Schnut, Rose Whites. in treble choir, Amvi Kakar, Adriana L Piccolo, Kie Pine. Students submitted virtual auditions last school year and competing with students all over the state for this

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all-state choir. Adriana Le Piccolo, Luke Schnout performed with the All State Mix Choir November and Carly Pine and Devon Reed performed with the All State Treble Choir in February. Got a few more auditions. Might want to scoot over. I got a few more people. I

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gota I got a few more. Some of these names are repeats, too. All right. So, uh, these, uh, following students submitted virtual choir auditions and competed with over 900 candidates from all over the state. They're going to rehearse and perform in Atlantic and NJPAC next school year as part of the

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2026 2027 Allstate Choir. Kira Farley, Avi Kakar, Gabby Knox, Joya Masilia, Devon Reed, and Luke Schnout. And then for the first time in 10 central history, we have two students that were selected to the New Jersey

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Allstate Jazz Choir. Cadence Schwek and Rose Whites. They'll perform at the NJA convention in November. And NJPAC. Congrats to our choir students. [applause] Can we get a picture of all the choirs? [applause]

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>> Oh yeah. Done with the choir, please. Thank you guys. Good job. [applause] [applause] All right. Next up, we have our instrumental groups. So, similar process, they auditioned um either in person or virtually for these

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external ensembles. So, Michael W. Brown successfully auditioned and earned a seat in the New Jersey Youth Symphony and CJMEA Region 2 Symphonic Band. Region Ensembles are highly selective audition-based ensembles made up of students from the

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six central counties in New Jersey. Nila Sevi Selvi Sofikar earned a seat in the equivalent for jazz, the NJ region 2 junior jazz ensemble. Michael Brown earned a seat at the New

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Jersey Youth Symphony and Noah Stevens earned a seat in the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra. Matthew Gerachi, Sam Leven, oh, Sam Livven, sorry. Eva Graciano and Kalissa Johnson auditioned for and earned seats in the Eastern Wind Symphony Youth Band.

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This is actually the youth version of the professional group that John Hilimmer performs in. So like regions, it's a very highly selective group, but in this case, the students are from um schools in the tri-state area. As we build out our performing arts magnet academy, we're pleased with the

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opportunities that we already have in place for students to engage with colleges and universities. Grayson Bryce, Edward Hugniki, and Christopher Doyle participated in the Rucker Honors Band. They participated with over 400 students from New Jersey who were nominated for this festival. In addition to a performance, the group also

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participated in a master class with Rucker's faculty. Edward Hudniki, Michael J. Brown, Eva Graciano, Grayson Bryce, and Chris Doyle also performed with the TCJ honors band. They were nominated by their directors and represented nearly 60 high school

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schools across New Jersey. They also participated in master classes with TCJ faculty and undergraduate students. Next year's performance schedule looks packed, so stay tuned for updates from the music program. Congrats to our instrumentalists. [applause]

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[applause] >> [applause] >> call you back up for the next round. >> Yeah. >> And we're going to switch gears over to student activities. So, these are our student organizations, our teams, and our clubs. So, our Hunter and Central dance team

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earned first place in varsity jazz at the state championships. Um, they are all actually performing right now at their studios. So, I'm just going to acknowledge our coach, Carly Toth. If you want to stand and wave, [applause] thank you very much for leading the team

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to victory. So, youth and government, if anybody is here to represent youth and government, come on up because I got a little bit of a thing to read. So in late April, Hunter and Central students attended and distinguished themselves at the New Jersey Youth and

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Government Conference. Each member of the delegation participated in a mock state government simulation which had all three branches plus the press and lobbyist and they were working to advance legislation to the youth governor's desk for signature. In addition to their valuable experiences,

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Hunter Central students received the following awards. Jason Pi served as a youth governor and presided over the entire conference. Ian Jane and his team won the crisis co-op research competition. Shelby Manning received the premier advocate award in courts. Alexis Chen received

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the premier officer award. Alexander Agogba, Alexis Chen, and Jason Pi were all selected as to attend the 2026 YMCA Youth Kona um conference on national affairs this summer. U Mr. Leonard, would you also like to come up and take a picture? He's one of

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our adviserss. [applause] >> [applause] >> You might want to stay close because there is no rebuttal to how hard our speech and debate team worked this year. Anybody here for speech and debate?

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Come on. Come. Yeah. Don't be shy. Come stand up here. Um, they had a season that stretched the entire year. So, here are some highlights from the winter and the spring. Neil Casa and Henry Shrup placed first in varsity parliamentary debate at

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the Ridge Invitational. Noah Angelhart placed first in congressional debate at the Ridge Invitational. The New Jersey Speech and Debate League state championship hosted here at Hunter Central. Leon divera placed first in exit

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externally speaking. Vivon Buu and Chinme Kasha placed first in policy debate. Thank you very much. Congrats. You got a picture. [applause] All right. Now you're off the hook. Thespians. Any of our thespians here?

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Still going to read the names. All right. So, they competed against 45 other schools in New Jersey at the Governor's Awards, and they had several showstopping performances. Uh, Sam Gavin won the Governor's Award, first place for the best actor. So, we'll give a round of applause as they take a bow.

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[applause] Model UN, he represents Model UN. Come on up. They had a successful conference as part of their overnight field trip this winter at Hershey. Students participated in a mock simulation where they worked together representing various countries

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to solve international problems. Students achieved the following awards. Adrien Manusi and Olivia Davis earned the distinction of premier delegate. Bonu earned the title of premier first year. Chim Kushup and Ian Jane were both elected officer positions for next year

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which they will actually help lead the conference in that role. Suba Desai and Rishra were deemed the best country in the simulation for their representation of Egypt. Thank you very much. [applause] Thank you. Congrats. Our mock trial team won the county

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final. Annayia Naan received recognition of best attorney and Isabella Alvarez was recognized as best witness. Eva Graciano was also the lead attorney for both sides of the case, which is an incredible feat. The verdict is officially in and it's unanimous. This team has a brilliant future ahead.

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Congrats to the mock trial team. [applause] Just going to skip ahead to the next one. They'll come back. Chemistry Olympics. There are several teams that make up the Chemistry Olympics team. So, if you were part of any of the chemistry Olympics,

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come on up. Come on up. Our chemistry Olympics team had a spectacular performance as they participated against 14 different schools from Northern New Jersey. The theme this year was the human impact on the aquous environment. Our chemistry Olympics teams placed first in chemistry

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research, instrumental lab, and microscale lab. Congrats to the chemistry Olympics. [applause] You need a picture. All right. Our jazz bands are having an amazing experience back on the competition circuit. Jimmy Casey won an

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award as an outstanding rhythm soloist at the Bridgewwater Jazz Festival this past year. [applause] We also just received um some exciting news. This is this is new to you too. So our jazz band was actually

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just at a competition in Hershey. Um they were there with our long strings attached group as well. And we actually had two students that because of their performance, they both were awarded the outstanding jazz soloist award. So Jimmy Casey and Chris Doyle, congratulations.

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>> [applause] >> They're going to mail the medals to them. So, thank you guys so much for listening. Congratulations to all of our student activities achievements. I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Brandt for athletics. [applause] Okay, I'm filling in for Mr. Spencer. He

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is our athletic director, but he's down in South Jersey right now with the baseball team. So, uh, bear with me here. So, what we're going to do too, we had both in winter sports and spring sports some outstanding accomplishments. Um, if any of the coaches here, I'll have them come up and introduce their

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groups and I'll but I'll stand in for those for the coaches who aren't here. So, if I could have the boys tennis team come on up. members of the boys tennis team. [applause] So, coach Aino couldn't be here, but the boys tennis team won 101 Sussex Championships this year representing

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Central. And Jake Christensen, uh, right here is our was the MVP of that tournament. With us we have Jay Christensen, Sajjin Abasinga, Jackson Hopkins, Michael Brown, Jordan Rolovski,

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Jack Leverson, Aaron Townsen, Vivvon Buu, and Jacob Zachariah. So congratulations to the team. [applause] I'm going to pass it over to Coach John Dile. I'm sorry. Josh Cassella for boys golf. Mr. Cassella.

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>> Hello everybody. Uh, as Mr. Brandt said, my name is Josh Cassella. Um, up here with me my assistant coach Joe Miola. Uh, representing the team, we have one of our co- captains, David Berger, Alex Croft, Ryan Butler, and Matt White. Um really was an incredible first season as the coach here. We didn't have the

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greatest of regular seasons, but we peaked when it mattered the most. We won four tournaments on the year. We won the Kolf Classic in the middle of April. Then we closed out the season winning three straight tournaments. We won the Hun Warren Sussex tournament, the Hunan County tournament, and the group for

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state championship uh at Raran Valley Country Club. Some of our individual accolades. Unfortunately, not everyone is here, but Anthony Mandelli, another one of our co- captains, was the 100 county champion. He was also first team all Skyland Conference. Uh Alex Croft was first team all Skyland Conference.

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And Jackson Hunt and David Burgerer were both second team all Skyland. I did not list all of the uh individual accolades we had throughout the tournament season, but these boys played well all season. A lot of them placed within the top five and top 10 in some of these tournaments. And again, I want to thank the board and the community for all your support. you

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know, without you, you know, get allowing us and getting us into some of these tournaments, we would not have been as prepared as we were to, uh, you know, play as well as we did to close out the season. So, uh, thank you for all your support. We appreciate it. [applause] >> Congrats [applause] again.

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Way to go, guys. Next up for track and field, coach John Deile. >> This be winter and spring. All right. Good evening board and public. These this is a very small representation of our our track and

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field program, but um there's some important people here. So um our girls winner track team won the group four state championship for the first time since 2004. That was amazing. [applause]

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Our boys spring team won the Hunter Warren Sussex Championship for the first time since 2023. [applause] And then we got some individuals here that I want to highlight. Uh this is Olivia Spangler and this is Jordan

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Robinson. These two young ladies were the Group Four High jump relay champions this past winter and also members of the Group Four Championship team. [applause] This young man on the end is Casey Kinsley. Uh this guy, as you heard

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earlier, uh won the meet of champions. He's the the best guy in the state in the 400 meter hurdles. Uh he set seven school records this year uh between the indoor season and the outdoor season including 55 meter hurdles, the 200

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meter, the 400 meter uh the 110 high hurdles, the 400 meter inter intermediate hurdles, the 4x200 relay team and the 4x400 relay team. Uh he was also recently uh as of like two days ago nominated for

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Gatorade Player of the Year uh for boys track in New Jersey. So we're keeping our fingers crossed that he wins it. [applause] And then this this other young man, this is Akmed Abdalah. you is a member of our 4x400 school record relay team along

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with Casey Ben Piscatti uh and Peter Labate. You can clap for him. [applause] We have a few absences here tonight, but I did want to acknowledge them in public. Uh Olivia Silber, uh she had an undefeated season this past winter in

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the pole vault. She won every single meet that she competed in. She was the group four state champion and also the meet of champions uh champion win overall winner. Um Molly Dare was the sectional champion in the 1600 and the 3200 this past winter and she was the

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group 4 state champion and the outdoor 3200 meter. Uh we had uh the 4x200 set the school record Peter Labate, Ryan Ganguza, Chris Davis and Casey Kinsley. And we also had Ryan Shalley this past

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winter won the group four uh indoor pole vault championship. So, um it's been a great year and uh I just want to say how proud I am of of these four, but all of our kids uh whether they won anything or

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not uh gave such a great effort and uh I'm proud to be their coach. So, uh thank you [applause] >> [applause] >> I remember well shifting from winter to spring. The meet of champions for the winter was on a Sunday and spring track

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started that Monday. So they the ride home was the break. So congratulations for them. Amazing. Next up with wrestling, we have coaches Ryan Manahan and Dave Develer. Ryan, [applause] take center stage. There's only three of

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you. Hi, my name is Ryan Manhan. This is my first year as the head boys wrestling coach here at Hunter Central. Um just wanted to highlight three of our combined athletes because Dave is the girls head wrestling coach. But for the sake of time, I'm just going to read

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through um some accomplishments of these guys. Okay, so James Fon took third at the Caldwell tournament to start off the year. took second at the 101 Sussex Tournament, was a 101 Central Invitational Wrestling Tournament Champion, District 18 champion, region

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fifth or uh region five third place, and took eighth in the state of New Jersey as a freshman. [snorts] We had Emma Peak. [applause] Emma Peak, who is a senior uh and only wrestled for two years after making a

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transition from gymna gymnastics, uh is a two-time county champion, twotime Skyland Conference champion, District 4 champion, region 2 champion, and this year took second place in the state of New Jersey. [applause]

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And last, but certainly not least, we have Natalie Andrade, who is also a freshman. Uh she was a county champion this year, Skyland Conference champion, district fourth champion, Beast of the East Invitational third place, and NJ uh

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third place in the state. So, [applause] wrestling is an extremely difficult and sometimes solitary sport. So, I want to uh just recognize these people not only for their individual accomplishments, but also for their leadership in the wrestling room and bringing along the

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entire team with them, not just for being individuals. Thank you so much, guys. [applause] Where'd he go? [applause] Next up, re uh representing girls basketball, Jim Cassertano. Coach Castano. [applause]

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Good evening. My name is Jim Cassertenno. I'm the head coach for the girls basketball team. Right behind me is my assistant varsity coach, Coach Connley, and our three representatives. We have Addie Dudley, Olivia Duran, one of our captains, Katie Schwarz. Uh it's

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been many, many years, but the biggest accomplishment we had this year was winning the Raritton division. Um not easy to ever do against at the competition we play. And then unfortunately the person that we also want to recognize was Bethany Ramos. She wasn't able to come tonight, but she was

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able to score a thousand points in just three years. And we haven't had anyone do that in the last 12 years in our program. So thanks again for a great season. [applause] >> [applause] >> Next up for boys bowling, Mr. Eric Wasserman.

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Coach Eric Wasserman. [applause] >> Good evening. I'd like to call up our captain, Lucas Reid. What do you hear? Hey, there he is. Lucas has been the shining light of the bowling program for the last four years.

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In addition to uh the individual awards of high game and high series at the annual Hunter Warren Sussex and Skyland Conference tournament. Lucas was a four-time allconerence and a

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two-time selection to the New Jersey top 100. He ended this season in our final match with his first perfect game 300. [applause]

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He's going to continue his bowling at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. And uh here's something he didn't know I was going to mention, but another accomplishment of his. Last December, he passed all his uh firefighters test and he is now a

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first responder. [applause] [applause] I'm going to represent, if you don't mind, um, the coaches that weren't able to be here, also for the other teams. So, for baseball, uh, congratulations to baseball. They won a Central Jersey Group Four Championships. And as Miss

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Kangeli Hay mentioned, they were actually, I think it was our student reps mentioned, uh, that they were playing actually as we spoke. Sorry to say they lost today uh to the South Jersey champ, but what a run for them. And part of that team and recognized

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Danny Celliano. Uh Danny's a senior. He uh hit the 100 just like 1,000 points, he hit the 100 hits mark in baseball, which is pretty amazing. And also broke the single season record this year uh for hits for 100 Central. So congratulations to Danny and the

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baseball team. [applause] uh for cheerleading. Michaela, if you want to come up. [applause] So, cheerleading had a heck of a run both in the winter and the spring. They were group four state champions, Skyland Conference traditional champions,

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overall 101 Sussex game day champions. Uh the junior varsity team won a state championship and they were also the large varsity state champs and Michaela along with Amelia Peron were all state um all state allstars in cheerleading.

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So congratulations Michaela [applause] uh for flag football. Flag football couldn't be here tonight. their their um banquet is actually going on as we speak down in the fieldhouse. Um so flag football had a great run this year. Uh coach Joyce again couldn't be here right

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now. He's down there with the team. But first team all big central conference Khloe Bruner, Angelina Turnor, Katie Gray and Jordan Moran. So congratulations to them. Vanessa Tanki second team all conference. And these

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two uh athletes, Angelina Tanor and Jordan Moran, were uh selected for the Phil Sims and National Guard North South All-Star team selections. So, congratulations to them. [applause] And last, but certain not certainly not least, uh in the winter and girls

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diving, Sophia Hoffman placed first place in the NJSIA state championships for diving. So, congratulations to Sophia. >> [applause] >> And that's it. Again, thank you very much for for representing Hunter and Central throughout the state and in the

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area with pride. Very much appreciate that as principal. You got two more things. >> I >> I'm sorry. I'm going to pass it back to Superintendent Catch Lizzie Hay. Sorry. >> Thanks for hanging in with us. We are almost done, but I wanted to honor one

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of our staff members, Marin Smaggala, um, won awards from the National School Public Relations Association. We earned two awards as part of their 2026 National School Communications Award contest. In the category of news release, we earned an award of merit for

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the HCRS and RVCC dual en dual enrollment partnership press release. And in the category of newsletter, we earned an award of merit for the central connection newsletter that Miss Maggala spearheaded this year. So, thank you for your hard work and for ensuring that our

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good work always shines through. And you can't take a selfie, so if you want, I'll take the year. [laughter] [applause] Okay. Okay. And for our last recognition, and it is on the agenda under the T section of the agenda, but I just wanted to highlight and

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congratulate our HC school foundation grant recipients. The foundation recently put out another call for grant proposals from our staff. And on the foundation's behalf, I'm proud to announce that they will fund another eight projects. And I believe a few folks are here. I see one. She doesn't

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she probably doesn't want to stand, but if you're here, I'd like you to stand and be recognized. So, Adrienne Williams from our counseling department um is doing a college planning process support grant project. We have Sam Bellig and Carrie Kelly from our counseling and business department um continuing with

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promoting their career clusters. I know they couldn't be here. We have Kate Lasavio from our world languages department um doing a classroom library, developing a classroom library. We have Allison Weiss from Family and Consumer Science um using an egg incubator for

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life cycle lessons. And that's really neat because it goes into our our little devil's program. In mathematics, we have Miss Kathleen Carter, who I know is here uh to to implement an interactive text touchscreen technology. She's in the back. Wave again because no one can see

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you. There you go. Thank you. Uh from ESL, we have Mrs. Christina Alvarado, a field trip for a multilingual learner student for cultural reasons. I don't think I saw her. Also from family and consumer science, we have Isabelle Lusang. She is developing a student

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clothing and repair closet, which is really neat. And then last but not least, we have Paula Chakarala in our world languages department um developing a cultural immersion day. So, congratulations to all those recipients. Thank you so much for the applications. Um, I also want to thank the foundation

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on the behalf of the district for supporting our teachers and our grant projects that we likely wouldn't fund otherwise. Um, so that was it. I know you're all eager to leave. You're welcome to stay, but I I know we tried to do these up front. So, um, board

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members, we can transition back to the table. I do have just a little bit left in my report, but if you all wanted to leave now, and family members, please feel free to do that as we transition back. Oh, I don't want to hit anybody.

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>> It's I think we've mainly transitioned. Um, next we have Kathy Porier from the New Jersey School Boards Association. She's our field service representative to present our strategic plan for the next five years. And I want to thank everybody again who participated in the

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strategic planning process. We're really excited about it. And um I'll hand it over to you, Miss Porier. >> Sure. So I don't have a big formal presentation tonight. I came to bring you your printed strategic plan and your binder. So each of you have a book that

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outlines all of the strategic plan. It's very long, so I don't expect you to read through the whole thing at this board meeting. Take your time over the next month and read through it. your board president and your superintendent uh have binders which are the same as what's in your spiral spiralbound book

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and that's just to keep on record if you want to keep one in your board office or keep one in your administrative office so that way you have it yeartoear uh and then also we usually recommend that you bring it to your board meeting and keep it as a reference because you'll be using it to set goals and do things like

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that year over year and I just wanted to highlight a couple things in the strategic plan you'll see an acknowledge ments page in there and Maryann and I really thought it was good work that you started it with your 2025 board and you

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continued the process even though you had a change in leadership and a change in board members. So you'll see we've acknowledged all of your 2025 board members and your 2025 board president and vice president and then your 2026 board members and your 2026 board

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president and vice president. So that was we felt that was great collaborative work that was worthy of acknowledgement. We also have acknowledged all of the participants in the meeting. All of your staff members, students, administrative staff, parents, community members that

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came out. All of their names are recognized in the plan there and we thank them so much for their participation and their contributions to the plan. And then I also wanted to give a shout out. She's listed in the participants, but Marin was amazing. She was so helpful while we were here with

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the microphone and set up and also your tech staff. One of the nice things about field service jobs is we tend to get to know those tech staff in the schools a bit and they were just absolutely amazing with having everything set up and the screens and it was wonderful. So I want to thank them as well. You had um

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a pretty good turnout of participants participants in a time where it's a struggle in many districts to get community engagement. And so you did have a pretty good turnout. Uh you did have the highest turnout your first meeting and your lowest your third meeting. And

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that's really typical and what tends to happen throughout the strategic planning process. But throughout the time you had a a strong turnout which was really really good. Um and what you did we want to commend your board again for your commitment to your community going through this process. You invited your

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community in. There were no caveats attached to it. You welcomed everybody that wanted to come. there were they were not invited. It was anybody. If you're part of the community and you care about Hunton Central, you could come be a part of this process and just sit down with your friends, neighbors,

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school community just as human beings who care about the school and feel that they had something to contribute and you really did. When we were here, we didn't have to do a lot of, you know, intgroup facilitation. Everybody took what we gave them and ran with it. So it was

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wonderful and it was a great process for Marian and I to be a part of. So you'll see again in your book we went through the meetings. There's a summary of the process summary of meeting one which was a state of the schools where everybody

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came and listed strength and strengths and challenges of the school district. Meeting two was portrait of a learner which I also wanted to highlight because that was new for us when we started the process and as we were going through it. We decided at school boards because we

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are always reflecting on what we do and how we can improve our processes and better serve our members and we felt that that second strategic planning meeting needed a bit of a change to be more student focused and student outcomes focused. So Dr. Tehan who came

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with us that night and Maryanne were very instrumental in creating that portrait of a learner. Um and we did portrait of a learner because it was student focus for the participants. And that was actually the first time we ever did it for any district. And again it

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went very well. People were engaged. Everybody sat respectfully, listened to each other, shared their opinions, came up with amazing ideas. And afterwards Dr. Tan and I who's a for he's a former superintendent that I work with who's amazing. We talked about it

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and talked about whether we thought it was worked and how we felt about the process and because it went so well and we felt it was successful. That's now part of our strategic planning process permanently. So any district that does strategic planning with us will do that

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second meeting as portrait of a learner. So I have to thank you for that too in kind of helping us help improve our processes. Um the third meeting was goals and objectives. Um they took a portrait of a learner where people

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discussed core skills that students should have as they walk across your graduation skills. Like what core skills do they need to learn to be successful in their lives? And at the third meeting, they took those portrait of a learner concepts and skills and ideas that people came up with and came up

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with goal areas and objectives for that last meeting and worked on all the different goal areas and came up with objectives for those goals. And your goals, as you know, were student learning experience, health and wellness engagement, and future ready.

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So all of these meeting outcomes the same as what's on your website and what you were sent after each meeting. All of those are in your book as well. And probably the thing that your board is most interested in are the action plans and they're on page 49. The action plans

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after that third meeting are what your administrative staff took and developed and that aligns with our governance processes which are, you know, your board, your goal setters. You set district goals every year and your administrative staff creates action

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plans and implements those goals. So we align our strategic planning process with that. So your administrative ta staff takes those broad goals and objectives that your community came up with and they create action plans for those goals. And those are all on page

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49. So I'd encourage you take the next month, read through them. If you have any questions about the action plans, you can direct those to your superintendent, your administrative staff. If you have questions about the strategic planning process itself, you can direct those to me or Maryanne.

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We're always, of course, happy to talk to you. Next steps, of course, take time to read your plans, place it on your agenda, an upcoming agenda, maybe next month or whenever you're ready, place it on your agenda for formal approval. So, a kind of new exciting thing we have too

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that you'll get to have is we have a dashboard. So, when your board approves the plan, let me know and I will set you up with um a dashboard that you can put on your website and it shows progress. It's a way to be transparent with your community. It shows progress towards

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your goals. It's kind of a visual graphic so your administrative staff can log in and update it as you make progress towards these goals. It's like a little chart that shows the progress. Um, and then if your board wants to, you

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can also put the entire strategic plan and the action plans on your district website. And then pick goals out of it every year. Use it as a guide for setting your district goals. Um, you're still going to be doing all the things that your board typically does that I

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know you're very good at, which you bring your administrative staff out, you do curriculum presentations, you monitor your student achievement data, you know, analyze whether your curriculum is effective. You'll be still be doing all of those things for board oversight that you're supposed to do, but this gives you a roadmap for where to focus your

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district goals going forward. And if again any questions about them, anything you need, always feel free to reach out to us. If you have any questions now, I'm happy to take them. But we appreciate everything that you did. All right. Yeah. So, I'm always

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available to all of you as you know. so we don't just finish your strategic plan and leave you. Uh I hope we'll hopefully we'll be around working with your board for many years to come. And I want to congratulate all of your amazing students. It's another highlight when I sometimes come out to board meetings. I

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get to see little student recognitions and achievement recognitions. So it was wonderful. So and thanks to you for the work that you do to support all of those amazing programs. And I think you all know that I truly mean this. But thank you for your dedication. I appreciate

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each and every one of you and what you bring to this board and the work that you do so that we could have this amazing school here in Hunter County. So, thank you and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Any questions, reach out to me. Oh, and I do have

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[applause] I do have two here for your Thank you so much, Mrs. Porier. Um and for BOE members, we will be discussing goals at next week's um board retreat. So, as Miss Porier said, we'll be using

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the strategic plan to help design those district goals. Um I just a couple more items, I promise. I did mention um one organizational item on the agenda, which was our recognition of our wonderful student representatives. Um, I did want to point out the the other annual items

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that are on there, but there is a new item on there, a resolution urging relief from rising public school employee health care costs. And so this is a resolution that I believe you all decided as a group um in concert with

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New Jersey School Boards Association to put this on and urge the state for some relief um so that we can work toward a budget that doesn't just focus on rising healthcare costs. Um and lastly, you will see our HIPP and suspension report on the agenda. I just wanted to point

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out there's no HIP motion this month, no approval as I did not have any to report to you last month. So, that concludes my report tonight finally and I'll pass it back over to you, Mrs. Kellogg. >> Thank you, Miss Kangeli Hade. Um, so

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we're going to move into the residents forum next. Are there is there anyone who is planning to speak on action items that are on the agenda? I see two people. Um, so what I'd like to I believe there are a bunch of students who are planning to speak on something that's off of the agenda. So,

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what I'd like to suggest is that we go through what's on the agenda and then make a separate motion to have to allow you guys to speak now rather than waiting let making you wait all the way to the end of the meeting. >> And parents, yes. [laughter] Um, so I

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guess anyone who's planning to speak on action items on the agenda, please come up now and speak on action items. Good evening. Scott Cohen, Raron Township. Uh, tonight I'm just here to really send my appreciation as a

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community member to Bronnin and to Alexis. I think as a community member, it's a tremendous asset to our community to hear directly from our students. It speaks to the mission and what we're aiming to accomplish with our students.

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And I remember when Bronnin was just starting at Central how eager she was to get into a leadership position and I knew she was going to do something amazing. And here she is graduating. all the amazing accomplishments she's achieved and of course the incredible

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leadership representing the students on the board and all the work and Alexis joining her this past year was a tremendous asset. So I hope going forward I know the board will continue to support this and the administration and I look forward to the transition of what bar has been set relatively high

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for the students entering in but that the baton is passed on and whoever succeeds the two of you um does as well of a job as the two of you have done. So thank you for all you've done and bringing the student community to engage

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with the outside community. We applaud you. Well done. Well done. [applause] Rebecca Peterson, Raritton Township. I wanted to talk about now, of course, I can't find it on the agenda, the professional services uh agenda item. Um

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there are several law uh law firms on the agenda. A couple of them are the ones that are listed in the RFP. Three of them in fact. Uh there are also um three other law firms that are not part

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of were not even part of the RFP and are the personal attorneys of Ms. Kellogg and a former board president for their personal ethics cases. and I'm wondering why they're on the professional services list. Um, Miss Kellogg has methyl and

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Danella working on two of her three ethics cases. One of them, one of the ethics cases is going to be in obeyance forever. So, um, that's kind of irrelevant at this point, but to date has spent almost $30,000 on defense of those cases. And, um,

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those aren't board attorneys, those are personal attorneys for a board member. uh they have uh they're higher rates some of them Mr. Ruben and Meth Vessel than any board attorney and they are not here representing the board of

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education. They represent an individual board member and so it doesn't make much sense to understand why I can't really understand why they would be on the professional services. What that actually does is it allows the district to utilize them if they want to without really bringing it to the public and

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really letting anyone know that they're going to be using those attorneys at that higher rate which has been done in the past and is generally uh leads to things that are when when there's something that wants to be done that much in the dark, it's generally because it's something that shouldn't be done.

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So I have a serious concern about these um law firms being on the professional services. There were already motions uh passed by the board resolutions that stated that those particular ethics cases at least as far as all of them except for the one by Miss Danella who

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was released by the board in 20125 um that one hasn't had its own resolution but the other ones have. So there's really no purpose in putting them on the the uh professional services um list because as I said they are not board attorneys. They are not special

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counsel. They are personal attorneys for the board president, Miss Kellogg, in her personal ethics defense. So, I'd really uh like to uh request that those be removed because it's completely inappropriate. Thank you. [applause] Any other comments on action items on

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the agenda? Right. So, if not, do I have a motion to add a residence forum for action items not on the agenda for 30 minutes? >> Motion.

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>> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> Do I need a roll call or can I do an all in favor? All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? Again, how many folks are planning to speak?

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One, two, three, four. Do you think you guys can limit to three minutes a person? Okay. Thank you. So, anyone who has comments on things that are not on the agenda is are now welcome to come to the podium

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and speak. Um, please remember to sign in and then before you speak, uh, state your name and where you're from. Good evening. My name is Robin Samarine. I'm with Readington Township. And for full transparency, those who sat

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next to me in the 2024 season know that Coach Jones and I did not always agree. However, it's not about the numbers. It's about the character. >> Do we need to move this closer? which is why I'm here.

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This is not about one moment of t of time. It's about a matter of time. Over a matter of time, Coach Jones positively affected touched not only dozens but hundreds of students. And

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isn't that a teacher's goal? To touch one life. So what do we call a teacher, a coach who reaches hundreds? That's not just experience. It's not a record. It's a legacy. Look around this room. This auditorium is filled with

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former students, current students, people who rearranged their lives tonight, who left work early, who canceled plans and showed up. Not because they had to, but because at some point, Coach Jones showed up for them.

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In his eight years as head coach of the women's volleyball team, he's influenced many and created mentors, role models, and other coaches. For it's his athletes who return after graduating from college, some with their doctorates in

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hand to encourage the younger athletes to push forward. For it's his athletes that return, I'm sorry. When they return and they come to our banquetss, they show that the triumphs and the tribulations that occur on that

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court prepared them for the challenges of life ahead. There's a story my daughter shared with me that I can never forget. They were losing a game and the rally wasn't going their way. The momentum was gone and

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Coach Jones called a timeout. He huddled the girls together and didn't really speak. He asked them two questions. What are you seeing? And how do you want to respond?

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Two questions. And in those two questions, he empowered those girls. In those two questions, he didn't just coach a game. He taught them a life skill. He taught them ownership. He

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taught them resilience. And he taught them how to face life. So I ask, what are we seeing here today? Are we seeing a single moment isolated and removed from context? Or are we seeing a matter of time, years

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of consistent leadership, membership, and integrity? So I ask, how do you want to respond? If today's hearing is about his effect on students, athletes, and the community, then this auditorium speaks

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volumes, and your focus needs to be on what the board did not do to support Mr. Jones in the situation of the problem. Student, Madame President, where is your trust, the board's trust, in their professionals?

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In the 11 years Mr. Jones has worked for you. You've never had such a complaint about his character. Yet today, one moment is being asked to outweigh all of time. One moment should not erase a

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lifetime of impact. Let's not allow this moment of time to define a man who has defined so many lives over time. Because long after this decision is made, it will not be remembered for the moment you judged. It'll be about the

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time you ignored. Let's focus not on the one moment in time, but on the matter of time, the matter of time Mr. Jones has served this community, developed this community, supported this community, and the effect

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he has left on this community. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi, my name is Kate and I graduated from here in 2023 and I was on the women's volleyball team for all four years that I was here. >> I was Can you state your last name and where you're from?

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>> Schwab. and I'm from Flemington. >> Thank you. >> I was a player my freshman year, a a player my freshman and sophomore year, and a manager my junior and senior year. So, I had a very different relationship to Jones than the players because I could observe what was going on in all the games, practices, tournaments. And

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one thing that I've always been told is that I'm a very opinionated person. And people tend to not like constructive criticism, especially when it comes from someone younger than them. Jones has never been one of these people. There were a few games my senior year where we weren't doing well. And after a while, I

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pulled him aside and I said, "Jones, you're doing this and it's not working and you're doing this and this is really working and you need to do this more." And he said, "Okay." And he worked on it. And he talked to the players and he said, "I want the teams to be the best it can be. Let me know what each of you

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needs individually as a team." And he was always someone who was willing to listen and be there. I'm going to be after this summer a senior in college and I'm an English education major. I want to be a high school English teacher and you would not believe the amount of

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times that I've talked to my other peers who want to be teachers and they say they never had a single teacher in their whole life who they felt like cared about them. And I've had a few teachers or coaches who I feel like cared about me, but there are far more who don't

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care than ones who do. And Jones is one of the ones who truly cares. There were so many times we weren't doing good in games and I would see him pull players aside because they were crying. He would talk to them. He would spend so much time talking to them and they would come back feeling better. They would have a

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plan for what they want to improve. They wouldn't be beating themselves up as much because he truly cared enough to talk to them and make sure they know that how you're doing is okay, but if you want to improve, I can help you and you don't need to beat yourself up over it and things are going to work out. The

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first impression I ever had of Jones was my freshman year at volleyball triyouts. I overheard two senior girls talking and they said, "Yeah, so sometimes I talk to Jones and it just makes me want to cry." And I turn to them, I go, "Oh my god, is he mean? Like I never talked to him before. Is he mean or something?" They

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go, "No, he just cares so much about you. It kind of makes you want to cry." And that was my first impression of him. And that was the impression that I continued to get for the next four years that I was at Central. He cares very deeply and there are not many teachers and coaches like that. And he didn't

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start teaching at Central until after I had graduated. But I know that the way he treats his players is the same way that he treats his students. And as the woman before me was saying, one moment does not define a teacher or a coach. And he is a very valuable member of this community.

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[applause] Good evening. My name is Donovan Dinsson of Flemington. Um, I'm I have had the good fortune of teaching at the school since 2015 and I have worked with Kevin Jones as an assistant coach for the team since 2019. Um, to start, I'd like to share a little

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bit about myself. As someone who's been around sports throughout my life, I have heard many motivational quotes and mantras. Ironically, however, and it is a quote from Harry Potter that has most resonated with me and shaped my perspective as an educator. We we must all face the choice between what is

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right and what is easy. Throughout my teaching career, I've learned that doing what is right for our students is often not the choice that is easiest, com most convenient, or self-s serving. meaningful teaching often requires the sacrifice of time and one's own personal

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wellness on all to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve. Um, but this mission is what we sign up for and and although I'm not successful, this is the way I approach my teaching each and every day. Nobody I know embodies this idea of doing what is right more than Kevin Jones. Kevin has

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served as both an assistant and head coach for the team for over a decade. As you heard, the impact Kevin has had on this community cannot be overstated. Coaching like coaching like teaching requires a level of commitment, focus, and self-sacrifice for the benefit of

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the students. This commitment goes beyond simple X's and O's. Our our district's mission states that we are dedicated to the intellectual, social, and emotional safety and growth of all students. Kevin's commitment to this mission has been recognized every day by our students. Whether helping athletes

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balance the rigor of academics with their responsibilities to teammates or serving as a tr excuse me as a trusted outlet for students to express themselves off the court, Kevin has always placed the needs of our students at the forefront. I I recognize that sports tour are ultimately a vehicle for preparing students for life beyond the

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walls of the school. No one understands this mission or has worked harder to achieve it more than Kevin Jones. As I'm sure you are here tonight, you have been hearing. Kevin has always had the courage and compassion to do the hard work and do what is right and for our students and I'm proud of him for it. Finally, our school is great because of

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the people who come in here every day and do the hard work that is necessary to see our students grow to become their best selves. I am proud of the work that we do in this school and I am lucky to be a part of it. We are all lucky to have educators like Kevin, a man of

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character who has done so much for our students, who is caring, selfless, and someone who always does the right thing, especially when it's not easy. He He represents the very best of our community. Thank you. [applause]

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Hello. Hi, I'm Grace Smer from Flemington. Uh, I graduated a few years ago and I had um Mr. Jones Jones, as I've always referred to him, coach um for four years in high school. And um he

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had a profound impact on me in my entire career in um in high school personally and um in the sports domain. And so I grew very close to him. I trusted him a lot, respected him a lot. um mostly

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because just of the amount of integrity he has and in everything he does. He holds a standard for himself and others, expects that of others, including um myself and my teammates, which can be a

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drag sometimes, but um it's important. And it's teaching self- responsibility and accountability and the bonds that you make with other people, the importance of them, and how much you grow as a human being because of it. And

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it's a shame that I am, this is the situation that I'm attesting to his behalf. Um, but I am just grateful that I have the opportunity to express my gratitude for his um, coaching and everything. He is someone I've looked up

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to personally and professionally. Um, always since I've met him throughout my entire time in school and then afterward, I still come back and visit. I love to see him and see how much he is

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excited and engaged with the team and I'm just very grateful for his um presence. So, thank you [applause] >> [snorts] >> Um, I'm Aaron Mullipul. I'm from

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Readington [snorts] Township. I will be speaking on behalf of not only me, but an alumni that wasn't able to make it today. So, I'll start with his segment. [snorts] Um, I am Guier UA. I'm from the Flankington Township and I am aund central alumni and I've been coached by

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Jones for three years. He was [snorts] one of the most influential mentors I've had in my life. He's an inspiring person who always pushed me to be the best version of myself and I firmly believe that he only means the best to everyone he interacts with. He's [snorts] a person who has a lot of great advice and anyone who takes their time to talk to him will see how much valuable

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information he has to offer. He's a genuinely a [snorts] kind and upbringing person who will always talk to me when I needed to. He gave me confidence that I never had and made me the hardworking and determined person that I am today. And that is my portion. I'm Aaron

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[snorts] Mola Barbell. I'm from the Readington Township. I'm a senior and I play for the men's volleyball team at Central. I've played for Jones all four years since he was a JV coach and when he became a varsity coach for the boys program. I [snorts] don't even know where to start on how Jones has changed my life. From freshman year, he's made me become a more confident and

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hardworking athlete and man. My growth is directly correlated to my time with him. Um, he's been with me and our team no matter what and has always pushed us to be the best people we can be. [snorts] I can't imagine where I'd be without him. He's such a great coach, teacher, and

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man. He always pushed people to be their best and always be there when the going gets hard. [snorts] He's helped me find my purpose, and he's taught me how to positively impact lives. Losing Jones as a teacher and coach would be a mistake. He works every day towards the betterment of students and his players. He will not hesitate to take time out of

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his day personally to help a student, maybe [snorts] his lunch break or any off time he has. As a teacher and coach, he provides students with valued experience and learning [snorts] opportunities. I couldn't tell you how many times he's hammered home that success is more important than winning. And he's taught us how to become successful young men and has prepared

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all of us to be ready for whatever life throws at us. He's a selfless man who served our country and served this school and its students no matter what. [snorts] So I ask you, Mrs. Kellogg and the rest of the board, please rethink the decision that has been made. He's changed my life and many others in the

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best way possible. [snorts] And one moment does not define the impact that he has made on me and this community. [applause] Good evening. My name is uh Sean Souvenir and I'm a current senior here at Hearn Central. Uh I had Mr. Jones as

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my teacher during my junior junior year second semester of weight training and nutrition. And although I do understand uh the current situation that's been ongoing, I wanted to personally share my experiences having him as a teacher. Before I do that, however, I wanted to personally give the men's volleyball

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team here at Central a nod of respect. Uh, as an athlete myself here at Hunton Central, I applaud them despite this difficult time. Um, as for Mr. Jones, I had nothing but positive experiences while he was my teacher. He always encouraged us to do our best and on days

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when people may have may have been tired due to things or conflicts outside of school or maybe simply their heads just weren't in it. Uh, Mr. Jones always encouraged us and I can personally say that with confidence as I've experienced this. >> [snorts] >> Even if we only had 20% to give on a given day, he would encourage us to give

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that 20% so that we would uh so that we would give everything that we had. To me, he felt like a gym teacher who who truly cared. It didn't feel like a teacher to student relationship, but a lot of times it just felt like two people communicating. Whether that be grades, issues outside of school, or

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anything in between, I experienced that. Uh I experienced that it was always just easy to speak to him and he was an email away. Again, like I said, I do understand the importance of the situation at hand, but I hope the board will take what I have to say into consideration. I have nothing but truly

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positive things to say about Mr. Jones, and I hope that his students, players, and colleagues can say the same. At the end of the day, I truly hope that everything works out for everyone involved. And I hope that the board along with the people sitting in the auditorium will take what I'm saying into heart because although I'm currently reading from a script, the

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words that I'm saying are true and are coming from the heart. I want to thank everybody for listening to what I have to say about Mr. Jones from a student's perspective. Uh but more importantly from the perspective of somebody that has uh had firsthand experience in being influenced by Mr. Jones. Thank you for

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the time once again. I truly do appreciate it. [applause] >> [snorts] >> Hello, Miss Kellogg and the board. Um, I'm speaking on the behalf of uh Ben Poff and myself. [snorts] Um, >> I'm sorry. Can you introduce yourself and where you >> Yeah, I'm Christian Piagua and I'm

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speaking on behalf of uh Ben Poff. >> Thank you. >> Um, he wasn't able to be here tonight. Uh, let's get started. I recently graduated from Hunton Central and have played for the boys volleyball program for four years and I've known Coach Jones for the for three years. Coach Jones has been inspiring for inspiring

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role [snorts] models in my life day in day out. He has always been the most hardworking ma person in the gym even when he wasn't playing. Even when he was coaching, he still gave 110% and still cared about each and every one of his players. Coach Jones

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always held a high expectation for his players and held them accountable for their mistakes and also helped them correct them. Me and Coach Jones always didn't see eye to eye. Yet, his approach to coaching allowed us to have a dialogue and open conversation. Coach Jones is known to have a stern exterior

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exterior, but he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He works so hard to create a team environment that makes all players feel comfortable and an environment that is very competitive with its goal to make everyone better and love the game of volleyball that much more. We love you, Coach Jones. Thank you for everything you've done for

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me and many other people. Thank you. [snorts] And now I'm speaking on my behalf. I'm a um so I'm Christian. I am a senior at Hun Central and I've been on the volleyball team for four years. Jones has coached me for three years. Sophomore year. Sophomore year is when

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we met. Sorry. [snorts] Sophomore year is when we met and I had the opportunity to be on varsity and have a starting role on the team. But there was always one thing I struggled with and that was my mentality. Being said, my struggle is that I get in my

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head and I shut down almost. Sometimes my passion for the game of volleyball gets misunderstood for frustration in difficult moments. But he saw past that knowing that my intentions were right and that it was always not handled the

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right way. [snorts] That is one of the my flaws in my game and me as a person. But Coach Jones never got mad at me for it because he knew I was just a high schooler and I was growing up. I'm not perfect. Nobody is. But he definitely helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel even when I couldn't see it. He helped me change and become the man I

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am [snorts] today. And the things he did for me and the team is something I will never forget. And I will forever carry that sense of love and belonging for something. I've never [snorts] met anyone that who's cared so much for the development of us as players, but most importantly us as people. Jones is [snorts] always

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someone I could go to, and the impact he has on me and my teammates is immense. I hope you can rethink the decision that God put [snorts] out and let the man do what he loves. What he loves is teaching, coaching, and nonetheless helping and bettering the community. and leaving a huge impact on whoever comes across them. [snorts] Thank you.

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[applause] [snorts] Good evening. My name is Becky Ringcon and I'm from Flemington, New Jersey. I was a captain on Central women's volleyball team where I played at 10 Central for four years and under coach Jones for three years.

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I've played volleyball for many years and have had many coaches, but Coach Jones is the only coach who I can confidently say I felt support from for every second I played for him. He saw potential in me since I was 13 years old before I saw it within myself. and he

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helped me change the way I played the game that I love. He always cared about me more than just my athletic abilities, but who I am as a person as well. Today, I would like to share two brief memories I have with Jones.

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The first memory I'm going to recall is about how much time Coach Jones gave to his athletes. During our summer grass leagues, my co- captain Reagan and I would stay after almost every single session with him. Even during some of the most difficult times in his personal

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life when his family needed him most, he still made time to support us and have these conversations. We would reflect on past seasons, compare our goals and everything we were hoping to accomplish, or even just crack some jokes. [snorts] We would stay until we genuinely had to

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go or when we knew Jones actually needed to go. These conversations were never required, but coach Jones always stayed and always listened. [snorts] He is the type of coach who genuinely cares about his players. Even [snorts] beyond the game, he cared

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about all of us individually as well. Another memory that has always stayed with me was honor of final game of the season on my senior year. My twin brother had also had his last game of the season and after his loss immediately came to support my game.

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Directly after our match, which we also ended up losing, Jones noticed how much his support meant to me and how my brother took the time to console and support me after the match. Jones immediately told my brother how much he was proud of him [snorts]

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on his way of supporting me. This again wasn't necessary, but is something I will always remember. He wasn't even familiar with my brother, but recognized the kind of person he was and took the time to make him feel valued. This is the type of person Jones is. His

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kindness carries beyond his abilities or his athletes and reflects who he is as a person and not just a coach. Even a year later, that conversation is still something I will remember and forever will bring up. Jones has made a lasting impact on my life, not just as an

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athlete, but as a person, too. And I know that there are countless of people who can say that. Thank you. [applause] My name is Mia Landy. I'm from Flemington, New Jersey. And I'm speaking on behalf of 10 Central alumni Danielle Pierre. But I believe her words are a

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true representation on the Mark Jones leaves on his students and athletes including me to whom it may concern. My name is Danielle Pierre and I'm a 10 central volleyball alumni from the class of 2019. I am writing to express my support for Kevin Jones and to share the

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profound impact he had on my development as a student athlete and person. Since graduating from Hunan Central, I have pursued a degree in biomedical engineering, served as a teacher assistant in higher education, and pursued a career in combat systems engineering. Through these experiences, I have gained a greater appreciation for

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what distinguishes a true exceptional educator. Looking back, I can confidently say that Coach Jones embodies the qualities that every school should seek in a teacher and mentor. When I first entered the volleyball program as a freshman, my focus was on athletic performance. Like many young athletes, I was concerned with improving

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my skills, earning playing time, and achieving success on the court. What I did what I did not anticipate was that the most valuable lessons I would learn would have little to do with volleyball itself. Coach Jones consistently emphasized character, accountability, resilience, and personal growth. He

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challenges players to strive for excellence, not only in athletics, but also in academics, relationships, and daily life. He has taught that effort matters, integrity matters, and that growth often comes through adversity. These lessons have remained with me long after my final season ended. One of the

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most important concepts I have learned at my time in Hunan Central was the importance of authenticity and self-discovery. Coach Jones encouraged us to think independently and to develop the confidence in becoming the best versions of ourselves. As a teenager navigating questions of identity and

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purpose, this guidance was invaluable. It this guidance was valuable. It helped shape the person I had become today. What set coach Jones apart was his genuine investment in his students. He saw his players as people first and

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athletes second. He celebrated our successes, but he also challenged us during difficult moments. He understood that education is not simply about imparting knowledge or teaching skills. It is about helping young people develop the tools they need to succeed in life.

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As someone who was who has worked in educational settings, I recognize how rare and meaningful that kind of influence can be. The most effective teachers are often those who whose impact cannot be measured by statistics alone. This success is reflected in the confidence they build, the resilience

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they foster, and the values they instill. Coach Jones has done exactly that for countless students. The lessons I learned through the 10 central volleyball program continue to influence how I approach challenges, setbacks, and opportunities. They have shaped my work ethic, my leadership style, my commitment, and my commitment to

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personal growth. I know I am not alone in this experience. Many former players would like would likely tell similar stories about the positive influence Coach Jones had on their lives. Coach Jones has consistently demonstrated a commitment to developing responsible, resilient, and thoughtful young adults.

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Those qualities align directly with the educational mission of our schools and are worthy of support. His influence extends far beyond the gymnasium and continues long after students graduate. That is the hallmark of an exceptional educator. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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[applause] Uh, hi. Hi, we are Sophie Brennan and Claire Fabonio from Flemington and we're reading on behalf today um of Reagan DBA who's unable to be here tonight. Hello, my name is Reagan DBA. I'm a recent graduate of Hun Central and was a four-year player for the Hund Central

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women's volleyball team. Today I speak in support of my coach Kev Kevin Jones from the perspective of an athlete student in person. I've been lucky enough to be coached and mentored by Coach Jones for all four years of high school and was fortunate enough to have been in one of the most supportive environments, one that not all sports

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teams offer. I've been on different volleyball teams, high school, club, and college programs. And I can say with the utmost confidence that Coach Jones worked his butt off to create a program that left players with skills to not only become better players, but teammates and people. Where some teams focus solely on physical skills, Jones

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worked with us individually and as a team to help cultivate an environment where players felt comfortable to speak up and share their goals, expectations, and worries about then and the future. I was a captain along with Emma Kovac and Becky Ringcon and the amount of conversations we shared about how lucky we were to have Jones as a coach were

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astronomical. We never hesitated to stay after practices to talk to us about the previous game, skills we working on, or mental struggles we were facing. He put in hours upon hours to get us in reps, including creating a grass program that became incredibly successful and

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has more players returning every single year. He brought in guest coaches to give us a new perspective and would constantly encourage us to pursue other interests as well as volleyball to keep us well-rounded. While this is a long list of the great qualities of him as a coach, he is also an incredible person. We were introduced to his three

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wonderful kids, Max, Willie, and Molly, and we were able to see into his life outside of volleyball. To say Coach Jones is a hardworking coach, father, and teacher is an absolute understatement. As an Army veteran who now has three kids and teaches full-time along with coaching a successful men's and women's volleyball program, Coach

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Jones has truly dedicated his life to helping others, his family, his players, and his students. If our volleyball program didn't have a coach like Jones, I can confidently say many players wouldn't have returned, become as successful, or had as an impactful experience on their lives. I know if the roles were reversed, Jones would fight

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for any of his players or students, and I am ready to do the same for him. Thank you, Coach Jones. Thank you. [applause] How many more folks are intending Oh, goodness. Is the board okay extending another half an hour for public comment?

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Okay. Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Mike Loren and I'm a resident of Ritton Township. I'm also a parent and both of my children have been part of the 10 Central Volleyball program led by Coach

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Coach Jones. I'm here tonight to share my perspective on Coach Jones's character and leadership based on my direct experience. My older daughter, Lindsay, spent four years in the volleyball program, including three years directly coached

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by Coach Jones. During that time, we saw firsthand the positive impact he had, not just on her development as an athlete, but more important more importantly as a person. Coach Jones installed values of teamwork,

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discipline, accountability, and leadership. Those lessons extended far beyond the court and played a meaningful role in shaping who she is today. Today, my daughter is a rising senior at Yukon, a deans list student, and remains

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actively involved in volleyball as a club player and future president of the women's club team. I firmly believe that the foundation Coach Jones helped build contributed to our success in confidence. While I'm not privy to the details of

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the current situation, I do want to emphasize the character, consistency, and positive influence I have personally observed over several years under Coach Jones. Coaches and teachers who consistently invest in students, build character, and

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create a positive environment are incredibly important to a school community. In my experience, Coach Jones has done exactly that. I respectly respectfully ask the board to carefully consider his record, his impact on

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students, and the many lives he has positively influenced when making your final decision. Thank you for your time. [applause] Sounds good. Hello, my name is Christian Maloparambo. I'm from Reington Township.

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Um, I've known Coach Jones for two years and have been coached by him for one year. and from like from how I know him, he's a very caring and hardworking person. Um, when he coached me, it was

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one of the first times that I felt the coach really cared about me just as a person as well as a volleyball player. Um, and our school would benefit a lot from

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keeping him around just because I know I'm sure he cares about his students as well. Um, on top of that, he's just like he's just a really good volleyball coach and he's made our program better and we have a

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lot of those. But it would benefit our program. It would benefit our school if he could stay and he means a lot to all of us. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, I'm Olivia Garbalino and um I'm from

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Flemington Township. So, I've been part of the Hunter Central volleyball program for three years now, and I've had Coach Jones as my coach for two of those years. Throughout that time, Coach Jones has played an immense role in my growth, both as a person and a player on the

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team. He's taught me how to be more confident using my voice on the court and being more confident in my leadership role as well. Beyond volleyball, he consistently challenged me to grow as an individual, encouraging me to push myself and strive for the

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best. Even [snorts] during difficult games or um moments in games which didn't go our way, Coach Jones never let us lose sight of our goals as a team and as a program, he always brought motivation and energy back to the gym the next day, creating an environment

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built on accountability and competitiveness that pushed each of us to improve and challenge one another to be better every day. Losing Coach Jones would impact not just the players on varsity, but the entire program. He has built a program based on trust, accountability, and

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communication. The relationships formed from this team go beyond the court. He has created a culture where players support one another, hold each other to higher standards, and develop meaningful relationships that are truly special. And this speaks to the type of coach Coach Jones is the environment that he

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has worked so hard to create. His dedication to the players and the success of the program has left a lasting impact on so many athletes and the positive influence he has had on this program and the people within it is something that cannot be easily replaced. Just want to thank him for

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everything. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi. Um I'm Alex Shedlock. I'm from Readington Township. [snorts] Um, I've been a part of this 10 central varsity volleyball program since my freshman year and Jones has been my coach throughout my whole three years here.

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So, thus far when I started playing volleyball, it was my second sport. I enjoyed it, but I didn't have true passion for it yet. Looking back on it now, it's very hard to believe because [snorts] after my first season, I completely fell in love with the game. A huge reason for that was Coach Jones. He

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changed the way I viewed not only volleyball but myself. Through the past three years, Coach Jones helped me overcome challenges both on and off the court. He constantly pushed me to grow as a player, leader, and a person. Even during moments when I doubted myself, he continued to believe in me. And because

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of that, I became more confident in my abilities and who I am. I've never had a mentor impact me the way he has. This year, when I became captain, Coach Jones helped me truly understand what leadership meant. He taught me that leadership is about more than what

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happens during games. It's about supporting your teammates, setting the standard, and always putting the team first. [snorts] He trusted me with responsibility and challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, which helped me grow tremendously both as a player and

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as a person. [snorts] Coming up here today, I want to make one thing very clear. Losing Jones would have a huge impact on me personally. He has played such a major role not only in my growth [snorts] but many others over the past

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years and I truly would not be the same person or player without his guidance or support. [snorts] Jones created a culture built on trust, hard work, accountability and support and the culture has impacted our entire team. [snorts] The relationships he has built

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with his players and the impact he has on this program go far beyond wins and losses we've had. Coach Jones is more than just a coach to this team. He's a mentor, a role model, and someone who has changed the lives of so many players, including mine. Thank you. [applause]

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Hi, my name is Jen Da. Uh, I am a parent and I'm a public educator. Um, I have two children who have been um in this school district starting in 2021. um and here with support of Kevin Jones. Um I believe Coach Jones brings passion,

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skills, and perspective that strengthen this high school community. I've known Coach Jones for the past five years. I met him when my oldest daughter u made the volleyball team and a parent meeting was held where coach Jones was

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knowledgeable about volleyball, professional about his responsibilities, and passionate about doing the thing he was clearly meant to do, which was to teach and coach. As the season and years progressed, I got to see Coach Jones in a variety of situations, and I can say

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that these things were consistent. He was knowledgeable, professional, and passionate. I eventually grew to understand his perspective, what influenced him. I first met his mother, who shows up to almost every game, whether it's home or away. She herself's

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a teacher. She cheers on the team as if it's her own kids. He brought his children to practices over the summer and to club games during uh off season, and the athletes loved it. His kids loved it. His wife, also a teacher, was a keynote speaker at one of our

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volleyball banquetss, and she has quite a story herself. Coach Joan Jones is a teacher who is engaged with his community and does his best to balance his family, work, and passion. From a coach to athlete perspective, and I can only speak

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personally to this, Coach Jones managed a highly sensitive teen, my daughter, during her junior year who was going through her parents' divorce. He did this in a supportive and respectful manner. And I need to repeat this because it's pretty significant. Anyone

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whose child has gone through a divorce knows that children need a safe place to be able to let their emotions out and he provided that. My daughter's now a D3 athlete where the sky is her limit and I in no doubt um

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have Coach Jones to thank for much of that. an unfortunate situation occurred. Um, I don't know the details. Um, but my understanding is that coach responded to a situation to prevent potential harm to a larger group of

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students. We as a culture have seen this way too many times on the news of what could potentially happen, what could look like if an adult does not intervene. A split second can change the world and

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can change the trajectory of all of our students. I for one do not want our school to be on the news for what could have been an a larger incident. The future of Coach Jones who has dedicated his adult life to teaching, coaching, mentoring, family and

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community is is within your hands. And I say this with compassion. The livelihood of a good educator and human is within your grasp. It's my hope and belief that this situation can be managed in a way that supports both the student and the teacher. Thank you for your time.

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[applause] >> Good evening. My name is Jason Theodore and I'm from Flemington Township. Um, I have been on the volleyball [clears throat] team for four years and I've been coached by Coach Jones for three years. During my time with Coach Jones, I have seen firsthand the

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positive influence he has had on many of my teammates and me, both on the court and off the court. He has taught me so many important values such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that I apply in my life every day. Coach Jones consistently invested time

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and effort into helping um students and athletes, not be just athletes, but also people. And he knew helped um grow them as people. Um the impact of coach Jones goes farther than just wins and losses. One of his sayings that has always stuck

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with me is when he always starts every try out by saying 5149. This is a saying that he emphasizes about how much we should fight for our success more than any other person and that at the very least we should be

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putting at least 51% effort over anyone else. I have brought the same mentality into everything I do and it has helped me succeed wildly whether it be through my academic studies or even just a advocating for my own life helping me

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grow into a much more confident and motivated person. Coach Jones has changed my life on and off the court in more ways than I could have ever imagined. And I'm forever and I'm forever grateful to have him as a coach. He is not just a coach, but also

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a friend and a mentor. Thank you. [applause] Good evening. My name is Sheri Riggy. I'm from Readington Township. I am the parent of Kayn Riggy, graduate of class of 2023. Kayn was a member of the 100 Central volleyball team for four years,

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and I can go on and on and on about the ways Coach Jones impacted her life incredibly positively. In Kayn's junior and senior year, I was the president of the 10 Central Volleyball Booster Club, and therefore, I was involved and interacted regularly with Coach Jones. I

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was very impressed with his character in the culture he created, which he modeled as kindness, compassion, generosity, and how to support others. In addition, I've been in education for over 26 years at Rucker's Preparatory School as the

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director of college counseling. Throughout my professional life and in my life as a parent, I have observed hundreds of educators. And through this experience, I can confidently say that Kevin Jones is an educator and coach who cares deeply about supporting his

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students and inspiring them to develop skills needed in sports, classroom, and life. He pushed the girls to be role models. Most importantly, the girls knew he cared about their well-being as people. That was his priority. Not only

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did I observe Coach Jones and how he interacted and coached and mentored high school athletes, but I was also hear daily stories of how he managed challenging situations while also making girls feel seen, heard, and supported.

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His support and empathy as he worked with the girls was evident every single day. Never was there a second I was concerned about how coach Jones would handle a situation, nor did I ever question him as an educator. Being an

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educator myself, he held himself to the highest standard and treated the girls with kindness and compassion. I understand the challenges we face as educators every day in dealing with all

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types of students and in dealing with all types of parents. And I can confidently say that Coach Jones is the type of person who acts in a way to keep the safety of his students at the

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forefront and as his priority. While I don't know the details of the case, what I do know is that Kevin Jones treated his students always with a focus on well-being. Therefore, I'm confident that he would only act in a way to keep

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a larger group of students safe, feeling safe as his top priority. Coach Jones has given so much to the athletes and students at Hunter Central for many years. And as a taxpayer resident in Readington in Readington Township for 19 years, I can confidently say that you

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have a major responsibility tonight to take seriously what you have heard from the students, from the parents, and from the alum. Again, one moment in time does not define a person's character. You

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have a major responsibility. How will you respond to these authentic stories told to you? What is your responsibility and priority for the students at Hunter and Central? Is it to keep exceptional educators and role

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models at Hunter and Central? Is it to keep the safety and well-being of the larger group a priority of yours? Then it is also your responsibility to allow Kevin Jones to continue to mentor, support, and inspire the students of 100

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Central. Thank you. [applause] >> Good evening, Kathy Schwab Flemington. Um, I have a son and a daughter who graduated from Hunter Central. My daughter most recently graduated in 2023. She played volleyball under coach Jones. He was a great coach,

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professional, positive, team focused, and always, always approachable. I cannot think of a negative thing to say about him. He dedicated many years to this school's volleyball volleyball program, and you should be very grateful. Even when we played against schools, mostly North, where the fans

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were inappropriate, Coach Jones always encouraged the girls to take the high road. You have a good one with Coach Jones. Don't let him go. support your staff and do the right thing. I also work in a neighboring school district, not as a coach or a teacher, but in the

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board of education office and I see horrific stories on a daily basis. Um, and I usually come home and vent them to my husband who says, "Doesn't the board of education know what's going on?" And my general answer is yes, they do. And

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that's what part of the problem is. Um, don't be the problem. Be the solution to this. Don't cave. Don't be weak. I mean, you've got You should be so proud of these students for coming up here and saying I mean, it's tearjerking. It's it's, you know, one word versus another.

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One one person versus another. And a lot of times, and I see it, we've caved to these unruly students. And again, I don't know the situation, but I've never seen Coach Jones ever, ever act inappropriate. So again, I truly hope that you're listening to these students

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because I think they did an amazing job tonight and you should really, really think very carefully on this subject. Thank you. [applause] Good evening. My name is Lauren Richardson. I'm actually from a diff different perspective. I came from Point Pleasant to speak on behalf of Mr.

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Jones. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Jones at Hybridge Elementary School for five years when he was our physical education teacher. During this time, I knew Mr. Jones to be a teacher who took great care in planning and teaching lessons involving a variety of sports

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skills, health and fitness skills and games. Equally as important, Mr. Jones infused everyday physical fitness and social and game playing skills that the students could apply to a variety of situations in and out of the classroom. He always had the kids active,

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encouraged them to work through problems or challenges, and would always end the class period with and or stop an activity to engage students in a debrief in a debriefing kind of discussion, asking the students to reflect on their skills, participation, and strategies

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they used or could have used in order to be successful. His goal was always for the kids to learn, practice, and apply skills while also having fun. The kids loved going to PE and knew that Mr. Jones expected the best of every one of them. I knew Mr. Jones to be someone who

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expected the best of and had earned the respect of his students. He encouraged positive participation and good sportsmanship from every student. He understood children with different needs and planned inclusive lessons that allowed all students to participate positively. Mr. Jones had positive

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relationships with the kids and cared about them as both students and human beings. how they were doing in class, in their academic classes, and outside of school. I frequently observed him taking a child aside to speak to him or her about something he did he or she did

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well, improved in, or could do better. They came to understand quickly that their best attitude and behavior was expected when they walked through the gym doors each day, and this was the key to their success. Mr. Jones was someone who also got along well with his colleagues at Hybridge Elementary

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School. He worked in tandem with, sought advice from, and engaged in dialogue with classroom teachers and other core arts teachers with respect to students, school happenings, and problems we encountered as a staff or team. Mr. Jones was someone who problem solved

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always with a positive end goal in mind. He was someone who was involved in the daily teaching as well as helping to develop a positive culture in the school amongst and between students and staff. He became a colleague and a friend who could be relied on and genuinely cared about his work relationships. To this

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day, Mr. Jones will often reach out with a holiday wish or just a friendly check-in with me and several other former colleagues. I'm happy to have gotten the chance to teach alongside of him and even more grateful to call him a friend. Thank you. [applause]

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Hi, I'm Danielle Larka. I am from Hamilton and like the woman that spoke before me, I am a former colleague of Kevin Jones. I've known Kevin for several years now and though the time we worked together was too short in my opinion. Uh here's what I know about

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him. He cares deeply about his students, the ones he teaches and the ones he coaches. He's willing to go above and beyond to make sure he's giving them the best of him so they can become the best versions of themselves. When I asked him once what he loved

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about coaching and teaching, he said he wanted to give kids the same opportunities that he was given and hopefully even better ones. I know that he cares deeply about this school and has spent the last 11 years pouring into the students he coaches and

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was thrilled to have the opportunity to teach there. even though it broke our hearts when you left. And it's been really amazing to see the kids that he talked about so much um to us as his colleagues come up here and speak for

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him uh and see how much they care about him. Uh finally, I know that he is a man of honor. He's always pushing himself to be better and to work harder so that he can be there for the people he cares about. Any decisions he makes, he makes with

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the greatest good in mind and seeks to protect and be there for those around him. He's not afraid to make hard decisions if he knows it will make him better in the end. Kevin's diligence and character make him an asset for the school, for your community, but mostly

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for his students. Thank you. [applause] Hi, I'm Daniela Besser from Readington. I graduated from Hunter Central in 2017. At that time, Coach Jones was the head coach for the freshman team and a volunteer for the varsity team. His

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dedication to our team and to me as a volunteer still amazes me today. Coach Jones sees everybody, the bench players, managers, janitorial staff, bus drivers, and parents. He treats them with respect

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and genuine interest. Coach Jones allows students and athletes the space to talk through their problems, and he provides guidance to overcome their challenges on their own. This skill is invaluable to young adults, as it was to me 10 years

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ago. This kind of teaching is so rarely seen today. I believe that every student should have a teacher, coach, or mentor with the passion and care that Coach Jones has. It changes lives for the better. Thanks. [applause]

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Hi, I'm Sophia El Shakali and I'm a freshman here at Central. I only had Coach Jones for one season. Um, and I'm a part of the 10 Central Women's volleyball program. I may not have had Coach Jones as a teacher, but by having him as my coach truly helped me. He's the kind of person that shows confidence

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in others, supports them, and is compassionate towards them. as just a freshman and having Jones for only one year had an outstanding impact on me as a player and as a person. Personally, I've struggled with confidence as a player and numerous times Jones has

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given me the confidence that I needed. Confidence that helps you push through problems and helps you push through problems not just in the athletic aspect but through life. Jones has so much love for the school and especially the volleyball program

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and you can see the compassion, effort and love that he has towards it through the ef through the many through the many contributes that he gives to the program. There was a one time after a volleyball game where my confidence was so low in myself, but Jones said to me and he reassured me

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that I was a good player and I was good enough to be on the team and he had trust in me and that means so much more than one person can imagine and especially as an athlete, you can see that. And I hope that knowing just as a freshman, only having one year with Jones and seeing the impact that he has

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on so many players, especially just from one year truly shows you how important he is to not only the school, but just to people in general. Hi, I'm McKenzie Arnold from Flemington and I'm a freshman. Coach Jones was my volleyball coach this year. I have known

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Coach Jones for less than a year and I don't like talking in front of a lot of people, especially on such an important topic. So, the fact that I'm here fighting for him says a lot about Coach Jones and his impact on me. He had helped me a lot this season and had definitely been one of my favorite coaches because he has helped me grow mentally and physically. He shows

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support to everyone and puts all his effort into helping us improve. Coming into the team, I was very nervous and he showed me that nerves are okay, okay, and helped me feel seen. He helped me become more confident. When I first came to this team, I was just grateful to have an opportunity to play. I thought

428
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that as a freshman it was going to be a good learning experience, but it was more than that. He never failed me or my team. Overall, I'm really happy I got to experience my freshman volleyball season with him, and I really hope to get to experience more because I know it would make me and many others better people. Thank you. [applause]

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Hello, my name is Daniel Albano. from the uh Raritton Township. I graduated 100 Central in 2021 and went on to Case Western Reserve University and am now coming back uh to the area to study a doctoral program in clinical

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psychology at Widner University. I bring up all those things because we've seen from all of these students and the parents the impact that a positive mentor and a role model can have on students on adolescence at such

431
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formative years. Coach Jones was one of those people for myself who inspired me every day to work hard to bring the most out of myself to give 100% of what I had. And that was a life skill that has since brought me to each of the

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accomplishments that I've been able to achieve. Additionally, over the past year working in Cleveland at a child and adolescent psychiatry unit, I've been able to see some people in high school, in middle school, experiencing some of the lowest

433
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of lows, being in the most dire of situations, and thinking that life is not worth it. In my years at Central, there have been a couple of incidents where that was the case for students. And from what I saw

434
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over the last year working with those individuals, I got to see the impact that a role model that a mentor can have on individuals. That is what we are seeing as well with all of the individuals who have been able to speak.

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Having a coach like Coach Jones, having a teacher like Coach Jones can inspire people to become the best versions of themselves and has been part of the process for inspiring me to do that for myself. Thank you very much for your

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time and consideration. [applause] Good evening. I'm Mike Vilifane. I live in Flemington Burough. So, for the past six years, I've worked basically year round with Kevin Jones. Um,

437
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and because of it, I'm definitely a better person, father, coach, uh, teacher. So, just to give you some context, I mean, I my heart is full. These are students that I have worked with over these last years with coach and

438
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they stood up in front of a room in front of very important people in their lives understanding the gravity of the moment and spoke eloquently with their heart in their sleeves. Uh these young men and women bearing their truths for you guys to see. Um just makes me so proud of you. Uh I hope this is on

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public record. I'm so proud of you guys. That's incredible for you and Coach Jones is a part of that. He brought them to this place and gave them that confidence to be able to do that. Um, I work in a therapeutic school where a lot of our students have school trauma,

440
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anxiety, depressive disorders. Um, just some of the worst stories from education and I wish they had an opportunity to work with someone like Kevin because I think a lot of them, you know, maybe my own job would be at risk, but a lot of them wouldn't be at my school. Um, he is

441
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a culture creator. uh you talked about student voice and I thought that's such an amazing thing because my kids will eventually come to this school and we've heard from our students in such a poetic way knowing that

442
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we often miss opportunities as adults to hear truly what our students and our young ones have for us. and it is a tremendous testament to Kevin that they're able to do this in front of you.

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Um, a personal story, this fall was one of the hardest times for my family. My daughter was born, she's my second. Uh, and she was born with a rare disease. Her skull fused early and she needed surgery on her skull. Uh, I was also displaced from my house for a construction project and just about

444
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every life challenge at once. and working with Coach Jones allowed me to bring my son to practice to still coach with the girls program. Um, and to get through that time, he was supportive. He was a friend. He showed me how to be a father. Um, his own family having their

445
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own challenges within them. Um, his wife, how he is as a husband and a partner in his relationship just has honestly meant so much to me. So, I'm with these kids. I am better off knowing Kevin, working with Kevin. And I am so

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proud to be standing before you and advocating for Kevin. Um, I believe in the best in people. It's why I'm a teacher. It's why I'm a coach. It's why I do the things I do. It's why I'm proud to live in Flemington. And I just leave you with not ego put myself aside and I

447
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say, let's do what's best for them. uh and consider being the role models that they're looking for in all of us. So I thank you very much and appreciate your consideration on all these things. [applause] Um I was going to say I thank you. I

448
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think we've we've had an hour. Um, there will be another public comment at the end of the meeting, but we do need to get to the business portion of the meeting unless if Are you the very last speaker? >> Yeah, it'll just take a minute. >> Okay.

449
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>> I was Will you stay to the end to >> I'll stay till the end. >> Thank you. topic. >> Okay, that would be awesome. Yeah, there will be another public comment on any topic at the at the end.

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>> All right, I am Sam Mukerjee. I am from Flemington Township. So, I think it's been made pretty clear right now that Jones is of a pretty high character. Anyone who's known him for just a minute can see that. And anyone who's known him for maybe a few months can start to

451
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appreciate his pretty terrible sarcasm. Um, anyway, I am here for, I'll be honest, a rather selfish reason. You see, I have I have a few friends on still in the men's program, still in the women's program, who are still freshman,

452
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sophomore, juniors. Uh, they're going to come back to this school, to this program, and I really want them to have the opportunity to learn from Jones, to learn under Jones. You see, he's a man who is a very high character. He's going to find success no matter where he goes. It isn't a matter of whether he stays at

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Central or goes. It's whether it's a matter of whether or not he's going to be able to continue to benefit Central. You see, the juniors, the sophomores, the freshmen, all the underassmen that came up here today, they may be begging you for an opportunity to keep learning under Jones, myself, my fellow seniors,

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the parents, the alumni, the coaches who come here tonight. We are not going to learn in a formal setting from Jones come June 18th. And yet, we're still here. If it hasn't been made abundantly clear so far, this is Kevin Jones. He

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isn't one man. He's a community. And to fire one man, to get rid of one man over something so simple, is not to replace an indispensable, a dispensable man, but rather to call an entire community.

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[snorts] Coach Jones, I am extremely grateful. I'm grateful to have known you. I'm grateful to have had you as a teacher last year. I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me this year. I'm grateful that you saw something in me. And now, as I approach the end of my time at Central, as I finally get away

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from the control of this board of this school and all of its asinine regulations, Coach Jones, I'm proud to say [laughter] I'm proud and I'm grateful to say that you were my friend. Thank you. [applause] All right, thank you all. We're going to

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close public comment and move on to the organizational items. I would just like to make a motion to withdraw Mr. Jones's name from the non-renewal list and reinstate him and renew him at central. Can I get a second?

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>> I'd second that. >> Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> We're we're trying to figure out semantics. I apologize. So, my understanding is that there is no such thing as a non-renewal list. So, the motion needs to be that we would

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reinstate Mr. Jones. I think that's >> Miss Sant. >> Okay, then I'll restate it. I would like to make a motion to reinstate Mr. Jones at Central. Can I get a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you. [applause]

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>> Okay. So, um, we can either vote on this now or postpone it to a later point in the meeting. Um, but it's a personnel issue, so there isn't much discussion that can be had. >> I would like to vote on it now. >> We made the motion now, so I'd like to

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vote on it now. >> Okay. I mean, unless someone makes a motion to postpone it, I'm fine voting on it now. >> I would like to postpone it because I think we should talk about it. It's it's it is a personnel issue that we wouldn't actually bring up here.

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>> Let's postpone that vote until after the next executive session. And that's my motion. You're out of order. Please, >> ma'am. I'm sorry. >> Could we please stay in order? >> What would be the reason to postpone it?

464
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>> So, the reason to postpone it would be to allow the board to discuss this in the second executive session that we have later this evening. Um, >> we already discussed it though in the first executive session. >> Is there a second to postpone? >> If there's not a second,

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Okay. >> Okay. >> Vote to postpone. >> Okay. >> I think don't we have to vote though on the first motion on the table? >> It was post it that we need to vote on whether to postpone the first motion on

466
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the table now. So the motion on the table is to postpone the vote to reinstate Mr. Jones until after executive the second executive session. >> Correct. That's correct. >> Okay. >> We are listening to you and that's why

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we actually need to go back into executive session. >> So, Miss Stokes, can we have a roll call vote on the motion to postpone? >> Okay. >> Miss Bryce,

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>> yes. Miss Gong, >> yes. >> Dr. Halpern, >> yes. >> Miss Laccasta, >> no. >> Mrs. Santangelo. >> No, because we already discussed it already. >> Miss Wallace,

469
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>> yes, because we have more to discuss. >> Mrs. Kellogg, >> yes. >> Okay, majority is yes. Motion carries. >> So, postpone >> that we will return and have a vote on this following executive session at the end of the meeting. However, we do need to get through the rest of the business

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of this meeting before that happens. So, there will be a vote on this tonight. Okay. So, moving on to the organizational items. Can I have someone move items H1

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through H 8? H1 through H8. >> You need a motion to move >> H1 through H8. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Okay, thank you. >> I know, but >> yeah,

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>> just keep moving. Okay, are there any comments on organizational items H1 through H8? >> Yes, I have a comment about item number four, professional services, specifically regarding items 817 and 24.

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I don't agree with um appointing personal attorneys for ethics complaints as our special counsel. We there is no way to track who's going to use them. Their rates are way higher than our other attorneys and I think there's a

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conflict there when you're d you the these are people that you chose and now you want to put them on as a list for the board. So I think it's completely inappropriate. Um, it's overlapping representation. It there's pending litigation with some of these attorneys.

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I I I think we should actually move tease this out and discuss it. Um, but this is this is actually opens up the district for major liability. I don't understand why you would do that. >> I believe that the board discussed at least number eight and the board voted

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to have that name on the list. >> Yes. for a specific for a specific ethics complaint. >> Correct. >> Not not for the scope of services with regard to the district though. >> Correct. And and I I don't believe that there's any intention for the scope of

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services to change from what the original um motion was. And I I can understand how that would be confusing based on how this is is is proposed. So, I would certainly if someone would like

478
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to make an amendment um to specify the ethics complaint number or um if we you know I I'm I'm not sure how we would want to approach that. But each of those special counsels were appointed

479
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specifically for an ethics complaint and and those those numbers and that is the intention is to and and I will also say that board counsel is the one that recommended that we have them on the professional service providers because

480
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there were so many comments about board members not understanding or not being able to find the um required hourly rates for those um for those attorneys. So I guess is there is there someone who

481
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would like to make a motion or to amend that or is there any other discussion? I will make a motion to amend um items 817 and 24 should be removed from the list because there is a conflict of

482
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interest. There is no contract directly with the district that is specifically related to an individual in a personal ethics complaint. C can I ask a question? Um are you objecting because they're not directly paid by the

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district or because the district needs the people it needs to be public. It needs to be visible. So are you saying it should be listed somewhere else because it's clearly that this isn't they're not board counsel. not special education. They're not labor. >> No, they're being right. But they're

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being called special counsel just like Mr. Rosselli was called special counsel and then he was engaged in services that the board wasn't aware of. And so I would like to avoid uh that happening again. >> But where do you want to put it? Because

485
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these are things that >> are approved, right? But there but they've already had a resolution and so they don't need to be put anywhere. They're not special counsel. They're specific to an individual. They're they have nothing to do with the district. >> Okay. Um my understanding from Miss

486
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Kangalosi Hay and Miss Stokes is that they are technically special counsel. That's how our accounting system categorizes them. Um what's that? I I understand the concern. Um, if we

487
03:57:15.120 --> 03:57:32.720
wanted to add, so, uh, Kyle Trent did advise us to reapprove the work for the attorneys. He said that was ideal. I believe I shared that correspondence with everyone on the board. Um, so that's why they're on that list, but I do understand the concern. So, if we

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wanted to relist it for specific approved ethics cases, I think maybe that would solve your concern. Um, which I under I do understand. And I also think he said that the rates should not be higher than regular board counsel. And also D, with all due respect, I

489
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don't even know if you should be speaking about this because these are your personal attorneys. I don't get it. Are you going to be able to vote on these or are you going to actually abstain? Makes zero sense. >> These attorneys and these rates were approved by UDICA and which is our

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insurance company and it went through the process to do so. So, um, correct. But that's on a personal basis that has nothing to do with the district. It's completely different. >> How does it not have to do with the district? Right?

491
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>> Would they be in ethics complaints if they weren't on the board? >> Right. But I'm talking about the scope of services and the contractual terms and conditions. >> What What is the What's really the problem? What's the What's in the contract, Lisa? That that should be

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>> I have no idea. Right. How do we know? We do we we don't have a contract with them. >> I remember the one about David Rubin. >> Yes. >> Can I just speak right? And that actually wasn't I think about >> but that's that's specific to um the former board member, not to the

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district. So the terms and conditions can be completely different. We don't know what are we signing up for. That's the that's the question. But we approved it as a board >> for a specific individual who selected that person. >> Where do you want to see it? It's part

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of the budget. Where do you want to see it? It may not be paid by us ultimately. It's paid by UDICA, but where do you want to see it? That's the point. Arguing whether whether D should be voting or not is a separate issue. But

495
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where do you want to see it if you don't want her to vote on it? I I disagree with it being in this document completely. I don't think we need to see it because we already have a resolution for that very narrow specific service.

496
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So I don't I think this is this makes it very vague and opens up the door for people to utilize a law firm that is not engaged contractually with the district. So I don't think it should be here. >> Okay. So, what I'm hearing is that we

497
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either need a motion to amend the description to these specific um uh matters that have been preapproved. Would someone like to make that motion? >> I think she did.

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>> Oh, well, I think I think Lisa made a motion to to remove the items. So, we >> It wasn't seconded as far as I know. So I I it feels like we need to do one or the other of those.

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>> Can you just repeat the motion? >> I'd like the motion to repeat to be repeated so we can figure out what we're voting on. So, I would like to amend this to remove items 8,1 17 and 24 until we can clarify more specifics. I don't think it should

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be on here tonight. >> Okay. >> Second. Second. >> Okay. So, again, this would be to remove those items that were re recommended by board council to be placed on this list. Um so we will vote on the the motion to

501
04:01:22.800 --> 04:01:40.880
remove those items not to amend but to remove which is again against the advice given to us by board counsel. Miss Stokes Dr. Halpern. >> Yes.

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04:01:40.880 --> 04:01:56.800
>> Miss Laccasta. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo. >> Yes. Mayor Stella Wallace, >> no. >> Miss Bryce, >> no. >> Miss Gong, >> no. >> And Miss Keller,

503
04:01:56.800 --> 04:02:11.040
>> no. >> Okay. No, it is not being removed. >> I was going to say, so do we want to amend the motion to clarify that the uh special counsel is specific to ethics

504
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complaints? If not then um can we just move on to voting on items H1? Okay. H1 through H8. Okay. >> So what just happened? So, so we did not remove the the motion to remove those

505
04:02:34.880 --> 04:02:58.640
three items from H2 H4 failed. So, now we're moving on to voting on approving items H1 through H8. So, Miss Stokes,

506
04:02:58.640 --> 04:03:17.199
>> Dr. Mr. Halpern, >> this is all of H, right? >> All of H. Yes, >> Miss Laccasta. >> Uh, yes. And I can just clarify that within H, excuse me, four,

507
04:03:17.199 --> 04:03:43.359
right? Can specify lines uh 17 as a no within number four. Okay, Miss Santangelo. Okay. So, I'm I'm abstaining from number two because I think there's conflicting

508
04:03:43.359 --> 04:03:58.479
information and I don't have enough information to vote on that. With regard to item number four, um within number four, I'm voting no to 81 17 and 24. >> All the other items? >> Yes.

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>> Okay. Thank you. Miss Wallace, >> yes. >> Miss Bryce, >> yes. >> Miss Gong, >> yes. >> Miss Kellogg, >> um yes, except I'm abstaining on H4

510
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items 17 and 24. Okay. Okay. Motions carried. >> Thank you. All right. Dr. Halpern, student life and program. The student life and program committee

511
04:04:33.040 --> 04:04:48.880
met on May 26th. In attendance were Jessica Kangelosi Hade, Ellen Halpern, Edward Brandt, Dee Dicher, Matthew Hall, Darthia Kellogg, and Nicole Bryce. The committee approved um two action items which are really three action items. Um

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the committee approved a text reviewed a textbook adoption request for the DR district's new AP business principles course which will be offered for the first time in the upcoming school year. The administration reported highly impressive student enrollment with seven sections scheduled to run just about at

513
04:05:04.560 --> 04:05:20.880
a capacity. The evaluation process thoroughly reviewed factors such as reading accessibility, highquality material design, and the balanced representation of diverse social and professional groups. Um, even though I didn't feel any problem with this, I also asked to see the book and I took a

514
04:05:20.880 --> 04:05:36.319
look at it myself and I found it really interesting and I know many many students will be glad that they got this kind of education. The other two action items were tuition and transportation. Number two is an adjustment to a current out of district placements, tuition

515
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adjust and tuition adjustments and transportation. And the third were new contracts. The meeting ended at 7:15 p.m. >> Thank you. You're moving items. >> Moving items one to three. I I one to three. I one through three. Is there a

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04:05:56.000 --> 04:06:14.239
second? >> Second. >> Any comments? Miss Stokes, roll call. >> Miss Laccasta, >> yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo, >> yes. >> Miss Wallace, >> yes.

517
04:06:14.239 --> 04:06:29.040
>> Miss Bryce, >> yes. >> Miss Gong, >> yes. >> Dr. Halpern, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Kellogg, >> yes. >> All yes. Motions carried. >> Miss Lacosta, operations and transportation.

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Thank you. Um, in the interest of time, I'm going to go through a little quick. Um, so in the section we covered in the meeting, um, financial reports, invoices, transfers, and I apologize, I should back up. The meeting, the committee meetings took place on June

519
04:06:44.960 --> 04:06:59.760
2nd. Um we started at 7:28 and in attendance was Vernon Williams, Ellen Halpern, uh Dorothia Kellogg, Lesie Laccasta and um also present Jessica Kangalloce Hay, Heather Spitzer,

520
04:06:59.760 --> 04:07:16.239
Maryanne Stokes, and that's everybody. Um so discussing financial reports, invoices, transfers, um transportation jointure, uh we also went through

521
04:07:16.239 --> 04:07:31.920
selling and purchasing of buses and vans. Um, end of year capital and maintenance reserves, uh, extended school year routes and going township by township. Um,

522
04:07:31.920 --> 04:07:49.600
let's see, pest management. There were lots of things on this list. And then finally with capital reserve fund, but everything is listed there. So there's 28 items. So, I'm asking to move items 1 through 28 if I can get a second.

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>> Second. >> Excuse me. >> 29 items. >> Did I got it? Apologies. Hold. Take that second. Got it. Okay. One section was split out since the meeting. So, we originally had

524
04:08:19.439 --> 04:08:38.080
28 when we were there. A topic was split out. So, it is 1 through 29. Apologies. >> So, can I get a second to move one through 29? >> Yes. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Fantastic. Any comments, questions? Sorry to if that was yours. I was going

525
04:08:38.080 --> 04:08:55.199
to say, um, Miss Wallace, is there any comment you'd like to make since you were the chair of the, um, attorney RFP committee? >> I will say it went much more smoothly than I expected with a room full of attorneys. Um, I believe that everyone had their questions answered. Um, every

526
04:08:55.199 --> 04:09:11.120
single attorney that showed up, um, I would have been comfortable with representing the board and I believe we had, um, the whole, uh, committee concur. We did go with uh scar scarcy scari scarcy we we still don't know how

527
04:09:11.120 --> 04:09:26.960
to uh pronounce that because it's da Vinci not da Vinci. Uh so their hourly rate is 175 for a partner and associate and a parallegal is 125 and the contract should not

528
04:09:26.960 --> 04:09:44.160
exceed $110,000 for all legal services. Uh Clearary Gia Kobe uh same thing. Very very comfortable. Um they're going to handle our labor and um

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that's it. >> Thank you. Any other comments on operations and transportation? >> Yes, I have a comment with regard to item number 12, which is the end ofear capital reserves. So, um, back in March,

530
04:10:02.239 --> 04:10:19.120
the district requested public support for a 3% tax levy increase and later reduced that request to 2.27 following public concern. At the preliminary budget meeting, administration indicated that even that increase was not necessary. We didn't have to do it. At

531
04:10:19.120 --> 04:10:35.920
the same time, the district continues to experience declining enrollment for 10 years, employs more than 300 non-tenured staff members, has experienced declining performance metrics, and presented a 5-year health benefits projection without supporting documentation demonstrating the projected fiscal

532
04:10:35.920 --> 04:10:51.520
cliff. Given these factors, I believe the board should reconsider these funds. This is $5 million. So, I would like to move to cons reconsider the proposed transfer of up to $5 million into capital reserves and instead direct

533
04:10:51.520 --> 04:11:08.800
those funds be applied to reduce the tax burden on district taxpayers. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, I believe now we are voting on the motion to

534
04:11:08.800 --> 04:11:30.960
instead of moving up to $5 million into capital reserves um to use that money to reduce the tax levy. >> Okay. So, the

535
04:11:30.960 --> 04:11:48.720
>> question the mo the motion actually We can't since the since the budget has been passed, we can't do anything about the tax levy. But the motion could be to not put that money in capital reserves. >> That's what I said. Yes. Correct.

536
04:11:48.720 --> 04:12:07.439
>> And then where does the money go? >> Goes back to the taxpayers. >> How does it go back to the taxpayers? may which which may have historically never been done but it is uh one of the options. So I don't know the details on that logistics that that's for the

537
04:12:07.439 --> 04:12:23.680
business office but I don't think it makes sense to ask the taxpayer for money when there's 29 million in capital reserves and then you want to put an additional 5 million in. So I say let's listen to the taxpayers that came out here and spoke and give it back to them

538
04:12:23.680 --> 04:12:38.319
and let the business office work out the logistics. >> You know the taxpayers also talked about mental health and so I believe the board really didn't listen to that. So I really have a problem with this item 12.

539
04:12:38.319 --> 04:12:54.720
How do you get it back to the taxpayers? >> Sorry. Can I just ask a quick question because this has come up before where Jessica I'm just asking you because you had brought it up because there's a term about back to the taxpayer but it's really a line item somewhere. It's not

540
04:12:54.720 --> 04:13:09.600
like physically going back and I apologize for putting you on the spot. >> It's right. It's not a refund back to we we call it tax relief. I think you heard that in the tenative budget presentation. It is not tax relief in

541
04:13:09.600 --> 04:13:25.439
the form of here's a refund check. It goes it is applied to a future year's budget. Not next year because that's done. It's technically the year after that >> but it's an option beyond going into

542
04:13:25.439 --> 04:13:42.479
capital reserves. >> Yeah. And I I believe that the challenge that Mrs. Spitzer has explained to us is that that's a one-time sort of a thing. So, we end up reducing the tax levy, but then the tax levy increases significantly the following year. Um,

543
04:13:42.479 --> 04:13:56.960
and I will also point out that we have a 66 mill 6669 million capital plan. Um, if I'm remembering correctly and >> but but I would also say that the 66 million in the long range plan is not

544
04:13:56.960 --> 04:14:12.880
all priorities. That 66 million is not all priorities. And that's per the administration that spoke about that. >> I think we got a little off track because if we can move the 5 million not to next year

545
04:14:12.880 --> 04:14:28.560
usage but has to go the year after. Is that true? Then nothing changes about the taxes. >> I'm not sure that's accurate. I think we would have to get uh >> we haven't done it before. So I think we should get that information. But it doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. It

546
04:14:28.560 --> 04:14:44.159
can't. It doesn't happen. >> Okay. I think I think we need to vote on this motion and I from my perspective. >> Okay. So that the motion would be to and and Miss Santangelo, just so I am clear

547
04:14:44.159 --> 04:15:00.479
and I'm using the correct language, the motion would be to um appropriate the unexpected unexpended line item budget amounts up to $5 million to tax relief. >> Correct.

548
04:15:00.479 --> 04:15:15.680
>> Okay. >> Can I just But we don't know what that tax relief will look like. Is that correct? Well, we know we know that it will come off of the 2027 2028 budget,

549
04:15:15.680 --> 04:15:31.840
but then we won't have so it it would cause a reduction in the 2027 2028 tax levy, but that would rebound the following year. So essentially, it creates it creates a roller coaster. So if we avoid

550
04:15:31.840 --> 04:15:48.479
>> if we do make that transfer then it's more than likely our taxes will stay more stable. >> Is that correct? >> If we leave the motion the way it currently is our taxes will remain >> stay more stable rather than go down and then spike directly up. Is that what we're saying? >> Yes. Thank you.

551
04:15:48.479 --> 04:16:04.800
>> I I I disagree with that. >> That offsets it offsets the increase that you got the 2.27%. It offsets that. You just pay it later. >> Okay. Um can we Miss Stokes?

552
04:16:04.800 --> 04:16:22.319
>> So we are we are voting only on the motion to move the unexpected unexpended line item budgets up to $5 million to the tax relief account which is against the advice of our business

553
04:16:22.319 --> 04:16:44.359
administrator. Um, Miss Lcasta, >> sorry we went round and around so many times. May I ask a question? I'm sorry. >> Can't hear you. >> Do we have a tax relief account that we can move this into?

554
04:16:54.800 --> 04:17:11.199
Okay, we are voting on the motion to not put the money into capital reserve and or maintenance reserve. Right. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Miss Lcasta. >> Yes. >> Miss Santangelo? >> Yes.

555
04:17:11.199 --> 04:17:25.359
>> Miss Wallace? >> No. >> Miss Bryce? >> No. >> Miss Gong? >> No. Dr. Halpern, >> no. >> And Mrs. Kellogg, >> no.

556
04:17:25.359 --> 04:17:42.880
>> Okay. Motion fails. >> Okay. So, we're back to the original motion of um J1 through J 28 or 29, I'm sorry. [laughter] Are there any additional comments? >> I have an additional comment regarding

557
04:17:42.880 --> 04:17:59.840
items 13 and 14. I sent an email as you know after we received the agenda on Friday um requesting that the contracts for the law firms be attached for review and I have not seen those and I just want to remind everyone last year when

558
04:17:59.840 --> 04:18:16.399
we went through this these are all the contracts right the reason why we look at this is not everything's covered in the RFPs and in the contract specifically it says the law firm and the client have read and agreed to this agreement the law firm has answered all of your questions and fully explained this agreement to your complete

559
04:18:16.399 --> 04:18:32.479
satisfaction. Every one of these contracts that we have says that, but yet we haven't seen the contracts. So, I can't uh approve this unless I see that. So, I requested it. I didn't get it. And that's my comment. And the reason the contracts haven't

560
04:18:32.479 --> 04:18:49.439
been provided is because we don't get the contracts from the attorneys until after we approve which attorneys we're going to use. So, you certainly can choose to abstain or vote no, but the contracts are not available to be provided to you. >> I believe last year the contracts were

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04:18:49.439 --> 04:19:07.199
in hand and they were officially um signed the very next day. >> Um so, my understanding is that the contracts were not in hand last year and they were never reviewed by the board. >> Correct. That's why I'm asking for them now. So, right, we had a lot of issues

562
04:19:07.199 --> 04:19:22.319
with contracts last year. So, I was hoping we learned our lesson. >> Miss Stokes, roll call, please. Miss Laccasta, >> what are we voting on? >> Um, items 1 through 29.

563
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>> Miss Lcasta, >> I apologize because the >> the numbering >> No, it's not just it's not the numbering. Capital reserve is in two spots and it's not 29. What's the I'm looking through too many pages. I apologize.

564
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>> Yeah, thank you. >> Yes, for everything 1 through 29 with the exception of 12. >> Mrs. Santangelo. >> Yes to everything with with exception to 12,13 14 and 15. >> Miss Wallace,

565
04:20:15.920 --> 04:20:31.199
>> yes. >> Miss Bryce, >> yes. >> Miss Gong, >> yes. >> Dr. Halpern, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Kellogg, >> yes. Yes, except I'm abstaining on uh check

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04:20:31.199 --> 04:20:47.680
number 860007, 86008, and 8611 under item number two, invoices. >> Okay. Majority yes. Motions carry. Miss Gone, personnel.

567
04:20:47.680 --> 04:21:03.840
>> Yes. Uh personnel committee met on June 2nd. The meeting was attended by Marisilla Wallace, D Kellogg, David Bailey, Jessica Kangalloce, Hay, and me. Personnel has 35 action items that are recommended by the superintendent. The committee did not receive any questions

568
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from other board members. I should actually have said that the personnel committee has 35 action items and an addendum item that was added today. For item one, there are two retirements, both with 25 or more years. Item two is an appointment of a new

569
04:21:18.960 --> 04:21:34.800
hireer as an art teacher. This teacher has worked in the district as a substitute art teacher previously. Item three is a position change. A current social worker wants to move to a student assistance coordinator position. Item four seeks approval for 13 individuals

570
04:21:34.800 --> 04:21:50.560
for various summer work. Hourly rates are included. Item five seeks approval for a substitute secretarial position. And item six seeks approval for par professionals to provide escorts on and off buses for students and for supervision for before and after school

571
04:21:50.560 --> 04:22:08.000
hours for the 2026 27 school year. Items seven and eight are requests for approval for SAT course instructors and an SAT course coordinator. Item nine requests approval for a home instructor for the summer. Items 10-11 seek approval to appoint district employed

572
04:22:08.000 --> 04:22:24.560
certified teachers, counselors, and related service professionals as home instructors or chaperones for the 2026 27th school year. The salaries for the home instructors and chaperones is set in the HCA contract. Items 12 through 15 are appointments for the summer,

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04:22:24.560 --> 04:22:41.600
including multilingual intake testing, curriculum writing for various subjects such as English, fine arts, music, and several others listed on the agenda. Summer campus security and nurses as needed. Hourly or daily rates are listed. Item 16 seeks approval for the reappointment

574
04:22:41.600 --> 04:22:59.760
of a substitute secretary for the 202627 school year. Item 17 confirms two tenured HCA teachers who will reach their respective next steps on the HCA salary guide effective September 1st of this year. Item 18 sets substitute for

575
04:22:59.760 --> 04:23:16.159
DM or hourly rates for five categories of employees for the next school year. Items 19 through 21 is for professional development workshop attendees and or instructors. Courses for items 20 and 21 are paid for by title 2A grant money.

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04:23:16.159 --> 04:23:32.600
Item 22 seeks approval for a robotics adviser for our fabulous robotics program. Item 23 seeks approval for schedule D positions, athletic coaches for the fall, and one strength and conditioning coach for the summer.

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04:23:33.199 --> 04:23:48.640
Items 24 and 25 are for providing summer counseling services and project work, respectively. Items 26 and 27 seek approval for special services for the summer for the child's study team and for IEP meetings. Items 24 through 27

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have limits on hours worked. Item 28 seeks approval for teachers, pair of professionals, nurses, behaviorists, and a speech therapist for the summer. Item 29 lists hourly rates and bus drivers for the summer. Number 10 on the bus driver list is a substitute hourly rate.

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Item 30 is a list of 13 possible student workers for the summer. Item 31, if given approval, will allow a current teacher to work on his practicum. Item 32 is to prove is to approve leaves of absence for six individuals, two of whom

580
04:24:22.080 --> 04:24:39.439
received previous interim approval from the superintendent. Item 33 is an amendment to a teacher's leave of absence. Item 34 is to approve an addendum to the assistant business administrator and acting school BA contract for the 2026 27 school year.

581
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This is recommended by the superintendent and approved by the executive county superintendent. Item 35 seeks approval to authorize the retirement district contribution to be put into the current BA's 403b account. This action will save the district

582
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money. The addendum item confirms nine members of the HCAA their base salary or their new base salary or if there is a longevity um to be paid. And then there is a

583
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nonaffiliated individual who is also listed and their salary and longevity is also on the agenda. With that, I'd like to move items 1 through 35 with an addendum. >> Do I have a second?

584
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>> Second. I have also a question. Since we since we're going to be reconsidering um uh Mr. Jones in our executive session. I think we have to find the places where his potential replacements are on that list of um coaches and I

585
04:25:45.120 --> 04:26:00.000
don't know teacher as well so that um we don't vote to do it before we vote again on him. >> I don't believe there's a volleyball coach listed but you can look at it. There's a girls volleyball coach listed

586
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as 23 of 23 an assistant. >> Okay. So, there's no there's nothing yet in here about his position, >> teacher or volleyball. >> That is correct. >> Okay. I just wanted that assurance. >> Thank you.

587
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>> Any other comments, Miss Stokes? Mrs. Sant >> Oh, sorry. Was there a second? >> I had a second. U Mrs. Dr. Halpern seconded. >> Okay. Um, so we're going to start. Mrs. Santangelo, >> yes. >> Miss Wallace,

588
04:26:38.880 --> 04:26:54.359
>> yes. >> Miss Bryce, >> yes. >> Miss Gong, >> yes. >> Dr. Halpern, >> yes. >> Miss Laccasta, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kellogg, >> yes. >> All yes. Motions carry.

589
04:26:55.279 --> 04:27:12.800
And congratulations to Miss Stokes. Yes, >> Miss Bryce. Policy. Thank you. Uh, the policy committee met on May 26th. In attendance were Reverend Williams, Mrs. Kellogg, Ms. Canelosi

590
04:27:12.800 --> 04:27:30.800
Hay, and myself. The committee is reviewing the 9,000 section of the policy guide. policy in need of minimal updates to align with the Strauss Esme versions were identified. The committee did not receive any questions or concerns related to agenda items K1, K2,

591
04:27:30.800 --> 04:27:48.399
or K3. The committee has four items for approval on first reading. Policy 9140, Citizens Advisory Committee. Policy 9210, Parent Organizations. Policy 9270 homeschooling and equivalent

592
04:27:48.399 --> 04:28:05.920
education outside the schools and policy 9400 media relations. Uh policy language is updated to align with current Strauss Esme language including changing the term public to citizens in policy 9140

593
04:28:05.920 --> 04:28:23.319
and the term pupil to student in policy 9270. Um, for policy 9210, the parent organizations, I just like to point out that the term parent is identified in bylaw 0000.02.

594
04:28:25.199 --> 04:28:40.159
Uh, the title of that bylaw's introduction and I just want to read the definition of of parent. Um the natural parent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, foster parent or parental surrogate of a

595
04:28:40.159 --> 04:28:57.279
pupil where parents are separated or divorced. Parent means the person or agency who has legal custody of the pupil as well as the natural or adoptive parent of the pupil provided such parental rights have not been terminated by a court of appropriate jurisdiction.

596
04:28:57.279 --> 04:29:14.080
Um, I just want to point that out because when you see in the proposed policy change, it removes the word guardian, which the committee was concerned over. Um, we're usually very careful to include parent and and or guardian. Um, so I just want to direct

597
04:29:14.080 --> 04:29:29.439
everybody to that definition of parent, which includes guardian. Um, the committee has five items for approval and one item for abolishment on second reading detailed at the May 18th board of education meeting and is listed under

598
04:29:29.439 --> 04:29:47.120
items K2 and K3 of tonight's agenda. Finally, I'd like to provide an update on the cell phone policy that I spoke about last month. Um we understand from Strauss Esme that the uh New Jersey Department of Education will be releasing an FAQ document this month

599
04:29:47.120 --> 04:30:03.600
pertaining to the definition of bell-to-bell restrictions and other clarifications. Uh Strauss Esme has prepared an updated policy and regulation but is waiting to publish until the FAQ document is released. We continue to monitor

600
04:30:03.600 --> 04:30:19.520
developments and we'll resume work on revising our policy accordingly um as soon as we receive further communication from the state and strame. And with that, I'd like to make a motion to approve items K1 through K3.

601
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>> Second. >> I believe it's L1 through L3. >> Sorry, >> it did change. I'm sorry. L. So in that report, everywhere I said K, I meant L. I second L. [laughter]

602
04:30:36.080 --> 04:30:59.279
>> Any comments on the policies? >> Miss Stokes. Roll call. >> Miss Wallace. >> Yes. >> Miss Bryce, >> yes. Miss Gong, >> yes. >> Dr. Halpern, >> yes. >> Miss Laccasta,

603
04:30:59.279 --> 04:31:18.000
>> yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Kellogg. >> Yes. >> All yes. Motions carry. >> Are there other committee or liaison reports this evening? >> You know, I usually have one. Thank you.

604
04:31:18.000 --> 04:31:35.199
Um I just under uh the leazison reports for New Jersey School Boards Association. Um, I just want to let everybody know on May 20th I attended another one of their webinars. Um, the what's Brewing in Education Law Coffee

605
04:31:35.199 --> 04:31:50.239
Talk with Kathy and Caitlyn they call it. Um, and this webinar is presented by NJSBA's legal team every two months. And they go over the most recent legal decisions posted by uh the Commissioner of Education and the School Ethics

606
04:31:50.239 --> 04:32:06.000
Commission. Um, the two in-house attorneys at NJSBA, Kathy and Caitlyn, they informally discuss the facts from the most relevant cases, the determinations that were rendered, um, and how those decisions may implicate

607
04:32:06.000 --> 04:32:22.239
the service of board members and or administration. Um, so this most recent webinar in May, it uh, covered decisions from February and March as well as public advisory opinions that were issued in March. Um and they the

608
04:32:22.239 --> 04:32:36.880
attorneys commented that several public advisory opinions tend to come out all at once. Um moving forward, starting with the new fiscal year on July 1st, NJSBA is aiming for these webinars to be

609
04:32:36.880 --> 04:32:53.680
offered for CLLE uh continuing legal education credits for licensed New Jersey attorneys, which I don't think any of our board members are, but that's kind of a a nice touch. Um, and that's just my report from NJSBA.

610
04:32:53.680 --> 04:33:08.240
>> Thank you. Any other committee or leazison reports? >> Yes. I just wanted to report out about our bus driver negotiations. We held our second negotiation meeting on Monday, June 1st. Uh, we, the district, presented a proposal to the

611
04:33:08.240 --> 04:33:27.760
bus drivers negotiation team, and uh, we're waiting for their response to our proposal. We will continue negotiations at our next meeting which is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, June 10th. Any other Okay. Any additional board

612
04:33:27.760 --> 04:33:48.799
business? If not, um we will go into the last of the residents forums. Um this is general public comment, so you can make comments on any topic that you're interested in. um or that you'd like to share with the board.

613
04:33:48.799 --> 04:34:13.320
>> How many folks are planning to speak? Two, three, four, five, six. Yeah, I I think we're okay. Staying at five minutes a piece. >> Can I move the microphone up? >> Thank you. >> It's fine. Thank you.

614
04:34:21.680 --> 04:34:38.639
Oh, it's okay. It's fine. Thank you. Um, my name is uh my name is Harley Baker and I live in Ringo. I'm a senior at 100 Central. I'm here today to ask the board to consider allowing myself and others in sim in a similar situation

615
04:34:38.639 --> 04:34:55.119
to participate in Central's graduation ceremony. I was homeschooled for my freshman, sophomore, and junior years of high school, but decided to transfer to Central, the district I've been in for the I've been in for many years. Um uh for my senior year, the Central

616
04:34:55.119 --> 04:35:11.760
refuses to accept my credits and therefore I cannot receive a diploma from the school. Yet, in my first three years of high school, I received only A's and B's and scored 1350 on the SAT and I've continued to show my academic strength as a senior in Hunton Central. My placement test suggested I take

617
04:35:11.760 --> 04:35:28.400
honors and AP classes, which I am, and getting A's and B's as well. I I meet and even exceed the state specific requirements. And in the fall, I will be attending Ryder University for behavioral neuroscience in their honors program. Despite all of this, I despite

618
04:35:28.400 --> 04:35:44.160
all of this, I am still not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. I understand that rules need to be in place regarding who can and cannot participate in the graduation ceremony, but I believe that in some cases the rules can be adjusted to fit c special circumstances such as my own. Hutter

619
04:35:44.160 --> 04:36:00.480
Central has been excellent to me in the year that I've been here. I've made amazing friends and participated in many activities with this school. I would love to walk on the graduation stage and participate in a highly anticipated part of becoming an adult with my friends. And I hope that I can fulfill this wish.

620
04:36:00.480 --> 04:36:15.680
In posting my pet in posting my petition which gained two 120 signatures in a week totaling 134 to support my cause, I've been made aware of other individuals who are not being allowed to participate in graduation. Each with their own unique experiences that

621
04:36:15.680 --> 04:36:31.520
deserve to be considered. Though I cannot speak to these people's on these people's stories, I can imagine they would all want to be able to participate in graduation just as their peers are able to. my petition and the personal accounts along with my grades, test scores, and enrollment in college

622
04:36:31.520 --> 04:36:53.359
and the diploma that I'm receiving at the um in July, I believe, from my mom who was my educator. Um uh Whoa, I lost my spot. Um, I believe that all of these things

623
04:36:53.359 --> 04:37:09.279
are enough to prove that even if my case is a bit different from most, I deserve to be able to participate in the graduation ceremony. Approving my case would not only allow me to participate in a ceremony I've been working towards for 18 years. It would give other students with sim similarly unique

624
04:37:09.279 --> 04:37:33.840
stories the ability to participate in their respective graduation ceremonies going forward. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Hi. Uh, my name is Kathy Turn. I'm come from Readington. I always start off by saying, uh, my family survived Nazis and I survived

625
04:37:33.840 --> 04:37:49.840
Polish communist regime. The warning signs of authoritarianism don't announce themselves. They accumulate through policies, complaints, votes, and that seem isolated until that you step back and see the pattern. This

626
04:37:49.840 --> 04:38:07.520
playbook has been used before. In Nazi Germany, it began with targeting the vulnerable, the gay people, transgender people, the mentally ill, and disabled. Labeled threats to children, culture, and nation.

627
04:38:07.520 --> 04:38:24.719
Ordinary citizens filed complaints. cast votes, meet quiet decisions that together built something monstrous. We are not Nazi Germany, but every atrocity was once not yet.

628
04:38:24.719 --> 04:38:40.400
So, let's connect the dots. Tell me you're a homophobe without telling me you're a homophobe. In 2022, board member Noel O'Donnell wore a pride mask to a board meeting.

629
04:38:40.400 --> 04:38:57.840
Two MAGA board members, Lisa Santangelo, Sandy Oster, Oster, whatever, filed an ethics complaint arguing a rainbow mask meant she wasn't advocating for all students. A board member was hauled before an

630
04:38:57.840 --> 04:39:14.160
ethics panel for a crime of inclusion. The complaint was dismissed. However, the message was loud and clear to the LGBTQ students. This is institutionalized homophobia.

631
04:39:14.160 --> 04:39:33.840
Connected. Tell me you're a trans for trans phobe without telling me you're a trans phobe. Five New Jersey school districts are currently being sued over policy 5756, which supports educators

632
04:39:33.840 --> 04:39:51.360
withholding a students educators withholding a student's gender identity from parents. The law firm bringing this lawsuit is Murray Nolan and Biruti, the same firm where a former Central board member worked while sitting on this

633
04:39:51.360 --> 04:40:09.120
board. That same member resigned last year amid a controversy over allegedly homophobic Twitter account. I'm saying allegedly. Just connecting the dots. Tell me you're an abbleist without

634
04:40:09.120 --> 04:40:26.718
telling me you're an abbleist. In 2025, this board voted to eliminate mental health services, cutting five years of care, plus New Jersey uh services and 30 years of free school-based youth services. Students

635
04:40:26.718 --> 04:40:42.798
with anxiety, depression, and trauma were told their needs were expendable. Well, the Nazis called such people life unworthy of life. Same logic, different clothing,

636
04:40:42.798 --> 04:41:04.958
except let me tell you something. Miss Santangelo, please look. Rude. This program saved my daughter's life. And then there is the attempt of book censorship.

637
04:41:04.958 --> 04:41:21.520
In 2024, an Earth hunter and high school librarian fought so hard to keep the book Let's Talk About It on School Library shelves that she won a Lemony Snickicket prize for resisting

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censorship. Then in February 2026, Readington Board changed policy to let board members scrutinize books before purchasing. That same month, Hunter and Central

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began manufacturing outrage over the same book as the North. In May 2024, excuse me. Now, let's connect the final dot. Lisa Santangelo, the same Lisa Santangelo who filed the e

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ethics complaint about Noel O'Donnell for wearing a pride mask. And the same Lisa Santangelo who brought up the topics of banning the book Let's Talk the book Let's Talk About It is the same Lisa Santangelo who is married to

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the president of Readington Board of Education. From board members to law firms to coordinated policy changes to manufactured public outrage. This is not a series of coincidences.

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This is a coordinated effort. Homophobia doesn't always wear a hood, doesn't build a wall. Censorship doesn't always light a match. Sometimes it files a complaint. Sometimes it counts a contract. Sometimes it st it stands and

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spreads lies. I'll be watching and call out every single one of your Rachel White, Raron Township. I want to address some of the comments made at the end of the last meeting. This will be my shorter version, so hopefully I'll be good. Uh for context, in the spring of

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last year when Miss Santangelo was president of the board, uh the budget that was passed included Care Plus. When it came time to approve the contract, the board declined to do so, citing financial concerns, parental

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consent, and other reasons that shifted over time. This was at the same time that the board was having issues finalizing a contract to maintain school-based youth services. As a licensed social worker who's worked with students and families in this

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community, I was deeply concerned about the potential elimination of the comprehensive services we had in place. So, I did what any social worker would do. I picked up the phone and I reached out to the Department of Children and Families and to Care Plus directly

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to explore every option for ensuring continuation of services for our students. For those who don't know, school-based youth services is a grant program, which means that it funds two full-time mental health counselors at Central at no

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additional cost to taxpayers. DCF, which administers this program through the Division of Community Partnerships, confirmed to me that the grant funds could be transferred to another qualified mental health provider if there were contract issues with the

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current one. I also learned that Care Plus had the capacity to cover both the emergency evaluations they had previously provided and the school-based youth services program, which would have given this district a truly comprehensive mental health model. That

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opportunity was lost. I'll come back to this last part if I have time. Oversight is not obstruction, but overreaching into operations and overruling licensed professionals is. And when that

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overreach creates enough disruption to collapse a program, the board owns that outcome. Miss Santangelo has stated she never advocated for the elimination of these programs. But advocacy takes many forms. A program

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that cannot survive the obstacles placed in its path is functionally eliminated. Anyone who lives in this community knows that mental health resources are already stretched beyond capacity. Many families with private insurance are driving an

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hour or more to access services. A school counselor tasked with scheduling, referrals, and administrative work cannot substitute for two full-time mental health professionals dedicated exclusively to direct student care.

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Prevention and early intervention are always more effective than crisis response. We will see the effects of these sudden and drastic cuts to student support services for years to come. You cannot separate academic success

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from student well-being. This community has already made itself clear. As we saw during the strategic planning process, students, families, and staff made mental health a central priority. So much so that it became its own strategic goal. So, I asked the board,

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"What concrete steps will you take to support the superintendent and professional staff in reaching that goal? What will you do to counteract the long-term impact of scaling back these services? Thank you.

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[applause] Rebecca Peterson, Raritton Township. Oh, my fan club left. Um, it's kind of amazing. A lot of people talk and they don't listen. Um, and I'm really afraid that tonight you're not going to listen to anything that was

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said earlier today. It was my intention to come up and talk about the vape searches because I got the updated data and sure enough we have searched more students this year than the last two years under the vape sensors. They searched 197 students and 26 of those

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197 students found something. That means that there were 171 students searched for nothing. And again, we sit up here talking about mental health and yet you're pulling these kids out of class. You're searching them. you're sending them for invasive um checkups with the nurse and for what.

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And this actually ties in really well with what everyone was talking about tonight because it has to do with trusting your staff and relying on your staff because there has been an increase in these suspicion searches where you're doing something right and that your

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staff feels comfortable saying there's probably something wrong with the student. I need to speak up about it because those searches uh increased significantly this year. There were 75 this year and 30 of those hit. That's a

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40% hit rate versus 17. So, I'm happy to see the overall searches of the suspicion searches increasing because those actually work unlike the vapes which is just an exercise in harassing students at this point.

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But this is the same set. Trust your teachers. I don't understand. Well, I have a good feeling what happened. I don't know the coach at all, but I know a lot of 100 and central coaches. I know the impact they have on the students. I know the impact having sports and extracurriculars and all of the other

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things has on the students. And you guys talk about mental health, but if you're talking about removing a teacher or a coach who has had the kind of impact that we saw tonight on students all around and former students and coming back from college and staying up, I

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mean, if you are going to, and I have a feeling this is why Miss Gong wanted to postpone it so that everyone would leave and then you could come back and and do the final acts with no one around. Um, if you're not listening to that and if you're thinking of getting rid of that

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type of teacher and that type of coach and you're failing the students, there's a lawsuit, a criminal trial ongoing right now and and it and it has to do with violence that happened in a school at a school event and the students who are on the stand,

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the students who witnessed it, the students who are recent grads who have had to take the stand, many of them have had to come with essentially security blankets One kid had a football that he had to fidget with while he was on the stand. Another one had a stress ball because their lives are so impacted by

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what happened. And if there had been a coach to step there and get in the way and and say stop, then not only would those students lives have been saved, but so would the student who actually ended up murdering

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someone. So, let's not get rid of the coaches who are willing to stand up and protect the students. Let's not get rid of the coaches who support the mental health of the students. I'm sure that there is some reason that there is out there that you believe that

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this person needs to be let go. I doubt that it actually stands up to the other reasons on the other side. I've seen the district bend over backwards to save some coaches and and teachers and get rid of others. and we've made that mistake before. Let's not do it again. Thank you.

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[applause] [applause] Uh, good evening. My name is Ed McLaclin. from Delaware Township and uh I want to talk about the the very vocal objections to budget items, including

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the uh the the capital reserve account. And um you know the the folks that are making the most noise about it here on the board and and also you know members of the public um were themselves board members last year. Santangelo was the

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president of the board. Um I attended most of the board meetings last year tracked tracked them online and uh you know was keeping a breast of it. The capital reserve was never a topic. Never a topic. Giving money back to the

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taxpayers was never a topic. Um eliminating mental health services, that was a topic. Um but uh taxpayer protections, uh the reserve, that was not a topic. So I'm going to ask the same question I

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asked last time I was up here. What is this really about? Um you know, it is it's about scoring political points. There are some folks here that are campaigning from their board seat and um

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there are other folks that I think are using this situation with coach Jones. I'm unfamiliar with with the circumstances there and uh um my heart goes out to all the students who are obviously very much affected by him.

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Um, you know, I feel like that uh in the last case here, not with anybody else, but I have a my my feeling is that the last speaker got up here for much the same reason that we're talking about this capital reserve stuff and it is to

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score political points and it is to campaign from from the board seat and it is obnoxious and it is putting themselves and their weird agenda uh first and putting students last.

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And I don't expect it will stop. I think picking not so random topics from the uh from the agenda and honing in on them and making them, you know, the the the the cause of the day for these folks. Um, I

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don't expect that that they're going to stop doing it, but um, but I sure wish they would because it is a it is it's a waste of everybody's time and energy and uh, and again, it's it's uh, it's putting themselves first and it's

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putting students last ultimately. So that's all. Thank you very much. [applause] Sandra D'vor, Raritin Township. Um, first I just want to say I think it was a great outpouring of support for Mr. Jones. Um I don't personally know him,

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but I have always heard very good things about him and um I know that the volleyball team records in the past um definitely is a testament to his coaching. What I do want to though say to the board is that this sounds like a very similar situation of the Gibble

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case what you which you just settled after 10 years. I'm telling the board, you better make sure that your eyes are dotted and your tees are crossed and you need to make sure that you are doing the right things for Mr. Jones because there have been nefarious acts in the past

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with board members and Mrs. Peterson can attest to that. And this cannot be a rubber stamp response tonight when you go to vote. And I am calling on Wallace and Bryce. You ran on doing better with Williams. So let's see it tonight and

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reinstate Mr. Jones for his job. And I also want to know why our tax dollars are being used for Mrs. Kellogg's ethics complaints for the personal attorneys that she chose and um why she voted when you were trying to figure out if it was

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I don't know something with the com if you were voting or not voting on the attorney, but I know that she has voted for her um legal invoices in the past, which is also um an ethics complaint. So that's it. Thank you. >> [applause]

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>> Okay, I we will close public comment if there's no additional public comments. Thank you. Are there any board comments this evening? I'll be quick.

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Um, I attended the robotics uh symposium and uh that was on May I think May 20th. It was uh I could only attend half of it, but it was really great. Uh, so if anyone ever has the opportunity to watch the robotics team uh do their thing, you

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should go. Uh, there was uh their uh robotics uh thing, I guess uh was actually playing basketball. It wasn't the Knicks and I have no idea what the Knicks did tonight since we're still here, but um it was just fabulous. And

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what I was struck by was one of the students who spoke after the symposium was over and he said uh my life has been changed by being on the robotics team and um several of the students said that. So that's he said it was

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life-changing. So kudos to those kids. Um and finally, I attended the senior awards night. uh not all of it, but again, it was fabulous to see the seniors being uh recognized. I'd like to give a shout out to the middle of the road kids. All the kids

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that didn't win an award, but you're graduating. You had you had part-time jobs. You may have had to go to summer school. You may have had to take a class twice, but you graduated. Nobody's applauding for you, but we are. So, you're out there. We see you. And

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congratulations to every single student, no matter what it took to get here. >> Miss Bryce, >> I've got one, too. Um, I just want to mention the last few weeks since the May 18th uh board meeting has been three

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weeks exactly, I think. um have been incredibly active with end of the year uh or end of school and graduation fast approaching. Um, in these few short weeks, I enjoyed attending several student events, including uh the spring

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coral concert, Miss Gong, the robotics symposium as well, uh, the Memorial Day parade where our marching band proudly represented the school, the freshman instrumental concert, the full orchestra and advanced instrumental concert, uh,

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the student fine art showcase in the Commons, the Thespians end of year showcase, um, the Eastern Wind Symphony youth band, which the four members were honored earlier tonight. U senior awards night and the triumph showcase. And I

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just want to say to all of our freshman, sophomores, and juniors, um it has been an absolute joy witnessing your talents this year and I look forward to the rest of your years at Hunton Central. Um, and

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to our seniors, our class of 2026, it has been so enriching to watch you grow throughout high school, and I'm really going to miss seeing you all next year. Um, best wishes as you begin your next adventure.

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Okay, if there are no other board comments, we're going to convene into executive session to talk about HIP cases, negotiations, and personnel. Um, can I have a motion to convene into executive session?

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>> Motion to go to executive session. >> Second. Second. Okay. Um, we should be in executive session for approximately an hour. Uh, all in favor? >> Any opposed?

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>> Okay. Okay. Can I have a motion to return to public session? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. So, the motion that is currently on the table is to overturn

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the recommendation of the superintendent and reinstate Kevin Jones. Is there Any additional discussion or can we just have a vote? Miss Stokes. Oh, can I add one more thing?

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I think Leslie already seconded it. Just so everyone is aware, um, this motion requires a majority of the board to pass, not a majority of the people sitting at the table. So, it would require five votes to pass. So, thank you, Miss Stokes.

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Miss Wallace. >> No. Miss Gong. >> No. >> Dr. Halpern. >> Yes. >> Miss Laccasta. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Santangelo.

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>> Yes. Mrs. Kellogg. >> No. The motion needed five to pass. So the motion fails. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. All in favor? I.