We're going to start our regular meeting of Jersey City Public School Board for, this month. And we're gonna start again by, first of all, the pledge of allegiance. Miss doctor If everyone would stand for the presentation of colors and remain standing for the national anthem. 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. Yes. Yes. Oh, say can you sit by the dawn's early light. What so proudly we have at the twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes send bright stars through the perilous fight, o'er the rampart Oh, say die is that star spangled fenugged Thank you, Grace, for that lovely rendition of the national anthem.
Grace Alvarado is a student at the Christmas Hall of p s twenty eight. Thank you so very much. Thank you. You may be seated. Okay. Hold on. Your call, please, miss McKenzie. And Good evening. This meeting is being held in accordance with the open public meetings at NJSA 10 Colon 4 Dash 6 at SEC. Adequate notification of this meeting has been provided by advertising in the El Diario La Plenza and the Star Ledger on Tuesday,
04/08/2025. Notice was also posted on the district website. I will now take the roll call. Trustee Blunt? Present. Trustee Ioffe? Present. Trustee Morris? Trustee Mohammed? Present. Trustee Patel? Present. Trustee Reza Bala? Present. Trustee Schneider? Here. Vice President Tisdale? Here. President Velasquez? Present. We have a quorum. Thank you. We're gonna first of all start with, Doctor. Fernandez's, report. However, before we get to the report,
I quickly wanna introduce the book for this month. You have one too. Right? And unfortunately, I have not, read this book because I ordered it, and it got in about 03:30 today. And I'm not that fast of a reader. So but let me tell you a little bit about this book because it's, we're celebrating or commemorating or recognizing, however you wanna see it, autism, month. I thought that it would be very appropriate for us to dedicate
or find a book that is dedicated to our system. And who better to write a books of such info than a student who is autistic, a student who has been our student, graduated from our district, and now is a speaker well, known, throughout actually worldwide. This young man, his name is Carrie Margo. This young man has written various books. This one is Autistics on Autism,
the next chapter. It's a few stories of different, students and of different, people who have or a living with autism. This young man was one of our students, and, also, we are proud to say not that he's not only that he's a graduate of our schools, but his mother, Susan Mack, was also a president of this board a few years ago. So we are proud twice for him,
and and I'm sure that his mother is very proud. Let me quickly just read a little something that I read here. As I said, I haven't, read the book. I just got it. But as I was coming through it, autism is a spectrum. It means that if you met one individual with autism, you've met one individual with autism. The stories you will read in this book are from individuals who are thriving today, meaning that it doesn't it's not a a anything that will restrict you.
You can still thrive, and you can see it by Carrie's story. Many in our community struggle. Some of these individuals may need lifetime care, but many of them strive and live great lives throughout their years. So if, again, I I introduce it not just to the board, but also to, doctor Fernandez, staff and anyone else who is interested. I read not the book,
but, the cover, and I'm anxious to get to the book. I'm sure I'll start sometime this weekend That's how I'm gonna spend my holidays Thank you Doctor Fernandez Thank you, President Velasquez Well, since you started this trend you encouraged that I present the book. And so I'm going to present the rise of the guardians. This book, it's a novel by Luna Yang. Luna is actually a student, a current student in the district.
She's a student at p s sixteen, and she writes this is her first book, and it's about a 10 year old girl named Luna in the story who embarks on a quest to rescue, kidnap, stuffed animals. And she goes through challenges and strives to grow stronger and prepare acknowledges that not only does she enjoy writing but also drawing. The illustrations, most of them are created by Luna. She's a very talented young lady,
and she will be going places as we have many students who are gifted in many different ways. And she's showing her gift as, an author at 10 years old. So it is great to see our students thrive. And so I wanted to share this, the rise of the guardians. So maybe more of our students become current authors in the district. So there's a challenge Yes. Students for more books to come.
Doctor Fernandez, it has a lot to say about, the education that we're giving our children. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Do you want to try You can continue. At this time, we'd like to recognize two schools for their current attendance and the improvement in attendance. So at this time, I'd like to bring forward, the Eshera Nolan Middle School forty for their attendance. PS forty, please come to the center. We'd like to congratulate you.
Trustees, would you join me? We also recognize the Alexander Sullivan PS thirty. Please come to accept This month, we celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, and it's a time to honor the contributions, achievement, and the re rich heritage of the Arab Americans. It's a chance to learn about diverse cultures, languages, and traditions of the Arab American community and to celebrate their impact on American society. The month also serves as an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding and inclusivity.
At this time, I'd like to call the social studies supervisor, mister Maldonado, the visual arts supervisor, miss Cocinello, and performing arts supervisor, miss Volo, to introduce our performers. Good evening, superintendent Hernandez, president Velasquez, vice president doctor Tisdale, board trustees, acting deputy superintendent doctor Cristanino, miss Ruane, senior leadership team, colleagues, parents, students, and the viewing public. I am Gina Milavoy, the performing arts supervisor. I am honored to be here this evening alongside my colleagues,
Frankie Maldonado, supervisor of social studies, and Melissa Cuccinello, supervisor of visual arts. Together, we are honored to highlight the incredible contributions of our students as we celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month, which is celebrated each April to recognize and honor the rich cultural heritage, history, and contributions of Arab Americans to The United States. The theme for 2025 is honoring the past and inspiring the future.
Jersey City is home to a large and proud Arab American community whose heritage and traditions add to the vibrant moeisic of our diverse city and school community. We honor the invaluable impact Arab Americans have made in education, business, the arts, public service, and beyond. And we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all. This evening, we proudly showcase student performances from PS number eleven and James j Ferris High School.
Additional student works may be viewed at the Jersey City School website under the curriculum and instruction department diversity calendar. Enjoy this evening's entertainment. Now it is my pleasure to introduce my colleague, Frankie Maldonado. Thank you, miss Milavoy. Please direct your attention to the stage as I introduce our first group of performers from the doctor Martin Luther King Junior PS eleven under the direction of teacher miss Badawi. They will be performing a traditional folk song that celebrates the rich heritage of Upper
Egypt. This particular piece honors the beauty of the city of Luxor. Please join me in welcoming PS eleven performers as they bring this beautiful performance to life. What an inspiring performance. Thank you again to the doctor Martin Luther King's PS eleven for your beautiful performance. Next, we are proud to recognize James J. Ferris High School as they take part in our celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month. I will introduce miss Gada Abiel Hafez, who will present the next student.
Good evening, everyone. I would like to introduce Jana Abushayib, Yahala Club Junior president, who will be sharing a poem with all of you tonight. Please give her a hand. I am an Arab American because I tend the fig tree as earnestly as a dogwood and a pine, because cinnamon and anise, cumin and cardamom, inhabit my shelves and senses, because I bake both and blueberry pie for my family. Because poems by Mahmoud Darwish and Lucille Clifton are my daily bread.
Because both Ibn Khaldun and Howard Zinn explain the world to me. Because I am awed by the blueness of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. I am an Arab American because Abu Qasim and Angela Davis inspire me to act because I treasure coffee from Yemen, dates from Iraq, pistachios from Syria, as well as pecans, corn, and apples from Georgia, Iowa, and New York. Because I write in languages that flow in opposite directions. Because Arabic and English are my archetypes of sanctuary. Because my name is unfamiliar to some,
but a comforting word for others to carry. I am an Arab American. Because I grow jasmine in Virginia to conjure the fragrance of my first home. Because melodies of the old and the guitar dwell in my ears. Because I listen to, Ella and Johnny Machpel in one sitting, because to me, the olive tree is an ancestor, a food source, a healer, because I've touched the splendor of a brown child in my womb, because my children see more than one world, inherit stories that astonish and bloom. I am an Arab American because I want to protect the purple mountains and shining
seas everywhere, because I embrace Hayworth's seventh generation principle to live knowing that all their decisions will affect the world for hundreds of years, because I learned because I learned early on that garam, the Arabic word for generosity and kindness, is the most important belief to hold dear. Thank you. Thank you, Jana, for that beautiful and heartfelt presentation. Your voice reminds us of the power of student expression and the importance of celebrating every culture in our schools. We are so proud of you. Thank you. Continuing our celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month,
we now turn to a musical performance. At this time, I would like to introduce Mark Abdullah, who will be playing Umuq al Sun popular song in Taumri on his violin. Please give him a hand. Mark, thank you for that moving performance. Your talent and expression brought the soul of music to life, and we are honored to have you shared with us tonight. We are excited to share a lively and cultural rich performance from Ferris High School, Yahala Club, to close out our presentation this evening.
They will be presenting the Mizmar Saidi dance, a vibrant traditional folk performance from Upper Egypt. This dance is deeply rooted in heritage of the Saidi people and is known for its dynamic footwork, rhythmic movement, and spirited energy. And now I would like to introduce our Yahala members performing Asaadi dance. Please give them a hand, please. Want me to push it? Thank you all, my helicopter. I would like to thank all our administration, missus Burke, miss Bradwell,
and all the staff supporting us and the parents. Thank you. Okay. I'm here. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you to the Yahala Club for that energetic and powerful performance. Your dedication to preserving and sharing cultural tradition adds so much riches to our school community, and we are grateful for the joy and pride you bring to the stage. Thank you again. Well, this concludes the evening's performances. What an incredible evening of music, poetry, and reflection. The committee is grateful to all administrators, teachers, and students whose contributions have made this celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month possible.
We want to acknowledge the administrators in attendance. Miss Alfred Burke, principal Ferris High School. Doctor Osei Yao, principal PS 30. Miss Elder, acting vice principal PS 30. Mister Salgado, principal, m s forty. Doctor Wingard, principal, p s eleven. Missus Braswell, principal, adult day school. If you look at the screen, you'll see all of the schools and teachers that participated in tonight's program. We invite you to return to the stage, I see they're already there, for a, photograph with our senior leadership team and the board of education members.
Again, thank you all for being part of this meaningful evening, and have a wonderful night. Okay. Calling miss Braswell to the stage. Yep. Thank you. If you are leaving, please exit quietly. We still have a great opportunity now for our citywide student council to present. Thank you so much. At this time, I'd like to introduce, Ferris. Thank you. Quietly, please. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate it. At this time, I'd like to introduce
Joshua Kahina, sergeant at arms, who's a student at middle school seven. Joshua, if you would work your way to the podium. Thank you. Let's give them a couple of seconds. Okay. Good evening, superintendent, doctor Fernandez, assistant superintendent, directors, principal Jamie Barnasquez, board members, and community members. My name is Josh Grahina, and I am the assistant sergeant in arms on the citywide student council. I would like to take a moment to talk about rice. Yes. The common food that is a staple in many multicultural dishes,
but it holds a special significance in my Hispanic household. My maternal grandmother, Angelica, whom I affectionately called Rita, and I had an inseparable bond. She made the most amazing rice, which I call the special white rice. This tradition was passed to my mother, and it remains a staple in our home. To this day, it is the only white rice I'll eat, connecting me to my Lita and my Ecuadorian heritage. Angelica Mendieta immigrated to The United States from Ecuador at 24, settling in Jersey City with my one year old mother.
Though she lacked formal education, she was a strong advocate for herself and her family, fighting to survive as a single mother. She played a memorable role in my upbringing, from helping me take my first steps to inspiring my love for sports and fitness. My paternal grandmother, Yadira Guillen, was a teacher in Nicaragua. She later left her success behind to immigrate to The US, where she overcame language barriers and career challenges. Despite this, she remained committed to education, instilling strong values in my father and his siblings, which she has passed on to me.
I am an eighth grade student at Franklin L. Williams Middle School number seven, where I am involved in many activities. Algebra is one of my favorite subjects, and I enjoy playing soccer, volleyball, and flag football. Being a part of chess club sharpens my strategic thinking, and student council council allows me to contribute to my school community. This year, I was privileged to represent Middle School seven on the citywide student council, as well as, being honored to join the National Junior Honor Society, one of my school's most prestigious programs where I have learned the importance of teamwork
and leadership. Soccer has been a huge part of my life since I was three. My parents were athletes, so playing sports felt natural. But soccer became my passion. I started with JCSA, played for Union City, then moved to Secaucus, where I formed strong bonds with my teammates. My journey led me to my first club team, Pasco, where I struggled at first but later connected with my teammates. A highlight was scoring a game time volley at the Potomac Memorial Tournament in Maryland. After Pasco, I joined my current club, Den of Lions. This club transformed me as a player and introduced me to Brazilian and Portuguese culture.
Over the years, I became team captain, played in many tournaments, and won multiple league titles. This year, we are competing in the National Premier League and the State Cup. If we win our bracket, we will go to nationals in Colorado. I believe in my team and our chances. My soccer journey has shaped my love for the sport and my commitment to personal growth. During the past three years in middle school seven, I have made amazing connections. My friends have been a constant source of support. Their encouragement has helped me through challenges and obstacles. They are the best teammates I could ever ask for.
In addition to my friends, the teachers at Middle School seven have helped me grow as an individual, specifically my math teacher and school soccer coach, mister Graham. I can say with confidence that I have grown as an individual with his guidance and constructive criticism. After joining Middle School seven student council, I met the adviser, mister Moleski, who also inspired personal change. He assisted me during challenging moments, encouraging me to find a personal solution, and entrusting me with the role of leading our school student council. Everything I shared from my family's traditions to my school and soccer experiences has shaped
who I am today. The love and lessons from my mom, my grandmothers, the bonds with my teammates, and the support from my teachers and friends have all helped me grow. These moments remind me to stay resilient, cherish my community, and follow my passions, values I hope to carry with me wherever I go. I know my time is up, but a special shout out to my mom who has always been present and by my side and for helping become the student athlete I am today. Thank you for listening, and have a great evening. Thank you. And there's proud mom taking the video.
At this time, thank you, Joshua, for an excellent job. At this time, it I'd like to call Eileen Trujillo, event chairperson from Ferris High School. Eileen? Good evening. Superintendent doctor Fernandez, assistant superintendent, directors, principal Burke, board members, and community members. My name is Aileen Trujillo, and I am a sophomore at James J. Ferris High School. I was born and raised in Jersey City where I spent most of my childhood exploring outdoors, making friends, and always trying to challenge myself to be better. Growing up, I moved often and attended four different schools.
Being naturally shy made it difficult at times, but I always wanted to do well for my parents. I knew that doing well in school was one way to make them proud. In elementary school, I finally began to feel like I was fitting in, participating in activities like choir and dance. Dance especially became my outlet for self expression. It helped me step outside of my comfort zone and connect with others. But that all changed when I started being bullied. Someone told me I didn't belong, and for a long time, I was too scared to speak up. That experience caused me to shut myself up from others and build up a protective
shell. Middle school was a time of growth. I made new friends, but also learned some tough lessons. I had realized I needed to make better choices and to stop worrying about what others thought of me. I also saw my parents struggle financially, which made me more determined to work harder for them. One of my biggest inspirations has been my older brother. Growing up, he stepped up when my dad was busy working, always making sure we had what we needed. As he got older, he joined the military to support our family even more. His sacrifices and commitment to family showed me the importance of responsibility and caring for
those you love, which pushed me to work harder for my own family. When I arrived at Ferris High School, I felt excited and saw it as a fresh start. This was the opportunity I needed, and I promised myself to make the most of it. I wanted to get my name known, break out of my shell, and seize every opportunity that came my way. I started off with the volleyball team. Although I had never played volleyball before, I gave it my best shot. During my first freshman game, I made the JV team. And later, my coach asked me to play in a varsity game. I didn't think I was the best,
but I tried hard and ended up making the varsity team. Around the same time, I got involved with the student council. I loved how involved they were in school activities and saw it as a way to get more engaged and connected with others. I attended every meeting, and my adviser, miss Wilson, noticed my dedication. Since she needed someone new to be the city wide student council officer for the following year, she asked if I'd be interested in taking on the role. I was thrilled and said yes. Later, when miss Wilson needed someone new to do announcements, I saw it as another chance to put myself out there.
Unfortunately, when the time came, things didn't go as planned, and my nerves got the best of me. I felt disappointed, but it only motivated me to become better for next year. At the start of sophomore year, I got interviewed for the citywide student council officer position and was given the role of event chairperson, a position with a lot of responsibility. In addition to student council, I continued with volleyball and was a starter on the team. I learned so much along the way and had great coaches to guide me. I also decided to give announcements another shot. This time, things went much better,
and I was told that I had grown so much and was now ready. I continued to push myself and joined clubs like photography club, sophomore committee club, visual arts club, ignite wellness club, and even took a college class. Through all of this, I've learned the importance of prioritizing my responsibilities and putting myself out there. Being a part of student council has played a significant role in building my confidence and encouraging me to step out of side of my comfort zone. When others describe me as confident, social, and determined, it makes me proud because I've put in the effort to become that person. Becoming a citywide officer has pushed me to grow,
teaching me essential skills like time management, leadership, and organization. I've embraced challenges, faced my fears, and became more certain of who I am. Public speaking used to intimidate me, but now here I am. Looking ahead, I'm focused on my goal of becoming valedictorian. I want to be known for my achievements and show that hard work pays off, not just for myself, but to make my parents proud and inspire others. I will continue to push myself to be the best version of me, and I'm excited for the journey ahead. I want to take a moment to thank a few special people who have supported
me along the way. First, thank you to miss Williams for her hard work and dedication to our group. Her efforts always push me to do my best. I'm also grateful for Salma, our president, for her constant support and guidance. To the whole group, thank you for your collaboration and effort. Lastly, a huge thank you to my advisor, miss Wilson. She had always been there to help me and believed in me even when I doubted myself. I'm truly grateful for you all and your wavering support. Thank you and everyone for listening. Thank you so much, Eileen. I look forward to seeing you as the valedictorian,
a salutatorian, but you definitely will be a winner. At this time, I'd like to invite, Melissa Namutedi, who's the second vice president of public relations and a student at Snyder High School. Good evening, superintendent, doctor Fernandez, assistant superintendents, directors, principal doctor Smith, board members, and community members. Hello. My name is Melissa. I'm currently a senior at Henry Snyder High School and the second vice president of public relations. I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, but at the age of nine, I moved to Uganda,
my parents' ancestral country. I spent the next ten years there, and it was an incredibly memorable experience that shaped me in ways I never could have imagined. During those years, I lived primarily with my father while my mother remained in The United States. Though we were physically apart, she made sure to visit every Christmas season, bringing gifts and that motherly love that I deeply cherish. Boarding school defined much of my time in Uganda. Nearly all my education took place in a boarding environment, which taught me resilience, independence, and discipline. The curriculum was rigorous, demanding endless commitment, but through hard work,
I successfully passed my national exams. Leave living in Uganda strengthened my cultural identity. The languages I learned, the food I ate, the custom I followed, the values instilled in me. Whether it was embracing traditional meals, participating in ceremonies, or understanding the importance of respect and responsibility, every experience added another layer to who I am. In June 2022, my journey led me back to Jersey City. Coming back was both exciting and unreal. Everything had changed. The friends I once knew had grown up, others had relocated,
and new families had moved into the neighborhood. But despite the differences, one thing remained the same. Jersey City felt like home. Starting at Henry Snyder High School in my sophomore year was like stepping into a new world. But if there's one skill I've nurtured over the years, it's adapting. As one of the most ethnically diverse cities in America, Jersey City welcomes people from all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and languages, and that acceptance has become something I deeply value. Jersey City public schools are dedicated to nurturing student skills, providing opportunity for us to go beyond academics.
I've witnessed I've witnessed students accomplish extraordinary things within their communities, supported by their schools. Their drive to create change continues to inspire me. Through my journey, I've been fortunate enough to have teachers who have left a lasting impact on me. Their guidance has helped me navigate my transition back to The US, and for that, I am truly, truly grateful. I am currently a member of the National Honor Society and serve as the chapter president of FCCLA, which stands for Family Career and Community Leaders of America. One of my proudest achievements in FCCLA is winning the state championship championship for evening
wear garment construction twice in a row for the years 2024 and 2025. My leadership journey didn't start here. Back in Uganda, I served as speaker of prefects in my primary school, a role that helped me build confidence and develop my leadership skills. Initially, I wasn't sure I was ready for such responsibility, but my parents always encouraged me, reminding me that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. That position gave me incredible opportunities, one of the most memorable being a visit to the parliament of Uganda at just 12 years old.
It was an eye opening experience showing me the power of leadership and how it could create change. Fast forward to today, I continue to embrace leadership as chapter president of FCCLA and a student council officer. Joining the student council was the perfect opportunity to bring about meaningful change, improve school environment, and become a voice for those who might feel unheard. My ultimate goal will always be to make my parents proud and inspire my younger sister. Beyond that, I strive to make a difference in my community. I once heard someone say, always aim to leave a great impact on whoever you meet or speak to,
and that sentiment has stayed with me. I believe that even the smallest encouragement can come can be life changing for someone. Through these opportunities, I've met incredible people, got to see life from a different perspective, and become a confident and reliable individual. Looking back, I hardly recognized the person I was four years ago and couldn't be more proud of how far I've come. To finish up, I want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their unwavering support. To my principal, doctor Smith, I want to thank him too for his unimaginable support,
especially during my fashion journey. Special thanks to my fashion teacher, miss Hernandez, for being an incredible mentor, to my adviser, miss Gupta, who has taught me the great value of self representation and perseverance, and to miss Williams, thank you for the opportunities you have created for us and for also giving me the chance to be here. Thank you for your time, and have a blessed day. Melissa, it's a pleasure to see you grow. As I've interviewed many of you, at the beginning of the year, it's amazing how you've developed and how,
confident all of you have become. One more student. And this time, I'd like to invite Suwad El Gambehi, membership chair per person from Innovation High School. Good morning. Good afternoon, doc superintendent doctor Fernandez, deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, directors, board members, and community members. My name is Sawad Algemihi. I'm a junior at Innovation High School and a graduate of PS twenty three. I was born and raised in Egypt for the first half of my life. When we arrived at the end of twenty eighteen,
my parents enrolled me in school. At first, I was a quiet, shy girl who rarely spoke. I spent most of my time alone around people I knew. I felt comfortable, but still reserved. Over time, I met more people and learned from them whether it was the language, how to adapt, or how to navigate my new environment. Growing up in Egypt had its pros and cons, but one of the best parts was being surrounded by family. I loved being there. I learned about my culture, my background, and how to cook. I'm grateful for that. If I could eat my country's food every day,
I would. I was named after my paternal grandmother, someone I loved deeply. My parents choosing to name me after her is one of the best decisions they made. But when I came here, people often mispronounced my name. In eighth grade, a friend came up with the nickname Sue, which is what most people call me by now. I'm the youngest in my family. Turning 18 this year marks the start of a new chapter. My dad came to The United States in 1990. He didn't know the language and struggled to adapt.
He traveled back and forth trying to build the foundation for our future. As a young man, he wanted to to create a work a life where he could provide for his family. In 02/2007, he and my mom welcomed me, their youngest child. I wish I could repay him for everything he has done for me. Ah, so far. Can truly repay their parents for all they have sacrificed. I'm thankful for everything they've done. In middle school, I joined p PGC, peer group connection, a program where older students help sixth grader adjust to middle school and feel comfortable
expressing themselves. I wanted to join since sixth grade because I thought I would do well in it. When the opportunity came in eighth grade, I took it because a lee because I became a a leader alongside another classmate. Shout out to my partner, Al Abner Salazar, and we both did a great job. I enjoyed every step of the journey. When high school came, I was nervous. A week before school started, I went to Dickinson, my home school, and asked to transfer there. I was afraid of attending innovation,
but when the clerks encouraged me to give it a chance, they told me I could transfer back if I didn't feel comfortable. I never looked back since then. Upon I being innovation High School, I participated in pep club, anime club, mock trial, and student council. Now as a junior, I've taken on leadership roles as an officer and school representative. I'm grateful to my school counselor, miss Ortiz, for encouraging me to take on these opportunities. Such opportunities as being part of the citywide student council, which introduced me to missus Williams, who I want to thank for making our citywide and monthly meetings possible.
She has given us this given us the space to share ideas and express thoughts and work towards building a better community for students and future generations. We have the opportunity to go on trips and attend events like yesterday's culture fair. Another highlight was our trip to TCNJ, where we heard from Carlos Ojeda Junior. His speech was powerful and inspiring. He left us with a message, do not fight back, fight forward. That stuck with me. No matter how tough things got, I remind myself to keep pushing forward.
Eventually, things will get better. One of my personal goals is to join law enforcement. Some of my family members wanted me to become a doctor or engineer, but I got tired of hearing that. I wanted to follow a path that actually interested me, but I got tired of hearing that. I want to do my best in criminal justice and succeed in that field. If possible, I'd like to transition in becoming a lawyer. My future plans are to get the career I want, make sure my parents are well taken care of. I want to buy them a house of their own and one for myself if
possible. I pray to get married, have kids, and teach them what I have learned as a child, including our cultures and traditions. Finally, I want to thank the Jersey City Public School District for giving us all of these opportunities that I was able to get involved with. Because of these opportunities, I have been able to transform from a quiet, shy girl who rarely spoke to become to becoming the confident, well spoken leader that stands in front of you today. I encourage you to continue approving the things that students bring up because without these
opportunities, we would have become the people who we are today. So that pea students like me can reach their fullest potential knowing that the Jersey Public Schools has given us the platform to become leaders. Thank you, and have a great evening. Thank you so much. It's been fabulous. Citywide student council yesterday, I enjoyed the event that you put together. There was a cultural fair. And maybe at the next meeting, we can talk you can talk a little bit about it. And at this time,
I like all the members of citywide student council who are here to stand because I see some of you who are here just to support each other. So thank you so much. And where are the advisers? Because I saw them back there. There they are. Thank you so much. And miss Williams, thank you so much for a fabulous president Velasquez. That's it for me. Thank you. Thank you all. And, yes, you ladies can be anything you wanna be.
The guys too. Anyway, before we go on to the next portion of our meeting, I wanna take this opportunity to congratulate one of our members, who will be honored on Tuesday, May 27 at the chandelier. And this is trustee Afaf Mohammed. We are so proud of you. You, you're being honored because, you're the new board member you have the new board member, boardsmanship award or certificate. So congratulations. Thank you. You're welcome. I appreciate all of you, supporting me through my journey here on the board.
An honor well deserved. Thank you. Okay. Now, Doctor. Fernandez, I believe, I'm sorry? Okay. He wants to ask you have to ask that, you know, in a closed session. Okay. Doctor Fernandez, you will continue with the audit. Thank you. At this time, I'd like our acting business administrator to introduce the next person. The auditors will be presenting the audit. So doctor Luce, if you would proceed. Thank you. Thank you, doctor Fernandez.
So at this time, I'd like to welcome, Jeff Bliss of Lurch Vincy Bliss, and he's going to present the audit for the district. Good evening, doctor Fernandez, doctor Luce, honorable board president, and members of the board. Thank you for having me here tonight to present the audit for the year ended June thirtieth of twenty twenty four. One of our main, responsibilities after completing the audit is to express an opinion on your, financial statements as well as an opinion on your compliance with federal and state programs.
I'm happy to report that our opinion on the financial statements are unmodifying, meaning a clean opinion, which means that the financial statements as presented in the report are fairly stated. They're prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and there were no scope limitations in performing the audit. Our opinion on your compliance with federal and state grants was also unmodified, meaning, also a clean opinion, meaning, you complied in all material respects with the requirements of your grant programs.
Unmodified opinions on both your financial statements as well as your compliance with federal and state law is an absolute must in any school district audit. Financially, one of the most important schedules in the audit is exhibit c one. It's the budgetary comparison schedule, the general fund, and at the end of that schedule is a summary of your fund balance. The general fund is the major operating fund of the district. The schedule c one is the, budget schedule where
you compare your budgeted revenues to your actual revenues received, your budgeted expenses to your actually, actual expenses, and then at the end, you get a summary of fund balance. Overall, the district's fund balance, when you ended the year June thirtieth of twenty four, was $355,719,829. It decreased by a little over approximately 17 70 7 point 4 million from the prior year.
That decrease is directly related to a reduction in state aid. In the 2223 year, the district received additional state aid, approximately, 89,000,000. That state aid that additional state aid was not received in the twenty three, twenty four year. And so that explains why, the fund balance went down, a little over, 77,300,000.0. Some of the other highlights, financially, the district brought in a little over 12,500,000.0
in excess revenues, meaning your budgeted your actual revenues came in higher than your budgeted revenues. And that's a positive thing. It regenerates the surplus you used. As well as the budget expenditures. You came in almost, a hundred and 30,000,000. Could you please I'm sorry. Yes. I'm sorry to interrupt. That's okay. But we're trying to follow you. Oh, I'm sorry. But we're following you blindly. Yes. Therefore, until we have I'm sorry? Yes. Which document is it? Which document is it that?
We can't do. Could you please It's not in the book? It's not in the book. Is it anywhere that we can copy that could Where is it on the state website? Oh, the state website. Can you send the link and we we can Can somebody send us the link and we'll just get on it? And I do apologize. I know we're taking your time, but we we could understand you better and respect the report more if we had it in hand. So you don't have a copy of it's page 76 of the report. So overall, you ended the year with 355,700,000.0.
In that amount, about 12,700,000.0, the board set aside for capital projects to be funded in a bunch of years. You used about 204,765,000, was used in the 2425 budget. That's not really valuable. There was another hundred and 2,665,000 that is earmarked for the 2526 budget. And there was about 19,300,000.0 of committed and assigned,
year that were not received or contracts were not completed. So those monies are set aside to complete those contracts. I I'm gonna interrupt you again. Yes. Would it be possible for you to return to us when we have something that we can follow? Because it has more value when we know what we're looking at. If I may. And I I'm with all due respect, I know you you're you're do you know, you're doing your job, and I'm sure that you, you know, did a great job in preparing it. But we are staring at the walls and not knowing what you're talking about.
I understand the total. I thought you had a copy of the report. If if I may. Yes, please. I can send it to everyone right now. I have it right here. I could get you right now, and you could have We would appreciate it. If you can. I think I have it right here. I can send it to you right now. I think that's a nice idea, but unfortunately, there's trustees over here without a laptop. And so if I may, last year was the least up on the screen, so I'm a little confused why we don't have anything. We did that. I'm sorry? Yeah. May I make suggestions? So, We apologize,
but we need to know what you're talking about. We're sorry. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a deadline that the board members should be aware of for them to hear this presentation today and why they need to hear it today? Yes, that is the purpose of the presentation today. We have to do a corrective action plan as we do every year. It has to be done within forty five days from the presentation of today. So that is the time frame to be compliant. But we could put it up on the screen if that would help as we go through it. Okay. Through the chair? Yes. I I understand that,
but even if we put it up on the screen, we haven't officially read through this in order to know what questions we would possibly have. We would, in real time, need to form in order to meet it. So what's the deadline? Forty five days. What what's the actual date? It's the, report has to be accepted within thirty days of when it was issued. It was probably received here. Let me see. I got the date here. Just bear with me, please. Yeah. Let's find out when it was issued. Before we make a decision, let's just find out when this was issued.
We may be able to capture it in the next meeting. I don't know. No. We won't. It was probably received by the board, the March. So so we're we're close we're running close to the end of Is there a reason I'm just curious. Is there a reason why we don't have a copy? Through the chair. That's the correct way to do it. My apologies. I thought we were going to put it on the screen, which is my error. Okay. So we can put it up there if you would be willing to do this at in after executive session. We well, it's up to the board.
I mean, I'll I'll, yes, I'll take your your advice, everyone's advice to respond. Yes. Just based on the date that the report was issued, if we say no and call a special meeting, would that put us in will we still be in compliance with the forty five days? What what is I think the reason I'm asking the question is because a few of us wanna read through it. Right. And so if we say no, we don't wanna hear the report today, we wanna have a copy of it to read through, will we still and call a special meeting, will we be in alignment with the forty five days that it's due to the
state or wherever it's due? Mister Bliss, what is the end date motion? If you do it by the end We need to figure out what we need to do. Do we need okay. Do we need a motion to have him come back or how do we figure this one out, doctor? Okay. So there are a lot of different things moving at once here, and I just want to confirm the date that the board has to take action on the report. And what is action the board has to take? Well,
there's there's two things the board has to do. First is acknowledge, receipt of the report and that they read through the that they went through the recommendations. Okay. And that that would be done by resolution. Correct? Correct. Okay. That has to be done within thirty days of when the the report is issued. Have to have a Corrective action plan is forty five days from when you accept the report. Okay. Through the chair. So we don't have a clear date of issuance that I've heard. I've heard the March.
And if I'm assuming the March is Monday, the seventeenth, '30 days puts us into basically today. So if if if that's a true date and we're being prudent because we don't have a date of issuance and we're going with the first business day on the March, That's March 17. That means the board would have to pass a resolution today acknowledging receipt, hold a special meeting by the April to then vote on it, the corrective action plan part that you mentioned. Correct? Correct. But we haven't received it.
Through through the chair? Yes. His exact words were that we are, agreeing that we read the recommendations. We didn't read the recommendations. So to vote to say we read something we didn't read because we're all here budget. We never see anything. And we agreed on a budget, but now we're seeing the recommendations from the auditor. I'm I'm there's a couple of, conversations going on, and we can't I'm sorry. Finish, please. So I hear that with the resolution, but his exact words were we are agreeing,
and I'm sorry if I have it incorrect, that we have read through the recommendations. The recommendations that we're all saying, can you put on the screen right now? So that's an accurate statement that we haven't received it, and I just wanted to get the dates down clearly so we knew what was being presented to us. My question to the the auditor is, what is the outcome of the board not voting today acknowledging receipts and that they've read the report? What will happen? And that's important for the board to know what happens because then the board may
then decide to take some action to read the report now and then vote if if it's gonna be some peril that we will not be able to overcome. We will not be able to read that report now, today, and we have to It may not be possible. Yeah. We have to know what happens if we don't vote today. If you don't vote today, you basically won't be in compliance, with the thirty day rule. However, I think it's more important that the board members read the recommendations before you accept the report so you understand what you're accepting.
I think if you call a special meeting, I think that would probably be appropriate in this Is there a penalty for noncompliance? Madam Chair? I'm sorry? No, not that I know of. Okay. I just have a question. In the event that we received the report in enough time to review it, what alterations we have made to it anyway, not to accept it based on the, audit from last year. By not reading it doesn't change what's in it. It just changed that we didn't receive it to review it, to observe it on the screen.
So I'm trying to figure out the relevance in reading through it. Are there going to be changes made to it? Well, we don't know. We, we But the audit is done already from last year's. What changes could be made? Okay. But I think the board, is correct in wanting to at least receive it or see it. And I understand what you're saying about making no changes. We don't know until we have it whether we're going to make changes or not unless there can't be any changes. Is that what we're saying? Okay, so then we can move.
So madam chair, to my point, so that we can remain in compliance and we'll let doctor Fernandez handle the, rep rep preventing part on us not receiving it, but so that we can be in compliance, why don't we just receive it and then go through it because no changes can be made to it anyway. Okay. I I agree. So if I may, this Yes. Just for clarity purposes, this is the audit for last year. Right. It is completed. It is submitted. It is has been uploaded as part of the budget. This is a CPA firm. Right. We're not here too.
Yeah. These are just the facts. And part of the audit, if I may, part so what we are doing today is he's going through what the findings on the audit are. And based on those findings, there will be a corrective action plan in which we have the forty five days. The audit has already been uploaded. It's public information. So my apologies, okay, for not putting that out. It's the recommendations and findings that we are going to talk about that is essential right now so we can do a corrective action plan again that is due within
the forty five days. There are no changes to be made. Okay. So what recommendation do we get from the board to then continue? But now, Chair, I just want to, just as a point of order, this is the same process that we did last year. So last year for 2024, we received the 2023 audit from the previous year in that same order. And we've ordered on it wasn't nothing we could do about it. And you're you're right. But, through the years that I've been on this board, we've had something somewhere that we could look at is what I'm saying. But that's an administrative I'm sorry,
madam chair. I'm sorry, madam chair. I agree with you. You. I agree with the process. That is, that's an administrative issue that they got to get together as far as getting into us at enough time. But in the spirit of making sure that we're in compliance, I think that we should move forward today. That's just my record. How, what would you recommend? So we need to, we need to vote that we accept that we received it. We're going to get it. She's going to email it to us. There's no changes that could be made to it. We need to re read through it. And then when the, when the action report comes, then that's when we can have, you know, our debates because that will be the,
the corrective, The corrective action plan is Right. Is When we can voice our opinions about what happened last year and how we can fix it. But as of right now, this is an outside firm that's coming in to present to us on something that happened last year that we've already voted on, that all we have to do is say we received it. She's gonna email it to us. It's just the pattern is just out of whack right The pattern is, out of whack. You're right. So you recommend that we we vote that we received it. Yeah. Because we're receiving it now. Via. Reading it to us. Via verbally. Yeah. Because we don't have anything that we can discuss.
The business administrator already says she's going to email it. So Okay. Now I believe that the entire board has to agree with well, we're respecting your suggestion. We're just trying to give an opportunity for the rest of the board to either agree or disagree with your recommendation. So would you do we need to make that into a motion? So I I just was looking through the finance agenda. Is there a resolution on the agenda to approve the audit or to receive the audit? Well, I'm sorry.
Is there a resolute? I don't see a resolution in the finance No. There's no resolution today. I have it from the public document. I am going to send all the trustees the link to the documents so you can access the document right now. It's the 06/30/2024 document. Correct? Correct. So as I I'm going to press send, and it just said Okay. Audit, and there's a link. This is the outside firm. These are the monies that were used to build a budget that was just submitted.
So this is what we really had, the fund balance, all that. Whatever we need to fix will be the recommendations. And we have a meeting coming up on the thirtieth. You can vote on a resolution that you've read it at that point. This is just to receive it, then that you've read it, and then we're going you your input will be part of the corrective action plan. That's where we have control. Unfortunately or fortunately, the CPA firm gives us the ugly truth of whatever it is.
Mhmm. This we have no control over any of what is they're finding. They're independent of us to verify that the monies are there. Whatever practice and you've heard me speak about, action forms and things or all that. It's those are the steps that we need to do better as a district. Right. And and Doctor. Fernandez, I don't think that we are questioning any of that.
The only thing that we are asking is, why don't we have something that we can follow or even, as requested before on the screen. That's all. We're not questioning anything but process. Thank you. Okay. I could actually send it to, Juan Carlos. I'll send you the link as well. And so it's actually in your mailbox. If you look for it, it's there right now. And we'll have it ready for the, for the screen as well. If I can just add,
there's two reports. There's the annual comprehensive financial report and then the auditor's, management report on administrative findings. Okay. Okay. So through the chair, the while the report is being provided to IT and your board members' emails, it's gonna take time to put that up. We probably should just, adjourn this presentation, move to public comment, go through that, and then come back to this before closed session or after, depending on the board. Is okay. I just sent it to all of you.
Okay. Do we agree, that we will do what, our attorney is is, advising us to do? To either come back after a public, session, a public speakers, or after we come back from closed session. I I think we we would do it right after the public speakers, but then again, you know, I get, take your call. Any recommendations? Through the chair, I think after public comment is more prudent just so that the gentleman doesn't have to sit here Right. Two additional hours. Okay. Is there a motion? That's a motion
by that doctor Blunt and second by trustee at Morris. All in favor? Aye. Okay. Thank you, sir. So we will return to, the audit right after the public speakers, and we will now open for public speaking. You have to be Comment. Yes, please. Good evening, everyone. This is the public comment statement. All speakers must adhere to the three minute speaking rule. The clock shall not be stopped. Speakers will be called to the microphone to speak in the order that their request is received.
All statements or comments shall be directed to the chair. It is the expectation of the board that comments will remain positive and focus around the best interest of the students and the district as a whole. The board will not condone comments that can be perceived as harassing, insulting, threatening, or lacking in respect or civility. The chair reserves the right to, a, interrupt, warn, and or terminate a participant statement or comment when it is too lengthy, b, interrupt and or warn a participant in the statement or comment is abusive, obscene, or maybe defamatory. C,
request any person to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum or presents themselves as a danger to others in the building. Request the assistance of law enforcement officers in the removal of a disorderly person. When that person prevents or disrupts a meeting with an act that obstructs or interferes with the meeting, including threats by words, actions, or objects, e, call a recess or an adjournment to another time when the lack of public decorum interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting, and f, waive these rules when necessary for the protection of privacy or to maintain orderly operation of the board meeting. Thank you. Thank you. Yes,
Miss McKenzie, please call. I, will do the agenda items first and then go to the other comments. Okay? First speaker, Karen Hines. You have three minutes. Thank you. Good evening, superintendent, Doctor Fernandez, and board members. My name is Karen Hines and over the past twelve years, I have served this district and have been enrolled where I have consistently fulfilled and often exceeded the duties required for these positions. I currently hold an MBA with a concentration in finance and a CE for business administration.
On 03/25/2025, I received an automatic message indicating that I did not meet the requirements for the assistant budget officer, whether education, experience, or a combination of both. I was deeply concerned. After carefully reviewing the job postings and comparing them with the qualifications outlined by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, I believe this decision was not accurately reflected based on my background. Why am I not afforded the opportunity to interview? To date, I have yet to receive a response from human resource resources regarding the chain of
command on how to get this issue resolved. I'm asking that you remove agenda item 12.12, item one. I'm here to respectfully challenge this promotional appointment for the position of assistant business administrator while I formally agree with the matter with ESA and NJEA under Article job specifications posted by the state indicated a clear alignment with my qualifications and experience. For that reason, I am respectfully asking a formal review of every applicant that applies and their qualifications. Today's appearance is just not about my career.
It's about fairness, accuracy, and the opportunity to continue to serve in a district that I've invested in for over a decade. I respectfully ask that we remove this item and that it be considered and that any oversight in the review process be acknowledged and corrected. Thank you for your time and your consideration. I look forward to a response that reflects the district commitment to equality, equity, transparency, and a professional estimate. Thank you. And I also have a few documents that I would like to send out. If anybody can just tell me what the chain of command is so that way
I can get the responses that I need to the questions that I have. Thank you. Elizabeth Perry. Good evening, everyone. I also want to address the same item about Casir, getting this appointment. I came to you over a year ago speaking about this person who was being pushed through at every opportunity. He's so called related to, I think, Luce or somebody here in the district. But he failed the civil service test, so he didn't get it. Then they put him back on a couple of months later as a provisional being
promoted to a provisional title, which in itself does not make sense. And they gave it to him. So he went from 54,000 to 75,000, and now he's trying to give him 99,000. So there has always been a problem with how y'all are allowing people to slip through and get these positions. Ryan Cruz was the son of Harry Cruz. I brought that up at a prior meeting. Somebody else. I just I can name the names, and y'all know that. But the fact of the matter is I came here last month with the item
similar to her situation. Y'all wanted to push a per diem to be a law clerk, under the title clerk one where I'm a clerk one already. And now I have to go through a grievance process to even qualify to sit down for that. And the grievance process, because the unions are in bed with you all, it doesn't work in my favor. It's gonna come to light sooner or later, these practices. I would advise every board member to make up their mind whether they wanna work with integrity or they don't wanna work with integrity. And we only can speak on agenda right now.
Right? Thank you, Tommy. I just have a question. What items were those that you were speaking about with you, please? That was twelve twelve one. It's the only promotion, for non instructional. His name is Katzir. Thank you. To the chair, I just wanna clarify. This is, public comment on all items On all items? On anything. Not not just limited to agenda items. Right. It's public comment on all items. It's not just agenda items. Okay. Good. Because now I wanna pull up something. No. She just continues her time that she when she falls. So I've been saying for the longest that,
Robert Pruchnick said that the investigation was over. He said that in August of twenty twenty three, And yet and still, no one, removed me from the punishment that I was put under while so called being investigated. So now I want y'all to just hear him in his own words for however long it's to play. Report to give them an update on those investigations. Through the chair, that's not an appropriate use of public comment. You you can speak, but you can't play a recording. Issued rights notices.
We will not entertain that. Thank you very much. Well, you have done it in the past. So what I will say here Thank you. So what I will say here is please go back to the August 2023 board meeting and listen for yourself to what Robert Pushnick said. If the investigation was over, why in 2025 am I still asking for you all to give me a conclusion? Your one and only employ employee does not wanna give y'all a resolve to this issue. But 0133 gives y'all permission to sit down and adjudicate.
Thank you. Your time is up. Of course. Thank you. Sure. Naya Owen? When I was in little boy was, touching me and, like, touching up my skirt and stuff. And I told the teacher and the principal, but the principal and the teacher didn't do nothing, and they, victimized me as, like, it was my fault and, didn't do nothing but make it worse. And then the teacher made a joke. So, she hit me with the broom, and I sat out.
And she said you wasn't ouching when that little boy was touching you. The day, the little boy had sexually touched her, the the they didn't call me nothing. I didn't hear from the principal until almost 05:00 in the evening. This happened 10:40, eleven o'clock in the morning. She had to call us for us to come and get her. Gets to the school, the teacher the principal will say, well, my father her father picked her up from school. She said he was too upset to discuss the situation, but you still allow hours to go past before you contact me. When she contacted me, she said,
oh, a hip gonna be done. But there was no like, she didn't follow procedures. There was no police call. She said she didn't talk to the parents because the man the boy instantly got sick, but she sent him to the nurse and had his parents come get him, but she didn't go to the nurse. She got sent back to class. And then the next day, the teacher has insults and things about her. I I contacted the VISTA to file a report on the teacher, and she's tell she was telling me that I couldn't do it. Until I told her, I went on the website, and I printed out the paper, and I seen that she was gonna make a decision before she investigated,
she fill out the paper. Then the next day, I get a call and say, oh, we did the investigation. You guys have nothing more to say? Alright. Are you done? Yes. Okay. Thank you very much. Jim Nelson. Good evening. And I've emailed these remarks to people shortly before the workshop ended, so I know you had at least ten minutes to read stuff. Kidding. But but is mainly in support of several facility agenda items and questions of clarification. My name is Jim Nelson, the past president of the PS twenty five, Nicholas Copernicus parent council and a parent at Innovation High School. I'm speaking my personal capacity.
So agenda 11.17 concerns bathroom renovations at '25 and '23, so I'm glad to see that and also that they are listed along the other schools, on the facilities trackers. I'm just reinforcing positive reinforcement that these items that you're considering are on the facility's tracker, and that helps to appreciate the multi year momentum that we're pursuing. I would like to ask how the bathroom renovations are coordinated with the other e SIP, improvements such as replacement of sinks because that was a different vendor. Just curious about that.
And by the way, on eleven fifteen, I thought we had anticipated that the VCO Energy would be providing an ESIP tracker as improvements were being made to schools, not just when the energy savings start to accrue. If there's any update or clarification on that. Next item on eleven point nine to twelve, reflecting the care and rejecting bids for air quality work. I appreciate that carefulness. I'm just wondering about the distinction between projects that are HVAC versus projects that are air quality related and, what's the current tally of schools done to date.
And, again, I appreciate these are being listed on the facilities tracker. Last item, not in the long range facility plan, but of course, you're promoting healthy schools is 11.22. And that's for the environmental assessment. In other words, the Triennial Water Testing. Now some of the schools were tested this past this current school year, but the, other schools are subject to testing. Three notes. First, to note that the Department of Education usually reimburses school districts for water testing during the mandatory years. Second, it would be helpful if the outcome report included an overview that is not in
a PDF format, but in a format that school families can access using the website's translator tool. Again, we get a lot of information, but the question is do people have access in a meaningful way. Third, the tectonics engineering prescribes a plan that is true for compliance and correctly knows the prevailing New Jersey action level of lead for 15 parts per building. We'll probably be under one point zero parts per building because we have the water system improvements. Nonetheless, this is an opportunity to also ask them to test for forever chemicals and microplastics.
It's not required by the Department of Education, but that will put us a little further in the safety and public perception curve. And again, showing our best practice for public health and then working with, anyway, Viola about where the proper testing and filtering should be for the forever chemicals and the microplastics. Thank you, Mr. Nelson. Thank you so much. And remember the state budget, sorry, the assembly has a budget hearing for the Department of Education tonight on Monday, 10:00. Thank you, Mr. Nelson. Dwayne Baskerville? Aaron Jones Williams. Good evening, everyone. My name is Aaron Jones Williams,
and I am the I'm a former foster kid and founder and CEO of Rescue Treats. Rescue Treats is a Jersey City dog treat company where we donate our profits to dog rescues. We're headquartered here, and we're over, I think now, over a hundred unique retailers. Rescue Treats has also recently been honored by Jersey City and the entire state of New Jersey with awards for the mission and what we are doing. You might have heard of us, but it's okay if you haven't because we donate our marketing budget to dog rescues.
So, as a side note, we also help raise thousands of dollars for schools, sports, teams, community programs with our no cost fundraiser. And, of course, on the end, we donate our profits to dog rescues. It creates a unique double fundraiser. I realize that things get busy, so I'm here tonight to directly say Rescue Treats wants to help support Jersey City Schools. Just like we've done with others, I think it takes more than just an email, and that's why I'm here. Thank you all for your time.
Thank you very much. Alicia Mustak. I don't think so. Patrice Shoah. Okay. That is everybody I have for in person. We now have, Sabrina Harrell coming in. Miss Harold? She's speaking can you? Can you hear me? Yes, now we hear you miss arrow. Okay. You're on public comment. This is for all your speaking. It's 3 It's okay? Yes. Thank you. Good evening, superintendent Fernandez and board trustees. I really don't even know what to say,
based upon what I have just, witnessed as an observed in this meeting this evening. I just wanna just point out that last month, I was speaking to the fact that maybe you could look into, you know, posting on board docs, the budgets and the documents or whatever. And it's very baffling the fact that as board trustees, you all don't even have the documents to review. So how can you all vote, or how do you all vote on anything that you didn't have time to prepare for, to review,
to gen to to formulate your questions. And I think that in all trans transparency purposes, that we need to change how this is done and that these documents should be attached at the minimum to board docs and that all board trustees should have this information prior to a meeting. They should not just be given stuff at the last minute. The, other issue that I, was going to speak about, it seems everybody else, I picked up on, was for item number 12.12
number one in regard to the this particular person's, promotions that I think I spoke about, in prior meetings. I know there was a $5,000 discrepancy in the the the salaries at that time. I don't know if that was ever resolved because when I go back and follow all of, the provisional promotions, which is another thing. When you're civil service, a promotion, you usually have to take a test. You have to serve in a in a year in a in a permanent title before you're eligible for a promotion.
So I don't know if the policies and procedures have changed because as I watch these meetings, when different people come up with different situations, the rules and the policies, I can't even say policies, there is no policies. Things just change, it seems, based upon who the person is. So there's no consistency in how promotions are being given to employees, how movement is taking place. And the fact that this individual went from provisional title to provisional title to provisional title and never took a test, but salary has increased almost $40,000.
And you have employees who's been there for ten, fifteen, twenty years who have the hardest time just to get an interview. And I think that's something that you all may need to further discuss and come up with solutions that's fair and equitable across the board for all employees so that everyone has a fair opportunity for promotions and that there's a policy put in place in regards to the process. Thank you so much. You have a great rest of your evening. Thank you, miss Harrell. And that, we have two others, Cheryl Mays and Jermaine Woodward,
but they're not on Zoom at this time Well, that's great We have time then to get, the rest of our job done Thank you so much Okay. Do so we're going to go back to the on no. No. That we have to discuss it downstairs and then okay? So okay. We're going to discuss it downstairs and then we'll bring you back. Okay. So we're going to go back to the audit. Doctor. Fernandez, please. If I may, to the parent who spoke, Naya Owens, I'm going to ask
director Watkins Williams and director Kokara to speak to the parents since that is a discipline, or hip possibility. Please speak to the parent, Thank you, Doctor. Fernandez. And is there any other discussion with regards to the speakers and again, without having to touch personnel items? To the chair? Yes. First, I wanna make a few comments about certain things that I did take part in this month. So I wanna start on a high note. I thought that Wordsworth,
last week it was last week. Right? Yes. Was fantastic. You know, the whole display, the presentation, the work from the students. And what I really liked about it was every school in the district was represented in some way. And the theme project that the high schools put together was just outstanding and phenomenal. So that was one of the highlights for the month of April for me. Also, I thought that the, art showcase, which also took place this past weekend, was outstanding as well. I know you were there as well. The artwork is just always so impressive.
The depth, the shading, you know, the contouring, the line work, all of that is just so impressive. And then obviously listening to the students play is just always a great thing. I miss you, miss Aldo, but I was there. So I know you were there earlier, but I got there a little later. So those were the things that I did have to say in regards to that. Now in regards to some of the comments that I heard, I have to say that I am a little disappointed that I'm hearing some of the same things that we've been hearing over the course of previous years. A policy regarding promotions might be something that we might need to look into because
this is something that continuously comes up, and something needs to be put in place in order to ensure that there's a fair process going along. And and the fact that somebody gets up here and asks us, what is the chain of command indicates that there are people in the district who are unaware of what the process is, which is why there's a need for standard operating procedures. I'm not interested in the fact that it's, civil service, it's this, it's that, and so on and so forth. There needs to be a clear system in place of how things flow in this
district. It's too big of a district for things to just be going one way and not, you know, for everybody across the board. As far as, adjudication of policy zero one three three goes, it is my opinion that in order for the board to execute or operate or to adhere to that particular policy, it needs to be spelled out very specifically what leads up to the board's adjudication. So there needs to be some sort of training command outlined. I don't know if the board wants to revisit that policy. I know we discussed it sometime in the past,
and we hear what you're saying, but there needs to be some set criteria in place prior to us actually saying, okay, we're willing to do that. The fact that this young lady and her mother had to come here today, I think is a little disheartening because this was a conversation that we were exchanging in emails, prior to even today. So this should have been dealt with prior to it getting here. It was? Okay. Well, let's make sure it gets, fixed. Okay. One more thing. We all know that when we come here, we're being asked to vote on different things that,
we need information, clear information. It could have just been an oversight, but we do need documentation, attachments for things that are being asked of us to vote. And this is just continuous from this meeting onto all of the rest of them moving forward in, the future. And it would be very interesting, and I I I do wanna see the job description. So I hope somebody has that for, us to look at for the position that was outlined. And I want to know what the specific qualifications are for the position.
I think we can discuss that. I didn't mention anybody. That's But it's still, it's still, what is it? A human personnel? I'll I'll end it. Personnel. I think we need to take that downstairs. That's right. And I'll stop. So I I do wanna see that information. Thank you. Madam Chair? Yes, sir. Yeah. I just wanted to say I agree, partially with the vice president regarding the, the selection process. I do want to discuss that a little further. But as it pertains to the statement that was made regarding the constant complaints for years that were about different positions,
it seems to be the same people coming, complaining about the same thing at these meetings. So what I would like to see, madam president, I don't know if we can do this, is to find out a consensus of how many complaints the board has received on this particular matter. Because if it's the same people coming to the meeting complaining about the same thing over and over again, it starts to become a little com it starts to become a little, I'm not going to say annoying, but it starts to become a little repetitive, regarding certain positions that some people just may not qualify for. So, you know, I think that before we can sit here and make a blanket statement stating that,
you know, they're complaining about X, Y, and Z, statement stating that, you know, they're complaining about X, Y, and Z, I think a thorough investigation would need to be, would need to take place to find out how accurate this is, because you could have a couple of disgruntled employees come to a microphone and complain on a public platform just to get the attention that they need. You're we're not going to have that. I'm sorry. And if you can't, we'll ask you to we'll ask you to leave. You'll have your opportunity to speak. This is our opportunity to discuss. Thank you. We're gonna continue. Thank you, madam president. But I just think that,
you know, if you have the same disgruntled employees coming to the microphone complaining about the same things, Obviously we're going to get tired of hearing it, but if it's not a collective, matter of across the board with all 6,000 employees, I think that it's just a matter of fact issue when, when they're coming. But until investigation is done so that we can really know the outcome of it, I don't think we can really pass judgment on it. I haven't received any emails with complaints. And even last year, we've had the same group of people that come and complain about the same things. Right. No new faces. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else?
Any other concerns? And again, I do agree, with, trustee, Morris as well as trustee, Tisdale. However, I I think we need to take this and thoroughly, okay, look into it, in our in in our closed session. Thank you so much. That's it for the speakers. Okay. So now I believe we can return to the audit. Doctor Fernandez, are you Yes. Okay. So we can return to the audit. Would you like to, please? Thank you. Thank you. I'm sorry. Thank you. Thank you, President Velasquez.
So, mister Bliss, thank you. So I had distributed a copy of what the recommendations are that will go along with the final audit of 2024. I had are you able to show this, Juan Carlos, the the print that I just gave you? Are you able to put on the screen? So you'll be able to view it as well. I don't know if you can make it any bigger or however. Thank you. Okay. Are we ready? What was passed out was a summary of the recommendations. It should be one, two, three pages. I'll read the recommendation, then I'll explain to you what it relates to.
The first recommendation under Financial Planning, Accounting and Reporting is recommended that payroll transfers be made into the salary and salary escrow accounts for the total amount required for each individual pay period as reflected on the respective payroll register reports. Current practice that the Board uses is they only transfer into the payroll accounts on an ad need basis. The best practice procedure is whatever the total payroll is,
you transfer it into the payroll accounts and then the money is there. What is happening now is when a payment is made, that's when the money is transferred. It's not transferred in for the total amount of the payroll, only as payments are made. Payroll accounts are what are called escrow type accounts, where the money that goes in basically goes out. But you have to put all the money in that is required, to account for it properly in the books. So the recommendation again is payroll transfers be made into the salary and salary escrow
accounts for the total amount required for each individual pay period as reflected on the respective payroll register reports. Item two also deals with payroll. The payroll deductions are accounted for in a general ledger account, and they are accounted for by individual deductions, federal withholding, Social Security, state income taxes, pension deductions. The balances related to employee payroll deductions and withholdings be reviewed and to ensure amounts
accurate reflect amounts too. I mean, reviewing the balances, we noted balances that have large dollar values, which don't appear valid. And then we have deduction accounts, which are in negative position. In total, they net out to about $2,100,000 But they do need to be reviewed, revised to reflect the actual balances due by individual category. With respect to the district payroll, I'll read the recommendations. The first one, 3a, timesheets to support payments to Casper program employees be maintained on file and made available
for audit. In testing the payroll charges to the Casper program, there were no supporting timesheets to support the amounts paid to the respectable employees and charged against that program. 3b, payments for overtime be calculated and paid in accordance with the terms of the employment contracts. In testing, overtime pay, we look at the time sheets, the number of hours, and then we recalculate the hourly rates. The hourly rates we recalculated did not agree to the hourly rates that were being
paid for certain employees in the custodial and maintenance bargaining unit. 3C, stipends be paid only for those amounts approved as part of the employment contract. We noted one instance where a stipend was paid to an administrator that the stipend was not in his contract, and we did not see a resolution that was approved by the Board for that particular stipend. Time and activity reports be signed by supervisory personnel.
We noted several instances where time sheets and activity reports were not approved and signed off by a supervisor verifying that those hours will work for that respective employee. And I actually had one instance where the employee approved his own timesheet, can't have that. Item four also deals with payroll. Recommendation is the district complete a payroll check distribution verification in accordance with the New Jersey administrative code
6A23A-5.7. Under that administrative code, every three years, the district is required to do what is called a payroll check verification. That is a process where each employee comes in and signs for their paycheck or for their direct deposit. They have to provide identification, usually in the form of a driver's license. They must sign the sheet, and then they can process the direct deposit or receive their checks. The last time that process was done was in 2019.
It was required, again, every three years. That process should take place prior to June of twenty twenty five. Next item, internal controls over open purchase orders and year end liabilities be reviewed and enhanced to ensure all obligations of the district are recorded and that purchase order balances classified as reserved for encumbrance represent valid commitments. Purchase orders that reflect purchases that are made that you have not received yet,
goods or services that you ordered or awarded contracts for that you have not received yet. In auditing those open orders, we noted there were invalid open orders. They should have been canceled. They were not valid, and they should have been reviewed and canceled as invalid. And then we also noted unrecorded liabilities, meaning there were payments made after the end of the year that were for expenses related to the twenty twenty three-twenty twenty four year, and they were not recorded.
And then there were also open unrecorded encumbrances. Those were contracts that were rewarded during the year or at the end of the year that were not encumbered and reflected in the books as those funds being committed. Item six, transactions and account balances related to the District's Energy Savings Improvement Program, ESIP, be maintained and recorded in the District's financial reporting system. In addition, payments made with respect to the ESIP program be approved by the Board in the
official minutes. This recommendation relates to the ESIP program. During the 'twenty three-'twenty four year, the district issued ESIP bonds for $55,000,000 It also transferred in about $52,000,000 of ARP ESSER monies and about $12,000,000 from its capital outlay budget to fund this program. The total budget is somewhere around $122,000,000 The monies are maintained with a trustee. When you issue ESIP bonds, a trustee must handle the must hold the monies and,
handle the disbursement of those funds. Even though there is a trustee that holds the money, the transaction still must be recorded in the district records. It's still district funds. They are accounted for in what's called Fund 30, Capital Projects Fund. And all payments made out of that fund, and for that project, out of that trustee's account must be approved by the board in accordance with the normal purchasing procedures where the Board approves the bill list.
Item seven, the financial reporting system be closed in a timely manner subsequent to year end to ensure accurate reporting and accounting of financial transaction at year end and the practice of issuing current year checks in the subsequent period be discontinued. This relates to the timing of closing the books. The books were not closed in a timely manner. They remained open. They were closed somewhere in November. I think November 30 was the final close.
And checks issued in July, August, September were backdated and dated June 30 and reflected in the records as disbursements. In going through all those transactions, there were significant adjustments that had to be made to the financial statements for accounts payable, things that were accounts payable and were not recorded, prepaid items as well as items that should have been recorded as encumbrances. All material adjustments were made in the financial statements.
The district's liabilities for accrued salary and wages be supported by adequate documentation to ensure the accuracy and validity of amounts reported. In pretty much all the funds, there is a liability for accrued salary and wages. Those are employee pay that is earned as of June 30, but not paid. I mean, going through those liabilities, we noted balances that were invalid and required to be adjusted. So we need to review those open liabilities for salary and wages and any amounts
that are not due for employee earnings that were not paid at year end must be canceled. Item nine, the district obtained an actuary report with respect to the incurred but not reported claims of the self insured workers' compensation plan. You are self insured for your workers' compensation plan under the accounting standards. You have to have an actuary do a report of claims that are incurred but not reported. They basically do a history of your claims,
past claims, and they calculate a number of what the potential liability is for claims that have incurred, but people have not reported them yet. That was a repeat from the year before. Anything with an asterisk is a repeat from the year before. Number 10, internal controls over the reconciliation of the general operating bank account year end be reviewed and enhanced to ensure the final reconciled balance is an agreement with the district financial reports provided for audit. As the books were not closed out till November 30,
the bank recs and checks were being issued after the end of the year and backdated. The bank reconciliation was a constant changing document. But when you do close out and you reconcile the bank accounts, they have to agree to the general ledger account balances and any differences have to be investigated and the appropriate action to correct them. Again, all the material differences were corrected in your financial statements. Number 11, also a repeat. The district's budget report related to the ESEA Title IV and American Rescue Plan ESSER
programs be reviewed to ensure the appropriations and resulting balances accurately reflect remaining program funds available. The modified budget for these two grants were not in agreement with the funds that were available. Title IV was overstated, meaning you were showing you had money to spend, but there were no funds there in that amount. And the ARP funds were understating, meaning that what it said you had available was less than what you actually had
available to spend. We provided the beginning balances to the business office, and hopefully, they were reflected in the budget report going forward. Item 12 dealt with the American Rescue Pay and Escort Program. The Board resolution approving hourly rates for employees funded by American Rescue Plan ESCA program be amended to reflect revised contractual rates. In addition, timesheets for such employees be signed for approval by the appropriate supervisory personnel. Part of your grant compliance requirements is
any salaries or stipends that are charged to a grant program must be approved by resolution of the Board and you do that. In this particular case, you approved hourly rates for employees in the I think it was in the beginning of the year or maybe prior to the year to be charged to the twenty three-twenty four ESSER program. Subsequent to that resolution, you actually revised those hourly rates in your bargaining unit contract.
And however, the resolution was never amended going forward. And in addition, the timesheets for those hourly employees were not properly approved by supervisory personnel. School Purchasing Program, Item 13, which is a repeat internal controls of the rewarding of contracts we reviewed and enhanced to ensure compliance with the public school contracts law. We had issue where the bid documents for contracts the Board awarded through a bid for the resolution,
those contract documents were not available for us to audit. That's the bid advertisement, the results of the bids that came in, the business registration certificates, the 10% ownership and some other documents that are required when bids are received. We also had contracts that were over the bid threshold that were not approved in the minutes. In accordance with the local public contracts law, contracts that exceed the bid threshold have to be approved by the Board and by
resolution of the Board. And then we had an instance where one change order was not approved in the minutes. Board is also required to approve material change orders. Item 14, which is also a repeat. With respect to payments on contracts procured through the use of state contracts and local cooperative purchasing programs, it is recommended that, a, documentation to support the the state or cooperative purchasing program contract be maintained on file
and made for audit. We're we're looking for and what is best practices that if you use these type of contracts, the board is not required to go out for public, bids because these co ops in the state division of purchasing has done that for you. You are permitted to piggyback off those contract awards. However, you have to get the, contract documentation from these entities to ensure that, number one, there's a valid contract in effect and that the prices
that you're charged are in accordance with that contract documentation. 14b, still regarding state contracts and local cooperative purchasing programs. Vendor invoices submitted for payments be reviewed to ensure that per unit prices charged agree with the State and Cooperative Purchasing Program contract award documentation. In reviewing some of these contracts, you did have certain ones that did have the contract documentation on file. I mean, reviewing that documentation from the co op and looking at what the vendor charged you,
they weren't in agreement. You have to be the same. You're piggybacking off that contract award. And then 14, again, dealing with state contracts and local cooperative purchasing programs. Vendors' invoices be sufficiently detailed to ensure compliance with the contract award pricing. We had instances mainly with construction type contracts, public work contracts, where there would be just one amount on the invoice. It's due repair of a roof, x amount of dollars. The invoice has to be broken out
by the labor categories, the hourly rates, the supplies and then the markup or markdown on those supplies based on the contract awarded by the state or the local cooperative. Item 15, also a repeat under purchasing. Notification to the State Controller's Office be made for contracts awarded in excess of statutory thresholds. All contracts in excess of $2,500,000 There is a post award notice requirement,
meaning you have to notify the Office of Controller you awarded a contract that exceeded $2,500,000 and how you procured that contract and who the vendor is that you awarded that contract and the amount. Any contracts that exceed $12,500,000 you must notify the State Controller's Office prior to you awarding the contract. There you had one instance where there was a contract over $12,500,000 that was not submitted to the Office of State Controller.
Item 16, under food service program I'm sorry. Yes. Do the chair? I just wanted to know how I didn't hear the figure. The what? The number. How much was what was the number you just quoted? Any contract over 12,500,000.0, prior to the board awarding that contract, you must notify the state controller's office prior to the award of that contract. You had one contract like that. Food service. It is recommended that food service collections be deposited in a timely manner. The funds collected for food sales,
which is cash, is very small amounts, but they're being held way too long in the various schools. Sometimes, they were held up to a month prior to them being deposited. The rule of thumb is at least every two days, every forty eight business hours. Under Pupil Transportation, two recommendations both were repeats. 17, internal controls over the Doctor of the district report of transplanted resident students be reviewed and enhanced to ensure only those students eligible for transportation be reported and that documentation
to support such eligibility be maintained and available for audit. The District Report of Transported Resident Students is a census that is taken every October 15, and it is a census of regular school students transported, how many what school that gives the name, the school they're attending and how many miles from their residence that you're transporting them. In tracing those students that were listed to the class registers,
we noted several students that we could not trace to the class registers, meaning they were not attending or were not registered to attend on that date. With special ed students, we trace them to their individual education plans, their IEPs, to ensure that they are classified students. In reviewing those students to IEPs, we had several students that were classified as special ed students that did not have an IEP on that date and therefore,
should not have been reported as a special ed student. And then we had students that were were classified as special ed, did have IEPs, but there was no tuition contract or the tuition bill did not specifically list those students as attending that school. And therefore, there was no documentation to support, those students who were transported. 18, contract renewals for student transportation service be be submitted to the county for review and
approval in a timely manner. In accordance with the state statutes, transportation contracts can be renewed. Such renewals must be submitted to the county superintendent. We had instances where the board approved renewals prior to the start of the school year, but those renewals were not submitted to the county until February, even though they were approved, some of them in May and February.
We need to be more timely. Facilities and capital assets, number 19, also a repeat, it is recommended that the district obtain or prepare a perpetual inventory report with respect to the value of district owned capital assets and related depreciation. Currently, there are no detailed accounting records of the district's capital assets. The value currently is $540,000,000 that includes land, building at historical cost, improvements to buildings,
equipment, vehicles. There is no detailed accounting of those assets. And District needs to probably hire an inventory professional to come in and do an inventory of your capital assets and then place a value, a historical cost value on them. Those were the 19 recommendations that were in our report, 10 of which were repeats from the prior year. If you have any questions, we'd be more than happy to answer them. Mister Blitz? Yes. First of all, I want to once again apologize for having to stop you so abruptly.
But it was we we have a better understanding when we can follow you, not just with our ears, but also with our eyes. We're we're educators and a lot of us learn different ways. But anyway, again, as we were going through this and I was speaking to doctor Fernandez, I do see that some of these things we are already working on or we have completed. However, I just wanna thank you for the work that you've done, for the information that you bring to us. And, again, I know that, you know,
you take your work seriously, and you do a good job, and so do we. So, thank you. Any questions? We do have questions. There's a Yes. Miss Resabella. You said 10 out of the 19 were repeats? We can't hear you. Yes. You said 10 out of the 19 were repeats? Correct. Do we know if they were repeated from the year previous? Some of them, yes, were. I can tell you the ones that that I remember from from the year before that, two years ago. Number nine. Number 19 and I believe,
17 as well. And I have one follow-up question. Under Casper, it says there are none. But, when you began in the financial planning portion, you said something about the Casper program employees? Yes. Under payroll, in reviewing the timesheets to support the CASPER program employees' pay, there were no timesheets available for us to audit. Through the chair? Yes. I just have one question. What is the timeline for rectifying the situation that you just outlined? You have to approve a corrective action plan, forty five days from today.
You have to I know as, the board president, has mentioned some of these things were corrected, and I know they're working on it. But theoretically, they should have to be corrected by June 30. By June 30? Of '20 '5. By June 30. June thirtieth of '20 '5. Yes. The the corrective action has to be implemented as soon as possible. And hopefully, we can correct these situations by the end of the year. Doctor Luce, did you have I'm sorry. Yes. Thank I'm sorry. Doctor Luce, did you Yes. Thank you. So, just to add to what mister Bliss is saying,
there's a number of things that we are already in the process of correcting. So I'll give you one example, like the ESIP, which is on it was on last month. It's on this month again. And the reason being is because it was never recorded. We've made the payments. It is in a trust as he has explained, but we never did the proper recording. So when that once that was brought to our attention, when we met two months ago, we started implementing that. So there's that. Another one is the payroll verification that hasn't been done since 2019.
We have it almost finalized that it's going to go out within the next week that we're going to do it probably in June. Okay? So there are some things that we really have in place. We've made some changes to some of the departments in the on the business floor, as you know. We moved people around and we've kind of consolidated to make things much more efficient, which would eliminate some of these findings. So thank you. Yes. Madam president, it's Christine Morris. Just so that we have, that we have clarity, madam BA through the chair.
So under your predecessor, I believe we had 18 findings, last year. And according to the auditor, we have, their the the changes or the recommendations should be done instantaneously. Correct? But based on the time frame that you've been in your office, you said that you've made dramatic changes Right. To the list that we have. So in real time, do we have an update on I know you mentioned some, but just so that we know for the trustees that were not here last year, so that they know what it is that you're working that you're working on from
the eras from last year, just so that we have a clear understanding. So I don't have last year's No. Not presently. I'm just saying later. So, in stepping into this role, there were some things that needed to be corrected at that time and in the transition. And so one of the things, and I I everyone knows, we moved our accounts payable and our, purchasing department. We have combined them because they should work in tandem. Right? That we should be able to, you know, know what the vendors are, receipt items, pay them out, have records accurate. And so that wasn't happening because they were working independently.
So that's one of the things that has been done, and it's really a seamless effort at this point. So we're working on each of these areas in the business department to make sure that we don't have these findings going forward. So I guess that's what I was trying to get at. So I just wanted to make sure that we're all clear that this is from last year and that there were some eras that when you took over the reign of being the acting business administrator, as you assessed, you made corrections based on the findings from last year,
but we have not yet seen them yet based on, I guess, the timing of the audit. So this this audit is from June of twenty four. I'm aware. So last year's obviously was from two years ago, just for clarity for everyone else. So, yes, so we were working on those. And then once I met with Mr. Bliss and his firm, there were these additional findings, some of the same, some new ones, like the payroll verification. And we are working on these, all of this concurrently to make sure that we're moving ahead with the district.
Yeah. And Madam Chair, just one my last thing, just to you know, for clarity, last year, there were a substantial amount of findings from the previous year under a previous employee that we were still correcting that took a little longer than expected. So a lot of these are rolled over into the new year that we're trying to rectify. I just wanted to clarify that. Correct. Through the chair? Through Oh, sorry. Thank you so much. I want to comment on item six with regard to the ESIP program and to Doctor. Luce's point for the last two months. The finance committee has been reporting on the fact that payments are now going to
be recorded through the ESIP program and reflected on the reports. So we are definitely doing that and talking about it. And I had a question for Mr. Bliss about item 19, the inventory of capital assets that you're recommending and that is seems to be a repeat recommendation. Is that a compliance issue or a best practice issue? I mean, to me, it sounds like definitely a great idea to have an inventory of capital assets and you're suggesting that the district should hire someone to do that. So can you talk a little about that?
Yes. So it's, compliance with financial reporting. Under the accounting standards, we take what your district fund accounting, and we convert it into what we call full accrual accounting. As part of that, you have to report the value of your capital assets and how much they've depreciated over the years. So the bottom line is we have these capital assets with a significant value, which we're, you know, we're taking it from the prior auditor, and then we're adding the new stuff.
And there's no comprehensive detailed list of really what assets are really in in the district. You also want to tag and number your assets that are called movable equipment that computers and and, servers and vehicles. You know, you wanna identify them and know, you know, if you do every so often, you do a physical inventory and check, do we still have it? Or if you don't, where to go? So,
it's a compliance issue, but it's also an internal control issue of making sure your assets you buy, you have. You know, they're not they're just there. Yeah. Madam chair, I just think it's important that, you know, we have this dialogue publicly because we have a lot of, public speakers that are watching this that are trying that may use this as ammunition to say that we're not doing x, y, and z. So that's one of the reasons why I wanted to clarify that this is a ongoing process.
This is not something that could be fixed overnight. You know, findings take time, to, process and to find solution to, and I just want to give credit to our VA, our acting VA, because I think that she's doing an awesome job, based on the pressure that she's been placed on to be thrown into the position. You know, I think that based on the number of findings that we have that are repetitive from the years to come shows that they are rolled over issues and that she is that she is, in fact, working diligently trying to eliminate each one one by one.
I know for a fact she's paying the bills. Well, it's already reflected that some of the items that are here, they've either worked on or are still working on. So and we do understand that some of them have come up time and time again. Again, I don't think it's a reflection on on any of the staff. It's just things that we need to the district needs to continue to work on and improve. So, if there's no okay, Trustee There's a chair. Last question. In your experience, when it comes to your recommendations,
do boards usually look through the recommendations before agreeing on the budget, or is this something that comes after? I mean, yesterday was tax season. I start in October. You would probably get a a pretty good recommendation or a lease analysis before getting closer to April and filing whatever the case may be. No. Do recommendations, especially ones that are being worked on that are going into the current budget, are we usually, Is this historically the the process? Usually, the audit report comes out,
before the budget. The recommendations and corrective action are approved well before the budget process. This year with the late closing of the books, pushed the audit off several months, actually. We actually came in in, like, September and started the preliminary process. And then when we went to close out the books, they weren't closed. So, you know, do our stuff to close out and write the report. So it was a little delayed this year. I would hope and and I'm pretty, confident that, next year the books will be closed timely.
A lot of a couple of these recommendations are year end procedures, which can easily be fixed before the end of the year. And I would believe that all those things would be corrected, because they're not that difficult to do. It's just you gotta do it. You know, you when you keep the books open that long, it becomes a very arduous process to get everything right because they keep posting and keep recording transactions three, four, five months after the end of the year. Okay.
Thank you. Be there no more questions. I I thank you again, mister Blitz, and, good job. Thank you, madam president. I appreciate it. So now I will Right, Adam. Motion. I will well, first, you let have to let me introduce why we're gonna make this motion. Okay. The motion is to accept the No, it wasn't. Sorry. I dropped the gun. I'm sorry? No, it was something else. Sorry. Go ahead. Okay. Alan, I will entertain a motion to accept the recommendations provided by,
the company And acknowledge and the audit and acknowledge receipt of the report. And acknowledge receipt of the report. That's why we have an attorney. Motion. Second. Motion moved by Trustee. Two to three. Second by, Trustee. I just wanted to clarify. Give me Okay. We can clarify after we do the motion before we vote. Okay? Second. Okay. Second by Trustee Morris. Now you can clarify. Thank you. I just wanted to clarify, Doctor. Luz. At the next board meeting, you'll bring the report about what the corrections are going to be and what the
timeline is and who's doing what. So we have forty five days to get the corrective action plan. So I don't know It will be it's not forty five days till the next board meeting. No. It's not. So we may have it done. I don't wanna say that we will not. We are gonna work diligently on it, but I need to meet with every one of these departments, obviously, and make sure that we have a consensus on what the process is going to be in creating these new procedures and making sure that they're implemented. So my goal, yes, is to have that, absolutely. And yes, you will have that beforehand.
Okay. As soon as I have it. Just as long as we have it to follow along the, additional question. I forgot what my follow-up was. Thank you. I'll find out later. Yes. Through the chair, I just wanna clarify. So on the April 30 meeting, the board will be voting on the corrective action plan, and then you'll have forty five days from then to to implement the corrective action plan. I just want the board to know what's coming next. That was not my understanding. So April 30 is a special board meeting for the public budget hearing. The budget hearing. The what?
The public the public budget hearing is April 30. But I thought mister List indicated that by April 30, '40 '5 days, the board had to adopt the corrective action plan, which is when you completed it. Correct. It's just I remember that from last year. It's just saying, so that'll happen on the thirtieth. We can do that on the thirtieth as well. Yes. Absolutely. So there will be two voting items on the thirtieth, which is the, budget public budget as well as the corrective action plan. That's what I thought you mister Liz said. Yes. That would be the forty five days. Yes. Yes. Okay. So I think we can call that day,
but I will have that information to you prior Right. Once we write the plan. Okay. I think we can call a vote now, please. Trustee Morris. Aye. Trustee Patel. Yes. Trustee Schneider. Oh, I'm sorry. Trustee Viszabella? Yes. Trustee Blank? Yes. Trustee Ioffe? Yes. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. Vice President Tisdale. Yes. President Velasquez. Yes. The motion passed. Passed. Thank you. Okay. Motion. Hold on. I think we're, ready now to go,
oh, yeah, to do our closed meeting. I'm sorry. You have president. I have a motion before we go into close meeting. There's a motion on the floor for a resolution, you said? Yeah. I would like to enter a motion before we go into closed session. Okay. To modify policy zero one six seven, amending section number three, eliminating both Zoom and phone in its entirety. Would you would you read that for us, please, if you have it? Okay. To the chair, so the existing policy that, Trustee Morris referenced is zero six seven,
public participation in board meetings. In section three, it indicates the public comment portion of the board's in person regular meeting shall be limited to ninety minutes. Participants may appear in person and may participate via Zoom or by telephone. And then it just goes on to say the board chair can extend. That second sentence I read that says participants may appear in person or may participate via Zoom or by telephone should be amended just to say participants may appear in person, period, and then delete the remaining portion or may participate via Zoom or by telephone.
So is shouldn't we if we're gonna amend that, not May, but should appear in person, what do you think? Yeah. We could amend that. Participants must appear in person. It should they should. Okay. Okay. So there's a motion. And second? Go ahead. I'm sorry? She seconded it. Oh, okay. Trustee Patel is seconding the motion. Any discussion? I just have a question, madam. Yes, sir. I'm just curious, like, what changed from the first time we had this conversation. I made the suggestion when we very when we had this conversation back in I
don't remember why we were to get rid of Zoom and phone, and I'm just curious where the changes come in before I vote. So madam chair I I also, was strongly, for this resolution at the time. And I think what what changed is trustee, Morris' mind. Yeah. So I I I would be better to, explain why. First of all, mister vice president, you're absolutely correct. You did, make the recommendation. And madam president, you did, in fact, strongly agree with it. At the time, I did not know that this building was handicap accessible.
Right. Now knowing that the building is handicap accessible and also knowing that having the Zoom and phone was only temporary because of COVID. It happened, during that time. And before then, the people were coming in in person. I just think that it would be fair for the public to come in in person and voice, you know, their concerns and ask their questions. And I am not against saying that I was wrong. So I was wrong. And, now I would like to amend it and make it right. Thank you. I think we're ready for a vote. Trustee Viszabella?
Yes. No. We keeping the Zoom. Trustee Snyder? He's he's not here. Yeah. He left. He left. No. I didn't know he left. Okay. He's gone. Trustee Mohammed. Yes. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Ioffe? No. Trustee Morris? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. Vice President Tisdale? I'm staying in. She's breaking the talk. President Velasquez? Yes. Motion passed. Thank you. Okay. Those that have stayed will still benefit from it. Okay. Now I'm gonna motion, to go to closed session. And I think we we should still give ourselves we don't have to use the
hour the ninety minutes, but we should still give ourselves ninety minutes. Motion motion by, trustee Morris. Second. You like that. Second by trustee Tisdale. All in favor? Aye. Hold it. Thank you. Pursuant to the open public meetings at NJSA ten colon four dash twelve, the Jersey City Board of Education will now be going into closed session for the purpose of discussing matters where confidentiality is essential. In particular, one lease or acquisition of property or pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiations.
The matters discussed in this closed session can be made public at the time that the need for confidentiality no longer exists. It has already been voted on, and all are going in. We said ninety minutes. It is now 09:21. Okay. Here we are. Okay. We've come go ahead. Return from closed session. Mhmm. I'm now gonna take the roll call. Trustee Blunt? Present. Trustee Ioffe? Here. Trustee Morris? Present. Trustee Mohammed? Present. Trustee Patel?
Present. Trustee Rosabella? Kieth. Trustee Schneider? Vice President Tisdale? Oh. And President Velasquez. Okay. Mister Tisdale has left the building. We have a quorum. I'm here. Okay. We have a quorum. We'll move on. I need a motion to adopt 7.01. Motion. The minutes. Okay. Motion by trustee, Morris. Second? Second. Second by trustee Patel. Discussion? None. Okay. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Ioffe? Yes. Trustee Morris?
Yes. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. Trustee Isabella? Yes. President Velasquez? Yes. And I and I am going to also need a motion for seven zero two. The reason I did them split is because there's two minutes from two different meetings. Exactly. If you were not there, you can abstain. So now motion for adoption of minutes for the special meeting, the board retreat, and we have a motion from trustee Morris. Second? Second. Trustee, Afaf. Discussion? None.
Motion. I need vote, please. Trustee Belan? Yes. Yes. Trustee Ioffe? Yes. Trustee Morris? Yes. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. Trustee Rosabella? Yes. And president Velasquez? Yes. Motion on Okay. Now thank you. A motion on, the eight, at eight eight point zero one to 8.27. Motion? Motion. Second. Okay. Motion by trustee Morris. Second. Second. Oh,
trustee Ioffe, second. Thank you. Discussion? Okay. Vote, please. Trustee Patel? Trustee Morris. Yes. Trustee Mohammed. Yes. Trustee Ioffe. Yes. Trustee Resabella. Yes. Trustee Blunt. Yes. President Velasquez. Yes. Motion passed. Thank you. Motion for, nine the nines? Motion. Motion by trustee Afa. Second. Second by trustee Morris. Discussion? There's none. So let's Trustee Rosabella? Yes. Trustee Yes.
Trustee motion motion for finance. Motion. Motion. Motion by trustee, Second. Discussion? There's none, so let's vote. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. Trustee Aoki? Yes. Trustee Regibala? Yes. Trustee Gallant? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. Trustee Morris? Yes. President Velasquez? Yes. Motion passed. Thank you. Finance. Motion. I'm sorry. Motion. Oh. Second. Motion by Trustee Ioffe, second by trustee Morris. Discussion? Yes. Through the chair. Yes. I have a quick question.
The rejection of bids on indoor air quality, was it just I'm sorry. The rejection of bids on indoor air quality, is that just something it it the there was no cost estimate? Where is that? I'm sorry. Eleven point o nine, eleven point ten, eleven point eleven. All the way to yes. So was was just all of the estimates that were returned out of doctor Luce, if you would explain, please? Thank you, doctor Fernandez. Thank you, doctor Fernandez. So when we reject the bids, it's because the lowest bid exceeded the cost that we were looking for.
Doctor Luz, I'm sorry. Would you please yes. I'm sorry. And the and the microphone so we can all hear. The reason why we reject the bids is because the lowest the lowest bidder still exceeded the cost of what we were looking for for the goods and services. So we put it back out to bid to get a more competitive price. You put it back out to bid? We will. What's after today? Oh, after today. Yes. Okay. Then how what's the the time, frame between, you know, the back out to bid and when you have to actually make a decision?
So once if this is approved, okay, it's been approved that we reject the bids, we can get the scope of work together again and put it back out to bid and rebid it. Okay? We'll we'll start all over again. Yes. I know. But what is that time frame? It doesn't Between now between rejecting the bid and putting it out to bid? Or how would you and accepting it? Thirty days. Thirty days. Okay. Thank you. Madam president? Yes. I actually have a question regarding eleven point fourteen. My question is,
in regards to the Frank Franks Pontiac GMC. Was that was that a bid? Your question is what? Remember that we ask questions through the superintendent, and the superintendent will then assign it. Madam, superintendent, can you answer that for me? Yes. Trustee Morris. I'm going to defer to acting VA Oh. Doctor Luce. Okay. Thank you. So, yes, so the approval of the two district vehicles, it's for a cab pickup with a snow plow and a salter. So those are needed in the district,
obviously, to do our should it snow. Alright. So it's just two vehicles. Just two vehicles. I'm sorry. Madam Superintendent, could you ask the VA if there's only two vehicles? Two. You now have an open mic with her. You continue. Oh, yes. Okay. Thank you. You initiate it this way, and then you have an open mic with her. Okay? Thank you for the clarification, madam president. I appreciate that. You're welcome. So now that I can talk to you directly Yes. Madam VA. Yes. So it's only two vehicles. Right? It's two two district vehicles with the snowplow and the salter. Okay. So my second, question is, 11.2,
the purchase of security equipment. What exactly is that? Okay. So that is, money, from a grant that, director Snelling has to put security cameras throughout the district as needed, and that's what that is for. Does that include up oh, sorry. Oh, does that include upgrades? Upgrades and new ones wherever it is needed. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Madam President, that concludes my questioning for the VA. And thank you so much No problem. For following directions. Anytime. Through the superintendent? My question is also for Doctor. Luce. So that's amazing. You said this is from a grant that from Doctor.
Seling? Yes. It's $3,000,000 Well, it all goes to the bottom line. I just wanted to make sure this is what you discussed with us during the budget meeting. Correct. Yes. Thank you. Yes. Any other questions? Bearing none, take a vote please. Trustee Aoki? Yes. Trustee Rosabella? Trustee Rosabella? Yes. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Morris? Yes. President Velasquez? Yes. Motion passed. Thank you. Okay. Now we'll move on to personnel, 12.01 to 12,
one four. Motion. Motion. Motion, doc I mean, doctor, miss Ioffe and second by mister Morris. Discussion? Okay. Call the vote, please. Trustee Patel? Yes. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. Trustee Resabella? Yes. Trustee Ioffe? Yes. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Morris? Yes. President Velasquez. I'm sorry. Motion passed. Thank you. Okay. We move on to legal three I mean, thirteen point zero one third and 13.02
motion. I'm sorry. I correct myself. Thank you, doctor Fernandez. There's nothing under thirteen zero one. Only $13.00 2. Approve settlement release. Now motion, please. Motion. Motion by miss Iofi and second by miss doctor Blunt discussion Okay. Now we'll vote, please. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Morris? Unfortunately, yes. Trustee Reza Bala? Yes. Trustee Ioffe?
Yes. President Velasquez? President But resolution Motion passed. Oh, you gotta Okay. In policy, we have a a resolution to read. Do we take the motion first? Because there is no number here for the resolution. We would have to make it, an item. Yeah. You need to move to add a resolution, for the first reading of the revised policy to under zero one six seven, to require to remove, access to public comment via Zoom or telephone and require in person public comment. So you're gonna move to add it to the agenda and then vote on it
as first reading of the a trustee Morris. Second? Yes. Second by trustee doctor Blunt. Okay. Now we're voting on that. Put it on Or we can't vote on all of them first. We have to vote on the fact that we're just putting No. Now now you have three items. You can vote on all three at one as one. Without? Okay. I can describe it now. Okay. Unless you wanna break them down separately. So No. We don't. We don't. I I just thought that the vote is to to put it on the agenda. Yep. So now it's on the agenda. So now it's on. But we only motioned.
We didn't vote. Oh, you didn't just do the vote. Hello. I'm so sorry. I apologize. He's tired. Okay. Let's vote, please. Trustee Venzabella. Yes. Yeah. So 14 o one. No. 14 No. No. No. I'm sorry. We're only voting on Only voting on accepting 14 o three, and then we come back to take care of all of them. Okay. So No. I'm sorry? No. No. No? Okay. Next. Trustee Mohammed. To put it on agenda, yes. Yes. Yes.
Okay. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Iofe? No. Trustee Morris? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. President Velasquez? Yes. Okay. That motion passed. Now I believe you read it. Okay. Okay. Through the chair, I'm gonna read the revised policy under 01/1967 and only the relevant part. So paragraph three of 167 will read as follows. One second. So, the public comment portion of the Board's in person, comma, regular voting meeting shall be limited to ninety minutes.
Persons participants must appear in person, period, and then we're gonna delete, where it says or may participate via Zoom or by telephone, that'll be deleted and struck out. And And then the remaining sentence, however, at the discretion of the Chair and or Board President, public comment may be extended by an additional thirty minutes under extenuating circumstances. Period. That will be the new revised first paragraph under Section three of 167. Okay. But, do we not have to have the date that we will begin? We can let the public know,
but we're going to read it today. And then at the April 30 special meeting will be the second reading. And then I assume at the May meeting, which is May 22, which is a Thursday, we will now begin that operating under that policy. So that meeting there will no longer be call ins or zooms for public comment. May 22 meeting. So now we are motion, for policy fourteen oh one, zero two, and zero three. Motion by, Trustee Blunt, second by Trustee Morris. I'm sorry.
Any discussion? We're moving. Vote please. Okay. Trustee Rosabella. No to 14 No to +1. Yes to +1. No to +1. What she's talking about? Trustee Mohammed. Yes. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Iofe? Yes to +1 401-1402. No to +1. Yes and all. Trustee Patel? Yes. President Velasquez?
Motion passed. Yes, well. Okay. And now, I'm sorry. The fifteenth, '15 o '1, and '15 o '2. Motion, please. Motion. Who motion I did. Okay. Trustee I motion who second second trustee Morris seconds discussion. Oh, through the chair. I wanna be clear. Through the chair. Yes. I wanna clarify that we no longer need to abstain on ourselves in conferences. Right. As per Mr. Rivera. Yes. We should abstain. I'm sorry? Yes, my position and advice to the Board is that you do not have to abstain
on yourself to approve a conference that you're attending. As it's public, well advertised, and it's something that you're doing in the context of a Board member. But that was explained last month, I think, when we tried when we had to go try yes. Thank you. Okay. Be there no other discussion? Please take call a vote. Trustee Morris? Yes. Trustee Patel? Yes. Trustee Viszabalala? Yes. Trustee Blunt? Yes. Trustee Ioffe? Yes. Trustee Mohammed? Yes. President Velasquez? Yes. Motion passed.
Okay. Is there any other discussion before the adjournment? Very none. I call motion to adjourn. So first, second. Okay. Meeting's closed.