Okay. Where's uh >> Good evening everybody. We're going to start the meeting. Please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. 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. In compliance with the provisions of public law 2025, chapter 72, adequate notice of this meeting was advertised on the district website, Asbury Park Press online news publication, Secretary of State of New Jersey webpage, and by posting the
notice in the Fork River Post Office and Lenoka Harbor Post offices. Can I have a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Opitz, >> here. >> Mr. Hurley >> here. >> Dr. Forny, >> Mr. Amato, >> here. >> Mr. Bell, >> here. >> Mr. Goen >> here. >> Miss Clauss
>> here. Good evening everyone. On behalf of the Lacy Township Board of Education, it is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome you all tonight for a truly monumental moment in our district's history. After a meticulous and exhaustive search process that spanned
over a year and a half, we are absolutely thrilled to be to officially announcing the upcoming appointment of Dr. Jeffrey Brewer as our new superintendent of Lacy Schools. When we began this journey, we promised this community that would be uncompromisingly careful in our selection. We looked for
a leader who would not only possess exceptional administrative expertise, but someone who truly understood the heart, soul, and the unique identity of Lacy. In Dr. Brewer, we have found that exact leader. We know that this appointment will bring
a renewed sense of unity and deeprooted pride to the entire district. As we look into this exciting new chapter, we do so by honoring the foundation already in place. We are filled with immense optimism and confidence that Dr. Brewer will seamlessly continue to propel this
district forward, building directly upon the incredible direction where Mr. Zinsky left off. Dr. Brewer. The board has total confidence in your strategic vision, your unwavering commitment to academic excellence, your dedication to success of every single student,
teacher, and staff member in our buildings. We are so excited to see you lead the district into the future. So, let's get moving on to this uh this vote. Okay. We do have to have public comment first. So, let's start there.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are now opening the public comment portion of this meeting. In accordance to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, this is an opportunity for members of the public to make a comment to the board. Please note that this period is reserved for comments only. The board will not be responding to questions or engaging in
dialogue. The board's role is at a policymaking body. Operational and administrative matters should be addressed through the appropriate chain of command, beginning with staff members or administrators most directly involved. All speakers are expected to present their remarks in a respectful and civil manner. Rude or harassing will
not be permitted. Please understand that defamatory remarks may re may create personal liability for the speaker and potential legal exposure for the board. In addition to protect the privacy of rights of students and employees, the board will not entertain discussion regarding specific students or
personnels. We thank you for your cooperation and helping us maintain an orderly and respectful meeting. An audience member wishing to make a comment will raise his or her hand and when called upon will state their name, address or affiliation and intention to make a statement. Comments will be addressed to the board president.
Comments will be limited to six minutes. No person shall speak more than once. This portion of our meeting is for public comments only and there will be no questions answered. The purpose of this board meeting is to perform our business in public. Everyone is entitled to public comment. If there is a question for the board, there's an
established chain of command. Would anybody like to speak? going right ahead. >> Uh, Matthew Holberg, Forkan River, and I teach at the middle school. At the risk of sounding like I'm sucking up to my boss, I want to say congratulations to Dr. Brewer and thank you to the board of
education for this tremendous pick. Um when I moved from Pennsylvania to New Jersey to take this well I I first taught for a year in Tom's River and I helped out with the marching band um and I volunteered with the marching band as I taught in Tom's River. It was
overwhelming to move to a new state and meet new people. Um Tom's River School District is a completely different animal than Lacy Township and I had no idea how different. Um, I would go 20 minutes or so down the Parkway here to help out with the marching band and it
felt like a completely different world. Um, this town felt a lot like what I grew up in in Pennsylvania and um, it's a close-knit community, a lot of pride and um, and then I started meeting people. Very next year, I was offered the job. Uh, Mr. Stardub recommended the
board I get hired and so I took over the high school band and I started meeting people and Dr. Brewer was one of those first people. He was a teacher in the building. I think we had a lunch duty together before he started rising through the ranks and he became my vice principal at the high school and um and
then we split ways and went different buildings and he's been leading local harbor school. But what I've always known about Dr. Brewer is um his pride for his hometown um his passion. He's he makes no bones about it. He is who he
is. Um I know he has a vested interest in the town. He's raised his family here and he is the person he is. You what you see is what you get. And um when he was my vice principal um I felt like he always led with a a servant's heart um
with compassion and practicality. Um I think this was a great um step forward for the school district. So thank you very much and congratulations. >> Would anybody else like to have a public comment? No. Oh, go right ahead.
>> Trying to reset this. It's not working. >> Excuse Excuse me. My name is Dennis Brewer. I'm Jeff's dad and I can't say how how proud I am of. And I wish you all luck,
Jeff. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. WOULD anybody else like to have a public comment? Go right ahead. >> Can I please stay here? >> Okay, that's fine. We just might not be uh it might not be recorded.
>> I'm Jeff's mom. >> Okay. >> And I you know that thank you all for staying in our Jeff what we've always seen. Thank you. >> Thank you. Would
anybody else like to have a public comment? >> That's it. Okay. Should I close the floor? Okay. We're going to move on to board member comments. Um, let's start with Mr. Hurley if there's anything you'd like to add. >> Hey, congratulations, man. Welcome. And
we're excited about uh we're excited about the appointment. We're excited about the direction you're going to send us. And we're looking forward to your leadership. Thanks for being here. Mr. Armani, >> how are you there, buddy? >> Good. Um, this was a tough battle. Um,
meeting the candidates and watching you guys interview. Um, but you got the job and you didn't get the job on anything else but merit. Um about 10 years ago, I think it was, I walked into this building with my son that I had just gotten custody of the
day before school started. And I said, "Hey, can we get this kid registered?" And you said, "Don't worry about it. Leave him with me." And he got registered. He learned all about the school. He made friends. And the transition from him from Queens to New
Jersey, especially Wokah Harava, New Jersey, was very seamless for him. It was a He he he did wonderfully here. Um, moving forward with the grid iron and and Lacy High School football with my son Rocco. Um, I don't know if if you
had special eyes on him, but he felt that he was in good hands when he walked onto the football field and saw you and your boys all around. He always talks about the Brewer family and how they make football fun. So, um, it's going to be a hard job, but I
already see you have your sleeves rolled up. Um, so I I I know you can do the job, all I ask is don't try to do it by yourself. Um, when when you get a leadership position for the first time like this, you want to show everybody you can do the job and and just surround
yourself with good people and don't be afraid to ask, whether it's anybody here on the board or wherever. just uh just do everything you got to do to get the job done with with with the whole town if you need to. So, congratulations, all the best and uh thank you for everything
you've done so far. >> Mr. go. >> Well, four years ago, I was uh warned that there were crazy things going on at Lacy Township Schools, and I just came to a board meeting to watch and see what was going
on. But there was a name mentioned to me back then, Dr. Brewer. And uh the voice that spoke to me being one of the teachers said he's a man of character and a man of faith. And I've
kind of kept my eye on him over the couple years. Uh we started this church a year and a half ago and I remember him sitting in a meeting and going, "This is why I didn't get my search." Well, roll your sleeves up, buddy. You got
your shirts. And so, uh, I'm excited because just watching him over the couple years and hearing people interact with him, uh, and hearing how people speak. Um, I don't watch Facebook a lot, but in the last couple days, I've watched just to see the comments about
Dr. Brewer. I found two negative ones. We need to talk about that. Just kidding. Um, we could probably all guess, but anyhow, um, the the reality of being a hometown guy and I love your
passion for family. um when we were talking about who to pick um and I can't give names but I was I gave a testimony of uh sitting in a dentist chair and hearing a young girl that came through
Lacy and two of the things she said was I would have never graduated without Dr. Brewer and I probably wouldn't even be alive without Dr. Brewer and the time that he took with that one individual uh to get her through school and she told
me like she knew I was a pastor and she told me she I was a troubled student. I was a troubled kid. I was a troubled everything. Uh but he took the time to get get me through and uh that kind of sealed it for me that he not only sees the whole district but he sees each
individual uh and is willing to do whatever it takes. And so I'm excited. Uh we have six months to serve together and then uh >> congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Miss open. >> Yep. So this is definitely a full uh
circle moment for me because Mr. Brewer was my teacher. Dr. Brewer was my teacher in this very building about 20 20 something years ago. So it was it's just great to be a part of the process to select you. So congratulations, >> Vice President Gohen.
>> Good. Um, well, I think that the uh the public reaction to this selection says it all. I don't think that the district has had that much positive public engagement on a Facebook post in a long time. Um, so, you know, I I I think I'll leave it there. I mean, I you know, we were we were all talking about it at
when we went to graduation the other day, how um, you know, the whole town just seemed really excited about this election. And you know, I would thank my um committee members and other board members because we did put a lot of time into the search and we spent a lot of time interviewing candidates and going
through resumes and you know, discussing where we're going to go. But to me, um this was a you know, it was a relatively easy decision when it came down to it that that Dr. Brewer is the right person for the job. Um very excited to be working with him over the next I've got
two and a half years left at least. Um, so very excited to start this new chapter and and really appreciate him uh putting his name in for the job and and accepting it. So, thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> Um, I'd just like to add one more thing that Mr. Zalinsky and Dr. Forny are out
of town. They wanted to come um but they just couldn't be here tonight. So, um, but everyone said what I wanted to say, Dr. Brewer, and we're just so excited to have you on board. We know that you're the heart and soul of this town. Again, looking at the comments on Facebook, um I've never seen anything like it on my
five and a half years of being here. Um again, all positive. So, we are we're so excited. So, we're going to get to it now. Um okay, now we are going to move on to um the resolution for appointing Dr. Jeffrey Brewer as superintendent of schools. Would you like to read
>> Oh, can I have a motion, please? >> Motion. Second. >> Uh any discussion? Okay. All right. Excuse me. Whereas the Lacy Township Board of Education has conducted a thorough search and selection process to identify a
qualified superintendent of schools for the Lacy Township School District. And whereas the board has determined that Dr. Jeffrey Brewer possesses the requisite educational, administrative, and leadership qualifications to lead the district. And whereas in accordance
with NJSA18A7-8J and NJAC6A23A-3.1A, the employment contract for the superintendent was submitted to and approved by the executive county superintendent on June 24th, 2026. And now therefore, be it resolved that
the board hereby appoints Dr. Jeffrey Brewer as superintendent of schools for the Lacy Township School District for a three-year period beginning on July 1st, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2029 at an
annual salary of $25,000 and under the terms and conditions set forth in the employment contract. And be it further resolved that the board president and business administrator board secretary are authorized to execute the employment contract on behalf of the board subject to any
required public notices. And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution and the approved contract shall be kept on file and available for public inspection at the office of the board secretary. >> Ready for roll call? >> Yes. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Opitz,
>> yes. >> Mr. Hurley, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Dato. >> Yes. >> Mr. Bell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Goen. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Claus. >> Yes. CONGRATULATIONS. >> Would you like to come up and say a few words?
>> Don't cry. I might >> cry if you want. >> Um, in the past I've cried to things like Old Yeller and Rudy, Charles Webb, but uh, no, this this is this is very touching. Thank you. Very humble. Um, I
saw Coach Kilmer walking the board. I tell you what, things are being said to me much differently than my first year here at high school. Um, in all serious though, I I wouldn't be here without my parents. For any of you who don't know me, Jeff Brewer uh was born
532 Van Avenue and then went to 703 Court. At the time they were both dirt roads. We had docks in the lakes. You were allowed to ride a dirt bike downtown. Uh Mr. Flynn was an officer in town, but we seem to be everywhere you went. And u it was a great small town, a
great place to grow up. And it's still a great place. It's the biggest small town you find. I'm looking around this room and I I see lifetime friends, former students, colleagues. Certainly wouldn't be here without my parents and Harry and Gail, my
steparents who treat me like their own. My wife Becky, which is best thing that ever happened to me. I'm that guy that played up a few levels. Look like they named my daughter, but that's pretty cool. And with her, I've had five great boys.
My oldest JT can't be here. He just graduated. Mama, my son, Zach, who just took his MCAST today. >> Ryan, Ryan, who just graduated and is going to head to Stockton for a three and three program. Brett is going to be heading off the boats next year, which I'm
really thankful for because I'm getting way too old to climb underneath cars anymore. And then our youngest, Jason, which by default having four older brothers, we believe he's going to become a rodeo clown. I've never seen anyone as agile
in our totally adopted donors here. So that that's me right there. And you all really are the reason I stepped into this. Uh I didn't I didn't want to see it falter because there were really
great people who did it for me. Um couple names come to mind. from the Hopper family and uh Stephen Holler giving me a place to go work and the things I learned there and um you just got to pay it forward because he would make sure I'd be heading back to school and we'd get our overtime pay and I'd
look through it like oh Steve there's a couple extra $100 you go oh what you can't count college boy and he'd send me on his way and he just did so many things for this town that you wouldn't know about you know Mr. Parker's another one. And the list just goes on and on and it's it's up to all of us. You you
hit the nail on the head. Um I'm going to tell you right now, I don't know everything. I'm going to be the first one to admit it. And when I do make a mistake, which will come, just be mad at yourselves because you're saying yes to this. But I do know like we got to do it together. I'm just going to be the one
that steps up front. I'm just the one that has a piece of paper that said I could. There are people throughout our district who can do this. And I'll tell you what, we're not a failing district. We're a district that's been kicked around a little bit. We're a district that's had a hard time, which is kind of like a family. You get knocked down, you circle up, you get together, you get
back up. And this is a district that I want to prove is on the rise. And all of you, you're you're the inspiration for it. I received an email today from a former student and it was inspiring. They inspire me. And the tractors that
just motivates me. It it motivates like wait a minute Katie because I want to show just how good we are because that's how proud I am because I know what we've got. So I want those attractions to become part of the effort and let's let's all do it. Let's be that great
biggest small town we find and break the field come down to Gilly show up at a parade and everybody just be together. So with that said um you know if I'm good it's only Great. And uh I'll leave you with
this. The the powers and the pride go. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're going to adjourn the meeting, but congratulations and we'll see you on Monday. Okay, can I have a motion, please? >> Motion. Second. All >> in favor? I I