So excited. >> All right. Could everybody please stand for the flag salute? I aliance to the flag of the United States and to the republic stands nation under God.
>> In accordance with the open public meetings act, adequate notification of this meeting has been provided by advertising in the record and posting notice of this meeting in Burough Hall and the superintendent's office. I hereby call to order the public meeting of the Little Ferry Board of Education, Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at 7:03
p.m. I have a roll call, please. Mr. >> Bernelli, >> here. >> Mr. Roli, >> here. >> Mr. Fros, >> Mr. Cananan, Mr. Mey, M. Patel >> here. >> Mr. Borsac >> here. >> Mrs. Luzo >> here. >> Mr. Bradley
>> here. Mitch be resolved with the low fairy board of education approves the minutes of the regular public meeting held on January 22nd, 2026. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> A motion. Right.
Mr. Melli, >> I was absent. >> Mulli, >> yes. >> Mr. Fros is absent. Mr. Pan is absent. Mr. Mey, >> Miss Patel, >> yes. >> Miss Borac, >> yes.
>> Mr. Visuzo, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Passes. >> I'll now open it up to Mr. Paraptoid superintendent reporter. >> All right, let's start with you're up. All right. So, our this is for January. January
student month is inquisitive learner on our site. Our first one for grade five, we have Noah Gray teachers in grade five. Stay up here. All right. Grade five teachers have the following things to say about
consistently demonstrates focus and responsibility in his work. Stays on task, knows developing strong work habits and focus on care and his quiet manner. He's kind, respectful, collaborates well against alumni, students,
continues to grow in confidence in fifth grade. It's been a wonderful to see him shine. Congratulations Great. Seven. We have for January student of the month, Chen H. The teachers are great things to say
about you. She is very dedicated student, every participating class, and will go above and beyond with her work. She's respectful of teachers and her peers. She's always interested in new things. Her studies works well in small
and large groups. She is very observant with her peers and finds ways to support them. Congratulations. Our grade eight student of Michaela. The teachers in grade 8 have a positive to say about Michael. She leads by
example to consist of excellence, responsibility, and focus in all her academic work. She demonstrates quiet but powerful leadership, earning the respect of peers through her actions rather than attention. She willingly supports classmates, offering help and
encouragement while fostering a positive collaborative environment. She approaches challenging paths with determination and grit, persevering even when the work is demanding. She encourages others to strive for their best, setting a high standard through
her work ethic and attitude. Congratulations. student representative. There we go. We got a microphone. All right, congratulations once again to the students of the month. Uh to continue on with my report, the hip
report for the since our last board meeting is zero Washington and zero at Memorial. Um the two big items that I just want to discuss publicly is on the agenda tonight. We do have a lease purchase of 228 Main Street that you
will see. This will be set up for a March 1st uh takeover of for the lease, which if the board approves tonight, this will allow us to move our business office and our board office off campus, which will essentially create space for
an ASD program to continue for for four of our students. Instead of sending them out of district, we'll be able to keep them in, which is amazing. It's something we've really prided ourselves in since some of these students have entered through here in preschool. Um, additionally, the state has changed
their square footage model, allowing us to potentially use the modular units for preschool once delivery school is complete, which also was our original plan for business office and my office to to move to. But with the new law
change, we are going to essentially what it's an 18month lease. Essentially, it's a 12-month lease, meaning that it is from March through the end of next year, allowing us some time to see how this works, how it flows, how it works for the district. And then we as a board can
decide if we want to continue that or if we're going to look for an alternative. I just wanted to didn't want something to be on an agenda and have people like what is this? what you know that it's real estate so when something becomes available we move relatively quickly uh and it kind of all happened I would say
as a board or for the board it all did happen relatively quickly um so that was 328 Main Street the demonstration site I do want to point out that in the last meeting I got to announce that our preschool received a four-star rating which is the highest
rating it can receive uh by the state of New Jersey and I was just notified I would say about a week ago or less that we are now considered and will be awarded on April 23rd um a demonstration site meaning the
state has chosen Little Ferry to be a demonstration site for districts that are either looking to go into the BA which is a preschool expansion and or for other schools to come and look at best practices here. So that that's credit to the whole team, the whole department, the teachers, the students.
Um they're really moving that in the right direction. I thought it was something that should be publicized um appropriately. And Miss >> Good evening to our Little Board of Education, school administration, all
those in attendance tonight. This month, the Richmond Park High School teachers counselor visited the eighth graders to describe a scheduling process for the upcoming freshman year. Students were given a presentation explaining extra electives, language classes, AP and dual enrollment courses. Then the eighth
graders to choose courses for next week's schedule. Students who received high honor and honor roles marking period 2 with chocolate and students would like to thank the school administrators for this thoughtful treat. Our lunch advisory committee recently met with our administrators and
now she gives taste test new food to future members. Last week students and staff participated in random acts of kindness week. Each day had a different theme where students and staff were supporting the recognized acts of kindness. We were also given challenges each day such as complimenting someone
and helping someone without being asked. Last Friday, the student government and safety patrol distributed carnations across the school for annual carnation surprise. It began major water event hosted the basketball tournament both boys and girls leagues this year like
congratul both coach finishing third place in the tournament. Additionally during the allstar games Nick won the boys shot contest and Batista won the girls. Congratulations to Jason and our
PTA annual talent last month. Thank you PTA and volunteers for all the hard work we went together and great shout out to all the students all updates from the students. Thank you again to all attendance.
>> Excellent job. >> Thank you and student of the month. Congratulations. You don't have to stay for the rest of the meeting. We will not be offended if we need but we are going to um >> my report. >> Well, that open it up to Mr. Gomez for board secretary report.
>> Good evening everyone. So, our fiscal reports are in for January. Once again, they're on time. Uh budget news. So, normally the governor of New Jersey does their budget speech uh around 24th of February. That's where state a gets
released. Right now, there's a bill in the assembly to give her an extension. So, what it's going to do to our schedule, God knows, because nobody's ever been two weeks late. So, right now, she's asked to extend it from March
10th, which is unheard of. Um, so on the good front, so food service, we're going out to bid for a new kitchen, which will be in the cafeteria. So that will occur here on Wednesday, February 25th. So
depending on what kind of bids we get, hopefully we'll be actually doing a full kitchen. So that's we're looking forward to that. Food service. So for the month of January, we had three less serving days. So that had a little bit of an
impact. So in 2026, this year we serve about 15,000 meals. Last year it was about 16,000. But there's a three-day difference. Average meals per day went up slightly. So, we received a $51,36
subsidy from the federal government. Um, the profit for January was $14,763. Year to date, we the program has made net profit $95,875. So, that concludes my report, Madam President. >> Thank you, Mr. Cohen. Uh, Mrs. for
totally for personnel. Yes, we've got personnel and the only thing to the public is we're hiring two uh teachers to replace education. >> Yes, teachers have reviewed winter data
from I Ready literacy and math screeners to determine next steps of instruction for all students with Mr. Wood and Mr. Don. the data. Kindergarten through grade eight has the best performance
gains in five years. Teachers in grades two to seven have completed their conquer mathematics professional learning for the year. On Friday, the entire kindergarten team along with Miss Paragalo will complete a math
professional development at border of mathematics. >> Mr. Mr. Benelli for finance. >> Uh we met before this meeting but currently working on >> Mr. Mey for policy. >> Okay. We had policy bylaw summary
regarding captism. Uh this bylaw reflects the adoption of which remains unchanged but has reorganized within the bylaw for better alignment code. The regulation requires every
board of education to have people have it as a policy that includes all provisions of NJC 6823A6.2 as a condition of receiving state aid. Therefore, bylaw guide 0142.1
mandated for all school districts. And the second part is appointment of chief school administrator. It is revised. This policy reflects it primarily to legal citations requirements relating to the executive
count superintendent superintendent contracts outlined in the NJAC 6A 23A-3.1 are addressed in policy guide 1620
administrative employment contracts policy CI 1220 includes provisions governing recruiting qualifications and employment contract requirements with superintendent. UAC governance 3 requires districts to adopt a policy addressing executive
county superintendent review and approval of superintendent contracts making this policy mandated. >> Thank you for transportation. No update to provide Mr. is for leis court.
>> We'll now open it up to public comment on agenda items only. >> Hi. >> Um just a few questions, maybe logistical ones regarding the lease over at 228. >> Good. >> Okay. So, this Ford office over here,
that's the one you want to make the classroom you're talking about? >> No. >> No. What do you And then there's also the office over here by the cafeteria. Is that what you are planning to change? >> No. >> So I'm confused why you said you're trying to get four more students there.
>> Where? >> Here. Have more space. >> We need classroom space. >> Okay. >> Which would be essentially institution offices. >> Okay. And is there enough parking over there at 228? >> Uh parking would be limited. We're uh any conversations right now with the
burl about Soho as well as two other places. >> Um I think that's that's all I had because I know it's tight. >> Parking is limited. Um unfortunately throughout the process really nothing has been ideal like there's not like the perfect perfect >> Yeah. Well, so isn't even finished yet.
So >> No, we're not moving into Soho. >> No, but I just said they haven't even opened it up yet. >> Correct. >> And there'll be a sign over there for anybody who has to go over there. Um, we're still going to have office hours here. I'm probably going to be here more than I'm actually there. Uh, but I do
need a place obviously to work. So, >> okay. We're just curious. >> Absolutely. Thanks for asking. >> Any other public comments? Now take a block vote on F52 to F54, DO
209 to TO213, P146, P157, FA9, C25 and 26, PO 13 and 14. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> Mr. Melli,
>> yes. >> Yes. >> Is absent is absent. Mr. Mey, >> yes. Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Mr. Boris, >> yes. >> Mr. Luzo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brad, >> yes. >> All motion pass.
>> We now open up to public comment on non-aggenda items. >> Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. >> Second.