Can everybody please stand for the flag salute to the flag of the United States to the 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, January 20 22, 2026 at 7 o'clock p.m. Can I have a roll call, please? >> Mr. Bernelli, Mrs. Bulli,
>> here. >> Mr. Fightros, Mr. Cananan, Mr. Mey, Miss Patel >> here, >> Mr. Boris here, >> Mr. Luzo here, >> Mrs. Bradley here, Miss
I have a quality board of education approves the minutes of the regular public meeting held on December 16th, 2025. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> Second. >> Mr. Belli is absent. Mr. Bulli, >> yes.
>> Mr. Fitros is absent. Mr. John's absent. Mr. Neely is absent. Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Mr. for a second. >> M Philo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bradley, >> yes. >> We'll now open up to Mr. Parapata
provide a superintendent report. All right, we'll start with students of the month for December. So, we're still a noble classmate for the month of December. And our first winner is grade five, Jaden Chikabar.
>> All right. His teachers in grade five had the following things to say about Jaden. He consistently demonstrates excellent manners. He has respectful behaviors in the classroom, takes responsibility for his work with assignments with his ability. He participates actively his classroom
instructors by listening carefully, sharing meaningful ideas. Congratulations Our grade six student of the month for December is Raphael Zarya Sarah. students in grade six and the father
things to say about he works well with others. He contributes positively to new group activities. He goes above and beyond to understand the material and deepen his learning. He asks meaningful thoughtful questions and enhance classes studies. He is always willing to help
his peers. He offers support when needed. Congratulations Hello. and our grade seven December student of the month, Caitlyn both the teachers in grade seven had a lot of things to say about games.
She has been striving to survive all year. She works extremely hard and tries her best even when the work looks difficult. She asks questions but she does not understand something but not in a way where she's asking for answers. She's always looking to understand how
and why. She's respectful of both teachers and classmates. She balances both her athletic commitments as well as her studies. Congratulations Okay. Perfect. We can wait. All right. So, next up we
she say Grace is on her way. We'll we'll do the bubbly award first and then we'll come back and circle back to Grace. All right. So, got so we are going to at this time I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Pinkler
who's going to speak about the public uh book contest winners about their book that got published which was a great accomplishment. So, Mr. be. >> This year, Littlefford Public Schools was selected to participate in a pilot program with Pub called the Young
Author's Children's Book Contest, an initiative designed to promote creativity, collaboration, and literacy among students. We are proud to announce that the winning book for Little Fairy is titled The Princess's Great Escape. Written and animated by Payton Mullen,
Anushka Patel, Luchana McGalli. Their story stood out among many fantastic submissions and how has been and now has been fully animated by public complete with interactive sound effects and illustrations. Beyond this engaging format, the book carries a positive and uplifting message and showcases the
remarkable creativity and talent of our students. Publy has published a book on its platform as part of its pilot program and will be shared as a model for future student authored works. Congratulations At this time, I'd like to call up
Luchiano. photo. >> Yeah, we'll get all three of them. Anuka Patel. Amazing holiday. I just got to wake it up. Oh, don't get me just to uh
>> the book was voted on by stakeholders within the school district here as well as some of the students. Uh this is the princess by Mullen Luc. >> All the artwork in the book was
illustrated by the students. There was a princess named Penelope and a mighty prince named Alexander the land of mythical creatures. There lies a dragon.
One, the mighty prince didn't know what to do. The princess was sitting alone in the dark, waiting for a prince could save her. The princess screamed, "Help! Help!" But no one could hear her. The
only voice she back from was hers. All she knew she had her own. What shall I do? A day later, at the crack of dawn, the
princess planned her greatest deed. She looked everywhere. cracks a little and begins to climb up. All of a sudden, she sees something hanging down from the roof of the dead. It is a rope.
Climbing one hand below, she finally up. Daylight, she saw her eyes. With all her mind, she managed to finally do without. She ran back to her closet where she
reunited with her family once again. Dad said to her, "My beautiful princess, where have you been all this time?" The princess said, "I was captured by a mighty, big, and scary dragon."
The princess learned that she was capable of anything. Whatever she imagined to do, she could be. I'm capable of anything. All she needed to do was believe in herself and be confident.
The end about the author grade five. I like to play basketball. could tell. Grade five, I like to play softball and basketball. Luciana,
grade five, I like to play soccer. A princess named Penelope lived in a small village. She had a perfect life. Or did she? She might be the princess of mystical creatures, but not all might find her to be a smart and intelligent
princess. She is capable of so much more than people think. She might be a princess, but she is also a warrior. >> Congratulations, girls. And our grade eight segway student of
Grace Lee grade has the following things to say about Grace. She brings a consistently positive attitude that brightens the classroom. She has contagious energy that motivates and encourages others. She demonstrates kindness,
responsibility, and leadership every day. She sets a strong example of what it means to be respectful and engaged learner. Congratulations Congratulations. >> Right. I'm going to before I finish my
report actually turn it over to Kylie for her student representative report. I fig while you have some friends here let you read. >> Good evening to our little board of education school administration and all those in attendance today. To start
congratulate both the boys and girls basketball teams on their victories in the South Pac tournament last week. Both teams taking first place. Great job to all the players in the region. Additionally, both teams along with the training squad recently attended education day at JIT. They participated
in anformational tour of the campus and then watched the NGIT women's basketball team play against the University of Massachusetts. Congratulations to Mr. Reynolds and the student government receiving a top 10 projects award for the cost of America fundraiser and build a flag to display
in honor of Veterans Day at the New Jersey Association capital on January 5th. Student government have done their annual coronation sale Valentine's Day would like to recognize and thank Mr. War and generous donations to this
fundraising. Last Friday, class of 2026 hosted their first canteen night here at Memorial School. Students in grades 5 to 8 will be able to participate in a variety of activities including volleyball, basketball, karaoke, board games, arts and crafts, and more. The other youth of
the seventh graders recently had a visit with the Hudson County Court system to learn about the judicial process and different career opportunities. The business had a visit last week here to a program where mentor students in Bergens High School teach their younger peers
the skills needed to build confidence and character. Tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Little Pra students in grades K to 8 performing in the LFPA second annual talent show. There's an exciting lineup with variety of performances in the memorial.
Make sure to check it out all up. Thank you. Get to all >> I just crossed off three things on my report. So moving along very nicely here. Uh great job. Uh hit report for the month. Zero Washington to report,
zero memorial to report the calendar. you touched on just for the public, for the staff, there'll be an email in the newsletter tomorrow attached to the body, just information about inclement weather with impending storm, what a delayed opening looks like, what an
early dismissal looks like, what a uh school closure will look like, what time to expect notifications and things of that nature. So, that will be coming out tomorrow around 3:30 for the blast for the teachers will be a little bit earlier. And that concludes
our report. >> Great. >> We'll now open it up to Mr. Gohead to provide the board secretary report. >> Good evening everyone. So for December, we completed the financials on time. Once again, those have been presented to the board. Uh we have started putting
together the preliminary 2627 budget. We had all our meetings with the administrator of team. Uh the state's offer became available. State aid does not come out until late February and it will probably be late because every new
governor has been late. So stay tuned for that one. So we're we're way on our way taking a look where we are. So big announcement. So for food service, we will be moving the kitchen from the modulars over to this building and we'll
be installing new equipment. Uh it's true kitchen. So we will it will be advertised in the paper on the 28th, next Wednesday. And the bid opening will be Wednesday, February 25th, 26, as long as there are no extensions. And the way
extensions happen, if a bidder has a question, we have to answer the question. >> Just to piggy back, not to interrupt, but we plan on doing that if the bids come in favorable, right? If the bids don't come in favorable. All right. So, food service. So, in
2024, we serve 12,411 total meals. That's breakfast, lunch combined with the two schools. this year 15,044. So there was one more serving day in December, but average meals per day in
24 was 332. In 2025, we saved we served on average 450 meals. So what does that translated to? We received $50,97 in subsidy between the federal and the state. Our profit for December was
$19,198. profit year to date 95,459.96. So we're on a pace to beat last year. So that concludes my report, Madam President. >> Great. Thank you, Mr. Gomez. And a kind reminder to those in attendance that we do take any profit that we receive from
the lunch program and we reinvest it back. That's why you're seeing a brand new kitchen. Uh so we are not allowed to spend those funds on anything else other than our budget. Okay. Okay, we'll now open it up to Mrs. Perolei to provide the personnel report. >> Back earlier this evening on tonight's
agenda, we're hiring two power professionals with the hope of a possible third that is being interviewed also interviewed for a science position. Um hopefully one will be hired before the next meeting and the board does give Mr. Parado superintendent permission to
hire any new candidates qualified before our next meeting. So process Miss Delus for education. >> Yes. Students is in grades 4 to8 are completing the winter I ready diagnostic
assessment in reading and math with initial a data analysis showing growth across the district. Students in grade K through three are completing the NJ DOE required early literacy screener. Saturday we will
provide the first in a series of family and me early literacy classes for children age 0 to three at the public library from 10:30 to 11:30 founded through the lift grant. Next week after
school tying for selected middle school students will begin will begin with funding from the rise grant. That's the end of my report. Thank you Mel. >> Because we do have a lot of people in our audience tonight. If you do uh know
anybody can count at 0 to three. Um it should be a really nice event. There's a lot of uh handouts and materials that you'll be able to pick up from the from the public library. It's the first of a series of events that we're going to do. Uh so please help spread the word. We
try to get it out while we can but ultimately the more kids that we can get involved early just helps us down the road as they come into our schools. >> Great. And now um I'll ask Mr. Parado to provide support. >> The only thing
it's I got it on there too early. I'm asking you to abolish a policy before we adopt a policy. So I don't want to be left without a policy. >> Great. U Mr. Patel for transportation. >> No updates.
Street. And as far as um expansion goes, I'm sure everybody has seen the big block of steel across the street that has gone up pretty quickly as promised. Um the only report I have is that we are 25% complete project and we are still on track to have that building opened
in a year plus. So we're hoping a 2027 opening um which is a massive achievement both for the board and for all involved with the project. So a huge thank you. Um we had we so we had a topic off ceremony which placed the last piece of steel. Um, and
we also wanted to point out that in the hallway, if you're able to, you can touch and feel and see the materials that we selected for the new building. >> Just don't take it with you. >> Yeah. Um, but you're welcome to just take a look. Uh, I well, we as a board, we work with the architects um, and
designers. We hope that everybody really loves it. Uh, and that's all for my update on expansion. Uh, Mr. Boris, do you have a burl leazison? So, keep your eyes and ears open for a ribbon cutting event uh within the next year.
Uh we'll now open up to public comment on agenda items only comment. Okay. Uh we'll now take a block vote on F48 to 51, DO200 208, P1 1385,
FA9, C23 and 24, and PO 11. Do I have a motion? Motion second. Second. >> Mr. Reli is absent. Mr. Polei, >> yes. >> Mr. Pros is absent. Mr. is absent. Mr. is absent. Mel,
>> yes. >> Mr. War, >> yes. Mr. Luzo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bradley. >> Yes. >> Resolution to pass. >> Thank you, Mr. Gomez. >> I'll now open it up for public comment on non-aggenda items. >> Any questions, concerns?
>> Leslie, are you coming up or you Okay. >> Hi. You know me, but Leslie Gotley, 464A, Liberty Street, in apartment 1028. um as one of his last acts uh Governor Murphy uh signed into law the birth being required for grades three to five
which I think is really great. My only concern is when my son did this which is going back 10 years they started in maybe second third grade then it kind of tailed off with with enforcing the cursive or encouraging it. So, I'm just hoping that now that the requirement is
3 to five that when they continue on into middle school that they're still encouraged to use the person, you know, so they can not only write it but read it. So, I think that's important and I'm really glad to see that this law was
passed. And that's really my only comment. >> Thank you, Scott. Are there any other comments, questions, concerns? Great. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? No motion. Happy second.