Is it time? >> Yes. >> I still have another 30 seconds. I'm just kidding. >> Good evening, everyone. I call the meeting to order, please. Could everyone please rise for the flag salute? Roll call. Mr. Bate is absent.
Mr. Andronopoulos >> here. >> Mr. Geruso >> here. >> Miss Pasamano >> here. >> Mr. Pasamano >> uh Mr. Petronzio >> here. >> Dr. Scardino >> here. >> Miss Stella >> here. Mr. Valbana >> here. >> All right. You have quum, sir.
>> Thank you. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the following means. Annual notice was sent to the record newspaper, township clerk, and posted in the lobby of the town hall and board office. Setting forthcoming schedule work meetings and public
meetings of the board. >> Like to get a motion for approval of the minutes from November 25th. Move it. Second >> roll call. Mr. Andronopoulos >> four. >> Mr. Geruso >> four. >> Miss Pasamano. >> Four. >> Mr. Pasamano.
>> Four. >> Mr. Petranio. >> Four. >> Dr. Scardino. >> Four. >> Miss. Stella. >> Four. >> And Mr. Valvano. >> Four. >> Motion carries. >> Okay, we're moving on to our student represent representative report, please. >> Thank you.
The student government association of Lynhurst High School met on December 3rd. Holiday celebrations were discussed and planned. Several holiday celebrations and events have taken place. These past two weeks have been special dress down weeks.
Excuse me. There will be a holiday celebration tomorrow on 20 on December 23rd. Classes will be split up and will rotate to different parts of the schools parts of the school for different activities. The student government association had volunteer opportunities
this past month where they helped younger school members become more involved and familiar with student council activities and responsibilities. There um the Lynhurst High School class of 2028 movie night that I mentioned in the previous uh board meeting has been
cancelled due to unfortunate timing and unforeseen circumstances. The 16th annual LHS Winter Poetry Slam is taking place tomorrow on December 23rd. Students will share self-written poems and judges will determine the
winners of first, second, third, and an honorable mention place. The LHS Corral will also perform. There have been no recent college visits, nor are there any scheduled for the near future. More info on that can be found on the Navian Navian student website.
Volunteering is as lively as ever at Lynhurst High School. The Lynhurst High School FBLA Future Business Leaders of America chapter has volunteered for many events and groups over the past couple of months. December on December 20th, members helped the Lynhurst Rec Dance
Company at their performance. Volunteers worked lights, sound, and helped with costumes for the dancers. On November 24th, I went backwards. FBLA volunteers helped serve senior citizens at the annual senior citizen
Thanksgiving feast. The SGAA on November 24th volunteered to help make window decorations for the Roosevelt School windows with the Roosevelt School Student Council. On December 9th, SGA members volunteered at Roosevelt School to help wrap clothes from their holiday
clothing drive. The LHS Wonder Girls Association also volunteered at the Lynhurst Wreck dance recital on December 20th that I just mentioned. Lynhurst High School has helped several groups around Lynhurst like the senior citizens and homeless shelters by
volunteering and donating items through toy clothing and item donation drives held around the district. The World Language Honor Society is holding its annual winter sock drive. The socks have been collected over the past month and will be sent to a homeless shelter in
Union City tomorrow, December 23rd. The Lynhurst High School Wonder Girls collaborated with the Lynhurst Middle School Wonder Girls on December 12th, where they made bracelets and sent in bears donated by the the First Responders Children's Foundation to the
RWJ Barnabas Pediatric Cancer Patients in New Brunswick. The First Responders Children's Foundation donated over a 100 bears to the girls and the girls made bracelets for each bear. Um, this is a program that I haven't really talked about, but it's called
Powerback. It's a new program at Lynhurst High School. Um, and the goal is to not only give voices to the victims of teen dating abuse, but to spread awareness on the issue. Out of about 50 juniors, only 20 were chosen to be powerback teen advocates for the high
school. They meet twice a month in the media center during school. During the first marking period, two junior advocates, Kathia Nuggera and Arshia Raman, assisted in giving presentations to the freshman health classes about teen dating and dating abuse. Over these
next three marking periods, the teen advocate advocates plan on doing more presentations to the new health classes. The program is also planning events, panels, and more for February as February is teen dating violence awareness month. Lynhurst High School
winter sports seasons have begun. There is a whole list of that on the board notes. It's a bit long, so I I'll gloss over that real quick. Um, the Lynhurst High School winter concert was held on December 16th featuring the LHS concert
choir, select choir, corral band, and jazz band ensembles. The middle school and district band and choir performance took place on December 17th and December 18th, respectively. The annual Lynhurst Music Association 50/50 raffle winning ticket was pulled during the LHS winter
concert on December 16th. The winner took home $11,000. The LHS Corral performed at the Lynhurst Christmas in the Park celebration on December 13th at Town Hall Park. The Corral had several performances these past month for the Lynhurst Senior
Citizens as well. The Corral will also be performing at the LHS Poetry Slam. As I mentioned, the LHS Jazz Band performed as guest artists at the 40th Bloomfield Youth Band concert on December 16th. And that's everything. I just want to wish
everyone a happy holidays and I'll see you all in the breaks. Thank you. >> Thank you. Really appreciate the uh really um state monitors report. Mr. Democ >> I have reviewed the financial reports for the month ending November 2025 and
support tonight's resolution that certifies that there are sufficient funds available based on the November financials to meet the district's financial obligations for the remainder of the 2025 2026 school year. We have
received our final 2024 2025 audit report dated June 30th 2025 and Mr. Bliss is here tonight to discuss his findings with the board. The report continues to show the district in a positive financial position with
increases to the capital and maintenance reserves and no repeat findings from last year. I have also reviewed and discussed the resolutions on tonight's agenda with Mr. Dorso and support his recommendations to the board that they approve all of the resolutions on
tonight's agenda. That concludes my report for this evening. Before closing, I'd just like to wish the board, the administration, uh the staff, the students, and the public a very happy and healthy holiday
season and look forward to a good 2026 going forward. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Uh same to you, Mr. Debuff. Appreciate you. I'm going to defer uh my report for now. I'm going to hand the meeting off to the superintendent. >> Thank you, Dr. Scardino. Uh tonight we
do have a few presentations. We're going to start with um Jeff Bliss, our auditor as mentioned, and then um we're going to move into a brief presentation that Dr. Scardino and I are going to conduct and then we're going to move into the lighthouse awards. So um after Mr. Bliss
speaks, um Dr. Scardino and I are going to come down say a few brief words and then um we'll recognize our students here from the White House because I know there's uh some tremendous recognitions that need to go out. So, um, with that being said, uh, Mr. Bliss, the floor is yours. Thank you.
Evening everyone. Um, board members, Superintendent Dorso, Mr. Haymon, and, uh, Mr. Demikov. Um I'm here tonight to present the audit for the year ended June 3rd of 2025.
Uh we completed the audit about uh actually did it pretty early this year. Um but we could not release the report due to some federal uh grant compliance information we were waiting for uh from the office of management and budget. Um,
our main goal in after we complete the examination of the books and records is to express an opinion on your financial statements. I'm an opinion on your compliance with uh federal and state grants.
Our opinion on the financial statements are unmodified. Unmodified means a clean opinion means the financial statements 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 the grant compliance was also unmodified, meaning you complied in all material respects with the requirements of the grant program. Um, anything other than an unmodified
opinion in a financial statement audit or a grant compliance audit means there is an issue with the financial statements or an issue with compliance uh with the grant. Uh, and so again
unmodified opinion, glean opinions uh best opinion you can get uh with respect to a financial statement audit or a compliance audit. We also have to report on any internal control weaknesses um with respect to financial statement
reporting as well as grant compliance. Um our audit indicated or did not state any material weaknesses in internal controls or any significant deficiencies in internal control. So um a very
important aspect of the audit um is there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in either financial statement reporting or grant compliance. Also a must in a in an audit. In addition, we have to report
any what's called reportable findings uh with respect to non-compliance or any other type matters. Um we had no findings that rose to the level of a reportable condition. So uh all the
reports are clean unmodified opinions on a financial statement, unmodified opinion on grant compliance and no reportable instances of non-compliance and no uh deficiencies in internal controls. With respect to financially,
uh, financially you basically ended the year pretty much in the same spot as the year before. Uh, fund balance overall increased slightly by 64,000. Uh, when you ended your year, you had a million45
in capital reserve. So those funds are available to fund uh future capital projects in the long range facility plan. You also had maintenance reserve of a a little under 217,000. Um those are funds that are set aside
for maintenance projects of school facilities. Um and then you also ended the year with unassigned fund balance. Those are the funds that are available going forward to fund future expenses of almost 820,000. So and that was the
maximum amount you were allowed to have in that unassigned. The state of New Jersey only allows you to put 2% of your budget in unassigned. Um, any funds over that would go into excess surplus. In your case, any excesses you had, you
transferred into the, uh, capital reserve and into the maintenance reserve. Um, I think ultimately um, the district probably wants to increase those reserves, increase that capital reserve and that maintenance reserve uh,
just to provide funds in the future. uh for those type of projects. But financially pretty stable, very comparable with the year before. Nothing uh no big variances in any of the uh accounts.
With respect to general findings, um we had three general findings in the audit report under financial accounting and reporting. We had a finding related uh the payment of of of employee compensation. Um just that we need to be
more consistent on how we calculate hourly rates um and how we uh calculate uh and how we calculate hourly rates but also the number of days we use for
employees to determine those hourly rates. And we had some inconsistencies where hourly rates were based on different number of days in a year. It's got to be consistent across board. As well as um applying
certain rates to certain individuals that did not correspond to the contracts, like it wasn't consistent with their contract. Uh and then in uh calculating retroactive pay, uh just need to do a better job to make sure we
capture all the payments that were previously made. All minor items, nothing of significant dollars, all small stuff. Just need to tighten it up a little bit, get it a little better. Um we also had a recommendation regarding
um the review of year-end open orders. Uh this is a technical issue with accounting. Uh there's accounts payable as well as incumbrances. Uh they're treated two different ways. Uh we just need at the end of the year to review
those open purchase orders. Anything uh that's invalid, we cancel. Uh and anything that has to be reclassified between an incumbrance or an payable gets done so before the end of the year. And then our third recommendation was uh
regarding school purchasing uh our resolutions and when we award contracts uh should include the method of procurement. If we award a professional service contract, we say it's a professional service contract. If we
award it through a state contract vendor, we should say that in a resolution. Or if it's a local co-op, we should say that in a resolution. Um it just gives us the an idea of how you procured those type contracts.
Um all vendors that are paid in excess of the bid threshold regard regardless if you have to bid them or not uh should be approved by the board. Uh we think we had two uh contracts that were not approved by resolution. uh quotes just
to make sure if we're required to get quotes, we have those quotes attached or at least a document that says, you know, we went out for quotes. We went to five vendors, only one gave us a quote, the other four was not interested in the business. Um, and then finally on
professional service contract awards, even though you're not required to bid for those type services, uh, after the contracts awarded, there is a postawward notice that has to be published in the paper. Um, and we had an instance where
that was not done. Again, nothing that rose to the level of a material weakness in internal controls, a significant deficiency internal controls or reportable instance of non-compliant. Uh none of the three recommendations were
repeats from the prior year. So that's uh excellent. Um and overall uh financially as well as with respect to findings, it's it's a real good good report. I think the administration and the board as well is uh doing a good job
uh with compliance with internal controls um and keeping the district financially at least stable. If there's any questions, be more than happy to answer. >> No, >> no questions. All right. Thank you, Mr.
Melissa. I appreciate your time. >> Happy holidays and uh happy new year. Thank you. Um the district's finances. Obviously, we're in the business of education and that's about our students. You know, many of here, you know, are here tonight to be recognized, but at the end of the
day, the finances drive the district and they drive the programs that we're able to provide for our students. So, over the past years, we've worked really hard hard as a board, as an administration, to make sure that our finances are sound, that we're saving money, that we're we're putting money aside for
things. Um because like everything um you know prices are going up, health insurance is going up, facilities are aging and so this board has been extremely proactive in saving money and putting projects first and not being reactive. And through the help of Mr. Heyman, the board, Mr. Demikoff and Mr.
Bliss, we've really been able to not only do projects, but save money. And so I think um well, I know based on Mr. Bliss's report, our district has the most money we've had in savings um at least in my time here. Um, and we're working really hard to ensure that we continue to do that. So, thank you, Mr.
Bliss, and thank you to this board. Um, at this time, Mr. Dr. Scardino and I are going to step down. Um, we have a brief presentation, and then we'll recognize our students tonight. So, thank you. Okay. So, so many times we talk about our board members that sit up here um
and we make reference to them. Um but very rarely do we have a chance and an opportunity to really recognize their efforts. And um each year um many of our board members are up for for reelection. Um, in this election cycle, we have two
board members that are moving on. Uh, two board members that have dedicated many, many years of service. Um, and they are Chris Andronopoulos and Elaine Stella. Chris and Elaine were both on the board when I was appointed um, as
superintendent 5 years ago, and they've they've really meant a lot to me. um both as a board member but both as a person of friend. They're always looking out um for not just the district as a whole but me as a person. And um to to me that means a great deal because so many times we can get lost in the
day-to-day um actions of the business of this district. Um there's a lot of things that happen um and a lot of the ways that we're impacted um and they've they've been steadfast in the support of not just every student in our district, the district finances um but me
personally as well. and um that means a great deal to me. And so um I know you know, but you're going to be missed. Please know um you're always welcome. I'm extremely thankful to both of you and I wish you all the best um in the future. And I know um Dr. Gardino wants
to say a few words as well. So excuse me. I'm a little under the weather, so forgive me if uh I don't sound great, which I don't. Um and I usually speak from my heart, but I needed a couple things uh to guide me tonight. So, first I want to talk a
little bit about Elaine Stella and and if you don't know, Elaine has been on and off the board and active for 45 years. This last term uh is two terms for six years. And um like everybody else, how we get involved on the board is usually we're advocating
for something. And what Elaine's done over the years is advocate for her son Larry and special needs. and and it's remarkable to see what she's accomplished over her time here. She exemplifies what it means to be diligent and prepared board member. We never we
didn't always see eye to eye. I think people see these meetings and you hear us agree on our agenda items. Uh but if you're in our executive sessions, we don't always agree and we get to a point where we we uh sort it out. She came to meetings informed, thoughtful, and
engaged. uh her steady presence, her professionalism, nobody knows policy like Elaine Stella. No one, and her work ethic elevated the board's discussions and strengthened its ability to govern effectively. Her service reflects deep respect for public education in the
community she serves. On behalf of the board of education in our community, we extend our sincere gratitude to Elaine for her commitment and preparation and years of service. Elaine for for all the students out here that's multitasking just so you know photographer speech
>> I want to thank everybody it's been 45 years being involved in the education and serving on the board too and I an expert at the policies did it every time I got on the board and I we you know we
have ups and downs we agree and disagree what you're supposed to do, but eventually you'll see me sitting in the audience. Thank you. >> Thank you, Elen. That's where I'm most afraid of right now. Um,
so bear bear with me for a minute as I try to explain to you what what uh Chris Andronopoulos has meant, not only to me, but to the board. If if those of you have had the the blessed uh opportunity to live in your this town your whole life, you you you get to see things uh
from a front row seat. And I'll just express my gratitude to Chris as a board member, a board president for for several years as transformative. Chris came on at a time when things weren't going well. We had some
financial issues as many of you know years ago and took a lead be with with with him and Aaron Keefe who's I think in the back there I thought I saw her uh transformed us to what we are today. So we recognize and thank Chris for his
impactful service to the board. Chris's tenure mark a period of transformation through his vision and leadership and willingness to push the board to think differently. He's helped reshape how the board operates and how it serves our district. His influence encouraged stronger governance, clear direction,
and renewed focus on long-term progress. And he's also fun to disagree with. Um Chris's contributions went beyond individual decisions. He helped set a tone and a direction that will continue to guide the board in the years ahead. His leadership has left a lasting
imprint on our school and our and our community. On behalf of the board of education, the community, we thank Chris for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to public service. Thank you both, Chris. I think again, let's give them a round of applause.
At this time, I'm going to ask Miss Klein and Miss Pastor to come up and we're going to recognize um the students in our lighthouse uh paper. Good evening everyone. I'm Lisa Klene, the supervisor um for grades 6 to 8 of
language arts. Um so I just want to tell since we're all talking about all these years, a quick little story of how Tanya came to work in our district. Um, in 2007 around in December, we had a teacher um that got sick and we thought
that the teacher was going to be out for the remainder of the year. So, we started interviewing for um January to June and Tanya was one of those candidates and then it turned out that we weren't sure um if the teacher was
coming back or not. So, we couldn't really offer, you know, it was um sort of like a part-time um not a full-time job. But Mr. Sabido um who was the principal at that time and myself thought that Tanya was so fantastic that
even though it was December and we knew that we had a definite retirement at the end of that year, we had her sign then and there for the following September. And when Tanya came to the district, um,
we did not have a journalism program. What we had was an extracurricular newspaper that came out three times twice a year if we were lucky. And so Mr. Sabo and I charged Tanya with building this program, which she has
been doing for 18 years. And each year our paper um just gets better and better and wins more and more awards and gets more and more students involved. And we stay with the times. We have three types
of social media. We're doing podcasts. Um it's been an incredible journey and honor for me as Tanya's supervisor to support her and see this amazing program grow. And the other part that is so exciting is to see how well all of our
students do these incredible awards in all these categories that they receive. And so now I will turn it over to Miss Pastor and she will present the awards. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Miss Klein, for those kind words. Um, so yeah, it's my 18th
year teaching here. I've seen the program grow from eight students um and now we're at 32. And we also have some students taking photographs and uh doing illustrations on the side. So, it's a really booming program. Um it's not possible to have these successes without the students, the students who
participate for a year, but also the students who keep coming back for four years. And we're really fortunate to have two editors and chief uh this year who are in that position. Um, so Lexi Lorenzo can't be here along with a few other students because she's at a Wonder
Girls event, but Zahara Chery is here. They're two-year editors and chief. It's been an absolute joy to work with them. And I'm so happy we still have over a half year ahead. Um, to see them grow and figure out how to problem solve and to really trust them as much as I trust
myself has been a phenomenal experience. So, the awards that I'm about to present um, honor 24 students. I'm going to be presenting 31 individual student awards, but I just want to kind of shout out first to those editors and chief um without whom this newspaper and its
accomplishments couldn't be possible. Um so, as I mentioned in October, uh we went to the Garden State Scholastic Press Association's annual fall press day at Ruckers University. It was a fantastic year for the Lighthouse. For a second consecutive year, um the
lighthouse won first place overall print excellence and a second place award um for its website for its online journalism. Um that is a uh state award. We beat out every single school in the state for our overall online excellence award and all
the students in the division or all the schools in the division B category for that print excellence award. Division B looks at the smaller schools in the state. Um so uh on top of that we have one more fantastic honor. Um this past year for the first time ever um I
applied the students and the school newspaper to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Contest. Uh this is based out of Columbia University. It's the most competitive contest the Lighthouse was ever uh part of. And I felt that this was the year where we had a chance of winning and
indeed we did. Um so the students scored 951 points out of a thousand which placed them as gold medalists. Um on top of that there's an all Colombian honors um which really designates uh schools that rise above
and beyond in specific categories. So, in one of those three above and beyond categories, in the essential category, um the lighthouse also got an all Colombian award. And what essential really means is that the planning that goes into the lighthouse is first rate, that the
decisions are made with consistency, that there's a broad range of topics covered, um that it's clear that there's a tradition of success and that um students know what they're doing. And that is certainly the case um with this group. So now we're going to honor those
um 24 uh individual or 24 individual students who won 31 Garden State Scholastic Press Association awards. They're going to each receive a folder. Um I also have special awards for our editors and chief who are accepting on behalf of our Columbia University award.
And also um we have two web masters um who were um we have two web masters every year. last year. That was uh Debbie Oen Boal. She's a senior, but she's not here tonight because she's at the Wonder Girls event. And Drew Braftoft, who graduated last year, he was actually the uh student
representative for the board of ed last year. So, a very familiar face to us all. So, I think Drew is here um and he's going to be accepting the award um for our online overall excellence. So, these uh these folders are filled. Uh some of them have uh one certificate in them, but some of them have uh close to
10 certificates in them. So, uh, it's really an exciting moment. So, to start us off, we have our editor-inchief, Sahara Chor. Next, we have Drew Braftoft. Next, we have Mariah Allen. Isabella Bartlett, Joseph Brennan,
Kiara Cardone, Gabriella Serita, Jacob Collins Dodd, Caitlyn Karia, Cal Gonzalez, Jana Hanssares, Natalyia Hernandez, Zanna Laca, Autumn Ortiz,
Bethany Reo, and Ryan Yama. And I'd also just like to state that Ryan and u many others up here uh graduated last year. So I'm so thrilled that they're returning here um for this special recognition today. Um it's wonderful to see them not only here in
high school, but to go on to college and do wonderful things there as well. So I think we're good. Uh it's time for a photo op. You want to >> Thank you. I I just want to thank Miss Klein and Miss Pastor um for your dedicated service and and and fostering
um you know the journalism with our students and and to our students. Thank you so much for for your work. Um you made the district proud. Um the lighthouse continually wins awards year after year and I know for me personally um I look forward to getting the lighthouse up at my office. I read it um
each edition and so thank you for your time and your dedication and congratulations. No, no inside. Yeah, I will on any level. >> So, um at this time we're going to move to board business. Our families are more
than welcome to stay. Um but if you did want to exit, now would be the time. Um if you do, I wish you all the best. Happy holidays and I hope you have a great uh new year. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations again. Thank you.
>> All right, I'll do I have something for board discussion real quick. >> You too, Jacob. We don't. >> Thank you. >> Uh we're going to do it, but there's nobody there. >> Oh, okay. You're right. You're right. That's right. Okay. >> Uh we So, we're going to move on to board discussion for formal business
agenda. Does anybody have anything? >> There was nothing in the book. >> No, you're in the book. >> I'm in the book. >> I thought you wanted to say something. >> Yes. All right. So, I got something for for board discussion. Uh upon review of
uh with our auditor about finance number 15 um it was suggested by our auditor to add the words through lease through lease purchase agreement at the end of the resolution. So I would need a motion and a second
to do that >> motion was uh Anthony Scardino's last motion >> and Elaine Stella's second all in favor >> I >> against abstensions motion carries thank
you >> okay we're ready to move on okay Mr. Petrronio Finance. >> Pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the committee on finance recommends the following resolutions be moved forward for a roll
call vote. I make a motion to move forward finance resolutions 1 through 19 to be adopted. >> Second. >> Roll call. Mr. Andronopoulos. >> Four. >> Mr. Geruso. Four, >> Miss Pasamano. >> Four,
>> Mr. Pasamano, >> Mr. Petranzio. >> Four, >> Dr. Scardino. >> Four, >> Miss Stella. >> Four, >> and Mr. Valvano, >> four. >> Motion carries. >> Uh, Miss Pasamano on education and curriculum, please. >> Pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the committee
on education and curriculum recommends the following resolutions be moved forward for a roll call vote. I make a motion to move forward education and curriculum resolutions one through three to be adopted. >> Second, Mr. Pasano.
>> Roll call. Mr. Andronopoulos >> four. >> Mr. Garuso, >> four. >> Miss Pasamano, >> four. >> Mr. Pasamano, >> four. >> Mr. Petronzio, >> four. >> Dr. Scardino, >> four. >> Miss Stella, >> four. >> And Mr. Valvano, >> four. >> Motion carries.
>> Policy, rules, and regulations. This is strange. Miss Stella or >> it is it is >> my last time. >> Pursuant to recommendation of superintendent schools, the committee of policies and rules and regulation
recommends the following resolutions be moved forward for a roll call vote. I make a motion to move forward policies and rules and regulations. Resolutions one through three be adopted. >> Second. >> Second, Mr. Vano.
Roll call. Mr. Andronopoulos >> four. >> Mr. Garuso >> four. >> Miss Pamano >> four. >> Mr. Pasamano >> four. >> Mr. Petranzio >> four. >> Dr. Scardino >> four. >> Miss Stella >> four. >> And Mr. Valvano >> four. >> Motion carries. >> Uh safety, security, and health. Mr.
Garuso, please. >> Pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the committee on safety, security, and health recommend the following regulations to >> personel. I make a motion. Security and Health
Resolution. >> Second. Mr. Pamano. Uh, roll call. Mr. Andronopoulos. >> Four. >> Mr. Garuso. >> Four. >> Miss. Pasamano. >> Four. >> Mr. Pasamano. >> Four. >> Mr. Petronzio. >> Four. >> Dr. Scardino. >> Four. >> Miss. Stella. >> Four. >> And Mr. Valvano. >> Four.
>> Motion carries. >> Personnel. >> Personnel. Mr. Andronopoulos. Please. Pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the committee on personnel recommends the following resolutions be moved forward for a roll call vote. I make a motion to move
forward personnel resolutions A1 through M5 to be adopted. That's A1 through M5. >> Second. >> Second. Mr. Valvano. >> Roll call. Mr. Andronopoulos. >> Four. >> Mr. Geruso. >> Four. >> Miss Pasamano. >> Four. >> Mr. Pasamano.
>> Four. >> Mr. Petronzio. four, Dr. Scardino, >> four, >> Miss Stella, >> four, >> and Mr. Valvano, >> uh, four, but I just want to make one quick comment about K1, um, the paraprofessional, um, getting the raise. Um, I when Mr. Dorso brought that up to me that he was going to match the
teachers, I was very happy. So, and I want to thank him and the board for doing that because I think the pair professionals work very hard and they deserve an equal raise as the teachers got. So, thank you so much. >> Thank um, Mr. Revano referenced the uh power professional policy that um we
revised um there that policy was expiring uh this June and so the board and I felt that it was important um that we match the teacher raise that we gave that we also give that to the power professionals. So a new power professional policy was created with new
corresponding guides um giving them um a raise and building those guides out for three more years. So so thank you Mr. Vas. Thank you so much for doing it and thank the rest of the board for approving. >> Okay. >> I I just want to take a moment to just say one thing. Um I want to thank our
two new board members here uh tonight, Miss Russo and Dr. Tuma for being amunable to changing the reorganization uh meeting. They've been here supporting us um each meeting. So thank you for that and thank you for your flexibility and to the full board. Um I know we talked about that in executive session.
So, um, with their agreement, we can move the reorganization meeting, uh, to the 8th. We're going to do the 8th at 5:30. There were some some board members had some conflicts on the 6th. And then, um, they did later on the 8th. So, we're going to do 5:30 on the 8th. Um, and,
um, thank you for doing that. And I just like to take a moment to wish everyone a happy and healthy holidays. And, um, uh, Mr. Hughes wants to speak. Yeah, sure. You can speak as well. use your teacher voice. >> I will do that. >> I remember that teacher voice. >> I'll never forget that.
>> There's no way I'm going to match Dr. Eloquoquence and what he had to say about Miss Stella and Mr. But on behalf of the Harris teachers association on behalf of parents of this town, we want to thank you guys for all you've done between the two of you more than half a
century of dedication to the children of this town and to the taxpayers too. By the way, I'll have people that as well. Um, thank you very much on behalf of Education. >> Thank you. >> Very nice. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, thank you, Mr. Hughes. You know,
it's funny. Um, the board and I talked the calendar uh talked about the calendar earlier, Darius. And, um, I said, you know, this this town, this board has a great um, working relationship with the LEA and and I think we have a mut I know we have a mutual respect for one another. Um, and
I I think it really shows in our classrooms and it shows throughout the district because because we have a true partnership. It's about working together. It's about working together for this district and our students. So, uh, thank you, Mr. Hughes, for always representing the LEA and um, and great words. I agree. Thank you, Chris.
>> Um, I'd like to say something. I want to thank, of course, >> Anthony J. Russo for the flowers he gave me tonight. >> That's just a bride, so you don't ask me anything. He really want He wants me to go easy.
He wants to go easy when if I'm sitting in the audience. >> All right. >> That's very nice. >> Any new business? >> Chris Chris Andrew. >> My tenure requires a little speech. I'm sorry. Bear with me. So, first, thank
you, Anthony, for your very kind words. Um, as I sit here tonight at the conclusion of my 9-year term on the board of education, I do so with deep sense of gratitude, pride, and humility, serving this district and this community
has been truly an honor. I am incredibly incredibly proud of the work that has been done during my time on this board and deeply thankful to serve. First, I would like to thank my uh fellow board members up here. Thank you.
But I'd also like to thank my past board members as well. To those that I have served with over the years, thank you for your commitment, your integrity, and your willingness to engage in thoughtful and at times very difficult conversations. While we didn't always agree,
many times we were always united by a shared goal, and that goal is always to do the best for our students and our schools. I am grateful for the respect, the collaboration, and the dedication each of you brought to this board. I'd like to thank our administration.
Your leadership, professionalism, and tireless efforts behind the scenes do not go unnoticed. You carry the day-to-day responsibility of turning policy into practice, and you do so with care and purpose. Thank you for your guidance, your transparency, and your partnership throughout my time on the
board. To our teachers, principles, supervisors, and instructional staff. Thank you for being the heart of this district. You shape lives every single day, often in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. Your dedication and your patience and passion for
education make a lasting difference for our students and our community is better because of you. To our support staff and our custodians, thank you for everything you do to keep our schools safe, welcoming, and running smoothly. Your work is essential and
your commitment to our schools is very much appreciated. You are a vital part of success to this district and thank you for your service. Lastly, I'd want to thank the families and the members of this community. Thank you for your trust, your engagement, and your willingness to hold us accountable. A
strong school district is built on a strong community, and I'm proud to have served one that cares so deeply about its children and its future. As I step away from this role, I do so with confidence in the leadership of this board and the direction of this district. I leave knowing that our
schools are in capable hands and that the work we have done together will continue to move this community forward. Thank you for the opportunity to serve, for the relationships built along the way, and for nine meaningful years. It's truly been great and an honor.
>> Thank you, Chris. A merry Christmas and happy new year. >> Thank you Chris. >> Hello heard is nobody. So it's just there is a motion to >> can I say motion to adjourn.
>> I dec. >> All in favor? I against