Yes. Good evening. Okay. Miss Palomo >> here. >> Miss Carrero >> here. >> Mrs. Gandhi? No. Mr. Hyatt? >> Here. >> Mrs. Jenowski >> here.
>> Mr. Mr. Lansonsky >> here and >> Dr. Msquitz and Mr. Cohen >> here. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. Um draw your attention to our agenda just to get us started. Uh this meeting is being held in accordance with the Sunshine Law uh and the Open Public
Meetings Act. Um and adequate notice has been filed with the uh the newspapers, the Aspberry Park Press for this meeting. Uh statement on videotaping uh for public portion of the board of education meetings. This meeting will be taped. Um and it will be available for
public viewing on our website. Uh please note that our security personnel are also wearing um body cameras and they will record any and all interactions with any security personnel. Uh public comments. There will be two public comments opportunities today. One at the beha first part of the meeting and one
at the second part of the meeting. Um and we do this pursuant to our board policy of 0164 and 0167. And then finally, because we are on school grounds, um we have a policy regarding no smoking or vaping and that includes both inside the building as well as outside the building. So we
please uh we ask that you um adhere to those policies. I now would like to ask everyone to please rise for the pledge of allegiance and I understand our middle school students are going to help lead us through this tonight. Go right ahead. >> I 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. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're going to get started with our agenda. Um, I will ask for Mr.
Balone to start us off with staff conduct certificates. >> Thank you. Good evening, everyone. >> I think this is our favorite part of the board meeting. Um, we will begin with our staff kindness certificates. Uh for those of you who uh are new to this or
need a little refresher, um we recognize um staff members, also students as well. Um and we'll see that a little later, but in this portion, this is in recognition of staff members who put simply go above and beyond. Um go
the extra mile. Um they're recognized by they could be recognized by their colleagues, by parents. Um, I guess even students could recognize um some staff members as well. Um, so if you're listening um online or if you listen to
this later or if you're here in person um and you you want a staff member to be recognized at a board meeting um just send in a simple email uh let us know a little bit about what that staff member has done to go above and beyond. uh
being that this year we are focusing um on the theme of kindness for the year um we have labeled them kindness certificates. So that's just a little bit of background on on how we we get to this portion of the the meeting. And for
starters um I I do have several here. So that's actually a good problem to have. Um but bear with me. I will um read the names and the the event in pieces, right? So, we'll kind of group everyone together. Um, the first we actually have
two out of Marorrow Middle School, but we have the first group of employees out of Marboro Middle School. Um, when I call your name, if you wouldn't mind, um, you can come up and stand up here. Um, so everyone can see you and and then when I finish reading the names, we can
give a nice round of applause and then we'll present you with your certificates. This first group of people um would we would like to recognize our MMS mental health professionals, school nurses, and vice principles. So, we have
a bunch of people coming up here. Their hard work, care, and dedication makes a real difference in the lives of our students and staff. They listen, support, and show up when it matters most, helping our school be a safer, healthier, and more supportive place for
everyone. We truly appreciate all the time, energy, and heart they put into our school community. This actually came in from a parent at Marorrow Middle School. So, um, I would like to recognize Allison Burkhart,
Caitlyn Carol, Veronica Depinto right there. Yep. Nicole D. Geronimo, Lauren Gabler, Jodie Gerard, Jenna Gracie,
Michelle Hunt, Vice Principal Jim McCann, Amanda Npalitano, Veronica Nunees, Ayala, Lori Reel, Jacqueline Sabbo, Vice Principal Eric Tajinhorse. Mrs. Milwaukee, maybe a picture.
I know she's she's digging for her phone. Let's give them another round of applause while we're waiting for the photo. Thank you to our first group. Our second group is also out of Marboro Middle School. And this is uh an excerpt uh
from an email received from a parent. We would like the board to recognize several exceptional staff members at MMS whose recent efforts made it possible for our child to participate in the school's sports program in a truly remarkable way. Their actions exemplify
creativity, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to inclusion. This year, our daughter bravely tried out for MMS cheer the MMS cheerleading team after gaining confidence and skills she acquired through a special needs cheer team. Being supportive parents, we
encouraged this despite anticipating the outcome of a competitive cheer squad selection. After seeing how disappointed she was, together the school developed a role where our daughter was able to contribute to the team in a way that celebrated her interest in the program.
This small unexpected conversation and out-of-the-box thinking reinforced some very powerful messages of teamwork, community, empathy, flexibility, and advocacy. As the cheer season concludes, we
couldn't leave without expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Kirsten Triozi. come on up. Eric J and Mrs. Nowaukee, the principal. Thank you all for your outside the box
thinking. That must have been really special. Okay. Uh, Julie Mazone, can you please come up here? You are being recognized also for a kindness certificate. I'll I'll read your name first. You're the only one.
Although none of my children are in Mrs. Julie Mazone's class this year, she continues to greet them daily and genuinely asks about their day. Her kindness and sincerity are extraordinary, and her character reflects everything a parent hopes their child will encounter throughout their
school day. She is always smiling and warmly welcoming every parent and student she meets. She certainly deserves recognition for her bright spirit, encouragement, and consistently positive attitude. And this also came in
from a parent. So, thank you, Mrs. Mazone. >> Someone get a picture? >> Yes. Someone needs to get a picture. Did >> Thank you. I don't carry your phone. >> Al's got it. Oh, okay. >> This way you don't have to.
>> Yeah. >> Thank you again. And last but not least, I'm sure he's going to love this as well. Paul Spano, please come up here. There's a lot of fire >> and he loved it so much that he's not here now. We he's uh he's keeping our
our lots clean, but I will read um I will read about him and we'll make sure we get his certificate to him. A quick shout out to Paul Spano and his team for the repair on the MMS gym unit. It is now fixed and the room is comfortable,
which wasn't an easy fix. The guys worked hard and kept administration in the loop. It took three days to complete, but without our two HVAC techs, we would have been down for much longer. Thank you, Mrs. Milwaukee, for recognizing Mr. Paul Spano and and our
buildings and grounds team. Let's give him a hand. And that concludes our staff kindness certificates. >> Thank you. And congratulations everyone on on that recognition. It's uh a very powerful statement on the work that you do and and the sources of those
recognitions and where they come from. So thank you Mr. Palone to everyone for doing the work that they do. Mr. Spano is probably getting ready for the Sunday uh storm. I don't know if anyone's listened to the weather yet, but they're predicting now what 8 in on Sunday. Just saying. Um okay, so we're going to move
on to the next item on our agenda, which is student impact and recognition. Mr. Bologna. >> Great. Thank you. Um, at this point, I'd like to welcome Mrs. Nowaukee, principal, and you can introduce uh Marbor Middle School, and our student impact and recognition coming out of
your uh your middle school. How we doing? Just want to say as principal of the middle school, it is just fabulous to see so many of our students, so many of our staff being recognized tonight. It really speaks to everyone who is here
this evening. I really truly believe it takes all of us to make an awesome school. To the parents and to our board members are here, I hope you know that middle school, as in all of your schools, is a great place for kids to be and for staff
to work. Let's see. It's also pretty awesome to have an evening this evening where we can recognize our middle school students and staff for work that they have done. So, good evening, Mr. Cohen, board members,
Mr. Balone staff and our community. Thank you for inviting us to your meeting so that we can share a little bit about the wonderful things that are happening at middle school. Tonight we will highlight three projects and their outstanding work in promoting kindness,
school spirit, and the larger community. That is certainly our theme for this year. First, our nurses, Mrs. Scabler and Miss Greasie will tell us about the Healthy Futures Club and their upcoming blood drive. Next, Dr. Sabbo will share
some amazing work being done by our student leadership team, our Hawks. We want to acknowledge Hawks and the Healthy Future Club and our PTO, who recently collaborated on a toy collection to benefit children at a local
children's hospital. This is an example of working together to benefit others. And finally, Mrs. Farington and Miss Lawson will wrap things up by sharing some exciting news about our art students and their
participation in the Mammoth County Fairhousing Calendar Art Contest. We would like to present certificates to our kind and hardworking students at the end of each portion of our program. And so now I'd like to introduce nurse
Gabler, nurse Greeti, and also Dr. Sabbo. Good evening, Mr. Cohen, board of education, Mr. Balone, thank you, Mrs. Milwaukee, for inviting us to speak tonight. Um, on behalf of the Healthy Futures Club, we are very excited to share some of the things that we've been
doing so far this year. So, just a quick background, this is our third year in the Healthy Futures Club. Um, Jenna and I started this three years ago as a way to try to incorporate um, something fun, after school, meaningful for kids to do that kind of focus on something hands-on, um, exciting,
life-saving skills, things that really make an impact, things that are important to know, but also a way to get involved in the community. So this year so far our students have learned CPR, learned bleeding control for life-threatening bleeds, how to use an EpiPen for anaphilaxis, and we had a
visit from Marbor EMS where the students got to learn from the EMTs and explore the ambulance. We have two big projects that we are working on and we are hoping to have support from our local community. Um on Saturday, March 14th, 2026 um from
9 to 3:00 p.m. we will be hosting um our third annual communitywide blood drive. Our last two blood drives collected enough blood to save 339 lives. Now it's our time to ask our community for support as we aim to have even more donors this year. Every two seconds,
someone in the US needs blood. Yet only 3% of eligible donors actually donate. Blood donors help save lives of those in need. Examples of those in need include premature babies, patients with cancer, victims of accidents, or those with
cickle cell disease. While the real prize is saving lives, we like to keep the healthy futures blood drive fun and exciting. Anyone who comes to donate blood will also have a chance to be entered into raffles for some amazing prizes. As of now, we have generous donations of gift cards and
gift baskets from local businesses that will be raffled off to blood to blood donors. A huge thank you already to the Pickled Herring, Toast, The Marorrow Diner, McDonald's, Old Silver Tavern, Sculpt Adelier, Turning Point, and Mr. subs.
Here's a picture of what a broad drives poster will look like. And there's one more picture. As you can see on the board, you can look at the pictures from from last
year's blood drive and the past coming blood drives. We will also be handing out to everyone here tonight. We have um a poster with a link to sign up to our blood drive. We are really hopeful that we'll get some more community involvement. We have a
lot of slots that are still open that we really need filled. So, if you can take this flyer home with you and please, please, please consider signing up. Spread the word. We would really love to have community support for our blood drive. Um, we do have a second community project that we're working on this year. Um, this is a joint venture between, um,
the Healthy Futures Club, the PTO, and the MMS Hawks. So, with that, we will turn it over to Dr. Sabo. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Jackie Sabbo and I'm a school psychologist at Marorrow Middle School and I also have the privilege of being the adviser of
our Hawks leadership team. Oh, I don't know what happened. That's okay. I could do it without the the presentation. They're going to pull it back up. Hawk stands for helping all with kindness and
support. Our Hawks leadership team is made up of dedicated students across all grade levels who give up their lunchtime to meet and discuss ways to improve our school community while supporting our character pillars. Throughout the year, our Hawks members lead a variety of projects that promote kindness,
inclusion, and good citizenship across our building. Each November, our entire school body votes on a citizenship project they feel passionate about. The Hawks leadership team then develops an actionable plan to promote and support the selected cause. In previous years,
students have collected items for the Mammoth County Animal Shelter and donated to the Ronald McDonald House. This year, our student body selected pediatric cancer awareness as their cause. In response, the Hawks team partnered with the Healthy Futures Club to support an initiative collecting toys
for children at Robert Wood Johnson Bristol Myers Squib Children's Hospital. The toys collected will be used throughout throughout units in the hospital. The Hawks have worked to develop ways to spread awareness and in the upcoming months will sponsor a schoolwide spirit week, make morning
announcements, and organize the creation of heartfelt greeting cards to be donated along with the collected item. The Hawks and Healthy Futures Club have linked the wish list of Amazon items for our drive here in case anyone is interested in donating and supporting this cause.
I am so glad that some of the Hawks can be here this evening. These students truly exemplify leadership, compassion, and kindness, and I could not be prouder of their efforts. At this time, we're going to Okay. So, at this time, we're going to call up some of the students who are
able to be here tonight. Um, and I think our Hawks are going to go first. Jaden Chang, Ella Dassie. >> Hi, Jade. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Sophia Dabo,
Juliana Elsis, Ean Threddy, Kari, Molina, Kumis, Prrenady, Malagu, Ganesh, Matam, Victoria Matasa, Natalie Nicholson,
Grace Shen, Ava Swanson, and Unathi Vadia, and Leo Zenna. Thank you all. I am so lucky to have you as part of the Hawks. >> Thank you, sweetie. Sorry.
And for the Healthy Futures Club, we have Ryland Abbott, Ben Kaplan, Grace Shen, and Leo Zenna. Sure. You want to bring them all up? We can You want to have them here so you can
have the screen behind or you want to do it on the side? Okay. Why don't all of our recipients of that those certificates come on up and take a picture for the group picture? Thank you. And for the second portion of our
program this evening, we'd like to invite Mrs. Allison Farington as well as Mrs. Jenna Lawson to come on up to the microphone. >> Thank you. So, we made a quick video just to show you guys a little bit um of what we do
in the art department at MMS and also to show you the artwork that won um for the um fair housing poster calendar contest for this year. Super excited. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. So, as you guys saw, out of hundreds of entries. Um, we actually had eight winners from Malber Middle School, which ended up being almost half of the calendar, which was pretty cool. Um, if you want to Yes. We are so happy to be
here today honoring our amazing art students for their contributions to the fair housing poster contest. As art teachers, we strive to create classrooms that are a safe place to be creative and try new things. In addition to our classes, we also offer a digital art club and an art scenery club where
students can continue their exploration of the arts. We're very lucky to have supportive administrators who believe in the arts as much as we do and help us bring our students artwork beyond the classroom walls. Encouraging students to enter contests outside of school is a great way to build their confidence and
explore art making in a new way. We would like to invite some students up to tell you about their experiences in art as well as their experience with the fair housing poster contest. So, first I'd like to call up Jasmine Ibrahim who was the grand prize winner. She won the overall poster contest. She is the cover
of the calendar and she'd like to say a few words. I'm really grateful to be here today and be the grand prize winner. It feels amazing. I want to thank Miss Ferington for helping me um get through the process and I want to thank my parents for always encouraging me to express
what I strongly believe in. Fair Housing means a lot to our community and it helps us. Thank you. And now I'd like to call up Maya Pearlberg. I enjoy creative arts because art is a big part of my life and being in
creative arts allows me to explore different mediums and learn learn new skills. Being in creative arts also gives me the opportunity to connect with other students who have the same interests as me. I am really glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this contest. When I learned that my
poster was selected to be in the calendar, my family celebrated since they were extremely proud and knew how much effort was put into my art. So, now we'd like to give certificates to our students who are here tonight who are part of the fair housing poster
contest. And additionally, I'm going to have them um we'd like to offer you the calendars in which their artwork was displayed. So, my students who are here tonight, um Jasmine Ibraims, come on up. Yea Kazak, come on up.
Rishan Luther, come on up. Maya Pearlberg, come on up. And Noah Tacera, come on up. Okay. And these are our calendars. So, we'd like to hand one out to all of our board
members. Um, you guys want to hand And we also have some extra calendars if anyone would like them. Thank you. And we just want to thank you. Lots of calendars. Um, and we just like to thank all of you for your support and congratulate our amazing students here
tonight. Thank you. presentation this evening. Once again, thank you for having us. Can we have a big round of applause for all of our students and staff here today? Really is a pleasure to work at middle school with all the very talented staff
and students that we have. So, thank you very much. And again, that concludes our program, but students and parents, don't leave yet because we want to take a few pictures. Um, so thank you. >> Thank you. Congratulations. This is absolutely amazing. Uh and what a great keepsake
for us to sort of remember all that great work. Um and to the to the students who did such a spectacular job. So congratulations and thank you so much for sharing that. Um Mr. Malone, we have artwork on display. >> Yes, the artwork on display um as we've
been doing in the recent past is showing that as you're coming in. Um but uh thank you again uh Miss Lawson. These are from your applied art classes. Um they're sixth grade uh uh is inspired by
Matise uh Matis's use of geometric and organic shapes. Seventh grade students um are inspired by Far's use of color and radial symmetry. And eighth grade students Wley's use of uh pattern and portraiture. Collectively, the artwork reflects students creativity and
personal expression. Again, uh thank you Miss Lawson uh for for providing that work for us. So, um later in the agenda, actually in announcements, we actually have recognition for um Robertsville's team turtle. And since we want to do all the students together, um we're going to
move that up and and take care of that now. Okay. So, um we're actually bringing Team Turtle back. So, just a little explanation for those of you who don't know who Team Turtle is. Um Team Turtle was here uh several months ago. Um and
they were part of the New Jersey school board's uh steam tank challenge. So, um, students from across the state compete, um, and they come up with some kind of idea to, you know, save turtles or, you
know, some some kind of innovative way using steam um, and and all of their expertise and their teachers help um, to try to solve a real world problem. So, I'd like to uh, introduce Mr. Gieratano, who's the principal of Robertsville
Elementary School. he can reintroduce his his students. >> Thank you. Following middle school is a tough act. So, um so Team Turtle, uh I watched them last year for the 2425 school year as fifth graders work
tirelessly with Mrs. Bono um during their lunchtime, during their recess, and continue through the summer uh into October right before their presentation. So, like you said, they were invited to present at NJ SBA in October. Um, they placed third in that competition. Um,
during the first two months of school, Mrs. Bono, who was here, had given up a ton of her personal time to make sure that the uh girls were working through their problem and making sure they had expertise from people in the field. Um, and it was a really amazing thing to see
between the relationship of student and teacher. Um, and they did see a problem. They saw that turtles were getting caught in fishing nets and they designed a contraption that helps uh turtles and the fishing industry so in industry so community and animals. So I'd like to bring up um Arya Kadakia, Hamsini
Kusamanchi and Orurum Sun uh to receive their certificates. Great job former students and thank you very much for having us again. And $1,000. I did have that down. Congratulations. I I was there for their
presentation when they made that and I I can't remember when I was in their grades whether I would have the confidence to stand up in front of an audience of people and present and sort of you know
def defend my paper. It's um just absolutely spectacular. So congratulations to all of you. Okay. And um while we are on our school recognition and and our school opportunities, we have the the middle
school is going to Marbor Middle is going to do a PTO update. So, please come on up. This is Diana. >> Yeah, that that is a tough act to follow, but um thank you uh Mr. Malone and the board for inviting us to come and speak tonight. Um, it was so nice to
see everybody, so many get recognized for all the awesome things that go on at middle. Uh, my name is Lauren Deanna and I am uh the PTO president over at Marorrow Middle School. I just wanted to take a few minutes uh to talk a little bit about the MMS PTO. Um, first on
behalf of our board, we did want to thank our fabulous principles and and our amazing staff and administration as you can all tell. Um, as well as our parents um of our middle school students really for all their efforts throughout uh the school year. And it's not only
their willingness to collaborate with us, but it's their enthusiasm. Um, the energy they all bring makes it such a pleasure to be a part of this PTO. And we we truly are so fortunate at MMS to have such an amazing amount of support and it's really because of that effort
and participation that we're able to do all the things that we do. Um you know I know one question we got at the start of the school year from a sixth grade parent uh was you know what does the PTO um do at middle uh you know should I get involved? What does that look like? Um
and of course we said absolutely you should get involved. Um but there are really so many ways to contribute. Uh, you know, whether you have a sixth grader just starting out or an eighth grader getting ready to graduate, there is a place for you here. Uh, from decorating bulletin boards and and
beautifification, uh, to assembling or putting up lockergrams, organizing fundraisers, uh, helping out, you know, at a free outdoor movie night, um, or several any of our different student events. Uh, you can volunteer at our walk-athon, uh, chaperon dance, uh, help
plan or serve at one of our staff, uh, lunches. there really is something for everyone. Um, and the kids of course are a little bit older and middle and we are all about supporting their needs and it's really amazing because at this phase of their lives they really begin
to lead activities and they have these fresh amazing ideas and we're always there to support um and work with the teachers and the staff uh in supporting them. Uh, you know, whether it be collaborating with student council or the healthy futures club. uh we're just
grateful to be able to help however that looks. So, uh speaking um of some speaking about some of the things we do get to do, uh we just wrapped up the year um and had a pretty busy and fun December. Uh we started off the month with our week-long Scholastic Bookf
Fair. The kids got to shop during literacy period and we had free poster raffles each day and some fun raffle baskets up for grabs at the end of the week for the kids and staff members. We also um had our sixth and seventh grade events. Our annual sixth grade event was
at Urban Air this year and our seventh grade event was at Topgolf um which is always a crowd-pleaser. Uh those events both took place on the half days during the week of parent teacher conferences. So the kids had a great time. Uh you know they got a half day, they got to hang up their friends. So it it was a
win-win. We uh we also partnered with the Healthy Futures Club um on the toy drive for toy drive for Robert Wood, which is still going on, right? So, it's not too late. Uh you can still still donate. They're still collecting. Um oh, and we were also able to give back to
our students and staff right before break with some sweet treats. We scooped out ice cream in the cafeteria. Uh the kids got to make sundaes during their lunch period. There were sprinkles and crushed Oreos everywhere, but it was definitely worth it. um even middle schoolers, uh they're not too cool for
ice cream and they were excited. So, uh we were also able to treat the staff to individually boxed duck donuts. Uh who doesn't love donuts was our thought and I know uh they really did enjoy them. And speaking of donuts, we also uh last
month we kicked off our eighth grade fundraising and planning festivities for the class of 2026. We had a crispy cream doughnut fundraiser. So, as you can see, we're all about equal opportunities for doughnut lovers. Duck donuts, crispy cream, you know, they're both good. Uh,
and just to speak to that for a minute, uh, all the money we raise um on the crispy cream sales will go directly towards our eighth grade class. Every year, we form a committee of parents, and this group helps plan and lead all of the fun activities in store for our graduating kiddos. We discuss the eighth
grade class gifts and graduation, and of course, the dance that they all look so forward to. We hire vendors. We plan fundraisers because we need to pay for it all. Um, but it's a lot of fun. Uh, anyone with an eighth grader can join. We did have our first meeting last month
and we have about 30 parents on the committee, but it's not too late to join in. Um, we have our second meeting next week, uh, Thursday the 29th. It's virtual. It's in the evening. Um, we really do have a good time planning and I do encourage anyone listening to reach out if you think it's something you want
to help with. Uh it's such a bittersweet time as a parent and being able to be a part of something that's so special to these kids really is awesome. Um okay, so just a couple more things we have going on at the moment and then I'll wrap it up. We currently have our Valentine's Day Graham fundraiser going
on. You can send your student a churro courtesy of Chartwells and a pack of nerd gummy clusters this Valentine's Day. If you're interested in buying, you can check it out on our website. And we also uh we also have our annual Valentine's Day contest coming up. Uh that'll be up and running pretty soon.
We have student contests throughout the year. Um one of our awesome parents always does something really fun. Uh she usually sets up a festive table in the lobby. Uh last year it was like guess the number of Hershey kisses in in this huge container. Um and then there's student prizes like crumble cookie or a
t-shirt, some kind of swag, something something like that. So remind your kids to submit their guesses. Um there's listen there's there's some surprises, lots more stuff planned for the spring. So stay tuned and continue to check out our weekly email blast on PT board. Um
so yeah, this is just a small snapshot highlighting a few of the things um happening recently. Um thank you for inviting us to present, share updates, and celebrate all the fun and meaningful work we are lucky to be able to do at the Marbor Middle School. So thank you.
Have a good night. Thank you. And thank you for, you know, this goes for all of our our PTOs and our PTA, um, for all the work you do because that commitment to our students and our schools, quite frankly, it lays it leaves lasting memories and I love
the creativity with the Valentine's Day stuff. That was just really awesome. So, thank you very much for that. And thank you for making this an a great, you know, year for the eighth graders, but also for all the other great other grades at at MMS. So, thank you. Okay. Um,
no more for the So, we're going to give everyone a chance to sort of, you know, um, take some pictures and leave. So, I'd like to make a motion that we take a recess for 15 minutes. Actually, we'll start with 10. Has that mo so carried. Uh, all in favor? Thank you. We'll take
a recess. Everybody else does. >> Mr. Jillinsky, can we have a roll call, please? Yes. Okay. Miss Guerrero, >> here. >> Mr. Hyatt >> here.
>> Mrs. Jenowski >> here, Mr. Lolansski >> here, >> Mrs. Balomo >> here, and Mr. Cohen >> here. Thank you. Okay, we're going to get started with the um the the next part of our agenda, we're going to begin with public comments. Before we do that,
Mr. Bologn, can you explain the scan here for everybody? >> Sure. So, um we're trying something new. We're trying to um do a few things. uh bring us as we move closer to the 22nd century. Um you can certainly scan the
QR code for the this evening's agenda electronically. Most people have a smartphone when they come um to the meetings. So that's just an easily accessible way to do it. Um we also were realizing that we were every meeting we were throwing a large
amount of paper away. Um you know you can see the agenda sitting over there. Um, that doesn't mean we will not be printing them um to meet everyone where they need to be met. Um, we will have printed agendas for anyone who needs one. Um, we're just going to
significantly cut down the amount of agendas that we print. Um, so we're not throwing as much away. Um, we will have some of the attachments as well. I know there was a comment made at the last meeting regarding that. So, those will also be found at the table. But when you when you enter the building uh through
the front doors um if you do not need a a printed agenda and a an electronic one uh will suffice. You can certainly scan it through the QR code. So that's that's really the reason um you know we're trying something new and we always reflect on it and we'll see if it works. If it doesn't work we can go back. But
um it kind of it looks like it's working today. So >> we'll move forward. Um, and um, thank you also for I think the appendix are there too. Printed appendix. >> They are, >> as Borenstein, I want to make sure you Oh, Miss Colby, I want to make sure you
got them. So, they're they're there as well. Um, and again, as Mr. um, Bologn has said, you know, it's an experiment. If it works and it saves us printed copies, great. And people like to have it on their phone, that's, you know, a benefit for them as well. Thank you. Okay, we're going to start with public
comments. >> Mr. Jolinsky. Um, do you have a a list to call? >> I do. I do. I have actually two lists. I think the first list might have been students that thought they had to sign in, but um, Rashene Mather, Lauren, Diana,
and Chang. I apologize if I can't really read the writing. Chang Lee. >> Okay. So, those must be students. >> Sign up sheet in front of students and they will sign it. >> Okay. So, then we have um, Val Mendes. Good evening. God, that's loud. Board
members. Um, Mr. Balone, Mr. Gross, and Miss Schillinsky. Um, hope you all had a nice day today. A couple of things that I just wanted to cover, and if I can't fit it in in three minutes, then I will come back for the second round. But just a couple of the things with the policy. So, as somebody who was on the policy
committee for my term, which was extremely enjoyable. I love the policies so much. Um, couple of things that I'll be coming with. So, I know we had our final meetings when I was on the board. We had one even up into almost the day before Christmas Eve uh to go over some
of these. So, and we had some good productive meetings, but a couple of questions if you could um remind me. So, in the first one, 9130 is public comment complaints and grievances. It references regulation 9130.
Couple of things on that. I didn't find regulation 9130 out on the site. I was looking um 9130 does detail the steps for anybody who's interested in if somebody has questions
or concerns regarding materials. There's actually a process that you could follow that will tell you how to um kind of take up that complaint or grievance and how you should escalate it to the superintendent. And so I didn't see that regulation there. I did search it could
have been called something else but I did look for a rag. So you may want to just look that one up. I did do extensive searching on that one. I didn't see it. Same would go for I know policy 2535 which is titled library material which is coming up for first
read this evening. It references from the freedom to read act. It references a regulation 2535 regulation does not exist today. And so I'm not sure if you're going to be writing that regulation and then putting it out, but I just wanted to say that that one isn't
out there either, but maybe there's a plan for that. Um, I know when we had our policy committee meetings, we did talk about parental oversight. Mr. Cohen, we had some really good conversations, I want to say, around that. And I know you and I did align on making sure that parents
remained, and Mr. Blown was there as well, that parents did remain at the center of everything that their children are doing. And I know in one of the meetings we asked about a portal of some sort or how parents can have a level of oversight into um what their children
are checking out. And I know Mrs. Gross said she had some ideas of things that we could do and put in place. I just wanted to know kind of that just happened in December that meeting. So I just wanted to make sure where that was going on on that front. And so those are
my questions so far. the regs that didn't exist, the portal for parental oversight. Um, I have 22 seconds, so I'm just going to say this and I will come back if needed. Um, two things. One is on policy 5516, which is the use of
electronic commu communication and recording devices. We had looked at that policy in the past and I know that former Governor Murphy had passed a cell phone ban and I know some people had come up here and asked us about banning cell phones before. I'll take two more
seconds and I'll come back again. Um, I just wanted to say that just a reminder as people start getting a little like what are we doing with the cell phone ban? We already have it in a policy 5516 that cell phones are not allowed in our schools. And so I just want to make sure that our parents have the right to send
their children in with cell phones and that it's only at the teachers discretion as long as it can be used for um a lesson that kids can use it. So I just want to make sure that we're careful when we talk about the cell phone ban. It's already a thing in our school that kids can't use it in 5516.
And I'll come back with my next question later. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Mendes. And um thank you for taking the time to come out tonight. Um you were absolutely right as far as the um the conversations we had in December, very late in December about
9130, 2530 and on 2535. And I thought the conversations on 2535 were great. Um, and we were very well aligned on making sure that there was um, parental and violence. If I remember correctly, um, I believe the Ms. Mor Miss Gross had
mentioned that our library system actually has the ability for parents to be able to see into what their students are taking out and I guess the question will be how does that get proliferated or how does that get communicated? So, it's a good point. Um and I I do believe
I remember that the discussion on 9130 and on 2530 as far as regulations they had to be developed. >> Yes. >> Sorry, I'm enacting that one minute thing. Yes. And I know that there was I think some of them had to be developed. I just wanted to say one thing on the
regulations for regulations today. They don't have to go for anybody who doesn't know for first and second read. And so during my time when I was the chair of the policy committee, Mr. Lansonsky, Mrs. Balo at the time were there on the committee as well. We would bring
regulations forward at times to the board. Um, not for like a vote, but just for awareness and so you may want to consider that though they don't have to go to the public. I would bring them and talk about them to the public in some of the meetings, especially when it was a
topic that I thought would be something that was important. So, I ask I mean I'm always looking on the site anyway, but I ask could you please have the um consider the regulations at least awareness for our community members that maybe aren't as well-versed with our
district website and how to navigate that. I think it's helpful because it gives a lot of clear instruction more than a policy which is a little bit more broad. That's it. >> Thank you for bringing that forward and for making me aware of that past behavior and the past practices. I appreciate that.
Okay. Go ahead. I'm just confused. I know we're going to talk about this later, but the regulations haven't even been developed yet. How are we going to voting on a policy that I know we don't approve regulation, but we're approving this policy based on we read a regulation and we know what it says, but how do we approve this these policies if
the regulations are not >> as I understand it the policies inform the the reg the policies inform regulations. So you would pass policies so that they have a policy to develop the regulations under. There's state law that sort of informs the policies but the policies should inform the regulations.
>> Okay. It's okay to approve this without seeing you. >> Okay. >> Okay. We have next. >> Yes. Next is Jen Woodruff. Woodruff. Sorry. >> Oh, okay. I might talk later. >> No problem.
>> Thank you. >> And then I have um Basm Hana. >> Nope. Maybe another student. >> Okay. Would anyone else like to speak? >> Okay. Seeing nobody else, um motion to close public comments.
Mr. Hyatt. Second. Miss Carrerero. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. Thank you. We're going to move on with the agenda then. Uh we are up to announcements. So I will check off our first item which was the Robertsville team tur. I was really glad
that we moved that up. So we'll move on to the next item which is the board vacancies. Mr. Linsky. >> Yes. Okay. So, we have a board vacancy right now and we have gone out with the public notice to let everyone know that
if you are interested, you can apply via either email or mail. The application, which would consist of a letter of interest and a personal resume, and it could be um sent no later than noon on
Monday, January 26th. So that is the deadline and then after we receive all the applications um the board will conduct public interviews with the candidates and the
opening the the person will be appointed for a one-year term um at the april yeah February 3rd agenda um meeting. So any questions, please reach out. Um, but yes, we'll be taking them by email or
mail. So, thank you. >> Thank you. I I also want to thank you for sort of expanding the ability for people to apply, which is not just so dropping off an application in person, but also the email capability. Um, you know, in today's day and age, that's incredibly valuable. >> Yeah, I agree. And we're going to make
sure when, you know, going forward that we we, you know, change it up and add those options whenever we can. So, >> thank you. And and I do encourage as many people as possible to please, you know, um to apply for this vacancy. Um you know, it's this is a um it's a real
volunteer job and it's a real it's got a lot of um you know, value that we bring to our community and to our students. So, um it's very appropriate that the next item on our agenda is actually schoolboard recognition. So, I I will um
read this. Um, it's a school, Since this is schoolboard recognition month, the New Jersey School Board Association has declared January 2026, as they have done for many, many years prior to be school board recognition month, a time when all residents can acknowledge the contributions made by our local school
board members. So, I will um read the whereases. Whereas the New Jersey School Board Association has declared January 2026 to be schoolboard recognition month, a time when all residents could acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members. And whereas the Marorrow Township Board of
Education is one of 581 local school boards in New Jersey, which sets policies and oversees operations for public school districts. And whereas the Marorrow Township Board of Education embraces the goal of highquality education for all New Jersey school public school students. end. Whereas New
Jersey local school boards helped determine the educational goals for approximately 1.4 million children in pre kindergarten through 12th grade. And whereas the New Jersey 5,000 local school board members who receive no renumeration for their services, act as
advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers, and parents for the betterment of public education. And whereas school boards strive to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs. And whereas the boards of
education provide accountability to the public, they communicate the needs of the school district to the public. And they convey to the school administrators where the public expectations for the schools. And whereas the New Jersey And whereas New Jersey can take pride in its schools with rank among the nation's
best in key achievement indicators such as the national assessment of education progress scores and the preparation for college through advancement place advanced placement offerings and SAT assessments. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Marorrow Township Board of Education does hereby recognize
the services of local school board members throughout New Jersey as we join recognition statewide in observing January 2026 as school board recognition month. And be it further resolved that the Marboro Township Board of Education urges all New Jersey citizens to work with their local boards of education and
public school staff for the toward the advancement of our children's education. So, I want to thank all Thank you. Yeah, that's okay. I want to thank all board members who have served past, present, and future for their work in this because this is
such important work that we all do and for those who will sit in these seats ahead of us. So, um it was very appropriate that this follows the the board vacancy. So, thank you very much for that. Uh Mr. Jolinsky, you have the next item, which is school bus driver. >> Do we need a motion for it?
>> Approve it. a motion. >> Okay. So then we'll take a motion for this motion to um adopt this this resolution. >> Mr. Hyatt, we have a second. Mr. Lansonsky. >> Full roll call. Mr. Linsky.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jenowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lansonsky. Yes, >> Mrs. Balomo.
>> Yes, Mrs. Kuroro. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Cohen? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. School bus driver and building abstracts. >> Yes. So, we have run the abstracts for all of our bus drivers and all of our
building maintenance personnel and everyone was found to have privileges in good standing. So, >> thank you. Let's keep with your um your your uh flow. We've got referendum update. >> Referendum. Okay. So, I have a I have an update on the referendum. So, the
district received the funding. So, we received the $5.3 million. It was put in our bank account on December 23rd. So, so we're ready. So, we're currently in the design phase of the project. Um myself and Mr. Spano
will be reviewing design development with the architect and the engineer on February 2nd right before the completion of the construction documents. So that'll complete those. Um the project has already been approved by the DOE. So once the construction documents are
completed, we're going to solicit the bids. So we'll go out for bid. Um bids are projected to be due back to the district and opened on March 24th. and we're hoping to award the bid at the April 7th, 2026 meeting. Once the bid's
awarded, we anticipate some of the project, some of the work to start um in the spring, late spring after hours, maybe some electrical, some, you know, electrical stuff, some stuff in the ceilings so that when the equipment comes in, we can like go full-blown in
the summer. Um the final completion of like we've been saying is not anticipated to completed in 2027, but um everything's on schedule the way that we planned it. So we're good to go.
>> That's great. Thank you very much. Any um questions for Miss Jolinsky on the referendum? >> All right, moving on along. So we were up to um communications. Mr. Balone. >> I don't have any communications.
>> Thank you. Um, we have superintendent report HIB. >> Yep. Superintendent report HIB for the period December 12, 2025 through January 15, 2026. There was one incident reported.
>> Thank you. Uh, the meeting dates, um, our next meeting is Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026. That'll be a workshop meeting. Um, we will do the budget at that point. >> Yes. Um, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 will be a regular board meeting. Then on March 10th, 2026, which is also a
Tuesday, we will have another workshop meeting. And then on Tuesday, March 24th, we will have another regular meeting. Um, so that outlines our next four meetings of the board. Um, I will move on the next item, which is the approval of the minutes. We have minutes
that were submitted for the December 16th meeting, both regular and exec, and on the January 6th meeting, both reorganization and executive session. Do we have to move on both these on these minutes separately or can we move on them together? >> So, I move that we um adopt them
>> because it's one from the previous >> one. Yeah, exactly. >> So, let's move to um let's do the first motion is to move the adoption of the meetings for December 16, 2025. Can I have a second? Second,
Miss Carrero, Miss Jinsky, any any discussion on the on the minutes? >> Thank you. >> All right. This for the December >> December 16, 2025. >> Okay. >> Mrs. Jenowski,
>> abstain. >> Okay. Mr. Lansonsky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Balo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Guerrero. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Cohen. >> Yes.
Okay. Um, now I'll move to adopt the minutes from the January 6th, 2026 reorganization and executive session. Can I have a second? Mr. Lansonsky. Any discussions on the minutes for this meeting? Seeing no discussions. >> Okay.
>> Mr. Jinsky? >> Yep. Mr. Lansonsky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Balomo? Yes, >> Mrs. Carrero. >> Yes, >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Jenowski. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Cohen. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Okay. Um All right. Um Mr. Jillinsky, we're going to do uh the acting board secretaries monthly certification. >> Yes, this is just um yeah, this is just certifying that all the accounts are in
good standings. >> And the same for the payroll certification. Payroll certification. It just states what the payrolls were for the month of December. >> Thank you. Um we are up to committee reports. Um this was a policy committee
from last year that met I think on December 23rd. Mr. Balone, will you be doing this update? >> Yes, I can do the update for you. Um so we we last met on on December 23rd. Prior to that, it was December 17th. uh we focused on the freedom to read act
policies that were discussed before uh 2530, 2535 and 9130. Uh we work through the Freedom to Read Act. Um and those policies, as you know, are on for first reading uh this evening. And
um I think that was that was the the lion share of the work and that was the discussion for um for that meeting. And um I also had some notes for for the cell phone the new cell phone law. Uh, as Miss Mendes uh reported, uh, we do,
um, you know, I don't even like to call it a cell phone ban because we're not banning cell phones from schools. We're just saying that, um, cell phones are allowed to be in school, right? That's that's every parent's right to send your child in with a cell phone. They're just not allowed to be
out during instructional time or, you know, on our buses, in the hallways when, you know, you could be taking uh recordings, pictures of of of our students or teachers uh or any other staff members. So, um without the express uh consent of the teacher,
right? Right? So if there's an instructional use for a cell phone, if you want to take a picture of maybe a closure activity or do now and the teacher allows it with permission, then then there's an appropriate use for uh cell phone or any other electronic device to be to enhance the instruction.
Um but our you know we don't have a problem um I'll say that broadly, right? When when we do have issues with cell phones in classrooms, we address it. It's a classroom management issue and our teachers do a really good job in doing that. Um, what we find generally
speaking is, you know, it's the 17-hour students are outside of our buildings where a lot of the cell phone issues happen with students and um when when those teachable moments arise, we we address them and and we address them in
partnership with our parents. So, um, there even in the new law, there's there's a provision where if there's a safety and security issue that, you know, cell phones allowed to be brought out and dial 911, right? So, any student can do that. Um, and I would encourage any student to do that should we have,
um, some kind of issue in school, safety and security. So, um, nothing nothing really is changing for us. Um, business as usual. Uh there may be some some little we probably should look at the policy to make sure some of the language and definitions are in there. Um and any
updated um uh you know explanations or language, but nothing of substance really would would change the way we practice our uh our day-to-day operations. >> Mr. Mr. I, if I remember correctly, I think the policy committee actually did
begin to look at 5516 last year um in anticipation of the change in the law um and just to see where we sat um and there is some needs for some updates to that if I remember correctly. I mean I think there are things like quote beepers that are still in the um
>> right there was like there were beepers there were p well I think personal device personal wearables now I think are covered in the new law. So we have to make sure that the law that the law is reflective of that. Um but I do remember that there were some things in there that we needed to update. Um there also I think that policy was written in
the consideration of also being broader like for high schools because we don't have students that leave who are part of like you know emergency response teams >> right there. Yeah. There's a section for uh like an emergency responder that they're legally allowed to leave and so we don't really have that right because we don't have anyone driving here. So,
doesn't apply to us >> from the first aid squad, >> right? >> Um, okay. Thank you. And and you just just to for clarification, you said our current policy, not necessarily a ban, but restricted use, I think, with not necessarily your word, my words. Um,
class, school, and buses. >> Yes. >> Okay. And teachers do classes. Who does buses? >> Drivers. >> The drivers. >> And they're enforcing that. I've I've spoken to the transportation coordinator recently and you know sometimes it's an
innocent you know the child just wants to watch something or listen to something. Um the problem with that is and and often times that you know the behavior is is controlled right when when a child is is watching a video. But the problem is all it takes is one to be
listening to something inappropriate. We have you know young ones on the bus along along with uh some older ones. So um you know your children our students are in our charge
from basically door to door right so we are responsible for them when they leave you at your at your home and we're responsible to get them back to you safely um and in order to do that we have to uphold our you know restricted use of cell phones
including on buses. May >> may I ask a question about the cell phone use on the buses? So, if a student has a cell phone on a bus and the bus is running late or the substitute driver made a wrong turn, would the student get reprimanded for calling their parent and saying, "I'm going to be late. We made a
wrong turn or there's construction." Um, are they permitted to do so? Especially if a parent's waiting at a bus stop. >> Um, so, you know, I think we use common sense with that as well. if if as long as as long as the they're not be it's not abusive and there's there's a real
need for it, right? I have no problem with with that sort of thing happening. Uh what we can't have is no, I'm innocently watching this YouTube video and there's nothing in it that's bad. That's hard to control, right? It's hard to control what's bad for one, what's
good for someone else. Um but if we're if our job and and I know, you know, sometimes it's there's no gray in policy. Sometimes it's like you either can or you can't. Our job I I know life isn't doesn't always fit into that perfect box. Our job is to prepare kids
for the real world. Is that the real world? I think it is. Right. Telling a parent, I'm going to be late. Even though, you know, often times, I know we had it today, we had a delayed bus, we went out, you know, bus 107 is going to be late. Um I have no issue with that,
right? So, so I think we need to use our discretion on when it's appropriate, when it's not. If we teach our kids the appropriate time to use a cell phone, I think, and they and they adhere to that, I think we've won. It's when they use it inappropriately
or maybe innocently, but then a, you know, something pops up and it's it's audible for someone else to hear, particularly a younger student or someone who gets offended by something they hear, right? It's not even on their phone, but I heard something and now I'm offended. That's a problem. And that could happen anywhere. It could happen
to any of us in real life. So, as long as we teach that digital citizenship, I think I think we're doing the right thing. I know that was a long answer, but I hope that answered your question. >> Does does that something so that common sense approach, right, of you know,
because the policy is black or white, does that common sense approach get laid out or articulated in some way within the regulation? So I can I can take a look at what our regulation looks like and I can even work with our um transportation coordinator and then we can bring it back to the policy
committee for discussion. Um but that's you know just where where my head is right now and in thinking of that real life example because that could happen. I I don't see an issue with it but I certainly can can look at that. >> Yeah because I would equate that to almost like a 911. It's you know it's
it's important. It's an emergency. You need to let somebody know so they don't panic or worry. Um and then the other thing is and I believe the new law does address it which is the use of cell phones for students who have medical necess necessities. >> So um that shouldn't also be um of a
concern for our parents or our families. >> Okay. Any other questions for Mr. Bologn on on the policy committee work or the policies that um >> I have a couple things. >> Um first I want to begin by saying thank you for taking that common sense approach. Um, I was very uh concerned
with the cell phones. You know, when you read ban uh bell to bell ban, um, I know we've had several conversations about this in the past and I thank you for staying true to the conversations that we had in the past that the children will never be completely devoid of a cell phone. Obviously, we've been in the
uh, you know, around kids for a long time. um having kids in the district and I never see the kids out with their phones and I think you do a really great job of controlling it as it is and there's really not a need um for any of these kind of uh escalated measures. So,
thank you for for taking that approach. I appreciate it. Um where I wanted to open up some discussion was around uh the library materials and the freedom to read act. um because the way that the policy is currently written um we've
framed our position as a reactive position instead of a proactive position. Um and I believe that only addressing a process to assess or challenge books after the children have been exposed to the material um places parents in a position of defense and it
leaves students vulnerable um especially in our youngest grades. So, as we move through this policy, um, for me to get to a place where I would feel comfortable approving it or voting yes to it, I'd like to ask the board to direct our policy committee as well as
administration to bring back revisions to policy 2535 that explicitly address age appropriate access, parental transparency, and the proactive safeguards. Uh, because our current policy only reacts after the harm of exposure to the materials has already occurred. I want to be clear
about my position. Uh it's not about banning books. It's about not re it's and it's not about restricting ideas. Um it's about our responsibility as a board of education to ensure that age appropriate access to library material and the respect to parental rights both
of which are already acknowledged in the policy but in terms of how a parent can react if there is material that they're not comfortable with that their child has already been exposed to. I support the idea that children have the freedom to read and I fully support the MTPS libraries and librarians. Um I believe
that some of the work our media lit staff does is the most impactful and resourceful to our children. Um while I support view point diversity, I also support developmental appropriateness. And it's our duty to make sure that the freedom to read does not mean unrestricted access for every age group.
Um I've seen firsthand that the freedom to read is often cited as a reason we cannot act. But both the act and policy 2535 make a very important distinction and limiting access based on developmental appropriateness is not censorship. Um policy 2535 explains how
a parent can challenge a book. But where do we see these books before our children check them out or have them in their hands, have read them for an entire class or have taken them to do their schoolwork. Um there's no proactive proactive review for sexualized contact content and there's
no required age banding. So, just going by what Scholastic recommends, um, I've seen books that are labeled as as young as kindergarten through third grade that have sexualized content that I wouldn't be comfortable with my 5-year-old having their hands on. So, how do we proactively make sure those those books
are grouped in an age appropriate um, subsection? Um, I I don't think it's appropriate for the burden to be entirely on the parent. And once the child has already encountered the material, there's really nothing that we can do as a parent other than call it out. Um, but how do we get in front of
that and make sure the kids don't ever have that material in their hands? The real question before us is how we'll handle books containing highly sexualized material that are currently marked as appropriate for our K- through8 students. Um, and how do we retain the final authority that
age-based limitations are permissible and legal and it's not this is not a gray area. So, I'd like to just ask Mr. blown and Mr. Cohen how we plan to distinguish between what is appropriate and what is not and it is not appropriate to review a policy and vote on it without a clear understanding of
how it will be enforced. So, that's the discussion that I'd like to open up um publicly is what are our um you know, some of the the points I'd like to discuss today are is there going to be clear gradeband classifications? Is there going to be sections of our media centers with restricted access or
relocation for sexualized content? Um and for parent visibility into our library inventory by grade, all of our books are scanned in. I've worked in the library. I've seen the libraries in the elementary schools. I know the books get scanned in and scanned out. So, how do we document that into one place um where
parents can go on and see what materials our libraries hold before their children maybe even during um you know open house or before their children enter the schools maybe part of the genesis forms that come in the summer we can take a look at an indexed um inventory of the
books that are going to be in our children's library and then um how do we have a proactive review process and not just the complaint after the fact um if we see these changes is reflected in the in the policy. Um, you know, then I would have absolutely no problem voting yes to a policy that protects our
library material and our children's freedom to read. Um, but I would like to have those discussions before we do so. >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Bologn, would you would you like to comment to some of the um, library operations pieces I think
that Mrs. Balo raised? Sort of the classifications. how are they classifi how are you how are we doing in classifications how do you how are you sort of setting up sections for maybe restricted content um you know she references the scanned in and scanned out but it's also you
know the practices of how you would potentially provide this in a proactive way to parents during the beginning of a school year um can you can you comment on any of that >> so we mentioned before I know Mrs. Gross is looking into our um giving parents a
window into what what is contained in our library. So I I will certainly come back to you with that. Um I think so there was a lot there and I was trying to take um copious notes which I think I did pretty well. Um,
I would suggest a, and obviously this has to go back to the policy committee, but um, Mrs. Balomo, I think it would be helpful, um, if the the rest of the policy committee um, agrees. I think it would be helpful to um look at the
current proposed policy 2535 and offer some suggestions for us so we can look at all of them and and and take it back. I don't I'll leave that up to you. But you know, I was trying to write down everything that I was hearing. Um but
you know, it's a five-page policy, so I don't want to miss anything and I want to make sure the policy committee has a good healthy discussion about all of your points. So when we bring it back um you know at least they can be addressed. That would be my my suggestion.
>> Sure. That's no problem. I could actually send this. I did look at every page of 2535 um and you know because it is for a first read. So that's kind of where I got these points from because I I felt that the policy was devoid and like I said reactive instead of
proactive. So, what I'll do is I'll put this into an email and I'll send it to the policy committee and then, you know, there's some uh bullet points um here that really pull out what I felt was missing and if they want to consider it um then and bring it back for a vote, that would be great.
>> Yeah. And if there's substantial changes, we'll just put it back on for first reading. >> That's great. And and are any of those points that you made, some of them may actually be captured in the context of the the regulation rather than the policy, or do you feel that they're all policy related? uh you know from my time
serving on policy I I think that the policy is obviously a broad overview and framework of what we would like to see in the regulations lie more with Mr. Bologone but in order to approve a policy it's nice to see how the policy would be enacted and I know we use the word transparency a lot but the true
definition of transparency is what is the policy and how are we going to see it enacted if and when it is necessary. So just a broad understanding of what like I said, how are we going to age ban these books? How are we going to have restricted access because some content
may be appropriate for a sixth grader or a fifth grader rather, but not my kindergartener or not a third grader. So where can we have those books live that those children can have access, but the kindergarteners don't just walk in? because it's I think it that's and I don't have anything to do with the
day-to-day, but that's a lot to ask a media lit teacher when they have 25 kindergarteners come in to like, you know, look through every single book that they have in their hand and make sure they're doing this or doing that. So, if there's one section that's kind of just off limits, that may be something that, you know, is easier to maintain on a daily, you know, on a
daily basis. So, I don't know the ins and outs of how Mr. and wants to instruct his staff or write his regulations. But just seeing everything would give us a better understanding and a better level of comfort approving a policy. At least that's my opinion on it.
>> Um I I actually had some concerns about the policy. If we're going to continue the discussion now, is that okay? >> Are you okay with that, Mr. Cohen? >> Yeah. I mean we normally would have done this during the uh the section on policy for but you know we're we're having the
conversation so I think it's healthy. >> Okay. So um when I looked over the policy um in um A B so section A letter B um developmentally improp uh inappropriate for me that's like a
slippery slippery slope like what that actually means. I know um Miss Balo talked about um certain ages. what's good for a kindergarten is not good for a fifth grader. And I completely agree with that. But um I don't want to lose sight of the fact that in elementary
school you have students that are maybe a second grader reading on a fourth grade reading level reading. And I actually had this conversation with the school librarian um who was amazing um during parent teacher conferences that you know um although I want we want our
children to be challenged so reading on their level because then their reading level won't go up if they continue to read below level but then monitoring that if they're a second grader reading on a fifth grade reading level the book itself might not be mature. So, I think that there's a lot of concepts, not just
sexually inappropriate, just concepts in general that um that just might be technically on a child's reading level, but not appropriate for them at to to know. So, I think I encourage conversations between parents and teachers regarding that. I think what's
difficult is that piece that parents are not, and I didn't realize this. I didn't realize that we didn't have an online catalog that parents can log into. I know a lot of schools have them like the Destiny Quest library catalog which is amazing where they can go on and say you have library on Thursday this week let's
start looking for the books kind maybe even sending an email I think that's a a really important vital thing because um if you look at um letter C under B so B
subsection C which is also under C subject subsection two moni um a parent and guardian. >> Sorry, what was that again? >> So, it's this kind of the same thing in two places. So, in >> section B,
uh subsection C and then in um in letter C number two. So it says parents guardians retain the right to monitor their child's use of the library and guide their own child's
access to instructional library materials in accordance with policy 9130 which I agree and I really appreciate the including the parents on this but as a parent how are you doing that? What tools are we giving the parents to
actually do this? Um, when the Scholastic Bookf Fair happens, they send that paper copy home of most of the books there and you can go online if you do an e-wallet. I mean, I go through it. I literally write on an envelope, do not allow her to buy these books. I don't
want her coming home with these. I even cut out a picture of the book. I put it on so it's a picture guide for my daughter and the PTN helpers that give their time. So, in those little ways, parents can help. But in regards to a vast library and the media specialist is
only one person, I think that we need to give the parents more such as a Destiny Quest library catalog that they can preview books. And then I think I had um uh um I think
Miss Mendes mentioned it when I went to um letter D, removal request procedure regulation 2535. That wasn't on there, but I'm told that it comes after the fact. It's just weird to vote on something that references something that you can't reference in
order to vote on it. Um and then one more thing, Mr. Con, I'm sorry. Keep your pen handy. Um, >> I'm just trying to keep up. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll repeat. So, >> no, I appreciate the I appreciate I'm just trying and fortunately we can go back and and re listen to the the video,
but trying to keep up. >> Section B again, but now subsection F, it says it requires the superintendent to establish a procedure for a school library staff member to review library material within a school library on an ongoing basis. What is that procedure
that I'm voting on? Like, what does that entail? I don't I don't I I guess my interpretation of that that paragraph is that you're not voting on the procedure. You're voting on the requirement that the superintendent establish a procedure.
>> Okay. So, I guess the procedure comes after the vote. >> That would be the regulation. >> That's the regulation. Okay. I'm just trying to understand the order. Okay. >> That's my interpretation of that. >> Gotcha. Those were um those were the
questions and concerns that I had. Thank you. Thank you for that feedback. Brian, >> can I go? >> Did you want to respond back? >> Just something relevant. I think um so thank you both for that good feedback. I I think it's worth mentioning though. Um
so a a lot of this has to do with the masses, right? So and we talked about this at the policy committee, right? An entire school or you know all of the students um affected. If as a parent you want to restrict certain books as
you mentioned um we we welcome that as well. Right. So so a lot of this has to do with the student body as a whole. Uh but if you as a parent want to restrict something from your child, you absolutely have the right to do that. So I just thought that
was worth saying. >> I just I just I'm sorry. I just know that when I spoke to the the librarian at the parent teacher conference, she was amazing when I brought this concern up. I mean, she got up and she started pulling books off the shelf. What do you think of these? What do you think of
these? And to me, I almost felt bad because she was running around like doing all this stuff, but because I don't have access to the content, I could have done I don't mind doing that myself. So I think parents really need to know what's in the library in order
to guide their child. Therefore, we save a lot of time, you know, during library like, oh, I have my list, you know, my mom and we've decided on this book. I think it's just very helpful tool. >> Mr. Vansky, >> thank you. First, I'm going to um
totally agree with Mrs. Bulmo's concerns and Mrs. Jenowsky's concerns. I'm not going to repeat them all. I was came perform I came with almost exactly the same concerns myself. I'm just not going to sit and repeat them, but I'm totally in tune with them. Um I will say though,
I'm sure our library has a a database for the books. They have to have it. >> So I'd like to see at least in the beginning I know searchable database might be a little harder to get online, but putting our database online is a click and click a click procedure. I I don't know why that would take any time.
That needs to be in this policy. The only way parents have a view and transparency of what they can choose a child to read or not read is if they know what's there, you know, and it should be searchable. But if it can't be searchable week one, okay, I get that. But I would like to see it that PDF online ASAP and part of this policy that
says it has to be updated regularly as the books are updated in the library and um made searchable possible. And I don't see why it couldn't be searchable. Anything online can be easily searchable uh and easily found on our website, not buried somewhere somewhere in our in our
district website. I think there's enough here through all these suggestions that makes a substantial change to this policy once the policy committee looks at it. So, I don't think there's a reason to vote on on on a first read tonight. It'll be too big of a change. It has to come back as a first read
again. It's just too much here. >> No, I I I don't disagree with you. So you're suggesting like instead of a web system putting up like a written like a PDF copy. So I think that's a great idea on our website and then >> the database. Yeah, that's a great idea. Michael,
>> I'll have to go through a thousand books to see if the one book I want to see is on in there is there. >> Yeah, we already have a database. So, like I said, I'm going to speak with Mrs. Gross about um a parent making it easier or a parentf facing interface where we can have people at least search
Um, I have one more question and this is just a question because I I truly don't know. Um, actually it's a two-part question. Um, middle school doesn't use the library to check books in and out on like they don't have a media lit class per se. Correct. >> So they don't have a class, but they can still
>> they can just go to the library and check books in and out. >> Um, a lot of our materials now I've seen media lit classes and they're all really great actually. Um, but they use digital materials that are used in media lit. How are we handling those materials?
It's not per, it's not like a book, but it's like a supplemental that's used, you know, as part of the literacy the media lit program, not literacy, but um, where can we access those materials that like they see in class when they're using Chromebooks? That's not a physical book, but it is a uh, you know, it's not
part of the it's not categorized. It's not on a shelf. Um, that's part one. And then also um and again I just truly don't know the answer to this. I know every classroom in K through five has a classroom library. Um and those
obviously have the same materials. Um those again they're not categorized. Um, how are we is that something that possibly the teachers can review what books they have in their library or something before the students get I I know those
those libraries um you know pe people send in books they just end up on the shelf my kid read the book you know I got a bunch of donations um but how are we kind of handling those materials um >> uh I'll take the second question first because we actually did talk about that
um and you're right sometimes um teacher has his or her own classroom library that is a sort of a compilation of many years of collecting books. A parent sends a book in and they you know they just amass them in in many different
ways. I had the same thing when I was a teacher. Um we we discussed what that's going to look like and um that those also have to be explored, right? So any book that a
child has access to uh to grab in a classroom or in a library we have to treat the same way. Now a teacher's uh classroom library will not necessarily have a database. Um but there's going to be a lot of communication uh back and forth with building administration and the teachers to say you know you have to
make sure um that we have quote unquote age appropriate books in your classroom. And if you don't um that that could be problematic. Now, our teachers want to do the right thing. Um, so, so we've already had that discussion. I've had that discussion with Mrs. Gross, and
we're going to put a procedure in place to make sure that we have age appropriate materials not only in in our libraries, but in our in our classroom libraries as well. Um, the digital content piece gets a little so so if we're it gets a little muddy in
terms of if we're talking about a an online textbook, that's easy. But we have other things like um I think of you know digital digital resources like achieve 3000 right which has several different articles um thousands and
thousands of articles. Um you know is is there is there a way to have parents see the article in advance? Technically yes. if you know if a teacher is designs a lesson um and
they're reading an article, could a parent see that? Um so I will take that back for th those are that I'm more concerned about those types of things where you can you have thousands and thousands probably you know hundreds of thousands of possible articles to to
utilize in a digital program. Um I'm not so concerned with our digital textbooks because again those are searchable. Um, but I'll bring that back to um to the curriculum team as well to, you know, come up with a way because I I I think that's a good point, right? We can't
just um have open access, you know, to basically anything for students um and and possibly have the um have them exposed to material that they shouldn't be exposed to. Now, with that said, um I know many of our programs um do align
with, you know, grade level bands, but um to Mrs. Jenowsk's point, and this this is a challenge that any teacher of reading, and you don't have to be an English teacher to have this problem, right? I would argue all of our teachers are teachers of reading. When you have
an accelerated reader in your classroom, in your second grade classroom who's reading at the fifth or sixth grade level, you always have that issue, right? Because there's this balance between text complexity and age appropriate content. And often
times they are on opposite ends of the spectrum. So that is always a challenge. I know our teachers are are hyper sensitive to that, especially on that end. um to make sure that we're giving kids what they need by way of text complexity, but also looking at the
content within that. And I know our coaches do a really good job at the elementary level. Our ELA supervisor reads books constantly. If you've ever seen his office, you would understand. Um there are books everywhere. Um but we that's always the balance, right? And
and that that is a very difficult task. But I will bring more on the digital content piece where we have thousands and thousands of different articles that could possibly be exposed to a student. We'll uh we'll take a look at that. >> Thank you.
>> Hey, I just um Jenn >> Oh no. So I mean and this might be up to but like as you're voicing your concerns I especially with yours Carrie um I mean Mr. Jenowski. Um um I was thinking that if especially
with people who are above um their reading level now we get into different themes. So like I'm sure that some of these databases probably have like metadata of tags of like what kind of themes are in it. And if you get the list like uh Mr. Lansonsky was saying
that you can actually like start tagging what possibly could be offensive, say in your um in your opinion, right? And then that can kind of go and get tagged as like a potentially sensitive and people can opt out like do you want to keep um
do you want to be aware or you know from that ban or is your child okay to handle that theme even though they're younger or whatever. So that's something that came into into my mind. and I like go immediately to like how do we fix this? So, I'm sorry if this is like um another
thing I was thinking is that even with AI or like and I automatically go to chatbt, you can take pictures of the books in the the classrooms and it actually cataloges things really well by identifying what text are there and like you could do like a whole bunch of books
at once. It can lay it out. you can ask it for the themes and you have a comprehensive list just like that to share with um parents or whatever for that classroom. So that was just something else I was I was thinking um that might mitigate some of like the
concerns. >> Thank you. Anyone else? I I just want to share um I I think this is a great conversation. Um we struggled with this policy when we were working through it. Um it took us a lot of time.
Uh and and one of the things that was blatantly missing from 2535 that the policy committee discussed was the fact that there was no reference to parent or guardian role and the fact that they had the um the right to you know help guide their own students. So that's was
captured into this policy early on and that sentiment has obviously been picked up around the deis and I appreciate that as well. Um I also to your point Jenna um the there are two in my opinion there
are two forms of libraries in our schools. There's the library itself and then every teacher has a library that doesn't necessarily get cataloged the same way the library systems catalog the resources that are in our libraries. And
that's another point where I think it's extremely important that parents have some insight into what's in the classroom as oppo as well as what's into the to the library. So that that was my other point. The third one is that we did spend some time when we were talking through this because Miss Gross was part of the conversation about the library
system and its capability and it to my perspective from the conversations they they seem to be it seems to be fairly a robust system that we do have. Um albeit I granted I have not used it but it sounds like it's a very robust system. It does should have some of the
functionality that we have called out here a catalog searchable database. It should be some functionality that's there whether or not they've actually made it publicly available to our f to our families. That's a question that needs to be answered and in quite frankly we were very much in support as
the policy committee last year to make sure that that was enabled. Um and we you know we made sure that was captured here but within the context of this. And then the last point um the last point I want to capture is that
um I think that the discussion around this table is great. It's exactly the type of conversations we should be having. And I agree with Mr. Lansky that there's some substantial amount of feedback that informs the need
for more work in the context of the um the the the policy and we should not go forward with a a second read but we can do that when we read when we can do that when we do the vote and and I and I appreciate the fact that you know Miss Balmo, Miss Kenowski, Mr. Alonsky,
Jenna, everyone brought this up because I think this is exactly the kind of conversations we as a board should be having. So, thank you. >> Can I just say one more thing just on a positive note to end? Um, I know where my kids go to school. They actually have a program called Library Helpers where
parents come in and help in the library. So, I don't feel at all like the the elementary school library is hiding anything or the the doors are always open and we're always in there. The kids bring home books all the time. Um, and the system is run really really well. So, bringing these suggestions to the table. I've seen the cataloging system.
I don't really enjoy working in the library, but I have done it. And um it seems like it would be easy, like Mr. Lansy said, to just get a print out in the beginning of the year or in Genesis. Um but I just wanted to add that our libraries, at least the ones that I've seen, are run very well by our media lit teachers.
>> That's great. Thank you for sharing that. Any other conversations on the policy committee uh report out or quite frankly what we have done so much in the discussion of these three policies? Okay.
Um seeing none, we are going to um discussion number two on the budget. Okay. Hello. Okay. So today is going to be budget discussion number two that we've had as a board. This is for me
budget discussion number one up here. So um but we are going to start tonight with a little bit of an overview and we're going to talk about two different departments tonight and then as we progress through the process we'll do
more. So see how this works. Okay. Okay. So, the timeline you've seen before, um, in December, we met, we did some enrollment projections to kind of check
class sizes and such. We started the budget discussions with the departments and the principles. Um, we had a little presentation here. Now, we're in January. We're continuing our discussions. Um, starting to delve into
each individual more. Um, obviously we don't have state aid numbers yet, but right now we're just kind of status quo, you know, kind of pretending that everything's going to stay the same to develop something. Um, going to continue into February
bringing you we'll have another we'll have two meetings in February. We'll bring more departments to you each time. State a numbers usually are released the end of February, but with the new governor, we believe it'll be delayed the whenever there's a new
governor, it always gets pushed. So, we're thinking two weeks into so it'll probably be March and then we'll have like a whole week or two to like get everything together because that's what the state does to us. Um, we're probably
going to adopt the tenative budget in March. Um and then the public hearing will be April. So that's the tenative timeline for what we're going to do.
Um and I always would like to talk about what the goals are, right? So what as a district what we want to do. So in this budget, you know, um Mr. Bologn and I and Mrs. Gross, we've all kind of um Mrs. Sturio have come together to try to
see what the goal is. And obviously we want to maintain all our programs, right? We have a great district. We want to maintain our core subjects, special ed, related arts, um curriculum. We want to focus on what we've been doing with curriculum, even making it better. We we want to support
special ed. We want to continue, you know, we have a growing special ed program. We want to continue it. Tech, hardware, security, all that stuff. I mean, you know, it's in the background, but it's all very important. Network, facilities, we have to maintain our
facilities, right? Put the money in the facilities, transportation, the things that aren't, you know, exciting, but the district has to put the money there. So, those are our goals. Okay, this is just a little snapshot I
wanted to point out um about Marorrow. So, The state of New Jersey does this taxpayer guide to spending every year and they compare you with districts like
you which means K to8 as opposed to a high school district and a district with you know over a thousand students or something like that. So those are our like districts. there are 73 like districts of the state of New Jersey
that are a K to8 with you know students like ours. So we just wanted to kind of point out um the first column are the state averages for our like districts. Okay. And the second column is Marorrow.
So cost per pupil state average is 25.89. Marorrow comes in at 19205. We're the 20 23rd lowest out of 73. So administrative cost per pupil
state average in 1960 we're at 1947 25th lowest. Student toadmin ratio 145.8 students per administrator. Marbor is at 179. So we do a good job with the administrative staff we have for the
number of students we have. eighth lowest in the state for like districts. Faculty to administrator rate again. State average 16.3. We're at 19.3, 10th lowest. So, I just wanted to point out
to you how we really try to do a good job with what we have and with the resources we have. And you know, I know everywhere everyone's doing more with less. I mean, that's you know, in your your pocketbooks, at home, everywhere, right? everything's we have to do that
here too with the economy and everything going to do what we can do. So I just wanted to point this out so you can all see. Um now we'll get into a little bit about the departmental budgets. First one we're going to talk about is technology.
So the goal of the tech department is to obviously going to read this. I'm just going to talk is to make sure that the staff have the devices they need to do their job. The students have the devices they need, you know, in school to to do the
curriculum and the testing and all the necessary things, but he also has to deal with cyber security, the backbone, all the servers. So that's like text tech's job.
this budget. He's just really trying to maintain all of the services, the um software programs, the fishing, you know, when they do like the um secure the networks. Yeah. All that kind of stuff, email security, all
of that stuff. And then we'll go to the next slide and I'll show you specifically I keep doing the wrong way. Okay. So, we're going to continue purchasing Chromebooks for the sixth grade like we do every year. Sixth graders come into middle school. Everybody gets, you know, a Chromebook,
whether they take it home or at school, but everyone gets one and they use that for three years. So, they take that Chromebook and they use it the whole time in middle school. We've been doing that every year and we'd like to continue to do that each year. We're going to replace
kindergarten devices next year. Um, they've been using iPads for a very long time. We're going to transition to a Chromebook, but a touchscreen Chromebook. This way, it'll get them a little bit used to, you know, what's they're going to see starting in first grade, but they'll still have the
capabilities of the touchscreen. We're not getting rid of the iPads, but this is going to this is going to be our our start um at doing that. Um we're completing wiring. Oh, go ahead. Sorry. >> I just do want to mention also, thank
you for mentioning that. Um we we've also visited um other school districts who use Chromebooks with kindergarteners. So we've we've vetted that. Um but we we know full well that there are um certain apps that right are just um iOS apps. So we need iPads for
that and also in our uh special services department for our special education students um they require specific apps um on the Apple platform. So you know we're not looking to get rid of them. We're just looking to uh enhance with a with a less expensive device and a
device we know actually works with kindergarteners as well. >> Exactly. >> So, we're going to have charging carts for Chromebooks and charging carts for iPads, both in the classroom. >> Yeah. >> And that's going to be included. You're going to tell us all of that. >> Yep. We're going to include all of that charging carts and the um cases. Cases
are very important too, especially with kindergarteners. So, um wiring projects. So over the past many years um our in-house staff have been rewiring our schools instead of getting an outside contractor to come
and rewire with K ksix and ketix. So we're we're nearing the end. So that has saved the district tremendous amount of money having it done in house. >> Yeah, that um I would like to commend our tech crew for doing that. um it could be
$30,000 to to wire a a building and you know we can do it for a fraction of that. So I do appreciate them coming in. Uh Tom Many and his crew, they come in when kids aren't here, right? Because sometimes they have to take the whole building down. So >> they're in over the breaks and weekends
and um so you know they're they're working when when everyone else is not um or the majority of us are not. And um I do appreciate that because they are saving us a ton of money. >> Yeah, they even get some of the facility guys some once in a while to come and pull wire. That's what they they call it
pulling wire. That's all I really know about that. But um we're also looking to upgrade some of the network switches at the elementary schools next year, but that's all pending - funding. So um you know we'll we'll budget for it
and then pending you know budgetary guidelines but it's all based on e-ate funding. You'll actually see some um resolutions actually less on the agenda tonight regarding rate and I'll explain them later. And then of course
maintaining software subscriptions technology and that kind of stuff. And then this is just showing right now we're thinking the tech budget's going to be close to a million dollars. Um and the increase this year is um we've
we've factored in now the staff devices. We actually did we bought at the end of last year. Um we did a a lease purchase agreement for those. So this will be year two of the staff devices. Going to be purchasing kindergarten devices and upgrading of the elementary
switches. Now you can see of all the whole tech department 34% of that budget goes to staff and student devices. So the repair maintenance no that's for no that's that's all in house. Yeah part of
that would part of it would be in equipment because that's the actual wires and then the actual salaries are not in salaries are not in the departmental budget separately. So repair maintenance are like um might have a maintenance contract with a you
know a printer company or something to come in and repair things as they go. So but yeah no the salaries are never in the departmental budgets. Those are in districtwide salary budgets. >> Does does this um
how does this compare to last year in spend? >> It's up. It is up. It is up. I don't know this. >> You can get back to us. It's okay. >> Yeah, I'll get back to you. But I Yeah,
I'll have specifics, but >> and I know at the end of I think it was in June, I think it was either June or July of this year of last year, we um we approved a resolution and a purchase for new devices. I think it was a leasing.
>> Yes. So that's that's the staff devices. >> So that's already in Is that is that already captured in >> that's captured in here? So it's not this is so that's already something we've approved. >> Correct. >> We're not doing another >> correct. This is just year two of the paper. Right. >> Okay.
>> The only thing is if and I I absolutely will give you the comparisons. But it it it'll really look like his budget went up a lot because the staff but the staff devices were not in the budget last year for that. >> So we bought him at the end of the year
funds. So I will have those numbers. Um the majority of his increase are the staff devices, the kindergarten devices, and the switches. >> But the contract we approved last year for year one of the of the leasing, that
price rate is locked in for year two, which is good because >> yes, >> prices are going up astronomically right now in this area, >> right? We bought it, financed it, and now it's just paying it out. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, >> Mrs. Mrs. Chency, do you want conversation like discussion questions now or would you rather us wait till the end?
>> Go for it. >> So, I'm a little bit hung up on the two devices for kindergarteners. Um, just can you give me a little bit? Can you give us more? And it doesn't have to be right now. Um, from where I stand, I'd rather our 5-year-olds get another
recess than another device. Um, and that seems like, you know, we have 2 220,000 budgeted towards more equipment, and I know that's a lot of different things in there, but will we get a breakdown for how much for the seconds of ice for kindergarteners and maybe some reasoning? I don't know if Mr. Balone
can talk to us more about that offline or whatever. Um, that we're looking for to double down on devices for our just so >> 65,000 for like our youngest learners. Seems like a lot of devices. >> Yeah. So, we're not um the fact that we're buying additional
devices doesn't mean they're going to be on devices more. So, you know, we're we're >> it's also not a one:1. >> Yeah, it's they're also not one:1. So, it's um I think we're at a 2 to1 ratio at kindergarten >> about 200. >> So, um >> because there's six locations. >> We we know that we can't get rid of
iPads completely, right? If if the if Chromebooks could do exactly what iPads can do and use all of the apps, we probably would advocate to get rid of iPads because they're a lot more expensive. But we know that we like to introduce Chromebooks at a lower price
point for certain programs, but also keep the iPads that are working. We're going to phase out the ones that aren't working. Um and um so kindergartens will you be using a Chromebook similarly to an iPad and use some programs on the
Chromebook that they were using on the iPad, but there are some apps that are just Apple specific. Um whether it be special ed or just certain apps in kindergarten that we still need access to that Apple device. So So we're not
because we're it seems like we're adding more devices there. We're really just diversifying the devices. We're not saying that uh kindergarten students are going to be on devices more, >> if that makes sense. >> Yeah, it does. So, for the iPads, about how old are those? How many years old
are those devices? >> They they vary. We have different um so we could get you a breakdown on that. Um Zach's waving. He probably knows. Five years. Five years. >> So, potentially, hypothetically, some of those even more of them are going to break. And if there is still a use case
for them, we're going to have to replace those as well in the notsodistant future. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I mean, are they close to the they won't even take an update period, right? Like >> Yeah. >> About a year or two left.
>> They won't even and then those apps won't be compatible with the iOS system that's running and they can't update to those, right? Okay. So, and especially with special ed, I mean, there are there are when those iPads do go, we've special ed, we will
have to purchase iPads for special ed. Some of those apps are just >> Can we get a projected cost for what you're anticipating that? Because if he if it's only one or two years out, what that would look like, how many of those, you know, are going to need to be replaced if they vary like about how much?
>> Gross. >> Thank you. But also what you know and what's the process to sort of evaluate alternative solutions that if we want to phase out the the iPads and go he have more more increase the usage of the
Chromebooks what is the comparable app that may be you know a substitute for what the iPad was used for and it may not be an absolute onetoone comparison um but what's the process to begin to evaluate those apps that can potentially be >> I know Mrs. Gross is looking at that
now. Um, you know, if it's appsp specific to iOS, obviously, you know, there's nothing there. But if it's a web- based program where they're just accessing it on an iPad, easily done on a Chromebook. Okay, good. Okay, so the next one the next
slide is going to be security. So, we're going to one of the big things in the security budget this year is going to be the video surveillance system at we're going to um work on changing memorials next year. We the this year
we're doing middles and then next year we're going to budget for memorial. Um we want to get the middle schools done first. We feel that's you know and then eventually get to the rest of them. It's a new system. So, >> and I'll just preface with, you know, we'll we'll leave out a lot of the
specifics, right? Obviously, for safety and security and the reasons for that. We can we can talk about that in executive um or, you know, exactly at committee level. >> Um so, this budget is going to support
his ongoing maintenance systems, um our emergency notification, our visitor management systems. Um, this budget also maintains funds for the class 3 officers in every building, the SRO's, the two SRO's that we have in
the district and then things he needs for the normal operation of security, um, supplies, backpacks, you know, all the things he needs. So, that's what this budget is is, you know, focused on. Um,
this budget is increasing. Um, Brian, I it's about it's only about 20,000 20 $25,000. So, but I'll get you the real numbers once I have the but his increases are due to two things.
We are increasing our portion uh of the SRO um cost. for many many years we've been paying 45,000 and going forward we're increasing that to 90. Um
>> and and that came just so everyone understands where that came from. Um the chief of police reached out to me last year after our budget was struck. Um and um I explained to him, you know, he he had asked if we could do it then and I
just I explained our our budget was already struck, but I promised him I would bring that to the board for this year. and here we are. So, um we appreciate um what the Marboro Township Police Department uh has done for us for
many, many years. Thank you. We have uh one of their members in the back. Um and um I fully support this. I spoke with the chief about it um probably about little little about about a year ago or so and I said I would certainly bring it to the board. Um we were
certainly getting a bargain for for you know what it was then at 45,000. I think it's still a bargain at 90,000. Um but I told him I would bring it to the board and um I know Mr. Lansonsky always say security isn't easy and it's not cheap
and and and we understand that. Um, but if we can't keep our kids safe, then we can't do what we need to do with our kids. So, I support it and I hope this board will as well. >> And then the other increase in the budget, his budget this year is the
video surveillance upgrades. Um, we had budgeted last year 80 for middle and it came in at 110. So we knew that I had to put it up to at least 100 from memorials smaller um less than middle.
So as you can see in this budget the SRO and the class 3es are the majority of this budget at 67% of the security budget. Chris, can I ask you um I know over the years and there was the law
passed, but the tracking of students on the bus, like when they check in onto the bus, when they get off of the bus, if if parents can track their location, would that be considered part of like a safety and security? Is there any um move towards getting that or because
it's been an on andoff topic of when that could happen? definitely would be safety and security transportation. Um >> I mean there are programs out there that do that. >> Um we do not have one. >> Yeah, we should we should hold off on
that conversation for exact or for a security meeting. Okay. >> Well, I mean but I mean that's just public knowledge whether >> we have that program here, not how it works or anything. So I just didn't know what part of the budget that falls in. That was the question. What part of the budget that would fall in? Yeah,
>> transportation. It would be the transportation budget >> that conversation on safety and security committee. >> Yeah. I mean, and that was like a a bill sign. So that's like law that schools are moving towards that whether we have that or not and the the intricacies of
it. That's not what I was asking. It was where in the budget that falls. >> Yeah, it would be in the transportation budget, but it would be discussed obviously with safety and security committee. >> Are you also con talking about considering bus arm cameras? the cameras that are on the outside of the buses for the students. I know in a lot of
neighboring districts they put cameras on their their buses. Um is was that is that part of what your >> It was more mine was more about like if like I I guess schools can do it differently. The swipe cards when a child gets on the bus a parent can be no
like they can see they just >> it's like an air check in check out. >> Yeah. Exactly. Yes. >> Following your Uber. >> What following your Uber? Yes. So, but yeah, the that's another part of security on that.
Um, any other questions on security? Okay, so those are the only ones we have today. So, feel free to call me, email me um regarding this, you know, these two
Uh the next meeting we will do was curriculum. I don't I have to look. I'll let you know. I'll update you. But um we'll do a few more departments next time and you'll get the binders in February.
>> Can we in in the upcoming meetings when we do these, can we have the comparisons and also um not just the percentages, the actual figures like next to the things that you're saying saying what each one cost? Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Not a problem. >> And Mrs. Jolinsky, I I know we've done
this in the past and you've you know, you've been here a long time, so you know this, but um I think it's fair to say if any board members have um individual questions or want to meet with you individually. Oh, absolutely. >> You'd be happy to do that throughout this process. >> Absolutely. I mean, you can do it now.
You can wait till I have more numbers together. Whatever you're most comfortable doing, but you can make an appointment, come in and we can go through line by line. It doesn't matter to me. So, just one um question in preparation for wasn't covered here, but
um I don't know if something has to be kind of compiled before we have this conversation. Last year, we removed some coaching positions. Uh not removed them, but changed them around. Um, is there any way that we can get and not now, but maybe in like a individual meeting, um,
how that went and if you're looking to bring any of those positions back and I know they just got shifted. They didn't get removed from, you know, the district, but just how that went, what feedback you got, and if you're considering those positions again. >> Sure. I can come back uh with a report
on that. um you know I don't I don't want to speak without speaking with them or the or the administrative uh staff in that building. So uh I can certainly come back to the board with a report but um you know generally speaking we know um it's it's going well but I will get
we'll bring some specifics back to the board. >> Thank you. To that point, can you also include sort of, you know, and I know it may be harder because it's the students, but it's sort of, you know, what's been the student experience? >> Sure. >> And then, Mr. Chillinsky, if you don't
mind, and and I know it may be more difficult, but if if you have the PowerPoints ahead of the meeting, if you would be able to share it with the board before we actually that'd be great so that we have a chance at least just to look at it in anticipation so that we can think through our questions as well
for you. >> I'm usually I usually have them by Friday, so it's just with the >> with the beginning here. >> It's also been a short it's a short time in the role, so I I understand it, but if you could do that, be >> Yeah, not a problem. Do that. And I had I had Trisha helping me to kind of spiff
it up a little. So Trisha was awesome. So it was she's a good resource. So >> I thank you. >> Thank you. And uh >> Yep. >> congratulations I think on your, you
know, second. No, this is your first one. >> Perfect. >> In your acting DA role. So thank you very much for doing that. >> Well done. Um Okay. Um, our next item, Mr. Bologone, is the mandatory hearing on district violence and vandalism report.
>> Uh, you may recall, uh, we are required, uh, per requirements, we're mandated to have two hearings per year. Uh, the following information applies to the first hearing, which is for the time period September 1st, 2025 through December 31st, 2025. There were five
incidents of violence and vandalism for the first part of that school year. Um there were more specifically four of the five were classified as HIV and then one was classified as a fight. So um I'll
come to you um for the for the last portion um later on in the year right before we close for school. But this is our first of two required reports. >> Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Bologn? Okay. Uh, we are moving on to
organizational matters. Um, Miss Bulma, would you mind doing organizational matters? Oh, it's um, >> you got it. >> Yep. Um, the superintendent of school submits the following resolution for
approval. One, open public records act. I so move. >> Thank you. Do any discussions on on this item? Any second? Mr. Lansonski. Seeing no discussions, Mr. Jolinsky. Roll call.
>> Okay. Mrs. Blommo. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Coraro? >> Yes. >> Mr. Hyatt? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jankowski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lansonsky? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohen? >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Moving on to our next item which is financial and business operation management. Mr. Hayatt, would you read that please? >> I actually have um we have to remove numbers 9 and 10. The company that had bid on them has pulled out a V rate. So 9 and 10 are being removed.
>> Okay, I won't read those. >> Thank you. >> Financial and business operations matter. Superintendent of schools submits the following resolution for approval. One, receipt and acceptance of board secretaries report. Two, treasures report. Three transfers. Four list of
bills. Five travel. Six uh HIB report. 7 2526 uniform state memorandum of agreement. Eight submission of fiscal year 26 local recreation approvement grant.
Uh we are not voting on nine or 10. Uh 11 approval of agreement with turnkey technologies. 12. Approval of agreement with light path. 13. Approval of ESA carryover allocations from the 24
uh 25 to the 2526 year. 14. Claims auditor prepayment authority. 15. School business administrator consulting services and business administrative search firm. 16. Amended resolution board auditor. 17. Renewal contract education data
services for purchasing procedures for the 26 27 year 18 home instruction 19 tuition students for the 2526 school year 20 donation 21 state contract purchase I so move.
>> Thank you. Can I have a second? >> Miss Carrero, any discussions on this item? Mr. Leonsky, >> sir. Um, I'm having a problem with with number 15 because I don't trying to rationalize the use of $15,000 for this
U consulting firm and for the search firm. Quite frankly, I hold I think Mr. Balone can handle it. I have my faith in Mr. Balone find bring in the right person to us. I don't see why we need to send $15,000
um to do this. I I also not a big fan of a consulting firm for this purposes. Um we have we have the auditor we have every year looks at us gives us flying colors gives us the certificate every year. Vinnie's gotten it every year. Cindy Barbara who got it every year
before that to bring someone in to try to fix something that probably isn't broken and spent $15,000. I'm having a hard time. Uh it's probably going to be a no for me. That's what I got to say. Any
other discussions on that? Mr. Do you want to >> Oh, I'm sorry I missed that. I apologize. >> That's okay. I echo uh Michael's sentiments. Um I think $15,000 is pretty steep. Um especially after paying for a
consulting firm for the referendum. Um I think that this is something that we can definitely handle. Uh I trust Mr. the loan to to do some searching and hiring and interviewing. Um I don't see a reason for spending $15,000.
I also had a question on just um Hold the phone. It was the um special Oh, here we go. Number 18. I'm just curious. That's a Middletown Township is sending a student here for
our OI program. That's that's um that's pretty amazing. So, it says a lot about um the work that Mr. Cho is doing here that other towns are now sending into our district for um special education support. So, I noticed that and I just wanted to commend that
because that's um usually it was like private schools and now that a public school can do something like that and be supported financially, I think that's excellent. Thank you. I agree with you on that. And that's that um that trend had started
last year with um the program. So it's it it says a lot about what um we've done in the last couple of years. >> Says a lot about the teachers as well. So I want to make sure I commend them as well. >> Any other discussions on any of the items in this one? >> I just want to confirm, you know, my
opinion is uh exactly as Michael and Carrie had stated. I think I've made my position on um you know extra spending on consulting firms especially when we have the resources here and you know internal candidates and you know our
district has always run since Mr. Caribella was here um completely comprehensive. Mrs. Julins, as we saw, took right over where he left off. And I just think that that is $15,000 can be better allotted elsewhere, especially with uh the budget being so much higher
than it was. So, I just wanted to echo those sentiments. Uh I agree completely with that. That would be a no from me. >> Thank you. Mr. Bowen, would you like to add anything? >> Just just to add um why the recommendations here, it's actually twofold, right? It's not just um not a
search firm for uh to to find a new business administrator. Um I know historically we've you know we've used consulting firms um and actually the referendum is a good example. It they the referendum
passed. So um that's one example. Um a consulting firm was used to hire me. I I was an internal candidate. Um so so there was there was an associated cost there and um I I appreciate the the
search. Um but um you know we the rationale behind using um a consulting firm is is analogous to um you know using uh like an advisory committee right? So we we if we don't have an expertise
in business office operations, uh which is the other piece of this cost, which is also I think it's worth mentioning it's not $15,000. It's not to exceed $15,000. So it may not be $15,000. Um in fact, I would be willing to
entertain to say I will guarantee it comes under $15,000. Um so it's a not to exceed amount. Um, so there would be a fee for the BA search and there would also be call it an hourly fee or you know some kind of consulting fee for business office practices. I think it's
a good idea to so we we had over the last 25 years we've essentially had um you know two BAS um and um Mrs. Mrs. Jolinsky, you've been here for the
entire time. So, um, not to say that anything that Mrs. Jolinsky is doing is wrong because we know it's not wrong. The auditors would have found that that what I think it's important to do, it's probably before the 25 year mark, but we're at the 25 year mark to explore
some innovative ways in our fiscal times that we're in right now. Maybe we can do things more efficiently. Not that we're doing them incorrectly, but maybe we can do them more efficiently and and therefore we may be able to save money.
And if we can't, we can't, right? I'm not looking to do something. I'm not looking to cut corners and and have audit findings, right? That's that's not where what we're looking to do. Um sometimes it's good just to bring a fresh set of eyes in to say uh you know
what I've I've done this and and this um the gentleman who's behind this firm um is a long time BA in both Mammoth and Middle Sex um large school districts as well and uh handling a large amount of
money um even larger than what we have in terms of our hundred million budget. I just thought it would be a good idea to explore some different ways to to budget. Um, and clearly um, on the other end, again, not to take away anything
away from Mrs. Jolinsky, but you know, I I think in order for me to put my head on the pillow, we need to go out within extensive search with committees. um and um leaning on the you I'll use an old term
but the rolodex right or the the the candidate pool that is uh available to search firms is invaluable. Um, not to say, you know, not not not to say you're you're making a decision on who you're
hiring right now, but um I think you can when you when you talk to all of our uh internal candidates who have um obtained administrative positions um after a thorough search, and I know every single administrator in this school district
since I've been in the seat has gone through that uh rigorous process and when they go through that process, they feel so much better about the position because they were in fact the best person for that position. Um, so,
you know, I I feel like it's my duty to this board, to this community, um, to the to this entire school community to, um, do a thorough search for our next BA. Um and and I think not to exceed
$15,000 we've we've saved a substantial amount of money over $100,000 uh on um on our salary breakage with our exiting BA and not hiring a new assistant BA.
So I think in my head it was about $120,000 when you when you look at uh health benefits and salary. So $15,000, not to exceed 15,000 does not seem like a whole lot of money um when we could get a lot of bang for
our buck. And that that was really the the the thought process behind it. >> I I I hear what you're saying. Um I just I think there are just two little differences. Um, the referendum did pass, but I think if there was like a
pot of money, then the referendum was the better choice to hire a consulting firm. This is not doesn't like rise to that level. But in regards to having a consulting firm for a superintendent,
um, I mean, who else would find you? Because I mean, the superintendent search it you're the top. So there's got to be someone to go out funnel through the thing. It's that's really not up to
the board. Whereas this is not if you look at the schematic of where the positions lie, it's board super. So I think that the consulting firm for a superintendent is different than a
consulting firm to hire a BA. And I I like what you said about, you know, innovative ideas, saving money, budgeting, but at the same time, I mean, we send BAS to professional developments themselves. Like, could those be places
they can find their innovative ideas, their, you know, their aha moments of I didn't think about that instead of spending it on a consulting firm? >> You could. Yes. Um there there's plenty of professional development out there. Yes.
>> Can can you correct me if I'm wrong? It sounds like the recruitment part of this is an added value on top of him consulting for efficiency. So the ROI is going to happen on the first part of this, not necessarily second. So we're not we don't have to hire a recruiter if we >> correct >> hire this firm which can do both.
>> Yes. >> So there is an added value here. >> There is. >> Thank you. >> So I'm going to agree with Carrie because I was going to say that anyway. So someone's already g some of those. So I'm going to agree with Kerry because uh and I've said this before, superintendent search is completely
different. You know, there's only one superintendent and the superintendent can't look help us look for a superintendent. So we we we need a we need a search firm. We have you to help us to bring us a BA. And I have put my total faith in you for that.
For me, the $15,000, I'd rather put it towards the new Chromebooks than this search room. And it's not about the search firm, it's about the con concept. It's not about who it is or what it is, just about the concept of the search firm for me. So, um, I'd rather see that $15,000 go to those Chromebooks you'd
like to get. >> I just want to say something, too. There is a large, we know, and I'm not going to we know how much the superintendent makes. there is a large value um or his time equals money as well where
I'd rather him perform the duties of his job and expertise and allow I think it's well worth the return on investment um to allow him to continue running this district making it doing the things that
he does and also offers no bias legitimacy like that feeling of like I I did this. Um there's a huge value even just morale-wise in that. Um so I just want to point that out. I think it's a a a value saving.
>> I have a couple of follow-up questions. Um school accounting services LLC. Is that someone that you found you met somewhere and found and brought to Is that I I'm just say I don't Is has it someone we used before? Where did they come from? >> It is nobody we've used before. It was
actually um I I came across uh this firm through my network of colleagues uh who have used this firm in other school districts. Um actually when we were uh going through the process of the acting business administrator um so other school districts in Mammoth County have
used this firm and said you know you might want to talk to them. We we've had good success. So I called and then we that that's how I that's how I found them. So they brought us the candidates some of the candidates that were floated by previously last
>> No, we haven't used them yet. This was this was me leveraging my colleagues in Mammoth County to just say look we're we're looking for a an interimacting BA. Does anyone know anyone? And then that
>> So there's other districts in Mammoth County that have used this company. >> Yes. >> Um and then I there there was a lot of talking. So you had said that well everybody goes through this rigorous interview process um all the administrators and then they feel better about the position. Has every administrator been hired with the
assistance of a consulting firm in your since you in your tenure or is no not everyone. Okay. >> I I'm sorry I just am reading this like relates to productivity and innovative ways to enhance the operations of the business office. Um,
it kind of like reminds me of like, sorry, I'm going to use an analogy like when I was learning to interview and things like that and I sat down with my dad who was professional interviewer and I would say things like, "Oh, I'm always on time and I'm honest and uh I stay and
he said that's your job." Like that's not nothing to like be proud of. Like that's what you're expected to do. So, I just don't know why we need a consulting firm to find a candidate who shows productivity in innovative ways
when that's what I feel like their job is. And through the interview process, wouldn't we kind of be able to sort out who seems who's presenting as innovative, who's presenting as productive like through our interviewing questions? >> So, so you're I think you're melding the
two together. So the the productivity and innovative ways of operating the business office is one is sort of the consultancy piece, the efficiency piece. The the BA search is separate. So not not necessarily saying we're looking for
that kind of person. The interview process will kind of show us that um this this recommendation for proposal to not exceed 15,000 will give us two things. one almost like an audit of our business office to say you could do
these things better and then two is the search firm so they're completely separate. >> I just I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> So I'm just if if we're saying we're looking for an auditor to come in and say we can do these things better
then are we saying like what are we saying about the BA in general? Are they falling short of their job? No, I what I what I was saying was we've been doing the same thing for 25 years and you know my experience both in the private and
public sector is you should never be doing something for 25 years the same way because if you are there are efficiencies that that are that you're missing. Um and it's not a product of anyone sitting in the seat now, anyone sitting in the seat
in the past. It's just it's a product of time. And when you have a a BA who was here for 20 years and then another one for five or so, don't quote my years, but it's somewhere around there, you have 25 years of essentially the same thing going on. And Mrs. Jolinsky will
tell you she's been here for both. The the business office has operated in a similar fashion for the last quarter century. So then if we hire somebody, are we looking to hire somebody to help with the current budget or now we're going to
hire someone to be innovative with 2627 budget? >> Both because they would help. >> So then what would we vote on in March? Like you're looking for someone to be innovative with our budget and our spending because that's what the business administrator does. So
if we're being presented at all these board meetings with numbers and fiscal responsibility and what we're voting on and then somebody can come in then and completely say you're doing this wrong. This is the way to be innovative is that what would we have a chance to fix it?
>> We would. Yeah. But so we're not doing anything wrong. Let me let me be clear. We're not doing anything wrong. What what I see more of is we know how to create we know how to prepare a budget. >> Right. Um >> I I'll say it. Mrs. Jolinsky has been repair been preparing budgets for the last 28 years. >> Right.
>> Right. They come from her, >> right? >> They weren't always presented by her, but they came from her. Right. >> So, she knows how to prepare a budget. >> Mhm. >> That's that's sort of one piece of the business office. That's not business operations. That's not looking at, you know, purchase
orders and how can we do this better? Can we not do we the answer might be no. And and that cost will certainly not even get to 15,000, right? if if he look if he comes in and says you know what you're doing everything really well and and you have some efficiencies in place
then you know we don't know what we don't know. Um we what we do know right now is the last 25 years have essentially looked the same. So um you know that's >> so you're you're investing n about 90% of that breakage into trying to achieve
a much higher ROI out of operations not the budget at the same time added value to help us recruit. >> So >> I just think >> that makes sense. >> It's just difficult once we saw the slides that you so well presented about that the state is this Marorrow doesn't
get the money. Are we going to cut the budget? What does that entail? We have uh a referendum passed. The question is, are we going to need more money towards that? Uh health care, I would rather provide teachers and staff with great health care. $15,000 is a lot of money
to ask right now on the onset of a budget being approved. That's that's just my thinking. Like that's just I'm just conservative that way. I just, you know, like the the Chromebooks, the iPads, the for special education students, I mean, they might last another year or two. And like I said,
health insurance for staff. I mean, they they need that. It's just it's a it's I'm not saying it's not important, but if you're prioritizing, it's like where does that fall within the priority list? They're all priorities. Where does it fall? Is this something that we can do on our own without sparing up to
$15,000? >> The short answer is yes. And and I want to say thank you all for having faith in me because if you didn't, we'd be having a different conversation. So, so I do appreciate that. Um,
could we do it on our own? The second part we could. The first part I would say no. Right there. There's no way I can or or Mrs. Jolinsky can bring in uh innovative different ways of thinking outside the box with the business office because we don't know what we don't
know. >> That's why I clarified that the second part's the value ad. You had your mics on. >> I'm sorry. That's why I wanted to clarify that second part is a value ad to the primary purpose of this agenda. Yes, correct. Okay, then good. >> But to me, it's sneaking. I'm so sorry.
It's like coming in on the coattails of needing a newba. If this was value added, why here? Why now? Why on the onset of voting for a budget in two months? I get what you're saying, but I feel like we're using the BA position as
a way to bring this in through the back door of $15,000. >> Like, why now? Can can somebody tell me why now? >> Okay. So, so >> I'm sorry. >> Let me let Mr. Lansonsky go and then then Mrs. Balomo and then we'll see if
there's any other more comments on this. But I I've been I also been holding back on sort of adding some thoughts on this. >> Mr. Linsky, do do the BAS get together with a round table ever? Do you sit with other BAS other districts? >> Yeah, we have a monthly meeting. >> So, this would be a perfect place to have your monthly meeting and kind of
say like this is how we do this thing. do how do you guys do this thing and then next month this is how we do this thing. How do you guys do this thing for free? >> I mean we have those conversations but I think what Mr. Balone is talking about is more of um
you know I the business office as I know it has been the same since you know not the same I mean we adapted we've changed but um I just do things the way I've always done them because they work.
So, what Mr. Bologn and I were talking about is maybe, you know, and there's other departments besides a business office, right? I oversee transportation, buildings and grounds, um, security. So, maybe there's something
that they can add that could maybe assist me or maybe not, but we could, you know, I can explore it with them. um you know if they're available I can explore things with them and then we can
decide whether things are are being done the right way or if there is something that I should change. >> So I'm I'm trying to just understand up until when Mr. Caraval left, we would hear things like this referendum is going to be great because we have such a
great BA and we do everything so great and everything is planned and I agree with all that and we were giving raises and everything was was great and our business administrative business administration office ran phenomenally and now there seems to be a new need and
I'm really trying to understand it and that's the need for the conversation is what changed now um that just a couple short months ago. So, November was the vote. We we based the vote and we based having uh going out for a referendum on
the fact that our business administration office ran so well and we were going to be able to do all this. Is there a problem? are we not able to afford things that we thought or do we have to change things or do we have to like I just don't see like the ends have to justify the means and I I just don't understand what 15,000 is going to
justify especially if part of this is we're going to bring in a new BA or possibly whatever and then but before that we're going to change the business administrative office or is this putting the horse before the carriage or do we bring in the new BA and we use their we use their recruitment services first and
then we reassess the business office what I it It just seems like a lot thrown into one with a ballpark 15,000. What if they say your transportation office is just miserably understaffed? We don't have the money to add more staff members, so that's a waste of money where I stand. And what if they
say, "Oh, your security. You need 17 more units in one of your buildings." Well, we don't have the money, so that's a waste of money from where I stand. So, I just don't understand what we're paying a $45,000 board auditor in the very next line item. We've all agreed meeting after
meeting after meeting. I think it may be the only thing we agreed on that our business administration office runs fantastically. Um we've given raises when applicable to business administrators. I just don't see it. I don't understand what it's for and that's what I would have to see before I
voted yes. But I want to understand the vision because if there's something I'm missing, but I'm just not seeing it at this point. Any other comments from Mr. Bologn? Do you have anything else you want to? So I I just want to share and I appreciate I
think this was a very healthy conversation. Um I guess you know I have lots of questions and I have you know some comments. I mean firstly you know I've in various different positions I've had over the course of my career. I've always seen, not always, but sometimes
when there's a a leadership change, there's also an opportunity to do an organizational review. And that organizational review can sometimes be very in-depth and sometimes it can be very superficial. Um, but sometimes they're helpful. Um, and I've been, you know, the subject of some of those organizational reviews and you get defensive. So, the fact that Mr. Linsky,
you're not defensive about something like this is is actually very welcoming because sometimes, you know, having that extra set of eyes is helpful. I mean, I've had um just from my experiences to to some of the questions that are raised, what are the value of something like this is that, you know, for instance, I've had people come in and say, you know, you should go back and
look at all of your maintenance contracts to see whether or not you still need the maintenance or if you're still paying the maintenance on those types of items. You can you potentially you can either cancel it or negotiate a reduction in that price or you can renegotiate with the purchase of new
equipment. ideas for, you know, folding that maintenance into a multi-year agreement for with the purchase of the equipment. There's different ways of doing things. It's just this sometimes there's just ideas that people have that are outside the scope of our day-to-day operations that we don't get a chance to
either either think about or even act upon. And I just that's where I find the the value in some of this work. I do think that you know um I I read the the the resolution for two ways. One was that efficiencies or
opportunities. I didn't think I didn't read it as if it was finding fault or problems with the way in which the the the office is operating. I found it sort of you know finding ways in which there is a roadmap for maybe doing things differently that would enhance the
district overall, not necessarily just your operations. I just I rate it as budget productivity in ways to enhance operations. You know, I didn't necessarily read it as just about the business office. Um I also I didn't see
um I didn't see this as um I didn't see this as as a negative in a lot of ways and I respect the my you know my fellow board members perspectives on that some of this stuff that I think was very helpful to hear. Um, but I didn't see it as a I didn't see it as a total negative in that
regard. And you know, I I I respect the $15,000 concerns and and I I look at that and I then I go back and I think about our budget and we're about $103 million and this represents what 110,000th% of our entire budget um which is not a
lot of money um in comparison to the whole. But I also to to Carrie to your point and please if you don't mind Carrie I know you say call me Carrie only if you call me Brian. Um but the to your point there's a difference between sort of one-time money expense versus
recurring cost. And some of the things I think you pointed out like you know health care costs things like that those are recurring expenses. So it's we'd have to find the $15,000 in every recurring budget outside to sort of say that we're offsetting those costs in the future. This is a one-time expense. I
think I don't think you're proposing that we would be spending this annually. Um, so these are just some of the things that I thought. Um, I I also, you know, and this is just from my conversations with our county BA when I met her in November, that there's a huge shortage
of BAS in New Jersey. Um, this is a highly sought position right now or an area where there's a lack of expertise and and Mr. Jolinsky, this is no reflection upon you whatsoever. I've enjoyed working with you for the past year and I look forward to working with
you going forward. Right? So, this is no reflection upon your abilities or anything like that. So, please don't don't read into my comments in any way, but we as a board are charged with the responsibility of making sure we hire the best candidate for the position, which is why we do a search, right? And
and do I think we need a consultant to do the search itself and recommend who the best candidate is? No, I don't. I think you're the best choice to sort of say this is the person we're putting forward to um to make sure that we have the best candidate in front of us and I
appreciate that. Um so I think the search piece of this is interesting in the context of what is this consultant going to do in the context of a search because it's not clear. It just says, you know, conduct a school business administrator um search. Um it's not
clear to me exactly what they're doing. Are they helping to promote it? are they helping us to write a, you know, evaluate a rubric to help you evaluate? It's, it wasn't clear to me what that scope of that service was because I think if you had some a rubric that you
can use to evaluate candidates to sort of make sure that we're getting the most innovative, they're getting the most informed, the most experience, whatever it may be, that's I think a real value ad to us overall in making sure that you're evaluating the best candidates for the district. So, those are just
some of my thoughts. Um, you know, I again I I'm just one one person's perspective. I read this a little bit differently than what you've read it for, but I really I really appreciated the comments and the sharing of perspectives around the table. So, um,
I'm not going to I'm going to I'm just sort of pause there, see if there's any other comments. And if there's no other comments or there's any other discussions on this item, we can move forward with a with a vote. Any other comments? I just that one question sticks with me because I did
sit here um with the $40,000 consulting fee and then listen to discussions about how we didn't have enough money to print flyers um once the designs were done. So if there is like so history doesn't repeat itself. We don't make the same prom. If we do vote yes to this and
there is the $15,000 upfront cost and then they do recommend things that cost money. What is going to be where are we going to get that money from? because I I just don't think $15,000 is worth it to say, you know, make the form blue instead of pink. It's going to be real
changes and real changes usually, especially administrative changes, cost money. So $15,000 is the fee to give the advice. But once the advice comes, where do we I don't want to be in the same position where we spent the 15,000 and then don't have the money to make the
changes. I can I I just want to respond back to that because I think that's a very valid point and I've often had that problem because as a as someone who's received lots of reports like that in my in my career and says, "Oh, great. I'm glad you're telling me I can do this, but how do I do it? Where's the money coming from?" Right. And it is the most
frustrating part of this whole thing. So, first of all, to my to your point, I would like a report that the board gets that says, "Hey, these are the things we suggest the board consider because that's our responsibility to think about how this has an impact on our budget going forward." And should we charge the
administration to say, "Hey, you need to find ways in which we can phase something like this in or we need to find ways in which we can afford to do something or that's a really great idea, but we're never going to be able to afford that unless we find, you know, Martians coming down with bags of cash, right, for lack of better, you know, but
we sometimes we just can't do it." But I I also think in whether or not whoever the next BA is, right, giving them a little bit of a roadmap as to where opportunities may be um that's that actually is a unique opport unique value
added to anyone who goes into that position, whether it's Chris, whether it's somebody else, it is a unique opportunity for them to sort of get that. And that's just been my experience and when I look at the pros and the cons of this. So I agree with you that, you know, there's there's no way for us to figure out how we can afford it. We don't know what it is yet, but I also
think that as future boards, they would want some sort of, you know, perspective of what those things may be. Right now, the only thing we see is what we did last year. We don't necessarily see what we should be thinking about going forward. That's just my point of view. I'm And just so in my opinion, Mr. one.
>> I think that's a great point and I I wouldn't really want to entertain any, you know, additional cost to say, you know, this is where you can become more efficient, but you have to spend another $50,000. That would be uh not on the table. In fact, um and it kind of segus
into uh or or at least hearkens back to Mrs. Denowski, your point about why now, right? So, the why now is uh I I think I've shared this with all of you. Um, anytime we have a resignation or retirement, I always ask myself, can we
do this differently? Right? So, we had a resignation. We have, you know, Mrs. Jillinsky here is is serving as our acting business administrator, board secretary. Um, can we do this differently?
Maybe. um with this position in particular, that part of it I need help with, right? I've never been a BA. Um I would like someone to at least present some ideas to to me that I can present
to you that does not give us an additional burden of cost. And quite frankly, a lot of I I would say all of the times that I've made a change administratively um I don't mean with the administrative staff, I'm just saying make an
administrative change like things like reallocating staff. Um you know, my my my biggest p I have three three sort of um you know, three ways of thinking about changing.
One is I don't want to increase class size, right? So when we're when we're figuring things out, we don't want to increase class size. Two, I don't want to cut programming. And three, I don't want to send good people packing. There are school districts who say, "Sorry
teacher, you're a great teacher, first year teacher. We can't afford you. We have to cut you." So if I can achieve those three things and be more efficient, that means we save money. We're not spending money. So
all any change that would be proposed, it it's going to be a a non-starter if we have to spend additional money. We're doing this to save money, to to increase efficiencies. Um and to Mr. Cohen's point, it's a one-time cost that um I
would even, you know, guarantee that it's comes in under $15,000. Um like I said, it's a it's a not to exceed. Um, and I'd be willing to sit down uh with this firm to do that. But again, you know, I think we've we've had a a lot of discussion about it, and I appreciate
the discussion about it. Could I do it? I could. I could do the search piece. No problem. Um, but if you ask me to go in and look at business office operations, transportation, food services, and do an audit and figure out where where we could do things better,
it's that's out of my realm. Um, so I would say I I would not be successful doing that. Could I find could I be successful in finding our next uh permanent business administrator, board secretary? Absolutely. It just, you know, it's going to divert some of some
of my attention. I could do it though. So in just to follow up because I I want you to have the resources that you need, but what in some if you can find the candidate, is this something that you would consider revisiting once the BA is in place, the permanent BI and then
doing this consultation with whoever is going to sit in that seat, whether it be Mr. jealousy or who whatever it looks like just instead of putting the horse before the carriage let someone settle into the position because just to break it down to layman's terms how I'm understanding you because I'm really
trying to get there um is you know if you said you brought in an interior decorator when you knew you had no intentions of redecorating your house because you couldn't afford it and you said tell me everything I can have but at the same time there was really no problem with your house to begin with so
that analogy is kind of like layman's terms for we've all agreed multiple times that our business administration office runs really really well. And I'm sure the these these consulting firms we all know they're they're brought in to find problems. They're going to find something somewhere that ideally you can
fix if you hire another firm or another person or one of their consultants to come in and do it. And maybe that's what we need. But can we put the horse before the carriage and hire if you can do that part on your own? Would you be open to bringing this in at a later date after our budget is kind of more fluid and you
see what the salary is going to be of the new administration and where else they're going to have an assistant if it's going to be what it's going to look like. >> Yeah, we could I I could certainly do that. >> I was I was thinking the same thing because I feel like you can hire
somebody and then they're like, I can't I can't do any of that. Whereas if you have the person in place and then bring the auditor, they can work together on what this is going to look like rather I feel like it's like a shot in the dark right now. It's too much. It's too
unknown. Too many unknowns. Or even if you're like I went to a just as I went to superintendent's meeting and then I heard this school spends this. So even if you came to us with this and said these are the areas that I know we can cut down and I just don't know how I
want to but it's just I want we need an we need like a consulting firm on this. It's just too open for interpretation right now. I don't really know what I'm voting on and what we're getting. >> I have a yes or no question. That's it.
Did um did we meet the do not exceed a limit on the communications firm? >> From what I understand, Mrs. Jolinsky, you can uh confirm we we spent exactly the amount
>> exact amount and it was successful and we made a lot of money off well extra from the state. >> We didn't make any money. >> No, wrong terms. I I I you know I it's your call because it's you know I think it's a good compromise. It's you know it's
recognizing that there's opportunity but at the same time it's recognizing when does the opportunity sort of you know so the question would be do you do we keep this item on for vote? Do we table this item for a future for a future conversation?
>> Yeah I think um you know I can I'm doing the math here. Um it's not going to pass, right? So um I but but that that >> right so that that wouldn't pass. Um
>> I but but regardless of that I think I I do like Mrs. Balomo's suggestion to look at it. It's not a no right now. It's just it's it's no right now, but it's not a no. And could we look at the piece that we really
need assistance with at a later date? We could. And um could you task me with finding a the best candidate for the BA position on my own? Yes, and I can do that. I'm telling you that. Um and I will um I've already put together my
plan. So it it's already started. Um yeah, I'm confident I can do that piece um with with no issue. Um but the other piece I I would be certainly willing to to revisit. So if we want to table it, I'm completely fine with that. And I
appreciate that because you know you don't know maybe you hi you start interviewing your internal candidates external candidates and someone blows your mind and they already have a plan of how they can make things better and you come back to us in two months and say I don't need that consulting firm but if you do still feel like we need it and the new BA or BA whatever you want
to say still feels like we need it then that's something I would be more open to voting yes for I think if you really assess it and say hey I think we still need it. >> So do we need a motion to table this? >> Yeah. So this should be a secondary there should be an alternate motion. >> Motion to table number 15 should be
>> right. So we need a motion to table number 15. >> I'd be happy to make that. >> Can I can I just amend that because it's a motion to table number 15 for to a future date as determined by the superintendent on the scope of necessity.
Then I will make the motion. Motion to table number 15. All right. Item number 15 for the for a future date to be determined by the superintendent as deemed necessary based upon um the conversations and discussions tonight by
the board. Seconded by Mr. Beli. Any discussions on that motion? >> Roll call for the for the alternate motion. >> Okay. >> Okay. Roll call for the table.
Okay. Just going to start. Malo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Carrero, >> yes. >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Uh, yes. >> Mrs. Janowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lansonsky. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cohen. >> Yes.
>> We have the >> Okay. So, now we have the original motion >> 1 through 8, 10 through 14, and 16- 21 >> as amended. The original >> correct. Yeah, that's Yes. The original item on the agenda as amended will be for items number 1 through 8.
>> 11 through 14 >> because 9 and 10 are off. >> 11 through 14. >> 11 >> 11 through 14 >> and 16 through 20 >> 21 >> 21 16 through 21
>> and I hate to do this but I have a little discussion over one more thing. It's very short. Um on number 20, uh we have received several emails to our board email about the reorganization of the scope organization. Um and I know
that we have a policy um that requires uh some documentation of board members names and bylaws. So I'm just asking because we were made aware that there was some resignations and some changing. Have we gotten the documentation that their full board is sat and that there's actually a president and everything else
before we accept the donation? >> I actually do not know, but I will find that out and let you know. >> I I'm not sure. I'm sorry. >> Okay. On the original motion, the the amended motion, do I have a second? >> We already have. >> We have a second on the issue.
>> We're through with that. >> For the original motion, >> then we are going to go through roll call. Okay, Mrs. Carrero. >> Yes, >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Jenowski. >> Um, I'm going to say yes, but uh for
number 20, I'll abstain because I'm not privy to any emails that went back and forth and what that question is about. So, >> okay, Mr. Lolansky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Balomo, >> yes to all and abstain to 20.
And Mr. Cohen. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Moving on to the next item, curriculum matters. Carrie, would you mind doing this one? >> The superintendent of schools submits the following resolution for approval.
One, 2026 extended school year program, ESY. I so move. >> Thank you. I have a second on that, please. Miss Carrero. Any discussions on this item? Seeing none, we have a roll call, please. >> Yes. Okay. Mr. Hyatt,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Jenowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Lansonsky, >> yes. >> Mrs. Balomo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Carrero, >> yes. >> Mr. Cohen, >> yes. >> Moving on to the next item, personnel
matters. Um, Mr. Lansonsky, would you mind reading this one? >> Sure. >> Personnel matters. Superintendent school submit the following resolutions for approval. One, resignations. Two, employment secretarial personnel. Three, employment instructional assistance. For employment, kindergarten basic skills
instructional assistance. Five, employment bus drivers. Six, reassignment and amended salaries certificated staff. Seven, amended hours and salaries non-sertificated staff. Eight, transfer certificated staff. Nine, sick leave withdrawal. 10. Stipen
additional duties confidential accounting administrative assistant. 11. Stipen mentor teacher. 12. Amended stipen mentor teachers. 13. Extracurricular activities advisor. 14. Curriculum admentor rise coach.
15. Student observation. 16. Student practicum. Excuse me. 17. Student teaching. 18. Amended substitute rate non-sertificated positions. 19 amended substitute rate bus attendance 20 substitute bus drivers 21 substitute
school monitor 22 substitute secretary 23 paid medical disability leaves 24 unpaid leave of absence 25 amended resolution leave dates I so move thank you can I have a second
Miss Balomo, any discussions on these items? I'll just point out on number five, employment bus drivers. I'm glad to see that, you know, in the spirit of the fact that we've had challenges in the past with getting of hiring new bus drivers, I was glad to see that there
were two new bus drivers added to this. So, thank you very much for the for the efforts of the transportation department. >> We were very excited about that. >> That was my only that's my only conversation. which is great because I I know that this has been an ongoing challenge for us. >> Yes, for sure. >> Well, which well exceeds, you know, my
previous year. So, okay. Um, seeing no other discussions. >> Mr. Jolinsky, >> yes. Mrs. Jenowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Lolonski, >> yes. >> Mrs. Balomo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Caruro, >> yes.
>> Mr. Hyatt, >> yes. >> And Mr. Cohen, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next item on the agenda is the uh school ethics and code eth and and code of ethics presentation. Mr. um Gross has asked if we as a board would agree to
and I um think it's a good idea that we postpone the ethics training until next meeting when we have a new board member so he doesn't have to do it twice. >> I agree. >> Okay. I assume I don't need a motion on that. We can just move forward. >> Thank you.
>> Just tell you to do your homework. read uh number 18 through J in preparation. >> Okay. Um so next item is the policy development and community relations matters. Ms. Carrerero, would you do this one,
please? >> The superintendent of school submits the following resolutions for approval. One, code of ethics. Two, approval of the 2026 to 2027 school year calendar. Three, first reading. Four, second reading. I so move.
>> Thank you. Can I have a second, please, on this? I need a second, Mr. Hyatt. Thank you. Any discussions on these items? >> Are we removing you? >> Hold on, Mr. Hyatt. Then Miss J and Carrie.
>> Well, per the last discussion, are we removing 25 35? I think it requires a lot more discussion. >> Thank you for that question. >> Okay. >> Was that your question as well? And was that your question as well? I have um a discussion about 2422 for second read. I had some questions about that,
>> but I I agree with the we already had the discussion on the first read once. Right. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Right. So I I think the appropriate way to handle 2535 would be we do we table it or do we just vote no on it now and then bring it back?
>> You could table it. If well you don't have to even move it with the mover and the second agreeing that you're basically doing number three 2530 and 9 >> 9130 that's all you're doing >> however it works procedurally
>> your mot your motion is for number three >> 2530 >> 2530 >> 9130 only >> not even having that on the table >> does that satisfy the comments the discussion >> so we are going to Hold on 2535 to a
future date. Okay. And now Carrie, you have questions on 2422. >> Right. So I know you're all voting because it's a second read and I wasn't involved with the first, but I just wanted to talk about the concerns that I have when I read this version of it. Also, I don't know where like how it
moved through the process. So um number five, dating violence education, right? It is the statuto. Okay. I'm just curious of why dating violence education begins in grade seven. We're like 11ish,
right around grade seven um through 12. I just feel like that's it's like a developmental in my opinion developmental. Okay. To me, that's just violence. It doesn't necessarily need to be capped at dating violence at 11 years
old. Um, number 12 and 13 and 14, sexual assault prevention, stress abstinence, and suicide prevention. Um, I'm just I was just questioning why there was no grade levels when all the other ones had grade levels.
number 17 uh no number 19 um other statutory or administrative codes the board will incorporate into its health and physical education curriculum any other requirements of the NJSLS. I just have
an issue with the word will instead of possibly may because I don't know about agreeing to putting something into the health education automatically without reviewing it. So committing yourself to a will is locking you in to future um
almost giving up future discussion um that you may not find it appropriate whether it's developmentally uh communitywise whatever it is. So I wasn't sure if there there was a discussion of the word will and the words any other requirements not it's
not certain it's not possible it's any other. So, >> all right. I'll I'll I'll go from backwards forward. Um, so number 19. Um, the problem I think we would be
presented with is if we say May, we're we're saying to the Department of Ed that we're not going to teach all of the standards, which is, you know, which is a place we got uh we got stuck in the CQAC process in the past. However, what I will say is
um I like that it says comprehensive health and physical education because we would just if we had any sensitive content, we would provide the same opt-in, opt out um ability to any of that content that we deem to be
either inappropriate at that grade level or or sensitive information. So, um the fact that it says comprehensive health and and PE, it allows us to do that. And um we we're still operating within the
provisions of of our requirements. So, that's that one. I can't um maybe Mr. Gross can help us with numbers 12 and 13. I know that's attached to statute. So, they probably just don't have that in the statute. I'm guessing
>> I just again not to uh bring back bad history here in other districts but this is a Strauss SMA M policy meaning that says it's mandatory which meaning that they're saying that it's predicated on the
statutory language and therefore it's a requirement to to pro to approve this policy as written. that doesn't mean that they're right. We learned that in the past that that doesn't necessarily mean that they're correct when they say that. I don't know for a fact, but I
have to only assume as the superintendent just stated that those paragraphs that don't have the grade requirements is because the statute doesn't have it where on those others the statute did have it. I'm not I can't confirm that because I haven't looked at the statute, but I assume that's the reason.
>> So, does that give us perview to put it in any grade we want? like if if you're just like, "Oh, we're gonna I mean, I don't know. We're a K to8 district, so um it's it's a lot for me in some instances." Um but let's say stress
abstinence, you want it to only be in the eighth grade. Is that under our jurisdiction and that's why they don't have grade level or are they saying it should be every grade level at some point? I mean, I don't I don't know. >> So, I think so for number 12, um it
actually it's a little different, right? So number 12 says um that the commissioner of education would would develop this right. So development of uh sexual assault prevention education program by the commissioner of education. So school
districts can use it. So I would say from that piece we we could choose where where that where that where we cover that in that grade level. And then the same for number 13 because it doesn't have a grade level. I actually like that because it gives us the ability to check
the box, but we could we could put it in eighth grade. Um, and >> I agree with that. Yes. >> I would also say we would put it in comprehensive health and comprehensive health. Therefore, those parents who don't want us to teach that can have the option and those
parents who do want us to teach it can have the option. So, I think I'm kind of happy that it doesn't have the grade levels the more I think about it and read it, uh, because it gives us better local control and it also provides for the greatest level of parental
um, input and and the ability to receive the to have their children receive the instruction or not. You know, if it's in another subject area, it becomes a little more difficult. So I would ensure um that it gets um that that we can we can choose the grade
level and and it would be most appropriate in comprehensive health. >> I just Mr. There was a reason why this was um there was a conversation I believe about this before when it went from first read to second read. There
was a slight change to it I believe from the last >> what was the last that change that the board said was minimal. >> So there was um we we've remained consistent with um with a singular pronoun his or her versus they. So when we're talking about
one person, we say his or her and then that that was really the change. >> Okay. And then um to the to the other part um you know just this is just just a pointing out for for us all is just that
you know the page three of four the first full paragraphs that starts within accordance with that's the opt out which still allows parents if they >> they disagree with any of this content that they have the ability to still opt out and we are we are reinforcing that
in in this policy. we are and and just just to kind of bring us back I think Mrs. Baloa had a question. So if you look at page three of four um the paragraph uh under number 19 where it says in accordance with right
uh on the third line the last two words there say his/h her before it said they but we're talking about a singular child. So that that's just consistent with what we've done in all of our other policies. Okay, thank you. >> I have just a couple follow-up questions
with this policy. I I there's some things that we don't agree on like the definition of local control and and JDOE oversight um initial versus may um and when we have to use them when we don't and that's fine. Um, I do know and I'm
sure everybody else who knows that there is potential for the opt-in opt out to go away um under our new state leadership. Um, when that happens, if that happens for certain topics, this policy will stand as is because we just brought it to the table and and voted on
it. Um, how do you foresee working that hypothetically into this? Because some of this language, if that change goes into effect, I would not be comfortable voting as to this policy. Um, so would we pull the whole policy again? Would there be a separate policy? What is your
plans to address something like that which we know is a real potential? >> It's it's a hypothetical. Well, from my perspective, it's a hypothetical situation that I I don't know um how to plan for other than the fact that right now we have it in our policy that says
we will continue to uphold an opt out process and a procedure and the will and the rights of our parents to weigh in on that. Uh, and unless in fact, I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Gross, but unless in fact the state says it is illegal for us to allow for opt out, we
have the authority as the board to sort of continue to honor an opt out. >> Yes, of course. And this is only a policy. So if if the law changes, you then have every right and you may
have an obligation to change the policy, but you may have either an obligation to change the policy if the law changes which makes your policy inconsistent with the law or if the law changes to the point where now it's optional for
what you need to say in your policy and you don't like the way your policy is currently drafted. you can always change your policy. So it the board doesn't lose its ability to change or modify policy even within the
same calendar year or in the >> No, I understand that. I'm just saying to Carrie's point, some of those words, as we all know. I'm not trying to sugarcoat or dance around anything, but those little words hold big meaning and if certain things change, especially with certain statutes, you know, may
include as opposed to shall include or will include makes makes a big difference. So, it's just I'm just trying to understand. >> Yeah, but then my point is then you could always go back and change it to a shall instead of a may. >> I'm just I'm just trying to understand >> if the law permits you to do that. Yeah, >> exactly. >> Thank you. Any
other comments on this particular policy? Up to second read. Any other discussions on this item for policy development? >> I just wanted to um number two, the
school year calendar. I just wanted to thank um Mr. Bologn uh for working with parents in the district to really come together for a comprehensive um calendar. I heard from a lot of people that were included on the calls to discuss it that they really appreciated
being brought to the table and part of that conversation. The calendar affects us all. So, that was a really awesome change to kind of be a part of and see have happen. So, thank you for including us uh in that conversation. >> You're welcome. Um thank you for
participating. We had um a lot of participation around the district including uh PTO's, PTAs, CPAG, scope, MEF uh on that that meeting that we had. I I think everyone was in attendance there. Um do you mind if I just share some of kind
of the >> No, it's for the board to hear >> the final changes. So um we had a lot of discussion around uh different holidays and one session days versus not one session days and
parent teacher conferences. So um you know I'll just run through each month very quickly. So um in September uh we we start out the year with students um on two one session days. It's a Thursday and Friday. Um and then Labor Day falls
late. It's that 7th of September, which is the Monday. So, um and then we're what I call off to the races. Uh we are uh we have a pretty decent September um uh with with full days. Um so September
looks pretty good. Um October is pretty typical. Um, I think so at this point we we took some feedback on will Halloween or the the observance of of of Halloween on uh October 30th even though it's on
the 31st being in the schools. That was a that was a mixed uh mixed response. You know, some say we we like the full day. Uh a lot of say we like the half day um or the one session day, I should
call it. Um, we are going to make every effort. This came out of the the parent meeting uh to make sure that uh parents don't miss parades even if they're in different schools or have a bottleneck with we we heard some feedback on the bottleneck of of um you know getting in
and out of the parking lot for uh for the parades and the parties. So um I'm going to be working with the principles on a plan for that. Um, November is uh we have that full first week off, right? So, plan your vacations
now. Um, that should be a nice time. And then it's typical right before uh the Thanksgiving break. Uh, December, we reverted back to parent teacher conferences for the first week in December. Again, a lot of discussion around that. I even actually went out to the full staff and asked for their
preference and I gave them four different options and all of those options had responses attached to them. Um however uh this first week in December the status quo historically when we've had conferences was uh the
majority but it was less than 50%. So we had we had a lot of discussion around that as well but it has reverted back to um the first week in December. Um January
we it looks similar to this year where um usually we come back on the second but the second falls on a Saturday so we actually come back on the 4th. So it's going to feel like another long uh winter break. And um of course Martin Luther King Day is is recognized there.
Um February we have um Lunar New Year actually falls on a Saturday. Um so it doesn't affect our school calendar in terms of a closure. Um but we have President's Day which is usual. Um March we have a staff professional day on the
10th and then um we have our leading into spring break we have uh a one session day on Thursday the 25th and then that brings us all the way through April 2nd. Um we actually this was another point of discussion because
Passover does not align uh with Easter and spring break. Um they're they're separated. Um there was pretty healthy discussion around uh providing uh students and staff with a one session day prior to Passover. And
really the rationale was because there was also a discussion back up to September. September 11th, not for the reason we we all remember September 11th, but in September um is the first evening of Rashashana. So we're not providing a one session day
there with with a few things in mind. a it's it's the beginning of the school year. We have two one session days prior to that. We really want to create some consistency for our students. However, if we have any staff or students who need that maybe, you know, an early
departure for religious reasons, we're always welcome to accommodate that. So, um I've let them know that the 21st um you really preparing for more days if you're observing Passover. um it could
be seven or eight days depending on um you know how much you practice. So I've I've had discussions with um you know local um religious leaders and and that was kind
of where we where we landed for that. So that one is a one session day. uh May we have a uh one session day before uh Memorial Day and then we have um I know the elections that's a
that's always a a big topic of discussion but right now uh we have the ETH closed and then um we go into our one session days toward the end of the year. Remember we always have those gradeout days at the end. We've been doing that for the last couple of years.
Those are contingency days if needed. um if we if we run out of all of the other contingency days throughout the year. So um worst case scenario, we're ending on the 25th, but we're really projected to end on the 23rd of June for that year. But again, um thank you to all of the
stakeholder groups. We had multiple stakeholder groups and um every one of those groups came with with their own angle and I I think it was a good exercise in sort sort of a like a shared leadership collaborative with um with the entire school community. So thank
you for that. >> Thank you Mr. Blan. Um Mr. in in putting on your HR director's hat. Yes. The um the September 11th date, I know that um in order to from a I know you said that you'll make accommodations as necessary.
Will you um at least um whatever efforts you need to do to just sort of communicate that out to the staff so that they know about it and this way no one can say that they weren't aware of it? >> Yes. Any other comments or questions on this
item? Okay. So, we are voting on this item as amended, which means we are voting on it without number without the policy P2535, which we'll hold for a future date. Discussions have been had. We've had our
our move and our second. So, we're up to >> roll call. >> Roll call. >> Okay. Mr. Lolanski. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Balomo. >> Yes. So I'll know to number four. >> Mrs. Carrerero.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Hyatt. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jenowski. >> Yes to numbers two and three. No to number four. >> Mr. Cohen. >> You're not voting to number one. You said yes to two and three.
>> I just want to make sure. >> I That's I apologize. Yes to one, two, and three. No to four. Okay. Okay. >> I'm sorry. Thank you for pointing that out. >> That's okay. I just want to make sure we have it. >> And Mr. Cohen. >> Uh, yes.
>> Yes. 42. >> Thank you. >> Okay. on liaison reports. Um board members were um notified um today that of the liaison and I'm not sure if any of our board members have any reports to make for this. Great. Um
so I I'll just go around the table and we'll have regular reports with our next with our next meeting. Is that okay with everyone? So Carrie, you you raise your hand first. I'll just go this way. >> So um I was given um CPAG as a liazison. Thank you. So, thank you to Robin and
Angie. Good to be back. Um, CPAG's parent meeting was held on January 8th. Concerns and ideas from this meeting were brought to the January 12th meeting that CPAC co-leaders had with special services. This was the second quarterly meeting with special services of the school year. Please continue to check
out CPAG's website and Facebook pages for additional resources and advice from other parents. >> Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Jankowski? Nope. >> Thank you, Mr. Wy. Miss Balma, you said you had it.
>> Yes. Uh, first I just want to say thank you to um Angie and Robin who are here. It was a pleasure being CPAC as for the last year. Um, I really enjoyed getting to see firsthand all of the work that you do and read about your updates every um every month. So, thank you for always
having those prepared. It was a pleasure. Um, I'm really looking forward to my new role. Um, I had served as the NJSBA liaison two years ago. Um, and really enjoyed that experience. I have already reached out to Tim. We've set up conference call um, for this upcoming
week. We're going to confirm our times. Um, and I look forward to, you know, jumping back into that position um, and serving the community as the liaison. >> Thank you. Any other reports, Miss Carrera?
>> I have both. um scope M and MEF. Uh so MEF just want the thank you Alicia. Uh she just wanted to announce some upcoming events which is dine to donate at Buffalo Wild Wings on the 28th 11:00 a.m. to close. Uh there's kids
night out at big play at the play big zone for grades 1 through to five on February 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It is a drop off event uh if anyone wants to go do something. grants have been uh submitted and will be reviewed for approval. Uh save the date for the
wizards on uh April 13th. So 213 and then I have um scope as well. So thank you uh Jess Pernick. Uh Scope opened the grant cycle to staff this week. Submissions are due by February
25th. We're looking forward to our scope membership meeting on Wednesday, January 28th at 7:30 p.m. Members will receive a uh a participation link via PT board. Administration is also finalizing the date for Walk for Change, our biggest
fundraiser of the year. The theme will be be kind, so get ready to buzz with kindness. >> Thank you. Any other comments for M? >> Yeah, I I just have a comment. If scope submitted a lelayison on report and you're talking to someone from scope, do
you know about the leadership? So, I could have voted on the thing that I had asked about. Do they have a leadership team? Did we do they seek those positions? Who were you getting the report from? >> Uh Jess. >> And who is is she a is she in a role there?
>> Yes, >> we've actually met her at the last year. She came to >> But she wasn't in a role. It was it was Mrs. choose that I I asked I just asked so I could vote accordingly if there was a new president because they had come and said there was no new leadership.
>> I'm unsure about that. >> I just would have changed my vote if I knew there was a president. >> I think and you know what in fairness you asked the question and I think you know Mr. Jinsky said she would get back to you and I think that's a fair question. Who's who's writing the report and who's leading scope? So we have to
clarify that and for you especially for you because you raised it but for all of us >> and the other clarifying piece I correct me if I'm wrong that you wanted to know that they submitted their >> no to know their board I I assume they submitted their documentation because we voted on that already but they don't
have board members >> and how that's changed >> but I didn't obviously said there's a president that's why I just I would have obviously voted yes to a $100 donation >> the president >> she just said that that >> the report Okay. No, I just wish I could have voted
accordingly, but that's okay. >> Well, we can't go back and change the >> Oh, I But I know, but to get that response, you could still have your vote. It doesn't like we understand why you voted how you did.
>> Okay. Any other reports from liaison? Thank you. Um I'm moving on to next item which is old business. Any old business? Any new business? We are up to public comments. Round two.
Ms. Jolinsky. >> Since we have no one signed up, would anyone like to speak? Miss McCormick. Ashley McCormack, 16 Riley Road, Morganville. Um, I just wanted to mention back to the libraries and the schools. Um,
>> I'm sorry. Can you just I didn't hear that. >> Sorry. Just going back to the libraries and the and the um >> Okay, libraries. >> The books in the school. >> Parents have um options. They can literally sign right into pay schools and see what their kids are eating for lunch and for snack and create a report
and immediately like same day. It's really awesome. So, I just think that if we have something like that, we should definitely be able to see what our kids are checking out and reading. And it would be awesome if it could be on the Genesis portal, but just wanted to kind of I'm sure everyone who's a parent in
this district knows that already, but it is definitely if we can do that, we should definitely be able to see what word our kids are reading. Um, and then there was another question uh and I didn't write it down, so that's it. Thank you. Thank you. Any other anyone else want to
speak? >> Hi, Bel Mendes. Uh, Morganville. Just two quick things on a while back conversation that went on about the search firm. Just two things uh about innovative ways. I know people mentioned um like roundts and so forth in in my
field where we have to come up with new ways. It is actually my job as the leader of the team to um kind of bring that or delegate that to the to the team that I work with um to bring back new ideas, make it a performance goal and so forth to come with new and innovative
ways. And another investment is within professional development which I know you have some really great prodays for um the team. I would say some prodays um where people come in and actually get people thinking creatively is is pretty
cool too. Um so I would just say some of that another one on process improvement which is actually a really cool thing to have is something called lean six sigma which is a green belt which is all about and and Mr. And I think you're in agreement or you probably heard of that in your space or line of work as well.
But that certification is all about getting rid of what we call waste. And that is actually teaching you how to take what you do today and um find better ways and and cleaner ways to do it. And it's actually a cool certification for somebody to have.
People in our in my company go for that all the time. So I think that that's a really cool way to learn and to get that out there. um instead of investing in that, investing in ourselves and each other. So, just putting that out there. So, thank you.
>> Thank you, Mrs. Mendes. Anyone else want to speak? Mr. Pollock. Good evening, Adam Pollock, Marboro, New Jersey. Um, congratulations to the new board members. Excited for what you guys are going to do this year. Um,
I wanted to congratulate all of you on the referendum. Also, it's just kind of just highlighted early on that you guys started, you know, we got the funds in to the bank account and um sounded like everything was on schedule and uh that they're going to start doing work in the
spring. So, I think that's very admirable. I think it's uh a big win for the town. I think it's a big win for this board. Um, I think it's a big win for the funds associated to the uh consulting firm that we paid, Laura
Bishop. Um, it was a success. We got the state funding. Um, that was the goal for it to pass and now the kids in Asher and Robertsville are going to get air conditioning. So, I think it's a a great outcome and um, thank you all for
supporting it. Um, that's number one. um on the phone stuff. I think that was a really interesting conversation everybody was having. I'm super supportive of of everything you guys were talking about. Um I am not supportive of a phone ban in
schools. Um I'm supportive of responsible phone usage and setting um societal and community norms around that. Sounds like we're doing all the right things. One thing that I am passionate about is the the phones on
the bus. I think that there's probably some work we could do there around making sure that everyone's doing um the right stuff and following the procedures that are set out in the um our policies for our district. So, um I think that I I agree with the board that um we're
doing the right stuff from a policy perspective. I just think that uh we have to be especially with everything that's going on from a technology perspective, the ability wearables, different um apps, different um devices that are available, we have to be diligent uh as a community and know
about those things and and adhere to the appropriate policies. Um that's it. Happy New Year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else want to speak? Motion to close public comments.
Carrie second, Mr. Hyatt. All in favor? Anyone opposed? Public comments is closed. Um, we are going into executive session. Um, we will not come back out for any public business. We expect to be in for about
60 minutes. So, can I have a motion to move into executive session? Miss Jennowsky, can I have a second? Mr. Lansonski. All in favor? Anyone opposed? Okay, we're going into exact. Thank you very much, everyone.