Time is passing 31. The New Jersey open to ensure the right of public and to protect the bodies of which any business affecting their interest discussed active
president. Heat. Heat. Good evening. Toronto. May it resolve that session with participants discussing privacy personnel and legal matters. The subject matter of these discussions will be the public
confidentiality. The public can guarantee the length of effective session is estimated to 30 minutes after which the public hear the board shall reced. Can I have a motion and a second to acceptance? Thank you everybody for coming. We're going to go turn it over
to our superintendent public hearing of the 256 budget. Go and also be sure Good evening everyone. Thank you for joining us this evening to review and
hear about our budget for the 2026. So the budget is developed based on our mission statement which is a line continuing plan that we developed a few years ago. We continue to remain committed to foster safe environment um that celebrates our learners that
provides necessary resources to prioritize the social emotional and academic development for all our students. Our strategic plan remains the same. We remain committed, dedicated and focused on student success as the
elements of health and wellness, community engagement, education, facilities, facilities, and opportunities for all of our learners. We will highlight tonight some examples of short time this year and throughout the presentation um the goals that are
aligned and the work that we've done. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the budget, I do want to recognize the highlights and the hard work of our administrative team and staff here in the district and of course our students. So, we have 35 um high
school athletic teams including co-ops um which include at this time hockey. We have 40 54 high school clubs. We have more than 1,500 high school students participating in our clubs which is amazing. That obviously demonstrates um
a best example of them finding our place of belonging and being involved in our community. 70% 76% of mass students participate in extracurricular activities which again
highlight the um highlight our work with establishing student belonging. 23 high school advanced placement programs were offered. Um we continue to expand on um those offers which is um highlights our kids in terms of um where they're going
to be going. So a lot of our students we have students going to um temporary plans at universities but we also have students that are going into um making sure that student attendance heard us each
and every month attendance. Um we've already seen a huge improvement in our kids coming to school. They're happy to go to school. They like to that little bit of competition in terms of um getting a reward for being at school. So, I just want to take the time to make sure that we thank our families for
making sure that they're working with us and bringing our students to school and understanding the importance. I want to highlight we actually had one building that had only two students at 345 students and that was one of our elementary. So, we know elementary, you
know, parents who are bringing their kids to school. So, that's kudos to you. um our elementary students are um our budgets this year also highlighted community trips and field trips. again establish community connections on a variety of trips and we also in
February Friday we started to our partnership with security for with our agency um which we have increased visibility of um security officers at each and every building and we also have embarked on
partnership with advertising firm for sponsorship um with and so we look forward expanding on all of this in the 256. So what is this discussion? We demise this as a yearly financial plan
for the district. Our purpose is to fund education, staff, facilities, transportation programming. Uh we do this by using local property tax and other sources. Our spending areas include what are linked to
instruction, support services, administration, building. The board's role is to make sure that the tax revenues remain consistent with the actual revenues must expend. We have oversight by the New Jersey Department of Education and they're able
to do audited by independent firm at it. We should always plan and then we're planning for managing risk. So the next part of that is budget
timeline. I'm pretty sure by this year but really once we finish our budget we're already starting to and that starts in September and in October we're you know getting an idea where numbers are
every year October 15th we have a snapshot of CD fastest to make sure that we're getting as much money as we can because every part of the CD calculation is needed. Um then from October to January we're continuously having staff meetings
and administrative meetings and reviewing all four November we'll have finance meetings on the board again administrative meetings
typically after the governor has addressed Tuesday of February we receive our state about 48 hours after that and then we have until about March to adopt a preliminary budget that's due to the county. Those dates slightly
change each year with the election calendar that this year. With that, the county then has about 30 days to turn that back over to us so that we can final adoption budget that happens between April 24th and May 7th.
Our advertised budget has released prior to so I just want to touch upon highlight something with the budget time. So I see it as a household budget that you plan and you plan. You plan for maybe a trip or a vaccine or something
right and you plan and then something happens and then you have to go back to your budget reallocate. Sometimes you have to change and um shift where your plans are and adjust the budget. So that happens throughout the entire year. So,
if we have emergencies like with sewer problems, um we have issues at one of our buildings, with landscape, any of those things, we're constantly revisiting and ensuring that we're that's supposed to be and with um what
we plan for. But most of all maintaining that balanced budget and sometimes those things we are shifting around a little bit which is important because a lot we get a lot of questions is how are you going to afford this and how are you going to do this? Um so we are constantly ahead of time there's discussion going forward in our
administrative team. So where did we stand? We always take a look back at where we've been. So every year the state provides a full state review that's called the taxpayers education guide spending and in 2324 the state aggre,000.
uh our cost for that is 17,000 and what happens is they compare us to other fishers. So in New Jersey school year 234 we are 3500 plus so that low
90 for administrative cost it was about 2,000 there is a regional maximum spending limit of about 2700. If it's for any reason for even a dollar over that amount, our county would return that budget to us and deny the
budget to go back and review it and make it possible. Safe median for the 234 year for our district was 21546 for operations and maintenance. We
were thinking, we were very excited to show that we had in this area uh because the prior year were $1,476 perhaps to look back at ourselves while we did increase to 1521 per student. The
state average did go up to about 2500. So instead of being the lowest there, it's very challenging as we've seen budget challenges throughout the district. One of the first areas that we might go to to see where we can reduce
spending and make sure in the classroom technology. And so as to kind of walk through those things, we can see things or issues that we have along the way. Uh, one of the things that we have applied for for the same grants for
roofs. Uh, we currently do not have a roof that's under warranty anywhere within the district. Uh, when roofs were put in this district, it was a 15year warranty. All had expired. So, grants help us with 40% of whatever the total
cost is. We need to have the other 16% for this project. So we have to do so for total classroom we had we were about 10,000 and the state
average was 11 rank 12 lowest at 96. As we move forward, you'll see this increase as we build and as we build 25 as we take a look back at where we
are in history. Um, in 2021 we were about 14.5 million. From that time last year, we were able to increase fiscal expansion every year and our budget increased to 22 million. Um, CD
has increased and that's due to the fact that our snapshot and that district to do so where their kids are on that classroom without accounts. So we're very
appreciative for that. And then as we look forward to where we are this year, there's been significant changes. We had a second year for S2 that ended this year. So with that they decided to go back and changes some of the most
important impact is equalization we used to be 9.3 million that category has dropped to 54 transportation did go up slightly however we are transferring the
last 5 years 500 plus students and we had to fight for that enroll in preschool. They were telling us when we first received a principal extension grant that we could utilize something on their
help and as more and more districts are receiving extension grant for us to pay for transport. And so with that um one of the ways in prior years budget is that we were able to prove that in a 10ear
span even though we have been increasing more students for transportation they have not given us an increase in that area and that we were spending well over $5 million. So moving further with special ed that
is part of our October 19th snapshot we have in that. So it used to be a look back 2 years prior. This is the first year that we're actually October 15 and weighted
average. So we went from having a $4.2 million to 6.7. So that really helped us to offset what we were losing in other categories. Overall, it was increased by package. We lost a half
million recently. We increase classroom. The one thing we have to know is it can help us to offset cost. We can utilize we have x
building uh partial for the principal salary or secretary salary but we have to actually show them our calculations on how enrollment is for the whole building is there. So it's not like they're hey you have you know rate
levels charge off% it comes down to what is the other thing that the state decided to do about this week's third year they decided to provide us debt service. So,
one of the categories that you'll see later on is that we have to pay back our bonds for gas referendums and that money is actually utilized to help create the tax savings back to the taxpayer. So, overall we were about 22.1 million and
we're 22.7 for next year. So revenue wise, this chart is going to look extremely similar to last year except for a couple categories. So tax levy, we were
6784. So 10 of a% last year. State aid next year is 25.6. We at 23.89. We didn't see a decrease there. And some of the reasons why we saw decrease is that the state also provides back a
reimbursement for semi. So for our postary students, they provide money back to us after we spend a certain amount. Unfortunately, they have not increased that pot of money and so now you have the same amount of money without
addition cost exceeding the 2% pressure. Sometimes you'll actually the emergent open that's due to the fact that they had the time a state and so then we have to find money
to pay back for the time. So debt service wise we were 229 last year 2.83 for grants. That's another thing that has gone down. Currently, we're told we are not allowed
to. So, whatever allocations are, we typically budget for 85% of that. Next year, they told us not to right off the top 10%. Uh we're being told as
per the department of education this season for federal that some of the grants will move to other offices other so we're waiting to hear more about it. So we've been told that we receive
title one, title two, title three, title four, title three is title, title three translators. So that'll after we go through and we actually know what our allocations are, which probably won't
proceed until late June, we'll go back into the budget, actually know what our allocations are, and then really decipher, you know, how we're going to pay for that and and what's going to be shipped around kind of the whole talked about what we hope we have as we're planning and then how things
shift throughout the year. We receive better information. So, I'd like to think positively that they set budget for 75%. Um, with federal grants, we already know one is gone and we're hoping that that we're going to go back to the 85%. So, that's what
we're the other grants would be like IDA, which is special education. That'll help us in terms of whatever we have projected for title 3 looking at that, looking ahead to how we have that. The other thing that we hope too is that uh
just like we have to show effort to the state on how we're spending money that the state also has to do that federalally. And so if they're able to do that that federalally our state may receive more funding than another state and hopefully offset some of the costs
that we might be losing. So we have capital. So the other thing that we try to do for this is cost we have shared. So what are our impact on taxes? Our impact on taxes are that it all comes down to what your home is
assessed. Back in 2013 county decided to participate in our pilot program. That means that we are assessed every single year on our home values. So from last year this year we're asking we have $,000. However, for school tax, we
decreased. So overall, uh, as we move into this budget over a little over 2% 2% plus healthcare waiver, we will be going up monthly. As we kind of take a look at the charts of what
these canal um the red is the school share portion of the property value and then the blue is considered and the orange is considered share. So in
67% comes back to the district and what does that mean? It just means that in average about 5700 per average household to school in county on average that count is about
6,500 and that for New Jersey overall is about 53. If you need to lo any information, we always tomorrow for the same thing property shares or%
and saw that tax increase from prior year. So what does that look like? The general fund is your operating budget. daytoday operations whether that's salaries those are here and there the
debt services we always take a look at if we reduce our interest rates that we have about 4 years for the future so you know
You can refinance that debt. So total tax and the way that it works that comes from. So we talked about 2% 2% is what we're eligible to go up
to. So that is not for us. It's just whatever reason this year. or sent to a 12. So we don't have that relationship to high school when they decided to do that. There are still some schools
that seem that we do not have that and the one thing that we are utilizing is healthcare just like the other way to have that kind of And for the
next 3 years um so a lot of questions in terms of how to spend the year. So this chart shows a breakdown in terms of classroom instruction services
cost operations maint. So we we did a little back to go back to school 24. As you can see we continue to focus on class instruction support services and those
administrative costs. Those are absent class instruction. We see an increase. That means that money is being spent in the classroom whether it's staffing classroom materials, professional development, anything to strengthen any of the programs and it's student focus
support services which be um funds that are utilized for mental health couns social workers, our guidance, our school psychologist, and any mental health
services. Administrative cost are essentially the operating what it takes to fund. So, we're talking about administrative administrative cost um which includes our administrator salaries. We want we want to focus on
this slide particularly because we get a lot of questions as far as like how's it impacted this school year. We we remain diligent in terms of ensuring that dollar amounts going towards the classrooms. We get a lot of question changes for programs
etc. There may be changes however it is focused on lesson instruction but it may be the modality in terms of how services and the instruction that's taking place in the classroom. So in terms of grade instruction, we focus this school year
on the school year 256 budget on ensuring that we're preparing students for success in an ever changing world, creating well-rounded individuals that have a positive impact on the world, compassionate educators who build confidence amongst
all the budget supports initiatives as well as tools of the mind for prek and K resources and professional development. and teach curriculum for special ed classrooms science program and professional development for grade six at the middle
school. We're focusing on designing, implementing, and analyzing common assessments grades 9 through 12. We focus on math grades 4 through 8 and continuing professional development for elementary literacy, which is um and the
program will be foundations and the other um not included, but I want to highlight that we we received a lot of feedback in terms of transition from middle school to high school in terms of instructional programs. house power
line that is all budgeted for economic volunt. In terms of special education and programs, we're expanding our programs. We have three additional self classrooms which could be autism, multiply disabled. um they will be at
different classrooms will be at the high school, one at Lloyd Road and one at the elementary building. Expansion of back to school solutions. We discussed and went back and forth with our um with our partner back to school solutions in terms of looking at the services that are being
provided for middle school and high school when it comes to mental health and we said we have to do better. um there are target focus on has a small population right now 36 students we need the counselor to work with more students
and so we worked together and we created um a different model that will include tier 2 and tier three services. What does that mean? Um that means that tier three students who are receiving um therapeutic services they're receiving their individual group and family
counseling during this school day. for tier 2. Any student that it may be considered say they may have had a family member that passed. They may be a family member may be ill, a student who's st struggling with attendance for school employers or having a difficult
time meeting friends. They would fall into that population of two tier 2 services what we call um and they would receive individual and or group services for 6 to 8 weeks. So this is something that um we relied heavily on during co
when we needed kids back. So we had tier 2 services um at that time and we in order to bring all of our kids back and make sure that they were transitioning back particularly if there was a child that wasn't even that boy road and then all of a sudden is going to meet next.
So there was a focus on that. Um, in terms of contracted services, there are we do contract services for speech language, BCA services, occupational therapy services. We took a heavy look. We looked at all of those contracts. We
looked at a we did a cost analysis. Is it um more conducive for us to hire staff, consider hiring some staff, um, part-time staff for consistency, for continuity of services? and we were able to um manage and look at that and say
okay we can move forward with hiring our own staff um to provide those services and some of our buildings. So there's a decrease in a savings in um in our contracting services as well. We have a decrease in addition placements and at
our community forum and we talk about this a lot at our um at our board of education meetings. Our goal is always to have our students remain in our schools and in our communities. They do not need we are firm believers that they need to be in our community so that we
can work with them, that they're a part of our community, that they're included, and they have a sense of belonging with our community, their families live in this community. So, we focused um this past year and moving forward for next year in terms of creating those programs in our centers so that students can come to
school here. we have a decrease of added district placements of fit by 15 students for the following calendar. So a cost average in terms of that anywhere and I've shared this um numerous times in added district placements will cost between tuition and transportation
anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000. So if you do the calculation and the math I don't have the calculator right now but case itself I mean well over $2 million definitely um and that's through the dedication the administrators working with our kids and um and the staff
managers just in terms of professional development we're focusing on the areas of literacy teaching and addressing those challenges again to ensure that the services are being being provided where kids can see and they where they
feel most comfortable which is some facilities and with that some of the things we did do or the pictures above us. So the one in the top right corner is a weight room that high school down
the hall solely dedicated to wrestling my And then we were able to have finally after lunch, we were able to get the board of ed office. And then also at one of our
elementary schools, we were able to add a brand new preschool playground with proper. So we were also one else. Some of the things were going back to basics every 3 years. the scene comes out and they walk our buildings. Uh, one
of the things that they determined that you can see is that we needed to abandon the netting in our auditorium. So, that's what we installed. Uh, one of the other things that we installed was the high school did not have exterior bathroom doors. So, we made sure to install
those. While we were installing those main detectors were put in. And um if you look behind us, we have already brand new high school cafeteria equipment for the lunch program. As we first move down the hallway over here, there's a ranch to media center that was
replaced. There was high school media that was replaced in place suite that also needed some offices as well. here throughout this whole edition. We've done some painting
stra and you know we'll continue to do so as we look into the future. So we have budget here. We have additional interior and exterior cameras. Floyd road will be receiving partitions will be some rework
throughout the exterior. Flipwood will have some floor replacements are obvious. And last but not least as well building we have these rooms. One of the reasons we have that is we test huge
sewers and repairs that are necessary. Uh there are great kits out there and all of them need brand new interiors built. Uh so that received the first portion of that lowest cost at 70,000
for the first part and for the second additional 50,000 repairs. So we prefer to replace so that we can stop these. So, how do we prepare for a future as we
go back? If we we take a look, there are opportunities uh tonight. You'll see there are funding that we'll go for. Whether that's on construction or whether that's finance, we were able to uh New Jersey school insurance group that we participated in. We were
eligible to go for safety grant. We'll utilize that for next year to offset some of our agency expenses for those security additions throughout the buildings. how we continue to have strategic planning like we spoke about earlier. That's a fiveyear plan
and we'll continue to keep speaking with our legislators. We have two for district 12 and we want them to really have an understanding of what our challenges are. So we continue to speak to them at points. The other thing that we do is
we coalition and that helps us provide bills. that helps us to really get our voices heard. And so actually at their annual meeting so that we can really get an understanding of what the delegates are saying where
their mind is and then really at the end we have to stand up and kind of get questions to them and we hope that they answer at least they take that feedback as they continue to understand the are some of the things that we still take advantage of are shared services.
What does that mean? That means we have students that come here and we charge those tuition. We have large transportation department. So we do have those places are addition. We want to make sure we
share marketing services and then we have general business services that one of the things that we need to take to look at is utilities plan and look into our future
capital. So what are some challen for next year for future years? We know that we're experiencing huge issues with our substitute coverage, whether that's in the classroom or with pressure errors. We also know that there's going to be additional funding
for changes. Right now, every month education committee is meeting with records. So, we'll wait to hear what challenges change next year for that as their report. There's no
one supposedly there's 3% in certain categories. So that's why um 2% as much as 2018 and while it is 2% for schools, it's not 2% everywhere. If you take a
look at 2018, you take a look at this year. as soon as possible but also all these students. So we seriously
have also funding and then we have that year cost. We know that a lot of things have changed where you used to pay for textbooks and those textbooks for the last x amount of years they changed for
instruction materials. So that's impacted budget and the other thing that we have is stateare we already know that their percentage for
January 15% increase. do work and continue to see what options we have and every year we go out. The other challenge that we have is we have
lower 25 gas people gas by 17% and electricity between 46% in every utility auction happen year to catch up to our system.
happen businesswise or schoolwise and we always know that the first is looking at what that's why we're also talked about in
previous 96% on that always the area that focus on. So in case you're looking for any of this stuff, if you go to our website, it's right on department, business
office budgets, and they'll be yours. Right now, you have the advertise for 25. Marioation. I just wanted to thank um the administrative team as directors for helping us put together
the next year and support. Thank you. So, first I just wanted to thank you guys. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. obvious and down very happy to see
construction down in terms of revenue. I touched on this also such a great job when it comes to looking for the best ones around shared services. We're
always looking for ways to to share services in um I think a lot of people members around building or ground. So special education I think that's
really an area that has more classrooms here that's something I guess states and legislators that need to talk to them um which means they can charge
us whatever they want to charge us um of the 2% Um so it's great very great work to help those costs but you know every single agenda you see on this agenda they come back 2 years later 3
years later with more costs that are two questions that's here which is great very
source. And so when it comes to this, do we know just age or is it primarily also we have to wash over. So I need to do that right.
So we have the so and so we have so that we're not right and so you had over 5 million now obviously even in your
home we hope that some of the folks have seen R is that color for a better approach not just
my question because we $230 on top of 120. So we didn't spend $200,000 and our issue is that what we
have to set up is that there's not that much. So there's not that. So we have too we're kind of playing that you know luckily
everything and they came So we just wonder how we use the America. Do you need to hear what? Yeah. Yeah. There is a little bit of the
education for many many years that I said to be anything that might cause I don't episode. Perhaps a reminder that aren't
burning, paper is not burning. It you're not going to set the trash can on fire. serious consequences where no one's going to walk out, right? and coffee. They
literally they linger in the stalls. They pass it to each other underneath stalls and they together and then they think some of these. So maybe brainstorm
without it's kind of like if they're going to do it in a secure shop of some sort. It's like them but the education has to go to the students too. So being able to make I
don't think they understand. So there's lots of I would just encourage um parents to look into the health implications of baby and um share those with your kids and
uh just an FYI, they're all baby. Every single one of your kids is babying. I would be shocked if they're not. That's just I I have two kids and they're all naked. Talk to them,
please. Thank you guys um for everything. Endless amount of time, energy, and I too are so tired and worried about the budget. Um and then we're going to start all over again. Sorry. We love you. But um again, about these names, are we able to send um I
know Mr. 12 is also with his updates. Are we able to put an FYI? We're going to send a bill to the parents. Just kidding. But something um and then secondly, it's we're really only talking about two schools. I both mostly. Um are
we able to put those little towels in the men's room stalls? I know we have it. I mean, I know it might not even it helps. Um I don't know if that's the case for hanging out on bathroom duty who know
the tricks. So that might be great. Um I don't know just cuz every dollar's classroom is just it just it's beyond belief and what these people can charge at the end of that crazy. I don't even understand how
important $1,000. Anyway, um so yeah, whatever we can do um pressure. Thank you, Mr. I know you had some Mr.
I'll can I just share my little tidbit about the kids telling you that the kids were baking in the back assembly when they were a few years ago. You weren't here. A few years ago probably weren't here. It was they
thought it was hilarious and they were putting in other stories and stuff. So just really any other question. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um and this case um
I also want to echo uh business comments that there's a lot of hard work being done to try to make count and stretch and achieve that.
So moving on um we have instructions action traveler technical education system $1,000 technology for engineering, graphic design, information
technology, high school back. Oh, sorry. Motion a second to approve. I'll second questions. services. There's no action items tonight instructions and item number three.
question. Um personnel number two we also have resation I'm sorry retirement as items that we
ask now. We do have our summer school program. We have over 100 students program. We have our summer program. We
have supervisors online learning assistance instruction. We have some staff changes. We have a uh max. And finally for6 and I have a motion to
accept questions. Can you just explain the high school credit recovery? I love this. What does that do? How does that work? I will explain the uh program here
sometimes. Um so we also is that something qualify for they sign up for suggested but always requirements graduation pass right so
it's so it's graduate but it can also earlier, right? So, it's really meant for recovery of natural credit, not just I need a little extra help. Thank you.
Um I just I also have a question that is a comment um sort of frustration with the state and it's very expansive definition of sick leave that um once
again we are often presented with we have uh time we're going to have to pay for a substitute for a week because uh like wanted to add on to Easter and I
find this very very frustrating. This is part of why we have the subtit myself and not being able to achieve I just want to say agree to contract with our teachers. They are allowed to take personal days to
take those personal days. We as a board should not take contract. It's just Thank you. Yeah, I'll just add that that I think that's a directive format of some
additional leeway that's provided by the state which kind of made it easier. Um, and it's not it's not meant to hamper anybody's ability to take time, you know,
to but the state of math this year, it allow teachers to teach to take care of their family. Um, my mom was severely sick. She could not go to the doctor by herself. And remember, I was allowed to take that
day. My school previously had been not allowed to day to take care of my mother. I was using the day I was disable I was allowed to do nuances just Good evening. So this evening we'll be
looking to take action on its adoption tax earlier and then as we move on you'll see that there are different colors we're getting towards the end of the year. So please remember that purple
means that is renewal that we've had past and future. You'll see that a lot coming up in the next whether it's financ we don't have any this time but when you get to this new will be red and black if it was prior. So as we get
into three is authorization of 256 budget four is the tax certification. Five is the hasslet we have shared service for us. Uh it is a 0% increase.
However, we are possibly six and seven are the shared service agreements for both towns. Eight is the shared service agreement with Belar teacher.
That teacher goes to that school for one day a week and then we receive back to the district. Nine is a sheriff service for funeral special for business administrative and
funeral services and the cost listed as back to the district shared services for business services as listed again back to the district. 11 is the award of the joint transportation round for the current
year. There was one out of district student from another um district that is adding cost back to us. So will be eligible to receive 38 approximately $20,000 in revenue per year. And then 12 is the alteration
renovations as we were finalizing for park there was materials that we received back and then a credit back to us. So just additional change order that we already had in place of 3500. We were just determining what kind of back to
the district. And then uh we just want to note that while that ends action items for finance, we also have our award every 5 years uh for professional services. You're supposed to go out this year. We are going out for auditing
services. we're supposed to receive on back tomorrow to open. So then we will need to award on May 22nd and then 14 are graduation girls. Don't be surprised about how many
things are all So table number motion on the board table and shar 2526 is clear and yes so
noted. Yes. Thank you. Yes. Martinez. Yeah. Um, I just want to say um, thank you for the I know I didn't see it today. I know our district, but um,
trying to save the dollar we can share services. We appreciate it. I know it's a lot. There's just so many moving parts you guys for that. And the other thing is the grants. Um you guys love that you create but I
appreciate um you guys are so there something that we receive every month year. How do we know these grants? Do you want to research
them? Some were lucky enough when they come from certain areas of the state that will receive them. Those are the competitive grants um that we're going for earlier instructions. And then there's others that we search for. So whether we use it for Millennial
Strategies or go on New Jersey grants or go on NJ school boards or uh reach out to our vendors and just blatantly ask them if they have grants um we do. So I mean we also do the same with adults, right? How many times can you get 0% but
we'll continue to try. Thank you. Um and lastly the um the which I know we haven't heard an update on but there's probably nothing going on the out we are just waiting on the local recreation br uh next Monday we actually
have a meeting with the national fitness campaign to uh strategize on reaching out to as many people as possible to see if they would like to participate donations. Uh the other thing we're doing for the concrete slab is we're waiting to hear back and we're crossing
our fingers that maybe uh Bob and Vocational wants to participate in helping put that down. Obviously, we need more information as we go along, but how awesome would it be if we were able to bring them back? Yeah, just to um update the public, we applied for a
grant at the beginning of this year for a concrete pad and an outdoor like workout space. Um, so you could do group classes, you could do things like yoga. There's like stationary pieces that you
could use for stretching or um, step exercises, different things like that. And it could also be used by the community. Um, I think it's going to be it's planned to be over on the sports side. Um, dance room is over there. Dance class outside next days. So um,
hopefully we get that fun and stuff like that. But that would be great if the vocational school put the concrete as part of the project. Thank you. Um you have a question about
why those two. So we are going to be um we actually are the determination that's one of those revenue generating system. So thank you on that. We have bus drivers and buses
available. I just wonder what made the difference school. It's been such a pleasure to have success. I'm just curious about something else. But first and foremost, it gives a huge
question from the administrators. um did about professional development and almost like a label in terms of strategies to um education and awareness in terms of educating our
parents like what what is legitimate absence? How what does that mean? they might miss classes. How does that impact credits at high school or um or just general time things like that? um particularly at the elementary school I think that
it's it's fun like for kids you know because there's you know that positive you know um reinforcement that's taking place um it's event um you know the elementary comes out and
there's tickets and prizes and things like that but um our PTO's got um that was a heavy lift and they they are behind us in terms of doing working out. Um you'll see a lot um more
fun things in terms of marketing um that we're working on that we're excited about. Um, and we're just really focusing on something positive. Um, that's creating that sense of belonging. Um, increasing hopefully participation
in clubs, but also in terms of finding their friends, which is really important. Most of the time when you look at research, attendance is typically an issue because there is that sense of belonging. um and they have not
found um those friends yet. So that your question dedicated principles and staff are two biggest factors 1 to 2% which doesn't sound like a whole lot but January was
significant. There's a a middle group of kids who they are out 12 to 17 days consistently. We can shift those 12 to 17 absences lower and that that's important for us. Getting everybody to school is really important. We talked we
present a report about how we best educate parents on the way to school. So the parents will be here for us on that content to show not to show. So pressure.
Thank you. Um Mr. I also wanted to bring up that um I know there was a lot of feedback in the beginning about you know trying to make kids specific or whatnot. I think it's it is really important to
um ensure that parents understand not really expecting children to go to school but that that middle of 12 to 17 absences. Those are kids who maybe just aren't feeling like they have a place to kind of stay home
some days and their parents are maybe sneaky at the end of the day. So having them find a place to put in and then to go. So I was one of those. So I appreciate The board of education recognized the value of public comment on matters of
interest to the school community. Individuals wishing to speak at a state of their name and address. Comments are limited to duration, but as an individual, the individual may speak a second time after all others wish to speak on the topic have occurred. All
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If speakers are uncertain publications of their comments, the board urges them to seek guidance beforehand. Hi everyone, my name is Abby. I live in Okay, so good job. Budgets are in there. There's never enough money for
all of these, but there's a couple of things I noticed that we're missing completely. We have 23 AP classes. Um, how many vocational classes are we offering in district? I think the answer is zero. Um, I'm not talking about countywide. I'm talking about in our
school. The vocational list just came out and we did not do well this year. Um, let's see. There were nine spots in the whole county for welding, 19 spots for HBAC out of 53
applications. Those are the ones I know for sure. We do a really good job here getting our kids ready for college. We do a really terrible job getting ready for kids who want to be plumbers, for people who want to go into HBAC, kids
who want to be welders, who do not want to go to college, who do not want or cannot spend $30,000 to go to DBR and we're now you're worried about absences. I am not sure how we get some of these kids to go to school because it
just doesn't matter anymore. So that is something that we need to worry about. If your student wants to be a hands-on technical type of a person, this district isn't doing anything and the county can't handle the the need
that we have. And I think that there's a lot of really creative solutions. We can work with the community. I think there's a lot of programs that are out there that I think that we as a as a town and a district really need to to look at
because it leave a whole set of kids happy. Um so that's something that I noticed noticed. Also, um I saw we're doing a lot of improvements. Are we going to fix the lights in the parking lot so our band and color guard who keep
on winning state the national championships could not be in the dark? That would be awesome. And I don't know who's responsible for the driveway that is bad. I got flat last year. That was so yeah maybe we could
fix that. Um and while I don't disagree that the parent should be responsible, I'm not sure how we're going to approve which question. So that I think might cause a little issue. Um so oh also credit recovery I think that's the new fancy name for summer school. The
program is terrible. Um, it is online. It is extremely easy to cheat. And I would say as someone who went to summer school, part of the worst part of summer school was getting up in the morning on a Monday. All my friends are out hanging
out to go to the actual school. And now they can just sit online and do photo math. And literally, I don't know if anyone here is aware what photo map is. take a picture of the um of the math problem and then it literally gives you
a picture of the answer and step by step if you need it. Um yeah, so I don't think it's working. So 3 minutes have Thank you very much.
Um notes so I'm assuming that that will take into consideration I'm sure. Well, I mean, we're aware of how you brought up facilities. Um, asked about it. Um, but as you saw, the budget is
just trying to figure out where to local company offer to pay it for free. Is that something we're allowed to do? Okay. I just I know you're allowed to take some things maybe you're not. So we take donations for any really
and um we also have had conversations with that about different creative solutions for vocational I think that's the challenging thing is that we would all go to that how do we get that figured out make sure these kids feel recognized
and then if you're wondering I don't know why they want to because they want to be a plumber. They don't care about you know history or whatever class like picture like so that would be actual
curriculum or to start the program that maybe financially that would help us. There's no partnerships to have grants or I mean children
is education. So the trades fall under that um right now we're looking at program up to therapy teacher in professional development
and so we know in terms of um increasing um increasing return areas but we have in terms of partnership. We don't have it as a
partnership district. Is is there such a thing as the town and the school district like space stuff like that? So if let's say somebody uses
right now with the department of education they come out to space. I just want to make sure nobody else has any sorry to think
person whatever hours. Does it make sense to go around just but it's really hard when that's supposed to be their day that um I mean high school maybe
eight times but kids are not uh so I just like that I got there is, you know, every time I'm sure um so I
technology I know university So again there's partnership opportunities really but compost um we sell off compost like environmental thing as
well teach similarly on program level you don't ask questions you identify back you instead that's throwing it in the trash because $5 like I don't know if there's a
catcher or if you have a certain kind of situation type program and students work on their own things might be a good idea and then um I know that this was air buses. Um, if you set your tank on
that transportation for all buses may or may not be in the middle of a 2 window, you don't know I might get an hour like I bring there. Um but you know some sort
of tracking mechanism um I'm sure somebody that was helpful or like I think answering those phone calls and parents just especially little kids that needed parents to get on the bus. Sometimes we get text like, "Hey, you know, even going to the bus stop and
like call school again because you know what I mean?" Like I'm sure there's a lot of time and energy that you know just get some sort of like alert. So I'm literally like are like 80 bucks like $20
air budget transportation. Any other questions before we end? I suggest you know also when you're talking about like shared spaces for both are being allowed to work with companies or
people within the communities have these programs like you know someone or mechanic you know we still don't like are we allowed to create a program because anyway with the actual game
right they're already there either in or the afternoon as well to do their whatever their health or gym. So is there a way to possibly apprenticesize people within our area?
Are we allowed to? Yes. We hope that this is why we really appreciate what happens. We get a lot of creative suggestions and ideas and offers to help. So thank you very much for all the
suggestions as not only there are programs high school programs structure has to be created through school instruction. produc out there. Well, I think that would be a great um
task for somebody Um I don't know what but we be able to solving the word out well high school here. Uh, Miss Berg, I love everything that um, we
actually are launching a workbased learning program right here in the school starting next year credits to um, work with our teachers, our office staff. We're meeting Wednesday night
with the Marine Business Council, talk about possibly expanding it to outside these doors. So that's that's good news. part of the grant that we spoke about is going to kind of help facilitate some of
those issues regarding so we're on the same page just they can't they cannot serve um volunteer do a program. So that's kind
of unfortunately the interest in education with our students has. So we do need our teachers to speak how great it is to be a teacher. So we need their input and that push and also
our our parents because a lot of our a lot of members are not saying education is to so I any We're going to go ahead and vote on action. So for instruction, it'll be a and b for personnel items 1 through
three for findings 1 through 5 and 8 through 12. Yes, Miss Miles, Mr. Miss Martinez. Yeah. Uh, yes. I need to abstain on personnel. I just want to say happy
teachers appreciation everybody. Um you guys appreciate you sitting here understanding what goes on.
I told you all of us appreciate you guys. So thank you and Um, also this morning he will be away next week. She's having this reach out to me.
Um, today as well to watch 25ers get about memorizing so different
Nice. general association really curious about schools and so she did she doesn't have any that is its ability to be
another she just update. Yeah. long time to get that. So we have already Yeah. Heat. Can I have a motion?
Good night.