She wants to test it out. Yes, it is. Okay. What are you doing? I can do this. Sometimes we'll have I don't You want to know what I'm saying?
Are you kidding me? Thank you for your patience. We are running a few minutes late. Thank you so much for being here and the meeting will start soon. Thank you. That was nice. No pun intended. Get out of my
Whatever class, whatever class. Good evening. Apologies for us starting a little on the later side today. We had some very important stuff we needed to address during our close session. So, thank you all for your patience. Usually when we are in our close session, there's not
many people out here. So, it's quite delightful to see all of your faces. Uh, and at this point, I'd like to call to order the June 9th, 2026 meeting of the Matuchin Board of Education. If we could all stand for the flag salute.
I pledge 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. >> Mrs. Alavich, notice of the meeting,
please. I hereby make this statement to indicate compliance with the open public meetings act known as chapter 231 of the public laws of New Jersey 1975 which came effective 90 days after enactment January 19th 1976. Notice of this meeting was given by providing the location time and date of this meeting
and posting of the same on the front door of the board of education offices by delivering copies to the burrow hall and the Matuchan public library the home news and tribune and by filing a copy with the burough clerk as prescribed by this law. >> Thank you. Roll call please. Dr. here.
>> Mr. Bot >> here, >> Miss Cheetum >> here. >> Mr. Derlinger >> here. >> Mr. Glassber >> here. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus >> I'm here. >> Miss Colleen >> here. Miss Lelort >> here. >> Mr. Sus >> here.
>> Miss Zimmerman >> here. >> Thank you so much Dr. Caputo. It gives me great delight to turn to you for these fabulous showcases of success. >> Thank you. Big night tonight for us. We have three items. First, we'll hear from our student advisory board. Then, we have our MHS seal of biiteracy students
with us tonight, as well as a healthy group of uh spring champions that we're happy to honor as part of our night of champions tonight. But I'll start with our student advisory board. As you know, several times during the year, we may ask for some Q&A uh and you get a chance to interact with the student advisory board. Student advisory board is made up
of students from 3rd to 12th grade. Um, tonight is more formal presentation from the student advisory board and I'll invite up our seniors who will then bring the the other members of the student advisory board up. So, I'll invite Sydney and Caleb up to start us off and bring the rest of the group with us.
>> Wonderful. >> Hi, everyone. >> Hello. >> I'm Sydney. >> And I'm Caleb. >> Hi. Um, and we're here to talk a little bit today about what we've been doing all year and then as both members of the advisory board, just our experiences on
the board. I started as a freshman and Caleb joined us >> a junior >> as as a junior. So, >> okay. So, one of the really important um discussions that we had this year was about the food services in the district and how that ties in with the food and
security um initiatives that are going on especially with the environmental club and uh Miss Lechrich. We met with our Ponttonian food service representatives and that's something that we've done annually. Um we've given them feedback on the lunches and the
meals that are served here. But one of the more important conversations that we've had um was creating the share tables which I'm sure has been spoken about before which is where um any uneaten and unouch uh cafeteria food can be left on the
share tables and people can pick it up later in the day if if they need some. And then also the share my meals program which we've partnered with Miss Lamrich to do. All right. So one strong topic that we focused on throughout the whole year was
the construction that we did. So in our district, it was interesting to see the amount of planning, funding, and time put into this project. It wasn't just about the appearance, but also the learning environment factors as well. and how they benefit future students. It's
being able to see the development from start to finish. And it gave us a better understanding of how our district works to support students. So, for example, in Moss, we almost doubled the size of the school. We added a brand new cafeteria in Campbell or in a new field. Um, in
the high school, we added a fieldhouse and a brand new um cafeteria that will be implemented next year. So, one of the really um Caleb and I are both going to touch on like two of the really important discussions that we felt like we had this year. Um both last
year and this year we had guest speakers um to talk about the implementation of AI in the district and um I think everyone agreed that that was the most spirited meeting from all ages. Um the committee ranges um you know all the way
from Campbell to the high school. So was that when there's a topic that all of us are really interested in it's definitely something to take note of. Um our discussion about AI this year really was different. What I noticed was different from last year was that
students are definitely using it more and we're asking for more resources on how to use it properly and then also how to how this tool can help us. Um, you know, I I know final exams are coming up at the high school and there's so many
resources um that can help you with large texts and concepts and help break those down. you know, if your teacher is busy or you're not able to get the resources to break those concepts down. So, that's just the tip of the iceberg of where it can help. But, I think um we
have a little bit more on this, but I think for many students like learning how to use it properly is something that they really wanted. And then also making sure that like we fully understand what the AI detector policy is in the
district um is really important especially for those of us who are applying to college or were applying to college. There was mixed messaging on would it be used to detect um you know AI in essays and just being really clear
about that um and coming forth with the research I think would be very beneficial. All right, another topic that we covered that was attendance and accountability. As students, we were able to provide direct feedback to Dr. Caputo on the district's new attendance system. So, um
I'm going to talk about some challenges that students may have experienced through during its implementation. So, many students reported attendance inaccuracies and recently with final exemptions, I know there's a lot of stress trying to fix these attendance errors. So students and teachers were
under a lot of stress having to fix errors. Adjusting to the new scanning procedures created confusion for some students and staff especially at the beginning of the year which affected us later in the year. We discussed about how while this new attendance system is supposed to make teachers jobs easier,
teachers should still be aware of who is and isn't present. Throughout our conversations, we shared that some students experienced significant attendance discrepancies and resolving this the those issues often required time and effort from both the students and the teachers. Students
appreciated that attendance mistakes were treated as system errors rather than disciplinary issues, but many felt as if the correction process could be more efficient. By providing feedback, we helped ensure that student voices were heard as the district district continues to refine
the attendance system. So, just to close things out, um some of our biggest takeaways from this year, um not not just this year, but from my time on the board and um Caleb as well, just being able to provide this valuable insight to Dr. Caputo and Miss Taylor
and all of the guests that we had. We had guests at um basically all of our meetings. Um and that was just really I think it adds such an edge to the committee. um to be able to hear from these leaders. We had the police chief,
we had teachers, we had principles and assistant principles. and getting that access and the ability to ask those questions to people that maybe you do see every day or that you haven't seen in years um or who you've never met is
really something unique and I I think is not only beneficial to the students on this committee but it the reach of this committee um you know goes really far and I hope that all these um this feedback that both Caleb and I gave with
the AI and the attendance into something that we can see improved for for years to come. So, now we want to bring up the rest of our student advisory board and we'll have them introduce themselves.
Um, hi, my name is Ean. I'm a junior and I've been on the student advisory board since third grade. >> Hi, I'm Laya. I'm also a junior and this is my first year on the student advisory board. Hi, my name is Naomi and I've been on
the student advisory board since third grade and I'm in eighth grade. >> This is Libby. She is in fourth grade. And do you want to say anything, Libby? No. Okay. She's fabulous. >> Um I'm Alex Herman's. I'm in seventh
grade. >> And um I'm Steven Jacobson. I'm the sixth grade representative and I've been only doing this for about a year or so >> everybody. >> So yeah, I'm so proud as as the board probably knows I don't have anything to
do with the final project. The seniors work with um Mrs. Taylor, our liaison. And I mean you guys captured a really um full and robust year. I'm so proud of all of you. So proud of Caleb and and
Sydney tonight. Um, and I I'll open it up to the uh the board. This is a group that has done great work. They bring the perspectives of their their classmates and their colleagues. They interact um appropriately with adults, but as they said, is also an edge and they pushed Dimbo a little bit to make the um the
experiences in our schools better for all 2400 students. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you all for coming out. It is always wonderful to see you. I enjoyed visiting with some of y'all when I got an opportunity to visit as well. Um, I would love to know from y'all, how do
you go about making sure you get representative feedback from your peers to bring to your uh team here? Uh, because I know when I came and spoke with y'all, y'all had some really cool ideas. I remember that vending machine idea, Stephen. Um, but you how do you
make sure that you capture the voices of your peers to ensure that they are able to have their voices heard? Um so I think a large part of it is a lot of us um as you can see like we're from a variety of grades and a lot of us are involved in like a lot of
extracurriculars which definitely helps >> um considering we all are able to like bring what we take in the meetings and then apply it to wherever that may be whether it be different honor societies or sports or clubs or even like things we do outside the school where other people get informed and then they bring
it back to us and it just it kind of helps us make like almost like a spiderweb of information that we're able to like incorporate into various aspects of school. >> I love that. Thank you. >> So, I know for me personally, um I have
to say I've done a lot of extracurriculars and things after school and I'm I've meet with a lot of students >> from my grade at least on the daily. So, honestly, the easiest thing for me is just to ask as many people as I can,
hey, what do you guys want me to talk about? what do you guys want to change? >> And then say it's like we met with um Ponttonian the food service this year. >> So mostly like what do you I'll tell them if it's somebody specific like that
what do you want to change about the food or something that's specific to the meeting that we're doing. That way I can give the best information not just from my perspective but from the perspective of the whole grade. >> Wonderful. Thank you.
All right. Other questions for the student advisory board? Mr. Gosber? >> Not a question. I just want to thank you all for for being here and all the time that you put into it. A couple of you um Isan Naomi seen you since third grade.
It's wild. Um and Sydney, you've been with us for the last few years and uh appreciate four years of service that you've put in here. It's wonderful. And um the sincerity, I just want to point out the sincerity and the honesty in
what you presented here is appreciated by us. It's it's critical yet respectful um with actionable um pieces for us to take away. Um and that's exactly what I as a board member, I think all of us as
board members want to have because we don't have those types of interactions with you as as students. So it's very valuable for us and we will take it to heart for sure. So thank you for expressing it.
>> Any other questions or comments for the student advisory board members? >> All right. Well, thank you so much. >> Great job. >> Thank you. That's a great start to our showcase. Next, we have our high school seal of biiteracy. And I see coming down
the um the aisle is Mr. Prowski. And we thank you, Mr. Proski, for being here tonight. Um this is an important um state opportunity that we take advantage of here in Matuchen. Um Miss and Miss Bosgra does a great job as as you do.
Thanks for being here to kind of MC our presentations tonight. >> Of course. Thank you so much. Uh, Matuchan High School is proud to announce the following 43 students who received the New Jersey State seal of biiteracy in Chinese, French, German,
Hindi, Japanese, Latvian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, I'm going to say this wrong, Tamil. >> Tamill, >> Tamil, um, and Ukrainian. The New Jersey State seal of biiteracy was established to recognize high school graduates who
have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, listening, and writing in one or more lang world languages in addition to English. To earn the New Jersey state seal of biiteracy, students must meet graduation requirements for English
language arts and earn a proficiency level of intermediate, mid, or higher on state approved world language assessments. Congratulations to the following students. I'm going to ask the students to please just as your name is called, please come up to the front and
stand on the stage for us. Um, I don't believe that we have full representation here tonight. I think we were competing with a couple of other events going on. >> So, let's ask them to move to the right. So, they're already queued up to come. So, if you're here tonight and we really appreciate that, make Mr. Prowy's job
easier and and queue yourself over to the right in the aisle here so you're close when he calls your name. I also see some of you standing all the way in the back or who are sitting all the way in the back. So, get yourselves up and move towards the front. >> Yeah, this is impressive. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, I'm going to list I'm
going to state all of the individuals who have received the um the seal of biiteracy, but when you hear your name, please make sure that you come up to the front. >> Miss Bowski, one more interruption. Yes. Um and this is probably understood by everybody, but we see more juniors on here than seniors.
>> Yes. Yes. Um so can you just talk about how those folks were recognized previously? >> Uh so those there were many seniors who had applied and completed the process last year as juniors. So they receive uh their seal of biiteracy on their
transcripts at the end of the school year upon their graduation as well >> and we recognized them last June at the same time. >> Wonderful. As juniors >> as juniors. Fantastic. The individuals that we have to acknowledge tonight. Lauren Bonia for French, Brandon Dcasta
for Spanish, Kai Angler for Japanese, Municho Ezmadu for Spanish, Sanvi Caric for French, Ben Lopez or uh for Spanish and Aiden Rodski for Spanish.
Additionally, now we have our juniors who I see over here at least. Uh Julia Or for Spanish, Ean Badakaria for f for Spanish, Jocelyn Branch for French, please come up and stand up in the front.
Daniel Choy for Spanish. Adriana Contrarus Meta for Spanish. Samika Devarajan for Spanish. Ava Foty for Spanish. Aiden Giri for Spanish. Julia Hijar for Spanish. Eileen Hei who
has uh received it in Chinese, French, Spanish, and Japanese. >> Wow. >> I've practiced his name multiple times. I am going to do my best. You ready? Zahar Kpio.
>> Close. Getting there. Okay. I still have a year before we have to say it at graduation. So, we're going to practice still. Uh he received the uh seal in both Russian and Ukrainian. Mera Kowalsski for Polish. Arters Krummens
for Latvian. Chamberl in in Chinese. Luke Liieber in Spanish. Kiko Lee in Chinese and Japanese. Safi Majunar for Spanish. Gavin Mormon for Spanish. Charlotte
Murphy for Spanish. Sedant Naik for Spanish. Ragav Laxman Nelipan. I tried my best. I'm sorry. Ragav Hindi Spanish and Tamil Tamil. Tamill I I'll
get it right. Kyle O'Brien for Spanish, Lucy Anteo for Spanish, Ana Prabhakar for German, Daniel Ruiz for Spanish, Ronan Sakara for Hindi, Sophia Serban for Spanish,
Marco Scaratco for Ukrainian, Alisa Tagar for Spanish, Joseph Tambberell for Spanish, Alina Varma for Spanish, Vikram Venut for Tamill, Sori Vora for Spanish, Shiuan Ya Wong
for Chinese, and Alan Zang for Chinese. >> Before we clap for everybody, um I I didn't hear the fourth name, and maybe it's a different list. I have Oscar. >> Oscar Chang for Chinese. >> Thank you. >> That's no problem. I may have missed one. >> No, no, no. >> No worries. >> All right. So, please join me in
congratulating this group of students. For those of you who don't have your certificate right now, please make sure that you see me on your way out before you leave so I can make sure you have that. >> Congratulations again and thank you for your time. >> Well done. Congratulations, guys. Thank you for coming to my website. I really
appreciate that. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks, Mr. Prowki. One more group of uh champions that we're honoring tonight are our spring season sports champions. And I'll invite Mr. Cathcar to the uh podium to get this
process started. First of all, as always, thank you for your support all year long. Tonight, you're going to meet some of the best athletes in the state of New Jersey. Uh and some of them who will be competing nationally. So, we're really excited about this year's events with our girls
and boys track team in tennis who were absolutely excelled this spring and you're about to meet them. So, I will ask our girls track team to please come and line up and I'll ask Coach Hollerin if she'll come and introduce them right on stage.
Coach, thanks for being here as you and your girls um we allow you allow us to recognize you tonight with your great accomplishments from the season. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for having us. >> I'm happy that a lot of them are here.
>> Yeah, great turnout. Thank you. >> Okay, I feel a little scattered. I've been all over the state today. Um, okay. So, we're here tonight and we appreciate you having us here uh to honor us for the girls track team for winning the state
sectionals, the 21st in school history for spring track, second in a row, and also for um becoming the group one state champions, the third time in school history, the first time in 30 years. Um my own sister said, "You haven't won
that before." And the answer is no. It's a hard one to win. Um, there are 18 events in spring track and with that takes a lot of kids, a lot of kids with ability, a lot of kids that are willing to work, >> a lot of kids that are willing to stay
focused at the end of the year when there's so many things going on around them. Um, and we are very lucky that we have that. It's a tremendous group and to win the group one title in a super competitive year in group one, um, is pretty big. So, congratulations to our
girls. Um, I'll speak about uh I'll say all of their names that are here tonight and I'll speak about them individually as we go through and I'll move it along as fast as I can but honoring them as they should be.
Um, I'll start off with um I'm kind of going to go different places here, so you might hear names repeated, but I'm going to start off with um our athletes who are named to the all-white division team and step forward girls. When I say your name, all white division in the GMC
conference, Rose Surgeon, Ella Anderson, McKenna Bruns, Sabrina Candell, Cadia Ba, Taylor Zenedto, Julia Kelly, Charlotte Murphy, and um in the GMC conference, the
allconerence team, Rose Surgeon, McKenna Bruns, and Ella Anderson. Great job. AND NOW I'LL GO THROUGH THE girls that are up here. These are our varsity letter winners. These were all uh athletes that are were at the state
sectionals competing or there as alternates playing a big role in everything that the team did this year. Uh please step forward when I say your name. We have sophomore Sophie Ferrer. Sophie's a sprinter. Great improvement in the 100, 200, 400, and she's a jumper
as well. Great job, Sophie. Olivia Irving. Olivia Irving is a sophomore. She has again shown great improvement in the 400 especially and the 200. She's um and these this sophomore group, we started calling them
our super sophomores. They've really come along and it's really fun to watch. Uh great season, great jobs, Olivia. And high jump, too. She's gotten better there, too. Um, we can go to our junior Jocelyn Branch
in the Javelin. Made great improvement in the javelin. A super hard worker out there all the time. Uh, sometimes on her own. Um, really proud of you, Jocelyn. Um, we'll move over to girls who have been on our 4x8 this year. Um, we'll
start with Jordy Woods. Jordy. Jordy was on our 4x8 at the sectionals and at the groups. The group the group meet what she the team was fifth place which were two huge points for us winning by two points um over Glboro. Um great season
for Jordy. Great job. Also on that 4x8 at the group meet is Emma Balentine. Emma Balentine moved into the 800 this year. Uh really never ran anything beyond the 200 last year. um then moved her into the 400 and then the 800 did a
great job for us on that fifth place 4x8. Great job, Emma. Uh Amber Murray. Amber was on our 4x8 at the sectionals. Did a great job for us. She's also a 3200 runner, 1600 runner. She had a great year this year. Great job. Amber
Lucy on Teeco. Lucy was on our 4x8 at the sectionals. did a great job to get us to the group meet uh with an appropriate time and so we could be in a good heat and do all the things that we needed to do. Uh great year for her cross country, winter and spring. Great
job, Lucy. Okay, we'll move to um Taylor Zenetto. Taylor, what a year for this little sophomore. Uh she had a great year in cross country winter and she just keeps getting better. Uh the potential is
endless for her. She is selfless like so many of our girls up here. They're willing to not do an individual event so that they can be on a relay which we know might do a little better. And I so appreciate kids trusting that and doing
what's needed for the team. Taylor had a great year in the 3200, the 1600 and on our 4x8 at the end of the year. She's running the 1600 tomorrow night at CBA uh for one last chance to run the 1600 with fresh legs, which rarely happens.
And uh really proud of you, Taylor. Okay, I'm going to make sure I get everybody here. Uh we'll go to Sabrina Candell. Sabrina's had an outstanding two seasons, winter and spring. this spring.
She's just come come alive. She's just been running on fire. She's uh gotten her mile down to 512. She's going to run it tomorrow night as well with fresh legs. Another one who really wanted to run the 1600 at the group meet, but we
knew that we pro we really needed her in the 4x8 instead. So, she was willing to give up her individual uh possible glory there for the team. And it p and it and it paid off. She also was ran an outstanding 800 the day before to be
fourth in the group one meet to run a season best of 220. She just keeps getting better and better. Amazing kid, Sabrina. Thank you. Good job. Um we'll go to Goodness, where do we go next? Um let's
let's um bring up Ella Anderson a little more. Come on forward, Ella. Um, it's kind of dark on you, I feel like. Uh, Ella's had a tremendous junior year across the board, three seasons.
Uh, she played an integral role in our group one title uh, two weeks ago or a week ago. Um, she was fourth in the 1600, fifth in the 32, or do I have those reversed? Um, our group one distance was out of control this year.
so good and she's right there with them and competing so hard, finishing so hard, fighting for every spot. She also ran the 800. At the group meets you in the 800, 3200, and the 1600. Uh she'll do anything for the team and that we
appreciate that and she's a huge reason that we were able to win that title. Um great job Ella. She's running the 1600 tomorrow night also trying to uh finish out with a bang. Thanks, Ella. Great job. Um, okay. We'll kind of move over to
some of our top relays here now. So, why don't we have um let's have our 4x1 without McKenna come on up. So, that's Julia Kelly, Cadia Ba, Charlotte Murphy, and Rose Surgeon. Uh, these girls ran
tremendous races this year in our 4x1 relay. These girls are pretty fast. Um, that relay stresses me out because there's so much that can go wrong, but nothing really ever went wrong with this group. Every time they got on the track, they pretty much ran P a PR. Uh, Julia
was our leadoff for most of the season, handing off to Charlotte on the second leg. It's Charlotte's first year running track. She's a junior and everything we did this year couldn't have happened without her. Uh she handed off to Cada who ran the third leg and she handed off
to Rose who ran tremendous anchors on that 4x1 catching girls putting us two points ahead when we were two points behind a second earlier. Um they they just had a tremendous year. They're sectional champions and they were fifth in group one. Um great job girls. I'll
talk about more of you in a minute, but great job for our 4x1 there. Julia Kelly, why don't you step forward again? Julia Kelly was individually. What a year for this girl. She's individually. She's um sectional champion in get ready
the triple jump, the 100 hurdles, and the 4x1 that I just talked about. She's a tremendous athlete. Uh willing to do anything that the team needs, even if we haven't worked on it too much. Like triple jump, we knew she could go in there and get uh good points. She ends
up winning. So, I don't know that she can she'll she's a competitor. such a competitor in the in the hurdle race at the sectionals. She was back a little bit halfway through. She realized she wasn't in the lead and then she just was like propelled by a different force to to win that race. She's such a
competitor. Uh great season. Uh really made a big impact this year and proud of you. Great job, Julia. Okay. Uh well, let's go. Let's go to Cada. Cada come forward again. Actually, you know what? Let's have Let's have the
4x4 come forward. Sorry, guys. 4x4. So, three of these you've seen before. McKenna's been on our 4x1 also, but we had to get McKenna off the 4x1 because she had other events. You're limited to four events in track and field. So, her she had three individual events and then
we needed her on the 4x4 relay. This relay, this relay is the sectional champions. They are the group one champions. And everyone gets excited in baseball when there's a walk-off home run. This team did it in track and field. We were down by
uh I guess we were down by eight, right? We were down by eight going into the 4x4 at the group one meet last week. We knew we needed to win the relay to win the meet. We needed to be second to tie for a win. Um these three girls rose with an
outstanding lead off. Charlotte with a great second leg. Cadesia with a great third leg. They got McKenna, who are is our anchor, into the position we needed her to be in so she could run the other two teams down, which she did. So exciting. It was awesome. And they uh
and that clinched the title for us. Something that we will probably never forget, right, girls? Uh it was that their reaction after was unforgettable as well. Um they are tremendous group. Then we went on that day. They ran 403.
Then we went to the meet of champions 4 days later and they ran 357.07, the first team in school history to break four minutes. Uh set a new school record and um we're hoping to do that again at the nationals in on Father's
Day on June 21st where they're going to they've been accepted to the 4x4 there. So trying to run a little faster if we can and uh proud of these girls that they want to do that. That's not coming from me, that's coming from them. They want to stick around and keep working
and I love that. Um, tremendous year in the 4x4 for these guys. Outstanding. And just stay forward. Uh, we'll talk about Cada a little bit here. Cadia also 4x1 4x4. She's also a strong hurdler in the 100 hurdles and the uh 400 hurdles. So
proud of her stepping into that event this year. Great senior leader. Um really going to miss her. She's just she truly is a cheerleader in the fall, but she really is our cheerleader um on our team and has been for four years. I can
picture her as a freshman out there hurdling in practice, cheering for every run running by in practice. She's a special kid and we're going to really miss her next year, but looking forward to what she's going to do tomorrow racing and on June 21st. Thank you,
Cada, for everything. Moving over to Rose Surgeon. Rose is over here in the light blue shirt. Rose has had a tremendous year. She's moved into the 400 hurdles. She She can do anything. Rose, she'll run the 800 if we need it, the 400 hurdles, the 200's gotten
better. Her 400, she's had tremendous leadoffs on our 4x4, tremendous anchors on our 4x1. What a year this girl has had. Um sky's the limit for her as well. Love this girl. She's a great teammate. Will
do anything. Um, and never never ever complains. None of them really do. It's amazing. Um, Rose, great season. You should be real proud of what you've done. Great job. I'll talk quickly about Charlotte. Charlotte's first year, as I mentioned before, and what an impact she has made. Can't wait to see what she
does in the future because, um, what she's done so far in a few short months is pretty remarkable. She's on our 4x4 school record, 4x4, our 4x1. huge reason that we were able to win that group one title. Um,
yeah, lots of potential and exciting. Great kid. Thanks, Charlotte. Glad you're here. And we'll finish up. Have I talked about everybody except for McKenna individually? Is there anyone I haven't talked about? I don't want to leave anybody out. Okay, so McKenna, step forward a little more. You deserve
it. Uh, McKenna Bruns is the sectional champion in the 100, 200, 400, 4x4. She's the state group one champion in the 200, and the 4x4. She's the school record holder in the 100, 200, 400, 4x4.
Um, what else? It's just been amazing. She is, and she's a junior, so we have her back. She is, um, talented, beyond talented. She's an unbelievable worker. She's the biggest supporter of her
teammates. Um she's kind of happy golucky and um but a fierce competitor. Uh we have seen her do things in that 4x4 that are remarkable. Um she's running tomorrow night in the CBA meet in the 400 trying to get her uh 400
under 57. She's run 5701 this year. Um and and then she'll run at the nationals in the 4x4 as well on June 21st. Um a tremendous season for this tremendous girl and can't wait for more.
Uh great job McKenna. So proud of our team. Thank you for having us. I know I went a little long. Um but they've done a lot and they're a special group. Absolutely. >> So thank you guys. Thanks for having us. Great job, girls. >> ABSOLUTELY.
One of the beauties of a small school is the fact that as you look at these athletes, you'll see a lot of them again in the fall. You have soccer players, field hockey players, cross country players, and even a basketball player. So, we have kids from all the different sports that are here. And again, you'll
see them in the fall. and in about a week they will be preparing for the fall season. At this point I'd like to bring up Coach Thomas and our state sectional boys tennis team. Okay, people are still here. I'd like to
congratulate all the different topics tonight that people achieve awards with students. the student advisory board MHSCL biiteracy and I know Kelly personally because I taught her in class. She's done a
tremendous job over the years wherever Kelly is now. I call her Kelly because I know her as Kelly. Uh and as well as Joe. Uh and Marty's involved with the boys track team has done a very good job as well. It's kind of neat tonight. Uh the boys tennis team has always done a
good job over the years and Mr. Glassber was a member of the tennis team. When did you graduate, Brian? >> 91. >> 91. So in 1990, was the last time he won the sectional tournament and he was part of that. So the boys won that this year. Uh it's tough because you get some of
those Edison magnet schools and they have all the some top athletes, especially tennis players, and uh we actually beat them this year and that was a real nice win for us. Uh I'll run down the line real quick. Jonathan Chen is our number one player. Uh he has
another commitment at the church tonight. I think in uh singing or some sort of orchestra I think. Uh he was really upset and I said, "John, you were committed there first. It's okay." Uh but he did a great job with number one. And our number two guy, Shawn, just step
forward. Sean, uh freshman, uh he clenched a victory at the Central Jersey Group One against Edison Academy. And it was kind of a neat match for him. It's definitely his best match this year. Uh he was down, started out great. We got
way down and he came roaring back and I really didn't say anything to him. All he did is took it upon himself to gut it out. Played a really good match against the kid. Be be honest with you when we started. I said, "This kid has beaten our number two last year. Killed him."
So I said, "Sean's going to have a tough time." But I didn't tell him that. So uh Sean did a great job. So Sean really helped us seal that victory. Uh third Slafik come on up number three. Played a great season all year. A lot of tiebreakers won most of them. Lost a couple but won most of them. Did a great
job. Uh I didn't realize how many things he's involved with until I was reading a resume about him today for a recommendation. Robotics and all these different thousands of things he's involved with, but he had a really good season for us. He helped solidify the singles. Thank you, Slaf. Uh Patrick and
Jeremy step up. definitely the most vocal uh group that I had in doubles. Uh I could hear them from probably the high school if they're down to the courts. Uh very emotional uh doubles team, but they were great. Uh I think the only match they lost to was
in the GMC's uh the East Brunswick. South Brunswick, I think it was. Uh was it East or South? >> East. >> East. Okay. Uh, but they had a great season and Patrick is loud, crazy with everything, but he does bring a lot to the team and I really appreciate his uh,
craziness and I have to keep him in check once in a while, but uh, I do appreciate that. He's always the first one ready to do something, have ideas to do something for the team. So, that was a lot of fun. You can step back, guys. And our second doubles, I'll say a combo or trio. Chambers, Eli, and Jaden. You
all three can step forward. uh Chambers, the big tall guy there, uh worked with both of these young men on either side of him and uh Eli as a freshman on the left, uh did a had a great season. He came in, worked his way up, probably about played about seven or eight
challenge matches every weekend. Everyone, oh, I can beat Eli. I can beat Eli. Well, not many people can beat Eli. Uh and he was tough, tough kid. And uh he didn't say much. He didn't have to say much. Just play the game. And uh Chambers worked with Eli. Also, Jaden. without Jaden and Madden who's not here
tonight. Uh we wouldn't have won the white division because one there was one match we lost a couple guys because another commitment and these guys stepped up and uh Jaden I appreciate everything you've done for us to help the team solidify the white and then
going into the state championship. So we had a real good season. Uh the last time we won it, I was 34 years old, had hair, a little better looking, but uh things changed over time. Uh, and it was nice to get a Central Jersey. That's been a long time in that in boys
tennis. So, I'm glad we got that back. So, thank you guys. And, uh, they're already playing tournaments this weekend, I think, somewhere. I heard about they were talking about it. So, that's how we're going to get better. I like to thank uh, Coach Nick Zenetto. He's at a pool meeting tonight, although he'd be here. And, uh, he's helping us a
little more with the physical part of it because he's a real good athlete himself. So, I wanted him to take the lead on that and help the boys with some offseason training. So, uh, Mrs. Zen will be very good at that. And, uh, again, thanks for everything tonight, guys. And, uh,
I know you, too, from class. So, still there, still guys here. So, it's good to see. Uh, I'm hanging in there. All right. Thank you, man. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Great job, Y'ALL. UH, congratulations also to coach Thomas
who was our coach of the year this year in the white division. >> Coach also brings up a great point in how many of our kids are involved in just about everything in the school from band to chorus to the national honor societies. It's just a a great group of
kids and a very intelligent group of kids that do it not only on the field or in the pool or on a court, but in the classroom, too. Uh I'm going to ask Coach Demglo to come up with some of his boys to finish off our uh uh program
tonight. So, Coach and the rest of you guys I got assistant. >> Yes, this is my assistant. >> You have a junior coach. >> But sorry, Mr. Harvey. He's not going to be coming here.
>> He always asks me what future football player here. >> Oh dear. >> So, this is the Central Jersey Group One 4x4 champions. And uh this is we'll go in relay order.
Isan Ul, Peter Zap, Tyler Nicholson, and Zahar Karpuk. Hold on. Um, I also want to congratulate Tyler who was the sectional champion in
the high jump as well, jumping six feet. Um, so these these four, and I'm going to also include Alan Zang, who is an alternate and stepped in in a few times on this relay when needed. um at the at the sectionals last year
they didn't like like the feeling of where they were at. So over the summer this group put in a lot of work and didn't necessarily see it right away in the winter to start. Um, so their first
4x4 they went 347 and when they won the sectional a few weeks ago they went 32803. >> So >> really a big jump in uh time knocked
off. So that's really just the amount of work that these kids have put in. And another nice thing about that is that is a junior, sophomore, junior, and junior. So, we'll get them all again next year, and we'll try and get a uh team championship with the girls as well. So,
>> thank you. >> Wonderful. >> Again, thank you for your support all year long. It's we couldn't do this obviously without the support of the board and the facilities that you have given us. Uh can't thank you enough and I know our our athletes appreciate it.
So thank you and we'll see you in a couple of months. >> All right. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you to all our athletes. Dr. Caputo, I am struck by the fact that so many of our athletes are involved in so many things as Mr. Cathkart kept mentioning. They're across the board.
They're intelligent. They're hardwork. I mean, we're truly blessed to have all of you here with us in the district. So, thank you. And of course, at this time, I'm sure you all have to go get your rest so you can get better for the next season. So, we are officially open to the public for
public comment, but we are allowing folks to leave at this time unless one of the students wants to comment. Giving the people a moment. >> Give a moment. >> Brian, in that sectional championship,
were you >> playing or were you like the water boy? What was I? >> Sorry. Were you talking to us? What? >> What? >> I was >> Yeah. >> Second team all state. >> Brian. >> Wow. >> Doubles. >> First doubles. Second team all state. >> Congratulations.
>> Thank you. >> Very impressive. I guess that was one way to pass the time while the public left. >> I think the public wanted to know after coach Thomas made a comment. >> He made the comment that he was responsible for them winning. So >> I think people wanted the details,
transparency. That's what this board is all about. >> Fair enough. Fair enough. Thank you, Mr. St and Mr. Glber, for the 30 year ago championship. >> All right. Uh Dr. Kudo, I've been informed we have no presentations tonight. >> No presentations tonight. >> All right. Fantabulous. And now we're on
to reports. I do not have a report tonight. Do you have anything you'd like to share? >> No report for me. >> Fantastic. Now we're turning down the table to Mr. Bot for an equity committee report. >> Sure. Uh I think the equity committee
met uh and had an excellent uh meeting with our uh district committee uh and really focused on celebrating the great work which you heard a little bit about today and have heard re-emphasized which is amazing as a common thread throughout the year with respect to food insecurity
and food equity. Um and I think we are excited for the new round of district goals where we will work with the administration to talk about priorities for the upcoming year. This was really a meeting about honoring and celebrating the great work the district has done. >> Wonderful.
>> Thank you so much, Mr. Bot. Ms. Cheetum, policy committee report. >> Just a moment. >> No worries. I know you were like, he was really quick. You didn't think he was going to go so fast. >> It's loading.
>> All right. No worries. We can go with finance if you want. >> Please do. >> You're going to go all out of order. What are you doing? >> Okay, I'm ready now. Just kidding. >> Here to help. >> Go ahead, Mina. >> Sure. So, um, this will be just a little lengthy, but I'll try and keep it short.
Um, we met on June 2nd and we covered a lot. Mhm. >> Um, so we had a collaboration meeting with the policy district committee with Miss Pedes and Miss Curtain. So again, we had everyone from the um
policy meeting or committee together. So a few of the topics that we discussed um for the collaborative committee we really had a review of how that committee came to be understood their purpose is to collaborate with the district on alerts and how to implement the policy changes using input of course
from internal educational experts and stakeholders. Um we talked about recommendations and how they're organized and evaluated. We went through the policy alerts and progress on how changes are tracked and then additionally the team let us know that they are encouraging individuals who are
seeking administrator certification to join the policy committee and that's really valuable. For example, Miss Curtain who is the supervisor of school counseling is a stakeholder on applicable matters. So it's nice to have that internal support within the district to help us to implement these
policies. And then going on to the next topic is a discussion on the group of Strauss Esme alerts um which is cons or number 237. So that was a rather large alert that came out um that includes 21 policies
and and regulations and you know just reviewing that is a timely process that involves stakeholder input, committee review, legal review and a lot more. So a few of the um policies that we reviewed were P1230 which was a review of the superintendent's duties. We
agreed to adopt the stay updated 2026 policy um and existing superintendent duties that we had on file were customized and you know differed from the NJSBA. So we agreed that it was time to follow the Strauss Esme alert just so that we're up to date. We're
additionally we're going to update the current district policy um and then add that to the job description in our manual. So more information to come there. And then there was policy 5460 which covered the high school graduation. And then we looked at that
recommendations were provided by district leaders regarding minimum graduation standards and credit hours needed by subject area. And so those were accepted um and the policy that will be read at the board of ed meeting tonight. So we'll be able to get that done. And then there was also policy
1643 which is definitely a complicated matter around family leave. It connects the NJFLA with federal FMLA. So the district engaged many experts in that discussion and of course there are more there's more work to occur around communications but ultimately the
recommendation is to go with the two Strauss SMA recommendations outlining general eligibility and eligibility measurement periods. Almost done. tumor policies. Um, policy 5561 was the use of physical restraint and seclusion techniques for students
with disabilities. The recommendation there is to go with again with the Strauss Esme option that outlines the use of physical restraint and seclusion. However, I did just want to note that the district does follow a strict formal training program regarding the use of restraints and seclusion and that
training covers many areas. Additional policy is 5461 and that's around high school diplomas. That's actually a new policy that separates diplomas from the graduation policy which we talked about a little bit earlier in 5460. And the idea there is that each policy can stand on their own
and again we recommend accepting the strame policy as is. Um so again there are still many more policies involved in alert 237. So you can expect future updates as we continue to work through that. Um, our next meeting is July 14th and it will be a virtual meeting.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Miss Jetum. Uh, well done on your first report, >> Mr. Deringer. Curriculum, please. >> So, curriculum has not met. Our next meeting is July 14th. >> Thank you, Mr. Glas. Construction
>> construction met on June 1st. Uh, we discussed well, first of all, we started with a tour of Mos School. So, we met over at Mos School. We got our first tour of the new building there. It was uh very exciting to see the progress. Um there was in the then in our meeting we
discussed some things that had happened recently. There was some water intrusion into the uh through a door in the old portion of the building that came off of the playground. Um and there's a remediation plan in place there including uh drainage that had not yet
been been put into the field. Um the positive from that turned out to be that there is a uh classroom, a kindergarten class that it's a kindergarten class, right? >> It's a preschool class. >> Preschool class that is now going to be
the first class to make use of the new mos school structure ahead of September. So, this might be a trivia question in 50 years on Matuchin then and now on Facebook or something, but the first class to use the new uh building for
actual classroom usage will be this preschool class from 2026. Very exciting. Um, we discussed some change orders. There's some uh work that our own that we're going to hire people to do outside of the construction. and then
we will get some credits uh for that instead just to speed things along with the finishing touches. Um we are delayed here in the cafeteria at Matuchen High School. It's been a a challenge honestly
getting them to finish off that portion of the project. Um there are a lot of punch list items taking place at all of the buildings. Um and then there's certain work that just has to wait at Moss until the students leave. Um there's a little bit of cement to be
poured on the interior courtyard for example and that's going to take place after the students students are gone. Um so we are at the point of the project that I think um you know we're hoping everybody leaves pretty soon and and we're and and we're done. I know uh Mr.
Harvier and Dr. Caputo I'm sure feel that way even if even if they won't say it out loud. Um it's just you know you get to that point in a project and we're at that point but we do know that Mos school will be uh fully opened in September. We
have this we have the certificate of occupancy so it is usable completely at this point but it's those finishing touches that get that get a bit frustrating. Um we are we also discussed planning for uh open houses at each of the buildings
which is something that we have been talking about for a while. So, we will be having uh an open house and tour at each of the buildings um in September and October. And the way that we plan for that to work is before the meeting,
a couple of hours before our regularly scheduled board meeting, there will be a tour of that building's new structures. Uh so, we will actually have our open to the public board meeting at each of the different buildings. There will be a meeting at Campbell, for example, in
that cafeteria there. You'll be able to see that space uh toward the new structures. Same at Edgar, same at Moss, and same here at the high school. So that anybody from the public, whether you have children or don't have children in the district, you'll be able to come
out and see that new space. We'll also have some digital versions of that as well. if you're not able to come out. Um, but we do know that there are people who would like to step foot in these spaces that they help support and we do again really appreciate the support uh
that the community has had for this project and the patients. So, you'll hear more about that soon. Actually, there's some information on social media already, but as we get closer, there will be a lot of reminders about that. We are going to have a special uh
committee meeting on June 15th uh next Monday um with our architecture firm and our construction management firm to try to uh shore up some of these finishing touches and kind of uh get us across the finishing line. So that's on June 15th
and that's all that I have for you. Thank you. >> Thanks so much Mr. Glber. Almost there. Can see that finish line. Miss Galen, extracurricular, please. >> Thank you. Extracurricular uh met on June 1st. Um we had an update from the
sustainability committee um from the district. They highlighted the work that the committee has done for the year. You've heard a lot about it, but um just worth repeating. Um they talked about how they secured the trees for schools grant and partnered with the touch and shade tree commission to plant trees on school campuses. They talked about the
implementation of the cafeteria food recovery program in in partnership with the FPC food pantry and share my meals. Um all schools are currently slated to reertify bronze certification and the high school is slated to receive silver this year which is really exciting. Uh
they also got the green team collaboration award uh for their for their work with so many community or organizations. Uh, Miss Limmerch also highlighted the sustainability committee's work on the district energy action plan as well as ongoing integration of interdisciplinary units and projects that address climate change
and sustainability throughout the district. Um, also congratulations to our MHS students who placed second place in the New Jersey Environ which was um, pretty exciting for us this year. um and um they've done some sitebased
learning opportunities that have brought staff to visit the Barnes Preserve and the FPC food pantry. So um what we're seeing happening is community learning is being brought into the classrooms and that's really powerful. So uh thanks for all the efforts there. Uh and then we had a couple of um agenda items that you
see tonight on our board agenda. So you will see in personnel A1 volunteer clubs for approval and A6 through 8 um Edgar and Matuchen High School coaches for uh for our sport seasons. Uh so we discussed both of those things. Um the
healthy eating club, the Jewish student union club. Um and then the spring the spring champions we just saw tonight. We talked about them and then the coaching recommendations. That was the end of our meeting. Next meeting is July 13th, 900 p.m. Thanks. >> Thank you so much, Miss Khen. Lots of
good stuff coming out there. All right. Uh Mr. Sus, finance, please. >> Yes, finance met uh the same day on June 1st. Um we first the first part we had a session a collaborative session with the
the um the AI committee and uh it's the district is definitely ahead of its peers and really cutting edge. It was great to hear from them all. We talked about transportation. Um, you'll be hearing me talk about transportation pretty much every meeting. Uh, the administration recognizes how important
a topic this is. Mr. Harvey has said this is going to be a standing agenda item for at least the next few meetings. Um, the letter for uh, busing went out on May 30th. So hopefully people are responding back to that. And we talked a
little bit more about the EIP. Remember this is the uh energy conservation uh program that we approved last meeting. Just some of the cons conservation measures that we will be doing. The next meeting will be on July 13th uh after the construction meeting.
>> Thanks so much, Mr. Zus. Alrighty. Were there any questions or or clarifications on the committee reports? I feel like I was supposed to ask that. I usually ask that, right? Yes. Okay, good. It's late, y'all. You know how it is. Um All right. Next, I turned to M. Michael Zamort.
>> Hello. So, for starters, for Campbell is having their author's tea um on the 18th. Edgar is having their promotional ceremony on the 23rd and senior award night at the high school is on the 18th and all the schools will be closed for
Junth on the 19th. Wonderful. Thank you so much. And as a little thank you, I shall be making my way down there. I'll try not to trip over any of the cables. Have we have a little thank you gift for you for your service as our student board member
>> your last name? >> Tripping over MY SERVICE. >> I don't say it till I sit down. And while this doesn't have to be your last meeting, we wanted to make sure we got it to you in case you had intended for it to be because we only have one more within the school year, but we know
how it is with vacations and all that. We had to use our snow days. So, we wanted to make sure we got our thank you to you. >> Thank you so much. Oh, appreciate it. >> Of course. All right. At this time, we are at the old business section. Is there any old business? I'm supposed to
ask you all that. Yes. Any old business? Nope. Nope. Nope. Thinking no. All right. Any new business? Fantastic. All right. Now, I'd like to move to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2026 special business meetings 1 and two and the board meeting. Is there a
second? Mr. Derlinger, are there any questions or comments? Roll call, please. Mrs. Ellavich, Dr. Asil, >> yes. >> Mr. Bot, >> yes. >> Miss Cheetum, >> abstain. >> Thank you. Mr. Derlinger, >> abstain.
>> Thank you. Mr. Glber, >> yes. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. >> Miss Colleen, >> yes. >> Mr. Sus, >> yes. >> Miss Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Thank you so much. At
this time, the meeting is open to the public, but it is also 9:20, so I'm imagining no one's coming. Mr. St., you good? >> Yeah, I'm good. >> All right. Bless you. All right. So, I'll turn to the recommendation of the superintendent in schools. Oftentimes it may appear to members of our audience
that the board of education takes action with very little comment and in many cases a unanimous vote. But before a matter is placed on the agenda at a public meeting, the administration has thoroughly reviewed the matter with the superintendent of schools. If the superintendent is satisfied that the matter is ready to be presented to the board of education, it is then referred to the appropriate board committee. The
members of the board committee work with the administration and the superintendent to asssure the members fully understand the matter. When the committee is satisfied with the matter, it is presented to the board of education for discussion before any final action is taken. Only then is it placed on the agenda for action at a
public meeting. At this time, I'd like to move personnel items A1 through A12. Is there a second? Mr. Glber, are there any questions or comments on the personnel items? Seeing none, roll call, please. Dr.
Eile, >> yes. >> Mr. Pot, >> yes. Miss Cheetum, >> yes. >> Mr. Derlinger, >> yes. >> Mr. Glasper, >> yes. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. >> Miss Colleen, >> yes. >> Mr. Sass,
>> uh, abstain on A3 and yes on all the others. >> All right. Thank you. Miss Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Great. Thank you. Um, Mr. Ces, would you like to move your finance items? >> Yes. I'd like to move items B1 through
B18 as listed on the agenda. Thank you so much. Is there a second, Miss Jetum? Any questions or comments on the finance items? Seeing none, roll call, please. Mrs. Elioich. Dr. Asu, >> yes.
>> Mr. Bod, >> yes. >> Miss Cheetah, >> yes. >> Mr. Derlinger, >> yes. >> Mr. Glber, >> yes. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus, >> yes. >> Miss Colleen, >> yes. >> Mr. Sus, >> yes. >> Miss Zimmerman,
>> yes. Motion carries. Thank you so much, Mrs. Cheetum. >> I'd like to move items C1 through C3. Thank you so much. Is there a second on these policy items? Don't everyone raise your hand at once,
Mr. Sus. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, roll call, please. Dr. Esel, >> yes. >> Mr. Bot, >> yes. >> Miss Cheetum, >> yes. >> Mr. Derlinger, >> yes. >> Mr. Glasper. >> Yes. >> Dr. Johnson Marcus. >> Yes.
>> Miss Colleen, >> yes. >> Mr. Sus, >> yes. >> Miss Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Derlinger. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move items D1 through three as listed on the agenda, please. >> Fantastic. Thank you. Is there a second?
Mr. Bot, are there any questions or comments on the curriculum items? Seeing none, roll call, please. Mrs. Alvich. >> Dr. Asel. >> Yes. Mr. Bot, >> yes. >> Miss Cheetah, >> yes. >> Mr. Derlinger, >> yes. >> Mr. Glber, >> yes. >> Dr. Johnson Market,
>> yes. >> Miss Colleen, >> yes. >> Mr. Sus, >> yes. >> Miss Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Fantastic. Thank you. We are open to the public. It's been three minutes. No one has showed up, so I'm going to close the section. Miss Zimmerman, announcements.
>> Home stretch of the school year and home stretch of the meeting. Um, so at Moss, the PTC's, by the way, have all concluded their meetings for the year. So, just a couple of quick things tonight. Um, at Moss for RI parents of rising first and second graders, there's
a parent night at Moss School this Thursday, June 11th at 6 p.m. So, you can, um, visit the school. Miss Esperolas will do some tours, I believe, and and tell you more about the new Moss for next year. Campbell um for the second year in a row is teaming up with
the first Presbyterian food pantry. Um you may recall last year the Campbell students collected a thousand boxes of cereal and they did the dominoes in the hallway which is so cool. This year they're doing the pasta pyramid challenge and they're collecting their
goal is to collect 1,500 boxes of pasta and they're going to make a giant pyramid. >> So send in your pasta boxes, see what we can do this year. Um, Edgar, eighth grade promotion is June 23rd. Uh, high school graduation is June 24th. Um, we
had a flag for Junth, which is coming up. Schools are closed on Friday, June 19th. And we have early dismissal June 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. Last day of school is the 24th. And the next board meeting is the 23rd. And that's it.
>> Wonderful. Thank you so much, Miss Zimmerman. I'd like to move to adjourn the meeting. Is there a second? Miss Cheetum. All in favor? Good night everyone.