Okay, the 605 we will call the meeting to order. We'll start with our >> flag of America and to the republic for it stands nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> can you please take the role
>> here here. >> Mrs. Bich >> here, >> Mr. K. >> President, >> Miss Decker, >> present, >> Mr. Nicolai >> here, >> Mrs. >> Here, >> Mrs. Ronald here, Mr. Gordon >> here.
>> Thank you. >> I would like to introduce our Spanish interpreter, Mrs. Susette Marie Carter. The New Jersey open public public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business
affecting their interest is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the act, the board secretary has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted on the bulletin board located in the hallway outside of the administrative offices. and notice was provided to the
Courier News, the Home News Tribune, and the Middle Sex Burl Clerk. Okay, we'll move on to our presentations. Our first presentation is our district student of the month, Nora Luciano. Will you please come to
the podium? Get ready, ladies and gentlemen. I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Nora Luciano and let me tell you, Nora is a star. Nora is a third grader, excuse me, a third grade student
at Hazelwood School and proudly serves as a peer leader, which means she helps guide, support, and model positive behavior for younger students. According to Nora, peer leadership is definitely needed, especially because she has a brother
named Joey, and he's in kindergarten, and she knows firsthand that kindergarteners sometimes need help learning how, in her words, not be so crazy in class. She described being a peer peer leader
as fun and shared how happy her parents are that she take that she has taken on this role. When asked about her favorite subject, Nora was torn but ultimately shared her her excuse me shared her love for reading and writing. Outside the
classroom, her passion is clear. It's dance. and she proudly wore her rising star studio dance sweatshirt to to our impromptu meeting. Her favorite food, hands down, Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Although she has years to think about it, when asked about her future career path, Nora enthusiastically shared that she'd like to be a dance teacher, a math teacher, or a nail stylist. Nora also had a few things to share on behalf of
students across the district. She liked to advocate for a shorter school day. In her spare time, she also creates gr videos. That's get ready with me for those of us not fluent in Tik Tok.
And as if that wasn't enough, Nora even taught me a dance step and promised that we'd do a Tik Tok together. So Nora, I'm ready when you are. Nora has been described by staff as very helpful and a great listener. Nora, you
lead with kindness, confidence, and joy. And you remind us of the incredible students we are proud to celebrate across this district. Congratulations to you and your families. ALWAYS the best part.
Okay, now we will move on to our district employees of the month. Mrs. Collins and Miss Singleton, will you please come to the podium tonight? We recognize a dynamic duo who truly embody what it means to build a strong foundation from the ground up.
Mrs. Gina Collins and Miss May Mia Singleton are employees of the month. First, Mrs. Collins, excuse me, Mrs. Collins and Miss Singleton wear multiple hats and they wear them exceptionally well. As our preschool instructional coach and preschool intervention and
referral specialists, Mrs. Collins ensures that teaching and learning in our preschool classrooms are intentional, aligned, and responsive, always keeping the child at the center of the work. As our social worker and community and parent involvement specialist, Miss Singleton works with
purpose and heart to connect schools, home, and community. She ensures that families are supported, informed, and feel connected together. Over the past year, they have made instrumental, excuse me, have been instrumental in
ensuring we are building on a solid preschool foundation academically, socially, and emotionally. Their collaboration, consistency, and commitment have made a lasting impact on the preschool community. Congratulations to our employees of the month, Mrs. Gina
Collins and Miss Okay. And now we will move on to school school board recognition month. No, he did not. Whereas the new New Jersey School Boards Association has declared January 2026 to be school board recognition month, a
time when all residents can acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members. And whereas the Middle Sex Burough Board of Education is one of 581 local school boards in New Jersey which which sets policies and oversees operations for public school
districts. And whereas the Middle Sex Bureau Board of Education embraces the goal of highquality education for all New Jersey public school students. And whereas New Jerseys local school boards help determine the educational goals for approximately 1.4 million children in
pre kindergarten through 12th grade. And whereas New Jersey's 5,000 local schoolboard members who receive no renumeration for their services act as advocates for public school students as they work with administrators, teachers, and parents for the betterment of public public education. And whereas school
boards strive to provide the resources necessary to meet the needs of all students, including those with special needs. And whereas boards of education provide accountability to the public, they communicate the needs of the school district to the public and they convey to school administrators the public's
expectations for the schools and advanced placement offerings and SAT assessments. Now there and whereas New Jersey can take pride in its schools which rank among the nation's best in key achievement indicators such as the national
assessment of educational progress scores and the preparation for college. Now for there be it resolved that the Middle Sex Burough Board of Education does hereby recognize the services of local school board members throughout New Jersey as we join community
statewide in observing January 2026 as schoolboard recognition month. And be it further resolved that the Middle Sex Burough Board of Education urges all New Jersey citizens to work with their local boards of education and public school staffs toward the advancement of our children's education.
That was a lot. Okay, we are not going into executive session yet. So, we'll move on to our announcements. Um, I just my report this month. I just wanted to again welcome the new board members and um I hope that we can work together to move these
schools forward, move the district forward. And then I also wanted to point out that the high school earned um the bronze recognition got you again on the 2025 AP school honor role for expanding access to advanced placement courses and that's the first time our school has
received recognition of that. So that's a great and now our superintendent of schools Dr. Robera Freeman. And that was my report about us going bronze. So that's all I have for this evening. Thank you.
>> Sorry I stole your >> Now our business administrator board secretary, Miss Anette. >> Good evening. If the only thing big that I have to report really is that budget prep for next year has begun in the business office. Uh next week we have
meetings with administrators, directors, and supervisors to go over their budgets for next year. State aid will come out at the end of February. So we're looking forward to those numbers and then the budget will be due to the county in March and then a final in April. That's
all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you. Now we will move on to our leazison reports. We will start with our Middle Sex Public Library Board of Education representative, Miss Aaron Gomez. >> Good evening everyone. Um, just to report real quick that this past year we
received uh a lift grant which is literacy initiative for families and thriving communities. So I have a meeting with our library director and children's services librarian next week. This grant will help with literary literacy services for families with
children ages birth to three years old. So before they enter uh our school system. So, we're really looking forward to partnering with the library and working on that this year. >> Thank you. And now our New Jersey school board's county delegate and our legislative officer, Mrs. Sharon
Schuler. So, the um the next delegate assembly will be in on May 16th. Um the resolution subcommittee meeting that I am part of also is April 14th. So hopefully by our April meeting,
I'll have an idea of what resolutions will be coming up for the delegate assembly to uh review. Um as a VP at in the Middle Sex County, I'm going to be attending a special um meeting on
February 7th at the Eagleton Institute at Ruckers um as the school boards is looking to um roll out a civility initiative. So, I'll have more on that next month. And then the legislative
committee, the next meeting is um March 14th. There was a legislative update webinar on yesterday. Um I was not able to do that as I was doing another class. Um however, the webinar should be online
um soon. It should be I think you have to log in and then you'll be able to see it to the schoolboard site. But I also believe that Tom attended it, so he may have more information. That's all I have. >> Thank you. And now our Middle Sex County
SBA delegate and our burough alliance lean, Mr. Tom Thornton. >> Good evening everyone. Um, we did have a monthly JSBA meeting. However, I did attend the
webinar yesterday and not the alliance. They're working on wart grants for the second for the second half of the year for those. Um just waiting for getting approval. Uh apparently it's done every six months.
Um and their next meeting is the do from the webinar yesterday. We all know they talked about the internet enabled devices. uh they talked to that. It's really nice
if you guys can all go on the site because they actually changed it on the the webinar. You can actually see the status of each one if they have it set up as introduced first committee, second committee, uh for vote and governor. You
can actually track each one. Um another one they were talking about the charter school reform. They mentioned that that was signed by Governor Murphy. Um they also have something which was
also signed by Governor Murphy. Um elicit opioid supply substances awareness act. I'm old school. I just say the word instead of letters.
Uh another thing they also covered was something with the mental health referrals. and score fact sheet every year and they're coming out with
um going to establish a special education transportation task force that was also signed by governor say um yeah that's about it so uh more to
Great. Thank you. >> One more thing. The Middle Sex, the next Middle Sex County meeting is actually virtual and it'll be on February 4th. And I believe that we do have um a couple state legislators that will be attending virtually.
>> This February 4th. >> Yes, February 4th. >> Thank you. And now our student representative Kevin Rand. Everybody, >> happy new year. >> So, unfortunately, no slideshow today,
so I'll do my best reading it. Um, if you really want, I can come around and show the picture. >> Send it to us. >> Yeah. Yes. Yeah, for us. >> Let's do good ones. He makes good slides. >> Okay, so the past three weeks, our high school
has been pretty active. We had, first of all, our fashion club was very active. They had their field trip to the American Dream Mall, and there's a bunch of funny pictures I wish I could show you, but we'll have to wait for next time. Uh, they also they do this annual event. It's like a thrift shop in the
cafeteria where they sell donated items, clothing items for a dollar, which is really cool. And they they're running that today and yesterday. And then also as soon as we got back too, so it was twice in a short span of time. Then our sports our sports teams. So our
basketball, let me pull up the record for basketball for boys. I'm pretty sure they were 10 and five. So they're doing all right. Yeah, 10 and five. Our girls team is eight and six. Our wrestling team, their record is six and four. And our bowling team is on fire. They are 13 and0. And
one of our students, Jimmy Th had a perfect game, so he got an award for that recently. Yeah, >> our our student council has also been pretty open or active. They had a uh fundraiser at Applebee's. uh such as
like the same what they how they had it with Chipotle and Panera recently and they're also planning our pep rally at spirit week that's coming up I think two weeks from now so that should be fun to watch then this this month's school focus was
watch um so I interviewed Miss Dudley down at watch and she told me about the first thing was this program they implemented called character strong it's a social emotional skills and character development program. So, it's it was helping students with kindness, self-control, and responsibility. And
they do short weekly sessions. Um the goal is to support positive behavior and kindness to each other to to other students. She also told me about the great ch kindness challenge they did, which was it was like a spirit week. It was a week-long initiative. So, week one was
wild about kindness. They wore camo. We uh sorry, Monday was wild about kindness. Tuesday was dreaming about kindness, so they wore pajamas and sleepwear. Wednesday was teaming up for kindness, so they wore jerseys. Thursday was workout problems with kindness, so
they wore workout clothes. And Friday was whales United, so they wore blue white attire. Uh and speaking of whe uh one of the members, I think it was Mr. Zalinsky, they he built a new mascot
for their school. They had the like their mascot. It was it's whi and it was really worn down. And so what I was told was that he volunteered to just make a new one and they got it painted and now they have a really nice logo at the front of the school. And right next to that in coalition with the great
kindness challenge, they all all the students wrote messages on the wall about like kindness and whatnot. Uh so that was really cool. Um then lastly, they've had three celebrations for the for first, second, and third grade. Uh let's see. First grade, they had their
fall fireman safety celebration show. So firemen came in and they uh I guess had a like a party. Second grade had holidays and cultures around the world. So it was like our version of or their version of diversity day. students
brought in different types of food and whatnot from their cultures, either like their actual culture or one that they picked to represent. And the third graders had their police officers or they had their their veteran veterans
celebration in November and the police or second graders are going to have the police officer celebration in the spring. Okay. And then lastly, what's to come? Let's see. In our school, we're having Breaking Down the walls is coming up. Um, that's
a program where students uh sign up to participate throughout the day in a program where essentially we're learning more about each other that you wouldn't learn in a normal school day. Um, and uh to achieve the goal of breaking down the walls
between students. Um, obviously college acceptances. We're going to have our commitments page on Instagram fire up pretty soon. Early decision and early action uh decisions just came out. Uh spring sports are coming out are coming are happening soon. We had our meeting
yesterday and the winter listening room is happening in I think two weeks, three weeks. Um we picked our hallway decorating theme. It's going to be Disney this year. So all I know is seniors are Rio. That's
all I remember. Um, and on behalf of the student body, we're really hoping we have snow day on Monday. >> Thank you very much, guys. >> Shameless plug. >> Okay, thank you. We will move on to our meeting minutes.
So they are minutes from last month and our reorg the beginning of this month and they are listed there. So superintendent recommends approval of action item 5.01 as presented. So second
any questions or comments? Annette, can you please take the role? >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Schuler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. cues from 1217. Yes,
>> Mr. >> M. Decker. Yes, >> Mr. Nicol. >> Yes, >> Mr. Quinn. >> Mrs. Reynolds. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thornton? >> Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. We will now open the public comment portion of the meeting. Comments at this time are limited to agenda items only. Please come to the podium and put your name, address, email address, and subject of your comment into the record book. Before speaking, please give your name, address, and subject of your comment to Miss Annette
Gordano, business administrator, board secretary. Direct your comments and questions to the board president. You may speak on two separate topics for up to three minutes each. Melissa Zyax, 6 Princeton Drive, Middle Sex, New Jersey. Um
my question is actually about the agenda that was just approved. Um thank you for having this on the Thursday. Um on the December 17th regular public meeting agenda that you just approved. There was
a staff transfer from principal on special assignment to principal of early childhood preschool programming. Uh my question is on what agenda and I know I haven't been here was the position principal of early childhood preschool
programming created. I that I will have to get back to. Okay. Because I went back through 2024 and I didn't see the position created and I haven't seen it posted anywhere. So, I'm just wondering
how it transfer someone to a position that doesn't exist. >> Um, it's it's a principal position and it's a personnel matter, but I can look into that. >> I'm Yeah, I'm asking about the position itself. >> Yeah. Yes, I get that. Yeah. Yeah.
>> Not like so. >> Okay. So, just to recap, I mean a year and a half ago, we created a position and that position
the principal and special assignment was created. Will that position be posted? >> That has not been determined yet. >> Okay. So, um, on the bill's list, there's also a
lot of legal fees, though I just am kind of trying to figure out a year and a half ago, a position was created. It was necessary. Uh, people were moved. Sure, there was legal counsel consulted. We paid for a
year of fighting that um as taxpayers, as the board for legal fees for then a position to be offered at a public hearing on a Monday that doesn't exist
and was not board approved because looking at those minutes and watching the previous meeting, it was discussed in executive session on Wednesday, but offered on Monday under oath.
So again, I'm going back to last September when I asked the question, what would happen if the board did not approve the payment for the people who had already come in? And our lawyer said, well,
we'd be in legal trouble. They would sue us. So again, it was kind of like a strong arm. The board didn't necessarily have a choice. They could say people would have voted, whatever. But procedurally, it was not done right. And yet again,
now this position that you know costs $200,000 at least with benefits is again not procedurally being done right. And like bravo to the legal team because I mean you're cashing in. I get it. But
as taxpayers, you know, in 3 months, Mr. Jordano said, we're going to be sitting up here and you're going to be saying we're taking the 2% that we're legally allowed to take for the kids and not to worry about dollars and cents. And yet
all of this money was wasted on this. So just please consider that when you're talking about budgets, when you're voting on things, and consider how it looks. Doesn't look Thank you.
Thank you. Okay. No one else. Then we will close the public comment portion of the meeting. 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.
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 that 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. Okay, we'll move on to our personnel report by our committee chair, Mr. Todd Nicol. >> Thank you, Danielle. Superintendent recommends approval of personnel action items 9.1 through 9.13
as presented. So move. >> Second. Okay. Does anybody have any questions or comments on personnel items? We did discuss last night, but if you have other questions, please.
Okay. Annette, can you please take the role? >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. >> Mr. Miss Decker from
>> Mr. Nichol. >> Yes. >> Mr. Quinn. >> Mrs. Reynolds. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thornton. >> Yes. Okay, we'll move on to our education report by our committee chair, Mrs. Patricia Reynolds.
>> Hello. Uh, superintendent recommends action items 11.01 through 11.16. So move. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments on education action items?
Okay. Annette, can you please take the role? >> Mrs. Paren. >> Um, I recuse myself on 11.13. Yes to the rest. >> Mrs. Schuler, I recuse for myself on
11.13 and yes to the rest. >> I'm sorry. I don't know if I made that clear. I was recusing just for myself on 1113. >> Okay. >> And then yes to the rest. I I think I said that clearly. Mrs. B. >> Yes, >> Mr. K.
>> Miss Decker. >> Mr. Nicolai. >> Yes, >> Mr. Quinn. >> Abstain. >> Mrs. Reynolds. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thornton. >> Yes. >> Thank you. We'll move on to our policy
action items. Superintendent recommends the approval of policy action items 12.01 to 12.03 as presented. So moved. >> Second. Any questions or comments on policy action items?
>> Are we allowed to make comments now? >> Yes. >> So for number 144 board member orientation and training, >> can we just give an a quick understanding of why that's being changed again? Um, yes, because the way that it's currently written, uh, we don't feel
that we feel that this makes more sense because before board members are sworn in, there's certain information that cannot be shared with them. So, we feel that it's better to do it after they're sworn in, but before the first meeting where they would have to vote at so that we can share all the pertinent information. Do
>> we know how long this um existed before this notice change? >> Yes, it's listed on the fair. Um, let me look. It was reviewed on the 22nd of November in 2021.
>> Four years ago. So, this has been continued on. I guess since it hasn't been followed for four years since we weren't established as well, so that's what led to the change to this, I'm assuming. >> Um, I don't know that it wasn't followed for four years. I know that it wasn't last year. We we found out yesterday.
Um, but again, it was brought to our attention. Um, we feel that it obviously needed to be changed and we feel that this makes more sense. >> I mean, personally, I feel it would have been better to have a invite beforehand. It would have caught up. We could have left all the insensitive stuff out of it. Um, I don't think this is good. I
think this is very bad for us um to do. It's again, it's a bad perception. It's just orientation and training. How are we supposed to get orientation training when nothing's even happened yet? So, I don't think this sets good precedent for training new board members. That's it.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Okay, Annette, can you please take the role? >> Mrs. Cory, >> yes. >> Mrs. Scheler, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vich, >> yes. >> Mr. K, >> no.
>> Miss Decker, >> no. >> Mr. Nicole, >> yes. >> Mr. Quinn, >> no. >> Mrs. Reynolds. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thornton. >> No. >> Thank you. We move on to our facility and finance report by our committee
chair, Mrs. Amanda Bay. >> Superintendent recommends approval of facilities and finance action items 14.01 through 14.09. Soul move. Second. >> Any questions or comments on finance and
facilities items? >> Yes. Um last night at the account meeting I had asked if they were available to the public in the form of attachments. Did we ever come to an answer on that? >> They are um
for the public. Yes. I look >> so so the attachments were there at the time of the cow meeting. >> I I don't know. I can't confirm that. >> I was logged in so I couldn't see >> when the time of the cow meeting it wasn't. And we don't understand why it
wasn't there because we could see them on our screens. It was probably an update from board docs. It happens. But immediately following the meeting. We linked in the links. So if you go there now, there's links and there's also attachments.
>> Yes. At 7:35 last night, I printed out the uh the agenda with no attachments and by 8:30 they've been added back in. >> They weren't added back in. I I want to be clear that it was board docs. They
were there. We could see it on our computers. They were they were here for the public. They were under the public section >> in in the um process of not wanting to violate our um
ethics codes as far as the public trust. I think we need to table 1401 to 1404 until the next meeting when they can fully review with 48 hours notice. >> Is that right? The 24 hours? >> Uh, no. >> So, the public doesn't have to have 24
hours to review this bill with >> Actually, the answer is no. um the there there is no um timing requirement or does it if I can just give I'm only answering as to the the very specific legal
uh requirements. The actually the only thing that the board has to post is the agenda to the extent known and you only have to do that in an annual meeting. What the board does as a matter of policy and as a matter of practice is it
makes those documents available. But the legal requirement under the open public meetings act for regular boards of education is to to advertise the agenda to the extent known and that actually is taken care of for regularly scheduled
meetings at your annual meeting. Um, as I said, as a matter of policy and practice, the board will provide the information to the public. >> Um, I I cannot tell you exactly without pulling it up and reading afterwards.
>> The agenda to the extent, >> right? >> So, we didn't know about the bills. >> Well, we did and they were listed as doc Dr. Freeman said under the public content on our computers. we saw that it
was listed there, there was a glitch or whatever in board docs. Um, as soon as we noticed that it was fixed. >> Um, I would add as a matter actually of again as just responding to the purely legal issue, the question is whether the
board members have had information to the extent where they have been able to review it. because technically in public meetings the concept is for the public to be able to watch the board do its work and then there the two there's the
periods of time that are set aside under the open public meetings act that allows the public to actually provide input um but there is as I said there's while board has certain uh whatever their policies are the legal requirements are
actually the board members have to just act in a way that is not arbitrary comprehensive discretion. >> What has been the normal action of the board for the last meeting? What has been the normal report for it? I guess it's normal because it's usually there
>> when the agenda goes live. >> Every time I look at it, it's always been there. >> Yeah. And and again, it was there. I mean, all of us sitting here last night logged in, we could see it under it was listed under public com content. That's where the public can see it. there was a glitch or something in school boards
where for some reason if people weren't logged in they couldn't see that. Obviously we wouldn't know that because we were all logged in. It was brought to our attention and then it was fixed. >> Who repaired the glitch? >> I no one
>> as far as I know board docs. We are not in control of board docs. Mr. KS you experienced it yourself with your login >> those have user error half board docs those have me like using my wrong one but once I figured it out it was still
not fully there which had to get fixed and it is now >> correct >> so there are glitches with board docs this week when I logged into board docs a a alert came onto my computer screen so it said to clear my cash and even the
issue that you were having last night with your education. You weren't able to see the education committee agenda. >> Once we had the conversation, I said, "Try clearing your cash." You cleared your cash. >> I actually didn't. All I did was reopen the browser.
>> Okay. >> But then we were able to see it. So unfortunately at times this is not the norm, but we do have glitchy problems with four dos. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. So, I I I just want to
ask a quick question because I do believe the norm is that it's there. I don't think it was maliciously not put put there. I think something went wrong. >> Um >> I don't think anyone said >> No, no, no. I didn't say did. I'm just making sure that the public is is not
interpreting it that way. Um I I don't want to hinder school business. What would be the repercussion if we did do what Mr. Mr. Clint asked and waited until next month? would it prohibit business from moving forward? >> Correct.
>> And I would add one thing, RI, that's very, very important. Um, you now have prompt payment requirements. Um, and there's a statute that then allows contractors to actually charge interest on it. So, >> that's making me make my decision for
that's why I want to. Thank you. Can we make sure that the public can ensure the bill is there whether it's required or not since that seems to be what we've been doing. Can we just make sure that it's there in the future? Is there any way to quick glance but look?
>> Absolutely. But like I said, it was on my computer. So, we all didn't discover this until last night when Mrs. Decker actually said, "How do you how do you get on the attachments?" And I said, "They're there." And we discovered that they're not there.
that for whatever reason it people were unable to find where to click. So that is not the norm. We will abs absolutely scan the entire agenda to ensure that prior to moving forward, but because
that has never happened before, that's why it wasn't done yesterday. >> You're welcome. >> I have a question. Yes, ma'am. Um, when it comes to the um substitute teaching, I can't find it right now. I know for substitute, I think the services that
you guys use um it says 48k um is how much you pay for I guess the the um for the service the agency. So my question is when it comes to like providing sub schools, is that 48k per
person or is it for the agency itself and they pay each substance teacher a fee? And then also like do do you guys like it out like okay or um do you hire directly instead of
the agency like what is the You're looking at the bills list. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Um, so the the invoices come in every month and there's a list. We use a service and the service provides the substitutes on a daily basis for whoever
is absent, whoever is reported as absent. Um, in the beginning of the school year, we went out and got proposals from companies. We advertised for proposals and then companies submitted their their rates etc. and the
decision was made based on the submittals. Um so the company that we use submits a deal of monthly invoice and we pay that invoice. There's probably a list of maybe
30 40 names and different dates that they would have covered for a specific teacher. So when we get those invoices, we look at the teacher that they covered for and we make sure that teacher was logged as absent that day and everything is checked back and forth. So to answer
your question, that 48 is not one person. It's a list of substitutes that we use for let's say a twoe period or period. Thank you. Yeah, you're welcome. >> Is is there a reason we're using so many substitutes?
Um >> I don't want to say we are using so many luckily. >> Is is that number a normal monthly number? I mean >> the normal is higher than it has been for us but we have a better fail rate.
So we have more vac not vacancies but more absences being covered. So the number is higher than it's been but we have better coverage which is important. So >> if I recall in previous years the
company previous company we had a hard time. >> Correct. >> Prior to ESS we had Kelly services and there were days where we would we would only receive two subs for the entire district >> and how many teachers are out in a
average week. >> I don't have that number but I could definitely get it to you for an average. Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Okay, any other questions or comments on facilities and finance items? >> Is it possible for us to directly hire
substitutes? I know when I substitute pot when we use third services. If this is any you could shut me up because I'm not sure if this is the right time, but um if we hired directly substitutes like for North I was hired directly. I sat in front of Miss Annette over there and she hired me directly and I worked on and
when I got hired by Kelly Services when I transferred over they were not I agree they were not good. They were very bad to the substitutes as well because the rate was a lot lower because they did a chunk of it but is it possibly the cost of the same substitute that's making us not have the fill rate? I don't know if
that's the right moment for that or not as well. We've had a better fill rate and we also raised our substitute rate. Um, yes, we we realized that we were one of the lowest in the county. So, we were able
to raise it I want to say over a year ago. >> What is it now? >> 125. >> It's still within it. It's there's lower and of course there's higher. But to answer your question about hiring ourselves, that would be very difficult.
We are very short staffed um to be able to conduct that type of of manpower to get to recruit the subs to train the subs and then to keep track of the subs. Our HR department is a oneman band. So, can we get um sorry,
but is there a way we can find later on how we can have someone who came back to cut the cost when it comes to the sub have someone who does part of that and maybe that would help? I don't know
before, but would that be a better option or you think it's easier to go through? Personally, I think it's easier to go through an agency >> just from my experience. Okay. Um, any other questions or
comments? Okay. Annette, can you please take the role? >> Mrs. Um, recuse on 14.01 for check number 039640. Yes to the rest.
>> Mrs. Scheler recuse on uh 14.01 check number 039770. Yes to the rest. >> Yes. >> Mr. K. >> Mcker.
>> Mr. Nicolai. >> Yes. >> Mr. Quinn. >> Mrs. Reynolds. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thornton, >> I recuse myself 1401. Yes or not? >> You could just say yourself.
>> Myself. Okay. Thank you. >> That's an easier. >> I wrote it mine down, but you can just say yourself. >> You don't have to. >> Okay. Um, any ongoing business? Any new business? Okay, then we will open our second public comment portion of the meeting.
Comments at this time can be on any topic. Please come to the podium and put your name, address, email address, and subject of your comment into the record book. Before speaking, please give your name, address, and subject of your comment to Miss Annette Gardano, business administrator, board secretary. Direct your comments and questions to
the board president. You may speak on two separate topics for up to three minutes each. Okay, I'm just going to put times two here. Okay, I'd like to publicly document my concern
about the installation of the preschool playground at the end of October at Hazelwood School. I know a lot of concerns were raised uh about the company and the people in it. That is not my concern. Uh maybe I'm naive to trust the school district to ensure these people are appropriate to be
around children, but I do. My real concern is the actual physical safety. Our children were having regular recess within 5 ft from an active construction zone. There were bulldozers, front end loaders, construction materials and tools. Everything that should be in an
active construction zone, but it was next to our playing children. Now, I know most of you sitting up here have had elementary age children at one point or currently do. Uh I myself have three in the ranges from prek to third grade.
I would not take them to play next to an active construction zone for simple safety reasons. I don't like the odds of three verse one. Um and they're my kids. I know which one to maybe watch a little bit more. Yet, that's exactly what was
asked of the staff of Hazelwood to monitor 50 to 70 children and make sure they don't get into the construction zone that's 5 feet away. It's not fair. And clearly, the principal is aware of the blacktop only option because last
week they did it because it was muddy. Had it just ended a bad judgment and poor planning, that would have been one thing. But when concerns were expressed and parents were gaslit saying that the Hazwood principal and the director of facilities ensured it was safe, give me a break. Why then weren't the children
kept inside for the next two weeks? When I asked about that, I was told that apparently that day when the most construction was going on was the only day they had enough staff to make playing outside safe. Yet, when I tried to get that actual information and
numbers or a specific threshold, uh, the principal had no real answers, which for me is enough to know that the information and the excuse don't match. Um, if I had time, I would probably ask for the numbers of who was assigned to recess duty and who was out on those
days. But if it it was yet again an example of disregard of student safety and an inability to make good decisions for our students by this principle, how many more of these incidents do we need? Because last May after we found out district policy for visitors was not
being followed for months after the enrichment debacle. You were notified in June for the bake sale. The district policy was not followed for visitors. Again, you were notified in October. No communication went out about playground
construction and this incident happened. You were notified. And then again in November, district policy for visitors was again not followed. And not only were you notified of it, it came with a parent being bered for notifying you
about it. If this administrator with all her qualifications can't demonstrate emotional literacy and control to a parent who is concerned their child is not safe, then I actually can't imagine the toxicity of the people that she has some sort of control over again. It's
your policy. It's not something the parents are making up to bully the principal. In fact, exact policy steps were included in her first and only bi-weekly S'more update September 15th. I mean, I get it. How horrible. parents care about their kids being safe while
at school. How stupid. How entitled. These are just four safety incidents that I know about. We know there's been botch fire drills as well. At this point, the safety issue is not if, but when. And if you all don't start holding administration accountable for their
lack of action on this is going to be on you as well. It's been a year. It's gotten worse, not better. This principal has demonstrated she's not capable of making appropriate safety decisions for our children multiple times. And the kicker, tell me, has the principal of
school safety, the principal on special assignment, the position that was so necessary? Have they been directed to go handle these issues? you have someone in charge of that and familiar with security for that particular building and yet he hasn't
been there to help. There's a life saying it's better to admit you walked in the wrong door than to waste your life in the wrong room. So, it's time for all as a decision-making unit to agree it's better you walk through the wrong door with this hire than force our
children to spend their lives and their education in the wrong room. There is numerous documentation that this principal is incapable of keeping our children safe. There is documentation she's not stable enough to accept any crit criticism when it comes to that
safety. She will rattle off excuses and blame everyone with no accountability. I'm asking you to do something about it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, we will now close the public comment portion of the meeting.
Pursuant to chapter 231 PL1975, also known as the open public meetings act, authorizing a public body to meet in an executive private session under certain limited circumstances. And the set law requires the board adopt a resolution at a public meeting before it can meet in such an executive or private session.
The Middle Sex Board of Education hereby determines that it is necessary to meet in executive session on January 22nd, 2025 to discuss matters involving attorney client privilege, confidential student matter, confidential personnel matter. So moved. Second,
can you please take the role? >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Scheler, >> yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mcker, >> yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Quinn, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Ronald, >> yes. >> Mr. Gordon, >> yes. >> Okay. We are now in executive session. So, the public to come. No more action. >> I don't know. There is no there's no further action after this executive session.