You're good. >> Okay. It follows the meeting. Adequate notice of this meeting is provided by sending such notice to the Asbury Park, Middletown Patch, Middletown Township Public Schools District website and the posting of such notice at the Augustine
Mer Administrative offices each elementary middle and secondary school in the district. Mrs. Minuise >> here. >> Mrs. Golski >> here. >> Mr. Soparrowski >> here. >> Mrs. Tobacco. >> Mrs. Torres >> here. >> Mrs. Weinstein
>> here. >> Mrs. Wright >> here. >> Mr. Capone. >> Mr. Avita >> here. And I need a motion to go into executive session. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Discussion.
All in favor? I >> opposed. Everybody please rise for after the please just please uh remain standing for a minute. The district has learned the recent passing of two former district employees Joan Biz and
Geraldine Kase. Joan worked in a payroll department for over 16 years before retiring from her central office position in 2015. Geraldine was an elementary school teacher in the district for over 38 years before retiring from Middletown
Village Elementary School in 2005. We extend our deepest sympathy to the base and Casey families. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under
God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you Okay, we're going to start off with committee reports. Curriculum, Miss Wright. >> All right, good evening everybody. Um, the curriculum committee met last night.
uh and we had a pretty lengthy agenda so I will do my best to try and um get through it for everyone. So one of the first things that we did was we looked at the curriculum guides um that were up for rewriting and review uh there for the adoptions for the 2026
2027 school year. Uh I want to give you know again special thanks to Miss Merrill, Dr. Cook and Dr. Carrian who led uh these curriculum um reviews and rewrites and then actually took uh a really good decent amount of time in
explaining them to us last night and were available for us to ask questions. Uh you know they gave us like I said the overview of what the actual process is and then um how they were rewriting these course curriculums that were due
to actually align with learning standards. And I have to say that it's pretty impressive once you actually uh sit down and really see what goes into this process. The amount of work that uh these three administrators along with the teachers uh who are then tasked with
actually rewriting these curriculum guides, how much work actually goes into it. So I know you know for myself and the rest of the um curriculum committee members, we do want to extend a thank you uh because again this is really just shows the excellence that we have here in the district.
We talked about the summer reading program. Um I think we launched this a couple of summers ago. We continue to really think about how to improve the summer reading program and this is for all levels. This is for elementary, middle, and high school. Um Dr. Cook did
talk about really thinking about um on the secondary level how to actually have more of a shared experience amongst the students. And I think this is really being stressed for the incoming freshmen that we are now going to be uh adopting
that one of the two books that the students will be asked to read over the summer will actually be a shared book. So they actually have that shared experience coming in to 9th grade that they can then talk about obviously in their classes once they get here. Um and then there will be an entire list uh
that they can choose their second book from. And this is the same obviously like I said for both elementary and middle as well. So those letters I think will be be given to the students soon and then uh brought home to the parents because there is the component where the
parents are talking obviously um to their children about what books they want to select for the summer. Everybody's then going to agree and sign the paper and then move forward uh with the summer read once uh the school year is over. We continue to talk about um the
kindergarten through third progressive reports and I believe at this point now um this is going to be really to give more timely performance related feedback for parents mid-trime progress reports they
will be available through Genesis Genesis and they'll be launched for grades K 1 2 and three next year sorry and this will be more of a consistent checkpoint across across all elementary schools and reinforces our commitment to communication um from the
teachers to the parents. All right. So, we also talked about um the I Ready discussion. So, I know we as a district, we've been talking a lot about I Ready uh the past couple months and also really trying to pay more attention to the time that our students
are on screens during the school day. So, as we continue to sort of refine what we're going to do, we have been using I Ready now as a diagnostic assessment tool for some time, and that will continue for the 2026 2027 school year. It will also be more of a
personalized learning platform for grades only 2 through 8. We are also going to, like I said, have more greater limitations on the actual screen time for grades 2 through eight. as we continue to sort of look again at what
really is developmentally appropriate with the use of I Ready, I think pretty much the committee now agrees that for K through one, uh those students will not be using I Ready moving forward in the new school year. We are really going to be stressing for K through 1 to go back
to more just pencil and paper assessments along with personalized activities uh that would be more I think appropriate for those grade levels. We are as we continue to sort of refine this and move this out, there will be more information that we will provide to everybody uh going forward.
Margin period 3 secondary report cards uh they are going to be released on Genesis on Thursday, April 23rd. Uh we also just reviewed again the criteria for high honor role and honor role as well.
Okay. So, we also discussed NJSLA administration for all three levels. Um, we have those dates that are going to be starting soon. For the high school level, they will be taking NJSLA April 27th through May 1st. Middle school will then start May 4th through May 12th, and
elementary school will then begin on May 11th through May 19th. It looks like also um for the advanced placement exams for the high school levels, both north and south, they are set to be administered May 4th through
May 15th. We have two voting agenda items next week that the committee did discuss. There is a new field trip um to Washington DC. This is students in high school south family career and community leaders of America who have qualified for the national competition following
the award-winning performances at the state level. So they are planning to travel to Washington DC from July 5th to July 11th with their advisor. So that will be on the committee I'm sorry that will be on the agenda for our review and voting next Tuesday. And there will also
be continuing professional development for us to review and vote on next Tuesday as well. We discussed two grant applications. Um the first one which is one that I am so proud that we started to do a couple years ago because this is making a huge
difference for our very early learners. This is again to apply um for another grant to continue our work with the focus funding for optimal comprehensive universal screeners grant. This is money that allocates basically for us to be able to use and administer the dibbles
early learning screener for grades K through three and then also the continuing professional development for our teachers to be able to really analyze that data that they get from Dibbles and then being able to move forward to have individualized instruction for students. Um I did read
actually the grant application for this is pretty exciting. Um and if we get awarded it will be $20,944. We also discussed how the district is conducting its comprehensive local needs assessment in accordance with the Perkins grant, noting that recommendations will be added to the
grant application for next year. This funding supports our CTE program and students have been successful in their internships this year, earning real estate license as well as other credentials to support career success following graduation.
We have a new sort of partnership with the college board which um Dr. Karen we was very excited about. It was actually really cute because it was like he gets to be very very nerdy about it but I think it's a great thing to celebrate. Um this basically is a group that is
provided with early access to pilot courses and engages in conversation about product development. So we are now exploring the prospect of piloting AP business AP cyber security and possibly medical CTE. This will actually allow us to start having these programs which is
really exciting. We have our teacher, educational service provider, and support staff of the year recognition ceremony this Thursday beginning at six o'clock here at the uh High School North Auditorium. And we know that's going to be a really nice, it's always a great celebration of our
staff. And last but not least, we have been talking about this for a while to get it on everybody's calendar. So Rob Franic will be coming back who is the editor-inchief of the Princeton Review to um basically take us through AP exams
and how college boards are now using this in a different way and to try and actually be able to reach more of our district and parents who will be interested in this. We are going to move this to a virtual platform. So it's still being scheduled for Wednesday, April 29th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. But
there will now be a virtual component to it as well. And that's it. >> Thank you. >> Facilities, Miss Venues. >> Okay. I just want everybody to bear with me because I am comparing my notes to um
the notes that we have on the uh committee report. The committee met on April 14th and it was myself, uh Mrs. Torres, Mrs. Scolowski, and Mr. Saroski.
the committee to it to be bayshore space that will be used for elementary classes. There was a discussion amongst the committee members regarding the addition of bathrooms to the kindergarten classrooms. The NJ DOE county office staff has done a
walkthrough of the space and slated that the plan for kindergarten bathroom waivers was appropriate. Several kindergarten classrooms across the district receive NJDOE waiverss for bathrooms. Members of the committee supported adding bathrooms to these
classrooms and want the project included in the 2627 budget. We also stated as we were talking about this is that if this is being considered the state-of-the-art school, then we should be starting out as a
state-of-the-art school and put those bathrooms in. We also had um concerns about the kindergarteners being put on each side of the building and not together. We feel that, you know, for years we've been told if you, you know, group grade levels, it gives teachers
better opportunities to work together and we can include all kids in that grade area. So, um, we're hoping to do that. We were told that, you know, the plan that we had received could change when they get a principal, but that's
the plan that we were being told is what was submitted. So, we did have um much discussion and much concerns about that and our committee does want bathrooms put in and I'm sure Mr. Saparowski is going to um jump on that when I'm done.
The committee also discussed playground equipment for Beayshore. Members of this committee supported the addition of the purchase of a playground equipment to the 2627 budget. The um playground that's there now is too far away from the building for kids to actually take
part in. Plus, we're also um to consider is we're doubling the amount of kids that would use that playground equipment. So, you know, even if they had to walk to the far side, it's not going to be enough. >> We need to put a playground there.
>> Um do you want to jump in on that? >> Yeah. Um because it's not noted here, but we also discussed um adding to new mom to their playground. >> Yeah, I was going to do that on the back. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was because we kind we talked about them
together because those are the buildings that were consolidated and when we had a meeting with Dr. Alone as far as the budget and Amy as well um it was brought up that the playground should be amended. Um new mammoth PTO has already put in $60,000 of money that they have
raised to that playground. It's only appropriate that if we are and we were told that there is money that we could put in the budget this year for Beayshore and New Mammoth for the playgrounds that we need to get that as a line item to ensure that it happens. >> And the reason that topic came up is
because the local recreation improvement grant for 2026 um New Mama did not get that grant. So being that they we feel that way, being that we combined the two schools a few years back, we never followed through on a playground and they deserve that
money. >> Yes, >> they deserve the money to make an inclusive playground for the entire school and it's been long overdue. So if um the money's there, like Dr. Alone and Mrs. um DY say, then we should be putting into budget this year and letting them continue on with what they
were going to purchase with that grant money. Okay. Um, let's see. On the April voting agenda, the HVAC bid award, the bid award for the HVAC equipment bid will be on the agenda. Award will be split
between two vendors for different types of equipment. And these HVAC's are for only if needed. Am I correct? >> Correct. >> So, it's just so that if we need them, we have the access to get them. >> Yeah. their their replacement units if
>> the long range facilities plan major amendment. There will be a resolution on the agenda to approve our architect to submit an amended amendment to the um long-range facilities plan to reflect the closure of Leonardo and Navisync and reassignment of Beayshore Middle School
students to Thorne and Thompson. We had a um monthly discussion on this. We did want to see this plan now so that we could see it before we vote on it, but apparently it's not ready yet. So, um, is they're going to come next
week and they're going to present it. >> I did ask the architect to come to the board meeting next week to walk through the changes. >> Okay. And will they be able to compare the changes to what's in their long range facility plan right now? They'll ex Yeah, we'll craft the presentation so
it it shows what's been updated. >> Okay. Um Mr. Naser and Mrs. Dy reviewed the updates of the capacity information. Um it just to me, my personal opinion is from someone who's been in those schools
when there was a lot of kids, those numbers just don't make sense to me how they're figuring it out. And I don't know actually how they're really getting the actual numbers because we don't know exactly what classes are going in what where and it really does matter square
footage on what's in that classroom. So, you know, I can't wait to see how that's going to fall out. I just don't have faith that that's the right numbers, but that's my personal opinion. >> Um, yes. Do you mind if >> No, go ahead. Um after our discussions
with the capacity uh we talked a lot about it. We talked about the science of the capacity numbers which is what our facilities team does is that they come up with what the numbers are and then it's as it was explained and it made sense. The art of
it is what the administration does to design where the kids go and how they fit. So, I did follow up asking about um the cafeterias at Thorne and Thompson and what was fire code versus what was
allowed. Uh Mr. Nasser said fire code is what is deferred to um and the capacity for both is 328 with tables and chairs. And so then I asked for the projected numbers for next year and four out of
the six lunch periods of sixth, seventh and eighth grade at Thorne and Thompson are over that number projected for next year. Um Miss Dy replied that they um have discussed auxiliary lunch spaces
similar to what was at place in Thompson when their enrollment was higher. But I do not recall that. What I recall was the community not notice from Dr. Alone that said they're offering other places for lunch such as outside or other classrooms as quiet spaces. And um I was
hoping that tonight that we could get more information on what those options are and what those plans are for these children to all have space, have lunch, be able to get in and out of that cafeteria in 23 minutes and ensure that
this plan like this is this is the simple, right? This is the easy numbers that we see. A cafeteria is a cafeteria. So what is the plan for this? Do we have that? I think I have referred my email. We are work we have to work with the principles to identify what spaces will
be used for the auxiliary and we've actually even started talking with the food service management company. And you know again when we've done this in the past we've put additional serving areas also in the auxiliary space. So not everyone would have to come into the
cafeteria. They can get they can get food in the other area. But we are we are still formulating all that. Is that in the long range facilities plan? >> I'm sorry. >> Is that in the long range facilities plan? >> No. No. >> So where is it? >> What do you mean where is it? >> Like where where would the plan be?
Where can we expect to see this? Where can we have faith that our children at middle school will have the space needed by September? >> When we identif when we when the principles and the administration identify the spaces, then we will reflect it. My other concern is that these quiet
spaces are not reserved for the special needs students to separate them from their peers. So that needs to be noted that those students get to eat lunch with their peers. >> Besides what kids have to go to, >> the next thing on the next thing that we
discussed was um current facility issues. the high school north varsity um baseball field and the equipment master plan. Um myself, Mrs. Dardy, and Mr. Naser toured the high school North Field
last week after another series of emails of concerns. Um we met there. There was a um Mr. Beth was there who the field's named after his brother and um we went over some of the concerns of the fields. To my
remembering when the last time that field had worked was about 20 years ago when I first got on the board. They did some work on there and it hasn't been touched. It absolutely needs to be fixed. Not only do they use it for
baseball, but they play soccer on it. So, that field is heavily used and definitely needs to needs to have some work on it. Mr. Ner said that um once we get a new athletic director, he's going to sit down with them and Mrs. Dy and they're going to go over the conditions
of our fields because if they're playing soccer on that field, what's wrong with the soccer field? You know, it doesn't make sense why we're playing soccer on a baseball field. That doesn't happen at High School South, but it's happening at High School North. So, um unfortunately, I really wasn't aware of that and I've
been on co-curricular and no one's ever mentioned that. So, it's something that we need to do. Maybe we need to go back to what we used to do where the committee before every season towards the fields to make sure that we could see that they're in safe, playable conditions and we could bring it back to
the board on what needs to be done, but it definitely needs to be looked at and there definitely needs to be some work. We also saw that the parents are want to volunteer and they want to help, but what we realize is that everything really does have to go through the
district. So, we do want their help and we do want their volunteerism. But for insurance purposes, everybody needs to go through the athletic director, the building principal to Mrs. Dy's office and get permission to make some of these changes. So, if we have a contractor
volunteering their time on the property, we need to know that and Mrs. Dy needs to know that, not me, but Mrs. Dy would need to know that and they could approve it and insurance-wise, we would be covered. And we're very grateful to the people that want to volunteer and, you
know, support fixing these fields because we obviously can't afford to do it all, but we just need to make sure there's a chain of command on how we do it. And that's with anything that goes on in the district. Um, Thor, they did an IQ testing. Do you
want to tell us what those >> indoor air quality >> indoor air quality testing was performed in response to staff request at Thorne? testing did not indicate any issues. All the the two rooms that they claimed were cleared. The Bay View field update, the
township indicated that the bid awards for this project will be made on May 4th and the work will be done over the summer. Um local recreation, we talked about that new Mama did not get that grant. So, we're hoping that we can compensate
that money to them to continue going on with that playground equipment that they were promised years ago. They don't want the Portmon playground equipment. It's been in the ground for many years. I actually have the actual date written down because I was a part of that. And to move it is not safe. And no one
really can deem that it is safe. They want to move on with new stuff, safe stuff, and inclusive stuff that's going to make it usable for all students in that building. Uh, utility easement. Verizon, the township attorney has contacted the
district regarding an easement for small wireless facilities. Generally, these facility poles are placed in locations that are municipal rights of way. Verizon wants to install one of these poles specifically specifically to serve high school south.
We can't people at home here. time is up. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, usually these poles are located in municipal rights away. Verizon wants to install one of these poles specifically to serve High School
South. The location that Verizon is proposing is on the parking lot island of the High School South parking lot and we have asked for more information because we are under the impression that some of the people in the neighborhood are not in favor of this and to push it on to the school might
not be the greatest way to do it. Recap from the March committee meeting. We reviewed information presented responses to Mrs. Torres list of questions at the last meeting. The information include facility use by outside groups, facility use revenue,
facility use policy and regulation and champion contract before and after care. Um we did have a long discussion on um what we charge people to use our fields and our buildings and those prices have not been raised in years yet.
organizations charge our parents a lot of money to be a part of these groups. And if we're going to continue doing this and we need to start fixing our fields and repairing things in our buildings that are getting destroyed, we need to maybe raise the price a little
bit and that has to be discussed with committee and then taken to the board. But it was a monthly discussion and we haven't done that in many many years. So it was a worthwhile one. We also um had a discussion on busing
and transportation and um it came up and I and I think that I well Mrs. Dardy I think that the public needs to hear this. There is consideration of eliminating the Port Mama school busing that we put in place when we closed that school. I um
personally am not in favor of that. I lived in that area. It's not fair that those kids have to walk from Port Mammoth to New Mammoth. If any of you have kids that do that, it's not a safe route to school. We we talked about how do we make it a not, you know, how do we get non-safe route for courtesy
hazardous busing for them. It's not possible for us to do that. I think it's a big mistake. What we should have done all along was um started letting them go to Harmony because they can walk to Harmony without taking a bus and to
eliminate that bus is just not there. I know the kids that were in the school when it closed have moved on, but that doesn't make a difference. It's still the same area. It's still the same walking distance and it's not safe. So, I mean, they're walking down, you have to walk down um Wilson Avenue in front
of St. Mary's all the way down to um New Mammoth Road and then cross over down. It's just it's just not safe. I hope we don't do that. So, what I would really would like to see and because we talked about transportation on what the cost would be in the budget for the um
transportation of closing the schools and you know it seems like there might not be an increase which I find I really find that hard to believe because we are busing more kids now with this closure than we have ever busted. Um, I would like to see transportation show us what
routes they are eliminating because is there more than Port Mammoth that we're eliminating that we don't know about? We need to know that and so do the parents need to know that. So, um, I would like to see us at next week before the budget
go over what routes have been condensed, what roots roots are being eliminated so that everybody knows what's going on there. And I also would like to see a cost and I know it's kind of early but we're voting on a budget with transportation cost to close schools
that we have no idea what it is. We have no figures. So how will we know we have enough money in the budget and for years we've been saying we can't get we can't get busing for after school curricular. Um the other day we had no well to
Thursday we have no busing for Basher to go to a a track meet. How are we guaranteeing all these buses, extra buses, when we can't even get them to support our kids? Now, that's a question I have and I would hope some of the board members would have because we
can't be calling parents up every morning and say, "Oh, sorry the bus didn't come. You know, it's not available. They didn't have a driver or whatever the reason is." Um, we we need to have concrete information on this transportation part of the budget.
Um, let's see. And I think we oh we also discussed the the closure of the two schools. So what happens to um NBC when the school closes because we don't own that building.
Well, we're in the process of looking for the deed and the contract to find out exactly what happens because we don't have it. >> We actually do have you have it now? >> We do have it. Um I was able to find in the files in the safe in central office
uh the documentation which I have shared with our board attorney uh the the terms of the conveyance of the property and you know the details on that. So we do have that. >> Okay. So could you tell us what it is? And you know there's not it it just to
summarize I mean there's a lot of documents but it it did say I think it was back in 1933 the property was conveyed to the district for the purpose of building a school. Uh the caveat was the district had to build a school on that property within 10 years. Uh they
did build Navasync uh I think it opened was built night or opened up in 1941. So they did it within the 10 years. the language referring to, you know, what happens if the property is not open with the school. It just simply says, you know, if the property is not used as a
school, then it would revert back to um the trust. I know it's changed a few times during the years. Originally, it was I think a woman and her uh in memory of her husband and you know, their their kids and family gave the land. Uh then I think it was part of the Nap Library
Trust and now I think that's merged with the Durier Foundation. So in any event that they just said the property would revert back if the school is wasn't being used to operate a school. >> So and I think our question was that night because it was going to cost um
when we're done when when that building is vacated, do we have to tear it down? >> There's no no language referring to that, but again I referred it to our board attorney as well. >> Okay. It's I'm glad you found it because we were curious >> and I just you know I wanted to follow
up Joan on your discussion on transportation. You know every year we approve the budget before we put out the transportation bids and they're we always are awarding them after the budget. So every year we do make our estimate for transportation and budget
for that and we don't you know a lot a lot of times won't get until June or July. Um so that's not unusual and it will be the same this year. we won't have all the bids in before we approve the budget next week. We haven't even put the bids out yet. So, to give exact numbers, we wouldn't be able to do that
this year. We don't do that any year, but that's why we work through our estimates. As far as the port mammoth, um that's, you know, we had that discussion because you brought it up. you know, wasn't really a facilities topic, but you asked >> um you know that just to remind the
board, you know, we we talk about this every year that the agreement was to bust the students who were in that Port Mammoth sending zone that were going to New Mammoth, you know, while they were attending New Mammoth. And you the fact is they've all aged out. They're all in
middle school or beyond at this point. So, it's, you know, it's really just a discussion with the board. that is courtesy busing. Uh it's the students do not meet the requirement for the mileage. Uh as we talked about the routes, you know, the roads that they would have to walk out, but we would
evaluate it student by student if it's not something that's listed on our hazardous routes. You know, we would treat that the same as we do all the students here in Middletown and they would be walkers. But again, we would have to evaluate each student and what what their route is. casino. I can't
tell you off the top of my head where all of them are, but they're all in that general area. So, they are currently there's about I think it's about 54 students at this point. There's students again who maybe the family lived there when Port Mammoth closed and they're younger siblings, but there's a lot of
families that moved in and never even attended Port Mammoth, but they've all been put on the bus because that area has been busted. So, it's just something the board needs to be aware of. Um, you know, again, you know, it wouldn't be a vote. You know, we would send out letters to the parents and let them know
that the transportation would be eligibility would be changing. You know, we've done that in the past with other students. Sometimes we discover students who are not eligible for busy and we know the five parents. Um, it's, you know, up for the board discussion. It's about we would be able to eliminate one
bus route uh from this that the students are riding two different routes. uh they're split between two new mom buses, but we would be able to collapse those two routes into one if we if we took away the courtesy busing. So that's where we stand. Well, the difference
with that is that there's an elementary school that's a lot less than two miles at their fingertips and no other person that we're saying is in the mileage has that opportunity that they could have walked to another elementary school
without being busted. And um secondly about the transportation thing, we have never closed three buildings before >> without getting you know this is normal. It's normal but we're transporting a lot more kids now because
of the closure of buildings and the distance. We should know how much that's going to cost us, especially with what buses have cost us over the last few years. >> Well, again, we're not going to know until the rates go out. And I when we've discussed this I I have said that there
we're not anticipating a significant increase. I didn't say there wouldn't be no increase. There may be an increase. Um >> well we said we there's a chance we could >> we may have increases on our other routes because if we're putting things out to bid now if contractors don't want to renew them and they want to put it
back out to bid, there may be increases on our other routes as well. So, again, it's a it's something we're not going to be able to have exact costs on until we finish putting the all these out to date. >> If you don't have costs, do you at least have the routes? >> We are currently working on we have
routes that are existing now, but we're currently reworking them to accommodate these changes in the school sending zones. And do you do the families that you're going to eliminate the courtesy busing for, did they know ahead of time it was courtesy and that there's a
chance it could be taken away? >> Back in 2020 when Port Mammoth was was closed, it was discussed that, you know, the students who were attending at that time were going to be bust and the intention was never to
>> bring it on in perpetuity. But if a family moved or started kindergarten, first, second, third grade in 2022, they would have no idea. >> They may not have what we're dealing with is another communication problem
that these families don't know. And it and then it turns and looks like we're the ones taking something away when maybe it was intended to be taken away and they didn't know about it. It's a it's a transparency issue to me. Well,
again, like I said, we've had other in other years, we've had instances where we've gone through and we've identified students who aren't eligible and we do notify the parents, you know, in the spring so that there's ample time to adjust for that,
>> right? But it's now the end of April and people have to make plans for September now. But for me >> that's well and and that's you know it actually was on the finance committee agenda if the finance committee had met
you know we ended up talking about in facilities because Joan asked about it but you know yes we would have to let them know as soon as possible but for me again we're making kids walk a longer distance when there's an elementary school right around the corner that that
is no other situation in this township that that's happening to. So, it's not fair. Um Amy, would it be possible for the entire board to get a copy of the Navasync um contracted? >> The deed. >> The deed. >> Yeah.
>> Um I can I guess I can share that. I mean, I I don't know that >> I think people are people are asking. So, I'm just I'm asking. >> Yeah. I mean, I I assume so. I mean, I'll check with our auditori. I don't see any reason why we wouldn't be able
to do that sheriff the board. So, Yeah, I just want to speak on something with the bathrooms. Uh, it was something that, uh, we brought up. Um, it was Erin, Joan, uh, Deb and I in a small meeting with >> No, >> no, she wasn't there. I'm talking about the meeting, budget meeting.
>> Oh, the budget meeting. >> We brought it up about um some of the items that were in the budget and perhaps replacing it with doing sinks in the first and second grade rooms and bathrooms and the kindergarten rooms. when we got into Beayshore then at the facilities committee meeting found out
there's actually sinks in every single room in Beayshore which is kind of a nice addition for all the classrooms um which then when we got looking at where the kindergarten rooms are going to be there's sinks there there's plumbing there's running water there's sewer lines maybe some modifications would have to be done to the sewer lines but
the amount of work the silver work is significantly less than we had originally discussed so my thing is that I think this is something that needs to get started immediately ely in terms of planning because there's a lot of planning and engineering that has to take place to put bathrooms in and permitting and things like that and I
think that that is a priority item that we should get on right away so that on June 23rd during their cutting the floor up and getting it ready so that >> so I did reach out to our architect after the facilities meeting to ask him to put together a proposal to give us a
a scope of work. uh they would have to develop, you know, it would just they would have to look at it and see what the scope of work is. And if we were going to eventually do these projects and put them out to bid, they would write the bid specs and um more importantly, I'd be looking for some sort of cost estimate because right now
we don't have that. Um as we talked about in the facilities meeting, you we we could do this if the board decides they want to add these projects to the budget. uh we could do it that way and come up with I won't have firm cost estimates from the architect by next by
next week when we approve the budget. So we could develop our own estimate and put a placeholder for lack of a better word in the budget to put the project in with a dollar amount that may or may not be sufficient. But if it ends up not
being sufficient, we would have to address that with reserves or or whatnot. Um if you don't put it in the budget, we discuss that too that the board does have the prerogative. You know, we do we can do things that may not necessarily be itemized in the budget. If the board votes to approve
that and we withdraw the money from the reserves, you know, we have put money in this budget to deposit into reserves. So there is money for the side. Uh and the same with the we discussed the same with the playgrounds. You know, we can either put an amount in there that the board
wants to list in the budget to spend on playgrounds or we can wait until we get cost estimates of exactly what we want done and then go from there. So that that those are the two ways you can approach it. >> I just think that the PO would like to see that it's going to be done, that
there's proof that it's going to be done and it's going to be ready for September. >> So we just need to understand that whatever estimates we put in, you know, we may need to adjust those when we get the actual cost. Yeah. And I think I mean I've done some homework on it and a high estimate per bathroom was about $16,000. And that was assuming that
there was no plumber rate. >> Well, that I I can't tell you. I don't think that that's going I don't think I think it's going to be more than that. And then we also have to pay for the architect fees and so forth. But I you know, again, I I asked him to work on it and he said he would at least have a
proposal to do this work, you know, for us this week. >> Yeah. And will you share that as soon as we do it? >> I'm sorry. >> Will you be able to share that with everybody? >> I can. And if it's something that doesn't have an idea, if it's below, you know, the threshold for a voting item,
they can, you know, we can go ahead and move ahead even if we don't get it on the board meeting, you know, we can authorize that. If the board needs to come to a consensus whether they want this itemized, I mean, that's the bottom line. Itemized in the budget or not. And we could put estimates in there as
placeholders like we did, you know, we talked about the annex. You know, we put money in there for the annex. We ended up, you know, having to spend more than what was in the budget, but you know, that happens with projects sometimes. So, >> and then another thing that we discussed in facilities just that it's kind of
minutiae a little bit, but there's a lot of different things around Beayshore that punch list items that are going to need to get done. Trophy cases, uh, wall art, things like that. Is there any kind of a list going for when these projects are going to be done? Where are the trophies and and
um jerseys that are hanging on the wall? Are they going to stay there? Are they moving? I mean, these are all questions. >> A lot of history in that building that >> there is. And especially walking through there and seeing it, it's like, well, how is this going to get is there a plan? I think it's I think it's important for the building
administration to get in place for the new elementary school to help shape what direction that goes in. >> The course will will address things that need to be addressed. >> I think for the middle school kids, the trophies and stuff that belong to them, they're going to another middle school
that doesn't have any representation from where they came from >> and the things that they've earned and their awards. There's got to be some kind of plan there >> again. and and we would have to make room in those those middle schools for this. >> You know, these things are again normally building level decisions and
I'm sure the principles will be addressing all of that. >> I I do have to say a big concern that I have is that almost everything that we brought up gets pushed down to the building principles, >> but we don't know who they are. We know
who Thorn and Thompson is, but we don't know who any of the others are. And now you're expecting these people to in two months come up with their class list, do all of the regular things that you have to do to get ready for school
and figure out where trophy cases are going. Like who's helping these building principles guide this? >> Can we of course the district administration supports the principles? >> How do we get this? Like I would love to
see something from our central office administrators being supported by the building principles of what their ideas are because all we all we have been hearing right now is the principles the administrators have to do this when we get it set. We have to do this when the staff gets set. We don't have any of
this information and quite frankly we're running out of time >> and and trophy cases was just an example because there's so many things that's just it's almost a joke of an example. That's a lot of >> honestly every time we talk about these things it gets pushed off and our job as
board is to set policy and decide what direction. Not only are we setting conflicting direction, but we're also not seeing this picture of how this is going to
work. And it's very concerning. Our kids are going to be going for tours in these schools and there's nothing there that represents them. Not to me, I'm I'm more like kid oriented >> and the kids are going >> they're going to walk into a building and see that the building that you're
in, everything that they've earned, but where's all the stuff that you came from for the last three years, for the last two years, because we're talking about seventh and eighth graders going up. There's no representation. And that might be a minor thing to a lot of people, but to kids, they take we we
have a great community that takes pride in all their schools and they take pride in everything they do. And we're sending them into building buildings with no plans of taking part of what they've earned with them. >> And that's those are the kids that we're talking about. We're not even talking
about the staff that's being pulled and sent to a million different directions. >> That's why we needed a plan. We can still create one. Just saying there's still time. >> Okay, that's in my my committee. I think
time's up well over >> finance. Uh the committee was unable to to meet on the time we had due to conflicts and schedule. So instead of the actual committee meeting, Mr. Dari updated me on the agenda items and we agreed that we just have discussion here
at the workshop tonight. So um I'll go through the the items and if anybody has any comments or questions you have agenda. >> Do you have an agenda for anything? >> We don't have an agenda. >> I we didn't do a committee report
because we didn't it wasn't a committee. Do they have the agenda? >> I mean, I I have >> I don't have an actual copy. >> Again, we didn't do a committee report because we didn't have a committee agenda. But what what we can do is, you
know, after we review this, I can certain if there's anything that we need to update, we'll just post it in the portal. Did you >> what? >> You have a copy >> what we discussed? >> Yeah.
>> The uh April meeting agenda items. The 2026 2027 final budget adoption. tentative budget was approved by the NJ DOE county office. Uh Miss Dary shared that the facilities committee was uh looking for the
addition of the kindergarten bathrooms in Beayshore and playground equipment for Beayshore and possibly new mom design items that was just discussed uh as well for facilities. Um there's also shared services agreement. The township has requested that the board formally
renew these agreements for the current term. The agreements have been in place for several years, specifically uh with respect to our garbage and recycling and uh our fuel dispensing. Another item on the agenda is the Chromebook refresh.
Approval for the purchase of 1560 new Chromebooks at a cost of $590,83. Purchase is included in the 2627 budget. >> I just want to explain that we are on a replacement cycle on those. So we we as
they age out, we replace each year. I mean, I'm sure the board's familiar with that, but in case they're not. So we we don't buy all new Chromebooks every year. We have we have a replacement cycle. >> We also have health insurance renewals.
The stock loss uh going to be about plus 4.5% over the current. The ISL deductible raised to 300,000 versus 275 contract improved to a 1218 versus a
current 1215 contract that we have now. DHR is credential and it's rated at A+. Uh we have a renewal with Delta Dental. There's no increase due to the 24 month read. And we're also uh extending voluntary
benefits, legal, accident, and ID theft insurance that will be offered to our staff and there'll be no cost to the district. The district currently offers disability and vision voluntary plans. >> Mr. I'm sorry. Can you tell me the 128
verse uh 1218 versus 1215? What does that mean? >> So, our current contract is a 1215, which means the stop-loss policy covers claims that are incurred uh within for a 12-month period, but
paid out over a 15-month period. The the contract we are going to be getting for next year will extend that 15 months to an 18-month period. So, it's it's better for the district. When are we going to have We usually have our health insurance brokers come in and give the board a whole
presentation. We haven't had that in a couple of years. I think we really need to do that because we always talked about things that we could change. You know, they would give us the whole board an update so everybody knows what's going on. We haven't had that in some time. >> We've done it with the finance committee.
>> Yeah, but we haven't done it with the whole board in a long time. >> Increase on the state benefits. >> The state Well, I mean, we're not in that. I know we're not it was you know 32 33% something along those lines >> but still to have them come in and inform the board of what we're getting
how we're getting it our stock talk about our stock loss how do we do this year compared to last year we don't have any of that information >> I mean we we can >> I think we need to have them in >> okay >> to inform the whole board on where we stand okay >> and what why it's costing us what it's
costing us So would you arrange that Mr. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Well, actually >> I mean we'll we'll target, you know, perhaps the we have a few things going on at next week's meeting. I don't know that they'd be available that quick, but
we could target the May meeting. >> Yeah, because we have to renew contracts, too, right? >> What's that? Don't we renew contracts soon too for these companies? >> Oh, you mean the uh the professionals? >> Yeah, the professionals. So, I would like >> That's usually on for the main that's
actually on the main meeting. >> I would like to do this before then. >> Okay. I don't know if we have a workshop in May, but we'll work it out. >> We have the rehire voting is combined. >> Okay. So, lot
the teamsters memorandum of agreements for facilities and par professionals the units have ratified uh the district now is just waiting to receive the agreements so that the board can consider them for approval. Um hopefully we'll be doing that at the meeting next week.
>> U Mr. I'm not sure I might have missed it with the other conversation, but I don't know if you mentioned that we had placeholder for the mental health services contract award. >> Did I miss that? >> Uh was under it was
written below where we talked about health insurance, but we do have a placeholder on that. We had the RFP go out for mental health services and we are evaluating the responses and there will be an award on next week's agenda
and it's one it's a competitive contract so it's one of those processes where we put up an evaluation report and along with it on the agenda. So >> don't we have mental health in place now? >> Well currently we have that that's the services we currently ending at ESS. So,
we were at the end of our five-year period that we could renew their contract. So, we have we went out for another competitive process. So, this we have to put a report together with the results and score them on the rubric and make the appointment. So,
>> thank you. >> It is in the budget too. >> Yeah. >> Uh health benefits for 2526. The expenses are running about a million dollars over budget currently. Um the offsets by the increased rebates are
helping. So the June 30th outlook district will have the funds available to replenish its fund balance to the 2% level that the uh NJOE county office required the district to commit to last year as a condition of budget approval.
>> And we're we're getting that money from rebate. I couldn't hear what you were saying about. So we were just saying you know we monitor health the health benefits throughout the year. You know at this snapshot in time you know we are running roughly a million dollars over what we
had budgeted uh last year for health benefits. Um we have three months essentially well two and a half left in a year. So you know some that that will likely change you know but but we moni
we basically monitor it every day. So we keep track and u look at what the projections will be. But you know right now it's running you know roughly a million dollars more than what we budgeted but again that that could change. But I do want to emphasize that
we we have gotten a better rebate program this year. Our rebates have increased significantly which has helped to offset uh our some of these increases in claims. Claims are being driven mostly by prescription. It's the same in a lot of places. Our medical claims are
actually pretty steady. It's the prescription costs that are really driving increases in everybody's plans. >> So, we're getting we're just taking the money out of um the budget to >> No, I was saying the rebates come back in and offset the payments that we have
to make on claims. So, that has helped defay some of the increases in >> Yeah, that's a good question. >> I have a question. Um, did we get any update on the shared uh with shared services on the class 3 officers? Cuz I
know we were supposed to have a shared service, there were supposed to be a shared service meeting on the 13th that got cancelled. >> I thought I saw an email right before this meeting uh that the township is proposing next Wednesday. So I I I read it quickly when we
>> That's after the budget meeting. >> I'm sorry. >> That's after the budget meeting. >> Yeah, they that was the I mean I have an answer. I just read it. I you know, we haven't discussed it. >> Is that a key component to the budget? >> Well, we have class three officers budgeted in the budget at the full cost
because at this point, you know, we don't know anything different >> and we don't know what it's going to be different with the school closings either. >> We did factor in a reduction for the two buildings that wouldn't be open.
>> So, we >> So, are we actively negotiating this or is it just take it or leave it? I mean I wasn't at the last >> the last meeting I think they said the chief was working on it so I haven't heard >> right that's why why did we cancel the shared service meeting on the 13th >> there was conflict with the date we
tried to reschedule and we just waited and said we just got a new date today >> I had made myself available I know I was told that you were the one that was unavailable and I had made myself available I sent you an email on the 9th that I was available >> I think the email already went out and Dr. Al phone mentioned that she wasn't
going to be available either, >> but Mr. said she was available >> to that point. Mr. Saraski, I did say the last time >> I don't have any problem with anybody sitting there. >> I just think that that was a really important thing that should have been finalized before this budget. >> July.
>> I mean, doesn't doesn't move us forward. >> No. >> So, is there anything we could do between now and next Tuesday to get working on this so we have an answer for next Tuesday? Can we reach out tomorrow morning? And
>> again, I read the email just a little while ago. I haven't responded or >> I mean I I have all the emails. I reached out I think six times in the last week and we finally got the this today.
So, are we set to meet on Wednesday the 29th at 5? Can I reply right now? Can we commit? I mean I I you'd have to ask all the members of the committee. I you know I don't know. >> So well at least if we get three or four of us there
>> that can commit as backups too >> I can commit. >> I I will commit. >> Sure. >> Are you available that day? >> Oh I don't I don't remember the time. Was it Wednesday the 29th Wednesday phone as well because she's going to be
there as well. Well, if she can't, perhaps she could send in. >> I'm available >> from administration. >> I am available on the 29th. >> You are? >> Yes. >> You're 5:00.
>> Hi. >> Is it 5:00? >> I'll reply right now for all. I mean, that's what they're in. >> Oh, got it. >> If if Mr. phone's not available. I can sit in. >> As of now, I'm available. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. So, okay. Then the last item that we discussed was the new Mammoth courtesy bus in which we just went over facilities in detail. >> That's it. >> Can I ask a couple of questions for finance? Um, is this where we would talk
about money into charter schools? >> Money for what? >> Charter schools in the budget. >> Charter schools. We do we do budget for the state gives us a notice that says what the tuition is that for students from Middletown and we do budget for that in the budget. >> Okay.
>> We actually have to they check and make sure we budget exactly what they tell us. >> Okay. because I for the first time ever as a resident of New Jersey have seen a lot of local people that are asking about charter schools and are looking to send their
children to charter schools in Redbank and other surrounding areas. So, I'm wondering if you could give us the projected numbers that we have like of students in Middletown going to charter schools versus the actual um are out of district numbers and the number of
students that we had scheduled like that were coming to Middletown that are now leaving. Um because I have with all of the things that have been happening, there's a lot of unrest and a lot of loss of trust. And I think that's really important for
us as board members to see and understand because it is our job to ensure the public's trust in how we are leading this district. And I think this could be um a symptom of what's happening in the town that we really need to be aware of uh as the decisions
are made by board members to do what we're doing. So >> I I can share what's been budgeted. I don't I don't have it in front of me. It don't hold me to this. I think it was approximately >> You don't have to give me the numbers now. Like could this be something that
you report to us or include in Tuesday's meeting for the voting meeting that we could have this information? >> I can I can certainly bring what we were told the the amount of students that we have and what the tuition is currently.
I I can't tell you if somebody's going to make a decision next year to enroll. >> Well, I think that would be important for us to see like last year what it was and then next year what it is. >> Okay. >> To see the discrepancy. >> There has been there was an increase
even for this year versus the year before. Like I said, I about nine students. >> That would be great. Can we do two years because then it would be last year because honestly that's when all of this unrest really started. Um, and how many kids K to 12 have left the district to
go private, to go home school, to go charter, to go wherever they're going because they're making decisions for their children's future based on what we're doing. >> So, you want more and then the charter school information. >> I I would I was starting with charter schools, but I think that might be important now that you mentioned to bring all of that in. How many kids that
we lost? >> Yeah. I mean, we might we might be able we could I mean, I'm just thinking I'd have to check with the people who handle enrollment, but I don't know that we always know why they've left, you know, whether they've moved or
>> Well, we But that's I think that's why I was looking specifically at charter schools to start, right? >> So, that that's that's easy. I do that. >> And then maybe we could look at the out of district numbers in the last two years. >> Out of the >> meaning moving I how How does that work?
Do we find out about private people that have left? >> Yeah. >> Lost in numbers, >> right? I just don't know that we'd be able to know all the reasons. >> You have to see what records. >> I mean I again I'll have to talk to the enrollment department and see what can
be pulled to >> whatever they can tell us and because usually when you leave a district they say where are you going, where are you sending the records, right? So you could say you would know if there were >> We will we will look and see what we can get. >> Thank you.
>> But on the flip side, I mean, we also have students that move into the district as well. >> I don't any other questions. >> No, thank you. >> Uhel student services, Mrs. Torin.
Sorry, I lost it in all of my other papers. Um, last night we met for special services. Um, April is autism ex acceptance month. It has changed from awareness month to acceptance because it's not really enough to just be aware,
it's the accepting. Um it also follows the developmental disabilities awareness week where um Middletown schools implemented themed initiatives and educational experiences including readalouds um essays and different activities at our schools uh with
reinforcing the ongoing commitment to acceptance and inclusive practices and it has definitely grown in the last year. So we're looking forward to how it's going to continue to grow. Uh we discussed the special class programs planning proposals. of that work is
ongoing. Um the autism programs at this point are I don't want to say set in stone but where they are scheduled to be. Uh K to2 is going to be at Nutswamp as well as uh Beayshore Elementary. 3 to 5 will be at
Nutswamp as well as Beayshore Elementary for uh the autism program. The program will continue through South for 6th, 7th and 8th and 9th through 12 at um South. So Thompson in the South and South High
School. The LLD program um K to2 at Beayshore, K to2 at Bay View, and K to2 at Village, 3 to 5 at Beayshore, 3 to 5 at Bay View, 3 to 5 at Village, 6 through 8 at Thompson, as well as 6 through8 at North uh at Thorne, sorry.
So both um middle schools will have an LLD program and both high schools will have an LLD program. The planning is underway for extended school year at Harmony and Thorne. Um though the busing and everything is
scheduled and is uh going out in the next week to continue the instruction behind the regular school year to maintain the skills and continue the progress for IEP goals. As far as the Loftraftoft annex, the ribbon cutting ceremony is um set for August uh Friday,
August 28th. That is where the transition program will be. It's structured, supportive, and it's a pathway for young adults to transition to the community through hands-on training, community integration, and individualized support systems. Um the
kitchen is ready, and most of the furniture is there. It has to be put together, but it is there. Um, and after that is done, then they will bring the students over to visit, but they don't want to do that until the space is set.
Uh, we talked about the marking period progress reports for IEPs. Those are also through Genesis so that it's one easy place to see all of these things. uh that will help the communication um between families and school and really ensure that you know Genesis is where
you can get all of the information for your child's update uh progress. The unified kickball game is set, but there are two tenative dates. It's either going to be May 13th or 14th. The letters have been distributed, the practice schedule is out, and the game
is going to be against Brick Memorial. So that will be um a really fun day. If anybody can make it down to Brick Memorial, once they have set the date, they will send those details for us to share as well. Um
there was a settlement agreement we discussed and we talked about the guiding principles of special education. Um committing the committee is highlighting uh focus this year to include continuing to strengthen our
commitment to inclusive education, continuing to reinforce the culture of acceptance and belonging, maximizing the instructional benefits of co-eing in our classrooms, focusing on specialized instruction, maintaining high expectations, and emphasizing the benefits of strong communication between
home and school partners. Um, we did talk about a number of programs and things that we're looking to expand on um to make sure that we can keep our students in district safe and in the learning environment that we that they
deserve to get in our schools and that they have been getting. So, it was a good meeting and a lot of good information idea shared. >> I just have a question on the annex. I know a few months ago I asked to make sure that before the students went in
there that we did air quality testing. Is that still on the schedule? >> Yes, we'll coordinate that with the students coming before the students. >> Right. And we we have to get like the CFO to use that building. >> Yes. I have I actually need to get an
update of where we stand with all of the township permitting and so forth. But um >> report back to facilities on that next. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure that the air quality. >> That's it. Mus. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. Uh Dr. Alone's not here. We'll talk about the board goals. So, review the draft voting agenda. Anybody have any questions on that? >> Yeah. I just want to make um why don't we extend my thought is to
extend the public comment until everybody speaks and just get it over with now rather than going back and forth at the meeting making motions about it. Just adjust it now and open up public comment. >> I believe there is legislation coming down the pipe that's going to uh enforce
that. >> What was that? >> Oh, I I said I think that we should just adjust where it says 30 minutes for public comment on all these. take that off of there so that we don't have to spend another 10 minutes going through a motion and extend it at the next meeting. >> I I believe that 30 minutes is tied to
maybe tied to the policy. >> It is >> it's tied to the policy. So I don't think we have to make >> policy committee. >> We haven't heard anything about changing policy. >> Okay, that's fine. >> All right, that's be done by motion. No problem. If the majority wants to extend
it, we >> That's fine. I think the only thing that was in there was that it was three minutes. I don't think there's a 30 minute. >> Just 30 minutes per comment or three minutes per comment. >> I think the 30 minutes was something.
>> Okay. >> We put on there. >> All right. and we'll make sure it's >> it didn't look like there was any limit in the time on the budget public comment though that was looked like it was open. >> No, I mean it's a public hearing just on
the budget. >> Any old business? Well, I don't know if this is old business, but going back to the discussion the board's been having about the budget before we get to next week and we're presenting the final budget. If you do want to in have changes made
to and as we've always talked about, you know, the board, we're allowed to make changes between the tenative and the final budget. If there's things that you want to add into the budget, it would be very helpful for me to know that. get a consensus from you now so I can reflect that in the final budget because that
would also have to be part of the resolution that goes on the agenda for the budget. We would have to just itemize what we're changing between the 10 and the final. So if we were going to add anything that you've been discussing, it'd be a easier for me to do that or >> I don't know that we can because it's a
non. >> No, but I mean I I can you're not going to vote on it, but if you give me a consensus that that's the direction that the board is going I would like to add that on the >> I mean I but the way it will work is I would adjust you know what we're presenting the board still has to vote
on the budget so you know that's the final say but it if that's where everybody's if that's what the majority of the board wants to see in the presentation then it would be better for me to know that. So is it is it my wish list?
>> Sorry. Is that my understanding? So in the facilities meeting I had written that we needed to bring up the bathrooms, the playgrounds for Beayshore and New Mammoth and change the preliminary plan
that was put in for Beayshore. >> Well, we're not we're not doing any there's not going to be anything on the agenda for the floor plan of the building. What I'm saying is items to the budget. What we wanted to talk the committee recommendation that we were talking about that we were going to bring to the full board, right?
>> Yes. >> Yes. was that they that we wanted to put in the budget that the kindergartens the kindergarten rooms had bathrooms. That the preliminary plan that was um
presented with the layout of the spaces that we talked or that you could talk to the administration to change them to put all the kindergartens together. So that cuz it wasn't set in stone. This was just um >> yeah, we were told this is just a piece of paper with
>> the proposal on it and that the K our request was that the kindergartens be put together to make it more of the unified thing. So I guess that's what we're bringing out now. Plus the playgrounds that new mom um whatever
needs to be finished and upgraded that you can have uh Mr. your Nasser meet with them to figure out what they need as well as the new Big Shore playground that it's closer to the building that it has all of the things that are needed that it has capacity and I would actually recommend that we go beyond the
capacity of what's going to be there because there's so much empty space in Beayshore that it seems like there's going to be more kids coming there in the future. >> The building is half full kids in there. So, you can't tell me the plan is not to
move another school into there. >> There's no way we're going to be sitting here telling this community we're running a school that's almost half empty. There's no way. And the other part I don't know what the next school is. >> So that part with the playground to make
sure that all of that is in there that it is large enough to not just house the kids that are scheduled to be there now, but the kids that are probably going to be there in the future and money for um the actual move, the painting, the
redoing of the building to make it elementary. Exactly. Like and also to pay the staff to be able to come in in the summer and set up the schools. >> Well, Mrs. Torres 2, you also were talking about in student services whether or not there was need for fencing to correct.
>> Correct. And for the playground currently, but what we were talking about in the budget meeting was that if we put this in the budget and that it is possible to get it done over the summer, so we wouldn't need that fencing to worry about kids aloping on their way to
the playground. that is 498 ft away. >> And we wouldn't need waivers either either. And that's one of the arguments I made. If we're going to call this the elementary school of the future, it shouldn't require a waiver. >> So that's the recommendation of the committee, but I guess I'm throwing it
out there to the other board members to comment and see what you say to see if we're on the same page and what your thoughts are. >> I I was there and I agreed with everything that Mrs. Torres just mentioned. Yeah, I mean I know we're not voting on
it, but if you're looking for direction, I would say that that should be included in the final budget. >> You have the list. >> What's that? >> You have the list with the rest. >> Well, it I mean the projects we would be adding would be kindergarten bathrooms and the playgrounds.
>> And I also think there should be money in there for the North baseball field >> because it's going to be a safety issue. have the money. >> Well, I I I just would say, you know, again, if we don't, you know, some of these things that we don't have a cost
on, we can certainly look at, but that is why we're reestablishing a maintenance reserve so we can utilize that money to do things that may not >> You're consens my my my wish would be that we put this whole plan off till next year until we
have a real plan. And speaking on that, um I know that in the last meeting it was discussed that we can't put it off because that is um forcing a future board to carry out something that we decided.
Yeah, >> that's what the attorney said or somebody said. >> That's what someone said. I would like to make it known um I spoke with New Jersey school boards as well as uh Mr. Burns and that is not true. So if we as
a board did have a conversation about all of these things that we are concerned about not getting done, we can amend a resolution. And by amending you would have to vote to get rid of it and redo the resolution
with the new numbers of 2627 instead of 26 no 2728 instead of 2627 and that that resolution could go through and we could take the year to get all of these issues worked out.
So in this workshop I am asking whomever would like to please have this conversation because I don't see how we are setting up the administrators for failure. >> And by inter in turn the administrators
we're setting up our children for failure. We're setting up our teachers for failure. And I am really concerned that this long-term effect of this rash decision is going to put such detriment in this town, in this school system.
It's going to take so long to recover in a time when we are barely able to hang on to what we have. And I really I hope that we can have an open discussion and conversation because I don't know and I have not yet heard from anyone about why
this is so immediate and happening now. If we have a balanced budget and we have the time, we have a way that we can go forward with a new leader and a new superintendent and really do this the right way.
So, in the workshop, I'm asking, can we talk about it? >> Yeah, we could talk about it, but if you're going to make a motion, it would have >> I don't I'm not making >> No, I understand. But the the time to make the motion for a new resolution would be at the voting meeting this week. >> Okay. So, this is what I tried to have discuss.
>> So, the majority of the board already voted on that issue twice. So, and the full board's not here. But yes, we can >> but I was cut off last time, so I didn't get to actually have that conversation. So, I'm asking if if you are or Miss Weinstein or Ralaski,
anybody because we don't have the full board here, but how can we have this conversation? We're all here. This is the workshop. This is the part we're supposed to talk. We've been giving our concerns and I would love to hear why this resolution has to go through now.
That was what the board decided. >> So why did you stay in my position? >> You stayed enjoyed. You may not agree with it, but that was my that was my position, right? >> My opinion, a one of nine. Five people voted for in favor of it. So I guess my question is how can we
then figure out with all of these concerns, how can we as a board come up with a consensus and figure out how we can be the leaders to direct this administration forward so that it can be successful. >> We're asking I'm not I'm I'm really like
I'm legitimately asking here. I'm tired of hearing myself talk. I would love to hear more information because I'm not getting it. Wow. >> We're voting on a budget next week that we have so many unknowns in. How can we really vote on this budget?
>> I mean, you're comfortable that the transportation isn't going to go up. You're comfortable that we have enough money to make the renovations. You're comfortable we have enough money for everything that we need to do. >> The budget was approved by the county superintendent. >> No, it wasn't. >> We have to >> The budget was the budget. Okay. But not
>> not all these changes. >> I'm saying but our budget our budget was approved but >> a lot of the information isn't even included in there. >> It's not. We're sitting here talking about all these things you're asking us. Do we want to put in the budget?
You know why isn't it in there already? >> That's a question for the administration. >> I you know I'm sorry. I I have a hard time believing transportation is going to be a zero increase or even close to it even though I know that's not what you said but >> and you know I will say at least on the
facility side we had gone over the items that were in the facilities budget for each facilities meeting since January. So if again everybody was aware we presented it the pro the projects and the equipment purchases that were in the
budget were clearly presented. We were having a discussion today whether you want to add anything specifically in those areas and if you do we can certainly amend the tenative budget but I would you know that's going to have to be approved by the board next week.
>> It's really sad that we put our time in. We met with Dr. Along because she said if anybody would like to meet about the budget issues and when we met our ideas were great but not one of them is incorporated in this budget.
Our ideas were great, helpful, very possible to be done, but not one of them is in this. >> I mean, I I had made a suggestion at Dr. Al phone of which I think the other people in the room would say she agreed with me that with reduction of three
schools, we should also look at reducing central administration. We should reduce one assistant superintendent. >> Well, personnel decisions are the recommendation of the superintendent. But that's this is how I >> just when we're shrinking the district, everything needs to shrink.
>> I feel that this budget that this budget is based highly on adults and not kids. I FEEL we're afraid to make decisions about adults because we're a change in leadership. But we're
not afraid to make decisions about kids because we're a change in leadership. I do I guess while we're on it, I have a question for um I'm so sorry I forget your name. >> Yes. >> DG. Hi DG. I'm sorry. So the board's job
is to set policy. Correct. >> The board's job is to that's part of our job is to set policy so that the administration can then enforce policy. Right. >> I follow. >> I'm not going to answer this step by step. So you seem to have a question
that you want to ask. >> Sure. So if the board's job is to then set policy and the administration's job is to follow those policies and implement the day-to-day of the district. When the board then sends something that is against the policies,
whose responsibility is it? Is it the administration? Is it the lawyer? Or is it the board to ensure that those policies are faithfully follow through? Lawyers don't like answering hypothetical questions. >> Okay, >> that's not hypothetical.
>> It's not a hypothetical. >> Your microphone. >> I just said in response to uh Morris's question that lawyers in general don't like answering hypothetical questions and this seems like a hypothetical question. So when you have all these
conditions. I don't think I'm the best person to answer that question tonight. >> I appreciate that. I'll continue to ask. It's fine. >> My problem is we continue to ask. We continue to bring things up and it's
radio silence. I'm not getting any information. I'm not getting any rationale. And it is incredibly frustrating to sit here and think that anyone trusts what we're doing on this board when I get no response. I don't know about you, Aaron, but I know the letter that you and I wrote, I
haven't gotten any responses. >> We're apparently supposed to have a meeting with uh Mr. Rita and Mr. Burns, you and me, at some point after the budget. >> No, I'm hoping before Tuesday. I asked for it before Tuesday. Joe, what was the letter in regards to
this? >> Joan and I wrote a memo to Mr. Avita and included it. May I uh I can forward it to you if you like. Um we submitted a formal complaint regarding the policy violations and safety concerns in Middletown for the
consolidation plan. Uh there are six different pieces and um it has to do with the long range facilities plan, the school closure policy, the resolution and how those things are very
conflicting. I can forward it to you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And did we not hypothetical question? You can pose it >> hopefully on Tuesday. If I don't get an answer, I will be reading it again. for
the public, >> but I'm doing my part to try to follow through with policy and procedure as listed by the ethics and school board. >> Any other old business? >> I have something for new business. Um,
just I know a couple people asked about setting board goals. I was able to have a conversation with uh Tim T and our rep. So he was going to send me a link for the board to do a uh self evaluation because there was no
board goals that I'm aware of last year. We'll be starting have been board goals for 5 years. >> Okay. I'm I'm here since January. >> Very important part of strategic planning and going forward with the closure of the schools. So, I'll send
the link and then we'll have to come up with a deadline of when that'll be due for everybody to complete it. And then, uh, after that point, Mr. Tian will aggregate the results and he'll come in. We can schedule a um a board workshop to
discuss the results and uh he would help us develop three to five goals and an action plan to achieve the goals and then a timeline to re report out to the public. So, if if everybody on the board is okay with that, I'll be happy to share the
link with the board. Uh, I'll put a date in. He did put out some tentative dates when he's available um to come in with the board and we can we would have to just notice another meeting and do this separately.
But, uh, Yes. >> So, his June dates are 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 and 12. >> What time of day is this? >> Uh, we would do it probably a similar time. 7:00 meeting.
>> Yeah, I'll send out the dates. >> June 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. Those are the dates that Mr. TN is available. And I'll send these dates to everybody in an email. Um but
if we come up with a date, we can schedule a meeting on that and then go over the results and then set the goals and then uh three to five goals and then a timeline, an action plan to achieve them and then reporting out to the public
and then move forward with it from from that point. So we'll get them set. >> I have added new business item. They're all set. Yeah, just if anybody has any questions on that. >> I have no >> Okay.
>> Um, so you might recall from I believe it was uh January or February, we started talking about a wellness committee to do uh community member outreach. Um, we discovered that this wellness committee is something that we were supposed to be doing for quite some time now, but it kind of got dropped during CO. So, we're reinitiating that.
Um, just to give you an idea, it's not like a standard board committee. Um, this is something that's set to engage parents. I'm just reading this right off the document. engage parents, students, and representatives of the school food authority, members of the school board, administrators, teachers, health professionals, and members of the public
for purpose of developing, implementing, monitoring, reviewing, and as necessary, revising the school nutrition and physical activity initiatives. Um, a committee may be convened to annually review, and when necessary, recommend revisions to school policies related to wellness and nutrition. Um, so this is something we're looking to revive. Uh,
it's a committee I'm looking to be a part of. I don't know. We wanted to kind of put it out to the board tonight if anyone was interested as well in joining and then Amy would take that back to the administration, get a few members from there. >> I would like to. >> Okay. And then put it out to the community to see who else would like to be involved. We already have one um
volunteer from an email earlier this year. Um so we could kind of work together. I know there's been a lot of changes obviously since precoid as to you know healthy nutrition standards um studies on activity that we should probably be taking into account when it comes to all the guidelines for our schools. So don't use that.
>> Is this I mean is this something that would be during the day or in the evening? >> I I it's really honestly it's not like a regular committee. So I think it's we can work it around whoever's involved. We don't have any set schedule. >> Yeah. I mean I'd be interested. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Anybody else? >> Yeah. Okay.
>> Yeah. And I don't think it's something where you have to participate every single time, right? It's not a regular committee. It's just there'll probably be a lot of different members there, but it's just something that we want to kind of make sure that we're keeping up to date with uh you know, >> we had Sarah, Joan, Aaron, >> and
Okay. >> Um, one other thing I just wanted to acknowledge the uh change.org petition, the reduced edtech in Middletown petition that's been going around. Um, it's just something I know that, you know, as board members, we're not really supposed to be signing petitions. I actually asked for legal
counsel on that but it is something that was brought back in our curriculum committee. Um our district is as uh we had mentioned earlier in the committee report really evaluating the role in technology and education and I think that we are working to be forward thinking in that. So we appreciate that
opinion and it is something that we want you to know we have seen and heard and is always being discussed internally with the administration so that they can set policy moving forward. Um and I just Are you going to talk about Woodson's? Am I going to talk about >> the Woodson survey >> if you want to mention in case Okay, so
really quickly also another thing that kind of rolls up to wellness, we put out a Woodson survey or Amy did earlier today this afternoon. Um, so if it's something you're interested in participating about food service, if you could please fill that out just so we could get a better idea of what people are thinking as far as food service goes
in the town, we'd appreciate it. Um, and if you could kind of share that with anybody else that might be interested in case they might have missed the email, that would be great. >> If and if you can't find the email, it's also on the website. I wanted to talk about that um email and the survey. I think it's good they're doing the survey and they do it every
year, but I also think that it's important that before we start jumping to make changes because we are all parental rights that we um hear what the parents have to say that utilize the food service because they might not have
the same opinion as my friends or your friends or your friends and they might not want to see all those changes in here. We're making changes because we have a few people that want to do it. I think change is good. I think it's important, but I also think we need to
pay attention to the surveys and make sure that the parents that are utilizing the food service program are being heard. And I do agree that we should find out from people what it would take to get them to join it. But I don't think we should be making our changes
based on that because there's no guarantee they're going to join it. I think it's important that we listen to the parents because everybody has a right to what their kids are eating and what they're not. I think we're doing a good job providing the healthy foods, following the guidelines, and yes,
there's always room for change, but I don't think we should be making it on our personal opinions. I think we should be collectively getting that information from all the parents in the district. >> Any other new business? I have no I have new business. Um yes.
Um can we discuss the superintendent search in public? What we're allowed to discuss? >> Uh I guess just now >> Yeah. Whatever is legal >> that was discussed in executive. >> Yeah. Anything that's legally available
to discuss so the public knows where we stand right now because there's so many people asking >> who's going to do it. Oh, I thought you went to Oh, >> so so the update is yes, we we will be looking to retain the services of uh New
Jersey school boards to do our search for us. So, we we expect to get that kicked off um vote to approve uh hiring them so we can get a PO issued to them uh at the next board meeting on the 28th and then we'll start that process. And
we could say school boards takes pretty much full control. >> Yes. The the county and the >> there's also the component in there that they'll help with the strategic plan that brought up. >> Yeah. If you go with that higher level, which I actually think we should.
>> Yeah. >> And that was agreed upon >> because it needs to be done. Um other new business um on the the 30th and the 1st is Bay Shores Play. Everybody else's plays have pretty much been done. the elementary schools are doing them. I
know Leonardo is having one here next week. That's why we're moving over to Thompson. That's the only reason we're moving over to Thompson right now because there's so many rumors out there. Why? It's just because the kids book this room and they have a right to have a practice. Um, prom season's
coming up. So, um, that's exciting. I'm, you know, I'm running into a lot of high school kids. They're all talking about it. I hope they have a a really safe prom season. We have a lot of programs that we provide for our kids in the district on safe prom. So, um, you know, we're really proud of what we do for
that and, um, a lot of end of the year activities. So, pay attention to your local schools and get involved because it's exciting to see what the kids do at the end of the year. That's all I have. >> Thank you.
Anything else for new business? Okay. Okay, at this time I'd like to open up the microphone. Public comment. Hi, my name is Logan Dlesi and I go to Basher Middle School. I would go to Thor Middle School. At Basher, we have academic opportunity. So, at Thorn and
Thompson, will they have enough staff for these electives? At Thorn and Thompson, where will we eat lunch? Because my friends and family at these schools say there's no room right now. So, if more kids are coming, where will we eat lunch? I I suggest is for all the
kids going to Thorn and Thompson should have an open house on the same day. So the board of education can properly prepare for the huge increase of students at these schools. >> Hi Geri Middletown. Um the first point I want to
get across is that this relates back to my prior profession but I really think the board needs to direct the administration to have a dedicated project manager. This is a huge undertaking and to rely that everybody
you know at each school is going to execute everything. Um I'm looking over at the team over there. Maybe since Mr. Reinella isn't here. He and his staff can take over um project management, but I think there needs to be somebody that holds
everybody accountable and tracks the deliverables and make sure that everything is done. Um, also on um the conversations about Pomo and New Mama, I I'm just surprised that we're going
through this and we're not looking at redistricting these wacky pockets that we have where we have students that can walk to certain schools that are being bus across highways and around corners. I mean, I have people that have called me and said, "What do I do? I can see
the school from my backyard, but they're making me go somewhere else. Um, and I believe the administration is then forced to reject them because there's a certain zoning. Um, so I I just think
particularly I mean even Village has weird redistricting. And speaking of village, back in my day, 90% of village used to go to South and we paid for no busing. Under this new deal would be paid for all the busing. So you that's a
significant change. Um high school I I might have missed it but I haven't seen how the numbers fall out overall for high school. Do we have anything on that now that we're changing Fair View and other things like going to
South um the MD the multiply disabled programs are they still going to high school south or are they going to follow their peers from north to north? I don't know if any of that's been discussed. >> I'm sorry.
>> Which school are you referring to? I couldn't multiply disabled classes now, but they they come out of Thor, so they don't follow with their neurotypical peers. Is that changing? >> We talked about it, but it's not on the other thing. Um,
>> anyways, it's just I don't >> they we talked about it in committee. um Bay View and Thorn and it could shift to the southside. So TBD, they're still working on it, which is why I think it's not on the minutes.
>> Okay. Um class three officers, I assume we're looking what other districts are doing because it's over the top what we do. Um and I think the town needs to step up. Um we pay about $70,000 conservatively for each officer. I do
basic math on what we pay. Um there's got to be a better way. Um um um disability awareness week. Wonderful things happening in the district. I wish certain schools could be held to the
same standard. I don't know why we allow certain schools to just ignore it. Um lunch lounge after many months. There's a lunch lounge set up at South. I appreciate the efforts. It's actually so popular that my daughter can't go to it
because it's too loud for her. But I'm happy that other kids have it. So, it shouldn't have taken that long, but I really appreciate getting that done. Um, also, young man, my son was at Thompson
when they had the ancillary cafeteria. They called it Cafe B, and they went on a rotation schedule. And he said he actually enjoyed those times because he was with different friends. Um, and it was quieter and the teacher that was in there monitoring, you know, they had
more fun. So there there's a way to do it. >> Hi, my name is Samantha Delesio. I'm from the Bel area and my children go to Bayiew and Behore, so directly impacted by the school closures. Um, I mean
there's still so many unknowns and long-term obviously as towns change, schools need to change and you need to keep up with it. I think everyone in the town agrees with that. But there is no plan. You don't there's still so many unknowns and that's what's giving the
concern. So some of the people on this board were clearly voted with an intent. I think a lot of us thought that the intent was for our students, but obviously there's more taxes and financial things that play in political affiliations outside of this experience that have landed some of you in the seats that you're sitting in with
massive donations that other people have not entertained. >> It's wild. So, you come into these seats and it's understandable that people have concerns as to why to trust you and where your loyalties actually lie. When
Navisync is sold, the trust, where does that go to? What are the details there? Are there side deals where people benefit and are utilizing positions for personal benefit? That's a concern. You have two schools where you won't stand to benefit financially to put money back
into the budget when you close them or there's other schools in the district that require a lot more work and you would make money if you sold those those buildings. So perhaps there's a reason why, but I think we want to know what that reason is. You just want to know what those answers are.
>> Yes. >> Thank you for bringing up the replacement for Dr. Alone. I think that that's a really big concern for a lot of people. Some people may also not have known the way that the procedure works with the board of ed and the superintendent. She's clearly the most
high paid individual within the board of ed. So, it's understandable that she should earn her keep and her position should be responsible for creating this transition. However, she's out the door. So, would it not make sense to first find the replacement and allow them to
craft this transition and then execute on this transition? We're rushing into something that impacts students for their future in this town and for what purpose? because it doesn't seem like your P&L is balanced to understand that you're actually going to come ahead in
this in this transition with so many unknowns in your budget. What happens when you still don't close the gap and you still don't have enough money? What is the plan then? We just continue nixing off schools until magically it happens. I mean, there's AI programs
like put the numbers in, create the spreadsheets, create the reports. If you're not capable of doing this, then maybe people should step down and allow people to come into office that want to do this work for the students of this town. As we get together by now or next
Tuesday, ultimately I would hope that this is something every member of this board is working on and obviously the superintendent. So, good luck. Hopefully you guys find out more information on the rehiring process and you guys can figure out a plan that actually
shepherds in a good future for the town. This it's just crazy that there is no plan and you've allowed it to become this like more taxes, more money versus schools when that's not the case. There's clearly mismanaged budgets across the board and there's figures
about a $600 $600,000 payment for cleaning a cafeteria. like there's certain crazy numbers. Do like please do your job. >> Hey guys, uh Daniel Juel, Atlantic Island. Um before I go into some sort of
cynical rant, apologies in advance. Uh did I hear before that we actually have a balanced budget if schools remain open for this year? So we do. So there's no more like existing deficit that's really happening as a percentage of
>> I guess I'll just go on the assumption that we do still have the deficit of 440,000 I think it was that we determined last time after the uh the increase in state aid and uh the increase in tax levy that was unanimously approved for unknown
reasons. Um, so the CL, if I can then kind of say the quiet part that Mark was uh getting at out loud, the class 3 officers cost us, as far as I understand, of $1.8
million a year. The deficit as it remains is 440,000. Mayor Perry last April publicly stated that he would split that cost with us. So, it's a little glaring that the shared services committee got pushed out
until after we vote on this budget when the solution to the budget deficit would probably be approved in that shared services in the absence of any sort of arguments for the plan to go forward. I mean, we
just are free to sort of make up these uh reasons. however cynical they may seem. The other thing I just wanted to ask is I haven't seen a counterfactual which is how much does closing the schools actually save. The presentation at the
last meeting actually showed operating expenses increasing by 3.8 million from last year from this current school year to next projected school year. So I was just curious what we're actually saving by closing the schools.
I know it's not a Q&A, so I'll just let the questions go on into Hello, Ryan Marwin um from Middletown. Um I've been watching the board meeting the last month and I was like dis like disturbed of what's been going on. I do
want to give credit to the people like on the left side of the board that at least are asking the tough questions. >> Yes. And I know it's difficult for everybody, but this this this town is divided right
now. And and I believe we we need we need a a long-term plan because this plan is not going to cut it for everybody. And um we're rushing this plan too quickly. If we were going to close schools, um this
needs this should have been done like like a four-year plan or something. But um also I have to discuss this but um with all due respect I believe that we that board members component to backbone need to resign for all the
messages. I wish I wish they were here to hear this but they're not. But but anyways this town needs to heal. We need we need to reunite. We need to work this out. I know we will eventually, but this is a
big mess and that's all I got to say. Thank you. Good night. Hi, Kristen Coons, Middletown. Um, it's nice to see you all up here tonight. Um, I guess maybe not really. Um, I have a question because a lot of
questions that I ask out into ether the ether don't get answered. So, um, my son is currently in Beayshore sixth grade going into seventh grade. How many students per classroom are you expecting with this move?
>> And if you can't answer that, okay, who's who's the leader here? Let's talk about some leadership skills. Um, I don't know. I my uh my father handed me a book when I graduated high school, Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and
Influence People. Um part of it I think is pretty basic, you know, how to respect the people around you, how to get people involved, how to sort of sell your story, sell what what is meaningful to you. And I have yet to see a
meaningful ploy of how closing schools is going to make this town better. Um I know I've gotten involved in travel sports this year. Never would I thought I would do that, but I hear a lot of parents from other districts in New
Jersey and they look at Middletown, they're like, "What the hell is going on over there? I was thinking of moving to Middletown, but hey, guess what? There's a thousand other places with better schools. I'm not going there. Um, this is was I moved here for the schools.
This was once an amazing school district. Can you say it is anymore? I mean, let's talk about how the board functions. Are you here because you believe in kids and your values and you want to make a difference in school or are you here for political reasons? I
just see politics being played, politics being pushed. Oh, I've got five. I've got five people on my side to vote for this closures. Yet, I can't present a plan to you all. I can't even answer your questions. Like, really reasonable,
simple questions. Bathrooms, schools, teachers, buses, playgrounds. This isn't rocket science, right? I mean, I I hear I hear some members of the board asking these questions. I also
don't hear them being answered. Um, so you know, I'd like to see some campaign promises come true. Like, let's let's get behind what was your campaign again? Um,
parents, teachers, not teachers, students, taxpayers first, whatever. Nonsense. Like, these are wishywashy statements that are just not coming to fruition. And, you know, I I see integrity up here. I see people who care
about kids. I see people who care about education, the future of society through education, but I don't see real leadership. I really don't. And I think you should question like who are you voting for? Who are you voting for that
has real leadership, who has integrity, who can back up what they believe in with um oh get um data, facts, truth. Really disappointed in you all. Really, I'm disappointed in this town. I'm
disappointed in your behavior. I'm disappointed in your leadership. And I think you owe it to the residents of this town to treat us with a little bit more respect. And you know, give us something real. >> I don't say it quite sorry
>> can't hear. >> I don't think I can say it quite as well as that, but uh I'll do my best. Um, some very real problems with the plan or should say the lack of a plan to close three schools have been raised by
students, by parents, by educators, by four members uh by four members of the board and there is a general concern that this is a poorly thought out and underprepared
plan. Uh, and board members have rightly asked those members who voted to shutter the schools to explain their need to do this this year rather than to properly prepare a well-ordered thoughtout plan. These
requests have been met with absolute radio silence. Nothing. Nothing. So to me, uh this tells us this tells us two things. First of all, that the five members do not wish to share their true motives for the
hasty and shambolic rush to close the schools. And second of all, that these five members have absolute contempt for the community that they don't even feel obligated to explain their votes
>> when asked. This is nothing short of an insult. And let me add that for the two of five of these members who voted to shutter the schools to blow up a meeting >> at at a crucial time like this is is
just disgusting. >> And I might add uh their pet superintendent uh the very highly paid Dr. Alone. She's not here either. Shock. Shame on you all. That's it.
>> Jen really Middletown. First, I'm gonna answer Kristen's question since no one else could. Um, I emailed administration last week asking about class sizes at Thorne right now. They have no idea because they don't have any staffing plan and courses are still being
selected. So, there's still no answer. We have no idea. Um, I have countless things I could say up here about the negative impact to our students, to our teachers, and the absolute divide that you've created in this town between
north and south. We heard countless times today all of the things that will continue to be removed from the north side. Not once today did we hear about any negative impact, any reduction, anything happening on the south side. And I think that has been on display
over and over. But the point I want to make clear is this is now my third time up here talking about IEPs. It may shock you that I have still not received an IEP meeting for my son. That was requested seven weeks ago. There
have been no IEP answers to my questions. I asked very specific questions. There have been no answers. There is he does have his annual IEP meeting coming up. That is not the time or place to be answering facilities
questions to be answering questions about what a new building may look for him. My understanding of an annual IEP is talk to talk about all of the goals he has met this year, all the goals he has not met this year, and all the goals
we want him to continue to meet. It is astounding to me that everyone can sit in this room and fail a seven-year-old boy who is deaf and cannot meet their basic expectations.
My son, like I said last time, has an easy IEP. There are countless parents here, countless students in our district who are waiting on all of you, waiting on all of you to reach out about how the school closures will impact this IEP. If
you cannot answer a simple question like, has the acoustics in every classroom my child being tested? That's that's a yes or no answer. that can't be answered. How on earth are you meeting the expectation of every single IEP and
504 student in this district? And how will all of these IEPs be transitioned and executed properly? My guess based on your answer tonight is it will fall to our incredible educators, our incredible support staff,
our incredible principles who will have to figure out in their three PD days before school starts how how to magically execute an IEP without any assistance from the rest of you. >> Thank you.
Atlantic Islands. I had preparing comments which were probably very similar to what those in the audience are going to say, what Aaron voiced uh the questions that still remain. So, I'm going to pivot. Uh Miss Weinstein, I heard you mention that we are starting a new committee, a wellness committee with
input from the community. We're having a food service survey. We're having um you've noticed the the increased discussion about limited screen time. These are all things that are near and dear to my heart. I could talk about them forever. Um, and so I hope you just
take that same mindset and apply it to the overall discussion we're having about finance, the budget, the unanswered questions about IEPs, and the unanswered questions about capacity. I feel like you have the potential, you're
already seeking out community input um on these new initiatives when we have open initiatives that still don't have answers. So turning my questions to you. I hope we can work together. You can start digging in and you can start speaking up at these meetings because it would be nice to hear from others
besides Aaron, Mark, and Joel who have been supporting us. Thank you. >> Uh Jennifer Johnson, Atlantic Islands. Uh I have a daughter in sixth grade at Beayshore. uh and I work in the mental health field
and I see our students I I have clients who are in the middle and elementary and high schools and I just want to remind you that as a process is occurring and you're looking at the facilities and the sink heights
and the stairs and the schools when that happens during school time these little kids who are running around you might think they're not paying attention but But the kids are hearing and seeing and it is stressing them out. >> They're worried. They're scared. They
don't know what's going to happen. They hear about talk about charter schools. Is my best friend going to go to charter school? Am I going to have lunch in a different classroom than my friends that I have lunch with? And that's not even taking into account um kids that might
have special needs or need a special place to eat. and and and they are they have kids have needs and they are receptive and responsive and they might not be able to say I'm sad and uncertain
and frustrated. They're going to be angry or yelling or or getting into fights at home with their parents or their siblings. They won't sleep well. They won't be able to to get their homework done. They won't do well on NJSLA testing for crying out loud. And
because their their worlds are being shattered by adults that can't touch down with what it might feel like to be a kid whose school is being ripped out from under them for for no apparent reason for it to be done so quickly. And
like the elementary schools where kids can walk to school, that's the heart of a community. That's where a love of learning starts, right? When when the when the kids are walking their little kindergartener to school for the first time and then they get older and then
they walk with their friends and and then they grow and develop the opportunity to now go to a middle school together with those same kids or they can walk their sibling now, their kindergarten sibling, and they're in fourth grade. And and like this is how people grow and evolve. This is how we
develop human skills of interaction and thinking and support each other not just in families but in communities. Right? If if family values is an important thing, well, don't pull the
rug out from under them or at least don't do it without a plan. It sounds like there's a goal, right? There's a goal, but the plan to get to that goal is nowhere to be found. We don't know how
we're going to pay for it. And and until we have those answers, keep the goal as a goal. It's great to have goals, but let's figure out the right way to get there without ripping the heart out of our communities. Mr. Vita,
>> is it okay for me to say one thing really quick? I know it's public comment, but I wanted to It joged my memory when you were saying something. The other thing that we really need to realize when we're talking about this particular group of kids, the current fifth grade, sixth grade, and seventh
grade, the start of their school lives was co >> and those children didn't get to be in the classroom and all of that was up in people and for the first time they had some consistency and we need to remember that we are the adults that is pulling
that consistency away from them when we all about that and I think that that I'm I'm very much of the we need to move past CO, we need to do all of it. But I know that there's a lot of people on this board that became very involved as parents and community members because of
what happened during CO. And I think it's important to recognize that those are the very children that are being the most impacted by this decision. >> Thank you. >> Thank I I also think we have to remember that we are not addressing the issue in
a school that is overcrowded at all. We're addressing this issue. We are not addressing Loft where they have 100% capacity already. And with the new building going on, we'll probably have a lot more. Scott McFersonson, Middletown resident.
Best interests of the children. Let me say that again. Best interest of the children. That's what we should be thinking about here when we're making decisions as the board.
Best interest of the children. It sounds like what was being discussed tonight, the things that are not being done, the things that haven't been discussed are not in the best interest of our children. Then why are we doing
it? Doesn't make sense. Mr. Vita, there was never a vote to amend the resolution, the February resolution implementation date from 2627 to 2728 to give you time
to do what was in the best interest of the children. There was a couple of votes, but there was no simple vote simply stating that. Simply stating amend the February resolution implementation date from 2627 to 2728
and it should be brought up next week and it should be voted on. That simple couple of sentences, couple of words never actually voted on. Think of the actual children. Think of the best interest of the children.
Leonardo Grade School. It's a great community school. It's a school where next week they're going to be putting on a play. I don't know if you know this, but for many years, Leonardo Great School, the teachers come together and they dedicate a ton of time and effort
and the parents come together and they dedicate a ton of time and effort. They put on an actual play. And I'm here tonight to invite each and every board member to the play. And I think if you want to think about the best interest of the children and think about why you're
actually doing this, you actually take me up on the offer. So these tickets are just for Thursday, but you come Wednesday night, come Thursday night, Wednesday and Thursday night, right here in this auditorium starting at 6:00. the children the children that you should be thinking of their best interest are
going to be here putting on a play for for the community for themselves. So Mrs. Minuise, I'm going to hand you these tickets if you could hand them out to each board member. And I also want to extend the invitation to Mr. Capone who's not here and Miss Tobacco who's not here. I haven't seen them at any
community events outside of maybe their children's own school events or maybe the Thanksgiving Day games, but they're invited and I would I would hope that they would come. If you're all thinking about the best interest of the children, you should come to this event.
Hi, Chris Middletown. Um, I'm here tonight just to speak as a parent of a middle schooler. Um, listening to Jen, another middle school parent, um, I really, really would need
to ask you again. You don't have approval to close schools yet. It It's not come from anywhere. Um, so if you could stop putting Thor Middle School on my child's um,
schedule for next year so that when she goes into Genesis while she's in school at Beayshore, she has a panic attack and text me from school. Why does it say I'm going to Thorne next year? And I have to say to her, please don't worry about what that says because she's living in
my house. She knows that. She knows that a lot of things haven't been done. so that you are not allowed to close school yet schools yet. But not everyone's kids are in my house being told this all the time. A lot of people are assuming that this is a done deal because that's the
message that you are very very irresponsibly giving to the students. The parents I have a teacher. So um I know that there's another parent here who always says that be sure kids
are kids too. And we've heard no plan for them as far as, you know, anything. I mean, the fifth grade students had the principles of Thorne go and visit them, which by the way, their parents were also caught off guard. So,
their kids are also very confused. So, if you could just stop stop affecting our kids by a decision that five of you made that you have no approval to do. The vote that you all made started the process that five of you approve a
school closure. The budget vote on Tuesday does not give you the approval to close a school. You cannot close a school unless you get approval. So, please, please, I'm begging you to stop doing anything that is causing our middle schoolers, our fifth graders, or
our children more stress than they already have because middle school is already stressful. I can also tell you that groups of friends who are very close are fighting with each other. Why? Because some people are saying, "My child is not going to that school. Like,
I'm sorry." And others are like, "Well, I'm sorry. I can't afford to send my kid anywhere else. So, what are you trying to say?" And that's just something that we shouldn't have to deal with with our friends. My daughter also shouldn't have to cry because her two friends are visiting another school because we have to make a plan for September, right? I
understand everybody needs to plan for what they need to do. But this is causing problems amongst friends who are 12 years old, their parents who are fully grown adults and know how to deal with our kids. So, if you could stop doing things that are traumatizing our
children unnecessarily, I would really, really beg for you to do that because you have people in this district with expertise in mental health and our students mental health is not okay and you are causing it. The emails coming from the administration, you don't need to write for middle
school on things. That change is not a big deal. Also, I just want to point out that the first speaker went over by 58 seconds on public comment and her microphone did not turn off. So, it seems like when there's a comment that you don't like, you push the mute button
and we notice Ashley Stud Middletown. Um, I want to echo the mental health aspect of this. My boys are in seventh grade and are not okay. The kids in middle school at Behore are not okay. The kids at
Thompson and Thornne are probably also not okay not knowing what's coming. The staff in this district are not okay. Who is doing who's checking on them? Is anything being done to support them or we just planning on losing like half
the staff because Brown is such crap? Because nobody really cares about them. That's really disheartening. You guys aren't thinking this through. You're rushing it down our throats for political donations. It's horrific. Think about the mental health of these
people. Think about the future of this district and whether you want it to be good filled with staff that are going to work their butts off like they do. Court the court guidance counselor facure today. like the them trying to clean up all this mess that you guys are putting
them through. It's horrific and they respond to emails immediately. Like they're phenomenal and more needs to be done for them. Please, thank you. Kristen Mobiletown. Amy, this is a question for you. You had told Joan that busing is not in facilities. Where does
that fall? >> I'm sorry. I didn't I I couldn't hear. >> You said busing was not in Jones facility. >> Finance. >> So, it's in the finance. So, who here is on the finance committee that can answer some questions about busing? >> Nobody.
>> I'm on finance. Um maybe I could just you could relay it back to the committee that's not here when >> it's it's not question and answer. It's just public comment. >> Okay. But he can bring it back. >> You can answer if he wants to. He just doesn't have to. If he doesn't want to.
the busing for middle school, for Beayore specifically for track. It's not just one team, it's two teams. It's the girls and the boys. Does any other middle school in Middletown have issues with busing for their track program?
We can't carry our whole team on one bus because the coach has to ask parents to help because they don't have enough busing. That's a safety issue for the meeting on Wednesday. They don't have a bus, so parents have to rely on trying
to get them there. Does this happen at the other middle schools? Is this to foreshadow what's coming? >> And then for busing for to and from school. Who vets the bus drivers? They don't know their left from their right.
Our children are instructing them where to turn and they get lost in a different town. Does that get pushed back to you? Our kids wound up in Rumson, New Jersey. The bus driver didn't know how to get back. Thank gosh our kids are intelligent enough to know left and
right. Is anybody paying to have attention to busying? So when you say that you take budget money or don't estimate it properly, you're already failing today. How is it going to be in the future? No one has any idea what's
to come. But I could tell you based on today and what our children are going through right now in middle school and elementary school, it's horrific. I'm just echoing everybody else. You're not prepared. You have an opportunity to change your mind. Do it next week and do
it before there's more fallout or lawsuits. Anyone else for public comment? >> No. See no one else to the mic. Need a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> All in favor? Those are very very
good