##VIDEO ID:4Em0PzskO0Q## yeah we can get started okay call meeting to order roll call please Dr gordino here Mrs Fano here Mr Palama Mr Petrino Mr Rapaport here Mrs Smith here miss Zuckerman here Mr doy Dr modra here Mr brookhouser here miss Patel here Bry PL Allegiance United States the New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon in accordance with the provision of the act the the Montville Township Board of Education provided a public notice of this meeting which included the time date and location that was posted at the Montville Township Municipal Building all Montville Public Schools the Montville Public Library the Montville Township Board of Education administrative office building the district website and avertised in the daily re record and the Moni tap into the board's official newspapers on January January 15th 2025 okay thank you I think our microphones are very sensitive today our high school representative report I hope everyone oh yeah there I hope everyone's uh night is going well so I'm going to start off with the uh Sports for the high school the boys basketball team is 8-2 and won the Panic Holiday Tournament over winter break the girlss basketball team is five- six and had a great come from behind win against mendum after the break the boys bowling team is seven and four the boys swimming team is two- two with two straight wins over Sparta and parcion the girls swimming team is 1 and three the wrestling team has been on a roll and are 11-0 the hockey team is 4- seven with their most recent win being a 6 to0 sh 6 to zero shutout against Madison now moving on to the school related subjects on December 19th the math club recognized cpio Han and ctis Wang for their outstanding performance in the New Jersey Math League dis this distinguished the club as one of the top in in New Jersey after contest two cpio and Curtis have each achieved an impressive cumulative score of 10 making them two of the highest scoring students in the state on December 20th talented students James Halburn and Logan rendero earned a third place in state level singtolearn Chinese contest organized by the New Jersey Chinese Teachers Association this prestigious contest celebrates creativity enthusiasm and dedication in learning Chinese through music anyone interested in boys tennis had a meeting on Wednesday January 10th to discuss different aspects about the season and on January 14th the annual Chinese New Year showcase was held in the cafeteria from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. the whole event was a great success now I'm going to pass it to Gia for the present HOSA competed at the national at the North Northern Regional competition and mville had two winners Giovani geraldino won fifth in his event which was pathopysiology and svi yalamanchili won fifth in Dental science currently cap and gowns for senior graduation graduation are available to be purchased and they need to be ordered by February 1st for the future senior Brian Lee successfully auditioned and placed into the New Jersey region one Wind Ensemble his performance will be on January 26th at parcion Hills High School at 300 p.m. midterms begin this Friday and will go on until next Wednesday after the third marking period will begin on January 31st 8th grade orientation is on February 5th at the high school and it begins at 6:30 and lasts about 2 hours on February 10th mths will be hosting the ne the next share the keys program that's it thank you okay thank you very much uh super uh should we do superintendent reports would you like to do some remarks yes uh we have some wonderful uh presentations tonight we have a student receiving their Eagle Scout award and we have teachers and professionals being recognized tonight and the principles will become talking to them talking about these wonderful accomplishments and they're very welld deserved so I'll let all their recognitions speak for themselves but uh it's a great night to be here to recognize the wonderful things going on on in the district okay then I will go ahead and do the eagle scout recognition first okay back that way okay so tonight is Antonio gares uh our Eagle Scout uh we have a resolution and a plaque for him turn that down um so the resolution reads whereas Antonio gtis is a resident in Montville Township and whereas anio gtis has attended Montville Township schools for 12 years and whereas Antonio gtis has achieved Eagle Scout ranking and whereas Antonio gidus has completed his Eagle Scout ranking by building seven wooden benches and installing them between the parking lot and basketball blacktop to create a new Outdoor Classroom where students can go to learn outside and play around during recess Antonio has had the entire area mulched the other aspect of the project was cleaning up the slightly overgrown basketball court repainting the backboards and rims adding new Nets to the hoops and adding pole mats to protect children from injury by running into them Antonio ran a birdhouse sale fundraiser to account for some of the projects backing but also had major donations from the Woodmont PTA friendly tree Dan Cuomo sons and seven Scoops and sips now therefore be it resolved that the Montville Township Board of Education on this 21st day of January 2025 recognizes and applauds The Innovation creativity and hard work of Antonio gustitis for the honor and distinction he has brought to his family school and community in reaching his goal as Eagle Scout I would ask him to come forward and we'll present the plaque [Applause] spe hello all right so my e Scout project was at Woodmont Elementary School it was a outdoor lunch area classroom like kind of a hybrid and we built eight picnic benches that were designed as so students could eat lunch students that had allergies uh both food allergies and grass allergies we did the entire area full of stone instead of grass so that way students would not get allergic reactions from the grass and the area is effective as both an outdoor classroom for teachers that want to spend time outside with their students as well as allowing students that have allergies to play outside with their friends and be able to spend time outside so uh thank you all many of you participated helped out with fundraising and stuff like that so I'd like to thank all you for that and I'd like to thank Mr espo for allowing me to do this wonderful project thank you [Applause] all so we will correct that our deepest apologies to you and your family and we'll we'll get back in touch with you about this so sorry uh moving on to the teachers we're going to start with Cedar Hill good evening everyone happy New Year I have the distinct honor of introducing introducing to you two outstanding Educators that call Cedar Hill their home first I have here Miss Elizabeth Weinberg who is our educational specialist of the year she is a power professional with us for past three years and over here I have Casey Daniel third grade teacher also with us for three years and each of them have made such an impact in just the short amount of time that they've been here that they were acknowledged by their peers to be the outstanding educator that we have here not only in Cedar Hill but in monel Township so I'm very blessed to have both of them working with me at Cedar Hill School it makes my job so much easier and I thank you both for what you [Applause] do e good evening uh my name is Shela SOS I the principal of hildale and today I have with me um Debbie manino is our Educational Services professional she has been at hildale for 23 years eight years in our BSI position when um I asked around the building some things that describe Debbie it we heard things like organized not knowledgeable and would save her dogs before people true uh next we have Mrs Tracy Hansel teacher of the year she is a lifelong resident of matville she has been at hildale for 32 years uh 20 of them in kindergarten the past 20 and when asked about Tracy I heard things like dep Dependable calm and thoughtful and they are all of those things and and I thank you for being so wonderful to our students at hildale and being a huge part of our success thank you [Applause] thank you Dr Gorman um William Mason is very pleased and proud to announce that our teacher of the year is Mrs shell Mrs shell has been at William Mason for 20 plus years and she eloquently reminded me the other day that apparently 15 years ago she won the same award and I was up here telling everyone how wonderful she was and what an outstanding teacher and how kind and empathetic she was but apparently I didn't mean it because I didn't know her that well she said so I would just Echo those sentiments tonight and say that Mrs shell I actually mean it this time um on behalf of everyone at William Mason we're certainly proud of you and um congratulations our Educational Service professional is Mrs Milan Mrs Milan I've known for 15 years as well um but I didn't make that same mistake 15 years ago so um we'd like to congratulate Mrs Milan she is our reading specialist turned literacy coach turned um Ela Guru so we thank you for everything you do for our students for our staff and for our parents congratulations [Applause] mind unlike my more youthful colleagues I need notes time signs of aging so tonight would not proudly honors our teacher of the year and our Educational Service professional of the Year our teacher of the year Mrs Melissa Epstein is a dedicated educator of 15 years she inspires her students in language arts and science she connects with with them creates a classroom environment where every learner feels valued and supported her academic expertise shines through in her Innovative lessons which Foster curiosity and critical thinking she exemplifies what it means to be a teacher who not only imparts knowledge but also builds lasting relationships our Educational Services professional of the Year Mrs Alessa dubre is an extraordinary speech teacher who changes lives every day for her her work is more than a profession it's truly a calling she literally helps children find their voice empowering them to express themselves with confidence and clarity through her patience expertise and unwavering dedication Alessa gives her students the tools to overcome challenges and communicate their unique stories to their world her impact is profound and her passion is inspiring please join us in honoring both of these very talented Educators thank you [Applause] you it is a privilege to introduce Miss R Sandy fanda and Miss Randy Pils uh Sandy is our Teacher of the Year Sandy has been with us for 15 years uh Sandy is a graduate of William Mason her children attend William Mason Valley and but her children attend will Mason currently and she's a member of the PTA Sandy came to me 15 years ago and she worked with Mark danac at the time he came to me and he said oh my God she's so smart and it's so true uh she works in her fifth grade right now but she's been in resource room she's been icr uh we can put Sandy anywhere in the building and she will excel um she has a passion for teaching math but she also has a passion for learning uh she's dually certified she's also a reading specialist um she has a technology certificate and um not too long ago she was one of my uh principal's interns so I'm trying to kick her out the door um or kick her up either way um but she's an incredible uh deserving uh Teacher of the Year miss Randy basil has been with us uh for 12 years and but she's been in education 21 years uh equally exemplary she is uh dually C she's certified in art um Elementary prek she asked me please don't put me in prek but she's so creative and she she goes out of her way as a par professional to build trusting relationships with her students um they look out for her on the playground in the lunchroom and in the classroom and then there isn't a day that goes by that they don't lean on her and I want to thank them because they have inspired me to be um more compassionate more involved with students and um just know how to work the room so the kids get the best benefit of their education so I want to congratulate these wonderful professionals and they're well deserved thank you [Applause] good evening everyone uh first of all congratulations to all the recipients and to our Eagle Scout um our Educational Services professional uh Miss car backa canot be here tonight but we want to recognize her as well our teacher of the year is Miss Maria haburn who has been with us for quite some time she teaches movement in our physical education department um one quick note about this year's voting every year we put out the votes in the committee meets um no one in the eight years I've been here received as many votes as Maria did this year which was a recognition of her colleagues so congratulations to you Maria [Applause] science hello everyone um again Mr Stanford apologizes for not being able to attend he had an unexpected personal matter um but I am thrilled on his behalf to introduce the three High School educators of the year but first and foremost I would like to recognize everybody who's been acknowledged tonight um our first honor is Mr Christ Christopher Connelly he's the Princeton University distinguished secondary school teacher of the year that was mouthful um um he started in 2018 his first career was actually at presedential he was there for 33 years um took his expertise and joined our department um he graduated from seatan Hall with a Bachelor of Science and then forom University with his MP NBA um it's with great honor and privilege that I recognize Christopher Connelly our second person is Educational Service professional of the Year Miss Lisa shapira um she started in mville in 2017 uh she started in first grade in West Orange um and she has been a power professional for over 18 years um she graduated from the American University in education earned a ba plus 30 and her love of children has led her on this path congratulations um last but certainly not least Miss Laura Riva is teacher of the year she started in 2008 um started in education in 2007 at the Windsor School in West Milford she graduated with Monclair state with a Bachelor of Science in 2017 she actually started her teaching career as a TA and has never left uh congratulations to all three folks [Applause] REI picture and then welcome rest of meeting if you want to leave me I don't know but they're fired they don't have a job anymore okay was e you got ready sorry yeah I mean you could go because it's just it's 15 and then s okay we're going to continue on with the meeting hi folks okay uh ctin a business ministrator report please no report however just to bring it to everyone's attention the Auditors will be here on February 4th to do the presentation of the audit thank you okay so there's a lot of good news in the anything else by the way Tom you have no other okay so I encourage people to read the good news in our agenda happy things at our schools uh section g committee reports uh facilities and finance Karen uh thank you David uh the committee met right before tonight's meeting we went over the annual comprehensive financial report for 2023 2024 and as uh Miss kinee said the Auditors will be here of the first meeting um in February what she left out was that the Auditors have once again in many years um given Montville Township a clean report without any findings and that's a direct credit to Mrs um to to ctin and and her business office staff so thank you for that I'm sure we'll hear more about that from the Auditors and how many years would that be now two two two years so you're you're on a streak you're on a streak two go okay on okay good uh we also talked about the uh School District's financial position going into 2425 we talked about construction projects that are current and those that are projected over 3 to 5e plan we did touch on uh the 2025 2026 Elementary enrollment and we will hear more about that at the second meeting in February um and then moving into the budget once again for 2526 lovely okay curriculum Michelle no report okay uh John policy uh no report Communications Joe no report Christine Safety and Security no report New Jersey school board's delicately is on Karen um sorry don't go anywhere so I really had uh the the thrill of a lifetime and I don't say that lightly I was able to attend uh Governor Murphy's State of the State address and um it was just a wonderful reminder of how great our democracy is and how great our country is to watch our state representatives in action and I was able to sit in on a senate section uh session before the State of the State um and just you know I I I'm very reverent of uh of things governmental and it was just a very very nice uh uh event and one that I won't forget um and that's it unfortunately I was because I was at the State of the State I did miss the Chinese Honor Society as well as Cedar Hills home and school meeting and when do we expect to hear the budget and state aid uh that'll come out around the budget address SE February 25th okay thank you okay Morris County School Board Association Mike rap report no report okay uh Morris County Educational Services Joe we met on January 8th we approved the 2025 2026 rates for services and our next meeting will be on February 12th great and drug awareness uh we met on the 9th uh just discussed the up potential programs ideas for the spring for Community programs okay John athletic boosters Noe no report okay uh the aison Cedar Hill Aron you said you missed yeah I wasn't able to uh attend that meeting but I did attend Antonio uh gustitis Court uh Eagle court of honor and it always amazes me the amount of work that goes into becoming an eagle scout and I I like to say it's a life's work even though the youngster boy or girl now uh is you know 16 17 years old and the a number of badges they have to acquire and each each badge building on leadership and I'm always proud of eag Eagle Scouts my son is one so I'm very proud of him and we're inviting him and his family back on the fourth to correct that error okay thank you he had a very nice project at Woodmont okay uh Christine hildale yes so um they had a zoom meeting and I have to tell you there was about 26 parents on the zoom and I think it's phenomenal because I've been to meetings where there wasn't a zoom there's only a handful of parents so I I just think it's such a great tool to get parents involved um for sure um so they have a lot of great things going on um they have chart Wells and they're going to survey the parents to see what foods the kids like what they don't like what to add um which is really great they want parent um participation in that um uh our us our Board of Education paid for new swings for the kids and they love them they're working on an outdoor Garden um in the springtime they'll begin working they're adding grass above the field and they're going to be adding new bases and make it more uh I guess child friendly um they're calling a certain area the Husky hangout uh there will be seating for up to 30 students Outdoors um there's going to be benches they're doing a lot of small fundraisers at school and currently they're collecting a wish list from the teachers yeah I saw that area it's back behind the building um they cleared out some Woods the brush from underneath the woods it looks very nice it's going to be a good place to hang out especially on warm days I know all the all the schools are doing Outdoor Learning areas which I think everyone needs to be outdoors so I think that's great outdoors is good uh Caitlyn Valley View um okay so they also had a zoom meeting um couple highlights were uh they raised $40,000 from the Tricky Tray and are deciding what to do with that money considering shading The Outdoor Classroom so it can get more use in the hot months um there's a dine to donate this Thursday Buffalo Wild Wings if anybody's looking for an excuse not to cook and Friday they're having a rockness rock show um to promote music education and movement um and the new playground is finally complete and working on a plaque that will be placed there thanking the donors which includes The Bard ofed um and we also got to thank Joe doy for all of his service to valy over the years um and for his time spent as the liaison I saw the playground it's very nice you did a good job you guys did a good job there uh John William Mason uh no report okay uh Lazar uh Joe you have anything for no no didn't think so high school Mike rafport uh at the PTC meeting was January 13th um unfortunately all my bullet points we've already talked about they talked about the senior uh seniors that ordering their caps and gowns um they talked about the uh educator uh educators of the Year teachers of the year and the midterms coming up uh the end of this week and and next week so that was uh previously discussed um the next meeting is March 10th March 10th okay thank you uh for this is our time for the first public participation participation section if there's anyone who would like to say anything about our agenda I guess not okay let's move on to consent resolutions items I through n motion please I'll make a motion second I need to second thank you okay any questions on the minutes no section J gifts section K facilities Finance okay uh section L Personnel yes two quick amendments uh they're correct in the hard copy if you have that in front of you but just want to point out l31 um the salary should be 3782 72 uh that's for Kurt uh salary and then on page 10 uh number 23 uh it should be ma step four okay thank you section M curriculum any questions hearing none section n nothing roll call vote Please Mr doy yes abstain on K1 check 10102 Mr raport yes Dr Dr calino yes Mrs Fano yes Mr Petrino yes Mrs Smith yes Miss Zuckerman yes Dr modra yes okay uh there is no closed session announcement uh old business General board comments new business from the board uh just to mention I did attend uh David Johnson's Memorial um David Johnson was a L uh more than 30y year member of our police force he was retired but he's also Michael Johnson's dad Michael served uh very honorably as a board of education member another number of years ago and uh we mour mourn the passing of his dad who contributed a lot to our community thank you yeah um I attended the Chinese New Year celebration with uh Caitlyn John and M Pama um fantastic um production put on by the students and they had some other uh members of the community took part in uh showing all the traditions and stuff that they do it was uh pretty amazing to see that so I was glad I got to go to it good other okay uh moving on then to our second public participation section for any items at all that you would like to discuss with the board there's anyone who would like to speak to the board about any items seeing none or one person walks away I will ask for a motion to adjourn the meeting thank you second second all in favor I I any opposed okay good night everyone social friends with