##VIDEO ID:-h4YpRqzAGs## e e e e e e e e e e okay I just senta text did you send include me on just that's what I didn't know I I guess what they that's what they're saying oh oh we're live look at this oh my word okay we are good is everybody good we adjust that camera a little bit that way oh my goodness are you guys good I'm not looking too well guys getting out of hand over here okay you guys ready all right oh my and we will call this uh meeting to order and if we could all stand for the flag salute alce to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for all and if we' remain standing for a moment of silence for all of our Armed Forces um at home and abroad and all those that are In Harm's Way and for the wild fires over in California and the floods in Carolinas and thank you all right all right the notice requirements of the open public meetings Act of the state of New Jersey have been satisfied by the inclusion of the date time and place of the meeting in the notice of regular meetings adopted by this board on January 6th 2025 such schedule and notice of meetings is posted at the municipal building the Mount Olive Library the Board of Education offices in the six schools and was submitted to the Daily Record for publication on January 7th 2025 and was filed with Clerk of the Mount Olive Township on January 8th 2025 I direct that this announcement be entered into the minutes of this meeting a roll call please miss shonan Mrs Aquino here Mrs Fon here Mrs f here Mrs Fitzgerald here Mr Giordano here Mrs Melendez Mrs Nares here Mrs O'Neal here Mr illo um Mr oilla will not be present tonight right he didn't respond we have cor and Miss Melendez is on her way all right with that do we have our Stu uh superintendent and members of the board do we have acknowledgement or Communications of any petitions received nope I skipped over totally skipped over the minut minutes I know right like we're not ready I'm all about the all right Dr Jano would you uh make a motion for the approval of minutes sorry on the recommendation superintendent approve of minutes 2.1 and 2.2 second any questions or discussion from the board no seeing none we'll take a roll call Mr jodano yes Mrs Aquino yes Mrs Fon yes Mrs fera yes Mrs Fitzgerald yes Mrs Nares yes Mrs O'Neal yes all right now we'll go on to Communications and petitions um Dr Bia and members of the boards anyone have acknowledged any Communications Andor petitions received no anyone else no um I'll just acknowledge that um we have received several emails um and have responded to them thank you all right with that we'll move on to our student leaz on good evening everyone happy New Year haven't seen you guys since December my name is nor risk and I'm Alison Rambo and we have officially begun our second semester at the high school with many exciting events going on in preparation for the remainder of the school year actually just last week um our principal Mr stanbury had his first meeting with our senior class officers in regards to our um commencement ceremony coming up in June um looking back to the beginning of the month we also had the uh New Year start off with our alumni panel uh which was on January 7th we had 20 graduates from the class of 2024 come back and speak to our student body and answer questions uh the panel was recorded and posted on our motv account for any students or parents who are interested in watching the beginning of January also saw the conclusion of our seal of biliteracy testing as well as auditions for our upcoming spring performance of the musical Greece also in the music world we hosted the all Area band concert on the 11th under the direction of our very own Mr Hendrick and had our Rock and Roll concert on the 17th uh we also recently held our first ever Teen Mental held first aid lessons uh which started off with the sophomore class and we were fortunate enough this month to welcome eight students from South Korea to the high school two freshmen four middle schoolers and two Elementary School students um they began their stay here on the 8th of January and we'll be leaving tomorrow on the 28th with that we also have some announcements for the Sports World this past weekend we hosted the Morris County wrestling champ tournament and we are fortunate enough to have taken home the team championship title a bunch of our boys placed including Christian bz Anthony pamon Matteo eagleson Brandon bz Colin SMI Justin bolock Tanner Perez Drew Capo Tyler Nico Gonzalez and Jared Martini one of our Bowlers Junior tan Mandel also won the Morris County Bowling Championship last weekend Daniel kababa another Junior they're on fire just broke two school records for swimming the 200 IM and the 100 meter backstroke coming up this Friday guys in the pack at 700 p.m. Mara Royale which is a senior pageant show with all the proceeds going to the Reach Out mental health charity so make sure to come make sure to be there in support um this Sunday the MSA is hosting an International Food and cultural Festival from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the gym and our annual flower sales for Valentine's Day begin February 5th through February 11th students get to send flowers and notes to their hallway crushes um Air Force Junior Roc has their bingo night on February 8th and on February 19th we have our all district Coral concert February 26th our all District Band concert and February 27th all district Orchestra it's going to be a music pack two weeks make sure to come to those and that's all for our upcoming business does anyone have any questions you're very thorough for the board I love that thank you thank you thank you guys very much Dr Bia the superintendent report no presentations tonight but I do have two reminders don't all right two reminders um next Monday um February 3rd we are actually hosting our second part of our um series with David Nash and it's going to be a virtual session about the difference between um bullying conflict so please refer to your emails that you received to sign up for it it's one of those events that you do do need an invite so we can monitor the zoom call so please make sure if you don't you can certainly reach out to your principls to find that information and we also have our monthly superintendent Spotlight uh event in person here next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and the topic is going to be at Safety and Security with focus upon busing so please be sure to join us did what time did you say the day of a Nash presentation that's at 6 o'clock and that one's virtual and that is virtual on Friday um that's on third thir um February 3rd yes but please note that even if you can't participate that night um if you do sign up you will be sent the recording at a later date so please make sure that you do sign up because you have that capacity to view it as your leisure is there any chance you could send a reminder out just to remind people 10 times to most certainly can't do that the thir Dr Janu Dr Jan February 3rd is a Monday oh I'm the wrong the wrong month um the super in Spotlight is on Wednesday February 5th at 6:30 here in the board office in person it's M's birthday he wants me to okay anything else no okay we'll move on to Personnel committee report Mr quino thank you the committee met on the 21st all members were present including we had a guest uh Miss O'Neal the committee discussed and approved increasing the daily substitute nurse rate to $250 per day this increase will raise our daily substitute nurse pay to the competitive rate that it's being offered by neighboring districts Dr Bia and Mr Moore discussed the rationale behind the proposed Sal salary increases of Air Force Junior rzi instructor Robert padell and director of security James kifi Chief bedell's increase would consist of one additional month's pay for the month of July each year additional July duties would include August leadership workshop and orientation preparation inventory completion and new yearly unit assessment preparation James Kif's increase would make his salary commerate with other directors and administrators in the district and justification includes a substantial increase in hours supporting districtwide programs such as the bark system Citizens Academy and the new bus safety program Mr Mory reviewed with the committee the new graduate course approval process featuring full integration of forms into the Frontline employee management system Dr ban had discussed the timeline and hiring process for the K12 math supervisor position the position will be posted in applet TR on January 28th and interviews will commence shortly after can I just interrupt real quick it's um supervisor 612 I'm sorry sorry I apologize for that I should I should to that 612 y thank you for that correction the committee also discussed the updated organizational chart for buildings and grounds Department uh and Mr Moore updated the committee on several reoccurring monthly person topics in the district thank you thank you thank you any questions from the board Mr quo yes uh real quick just to follow up with that um excuse me I apologize we do also have to go to um close session for the board to update uh the board members on two Personnel issues that we discussed that are confidential in in committee that's all thank you Dr CH do you wish to go on close session to discuss them before agenda items or at the end no we go at the end just it's just upate what we disc thank you just want to make sure any anyone else comments or questions no okay see none we'll go on to curriculum and instruction and miss ferera good evening uh the CNT committee met on January 22nd at 5:30 here in Dr bia's office uh attendees present were Dr Bania Mrs McDermot Mrs Aquino Mrs O'Neal Dr krider and myself we o had two guests join us for the meeting uh Mrs christe McFarland and Mr Keith Lucid we started with a technology report from Dr krider she reviewed technology updates including the enforcement of the MFA and the breakdown of budget preparation we also discussed midyear math progress updates um Mrs McFarland and Mr Keith Lucid provided midyear progress updates regarding their math departments they were asked to focus on the following questions what have you and your apartment Department been doing highlights of key initiatives professional learning strategies or actions taken so far what have you been seeing observations Trends and outcomes based on your work and data and where are we going goals next steps and areas of focus for the remainder of the Year both supervisors shared highlights including the positive feedback from staff about attending the conquer Math training and that staff have found it informative and meaningful another topic of discussion was Summer School Mrs McDermot shared that the district will change its practice of paying for student credit Restoration in the summer the district will move to pay for the first class and then families will be responsible for paying for any additional classes for the summer of the 2026 2027 school year families will be responsible for paying for all credit restoration classes another topic of discussion were curriculum costs Mrs mcder discussed curriculum related costs which will include an expansive curriculum development by staff over the summer to align with current and in some cases the new math standards for the 2025 2026 school year with respect to the math curriculum experts from from conquer math will support staff in enhancing the math related curriculum development this aligns to the professional development work being provided by conquer maath this year and the upcoming school year this two-pronged approach will allow teachers to actively participate in curriculum writing while accessing expert guidance from professionals who have been providing ongoing professional development this year and in future years equally critical is ensuring curricular expectations remain consistent across the school district particularly among our four Elementary School schools the goal is to create a robust standardized math curriculum that leverages both internal staff knowledge and external expert insights and lastly we discussed the proposed fi trips Dr Bia presented several proposals for field trips designed to enrich students academic experiences by connecting classroom learning with real world applications these proposals include potential destinations and activities aligned with curriculum objectives details regarding specific trips targeted grade levels and participating schools still need to be finalized at this time thank you thank you do we have any questions or comments Dr J I do Madam president just a couple comments I think uh first of all this figuro and Dr bji I think it's phenomenal that we are starting to take the burden of paying for summer school from the district and put it on to the parents and the approach we're doing is to ease the parents into that so so kudos to the committee Dr Baner you and miss mcder and miss figural and Beth I'm sorry if I mispronounced your last name I apologize my throat is very sore the only other question I have is absolutely agree with the curriculum rewriting is that money coming from title two is that budgeted that's budgeted for per thank that's all you need know thank you yeah anyone else and that's for next year's funds to all right seeing none we'll move to finance and operations Miss Fitzgerald thanks okay hello yes uh the finance and operations committee met January 21st at 6:30 all members were present um and we also had Dr ker who oh good night good night um Who provided uh who was our uh guest visitor as well um it was a long meeting as of most of our finance and operations meetings are I'm going to give you guys just a few highlights um of what we discussed um in terms of facilities I know it's no surprise it has been incredibly cold and you kind of always kind Wonder like what's that going to do to the buildings but thankfully our facilities folks are so amazing they got ahead of it and these negative whatever degree temperatures the district looked great really minimal um issues there which was awesome um tins the tins School uh their office now has um their heating back up and running so no more space heaters I know that they probably don't miss those at all um new HVAC units were installed um and un events I mean if you look at the operations listing there's stuff going on at every single building in terms of what's going on operationally um one of the things that you'll see that it's happening in a lot of our buildings are doors being replaced that sounds like a minor thing but that's just one of those things that can go bad and as I'm on the committee we're learning new things every day and apparently doors are a thing in the district that can go bad so uh that has implications for security and obviously for facilities so our security guides have also been making sure that um all of the doors are secure they are all you know up to standards and we're great there for Transportation uh we had two new buses uh those were finally delivered we told you guys we had purchased two new buses they have been delivered um they still need to be retrofitted with cameras um and radios but that's it's actually should be up and running in the next week I think at this point now um so that's exciting that's going to help shorten some of the routes for some of our smallest Mount Olive um students so that's going to be great because they do not need long vants um in terms of security like said they've also been busy um new cameras in several buildings ID cards have now been handed out at the high school um and new security desks have been um delivered to multiple buildings as well and are being installed um and again with the doors making sure that everybody is safe secure Etc um I think that's a good I think that's a good I think that's a good overview any questions anything I didn't touch on finance folks that I should just have a comment I'd like to thank Miss showing and the committee for looking at we hear a lot of of we're running out space which we are we know there's new developments coming in there but I appreciate the tuition for the send receip we understand our out of District placement kids cost us a lot of money that's warranted but we're also taking a lot of kids in to offset that cost so I appreciate the committee looking to that as well and letting the public know that on the minutes yes I think that was Dr cheer downo that was a really good point since something we get all asked multiple times a year about number of students that are you know being received what's actually often not asked about is how many students are being you know sent out and the cost differential so I do I do agree with that anyone else from the board questions comments Noe okay seeing none we'll move to policy and governance and welcome Miss Melendez good night everyone let's see if I can see this here uh policy and governance committee report uh we met on Wednesday January 22nd uh at 6:30 here at the offices uh presents where attendees uh Dr Bania uh uh Miss feral Dr jordano and myself uh we have as a guest uh Dr crater doing a presentation uh Dr crater presented updates with respect to our artificial intelligence related practices and policy updates uh this include a review of a couple of policies um and a new policy we have new policy 2365 uh for the acceptable use of generative artificial intelligence uh with Revis policy P 5701 uh plagerism revised policy P 7523 School District provided technology devices to pupils um our new a plan also was discussed uh the lishment of outdated uh policy like policy 2361 C about the student acceptable use policy and Internet safety consent form and the policy 2361 C uh about the student acable use policy of Internet safety consent fir from grade uh K5 and the previous one was grad 6 to 12 uh policy 2363 about bring your own device a stent use and privately owned technology policy uh Dr B uh preview the Str as made policy from policy alert 234 these policies will be reviewed in detail at the Ferrari policy committee meeting polic has specifically previewed the electronic device policy uh Dr B also discussed moving the district policies and regulation to the stros May uh portal uh that uh that will be um an improvement uh because that will enhance the transparency with respect to our policies and regulations uh due to the ease of searching and locating files specifically um the committee discussed the long-term governance goals uh that included but not limited to the creation of a new board member packet uh the creation uh on board goals and the introduction of board Retreats uh this is an ongoing process and it's a long-term plan that we have uh that will be a core Focus uh for the policy and governance uh board committee moving forward uh Dr Vana reviewed the NJ dooe a guidance related to guidance on school related state and federal requirements pertaining to Immigrant students and families the board discussed its unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student regardless of immigration status national origin or religion can attend public school safely discussions included the district's practice if when immigration Agents come onto a school grounds traffic congestion during a student drop off and pickup was also discussed including ways to enhance security uh uh security of this and a student safety this suggestion will be explored for the 2025 2026 School year any question any questions or comments from the board or comment I have a comment I would just like to add in comment for a lot of things um I'd like to thank the committee and Dr Bia for uh us going over the guidance from NJ doe regarding our immigrant students and assure the community we will follow all the necessary laws um correctly and responsi to ensure the safety of our students and our parents and our families um so that means no one's going to show up at our school without a warrant or they're just going to storm our buildings because they feel like they can so I think this board um take the politics out of it that's what we're responsible for first and foremost the safety of our students and our staff first um so I'd like to thank Dr banio for for spearheading that and making sure the board is on board with that regardless of our of our political leanings also the traffic at the middle school and high school is like Thunderdome when it comes to student drop off and pickup and is my personal goal this year to get the board and make a policy that we're going to address this with Mr stanbury Miss Agatha yes Mr Creepy and so we have a a better plan for implementation of the 25 26 school year um I have one question kind of um picky backing a after Dr J gano's comment the middle school I know we had the police department come out and do a study at one point was it last year year before but it still is absolute chaos so certainly and dangerous yeah certainly our conversation was plary our meeting last week so it was just the first step to explore that however you know we have a great relationship with the um um Township police and they did restrict you know um people stopping on I I don't know the north Southwest I don't know whatever the direction going toward 46 that's all I know um so they can't stop along that way so it really keeps the traffic moving um however I I do agree that at the same time I think we need to work um together to look at what's best safe for students um coming and going to the school but as they shared it was a very you know preliminary conversation and we really need to involve our building Administration who live this day in and day out to see what they believe would be most effective so I I would like to piggy back onto that the the the ones that they restricted they did make permanent signs there um however um we've also the security has implemented a more strategic um staying in the lane to make a right turn and not making a left turn they've been I I've noticed they've been very good about that um so I think people are starting to realize that they can't cut in and stuff so it may it may start helping but there is still a problem but things are trying they they really are working very hard I like to commend them for that I think there may be an increase right now with the the cold temperatures of of parent drop at the bus stop in Z de weather is not hospitable for any age group so well if they don't like to wear coats yeah but I I have noticed students are wearing their coats I'm just in some some of them at least some but still shorts still shorts shorts with winter coats on anything else other than boys are wearing pants now the school I'm glad all right any um subcommittee and parent teacher Association leison reports do we have anyone in the audience that is from a parent teacher subcommittee come on over up just come to the mic um state your name and let us know which Association you're with hello oh gosh where my notes hi I'ma cockro I'm with the Mohs Parents Club um and just uh speak a little closer into the mic so that the folks at home y perfect thank you uh first I want to thank uh Mr naris for attending our meeting last week oh more than last week uh on January 14th we appreciate it so want to go over a few things that we uh discussed at our meeting we had a special presentation from the Unified sports program and everything they do for um to to be inclusive to all students um and they really encourage people to come out to their games they're doing a lot of great things um teacher grants we uh offer grants to teachers and staff to our parents club members they have until February 20th to submit applications we would like to issue the awards by the end of March or early April uh senior signs we we we'll have two rounds of senior signs the first round will be in February the second round is in March we are trying to avoid double orders uh the info on that is going to go out in the first week of February to all senior families uh we were we are now looking for volunteers for concession stands we have the Sign Up Genius has I believe gone out the scheduled dates so far are uh February 8th the RTC Bingo March 28th the M the moms Tricky Tray April 25th to 27th uh dance competition and May 2 to 4 dance competition and May 10th the volleyball tournament and these uh concession stands are great for us because they're they're a very good fundraiser and then we put all of that money back toward the kids and the school and uh and the staff um Spirit Weare we're doing really well our spirit Weare site has sold uh 65 items believe so far this year and that's an improvement over last year we're looking at possibly doing seat cushions for spring but if there's anything people want that they don't see on our site let us know and the next uh parents club meeting will be held uh on on March 18th uh I think the location might be TBA but we will send out that information you and we also had Mr Stan Barry Mr Felman present as well did schedu he did a wonderful presentation I have to say y anything any questions or oh no there you go Dr J question I just we're keeping italan I'm on fire I'm on fire is gonna miss one let's I attended the uh sandor school and home partnership meeting on 121 I was virtual uh excuse me I'm sorry guys we got to update from uh our building the building principal by coin Wars raised over $2,250 for unified and Special Olympics I'm just give you the the highlights pajama day is January 31st they're doing a fire and science assembly for K5 March 7th read cost America is February 28th going down to new business Box Tops easy way to collect funds from schools um it is now done which I which which made me feel so old is now done all online with the QR code you don't have the BR the Box Tops in anymore just crazy I remember my kids were in elementary collecting those Box Tops um the holiday shop was great um they had a phenomenal turnout um new business readathon this February 24th they're doing a raffle for February 19th $1 per raffle excuse me uh profit allocation uh they're looking to spend $22,000 indoor recess supplies uh for the teachers how much they have $22,000 they looking to do recess supplies wow right now now so it's a lot of money yep it's a lot of money so they're they're taking ideas they ask for uh you know input from people dances are scheduled for April 22nd oh I'm sorry April 12th and that's the only one we have right now uh it doesn't say when the boys are I'm sorry I apologize um oh I'm sorry and the boys is April 5th themes the cosmos planets glow sticks um and that's what we have right now so fifth grade they're looking for the trips they're trying to set that up um and they're looking to do a fifth grade dance and moving up ceremony and everything's going well over there so I look forward to working with them this year any questions or comments from the board do we we have any other Thea in the audience no do we have anyone else from the board attend any other PTA meetings or par I attended the fpta meeting and I just have a couple of uh highlights to share sure there upcoming events um for the Flanders PTA on February 8th they're having a Valentine's family event which will be cookie decorating and that's from uh 11: to 12:30 at Mountain View school and on February 13th they're having the girls sweetheart dance at 600 pm. which will be at Mom's and they're also looking for business owners um they're actively sourcing businesses to help with renovating the mountain door Outdoor Classroom so they're seeking any landscapers pavers gardeners Builders if you have have any um trades that you could share or anything you could donate reach out to them because they would appreciate any assistance or help that can be offered that's it any questions um Miss Fenton I know you attended one y thank you yeah I was uh attended uh tints virtually um as nures was traveling that day um so they had a great um movie night they saw Sonic 3 apparently it went over very well um they helped celebrate National Popcorn day and they gave all a bag of popcorn to all staff and students the one of their events is Duck Donuts which I've never heard of but I he fabulous y so it's to support the fifth grade end of year um they are selling Donuts I'm going to tell you when it is um a dozen donuts 25 20th the the um the 20th of what I'm sorry February February well so January 17th to February 7th so February 7th's like all proceeds go towards a fifth grade and the neat thing that they're doing is you can also buy them for our First Responders if you'd like to give a gift so I thought that was really awesome or your fellow board members or your fellow board members yeah um their registration for the AG program is open they're offering 12 classes this year uh they have to be registered by January 29th for the six weeks of fun um they're having a give back Breakfast Bag program um which they're asking people uh uh for volunteers to bag um breakfast bags and uh nourish New New Jersey will be handing them out um they're doing a really cool thing National cereal day and they're going to let everybody know but they're um going to ask for boxes of cereal to be brought in and they'd like to get a Serial train um like a Domino's uh kind of thing going on for a fun project and all those cereals will be donated to Mount Olive food pantry Applebees Flapjack fundraiser Saturday March 15th and their uh school dance was rescheduled to the 11th and their next uh PTO meeting is February 20th I think that's it Lisa do you have any information on how we go about ordering Duck Donuts I sure do you could go right on their s'mores um I think we're going to have to is a uh there's a nice little presentation so you could go right on to T tin Moores um but I I'd be happy to pass this all along to you thank you I hear they're amazing have priorities math and donuts anyone else um if not I'll go last um I actually attended cms's um parent uh PTA meeting I'm just scrolling Miss uh missa and Miss uh huster were present miss m did go over some of the concerns about outdoor reset and reminding um all of the parents that you know if the weather is weather permitting we try our best to let the students go out so sending those coats and get some fresh air while they're cooped up all day and I believe Dr ban you had sent out also an update on that so miss masera had went over that during the the meeting as well they had a successful um holiday shop and they also had a successful fundraiser where they sold little um Croc charms um that were actually Mount Olive Marauder themed they wanted to remind everyone our meeting was January 15th but they also want to remind um fifth grade baby pictures and messages are not to be sent in but they are actually to electronically be uploaded they are free for their yearbook and they are due by January 31st um yearbook um they're for sale right now and they let me just try to at the dates they are for sale um through the end of the the month as well as also they're having a book fair this week they were looking for volunteers to sign up um their book fair sale is January 27th through January 31st every student will go home with a free book for uh for $15.99 or less during the fair um there was a reminder also around drop off and pickup and drop off procedures um during before and after school and they trying to remember what else they went over I think that was really the high level um they were wonderful group um Miss Park and Miss Mion are the President and Vice President of that Association and very welcome and I'm happy to be part of them again any questions no okay seeing none president's report the only thing that um I had was Dr uh Gano had been discussing about our committee meeting reports and the formats and um some of the other um reporting of them Dr J Dan can you maybe expand on some of the pieces that you were um wanted to discuss with the board on our committee meetings absolutely absolutely and I think this is more conversation that the committee chairs can have amongst themselves but I do think like committee Ms need to be uniformed and I've always a big believer and the more information we have coming out committees that I can read before for a meeting I can reach out to Dr banio or I can reach out to the chair get those questions answered so when we come to the meeting everything's all done and said because the Public's going to see the minutes so it's not like we're doing anything to break the ethics but I think the more information we get chalk in those um just to have some background information like I I appreciate Dr ban and and miss figura when I reached out to you about the the PD stuff you put it in there I so I read it I saw I was okay that's great you know it worked out so that's just my thought I think it's it with you and and Miss Fen as the board of leadership with the chairs figure out excuse me figure out which which way would be best what format you want to use but it they don't have to be exact but they should be the more information the better that's always been you know my my thought process I'd like to just make a comment um that I truly believe that we have been more informative in the last two years than we ever have since I've been on the board um I actually personally like the format so I would like to know which format you would like like I don't really understand I they're read beautifully in my opinion well I I don't want to go detail here but the minutes I got were like some of them were bullet bullet Ian I I didn't understand the information there was no background information there was no discussion of the reasons why I'm saying there should be the committee discussed this these questions were asked going back two months ago so and and and the content is so once we present those minutes out here publicly two three months from now we should also say in those minutes will be on this next board agenda so the public sees that so when it's on the agenda as someone comes to the committee and says or someone comes up to the board meeting says where's this come from we never discussed it we can say no no no it was discussed in committee minutes at this board meeting so that that's all my thought it wasn't it wasn't a knock against anybody I just think those those board meetings should be as detailed within reason obviously we have confidentiality and different things involved but they should be as detailed with as much information and background information as we possibly can because we don't all sit on every individual committee so I like to look at what the committee was thinking what the chair was thinking the rational behind why the administration wants to bring it based upon eventually our board goals and our district goals everything should align that way that's all I think um Dr J one of the links I after you had sent you know that request one of the things I started reading through was the njsba site and there's actually a really good report and I think it maybe feeds in to what you were um kind of requesting or suggesting where it goes business that was discussed and then pending business recommendations but maybe adding in there what board goals or District goals it aligns with I think maybe that that form format might maybe we should bounce around and I had also discussed with a couple possibly also doing that with regards to one what we're reporting out to the uh parent Association uh so that we're on the same page right um board information um maybe having also our own same thing the format that if we attend uh reporting out at I think maybe we're all on that right same page we just need to come up with what that actual work product looks like I just think the more information that we have as board members because again we don't sit on everyone's committee so the more information we get in those minutes the better off we're going to be so when we look at and line it to the agenda I can say okay I understand that now or align to what CNT or Personnel spoke about a month or two ago so that's all and and it gives more information out to the public because we do post it it's on the public agenda that's all yeah and and for The public's information the work that's done often in our committees you will see aligns with the action items and agenda items that are listed below so right it all ties back into what is the work of the board feeding back to the district and the students and what we are actually voting upon much of that work is handled in the committee session that's a great Point Mr naris and and I think a lot of public don't understand that the bulk of board work is done at the committee level so by the time it gets on the board agenda we've discussed it we' we've talked about it publicly at our meetings it's not a get J I think the public doesn't get that I think they assume we walk up here it's on the agenda and we're rubber stamping everything that's not true any other questions comments so I think that's a takeaway that we'll work on amongst all of ourselves together um with that we will move on to public comments on action items members of the community may comment on any action item prior to board discussion please state your name and address for the record all comments must be respectfully presented abusive or obscene comments will not be tolerated the mic is open so please just state your name and address and this is on action items and action items only anyone no okay seeing none we will move on to approval of our monthly expenditures and reports um Dr J know I'm gonna call on you for that if you'd like to make a motion please super Madam president on the recommendations of superintendent recommend to move uh action items 6.1 down to 6.8 second any uh questions or comments from the board nope okay seeing none we'll take a roll call Miss shonan Mr gardano yes Mrs Aquino yes Mrs Fenton yes Mrs fera yes Mrs Fitzgerald yes Mrs Melendez yes Mrs Nares yes Mrs O'Neal yes okay and we will move on to personal action items and Mr quino um upon the recommendation of the superintendent I'd like to make a a motion to move Personnel action items 7.1 through 7.27 second and do we have any questions or comments from the board may I make a um yep comment please uh action item number 7.8 I would like to add an effective date of July 1 2024 okay thank you thank you any questions or comments with regards to the amended 7.78 7.8 sorry okay how many are there I'm adding more ons okay so July 1 you said Miss Shing yes please okay with that no comments um we will take a roll call please I'm sorry could you could we go back to uh the motion who made it in second please yep I second I made it thank you you're welcome okay roll call and we'll do a roll call please Mrs Aquino yes Mrs fanton yes Mrs fera yes Mrs Fitzgerald yes Mr gordano yes Mrs Melendez yes Mrs naris yes Mrs O'Neal yes and we will move to curriculum in technology Miss ferera let me just get there upon recommendation of the superintendent I make a motion to rep to to approve items 8.1 through 8.9 second do we have any questions or comments um I just want to comment again Mr Felman and Mr stanbury you guys had a wonderful presentation on our uh program of studies when I attended the um High School parent Association seeing anyone else okay we'll take a roll call Mrs fera yes Mr Jano yes Mrs Aquino yes Mrs Fon yes Mrs Fitzgerald yes Mrs Melendez yes Mrs naris yes Mrs O'Neal yes okay see we will move on to finance and operations and that's Miss fitgerald did you want to comment Miss Fitz Charo on the one item yes item 9.3 we're going to strike for tonight right Miss Shing correct correct we just and it's just due we have not heard back from them yet so we don't want to move anything until we have more information correct um um so with that I'd like uh upon the recommendation of the superintendent I'd like to make a motion to approve action items 9.1 9.2 and then 9.4 through 9.7 second any comments or questions from the board Madam president I apologize for this what and this is not a question about the agenda item but on 9.1 it's preschool it just popped in my head have we thought and I know spaces were limited but have we thought eventually if we when eventually we going have to go the referendum but a preschool expansion program program that the state will give money to is that something arburn thank you very much that's all I want to know thank you yes say that there was a survey actually sent out to the community right to start that just want to put down the record thank you anyone else seeing none um did we we had a second right on that yes yes okay Miss charning we'll take a roll call Mrs Fitzgerald yes Mr gordano yes Mrs Aquino yes Mrs fanton yes Mrs fera yes Mrs Melendez yes Mrs noris yes this is O'Neal yes and we will move to administrative action items and that is Miss munda's uh open the recommendation of the superintendent I make a motion to approve in section 10 administrative action items items 10.1 to 10.11 second I'm going to join any questions or comments I'm giving that to Jen that's great give it to me I'm just going to abstain from 10.1 since myself um and anyone else seeing none Miss sh will take a roll call Mrs Melendez I abstain in 10.2 and yes to the rest of it Mrs Aquino yes Mrs Fon yes Mrs fera yes Mrs Fitzgerald yes Mr gardano abstain from temp point4 yes to everything else Mrs Nares yes Mrs O'Neal abstain from 10.3 yes to everything else thank you all right that brings us to the public comment section uh students parents employees and community members May comment on any item of Interest pertaining to the Mount Olive School District please state your name and address for the record all comments must be respectfully presented abusive or obscene comments will not be tolerated and please speak slowly and clearly into the mic so that those at home can hear and so also that our uh close caption can pick up the uh your wording anyone else um the mic is open Brian Gallagher 135 kotw Drive sorry I'm getting over the bug everybody else had so I can barely talk but he this right here guys are making me very vitamin C congratulations to Mr jirano being back on the board by the way I haven't been here in a while myself um I just wanted to talk about one thing I tried to make it for the action item uh the uh the action items the on the bill list um I drove straight here so I just barely missed that it sounded like uh there was a charge on the bill list for firm scarichi hollenbach um I know when I was here in June I kind of talked about how the legal fees were getting extemly high uh I was told at that time that it was you know maybe due to opras and hibs um I'm not really sure that the amount has gone down if you look at now that they've been here for about a year uh if you add up all the charges from directly from the law firm only not from other law firms or legal services in the district uh we so far spent $281,500 presentation firm um which so I'm not sure Mr oil I guess maybe he's not here tonight I didn't realize that I was going to thank him for still recklessly spending our money um I'm not sure if the district has really put in place any kind of contingencies to kind of lower or mitigate those costs it doesn't seem like it um has it been a full year there's still one month for January so we'll see if we could top $300,000 in legal fees I'm sure the public will be happy to see that we're doing that instead of you know doing right for the kids um you know working on our schools and improving our programs like that so I just want to make sure that the public is aware that we're close to almost $300,000 in one year for Legal Services I'm sure a lot of people in the public will talk about the recent lawsuit and they'll blame it on just that uh if one lawsuit can blow up legal fees like that I think I might go back to law school myself because it sounds like that'd be a pretty uh pretty good Endeavor to make some money if that's how the legal system really is when it comes to fees and charges and how much money you can make um so I do think it's pretty disappointing that the change that was made last year seems to have not been benefited at all there's been I think questionable settlements I'm not going to say that people should believe so I hope people are doing their research on what's going on in the district um I'm not looking for the board to make an answer I know you're not here to answer questions this a public comment um maybe I will kind of follow up and address directly with a question and email but I I am disappointed on how much money has now been spent on legal fees in the past year um it doesn't match why the reasons that were vaguely given on why the law firm needed to be changed um so I don't really see how this is benefiting the district moving forward thank you thank you thank you than anyone else that would like to make a comment uh the mic is open no um one more chance anyone once twice okay seeing none we will close out the public comment section and we'll move to Old business members of the board May comment on any item or topic that was previously discussed by the board board members anyone on Old business all right new business members of the board May introduce any new item or topic of discussion for the board to consider anyone on new business okay seeing none we'll move to board and administration comments members of the board May comment on any item of Interest pertaining to the district um and I will just start at the end Dr chear down or you can go first thank you madam president i' just like to congratulate all the retirees and thank them for their service and wish them all the best in their future endeavors all right M Mr charal I actually don't have anything tonight and Miss melanda I know are you surprised yes I just want to exort uh those parents I have been attending uh the citizen advisory Academy at the High School uh provided uh by our security director uh Mr KFI and it's a terrific uh opportunity uh to parents and everyone in the community uh to learn a little bit more about our um school district and how we function and what is required um because it touch every week uh a different topic in depth and questions are answered by expert in those areas um so if you are uh right now registered for that please attend uh going attendance is tomorrow right Miss o Neil and is uh um Miss figura also is at this Academy um so it is very very informative um so don't be shy if you miss the first one or the second one but you are for this session go tomorrow and join the group it's really good and those those that don't know or wants to go in the future uh send an email to Mr kifi uh to have you uh for the next session thank you and Mr quo I just have one quick comment because I attended one of my many favorite um events here in the district which is the rock and roll Academy and it was again another outstanding performance and I encourage everyone to come in May to their spring event because the songs and the kids are just unbelievable so thank you to Mr Thompson for that oh that does kind of I no I something now I'm back I'm back no P down you want to do a just one thing I do right now no um that's just a good reminder though we we only know about the events we know about so if you know throughout the year I really appreciate we've had several reach out to the board recently sending what uh some events coming up that we might not have otherwise known about if you know I encourage you guys to send those to us cuz we really do enjoy going to these events we just can't attend them if we don't know about them so just a note to you know send those in Madam president I just pay you back on that and that's not something for now for for the administration but would it be possible for us to get like a hard copy emailed us monthly of events I know we have the district calendar but just they get the s'mores directly sent from you yeah I I understand that but I'm just like board just load up the board docs monthly so we can just pull down and print it up and I can just put in my calendar just just a thought easier but or people could just email us if there's something fun coming up it's not in the s'mores right right just something just it's easier for me to look at one sheet that I know like like in the middle of January I know what's coming up in February just just a roundabout idea that's all all right on a on a on a list of 10 things to do that's 20 that's 20 I get it but just just but it is there's a lot of events and we do love to go to them we've grown it's it's a lot of events we can be out every night oh no question that's exactly right and not hit all of them so that's why I'm saying the more knowledgeable we can be about them that would be helpful you go to exactly exactly but it also allows us even as a board to talk and divide and conquer right if I have the ambition I will send you a million more invites on your calendar then um but we'll take note of that because I think this is that's something that's been right for sure asked in the past do all right so now we're gonna go back Mr uh Miss quo you're done with your other other two and then miss Fenton um yes I'd just like to congratulate all the retirees and I would like to piggyback on um Miss Melinda's about the David Nash um that I encourage you to sign up whether you're going to um actually attend the the videos or not sign up just in case you get a chance because this is an ongoing question about our hibs and he is very thorough he's very in depth at the end you could type in any questions you want it really is a breath of fresh air to be more educated on our hip protocol so please I really encourage everybody to sign up for that and and in fact I'm sorry but go going back to that so we have the uh The Citizen Academy we have uh um Mr Nash with the HIV we have the superintendent highlights so take advantage of all that information that is a very good good information that we have for you and they have for you and it's free of charge so take advantage of that we want you to take advantage be knowledgeable and be informed and to that point too some of them are in person and exact some are being virtual to make sure that we can touch and you know make it available to asend Spotlight sometimes they have cookies too I'm just say at the citizen academ I'm just saying some there's also snacks some people are motivated by food is that a bribe it may be may be well the N the Mr Nash one you could sit in your pajamas and that's that's nice too you can have your own snacks okay anything else no that's it thank you and then miss figer so I'd like to wish a happy Lunar New Year to all of our families that are celebrating on Wednesday and with that I want to share a little personal experience um which I know many people are not aware of but we do have a cohort of exchange students here right now in M Olive from South Korea uh my family was lucky enough to participate in this program for the very first time sadly it's culminating this week we are very bummed that we have to say goodbye to our student who will be leaving us um but I want to thank Mr stanbury for running that entire program it's been a wonderful opportunity for my family it's an amazing experience um I truly feel that my family learned as much from our 10-year-old South Korean student as he did from us in the the few weeks that he's been here in America um and I don't think enough families know about this which is why I I wanted to mention it um there is another cohort coming later from China is that correct February February 1st from China um so take advantage look into this we have amazing opportunities available we have schools in these countries and a lot of people don't even know about it so any questions just reach out I'm happy to talk to you about as I'm sure Mr stansbery will be also always thank you and Mrs O'Neal so I want to say congratulations to the retirees congratulations to the wrestlers that placed um last weekend at the tournament and The Rock and Roll Academy was awesome and also Mr kfi's class is the best class I did it last time and now this time there's still things you can learn as soon as he has something new he tells me and then I just ran for in for the one class cuz something had changed from last time but at the end you get a certificate and even though I've had kids in school since 1999 it's still I learn something every time I go to one of the Citizen Academy classes just something new he says that I'm like I never even knew that so it is great and I had so much fun in his class um and I I am planning to come back and visit for a couple more this time nice and also um what else it I did attend cpeg but I did not Amy said she was going to be here so I did not give a report on it but you were already sent out the invitation for next time so it's we can we can report out next next Mee if you like yeah I just waited for her that's okay it's all good anything else miss miss oal anything else uh no no you're good okay and I'll close it out we all reminded everyone about Mr Nash so I wanted to and then so actually the topic though of the next session February 3rd is the difference between bullying versus conflict so each of those sessions while the overall topic is Hib the first one that we sat through was under uh understanding your rights under the new anti-bullying laws and this one will be the difference between bullying and versus a conflict um then there's two more after that cyber bullying and social media and the new Ai and then after that will'll be about families and schools working together so each session has a very specific topic that I think we all think is very important and pertinent um Spotlight um Dr banjer we went over that but the other pieces also on our website I know that many people don't know how to access some of the pieces but there is a parents Workshop um section on the main website under the Board of Education information there's also some of our prior sessions that are recorded are in that you know section so you can rewatch or read through some of the documentation so again as much information as we can give you the parents and the community we do we do our best and so it is available if you have a question of where to find something just email us and we will definitely send it out and we had also miss Shing I think we're we start our budget um calendars uh and preparation is already underway want to make sure the public already like they were very aware of of that it's always a question um the other things I just wanted to say is I got to attend the wrestling uh tournament and not only is it one of the first times I think in history that we've actually won as a team te um first time right there is a private school that's not attending this year but it was very very um amazing to see I've been to the states it's always amazing to see how long historically Mount Olive has hosted that event um I think I was talking to someone it's been almost a dozen years we've hosted the amount of work that goes into these big events that we host for the counties and even our robotics competitions one the students are amazing our coaches are amazing but the staff behind the scenes the parents that you know are are out there I saw some parents even that were refs but you know the announcing the setup the takeown the concessions it really does show a huge community that comes together you know we have younger ones coming through to come watch I do believe um Miss melanda is you're usually the one that knows there's a robotics competition coming up next month as well um just want make sure March March yep so years M again another amazing program we're hosting Mr Stansbury said for almost 20 years the midle Atlantic competition it's also uh broadcast on YouTube I believe right so again another big Community event that we put on um Middle School hope all the uh eighth graders have a wonderful time at the dance on Friday um and we have a bunch of concerts as the ladies said that are coming up districtwide so it'll be the elementaries through the high school together performing um so I hope everybody goes out and watches and and really Embraces all of the hard work that our kids are doing in and outside of the the classroom um with that I will close it out um oh we also have is it the Muslim um event is on Sunday yep so 1 to four um just anyone please come attend see what's um students and and Community can do um for the board members I wanted to remind you about read Across America you have signups if anyone is interested I can resend you the signup genius but yep uh sand has invited s is the only one who sent out something yep so far so far at this point yep so and that's all I have at this moment and I will anything from you Dr Bania okay with that we will I will take a motion to adjourn into confidential session anyone have a got second and a third we resolved that the board meet in confidential session for the purpose of discussing um Personnel matters and attorney client privilege um be it further resolved that the matters discussed in confidential session be discussed a disclosed to the public when the reason for confidentiality no longer exists and we are in close session e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e all right okay we are we are back in session do we need to take a roll call oh everyone all right everyone's here I um and I'll take a motion to adjourn this meeting so moved second second all those in favor I we are