Good evening. Welcome to a meeting of the Mountainside Board of Education. In accordance with the state sunshine law and state regulations, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by mailing a notice of the time, date, location, and instruction. Sorry.
There you go. for accessing the meeting to the Union County local source and the Westfield leader. Filing the same with the burough clerk, posting the notice at the main access door of the Mountainside Board of Education building and on the Mountain and the on the Mountainside Board of Education website. These meetings are reserved for board
deliberation and for review of items contained within the agenda. The board reserves a right to vote on action items. The board welcomes the participation of interested individuals. We encourage questions about specific school practices, incidents, or events to be brought directly to school administration. Public comment will be
permitted at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items only. Each participant is asked to give his or her name and address prior to making a statement. In addition, time will be allotted at the end of the meeting for public comment on any item. Speaker shall limit their comments to three minutes. Roll call, please. Mr. Bill
Dylan, >> here. >> Mr. Michael Goodwin, absent. Dr. Dana Guidi CPRO absent. Mr. Jordan Heyman >> here. >> Mrs. Vivian Poopa >> here. >> Mrs. Candace Giano >> here. >> Mrs. Lauren Wargan >> here. >> At this time, I would like a motion to
go into executive session. It's 6:46. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We will return in 1 hour. All in favor? I. Motion 45. >> Oh, sorry. 45 minutes. Thank you. 45 minutes. Uh motion carries. We'll see you in 45 minutes.
We are returning from our executive session at 7:33. Can we please stand to salute the flag? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Good evening everyone. Okay, let's begin. Can I please have a motion to approve our minutes from February 17th? >> So move. >> Second. Any comments or questions? Roll call, please.
>> Mr. Bill Dylan, >> yes. >> Mr. Jordan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Po, >> yes. >> Mrs. Candaceiano, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lauren Morgan, >> here. >> Yes. >> Uh, we do not have any correspondence. Uh, >> we did have one correspondence to the
board from an employee. >> We had a cor but we just have to say we don't have to say anything there. We just we did receive a correspondence from an employee um our district employee. >> Okay, we're moving on to public participation. Um we're opening up the
floor on any items that we are voting on. If you can please come up to the podium, state your name, address. Seeing none, we're moving on. Uh President's report, I do want to congratulate um everyone involved in the Matilda play. It was an outstanding performance. It
never disappoints to me. It's just great to see all the students that get up there and really shine. Even your shiest student gets up there and has the biggest smile. So, I personally enjoyed it. Um, my son did as well and I will keep on coming back as long as I'm
invited because it was really a great show. So, congratulations to all involved. Um, moving on, our superintendence report. Thank you. Oh, >> take my hand. >> Yes.
Okay. Good evening, folks. How we doing tonight? Good. All right. We'll start off with some really great accolades for two students that are recognized tonight. Um, every month we put out to our staff whether they have chosen any
particular individuals that exhibit the pillars of character. Um some of which are integrity, honesty, uh you know great a great person overall, good heart. Uh so we do collect those names and we have our principles
and I discuss which individual or designate for each month we would like to have at board meetings and recognized as our mountainside trailblazers. So let's get right to it. Uh we're going to talk about Deerfield today. Tonight, excuse me. We talk about an individual
who could always be relied upon to handle their duties with honesty, maturity and care. Constantly, consistently does the right thing, supports others, takes pride,
contributing positively to his team. His character stood out so strongly. He was complimented for his leadership and reliability. He's a wonderful example of a strong character and is very deserving of this award. Tonight, we recognize our
Deerfield Mountainside Trailblazer of the Month. [applause] >> All right, good job. >> [applause] >> And we move on to Beachwood. And Beachwood, there were several candidates, but we were able to choose one tonight that comes across being very
respectful, prepared, and mind you, this is uh a K to2 building. So when you hear some of these things, think about, you know, how young this this individual is uh academically motivated in K to2, right?
uh handles social situations very very appropriately both in class and out of class and works to his highest potential. So for that, our Beachwood Mountainside Trailblazer of the month is
Liam Lass. [applause] [applause] Um before we get to our uh presenters, Miss Chrisy, Miss Goldbeck, I just want to mention a couple of things regarding uh some upcoming um you know work. So Deerfield is going
to be having our sewer line worked on. Uh that's beginning March 28th. So if you do see construction equipment and materials, that's what that's all about. This is a long time coming. Uh two years, a year and a half, something like that. So, we're glad to get this over
with and move on from that. Uh, I'll be sending out a spring letter talking about safety, particularly ebikes and in Deerfield, the OL property. Seems like we have kids migrating and playing on the equipment by the roadwork equipment over there. So, that'll be coming out,
but I want to let parents know on the uh YouTube land over there, please mind uh the safety of the kids as they exit out the building. Uh we'll be doing a parent survey about facilities feedback. So look forward to that. This is all part of our due diligence with the facility
study and eventually the work that needs to be done here in Deerfield as well as Beachwood within the upcoming years. Uh I want to thank Mr. Rosen Bloom, Miss Summers, um Miss Keller, the that district staff as well as all the parent
volunteers, those that came in to bring the lighting. Uh the Matilda play was just phenomenal. Uh to have 100 plus students being able to put on a production that mind you was close to three hours. They didn't do the Matilda Junior version. They did the full-blown.
That takes a lot of credit and a lot of leg work and a lot of hours to do that and do it spectacular. So thank you for the cast and the crew and the the uh employees and those that came to volunteer as well. And finally, spring break. uh if you don't know already and
not looking forward to it, it's uh May 30th through April 3rd. So the building will have some staff available during that time if need be, but very minimal staff will be in the buildings during that week. So at this time I'd like to
bring up Miss Chrisulli um our supervisor of curriculum instruction and Miss Goldbeck our 3 to8 coordinator just to briefly talk about the NJSLA adaptive assessment. Uh that'll be coming up and we'll be doing so.
Goodbye. >> Stop. >> Yeah, >> I I do. >> Okay. >> Chris, can I ask one question on the um the sewer project? I know it's going to fix the bathrooms. Uh but since that has all gone down, we've closed that entrance as well over in that corner.
>> Yes. So that cement pad will be replaced. >> Okay. >> As well as the support beams under the cement pad. Okay. So, that'll be the sewer and then that entrance and fixing why that entrance is closed. Okay. >> Yep. >> I thought so. I wasn't sure. I just >> the tagline. I know when we originally started looking at it, we found that issue. >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> Correct. >> Thanks. >> Sorry. >> Okay. Um hello everyone. I'm Kathy Goldbeck. I am the 38 coordinator and I am the district district test coordinator for the uh state testing. Um Mr. Dr. Kenny has invited us here for um
to give just a brief overview on um some of the changes that we're going to be seeing this spring in terms of state testing and >> we're a duo, we're a team and I'm the school test coordinator. Uh we work very closely. So here we are and we're here to present
>> the why, the what and the how of the new NJSLA adaptive. Um so the state of New Jersey has decided to transition to a different format which is an adaptive format for our uh students who are testing in the
um state test administration. Uh the adaptive format is only going to pertain to their reading unit and their math unit. The writing unit will remain a fixed format um for all students in
grades 3 through 8 and the science for students in grades 5 through 8 will continue to be a fixed format also. Um why are they doing this? They feel that a an adaptive test is more precise. It
is more accurate. It meets students at their sort of just right learning level and therefore gives the schools better information that is actionable on our part >> and personalized >> and personalized. So I mean the good news is that our students are familiar
with adaptive testing. So we currently have IER ready that is an adaptive type of test. Prior to IER we had N um NWA MAP testing that was also an adaptive test. The idea of the adaptive test is that they will all start out on a middle
ground question, what they consider a medium level question based upon their answers and not just to one question, but to sort of a grouping of questions. The test will get easier or harder um for each student based upon their responses.
The good news is um it will students will only see learning standards for their grade level. So even though it's adaptive, nobody is going to go above their grade level standards. It will remain a a h assessment of the student
learning standards for that grade. Um the way that the questions are going to be differentiated is it will go from a medium if you think about peeling back an onion you know there'll be s kind of higher level questions that are that are
presented and then for other students there will be easier questions that are presented. Um so that's the the adaptive part of the test. Um we are going to the other change that we're going to see is that and this was
a little tricky. I was even um went into training and came out with much more clarity. Reading is one unit. >> It is a test that's they say can be given in two sessions but it is a one unit of
reading. So the ideal is that the students will test for 75 minutes, take a quick break, and test for another 75 minutes. But some students might finish the test in the first 75 minutes. >> So we're going to have some kind of adaptive um >> schedule
>> scheduling to to figure out how we how we do this. >> And math is the same way. So it's a it is one unit of math. It is a 75 minute session, quick break, second 75 minute session. Um,
but then they also say you can take a longer break or you can take two days for the two sessions. So there's a lot of things that we're still kind of figuring and that is going to be a bit new for us this year. Um, rating is one
90minute unit that is one session and everyone will finish in that session. So and our science that are fixed form four units 45 minutes each fifth grade eighth grade only no changes >> no changes in science. >> So that's
>> when we when are we starting >> we are going to well the state of New Jerseyy's window is from April 27th to May 29th. That is another adjustment that they made. Um they've taken the makeup window that was from May 22nd to May 29th and said you can actually administer the regular test during that.
Just start makeups whenever you want. So the window has remained the same. They've just kind of taken out that that you have to administer the test by the 22nd. We now have until the 29th. We are planning uh tentatively to start Tuesday the
28th. Um and we will be getting those schedules as soon as we finalize some of the uh the how we're going to do this with all of these test sessions and kind of being condensed and scheduling. Uh
Deerfield's very unique in that every student grade 3 through eight tests and within that testing schedule we are also working in lunch schedules, special schedules, teacher prep periods and trying to get every you know the perfect
the perfect picture. Um and then it's also room availability. So how many how many groups do we have? How many rooms do we need? How many test administrators do we need? So, we typically use the whole month of May to do this and um we
are hoping that maybe we won't have to test as many days with this new testing format, but it is going to be a little bit of start start it and see how we go. Students are finishing if we need to sessions if we don't. And so, we have
said we're going to do some adaptive scheduling to um >> to to to go to adaptive >> [laughter] >> Yes. So, it'll be fun. New work. >> You have no snow days to mess with. So, you got all the time in the world. Yeah. >> That's it. So, Oh, and then Yeah, we're also working in uh 8th grade goes to DC
during this time. Fifth grade has their dare trip during this time. So, working around all those kind of special activities also. Um, and then the last thing is that because this is a new test, uh, we will not have results until
they're saying late summer or fall of 2026. >> So, that will also um have a little bit of an impact. If we don't have those school those scores when we start school, we'll have to make some adjustments to some of the criteria we
use for certain things. Is that just for the first time >> the scoring lag or is that we hope >> going to be [laughter] going forward >> that I mean I I would think right now that it's because it's the new test
>> and they're >> everything is I I I kind of say this is a pilot, right? We're all kind of figuring it out for the first time. So the information that we have right now is that that's what it will be. the state probably didn't figure it out when they piloted it in the fall. So, they're
probably still, you know, waiting to get >> Exactly. And they they did say that they're working on a um a continuum so that these scores will be able to be compared to previous year scores.
So, that is another that'll be another interesting piece to this because it is a different type of test. So, how they're going to to um kind of bridge these scores, we'll we'll see. But I'm sure that's another reason why scoring could take a little
bit longer. >> Could can you guys just expand a little bit more on what may be different? Because I heard if the test results come in a little bit later, what are what are some things we should be thinking about? Is it that we can't report the way you used to report? Is it
placement of students in the right levels? So previously every student took a fixed form test. Every student saw the same questions. Every student saw the same >> um >> you know standards.
>> The the newer the adaptive test they are going to see the same standards but not necessarily the same question. So, so your reporting groups could potentially change because you're not going to have the same numbers of students who potentially saw the same question even though they've been tested on the same
standard. >> So, the way I'm interpreting what you're saying is it's the way we're going to evaluate ourselves against prior years and track progress. >> Like I we don't even know what a cuto off score looks like. That's kind of where >> they have not determined the cut off. >> I don't know any numbers. I you know, we
don't know. We just know it's coming in the fall early. >> Was did I read that these scores are not going to be shared with parents? >> Oh, >> no. These will definitely be shared with parents. The field test >> I think the field test that was in October.
>> We didn't get any scores in the fall. >> The field test was strictly designed to try and determine valid and reliable questions. So students who took the test in the fall took it on the previous year standards because they hadn't learned the grade level standards yet. So fourth
grade was tested on third grade standards. If you remember third grade didn't take it >> because there was no there was not a test. >> It was for like the new platform mostly to see how it worked and they adjusted and >> so and that is another change. There's a new you know we're not with Pearson
anymore with Cambium now. So th these are all some of the changes but we have been sharing information. Mrs. Jensen has posted quite a few. They have what they call one pagers and as they release those we have >> tomorrow morning they'll be getting >> we've been sharing I have >> a letter from me. I wanted this
presentation first. >> Okay. >> Everybody will be getting a letter from me with the one pager. >> Right. >> And in those one pagers there's some there's some great links. So um there's a link to the New Jersey assessment portal where uh families and students can go in. There's practice tests. They
can see the types of questions that are going going to be asked. I've been into every third grade classroom because this is totally new for them and we've done um one of the language arts practice tests. I'm now making my rounds to do the math. The purpose of that is really just to get them familiar with the t
types of questions, the tools that they have available to them and just help them to become familiar with the the test platform. Um, so we do that every year with um with our students and um we're we're on our way and we are
sharing as much information as we can when we get it. Last week uh we shared out the writing tasks >> um what the type of task will be and the rubric that they're sharing that will be used to to score those. And that was
available for grades three through >> nine I think in high school. So, so that is >> it's available. >> Um, you can go you can go to the families and and students tab and >> go crazy. [clears throat] Go crazy. [laughter]
>> Thank you guys. We appreciate the candidates and >> hopefully everything runs smooth. >> Fingers crossed. You know, we had gotten into a really good role, so of course things had to change. >> Just just, you know, if we had gotten it down, >> I would have easy just one comment cuz you guys always do a great job when
you're up here. I would feel a little bit more uncomfortable with this if it wasn't for the two of you leading the charge for us. So, um, >> thank you for everything you do. You come here, you you explained it to us well. Um, >> so yeah, I was when I read everything before, it's like, oh my god, this sounds chaotic, but just hearing you
guys [laughter] and I know you guys have command over it. So, I just thank you for everything you guys. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> We got this. Don't worry. >> You got it. [laughter] >> No doubt. >> Thanks, guys. >> Thank you. Um, are we done with our superintendent? >> We are. Okay, moving on to our business
um administrator's report. >> For those of you that want to go by >> run [laughter] keep all three. >> Yeah, you keep all three pass. Leave one more Vivian. >> Nobody else there, right? >> Good.
All right, folks. Tonight we're going to be talking about our proposed 2627 budget. Um, again, progress with purpose was our mission as we looked into the previous budget starting and obviously
Miss Burick and I having come in to the district fairly new, we wanted to make sure that we were diligently looking and meeting with all stakeholders to that would be part of the construction to make sure that we're hitting on all the
markers and uh doing our due diligence. So let's start off a little bit about how we go about planning for the budget. So it is a collaborative process. First we take a look at our analysis of revenues. So, one of the things is to know that yes, this school
district does bring in money in different forms. Whether it's money through preschool tuition, whether it's money through grants, whether it's money through state aid, and obviously the biggest pot of money is the tax levy.
That's all part of the revenue that this the school district has to keep in mind that you you can't really spend more than what you have, right? um originally and that's why we also take about look at our needs and what
now we have to potentially raise uh the tax levy for uh if need be. So we do have have our administrative meetings throughout uh the months of February and March and a little bit in January and we
look at line by line. So in the budget you have all what's are called gap codes or account lines. And Miss Burick and I met with the administration. We sat down and looked at last year's lines meaning the 25 26 and what it is that was
originally budgeted for and now where we are at right now to take a look at realistically what potentially could be reduced. uh if there are any duplications in the asks for 2627 and we did find a
couple that we are were able to reduce or take out of the budget for 2627. So I'm glad we actually sat down and did that leg work because it it did reduce some of our cost which helped us in the
creation of the 2627 budget. Uh we met with the board facilities and budget committee, laid out the different revenues and allocations. Uh, and then Miss Burke and I really sat down with all of our numbers, all of our count
lines to take a look at what we need to do with uh facilities and maintenance, uh, curriculum, um, you know, programming, supplies to make sure that we were able to come up with, and I'm going to say a very
favorable proposed budget that adds in necessary allocations to really make progress with purpose for next year. So, Mr. B. >> Okay, let's take a look at the numbers.
>> We have >> Sorry, [laughter] our general current expenses. These are the expenses just to operate the school for our 2627 school year. So here you see we're at 22.7 million.
Our capital outlays, those are reserve funds that can be used for capital projects. We are looking to upgrade our security system and do a direct install for HVAC units.
So this amount the 263,000 includes those figures the direct install for the one year and the security upgrades giving a total general fund of 22.9 million. We received special revenue funds which
are federal funding. Um we unfortunately had the loss of title one for next year. So looking at this we're at 139,000. We have our debt service. This was debt that was issued in 2021
giving a total budget of 24.3 million. The budget is made up of our revenue and expenditures. Here you could see our revenues, the percentages, majority comes from our taxes, then our state aid, and then we have our other factors
including, you know, interest from accounts, special revenues, those preschool tuitions, and subscription busing. Instruction and pupil support represent the largest share reflecting the district's commitment to student learning.
Uh health benefit costs are going up significantly. We're looking at a 30% increase. And our tuition costs include our 9-2 [clears throat] students who attend GL High School along with private school districts for our students with
disabilities. All right, let's talk about how we go ahead and I'm sorry that I didn't realize it didn't come out that dark. Hopefully everybody can read it. How mountain side contains costs. Well, this year alone in 2526, we've taken proactive approaches to reduce our
expenditures in 2627. And what we mean by that is Mr. Marini and I and Miss Bert have really taken a hard look at how we can improve our facilities equipment and our costs so that the uh
amounts that we're spending on certain things in the past become reduced because we're able to put into play certain um pieces of updated equipment that help us to reduce those costs. You could also look at multi-year contracts.
So, if we have a multi-year contract and we have funds now at the end of the year to pay off that contract that may go on for several more years, you should do that now. This way, you're not incurring that in 26 27 27 28 if they are uh you
know two to three years out. Uh obviously we're trying to look at additional revenue sources acquired uh whether it be filming uh looking at bringing in tuition revenue which is also mentioned on the bottom. Um and
then secondly the in district special ed establishing programs in this budget. We have ABA programming that's going to be uh in Deerfield next year where we're able to bring students back from out of district placements as well as offer
other local education agencies two or three positions in that classroom to come on board and we would get the tuition revenue uh from those uh students. And then shared services, whether it's
the shared service for our uh great business administrator, shared with Winfield, um cooperative purchasing, we've just now uh we were board approved, I believe it was last month or the month before, the uh Marshingham Joint Commission has
now jumped in the cooperative purchasing game. So along with all the other services commissions that you could go and bid uh Mars Union Joiner is now one of those. So I'm glad to see that we're able to use those services as well. It
will only afford us more luxury to have uh competitive bidding for services, supplies, technology as well. Um, and then looking at obviously partnering with the burrow for those of you that
don't know. Um, obviously the use of facilities goes handinhand with them helping out helping us out with the unfortunate uh snow amounts that we had this winter. So, uh, we were very thankful for, uh, Matt Deanna and and
the burrow employees that were able to, uh, I'm going to say, uh, proverbly dig us out of a mess, uh, this this winter. So, that's how we're trying to contain cost, not only in 2627, but also
proactively in 2526. No, >> our tax impact, we have an increase of 186 based on the assessment I received from the Mountainside Burough clerk at
636774. >> Just to to end the conversation, just to give you some highlights of the budget, we're talking about zero staff reductions. We're talking about increased programming for special needs students in this budget. We're talking about
additional funds for teachers and educator supplies. We're talking about infrastructure and facility improvements all within this next year's budget. So, you actually are seeing progress with purpose now that uh
we're able to get a handle on, you know, moving forward and making sure that we're doing what's best for uh all of Mountainside, including uh the the staff, the students, and the residents. So, and with that, we will take
questions. >> I got a bunch, but you want me to go first? You want to go? You want to go? Vivian's got questions. You were taking notes. >> I was writing down all the, you know, >> your questions. >> It's impressive the no cuts. >> No cuts. >> And you know, reading NJ.com and you
hear more and more cuts. You know, that says a lot. >> Well, luckily for us, we didn't have a reduction in state aid, we had a little bit more, but um it really did come down to the leg work of, you know, everybody involved to take a hard look at each and
every single line. When I tell you, you know, there were cuts on a lot of lines that we made due to looking back at what was spent this year and saying, you know, what was budgeted this year was not what we need to budget for next
year. So 5,000 here, 10,000 there. This program is duplicated. Why are we paying twice? So there were cases like that. So >> the cuts that you made though there obviously can you think of one cut that you can share with us? >> Um
there are programs uh that we we did a a technology software audit and there are programs uh Raz kids right was a program. Now, RAZ kids, it can be used
as a a whole school uh you know, you could get a a a whole school license, but we didn't need that, but it was budgeted for. Okay. >> So, it's little things like that, like we only needed two singular licenses for two teachers that are using this, >> but yet we had a site license. So, it's
stuff like that that makes you look at, you know, those individual lines. >> And just the increase in supplies, I think that's important. or the cost of the teacher supplies is crazy. >> All teachers take money out of their own pocket. >> No doubt. >> So, it's nice to see the increase. >> And it goes a long way for morale. It
goes along. Listen, it was at 250 for years. For years and just giving an extra $100 to a teacher means a lot. >> Oh, it does. >> It does. >> So, a couple questions for me. Um,
[cough] can you uh one of the one of the things we always look at as a as a variable is how many kids go to high school. So I was just looking back at last year we had five fewer high school kids going to GL at least estimated in the budget. Do we have a sense in this budget what's built in either up down or
flat? Uh not talking about the per pupil we know what that is but just the number of kids and how we just for the public how we're estimating that. Um, this budget has a flat increase or decrease. It's just a flat
rate. So, we didn't anticipate any more or any less based upon what we're pulling in from our eighth grade surveys right now. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, we're assuming flat flat population across 9 through 12,
>> right? flat population going in from 8th grade to 9th grade and really no fluctuation for 10th, 11th to 12th. >> Okay. Um >> said it a little differently. We paid 2526
with the assumption of a number, >> right? Yes. >> And that number is never right. >> It's always wrong because it's just a forecast. So, at some point there's a true up that says we've either paid for too much or we've paid for too little for the number of kids that are there at
the moment. >> Right. >> And that's usually factored in. So, I think what I hear you saying is we we we may not have factored that in or we just hit the number exactly on the head when we were doing last year's budget on the number of kids that were going there.
>> So, usually most of our budgets we overpay them. We prepay them for too many students and then they owe us a refund, >> right? >> So we are have a credit for our 2425. >> So that so part of our revenue or reduction in
>> our GL cost or is the fact that they owe us some sort of money back >> from 24. >> Okay. Can we have that for the April meeting? >> Yes. Thank you. >> And that's that's in this budget. That'll be 2627 that we're getting a credit back from 2425, not 2526.
that we don't know yet, >> right? >> Okay, got it. Um, another question just thinking historically, um, deja vu on this, but I feel like we were able to save money transportation in the past because I I'll botch this, but we got
creative with with parents to help us in terms of some of those costs. Is that factored in here like that strategy >> parent transportation contract? >> Yeah. And is there a way to calculate? >> Apparently, it's the same calculation right now. Okay. because either a we're bringing kids back to district that we
would have paid. >> Yep. >> But we do have to anticipate um potentially another student going out that we would do certain certainly a parent transportation contract first. >> Okay. So, we're assuming that if we have current deals with parents that helped us in that regard, we might reup those.
Yeah, that's the vision essentially. Okay. >> Other question which I know you probably can't answer is is that I look back two years ago and our our health benefits increased 8%. year to year. I'm seeing 30% here. >> You talk about sustainability, like what
what what's the recourse? I I a broken record on this, but like when when can we afford that? Like what what's the breaking point on that? Because that's that seems astronomical. And I'm not saying no one deserves it. I'm just saying that's just a big >> number considering two years ago.
>> US a health benefit waiver. >> Okay. >> For a portion, the percentage of it. >> Okay. >> This I hear is the biggest we're getting this year because of the increase so much. Okay. So, that saves us in this budget. >> Well, >> we're using a portion of it >> and the rest will go into bank cap.
>> Got it. So, >> we'll see this I think when we get to the magic number, right? But >> that just means we're legally allowed to go above 2%. So, we ain't saving anything, >> right? >> Charging more. >> It's a waiver. You're saying we're going >> 2.5, right? Which
>> it doesn't it doesn't address the question which is what recourse do we have to discuss the trade-offs? You know, one of the things that you have to realize is that the 30% is a January to December rate. >> Yes. The calendar year.
>> So therefore, come, you know, next December or or a little bit before that, they could come back and say, "Well, now it's not 30%. Maybe it's 20%." >> Y. So that's the difficulty with putting in a number for health insurance because
they're not on the same calendar as us. >> Yeah, I get that. >> Um we're in the state plan >> so obviously we have to follow their increase. There are others that have looked at, you know, going private and shopping around. And so there are options if we're not satisfied and there
are continued increases in in health insurance for either, I'm going to put it out there, changing brokers, there's a number of brokers out there, uh, if we're not satisfied what we're getting, or getting out of the state plan and
going into private. So, there are options. We It's not like you can say, "Well, we're stuck in here. We can't get out of this." There are options to explore if we we choose to do so. >> But wouldn't that be subject to mandatory negotiations with the MEA? Correct.
>> No, only if you are doing a less comparable. You would have to offer >> as long as equal to or better. >> Right. Interesting. >> Yeah. >> Which was the case last time, >> right? >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Last point, maybe less question comment
is just that um on the reserve funds that we're using. I think it's a really good thing that we're as we think about all the all the uh buildings and grounds conversations, challenges, won't use a referendum word here, but we we know that like we are looking at some of the
the concerns of the district and there's two big ones that could have been punted down the road that it sounds like in security systems, which I believe would be both buildings. Please keep me honest on that. HVAC >> that could be punted, but we're not punting. Um, this budget, if I've got
that right, would address those two concerns >> in in this budget versus waiting for a future uh bill on that. >> Right. Yeah. the the the reality of the cost of maintenance for HVAC units. Right now, we're about $40,000
uh dollars that we've spent since July on maintenancing HVAC units currently both at Deerfield and Beachwood. And we are not even in the air conditioning season. So, you can imagine that once that turns on, some of the issues that
we may or may not have with those parts of those HVAC units. So to look at and again I'll use the word punt down the road the fact that you may be each year for the next couple of years if we're going to look down the road and doing something on a larger scale potentially
for the next several years spending 40 to 60 maybe to $80,000 in maintenance >> cost. If we could get at least part of >> Yeah. >> you know the HVAC rectified it will save us money in the long run. Yeah, it's
good instead of throwing good money after bad. That that's that's great. Yeah. Um that's smart and hopefully we'll >> we'll then alleviate some of the, you know, the list of of projects that we still need to address, but that that where we we do have a little more time on that. Okay. >> I'll shut up. Thank you.
>> So, what what is the magic number? What what percentage are we? >> We're at 2.9. >> Last year was what 2.43 something like that. Making that up. Yeah. And second, um I know you guys uh were
very creative with getting alternative revenues um by renting out the school throughout the year to new sources. Is any of that built in here to the Do we anticipate the anniversary any of that?
>> I believe it built in. >> It's not built in, but it goes into >> Yeah. Okay. We subsidize salaries and other custodial >> you can't subs well salaries are covered in here right so
>> wouldn't be subsidizing salaries right we've got to >> subsidizing >> yeah I agree what would we be subsidizing for salaries if >> custodial custodial >> because >> so this was the equip the extra equipment we bought this year okay >> and other other like for example
>> or if a sewer goes out like that >> or if a sewer drain needs is an issue. >> Yeah. Hypothetically, >> uh you know, other revenue that's being collected for um you know, if film like say for example, we get a filming opportunity
um you know, later on the year, say June, and we're not going to do that would just go into reserve. >> Okay. >> But there are some are are any of the building use funds um
>> still available? not still available. Are any of those traditional, I'll say actors camp, right? Someone who's kind of been a tenant over and over again, is that built into your plan or is that money and whatnot? Yeah, we have that. >> That's part of that miscellaneous.
>> Okay. So, the expected money from renting our facilities >> is built in. >> Is built in. Okay. >> Like various camps, whatnot. Okay. >> So, the children specialize comes to us. >> I saw that. >> That's all built in. miscellaneous
revenues. Maybe you're not talking about hundreds of thousands, but it's still >> Yep. >> pocket of money. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Any other moving on? Okay.
>> Well, I move Berkeley Heights on report. >> Ah, we can do this. All righty. So, we've had two meetings in Berkeley Heights since the last time we met here. Um,
February 26th, some uh I'll focus on some of the Mountainside relevant topics. Uh, happy to announce um they recognize Michael Healey. Um, Michael Hilly won an unsung hero award. Uh, he was one of two seniors, one from
Mountainside, one from Berkeley Heights. Um you can imagine it was character and everything that we all know Michael is >> very good >> exceeds that right so it was great to see him up there. Um I was had I had the opportunity to sit through uh the ethics training again which I always love doing
that twice a year um and district goals. Um we at the last meeting we changed our calendar for budgets very similar to what happened here uh in order to account for the fact that the numbers of state aid were coming in later. So, if
anybody's uh wants to come up and hear the Berkeley Heights budget and the GL parts of it and has any strong opinions and would like to speak about them publicly, u those meetings are going to be 3:26, that's going to be the uh the draft
agenda, same thing we just did now. And then, uh 4:30, April 30th is when we will uh have the final presentation. Um, from a policies perspective, I thought it was interesting. Um, on the 26, we did start to talk about the upcoming cell phone ban and how that
will impact um, our students at GL or all the schools, right? But, uh, primarily, I think the high schoolers will be the ones that are going to maybe have the hardest time with that, right? So, um, what were the what was Strauss Esme recommending and and how will this come to life? uh because it is a
requirement for September and at least that we what we talked about was at this point there's no dollars associated with enacting this. So, if that's a bag, cell phone bag or these other options that may be, you know, there. So, more to come on that, but I thought that was an
interesting topic and it's going to something we're probably going to hopefully maybe align with them in some way, right? However, we handle it here and they handle it there. Um, so that there's more of a transition, especially for our middle schoolers that they get used to um having this full day ban, right? Which >> we're banned.
>> They're banned here. Yeah, >> they they don't have >> Are they Do you get a sense from that that that like structurally they're going to do something different than what they do now for because there are teachers there that have the sleeve on the door, but as I understand it, it's always been optional if you want to put
your phone in those sleeves. I mean, as I may have got this wrong. I thought the ban basically says like it it's or is it not teacher by teacher? Is it then you no longer have the ability to do anything but put it in the sleeve on the door? That's the change. That's it. >> Yeah. So certainly what we were
discussing is how how that come to life and >> right the reality of this >> there was more of a direct execution of it rather than a recommendation >> is how we were discussing the new law to be yeah >> right so
>> at this point I believe it's >> Huh. >> Good luck with the watches >> well with everything. Yeah. And then what happens when they break in someone else's possession and then all the rest. Right. So um but it is it is something that that we'll have to work through. Um, and again, uh, that 226 meeting was before the referendum vote, so we spent
a lot of time on reminding people to vote. Uh, fast forward to March 12th. Now, the referendum has passed on March 10th. Um, so, uh, Berkeley Heights. Um, both questions passed for them. Uh,
so there's a referendum for various, um, upgrades, uh, to to all the buildings. Um I think it was question one passed by 71%. Question two was really close um to the same 70 high 60s uh low7s. Um they
did get a good turnout. Uh I think about 20% of the registered voters did show up which which is high for an offcycle referendum. Um so you know we we'll see we'll start to see those upgrades come right. our students will be impacted as um the roof
gets repaired and and the the parking lots get paved and and things like that. Um we did discuss there's an ongoing conversation which again impacts um revenues over at Berkeley Heights and that's the impact that they're seeing on
the pilot program. So the pilot program would be payments in lie of taxes which is a program that's provided to uh to builders right to make it more of a enticing to to put in new uh low or affordable housing right um and the the
trick to all that is is that um these monies that the builders pay in lie of taxes uh don't automatically get passed along to the school district. So, uh, we did discuss the ongoing conversations that the Berkeley Heights Board of Education is having with the Berkeley
Heights, uh, government, the council, mayor and council. Uh, there's about 57 students that are impacted that are going to the various schools, 19 with special needs, um, and just a way to work through how does that stress of that cost on the schools. Um, is there
is there a way to partner on getting some of those funds um, fed into the school? So, more to come on that. I do believe actually um their town council was reviewing that tonight. Um so we'll see what happens with that. Um there was discussion on lower Columbia. This was a
hot topic last year. Lower Columbia is a field uh at their middle school that is used not only it's multi-purpose like we do here. It's not only for recreational purposes but it's also for the schools. Uh so their middle school soccer teams play there so on so forth. Uh we the the
board of ed leased um that land to the town for them to build um a turf sports complex is how it was designed and communicated to us originally. Uh that has drastically been scaled back. Uh so they they presented the new plans
which is um lot of upgrades natural grass drainage um and they took us through. So it should it should be nice. just not what what they originally had envisioned with the turf. Um and and almost as a a duplicate or a substitute for Schneider Field for those of us that are familiar
with that. Um >> what's the timeline of that? >> Yeah, it should be done by the end of this year. So, it's all going to happen over the summer. In terms of the field being ready, there are some projects like a a nicer entrance as you walk through. Uh they also think that now that they've switched their um their design, they're going to have extra
money to redo all those basketball courts. So I think the field itself and the drainage will be done is the plan. Uh what maybe some of those additional projects kind of flowing over. I think it all depends on whether um um we did discuss um an open position at Governor
Livingston. So uh Jackie Bartlett who was a vice principal uh has now left to join Mr. Nixon in Milbour. Um so in the minutes of the personnel committee uh there were some details if you want to watch it on the debate on what the
various uh responsibilities are. There are currently two vice principles and we just talked through why there was a need for two um why the what the duties that were different. Um so that's an ongoing conversation but all the details are there. Um, and then I just rewatched it
again today. Uh, and I wasn't at this uh March 12th meeting, so I'm going off of what I saw on YouTube. Uh, I was away for work. [snorts] Uh, there was a long, uh, conversation around curriculum or especially in the high school around how many opportunities our students have to dissect u animals or different things in
science. Um, it seems to be more of an honorsbased activity. Um, so they were looking to redo the curriculum to potentially introduce, you know, in biology or the maybe the earthworm for um some of the nth grade students that
are not in honor. So, more to come on that as uh as they look to just clean up the curriculum and and what offerings are available. Um, and I'm happy to report both of these meetings are ending much sooner because we now have two a month rather than one. So, >> Oh, wow. >> Pick your poison.
>> Yeah, I picked Yeah, that's right. So, uh, that that concludes my report for tonight. >> Thank you. Great. Thanks. Just out of curiosity, how many students does GL have? >> I'm going to say 900, but I don't know off the top of my head. >> So, having two vice principles would I mean,
>> that's just my opinion is a lot. Yeah, >> I think have they looked at surrounding districts that have that number of students and only have one vice principal >> because in a school of that size I can't see why two vice principal uh the
district needs to pay for two vice principal salaries. So the way I I was interpreting it and you got you would know both better than me being in the buildings. Um it seemed to be comparable by the students per
vice principal at the other schools. But that doesn't mean to say that I know enough to know whether they're all rather low or different than what other districts are doing. >> Just interesting. >> Yeah. numbers and administrators >> and and and it was
>> do they have vice principles at all of their elementary schools? >> It was the it was the number of direct relation. So if you think about the jobs and the roles that they do that job or that role and the the onetoone the 300 to one
>> relationship >> because that for some reason sticks out in my head it was like 300 to one. Okay. >> Right. And that was probably the three the principal and the two vice principles how they were coming down to that >> and I'm going to use the wrong term administrator or >> you know two two student um
>> just curious >> yeah no it's it's something we got to >> um something we we just >> we have how many kids here >> in Deerfield. >> How many kids are at in Deerfield? >> Deerfield. Yeah. >> 550. Well, and Miss Jensen can hold her
own then, I guess. And she doesn't need bunch of other people. >> Okay. >> I I'll um >> kudos to Miss Jen. >> On March 26th, there will be an opportunity to speak to any [laughter] >> That's public, right?
>> Public agenda topics. Uh I encourage >> the public or anybody who's >> What time? 6:30. >> Uh it's a good question. No. Uh at 7:30. >> 72. You can you don't even have to be in person. You can ask me as >> your pajamas. >> Yeah. [laughter]
>> Yeah. Ra just raise your hand. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> But I'd love to have anybody there um that wants to come join me. >> Thank you. >> In spirit, I'm there [laughter] since you did your time. >> Uh moving on. Um can I please have a motion to approve under administration
items one and two? >> So moved on as I read it. Yeah. >> Second. Any questions or comments? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bill Dylan, >> yes. >> Mr. Jordan Heyman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Poop. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Candaceiano,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Lauren Wargan, >> yes. >> Can I please have a motion to approve under budget and finance items 1 through 3, 5 through 11? So moved.
Remind me why >> we're leaving four out because we have to amend. We have to make a motion to amend number four. >> Okay. You can do that after. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Any comments or questions? >> Just one question on five. Is is that
770 uh subscription busing number flat year-over-year? Up down? >> Up $20. >> Up 20 bucks. >> Thanks. Any other questions or comments? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bill Dylan, >> yes.
>> Mr. Jordan Heyman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Puo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Candaceiano, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lauren Morgan, >> yes. >> Can I please have a motion to approve, sorry, to amend under budget and finance number four. um to change our next uh
board of education meeting to read Wednesday, April 29th instead of Tuesday, April 21st. And also uh the general fund uh there was a misprint. It was not
104,000 506. I'm sorry I crossed it out. It should read 60,000. So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions or comments? >> So this vote will purely be just to change the language. I'm not voting on the actual
>> resolution, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bill Dylan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jordan Heyman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Poop. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Candace. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lauren Warden. >> Yes. >> Can I please have a motion to approve
under personnel items 1 through eight? Um just real quick um I it may just be procedural. >> Okay. >> Um traditionally when we change the language we vote on that, but we still have to vote on
>> So we only voted whether or not we agreed to change the dollar amount. >> You got to approve the >> date. We now have to vote for that >> with the approved changes that we just approved. >> Motion to approve the 60,000. >> Item number four. >> Item number four. >> Am I do I have that right? Like we go through this so much in Berkeley
Heights. The first one was just to approve the the change. Okay. Sorry. >> And now we have to vote on do we actually want to motion to modify. >> All right. So now we need to um >> have a vote as modified. >> Yes. On the modified version of number
four. >> For number four. >> Okay. >> Any comments or questions? >> No. >> So roll call again. [laughter] >> Yes. >> Thanks, Bill. You're a pro at this, huh? You amend a lot of stuff over there, huh? [laughter] >> I'm learning.
>> No. Good. Chris, did I mess you up? >> Did I mess you up or Oh, okay. >> So, roll call. >> Yeah. For number four. >> For number four. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Bill Dylan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jordan Heyman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Poopa. Yes. >> Mrs. Candace. Yes.
>> Mrs. Lauren Morgan. >> Yes. >> That was something new. Thanks, Bill. Okay. Okay. Can I have a motion to approve under personnel items 1 through 8? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any comments or questions?
>> I just want to point out for the uh number seven and number eight uh next month you'll also see additional staff approved for ESY. So right now we are doing a survey of parents to gauge how many students are actually going to come
to ESY. So what you don't see here are a lot of the teachers. Okay. >> You'll see that next month because we're still trying to gather um the amount of kids that are coming to the program. Got it. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bill Dylan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jordan Heyman.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Poop. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Candaceiano. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lauren Morgan. >> Yes. Can I please have a motion to approve on the curriculum item number one? >> So move. >> Second. >> Comments or questions?
Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bill Dylan, >> yes. >> Mr. Jordan Heyman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Poop, >> yes. >> Mrs. Candace Shiano, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lauren Morgan, >> yes. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to approve
under policy just item one? >> So moved. Second. >> Any comments or questions? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Bill Dylan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jordan Heyman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vivian Poopa. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Candaceiano. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lauren Wargan. >> Yes. >> Okay, moving on. Old business. New business. None. Committee reports.
>> I can give you two. Uh we met uh as a a um uh referendum committee uh last week uh to start to really dig in on do I code number two. I like it to to dig to dig in on uh the priority. This is this
is all if you recall off of the presentation that we had from solutions architect. So we met with with solutions uh for the first time as a committee uh and just went through the the large list of obviously some of the tier one tier 2 priority uh uh issues and and uh and
opportunities that we have. Um I think the biggest thing at least my my opinion that came from the meeting is is that if we're interested in in in really getting our arms around this, we need to pick up the pace. Um, so at least through I'll call it end of this school year, we we're going to be meeting virtually
every other week uh to to really start to make sure that we've got a list of what what's really priority one and two uh and and then you know what what do we really want to put forward. We did start to talk about um the path toward an eventual referendum uh and what that
timeline would be. Uh I could say that I think the committee was surprised at how long we we think right now it would take. Um, but there are some things I think that we've done already, hit on a couple tonight that are that are being addressed already. Um, and I think we're ahead of the game such that if we want
to try to be aggressive that there's only certain dates that we're able to pull this off. Um, that there are a couple of windows in in 2027 when we can do this. Earliest uh would be March of 2027 and then perhaps the more conservative uh track would be September
of 2027. So, more updates to come. Um, there's a there's a lot to go through. Obviously, if you recall, solutions gave us a pretty thick list of things you could do. We don't need to do them all. Um, but some of those things are are absolutely pressing and uh it's good to see that the committee is diving in. Um,
so that that's that committee. Also, last week we met again uh as a send receive committee uh negotiations committee u with Berkeley Heights. Um we we met internally uh as mountain side uh and continue to to discuss um the the
latest back and forth. Um I I I will say that um we've we've uh I think we've made good progress with help from from Isabelle uh and and have brought her in our attorney to and brought her in on some of those conversations as we continue to u make sure that we're putting our best foot forward with
negotiations with Berkeley Heights uh and uh and hope to be meeting again on a regular basis with that committee too. Okay, thank you. Any other committee report? Moving on. At this time, I would like to open up the floor for public participation. All right, please state your name and
address. Michaela Whan, 295 New Providence in Mountainside. Um, just two questions. Was on the budget presentation. Um, did I hear you say you lost the title one funding in one of the line items? So, that's my first question. just wanted to know more about that. Um, so I guess
I'll pause there and then I'll ask the second one. >> Oh, title one's based upon your um, students that are at risk. >> So obviously if you in your October 15th count have below a certain amount, the
formula shifts. So this year, >> actually, yeah, last year's October 15th count afforded us Title One funds this year. this year's October 15th count, there are less kids that we reported at risk.
Therefore, we fall under the threat threshold to receive federal. >> Got it. Thanks. And I would I wanted to know a little bit more about the 30% increase on the health insurance like are you able to share? Was that just inflationdriven? Was it something else?
Um I know 8% 8% and then went up to 30 >> which I don't know. >> I'm with you. >> Just curious. I just want to know more about that if you h if you can share. >> I mean, good question. Right. Right. We all I they know I do know the prescription costs. They were saying that's even more like [clears throat]
45%. So I think that's a lot of driving, >> but again, I'm I don't know exactly why >> you're you're unfortunately being a part of the state plan, you're at the mercy of how they look at holistically
everybody and not just your own. So, if you're in a private plan and you're shopping just yourself, right, you look at the amount of uh I don't want to say healthy individuals that you have in your school district. So, therefore, your rate could go down depending upon just your school. You're
in the state plan. You're lumped in with a lot of people. So, therefore, that fluctuation could be greater one year or could be less. Unfortunately for us, this year it's obviously greater of a risk. Therefore, you're you're you know >> has the pool decreased of participants
in the state program. >> Could have been I don't I don't know. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Okay. Move on. Uh we do not have a second exec at this time. Can I please
have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> posting none. Uh we will see you now. remember the change. It's uh April 29th. >> Thank you. And hopefully some of you on March 26th,
>> March 26th >> in public.