Good morning everyone. Um, the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meeting of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions
of this act, the state board of education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof noticed in the department of education, secretary of state's office, and notice has been given to the state house press, the
governor's office, and the state board agenda subscribers. And as a quorum is present, this meeting will now come to order. May I please have a motion? So moved. Thank you, sir. Dr. A um may I please have a second? Second. Thank you
very much. Board member Bennett. All those in favor, please say I. I. I. Okay. Any opposed? Please say nay. All right. Now, we'll go into executive session. And in order to do that,
whereas in order to protect the personal privacy and to avoid situations wherein the public interest might be disserved, the Open Public Meetings Act permits public bodies to exclude the public from that portion of a meeting at which certain matters are discussed. Now,
therefore, be it resolved that consistent with the provision of J NJSA 104-12B, the State Board of Education will now adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters. May I please have a motion?
Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Board member Keenan. Dr. Keenan, may I please have a second? Second. Thank you very much, Dr. Ricka. All those in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed?
Okay. Um, we're now going into executive session. We should be back at I'm at 10:00 hopefully. Thank you very much. Remember that teacher who changed your life? You could be that teacher. New Jersey has some of the best public schools in the
country with competitive salaries and valuable benefits. Be that teacher. Visit teach inspire.nj.gov. Remember that teacher who changed your life? You could be that teacher. New Jersey has some of the best public schools in the country with competitive salaries and
valuable benefits. Be that teacher. Visit teach inspire.nj.gov. Go. Remember that teacher who changed your life? You could be that teacher. New Jersey has some of the best public schools in the country with competitive salaries and
valuable benefits. Be that teacher. Visit teach inspire.nj.gov. Remember that teacher who changed your life. You could be that teacher in New Jersey. You'll help shape the next generation alongside a dedicated community of
educators. New Jersey has some of the best public schools in the country with competitive salaries, valuable benefits, and a solid pension plan. So, be that teacher. Make an impact. Teach Inspire New Jersey. To learn more, visit teach
inspire.nj.gov. If you're a teacher, you've had students tell you how much you mean to them. And for everyone who does, more feel that way, but may not say it. Remember that teacher who changed your life. You're that teacher to a lot of people. Teach Inspire New Jersey.
If you're a teacher, you've probably had students tell you how much you mean to them. And for everyone who does, there are more who feel that way, but may not say it. You can't know how many, but it's more than you think. Because you've
done more than teach. You've inspired. Remember that teacher who changed your life? You're that teacher to a lot of people. Teach inspire New Jersey. Jersey in speed.
Visit the teach inspire punj. took off. Remember that teacher who changed your life? You could be that teacher. New Jersey has some of the best public schools in the country with competitive salaries and valuable benefits. Be that teacher. Visit teachinspire.nj.gov.
Go. Remember that teacher who changed your life. You could be that teacher in New Jersey. You'll help shape the next generation alongside a dedicated community of educators. New Jersey has some of the best public schools in the country with competitive salaries,
valuable benefits, and a solid pension plan. So, be that teacher. Make an impact. Teach Inspire New Jersey. To learn more, visit teach inspire.nj.gov. If you're a teacher, you've had students tell you how much you mean to them. And
for everyone who does, more feel that way but may not say it. Remember that teacher who changed your life. You're that teacher to a lot of people. Teach inspire New Where is he? If you're a teacher, you've probably had students tell you how much you mean to
them. And for everyone who does, there are more who feel that way but may not say it. You can't know how many, but it's more than you think. Because you've done more than teach. You've inspired. Remember that teacher who changed your
life? You're that teacher to a lot of people. Teach. Inspire New Jersey. Jersey. Inspe Remember that teacher who changed your life? You could be that teacher. New Jersey has
some of the best public schools in the country with competitive salaries and valuable benefits. Be that teacher. Visit teach inspire.nj.gov. Remember that teacher who changed your life. You could be that teacher in New Jersey.
You'll help shape the next generation alongside a dedicated community of educators. New Jersey has some of the best public schools in the country with competitive salaries, valuable benefits, and a solid pension plan. So be that teacher. Make an impact. Teach Inspire
New Jersey. To learn more, visit teach inspire.nj.gov. If you're a teacher, you've had students tell you how much you mean to them. And for everyone who does, more feel that way, but may not say it. Remember that teacher who changed your life. You're that teacher to a lot of people. Teach.
Inspire New Jersey. If you're a teacher, you've probably had students tell you how much you mean to them. And for everyone who does, there are more who feel that way, but may not say it. You can't know how many, but it's more than you think. Because you've
done more than teach. You've inspired. Remember that teacher who changed your life? You're that teacher to a lot of people. Teach. Inspire. New Jersey. Good morning. Thank you very much for
coming. Um I would like to uh reconvene and resume our portion of the public meeting. Whereas consistent with the provision of NJSA 10 column 4-12B, the state board will now adjourn from executive session to resume the open
session portion of our meeting. May I please have a motion? So moved. Thank you very much, Dr. Rick. May I please have a second? Second. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Board member Pñena, all those in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed?
Okay. Um, I would like to please ask our vice president, Dr. Ned Johnson, to uh start us off with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Okay. So, welcome, welcome. I hope everyone has a July 4th plan ahead of them. That will
be very nice. Um, I would like to um announce that the state board meetings are accessible to the public for viewing on the department's YouTube channel and advise you that YouTube provides readily acceptable or accessible, excuse me, language
translation options for closed captioning. If you are viewing our Simocast currently, you may use the settings option in YouTube for information about subtitles, automatic translations, and close captioning in multiple languages.
And now I'd like to turn the meeting over, please, to Commissioner Damer. Thank you. Do that later. Thank you. Today we will hold the annual election of the state board of education officers for the period of July 2025
through June 2026. State law NJSA 18A4-8 requires the state board of education to organize its first regular meeting following June 30th of every year with the election of a president and a vice president. As secretary of the state
board, it is my responsibility to conduct the election. For the nominations, President Kathy Goldenberg has selected the nominating committee. The nominating committee members are Miss Bennett, who is the chair, Dr. Keenan, and Miss Pena. The
committee presented its slate at the June public meeting. And at this time, I'll ask if there's any nominations for the from the floor for president hearing. Hearing none. Any nominations
from the floor for vice president? Hearing none. Thank you. Uh and with that, I'd like to ask from the nominated candidates if they're willing to accept the nominations and serve in the positions for which they have been nominated should they be elected. Um and
so I'll start with uh President Goldenberg. Um I would be honored and yes, I will serve to the best of my ability. Thank you. and vice president. Um, yes. Uh, the be honored and look forward to working.
Uh, thank you very much. Uh, and then we can now move forward with the election. The election will be conducted by voice vote, I or nay. The candidates will be voted on individually in the order in which they've been nominated. And with that, all in favor of Kathy Goldenberg
as president of the state board, signify by saying I. I. opposed abstensions. Thank you. And moving all in favor of Dr. Ned Johnson as vice president of the state
board signify by saying I I I opposed. Abstensions. Thank you very much. Congratulations to you both. Thank you very much. Um, I would just like to tell my fellow board members
that their confidence and trust in Ned and I leading the board is very appreciated and we will not let you down. So, thank you all very much. Thank you both. Thank you. Did you want to say uh thank you very much. Uh, it's been a
quite learning experience. Uh, thank you once again. Uh it's been a learning experience over the first year and I look forward to continuing uh in this next year. Thank you. All right. So, we'll move forward with our meeting now and um the
approval of the minutes are needed for our June 4th, 2025 meeting. Um I'd like you to please vote on the minutes that were disseminated. All those in favor of accepting the minutes, please say I.
Any opposed, please say nay. Any abstensions at this time? Uh, I abstain, brother. Thank you, Dr. Um. All right. So, the minutes are accepted. Regarding public testimony, the state
board will accept public testimony on the proposed amendments to chapter 27, student transportation. State board members Janette Pena, Mary Beth Barry, Claudine Keenan, and I are scheduled to sit for testimony. In August, the state board will not accept public testimony
as there are no educational topics for discussion. Um, and now we have the pleasure of introducing again Kayn D. Rose, a rising junior at East Brunswick High
School and which is in Middle Sex County. Her um adviser cannot be with us this morning, but Kayn, good morning. Welcome. We're thrilled to have you. So, thank you for being here. And if you'd like to give us some
remarks that you have regarding your report to us. Thank you. Thank you, President Goldenberg. And good morning, everyone. I would also like to thank the students of New Jersey for electing me as their student representative for 2025 to 2026. To begin, I would like to pose a
question to you all. Did you know that about 34% of students have held a leadership position in school? Also, 25% of eligible teens in New York registered to vote in their schoolboard election this past April. These numbers are driven by expectations students set on
what their schools will provide them. sports, extracurriculars, mental health support, and dedicated teachers. The strive to accomplish these goals allow students to find their voice in policymaking and leadership. For me, having wellplanned events that bring students together is what drew me to
leadership in student council, one of my many activities that I dedicate myself to. As a rising junior at East Brunswick High School, I'm the executive vice president of my school student council and also heavily involved in other activities such as premed club, psychology club, and hopefully science
honor society and national honor society. When I'm not in a student council meeting, volunteering, or with my Girl Scout troop, I can be found interviewing researchers for my podcast, Science News Periodically. The brainchild of my love for science and learning new things. Science News
Periodically is passionately run with two other students. The podcast features episodes including the future of AI and how students can prepare for their future in STEM and includes a live interview with theoretical physicists during the Young Women's Conference
conference at Princeton University. My interest in being the NJASC student representative for the New Jersey Board of Education began in a Zoom call for the NJ4S behavioral health teen advisory board. This is where I fell in love with not only sharing what my peers and I had
had observed, but listening to students and learning more about teens in New Jersey. After attending various New Jersey Association of Student Council's events, including their leadership training conference and fall conference, I discovered their ideals of supporting student leaders. across the state
aligned with mine. I am now honored to discover to have the opportunity to act and represent nearly 1.4 million students across the state at the state board of education meetings. I firmly believe that education is a gift. If I could have any superpower, it would
probably be the ability to learn anything and everything. I love to learn and I'm excited to learn more about myself as well as the students across the state of New Jersey in the upcoming year. Once education is one of the few things that cannot be taken that knowledge
becomes a part of you and is a power that changes our world world and provides endless possibilities and opportunities. The importance of everyone having access to education and that all students will be safe and supported while receiving that education is why I'm here. My goal as student
representative to the NJ board of education is to encourage all types of students to find their voice. Whether I'm giving a report to the board that reflects the diverse populations of New Jersey or sharing with my peers the opportunities they have and the importance of participating in board of education meetings. Such goals will help
students become more involved in their community and become adults who contribute positively to society. To close out my speech, I would love to share a quote that highlights my goal for the upcoming year. The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. I'm truly grateful
and honored to be the student representative and will serve New Jersey students with the qualities of an excellent leader. Thank you. Thank you, Kayyn. Very nice. Kayn, I speak for the board when I tell you how excited we are for your
participation this year and that we look forward to hearing from you. And if during our conversation you have any comments that you'd like to add, just raise your hand and I'll call on you. But thank you so much for being here. Thank you.
Okay. Yes, sir. Welcome to the board. Just one note for any of the creative types out there. There's a lot of superhero movies out there. And she just named the coolest superhero power I've ever heard. So, somebody's got to make a movie about
that. So, just an idea to plant the seed. Good job. Okay. And now we will um go ahead with our state board committee reports. But I would like to make an announcement
um in honor that Dr. Claudin Keaney Keenan was our recipient in 2025 as women as agent of change award and uh the American Association of University Women in New Jersey AU WJ announced Dr.
Claudine Keenan as one of the recipients of the 2025 Women of Agents Change Award. This annual honor recognizes outstanding New Jersey women who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing gender equity through
leadership, advocacy, and service. Dr. Dr. Keenan along with Lieutenant Governor Tahesa Wei another distinguished honore was celebrated as the special virtual event organizing for change on Saturday June 21st 2025 during
the virtual event they shared reflections regarding their journeys their current work and values that continue to drive their efforts for equity and inclusion Dr. Keenan was named 2025 agent of change for her work
on Tech Trekk New Jersey over the past decade. Techre and Aa WJ signature summer STEM program for rising eighth grade girls is hosted annually on Stockton University campus campus. So
congratulations Dr. Keenan. And now we'll continue to the commissioner's report. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Likewise, there are no uh commissioner reports this month. So, if it's all right, I think we're ready to move into uh items
for consideration. Uh the the first standing item that we have is for appointments. And today, I do have ana a candidate for appointment. um and that is Dr. Dvita Cochington uh to the position of acting state district superintendent in the state
operated school district of Camden. Uh with that, President Goldenberg, I'll turn it back to you for discussion. Thank you. Um, we had the fortune to meet in person upstairs um for the for the executive
portion of our meeting. And um I think at this point before we have discussion, I'd like to have a motion to appoint her as the acting commissioner for um our schools in Camden and second. Whoops.
Thank you everyone. That's awesome. I love it. So, we're very excited clearly. Um, okay. So, now could I also please um ask for discussion at this time? I'd just like to say um
I was very impressed and um Camden is uh is I think blessed to have you. Someone that's come up through the ranks is so very important, but your passion and your thoughtfulness really um impressed
me and I wish you all the very best of luck. Thank you, President Goldenberg. Yes, ma'am. We had a a nice conversation with Dr. coington and in responding to
our questions it was extremely clear I think to all of us just how important it is that she be the person that steps into this role at this time. Uh change is never easy and we know Camden while it's making strides is still facing
challenges and we're confident that you're the person who can take them to the next level. have a good summer and think about that question that was put to you by my colleague. I won't say it in public, but you know the question. Good luck.
Thank you. Any other discussion at this time? Hearing none, I would like to officially um ask for a vote for Dr. Dvita Co. Brochington to become the acting state district superintendent for the state
operated school district of Camden. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Please say nay. Any abstensions? The motion carries and your passion is
evident. So, thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. And I just want to highlight uh Mr. Timothy Jenkins, Camden City School District principal is joining her uh as well. So uh congratulations and thank you very much for uh helping out in our
Camden City Schools. Appreciate it. Thank you. Great. Moving to our next agenda item. uh certification of school districts. Since the June state board meeting, the executive county superintendents have finalized 15 NJQs evaluations for school
districts. I recommend five of these districts for certification. Mr. Ambrose Ducket and Robert Gregory will join and read through the list uh for certification. Actually, I'm going to read through it, but they'll address any questions you might have. So, we've got uh first Richfield Park Public School
District in Bergen County, Saddlebrook School District in Bergen County, Long Beach Island Consolidated School District in Ocean County, Point Pleasant Burough School District in Ocean County, and Hamburg School District in Sussex County. With that, I'll turn it over to
my colleagues for any questions, please. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Good morning, madame president and state board. We just opened a door for any questions right now. Um, if you have
about CUAC, the results. Are there any questions at this time? I I just I always um feel it necessary just to comment that there were six districts that scored the 80% and 13 that didn't. Um we always read the
districts that are proficient. I always think it's very important to recognize that not everybody hit the mark. Um you know it's it's summertime. Um in our lovely conversation upstairs um with the new actton um superintendent at Camden,
she talked about um the importance of CUAC and looking at instruction and programming and that's where we're falling short on these districts that aren't proficient. Um it's it's summertime. I'm looking at great things that are out there. We've got um
wonderful professional development things on climate change and social emotional health and I do want to make sure that we are all of it's all important and all interconnected um that we really concentrate on that
instruction and programming because we've got to make sure our kids are walking out of school proficient in math and English and ready to fly and do great things. So, um, it it bears noting that we've got to get those scores up
and more districts that were reading their names as provision and we're in agreement. Um, yes, we appreciate uh the comments. Um we are um in constant contact with the county offices that
work directly with the districts for targeted professional development um for those instructors to work with students to see these scores um and and attack them in a manner which um the students can perform better and then hopefully in
three years or in six months when they have the interim review we will see an improvement. So um noted. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions or comments at this time? Seeing none, hearing none, um I would
like to thank you and ask please for a motion to accept the five school districts for certification. Ridgewood Park, Saddlebrook and in Bergen County, both of them, Long Beach Island Consolidated and Point Pleasant Burough
in Ocean County and Hamburg in Sussex County. May I please have a motion? So move. Thank you. Um we have a a motion and a second. Any further questions or discussions? Seeing and hearing none. All those in
favor please say I. I. Any opposed please say nay. Are there any abstensions at this time? It's unanimous. Thank you. Thank you for your work. Thank you. Apologies everyone. I'm going to back up
to agenda item A and we skipped an important step. Uh so I would like to invite uh Dr. Coington if she would like to come up and and offer some remarks. Uh if you want to come up to the podium.
So she she's on the hook now. So almost you got this. Well, it's an honor to be here today in front of the state board of education um and our former superintendent Katrina Mcome's assistant commissioner and um
again I am passionate about the work that I've been asked to do. I am excited. Um, it seems a little surreal just to be honest, uh, to be here at this point,
but I do really want to make a difference. I look forward to looking at our instructional program because I did mention QAC areas that I know that we need to improve. So, I'm excited about that work.
I'm excited about working holistically with our in the entire school district. Uh I've been very blessed to be the principal of the creative arts high school uh for many years since 1999 and during that time we have been very
successful. So I look forward to help hopefully implementing some programs and activities. And I go back to again what I talked about whole school reform models for our we're not using the state to do that but we can do whole school
reform within our district. So I look forward to that. So again I'm honored to be here today. I'm looking forward to getting down to the work that needs to be done and um I know this is temporary.
So, uh, just got a lot to do in in a short period of time to get things ready for the next person coming in. Thank you again. Thank you. Have a nice day. Thank you. Thank you. My apologies for missing missing that opportunity
initially. Uh, we're ready now to move to agenda item C. Today I present to the board at adoption level a resolution to adopt revised practice content knowledge tests and new qualifying scores for technology technology and engineering
education, family and consumer science and social studies. These assessments along with other measures ensure that teachers seeking certain endorsements have demonstrated the appropriate level of subject matter knowledge necessary to offer highquality instruction in the
content area to students. Dr. Jordan Schiff and Ronnie Singh are joining us here today and they'll present uh to help us present the resolution and address any questions you might have. Thank you, Commissioner. Good morning, President Goldenberg and members of the state board of education. Mr. Singh and
I are here this morning to present a resolution for adoption of the revised practice assessment and newly established cut scores for technology and engineering education, family and consumer science and social studies. The resolution proposed the revised
assessments and their cut scores effective September 1st, 2025 and expiring the existing tests as of August 31st, 2025. The proposed cut score is recommend is the recommended cut score from the standard setting studies. As
our commissioner indicated, the test score um the test names are as follows. Technology and engineering education, family and consumer science, and social studies. We are here to address any questions that you may have. Anybody? We've had um meetings about
this. So if there are no questions at this time, I may ask for a motion to um accept the cut scores. So move. Thank you very much, Dr. Keenan. May I please have a second? Second. Thank you very
much, Dr. Rick. Um again, you have the opportunity to ask questions or ideas, exchange ideas. Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed, please say nay. Any
abstensions? Motion carries. Thank you so much. Thank you. And moving to agenda item D. Uh today I present for adoption amendments to chapter 23, school district operations. The intent of this chapter is to assist
district boards of education, school district administrators in the daily operation of schools and school districts. The proposed amendments provide clarity regarding the parameters for student participation and attendance at civic events for students in grades 6
through 12. The proposed new rules align directly with new state law. Mr. Ambrose Ducket and Robert Gregory are here to walk through those details and answer any questions. Thank you, Commissioner. Good morning again, Madame President,
Vice President Johnson, and members of the state board. As a reminder, the department's proposed amendments at chapter 32, school district operations are driven by statute 18A 36-33.2,
which allows a public school student in grades 6 through 12 to have one state excused absence each year to attend a civic event. one state excused absence each school year to attend a civic
event. Can we go to the slide two, please? Yep. Okay. For illustrative purposes, the department's two amendments are reflected on the slide. We're adding a definition for civic event and a seventh state excused
absence um at NJAC 6A 32- E I'm sorry 84E7 since proposal level in February department received four public comments from one commenter three of them sought clarification of our amendments of which
we responded and one led to an amendment that clarified participation in one civic event pertains to the school year, not the calendar year as highlighted on this slide. And with that, executive director
Gregory and I are here to answer any questions that the board may have at this time. Um, I just I wanted to ask or or let you reiterate because I know we've discussed if a student wanted to go to Moore and
their district allowed them to go to Moore, are they allowed to do so? Yes, that's um between the district um and what their policy they would adopt and the family. Yes. Very good. Thank you. Any other questions at this time?
Okay. Thank you. Hearing none, um, I'd like to ask for a motion to accept this. Thank you very much. Board member Bennett, may I please have a second? Second. Thank you very much, Board Member Barry.
Again, any questions? Okay. All those in favor signify, please, by saying I. I any um anyone who has objections, please say nay.
Any abstensions at this time? Hearing none, the motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Um, does anyone have new business they'd like to bring up? Um, Madam President, just
Okay. And and many folks probably No. Oh, all right. Better. Sorry. Many folks probably um saw this that right now all across the country $7
billion in designated funding to support public schools in various forms um is is under review and uh there's a lot of concern uh being expressed certainly at the local level what will that mean for our school districts and um you know I
know in New Jersey I I know the department I I know our elected officials are are also though um because it's such new information are also you know following and monitoring very carefully as well as the rest of the 49 states um in terms of the future of some
of the programming that may be impacted by a reduction in the federal support. Um and you know for parents and guardians whose children participate in public schools and frankly for all taxpayers uh who are part of by extension their public school systems.
This is an important issue because the programming that's supported through these funds goes a long way to making an enormous difference typically for students among our population who need the most support. And so while I think
you know I only speak for myself but I think while we all understand the the necessary scrutiny that we should provide to the expenditure of tax dollars regularly we also have to recognize that as the federal budget increases um necessarily
perhaps um that we should also make sure we're keeping a very close eye on the types of support that all of our children across the nation should be receiving. You know, as as so beautifully articulated by our our our
student representative, the opportunities that are afforded to our children through beforeare programs, afterare programs, through support programs, through migrant support programs, through emotional and social welfare programs that are in part supported by these funds. Um, I think
we're all going to be very curious to see uh how and if those allocations are reduced and the types of uh potential and negative consequences, you know, could could take place throughout the country. So, I just raised the point
because I know as we're headed into Independence Day weekend, um you know, that could be something that falls off our radar as parents and but but it is something that we should definitely keep a close eye on and if possible speak to our elected representatives at the
federal level related to what what if we do have concerns what they are. Very well articulated. Thank you so much. Thanks, Madam President. Yeah, it's um it's our job not only to provide thorough and efficient, which is where our legal
prowess is stated, but it's about making sure students have the opportunities to better themselves and it's important education as you stated. That's the way that's the way. So, thank you very much.
Thank you. Any other comments at this time? Hearing none, may I please have a motion to adjourn? Thank you. And may I please have a second? I believe uh board member Pena was uh seconded it.
Thank you. Thank you very much. Everyone have a happy safe July 4th. Oh, sorry. I have to vote. Um all those in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed? Please say nay. I don't think there'll
be any. Uh so thank you and have a wonderful safe July 4th and um enjoy and we'll see you in August. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.