President >> Miss Calro >> here Mr. >> President >> Missinger >> here >> Mr. Lombardi >> here >> Mr. Miss Moore here. Vice President Z here. President >> here. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance of America to the republic for it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Board stands. In accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey open public meetings law, the Milford Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the
date, time, and place that are posted in the Burough Hall of the Milford Public Library. Notices have been sent to the record in the Twin Burough news. The board announces that under its long-ending policy, it will not discuss in public any comments made by members of the public concerning individual staff members. At this time, please be
advised that all cell phones and electronic devices are to be turned off. Meetings of the board are open to the public and all members of the community should feel free to participate. >> Before coming to the board, the chain of command should be followed. There are two portions of the meeting reserved for comments from the public. The first at the beginning of the meeting for agenda
items only and the second at the end of the meeting for other items. Issues raised by the public may or may not be responded to by the board, but all comments will be considered. The board requests that all members of the public be mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking due to confidentiality and legal rights
afforded by the state of New Jersey. Members of the public are asked to speak are asked not to speak negatively or in a derogatory manner about any employee of the board or any student. We are first going to start off with a presentation with Mrs. Ker's trip to China. Thank you
so much. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to present our China trip because I really would like to say uh to thank all of you for approving our trip. It wasn't easy. Not at all. Such a long time
preparation, but we made it. So, uh, eight members, four students, four adults, and, uh, me. So, nine of us, the best number in Chinese culture, you know. Um, so I would like to, um, present our trip. It's almost 5 minute
long. You can pretty much experience everything together with us except for the yummy food. that one. Um, and believe it or not, I wish everyone of you here were with us. You will be
with us. >> How do I start? >> Space. >> Space. >> Oh, okay. We visit the three cities of one college and one high school. Yeah. Sorry.
The whole so many visitors for us. That's right. Christmas. Down this They don't want to be here. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
because we learn to make a soy sauce. Welcome to dishes again. Heat. Heat. Please get some questions ready for that. That's our trip manager. >> That's another reason I want to be here.
Can I propose for next trip? Only if I can. >> Please, please. All right. >> So, do you have any questions? Please do. They will answer any question you >> How did the kids do with the food? >> Right.
>> I mean, me personally, I loved all the food there. It was really good and we didn't have to wait on anything cuz everything was already ordered as soon as we got to the restaurant. So, I liked it a lot and we got to try a lot of new things. So, I think it was great. >> May I say something? Not every uh you
know food was ordered. Two meals we had to order right on the spot and made it remember. >> Yes. Yes. Um what was the favorite place that you guys visited? All of you there. >> Uh I like the panda base at Chung. That
was really cool. I like >> My favorite thing I think was the shopping of course. But what made that fun was the fact that my son was talking in Mandarin with the locals there bargaining for jewelry for
me and we ended up getting the lowest price. So that was really cool. Um I was so impressed to see Nate what he learned from Sophia. So I kind of wanted to come and share that with all of you. >> Thank you for sharing. Um, he was out there just the woman was so impressed by
his language skills that she was talking in Mandarin, but then she just broke out into English and she gave him a big hug. She's like, "Your son is awesome." And so that for me that was really exciting. >> Thank you for saying that because you
would you will make everybody, you know, think that we went there just shopping. Guess what? I'm not a shopping person. I ended up also buying an extra suitcase. Seriously, that was hilarious.
>> Oh, I like the um Forbidden City went on and on, courtyard to courtyard until we got to living area, which is all a bunch of small houses around small courtyards. I thought the emperor himself would be in a giant palace, but he's shared these small buildings with his concubines and
his wife. I watching Nathan was always very impressive. The lazy Susan just got to Nate and stopped. >> But um I had a hard time choosing a favorite. Um but I have to say I was just I was thrilled to be at the
renowned historical places like the Great Wall and to see the terracotta soldiers I never thought I would have the opportunity to do that. It was absolutely awesome. There is so much culture in China that we we see snippets of on the news, but to be there and to
see that in person, it's such a eyeopening experience. It was wonderful for the kids to see a different culture, to act, you know, to react with people in that different culture and um thank you for allowing us to go and be a part
of that and again volunteer to Sophia to go next year when she was a fabulous experience and she did a super job setting this trip up as well. >> Yes, seriously, I agree. Really, thank you. That's why I really want to be here and thank you for this.
>> Thank you. Good job. >> Anyone else have any questions? >> What What was the greatest challenge or obstacle to triggering? >> Oh, I can answer that. Definitely. I think the greatest challenge for us coming from the US was the bathrooms. Like it was a little shocking, right?
Like I was like, okay, you had to like before you went into the store, I had to think about it. Like, okay, we're like through here. There's no toilet paper outside. But Sophia had prepared us in advance. So, mentioned everything and then had to have all the toilet paper in
the way. But still, you're not ready for that job. So, I think for for me that was challenging. >> Yeah, the squat toilet still. >> I have questions now. First of all, I feel shamed because I even forgot in
China, I've been in this country for 15 years. Oh, I forgot that in China not every bathroom uh has toilet. actually compared to years ago, you know, it's better. Uh there are actually toilet paper in some bathrooms, right? And also
we have two options of the standard sitting uh toilet and the squatter. You you know what I'm talking about. So I was I'm of course very happy like a fish back to the pond. I enjoy the squatter, but not every bathroom has
that heavy toilet paper is a killer to me. We went here and said, "Uhoh, what am I doing?" Mrs. Toffee is in the back. She carried out a rose over there. So, I had to borrow from her. >> Yes. >> But we consider standard toilet disabled
toilets over there. >> Disabled. >> Yes. Do you hear the word? So, the standard toilet here for that is more like the, you know, handicapped people. Not really, but it made you think so. Yes. >> Yeah. and a challenge except for the
toilet. No, we're about to travel. >> What did you expect? Oh, that's that that >> China. >> I want to ask a question from the first time or the second time just when I propose cuz I remember the first time
that was two years ago. One of the members here asked about the like the law or if the students made any mistake or what kind of punishment will I don't know if you still have that question and I'm wondering if anybody wants to share about that and that question is kind of
like okay what should you be really uh you know uh careful about like talking or saying if you do anything what would be the time you do that >> yes my partner here said it what might we do normally in the United States that
is not accepted in China and what could be the consequence. >> Can can you based from your experience, your own experience, can anybody answer that question? >> You know, you get arrested. >> Well, I knew I knew enough not to insult the Chinese government. >> I don't think you had a chance to to be
honest. >> No, I mean, >> yes, you have to be courteous. Like one time uh right after we got out of the Chinese airport, we were taking a picture with like the banner and they told us to put it away, but we didn't really have any trouble other than the
Chinese. >> We Yes. Very quickly they were like, "Put it away." Like they didn't want to hear anything from us and we were just told by two men put it away. >> Yeah. We we just thought we were so excited now. We want to take out the uh school
flag and take uh take a picture. But we were told by two actually they're army men not just security guy at the airport you put it away. Does anybody can do you want to guess why we I'm not even allowed to put this you know big uh uh
just school flag in front of taking picture. Guess please guess. >> They're worried if it's something political or >> protest. the Chinese government doesn't want any sort of so a flat like that might symbolize that protest going on
but we did not get up >> I think the fact that we had um a travel a trip manager with us uh eliminated a lot of that um there were tour guides that we were with all the time and they were very good about curating our
experiences and letting us know what to expect um that we really did not run into any kind with um adverse cultural clashes. Um and in terms of of our feelings, I was I felt completely safe
at all times. We were commenting on the fact that everybody rides scooters over there and by the subway stations, there's hundreds of scooters parked around there. And I said to our um travel manager, um how are they still there when they come home?
People don't steal. Uh part of it is cultural. They respect family and community. Part is the fact that there's cameras everywhere. So that the safety piece was never an issue for us. Not like, you know, you go, you know, study hits sketchy areas. We wouldn't go into
any sketchy areas, but we felt I felt anyhow perfectly safe the entire time. >> And um I I want to say just one more thing. I happened to walk in the hallway where Mr. uh Manny Patty walking on the
hallway while Nate was also walking in the hallway. So I heard this question from Mr. Manip do you remember manip said Nate what was the biggest you know mis understand your conception about China that you expected and then you
said that I could not rephrase it. Um, I mean, everybody just kind of thinks cuz China is like a communist country that like it's ruled by like an iron fist, but it doesn't really feel that much different compared to the US. >> So, >> and the people are lovely. >> Yes.
>> Very friendly, very welcoming. >> They took our picture everywhere we went. >> Yeah. >> Especially the way we dressed up. Everybody did a cosplay. Yeah, >> we all dressed up like the seventh century like people in China and Mr. S
was like a warrior that we really needed to get all of us. Can we please >> Well, Miss Kersner, thank you very much for raving that out and taking them and providing that experience. Not going to lie, you know, I was taking a deep breath the whole time. I was on the
WhatsApp through the district phone and keeping up to date the whole entire time and there's just massive amounts of pictures and great experience and I was showing my family the whole entire time like look at this, look at this, look at especially the panda bears. My family loves the panda bears. I'm a big I'm a big Great Wall China fan and I I hear
it's like 12 to 13,000 miles. >> 12 to 13,000 miles long. The most advanced technology just as we you know measure it out is nearly 20,000 miles. >> Oh god. That's like it's like six times the size of the United States. It's
crazy. I know. It's crazy. >> The biggest attraction on a great wall for all the tourists on there where they were stopping to take pictures of the feral cats that were sleeping in the streets. >> The pictures of the kids. Yes. Took pictures of the cat. >> Every time you see a lot of people, they were always taking pictures of the cat.
Our students, our American students love to take pictures. You see the straight candy wondering there? You know, it's always a group of American students. There are other tourists from other countries, but they always they're always American students.
Both of them, right? >> Thank you again for taking >> All right. Thank you again. And please know that I would love to propose for the future and please approve right away. Just follow the policy.
>> Close eyes. >> Thank you. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. >> Thank you. >> Good night. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. We are going to go on to the superintendent of schools report, Peter
Basso. >> All right. Thank you everyone. Um, this is a work session, so you have the regular session in front of you, regular agenda in front of you. I just want to point out some things. Uh, I am looking for approval under board action for the
I'm going to start changing this to the most current HIV report. It's really not the last month's HIV report because if if it's May 13th and I get one in May 5th, it's not last month. It's the most current and it's by statute I have to do that. So, I'm going to be changing that
language. So, with the high school, there's one HIV 338 form submitted. That HIV is currently being investigated by the ABS DO. There were two HIV 338 forms submitted. One HIV is currently being investigated by the ABS. One HIV was
investigated by ABS and was founded. So that's an addition because that one just came on. We'll be talking about that one in close session after the meeting. Berkeley, no HIV 338 forms. And then the returned HIV investigation we'll discuss in close session as well. It did come
back and unfounded again. So uh we'll talk about that uh suspension report. New Milford High School. Two students served a total of 1.5 days of suspension. One student served one day of out of school. One student served a half day of out of school. DEEO, there were six students suspended for a total
of six days. Two students each served one day of out of school suspension. Four students each served one day of in school suspension. Berkeley, one student was suspended for a total of one day. Gibbs, zero students were suspended. Also under board action is the abolishment of positions. Um there is an
attachment in there. Um again, this is not performance related or anything like that. You know, we're grateful to everyone. Um it's just with the current budget, those positions are being terminated.
Uh under personnel, uh the reappoint of staff. So also in the attachment folder, there's a lot of lists with reimport reappoints. So please take a look. I will talk about that in close session as well.
Um you'll also see on the agenda um the personnel appointments for the par professionals um the ones that did experience reduction in force from full-time to part-time um most all of them came back and we are reappointing
them as well. Okay. Jason Pollins um is being recommended for the PD teacher uh in replacement of Greg Kelly. Um approval of the following resignation. We are sorry to say Mrs. Pera uh the middle
school assistant principal is not returning. She was on maternity leave. Um during her maternity leave, she moved farther away and now she has multiple children I think under five years old. And it's it's a lot. So, I completely understand and it was a I was
on the phone with her. I know she talked to Mr. Dal a very very difficult decision and it is a loss for us but I wish her the best of luck and I'm sure it paths we'll cross again. Um under athletics
um basically we join the NJSIA. I don't know one school district that's the K12 school district or high school school district that's not in the NJSIA. Um so we're just rejoining that. That's the governing body. I will say that they just did a vote for a shot clock in
basketball. And as exciting as that sounds, um I'm not happy about it. I don't think our athletic director is either and most it will pass by four votes in the whole entire state. Um listen, it sounds awesome. You know, it
speeds up the game, but it's a cost. Now we have to install shot clocks. Now we have to get someone to man the shot clocks. Uh that's another person we have to pay. So there is a big cost to all this. So but it is what it is.
Um and under policy and regulations, uh we did have a meeting on Monday, May 4th. Uh there's going to be a first read for the majority of policies. Um but there is one policy that is a first read
tonight. Um so we can do the second read on May 13th and that's the first reading of the procurement procedures for school nutrition programs. Um basically when we got audited last year
by the department of agriculture um they changed their forms that affected policy and what we do with policy we wait for Strauss estimate to release policy updates. That's who we pay to help us out with all these policy and regulations. And they literally just
released it May 1st. Our audit is due May 15th. They did that purposely just to squeak it in. lucky that we have a May 6th and a May 13th meeting. I don't think if we didn't do it, they'd hold it against us, but if we can do it, why not do it and just be completely compliant? So, that's the reason for that. All the
other policies, um, you know, Tony will discuss. All right. Any questions for me? >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Moving on to assistant superintendent report. Laura Hudoxa. Um
I'm actually going to share my report next week, but what we're looking at on the agenda for next session are the um option to experiences for next school year now. So, as you can see, we're looking to seek approval for three students who will be doing online
coursework for advancement purposes um just to accelerate their uh tracks and um have an update on testing curriculum revisions regarding the um upcoming
standards from the Department of Education and what lies ahead in terms of summer projects for us. >> Anyone have any questions? Okay. Business administrator report
Stephanie Cuchara. Um I do not have a report tonight. I just wanted to share with everyone. I at the April meeting, I believe it was the April meeting that I said that we were doing a residency
check with the C1s and the um the C1's and the apartment leases that are on a one-year or monthtomonth. Um we still have 74 students that are um non-compliant.
Um we gave the deadline of I believe Monday or Tuesday because they would be put on the agenda for disenrollment on next Wednesday for the board to take action and then those 74 students would not be eligible to attend
class Thursday morning um until proof of resency is happens. Um, so at this point we are now sending text messages to these families because we believe that a lot of them maybe from um the email blast weren't opening their emails and
so now we're doing text messages. The first one went out yesterday, the next one will go out tomorrow. There will be one Friday and one Monday. Hopefully that will that will eliminate the need for disenrollment, but I expect
that we will probably have some on the agenda and that would be a late addition. I will send you all an email um once they're padded. But I at this point I expect some families to either not be compliant or perhaps not live
here. I don't know. Is there a way to involve the kids? Like maybe like have the kids come to the office and call their like I just that's a lot. Like that's a large amount of kids. >> It's actually I'm so impressed. >> Oh, okay. >> Because we had I don't know the exact
number. I will get it for you for um next week, but it was over 300. >> And so the fact that we're down and not until we started sending daily emails did that number really start to to go down. So, the fact that we're under the
hundred mark is is huge. Um, yes, it's a lot. And I really thought the majority of the students would be at Berkeley. The majority of the students are high school students >> that are non-compliant. >> They're coming to school
every day. >> And could we get put a letter or give it to them to take home or is that an option too? It's a It's a lot of manpower to be printing and we're not really of one to spend money on paper.
>> Yeah. No, definitely. Um we're we're trying everything. >> And then of that 300, how many are definitely enrolled because they're not not the 70, but the other are there any other numbers? >> They
have either provided us with an updated there's been no non-compliance. Yeah. >> Um there has been families that have moved out of town and have now admitted it. >> Um which is a little bit of an
interesting situation. And three of those families are current seniors. >> So they'll obviously finish the year. But it wasn't the senior because we took seniors off the list. It's because they had a sibling. >> Mhm.
>> That they got caught. Okay. >> So, I just want that that concludes my report. I just wanted to throw it out there because hopefully we don't have a large list >> and maybe people are listening. >> I will say I will say it's a tremendous amount of work what Stephan her staff are doing. It's a tremendous amount of
work. It's not something we look forward to doing. I know they don't look forward to doing it. >> Um but what's fair is fair. Um we love the students. that that's what makes everything work. But you have to be living in town and that's just kind of what we're assuring and we're not doing
it and just targeting people. We're doing it across the board like Dr. Cuchar said like everybody is going through this process and this is just part of the process and hopefully get smoother and smoother and smoother and more efficient because people will just automatically do it. That's that's the
ultimate goal. So we don't want school affected in any negative way from students. But you know we we have we have a responsibility to the taxpayers as well. >> If they are listening to this meeting and not checking their email there's something wrong.
>> Yeah. Sure. >> You never know since Okay. Does anybody else have any questions for Stephanie? Okay. Any less on board committee reports? >> I I'll have a committee report next week. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. We can we have uh we had a meeting with the negotiations committee um report and the finance and facilities committ >> and we've received correspondence. Everyone received a letter regarding the
athletic dinner sports awards I mean. So you have it. Okay. We're going to anyone we're going to go over agenda item to accept the correspondence from uh Stacy please. Oh yes. It is.
Okay. Okay. So, we're going to review the items for discussion regarding board action. Any questions or concerns? Okay. Any questions regarding educational programs and curriculum on the agenda?
Personnel recommendations? >> I have a question. >> Okay. um wait room is that are they are there only now three two people listed out of the three because the these are the only two that are getting longevity >> correct >> okay uh any questions regarding finance
and facilities athletics and co-curricular policy okay uh we are going to go to we're only taking action on one thing the policy committee Anthony Albero.
>> Okay. As Mr. Gosso mentioned earlier, we're up against a time timeline right now. So, tonight we're seeking to approve the first reading of policy 8561, procurement procedures for school nutrition programs. Um, and then next meeting will have a few more. So, this
is I'm making a motion for policy 25-26.8 and I need a second. >> Stephanie, all in favor? Opposed? >> Okay. Any old business? Any new business? Wait, I have old business. Sure.
>> Miss Coington asked at the last meeting about the the blue marker and the check was cashed, but only because and I forgot this until I asked um in the office the next day that we issued a check and they never cashed it. And so
then when we reissued the check, we said that it would go stale after 30 days if they didn't do it. And they did. So the check was cash >> for the application. >> For the application. >> For the review of the application. >> For the review of the Yeah.
>> And um no update. Still >> called, emailed. >> We need to get someone on their side. >> Yeah. >> Find out where that money went. >> Yeah. So on the application, is there a contact person? >> No, the application was dropped off to
someone's house because the initial application was they said they didn't receive it. It's it's a a bunch of volunteers that run this and so it's a little challenging.
>> Does the council woman have a contact when this originally started? I don't know. >> I have to say I don't remember it being presented this way to us when we approved it. Like I thought it was like an actual organization that was like well organized, but that was the reason
we were doing it. >> It's a historical society. Yeah. >> But it's all volunteer >> and people come and go and peace. >> Yeah. >> You know, with money. >> I know. That's the thing. They took the money, but Yeah. Like that's the
I know. I don't remember. I would have to get back,000. >> Oh, I thought it was 30 bucks. >> I think it was a little bit more than 30. I don't want to speculate cuz I I don't know. >> All right. >> I don't remember. That was a few years ago. >> Okay. It's good if it's not.
>> Anywhere between00. >> Okay. I guess we'll have another followup eventually. I mean, someone else needs to She may need to follow up, though, too. >> Yeah, >> she may have more pull to follow up. >> I don't know. I'm I was relaying. Um I don't have a connection in this area, so
I don't really know. I'm happy to do any footwork if anybody wants me to. I'll drop to somebody's house. >> House. >> I would, but um yeah, I was just inquiring. So, that's interesting. >> I know a guy who is >> Okay. Okay. Okay. So that was old business.
Any new business? Okay. Open to the public as submitted as outlined. I can't read. In new welfare board of education bylaw 0167. Each statement made by participant shall be limited to 3 minutes. Seek a motion. Tony seconded by John. All in favor?
Oppose. I seek a motion to close to the public. Stephanie seconded by Kendra. All in favor? I oppose. Any board member requests for additional information? No. Okay, we are going to go into close. It is hereby moved that the board of
education adjourn into executive session in accordance with the provisions of section 8 of the open public meetings act chapter 231PL for the purpose of discussion and consideration of matters pertaining to the following subject. Personnel matter and student matter. The minutes of the executive session will be
made available to the public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. I seek a motion to go into close seconded by Nicole. All in favor? Opposed? Okay. We would not be returning. We would not
be making any >> No, no, we're not taking action. >> Making no action. Thank you.