Do you need call to order? Roll call. Mr. >> President, >> here >> Mr. Luno >> here. >> M >> here. here. Please stand for the pledge of
allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the provisions of 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 there are posted in the Burough Hall and the New Milford Public Library. Notices have been sent to the record and the Twin B. The board announces that under its long-standing 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 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 not speak negatively or in a derogatory manner about any employee of
the board or any student. Recommended action. I seek a motion to approve the minutes of July 15, 2025. Second by Joe. All in favor? Oppos? Okay. And we are going to start off our
meeting with a presentation with from Mrs. Basy regarding the international trip to Portugal and Spain. Um, good evening everybody and thank you for listening uh to show you where we were and what we did. The trip was
really amazing. Uh, we'll start I'm going to speak first and then I'm going to follow. Um the trip starts with a flight delay and it's a little a very uh fast run between two flights.
We made it from one flight to connected flight within 8 minutes. Thanks for P department uh cuz that was my probably fastest run. I miss it because of the different obstacles. So we made it and that was the beginning of the trip.
Lisbon um welcomed us with a heat wave and as you know probably you experienced it here uh we experienced it over there. Nothing was cancelled. We still went outside and still proceeded through the entire itinerary and uh we just bought a lot of
uh a lot of bottles of water really. Um on the plane as I as I ask students to sleep they have very good sleep. So our first day was very very long. Uh we learned roots of the Portugals. Um how
they made the colonies, where they where they went. Um we recreated the sculptures. You will see the pictures. Uh we saw all this monastery and we bought some like sweet stuff on oldest uh Lisbon bakery. Uh we learned how they
reinstated the film after uh the big earthquake in Lisbon. And we again try to like recreate I ask students like can you recreate the same sculpture or the same figures how they stand. So we did that. Uh we're so surprised we climbed
on the big letter of Lisbon. So to make great memories uh we show off the third u skills that was learned in the class. You will see it. We learned that u there are many many uh buildings um covered
with the tiles over there. So they use it uh for installation and they use it to save the paintings because it's much easier to just wash it and continue to to move on and preserve it. Uh we saw a lot of peacocks like literally tons of
peacocks. uh we attended the P and FA uh shows. Uh P was just a style of the music where uh of the Portugal it's a traditional style um of singing and the fluente evening uh and you will see that
all kids were attending class. So we learned how to do a few steps here and there. We fed the birds. The birds are always need to to be fed. And uh my kids who showed great
uh sense of friendship and humanity. I was very proud of that. Uh we witnessed how Catholic, Muslim and Jewish cultures were born together and the people were peacefully lived uh next to each other uh through the centuries. Uh we visit
chapel of bones and you will see that and on a arch on top they said uh here we are. We're waiting for you. So all of those bones were dipped down from the graveyards and they created this uh this
chapel and uh well this is reminder to visitors that you have to live your life as a human to full life. Uh we visited many royal palaces. We saw the royal palace where game of thrones was uh filmed like portal theme
were filmed. Um but at the end of at the end of the trip uh I mean kids are kids. We enjoy the time off in pool. There were two hotels with the pool very very well needed and uh nothing can beat KFC
because even after good like to me that was very good uh portions of the dinner. We went to uh we went to streets, we went to uh little and uh we found the KC and change to a desk.
Um before I'll show you that um slideshow, I want to say thank you to parents first of all for allowing me and trusting me to get their kids. I want to thank uh Huga Driver for bringing us in
and out. I want to thank you guys because I mean without your permission I wouldn't be able to take it and uh the travelers were great my boys and ladies were really really exceptional. So I I
can't say a couple of words here and there but um this is how we started. This is our group with parents and without parents. So this is my travelers this year age 16 to I believe 13
will need to sleep on a plane. Uh this is the Lisbon. Everything was uh created on pavement. So this is just uh culture and colors. This is the arch. They preserve everything. It's really
mesmerizing. There's our street where we went on. hopped on the wall was that's the pool. It's really really well like really easy. This is the map and how we uh how the Portugal explorers went through the
world and this is the actual sculpture where we try to replicate and if you will see two of ours are first the king and then explorers. So slowly and gradually explorers line get longer and longer.
Gradually it's gone. All this monastery and proceeding forward victory. Here we go. It was very hot. This is what I meant by having up in.
And this is what Amanda does. And we're learning how to build up and rebuild after the rest. This is the tower made um designed by the same uh engineer as a to similar to one in
all of them. A ton of dogs. a lot of ghosts. This is uh just a snapshot from the Phoenic or Bones. This is the the whole museum and
the beginning. So everything like mostly with tiles. These are top bowls all boats. very fast. >> Yeah. But afterwards
went out everything was fine. This is emerald like mini miniature of the city and ever is preserved. So you cannot even if you want you
cannot paint your home with uh different colors. So it really is groups. There was a lot of tourists on the way but we weren't bombs and jammed luckily.
So again, it's a different part of different royal palaces, different places. This is the royal palace where the um Game of Thron was built. That's the place. And this part I was not babysit my voice
because I can't trust them. They really never let me down. Always sometimes always on the half of our mother was taken by another two guys were very informal any
questions and they they're very accommodating with uh they engaged kids need to learn. They didn't just give them something like facts or uh historical information. They engage. Okay, you're going to be this way. You're going to be that way. So, you have to stay together. This is this,
this is that. So, it's what they're engaging. It's just a little map. This is how people learn before they That's what you can find the architecture of this.
on the streets are made by day and night. dinner and Madrid was our last stop. We start with um bull fight area
royal palace and it was honestly mesmerizing. You will see faces of the students and um I mean this is my third time there. I'm still I'm still like everything is natural. Everything is
preserved. Everything is used. So the royal family is using, for example, you buy a ticket, you bought the ticket and on that day the royal family decided to like to be there, everything closed for dinner.
Yes, I couldn't I could not not make a picture. There isn't words that those are the virus instruments used. They are used and this is our staff at Mad Stadium.
The leader was the last stop and this is something that I like miss and boys for boys. You will see what we bought and what we saw at the end. We brought two swords. Here
we go. The mask stash. The best way to to make the swords to make the uh the knife This is the oldest. The oldest. You should see their faces.
That's what they do. Okay. Again, this is unmade. I found it on the street. It was closed unfortunately, but I came on this year and the music private museum and I asked them please can you replicate some either facing or
sculpture what we ended up this is our food director and we love dinner so we landed the group landed and the kids landed and at the airport so we came home
safely was I hope a lot of um a lot of information, a lot of memories and uh very good companions. >> I know I told her earlier that I know someone who went on that trip and the parents were they thought it was an excellent trip and well run. So thank
you for that too. >> Yes. Thank you very much. Okay, >> superintendent of school support, Peter Gaso. >> Good evening everyone. It's been a while. Um, let's start off with good news. Uh, we had this past year QAC come
in. So that's like the government coming in uh to do an accountability check on us and it's pretty comprehensive and it's across you know five or six different days. They do everything from facilities to fiscal management, governance, operations, personnel,
instruction, and program. And I'm pleased to say that we came out as a high performing district. So really happy um not only for the district, but I'm really thankful for my entire team because it was definitely a team effort. It's too big for any one person to take
on. Um you know, specifically, you know, Dr. Cuchar and her team uh with the fiscal management, governance, operations, instruction, and program. That's probably the longest with the county where it probably I caught the day in a second hat. We were there until
like five or six o'clock. So it was it was all day >> all day. All day. >> Um but we did really well. 100% in fiscal management, governance, 95% operations, 98% personnel, 100% instruction and program. Uh we got 100% in everything
except for based on test scores. You know, they give us points based on that. We still we're high performing and 84%. So really happy with it. Um again big thank you to everyone uh the central office team but also the teachers that chipped in uh facilities with the
facility walkthroughs um is pretty comprehensive. You know as Mr. Alvo even testified I mean it's but we got dinged on 98% was from one report from 2023. We just did not submit it on time and they went back two years to find it. So
>> yeah. So the fact that That's it. We're We're in pretty good shape. So, it means we're functioning very well. Um, under board action, I'd like to approve the July August 2025 HIV report. Uh, the Milford High School, there's one HIV 338 form submitted. Um,
and one HIV was that HIV was not forwarded for formal investigation, was handled as a code of conduct and explained to parents. We moved forward with code of conduct violations. Deeo Berkeley and Gibbs. There were 0338 form submitted which we enjoy.
I'd like to approve the 202526 district and board goals. Uh real quick, the first goal for district is review and revise the school's district safety and security plan. Second one, enhance student attendance and engagement through the implementation of proactive and consistent communication strategies
that foster shared understanding of attendance importance among students, families, and staff. And third, develop and adopt a comprehensive three-year strategic financial plan. Board goals for 2526 enable more effective board governance by enhancing
consistent ongoing communication from committee to the board as a whole. Two, continue communication and community engagement and district planning towards facility upgrade upgrade. And three, enhance understanding support of the district's academic, extracurricular, and athletic programs.
Under personnel, you know, I'd like the board to approve the following transfers. Uh there are three, Miss Perez, Mr. Opinion. There are four, Miss Nudson, and Miss Valente. I just want to thank them, you know, as we're always trying to navigate the changing, you
know, educational landscape, fiscal landscape. Uh we need more resources in places and schools become like a second family. So transfers aren't taken lightly and we know they're transferring from one family and hopefully they adopt a new family. Um but I appreciate them you
know making that sacrifice and you know the whole district is great so I'm sure they'll be fine but it is a change and I appreciate them their willingness you know to make this change with a smile. Um approval of the following retirements.
Uh Maryann Lynn, she served as a par professional since 2017 and she is retiring. So we congratulate her on her retirement. Wish the best. We also have another one of the old guards retiring. Um Mr. Greg Kelly who started here in
1994. So I was in third grade and ended retired with over 30 years of service. You know a PE health and drivers education teacher. He coached uh numerous sports throughout the years. He finally won his, you know, cross country
league championship this past year. Maybe that's why he's retiring because he finally achieved the mountaintop. Um, but also served uh as a valuable part of the union as well. The uh new education association. So, we wish him luck. He's still around until December. Um, so you
will still see him in the hall. Please congratulate him. Um, approval of the extra pay positions. We have over 50 clubs being offered elementary through high school. So we're constantly trying to encourage children to get involved in the clubs to increase the class numbers
club numbers and just get involved in the school after the school. Um so please you know take a look at those clubs if any interest you you know speak to teachers principles and get involved approval of the reach teachers for 2526. Uh the reach program is how we conduct
our gifted and our formal gifted and talented program the zero period before school under finance build facility. Uh I just want to talk about transportation for a minute. I love Dr. Coutar as well. Uh we are really looking at transportation across the board and one
thing that Dr. heard does a great job is partnering with other districts so we can share student transportation services you know with uh Dumont Bergenfield Crescale um so that helps us out scratch each other's backs approval of the 2526 senior experience
internship program is an internship program at the high school where 25 seniors uh partner with institutions around the surrounding area through Bern County Special Services and they one day we go there and they serve in the
capacity as you know an intern. So nursing services and you know engineer architects uh wherever it may bring them uh we had one person serving at the Vansson Park um the zoo they're all over the place and Burn County Special Service hooks that up. Um so 25 seniors
will do that. Under athletics and co-curricular just like to thank the volunteers for fall 2025. you know, Chris Kian, Connor Hollis, and Bernardet Durant. Uh Chris and Connor are actually joining the new Milford teaching squad. Uh we hired them
as teachers, so we are very happy to have them. And the fact that they're volunteering automatically means they wind up involved immediately, which is what we were trying to see out of our young teachers especially. Other news, uh first installment of Paul at DAO, DEO
is complete and that is opening up a domino effect with some positive things. If you drive past the high school field, you see some facility improvements down there. All those kind of ugly boxes in the far right corner have been removed and we're repurposing them. We give one to the town and two are being stored in
another area by DEO where they're not so visible. We can still store things and we're redoing the wall. I want to thank the DPW for really helping us out because when you go back there and see these huge concrete blocks, they had the machinery to do it. and they spent two
days doing and building it like Legos. Um, it really cleaned it up a lot back there. We're still not done. We want to power wash and paint and we have a, you know, a mural club maybe a girl down there, but this conflict trying to improve it. We also put a new fence down there that was torn down by the flood.
So, having that pole barn helped us remove what was in that fieldhouse down there to get it up there to safer ground so during a flood we're not losing hundreds of thousand dollars in equipment. And then um that allowed us to move the C boxes as well. So they
cleaned it up nicely down there. So I want to thank everybody involved in that. Uh completion of ESY. We have an extensive extended school year program. It went till August 8th this year. Sometimes I feel like the school year never ends. Um
but the kids enjoyed it. It's for our special ed population. Um it is a monster program and I thank the teachers for doing that and uh Mrs. Horn for I hope we put that together. We had a lot of camps. We had the varsity sports camps, uh, athletic
preseason camps, marching band camp, campo. So, again, it seems like school never ends. We just continue, but I want to thank all those camps. Uh, the sports kids have been working hard um with their preseason varsity sports camps that Mr. Gats runs that. It's really our
teachers offering more engagement over the summer to our kids, which is great. like a really Milford based thing. Marching band camp, I popped down there and they had a wet down with a fire engine. Not necessarily to do with band, but it's fun for the kids. Makes a
memorable experience. Um, and then Camdio helps transition at middle schools. Uh, a couple student internships of note that I was made aware of over the summer. We had Alicia Choy um complete her internship at the Met this summer. 3 to 4% acceptance rate
and she did so well going there they actually made her a dosent where she was giving tours of the Met. I mean that's awesome. Jamie Liebeck u you know she was in our musicals and the drama. Uh she did an internship uh for one of our old alumni Matt Caprillion who owns Dust
Dusk Productions which is a horror film thing and she was actually creating horror masks. Yes, they were gory and bloody, but really, really fascinating, interesting, you know, seeing these pictures and she's a tremendous artist and seeing where they can go with their
talents. Um, so right up her alley and of course, you know, Lily Krino uh finished her internship at Vanson Park this summer where she designed a habitat for an ocelot and they're going to use that design to recreate the ocelot habitat. So next year when you go to
Vanson Park, the Ocelot Habitat hopefully when it's done, that's all we um the athletic sound system was installed this summer courtesy of the Ed Foundation. So we want to thank them be a better experience for everyone. Um not qu here. It's going to be a better sound
for the cheer team as well as the announcing for the graduation but also football game, soccer games or whatever we want to do with it. uh the athletic boosters annual barbecue was great, very well attended. That shows the participation and the commitment to the
kids. Um other program enhancements, the music programs we are enhancing uh by putting making Berkeley and Gibbs have equitable uh music department I guess you would say where
we're just basically taking the band and the strings and they're going to be equal at Gibbs and Berkeley meaning the same facetime with the teachers where they weren't equal in the past. So we we felt it was necessary. So I thank the
board uh for you know promoting that and helping that out. We have a recording studio or video broadcasting studio going at Gibbs. Thanks again to the Edit Foundation. Um they're making good use of their space and the goal is to get a morning show maybe every Friday where
the kids are producing it and they get to show it, you know, on Fridays. It's going to take a little bit to launch it as they learn the program, get everything underway. But we're excited and we can thank the teachers and principles there uh for coming up with this idea and wanting to do better and better for the kids and offering
different you know experiences but also the Ed Foundation for supporting that initiative. It would not be possible without them. Um, and as your upcoming events, uh, new teacher orientation, Madison talked about, the first football game for
Bergenfield is tomorrow, this Thursday. The cheer team and the marching band will also be performing. Uh, kickoff is at 6:00. Cross country soccer, volleyball will begin next week when we return to school. We wish them all luck. And the tennis team as well. Um, first day for teachers is 92. First day for
students is 93. Um the reason why we did only did one day. We're trying that because when you extrapolate that to the end of the school year, it just extends the school year into the 20s where right now we can possibly get on the 19th. So why make everybody come back after a
weekend for just a Monday? So we are trying it. Um the middle school and high schools, easier adjustment. The elementary schools, it's very tough um for them to adjust to one day because they go absolutely nuts setting up all the nooks and crannies in their room. They're being good sports and uh I know
they'll be ready. Uh first day for students is 93. Short sessions for students 93 and 94 with PD in the afternoon and then first responders night is September 18th. A big focus this year is going to be on attendance. It's a district goal. So all the
communications are made for newsletters. all the communication made for we'll newsletters we'll focus on attendance I'll be talking about board meetings um there's a lot of resources I want to share so that will be a goal for us but anybody watching just please bring your ch children to school all the time uh
that is it for me thank you >> anyone have any questions or comments okay assistant superintendent report Lauren Da >> hi good evening everyone um yesterday we launched our new teacher orientation
which is 3 days. Um, so today we wrapped up day two and it consists of a series of sessions for teachers led by our new staff led by members of our leadership team covering everything from
um evaluations, classroom management, INRs and 504s, an overview of special education, getting them connected to our networks and systems. um pretty jam-packed days and then some time for our new staff members
to spend in their new classrooms and offices. Um they also concluded today with a bus tour of the town. Um which was kind of ironic because we have a lot of former graduates joining the faculty this year and they probably already knew more than than some of us did about the
town. So it was um a really nice opportunity. the roll out of our new statewide assessments for ELA and math will begin with a full field test. Um we are doing
the NJSLA adaptive and NJ GPA adaptive. So uh they are the same assessments. It's still New Jersey student learning assessments and uh New Jersey graduation proficiency assessment. However, there's
now the word adaptive on it, which means that it is going to adapt to the students responses. Um, we haven't received a lot of information, but it's kind of like trickling out. We did
register for training. The, um, field test is required of all districts with eligible students. Uh so we will be participating and the testing window for the field test is October 27th through November 14th and there are some days
where there will be no testing but as we uh narrow down the window and actually schedule our test here you will be parents will be notified um with more information and details on tonight's agenda. Um I want to draw your attention
to C2526. We're seeking approval for three internships, one is a student completing field service hours. One is a student teaching assignment and then one of our faculty members is engaged in the
leadership program and this is the required field service placement. Um, also F252631, we're seeking approval to accept and then submit the fiscal year 26 ESEA
uh grant, which means that we did receive funding in titles one, two, title three, title 3 immigrant, and title 4. So, um, you know, we're thrilled to receive this funding as it's essential to sustaining student support
services as well as ongoing professional development for faculty. >> And I know I'm sorry to interrupt, we had a couple questions about how it compared to last year in terms of the amount and and an age where they are cutting everything. And we were very nervous, number one, if we were going to
get it at all. And then number two, if we did get it, if it would be cut substantially because that would have greatly affected us and >> very much in line with very much last year. So all around, we're very very happy. Um, so we're actually in the
process of going through uh based on spring performance, looking at all of our data and um, you know, identifying our needs and then figuring out what our interactions and supports will be and compiling it in the actual grant. and
submitting that. Um the testing for students is a new platform. I didn't mention that the grant application this year is also a new platform. So changes all around on the NJD side. Um, and finally, I just wanted to share that the New Jersey Department of Ed is
offering a workshop for parents and uh caregivers to explore strategies that they can use to support children at home um whose anxiety may present as oppositional behavior. So, um I'm seeing
more and more offerings. This one is particularly for parents and caregivers. It's going to cover techniques such as relaxation, emotion coaching, differential attention, and classroom um specific
uh interventions to foster positive emotional and behavioral outcomes. So, it is a webinar. It is virtual. It is free. It will take place on November 4, 4:30 to 6. And we're going to post that up on our website um under announcements
so that you can register if you're interested. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Anyone have any questions or comments? >> Mr. B, have you heard anything about regarding the guilt test? Are we going to get any data? >> As far as I know, the students are not
going to receive scores. This is what I read in the in one of the most recent broadcasts. And it's really just for test questions. so that they're, you know, often times before when they're changing the assessment, they'll throw
out some different question stems and use the student responses to then make like the final tweaks on the assessment. So, we shouldn't be receiving any reports on the field test. Um,
and I'm not sure how the adaptive we're wondering how the adaptive assessment is going to um compare to the historical NJSLA that we're accustomed to. >> We have we have a lot of questions that aren't answered. And I want to also
point out that, >> you know, Mr. Oas was being very gracious. They just let us know about these >> literally like a month ago. So and this is a huge upheaval in terms of how they are tested. This is not a little this is not a little change by any means. So
traditional testing is you get a question some are hard some are easy and you answer it and you know depending on what level proficiency you are you will answer the easier ones or hard ones whatever it is. This one as explaining is they'll give you a question if you
get it right or wrong depends on the next question level question of hardness you get or difficulty you get. Um, so we don't know how that's going to translate to proficiency. How that's going to translate overall score to last year's scores to the year before that scores
like can we get a good trend analysis anymore. So this is a big big deal that we are just kind of >> inheriting very very quickly. I I had even heard of this really and thank you for agreeing Tony because we we pride ourselves on keeping up to date on
things and it was just kind of like in one broadcast and it kind of it was a sh :00lock in the afternoon. It was a shot around. >> So, traditionally, we've been using Pearson Pearson um access platform and they're changing vendors. So, there's a
little bit of tie up in the litigation side and that's why there was a delay in the roll out and why we're notified so late. But, um >> we'll say like a follow up to what he just said. So, this is really more what you think. You think this is in relation
to the SATs changing to adaptive because they changed to adaptive >> this past year if it's adaptive >> possibly actually is adaptive so it's not really something that we haven't seen what I'm
more like I guess I'm more curious >> pass >> yeah like you know New Jersey establishes cut scores and and proficiency levels. So if it's adaptive, >> then how are we really truly able to
gauge >> right performance on grade level expectations when you can go either way that >> and I would say it's very much related because when you look at trends >> once one big domino falls it's like
who's going to be the bravest and then once that domino falls >> they become the trends setter and then it becomes trendy adaptive technology tests have been around for a long at least 12 to 15 years. I I mean >> I remember doing them a long time ago
and it's interesting because sometimes it really frustrates the kids you know um and other times it it works really well. So it's hard to say but I think it's definitely much in line with the trend and where education is going especially with AI and what they can do now on the back end with building coding
and platform. So it allow it allows you to bigger scale and I think that's why we're starting to see this but it's not a coincidence >> in a non-standardized way. It tells us where kids land, right? Because on a regular or traditional assessment, it's just going to tell us whether they hit the mark or not, but it's not really
going to tell us anything that allows us to teach into where that student is really at. So it should be helpful. On another note, um the parental notification of standardized assessments will be coming out soon. It has the assessment calendar for the 2526 school
year. It details all of the standardized assessments as well as local assessments that we'll be taking. There are links um for sample tests, sample questions, parent resources, information about accommodations and testing windows in
that the um also the graduation pathways is on there that remain unchanged. I have a feeling that more information will be coming out later in the year once they we get through the field test
for the NJGPA because I anticipate that that's going to impact the cut scores for uh graduation readiness is there since we're here with this you haven't mentioned it is there change I thought I heard somewhere so I could be
wrong to testing at the high school level certain being brought up. >> So, midterms and finals. Yes. So, we started develop developing them last year. We were starting to finalize them, work them over. Um, that was one thing
in the survey I put out when I first got here. A lot of parents responded that they would like midterms and finals back just to prepare their children for college where the first time ever they were getting hit with midterms and finals and they were kind of like we
don't know how we don't know how to study like it's a whole different approach that swap of information that you have to prepare for. So then in my ways I would pop into classes, talk to students and um one particular class I brought it up to AP students and
great conversation you know um but I was like yeah we were thinking about you know how would you feel about bringing midterms and finals and half was like yes and half was like no and I was like well I I think we're going to push forward with it um because sometimes you can't always do what you want to do is what we think you need and we explain to
them that how are we going to prepare you for the future. Like that's our job. And they brought up anxiety, you know. I was like, "It may, but you know, like better get used to it now because obviously your AP classes, you all want to go to college like get a little anxiety now because in college when
you're paying 70 $80,000 to take that test, um we want to prepare you for it." So, uh this is not a sudden thing. Um I think all that with they started like looking at things and coordinating and common uh summit of assessments and you know we're going to roll them out you
know this year and the testing schedule will come out it's going to be a little old school um which I don't mind uh as we you know adapt to this and we're bring a little old school back which I think is which we think we think is a good thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And again just because we were discussing testing I thought it was
interesting so Okay. Business administrator report Stephanie Puch. >> Yes, exactly. Like trouble over here. I'm like >> that's a surprise. >> Oh yeah. >> So part of my report I was going to talk
about whole barn. >> You can talk about it again. I love it. So now I got to throw for those that are watching and listening to what you're talking about. >> So right outside of DEO is a large structure. It's a pole barn and they
built it in two days. It was incredible. They flattened the land and there is an apron there already and so we don't have to pave the full way. There's a nice opening. Oh, we also got a bus that we're going to park right outside. We got big plans for the pole arm. And they
put up four poles, drilled it down. They made concrete, put up the four poles. There was no drilling, no equipment. They used the support beams to support the four poles. And then one guy would
like throw up a like you know those large like uh key things that have like a um push in it and you can have like it's like a U like a circle. and he would stick it on there and then they would hand him like the next piece of
wood and then he'd staple the the pieces together and it took two days. It was incredible. But as they were building it, we were looking at it and we realized we don't have enough space. So we got phase two, which is on the agenda for approval tonight because the bigger
plan is we have plows that have been stolen because they sit outside in the elements. Then we have issues when we go to plow for the first time because they've been rained on and what have you. And so we're going to put them in there. We also have some equipment
that's indoors um in the maintenance shop that the guys use to for various things that would be better served in one place. So we're going to run a much more efficient operation with everything being stored in one place in the middle
school. Um, which is why we have a need to expand it out the back. >> We didn't know we'd like it so much. I mean, it's a it's a really nice structure. It's clean. It's open. It's really nice. And it's going to open up more space in the high school as well as we clean that out. And just so you know,
>> excited. But just so you know as well, um all the residents around there, we sent nighters to alerting them and then we actually went um to talk to them um to see like, hey, you okay with this? Here's the future plan, what's going on, you know, we are going to expand it a little bit. And they gave their feedback and they
were very gracious and they gave us some ideas, you know, um of what they would like to see like planting of trees and, you know, a sign here or there. And we accommodated them. plant four more trees. >> What actually happened though? That did not do the story justice.
He was on vacation for a couple days. He never goes anywhere. And I was trying my best not to bother him, but I was like, "If we don't get this on the schedule, we're going to have a problem." I sent him an email. The day he got back, I was like, "Got to go see. Not big enough." That night, he's with
the neighbors for like an hour and a half. >> Yeah. And he comes in the next day. He's like, "All right, we'll make it a little bit bigger, but we got to get trees." I'm like, "All right, like a couple little trees." He's like, "No, dog woods
and oaks." >> Okay. >> So, that's what we tried for Weeping Willow, but we were told it wasn't wet enough for there, you know, because listen, we're listen we're working >> landscaping for the fall. >> We're working with everybody. We're
working with everyone. Come listen to that stuff. >> Yeah, we had the whole thing figured out. And then one other stipulation was we need a deer crossing sign. >> Deer's like got to go camping in it, too. So, just in case, you know,
anyone's traveling down there, there's a lot of deer. We got We got a deer crossing sign. And the burrow is so great. They're going to help us put up the sign. So, now we got dog woods. We just have to buy the sign. We got it. No, I'm saying you just said the five is sign.
Correct. Someone else is going to put it. >> Yes. >> As I was talking to the neighbors, I was like, "All right, dear Xing sign." You like, "That's interest." >> I was like, "All right." But again, it's about they were very gracious. They had a lot of questions.
We talked for a while, but I think it's part of being part of a community, you know, and listening to people. And listen, they were totally listen we don't need your approval. uh but we want to work with you and you know how can we help out each other and it was great conversations I got to see one of my old
students um which is a surprise you know and it was it was great >> it's a chance for another internship you could have arborist >> that's true >> correct and so the next day we planted the trees and as we're planting the trees the deer
are having a little snack >> yes >> on the said oaks and leaves >> so but don't worry Sorry, we got the deer scram. >> Put a little around and they're gone. >> Okay, >> thanks. >> Not >> thanks for sharing all that.
>> It was tough, >> right? >> It was as easy as we made it sound. >> It was not. And the important part was that we got four new trees for to provide shade. So >> someday for the >> Yeah, exactly. And then I know you all
heard about the red shipping container. Um that was a hot topic for a while. and that was then painted green. That is now all out of sight in the back along with the shipping containers that were down by the football field. Those have
also been relocated to the back of the middle school. Um so now we have two 40 ft and one 20 foot seab box back there um for storage. And so one of the
big things that we're planning on doing with the 20 foot is to the lumber for the spring musical will be stored there. So we're going to dedicate a seab box to the musical for their props because they spend a lot of time building those sets
and taking them down. And I think the middle school uses the wood. Um and so we're going to put it over there for that use. So we have plenty of storage. And then we the burrow, a huge thank you to them because um they gave us a loader
with a crew uh this past week and they built a wall down by where the sea boxes were and it looks really great. Um a few picnic tables have been put there. We are going to pave a little bit where there's it's not paved down there. Um and then in return we gave them one of
the sea boxes. Um, so it was a big collaboration on moving the sea boxes and a huge thank you to the DPW and their crew. Um, and Brian and his crew for coordinating that. Um, Aiden Lou is always a big topic
around here. We have nine general education students who live remote from Davy Owens Middle School and those nine students are eligible for transportation. We have a couple corner stops in that vicinity where they take
the bus. Um after looking at the software, we determined that two are not eligible. They're not actually remote. So now we have seven. two of the seven um we're going to have a driver walk
tomorrow because they may also not be remote which will then leave us five remote students. Um and that's why we have Aiden Lou in the district because we have remote students. This year we
have five non-public routes being done by um vendors that were picked up through bidding and then our buses are going to drive to Holy Angels and Immaculate Heart and that's at no cost
to us because we've triple tiered our morning route and then their dismissal is early enough um if before our dismissal and any non um out of district special education dismissal as well. So, we were able to
get them on our buses. Um, we also have the typical joint transportation agreements that we've sort of been maintaining with the other districts. We also Bernie County special services opened I don't believe the
campus is opening for September though. I think it's opening in like October right behind um the tech and so that is also on our tech run those few students. So that's how we were able to absorb that. The uh holy angels and IHA stop is
at the high school. It's early. It's before school starts, so we shouldn't have any issue there. Um the high school cafeteria windows and door project that was approved sometime in the spring will begin um in
about two weeks and it will happen after school hours and it should take about two weeks to complete the project. We received um our extraordinary aid notice in early July and we just
received a renotification of additional money and so we got an additional $1,227 um for extraordinary aid from the 2425. I also want to thank my office because
I'm not sure that we've ever closed a budget before the school year started and so we rolled over our software and so the 2425 budget is closed and we are now only working the 2526.
Um, and I think a huge part of that was in the past we you we've used IDA funds for various purchases for special education and this past year and moving forward we're going to spend it only on out of district tuition and figure out
different ways to spend uh for supplies but at the end of the year we were we were purchasing large amounts of materials for special ed with IDA funds and unable to close the budget. So, um, in doing that, it we're able to get
things to the auditor more quickly, but that doesn't mean their timeline is going to be any quicker. And that concludes my report. Oh, wait. Food services. We have a change at the elementary level for um for food
services. So, please be mindful of that. They're not doing that monthly order any longer. where they're going to have their each child is going to receive a badge um that they're going to give in as they go through the line at both Berkeley and Gibbs.
>> Kindergarten will still pre-order. >> Correct. >> Kindergarten will still pre-order food because they're so young, but everyone else when the parent wants them to have lunch, they will say, "You're buying lunch." Money will be on their account. They swipe their badge and that's it. And they order what they need to.
And one other thing that's interesting because it has to do with facility. We are purging everything, trying to clean up everything. So, we started cleaning up the theater. Um, there's little slot rooms in the theater that we started cleaning up. And we found a
the oldest telephone that I've ever seen. It is It's crazy. We're going to actually save it and put it in this like historical room that we're creating. It is It has to be the first office phone from probably the 19 early 1930s.
Um where it's like the thing where you see on the old movie like Twilight Zone or something where they pull out the cord and push it into another thing like a switchboard and it it has all the old people's names not >> historical historical names on it
>> previous >> really really neat along with that we found like lithograph pictures of the when the school was first built. So we always started the building in 1928. That's when the cornerstone was first laid. It opened up in 1929. There's a picture of it opening up. So really neat
stuff as we clean out and purge. You don't find one of those every single day. It is huge. >> Table. >> That's it. >> And you're okay. >> Thank you. >> Any leison on board committee reports?
Any correspondence? Okay. Open to the public for items on the agenda as outlined in the Milford Board of Education by law 0167. Each statement made by participant shall be limited 3 minutes. I seek a motion.
A Tony seconded by John. All in favor? I >> oppose. Anyone from the public have any comments? Please state your name and town. >> Li Paige New Milford. Um, I just wanted to mention that once again as I'm looking at the agenda, I see, and I know
it was mentioned before, some um, former students and um, graduates from New Milford that are being hired for teaching positions and it's just really nice to see that. It just gives you more of a sense of community and family and
what we really are here in New Milford. So, thank you for that. >> No, thank you. They're really excited uh, watching them come back like a new teacher orientation. Like I saw Stillios. >> Yeah. >> And he was popping around. He's like, I have goosebumps right now. And I'm like, well, just work hard,
you know, but he's a good kid and you know, um yeah, if it works out, it works out. Listen, the best candidate, right? But um being an alumni gets you in the door, but then you got to sell yourself and and these people are. >> It's nice to see.
>> Thank you. >> Anyone else in the public? Okay, I seek a motion to close to the public. Tony, seconded by Andrew. All in favor? Opposed? Sport action. Having this recommendation of superintendent, I seek a motion for PA25-26
and 6.7.8. I need a second. Paige. All in favor? I oppose. Okay. Educational programs and curriculum committee. Stephanie Coffer. She's out. So, I will do it. I seek a motion for C25-26.6.7.8.
I need a second. Right. That's all. Right. >> Yeah. >> I need a second. Cheryl. All in favor? >> Opposed? Okay. Personnel. Having the recommendation of superintendent. I seek a motion for P25-26.15 16.17
18.19 2021 223 24 25 26 27 I need a second Tony Roll call. >> Mr. Albro. >> Yes.
>> Miss Calgra. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daster. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lombardi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Luna. >> Yes. >> Miss. Ryan. >> Yes. >> Vice President D. >> Yes. >> President. >> Yes. >> Okay. Finance and Facilities Committee. Cheryl Conro. Uh I seek approval for
F25- F-26.19 2020 2122 2023 2425 26 2027 2028 2930 31.32
334.35 36.37 38.39 401 42 434 445 20 46 and 47
>> a second Joe. All in favor? >> Opposed? Athletics co-curricular committee Nicole Dunn. >> I seek the motion for AC25-2623. We >> a second. Paige. All in favor? I oppose. Policy committee Anthony Alvaro.
>> Having the recommendation of the superintendent hopefully the support of the board. We have second reading tonight of 12 policies and six regulations. So policy 2526.2 >> a second John. All in favor? I oppose.
>> Okay. Any old business? Any new business? Page. >> So I'm going to try to do this by only reading. I did make copies so you can hand out to everyone.
Um not going to look up so dear members of the new for education. After careful thought and conversations with my family, I have made a difficult decision
to resign from my position as a trustee of the Demiler Board of Education effectively speaking. For 14 years, I've humbly and faithfully served this community as an elected volunteer. My personal obligations continue to require more of my time and
I'm unable to dedicate the hours I believe are necessary to continue to be an effective board member for the New Melford School District. I'm not going to read the rest of it because I have something for the public so it kind of repeats it. So you all can read the rest. I just want to say to the
community of New Milford, thank you for your support and trust that you have placed in me to represent you and the interests of your children. It has been an honor. It has been an honor and a privilege. My husband and I chose to buy our first
home in New Milford in 2001 because it was a good location and we could afford it. We chose to stay in New Mauford because we grew to love it and wanted to raise our children. Oh my god, I thought I would.
And wanted to raise our children here. When I decided to throw my hat in the ring as a writing candidate in 2010, my children were eight, six, and four. >> There was work to be done. Seeds of innovative programs were sewn, but the
landscape and education was shifting. I saw it could be and wanted to be involved to ensure that it would be. I thought about going through a list of things I'm most proud of during my time on the board. It's a long list. It includes technology infrastructure,
districtwide security improvements, shared services with the burrow and other school districts, capital improvement within budget, improved fields, roofing, HVAC, reduced energy costs, curriculum programs at all levels, growth of indistrict services
for our special needs population. Public education is again at a crossroads. Costs are rising. Our aging infrastructure is in need of attention. Mandates and other related pressures are coming from many different directions, but the core of why we are here remains
the same. It is about the children of this community and providing them an environment where they can feel safe to learn and grow to become the best versions of themselves. I am hoping that there is someone out there who believes what I believed when I
started this journey and still believe today that a strong community starts with a solid and strong school district and that a solid and strong board of education can make a difference. In this community,
our family has been blessed with friendships that have weathered life storms and brought sunshine sunshine into our lives. We know those friendships will continue for many years to come. I'm not leaving New Milford. I will remain engaged in the community and
continue to support the great things our public school district can offer to the children of New Milford. Thank you again for letting me be part of that journey. for many of you and your children. It has been an honor and a privilege. >> That's it. You did it.
>> Well, thank you, Paige. I mean, you've made a huge impact on the district as well as the community and so have your kids. So, you know, it's hard to fill your shoes when you step down as president. Um, I think you've made a huge contribution and it'll be hard to replace you. Can
>> Can I lead us in an applause for Mr. >> Yes. Now, I'm going to add imagine say something. I'm going to add that I am looking forward to the day when the board president asks for comment from the public and I hear Paige Ryan 26.
I'm looking forward to that day. >> We'll hold her three minutes. >> Stop watch. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Anyone else? >> Just say thank you. >> Yes. You're the reason why I'm here. >> Good or bad?
>> No, it's going to be different. But thank you for your time. >> So, even though I reject your resation, not accepted. I'm just going to tell you that right now. Um, so when we me and
Joe came on this board, it was contentious obviously. We had a lot of back and forth on Facebook and all those things and got on the board and wasn't sure what to expect and Paige and I went out for a drink and we talked for hours and hours uh I think it was like hours
um over uh drinks and food and all that. And um though we didn't always agree, I think what we did always agree on was our intensity and our passion and um just always having the community and the
district and the children at the forefront. And um just like Nicole, I mean uh Paige is one of the big reasons why I'm here. So if you want someone to blame, it's Paige. Um but at every turn, no matter what we agreed on or disagreed
on, um she was a great she she is a great um asset to me. I mean having now been in negotiations, I mean I Paige was like my my cheat sheet for a while, right? I would say can I say this? Can I say that? Uh certificate is not a real
word like yeah it is. Um but it truly uh such a big part of the community, such a huge loss for us. Um but at the same time again rejected I I don't accept um but again your legacy and everything you've taught everyone and kind of
bestowed on all of us is something that um I know I'm grateful for and I think everyone else is here too. >> I I think Go ahead. >> So I think that I'm fortunate that I was here a year and you were here crossover.
Um, I think when you leave, I'm nervous because we're losing such institutional knowledge and the way of doing things and insight and being articulate and willing to share your opinion. Um, even if just minority opinion sometimes I think that's very very important for
just to spur conversation. I think you did it with dignity and I appreciate that. Um, big shoes to big shoes. >> Yeah. So, um, I want to start off by saying that I think uh, right now is probably a lot less concerned with what
I'm going to say than she may have been for you. Um Pete, you hit the nail on the head when you talked about institutional knowledge. Um and that's yeah, this is going to be a significant loss for all of us. I know especially um when I was a
new board member, you know, I would reach out to Paige often and ask her questions and you know, she's always um you know, incredibly resourceful, kind, and give me answers. So, I thank you for that. And um you know, you've taught me
a lot of this board and I affectionately refer to Paige as the Queen of England because she protects the monarchy at all costs. Right. That's that's what the Milford School District means to Paige. Every angle that she looks at, at least
from my from my perspective, is it's it's it's not intellectually dishonest. It's it's genuine. she's thinking about what's right, what's good for the kids, what's good for the school board. And so that's that's um what I will carry on for the rest of my time on this board. I
will always try to emulate that and always be making sure that I am mindful of what is in the best interest of the town and the kids. So thank you very much and best wishes to >> sit together. if you stay over here.
>> Literally like >> I should have just pulled up your chair. That was the last show. >> Like to just just say something. Uh thank you. Uh you you're you're a tremendous person. Uh we sat on a couple different boards with you. Somebody who's grown from
>> from the ground up. Uh some I I joined much later. You were you were you very involved in. Thanks for all of the um the guidance, all of the u mentorship. I think uh very often in the channel in my inner page when I when
we you know come to decision time um I think you're a tremendous human. It's a huge loss for us. Um I think the biggest testament is how much you care about the community. But the real sort of um you
know concrete here is I I look at your children and how amazing they turned out. You did a tremendous job. Uh you're looking at >> yeah sorry emotional but uh appreciate how you
don't go anywhere. We're going to need you a phone call to friend a lot. So >> sorry that >> do I just want to thank you all very much for everything you really and the teachers and the staff. Um, I think I
might have skipped over a little bit of that there. Um, when I didn't get to say that here in my in something in my letter, but I I really just want to say that um the staff of the school district in New Milford, granted I've not been
anywhere else, but I am going to say that things that I've heard, it's just it's just been wonderful. It really has. It's just been wonderful to be here, have my children go through here, but really to just see what they get. We just had a presentation. We, you know, we talk about here talk about all that
they're going to do with with the students, you know, with this this recording studio. And these are all things that only come about because of a staff that really cares. So, I'm I'm grateful for that.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Any board member requests for additional information? Okay. Okay. I seek a motion to open to the public as outlined in the Milford Board of Education by law 0167. Each statement made by participant shall be in 3 minutes. Any second?
Andrew. All in favor? >> Oppose. Anyone from the public? Councilman. >> Thank you. >> Before I give an update, I have to thank you for your dedication and your service. When I first came on council, you're one of the first people I I spoke
to and you also mentored me and gave me great advice on how to be a more effective public servant. Um, some things I remember you saying, always be prepared. We talk about institutional knowledge. You're walking an encyclopedia. You know everything about everything, not only that is going on
with the school district, but the whole town and our whole community. That is beyond incredible. You talk about passion and heart. As was mentioned, your children aren't just future leaders. They're leaders now. They're leaders today because of you and how you
raised them. Thank you for always serving our community, our town, our new Milford family. Not just here on this school, but at all municipal lines and every way that you serve. I know I'm going to need you for more advice and more mentorship. So, thank you. and also
congratulations on the next chapter you deserve. Thank you. I I really um my only real update for the board tonight is that it's always a privilege and honor every year because I never assume it's a date to complete that it's
going to happen the next year. But we are confirmed for our 7th annual domestic violence awareness symposium on Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. It will again be open to the
public and in person attendance and be live streamed. And I can't again give enough credit, gratitude, and appreciation to Mr. Dan Pri who does a phenomenal job each program with a live stream. And I don't think everyone fully
understands the impact that Mr. Priest's work has. And I I'll I'll elucidate it. When we get feedback every year after our program, not just from individuals in our community, but from the partnering agencies and our panelists, we get specific feedback from people who
watch it online in particular that they're able to see every panelist. They're able to hear every panel as clearly. The lighting is perfect. The audio is perfect. And again, it's not a fade completed. These things are going to happen every year. There are programs
around the state that occur where there are technical challenges. We never have to worry here in New Milford because of Dan's great work. So Dan, thank you. And and thank you to your whole tech team. In preparing for this year's program, we
as a community reached out. We reached out to judges in the judiciary. We reached out to school districts around Bergen County. We talked to educators. We talked to teachers. We talked to parents. We talked to families. We wanted a topic that would be more relevant not just to the intimate
partner violence survivor community in general, but also to our youth because we partner with you. We partner with our police department. So, it should be relevant for all of us. And the theme that was brought to our attention was
digital and social media abuse as a tool of cyber stalking, cyber harassment, and other forms of intimate partner violence. It is especially concerning to hear from our prosecutor's office and our
judiciary how there's use of Apple Air Tags to track people in their cars. How people who have restraining orders against them will still view Instagram stories and then make the argument I didn't communicate. I'd merely looked
at a story that was otherwise public and then as a community have to give advice to a survivor who says every time this person views my Instagram story I feel trepidation feel overwhelming anxiety what do I do these
are the topics we're going to be discussing this year as well as on the flip side when an abuser restricts or prohibits a victim from accessing social media at as a further means of course of control
and isolation. So thank you again for your partnership. We have created for the first time for the purpose of information sharing and soliciting advice and feedback from our community an Instagram page dedicated to
the symposium. The handle is no more violence 2025 on Instagram. We encourage people message us suggestions, message us questions. We're going to be posting information there in more detail about our participating panelists and agencies. The prosecutor's office has
suggested, which is tremendous, adding individuals from their cyber crimes unit to this year's panel to talk in more depth and detail about some of these issues and concerns. Our lead agencies this year at our symposium will of course be the prosecutor's office and Bergen County Alternatives to domestic
violence. And we're of course also going to have representation from the New Milford Police Department. So I thank the school district. I thank this board of education. I thank you superintendent. I thank you Mr. Pre. And I thank the New Milford Police Department and all of our
supporting agencies for their ongoing support. It's very rewarding. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I seek a motion to close to the public. Joe, seconded by John. All in favor? >> I oppose. Okay. Close session. It is hereby moved that the board of education
adjourn into executive session in accordance with the provisions of the section 8 of section 8 of the open public meetings act chapter 231 PL for the purpose of discussion and consideration of matters pertaining to the following subject personnel matter. The minutes of the executive session will be made available to the public and
the need for confidentiality no longer address. I seek the motion to go into close. Andrew, second by Tony. All in favor? >> Oppos. And we not be taking Thank you everyone.