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John, >> am I just returning? Am I >> Yeah. Motion to reconvene? >> And then do I read the president statement? >> Yeah, because you didn't do that before. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. Good evening everyone.

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Um, I'd like to make a motion to reconvene our meeting from close session. Can we have a motion and a second? >> So move. >> Second. >> Mr. Carter, I'll give you credit for that. >> Oh, thank you. >> All [laughter] in favor? >> Is anyone opposed?

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>> We're reconvened and back in open session. >> Okay. Thank you so much. So, first I'll read the board president's statement. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their

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interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the open public meetings law, the public notice of this meeting, which included the time, date, and location was distributed by 300 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28th, 2020 208, 2026 in the following manner. Posted on the

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bulletin board reserved for announcements in the board office. 25 Lynwood Place, North Brunswick, mailed to the Home News Tribune, Starledger, NJ.com, and the clerk of the township of North Brunswick. Delivered to the nine dulyeleed board members, and beginning March 1st, 2026, all future board

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meeting notices shall be published on the board's official website, www.nbtschools.org, or and be made available through the New Jersey Secretary of State's official website in lie of publication in a newspaper in accordance with PL 2025

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C72. >> And if we could all rise for the flag salute. >> Thank you. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all. >> Mr. Carter >> here, >> Mr. PA here, >> Miss James >> here, >> Mr. Lori >> here, >> Dr. Patel here, >> Mr. Singh >> here, >> Miss SA >> here, Miss To >> here, >> and Mr. W >> here. >> We have a query. >> Thank you. We're doing things a little

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bit out of order tonight um because we had a close session before our meeting started, but good evening everyone. I'd like to welcome everyone to our board of education building. It's great to see a full audience tonight. Lots of familiar faces. So, I'd like to welcome everyone.

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But before we get to our presentations, I just want to say our all of our thanks for a wonderful school year, 2526 school year. Um we've had a lot of really great things that have happened throughout the district all year. And um as a board, I just want to say how

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grateful all of us are to our staff, our teachers, administrators, and of course our students for another successful school year. So just give one everyone a round of applause. [applause] And on that note, we'll we have some celebrations tonight. So at this time,

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I'll turn it over to Superintendent Zakowski to um begin our presentation. >> Thank you, Madam President, and welcome everyone and our millions of viewers. So tonight they're they'll get to see a wonderful group of retirees. So it's not just a great year. [clears throat] We're

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going to celebrate a wonderful career of all of our retirees tonight. Um and Miss Kea appropriately appropriately is leading the retiree program because I don't know if any heard that she's also

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retiring pretty soon uh in August. But we look forward to not only saying thank you for this year but highlighting what you meant to the district for all the many years. So without further ado, Miss Kea, [applause]

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thank you so much Dr. Zakowski and board for uh allowing us to take this time to recognize our retirees. Um so so happy to see so many of you uh who returned so many who've retired mid year and came back tonight for this wonderful

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recognition. It's so great to see all of you. So before we call up uh different schools and we know unfortunately not everyone could be here tonight but one of the things that I do with this presentation is all of the retirees listed on

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tonight's agenda that are here tonight. [laughter] we totaled almost 600 years of service [applause] and and many of us who are retiring and yes including myself um this year you

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know really have spent our entire careers here. So it is such again such a testament to this district and to this community um for all of us who not only have gotten to work here but retire from here as well and spent the majority if not our entire professional career here.

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So again congratulations. This is such a great number. Um really just again shows um the dedication that all of you have to um our schools, our students, our staff. So, thank you. So, with that, and we have a couple

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slides for MBTHs. Uh, anybody from the high school who is here, come on up. And I know um Mr. Farrell is also here. [applause] Mr. Misell's here. [applause] >> [applause] >> like to speak first. Come on in, Mr. Frell.

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>> Good evening. Ann Rockenstein is retiring from her position as the guidance secretary at MBTHs after nearly 23 years. She and I have worked together for 21 of those years. Over two decades, she's done far more than her job description. Sure, she's kept us

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organized and on task, but most importantly, she's kept me grounded some of the mo during some of the most difficult times. She's the person who could walk into a wildly busy office and somehow make it feel manageable again. And she made all of us laugh right when we needed it the most. She and I learned

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our jobs together, side by side. [clears throat] Soon after meeting, we discovered just how strangely connected our lives were, long before we even shared an office. mutual friends and many worlds colliding moments that made it feel like we were always meant to end up working together. I recently asked

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the counseling team to share some feedback about working with Anne and here's a summary of what they had to say. She connects with people on a personal level and makes the office feel welcoming. It's hard to imagine what the office would be like without her kindness and laughter. She's a team player who always shows up and shows

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appreciation. She has the ability to remain unburdened by deadlines. Working alongside Anne was truly a privilege. She's the piece of the puzzle that made everything feel complete. She did it all with grace and dedication and made it seem effortless. She never hesitated to

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pause her own work to support someone else. She's become someone I looked up to, not just professionally, but personally. And [clears throat] this one will make her laugh, not because of what it means, but because someone took the time to write it in Hungarian,

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>> and I'm choosing to read it. Nudes and goat depending on my pronunciation which I'm guessing only an Rob and maybe Alexa can keep me in check. It means we're very lucky to have such a wonderful person

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working with us. So I feel fortunate to have the chance to work with an for so long. She's become more like a member of my family than just a colleague. And you're truly the heart of our office. We are all better because we got to spend our time at work with you. I'm sad that you're retiring. We're all going to miss

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you, but we also are taking bets on how long it'll take before you just stop by to make sure and double check that we're still doing things right. So, congratulations on your retirement and thank you for making a difference. [applause] also

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[laughter] going to invite up Mr. Miserol to speak about Linda. [applause] You can't hear. [laughter] >> Thank you, Mr. Skita. So, I'd like everybody in the audience to take a look at Linda Carter. And you look at Linda

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and you think what an amazing, sweet, wonderful, kind person she is. And she looks like somebody's mother or grandmother. >> That's absolutely true. But I'm going to use a few football and sports analogies

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to describe Linda. If Linda were on a football team, she would be the middle linebacker and the caliber of Lawrence Taylor or Dick Buckus. >> She is tougher than the nails that hold

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this building together. A friend to every single student, staff, or parent who needed something. But if you came to do something wrong at the school, she became your worst nightmare.

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Okay? [laughter] If I had a difficult situation, this is one lady I wanted backing me up because I knew knew every single time she'd rise to the occasion. Now, Linda has had the unique distinction of serving at every single

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level of our school district. Much to her chagrin, she was my Mariana Rivera relief pitcher. And Linda hated it. At the end of the year, I would walk into her building and say, "Oh, I need to see you, Linda." And she'd just look at me

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and go, "Where am I going next?" But she was my go-to because she had the unique ability to deal with high school students, middle schools, elementary students, and their parents, which is not often an easy thing.

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And she adapted her style to whatever age group she was. So, Linda was universally loved by every single officer she worked with and that included our SLEOs, our RPOS, and our

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building aids. Linda, we wish you the best. And you are going to be so missed at the high school, at the middle school, at the 56, and at the elementary. [laughter] And now, I have no idea who I'm going to pick to ever fill in those spots. But I

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do know that whoever I pick will come nowhere near filling the shoes of my linebacker and relief pitcher, Linda Carter. [applause] >> You may not want to, Linda, but you have to. [laughter] Oh, very nice. [applause]

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>> We also have Andrea Browning here with us tonight who retired midy year. Uh she's an instructional aid at the high school for 21 years. Um unfortunately, Mrs. Marks could not be here tonight. So, I'm speaking on behalf of her and the entire staff at the high school. For

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anyone who is not familiar, instructional aid power professional um works so closely with our special students every day, day in and day out. And speaking as a teach former teacher here in North Brunswick, I cannot tell

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you how important this position is and how much you have given back to our students and our staff. U Mrs. Mark said she's like every teacher who has ever worked with Andrea just comments on how wonderful she is, how caring she is, how supportive she is, not only to the kids,

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but to the teachers and the staff as well. And that really just speaks volume of the type of person you are and the type of person we want all of our instructional aid par professionals to be. You were a shining example while you were here with us for over two decades

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of service and work and I cannot tell you how much we appreciate it. And Mrs. Mark sends her deepest regards and said that she could not be here tonight, but thanks you again so much for all of your service to our district. [applause] [applause] >> Thank you again.

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Although middle school could not be here tonight, Michelle, another instructional aid uh of over 20 years of service as well. Unfortunately, she could not be here tonight. So, we will call up Lynwood. And on behalf of Mr. Sharter, Miss uh assistant principal, Mrs. Christine Sher is here to talk about our

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honory who's here tonight, Candy Hoffman. [applause] [applause] the one crowning the furthest. [snorts] >> Hello, I'm Christine Shelder and I will be speaking on behalf of JD Sharter, principal of Lynwood. Today, I'm here to celebrate the incredible career of Candy

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Hoffman. When you stop and think about it, the numbers alone are astonishing. Over the course of your career, you've spent approximately 4,500 school days walking around the halls of this building, [laughter] shaping young minds, supporting colleagues, and making a difference. You've impacted

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approximately 2500 students, each one carrying a piece of your influence with them long after they left your classroom. And let's not forget the memories beyond the classroom. You've attended what feels like hundreds of baby showers, bridal showers, holiday parties, pilots, and retirement

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celebrations. You've celebrated life's milestones with colleagues who became lifelong friends. You shared laughter in faculty rooms, stories in hallways, and enough desserts at potlucks to keep us all employed in education. For years, you have witnessed tremendous change in

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schools, in technology, and society. While retirement marks the end of your daily commute, lesson plans, and faculty meetings, it also marks the beginning of something exciting. A chapter where your schedule belongs entirely to you. No

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bells, no grading, no acronyms, no professional development sessions. Just the freedom to enjoy all the things you put on hold. As you begin the next venture, know that your impact cannot be measured simply by years served or students taught. It lives on in every

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student you inspired, every colleague you supported, and every friendship you nurtured. Congratulations on your retirement. You've earned every moment of what comes next. [applause] both say my students are here. [applause] [applause]

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>> Just for the record, you meant Haley, not me. [laughter] So >> the first set Parsons also has two slides. So I will invite up the administration current but soon departing retiring administration uh

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from Parson's up here. [applause] >> Hello Debbie. >> I think you came in as a team. We got >> [laughter] >> We're leaving today. >> Here we go. Yes, we are. Okay. So, it is an honor tonight to officially recognize and celebrate Mrs. Ducker who retired

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January 1st after 20 almost 25 incredible years of heartel devotion to our district. As a kindergarten teacher, she has shaped our youngest learners with immense patience and kindness while quietly acting as a fierce advocate for families to ensure that no one in our

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community was ever left without care. On behalf of all of us at Parson School, we thank you for everything you have given us and we wish you a retirement filled with peace, adventure, and the same joy you so freely shared with others. Congratulations. [applause]

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Congratulations. Thank you. >> [applause] >> And for those those who do not know, >> two of our administration from Parsons are also retiring. Suzanne Beth Yuas and

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our principal Diana Whan. [applause] >> [laughter] [clears throat] >> I'd like to formally celebrate Beth Uass for her 34 years in our district and 37 years overall in education. Beth has left a profound mark as the

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instructional dean at Parson School. On a personal level, I've deeply valued her role on my administrative team and more than that as my friend. Beth, you are one of the most patient, caring, and selfless people I know, and Parsons has benefited from those gifts beyond

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measure. We want to congratulate you on a well-deserved retirement. [applause] [applause] >> Oh, no, no, no, no. Stay, stay, stay. You can't go anywhere because we also have a retirement. Diana Whan, principal.

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[applause] I had the true honor of speaking at Diana's retirement. And it was hard to capture all of our feelings on what a remarkable career contribution she made to the district. But we learned a couple things that day. One, most importantly, during her retirement, that you copied

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Leo and he was a true trailblazer. So, thank you, Leo. How do we find out? Leo told us that he did trail uh you know, blaze the trail. But going back to Diana, her contributions to this district really, I

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don't think anybody in this room could imagine the route you took, a nurse that becomes principal. you were a nurse and I remember speaking to you about we need to create a supervisor of nursing and you lobby for it and you convinced and we were able to get it in and so you

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went from being our best nurse to our best nursing supervisor and then we had a nice conversation that you have a skill set that such is so transferable your leadership your care I think you make a great principle and you took over the OOL our leaders

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uh I had to remove myself from the Catholic church with Diana had to speak to the pastor. I couldn't anymore. My father Ed and thank you Diana for making those meetings a lot easier. But she led with such grace, with humility, with empathy that when Parsons opened up and

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the community of Parson said, "We need some leadership." We had turnover after Mr. Rothenberg had left many years, we had a turnover and for different reasons. and the community reached out to the board and myself and said, "We want stability."

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So although I knew Diana had her heart set on anywhere, I said, "I really need a specific place, Parsons. You'll bring stability, you'll bring leadership, and you'll bring community to the school that certainly deserves it, and you've provided it." So that's the first thing

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I thank you, Leo. Second I led is that there's no one like Diana in this district for her path to being a successful principal. And last, I think we all know this last point. We're sure going to miss the heck out of [applause] so much. [applause]

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Livingston Park, we have our principal, Mr. Dawson, honoring Kim George, Peter Teacher. [applause] What a joy it is to spend a few minutes with all of you tonight recognizing a wonderful teacher, Mrs. George. Mrs. George has been an LP for many years, served many roles. She's been a

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classroom teacher, our technology teacher. She's been a club adviser. She's led the robotics club, the girls who code team. She many years she served as our district web master and managed the entire web page for a district. Her skill set is endless. How many

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professional development classes you think you talked to? Few thousand. Few thousand. She's helped so many of her colleagues. Um she's endlessly resourceful. And one thing that's amazing about Kim is she reinvents herself every year. Every year is fresh.

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And there's an authenticity about Kim that's really refreshing to watch. You know, when kids know, kids know when you really enjoy your work. And there's an authenticity about how much you love your work. And that translates from preschool to second grade to fourth

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grade to kids who have special needs, kids who are learning English for the very first time. She connects with over 500 students every year and makes them love coming to school. She connects with hundreds of educators in her career, helps them refine their skills, their

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craft. And several years ago in the pandemic, it's impossible to overstate the value that Kim had to our entire district and helping everyone figure out how to complete online learning. Kim George is not a person we can replace, but she is

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a person we can honor and celebrate. So, Kim, congratulations on a wonderful career. We love you and we'll miss you terribly at LP. Best of luck to you and enjoy every moment. [applause] We have you from Jud tonight. Like to call up our principal, Dr. Glover, and

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our uh honores. [applause] your moment. >> Good evening everyone. Um, so tonight we're gathered to celebrate everyone's retirement, but we are losing four gems at Jud. Um, I'd like to bid them

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farewell, but the journey is just beginning, I know. First, I want to honor um, Jen Heric. She has spent 28 plus 28 plus 11 29 as well say 29 years um, as a computer teach well not only as

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a computer teacher, but she ends her career as as our computer teacher. Her passion for technology and commitment to her students have shaped countless lives, preparing them for a future and an increasingly digital world. Um, Jen,

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uh, before I say this, my father retired when I was in high school, and I remember him getting a Rolex, and I was like, "Oh, I'm going to get a Rolex when I retire [laughter] if I buy one for myself." But we had our now Jen retired [clears throat] earlier in the year. Um

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but we had our fourth grade awards ceremony and she wanted to come back to present her award to her teacher to her students. That's the kind of teacher she is. Uh but she came in and surprised everyone and the kids just

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applauded. They stood up. You would think that you know Michael somebody famous say Michael Jackson somebody famous was coming and she is somebody famous to them but that is like that inspires me more than anything. Somebody who can um you know get the the passion

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of students to just fall in love with her. Um when she was retiring they were they were cry elementary they cry a lot. So they were crying when they found out she was leaving but she came back and that was a great experience for them um to have. Next, I want to I'm just going

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to go out of order of how you're standing. [laughter] I want to um congratulate Glenn. He kind of surprised us toward the end of the year that he was retiring, but he has been here nearly 27 years. A long time. The time flies by, I know, but Glenn has opened

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many doors for many students. He um was our ESL teacher that we will miss dearly. Uh he is so compassionate and passionate for advocating for his students. he would be the first one advocate. They had they had somebody to support them. I mean, they have many to

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support, but we knew, you know, if there was any question that there would be a disservice, Glenn would make sure they were taken care of. So, we hope that, you know, you enjoy your life and come back and sub for us one day, maybe. [laughter]

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I also want to recognize Vanessa who has uh been an instructional aid um and she also worked at John Adams prior to coming to Jud. uh she has been a guiding force for 26 years. Her support and encouragement has been a significant has

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made a significant difference and she has worked with some of our most challenging programs. She's led she has been um a lead crisis responder and worked with children with language behavior and self-care needs. Always

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with strength, always with comp compassion. She showed up for students and we're we will miss her dearly dearly. And lastly is Kathy Woodbury. What will we miss most about Kathy other than her smile and her baked goods that she provides

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the staff? Um she has served nearly 30 years as a clerical aid in our library at Jud. Her dedication to maintaining a nurturing learning environment in that space um just you know you unmatched. She you don't know if she's a teacher or

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if the media media specialist is a teacher, but she certainly provided the support um and collaboration in that role. Uh and she laminated a lot of stuff for teachers. They're going to miss her. We will miss all of you but congratulations in whatever is next in

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your life. Please stay in touch with us at Jud. [applause] >> [applause] >> I know from the ECC I know Brenda Lamaldi is here tonight and our principal Mr. Pasner. [applause] I just want to thank everyone tonight to

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being here celebrating as a district community because Brenda Lamaldi has been such an important piece of the puzzle at the MBTECC. She's probably tired of me talking about her based on teacher of the year, based on the retirement party, based on all

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these other opportunities this year to just talk about the work that she's done and what she's done for the students in the school. I came up with we had a number that we talked about. I liked Amy's number before, but we used a number of 2362.

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People are like, "What does that number mean?" That's the number of preschool students who have put a piece of artwork in our district-wide preschool art show since Brenda started in our district. That deserves such a round of applause.

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[applause] Her inclusivity, her support, her collaboration, her joy for learning is unmatched. She will be so missed at ECC. But the point that matters is she has impacted the

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community and we look forward to the impact with music and art that Brenda started and we're so excited. Congratulations Brenda and to all the retirees. [applause] >> [applause] >> Well, I know John couldn't be here tonight.

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>> Oh, wait a minute. >> 25 years in one month. Amy started when she was 12. So, [laughter] I also had the uh honor and pleasure to roast, host, and speak at Amy's retirement party a couple weeks back. I did tell her that um when you announce

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your retirement, have your retirement party, it's hard, but she keeps coming back. Maybe you'll change your mind. You got another month. I just I'm going to tell a story I didn't tell during the retirement. Amy was nice enough to give me everybody's minutes. We only had one

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speaker. It was me. Thank you. I got to speak for about 48 minutes. So, tonight I cut it down to 19. And I didn't tell is that when I first was hired here in North Brunswick, I'm way my first day to meet the board. I found a bottle outside

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[laughter] three wishes. Wish number one, of course, I said, "What do I know? Wish I wish number one, I want a great community. I hope this is a great community." And 25 years later, wish number one is is really great. Wish

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number two, I really want to work for a board. I know boards will change over the years, but a consistent board with great administrators I can team up with and make a difference. And 25 years later, I've been very lucky. Third wish was I really hope I could find someone a

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go-to person, someone who has the that ability. I heard someone say I think it was Mike Miser. I'm quoting Mike Miserald now that utility player someone that you know today you everybody remember the show Mash and uh in MASH radar O'Reilly

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was known for answering the question before it was asked, right? So, I not only wanted I would say something and not only would Andy answer it and have it done, she'd have a spreadsheet and a schedule for it. So, the third wish was obviously granted that that Genie the

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Bama still have it. But uh the wishes stopped because uh I don't think a superintendent would need any more than a great board, a great community and a great assistant superintendent who when I tell you that she reinvented herself year after year after year and her

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journey was probably as uh challenging as Diana's. It wasn't certainly the traditional journey, but she created that pathway making herself such a valuable asset to not only the administration, to the board, her fellow

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administrators, but teachers and staff and the community. So, as a graduate, she proudly wore her jacket. When her heating wasn't working, she made sure she had a letter jacket. And I think when the air condition was working, you were wearing the jacket. But I want to

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say uh you know words are really hard to define the impact of all of you because your impact impact exponentially year after year after year. It's not until children grow up and reflect some of us

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slow down and reflect. Um and I know as we reflect the loss of all of you and of course we know that we're in a better place because of you. places. We miss all of you and we're going to miss all

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you count. >> [clears throat] >> Oh, this is a super Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. It's almost like

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[laughter] [music] [applause] Yeah. Heat. area. [applause] [music] Congratulations to all our retirees. And again, I'd also like to thank um Janine

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Kuspki, the executive assistant to Dr. Zakowski, who put the presentation together. [applause] report a minute. >> Yeah. >> To go. >> Yeah. Wow.

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>> The position's open. position's yours. >> Well, I think we could probably continue um with the rest of our meeting. On behalf of the board of education, I just wanted to uh congratulate all of our retirees.

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It was so wonderful seeing such a filled audience celebrating so many years of service to our district. Um, you know, part of the reason why I came back to serve the district was the amazing education that I received. So, someone like, uh, you know, a Candy Hoffman, um,

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she was my seventh grade science teacher. Um, someone like an Anne Rockenstein, who, you know, is one of my, um, parent friends through one of my friends that I went to high school with, Alexa. Um, you know, going into the guidance office in high school. Um, you know, seeing Miss someone like a Mrs.

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Whan who, you know, I I got to know her children growing up and got to know her. It's just so wonderful to see all of the people that have made such an impact in students lives um continuing years after year um you know move on to the next

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chapter of their lives into retirement. So on behalf of the board of education, I just wanted to give everyone one last congratulations. But Amy, we will be celebrating you a little bit more at your last meeting. So congratulations everyone. >> [applause] >> All right. Well, we have a couple of

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things to get to on our agenda tonight. So, um, Mr. Wen, would you please take item number six, meeting minutes? >> Sure. Like to make a motion to approve the following board minutes, regular public meeting minutes, June 3rd, 2026.

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That's it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Is anyone opposed? The minutes are accepted. >> Thank you. Um, Dr. Zakowski, assuming we have no communications, we could probably just jump over to your report. >> Yes. Uh, thank you, Madam President. And

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we do have communications, but uh, because the nature of the communications to my email, we forward, we try to forward the answers and some parents have communicated very positive things, some questions that I had responded to and but because it names names, we we

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don't I won't read it, but I didn't want you to think that it was, you know, you get communication. So we get it all the time and we want to thank all the families that reach out and thank us and also challenge us uh for various uh things like budgetary uh considerations

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and we do appreciate it and I try to get back to all the parents and through the communication in a timely manner. But uh madame president um I just want to mention that we had a wonderful graduation at Jersey Mike Stadium the former rack the class of 2026. Uh what a

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uh really marked the 52nd commencement ceremony, but what a wonderful ceremony. Uh it was truly we truly proud of our graduates. They really focus on the timely speeches and meaningful and the behavior was second to none. And I but the reason why I mentioned it was this

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past Monday. It was supposed to be Friday, but due to various things only one mention of the Transformers um that we had to move graduation from Friday to Monday. But we had project graduation last Saturday pre prior to the gra uh graduation on at Jersey

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Mike's. And the reason I bring that up is our principal Mike Michael Neller mentioned this. What a really nice class it uh was is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye because they were such a wonderful class but u and we'll miss them but you know we want to push them

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on their way because it's just another step in their journey. So we and project graduation was no different even though early morning am and uh Dr. Patel could tell you you know she had to graduate early morning uh arrival from project

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graduation but they were uh truly they comported themselves in a way that we expect our graduates and and project graduation was as successful as our graduation. So, and speaking of success, you heard from our principal or a few

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others that mentioned that our senior prom was at the Imperia right on Eastn Avenue on June 5th and it was not only a success where everyone had a great time and Mr. Brown was the DJ and then, you know, I talked to spoke to his daughter who's a senior. I said, "How do you feel your dad's DJ in Prime?" She loved it.

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The [laughter] kids loved it. Uh so, uh thank you. Shout out to uh Tony Brown and for doing a great job and and to his daughter for uh being a good sport about it. But the but we received so many compliments by the staff of that wow this is a really nice class and they

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they said many of the students uh uh were respectful well behaved and that doesn't always isn't always the case at senior prom. So just something small but that goes a long way when uh adults recognize I think uh our behaviors and

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and in the senior class. Um cuz we do have you know in an audience we do have a senior who's right back from Columbus, Ohio. She sat here right here on the uh day. It's not too long ago. Megan Keith. I recognize your mom. Hi Megan. [laughter] How are you? We miss your class too but it was a little bit

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bigger. It took a little bit longer for graduation. So I heard um saying all that our environmental science department at the high school partnered with the great whale conservatory on an incredible project. Our high school is the only high school in the country collaborating with this

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organization. Now what did it what did they do? Students created a life lifesize inflatable replica of a great whale scaled to 50 ft so it could fit on the stage. the Jud Elementary students, fourth grade students visit the exhibit

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and learn from our high school students through engaging presentations about the well. So, it was a great recognition, something that, you know, we have such a versatile students. They're so authentic and some great things that are that are going on and I wanted to give them a

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shout out even though it's the end of the year and sometimes people get focused on the next year, but some great things uh continue in our schools right up to the last moment. I do know our members of our Lynwood administration team visited our fourth graders, Jud, John Adams, Parson's LP to discuss the

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upcoming transition. Um, they were prepping them, getting kids excited. Uh, and um, it's really uh, unique spending all these years when Lynwood was sixth through 8th and now I see fifth and sixth graders. What a difference. You know, it's like an extension of our

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elementary schools. And um, Jay, Mr. Shorter and his team went down and did a great job prepping the fourth graders, getting them all excited for this little transition. Um, also I want to shout out to the community, I mean a municipality, uh, Councilman Rich, Councilwoman

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Hutchinson leading, they were the, uh, co-sponsors of the first annual Junth celebration, uh, which what I thought was the best part of the celebration was a collaborative effort with our all of our principles and students, their artwork, uh, with the township and their

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leadership. Uh, it was a community event, probably the hottest day of the year. I think those who were there u they ran out of lemonade in like so saying all that it was but it was really a nice coming out event featuring music,

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food, activities and booths from local businesses. It really worked well from a forgotten I think holiday of freedom. People forget that, you know, long after the Emancipation Proclamation, war was continued to be fought and then in April

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when the war was supposed to be over, months after was fought in Texas and specifically Galveistston. And we also want to thank the mayor setting up with some of our students and we created a relationship with the Galveistston mayor and council woman and we had a podcast

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uh show on channel 15. the ratings were weren't there like when my show was during co but we'll get them up. Um but we had a chance to speak and our students had a chance to speak and we really entered into a a relationship of learning with Galveistston really what

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is Junth um and uh we felt uh very honored to be part of that learning experience. Speaking of um something that's going to happen this week and happen in June, this Friday, June 26th, the 1st, Community Farm Market at Community Center. Uh the event will be

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from 3:00 to 7:00. Come out, check out the local produce and the vendors. The event will take place the last Friday each month through September. So, it's a community center. Uh I guess it's the >> center no community park. >> Community park, sorry. So, uh, it'll be

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the first, uh, last Friday of of each month. So, June 26th and then July, August, and then through September. I do want to say for those who are watching, the crane has been built. [laughter] The Transformers are up. It was really

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unbelievable because um, I I I don't want to jinx anything. The high school does have his history of jinxes and uh but things are going well and if you ever want to see something spectacular go see when they take down the crane and they unassemble it or you know

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re-engineer it. So um just wanted to give everyone that update and of course uh this will conclude the administrative report but I thank this board of ed because we were doing double duty this month. We had extra board meetings. So, thank you board of education members.

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Uh, a full board at the graduation was very impressive. Uh, supporting this district as you always do. So, I want to take time in our last fiscal board meeting of the year. I want to thank you all for uh all the support, not only myself as coming back as superintendent,

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but all you what you do support the students and our staff throughout the school year. So, thank you board members. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes. and thank you for everything that you've done over this last year. Um it is so great to have you back and uh we

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look forward to continuing in just a couple weeks. >> Yes. >> Um all right, we'll jump to our committee reports this evening. We'll start off with human resources. Uh Mr. Lori. >> Thank you, Madam President. And just as a a point of order before I begin, I

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just wanted to make a statement that's saying uh since our last public meeting, uh we lost Anne Casey, who was a longtime educator in our district of several decades and who in her retirement served on this board for uh nearly 20 years ago and uh served a a

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term as president during her tenure. She was a friend to our family since I was in kindergarten. Uh and she'll be missed. So, I just wanted to put that out there. I know she was very active with the NBTa during her time as well. >> Mr. Lori, may I add, she was the board president when I was hired here. That's correct. That was her year. So,

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>> so I just wanted to put that out there. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> The human resources committee met on Tuesday, June 16th to discuss various personnel topics. For those on tonight's agenda who are resigning, the board thanks them for their service and wishes them well. Dr. Sakowski and Mrs. Kea

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updated the committee on the progress of the search for the new Lynwood instructional dean. And Mrs. Nicole Lator, a veteran language arts teacher at Lynwood for the past 18 years, is on tonight's agenda for approval. We congratulate her and look forward to having her in this role. Dr. Zakowski

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and Mrs. Ke also updated the committee on the reassignment of Mrs. Christina Hill as our new transportation dispatcher, as well as a few other administrative reassignments and reclassifications. The board is excited to have such a talented team taking on new and expanded roles starting on July 1st. A few revised and updated job

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descriptions related to these [clears throat] assignments are also on tonight's agenda. There are new staff being hired for the new school year on tonight's agenda as well, and we welcome all to our district and look forward to having you work with us here in North Brunswick. The committee reviewed annual motions such as the 2627 school year coaches for the high school and middle

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school, annual appointments of district and school staff specialists and liaison, as well as updated annual district rates. As of our committee meeting, any remaining vacancies continue to be posted and can be found on our district website, social media pages, and posted in each of our buildings. For any open teaching

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positions, alternate route and traditional route, candidates are both encouraged to apply. We also discussed these vacancies along with current leaves of absences and how those positions may be filled. The committee had their second and final reading of three revised policies, including number 1230 superintendent's duties, 1642

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earned sick leave, and 1643 family leave. And just a a personal note that the June committee meeting marked the last HR committee meeting with Mrs. Kea. And as chair of the committee, uh I just want to add to my report that I want to thank her uh for during all of her stops in

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our district for her non-stop diligence, her perseverance to want to continuously improve and for always putting her hometown stamp on everything she did during her tenure. Wanted to put that out there. Now, I'm not going to be at next month's meeting. So, thank you for everything. That would conclude the report. >> Thank you, Mr. Laori.

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education. Mr. Wen. >> Yes, [clears throat] Madam President. Um the education committee met on Wednesday, June 17th. Um Mrs. Chang provided us with an update on the high impact tutoring grant which our district was not awarded this year. The team will

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be requesting our scores and hope to apply again. She also shared our MAP spring results which showed some promising data specifically that for um K to2 math and reading the district was under 20% needing additional support overall. We are hoping that the new

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curriculum that has been adopted will continue to provide academic gains over the next few years. Results of the MAP assessments will be sent out through Genesis at the high school. They're also looking to migrate from MAP to a programbased benchmark system. um they're looking to use uh common lit and

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for math. Finally, the committee was provided with suspension data across the schools and in the next academic year. This will be provided to the committee monthly. Dr. Johnson provided an update on programs which occurred during the month of June. On 610, there was the uh fourth

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grade pod protector program for Jud students at the high school which featured high school students presenting their protect the environment projects to them. He also provided some links to Junth activities which were planned for 619 and at the high school some activities had already taken place

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earlier through the efforts of studentr run committees. Lastly, he provided the committee with the information regarding the NBT schools summer reading program. The links will be made available on our school schools website soon. Um Dr.

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Harry gave an update on the preliminary 2026 IDEIDA local special education performance report. This year's report focused on several target areas that we need needed to focus on. This is graduation, high school math part

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participation in testing and um lease restrictive environment. Dr. Dr. Harry and his team will be working to review the report and provide the committee with an update regarding um the report at a future committee meeting. Um the committee also reviewed three policies which were being

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abolished and one policy which had a minor wording change. That concludes my report. >> Thank you. Uh business operations, Mr. Carter. >> Uh yes, thank you, Madam President. Uh the business operations committee met on Tuesday, June 16th. Uh we received status updates related to referendum

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upgrades related to the bathrooms, HVAC, the DECtron at the high school pool and final proposals to architectural work. Uh as Dr. Z noted, work is underway to replace the transformer at the high school uh starting as of today. And uh we want to take a second to thank uh

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Rosa and Robin. Uh because of their diligence and thorowness uh we'll be able to cover the expense without having to touch our reserves. Dr. >> Zer, is it okay, Mr. Carter? I would love to uh interject and thank you for a couple minutes. Uh uh I would love to

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ask Robin Campbell our our broker who come on up here Robin that to Robin you know for 23 years before I left this wonderful district during my retirement part I said what

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the district has going for them is we've really worked hard to create partnerships with our vendors and our what we like to call them professional services I shouldn't say vendors And because of these partnerships, they become part of what I like to say the North Brunswick team. And I also would

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love to recognize the other member of that team in a specific area. Miss, we all know Miss Hawk is doing a great job with this referendum work and and leading the during the budget time, but specifically when the transformers went down, this was not only a worried some

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time because we didn't want our students out going on remote learning. They had enough of that through COVID and beyond. We had to get something done. And with Robin's help and and the other second part of that before we turned to Robin

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was the cost of the transformers. We thought it was going to be a couple million dollars out of the taxpayer out of our reserves just to get the transformers replaced. Well, between Mrs. Hawk and Robin continuously bargaining and fighting the insurance companies. Anybody fought an insurance

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company, they know how difficult that is. They were able to secure more than $1.3 million to pay for the rental of transformers. Was it is it higher? Did I miss the number or you you're hiding money from me now? [laughter] $1.3 million. So the taxpayer did not

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have to uh you know and kind of pay for something that uh we felt we pay insurance for. and through Robin's hard work and are continuing working on things like our safety team and work so workman's comp areas working with a new

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lens helping us make sure our sta staff is safe how do we improve things and um working alongside I I like to say with the partner from the district our chief financial officer Miss Hawk that we've been very blessed and very fortunate to

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be able to recover those funds and we miss one day one extra day uh where we had to make up school where we were being told months and I just couldn't accept that in their hard work was able to get the children

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back in school and not bear the cost of outrageous uh dollars over a million dollars 1.3. So Robin, thank you. Rosa, thank you. [applause] You're welcome to say >> um thank I just wanted to say thank you.

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It's truly an honor and I do consider um in a partnership and working with Rosa has been amazing. And I just want to say in the event of this claim whenever we have a claim, especially one of this magnitude, a lot of things can go wrong, right? And a lot of it, a lot of the onus is on how we react. What are our

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first reactions and how we gather our information to support that claim because the insurance companies don't just give money away. And it's just been so wonderful to work with Rosa to work buildings and grounds from step one. We did the right things. We worked together

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and we were able to really secure this, you know, the funds that we needed. So, it is an honor and thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you, Mr. I I appreciate the time. >> Oh, thank you, Dr. Z. Um, on the agenda this evening, you'll find uh finance 4P

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related to the bathroom work under the referendum. Finance 4S related to construction management work under the referendum. Uh, finance 4 MN, and O related to architectural work for rec referendum services. Finance 3, B, C,

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and D related to reserves. Finance 4V 1 through seven related to summer projects to improve flooring, concrete, paving, playgrounds, and painting. And second and final reading for the policy updates under policy 1C. I won't say all the

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numbers of all the policies. [laughter] That concludes my report. Madam President, >> thank you. All right. Uh, negotiations. Dr. Patel, no update at this time. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, all right. So, that concludes our committee reports for the

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evening. Uh, Mr. Lori, would you take item nine, please? >> Thank you, Madam President. I'll make a motion to approve the administrative and committee reports. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Anyone opposed? All the reports are accepted.

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>> Thank you. Um, at this time being that this is a conference and regular meeting combined. Um the board has received the agenda prior to uh this evening's meeting, but we will go through page by page. If any board members have any questions or any comments on anything

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listed on the agenda, this is the time um as we will go through it page by page. So we will start on page three and then jump to four and five. pages six and seven. Again, the board has received the agenda prior to

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tonight's meeting. Any changes um are listed in bold. Okay. Eight and nine. 10 and 11. 12 and 13. 14 and 15,

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16 and 17, 18 and 19, 20 and 21. 22 and 23. Pages 24 and 25. Uh 26 and 27 pages 28

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29. U Madam President, if I may say something for on page 28. >> Yes. um for I I just want to say uh thank you to the gracious person who had uh provided that anonymous donation. I think that is really amazing. Um and it's really speaks volumes of the community members that we have. Um so I

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just wanted to say think did you want to say something Dr. Steve? >> I did want to add so much >> Miss Ke I know it's anonymous. Am I not allowed to reveal? >> Okay, I can't. >> I want to say thank you so much to them as well. So it was really generous.

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>> Okay. Wonderful. Thank you. Um 3031. >> Just a comment to um I just want to confirm the dates on some of these and um take a look at for example uh zip grade the time periods if we can

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just verify that those are accurate >> for page 30. This is great license 76. Yeah, >> a little typo there. >> 50 years. [laughter] >> $300.

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>> Thank you, VP. Pick that one up. >> I didn't pick it up. Usually I'm pick it up. >> So, we'll just note those for amendment. >> Yes. Yes. There'll be clarable hours on um on our minutes. Thank you. >> Thank you. 32

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and 33. Pages 34 and 35. 36 and 37. 38 and 39. [clears throat] 40 and 41,

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42, 43. Pages 44 and 45. 46 47 48 and 49 and wrapping up on 50.

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All right. So, if we jump back to page three, at this time we will have a public session on agenda items only. If anyone from the public would like to speak on agenda items, this is now the time. We just ask that you come up to the podium, state your name, and you'll

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be given three minutes. Seeing and hearing none, can I please have a motion to close the public portion of the meeting? >> So moved. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> anyone opposed? This session is closed. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Singh, would you

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please take item 13? >> Yes, Madam President. I'd like to make a motion to approve the following consent agenda items. Personnel 1 and two, curriculum one and two, miscellaneous, finance items 1 to 4, policy and transportation 1 and two. >> Second.

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>> And we'll do roll call. >> Mr. Carter, >> yes. >> Miss Ceda, >> yes. Miss James, >> yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Dr. Patel, >> yes. >> Mr. Singh, >> yes. >> Miss SA, >> yes. Miss Toe, >> yes. >> And Mr. W. >> Yes. >> All the motions and resolutions are accepted.

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>> Thank you. Okay. [snorts] If we could all jump to page 49 on our agenda. At this time, we'll jump to item 14. We'll have a public session on any matter. If anyone from the public would like to come up and address the board,

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we just ask that you state your name and you'll be given 3 minutes. Good evening everyone. Uh my name is Beth Pasner, president of the North Brunswick Township Education Association. Uh first I'd like to offer congratulations to all of our retirees on the conclusion of their careers here

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at North Brunswick. our student, staff, community. Thank you for your dedication to North Brunswick. Um, I especially want to offer my congratulations to Amy Kea, assistant superintendent. I also will not be at the July uh board meeting, so I have to say it now. Um, she came into her role about um 6 months

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after I came into my role as president. So, we sort of, you know, started our journeys um, you know, together. And, um, you know, she came in with this organizational skill set um, that was just badly needed. Um [laughter] and uh now we have a form email ready to go for

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every possible situation. [laughter] Um so you know we're we're we're ready. Um but most importantly um she brought a much needed compassion um to the position of HR. Um and our staff felt extremely comfortable, maybe sometimes a little too comfortable being able to

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reach out to to Amy. [laughter] Um and um you know but but that's really important right that our staff feels the ability and that comfort level to be able to reach out if they do feel like there's an issue. Um and she made them feel you know extremely comfortable with

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that and I appreciated that so much. Um there were many um mornings Amy and I spent on the phone um together um kind of prepping for what's on the agenda for the day um as she was in the car on the way from you know Delaware. So, um, you know, I will say a little bit I might miss those those morning conversations.

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[laughter] Um, so we would end our conversations though, um, on a Friday, um, usually with I hope I don't talk to you. [laughter] Um, and, um, you know, Amy has been telling everybody, you know, please reach out with any questions. If if you need any help, please reach out. And all

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I have to say about that is please, if anyone has any questions, reach out to Amy. [laughter] Um, you know, because uh, we we do appreciate her her help. Um so um but you know congratulations uh the district will miss you. Um additionally um as you know through NJA

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the NBTa is eligible to apply for over $60,000 worth of grants through PEP and FAST programs each year. The goal of these programs is to involve parents and families in their children's education through programs and events to help improve student achievement and ensure that families feel welcome and connected

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in our schools along with building community support and involvement. This spring, we were able to provide funding for all or part of the following events: NBTMS literacy night, Lynwood and NBTMS art show, the ECC one book project, the kindergarten moving up t-shirts, John

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Adams ice cream bingo, Parson's ice cream bingo, Jud literacy bags event, elementary schools access testing celebrations, Jud's autism awareness event, Lynwood's catastrophic events fair. It's It wasn't as bad as that sounds. [laughter] Um Parson's third annual art night. Um

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NBTHs possibilities signature showcase. Uh elementary schools literacy luau. NBTMS uh STEM at the shore. Lynwood's chips and chat. Uh NBTHs yearbook ad ECC prek prom and NBTHs graduation banners

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for a total of over $21,000 this spring alone. Uh we are looking forward to planning these fun family events for the 26 27th school year. And uh lastly, it's hard to believe summer is actually here. Um although most of our members do in fact uh work uh in the summer. It's a

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misnomer um that that many of us have offer the summer. Um it's always a very special time though for for rejuvenation. Um and so we do wish our students, our staff, the community, the board of ed um a restful um and safe uh summer vacation. Take care.

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>> Thank you so much, Beth. To you as well. >> [applause] >> All right. Anyone else? Okay. Seeing and hearing none, can I please have a motion to close the public portion of the meeting? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.

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>> Anyone opposed? This session is closed. >> Thank you. At this time, we'll motion to go into close session. Vice President James, you want to take the motion? >> Sure. >> Read the whole thing. Whereas section 8 of the open public meeting meetings act chapter 231 public law 1975 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting

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in certain circumstances. And whereas this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presented exist. Now therefore be it resolved by the North Brunswick Township Board of Education that the public shall be excluded from discussion of and action upon the hereafter specified subject matters. The general nature of the subject matter to

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be discussed is as follows. one personnel and two negotiation. It is anticipated at this time that the above stated subject matter shall be public at such time as a need for non-disclosure no longer exists. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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>> Thank you. Can we have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Is anyone opposed? We can go to close session. >> Thank you so much. Motion to return to open session, please. So second. >> Oh. >> Oh my god.

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>> Who's the first one? Dr. Patel. Thank you. [laughter] >> Who was second? >> Steven. Mr. Wen. >> Mr. Wen. >> Mr. Wen. >> All in favor? Anyone opposed? This session is now open. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Mr. Patel, I'd like to call on you for the motion

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that's coming out of close session. >> Yep. To move to approve the sidebar agreement between the North Brunswick Township Board of Education and the North Brunswick Township Education Association for the 2024 2025 contract agreement relative to appendix A1 teacher certified staff salary guide.

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>> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Lori. I'm going to do roll call. Uh Mr. Carter, Missa, Miss James. Yes. >> Mr. Lori, >> yes. >> Dr. Bau, >> yes. >> Mr. Singh, yes. >> Miss SHA, >> yes. >> Mto. >> Yes. >> And Mr. W.

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>> Yes. >> The motion is approved. >> All right. Thank you so much. I'd just like to wish everyone a happy and safe summer. All of our families, our staff. Um, so at this time, we look forward to seeing you in the fall, but at this

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time, we will adjourn our meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? We're turn.