Good evening everyone. We apologize for our interrupted broadcast from last week, but I will now call the meeting to order. The North Hunter and Vorhees Regional High School District Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 is now called to order. In accordance with the requirements of the
open public meeting act uh NJSA 104-6 adequate notice giving the time date location and to the extent known the agenda of this meeting has been posted at the North Hunter High School in Borhees High School provided to the municipal clerks of Bethlehem Township Burrow Town of Clinton Clinton Township
Franklin Township Glengardner Burrow Hampton Brow Hybridge Burough Lebanon Burough Lebanon Township Tudesbury Township and Union Township as well as other interested parties and posted on the legal notices section of the district website. Fire exits are located
in the direction indicated. If alerted to fire, please move in a calm and orderly fashion to the nearest smoke-free exit. Restrooms are located through the doors behind this desk and to the right as indicated. At this time, please silence all cell phones. I do
just want to read the district mission statement. The North Hunteran Vorhees Regional High School District empowers all students through innovative and personalized learning to achieve their full potential, embrace lifelong learning, and contribute responsibly to a changing world. Roll call.
>> Mr. Chapman >> here. >> Mr. Hanley >> here. >> Miss Hint >> here. >> Mr. Lordy >> here. >> Mr. Matthews >> here. >> Miss meappa >> here. >> Mr. Morgan is absent. Miss Reyes >> here. >> Mr. Spanton
>> here. Stein here and Mr. McKisac >> here. We will now conduct flight to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> All right. Um, our last meeting was our work session tonight. So, tonight is our action meeting. Uh, so we will need motions and seconds. Uh, and we will move the items on the agenda tonight. Can I get a call for a motion and second
to approve agenda item 4.1, our minutes from June 23rd? Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Brian, thank you. Second, Andrea. Thank you. Any questions or clarifications on those minutes? >> All right. Hearing none. All in favor?
>> I abstensions or opposed? I abstain. >> Oh, abstain, Cynthia. Thank you. Uh, that brings us to our chief school administrators report, Dr. Burgess. >> Thank you, Brendan. I just have a few items I wanted to mention. Um, both North and Bise. Welcome back or welcomed
49 students this year to our extended school year. Uh, it did run from July 6th through this past Friday on July 31st. Students attended programming, all their programming was at 40s with the exception of our career students who were working in our community um, three mornings a week and they were based out of North Hunter. So what we tried to do
instead of running two extended school years this year, we um based everything at Borhees because they had the equipment and the facilities up there um for students with special needs and um it worked great. So having everybody all in one building, we're able to have a lot of um activities and they had a great extended school year.
Our we had a new summer transition program actually that was put into effect. I think I mentioned this in one of my reports, but >> [snorts and cough] >> um our counseling team was offering incoming students the opportunity to come to the school and take a tour and meet with their counselors. We had 184 students participate in the north tours
and 100 students have participated in the Borheis tours and that's there was so much interest they actually had to add um a day to accommodate everybody. So it was great news and well well received. Uh we also had summer camps that um are happening at both schools. I got to see the um bridge building competition at STEM camp last Friday and
that was great um seeing who it's most eighth graders but then they were um competing against the um some more student AP kids. So, it was interesting to see how they came pretty close to what our kids can do. I also did want to mention that, you know, summer is once
we hit August, I feel like it's over because August 17th, we um are have our new staff orientation that starts that week. Um and then our staff inservice is on 8:24 and 8:25. Uh 9th graders are back on the 26th
and then all of our students are back on the 27th. That is the first official day of school, so it will be here before we know it. So, that's all I really have as far as activities. I did want to we have one report um one HIV report um from the
July 28th meeting and that was on so I have a question on that. Was there a long form for that? I don't think I saw that in our folder. >> Um I don't know. I didn't look for it, but >> Okay. >> Yeah, I meant to email you and I completely forgot.
>> That's okay. Yeah, I'll check and if we um I can make sure it's there so you know what it was. Thank you. >> Uh just one clarifying question on your summer update. Do the high schools still do the sort of um that sort of end of
August social for the incoming freshmen? >> They don't do what we we used to have a three-day event called freshman discovery. >> Okay. No, I'm not thinking of that. I kind of remember there being like it was just like an evening social dance. >> They have a move up dance. >> Yeah. Is that what it is? I think the PTSA sponsors.
>> Oh, okay. Got it. >> I'm pretty sure they do. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. I think they do. Yes. Okay. >> I think that's usually in the spring. >> Oh, okay. Got it. Um and then I know you had shared with us um and had spoken
about the monthly school reports with attendance and I can't remember from our working session you actually cited our improvement in our attendance um with the new policy and what was that again um >> so the I'm going to look it up to give
you the exact numbers but I believe we were around four to 5% now >> down from >> down from 14 and I think 21. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Now, I knew I recalled it being significant, but again, just the the
number. So, obviously a a marked improvement there. And what what what's the threshold again? >> 10% is what's considered chronically absent. Um and so our goal is to make sure we're below that and we were far below that. We're at 5.5% at North and 4.7% at Boris. Right.
>> And again, Borise was I think in the 21% range and North was in the 15 and something range. So, it went down significantly. >> All right. Uh, any other questions or clarifications on those items? >> Can I get a motion to affirm the
determination on the HIB incident as reported at the June 23rd board meeting? >> So, move. >> Uh, Tara on the move, Dan on the second. Um, questions, clarifications there. All in favor? >> I >> opposed abstensions.
Okay. Um, >> and then the monthly reports are there. We talked about attendance a little bit, but other questions. >> Any other questions? And >> I just was curious about, you know, the the trend in our what I call our our native population, like our population from within district.
>> Okay. >> Um, so I just looked at like the past couple of years and it's interesting, you know, so um, Gloria's finished with 937 students, North with 1438. And again this is the the native you know the ind district not
the academy students coming I think that number right >> no these numbers do include >> that does include I believe yes >> okay um well so it's interesting because we >> now you know half of those academy students are our kids that we keep here and the other half are coming from outside of the
>> yeah so from last year north's actually went up six students from that last year >> yeah it's sort of been flat I mean we haven't seen um a huge decrease um if you if you're talking our native population, right? Students that our footprint um that has been reduced
significantly, but themies have sort of kept us flat over the last couple. >> Yeah, the VOE has dropped 23. So, but combined, you know, it's pretty flat. It's just interesting to me that >> Well, and that is one of our concerns with the the [snorts] full-time program
here at North, right? You know, is having more students come down here is going to impact 40's population versus north might go up a little bit. 40s might go down a little bit, >> but we're going to keep an eye on that and we're going to talk about, you know, possibly partnering with Polytech for
others [snorts] as well. >> And last year, I sort of recall we had about 70 some odd students coming through the full-time poly tech program. I think that number >> and do we have a sense of where that number is coming into this year?
the last the last I got the numbers it was about the same. >> Okay. >> Um >> but it was you know so now two cohorts has moved out >> but I but I do believe they've at least accepted a handful more of students that are past the deadline because they're trying to fill some seats. Okay. >> They usually reach out to us to make sure we can accommodate that.
>> Okay. >> I know Mike has been working with them. >> Is there another program that's opening this year >> or or they're expanding it I guess? >> Yes. yours in >> this one. It's not advanced
manufacturing. It's plumbing in HBAC. >> So there might >> So there might be some new students there. Again, when they open a new cohort, it's a cohort of about 25 students. So >> Okay. Um All right. I think that's all
we have on your report. >> Yes, that's all I have. Thank you. >> Updates on my report. We have our upcoming board meetings at 7 o'clock, August 18th for our working session, August 25th on our regular board meeting. Uh we do have our NJ uh SBA
workshop October 9th through 22nd. I think currently uh Tara and myself are slated to go. I think uh Nicole was was leaning that way. Uh, also, uh, I do just want to remind the public that we will have a ballot question this fall,
uh, to accept Bloomsberry as a new member in our, uh, sending footprint um, officially. So, uh, stay tuned for more information on that. Um, but just be aware that it will be there. And I just want to take this opportunity to welcome Joe Rosselli from Shank Price, our new
general counsel. I know many of us had the opportunity to interview and meet with him during that process. Uh but he wanted to come out and sort of officially, you know, say hi to everybody and and come to a meeting. Uh so we look forward to your partnership. >> Welcome. >> Thank you.
>> Um all right. We now have our opportunity for public comment. During this portion of the meeting, the public is invited to address the board of education with comments. You are requested to sign the register provided and to state your name, municipality of residence, group affiliation if
applicable and direct your comments to the school board president. While all comments will be considered by the board of education and a response may be forthcoming if and when appropriate, individual school board members may not respond to the speakers at the time of their appearance. The public comment
period will be a maximum of 30 minutes in length unless there are unusual circumstances. You'll be allowed allocated three minutes to speak and no one will be permitted to speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic topic [snorts] have been heard. Please keep
your comments respectful and non-defamy and maintain the [clears throat] level of decorum appropriate to a public meeting where students may be present in in the audience. Uh do we have anyone in the audience who would like to make a public comment at this time?
Okay. Uh, having no comment, we will move to curriculum instruction and technology. Can I get a call for a motion and a second to approve agenda items 81 through 87? Can I get that motion? Dan, can I get that second somewhere? Brian, thank you. Um,
questions or clarifications? I know we had a rundown on these topics in our work session. Are there any additional questions or clarifications? Andrew, >> I wasn't here for the work session. Apologies. I blame on United Airlines. [laughter] >> Um,
something I noticed with A3, which is the out of district placements. So, three of or two of the three out of districtments are from Bloomsbury. >> Yes. Um, so assuming everything passes and they become a member of the
district, I assume that we would no longer need them to be on this agenda to approve if if they're of high school age there. And I I don't know in particular each one of these, but um sometimes we do bring eighth graders from our sending districts up if it's an appropriate placement uh so that we can give them the services that we have in our special
needs programs in their eighth grade year so that they are already accustomed to being here in nth grade year. And are these >> but I believe both of these have been here already and so there aren't here as tuition students because we still have the tuition. >> Are these three all of the out of district placements or are these just ones that
>> I I think this is all the ones we have right now but they do come and go sometimes throughout the year so we might have other people with interest. Um I I know we had some graduate last year so that >> any other questions or clarifications? All in favor?
abstensions or nos. I'm all in favor, but I will abstain from the first student RS13 on the sending list. >> Um, all right. That brings us to policy and school security. Can I get a call for a motion and second to approve
agenda items 91? Can I get that motion, Tara? Thank you. >> Can I get that second? Andrew, thank you. Um, if you recall, uh, we had our discussion. This is our first reading of the policy regarding internet enabled devices or cell phones regarding the new
law uh that New Jersey schools have to implement in September. Um we had a look in conversation on that initial policy. We'll read it again a second time to make it official in August. Uh additionally there will be or is was in
progress um the uh regulations that would be implemented at each building. I don't know if there's any new or different from when we discussed it the other week. >> There is not. We're actually going to meet uh Thursday and um that's one of our main topics to discuss. So, make sure we have the regulation ready and
have come to you for a second reading of the policy. >> Any questions or clarifications from anyone else? Stephen, >> so the this policy, right, was what we and it was from that build your own polic like where you check off this is what we're going to choose and that was the only choice really for the policy
was what we choose to do with the phones as far as placement like they're going to go off in a backpack and everything else was pretty much just regulation regulatory. >> Most of the check offs are in regulation. >> Okay. >> Um the policy um did have one optional
thing about a supervising staff member submitting a request for internet enabled device accommodations for students. We didn't choose to add that to the language because we felt like it was inherently yellow. So, >> okay. >> But that was the only that was the only option on the policy itself. But that's not included in here.
>> Thank you. >> Yeah. I think like every other district in the state, everyone will be just curious to see how the roll out goes. >> Yeah. And that's implementation is going to be the hard part of this. It's going to be the um first three weeks of school and see how they get used to it. Is
there any sort of consensus among superintendent about the best way to roll uh roll this out or enforce it? I mean I I I know there are pouches you can put phones in. I know you know sometimes you use like the shoe organizer in the classroom. >> Yep. So there there there is no
consensus amongst everybody but I will say there is some consensus um in regards to um the phones have to be turned away and stored turned off and stored throughout the day. Um, there are some districts that are still doing carts, I believe, where the students will come in their
classroom, take it out of their backpack, put it in a cart. Um, and that way if they had to do an emergency evacuation, teacher can grab a set of phones, bring them with them to the so students can get them. >> I know other schools are making them put them in their lockers. I know another high school in our county is putting
them in their lockers. Um, another one smaller high school in our county is actually collecting them all at the beginning of the day in a main office and putting them in the rack. Um, you know, neither of our schools, I don't think, are just based on our size. Um, we're going to go with the, you know, it has to be away and off in your backpack
or locker, stored somewhere securely. Um, and then that's how we're going to handle it. >> I think that's, >> you know, in the end, I think once the students get used to it, I think we'll be we'll be okay with it. But, you know, we have to see how it plays out. And again, we can pivot and make changes if
we need to as we're doing. I I don't I didn't want to buy a lot of equipment. you know, some of those pouches are really expensive. We're going to want to buy a lot of equipment that we end up not using anyway. >> So, >> and I kind of remember Rich, you made the point at the working session that as this rolls forward, it will be the only
reality that students know coming into high school. So, there's a there's sort of a growing comfort and familiarity with that as well. >> But the policy here is based on a law that was passed, you know, by the by the state. So, we're basically following that state law through adopting this
polic and regulation will be the that's what's coming next. >> One followup. >> So my understanding and this may be only to Borhees is that the students don't really use their lockers. Is that >> they don't in either building? >> Yeah. I didn't know if that wasn't universal or just
>> I will say um as I walk around in the summer I have seen the lockers are all being recoded and um cleaned up nicely so that students will have the ability to use them. But again, if they're carrying their backpack and they have their phone turned off and it's in their backpack, that's all we're asking. Um,
and so as long as that somebody doesn't see it out in passing time or at lunchtime or at study halls or I mean right now they're not allowed to have it out in class anyway. So that's not going to change. It's really going to be instructional times that we have to monitor and it's
going to it's going to be harder >> like at lunchtime because I assume their backpacks if they don't use the locker then their backpacks are with them all the time. And in an emergency, do they usually bring their backpacks, take their backpacks out of the building with them or they >> So that depends on the emergency. Um there are times that you know the police
then again we we go by um whatever advice we get from the police force at that time depending on the type of threat they might say leave their backpacks there. Um if they did, you know, get everybody outside, get them safe or move them to the location where it is safe. Um once it's cleared, we can
usually send them back in to get their their stuff. If there [snorts] was a situation where we couldn't clear it quick enough and we had to get students off campus, that would be the only time that that would become an issue. And at that point, we would come up with a, you know, a a
process to be able to allow students to come back in once it was clear to get their >> and and how different would that really be from any situation that might arise without the policy? Because you're not going to have every kid walking around with the cell phone in their hand all the time. Like chances are >> even without this policy there would be
kids that have cell phones in their backpacks because they're in in class and they >> and all their other stuff that they keep in their backpacks would be there anyway like their Chromebook and you know any other you know you know graphing calculators things of that nature would still be there. So >> to your point Andrea I would say
probably over the past 15 years as education has become increasingly this versus books the [snorts] lockers have sort of become archaic. >> That was my question. I'm dating myself, boy. I was gonna ask why the kids don't use the lockers. There you go. >> I left I left a note my We went to the
parent teacher and I went we left nice note to my daughter in the locker and my daughter's like, I don't even know where my locker [laughter] is >> or the combination to get the note out. >> What about a winter coat? [laughter] They still wear winter coat. >> They don't. If they do, they wear it all
day. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Oh, >> they're just backpacking off the >> little nomads. >> Yes. >> So, you said they're they're going to store the phones in their bag or whatever for the duration of the fellow bell and and what is the procedure going
to be for the for the watches? If somebody has a watch on, are teachers really going to go around and say, "Take that off?" >> No, they're not going to tell them to take it off, but if they see them doing this with it and playing with it and typing on it, you know, then they're going to say something. And then they're going to say, you know, if I see that arm again, you know, take that watch
again, I'm not going to >> okay it take it. >> So they're not going to tell them to take it off. >> No, because again, we can't tell whether that device is connected to the internet or not. You know, if again we see behaviors that would indicate it is, that's going to be there. >> Sure. >> For sure.
>> And Joe, I imagine you'll be answering all sorts of questions over the next few [laughter] months about this. >> This is the hardest. This is the right thing. So that's >> I I think this is coming out of trend like a lot of things. I I think this is messy. I think the roll out is going to
be sloppy. No fault to the district. I mean, I just think this is the way it's going to be. And I think I mentioned the last time. I think this is not going to be the form factor that it lives in. I think this is the first iteration of it and it's more than likely going to change, >> right? >> So, we'll we'll see how it goes. >> Time will tell.
>> Time will tell. Brian, >> it sounds to me like you could lean into you you're you know the messaging to the students that this is not new to you. It's just you've been doing it in the class which you're in I don't know 80% of the day anyways. It's the other 20%
of the time that's new that this [cough] is new to >> yes >> and kind of lean into that you know so those >> you got used to it in the classroom you know you just get into it now in the hallways as well. The building administration has the class meetings with um the students um first, second or
third day of school usually and um all of those are being planned and one of the big you know pieces of information being shared is the cell phone rules regulations and also you know why you know the rational behind it out there that's big team um agree with that 100% but I think you
know our students they I think they see the merit to not being on their phone all day you know it becomes like an addiction almost they want deeper rabbit. So, >> I think to Brian's point, you're going to see the change in the hallways and in the lunchroom. >> Yeah.
>> So, how how will this be um communicated to the teachers and faculty so that everybody's on the same page because it's almost subjective in regards to what the guidelines really are going to be, whether you keep it in your backpack or keep it in the locker. And to your
point, making sure they're not using it. It's, you know, not connected to the internet, things like that. But um you may come across a situation where it's very subjective. Maybe they're looking at the time and they pressed on their I mean [snorts] I don't have an Apple Watch so I can't really say how it works
but >> yeah I there is going to be some objectivity to it and it's going to be you know there's going to be the discretion of the teacher as well. You know I think if a teacher sees a kid do you know that's different than seeing a kid do this why they're >> right >> you know. So >> so it's going to be discretion it's not
really going to be a specific policy. I mean the the the regulations are going to be um communicated to the teachers. They're going to be able everyone's going to know the expectations in the classroom. Um but again implementing that in each classroom is going to look a little different with each >> you know I hope like in the lunchroom
we'll see more communication between students. I mean I hope that coming from it the observation would be great and >> they'll be able to reconnect person to conversation student to students. I know >> but the research is very clear. This is, you know, when you see a bunch of kids
sitting at a lunch table all on their phone, it's not good for their >> Rich, did you have it? Oh, okay. Any other questions or clarifications? Okay. Uh, all in favor? >> I >> opposed abstensions.
>> Uh, I'm going to abstain from 91. >> Okay. Um, that brings us to finance, facilities, and transportation. Can I get a call for a motion? Second to approve agenda items 101 through 1011. Can I get that motion? Thank you.
Second, Dan. Thank you. Um I know um Katie ran down uh the majority of these items last week. Uh obviously the the bills list and financials reports are updated as of last week. Katie, is there anything more that you would draw [snorts] our attention to as far as the
items that were there or any specific updates? >> The only thing we did add last week we had the ESA grant. we were able to add the IDA that we're receiving for this year just so that we have both of those um entitlement grants approved at the same time because they'll be submitted this week.
>> Okay. Uh questions or clarifications on any of those items. Andrew >> um were the sorry we're on the one with the uh >> 101 through 101. >> Yeah. The banners for wares were they also in the folder? I saw >> he asked if they were ready and they
were not. most likely be here in August, so I didn't miss them. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Rich, >> couple things. Uh on 101 for the grant, so what are the requirements or
is it we we obviously have the 174,250 to spend on the regionalization study, right? But what are the are there any requirements from the district or to uh other than conducting the study? >> Is there any strings attached? >> Money is there to conduct the study. >> Okay. And and how do we what's the next
step? We have to find go out and find a a consulting group to to do it. >> So the next step um board approves everything tonight. Then tomorrow I have to submit the um accepting the application to the state. Um the this is done through the division of consumer affairs. Um so DCA will let us know what
the next steps are if any for them. So we'll be you know on speed dial um to make sure we're you know doing everything correctly. and then we will put out an RFP um for a consultant and then we'll collect responses from that RFP. We'll award that at a future board meeting. They will then do the study
that we're expecting it'll be about 12 months. We're hoping a little less, but we're going to put a um in I think [clears throat] in the RFP we're going to put within the next 12 months. And you know, if I think if they need a little more time, it's not the end of the world with that. But um I want to try to keep it within a
year so we have some answers a year from now. So, is the money sent to the district or is the is the state fund whoever we approve to do the study? >> The way I think I read it was that state sends half the money to us. We contract with the um provider. We pay them
directly then and then at the end of the grant we get the rest of the money. >> We get the reimbursement. >> Okay. So then I guess when the the RFPs come back, >> right? How how are they going to be evaluated? Is any kind of like they already they
[clears throat] know what we have to spend on this? >> Yeah, obviously, >> right? So, like it's like are they all going to submit an RFP for $174,250? >> Yes. >> Am I missing something or >> No, they're probably all going to submit it for exactly. >> That's what I'm saying. >> No, but but you're going to want There's going to be some competition because
they're going to want to secure the >> What do you get for theund >> that's like how do you differentiate when we all know what the pot of money is that we have to >> so the RFP will be you know, um I can share the RFP with you once we have it complete so you know exactly what we're asking them to do. But it's basically
looking at, you know, not only a financial impact but an educational impact of what it would be to have a prek 12 environment and in multiple facets. And then if that's not um practical, what would it be to have additional shared services opportunities within our footprint to be
able to have additional shared services? So, >> excuse me. May I I >> Sir, did you need a water? >> Oh, [laughter] >> you sure we have them in the back? >> We have them in the back as well.
>> I >> Thank you, S. >> Just question. Oh, >> I was just going to say accepting money doesn't mind us anything except doing the stuff. >> Um, you know, the RFP is a separate portion of this that'll be a month or two from now. Um and then the award of the RFP will be a separate thing and then the actual going through the
process of collecting all this information is the last piece and then the report out of it you know so whoever that consultant is they'll be before this board at some point giving you their findings giving you the highlights talking about what their recommendations would be and then that then there's it's not binding at
all. Like we could say all right that's great thanks or we could say we want to do this and everyone else in our sending district say you know we don't want to do it. Um there could be half percentages want to do it, half that don't. There's, you know, there's so many different variables, but we don't know, we can't move forward without the data. That's what this process is
collect. >> Sure. I was just interested in since typically when the RPs come back, we look at the cost kind of taking that factor out. So how are we going to differentiate which one is the best fit for us when we kind of know when they kind of already know what we can >> I think it's value what you're getting
for that. >> So we're going to look at the experience of the consultant. We're going to look at how many other studies they've done for school districts, things of that nature. And so, you know, again, price is not something that an RFP you don't have to go with local. It's not a local situation, but you look at what they're, you know, going to charge you for what they're going to offer you. And most of
the substantial part of this RFP will be what they're going to offer us as far as expertise and chart. >> And when you when we write the RFP, we're going to take into account the cost that's going to cost our district, our administration of added work because, you know, you're going to be
managing it. But do we look at that as part of the >> it's not part of the RFP because the RFP is just for the consultants. So there is there is some overhead that the district takes on you know to make sure this is managed correctly, right? >> Um >> but again that's part of what we you know >> what we do. >> I think it's important enough that's why
I recommended. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And the provider is presumably getting information from all of the respective districts to some degree. Even the so even the districts we have um five districts that are part of this Union,
Franklin, Bloomsberry, Hybridge, >> Clint Township, >> and Clint Township. That's the five. Um but they're going to collect information from all of our Senate districts and all of our footprints. They're going to look at debt service that each district has, which is, you know, how much do they owe on buildings or any kind of other capital projects. They're going to look
at, you know, what their current budget is, what their current staffing is. Um they're going to look at salary guidance. They're going to look at so many different variables and put all that together in a picture and try to determine whether or not this is beneficial. So, >> gotcha. >> And I think the other and I remember
earlier in our conversations around this, we sort of signaled that as a as a board, we just felt it was the fiscally responsible thing to do that the money was being afforded to us so that we were supporting the exploration of the study just to see what we could learn from the
process. I know we have a handful of the other sending districts involved already. My understanding is that if others wanted to join at some point, they still could. Um, and I don't know if your um, you know, your meetings and with the other superintendent can
continue to sort of iterate that invitation to to participate in the study as well. Any other questions on other items from 101 to 101?
I got a couple. Um, >> so on 108, I read these things every month. I got to ask, >> is there any is there any uh professional development that happens outside of Atlantic City? Because it seems [laughter] like
is that the only convention center in the state? I mean, at this point, like >> it might be. I Long Ranch has a pretty good one at um I was at something over the summer at Long Ranch. So, let me just start by saying this. Obviously, everyone should do their professional development. I want everyone to do it.
They should. They're entitled to it. I see that there's board members on here. Obviously, I'm more sympathetic um for them participating because we're all at the end of the day unpaid volunteers. So, that there's a little bit more understanding for me on that. But again, it comes back for me with the same thing
that I just think it should be equal that if we're not going to do one for the students, then I do think that it's disingenuous to pay for uh staff and and board members to be honest with you. So, I'm going to put that out there on 10.8.
Um, >> any other clarifying questions? >> All in favor? >> Opposed or abstensions? >> I'm going to vote no on 108 10 9 and abstain on 1010
and 1011. Cynthia, >> I abstain from 109, 1010, and 1011. >> All right. Community relations and student affairs. Um, I don't think we have any I don't know. Do we have any updates there,
Tara? Maybe last week or the other week. Okay. >> And then once once school starts, >> yeah, it will begin. Uh and I know delegates reports I know Stephen you had sort of alerted us to some of the time frame with some of the um
>> some of the um uh it's escaping me right now >> submitting resolutions >> the two resolutions that we had submitted could you just or Stephen and Tara just sort of explain that process once again in as much as uh I know you're new to it Stephen but for our
benefit >> from what I recall I believe that so the um delegates assembly uh you know you uh every school board can submit their resolutions that they passed for consideration at the delegates assembly
for consideration to be like adopted more so into planning for legislative legisl yeah yeah guided guidance in the legislature for how things are impacting schools and things that they're passing to then have the voice of the schools
that's what they're supposed to be so that helps our voice be heard at the state level other than just sending our resolution to the state which we did but you know that gets like thank you >> right >> come on so you know >> and the two resolutions were >> the two resolutions that we passed one
was uh regarding the transparency of school funding >> and the other was regarding >> the >> yeah know what you say healthare >> yeah and the healthare excessive health care increases that are unmanageable for district statewide. Um,
>> and so the idea here is that beyond our independent resolving it as a singular board, >> the hope is to get more heft and momentum through the delegate assembly. >> Yeah. I I mean other than passing resolutions and saying this is what we
think and whatever, if there's no more behind it, it's just dies here, right? So bringing it forward to having a resolution the goal I I would think the goal of resolution would be to present it to those delegate assemblies for that more impactfulness of the resolution you know
other than just being like this is what we think. So um so yeah >> and then you had mentioned the timeline for that >> uh the Yep. the uh deadline is September 12th for that and that assembly is >> oh November. >> End of November.
>> Yeah. >> Or maybe beginning of December. I have to go look. >> I think it's November. >> Yeah. >> Now is there additional action on our end to in terms of >> we would have to just submit that just submit that resolution to the NGSBA. >> Okay. delegates assembly and then
>> they'll then you know review them and then if there's maybe enough other similar resolutions they'll adopt or or they all be I believe they all get presented and then the vote gets placed on >> they'll probably combine them on whatever the topic is
>> yes similar topics and then >> so yeah >> all right so we're we're poised to be able to forward them at this point or submit them it's is that >> yeah I think I think again they're already We approved them. So, we just have to say, "Yep, >> here they are. >> Let's approve them. Let's send them to
the delegates assembly." >> Okay. >> To further our reach potentially. >> All right. So, fingers crossed [laughter] >> for a bigger voice. >> Right. Yeah. Right there. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. Um, anything else on
delegates or a county? Any news there? >> So, um, I told everybody and you should have gotten in the mail, um, your email September 28th. So, Dr. Dr. Bergax is Burgjax is um one of our panelists. Dr. John Hart from Readington and Dr. Seth Cohen from Clinton will be the advancing
student achievement and curriculum alignment is our our first county meeting. Um and it's going to be held at the Polytech here which will be exciting to showcase um the culinary arts there. And then on October 8th in Somerset County at Somerset Votech in
Bridgewater, Brendan and I are going to be panelists in a round table um with Somerset County's county um meeting and it's strengthening board governance and civility. So if you guys want to come out, it'll be hybrid, too. You can see it online, but if you'd like to come out
and um support us, that would be great. We're panelists. >> We'll do our best. >> We'll do our best. >> All right. Thank you. Um All right. That brings us to I need a call for a motion and second to adopt resolution 072826 for an executive session to discuss
matters reflected in the attached resolution. The board expects to be in executive session for approximately 30 minutes and upon return to public session action will be taken. Can I get that motion? Dan, I saw a second, Mel. Thank you. All in favor? I opposed.
Extensions? None. Okay, we'll be back, please. I get a call for a motion and second to reconvene public session. Can I get the motion? Andrea, thank you. Can I get the second? Brian, thank you. Uh, all in favor? >> I >> I opposed abstensions.
>> All right. Can I get a call for a motion and second to approve agenda items 151 and 152 and to include hand carries if provided? Can I get that motion to open that up? Tara, thank you. Second, Brian, also thank you. Um,
discussion. Oh, wait. No. All in favor? >> No, no, no. We're discussion. Yep. We're in discussion. Uh, questions, clarifications. >> Okay. Uh >> this is on 151. >> Yeah, >> 151 and 152.
>> Okay. Uh real quick on 151. So um on 3.3 uh the appointment of the assistant superintendent. I will say Mr. Kro this has nothing to do with you >> personally your credential.
>> Um >> I'll just say this guys. uh affordability is a is a real issue in the state. Um and it's coming front and center. I think we've all been hit with obstacles
here, specifically the the health insurance situation, which has kind of put us in a tough bind. Um and it doesn't seem like it was a one-time hit. I think it's coming again, right? I I would be stunned if we're not using that waiver again for next school year. Um,
but one of the things that I've realized, you know, talking to people in in my town and I thinking back on my experience in in global politics, I I I I've spoken to officials not just in my town, but many of your other of your towns and uh
adding administration at this point in time, it's just not popular. It's not a popular thing. Um, I think a lot of people are understanding now as the new tax bills have hit throughout the sending districts, uh, they're getting sticker
shock. Um, I I have realized that a lot of people still don't understand how to to decipher their own tax bills. Their first inclination is to point the finger at the at the municipality and say, "Well, we should be driving on gold roads at this point." They don't
understand like that the municipality runs on a fraction of that, right? in Union Township is less than 10%. Uh, and for us, it's the the portion that goes to the regional local schools is over 71%. So, I think just just keep in mind that again, it's nothing against the
candidate at all. Um, I would have liked to see a way to streamline some of the other positions. Um, but I I don't think I'm going to be able to convince you otherwise. But, uh, I just wanted to put it out there that if we were in an environment with compet
competitive elections, I would just tell you guys it's such an unpopular issue at this point, it people would probably lose on this vote alone. And I'm just being honest. Um, so again, I do I think I'm going to convince anybody. No. But um I just wanted to let everyone know
that affordability is an issue and the schools are getting the the lion share of the money which means they get the lion share of attention and scrutiny whether we like it or not. That's what it is and and we are um shepherds for that money here. Um so and we have to
vote the way we feel necessary and vote our conscience. So, but there is a large part of our constituents that wouldn't support something like this when he's talking about seniors, they they they're struggling or if you talk about a portion of the community
that doesn't have children in any of the schools. So, if you really get when you really narrow it down, twothirds of the of the PE people generally speaking say, "I don't want to send this much money to the schools." That's just the reality. So, that's all I got on that. But um
>> yeah. >> Okay. >> Thanks. >> Additional questions, comments? >> I do struggle with the uh being fiscally responsible, you know, and um do I think and believe that um Greg would be
amazing in the role of superintendent. >> Oh, >> did I say Greg? [laughter] >> My apologies. um the candidate. Um however, it's it's no uh reflection of any of the candidates.
What whoever the candidate would be for the position um just being fiscally responsible with right now we're in a crisis and we've managed to run the district without an assistant superintendent um with assistant superintendent acting
as a superintendent for a number of years. So really just working on one so-called superintendent, you know, um right now I think fiscal responsibility, that's where I struggle being fiscally
responsible. No reflection of any candidate to move forward in whatever positions. >> M. Well, I think we got a long list from the superintendent about [clears throat] why this benefits the district and why
the addition of this position is going to open up roles for the superintendent and an assistant superintendent that are going to bring a lot more benefit to the district. Um, I think there's an
opportunity to review that. I don't think that this decision um if it gets implemented is something that is forever set in stone. I think it's a thoughtful board and will continue to be a thoughtful board that can hold the
superintendent and the staff accountable to the deliverables that were told to us. And I think that there will be an opportunity to assess how it's working. Um was this in the best interests of the district? Was this in the best interests
of the students? Um would we now several years down or two years down the road in hindsight, whatever the board determines that hindsight to be, is this a decision that they feel was a good decision because of what's been done with the
position or is there another way to handle it? >> Any additional comments? Um I just want to clarify that this is not an addition. It's been in our budget and it's how the system had operated since what 09 is
when we the board back in '09 implemented an assistant superintendence. So >> 99 >> 99 so it's been so we've been working on this structure um as a district for a long time. Um, and I know that it's even
though you've been able to wear a couple hats and how the circumstances were, um, it's been, you know, a very hard situation that you've been put in. So, um, I I want to just clarify that it's not new. It's not something that we're deciding to add. It's been part of our
structure and how we've worked a large district for a while. Yeah, I think it's fair to say that the role has been there, but we are now filling the role that's been vacant for some time. So, in essence, we are adding
>> we're not adding a new role. The role has existed, but it's been vacant for some time and that we are now filling. So, when I see it as an ad, that's how I that's how I >> because it's currently unfilled. >> It's not considered a new role. No, >> I understand that completely. That's and that's not what my
>> right >> struggle is with. >> Any additional comments? >> Okay. Uh, all in favor? >> Oh, roll call. I always love that one. >> Mr. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Hanley. >> Uh, yes. With an abstain on 213. >> Miss H. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lord. >> Yes. Uh, but I'm voting no on 3.3. Everything else is yes.
>> Mr. Matthews, >> yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Miss Reyes, >> uh, yes on everything except 3.3. No. >> Mr. Spon, >> yes. >> Miss Stein,
>> yes. And Mr. McKis, >> yes. >> Thank you. Motion carried. All right. Um, we have old and new business. I don't know if we had any Well, old business, I know we have an ongoing conversation that I do want to keep at the for regarding the
Bloomsberry question. I know we've kind of keep talking come September back to school night. Uh, communication efforts, some consistent language uh we were talking about to send out to town councils, to our sending footprint
boards. Um, I don't know, you know, what we think. I don't know, Rich, what do you think is the timing on something like that as far as when do we want that consistent message going to the municipality? >> Sooner rather than later because then we're at the mercy of them getting it
out. So, I would have it out or agreed upon what we're going to send to them now or soon. >> So, really look to be drafting that in August and get it have it ready to go by the start of school. That way it can go out to >> sure >> back to school municipalities,
K8s and whatever publications we can push it out to as well. And it's sort of the talking points for us as well. Um in there, Brian, >> and you did forward to us that uh a document that said that kind of we passed some hurdle with the county,
>> correct? >> About sort of Yeah. >> It's going to the state. Yeah. So, it went through the county, goes to the state, and then >> so there's no reason we can't um >> proceed >> be working in parallel to draft or whatever. But but I I guess we need that
hurdle to be passed before we actually implement our communication plan, right? >> You wouldn't want to start communicating something that the state >> tells you actually know. >> I'll defer to Joe on that one
>> or whatever. It's done. Yeah. So, the only thing they're looking at is the language of the actual question that was approved by the county uh you know, superintendent, >> right? >> And the state um commissioner of education, we just need a sign off and it's it's basically a check. Okay.
>> That has to go to the county board of elections now on the ballot. We can start getting our message out. or >> it was Joe and Katie um and myself were on a conference call this morning with Carrie Wright from Bloomsberry and
Superintendent Bloomsberry and they're they're actually going to get information together for us is also involved. They're they're actually going to get us, you know, the they're going to do the the letters and the fact sheets for us and then you want to add
things to it. >> Okay. Yeah, but it'll be consistent between the two. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, so there's not there's I mean very little chance we're going to get tripped up at this point. So, >> just getting the message out there.
>> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh any other items? Yeah. Just a a quick one on the um the cell phone discussion, the the new is um you know I I was thinking you you were talking about you know there's probably going to be a
change in how the the cafeteria looks and everything. Can you can we request that we get like observations you know like the principles or somebody on B you know a month in or two months in is there a big difference from what it was
previous just observation just curious >> what goes smooth where the friction is that kind of stuff >> yeah not the but if students are talking if there's you know [laughter] >> yeah taking the positive if it looks like high school >> I think there might be Yeah, I think
that might be that'd be great. A lot of you know >> even if it's anecdotal from the principles or from whoever observes the >> sitting in you know we also have students too and you know we'll collect feedback from them as well as to how they feel like
it's implemented. Yeah, actually that would be a great perspective to sort of get from them throughout this year, I think, on that. >> When we get the student reps, we could let them know that we're interested. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Great. >> Perfect.
>> Uh any additional items? >> I had two uh just some feedback that I've got from residential well the first part and I mentioned it to Rich. I think there were I know there's two different schools, but I think there's an opportunity here to kind of have more of a consistent message that went out for
the the senior parking and the transportation waiver. I looked at both of them. Um the emails were different. There was different instructions. Like again, I know they're two different schools, but I would like to have if possible a streamlined district email or
communication with the same protocols, the same procedures. I don't know if that's possible. Maybe it is. Maybe it's not, but it just seemed confusing to me. Um, that we would have the same policy, but two different communications and two different uh sets of instructions on how
to sign up and enroll and what you had to do to apply for the permit, etc. So, I don't know if that's an opportunity to streamline the process, but it just seemed a little convoluted to me what I read. I would just say the lived experience of having been a parent, my first two at Vorhees and my third here,
>> like when I had two at Vorhees, I had I was oblivious to the procedures here. >> And then when I had a child here, I knew the procedures here and I was able to, you know, reflectively say, "Oh, well, that was different at Vorhees." But I mean it wasn't consequential for me
because you know it's one child at a time and I don't even know how many parents have a kid at both buildings to your point that would be the stand point that I think you would be easier for us to manage efficiency. Correct. It'd be more efficient on our end not to your point the parents wouldn't know any
different. I'm talking on our end. We're sending two separate sets of communication two separate sets of instructions two separate sets of how to sign up. So, I just thought on our end, it'd be easier to manage if we could get it more concise. I don't know if that's even possible. I'll defer to you guys,
but I just thought that was an opportunity to kind of clean it up. Very similar to when the attendance policy was rolled out, but more, you know, that was a little >> uniform. >> Yeah. A little bit more streamline. Um, this one I got, again, I don't have a
kid here, so I find out a lot of this stuff from from parents. And we we talk about the affordability thing and and a lot of things that come up to me are are what what I like to call hidden taxes to to parents and that's fees and things
that come up that u are not necessarily taxes but you're paying along the way. It's just increased costs. One of the ones that a parent brought up to me was uh this the senior pictures. I don't know what's going on there but I have no idea why those things cost the way they do. Um, I don't know when the
last time we maybe looked at a vendor change or I know um there's people there's professional photographers in each of our communities that maybe have an interest in doing stuff like that. Specifically, they told me uh there's a sitting fee
there was a $50 or $50 and change just a sitting fee. I don't know what the hell that is, but um I actually >> that was if you had to reschedule like if you missed the original, but I don't think that's like a standard >> I I I I know the company's called
Christmas something. I'm not sure. Um uh but when they told me that two 5x10s were $160, I'm like that's tough. >> That's important photography and it's expensive. >> Just something that I'm passing along. I don't know if that's an opportunity to
look at it. Maybe, maybe it is, maybe it's not, but it's some feedback that I got. And then >> it or it may be the the market >> that might be >> it may be. I just don't know the last time it was looked at or maybe we it's an opportunity. Maybe it's not. I'm not sure. Just wanted to bring it to your
attention. Um, and then I a question on the parking that that came up. the transportation waiver and I I I think I know the answer but I think it was unclear to many parents is not applicable for sports
correct meaning like they will not be in compliant if the if the student takes the bus for sports correct >> parking the parking waiver is just to school and from school so >> I don't know if that was understood I don't need to know I I don't know uh I don't have it in front of me if it was
spelled out that way but a couple people had asked me that question so it leads me to believe that there was an opportunity there to maybe clarify that the transportation waiver is not applicable to sports, meaning like you're not ineligible if you take the bus for sports because some people
thought that they would be. >> Does that make sense? >> Just let them know to reach out to your building principles or assistant principles. >> I just want to clarify that. >> And I have a quick question just on the uh portrait thing. When I was in school,
I actually used an outside photographer, um, Bucky Beavers, who does our graduations, but Village Studio in Hybridge, but I didn't use the school one back then. And I'm pretty sure that you don't you're not >> bound to it. You can get a formal portrait and submit to the yearbook. So, we're the students aren't bound to the
contractor that we have come in. It's just easier to set up a schedule and come to the school to do them. But, if you wanted to go to Village Studio and Hybrid, you could go get your senior picture done and Yeah. um and then you know whatever his free market cost is but um but I don't think it's they're
not required >> but the picture in your yearbook if you submit a portrait I mean I think there's criteria for the school picture um other than that >> so there is this is what happens I don't have a kid so so there is an option to have a a portrait not going through the
schools >> good to know >> I mean when we I'm so old when I was in school it's like a it could have been a sketch That's [laughter] And then I do have a piece of new business. So um I know we're working through policy 7250 um uh in regards to
naming school district pol um property. So one of the things that came up in some communication with the attorney and that is that we just want to make sure we we're not opening up the floodgate because there are a lot of distinguished people. So, I started doing research and I'd like to propose and if it's all
right with you, I'll set it all out because I did a lot of research. But that we also maybe um start a North Hunter and Vory's legacy and living history project because I do know like I have a sister-in-law, my sister's sister-in-law is a two-time Olympic athlete. Michelle Smith, my friend's
sister, is a two-time athlete and we do it on a web page. And so I found uh Fanwood has a fabulous um uh thing that emphasizes both recognition and inspiring current students. But we could look at people all of our alumni that
have gone on and done, you know, things in their um business professional life, um whether it's the arts, humanities, patents, you know, attorneys, all these things. But we could have a a landing board and acknowledge these people and it would be inspiring to our students to
see like what goes on after it. but also recognize them without having to name a field or a building. We'll still do a a sports hall of fame. They do that, but this would be an addition to it that we would have categories. >> Yeah. And um and the sites I found I
found like 12 different things throughout the country and three of them are here. Asbury Park has a great one. Glboro does it. The one in Fanwood is fabulous. So um and you know they would put together maybe a a committee like the the um Hall of Famers do. Um and
then there would be criteria for um you know somebody who's published. You know we I know we have lots of authors that are former alumni. So it would be a way to recognize the students and celebrate and then also inspire our current students to see that you know hey here's an alumni and they went on to do these
things or um I don't know what you guys think but I'll send it to you. >> Yeah. Well I think the the community dimension of that I think is very powerful. Yeah. um because that is an opportunity to reach beyond students, beyond parents into the wider community
whether they're still here or have gone elsewhere. I don't know like college and career like to your point the the ability of students, juniors and seniors or anyone to really say like oh these these are the paths that these other people have pursued and what they've
done. I don't know if there's networking potential there. I know we >> Yeah, there potentially is. I mean, that could have a lot of >> So, I'll put my all my thoughts together for you and send you the links to see what the other schools are doing. Um, but then that would be outside of 7250,
which I still think we need to do. And um, you know, somebody like Dave Robbins, he pretty much was the embodied character of our district for over 60 um, years. So, he would be separate. I still think we might want to pursue that
um distinction, but in addition to that, um going forward, we could put a landing page like this and celebrate all of the accomplishments that you know fit the criteria and go through the process of nominating. >> We don't need to pursue the latter in order to pursue the form. >> Correct.
>> No. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Sort of a separate idea. >> Yeah. That's why I wanted to pull it separate from 7250 but have it, you know, created on its own >> because I'm very proud of our district as you guys know. Um, worries and north, it's just near and dear to my heart. But
there are amazing things that are going on that um, our alumni have done that have gotten the foundation here and then gone out into the world, whether it's being an Olympic athlete or, you know, um, curing a disease. Um, I know a lot of our alumni have patents, you know,
they've written books, uh, poetry, you know, um, into movies. We've got some alumni that are, you know, [clears throat] um, actually one of our alumni is, um, in the current, uh, Spider-Man movie right now. So, >> so that's kind of neat stuff.
piggybacking on that just a little bit kind of um I just want to take a moment to recognize um the passing of a former board member Bill Sinc passed away recently. >> Oh, really? >> Um >> he was on the board a few days ago. >> Yeah, I did. >> He was on the board in the early 90s. Um
he was a long-term substitute within the district for 15 or 17 years. Um he's a parent of of a administrator here, former teacher here as well. Um services.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Um, can I get uh if there's nothing else, can I get a call for a motion and second to adjurnn? >> Uh, Merryill. Thank you, Dan. A second. All in favor? >> I opposed extensions. All right, that's
a wrap, folks. Thank you.