like to welcome everyone to our regular meeting Tuesday, September 30th. I'd like to call to order a public meeting notice. The North 1040s Regional High School District Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 is now called to order. In accordance
with the requirements of the Open Public Meeting Act, NJSA 1046, adequate notice giving the time, date, location, and to the extent known for the agenda, this meeting was published by the Hunton County Democrat and the Star Ledger on January 9th, 2025. In addition, notice
of this meeting has been posted at North Hunton High School and Boris High School provided to the municipal clerks of Buffon Township, Califon Burrow, Town of Clinton, Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Glengardner Burrow, Hampton Burrow, Hybridge Burough, Lebanon Burough, Lebanon Township, Tukesbury
Township, and Union Township as well as other interested parties and posted on the district website. Fire exit ex exits are located in the directions behi that pointed. If alerted to fire, please move in a calm and orderly fashion to the nearest smokefree exit. Restrooms are located through the doors behind here
and to the right as indicated at this time. Please silence all cell phones. Can we have a roll call, please? Tat. Mr. Chapman here. Dr. Dean here. Miss Gallow here. Miss here. Miss Potran here. Mr. Lorie here. Mr. Mcis
here. Miss Reyes here. Mr. Miss Bon here, Missato here, and Miss here. Can we rise for the flag, please? To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can I have a motion and a second to approve agenda item 4.1, which are the minutes from August 19th, 2025 board meeting? So,
I need to abstain. I need to abstain too, Katie. Got it. Voted yes. We made the motion and it so we have to vote. All in favor? I. Any knees? Abstensions.
I think there's four of us. Thank you. Thank you, Brian. Um, we'd like to move on to our chief school administrative court, Dr. Bers. Thank you, Kim. All right, we'll get the good stuff out of the way first. Uh, congratulations to North Hunter High
School senior Sophia Stacy, who won first place and a $2,000 prize in the NAMI Hunter Expressive Arts Contest for her painting. This contest invited high school students across Hunter County to share original works of art, whether they're paintings, songs, or essays that reflect their thoughts about mental art.
So, congratulations to Sophia for um winning that prize. North High School is also proud to announce North Hunter High School is also proud to announce that senior Joseph Kman has been named a semi- finalist semi- finalist in the 71st annual National
Merit Scholarship Program. Officials from the National Merit Scholarship Program recently released the names of over 16,000 semi-finalists nationwide. That represents less than 1% of US high school seniors. These academically talented students now have the opportunity to continue in the
competition for nearly 7,000 National Merit scholarships worth a combined total of almost $26 million to be awarded in the spring of 2026. So congratulations to Joseph. [Music] And last but certainly not least, um
North and Boyes are also proud to announce that the following seniors have been recognized as commended students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This honor is awarded students who demonstrate exceptional academic progress through their outstanding performance on the PSAT and the M NMSQT
which is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Um congratulations to these individuals these talented students on their well serve well-deserved recognition. From Vorhees we have Anthony Gilo Coo Samantha our
with us tonight. Congratulations and Zavic Zamara. And at North end we have Alex Beswick, Eric Beswick, Mia Hank, Audrey Msavage, Caleb Mormon, Matthew Murray, Moyasaur
of Gonoya, Sanvi Sshin, Samantha Shustak, Ivy Sores, Mason Whitowski, Amber Ransky, and Kevin Zang. And last but not least, our biomed
students were also Chidera Aniso and Natalie Loenstein. So congratulations to all. And the two other things I wanted to mention tonight. On September 17th, the North Hunter and Vorhees High School District held its annual countywide college fair. We had approximately 140
colleges, military, um, universities, and tech schools in attendance. It was once again a great success. The district sends invitations to all of the Hunter County schools, Philisburg High School, Warren Hills High School, and Immaculata High School. And we get hundreds of excited parents and students coming to gather information to see where they
would like to go after graduation um and hopefully open up a new path. And I'd like to um give a shout out to Mike Scorcher for all the hard work he does to organize that. It's a great district-wide event and um a lot of work, but we get a lot of um information out of it for our students. So, thank
you, Mike. And then I just want to mention our career development program at North Hunter High School as well. Um we've expanded this year. We have quite a few businesses that have volunteered to be partners with us. Um the the partnership with local businesses provides our special
education students with valuable hands-on work experience in a local business setting. And some businesses that we are currently partnering with uh are Peterson Farm, the Hunter County Library, Target, Health Quest, Shopright, Chick-fil-A, Lowe's, the Goddard School, Jimmy Rockin,
McDonald's, 39 Mine, Possibilities, Crown Trophy, and Duck Donuts. And I'd like to thank all those businesses cuz without their support, we couldn't provide the um you know, services that we need for our students. So, thank you for your support and um we appreciate it.
So that is all my really good news. And then we have our report on harassment, intimidation, bullying. There was one um report that was founded for all and that you'll be voting on next month when we are affirming that. And then we
have our school bus emergency evacuation drill forms. Um both high schools were able to complete those already. Um you can see those forms there. We have our monthly reports. Um, which again really is the month of August at this point, so not a lot on there yet. Um, and then we have our district goals, and I can read
out these district goals. Um, if you'd like, share it with everybody. Sure. Absolutely. Share with the Um, so these goals were developed um with our entire administrative team. We spent a lot of time looking at our strategic plan, trying to come up with priorities from that strategic plan, and then developing goals that we know we
can accomplish this year in an on an annual basis. The strategic plan is a five-year process, but in order to do that, we're going to take it in chunks each year and hopefully um you know meet those goals um annually so that at the end of that 5 years, we met all the goals that we want to in that plan. So
the first goal we have is by the end of the 2526 school year, we would like to increase staff satisfaction with school climate and support systems through initiatives focused on staff camaraderie, wellness, recognition, and facility improvements. Data from the school climate improvement survey that is conducted annually will will be
analyzed to determine improvements as well as qualitative data collected from the strategic planning advisory committee. Our second goal and these are not in order of priority. These are just you know four goals. So um by June 2026, the district will successfully develop and
begin implementation of a future ready learning framework leading to increased integration of AI tools in instruction and learning and enhanced authentic learning opportunities across all grade levels as measured by curriculum documentation, teacher professional development records, and student
engagement metrics. Our third goal is to enhance the transparency of financial operations to the community by early communication of budget information, establishing budget timelines that are communicated early and regularly, and inclusion of facility project discussions during the funding year 2627
annual budget process. And the last one is by June 2026, the district will implement a multiplatform communication strategy um through our website, social media, newsletters that will increase stakeholder engagement. Again, these are all things that came out of strategic plan, things that we
collected with the um through the survey data and also through the um meetings that we have with our stakeholders. Thank you, Rich. That's my report. I just if appropriate, I just wanted to commend Rich and your team on really
taking that voluminous information and filtering it to those most salient sort of topics. Um, I think they're they're great focus goals and I look forward to the action plans that you'll spell out under them. Thank you. Yes.
Does anyone have any questions or comments? Yeah, I have a question. So I I guess my comment on goal three is I I I don't really understand that and that it it seems more of that it should be standard oper like what are we going to do to enhance transparency of
financial operations to comm to the community by early communication of budget information. It's not happening now. So if you remember that was one of the things that we scored the lowest on in our strategic plan serving survey data. um all these things are happening on the back end, but as far as communicating that and having people have an interest
in it from a financial side, that was that was shown that the community doesn't have all the information they want. They they would want more information. So, we wanted to increase that communication. So, that's that's what we're planning on doing. This is really to um increase the transparency so that the community understands what we do from a budget perspective.
But I guess I just don't understand what we're going to do differently to do that. We're going to communicate more at board meetings. We're going to um develop um um some type of a portal on the or a dashboard um on the website so that we can show what we're doing as far as
facility projects and how we are going through that budget process. Communicate timelines something you were asking for basically presentation being at the March meeting. Yeah, that was another big thing too. Thank you. Um so LA you know for years we have always done our budget presentation in April. Um we but this
year um that was something I know you wanted particularly I think everybody wanted was ours to do our our budget presentation at preliminary budget so that you have the month of March into April to discuss it. Um and so that was again a big change in our practice. I think it um it aligns
with this goal. So yeah accelerating the calendar I I think that's that's great. Yeah. that'll all be partners. For goal four, um can you share with us how that will be measured? Yeah, I think that's going to be again
qualitative data determining whether or not the community feels like communication has become easier or has increased. Um you know, increasing communication doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be better, right? Um and uh you we hear that sometimes too. Sometimes we send too many emails um and it's hard to keep track of, but if you
don't send enough, you're not getting the information out there. So, I think we're going to try to find that balance. Um and also have some static places where people can find the information if they want it instead of just forcing it um on everybody saying here's where it's at. If you want to check in on it on a periodic basis, here's what you can do. And again, I think one of those things
that we're we're going to use the we're dashboard a lot this year. Um but we're going to try to create a dashboard for strategic planning um for these district goals so that we can keep track of our progress with that as well. We had also talked about that for each of the committees that operates that they too
would sort of tend to the relative goal that falls into their area. And actually we began to even though there was nothing to really talk about yet, we sort of established that with the curriculum committee and that future ready framework and being able to report out on that each month sort of holds us
to account as well. Yeah. So, yeah, this is the start of the process right now. Now that we have these, you know, um developed, um we're going to go over board goals in a little bit and I think they align um very well with that. I think, you know, if we're all moving in that same direction, I think we'll be in good shape.
Are we voting on the board goals tonight or how is that are we just discussing them? We're discussing them. I'm share I'll share I your everyone has the board bills but let's get through if Rich is finished I I am yes everyone finished we can
I just had one other question so the the school climate improvement survey what kind of I I never seen it who who does it go out to what kind of questions are asked on it sure it goes out to parents it goes out to students and it goes out to staff um and it asks questions about how satisfied they are with um their school
environment um you know I know the students are nodding their heads Max is nodding his head because I know he's probably seen it seen a lot more than once and I'm I'm sure there's parents that have seen it as well. Um it's um the school climate inventory is a is a survey that was developed by Ruters and Montair University. I believe we've
actually been a part of it since I think it was 2011 when they piloted it in the state. Um at the time it was called the scuba survey if anybody remembers that. And then that turned into a statewide initiative where the state actually said um they were they love the data that they were collecting and they um created
it into a state initiative. And I think most schools use it now. How's it scored? It's a Lyker scale. Reliability. And then there's averages within categories and you can do all kinds of breakouts. You can do um they've actually improved the tool a little bit
over the years where you can do some um strategic goals within the platform. And and is there historically been a decent return like rate response? Yeah, we get a pretty good return response rate. Yeah. It's not very long. So it's not like
cumbersome for a parent. Is it like 10 questions 20 questions? I don't remember the exact amount but I would say somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes. It's been three years since I took it. Yeah.
If you're a parent for How about in community relations maybe we um talked about school climate survey. Perfect. maybe sharing it if there's board members that don't have students in the district, sharing that with them. Perfect. Thank you. So, the students, the parents, and
teachers all get the same survey with the same questions. They're tailored towards those groups, but they're essentially the same questions. Yeah, they're measuring the same things. Sure. I'd like to see it. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Any other comments or questions regarding district?
Yeah. Is it Jessica asked we were voting on them? No, I asked if we were voting on board. Oh, sorry. Never mind. District goals. We don't for the superintendent.
Any other I'm just thinking out loud. Um, with the district goals, um, this might be new business. So, apologize to the fans if I'm not messed up. Um, is it possible
moving forward that when we um when we've approved them that the district goals are on each board agenda, whether it be at the bottom or someplace that's centrally located? It's a great idea. Yeah. And I know you have been linking on your
superintendent report back to goal. So, yes, I need to do that again. Yeah. So, I'm going to continue that. Um, I have a couple different formats we'll talk about, but um, these same ideas. You mean just listing them or having them as a discussion item? No. No.
Like these are just they're always there. Remind us. Front of mind. Yeah. Perfect. Great idea. Yeah. I mean, that was one of the things we um I had I changed our um mission statement at the bottom of my email. That was something I thought was important. We have that at the bottom of
our emails. Make sure we remind ourselves all the time about it. Any other comments? Okay, moving on to um school board president report. Um we would like to welcome our student reps to the board
and I'm I'll have to check on last names. I'm sorry. Um Northunder High School, we have Max Maxwell, is it Skyler? Sclar and Mora Green as our alternate. And for Vory's High School, we have Samantha Ore
and Andrew Bruce. Welcome. We're single. So, why don't we start um can we start with um Vory's High School? Samantha, can you and andrew
give a a little excerpt about yourself, share, and Yeah. So, hi, I'm Sam Moore. I'm super excited to be the boarding student representative this year. My interest in this position actually began when I was in fourth grade. Both my parents are educators and so I went to a numerous
amount of board meetings. Um, and I did see the student representative and I was like, I want to do that one day and now here I am. Um, that's awesome. At Wars, I'm incredibly involved. I'm the drama club stage manager and vice president. I'm the Relay for Life chapter founder at our school. I'm the
Key Club uh Key Club president and the Hebrew Culture Club co-president and I'm a class officer and I'm very excited to be here today. So, thank you all. Hello everybody. My name is Andrew Bruce. I'm a senior at Orbeez in the same class as Sam. I want to thank
everybody for the warm welcome. Um so I'm really excited to be doing this partially because I love helping people and that ties into a lot of my extracurriculars. So already being being able to kind of suggest things to Mr. Peterson and the rest of the Morgan's administration, which are great. Um, and
just kind of voicing their concerns makes me super happy. So I'm really excited for that and to continue doing that with Sam throughout the year. Um, so for school, uh, super super into my business classes. I'd say that's my favorite class. Just wanted to note that. And then out of school, I'm really
into fire department rescue services. So, um, I'm on Cell Branch, which covers Clinton Township and Lebanon Township Fire Department. I also work, um, I do social media marketing, so that takes up a lot of my time. And yeah, welcome to
And Maxwell. Hi everyone. I'm Maxwell Scalar. I'm a senior in North Hendan. Thank you for letting me be here with you all today. Um, I'm a senior class officer as well as part of the biomedical sciences academy at North. I'm also like the other representatives very involved with
the school. I am the president of my school's Roappa History Honor Society as well as heavily involved in our music department. I am the drum major of my school's marching band as well as the vice president of our music honors society. Um, the reason I wanted to be this role is because I've been a class
officer for four years now and I've always made it my mission to like hear the voice of my class and voice their concerns and I felt that this role would be an amazing final step to really make change for that and complete my mission my senior year. Hi everyone, my name is Mara Green. I'm
a North Hendon senior class president. I'm a part of the biomedical sciences academy as well as Max and I would love to be a nurse practitioner one day. Um I am an allround varsity cross country and track runner for all four years of high school. Between my three older siblings
and I we have been a part of North Hunter for 13 consecutive years. I'm the youngest so my mom's awfully sad but um I have a passion for being involved in the school. I'm on a number of leadership committees with planning the
future of the school and the longevity of it and I just want to make it a better place outside here. I know it's your first meeting, but I want to Do you have any updates for us? Anything you'd like to share off the cus cusp this year?
No, no, don't is doing great. We're having a great school year. I'll have a more detailed report next meeting, but um we're really enjoying the school year. Everyone seems to be really happy with some of the positive changes that come along with a new year, so I'll keep you guys posted. Great. Thank you.
Um we're thinking of doing a spirit week next week, so if you would like to tell the students, your kids, or anyone you know to participate, that would be great. Awesome. Thank you, Mora. Thank you. Okay, just an announcement. Um, regular
meeting, uh, Tuesday, October 28th, 7 p.m. here in the district office. Also, NJSBA's workshop 2025, October 20th to 23rd in Atlantic City. And I believe we're signed up as a group, correct? We do have the group rate. We do have the group rate.
Katie, what's the deadline for that? Um, I can send that out to the send Yeah, because they're booking fast the hotels. So, just so everyone stays on top of that, um I have uh just two things that I I I definitely would like
to share. Um one being with Dr. Burjac's putting out the district goals, we went through a strategic plan and we're doing our BOR goals. Um, I'd like to I'm hoping we can put this in committee and
add it to what Rich was doing that we read our vision statement and our mission statement at every board meeting. And maybe it's not just the board president reads it that it goes around the table and we read it but I think we should be we we saying it
speaking it modeling it. So our vision statement is every student empowered for tomorrow and our mission statement is the North Hunter and Vory's Regional High School District empowers all students through innovative and personalized learning to achieve the
full potential, embrace lifelong learning and contribute responsibly for a changing world. And these were new and this came as collaboration from the community, the administrators and the board through the the strategic plan. So
Rich, if you could add that to our and and um Tara, that would be fantastic. You like that idea? I do. It's we should be sharing. We should be speaking at using it, not just on the website.
Um I also um would have a statement. Um this is um my statement. This is not necessarily on behalf of the board or the board's um uh thoughts. Uh, as a school district dedicated to
fostering thoughtful engagement and mutual respect, we recognize the importance of helping students navigate complex events with care and understanding. Recent developments have had a profound impact on many in our our own community, our state, and our nation. This is a time that calls for
steady, compassionate leadership. It is essential that we model respectful communication, especially when perspectives differ. We must also be mindful of the emotional impact on students who may feel underheard or overlooked. Quiet responses do not mean
these moments pass without significance. Remaining true to our shared values means standing against intimidation in any form, encouraging constructive dialogue and promoting an environment free from bias. These principles are not just part of our educational mission.
They are vital to creating a safe and welcoming space for all. [Music] Um, we're going to move on in this part of the meeting. Um, I don't know, as most of you may know, Miss Christina Kagno um submitted her resignation um
from the board. The board accepted that res resignation last month at the August board meeting. So, we immediately advertise vacancy on our uh district website and local papers. seeking interested candidates for the Tukesberry Califon vacancy.
Um, we have two candidates who have submitted, Miss Andrea Stein and Miss Aurora Rodriguez. And forgive me, is it pipeline? Yes. Oh, I I'm excellent. Um, we are going to
move forward with the interview process. So I I'd like to call um Miss uh Andrea Stein first and then we will have Miss Aurora um come to the pulpit and when
you come to the just a little bit about yourself and I'm going to share um uh we will we will start out with a little bit about yourself a few moments share about yourself and then we'll begin with seven questions that were prepared by the NJS
SBA, that's our New Jersey School Boards Association that guides boards of education. There will be no questions to the board. Afterward, you may join the audience while we interview the next candidate. After the process, when we do
go into executive session, we will confer and we will return for nominations and a vote. Okay. So, welcome Andrea Stein. Thank you. Thank you for having me here. Thank you for considering deeply open
boards seat. My name is Andrea and I'm honored to be here tonight to share why I believe I would be a strong candidate in addition and an in addition to the North Hunter and Vorhees board of education. My husband and I have been proud residents of Tukesberry since 2007 and residents of Glen Gardner and
Clinton Township before that. And our three children have attended our local schools. Our oldest, Andrew, graduated from the environmental sciences academy here at Vorhees um and is now studying education at Ruckers. Our daughter, Julia, graduated from Ruckers last year at Vorhees last year and is also at Ruckers, lucky us, and pursuing a degree
in communications. And our youngest Katie is currently a sophomore at Vorhees where she participates in marching band and drama club. My family's experiences across sports, uh, clubs, marching band, music, and drama have given us a deep connection to both Tukesberry and Borhees, and a strong
committing commitment to supporting our public schools. Beyond being a parent, I've been actively involved in the Tukesbury Education Foundation, served on the boards of the Haytown Nursery School, the Education Foundation, the Tukesbury Women's Club, and most importantly, the Tukesbury Board of Education, where I'm currently at the
end of my second term. Um, this work I've served there as president, vice president, as well as a board member. And this work has given me firsthand knowledge of how a board works um and functions and what its responsibilities begin and end and how it can best partner with the administration to serve the students and the community. Um
during my time on the board, I've reviewed multiple budgets, chaired the contract negotiation committees, helped lead the strategic planning process, has resulted in a five-year strategic plan, and which in turn has led plans for us to have a referendum this November. You may have seen some signs and some communication around town about that.
The referendum is there to help us address some long-term maintenance needs, which as many of you probably know, a referendum is one of the best ways for us to do that. Um, and also to um help fund some strategic priorities that were um pointed out during our strategic planning um uh process with
the community. So, in all in doing all that, I bring experience listening carefully, weighing all sides, and making decisions that it's rooted what's best for the students and the community and not my personal interests. Professionally, my background includes project management in information systems where I've led large teams working on development projects. I've
worked with multiple stake letter uh holders all the way from the sea level down to developers and middle managers um and users all to with different priorities to deliver an functioning end product at the end of the day. Um currently I work in sales and marketing
and um and the reason I was attracted this position is because serving on the Tukesbury board of education has really been a wonderful experience for me. I feel that I brought a lot to it and I've enjoyed my work there. I actually considered running for reelection. But as I didn't have children in the district anymore, I thought it was time to allow new voices to join the board.
So when this opportunity came up, I thought here's a chance to continue to do work that I love where I do have a child who's still in the district and I'm actively involved and participate in the community. One of my favorite things lately has been enjoying the Friday night lights at Borhees for football with a marching band in the cheer and then going to see a Rucker football day
game the next day. Um, in short, I feel that I really offer some perspective, experience, and proven leadership, and can really hit the ground running. Um, I have attended the New Jersey School Board um, association workshops for multiple years. I'm up to date on all of my training and education. Um, so I
think that I can come in and really give you what you need to, you know, fill the position and move us forward. Um, I said there's a few questions you don't mind. Um, why do you want to be a board member?
Um, as I said, serving on the Tukesbury board has been a real privilege. It's work that I've enjoyed. I've enjoyed the challenges that it's brought. It hasn't always been easy. Um, but I really felt that it was commun uh contributing to community. Um, I've really felt a passion for the work of education. I'm a
product of public schools on Long Island. My children have all attended the public schools here. We support public educa higher public education in our family. Um, so like I said, it was with regret that my term was ending and I felt that I didn't want to run and uh, you know, when I didn't have a child in
the district, wanted to allow new voices. This opportunity came up and I thought it was the perfect way for me to be able to continue to do that work. Thank you. What specific skills would you bring to the board? Um, as I mentioned, uh, having served on a board before, I'm kind of wellversed
in how a board operates. um what you can and can't do, what falls under your per purview and doesn't. Um I am skilled in um you know listening uh taking synthesizing information from the community also large information that comes in your board folder and helping to work through and kind of and make
decisions. Um in addition to being a project manager as I said what's interesting about project project manager is you're not often responsible for doing the work. You have to manage all the people who either have to give you inputs or do the work or test the work. Um so you know again it's kind of
getting everybody working towards deciding what are the important issues and what your priorities should be and what you should focus on. Thank you. Can you please give specific examples of your ability in interpersonal
relationships and teamwork? Um certainly I mean again uh working as a project manager everything was team- based. Very few of the people that I worked with actually uh I wasn't their manager. They had no uh real incentive or I didn't do the reviews. They didn't
have to do things for me. I had to encourage them to do things for me because um you know, we worked together. They respected me um and and get them to work without having that kind of of I'm your manager, you must do that. Um lately I've uh gotten into marketing and
sales and I work for a boutique um clothing company where I'm talking to customers all day um and uh try and convincing them, working with them on clothing and describing the brand and promoting the v brand. So um that has really in a sense up to my ability to have interpersonal and one-on-one
conversations with people. Thank you. What do you see as the role of a school board member? a school board member. You know, our job is not to do the day-to-day administration of the schools. That's what we have administrators for. Our job is to listen and to help to set policy um and to help
uh you know, in terms um and our thoughts to uh the superintendent and the administrators as they make their decisions. Please describe your previous community or nonprofit experience. Uh certainly as I said I started um when we first moved
into Hunter County we were closer um to the Clinton side. So I uh did some volunteer work with the Huntington Art Museum. Um then once we moved to Tukesberry I volunteered um with the education foundation as a Girl Scout um troop leader and Odyssey of the Mind Leader um I worked as I said at the
education foundation um as their president um and also as a co-chair of their fundraising event the barn dance. Um, in addition, I've been very involved with the Tixbury Women's Club for a number of years, serving on their executive board. Um, that's a community
um group that does a lot of we do fundraising. We do community service uh or events. Um, we help run uh egg hunts. We um you do stockings for the troops. So, it's a service organization. I really enjoy that aspect of it. You
What areas would you like to strengthen in our our district, the North Morris district? So honestly, my children have had wonderful experiences in the district. So I don't come with any sort of uh personal agenda that says something needs to be fixed. So I think that's
something that I would like to listen to the board members here in the community and say what are you bringing? What do you think and see that needs to be fixed? Um and that's kind of, you know, where I stand. As I said, we've had great experiences here. Um and so I wish that that kind of experience for every
student in the district. And lastly, are you aware of the time, training, commitments, and ethic law disclosures required for schoolboard membership? Absolutely. Um I've been many years on those um and I, you know, regularly
attend two uh meetings a month um for the Tukesberry education um serve for the Tukesbury board of ed um and you know, other meetings as needed. So yes, I'm very well aware of the time commitment. It's always something that we've managed to make a priority in my family for me to be able to attend um
these meetings. Thank you. Um thank you so much. Okay. At this time, we'd like to welcome our next candidate, uh Miss Aurora Rodriguez Pipeline. I thought I said it wrong. It's correct.
Absolutely right. Oh, thank you and good evening everyone. Um, I've been a Tukesbury resident for 50 years. That's 50. Um, and there's four generations of my family that have
lived in our home, including my parents. My late husband and I raised two children who graduated from Vorhees. And uh today I'm fortunate to watch six grandchildren um who come to my home on a regular
basis and are growing up in my home as well with deep roots in Tukesbury and more than 35 years of experience. Um, as a founder and CEO of a nonprofit
educational organization, I believe I bring valuable experience and a good perspective to this board. Um, the nonprofit I founded began in Hunton County and through word of mouth
referrals through the years over 35 years has grown to nearly 100 employees and we serve about 1,000 students on a daily basis. I've honed proven skills in
fiscal management, uh, personnel oversight, and developing policies and procedures that respond to the emerging needs of students, their families, and their communities. Every day as a CEO
has required me to champion my organization's mission, lead with enthusiasm, and build strong, effective teams. I also bring expertise as a member parliamentarian
registered with the National Association of Parliamentarians and I would be proud and honored to be a member of this board. have a few few questions for you. Sure. Why do you want to be a board member?
Uh I think as I said I have strong roots in Tukesbury for many years and also my background of experience over 35 years in an educational nonprofit has served
me well as far as my experience, my background, and my ability to do a good job. Thank you. What specific skills would you bring to the board? I know you've you've just shared them if you want to pick a few.
Yes. Um well, as I had already said, but definitely because of my experience um at my u work as a nonprofit educational organization. The skills are certainly
fiscal management, daily goal setting, personnel oversight. Sorry if you can't hear me there. uh developing policies and procedures. Um and we have to make sure that our policies, procedures, our mission and
our goals are constantly changing to the emerging needs of families um and our students so that they're not stagnant and that um we prepare our students for the future. Thank you.
Can you give a few examples of your ability in interpersonal relationships and teamwork? Interpersonal relationships and teamwork. Um, oh, I can think of a great one that um was in my experience when I
worked for AT&T as a district manager for data system support. One of my roles there was to work with multi-million dollar companies. two in particular was Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola.
And my job there was to automate their processes and that made a lot of the employees there who were lifetime employees uh very skeptical and scared about the possibility and the potential that their
job might be eliminated. So um those companies used to be considered cradle to grave companies. Some of you may understand or remember that type of uh philosophy. And
um and the employees were very loyal to the company though and were very much um involved with the integrity of quality of the product that their company set out. So in that role, I had to find a
way to have these employees trust me to be able to impart with the information that they've known for so many years so that I could take that information and then relay it to the program developers in a way that
the program developers would understand it because the employees and the developers really didn't speak the same language even it was English but the language was very very different. So um in order to do that I had to form two
separate teams, the employees and the programmers, but then work them together as one team with trust and respect, you know, coming from both teams to me. And
um I have to say that um that was an incredible experience to me because um it made me be one of the best listeners in my that I know in my entire life. I've really honed in my experience in
being able to listen. Thank you. What do you see as the role of a school board member? kind of a perfect um one of the main roles of a school board member is to be
a good listener. You must listen to all of the stakeholders um not only the community, the parents, um the educators, certainly the students um and to be able to listen and to educate yourself. You may not know
everything about everything, but the point is to become educated so that you can make a good solid decision on what you're voting on and what is so incredibly important to the students of
this district. Thank you. Please describe your previous community or nonprofit experience, which you've already elaborated. I've done that. However, can I add a few
things to that? Um, yeah, I'll just take it from my resume that I already uh handed in. But besides my um professional work as a founder and CEO um of a nonprofit for over, you know, 35 years, I've served as a um vice
president of the Toubury Board of Education. Um, I have served as vice president and acting president of the Hunton County Educational Services Commission here in Hunton County. Uh, the New Jersey School Age Coalition. I
was president there. And the Women's Club of Tukesberry as past president and currently I'm recording secretary. Thank you. What areas would you like to strengthen in our district?
Well, I did read your strategic plan on your website and I I couldn't agree more that um the parts of the plan that I really well I would support the entire plan but certainly improving academic
scores, academic learning opportunities um what is what I also think is um co-curricular programs s and um also strengthening accountability and operations of the district. I saw that
part of the strategic plan and I think I could be very helpful in that because of my experience myself. Thank you. Are you aware of the time training commitments and ethic I'm sorry because
I know you are both of you and ethics law disclosures required for school board membership. Sure. Um I do understand the commitment. I do understand that it's not just attending board meetings but there is a requirement for committees to be on
committees and to attend those meetings and work with those committees as well. Uh I understand that there's a disclosure statement for any type of uh conflict of interest potential. Uh I understand that I have to go through criminal background checks as well as
training and and so forth. you, we'd ask you to join the audience and when we are go to exec session, we will confer and we will then come back to the floor and we will have a uh take
a a nomination for and a vote. At this time, we'll now go into board goals. Um all of everyone on the board had opportunity for the board goals. I asked for everyone's input. I received 11 uh
board members input. I didn't do anything to the input. I put it in the document word for word per board member. The only thing I did not do is name the board member. That is that there's no
need to do that. And I asked you everyone to comment. I put together a document of suggested board goals because they are not board goals until we you know approve accept them. So I asked for feedback. I did get feedback
from Brian and you know what it was fantastic because number three if you look at it Brian noted we should just eliminate number three because it's a duplicate of already on Dr. Bersjack's district goals.
So, does anyone We have to do what you could do. I think you beat to the bottom of that one. Um, does anyone disagree with that? I guess is the question. I just had a question. It's a question.
Anything else? It makes sense. Yeah. I just wonder if there is a role on the board goals to show that we're supporting the district in those in the work that's being done on community
engagement communication. It's a question for the group. I don't know. or do we just eliminate it completely like you're suggesting discussion Brian can tag into that agree that we should sorry like I absolutely certainly I I view that the
we the board should absolutely support actually all the district goals in making them you know be successful. Um and there is a piece of this that was like um you know trying to had a little bit about the board could engage and or it didn't necessarily say board members
but kind of people could get out and and do community engagement more. Okay. So that so I think yes I'm not mean to say actually what I just joke that it's on him or the administration look kind of redundant and we couldn't actually I know we can't control it.
The other three we can kind of control. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that was one everybody I think there was several people um touched base on if you look at number three under the common suggestions um attend community events and increase public input there was a
and a few people tagged on about graduation having that we need to have the board present so is that what you'd like to see yeah I yes I mean I guess that was where I was going with it was what is the what is the board's side or the board's piece
of that because there are certain things that the district won't do and there's certain pieces that we won't do. Maybe we just go back to this one and and flush that out a little bit more. I think that's a great idea. Is anyone disagree with that? I think Beth is spot on.
I there was a few people that that was denoted that. Um, I was thinking that like if we could maybe what what bet has suggested is to kind of keep that rewarded a little bit more so to say what the board can do to help the district to achieve their goals and we
can word it in a way that we're not like taking over the district goals but as a board to try to support the administration to uphold those district goals commitment. Board commitment. Okay, that was a good one. Uh there was also another
suggestion that came in. Um as you remember I sent in a reminder email. This went out in September 2nd. Then I sent a backup to reminder I did when everybody's working. We're busy. Um I did get feedback on number two common
suggestions. It says host retreats and team building sessions. So I had a recom um some someone submit host a retreat in July to do the district goals and board goals.
So it would be another meeting but there would be no action taken and you could do both together. So that's just you know it it I I think it's extending on the host you know host retreats okay well what are we hosting
what kind of retreats do I think we need to be specific any ideas on that would that be in lie of our normal July board meeting or would that be an addition that would be an addition would it be before or after then
that would be the the sitting board would make that decision it's not something you would put in your goal you're just going to you're you're um listing the goal and then you'll I know some boards try to do like workshop like go and since we're going that that's a lot of school boards will
make that everyone goes and we go together and there's the learning opportunities also networking and um you know just working with other boards throughout the state so that a lot of boards I know make workshop as their like retreat like focus on getting the
whole board participation to school boards. So, I think that's something you could as a board moving forward could decide to do. It's 12 people. When have we ever had 12 people? It's hard. It's really hard. I don't think there's more than six
people that have here that have probably gone to school boards. It's hard. It's a, you know, it's a three-day, but but we could put it, we could list it as an an example, but and are we, just remind me, are we allowed to I thought
I knowum, but would we be a quorum if we did an off-site retreat and discuss board goals? Okay. I just wanted to Okay. Nope. Sorry. What was the key that you you said and not take action? Not take action.
Okay. Not take action. Oh. Uh there was another one. Um so under common suggestions everyone there is a it says shift to a committee of the whole model. My favorite bullet
there was well there was that it was a reoccurrence. The question is do you it's not necess it hasn't been decided. So, um, you know, I don't know if you want to
list that if we want to list that as our B goal or just having open-ended discussions as to our com our our uh structure. I think shifting to a committee as a whole is a difficult one to make. Um you
just mentioned the time commitment and the um amount of of responsibility that it takes to be on the board and having 12 professionals along with the other people at this table along with the
public to sit in a meeting for 5 hours and that's minimally 5 hours if we give each committee an hour to speak is unreasonable to ask of anyone. Okay. I I just want to interject. We're having a discussion.
No, no, I know this was in this is great, Jessica. It was in in committee. The board, our function, we drive policy, right? The board can go in and look at our policies and bylaws and we can we can put time set time limits on those. If
you go to a committee as a whole, how many what you're spending on each committee and and you know there's ways to well let's let's all be open. Okay. I'm always open. We're creatures of habit, right? All of us. What's comfortable? We've done this
and I agree. I've done this both ways too a long time. And it's a it's creatures of habit. You get comfortable. But sometimes you got to get uncomfortable to be comfortable. And if we get out of our skin and try something and who's to say and I'm not I'm not saying nay or yay. I'm just I'm I'm
trying to to bring up some some points to you. Um that you can try this and you can always go back. You can try anything once and go back to it. However, when you're asking
12 professionals to dedicate 5 to 6 to 8 hours in a single evening without being delirious after being at work all day and dealing with their families all day. And instead of asking
for a commitment of two hours a week or two hours once a month with plus your pre-work and anything else that you're doing for your committee and then to sit there and turn around and ask us to sit through a board meeting, which we know at times has taken till 1:00 in the
morning, and then start a a a committee meeting at 7:00 at night, and have it run minimally for 5 hours. we're automatically here until midnight. And I can't accept that as an individual or as
I can't support that for any family member or professional sitting at this table. I just think it's too much to ask of an individual when they're already giving their time in other ways to I can just quick question.
So I'm just trying to understand what we're doing today. So no, we're taking what I this is it's it's listed as shift to a committee of the whole model that was a the cons I took these right from the your
documents. So I want to know do we want that listed on there as that because that's saying that you're going to that model. It's saying something to to discuss and I think that's what I'm saying. We don't really have to discuss it and I don't I don't know that it needs
to be on there is what I'm saying. See, I think it's pretty explain the point. The the point is is that we're having this discussion in a public session. When we work in silos in committees, it's not transparent to the community that let's put that out there.
The way in which the committees are organized and how long they're going to be is up to the board. Not to mention, not to mention for those of us on the board that are doing their due diligence, that are watching every single video, clock the hours to that.
Clock the hours to how much you read and do and and go through the folders and you'll come out to about the same if you are doing your due diligence and that. But I'm all I'm saying is I think just to say it won't work and we can't try
it. I think it could set up and and and all I'm saying is if you try it both ways for those of us that have lived it both ways, we're just saying that it's another way. I happen to believe that we all benefit from 12 perspectives. That's
the frame of mind I come from. when I'm watching um a committee meeting with if three people show up or whatever that is, you're offering up to the rest of the board based on three perspectives and it limits the other perspectives from interacting. True.
So, and I happen to believe philosophically that I want to be transparent to my my constituents, not to mention all the constituencies that I'm serving in the seat. So, let's try and throw it out there. And I'm all I'm saying is that we don't have to live it
forever, but it's worth a try in the spirit of full transparency to our Let me ask a question. Well, we're not deciding it tonight. No, no, there's obviously members that want to consider it. So, why can't you just So, I'm So, I it seems like a consensus
to leave it as exploratory. leave it on there that you should keep having the discussion and this can be in committee and discuss it and every committee could to have that discussion in every committee every put it in every committee it's not the worst case theory to put it
in every committee because we're all there and then the chair can report on that and then we can have again that discussion I listen moving forward every year you you you can choose a process and infrastructure and you and
your board and your executive board. Can I that's that that that's we've been doing this and I know Dr. Burjax has done it on board as a whole as well. Can I have a can I ask a question? Um are we setting these goals for now or
are we setting these goals for January? No, these are our goals right now. These are moving. These aren't we didn't do we vote on these goals? We have we talked about them but we didn't vote on these goals. No, we had not voted on. So whose goals what are we
these are we're um discussing again I'm giving a format an opportunity because I shared this with the board on September 2nd. I again went waited for everyone to come in and one person did not respond and everyone else responded. I sent out
another email asking, "Can you please if there's anyone else, just in case you missed it, you're working, please respond." I had two or three people, two people, um Brian was was great. His was great, but um so I did not want to make
that decision to move ahead and say, "Oh, no one responded to me. These are our goals. We're in public. Here we are. Here they are. Let's discuss them. We'll edit them and then we can bring them back to the table next month and they can be, you
know, approval and we're good to go and they'll be posted on the website. So these goals will will become effective January 1st. No, they're effective now. These are goals. They're 25 26. We did not have our goals from our because the strategic
plan was happening. We wanted to roll out. It's a process. The district goals, board goals are are formulate from the strategic plan. So, we waited. We didn't approve the strategic plan until last month, right? So, here we are. Um, do you have a problem with anything on
this except for the one except for that's it. Everything else I have no comment on. Do you have a specific language that you'd like to it would would in that bullet? And honestly, Kim, to be quite honest with you,
my opinion matters for today. you know, I'm not going to be on the board in January, so I don't want to speak and I want to express my opinion as to why I think we shouldn't do it, but other than that, if the board decides as a board to
move forward with it, then so be it. Um, but as a professional who works a job, has a family, and does other community work outside of this board and has other obligations for activities at night,
running around, um, work obligations to, and when we all do, if we're all going in and reviewing the tapes, we do that in our personal time when it's not a scheduled six-hour meeting. those that pre-work is all done on our own on our
personal time how we can fit it in. I understand it's I find it's just a lot to ask. I understand I we understand and everybody everybody has a right to disagree right we agree to disagree and we bring 12 varied you know opinions and
experiences. Um I will leave this then when as exploratory and moving forward as well I would like it to say to say shift I'm going to put it in in the docu the corrections and then we'll we'll we'll
uh bring it to the table and majority no they're not being voted on tonight because um was there uh the only other one was um no that was that was it three uh Oh. Uh,
on one review strategic plan pillars at each meeting. If Dr. Burjax has to do that at each meeting, I think he's going to I think I'll do whatever you need. I I think if can can we accept the the quarterly or do you want to do it?
It seems to me you could rotate through, right? There's six pillars. You can two two one each meeting. Two two or something like that. Okay. One each meeting. Okay. do two per meeting. One pillar or two pillars?
So there's six pillars and there's 12 do. That's only Yeah, there's five pillars. Yeah, because sometimes if July if we don't do a retreat or December could possibly be cancelled. How about one pillar? One to two pillars. How about I come up
with a schedule and I'll share it with all There you go. That's great. Right back on you. Good idea. But that's good because that ties into your evaluation. So that's a good point. And the that was it
the the um oh no there was a question to move and again I don't think these necessarily someone had asked it's they're not in order of importance but if someone if if the board members here feel strongly we
need to have one front and center I mean do we feel that what are you what did you talk about one front and center the order that they're in right now is not necessarily there's an lack order for it they're all important okay Nope. Okay. I just want to make that clear. Um,
and we're good with taking out three. Uh, well, all of three except for those attending the community events participation. I'll do something like that. Okay. I thought it was you you you had said or I heard you say, Kim, it was kind of like uh spin it towards supporting the
administration efforts to do this. Yep. Well, and that is graduation. and all the the the the um activities. Unsung heroes. Unsung heroes. Yes, absolutely. There's
there's a lot of ways we can do that. Okay, that so that I will u make those edits. I will send them out to the board. If you can take a look at those, that would be fantastic. Um any other questions on the board? Go to to clarify. So, you're going to the
intent is to put them on the board. satisfy the agenda for next meeting to vote up or down. Yeah. Okay. And then they'll post them on the website. Will it'll be approved? Boom. Did you have a comment? I was going to say that like if if before the next board meeting, bullet board members want to send in their
comments and thoughts and suggestions and then maybe you can send it out to the board prior to us coming to the table so we can make the adjustments. I can do that so we can approve it. Yes. I I'd like to get them done for next year. So that way we can we've seen them before. Then we can vote on them. That is fantastic.
Okay, at this time we'll have um 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
residents, group affiliations 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 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 will be allocated 3 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 have been heard.
Please keep your comments respectful and non-defamy and maintain the level of decorum appropriate for a public meeting where students may be present and in the audience the board and the board. My name is Megan Bets. I am a resident
and lifetime uh house property owner of Hybridge. Uh I am currently the site director for H Highbridge Elementary School's work family connection. I am an employee of Aurora. Um I just wanted to speak on her
behalf on what a fantastic employer she is and how she leads with integrity. Um she is wonderful with teams. a personal experience. I've worked with her for almost four years now. And by no means
would I ever imagine working side by side with the CEO of the company, a nonforprofit that I was working for, honestly. Um, and she is more than willing to get down in the trenches with you, help you figure out anything, even
if it's small. She is dedicated to education. She's passionate about it. She's dedicated to her community. and she's just somebody I look up to very much. Um, and I just wanted to state that for you guys and uh let you know
that you would be gaining a huge attribute to your board by taking her on. Thank you. My name is Connie Wgera and um I live at 27 Meadow Lane in Tukesberry Township. I
am not speaking as a sitting board member of uh Tukesbury Township. I am speaking as a resident of 30 years of Tukesberry. And I have to say that uh Rory or Aurora
as you know it has been um not only an an inspiration and an incredible person in the uh educational field but when I um because we're a member of clubs together when I've had questions um
about different things or um within the community or whatever she's always there with um with um integrity. with knowledge and um a helping hand. Um this board would do well to um uh
welcome Rory Pipling into your group. Thank you very much. And I have to sign this, right? Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Have a good evening. I apologize for coming in my gym
clothes. My name is Karen Gove. I'm from H Highbridge. I'm speaking as a resident taxpayer um constituent and not as a school board member. Um, I wanted to talk about your suggested goal of a committee of the whole. Um, it doesn't
have to be a goal. It can be something that you just do. Hybrbridge did it and I love it. It's wonderful. Um, when I hear your committee report, sometimes it seems that the committees are diving into things that are more administrative as opposed to governance. um and that
when things are recommended on the agenda, it is obvious that there's a lot of distrust among the board. Um as you stated, um you're only getting three people's perspectives and not 12 people's perspectives. Um it's not going to take
20 hours a week, Jessica. Um it's the the the work meeting is a work meeting and everything's discussed out in the open and then the voting meeting, the action meeting is quick quick because you've already discussed it and it just gets voted on. Um it can help to rein in the board to focus on true governance
items and can promote discussion among all board members. Um also a suggestion about community engagement and communication. Many boards and town councils have two um public comment sections. One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda topics only, so it
usually goes quick and one at the end for other topics. So that's something you might want to think about. Thank you. Thank you. [Music] Hello, my name is one voice for
I'm here as my own valition not any committee or other Um, I just want to echo what's been said about Rory Prop Pipeline. Uh, the time that Rory and I had a chance to work together on different committees and that her experience there
was exemplary. I think you would do really well with having her as a member of your board and I would suggest you consider that. Thank you. Good evening, Madam President. My name is Trish Mahoney and I'm a Tukesberry resident for about 20 years.
I've put four children through the school system 31 through 17 years of age. I've been at Vorhees since 2008 and I'm finally going to graduate this year with the last child. So, I can appreciate all of you sitting here because I've listened to many
different boards over the years for both Tukesberry as well as Vorhees. Um, I'm very active in the community. I'm a past president of the Women's Club of Tukesberry Township. I co-founded the Tukesberry Tree and Monora Lighting. I've done different things in town, but
I've known Rory Pipeline for 15 years. And every time I'm at something, it could be wreaths across America, laying wreaths at the the uh Tukesberry cemeteries. It could be um supporting something on a a county level like national alliance for me mental illness
or safe in Hunteran um local county even statewide projects where there's different groups that collect stockings Christmas time to send to soldiers overseas. Rory is active. She has her ear to the community and all these
things that I'm at I see Rory at. What I want to just stress that she is really quite a catch if she was on this board. She is a dynamo. Her memory also fails her. She left a few things out about her resume and her bio. Um she mentioned for
interpersonal skills to answer your question. She had answered a position that she had, one of her many positions at AT&T, but she failed to mention to the board that she broke the glass ceiling and she was the first female
vice president of AT&T in Basking Ridge. That is impressive. She went on from there to form her own company which she spoke about her nonprofit with 100 100 employees that she runs that specifically started because she wanted to meet the needs of mothers who didn't
know what to do with their children after school and she formed a company uh that would fulfill those needs. Um at one time I know she was in the Tukesberry school system. Um uh I know there's different groups that have uh submitted bids for that and and
it's a complicated process, but uh Rory Rory meets the needs of many different school districts providing after care. So Rory not only knows the school system, understands what parents want from a school system, uh but she's also
uh she has her ear to the community. She her ear to the ground. She she she would be a huge asset to this board. That's all. That's all I'm going to say. Thank you. Do we have any further public comment? Hi, my name is Lea Zango. I am not from
Jukesberry, but um I still got to hear your interviews of both um both candidates. I did not realize that um it was the role of the audience to get up and tell you what we thought. Um so I did just want to make
note, you obviously have a tough decision in front of you guys tonight. Obviously have two um quality individuals that should be for you. Um, but I do want to say that I was incredibly struck by Andrea Stein's experience already in the schoolboard
setting. And I just think from my experience observing and living with schoolboard members that um there is just so much to be said of understanding the role of a school board member um and the the way that um the way that things
work and the way that you operate. And I think that um her experience and her understanding of the way the system works should not be um discredited. So that's all I wanted to share. Yeah. Do we have any further comments? Public
comments. Going once. Going twice. Anyone else to the podium? Okay. Thank you. Thank you all for your comments. Can I um have a motion and a sec?
Oh. Oh, yes. A motion a second to adopt resolution 093025-1 for an executive session to discuss matters reflected in the attached resolution. The board expects to be in executive session for approximately a half hour plus plus or minus and upon
return to public session action will be taken. All in favor? I didn't. Sorry. So moved. Second. Second. Thanks Katie. All in favor? Hi. Hi.
[Music] Need a motion. Second to reconvene public session. Second. I knew I didn't have to look at you. I knew it was coming. Okay, that was Nicole. All in favor? I
[Music] um at this time um we would like to take the agenda out of order. So I would like to um as we would like to take the vote for the board uh to fill a board vacancy so we don't make anyone wait any longer than they have to. So can I I'd like to
move that. Can I have a motion on the floor? Just so moved. Second. Uh 18.3. Yes. moved to vote on 15 18.3 right now. We're taking it out of order. Correct. And that was Sar and Beth. Uh yeah.
Yes. Yes. So, first of all, I'd like to vote. Oh, sorry. Um a roll call. All in favor? All in favor? Hi. Hi.
Okay, thank you. Um, first of all, we would like to thank the candidates. We would like to thank Andrea Stein um and Aurora um Pipeline for coming out um for submitting and uh supporting your
community. Um you ladies are fantastic. like this was amazing to have two candidates come out and just uh put it all out there and we were so impressed. Um but ultimately one person will fill the vacancy but I hope the other person
uh so comes and supports the board and attends and there's other ways to facilitate that. Very appreciative. Um so at this time we are going to take um 18.3 um we are going to take a a vote for to
appoint a candidate for the Califon Burough Tukesbury Township board vacancy through the expiration of the current term on December 31st 2026. Can we start with um Miss Stein?
Point of order. Is does this allow Well, are we making a motion to vote on Stein's nomination? Somebody nominating her. Do you want them to take the mo take the take the nom take the mo make the motion for the nomination? Okay, we need a
motion for a nomination. I'll make the motion to take the vote. Second. In in in terms of procedure, do we No, that's what I was asking Katie. You want you want to vote for each person to go so you can basically vote yes for two people?
No. No, you can only vote for one just like you on the vote at the beginning of the year officers. That's right. The first one to get a majority. First one to get a majority. Right. So, we're taking a vote for Miss Stein at the moment. Okay. Thank you.
You're welcome. Uh Mr. Chapman. Yes, Dr. Deany. Yes, Miss Gallow. No, Miss Hicks. Yes, Miss Kotran. Yes,
Mr. Lordy. No, Mr. McIac. Yes. Miss Reyes, no. Mr. Spanton, yes. Miss Viato, yes. and miss
no double check believe a corum tonight is 5.6 do have 6.5 Yep 6.5 out of 11.2 So motion carries. Okay. So do we need to statuto go
through and do the second roll call? No. Okay. Okay. At this congrat we'd like to congratulate uh Miss Andrea Stein u to the board of education. We welcome you um at this and uh Andrea at this time uh Katie will
reach out to you our BA and go through the process you know your next steps and at next month's board meeting we will have the swearing in. Congratulations. And to Miss Pipeline, it was fantastic meeting you and I think you are just
stupendous and you have great things. I see other great things. You have more to accomplish. So, thank you and hope to see you again. And thank you for being patient. We just had a few. We we condensed just so everyone knows we condensed the
executive session. So we're not going to have a second executive session. We were already there. So it wasn't all we were we although we we enjoyed meeting you. It would be the first time. Thank you so much.
At this time um we'd like to go on to curriculum instruction and technology. Um, I need a motion and a second to approve items 10.1 through 10.4. Where do we have to do the minutes? The report.
Uh, yeah. Number 10. Number 10. Committee report. I'm sorry. It's just a committee report. It's there. I can't see. Didn't see it. I'm sorry. Yes, you're correct. Uh, curriculum instruction and technology Brendan committee report. Yes. Uh, and I apologize, my voice is,
uh, I'm getting the first scratchy thread of the season, so I'll keep it a little bit brief. Um, we met on the 24th. Uh, everybody was in attendance. Um, the first set of items was the um, attendance report with the note that um,
we're still awaiting that first full month of data, our home instruction listings, our outof district placements. um talking about the students that we still send to Central regarding the multi- U
language learners um there, but also the students that we're receiving from our various sending sending districts into our specialized programs, which obviously allow to uh allow us to keep those students in district um while
providing for the the best possible and least restrictive setting for them in our campus. Um, we also had an overview of the mind of the athlete leadership presentations and a summation of the Title 3
consortium with Readington, which has been a long-standing consortium. Um, Rich, what are the specifics of the items that that consortium deals? Professional development, is it is it PD or it's uh supplies for multilingual
multi supply? Okay. Um the committee supported approval of all of those items. The next item of discussion was the new state testing. Uh Rich Broom provided an update regarding the field test that's going to be administered in
a couple of weeks. If you recall, we shifted from the NJ um SLA, NJ GPA, or at least we're in the process of transitioning to new adaptive versions of those tests that will be administered officially in the spring, in March, and
in May. But because it is a new test, they need to field test the items that they would potentially use um or or vet for future validity. Um, so we're required to have our students sit for
that field test. Um, the dates are set. Um, we do not get data back because this is the state validating their own items or the the company validating their own items. We don't get performance data on this. All of that would follow when the
students sit for the actual tests in the spring. This is really for calibration purposes only. Um there was a little bit of a discussion of the attendance policy update uh and the because the data is part of this committee. Um we get the
chronic absence data to track uh with the intention of being able to compare that to historical patterns to see if the changes to the uh attendance policy at what point is it potentially having an impact. And because this was an
action in response to the state's requirement of us addressing chronic absenteeism, we'll continue to keep an eye on that and see if that policy change is having an impact. Um, we had a little bit of a discussion of the strategic curriculum
plan, but really just that at this committee there would be an ongoing space for conversation or updates regarding the strategic curriculum plan. specifically um the future ready learning um kind of framework that we're
hoping to develop the career pathways that we're offering students as well as the well-being and engagement uh feedback and information that we get from students. And then there was a presentation by Rich regarding special ed. That presentation is linked in the agenda. I encourage everyone to look at
it. It's very impressive in terms of um everything from our articulation strategy as students rise up through the elementarymentaries and and middles and come into our building. Um and an overview of all the different levels of services and programs that we provide.
Um very very well documented, very well detailed and a very impressive array of programs and services. Um so that was it. Um, the committee supports the approval of all items. Any questions or discussion?
Any comments? Okay. Now, can I have a a mo um a motion and a second to approve? So moved. Second. Terra and Dan. Thank.
All in favor? I. Any nays? Yeah, I vote no on 10.3, but yes on the others. Thank you. Okay, moving on to the policy and school security committee report.
All right, so the policy and security school committee met on September 22nd. All were in present or all were present, I should say. Um we had a few agenda items. Um, agenda item one was review attendance policy 513 and regulation
513. Rich Burgjax provided an overview of a new attendance policy and regulation. The biggest changes were no longer accepting parent or doctor's notes as locally excused absences. This was done to align with the state um and what the state accepts as unexcused
absence. In order to compensate for that, we increase the amount of unexcused absences before credit is lost in a class from 12 to 16. Any student that has a chronic illness or can just um or can just just reason for absence
due Okay, sorry. Do that again. Student that has a chronic illness or can show just reason for absences due to illness will be reviewed by the principal and exceptions will be made when appropriate so that students um with legitimate illnesses will not be penalized. If a
parent is still not happy with the outcome, there is an attendance appeal committee that will convene to review the information and make a final determination. Um in addition um Mr. uh Scarza had sent another letter um to the
community um kind of outlining the you know the changes and what was um just kind of answering some of the questions that some of the parents and community and staff had. Um the committee decided to continue implementing the current policy but frequent updates will be provided by the superintendent to ensure
that the policy is accomplishing the intended outcomes and that the students are not being unjustly penalized through the implementation. So it will be continue to be reviewed by the OE. Agenda item two um was a regulation 1330
revision. This regulation was revised based on current salaries and now also included applicable employment tax shouldered by the district. The allery rates were updated and some language was changed related to the minimum wage and employment tax addition. The language
used was approved based on feedback from the committee and is reflected um in the regulation. The regulation does not require formal board approval. So language will be changed after the board meeting unless there are any concerns. Um action items is just change language
after the BOE meeting. Um and three agenda three we did discuss committee as a whole. Uh we didn't have much time to discuss this topic but we did start the discussion of what this change would look like in the current structure. Committee members share their experience with this model and others asked
questions for clarification as how the process would work and we will continue discussing going forward. And there's no action on that at this time. Anybody have any questions? Thank you Nicole. Sure.
Um moving on to finance, facilities and transportation. Um committee report Dan. Yes. Um so uh we met this last week and everyone was in attendance. Um
there's a there were a few discussion items. These are items that are forward discussion that we are not acting on but were discussed at the meeting and will and will continue to be discussed as we move forward. One of them was the u we had a guest speaker came in to talk
about the social media litigation. Um uh he gave us an overview of the um potential for us to to join in that litigation. Um at the conclusion of that conversation, it was it was discussed that we needed more information and
wanted to review more of the documents. Also wanted the rest of the board to have an opportunity to review those documents. So, I believe they're on the the the drive now. So, we ask that the rest of the board um look at those documents, review them, have any questions or comments over the next
month before before the next FFT meeting if you could provide your comments or your opinions about that and we can discuss it at the next meeting. Um I'll move over. I know.
The uh the second it discussion item was was a general discussion about extra uh extraordinary aid and it was uh Katie gave us kind of a little um it was a five-year look back to kind of discuss how she comes up with um the um
how she budgets for extraordinary aid. And then what what also she pointed out was the difficulty in in doing that because it as you can see as we looked at it through the five years it changes dramatically from year to year and it's coming down quite a bit. Um so she she's very conservative with that so that
we're not um we don't end up going over. So she's she ends up uh being conservative with her num numbers. Um but it was just so the rest of the board can understand where she she's getting those numbers from. Um we had a discussion about uh senior parking. Uh
Rich Lordy had had asked about um the senior parking fees and uh so we wanted had a discussion about that. Um and Rich uh Burgjax said he would come back with further um analysis and options going into the next year. Uh other potential
options we could do for parking and basically just that we we think it's something that we need to uh discuss further going on. Um uh Beth had brought up an issue with um she was a concern about the traffic and the
um at arrival and dismissal the drop off back up onto 31 uh that was brought to Rich actually had gone to the SRO to discuss with them. Um, this will be an ongoing discussion to figure out uh kind of long-term but uh uh a long-term
solution to the problem. In the short term though, there's discussion about lengthening the the route that the the parents go through the parking lot to kind of pull some of the cars off of Route 31, but it's probably a longer discussion to figure out how to manage
the the amount of cars coming in and out. Taking a tour of the school before they arrive at the drop off point. You'll be going out to You'll be coming up this way around the bend and then you'll circle around through that little secret area that no one knows and then you'll find your way to the front of the school.
It is though. I know. I did in that school line from And it gets really long. No, remember about just Rich was going to check about, you know, making sure that students aren't walking out onto 31. Oh, are kids getting are kids abandoning
and jumping ship on 31 and walking into school from there? It's the other way. It's it's happening at dismissal. Oh, so the parents are saying, "I'm down in the line. Come meet me." It's a combination of the two. And you know, versus drop off where the every
car has people that are getting dropped off. When you've got people coming in, their kid may not be up there, so they're taking up a spot. And so it could be 20 30 minutes before a car actually gets to the front of the building and the kids are just walking down to their parents' cars on 31 which
is which is a liability. That's that makes me nervous. Dr. was aware of that. He said he's going to have somebody stoping it out there to make sure. Okay. I had some other ideas that I'll I'll propose it back to the committee. Send it to Exactly. Perfect. Yeah. Thanks.
Um moving on to the agenda items. Um the agenda. Sorry. Uh so the first item is the uh a wellness grants and these are uh this is a grant that's used for we accept it every year. It's used for programs like nutrition, things like that. It's a all
good stuff. Um the extraordinary aid we approved last meeting. Uh there was a small change from the state. It went up a small amount of money, thousand a little over $1,000 I think it was. Um so we are having to ex accept the revised
number again. Um 123 and 124 are the contracts for the SRO's and the class 3 officers. Uh 125 are change orders for um the uh current construction projects. Uh the D the D window project um you'll
see it says use of allowance. That's and that basically what we're doing is using money that's already um embedded in the contract to get additional doors and hardware done. So basically the project went well and there was money still in the contract and we could use it to get
to doors that we wanted to get done. Um so that was a bonus and and a good thing. Um and then the uh the roofing project there was a basically the closing out of the project. So this is the the the balance coming back to us. So there was a $30,000 balance and that
comes back to uh to the district. Um the rest of the line items are all standard um standard monthlies. Um there was a couple other Oh, just the just a report out that the
erosion project someone had asked when that's happening. Remember there was an issue with erosion in the in the back parking lot at North um that's supposed to be starting in October. um should only take about a month, I think you said, and there's no impact to parking
or traffic. It they'll they'll be relegated to that area where the erosion is happening. So, it shouldn't impact anyone or the new long line of cars coming. Any question? Question on 12.8.
Um line item 0567 and 0568. Um, I'm wondering why it looks like the same event but a different cost. It might be I don't I'm trying to find
it 118 versus 105. Yeah. Yeah. I guess a writing symposium would be the same. It would mileage reimbursement. The mileage reimbursement. They're traveling. And
there's no travel then for the NJC annual some of these are online webinars. Okay. Um like virtual could be virtual. It depends on again I don't have the information in front of me but sometimes it's hard to see the difference right there's travel or not
and even if it's free and there is no travel cost it still has to be approved as a travel expense because yeah I'm not questioning that. I just wondered why it was different for the same thing. But it's travel. You're saying it's mileage. Sure. Right. Mileage is the differences between the
two that are have the same. The ones that are zero cost are typically either online or the vendor has waved all fees. That could be the case. So not a question. I just, you know, I'm on I'm on the FFT and I want to elaborate a little bit about the social
media litigation. I'll speak for myself. My impression is that our committee felt it was a little over our heads. It was like that it like could we decide or even recommend to the board yes we want to get to be part of this litigation or
no we don't. So we we said we'll look at it we'll ask the board the rest of the board to look at the the documents but but I don't think this is an open-ended question. I mean the the the window will close. So um
so you know maybe even without reading it's a lot of information if you want to read the whole thing it's like 500 or something or 300 pages or something like that maybe would like to sponsor some discussion on the board like is this something we want to get behind? Well,
if then I think we should I'd like to just offer if we're going to have discussion about just offer up what kind of the the general explanation of what that what they were talking about. I'm doing it from memory, but they what he was saying was that
this is this is something that's already underway that the litigants are already um in place and are and so we would just be joining class action the class. Yes. And so the the question is, you know, so we wouldn't be front and center. We wouldn't be name named
like we wouldn't be the actual ones that were right. There's a core group that would form, you know, some months ago and the court decided, okay, you you circle of districts. You're the core group. You represent everyone else. Yeah. And and then everyone else kind of
what is the litigation for? It's the idea is to the major social media accounts, Facebook, Snapchat, I don't know, Instagram. Well, why don't we can we ask our our
board secretary to to elaborate because Katie did a good job. She was the one who found it. Let's have Katie Katie, can do you mind sharing what you shared in committee? I can share something briefly, but again, if you want to watch the FFT video, that's really where you find all of the
information, right? But I think he did an excellent job in his 10-minute um spiel. So, it's really, it's not that it's a class action suit. We would have separate litigation for our district against the four major social media
companies, Google, Meta, uh YouTube, and it's all about the algorithms and how they're damaging kids, right? There's districts that are experiencing heavy costs in certain areas to deal with the mental health challenges that students are facing, which we are absolutely one of them. Is it directly correlated to
what they're pointing to in this litigation? Of course, that gets hard to pinpoint, right? But districts have seen an increase in those costs over time. So, this is a way the districts can um go after those companies that are damaging kids in several ways, which is some of it being the algorithms that
they use, some of it's the way they're targeting kids, some of it's the um advertisements that they give them after they've taken a photo of themselves, maybe um portraying them in a way that, you know, could be damaging to their mental health. So, again, I think he does a better job of explaining it than
I do, but that that was a good example when he gave that example. You know, the example was if somebody takes a selfie on their cell phone and deletes it, obviously the company notices that they don't feel good about themselves. Well, what do they do is they give them an ad for face cream or something that you know that
they can sell them to just reinforce that they don't feel good about themselves and that's not okay. So, um we would be taking a stand. So, it's up to you as the board to take that stand or not. But he did not express any negative um aspect to this because we
don't lose money. We don't pay for the legal fees unless you know unless we win. So if there's money to be made, they will make a portion of it, but so will we. So but we would have Sorry if I could add though. Then we have to quantify what our financial damage is and how are we
able to actually attribute the mental health services that are being provided whether to the school district or through our external provider. Are we able to quantify what that is? Because you have to make it very specific to the social media side of it. That's how
these work because I mean Facebook and Meta, whoever, they're not going to just say like, "Oh yes, yes, yes, we've been doing that and just hand this money." They're going to want us to be able to show the financials that are tied. Yes. No. I think their their aim is to end in settlement. It's not to get
No, I know. But you'd still have to have to provide disagree. So, yes. Yes. They want information. Yes, we can give that to them, but you might precisely pinpoint every single student that's been affected. Exactly. No. No. And and again, whatever that amount ends up being, the lawyers will take a
fairly large percentage. typically take about a third when it's for us to win, they need to win as well, of course. Um, and have they seen any verdicts on these or settlements come out of the case yet? Not out of this case as of yet. Again, the Bellweather cases have not
haven't gone anywhere. Haven't gone anywhere yet. What's the deadline? Um, there is not a deadline yet, but they said it is moving through the court. And again, I don't I am not an attorney, so I don't know the exact terminology, but they did think this could in the next few months start to be
seen, which would then they would probably cut off the districts that could then. So, we have a little bit of time. Not much because I don't know. It could change from one day. And sorry, just one follow question. What kind of administrative work would need to be done by the district in order to provide?
It would take some work in the business office to gather some data, but that was something that I've already offered. So, but they also said that they would they would ask the questions and you're just and you're going to provide the information. I need to provide the information. It's not like you're creating. We're not trying to they would they would like
come up with the Right. Right. They've already given me kind of a couple fact sheets that we would have to complete. I have just one question too on the um if we're giving them the data if it's private student information regarding No, it's like generic. Generic. Okay.
I mean just you know my two cents. I mean this is kind of what I do for a living. Deal with class actions deals with deal with bringing you know these types of cases against major companies. And it's a lot of work on the side of the plaintiff. Um, and so I guess my
question to the board is, do we want our first of all, I don't know if we can quantify the amount and is it enough to to to support the work that we're going to ask the BA and the schools and the the service providers to do for us? Um,
and you know, ultimately what if we don't get very much out of it, right? So, I mean, we've got a lot of things going on in the district. Is this going to be the best use of time if we don't know what the verdicts are going to be? So, I just ask everybody to kind of think about
that as well. Well, if everybody could send me their questions or comments and we'll discuss it at the next FFT. Thank you. So, um you make a motion to um separate
12.3 into 12.3A and B to cover the school resource officer and the class 3 special law enforcement contracts and then do the same thing with 12.4. No, I don't think we talked about so moved.
So, we need a second. I think you No, you moved it. Second. Okay. So, we need to have a vote. We both voice agree. Yeah.
Yeah. Okay. Um, all in favor? Yes. Any nays or abstensions? Is are these nays or absentions? Okay. So I have Brian
here. She's checking. So do we want to cover? Do you want to move on all the other agenda items or do we want to now make the motions related to the two? I think she's just tallying it up to see that motion. Yes, it carries. Oh, carries. Okay.
Now Katie, um, in your opinion, do you should we just take them take all now 12.1 through 12.10 and just noting that 12.3 will have an A, B, 12.4 will be A and B. How would you how should we handle that? Fine. We'd like to call for the motion for
12.1 through 12.10, noting that 12.3 is A and B and 12.4. Okay. Uh, can I have a motion and a second to approve agenda items 12.1 through 12 uh10, noting that 12.3 and 12.4 will be separated. We will have
12.3 A and B and 12.4 A and B. Second. just a voice vote. So, how how do you want them to do that though with the voice vote? Should I just separate? Honestly, just say no. Okay.
Okay. All in favor? I Wait, what are we voting to 12.1 to 1210? Oh, as a whole. As a whole, I'll go as a whole.
[Music] And then just wait includes including includes everything as is as plus A and B. They're they're voting yes on everything. They're voting yes on everything A and B.
But you would just say if you want to vote if you want to vote on the separation. I was just clarifying for we're taking 12.1 through 12.10. I noted that 12.3 and 124 would be a and
b both. If you're all in fa if all in favor for all raise your hand, please. Dan. So, I'd like to make another motion. We're still We're still voting. Yeah, we're still voting. We're still voting. Okay.
You want We need just a little clarity. Okay. So now we have to go individually through them. Well, no. I think then if there's needs, you would say um yes except I I'm assuming. Correct. Well, I can take notes. Okay. We can just kind of go through.
We could go through or Yeah. But if anybody has a no or an abstension, just let me know. All right. Let me if it's okay, let me start. It'll it'll clarify. Right. So I am Yes. as to everything except for 12.3A
and 12.4A which will be subject to a motion that I'll make after this. So it's not an A. I guess it's a it's an abstension. No, this is this is an up or down vote. Correct. So okay, I thought we
should I'm confused. That's what I'm having trouble with here. No. So the the way what the board has voted on is to split 12 um 3 and 124 between A and B for up or
down votes on 121 through 1210 and A and B of 12. Yeah, you the motion should be to table table. Well,
motion motion. Yeah. So you So all right. You have a motion on the We have a resend the motion. We have to resend that from the table. Okay. I resend the motion to separate. Wait a second.
I'm very confused. Can I take a for a second? Okay. So there was a motion in the second to to separate the items and that's fine. Separate. The second one was Dan and Nicole saying that they wanted to move the the items and I think maybe that's the one that we want to resend.
I will resend my my motion. Okay. And Nicole. Great. All right. Now they're back. Now you can back. So now wait, we can we can resend a motion after we have already in process. Sure. Actually have the whole meeting. I think
you can look at us. Now you can separate. Okay. Now I'm um it's still separated, right? A separated. Okay. So I'd like to make a
motion to table 12.3A and 12.4A. So moved. No. Second. Oh, second. It's getting late. A motion to take from the table is not a debatable motion, right?
It is. It is. And and the reason for that is it would make no sense. If the motion fails, then you will have had the same debate on the same motion, right, twice. And so there's no need for debate
on a motion to table, which is for now. You're taking it. it will become a a pending motion for a later time. Um, and so you have the motion, you have the second, and now you're disc. Okay. All right.
To table making motion for a second, right? Okay. And we're tableabling 12.3A and 12.4A. I favor. Oh, I thought we don't do we need to vote on We're just voting on table. This is a
vote on tableing. Those two items. Okay. So, I guess I'm going to have more. Do you want to roll comment? Sure. All right. Dr. De. Yes.
[Music] I'm so sorry, Mr. Chap. You're right. No. Noted. Dr. Deany, yes. Miss Gallow, yes. Miss, yes. Miss Potran, yes. Mr. Lordy,
yes. Sorry, Mr. McSac. Yes. Miss Right. Yes. Mr. Spanton, no. Miss Vi, no. And Miss, yes. Motion carries.
Okay. So now now we go now we vote the rest of it. Okay. Do I need to restate the motion and second however since we rescended? Yes. I would for a motion for 12.1.10
with items 12.3 removed 12.4 removed. So I need a motion a second to approve agenda items 12.1 through 12.10 noting 12.3A and 12.4A 4 A have been removed. They've been moved.
Second. All in favor? It's a late. All in favor? I. Any naz or abstensions?
Okay. Okay. Moving on to community relations and student affairs. Um, Tara, did we have a committee report? Sure. Thank you. Um, community relations and student affairs u met on virtually on September 25th at 6 p.m. Um, everyone
was present um except for Dan Stanton and Jessica Viodto. Um, we had two agenda items. The first one that was brought to our attention was um Dr. Burjax opened the meeting by addressing questions um about BH students buying their own tickets for homecoming. A
message had gone out to parents about uh purchasing tickets and it was brought up a discussion to see if the district could fund or gather ideas to offset the costs. Um we noted that historically students have always paid for homecoming and other um activities like that and um
that it teaches them how to fundra for decorations, food, and other expenses. Uh these events are usually put on by the the student you know class officers and other groups. Um and um we um the cast trips and all that they work on uh
life skills on learning how to organize fund and um put on events. Um, we would did ask about um maybe the possibility of looking at um ways to help them fund raise or um Cynthia Reyes brought up
that um maybe we could hold the raffle for tickets for students um so that it wasn't obvious that some students might might not be able to attend if they couldn't um afford the cost and Dr. Burgess reminded us that there's already support in place uh for students who not
cannot afford them. Um so that was reassuring. Um the other thing that came out of that was that you know maybe we can um put towards the board um and look at fundraising ideas from from us from
the board in the future for all these events. Um we agreed that the students should continue to pay for the tickets which teaches them responsibility and fundraising um and that support will remain available for those who can't afford. Um and we came to the conclusion
that we should keep it as it is right now and um not you know fund it as a board or as a school district. Um the other area that came to our attention was brought to my attention actually through constituents
um approximately 3 years ago. The plaques that were in the the hallway before the gym at Warriors were removed and these were the these were at the inception of the school. So people were concerned about the historic and the tradition that was going on. Um but once
it was brought to the attention, Dr. Burgess said that Brian Bowman and um Mr. Peterson are going to be putting together some digital display. It's kind of like a screen that will have all of these accolades. There's the captain awards, the most outstanding in the
different sports um through the years. Um, so once that happens, we'll make an announcement and, you know, celebrate um, the history of the school. Um, so it's not going away. The the way we've had it in the past is gone, but we're going to be able to keep the tradition
um, and the history from 1975 on to now, which is scary to think that it's 50 years because my name used to be up, but anyway. So, um, so that's going to be exciting and I can't wait to see what they've come up with. There was some proposals and, um, it'll be a positive
for for the school district and the Viking history on athletics. Um, and the other one was that was brought up again through the community. Um, and I want to put this into um your uh financing facilities um is that um there were
constituents that are saying that the school um the gas line coming up from Hybrbridge the people that live on the roadway up to Boris are being told that they can't get natural gas unless Boris does something. So I know it had come up
in finance and facilities you know maybe seven years ago when John Mik was uh chairing it. Um so I don't know if we can maybe look at you know is it something that we can look at in the past the cost of retrofitting all of our
systems was prohibitive to that. But I don't want I'd like the constituents to think that we haven't just ignored Elizabeth Town Gas or whatever the gas system is and look at it. Propane up there. It's propane up there. Is it a propane up there?
Propane or oil? Oh, wait. Bes is oil. Yeah, we're propane. So, yeah. Okay. So, I mean, just a suggestion. I mean, probably need to talk to the engineers, but if we could because potentially you can do it where you're not retrofitting everything.
You're just retrofitting a couple things. So, they at least bring the gas lines up, you know, whatever they need. Yeah. Just to help out. Yeah. So, the constituents have mentioned it, so I thought we could bring it up again and discuss it and have, you know, report out that we've looked at it and there might be a
possibility. Plus, in the longer term, it may cost less. It's going, it will cost less. be more efficient. It's a good investment for the school. Oh yeah, definitely. Yeah. I think we wanted it before. It was just it became one of those things that Yeah. propane to gas is natural gas is one
thing, but oil to gas. Oil gas was a little So anyway, so if you wouldn't mind, we could maybe explore that and then we could report out to the people that are wanting their gas up the 513 line. I think they're holding them hostage. They're saying they won't come up from
Kger Road unless Bores does it. So, I I remember hearing about this in the past. You're welcome. Um I cuz I remember being on the committee where John talked about it. Um I don't think it was at the time I don't think it was feasible for us to make a
change, but it could be different now. Yeah. Cuz I mean literally we did it on my street. So it was the same thing when we bought our house. They said if a certain percentage of houses say they'll commit to gas then they'll make the conversion. So and they pay for laying the pipes and all that. Yeah. They run it. The only thing we
would have to pay for would be like the stuff at the school to transition, right? But I think the cost to do everything would be probably prohibited. But if we did, you know, we converted something to gas, then it it might be something that would be enough to get them to run it without us incurring all the cost and
then we could maybe over time make those changes, you know, as things break down and replace as you're replacing the boilers, big oil gas, something like that. So it might be a good idea. That's Well, thank you. I know they'll be happy to hear that. We're looking into it and um that's all we have right now. We do have two action items to vote on. Um
it's our standard overnight field trips and then our student activity contract. So um those are 13.1 and 13.2. We have a motion and second to approve agenda items 13.1 and 13.2. Second.
That was Beth and Brendan. All in favor? I. Any ns? Any abstensions? Um, so Tara Tara is our 100 and counties um uh
school boards president. So I have asked her because Christina had that job, that role. So Tara's going to update us. Okay. Well, we had our first county meeting and it was great to see we had some board members attend and um it was
exciting. Um and we also had it was um a roundt discussion. Um it was a superintendent's roundt discussion and our own Dr. Burgess was one of our um roundt participants along with Jim Belulski who is the coordinator of information technology at Readington,
Dr. Jonathan Hart from Readington Township and Dr. Gregory Hoba from Hydridge. Um and our topic was on defining acceptable AI use from K to 12 and it was um a really informative enlightening I I we could have probably
gone on but um I thought it was a great uh round table and it gave boards a lot to think about because this is changing rapidly. So um it was exciting to have our participation here and um and have all of our um some of our board members
here with us. Um the one interesting news from the the county is that Katherine Poria who had been our past president is now actually working for New Jersey school boards and she is replacing Gwen Thornton who we've had with our board since I've been on here
for the last eight years. So, um it's exciting to see that someone from Hunter County now is going to help county and she's terrific. And we have our next session will be um in uh December um and then one again in
the um uh January 29th and then the big one that I hope we all can go to is our the unsung heroes and that's going to be Wednesday March 4th and that's down in Flemington area and it's such a wonderful program. It's our opportunity to have students from Northern Boys in
all the school districts in the county um be recognized as the unsung heroes. So, it gives us the time to um recognize the students that only aren't always being recognized. So, that's a fabulous one to come to and I hope you all come because we have a nice time and the food
was good. We feed you. And then the other delegate is um the resolutions are closing. We don't have what the resolutions that we'll be voting on, but the um I'm the representative for our district and that's going to be on November 22nd um
down in they have at Mercer County Community College. Now, I'm the voting delegate, but everybody here is allowed to go. So, if you'd like to go, you just let the VA know that we have to have to register, but you can attend. And it's it's kind of interesting to have all of the delegates from the whole state. Um
it just you brings different perspectives. we're all facing similar situations. Um so it's nice to see what other um you know counties are doing and also what's the did they um post the
deadline for submissions? It is it's this Friday. So I mean I for the for the year are they doing it again in the spring for we do the spring again. Yeah. So if there's any resolutions we want share that with Yeah. Yeah. So thank you Taran.
Uh, moving on to personnel. I just want to add one thing if I can. Tara, it's my first time going to one of those events yesterday. I thought it was very well put together. I thought it was very impressive. First class event. I think you did amazing. Well, thank you.
Thank you. I do have our questions that I wrote for the panelist. So, I'd love to share them with you because it was very thoughtprovoking. in it was it was and I thought it it it particularly tied in because AI is one of the the district goals. So I thought it was on topic of what we were
we're working on. So but no kudos to you was it was a first class event and job well done luck. Thank you so much and it's an honor. I love I love our board has traditionally been very involved with the Hunter County. So um we've been going we've been going. Yeah. We go we have chalet and then we
do south um part of the county in the Flemington area. Um, but it's exciting to see and I'd love to see more of our K8s because they're coming into us and have them participate and a lot of the K8s don't participate. So, my goal is to get them out to, you know, be empowered
by our meetings. So, and it's I guess it's open to anyone even outside the county. Oh, yeah. We had we had a couple people attending. There was gentlemen from Middle Sex that I met and I was like, "Yeah, and a woman came from Peton. Um, we went to um Middle Sex. Marin Spagging
one of the counties in Middle Sex County um what two years ago on communications. Yeah. On communications. So we all went down to see her um present there. So yeah, you can go and you can go virtually um except last night when you want to see what's going on in
Morris County or Warren County, we can go on virtually. You can just, you know, register and attend. It was a first class event. Good job. Yeah. Good. Thank you. Thank you to both Tara and Dr. Bjax. And you can get that you the Well, we
could put that on the the drive for the board to see that, couldn't we? We had it wasn't there were technical difficulties. Oh, technical difficulties. Where was she? Exactly. Okay. Um, moving on to personnel. Um,
Angela, can you report for us? Oh, goodness. This is so exciting. Um yes, so thank you for um allowing me to serve as personnel chair. This was sort of a transitional meeting um this first
one. Um and so there was sort of a little just quick little overview. I don't know if any of you had a chance to see the video. Um I know Dr. Bjax and I
discussed how we'll collaborate moving forward with the agenda because there really wasn't an agenda because we were just starting. Um, and in attendance was Dr. Burjax, um, Kim and Tara. Um,
yeah. And so, okay. Um so yeah I began the meeting to share that I'm excited to serve as the chair um and sort of provided more overarching committee housekeeping items such as you know reviewing norms for the meeting to
maintain really efficiency and productivity when we come together. Um generally as our board committees are sort of silos of a few uh participants um by design one thing that's important to me is to be sure that um there is
just a way in which um we are aware of the larger dialogue with the broader board. Um to that to that end what um I shared with the personnel committee is a system I intend um on using for maintaining a central communication
source. So when questions come in from board members um and we find answers, we're going to just maintain a sort of lock in the files so that um we can see the flow of questions and answers. Everyone can see them and what you won't
see is your name if you ask the question because names are irrelevant. What's what's relevant is the question and the answer and getting the information. And in that way then even though we are not all in that committee we can all see the flow of information and chances are um
if you have a question someone else may have the same question. Um I don't know how everyone's feeling but I know when I'm watching the videos and I watch them all um from our committees I find that I'm raising my hand to want to answer questions
and then I'm like oh wait it's a video I can't speak. Yeah. So there's this sort of virtual wall that's um created but yeah so um and this I had been thinking about this um for a while. I would like
to extend the same sort of system to all the committee chairs to do that so that again we can see the flow of questions that come in and responses. Um, and this was also something, if you may recall, Kim brought up at the July um, board of
ed meeting when she sort of spoke to that same thing, although I wasn't here. I was watching and again tried to participate, but I I wasn't here. Um, so we sort of concluded with um, going back
to the strategic plan and sort of keeping that in our forefront and in our minds. Um, you know, I sort of highlighted a lingering burning question for us to think about, not to answer on the spot, but in our work moving forward, and that is how can the
strategic plan inform the personnel's committee work. So, something to sort of, you know, keep us at our core as we move forward. Next month, um, we'll continue our work in reviewing job descriptions. Um, and if anyone has
questions or agenda items they'd like to send my way, I'll be more than happy to include them for our next um, committee, personnel committee. Thank you. Thank you, Angela. Um, we will not be going into executive
session. So I move to strike 16 and 17 from the agenda. Second. So you need a second. Second. Mhm. All in favor? I I
Any nays or abstensions? I would not think so. We all agreed on that. I need a motion and a second to approve agenda items 18 um.1 through 18.2.
We do I need to say I think we already took it out. So 18.1 and 18.2 Beth second Nicole. All in favor?
Oh, it's personal. Sorry. Mr. Chap. Yes. 18.1 abstain. 18.2. Yeah, I need to do that. Yes. M. Yes. Miss. Yes. Mot. Yes.
Mr. Lord. Yes. Maid. Yes. Miss Ryan. Yes. Mr. Spant. Yes. Miss. Uh, I I vote yes, but I have to abstain on the executive minutes because I wasn't there.
18. Uh, abstain on 18.2 and yes um on uh 18.1. All right. Thank you. Any old or new business? Mine's okay. So, um, uh, I'm not sure if
everyone has seen it. Let me preface it with this. First of all, I thought that the, um, ribbon cutting ceremony at the college track was wonderful and it was so nice to see everybody there, even though some of us came in a little late, but it was really a wonderful event and I I think it was really terrific. Um,
and so then when I learned shortly after that that the um the vocational school is adding performing arts um to their curriculum starting in the fall. They're starting out with um dance theater and technical theater. And then the
following year they're going to add the music element to it as well. That's those those classes are going to happen. It's like it's out of Lambertville. I guess South Hunter it is. Um but the reason I'm raising it is they had you know indicated that there's
information sessions happening over the next three months um all at at South Hunter. I just wonder if it might be possible to see if someone could come here for one one session. One session. Yeah. Because I think it's because we've
spoken about you know the dance program and students having to go to I think it's to RBCC for that or Somerset. Somerset. Um, and I think it'd be really terrific if we could, you know, have somebody come here to do a session at the board meeting or for parents.
Oh, parents, not I'm sorry. Yeah. So, so that normally boreies could come in and not have to go all the way out to Lambert week and I guess you know the follow-up question to that is what does transportation look like for those students? Well, we had that discussion when you
know with Polytech I how are we going to do that? I know cuz that was the question in the be. Well, we would transport them down there. We would. Okay. So, we have Okay. Yeah. Okay. All the students that come here, they get transported by their home district. Got it. Okay. And how's that day going to look for those students that travel time?
It's a full-time program from what I understand. So, they would go right there. Oh, so they would go to school at South regular education, I believe. I'm I'm not I don't know all the details, but that's what I thought was Oh, okay. That makes sense. Yeah. Um, so I I think it's I think it's
great. Um, it's wonderful that they're adding that program. I mean, the the the Polytech educational programs that we have in this county are just phenomenal. So, it's great that they're adding this into we have no control over that. The a student from the northern part of our
district and wants to go all the way down there. Yeah. Okay. It is expensive. Yeah. I mean, you know, the inverse is happening right now, right? So, If wants to come here, it's transported by South
and that's part of a countywide vocational system. Do we have any say on what they what things they start? Could they start uh you know English vocational, you know, or math? They have to be CTE programs and they
are um prescribed by I think the federal government for the CTE code. Well, I think it's fantastic. We figure we'll figure it out. Anything for kids. More opportunities. Absolutely. Yeah. Um and I know everyone's waiting
with dated breath for 20. Can I call for a motion? Second to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I. Any nays or abstensions?
I I doubt that.