County Regional School District website legal notices pages page on April 21st, 2026. Complete a roll call. Mr. Figs, >> present. >> Mr. Armamente, >> present. >> Mrs. Applegate, >> here. >> Mrs. Bond, >> present. >> Mr. Bucks, >> present.
>> Mr. Norwood, >> here. >> Mrs. Janice >> here, >> Mr. Zimmer >> here, >> Mr. Zuzio >> present, >> and Master Sergeant Marches >> present. >> We'll now conduct the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. Has any board of education member
received schoolboard related emails and/or correspondences that have not yet been shared with a superintendent? Right. Uh Dr. Zuckermanman, if you'd like to give your superintendent report. >> Absolutely. Thank you so much. Um, since February, I've been meeting with a committee of community members, parents,
uh, students, teachers, and administrators for the purpose. And the purpose of these meetings is to gather their input and feedback on the development of the Northern Burlington 2030 plan. This is essentially the fancy name for our strategic plan. The committee has helped not only to
identify the proposed goals, identify areas of focus for each of the goals, as well as the methods to evaluate if those goals have are being met. Along with my administrative team, we'll work over the next few weeks to finalize the the Northern Burlington 2030 plan. And the
goal is to share with the board and the community at the June 8th board meeting. I expect to have a draft of the plan in time for our community relations meeting that will take place on May 18th. I would like to thank the committee for their time and their input in helping to propel Northern Burlington into the
future. In 2026 27 school year, starting in September, all schools in New Jersey will be required not to permit students to use their cell phones during the school day. This is the state. This is not me, but however, we have to implement this.
The administration has been researching the best way to implement the new law. They have looked into an app that students could download which would block certain functionalities of the phone. However, there may be families who don't want their children to download an app or also if the students would delete the app, the phone would
have the full functionality of the of the device. It's our suggestion that we move to a phone pouch that I will that I'm going to pass around in a minute. Um, the students will be required to put their phone in the pouch when they walk in the building. And the if the students forget their pouch, then they would put
their phone in an envelope and the envelope would be brought into the main office with their name on it where they can pick it up at the end of the school day. The students would then unlock the phones when they leave the building. The pouches would require all students to put their phone in a pouch so no student would have access to their cell phone
during the day. We'll be sharing procedures with families about how they can get messages to their students. We're also going to be sharing procedure procedures about how students can get permission at appropriate times to go to the office if they need to contact their parents during the school day. We're
recommending that we maintain the existing pro process and procedures at the middle school and we move to the pouches at the high school starting in September. Additional information will be shared with parents and students in the coming weeks. Just to demonstrate to the board when I pass this around, I'm
going to allow you to put your own f phone in there. I'll I'll keep mine, but you can put your phone. The students will put their phone in the pouch when they walk in the building. Close it, push the button, and now it locks. They they'll have they'll keep their phone with them for the entire school day. We'll have these devices around the
building. At the end of the school day, they touch the magnet. Now, they have access to their phone again at the end of the day. So, I'll pass this around for everybody to try on your own. Let me know if you have any problems. this.
>> So it is a required program from the state that we do. The pouch is our suggestion on how we implement that and it it is an unf as we talked about at the finance meeting. It is an unfunded mandate.
Lastly, I want to share with the with the board that on Wednesday, May 26, our high school administration will work collaboratively with the Mansfield Police Department and the Burlington County Office of Emergency Management to hold a mock crash scene to demonstrate the consequences of impaired or
distracted driving. The timing is purposeful and will take place a few days before the junior senior prom. The event will be held on the access road between Mansfield Elementary and the middle school. After placing two pre-prepared cars, the emergency management personnel will hold a a a
stage emergency simulation that will allow the students to witness the aftermath of a crash. The events will be narrated by one of our school resource officers and will include the arrival of emergency responders, extraction of victims, other tests such as sobriety tests, demonstrating what happens,
interviewing victims, also actors, and potentially notifying parent uh families who will also be actors as well. We will notify parents at the at the elementary school and the middle school prior to the event. The counselors will be available during the event to speak with
any students who express interest or demonstrate the need. Following the event, guests from the the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office will speak with the students about the simulation and will also help debrief the event. Although it's a junior senior prom, only the seniors will be participating in
this event just because of obviously the the ability to set up for that many students outside of school. I would like to thank not only the Mansfield uh Police Department, but al also the the uh Burlington County Office of Emergency Management for helping provide this wonderful event for our students. Any
questions? >> Thank you so much. >> I have a question. I'm sorry. >> No, >> I was trying to figure out how to lock the pouch. >> When when you made this suggestion, did you get student and teacher input um on this for the pouch?
So we did not for the pouch. So the um Dr. McCann and her team went to uh to visit schools who were implementing this on arrival and also during dismissal to be able to get that feedback. The reason why we're suggesting the pouch instead of one of the other options that's in
the fancy box behind me um is all students will have it away. So if we see any phones, we know somebody is in violation of the cell phone policy. other ones like we talked about that if they if there's an app and they delete the app. Now we're trying to determine who has their phone for for what reason
and it makes it a lot harder to be able to implement and manage that as well. The requirement is from the from the state that students do not use them from the time they walk in until the time they leave. It's up to us to determine how to manage that.
>> Do we have any option since it's an unfunded mandate to tell the state that we're not going to enforce it? we would be in violation. I don't know if it's going to ident be come up on CUAC. I don't know if it's going to I don't know the ramifications for that. >> Neither do I. That's why I'm asking the
question. >> I think because it's not mandated yet. I don't know if it's known, but I mean so the schools that have done it this year have seen a significant increase in the student engagement and student uh and the student attendiveness
during classes. And I personally I'm mixed on this. On one side, I want to teach the students the life skills on how to manage this and and how to when an appropriate time is and when when an inappropriate time is to use your phone. I I am looking forward to the uh possibility of
increased engagement, increased participation um and and less distractions and hopefully less um distractions from from social media and so on during the school day. Do we have an Do we have an estimate of like the cost or projected cost?
>> We do. It's on So, it's on this evening's um agenda. It's the pouches will cost for the high school approximately $30,000. Um we will the plan is to purchase approximately a hundred of them s sooner than later so Dr. Dr. McCann can work on
a pilot program with with her students and staff to be able to really identify kind of like the the pros and cons and to identify the best procedure that works for us as a district. >> Just one correction, it's not on this evening's agenda. We speak with it with the finance committee um today at the that's agend agenda it was on. Yep. No
problem. >> So the the school will pay for the pouches and the students will be required to use them. >> That is correct. >> Or do they have to opt into it? >> No, they they will be required to use them. They or they could choose to leave their cell phone at home. >> Could they just leave it in their bag or >> No. No.
>> Because unfortunately right now the students are asked and it does not happen. It I I think the the likelihood of somebody who h is in possession of a phone not taking it out during the entire school day is is not very high. >> Yeah. I mean I guess I guess it goes to
like your earlier point like they need to know they need to learn when it's appropriate and when it's not. >> Walking away isn't exact. Like for me, it's not this. I know it's a state mandate and there's I don't know. I guess to Joe's point, can we just opt out of it? >> I mean, I just looked. I mean, there is a New Jersey Council on unfunded
mandates. I mean, we can make a request. I don't know what that process is either, but I mean, go back to them and say, you know, $30,000, please, or um make this go away cuz I I mean, I'm sure your staff could
come up with a with a whole host of ways on how to manage this. Um I just I I always dislike when the state comes down to us and says, "You have to do this." And then they don't give us any money. So right now the law actually states that the students are not permitted to
use it on school buses on from bell to from the time they walk in until the time they leave and also during school sponsored events. There has been discussions that the state has said, "Oh, that's not what we meant, but that's what's in law." I mean, and so they're in the process of of debating
that. Um, so we are not choosing to address the school buses and the school sponsored events. Obviously, I don't I don't know how we would go about managing that. Um but then as far as the school day again there there are instructional benefits for it. Um again
I think it also we lose opportunities but at the same time we we gain opportunities from it as well. >> And I'm sorry you're going to pilot the you're going to pilot with a small group this this spring. Correct. Is that what I hear you saying? >> Yes. >> I'd like to hear the feedback on that. Absolutely.
>> And there doesn't seem to be anything clear about repercussions. It just gives the guidelines. So, they probably haven't even designed it yet. I would imagine there'll be a Well, who knows? >> It just said it was Trenton, so it's not always well thought out up there.
>> All right, there's no other questions or comments. U Mrs. Williams, if you please give your business administrator's report. >> Sure. Just quickly, um just a reminder, you're all aware that tonight is the public budget hearing. Um so, um with the presentation, it gives the public an
opportunity, they always have an opportunity, but this is specifically designed for the public to comment on the 2627 proposed budget. Um if the budget passes, we will finalize it and um begin setting up um our accounting system so that we can begin purchasing
items for next year already. um the elections. I just wanted to bring attention to the board seats that are expiring and if you have an intention to run or rerun um please just make sure that you check the dates to file a
petition. I included some links to New Jersey School Boards Association as well as the county um for those instructions and if you need anything from our office, let us know um if there's any additional information you need. Um and then just lastly quickly um the
auditorium update. Um the auditorium is really coming along. Um there are some allowances that we've discussed at the finance committee meeting that are on the board for this approval. Some um owner designated changes to the plan and we're asking to um use the allowance
towards those costs. Any questions? >> M if I can jump in. Um this evening I we took the the buildings grounds and finance committee um who was available um to see the progress of of some of the
things in the auditorium. If any other board member is interested, please just reach out to me and we will try to um try to make our arrangements to be able to allow you to see it as well. And >> that's all. Thank you.
>> Uh any questions for Miss Williams? Okay. Um I will uh put out there um as well is that the CSA evaluations will be coming out soon. Um they are mandated. Um you'll see an email and reminder uh
to please fill them out. I will start uh pounding people by the end of May. If I don't have enough to fulfill our requirement um so that during the June board meeting, we can probably do perform the CSA evaluation. Um I know as Mrs. Bond had mentioned um a board
self-evaluation um is optional but also on the same website link um and you're encouraged to take the time to fill out that that board self-evaluation. Um again that one's not mandatory but um it can only help to improve uh your performance as a
board member. So just wanted to throw those out there as well um just to be looking out for that CSA evaluation email to come out um as soon as I get it from the NJSBA uh representative. So um with that I will move 2.03 is consent agenda item for the approval of the HIP
reports. 2.04 is consent agenda item for the approval of superintendent reports. Um committee reports. Uh Mr. Narwood, do you have personnel committee ready for last week or last month? Yes. All right. Perfect. If you wouldn't mind giving a
report. >> Excuse me. The uh personnel committee met on um April 12th. April 20th, sorry. And uh we had discussed staffing with uh June retirees um resignations and how this will impact
the 2627 budget. Um we also talked about uh the renewals of uh of faculty and staff which is I believe on tonight's agenda. Um and uh the upcoming uh
negotiations will be starting soon for uh not the teachers yet but the other um the other uh units. Uh and that is about it. >> All right. Anyone have any uh comments or questions regarding the personnel
committee meeting? Right. Um it's the only committee report we have this evening. Um Mr. Mr. Bucks, do you have any updates from NJSBA >> there? Excuse me. There's going to be a delegate assembly meeting on May 16th.
Um, there are details that are posted out on the Jersey School Board Association website, uh, including the entire agenda. Expect that agenda to be in flux like the past few have been. Um, so more to come. >> All right. Thank you. U, Mr. Aente, do you have any updates from BCSBA?
>> Nothing from last month, but we have one coming up this month. >> Okay. >> And I believe, um, Dr. Hugs is going to be recognized during that meeting. So, uh, looking forward to to being there for that and celebrating with them. >> Great. And I don't have any legislative updates at this point. It's kind of been
slow going. Nothing really happening on that front. So, with that, I believe now we can move on to the students of the month. Dr. McCann, Dr. Karns, if you'd like to make your way up. All right. Good evening to the uh to to our audience, members of the board. Mr.
Figs, thank you for the opportunity to present our our students of the month. We're going to do the students of the month from March through through May. And the students of the month are selected. There are nominations made by the the teachers. Um we have a committee that meets and reviews the various nominations and we select our our students to honor from those those
various um various nominations. Uh for the parents after we're done our presentation we're going to watch a brief video here where where your um sons or daughters are going to be the stars of um this will be available on our Northern TV YouTube channel. So I often see people trying to film it from their their cameras. You're welcome to do that but that'll be on on YouTube
shortly. So you'll have access to that if you want to share that with with whomever. So, it is my pleasure here to to introduce our um first our Elks student of the month for the month of March and that's Miss Nigan Alvarado Rivera. If you join me here quick, please.
We will have to wait to see the video to introduce ourselves to to that student. Next, moving right along for the month of March. Um for seventh grade, Evelyn Bonds. Evelyn, you make your case. Congratulations.
This is right, Evelyn. You're you're our first one, so you have to do this. You're the guinea pig. Um, congratulations. Introduce who you're with here tonight. >> I'm with my mom. >> You're with the camera, right? Very good. Congratulations. Thank you for coming out for the month of March. Our eighth grade student of the month, Mr. Landon
Schaefer. Landon, nice short walk. Very good. Congratulations. This is for you. You got to turn around. You should know the drill. Now, who you with here tonight? >> Um, I'm with my mom, my dad, my little brother, and my grandpa. >> Very good. Congratulations. Thank you for coming tonight for the month of April. Our Elk student
of the month, Miss Laura Ericson. Laura. All right, we will have to to wait to the video to introduce herself or learn more about her. Seventh grade student of the month for April, Mr. Cameron Solov. >> Congratulations. This is for you. who see here with
>> my mom and my dad. >> All right. Congratulations. Thank you so much for coming >> for um April, our eighth grade student of the month, Miss Emma Fry. >> You could sing this if you want. Congratulations. You Who are you with here tonight, Emma? >> My mom.
>> Very good. Congratulations. Thank you for coming. All right. We're moving into the month of of May. Um for our seventh grade student of the month, we have Miss Nani Beg. Congratulations to you. And who are you with here tonight? >> I'm with my mom and my two sisters.
>> Very good. Thanks so much for coming. Congratulations. And finally, our eighth grade student of the month for uh May, Mr. Zaquan Darte. Congratulations to you. I got to get the notepad. I misspoke. So, I'll get you another one out. All right. All right. Zaquan, who
are you with here tonight? >> Mom, dad, and my siblings. >> All right. Very good. Congratulations. Thank you for coming. All right. At this time, I'm going to turn after I clean up my mess here, I'm going to turn it over to Dr. McCann to do the the high school students of the month.
Oh, video. I'm sorry. Video first and then Dr. McK. >> Hi, my name is Evelyn Bonds and I was nominated for the seventh grade student of the month for March. Here at Northern, I'm involved in the yearbook club. I like how it lets me be
creative. In the future, I want to be an architect because I like designing stuff. Hi, my name is Landon Schaefer and I was nominated for eighth grade March student of the month here at Northern. I'm involved with baseball and I play on the Liberty 8th grade team.
In the future, I think I want to be involved in law enforcement. >> Hello, my name is Jacqueline Alvarado Rivera. I was nominated for 8th grade March Elk Student of the Month here at Northern Burlington. Here in Northern, I
am involved in Guitar Club, tabletop gaming club, and No Place for Hate. For the future, I'm not really sure on what I would like to do, but I am 100% sure that it would have something to do either with engineering or something
creative and artistic such as either like animating or um making a game and designing it. >> Hi, my name is Cameron Salv. I was nominated for student of the month in April. Here at Northern, I'm involved at
wrestling and soccer. In the future, I would like to do something in law enforcement. >> Hi, my name is Emma Fry and I was nominated for eighth grade student of the month for April. At Northern, I'm involved in select choir. This year, I just joined the
drama club. So, I was in camp twilight and both years I've done the musical. In the future, I would like to be a pediatric occupational therapist. >> Hi, my name is Laura Ericson and I was nominated for student of the month in March.
Here at Northern, I'm involved in FFA. In the future, I want to be an animal veterinarian. I really like animals and helping animals. My name is Nani Beg and I got nominated for seventh grade student of the month for the month of May. At the
middle school, I do soccer and cheer. I also do the musical. And then I'm in Anchored for Life and Stat Club. Here at Northern, I'm involved in soccer, cheer, and the musical. I'm also in the club's Anchored for Life and Stat. In the future, I would like to be a biothetician because it includes a lot
of math and analyzing data, and I like math. >> My name is Zipon Darte and I'm the eighth grade student of the month for May. I like to play football and I'm going to be playing freshman football and I like to hang out with my friends
outside of school. In the future, I'll be trying to join the Air Force something that my step that does. All right, shifting gears to the high school. You're going to hear a lot of really uh the same things. A lot of really involved students have done a really nice job. So we'll start off with
March. Our elk student of the month is Rishi Horajinamaniation >> and tell us who you're here with. >> Uh today I'm with my mom and my dad. >> Thanks for coming. Congratulations. >> March 9th grade student of the month, Marco Rivera.
Tell us who you're here with. >> I'm here. My parents, my brother. >> Awesome. Thanks for coming. >> 10th grade March student of the month, Fara Shahik. >> I'm with my dad. Thanks for coming. Congrats. March 11th grade student of the month,
Samantha Melon. And March 12th grade student of the month, Shawn Johnson with my dad, my mom, my grandma. Awesome. >> Congratulations. Thanks for coming. All right, moving on to April. Starting with our 12th grade Elk Student of the
Month, James Cataline. >> All right. Who you here with? >> I'm here with my dad and my sister, Molly. >> Congrats. >> All right. April 9th grade student of the month, Ariel Beg. My mom and my two little sisters.
>> Um, congrats. Thanks for coming. April 10th grade student of the month, Anika Quick. Helps when I don't turn it off halfway through. All right. Uh, 11th grade April student of the month, Jeffrey Winszinger. He was at a volleyball game.
And April 12th grade student of the month, Javon Sandu. Who are you here with? >> Uh, my mom, dad, and my sister. >> Thanks for coming. >> All right. May 9th grade student of the month, Camila Beta. >> Who are you here with? Uh, my mom, aunt,
uncle, my cousins, and my boyfriend. >> Awesome. Congrats. Thanks for coming. >> 10th grade May student of the month, Cara ProHigh. >> And you're here with >> I'm here with my sister and my brother-in-law. Awesome. >> Thanks for coming.
11th grade May student of the month, John Meyers. >> And then tell us who you here with. >> Uh, I'm here with my mom, my dad, and my sister on FaceTime. Thank you. >> All right. And last, but certainly not least, 12th grade May student of the month, George
sent the third. Who you here with? >> I'm here with my mom, dad, sister, and me. Mom. >> Awesome. Congrats. Thanks for coming. All right. And if you can draw your attention to the video, we'll watch the high school video. My name is Mark Rivera and I'm the ninth
grade March student of the month here at Northern. I'm not involved at any clubs, but I like to play football and basketball outside of school. In the future, I planning on going to college and figuring out what I'm going
to do. My name is Fesa and I'm the sophomore student of the month for October. Here at Northern, I'm involved in Interact Club. I'm the treasurer of MSA and I play girls tennis. In my future, I'm planning to go to college, study
further in medical, and major somewhere in biology or pharmacy. My name is Samantha Molen and I am the 11th grade student of the month for March. Here at Northern, I'm involved in greenhouse club and I'm also in the health science club. I do winter cheer
and I think that's it. In the future, I plan on going to there's a school in Idaho that my sister goes to. They have a good dance program there and I also want to get a degree in nursing and then later on open a business for health
counseling with my sister. >> My name is Sean Johnson. I am the March student month for 12th grade. Here at Northern, I am involved in FFA and uh Northern Burlington soccer. In my future, I plan on going to college and
studying sports management with a focus in analytics. My name is Rishi Horgi Nammani and I'm the March Elk Student of the Month here at Northern. I'm involved in boys tennis and FBA. In my future, I plan on becoming an industrial engineer and I plan on going to college. Not sure
which one yet, though. Industrial engineering is something I've been passionate about and it incorporates principles of business into it as well. So it gives me like a full round aspect of engineering as well as business. >> Hi, my name is Ariel Beg and I was nominated for 9th grade student of the month for April. Here at Northern I'm
involved in tennis for the girls JV team and I do health science here as well. After high school, I plan on going to veterinary school because I've always loved animals and I want to help them feel better. >> My name is Anakah Quick and I was
nominated for student of the month for April. Here at Northern, I'm involved in choir and the musical. In the future, I plan to go to college to study music education and become a music teacher.
My name is Jeffrey Wingering and I was nominated for student of the month for the month of April. in Northern Burlington. I'm involved in my uh Northern Burlington's volleyball team. I'm also involved with the plays and musicals. I'm also a NJDFL captain and a Thespian officer. And I'm also involved
with FFA here. In my future, I want to pursue films uh specifically sports media. Um I want to hopefully film uh live events for sports, probably football. >> I'm Joan Sandu and I was nominated student of the month for the month of April here at Northern. I was involved
with the chess club, a little bit of interact, and I also did esports as well as doing spring track. In my future, I plan on going to college. I plan on studying finance as well as accounting, and I hope to work in the city, hopefully have a job as like an analyst
or something in Wall Street. >> My name is James Cataline and I'm the recipient of the 12th grade Elk Student of the Month for the month of April. Here at Northern, uh, I'm involved in Jer. that is my um main activity. I do the Raider fitness team within the
program. I also do the morning announcements uh for the school and I've also been a part of the winter and spring track teams along with cross country. In the future, I'm going to be attending uh West Point, the military academy. And after that, I plan to commission as a second lieutenant in the
army and hopefully just make as much of an impact as I can. And hopefully one day down the line, I'm gonna be serving in a different government roles and trying to help the country as much as I can. >> My name is Camila Beta and I was nominated for May 9th grade student of
the month. Here at Northern, I played soccer in the fall for JB. After high school, I plan on going to cosmetology school and I eventually want to become a hairdresser. I just want to make people feel like good about themselves and like
good about their appearances and stuff. I'm Cara Prohigh and I was nominated for student of the month for May here at Northern. I'm involved in Northern's bowling team on varsity level and I was selected to most likely be the captain
for it next year. In my future, I do want to pursue cyber security since I've always been interested in it. I've already looked at colleges and universities around here. I've always been good with tech in general. My name is John Meyers and I was
nominated for the student of the month of May. In my spare time, I like to play uh football, baseball, and I like to read books, watch TV. When I grow up, I would like to be an engineer because it's been what I've always been working
towards. Uh my dad's an engineer. Um and so, yeah, it's just been in the family. >> My name is George Sun and I was nominated for May Student of the Month for 12th graders. I am involved in soccer. I've been playing soccer all four years. I was the varsity goalie and I'm also involved in
the FFA program. In the future, I'm going to RCBC for three years, then Rowan for one for a biology degree. And then once I'm done that, I'm going into the police academy. Thank you everyone for coming out tonight. Congratulations to you all. Um,
we as a board really enjoy these student of the month presentations. Uh, they're really one of the highlights of being on the board. So, I just want to thank you all for taking the time to come down here. Um, with that, we will take a short recess. Um, I know we will be lining up in the back for photos. Um, so
nobody run out too fast. With that, can I get a motion for a short recess? So, make second. >> All right. All those in favor? I. All opposed. Abstensions. All right. We'll be back about 10 minutes, everyone. All right. Uh, can I please get a motion to return from recess?
>> So moved. and a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Abstensions. >> All right. Um before we move into the open public hearing, um I did want to let members of the public know that we
added a paper for signing up to speak on the budget just so we have your contact information. There'll be a chance to sign up at the end of the presentation of the hearing. Again, I just want to let you know that we did add a piece of paper there. We realized we didn't have one for that purpose. just so we properly have the documentation of your
your name and town of residence. Um with that we can I get a motion uh to open the public hearing on the proposed 2627 budget >> motion. >> All those in favor I all opposed abstensions.
All right. Good evening everyone. We are going to present the 2627 budget. This is the um budget hearing. So we look forward to hearing the feedback. Ladies up. Let's cancel.
Thank you. So, we'll start out with our budget goals. Um, our budget goals were to maintain maintain existing class sizes and programs as best as we could, evaluate programs for efficiencies, invest in programs that address student improvement, develop a fiscally
responsible budget that prepares for the future, provide professional development that fosters staff and student achievement, maintain facilities through preventative maintenance, maintain health reserves for emergencies, and increase revenue through facility usage sponsorships and grants.
This slide documents our total enrollment. Um you can see that our enrollment has declined over the last few years. Um not dramatically but there has been a steady decline. This highlights the enrollment trends.
Is it working now? This highlights the enrollment trends by municipality. So budget challenges. Um, I'm sure everyone has seen all the reports across the state about the challenges that every New Jersey municipality is facing. And so, health care increases um are
astronomical. Um, our medical is renewing at 13.4%. Our prescription at 25, dental is at seven and that is like a $1.6 million increase in our overall budget. Special education costs are always a challenge.
We have out of district placements. um the services that the um students need. So those costs vary from year to year. And then we have the regular inflationary costs. Fuel goes up, utilities, technology, and general supplies. Every cost is rising across
the board. Our revenue increases generally do not support this expenditure increases. Um yeartoear we have uncertainty around um state aid. So it's very hard to plan in the future. We receive state aid um about a month before our budget is due. And so we do
our best to try and anticipate where that's going, but there's not much um there's not many ways that we can do that. Our tax levy is allowed to increase 2%. And for Northern Burlington, that tax 2% tax levy equates to about $468,000.
Federal impact aid is the aid that we received um for the military students that we service. that is not forward funding. We don't know how much we're going to get and it's not a guaranteed funding at the federal government level. So, it's hard to also anticipate the funding. And
we've also been advised to um budget a 25 redu 25% reduction in federal grants. We're hoping that that is not the case, but the county has advised us to budget at a 25% reduction for federal grants. So, that's a reduction in revenue. This is our state aid comparison between
the 2526 and 2627 school year. You can see that we received an increase in every category with the exception of the state impact aid. So we receive state impact aid and federal impact aid and this is alone with the state impact aid. This is based on the number of students
reporting and we're hoping that this will level out for the future. Had we not received that reduction, we would have received about a million dollars in additional state aid. So, we're looking forward for next year for this to level out. The state determines the aid, the um
equalization aid for a district based on adequacy and what the township's ability is to pay. So, in our case for Northern, our adequacy budget, we're about $4.9 million under adequacy. The state sets what they believe our tax levy should be
and we're under that by about $4.9 million. So we just share this for that information for for information. So what did we do to balance the budget? We are proposing that we're utilizing the healthcare adjustment and bank cap.
A healthcare adjustment is something that is built into the budget software or the budget formula. When your health care rises above a certain percent, the state allows you to take an adjustment to anticipate and account for that um increased cost. When you don't use those
adjustments over the years, they become bank capped and they sit there and then you can reach back to use them for three years. They'll expire if you don't use them. So, in this budget, we're asking that we reuse this current year's healthcare adjustment and some previous year's bank cap. We're going to use our
insurance surplus to reduce premium. So, we are part of a joint insurance fund for our liability insurance and we create um we we get surpluses as the fund does well and so we're going to try and use we're going to use some of that premium that surplus to reduce the
premium that we have to pay this year. Um we increase the budgeted amount of federal impact aid. So again, federal impact aid is not guaranteed and so we never budget the full aotment. But this year, we're going to budget a little bit
more to help make up that revenue gap. Reductions that we completed to help balance the budget are removing some unfulfilled positions in and benefits that were in the budget. So, they were budgeted for in 2526, but and were not
filled. So, in 2627, we're not going to fill them and we remove them from the budget. We reduce positions through retirement. There's a couple teachers retiring and we're not going to fulfill those positions. We reduced the use of permanent substitutes and we identified areas across the board um for
professional services, supplies, technology and out of district tuition placeholders where we've also tried to reduce use those areas to reduce the budget. So this is a list of the proposed changes. You can see an increase in health benefits, salaries, instructional
costs, support costs, all the way down the list. And so it's about it bounced to about a $3 million increase for the proposed budget changes for 2627. This is our revenue changes. We have about $1.3 million in additional revenue
including the 2% tax levy, the $686,000 in proposed bank cap and healthcare adjustments. Increase in the use of um impact aid. The state aid was a decrease. Um we have a decrease in miscellaneous revenues. We are 15 years
into our solar program, so we won't receive the same um rebates that we have in the past. We've reduced tuition a little bit. Fund balance is the money that's unspent from year to year. That's just come down slightly. And then we had an increase in 70 revenue based on some
changes in that program. in order to close the gap between that 3 million and the 1.3 million. These are the reductions that we made to the budget. Um between those unfulfilled positions and benefits is about $697,000.
We had out of district placements where we always try to anticipate people moving into the district. So we reduced that about $295,000. The insurance surplus is 70 substitute cost about $90,000. We reduced professional services, that's architects
and engineers, not anticipating any new construction projects. Utilities, we um I reduced based on the original budget that was proposed. Fuel costs. We received revenue from the um surrounding municipalities that use our fuel depot. So, I've reduced what we've budgeted in
anticipation of that revenue. I've reduced supplies after all the budgets were submitted. We reduced about $100,000 in supplies across the board. We reduced technology that included um taking the Chromebooks replenishment out of the budget as well as some child study team services that we hopefully
that we can save some money and um as we look at those programs. I mentioned bank cap and bank capped is generated um a couple of different ways. In our in our case bank cap is generated through health care costs. Our healthcare costs
are increasing. the state builds it into the formula that if they increase above a certain percentage, it generates a healthcare adjustment. When you don't use that, it falls down and you have three years to use it or it expires. In our case, we have
uh $734,000 of bank cap remaining after we use this year's healthcare adjustment and $686,000 worth of bank from previous years. So, additional requirements, additional cuts required if we don't use the bank
cap in the healthcare adjustment. If we did not approve the budget, we would go back and reduce about $384,000 in staffing, we would look at the transportation 530 runs and reduce those or eliminate some co-curricular stipens,
safety and security um to potentially remove the treasurer. and we were to cut go back and look at the budget again and try and reduce an additional $75,000 in instructional subscriptions and supplies and that would amount to the $686,000. This is a budget summary just
categorizing where the money is being spent in the budget. Our budget is $57 million. And the same here in expenditure summary just trying to categorize where the money is being spent in the budget. So tax impact comparison
the way our budget is built um in the region is the tax levy is spread throughout the region. So this example shows that if we change nothing, if we did not increase taxes, this would be the impact on the four towns. So Chesterfield would have a decrease of
$74. Mansfield's taxes would go up 79. North Hannover would go down 164 and Springfield would go down $123. There's fluctuations in Mansfield's equalized value. And so that's what's driving the increase for Mansfield.
Regardless if we increase taxes, this is no tax increase. increasing the taxes 2% which is the standard we're allowed to increase it amounting to $468,000. You can see the change. Chesterfield, North handover, and Springfield still
see see a reduction and Manfield goes up a little bit more. And lastly, in the proposed budget, we're asking for the $468,000, which is the 2% increase plus the 686,000. And you can see the impact in this scenario. Chesterfield's taxes go up
$102. Mansfields will go up 198 North North handover 66 and Springfield will or North Hannah rule will decrease 66 and Springfield will decrease $13 per year. It's the average assessed home. So here's tax impact at a glance and it
just kind of shows this information in a different format. So, with the proposed budget, you can see the average tax increase decrease on the average assessed home, um, $102, $198, decrease of 66, and a decrease of $13.
And here's a five-year comparison. You can see that the the impact of the home valuations and um on each municipality, there's all there's a fluctuation. Some years um taxes went down for most districts and somewhere years it went
up. So this just kind of demonstrates the five-year impact of what's happened in each municipality. This is tax levy aortionment. So again this is where we get the information the equalized values of the township. Here you can see the differences between the
two years. The bottom year is last year and the top um square is this year. So again, Mansfield is receiving the biggest increase. And so um the equalized value for Mansfield's municipality this year is 1.8 where last year it was 1.4. And so this is really
what drives the allocation between the different townships. As those equalized values fluctuate, new buildings coming online, a reassessment, this is what drives how the percentage share of the tax levy gets distributed amongst the towns.
Hey Jamie, quick question. So it has nothing to do with how many students per district. >> So um I asked the board to hold their questions until we get to the agenda item for the proposal. Jamie will go back up and reopen the presentation for all of us. This one it's she presents it. The public can speak. We end the
public comment. Then we'll get to the agenda item just cuz last time we went back and forth more than we were supposed to if you don't mind. Thank you. Sorry. Mike, >> what is that agenda item? Which number? >> 7.02. >> 702. Thank you. Yep. So, as Mr. Fig mentioned, this is the public budget hearing. So, at this time,
we'll open it up for comment for anyone from the public. >> No one signed up. Okay. >> If anyone would care to, please feel free to know there's not a lot of public here, but do feel feel free to sign up if you would like to speak. Um,
if not, I will uh end public comment on the budget hearing. Um and I will ask for a motion to uh conclude adjourn the public budget hearing on the 2627 budget. >> So moved >> and a second. All right. All those in
favor? >> I. All opposed extensions. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Lee, we have any signed up for agenda items? No. All right. Thank you. All right. Um, now we'll move to notes
about the consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are believed to be items of routine nature requiring no discussion in which are to be voted upon a single roll call vote to the board. Any single member of the board may have any of the items on the consent agenda removed and placed on the other part of the agenda for discussion merely by so
indicating prior to the vote to be taken on the consent agenda. Items removed from the consent agenda are identified by an asterisk and will be subject to discussion by the full board. 5.0 02 is approval of the regular meeting minutes of April 20th, 2026.
5.03 is approval of the financial report of the board secretary for March 2026. 5.04 is approval of the treasurer's report for March 2026. 5.05 is approval of budget transfers for March 2026.
5.06 is approval of cafeteria report for March 2026. And 5.07 007 is the resolution of the board regarding the budgetary major account fund status. Are there any questions or comments for section 5? All right. Section six uh 6.01 is
approval of a bill list for May 4th, 2026. Any questions or comments on section six? All right. In section 7, uh first item is 7.02, which is the non-consent agenda item for the approval of a 2627 budget.
Can I get a motion for 7.02? So moved >> and a second. Right. I will now open uh the floor for discussion. Mrs. Applegate, if you would like to uh lead with your question, I apologize again for for stopping it before. >> No, my
>> my question was on just the share of each district sending district. It has nothing to do with the enrollment. It's just based on the state's formula. Correct. >> Correct. So on that slide you'll see the equalized value and then it breaks down
the um it uses the tuition or enrollment numbers rather to um proportion between the elementary districts and the high school districts and then from there it applies the proportion to our share of that equalized value. >> It's an enrollment driven weighted
calculation >> between the between the elementary school and the high school district. Yes. And Jamie, that's based on who's actually enrolled here, right? So the percentages of the enrollment within northern that drives the aortionment
with the waiting of equalized value. >> Correct. And so and over explaining, we complete an um ASSA every year October 15th. Every district is required to count their students. And so then we get that report from the elementary districts, but then it's confirmed through the state budget software. And
so it's based on the October 15th count. Student uh school districts kind of live at that October 15th count. >> I always carry I always carry my calculator. >> No, I was just trying to look at the percentage and I I needed the big one. I was just
looking at the percentage of enrolled students versus like what their tax is. >> Yeah, >> I was just looking at the percentage of students versus their >> just for for me. Okay. >> We have any other uh questions,
comments, discussion on the uh budget? >> I've got one that's'll be relatively quick. So, we're currently 686,000 above cap. Is that right based on your one slide where you said what else would have to be cut?
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> Above the 2%. >> Right. >> Yes. >> Um I think we probably need to start I think we started that tonight in our committee meeting but for the benefit of the rest of the board, right? We have to talk about you know what do we do because that's not going to get better.
And you said we still have 720ish banked cap, right? >> Yes. Are we going to generate any bank cap this year or are we using it all with the healthcare? >> We're using the healthcare adjustment. Correct. >> Okay. So then we'll only next So next cycle we'll only have two years of bank
cap and that's at 7. >> So we actually will be using all of the bank cap from two years. We have none from three years ago. >> We will be using all of it from two years ago after the health waiver. So whatever is left will be last year's cap from the from the health insurance. the way that the numbers it we're still
tapping into last year's but everything falls remaining into last year's bank cap and then obviously there would potentially be new health waiverss generated next year or new bank cap generated next year >> so next year gets to be kind of precarious from budgeting perspective is that fair
right we don't have bank cap to fall on fall back on >> we we last year's bank cap was uh I think 800 plus thousand so we have a large amount of yes Okay, >> it's the year after that that there should be concern
>> considering costs are probably not going to go down. They're only going to go up, >> right? >> I do, but that's not their problem. >> I said, don't we know I said >> I said don't we know anybody in the healthcare world? But that was like
>> Yeah, but I mean there there's even the unexpected like look at the cost of fuel. I mean, I we we clearly didn't budget for that, >> right? >> Right. And where does it come from? It just has to come from what's there. And I think that's where we we probably need to be thinking between this year and
next year. What is it that we're going to either cut or are we going to change that's going to allow us to do that? Because it's not like we're bringing in any revenue, right? >> I mean, maybe we might with the new auditorium, but not anything that's
appreciable um to to offset that. car wash, more warehouses. >> Let me feel keep picking up the tab. >> Do we know the actual I know we estimated healthcare and prescription. >> Mhm.
>> Um is >> 3.4 for medical, seven for dental, which is what we included in the budget. >> 13.4. What did I say? >> Said 3.4. >> I'm sorry. 13.4, not 3.4. It'd be a different conversation. and we'd be we'd be I'd be handing out pizza. Um 13.4 for
medical, 7% for dental. Um the prescription has come in at 23 1.5% versus the 25 that we budgeted, but I'm still having conversations with our insurance broker on ways that we can reduce that maybe another point or two. So we don't have to have that renewed at
um July 1st. We can kind of go in past the that contract date, but hopefully there's some savings we can have there additionally. So, >> what's a point worth? Like, >> I don't have that information in front of me. I believe it was about I I have
it. If you give me one second, I can follow up with you. >> Yeah. And benefits are benefits. >> How much are benefit? Yeah, >> benefits are 8.7 million. So, >> but it's just of that prescription. >> Then you'd have to know what of it is prescription versus >> the medical. It's hard to tell.
>> The big hit. Typically medical is your highest cost. >> Yeah. >> Salaries is your largest cost. And then I think he's saying of the benefits of the benefits of benefits medical will always be your highest because the cost is
astronomical. At the 23 and a half% the savings was about $21,000 of prescription. >> Thanks. >> Mhm. Nice job, by the way, Jamie. >> Yes, Mrs. Williams. The presentation is
much clearer and easier to follow, so I appreciate all the effort you put into revising the presentation. All right. Um, if no one has any other questions or comments, I will ask you to do a roll call vote. Mrs. Williams. >> Mr. Figs. >> Yay.
>> Mr. Armente, >> yay. >> Mrs. Applicate. >> Yay. >> Mr. Mrs. Bond, >> yes. >> Mr. Bucks, >> no. >> Uh, Mr. Narwin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Janice. >> Mr. Zimmer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zuzio, >> yes.
>> Motion passes. >> All right. Thank you, everyone. Uh, resuming the consent agenda items. 7.03 03 is approval of board and staff travel. 7.04 is approval of dental plan renewal. 7.05 is approval of interlocal
services agreement with technology for Hannesport. 7.06 is approval of professional services. 7.07 is approval of professional services contract for thirdparty testing and inspection. 7.08 is approval of submission of schoolled
filter program application. 7.09 9 is approval of construction allowance draws and contractor credit for the auditorium project. 7.10 is approval of membership in the Mammoth Ocean Educational Service Commission cooperative pricing agreement. 7.11 is approval of
professional services for the auditorium access control system and 7.12 is approval of agreement for statistical forecasting. Um are there questions or comments for section 7? Right. Section 8 8.02 is approval of
non-resident student out of district placement. 8.03 is approval of home instruction services. 8.04 is approval of guest speaker. Are there questions or comments for section 8. Right. Section 9 uh 9.02 is approval of
administrators association appointments for 2627. 9.03 is approval of teachers association appointments for 2627. 9.04 04 is approval of child study team association appointments for 2627. 9.05 is approval of secretarial
association appointments for 2627. 9.06 is approval of custodians association appointments for 2627. 9.07 is approval of the drivers association appointments for 2627. 9.08 is approval of non-unit
appointments for 2627. 9.09 909 is approval of non-certificated appointments. 9.10 is approval of substitute. 9.11 is approval of summer a program student workers. And 9.12 is approval of additional work assignments.
Are there questions or comments for section 9? We have no items in section 10 or 11 this evening. Section 12 uh 12.02 and 12.03 are acceptance of retirements. 12.04 through 12.06 06 are approval of
resignations. Are there any questions or comments for section 12? All right. Section 13. 13.02 is approval of supplemental stipens. 13.03 is approval of summer camp director coaching athletic training services.
13.04 is approval of summer 13.04, 13.05, and 13.06 are all approval of summer camp director coaching and athletic training services. Are there any questions for section 13? Right. We have no items in section 14, section
15, section 16, or section 17 this evening. Um, with that, can I get a motion for the consent agenda? >> Make a motion to accept the consent agenda. >> If you could please do a roll call vote, Mrs. Williams.
>> Mr. Figs. Yay. >> Mr. for amending. >> Uh, yay to everything except 8.04. I abstain. >> Thank you, Mrs. Applicant. >> Uh, yay for everything except for 8.04.
I abstain as well. >> Mrs. Bond, >> yes. >> Mr. Bucks, >> no. On 7.09, 09. Yes on the rest. >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Norwood.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Janice. Mr. Zimmer. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Zuzio. >> Yes. >> Great. Thank you, >> Mr. Lee. Do we have any signs for public comment? Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting will now be open to the public for comments. Please note that the board is here to listen. The public comment period is not designed to be a discussion. Accordingly, please do not expect the board to respond to your concerns and questions this evening. We take your concerns and questions very seriously
and want to have sufficient time to allow our administration to process and research issues if need be. We will however respond to your questions and concerns at a future meeting or have the proper staff member get back to you at the appropriate time. Also, please note that if your questions or comments pertain to litigation, students,
personnel, or negotiations, we would ask that you see the superintendent after the meeting since we do not discuss these items in public. Please keep in mind that the public comment session is an opportunity for you to share your opinions and remarks with the board and it is not a question and answer session. We also recognize that our community may
be polarized on some issues. We want our schoolboard meeting to serve as an example to our students that each member of the board and community can deal with controversial issues in a civil manner and demonstrate mutual respect for everyone's views. In that spirit, we ask that all speakers please address their
comments to the board directly rather than the audience and all speakers and members of the public show respect for others views and maintain civility during the meeting. Please state your name, municipality of residence, and group affiliation if applicable. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person and a total comment period to
30 minutes. Only those who have signed up on the public comment signin sheets will be allowed to speak this evening. The individual time limits will be enforced so that as many members of the public who wish to speak may be allowed to do so. I apologize. Uh
Mrs. Kamar, sorry, I was trying to defide your first and last name. Shorter than this was anticipated for move it down. >> There we go. >> Um, good evening and thank you fall for the opportunity to come speak with you
tonight. My name is Shmita Kumar and I am a resident of Chesterfield. Um, late last week I sent you all a letter uh regarding my point of view on academic integrity and honesty at Northern. And um because I have a tendency to get
wewarded by way of a story, I will start off with a couple notes. I have an HR background and I remember my boss who was a really brilliant woman said to me when we would do performance reviews that which gets rewarded gets done. That
which gets ignored will continue to be done. That which has a consequence will be noticed. And that which we consistently give a consequence will change the culture. And I've carried that in every role I've been in in especially being a mom and
being an educator in other parts of my life. And my feelings on academic integrity don't go to what's this particular student's background or what class is it in or it's an just an individual problem. I feel so
passionately about it because to me it speaks to the very things that make a school a school or a home or a home or a place a place. It speaks to trust. It speaks to access. It speaks to expectation. And it speaks to culture.
There's a lot of discussions about the kids today. There's a lot of discussions about technology and mental health. And it's my fundamental belief that when we are part of an organization of any kind, a family of four or 10,000 people working in an organization,
the two primary goals are keeping kids and people safe. And the second is building the best environment for them to grow in. And what I began to hear about from my own children, and I have a junior and I have
an emerging ninth grader who will start next year, more from my junior, um, kind of concerned me about academic integrity at Northern. And as I started to then speak to some of the teaching staff who I have great relationships
with for my kids, they confirm some of that frustration. When I talk to children who are my kids age, they confirm that too. And I think it's a much bigger problem than sometimes we are aware of. As parents, we tend to think things are okay when everything
appears okay, but you find out there's a lot going on underneath the surface with children in high school. Um, I understand not everything is easy to fix. I understand that these are complicated issues.
But I will show you and I will give this to someone. Someone gave to me. I printed off from our handbook, our policy on academic integrity. It's straight and to the point, but I think it misses a lot of nuance. And I
have the South Brunswick academic integrity policy, which is five pages long. Speaks to academic tears, consequences, logging, and all other medium like other parts. Maybe not every aspect, but lots of aspects. I don't know who to give that to, but pass it
over here. >> Yeah. >> And because my time is short, I'm going to tell you what I'm asking of the board, which is to pay attention to the issues that shape the culture in the school. I had a great conversation with
Dr. Zuckerman today. It was open. Um, we exchanged ideas. I felt heard. And you know, we talk a lot about parents who don't get involved with their kids. If we want parents to be involved with kids, we have to make this an environment that welcomes the parents
who want to be involved. Prior to that conversation this morning, I really didn't feel that way. And I was very appreciative of that. Um, but if I'm going to say what I'm going to ask of you, that's my three minutes.
It's clear language and documentation on what is considered acument academic dishonesty with a corresponding consequence for students to sign off on. I think like we have so many forms on P school. This could be one violation of testing policy because cheating is a
word a lot of places don't use makes this easier for teachers to design that for their classrooms. a progressive discipline approach that both offers appropriate and impactful consequences to drive the right behaviors while supporting the students mental well-being. The first time you cheat is
not the same as the third time you cheat and I think that's getting lost. A proper system of logging, communication and awareness so each teacher is not operating in a vacuum with respect to the number of instances type of consequences. Our teachers and our kids
need support more than anything else. And I'll go back to the beginning of this. What gets rewarded will get done. What gets ignored will continue to keep going. So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Mrs. Kamar.
Right. That will close public comment. So, I I know we're not going to have a discussion, but we're not going to do it by email either. Um, so are we saying that there is a uh pervasive cheating going on and it's just being ignored?
>> No, it's so it's been discussed in a couple of the committees uh the curriculum committees had ongoing discussions and it's actually they're actively trying to continually update the policy their the practices that the school has, the regulations, the the handbook requirements. So it is I think
at every at this point it's been a topic of discussion at almost most of the curriculum committee meetings. Um the policy is kind of a baseline and then the student handbooks have much more detail and process involved that way it can be updated. Obviously it comes to us
we have to do a first reading a second reading to make every little change. So the policy is more blanket. It's also incorporated in a few others. Um and the regulations have their own reference to uh economic academic integrity and dishonesty. So, but I do know it is
>> and the punishments that go along with it >> and it's actively I mean I know the most recent curriculum committee meeting I sat on it was a topic of discussion and the escalation of punishments and the reevaluation of punishments because of where it's being seen and found. But it
is just like the AI policies were we said going to be ever in flux. I think it's the same thing. It's, you know, seeing how it goes and reacting to it. It's, you know, the same thing with like the cell phones. It's new, so it's hard to know what what's going to come of it
as it goes. So, I think it is actively amongst the committees. Um, I think curriculum Dr. Sman, you can if you have anything to add. So, I I think it's a big part of this is the everchanging technology that's out there as well. Um, I I'm happy to go into specifics with
you. I I don't want to give specific examples of something because I I don't want to make inferences to to a student or or to a given situation. >> Um however, we have um the the high school in particular has restructured even the um the identification and the
how to notify the that the main office is being notified so we can keep track of the students over the course of all of their classes not just during an individual class. Um there are in in addition to um uh consequences from a uh
a a an assignment perspective, there's also a disciplinary consequence associ associated with it as well. Um the challenge is the consistent implementation and keeping up with technology. We're currently exploring things that will allow the teachers to
review a written assignment to see if it was AI if if it was AI influenced. Um, again, so we're trying to keep up with it. We and I'd say we'd like to stay ahead, but I don't think we're going to stay ahead of the technology. We just have to kind of keep up with it as we're going.
However, as Miss Kumar said, I did speak with her uh today, and it it's an ongoing conversation that we need to have. Um, I think we are 100% doing a better job today than we were in the in the beginning part of the year before we knew about some things, and I think the
next September, we'll do even better. Can I can I ask a followup question? Um when we talk about like tracking those infractions, is that done through powers school and how how's that all managed within our d student data system?
>> It is maintained in student management system, but it's also maintained by the by the support staff in in the main offices as well. >> Is that a that's a separate system then? No, it it's through the student management system, but it's also the support staff or the the individuals who
actually make sure that keep track and kind of follow up and and so on along with the obviously the administrators. >> And does the counselor get notified too at that at that level? >> I mean, it depends on the level. Again, there's different various levels. a first infraction or if there's identification, maybe the counselor's involved with a student, even if there's
a disciplinary consequence and counselor's involved because there's got to be some sort of of recognizing the the challenges and and what went what went wrong and how they can kind of make corrections. >> Do do we know how many instances >> I I don't I can get that.
>> Do we have like a trend of if it's ticking upward or do we do we not collect that data? Uh it I can't tell you off the top of my head if there's more this year than last year. I know there has been uh an uptick in in a certain group. Again, I don't
want to identify that. I mean, this is on the the if it's not on the agenda for the curriculum committee in in a couple weeks. It it we it certainly will be. Um but then we are looking to identifying it, working with the identifying like the commonalities so then we can kind of
work to prevent it as well. I do think removing the cell phones is is a big part of that. >> And and generally speaking, is it AI cheating or like >> just having some it's just having some it's the smartwatches. Some it's the I
mean again according to the letter of the law, students shouldn't have their smartwatches or their phones or the meta glasses or or whatever else whatever other glasses there are. So, um, all due respect to the committee that's looking at this, have we also
taken into consideration the rules that we're using for test taking? Meaning, go back hundreds of years, it's always been, all right, show up, go do your studying, show up the test, here's the test, have a good time. You you see a lot more in colleges these days and even
at the grad level. Open book, use whatever tool you want and then be evaluated on how you answered the question, right? Uh especially when you're taking a test that's only 45 minutes to an hour long, right? It's all going to come down to maybe we should be
changing our evaluation process because I'm sorry, but you go into the real world and no one tells you what tools you can use or what you can't use. Um, even if you I mean I've spoken enough times on AI, everything I do today in my
job is all based around AI and developing and using the AI to help me. Um, and if that's the world they're going into and we're then putting them in a different situation, that just sounds dumb, right? So maybe it's not just looking at the policy, which I
agree if this is the rule and you break it, there should be repercussions and they should be gradually going up, but maybe the way we're administering could be done differently which could maybe cause it where you're not cheating. Just level let if if technology is the issue, level the playing field and that takes
the problem out of the of the story. So sorry. >> Yeah. Yeah. I like what you're saying because I I think with the strategic plan that will offer up a lot of opportunity for administration to have that those conversations with the teachers around professional development on you know assessment and sort of like
student engagement in the classroom and also monitoring um you know during assessment processes or assignment processes. So I think you know the stars are aligning and I I think it's tacking in a in a good direction. I I think it's just going to take time to kind of build
that, you know, uh in terms of like identifying, you know, what the four issues are and then, you know, um developing the professional development and the messaging that that that should go out. >> I I just want to say that's very interesting, Frank, that you mentioned that. Um it's been over 40 years since
I've been to college, right? But I can say um the toughest tests were the open book tests. I mean, that's not the time to start reading the chapter. You I mean, you got to know it and you got to know what page to go to look for the formula. >> But if you want to have an equal playing
field, give everybody the same tool. >> I get it. I mean, that's a major restructure, but why not think about it? >> Well, I think the challenge though is that with generative and I know you you've been wanting to talk for a couple minutes, but then I mean the uh with generative AI, you can put whatever
formula in there and it will spit out the answer. So then again there should be some sort of component. So again I hear what you're saying and you have to know the questions to ask as well to be able to identify it but so there have to be some sort of parameters on not just telling the computer to do it and then
kind of also being able to show the understanding. >> Yeah. But the logic would then say 30 people take the test they all get the same answer but the one that puts their own brain power and adds it to that is the one that's going to elevate. Right. That's the way the world's going right now. And so that's where we really should look at the way we're doing
things and and really question it, right? Not just say policyy's broken, fix the policy. Well, yeah, okay, you you can make some adjustments. And I think uh Miss Kumar brought up some um I read her email. She brings up some really good points that that we can address, but sometimes it's really re-examining the the problem and and
taking a different approach to it that can come up with the answer and being out of the box. So that's where I'd say we have to pressure our pressure test ourselves of thinking differently, right? Otherwise, we're just going to keep make, you know, like like any good history student, right? And I know Dr. Karns can appreciate this. You just keep
making the same mistake because you don't learn from the from what you've done historically. >> I was going to say Frank and I, I think, agree on on the approach here, right? Because it is it is pervasive and it is a learning opportunity. I But I think as a policym body that we are, right, I
think we can we could probably take two actions here, right? one is to kick this idea that you have here Frank into the curriculum committee and I think the other is you know the you know the points that um or the research that Miss Miss Kumar already did for us right and
compared I guess South Brunswick's policy versus ours maybe the policy committee goes and takes a look to see where those differences are because maybe there is a gap that we need to address. So I mean I I think we've got kind of two actions for our committees here. So I don't know
if anybody else thinks the same. >> Yeah, definitely. I would like to point out um regulation 5600 is student conduct and deals it's a very long regulation and that has a lot of the overlap to the academic integrity and it's referenced directly in the student conduct regulation. Um I think that's
our more expansive one whereas policy 5701 uh on academic integrity tends to be the more concise one and the regulation tends to hold a lot more information in terms of the disciplinary actions and like what what can be
revoked on a board's approval and all that. So I think we I think it may just be one of those it we'll look further but it may be one of those houses in a different spot. It could be just a gap between the regulation and the handbook because I'm assuming this maybe this could be bought. Yeah, >> I don't know. I don't know if this came out of the handbook out of South
Brunswick and our our handbook or if it was actually within our regs or our policies, but I think it's worthwhile at least taking a look at. >> Definitely >> agree. >> All right. Um, moving along. So, that's two items for I guess new business for the committees, both curriculum um and
policy. Um, I don't know if anyone has any other requests to be sent to committee or old business they'd like brought back. I mean, the this discussion is both new business and old business for both those committees because I know it's been a topic of discussion. Um, but if anyone has anything else they'd like to recommend
or send um let me >> of course have two items. >> Yeah. >> Um the first just to kind of reiterate the the unfunded mandate item from earlier tonight. Uh I did find a link. I sent it to you Mr. Figgs, Mr. Pante, uh Dr. Zuckermanman and Jamie as well. Um,
I'd like to see us maybe look at at taking formal action, you know, as a board or as a district to go to the council and and appeal. And it seems there's a process for it. Um, I'm not clear on the on the procedures, but I I think it's something that's worthwhile, right? Because at the end of the day,
we're supposed to be driving educational policy as as this board and we're supposed to be the responsible ones for Northern Burlington, right? That's this is our community. to have the state come in and mandate this to us and not leave, you know, Dr. Zuckermanman and his staff in conjunction with us as a board to
define what that needs to be. Like we should push back on that, right? Because that's our role. So, I don't know how that gets done. I don't think that goes into a committee. Maybe that's just Dr. Zuckerman to figure out or u you know, Miss Williams to figure out who does this. >> You're talking about the cell phone.
>> Yeah, the cell phone. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but I'd like to see us push back on that because I'd like you to have the latitude to do what you think makes sense. So, and then the other one we kind of discussed briefly, I think on email, um, the recordings of minutes, uh, recordings of meetings. Um, I don't
know if the whole board has hasn't been part of that conversation, but it seems that today after we, um, we finish the meeting and the minutes are created that we remove the recordings from access to the public. I'd like to see that change and those recordings be available for
longer than just the period until um from meeting until minutes are created. So um I don't know how we open that up for conversation >> right now because it's not affected in policy. Um >> I know that was So I guess the biggest question is what what timeline does the
board think as a whole is a reasonable timeline? Three months meetings, six months meetings, you know I eventually you start becoming enladen. And I think if you go past that, I think it's restrictive to say calendar year because then what July 1st you delete a year's the last years and then you don't have
last months, right? So like I don't know if a six-month rolling gives full access to what's been discussed more. I don't know if anyone has an opinion on that. I know we just I said it was discussed probably 3 four years ago and yeah, we had deemed it, you know, keep the m
meetings on up on the Northern Berlin TV through YouTube and then yeah, once minutes were approved, they could be brought down. Um, I know Dr. Sacramento and I have had the discussion about leaving them up at this point, but I guess the biggest question is if the word has an opinion on what kind of rolling time frame if we
want to do 6 months. So, you know, if that's a reasonable time, you know, if anyone has a thought, >> I just I guess I just have a question, Joe, for you. If if the meetings are posted, why do you need the live recordings? Like do you feel like there's some something missing in the minutes or
>> Well, in the past meeting minutes were terrible. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. There were there were really no minutes. It was the agenda and it just said it was approved. >> At least there's a little bit more. I'm not I mean I'm not trying to >> Oh, it's infinitely more than it used to be. There's every comment and discussion
has you feel like the minutes are missing. >> No, no, you missed the whole >> No, I think Jamie's done an excellent job in her approach to minutes versus prior. Yeah. >> Uh minutes I don't think there's a cost to us to keep >> Yeah. I'm not I'm just curious if >> a recording is a recording versus
minutes. If someone wants to go back and and understand, you know, or or hear what was said specifically. >> I mean, I have an issue with it. >> Best value I can have is tonight's meeting was the public hearing. If you wanted to look at March's public hearing, we took it down in April when we approved March's minutes. So, you
wouldn't be able to go back and relisten to the presentation. You could look at the presentation, but you wouldn't have Mrs. Mrs. Williams commentary. So like I you know and that's where like I don't think years of of videos are going just going to bog down the list of items we have. But I think some rolling capacity
for whether it's 3 months 6 months makes sense. >> Me personally a year whether it's a calendar year or it's the school year one or the other. I think that's reasonable. Again I don't think there's a cost to us to to do that. >> No. >> If we're voting I think if we're voting I think the 12 month rolling
>> Yeah. Yeah. I would just make sure that even better. Yeah. 12 month rolling. >> I would just want to make sure that the same month meeting isn't of a year apart isn't up cuz that that's where people get confused. They look for April's meeting and if they see April 2025's meeting, I think you'll confuse people
and have people like questioning like, "Oh, what are we doing this for?" Like, so that's why we're doing 12 months, fine. But I think try to keep the month as the the threshold. >> Date them in ISO style. 2026-05-04. You won't confuse them. Yeah, but I mean
that's that would that would be only Yeah, 12 months makes sense, but yeah, just I would just say at the new month drop the the year previous month makes it doesn't even require a vote. It's just there's no >> set >> um we we didn't put it into policy
because the issue is say we finish this recording and it's corrupted. We don't have it. We now are violating our policy by not having it. You know, we do it in good practice, but if we require it in our policy, then we're voiding our policy. If we have a a problem on the tech side, not that Mr. Lee has ever had
a problem, he's infallible. But >> but that's Yes. I mean, I think that's that's just it's just a discussion. If anyone has any, you know, what they say a year rolling can stay up on the the YouTube channel and then yeah, as the same month of the next year comes up, that one will the last ones will drop
off. >> Is there a way to archive like past recordings in a folder that would be separate? Because I've seen districts do that. So we do have all of our recordings that are archived and because if somebody operates them or somebody makes a request as as was made. I mean
we can certainly get that to them but it was just really trying we were trying to adhere to the decision that was made by the board. Uh which is why we kept them as archived. I mean if we do a year rolling then we'll after the ones that are taken down we will still archive them.
>> And are those archives available on the website or is that by request? >> They're not by request. Yep. >> Laura, part of that discussion had been um you know at one point in time that those were actually out there and actively available and um like I said we changed that but I think that decision
as we kind of traded the emails that decision was made prior to the changes that were made in 2024 to the Oprah law and the Oprah law now and the government records council recommends try to make these things as accessible to the public as you possibly. I think the term is um
as feasible. So, but of course that's not defined. >> Did did we get a legal opinion when we made that decision? I don't remember. >> I mean we our attorney would have been here. Our attorney was here right every meeting. So they would have
>> given us I mean I imagine some opinion on the discussion. >> We discussed it. I don't know it was executive meeting or something else. We we discussed it in the library. >> Yeah. We were uh at that time concerned with the closed captioning restrictions cuz we thought maybe we have to take
them all down cuz some schools were completely removing them because of ADA compliances and we you we had to as we were discussing with the attorney the if the YouTube autogenerated closed captioning was adequate to meet ADA compliance and that's how the discussion of you know do we have to worry about
what how it's done dated and stuff like that and that's where the discussion took place. So yes, we the attorney was there because we were consulting with them based upon the close captioning compliances. So I mean that I don't believe there was one way or the other.
Um in actuality uh the new so the new board docs is a lot more to the page they're like the one that is on there has a link to the meeting. So you could have those links and you could have a note that's
like meetings beyond this have been archived and are available upon specific request kind of thing, but it alludes to the transparency, the availability, but like then you have a concise list of previous recorded meetings that are accessible on that board docs. Hopefully
the new uh page being that much cleaner and accessible would help with that as well. All right, so with that I mean I said it's not an official vote. It's a open discussion. So I think we all have kind of agreed though, right? 12 month rolling.
>> Okay. >> Cool. Thank you. >> All right. Uh with that, there are uh virtual curriculum and community relations meetings in May. Uh policy meeting at the beginning of June. And then our next regular board of ed meeting is June 8th. I believe we'll
have the retirement we doing the retirement thing beforehand. So there'll be uh the retirement uh little ga gathering that we host. >> Yes. If I can just put one more and and I'm glad I appreciate you uh reminding me of that. Um in June we will also have
uh the my evaluation which what we've done in the past is we've done the retirement celebration gone into executive session and then come back out allowing people to still mingle after that. If the board is open to that, we could start the meeting earlier than the
executive session earlier than 7:30. Um, which would allow would prevent the the audience or anybody coming to the meeting for waiting around like an hour until we finish that process and then start then essentially starting the meeting at 8:30. So, if if I can ask you to check your schedule that that evening
to see if you would be available since there is no committee meeting, we can always start the retirement celebration at the 6:15. Then we could potentially start the uh the executive session at 6:45 or or uh 7:00, which would allow us just to start the the the meeting itself
a little bit earlier. >> June 8. >> Yes. June. >> Yep. >> I'm in favor of that. I think that's a good idea. And I I just want to put a plug in for the the board self-evaluation if we could get to that this year. I think it's a great
opportunity and um way to show the the public that we're committed to our processes and working uh through our own self-evaluation uh to think about our roles. >> So right now on my calendar it says the retirement is 6:30 to 7:30. You're
saying when would we meet for the evaluation? >> I would say no. I'm saying that maybe we start the retirement thing at maybe 6:00 or 6:15. allow that and then so that way we still wouldn't start the actual meeting before 7:30 which is when it was called for but we just go into executive session. >> We would open the meeting officially go
to executive session but like at 6:45 7:00 approximately depending upon everyone's availability >> um after the little procedure proceedings for the retirement ceremony >> um if everyone's available in that way. Yes. Because the the evaluation typically does take an hour or so,
right? >> A little more. Um, but that would prevent the actual meeting from starting not starting till 8:30, 9:00 basically. So, um, I guess yes, everyone check your calendars, confirm when you get home, and please let myself and Dr. Sherman know if there's any issues, we'll start
at 7:30. >> I heard a number of okays. If anybody has any conflicts with that, just let me know and then we'll go from that side. >> All right. And so with that, um, if I can get a motion to go into executive session. >> Make the motion to go into executive session.
That was all those in favor. I all opposed abstensions. All right. Uh we will not be conducting business following executive session this evening.