We'll now stand for the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. United States of America Has any board of education member received schoolboard related emails and/or correspondences that have not yet been
shared with the superintendent? Okay. Uh at this time, Dr. Zuckermanman, if you'd like to give your superintendent's report, please. >> Absolutely. So on on March 13th, we hosted uh a visit from the New Jersey Commissioner of Education, the president of the State Board of Education, and
several other visitors from New Jersey Department of Education and the Executive County Superintendent's Office. It was a great opportunity for us to brag about our district, the programs that we offer, and our amazing students. The visitors were quite impressed with the opportunities that we
provide to our students and just the district as a whole. So kudos to everybody who helped with that visit. Um, on Saturday, from Saturday, March 14th through Tuesday, March 17th, I attended the spring naps conference with Mr. Pigs in Washington, DC. On Saturday
night, I attended the the MISA executive board meeting. On Sunday, I participated in a number of sessions that included the Louisissa membership meeting, the state chair meeting, general membership meetings, and several other sessions that were all designed to provide strategies to best support our military
connected students and families. Mr. Mr. Figs is going to provide you with a report from the conference. So I don't want to duplicate things, but I will share that Mr. Figgs and I did present at the conference. The title title of our session was the federal impact related federal impact related
through local policies. In my report to the board, I shared an article from Nafas that was published about our session. On Tuesday, the constituents and myself from New Jersey met with representatives from 11 of our 13 elected officials, elected offices from
New Jersey. These meetings were are extremely important as they allow us to discuss the current challenges and they and this provides us with an opportunity to reiterate how important impact aid is to op to the operations of our district. This is critical since the funding is
approved on an annual basis. Last week, prior to the senior trip, the audi uh the the seniors that participate in the band, the chorus, and the theater programs had an opportunity to get involved with the auditorium project.
These students were asked to sign one of the last beams that will be installed in the projection booth. The students were very excited as they were able to be included in the project even though they're not going to be here once it as students once it opens. The this week starts this weekend starts
our annual FFA plant plant sale. The sale will be held on Saturdays between April 25th and May 16th from 8 am to 100 p.m. This weekend they're offering free trees to resident residents of Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hannover, and Springfield. If you need
indooroutdoor plants, I highly recommend you checking it out to see what they offer. You certainly will not be disappointed. I also printed out a few of the flyers. If anybody is interested, I'm happy to kind of pass them around and I'm happy to email out for everybody
just so you you have it as well. That concludes my report. All right. Uh thank you, Dr. Zuckerman. Um Mrs. Williams, if you'd like to give your business administrator's report, please. >> Sure. Good evening again, everyone. Um, in my report this month, I just shared
out that the um, while we're all the way in October, the 2026 New Jersey School Boards Association workshop information is already rolling out. Um, I put on everyone's calendar, a save the date for that time period. Um, we secured hotel rooms, but as we get closer, we'll ask
for RSVPs for who wants to attend. Um, they offer some really great sessions, so even if you can only make it down for a day, it is um, worth it. Burlington County School Boards Association on May 14th is hosting a spring celebration. Um our very own um
Burlington County Teacher of the Year, Dr. Hogs, will be speaking there. So if anyone was interested in attending, it's virtual or in person. Let me know and I can help register you for that. On the agenda tonight, um there is a
resolution to purchase a sound system for the stadium in addition to LED lights to finish up that project for the east side of the um high school and both gyms. Just a reminder that the public budget hearing is on May 4th. Um assuming that
we don't have any changes at that time, we will advertise the budget and start preparing for um the different departments to start purchasing their supplies for the 2627 school year. Uh just a quick thank you for um to Dr.
Zuckermanman and Mr. Figs for representing us down at Naf. It really is impactful going out to the hill and um making the cause known for the federally impacted children for the district. um graduation robes. Um if you want to
attend graduation um if you can let me know and um provide the information your college and university so that we can get you robes. And then lastly, construction. Um the construction is moving along um the warmer weather for the one week that we did get to enjoy it. They made a lot of
progress. Um the walls are about 80% constructed. Um it's really moving along. and we really can um take see the building taking shape um inside of the wall. So, it really is exciting to um see that all coming together.
And I did notice um that the um board report from facilities director is the incorrect month. So, I'll mail out email out to you guys the updated facilities report from um Jason Vickers, the director.
That is it. Right. Thank you, Mrs. Williams. Um, on this month's agenda, you'll see I I wrote up a a brief board president's report on the trip to Napus uh for Dr. Zucker and myself. Uh, just to kind of give you guys a little bit more detail
about exactly what what sessions I went to and was able to attend. Um, some information on the session that we Dr. and I hosted for some of the other military districts uh that attend the Nafas. Um as well as kind of representation of of how our Hill visits
went. Um it's pretty amazing. Um being able to meet both in person with Senator Kim and uh Congressman Conaway. Um you know, I think in all my visits prior, I've only ever met with with Congressman Kim at the time once and it's usually staffers. So, uh, having the opportunity
to meet with both of them, uh, was pretty great, I said. And we had, uh, really good feedback from from the aids, it felt like a really successful visit. So, um, you know, it all comes down to how how it goes or where it goes. But it's just good to be supported, um, and have them, you know, listen to you and
ask questions and be interested and follow up. So, um, if anyone has any questions, feel free on that report. Um, like I said, I, you know, don't expect to do one every month. I'm not going here to reiterate the same things that are in the superintendent report and the business administrator's report, but um
in this instance, it felt like I could provide it to the board uh for a little bit more information on that NAPA trip. Um so there's no other questions. I will ask Dr. Karns to come up for his middle school principal report, please.
All right. Good evening, Mr. Fig. Members of the board, just want to point out some highlights from my uh my board report. You have the full copy. I'm assuming there with the the agenda. Uh one thing I want to point out, uh Northern was represented at the at Burlington County um school boards association 8th grade dialogue just a
few weeks ago at uh Pean Middle School at Helen Ford Middle School. Um our eighth grade president, Madison Johnson, was there with her mother. She did a really nice job on the the panel. discussion with the other other students and we want to thank Madison and her mother for coming out uh for that evening program and and representing
Northern so well. March was our uh I guess beginning of the process of of bringing the students from sixth grade over to the uh to the middle school. We hosted the the parents of sixth graders on March 11th, soon to be parents of seventh graders. And then on the 12th and the 13th, we were joined by first um
North handover in Springfield and the Choice students. They came to see us on that Thursday on the 12th. And then the 13th, we had the the students from Chesterfield and Mansfield come out and visit the middle school. They got we took them on tours of the building. They uh got to do some icebreaker activities and most importantly to them, they got to eat lunch in the middle school. And
they they like being able to order pizza, French fries, all that that good stuff that they don't get to do in elementary school. Um we are approaching the state testing and it's a little bit different this year. we are doing it's an NJSLA A and that that extra A stands for adaptive and the idea is there that the
the questions adapt as students answer them so everybody's taking perhaps a slightly different test as the as the um as the day goes on I'm just looking at the process for the testing we think it's going to be best to do that over the course of three days and take two sections each day and so that's going to
be for allow for not allow for it's going to create a longer uh testing time for the students but the idea is hopefully they'll they'll be able to move move through that and and do that do that well and then um again just takes us three days instead of stretching over the entire week. So we're we're anxious to see how our students do and this new format and what
that means. Um our our middle school test coordinator uh Sue Greater has been working very hard working on the details. We have our training tomorrow for our middle school teachers to get them ready to to administer that test. Our community service project was April 3rd and I want to thank the just the
real generosity of the community, all the donations that that came forward and allowed our students to put together um 500 plus bagged uh lunches for the Titan area soup kitchen. We do that in the half day leading up to to spring break and Mrs. Henry, one of our science teachers, really does a nice job organizing that and he gives us a chance
to, you know, have our students involved in community service, but we do it all right there in in the building. and we were um got help from our facilities department transporting this stuff up to the task uh facility in Trenton. And finally, I just want to point out we are planning an eighth grade trip. Like so
many other things, our eth our class trips took a hit. Um CO we've been back from CO for many years. Some of the other hindrances have been just getting bus drivers and you know those kinds of things, the transportation, but we look like we're able to to put something together here. We're looking to take our eighth grade class to Six Flags Great
Adventure on June 2nd. And uh you know, we're really excited about that. This the response from the students has been uh has been good. I've been seeing them go down to the library, picking up the um permission slips, dropping them off in the morning. So, we're we're looking forward to bringing that that tradition back. All right. Any questions for me?
>> I guess I don't know if this is a question for you or um Robert, but um just with the recent activity, are we seeing more parents deployed? Are we seeing any more upticks in that on the in the schools?
>> I'll certainly defer to Sergeant Mareski. >> I wouldn't have access to everybody's deployment status on base, but I mean things have ramped up. So, I'm sure there is more people going out the door. >> But I I couldn't speak for everybody on
base. >> I haven't noticed any dramatic change, you know, but sometimes people don't don't tell us either. That's business as usual for those families. Somebody goes away and they're just managing. But certainly we'll we'll support, you know, provide any support that we can for those families.
>> The one um I have while I don't I just like yourself, I don't have records to to all the the uh service people on base. Um I did have a a conversation with the um with the the the commanders group that about just preparations. should there be heightened level of of
awareness or heightened level of um of security on the base whether with the buses and all that for contingencies one way or another. So those measures have been talked about again that's hope god forbid hopefully that's all just planning and and talks and nothing comes to fruition. Um but I mean we do have uh
the Mflac, we do have um obviously our base leaison that that we are in communication with and we can certainly ask and it's a good question. Um but typically we get that information from the students more so than than the base itself. >> Very good. I'll turn over to Dr.
McCannon. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Thank you, Dr. Karns. >> Good evening, folks. Um you have my full report. Um so just a few of the highlights as well. Um so you'll see we did blue burst gray in March. That's one of our largest events for school spirit
for the year. Um and you know the gray team had been holding strong and then we lost um by a few points and that I took a hit because I'm the only one in the entire main office that's last name is M through Z and is on the gray team at Fredel Sun Blue. So I got to hear about that for a while. Um but I think the students were really excited for it. Had a good time and we had a good turnout
and this was the first year we did it in the high school gym instead of middle school. So, we got to leave some of those posters up that the kids had worked really hard on and other students got to see them. And so, we're hoping that that ramps up the spirit uh for future years. Um the day before spring break, we had multicultural day. Um that used to be in the auditorium. We moved
that to the gym for spacing purposes and we were able to have 10 more tables for countries than we've been able to fit in the past. Um we had a ton of kids, they make food, they have games and dancing and um we really got to highlight some of that because kids could sit in the bleachers and watch or walk around the room. Um and we thought it was really
successful. um where we're going to continue in that venue and I think kids and adults enjoyed that experience. Um we also had the school musical Mary Poppins which went really well. Um it is amazing to see two casts of kids that are as talented as our kids, right? I think there are some places that struggle to find like one really superb
cast and we had two um which was just really amazing to see. So anybody that came out and saw that, I'm sure you felt the same. Um if you checked my report, you'll notice there's about a million important dates coming up and things are really going to fly. Um, so for those of you that have seniors, you're going to you're going to feel that coming pretty quick. Um, we just got back from
Florida, um, in the middle of the night, Saturday into Sunday. Had a really great trip, probably one of the most successful I've been on. The kids were amazing. We got a lot of compliments about how great um, our kids are. Uh, we also have testing coming up. Our testing looks a little bit different because not our entire school tests in high school.
Um, so 9th graders will have five sections of tests. They'll do one section a day, Monday through Friday. 11th graders have four sections of tests, so they'll do one a day Monday through Thursday. Seniors will have flex time in the morning, so they'll be able to come in on the 2-hour delay schedule and come in at 9:30. And 10th graders
will have programming that we're setting up all week. That looks like speakers about drugrelated things, speakers about um bullying and uh all kinds of different things to keep them interested. We also ask for staff members that are willing to run events. Um so you'll see some students getting opportunity to go to the fitness center,
getting to learn about um different things. things. Our SRO is really excited for um juvenile justice bingo that he's gotten from the county. Right. So, there's all kinds of people. I know he's he thinks it sounds more exciting than I do. Um but, you know, things I think that we're trying to get the whole community involved um so the students
can find things that interest them in addition to making sure that they have something uh productive to do for the time while the other students are testing. Um we also have a senior assembly that comes that week after the fire and they come every year. They're the gentlemen that were pretty badly burned in the Satan Hall fire many years ago and they come and speak to the seniors every year about safety as they
go into adulthood um into dorms but also just kind of living on their own. Um so we'll have them as well and then uh that'll kind of close out that week. Um a few other things, prom is coming up. Prom ticket sales started today. They'll run for two weeks. Um so certainly uh
juniors and seniors can all purchase tickets. Underassman can come as a guest of a junior senior. Um so they're invited. Um we'll have upcoming awards nights coming up. One of the um things you'll notice is that we're breaking apart the senior uh awards nights into a night and a breakfast. So the
scholarships will all be in the evening, right? In the past we've done scholarships in the evening and we've done other subject awards and it's been a really awesome night and a really long night. Um and so our hope is that we'll make it a little bit shorter. We'll add a lot more of those academic uh subject specific awards to a breakfast that'll get held the day of the first graduation
practice and we'll live stream that for families so they can still see it. Um, but it's an opportunity for kids to kind of celebrate each other because I think some of that gets lost in a night that is so long. Um, so we'll do that and then, uh, graduation's last on the list there. So, lots of exciting things coming up. Um, certainly excited to see
many of you there. Anything you're interested in attending, we're happy to have you. Does anyone have any questions about anything? >> Yes, I just have two quick questions. I'm excited. I like the idea of the breakfast just because it kind of changes things up a little bit. Um, and
then my question was about the limitations on the prom tickets. Do are there limitations on how many outside guests can be invited? >> I don't think we'll have any issue. Um, so we moved to a different venue. We were at um in Mount Laurel and there was two rooms and it was kind of stuffy. We're going to the Cherry Hill Double
Tree. Um, it has the ability for outdoor seating if the weather is nice as well as indoor seating. Last year we hit about 500. We could fit about 575 to 600. Uh, comfortably at this venue. We don't we don't think that we'll have an issue with guests. um we don't plan to to limit them.
>> Okay. So, like outside if if a prom um if a student attending Northern has a date from another school district, there's no limitations on how many of those students from outside the district can come because I know that was a concern in the past. It was a concern in the past that I don't perceive ever actually became an issue. I think we
limited it because we had a concern, but because we've had so many guests come for homecoming and prom last year without an issue to put a cap on it, we we don't think we made a cap. Yeah. All right. Sorry. And >> the if I may th the students coming from outside districts still do have to follow the the procedure to get permission and sign offs and and all
those things. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> And then my other question was about graduation. The plan for graduation this year. Is it similar to last year? Have you made any changes? What are your thoughts on >> for now? It's similar. Um we we don't have a we were just talking like last year we spray painted lines on the field and now we have a turf so we can't do
things like that. Um, but we've talked to facilities already about how we make sure that there's enough areas for everybody to sit and make sure things are orderly and all of that. Um, yeah. >> Do we anticipate that the turf will be cooler because of the super cool
>> Dr. like he wants to feel this one. >> So, uh, I don't know if you saw the I sent you an email the end of last week which I I actually intended to to share in my report as well. It's actually >> maybe geekishly like exciting. uh is that on as as you know the temperatures the end of last week were were quite
warm. Our athletic trainers always have to do testing as far as the temperatures on the field. The temperature on the turf was actually lower than it was on the grass field. So which is exciting. >> What's the difference between scholars
night and scholarship night? Scholars night is for underassmen. So 9th 10th and 11th graders. Um, for graduation, is it going to be chairs set up or are we asking them to bring the chairs like last year? >> Same as last year, right? >> Same thing. So, some chairs up,
>> no chairs up, no chairs, folks on the track, like all of us on the track and then the students will be in the bleachers. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Good. All right. Great. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Mac. All right. Uh, agenda item 2.06 6 is
consent agenda item for the approval of the HIP reports. 2.07 is consent agenda item for the approval of the superintendent reports. Um we'll now move forward to committee reports. Um Mrs. Janice, if you'd like
to start with the community relations. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Um so community relations had a meeting on March 26th and um the agenda was we started Dr. Zuckerman gave us an update on Northern
Burlington 2030 and the committee consists of 24 people which are a combination of admin, teachers, students and parents and they talked about um sample goals and focus areas and the group identified the proposed goals and
drafted proposed goals. Um Dr. Dr. Zuckermanman shared the proposed soft skills and instructional goals and a draft of the fiscal goal was also shared. The uh timeline is that these goals are going to be shared with the
board in May and then present to the public in June. Uh we talked about the cell phone update for the 2026 2027 school year. Um there
is some challenges as far as you know pricing and looking into different options such as pouches with and then how to manage the locking and unlocking systems. So these are dialogues that are still occurring. Um there were also
concerns about needs for phones like after school and field trips and things like that. Um, of course, communication is going to be very important to families and staff about the implementation and um, administration is going to show
data about why and how this works. So, more information about that. No um, no official decisions, but it's all part of a discussion that's happening. Uh the attendance communication plan was
shared for the 2026 2027 school year and um uh it's a modified policy which will need two readings and the second reading at tonight's meeting. Um Dr. Zuckermanman shared the commun communication plan with how this will
roll out to staff and families. Um the suggestion is that they should the information be should share it out to students directly. Um and Dr. McCann shared the current process and how the assistant principles and guidance work through the current attendance issues.
Um New Hover the superintendent of New Hannah handover inquired about potential sending students to um northern Burlington. This would take place for the 2027 2028 school year. um they would
like to send uh 7212 to Northern Burlington and this would be a send receive relationship. We also talked about use of facilities and adding a fourth tier to the policy to allow use of outside organizations to
rent a variety of facilities. And then lastly, um, uh, Laura Bond volunteered to serve as the board liaison to the Hall of Fame committee. And that's everything. Thanks. Any questions?
>> Yeah. Uh, Dr. Zuckermanman, can you give more specifics on that? >> Absolutely. So the question was uh just are we go looking to rent out the field? Um there are opportunities to do that. I think our students come first. So during the school year it is used I mean quite
often. We also with the field we also have the the challenges that we don't want to have overuse because then it's going to wear down the the the turf sooner. So we are open to that. It's just going to be on a case uh evaluated on a case by case basis how long they want it and and sell out. Uh we are also
obviously developing the plan for the auditorium as well. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Janice. Uh Mr. Norwood, if you'd like to give the personnel minutes from March. >> Okay. So, we Excuse me. We had a personnel meeting on March 9th. Um we
discussed staffing um the retirees that are coming up and discussed positions that we're not going to fill. positions will remain there, but we're not going to fill the positions um yet. Um we talked about non-renewals and um talked
about how the uh administration has tried to help these people along with corrective action plans and and meetings. So um that's up for discussion as to who's not being renewed. Uh we talked about a recent hires of the
facility director. Um he uh is starting a lot of training for the staff and also uh enacting trying to solve more problems in house than having outside contractors come in. So that's a a good thing cost savings. Uh data services
manager and the high school main office secretaries were both uh up and running and there's nothing no problems there. Uh talked about the termination of an employee. Um some of the upcoming objectives they're we're looking or they are looking at a new um onboarding
software um that will uh help the application process and the onboarding of the new teachers or new staff process. Um going to update the job descriptions um for the transportation department to uh be more specific with
job responsibilities. Uh there's upcoming contract negotiations. we were talking about. Um and the strategic plan was was mentioned and we discussed that a little bit. Other than that, um you talked about
non-salary um non-unit salary increases, um job fairs, uh revised the New Jersey family law, um family leave law, and showed the updated staff evaluation rubrics.
Um, and that's about it. Any questions? >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Narwin. Um, I will give a brief uh report from the policy committee meeting uh that was last Monday, April 13th. Um, the minutes haven't been finalized yet for that, but
um I always prefer to do it closer to rather than uh waiting out a long long length of time. uh when the policy committee met virtually um we briefly went over uh the potential policy we would use for a reser receiving district
uh with new handover. Um just to review what the standard uh offered policy from SHMA was. Um obviously at this time there's been no decision whether they'd be a tuition based or a receiving district. It was more done um and put on the agenda because we had the policy
meeting scheduled. Uh so it didn't hurt to at least uh open the topic of discussion there um and kind of start a review um you know take a look at it and see what was out there. Um and then from that we kind of decided that we would uh look around to some other districts uh
that have receiving district policies um and kind of compare what they do and see if they've altered it much from what is the standard offered policy out there. Um no decisions were made. It was just kind of a preliminary review. Um we then had uh I mean the main focus discussion
was on bylaw 164 um which is kind of our conduct of board meetings. Um there are a few items uh that I'll bring up now for full board input and discussion. Um the first is the inclusion of the moment
of silence into the board agenda. Um I know it was brought up by Mr. Zimmer. Um Dr. Dr. Zuckerman and myself have done some research trying to see if it was implemented for particular purpose. Um, basically as far as we could find is that it's been around for as long as
anyone can remember with no direct uh purpose to it. So, um, wanted to bring it to the full board to see what people's thoughts were on in terms of removing it as a standard, uh, item on our agenda. Um, or if the board
collectively thought it should stay there. Um, another, uh, discussion was on the, um, orientation of the agenda and how it's broken down. Um, one of uh my
suggestions was to um move the consent agenda description up to kind of information items to started earlier in the meeting. Uh move the two consent items that we currently include in section 2 um down from 2.0 right like
tonight would be 2.06 and 2.07 7 for the approval of the HIP reports and the approval of superintendent reports uh down to uh routine matter reports to the board um because they are reports to the board as well as a general realignment of all of our sections. Um I know Mr. Bucks and I had had a conversation at
one point um so we had talked you know we currently have a section for personnel a section for personnel miscellaneous a section for leaves of absence um all really tie into the same topic. Um so in the interest of uh streamlining the ag the agenda more um
and kind of reducing the number of sections and um putting all the topics that were similar um you know for reference sort of along the way our committees line up. You know transportation is section 17, business and financial section 7. They really
belong they could be in the same spot. Um and then those reports would come from that committee. Um and those items are all tied together typically anyway. So, um, we had looked into a bunch of the potential for reordering that policy
164. Um, another, uh, question we kind of want to bring to the board was the, um, placement of non-conent agenda items. Um, did the board collectively think it best to keep them under the section that they apply to or did we
want to put all non-conent agenda items uh in the old business, new business category? Um, separating it completely from the consent agenda item. You know, obviously it wouldn't be in its category, but anyone could go there for any items that were considered non-rine
nature and they'd all be located in a single spot on the agenda. Um, so we collect collectively went through 164, discussed the restructuring, um, but were looking for full board input in terms of where what the board's opinions
were on the moment of silence. um as well as the placement of non-conent agenda items on uh on the agenda if we like to cons keep them in the section that they apply to or if we think they'd be best all pulled kind of at the end to
an old business new business uh under that category. So um we can have a discussion here. People can think about it. Um you know based on those would kind of be how we would restructure uh policy 164 to actually update it for for
future use. Um in addition uh in doing some review of a bunch of the uh surrounding districts uh going through their policies and what was reflected there. Um kind of included uh in that
policy. Now, just a small description of what a special meeting is. Since we had one in March, there was some questions out there, kind of putting it in there as a standard operating procedure to call a special meeting. Um, as well as a standard, you know, just making sure our protocols aligned with districts. Some
districts have uh different policies included within their conduct of board meetings that we have independently. So, obviously, we, you know, I didn't copy things over that we already have existing policy that's covered. Um, but it is a general update to 164. I don't think it's really been updated. Um
there's not particularly a rhyme or reason to how the agenda is structured from our discussion. It's just always been done that way. Um so in the interest of clarifying the agenda um making it more straight straightforward, we had a discussion about the the
structure um and the layout. So um we had a length discussion on that. Um we additionally touched briefly on uh two policies um to guide investigations of interaction of staff members um making
sure that they adding additional policy to guide the the the administration's uh resolution of those uh interactions. Um as well as an update from Dr. Dr. Zuckermanman regarding the NJSBA policy
manual uh versus our currently used strame. Um Dr. Zuckermanman had requested a uh some districts that use the NJSBA policy manual um from NJSBA. Unfortunately, he was only given two
elementary districts uh which really doesn't help us all that much. Um he had a discussion with each of them, but the general consensus was that they've used them for a long time. they don't really have a good comparison and that the process formerly was very uh close in
nature like personal um but they have gone to more of an online forum. You submit a request for like feedback for help um as opposed to having that contact. Um he we are currently trying to find more relatable schools, high
schools, more similar districts than what we have than what the two we were given. Um, unfortunately they were not, it was not a helpful correlation um, as apples to oranges to a to a strong degree. Um, >> following our meeting, I did request uh,
at least two um, high school districts from them. I'm just waiting to hear back. >> See, I'm pretty sure Middletown. They're a K to 12. They're not a 7 to 12, but I think Middletown. >> The two that we got, one was K3, one was a K6. So, I mean, they
>> Okay. >> Yeah. and and again that's where I'm happy to reach out to Middletown. >> I want to say I think Hunan Central I think as well. >> So we are still in discussion and trying
to see if that will be a fit for us. Um, you know, I think one of the districts said that they switched to the NJSBA and they wouldn't go through the effort of switching back, but they probably would have been happier to have
not switched uh from Strauss SMA to NJSBA. That was the they're not it's not worth going backwards with all the process that it would be. However, they to regret may be a strong word, but they would have preferred to have not switched. Um the other one is has no
experience with South Strauss SMA so they don't have a complaint against NJSBA but again and it's not a similar district. Um they're the ones that informed us of the change in the uh personal nature of it to the now more online but they again also said they've never had to use the online so they're
not sure how how effective or ineffective it may be. So the policy committee is still in discussion about that. We are trying to to dig in and find more information. It is just kind of a slow teeth pulling process at this point. >> I'll see if I can I think there are a
few people I know that have done that switch. I'll see if I can get you guys a list. >> That'd be helpful. Thank you. Um so that that concludes the topics. It wasn't we did not have an alert from Strauss. So it was more of a scheduled policy meeting to go over these handful of things. Um at this point if anyone I
mean has any input on that policy 164 please share it. We'll take notes to >> Yeah. I mean, I'm in support of Kevin's Kevin, you proposed that we remove the moment of silence, right? >> Well, I did. I mean, I'm not really opposed to it if we knew what it was for. >> Yeah.
>> Just to have it to have it >> I think is ridiculous. >> Yeah. >> I'm in support of removing it. We don't have a basis for it. So, >> what what's the reason why we have it? Like >> there's been I mean, I think we reached out to the former superintendent and he said it's been here for as long as he
can physically remember. >> All right. And there's no particular resonance that we're aware of at this point that because we're military, you know, >> it's got no no basis in any >> specific item. I mean, we've discussed it, I would say, for six months now at
meetings. So, anyone who may have been listening who may have known would have had some opportunity, but yeah, we >> we I looked it up to see if it was like a standard protocol. Like I said, the best I could find was that in 1980 it was added in a lot of public forums when
like for people who wanted a moment for whatever their own personal beliefs or reasons or whatever or for but that's an article that I found in 1980 and I've seen nothing about it otherwise that I can hunt down. Do the
>> do the kids do a moment of final after the pledge of allegiance >> the question was do the students do a moment of silence after the pledge of allegiance and the answer is no >> okay so I'm going to say for minutes that aren't official yet or even
generated yet that was a pretty uh complete list of different items that are out there so >> my my suggest I'm not ready to make a motion on it yet but my suggestion would be once those minutes come out that we allocate some time at a meeting because I understand we should discuss it and
public all those things >> um that we just you know make it an agenda item that may I'm not sure if the next meeting is the right time to do it or the meeting after that. >> Yeah. I mean, I believe we could Yeah, I mean, it could just be open for
discussion as a non-consent for policy 164 and have a a full feedback discussion and, you know, so we can put out the draft version essentially. Everyone can review it ahead of time with the changes and we can it it'll be on the agenda so it can be a first
reading once it's finalized um if we get there that night. But yeah, it'll include those things. But yes, all of the >> Yeah, I was going to suggest that in my update later on this week, I can actually share with the full board the the proposed policy, then that way everybody has a chance to read it before
the agenda, maybe provide any feedback. Um, and then as as you said, if it is on a first reading on the next board meeting, then that can be an open discussion as for the proposed uh changes. Yeah, I think I mean from a rules perspective, we could go into a
committee of the whole for the purpose of discussing that policy. If we want to have like a real deep discussion about it, it's a question I guess whatever you guys from a committee perspective want to come to the table with. If it's a proposal or if you guys have questions that you want to discuss, I mean, we
could we could do it a couple different ways, I think. Yeah, we can share the policy out and and then collectively, you know, when we get to May, it's very easy to either conduct it as a committee of the whole or conduct it as a discussion of an agenda item. Either way, depending on how much
debate just, you know, how much what people's thoughts are, um, you know, I would encourage you all to please uh read it ahead of time and share your thoughts. That way, we're not trying to make a million edits on the fly. if you have ideas that we can, you know, have,
you know, put apply some options there that when we show up to the meeting, it's like these are, you know, our options, we can have it more laid out. So, um, like I said, it's it's not that it's it's done to, I think, improve that that
that policy and make it more streamlined of an agenda. We, you know, we all say some sometimes we can't figure out in Bordox where something might be or which meeting it's a part of. So, it was just in the best interest of streamlining and
clarifying how the agendas are formed basically. >> How many members do we have that have served on local? Frank, I know you have. I have >> Laura, did you serve on Chesterfield local? >> I did. >> Did you guys when you ran your agendas on the locals, did you do a consent
agenda or did you do it section by section? >> Yeah, we did not do a consent agenda in Chesterfield. I don't know if they've transitioned to that because when I left the board, we were just having discussions about that. >> I personally like that style of doing it section by section and not doing a
consent agenda. I don't know where you guys stand as a committee in terms of looking at that. And Frank, I don't know what your thought is on it too, but >> we we didn't do consent agenda, >> right? So, you did a noodle section and you guys would discuss if needed within that. >> I mean, >> so in other words, you'd have like 10
votes a night. >> Yeah. Yeah. you for each for whatever section it was like and and those sections I think would normally line up though with the the committees. >> I can tell you the meetings were very very long three-hour meetings on a regular basis.
>> I prefer >> we're an hour >> after six years of that and now three years of this. This is a lot better because we we interject on something that we care about, right? Otherwise, it's like move on. >> Like we had really long
long meetings >> and it just wasn't as efficient as it could be. >> Might have to blame the president for that. >> President was definitely blamed. You can blame me on that one. Um but I think I I for me it was not really thinking that that was an option and I think I like what would be here and I think that we
give each other the grace to interject through it. I mean Mike does a nice job of uh of asking any questions any questions. So it's not like we can't stop >> and we do. >> Okay. I again we we've got experience both ways. So that's why I kind of bring it up to see if there was any other
interest. >> All right. Um like I said, we will share the draft version of that policy 164 for everyone to review. Um and then in May, uh plan to have either a committee of the whole or just an agenda item discussion um depending on the feedback
andor the level of contrary thoughts. Um, so I mean that concludes if there's honest any other questions on the the policy. I know it was a long set of minutes that haven't been published. You know, I'd rather give them when they're freshest in my mind um than wait till
May's meeting. So um I don't believe Yeah, there's been no new alerts from SHME. So we haven't had any standard updates. This was kind of said more of a meeting just uh to discuss things that have come up in in day-to-day practice.
So, um, that concludes all of the, uh, committee reports. Um, Mr. Bucks, do you have any updates from NJSBA? >> I do not, but I do have one other comment back on the top. Um, >> might be worth taking a look. I I know that Florence used to do it. they had
theirs kind of aligned directly to their committees and then usually as they went through the agenda, whoever the chair was for that particular committee would typically make the motion and kind of lead off the discussion for each of those sections. I don't know if that's appropriate for us or not, but it might
be something to take a look. I don't again I don't know if they still do it that way. I know they used to and I thought that was kind of a a unique way to to approach it. So, uh but no updates from from SBA. >> Okay. Uh Mr. permanent day. Any updates from
>> No, no updates this month. >> All right. And I do not have any legislative updates at this time. With that, I think we're ready to move on to the presentation on the SSDS All right, that's the last slide. We're all good.
We heard your your comment about a long meeting. So, we're looking to to accommodate. This is the last slide. I go back. This this presentation is is basically the same one you get in October, but it's half the year. So you're going to see the numbers for the full year for you
know up until this this year and then you'll see this year's and it's the the numbers from September to December and so you can you can you know draw some conclusions thank you from the uh from from the numbers you know we have more since then certainly and and where we
end up in June it's going to depend on on lots of different different factors that may we may or may not have control over. So we'll just we'll run through we'll go back and forth here as we uh we do if I can get this thing to go. All right. So again, big thing is trying to prevent stuff, not just just let it happen and then react to it. Variety of
of um proactive steps to recognize good behavior, teach good behavior, reinforce good behavior, and we have a variety of things there and there's some special programs at the U and the high school and I'll let Dr. McKen talk about them. >> Yeah. So, uh most of the things on this slide are the things that I alluded to
that we're doing during testing week. Um so after the fire, uh is what the seniors Okay, cool. What's happening? Great. Um, after the fire is the presentation the seniors will go through. Teen Truths is listed on there. That is the programming that we'll see for the 10th graders. Um, we also in the
past have had different prom assemblies for the students attending prom. Uh, this year we are working with the emergency services folks in the building and Kenny Moss who's our uh substance use counselor to put on a mock crash scene uh for the seniors and have um a crashed up car and a bunch of responders
come and so they can see what the implications can be um for driving under the influence in that way. Um and then the fetal vision goggles are also coming for our uh 10th graders to use to to see the effects of impairment. Um other things that we do at the high
school, uh just some positive things, we have Greyhound choice that's coming up this Thursday. Uh staff members can select students to highlight for a variety of reasons. I think a lot of times we highlight solely for academics or solely for extracurriculars, but this can be for any reason. If a student's really just a great kid that comes in and says good morning every day in class
and helps uplift the class or answers questions when they need somebody or something like that. Um and so those students are being recognized Thursday night. Um we give out the golden apple every month at our faculty meetings. Um we have the day of silence coming up for uh the GSA club. Um and then our no place for hate uh facilitates a number
of different activities. Uh heritage months, cultural celebrations um to help uh kind of help students feel included. Um we also do climate committee meetings with our meet which are meetings where the staff are able to weigh in on a variety of topics in a smaller setting and provide their feedback. Um, and we use the stop it app where students can anonymously report if they have issues
or concerns so that we can follow up with them in that way. >> See, you're going to see a variety of of categories, violence, fights, stuff like that, harassment, detation, bullying, vandalism, weapons, and substance abuse. And so this is the midyear report. It's going to cover from September to
December. What we have up there for comparison are the full year numbers from from prior years. Again, some places were at less than half. other places to live more than they have. So it get to see it's it's the small print but you know for example
last year at for the full year there were 14 instances of violence in the the high school. This year mid year there's three. That's a pretty good you know trend that we're on. The middle school was seven for the full year. Uh one at this point and it's probably on your your screens you can see it much better
than up here. Those are g gives you a sense of what's where we're at compared to where we were last year. >> I think the only number of note for for high school I think all the numbers are pretty low other than the substance uh abuse number is nine for the year which again is not grossly misaligned with any
of the other year's numbers but I think we've seen a spike because we really double down on students and vaping and trying to ensure that that's not happening in our spaces and so I think that's why that number is uh much greater than the other ones at least for us. just a breakdown of breakdown of some of the different uh statistics
and why why you know some of those you know where some of those items are coming from. Any questions there? >> What's weapon other? >> It was a uh it was a box cutter, not a the traditional knife.
Other questions? Yeah. Um, so these are just harassment, intimidation, bullying numbers. So the same thing you'll see year-over-year. Last year there were four confirmed cases in the high school. We're at one so far for midyear. Last year, five confirmed cases in the middle school. We're at three so far for the year. Um, and again, these are confirmed. So we do
a lot of HIPP investigations. If students let us know that there's a potential for some sort of bullying, and then our HIP folks investigate and they come up with a determination that um, comes before you each month. These are the ones that were actually found to be hip. >> Any questions?
>> That won't load now. Where are they? Okay. No. Good. questions. Questions? >> No question. >> Thank you. All right. I there's Thank you, Mr.
Ribble. >> All right. Uh 5.01 is notes about consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are believed to be items of routine nature requiring no discussion and 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. 5.02 is approval of the regular meeting minutes from March 9th. 5.03 is approval of the executive session minutes of March 9th. 5.04 04 is approval of the minutes for the special meeting of March
23rd. 5.05 is approval of the executive session minutes from March 23rd. 5.06 is approval of the financial report of the board secretary for February 2026. 5.07 is approval of the treasures report for February 2026.
5.08 is approval of budget transfers for February 2026. 5.09 is approval of the cafeteria report for February 2026. And 5.10 is a resolution of the board regarding the budgetary major account fund status. Are there any questions or
comments for section 5? All right. Section 6 6.01 is approval of the bills list for April 20th, 2026. Any questions or comments for section 6? Section 7 is business and financial. 7.02 902 is approval of board and staff
travel. 7.03 through 7.08 are approval of professional service agreements. 7.09 is approval of a professional service contract for the LED lighting. And 7.10 is approval of the technology purchase for the stadium sound system.
Any questions or comments for section 7? Section 8 uh 8.02 02 is approval of additional trip locations. 8.03 is approval of guest speaker. 8.04 is approval of home instruction services. 8.05 is approval of the independent
student learning opportunities for the 2526 and 2627 school years. 8.06 is approval of the international exchange student and 8.07 is approval of out of district out of district placement. Are there any questions or
comments for section 8? Right. Section 9 9.02 is approval of certificated appointment. 9.03 is approval of the high school extracurricular advisor for 2526. 9.04 is approval of coaches for 2526.
9.05 is approval of additional work assignments. And 9.06 is approval of change in degree status. Are there any questions or comments for section 9? We have no items in section 10 this evening. Section 11 11.02 is approval of
leaves of absence. Any comments or questions for section 11. All right. Section 12 uh 12.02 is acceptance of retirement. 12.03 and 12.04 are approval of resignation. 12.05
is approval of termination. Any questions or comments for section 12? All right. Section 13. 13.02 is approval of supplemental stipens. Any questions or comments for section 13. All right. Section 14. 14.02 is approval
of the comprehensive equity plan statement of assurance. Any questions or comments for section 14. Section 15. Uh 15.02 is the second reading of policies. 15.03 is second reading of regulations. 15.04 is
approval of the abolishment of policies and 15.05 is approval of the abolishment of regulations. Are there any questions or comments for section 15? Just a really quick one on the attendance. We have no flexibility at all in terms what we can do around the
the changes on attendance >> in terms of whether or not we accept doctor's notes or >> Yes, >> the board can make that decision. we can make that decision as a district, but from what's recommended from the state is that they they leave that up to local
control. I think with the the numbers that that we shared with the the committees, I mean, it's there is significant um our our numbers far exceed the 10% especially if we're including the the
approved absences and the the goal is to have students attend school. >> Okay. Is there any option to to not go fully not taking doctor's notes but take them up to a certain amount?
>> I think then it then it can raise and we can do anything we that we choose. But then I think that if we do that then it's going to be like somebody coming late. Well, I was only a minute late. Well, it's only one over or it's I think it's to me easier to implement if it's
like cut and dry. I I I I hear I hear you. I just I have a hard time I I see the other side. Like I think there's going to be kids that come to school sick, which we don't want either. So like I feel like there can be a balance of like or like what if you need surgery, something like that. Like
you're going to >> So we currently have students that come to school sick. We have parents trying to or I'm not making assumptions with parents. Maybe it's the kids some like that. There are students who literally get off the bus with a fever, go directly to the nurse's office. the nurse calls home, has the parent come
and pick them up, so then they don't get counted as a as a missed day because they arrived at school. So we we currently have that in place. Now, >> don't you have to be at school like 4 hours? >> It does. That's what we're putting into into place with this policy. We also
have many parents who their child goes to a doctor's visit in the morning and they stay out all day. So then again, the goal is to try to get them here that if they go to a dentist's appointment and look, I have to do that with with my kids too. Dentist office for those of you that that know, they have like one
evening day, like sometimes a month. I I think it's more than that, but I mean, so it's like setting up going to the dentist or if it's in the middle of the day, come to school, go to the go to the doctor, and then come back to school. I mean, so I think the the more leeway and the more say, "Oh, it's a it's a
doctor's appointment, so you can stay out." they're not going to come to school. If there are situations, god forbid, any child is hospitalized, anything like that, that's where the attendance review committee can can review uh like individual situation.
If there's a child that that needs some intensive care for for a period of time, either chances are they're going to probably be on home instruction, which would not be counted as an excuse absence, but again, that's where the the communication with with the nurses and the doctor's office.
>> What what's home instruction? It's not It's counted as a school day, right? Or no, >> it is counted as a school day. Yes. But then they have to be out believe it's five consecutive days in order for for home for home instruction to start. I'm looking over there for acknowledgement that Yes. So after five consecutive days
and they can be put on home instruction and it's backdated for that >> and that's where surgery, you mentioned Christa, like surgery would be a like >> and again I'm not trying to to force anybody's hand on this. I mean as as we had the discussion but I think that we
are our our absentee numbers are egregious >> and again that's not for the majority the majority of the kids are well within the 18 days >> but I think in order we have had a a chronic absenteeism chronic absentee action plan for the
past three years and we have made small strides but again we still have more than 10% of our students with with over 18 days of absent and I think our goal goal has to be to have the students here. >> Are there any other uh questions or comments?
>> Does this change the lateness policy as well or >> we made that change I believe LA last year or two years ago with the four and the eight enforcement >> the four four late equals one absence. >> We do not have that in >> we don't have that anymore. >> No, that was that's never been in a
northern policy. >> It is Nope. the it's three it some schools have three latences equal in absence and I'm looking over to make sure I'm not that's not no yeah yeah I didn't think it was we do not have that as part of our policy so it atardies are
can are calculated separately as as um as absent >> they don't miss out >> right but the for the detention right >> and that won't change either >> no the the suggestion is not to change or the the recommendation is is not to
change. >> I I think one thing that might be helpful for us as a as a board and also in the public when when it's you know ready and and all sort of planned out to see how that attendance review pol um committee would work how it's going to
work in terms of um you know hearing appeals and I just had a question about that. Would they be hearing appeals ongoing throughout the year or would it be towards the end of the year? Like how would you imagine that works? I envision it starting around like mid year because
I'm I'm really hoping that there's not going to be any kids with 18 absences in the first couple months. Um but I mean so I I would envision that starting in like to after the the first semester, maybe into the spring that that it starts. I envision that being certain people standing on the committee and
then some people kind of floating in and out. Maybe if there's a medical thing, maybe the nurse would be involved. Maybe if the child's classified, maybe bring in the case manager, things like that. That's having some people eb and flow on there. But there needs to be some sort of consistency. So, so things are
handled on on a consistent basis. >> Who would initiate that process? Is that initiated by the parent or is that initiated by the counselor or >> It would be initiated by the district once the student gets to a certain number of apps. >> Okay. >> The parents may be asked to provide documentation on certain things, but it
would be initiated by the district. I mean, I I get that there's there seems to be a chronic absenteeism issue that we're trying to address. I'm not sure that and let's say it's the 10% or whatever it was near 10% that that's an issue here.
It feels like we're punishing the other 90% for that that might actually have legitimate doctor's excuses, right? That aren't abusing the system. And I don't know where we as a board get in between what a doctor says
versus what we believe. And and again, I understand we want to have kids in school. I I get that, right? And and that leads towards towards achievement. But I don't know that we we belong kind of in this space to say that a doctor's notes acceptable. >> So I and obviously I cannot go into
specifics right here. However, there are I think the majority of the doctor's notes that we get are are legit. >> Legit, right? >> There are also some that I know are fabricated and that when we contact the doctor's office, well, that's not what we meant, but I'm okay with it.
>> Well, yeah, they can't really tell you anything, right? >> They can't really tell you anything for hippo. >> They can tell the nurse. >> They can. Yeah. I I also assume at some point that chat GBT will start writing doctor's notes. Um
>> and it is just following the state's excused absences. The state has no protocol for any health b like any doctor's note based excuses. So it's yeah more in the state's the one telling us hey you guys aren't your attendance isn't up to snuff. So we're trying to right they're saying you're truent your
your population are truent they're not you're not educating the students at the desired rate and so that's really debate background thought process. I just again us getting in the in the middle of of a medical issue. I I just I don't know that's our place that's all.
>> But again, if there is a true medical concern that is documented, then the attendance review committee will will take that in into consideration. >> Okay. >> I think those the are right now we also have discrepancies from the families that are able to take their children to
the doctors and those that are not. We have some families that that their parents may not be able to take off a worry, but then they don't have the same opportunities to be able to get note. So then there's an imbalance based on on availability and and that's not fair to those children either. Doesn't mean I
want to punish those that that have that that opportunity, but as a like I think that it's an important aspect to to look at things as well. >> I just I feel like we could have maybe solved this maybe a little bit differently, but I guess we'll we'll see
how this goes. I don't know if it would help here, but um I just thought I'd share a personal opinion, a personal situation I had with my own child here. She goes to a different school and they are very strict with attendance there. And I did
have her miss a day for a doctor. Actually, it was only like two hours, the first two hours of school. and I had her take the note in and I got a call from the office saying that they wouldn't accept the doctor's note. And at first I was very upset about it. But
then I realized they said to me, >> well, it doesn't mean anything. She only has two absences anyway, so the doctor's note isn't going to help or hurt her. Whatever she missed in her class, she can still make up. So, I don't think
it's going to be as um have a negative impact on our students. I mean, as long as they're not reaching that 18. So, point being is whether she had the doctor's note or not, ultimately it didn't matter. She could still make up the work that she
missed from that day and there was no penalty to her. And I think that is the plan here with Northern that even if they miss class, let's say they miss their first block class for a doctor, so they come in a little later, that first block teacher will let them make up the
work with no penalty, >> right? But we we do have an issue though, I guess, for for quarterly classes or or halfyear classes, right? That that that scale, right, becomes smaller, the amount of absences before they start to lose credit. So I I think
that's kind of the the other concern here, right? Is that you could be in a situation where you have a legitimate reason to be out, let's say two days or three days because you've got some sort of virus, some sort of whatever it is that you're fever, you're infected, right? You shouldn't be here. If you're
in a quarterly class, that gets you in trouble, right? >> Yeah. for credit >> and for that and I didn't think of the quarterlys but we could certainly have the attendance review committee meet quarterly I mean just to discuss things like that
>> so like I know the kids that have health class if you miss like more than three you're done like you don't >> you don't get credit for the health class so what happens >> the that part of the policy was not changing u but again the
>> before it unexcused. It was if those if those three absences were excused, you were okay. But now we're saying like if you're legitimately sick, you might have to repeat an entire but again that will go in front of the attendance review committee. If there is something like a a serious medical issue, then the
attendance review committee will review that and then the nurse will review that documentation. >> It is not saying no that kids can't be out. is trying to put parameters on it and trying to get them here on a on a more regular basis. >> Yeah. And when it comes to quarterly or
whatnot, I mean colleges they are >> but that's ex Oh, you mean >> they don't care. It's like you can appeal to the professor and the professor can decide to accept the note or not or you know whether you can retake an exam or not. >> Gotcha. But it's not college though, right? >> Yeah. No, but most colleges do take
doctor's notes actually. My >> Well, they they have the right to review based on the professor. Um, I think I know it's not college, but at the same time, you have 18 days that you can use for whatever you need outside of the normal approved guidelines, right? For
instance, Thursday is take the kids to work day. That's approved by the state, right? To take their kids in, right? >> And there's all kinds of other things that they can, you know, they can get approved for if they um for Veterans Day, right? There's a lot of leeway there in addition to 18 days sick. It
could be mental health day. It could be going to Disney World, whatever it is, as long as you don't break 18 days. And if if I think what would be helpful to know is if there's any way to maybe if this is that big of a deal that that people need to what's the percentage of
people that are within guidelines, right? I mean, you have to pull it up now, but if if we if we have that and maybe over the course of time, if we see that most people never go above 18 days and we're talking about the difference between getting from 15% truency down to
five, well, that's we should be concerned about that, right? That there's these people there. And if if if a percentage of those um sorry I keep going on but like if a percentage of those are legit well that's what your board that's what your your your committee is for to make a decision on on the legit legitimacy of that right
somebody's out because they have surgery of on their back and they're out for you know two weeks well then sure you let the kid go you know and I would imagine also grades come into play as well right I mean if a student is is doing really really well and they had some sort of a
legitimate sick reason well then you should take that into consideration that it shouldn't be holding them back. So, I think there's a lot of pieces in here, but I mean, following the state guidelines puts us in a situation where we're following what the state is saying is acceptable and that they're asking us
to to to monitor too, right? I mean, they want us to have a certain percentage. It's 180 days, right, to be in here. >> Students are not permitted or according to the state, they should have fewer than 18 absences over the course, >> which is 10% of of the school year. It
does sound though like parents should keep doctor's notes in case they get into a situation where like it's a quarter class. >> So if going to the doctor still get that note, hold on to it in case you need it. >> But then why change the policy? Just
leave it where it is. >> But then we have again >> we're we're in in contradictory to the state. I get that. Well, not only contradictory to the state, we have let's say that we have off the top of my head and I I could be certain percentage
off on this. We have approximately 15% of our students that that are are chronically absent. That's according to the uh the um that they have more than 18 days of unexcused absentis. I'd probably say there is another at least
10 to 15% if not more that have greater than that of excused absences. So it is just because it is an excused absence. Parents think, "Oh, that's okay. However, if you miss 18 days of school, that's 100 hours of
instruction." And now if you have 15 days of unexcused and now another 20 of excused absences now, I mean, that's egregious, >> but at the end of that, our our focus is to make sure the students are are
achieving, right, and getting education. So if it's 15 to 30% of that 15 to 30% that are in that that category of let's say abusing the system,
what are their grades? If they're B's, A's, C's, whatever scale we're using at this point, and they're actually meeting expectations, then do we care? I think the only reason we care is because the state says there's a point
at which they're flagged as truent, right? But truency is just that they're not here, right? If they're actually achieving, why do we care? >> And that's the pragmatic version, right? Look, >> but that comes into play for like like
let's use your example. So student misses 30 days just all all together, right? and they're 12 over the excused absence test and they're a straight A student. I would imagine that the the parent could have tried to appeal and say, "Hey, why are you holding my child
back? Here's the situation. There's there's these days they were sick. They had all kinds of things going on." They need to It's almost like you need to present your case as to why your student missed um 200 and some odd hours worth of instruction. And if you can say all
these things are legitimate. Here's all my doctor's notes like like um like she pointed out and then they're a straight A student. Well, then I would I would think if you're on the committee, you're like, "Okay, so let it go." But then what if you have a student that is uh you know a D student that's missing 45
days of school? Well, obviously there's having some sort of impact on there. >> And that's got my point right there. two completely different situations and two completely different scenarios that we're going to treat essentially the same. >> So what happens if the child who is
receiving all bees which may be acceptable in to to Mr. Zimmer and but then if that child is here, maybe they can be achieving at a higher level or maybe they can work to get into a a whatever a post uh post high school
placement whether it's job force whether it's something and if they're not here they don't have those opportunities >> completely legitimate. I mean so there there are things that there are potential consequences that we don't know if they're not here >> as well because again our my mantra is
students are required to be here is that are they achieving that grade because they use AI to be able to do their work or are they achieving that grade because they actually know the content and I think again we can go down the aspect of AI differently but however we're we're
required to make sure that that They understand the information that's in the in the New Jersey state learning standard. >> In order to do that, they need to be here. >> I got that. But I mean, parents are the primary stakeholder, right, in their in their chair in their in their child's
education. So, if the parent has gone has taken the child to the doctor, right, the doctor is deemed that they're not here, it's it's the parent's choice at that point. I I'm just I I feel like we're getting in again in a space that
we don't belong in when we talk about the the medical treatment of a child, right? And they're in and the time that they're here and what's deemed an acceptable excuse and unacceptable and we don't have to keep going through this, but >> and I understand, but I don't think I I
am in no way trying to get an in in the middle of a parent's decision to take a child to a doctor. That is 100% their right and that that has nothing to do with us as a district. Um that that is however again if they take them they have 18 days. If there is something that
is that egregious that's going to have them out chances are they're going to be on home instruction and then that's not going to count as an un unexcused absence because they're going to be coded as home instruction because if they're out for five consecutive days and again it is certainly a parents right and I I don't want children to
come to school sick. I don't want parent I don't want teachers to come to school sick. But then at the same time I mean teachers are given a certain number of days and if they exceed those days then there are potential consequences and if the students exceed the or are outside those days then maybe it's teaching them
a life skill that you know maybe I shouldn't have taken that mental health day because I I'm in the midst of kind of I needed it for for an illness. >> Yeah. I mean I think for me it it's important to Laura's point to understand this committee as well. Who's on it?
like what's the decision factor? Um and then can I just ask maybe a simple question like what does it mean that we're truent to the state? Is there any are we just flagged? Is there any other consequence? >> It I I know that we are required to
submit a um corrective action plan. Our corrective action plan, it has the opportunity to be evaluated. I I've never had it necessarily feedback on on the results of our corrective action plan. It because it's new. It
could be part of the the new cutes, but I mean I I have not re reviewed the the revised cutac to that level of detail to tell you that yes, it is or no, it's not in there. >> Yeah. I wish Susan was here because I think there's there's potentially a legal ramification for parents as well
>> if their kids are >> if their kids are classified as truent. >> Well, if they're truent, then then there are. But then then that's also we can go into the the court aspect of things which is >> no asking more on like okay the state says we're trueing like like so what
like what >> so look we could 100 we could do several things one we could move to table this we could move to abandon it and go back to what we have now we could move move to move forward with this uh as as a as
a board it is 100% up to the board in in in that in that decision. Um the goal of if we were going to move forward with it was to do it sooner than later so we can get that communication out to the parents. I >> I think Laura brings up the the best
point though. We have to understand what the that excuse committee or whatever you want to call it is is going to do and what's it comprised of and what's its purpose and how will it work. I think when you have that piece of information, then at least we have the full breath of information to then make a decision, right? If you
don't believe in it, don't vote on it. >> Yeah. And I'm not as opposed as I was when we talked about this last time, but I do want to understand >> that committee. So, the intent of the committee and and I I may I don't necessarily have the exact people on there. It's going to be an administrator, um, teacher
representative, the guidance counselor, and again, as I said, some other components depending upon what the situation is, whether it's a nurse, a child study member, um, a a school psychologist, it could include a variety of other people as well. Um that committee will will be tasked to look at
that individual situation to the number of absences students have. If there are doctor's notes associated with it, if there's an extended period of time, if there whatever whatever it may be that they're going to be and then they're going to deem whether or not the child they should be marked as excused.
they're going to be they're going to deem that whether the child should go to the credit recovery and then to be able to make up that time or make up that coursework to be able to then lessen those those absences. Um and it it's really depending upon the the the information that's provided. There's no
cookie cutter for oh if it's this then it's going to be this excuse because each situation is going to be different. >> Yeah, that's a slippery slope too, right? with like one kid, one kid's situation versus another kid. Like >> there will certainly be consistency. I mean, but then at the same time, if if a
doctor's note for hypothermia, I'm making that up just because it's not going to happen. I mean, so if a doctor's note for hypothermia is is given this rationale, then the next child that brings hypothermia in to to the table with the doctor's note should be given the same
same parameters. >> Yeah. I guess the other like the the kids today who have these like doctor's notes that we don't think are real like you're going to be in the same same situation with the the committee, right? They're going to present a bunch of 40 doctor's notes and what do you at that
point you're just going to say okay, right? Like >> not necessarily because the doctor's notes that are not legitimate, they are questioned. >> But what if but like I are they really not legitimate today? They are. There are some that are 100% not legitimate. >> Like
>> you can you can take your child to get checked out in the morning for an hour and a half and they're done by 9:30 and the doctor says you need a note. You get a note and your excuse for the day. Doctor doesn't care. >> Yeah. Know I understand that. But are we talking about like but that's a real doctor like >> Yeah. But but they're giving a pass for
what? Like they went into the doctor and they checked their teeth >> and then it's like okay you're good. You got a teeth cleaning or dentist appointment and then you get a you get an excuse for the whole day and that's what the kid want, right? They're like, "Oh, great. I got the rest of the day off." But they didn't need to. That's a
no. But then let's just say God God, you know, horrible situation. >> Hypothermia. That's a good example. >> Hypothermia and they're they're out of school for for for 20 days. Like that's a legitimate reason because they've been frozen. >> You could also go back. You could also
take the note and say like go tell me the hour like I'm my dentist says the morning of like this the students are like >> we have had parents modify notes. Yes, we have had >> but that you're gonna have that same issue with the committee committee whether or not >> the majority of the kids right if 80% of
the students are all under 18 days that means you're you're you're thinking about a policy that is trying to mitigate the the the the kids that aren't showing up for non-legitimate reasons. Most kids aren't going to care. Most parents aren't going to care because they're not going to be missing
for 18 days, you know, and and for those kids that do and there's some extenduating circumstances, that's why you build a committee and they try to make a logical decision for it. >> But then formulate a policy that says if you submit what's, you know,
investigated as a truly fraudulent note, like there's some sort of discipline to that, right? That would have been a simple solution to this. >> Yeah. Should the student be the one getting the the discipline for the for that? >> I don't know. It depends on who forged it. I guess
that's kind of the point, right? >> Yeah. What if the parents don't even care? Like it's not that it's it's being done on for they just don't care. They're like, "Yeah, don't go to school. There's your note." >> I just want to piggyback on something that Christina said. So I work at the sister school of where Christina's daughter goes to and we implemented this
program about I think change about three years ago and talking to the teachers about the policy they've said there's seen a dramatic improvement in regular student attendance and what we've seen with student performance uh has been pretty dramatic as well. uh more
students earning honor role, more students getting character recognition awards, more students getting pride cards for um our our you know sort of like student recognition and school climate program. So that's been positive and I I helped to run the um credit
recovery four hours with the students to make up time for the class. Sometimes they're in there not just for one Saturday or uh one afternoon, they're there for, you know, a couple sessions and they break it up. they work with the administrative team. They they work
these situations out, but it does cause the parents to rethink when they're scheduling these appointments uh and how many times the students are going out. And we have a semesterbased all right um calendar. So, we have two semesters of
fall and a spring. So that there have been dramatic improvements rippled across student achievement behavior and also sort of like working with families and that you know parent to school connection and you know helping the parents get on board with it as well. It
takes time. It's a big investment. All right. So I mean at this time we need to decide if we want that specific policy change to a non-consent or if what or it's reg I believe it's regulation
5200 right second reading of regulation 5200 >> there are several I don't know if there's only I can't remember if there's one or or multiple regulations in there >> I think well it's just it's yeah it's just so you give it a
>> modified We actually have to we could modify. So the whole 15.03 could be removed to non-consent and then >> well is somebody making that motion? >> Well I I that would be the option. It's a matter of if if anyone wants to make the motion or request 15.03 to be
removed from the consent agenda. All right. If no one would like to make that, then uh 15.03, the second reading of the regulations will remain a consent agenda item. Are there any um questions or comments regarding any of the uh other policies,
regulations, or abolishments that are taking place? All right. Um we have no items in section 16 transportation this evening. Uh section 17 uh 17.02 is approval of the use of facilities for the Northern
Burlington Relay for Life teams. 17.03 is approval of use of facilities for the Mansfield Township Youth Recreational Track Program. 17.04 is approval of use of facilities for CTAA track program. 17.05 is approval of use of facilities
for the Northern Burlington Soccer Club. 17.06 06 is approval of use of facilities for the NJSIA group track meet and 17.07 is approval of use of facilities for the Northern Bones and AFJOTC Raider competition. Uh
are there any questions or comments for section 17? >> I actually have a question on 1703 1704. It uh says that this is a part of a interlocal agreement and that's why
they're considered as class one. What is that interlocal agree? What does that mean? They're they're ran through the municipality. So they're considered um just like NBIA basketball. And so since it's through
the municipalities, they pay uh their reduced fee schedule, the class one fee schedule, which is pretty much no fees. >> Okay. So they're a municipal driven organization. Okay. I was confused about what the interlocal agreement meant and if we actually have that agreement for
>> um to review because I've not seen that. >> Okay. >> Is is that something that actually is there an agreement that exists? >> It's before my time, but I will find Yes. All right. >> It went through during the uh referendum time, the first referendum. It's gone back that far.
>> Okay. >> The other one that I just want to point out is the um NJSAA track meet that we are hosting track meet. We we're actually getting reimbursed for the for the fees of the the um the security the the site supervisors and so on and so
forth for that. >> Do we even have parking for a thousand people? Is that I mean that I would imagine that most of those people are the students, right? A lot of cars. >> No, it is for the spectators. Um um
there is a plan. So last I remember the plan. The buses were going to park off site at >> I always call it Nate, not Nate. Okay, my name. Um so the buses were going to park off site and then we were going to coordinate the parking um between the
middle school and then the high school. So there's a couple of different events and um have to shuffle some parts. >> It is a huge event. Yes. >> All right. Um can I get a motion for the consent agenda?
>> Make a second. >> All right. Miss Bond on the motion. Mr. Lam, if you could please do a roll call vote. >> Uh, Mr. Figs, >> yay.
>> Mr. Armente, >> yay. >> Mrs. Apple, >> yay. >> Mrs. Barn, >> yes. >> Mr. Bucks, >> no. On 709, 710, and 1503. Yes. On the rest.
>> 709. 710. >> 153 is a no. Sorry. And I forgot. 1703. 1704. thing. >> So, I'm just going to say one more time. 709, 710, 1503, 1703, and 1704.
>> Yeah, the 1703 and 1704 are abstain. >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Norwood, >> yes. >> Mrs. Janice, >> yes. >> Mr. Zimmer, >> yes. >> And Mr. Zuzio, >> yes. >> All right. Thank you. I do not believe
we have any public comment at this time. Uh future business. So um May 4th we have the buildings grounds finance transportation meeting prior to the regular meeting. Um as Mrs. Williams stated earlier that is the uh budget
hearing meeting. Um the presentation will be given that that day. Um there are several committee meetings following that in from May to June. Um uh and I'll reiterate what Mrs. Williams said. If
you plan on attending graduation, it's helpful to have those uh gown that gown information earlier than later. Um does anyone have any old business or new business they'd like to refer to a committee? I expect during that May 4th meeting,
we'll be appropriately celebrate during that day. It's May the 4th. >> Dress is uh optional for for your person. Well, you have to dress, but I mean it's as far as your costumes are optional. It's May 4th. It's Star Wars
day for those that Yeah. So, >> all right. Uh then with that, can I get a motion for adjournment? >> Mr. Thanks. I was going to ask the end of the last meeting we talked about um potential changes on the on the budget and I think takeaway was maybe to see
what other options were um for potentially uh doing some additional cuts. Is that being addressed? Is that something that that you took away or how are we going to handle >> the So the the cuts that were discussed were like planned. they just couldn't be
discussed publicly based on the nature of some of those cuts. We discussed the the 530 bus um we had discussed staff and some budgetary cuts. You were welcome to I said some of those are cannot are confidential in nature and
therefore we can't state them for those cuts. Um I know we had recommended public attendance for more feedback. >> Of course we did. >> Unfortunately we did not. Right. Um, you know, I tried to make sure I stated it loud and clear for everyone to know that that we would appreciate any feedback.
We obviously haven't heard anything. I have not seen anyone sent anything correspondence-wise. Um, you know, if you want more details, I'm sure Mr. Luck would be happy to give you more details to what the equate was on that t the bank health waiver health waiver plus
bank cap. Is that what you're referring to? Right. The alternate. >> Well, I think we were going to also we were going to have a larger discussion see the board. You know, I think there started to be some sort of discussion among some board members that, you know, maybe there were other options here. Um, you know, I know Miss Miss Applegat had had some comments and I saw that it was
all reflected reflected in the minutes. I didn't know what we were going to do in terms of of next step or we going to have additional discussion as a board or not or are we going to wait until the actual public hearing to potentially have that that sort of discussion and maybe it's maybe everyone else is okay.
I I don't know. Yeah. And I think of one like for me one of the biggest falls and I did meet with Dr. Zern and Miss Williams uh just before break on a lot of the questions which was very very helpful. Um I guess for me for Mansfield the the question on like going to the
township on the pilot piece. Has there been any discussion there? I know when we last spoke there you guys hadn't had a chance but >> Dr. Zucker Dr. Zuckermanman and I discussed it today and that we are
reaching out to um the township and still just kind of researching what other towns are doing. Um Susan mentioned about Troy Singleton putting putting together a bill. So we're just kind of gathering all that information. >> Okay. >> That's >> Yeah. and I didn't and the >> Mansia have
>> potentially put money in pilot program but there was a budget meeting in Mansfield I think this past week and I didn't I didn't get a chance to attend um and I haven't seen the minutes yet so I was just curious >> but asking strictly Mansfield
because they have pilot >> well because we have the biggest tax increase >> but I'm saying because they have pilot funds you're basically taking additional money from the township to put it in a regional school. What percent? Because everybody's going to everybody's going
to um benefit from that. >> Well, we are paying our portion is significantly higher. And I understand what you're saying. >> They give us a million dollars. Exactly. >> I'm not saying to give us saying to give us our portion to cover the cap that we
have. And and I'm not saying like they have to, but I I don't see why we can't ask if they have the pilot revenue. Right. So, Miss Williams, can I just clarify something because I believe North Handover is going to come up against this right now. We have a joint
land use meeting uh Wednesday night. Um and I know they're talking about like some data centers and some other warehouses and whatnot. And so just so that I have it, you know, when I go to the meeting, um, by doing the pilot program, you're increas the the facility
that goes in increases the overall base of values of properties yet because the monies from the pilot is not earmarked for any of the school. the it's an indirect increase in taxes to the residents because they have to
then pick up whatever the differential is in the values to compensate for it. >> Correct. And I'll just say it maybe a little bit differently. It's going to increase your property values overall and that's what's taken into account when we calculate the regional school district tax levy.
>> Right. That's what I thought. >> And so and that's kind of one of the questions asked. How are they um considering that impact? and they may not know, right, because they live in the municipal world and >> Oh, no, no. I I and I've already had the discussion with one of the U township committee members.
>> So, how is the land assessed now? How would the assessment change and that impact it's going to have? And then also, um, you know, what exactly is that pilot look like? You know, how long is it? Do they plan on sharing it? What are they using the money for? And just with
Mansfield, the pilot money that they receive is probably allocated already, right? like there's nothing to give for a lack of a better word. So, we'd really have to talk about future pilot programs if there were any. >> Yeah. So, it's not really going to help us actually because there shouldn't be
any new warehouses in Nashville, right? >> Um the lowinccome on road. >> Yeah. >> Right. And then they were talking possibly I think down the end of Petticoidge Road that's already been Slater for Homes um behind Homestead just before Springfield there was the
talk about um evaluating that again >> party form I guess. Yeah. There's there's also a basis. Yes, it affects the regional regional distribution, but it also matters on a statewide funding as your town builds a lot of warehouses because even districts
that don't have regional are still affected because your state impact if your town value goes up, your state impact will go down too. So, like if all four of our towns built three warehouses, maybe our individual distribution won't change, but our assessed value of our our four towns
will go up on a statewide whole. So, it it it it's hitting Mansfield hard because you guys built the warehouses in the regional, but on the overall scheme of the state as well, it has an effect because the town the town value and therefore the value of all the area of
northern Burlington is more valuable. So therefore there's less impact aid that would come out of the formula. State state aid not I apologize state aid uh that would come to our district based upon the net value of our region. it.
Yeah, it really has an effect, >> right? When you think about that state aid is based on your ability to pay, right? When you're looking at who receives state aid, it's always about like what's your ability to pay, what's your incomes in your town and what your property values are here in town. And that's what they gauge on your ability
to pay. That's how they come up with the adequacy budget and determine, you know, what an adequ adequate budget is, um, what your local fair share is for your region. So as your incomes go up, you know, as all these good things happen in your town, it has a negative effect for state aid.
>> And if that would have been a ratable property, it would have been different, right? >> If it was already being assessed, there would have been no change in the value, >> right? >> So, and they would have had contributed the school tax if it was ratable. >> Right. And like so yeah, you're seeing it on the the regional distribution
here, but your Mansfield Elementary tax impact in theory is also going like it's having an impact there because you're it's a maybe a small amount of your state state funding that adjusts, but it adjusts at both school districts. Here it just sits worse because you're comparing to four towns and sharing and
equalization. But it is an important fact to note that it affects on an overall scheme of of state evaluations as well. Yeah, that's why Springfield preserved like mad 30 years ago, right? Because the the ratable chase
it doesn't end once you start it. >> Did you want to have any uh further discussion? Did you want to talk to Dr. Tuck and Miss Williams about those options? >> I guess it's the the question of the rest of the board. Does the rest of the board have any desire to to to discuss any additional cuts or, you know, bring
this closer to 2%. I I don't know. I I don't know where the rest of the board sits, but I kind of thought we were going to have at least some sort of discussion around that. >> I mean, from last meeting >> based upon the budget hearing, the the health waiver and bank and the adjustments that were made, I am content
with at the resolution of the last discussion. I don't know if anyone else uh has a desire to revisit those that health waiver bank cap hit to the budget versus the adjustments that were made.
I uh Jamie provided me with the line item budget request. I went through it. You know, I breeze through it. Yeah, there's a lot of things, small things that look like they can be reduced. Not making a big number. I mean when you look at what you said the water bill is
how much were here >> I about a million dollars a >> million dollar a year for water here >> no you want city water so I mean there's there's a lot of big things there for the the wells are for the irrigation
but you know there's a lot of things in there yeah okay so you could cut this or you can reduce this but it's not going to make a big chunk of dollars that I can see that will reduce the taxes or reduce our budget from what we're
asking for any bank cap. >> Motion to amend. >> There's nothing else then yes. >> I'll second. All right. All those in favor? I I all oppose abstensions. Have a good night everyone.