here. >> Mr. Dy present. Mr. DeMarco >> here. >> Miss Fel >> here. >> Mr. Gther here. Miss Love >> here.
>> Miss Marmian >> here. >> Mr. McMillan >> here. And Mr. Tavy >> here. We have a qu. Uh, please stand for the pledge of allegiance. All right. No executive session this
evening, so we're going to move on to our presentations. First, we have our Hawk Heroes. Can you hear me now? >> Alrighty. Good evening everyone. Tonight we're here to celebrate our February Hulk heroes. They have been selected for
being honest students. At OPS, we define honesty as being trustworthy and truthful in words and in actions. Students who are honest, tell the truth, keep their promises, do the right thing even when it's hard, value the trust of
others, and are guided by strong moral principles. When I call your name, please come up. Our first student is Rowan Carney. I'm going to read a little something about what your teacher said about you, sir. Gohead right up there and see Miss
Laya. She's going to give you your award. Rowan always strives to do the right thing and when he says when he says he is doing going to do something he sticks with it. He is dependable friend and student. I can always count on him to do
the right thing even when it is hard. Rowan is a leader in the classroom. You can stay. You can stay right there. All right. Our next student is Dash V. DASH IS A trutht teller with a heart of
gold. You can always count on him to be honest and tell the truth, even if it's hard. His honesty and trustworthiness make him a great friend and classmate. Dash is also a great role model for his classmates with his willingness to do the right thing.
See right next to Rowan. Okay. All right. Next, WE HAVE FLETCHER SCOTT. FLETCHER IS A very trustworthy and honest student. I can always count on him to tell the truth and do the right thing, even when it isn't easy. Fletcher is also a super kind friend and a
respectful classmate who sets a great example for others. He works hard to be the best he can every day. Yeah. Our next student is Brayen Holmes. Brillin is an exceptionally honest and sincere student. He is consistently he
consistently takes responsibility for his actions. Even if he makes a mistake, he owns it with maturity and integrity. He always tells the truth and is very honest with his friends, which makes him a trustworthy and admirable presence in the classroom.
Okay, next we have Phoebe Kirk. Phoebe is an honest and trust trustworthy friend and student. She takes responsibility in her interactions with friends and is a respectful student and friend. Claire Gribbach Claire does a great job of working hard
in class and focusing on her work. She is self-aware and works hard at addressing her ad academic strengths and weaknesses. She is an honest student and trust She is an honest and trustworthy student. All right, our Hawks, can you turn
around and face the board? And everybody give them a big round of applause. >> This I got it. >> Sorry. >> No, good job. Thank you. Thank you so much. You did a great job.
>> So much. >> All right. That's it for me. >> Thank you, Miss Sway. >> All right, moving on to uh our next presentation. We have our student safety data systems report.
>> Okay. My first time. Miss Golden told me what to say. You don't need to be over here. Okay. We have uh SSDs report from September through December. Um we had three HIV investigations. Three were
alleged, zero were confirmed. There were two other incidents leading to removal. Gened suspensions and we had three restraints of uh one for one student. Do I read the trainings? Everything else? Yes. Okay. Trainings. On September
4th, we welcome the staff back. Safety and security training on HIV and prevention. On September 12th, we did GCN anti-bullying uh bill of rights and suicide prevention. on the September 19th, we did K to5 required classroom
lessons on HIV policy and prevention programs. Uh on October 6th through the 10th, we had our week of respect. Uh October 22nd through the 24th was our violence aware awareness week. On 1113 it was World
Kindness Day. December 8th through December 12th was our inclusive schools week. and se uh December 23rd, end of three months of our SEAL curriculum, character strong purposeful people. And on the 23rd, end of three months of
character ed program hawks implementation that it this is just the report attached what I just read. >> Okay, >> thank you very much, Miss Slay. Uh moving on to our uh last presentation is just our budget introduction.
>> So we will we will give more of a just a a verbal update. There's there's not much to share at this point. Um Mr. Burns, can you share the uh the stage of the budget development and what we're actually waiting for?
So, as of now, we discussed this at the retreat, but the business office obviously has rolled over all salaries. We've in we've inputed all expenditures from the from the administrators and build a draft, our first draft budget, which would
probably be the first draft of 15. Um, at this point, we're in a waiting game because we don't have state aid numbers. So though we have raw numbers in terms of revenues and expenditures, we're still waiting for city aid. Due to there being a new
governor, they they're going to it sounds like they're going to grant her an extra two weeks to do the budget, which pushes that date back to March 10th is her budget address. Usually the district will find out two days after. So March 12th. As of today, the business
office has not heard anything in terms of extending our budget deadline, which is a week later. Uh so right now, the we won't know until probably March 10th to 12th, somewhere in that range. And then if it does not get extended, we will
need to do a finalize the budget within that week. We are telling both boards that we may need to change meeting dates around that time period as we're trying
to do two budgets in that week period of time or if they extend it, we may push our dates back for these meetings. We'll let you know as soon as we know and with those items. Um, >> anything else you want me to specify?
Yeah. >> So, I also want to make sure that um as presented um during our our leadership retreat, um school districts across the state of New Jersey are all um having to make extremely tough decisions and tough
choices. And so the reality of school finance um not just in Oakland um but across the state of New Jersey is that the cost to provide services to our students is rising at a much faster rate than the revenues that are able to be uh
generated. And so what I've shared is that we cannot reduce our way to a better future. We can't tax our way to a better future. Um and so we are going we have asked um our board um and we have asked um some of our local leaders to
continue to advocate at the state level for a more equitable and a fairer funding formula. Uh communities like Oakland, we are disproportionately negatively impacted with the current state funding formula where they are asking communities who are already uh
being taxed tremendously. They're asking for for more and more and more. Um and we've reached that tipping point where it's just not sustainable. And so uh we are going to uh continue to uh um be
good stewards of the dollars that are available. Um we are going to prioritize student services, staff support. Uh and we're going to make sure that our uh budget recommendations are aligned with the values of our community. Um and so please stay tuned. Um but um it is it it
it is going to be a challenge and there will be uh tough decisions that will need to be made. >> All right, moving on to item four, committee the whole. Do we have a motion to go into committee of the hall? >> So move >> and seconded.
>> All in favor? >> All right, motion passes. We are in committee to the hall. Just a couple of quick updates on my end. Um we have our dates and location booked for our community roundts coming up. So it's
great news. Um March 31st at 6:30 p.m. we will have our community roundt uh for board policy and community relations. Uh and on May 18th, same at 6:30 p.m. we'll have our curriculum and personnel roundt and they'll be held at the senior
center. uh the building was available so we'll be able to do it offsite which will be exciting. Um the only other piece I had was um there had been some discussion on uh possible grant opportunity for school regionalization. Um Mrs. Marmy and I had the opportunity
to meet with the leadership of the Collingswood board and the Woodland superintendent. um talk about the possibility of applying for the grant and uh you know have a initial conversation about pros and cons of of
regionalization as a concept. Um uh with my committee summaries I sent out some links to everybody on the board um with some of that information there. Um so it was something uh we didn't we haven't really discussed uh as a board
alto together yet. um which is why we uh during the our joint uh board retreat a couple weeks ago uh we kind of tabled that that conversation. So I wanted to make sure to bring it up during committee the whole just so folks on the board can
weigh in um with thoughts on that. >> So are we putting we're putting that off now? were not doing it or >> well the additional conversation was not whether or not to regionalize but to uh apply for a grant. Um the way the grant
worked with the state um is that uh you know the assumption is is that if you're applying for the grant uh the grant is used to offset the cost of uh feasibility study. Um, however, there's
no amount uh specified. Um, so just to give everybody some context for that, our last feasibility study that we did in Oakland was 2016. Um, that was around $30,000. Um, so it's pretty substantial cost to to the district to do that. Um, again,
for board members, there's a link to that board study or the feasibility study in in our notes for for those of you who are new to the board. Um I think the the general assumption based on the leadership team that when we met was that you know for applying for it we're
saying we're pro regionalization. Um, and so that was where our convers conversation kind of led to is whether or not um that would be of of benefit to Woodlin, whether or not it would be of benefit to Oakland, whether financially, programmatically. Um, and uh there's
there was some varying opinions uh amongst the group uh on that side. >> So, well, I'll just I don't support it in the regionalization, which I've made very clear. I don't think it's uh good for this community. I don't think it's good for the school districts and I
don't think financially it would ever actually even be approved because of all having gone through the first one and understanding the way it works and the way that they recommend there's no benefit to Oakland. And I also don't think that in general the whole regal regionalization thing is as
prevalent or expected down here as it is in northern Jersey where there's a lot more room for growth and combining because they're already close and busing that we don't have and things like that. So, I am fine with at this moment, especially because you don't considering
we don't know whether or not, you know, is it $1,000 or is it $30,000? I think the focus should be more on what can we do to save here and keep the programs we want and the staff we want here and see what happens. They've been
talking about regionalization since I think I was in school. So, I don't really think it's going anywhere. So my recommendation to both boards was to to to pause to delay um talk about um growth and partnership individually and
where are where there are opportunities for partnership. Um but to to table the regionalization until we either have more information or until there was greater degrees of consensus on whether or not an application needed to be applied for. Um and so I I that that's
my formal recommendation. >> I agree with that. I was thinking we should, you know, at least put in the put in for the grant and all to see what is on the table with that because until we actually know how much they're willing to put towards a feasibility
study, let alone the feasibility study to see if that makes sense. But from what I'm I've been hearing is that it's this time it's legit. They are hardcore pushing it now. So, >> I've heard a mix of of that as well. I hear different things. Um, I still don't think it's going to be something that's
going to be um, what's the word? Mandatorized. That's not the right word, but that's what I mean. But I mandated. That's it. But I do know that yes, there's conversations because there's people talking and there's all kinds of things and changes and when you have a new administration,
you're always going to try and push through it. I don't think um I just don't think even from what I'm hearing um, from different things that it's something that we have to do right now. My concern with going forward with trying to do the application is it's a
lot of time and effort and money spent on we could be focusing on other things right now. And like I said, having gone through the first one, the feasibility study, one of the key points to a feasibility study and whether or not even whether it be joining together one way or another is it has to financially
make sense for the town. It does not make sense for Oakland to mess with it or mesh with anybody else because it'll cost us more. And even when that happens, the state won't actually approve it anyway. >> Well, we don't really know that until we actually do the study though.
>> Just just to clarify, if we take if we take the grant money, aren't we we have to regionalize um or we owe the money back? Is that correct? So the the way the grant application works is that you apply for the grant and the grant comes
in the form of reimbursement. And so you have to actually come up with the cash outlay on during the feasibility process. On average, I mean feasibility could cost anywhere from $50 to $100,000 um split between whoever the applicants
are um uh in in in that that feasibility study. Um and then the next hurdle around regionalization above and beyond that would be uh it would then need to go to three different
communities almost referendum style for public vote. And so you're talking about a two-year, maybe even a three-year process. Um and it could be a moot point if the
legislature begins to mandate these kind of things. And so we don't necessarily want to commit our district to spending anything um until we have more information or or until we feel more comfortable that this actually makes sense for us.
>> I also think that that Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was going to say just to add on to that. I think that >> if we're not supportive of the idea in general, >> um applying for the grant, whereas Yeah, sure. maybe you get money back. One,
like you said, you have to put money out for us. We don't have money to put out. How many teachers are we going to get rid of to be able to do that? I don't support that at all. Um, but two, if the state has people who are watching and wanting to see and all of a sudden they see all these people applying for grants, they're not looking at, oh,
they're trying to be proactive like and try and think ahead. They're looking, oh, they want it and then it moves forward. Whereas if there's a significant amount of people who are not supporting it and not applying for it, it makes you stop and rethink about where is this going because maybe the approach they're taking is not the right approach. That's my opinion.
>> I I could see it be the opposite, too. I mean, it's we don't know, honestly. We we really don't. I guess my question is if we at least apply for it, we don't have to do the feasibility study until we at least know how much we would be. They would tell us, hey, well, they'll tell us what the process is, I'm
assuming. And they'll tell us how much before we do any other further steps. That's why I was thinking and it's you said there was a rolling um process, correct? And I just want to make sure I'm understanding. >> I corrected that. There was actually a deadline. There's a rolling process to
to the deadline. The deadline was Give me a couple minutes. I'll look it up while you guys keep keep check. >> Um, mine's in April. Yeah, it was April. Yeah. My my understanding in terms of what we already have here in Oakland is quite a robust shared service agreement. So, we're already doing a lot of cost
sharing just between these two small districts. And I feel like if there were more time to think it through and to think about like, you know, if if there was a true, you know, gain to be had, it would probably have to be more districts
joined together than just a couple of small ones that are already sharing the the vast majority of the services that we can share. So, um I think what we would if if there was anything to be gained, there would be a lot to be lost in in doing something like that in terms of manpower um getting stuck in a
three-year process if we were to agree to it. And even now in the sense we have this short turnaround for budget, we have this we're seeing this exponential growth in um healthcare costs, right? So there's a lot that we need to be focused on that if we end up doing the feas like
even applying for the feasibility study, it's going to take manpower away from kind of this process where we really have to, you know, be thinking a lot about this very short term. Um and knowing that the fus like there was a feasibility study relatively recently
that show we were doing a lot in terms of shared um responsibility which is what a merger would potentially do. So that's kind of >> So then could we potentially maybe start the process now with eyes towards if they do bring it back up in 2026 the
grant that we're at least that way we we can you know maybe we vote to authorize Dr. McDow to approach other districts as well and to at least for our standpoint we can you know because you're right I think it's way too fast of a turnaround for this year. No ifs or buts about that. >> I don't think you can approach other
school districts until you have something more in place. I think you start approaching other school districts and things. There's a process for a lot of that stuff. There's a process. You know, I've heard the conversation in the past where people are like, "Oh, we don't want to do shared services and calling." So, let's just call Audabon.
That's not how it works. You can't just like call the superintendent up and say, "Hey, you want to meet have lunch and let's get together." It just doesn't work that way. But that's what people think because that's what you see on TV. But I think that there's nothing wrong with the conversations. That's what I was thinking. >> I think that at this moment and this
place where we are right now, I think it's important that we use our time, energy, and whatever little funds we do have to preserve the strong school district that we do have and the current relationship we have with Callingswood and let's see where things fall and if
something comes up and again, we can always have another discussion, but I think at this point our better our resources resources are better used focusing on Oakland and not what might or might not happen. No, >> I get that aspect, but like I said, I just think that being proactive is
better than being reactive in a lot of ways. That's all I was saying. So, >> no, I agree with that. And in most cases, I would I'm I'm actually much more more of a planner. I just think this particular issue is a lot bigger than just especially when there's a couple weeks turnaround time, there's
the budget situation and stuff and finding money other places to make sure we don't lose staff or programs. um and can use that time and energy to advocate with the school formula if that changes and things is more pressing. And
that's another reason why I do think that if we support it by applying it sends the wrong message to the state about what schools want or don't want. That's just my opinion. >> That's why I was saying 2027 with the eyes towards 2026 if it does come up
again at least this way will be prepared. That's why I think we should vote on whether you know the two aspects whether or not we authorize Dr. McDow to at least you know have those start having a little bit of preliminary conversations with other districts that you can't
work that way though. >> You you can't you can't just start having conversations with our school districts. >> You wouldn't be able to then be able to say to them, you know, if something was to come up and all where they do something. It >> doesn't work that way >> because I know they approached you said that was it Mount Ephraim had approached you and all to talk to you about things
or Yeah, but that's a year to two years away. >> Oh, easily. And and honestly, we know this is a 5year process minimum most likely. I mean, realistically, >> it doesn't get dropped on the floor. >> Exactly. Well, yeah. by next year it could be completely >> I'd encourage everyone to do a little
research on where it's been successful and not um in North Jersey there were some districts and please look at the numbers of students too because we're talking about districts regionalizing that are four times the size in one
right I mean we're just scaling and also very much encourage everyone to read the 2016 feasibility study because not enough has changed in the world in our community financially, economically that that wouldn't be the same outcome. Um I
think if it was Hen Township, Ottabbon, Manny from name everything around us to get us to the numbers that um would be anywhere near where it has been successful in North Jersey. That would make sense. That's a cultural shift that
from someone who did not grow up here but has lived here for 15 years, I can't see that happening anytime soon. That would be a bigger I'm kind of in Colleen's camp that there's we have bigger fish to fry, if you will. Um, but I think you're right because when you're
talking about the cultural change, especially because people have been moving to Oakland because of the small school, because of the community and things like that. Um, yes, they have for the last, I don't know, 10 years. years. I think we've seen it since since the um I mean I've lived here almost my whole
life except for a few years um in college and after. Um I grew up here. I went through this whole school district when it was K through nine. I was somebody who was not readily supportive of even moving the ninth graders over, but I saw the ver the where it made
sense and everything was part of the feasibility study and everything and I support it and I think it's done great things. But that's a big difference than these other schools and the regionalizations and having also worked in schools and seen some of those schools and talked to kids and teachers
and things. It is not the culture that's around here. It is not why kids come and live in Oakland or Collingswood. And I think that, you know, it would take a lot to even remotely I think we would lose a lot in town as well as the school if we were to
even entertain the idea. Quite honestly, >> ironically for me, I actually have the opposite interaction for me. I went to I was in Vorhees where I grew up, so we were regionalized, but but there was also, you know, a lot of smaller parts with that. So, I get what you're saying with with wanting to have more sorry
with wanting to have more around. I just I like I said, I want to be proactive because I think it's I really think they are going to look to honestly I could see them eventually trying to uh do more county type of schooling systems eventually is the goal I think for what they want to do. It's a new point. Yeah.
At that point, but I think that's where they're headed. I will >> uh the deadlines the deadlines uh it's a rolling application process but go the application has to be about April 15th. So, I just wanted to give you >> and like I said, I I know 0% chance we
have way more fish to fry than 2026, but maybe 2027 or 28 at least we can kind of start in the back of our minds get that processed of what >> I I can also comment that this this application process the exact same application process that I looked at two
years ago in a different district. So my point being is if the board has it wants to pursue it in the future, I would expect it to come back up. >> Yeah. I' I've read this exact guidelines, application, whatever you
want to call it two years ago for a different district. So the point being is missing out on today. I mean, yes, it may never come back up. I can't guarantee that. But the point being is this has been out there before. So I don't think the board needs
It's not our last chance. >> Probably not. >> Probably not. >> And that's what I'm saying. I I get that completely. That's why I said 2026, no if ends or buts is off the table. I think we're all at least I would assume we're all fairly realistic with that. But I I don't see why by 2028 at least
to have it in the back of our minds in case the state really pushes it so we can be a little more pre uh proactive instead of trying to be reactive is all I was kind of thinking. I also think to to that point, we there's a lot of unknowns right now. Um we have a whole
new administration, so we don't really know what the climate's going to look like in 27 or 28, and it might actually be better. I'm hopeful that it will. Um so, this might be a moot point in general anyway because if if the if the
funding formula changes, then this conversation may very way very well may go to the wayside. The last thing I want to say is when we had our meeting with the Collinswood and Woodland leaders, we, you know, we knew we hadn't talked to our community
>> at all. So, I want to re-emphasize the March 31st and May 16th, sorry, >> town halls 18th, sorry, March 31st, May 18th, I'll say it again. um that those are opportunities and these board
meetings for us to hear really hear from our community and not have the conversations on Facebook, have them with board members. And as board members, this is our job to talk to our community. And I I firmly personally did not feel comfortable moving anywhere without having any input from our
community. >> Ironically, that's actually one of the things I ran on. So for me, I have had that conversation a little bit, but I think we definitely need more by far more input from the community. >> You know, a couple quick things just to think about, you know, when it comes to
the regionalization piece. Um the the a few people made the point just about the the size needed to really make it as successful as it could be, which is uh accurate. Um the cost savings really comes from uh the
being able to streamline the administrative positions, things that aren't necessarily student facing. Um which you know for us in Oakland, we're we're kind of already there. So when you look at a lot of the studies that are out there on regionalization, you have you may have a district like Oakland who
has their own BA, their own superintendent, their own uh director of special services, all those pieces which we've already uh we've already taken that step towards it. Um so something to consider. The other thing to consider too um for any number of districts that
would do it um it would impact our ability as a community to make decisions for for our school as well. So, uh, you know, we were to be our our three districts who are already paired up. Um, you know, we would then be relegated to
a seat, maybe two seats on the Collingswood board. Um, so our community voice would could potentially be diminished as as well. So, it's it's a big decision. Yeah, certainly. Um, there's a lot lot to think about. that seat thing was a big topic of the 2006
study and how we could potentially lose um the voice and things like that which was not something that the community wanted. >> I think you have to think of what you're what you were willing to give give that up for, right? you'd have you'd have to be getting a lot and not just financially but for me like as somebody
as as an educator myself like I would love to see students having more opportunities like to have more robust programming and say like certain marine sciences and like when you have a larger district kids have more programming that they have access to even if it's not as much of a cost savings with it small
merger you're not going to get that so I think if you were going to give up some local agency you'd have to be doing so with great return And do we know the process as far as how a new board would be formed? I mean that I would think would be part of the discussions with those other districts
to say but we could make sure it's equal representation by district. >> It's would just be a numbers game. So based on the number of students based on the percentage of the like the new district however many districts would be they would say Oakland encompasses x% of
the student population. So based on >> we can actually push for that. There's nothing that says it has to be like that, right? We could push for it to be an equal >> like we could say it's >> it's it's a state formula. It's formulaic based on pure enrollment.
>> All right. Um Miss Brown Dunham, you uh had some CPAC updates that you want to share. >> Um yes, they're having their meeting tonight. uh the special education parent advocacy group um they're planning their neurodeiversity um awareness celebration which will be the week of it's our half
days the week of March 16th um they've been doing this for about four years now so there'll be opportunities for family engagement coming in and doing readalouds and then the students will be engaged with learning all about the different ways that our brains can operate the wild and the wonderful ways that um they operate and how we can
learn from each other when our brains work differently so I'm excited for All right, >> eyes open. They will be releasing the whole program soon. This is their final meeting. >> All right. Any uh any other updates for community or committees of the whole?
>> I just wanted to say um I've been remiss in not sharing this, but at the N at the county NJSBA meeting, I think it was um April from the Pitman School District did a great presentation on school funding formulas and I'd like to share
with the whole board. So, I will I've just This was on my to-dos. Um, and again, just pushed to encourage all of us to get involved in the New Jersey Fair Funding Collective. Um, which is kind of headed up by uh Kelly Hinkle, who's president of the Hen Township Board. And, you know, like the
conversations that we're having tonight are highly relevant to the work that that group does. It's a great advocacy group and the more the merrier to help with that. So, I'll share out that um slideshow because it's it's a very great way to for us all to understand why the
funding formula exists as it does. >> All right. Um anything else for committee the hall? All right. Uh do we have a motion to close committee the hall? >> So moved. >> Second. Moved and seconded. All in favor.
>> And motion passes. Uh moving on to item five is our uh future dates. Uh just a quick rundown for the community. February uh 20th will be our next OMAC gym night. Uh February 27th is our PTA
family fun night. March 13th our PTA talent show. Ready to go. Mrs. Marmia. >> We have a show. Uh the 16th and 17th uh through the 20th are uh early dismissal days. Uh our next
board meeting is March 19th. Um although that as pending budget things that may change. Um and as we said uh March 31st be our next community roundt for board policy and committee and that will be at the Oakland Senior Center.
>> Our PTA. >> Okay. Yeah. >> All right. Uh moving on to item six. Um we have our approval of board minutes. Uh, do we have a motion to approve our board minutes from board
minutes from the January 20th, 2026, sir, after the retreat? >> A motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> motion passes. All right, we're going to move on to our first public comment section of the
evening. Um, committee members are reminded to please stand, state your name and address, and keep comments to five minutes or less. Uh the purpose for this public comment section uh is to discuss items listed on the agenda. Additional more general comments uh can be made later in the meeting during our
second public comment section. Uh public is reminded that attempts to resolve all concerns and complaints should first go through the appropriate staff members and or administrators. Have any public comment? No. All right. Hearing none, uh we're going to move on to item eight, the superintendent report.
So, not a lot um to report based on the the timing of uh of the meeting. Um we do want to thank again all of our students who were honored this evening for the Hawk Heroes Award. Um our students continue to uh to represent both on and off campus and so we're
extremely proud. Uh we will be sending out um communication uh later this week. Um we already shared uh the budget update. Um, we did want to uh note that our uh high school German program had
four students uh honored um for high achievement in the um uh national German exam with students earning gold uh and bronze certificates which ranks them among some of the most highly qualified
uh German students uh in the country. Uh, and so we just would like to uh congratulate uh Jack uh Jacobe, Matt, and uh Chris uh for working uh so diligently. Uh and we'd also like to thank Mr. Oers uh for continuing to push
uh the agenda for us to have a really top-notch uh world language program. Um in addition, uh we have um student sponsored uh blood drive that's also happening this month. And so our um
interact club uh which is a community servicef facing uh student leadership opportunity uh they sponsor uh one blood drive and then the senior class sponsors a second. Uh and so um this second one is based on students and staff
participating uh with the first being open to the public. Uh and so but we want to commend all of our students for uh continuing to serve the community. Uh generally the the this the saying is uh donate blood and save a life and so every drop counts and we thank and
appreciate our students. Um we will also be sending out just a reminder to our families about the important dates uh coming up for the month of March uh because we would love to see your face in the place. And that concludes my report. I'm sorry. Um section 8.0 also
includes uh the enrollment report. So 8.01 01 uh January 2025 was 269. January 2026 was 273 that is attached and 8.02 3 and 4 um have the safety drill suspension and
anti-bullying report uh also attached for your review. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. McDow. Uh moving on to item nine, our business administrator board secretary report. Thank you. Uh, as part of the report,
the standard monthly financial items are there, the budget transfers, the board secretary report, the certification that there's been no lines that are overextended, and the uh, warrants and purchase orders. Um, a couple other items that are coming up that I want to make note
of on the voting portion of the meeting is we did have to add a resolution today at the retreat. If you if you remember, I I mentioned that we would be doing the waiver for the SEMI, which is the special education Medicaid funding that
we would get. It's last year they reduce it back to like $2,000. And this year they're giving us around 10. We will fall under the limit so we can we can have a waiver. The resolution was meant to put on here, but it was not was put on last minute. So, I want to make note of that. Um, so the waiver
would basically say that we're not going to participate in that program. Um the other items are the shared services. They were discussed at the committee level but we found out before the meeting that several people did not have access to the attached documents and
therefore we will table those items to the next meeting. I did want to note that again as of as I say at the retreat the shared services that calling that Oakland's paying Collingswood would be about a 5.5% increase total.
There are three on here that I want to make note on 1017 through 1019. They are shared services that Oakland is charging Collingswood. >> And so if you couldn't see the attached document, you wouldn't have been able to know that. That's part of the reason why
they're being tabled. >> So I just want to reemphasize we're tableabling 1012 through 1019. 1012 to 1017 or I'm sorry 1016 were the shared services where Oakland pays
Collingswood. 1017 to 1019 are where Collingswood pays Oakland. Any questions on that real quick? I wanted to be clear on that. They'll be put back on the agenda. The numbers are not going to change, but we
want to make sure everyone has all the documents necessary for the vote. Okay. Uh moving on to item 10, our finance, facilities, and shared services committee. Mrs. Love, >> good evening. Uh can we are the motion
to approve 10.1 through 10 >> 11. I was like, WHERE DID WE STOP? TOO MANY 10 POINTS TONIGHT. >> Uh do we have a motion to approve items 10.01 to 10 uh 11?
>> So moved. >> And seconded. Any uh questions or comments on uh for the committee? Is there going to be any uh if we're not getting those documents or the other people aren't getting the documents until next month? Is that
going to push back anything regarding uh I mean it is what it is, right? Like the they've been they they they've been solidified. >> There's no changing the numbers. It's just people don't have access to them. We just found out. >> Uh that's simple as that. >> And actually I believe if we look back
last year, I think they were approved in March as well. So we're fine. Timeline's fine. >> Um obviously it's always better. It's always nicer for us to get them done, get solidified, and have all those numbers, but the the figures aren't going to change. Salaries aren't changing. They're all dictated by contract, stuff like that.
>> Only because I did the math before. Um, if you're looking for comparison of last year, January 21st, 2025 is where we approved mo six of the the eight and then February 18th and I believe March 11th were the
other two meetings in 2025. if you want to look back and see a comparison. Um, I know when we have maybe for next month when they're on the agenda, there was usually a line saying what the change was and some reasoning behind it. And I think that would be helpful to have for
next time. >> Yes. Mr. Dy, >> yes. >> Mr. DeMarco, >> yes. >> Miss Fell, >> yes. >> Mr. Gther, >> yes. >> Miss Love, >> yes. >> Miss Marmian, >> yes.
>> Mr. McMillan, >> yes. >> Mr. Ty, >> yes. Mush passes. >> All right, moving on to item 11. Uh, curriculum and personnel committee. Uh, Mr. DeMarco. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh this is a
very short agenda. Um currently all we have is we're seeking to approve um items 11.03 and items 11.05. Um there are no field trips at this time. For 11.01
uh 11.02 there's no student teacher observation placement and uh 11.04 there's no travel expense report. So we are seeking to approve 11.01 to 11.05. 05. >> All right. Do we have a motion?
>> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Moved and seconded. Any uh questions for the curriculum and personnel committee? >> I do think something has to uh one edit needs to be made on board docs. I don't know if it matters, but 11.06 says
approval of items 11.01 to 11.04. So that should be 11.05. for just >> I have something is there like um so we're I think I'm on started year six and I started in COVID in the middle of
COVID and uh there was not many field trips going on during COVID for obvious reasons um but here we are six years later almost well five years later and there's still not many field trips going on So, is there anything that maybe the PTA or the board or the administrators
can do to to help uh push forward some more field trips? >> I will say last last board meeting we did approve um some field trips. It was on the agenda. So, >> so normally they they start to crank up in the spring. Um when it's really cold,
it's hard to get little hands and toes out. >> Um >> ghee trips. I'm just saying not not everyone can go to anybody. >> There's tubing. >> Sure. >> Uh just a couple quick items uh want to
share with the the board at large and the community. um got a fantastic presentation on our uh winter data winter uh benchmark testing um uh during the uh board retreat and then actually had the opportunity too to see
some of the benchmark testing data from our middle school and high school um and pretty incredible growth in ELA and math across the board. So um you know a lot of good stuff uh going on there. So shout out to everyone uh all the teachers for all their hard work in
doing that. Um Right. Um any uh comments or questions for uh curriculum committee? All right. Then we will do a roll call. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dy.
>> Yes. >> Mr. DeMarco. >> Yes. >> Miss Fel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gther. Yes. >> Miss Dove. Yes, >> Miss Marian. >> Yes, >> Mr. McMillan. >> Yes, >> Mr. Tabby.
>> Yes. Motion passes. >> Right. Moving on to our school community relations and policy committee. Miss Marmian. >> Good evening. Item 12.01 is the report from the colleges of board. Mr. McMillan. >> Good evening. So, uh, I was absent for
the the board meeting last week for, um, work reasons actually. Um, but, uh, one thing I can we we had our committee meeting last night, committee, the whole. So, that's, uh, that's a new thing that Collinswood has been doing. So, um, the the first one back in
January, we had uh, uh, a lawyer present to make sure that we weren't doing anything wrong. And uh, it went pretty smooth last night. Uh, also went uh, in my opinion, pretty smooth. We thought uh you know the first couple were going to be like four hours long but they've
turned out not to be. Um so I think that's running pretty swimmingly. Um I think I can speak of the program of studies that we were presented about last night. Um uh so uh Meredith created this uh 59page
document on uh the Collinswood Middle School program of studies that she presented last night >> so that we don't get in trouble. >> Oh sh I'm sorry. >> Kim Halenbeck. >> Yes. Thank you. >> And the counseling team. >> I'm going to say that again, Kim. And counseling team. Thank you so much.
>> I'm sorry. Meredith presented it. I I APOLOGIZE. UM, but it's uh if if you guys It's not public yet, I don't believe, but uh once it once it is, if anybody has any uh students in the middle school or high school, um it's pretty impressive. Uh it really lays
everything out. Um, but like I said, I was absent in uh January, so I don't have much information on that. >> When will that be available to families and students? >> So, it's current it's in draft form now. It is currently available to students
and families on the high school website. It will be voted for final approval next week by Collingswood and then we will send it out directly to all middle and high school families to their inbox um just so that nobody misses it and then we will update the one that's currently
posted online. >> Uh program of study. >> Program of study. >> I thought I remembered seeing it in a s'mores. Now I get middle and high school but >> it's in it says draft but there was a
link. Okay, that's >> anything else, Mr. McMillan. Okay, >> that's all I got. And any questions? >> Item 12.02 is a PTA leazison report. Mr. DY, >> so there was no PTA meeting for this month uh with the weather and everything
and they canceled it at last minute for that or postponed it. So nothing to report on that >> except all the awesome stuff they're doing, right? and hope to see everybody. I also wanted to give a shout out to Stacy for or Miss
Brown down, I'm sorry, for um putting together a Google doc for I hope everyone makes note of the events. I think you sent it this afternoon. >> Um it's in progress. So I would love in my ideal dream world to have one calendar that had all the events we
could possibly want to go to on it, but that's not in existence. So um I think I there's things I'm missing. So if anybody looks on that document and sees oh there's this event please add it on um I you know Ryan if you have a you know we can lay with the with the PTA so
I can make sure >> oh that'd be wonderful yeah so that we can just make sure to the best of our ability we would love to have representation at the you know at whatever events we can donate blood >> I tried I did my best I couldn't do it yes there's a blood shortage so please donate blood I >> I believe did we discuss that at the
retreat about um having, you know, the the school can't put together a calendar that will hold all PTA events and all the other community events, but I think we talked about maybe the uh if we had a community member or somebody else that could create that calendar that the school would be willing to to host it on
the website. Maybe I can't I think that's what we talked about. authority. >> We just talked about that as an ideal that if there was a place that I could go to a calendar, I can see, oh, the Mamma Mia, you know, musical is coming up on this date and the PTA, you know, even if it's I might be able to filter, right, for certain PTAs, right? But if
there was that, we have that calendar, but I'm mainly seeing on the school calendar just days off. Um, so I wasn't seeing, again, it could be I'm not looking place, but just seeing some of those district-wide events that >> some sort of calendar of events. >> Yes, >> that's I mean, a lot of school districts have that on their website. Um, and
whether you had a student like could there be a student as like an internship doing that at a high school level? Like it might be great for their resume. Um, the peer lead the peer leadership team, the student council, what any, you know, things that they think they want to promote that the community should know about all in one place because I know
like for example when before I was on the board when the callings would had a round table at the library like I remember being like I know that that's somewhere and like going back through emails instead of like be great to just go on the calendar like oh there's where that round table is, right? I think we would get better turnout. Um, and also
just that one shot, one spot, the shop, you know. So, if it's possible, I'd love to I'm happy to help facilitate any way I can. >> I agree. That's a good idea because the calendar that's on the website is not a calendar of events. It's calendar of school calendar, but a lot of a lot of school districts have a calendar of events that's just on a separate page
that just, you know, but finding the person to do it. That's the I I love the >> Councilwoman McGregor actually just posted on Oakland Family News just asking if all of the town organizations could reach out to her because they're
trying to work on like one collaborative calendar like all of those things. So maybe that's a good starting point to talk to her. Nancy, correct? >> And to Lao's point, I was about to say the app for town like a lot of the meetings are on there for the municipal
meetings and you know, everything's on there. So, if there's a way to hook into that as well, so it's all in one place and then everyone has it on their phone. >> And we also need to figure out a way to when things are updated timewise or if things are cancelled so we can make sure everybody knows so they're not trying to get in the not trying to get in the door
wondering what's going on when all the lights out. >> Yeah, we >> I didn't get any updates on it. But I want to say that the PCA calendar is specifically not made public to protect students. So it's sharable and it goes out
but it's not something that I made public for anyone to search. >> That makes sense. >> That makes sense. >> And I think um we're talking about two different things too of the you know wanting to promote things going on and
then also to have board representation at things going on. So Stacy created a the calendar so we can sign up too. It's an active. So please I encourage board members to do that. Um okay may I move on to item 12.03
themes report. Mr. Gunther. >> Um Adam wished to bring up the OMAC gymnight this Friday night. And then he did also mention um I think K's uh high school had an assembly on anti uh anti-aping um that he wanted to bring to
um Oakland public school as well at some point. So look for that in the future. >> He also is sponsored. >> OMAC is sponsoring the rave the Oakland rave on March 6th. You're going to kill
me. I can't go. Anyway, um >> okay, mine will be there. Thank goodness. Um >> in a couple capacities, >> it gets wild. It does. >> Hydropermanent markers. UM
item 12.04 is the Oakland Education Foundation missile. Uh we don't have any updates at this time though. Uh we are looking for uh parents who want to volunteer. So I may hook up with the PTA if that's okay to come and talk to uh
some parents who have younger kids in the school. Um it might be a really good opportunity for them to donate a little bit of time and maybe they can't do other things. Thank you. Um item 12.05 policies are none at this time. 12.06 regulations
none at this time. So, we have nothing up for approval. >> All right. No voting for that one. Uh, moving on to item 13. We have our HIB report. >> Um, do we have a motion to approve?
>> So, moved. >> Seconded. >> Then seconded. Uh, any comments or questions? >> All right. On a roll call. >> Miss Brown. Donnum. Yes, >> Mr. Dy. >> Yes, >> Mr. DeMarco.
>> Yes, >> Miss Fel. >> Yes, >> Mr. Gther. >> Yes, >> Miss Love. >> Yes, >> Miss Marne. >> Yes, >> Mr. McMillan. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ty.
>> Yes. Motion passes. >> All right, moving on to item uh 14. It's our second public comment section for the evening. Uh this public comment section is for any uh news that folks wish to share. Uh committee is reminded to please stand, state your name and
address, keep the comments to five minutes or less. Uh public's reminded to uh resolve all concerns and complaints uh with the appropriate staff for administrators. Any public comment? >> All right. Hearing none, we will move to
item 15. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Seconded. Second. >> Move that. Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion passes. Have a great night, everybody. >> Your thing is too. >> Your thing, I think, is still on.
>> Was my what? So,