WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 2 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=amIDUarfIpA Video-2: youtube.com/watch?v=XObwPTVsxGo NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: amIDUarfIpA): - 00:00:00: Health Insurance Transition, Bid Opening, Insurance Renewals - 00:03:18: Introduction to Public Comment Procedures and Guidelines - 00:04:07: Public Comment - No Commenters Present, Action Item Discussion - 00:04:39: Financial Management, Athletic Trainer Services, Textbook Questions - 00:06:50: Textbook Usage, Field Trips, Professional Development Discussion - 00:09:52: Enrollment Questions: Drop Offs, Preschool Success, Promotion - 00:13:35: Enrollment Concerns, High School Interactions, Retaining Students - 00:16:24: Special Education Department Commendation, Bus Leasing Inquiry - 00:19:56: Bus Leasing vs Renting, Route Sharing, Revenue Opportunity - 00:22:17: Town and School Communication Liaison, Shared Calendar Ideas - 00:26:50: Budget Retreat: Scenario Planning, Goals, State Funding Issues - 00:30:38: Board Member Training, Budget Conventions and Workshops - 00:33:18: Retreat Topics, Community Involvement, Board Goals and Mission - 00:37:26: Budget as Planning Tool, Educational Priorities, Transparency - 00:41:12: School Budget vs. Business Budget, Finding the Balance - 00:42:50: School for Children With Hidden Intelligences, Motion to Adjourn Part 2 (Video ID: XObwPTVsxGo): - 00:00:00: Meeting Convenes, Roll Call, and President's Opening Remarks - 00:02:26: Student Representatives Report on Athletics & Activities - 00:04:04: Recognizing Community Support: Businesses & Teacher Appreciation - 00:07:08: Recognition: Lindsay Bernett - Miss Rumpius Award Recipient - 00:08:55: Recognition: Victoria Walton for Outstanding School Photography - 00:10:45: Recognition: National Italian Exam Winners - 00:12:53: Recognition: UNLESS Contest Winners - Eco Drip - 00:14:44: Recognition: UNLESS Contest Winners - Voices of Trees - 00:16:53: Recognition: Water Environment Association Essay Contest - 00:18:43: Recognition: Desk to Deck Expedition Flag Contest Winners - 00:21:42: Recognition: New Jersey Junior Thesbian Festival Winners - 00:23:23: Athletic Achievements Note & Brief Intermission - 00:25:10: School Business Administrator Report - 00:25:45: Public Comment: Alex Hayes Okur on Transparency - 00:30:02: Public Comment: Colleen Jameson on Vocational Bus Routes - 00:33:44: Approval of Meeting Minutes and Personnel Items - 00:34:55: Construction, Education, and Student Activities Vote - 00:36:17: Adjournment Part: 1 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.920 --------- one to leave the state, give them 60 days notice that we're leaving their plan and two that relate to joining the um New Jersey Solutions Joint Health Insurance Fund. Um the New Jersey Solutions joint health insurance fund is 2 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:33.040 offering the same Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. They're currently being offered in the state. They have set those plans up as a joint insurance fund. um previously when they took on numerous municipalities and other school 3 00:00:33.040 --> 00:00:49.200 districts. Uh so those plans were already created to mirror the state plans and we're simply joining an existing plan. Um the effective date of that changeover is August 1st. Uh and that takes into the account the 60 days 4 00:00:49.200 --> 00:01:04.879 notice we have to provide to the state. U we've spoken to the broker and the broker's provider to help us through this transition. um create significant savings going forward for us uh based on uh the experience we 5 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:21.280 we've heard about from other districts and and the rates that and rate increases they're being charged versus what we're being told the state is going to charge and what we anticipate from them. So the recommendation is that we move forward with that change um and and realize those savings going forward. if 6 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:38.159 we're dissatisfied with the plan, uh, we have a 30-day notice to them to exit the plan and can move forward from there. So, again, if you have any questions on, I'd be happy to answer them. Um, also, we had a bid opening today. You probably saw on the agenda, there was a lease 7 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:54.640 finance item for the purchase of five 54 passenger school buses, five 29 passenger school buses, and two maintenance vehicles. Uh again, that was on your agenda with uh to be determined on the bid winners because these today 8 00:01:54.640 --> 00:02:12.000 at 1:00. So that was updated. And there's a uh letter of recommendation uh from the Hunter County Educational Services Commission. We utilize them to help us work through this lease purchase process. So again, we've attached late a 9 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:28.879 letter from them recommending basically TD Bank as the um the winner and the company to move forward with that. Um also I just wanted to note that this is the time of the year um that we start seeing renewals for various services that we provide. You'll see that we have 10 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:45.360 both of our insurance brokers on uh Brown and Brown which handles our medical coverage and Connor Strong which handles our liability and workers comp. Those are being recommended for renewal for next year. Uh as well as um 11 00:02:45.360 --> 00:03:02.000 uh Capstone Medical, which I know sometimes we get questions about at this time of the year when we put them up. They're a company that provides athletic trainers to the district. Should we have multiple events occurring where we don't have coverage, uh the AD and and his staff would reach out to them and they 12 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:18.879 provide a trainer for those particular events. So that's all I have. >> Thank you, Mr. Hast. Thanks for very thorough background information there. So at this point we move on to public comment. Board of Education recognizes the value of public comment and educational issues and the importance of 13 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:34.560 allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. Public comment is not a question and answer session. Specific questions can be directed to the administration. The superintendent's contact is on the uh deis and on the district website. We encourage you to 14 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:51.360 contact her with any questions. Public participation shall be governed by the following rules. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to five minutes duration. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. The 15 00:03:51.360 --> 00:04:07.200 presiding officer may request any person to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum. Would anyone from the public like to comment on any item at this time? There are no virtual or inerson commenters. 16 00:04:07.200 --> 00:04:23.199 >> That closes public commenting. Thank you. Uh action items. Uh presentation of minutes. Mrs. McGovern. >> Yes. Um so this is just in case anybody has any questions or comments on the work executive session minutes from our last meeting May 12th. We will um 17 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:39.040 approve them downstairs as any. >> Okay. Seeing none. and personnel we discussed >> we discussed earlier we'll >> in executive session >> Mr. McCarthy uh section 9 financial 18 00:04:39.040 --> 00:05:03.680 management and resource services >> like to open a discussion of 91 through 910. Any questions? >> I do have a question. The Capstone Medical uh services are located in Hillsboro. Um that means if we need a personal if 19 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:21.120 we need an athletic trainer they have to come from Hillsboro. >> No, they're based in Hillsboro, >> but they have um um clients if you will providers. Thank you. Uh that are located around the state. We'll send >> the closest or or someone who you know 20 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:37.720 volunteers for that assignment. >> Okay. Thanks. Thanks. Section 10, instruction, education, and student activities. Mrs. Dan, >> open for discussions. Item 10 1 through 10. 21 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:55.680 Mccarthy, >> just for the textbook, uh the the 360 lit. Um it looks like on the the worksheet that that they stop highlighting yes or no after the first section. I'm just assuming that was done intentionally. 22 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:15.360 >> I'm sorry. I was trying to take a look. Thought it was all the questions were answered. >> Maybe the highlights don't look like they came through on like a PDF copy or a scan. >> The first textbook one >> okay if we can't get that 23 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:34.080 >> I didn't know if those were like not applicable like 360 book or something like that but catch Either way, they would say yes or no. So, we will we can we can skip that one and I'll have it corrected and put on for the next 24 00:06:34.080 --> 00:06:50.960 the next meeting. We should have >> Thank you. >> progress still should be ready. >> Um, can I ask a question? >> Please. I know we talk about this every once in a while with textbooks and how and I know that we're now in in a world we're kind of swinging back to we 25 00:06:50.960 --> 00:07:06.319 shouldn't be on Chromebooks all the time, but before we order textbooks, I assume we also ask these teachers like, "Do your kids actually open a text?" I feel like we use so many other resources that the textbooks half the time don't even get used that much. Do we And I I'm 26 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:22.319 sorry. I apologize because I didn't look at like the quantity of how many are being ordered. Maybe I should have looked at that. I would have answered, but are we ordering like one per student or do we order basically? Yeah. Quantity 3,000. So, I guess that's probably one per student. >> So, and and some of this is program 27 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:37.840 materials like they don't look necessarily exactly like an what you're thinking of as this 3 inch hardcover heavy book. Um, but are you talking about this one specific one or the whole? just in general like like have we I feel like we've 28 00:07:37.840 --> 00:07:53.280 >> in some cases we have even stopped ordering some textbooks in some classes you know so I assume it is something I I'm not like mentioning it's fine I just want to make sure that we're not like >> we're not we're not ordering so that things sit on a shelf and are not used 29 00:07:53.280 --> 00:08:10.639 >> has been fully vetted this is an initiative of our district to infuse this resource at TIS in our ELA classes to improve the teaching and learning that level and it has been reviewed all year but most 30 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:26.960 of the year reviewed by staff by administrators you know professional development around it and it is a program we are going to be using and we will not over orderer >> right >> we will order what we >> thank you >> yes 31 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:42.479 >> since we're moving through the agenda pretty quickly I have a curiosity question so on the field trips because I was thinking field trips are like getting on a bus, charter bus, and then going to see cool things. But like moving like kids to go do the videos in in town and going to see the fifth 32 00:08:42.479 --> 00:09:02.959 grade, that that's all constitutes as field trip. >> Yeah, we have to be careful. We don't talk about where they're going. >> Usually off campus, we would we would list that. >> Yeah. during the school day. And then there's also, you know, a different level of students going to sports things 33 00:09:02.959 --> 00:09:19.760 because they're not considered field trips as part of the schedule of the sport. But >> yes, Mr. One question about the textbooks. Is this replacing a current curriculum or is it supplementing something that we already >> This is taking It's supplementing, but 34 00:09:19.760 --> 00:09:36.160 it really is taking a lead in what we're doing. >> So, it's we're getting rid of something else or >> we're going to use something other our other resources less. Gotcha. >> Anyone else? I'll just add always good to see the PD going right through to the end of the year, the professional 35 00:09:36.160 --> 00:09:52.560 development and um wide variety of things here, but we looks like we have a core group and getting trained in crisis management which is always good, right? So, keeping us up to date on the latest and most important things. Okay, so we 36 00:09:52.560 --> 00:10:07.519 are done with that section. Any old business Am I allowed to ask enrollment questions here? >> Sure. >> Okay. We have like our largest drop off of students in January. There must be 37 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:24.640 some reason for that educators know that I don't is or do is there not? >> Um I don't I don't have a a known reason for that. I think in some years we also have a drastic influx during those winter months as well in the winter 38 00:10:24.640 --> 00:10:40.160 months. It's just this year as an outlier. >> I think I'll have to take a closer look at that. I don't have an answer. >> I don't know that I want you to do that unless the whole board wants you to do that. >> Um the uh a positive is that a school that we tend 39 00:10:40.160 --> 00:10:55.680 to always hear anecdotally is declining enrollment has a net positive, which is OTES. I think that's awesome. That makes me very happy um that that school has actually grown, right? because we're finally getting like a holistic look at the year behind. Um, we had a drop off 40 00:10:55.680 --> 00:11:11.680 of 11 students in 10th grade. That's like our biggest drop off in a single grade. Do we do we have a reason for that by chance? >> So, I don't have a a firm reason on that. I think that we have students who we definitely have had students who have 41 00:11:11.680 --> 00:11:28.320 moved this year. We've had students who um >> there's so there's no like I should have made that question more pointed. There's no vocational school that is taking students at that grade or or private school that we know that is able to take students at that grade more efficiently 42 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:44.399 or anything like that. >> Student could transfer to another school at any time. >> Okay. >> A student could move out of Ocean Township and have to transfer to another school. Student could stay in Ocean Township and transfer to a private school. Um, I don't have that 43 00:11:44.399 --> 00:12:00.959 information readily available, but I can we can look at that mobility at some point if that's something you want to do. >> Only if the full board wanted to see that. I don't I don't I'm just I was looking more curiously for historical knowledge that I have not afforded. I 44 00:12:00.959 --> 00:12:15.600 mean, I've typically seen, and this could be just my observation, students come and go after that time because it's kind of like a breaking point in the school year. Like, you have it's kind of like the halfway point from like a teacher's perspective and you have your 45 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:30.480 winter break and then you kind of start it's kind of new marking period in the middle of it. But at least from my perspective, what I've seen a lot of times when students come, they do kind of come after that. And I think it's just logistically from a kids point of view and a family's point of view, it 46 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:47.920 makes sense in our minds. But I could be totally wrong. That's just my assumption of what I've seen in my class. >> Good to know. Yeah. And then just one final comment, Kelly. I think it's 215 students in our preschool. I think that's awesome. I'm very happy to see that. Um, and I think that's a big deal, 47 00:12:47.920 --> 00:13:03.839 you know, that we are having a healthy preschool. I hope that the ad personally I hope that the administration continues to do that. I think it's it's good to get them when we can while they're young and keep them in. You know, I think that's a good way to do it. So, I I like to see that and I think we're doing a good job there. 48 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:19.440 >> I said this at a previous meeting, but we do not have to have a lottery. We have enough seats for all families and students who want to attend. We're still taking registrations. We encourage students to register and families to register for preschool and kindergarten. If you know of the public um who lives 49 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:35.680 in town and has a preschooler or kindergartener, please we want to encourage um everyone to register as soon as possible so we can get you on to our communication database and we can start talking to you about all the things that go along with enrolling in our district. 50 00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:53.680 student Irene had her hand up had her hand up next >> just to follow up on John's comments about the enrollment because I looked at the numbers as well. our eighth grade to ninth grade is is a big concern. And I'm 51 00:13:53.680 --> 00:14:11.440 glad to see that you're taking um more initiative to get our high school students down to the eighth grade to interact with them, whether it's come and see our dance program, come and see our band play, uh come and watch our 52 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:27.920 athletes play. And and we need to continue to focus on that. um the honors kids uh and and the AP classes should go down to the ELA classes and explain the programs more in order to retain our students. We need to sell 53 00:14:27.920 --> 00:14:44.079 ourselves and and I think we're doing that and I think we should continue to do that. >> Our nth grade grew this year. >> Pardon? >> N grew this year. So that's a data point to back up that it's working or that we're doing. The one thing, and I don't know if this is true, but the one thing I was going 54 00:14:44.079 --> 00:15:01.120 to say about 10th grade, if you're sports-wise and you transfer out your sophomore year, you're not going to have any problem with having to sit, having to do any of those things be like if you played a varsity sport your freshman year. And if you come back before junior year, like junior year is 55 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:18.079 when it starts to affect you and and you have to kind of be where you want to be. So sometimes kids will go and a lot of times they come back, you know, they go to they go to another school sophomore year and that could not be any of it. But I know that there's I know three that left sophomore year and were back by the end of the year or were back 56 00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:33.680 their junior year, you know, because of that. They decided that the private where they thought they were going to be, you know, do what they wanted to do didn't necessarily happen and they came back. So there there is a little bit of a safety net in the sports world sophomore year. 57 00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:50.639 >> Uh Mrs. Um, kind of to piggy back off after Mr. McCarthy and Irene about having the older kids with the younger kids in the prek program. I think and what I've been seeing is having the prek3 and the prek4s together. They're just starting 58 00:15:50.639 --> 00:16:07.440 to get older, right? They're in first grade of the first intermingling of ages. And it's going to be so interesting. And I think it's so wonderful. You see all of the older kids interacting with the younger kids and that's only going to grow as they get older. And it's going to be very interesting to see how much closer three 59 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:23.480 grades are going to be together because they've all been in school together and in classes together. And I think that's going to be wonderful to see once they get into the intermediate schools and into the high schools because they're going to have bonds with multiple grades at that point. >> Really? 60 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:40.160 >> Any other business? >> Any new business? >> Oh, go ahead. We uh just wanted to uh commend the special ed department for an incredible presentation. The expo that they uh presented was outstanding. The 61 00:16:40.160 --> 00:16:57.199 cafeteria was filled with vendors and uh interesting things for parents and for students. And it it spilled over into the gym and then there were dogs and popcorn. It was an amazing event and I really wanted to commend 62 00:16:57.199 --> 00:17:15.199 everyone who helped to organize that and the staff that came out that night. So that was a great event. >> I would agree with you. I was glad to see you there. I was glad to see McGovern there. Um and I I think we offered great resources for families. 63 00:17:15.199 --> 00:17:32.000 >> Um and I said the presenters that I had the opportunity to speak to were so passionate about what they wanted to share with our families. So, um, you know, I I had a hard time stopping going from table to table to hear what they had to say because they were all so wonderful and so passionate. So, it was 64 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:47.919 great. >> Thank you, Mrs. G. >> Very nice. >> Okay. Any new business? >> Interesting. >> Oh, is old business? >> No. No. >> Okay. >> But, um, now that we're through budget, >> I like say this sort of in just but not 65 00:17:47.919 --> 00:18:02.559 really. um when we talk about, you know, the buses and we're and we're renting these buses and we have a great group of bus drivers and we have a great bus fleet and not that we would have anywhere to park them, but have we ever looked into 66 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:19.120 possibly there's so many bus opportunities throughout the school year and in the summer to possibly transport other We would have to invest obviously in buses, But have we ever looked into 67 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:33.360 what it might be that we could make money to possibly invest in buses and pick up some of these routes? I mean, the summer the summer camps, I don't know if we've ever marketed ourselves in this summer, it wouldn't happen, but just for kind of next year's budget, the 68 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:49.919 the number of camps that bus through our town in the summer that are bringing buses from all sorts of places that who knows if we if we could get in on it. Um or even during the school year, you know, we have all these other bus companies and and there's we hear when 69 00:18:49.919 --> 00:19:05.840 you listen in the beginning of the school year, everyone's like, "Oh, we can't find buses or or this person went under." I don't know that we need to be in the bus business, but I don't know how lucrative the bus would be. And I just as like a sense of revenue if it's ever something to look into and I don't know if the board has a sense of like 70 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:22.480 thinking of what degree you would even find this out but it's just a you know when you say buses and you're just like they cost so much but they also I feel like you know we transport a lot of kids we transport you know a lot of kids to shore regional that are in our surrounding areas and I you know I 71 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:39.919 forget what the contract is on that but I don't know is it is it worth ever marketing ourselves and or even asking the bus drivers, do you even have an appetite? Because obviously if it's our bus drivers driving them in the summer to some of these camps that we obviously transport some of our kids, right? But if there's these other bus companies 72 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:56.480 coming through and it's and we are able to say, you know, maybe we want maybe we have five drivers and five buses that are willing to go out and we might make I don't know what the amount would be, but it's just a out of the out of the 73 00:19:56.480 --> 00:20:12.720 box. So, I would say one, we're not renting buses. We're leasing them. So, at the end of the lease, we'll own them, >> right? >> Um those will carry us through several years of not having to buy buses, >> right? >> Over the next five to seven years. Um 74 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:29.600 we do have agreements with other districts to share routes and we take advantage of those when possible, both putting our students on other routes and vice versa to make those more economical. Um, in terms of 75 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:43.919 what I've experienced over the past several years that I've been here, uh, we've had difficulty having enough drivers and having enough drivers from day to day and utilizing subs. Uh, so that's always a concern that we have enough drivers to actually fulfill the 76 00:20:43.919 --> 00:21:01.440 routes that are needed. Um and then two over the summer um we have our own events, our own summer programs going on and uh I think we barely get enough volunteers but right enough staff who want to work over the summer for us to fulfill those routes. So that's a 77 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:17.280 difficulty as well. >> Okay. Um, and then in general, it's additional wear and tear on the buses. And while they've extended the life of school buses and how long you can keep them on the road, the practical matter is it's never seems to be as long as >> they're telling us in terms of 78 00:21:17.280 --> 00:21:32.720 breakdowns and rust and all the things that go into, you know, using the bus. So, >> okay, Amy, it was a terrible idea. Thank you. >> Always good to ask. >> Yeah, I got it. >> So, that's a long way to say we looked it a little bit. we got to a place where 79 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:47.919 we've got decent coverage on our current routes and I think the next step is for us to seek out other revenue opportunities and that may be buses and >> I think we do seek that out just to say repeat what you just said at that has to do with during this work day I think 80 00:21:47.919 --> 00:22:03.200 what you're talking about is nights and weekends and >> well just summer yeah like you know the necessarily have a full staff so we would have to >> look at that as do we want to increase our staff and but you know certainly if and what people even want if the revenue 81 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:17.760 was worth it. >> And we certainly even districts are required to do bus drills each year whether they have buses or not. We send our buses to some of the charters and they pay for us to provide buses today so they can do their drills and you know 82 00:22:17.760 --> 00:22:34.159 meet that requirement. So there are things going on but we can always try to do more. >> Thank you Mrs. Dam and Mr. Schne. Um, yeah. So, I had this random thought today, so just bear with me as I work through talking it. So, soccer wreck is 83 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:50.240 signups are tomorrow morning at 8:30. And I was thinking, it's so annoying that it's at 8:30. I have to get this kids to school at 8:35. Like, why is the town having the signups at 8:30 when parents have to get their kids to school? And I was thinking of we need to have better communication on what's 84 00:22:50.240 --> 00:23:06.720 going on between the schools and the town because we're one unit and we're we're working towards the same goal. And you know, I also had this idea and we talked about like having a bulletin board at the library of having the prek podcast being talked about and again having the school and the town working 85 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:22.480 together. And I was just wondering if like we could have a liaison type of more connection with the town of what we're doing or what we're trying to accomplish with what the town is trying to accomplish and how we can work together more and communicate together 86 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:37.760 more. And again, it was just a thought that I had holding closed today, but thought I'd bring it up and talk about that. >> Share calendar. Good idea. >> Yeah, share calendars. Just not have signups when kids get kids to school. >> Seven more. 87 00:23:37.760 --> 00:23:53.600 >> So, primarily the recreation department. >> Yeah. It's not I'm not saying it's the fault of the town or anything, but it it just got my brain rolling of how can we communicate and work more together of doing better for our kids and the community both because they're one and 88 00:23:53.600 --> 00:24:09.120 the same. We're holding the same hands, holding the same kids, trying to get them to do things and what more can we do with the town and what more can the town do with us? >> Sounds like Department of Human Services. >> Yeah. But if we had a liaison of working together, if there was someone on the 89 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:24.320 board who did that or I'm not quite sure what that looks like, but just a thought of how we could be working together more. Yeah, I think I think we'd have to determine if it would be something more of u 90 00:24:24.320 --> 00:24:43.440 elected official to elected official or >> administration >> operations to operations communication and and uh because that would be I think that would >> I think we certainly have a good relationship with them and we have a great relationship. I wasn't saying that we don't. 91 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:58.640 >> No, no, no, no. I know that. So, I could easily make a phone call and say, "Is there any chance you could change the start of the signup times? I've heard from some parents that it's inconvenient because it's the same time as school drop off, and we could >> fix a few things that way." Or, that's 92 00:24:58.640 --> 00:25:14.640 what I'm trying to get at. Or is is there a larger conversation that we're trying to have with the town about more more >> just more like let's have a bulletin board at the library, right? that has school but it has school activities and 93 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:30.400 I was saying like there's I take my kids library all the time and if there was a bulletin board that said prek podcast and it has wonderful stuff on on the podcast that might get people wow the town has this amazing podcast you know what maybe I was thinking of sending my 94 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:47.120 kid to this daycare but they have this prek podcast maybe I'm interested in now sending them to prek stuff like that and letting the public know what else is going on in their schools publicly that maybe they don't know because they're not in the schools yet and maybe if they saw what was going on they would be more 95 00:25:47.120 --> 00:26:03.440 interested. >> We see each other at the library and that that bulletin board that scrolls through. I'm sure that if you went to the head librarian, but again, you're you're talking about someone from the board of 96 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:20.080 education going to the head librarian and saying, "Listen, you know, we've got this prek podcast. Can you add that to your uh events? And >> you know that this discussion and and that's a wonderful idea but has come up 97 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:34.799 about do we collaborate with the town. Yes, we do. We do on every level. Whether it's a legislative committee that we have, whether it's a building and planning committee that we have, whether it's through you and Mr. Hastings, Miss Weldon, we are in 98 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:50.880 constant touch with them. But I think what what Miss Dan has in mind is is something more social, something more, you know, in line with the Department of Human Services and the library, not just town hall and, you know, what can we do 99 00:26:50.880 --> 00:27:07.840 with our buses and what can we do with our building and maintenance. So, uh, I I would certainly be interested in pursuing that and and having them see our calendar and be familiar with things like startup time at 8:30, which is 100 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:26.159 really not a good time to have signups when people are trying to get their kids off to school. Mr. Snider, you been thinking about this for a little while, but related to the budget being closed, the fact that we're going to be here again next year maybe 101 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:41.679 talking about similar kind of issues. I'm bringing this up as a as a learning process myself. Is there anything that we could do collectively as a board through retreats that kind of maybe help with scenario planning and looking at different financial uh considerations 102 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:58.080 based on the fact that we've been reading that the formula doesn't seem to be changing and whether seems to be an appetite by the state government at this point to do anything about that. So is there anything we can do leading into the next next year's budget season that we be able to do as a board or is that 103 00:27:58.080 --> 00:28:15.840 not really part of our roles or responsibilities? I think you know that I think we have talked often about whether or not we should have a retreat or or something. That's what I heard you say, right? Um >> it's a it's a it's a board meeting. So 104 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:32.159 it's like a board meeting. It's that's how it structured, but >> certainly we can talk about treat and putting budget planning as a topic on the on that agenda. >> I don't know what other others think about that. >> Yeah, I have a huge interest in that. 105 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:48.159 Mr. I mean I have a huge interest in that too. I and I don't ever want to be the I have to say I've been waiting for ever since just as a point of information so that the public understands it's 354 students in the prek. I misspoke when I said 354. So thank you Mr. Schneider for one to get 106 00:28:48.159 --> 00:29:04.320 out of the ether and be correct has been driving me crazy. Okay. I think I think um I mean we always fall behind the whole uh we fall behind the whole well we have to wait for the state and we don't know what we can do until the state uh comes and Mr. Schneider said 107 00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:19.039 multiple times like we can forecast and try very hard to um figure it out that way and I you know I think that we need to be resolved in the fact that no help is coming from the state at this point right so we we have to try to find creative solutions. I have a huge 108 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:35.679 appetite for that. I would like maybe to let the administration chew on it for a little bit and think about one what could we accomplish to empower them if anything right and if the answer is nothing I just want to know why I'm not I don't want to you know I'm not going 109 00:29:35.679 --> 00:29:50.799 to but I wanted to have a specific answer of like look there's nothing that we could do because of these reasons and then we could think of other solutions and I would want um to really have a tactical understanding of what that retreat would entail for us uh with an agenda that we decide ahead of time so 110 00:29:50.799 --> 00:30:06.399 we can be a productive board and not just show up and be like, "All right, what do we think here?" You know, and we're all just kind of, you know, you know, winging it. So, I'd like to see it kind of structured that way if the rest of the board had it. But, I 111 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:22.159 think it's worth a discussion, you know, to because we're going to have this problem that we've been having that has been growing every year and getting worse and worse and it would be worthwhile. And then the next question is like how do we get the community involved, right? Because they're always 112 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:38.240 beating us up that we're not getting them involved, right? And then at least if they are, we can say, hey, we really tried to get you involved, but you know, we didn't get the support that we needed or we did get the support that we needed and you know, this is what we came up with. >> That's my opinion, Mrs. Gman. And to 113 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:54.240 follow up with that, hopefully in October when we go to convention, there will be an opportunity to attend some classes that might focus on budget because I really know nothing about numbers and and nor did I have an 114 00:30:54.240 --> 00:31:09.919 affinity toward it, you know, literature. That was my thing, but the humanities. But now I find myself here being called upon by community members to explain why $8 million has to be drawn out of the township 115 00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:27.279 funds to keep things running. So yes, I think that we all need to be schooled in it. And maybe New Jersey school boards is always asking me, I'm always getting email surveys of, you know, what topics do you want to discuss? What topics would you like to see offered? Well, 116 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:42.799 this this could be one that I would respond to and say, "Listen, uh, you know, we don't want to wait till January when we're behind the eightball talking about budget." So, I would be glad to reach out to them as well and see what they could recommend for us to have a a 117 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:58.399 productive meeting. U, we used to have the assembly people come in. We could certainly schedule a legislative committee meeting and uh but then we'd have to wait for after July for the governor's budget to be ratified and 118 00:31:58.399 --> 00:32:14.320 we're kind of at their mercy. But perhaps in the fall we could do something. >> Yes, Mrs. McGovern. >> I've always um as we said, we've always talked about retreats and or dinners and and it always ends up going to the 119 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:29.360 wayside. Um, they said, "Yeah." Um, but I feel like if we did a retreat, >> I almost think that it would be best to do it in the summer. >> It doesn't have to be on a Tuesday night. It can be on a different day of 120 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:46.320 the week earlier so that we maybe could retreat for, you know, like discuss things for an hour or two or whatever we think would be and then have a team dinner after somewhere. Um, I also think that much like the we have professional 121 00:32:46.320 --> 00:33:01.919 development, I think that there's also people here that could probably teach like Irene Irene said or, you know, some of their, you know, everybody has a perspective here and maybe even just to learn the different perspectives and the different 122 00:33:01.919 --> 00:33:18.399 backgrounds of, you know, you know, a budget one way, you know, a budget another way, you know, a budget, you know, I'm not a budget person either, so like I'm not a numbers person either, so I wouldn't say me, but, you and to kind of hear different ideas of how you interpret things or some ways of of 123 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:36.000 you know asking to look at something in November or in February to understand it better is not the time to ask how to look at the numbers better but kind of making a map of and and budgets obviously doesn't have to be the only thing on here but you know but trying to 124 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:51.760 kind of explain it in a way in a in a time where you're not in a budget stress of these are the kinds of things that I wish I saw from here. These are the kinds of things that I wish I saw from here and these are the kinds of things that I wish you all understood from here. Right? Like and to kind of explain 125 00:33:51.760 --> 00:34:08.399 it in a different way. Um, and I I think if it's a retreat, it should be I I like the idea of involving the community, but I almost think we need a retreat to figure out what we want to involve the community on and then make a community thing a separate time in the fall or 126 00:34:08.399 --> 00:34:24.560 something, you know, and you know, just to kind of say and it's almost like right, we have our official board goals that go off of Miss Weldon's goals, but we can have very unofficial goals of what we want to do for next year. Okay, we I think we all know communication is something we want better, you know? So, 127 00:34:24.560 --> 00:34:39.440 what are some of the things that as a board we want to make sure we push out there, right? What are some of the things as, you know, that we maybe want to work on and and just kind of different agendas that way? You know, we cut two meetings, so it's not like we can't add I mean, I can add a night 128 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:54.720 back. I'm sure at some point we're August when my son leaves, but you know, but we can add, you know, add a night back um in one of those two. That's doesn't have to be a Tuesday night. That can be like I said a earlier start time if we can to be able to pack in a dinner 129 00:34:54.720 --> 00:35:10.800 after to celebrate all of our wonderful >> I I just want to share I just Googled through uh New Jersey school boards association and there is a webinar that is um readily available for anybody to watch in regards to the board's role in the budget process. So, you know, that 130 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:26.480 that gives anybody perspective as to, you know, what what our role is versus what of course Kelly and Jeff are overseeing. >> Brian and then I'll say something >> a little bit of old business related to the new business I brought up, but I just want to make sure it's clear from 131 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:45.560 my perspective that I thought that Mr. Hing's budget presentation was very clear and everybody wants to know what's actually happening. >> Shut it down. I feel like all the answers to some of the issues we're having and some of the concerns later. 132 00:35:46.480 --> 00:36:03.280 >> Thank you. I appreciate that, Mr. Schneider. So, I I want to tack on to a couple >> that was by the way. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Group presentation. It's always a group presentation. I I appreciate what Mr. McCarthy started with and then some of you uh went on about because the 133 00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:21.119 educator in me always says I need a lesson plan for everything, right? So I would be in support of it with the clear understanding that we need to be really careful that we are not opening soup to nuts and all 134 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:36.640 looking for something different out of this and then come out with frustration. Right? So like we have to decide what is it that we want out of it and what what's our objective and what are our activities how are we assessing along the way that we're 135 00:36:36.640 --> 00:36:53.440 meeting that objective but I I have this feeling and please tell me if you think differently that before we could even plan it we really need to know from each board member what is it that you're looking for because I'm hearing a lot of different things there's no way that's 136 00:36:53.440 --> 00:37:09.920 getting done in an Educationally, there's no way that's getting done in an hour. >> I unfortunately worked for a superintendent that kept me at 12:45 one night on a budget retreat. >> But I I always say there was a wise BA business administrator I worked with 137 00:37:09.920 --> 00:37:26.800 years ago who always reminded us that the budget is a planning tool and you're never done with the budget. >> So me actually you but also the gentleman I've worked with. So this idea that we're done with the budget, we're never done with the budget and we need 138 00:37:26.800 --> 00:37:41.359 to be listening very carefully to what the educational priorities are and making sure that we're meeting those, right? And so we need to hear those from the administration. I think we need to hear and I'm not asking for it now because I I think we 139 00:37:41.359 --> 00:37:57.760 need to think is what do we each feel we need to know and understand going into a budget build. So I would ask that everyone start to really think about that because at one point we maybe send out a survey question that says what do you need to do because if it is from 140 00:37:57.760 --> 00:38:13.359 here to here that's not an hourong meeting if it's narrow and there's overlap then we can plan that and I see the people who educators who are like yes I need a clear objective. So you know so we need to really think about 141 00:38:13.359 --> 00:38:28.880 what is it that you're looking for when you ask for that. Okay. And that's going to need to come out of this. >> Yeah. And and my suggestion, that's just my opinion, is that we would look to our mission statement as our north star. Yeah. And maybe we look don't look at it 142 00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:45.920 in like one year increments. We look at how do we develop that mission over time and what what we need to be prepared for, what we need to do in order to do that >> with the best interest of our students in mind, of course. >> Right. All of our families, right? I think I think too like I'm I'm assuming 143 00:38:45.920 --> 00:39:02.480 this so correct me if I'm wrong but I think like one of the things that's tough for a lot of people who have a business mindset behind a budget to understand is like forecasting way out ahead of time does not it's not the transparent part of the process right it's very much the all right we're 144 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:18.640 here it's time this is what the state's telling us we're going to get let's make our decisions which I the my military experience tells me you know I understand that like that's and then it's like we got to spend it all we're not going to get it from the state again, right? Or that kind of thing. So, I think though I think that what Brian is getting at, and correct me if I'm 145 00:39:18.640 --> 00:39:34.000 wrong, is that if we want to be able to act strategically with our finances, we need to forecast longer than one year out. And I know that that's a massive demand on our financial side. Um because, you know, businesses have teams 146 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:50.720 and legions of people who can do that for them. But I think personally too I would like to know that and and this needs to be made clear to the administration too like in business you understand that your forecast can go out the window in a single month, a single 147 00:39:50.720 --> 00:40:07.680 quarter, right? That you can get a health care uh expense or an energy expense that comes in and just molly wops everything you forecasted. But in business, it seems like it's a better situation to turn and look and say, "We forecasted this. This expense came in at 148 00:40:07.680 --> 00:40:24.480 this, so we can no longer spend money on this." Right? Like that's I think >> right and like and like I think we want to be a part of that and the community could be a part of it. And the the biggest problem that you have is like there's nowhere to add new revenue and 149 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:41.040 you're going to have a limited you're going to have a limited um tax levy that you're allowed to apply. We can still forecast that. But maybe maybe at the next meeting when we give the administration the opportunity to come back to us and ask us the questions that they want of like what were you talking 150 00:40:41.040 --> 00:40:56.480 about? What did you want? Maybe the conversation needs to be these are the reasons that you can't forecast past year one. um to educate us so that we're able to articulate that to the public too when they say like why don't you just run it appropriately and I want to be clear because I know everybody always says this no we're not a business I know 151 00:40:56.480 --> 00:41:12.560 that we're not running it like a business I don't want to run a business but I want to take the strengths of budgeting like a business and apply it where we can to be successful Mrs. Yeah. >> Well, I was just going to say something similar of the sense I think where and I have this confusion because I'm a CPA 152 00:41:12.560 --> 00:41:29.280 and I know a budget, but then it's a school too. And I think the magic is what we're all trying to figure out is how do we look at this as a business and with the budget but run it as a school because it's not a business. Like where is the magic of the in between of the 153 00:41:29.280 --> 00:41:46.079 business and the school? And I think if we can all collectively talk about that and learn from where that medium is, that would be very helpful. I don't know what that is, but I but I struggle with, okay, here's a budget business brain, but it's a school and there's all these 154 00:41:46.079 --> 00:42:01.680 variables and we're not bringing in revenue, so to speak. So, how does that work and all jumbled together? >> Can I just jump in and share there? So, there's a line account. There's line items for every probably employee, every 155 00:42:01.680 --> 00:42:17.119 bus, everything goes into as a system. So all the 84 million is accounted for >> like a line. Absolutely. >> We want to think strategically for the future so that okay >> if the school is moving towards 156 00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:34.079 something that we're able to >> enable that I think you know. Yeah. I don't think it's not accountable voted to approve the budget. Yes, absolutely. >> Yeah. >> But also one of the things I learned is that the schools are really on their own to your point like we have we're our own entity. We have to there's no revenue 157 00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:50.240 sources. No one >> confusion of it's a business but it's a school like >> difficult. >> It is. >> Yeah. To find balance. >> Okay. All heard I believe. Good discussion. >> Yeah. Great. >> Um lot to talk about in the future. Uh 158 00:42:50.240 --> 00:43:06.880 anything else for new business? It's It's not new business. And Mr. Jesus, you'll probably >> think I'm ridiculous, but can you tell me what the school for children with hidden intelligences? >> I thought all children had hidden 159 00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:22.720 intelligence. It was a line out of Oh, can you answer that question? Perhaps >> it is a private school for children with disabilities and shy school for hidden intelligence. >> Thank you so much. That the the title of 160 00:43:22.720 --> 00:43:37.280 that is >> yes a >> little bizarre hidden intelligence. >> Interesting. >> Lots of children have hidden intelligence. They all do. Yeah, >> they all do. Thank you so much for answering. Anything else for new business? >> Motion. Motion. 161 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:39.920 >> Second. Part: 2 1 00:00:00.719 --> 00:00:18.480 This meeting of the township uh O of Ocean Board of Education comes to order. Um Mr. Hastings, you can view the roll call, please. >> Mr. Brady >> here. >> Mr. Cobbert, >> Mrs. Dam >> here. >> Mrs. Gilman >> here. >> Mr. McCarthy 2 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:33.360 >> here. >> Mr. McGovern >> here. >> Mr. Schneider >> here. >> Uh Miss Stevens >> here. >> Mr. Dalton >> here. Uh good evening everyone. Thank you for being here. We look forward to celebrating some wonderful accomplishments. I'd like to start off with some comments for this evening. 3 00:00:33.360 --> 00:00:50.079 I'll combine uh the opening of the meeting with the uh president's report. Um end of year events are coming and those of us that have worked in schools and families know that it is a hectic time, but it's an exciting time. It's where all the traditions come together. 4 00:00:50.079 --> 00:01:05.519 Um excitement, but maybe even some nervousness, right? especially for transitioning uh wherever that transition may be. Um we wish everyone well during this time. We hope that you enjoy all of the events and enjoy 5 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:22.000 everything that happens uh at those events. Um, as I ask everyone in a minute to stand for the pledge of allegiance, I'd ask that you stand stay with us for another minute standing in silence as we remember all of those uh who fought for our country since 6 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:38.799 Memorial Day will be coming up this weekend. Um, also during that time we may take a moment of silence um and thought and reflection. our region um in Mammoth and Ocean County has suffered some losses um in schools. Um and I know 7 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:57.360 our hearts go out to those communities that lost some young ones uh in this last week. So uh it's a time to reflect and to remember them. So could we all please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag of the 8 00:01:57.360 --> 00:02:26.480 United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Can we please have our student representatives report? 9 00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:44.160 >> Um, yes. So, our baseball's head coach, Coach Apiselli, reached a careerhigh of 250 wins. Their team record is 11 and 12. Boys Ties have been having a good season with their record being 13-8. In track and field, Andrew Vigana became 10 00:02:44.160 --> 00:02:58.720 our sectional champion this past weekend in the 400 meter hurdles as well as the 110 meter hurdles, which he also placed first in last year. Leah Starky had an incredible weekend as well, placing first in the 16 m run and the 32 m run. 11 00:02:58.720 --> 00:03:16.080 Her 32 meter time h of 9 minutes and 48 seconds is now the new meet record for the event. The girls 4x8 Ava Archer, Sarah Zarali, Lee Starky, and Avery O'Hara placed fifth in the section. Jake PL plays second in the 800 run. Everyone 12 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:31.360 named will now be running at groups next weekend because of their top six finishes. >> The girls lacrosse team has had a tough season as they are 15 of four. Today they played Robinsville at home at 3:45 and lost. The boys lacrosse had a 13 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:48.000 remarkable season this year being the first time since 2017 being 10 winnings in the season. Their record is 10-6. Softball just recently tied their division with manipin and has a season record of 10 to nine. And class officers 14 00:03:48.000 --> 00:04:04.959 for class of 2027 organized a junior prom this past weekend and did an amazing job. The event was success. Very nice. >> Thank you so much for your report. Great to see those smiles. Miss Welen. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this evening we have quite a bit of 15 00:04:04.959 --> 00:04:20.959 recognition. So, we're very excited to see a packed room full of students who have achieved greatness over the last few weeks. Before we do that, if u Mr. Hater, if you could present the uh slide deck, I would also um you know, this is 16 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:37.280 our time to recognize all of these honors and celebrate excellence and dedication. If you could go ahead to the next slide. One more. Um, I would like to just recognize this the past month there have been many businesses in our community who have supported our schools 17 00:04:37.280 --> 00:04:52.880 in a variety of ways. First, the businesses that all willingly participated in our home in your pocket weekend event and um, we have more on that coming up in a little bit. But I did just want to recognize the businesses that so willingly partnered 18 00:04:52.880 --> 00:05:09.440 with us so our young learners could travel around our township during that weekend reading their poetry, visiting these businesses. Uh there were some uh I know there were some little giveaways or discounts. um a myriad of different uh 19 00:05:09.440 --> 00:05:25.360 opportunities for our students to go in, be proud of what they have written, what they have created, read it proudly, use all of their skills, all of the skills they've learned in school. Um and these businesses really supported us and our school librarians asked if if we could 20 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:40.080 recognize the businesses that partnered with this project. So, we wanted to do that this evening. You can see the names above me here. And then next slide. We also are just finishing up, just came to the end of teacher appreciation week where a number of our different 21 00:05:40.080 --> 00:05:57.840 organizations around town gave thanks to our to our teachers in all of our schools. Our PTAs outdid themselves. Our school administrators also treated our staff to different treats throughout the week. the OTHS band parent association, the Vingo Pow Civic Association, the 22 00:05:57.840 --> 00:06:15.840 IBEW Local 400, RWJ Mammoth Medical Center, Shrewsbury Volkswagen, Insight Health, Miller's Ale House, and the list goes on and on. We do just want to thank the businesses in our community that that showed their support and gave their appreciation to our wonderful staff. I 23 00:06:15.840 --> 00:06:30.080 know I know all of our schools enjoyed teacher appreciation week. So again, thank you to those supporters. Okay. Now, I'd like to invite up Mrs. Melissa Lenik, principal of OTEES, 24 00:06:30.080 --> 00:06:52.160 for our first recognition of the night. Oh, yes. And I also, sorry, board member Caitlyn Dan will be honoring uh joining Mrs. Lenick and our other principles as we recognize our honores this evening. Yep. You can make your way this way. And 25 00:06:52.160 --> 00:07:08.400 when I call your name, you're just going to come up and you're going to go over here and anyone in the audience is welcome to come up front once we're once we've announced the name to take a photo. So, if you'd like to make your way up here, please don't be shy. Make sure you get a you get a great pick. Okay. So, first up, I'd like to honor 26 00:07:08.400 --> 00:07:27.199 Miss Lindsay Bernett. Miss Bernett, please come on up. She is She is the 2026 Miss Rumpius Award recipient. This is being bestowed on her by the New Jersey Center for the Book. And I think 27 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:44.319 we have some guests here as well that would like to honor her. I believe we have Miss Judy Tolen and Sharon Rollins from the New Jersey Center for the Book who would also like to recognize Miss Bernett. The New Jersey Center for the Book has selected Miss Bernett as a 2026 28 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:59.520 Miss Rumpius Award winner for Home in Your Pocket community event. The judging committee was very impressed with her programs emphasis on collaborating with businesses in the community. Not only was it a literary program that involved 29 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:15.199 students selecting and or writing their own poetry, but the fact that they also went into the community to read their poems aloud added a unique dimension to this exceptional program. The New Jersey Center for the Book extends their heartfelt congratulations for your 30 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:47.880 outstanding contribution to helping literacy grow in New Jersey. Congratulations. We all get together there for a photo. >> Okay. Congratulations, Miss Bernett. Next, I'd like to invite up Miss Don Kazuba, principal of the high school. 31 00:08:55.839 --> 00:09:12.000 Okay, I'm taking a slight departure from some of uh the recognitions that we've done, but I felt all year the work of this student was absolutely outstanding and captivated me in so many different ways throughout the year with 32 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:34.240 her work that I felt I could not keep this to myself. I had to share it with our full community. So, I'd like to invite up Miss Victoria Walton. Come on up. Miss Walton is of the class of 2028 and I'm recognizing her this evening for her 33 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:54.120 outstanding photography of school events. If you are not following to_flick114, please go home tonight and start following li114. 34 00:09:54.160 --> 00:10:11.360 Her work is outstanding. She captures moments on our sports fields. She was at our junior prom this weekend taking photos. She does an outstanding job of capturing and telling the Spartan story in our schools. And I just wanted to 35 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:45.600 tell you how incredibly impressed I am with your work. Keep doing what you're doing. Keep shining. Your future is very bright. Congratulations. She wanted it again. >> Okay. Congratulations again. Okay. Next, I'd like to invite up Mr. Ian Schwarz. 36 00:10:45.600 --> 00:11:02.640 And if any of our teachers are here, Mrs. Iicarino, Miss Revesi. No. Okay. If Mr. Schwarz will join Mrs. Kazuba over here. We are going to recognize next our National Italian Exam winners. The American Association of Teachers of 37 00:11:02.640 --> 00:11:17.920 Italian measures students Italian language proficiency and cultural understanding while allowing them to compare their performance with peers across the country. Our Ocean Township High School students did exceptionally 38 00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:35.680 well, earning bronze recognition. Please come on up. Carly Sundac here. Then Haley Diaz. Haley, come on up. You're here. 39 00:11:35.680 --> 00:12:12.800 Okay. Winning silver distinction. Mario Carlani. >> Christian Nunez Hernandez. and Samantha Pagnoni. And earning gold distinction, Jack Bell, come on up. 40 00:12:12.800 --> 00:12:28.320 And Aiden Harrian, come on up. Okay, moms, dads, parents, come on up. you take photos. Congratulations to all of you for your outstanding 41 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:53.920 outstanding performance on this exam. >> Congratulations, Spartans. >> Okay, now I'd like to invite up Mr. Chris Ammano, principal of the Town Provotion Intermediate School. Miss Megan Edson, if she is here, and Mr. Patrick Sullivan, where we will 42 00:12:53.920 --> 00:13:13.760 recognize our unless contest winners. The awardwinning UNLES contest has empowered thousands of K12 students to take action for wildlife. This yearong projectbased contest encourages students 43 00:13:13.760 --> 00:13:31.200 to create real solutions to environmental issues in their lives. Taking second place with their Eco Drip entry is Jillian Crosby, Emerson Ernish, 44 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:52.440 Rachel Shammy, Jackoski, Bryce Vam, Duke Herman, Gloria, and Ed. Come on up. 45 00:13:55.839 --> 00:14:44.320 When we get a picture with this group, parents, feel free to come on up. >> Come on, everybody get together. very smile. Everybody smile. Smile. 46 00:14:44.320 --> 00:15:15.279 Smile. >> Okay, for our next team, congratulations. For our next group earning first place for their Voices of the Trees entry, please come on up. Joseph Janetti, 47 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:47.600 Anthony, Travis Campanella, Elijah Charles. John Wazant Eddie Lima, Solomon Miss Rahee, and Trevor Solen. Congratulations. Parents, come on up for 48 00:15:47.600 --> 00:16:53.440 photos. I was gonna say some ice cream. my first. >> Okay, for our next recognition, I'd like to Mr. Amato, please stay up here. Miss Edson, also you please stay up as well. and Mr. Schwarz, if you're here, come on 49 00:16:53.440 --> 00:17:08.160 back. If you're still here, please come on back up. Okay. Next, we'd like to recognize students who were the New Jersey Water Environment Association Student Essay Contest winners. The NJWEA 50 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:24.959 student essay contest. Our students entered this contest. Two TOIS students have been recognized as winners in this essay contest. The essay assignment completed in the sports journalism class at TOIS asked students to write about 51 00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:41.760 water treatment from a sports reporter's perspective. Imagining each step in the water treatment process as a player on a team. Very interesting prompt. I would like to first introduce Harrison 52 00:17:41.760 --> 00:18:03.160 Cap who's earned runner up for Central Second School and Bin Johnson who plays second place for Central Section Schools and runner up for state competition. Congratulations. 53 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:43.360 >> Congratulations Oh, oh, wait, wait. >> Hold it. >> Wait, wait, wait. One more minute. One more minute. >> Hold the post. >> Okay, congratulations. Okay, Mr. Armada, you stay right there. Miss Kinkella, if you're here, we'd like 54 00:18:43.360 --> 00:19:00.640 to have you join us up front. And Mr. I believe Mr. Sullivan is not here. Okay, next up, we are going to recognize our desktodeck expedition flag contest winners. Four sixth grade students from TOIS were 55 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:17.039 winners in a national level art and science contest. The contest challenge students to design a flag that represents ocean exploration, teamwork, spirit of adventure and sea along with 56 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:32.640 scientific discovery. This is a huge accomplishment as the contest invited students ages 5 to 18 to design an official expedition flag representing the 2026 57 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:58.480 research season. Our Julia Brandenburgg, Julia, if you're here, please come on up, was selected as the winning design. Julia's design will be produced as a 2x3 foot flag flown aboard the research 58 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:15.360 vessel RV Marcus G. Langsef throughout its 2026 expeditions. These expeditions will span major scientific missions including seismic research along the east Pacific rise participation in 59 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:33.679 Noah's ghost ship oceanog oceanograph I can't say it I'm sorry program from the Marshall Islands to Panama City transit through the Panama Canal and continued research operations along the Blake Plateau off the North Carolina 60 00:20:33.679 --> 00:21:03.679 coast. Wow. >> Unbelievable. >> Hold the pose. >> If you would just stay right there. We'd like to bring up also our students who earned honorable mention. Brooke Roati, Livia Santiago, and Vivian Visov. 61 00:21:03.679 --> 00:21:42.080 Congratulations to all of you as well. >> You have a lot to say. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Okay, Mr. Romano, you're still up there. I'd like to also invite up Miss Welsh if she is here and Miss Mrs. Maluso, if 62 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:57.200 you're here, please join us up here. Okay, our next honores are our New Jersey Junior Thesbian Festivals winners. A group of forensic and theater students attended the New Jersey Junior 63 00:21:57.200 --> 00:22:14.000 Thesbian Festival at Ocean County College. Four students entered the thesis competitions. Our first honore who entered in the category solo musical is Ammani Pisani. Come on up. 64 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:34.400 Ammani scored superior in this category. Next up, I'd like to invite Jackson Molar and Landon Dler for their duo acting category. They earned the excellent. They earned 65 00:22:34.400 --> 00:23:21.720 the excellent award. Next, Rosie Hansen for her solo musical entry where she was awarded the excellent award. Congratulations to these Spartans. Parents, please come on up. Thank you everyone. Congratulations. 66 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:38.880 One final note, we will try and recognize all these athletic achievements that we just heard our student members present. I'd also like to just say that I heard hot off the press, Coach Frankle won his 500th game today. So, that's an outstanding 67 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:54.320 achievement as well. We're recognized in future meetings. Thank you both for all of your announcements. >> All right, we'll take a brief pause. Thank you, Miss Weldon. We'll take a brief pause. I see some folks wanted to uh head home or maybe get strolos or 68 00:23:54.320 --> 00:25:10.640 somewhere else to get something cool tonight. >> Thank you. Thank you everyone. >> Figure it out. did great. >> Yeah. It's just not 80°. >> It also happens. 69 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:30.159 >> Tell me it's overheating. Have a good night. >> Congratulations again. Thank you, Miss Edson, for all your hard work. Outstanding >> showing here tonight. >> Okay, we'll move on to the school business administrators report, Mr. Hastings. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I have nothing 70 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:45.600 to add. >> Thank you, Mr. Hastings. Okay, we'll move on to public comment. The board of education recognizes the value of public comment and educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. Public 71 00:25:45.600 --> 00:26:02.000 comments uh public comment is not a question and answer session. Specific questions can be directed to the administration. The superintendent's contact information is on the DES and on the district website. We encourage you to contact her with any questions. Public participation shall be governed 72 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:17.279 by the following rules. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to 5 minutes duration. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. Presiding officer may request 73 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:47.200 any person to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum. Would anyone from the public like to comment on any item at this time? Is there an >> air? You want to go ahead, 74 00:26:47.200 --> 00:27:05.360 >> Miss Hayes? Thank you. >> Um, hi. Thank you and congratulations. It was a huge um, uh, day of congratulations and honors to all the students and teachers that were just there. I always love when you guys do those every month. Um, and I always feel bad, you know, having such a positive 75 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:21.760 start to the meeting and then, um, believe it or not, I do feel bad sometimes when I have some criticism. And I wasn't really going to say much today. I think I was going to ask a few questions about how old our books are and stuff like that. But I am glad we are moving along with the new math program. So, that is beyond beyond 76 00:27:21.760 --> 00:27:38.240 amazing. And I hope you really socialize that because I think that was lost in all the PR of the last month. Uh, which definitely has not been good PR. Um, if you all can socialize that we're doing new math things, I think that would behoove this district um, in so many levels, but I do want to address what I 77 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:53.120 heard the last 10 minutes of the previous meeting. I I literally can't believe my ears and and like I was kind of questioning, did that really come out of your mouths? Someone said, "We want to strategically think for the future. We want to take a look at ongoing 78 00:27:53.120 --> 00:28:09.120 financial stuff, you know, year round and and report to the public." I I chuckled because previous board members like myself and others for years asked those same questions. It fell on deaf ears. Those exact statements almost literally were ignored for years. I 79 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:24.240 mean, just take a look at some of the meeting minutes if some of you care to for just even the last 5 years that was brought up repeatedly. I'm not quite sure what the difference is. Maybe some of your own students are finally getting old enough. So, like, you know, finally as parents, you know, some people with 80 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:40.799 older kids are finally seeing some of the problems or um non-transparent items that maybe you didn't notice or didn't care to. You know, maybe all the backlash from last month and all the calls for transparency, like maybe it actually might be chipping away at that 81 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:57.760 cement wall you all have erected around your policym and oversight. I I I don't know. It was kind of fascinating that last 15 minutes of that meeting. And the best line was when one board member like had a random thought, maybe we should run this as a business. This is a $105 million business. Maybe even treat it as 82 00:28:57.760 --> 00:29:15.039 a nonprofit business, if you will. Um, but you think I mean people have been saying that for years this is a$und00 million business and you need to treat it as such. And it's a little disappointing that some people are just now coming to this realization. And that the thought about a liaison with town 83 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:29.840 officials that also I mean that was brought up years ago. Um it kind of makes me a little bit dumbfounded that some of these things sound like novel ideas to you now but um I don't know maybe you're just noticing these things uh in the last few weeks 84 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:45.520 and it's just like an epiphany. Um two more final thoughts. The school for hidden intelligence that's been on the agenda for years you know. Thanks for paying attention folks. um if only you had asked some of these questions, especially the financial questions, you know, maybe even by December of the 85 00:29:45.520 --> 00:30:02.159 previous year for that year's um budget, you know, and earnestly and truly wanted to be transparent with taxpayers, you know, maybe if you guys made some bold decisions, you might not be at the financial place this district is right now. Thank you. By the way, Alex Hayes Okur, thank you. 86 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:26.240 >> Thank you. One more. Uh, Colleen, you have a public comment. You may go ahead. >> Hi, everyone. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you. >> Okay. Um, I just wanted to comment on what was discussed earlier in the work 87 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:42.960 meeting when you were talking about um, possibly like utilizing our busing in different ways. Um, before I even like go to that, I'd like to acknowledge that I'm thankful that we had so many people turn out to acknowledge our students and how 88 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:59.360 successful they were and all the amazing things they did. And it's unfortunate that as soon as they were recognized, we can all see the empty chairs. That saddens me because those same parents should be attending to hear the rest of 89 00:30:59.360 --> 00:31:14.480 what goes on and have a voice and be able to understand the other concerns that we're having in our community. Um, but I digress. So my question was um when we're thinking about utilizing our 90 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:30.159 busing in different ways in our community as far as over the summer or after hours, can we also take in consideration that we have children that go to our vocational schools and that 91 00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:48.080 same busing, those students spend a lot of time on a bus after hours. So when Ocean Township lets out at 210 and our kids go home, those vocational kids that are in other locations like Brookdale, 92 00:31:48.080 --> 00:32:04.399 um, Mammoth Regional, they're not getting home until 3:30 in the afternoon because we don't get one bus to dismiss at that same time at 2:10 and be driven home, which could be a 10, 15, 20 minute drive. they're then going to other 93 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:20.880 locations and picking up other students and then also dropping those students off districtwide. So, for instance, um if I didn't state, I'm sorry, Colleen Jameson, parent, also a employee of the district, but my 94 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:36.240 daughter goes to Mammoth Regional for the nursing program. She is on the bus from dismissal at Mammoth Regional and arrives at home at 3:30. So she spends over an hour on a bus because she goes to Brookdale to pick up other kids and 95 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:53.360 then has to drop off districtwide. She lives in Oakurst unfortunately the last stop before the busy yard. So she gets off last. That is a very long time. So, if we're more concerned about making money on our busing, maybe we should 96 00:32:53.360 --> 00:33:09.840 also consider how our students feel and what how we can get them home sooner so that they can maybe, I don't know, work an afterchool job or do their afterchool curricular things instead of worrying about making money on our busing. So, 97 00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:25.279 that's just something to take into consideration, too, that if we're willing to maybe hire more drivers or, you know, uh have more access to our busing, please take those children in consideration, too, because they spend an awful long time on a bus getting 98 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:44.640 home. And they miss out on a lot of other extracurriculars that they could involved in, like clubs and stuff like that that they can't do after school because they're on a bus. Thank you. I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. Okay, that closes public comment at this 99 00:33:44.640 --> 00:34:04.320 time. >> Um, Mrs. McGovern, section five. >> Yes. Um, move to approve the meeting minutes from May 12th, both executive session and work meeting. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Hastings. >> This is item 5.1. Mr. Brady. 100 00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:21.200 >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dam. >> Yes. Mr. Gilman, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Mr. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Miss Stevens, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Harris. >> Personnel. Mrs. McGovern. >> Move to approve items 6.1 through 6.8. 101 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:38.839 May I have a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Hastings. All >> items 61 through 68. Mr. Brady. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gman. Uh, >> yes. To all recuse from 6.3. 102 00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:55.879 Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. M >> McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. Miss Stevens, >> yes. >> Mr. Dol, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, section 7. Move to approve items 7.1 through 7.17. Do I have a second? >> Second. 103 00:34:56.639 --> 00:35:12.000 >> Mr. Hastings. >> All items 71 through 717. Mr. Brady. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Skilman. >> Uh, yes. to all recuse from 7.56 and seven. >> Thank you. Mr. McCarthy, 104 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:27.920 >> yes. >> Mr. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Miss Stevens, >> yes. Mr. >> D, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Construction, education, and student activities. Mrs. Dam, >> move to approve items 81 through 86. Second. >> Just as a point of inquiry, are we are 105 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:44.320 we going to walk 85 to 86 off of the agenda for tonight or we going to continue with that? >> Okay. So move to approve items 81 through 84. >> Second. >> N8 >> and 886. >> N86. >> I thought it was 85 and six. >> Great. 106 00:35:44.320 --> 00:36:01.920 >> Oh, okay. Move to approve items 81. >> Oh, we can hold them both. I'm sorry. Hold them. Let's hold them. >> 81 through 84. >> Second. >> Mr. Hastings. >> Items 81 through 84. Mr. Brady. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Stan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gilman. 107 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:17.200 >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Mr. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Miss Stevens, >> yes. >> Mr. Dton, >> yes. And just just as a point of information, Mr. President, those are being walked off because of a clerical error. No other reason. 108 00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:33.720 >> Thanks for the reminder. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, any old business at this time? Any new business at this time? >> And I have a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second.