--------- phon, airpods, no, any other type of personal device. Um, and it also speaks to the use of any internet enabled device in school, which are Chromebooks for the most part, maybe
iPads in some classes. So, um, and you know, desktop base computers in in other classes. So, we are working on a two two front approach to this. One is uh in the unstructured time, hallways, lunchrooms,
recess uh eliminating internet enabled devices altogether. And then also in the classroom, decreasing screen time appropriately based on the appropriate amount of time to use our platforms. Many of our platforms are
internet-based. They are digital. That's why we purchase Chromebooks. State assessments are on Chromebooks. It it is important that we still have technology as part of our learning model but not our only learning model and we as a
district are working with our faculty fine-tune what an appropriate amount of time is on devices uh blending in paper and pencil movement whiteboards you know demonstrating uh somewhat of a hybrid model of educ.
So, just wanted you to know that we are working on it and hopefully later this year we'll have a plan to roll out. We've already begun rolling this out to our families. Mr. Amato started about a month ago informing the uh middle school community that there would be no more
Chromebooks in the lunchroom on Wednesdays. They piloted that. It's going very well. When they come back from spring break, there will be no more Chromebooks at all in the lunchroom every day. Uh Mrs. Kazuba is getting ready to launch a pilot program as well at the high school. We want to start
practicing for what will become required in September at the elementary level. I think you may we may have talked about this a few months back. The principles at all three schools had decided to take Chromebooks out of use during indoor recess. So we had already done that. So
at the elementary level we have very very little unstructured internet device time. Um, but we do have use of our devices in our classrooms and we are reviewing the appropriate amount of time during instruction to be on
devices and we're working through all that the elementary level as well. So, more to come on that and and we will also be adopting a policy as a as a board um but that has not been released yet um through Strauss. So, we're waiting for that. So, a lot is going on around that. I just wanted to make sure
that you were aware that we were doing this work. Okay. Um, if you haven't noticed, I don't know uh if you aren't paying attention, but we are in the middle of an extreme battle of ice cream wars.
And so, if you haven't seen, we have our many of our schools are participating in this. Our families have been coming out in droves. I want to thank everybody for the excitement and the energy and the passion around it. We've had Spartan sightings getting ice cream. We've had
principles and assistant principles and coaches and all different people scooping ice cream for our family. So, it's been great to see the excitement and uh you know, I hope I hope beyond hope one of our schools makes it into the finals. Uh but all in all, I think it was just a fun activity that brought
the community out um you know, to to to uh compete in a healthy way against some of our other school neighboring schools, right? So, great thing there. Also we a few months back we approved a contract
with Hazel Health who is providing uh tea health to families. It's another free health service to our community. Um we have started to launch our our mental health professionals, our guidance counselors have been trained um and have
worked with Hazel Health to understand how to refer a student, what is required, what parent permissions needs to be in place, all of the logistics to make the connection to to get families the the counseling they need. And we are we are starting in that process now. The
training part is just about finished and we are moving forward and we're excited about the opportunities and the enhanced services that it brings particularly for um they have a great deal of uh translation availability um or
counselors who speak other languages. That is one area where we have not been able to meet the needs of our students completely. We do it to the best of our ability, but this is an enhancement for free that we're very happy to have. Um, we have coming up next month, and I'll
talk about some other big events, but I just wanted to um remind everybody that we have innovation night coming up, and then we also have some parent meetings attached to that that's in later in April. Um, I believe it's the the 23rd. I'll look it up to be sure while we're
sitting here. But there's also our title one night that night for parent information and usually we have a bilingual parent night. So it's a big night and it's a great showcase of tremendous amount of work. Yes. The 23rd, right? Thank you. At the intermediate school. It's a it's a great
showcase of our students work from preschool to grade 12 in this district. So if you are available, I would encourage everyone to come out for that. I also would like to just give a thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce. They had their scholarship lunchon today
where they recognized two Ocean Township students with scholarships. Um I we were able to be invited guests there today to to see that and um there are always so good to us and so good to our students. we uh just always want to keep that
partnership going and uh really I thank them so much for their kindness in uh bestowing upon our students these scholarships year in and year out. So, it's great. Okay. And then just some other other big events coming up the rest of this week. We have our volleyball tournament at Ocean Township High School tomorrow night. Our fast uh
varsity club fashion show is Thursday night at >> Thursday. >> Thursday. School is closed next week for spring recess and then we'll be opening back up April 6 for one amassa school and our
OTES teachers will have their PD day that they missed back in February but the rest of the district returns on April 7th. They will the rest of the district is still closed on April 6th. All right. And that that rounds out the week of of events. So the rest of my report will be downstairs. >> Busy week.
>> Busy week. >> Mr. Hastings. >> All good things. School business administrator report. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I'll defer until we get to the finance section because we have a number of budget items to review. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. Public comment. 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 comment is not a question and answer session. Specific questions can be directed to the administration. The superintendent's contact information is
on the deis downstairs and on the school district website. We ask you to contact her with any questions. Others participation shall be governed by the following rules. Each statement made by by a participant shall be limited to five minutes duration. No participant speak more than once on the same topic
until all others who wish to speak on that same topic have been heard. The 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 items at this time?
>> Uh, we do have one. >> Go ahead. >> Uh, can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Um, Alex Hayes Oakst. Um, I have a couple of questions and some comments. I'm still waiting on replies to my
questions from two weeks ago. um with spring break heading, you know, starting essentially Friday afternoon, um wondering if Superintendent Welding would be willing to reach out to me by this Friday so that I don't have to wait another two weeks for some of my
questions to be answered. Um at the last meeting, even with the highest tax increase proposed in town history, uh when you all were proposing a possible 8.2% 2% increase. You were still over $1,
but since then it does seem like somehow you've cut a million dollars. So that sounds encouraging. But I hope tonight when you discuss the budget, so we might actually discuss it rather than just vote on it without much debate. Um I
can't wait to hear what exactly was cut. Um I have a few questions. um wondering if the school board, school district administrators have considered asking the town for any future pilot money that's going around in discussions
across the state in some other municipalities. Um the question about this building and the land for years I've been uh you know pushing selling this 10 plus acres and moving the headquarters of the admin
building to our under served middle and high schools. Um for years I was met with we have to use that money in a year and you know if you sell it in one year it's like you got to use it that year. But when I um spoke to Mr. Hastings this week and I appreciate you calling me
back. He did make it apparent that when he spoke to the county superintendent that that is not true. You can sell this building, say it's 5 million, 10 million, whatever, and then you can apply it for previous subsequent budgets, not previous subsequent
budgets. Um, Mr. Angusing said he was going to talk to the state just to confirm another state law. So, I'm hoping to get more clarity on that. But it sounds like you could sell this area um this land and not have to use it all in one fell swoop, you know, by the
fall. One person online um when I posted some comments mentioned if you're going to move like you know all the offices eventually or if that's even a possibility to another location like have to consider everybody moving to one building. Can the registar possibly be
in a different building than the accounting office for example? I hope that's being looked at. Um, another teacher who lives in town but is in another district said their district um, looked at all the subscriptions and even it was $50,000 that was cut. For
example, they were tasked with cutting all or like extreme subscriptions that schools and teachers and admins use. And there's some to be found there. I thought that was a great idea. Wondering if you're ever going to raise the rental fees to bring in some more income.
Wondering if you would consider curbing travel allowance. Every year you budget for $100,000. In the last 5 years, you've only spent between 30 and 65. So perhaps you would consider, you know, making the cut at 25,000. um wondering what the attrition and
retirement uh numbers are for staff. Um or if you have looked at retirement retirement packages um and I guess finally I was going to say that you used to post about these meetings including the links to log on
um and you aren't doing that anymore. So, in the interest interest of transparency and letting the public know, you know, what's going on, um it looks like you're trying to not be trans and trying to not let the public
interact as is statutoily mandated for you to get, you know, um public input on hot topics or big topics like budget. So I would like to know why this meeting was not posted on social media and also this agenda was not posted as is
statutoily required 48 hours before this meeting that did not happen on Sunday and I hope you will stick to it's legally required for you for the next meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you. We have any other commenters?
>> Uh we have one virtual commenter Keith Chapman. You may go ahead. >> Mr. trying to go ahead. >> Oh, hang on. I have to unmute him. I'm sorry. Okay, Keith, go ahead. >> Hi. Um, good evening. Um, I, uh, one of
my kids in district came to me and, uh, told me that there was an alumni, uh, meeting with students at the high school, um, to discuss jobs and career options. And there were a variety of mixed uh jobs and career, but not one
science, not one science was there. And I can't believe out of the number of people that are in our town that I bump into, I know of two that are in town, one medical, one teacher.
I can't believe with all the different contacts that people have in such a small community we are throughout all the events that no one could find a single science person to attend. And my kid came home and asked me about it and I said, "You make the right decision that feels in your best interest. But if
there's nothing there for you, why bother going?" You know, it it just it just ruins me that that that happened. And um you know we look back in our uh science program
um you know what about uh having um um the uh you know the Spartan schools. Well still we're going three years since I've talked about this previously and no Spartan schools of science.
How are we being competitive? I I I don't see that. I I don't see how we are a competitive district. And now we're looking at raising budgets, tax increase six to 8%. That's insane. So we we I I mean we could do so much
better with with what we have small district. We need to be more creative and I've heard the same story that came from the previous uh speaker about how with the building and what what else to do with money and sources of money and raising money and nothing. We we talk
about it but nothing comes up. There's a lack accountability, but I can't believe we're considering the raising 6 to8%. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chapman. Do we have any other commenters? >> Uh, we do not have any more commenters.
>> Okay, we will close public comment at this time. Thank you, Mrs. McGovern. >> Yeah. Does anybody have um any questions on the minutes from last meeting? >> Seeing none, this personel. We did personal already
in executive section. >> Mr. McCarthy, discussion on uh financial management. >> Does anybody have any questions on 91 through 97 9.3? I believe I'll defer to my school business administrator.
>> Thank you, M. McCarthy. So, we met uh two weeks ago and went through what the current deficit was in terms of our projected revenues and projected expenses were. And the number we wound up with was $5.7 million.
Um those numbers were based on estimates on state revenue. uh and those estimates were in part uh based on the governor the new governor's um extension to present the state budget. So typically the governor gives the
budget at the end of February the last Tuesday in February and two days later the state aid numbers come out. Uh being the first year uh the governor was granted an extension. So the governor's address I believe was March 10th and those numbers came out two days later.
Um, in reviewing those numbers against the budget, we were pleasantly surprised to see that we have received additional aid um, additional aid uh, from the state. Thank you. So, our estimates were based on the uh
state aid numbers that the district received this year. For 2027, the district received an additional uh $355,000 uh in aid. There were increases in transportation security and special ed
assistance. Um, additionally, there are a number of items where the state directs us to budget certain numbers based on estimates and then when the final numbers come out, we make adjustments to the actual numbers. So there are adjustments to our revenue to the positive side in terms of tuition
that we pay out to charter schools uh to our Smi allocation again for special ed reimbursements and also a charge related to our prek budget where the district contributes a uh portion of funds to
help support the prek program. So with those adjustments to our revenues, uh we saw an increase of approximately $773,000. In re reviewing other sources of revenue that the district could utilize, we looked to our maintenance reserve. Our
maintenance reserve was approximately uh $2.75 million. So we looked to uh that reserve to withdraw $250,000 to help support this budget. and we did a similar item last year uh and were able
to replace that over time. So again, we're able to withdraw $250,000 for maintenance reserve to add to our revenue. We again looked at uh uh or the requests rather that were made uh from our
various uh buildings and and supervisors, principles from administration and looked at that to see where we could make any additional adjustments uh to help us close this gap. Uh we looked at um some staffing
requests uh that we uh cut with a you know fine tooth comb. Um, we looked at some of the summer programs and made adjustments to those. Um, and and again, we're able to save about $265,000.
We also looked to our healthcare waiver to see of the 4.7 million that was available with these new adjustments, what number would be needed to close that gap. We also look to uh retirements and resignations as we do each year uh
and look to help close the gap through attrition uh so that we were not terminating staff members but um uh reallocating responsibilities so that we could cover those positions or or assess
whether those were uh utilizing 3.4 4 million of our healthcare waiver rather than the full waiver uh and the other items I mentioned. We were able to close the gap uh that we had at the previous meeting and that resulted in a 6 and 12%
increase. That 6.5% increase on the average home which again was a million8,000 uh was an annual increase of about $360 or $30 a month or 99 cents a day. Uh we are required to adopt our ten of
budget tonight. That ten of budget will be sent out this week to the county um superintendent, the county business administrator for them to review. Uh there are some associated resolutions on the agenda tonight um that we have to
include. So you'll see the tenative budget uh adoption that includes our general fund, our grant funds, and the debt service payment. uh you'll see the resolution for the withdrawal of our maintenance reserve, the use of our healthc care waiver. Um and then we're
required to also uh uh pass a resolution that talks about our travel expenses and sets a limit for those uh for next year. So uh those are the resolutions that are on that we need to pass. Uh again, this goes out the budget will be up for final
adoption uh at the end of April, our April meeting. Uh and at that point, we'll then have a uh budget set for 2027. >> Mr. Bo members, any questions? Mr. McCarthy, >> why just a point of uh inquiry on
process procedural inquiry? Why do we have to break out the adjustment for health care costs as a separate resolution? What is the reasoning behind that? >> Well, I would think the I I don't know exactly why they would say that that way. I think they may have started with
budget caps in place in terms of the 2% cap as an initial take on on how to help limit increases in local taxes. And then when they looked to uh supplement that cap based on other factors that are
affecting budgets um such as health care costs, they then created separate caps or separate adjustments that the board can take to uh help offset cost increases. So I think it's more of a state process where they were sort of
creating these things as you go uh rather than any other particular reason. very low. >> If you know I I would assume that uh if uh they come up with some other adjustment that would be a separate
resolution taking money out of our maintenance reserve which is another adjustment to the budget is a separate resolution. So they're sort of separating that 2% y >> versus the rest. >> And then I apologize because I think I ask this every year but I'm a simple man. Um the maintenance reserve.
>> Yes sir. Can you just walk me through how we're allowed to utilize that and for for our budget please one more time? I think I've asked this every year when it comes up. I apologize. >> Right. So each year we try to set aside funds for our capital reserve and our maintenance reserve. Um capital reserve
for uh projects that are in our long range facility plan. Maintenance reserve for items that are our comprehensive maintenance plan. um the district uh through the comprehensive maintenance plan which we adopt in Octoberish. Um I
believe the due date is November but based on the calendar we usually adopt in October. Uh that lays out the minimum amount of money we have to set aside uh to maintain the properties uh and um also sets a limit on what our reserve
can be. Um we have 2.75 million in our maintenance reserve. we are allowed to go into that reserve and withdraw an amount to help offset maintenance costs. So, as long as our maintenance costs that are budgeted
are above 250,000, in this case, we can withdraw $250,000. So, you're sort of withdrawing 250,000 from our maintenance reserve, applying that to our daily maintenance accounts, and then taking that money that would have been in that account and moving that to other areas.
So, so the the thought process behind keeping funds in that account and not just emptying it in the time of need is because that's something that we're going to leverage when we have to replace a boiler or a roof or something like that. Is that correct, my understanding? >> Well, not necessarily those are more
capital intensive items, but we look at um um academic programs. We look at uh playgrounds and gyms and scoreboards and and those sorts of things that are going to come up that'll need to be replaced at some point. And we're allowed to go
in based on our comprehensive maintenance plan and use these funds to help address those things. We have um some paving issues uh at some of the schools where we have potholes and sort of uneven pavement. Uh so we're allowed to take funds out of our maintenance
reserve in that case because it's a little bit more than a just a daily maintenance item. uh to sort of look at those and dig that up and see are there pipes leaking underneath and that's a more substantive maintenance program than than maybe your just general daily issues that come up.
>> Thank you for clarifying. >> Is the maintenance reserve now still healthy even over? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Other questions? Yes, Mrs. Gman >> very thankful for the increase in
funding. Um were we able to maintain our extracurricular activities at the intermediate uh level? >> Yes, >> that's very good news indeed. >> Any other questions, Mrs. D? >> Um the reduction of the 12 positions, I
know you talked about that a little bit. Is that simply just getting rid of um staff or is that hopefully you guys working your magic that you've worked the past two years of retirements and moving teachers around? >> Right. This this quantity of positions
right now would mean they are positions through attrition, retirements and resignations. No actual personnel uh de >> that's what you know non-renewals at this point. Uh so that's a good thing. If this passes this evening then then we know that we can do this through
retirements and resignations. Um what we don't know at this point is exactly which ones because if we get more you know I know we have 12 right now that we can reduce but if we get others I may fill these some of these and non-fill
some of those and that's why between the tentative and the final budget we take our time to make the most um important decisions for programming in our schools. >> Thank you >> based on the options there. Any other
questions or comments? Yes. >> Um, so I know that this is is you said like this is also still cutting some summer programming. >> Yes. >> Um, ESY being one that I think is being >> ESY is not being >> it's the same as what it was last year.
Same amount of weeks. >> ESY is, I believe, being run slightly. It's actually more for some and less for some. It's being run differently. That's not a budget decision. It's a programmatic decision that was made before we entered into the budget. Is that right? Correct. Absolutely correct.
>> But we did look at summer programs. We did look at our data. I asked Dr. Morgan to look a little bit deeper into the effectiveness of our summer programs. Um we we found that we have greater success with our before school and after school programs rather than our summer
programs. So as as we discussed the last meeting, we are looking to invest to reserve some of the funding to increase our afterchool or before school pro before school programming during the school year because we found that to be
more effective in closing uh or in skill acquisition for our students which we think is very important. Although I think the summer program was very nice and enjoyable, we did not find that it moved achievement outcomes for students as much as before and after school
programs did that were very targeted to exactly what the students were working on, you know, during that cycle of time in school. So that also allows us to potentially, and again this would be a future conversation with the board, but
if we do reduce our summer programs, it will allow us to go out and aggressively seek revenue sources um for other rentals of our buildings in the summer. So um although the decision was made
based pime primarily and solely on academic outcomes, one of the benefits of this of this decision is that we may be able to potentially rent our spaces again. Uh not again look for sources to rent our
spaces, which we know we have one rental agreement in the summer right now that brings in over quarter of a million dollars. Um so again it would be a conversation for future but I think it would be it would behoove us to consider
those opportunities to bring in revenue. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Uh just a comment. I mean I I know the work that you know the administration put into developing this budget and obviously we were talking about much larger increases um you know over the
past couple of months. So to see a 6.5 and an average daily rate of a dollar per um you know for our our taxes to go up I think is commendable. Um especially considering we are here for the best interest of students and I keep hearing that this is going to have a limited
impact on our students and that's what's most important you know to me as a board member. So thank you for that. >> Thank you M. >> So I'll just echo the same. Um I know the seriousness with which everyone on this board has taken this process right
and it is a process and I think sometimes when people log on to a meeting they don't realize this is a tentative budget right and we've had to go through things and we found out things from the state but I know I've had individual conversations with some who were like did you hear this this way or did you understand this this way and
I know our administration has been answering individual questions of people as they're trying to do all this work so Um, I I appreciate everyone and all of that the effort that everyone's put into this and the patience um because this is a complicated process and I know we all
take it very seriously, but I appreciate the efforts of our administration to um put forth a budget that is responsible and what we just heard from our superintendent is maintaining programs that reach our students and their
academic needs. And these are hard balance conversations, but they're important. So thank you to all of you. We good in this section then? Anything else in this section for discussion? >> Mrs. Dan
discussions of 101. >> Oh, see Mrs. Spillman. >> Yes. Resolve that we approve the third reading of revised new or abolished policies as listed. >> Any comments, questions?
>> All business. >> Mr. curious what was the policy that was read out uh or I don't know the policy but there was a directive that came from the state that no longer required us to make certain notifications regarding the announcement of public meetings I believe you announced last week is that correct
>> yes so effective March 1st um the district is no no longer required uh in almost all cases unless specified by law um to publish legal notices in the newspaper Um, so we have set up on the
website on our main uh menu bar on the homepage uh a uh icon that's called legal notices. It's on the right side um of the That's okay. Thank you. It's on the right side of our our homepage. It's
required by law to be on the homepage. Uh we'll begin posting notices there. And currently our meeting schedule is on there um as we um go forward and make any meeting changes, changes in times or special uh meetings uh are are
announced, they'll go on there. We go out to bid or uh you go out for RFP, those will also be added to the uh to the site to the link. Um and um we'll also create after a point in time
an archive link. So we'll have our legal notices, we'll have I don't know 30 days, 60 days worth of current notices and then we'll have an archive so people can see the archive notices. Um this is something that uh came to pass I guess
in January and the implement implementation was uh in March. So um that is um set and then also the state was required the department of state was required to create a page for the public
to go to. So they can go to a uh a page there on their website and they can sort by county, by municipality, you know, different criteria that'll actually take them to, for example, the township of Ocean Schools under Mammoth County and
the link to our site is there that takes folks right to our legal notice page. >> Thank you, M. >> So we're fully compliant statutoily. >> We are and we'll be wonderful. uh ads will be placed in the paper twice a
month from now until the end of December uh showing the different links the links to the state page the links to our page um so that folks have ample notice uh that um you know this is the new practice
>> looks even better thank you >> very efficient it is >> any other old business >> I don't know if it's old or new but I just wanted to commend um what you said in your notes earlier about the screen
time and the electronics. Um I think it shows with the cell phones, you know, we were our district was ahead of the state telling us what to do. And I commend you on that. And I think that's something that we all strive to do is, you know, the state being ahead of what's good for
our children, right? And I think also I just wanted to make note that taking the Chromebooks away during lunch and stuff, you know, of course this is about learning, but we also send our kids to socialize and be with other kids. And I think it's going to be an amazing interaction to have the kids being able
to socialize more and not being sucked into the screen. So, thank you for already being on top of that and doing that for our kids. >> Any new business? >> Yes. >> Yes. U I'd also like to echo what Caitlyn said when you said uh pencil and
paper brought back wonderful memories for me as the way it was. But of course we can't shy away from technology either. So I think you're right in trying to find the correct balance for uh our
students from K all the way through 12. Uh, new business. Uh, the New Jersey school boards in conjunction with NJASA is sponsoring a leadership breakfast at Mammoth University on April 22nd. And I've expressed interest in attending.
They've got a keynote speaker and it's right here in our backyard. And if anyone is interested in attending and finding out more about collaboration and uh, innovation in women's leadership, join us. >> A wonderful opportunity.
And it's local. >> And it's local, right? If it >> and not virtual >> not virtual >> as governmental as my government training is this week. >> Yes. >> So just let us know so we can register. >> Good. Now I can come.
>> Any other new business? Motion to adjurnn. Motion. Second. Part: 2
Meeting of the Ocean Township Board of Education comes to order. Please join us for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Mr. Hastings roll call. >> Mr. Brady >> here. >> Mr. Covert >> here. >> Mrs. Dam >> here. >> Mr. Gilman >> here. >> Mr. McCarthy >> here. >> Mr. McGovern >> here. >> Mr. Schneider >> here. >> M. Stevens >> here. >> Mr. Dol.
>> Thank you, Mr. Hastings. Uh for the president's report. I'll try to keep it brief. I wish uh all of our staff, students, and families a wonderful spring recess. Got away from you today to even think about spring recess is already upon us because the weather's not helping us. and remembering that
it's spring. Um, just positive news. Uh, I continue to monitor the positivity on uh all the amazing things on social media. Just a few in the last few weeks. The Rock Yourself event was looked awesome. Um, our dancers uh at the Teen
Arts Festival, the Ice Cream Wars, um, maybe some of us gained a few pounds for a good cause. Um, and that's not a bad thing. Um, so I I think that, you know, we continue to get the positivity of the many things that happened in our schools. That's just a sampling and we
should be proud of that. Um, I also want to recognize that March is uh women's history month and we have history in our own district sitting next to me and that is our superintendent. Um we are in a many of us have been in this profession and in a profession that is um populated
mostly by women but often women are not in those spots of leadership and we are proud to have our own Miss Weldon who is a Spartan herself leading this district in the way she does. So uh she's making history for our students and um and our
public. So thank you for your reference. you you >> student representatives, can we please have your report? >> So, all spring sports have officially started practicing since March 9th. This includes boys and girls lacrosse,
softball, boys and girls track, boys tennis, and baseball. No spring sports have started any games yet, but are all starting the season strong with competing in scrimmages. During the first two weeks of spring track, five athletes were still competing in their winter season at nationals. Leah Sarki,
Andrew Vigano, Aida Win and Aya Winters all competed at Nike Nationals. And Jake Pollutes ran at Adidas Nationals. Leah placed first in the two-mile running a high school alltime number eight, 9 minutes and 48 seconds. Andrew placed
19th overall, running a time of 8.16 seconds in the 60 hurdle, a meter hurdle, sorry. And Aiden not only threw at Nike, but he also did at New Balance as well. And he has moved up to New Jersey number five
for shot put. Jake ran the 800 and the mile running times of 203 and 440. >> The Varsity Club fashion show is Thursday at 700 p.m. at the middle school. OTHS club members model the assortment of clothing from local stores and we have a popular raffle for over
200 baskets that anyone could win. The student council was finishing preparations for Spartan Olympics in the spring pep rally this Friday on March 27th. Along with that yesterday after school, all grades helped decorate their hallways for spirit week with the help and organization from class officers. The Italian club is starting to get
ready for the annual trip to New York. Deco traveled to Atlantic City for the state competition where several students competed in written and roleplay events. Congratulations to OTHS drama club for finishing and putting on their spring musical Once Upon a One More Time. Congratulations to junior Gabby Silva,
sophomore David Ferda, and freshman Jay Spears who were accepted into all somic band. >> Thank you both for such a wonderful report. Thanks for all you're doing. >> You're welcome. Miss this Miss Weld, it's your turn.
>> Okay. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. I would like just to to touch on a few things that were said already. The the High School spring musical and the TOIS spring musical were outstanding shows. We often try to have the students here over the summer to recognize them, but it doesn't always work out with their
schedules. But I did just want to take this opportunity to say that if you had the chance to attend those shows, you know, as I do, that those were absolutely spectacular this year. So, congratulations to everyone involved. We also uh I said last year about our athletics, I felt like we had more
school records than ever before and that continues this year. And if you if you didn't see it on all of our posts, but our own Leah Starky, 10th grader at OTHS, is the national champion uh from the Nike national event in the two-mile
and she recorded the eighth fastest time in history. um just just incredible and all of her teammates who were there as well with her performed uh just it was just incredible to see and um keep it up Spartans were doing a great job on and
off the field. So I'm just so proud of everybody and tonight we have the opportunity to recognize so many of you here. So let me get right to it. First up I'd like to uh introduce Mr. Chris Amato. We're going to recognize a group from the intermediate school. Um if you could join me up here. And unfortunately
uh advisor the adviserss could not be here but I'd like to recognize Miss Kristen Gasser and Miss Stephanie Horton as well. They supervised the literary magazine at uh the intermediate school and the the team this year was
recognized with the award recognizing excellence in art and liter literacy magazines annual school magazine contests scoring superior for their magazine. It's outstanding. So, I'd like to recognize our honores this evening.
When you hear your name, please come on up first by Mr. Amato and then we're going to gather over here for a photo. Okay. Judah Body, if you're here, come on up. Uma Baxi, Lynn Stacy Blaze, Addison Bowling,
Jess Brown, Olivia Green, Isa Maza, Cecilia Roman, and Danielle Weissitz. Okay, unfortunately, they couldn't join us, but they may be listening from home. So, congratulations to all of you.
Outstanding work on your literary night. Okay, Mr. Ramadan, if you would stay up. We are going to move on now to the geography B, the Paul McGrade geography B. If Miss Cilla is here, supervisor, just like to recognize supervisor Cecilia Villa for um overseeing this
program. And as you hear your name again, please come up to Mr. Romano and then we'll gather for a picture. This year in the Palmer grade geography bee, our first place winner is a sixth grader from Miss Alexander's class, Jackson
Molnar. Come on up, Jackson. And our runner up from Mr. Mark's class by Tally Ba. I think we >> congratulations. Let's take a photo. You're welcome to come on up and get a a better shot.
>> Don't be shy. Come on up. >> You guys look great. >> I love it. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations students and teachers. Outstanding.
Those questions are not easy. Okay, now we're going to recognize our spelling bee champions. I see Miss Shapiro here in the audience. Please come on up and join our principles. We're going to bring up our elementary school principles as well.
And Mr. Schwarz, please come on up. I'd like to thank our supervisors, Mr. Schwarz and Miss Shapiro who facilitate and coordinate this entire event for our district. Um it's a wonderful opportunity to show for students to showcase their spelling
skills. We are going to begin with our fourth grade winners. When I call your name, please come up to your principal. Your principal has your certificate and then we will gather for a photo. First up, Lucas Rodriguez. Lucas.
from Ocean Township Elementary School, Fabiana Ramulus. Fabiana, let me hear. >> Okay. From Wayside Elementary School, Alfred Imbro. Alfred. >> Okay, moving on to our eighth grade
winners. We have in first place Gel Delmo. Am I right over here? In second place, Namen. Third place Krishna Pachip Palooa. Okay, that these are our spelling D winners here. If we have anyone at home
listening, congratulations to you and your achievements. If we could take a photo over here, that would be great. Thanks, supervisors. >> Yeah. any hard Congratulations. >> Mr. Motto, you're still up. I'd like to
bring up Mrs. Mcale, Miss Jessica Vigil, if you're here, come on forward. Anyone else that participated in this program, if you're here this evening, please come on up. Okay, we are so proud and excited to announce that this honore is the first
place winner of the Rolling Thunder special Olympics team competition and the bronze medal winner in his division at the Central Bowling Regional. Ladies and gentlemen, James Boniovani.
Congratulations. Can we take your picture? >> Come on, team. That's great shirt. >> Got his metal on, right? That was great. Thank you. Okay, we're going to move on to
recognize some of our esteemed staff members at this point. So, unfortunately, this staff member could not be with us this evening, but um she may be listening remotely. I do want to recognize in our uh the the directors of athletic
administrators for the state of New Jersey uh give out an award each year for the administrative assistant award. So our very own Mrs. Té Cac won the administrative assistant of the year award from the directors of athletic
association of New Jersey this year. It's a tremendous honor. She was recognized at their conference a week or so ago, but we did want to recognize her here and just congratulate her for that honor. So, congratulations. I see. >> Okay. And for the last section of
recognition, I know that we have our principles here. If you could all come back up. I believe we also have some representatives from TOEA that just here to support. Wonderful. Okay. So, it's a room full of support. I love it. I love it. Um, we are recognizing tonight our
staff members who have earned their tenure. Tenure comes after four years in the district. Uh, they after completing four successful years and positive evaluations throughout that time. Our educators earn tenure. So, tonight we
are here to recognize any educator who earned tenure during the course of this school year. Some of them it's any time from really midepptember till now. Okay. So, in no particular order, when I call your name up, please come up to see your principal who has a certificate for you
and then we will also take a photo. So, from one massa elementary school, Miss Lauren Eisenman, come on up. From Ocean Township Elementary School, Miss Holly Kaplan from one Mads. Miss Jenner Riser
from TOIS. Miss Alyssa Green working in all three elementary schools. Miss LSE Ramirez. and from Ocean Township High School, Miss Laura Zisa. >> Congratulations. Principal, you want to join our club?
Yep. Go ahead, principles off in there. >> There's a wall there. >> All right. Congratulations on the game. We have a lot to be proud of here in the home of the Spartans. Congratulations to all. Keep up the great work, >> Mr. President. That concludes my report.
>> Thank you, Miss Weldon. Thank you everyone. Uh, wonderful accomplishments, great celebration. Um, if you'd like, I will take a brief pause because I know some of our younger friends, sometimes myself, need to get home and get to bed. So, um, if anyone would like to leave or
maybe get ice cream on the way home, parents would like me for that. I don't know. Um, we know it's a late night. It's a late night for some of our friends. So, uh, if you'd like to exit now, we we respect that.
So long guys. >> Thank you. >> Very good. >> Thank you. >> They didn't get that photo on stage. So he did that last. What did you win in the past? You've been there before, right? Um, >> okay. Last year.
>> Last year, too. >> Yeah. Great sport. >> Great to see you, Marina. Great to see you again. Congratulations again. >> I'm so happy. as it should be. Yeah. But did you notice that there was three taking the
pictures? Very cute. >> Hey, Mr. Hastings, school business administrative report. >> Uh, I have nothing additional from our workshop meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hastings. This is opportunity for public comment. Board of Education recognizes the value of public
comment on educational issues and the importance of 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 information is
on the deis and on the district website. We encourage you to contact her with any questions. Public participation shall be governed 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. The presiding officer may request that any person uh 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? We have a virtual commenter. >> What do we have? >> I'm sorry. Uh, we have one virtual commenter. Liz, you can go ahead. >> Miss Duffy. >> Hi. Good evening. Liz Duffy Wayside. Um, I just wanted to take a moment to thank
the superintendent and the board for listening to the concerns that I raised last week about the proposed cuts to club, sports, and activities at the intermediate school. I was gratified to hear from the working session that these programs that play such an important role will be remaining in in this new
budget. They help students build friendships, confidence, and connection to their school community. Preserving these opportunities makes a meaningful difference in our students lives. I know this budget process has been incredibly challenging and I appreciate the effort
it took to find a path that preserves these programs for our students. I'd especially like to thank Miss Weldon for her continued leadership and the board for your continued commitment to the students and families of Ocean Township. So, thank you very much and uh
congratulations, Miss Weldon. It might be a little preemptive, but I see your contract is on the agenda this evening and we are fortunate to have you and your leadership in this district. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else?
All right, we will close public comment. Uh, approval of minutes, Mrs. McGovern. >> Yes. I move to approve the minutes from the March 10th, 2026 meeting. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Hastings. >> Thank you. This is approval of the
minutes on 5.1. Mr. Grady, >> yes. >> Mr. Cobbert, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dam, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gilman, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Mr. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Miss Stevens, >> yes. >> Mr. Dalton, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Mrs. McGovern, personnel.
>> I move to approve items 61- 66. >> Second. >> Mr. Hastings. >> This is items 61- 66. Mr. Brady. >> Yes. >> Mr. Covert. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dam. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gilman.
>> Yes. To all. Abstain from 6.1. But I'd like to congratulate my former colleague for her outstanding leadership. Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Uh, Mrs. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Miss Stevens, >> yes. >> Mr. Dalton,
>> yes. >> Motions carry. >> I'd like to pause here for a minute and recognize that we have uh some folks retiring, and I know that that's always a challenging challenging decision, but we thank them for their years of service to our district. And I would like to recognize our superintendent for her
leadership. Um, this is, uh, stability for our district moving forward and I'm glad that we were able to accomplish this renewal of contract at this time and I look forward to our continued work together. I know the board echoes that sentiment. So, thank you, Miss Weldon.
>> Thank you very much, >> Mr. McCarthy. Financial Management and Resource Services. Thank you, Mr. President. Move to approve items 7.1 through 712. Do I have a second? Second, >> Mr. Hastings.
>> Items 71 through 712. Mr. Brady, >> yes. >> Mr. Covert, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dam, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gilman, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Mr. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Miss Stevens, >> yes. >> Mr. Dalton, >> yes. >> Motions carry. >> Mrs. Stam, instruction, education,
student activities. >> Move to approve items 8.1 through 8.5. >> Second. Mr. >> 81 through 85. Mr. Brady, >> yes. >> Mr. Covert, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dam, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gilman, >> yes. To all abstain from wrestling NJSIA
meeting. >> Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Miss Stevens, >> yes. >> Mr. Dolan, >> yes. >> Motions carry. >> Mrs. Gilman, policy. >> Uh, yes. This is our final uh
reading before our new policies. Some have been abolished, some have been revised, and this is our final reading of them. If there's no further discussion, they will become our
policies after vote. >> Have a second. >> Second, >> Mr. Hastings. >> This is for 9.1. Mr. Brady. Yes, >> Mr. Covert. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Dam. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Gillan. >> Yes, >> Mr. McCarthy. >> Yes,
>> Mr. McGovern. >> Yes, >> Mr. Schneider. >> Yes, >> Miss Stevens. >> Yes, >> Mr. D. Um, Mr. Dton, I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Motion to carry. >> We have any old business from members of the board. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> I just want to uh to echo the sentiments
of uh of our president uh for item 6.1. I want to congratulate Mrs. Weldon as well. I know that the whole board uh feels this way, but it is awesome. I think the only thing that was not said is that I think it's awesome to see uh homegrown talent promoted to this level and then reinforced at this level. I
think it sends a wonderful message to this district. Um and it's a great thing and I appreciate everything that you do for us every day and I think you're doing a fantastic job with this district and you're creating good Spartans and you're making sure that they know that what they do every day matters and I think it's a wonderful thing. Thank you, Kelly.
>> Thank you. Miss, >> not to repeat what Mr. McCarthy said, but I'll I've said it before in other meetings. I'll say it again. Um, Ocean is really fortunate to have you, Mrs. Welden. So, thank you for everything you do, and I hope to be working with you for a long time.
>> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Um, I just want to I mean, congratulations. >> You don't have to. >> That's actually your role. >> Congratulations. We're very happy. Um, obviously many people in the back >> people in the back are happy as well.
But I just wanted to also I know we I know we um honor our retirements at the end of the year, but I did want to point out we do have two um people that have been here for a long time and have affect equally affected um many of our Spartans and I just wanted to thank them
for their service. Um Nan has Miss Paresi I should say um I've worked directly with a lot with my daughter and she's been great. I don't know why I'm getting emotional, but anyway, but thank them for their service and um you know, for I know we'll see them in June, but um as they come in, it's always hard to
see. I know it's hard when you guys get them in in your office and then they come here and it's difficult to see people retire. We wish them well. Um and some of these positions, you know, a school nurse these days, it's very hard to fill. So, um sometimes too, it's it's it's a bittersweet and you know, but um
good luck to them and and congratulations on their time here. >> Okay. any new business. Oh, sorry. >> I just want to thank Mrs. Welen as well. I congratulate her in her extension there and spending uh a few hours with me over the budget discussions. It was really eye open sitting and I appreciate
all the work that you put in each and every day. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Any new business members of the board? >> I'll just I'll just say one thing now that we're on a roll. I do just want to say thank you and um I hope you know it is it is a great honor of mine to lead
this wonderful district. I do not do it alone. There's a team of people sitting here who help me every single day make us as great as we are and and they take up the charge to make us better uh with with pleasure. They do it with pleasure and with commitment and uh I can't thank
them enough and that goes for the entire faculty and the parents and the students who who come together um behind the idea of leaving a legacy um and it is without that I would not be able to do what I do. So, I'm I'm incredibly grateful to
this board of ed who's put their faith in me and also to the team that I work with who makes who makes it all that much better. So, thank you. >> Any any new business from anyone? >> Good motion. >> Motion second.
Thank you for simple.