--------- I have been notice from uh executive session moves forward with this session. This meeting, this work meeting will come to order. Uh Mr. Ray, would you please call the role? >> Miss Brady >> here. >> Mr. Golden >> here. >> Mrs. Dan >> here. >> Mr. Gilman >> here. >> Mr. McGover >> here.
>> Mr. Schneider >> here. >> Miss Stevens. >> Mr. Telerico >> here. >> Mr. McCarthy. >> Uh here. President's report. I will save any comments I have until our regular meeting downstairs.
Mrs. Welding, superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. I do have a few announcements just to um inform everyone about some upcoming events. We started our elementary conferences today and those continue the rest of the week. Our
elementary students are uh on an early dismissal schedule this week. So, just a reminder to everybody about that. Uh Ocean Township High School is having a financial aid workshop. That workshop will be virtual and that is tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 19th at 6:30
p.m. And then coming up this weekend, starting on Thursday, our Spartan players are presenting their fall drama, Rumors, and it's playing Thursday and Friday night at 700 p.m.
and Saturday, November 22nd at 2 PM and 700 pm. We got to see excerpts today in school and it is an excellent play and the students and the staff all involved did a phenomenal job. So I highly encourage the community to go out and
see this great play. We have an early dismissal for the entire district next Wednesday, November 26th. And then school is closed on Thursday and Friday of next week for the Thanksgiving holiday. And when we
return, it will be December and all of the holiday chorus concerts and band concerts will be upon us. Starting with Wednesday, December 3rd, Wayside Winter Chorus Concert and Thursday, December 4th, OTES winter chorus concert. So, a
and many, many more to follow after that, but I'll fill you in on that at our December meeting. um many great events this time of the year and wonderful performances from our students on all of the things that they've been working on since the first day of school. And I highly encourage as many people as possible to go out and cheer
them on. And so for the rest of my report in in workshop, I'd like to turn it over to Mrs. Dolan Kazuba and her team uh who are here to present to us information about OTHS
and our Spartans. So, Mrs. Conway, if you could key up the presentation. Great. And Don, I'll let you do the rest of the introductions and who you have here with you. I will for the pre for tonight. >> It's gonna be kind of throughout. >> Okay, perfect. >> Okay, thank you. >> So, first I just wanted to thank
everyone for having me here. It was a lot of fun the last time. Doesn't mean I don't get nervous. I'm extremely nervous, but I'm sure it's all going to be great because as I heard someone say, you are friendly. So, thank you so much for that. I am excited to talk to you a little bit about um our Spartans and how
they are rising. You know, whether it's the new schedule or new opportunities and highlights, there's no doubt that it's a very exciting time to be a Spartan to coin my good friend Tina Hickerman's term. Um the new schedule is definitely a pivotal change. It's a step
forward in instructional structure and student opportunity. I'm thrilled to share the highlights. I will tell you not all of the highlights are great, right? Some of the highlights are just areas of challenge which we expected and we're excited to work through. So, our Spartans are rising to a new
challenge. We implemented the new schedule early on. We surveyed all stakeholders. Um, some people might have thought it was a bit early. We did it about four weeks in. We really wanted to use that opportunity to get some of the early feedback that would partially shape what we were doing on our PD day.
So while that uh feedback was mixed, we have some people are very positive, some people are very negative about it, it really provided some great insight that we were able to build off from for our PD day. So I kind of listed some of them here highlights and what I tried to do
was choose things that were consistent among all the stakeholders, staff, students, and or teachers. Um student engagement, attention, and focus are much stronger. You know, last year when I presented the schedule, I said, "Oh, we're going to gain three hours per class." And that's just the by the
minute, right? By the minute, that's how much time we gain. But what we what we didn't talk about was that a lot of times that last 20 minutes was maybe wasted time, wasn't as focused instruction instructionally. So, we gained so much more than three hours for
each of our classes just in recapturing that extra 20 minutes. Um the unit lunch has been just a great opportunity. Our seniors have a separate location. Our freshmen, if they choose to have a separate location, and we're finding that kids are eating on time across the
board. Um in terms of the numbers, students are fed in a very short amount of time. They're able to sit with their friends for a period of time. And I think what they love most about it is that they can sit with all of their friends. It doesn't it doesn't matter where they are, they can sit with all of
their friends. So that's been huge. Um continuity of instruction, opportunities for greater depth and development of relationships. You know, a lot of times in years past, teachers would say, "Oh, I hate to lose this class." I definitely had some who said, "Oh gosh, I can't wait till I'm out of this class." But for the most part, they hate to lose
their kids so soon. So having them throughout the year is a is a huge benefit. Some of the challenges for staff and students have been stress. You know, we talked last year about it being of double the work. It's double the work for many of our students because they
have eight classes now instead of four. It's double the work for our staff because they're going from maybe 50 to 60 students at a time to maybe 70 to 100 students at a time, sometimes even 120. So that's that's stressful. Um and
figuring out how to balance that workload both for students. I will tell you that parent and student feedback that was most negative was about homework was about how much homework students were getting. Um and then also balancing that workload for staff and what are some ways you know what we
didn't do we didn't expand the content our curriculum remains the same they just have a longer period of time to do it and even though they spent a lot of time with planning last year until you're in the classroom and actually implementing those lessons you don't see how you have to tweak it so a part of
our time on PD day was used to actually recalibrate a little bit um so some of the strategies Please continued collaboration, use of data, feedback. We're going to be doing another survey. This won't be until second semester, but we'll be seeing how things are going. I
can tell you from October um I want to say it was like October 15th to 20th till this date. I've already heard some positive changes from one or two of the parents. I had five who specifically reached out. one or two of the parents who with whom I spoke and
also several of the students that I see in lunch every day talking about how the light the workload feels more manageable now. So whether it's that there have been changes that have happened in the classroom or students are getting more used to the expectation there is a
positive change in what I consider to be a very short period of time. um additional training for staff and students and time management strategies for staff and students. Thanks, Maryanne. Okay, last year when I was here, I sure
shared many of our incredible achievements. I hope to be able to share more with you. Um this year though, we're really focused on spreading the word about what it means to be a Spartan and and why it's so great to be a Spartan, not only in the high school, but to the whole district and even
beyond. to help us with that endeavor. Thanks to Miss Welden and also to all of you for approving it. Um we have hired two Spartan Legacy coordinators. We're working together with them on a vision to bring this message out to the whole district and beyond. So at this time I'd
like to introduce Mr. John Tleski and Mr. J James Young to say a few words, our Spartan legacy coordinators. Thank you. And certainly is an honor to work in the district and also have this opportunity to get people excited about
Big Red Country and you know wanting to uh make them understand what the Spartan Legacy is all about. We've been trying to use some micro intervention strategies from the beginning with a video promos of all our clubs and we have about six done already and we're
putting those out. We think the Hatcher audience is the fifth through 8th grade um students. So the ocean view is the show they watch every day and the video will come on after the introduction. So we've shown two of those already. We'll put them on Home of the Spartans
afterward. And if we can continue to pepper people with short bursts, it will rewire their thinking about what we do have to offer at the high school, which is a ton. I think getting the kids to the high school and seeing that they can have a place there and do very well is
the vision. We also are planning two clinics at the moment. We hope to do more but Spartan ready clinics um essentially getting the varsity coaches with their players and the middle school athletes. Um focusing on those target audiences. Uh we have a baseball one
scheduled tenatively for 118 with coach Abbecelli and a fifth and sixth grade travel team with Ocean Township players on uh and their coaches. So we hope to put the batting cages down, get those kids in there and get them excited about playing baseball for Ocean Township. We
have a basketball clinic coming up also on December 13th um with the girls program. Coach Young also coaches the middle school girls team. So, we're going to be able to get those girls and along with a couple midm um teams over there as well. So, those are the couple
of things. Initially, we are talking to some students. We're calling them Spartan Legacy ambassadors and we would like to bring them to the middle school and mentor um the middle school students. Those things are still uh being brainstormed and figured out. We did um only get the position early
October. So, um these other things are fluid and happening as we go. And I think when you when you look at our school district, we have so much to offer in regards to just extracurricular activities and athletics. I think what we're trying to do is try to get the word out to the community to understand
what we offer as a school, not just academically, but other options that we offer for students. So, I think that was kind of the plan of the short videos to kind of get the word out to the community uh so they know what's going on in the high school as they're not in
our daily life every day. Uh I also think you know from coming from different schools and seeing how it is you know it also presents the opportunity with what we have for instance with the Spartan schools to kind of reach out outside of our walls to try to attract more people in regard
to tuition students to let them know that we have obviously a top flight education. Uh we offer AP classes from freshman year which I do believe none of the parochial schools offer at this time as freshman. So the ability to show the academic program thrive, but also the
extracurricular activities and the clubs um will allow people to see what's going on. So that's the goal of the program is kind of start small in regards to inner community but try to branch out to try and see if we can attract uh students from outside the district.
>> Thank you both. >> Thank you. >> So they mentioned John mentioned short videos. Um, I want to tell you these short videos show rather than tell what it means to be a Spartan and I do have a pepper throughout this presentation and
the very first one is coming up next. >> I'm Dominic Vuly, class of 2027. This one needs to be a sparring. So when I think about what it means to be a Spartan, I think about these tenets. I think about pride, having pride in your work. I think about
seeking opportunity and being a person who's able to provide that. I think about honoring commitment. If I'm if I'm committed to this team, if I'm committed to this program, if I'm committed to this building, this is what it means. And it also means building a legacy. I feel like our new schedule allows the
time for developing those stronger connections, deeper the ongoing learning, and provide opportunities for interd disciplinary work that will build those relationships even stronger and make everyone feel a part of the community. Hey, Ocean Township. I'm Isabella Rook,
class of 2026. Are you Spartan ready? So, I feel like you've seen a screen similar to this before um last year actually and I talked to you about the ability for students to take AP, dual
credit, honors advance in almost every area. um in almost every department which I think is amazing. We continue to increase the number of classes that students can access. I can tell you that last year I don't remember the specific number we had 500 and maybe 60 something
AP exams. This year we have six over 625 um AP exams. That's with a lower enrollment. I mean the fact that more and more of our students are having access and not just access success. I I don't recall if you saw the number
already, but 73% of our students earned a three, four or five. We had more students earn a three, four, or five in AP Lang than took the class eight years ago. That says a lot. And again, with decreasing enrollment and I think this
schedule allows us to do that even more. Um, one of the new classes we're offering, I think that is part of the result of the change in the schedule is the Spanish for heritage speakers. So, our MLS currently, in particular, if they speak Spanish, now have double language all year long and have the
opportunity to advance themselves to higher levels of language through this uh heritage for Spanish speakers um class because it focuses on the writing skills that they don't have. Typically, their verbal skills, their speaking skills are excellent, but their writing
skills are not. That's what's needed to advance to the higher levels in language. So they'll be better able to access AP uh further on which I think is a great boost to them. And we'll also increase our um >> oh gosh multilingual
>> bi literacy. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Miss Kazuma, I hate to interrupt you right now. I just I would like to make a comment to the to the public right now. I see some comments coming up in the chat. >> We do not allow for any comments or questions during uh during this, right? So, we will allow for comments and
questions from the public after this presentation is concluded. So, I do ask that anyone watching on Zoom, please refrain from typing anyh comments or questions into the chat. I apologize for interrupting. Please go ahead. Thank you. >> I've totally lost my place now, but that's all right.
>> Blame it on me. I apologize. >> That's okay. So, the next video before it comes on, I just want to let you know is one of the courses for which we offer dual uh credit. It's a Spartan Update broadcast media course and we offer dual credit through uh Fairley Dickinson University.
What's up Ocean? I'm Kamari Blackman, class of 2027. Are you Spartan ready? So being a Spartan also means being dedicated to empowering every student. Now this is a screen that I also had last year but I I pulled it up because we're actually expanding some of these
programs. So last year we introduced our Spartans offering support. Uh it was a program that was initially focused only on athletes. Our kids who were in this program went out to the different athletic teams. They coached them in some mental health practices, coping skills, and things like that. This year
we're expanding them to actually be outreach to freshmen. So um Mr. D Pasqual and Mr. Todd are working together to have to offer a peer mentorship opportunity in uh January where the during the unit lunch groups
of our Spartans offering support will meet with groups of about 25 freshmen each to talk about import topics that are important to them. So I think that's a nice expansion. Another program I wanted to talk about with Spartan Ambassadors. This is something that Mrs.
Hakerman developed really her focus initially was um empowering current ML students to see their leadership qualities by offering peer support to incoming ML students and as in addition
to just um social emotional support and mentorship also peer tutoring which is about to get kicked off I feel like you said next week right so a really great program that's we hope to after establishing it strongly with RMLS to
expand out to the rest of our students as well. So, we're really excited about that. >> Oh, I did want to say it is available. >> Thank you. Sorry. Sorry about that. Um, these programs are available before school, after school, and also during
the unit lunch, which has been become very handy. I don't have masses of teachers using that time for extra help. I do have a number of teachers using that time for extra help. I have a number of groups um and clubs that will have special meetings at that time. DECA
is doing some of their preparation work during that time. So, it really has proven beneficial in a lot of ways. More than we expect, more I think than we even expected. >> Am I on? >> Okay, I'm getting there. I'm getting there. Okay, we're ready. Marian,
>> my name is Bren Cantino, class of 2026. Are you SPARRING READY? I DID IT AGAIN. OKAY, I'm going to allow you to read the I'm going to allow you to read the next screen while I say a couple of words to make it quick. And yes, being a Spartan means being proud. Our scholars continue
to thrive. These highlights demonstrate the curiosity, effort, and excellence that drive teaching and learning in my high school and our high school. Similarly, please take a look at some of our successes. I know you know about many of
them because they've been here before the board to be congratulated um this year to bolster athletic programs for students for student athletes who are interested through their PE program. They can take strength and conditioning with an actual strength and conditioning
coach, one of our PE teachers that provides individual uh individual plans for each student depending on their sport and their particular needs. So they do assessment, they develop a program and they implement that program throughout the year in their phys
classes and they do move in and out depending upon their season. This was school boards. >> Hi, I'm Ava Archer. Are you smarter than ready? At the heart of it all is our Spartan legacy. We ask every student to consider
what theirs will be. You know, red is important, but it's about more than wearing red, right? It's about being a part of a community that believes in excellence, resilience, and heart. Our students d dream big. They challenge
themselves and I hope and we try to instill in them to uplift others while they're forging their path. That is what it means to be a Spartan. Thank you very much. >> Very
sincent. >> So I use story version of it. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, I what I did was built off our eighth our open house presentation. I built off of that and molded it into kind of a message that I wanted to share here with all of you. >> So, we could say probably a majority of
the eighth grade student parents. >> Yes, they did. I'll tell you what they did not have. Um, they didn't have any of those videos those videos as they spoke to they, you know, didn't start until late October, middle of October. So, the videos were in particular for
this. Um, obviously the information about the surveys were not a part of it. We really focused more on what to expect coming in. >> Awesome. All right. I'd like to open up questions to the board. I'm so sorry. I'd like to open up questions to the board. Miss Young, please go ahead. >> More comments than anything. That was uh
that was fantastic. And uh I congratulate everybody involved in those uh videos. Very catchy. So, do the students, the Spartan Update students put those videos together? They help to put those together. >> I do have to shout out Mike Palano
because without his ingenuity and Spartan legacy vibes himself. Um, we asked the captains and players like that to help us with the videos. Um, in the case of the TV productions one, that was all Mr. Banana. Um, but the dance one, I
think the dance team did that and someone videoed Isabella. Um, so it's I think those will be better as they go because we're going to have a script uh that people follow a little bit more closely um in the material that it is in helping. Um,
>> and kudos to Mr. Pano and his class as well. Um, I think you're really wise to target grades five through eight. I'm really glad to see that. Um I always believe that uh those were the key years when parents begin to think you know
which direction do we go and we certainly want them to go in the Spartan direction and this will give them uh plenty to think about. Uh and I'm also just in awe of our English uh lang and lit AP scores. I have to give a shout
out there. So thank you Miss Hannah and Mr. Toes. >> Mrs. >> um I just want to say great job. Um, I love, you can thank Mr. Plano for me. I like his I like that it's all um uniform that you know the coming in and the out of the out of the um videos are all the
same. It just makes it you know watching six in a row kind of pumps you up while you're sitting here. Like it's great. I think that your team that you're building around you are people that have definitely cared a lot about um the trajectory of the high school. Cared about kind of for the last couple years, right? Talked about it in different
different terms, different rooms. I know students that have talked about it um you know heard about different things. I hear um that Mr. Trilleski is going to make a video about um certain cheers that have been chants that have to be done during games coming up. Um but I
hear that it's I just I appreciate that the people that really care about you know not only getting students from out of town but keeping our students here are sitting in this room and have taken the steps to try and figure out ways to do that. So, I appreciate um you know,
your team. I'm sure there's other other faculty over there, more students, and I'm sure that the beginning of this is is spreading like wildfire, which is good um to spread through the district and spread through the high school to kind of get, you know, the more pe you start the, you know, race, more people
will join. So, great job to all of you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, the videos are excellent. I saw them online before uh before this meeting and I was I was pretty pumped. So, I I don't know if you guys are planning on expanding into like uh past Spartans, kind of showing some of the successes and different things that they got going on in their life with cool
music behind it. Could uh could be pretty cool. Um but then related to the schedule change, I was I was curious. So, you said the lunch was going pretty well. Everybody's happy with it. >> I I mean, I don't know that everybody's happy with it, but I would say overall it's been so great. I mean, I think Gina
would speak to it, too. We I think we anticipated issues and we just haven't had them. It's been very smooth here since what I think 2001. It's the best thing.
>> I really I really think >> I heard from parents as well who said their children came home the first few days and said, "I get to sit with everybody." where before they used to try and change their schedules to get in the lunch where their closest friends were and now
>> everyone stops and you can be with who you want to be with every it's >> nice to hear. >> It's really good. >> I heard from one of the districts to roll it out that the lunch sometimes is a little bit bumpy, but it's great to to hear that feedback.
>> One of the um one of the great things is for seniors, so seniors haven't had a lot of privileges um at the high school. we just really didn't have them and this year we have multiple one of them is having their own space for lunch and you know that it's working and Mr. Young can speak to this because he was responsible
for the kids the seniors going outside. So the seniors had the inner courtyard and after about probably three or four weeks they said, "Well, what's going to happen when it gets cold? Like we lose our space. We're going to have to be in with everybody else." No, no, no. We have a plan for that. It just started
this week, but they're actually in the back. They're actually in the back gym in the upper bleacher. So they still have their own space, but it was important to them. and it shows you that that means and we also did the senior parking spots this year which is >> another new privilege and man they love
that too. So, so good things. >> Just I just want to say great job everyone. I feel all hyped up from watching that. I'm My son is in kindergarten, but I'm going to show him these videos. He's going to love it so much. And just in general, just the feeling of Spartan Legacy. Like again, I
only have elementary school, but like every Friday, everyone's hyped. Everyone's wearing red. So, it's really great that it's from the bottom up. So, great job everyone. Thank you. >> And Mr. is a chance for the basketball. >> Yeah, I just have one comment or
question. Uh, and I'm going to put our Spartan Legacy coordinators on the spot here. I apologize in advance. Um, and I'm doing this because I can feel the energy in the room. I can feel everybody's hyped up about this, right? And so there's a lot of there's a lot of excitement behind what we are doing right now, right? And there's a lot of
steam behind it. And so the question is going to be how do we maintain that as we go forward? So thinking long term, you don't have to answer this right now, but but I hope that you are thinking what is the ask that is going to come to the administration that will come to us because we're going to have to make
tough decisions at budget season to support this type of thing in the hopes of advancing. And if you if you know the answer to that question right now, feel free. But but you don't have to if you'd like to not >> How much money are we talking? >> I you have it all be so and they're teed
up, right? and they're excited about what you're doing and so we have an opportunity here as a district and I think that we need to be thinking about how to support this long range and not just you know a quick hit. So >> well yeah I think strength and conditioning is important for our athletic programs you know so we are
going to work with Mr. Wombo and see where that takes us. I know that um the coaches have expressed interest and need in having our players bigger, faster, and stronger in general. I know that's, you know, one aspect. This is a a fluid thing, but that's the first thing that
pops into my mind that I hear from the coaches anyway is that how do we streamline it? And I think having the class is certainly a good step in the right direction and then we have to figure out how to capitalize on that even more. And I can say, you know, I
have a a background that I was at Rebank Regional and Remson Haven as a coach in the past and I also was a division one assistant coach at Mammoth University. So the the importance of strength and conditioning is so big in this day and
age. Um, and we're I think we're on the right track in regards to what we're doing. we certainly have the facility um you know that can that can warrant um that's attractive and I you know I've had even you know college coaches
mention to me about what we have here. So, we have what we need. I think in regard to the strength and conditioning program, if you're asking me like pie in the sky as a coach, a coach in college, >> I think there's a need to have a stipen available for a strength and
conditioning coach all through the year, meaning as a coaching stipen. For instance, repank regional does it as it's a coaching stipen. And that if it's coach WBO, what he does is after school, you have time slots for out of season athletes and inseason athletes. coaches
will book the time with coach Womba to go in and he could have the ability to train those kids. They also would do it in the summer which coaches can kind of you know be able to do that because I think as a coach we don't have at least I know when I was a coach I didn't have
the time to implement the strengthening in this program. So I think um that is the key. I think what John and I are trying to do with the clinics, it's it's all about what we said this morning with that that that fifth through eighth grade year that that is our chance to to
capture the audience. So, the more that we can be able to do and we'll have, you know, really trying to get some working relationships with the middle school, um, not just clinics, but as a way to kind of get down there and kind of see, uh, what we can do with them. I think
with the younger kids, they have to see what we have in regards to not just coming to a game, you know, having the clinics, meeting the coaches, um have to be a way of of of trying to intermingling the two schools together.
And I think that's what our plan is. And it's I think honestly for what you know we've done and I really give a lot of credit to John in regard to how we kind of got this going off the ground. It's already to me ahead of what
I thought we were going to be at. Um but I do think in time as we continue to build this and and kind of um make sure we have Spartan ready kids coming into the high school. I think with the facilities that we have, the honestly
the lower enrollment is going to actually help us in a way in regards to having smaller classes and what we have academically offered. If we continue to just push it out and have the board allow us to put things on social media, put things on a website so that people
have easy access to it, I think that we'll be able to really hit the ground running as the years come. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Good. >> I just want to thank everyone. Uh, Miss Kazuba, great job and your team and and
also just say I think Mr. Young started to do that. I thank you, Mr. Young, for all your support. But you did also allude to I think Mr. Trilleski has downplayed what he has done in this short amount of time giving credit away to everyone else. So, I did just want to recognize that in about a month's time,
you have created quite a bit of content and programming in the future to build vertical articulation and to get all of our students smart and ready. So, thank you to the whole team. >> Thank you. >> All right, with that, uh, I would like to give an opportunity. Do are you
calling my attention to something? >> Just >> no comments. >> We're still getting virtual comments. >> There's someone in the queue right now. >> Okay, wonderful. So, so just a reminder, right? Please hold all virtual comments uh until we call on you. Uh first first opportunity, Mike, can you tell me
please do we have anyone downstairs uh who's likely to make a comment at this time? >> Uh we do not no in person commenters. >> Okay. Thank you. And then uh Mrs. Conway virtually, do we have anyone who would like to make a comment on the topics of
the presentation at this time? >> Yes, we do, Mr. President. We have Jonathan Shutman. Please go ahead. >> Dr. Shutman, welcome. >> Dr. Shin, I'm not sure if you can hear us, but we cannot hear you, sir. >> I can I can hear you. Can you hear me now?
>> Hear you now? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I found it curious. I was listening to the presentation on the Spartan legacy and uh I thought it was very well done. I know Mr. Palano, I know he does a
great job with media, did a great job with my son. I once said to you, Mr. McCarthy, just as a comment, um maybe we need a little more Athens and a little less Sparta. and the whole
idea of a Spartan legacy. I was writing down some comments as uh I was listening. Meeting the needs of all students with a proud tradition of academic excellence. Your Spartan legacy starts here. So I I think I got a pretty good idea of what a Spartan
legacy is now. And it was a pretty nice kind of slick uh media presentation, but I came up with a lot of questions which I don't expect you to answer, but maybe in the future. What does it mean for disabled and handicapped students? Your Spartan legacy. What does it mean for
special education students? Or what does it mean for students with IEPs or IEPs? What does it mean for low SCES students? And what does it mean for average students? And what does it mean for students who are not athletic? And what does it mean simply for students who are not seen? How does the district make and
promote and monitor this as would be accomplished by a four-year mentor program? whether we volunteer adults am I am I do I have to stop >> Dr. Sh just for one second sir. So again I have I have comments going on in the chat right now that I just want to
remind the public that this is not open forum. Okay and that this is not an opportunity for that. I want to ask everyone to maintain appropriate decorum during this meeting. All right. So please refrain. We will give everyone an opportunity to comment should they desire to during our public comment
session and they have an opportunity to do so for this meeting uh for this presentation specifically after Dr. Shubman. All right. So just a >> I'm almost done. Should I now be quiet? >> Hold on a second. Dr. Shman. Thank you, sir. So just a reminder to the public, please respect that policy that we have
as a board. Thank you, Dr. Shman. I apologize for having to interrupt you, sir. Please go ahead. >> It's quite okay. Thank you. >> And how does a district make and promote and monitor this? They had some idea and and some of it I thought was well done, by the way. But as would be accomplished maybe with a four-year mentor program,
whether we trained volunteer adults from the community or a cadre of teachers, the idea that people be paid to do this, I think is is necessary and important. And kind of a tough question here, but what are the administrations and boards
Spartan legacy visav accountability and transparency to students, their families, and the community? So, those are my comments about the presentation. >> And Dr. Shy, did you have any of those questions you would like us to attempt to answer this evening?
>> It it's you're the board president. I just had some comments about what I saw and it prompted me to think and like I said to you in the past, uh, Mr. McCarthy, you know, a little more Athens. What about all the students, frankly, that are not seen? I did like what I heard about the lunch program
where children were actually given the opportunity to be with other students who were people that they were comfortable being with, not a past experience of mine, but um that's a good thing. >> Thank you, Dr. Shman. So, uh Mr. Kazub, I'll give you an opportunity to touch on
whatever you'd like. Please understand if there's anything you don't feel comfortable answering right now, you're not required to do so. We can reach back. >> Thank you. Thank you. I just do want to address one thing. Well, it's two things really. Um he asked what about special education students and also what about
um so students with low socioeconomic status. I am very proud to discuss the fact that our special education students have moved significantly toward least restrictive environment. We now see more students who have a disability or
otherwise need um accommodations taking classes like AP and advanced and honors classes. So I'm very proud of that. Second of all is low socioeconomic status. The number of students who are um low so low low SCEs who are now in
honors advanced and AP classes is significantly higher than they were 10 years ago. So, so I know we didn't speak to that specifically this year. These are some topics that I've touched on in prior years and are the basis for in
some part for our AP um access and honor board which I didn't get to speak about tonight because they're not releasing it until January, but I will absolutely tell you in January what that is. So yes, we are doing those things. Um and I'm sorry that they weren't a part of the presentation. >> Thank you, Miss Kazuma. I appreciate uh
those comments. And Dr. Shamin, anything you feel that was not addressed to you, I ask that you direct those questions to our administration. we can get back to you in a timely manner. Um, Mrs. Conway, do we have any other commenters in the queue? >> No, Mr. President, there are no further commenters.
>> Thank you very much, Mrs. Conway. Very well. Thank you so much to our team. You're looking to somebody else. All right, we're all set. We're going to move on. Um, wonderful job, Mr. Thank you so much,
Mr. Acings. School business administrators report. >> Thank you, Mr. President, I'd like to uh just note two items uh on the agenda this evening. One is donation from the United Way of Mammoth Ocean County donating 50 coats to the
elementary level and 30 sweatshirts to our middle school. Uh and then the other issue I'd like to note is uh our broker Brown and Brown has worked hard on our renewal policies for u insurance particularly our dental insurance.
There's a recommendation on the board to change our carrier from Delta to Horizon. Uh they're saving us significant money for the same coverage uh criteria. Uh and the recommendation is to move forward with that change. Uh we were looking at potentially a 15%
increase through Delta and Brown and Brown was able to secure us a 4% increase through Horizon. and Horizon is the carrier the district had used for many years prior to bringing Delta on about two years ago. >> Thank you. >> Any comments or questions from the
board? >> Very well. Public comment. The 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. We encourage you to contact our superintendent with any questions you may have. Public participation shall be governed by the following rules. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to five minutes in 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. And the presiding officer may request any person to leave the meeting when that person does not observe reasonable decorum. Do we have anyone from the public who's downstairs currently who would like to come in on anything at
this time? Uh yes, we do. >> Alex Hayes Oakst. Um I just wanted to start off with some good comments. Um it was great to see that there's going to be that uh connection with OC Orange County Ocean County College. I can't
wait to hear what the classes are and the courses that are going to be offered. I think that's a phenomenal partnership. Um the latest video that I saw on the homeless Spartans uh social media pages, fantastic. I was thrilled to see even more tonight. Um, only
caveat is I wish we did that 5 years ago. Students are doing videos like this from 5 10 years ago. So, it's amazing that we're finally on board and we hope those continue. Keep them coming. They were fantastically produced. Um, wanted to congratulate Grace Analico in the
school board um for her win in the st in the uh uh city council um race from two weeks ago. I just want to read her votes. 5,112 that was about 54% of votes compared to her her opponent's 4,300
um votes that was 45% that's a huge win 80 I'm sorry 811 votes um clearly showed that the endorsements made by a majority of the board sitting upstairs really didn't matter um to a majority of the voters as they sided and voted with
Grayson Telerico and I appreciate your service on the school board and look forward to all things you're going to be doing before the council. Um the college and financial aid session mentioned earlier tonight. I'm a high school student and I have specifically asked to
you know get some of these financial aid um events sent to me even if they're only for seniors and juniors. So perhaps that's what this is. But Ied on social media unless it has anyone heard about this and my fellow parents haven't heard about this. So, if it in fact is only
for juniors and seniors, um may I humbly suggest and request that the entire school be invited to any kind of free financial aid that the district is um allowing to do virtually. Um QACs, I hope it gets
explained how the district is still considered high performing. when I saw um it's very confusing to understand as a labor person also the 40% passing score for instruction. So I was just hoping that somebody goes over the
cusack either in this meeting which is really late or 80 p.m. they can go over how we ended up with an 80% score therefore passing as a high district. Um I heard uh that there was an incident at the high school like during a lunch hour
um or someone I don't know if a student staff you know was sent to the hospital in an ambulance. I'm wondering if you know the school body can ever told about incidents like this there's any charges and injuries that would be
nice for taxpayers to know about ebikes. In the last three months, there have been two Ocean Township students who have been hit by cars. Hit by cars on ebikes. I've said it before, my son rides one to school and it bothers me to no end, but
I hope he's always safe. This district and this um police department have talked about community forces and doing some kind of a, you know, safety discussion, but I implore you to make that happen within 3 months for the fifth grade through the 12th grade.
We've had two kids injured by cars in ebanks in Ocean Township. Um almost done. Um I'm just going to I guess finally and probably bring this up in the next public comment session because who knows if this will be one of the few ones that are left. Um it was brought to
my attention that in the last that Mr. McCarthy, you um proposed getting public comment um from virtual folks. So the people that just kind of made some comments would not eventually be able to do that. I think that's very akin to voter suppression. Um you you
don't do things without a reason. So I really would like to know the specific reasons why you want to get rid of Zoom comments and Zoom questions. Um parents in town divide and conquer. We all have sports um uh church religious community
social events and they get me to these meetings. Sometimes I'm the only one that comes after me. So people Zoom meetings. So for you all to consider cancelling Zoom comments is atrocious. And I thank Grace Antar Rico and Brian
Schneider for being the only ones who said this would be ridiculous. If you indeed vote to get rid of that shame you were just trying to not hear from residents and it's pretty apparent. Um, I think the next step would be to have meetings at 2 p.m. If you don't want
people to come, have one during a work day because that's kind of almost what you're trying to achieve. It's remarkable. Um, and I think that's it. I will save um for later. I don't know if I'm under my five minutes. I think I still am.
>> So, Mrs. Hayes, at this point, I would ask you wrap your comments up, please. >> Okay. Well, I'll finally uh end on the condescension and the um the tone of your voice when you try to interrupt people and tell them about they're not acting in true decorum is also out of
limiting and you do it you know every third meaning. It's it's not a good look as I continue to say but you do what you want. All right. Thanks. Bye. >> Thank you for your comments. Mrs. Hayes, >> do we have any other public commenters who are downstairs?
We do not. >> Do we have any virtual commenters in the queue? >> No, Mr. President, we do not. >> Thank you, Mrs. Conway. I appreciate that. All right. Presentation of minutes, Mr. Dalton. >> Thank you, Mr. McCart. The presentation of minutes item 7.1 7.2.
>> Do you have any comments or questions on 71 to 72? >> Thank you. Personnel, Mr. Um, I'm I'm going to approve downstairs, but can I just ask a, you know, Twitter or whatever you're going to tell me this is that I'm asking. Um, since we probably
have a packed house downstairs, can we do financial and instruction downstairs and like do since >> most? We're almost there. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Okay. Very well. Financial management resource services. Do I have any questions?
>> Just discussion 9.1 through 9.5. >> No one. Okay. Instruction, educational, student activities 106. Questions, comments, concerns. We discussed 11. >> Very well. Public relations.
>> This is a sorry. >> Oh, sorry. Um, discussion 11.1 to 11.2. >> I'll just I'll just add that this is the annual agreement that we sign between education and law enforcement. We do it every year. So this is there have been
no changes from the the state's draft, you know, their the state writes the memorandum of agreement. We sign off on it with OTPD, which we have done. There has been no change from last year to this year. And also our QAC results, we did finally receive those and they're on
here as well. And we did we earned all of the points that we could in instruction um after our you know, our test scores are a portion of it. And then our curriculum and instruction and our interventions for our students are the other pieces of it. So we did earn an 80 in that area. We earned a 92 in
finance and we earned 100 in all other areas of QAC. So we did pass QAC. >> Thank you for that clarification >> comment >> about a question about QA. >> Yeah, please. Um, I'm just wondering
like what what do we have implemented or what are we going to implement to address some of the lower scores like the 2.5 the 7 um because there are some low scores in instruction. So I was
wondering how we're going to address that this coming year. So a lot of that you see in Dr. Morgan's presentations because a lot of that has to do with our performance on state assessments and the interventions that she has uh developed with her team of academic leaders. Um I
can certainly review those with you again, but I off the top of my head it's primarily those interventions that we have planned to address targeted instruction for our students based on their previous performance and also the trend data that
we see at each grade level. both in a particular school or across the district and then in particular a classroom of students and what they need and the services that we provide them throughout the year. >> Okay. So ask follow and how
>> this will be the last question please. >> Okay for time there'll be more opportunity for you to ask additional questions. >> I just wanted to know how often that's being monitored and addressed throughout the year. So an indiv >> the data is monitored every time we get
a new piece of data that informs our our students progress. So um our teachers review that more regularly because they have their local classroom data. We as a district review that every time we take a benchmark assessment across the district. We review those results and
then we meet with the teachers and go over what I just said. the the classroom data versus the grade level data versus the district-wide grade level data and implement um interventions based on that whole school changes or whole grade level changes. But then also our
interventionists review an individual student's data and then either continue with the interventions they have in place because they are working or change those interventions because they either student has made progress and now needs to work on something else or the the intervention that we were using wasn't
working and we need to to change our practice. So those cycles throughout the year they're they happen three times whole school whole district benchmarks. Um but but locally interventionists use progress monitoring and other local assessments more frequently than the
three fall, winter, spring benchmarks that we do as a district. >> All right. Any old business from any members of the board? None. Any new visits from any members of the board? >> Very well. Can I have a motion to journ?
Thank you. Part: 2
This meeting will come to order. I'd ask everybody to join me in a flag salute, please. 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. As I said to the group when we first entered, I do apologize for being a few minutes late this evening. Uh I can assure you that important information was being discussed during our executive session that forced us to roll over and we're trying to catch up. We'll do our
best to move quickly. If you did not see the meeting that we just had, our work meeting previously, I would encourage you very much to go back and to watch the amazing presentation that Mrs. Kazuba and her team gave us about all of the amazing things going on at Ocean
Touchup High School. Uh, and it it truly does make you extremely proud to be a Spartan when you see these types of things that are going on. It was filled with wonderful media by uh created by our students and by our our TV productions crew. And um it just goes to
showcase all of the awesome things that we're accomplishing as a district. uh and and it made me extremely proud to be the president of this board and to see what our our board is empowering our administration to accomplish and what our administration is empowering our staff and our students to accomplish. Uh
so I I cannot say enough how much I think that you should go back and you should watch that presentation if you have time because it was truly an amazing presentation and uh hats off to you Mr. Kazuba. Great job. Uh I would like to highlight too and I I'll keep this brief in light of time. Uh, I'm
very proud of the way that our administration has handled recent funding for um lack of SNAP benefits. Okay? And it it didn't have to come to fruition going into this Thanksgiving holiday. But I need to I need to take a minute to recognize our superintendent
and our administration who in a in the midst of doing millions of other things for this district to keep us on track and to keep us doing the right things, pivoted to address a potential issue that we may need. found solutions and went to provide them to our students so
that those that needed it would not go hungry. I'm extremely proud of what they did do. I'm very thankful that it didn't have to come to fruition for us as a district, but that is just me taking uh my position to give a little hats off to uh Mrs. Welden and Mr. Hastings and the
awesome work of our central office team who continuously go above and beyond for this district day in and day out. And so, thank you very much for that. I know that there are a lot of parents in this district who are very appreciative of it.
All right, I'm done. Now, to the most important people in the room, our student representatives. Please go ahead. Um, all fall seasons have come to an end recently. All teams had a great season. A couple highlights have been the girl girls and boys cross country team. The girls team qualif qu qu qu qu
qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qu qualified for states in league last Saturday won the meal chance running a time of 17 minutes and 14 seconds. The boys team won the bean division as well. >> The girls soccer team had two individual milestones as well. Grace Fuller achieved 300 saves and Mia Fantino
reached 100 points and also she has her own school record of most points in a single game. Field hockey had a great season and won the B North division. Winter sports are ready to start up now. Um, DECA hosted their DECA giving last night. Student council is hosting our
annual blood drive on December 3rd and we are hoping for success. >> The varsity club hosted their brunch last Saturday and ended with a successful time. The drama club shared their first act of the play of their play called Groomers today and have shows November 20th at 700 p.m. and
November 22nd at 2 p.m. The cast and crew worked very hard, so we should all come out and support. >> Thank you both. Superintendent's report. Mrs. Welton. >> Yes. Thank you, students. Okay. This evening, we do have a number of recognitions that I'd like to uh draw
everyone's attention to. Unfortunately, because of conflicts of scheduling, some of these honores could not be here this evening. Some of them may be online watching uh the meeting. So, if we may try to reschedule a time to bring them back to honor them and have them take
their photo and and uh do all of the other things, but I still don't want this time to go by without recognizing these achievements. We, as you said, we had a number of uh outstanding achievements this fall season. So, we're doing this in stages, but this evening,
we'd like to first recognize our girls tennis coach, coach Jeff Risler, who was awarded the girls tennis coach of the year award. So, Risler could not be here this evening, but we congratulate him on this prestigious honor. Congratulations,
Coach Risler. We are also recognizing our boys cross country team. They are having their banquet this evening, but they are our B North division champions. And I do just want to recognize the players. Our
runner Santos Baxi Lewis Dagnes Peter uh >> Dwisik, sorry. Thank you. David Verda, Matthew Gatano, John Hanley, Patrick Knight, Howell, Jake Pollutis, Joseph Rosakis, David Rubio, Luke Santuuchi,
Ryan Taylor, Cole Yasco, Andrew Zimmer, Austin Zone, and and our coach Tim Patterson. Congratulations on a great season and we will hope to get you here another night when you don't have a conflict. I'd also like to recognize our girls fields hockey team. Is anyone here
from the girls field hockey team? I heard they might try to make it. Okay, they are also our B North division champions and they also had a conflict this evening. So, we will try to recognize them at another evening. But our I just want to call out the players because they may be watching from home.
Caroline Barasilo, Gianna Canavan, Riley Ciro, Sadie Conklin, Addison Dia, Llaya Dinski, Isabella Flesa, Alexis Garlanau, Rayma Hack, Caitlyn Hecman, Llaya Irvin,
Margaret Kelly, Maline Kchner, Emma Knight, Annabelle Manzy, Rubin, Angelina Sarbelloo, Nat Natalie Staten Rubio, Molly Tantrum, and Brooke Todd, and their coaches is Coach Smileixits, Coach
Smileitz, and Coach Walker. Congratulations, Lady Spartans. Outstanding job this year. We'd also like to recognize one of our honores who is here. This I'd like to bring up, come on up, Duke
Haberman. Duke Haberman has set a new school course record at TOIS in cross country. Mr. Amato will present you with a certificate. Coach Deimony is here as well.
Congratulations, Duke. And then we'd like to take a photo. Congratulations. Take a photo. And mom, dad, you can come on up to get a great shot. Feel free to come all the way up. They can get a nice photo.
outstanding job in all of his races and breaking the school record >> this year. >> Tremendous. He dies and her right hand family.
Congratulations. >> Great job. Keep up the great work. We can't wait to see what you do next. >> Okay. I'd like to introduce Mrs. Kazuba. Is Mrs. Is Mia Fentino here? Yes. Come on up. Okay. Next up, we'd like to
recognize Mia Fentino. Come on up, Mia. >> Coach Ciano, if you want to come up. Is Coach Picket here? Yeah. Okay, there you go. come on up as well and sit right here. We're going to recognize Mia. She has tied the school record for goals in
Ocean Township girls soccer and she has net set a new school record for points in a game. Congratulations. Outstanding. >> Let's take some photos and parents, please come on up so you can get a photo.
Congratulations. Excellent job. >> Okay. And finally this evening, we'd like to recognize Leah Starky, who you have uh seen here before at some uh former board meetings. Leah could not be here this evening, but
I do just think it is important that we take a minute to recognize all of her achievements this season. You probably have read about it in the news yourself, so some of this will be actually old news. Um, but really an outstanding job by Leah this season in her cross country
season. The races she has won. She is the run the night champion, Battle of the Classes Champion, B North Division Champion, Shore Coaches Invitational Champion, Mammoth County Champion, Shore Conference Champion, Central Jersey
Group Two Sectional Champion, back-to-back years. group two state champion back-to-back years. Did I mention she's only a sophomore? the record she set this year at the She set the record at the Ocean County Park
course record, the Homeell Park sophomore course record, the Thompson Park course record, all OTHS records for these for each of these courses. And just this weekend, Leah is our meet of
champions state champion with a time of 1715. Leah now holds the third fastest time in Homedale Park history and the second fastest in New Jersey. She swept every round of states and finished the season with a perfect 90 record. It does
not stop there for Leah. Leah will continue her efforts at the national level and compete in the Brooks regional event on November 29th. If she qualifies out of regionals, she will compete at the Brooks National Championship in San Diego in December. and we will have her
here again after those competitions. We'd like to congratulate Lydia >> and of course her coach Lynch for all his support and help in her athletic career. And that concludes my report for this evening. >> I was just going to say if you haven't seen the news article and seen the
finish of that meet of champions race, it's really incredible. It's like makes me show, but it's very um it's like the last 50 yards is incredible to watch. >> Yes. >> Yes. Run, Leo, run. I like it. Good. Yeah. And I I wonder I've been wondering
who the young lady is running around my neighborhood with her mother on a bicycle next door and that was recently made clear to me that it's her. So, no surprise there and good honor. Um yes. So, if you do need to step out, please feel free. Now would be the time. Thank you so much. Maybe you have
homework to do, other important things. >> Thank you for being here. >> Thank you. >> Wonderful. It's Mike. M I assume that concludes your superintendent report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hastings. >> Uh nothing additional from upstairs.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Public comment. The 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 available on the deis and on our district website. We encourage you to contact her with any specific questions that you may have. Public participation shall be governed
by the following rules. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to 5 minutes in duration. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that same topic have been heard. and 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 anything at this time? Alex, uh, >> Alex Hayes, Oak, I'm just going to, um, read some of my comments a second time
because I still think, um, these public comments are a dying breed and I'm sure you will find some way to get rid of them at some point. Um, I remember with the fact that we've had two ebike accidents from from our students, high
school students in the last 3 months. At least one of the children was taken by ambulance to the hospital. You all need to do a little bit more than just signs. I know it belongs on the parents uh initiative as well. So maybe some more parent education would
be great. My kid will be grounded till no end if he's ever caught without a helmet. And from what I've heard um at least one, if not both of the two that were hit by a car helmet, it's they don't know the rules of the road. They don't know how other cars drive. So, I
feel like there needs to be some inschool education about the rules of the road that simply these kids are not getting. There are 11 year olds riding tandem on bikes that go 30 mph and shouldn't be tandem. It's happening all over Oakhurst. I'm sure it's all over um
other parts of ocean. I implore you all to work with the school, I mean with the police department to get an officer in every grade and talk to these kids about ebikes because if they don't have them, they're riding their kids, their friends ebikes.
Um, following up on the October 28th discussion about getting rid of public comment from Zoom, um, it's mindboggling how different this board has become in the last year. I obviously have my own reasons as to why
that's happening, but um, the the clear desire to stifle public discourse by you all, and I'm saying you all, but I don't really mean all nine of you. Um because some of you have a little more vocal and trying to change what people want to
say. Um it's blaring and the people who might not come here to either Zoom meetings or virtual meetings or in person, you may not hear them, but they're talking about how things are being taken away from um public discourse. I'm going to bring up I
posted of course this ridiculous idea of uh Mr. McCarthy and others who supported to get rid of the Zoom comment. I posted it online and um here are some comments. Um excuse me. Um it's just awful. I think
it's so mind-blowing what towns think they can get away with. That was one comment. Another one was also um uh sent to me today. I'm just going to pull it up here real quick. um saying they are just so surprised that this school
district is considering getting rid of Zooms because people are in their cars from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. or we're having dinner in the very little precious time that we have with our kids because everyone is so damn busy. It's not the
same as when we all, you know, were growing up 20 years ago. Um I can't find it, but I'll just email it to you. So instead, I will just read my comments one more time. Um, it's clear you all don't want differing opinions. God forbid you get
criticism, your elected officials, you should be able to handle it. Whether it's a written comment, shut off the comments if you don't want to. I'm sure there's a way you can do that so you don't see people turn out of turn speaking. Um, this will probably help you not getting
criticism. So, hats off if that's what you want to do. But you often get support from people who call in and say, "I really couldn't be there, but I'm going to tell you great job on this, great job on that." So, you're also going to um decide on that. Um parents
are clearly divide and conquer mode in this town. There is there are so many activities. Not everybody can be here at meetings. And frankly, I give up a lot of personal family time to come to these meetings. So, I can understand why people would prefer to do this home. And
sometimes as you know I will do that too because I just can't get here for two hours and not have time with my family. Um it is not a luxury ask to say can we please call in during Zoom. You all started it during co it was a necessity.
I know it's not a necessity now but it's what this community needs and what we all deserve. Um you're having a virtual financial aid workshop uh this week. you have other virtual events at this district and you of course let people call in and ask
questions. So why would you stop it here? Thank you to you both who don't agree with um giving up the Zoom uh commenting and questioning answer. under you don't even answer questions anymore which is also a shame but
putting the kaibos on people being able to speak them is a small if not obvious um voter suppression in my mind but thank you to you two who are standing up for parents and taxpayers and if you get rid of it
shame on you it's very >> you wrap your car >> of course you're going to thank you >> thank you so much do I have Any other comments from any members of the public? Thank you. Mrs. Conway, do I have any comments from anyone virtually at this
time? >> Yes, President McCarthy Jonathan Shutupman is first. Please go ahead. >> Welcome. >> Well, thank you again for this opportunity. Uh, and Mr. McCarthy, thank
you for letting us know of the good work of Miss Weldon and Mr. Hastings and people in the district to anticipate and plan for the real possibility that people may not have been able to receive SNAP benefits. I think that's a uh an
excellent uh response by the district. Um, I understand uh um I understand part of the purpose of the board and the administration is to talk about
everything that is good in the district, congratulating people who excel in the district. I understand all that. Um, and in the last meeting that I attended, I heard about how over 10 years things had improved. And unfortunately, I have
written to you over the last three years and emails about that does not actually seem to be the case. And so for quickly and for public uh notice um there are three websites I will quickly uh inform
and public that was public and it's in each website where Ocean Township High School is rated B+. The district is rated rated B+ and in Mammoth County of the so-called best districts in Mammoth County, Ocean
Township is on the list as ninth. You folks have given you that data. As far as the high school and all the wonderful Spartan things that are going into the high school in the state right now, Ocean Township High School rates 174th
in US News and World Report. Now, of course, districts like Rumson is 35. Even Manisquan is 70. I've made the uh observation, you might want to ask Manisquan what's going on. And in Freehole Regional School Districts, five schools are ranked higher than Ocean
Township. I've given you this data. It's not like you're not familiar with what I'm talking about. And in terms of state rankings, Colton Sack is 99, Malber 124, Freehold Township 131, Manalpin
Englishtown 135, Freehold Burrow, which has the same SCES as Osen Township is 157. And Redbank Regional, which has the same SCES, is 113. And Madawan Regional, which has the same
SCES, you can look this stuff up, is 169. So, they're all ahead of Ocean Township High School. And then you have great schools, which I've recommended in the past you look at for one reason is that if you go to any real estate uh listing, you will see rankings at the
bottom. And we know what's happening in the county now. And people are exploding buying homes in in Oceanport because Netflix is coming in. And it's potentially a place where people might want to send their kids. But when they start to explore the school rankings,
people who are intelligent home buyers will buyers will start to ask questions. And in this case, uh, Middletown South is 7 out of 10. Ocean Township is 6 out of 10. In this case, Rebeck Regional is 6 out of 10. Uh, so is Madawan. The
questions that I am trying to get you to explore as a board and administration is what's going on in other districts that would help you actually in these meetings also talk about school improvement. What's happening in terms of consolidation of services for special
education? What's happening in terms of staff development? what is happening in terms of the research that is readily available now on the science of reading and where every teacher really ought to be a teacher of reading. I appreciate all the
Spartan stuff but then again the school district has been in decline and my real concern is for the students. I don't have any students in the game anymore, but for the students, they are not getting what they need
as far as the rankings go. So, you may have all the high achievers and all the Spartan legacies going on, but what about the bottom line average kid and what is being done to help that kid do better in all kinds of scores? And by
the way, testing is part of it. It's the coin of the realm. So, thank you for letting me have my peace. I appreciate it. >> Dr. Shman, thank you for your comments. Mrs. Conway, do we have any other members of the uh in the queue who would like to make a comment? >> Um, yes, we have a Mr. Ch uh Keith
Chapman. Please go ahead. >> Welcome, Mr. Chap. >> Good evening. Uh, Keith Chapman, Oakhurst. Um, in regards to, uh, Zoom, you know, as you guys know, I've been on Zoom many times over the years. I think
it's a fabulous tool. Over the years, I can see why so many people now are starting to figure and blame the board of ed for um trying to maybe uh stifle some of the comments and parents. If you think about it, over the past couple years, you're focused on the
3minut time limit. I understand you need to get moving, but you're still stifling comments first. Then you stopped responding to answering public comments. I'm still personally waiting on several responses that they get lost, forgotten
about. Second, we got rid of the second public comment session. Now, if there's something you have to remember to ask it during the next session, email, phone call, we don't have that opportunity to bring it up all
the time. Now, you're planning on getting rid of Zoom public comments. I'd like to know why. What is the simple reason for doing that? We have technology that 21st century technology and yet
we're not making use of it. Why are we going back to the stone age? Let's use the technology for what it's worth. Allowing for more collaborative efforts. That is how you will improve our school rankings. That is how you
will improve our school standings and student academic success. As any administrator will tell you, you get more collaborative effort, you have better grades between teachers, staff, admin. You lose that collaborative
effort. You get what we have right now. Yes, our kids are doing great, but there's room for improvement. take away more public comment in Zoom.
That's what we're ending up with. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your comments, Mr. Chapman. Mrs. Conway, do we have any other commenters in the queue? >> No. President McCarthy, there are no further commenters. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Dolman.
>> Motion to approve items 5.1 and 5.2 minutes from prior meetings. >> Second, Mr. Tracy, would you call the role, please? >> Items 51 and 52. Mr. Brady, >> yes. >> Mr. Dalton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dam, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gilman, >> yes. >> Mrs. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Telerico, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Motion's carried. >> Personnel, Miss McGovern, >> uh, move to approve items 6.1 through 610. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Would you call the RO >> for items 61- 610? Mr. Brady?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Dalton? >> Yes. Mrs. Dam, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gilman, >> yes. >> Mrs. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Tarico, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Motion carrying man, Financial Management Resource Services, Mrs. Stam,
>> you move to approve items 7.1 through 7.9. Do >> I have a second? >> Second. Traces, >> would you call a role? Sure. One sec. this 71 through 79.
>> Mr. Brady, >> yes. >> Mr. Felton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dam, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gilman, >> yes. >> Mr. McGovern, >> yes. >> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Terico, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Motion's carrying. >> Instruction, education, student activities. Mr. Stolen,
>> yes. Uh motion to approve items 8.1 through 8.7. >> Second. >> This is 8.1 through 8.7. >> Mr. Brady, >> yes. >> Mr. Dalton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dam, >> yes. >> Mrs. Gilman, >> yes. >> Mrs. McGovern, >> yes.
>> Mr. Schneider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Telerico, >> yes. >> Mr. McCarthy, >> yes. >> Motions carry. >> Before we move forward, 9192, I did have to end questions early on that. Do I have any additional questions on 91 or 92 from any members of the board? >> Very well. Public relations, Mrs. Dan.
>> Move to approve items 9.1 through 9.2. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Call the roll. >> 91 and 92. Mr. Brady. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dalton. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dam. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Gilman. >> Yes. >> M. McGovern. >> Yes. >> Mr. Schneider. >> Yes. >> Mr. Telerico.
>> Yes. Yes. For 9.1, no for 9.2. >> Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. >> Yes. >> Motions carry. >> Old business. >> Does anybody have any old business? Mr. Dol, Mr. McCarthy, um, and fellow board
members, I just I was listening to our public comments and I just want to, uh, just share my perspective. Um, we had a testing report the last couple of years, um, Dr. Morgan, and we've been focused
on listening to and hearing, uh, some of the steps that districts taken to improve test scores. And I understand the that folks look at things that show up on the internet and in news and media. Um, but I for my fellow board colleagues, I'd ask you to look up some
of those sources like niche and great schools because they they are a good starting point, but they do have inherent bias in them. And so understanding how they get their input is a really important thing. There
are variety of organizations out there right now who are publishing things about schools that are doing it in a very divisive fashion. Some districts are now having trucks with lighted signs circulating around their district to call out their test scores. And it's a very divisive action that is very
political. So whenever we look at rankings that come from an organization, we have to be extremely careful to understand what's behind that organization and what their purpose and their goal is for public schools. So you know, I implore all of you to look up niche, look up great schools and any
other organizations. Yes, it's a good starting point, but we also must consider that children their test scores matter, but they matter in front of their teachers every day. And um they are more than that number. So, I
just implore us to really think about that in a time when public education is under the microscope across our nation and in our in our state. >> Mr. Golden, thank you so much for those positive and uplifting comments about our district. I really appreciate that.
It's so much harder to uh to speak in in a positive way and to build beautiful things than it is to tear them down. So, I appreciate you for that greatly. >> I I I just like to add, you know, I didn't get to say this upstairs, but the word that I felt in the presentation upstairs was creating that sense of
belonging. And we know that when children feel that they belong, that is one of the key steps to them uh performing academically. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments from any members of
the board on that piece of old business? Any other old business from any members of the board? I'm the one who proposed it, so I'll bring it up again. I did ask this board to consider uh do we have a desire to
remove virtual public comment. Um I would ask now if the board has any appetite to discuss this further if they would like to table this what our thoughts are. Um you know and I would like to make very clear that this comment was made initially so that there could be public discourse and so there
could be conversation on the matter. Uh so I encourage that. I asked for it and uh and that's why there there's no motion to do it immediately, right? There is no change of policy presented at this meeting. Uh and I welcome and appreciate the comments that we have received tonight from all members of our
public. I genuinely mean that. Um Stam, I believe you had your hand raised. >> Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. Um I would ask when the motion is made or when it is made if it could be two parts. one about the text comment typing whatever section and the public speaking because I think
they're two separate things that should be voted on. >> So I think what I'm hearing is you would support removal of virtual text comment but not >> correct >> spoken comment. That's good to hear. >> I'm sorry. You said you you'd support
the ver the typing comment. Okay. Sorry. >> Being removed the removal of Gotcha. Okay. Sorry. Mr. Regill, >> I don't support either. Um, but I would like if you are going to vote on it to be put on the agenda so at least the
public can come and, you know, give their thoughts. Uh, we had a few tonight, but that was only because Miss Hayes had posted it online. So, I would just like the public to be aware that that's going to happen.
>> Yep. So it is our policy as a board uh you know and I believe we're all aware of this but it is our policy that any changes in policy have to have two public hearings. Uh I would I I do not have a desire to ask the board to go against our existing policy for that. I I mean I at this point and I'm not
hearing much appetite from this board although it's being made out like everybody's so ready to do it. I don't think it doesn't sound like there's much appetite from this board to do this. My one concern is some of the typed comments from time to time if we are busy as we were upstairs the monitoring
of that is a a tricky thing. Um whereas when someone has the opportunity to speak the same way they do on the floor um that's they're speaking. Um, but you know, when we're in the middle of a presentation and comments are being typed,
there may be an an assumption that we're watching that, but we may be paying attention to the business of the evening or a presentation in front of us. Um, and there may be a mixed signal that that's okay. So, I I don't know electronically
how you manage that, but that might be something that needs to be managed. We saw it today. >> We saw it today. >> McCarthy had to interact with two people. >> That is correct. >> Ming, can I remember when you initially
brought this uh topic up? It also had to do with the personnel and the person that we have manning all of this uh technology. Um and it should not fall to that person to have to monitor the chat as well. So,
if we can look into a way to uh limit the chat as as both Miss Tam and and Mr. Dalton said, we were in the middle of a presentation. We were not watching things that were being said in the chat, nor should we have to. So, uh that's
something that we should consider further as well as our personnel that is required to come to the board meetings at night. All right, good to hear. I don't think any actions necessary at this point. Um, but I I I did want to just bring this
back up to see uh where the board was here and um we can go from there. Very well. Any new business from any members of the board? >> No, you go. >> Thank you.
So, I have a little um comment that I had written out because due to the recent election, I believe tonight will be my final board of ed meeting. So, I wanted to share some thoughts and gratitude. Um as many of you know, this is my second term and I've spent six years on this board. I decided to run in
2019 because I wanted to share my mental health expertise to help with anti-bullying in schools. I'm proud of the initiatives launched during my tenure. In 2020, our district created a wellness committee to support staff and students during COVID and beyond, offering resources, referrals, and
provided summer mental health counseling to bridge the school year gap. We secured a grant for a social emotional learning coach who contributed significantly to creating a school climate of respect and kindness. Anti-bullying coordinators shifted from principles to mental health counselors,
resulting in more students reporting HI incidents due to increased trust. and mental health referrals are now included in letters to parents about hip determinations. I was proud to also provide testimony to the New Jersey Department of Ed anti-bullying task force in October 23 sharing prevention
and intervention strategies for the anti-bullying bill of rights act in schools. Our district also formed mental health support group for athletes. Our district has made impressive strides in promoting mental health. And beyond that, there are many other exceptional aspects of our schools such as
athletics, extracurricular activities, dual college courses, celebrations of student and staff achievements, and much more. I am deeply appreciative to the administration and staff who dedicate themselves every day to preparing students for a bright future, helping them to strive to reach their fullest
potential. I also want to thank the parents who entrust that what we meet when we meet as a board that the board members should have the best interests of all of our students in mind with every discussion and every vote we make. I encourage all parents and community members to attend meetings and get involved. Your voice does matter.
Additionally, I wish to extend my appreciation to all of our special ed parents who each day go through their own unique journeys of advocacy. I acknowledge and support your tireless efforts. I do want to thank and recognize Alex Hayes, a dedicated parent
who has served as PTA president, board of ed member, and New Jersey School Board Association legislative committee member. She regularly presents, volunteers, and advocates for all district students, attending every school board meeting, even after her term ended. I met her during my 2021 service and continue to
admire her commitment and dedication. She's an inspiration to us all, and I'm proud to call her my friend and colleague. Lastly, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all have supported my tenure here on the board of education and the board members I have met that are truly here to make a difference for others. I am deeply appreciative for the
opportunity and I look forward to continuing to serve our town and its residents in the new capacity as councilwoman. Thank you. >> Do I have any other new business for any members of the board? >> Very well. Can I have a motion to
adjourn? >> Oh, go ahead. Um I just want to say um Graceanne thank you for your time. Um you know we haven't always seen eye to eye. We've had you know six years of ups and downs but um your time that you've given to this town and two special I sorry the mental health initiatives have
been um helpful and and I appreciate it and um good luck to you in your future. >> Do I have any other comments from new business? >> Congratulations. I'd just like to wish Grace and good luck in her new uh role as council woman. >> Thank you.
>> Just congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Any other new business from any members of the board? >> Very well. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjourn. >> Do I have a second? Second. This meeting is adjourned.