Statement adequate notice proceeds. Are we are we in? Yep. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. Statement adequate notice from executive session proceeds for this meeting. Uh this meeting will come to order. Mr. Hastings, would you please call the role? Mr. Brady
here. Mr. Dton here. Mrs. Dam here. Mr. Gilman here. Mr. McGovern here. Mr. Schneider here. Miss Stevens here. Mrs. Tal Rico. Mr. McCarthy here. All right. Um, president's report. Uh,
the board of education will be this board uh, not the board of education, but this board will be meeting uh, in between this session and the next session in Atlantic City uh, for New Jersey School Boards Association meeting. So, I do encourage all board members, if you have any outstanding
training uh that you may have recently been reminded of that you need to have done for the year, please get that done down there where it's available to you. If you don't have the ability to do that, uh then please ensure that you take it online, which is also available to you. If you have any questions about that, uh please feel free to ask Mr.
Hastings. He will do his best to ensure that you are in compliance with the requirements of your position as a member of the board. Um, and that's all I got. Yeah, that's all I have. All right. So, we'll go to our superintendent, Mrs. Welden.
Okay. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Um, I wanted to give everyone a little announcement that we have been working all summer. I'd like to give some credit to Mr. Hastings, Dr. Morgan, Mrs. Aaron Ley,
and our network manager, Dan Gastelle, for and also Mrs. Conway um who have been working all summer to help us transition to a new look to our website. Uh we're almost there. So, if you haven't had a chance to go on, you know, take a quick look, but you'll see that
it says we're we're still under construction, just fine-tuning a few things, but uh we are very excited about our new look and some of the new features that it will bring to our community, including a mobile app and also some better messaging services, which we will be rolling out in the
coming weeks. And there will be communications that go out officially to all members of our community to tell you about this, but I did just want to tease that out to the board of education and uh put it on your radar to take a look when you have a chance. I'd also like to thank uh Mr. Hastings and his uh
Department of Facilities for all their work that they did this summer to um update the Ocean Township High School cafeteria. We have been doing this a little bit in phases, but uh the cafeteria had a new fresh coat of paint and also some really great spirited
decals on the walls to to bring that Spartan spirit to the different spaces and and we have other plans for that as well um around the district. So, uh, but these came up, we put these, uh, on the walls at the end of September and they
were up just in time for the homecoming dance, which was a great success at the high school and, uh, you know, want to thank Mrs. Kazuba and her team for making that happen and and to be so successful. So, some great things going on. Um, and hot off the press, I just
found out yesterday that Arts NJ has selected artwork from Ocean Township High School students to be displayed at the New Jersey School Board's conference down in Atlantic City later this month. So, I'd like to thank the teachers and
administrators involved in that application. Mrs. Gina Hagermanerman let me know that we were selected and a few of our art teachers will be selecting about 16 to 18 in print art pieces to be displayed on a board down at school
boards and also a handful of digital art that will be played on a screen down there as well. So as soon as I find out exactly where it will be, I will make sure to let the board members know so you can take a look. But congratulations to all of those students as well. And speaking of the school board's
convention, um there is a a slight conflict. We have Spartan Scholars that same week. It was somewhat unavoidable with all of the different nights this fall that and days off of school to try and fit everything in. So if you are not going down to school boards on Monday
evening, perhaps you can attend Spartan Scholars. You should have received that invitation. Mrs. Gerine forwarded it to each of you. And if you could just let her know if you're attending or not. And if you will be at school boards, you'll be at school boards. and that's fine, too. But I did just want to put that on on on your, you know, make you aware of
that. Okay. And and for the rest of the public, we have a lot of exciting events happening in October. We have our preschool parent huddle, OTHS share the keys, some social events, a PTA golf outing for Wamasa school. I encourage everybody to take a look at the school
calendar and uh the calendar on the website to have specific dates and times of all of these events. a few just to highlight. Schools are closed on October 13th. I want to make sure the parents are aware and remember that schools are closed on October 13th. Um but please we
have uh OTES paints a pumpkin and one massa PTA trunk or treat and our eighth grade open house at the high school for our incoming eighth graders which we also invite them to a kickoff game. those incoming freshmen are invited to a
football game and they they have free entrance and there's a section for them. So, a lot of really great events. Wayside school fall festival. Please check the calendar for your school and the events that are of interest to you to check the times and the dates. All coming up this October.
And at this time, I'd like to turn over the rest of my report to Dr. Kicia Morgan who will present to you the 2025 NJSLA and DE dynamic learning map assessment results. Dr. Morgan.
Thank you. Weldon. Good evening members of the board of education, Superintendent Welen, administrators, staff, and community members. Good evening. Good evening. This evening, I am pleased to present the assessment results for the 2024 2025
school year for the Ocean Township School District. Tonight's presentation will highlight performance on the New Jersey student learning assessments, also known as the NJSLA, and the dynamic learning map, the DM. Our purpose here
this evening is to review student performance outcomes, celebrate areas of growth and share the steps we are taking to ensure continued improvement and equitable success for all students. Next slide please.
So our agenda for this evening is the in first the NJSLA results followed by the dynamic learning map results, areas of celebration and finally areas of focus and next steps. Next slide, please.
Next slide, please. So, participation rates for the NJSLA are more than compliance measures. They represent equity and inclusion. When all students participate, we capture a full picture of our instructional impact. High
participation means that every student's progress contributes to our data story, allowing us to make informed decisions about curriculum, interventions, and supports. So, here are our participation rates for NJSLA. We tried to strive around to get to that
95% um and we did it for most of them and I believe we were we were at 93% for ELA um at the high school. But districtwide we were at 97%. Next slide please. Math participation,
same thing. Um please take note that at the high school in JSLA is given in the fall and in the spring. So I totaled those amounts and gave us the percentage and total district wide was 98%. And finally for science it was 99% for
grades 5 8 and 11. Next slide please. The NJSA, the NJSLA assessments measure student achievement in English language arts, mathematics, and science. Scores are reported in performance levels that reflect how well students meet or exceed
grade level expectations. Level five exceeded expectations, level four met, level three approached, level two partially met, and level one did not meet. Next slide, please. And for science there are four levels. Level
four advanced proficiency, level three proficient, level two near proficiency and level one below proficiency. Next slide please. Next slide please. These charts display district
performance trends and yearover-year growth in ELA, mathematics, and science. You'll see encouraging upward trends across multiple grade level. This slide shows our three-year trend from 2023 to
2025. So, we can see where we've grown and where we'll continue to focus our efforts. This slide compares Ocean School's performance against New Jersey state averages to show where we excel and where we still have opportunities for
growth. And as you can see, we've uh met or exceeded many uh state average in many of our areas in ELA. Many of our grade levels in ELA. These slides highlight outcomes by school and grade level, giving us a
clearer picture of how students are performing districtwide. So, we have our elementary schools. Grade three, the state average was 45% and our district scored 68%.
And grade four, state average was 54% and our district scored 71%. Next slide, please. for TOIS grade five six and seven and eight our state average was 53% in grade five
statewide and 61% for ocean grade six it was 56% districtwide 45% grade seven 57% statewide and districtwide 67%
and grade 8 57% statewide and 52% districtwide And at OTHS where grade nine is assessed uh statewide was 51% excuse me and the district uh average was 56%.
NJSLA Mathematics. Again, this slide shows our three-year trend from 2023 to 2025. So, we can see where we've grown and where we continue to focus. Slide please.
This slide compares Ocean School's performance against New Jersey state averages. Once again, our Ocean students met or exceeded the New Jersey averages in many of the grade levels.
And these slides again highlight the outcomes for school and grade level in mathematics, giving us a clearer picture of how students are performing district-wide in math. Grade three, the state average is 50%. And our district average was 64% and
grade four 47% and our district average was 58%. And again with levels five through eight, comparing the state average to the district average. And at TOIS
um sorry algebra 1 we had a total of uh for TOIS we had a total of 70 students who took algebra 1 and 80% scored met or exceeded expectations. At OTHS, we had
90 students, I'm sorry, 90 students in the spring who uh took the algebra 1 assessment and 21% were met or exceeded expectations. Next slide, please. We at excuse me we had 11 students at
tois who uh took out who took geometry and I'm proud to say that 100 100% met or exceeded expectations and we had 13 students at OTHS and 28% met or exceeded expectations and we did not meet the
state average in this area but we will be working towards that for next year but we were close at 44% versus 47%. for science. Once again, comparing our trends from 2023 to 2024 and 2025
and comparing our state averages to our district averages. And we met the district. We we beat the state average in all three grade levels in science, 5, 8, and 11. Next slide, please.
So, now we're going to talk about our subgroup performance. Our subgroup data was analyzed across grade levels and content areas. While some achievement gaps remain, targeted supports, inclusive instructional practices, and datadriven interventions are being
implemented to close these gaps across all of our subgroups. Our ELA subgroups from 2023, 2024, and 2025. We increased in many areas or we held steady.
For math, we increased in many areas and our total population increased. Next slide, please. And for science, we also increase in many areas and our total population increase
for our school district. These comparisons illustrate areas of sustained growth as well as subgroups where focus intervention will continue. So now we're going to talk about our NJSLA areas to celebrate. Our district demonstrated notable growth in ELA in
grades three, four, five, seven, and nine. We surpassed the state average for students meeting or exceeding expectations reflecting the impact of increased writing instruction, data informed small group teaching, and
enhance enhanced literacy routines. In mathematics, our math achievement continues to trend upward, especially in grade five, which saw an 18% increase in students meeting or exceeding expectations. In science, all tested grade levels
exceed exceeded state averages and more students achieved and met and met the expect exceeding expectations level than in the past year. So, we had 60% who met it in uh who who had met or
exceeded expectations in ELA, 45% who met or exceeded expectations in math, and 32% who met or exceeded expectations in science. And that's an increase year-over-year. Next slide, please. So, where are our areas of focus? We
will continue to use evidence-based instructional practices, implement targeted small groupoup interventions, and continue professional development on inclusive strategies, scaffolds, and cultural respon responsive
practices. We implemented high impact targeted tutoring at the elementary level for the past two years, and we are now looking to duplicate this success at our middle school level. Next slide, please.
Next slide, please. So, using linkage, administrative teams analyzed student performance data and guided teachers in reviewing their own results. Teachers identify key levels of improvement, key areas of for improvement, and created targeted action
plans to address student needs. This datadriven approach influenced professional development, curriculum decisions, and the design of intervention services. Next slide, please. So, our ELA next steps for grades K
through five is to focus areas include in strengthening instructional practices through structured writing routines, maximizing learning during the you do phase of the lessons and fostering collaborative discussion around grade level text.
Teachers will receive coaching on developing language objectives to support our multilingual learners and will incorporate culturally relevant multimodal texts that reflect their students diverse backgrounds. The continued implementation of inclusive
instructional strategies remains a key priority to ensure all students are supported and engaged. or ELA next steps for 6 through 12. We will continue implementing inclusive instructional strategies by incorporating sheltered English
instruction to support our multilingual learners. Teachers will model writing through shared and guided practice and use flexible grouping and conferencing to deliver individual feedback that meets each students needs. Our
math next steps for K5 instruction will emphasize the you do stage to promote independent skill application, knowledge transfer and mastery. Teachers will set clear expectations, provide scaffolds with gradual release of support and use
accountability measures, informative checks to monitor progress. Professional development will focus on inclusive strategies, scaffolding techniques, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. Math next steps for 6 through 12 math
instruction in our middle and high school will incorporate the thinking classroom strategies to enhance student engagement and problem solving skills. Teachers will structure meaningful math discourse, use random grouping, and
emphasize open-ended problems and multiple solution pathways. I'm very excited about this because I know Mr. Cologne has been working hard with his teachers and is evident in how students are working together and the that they're talking through math problems
instead of just solving them. And we know that helping them think it through will help them succeed in solving the problems. Next. So before we move on to dynamic learning maps, I just wanted to point out that this school year marks the final
administration of the NJSLA in its current form. Where's your class? Right. Beginning in the spring, we don't know yet. We don't know yet. Beginning in the spring, students will transition to the
new NJSLA adaptive and the NJSLAN NJ NJPA adaptive assessments. These state assessments are part of New Jersey shift towards computer adaptive testing, which adjust question difficulty based on each
student's responses to provide a more accurate measure of their skills and understanding. This fall, students will participate in a field test. All students in New Jersey from grades 4 through 10 and selected juniors and seniors will participate in
a field test. The field test serves as a non-graded trial version of for these future assessments designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the adaptive tested technology. Students in grades four through 10 based on their enrollment in the in I'm sorry
in select 11th and 12th graders. based on their enrollment in their 2425 math course will participate in the statewide field test between October 27th and November 14th. Families will receive a letter from their child's school principal with the confirmed testing
dates and additional details. We encourage all students to participate in the field test as it presents a valuable opportunity for them for them to become familiar with the new platform. Next slide, please. Now, we're going to move on to dynam
dynamic learning maps. The dynamic learning maps assessments are designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, providing a way for them to demonstrate their knowledge in ELA, math, and science. Student performance is measured across
four levels of proficiency. emerging, approaching the target, at target, and advance. In 2025, 27 students, including 13 out of district placements, participated. Due to the small group sizes, results
are reported districtwide. These assessments guide individualized instruction and reflect our commitment to high expectations and equitable access for all learners. Can you go back to the next the other slide, Marian? I'm sorry. So, every
grade had fewer than 10 students. Therefore, we cannot report the scores by grade level. And this graph shows the district-wide performance. Next slide, please. You can see where our students fell emerging approaching at target. We have
4% who were advanced. We will continue to provide parents and guardians with resources to help them interpret results, support at home learning, and strengthen the school home partnership to improve to improve student achievement.
And in conclusion, the 2025 assessment results demonstrate meaningful progress across multiple levels. Our instructional shifts rooted in evidence evidence-based practices, inclusive teaching, and data informed decision-making are making a difference.
Wea we remain committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that every student in the township of ocean is engaged, supported, and prepared for success. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our schools, students, and staff. Thank you, Dr. Morgan. I appreciate
that. Uh, so I would like to open it up to the board if any of you have any questions for Dr. Morgan, Mr. Schneider. Thank you. Um, so when you go to adaptive uh testing, do you believe that's going to be harder for the kids?
So, I don't know. I'm gonna be honest. We I I just went through a training um two weeks ago. Um it wasn't that great. So, I would just have we would just have to wait and see. I'm hoping that it will be better because it will allow them to be tested on what we know that they already know
because the test will get harder as they answer questions correctly. Okay. I was trying to think about it like the SAT. The SAT is now like that too. Yeah. I have a second question. Please go ahead. The trending looks positive, right? you mentioned, but the the meet
or exceeds percent still seems low. And I from what I read, I'm not an expert, but that they have a target of by 2030 that be at 80 80% meet or exceeds. You think we have a pathway to get there? I think so. Yes, I do. I think we're growing. Um, I believe that we have a
great team of people who are working very hard to put specific strategies and professional development in place to help our teachers who will in turn help our students. So, I believe we have a chance. Absolutely. Other questions from members of the
board. Mrs. Skelman, Dr. Morgan, thank you for your presentation and I appreciate the upward trending. Uh, just looking at some of our areas in need of improvement, grades six
and eight in both ELA and in in math. We have a new math program. Do you think that uh is any way responsible for those lower scores in grades six and eight? Well, then seven was just trying to
figure out what it is about those two grades that was a little bit lower in ELA and uh the math. Well, there's a number of things that we talked about um before the state even released the uh final data. Um we knew there was
something that we need to talk about. So, we've been working with the middle school um since July about how we can ensure that students are being serviced. We are focusing on our intervention services. We're definitely focusing on our um inclusive strategies. We talked
about that over during our admin retreat and that's a goal for everyone across the district. We're focusing on eight specific strategies and each month the middle the middle school I know because I saw their plan where they are focusing on a specific strategy and they are and
we are expected to go into classrooms to ensure that those strategies are being implemented. Great. Excellent. Thank you. You're welcome. Mrs. Stevens, I just have more of a comment. That sounds like a really good plan because I think we can't forget that group was most impacted during COVID. Yes. Right. Five years ago. So, so now
they're approaching middle school and we're still seeing those outcomes there because of that. That's a good point. Very good point, Miss Steven. Thank you. Govern also point out eighth grade. Eighth grade is always a weird grade for us because we do have so many people in the in geometry and in algebra. It's
never really like an accurate subset of our eighth grade students if I would say for our year. Um, it's a lot of numbers. I appreciate you concising it in a way that we could um, look at it. Um, I also just want to commend, you know, I think that we definitely have seen as we know we
started a little I feel with ELA a little bit more with our coaching and our job coaches and kind of getting a really good hold on that. the ELA numbers were I think really all the numbers were you know good but the ELA numbers really I think we've made such a stride in that over the last couple
years and that is to all of you sitting back there and I think math is looking promising I also think that the pivots that you have done in math don't always show up in these in these things you know the the offerings that you that you have brought all of you have brought all
of you including you um to the high school but also down to the middle school of just even the summer, you know, enrichment map that kids attended this summer. You know, you really I think that you're doing a really good job of balancing giving our high achievers
more options to continue their growth and giving our, you know, lower achievers pathways to get become a high achiever. And I just think that you're all balancing that really well in in, you know, districtwide. But I think math has kind of always been one of those things that everybody can kind of look
at and think we're not very good at. But I think that there's so many ways that don't this does not accurately display that and I just want to commend you on the things that you have been doing as a you know administrative staff to find all of our students where they're at and
try and make sure that there is a place in a classroom where they feel confident and they can strive to what their ability may be even if their ability is awesome in that class but it may not be what looks like it's awesome here. So I just wanted to so in your training that you've had
recently is there any indication of what reporting will look like next year so that when you have to do this same report again next year will there be will you even be able to do the multi-year comparison or you don't know yet? I I don't know. Okay. I'm I'm struggling
to get through it was 250 slides. There you go. Okay. So, just imagine I'm still trying to get through that because you wonder like you put a lot of work into a multi-year presentation here
and I know how much goes into that, but next year might data come out very differently and you're answering to the board and and sharing all this information with a totally new baseline. Right. Right. Yep. That's possible. That's going to be very hard to compare.
So, um, good luck. I'm sure there will be more trainings. I was aware that the notice about the adaptive testing came out August 13th a little late. Um, so kudos to you and the team for all the work on that because I know field testing is a major
undertaking. Not that we're not teaching kids also, but now we have to go through all of that and that's scheduling, that's technology, that's a lot. So, thank you to all of you for all you do. And before I sit, I do want to acknowledge the team. Um, this is a
wonderful, wonderful team. I was just telling Miss Weldon today, I'm so happy to be here. It's a lot of work, but I am very happy to be here to work with a a group of dedicated smile to work with a group of dedicated professionals such as them. So, thank you for being here. Happy work.
Thank you. Wait. Yeah. So, so, uh, Dr. Moore, I do just want to give the public an opportunity just because it's our practice with conversation. So, sorry. Uh, do we have any members of the public here who would like to ask a question pertaining specifically to uh the presentation?
Okay. Nothing, Elliot. No. Okay. Uh, and uh, Mr. Conway, does anyone uh, watching virtually desire to ask a question pertaining specifically to the presentation? Yes, Mr. President. Alex Hayes,
please go ahead. Hi, Alex Hayes Oakst. Um, as always, thank you to Dr. Morgan and all the staff that helped present this data presentation. I know it's a lot of work, a lot of numbers, a lot of crunching. Um, I did want to just start with the positives. Um, I'm kind of liking the
shift in the uh new testing to the adaptive style. I think that sounds kind of fascinating and might be a better gauge of student capabilities. So, I'm looking forward to that. Um, and what our scores will be next. Um, if I'm not mistaken, it looks like OTES scores have
risen dramatically um from like 5 years ago or so, you know, since um you all brought in an awesome new principal, Miss Lenik. So, kudos to her and the amazing staff there. Um, uh, I have a couple of questions. Um, math, so like
the shining spot in spot in math seem to be the fifth graders, right? sixth through eighth. Not just sixth and eighth from what I saw, but 6th, 7th, and eighth, not so much. So, has there been any discussion about moving away from the block scheduling, the 86th
minutes or whatever for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders? Cuz to me, that seems to be like the glaring difference between fifth grade and then sixth, seventh, and eighth. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have math what, two and a half times a week. Um is there any
correlation that you all can compare um in that respect? We are continuing to no to answer your question we are not comparing based on the scheduling but we are continuing to look at our schedule and evaluate our
schedule for next steps. Okay. I have I think uh three more questions. um the grade eight um ELA dip. Um I know some of the charts seem to have what last year's was, and correct me if I didn't see it. Maybe
maybe u we went over it real quickly. Um but did we compare that with last year's seventh graders? Like did last year's eighth graders, this year's seventh grade that showed I mean this year's eighth grade that showed quite a bit of a dip. Did they have that same dip last year? Like is there a way to see is it
like that class as a whole that might be showing some trends where were some root causes perhaps you know that something was missed in elementary ages or whatever like are you going back in the whole population to see what happened last year with the current eighth
graders as well? Yes, we always look at previous years and I can get that data for you but I just don't have it in front of me. Sure. Okay. Um and then I think I have one more question then a comment. Um
so in that math seventh and eighth sixth, seventh and eighth grade with the state average you know only it seemed only 11% to 29% in those three grades met or exceeded grade level. So that you know means a majority of sixth, seventh
and eighth graders did not meet state uh or exceed state levels. Um, I know I I I kind of have a feeling what you might say because I know it's it's an evolving process, but we've been saying this for seven years or so. Um,
are we are we missing the mark at some elementary stages where some of these math math foundations have started? Like I don't know. I feel like we're changing the middle school math, but what other drastic or possible wholesale changes
might we be looking at that kind of address math early on, if that makes sense? I think we must keep in mind that many of many of our students in the middle school, specifically in grade seven and eight, they advance. So these scores may not be they may not indicate exactly
what all students are doing in these grade levels cuz we have some students who are taking algebra 1 even 11 students at tois took geometry in the eighth grade. So I think that's a positive.
Yeah. I don't know if that really was what I was getting at in my question. I can I can email you some of these questions just to make it a little bit more um I don't know po specific or pointed I guess. Um I just have two other comments. Um or I guess these are
questions. Um maybe it is to the school board president. Um I know you opened up the public comment saying, you know, does anyone have questions about these specific test results, but I don't really know how anybody would know that you're going over this tonight. Um,
seems to me that you don't really want people to know or ask questions. I mean, I know I think that's not a huge shocker, but am I going to be the only one that's asking questions? Probably. It would be nice if anybody else does, but probably. I don't know how anybody would know that Dr. Morgan is going to be doing this detailed, comprehensive
presentation, as happens two to four times a year. And of course, nobody knows that this is the few times a year you're actually asked to to get questions from the public. And last, um, so I don't know if that's a question like why are we not I'll pose
that as an official question. Why are we not telling the public, you may ask questions tonight on all these test scores? Parents, if you have any questions about your kids testing or how we did overall, I guess that's the question. Um, and then I'm going to just
end with um, none of the schoolboard members, unless I missed it, seemed to make any questions about the subgroups or the minorities. Um, yes, it was great that it seems all those subgroups raised between last year
and this school year on the two two years that were in the in the scoring. um except for like black students for example. Um the Latino students didn't seem to get as much of a a bump as some of the other um subgroups. So um the
disparities still remain in the overall scores and it's still alarming to me. Thank you. Thank you for your comments, Mrs. H. Mrs. Conway, do we have any other questions pertaining specifically to the presentation from any members of the public? No, Mr. President. No further commenters.
Thank you very much, Mr. Conway. Dr. Morgan, thank you so much for an awesome presentation. We really appreciate it. Mr. Hastings, school business administrators report. Thank you, Mr. Did you have That concludes my wonderful. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Hastings, please.
Thank you, sir. Um, Miss Weldon mentioned upgrades at the um high school cafeteria. I would just also note that we invested in new equipment there as well in addition to TOIS and and um are looking at some of the other buildings to upgrade cafeteria equipment uh to
provide better meals and uh different cooking processes for uh for our students. Um we are planning and continue to plan projects going forward. Uh believe it or not, we're starting to look at the 2027 budget. Um
uh but in in keeping with projects that are continuing uh if you have been by Wanamasar Wayside, you'll note expanded preschool playgrounds uh uh that have been installed. Uh I believe we're waiting for fencing over at Wanamasa,
but but the install is complete there in terms of the of the uh ground materials, the rubberized materials and the equipment itself. Uh and we're also now uh upgrading some of our transportation fueling uh equipment and and conducting some testing there as well. So um we
continue to look at things and are continuing to move projects forward and uh and are looking forward to our 2027 budget as are we all as are we all Mr. Aces. Thank you very much. Um, 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 up here on the deis uh and her her email is available on our brand new beautiful district website. Um, so we encourage you to contact her with any questions that you may have. Public participation will 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 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 item at this time? All right, Mrs. Conway. Uh, do we have any commenters in the queue? Yes, we do. Mr. President, we have Keith Chapman. Please go ahead.
Chapman, please go ahead. Good evening, Keith Chapman from Oakhurst. Um, yeah, two questions quickly. The cell phone uh district policy is to for students to take their cell phone, put it, store it in pouches. Um I know this is very common in many
schools, my district as well. Um question is is uh will the district cover the cost if the stolen, broken, they these things fall off the walls? Um you know, who covers that once it's out
of the kids' hands? you know, why aren't we teaching kids more on how to professionally manage their devices and manage their time with them? Um, you know, how many adults have them out? Would you put your phone in a pouch on
the exit of a door in that room right now? Um, you know, we're asking kids to do that. And yes, keeping the phones out of the kids' pockets and and away is is definitely needed, but you know, who pays for it if they do if they are
damaged and do we have a policy in place that for in case that happens? Um, second, you know, and going back to those scores and what's next, um, there was nothing really presented that was nothing surprisingly new that we would
be improving upon or changing um, in terms of how to address it. nothing overwhelming. It was the same stuff. And I don't know if that's just the typical um approach to what we do as educators or whatever. You can there's only so
much that we can do in the last 10 years or 15 no 25 years from 2000. There's been five major changes in assessments. Five major changes. I don't see how you can really compare what the ninth graders right now did versus what the
they did nine years ago because it's so difficult. And now we change again. Surprise, surprise. You know, it that that is I I think it's just a difficult um position that we are all in. Um thank
you. Have a good night. Thank you for your comments, Mr. Chapman. Mr. Conway, do we have any other commenters in the queue? Yes, President McCarthy. Alex Hayes, please go ahead. Hi, Alex Hayes from Oakhurst. Um, I'd
like to echo what Miss Weldon said about the website. I think it looks so much better. I'm super excited that it seems to be much more mobile friendly. Um, the last upgrade didn't did not seem to be mobile friendly at all. Um, you mentioned a bunch of teachers and staff helping. So, I'm assuming maybe it's
internal or is it a cost to have the um website upgrade? Like did you go out to RFBP RFP or um is it like internal folks are upgrading? It looks great and I can't wait to see when it's done. You mentioned new me new messaging. So, I'm
wondering like are those new programs, new apps, and what's the cost on that? Um I'm seeing a lot of my friends in other towns post awesome pictures of their probably eighth graders. I think um being inducted to the National Junior Honor Society, it would be awesome and I
still don't understand why we don't have that at the middle school um I think kids take great pride in that. Um it would be really awesome if we can look into that. My kid won't even be in eighth grade next year, but would be nice if we can have that as a further Spartan legacy for the middle schoolers.
Um, there was no Wi-Fi at the big nights on campus like for the to back to school and the high school back when I was on the school board. We were told that it basically is just like a switch that you can flip on and off a switch to get parents to have access. So, when I was
trying to find my kids schedules because of course I didn't screenshot it before I left. Um it's quite difficult to navigate these foreign um buildings because quite to many surprise not everybody went to Ocean Township High School in this town. Uh there are some
of us who don't know these buildings very well. So it would have been really helpful to have Wi-Fi. Um also um and and I'm actually that's a question. I should pose it as a question. Why can't we have Wi-Fi on big build big nights at
the buildings? Um, also, um, I see 163 Monmouth is on the board goals. This, I guess, is a statement. Good luck ignoring that goal as you have for the last few years. Um, but in all seriousness, if you can sell the building and raise some muchneeded
funds, the taxpayers will definitely thank you. Um, I'm awaiting to see if you actually do anything on that board goal of yours. Um, it's been brought to my attention that some people with appointments at the board office have been told to sit outside and wait on the
steps because, you know, you have to be buzzed to be um, brought in. So, I'm just wondering why can't people be let into the building if they have an established appointment? Like, there's plenty of chairs in various hallways at the board building. Um, you don't obviously need to reply right now, but
it seems something easily that the board of ed can simply with policy create. Don't have parents waiting outside when they have a meeting um going on inside. Nobody should be waiting half an hour on the steps. Um, I was just wondering what
the latest on the coach Ki possibly renaming, you know, whether it's the Carelli Field, the stadium or any kind of uh something or another. Um, I thought when board member Grace Anne Talico made a motion, there was a deadline to present options to the board. I thought it was November. So,
I'm curious, will that be on the agenda next month? That's a question mark. Um, uh, let's see, two more things. I was checking on the publicly available court records for that lawsuit that the former employee is suing the school district,
um, Irene Gilman and the previous superintendent, Dr. banquetss for like the illegal firing that she alleges. Um the district was ordered by the judge to stop delaying and to respond and to actually um respond to the interrogatories. So my comment is I hope
that this is not still happening. I hope you all are following through with the judge's orders and I hope that um case comes to a resolution soon. Um also my last comment is to Mr. McCarthy. you forgot to mention when you said let's
open up public comment because at the last public meeting it was oddly and weirdly and even comically mentioned like ad nauseium you must address me please address me please only address me and nobody else um so you forgot to mention that at the beginning but I'm
semi-kitting you can't really tell people who they can and cannot address at public comment thank you thank you for your comments Mrs. Hayes Mrs. Coming. Do we have any other members of the public who wish to comment in the queue? No, Mr. President. There are no further commenters.
Very well. Uh, approval of minutes. Mr. Dolan. Motion to approve items 7.1 7.2 minutes from the September 16th meeting. Second. Mr. Hings, would you call the role? This is 7.1 and two. Mr. Brady. Yes.
Mr. Dalton. Yes. Mrs. Dam. Yes. Mr. Skilman. Yes. Mrs. McGovern. Yes. Mr. Schneider. Yes. Miss Stevens, yes. Mr. Tyler Rico, Mr. McCarthy, yes. Motion carries.
Uh, personnel, M. McGovern, move to approve items 8.1 through 8.18. May I have a second? Second. Mr. Hes, would you call the RO, sir? This is 81 through 818. Mr. Brady, yes. Mr. Dalton, yes.
Mrs. Dam, yes. Mrs. Skilman abstain from 8.5 head wrestling and abstain from 8.6 yes to all. Thank you. Mr. McGovern, yes.
Mr. Schneider, yes. Miss Stevens, yes. Mr. McCarthy, yes. Motion carries. If I may interrupt briefly, I'd like to uh congratulate Miss Dematos who's here with us this evening, who's going to be joining us in our department
of facilities and also to Mrs. Erin Ley who is moving over into the supervisor of special education for the elementary level. We will be missing her in the tech world for her. Thank you.
Congratulations to you both. Thank you, Mrs. Welton. Uh, financial management and resource services. Mrs. Dam, move to approve items 9.1 through 9.6. Second. Oh, so it's 91 through 95. Right. We're going to discuss 96. Is that correct?
Am I Am I in correct? Are we approving? Oh, sorry. I apologize. 91 through 95. We can actually approve 96 if the board is that uh it's that their pleasure. Okay. All right. So, do I have any questions on 9.6 section from any
members of the board. Question. All right. So, if that is the case, then Miss Dan, please, if you could just again move 91 through 96. Uh, motion to approve 91 through 96. Second. Second. Thank you.
91 through 96. Mr. Brady, yes. Mr. Tolton, yes. Mrs. Dam, yes. Mr. Gilman, yes. Mrs. McGovern, yes. Mr. Schneider, yes. Miss Stevens, yes. and Mr. McCarthy. Yes. Motions carry. Instruction, education, and student
activities. Mr. Dolton. Motion to approve items 10.1 through 10.4. Do I have a second? I second. Very well. Mes, would you call the role? 101 through 104. Mr. Brady? Yes. Mr. Dalton? Yes.
Mrs. Dam? Yes. Mr. Gilman? Yes. Mrs. McGovern? Yes. Mr. Schneider? Yes. Miss Stevens? Yes. And M. McCarthy? Yes. All right. And policy. Miss Gilman, please. Yes. President McCarthy uh resolved that
the board approved the first readings of revised or new policies and regulations as follows. Uh this is our first reading and uh just want to point out 1648 which is being abolished and that is any
recordkeeping in schools for COVID. So, that's something new. And of course, you'll have a chance to look over the other ones before we vote at our next meeting. Thank you, Mrs. Gilman. Do you have any questions from any members of the board or any comments about any of the proposed policies that are up for first
reading this evening? Very well. So, we will not vote on that this evening. That'll be that'll be available for final final reading in our next board meeting. All right, board goals. Uh, so I'm just going to
bring this one to the floor. I apologize, Mrs. Dan. Um, but, uh, with that, uh, I do believe that we have some discussion and, uh, I think Mr. Schneider had wanted to propose a few changes. So, yeah. So, uh, related to board goal two,
um, I want I was bringing it up for discussion, Mr. McCarthy. Um, my proposal, I apologize for getting it late. I just Here we are. We're about to vote on these. So, um I I just thought it would might make sense for us to have a more broader um or goal related to
number two. So, as I as I would suggest, I would make it to foster and maintain an inclusive and respectful district culture. Period. I'm going to read it slow because it's a little bit long, so I don't want to uh have to constantly read it. goes on to say the the board
commits to creating adopting and enforcing policies that a clearly prohibit hate speech, harassment or discrimination in any form, b establish clear standards for employee conduct and speech and postings and both while using district resources including and
including private social media and C ensure a fair transparent process for investigating alleged misconduct with appropriate consequences that are consistent with district, state, and federal law. Thank you, Mr. Schneider, for bringing that to the board's attention. So, we have a a proposed
change to our board goals uh that the board can consider uh and choose to um discuss at this time, right? So, we don't have an official motion on the floor. There is just discussion from the board. Miss McGovern, did you want to start? Yeah, I would just say that um I
think what what you proposed might already be in policy it and I think that it does it doesn't include what I thought the intention of of uh goal number two was. I would think it was more about an inclusive district
culture for all of our students, no matter what their, you know, to make our our community more inclusive, not so much about um I think that's bringing maybe current events of the world into a board
goal. And I I'm think this is more about our district. That's my opinion on it. Do I have any other comments from any other members of the board? Mrs. Uh I would agree that several of the things that you mentioned are already in our policies as far as u uh behaviors
and and respect and consequences of actually I know that they're in our policy and I know that when I was president one of the things that um was discussed in uh instruction mandating how to conduct was
to make sure that the goals were concise so that uh their broader in terms I I know you wanted to drill down into certain areas that you mentioned there but again I think that we've already included them and like Mrs. McGovern. I
think that strengthening u you know fostering and strengthening an inclusive uh district culture kind of incorporates what we expect for our students especially those who enter uh
you know and and may not feel that their place is being recognized. Just my comments about your uh suggestions. I like the word foster. Do I have any other members of the board who wish to comment on what has been
proposed at this time? I would just say I agree with both comments. Um I would suggest that we could add support programs and efforts that continue to strengthen inclusive district culture for our students and possibly staff
um to that so that it keeps it concise that it is about the kids even if we just leave it. I think it's our staff should be included in that as well. Uh Mr. Dolan. Yeah, I would I would agree and and also think about the testing presentation that we just had. Right. So when we
think about all the work we do in curriculum and instruction as a district, when we think about um the other goals that we have about how you know we look at increasing our uh communication within the community, this goal to me focused on the instructional
programs, the professional development programs for our staff. Um, and we've we've had other presentations related to our uh multilingual language learners and programs that the district has offered to engage and connect with with
different segments of our community. So, that's how I was reading this goal. So, I you know, I'm trying to think of how that all melts together. Mrs. govern. But I would say like the reason I like how broad it is
is because my inclusive district culture was more around in my head was more around also after school and and during you know like different things like that. So I think that having it broad is giving it to our great staff to say okay
in your department what can you do to make it more inclusive and this you know that's what I was so I think it's good to have it kind of broad so that it's it's you know across every realm that it can be that we want to be we want every Spartan that walks in the front door to feel like they have a place and like
they not just a place when they walk in the door and when they leave at 2:00. You know what I'm saying? High school, right? Like you walk in at 7:30, you leave at 1:55. You have a place there. Guess what? You also have a place at 156 to go somewhere somewhere else in the building or you have a place to come back for the homecoming dance or you
have a place to come to, you know, different things on the Maya Cup tonight. You know, you have a place to do different things and and that's for every district, right? Like, you know, you had a lot of little Spartans over at Maya Cup. You just want everybody, you want to we want to foster the Spartan
world through this town that is is a place of love and a place that every child can feel that they walk in a door and they have somebody in that building and somebody outside of that building on any given day, any given
Sunday to be, you know, to be have a place. And that's how so I I love that you're reading it one way, I'm reading it another way, but it's all about inclusion over the entire world that they may be a part of. And I, if I may add, I you know, when I
read inclusive, my mind as the educator that in my experience also focuses on programs around special education are preschool to postgraduate, right? So, um, you know, that term for those of us that have worked in the
special education world is also how are we creating opportunities for many children who may not be involved in the typical afterchool activities but are involved in after school
activities or may be with us until they're 21 years old. Um, so you know, programs and inclusive when I see I'm thinking of all that you've mentioned and you know, everything we've talked
about being all of it. So had some comments in the con any comments in the pro for modifying the policy? Sorry, modifying the goal. Correct. Very well.
Do I have a motion to approve the goals as they are written in the agenda? A motion to approve the written in the agenda. Do I have a second? I second. Second. Mr. Aces, would you please call the role
for item 12.1 without any adjustments? Mr. Brady? Yes. Mr. Balton? Yes. Mrs. Dan? Yes. Scaleman? Yes. Uh, Mrs. McGovern. Yes, Mr. Schneider. Yes. Uh, with, uh, no for number two.
I'm sorry. With no for number two. Number two. Thank you. Uh, Miss Stevens, yes. Mr. McCarthy, yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Uh, old business. Do I have any old business from any
members of the board? Am I missing something or you give me a look? No, I have old business if if once the board has their chance. Does the board have any old business that they would like to comment on? Very well, Mrs. Walden. Okay. A few months back, the board did
give us a directive to bring together some ideas to honor Coach Ki and uh I have some information to share in that regard. I did just want to give we have some new board members, so I did want to just give a little overview. um at least
from my perspective on this this journey to honor uh this great coach and teacher and administrator that worked in our district for many many years. Um in 2023 when when I began my superintendency I I was aware that it was the 40th
anniversary of the 1993 state football Saints championship of which coach George Ky was the head coach of that team. Um, it was his last year as head coach. Just a few bits of information. It was his last year as head coach. His son was the starting quarterback of the
team. It was an undefeated season. And we were number one in the state. And we beat Long Branch, which has long been a friendly rivalry of ours, uh, right right here at home uh, in Spartan Stadium. And, uh, it was, you know, an
unbelievable an unbelievable time uh, in our school. And certainly coach Kanti has I I've often been uh known to say there probably could not be a Spartan legacy, a hashtag Spartan legacy without
big red country before it. And um Coach Ki certainly deserves the recognition for coining that. I think he came into Ocean at a time when morale was low and spirit was low and helped build uh
community, school community around the concept of this is Big Red Country and and we are the Big Red. And certainly the people who played for him could do a better job of explaining what that felt like than I can, but but from the outside certainly
anyone in the community knew about it. Um and I I felt when I became the principal of the high school, it was at a time uh it was 2010 and it was at a time where educator morale was very low. There were a lot of changes in the state at the time. So teacher morale was low,
student spirit was low and our community needed a touchstone to rally around and at that time that was there came the the Spartan legacy hashtag. But it doesn't happen without some history of tradition and parents who lived through the big
red tradition time wanting their children who were now Spartans to feel something similar. And and I think it I think it became as popular as it is today because of what we built it upon and those that came before us, which I always think is very important as a
community that you remember those who came before you and and helped build the community that we have. Okay. So, I did believe it was important to recognize Coach Ki in some way at that time. Um, while we were working through what that should be, we made many announcements at
football games during timeouts and halfimes. We posted things on our social media and I knew that we were going to nominate Coach Ki for the alumni hall of fame. He was already an inductee in our athletic hall of fame, but our alumni hall of fame was fairly new and this was
to recognize both alumni and staff who had a a major contribution to our school. So, we did later that year induct him into the hall of fame. Um, I also knew about a group of former players that were pro putting together an event to honor coach Ki and they held
that event in Asbury Park that school year and I went and spoke at the event on behalf of the school district to honor him as well. I began investigating what could we name here at school in his honor and I was in touch with the group
of people who were putting on this benefit. A few of them were here a few months back to speak. So you you got to meet them. Uh Dr. Manalakus was somewhat of a leader of that group at the time. Um and we talked a little bit about naming something and I thought that the
weight room might be a a good solution, a good place. Dr. Coach Ki was often seen in the weight room in his time here. If it wasn't on the football field, it was also in the weight room. And I thought that might be a nice place to to honor him and put his name on the wall. Um but I think the group wanted
something bigger. I think they wanted the field or the stadium. Um, and we already had a name on our field. So, I did at the time consult with the then board attorney, Mr. Taylor, about naming something larger because I I couldn't
find any history of how we've ever named anything large in our district. We have Al Carelli Fields and we have Wayne Walton gym and in my I we don't have a policy for naming facilities. So, I I was not a student at that time. I don't
know what happened. I've been told thirdand that both of those individuals died somewhat unexpectedly on the younger side and and these these facilities were named sort of impulsively right after uh in their honor and and we honor them still to
this day in many different ways, awards and scholarships, things like that. But we didn't have a policy. and the board attorney at the time said to me, "This last thing the superintendent should do is name some big part of the facility without a policy and involving the board of education." Um, so we I looked into
some of these policies and and thought about bringing them forward, but I found that many of them in other districts where they have a naming policy, one of the requirements is that the person has already passed away. So that's sort of where that pathway ended. And then other things came up and
and I was talking with Dr. Manocus and you know we were having conversations here and there but but it didn't I did not move it forward at that point. Um okay so that's sort of the history. Then you saw the gentleman that came to speak on coach K's behalf. So we've discussed
a few you know I've consulted with Mr. Hastings on this a few different ideas. Of course the wait room remains a possibility. We also are in the process of replacing some of the large trailers that are on the sort of angled on the
fields. And if you've ever been to a out to our field, you see that they say big red country. Um so those will be newer. We we are talking about what you know what color they will be, what will they say. It is possible that we could pay
some tribute to Coach Conci. You know, we could rename the trailer Big Red uh Coach Ki's Big Red Country. Certainly, that was his concept and that would be out there on the field for all to see at almost any athletic event. It was brought up here as a suggestion from
someone in the public about a statue or um I even like the idea of a red rock. uh he often was referred to sometimes as the rock and you know a touchstone perhaps when the football team comes out of the locker room onto the field where
some recognition to coach Kanti either I think someone said a statue of his bust or a plaque something about what he stood for some quotes maybe some inspirational messaging about him and this touchstone rock that perhaps could
be an idea or we can move forward with a naming policy if the that's the direction the board wants to go and then consider renaming a larger facility part of our facility after coach Kiy um I I would be remiss or hesitant to name
anything like a full school or fields without board approval because I think we need to be measured about what door this opens for future people wanting things named and I think we need the the um parameters to be clear. Naming
smaller spaces. We've certainly hung plaques for other people who have passed away or maybe who haven't even passed away, but who've been been a big contributor of a a science wing or a library, right? We've done that to honor people. We've we've had donations of
plaques and we hang those up. So, those were some of what we after discussing it, some of the the ideas we thought might work. And I really wanted to see the board's position on this. Also, just so you know, I did did mention to the
group that came forward that, you know, this is not something that the district budgets for or that really we would necessarily spend tax dollars on, but I have I have some indication that there would be through fundraising efforts perhaps a donation to help us make
something like this happen from them. Okay, so that's the overview and I was asked to present those ideas. So those are the ones that we've come up with so far. Mrs. Walden, thank you very much for taking all the time during a return to school and dealing with so countless
other uh priorities of the district to do this for us as uh as we asked you to do and uh it's greatly appreciated by the whole board and I'm sure by the town and people who asked us to consider this. Um so the question is now that the
board has directed the administration to do this, they've met that request. Uh where do we want to move forward? Uh I would like to say right this is a wide open request. Uh there's a lot of different opportunities that that we could a lot of different paths that we could go
down. Uh I would dare to go ahead and of course we don't need an answer immediately if people need time to digest everything I just said. I realize that was a lot. Absolutely. uh ditto. Um so so there you go. Uh but uh I I if I as a chair,
right, it's I'm supposed to try to sort of bring debate into a center area and focus the the board, right? We have nine people here, so uh eight present. So the the I think the paths that you should consider agnostic of this situation is
do we develop a policy that we do not have as a board to name schools, fields etc. Um and then potentially consider and that policy should not be developed considering this scenario. Right? That should be a just that is this is our
policy. We would do this regardless of whether or not it would support uh the individual in question. Right? That is the question. Uh if you decide to go that route or do we direct the administration to pursue an alternative route uh that that we think is is
acceptable. Uh and then I think finally funding. Do we desire to utilize school budgets to fund this or do we ask that uh the public who has kind of had a bit of a public outcry if you will for this
uh facilitate said funding. So so very squishy right now. So let's let's open it up for questions. See if we can make it solid. Mrs. Gilman, M. McCarthy, you said finally funding. I think it should be first. You're absolutely right. you know, in in
this uh time of uh limited funds, uh I know the group was very enthusiastic. Um you gave a few alternatives. It might be helpful if we saw the cost of those options. What would a big touchstone
rock cost? What would um you know, renaming of the trailers cost? What would uh a bust cost? And um that might help us to move forward a little bit because it it's very broad thinking
about you know the the plaque in the in the weight room. He was always in the wait room. Everybody who knew coach Kanti knew that that was why he was called the rock. Um so if we had maybe a few options to look at and you know then
we discuss is that uh group going to have further fundraisers to you know raise the money for this tribute to Coach Ki which everybody is behind. But in reality, you know, using tax taxpayer
dollars or, you know, using a a line item in our budget might be might be prohibitive. Mrs. Dame, um, I just, first of all, thank you for the history lesson. I'm not from Ocean Township, so I appreciate all of that.
Um, I think one of my favorite board meetings this year was when the gentleman came and gave that story. And I wish I was woody enough in that time, but what I would like to say first is I hope Netflix is listening to this because I think this is our new Friday Night Blitz and that would be great.
They're moving right here. Um it's a really really great story. Um being a student Yeah. Right. I've been thinking about this a lot. Um um being a student athlete myself, I think celebrating coaches that changes people's lives the way that he clearly
did deserves the love and the intention and to have a lot of thought put into this. Um also I came from Forom where it was the Vince Lombardi mecca, right? One thing that we had there which was really fun and maybe a thought was a victory bell.
You ring it when you win. You go back to school when you're away. You come back, you ring it. It's really fun. It's really great. Maybe just something else to think about. Um, back to all of the three proposals that you had. I think, you know, in any good invention, any good product, right?
You see a void, you should make it. I think that there's a void for a policy. So I think making the policy would be the most prudent thing for us to do and for the future of our school when we have hopefully other great coaches and other great teachers and other great admin that want to be recognized and
that they can get their proper recognition for that. Um the second one forgot what it was path that we want to go down and then finally financials path we want to go down. feel like we have more thought to be put into what
option that is and I think having options in the budget is always a good idea and I think the community is behind this. I think that was very clear when the gentleman's came and talked and I think, you know, having more publicity on this, especially when we have a
better idea of what it could do and I think it would bring the community together to maybe do some fundraising for it. And unfortunately right now with how the budget is and how hard it is, I don't think it would be fair to our students to ask the school to pay for it, but I think that something could
definitely be done and I think our community would be behind that. So, thank you, Mr. D. Mr. adult. Yeah, I I echo uh what Mrs. Dam said. What I would um also say is I had experience in this a number of years
ago in developing a policy around this in another school district and I think that having a policy helps guide us but also helps guide the public. Um most of the policies do indicate a written proposal. I think what was probably absent from
many school districts policies because of time and the way budgets have gone was incurring co you know the costs that are involved. I think that that could be something that's mentioned in a policy. There are model policies out there. Um but I think it gives really good
guidance. It would also help our building administrators when someone approaches them about something that they could refer to a policy. Um I don't think this needs to be a long drawn out development of a policy because there are some models out there. Um and but I
fully support it. I think the the zealous nature of that group um there'll be a way that it is funded. So I I don't doubt that. Um, but I think it would be a good guideline because we're saying that as we're saying this
as this board right now, but I think we need to think about future boards and what they experience at different times. Mrs. McGover, um, I would say that I think a policy should be written at some time. I don't think I don't know that it needs to be written before whatever this gets drawn
out. I think that it's not a bad idea to have a policy in place. Um, I like the rock idea. Um, the reason I like the rock idea is because I think if you think I mean, if you don't know, I have a senior who's on the football team right now. John played on the football team. Mr. Bosman's in the back of the
room played on the football team. Mr. Bosman, Mr. McCarthy, and my son did not play for George Conte. However, there are traditions that are in the Big Red that have come down to when John played, John played, and my son Mickey played. And I think that there's traditions that are still there that are, you know, you
talk about dinners, you talk about um bulle, you talk about many things that are there that that became big with Mr. L the senior's last um practice being carried off the field. Those things have been brought down every year since Mr. Ki was here. I think if you bring
something else like a rock to a field that becomes a tradition for football, right? Like the other kid, the other teams could definitely do it, but we're talking about a football coach. Yes, he was an educator and all these other things, but in the spirit of the people that were here speaking, they're more talking about Mr. Ki as a coach. And I
think that getting being bringing having a large red red rock from when they walk through those gates, if you're there, to when they get to the end zone to touch, to slap, to whatever, it reminds me of Notre Dame hitting the sign going out to play.
And I think that it brings an excitement to the big that even when he was here, even though the entire student body felt big red country and felt everything, you c it's a it's a different feeling of the kids that maybe played football, you
know, it was a different big red country to them, a different responsibility of being part of the big red. And so I think when you put something there that is specifically for football, you know, in in his thing kind of makes a little bit more sense to me.
I think that a bust of him is like in 10 years you're not going to know what that is. But it may, you know, possibly like in 10 years you people might be like, "Oh yeah, it's it's the man you know that that coached and you know, but when you have a rock and it's been 10 years from now and it's a tradition of kids
hitting it and it's like, oh, we do this because of the big red and we do this because of same reason why we carry the seniors off at the last practice." you know, it's just one more thing to bring the excitement of Big Red and maybe some of the traditions that aren't there right now back in as well. So, I think that it I I like the idea of that. Now,
I'm one person. I mean, you know, I don't know how the community I think that um Mr. Dalton is correct in saying that I don't think funding will be a problem for this, but if it is, then it's a problem, right? Um, I think that when we get a cost of it, I also think
the maintenance of just maybe repainting a rock every year, you know, is, you know, is is not as much as somebody, you know, um, polishing a bust every year. You know, it's a little bit might be a little bit less maintenance to have to
um, think about. So, um, the weight room, I mean, it's it's a great idea as well. Um, but I also think, and I, this is just me thinking, I think that that that the gentlemen that were here and other people from Big Red Country would
maybe love to see a rock or something more than something that they won't actually be able to see every day. Like, if you see something that's at the field, it's there. Um, I also don't know that painting Kanti's Big Red Country on, you know, if you want a name, you know, the rocks there, maybe the rock
doesn't have his name or something, but painting Ki's Big Red Country, I don't think that's a terrible, you know, suggestion suggestion either. Um, I just think that, you know, when you really look, as Caitlyn said, and as the gentleman said, when you look at
something that was passed down, um, for this many years when he's been gone for so many, that is still here does deserve something. But, um, you know, but I also do respect that we have Carelli Field and I don't think you
take away from Carllis and rename a field after, you know, when it's been named. And I think, you know, Kanti pressbox doesn't really mean anything because it meant nothing to not that, you know, like he was never up there, you know, he's still on her field, you know, like, you know, unless you put on
the turf cont like I, you know, you know, at some point, but um I think that personally I rock would be in Muslim. That's good. Uh Mrs. Just to reiterate, I think an interactive type of something for coach
Ki feels and again I'm not here but from the sentiment of what I'm hearing feels like the appropriate item for him and for the school and what Miss Weldon what you are recreating and you know the way that you were talking about coach Ki you're also doing that for us well and I
think it's very appropriate that you're bringing back the Spartan legacy so hard and fast in the three years that you've in here that that will continue on and grow as well. Mrs. Gman, um I'm not familiar with ringing of the
bell, but that also sounded interactive. Uh you know, just something as as Amy said to inspire them as they go out onto the field or they come back in from the field. I'd be glad to look into uh a sample a model policy, but I agree with
Miss McGovern that we should not wait on the establishment of a policy which can sometimes take a little longer. So maybe if we can eliminate the some of the suggestions that we might not agree on
and uh those are pretty much the suggestions that are out there now. Okay. Well, then we can maybe narrow it down a little. Maybe uh if I Mr. Schneider, you didn't get to make a comment yet, so please before No, I just wanted to say I I the policyy's good. I think we could use
this man who has obviously had a major impact on on this district, this the school district specifically and it's been evident in I was at the Hall of Fame when he got in. I I listened to the the impassion speeches. I even did some research on my own. He ushered in the the red color that we have. I think I
think the policy shouldn't come before him. We should use the we should use him as the benchmark to try to create that policy that that we want folks to listen live up to. um as it relates to discussing whether he wants this that the other thing. I I I'm reluctant. I would like that to to be something that
that is is is organic that comes from the folks that knew him the best. So, The Rock sounds great because he was The Rock. It's there. It's it's football. It's Notre Dame. I get it. Uh but see what see what the people that were close to him think would be would be good.
Uh so so step in before I uh you know put say something that you disagree with. uh do we as a board say maybe now that we delegate this to the administration, we let them run with it and handle it and and uh that we've given them our guidance. We've asked
them to take action. They have done so. Uh and and then we choose to also simultaneously craft and develop a policy that is separate of this as a board. I I would agree with you. I just all of your comments are wonderful and so appreciated. But I think I need a time
to digest this to see how we should move forward because whereby I hear both of you in terms of not developing a policy, I also can see the importance in us having that in place. Um so if we can maybe table this conversation to Well, Mr. McGovern,
I wasn't saying that we don't need a Oh, no, no, no. I understand that. Yeah, you were saying that's going to come secondary after. I think that that policy is more about naming big things. I think that's more about you know this is as Miss Weldon said we have a library named after you know Senator Fa was his right don't we
have a library named after Mr. or no. Yeah, for one of us. So, we have things, you know, there's plaques of honoring people, but we did, we have not ever renamed a school. It's Wamasa Elementary School, right? With a plaque honoring someone who had a contribution there. Same
thing, Ocean Township School Library with a plaque up honoring someone who had a contribution there. When we write a naming policy, then we would have to be non-discriminatory to anyone who puts in an application that meets the criteria to rename. We would have to be
specific. Are we ready to rename Ocean Township High School something else? So, I think in writing a policy, we have to be ready. I I heard some of the comments it shouldn't be about coach Ki the policy because it will not be about
coach Ki whether this board wants it that way or not. It will be forever what this board has allowed in policy to take place when some applicant meets all criteria. And and this board needs to
know that going in that it you're not creating a policy to honor coach Ki. You're writing a policy or a procedure moving forward. So I think we could we want to honor coach Ki. that much is
clear from all the comments. I think we just have to navigate it carefully. That's all. Mrs. McGovern, so so on the coach KI thing, I think that I am good with it going back to the administration. I think that the administration will probably contact the
group that was here and and say, you know, or maybe they won't say, you know, this is what we're thinking and and how can you help us raise the funds for it? Um I think that the if the policy you're saying because I'm misunderstanding that then if you're saying basically we could name this policy and someone could walk
in similar to a use of facilities and say I have okay not if we crafted appropriately the policy has to be crafted right right you have to be you have to be aware when you write a policy it is for as long as that policy is in place and until it is you know
repealed. So as your opinion as you and you and Mr. Hastings opinion that take let's just say okay we're going to honor Mr. Ki somehow that's over here. Do you all think that there is a void in our district of having a policy on
naming things or do you think that it's putting it in place is more of a is not appropriate to do because I would I would yield to what you all think on the fact that you know it should be Yeah. I think I think that
um a policy I it gives me pause because it opens there we would have to be clear as to why someone would not be granted what they're asking for and that's difficult to do once you've allowed one. It's hard to not allow anyone else, right?
Have that many things to name. And there are many districts that you know of that have schools named after a person. That's because they have a naming policy and a procedure to to rename major things after people. We have had a history in this district, a
practice without a policy. So, a practice of an example is the track. the track uh and maybe cross country and Russy's not here to correct me, but they made a donation and we they donated
three statues that in perpetuity students who have outstanding performance in track get their name put on these statues at the entrance to the field to the track. That was a donation. We didn't budget for that. we they donated and then we keep it up in terms
of the little plaques with with students names on them. Um and I think even they may still contribute and again I would have to double check that but that's like that's one example. That's why I think if this group was willing to make some sort of a donation and we could honor in a in a meaningful way but not
as big as George Ky's Ocean Township High School, right? or because that you could replace that name with anyone else in the future. I I do the policy gives me pause. That doesn't mean it cannot be written in a way that allows for what
we're trying to do here. It's just I shared that so that everyone was aware of the process. Conflating a few things here. Yeah. Yep. So then I would say that we do not need a naming policy
and I would also say my opinion is that we don't need a naming policy and I would also say that um while having you go back and kind of decide a way to do this I assume you would come back to us before then and give us saying I mean I guess it would depend on this was
that's the question there's also I mean and also so we we do have we have a point that's been made as well that we would not like to make a decision tonight. Right? So, this is another opportunity as well. Right? So, everybody's had this. We we are not forced to make come to a conclusion tonight. Good.
We could say that we'd like to table this, give everybody time to consider what's been provided and come back and discuss an old business two weeks from now, four weeks from now. I don't believe as a point of inquiry, the motion did not require action. The
motion on behalf of the board. The motion that was brought forward required action on behalf of the administration proposing potential ideas. Correct. Okay. So, the board is not which we could repeal if we did. We could repeal that tonight, but we didn't. So, we've
done what we asked to be done and the the administration has complied. We can move forward and table this for hold business for the next meeting if we desire. Mr. Schneider, Mr. McCarthy, I thought we were going to maybe vote on the fact that we were going to kick it back to the administration.
We could do that as well if we want. If a board member wants us to decide this evening that we're going to kick it back to the administration and give them the authority to make this decision, board can do that. Can I make a motion to make that? You can do whatever you'd like, sir. I'd like to make a motion for for that to be the case.
Uh, so to clarify, you move that the board uh delegates the authority in in carrying the rest of this out to the administration. Yes. Yeah, that I feel like that's where it's best suited considering the you know the the gravity of this and and the people that are involved in the district
as a whole. I'm new to the district. I don't have the best uh opinions on it as that's some of my colleagues here. So that's what I would make a motion for and then whether we'd want to discuss it as a policy. We could do that after. So I move that the uh I'm trying to
figure out how to phrase this so that it's uh all-encompassing. I move that the uh the administration carries out the naming of anything for George Kiy at their own discretion. Is that ex? Yeah. And then if there's a need for a funding component that involves our our
discussions that that would be brought appropriately. So yeah. So Kelly comes back say here's what we decided that perfectly and maybe we don't have to have a motion. I could take a I don't think Yeah, I could take a straw poll vote. Does does anyone in the board disagree with that decision? Just a
we're going to take a vote. So, uh, does anyone in the board all in favor of what Mr. Schneider has said? Raise your hand. Clarification question. Go ahead. The question the question that is being proposed, what is being asked right now is, are you okay with any naming or
activity being delegated back to the administration? Let let the administration handle whether it's a rock, a bell, and whether or not they come back to us again in the future is at their discretion. Okay, understood. All those in favor of doing that, raise your hand.
Kind of depends. Squishy. No. All right. I think that we should table this, right? The board. We can't come to a consensus here. I think there's all been great information put up and everybody's had good opinions. I think we should wait until old business. Anyone opposed? Raise your hand if you're opposed to tableabling this for
now. Hearing no one. Very well. Table this. Miss well, I think that there was good progress here tonight. I think that we've gotten a lot done. I think it was all good stuff, but we don't have to come to a decision this evening. So, very well. Can I ask one question? Related but
unrelated? Um, when you showed me around the summer, I love seeing the high school. Are is the theater named after anyone? The black box, the the beautiful dance studio? No. So those places could possibly get
because those if we were following practice, I think we would probably hang a plaque in those spaces in honor of someone who had a contribution there. We wouldn't necessarily name it with a person's
but they could that's in term we could if we if the board decides to develop a naming policy, it can have all of those parameters as you see fit. So I would as an ad just for a point of clarification here and I think it's a
good idea for everyone to digest it. I think just making a clear distinction if we're going to go with past practice of honoring someone with something in terms of a statue, a monument, a rock, something symbolic, a plaque, that's
administration. If there's going to be a precedent set for how a a facility gets a name that needs policy and that comes back to the board. So I am happy to pursue the first Yeah. but if if if we are looking for a name
attached to a facility then the based on attorney advice the board should develop the policy. Right. Crystal clear. Okay. So uh old business this is tabled. We'll move on. Do I have any other old business from any members of the board?
None. Any new business from any members of the board? No. Motion to May have a motion to adjourn. Second. This meeting is ajourned. Thank you.