Good evening everyone. Welcome to our meeting. Thank you for being here. Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA10 col4-10, adequate notice of this meeting has been posted to the district website under legal notices in the board office,
the schools, and on cable vision channel 118 and Verizon Bios channel 24 and by filing such notice with the township clerk. Notice has also been provided that as of March 1st, 2026, future meeting notices will only be published on the district website. This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th,
2026. The board will take formal action on payment of bills and other agenda items. Mr. Widel, >> the Old Bridge Township Board of Education acknowledges that the law of the state establishes that members of the public, including members of the board, have the right to record public board meetings using audio or video
recording devices, provide that the actual recording does not interfere with the business of this public board meeting. Therefore, the board makes it known that any such recording is to be considered the private recording of the individual and in no manner represents the official record of this board. The board therefore takes no responsibility for such private recording and
completely disavows any future use. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Dantuno >> here. >> Mr. Dunn >> here. >> Miss Jori >> here. >> Miss Mazone >> here. >> Miss Richards Patterson >> here. >> Mr. Slade >> here. >> Mr. Solicowski
>> Mr. Venitason >> yes. and Miss Francisco >> here. >> We have a quorum present. >> Can we all stand for the pledge, please? Who would like to read our code of ethics next week? I'll do it. All right.
Uh we'll review our district and board goals next week as well. Okay. Um approval of minutes. Do we >> Minutes are forthcoming? >> Fourth coming. Okay. Um, next week we will have our report from our student representative.
>> Um, okay. Moving on to recognition. >> I believe we have an addendum to >> Okay, sorry. >> Accept. >> Dan Tuna will move the addendum being added to the agenda. >> Wait, hold on. What is this top part for
this. >> So that the top part is to add the addendum to our voting on today. >> Got it. >> Okay. So can I have a motion to add this to our agenda? >> Dan Tun will move. >> Okay. M second. Any discussion?
>> Are we voting on this today? >> Yes. >> Yes. That's why we're adding it, right? >> Yes. That's why it's Yep. >> Okay. Uh roll call. >> All right. Mr. Dunn. Yes, >> Miss Jori. >> Yes, >> Miss Mazone.
>> Wait. Oh, this is just >> This is just to add the addendum. Yes, >> Miss Richards Patterson. >> Yes, >> Mr. Slade. >> Just Just a quick What? >> What addendum? I know. We're reading this. >> We're adding No. No.
>> We're adding that. Yes. Okay. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Mr. Solici. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venitas. >> Yes. So adding this 19th item, right? >> We're we're adding number one for non-certificate personnel office for voting purposes tonight. >> Yeah. Yeah. Got it. Okay. Yes.
>> Okay. And Miss Francisco? >> Yes. >> All right. Resolution for >> Dun will say yes too. >> What's that? >> Danuno will say yes too. >> Dan I said Danuno and Francisco. No. Did I skip you? I'm sorry. Danuno Francisco. Yes. So resolution for acceptance of
addendum passes. I was just blessing your job to destroy that. >> That's all right. Uh we'll now add resolution number one for voting purposes non-certificate personnel office. >> Okay,
that's one singing over here. Okay. Um do we have any discussion for recognition? I'm sure we'll do lots of discussing next week. Okay. Um Dr. Sasso, do you have a superintendent report for tonight or are we waiting till next week? Okay.
Next week, we'll also discuss progress towards goals next week. Do we have any correspondence, Mr. Widell? >> No correspondence tonight. >> Okay. Do we have any special committee reports for tonight as opposed to next week? Next week. >> Okay.
All right. So, I'm going to open hearing of the residents on agenda items only. All right. Seeing none, I'm going to close hearing of the residents agenda items only. Okay. We don't have anything currently under policy.
Moving on to curriculum and professional development. We have an action item for this evening. Um item number one. Can I have a motion? Miss motion. >> Do you second? >> Is there any discussion? Roll call. Miss Richards Patterson,
>> yes. >> Mr. Sed, >> yes. >> Mr. Solicowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Venitas, >> yes. >> Miss Dan Tuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Jori, >> yes. >> Miss Mazzone, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco,
>> yes. >> Resolution one for curriculum professional development passes. >> Do we have any discussion for items two through four? >> Okay. Moving along to finance, we also have an action item here, item number one. Can I have a motion, please?
>> Done. We'll move item number one. Madam President, >> thank you. M second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Slate, >> yes. >> Mr. Solowski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Venitas? >> Yes.
>> Miss Dantino? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn? Yes, >> Miss Joy. >> Yes, >> Miss Mazone. >> Yes, >> Miss Richards Patterson. >> Yes, >> Miss Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolution one for finance carries. >> Do we have any discussion for items 2
through 14? >> Okay. Um, I would ask if we have any discussion on athletics, but we don't have anything in there just yet, but we will. Uh, same. Oh, no, wait. This is where we're adding the non-certificated personnel office. Um the addendum. So,
do we have any discussion on item number one? That's on the addendum page. That's what we're adding to vote on in this section. >> I'm sorry. I guess I need a motion first. Hello. >> Dun will move. >> Thank you.
>> Anybody else want a second? >> All right. Now, we can have some discussion. Anybody want to discuss? I I have a question on the seven. So we're talking about the finance and seven, right? >> The the single sheet of paper, the
addendum for non-certificated personnel office. That's what we're actually voting on right now. Just that one item. >> Okay. >> All right. Roll call. >> Mr. Benitason. >> Yes. >> Miss Antono. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn?
>> Yes. >> Miss Jori? Yes, >> Mr. Mazone. >> No, >> Miss Richard Patterson. >> Yes, >> Mr. Slade. >> Yes, >> Mr. Solicowski. >> Yes. >> And Miss Francisco? >> Yes. >> Resolution one for non-certificate
personnel office carries. >> Kieran, are you saying you had a question on finance back section? >> Uh, yes. on the finance number seven I think that's for highlighted in yellow right
>> sure >> we can go back yeah >> okay um I know it says about the sh service agreement between the township and us I just like to understand um if any new initiatives are come up with the
discussion or any progress on using the athletic facilities etc any >> sure So, in regards to this item, and it's highlighted because we added it late. Um, it was approved by the township at their uh committee meeting or their council meeting first. So, what
this is, we have many service agreements with the township in the past, but a lot of them were unwritten or unspoken. One being our fields in the past. Myself and Anahita felt the BA for the township have both are on the same page. when we when we have an agreement a shared
service agreement as many as possible should be in writing. So really what we did while you know we have our athletic teams use Manino Park or sometimes our uh recreation programs use Lombardi Field. All we wanted to do was just kind
of consummate that in writing. Um there was no financial um obligation for that. We we have to personally the board has to do our grooming of our our fields that we own. the township will do the grooming and the the upkeep for the fields they own. All it did was just
kind of signify there's a shared use. It puts times and all the different facilities on a piece of paper of what we're using um together. So, it was a first of its kind. Um but again, because of the shared use and the the permitting and different things that go in regards to reserving fields, we just wanted to
put it on on >> So, it was in good faith and now we are putting it formally in a piece of paper. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. White. I think that's a very smart process so that there's a memorialization of the agreement which we haven't had in the past. And I also think that it's very important for us
for identification purposes in the event someone gets hurt. If we don't have a written agreement, obviously insurance companies may deny claims and things of that nature. And I'm sure we swap certificates of insurance to ensure that we cover each other's very well. Thank you.
>> And if we want to review it, we can just come to your office. Yeah, it'll be on file in the business office and again as as we go through whether it's a time frame or dates or maybe a new field comes on eventually, you know, we can certainly add that to it.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Widell. >> Okay. Non-certificated personnel operational. Do we have any discussion for items one through three? Okay. non-certificated personnel other any discussion for items 1 through
seven. >> Sorry, I'm processing a little slow today. So, I'm going to go back to the non-certificate personal operational just wondering why the schedules are different between the technology staff and the custodial.
>> Sure. So, uh the these items come up on an annual basis every year. Um what it is really is the schedules are proposed by the OBA president in conjunction with their members. Uh they're reviewed by our administration and then the directors of those specific offices. But
the reason that they may be different than the school calendar are different between the own departments is you know those weeks off whether you know when you have spring break or winter recess that is the time where a lot of behind thes scenes work takes place where you know our maintenance workers can get in
there and get some projects done while kids are not in while teachers are not in. Same with technology whether you know sometimes a good long week uh can help upgrade some some network devices or just clean up the so they're doing a lot of behind the scenes work. So this is typically again just again in
conjunction with contractual obligations from the OBA contract but then looking at the calendar to see you know what days might be good um to come in during those breaks and get a lot of work done behind the scenes. So >> okay thank you. >> Okay. Um any discussion for
non-certificated personnel items one through seven. It's a non-certificated personnel other. And sorry if I'm going too fast. I'll slow down. Okay. Um, moving on to certificated
personnel. We have action items for numbers one and two. Can I have a motion, please? Move. Miss second. >> Is there any discussion? Okay. Roll call. >> Miss Jri, >> yes.
>> Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slade, >> yes. >> Mr. Solicowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Venitation, >> yes. >> Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Francisco, >> yes. >> Resolutions one and two for certificated
personnel carries. Before we move on, can we just uh I just want to congratulate Mr. Sorbin on his actual first day in the OBA office starting tomorrow, I believe. Tomorrow. So, congratulations and again, we look forward to working with you as a
new board. Okay. Do we have any discussion for items three all the way through? Still flipping 26. Madam President, number nine. Will we have her name placed on the agenda for
the next meeting? >> I'm going to leave that to admin. >> Um, it's possible, but we'll discuss that. >> Very well. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Moving on to Certificated personnel
transportation. Any discussion for item number one? No, you can't discuss anything because there isn't anything in there. Okay. Not yet anyway. All right. Moving on to transportation. Any discussion for items one through
three? Moving along to supplies, equipment, and services. We have an action item number one. Can I have a motion, please? motion second. Can I just ask a question first?
>> I think this will probably be to Dr. Tui. So, Graham Behavior Services um what do they do that our um can't do or what do they do? >> They could do an FBA. We're also looking
to additionally support a student um and their services might be needed for that additional layer of service. I also have a question um with the training. How many are we training for that one for Garden State
AAC specialist? >> What number are you referring to? >> Still number one. Okay, >> got it. >> It's for a student who uses an AAC device. Uh, that device is
relatively unique to >> So, it's just training the staff. That would be >> train the staff, training the parent, training the um related service providers who provide the service for the students. >> Thank you. >> Student. >> Okay. Roll call, please. Mr. Slade,
>> yes. >> Mr. Solicowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Vanitason, >> yes. >> Miss Dantino, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Joy, >> yes. >> Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> Mr. M, excuse me, Miss Richard Patterson, >> yes. >> Miss Francisco,
>> yes. >> Resolution one for supplies, equipment, and services passes. >> Do we have any discussion for items two through 15? Yeah, I have two questions. Uh, number three, uh, Mr. Can you please just explain um what this
bid that we received is for? And then number four, it says placeholder results of bid opening award two. >> Sure. Let me just lost another coffee.
>> Okay. Are we good or we're just going to clean up first? >> We're good. The carpet is not >> okay. the the alpha repairs at Obridge High School are uh a retaining wall in the
back of this school. Um if you see the back of this parking lot going towards the fields, there's a uh black fence. Uh if you look over the fence and down below, there is a uh retaining wall that leads there's waterways and it leads out to uh public domain. So a while back
probably I'm going to say 23 24 this has been ongoing since uh the retaining wall started kind of caving in um and then as it was caving in sediment was falling into the water which would lead out to the public waterway. So D was involved
um our architects were involved saying that we had to sh up the outfall repairs the retaining wall. Um so this is a D uh administered or oversought project. um we do have to make these repairs because otherwise if we let it um continue to
deteriorate and go into a public waterway um there'd be DP fines and other uh litigation. So this was again something that the D is requiring us to do. We opened bids. There were three bids received. CMS construction was the
lowest bid responsive and responsive. Uh positive news or or luckily we did come in under budget for this project. So it is something that we have to do. We're going to be taking the funding from um our capital reserve, but we just had a placeholder on because they were going
through legal review from Mr. Parn's office as well as architectural review um from Mr. Milman, Mike Milman of Takarski and Milman. Um so we will have the award on this bid for next week um to CMS construction.
>> Okay. So really quick, so you said that um it it goes into public domain that So is that could be under a shared service since the public domain would be owned by the town. >> By by public domain I means it goes out into public waterways.
>> Okay. Got it. >> So if we essentially pollute at the source then then we're at fault. >> Got it. >> Any other discussion? >> Okay. Moving on to miscellaneous. Any discussion for the items under
miscellaneous one through five? Okay. So, just to take note, uh the May 19th meeting is going to be in the auditorium. That's our teacher of the year meeting. So, we're going to celebrate them in there. Okay. Okay, moving on to board secretary
and board business. So, I actually have something I just want to mention here. Um, for a topic of discussion for number 12, you will see the proposed board of education dates for our agenda sessions and our regular meetings.
So, I'm going to propose that for November we combine to one meeting. Um, we can't have a meeting on the 10th. What was the 10th again? on November 10th, >> you have >> That's right. Because we're not we're
not here in order to prepare. So, we moved it to Thursday. But if we're going to meet Thursday, November 12th, and then meet again on Tuesday, November 17th, I just think um you know, for the sake of working more efficiently and saving some time, we can combine to one meeting for that month. Um we can discuss. I just wanted to throw that out
there. You guys think >> I don't disagree. I don't think we need two meetings in the matter of five days. I think one meeting would be fine. Um, just as long as there's no like nothing important going on,
but again, it's a matter of like five days in between. So, can we >> whi which meeting day would you keep? >> Can we keep it on the books for now with the intention that we might cancel if there's nothing like pressing because wouldn't it be harder, Mr. to like put it back on if we needed it
for something versus >> I defer to admin and legal for that. >> It it is easier probably to cancel a meeting than to schedule one. Um but I'll leave that at the will of the board on what on how they want to proceed. It's gotten a little bit easier with all
the new advertising uh statutes. >> So that's what I was going to say. We just need 48 hours now, right? >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. I mean, it's up to the board. I mean, either way, it was just uh just an idea. I have no objections, Madam President. I think that uh you know with the short month with the teachers convention and plus the holidays coming
in to play as long as you know we receive all the um agenda items in timely fashion and if we have any questions we can deliberate with the administration ourselves during the month of November so that we can accommodate one meeting. I think I have I'm I'm okay with that.
>> Okay. Okay. So then maybe we still just focus on getting the agenda out a little bit earlier than the two days since we're not going to have this type of meeting to discuss. That's why we have it saying that we were going to have like if we were going to have the Thursday meeting, we have it by then. >> That's fair. The the later of the dates,
the 17th does hold better than the 12th because when you have bills lists that come, you know, on the 12th and then you wait an entire month, some some vendors are waiting. So the 17th would be the better of the two and then we'll we'll work to get the agenda out uh in a timely fashion.
>> Okay. Sounds good. Um, any other discussion for the board secretary and board business section? >> Not in regards to not in regards to a specific resolution,
but I do have positive board business. We This came on Monday, April 13th. Um, title of um, the New Jersey Department of Education or excuse me, Department of Community Affairs awards 9.918
million in local recreation improvement grants to 154 local governments across the state. Grant funding will help improve community centers, parks, pools, recreation fields, and walking and bicycle trails. So probably I believe it
was in February um I did do the work to submit a grant application for every elementary school to receive a playground and I am happy to note that we did receive funding for one playground.
Now I will there's some laughs out there. No one no one no district that or any recipient received more than um there was a dollar threshold. No one received more than one, it appears. Um, here's the kicker. We We got Obridge Township Board of Education, Middle Sex
County was awarded $68,200, which again, positive news. They didn't tell me what school it is yet. So, that's all the pressures on me. And there's going to be one lucky school that's going to get a new playground. But again, this was a lot of work. Um, and I wanted to make sure we just
started to chip away at the playgrounds because the playgrounds were always a point of contention or not a contention but a point of interest where many PTAs or different principles have always asked or requested some kind of
assistance. And I said, um, we kind of had a plan in place. We put a pause. We have 320 million of other things that we needed to to address at our building. So I said this is a great opportunity to try and address some of our playgrounds and hopefully for the next 10 years we can continue to get one by one. So uh I
will have further news and update when it arrives. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for doing the hard work. >> Thank you so much. >> Listen, 68,000 is still 68,000. So >> 100%. So every dollar counts
>> and and then by the time we cycle through all of our schools, it'll be time to go back to the first one. So it might work out well. Okay. Um hearing of the residents on any school district topic. My father always used to say one
playground is better than no playground. So congratulations. Uh good evening board president, members of the board. Uh I'm honored to speak to you tonight as I begin my term as president of the Oldbridge Education Association. My name is Ryan Soen. As someone who has previously served as a member of the
board of education in my town, I know firsthand exactly how difficult and demanding your jobs are. During my tenure on the board, our community faced the devastating impacts of Hurricane Sandy. We were tasked with the monumental challenge of not only rebuilding our homes in town, but also repairing the school facilities
themselves, which had been severely devastated. The memories of how our community banded together during that crisis and the sheer effort it takes to keep a school district running through adversity stay with me to this day. I carry deep appreciation for the weight of your responsibilities. Recently, I've had the opportunity to meet with several
of you, and I look forward to sitting down with the rest of the board soon to discuss the important topics facing our members and our community. I also want to take a moment to commend the board members for utilizing social media to get the word out about all the positive programs occurring every single day in this district. We are full of staff
members who care deeply and give all to their students. It truly amazes me every day how seamlessly the district operates behind the scenes, safely transportating students on hundreds of buses across the district, running like a clock from morning pickup to afternoon drop off and everywhere in between. We all recognize
that the budget is always a challenging issue. However, the association stands firm behind a budget that fully funds the educational programs, the dedicated staffing, and the critical maintenance updates the district desperately relies on. It is a frustrating reality that in our town right now, you can get a
warehouse put in your backyard, but you can't get a state-of-the-art elementary school built in your neighborhood. That needs to change. Our students and community deserve the same level of investment. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank my predecessor, Andrew. You leave the association in a stronger, more steadfast position than when you
found it. And I truly appreciate your hard work and unwa unwavering dedication to the staff and students here in Oldbridge. As I step into this role, I know I have incred incredibly big shoes to fill both physically and metaphorically. Your leadership always set a high standard and I'm deeply grateful for the solid foundation you
built for us to move forward. Finally, I want to touch on an issue that faces many of us uh has been brought up by some of our members, many of our staff, our family, and our neighbors and have loved ones actively serving in the armed forces. With everything with everything going on in the world right now, I know
we can all agree on one unifying notion. May God bless our troops, bring them home safely, and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you. Thank you, Ryan. And if you haven't already, for the first time, you can sign in the book. Thank you.
>> Well, good evening. My name is Adrien M and I am the mayor of the city of Planefield. I am serving my fourth consecutive term as mayor and I would like to speak to you about some of the things that I
would like to advocate for for this school district and districts school districts across the 12th congressional district. I say that because I am a candidate for the 12th congressional district and I know that this district
has over 8,000 students and it's a very diverse district that places emphasis on industry industrial arts. You also are known for your special services such as
individuals with disabilities, the performing arts, marching bands, and boys and girls volleyball programs. And so with your approximately $160 million budget, you have been stressed
over the last several years. You have lost a significant amount of state aid. I believe you lost approximately $20 million in state aid over the last six years. And that's not a good thing. It
impacts on your local tax levy, which has increased in excess of about 20% over the last few years, becoming a significant burden on your residents. And so, as someone who's looking to go
to Congress, I want to a little bit about the federal impact on the Oldbridge public schools. I believe in every student succeeds act education for the economically
disadvantaged also known as lowincome students. You have four title one schools in the district. So, I would like to advocate for federal funds for ESSA, especially for school districts that
have lost state aid. I would also look to sponsor a bill within my first 100 days in office to offset the loss of local aid to assist with socially,
economically challenged students. Now, additionally, individuals with um disability education. I believe that all students deserve a fair, equitable, and inclusive education.
A least restrictive environment is very beneficial to every student. And so I would promote additional federal funding of IDA IDA since our most vulnerable students
with disabilities deserve enhanced services to provide them with an opportunity for success. >> Sorry to interrupt you. We allow for three minutes at the at the microphone. >> Your question. Can I have an extension?
>> Madam President, >> can I make a motion to to allow a short extension. I think what this candidate is proposing is very beneficial for our district and I think we should hear him out because one thing that we are uh
having problems with is money and financial uh stress. So, as a candidate for Congressional District 12, he's advocating for our school district. And I think that maybe we should offer him a a slight extension of time I would
like to make that motion to my fellow board members. >> Okay. Um, thank you, Mr. Dunn. Do we have anybody to second that motion? >> Second. >> Okay. Um, discussion. >> Uh, yes. Although I agree with the
message and can appreciate the effort, to me it feels a little campaigny and we as a board have said no politics at the board level. Um, to receive your message via, you know, email or or have a conversation, but I
don't want our microphone to turn into a campaign. >> I support that wholeheartedly. I agree with Jen 100%. Um, with all due respect, I appreciate the intention. Um, but I think that, you know, we just I've done it. I've I've been cut short. I was the activist last year about the budget all
the time, believe me. And when my time was up, I sent lengthy emails um to the board because I still wanted to be heard. So I I can appreciate it, but I just think it's also what's fair is fair and what's right is right. And if we make an exception for one, we make an exception for all. The board
intentionally reduced the minutes and said we were going to increase them to everybody when we had those types of meetings that involve, you know, that would have the necessity for something like that. But I do want to Thank you for speaking.
>> Um I will third Jen and Brooke. Um as much as I would love to hear what you have to say, I do like I do want to keep things equal across the board and if we do for one, we have to do for all. Um so I just think keeping the three minutes and I would like I said, I would love to hear what you have to say. If you can
maybe email us or set up a meeting with us outside of the board of ed meeting, I think that'd be great. I just don't think that would be setting a good um a good example if we allow for some people to speak longer and not others.
>> Yeah, I echo the same I echo the same uh I think um Mr. Andrew Lewis was the one who was in fact advocating for we need to keep a scope of five minutes but we all voted on this together. So to the respect you know of what we voted and agreed I think 3
minute limit should be for everything. Uh and I do welcome the ideas um sorry Mr. Mayor of Planefield but welcome to please email us over. I don't think we need to go into voting and then say no let's keep it more open discussion about
it. Just want to share the feelings. There are many people going to come and take this situation as an example and we are going to be in a fix what to allow what not to allow. It's not about your commentary. It's about the rules that we set forth or the whatever you want to call it as rules. I don't know what the >> bylaws bylaws. Yeah. Sorry. Thank you. I
think we need to abide by the bylaws. Thank you. >> Or a suggestion you can come back >> half now and half later. >> Just just to get your message across. >> Thank you. And if you may, sir, there's a book just to sign in if you have you write your name down there.
>> Excuse me. You do have a motion. >> I'm getting there. So, we should have a vote before we assume. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh, so we do have a motion on the table. So, um, we either vote on that motion. I know you said just discussion, but we have to vote. Um, unless you wanted to withdraw the motion, then
we'll move forward. >> I'll withdraw the motion at this point, Madam President. Um, but we are going down the slippery slope and we're going to make it very clear that uh we are working together for the betterment of this district and we someone who wants to speak positively about the school
district, who wants to speak positively about what's going on moneywise, I think we should applaud and allow them to have the discussion. Now, I believe next week we're going to have a resolution that's politically motivated as well about money. So, we have to understand that we
need to be fair and equitable to everyone. So if we're going to have a resolution regarding, you know, a bill that's up in Trenton, that's a political statement as well. So we need to understand things. So with that said, I withdraw my motion and I thank the mayor
uh for his position. I thank him for advocating for our students here in Obridgeidge. I believe that his abilities and possibilities as the next congressman of this great uh congressional district 12 may do us well because we need someone who is going to
advocate for children, advocate for things that are very important in the school district. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you for coming to speak tonight. Everyone else is loud, but I don't know if mine's working. Okay.
>> Hello. Hello. Testing. Testing. There we go. >> Try yours again. Crank it up. Oh, there you go. Okay. Um, so one, I want to thank the OBA for sponsoring Bubble Day over at Glenn Preschool. Um, I had the um I was able
to attend it uh because my daughter goes there and it was such a fun day. The kids loved it. Um, honestly, the parents loved it too. Um, so I want to thank the OBA for sponsoring that and I want to thank Mrs. Adnal, Miss Mrs. Adnan Alfie for putting that together and the staff.
And I know I've said this before, but until you're there and and I think all of our staff is wonderful, but until you're at the preschool and you experience the teachers with the kids, they are such a truly remarkable group of teachers over there. Um, the patience
that they have, the love that they have. I was actually at opening day for soccer this weekend and one of the teachers were there and she wasn't there for her own kids. She was there for some of the kids in the class because she's like, "If I have nothing to do and the kids want me there, I like to surprise them."
And that to me just speaks volumes because if I didn't have to be at a soccer game at 8:30 in the morning, I wouldn't be at soccer game at 8:30 in the morning. So, uh, the staff there is truly remarkable. Um, also I want to remind everyone if you haven't already to get your tickets to the Old Bridge
United versus the Harlem Wizards game. Um, that's happening May 3rd at 3 3 p.m. Um, if you go on SPTA's website, you'll be able to get the link to buy the tickets. Um, and yeah, you get to see some of the people up here playing their
basketball skills to the test. How many skills there are, but we're gonna have a free time. And I was actually I was actually going to say the same, but um Christina, thank you for for mentioning that. Um I also quickly
wanted to thank Mr. Ali, um Mr. Balo, and Mrs. Roma, and anybody else who was involved with putting together the town hall for the honors civics class where um there were several board members and mayors from members from the council and
also our mayor. um we sat down with the kids and they asked really really awesome questions about just local governments and how everything works. So that was a really unique experience. So thank you for that and um I look forward to maybe doing that again. I had something else and it is now gone. So
we'll come back to me if I remember. Anyone else? >> I tried to put them to reach out to show them how to get me for the email with the information.
I want to teach awarded. So I want to congratulate all of them and we will get to them all. >> I have something to share. Last year I remember uh there were a
couple of kids who moved into the district who requested to start a club called the OSA club that's uh associated to the u health professionals as students you know who are aspiring to become future health professionals. Uh so these kids who are already in the
club elsewhere when they moved in they requested can we start that I think uh with Mrs. Fazio's help uh and the support from the administration I think they got started with that. So this year I think they competed at a state level. So I want to share some good news that
uh the chapter that represented from Wbridge High School uh has got some accolades. I think on Saturday they competed uh for a mental health promotion. I think a couple of students um Cali and Sum they won uh they won or
earned a outstanding fifth place out of more than 70 teams across the state. And then uh there are also a couple of others like Peran Prrenati I think they were the two kids in fact who wanted to run this club. So they are the co-founders and the co-presidents of the club. So they were awarded the gold
level service award uh for their exceptional dedication and uh there was a another team public service announcement team. So there were a few kids again Ria Zutna they won the first place for more than
70 teams. just want to share this uh you know remarkable news. Thanks to Mr. Mrs. Sazio and Dr. Saso for supporting these kids you know achieve what they want. Maybe you should bring them over here and recognize. >> So I just want to follow up uh we are
going to bring them to a meeting in the near future to celebrate them. I want to also thank Mrs. Fazio and Mrs. Portland spent the weekend with them at the competition. at the high school again just amazing just amazing students so we get a chance
to see them here >> yeah the parent was so excited and started sharing me this message so I thought I just wanted to remind everybody that next week I April 20th at 7 p.m. virtual meeting. If you want to register for it,
you can go on Facebook. >> Okay. Can you hear me? >> Okay. Uh, so I went to the Samberg Battle of the Classes. It was the last day of school before the spring break and um I I wanted to check out the the gym
and Mr. Dolan gave me an opportunity to make it a day, you know, which I appreciate. I always when I want to check something out there, he makes it so that it's something I can enjoy with the kids. Uh we they had battle of classes that day and we judged uh the
culinary and the tug of war and we they had all different the faculty and stuff. I just want to say that day seems like a dream for a kid to just like hang out with their friends for half the day and then have break. But the faculty I
really give them a lot of kudos. Um that is a headache all day. I mean that's a half a day and I just want to give them so much credit for just being so thoughtful and wanting to put the students first. Uh because I wanted a really long nap after that morning. So, I just give them a lot of credit for for
putting that together. Um, thank you, Mr. Oliviveri, um, for in inviting us to town hall. It was the funnest thing. Um, I'm really glad I didn't get some of the questions the mayor got, like what's our favorite one in the constitution.
Uh, really thoughtprovoking, but lucky for us, she loves history. Uh, we went to Marjorie and I I mean, we were all invited to some of these things, but Marjorie and I went to the league, invited board of ed for their opening day and we got a real treat to see
Adriana Maria uh throw the first pitch. Um I got to interact with her and her mom. They're doing incredible. She's without her walker officially now. Um and she she's just such an inspiration and so is her mom. So I wanted to thank um
for that invite. I my son and I did go to the indoor percussion uh show off that at the high school. I mean, they're so animated and engaged and um just so proud. Um we we had an amazing time. And last
night I went to uh the mayor did like a health initiative. She does them every so often. Um I met with a sophomore that says she follows me on Instagram and that she was she was at the civics event. She was in
the civics class last year and she thanked me for um just bringing the community in on my socials and I I feel like that's all what we're we've really started to become as a board and we do want that community feel. So, I always tell every anytime I do a school visit,
like, please email us pictures. If you want to give someone a highlight, tell us, you know, we want these meetings to be fun and engaging and proactive and not just so cut and dry with our agenda items. So, um, so those were our fun
things. And then just some of the things on the committee flyers that are on the website, we have this Friday is Memorial's Tricky Tray if you want to check that out. This Saturday is bridge uh high school to magic show for um the
marching arts and then on the 21st it's starts about a half hour before our meeting here is um camp Robin is doing a resource fair and that's going to be at the civic center. So uh that starts at 6:30. And lastly I did want to officially you know welcome Mr. Soin. I
really loved your speech. I love how proactive you are and I hope that that contin to be, you know, the energy that we have working together as a board and with our unit. And now I remember what I was going to say. Thank you, Brooke. Um, I was going
to say welcome officially on your first day, Mr. Soapen. And also that you must really thrive on challenge because you were a board member and now you're president of the union. I mean, listen, that's commendable. Kudos to you. Someone's got to do it. When people ask why I do this, someone's got to do it. So that's that's awesome that you step
up in in multiple kinds of ways to to advocate for kids. So thank you and good luck and I look forward to meeting with you and working with you. Anybody else? So if you're not doing anything Sunday open
for a lot of these performing Um Thursday April 23rd is our day in the evening where a lot of our high school students
get to all over but also the community what we're doing with our students like is on our website and it's having for you to bring it up to do it next week. Awesome.
>> Okay. Can I have a motion to go into close executive session? >> Marge and then I just I heard my right side. So >> So we're going to go with a motion to go exec. All in favor? >> I
>> All right. going into exact. Thank you all. >> Thank you everybody for coming this evening. Hopefully we'll see you next week.