Just wanted to make sure I got everyone's attention. Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10410, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by advertising such notice in the Home News Tribune, the Asbury Park Press, the
board office, the schools, and on cable vision channel 118 and Verizon Fi Fios channel 24 and by filling such notice with the township clerk. This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. The board will take formal action on payment of bills and other agenda
agenda items. >> 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 provided that the active 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 Dantino, >> here. >> Mr. Dunn, >> here. >> Miss Jri >> here. >> Miss Mone >> here. >> Miss Richards Patterson >> here. >> Mr. Slade
is absent. Mr. Solowski, >> Mr. Venetas >> here, >> and Miss Francisco is absent. We have a quorum. >> Please stand for the pledge. >> United States of America and to the
stands nationy and justice for all. Can we have a discussion about the whole flag situation >> from a camera standpoint? Is it easier to go to the one that's closer to the stage?
>> The flag. We all go to the one that's higher on the wall, but I feel like to the camera that looks funny because there's this flag right here. Like we >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, which flag do you guys want?
Okay. >> Code of ethics. The qu the board member will carry out his or her responsibility not to administer the schools but together with fellow board members ensure they are wellrun. Okay. Approval of minutes. >> Need a motion, please.
>> Jody, I move. >> Richard's Patterson. Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Jilly, >> yes. >> Miss Mone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes.
>> Mr. Slade is absent. Mr. Sowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Venitas, >> yes. >> Miss Dantino, >> yes. and Miss Francisco is absent. Resolution one for approval of minutes passes. Report of the student president. Hello everyone and happy new year.
Um, sports have started off strong in the new year with the boys wrestling coming off a win on their senior night and our girls have come off in a third place finish at the GMC Championships. Both of our teams look to continue their strong seasons in the coming weeks as the boys compete for a GMC Championship
Friday and Saturday this week. Boys and girls basketball have been battling hard this year on the court with some of the top teams week in and week out. Both teams are ready to make a run at the championship games. Both boys and girls track recently competed at the group four state relays with both teams
meddling in several events including winning the girls shotput relay with seniors Victoria Elaine and Tatiana Constrada. Both teams look to contend for the team in individual titles this weekend at the GMC championships and state championships ahead. Our bowling
team has had a successful season with solid conference showings so far. Both the boys and girls team are poised for deep runs in the state tournament. The boys and girls swim teams have had been building on performances week after week and are showing that come championships, they will be a force in
the water. And finally, the ice hockey team has been led by senior Nick Gallow, who recently broke the school record in career points. Congrats, Nick. In the club world, UMFA is hosting a great event called Pause for a Cause to help support our very own Oldbridge Animal Shelter. Our Asian-American club is
hosting a bake sale to help raise funds for their club. and the lollipop shop is currently in the process of making Valentine grams, a sweet treat you send to a sweet person. Many clubs are currently in the process of creating their biggest events of the year, and I'm excited to share those details with you all when they become available. So,
be on the lookout. And finally, our very own student senate is in the process of preparing to host the biggest event of the year, Nights Out. For those who don't know, Nights Out is an evening of fun, food, and friends where this very building becomes our playground for the night. The Knights love this event and
we can't wait to see everyone there. Despite it being cold outside, our school spirit is on fire. I'm so excited and can't wait to come back with more information. The spirit of the Knights is alive and thriving and it's going to be a great rest of the year. Thank you. Thank you.
Okay, moving on to recognition. Move the board to approve the retirement of the following staff members with deep appreciation for their years of dedicated service to the district. Lisa Goal McManis, Kathleen Cochran, and Guy Lassen. Uh Kathleen Cochran has served
as te a teacher for 25 years in the district, 21 years elsewhere, totaling 46 years of teaching. Congratulations and good luck on your retirements, and thank you all for your years of service to our district and to our students. Can I have a motion, please?
>> Jody, do you move? >> Dantino, second. >> Roll call. Can I make a comment? >> Oh, yeah. >> Sorry. Discussion. Yeah. >> Um Guy Lassen, we've heard great things he's done uh with the district, especially uh Toy for Tots and Stuff the
Bus. That's been awesome. Um Lisa is a neighbor of mine. Uh but so I know the love and care that she gives into the bus driving and you know, the passion she has for it and you've seen, you know, videos of of her, you know, with the vans and helping the kids on the
van. So congratulations to all three and for Kathleen like 41 years of teaching is amazing. So thank you all. >> I would like to also add Dr. Hooker and I had the chance to stop over at Miller and see Miss uh Miss Cochran and still smiling, working really hard um every
day. So it was great to have a conversation with her and recap 40 years over 40 years. Uh and certainly Mr. Lassen, someone who I've spent uh a lot of time with over the last 20 years here at the high school. Um and you know, so proud of what he did with our military
wall of fame. Um just a few months ago over here at the high school. He's he's uh he will be uh deeply missed here at Oldbridge High School. Um so three amazing employees who have done so much uh for our district. So congratulations. >> Anybody else?
Roll call, please. >> Miss Gilligry, >> yes. >> Miss Mazzon, >> yes. >> Miss Richard Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Solicowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Venitas, >> yes. >> Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco is absent. Resolution
one for recognition passes. Congratulations to all. >> Moving on to superintendent report. >> Thank you, Miss Mone. So, good evening. Each January, schools across our nation observe school board recognition month,
a time to publicly thank and acknowledge the dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to serve our community as members of the board of education. On behalf of our students, staff, families, and administration, I want to express our sincere appreciation to each of our
board members here in Oldbridge and for your service and your commitment to the Old Bridge Township Public School System. Tonight, we're honored to present the board with a special plaque as a small but meaningful token of appreciation.
What makes this recognition even more special is how the plaque was created. This plaque was proudly made by our talented students in the wood shop program here at the high school under the leadership of Mr. Boreello. I want to recognize Mr. Boreello and his
students for their craftsmanship, creativity, and the pride that they take in their work. I would also like to thank Mr. Misella for helping with the personalized action shots of each board member, uh, which are replaceable if you don't like them, so don't worry. We are
going to get a picture of all nine of you when we're all here together. Um, and you can put that in there. But our board members, as we present this plaque to you this evening, please know that it represents the respect and appreciation of an entire school community that values your service, recognizes the
time, care, and responsibility that comes with your role. Congratulation and happy school board recognition month. >> That concludes my report tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you guys. Um progress toward like
to add a few comments here. Sure. >> Really surprising. Thank you very much. It's a fantastic idea and uh thanks to the students, you know, who worked hard on the teacher. Um as a board member, right? Yes. you know we get elected but it is not just one person's deed year you know it's the
collective effort of you know all the you know same vision the goals but at the same time I would like to also thank the school administration to bearing with us you know each nine of us you know come with different perspectives different views but you know you really you know Dr. Tui and um Dr. uh Uker at
least you know this is like a family that's going on here yes within the family we agree disagree but the objectives is the same right so I'd like to thank on the celebration of the you know board I would also like to thank uh know the school administration and everybody underneath each of you thank
you very much yeah >> anybody else okay progress towards goals uh corres Correspondence. >> No correspondence tonight. >> Special committee reports. >> Okay. Hearing of the residents on agenda items only.
Andrew Lewis Oba. Uh just a question on board secretary and board business. Number two, the cyber bullying uh responsible uh digital conduct. So, I'm not against it. I think it's very important. Just two questions uh regarding it. What was the impetus for
it? Um it wasn't on the agenda last week and I don't recall seeing any legislation requiring the board to adopt it and then how will it be implemented and enforced? Thank you. Yeah, we're going to we're close the mic. >> Okay, mic is closed.
Okay. Under policy, can I get a motion for to vote on number one? I >> move second. >> Any discussion? >> Um, I have a a question on it. Um,
originally I I had concerns about the student the the number of things under the student service committee. Um, but admins kind of assured me that it'll all work out and we can always adjust it if it does get to be too much at one meeting. Um, however, I did notice and I
apologize for not realizing it last week. Uh, under liaison, there's no PTA president's council. I think the board and the different PTAs can work very well together. And some of the feedback from admin and from Miss Francisco was
that admin's going to be at the meetings anyway. But we although we work very closely with admin, the board of ed is separate from admin. And I do think it's important that the um the board still has a seat as a designated liaison to
there and if you were pulling the liazison does president council aware of it. So, you know, especially when we're starting to talk redistricting and doing things like that, I think having the PTA on the board's side and the district side would be important. So, I'd like to
see that put back on as a liazison. So, just to I had spoke with Elena about this and we were discussing the reasoning behind removing the liaison for uh President's Council. Hold on one second. So, one of the reasons why we think it's
not necessary to have one is talking about redistricting, that's that's the chance for anybody on the PT, anybody in the comm in the community to come to committee meetings and voice their concern. There's nothing Dr. Sasso, Dr. Hulker. They both assured
us that they were going to still show up to President's Council meetings, come back to us, let us know what's going on, you know, at in PTAs and vice versa. Um, also, hold on. But not to pick on any other group, the same thing could be said for like CPAG.
If there's a discussion for CPAG, then they can come to a special services committee. >> So, um, and was president's council consulted on, you know, do they need a board liaison? So, if we're going to pull it, I think it should be a conversation. >> I don't know if President's Council was
um notified. I have that. I have no idea. Um also, they we felt that the presidents that attend President's Council don't represent every voice of every PTA member. >> Well, they were elected into that position. That's not our position as a
board of education to say, "Oh, you don't represent your >> But no one's going to stop you from going. You you could go margin. Anyone can go to these meetings." I didn't say it had to be me. I just think the board should have presence. I'll leave it up to the board to decide. I for the option was there to discuss. I'm sharing my
views with the board and the board can vote appropriately. >> We also thought that president's council has become very political and divisive and we're trying to keep that out of the board. So we want to keep everything just transparent. So again, them coming
to our committee meetings, I think that's >> respectfully then that's your personal opinion and I could >> Okay. Well, I guess the board will vote on it and see who's thinks what. >> Anyone else? >> Roll call, please.
>> Miss Mone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Mr. Solikowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venitasan. >> Yes. >> Miss Dantino. >> No. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Yes.
>> Miss Joy. >> Yes. >> Miss Francisco is absent. Resolution one for policy passes. I just want to make a comment on what I observed. Right. I think holistically we have like 14
schools in total uh elementarymentaries and then two middle schools, high school. Um maybe you know we could come up with a quarterly meeting with all the PTA leads or r you know leading each elementary school with
the board directly that gives probably a more perspective quarterly ones I'm not trying to overdo this like every month or you know every few weeks right quarterly ones we're going to meet only four times in a year which I think a direct interaction because honestly speaking I live in one side of the community I know about the school that is going on there I know only the PTA
members who are leading that school I I have no clue on what's happening the other side of the town. So that quarterly ones I'm thinking will bring in more different perspectives what is going on. We could share directly with the PTA leads or the I don't know their presidents I think of each school PTA
presidents and whatever >> Sharon that's exactly what president's council is. They meet every other month. No the council can be for them how to work together but what I'm proposing is a quarterly meet with the board directly all the 14 times two if there are two
leads in each PTA per school 14 times to come to such avenue like this we all can collaborate on what's just a thought process here to get more closer to every single PTA president or vice president or any committee member in each PTA of every school.
>> Okay. So, like I said, just to address that, although not every PTA chooses to attend, every PTA president and delegate. So, you have two members from every PTA is invited to a meeting. The first half is with the
board and the administration and then they have a second half that's more closed. So, they have four two five meetings a year. So, that's exactly what it is. And that's So, you're you're suggesting exactly what I was trying to fight for. We could still do that at least
quarterly occurrence I'm thinking and I don't have the invite maybe I don't know the schedule maybe if uh I could get it I'm happy to you know join that actually I want to hear what's happening in the other side of the town as well but I want to meet in that forum all the PTA presidents and vice presidents not from the council not just handful few of them
but directly I want to work with each and every person from that elementary school to hear their perspectives what's going on and we can share updates to them Yeah, >> Madame Vice President, um there was a time, yeah, I've been on the board for
almost 13 years, and I can remember that the board actually took it upon themselves to go to PTA meetings at various schools and just check in and make sure things were going well, there was any questions, if there was anything that they can do to assist. I think this
board needs to get back to that direction. I know that there's members here who do that. They go to SEPTA's meeting continuously. But does anyone go to Madison Park's PTA meeting? Does anyone go to >> Margie? Does >> Shira's I understand. Okay. But I've been to PTA
meetings where I've been the only one to show up at Cooper School. And obviously I have a reason to. Um, but I'm trying to say board member is that we all should commit ourselves to go to its PTA meeting and show the parents that were
accessible at their meeting. It's a little different environment when you're going into a school and into a PTA meeting. It it it's a little bit informal. It's a little bit easier for people to communicate. I think we will get more mileage out of that by going to
those meetings than one larger meeting. I agree there should be a dialogue on the board to determine what the course of action we should uh employ here for president's council, but I think we need to get back into the trenches and visit PTAs at their school and show them that
we do want to be engaged at their level because it's a lot easier when you have a smaller group and when you have ordinary parents in the room. That's just my opinion and maybe we can get back to that. >> No, I like that opinion, Mr. done but the point is uh we all cannot go to every single school's PTA 14 schools out
there you know physically right with all the other schedules we got so yes probably you know if the board thinks each of us can say okay I can cover for a few elementary you can cover for a few elementary or we can split among us and among us we could come back and discuss this is what is going on this is the
feedback this is the input that's one way to do it but physically I think one person to go for all the 14 school PTA meetings is kind of impossible as you know you know or do a quarterly meeting I'll leave to other members. Yeah.
>> I think it's important like you said that the PTA the the president was elected. That's that's another way to get them into our meetings and get them here. Get on the microphone. Tell the community what's going on in the schools. You know
you we we want to be as transparent as we can with all the schools. So by us only going to you know one school here or one school there everything gets lost in miscommunication is a million events going on every week every month. So I think by getting more people into these meetings that I think that's what we
need. So I don't think there needs to be a liaison that just that you know just one person that shows up to one meeting. I think it should they should be able to come to our meetings as well and open up and and tell us what's going on in the schools. >> Yeah. And just so you know, Kieran, um,
you can join any PTA and honestly they they rely on the dues, the the money that comes in for them. It's like 10 to 12 bucks per PTA. Um, I've se I have seen Margie at our uh, Samberg ones and you know, I would imagine she's probably on all of them. I Matt I think when I
first met Matt he's like you should join all the PTAs. So the good thing about that is even if you can't go to all the meetings then you're on your their their email list. So you start that's even a way to find out what's going on um in the schools if you can't make them all. I mean we're lucky because a lot of ours
are Zoom so I can kind of multitask. I could be at a kids sporting event and you know also in that but that's just a thought too because yeah I I do I mean I I love going to the SEPTA meetings and I'm in the loop there. Um and I I would
love to learn more about the schools too and interact with with all of them. um not just one one specific designated person too. So, it's worth talking about and I'm glad it's coming out and being discussed so that everybody kind of understands what the options are and that our doors open here too to to
anybody that wants to come and talk with us. Okay. Anybody else? Okay. Curriculum and professional development. Can I get a motion for agenda items one and two? Dantino will move
>> Georgia second. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Richards Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Solowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venitas, >> yes. >> Miss Danuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes.
>> Miss Jri, >> yes. >> Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco is absent, which means resolutions one and two for curriculum and professional development passes. finance. Can I have a motion to move uh agenda items 1 to 12?
>> Done. We'll make a motion. Finance items 1 through 12. >> Richards Patterson. A second. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Slate is absent. We'll go to Mr. Solowski. >> Mr. Venitas.
>> Yes. Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Jori, >> yes. >> Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco is absent. Resolutions 1 through 12 for finance carries. >> We have nothing under athletics. Uh,
non-certificated personnel office. Can I have a motion to move agenda item number one? >> Wetson will move. >> Jill second. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Vanitasen,
>> yes. >> Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Jori, >> yes. >> Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> Miss Richard Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Solowski, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco is absent. Resolution
one for non-certificated personnel. Office carries. >> Non-certificated personnel operational. Can I have a motion to move numbers one and two? Dan will move Richard Patterson. A second. >> Any discussion?
>> Roll call, please. >> Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Jori, >> yes. >> Miss Mone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Solowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Vanitason, >> yes.
>> And Miss Francisco is absent. Resolutions one and two for non-certificated personnel operational passes. non-certificated personnel other can I have a motion to move numbers one through five >> Dino will move
the second >> any discussion >> roll call please >> Mr. Dunn >> yes >> Miss Jori >> yes >> Miss Mazzon >> yes >> Miss Richard Patterson >> yes >> Mr. Slate is absent Mr. Solcowski >> yes
>> Mr. Mr. Venetason, >> yes. >> Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Miss Francisco is absent. Resolutions 1 through five for non-certificate personnel. Other carries. >> Certificated personnel. Can I have a motion to move items one through nine?
>> Dant move. >> Joel second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Joy. Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Solowski, >> yes.
>> Mr. Vanitason, >> yes. >> Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco is absent. Resolutions one through nine for certificated personnel carries. >> Non-certificated personnel transportation. Can I have a motion to move items one and two?
Richard Patterson. >> A motion. Make a second. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Miss Mazone. >> Yes. >> Miss Richard Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Solicowski.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Venitation? >> Yes. >> Miss Dantuno? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn? >> Yes. >> Miss Joy? >> Yes. >> And Miss Francisco is absent. Resolutions one and two for non-certificate personnel. Transportation passes.
>> Transportation. Can I have a motion to move items one through three? Then we'll move transportation items one through three. >> Dantino will second. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Richards Patterson,
>> yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Sowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Vanitason, >> yes. >> Miss Dantuno, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Joy, >> yes. >> Miss Mone, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco's absent. Resolutions one through three for transportation
passes. Supplies, equipment, and services. Can I have a motion to move items one through three, please? >> Joe, do you move it? >> Richard Patterson. A second. >> Any discussion? >> Uh, do you have a question on the item number one?
Looks like uh we have received some bids for the group prescription drug benefits and uh this is for the following fiscal year, right? Th >> this had the potential to be for this year um and it it would be looking for next year as well. So, what this was was
us exploring a move to self- insurance for RX or prescription services. Um, when this RFP was put out and and received in January, um, we had in the RFP that potentially we could award as early as uh, March. Um, but there's
obviously going to be some time to evaluate these proposals. So, all this resolution was is just um, postmarking that we received and opened these proposals. We currently have our um benefits consultant Brown and Brown are currently going through the proposals kind of putting together a reference
sheet for us and then a committee will evaluate those proposals um before we make any decision. But we c we can make a decision in uh this school year to move if the savings are right. But potentially um we're looking to make a change uh for the start of next year 26
27. >> All right. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Kokowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Venitas, >> yes. >> Miss Dantino, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn,
>> yes. >> Miss Jri, >> yes. >> Miss Mazzon, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco is absent. Supplies, equipment, and services resolutions 1 through three passes. >> Miscellaneous. Can I have a motion to
move items 1 through five, please? >> Done. Move miscellaneous items 1 through 5. >> Jod'll second. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Solicowski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Venitas?
>> Yes. >> Miss Dantuno? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn? >> Yes. >> Miss Joel? >> Yes. >> Miss Mone? >> Yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slate is absent. Miss Francisco is absent. Resolutions one through five for miscellaneous passes. Actually, I just
have a quick question for clarific activity under the drills. So oftent times, especially in these cold months, the uh guidance from the Department of Education allows schools to conduct uh tabletop exercises where
you can uh you know, pull in security uh custodial services, different different uh stakeholders within the school and go over different types of scenarios. Um kind of run through um you know, scenario one, what would we do? to if
there was a fire at this exit, where would we redirect things like that? >> Thank you. >> Board secretary and board business, can I have a motion to move items one through three, please?
>> Richard's Patterson. A motion. >> Second. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Yes. I just want to follow up on Mr. Lewis's question. Do we have any answers for number three? >> I I could take that. Um so, Governor
Murphy just recently signed as he's walking out of office a cell phone bill. Uh that prohibits cell phones within um many of our schools, including, you know, potentially the high school. As we move forward to next year, um we thought it would be a good opportunity to refocus on all of our um instructional
techniques to teach our kids how to be utilizing their phones to the best of their ability um and to be as socially appropriate as possible. Um it will be governed uh to Mr. Lewis's question through our HIV procedures as all cyber
bullying would. Um and the last four uh be it further resolved uh the board affirms expectation of all members of the school community to engage respectful responsible digital contact. Be it resolved the superintendent designate is directed to ensure the existing policies and procedures
addressing cyber bullying are communicated to board members and staff. And then uh have the board support age appropriate education and awareness efforts related to digital citizenship, online safety, and respectful
communication. Um which is something that some of our supervisors have been focusing on um in some of the ELA and social studies components that we have implemented this year. >> Hope that answer your question. >> So is this like did this template come from some place? I I don't disagree with
that. I'm just curious like did the state hand down this kind of template or did we come up with the wording on our own? >> I think you came up from the board uh president. >> It's not it's not state language, Mr. Danton. It's a growing trend in districts in Mammoth and Ocean counties
and elsewhere. Uh because this does, as you see in the third paragraph, it talks about it includes conduct which is harassment, intimidation, and bullying as we used to know it before 2012. uh whether or not it falls within the statutory definitions in New Jersey and
therefore it applies to victims who are not students. So it wouldn't go through the HIV process in all cases. Sometimes it would. Sometimes it could be beyond that if it pertains to somebody who is not a student. >> Again, I don't disagree with what it's
saying, but for it to be kind of it's going to come out wrong. it wasn't slid in last minute, but it wasn't exactly like a discussion from like board level and you know whether it was a policy or or what committee it would have fallen under to just be kind of put on an
agenda. Um and I I'll admit I didn't read it over the weekend. I I had family stuff and then work and stuff, so the fault is mine. Um but I just think it could have been handled better. Any
other discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Mangitason, >> yes. >> Miss Dantino, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn, >> yes. >> Miss Joelry, >> yes. >> Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes.
>> Mr. Slate is absent. Mr. Solowski, >> and Miss Francisco is absent. Resolutions one through three for board secretary and board business passes. >> Hearing of the residents on any school district issue. Okay. Mic closed. Uh anyone that any board member have any old business to
discuss? Any new business? Yes. Um I'd like to give a shout out to the Oldbridge Elks. A little backstory during one of the SEPTA meetings I got speaking to Miss Quillis um about the Oldbridge High School transition
planning program um our transition students isn't a student group that we discuss a lot um but it was great to see you know the work steppp had done over the summer with the kitchens and things like that so I got talking like okay like what's next for these students you know what do they need next um and it
turns out that these students when they go out into the workforce have shirts that have been kind of handed down um from year to year to year. And she's like, "They'd really kind of like new shirts, so we you know, we have to figure out how that can be done." I'm like, "Don't worry, I got you." So, I
went to the Elks um wrote up a request and said, "Could you sponsor some shirts for the students? I'm hoping it goes on an ongoing basis, so any new student coming to the program would get a new shirt." Uh but Marjorie and I were there with uh the Elks on last Wednesday. Uh,
we had Miss Quillis, Miss I'm gonna mess up names. Reit Resiniti. Thank you. Miss Crane and Miss Shabowski. And then some paras and stuff like that. Um, and we presented these shirts to the students. The students were thrilled. They were so
excited to get new stuff. Um, we took a big group photo. Some of the kids, you know, put it on right away. Um, so I do want to give a shout out to the Oldbridge Elks. Uh, thank you so much for quickly saying yes and giving these students new shirts to start the new year.
>> So, um, last week I was able to attend the SEPTA meeting. Um, and we were able to hear their student reps and they spoke about how Play Unified really has helped them and how much they enjoy these the Play Unified teams and just how it makes them feel uh very included
in and they had to they have such you know fun with their friends and they get to hang out and it was like really it was really refreshing to hear because I feel like every student needs that comfort like every student should feel like happy to go to a sport or happy to come to school because unfortunately not all of our students have that at So to
hear these kids talk about how unified really makes them feel included was really was really nice. It was a great meeting. Um Dr. Sasso got to um this the Gatorade the Gatorade award. >> Yes. >> You want to you want to explain the
Gatorade award? >> Wait. The >> the Gatorade award >> the girl that won the Gatorade award. >> Oh, you know what? I'm going to I'm going to hold off on that, okay? Because we're going to do a really uh formal recognition next month.
>> Um but yes, we had a a student at the high school uh receive a tremendous honor um as part of the award package. She had the ability to um she received $1,000 to donate to um any school program that she wanted to and she chose
to to donate that $1,000 to uh our play unified sports program. Uh but uh you'll get to meet her in February um and hear all about the award. >> Um so the SEPTA's next meeting is on March 19th at 6:30 at the GNC. Um and
that's all I have. Anybody else? >> Um um I have something. So when we were um at when we were giving out the shirts to the CTE programs, we also stopped by the um the lollipop shop, which was pretty amazing. Um, we watch students make candy. Uh, chocolatecovered
pretzels, lollipops, chocolate covered oreos, and >> Oh, we got to eat those. >> Yeah. Um, and um it was they also told us when when we were there that um they're available to make things for parties and receptions and weddings and things like
that. So, if you ever have any need to order things, you can order them. That was Miss Resiniti, right? Yeah. You can order them directly from there. and they will um they'll fulfill any orders. And so it's it's really a cool thing. >> I know that CPAG has a lunch and listen
on the 27th if you want to check their um social media. I don't have it in front of me unfortunately, but I do you know I know that's coming up and then their next meeting is going to be February 11th. Um, I wanted to talk if that's okay if you were done. Okay. I
figured I'd ask Margie might know the the CPAG information better than me. Um, so a few days ago, I got a new follower on my Instagram account. The account was called Chloe the Egg. This was immediately followed by a number of egg
accounts that in my suggested friends in the algorithm, which definitely got me curious. I spoke to the owner of the account who explained to me how this works and with her blessing I'm going to give her credit for her taking the initiative on her assignment uh per
Amanda Mikcomaniski who is a junior at high school. The assignment is for high school psychology and we take care of an egg for a week. It's teaching them responsibility, the development of a child and even socialization. We have to
create, these are her words, uh, we have to create an Instagram account for our egg and post friends, family, administrators, and teachers with it. I told Amanda that if it was okay with the grand chickens that she could actually come to uh, tonight's board of ed
meeting for a little intro and photo shoot with the egg. But Amanda is a working mama hen and is already committed to her rigorous dance schedule, five nights a week. because she was so committed to her work and her assignment uh for Mr. Bamonte's class, I
told Amanda I would reach out to Dr. Sasso to arrange a photo op during the school day. Uh there's this is going to be closing on Thursday, the assignment. So Amanda got that much more excited at the opportunity to get an egg pig with Dr. Sasso, too. So yes, and I actually
asked production if I could share the p because I printed them out, but they said because they're setting they won't be able to I I'm sharing it on my social media. I have their blessing. Um, so today in between meetings, Dr. Sasso and I met with Amanda and Khloe the Egg
for a mini shoot. She has since posted us on her Instagram account, and I wanted to shout her out for her excellent work and effort. They get extra credit for getting a pick with admin, but this ambitious chicky found this board of ed member and got both Dr.
Sasso and myself in it. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. It was super cute. Dr. Sasso got in with got he's more used to it. This is my first time, but um he got like his football helmet in in the picture. It was it was cute. It was it was adorable. She was so
excited. She said her mom wanted her to come tonight. But I appreciate that she's that, you know, ambitious that she's like, "Oh, we really don't want to miss dance." And so, uh good job, Amanda, for being a go-getter. That was it. I just want to mention that it's a
little confusing on the um on the school on the school site that with our committee meetings because we just reorganized all the committees. So um now the special services curriculum and student life committees are rolled into
student services and that meeting is going to be on January 27th at 6 o'clock p.m. I just have one thing. Um, Dr. Sak Sasso, if you wouldn't mind. I know that we're at a time of year right now where the weather does play chaos with the
school schedule and sometimes a lot of parents and staff. They want to know your process on determining a delay opening or a closure. I know that uh, you know, David said when he was here, he had a process he followed. Uh obviously now you're in this position
and you know I've been involved with snow removal and all kinds of different things over the last 35 years. I know it's a very difficult process but if you could take a few minutes and explain to the public and the staff your rationale the process that you're going to follow
and so that uh the staff knows because there is all those meteorologists out there right now on social media saying that there's a blizzard coming on Sunday and Monday and that it's going to be a huge problem. So maybe this is the perfect time to explain your process.
>> Yes, thank you, Mr. Dunn. And uh yeah, my first uh message to the community mentioned the polar vortex that we're currently in. Um so uh no decision is made uh in a bubble and so we have a I'm surrounded by a really great team. Um
you know, early on in the process, uh uh Mr. Tricomy, our director of plant services, does a tremendous job. um he and I met with um the uh township um early on just to coordinate our efforts. This was back in uh early December. Um
so we we developed that partnership to make sure that you know we're aligned with what's happening um in the in the township. Um here on our team, we have a weather team um and we are in constant communication all throughout the weekend. Even by the way, I did order
all storms to happen only on the weekends. So, so far so good. Although Sunday is looking a little uh shaky right now. Uh but we uh first thing this morning it was uh I think my first email today was out to the weather team uh after I saw the report. Mr. Widell and
Dr. Hoker, Dr. Tui, uh Mr. Deino um to make sure that and certainly transportation plays a huge role in that uh in those decisions. uh the safety of our students and staff is paramount to anything that we do. And so that's what guides all of our uh decisions and
certainly my final decision whether we're on a delay or or a school closure. Um you know, but it's as we know uh you know, meteorologists are only right about 30% of the time. And so uh the timing we want to be respectful to to families and and certainly our students
and and staff to make sure that the information is out timely enough where people can make arrangements. Um, but at the same time, we're, you know, we want to be in school every day and and have a full day of school. So, that's ultimately the goal. Uh, but but I have a uh I do have a meeting scheduled on
Thursday morning with um with the weather team from the high school, uh, Jetream Jim Ali, who has been a confidant for many years, um, is is right now working the, uh, the Noah website to to make sure we're on top of it. and uh he'll provide some
information and and then we'll meet as a team uh certainly on Thursday and Friday to make sure that we're prepared and ready and uh whatever the storm takes. So I'll get a message out to the community most likely on Friday just kind of giving them a heads up of of where we're at especially if the timing of this is Sunday late afternoon into
Monday which could impact uh Monday. But um I as of right now, school is on. Everything is fine. Everything is normal. And with everything that we do, uh the safety of our students and our staff uh come above any decision that we
ever make. >> Uh last thing I would like to say is I just want to say thank you again for our plaques. Um I think as a board a lot of people don't realize how much time, effort we put into to any meeting that we attend. that you know the conferences
everything that we do it takes up a lot of our time um voluntarily obviously but thank you for the appreciation and this is really this is going right on my wall right when you walk in my house I wanted to say thank you too this was really
cool um this was such such a special moment and it's such a great picture Scott always gets such really good pictures I have to say I immediately messaged him like hey can you send me some of these um but um and I think it's so cool that wood shop did this cuz I have their uh their Christmas ornament,
you know, that they made that it smelled so good when I opened the envelope um when that was delivered. Uh and I know I talked to the board a little bit because we knew some we didn't know what was coming today but we knew that there was going to be some acknowledgement for boards month and I did want to just say you know even though we're we're
volunteer and thank you by the way for doing this for us um but an extension of us is also Mr. Widell and um you know he is not just the business administrator he is our board of ed secretary and he takes a lot of time and puts a lot of care into everything he does you know
essentially wearing two multiple hats but at least two and um so I just wanted to say you know just give him credit where it's due and and thank you for all you do. >> Yes, we're all very thankful that you have to do the budget and not us.
>> I'll second that motion. Um, a motion to go into executive session, please. >> I have one uh stopped. >> I just got to know that there is a new funding policy update from the NJOE. So, I think Mr. W, I think we need to connect and see what does it mean to us.
There are a few updates. I think from the school funding policies. So, we'll connect on that. Yeah. Okay. >> Can I have a motion to go into close executive session, please? >> Move. >> Richard's Patterson will second.
>> Any discussion? Roll call. All >> favor in favor. >> I have a good night, guys. Thank you. Thank you, guys. There you go. Does that feel good?