I'd like to call the meeting to order. Welcome everyone. Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA104-10. 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 Bios channel 24 and by filing such notice with the township clerk. This meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The board will take formal action on payment of bills and other agenda items. Mr.
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 the actor 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. >> Miss Dantino
>> here. >> Mr. Dunn, >> it's absent. Miss Joy >> here. >> Miss Mazone >> here. >> Miss Richard Patterson >> here. >> Mr. Slade >> here. >> Mr. Solicowski >> here.
>> Mr. Venitas absent. And Miss Francisco >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Will everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance? To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Would anyone like to read the code of ethics next week? >> I'll do it. >> All right. Thank you. Okay. Approval of minutes will be next
week. Our student representative report will be for next week. Also, recognition. Is there someone that would like to cover recognition next week? You doing it? Okay, Christina will do that. Thank you. Dr. Sasso, do you have anything for us?
>> Uh, nothing tonight. Uh but we will have something on Tuesday uh to recognize uh this is board appreciation month and so we'll do something nice uh next Tuesday. >> Great. Thank you. Okay. Um any progress towards goals or correspondence?
>> No correspondence for tonight, but do you have any progress towards schools or nothing? Okay. >> Any special committee reports for tonight or just maybe next week? >> Okay. All right. Now we will have hearing of
the residents on agenda items only. Okay. Seeing none, moving on to policy. Um on the agenda, it is blank for policy. Um however, I would like to make a motion to revise bylaw 0155.
Um board members, you did receive that and have it also. So just for um the public so this is the policy that governs our board committees. Um so oftent times when we have a reorganization meeting um the president the board has some different visions um
for these committee structure. So we are looking to change some of the cities committees around um kind of streamline them to be more effective efficient inclusive. Um, so I would like to make a motion for a first reading of these um
the committee structure this evening. >> So I think I need a second. >> All right, we have a motion by Miss Francisco. Do we have a second? >> Miss second. >> And we do an all in favor, Mr. Parn. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right. So, we have a a motion uh by Miss Francisco, seconded by Miss Bizone, and all in favor vote from the board um for a first reading of policy revisions to policy 0155
for board committees and we'll have a second reading next week. >> Okay. Is there any further discussion of this policy the board members? >> I think though one concern I had with this and not that it's it. But with
student services, having curriculum, special services, student life, which is then athletics, and what used to be DEI, that's can be a lot at one meeting. And I'm just worried the length of that meeting, >> right? So, we did talk about that and because for the rest of the year, I believe we have set aside quite a few
meeting dates. So, we're going to take a look at those obviously once, you know, this goes through and it goes through its second reading and then we can decide how we want to handle that moving forward. In other words, let's say we have curriculum already set up for every single month. Perhaps we talk about curriculum at one of those meetings.
Perhaps we talk about special service concepts for another one of those meetings. Um perhaps we keep some of the dates we have for those original committee meetings so we can as a board decide how we want to move forward. But the idea is to make sure that we are using the community's time, our time
effectively and that our meetings um just are deeper and and more collaborative in hopes of you know kind of streamlining everything. So with that then if say meeting you know three days from now is a curriculum meeting because it's under the student services does that mean
other topics can be introduced or it's just going to be curriculum? >> No absolutely other topics can always be introduced and sometimes there isn't something to discuss on one particular topic you know formally anyway. Yeah. >> No I don't disagree with it. I was just when I look at all that could
>> could encompass a full meeting or if like there's multiple topics just you know again everyone's time. >> Yep. No, I agree. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> I just had a question. Negotiations. Are we negotiating this year for >> No, you actually you have no collective
bargaining. So, do we need to form a committee or just have to have >> the committee will still exist because if there's if something happens, not that I'm encouraging anything to happen, >> uh, but if it does, it would be good to have a committee in place. >> Okay. >> Um, okay. And then just something else
too for uh committees and we can talk about this moving forward as well. We're going to, you know, make sure um kind of to Jen's point that we have a very set agenda so that it's clear on what's going to be discussed. Obviously, you know, you can bring up anything that falls under that category, but we're going to make sure that we have an agenda and a flyer out at minimum a week
before so that the community can be um aware of what's coming up and set aside those dates hopefully. All right, let's see. Any other discussion? >> I have a question. >> Yep. Um, I just wanted to I I know we talked uh behind the scenes, but I just
for the public's sake wanted to talk about the finance meetings because they've been cancelled a couple times and we had a really good turnout at the one. And again, I know there's a reason for it, but I just was hoping that somebody could elaborate for the public why um it's on hold for right now.
>> Sure. So originally um early in the year we had decided we met as uh a board or administrative team and our president and vice president and we just set all committee meeting dates on the calendar. So at the time we knew uh longtime long-term strategic planning finance was
important. We wanted to make sure there was at least a meet a placeholder for a meeting every month on the calendar. Um so that's when that was originally scheduled. So as we got into our actual meetings and and started talking about topics, I think what we learned is uh the work ahead and specifically on the
strategic planning meeting um it's a lot of work but there's a lot that goes into each meeting. So our last public meeting we had we did a nice activity where I think it was a very good uh an activity and there was a lot of progress from there. Um, we then felt as a board that
our next meeting, you know, being public, if we didn't really have anything concrete to bring, you know, we didn't want anyone just sitting there wasting time as as Miss Francisco just said, or twiddling their thumb. So we decided to make the December 12th meeting a committee I believe it was December 12th a committee of the whole
executive session where we had as a board met with Pretten and we had some what I think is a very productive uh long conversation couple couple hours worth of um you know not only financial impacts but the the status of long-term strategic planning and how it'll play
out not only for the budget but in in the grand scheme of potentially redistricting or repurposing ing of schools. Um so we we gave we ended that December meeting giving Pretty an activity um to to kind of dive into and
bring back some results for the board to kind of ex you know go through and review and and kind of have further discussion. So that would be coming um on the February 3rd meeting I believe on the January 8th meeting. We did end up
cancelling just because of uh the the quick turnaround from after the holidays. Pretten did need some more time to go through their their activity. Um and I think we again we didn't want to bring anything that wasn't ready to the community. So we said all right
let's hold off on uh January 8th. At that time we had February 5th on the calendar. Uh there was some discrepancy so we moved it to February 3rd. So as of Feb right now February 3rd is a committee of the whole strategic planning uh finance meeting again
executive session only for the board but what they're going to do is Pretzen's going to come bring back their activity and we're going to start really talking about our 26 uh 27 budget. So at the end of this week we're having a um one of the most important meetings at as an
admin team. we go through our position control roster and as we know salaries and benefits is about 75% of our budget. So, we're going to go through with a fine tooth comb um reviewing our position control roster as an admin team to get that all into the budget. And
then from the difference of the January 16th date, which I think is Friday, to February 3rd, I'll have some additional budget work done. And most importantly, I would want to share to the community is planned for the end of this month uh just again as an admin team, but we're
bringing uh for the first time ever probably in years and and Dr. Sasso off to my left um as being as a principal can probably speak to it. Um we're going to have principles come have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the admin team as well as supervisors,
directors. they all are getting a 20 minute window, 30 minute window to speak one-on-one with the administrative team uh to really go through their budget requests and and what they have. So we're going to take those two admin meetings and have a lot of more information to then have a executive
session committee the whole meeting on February 3rd and then somewhere in between February 3rd and March um which our tenant budget is due. We're going to have a couple meetings and specifically looking to schedule one budget meeting
for the community to kind of get a review um and a presentation prior to our tenative budget adoption or approval in March. So, that was a mouthful. I tried to keep it concise for Dr. Sasso um but that's hard for me to do sometimes. So, >> that was perfect actually. Thank you so much.
>> You're welcome. >> Thank you, Mr. Wido. Okay, moving on to curriculum and professional development. So, can I please have a motion for item number one? >> Second.
>> Miss second. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Richard Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade? >> Yes. >> Mr. Solicowski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Venitason is absent. Miss Dantuno. >> Yes. Mr. Dunn is absent. Miss Joelry,
>> yes. >> Miss Mone, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco, >> yes. >> Resolution one for curriculum and professional development development passes. >> Any discussion for items two and three under curriculum and professional development. Okay.
Finance. Can I have a motion for items one and two? >> Motion. >> Patterson. second. >> Any discussion? >> Uh, no. I just wanted to be clear so everyone knows that number two for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Techn uh
technical education grant that's just we're approving just the submission of the application for the grant. Um, it's a grant that we receive every year. Uh, Dr. Hulk, am I right on that? We receive that every year. So, this is just us approving the submission of that
grant again. Thank you, Christina. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Slate, >> yes. >> Mr. Solicowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Venitation is absent. Miss Dantino, >> yes. >> Mr. Dunn is absent. Miss Joji, >> yes. >> Miss Mazone, >> yes. >> Miss Richard Patterson,
>> yes. >> And Miss Francisco, >> yes. >> Resolutions one and two for finance passes. >> Any discussion for items 3 through 12? Okay. Athletics. Can I please have a motion for items number one and two?
>> Dant will move. >> Jordio second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Okay. Roll call. >> Mr. Solicowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vanitason is absent and we're going to miss Dantino. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Dunn is absent. So we'll go to Miss Joy. >> Yes. >> Miss Mone, >> yes. >> Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slade, >> yes. >> And Miss Francisco, >> yes. >> Resolutions one and two for athletics passes. >> Non-certificated personnel office. Any
discussion for item number one? Non-certificated personnel operational. Any discussion for items one and two? on certificated personnel. Other any discussion for items one through three. Okay. Certificated personnel. Can I
please have a motion for items one and two? >> Joy on the move. >> Miss second. >> Mone with the second. >> Is there discussion? >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Miss Joy. >> Yes. >> Miss Mone.
>> Yes. Miss Richards Patterson, >> yes. >> Mr. Slade, >> yes. >> Mr. Solicowski, >> yes. >> Mr. Venitation is absent. We'll go to Miss Man Dantuno. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn is not here. Miss Francisco, >> yes. >> Resolutions one and two for certificated
personnel carries. >> Any discussion for items 3 through 11? Non-certificated personnel transportation. Any discussion? Transportation items one through three. Any discussion? Supplies, equipment, and services. Any
discussion for items one and two? Two and three. Mine only has one and two. One, two, and three. Any discussion? All right. Miscellaneous. Any discussion? Items one through four.
Okay. Any discussion for board secretary and board business on the resolution presented here? Right. We will move to hearing of the residents on any school district issue. I'm so quiet today. Okay.
Sorry. Rookie mistake. Forgive me. Forgive me. Rookie mistake. Okay. Um, anybody have old business? New business? >> I have no business. Um, I just wanted to mention that the glass slipper is um
happening again and it operates entirely through donations of new or gently used formal attire. The program is open to anyone who may need assistance due to the high cost of prom or other formal events. Participation is not limited to Oldbridge residents. Members of the
broader comm community are welcome. And there's no financial screening or eligibility requirement. Anyone in need may participate. The boutiques are set up in the GMC cafeteria where participants can browse and try on clothing and select items um in a welcoming environment.
In addition to formal wear, we offer accessories that are no cost and also um are provided formal attire suitable for the eighth grade dancers and other formal occasions. Sizes range from zero to 24 and donations of formal attire are
being accepted at the YMCA through the end of the month. And I have one more thing I wanted to say. Um I always like to bring up um and share with everybody um people in our community that give back to the community. And I wanted to share a quick story about um a story
that really highlights the impact of all schools. Recently um I was at uh physical therapy for my knee and I met a physical therapist named Melissa Kramer and in talking with her I learned that she's an Oldbridge High School graduate. She graduated in the class of 2015.
Alyssa went on to study at TCMJ and later earned her doctor of physical therapy degree from Drexel University and she now works right here in our community providing physical therapy services to both adults and students. And she's incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and she really listens.
Meeting Lissa was a great reminder of the impact of our schools and this the impact that they have long after graduation. And she she represents everything is proud of. So I just wanted to bring up um that story and highlight her and stories like this are sometimes
um why we have to make difficult decisions but in the end it's always about oldbridge students. So I just wanted to share that about Alyssa with everybody. >> Um I just wanted to remind everybody that Thursday at 6:30 at Shepard School uh SEPTA will be
hosting their um their second meeting. Right Elena? second third third meeting. Um, so yeah, that's 6:30 on Thursday at Shepard. >> The band program, I think it's a the winter percussion is doing a I think
it's a competition February 7th. They're looking for some student volunteers who might need uh service hours to help with helping the other bands and kids around the school. Um, they're also looking for some bakers in town that could help uh bake some items for their bake sale. So,
if that's that you are able to do for February 7th, please reach out to the um the band parents association. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> Oh, one more thing. >> Thank you, Elena, for the ornaments. >> You're welcome. It's a little late, but
better late than never. >> Okay, thank you everyone for sharing all of that. And can I have a motion to go into close executive session? Miss >> motion. Anybody second? >> I'll second it.
>> Okay. >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstensions. We're going into exec. Thank you. >> Thank you everybody for coming. Appreciate it. Board.