Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming out tonight. We're going to get started. Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. N.J.S.A. 10:4-10, adequate notice of this meeting has been posted to the district website under
legal notices, in the board office, the schools, and on Cablevision Channel 118 and Verizon Fios 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, June 23rd, 2026. The board will take action payment of bills and other agenda items. Mr. Wida. >> The Old Bridge Township Board of Education acknowledges that the law of the state establishes that the 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 act of 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. >> Ms. Dantino. >> Here. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Here. >> Ms. Chaudry. >> Here. >> Ms. Mazone. >> Here. >> Ms. Rogers-Patterson. >> Here. >> Mr. Slade. >> Here.
>> Mr. Solgalski. >> Here. >> Mr. Venkatesan. He's absent today. And Ms. Francisco. >> Here. >> We have a quorum present. >> Will everyone please rise for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of
and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please remain standing. I apologize. For a moment of silence. Move the Board of Education acknowledge the death of
Jean Pasquinuchi, retired special education teacher, and expresses deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Thank you. You may be seated. Christina, code of ethics. The board member will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties.
Moving on to the approval of minutes. Can I please have a motion? >> Dantino, I'll move. >> Miss Almas second. Any discussion? Roll call. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Yes. >> Miss Goudreau. >> Yes. >> Miss Mazoun.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Richards-Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade. >> Yes. >> Mr. Salkowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Miss Dantuno. >> Yes. >> And Miss Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolution one for approval of minutes passes. >> Okay, we have some wonderful recognition
this evening. So, let's get to that. Um item number one, Christina. >> Move the board to approve the retirement of the following staff members with deep appreciation for their years of dedicated service to the district. Laura McHugh, McDivitt and Glenn Art. Uh Jennifer Beal, McDivitt, grade one.
Yan Li, Schara, noon hour supervisor. Melissa Marquette, Grissom RTI. Lynelle DeChico, Carl Sandburg Middle School. Uh all together, we have 112 years of service. Thank you all for your dedication to our staff and our
students, and good luck in your future. Are any of our retirees here this evening? Okay. Well, we wish you the very best of luck, and thank you for serving in Old Bridge. Round of applause for them, even though they're not here. I don't know.
JUST FEELS [applause] RIGHT. OKAY, MOVING ON TO ITEMS NUMBER TWO AND THREE. I believe Mr. Domino is going to join us. Thank you. >> Good evening. Good evening, everyone. I'd like to begin by congratulating all of our student athletes and their families on an outstanding spring
season, successfully balancing academics, athletics requires commitment, discipline, time management, and perseverance. These qualities will serve our students well long after their playing days are over. It has been a privilege to watch our athletes grow as competitors, teammates, and young adults
throughout their high school careers. Tonight, we are proud to recognize three programs for their championships accomplishments this spring season. First, we'd like to recognize our girls spring track team. Accepting the award tonight is coach Klein and the members of the team.
Congratulations on capturing the Red Division Championship and Conference Championship. >> [applause] >> Next, we are honored to recognize our girls lacrosse team. Accepting the award is coach Gajewski and the members of the team. Congratulations on winning the Red Division championship and conference
championship. >> [applause] >> Finally, we would like to recognize our boys volleyball team. Accepting the award is really excited here, coach Hobman and the rest of the volleyball program. Congratulations on winning the NJSIAA
Central Jersey Group 4 sectional championship and state Group 4 championship. >> Before we conclude, I'd like to bring uh Victoria Body and Addison Albrecht up here. >> [applause] >> I'd like to recognize two exceptional
student athletes who earned varsity letters during all 12 athletic seasons of their high school career. Here, stand right here right now. A remarkable accomplishment reflects their years of dedication, consistency, and hard work. Victoria Body earned 12
letters, four in cross country, four in winter track, and four in spring track. And Addison Albrecht earned four in field hockey, four in ice hockey, and four in girls girls lacrosse. Congratulations. >> [applause] [applause]
>> Okay. We're going to move on to number four in recognition. The New Jersey Association of School Business Officials celebrated its 64th annual conference with school business administrators and leaders attending from all over the state from June 2nd through June 5th of 2026. New Jersey
ASBO has been proud to feature the artwork of our talented New Jersey students during our conference for 15 years. The spring 2026 conference marks the 15th annual student artwork exhibit in which the artwork is displayed for members to view and appreciate the fine
work performed by our very own students. All attendees have the opportunity to vote on student artwork with a winner announced at the final session on Friday, June 5th. This year, we would like to congrat- congratulate one of our very own students here in Old Bridge. Move the
board to recognize Naisha Patel, an eighth grade student at Jonas Salk Middle School whose Jim Butcher-inspired paper mosaic was selected by all conference attendees as the best middle school artwork winner of NJASBO's 15th annual student artwork exhibit at the
New Jersey ASBO 64th annual conference. Congratulations, Naisha. >> [applause] >> Come on up. So, for our board members that haven't seen it, we have a picture of Naisha. She did a mosaic of a sea turtle, correct?
Oh, it's upside down. I'm sorry. So, here, let's get a picture. Here, come on. >> [applause] >> You're not done now. So, the the New Jersey School Business Administrators, we like to do it big. So, you were awarded an a $100 Amazon
gift card. You're welcome. Congratulations. Okay. So, also at the conference, Old Bridge was a um very lucky on Friday. We also won in a raffle a $1,000 student scholarship award from NJASBO on behalf
of the Old Bridge Township Board of Education for being selected as a winner of the student scholarship at the New Jersey ASBO 64th annual conference courtesy of the New Jersey ASBO associate business members. Now, number six in the recognition was going to be
awarding that scholarship. We're going to administratively remove number six tonight. We have not had that senior student selected just based on timing. Um so, we're going to revisit that and maybe do a little competition for someone that's in the uh finance realm and work to um award that scholarship
over the summer in August. All right. So, we're going to administratively remove resolution number six, but we will accept number five to accept that student scholarship. And congratulations again to Naisha. Very good job. You're welcome. >> Okay, can I please have a motion for
items number items one through five? >> Jordy, I'll move it. >> Dantino, I'll second. >> Any discussion? >> Yes. I'd like to um congratulate all the retirees. I've watched Ms. McHugh's artwork and the students flourish over
the years and the extra steps that she goes above and beyond to enter the kids into different contests and things like that. So, she will be a real loss to the related arts uh team in the elementary school. So, thank you for your dedication and hard work. And congratulations to all the athletes and 12 letters in 12 seasons is pretty uh
is pretty amazing. so that's pretty cool and beautiful sea turtle, so thank you. >> Okay, I also wanted to um congratulate and wish the best to the retirees. Um I don't uh have a personal experience with all of them, but with Mrs. McHugh,
um my daughter's 23 years old, she had Mrs. McHugh. Uh my my son is 13 years old almost and he had Mrs. McHugh and as a board member, when I did Read Across America, uh we asked for Mrs. McHugh's classroom at McDevitt. Um she's just she has an
energy about her. Uh she's done the student of the week. She used to have like a fun um parents page for her art to follow on Facebook and um it's bittersweet because she's just such a light wherever she
goes, but she also deserves to have her time and to enjoy her life. So, I just want to wish everybody all the best and um we're going to miss you. Thanks. >> Okay, roll call, please. >> Miss Gilger. >> Yes. >> Miss Mazzone.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slayton. >> Yes. >> Mr. Solkauski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent, so Miss D'Antuono. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Yes. >> And Miss Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolutions 1 through 5 as
administratively corrected have been passed. >> Okay, uh moving on to our superintendent's report, Dr. Sassa. >> Thank you, Mrs. Francisco and uh it's hard to believe that about 9 hours ago we were at PNC together celebrating the
class of 2026 and uh you know, I will start the same way I started uh my speech today. Uh you know, first things first and you look at at the 692 graduates um and the culmination of just a a tremendous school experience. You know, the work that happens right
here with this Board of Education behind the scenes is absolutely tremendous. I'm inspired by the fact that you always put our students first in any of these decisions. And and you see that at our flag flagship event today at PNC Bank Arts Center
watching, you know, you think about we talk about excellence in education, we talk about, you know, being fiscally responsible and developing the whole child and that was on full display today. I think our class of 2026 represented our community tremendously today. When you look at the profile of the
graduates and I'll I'll talk a little bit more about this in in August and you see our kids, you know, I know the valedictorian today, you know, heading to Duke and some of the most competitive colleges. We have 10 of our seniors today who are going to be serving our country in the United States military. So many students going into the trades
and you know, going to represent us out in the workforce and it's just a it's really a proud moment. I'm looking at the high school administration who are here right now today who did an absolutely amazing job today to celebrate those seniors and and their families. And so
it only inspires me at this at this moment. I know as we reflect back on the work that we did in in this past year, you know, I think we've we've accomplished so much, but just the tip of the iceberg and you know, I'm excited to get to work over the next couple days with with Mr.
Wydell and Dr. Hooker and Dr. Chew to really start planning our goals over the summer. It's going to be a busy a busy summer as we head into September and I'm just excited at the even greater heights that that we'll reach come 26-27. So it's it's a moment
of reflection and to to sit back and just be grateful for the over 1300 staff who have contributed in some way to, you know, almost 700 graduates of the class of 2026 and just to say thank you to to our entire community who supports
our students to certainly to nine of you who who do the work and make the hard decisions behind behind the scenes to support our students, the people, the programs, and protect what matters most. And so so I'm just grateful to to serve this community, to serve alongside of all of
you, and really just excited about what the future will bring. So So it's a yeah, a moment of reflection, take a deep breath, take a couple days, and then it's a right back to work and get ready for 26-27. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you, Dr. Sasso. Do we
have any correspondence, Mr. Wedel? >> No correspondence received. >> Okay. Let's move to special committee reports. Does anybody want to chime in on some of the meetings we've had recently? >> So I'll do the finance and planning
meeting. Uh we had it on June 11th. It started off with a recap of what was going on this past year, and the facilities presentation by Praet Somjen. I was working with them and the BA's office and the NJPTA.
Um Praet has a project an advocacy project going on about uh the facilities, and there's a a bill hopefully coming to the floor, I believe at Senate level, that would be $10.5 billion worth of funding to fix capital
for schools that would not hit our taxpayers. So as a district that could badly need that uh we shared some of the pictures of the different buildings and and where our facilities are. We went over the expenditures for the year.
Um and then the ongoing conversations regarding the health benefits and our utilities, finishing out some contracts that we have, and working towards uh having better financial opportunities with those, and then the conference room
camera, uh how it's up, but we might change the seating that you would normally see at a committee meeting to be able to utilize that and facilitate that. So, that was the finance and planning meeting. >> Thank you, Jen.
Anyone else? >> I >> Okay. >> Okay, I didn't know if anyone else had to report. I also wanted to just touch on and share with the board Brooke and I had a meeting with Mr. Rydell about the advertising at Lombardi Field, and it's
going to be a project that we're going to take on and try and increase some of the advertisers. So, if any of the board would like to join us on that, we've kind of made that our summer project, and we'd like you know, for the community for Lombardi Field to be the place to really showcase your business
because not only do our athletes and our student family see it, but the community uses it, our rec sports teams, like it is a place in town that almost everyone in town, you know, passes by or sees. So, that's going to be our project this summer. So, if any of the board would like to join us, we have the information
on that. >> Do you have pricing on that for the public to know? >> Yes, I don't have it on me, but what you once I get all up and running, we'll get that. >> Mr. Rydell, do you remember off the top of your head because you're better at numbers. >> I don't want to give them I believe it's 13 to start, but I don't want to give the
number. We are updating some of the the letters and and the flyers. So, we're going to have to kind of put a a flyer out there for that. >> And it is on the board website under Lombardi Field advertising.
>> So, a 40 The initial letter we had a 43 by 96-in sign at Lombardi Field for 1 year is $1,350 for the initial year. That includes the production of the sign and the advertising cost for the year.
So, so was uh So, I was I was going to say that. >> And how many spots are available for that? >> We're working on counting it up. It's really across the chain link fence. Um, so >> would go around the whole field. So, you're really >> There is a good amount. >> than enough.
>> Yeah. >> And it would go from like uh what, August to June did we say or September to June? It would go normally. >> Normally. >> Yeah, we we The intention is to get everything up for the uh start of football season, which typically starts uh now that I believe it's the last week
of August they really start uh games as week zero now. Um, so the length of the football season really is ideal. Um, and then obviously all throughout uh the school year to the to June. >> Okay, thank you very much for that information. Um, I'll just give a quick
recap of our governance meeting that we had, uh which was on May 26th. So, we kicked off by revisiting the discussion surrounding the library material, which um along with policy alert 237 from Strauss Asmay. You'll find those
policies um on our agenda this evening for a first read. Um, we also discussed some of our shared services, particularly with a multi group that's going to be um I guess they kind of built, right, a cricket fields and are going to be using
it. >> They donated the funds to build it. >> Which is awesome. So, we discussed that. We uh did touch on one of our bylaws. Um, a suggestion for um an edit was made, but ultimately we decided to keep it the same. And um
I think that's pretty much it for the most part. So, I just wanted to give a quick recap recap of our governance meeting. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Anybody else for committee reports? Okay. So, this time I'll open hearing of the
residents on agenda items only. Okay, seeing nobody, I will close hearing of the residents. And we will move right on to curriculum and professional development items 1 through 6. Can I have a motion, please? >> Dunn will make a motion, Madam President.
>> I'll second that motion. Any discussion? Ms. Mazone second. Too late. We already have a second. Just kidding. No, I said I need discussion. No one? Okay. Uh, roll call, please. >> Mr. Judson Patterson. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Slean. >> Yes. >> Mr. Solakowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent, Ms. Dantuno. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Yes. >> Ms. Jodry. >> Yes. >> Ms. Mazone. >> Yes. >> And Ms. Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolution 1 through 6 for curriculum
professional development passes. >> So I just want to take a quick second to um recognize Taylor Opdyke who is with us this evening. If she We might as well just give her a round. She's going to be joining us >> [applause] >> as an intern um working with our
occupational therapist. So, welcome to Old Bridge and good luck to you. Okay, moving on to policy. Okay, it's just on here for a first reading. There is no action. >> [laughter] >> Just double-checking that.
Okay, finance. Can I have a motion for items 1 through 26? There's quite a bit there. >> Dantuno will move. >> Georgia second. >> Any discussion? >> We do have an administrative correction to this. Um,
resolution number eight, which is the ESEA grant, um, title one, title two, title three, and title four. Um, in recent years more and more the the state has been pushing back uh, the allocations or the funds for these. Um,
we just received the allocations today. So, for the record, we're going to write these in, um, because the title one, title two, title three, and 24, all the all title four, all that funding is in uh, pertinent as we get towards July 1, um, and we put we submit that
application to the state to get um, at least a tentative um, acceptance or a preliminary acceptance, um, so that we can start using some of the funds throughout the summertime. Um, so, with that being said, we're going to add to
resolution number eight, the following amounts in the 26-27 award. So, for title one, we were awarded 998,627. That is a difference of
uh, negative 10,122. So, we received 10,122 dollars less. For title two, part A, the amount awarded for 26-27, 179,532. That's a difference of negative 10,881.
Title three, 43,661. That is 6,098 dollars less than 25-26. Title three immigrant, 48,051. That is a difference of plus 24,370. Title four, part A, the award amount for
2627, 70,019. That difference is a positive 1,233. And the total allocation, the awarded amount for 2627, 1,339, 890.
That is a difference of less 1,498. So, we got a little bit of less than last year. Um obviously, there was a big increase in the title three immigrant um allocation, but we look to get this approved by the board so that we can
accept those allocations and submit our application to the state for review. Thank you. >> Does the immigrant funds come from our student enrollment or I mean, I'm not going to complain about the increase, but does it >> The The immigrant funds comes from an
increase >> in enrollment. >> Uh Mr. Vice another question about this. Um I know a lot of people with the um with the announcement of Cooper being repurposed, I know a lot of people had questions regarding, you know, that being a title one school and the funds
with that. Can you just explain what happens to the title one uh the title one funds for that school and how it travels um basically with the kid? >> I'm going to defer that to either Dr. Hawker or Dr. Tooley. >> The title one funds are based on the
actual students who receive the services, who are now um dispersed to other title one schools. So, they will continue to receive those services but in other locations. >> Okay. Uh roll call, please.
>> Mr. Slade >> Yes. >> Mr. Solcansky >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Ms. D'Antuono >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn >> Yes. >> Ms. Choudry >> Yes. >> Ms. Mazzone >> Yes. >> Ms. Richards-Patterson >> Yes. >> Ms. Francisco >> Yes.
>> Resolutions 1 through 26 as administrative and corrective does hereby pass. >> Okay, athletics items 1 and 2. Can I have a motion, please? >> Ms. Mazzone motion. >> Dunn will second. >> Any discussion?
Roll call. >> Mr. Solcansky >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Ms. D'Antuono >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn >> Yes. >> Ms. Choudry >> Yes. >> Ms. Mazzone >> Yes. >> Ms. Richards-Patterson >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade >> Yes. >> Ms. Francisco
>> Yes. >> Resolution 1 to 2 for athletics does hereby carry. >> Non-certificated personnel office, items 1 through 4. Can I have a motion? >> Choudry will move it. >> Ms. Mazzone will second. >> Any discussion?
Roll call. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. We'll move to Ms. D'Antuono. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn >> Yes. >> Ms. Choudry >> Yes. >> Ms. Mazzone >> Yes. >> Ms. Richards-Patterson >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade >> Yes. >> Mr. Solcansky >> Yes.
>> Ms. Francisco >> Yes. >> Resolutions 1 through 4 for non-certificated personnel office does carry. >> Non-certificated personnel operational, items 1 and 2. Can I please have a motion? >> Ms. Mazzone motion. >> D'Antuono will second.
>> Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Ms. D'Antuono >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn >> Yes. >> Ms. Choudry >> Yes. >> Ms. Mazzone >> Yes. >> Ms. Richards-Patterson >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade >> Yes. >> Mr. Solikaski. Mr. Venkatesan is absent.
Miss Francisco to wrap it up. >> Yes. >> Resolution one and two for non-certificated personnel operational is approved. >> Non-certificated personnel other items one through 13, can I have a motion, please? >> D'Antuono will move. >> Mrs. Holmes will second. >> Go ahead, Marjorie. You take this one.
>> You do it. >> Jaudry will second. >> Jaudry will second. >> Any discussion? >> [clears throat] >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Yes. >> Miss Jaudry. >> Yes. >> Miss Mazone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Richard's Patterson. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Slay. >> Yes. >> Mr. Solikaski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Miss D'Antuono. >> Yes. >> Miss Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolutions one through 13 for non-certificated personnel other carries. >> Certificated personnel items one through
24, can I have a motion, please? >> D'Antuono will move. >> Dunn will second. >> Any discussion? >> Yes, separating eight, nine, and 10 for voting purposes. >> All right, hold on one second. The motion was by D'Antuono, correct? >> Or no, or Jaudry.
>> D'Antuono Dunn had the second. And we're going to separate eight, nine, and 10 for voting purposes by Mr. Solikaski. Eight, nine, 10. And I do have a few administrative corrections um
within. So, the first one will be on number 17, uh resolution number 17. We're in the gra- in the grid there, the table. We have A for Chloe Warfield. The
um in the description there in the narrative, the replacement was for a new section. We're going to change new section to transfer. Uh so, that's going to be a transfer of employee uh for A. Okay. And then the other administrative
correction is going to be in regards to resolution number 15. This is the revised public relations coordinator job description and I'm going to defer to this time to Mr. Parran legal counsel just to go over the revisions we'll be making for the record.
>> Thank you. The the revisions just in the job description to maintain the pension status as status quo of what it was before. We did not used to have that in the job description so it's staying the same. >> Okay. Any other discussion?
>> Yes. >> Yeah, I just separated 8, 9, and 10 for discussion and voting purposes. We spoke about these increases behind closed doors I believe two meetings ago and I was willing to go 2% increase not a penny above and the increase is a little
more than 2% so I can't vote for 8, 9, and 10. It's it's not my money look it's money that we're giving away. It's not my money I'm spending somebody else's money over here and it's a lot of money as far as I'm concerned. My vote is 8, 9, and 10 no.
>> Any other discussion? >> Yes, Madam President. In regards to 8, 9, and 10 I just want to provide my support for these three remarkable individuals. As you know and the public knows we have
had a lot of trials and tribulations regarding our budget and there has been a lot of issues for us keeping our programs and quite frankly with these three individuals they played an integral role in ensuring that we came up with a plan to preserve our programs.
When you can think out of the box, when you're proactive, when when you love your job and you love to find ways of making things work for the betterment of our children, you know what? We want to keep these individuals and we want to reward them because, you know what? Ultimately, we're going to be successful
and we're going to be able to provide the programs based upon their expertise. So, unfortunately, I'm going to abstain from 8 and 9 um because of a conflict, um but 10 I will be voting yes on. Um with that said, I want to sincerely
thank the three of them for their tireless work over the years and they've played an integral role of preserving our programs. >> Any other discussion? >> Yes, I would like to um congratulate, of course, once we officially vote, uh
Mr. Arty and Mr. Phillips on your appointment. I think in talking to both of you guys and seeing you guys in action around the district, um great work and you'll make us all proud. So, congratulations and thank you. >> Any other discussion?
>> Always nice to be voted. >> Okay. All right, so then we are going to vote items 1 through 7 and 11 through 24 all in one? >> Yes. >> Okay, so everybody understand what we're doing? We're doing one 1 through 7 and 11 through 24. Roll call.
>> Ms. On Motion. >> We do have that already. Dantuno and Dunn. So, roll call on resolutions 1 through 7 and 11 through 24 for certificated personnel. Ms. Choudry. >> Yes. >> Ms. Mazone.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Richards-Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade. >> Yes. >> Mr. Solarkowski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Ms. Dantuno. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn? >> Yes. >> Miss Francisco? >> Yes. >> Resolutions 1 through 7 and 11 through
24 for certificated personnel does carry. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> So, I'm just going to do the other one first and then Okay, so roll call for numbers 8, 9, and 10. >> Miss on a motion.
No, just roll call. >> We have We have that. >> It's under control. >> We We have that already. What I'm going to say is we're voting for these as a group, 8, 9, and 10. So, if there's a specific no to a number or specific abstain to a number, please let me know.
>> to separate them? >> No, you can do it by number. >> We can do it as a group, but just please indicate your uh if there's a different vote um for which one of those resolutions. Ready? >> Waiting for you. >> All right, Miss Jodrey. >> Yes to all.
>> Miss Mazone? >> Yes. >> Mr. Richards-Patterson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade? >> Yes. >> Mr. Solakowski? Mr. Venkatesan is absent. >> Now you can hear me. No. >> I got it. Thank you. Mr.
Venkatesan is absent. Miss Dantona? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn? >> Abstain 8 and 9 and yes to 10. >> Thank you, sir. And Miss Francisco? >> Yes. >> Resolutions 8, 9, and 10 do hereby
carry. So, altogether resolutions 1 through 24 for certificated personnel does hereby move. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Mr. Phillips, since you are here this evening, would you come up here and join us? We'd like to congratulate you and
welcome to your new role as a vice principal of Birch High School. >> [applause] >> Congratulations, Mr. Phillips. I worked with your uncle for quite a few years. >> [applause] >> So, can I say something real quick? Elena.
Can I say say something real quick? Okay. Uh so, I just want to congratulate Ms. Christine Zardy on her new position at vice principal of Carl Sandburg. Um she works hard. She's a rockstar, and she deserves it. Mr. Phillips, congratulations on your new role. You're
going to do great. I've been hearing amazing things, so I'm looking forward to working with you. Congratulations. And Scott Mazella, I mean, I think we all we never really acknowledge Scott for all the work that he does. So, thank you for always taking the best pictures, putting them on the bridge, keeping
things positive, and I would look forward to seeing what you do for next year. So, thank you. >> All right, let's get a picture of someone We should get a picture of you. Come on. Yes, it's part of the gig. I would take a selfie. Do a selfie.
>> Just me alone? >> Maybe we take a couple of different poses, God. >> What was that? >> That goes on the bridge this evening, Mr. Mazza. We want to see it on the bridge. >> On its own post. >> May- maybe one of us should write it.
>> And then we're all going to share that one just like you share all of ours. >> I love it. >> It's happening. >> It's happening. >> I'm here for it. >> Awesome. Okay, moving on to non-certificated personnel transportation, item number one, can I have a motion, please? >> Mazza motion.
>> Donohue second. >> Any discussion? Roll call. >> Ms. Mazza. >> Yes. >> Mr. Richard Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sol Kaski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Ms. D'Antuono. >> Yes. >> Mr. Don. >> Yes.
>> Ms. Joudrey. >> Yes. >> Ms. Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolution one for non-certificated personnel transportation carries. >> Transportation, items one to three, can I have a motion? >> Mazza motion.
>> Richard Patterson second. >> Any discussion? Roll call. >> Mr. Richard Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sol Kaski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Ms. D'Antuono. >> Yes. >> Mr. Don.
>> Yes. >> Ms. Audrey. >> Yes. >> Ms. Mazone. >> Yes. >> Ms. Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolutions 1, 2, and 3 for transportation does hereby carry. >> Supplies, equipment, and services, items 1 through 14. >> Dunn will move.
>> Dancy and I will second. >> Discussion? >> Madam President, I'm happy to see that we are pursuing three new vehicles for transportation. Uh they've been doing without for many, many years, and I can tell you that they
kept those vehicles in A1 condition and on the road. So, I think that this is a very smart move to procure these vehicles for transportation. >> I agree, Mr. Dunn. >> Um I had questions about the number 12
last night with Mr. Wydell, um which I do support. I mean, if we're if we're able to do it, I we more than need new buses. Um but I did ask for clarity, and Mr. Wydell was kind enough to give everybody
an explanation because the fake farming. So, you can you just explain a little bit how the funds are allocated for something like that? >> Sure. So, this purchase will be made in the 25-26 school year, which is our current school year. Um typically around this time,
um as we start winding down the school year, all the purchases have been made. Um it's typical around this time, similar as you would have saw in uh the finance section. There's resolutions where when you start having available balance, you start uh depositing into reserves at the close of your fiscal
year. So, um before we do so, typically there'd be a an area where if there's a specific need, you'd like to try and purchase with the available funds before going um before moving into reserves. So, we've discussed really throughout the year that um through our with our
transportation director, who's in the audience, there's a serious need for additional buses. Not only specifically for our special ed transportation, but just because of the age of our fleet ongoing. If you go by this parking lot at the GNC, you'll actually see that
we're renting a small size bus from a outside contractor right now just to complete our own routes that we have. So continuing to update our fleet is certainly a necessity. In years past where we had a better financial situation,
there would always be a refresh cycle for buying new buses or new technology and such. And that has kind of gone by the wayside the past few years because the budget has been so tight and we're just trying to make every dollar count. But again, to close out 25 26, we have
we're looking at our available balances that we have left remaining throughout all our accounts. So before that money goes over to our reserves at the close of the 25 26 school year is marked by June 30th. We want to use the available funds within that balance to make a
purchase that we typically wouldn't be able to do through our budget cycle because of the cuts or eliminations or reductions we had to make in 26 27 and so on. So this bus this is an investment that I think is surely needed. It gets
us all back the resources and the assets we need so that we can continue to to make sure our transportation department has the resources they need to carry out our our operations for education. >> Mr. Wydell, so in plain English, you're
saying is that we ran efficient and that we have a surplus of funds and the surplus of funds that we're funds surplus of funds that we're using is a surplus from efficiencies that we garnered through the year. >> Correct. That is
>> Thank you. >> That is the plain Jane mundane explanation. I I I appreciate that. >> what fluns are? How many fluns do we have? >> Enough for >> Enough for buses. >> Enough for three buses.
>> That's awesome. Three flunded buses. Love it. All right. >> [laughter] >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Slade. >> Yes. >> Mr. Solikalski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan is absent. Miss
D'Antuono. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Yes. >> Miss Jodrey. >> Yes. >> Miss Mazone. >> Yes. >> Miss Richards-Patterson. >> Yes. >> Miss Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolutions 1 through 14 for supplies, equipment, and services does hereby carry. >> She's smiling in the back.
>> Look at that smile. >> Yay. >> I'll be steadily smiling now. >> We have to take a picture of her in her new bus. All right. Miscellaneous 1 through 14, can I have a motion for you? >> Jodrey will move.
>> Richards-Patterson a second. >> Any discussion? Roll call. >> Mr. Solikalski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Venkatesan. Is absent. Miss D'Antuono. Thank you, Jim. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dunn. >> Yes. >> Miss Jodrey. >> Yes. >> Miss Mazone. >> Yes.
>> Miss Richards-Patterson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slade. >> Yes. >> Miss Francisco. >> Yes. >> Resolutions 1 through 14 for miscellaneous does hereby carry. >> Okay. Hearing of the residents on any school district topic, if there's anybody who would like to speak, now is
your time. >> This is on? So, first of all, Scott Mazella, is this thing on? I can't hear you. Okay. Uh thank you for the nice kind words. Um also, I wanted to let you know um that the bridge is going to be making an honest and uh solid effort to get middle
and high school students to start submitting things to the bridge. I'm creating a channel for them to do that and we'll figure out how to do that. Um also you guys are the most active board I've ever seen. You make my job easier cuz you're at all these events I can't get I'm teaching so I can't get to everything. So I appreciate
all that. Keep doing that. That's awesome. And it's been a year since I got to this microphone at least. So how about that? I've had that so for strength for a whole year. All right. Thank you. >> I mean that's cuz you've been you've been doing such a great job. So you know. >> Just a suggestion too to to get the
elementary schools also. I know I mean I know we share a lot of stuff with elementary schools but if maybe if the PTA like the PTA like can email you all the pictures if they know about it then at least you get >> Not all of them. >> I feel like a lot of us we should probably announce it at every meeting. >> PTA
>> Yeah so if the PTA can send you you know emails you'll get more events from what's going on in the schools. Do you? >> I don't have any students that send me anything. >> Oh yes. >> But yeah the PTA sends them. >> Perfect. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. Anyone else hearing of the residents?
>> Scott if you can when you get a chance this book's over there to sign it. I don't know if you I don't know if you did that all year but it's over there. Thank you. >> Okay. I will close hearing of the residents. Any old or new business? >> I have some.
Um first and foremost I wanted to say congratulations to all of our senior graduates today and also to our preschool, kindergarten, fifth, and eighth grade graduates over the last few weeks. Um this year has definitely been one of the best by far for in my opinion. I want to give a huge thank you to Dr. Sasso. I always say you came in
and hit the ground running and I truly mean it. Um thank you for all the hard work you put in over these past seven months. You came in in the midst of a budget crisis and worked your butt off to get us to a place of putting that behind us. You have brought the board together by including us in everything that you do. Dr. Holker, Dr. Toomey, Mr.
Wedel, thank you for all the hard work you three put in. Most people don't see how much the three of you do because it's all done behind the scenes, but luckily for me, I get to see it firsthand. Board members, I think I have to say this year has been probably one of the best years. Um we have had fun.
We work together. Um and yeah, no, I think I think this year we we really did come together as a team. Um and then just all to the the principals, the staff for always including us. I mean, Elena sent out an an email a couple weeks ago. Me and Jay
were talking about it today of all the preschool uh of all the kindergarten graduations and fifth grade and the anxiety attack that hit me. It was just like, "Jesus." Um but like we get invited to so many and we do try to go make it to everything. So, thank you to all the staff that includes us in everything that you guys do. Um it's really truly
appreciated. Um I hope everyone has a great summer. Um I do not want to hear from you guys all of July. Um and that's it. So, I'll see you guys again in August. >> That was so well said, and I think I'm just going to say "Ditto." I don't even know what I could possibly add to that. Thank you, Christina.
>> I just want to say um I'm going to kind of put everything all together. Congratulations to all the graduates and the families. Um thank you to all the retirees for your service. Uh congratulations student athletes, girls track, girls lacrosse, boys volleyball. Congratulations to Victoria
Body and Addison Albrecht, 12 letters, 12 seasons. Um congratulate Oh, congratulations to Dr. Doherty, vice principal of Connetquot Samberg, Mr. Phillips, vice principal of Old Bridge High School. Congratulations to Mr. Mizelle, public relations
coordinator. Congratulations to Naisha Patel, um the best middle school artwork. And Dr. Sasso, Dr. Toomey, Dr. Holker, Mr. Wedel, and student staff, and families, have a great summer, and we'll see you in August.
That's it. >> I'll just say something real quick. I just want to sincerely thank everyone um for their hard work and energy. I just want to echo exactly what uh board member Mazone said. I think that there's been great synergy on this board, and we've been working together
to find ways to keep our school district whole, and making sure that our students are successful. Um just a reflection on the 2025-2026 school year, I think it's remarkable uh how well we've done. It's just absolutely incredible that we were
able to keep all the pieces together and make sure that our students had the finest education, and it shows through our programs, through our athletics, through our arts programs. It's great. And and just reflecting back, I want to sincerely thank the entire staff uh of the Old Bridge Public Schools for
their dedication and love, and their consistent um efforts along with this great administrative team. You know, Dr. Sasso, Dr. uh Hocker, and Dr. Tuohy, and David, you guys have really been the glue that has kept us together as a
board, and also our uh district. And just reflecting back, um I just want to say sincerely thank you to everyone who played a part in making this district one of the best in in the state of New Jersey. Thank you. Have a great summer. >> And one more thing to >> No, I'm going to say it first, cuz if you're going to take my idea, but we're
going to we're going to have problems. Um [laughter] I think we always forget to thank Mr. Parton, too. Mr. Parton, literally, he answers emails, texts all day, every day, weekends, holidays, everything. So, thank you for all the hard work that you put in throughout the year, also. And
for keeping me off of ethics, because you are literally my saving grace over here. So, thank you. >> Okay, this wasn't your idea, but thank you, Mr. Parton. Um I just wanted to mention um Mrs. Fazio, I think you did an amazing job today graduation. It was like human Tetris, but you did it. It
was great. It was an amazing day. So, thank you for everything you did for that. >> I don't really have too much to add because Christina and Rich really I think touched on all of just about all of it. Um, but I do want to personally congratulate Mr. Phillips.
He's sitting here with his family and I want to congratulate um Ms. Doughty. I mean, you guys worked hard for it. I wish you guys all the best. Enjoy the quiet before the storm of your new season and um I'm excited for everybody.
Thank you for including the board um to faculty and different schools. This has been a wonderful new experience for me. Um, I was just looking Marjorie had this little thing with the bees on it cuz she brings she does her bees
um presentation at a lot of the schools and I have to say besides actually being able to participate with the children at events. Yeah. It's the homemade cards are everything. >> Every bee has a kid's name >> I mean, this isn't mine. This is
Marjorie's card just FYI. She should hold this Scott and not me. This isn't my card. Um, I was just talking about it because we got them when we did Read Across America. Um, they're so special and the way I'm a hoarder when it comes to my kids projects that I don't know what I
think I'm going to do with them someday, but I have a been like this of kids projects now include these children that make us these homemade cards. They're so special. Um, your kids are special. I think as a parent it's important to me to have a sense of community and know
what our kids are doing and that's why I'm always posting on our social media. I try to make as much as I can. Um, when I can I know every school I have visited uh we couldn't we certainly couldn't do what it what was that list you gave us of
pre-K, kindergarten, fifth grade alone? I I had to be like 30, right? About 30 of them. There's I mean, and a lot of them were the same day as the same time. So, I was so strategic trying to at least make sure I stopped at each school. I couldn't go to everyone, but I wanted to go to every
school. Uh it was important to me, especially Cooper. Um and I just I've been loving this experience. I enjoy working with our current admin team. I appreciate that Dr. Sasso lets us each be ourselves and be
creative and um shoot ideas past him. He's always communicating. I've met with the whole admin team now. Um and every principal. I've toured every school. And it it just helps me educate myself as the newest member.
And it also opens that line of communication and trust. So, I really appreciate that. I can I can tell you in the from the uh in the background that um Dr. Sasso is such a hands-on leader. Um from wanting to be present for all of
the student things um to advocating and making sure that all the faculty members are taken care of uh to chipping away at the funding, which we know is kind of a uh thing he kind of, you know, landed in his lap when he was uh promoted to
superintendent. So, I just want to, you know, just thank everybody and give you all kudos for just doing a wonderful job and I'm excited to see all this new leadership uh come September. >> Okay, thank you. Um I would like to just add one quick thank you to our special
education PTA. So, they sent me a message tonight to share with all of you. Um So, they were actually a little excited to get the school year over with so that they can get working on some of their summer projects. And with the craft craftsmanship of Timcraft and his amazing team, they have almost
completed another life skills classroom at the OBHS main campus, bringing the total classrooms to six district wide. And they hope to build even more creative learning spaces for 2026-2027. So I just want to give those ladies and everybody involved in the building and creating and maintenance and planning
and you know, securing all kinds of uh you know, equipment and things that they need. So thank you to them and everybody involved. Cuz you're doing amazing things for our kids. And on that note, are we done? >> I'll chime in. Being that we we exhausted all the thank you's, I'm not going to say thank you
anymore. But I'm always amazed, this is my fifth year on the board and we start the year off with a clean blank piece of paper and then at the end of the year, uh just reflecting, again, another year of wow's. You know, we new positions,
uh promotions, redistricting a school, uh new hires, new buses, budgeting. Um I just think it's incredible that again, from behind the scenes, even before I got on the board, I would drop my kids off and pick them up from school and thought things were business
as usual, but um when you see how things actually happen and what it takes to run a district and the leadership that we have, it's incredible. So it I we've all said it goes unnoticed, uh but you guys do a great job and proud to be part of the uh this district. So thank you and
enjoy your summer. >> Okay. So, can I have a motion for going into closed executive session? >> Mrs. Allen motion. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Happy summer, everyone. Enjoy. Thank you for coming.