I call a meeting to order. This is June special meeting. Today is Tuesday, June 17, 2025. It's 6:35 p.m. We are in auditori. One nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. In compliance with the open public meeting act, I hereby state the notice of this special meeting has been provided to the public by a written notice dated June 13, 2025. The meeting
notice has been emailed to all state members at the district three school locations communicated to the record filed with the for clerk of Pside Park. Now uh the the board will start with the work session and we'll review and
discuss the resolutions. Roll conference. Sorry I skipped the roer. Mr. Kovski please. Such Chung present. Mr. William Kim here. Mr. Anthony Kim here. Miss Rebecca
Lee here. Miss Suk Young Park here. Miss Bo Young here. Mr. Aaron Pac here. Mr. Jun Yim, Mr. Ser Joe Kaya, Dr. Serella here, Bush Law Group here, Tyler Jung, we have
forum. Thank you. Thank you. So, we start our business with our work session to discuss the review uh discuss and review the uh agenda and resolutions. So, first item is the meeting meeting approval.
We have a four meeting minutes to be discussed in work session today. It's uh I know it hasn't been many but so today we have four from April. We don't have May minute yet. So this is
about April 11 special business meeting minutes. April 11, executive session minutes, 11 uh April 30 regular session minutes and April 30 executive session.
Do you have any discussion? Any request for corrections? Mr. I just have a little just a request to add um little more sentence to April 30 in the president report that I just
state a little paragraph that's not long. So I'll just send it to over and then you can just put it on. This just is about the my response to the reason why I read the April 11th report.
Okay. That's it. So let's just start with the community report to discuss the building and grant. Mr. Aron, do you have an agenda today? I don't see it. I
regard the insurance right now. There is nothing for uh I do have a question for Dr. for for that uh basketball like that tournament that basketball tournament for the KA is that insurance
uh I'm not sure do you report it because I received the one of the liability insurance liability insurance from one of the vendors that we approved last month for reuse of our school um
high school gym. The one that we conditionally approved. Yeah, they are request like uh if if the insurance because I don't know about the total insurance policy, but when I was looking at it
like it doesn't seem like they like paid for any proposal or anything like that to rent out this school. So I was Alex, do you have the form? I'm sure you uploaded it into the drive last month. You have a copy. What is being referred
to? Well, this looks like a proposal from the insurance broker, right? That's a proposal. So, yes. So, we're looking for more than a proposal for an actual before the progress that was fully executed. Is that what we're referring
to? Yeah. Okay. Do we have more than a proposal? Because I can go get a proposal from a company. It doesn't mean I fully executed it. Yeah, we actually need the certificate of liability. Do we have that is the question ultimately? Correct. I think that's the only one I assume I just to Well, I can guarantee
you if we don't have it, they will not be in our schools. Okay. We don't have it getting eliminated tomorrow. Thank you. Okay. The next country school board reponate Mr. Anthony.
No reports of approval at this time. education Mrs. and the students go to Florida Orlando for their team. So you can see the
detail in the paper. Thank you. Any questions, discussions? Uh approximately how many students will uh so they have yet to outs. Uh, but that happens normally this time of year into the summer months. So, we just don't have a final number yet.
Any other questions? If not, let's move on to the evaluation of advisory committee. Mr. Just a reminder, I think we're waiting on three or four member evaluations for superintendent. Please complete as soon
as possible. Yeah. So please um finish your evaluation by this week so we can conduct the the conference next week and I'll close out meeting next boy
number one service prov vouchers. Um, two, approval of payroll. Three, approval of the bill list. Four, student activities accounts. Five, certificate implement
implementation audit for year 2024. Six, approval of purchasing manual and standard operating procedures. Seven, home care therapies clinical staffing agreement. Eight, nutrition academy agreement.
to school year. NSIA, New Jersey State Association 10. Extraordinary aid appropriation. Thank you. Is there any discussions and
questions? Question for the new Christian Academy. How many And then I'm sure a lot of people are wondering as well the teachers that are in those classrooms are they certified
by Pal Park or are they like within the Christian Academy? Good questions. Uh there are four classrooms proposed in the agreement for next year. They are not certified by Palisades Park. They are certified by the New Jersey Department of Education.
Is that what that is correct? They must be certified. Part of the agreement with the state of New Jersey on the preschool expansion is that all teachers, although we don't hire them, must be fully certified and meet public school
standards. So, they're already employed there. Two of them are currently employed. They would have to hire two more. those credit patients that order the specification is on the agreement letters that was shared with all board
members in the order. Do you have more questions in finance? I I do have I have a question on number 10 like 540,674 like how is it not
uh how is it that we had an aid but it was not appropriated for the fiscal year 2023 and 2024. Alex, you want to handle that? Thank you for bringing that out. I actually gave the same exact question to Dr. S ear and
waiting for our business to that too. Yes. So X8 is um additional aid to school districts with classified students who have certain expenses over a certain threshold. We do not need to budget for extraordinary aid. So we did not do
that. It just goes straight into surplus. That's basically money that's not budgeted that goes into surplus which we can use in the next year but as uh the year went on for 2425 we have to budget for that just to keep
our accounts in deposit Karen additionally just for the record this is money that we have to apply for this is not just granted to us so as we prepare our budget in the month of well we do our budget pretty much throughout the year but if we prepared our budget in March and it was fully approved by the
county and by the board. If tomorrow three out of district students move to Palisades Park, that would cause a substantial financial concern to us. If an out of district student can cost us in excess of a couple hundred,000 with transportation if we did not budget for
it. This is where extraordinary aid would come into play. This is a a cushion of sorts. uh because many of our expenses this year have exceeded what we budgeted, we have had to tap into extraordinary aid. So this is like a
little buffer zone. This is a buffer that we have not had to use in the past, but out of an abundance of caution, we need to use now. This seems to be categorized as like a transucation extraordinary aid. That is correct. But how it can be trans to the
general fund to be used for employee benefits? You can budget it with any into any account any account correct that's per state regulation so when we applied that we applied for the needs of the special education and then we did
appropriate that year no we did not appropriate for the in the determination that we don't need any services or extra money if we needed if we needed the services at the time we were not going to deny a child we would have to have
moved money from a certain account to satisfy those requirements in an IEP at that point uh which we've had to do this year with some of our accounts when we move money other lines need money but you know a few months ago
because of the finance train we have to cut off one position from the special education program so that's for next year yeah but that doesn't help at all like
This this is to help us this year and moving forward. We've exceeded some of our accounts this year. What we talked about in the finance committee meeting yesterday, right? It was just 30 minutes. So I didn't read all the questions and
actually noticed that this month I don't see the secretary report to reports in finance. Yeah. Hasn't been completed yet to do that. Okay. Do you have any more discussions? Any
questions? Okay. Next negotiations. Mr. Williams here. Uh I'm pleased to report that the board of education and the education association have reached a memorandum of agreement that was at the towards the end of last
month. We're hoping to bring a contract for board approval in the short term here. So, I pass the board for your support getting that through. Thank you all for your cooperation. Thank you. I know you work a lot, Mr.
William. I appreciate it. And next, no report. and personnel is Mr. here. Sorry, I didn't see you. So, number one is adjustment request. Number two is request for
resation staff. Number four is summer school personnel and five appointment of staff. Any questions? Any agendas to discuss? If not, I just have to I just like to
address some question from parent that I received a few days ago regarding summer school. I have um asked Dr. for the reason why the lower grade um elementary school students will not have the summer program this year and could
you please answer again because some parents are very curious about Sure. Honestly, we don't have the money and unfortunately our federal money has expired. Um, the title money has yet to arrive and within our general allocation
of budget, we are able to offer special education services this summer for students that have it in their IEPs. Um, therefore, no additional courses other than the special education programs and remediation for grades five through
eight will run this summer. Thank you. which next year we could be able to provide those program for all students. Do you have any other questions in personnel?
We still don't have a nurse at the high school yet, right? We have an agency providing us a nurse. That's been the case for the better part of uh the past few months. Thank you. October.
Yeah, they're not from the home care therapist, right? Homeare therapist just for those two services. Thank you. Next policy. School safety and security. Is there any unfinished business to
discuss on any new business? I have a motion to close the work session move on to the regular session. second. All in favor.
Thank you. The board present to report. I just have just brief. Thank you for all community members and parents, guardians because the board sent out the order survey, community survey last week um for the
search of abuse superintendants and we got some responses and anyone who respond thank you and these are very valuable data for us and will help us to to go to find a first candidate and
first next superintendent and Dr. Could you I have just one more favor that um it's going to it's going to be closed this Friday so could you send oh the survey I mean the survey
could you blast one more time tomorrow. There are two more days, three more days left. Yeah. Yeah. Because you said it was sent out last week and probably need to be mind more community members finish. Um thank you. I just question
tomorrow on on time. Uh yeah, I will discuss that in my report. So thank you. This is your report. Okay. So a few different items and we'll start with graduation. Obviously it is the hot And it is that time of year. Uh first and foremost, I
want to applaud and you know congratulate the kindergarteners who today we had four ceremonies here. Uh all very very successful and very well attended. Really I thank the PTA. I see a couple parents here who I acknowledge this morning. Um it was it was a
fantastic day. Um four great programs. Um I know we have one student who's still studying. Uh school's over, buddy. You just so The the good the good news is uh it was very successful and we didn't have to deal with the inclement weather. Dealing
with inclement weather is something we're going to have to deal with tomorrow. There's no way around it. I looked about an hour ago. Uh we are scheduled to have Lindberg's ceremony at 5:00 p.m. at the county field. We are scheduled to have the high schools at 7 p.m. With that being said, because the
county field is a county field, we need to notify them by 11:00 a.m. So, in all fairness, I'm going to make a final decision by 11:00 a.m. Obviously, Lindberg Elementary School has already been uh determined if if
they are indoors, excuse me, if outdoors is canceled, we are indoors at the junior senior high school tomorrow at 5. The junior senior high school graduation, in the event it is canled, will be Thursday night, same time, at the county
field. In the event that is cancelled, we have to go inside Thursday night. I apologize. I know it's been unpredictable. I feel like we're living in the Seattle, Washington region. Um, but next week, I guess 97, 98, 99
degrees, uh, I guess summer will be here. So final decision on Lindberg specifically will be tomorrow morning by 11. In the event Lindberg is canled tomorrow, there's a likely uh hood that the high school will be cancelled tomorrow and pushed to Thursday. So put
that on your radars. I will make that decision tomorrow in conjunction with county officials. As far as our graduation goes, there is a very special uh person in this audience tonight. A couple very important people. How about that? But one especially important that every June
uh prior to our graduation, I invite our validictorian. Um it is my absolute pleasure to announce to you Miss Jamie Lee is with us. Jamie and I had the pleasure of attending the valadictorian breakfast uh
last week or two weeks ago at Bajagios in Pamis. uh she is not only our number one in the school but uh I think you beat your brother and and now she wants to prove him that prove to him that she's even better than him but by going to Ruckers. So congratulations best of
luck Jamie. Thank you for being here. One more Jamie. Sorry. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Good luck Jamie. Thank you for being here. While I'm giving congratulations there is uh another young lady. Unfortunately,
it was given to me after the agenda was out. Uh, but a Italian uh, program national uh, honor society student, Theara Nunes Beltree, are you here? She is not, but I'm going to give her a shout out anyway. She deserves it. She
was recognized was recognized this weekend and was a recipient of a scholarship um, by the Italian government. Uh she obviously is again a a rising star in this program of Italian. Uh with regard to Italian, uh I think we've heard your voices loud and
clear. I see some people are here. Again, I'm grateful to see and hear from you. Uh with that being said, I've talked with a few of our board members. I've talked with our high school administration. I don't have a final green light just yet, but it's not a red light if you can read between the lines.
We're trending more towards offering four levels of Italian instruction again next year. Even though there was two on the program, we are trending back to four. Final decisions will not be made tonight, but we are moving it in that direction. Okay? So, your voices have
been heard. We do know um obviously we are trying to do best for all students. Um, with that being said, again, I just want to give one last uh big kudos, pat on the back to our faculty, staff, administrators.
Guys, this has been a hell of a year. Um, in plain English, you guys again rise to the occasion, we go above and beyond. And the best part is when we get to the finish line and we see those kids walking across the stage and tomorrow night, God willing, fingers crossed, we
can get it done. And if not, it'll be Thursday. It's a credit to all of you and the hard work that you all put in. Uh so thank you again. We can't do it alone. So I appreciate everything that you all do. Thank you. Thank you. You reminded me that because
I was going to say all my thanks to all staff members and faculties and you next week in our close session. So I'll just hold it now. Thank you. Okay. So, next is report Tony um
actually today tonight Mr. Monday is away. So, Miss Alisa for is present. Welcome. And um do you have any reports? I do not other than what's already been acknowledged about reaching the MOA. So,
that's I have nothing else. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, now we are going to approve the board minute board minutes for minutes from April. What is April 11th regular session
meeting minutes? April 11th executive session meeting minutes. April 30 regular meeting minutes. April 30 executive meeting minutes. Four minutes we are approving. May I have a motion to approve the four
minutes from April 2025? The motion is passed. So the minute minutes is public now. So I'll just skip the committees that has no agenda resolution tonight. So
let's move on to the education. We have one cons one agenda under education. We are putting in a one3 request. We have a motion.
All in favor? So finance we have 10 consent agenda. I have a motion to approve finance agendas and resolutions. I make a motion. I work, please. Mr. Ch. Yes.
Mr. Rebecca Lee. Yes. Mr. Anthony Kim. Yes. Mr. Jun. Yes. M. Young. Hi. Miss Young Park. Yes. Mr. William Kim. Yes. Mr. Aaron Pack. Yes.
Thank you. Next personel, we have five consent agenda for both approval. We have a motion. Mr. Please. Yes. Miss Rebecca Lee, yes. Mr. Anthony Kim,
yes. Mr. Jun, yes. Miss Bo Young, hi. Miss Suk Young Park, yes. Mr. William Kim, yes. Mr. Eris, thank you. Thank you. Um since we don't have much
agendas tonight from parish to the new business um may have a motion to close our regular session and open it to our public. All in favor? No objection abstensions.
Now our meeting is open to public. So each speaker have three minutes and please state your name and I'll address first. Frank D. Um I hope the teachers have a great summer. I'm glad we have a contract settled. I wish the board of ed
have a nice relaxing summer. And I want to thank Dr. Cerillo for all those years of service in Palisades Park. He's done a great job. And uh I also hope that um the new superintendent interim or the full-time superintendent will continue a
program that both he and I established which was the hall of fame. It's an excellent uh event where we have alumni come back and we honor uh student athletes and coaches and it's been great over the years and uh I guess it's been in operation for about 10 years and I
just hope that the whoever's sitting in that seat will uh keep that going. So I hope that will continue and and good luck Dr. Sill on your future endeavors. [Applause]
Hi Anthony Rundo. Uh two questions. One, um Peter had a good question last meeting about how exactly the new superintendent would be chosen. I know uh based off of my experience in being in education, also being a board member, that it really just isn't the board of ed members that would choose the new
superintendent. There's rounds that you go through. Sometimes you do meet first with maybe a board of ed member or two, but there are supervisors that are involved, even sometimes teachers, definitely some teachers that are involved. I know that he asked that question and I'm not sure it was addressed at the end of that meeting
when you guys answer the questions as to how you guys are putting together whatever committee it is that's going to be hiring the new superintendent. So, I'm hoping that maybe we'll get that at the end. And then um number 10 under finance, the only question that I have is that there is a uh delta between what
you're appropriating into the fund this year 500,000 and what was appropriated at 540,000. So, just wondering if you can answer what the delta is for. Were you not able to were you only able to appropriate a certain amount of money? Uh, whatever
you needed. Uh, did we lose a certain amount of money? So, uh, I'm hoping that that could be addressed also later. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Kim. Good evening, board members. Um, I want to clear the air first of
all. I prepared a speech. It It took me a while to make sure that there is no offense. I think it's most important that we both get along together. Uh, the teachers and the parents and the board of ed. I think it's a group effort. But um first of all, it's it concerns it
concerns me because um I've been hearing some rumors that I control the board event. That is far from the truth. I do not control you. As a mayor, I do try to give a offer a helping hand if you guys want it. And and secondly, there was a
mis uh a discrepancy about certain members of the board of ed that um that I brought in a couple of my associates such as Frank Donnu and the members of the employment of the boro. That is also a false accusation. They came here with their own accord and they want their
voices to be heard. So please uh want to clear that uh clear that in the air. Secondly, um I want to I want to say thank you very much to the board of ed for diligently helping out designate nine uh students who graduated to to be
accepted for $1,000 scholarship through my you know bright future student scholarship. This money is from the numerous weddings that I performed and it starts really well. It starts from love. So it is kind of like a pay it forward and I
really appreciate you working on that. The event will happen next Monday. Please invite I'm inviting you guys and also the uh chosen students for the acceptance of award and also the scholarship. And fourth I want to say particularly say thank you to Dr.
Joseilla. I started my political career and being involved in the community through this board of ed. He aged a lot as much as me but he worked really really hard for that. I really want to personally congratulate you. We will be sorely missed, but we congratulate you on your future uh endeavors somewhere
else. Um I'll I'll read it my speech. Good evening, President Chong, esteemed board of education members and members of the public. Thank you for allowing me a moment to speak tonight, not just as your mayor, but as a partner who believes deeply into the future of Palis
Park. We all recognize that this has been a time of significant transition. With the departure of several high level administrators and with the superintendent soon to move on, it's understandable that uncertainty has followed. But as we all know, the past
cannot be changed and it's it is water under the bridge. What matters now is how we move forward together. This is a moment of resilience, for unity, and for collaboration. As leaders, our task is not to dwell on what's been lost, but to focus on what must be built. And built
you will with intent, with speed, and with resolve. I believe in the hearts of this board. I believe that each of you step into the public service because you care. Because you want to make our school system stronger, safer, and more supportive of every student, teacher,
and family in our town. Let us move forward with open dialogue and share commitment to inclusive problem solving. that your planning be thoughtful, your actions swift, and your focus unwavering. Most importantly, may you work to earn and reearn the trust of our
teachers, our parents, and our children by showing them that you are doing your very best, not because it is your duty, but because it matters you the most. Thank you for your continued service. Our community is depending on you, and I believe in what we can achieve together.
Please remember that you have Councilwoman Lee as a board of education committee chair and me as as at your disposal. We are here for you if you need us. Thank you. God bless the board of board of education members. Thank you
everyone. My name is a few times before me society. Today I'm here as the new president of the society. Um Mr. I know what you just said about it, but um
we're here today to insist again about and I appreciate your answer about the process, but I'm going to repeat what I said last week. I had a successful academic journey to the program so much that I'm now standing here
president of the other kids to have the same opportunity. In the last meeting, our current president was not allowed to speak again for whatever reason. He was just going to say that he had a meeting with Mr. Garcia and he got told that it's my own one
the curriculum for this school year which he wasn't. There has been no trans transparency with us going back and forth with you guys. Um we don't mean to be disrespectful. We never me to be disrespectful. We just
wanted to be heard. Um please bring Hello everyone. My name is Johan speaking as the new treasure and I would like to tell you a little bit about our program. Here I have a list of 31 students who
participated in our national exam. They have received recognition and medals for taking the exam which about 5,000 students nationwide and only 15,000 we are part of a Reyes and I have scored
99% nationwide and we received a gold medal and also as we received a scholarship so this demonstrates how good this opportunity for others in the I'm sorry. What was your office? Did you
guys already graduated and I'm still here for Despite the years of student advocacy is still not only vice generation access. [Music]
My name is Johnny and I'm here to represent the students who achieved national recognition in Italian. Medal winners of national Italian exams and the support we've received from outside leaders like the president of the AATI. This program matters. The students care.
The community cares. But Italian is still missing. We've worked hard year after year to build something meaningful. All the hard work, dedication, and achievement cannot go to waste. With key administrators leaving, the board now must lead with clarity. The eyes of our community and beyond are
on you. Please don't let this be the end of a program that has inspired so many. The tech will be built for us and for the generations coming after us. I was supposed to end our little part of the Italian National Honor Society part
on the bringing back of the Italian program with something big. But the good news that came today have now switched my speech. So I want to give praise for the first time here to the board for finally addressing us as a part a valuable part of the
school program. And even We did receive good news today. I still want to ask you all to not let Italian go to waste and to finally bring it back to the production for next year. Thank you.
[Applause] What's the word? Okay. My name is Charlie and I'm the councilman in and I was board of education member until last year and now I'm the councilman in
working for the town. First of all is so jeal jealous that you have more people here in board of education than the council meeting. So we don't want that. It's okay. Here we have this. Okay. uh as a generation born right after the
Korean war I feel more comfortable to read this paper so please understand my name is Charlie and until last year I served as a member of board of education and I'm now serving as a councilman dedicated to advancing our town I'm also
the leazison councilman for the schools it is often said that the quality of life and the level of education are key indicator of the town's standing And indeed education holds a critical place in our community. As a councilman
is only natural that I take great interest in the state of our school. Unfortunately in our town the level of education appears to fall short compared to that of neighboring communities and even relative to the standard of living
in our own town. I believe it is essential for all of us to work together to address this. This is not something that can be achieved through the effort of one group alone. It will require the
cooperation of residents, town governments and the board of education, teachers and everyone involved. However, I'm concerned as are many others that recent tensions and disagreement among
these groups have continued. I'm confident that no member of board of education joined through personal honor or gain but rather to invest in the future of our town, its education and
its students. Likewise, I believe that our teachers chose this path not simply as a means of livelihood, but out of a deep sense of mission to nurture and guide our children.
It is my sincere hope that with this shared spirit, we can overcome the current challenges by building consensus. I encourage all parties, residents, students, parents, teachers, and members of the board to make a small
concession where possible even when it is difficult so that our children can soon receive the quality education they deserve. I have also heard that unpredented issues have recently arisen within our
educational activist. As the saying goes, the crisis can be an opportunity. Let us use this as a chance to help our schools, which form one of the twin pillars of our community, grow even
stronger. If there is anything the town of the council can do to assist in this effort, please know that we stand ready to help in any way we can. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of board of education,
our teachers and our parents for their dedication. Also, I'd like to add special thanks to the doctor. You work for the top this town and I give special thanks to them. Thank you.
[Applause] My name is Mrs. Loness. I live at 83 Center Place in Palisades Park. I just want to say this board is a total total disgrace what you have done to our school system. Okay? You don't only have
teachers leaving, you have principal, vice principal, you have done nothing but damage to our school. My ch my grandchildren went from kindergarten up and graduated. Our teachers are so dedicated and shame on every one of you
for what you've done. Dr. Cerillo, I have a lot of respect for you. Good luck on your next job. You have done nothing but good to you have been there through thick and thin for me and my grandchildren. I cannot thank you enough. This board is the worst board I
have ever ever seen in Palis Park. It's a shame that you can put your head on your pillar at night and go to sleep because you have no knowledge of what our school system and what every one of these teachers do and did for my grandchildren. You have no respect for
our schools. Okay? You need to listen to them and you need to listen to the students. That's all I have to say. Thank you. [Applause]
Hi. Um, my name is Peter Longo. I'd like to continue what I said yesterday. Anthony referred to it, but um, you know, there we have our superintendent, you know, resignation and
at that time we business administration. We have the principal and vice principal and there are rumors that other people will be leaving. Whether that's true or not, I don't know. Um, but these administrative positions are extremely
important and the superintendent sets the tone for the whole district as well as studies have proven that the um principal and vice crystal sets the tone for the building. So it's extremely important
that we find people to replace them which will be hard to do that will be competent and will beneficial to our community and that is why I know in some schools I think even in Deeris where you're going they did they had a search
committee and I don't know who was on that search committee but my suggestion again uh would be you know have supervisors if we have any principles, principles,
parents, PTAs, students, and you know, a sample of various groups in town, you know, people on the burough council to be involved with the interview process or be involved with pick, you know,
finding out who could um, you know, who would be the best person because we do have a lot of problems. in our school system. I think it has to be someone who has experience. Um, one thing we all know, our schools are
overcrowded and for years, probably 20 years. I've been hearing about um building expansion or adding, you know, more room. It hasn't happened yet really. I mean, to an extent as as it should. um you know we need we need that
to be done and we need a person that can deal with particular population of students we have and if you do that with a search committee I think you'll please everyone and possibly find the right person for superintendent and now even
principles and vice principles. Thank you. Hi, Karen Parks. Just wanted to say that today was great. We had a wonderful graduation. Um, everything went smoothly. Dr. You showed
up. Thank you very much. As you always do. Um, it was a little disheartening to see that no one else on the board show up showed up and you were invited. Um, I feel as a parent the board some type of commitment to the school by showing up and the fact that
no one did but Dr. Cerillo is very disheartening very sad. [Applause] Um teachers, we made it. You guys made it. It's been a really rough year, you guys.
I I'm here as a parent seeing all of these resations, the ones that are to come as a parent scares me. Honestly, it does. And then resonate with something that the Mr. Mayor said, I hope next year we can all work together and you guys reear our trust because at this
moment there's no faith. Dr. Cerillo's leaving. That was the first, you know, blow again. Congratulations. You deserve it. You deserve, you know, good luck on all your future endeavors. But it's scary scary, you know. I've been in this town for 25 years and
for the first time ever now you start to realize you know what everyone's right. It's time to pull my kids. There's just no faith in the school system anymore. It's sad because I believe we do deserve that. Thank you. [Music]
Good evening everyone and good evening members of the board. I just wanted to provide an update um from the last time I was here to speak about the position, the district behaviorist position. As of April 30th, we now have 293 crisis
um calls that needed to be responded to uh responded to. I have responded personally to 138 of those crisis um calls. This is a humongous. It's like a big jump between now and of
between the 30th and now. We went from 223 to 293. Um we want to be able to be functional as a team to respond to these crisis to take care of these children because that's what we care about most as um we're here
for the kids as the child study team. And I just want to reiterate how important this position is to this district. Thank you. [Applause] Hi, my name is
um a lot of you know me because I had my teachers. Um I would just like to reiterate what Mr. Long was saying that it is so important that we have a board of education that really cares about our kids because I know
I think you told me that your child, but I understand, you know, other circumstances allow you to put your child somewhere else. Um, a lot of my nieces and friends's little siblings, they have mental disabilities, they have
learning disabilities, and unfortunately, they won't have the same opportunity that your child possibly does have. And a lot of us, too, I have younger siblings, I have younger friends that they're coming up and they're not
going to have a behavior analysis or an athletic trainer or a school nurse, apparently a principal, a vice principal, a superintendent of schools. So, at this point, let's just get rid of the whole thing together because what the hell are you doing? So, just please, please, with careful consideration,
don't think about yourselves. Remove yourself from the situation. Go to our school for like a day, literally for like a day, maybe even half a day. and literally see what we go through. Our bathrooms, our gym, our ceilings that like to fall from time to time if it
rains too hard. Like literally just put yourselves in our shoes. What we have to go through, what I've had to go through for 12 years now and a lot of other kids are going to have to continue to go through. And this is a sinking ship. So instead of letting people jump off, why
don't you try to patch the hole? Like just please take into consideration I appreciate all you guys. Thank you for coming. I'm sorry. Are you leaving? Are you leaving? No, I have to go to the
bathroom. Hi, my name is Crystal. I'm a resident of Park of the school system. Graduated in 2007. Um I wasn't planning on speaking but I feel like I need to speak
for the residents for former alumni and for current students. So as I said I'm a product of the Palace Park school system graduated in 2007. While I was in um the high school there was a transition looking for vice principal and
principal. We've been here before, but we were able to find qualified people. We had Mr. Dr. Cerillo and Mr. Crian, and throughout the years, we found other qualified people as well. We had Dr. Smith before as our superintendent. Um, and I just really, really hope I'm
echoing what Mr. Longo had said that you find careful consideration in your applicants. We were able to get through these changes, but it wasn't without the grit and tenacity of the students, the parents, and the teachers helping along. From what I'm hearing, we're all just
asking for the board to meet us in the middle. We are doing all the work here. The students, the teachers, the parents, they're all trying to do the hard work. We just want you to at least let us know there are applicants. You know, Dr.
position um was announced and we still haven't heard anything. Um so if there's any way that we can meet in the middle um and again despite all of the changes that I had when I was in high school, we still produced doctors. I'm a nurse, we have pharmacists, we have successful
business owners, but we need to continue to stay strong and work together. Um and just to say Dr. Sell, thank you for your years and for your time. I remember when I first started teaching in math class, seventh grade. That's all I have to say. Thank you everyone.
My name is Jennifer Alvarez, 534 Street, Park, New Jersey. Um, so I don't know if you guys have looked at a calendar, but you have under 75 days to have hire a principal and a vice principal for the high school and a superintendent for the
district and then prepare the school for next year. Um, I know we were talking nurses too there. That's helpful. I'm trying to um, so I know mentioned that
there's going on right now with with bringing the Italian program back. But if everybody who's in the negotiation, the conversations right now is leaving, what's that going to do with the people that are coming in when schedules go out
in August? And while students can change their schedules the first few weeks of the first 14 days of school or something like that, um how many students are actually going to be able to change their schedules to put Italian in their schedules if when it's starts to be
offered the first day of school. This is something that should be made available now in July before schedules go out in August so that one or two weeks it's been a long time since I graduated that students can go in to
change their schedules in August. they have the options there instead of now everybody rushing in the ad drop period to try to figure it out with a new brand new administration coming in because the high school doesn't have the administration it had last year and when
I was there I went through a change of vice principles that's when Dr. was promoted up to superintendent. Okay, but we still had the same principal. So, we at least have one stable administrator. Now, the high school is not going to have any stable administrators because
everybody's leaving. I understand better positions. That's great. I'm not holding against anybody who's leaving. I'm just saying that you guys should understand that the clock's ticking down and there's only 75 days until teachers come back in to prepare
for the next school year. [Applause] Any other participants? I'd like to thank Dr. Cerillo. I think you were 23 when you started there.
Special ed math teacher, dean of students, vice principal, superintendent. So, I think you made opening a school every year look easy. It's not it's not and to allude to Jennifer's point and it
takes a lot takes a lot of work and you need to have a principal and vice principal. They're the only ones who work in the summer besides the secretaries. So without someone to follow, we can't do our job as effectively. So I hope that these are replaced soon.
I don't think they're the last ones to come. I think there will be more. I don't think that anybody to leave. I think they felt they had to leave and that's more sad to me than anything. Mr. Garcia has been in our school as a
student teacher, as a teacher, as a subreman, and also became a supervisor, and then a principal. I think he thought he would retire from here. And it's unfortunate, and I think a lot of people are afraid
to work without you. They've never worked for another superintendent. So they'd rather go somewhere that's looks more stable than we do. And I'd also like to thank Alex Kandowski, lifelong resident of Palisades Park. I was Alex's kindergarten aid.
So we go way back and he also went to the high school and I was working at the high school at that time. I still have his picture hanging up in the office. So, I hope we can all get on the same page and I hope we can get these jobs filled and I hope no one else leaves.
And best of luck to both of you. You've done a great job. Thank you. If anyone is raising hands, let's close our public participation. May I have a motion to close our public participation? Second. All in favor?
No objection. So, Dr. Would you like to start to answer or me? I think I can answer pretty much uh all of them, but I'm not going to go near Rose. She's fired up tonight. She's from Jersey City. I can tell.
Um, first and foremost, again, guys, I don't want to make this about me and I know Moren I appreciate everyone your comments. It it it's not easy for me to sit here. I I try to remain humble. I try to remain grateful. It's I haven't been in the buildings as often because
this is not an easy decision for me. I promise you. Um I also know how much Palisage Park has meant to me and my family, not just me. My boys have grown up here. Um this is my life. This has been my home. Um, sincerely, I've been accepted here from day one and and the
family atmosphere we've created, Moren. Um, it it it's because of the partnership, because of the collaboration, because everyone was pulling the rope in the same direction. It wasn't anyone pulling it the other way. Um, and the reality is this is
still a very special place. This will always be a very special place for me. Um, I'm going to try to summarize a lot instead of go say, "Jen, answer your question. Anthony, answer your question." I'm going to tell you this much. I'm not going anywhere until September 1st at the earliest, unless
they want me out of here sooner. I promise you, we'll be ready to go in September. I promise you, I have done more interviewing in the last few weeks than I've done in the last five years. We have not had so many changes of
faculty, staff, administrators. Um, I I I have never been so busy in the month of June as I am right now. And that's partly because of course I am working here, but I have to keep an eye elsewhere too because there's staff that I have to look for in another district.
Um, as far as the concern about the high school administration changes, the the the transparency has already been communicated to board members. Guys, I'm going nowhere. I will be here. I will ensure that the
program or the plan of of reinstatement is going to be seen through. Okay. Uh with that being said, we have to fill a BA position. We have to fill a superintendent position. I know the board is is acting upon that. I won't
speak to that process for them. Um but they're going to start interviewing. I'll leave it at that. Okay. There's there's three sides to every story. We know that. Uh, just be patient, please. Just please be patient. This is not an easy time for anyone. Um, I I like to
always say this in September. It's a marathon, not a sprint. And although it's 75 days, don't say that number too many more times. The teachers want to go on vacation. They don't want to think about 74, 73. I get it. I get it. 10 month employees.
It's a lot of fun. I love it, too. Um, but you know, in all fairness, I I just sincerely I I thank each and every one of you. Um, the Honor Society is going nowhere. I'll leave you at that much. Um, and again, as far as the program reinstatement,
there's been more than just discussion, okay? We're we're trying to figure this out. Um, you guys don't have to come back next week unless you really want to. Um, but the reality is I think I I speak for the board. So far, my
recommendations have been supported. I think you just have to worry about Rose. Yeah, but we had this um we can't go back and forth. Let's talk after. No, no, finest the Delta question. Delta,
not American Airlines. Delta. Okay. Not even. There's really actually no rhyme or reason for that. I just chose a flat amount. I'm not looking at to expend that amount anywhere near the $500,000. I just want for the next VA to have
something to work with coming July 1. Thank you. Thank you for pointing that out. Are you done to respond? I'm done. Thank you. All right. So, first of all, thank you, Mayor Kim, for
your statements and your special presence tonight. And I know you're very, very busy, the busiest man in the town. And and I didn't mention about, but thank you again for your generous scholarship to our high school graduate.
You to um you donated $9,000 and thank you for trusting our board members to address this issue appropriately. So, um Mr. to create this application process for our um
scholarship awardies. Um so it went well. So we have nine um nine awardee and nine winners winners and then there will be in mayor council meeting this Monday. It's June 23rd 6 pm
in Mayor Council Chamber of Com what was it? What was the room there? It will be the court room. Courtroom. Okay. Uh it will be in the court room and the or nine student award will be
there in the ceremony. Thank you. And thank you and for your comments on the rumors. You didn't come to us and you know me that I'm not ready. No, you're not. Right. So, and I don't really
care about the rumors much especially, you know, after some people came up and made around um speech then since then I have many rumors that we all are resigning or something like those I ignore. So,
rumors are rumors. We're just confidence for what we're doing. Other than that, I'm probably not just making this voice up. So what we care about truth, what we doing, what we believe on. So but thank
you for clearing out those rumors and your ends and I really respect that you're doing this. So tonight, thank you, Mr. Yes. Exactly what you said today. I heard four years ago when I first became a board member, you should be on the
board. Guys, we're not going back and forth. Please stop. Rose, you're breaking you're breaking Robin's rule. Please, because I contact you many times in order to establish new PTA in 20122 and you just y them not
knowing me who I was say this is the worst board of education ever. Right. That's why exactly you say in 2022 and you are repeating it. Um and I heard that you are those hat
speech in May council towards one council woman too in 2023 this on and on I I just like to ask you respectively to show us or to to show us to show to the public
a courtesy so for the internal process I don't know how much we can share at this moment But the how many survey went out we are collecting all the data from your voice and then we were actually need some
candidates and therefore your some special request to the committee something that I need to discuss with our Tony as well too and board members of course and if you are
asking any committee within the board who are involved in this process. I would say it's a full vote. I want all of each member are involved in this hiring strengthened process. So we are doing it. So but the personnel committee
the chairperson Mr. and their board members the committee members miss and they are leading some processes but all of our board members are participating and discussing about it
and let's see and about the graduation I made all my I was most of times I try my best to join the graduation ceremony but I spend
already 12 days of my off for all board of education business past year. I try not to make it today because of the issue and also tomorrow I will be um I'll be in the graduation for
the book school and the high school and I'm sorry about that I didn't make I couldn't make it for the graduation today this So the others and then the step regenation things I
know Dr. have worked hard and then we've been working well together too and any kinds of any regation of school staff the both don't deserve to be blamed
it's their decision to live we work closely together and but I would say that just we trying our best to practice our duty as a board of educ member
You have to note that this is picid park school district we never had the superintendency violation for past more than 12 years that I know or maybe forever never end never ever
that is mandatory every that's mandatory by the state as our obligation to do every year every year is mandated we never had it this this first year we conducted the evaluation is almost done
and I don't know if this kind of thing we this current have worked very much and try our best to meet the ethical duty as a board members I mean try our best to to practice our school board obligations as well I would say first of
all who put a lot of time energy and nonpaid disparity job onto this school board business and I don't know if this should be the reason that we have to be accused tonight.
I would just say our board members don't deserve it. This is I'm very confident to say that and then under my chart names I can say that repeat again too and I have a question to the students in
the back. Did you mention about my chart? Yeah, the the uh students in your white shirt. What did you mention about my child? Did you have a question about it? I just missed it was so far it was it was the
fact that like he Why don't we talk privately after? We're not going to go back and forth. This is I know but we'll talk after. She has the question. I know. I know. I'm trying to protect her. She's a kid.
So just in general, when you speak each board members personal things, their family members, and if it's not accurate, please just receive services.
Okay, that's enough. That's enough. We're delving into areas. We are delving into you all to be protected, we need to stop. She shouldn't have asked the question. We shouldn't be talking about the
question. That's enough. I don't want any of you to get in trouble. That's enough. That's enough. Okay, let's close it. May I have a motion to close the public participation? Closing the meeting. Not that meeting.
We going on to the close session. Right. Move to close session. Can I have a motion to close public participation? Move on to the closing session. Second. All in favor? No.
Thank you. Thank you guys. There is no formal action after close session tonight. Have a good night.