May I call the me the microphone? May I call the meeting of the parcipony Troy Hills board of education to order on February 12th, 20126 in compliance with chapter 231 public law 1975 entitled Open Public Meetings
Act. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as specified in the act in the following manner. A meeting notice was published in the newspaper and on district website on January 7th, 2026. In addition, the notice of the meeting was posted at the municipal building in
the schools and a copy of the notice filed with the township clerk and transmitted to other newspapers on January 27th, 2026. The daily record, the star ledger and precipany focus tap into precipany patch and the district
website. The regular public board meeting is being video recorded as per bylaw 0168. The recordings of these meetings will be available on our district website and on your video onthe-go YouTube channel. We ask that you please refrain from using
student or staff names in your statement. Professionalism is expected at all times. Please stand for the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> May we have the attendance roll call, please? >> Mrs. Abraham, >> here. >> Mr. Barios, >> here. >> Mrs. Defe >> here. >> Mr. Devito >> here. >> Mrs. Mayor >> here. >> Mr. Shaw
>> here. >> Dr. Wright >> here. Mrs. Chappelle >> here. >> Mrs. Kogan. >> Okay, that brings us to our student committee reports. Mr. Beish is not here. Uh, Ishita for PHHS. Our student council members
are continuing to plan Hill senior standouts. We are coordinating with hosts to finalize the event. This week and next week, we are preparing and gathering supplies to film our liftup. We started Wellness Wednesday, which kicked off No Phone Wednesdays. Everyone got to play games such as rock, paper,
and scissors during passing time and lunch and got to take a break from their screens. And at the end of school, we had an assembly. Other events such as the PHS Players fundraiser helped support their spring musical Legally Blonde on February 11th. As for athletics, there's a girls basketball
game today verse Montville at 400 p.m. The boys basketball team also had a big game against Roxbury with a score of 71 to 47 points. Thank you. It's a big win. Thank you very much. Any questions? >> Can I ask a Yes. Hi. Sorry to put you on
the spot. Just a question. What were your thoughts about the cell phone free day? >> Um, I actually thought it was a fun way. I feel like more people like instead of being glued onto their phones, they actually like interacted with each other, especially like senior free mass study hall. Yeah, it was fun.
>> That's awesome. Thanks for your input. Appreciate it. >> Okay, thank you very much. Have a good night. Thanks. You too. Uh, that brings us to correspondence. Is there any correspondence to come before the board? >> No correspondence. >> Thank you very much. Uh, unfinished
business. Is there any unfinished business? >> Mr. Barios, >> I'm not sure uh where a budget question would fall under. Is that unfinished business or should just be handled the superintendent's report? >> Um,
>> I have a budget question. I think you handled that under is it budget? >> It's not under new business. >> New business. >> I'll wait to new business. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. That's committee reports. Um
I'll start with Mrs. Delofave. Do you have anything to report? Oh, yeah. So, uh Wendy and I attended the CPAC meeting last night with Dr. Jaganti and Kristen Soi. um reported out a nice presentation for us on all the
resources that um are outside of the school district. So the county resources and um like nonprofit resources for any kind of students in need for behavioral health and and and special ed service and so forth. It was very there's so much information. I hope that um I
believe they're going to find a place for that presentation to to kind of live for lack of a better word so our families can take advantage of all the services that are there. and I really appreciate the presentation. It was very wellrounded and and well done. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Any questions for
Mrs. Dof. >> Okay, Mr. Devita. >> Thank you. So, finance met this evening. Uh I'm going to do minutes for that at our next meeting because there's a lot to unpack on that and I want to make sure we get through that. Um I do have one leazison report. Um Mrs. Ab Mrs.
Abraham and I attended the February 10th and January 13th January 13th PEF uh foundation meetings. Um it was we uh went through their their upcoming business. Uh just some dates to be aware
of their next they're doing a food food truck fundraiser on March 9th for during the PD day. Um and then on March 10th there is a 50-50 raffle. Uh if you want to get some tickets, I think Miss Abra Mr. Abraham Hammond and I myself have some if you want to buy a few uh 50-50
tickets. Um and then after their April meetings, they're doing a spring come for you for a cause and then May 12th is their golf outing which is their big fundraiser for the year. So that's basically the most what's been going through. They're trying to work on some of their scholarships that they're
planning on uh on putting out there as well. So that's the PF report. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions? Okay, Dr. Wright. Uh yes, the teaching and learning committee met on Monday, February 9th. Present were myself, uh Miss Delave, uh Miss Abraham, Miss
Mayor, and Dr. Mol Rooney. Um we had one uh um significant agenda item uh around the phone free school pilot and we discussed uh several issues related to that. Uh as our student committee uh liaison or student representative, is
that what she is? um uh reported we are already piloting phone free Wednesdays for the high school and the high schools and the middle schools. Um uh the administration is working very hard to make sure parents are fully informed. Um and so we looked at early drafts and
kind of discussed some of the uh nuances of the policy that are still being determined. Thank you. >> I have a question. Is there is there an opportunity for feedback from the students? Are we gathering any of that? >> Yeah. Uh Dr. Moroon is working closely
on this and doing a fantastic job. Uh student voice is hugely important to this. So students are involved in um conversations about what's working well, any ideas they have for moving forward. I don't know if you want to elaborate on this. >> Each secondary form focus group
monthly temperature and see what's working. One of the nice things about the pilot is you know we've had cell phone policies procedures in place before. yourself. So those remain the same. You're in trouble. But with the pilot
days, if you're on your phone the hallway conversation because you want kids to kind of break this, you could call it an addiction or severe habit, right? So you want to talk about, you know, why it's a good choice instead. So go well.
>> That's great. Definitely reasonable. And hopefully word of mouth as their friends actually enjoy that time talking to each other will continue to spread. Okay, cool. >> Thank you, Mr. Dvita. >> Yeah, I had a couple quick questions. So, um, yeah, so I I'm I'm getting
through this firsthand. My my twins are in ninth grade at the Hills. Mr. Shaw, you're you're you have two at the Hills right now, right? And then Mrs. Abraham has one at the uh at Brookline and then yours are at Central and the High, right? So, I know you and the two of you
intended this TLC meeting. Um I see President Kogan was not in attendance so Mrs. Mayor I guess filled in. Um I was not approached and Mr. Shaw was not approached to maybe attend this meeting because I when I saw the agenda for this I thought well this might be something
that you know uh you know parents of of students that you know are actively going to be involved in this in this uh in this program. We've been you know may aware of it and such. So I just think going forward if if if I don't know Mrs. Kogan Miss Kog can't speak for herself
of course but you know to kind of keep that in mind when you have parents of students that are directly affected by something like this to maybe have them attend the TLC the uh TLC meeting instead. >> That's a that's a very valid point. Um I will expand on that because actually he's going to cover on something that I
was going to touch on later. Um, one of the things that was very um, apparent to us through the site through this year so far is the important of transparency and making sure that um, we're providing information to all the board members um,
as well as opportunities. And so uh one of the things that we had talked about before is that in the in the uh in the process to ask for pol for committees that you want to participate in. There are a number of situations where we had people uh we had more people apply for
to different committees than were allowed. We can only have three people plus the president attending. And as you said there's going to be opportunities where somebody can't attend. Um what we'd like to implement is that the people who the extra people who had
asked to be on the committee um that were not able to be on that committee have the opportunity have have the first chance to be included because they have already voiced their interest in participating. Um so that way they have the chance you to participate even
though they weren't in the actual assignment process. Um and then of course if they're not available they would the chair would then expand the opportunity to other people uh on the council and like you said um you know looking at the situation for the
different board members um you know encourage those who might have children who would have feedback uh encourage them to be that fourth member but I think that in this case um Judy actually was one of the people who uh was not able to attend or not be assigned to
that committee so that's why I think it was extended to first um and some information that I have that Mrs. Kogan and I have worked on to prepare information uh for each of the committees. Um helps to document that so
everybody is on the same page. Um just to clarify, I reached out to the chair of the committee asking if there would be availability that I could go. I didn't know you know what the situation
was and the response I got was you know Mrs. Kogan won't be there. So yes, there is a seat open. >> Okay. So it was not, you know, behind the back. It was just that's what the procedure is. >> If you want to go to a committee meeting, you ask the chair
>> and then they get back to you if there's an opening. Sure. >> Yeah. And if the chair doesn't get any requests directly, then they open it up to everybody. >> Right. >> Okay. So yeah, and just to clarify again, I I don't know if Mr. Shaw put it on his request. I didn't even request to be on TLC this year. I've been on it
before. So I I know what the dynamics of of the the committee is. It's always the case. In this particular case, it was more of, you know, best stakeholders involved as far as what the agenda the agenda wouldn't have have things that they had that the committee had to review like some books that they would
have gotten to read before before the next meeting. Like this is just a very very simple um agenda and such. That's why I was I was bringing that up. That's >> understandable. Thank you. >> I have a pro procedural question. So if I'm not on a committee and there's
something on the agenda that I want to talk about and further, could I bring it up here at this meeting? >> You should really be bringing it up to the chair. >> Yeah. So they can make sure they have it addressed through that. >> So there is there is a an avenue for questions and and communication be the first step.
>> That's right. And um that's why we started to circulate the agendas before those meetings happen so that if there is something that you know not on there that you want to have answers to you have the opportunity to ask the chair to include that in the discussion. >> Okay,
>> Mr. Z. Thank you. Um I just wanted to thank uh Miss Mayor for saying that we should be reaching out to the chair. Um because I definitely have been a chair and had moments where I was not asked if someone wanted to be in a committee that
I was chairing. So I'd like to I I appreciate that because that's a good reminder for all of us that we should be reaching out to the chair. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Anything else? >> Okay, Mr. Barry, >> I have a liazison report.
>> Yes. >> Uh town council leaison report uh for January 27th, 2026 and February 3rd. Uh Mr. Shaw and I attended the January 27th meeting. So Mr. Shaw, if I don't have
anything, please jump right in. Um as relating to the council meeting itself on the 27th, it was normal uh council business relating to, you know, ordinances. Um couple of the uh cannabis
areas that were approved were reclaimed. So they were taken off. They're no longer in play in the town. Um so those are like normal business, nothing really too controversial. What has kind of come up that may or may
not impact the board uh in the future is there is a little dust up as relates to the park pilots that were approved in December 2025.
There is a concern about an article 15 um issue about trans governance and transparency that it appears that there was some issues with the contract contract wording uh the way it had gone through
the process. Uh some of the financial reviews um that came up in discussion has come up over the last two meetings and there was also uh articles written about it on the participant focus.
So right now this also includes park because park was uh because it was is currently not a pilot and phase 2 is a pilot and it will probably introduce phase one as part of
that whole pilot if there is this conversation about the process. Um so therefore uh that is going to come up and where the board of education might get involved here especially for our
superintendent and madam attorney is going to be on two issues. one having to do with the um audit of the board of education which was called for on
I think it was August or September 25 uh by then Mayor Barbario. Um there was an allocation of uh funds by the town of 17,500 which fell under the play pay play to
pay. No report was ever given out. no information was ever no matter how many times that were asked. So, uh there are now um the press has going to start asking questions and submitting open
requests and all communications regarding the audit between the town council and superintendent or the board of education. That's my report. You are so welcome. Thank you. Any questions, Mrs. Mayor?
>> Yeah. You said there was no information ever given out or anything. Was the audit in fact done? >> No one knows. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. >> I guess the the last statement that there was made publicly on it was that there was going to be an outreach to the
district that was made by the mayor at one of the council meetings in October. Um but no report was ever given if there was a final disposation. No report nothing nothing was produced to the public. And I guess the the issue
becomes that because it falls under the play to pay. So it wasn't approved by the council per se. Um there may not be report it might have just been you know nothing but we don't know that. So it's
people are asking questions now. So All right. Thank you very much. Mrs. Mayor, do you have anything? >> I do. Thank you. Um, human resources met on February 5th. Present were myself, Mr. Devito, Mrs. Chappelle, um, Mrs.
Kogan, Mr. Rickert, uh, Dr. Chase, and Mrs. Benos. Uh, there were confidential personnel items uh, discussed. Uh, retirement submissions. There have been 14 staff members that have filed intent
to retire. Um, and any open positions will be posted after the staff meetings are held and transfer requests are considered. And those requests are due in um I think March 1st. Yeah, March
1st. And the policy of the district or the personnel is that you know requests for transfers if it's a request for a transfer they're honored whenever possible. So they'll look at them any request some some people have to be
transferred without being requested but if anybody has a request they will do their best to honor it. Um, the thing that I have found is that sometimes when people are transferred reluctantly, you know, where they didn't want to go after
being a year or so there, they're like, because that happened to me. I was transferred and it was a year later. I said, you know what? I'm fine. I'll just stay here. So, you know, it's just kind of joining. It's like joining a new family. When you're, you know, you're working in a school, you're like part of
a family. And when you move, you have to get used to being in a new family. So sometimes people have decided, okay, well, all right, I can stay here. So I thought that was interesting. So that was basically the whole personnel report.
I do have some um other reports like leaison reports. Okay. Okay. On February 4th, there was a county meeting and I know that some of us were there on it was virtual and so you see names, you
don't see people. So if if I was going to scroll all the names, yes, but I didn't. It was creating a positive school culture addressing ethics, cell phones, and HIV. Um, so they had a lot of information about that. A couple of
things they talked about was that um the chat box that I had talked about where you can go do your um governance training with Carla. Um so that's been instituted for governance one two three and four. The Irene award which we're
familiar with the nominations are due by April 1st. Um John Burns who is the legal guy god um he was talking about the belltobell cell phone ban and the department of education will have guidelines and the
district has to adopt guidelines by the 2026 school year. Um they were talking about they have to be age appropriate consistent with federal laws, IEPs, emergencies. Um and SBA NJSBA is working on a model
policy. Um other things that they were saying are on on for look at reform of the state health plan, revenue sharing with the pilots and re regionalization. Um they talked about ethics. They said
that field service reps could come to your board meeting and give a presentation about ethics training. Uh super uh superintendent evaluation we know is due July 1st. I didn't realize that a self evaluation for the board
members is not mandatory, right? >> But it's certainly advised. I mean, there's can't be any harm to it. Um, new members have until April to do their mandatory training. Um, we have free access to school b school board policy.
There's this they have all the bo the policies that you could go on the website and pull them up. Um on March 7th there's a president and VP um workshop I guess. Um financial
closure statements have to be submitted. We get those every year after a um election. Um just trying to see there is a task force that's been established to reassess the HIV process and it has 13
members on it. Um Okay. And the phones there was a um they were talking about all the different uses and it's not just phones it would be watches anything electronic device. Then they were talking about how
how you can store it whatever that's and then there were consequences. One district has implemented their phone ban and they've talked about what they do and what the consequences are if you violate, you know, this the uh law rule
at school. Um ethics, it was, you know, it's basically what we've been told by Kate and everybody else about ethics. Um Oh, yeah. There's another thing. If you're interested in to see if a bill
where it is in the Senate or where it is, excuse me, you can go to Capitol Watch- New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey School Boards Association. Type in the bill number and it will tell you where
it is. Um, and if you can't, and because the numbers changed, they said if you can type in what it was titled or whatever, you can find it. It's on their website. they said. So, I'm just giving you the news. Um, let's see. The other
thing I attended, Anybody have a question about any of that? Okay. The other question, the other thing I ascended attended was the county association leadership virtual meeting on the 7th. Um, they talked about Dr.
Pernell was on, the chief of staff's for the speaker was on, and he has some interesting ideas. If you have issues that you'd like to send before the the Senate, you should try to meet with the person personto person. They say don't
send emails because they get zillions of emails and they will get lost. So they didn't they said if you really have something you want to push through or you have something that really needs attention, you should do it personto person. Um,
interesting enough, the speaker and the senate president were both school board members in their past lives. So, that was interesting. Um, the other thing they suggested if you have a new building that you're opening up, it would be a really it would be
good karma to invite a legislator to attend the grand opening. So, you know, if you want to dedicate the uh Littleton or wherever uh let's see, contract pro. Yeah, contract
pro bill. Oh, for um the budget process, there's a twoe delay, so that pushes us back two weeks. Um, that was really Oh, pilot legislation S81807
is a bill in the Senate. It's moving through the Senate. Talks about funding for pilots and what districts should be get or could be entitled to or however we want to say it. So, that thought was pretty interesting. >> Um, and that's basically the report.
>> Any questions for Mrs. Mayor? >> Sure. um for the pilot program. I think it's for future pilot agreements, right? And not >> they're just going to check into it to see. Yeah. For future how to >> not the past ones. >> No, I think the past is that ship has sailed.
>> I will just add one thing. I I too was surprised about the uh the board self evaluations, but I will highlight um while it's not a requirement, it is a requirement for board certification, right? >> So, we are striving for that, right? >> And we value of self-evaluation. So that
is why we do this. So and some districts don't even bother with any of that. When we were in Atlantic City, I was talking to some people and you know I said, "Well, you do your your super No." I go, "What? You don't have to do your superintendent evaluation. They're just
like very um Okay, whatever works. >> Hold on." >> No, we're required to do the superintendent evaluation. >> Yes. I I know board evaluation, >> but they don't even do that much less their own. >> Okay, fair enough. >> Yeah. Okay. And that's that.
>> Thank you very much, Mrs. Abraham. >> Oh, I don't have anything. >> Nothing. >> Okay, Mr. Shaw. >> I had the pleasure of attending governance one training. >> Oh, there you go. >> I had the pleasure of attending the
governor the governance one training uh for the new board member orientation. Um it was one of the best trainings I have been well organized um well thought out and uh the other board members that they
put you together uh was excellent. We brainstormed ideas. We were um in collaboration meetings with other districts such as you know such as larger than ours like Somerset, East Brunswick and other districts that have
um shared districts uh like Washington Township. So we shared a lot of ideas. Uh we shared some brainstorming on how to approach the issue at hand and the administr uh the team member that was leading it was a former board administrator. So, excellent thorough uh
put and he was patient enough to say this is how you uh read through a finance sheet once you provide. So, excellent and good lessons learned that we will >> apply for the year coming up. Um also, uh they recommended like for new board
members some good advice they can be assigned to finance and policy in the futures coming up and such. Um apart from the board members uh and making those connections also was invited to a program in Livingston at the Yubata uh
program which was uh youth uh Telana uh Tamil sorry Telugu uh administration program in Livingston where Mayor Pocadessa was also invited as well as congressman well running congressman I
think he lost John Bartlett but it was so good energy to see young students um uh making kites uh making pots um and just innovating. And then they had a well thoughtout history of the program such as like it's basically you know
turning of the season um where it's um spring so a lot more uh community gathering uh because of spring and food together and community building. Um thereafter um as Mr. Barry has uh stated
we attended the council meetings and such. Um unfortunately the previous pilot decisions cannot be vote undone. So we'll have to work through with the administration and see from there. Um
the final thing was that there was a planning board meeting didn't attend but uh saw the minutes. Um uh essentially they just nominated um the new administrators or the new administrators for that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Shaw?
>> Okay. So, for me, um, on January 30th, Dr. Chase, uh, Allison and I met with city council liaison Matt McGrath. Uh, we discussed the 2026 council pilot
information, uh, and started to align on impacts that, you know, what's out there is going to have to our town and to our schools because both matter. Um it was a really good start to building a stronger relationship with with the council. Uh and there's many more conversations to
be had. Uh we likely will meet again in February to continue. Um and then we will engage the committees if there's any specific goals or deliverables that are raised coming out of those discussions. I attended the second and New Jersey school boards association lead master
class. Um and this one was focused on bridging the gap and leading across generations. It was really interesting uh to recognize the fact that we have got people in our community in our schools um ranging from uh the Gen Alpha which is our today's generation all the
way back to the silent generation u from the 1928 and 1945. It's a long time but they're all here. They all matter. Um and we need to be very thoughtful in the way that we um communicate with them and work with them, right? We have to appreciate everyone's different beliefs
and approach and how it was in interesting to hear and learn about how they were largely influenced by what they experienced growing up in their generation. It was really a fascinating um exercise. Um so uh you know that was
a a great course again um there's two more left and I'll report I'll share back to them to the board um on those next two. Um I attended uh in addition to the Morris County I attended the Ocean, Somerset, and Cumberland and Salem County Schoolboard Association
meetings. Um there was definitely repetitive information that Mrs. Mayor has already shared. Um but it was interesting to hear um what people were talking about as the biggest changes facing our district. Again, many of us facing the same things. Um needing to
provide more sensitive support to every child, making sure that the we are accommodating the rising cost of special education. um the dropping level of discretion discretionary spend that we have on things that we want to do but can no longer do. Um the pandemic and remote
learning and the impacts that has had but also the benefits it has brought. Um and the high cost of transportation so uh in addition to the health insurance. So we're again we're not alone in facing many of these challenges. Um but we are are trying to learn from each other
which is helpful. Uh we talked about uh what makes a successful board. Um and the main criteria or the main factors were really about mutual respect and open communication. Um and through that establishing a mutual trust across everybody um including not just the
board members but the uh superintendent and the administration. Uh so that was a very good discussion being open-minded to listen to details. um learning from mistakes um making sure that uh you know we're supportive and being rational in
our approach not emotionable not emotional as things happen. They talked about tips um leveraging in-house training. Uh so uh there's definitely the schoolboard association that provides a number of courses but there's also other things that we can be
doing um inhouse. So, we've got experts within our own um family here in in the school district and then we can be tapping for them to be talking with us about different topics. So, and we do that. We definitely have specialists come and talk to us about different topics. But if there's something that
anybody's interested in, um let's look in house and see if there's somebody that can help us. Uh there's a panel discussion about how boards can partner with the administration to deliver the deliver the budget. Um I think that we've talked about that a number of times. Um, and it was just good to hear
how other school districts are approaching it. Um, I didn't hear anything else new to share with anybody from what we've already been attempting, but it was good to hear it. Um, focus on board members role, the fact that it's really the big picture, not the nitty-gritty details that are going in
across the the district. Uh, being good stewards doesn't mean not spending money. Um, but it's also difficult to live on that 2% increase and not being enough for everybody. um board retreat. That was a big topic
across two of the different events um where they were talking about coming together to talk about budget um other school requirements and other things that matter to the district and to the individuals to help work through different issues but also build camaraderie across the board and
appreciation uh for each other. I did touch on before um there is one more thing when it comes to the committees uh that I think is important for us to highlight. Uh so at the beginning of the year um after I was um elected vice president I
I talked with President Kogan about my concerns around um making sure that there's a smooth transition year-over-year across the committees. There's a lot of information that's being shared and being acted on throughout the year. Um I am concerned that there's not really a good handover
that as people change as people change on the school um on the board as well as across the committees. Uh so I proposed uh working together to prepare a page or a set of information for each committee uh that would include key details um
from a a lens of transparency and consistency um and making sure that we can support everybody in uh having a smooth transition from year to year. In doing that, um, you're going to see we're going to circulate this to the chairs first, so they have the opportunity to look at the information
and help us to grow, you know, evolve the materials that are on there. Um, and then they will share it with each of the uh, committee members. Um, this is something that will grow. This year is just a a foundation getting it started. This is something that we expect to be
evolving as time goes on. Uh it would be the responsibility of the chair to keep it current um and then um have it prepared um before the end of the school year so that we or sorry the end of the calendar year um so that it's in good shape to hand over to the next uh
committee chair. In here you will see things along the lines of um the committee and and again most of the things that are in here are really spread out already across a number of different documents. We are centralizing it into one place for each committee so that it's nice and concise
and easy to find and reference as the year goes on. Committee expectations, committee assignment process and results. I know that we've had some questions about how that works. It's defined in here so that everybody's crystal clear on how it it the process
we follow and it touches on what I mentioned before making sure we give people who have already mentioned the you the interest in participating the opportunity to do so. That information is included on each reminder for protocol of board chair um to be
engaging. You know, so as they receive requests for people to attend, they recognize that and give them the opportunity or if not reach out and say, you know, reach out to the broader group to see who else could attend. associated district and board goals, due diligence
questions, the current year deliverables that were identified at that point in time or will expand over the year as well as prior year notes. So there's a lot of information. Hopefully everybody will find it helpful uh and um appreciate everybody's support as we
give this a shot and if we turn if it turns out that it's not helpful then we can certainly discontinue it. But I I thought this was worth worth a shot to uh help improve um the way we can deliver for our district. Any questions for me?
Dr. Ray, I actually um want to know if I could go back to an unfinished business thing, but I didn't. But I don't want to interrupt any of the questions for you. >> Oh, Mr. I I just wanted to add something that you stated and districts all over. Um the special needs is definitely
increasing and hopefully there's a case study on what COVID and special needs because a lot of districts say COVID and in homeschooling had a lot to do with uh the increase in special needs students that we're trying as districts to
address and make best of it. But thank you for that. Just point to that. >> Thank you. Dr. Right. Uh, yes. I apologize for forgetting to bring this up during unfinished business, but I wanted to know if we had any updates on the certificate of occupancy at Littleton. Do we have the antenna, the fire that
What's going on? >> Yeah. >> Um, yes, we we have an extension of our certificate of occupancy. >> We have not received the application from the town yet for the antenna. Um,
it was interesting that when we applied for the extension, the fire marshall was going to deny it because we hadn't submitted the application yet. But when we explained to them that we hadn't received it, then we got the extension. >> Yes. And so this actually dates back to
I think August of last year. >> Uh, April. April of last year that we've been waiting on receiving a document from the town to apply so that we can stay in compliance. >> Correct. And you're about to begin construction on phase two which will
invalidate the design of the incentive for phase one that we may get approval for at any time. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Thank you very much everybody. Uh, so this brings us to the approval of the regular and executive minutes for
January 22nd, 2026. May I have a motion, please? >> Mr. Devito and Mrs. Abraham. Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Abraham, >> yes. >> Mr. Barios, >> yes. >> Mrs. Delave, >> yes.
>> Mr. Devito, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mayor, >> yes. >> Mr. Shaw, >> yes. >> Dr. Wright, >> yes. >> Mrs. Chappelle, >> yes. Okay, now we're up to the superintendent bulletin number 11, Dr. Chase. >> Okay, thank you. Um, first I just want
to comment on there's been a lot of conversation about the cell phones, uh, which is fantastic because this is an important thing that's happening right now. I just wanted to let everybody know that in the district we're looking at it not not as necessarily a cell phone ban, but really on an effort to restore our
focus of our students because in order to learn, they need to really be able to focus and attune to the learning environment. Um and and things are going swimmingly. I know there were some concerns from uh parents about what would happen in a safety emergency. The school uh main offices are always
available should a parent need to reach out to a child for any means possible. So we're going to continue to work through that. And then as um someone on this side said uh I think it was Mrs. Mayor that the cell phone ban goes in for 2627. So we'll be working through all of the details of bringing that to
the policy committee. I also want to uh just speak to the recent election day that we had in our school. I uh I don't I don't know exactly know how, but I made it to all 10 of our all of our election sites that day driving all around Parcipany. Um and in each of
those sites where we were having an election, I pretended I was a pole worker and I went right through and I have to tell you, I was secure and away from all of the students in every um school that I visited. It was very contained. So, I really wanted to give a shout out to all of the principles, our
security, and the Brinburg Township Police who partnered with us in making our schools safe. We're going to have another election. We'll follow the same protocol. Uh, but things went very well despite the water main break that uh caused an early dismissal from Lake Hayawa, but that had nothing to do with
the election. Um, just an another wonderful thing that's happening in the schools is that there's a lot of uh community service being done. I I've walked through many of the schools and I've seen collections of foods uh canned goods and products to um deliver to our
local pantries and those folks who have food insecurities. So that's happening throughout the district and I wanted to thank any of the staff members who are involved in that as well as our students and our family who have chosen to donate to this to these causes. Uh finally I actually that's not my
finally. Um but I also want to address the budget as Mr. Mr. Dvito said we had a finance committee meeting and he'll and I don't I don't recall did you say we're going to have our open finance meeting at the next board meeting? >> That's on the schedule. We're going to do a committee the whole next meeting. >> Yes. Thank you. So we're going to have a committee of the whole at the next board
meeting. Um but right now we're waiting for state aid numbers to be released and as I've been saying in numerous occasions, this is going to be a difficult budget to balance. So at this stage in the game, the team and I, Dr.
Mal Rooney, Mr. Ricker, Miss Benos, Mr. McHugh and I are getting together and we're looking at uh the expenses that we have in the district. Uh that includes programs like enrichment opportunities, athletics, academics, sports, supports,
staffing, uh changes to the way we do things. Um, no final decisions have been made at this point, but what we're trying to do at this point is to quantify some of the programs that we have and the cost of them so that when we come out and we know that our
expenses exceed our revenue, we have a place to go to to cut all of these uh areas that we're collecting right now. when it comes time to determine how to make uh the reductions in expenses, we will be working with the finance
committee and and really tying back to our district goals that I presented at a recent facult at a recent board meeting. Um this is the fiscal reality. I know if you go to nj.com, you could see that many school districts have already been announcing the the deficit that they're
in. Um and and because we're trying to be so transparent during this process, we will have the next board meeting be a full committee of the board so that the full committee the board can understand where we are in this process. This is my finally uh tonight on the
bulletin you are going to see um the SSDs report that is on there. For those of you who may not be may not remember this report, this is um an uh the student safety data system report that all school districts are required to do
to report incidents of violence, vandalism, substance abuse, any weapons offenses, any harassment, intimidation, and bullying, as well as the HIV trainings and the prevention programs that schools do to um counter these. I'm
I looked at this data that's on this board agenda in comparison to last year. Uh last year at this same period of time we had 64 incidents. This year we have 65. So we're we're just a smidge over.
And uh I know uh Corey will go uh Corey who was our supervisor of student safety and well-being is working with the principles to continue to bring prevention programs to help educate our students on finding better ways in which to uh behave and interact with one
another. Um so the other item is I have for your approval bulletin items 1 through 50, addendum items 51- 69 and readins. Thank you. >> Thank you Dr. Chase. Any questions on the superintendent's bulletin?
>> Okay, that brings us to the secretar's report. >> You have a very traditional secretary report approval, items 42 through 50 with December's finances included. >> Thank you. Any questions on the secretar's report?
>> Okay. Thank you very much. Uh new business, we've got two items. Uh first, Mrs. Mayor. >> Thank you. Um, as you will remember, we have, as we've had in the past three years, our unsung heroes um, celebration. Um, I was
at a meeting the other night and we were we're getting organized and this year it's called the heart of a hero, a dedication. And this collection is dedicated to the students who do not seek the spotlight yet illuminate our
schools with their character. um as you I guess some of you have been to previous celebrations. It's a it's a heartwarming experience to go um they have ch students from many Oh, let me just back up a little bit. Our schools
have been um represented. We have a student from the hills whose name is Rebecca Kirsten Kirsten. Um she's from the hills and from the high we have Gianna Bella Airi I believe is how you
pronounce her name. Um so all districts have submitted for their kids for their um students. Um the celebration will be at uh let me get the information out completely. >> I have it if you want it.
>> I got it. >> Okay. >> Okay. It's going to be at Hanover Park and it's going um Maya May unsung hero celebration. Um the good
news is if you've been there before, usually Paripony is like way at the bottom and we're there like you know hours. So I made the suggestion if we reverse the order. >> So they're going to do that every other year. They're going to start with the
bottom alphabetically. So maybe Park Tiffany won't be there like three hours, but um it's always a great celebration. So you know, please if you can make it, please attend and we hope to see everybody there.
>> Thank you very much. Any questions? Okay, Mr. Barios. >> Oh, sorry, Mr. Dvito, do you have a question? >> I you you mentioned it's at Hen Park. I don't think you put date said the date out there. >> I'm looking on >> I have it as March 5th. >> March 5th, right?
>> March 5th. >> March. >> March. >> Well, in May they have the monetary presentations. March they have the unsung heroes celebration. That's right. >> Yeah. Thank you both. >> March is in Hanover Park.
>> Thank you, Vice M Vice President. Um question on the budget. a constituent of ours um as I was coming to the board meeting grabbed me and asked me a series of questions. It has to do with um
obviously we've talked a lot about utility cost uh to the district uh you know with 14 facilities not including the board office and and other ancillaries. The question was, and I have a vague memory about this, that
there was a potential that we were going to get involved the district about 10 years ago roughly um of a energy efficiency plan where there was going to be some like central monitoring
and I think it was more of a of a state grant or some sort of coordination with the state. I gotta be honest with you. I don't have a clear memory of this. It might have been something we talked about and never came to fruition. I
don't know. But I wanted to bring it up because it was the question basically was if we didn't do it back then, was there any opportunity to do it now to to work on keeping some of our utility costs down uh as part of the budget um challenges
that we're having? So, we are in the New Jersey school board's ACES program, which is a co-op where we purchase power together. >> Okay. >> Um there are no um statewide programs right now. There's some green energy ones, but they're really to move you in
certain directions that would cause us to invest and then get a discount on that. So, >> so right now there are no programs. >> Okay. >> Other than the there's ACES and there's other programs. We tend to like use ACES because it's schoolboard support. >> Great. Okay. And
>> Mr. Bar, so I think I am familiar with what you're asking for because there are um sometimes you could bring uh these groups into the school district and they could do an energy audit of your facilities and then they I was in a district where we had that and you know on every um right before every break we
would message out how important it was to shut down all your devices and make sure everything was unplugged. Um those are some that is something that we're going to be looking into if we haven't done one recently. We definitely want to do one because the behaviors that we are uh exhibiting in the school could lead
to potential savings if we were to put in some um energy savings behavior as energy saving practices. And then part two to that question was relation relating to especially in some of the elementary
schools. Um one being like say like Lake Hayawa. Um in some cases uh the air conditioners the window unit air conditioners are left on after the children are in in school and and maybe
into the late afternoon. I'm not sure if it's a schedule, whatever. So the question came up was um you know is there any way to be monitoring that a little better or managing that a little better and you know obviously anybody who knows any about air conditioners know they they cost so um I said I'd
bring it up I didn't know the answer to the question so >> sure if you have more >> so even though that the um students do go home we do have staff in the building cleaning so at times some things have to be turned on based on the heat but I We'll speak with Bill. We have a meeting
with him tomorrow, our facilities manager, and just ask that, you know, after hours if the staff can be just checking that smartboards are turned off and and air conditioning indoor items like that are are shut down. Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. Um, I I seem to remember this question was brought up. I don't know if this is exactly what you mean, but in
the summer that they leave the air conditioning on and the response given was that they are afraid of the humidity and they keep the buildings cool. That's why the air conditioners stay on over the summer. >> That's right. And it's the the possibility of mold, right? So the
humidity staying in there. >> Yeah, I do remember that discussion. >> You're trying to pull the vapor. >> Yeah, good point. Yeah, good point. >> Yeah. >> Um, just to add on to that, I do know that I hope they still do it, but Lake
Awata also hosts the uh extended school year for the K through five, right? So I think that takes care of at least July and then August might be left over as to uh why the AC might be on but to what
you said it's the same reasons. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. That's it. >> Thank you very much Dr. Wright. Uh I just want to bring um uh special attention to item 11 on the agenda for district training and uh commend uh the
leadership who uh is involved in putting this together and particularly impressed by the inclusion of the first item under the district training um inclusion of Jordan Zimmerman uh who will be doing a guest who a guest speaker event at the March 9th professional development day.
Jordan Zimmerman is a non-speaking autistic uh storyteller, a student, and an educator. And I think it is incredibly important that we are able to hear from uh individuals often time who
the district or true education is acting on, hearing from themselves and particularly uh featuring a non-speaking autistic person uh is incredibly valuable and I really appreciate that we're bringing her here. I have to thank Dr. Moloon for that
because he was able to make contact and bring that person here which is going to be again a wonderful wonderful program. I can't wait to see it. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, that brings us to the hearing of the public.
At this time, if there is anyone who would like to address the board, please come up, sign your name and address in the book at the lectern and state your name for the record. and please address the chair. Each person will have three minutes to speak to the board. It would
be helpful if you would like to address the board to please come up now and sign in so that you are ready when the first speaker is finished. As a reminder, we are video recording this meeting. If you are a student who wishes to speak, we ask that you not provide your home
address, but rather give only the name of the mun municipality in which you live. If you are a parent wishing to discuss a specific matter pertaining to your child during the this portion of the meeting, you may request that the board temporarily suspend the video
recording. Alternatively, please consider speaking privately about the matter to the superintendent after the meeting. Speakers should refrain from using specific student or staff names in comments and are referred to bylaw 168 for further information regarding the
videotaping of our meetings. Hi all, thank you for the service and uh good evening everybody. My name is Dr. Tik Kraari. I'm a Pariponyi resident and agent professor in NGIT.
Uh I just read about uh the mission of the Pariponyi Troy Hills Township School District emphasizes innovation, opportunities, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration with
greater community. The question is in annilement in alignment with this mission. Has the board explored partnerships with nearby
research universities such as NGIT, Ruggers, etc. to provide students with early exposure to research, STEM mentorship and
collaborative learning experiences and what opportunities exist to further expand such efforts. So my daughter is a high schooler, she's 12th grader and she's about to go to colleges. So I feel like
when I'm you know sending her to school I'm looking at like if you have been there is a research opportunity that she can connect to universities because I'm a teacher professor I see there are a lot of research opportunities as the
professors are waiting to look at come to schools and take the kids and all something I feel like the bridge connection can be still be established to give a a nice opportunity for the students. Thank you for this opportunity. I wish you all the best. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Sorry, I thought someone had to say next. Good evening. My name is LSE Johnson. Um, and I am a see how many years 25 year uh no 29-year resident of Paripany.
Three of my sons graduated from Paripony High School. Um so first I'd like to just start by uh commend acknowledging the administration at Pipony High School for agreeing to and being such an great an
an exciting part of a uh recruit well not recruitment recognition program that I went to um great lengths to start um as a mother now of three alumni and as a
mother of alumni that have either been enlisted in the military or graduated from one of the prestigiousmies. So, as an extension of this military recognition program that we started as a
community uh members and administration from the school, there's one component that is vital to continuing this program. And I was told by the administration that this was an item that was submitted to the board of
education for approval months ago. I'm not sure how many months ago, but maybe five, six, possibly a year from um now. So, I'm going to just mention what it's called. So, at least you have an idea of what is what is the woman
talking about here? um the data collection form that was submitted for approval and information publicly via press release. This was submitted by it could
have been specifically Mr. Bush or all the administrators together collectively submitting an agenda item for approval at a board of education meeting. This item is vital to growing this recognition program. And the reason that
this program is so important to our district and to our community, I should say, is that we have had so many Paribony alumni for many years graduate from our schools and you do not see that
recognition anywhere on any wall in either high school. And that is why I brought this up to administration and they were open arms and said absolutely and as an extension of that myself and
other parent alumni of military active duty and veterans we started a military service award and we are now in our third year. Um, so we're very proud of that as parents, proud of that as a community, but I sincerely and I'm
asking you please to approve this agenda item so that we can continue and actually have that wall of heroes on that wall in Pipony High School. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Good evening everyone. Um, this is Lami.
I am a Pipony resident. First, I would like to start with um thanking the board of education for sending representative for the Muslim Heritage Month that was celebrated at the library. So, thanks Mrs. Mayors and Mrs. Kovans for coming. Um the other question I do have um I do have a child that will be transitioning
from Lake Haywa into kindergarten and he is in the programs and I know that with the transitioning there probably there won't be buses and things like that. However, he will still continue to be in the speech program. So, how is that these transitioning for the childs? Like
they don't continue to receive the transportation services even though they still qualify for some of the services when they go to kindergarten. So, I feel like um I think it's a big jump from preschool to just going and still receiving the services. But, um lastly, I just want to remind everyone that the
Muslim community in Paripony and all across the world, they be will be observing Ramadan is starting next week. So, some of our children will be tired. they will be on long nights, you know, performing prayers or fasting. So, I would say, you know, we bear with all of them. So, thank you. And again, we're
having um the fourth annual Ramadan celebration at the town hall. Everyone is welcome to the community members as well. It is open for everyone to connect the bridges and to make sure that we're, you know, everyone is welcome. So, thank you and have a good evening. >> Thank you.
When when is the Ramadan celebration at town hall? >> Oh, I'm so sorry. It's going to be on the 17th. That's 5 p.m. And it's going to be inside. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, >> Dr. Chase.
>> Sure. Um, the first question was about if the district has alignment with universities. I I know I um we have a lot of opportunities for our students to interface with many colleges, but I'm going to give it to Dr. from Rooney could talk a little bit more about the pathways programs and some of the partnerships that supervisors have been
working on. >> We have three pathways pathways upwards of 300 students to um brand new this year and conjunction with that we have I was
actually looking at this today. We have over 30 dual Not not to mention early enrollment at NGIT where students can get college credit for exciting. Our program has been really
proactive. They do a good job of establish program. So it's something that we're continuously looking to do. We just got our first dual enrollment medical courses. So we're really excited about
that and continue to look for the next research. >> We'll talk >> uh there was a about the military program. Something just recently came across my my desk about this. So, I'm
going to I'm going to look into this because I remember seeing it and thinking it was a wonderful way to bring attention to those who serve um for our freedom and our safety. So, let me just look into that and if I could get your number, I could reach out to you after
um next week after I look into it. Um but I do recall something being across my desk. And Lamia, you had a question about special education. I'm going to advise you to call Dr. Jaganti. I could provide you her number because it's a specific question and I want to make sure that she's able to speak in detail
about your situation. Okay, I think that's it. Okay, thank you very much. All right, that brings us to our roll call vote for Superintendent Bulletin number 11, items number one through 50 with addendum items 51- 69 and readins.
May I have a motion? Mrs. Mayor, Mr. Devito. >> Mrs. Abraham. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barios. >> Recusa number five. Yes. To everything else. >> Mrs. Delave. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Devito. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mayor. >> Yes. >> Mr. Shaw. >> Yes. >> Dr. Wright. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Chappelle. >> Yes. >> Okay. There being no further business, I need a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Mrs. Delave, Dr. Wright. Thank you very much. Meeting adjourned. >> I