It agenda has been posted at the appropriate locations and a copy has been filed with Bequanic Township Clerk. >> Thank you. Please call the RO. >> Mr. Bloomer >> here. >> Mr. Sesi >> here. >> Mrs. Espazito >> here. >> Mr. Gon >> here. >> Miss Ikeo >> here.
>> Mr. Mcweeny >> here. >> Mr. Pompeo >> here. >> Mr. Senk >> here. >> And Mr. Shenton may be late. We have a quorum. >> Thank you. Everyone please stand for the flag salute. Good evening everyone. Welcome to our December 15th workshop and regular
business meeting. We have a great meeting planned tonight celebrating the many accomplishments of our students and student athletes. First, the board would like to congratulate all our honores who received the governor's educator and ESP of the year award. We appreciate you all and we look forward to honoring you all
at a future meeting. Next, the board would like to congratulate the students who were inducted into the National Honor Society last week here at the high school. It was a great event as always and even included Mr. Honig getting the entire auditorium to sing. And I kid you not, he got the entire auditorium to
sing. It was really cool. Uh, tonight we will honor our PTHs girls soccer team for capturing the North One Group One State Sectional Championship. They had a great season and we are all very proud of them. Also, congratulations to many of the
individual players for being selected to all county or all state teams as well as to coach McBurnney and his staff for leading the effort. Well done. Additionally, tonight the board welcomes members of the blue and gold parties to the meeting. Each party will present
their platform and we are very much looking forward to hearing from both parties. And I'm not exaggerating. We're actually very excited to hear from you. So, you shouldn't be nervous and just get right up here and do your thing because it's a great thrill for us to to to hear your platforms.
Uh, next, tonight is the last meeting for Mr. Pompeo and the board would like to thank him for his service to the board and to the community by presenting him with a gift as a small turpent of our appreciation. And Vinnie, just on behalf of myself, um, every board member has a a great characteristic that they
bring to the table and the time working with you, yours was always critical thinking. You always had a very insightful question at the right time that really made me think about something differently. So, thank you for that and thank you for your service. >> Ah, stay. We'll come to you.
Uh, Vin, you have to hold that up because it's No. Go into the bag. Take the blue thing out. >> Only if it's the approved colors. >> It is 100% to the athletic standard of Township Athletic Department.
>> Look at that. >> Flip it around. There you go. All right, last soon 2025 will end and 2026 will begin. As the year ends, I am grateful for the wonderful students, staff, and
community that we have in Buuanic. And I'm looking forward to many more celebrations of accomplishments and championships in the coming year. On behalf of the board, I want to wish our community a happy Hanukkah, a merry Christmas, and a very healthy and happy new year. I hope all our students and
staff enjoy the holiday break and I hope you all enjoy time with your family and friends. And now I'll pass the mic to Dr. Poris. Right. Thank you, Mr. Senic. And I realize most people in the audience right now are probably here to hear my report, but I'm going to make you wait a
little bit because first I'm going to pass it over to our our student representatives. Um, and then we'll take the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our state sectional champion girls soccer team. Uh, and then we will hear from both the blue and the gold parties. Um, and truth be told, usually
once we're done with the recognition, the place clears out incredibly quickly. Um, which I'm okay with and I'm I perform to an audience of however many people are at these tables. Um, but I just want to say in advance, I'm I'm so proud of what you accomplished. I really
enjoyed following your team. Uh you played with a lot of heart and a lot of courage and I was so impressed with that. Uh congratulations to Mr. McBurnie for doing an outstanding job coaching you and also congratulations to Mr. McBurnney on an outstanding keynote address today as a representative for
the goal party. Um just before I gave him a fist bump before we were supposed to go on my exact words and we're now go crush it and and he did exactly that. And I just want to point that out. um that that opportunity was created because of the creativity and dedication of Ms. Moh Mrs. Cohen, I almost said
Mosley, which dates me a little bit, um and her work with the AP gov classes and also to Mr. Hazler for creating the conditions where we can have these types of celebrations of student voice and student achievement. So, um I'm going to pass it over to our student reps have the opportunity to speak, but I just want to put that out there while I do
have somewhat of a captive audience. So, girls, the floor is yours. Good evening everyone. So glad to see you all again. Congratulations to new inductees of the National Honor Society. Mr. Honing was their keynote speaker this year. He had everyone singing and
had a very memorable speech. Congratulations to all the teachers of the year and educational support professionals of the year throughout the district. We appreciate all that you do. Congratulations to Mr. Strifer on being teacher of the year at PTHs and to Mrs. Bred Singer on being educational support
professional of the year at PTHS. Seniors had immediate decision day on December 11th. We had 18 seniors with over 20 acceptances. APG gov have been doing their gold party and blue party campaigns. The students have been promoting their party with different activities for other students
and staff to learn about their platforms. They have their debate this Friday. 12 days of spirit are still continuing at PTHs. PJS student council Mr. Hazler devised a plan for 12 days of spirit for the high school leading up to winter break. The start Monday, December
8th, with writing positive or holiday messages on a snowflake for a candy cane and will end on the 23rd with wearing festive hats. Although our fall sports seasons have ended, we would like to commend our athletes who have received postseason awards. Congrats to all county recipients, Caitlyn and Emily Zgler for
girls soccer, Dylan Romley for football, Gavin Viser, Nolan Casey, and Ethan Ventilo for boys soccer. Congratulations to Emily Zgler and Kaylin Zgler on being named first team all state group one in soccer. Girls and boys basketball had their scrimmages last week. They both
start the regular season tomorrow. Good luck to both teams. The swim team and hockey started their seasons last week. Boys swim had their first win in two years. Keep up the hard work. Winter track had their relays this past Saturday at Drew University. Congrats to
Joe Barakira for achieving 100 points in his hockey career. And the Bquanic robotics team had their first competition of the year this past weekend. The PTHs winter winter concert is on Thursday at 700 p.m. in the auditorium. The PTHs
choir went to the elementary schools and the middle school on this past Friday to do their annual holiday tour. The junior class is hosting a Christmas movie fundraiser on December 17th. Tickets will be sold for $7 at the door. The high school's hospitality classes went
to Tavern 5. Students were able to talk to one of the owners and the head chef who was a PTHs alumni. At Tavern 5, getting the inside scoop about the restaurant and the hospitality industry. The students were also given a tour around the kitchen and the work that goes behind the scenes to make the
restaurant run. NHS had a trivia night on December 4th where the students were able to come and play with their friends and donate to the food pantry for a free entry. FBA partnered with Toys for Tots for a holiday toy drive last week. We want to
wish everyone a very happy holiday season and we'll see you all in 2026. Thank you and have a great night. Thank you. Very well done. Uh now I'm going to bring up Mr. Hazler to introduce Coach McBurnie.
Happy holidays. Uh this is always an exciting time where we have the opportunity to highlight our student athletes and our students for the wonderful things that are going on. You heard from our our student reps here. Just so many things happening at the high school. Um and and we started off with a tremendous fall sports season. uh
being being having the opportunity to watch our girls soccer team play. You know, you're you're often determined on on your success by wins and losses and and that that is true. We had we had a tremendous season. Um, but quite frankly, I think it's the character of our girls that, uh, as you watched them
play, um, how hard they played, the the way they were committed to each other, uh, the the leadership of our coaches, uh, led by Coach Mcernney, uh, it was just a pleasure to watch them go out there and play every day. One of the things that I admired most about this group is is watching them at the start
of the games. They gather in a little circle and and and it appeared to me that somebody different led um led a speech of some sort uh to get everybody ready to go um so that everybody was a leader on the team and that's really how you build a culture of winning. Um and
and again congratulations on just an outstanding season. We are so so proud of you. Uh and without further ado, I'm going to let Coach Mcernney uh talk about his season. So come on up there, coach. Yeah. >> Oh, thank you very much. Appreciate that.
>> And it comes with the roster. Um, uh, first of all, I do want to start by, uh, piggybacking what Dr. Poris had said earlier. Um I've admired your project from afar from so long and to be a part of this you know the blue and gold process was was truly amazing and you
know thanks for reaching out to me to be a part of this you know I wish luck to both blue and gold party. I do say vote gold but I'll say blue is a good uh option too as well. So I do have to acknowledge that Miss Cohen does an amazing job um out there uh in the
school. Um, so for me, back in 2023 when we won this section, I was sick and I was not able to be here to thank all of you. But lucky for me, we're back again and now I can. Um, and honestly, Dr. Poris, board of education, we can do
none of this without you. You start this whole process for us and enable us to put this together. And I thank you for that opportunity for, you know, for us to, you know, get on the field and play and like uh Mr. Hazler said display the
talents. Um to Mr. Hazler, I will say he's a constant advocate for the girls soccer program and I thank him for that. Mr. Silapina who is not here. Um he is a constant collaborator and partner with me during my coaching career and I want
to thank him for being that partner there for me in his office when I do need someone to talk to. Um administrative assistant Mrs. Debbachman. It's hard to put into words what she does for all the athletics within this district. She is a
one-of-a-kind person. Ah this season this group of girls has been awesome. We won the conference with a 101-1 record. And then as the five seed, remember that the five seed in the county tournament were able to go on and
win the state sectional title, beating the 12 seed, the four seed, the one seed, and the two seed in the tournament. And the best part about it is we didn't let up a goal in the entire sectional run. We finished the year with
a 23-1 record and we were ranked third out of the 79 schools in group one. Quite an amazing accomplishment, but honestly, two words describe our success and it's about Panther pride. At the beginning of my coaching career, I
was lucky to have a coaching mentor by the name of Billa. I am sure some of you do remember him. One of the things that he taught me was the value of Panther pride. And it is the reason we have found success in the girls soccer program. You can see it with the players
because they want to be here and they want to play for the town that they grew up in. You can see it from the community support. In 2023 we packed a house here in Pquanic. And this year the fans traveled all over the state to support
these girls. It's awesome to see. And I just want to say thank you to the community of Pekquanic. And now let's call up the sectional champions. First up on the list is what do we got here? We're going with Olivia Albert. She is
not here, but we'll put our hands together for her. Yeah, go ahead. Throw it up there. Next up, Kylie Cannon. Oh boy. Shay Carlin, Elena Demo, Stella Hagen, Al Hawthorne.
Not hearing. Lindsay Hubner, Shirley Huerta. Cali Victoria Lock. Jenna Lisa, Allesandre Monsero Ava Martino, Rose McBurnie.
Amelia Murphy, Sophia Pompeo, Catalina Preioso, Francesca Sanger. Dual rolls. Dual rolls. Doulce Varela Hernandez. Marissa Vega, Olivia Young
before I call my three captains. I do want to acknowledge my coaches, Chris Bell, Colleen Grady, Samantha Santos, and Dana Shaleri. Um, yeah, you can put the clap. Yeah, throw it. Why not?
Captain Cecilia Kovven, Captain Caitlyn Zgler, Captain Emily Zgler. Photo up. You know if it's gold first or blue? >> Oh, perfect. I don't want to mess it up. >> Just go to air team.
>> Share something else. >> How did you get to air? You went >> It's just this tab. >> Why don't you put it up right now? Just put it up now. >> And then you get to gold. I go back there. >> Yep. And then share something else and
then click gold party policy. >> Okay. Thank you. Are you talking? >> No. Okay. So, I'll just introduce him. So, before Mr. Basler introduces uh the
members of the blue party. Uh the way we'll we'll do this is um we'll give the blue party representatives an opportunity to present um not all of their platform but um what they feel are significant highlights of it. Um I told the groups to plan to speak about five
to eight minutes and then once each group is done um presenting their platform uh we'll have an opportunity for the board members to ask them questions. Hopefully they they'll be able to answer them as well. So, we'll do that first with the blue and then we'll give the uh the gold party an opportunity to do the same. Well,
they'll present their platform um and then have an opportunity to to respond to some questions. So, um there might be a little bit of a slow transition. Once you're done presenting your platform, obviously we'll give everybody a chance to get back to their seats. Um and I'm just going to warn you, the attorneys here and she asks really difficult
questions. So, kidding, you'll be fine. Anyway, so have fun with it, guys. And thank you again for being here. I think this is tremendous. >> So, once again, thank you. I think one of the opportunities uh one of the things that I uh talk about with the staff is is creating authentic learning experiences for our students um giving
them opportunities to showcase what they what they learn in class uh rather than just taking tests. Um do something different and this has been one of the many traditions that I guess is probably going on over 20 years at this point. uh started by Mike Volenino uh and John
Graph and and worked their way down um you know through the various AP government teachers and Miss Cohen has has kept it running uh for a number of years and it's something when I came back seven years ago uh now as principal it was something that I I couldn't wait to happen every year. Uh and it this wouldn't happen without Mrs. Cohen. Uh
she is just a beacon of light uh in the classroom. uh she's such an inspiration to the students and she really when you talk about bleeding blue and gold um she she she does it every day with the students and and this activity is something that brings the entire school together. So I had the opportunity to
work with uh the students throughout the last couple of weeks as they design their platforms. They they they take this uh activity so seriously because they truly do want to make this place the best possible place for our students and staff and and community. And I I tell them all the time, regardless of
what class it is, this is this is the type of activity that leaves a legacy. And so we I promise them, and I've done it year after year since I've been here, we try and enact at least one policy from each of the group members uh that that each party. Uh we've done things such as our senior study hall that we
have right now. We've done our activity fair. Uh we've done our AP and elective fairs. We've looked at the schedule uh was a part of it. So you start to see things that we've implemented over the last several years that have really helped build the culture that we currently have. So I'm going to turn this over to uh the blue party
candidates. Uh so I'm going to introduce Matt Mestreddy who is our president and Miriam Katsi who is running for the vice presidential candidate. Uh so they are going to come up and they are members of the blue party. Come on up guys. Uh, hi guys. Uh, I'm Matt. Uh, this is
Miam. >> Hello. >> Uh, so we're just going to run through some of the policies that we think are most important just to stay within like the time frame. So to start off uh with our foreign policy, uh, one big change that we'd like to
implement in the school district is, uh, our Panther for a Day uh, initiative. So, this is something that currently goes on with the marching band and is a very successful program, helping them get acclimatized from the transition from 8th grade to freshman year. And so,
this could be something very beneficial for not just the marching band, which is currently happening, but for other sports as well as clubs. Uh so we have right now like the um activities fair and we also have uh the four years and
beyond program but those aren't very um what's the word like yeah they aren't very geared towards uh those incoming students. So, a activity designed specifically for eighth graders to uh be
recognized into uh high school sports and activities is something that we would like to implement. >> Okay. Hi. Um I'm one of the campaign managers. I'm Dora Chen. And one of our domestic policies in school is we want a
post-secary prep/communications course. So the first year, the first half of the year would be uh like SAT, ACT, like a standardized test prep class where we give them tips and strategies to do well on these tests. And then the
second half would be a communications course. And in this we would involve AI and uh tips on like public speaking and how to effectively communicate with like technology cuz we know that right now it's unavoidable that there's technology
everywhere and when you go into the workforce students need to know or are expected to know how to use AI effectively. So this can be targeted to give them an early start on that. And then also this can be TA oriented. we
can have uh students actually help with these classes. So give them opportunities to assist and earn community service since uh currently community service is mostly geared towards national honor society and other students don't really have many
opportunities and they have to join clubs to find those opportunities. Yeah. Hi. Um, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Aubrey Lens and I'm one of the campaign managers also for the Blue Party. Um, I want to talk a little
bit about this is this is also just going along with what Dora said about the TA and internship opportunities. Um, so I just want to talk a little bit about our capstone policy and that's particularly important to me because two years ago I opted to take AP Seminar um,
as an elective. I wasn't exactly sure like what this course entailed, but I was really excited at the prospect of taking an AP as a sophomore. Um, this Oh, sorry. Um, this class is like has and is still my favorite class that
I've taken here at PTHS and I feel like it's been the most impactful on me as a student. Um, I've learned a lot of invaluable research skills. I've improved my writing and just like overall learned the importance of like discourse at a college level. Um, unfortunately, it was a really small class when I took it. There were only
eight people, so it wasn't able to be run the next year because it's a two-year program, and I wasn't able to take AP research my junior year. So, to mitigate this, a component of our platform is that Blue Prairie aims to integrate AP Capstone into the PGHs curriculum. Um, AP Capstone is a
two-year research program. The first year course is AP Seminar, which will have students take their sophomore year, but right now it's available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Um, and that course teaches students invaluable writing and research skills along with public speaking, which really aligns with um, the communications
course that Dora talked about a few minutes ago. Um, and the second year course is AP research, which I'll get into in a second. Um, and we propose that the current English 9 honor students opt to take AP Seminar, which is the first year, which is the first year course as
sophomores. um AP research which is the second year course. Um like students will utilize the skills that they learned from AP seminar to create a capstone project of their own which is rooted in their own passions and interests and like kind of desires for the future which really helps to like build um like the graduate profile of
our students here. Um opening up AP AP seminar to sophomores would demonstrate like high levels of rigor on their transcripts and really help them while they're applying to colleges. And also in addition, they would get their AP Capstone diploma by the end of their junior year, which would be nice to have on their um college applications. And we
really think that like allowing students to take um AP seminar as a sophomore would like kind of lessen the load on them if they could take it instead of an English 10 honors class, which a lot of schools have already shifted towards um
like in the past few years. Um, so yeah, just overall we think this will really like strengthen our school's academic reputation as long along with like helping students kind of prepare for their futures. Thank you again for having us this evening. I'm going to introduce members
of our gold party to be able to speak on their platform and we'll pull that up for you shortly. >> Um hello uh I am John Oconor. I am the president nominee of the Gold Party and um to keep it brief, we'll talk about a few of our policies here that the Gold
Party like to implement into our schools. Um the first one I want to talk about is shadow week. So last week the Gold Party met with Mr. Seowski to talk about this policy and this one was by far his favorite. Um the shadow week is
similar to what the um the elementary schools do when in regards to middle school when they bus kids from the from the elementary schools to to the middle school to kind of see like what the middle school is like during the school year. Um this would be this exact exact same thing. So we'd have eighth graders
from PBMS bus to the high school in a week period. So divided up by five because we don't want all the students obviously to go at the same time. Um, and they and they would be uh toured around by AP students who are done with their exams at the end of the year. And these students would kind of give them
like a college like tour of the high school while students are still in the building. And I think this is really beneficial because when we do like a tours in August, like there's no one in the building for them to see and it's kind of empty and it's not really like it doesn't really give them a good idea of what the school's like. So, by doing
this in the end of June where students are still in the school, it kind of builds like more of like a confidence when they're here in September, like knowing how to like walk the halls and knowing seeing familiar faces and just having an ease of transition from 8th
grade to 9th grade. >> Thank you. Hello, my name is Ever Rodriguez and I am one of this year's campaign managers for the Gold Party and I'd just like to introduce the junior study hall. Um, so essentially a junior
study hall would be for juniors and it would be optional. So as long as juniors are in good academic standing, they don't have any disciplinary action, they could apply for a junior study hall. And essentially this would benefit juniors
who are taking multiple AP classes, taking multiple honors classes or just academic students who want to um challenge themselves in the upcoming years. And I know my fellow campaign manager, me and Gabby, um we are currently taking a study hall attached
to an AP bio class and um we know how beneficial it has been for us both. So I'll just let her speak on the benefits of having it being a study hall. Hi, I'm Gabby Marty. I'm another one of the campaign managers. And for me and Eva both, taking a study hall that's
attached to our AP bio class has benefited us both immensely. As someone who is currently taking three AP classes, I can honestly say that my study hall period has alleviated so much of the stress I felt my junior year while I was taking multiple APs without
a study hall period. This time allows me to give my full attention to my work and get a lot done so that I'm not feeling so overwhelmed when I go home. The extra time also allows me to complete my work to the best of my ability instead of just rushing to get it done amongst amongst my other assignments. And with
our policy, our main goal with this is to help students like ourselves in the future who are academically challenging themselves and wish to do so without the added burden of stress. And then lastly, I would just like to speak on our local art show that would
be oh our local art show that would be a district-wide um um show. So essentially what it would do, it would combine local businesses and young talent. And I think this could be so beneficial as it one
promotes business and it proves the arts. And as someone who has been into the arts all my life, I can personally say how important, you know, having your work demonstrated in like a local place where people who wouldn't usually see it can see it. And this year, I know one um
of my fellow um peers, oh, I don't know what happened. One of my uh fellow peers is actually applying to art school. And I think that's so cool because we haven't had that in a long time. And the arts are so important. That is what community is based on. So
for us to find a way to implement that would be amazing and the gold party is committed to make that happen across all local businesses and we're more than willing to work with Chamber Commerce and we're already setting up an art show with the local cafe in our town called
Defying Gravity along with the help of the amazing AP art teacher Miss Ma. Okay. Thank you so much. >> So these were portions of their platforms. They had other things uh that that they're presenting, but these were kind of the main uh points that they they wanted to share with you tonight.
Uh today they had their convention where Mr. McBurnie and Dr. Portoris spoke uh as keynote speakers and then uh there was the acceptance as a regular convention. uh there was the nomination and acceptance of the candidates and Friday we will have this auditorium packed with the entire school and all
the candidates will be up on stage debating uh with a series of questions talking about their policies but I really want to give this group a round of applause uh for the work that they've done because they they really uh work together first of all they got the opinions of their
stakeholders reaching out to the students reaching out to the staff uh going down to to PV talking with the cafeteria staff uh looking at different ways to really make this place better and and I think we can you know you look at the political landscape today and what you see is a lot of negativity
unfortunately and uh this was all positive and that's really I think the goal of what we want to try and do with our democracy right we want to make it a positive place uh for for society and I think these students are that hope uh for our future so I want to congratulate
them for a job well done thank you to Mrs. Cohen, thank you for the board for allowing us to do projects like this and uh as promised, we're going to try and do at least one of these things. Uh I know we already have some plans in the works. So, super excited. Uh if you can make it, uh come in come in on Friday.
Uh we'd love to have you. It is block three. Uh yeah, so around 10:00. Uh so come on in and uh see what we're all about. So, thank you very much. And if you have any questions, I think uh the presidential candidates can come up and answer them for you. So, thank you. So, not really any questions, but first
off, I think you all did an outstanding job. Um, when I heard you guys were all going to come in and speak to us, I was very excited because I think this is a very cool thing that you guys are doing. I think that the way you have it organized with foreign policy, domestic policy, community outreach, and everything like that. It's really cool
the way you've organized it like that. Um, Mr. Hazler, the way that you described it as there needs to be some more coming together in politics. I I I look at your ideas and I see a lot of common ground just between the two parties in terms of things that you're trying to do. I see a
lot of wellthoughtout good ideas. Um especially talking about how you're going to integrate students from other schools coming into our school or the high school to shadow some of the students there and how you thought that out of how you couldn't empty the school and all that. Um again, great job. I
enjoyed listening to it and I'm looking forward to Friday and uh good luck to all of you. >> I um I wanted to take a moment to commend you guys. I really love that both parties. It wasn't boilerplate in terms of like campaign kind of slogans and stuff like that, like ideas. And as
soon as Miss Lens started talking, she mentioned AP Research and it completely joged my memory. And I opened my email and on May 25th, 2024, she sent me a very long email about AP Research. So, I love the fact that these students,
again, you know, two years older now, are coming with their true real life experiences to try to leave something in a better than they came in. And so, as soon as she said, I'm like, "Oh my god, I remember that." So, yeah, sure enough, I have this email and I was like, "There
you go." So, great job. >> Sorry to embarrass you. I agree. >> Yeah, guys, beautifully done. And I just want to say bonus points. I I noticed the the matching gold team outfits and I think that was a really nice touch. Um, great job.
>> Fantastic. You guys did a great job. It's really nerve-wracking to get up there and speak and you were articulate articulate and you presented really well. Um, good luck and these are amazing ideas. I love that you're thinking of the eighth graders and their
transition. That really speaks to me. Um both parties have similar thoughts. Um but that speaks to me as to um just our our students in general and how they're thinking of our our of our younger students and how to prepare them. So
great job. >> All right. Thank you very much. Thank you. Right. As promised, I was able to clear the room out before my remarks. Um, I still have to finish up uh Mr. Hazler's first evaluation of the year. So, he's staying
here as a courtesy, which I very much appreciate. It's been noted. Um, and something I just want to mention as well that I was kind of making a comment to um, Mr. Senic about was I was so impressed today when the kids were pres were presenting their platforms that there was so much um, respect between
the parties. Um, they they acknowledged one another, the validity of their campaigns and it made me think back to a line I really like from uh, 1996 when Jack Camp was running for vice president and somebody asked him if he viewed Al Gore as his enemy and he's not my enemy,
he's my opponent. said, "We both want the same thing. We want a stronger America. We just want to go about it differently." And that's I felt like the the kids really represented very well was they want a stronger PTHS. They want a stronger Township School District. Um they have they have different approaches but but the same the same ambition. So
it it was really great to see and and again I I commented to the kids that a lot of times when we we look to do things for schools um we focus so much on what we think is going to be best and a lot of times we forget to ask the kids and they're the ones who live it. uh most closely. So, it's great to hear
them bringing those ideas up up to us. Um I I have a few items. Uh fairly brief report. Uh I was predicting that the first page of the agenda would take about an hour and then the rest would probably cook by. But um anyway, so first I just want to uh wish everybody h
happy Hanukkah to all our friends and neighbors who celebrate uh whether in our community or or globally. Um I think it's important to recognize it's such an exciting season and I know that global events have been very very frightening but um it's good to see when people can come together and and celebrate. Um our
winter concerts speak come together to celebrate. Uh our PTHs winter concerts taking place in the auditorium on Thursday night. Uh mercifully for all involved. I will not be directing nor will I be performing. I'm going to leave both of those to people who actually have talent. Um, so you'd be able to
come in and check out the jazz band, the noctives, the concert choir, and the concert band. That's all taking place Thursday right in this room at 7 o'clock. A quick update on the preschool and sensory playground uh committee work. Um, turns out we will not be pursuing the green acres grant as the
people at the state level um feel that our community would be better suited to have it u placed in a public space as opposed to school grounds. um they were they were very they were helpful with it despite delivering the unhappy news. Um I did point out that when the students
who would most likely be using it are in are in school, they would actually be in the school where the playground's located. But um but anyway, so we're we're looking for other funding options. Um we got information about the local recreation improvement grant. We're already working to to pursue that. That
could be up to $75,000. and our team of grant writers is already, as I said, working on that as our um the staff members who are part of the committee as well as community volunteers. And we're going to keep looking at funding sources um from what I understand the um Riverdale Board of
Education was able to get funding from the Jets to to build a playground there. So, we're hoping is maybe we can peique the Giants interest and get a little competitive fire going, maybe get some funding for this as well. Uh just think it's important to give a snow day update. We still have four days in the
bank, which is pretty exciting. Um, for anybody scoring at home, I would have called Saturday night, I would have called a delayed opening for Sunday. And then when I woke up and looked out my bay window and said, "That's not one of three inches." It would have become a snow day. So, for those of you who are big celebrators of snow days, yes,
yesterday would have been a snow day. So, sorry about that, Rich. But we still have four of them. So, that's good. Um, and also just getting keeping up with the tone of celebrating. Um, it was so wonderful. I've already said it, but I have my prepared remarks. Um, it's so wonderful to celebrate athletic
achievement tonight as well as our students incredible work with the president of Bquanic election. The conventions today again were truly outstanding and students articulated platforms and demonstrated remarkable preparation and intensity. Um, and again, I was so impressed with coach
McMurray um in his efforts for um presenting the keynote address. And he actually went first, too, which is tough to do. Um, we also spoke about our governor's educator of the year award recipients. Um, those were announced in each building on Friday the 12th. And, um, I will, um, admit that we may have
broken a few rules about, um, the categories that are eligible for recognition. Um, two of our school secretaries were recognized as local recipients um, for the educ educational support professionals of the year. um they will not be recognized by the state as that is not a category that they
recognize but we felt that um we think the state program is great but we think that um there are pe there are more people who should be recognized and have been um we also had our head custodian at SJ get recognized as well but really congratulations to all of our recipients and thank you to everybody who helped to
write the nominations as well as participate in making sure that these outstanding professionals were recognized um also I'd like to just congratulate um Mr. Pompeo, this is as as we know his his final board meeting. And just to echo some of what Mr. Senk said, I
appreciate your presence on the board. Um I found that you are very inquisitive. Um and it's not just for the sake of saying I'm going to pepper you with questions to see if you fold, but um because you want to dig deeper and know more about things. And I appreciate that focus um as well as the
sense of optimism that you bring to things. And I I'm I'm going to hear your refrain of facts, not fiction running through my head when I present on other items. Um definitely a good imprint to provide. And um I appreciate also that you're going to continue to be um
support for our allied health program um as those students definitely benefited from your presentations and I'm hoping that's something that we can continue. Then finally, I want to wish everybody all the best as we look ahead to a long break and I hope that you get to celebrate the holidays with people who mean the most to you. Uh the new year
provides an opportunity to resolve to improve ourselves and I wish you the best with ambitious and attainable goals in the year ahead as well as a restful and joyous break. So thank you and now I will pass it back to you Mr. Senic. >> Thank you Dr. Poris. Mr. Gibbs, you have a report to give.
>> Yes. Good evening. On tonight's port agenda, there is a motion for the approval of a new treasurer as our current treasurer will be retiring at the end of January 2026. I would like to thank Mr. karate for his 21 years of service to the school district. Mr. Hock, who was a business business
administrator for the North Caldwell Board of Education and an experienced treasurer for three other districts, was interviewed by Dr. Poris, Miss Misero, and and I on December 9th. There were two applications of which Mr. Hock is the applicant of choice and is on the
board agenda for approval to start February 1st, 2026. Also on tonight's agenda is the approval of new parking lot salter at a cost of $12,9124. The purchase of the salter will be included in the 2026 20227 budget. The
current salter is going on 9 years of of a lifespan of a plastic spreader is 8 to 10 years. In the event the current spreader uh breaks down, the school district will purchase the salter this year. On November 10th, the school district's health insurance agent from Brown and Brown sent out a request for
proposal for all to all viable carriers and health insurance funds in New Jersey um board marketplace. More information will be provided of the FFA discussion portion on tonight's meeting. On December 3rd, Dr. Poris and I had a meeting with the county business
administrator, superintendent, and business administrators from other school districts within Mars County for the mid-year budget review. The hot topic of the meeting was the increase in health insurance. This too is a topic of discussion in the FFA portion of tonight's meeting. And in conclusion, I
would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Thank you. >> Thank you. That brings us to our first opportunity for public comment. And there's no public hear. So, we will close that and move on to approval of the minutes. Mr. Pompeo, would you
please move the minutes? >> Absolutely. I would like to move the approval of the minutes. >> Second. >> Any questions or discussion? >> Mr. Gibbs, please call the role.
>> Mr. Bloombert, >> yes. >> Mr. Sesi, >> yes. >> Mr. Gon, >> yes. >> Miss Ao, >> yes. >> Mr. Mcweeny, >> yes. >> Mr. Pompeo, >> yes. >> Mr. Shenton is absent. Mr. Mrs. Espazito, >> yes. >> And Mr. Senic, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Okay, that brings us to
our action items and slashworkshop. First up is PMC and there are two discussion items before we move the action items. Update on the minimum wage requirements and a staffing update. All right. Uh I will give quick updates on the two items for discussion. Not really discussion. It's a little
one-sided, but uh first one, the uh New Jersey state minimum wage is going to go up from $1549 an hour to $15.92 an hour effective January 1st. Um there'd be a ripple effect for us um with our lunch aids as well as student workers. Um and
we'll assess to see if there are any other positions that are impacted and obviously it's the law. We will follow it. Um, and then the second one, uh, the SJG, uh, music teacher decision is is, um, it's coming up quite soon. I spoke
with Mr. Riner about this, um, on Friday, and I suspect he'll be sending me a candidate before the close of this week. Um, this is, um, to fill the position that's going to be vacated uh, due to Mrs. Finnen's anticipated retirement at the end of January. Um we
do have three spring coaching um positions that are open all at the high school. Um we still have an open position for at the high school for a science specialed position. Um this one is somewhat in the unicorn category. The person would need to have a science as
well as a special edert, thus making them highly qualified. And then um we do have a few people from um agencies who are working in our world language program. And then at the end of the year once our agreements have expired, we'll we'll look to post those again and see
if we can bring in our own people. Um, as you know, it's we're fishing in barren waters uh for candidates in world language, but we'll we'll keep on trying and uh we brought in some some outstanding candidates this year. Uh hopefully for next year that will continue.
Any any questions? >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Poris. Uh Mr. Sesi, would you please move the items under PMC? >> I'd like to move PMC 103-26 through PMC 115-26. >> Second. >> Any question or discussion?
>> Mr. Gibbs, please call the role. >> Mr. Bloomer, >> yes. >> Mr. Sesi, >> yes. >> Mr. Giddon, >> yes. >> Miss Ao, >> yes. >> Mr. Mcweeny, >> yes. >> Mr. Pompeo, >> yes. >> Mr. Shenton is absent. Mrs. Espazito, >> yes. >> And Mr. Senic, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Okay, next up is CIS and
we have two discussion items. Summary of the committee meeting that occurred last week and an allied health share time academy update. >> Okay, we um had a committee meeting last week. Um it was another very productive
uh fantastic meeting. Um m uh Elena Bronco attended the meeting to discuss information in regard to preschool integration plan. Um, so there is an information sheet. I will have that um shared out with the board. Um, so
essentially currently we have and please anybody correct me if I make a mistake. We have six preschool program. We have six preschool classes. Four are PSD. So that's preschool disabled classes. And then we have two preschool integration
classes. So that's where the general ed and the special ed students are together in that class. So, at this point, um, the plan is to to flip-flop it to make it four integration classes and two PSD
classes. One of which, um, of those PSD classes will meet our our students who are significantly, you know, disabled or need discrete trials or or significant behavior management. So, essentially, um,
we would be getting rid of the half day program. So, we would be eliminating the part-time model. Um, our students would be integrated. We would actually be accepting more students into those four classes, which would be fantastic as well. Um, this is,
in my opinion, phenomenal. Um, it's integrating our students, our special ed, and our our general ed students um more consistently. Um, so I'm really excited about this this change. Um, I will make sure that I get the
information sheet out to the board, but um, you know, fantastic presentation. Definitely something that I I think we should absolutely move forward with. Any questions? >> Just a comment on that uh, committee
meeting. I thought it was it was really good and I definitely support the increase in the integrated program. It's uh, yeah, >> much needed and it it'll be fantastic for all the students. So this will also then if we're looking forward in terms of our students and their needs, this
will most likely lend itself to needing um kind of like an ICR model in kindergarten. So that is something we discussed we discussed. We discussed um so there is no additional cost to this. We actually may encumber more money because um we'll have more tuition.
However, going forward in kindergarten, we may need to look at there may need to be a sta they need to may need to look at staffing in terms of adding an ICR teacher to kindergarten, which in my opinion is definitely worth the money.
Um, so we'll see where that goes. Sorry, Gordon. Um, we discussed the PTHs programs of studies. I think everybody received information in backup about the program of studies. So, college career readiness course to replace business and
information technology um and update the financial literacy requirement. a business application and AI literacy two semesters long. Um offering Microsoft Office um because we
discussed that some of our students are going away to college and not having enough um information on how to work in work with Microsoft Office. Am I Yeah, it was it really interesting
because it's not something I thought of because I always use Microsoft Office but I'm an old lady so you know it and maybe a little different than the kids like that I guess because they use Google for everything. So it makes sense. It was really like eye opening to me. I was like how do you what do you
mean they don't know how to use Excel? So, um, really great. Uh, English 10 honors. We're going to pilot an AP seminar class instead. Um, which actually really interesting cuz I think it was the blue party who was
talking about that. So, that was really interesting. Um, add AP research for grades 11 and 12. discuss math and ELA essentials course which is kind of like um a course to help students who may need um some support within English and
math. So that was great as well. Um algebra 2 algebra 2 honors to it's going to change to algebra 2 trigonometry honors. Um, of course, my favorite physical education. Um,
so we have unified P physical education in the middle school. We now need to have one in the high school. So, kind of discussed that course change, what that might look like. Um, and I absolutely love that. So, you may see me in a
unified PE class. Uh, discuss the Danielson rubric um and framework. So they're going to talk more about that at a DAK meeting. Magnetic reading, which is down at our our elementary students, elementary
schools will is now magnetic literacy, which is actually amazing because it is bringing in more writing components. Where it used to just be literature, it is now or comprehension, it is now bringing in writing components, which is something that all students
need. anatomy and physiology one and K5 art curriculum needs updates or will be updated. Curriculum will be updated. So, that was kind of quick, but it was yet again a really great meeting. I think we got a lot done. I'm super
excited about all of these um inclusive plans we have as well as updating the curriculum to like really meet our kids needs. Does anybody have any questions? I can just add um my little bird in my
ear here. Um we're talking about financial literacy coming out of like the freshman don't have to take it. It's going to be an option any year or >> so they'll take it 10th 10th or 11th grade. They could take it in 10th or 11th grade. Um the academy students will take Finlit in ninth grade. They have
other requirements. >> Um but in speaking with teachers uh and the kids, >> you know, we're discovering that not all of them have jobs. They don't necessarily understand the whole concept of that yet. So >> awesome. >> Where I don't know the unified talking
about unified in the high school just I don't know why it joged my memory. Not let me rephrase. It made me ask this question. There was the special needs adult program that was discussed a lot. What's the status of that?
>> We are going to have a program coming back to the high school. Uh we have uh three or four students that are going to be coming up. They're aging up. Uh so we're going to be having that program back at the high school. Um we currently do have students that could stay here until they're 21. Uh that's a decision that they make with their parents uh as
they go. Uh we don't have any this year, but we will have them uh potentially moving forward and we will have them with this group that's coming up. Uh so the unified class is going to be an elective for students that they can take uh which will be application based. It's only going to be probably six or seven
students. Uh but they'll work with students in the adaptive fizzed class. Um so they'll have that opportunity if they want to take that as an elective. That will not be their fizzed class. They'll have a fizzed class um like they normally would, but the unified if so if it's a student that's looking to become a teacher or looking into social work,
things like that, uh it would be an applicationbased elective uh for those students. So that's how that's how the unified fizzed is going going to look. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. And we are planning for that that other program as well. Rich, I'll get you the next board agenda
calendar so we can just make sure we have you here because these are great responses. It's really important too to draw that distinction between when you have an adaptive PE program um as opposed to a unified program. Um so I'm I'm I'm encouraged enthusiastic about
the move towards a unified program. Um Amry, I don't know if you want to add anything about first discussion item. Think Danielle, you're good. You're gonna hold I You nailed that. And you got the prek numbers exactly right, which was
what? >> Not yet. >> Not It's not our fault. It's the state's fault. That's why I'm bitter about it. >> I'm sure the state will come around and help us eventually. >> Yeah. All right. Uh second item there is one
and I spoke to Mr. Vans. I'll I'll discuss. I've been managing a lot of this obviously um it's hugely important thing. I I shared a recent meeting about um Mars County Vote's intention to terminate their agreement with us for the share time program for the allied
health sharetime academy. Uh this is something that gets renewed every every four years and we are in the fourth year of this round of the agreement. So they're within their rights to do so. Um and so I received on Tuesday formal
notification of it. Um I did get back to Dr. Champagne who is the um superintendent to let her know that we would be discussing this um in our meeting tonight. Um I did have uh couple questions for one was whether the Mars County BOK board has approved the
termination notice. Um I'm not aware I've been looking through their minutes and their agendas. I'm not aware that they've actually approved it yet. Um, I know they have a meeting coming up in January on the 13th. I'm gonna, uh, most likely be swinging by Danville, um, just to observe the proceedings there and
offer any input I can about, uh, the merits of our program. And I sent something out to superintendents on Thursday, uh, superintendents who whose schools uh, either currently participate in the share time program or or have in the past to let them know that we are
planning to continue moving forward with the program. Um, independent of of Mars County Vote. Um, it is something that me as an educator, I I can speak confidently and say that our program educationally stands on greater merit. We have a wonderful relationship with
Atlantic Health as evidenced by our partnership with Chilton um which is literally right across the street from us and offers the clinical shadowing experience that um no other school district can match. Um and we also continue to offer the Rucker exam and we
have students leave here with 19 credits already towards their their freshman year. Um, I may have already mentioned it, but when I was at the Boys and Girls Club gala, there's somebody at my table who introduced themselves, Link Park parent, and she was very enthusiastic about her daughter's experiences in the allied health program, and she even said
it was wonderful. She started her freshman year halfway through her freshman year, so she already had enough credits to to be halfway home. Um, so there there's a lot, and um, I I got I had some conversations on Friday with a few of my of my colleagues. um really
they're they're not going to be the chief decision makers, but they can definitely help to make things happen. Um I don't know where it's going to go, but um I feel like ours is a program worth fighting for and I fully intend to do that. I believe also that the outstanding staff um deserves that type
of attention. So um attention shall be paid and it certainly will be. So um we're going to continue um trying to draw up support. I've also reached out to a couple other um schools that have not been involved in the Sharetime Academy program to let them know this is
another alternative um if if you're in another county that uh that does not offer a sharetime program, it's a chance for districts to keep their kids um in their district at least part-time. So, we're being very transparent with our peers. Uh today we shared a uh a
breakdown of the transportation for sharetime students who are currently juniors so that um districts that wanted to try to collapse routes and share them could do that. So um we're looking for ways to make our program hopefully the the model and exemplar that others would
want to uh be a part of. Um and and we'll we'll see where it goes. Um but again I can't promise the I can't promise outcomes as we're not the only variable but I can certainly uh promise that there will be incredible effort and I uh Mrs. Vansol, Mr. Hazler, Mr.
Foglio, Miss Barbosa and and Miss Marada have been have been really involved in this as well and and putting forth a lot of hard work. So, um we'll keep you posted on this one and hopefully uh hopefully it works out best for all parties involved, most specifically students uh
who have an opportunity to be a part of this program. >> This won't affect the juniors that are currently in the program. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. So, uh that's part of the um the agreement that the juniors have the opportunity to graduate from from our program and our full-time students won't be impacted either. So, the
students that we have from uh Link Park and Puquanic who are in the full-time program that they won't be impacted. And we actually had um as far as I can tell our most applicants ever for the full-time program. I believe there were 40 applicants um for the full-time program. So, um the word is out that
this is this is good and and and it's worth pursuing. Um, and something that I also teased in the in the communication I sent out to my colleagues was that we're also looking at um, setting up a couple different tracks. Um, one following a more traditional medical
school route where you would need the clinical rotations and the other to set students up so they can work in fields maybe even right out of high school that don't require medical school but are involved um, in in the medical field. So, um, we're looking to adapt our
program to what what are the needs that we understand them to be in the modern workforce and prepare kids to excel in a very uncertain future. >> All right, Mrs. Espazito, will you please move the items under CIS?
>> I'd like to move CIS-54-26 through CIS-59-26. Second. >> Any question or discussion? >> Mr. Gibbs, please call the RO. >> Mr. Bloomer, >> yes. >> Mr. Sesi, >> yes. >> Mr. Gibon, >> yes. >> Miss Ao,
>> yes. >> Mr. Mcweeny, >> yes. >> Mr. Pompeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shanton is absent. Mrs. Espazito, >> yes. >> And Mr. Sanic, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Next up is FFA. There's five discussion items. Updates on the new board office, the sale of the current
board office, the health insurance RFP, and the school budgets for the next two years. Okay, just to give you a brief update as to what's happening with the um the new board office. Um the school district was moved off the December fourth 4th board
of adjustments meeting and we're still waiting to hear for a future date. Uh so it's a very brief update. Any questions on that at all or no? The second item I have is an update to the sale of the board office. Uh on November 17th, Mr.
Carter, who was my contact at the post office, uh received a copy of the board extract, uh letting him know that the board approved the appraisal of the third, excuse me, of that third appraisal with the appropriate vendor. Uh he finally got back to me on December 10th and stated that it was he's waiting
for a progress report as to what's the status on that. So, they move very slow. >> They get it right. >> As long as they get it right. Yes. Exactly. U to move on to the health insurance RFB. Uh, according to our agent, we
received a decline to quote a DDQ letter from the following insurance carriers. Uh, Etna, American Health, Horizon, New Jersey Solutions Joint Health Insurance Fund, which called JHIF, and United Healthcare. Their determination is based
on the district's extremely high prescription claims utilization. For the 2-year period, 920, excuse me, September 23 through August 25, the prescription claims totaled over 8.2 2 million with medical claims totaling over $12
million. The 2-year medical claims period uh ratio was 89.6%. However, uh over the 2-year combined medical prescription claims to premium loss ratio, it was at 151%.
There are still two outstanding bids of which is expected to be received the end of this week. But due to poor the poor combination of medical slashprescription loss ratios, it's highly unlikely that either insurer will be issue a bid proposal and they are Sigma and Perma
schools health insurance or shift. Any questions on that? >> Yeah, just a question on that. I went to a um a talk given down at school boards by Brown and Brown and they talked about how they can work with school districts to separate out certain prescription
drugs that are more in demand than others and have them go direct to consumer things like that to try and get the cost down and like I said it was given by Brown and Brown. So is there any kind of help they're giving us in that regard to try and break the package up maybe so that way it's more enticing for people to bid on?
>> Uh no that was not discussed. Um I know Brown and Brown is excellent. They're very highly, you know, respected. So um I think once we get through this RFP process, we'll look into that also. Yeah. >> The other consideration with something like that too is when you start breaking out certain drugs, the problem is is
that when we actually while the board has the prerogative to change insurance carriers at its own option, we have to still provide benefits that are equal to or better than. So if we start separating out certain drugs, it may impact whether or not we're able to
certify that the plan that we are now moving to unilaterally is in fact able to or better than. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> No. Uh the next item I have is the 2025 2026 budget. The midyear adjustments to
the health insurance has been completed and the board uh is on the board for approval. The amount of the adjustment for health insurance is 1,97,000 and it's anticipated that the health insurance will go up another 18% for the 2627 school year. Uh other adjustments
have been made in accordance with state guidelines and will be submitted to the state by February 1st, 2026. Any questions? I I'm just going to comment and I know I've already brought this up, but it's such an a matter of enormous frustration
trying to operate a school district um within the framework of how cost prohibitive health insurance has become and I understand it is it's necessary. I know I depend on as does my family, but we needed to find $632,000 for this year's operating budget to make
sure that we had a balanced budget uh because of the increases in health insurance. And it's not like we're some enormous district and have that type of financial flexibility. And then to find out in September that that 632,000 is
not even going to be close to enough because oh wait, it's going up even more. And in this case, I believe it's 32.9%. Um which was over $1 million on a budget that was already balanced and tight. And then to find out that for next year it's
going to go up another 18%. And I feel like we we keep hearing about the problems and there I understand what people are saying are are the causes or what they're attributing the roots to. I don't care. I I I care more about
solutions and I'm not hearing about solutions at the state level um for how they're going to help districts. Um, in an era in which we we're capped in the revenue that that we can bring in, I wish that there would be some type of
matching cap on the cost that we can incur. Um, and there's been no conversation about about health insurance maybe lining up to that 2% increase and just something re reasonable. And for us to try to find alternatives
um, and then to be rebuffed at it only only compounds the frustration. And then there there are other matters that similarly are not going addressed. The prevailing wage that makes it so we get about 40 cents on the dollar for for getting projects done. Um there's
there's been no headway whatsoever with that. The fact that some of our our co-op bidding, the fact that we pay a ridiculous amount of money for a library chair and people look at you like you're an idiot for spending $600 on a library chair when you can get it for 120 at IKEA. Um there needs to be wholesale
change. Um are I know there's a new regime coming into Trenton. I I hope that they're taking this seriously that school districts need help and and and it can't be lip service and and it can't be band-aids. It has to be something significant that alters um the budgeting
formula at state level as well as caps on how much things can be increased on us, especially after school years have already started. So, I'm going to get down off my soap box, but I just felt like that was an appropriate place to interject that. >> Yeah. And that's actually the items that were brought up at the midyear budget
review >> for the county. Uh, every district every district have the same complaints. So, where it goes from there, hopefully the county will say something, but um it's not hopeful. Any other questions?
No. Okay. Moving on to the 2627 budget. On November 2012 12th, excuse me, the principles and directors were given their worksheets to develop their budgets. The business office is working on updating the position control and assessing the purchases thus far this year. The budget hearings for the
principles and directors have been scheduled for the month of January. There any questions? >> No. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Mr. Bloomer, would you please move the items under FFA? I'd like to make a motion to move FFA85-26
through FFA 92-26. >> Second. >> Question of discussion. >> Mr. Gib, please call the role. >> Mr. Bloomer, >> yes. >> Mr. Sesi, >> yes. >> Mr. Gon, >> yes. >> Miss Ao, >> yes. >> Mr. Mcweeny, >> yes.
>> Mr. Pompeo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shenton is absent. Mrs. Espazito, >> yes. >> And Mr. Senic, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right, that brings us to policy. There are no items to vote on. >> Real quick, I just like to thank Mr. Flurry uh for his donation of barbells
to the P of PTHS valued at $866. >> All right. Thank you. Brings us to policy. Two items to discuss, no items to vote on. Uh 8454R headlice and freedomtore act policies. >> Yeah, I'll I'll start it off. Maybe you
can help me out there. So, I know the headlights one we've been discussing now it seems since the summer. Um it's an update on guess the reporting procedures for the schools and the nurses um on who gets reported um yeah I guess it was from school I forget
now it was from classroomwide to just direct contacts or Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yeah. and and and what the board worked on for um for the policy. I think it's great and and gave some flexibility too so that it lines up with um the nursing
plan for that. Um there is um a regulation for it that's not required and to me it's just redundant. Um and I think if you have something and you don't need it, get rid of it. So um yeah, based on what Mr. is saying and just from my observations um I think we
can consign this regulation to the garage sale of policies. Sorry I had to say something humorous because I realized I was Dr. killjoy about six minutes ago. So trying to redeem myself a little bit here.
Unfort it's a sad reality. Um any other comments from anybody on head lace as we're all getting itchy. Um and then the other uh the second one was um freedom to redact policies that was 9130.
Um we actually just we approved it. uh not not 9130R but 9130 in 2023. So this has come up a couple times in the last few years. Uh and this is just a much more extensive uh um procedure um detailing the complaint procedure for
challenging books materials in the classroom. Um well and I believe we had done had done something like this a number of years ago with >> from the parent to the teacher to the pr supervisor to the principal all the way up all the steps that follow the chain
of command up to the board level. Now it's in that 9130R. >> Yeah, I think we were ahead of the curve on this one. >> Yeah, we definitely were. And something I'll I'll add in too um is that the regulation um among the recommendations to eliminate is actually
now eliminating CD ROMs from the list of resource materials. Yeah. So um Google garage sale you might see some um but yeah so I I I like that phrasing too that we were we were ahead of the curve with this. Um we do have on our website
our request for reconsideration of instructional and resource materials form. It is available on the curriculum page of our district website. So, um, this was something that both Mr. Mweeny and and Mrs. Vanskull were aware as the Freedom to Read Act was getting pushed
out that we needed to be in line with it. And so, the good news is we are. So, there are there are some there are some recommendations and they're pretty good. I mean, I feel like Strauss was making the policies um, a little cleaner and a little more precise. So, good stuff
there. So goodbye to CD ROMs, but hello to more efficient language. >> All right, with that we'll move on to public comment. Public may comment on any topic. There is no public, so there will be no comment. Close that. Move over to unfinished business. Any board
member have any unfinished business? Any board member have any new business? Would any board member like to make an announcement? >> Yeah, I would um to kind of tag along on what uh Dr. Poris and and
um Brian said earlier, you know, I thank Vinnie for your time here on the board, your dedication to the community, to the town, to the students uh and to the board. Um he definitely brought a measured and a thoughtful approach to our board meetings, to our executive meetings, uh asking some very insightful
questions, getting us to all to think a little bit more. Um from a different perspective. Um I could say, you know, back in the beginning when you first joined us for the campaign, you were definitely bringing some new new ideas and um experiences to the campaign and was very helpful since we have a a
pretty seasoned board here. Uh, I do I will say that your ability to churn out campaign videos was um very helpful. We had to kind of hold you back sometimes because you're putting out one or two a day, but um other than that, it was it was great having you on the board. Thank
you for your dedication to the community and to the students. >> I also would like to uh thank Vinnie for his dedication and donating his time. Um, I specifically would like to thank you for helping me in certain situations
with your much calmer insight of things than that than I have. Um, and for making helping me find uh another way to look at things sometimes. Uh, I do appreciate that because um I don't
always do that. So uh that that has been very helpful to me. So thank you. Uh first I just want to wish uh everybody you know happy holidays, happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas, happy new year. Um and again thank Vinnie for um
solid three years of um you know a thankless job that we all endure. So thank you uh wish you best of luck with your extra free time that you I'm jealous that you'll have and uh again appreciate your time. >> Yeah like to take a moment to recognize
Mr. Pompeo as he ends his service on the board. Um like throughout his tenure, he'd always ask great questions, would listen, and would engage in always respectful debate. Um I would say I'll miss you, but we are neighbors, so I'll probably see you around. So
>> yeah, Vinnie, we only had uh the opportunity to serve together for one year, but um your passion is certainly infectious, and I appreciate your contributions to the conversations. All right. Um, so I want to thank Vinnie for his dedication to our students and
to our district. Um, your throughout your term, you continually asked meaningful questions and brought a different perspective um to this to the discussions. You often challenged us to look at different viewpoints
um and always to make informed decisions, right? Always look at the facts. So, I will miss your insight. Um, I do miss those campaign videos. Um, thank you for your dedication and your time on the board. Um, we appreciate
you. Happy holidays to all that celebrate. Um, I want to wish our staff and our students a welldeserved long break, relax, recharge, and reset for the new school year. For, I'm sorry, for the new year.
>> Um, if I may, I want to say thank you to all of you. Uh, I want to say a very humble thank you to my fellow board members for being committed teammates for my family, for sacrificing their time so I could come to these meetings. Um, that didn't always end necessarily
the same day as they started. Um, to I wanted to thank the Pquanic Township community who put their trust in me. Um, a special thank you to Mr. Mcweeny uh, who was my mentor. He helped me navigate my role on the board, which really must
be experienced to even begin to understand what it is to be on the board. To Mr. Senk, our president, whose passion, work effort, and commitment to our students, staff, and community sets the standard for the board and the township. To Dr. Poris,
thank you for your tireless work. Your care for those in your care is infectious. That spirit is carried on to every administrator, teacher, staff, and student. It is the basis of what makes
this school system special. I wish you all the best as we continue you continue on in your service as board members. As you already know, we are in a time of great change. From rising healthcare costs to shrinking teacher candidates and resources, we have in my
last three years faced planned and certainly unplanned challenges, and you will continue to do so in the future. I know that you will face all that is to come with what is right for our students as your north star. To the community of
Puquanic, I thank you for your trust. As I mentioned, the future for our schools and students is filled with challenges that require more than just your board. Our schools don't need more spectators and social media commentators.
Puquanic needs active participants. Engagement means showing up. listening and helping improve outcomes. I hope you will join me in supporting our board, administration, teachers, and ultimately students in real meaningful ways. Thank
you for allowing me to represent the community and best of luck moving forward. Happy holidays and uh it's good to know that I didn't necessarily have any good ideas, but I had a couple good questions here and there. So, thank you. Okay, we do have reason to go into
executive session tonight where we will discuss student matters. No action will be taken and we will adjourn from there. Our next meeting will be January 5th here at the high school. Again, I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and a well-deserved break. Is there a motion to go into executive session?
>> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? Any opposed? Can everyone?