meeting to order. Mr. Gibbs, please read the statement of compliance. >> In compliance with the open public meeting act, public law 1975, chapter 231, notice of this meeting has been properly advertised in daily record in suburban trends. Its agenda has been posted at the appropriate locations and
a copy has been filed with the Mcquanic Township clerk. >> Thank you. Please call the role. Mr. Bloomer will be late. Uh, Mr. Teresi, >> I'm here. >> Mrs. Espazito, Mr. Gon may be late. Mr. Ao may be late. Mr. Mcweeny >> here.
>> Mr. Malik >> here. >> Mr. Senic >> here. >> And Mr. Shen >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Thank you. Please stand for the flag salute. stand one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, justice for all.
Uh, good evening everyone. Welcome to our March 2nd workshop meeting. This Thursday, I will attend the Morris County Unsung heroes award ceremony where Savina Anise Velios will receive the award from Pquanic Township High School. The board would like to congratulate Savina and I look forward
to honoring her on Thursday. Next, the board held our winter retreat last week and as always, it was a great event. During this retreat, the board engages in open conversation with the administrative team concerning our district goals and progress being made to promote achievement for all our
students. The district, I'm sorry, the discussion was engaging and genuine with so many exciting things happening in our district. Our administration continues to push the district toward improvement by introspective data analysis and teaching collaboration to apply best
practices. The board wants to thank the administration including Dr. Poris and Mr. Gibbs for a candid and genuine discussion. It is clear the relationship between the board, administration, and teachers is strong because we are all laser focused on providing the absolute best education for the students of
Buonic. The board appreciates the partnership of our administration and teachers in this effort and we are encouraged by the progress that has been made. Finally, the board is excited to see the culmination of the portrait of a graduate initiative this year and we stand ready to support the effort as needed. That leads me to the second part
of the winter retreat. In addition to discussion concerning our district goals, the board also sets goals for itself during our winter retreat. This year, the board settled on four conceptual goals that will be approved during the 323 meeting. Those conceptual goals are number one, continued support
of administrative initiatives through the channels available to the board. This would be financial and policy means. Two, enhance the board's financial oversight practices to promote transparency informed decision-making and long-term fiscal stability in support of district priorities. Three,
improve the board governance practices by memorializing our standard operating procedures and norms. Four, ensure we maintain our master board certification. The board will discuss these goals tonight during the BEC portion of the meeting. That's it for me and I'll pass it on to Dr. Poris.
>> All right. Thank you, Mr. Senic. And I'm going to send it right over to our loan representative for the student report. And with good reason when I understand the Zlers are in a very competitive basketball game right now and winning. >> Yeah, they're winning right now. >> All right, let's keep that going. >> Good evening everyone. Both the girls
and boys basketball teams won their first round of states last Friday and are playing today in the second round. The hockey team won their first round of states but finished off their season against Kennelon. Congratulations to Joe Barro who became the team's all-time leading scorer. Members of the track
team competed in the group championships this past weekend. Congratulations to Chase Delfino for placing fifth in the 3200 meter and sixth in the 1600 meter at the group 1 state championships. Chase is now the 3200 meter record holder, beating a record from 2008.
Chase now holds four indoor track records. Congratulations to the four by 400 meter relay team Emil Hawthorne, Rose Mcburnie, Claire Stang, and Cali Kodiak for placing seventh. Congratulations to Claire Sting who placed sixth in the 15
55 meter hurdles. Congratulations to Dylan Romley and Marco Kurichi who placed at districts this weekend for wrestling. Marco took second place at 175 pounds. Dylan took third place at 190 pounds. Good luck in regionals.
Spring sports are starting on Monday next week. Good luck to all spring sports. There was a winter ensemble concert featuring the jazz band Noctives, indoor percussion, and winter guard held on February 19th. Everyone did a great job. FPLA had held a fitness
fundraiser at Spa 23 to benefit heart health awareness. FA is also heading to their state conference on Sunday of this week. Students will be participating in competitive events and workshops in Atlantic City. The student council executive board met with Mr. Hazler to discuss their
thoughts and ideas about how to prepare for the new statewide policy for cell phones. They also started to plan for some up upcoming events. The marketing 2 capstone and hospitality and management students will be going to Metife this Wednesday for a sports
business field trip. They will get to talk to the different departments in the Jets organization. There's a college fair for sophomores and juniors this Thursday, March 5th. Students will be able to talk to representatives from 60 colleges to gain insight about the admissions process.
The juniors are preparing for the NJGBI testing that is upcoming in language arts and mathematics this week, the week of March 16th. The Quanic Safe Driving Club is hosting a fundraiser for juniors to win a parking spot on campus. Students will purchase tickets and a winner will be
drawn at random. Congrats to Lana Roberto Trio for performing at Jersey Jazz Live at the Madison Arts Center on Sunday. PTHs seniors Lana Roberto, Damen Josie, and sophomore Claire Bedami performed a halfhour set to a packed
house. Seniors continued to commit to colleges and trades. Today, PTHs held a senior signing for those playing sports in college. Derek Seiel committed to golf at Babson College. Maxi committed to golf at Drew University. and Dylan Ramly committed to football affair along
Dickinson University all took part in the signing today. Thank you and have a great night. >> Excellent. Thank you, Olivia. And I just want to confirm something that I was questioned about that the safe drivers club was initiated by students. This wasn't something that we pushed for,
something that you guys did. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um it started a while ago and then we brought it back this year >> which is pretty impressive and hopefully it's it's taking shape as people are driving more safe. >> Yeah, it's been really successful so far. We've ra raised a lot of money.
>> Good. Excellent. You've done it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Olivia. >> For my report, uh I have a few items to share. First of which is I'm wearing red, white, and blue today uh as we started ReadAcross America week and today was the day to wear red, white, and blue. And I don't mean to brag, but
I got a certificate for my reading today. I believe Mrs. Vancicle was just saying either that she also received a certificate or was saying, "Darn it, I didn't get one." I can't tell. I can't I can't read lips. It's >> And I'm in red, white, and blue also.
>> Oh, yes. Understood. Um, and actually, I didn't realize it when I signed up. I I signed up for Mr. Mahalik's daughter's class. So, uh, if she's talking about this superstar who visited her class today, it's this guy. And for future reference, if I sign up
for your kids class and you're a board member, just you can bounce me out. But now you know. Um, but it's I'm really excited about it. It's it's an event that I really passionate about, especially as a former English teacher, but just as an educator in general. So much appreciation for all the work
that's gone into the planning. Um, and I'll be at North Boulevard on Friday reading to a class there as well. As far as recent events, um I was able to attend the Chamber of Commerce recognition of two of our students, Ashley Lassatello and Kaden Rubistello. Um and it was great having conversation
with people at the chamber who were so impressed with the work of our students um who are launching their own business, helping with web design and also tech support. And um I have to say that the district was incredibly well um represented and portrayed by our students, which I say that they're our
greatest advertising. We appreciate the chamber giving us that opportunity uh for our kids to show off what they can do. Um as Mr. Senk alluded to, we had our retreat on February 26 with the board and the administration collaborating on future goals and reviewing progress towards this year's goals. And I'll share briefly on the
district goals during uh the PMC session of the meeting. And then also last week we met with with the culture committee um whom I'm referred to as the culture club. A couple items we talked about were adding additional district spirit days. Um, these are days on which staff
can wear jeans without having to worry about making any type of donation. So, we're looking to March doing a green out on on March 17th. I don't know where that one came from. Uh, and then in April doing a day with a baseball theme. Um, staff members will get bonus points
if they wear Boston attire. Uh on May 1st, we will do a college apparel day in which students want if they would like to wear um any apparel from schools that they're planning to attend, would like to attend, root for, or just just like, um they can certainly do so. And we also
are telling students if they went to the workforce to wear something representative of that. And the same for the military as well. And then we we picked out a day in June uh to do a patriotic themed uh dress down day and honor a flag day. Uh, another thing that the cultural club is working on is a
take your child to workday initiative. Um, this is something that is coming from that group. I just told them that it can't be something that adds to the responsibilities of the principles. It also can't be something where um it becomes the burden of the PE teachers to have to entertain kids in the gym. So,
it's has to be very um very carefully organized. Um, and they're doing a great job setting that up and we look forward to participating this year. Uh they're also looking at possibilities for staff clubs as well as some team building activities um which include a a walking club at Hillview that's also doing a
wedding arms workout. Um one of the staff members there is getting married Memorial Day weekend and I understand this is a thing wedding arms which I do not possess. Um we had a chili day last week at PV and I have to say the chili was delicious. Um, I
contributed Tostitos and diet soda. So, I felt like I made a valuable contribution. And then PTHs also has monthly potluck days which staff members bring in different food that they are excited to prepare and they share it among the staff. So, some really, really good things there.
Then budget. I'll speak more about the budget during the FFA discussion, but I want to share u progress this past week in developing our budget for the upcoming school year. Um we we have another exorbitant I would say ridiculous increase in health insurance
costs coming our way. So we've definitely uh hit that fiscal cliff which is to be expected when your health care costs increased by $3 million over the course of three years without a single additional service being provided nor any opportunity to escape from the state plan. Um I think I mentioned in an
earlier meeting we tried to go out for bids for um to escape from the state plan. Not that the escape would generate anything significant and we were unsuccessful in that because our experience rating was considered too high. Uh so to close the funding gap
especially with limited revenue sources which is the bane of every school district. We don't don't make widgets or anything like that. So it's not like we can just increase production. Uh district has to cut either people or things or a combination of the two. So over the past week Mrs. Vance Cole and I
met with elementary principles as well as with Mr. Seas asking Mr. Hazler as a team to find places where we could save either by u being mindful of programs that could be eliminated or consolidated um limiting expenditures or not replacing some vacancies. Our goal is to
limit the impact on our overall educational program, but the reality is we have to deliver a balanced budget. That's a non-negotiable. Um our work will continue this week and obviously into the weeks that follow. Um, and I'm meeting tomorrow along with Miss Vans with student services directors to see
where we might be able to find additional savings in student services. Um, I keep making references to the administrators that I want to find what the pain points are. I I don't want to go to we're not desperate. It's not like we have to make um wholesale cuts, but
um for a district that's been very fiscally prudent for a long long time. Um it's incredibly frustrating to be at this point. Um and it's it's not only health insurance, but that is the the greatest cost driver and it's enormously frustrating. Um great
segue from enormously frustrating. I finally heard back from Mars County Vote today saying that um uh they did vote on whether to terminate their agreement for the Allied Health Academy. That vote took place on February 10th. For those of you scoring at home, today is March
2nd. Um and I just have to say that this level of communication is not inconsistent. I understand that when the sports management academy was shot that was to take place in Rand was shot down, there was a similar pattern in the communication there. Could I f
>> I I I know you can speak from experience. >> Yeah. Yeah. They um the Mars County they they canceled the sports management program at a Randolph which my daughter had applied to. Um I guess it was about mid December. I got a phone call from them saying, "Your daughter hasn't
applied to an academy." I said, "No, yeah, we did." Like, "Oh, we shut that down and you didn't respond to our email." I said, "You didn't send me an email." So, they went back and forth a little bit. Oh, yeah. We didn't send that. Sorry. can you choose today another academy program to go to? I'm like, excuse me? So, the choice at Randolph
was a business uh program. Then I could choose any other academy program in Mars County, like I don't know, pre-law or something like like an eighth grader and all of a sudden decided I'll just do that now. Um so eventually we just said no, forget it. This is just silly. Um
and what what was the back? Why do why was this canceled? Oh, we decided to cancel the program. And um it was just no email, frantic, not really a frantic phone call, but like you need to apply today. And it was just that's an experience we're going to have applying
for the the school. We're not going to be going to a school like that. >> Yeah. And I appreciate your your sharing that too. And which is my frustration is I know that um our program is materially better than what could be offered anywhere else if for no other reason
based on the proximity of the hospital in which our students do clinical rotations and don't feel the decisions in the best interest of students throughout Morris County. Um very very frustrated. Um now that I've sufficiently played the role of the wet blanket, I'll share somewhat more positive news. We still have two snow
days in the bank at least for now. Uh we're monitoring the forecast for tomorrow, which has actually become much better over the course of the last 12 hours. Um so it's looking more like a nuisance than anything hazardous because we have an early dismissal day scheduled for tomorrow. There's no option for a delayed opening. It's either snow day or
or go day. So um I'm definitely looking forward to having a go day. Um if anything shifts, I'll be up in the morning checking that out. But um if we can make it through the end of this winter with two snow days in our back pocket, that's believe the term I used in my update was semi miraculous. Um, so
hopefully hopefully we're in that position and people will be very happy for Memorial Day weekend, assuming the students vote well. Um, yeah. So again, just look looking ahead tomorrow, just just hoping it's nothing more than a soggy start and finish to
the day tomorrow. And then coming up, um, I'm going to be attending a statewide conversation on district budget concerns on Wednesday. Um this is something organized by the um NJSA which is association for superintendent and we're going to discuss um district what
different districts are facing as well as uh strategies to implement um something that I'm going to mention later but um I've also volunteered to be the uh chairperson for a Mars County group that's wants to um take our concerns to the legislative branch um
regarding how school budgeting has become impossible. ible and how the escalating costs are completely out of control to find out that our insurance might go up another 24%. We had a 33% midyear increase this year on top of the
16% increase we had at the start of this school year. Um it's it's absurd. So um I have no interest in in being on the news or or calling attention to myself. But I think in this role I might just have to do that. Hopefully we get some traction and help Trenton be more aware
that the conditions that they've created are untenable. Um we do have a meeting, this is much happier note, meeting with the preschool inclusive playground committee on Thursday of this week. Uh we're going to update on progress. Uh hopefully we hear back soon about the
grant for which we submitted and also uh to convince the Jets that we are in the best possible investment for their 2027 playground project. So, um, hopefully I have good news to share from that one. Uh, much like Mr. Senic, I will be at the unsung heroes celebration. That's
Thursday night in handover park. It's a really great opportunity um to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of kids who may not have otherwise gotten recognized for their outstanding contributions, not just to their schools, but also to their communities. Uh, we have an AI committee coming up. This one's pretty far down the pike.
That's on March 19th. Um, obviously lots of budget work over the next few weeks. And then um she's going to be annoyed with me, but uh happy anticipated birthday to Mrs. Vansl who will turn 29 on Friday of this week. So March 6th. Happy birthday and Marray.
>> Thank you so much. >> Mr. Gibbs, you have a report. >> Yes. Good evening. On tonight's board agenda, there is a motion for the approval of the 2026 2027 tuition rates that are based on the New Jersey Department of Education's certified
tuition rates for Puquanic Stu for the Puquanic School District. There will be a discussion before the vote um on that port on that portion of the meeting. Also on tonight's board agenda is the approval of the Boys and Girls Club of Popuponics increase for the 2026 2027
school year. The increase is in agreement with the the three-year 2025 to 2028 contract for the before school and after school program um which resides at North Boulevard, Steven Jerice and Hillview schools. The
increase is from 41,800 to $45,980 in accordance with the contract. The school district still has not received a third proposal from the post office for the purchase of the property at 538 Newer Fountain Turnpike. I reached out to the post office and they stated that they have not received the
third appro the third appraisal report yet regarding the purchase of the property for the new board office. The state is still not respond to the school district's request for approval to purchase the building. The school district is applying to the New Jersey Department of Education
Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning for reimbursement for the school district's category B snow plowing costs which includes overtime and equipment. According to the town, it's unlikely that we'll receive anything, but we will be applying for the the fund the reimbursement. Excuse
me. Finally, if you haven't re done so, please complete your financial disclosure statement and submit it to the state for review. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Gibbs. That brings us to our first opportunity for public comment on agenda items. And there is nobody here, so I'm going to close that and move on to approval of the action items.
First up is PMC. Mr. Sesi, would you please move the item under PMC? I would like to move PMC 156-26. >> Second. >> Any question or discussion? >> Mr. Gibbs, please call the role. >> Mr. Bloomer, >> yes.
>> Mr. Sesi, >> yes. >> Gidden is not here. >> Mr. Here, sorry. >> Mr. G, I'm sorry. >> That's not good. Yeah. Yes. >> MO is not here. >> Uh, Mr. Mcweeny. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mahalik. >> Yes. >> Mr. Chanton. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Espazito.
>> Yes. >> And Mr. Senk. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Up next is CIS. Mrs. Espazto, would you please move the two items under CIS? >> Sir, I'd like to move CIS74-26 and CIS75-26. >> Second.
>> Question or discussion. Mr. Gibbs, please call the role. >> Mr. Bloomer, >> yes. >> Mr. Sesi, >> yes. >> Mr. Giddon, >> yes. >> Mr. is not here. Mr. Mcweeny, >> yes. >> Mr. Mahalik, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shanton, >> yes. Mrs. Estazito. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Sen, >> yes.
>> Motion carries. >> All right. Next up is FFA. Mr. Bloomer, would you please move the item under FFA? >> Like to make a motion to move FFA 141-26. >> Second. >> Question and definitely discussion. >> Definitely discussion. So,
um, last time we had we had last time we discussed preschool, it was going to be discussed again before we voted. That was my understanding because the last tuition rate that I saw was 85 or 87 and
now it's 115. So, I'm just um I have concerns about raising preschool that much as we anticipate the budget, right? We anticipate going over the 2%
obviously to meet the health care needs and now we're going to be increasing preschool $3,000. Um but this was not to my to the best of my recollection, this was not discussed. this these tuition rates were not
discussed as a committee at a whole. >> Uh you are correct. I we had an FFA meeting and I don't not sure I got what I needed to put in backup um thereafter looking at the calendar of
when the meeting was. But um we met with met FFA and we went through the current loss of preschool and what the uh what's the actual what the rate the qualifying rate. Right. >> Yeah. The current rate now is $8,150
plus a $250 deposit. So you're at $8,400. Right. >> But what's the max rate is qual qualifying? that that's a certified certified rate from the state of New Jersey based on our financial >> right and the certified rate which was significantly higher than where we are
>> was too much of a steep increase to do in a one foul swoop it's the only way we become positive with preschool and when I say positive it's it's not by much but it is positive um so the committee came
up with these numbers as a kind of a Um, what's the word I'm looking for? >> Stepping stone. >> Yeah, pretty much a stepping stone because we do need to get to the qualified rate or the certified rate. I keep calling it qualified, the certified rate. Um, we can't continue to take the
hit yearover-year. >> Sorry, the certified tuition rate is >> is 159. >> Right. Correct. >> So, we kind of split the difference. Um, I apologize for not getting this in the shared uh in uh backup. I'm not sure
where that miscommunication went, but um we did go and we did move the other rates to the certified rates. >> Yes. >> Which again, there's only not as many students, so it's not as volatile of a number, but it um makes sense to do so. And the committee was uh in agreement of
this number. >> What does the the certified rate action? What does that mean? 15 today. >> Yeah. But what does what does it mean that the certified rate? What does that mean? >> I'll let Gordon explain that. >> The certified tuition rate is based on our audit what the actual costs for that particular program are. So we're looking
to charge well whatever we're going to charge if it's below the $15,000 per student, the district is losing money. So I just want you to be aware if you do want to charge less even less than 115 which is proposed, the district is losing money.
And this is not a really good time I feel personally to lose money. But I mean it's up to the board obviously, but >> I um I mean $11,000 a year is $4,000 a year less than I was paying seven years.
>> Yeah. It's still lower than the comps. >> I mean it's way lower than I was paying for one child. So I think the thought process was on top of making it be like a phased increase, we also had some intel that around 12,000 somewhere in that
neighborhood was kind of like where the competition is at the lowest and we didn't want to push people away from the program, >> right? >> And we have a waiting list still as well. And if we could find room for that, all
of a sudden we can really eat away at that negative number again. >> No, I was just going to say I think that like per hour because with the are the p the comparables the privates or uh preschool options or other publiclix?
>> Both. >> It's both. Yeah, we looked at both >> because yeah on a per hour basis I could see the privates becoming more competitive at that higher rate. >> I'm I'm sorry. So if I look at the the form that was provided with prek tuition planning for 26 to 27 in the surrounding
districts were the highest one. So Wayne full-time is 95, Washington Township is 97. Mount Arlington is 85. Menum is 10. >> Kids can't go there. We were looking at the ones that they could go to like
chapel and the other ones and those are where we are more competitive. Our kids can't go to Wayne. >> I I understand that but >> those that's not our comp. That's not a competitor. >> But then in the public school preschool setting, we're the highest one.
>> No. True. >> How are we not in the highest public school preschool? Who's the highest public school preschool? On the sheet that I have right here, we are the highest tuition rate for a public preschool. Am I reading wrong? >> No, you're you're not reading it. Our kids can't go there.
>> I understand our kids can't go there. I'm just saying we're we're compared to other public preschools, we are the highest one. >> Okay. Take a look at Montville. Montville for 2 and 1/2 hour program, right? They consider that a half day program. It's $5,775.
Two and a half hour. For two and a half hours, we have six hours. For the six-hour time frame, it costs $1042 per hour per child at 115. Minimum wage is at $15.92.
I don't know if that makes sense or I I have no problem with raising it this point. We We know we're in trouble. We need to find money somewhere at this point. And when you have a line of people that want to buy something, you don't lower the price on it.
>> Mike, you said there are 26 I'm sorry, Dr. Porters, you said there are 26 families that would anticip we anticipate paying for preschool. >> Yep. Just to confirm. So, from our meeting, and again, this is a moving target because we don't know if we're going to still get more students with
IEPs between now and September 1st, but we're anticipating we will have um seven returning students and then 21 available spots in the lottery. And these are all full-time. >> We only have the only option you have at this point is full-time.
>> Correct. I just wanted to reiterate that that these are all full-time students. Anybody else have any thoughts? Anyone else have any rates they want to propose or is everyone good with the rate?
>> Well, I think that 11499 sounds better, but that was a serious question. All right. Mr. Gibbs, please call the role. >> Mr. Bloomer, >> yes. >> Mr. Sesi, >> yes. >> Mr. Gon, >> yes.
>> Mr. Ko is not here. Mr. Mcweeny, >> yes. >> Mr. Mahalik, yeah. Um, >> yeah. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Um, Mrs. Shenton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Espazito, >> no. >> And Mr. Senic,
>> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. That brings us to workshop. And our first item of discussion is PMC. Two items to discuss, staffing update and the district goals for the 2526
school year. An update of those. >> Yep. I'll turn on my microphone. So, I'll do the uh staffing update first. Obviously, follow the sequence and then Aldo for the district goals. Do you want me to just give you that or do you want me to I can do it from the podium.
Oh, I can just do it from the podium. It's actually probably easier because then I can just see it from up there. Perfect. Thanks, Alo. All right. Uh staffing update. So, um we're currently working with uh our science teachers and current all health staff on arranging coverage for the two months following
Dr. Seback's last day. uh he accepted an administrator position in another district and uh he's going to be um wrapping up just well spring break is going to be the end of his um very successful tenure here. Um and so I was talking to Mr. Hazler about coverage for
that um district. It's worth noting in breakage for our new hires for this year. I completed a table for that. Right now it looks like we saved $312,000 in salary. Um the goal is when you have somebody retire or leave for any reason um to not hire somebody at or
above that existing pay grade if possible you want to get somebody who is earlier in the guide. So that's definitely helping us out for the budget not just for this year but for for years future. Uh we currently have postings for maternity leave replacement at the elementary school level um as well as
for the allied health vacancy. That's the aforementioned Dr. Seback vacancy. Um, it's not likely we're going to get anybody qualified for the Allied Health leave replacement. It's just going to be a two-month position. Um, there are open positions that may not be filled uh due to program changes. Um, in the case of
Allied Health, which I just discussed. Um, in all likelihood, we will not be looking for a permanent replacement for Dr. Cbeck's vacancy. Um, it is something I refer to as bloodless attrition. If you have a vacancy and you don't fill it, um, nobody's being terminated. It's
it's actually fairly clean way to help to um manage budget concerns. Um our ERRI program at SJG is expanding. This is due to enrollment and we will need a new teacher for next year. That cost will be offset by the reduction of one
elementary position. We're currently graduating out eight fifth grades and likely bringing in either six or seven kindergartens. Um so that budgetarily and staffing wise is a push. And then we have two positions that we have posted to fill um due to retirements. One is
the North Boulevard nurse. Best of luck to Miss Latmpa and SJG reading specialist. Of course, best of luck to Mrs. McBain as well. Um so that is our most current report on staffing. Any questions about any of that? All right, I'm going to take my show
over to the podium now. All right. Uh, this is this thing on? Yeah. Testing. Testing. All right. Um, this is the uh presentation from February 26th uh that we gave at the admin retreat. By the way, the symmetry
of the numbers 226 2026 looks pretty cool, but I know nobody cares. So, I'll just keep moving. So, we talked about what our district goals in general. These are set with the admin team. Um, we work on them over the summer and have them in place for approval in September. We try to have a consistent thread not
only with what's in the strategic plan, but also in the board goals. So, the board goal discussion from last Thursday will factor into our decision- making when we go about setting district goals uh in July at our retreat. Just want to call attention too to the fact that
there's a really cool looking insignia down in the bottom right corner as you're facing it. Um that is our new insignia for the portrait of a graduate project and it was also my first foray into AI as I needed to remove a black background from it. As you can tell
there's a white background. So my AI adventure was successful. Just want to brag about that. Right. So our first goal uh our first district goal is following in the thread of ensuring student success. Uh this is part of our strategic plan to ensure
student success and this is the profile of a planetic graduate project. Um this is the third year of what we thought was going to be a three-year goal but we're just saying it's actually going to be a four-year goal. Um in that next year we're going to focus on implementation. And so this might actually end up
stretching out to to a fifth year. And I'm I'm quite all right with that because it speaks to us not just chasing after the bright shiny object, but staying focused on on a core goal. So, what we really focused on those cardinal and intercardinal competencies, uh, being able to determine what are the
attributes that we really want our kids to be able to demonstrate and possess. Um, we identified certain look fors and we had we've had presentations at both the October and January board of ed meetings. The October one was at Cedar Crest with Dr. O'Keefe and Mr. Hazler.
January we had Mr. Riner stepped in for Dr. O'Keefe um and we've been able to look at what are the core competencies in our existing curricula and we have certain identifiers that we're looking for and we've been able to check those off. So next things uh we want to really identify the primary competencies we
want to see developed at each grade band. We're working on developing portrait of graduate posters for all levels. Um what what we'll have at the high school will differ slightly from what's at the middle school and even more so at the elementary school. Um, we're going to look to develop habits of
mind rubrics that are going to focus on performance indicators and uh we will apply that to the rubrics that going to be used for the defenses of learning. So the kids in grades 5, 8, and 12 will have opportunities to ultimately defend um their learning and demonstrate what
they're able to do with their learning experiences. So I'm very excited about this. Um, I think when when we first started it, I was really wowed by some of the uh some of the posters and advertising I'd seen for what other districts had done. And I've gained a
much better appreciation for how deeply embedded this really is. What I'm excited for is that if you're looking to move to this community, you'll be able to see something on our website that says these are the things that we want or anticipate your kids are going to be able to do as a consequence of their
experiences in our school district, which I think is pretty exciting. Uh the second the second strategic goal thread is ensuring staff success. This is another brag moment. We are the first district in New Jersey to use to have
sorry an ensuring staff success thread in the strategic goal um strategic plan. Sorry. This also by the way is going to be a thread I anticipate for the 2026 2031 strategic planning process. This one is enhancing staff instructional
capacity um and really focusing on helping our staff become better equipped with meaningful and accurate data that's usable. It's one thing to give people information. It's another thing to make sure that that they can really use it. And this is something I give Mrs. Vansol a lot of credit for her ongoing work
with supervisor team as well as the directors and and principles. and something that the second bullet point makes a reference to heat maps and this is something she's brought to the district and I'll summarize Amber if you want to jump in feel free but what she does is she color codes so that you can
see um how students have performed on certain um certain standards and essentially what the standards are they're skill statements the things that students should be able to do and with the heat maps she's able to detect where we're seeing higher performance and where
we're seeing lower performance and gives us specific areas to target. >> Um, essentially the heat maps just take a lot of data and turn it into color coding so that you can kind of zoom out
and then get a feel for if as a whole class or a whole grade level or the particular standards or areas in ELA or math that we need to focus on as a whole class or tier one instruction. Um and then you can zoom in to the individual students and identify areas where a
student might need additional support at a tier two or tier three level. Um I will do disclaimer with the new NJSLA adaptive test. I do not know which data we will be getting from that yet. So um we'll see how the heat maps go depending upon what information I can pull from
it. But it's been um super helpful to teachers and supervisors and principles so far. and and I appreciate it because I like that that mindset that we're looking to get accurate measurements of student learning as well as other whether it's
behaviors, whatever it might attendance, whatever it might be that we can use to help to improve um our students educational experiences. That third bullet has a reference to MTSS principles. That's multi-ter system of supports. It's part of what we do in the INRS or response to intervention
program. And that final bullet point in the progress uh talked about our reporting of I Ready data for families as well as Dibble's progress. Um we we want to make sure that our families are aware of the ongoing measurements that we're using and that we're able to share
with them. We also want the kids to be aware of their own learning progress because we want them to feel a large degree of ownership and not just feel like they're passively moving along because their teachers tell them to, but that they they can see this is how I'm I'm really growing and this is what what
I need to work on. So, the next things you you want it to be what's called a recursive process with um with any type of learning data. And recursive just means it follows in a circle. It's very it's a it's a fancy sounding way of describing that. But you want the
curriculum um and instruction well you want you want to see the instruction based on the curriculum and then the instruction is measured through the assessment data and then the assessment data informs where we need to further um guide or inform any curricular revisions
but it also should guide instruction. So you you want there to be this this this give and take of measuring how the students are performing and and letting that inform your instruction and you're not just always teaching to the middle of the room. You should be able to differentiate for kids who are struggling but also for kids who are uh
demonstrating a higher level of achievement. And then very very important to note too that we want the data to be standards aligned. This way we can can look to what the objective should be um in a in a respective lesson and and a unit and see how that's connected to the standards which are in
turn connected to the um the state assessments as well as internal assessments. And then the third goal is uh parent community partnerships and this one focuses on collaborating and forming and improving communication. We do really
want communication to be two-way, which means that we're not only pushing it out, but we're also receiving it back from members of the community. Um, our progress there, I've been working with uh part of this committee on the communications plan as well as the crisis communication plan. Um, we did an
internal, we did an audit of our own social media metrics as well as types of hits we're getting on the website, the app, which hasn't been great, and the podcast analytics. Um, podcasts are actually surprisingly doing pretty well. I like to tell people I have tens and tens of followers, but
it may actually be dozens and dozens. Uh, but we'd like to continue with podcasts, which I have to get on my horse about at parent universities. We've done outreach. Um, we've we've had a few different administrators speak at the Rotary. We've also gone to town council. Um, and I was just at the
chamber last week, but we're looking to make connections um to help our kids get placement in the community, but also bring the community to a degree into our schools and have really, really strong partnerships there. We want to have a greater social media presence and keep pushing out information about themies.
Um, some of the stuff that I've seen Mr. Cop generate has been really astonishing with the level of the caliber of speakers that we're getting and the experiences and opportunities for our kids. It's really phenomenal. Um, and I'm excited for it and I know people are are enthusiast enthusiastic to talk
about our academy programs. Um, so what's next here? And actually had a great what's next moment. I was going back and forth with Mr. Shay today about the color selection for our revised website. I was able to share with him the official district colors um as well
as what I've been working on which is a um a visual identity guidelines u which is something we're going to develop really as part of the strategic plan to be able to say that these are the colors of the district these are the logos of the district these are the symbols this is you know these are the fonts that are
approved which will not include Ariel Ariel will not I I'll allow for a son surf sanif font but it's not Ariel, I can tell you that. No way. Um anyway, so moving ahead. So we want to continue in our work to try to get that community
playground built and that would be for our prek students as well as children with diverse needs. Um we're making progress there. It just it's it's it's pretty slow and we're not we don't always fall into the most desired categories for grant programs. Um we're
hoping that this latest 4A changes that. Um, we're going to move all our communication tools, including our website, app, emergency notifications, and two-way communication platform to APTOG. Uh, the emergency notifications. Right now, we use school messenger, which is which is fine. It's not great. Um, but we think this is going to be
much more efficient. Um, having everything go through a two-way communication platform. This is something we want to have in place so that when coaches and advisers are communicating with teams or with parents um it it's through a platform that we actually own. So this
will be part of what we can monitor. We can link it to um to Google Classroom and and have something that is is monitored. And I think that that's a very important um next step. And then we want to continue with student and staff recognitions and celebrations of
achievements. We got a lot of people in this district who are doing great things and I know invariably some of it's going to fall through the cracks, but as much as we can, I want to make sure that we're recognizing um our our kids and our and our teachers and all our staff because uh there's a lot of great things
going on and it's worth celebrating. I know I was kind of Dr. Doom when I was talking about the the budget before, but I don't want to lose sight of the fact that um this is a tremendous district, tremendous community, and we need to focus on that. Um, so this just what
what we're doing next. I mean, the next step actually already took place. That was Thursday at the district retreat. Um, but we want to that in that text box. Um, we want to really emphasize continuous improvement for our students. That that's what we're here for. That's our business. Our business is helping
create great opportunities and experiences for kids. Um, and our needs are going to evolve as a district and we want to make sure that we're as far ahead of that as possible. And then the next couple slides I can just skip over. Um, one is the board goals which I know
Mr. Senk spoke about. The um, the BEC is going to talk about the 2026 board goals at least the drafts of those. And then I'd be remiss if I didn't point this out. Um, apparently I've caught some static through the years because people have said that my slide presentations
look boring. Um, very textheavy, not very image friendly. So Mrs. ZG took it upon herself to beautify this slide and it's certainly been beautified. So, um maybe that could be my goal for this upcoming school year is have less boring
slideshows. So, any questions, comments, concerns, anything about the district goals? I appreciate that. What? No bamboo shoots under your fingernails? I thought you would like the Merryweather font, too. It's It's got some pizzazz to it. All right. Much
appreciated. Thank you. Thanks for getting us up there, too, Aldo. Back to my seat. Thanks, Dr. Poris. All right, up next is CIS for workshop. We're going to talk about the NJGPA testing, uh the March 3rd PD day, which
hopefully is still a PD day, and Dibbles. >> Okay, so um just a quick update on the NJGPA testing um for the high school. Yes, it's still going to be the week of March 16th through the 20th. The only adjustment the state made is that they
extended the date until which we could test to April 1st. So, I don't anticipate we'll be going out that far. We didn't change our schedule or anything, but just so you know that that was an update to the testing schedule. Um, our March 3rd PD. Yes, I hope we're
here tomorrow. We have a lot going on. >> We will do. >> Um, um, so one a couple things that we have going on. Um, Dr. Dr. Sarah Allen is a pediatric neurossychologist who is also an author of raising brains. Um she'll
be here working with our CST and counseling staff tomorrow and she will then be doing programs with our K to5 students in all three elementary buildings over the next couple weeks. So we're excited to welcome her here. Um I believe that they sent home uh you could
actually purchase her kids books as well. Um, so, uh, I look forward to meeting her. Um, we're also running a suicide prevention training now for grades the staff members in preK5. We did, uh, 612 in the FE at the February
meeting. So, now we're hitting the rest of the district on this one. Um, every 5 years it's required that you have a 2-hour mandatory training by a licensed mental health professional. So, our own Jennifer Basselone um, has graciously offered to do both of them. Um, so she's
amazing. She did an amazing job at the first one. So I I know she will do an amazing job at the next one. Um, we have sessions going on with the profile of the graduate as Dr. Poris already mentioned. We have some discalculia training going on which as a math person
is fabulous. So I'm excited about that. Um, so our interventionists will be getting some discalculia training in the classroom or for interventions. Um, science and STEM roundts. We have some other districts uh virtually. These will be some roundts with our 6 to 12
teachers um and some teachers from some other districts which roundts are always a great opportunity for some good discussion and conversation about what's going on in different districts. Um we have CPR training tools of the mind ukaroo which is a um national crisis
intervention program to offer alternatives to these to restraints and sec and seclusion by using trauma-informed care and restraint techniques. So, um, we have quite a bit going on tomorrow. So, yes, we need to be here. Any questions on either of those two?
Um, >> I'm just going to comment. I I like the very public application of pressure to make sure that we're in here tomorrow. That's very well delivered. >> A lot going on. I wasn't even thinking about the weather. Um, we also have curriculum writing going
on. So, we have some some work there. Um, which sidebar, uh, there are some curriculum on the on for approval on March 23rd, um, with our QAC updates and revisions. These are just some areas that we, um, need to make a few
adjustments. That's why they're on, and I'll probably be adding a couple more before the 23rd. Um, and then Dibbles. Um, so Dibbles is our universal screener that we use for early literacy. So, I'm happy to report we submitted the report to this date
early. Um, we had all of our um assessments done for K to3 students um well before the deadline which uh was about February 14th. So, we had that all done at the end of January. Um we reported the state Miss Bellardino
held office hours for parents to um pop in virtually if they had questions about the family reports that were all sent home to everyone. Um so she'll be doing that each time we send them home so that if anybody has any questions um they can
talk to her directly. We'll be doing some updates with the website, which I know we're changing our website, so we'll be doing some updates with the website, um, where people can get a little bit more information about what do the reports mean. Um, and we do have other districts that reach
out to us for help, not only through the podcast, but they also call and say, "Where do I get the report document that I'm supposed to submit to the state?" So, we're happy to oblige and help them out with that. Um and then we'll do at
in um I guess June we'll do an endofear data presentation on how we did from September till June just to give um some general district numbers on the percent of growth um because basically again it's a color-coded system that we use
where we have students that range from intensive and strategic to on grade level and above grade level. So, we'll give some statistics on that just to see how we progressed over the year. Anything else from Dibbles?
And can I add one more DACK? Um, we're having a DAK meeting on March 18th. Um, that's our district evaluation advisory committee. Um, so I will send you all an email if anyone would like to
join us from the board. Um it will be at 3:10 to 3:45 virtually on March 18th. Um basically the district the DA committee um basically just helps get some feedback and guidance on our teacher evaluation system. Um it's not to help
make personnel decisions or anything like that. It's it's basically to help us refine procedures and talk about communication. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Next up, next up, sorry, is FFA. And there's five things to talk about. The budget for this year and next year. Uh,
bathroom access for the baseball and softball fields, the structural update for the roof, and the gym exterior wall. Okay. The 2025 2026 budget. Uh, all purchase requests from the schools that are considered supplemental are on hold
until May 2026. That will allow me enough time to work with the auditors making the necessary changes in accordance with the year-end forecast. Is there any questions on that? No. The 2026 2027 budget. The uh tax levy
may go over 6%. Obviously, we're still working on that and there is a deficit at this point. So, the two will coincide with each other. So depending on what we can do and we'll be working on that for the next few weeks and getting that reduced. Um
the health insurance costs could go up as high as 25% and I'm going to be putting in probably 22%. The increase in salary costs is up 3.72%. Liability insurance costs is up 10%. Special education needs for out of district placements is up 13.57%.
So the percentage increases are are quite substantial. Now, with our federal funding, um, normally we would budget 80%. But this year, they're telling us no, budget 75%. So, now that's another 25% hit on the district if it goes down
to 75%. I'm hoping it won't, but you cannot count on that, >> Mr. Gibbs. I'm sorry. Can you give me a roundabout dollar amount with that percentage decrease >> off the top of my head? Yeah, I I will not hold you to it, but just so I can sort of visualize.
>> Yeah, we're talking probably about $197,000, man. Okay. So, substantial increase. Yeah, >> sure. >> 19. Thanks, >> Any other questions? >> That question was related to the amount of money that we wouldn't be getting
from the federal government, right? That's the 80 to the 75 >> compared to what we got this year, what it would be next year. >> Okay. Yeah. >> So, 200 grand less. >> Yeah. by the increase in everything else. >> Yeah. >> When do you find out what your state aid numbers are going to be?
>> Uh March 12th, right? So, it's going to be a push. Yeah. Did you want to say anything? >> Yeah. And and sorry about my my little breach of professionalism there, but it's just it's madding. Actually, we're supposed to get um something pushed out
to us on the 10th indicating what what we should expect on the 12th. And obviously, I realize the state's got business tests to do as well, but I'm hoping that their understanding of the burden that's been placed on districts, especially to the 2% cap, which again is not something that I oppose, especially
as a taxpayer in New Jersey. But when you're going over these these different cost drivers, and these aren't minor increases, it's not like we're talking about, okay, we went up 5% there. I mean 25% over and above what's already been in place. And when I talk about the $3 million, and I hope it doesn't seem like
I'm har actually I don't care if it seems like I'm harping on it because I suppose I am. $3 million over the course of three years for a fairly small district is it's just an incredible incredible burden. It's one that we literally can't get out of. Um and it's
it's frustrating when you're used to being able to to lead things and and initiate change to be told that you're more or less dependent on something. Um I think that that contributes to my my great irritation. Um but as far as the process for looking at the 2627 budget
too, um we're going to wrap up our meetings internally um over this week and um be able to speak with with you through ad hoc meetings about the these are the different things that could possibly be cut and these are the recommendations and we're not in a
situation I you see places in the papers that are short $7 million or numbers that are just that are unfathomable. We're not in that type of situation. Uh but we are going to have to look at certain programs and determine how much value do we really place on this and and
just know that what we what we're able to do for this year is to get us is to get us through 2627 but we don't know what the promise is for 2728. And so I hope we're not in in a process where it's going to be continuing of of having
to cut um our school budgets already pretty threadbear. Um but we'll we'll have very honest conversations. Um I'm going to do most of the presentation for the budget presentation in April and just talk about the these are the choices that had to be made like these are the options and we look for what the community
values school community um and and how we can best provide for our kids and our community in a fiscally prudent manner. Um, some things we're looking at too is we're looking at we we just approved the
um the policy that had the the credit amount our our minimum credit amount in this district is 140 for a high school graduate. State says we can go as low as 120 and that's something that I started the conversation with Mr. Hazer. Maybe that's something that we look at revisiting as that could actually
relieve the the burden of how many classes kids have to take. Um we're opening up we would open up more study halls which is actually really good I think um for students mental health to have breaks built in throughout the day. Um but we'll we'll look at different different things that that we we could
cut or any ways that we might be able to increase revenue um and and also with the the waiver that the state provides for healthcare. Um how far how far we can go with that. But um I just want I realize these are recorded so it's very important that it's after a matter of
public record that we're working really hard on this. This is something that matters. We want to deliver for the school community as well as be responsible to the greater community and um we'll do it as transparently with the board and with the greater public as we can. >> The ad hoc meeting you said would be
next week or the week after. >> Um mo most likely for the week of the 9th. So, I want to make sure we have it in we have them in place in time for the uh the budget the preliminary budget meeting of the 23rd. So, I'll give you guys more information there. I'm still
in the gathering process and taking things from my notes from the meetings and I've got a a running spreadsheet looking at different um almost like different tiers of of things that we can address in the budget. And the tiers are
graded according to severity. Um, and it might be stuff that you look at and say, "Okay, if we have a tough budget season in 2027-28, this this is what we have to look to do." So, I want to report that back to the board and then um share that with community as well when we present
on the budget. But, yeah, so not not this week, the week following. Mr. Gibbs, the the ability to go over the 2% cap is strictly related to healthcare costs. Is that right? or is there any other reason why you can't go above that 2%.
>> Well, we can only get a a waiver based on the going over the healthcare. Uh everything else is going to fall into cutting. >> That's that's kind of the point I was going to make. So, we can try and offset some of the healthcare cost by the tax levy, but the rest of the stuff we can't really we don't have any means really
>> unless you go out for a referendum, which I would not recommend. Right. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah, not a question, but a statement. So, thank you and thank you both for
going through this activity. I know that we're definitely not the only only only district everyone's going through and just us having this conversation, I feel, and granted I haven't seen the numbers yet, but we're in a much better place due to your planning over the last
few years, both of you. So, thank you incredibly. Like there are districts who are talking about closing doors, getting rid of all sports, like you name it, they're just slashing stuff. So, um I'm glad that's not conversations that we're having. So,
thank you both. I know it's not an easy feat. >> Thank you. >> And and I I use we we truly appreciate it. And um I'm hoping as as there's greater awareness of how many school
districts and now granted there are a few in the news that it's the reasons they're in trouble is because of mismanagement but those are those are few there are so many districts that are well-run that are conscientious that that are struggling and I think it's so important that that gets out there in
the news and I don't want people to become numb to it but I want them to be aware that there is a funding formula there's a system in place that is not affected. So having a board that's supportive, having community supportive, honestly really it means a lot. So thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Uh the next one I'll speak to um I'm not exactly sure the chain of events has got to me. Um but through some coaching coaches conversations to parent meeting conversations for baseball, parent meetings for softball, which I was at where it did come up. um somebody approached me and so obviously not
proper chain of command but still held water on their concern and um something I see as a possible in-house modification um there is no access to the bathroom direct access to the bathrooms when you're in behind the school fields you
can literally touch the building there's a snack stand you're behind the snack stand but the players I mean of course I mean anybody but primarily the players don't have access to the bathroom unless unless they walk all the way around to the ticket booth and then back around.
So, um, when this was brought up to me, I was going to say talk to Mr. Sil, but I thought it's finance, it's athletics. I'm like, I'll bring it up. Um, I think this could be in-house kind of modification that Dwight and his team could do to make literally a very small
opening in the in the fence. I don't know if we need a door. I don't think we need a door cuz it's not like we're locking anything, but it was a valid It held water. So, should thank Yeah, we'll do that. So, just want to bring that to the attention for facilities um because it actually is
very valid. >> Yeah, I actually did speak to Mr. Anderson about it and we will look into providing two gates, one that much easier access. Yeah, we'll get a quote. >> I know I know the players in their metal cleat run try to run to the school on
it's it's not ideal. And >> when they brought it up to me, I thought that was good. So >> So Mr. is it is it the the the bathrooms are not open in the field? >> No, they're open. They don't have direct access. They have to walk all the way around versus literally like walking a
gap right between where the where they grill kind of if there was a a gap just a two foot, three foot, four foot gate right where they kind of like grill, they have access to the bathrooms. Oh, >> there is none. >> It's not a gate. It's just like a oneman
gate, but it leads you kind of into the >> on the softball. >> Yeah, the softball side. Not on the baseball. >> Baseball, >> but I think that seems >> on the other then further down. >> I'm not even thinking of opening where I'm not envisioning it right now, but either way, I thought it was valid, so I
wanted to bring it up. >> Yeah. Okay. Any other questions on that? >> No. The ex the next item is the roofing structure update. Uh there was an agreement that was submitted on February 19th to the architect to have their engineering firms come in and take a
look at the be the beams um in the media center. One beam broke over a year ago uh due to well snow. So it was on the recommendation of the architect to have his engineer come out at no cost to the district and do an evaluation as to
should we provide additional supports to the remaining beams given they're so old. So, that's been done and actually they're going to be coming out this Friday to start that process. Any questions on it? >> They're going to come out this Friday to do the review. >> They're going to start the process with
the review. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> The uh next item is the gym exterior wall update. I don't know if everybody's heard, but um during the last snowstorm, we had one of our um snow plowing trucks hit the gym and it did some serious
damage to the point of 404,4459.19. That's a significant damage. I submitted it to the 444,000, right? >> I submitted it to our insurance carrier and our cost on that will be $5,000. um because we have a $5,000 deductible.
So, that'll be taken care of probably within the next couple of weeks. And one of the items we had considered, Mr. Anderson and I had talked about actually was um putting up um protective ballards
and we're going to get a cost on that as to what that would cost because obviously that would help in the future if this ever happens again. Even though it's never happened since the school's been there, but you never know. it could happen again, which we don't want to go through this again. So, >> are we hopeful that the bricks will match since they were put up in 1960?
>> Uh, let's hope. There's always hope. >> And it was just ruled that the exterior that's it that it was damaged. There's nothing. >> Oh, no. Inside is also damaged. It is. Yeah. The door itself is the frame is out of line in it. So, there's quite a bit of damage there. >> Anything else compromised that we need
to get inspected? >> Uh, we probably have to have it inspected because it was damaged and it's compromised. Any other questions? >> No. Okay. Thank you. >> Um Mr. Gibbs, not a question. I'd said u Mr. Senic a picture talking about items
damaged due to snow removal. Um there is a bench in North Boulevard sort of by the softball baseball area there that is has obviously been pushed up. I'm less concerned about the cost, more concerned about the fact that kids will be out
there soon when the snow melts and it's it's a lot of sharp edges. If maybe we could have somebody please. >> I'll speak to about that. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up is policy. We have two items. The uh residence law
residency law for volunteers and uh internet enabled device policy planning. >> Yeah, this first one's a real winger. So, um, we had somebody, um, who was recommended to serve as a volunteer for the music program, um, who does not live
in New Jersey. And I bring this up because there is something called the New Jersey First Act, um, which pertains to staff members having to be residents of New Jersey in order to be employed in schools. You can get grandfathered in. So, if you lived in Pennsylvania when the act went into place, um, you were
you were grandfathered in. And there's certain hardship cases that um can also be argued. Um I put something in backup more or less. Um I did some research. I actually left you out of this one, Jackie. So you know what? I'm I'm growing up so fast right right before
your very eyes. U but really what it comes down to the um our policy is silent on whether a volunteer should be categorized as an employee and the statute shares that silence. So, um, I felt that we had to follow what we consider legislative intent here. And
from what I can gather, the legislative intent was to make sure that public school jobs are compensated in New Jersey should be reserved for people who live in New Jersey. Um, as there's no compensation. This is an unpaid volunteer. Um, I don't see the act being
readly readily applicable. So, ultimately, this is a situation involving a volunteer. So it's it's not like there are people clamoring for the position. Um yep. So anyway that that just want to make sure you guys understand um this is how I was applying
policy 9181. Um and I I I really wanted Jackie to be impressed with my research too. The >> Well, I will just add for purposes of knowing the history of this law is there's actually a 2025 decision that rules that the law is unconstitutional. However, it is still in full force in
effect pending appeal. So, doesn't change the status of the law right now, but from a legislative perspective, it could. >> And I will say Jackie has helped me learn about legislative intent. Um,
which is one of those things that it's a lot of fun trying to guess what they were thinking in Trenton or if they were thinking in Trenton. Um and then second item um just just really quickly. So we're expecting we should hear from Strauss estimate probably within a month or so on what their recommended policy
is going to be for internet enabled and device devices. Really comes down to cell phones the smartwatches but whatever other smart technology comes our way including the smart glasses which kind of freaked me out. Um but I think Olivia actually made a reference
to it too that Mr. Yeah, she did. Mr. Hazer's begun having conversations with the student council at the high school to get their input about um what we should do in policy and this is something that I I very much obviously mention what the board has to say but I want to get some staff input too to make sure that whatever we put in place is
respectful of our students and the fact that they are young people who are learning not just content but also learning skills and h how can we put something in place that follows the law but also isn't draconian and doesn't
assume that every kid is a miscreant. So, um I honestly I don't like the yonder bags. I also like the fact they cost 35 grand and you know that price is going to go up in the next few months. But, um I I feel like there's an element there of of distrust. Like there's an assumption that you're going to do you're going to do something wrong. Um,
I am I'm also not a Yokal, so I don't expect that we won't have kids putting burner phones in the in the shoe rack um and then sneaking to the lavatory to check their phone, which is kind of gross. Um, but anyway, but I do want to get student input on it. I think it's
important that kids have buy in. Um, if it has their fingerprints on it, I think there's a greater chance for buyin. I also want to make sure the same holds true for the staff because if you have nine out of 10 staff members following the policy, well then you've got a you've got a crack in your foundation. So I want them to be aware like yes, we
we want your input as well as what the board has to say as well as what the administrative team has to say. So um ultimately you got to comply, bless you, you got to comply with the statute, but I want to make sure that we do it in a way that's representative of who we are, what we value and and what people contribute.
I noticed in the uh uh the document that was in backup, the state actually, you know, it goes through the different options of how you can store the devices and obviously some of them are very expensive, but they did say the backpacks, the kids backpacks are an option, too. Um so it's not like we have to go out and spend $30,000 or whatever
to do something. But you have to have if you're going to do that, that that's where kind of having the the staff support the policy has to be 100%. You can't have some people supporting and other people's not. Yeah, and I'm glad you brought that up, too, because there was one suggestion of having a single
storage area for all the phones in the school. Like, how much is a phone like 800 all to $1,200? >> Yeah. So, we're going to have 600 of those in a single spot and then have the liability risk of having to make sure that they're reunited with the correct
owners at the end of the day. So, that one is also being similarly rejected, at least by this administrator. You may as well just have a phone detector at the door in the morning and everybody get patted down if you're going to do something where all 600
phones are going in the same place. That would be crazy. I I'd rather not spend anything on this and just make the penalty bad enough that nobody is going to do it. I mean, we're down how many dollars
right now? >> A lot. >> Yeah. I don't I don't >> I mean I I don't think a phone policy should be something that we need to spend money on. >> Oh god. I I thought you were suggesting that we had a monetary penalty for kids who have their cell phones cuz I mean about
>> that's a good idea. >> That's a great idea. I I do agree with you about the burner phones though because I know that that's exactly what I would have done. So you'd have you'd find a like >> I mean or something flipping. >> Yeah. I don't see how yonder bags would
solve that problem because if you just have to put something in the bag, why wouldn't you put your fake phone in there and keep your real one on you? So, I'm also totally with you. Um, I have a student council member sitting there part of the conversations and I know she was not particularly impressed with the
underbags either. So, but I'm glad that they're being heard and listened to and part of the conversation. So, thank you. >> All right. Next item is the board effectiveness committee. Two items to discuss the 2026 board goals and then just the ideas about establishing our
board norms. >> All right. At the board retreat, uh we all met, we discussed the uh new goals the upcoming year. Um we kept uh goal one and goal four the same, which was um goal one was to uh just essentially provide support um through our policies
for the district. Um then we created goal two which was essentially about um the budget and uh long-term financial stability of the district. Goal three was for uh um essentially p um where am
I trying to find that? Oh oh essentially creating an agenda like a 12-month uh agenda for future board members kind of to set the norm. That's kind of um something that we want to work on this district. We discussed it uh last year this committee and we kind of want to um
piggyback back off of that. And then uh goal four was just maintaining our Carol E. Lararsson master board certificate by continuously doing these trainings that we do all the time. And just like at the retreat, we got credited for that. Keep
that up. And then uh but going on uh off of what I said about goal three, that's something that me and Mr. Senk were discussing. uh essentially creating some kind of calendar that um gives us a breakdown of when each things are due since every year we have trainings we
have to do or we have our superintendent evaluation or uh yes we have our board evaluation things like that just knowing uh when those need to be done and you got anything else to add to that Mr. Senic? Yeah. Um Tim, I think that was a
great summary. The uh the goals are in backup that we took a stab at writing. Uh does anyone have any comments on the way they're worded or I know the first one is still I think in the uh still needs to be updated a little bit, but two, three, and and four pretty much
could be final if uh the language is to the board's liking. I'll put it out there too just for that third one and it's it's a bit selfish but um we have a very we have a very strong board that's um almost all of you
are s have have have served multiple terms um and those who have not yet done so I suspect will but it's it is important because a as boards turn over um you want to make sure that there's that there's something in place that's a legacy of sorts, but also it just serves
as as a north star to guide the the actions. Um, and I think I think it's really important. It's almost like the portrait of a board member um for for future boards and I'm looking to stick around for a while though I will be retirement eligible um exactly one year
and and two months from today. Uh I know well it actually came up in conversation but uh management also known as Nancy Poris has directed me that that's adorable that I'm aware of that but it's a much longer stretch for me nevertheless but um as as we see a
transitioning possibly of new board members coming on. It's good that they can have something like this and then as someone who is a board member in Lincoln Park I would love the opportunity to take whatever you generate change the name and bring it to Lincoln Park. >> Yes. Yes.
So for just just for some action plans for some of these, I know that Miss Ao had come up with a couple things for goal two. Um I think the FFA committee could kind of chew on those and then kind of bring that to the board for full discussion. Um and then goal three, the uh the board effectiveness committee
could come up with a draft or just some ideas and then bring that to the board for full discussion so everyone could put their their uh opinions in and we can hammer out something that everyone agrees with. Does that sound like a a good plan going forward? Okay,
get back to my spot in the agenda here. Okay, next up we have our second opportunity for public comment and there is no public so there will be no comment and after public comment is unfinished business. Is there any board member with any unfinished business?
It's a public reminder for Tim Gin to um submit his board workshop expenses. I forgot we we can still we can still submit those. All right. Any board member have any new
business? any board member announcements? >> Uh yeah, actually I wasn't in uh board member announcements uh two weeks ago because I had to run out, but um I attended the unified um basketball game. That is one of my favorite events every
year. Um again, Jefferson, who was our guest? Jefferson. Yes, Jefferson. It was always a great event. They kids love doing it. Um I love seeing the families come out. again light on staff. It's been decreasing over the years. I don't know why, but we used to have a lot of staff. It's wasn't there. So, I think we
really need to fix that. But, um I'm also happy to hear about uh you I was talking to Mr. Silipina like the whole time there and Mr. Poris. We got flag football coming now. Uh all all this it's always a great event and I love seeing the kids, you know, they're like
Michael Jordan out there. It's the best. Um, I'd like to thank the administration um and the board members for coming to our retreat. I just find it to be one of the most um productive nights of the year. It's just really nice to meet with the admin and kind of hear other things
that are going on other than what we see. Um and and I do appreciate them taking time out of their schedules to attend. Okay, we do have reason to go into executive session where we will discuss attorney client privilege matters. No action will be taken. We will adjourn
from there. Our next meeting will be March 23rd here at the high school. Is there a motion to go into executive session? >> Motion to go in exact. Is >> there a second? All in favor? Any opposed? Good night everyone.