needs to order the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under liberty and justice for all. >> Um, can you call the attendance, please?
>> King, >> Dr. Nelson, >> here >> Rivers Cowen >> preser. >> Okay. Notification announcement hereby be it known that the public that the Piscatoway Township Board of Education
has complied with the notification requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act for the announcement of this meeting date and place on April 4th, 2025 in the following manner. Posting of the public notice on the posting board for the
board of education in the administration building. Email notification to the newspaper serving Piscataway, the home news tribune and the career news. Email notification filed with the municipal court clerk at the municipal building on hose lane. This meeting is
being digitally recorded. The recording is not an official record or or supplement to the minutes and is intended only as a source of information that the public might utilize at a later date to familiarize themselves with the
board's activities. Executive session be it resolved that the board adjourn to executive session for the purpose of review and discussion of personnel agenda litigation HIV monthly reports
and other matters pursuant to law NJSA 10 semicolon 4-12B >> second >> um all those in favor >> any uh
Okay, we are in executive session. seated. Okay. So, we are coming back from executive session. So, be it resolved that the board reconvene public session. Motion. >> Okay.
All those in favor say yay. >> Any oppos? Okay. So, we are now in public session. Student presentations. Uh we don't have any student presentations this month. We will move
on from there. Our representatives are here though. We have Tyler West and Derek Lopez. Uh Cheronos. No. >> Cheros. Um so guys, tell me what's going on. Call me the the the lay of the land. >> All right. So, going on in the high
school to start with SAD, a club that >> started off a club that we were in called SAD, Students. They um are partnering with the Piscato Way Police Department who's doing a safe street community round table on March 16th at the YMCA to go over residential
speeding. It's more for the police department to go over with people in the community issues that they may have that they have involved us in it to talk about what we have going on at the high school with our campaign and to team driving into team speeding and team safety while they're driving on the road
and to let everybody know what we're doing in the high school to try to keep our road safe for them and for the people in the high school. Also on March 25th, which I know one of our board meetings got moved to the March 25th date, but on that night there is a parent night which at 6 p.m. where uh
students and parents come out to the pack in the high school and we did a similar thing to it last year. I think some of you guys were able to come out and we just give our presentation to them and also tell them what's going on in the high school and try to get more kids involved and it really helped us
last year. Last year we had about 100 people attend. We're hoping to bump that number up by 50 or double it and we'd appreciate it if some of you guys could come out. I know it's right before our board meeting, so it might >> What time is it at? >> It's at 6 p.m. So, it's like,
but >> Okay. Yes. Anything else, Tyler? >> Also, at that meeting, we got new merchandise that we got from winning a competition last year, $10,000 when we put it into some new merch for us. So, we're going to be selling that at both
the safe streets and at the parent night. And then moving on from that, 50 club is going on a community service trip to a group called Task Train Arena Soup Kitchen. They don't have a specific task yet, but they're either going to be help serving food or help setting up to
serve food when they go there. And also, our PHS choir is hosting their first ever pops concert on March 26th in a pack with $5 tickets. It's a special event which will feature full choir and small group performances and even modern
band. There's songs from people like Jackson, Adele, and Billyish that people will perform and they are still looking for a few more solo and group acts to fill a couple spots. So students inside of our school are allowed to send videos and submit an audition to then get
accepted and perform on the 15th. And then also lastly, the animation club is hosting a monthly animation challenge for everyone. And the theme for them this year was luck. And voting was today. And then at their next meeting, they will announce
Tyler, could you just repeat the actual choir event? What's the date on that one? >> That's March 26th. >> And that's the new event, correct? >> Yes. >> It should be at 6 p.m. >> Thank you, sir.
>> Good evening everybody. To start off, the NHS honor society family night is on March 17th from 4:30 to 7 p.m. It's meant to educate fourth and fifth graders along with their families about the honor societies at the high school. They have societies
like Tri, the Spanish society, English, regular honors, math and science. Um, basically each society will have like a booth and people will be able to walk around and but just learn more about each
just so they can gain more information as they enter middle school and eventually high school. Uh next, all the freshman will participate in freshman field day on April 17th. The freshman will be with one of their mentors, a part of the freshman seminar class and their teacher. They will compete against other classes, a bunch of different
activities um at the high school in the um compete against each other to see who comes out as a winner. They'll be playing a bunch of different games and enjoying the weather outside. For juniors, the NJ GPA testing starts on Monday, March 16th, and ends on
Wednesday the 18th. It's a graduation requirement. So, some people are kind of about that. Some people are speaking more leniently, but that's coming up. The Spanish club is hosting their annual soccer tournament on March 27th at 2:30 in the gym. The student made teams will face off against each other while
students watch out. On the same day, March 27th, ICC will be hosting an annual international night as soon as pick different countries to represent and anyone who attends will be given the opportunity to learn more and explore each country. Sports have officially started. I know
track and field started on Monday. >> Excellent. Thank you so much. I appreciate all the dedication that you uh two have. I think Superintendent Clever has something to say. >> Just a quick question. give you the date for that again and the time
>> March March 17th from 4:30 to 7 p.m. >> And that was for the fifth graders you were saying fourth and fifth location >> March 17th 437 for fourth and fifth graders >> location. >> Great job as always.
Thank you. Um, if you guys have some studying to do or you need to make your state exit, we will appreciate that. We know there's a lot of homework out there for this, >> but you're more than welcome to save your lunch.
>> Have a good one, guys. >> Okay. Um, we're moving on to my president's report. So, first and foremost, I do want to acknowledge that this is Women's History Month. So, if all board members who are
women would please stand up, we got Loretta River, Dr. Gelson, Sam, Anita, and Nancy. Thank you. Um, for this month, we want to say congratulations. Job well done by the
board of education foundation. Many of us were out there for our designer bag bingo and tricky tray fundraiser. If you missed it, it was a fun night. We had entertainment from our superintendent
calling out some uh numbers as well as our um assistant superintendent. They did a great job calling out for us. The foundation gave out um more than 150 prizes um to more than 325 guests at that event and it was on February 27th.
But this is the best part. We ra they raised $20,275.82. All right. That is a new record for the event. I was ecstatic and excited to be there and I even won something which was even better. First time winning. I've always gone. This is the first time
winning. So um we were there to um check out all the designer bags as well as the tricky tray and the event um was super festive. Uh it was wonderful to see so many of our community members out there having a
good time while helping out with our kids. Thank you to all of you for the tireless efforts that these volunteers there. It it takes a mountain of volunteers to get that event done. And we just want to really from the bottom of our hearts especially thank every
single person from the person that wrapped the bags, from the person who secured the bags, from the person who donated. There were many many uh community members um in our town um businesses and the likes who donated for
the turkey tray and we had really great uh gifts up for the turkey tray. So, I want to thank all of those um community members um for their donations of their both their time, efforts and so forth.
We also um want to mention thank you to the organizers um administration as well as all those involved in the foundation. Now, this is what happens with the funds. We actually the foundation allows
us to continue to expand our efforts to support our students and schools through grants, scholarships, and more. So, for those extra little things that maybe there's a teacher that wants to have a garden, right? Well, the district doesn't necessarily have money to put into for her to have a garden, but if
she applies for a grant through the foundation, maybe her class can now have a garden. So things of that nature. There's lots of things that get awarded as well as scholarships for our students for outstanding achievements. Um I also want to commend the students
in the Skyaway High School drama club for putting on an amazing rendition of Urine Town. Um it was last weekend and it was a gas. I mean we were laughing, cheering it. Honestly, I'm a big theater
person and I never saw you're in town until that night and I was pleasantly surprised at how well our students did up on that stage. They It was I felt like I was on Broadway, guys. Honestly, for the price of admission, which is $12
for a ticket, you are getting a a high caliber of entertainment. the from the sets to the dressing through the costumes to everything up on that stage between the parents that built this the sets as well as the professionals that
are involved from the pit. We had the pit was actually 90% our students who played the instruments for the accompaniment of the show. There was only one paid adult which uh you know needed to do
percussion but other than that it was an exemplary effort by all of our students including the program the art for the program was made by PHS students. So lighting, sound,
every little bit was contributed by the full arts department and as well as our parents who come out and make sure that our that our actors, our actresses, and all of the students involved from this production, they really support them.
So, we had choreography, we had the set design, we had all of that. We want to say extend a huge thank you to the director, Mike Yosen, and his crew, the parent volunteers. We stated that, as well as
um Mr. Hall. They both uh go hand in hand and they really really support our students um in the creation of a production from soup to nuts and on a shoestring budget. We got a Broadway
show. Thank you so much to everyone who um worked hard in making that happen from the drama mamas to everybody else. Now I would like to close my um messaging with the discussion about
the multicultural and interfaith uh Ramadan. You know, it's the month of uh Ramadan now and we have our u Muslim student association that put on an amazing effort for a
interfaith, you know, if there were people there of all faiths and these students took something that they started four years ago with just 40 people in a room and
multiply it beyond belief. Believe there had had to be at least 250 families up in 250 different um families in there. Everything from the little babies all the way to the grandmas. Everybody um enjoyed the event. It was very very
good. And what we learned on that night and what I'd like to focus your attention on is the fact that we may all look different. We we may all worship different. Maybe we don't even worship, you know, a a traditional um higher
power, but we all come together as a community here in Piscatoway to support each other. It doesn't matter if you're Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, or agnostic. We support the children of the
Scatteraway in a way that is unlike other other places. This is a special place and it shows that our priority is our students that we make sure we put our students first always. Additionally,
I want to just make a note that the board is going to be reviewing our board goals this evening um in a later portion in new business. And I want to draw your attention if you're not here during that time. Make sure you catch the end of the the recording so that you can see what
it is our board members here have as our priorities. What is it that this board wants to see happen during this next calendar year and beyond? And with that, I will yield my time and I will I will thank uh each
and every one of you. Thank you very much. All right, we're moving on to superintendent's report. >> Peace and blessings. Good evening everyone. The superintendent report tonight will be align aligned to strategic goal number one, student
achievement. As we have talked about, if you are a district that has a strategic focus, you should all make sure all the activities that you do align and tie to ti are tied to that. So again, just for everyone's clarification, strategic goal number one, I'm going to read it just so
we're all on the same page. Strategic goal number one states to provide a range of opportunities for students to create personal school experiences and life skills that will allow them to succeed in the 21st century. I will say it again so that everyone can hear it
and it's well received in the audience. The goal of student achievement is to provide a range of opportunities for students to create personal school experiences and life skills that will allow them to succeed in the 21st century.
There are three A's AQ that I want to talk about. The arts, athletics, academics. Arts, athletics, academics as it relates to student achievement. Number one, Madame President has already
covered quite a bit of the celebratory highlights that have taken place over the last two months since we last met. We left the month of February, Black History Month, with a lot of celebrations. If you did not get a chance to view, witness, observe, hear
about the performance that took place at Kakamac and all our other schools, but especially I remember the one from Kakamac because it was just a diverse group of students showcasing their talents. You miss what the arts can mean to so many of our students. But arts are happening throughout all of our our
schools, not just one single school. We just left as a board and as a executive cabinet and and other staff and principles witnessing approximately I believe it was 15 students might be short changing a few who showcase their artwork. I was I'm jealous as someone
who only knew how to do stick figures and these are creative young scholars who have talents that would take them well beyond just what we're teaching them here. That's the arts in this district. We highlighted in our superintendent report. So if you haven't
picked up one, understand when you come to Piscataway, there's a place for your talent when it comes to the fine visual performing arts. You may be the actress or actor. You may be the graphic designer. You may be the poet. There's a
space here for you. And how do I make how do we make sure that happens? Because our strategic plan says that that's a priority for us. It also helps develop those soft skills because you collaborate. Trust me, if you are practicing for a performance for the number of months that they did for you
in town, you're developing some collaborative skills, some soft skills, interpersonal skills. If you are in a shell, you're coming out of it. You have to >> and you're also making lifelong friends and building relationships. When it comes to athletics,
I could be up here all night celebrating our athletic teams from our boys and girls basketball, our wrestlers, from those who are running indooroutdoor track championship GMC teams in JV,
1,000 points that were surely lived in the rapfters of the high school. Athletics is another space and opportunity for our students to develop those soft skills. way to connect to the school and stay connected to the school. Please look at our look at parent
square. I'm giving that plug for parent square, but I'm also saying look at the student the superintendent's report because the superintendent's report outlines some of those great experiences that our students are engaged in. That was just our winter sports. >> Yes. >> Wait until our spring sports as they as
Dererick mentioned tonight it's launched. It kicked off. We have winners in this district and across all of our athletic arenas, not just the popular one or two, across all of them. Congratulations to our swim team. There are so many of our students, our bowling
team. Check out the superintendent report, but it aligns to our strategic goal of making sure our students are wellrounded. Make sure our students develop those soft skills and those organizational skills. And then academics. This is the one where parents usually just get to see how their children are
doing when it comes to report card time. We have been doing walkthroughs of our buildings, my executive cabinet and I the talented students in the classrooms are equally seen on the courts because they usually have
the grade point average. They're equally seen in the arts area. But our academics go beyond just are you passing the NJSLA. Academics are about building some portfolios and some creative thinking and creative writing. If you come sit in the classroom, you'll see some great writers. Our students told us the other
day there's a young lady who loves to write. She wants to now work with some of the executive cabinet members who some of us think we can write well. I don't know how well we do, but she wants to learn how to improve her writing skills. We have students who are doing internships and we want to build those
capacities in them. I tell folks the prek to 12 space is the best space for you to learn how to hone your skills. We have that ability here. Our classrooms are great training grounds. I don't know if you know this is a trivia question. I'll come back with the answer in the month of end of this month of March.
>> How many AP courses do we have for our students in the high school? How many AP courses can a freshman student take? How many honors courses do our students take in middle school?
How many gifted and talented programs are available for our students? I share all this because parents thinks it's just wait till you get to high school and you have to be a junior or senior. But what about the student who doesn't want to be in AP courses? What about the career in tech ed spaces? Do
you have do you have pathways for my student in engineering, creative, creative arts? design construction. Do you have internship art? Are you Do you have pre pre-apprenticeship programs?
I'm going down the catalog of things that are available. Well, my child's only in pre kindergarten. Do they use iPads in pre kindergarten? Well, not really. We want to develop those fine motor skills, but trust by the time they get into kindergarten, they might be able to use
this to sketch. Our job is to create those learning spaces. That's what we have in our district. Superintendent's report tonight is about showcasing what's in the report. I don't want to read what's already been printed, but I want you to be able to put some meat to it. So, when you go out and talk about it, you'll be
able to say, "This is what the superintendent says is out there. You'll see the AP courses, you'll see the honors courses, you'll see what's available in the heart in the classrooms, the robotics, and all the other things we plan on bringing. No matter what our budget constraints will be, we will never sacrifice academics."
And that's the assurance I give you this evening and any time that I sit in this chair as superintendent. I close out my my report by making an announcement to the public and to the media who we we need the media but
sometimes you have to create our own story and narrative. About a week ago, week and a half ago, maybe two weeks ago, our our boys basketball team had the opportunity to participate in a very,
I call spirited and lively semifinals game for the state basketball champion championship. Long, long way, long time coming for us to be back in the spotlight, number one seed.
And sometimes the media has to understand that what you report sticks in the minds of people in the community. No one reported about the the friendly atmosphere, competitive but friendly atmosphere of two communities that are in close proximity, but we wanted to see
students do well. No one wanted to talk about that. Instead, you wanted to highlight the negative. I can give you 7,200 stories of positive energy happening every day. Anytime you want to come and talk, I can take you on
a tour of this district. and show you 7,200 reasons why News12 and any other media outlet should be on a regular basis. That event was a very good event for the families that participated, for the athletes, student athletes that participated. That's what the media should be
covering. Few days later, a request was sent to our media outlets to come and also acknowledge another significant event that was brought to our district. It got a little shine in news 12 the other night, but I'm going to bring some
more character to it because it was special to me and many of the board members who are on this day is this is Women's History Month and everyone in this room owes it to a woman in their life for why they're here. So, I salute all the women.
On Tuesday of this week, I had this opportunity along with many members of the cabinet and board to meet a trailblazing pioneer woman, a first 1976 silver medal, silver silver
medalist Olympian, Miss Gail Maris came to Arbor Intermediate School. Who in the room prior to Tuesday ever held a silver medal from the Olympics? many of us on the day did for the first
time. She told her story, her journey of being the first African-American woman, but also the first group of women to participate in the Olympics in 1976. The first she went on to do many things after her
basketball career, but she also brought something else that was very powerful. She brought the torch >> that was used and carried by the Olympians. Last carried by Muhammad Ali as he lit the torch for the Olympics in 1992.
>> 96 >> 96 in Atlanta, Georgia. >> It was kind of heavy, wasn't it? >> Oh, it was very heavy. >> And so the imagine of running and carrying this lit torch
last carried by Muhammad Ali For me, yes, seeing the silver medal was powerful, but holding that torch, listening to Miss Gail Maris, that was powerful. That's what the media should be reporting about. The students were
excited. You could tell the energy on their face. That's about touching the soft skills of our young people. Our board members were excited. Some of them might have brought the torch home if Miss G Maris didn't hold it so tight.
And I know one of my staff members in particular was very excited. That's what makes this job fun and that's what makes teaching and learning exciting. So for those who are watching and those who ask the question, what do we do here in Piscataway? We do a lot.
We can take you on the tour, but if the media won't show it, we'll show it. We'll report it. and get ready because when we start broadcasting, we won't know how to stop. We have a lot to showcase and to show from the great educators, the great staff members, the
great folks who work in this district, the board members who don't get paid to do this work and stay up late to make sure you have the right resources. This is why Piscataway is going to continue to be a great district and eventually an exemplary district because before I
leave as chair, I have the goal to make sure that they How did you do it so fast and not cheap? Because we're about to show them what it looks like and scatter. >> Thank you for that report.
>> Thank you so much, Superintendent Glover. With that, we move to personnel and labor relations, Miss Chantel Cherry. >> It resolved that the following motions identified as items A through C be approved as presented. Second.
Okay. Um, secretary, we could take the role. >> Dr. Connors, >> Mrs. Hack, >> yes. >> Mr. King, >> yes. >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Miss Rivers, >> yes. >> Miss Stafford, >> yes.
>> M. Cherry. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sado, >> yes. To all excluding the election. >> Excuse me. Motion is carried. >> Thank you. Now we're moving to committee report. Oh yes. Oh.
>> Oh yes. Personnel please. So a tradition that we have begun is to make sure that we welcome any new staff member to our district. And
tonight I'm gonna turn it over to our director to introduce our new staff member who's coming on board. and we're going to take a couple photos and give you that Pway welcome. >> First, I'd like to introduce you to Alexandra Kenny. She's gonna be a new special teacher.
>> WELCOME. >> YEAH. One second. >> Hold tight. Now you know Nancy like a photo. >> You're my first teacher. Congratulations. >> Thanks for coming in. >> Nice to meet you. Welcome.
>> You know that in order for her to do a good job, you need to do a good job. Okay. Um, that's personnel and labor relations. That's done. We're moving on to committee reports. We had one committee that met during the time since our last uh board meeting and is policy
and legislative. So please if Miss Loretta Rivers would mind to give us the committee report. Thank you. >> I just want to say thank you to the committee members uh for coming you know this is my first uh chair and as a
policy and thank you Mr. Ruben for helping me you know navigate and all the committee members who share and partake in our discussion. So, I just want to say thank you. We're going to read the second one first since that was the first one. February 2nd, the policy
legislative committee met on February 19th to discuss the various proposed policies and legislation. The committee resumed discussion of several policies and regulations held over the previous meeting. policy regulation 1552 which
was sexual harassment were substantially overhauled by Strauss SMA to incorporate the requirements of title seven and title 9 the two federal statuses prohibiting sex discrimination. Mr. Rubin recommended that the policy
included the preponderance of the evidence standard because it is the one used in sexual harassment litigation in the courts. There was extensive discussion of supplementing the policy and regulation to make them more inclusive of other sex and genders
related category protected under New Jersey law against discrimination. The committee discussed proposed revisions to the policies and regulations 2530 resource materials 2535 library materials and 9130 public
complaints to align with the requirements of the federal freedom to read act. Mr. Ruben explained that the act established an orderly procedure for considering complaints about books in district libraries. The committee approved them for replacement on the
board of education agenda for first reading. Mr. Mr. Rubin advised the committee that he and Superintendent Glover are working on an updated draft of policy 9160 public attendance at school events and
9700 special interest groups which will be presented for consideration at a future meeting. Mr. agreement updated the committee on uh future considerations of a board policy regarding internet enabled devices to implement their recently enacted
legislation restricting their use at school. Since the last meeting, the Department of Education has issued guidelines for these policies and St. SMA is expected to issue a proposed template by this break. In the meantime, Superintendent
Glover will be working with staff and students to develop age appropriate standards that honor the requirements of the new law with appropriate exceptions for emergencies and the needs of students with disabilities. The
committee discussed Senate Bill 1807 which would require municipalities to share certain payments in lie of taxes with school districts. In our next meeting on the on March 5th, 2026 to discuss policy and regulation
1552 which was sexual harassment, Mr. Rubin has circulated an updated version of the policy to address proposed revisions. A committee member who expressed concerns was not present. So the committee adjourned and we will
continue discussion at the next meeting. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. So um with that being done we are moving on to the approval of minutes. Miss Habib Bahak our newest board member. >> Thank you. Be it resolved that the
following minutes be approved as submitted. Special meeting February 5th. >> Thank you. Second >> second. >> Okay. >> Business meeting February 12th.
Executive session February 12th. >> All in favor of the February 5th. >> I >> Okay, those are Go ahead. Sorry. >> That's okay. Business meeting February 12th >> executive session February 12th. >> Motion second.
>> Now, if we can vote on uh those two minutes to be uh accepted. All those in favor say I. >> I. Uh, any opposed? Okay, thank you. So, public comments from the floor. The
board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and school matters of the community interest. In support of this position, the law established a period of public comment at every board meeting. Individuals wishing to speak must state
their name and address. Comments will be limited to three minutes duration, but an individual may speak at a second time after all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. The board may require that individuals register registered to speak prior to the
beginning of the meeting. Participants may submit written materials in support of their position. All statements and/or questions shall be directed to the presiding officer and no participant may address or question
board members individually. All speakers are requested to express themselves in a civil manner. Do with due respect and the dignity and for the dignity and privacy rights of others whose legal rights may be affected. Please note, while it is not
the board's intention to stifle comment on matters of legitimate concern to the school community, the public should be aware that if their statements violate the rights of others under the law governing defamation or invasion of privacy, they may face personal
liability to the injured party. If speakers are uncertain of the legal ramifications of their comments, the board urges them to seek guidance beforehand from their own legal advisor.
Um I see um persons from the community here. Is anyone wishing to make any public comment? Please come up. I see no one. So with that, can I get a motion to close? Public comment from the floor.
Second. >> Okay. All those in favor of closing public comment. >> Excellent. Fiscal planning and operations, Mr. Courtney King. >> Before you I'm sorry, before you proceed, I do have an additional uh resolution here that I will the board.
So, introduce it to be A through Z. But I'll just note uh this resolution is a approval of a transfer for preschool education aid. Um, ordinarily, uh, transfers don't have to be singled out, but because this is preschool money, uh, this particular
transfer we're doing does have to be specifically approved, and then we have to send this specifically to the, uh, county school business official. So, um, that's the the context behind this resolution. So, if you could move items A through D. Mr. K.
be resolved that the following motions identified as items A through D be approved as presented. >> Second, secretary, can you take the role? Excuse me. >> I just wonder can you just recap again the explanation?
>> Yeah. So that's um our preschool money, our preschool program. It's in its own little uh fun 20 uh bucket of money if you will. And when we have transfers above a certain threshold, they have to get approved by the county business administrator uh for the preschool
funds. And so this is due to health benefit expenses and bus aid costs being a little higher than budgeted. So we're having to move money from certain accounts into those accounts to cover those expenses. >> Any other discussion
about fiscal? So I do want to uh comment uh in in this section about uh how difficult it is as a district where fiscal plannings and
operations has been working for so many years, including this year diligently alongside our esteemed um business administrator and our new superintendent to comb through and really look
at every single line item in the budget to continue with the fiscal responsibility that we have had here in Skyweight for over 11 12 years since we've had our our our
business administrator here. So one might note that you know in the past the board of education has not needed to implement any raising of the tax levy because of the fact that we have good you know uh fiscal responsibility and so
on. So in fiscal plannings and operations, we will continue to have more discussion now that we have our funds being distributed from our state aid. So we have more information that was received
today from the state of New Jersey and we will continue to work to that end. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. So I just want to make sure this is only for prek >> that transfer. I'm sorry. This is just a com >> that all of that
>> website Okay. Um, do any other board members have any other questions in relation to uh fiscal plannings and operations today? So, we will now um
uh No, no, no. I'm trying to call him. I It was coming out madam, but he's not. So, sir, sir, secretary, can you take the role? So, I was trying to like back it up, so I just needed to like a moment.
>> Sir Secretary, will you please take the role? Mrs. Hawk, >> yes. >> Mr. King, >> yes. >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Miss Rivers, >> yes. >> Miss Stafford, >> yes.
>> Miss Cherry, >> yes. >> Mr. Tado, >> yes. >> The motions carried. >> Okay. Next, we are moving on to policy. Miss Loretta Rivers. be resolved that the following motions
identified as items A and B be approved as presented. >> Second. >> I do want to make a a comment to this uh as Miss uh Rivers did review our policy uh meeting. Just remember that that
committee report is tied to these uh motions being stated today. So if you can keep in mind all the work that is being put in by that policy committee both uh Mr. Rubin our attorney Loretta Rivers our chairpersons and all the
committee uh members that are on there as well as our community members went through these policies with a fine tooth comb and moved them on to our agenda for first reading tonight. And I just want to comment to that.
So we got a first, we got a second. Um, will we go ahead and take the roles? >> Mr. King, >> yes. >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Miss Rivers, >> yes. >> Miss Stafford, >> yes. >> Mrs. Hawk, >> yes.
>> Miss Cherry, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sado, >> yes. >> Motion carry. >> Curriculum for Shantel. >> Be resolved that the following motion identified as item A be approved as presented.
>> Second. Does any of our board members have any discussion in reference to curriculum? Um, madame vice president, do you have any comments in reference to your committee and the motions that are here?
>> The motions were set forth. Um, pretty self-explanatory. Uh, We went over a whole lot. We've learned. We've expanded. We've taken a review of the new curriculum that was put in place. In addition to that, add
no more AP courses in order to try to help students become a dual uh academic student. Um encouraging parents to stay involved to find out what is offered at the high school in order to best utilize
the services and the programs that are there. realizing the offset of saving costs of attending college if they take AP courses and so forth at the high school, but most importantly realizing we need to go down to the younger grades to get the parents on board so that the
kids are prepared like Kh like Derek said with having the fourth and fifth graders come here about the National Honor Societies that are being offered at the high school so that they put the things in place in the middle school so that they're ready to roll into the high
school knowing in advance what their requirements would be in order to meet them to qualify for National Honor Society because unfortunately they can go in as a freshman and not do that well gradewise and pull their GPA down and then when they go to apply for the honor
societies they will not qualify because they do need that 90.00 and it could be 89.4 and you cannot be given that boost of 6 in order for you to be admitted into the honor society. So the most important thing we take away
from curriculum is keeping parents informed, making sure they realize their support in the district at their school levels. In addition, when we offer workshops, come out, attend them, and if you need support with learning how to do the math that your child is doing, we're
offering trainings uh at night so that you can come participate. And if you're not able to make it at night, contact your school so that you can see if there's a video available because it was pre-recorded. And if you still do not understand it, reach out. But the most
important part of it is you have to reach out to tell us where you need your support at. If you do not reach out to us, we're assuming everything is good. And that in lies where the lack of communication comes from. So, we as a district are trying to better communicate with our community, with our
parents, but most importantly with our students because the students are the ones sitting in the classroom. And if we don't get them to understand what's expected of them and how they need to do it in order to achieve it, then we have a bigger problem. So, part one is the
students, part two is the parents. But if we get the parents to buy in, the students will buy in even faster because the parents are going to lay that path out for them and guide them, support them, and encourage them to do what they need to do in order to follow that path. And that's what's going on within the
curriculum community. Great meeting in. And like I say, it's always knowledge, learning, and community support along with the staff, administrators, board members, and the parents who have stayed committed to the comm community curriculum community. Making sure and
feeling the need and giving their insight. Because just because you don't have students in the district does not mean you cannot be on a committee because it could be your field of expertise somewhere else where you're working or where you've previously been employed and you can bring the value that you have and experience that you
have to that committee meeting no matter what the meeting is and help the district as a whole because outside eyes looking in is the best eyes to bring in because you will see things we don't see first. But if you enlighten us to it, we can then go back and make the adjustment in order for it to be correctified and
moved in the right motion. That's it. >> Thank you. Um, Vice President Cherry, I saw two hands over here. Um, Miss uh, Loretta Rivers. >> Yeah, it was >> Oh, okay. No. All right. Uh, Mr. Patel,
you had a comment. >> I had a question about uh, field trip to the state museum in Trenton. >> I'm sorry. Speak up. He tricky tricky >> the mentioned three times same line different. >> Oh, I see. I see.
>> Okay. Yes. Oh, yeah. Many of them. >> Different dates. Is it an error? Is it different grades or they're all fifth graders? >> Oh, I see. Code E all the way down. Field trip. Field trip. Field trip. Trenton. Yeah.
>> It's my belief that instead of taking all the fifth grade students, breaking down. Yes. Three groups, three different age. Okay. >> I have a question. >> Yes. >> Um I'm like just looking at this. If I was a parent, I might want to know when
they take a trip, how is it aligned to what they're doing in the class, what are they supposed to be learning? What activities are they doing? Cuz like when I look at a trip to um like Whole Foods Market, are they going to speak with people at the market? Maybe have a mini
class and learn the operations of what you do in a supermarket as a financial literacy kind of uh lesson. So, I'm just wondering like when um you have to fill out the trip form, is that part of it? >> Yes.
>> Approval. >> Part number one is looking at the standards because >> I I I as a superintendent have the alternate approval after it comes through the respective departments to make sure that it fits the standards and it makes sense. So all of these yes they
do fit the standards. >> For example, some of our students are taking career using that as a career in tech. The thing about our sale our students in the sale program that's an opportunity for them to learn life skills going back to our strategic goal number one, right? >> So that's an opportunity. So everything
that they do is aligned to a standard and we make sure that it's either helps them in their life skills or maybe something related to career. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. So, we'll take that under consideration, Dr. Nelson. Perhaps uh that's something we can flesh out in the future. Maybe
some putting something in there. >> No. >> Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. >> I don't want to make it too. >> That's what this is. >> Yeah. I don't want to make it too meaty because then you would be looking at >> 14 pages as as an example that 9.1 next to the Whole Foods trip. That's
financial personal financial literacy standard 9.1 which is those are meant to align to the New Jersey learning standards. >> Okay. >> And I have to be sharp in my mind to remember what these are. So >> yes, >> there's a lot of them to remember. Superintendent. >> Okay.
>> So um we we've already had a motion. We've already had a second. We've had discussion. So we're going to move to a vote. Sir Secretary take the role. >> Dr. Nelson. Yes, >> Mr. Patel. >> Yes, >> M. Rivers. >> Yes,
>> Miss Stafford. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Hawk. >> Yes, >> Mr. King. >> Yes, >> Miss Cherry. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Sado Cowan. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Pupil services. Uh, Gail Nelson.
>> Oh, skipping it. Sorry. Uh, administrative and auxiliary. Um, I need to stop. Sorry. that the following motions identified as items A through C be approved as presented.
>> Second. >> So any discussion in this section? If not I will ask sir secretary please take the role. >> Mr. Rivers >> yes. >> Stafford. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hawk. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Kane. >> Yes. >> Dr. Nelson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patel. Yes, M. >> Cherry. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sagato. >> Yes. >> Motion's carry. >> I would like to take this time to make a
note. >> I was going to ask them. So, I would like to take this time to ask the board if they would be uh okay with opening public comments. Again, if I could get a motion to that effect. >> Second. >> Okay. So, motion was Patel and Dr.
Nelson was the second. So, can we take the role? Sir, >> secretary. >> Okay. Just want to remind uh those about public comment. Just reflect on uh what is this 12 public comments from the floor. Thank you.
Public uh is now open for you. Just as a good evening. Just as a reminder, please state your name, your um address for that. >> My name is a murder. Okay.
>> Well, first of all, I called the board today to ask them when did they have this kind of a chance to speak. I was told to come at 7. I was sitting out there. No one came out the same thing too. So I thought it was after this.
That's the reason why I'm, you know, I was told it happened at 7:00. Anyway, my name is Dr. Harold Fiser. I live at 39 Isaiah Place, Piscataway. Uh, some of you may know my brother. My
brother Jim Fischer taught here. Uh, Jim is now 91. uh he was the second black male to come into scatteraway um and and teach here. And let me give you a little story. This is American his
history from a black perspective. My brother Jim was uh I'm originally from Wesport, Pennsylvania. Uh that's little league baseball, but for us it was a city where the uh
Underground Railroad came through. And in 1867, uh Frederick Douglas came there to speak. And my father who was on the NAACP, he was the president, u the area where the
Underground Railroad went through, uh the white community had another name for it. And my father said, "No, it's going to be Freedom Road." And so it has been changed to that. And if you go online, you will find a
gentleman named Daniel Hughes. He was a a man about 6'7 black. And what he did, uh, he lived in Williamsport. And when blacks came through on their way in underground road, he kept them
overnight, fed them. Uh, no, that's right. He he owned a business cuz Williams was known for uh lumber. He had a uh rack that took him down to a raft that took him down to Maryland. He'd pick them up and bring them back
and he helped them get well and he sent them on to Canada. But so if you read the history of Williamsport, it's uh uh well known and that's where I got my black history because we were taught very very very young about black
history. Now, uh, another part is my wife. We've been married 59 years. How do I look pretty? >> Congratulations. Yeah, you're looking good. >> Anyway, she has a
uh half brother. His name was Jim McClennon. and he was teaching at the school Prince Edward County when the uh Brown versus Board of Education. was one of the schools that was in that uh lawsuit
and Jim McClendon was teaching this all black school. And if you if you know anything about uh Washington DC, a couple weeks ago that was on C-SPAN, uh Barbara uh uh John Rose John, she was
a 16 year old girl who organized that black school to protest and they stayed up for two weeks in Presley County and the NAACP saw that and they came in and took that as as a lawsuit to go before
the Brown versus Board of Education. And then her half brother Jim, he moved from uh Prince George County. It was Farmville and he went to uh a place in uh Virginia and became principal uh
Front Royal Front Royal. He became principal there and and he saw that there was need for housing. So he bought six acres and built housing for black at Front Royal and to this day his name is
on the street in Front Royal, Virginia. Now, the reason why I came here, I'm sorry. Uh well, yeah, also my uh my great-grandfather, John Taylor, was in the Civil War. He fought for the 29th
Connecticut color troops and the 29th Connecticut color troop was the first troop to march in the Richmond at the end of the war and uh and that people were so happy to see him. But that's another history. There has always been
white officers ahead of black troops up until the up until the uh second world war and well back in the second world wars too in the Korean war was a little different but blacks did not get any kind of rank or anything like that. So,
um, why I'm here today and I guess you've heard of a Frank Malone who wants to, uh, any school or any district that, uh, has an Indian mascot, it has to be taken down or you got to
change. You got to do something to it. But what I came here for was another name change. Now, this is what I've been doing. I've been retired. Uh, my brother Jim is 91 and I'm 87. How do I look?
>> Oh, that's good. Now I can keep on talking. Uh, I came here because of uh you have a couple buildings here. Well, one building I think it's board of education. Uh, George Patton.
That's that's Major George General George Patton. Did anyone know his history? Okay. George Patton was in charge of armor in World War II. And I had an uncle who fought in World War II. Um Jim
McClendon and I talked about my wife. He was in this particular battalion. He was a 761 battalion and armor or tanks. and General Patton was in charge of
tanks and um trucks. There are 800 black soldiers in there and seven no eight so 75% of them were black. They were driving the trucks.
They had drive the trucks every night in World War II. 400 miles they had a crew and those trucks were full of gasoline and that was George Patton's area. George Patton he was in charge of armor.
At first they were all white, but then he started losing people and he said, "Oh no, those black people," you can use that word, but anyway, he was saying that they're too they're not smart enough to drive a Trump uh a tank just
like in baseball, you know, we guys couldn't be quarterback because they were black. Uh and uh Patton uh finally took blacks in And the blacks were doing extremely well in Germany,
France, and so forth. Uh and uh uh Patton um in combat, I mean, I'm a I'm a veteran as well. In combat, the combat groups are in the front line for so much time
and then they go back for or rest and recuperation. But with Patton, when the blacks took over the tanks, the whites that he had before left the combat and went back after two
weeks. Now these are two, one, two. >> When he had the blacks who were the majority of the armor, it was six months. So you think someone's going to make it through six months? I mean, two weeks for arrest for
the whites, six months. So, what I'm saying here, anytime Patton would refer to black soldiers, he would call them the name. He call them by that name. So, these buildings you have here were probably put in before you came. Okay?
And there needs to be you got to make the name things. You got to change the names. I mean, if students knew that, you know, they made Hey, what's what's this about? I mean, the board of education made a whole lot different kind of faces in there then, but I think
you needed George Patton. I got an article here that you're going to read about Patton. Uh, and I also read another story on Patton. It was uh a cook. Now, back in the day, now I'm back in the day, we could not go in the Navy because they
said, "No, you can't swim. You can't do this." Okay. But anyway, this one black fellow got in the Navy and he was a cook and he would go by where they had the guns on the on the ships and he would watch how they did it. And it came to
war, he was put he just went up there and took over the the gun and saved two or three ships and they called Patton told him that. Patton came out and took his hand and how you do that? Well, who told you that? He said, "I have to watch them
again." Patton never gave him the Medal of Honor. What he told me, he said, "Well, man, listen. You go back in that kitchen. I'm telling you, George Patton, I don't know why people think that he was a brilliant man. He was kind of crazy. Like somebody
else saying no >> in the White House." Anyway, uh he was a man who did a lot of cursing. He didn't care about anybody and uh he did not think about integrating the military.
That was done by President Truman. He didn't think about integrating. He let soldiers get killed and everything. And those black soldiers did so much for this country. At the end of World War II, they marched into Germany. Uh uh and the people didn't know. They
had never seen black men before. They thought they came from heaven. But they were so happy to see they were liberators. So please, you got to get it right. Now, I called this I I got involved with the civil rights advisory board. I don't know if
any of you are on there and I went to a few meetings in Piscataway. Theirs is more about events. My civil rights to me doesn't mean event. I mean, you got to really deal with what's going on. My younger brother, who is two years younger now,
198. He lived up in New York State. He's been in NAC for 37 years. He and his wife and uh what happened is that he would go to uh he would go to the to the courts whenever
somebody got in court and the civil rights. He sat there and the judge who was white saw him there uh and he called him in the chamber. He said, "Why are you always here?" and my brother and so they became friends. Last
year when my brother retired that sup that Supreme Court jud judge had a celebration for him. If you go to Coopertown where the baseball hall of fame is, >> you go to the courthouse, you got my brother Lee and his wife, the picture is
on the stand in the courthouse forever because that white judge said, "I can't believe that we did all this." and they became very very good friend. Now the um this will be the last one of my ministries. >> Um
>> there's a >> we appreciate you're coming to the end of your comments. >> No no no finish. Yes, please. >> Um I've been uh doing this you know I call Satan Hall. I got a doctor masters from Satan Hall. Uh I have a doctor from
St. John's. Um, and I sent a letter to Satan Hall. I said, "What about slavery?" I mean, I had a nice letter there, and they told me that no slavery, no. So, I'm still fighting that. But anyway, uh
there's a uh Roselle uh I looked at the looked at the the orbituary of the uh of Abraham Clark who signed the Declaration Independence. He was born in 1733, died in 179 96 or
something. And in his will, he said he had black slaves. He said, "Don't release these slaves until my wife and I die." Now, he died 1793, way before the Emancipation Proclamation. No one knows who those slaves were, and who knows
what happened to them, whether they died and so forth. And uh I've been fighting that. But on top of that, January 16, 2026, the state brought a lawsuit against Clark. That's where Abram Clark is named
for. The mayor of Clark was um telling the police to keep black people out of out of that town. >> Give them tickets and all kind. This is 26. >> That's right. >> And come on now, board. I've been
writing them. I've been talking to them. You got to move on it. I mean, if you look at online, the ethnic makeup of the board is all people of color. >> That's right. and the whole system is almost but I don't know people dragged their feet but anyway I've been fighting
that so I'll leave I'll leave this article with you says the forgotten heroes of World War II this you want to read it and then you can make your decisions but I think it's time for a change and if you're going to name it again
maybe name it Jim Fisher building no Jim Jim Jim ended up >> Jim ended up being a administrator. Uh oh. Oh yeah. This is my last story. >> Oh >> no no no no. Listen. This is real stuff here. >> Okay. Real stuff. >> Stuff that this is Pisc. My brother Jim
told me that when he Oh, that's the mic. when when he um the British college he applied to for a job and uh I think it was Dr. Sure. He was he
was the superintendent of school. He's got a school name. Okay. He came through Williamsport. My brother finished Lycoming College in Williamsport is a Methodist school and they took blacks in at that time in the 50s. So he had finished he sent an application here to
BCaway and Dr. Shaw was coming to Williamsport to go to state college Penn State to hire recruit some teachers. So he saw he heard that my brother's avocation. He
came to the hood. All right. Dr. Shaw came to came to my my mother and father's house. Met my mother and father and he told my brother I want you to come. He didn't have an application right there or a contract. So my brother
had to come to PCway on a bus for Worth. That's about three and a half hours driving about four or five hours. came in a bus and went to he said new market somewhere and he came he signed the contract and he had to go back home because nobody he didn't know anybody
here the same day. >> Excuse me, Mr. Fisher. I I appreciate you. This has been really nice. We thank you for your comments. The board will take it under consideration. >> Okay. >> Um but we've definitely exceeded uh our time. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
Y Uh good evening, Lisa Burke, Piscatoaway Township. Uh I did not come planning to speak tonight, but in light of what Dr. Fiser just shared, I feel it's so important to stand and speak in support and recognition of what he just asked of
us. Mhm. >> What he spoke about in proposing a review and potential name changes is a request to really think about the opportunity to reduce environmental microaggressions.
I think those of us who are familiar with what microaggressions are are most familiar with spoken or with body language, so spoken and non-spoken. But in environmental microaggressions are real and sometimes we become so attuned to them. We don't necessarily think
about the history associated when we ask people to enter buildings or conference rooms or meeting spaces with names of people who have such complicated and widespread history. So I'm actually excited that to allow Dr. Fischer the
board reopened public comment. So, I won't take up more time except to say that as a community member, it means a lot to have that invitation before us. And I actually have confidence that this board, this superintendent, this leadership will uh take up the
opportunity to look at that. And I will say as a community member, I'll be happy to volunteer for that effort. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Forgive me. I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name. I'm sorry. Uh >> Lisa Burke, Burke Kway. Thank you. Okay,
thank you. Thank you everyone for your comments. Thank you, Lisa. Thank you, Dr. Fischer. And with that, I would >> I know I'm going to do that. I'm I'm going to do that. I'm ready to close. I'm about I'm about to I'm setting to I'm setting to close it. Can I get a
motion to close second comment? We got Miss Habiba Hack with a motion. Any second? >> Second. So second all those in favor of closing the second opportunity for um public comments say yeah we do the Yeah.
Say yay. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh any opposition? >> No. Okay. >> Okay. Yes. Um we're going to have Superintendent Glover um talk about
>> I know Dr. Fiser I know Dr. Fischer has stepped out and Lisa Burke, both comments the board will definitely take a look at and in light of what was mentioned. There's been legisl proposed legislation for school districts to take a look at name changes
and mascots and affiliations. This is the opportunity for the board to kind of do a widescale review. I will say that it is there's policy involved. There's a lot of community conversations and we all know that people are
attached to names. So sometimes you think it may be easy, but it's going to probably be a lengthy process of public comment, public debate, and sometimes you bring up there may be feelings brought up that bless you within the community people still may have their own perspectives about. But I think this
was the right time for the board to at least adhere to to hear the community bring forth the opportunity for people to speak on it and then make a the right decision at the right time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam President. >> All right. So, uh we are going to old
business. Uh I personally don't have any particular old business. Any board members have any old business? Okay. We will then close old business. Is that what we do? Yes, we will take Oh, we're just moving on. New business.
I know we do have new business. I personally have some new business in reference to our board goals. And um before I do my new business, which is um having the board members um revamp our
board goals, I would ask if there's any other new business before we get into the work of the board, which is uh adopting 2026 new board goals. Miss Rivers, I just have a couple of comments. Uh thank you, President Sakawakawan, for uh thanking and
acknowledging us uh as schoolboard members for Women History Month. But I also would like to acknowledge all the women here in Piscatoaway and at Piscatoaway school board district uh for um women's history month because you do a great job and we cannot do it without
you as well. So we just want to acknowledge everyone here in our township that does every woman that does their job every day. So that's one and then also I would like to thank uh Dr. Miguel Nelson >> uh for partnering with me uh as a
presenter for the third annual women's leadership conference at the you know New Jersey school board association this month. So this is our first time. We put in a proposal and um we got it. So we'll be presenting um next Friday as a >> and what are you presenting on?
>> We're are presenting on uh clarity you know transparency >> leadership >> and leadership. >> Thank you. Thank you ladies. Excellent. Uh with that being said, >> would you like to share where the conference is taking place? >> Where is it? It's
>> TCJ the Versa County, right? Am I >> CCJ will be take it will be taking place at the um TCJ campus as and I just want to comment that we have all of our women from the board full registration. Every
single one of our women of the board will be at the third annual women's conference and I feel so ecstatic about that, the fact that two of our esteemed board members will be presenting and yours truly uh Nancy Salgado Cowan will be also speaking with our keynote
speaker that day. So, it's going to be a great day. We're looking forward to it and we'll report back once we get back from our uh women's conference. >> So, thank you. Is um Miss Vver, anything else? >> No, that's all I have. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Chantel Cherry, new business.
>> Hey, it's me tonight. So, anyway, we were having a discussion and we had a brainstorm and came up with an idea. I initially got started in the schools with PTA, PTO. I was chosen by Dr. Baskerville to come
participate, volunteer because I was always in the building. So, brainstorm we had was to have parent ambassadors in the district. So what we're looking at is saying for the elementary school level we would have three parent ambassadors and the middle school level
the same thing. For the high school we would be looking to get six to seven parent ambassadors. The key part of the parent ambassadors are they are in the schools. They are the ones who are attending events. They are the ones helping to make the parent
presentations, the parent fundraising, the student achievement, the teachers encouragement take place. They would be the individuals who could work with us, the school board and the district to feed more information out into the public, but yet bring more information
back to the central office and the school board. Most of us do not have kids in the buildings any longer, but if we are able to work with them collaboratively and with the PTOs, we think we would be more effective in getting things done, attending things,
but most importantly encouraging the parents and letting them know the value they have by volunteering in their students schools. The volunteers are shrinking, but we're trying to find a way to remotivate them and show them the importance of them and what a big
difference they make by being a part of the school district. We're not asking them to come to meetings. We're not asking them to put in so many hours. What we're basically asking them to do is simply keep in communications, tell us little things that may be going on at the school because things are on the big
calendar, but the big things on the calendar aren't the things that make the students shine. It's the little things where the fire truck came and they all got the little plastic hat. They got to sit in the fire seat and take that picture. Hooray. Hooray. Those are the
things that the kids look forward to. A lot of times we take into consideration what the parents would look forward to. We're looking to get the insight and feedback for what the kids are looking forward to, what the kids enjoy. All kids enjoy field day, but we're in school 180 days. So, we can't just
single out the one day and say the other 179 is not as relevant. So, let's see if we can work together and come up with a sit down conversation. And I'm not saying the principles have to do this. It has to all be cleared through Superintendent Glover. But it's just something like I say, I started simply
by a principal talking to me saying, "Hey, would you be interested?" My interest then led from PTO to coming here to be on school board. But again, once they showed me what my value was worth and what I could bring to the table, that's where the difference came
in. Because I didn't think anything I had to offer would benefit anybody. In hindsight, it benefited a lot of individuals, a lot of students. There are plenty other parents who are home and or working who have that same ability to offer what they have because
one little word, as we know, can change the whole dynamic of a whole situation. Like I say, our theme is inspire. So, we want to as a school board inspire the schools and inspire parents to say, "Tell us what you're thinking. Give us what you have to offer and let us work
with it to make it even better." But this way, it brings the morale of the teachers up because they see more parents engaged because teachers put a lot of out of their pocket out of money out of their pocket to make their classrooms function to put events together and things that they need. But
if they have parent engagement and things going on, we may would say, "Hey, in a community group I'm in, they're offering this free stuff. Would you be interested in the borders that go on the poster board? Would you be interested in they have excess crayons from events someone had?" These are the kind of
things that if we collaborate together, we can make it the most beneficial because the resources are out there, but you have to have the individuals looking and once we look and find it, we need an inside person. We can't be bothering the secretary. She's got enough on her plate. But if we have a parent
ambassador at the school we can reach out to and say, "Hey, there's these things that we have to offer. There's supplies we have. We have extra books, whatever. Can we meet you and give it to you?" We can give it to you and then it's at the school. If we don't get it in the kids' hands, if we don't get it
in the teachers hands, it's doing us no good. We, the board, do not go to the schools unless we have a meeting and we notify the superintendent if we're going to an event. But just walking up saying, "Hey, I'm a board member. let me in. We don't do those kind of things. We have
to get invitations. With the invitations come, there's an event going on. But if I have someone who's already there picking up their child, who can say, "Ring the bell. Can I drop this off to the office?" It's in the office and then the administration there can let it be dispersed the way they need to because
everyone knows what their needs are in their buildings. >> Yeah. >> We don't know what their needs are. We're not trying to say we can figure it out, but if we can have access to things and give them things to benefit them that would concern benefit the students. That's the purpose of the parent um uh ambassador.
>> Um with that um madame vice president when you said about one word could change everything. I would like to take the word parent out of that and make it school ambassadors because I don't feel that every child may have parents sometimes they have grandparents uh
guardians and so forth. I also want to make it known that it's not going to be excluding any community folks who don't have children in in in the schools if if they want to apply for this um position,
which we are going to have to take some time. This is what we're proposing to flesh out what that all means and how it all looks. And of course, under the direction of uh Superintendent Glover, we will make sure that all of the rules
are adhered to. And uh so I just want to I I just want to say it's going to the the name of these individuals be school ambassadors, not parent ambassadors. So yes, you can be a parent, but not excluding those who are not parents, those who uh do not even have children
in the school, but anyone in Piscataway, if you want to be a school ambassador, come on down. Because with that we can have grandparent ambassadors because we have the seniors who would be willing to come
in to have a sit down for kids who do not have grandparents either in the state and or who have a connection with them. It would be feeding both of them because as a grandparent ambassador you're helping that child who does not have that figure at home but it's also
helping you giving you a purpose and a cause and something to do because a lot of times if you go a sit down conversation with the senior. They're looking for something to do. They want somebody to give them something to do and they're more than willing to offer their time, their services, or their
special skills that they have simply because someone asks them. They're just waiting. They're sitting on the sidelines. They're ready to be put in. They're ready to be that pinch hitter. So, that's just something we had a conversation about and that's what we're looking to work on and bring to the public um Memphis gotaway community.
>> And then I also have a report. Yeah, this is my long winded night. Um, I'm your representative to the commission. The commission uh of Middle Sex County works with special education only special education students. They're
currently in charge of 10 schools. With those 10 schools, some kids are non-verbal, some are wheelchair bound, uh, some need full-time assistance, but at the end of the day, they still deserve an education. What that may look like varies based upon each individual
child, but also the commission is a large wholesale Costco. >> Districts make purchases from the commission. Um, and it's at a much cheaper price than if the district was to go out and make the purchases on their own. With the commission, we've been going through a transition for the
last year, year and a half because of the new superintendent who is in place. And as most public knows, if you have someone in a leadership position for an excessive amount of years, sometimes you get soft, you get laxed, rules start getting banned, pro protocols are not
followed, and when that person leaves, you see things that you had not seen, and now you have to address them all. So, there's been a big adjustment. There's been replacement in positions. There's been a new um attorney team put in place, the new superintendent, a new
president. Our former president is now the lieutenant governor of New Jersey, Dale Cwell. When he left us, it was to go on to bigger and better things. Well, I say he achieved that. >> Um but with the commission, you see the work, you have all the superintendents who go there, and you get to see what
special education programs are available, what it looks like. In addition, they work with the youth detention center in North Brunswick and we put together an educational program uh redecorated their living area because
we wanted them to remind them you're still special, you're still a human. Just because you made one bad choice and you're now in a detention center does not mean we have written you off. So they have new furniture, they have new carpeting, their rooms were painted, and now they have an environment that they
want to do their school learning and they are doing so. But with the commission as well, they get to oversee things that none of us ever think about. Like when we hear special education, we're thinking a kid with an IEP, we're thinking a kid at 504. No, their level
of special education is on the next level. Their level of education requires a whole lot of commitment and compassion from the assistants who work there along with the teachers. Unfortunately, their rate of pay is less than what regular general education is. I don't know why
because they're doing more than anyone else that I know of. but with the commission as well. It's a place where the superintendants bounce things off of each other, give feedback to each other, but it brings them together in one room to collaboratively work, hold a conversation, and just see what's out
there to offer. So, going forward, I meet with them once a month on Fridays, but I'm on committees with them as well. I'll come forward and I will bring reports to give us updates on what's going on there, improvements. They actually even have a health club with a swim pool. They're thriving. that's an
income for them and the more money and they don't get any state aid. That's the best part about it. So they don't rely on the state to function. They generate their own money based on the sales from the commissions. Um and they also have bus routes that they put out to service
and so forth. But kids from all of New Jersey get put in special schools who are under that guideline. whether they're coming from Children's Hospital or whether they were homeschooled and now their parents are now sending them to school. But it's something you have to see for yourself to truly appreciate
the work that's done there and the amount of students that benefit from that program and they do go in the summer as well. It's a challenge for the parents but at the same time the students are the ones who are benefiting from it. But like I say, going forward, I will give you a monthly report so that
everybody stays up in the know of what's going on at the commission. >> Thank you. >> I'm going to be quiet for the rest of the night. >> So, uh, just one more thing, and I'm not going to belabor it this meeting. uh madame vice president and myself did
attend New Jersey school board's leadership conference which was very very informative and we would like to give you a report about that but not tonight. So we will give that report to you at our next meeting. So look forward
to hearing about what we learned at our leadership uh initiative. Okay. I'd like to formally note that in item C in admin auxiliary. I know both of your intention was to abstain on your approval of yourself. So I' I've formally noted that in the minutes. I wanted to
>> appreciate that acknowledge that >> see things slip through the cracks. >> Thank you. Thank you. So now we move on to our board goals. As we all know there are district goals, we have our strategic plan. We have um the annual
goals. Tonight we're focused on specifically the go the goals of the board and all of the board members. You should have a copy of the uh existing goals. We're just going to go through quickly here and note what things we
might want to change. I have some comments from Dr. Connors um who couldn't be here tonight because he is out at doing his work with the New Jersey school boards at large and so he's working on behalf of all of the state of New Jersey and that is why he's
not here but he did give me comments on things that he would like to recommend. So the first uh board goal from 2025 is number one support board. The board will continue to focus on mental wellness
needs of our students, their families, faculty, staff, and community members. The board will support existing district wellness and mental health programs and services. These programs are to be based upon diversity, equity, inclusion, and a
sense of belonging. The board recognizes that all at all times the need to be a balance uh that exists between academic rigor and physical and emotional wellness. So that's uh goal number one for 2025.
I would like uh any of our board members. Yes, Ana Stafford. >> And number two, education. The district will recruit diverse, highly qualified and appropriately credentialed teachers and staff. The board will engage in professional development opportunities including individual board member
academy courses and board certification training with NJSBA. Thank you. Anyone? Uh number three, communicate. The board will foster new communication systems with the community and stakeholders through participation
in board and community meetings. As liaison to our schools, we will continue to strive to support our students and families by engaging in school events, promoting district activities and committee meetings and system communications. >> Thank you. And uh number four, Habib
Baha >> inspire. The board will support the UI we inspire initiative with emphasis on programs that seek to bridge the achievement gap adding focus on special education
equity equity in AP honors. Okay. So those are existing goals from 2025. Um I'm gonna address first off uh Dr. Tom Connor's uh comments. The only uh goal that he wanted us to review is
uh goal number two. Um in goal number two in 2025 it was stated that not uh the board has uh the district will recruit diver diverse highly qualified and appropriate credentialed teachers
and staff. It is um Dr. Connor's comment that that should be not in this um goal. Uh that is not my feeling. This is Dr. Connor's comment. Uh I will take it to our board members if they would like to
>> can you can I'm sorry. >> So >> can you just elaborate? I'm not clear. >> So the the goal currently as it exists says uh the district will recruit diver diverse highly qualified and appropriate credentialed teachers and staff. Dr. comments Dr. Connor's comment is that as
a board we do not recruit, we do not uh you know uh approve, we do not uh look for a credentialed staff. That is more of a district uh goal as well as a responsibility of the district, not necessarily a responsibility of the
board. If we could possibly reword that into saying yes, these are things that we believe. These are our belief statements, but that not making it specific to that we are recruiting these
individuals because we do not. So that that's what his comment is. >> Exactly. Exactly. With that being said, um all of these uh goals that we have will more so be to state what our
beliefs are and and how we want to align ourselves with the district goals. And so I would I would say um sir secretary if we could reward these in a fashion where it is it's the board's belief that
we should focus on mental well uh wellness etc. For one, it is the board's belief statement. Number two, I personally would like to add um myself uh a fifth goal in uh having to do
specifically with making sure as a board that we maintain uh the excellence in our school district and that we our belief
statement is so that we will not compromise the educ educational opportunities and the availments that our children have in this district based on finances.
So my belief statement and I'm I'm going to ask our board members if they agree that's just my personal uh statement is that we or maybe we can reword one of these and we can add that into something that's existing. But I think that it's
it's something that needs to be said out loud as a board. We we will work within the ramifications of the finances that we are given obviously, but that we will not compromise those uh
those those students any student in their ability to attain the high level of excellence that we have here in Piscataway. Yes, Madam President. Um, just need for clarification and excuse me if I think I did see this through the email. Am I
correct? >> Yes. Um, I was not thinking that we were going to adopt it today or we just reviewing it today. So, the thought was that we would review it and adopt it because these goals were supposed to be
done in the month of January andor February. So we are in the month of March and uh we are a little tardy in uh aligning these goals. I did ask all board members to review the goals and if you had any suggestions to bring them
tonight. So >> so suggestions would have been tonight and then review like a first reading and then we could adopt them next month. >> That's not typically how we do it. Typically, we review these goals and go
over them as a group in public session and then we adopt them. So, it's more of like, do you have some ideas? Please, let's let's flush them out. The only board member who sent me any um remarks was Dr. Tom Connors.
Does anyone else have any um things they would like to um add to the board goals? Do you agree with these? are we going to change them or so forth? Yes, that's >> I agree with what you were saying with regard to putting I guess the statement of the board will continue to focus or
the board is committed to ensuring >> I love that. >> I think that that will go a little bit better. I can share that um with David. And um there was one other thing that you said. >> So that would be in uh in reference to
all the goals placing that in front of each of these goals. >> Right. So like number three, the board will foster new communication systems with the community and stakeholders. So we're working with people still um making it more inclusive. I think that's
what you were saying, but not um >> yeah, >> I don't have any problem with B uh goal number three. I think the way it's stated there is inclusive and and is saying what our belief statement is. I don't think that that particular goal
needs any reworking at all. Does anyone else uh have any that they would like to add to goal number three? >> Question for you. My thing was an initiative from last year, >> the new communication system which was going to be Parent Square.
>> And we adopted that. Yes. >> No. what I'm saying. So, if we adopted that and we have it in place, are we going to continue to leave that in place about fostering new communications? >> Yes. Because of um school ambassadors is going to be something that we're champion and that that is part of that
communication goal. So, I would like that to stay there. I think that it falls under that particular goal. The fact that we would like to institute school ambassadors is aligned with uh the communicate Anyone else on uh goal number three
specifically? >> Madam President, if I could just open for discussion the potential of using the word instead of new effective and efficient community communication systems. >> Definitely >> as opposed to new because you always
want it to be effective and I think that >> we need to >> I'm sorry. >> I think that allows you the opportunity to bring in other resources or better use parent square >> broadcasting whatever mode of communication >> correct yes I think that's that's
excellent um superintendent Glover that's a great suggestion so we're going to just go through um one two and four um I miss >> one second okay we're going to read it out loud what it currently states is
communicate the board will foster effective and efficient communication systems with the community and stakeholders through participating in bo in board and committee
meetings. Um I don't think we should be so specific in that maybe we take the the specifics about committee meetings and I think we we are doing committee meetings. I don't think that it needs to specifically be in that section. That's just a thought. Um
because it's outlining specifics that we're going to do. So I guess yes, we do have committee meetings. That's an ongoing thing. >> But your committee meetings also include the community, >> right? >> So it is important because you're including the community. If you want inclusiveness, then the community has to
know they're included. >> So that's where I was thinking about adding a number five, per se. I know that you wanted to add a five, but then I didn't want it to be too wordy because it could all it could really go into any one of the ones that we have. So, piggybacking on what uh Gail was just
saying, we can also add into the community portion that the board is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for community members to participate in the growth and development of the district. >> Okay. Can you say that slower? >> Oh, I'm gonna email it to David. >> No, no, no. David is taking the notes now. This is this is a working session.
>> He's not doing shorthand. >> We're doing a working session here. Um, so that we, you know, >> I'll start over slow. The board is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for community members
to participate in the growth and the development of the district. I think that's important. >> Yes. >> Because there's tension with taxes and everything. So I Yeah. Um, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued
>> through through collaborative initiative and shared resources. >> Miss Stafford, could you speak up that last part of it? >> And shared resources. >> Okay. >> Uh the board will work to build strong
and united community. strong united community that supports the long long-term support and success of our students and schools. So, it's wordy, but that can go in
three, that can go in four, that can go in one and two, it can go in any one of those. >> Right. So, that particular all of what you just said, and if you don't mind to just read it through all the way through for us one more time. Sure. >> Okay.
>> So, I can speak fast. >> Go ahead. Yeah. >> Okay. The board is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for community members to participate in the growth and development of the district, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. through collaborative initiatives and
shared resources, the board will work to build a strong, united community that supports the long-term success of its students and schools. >> I love it. I I I personally think it could just be a standalone. I don't think it has to be included in any of
the existing goals. Uh so that that's what I feel about. Anyone else? Um what any comments to the things that uh Miss Stafford said? Yes, Mr. Patel. question about goals in
general. Uh is board required to uh measure if we met the goals or not at some point in future? >> And how do we do that? >> So typically the board doesn't get evaluated on our goals. We review them
the following year to see where we are with them and see if we've met them or we we are our own evaluators. There's no particular you know form or submission or data that's being submitted to anyone
but ourselves and we we grade ourselves. >> So state does not evaluate this as part of QA or >> not the board goals. Board goals has to do with uh New Jersey school boards and having good governance and being able to
work collaboratively as board members. >> Silly question. So this is more of a symbolic >> or >> it's it's what we do >> what >> it's what we do it's what our commitment is to this district what we find as a
value in our district and how we are going to uphold it's it's call it's calling ourselves accountable to what we are doing as unpaid volunteers here >> we're going to keep ourself each other
>> exactly Thank you. >> Exactly. We are keeping each other accountable based on these goals. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh anyone have any comment to uh what uh Miss Stafford said? Do we will do we like what Miss Stafford said? Is
there something we want to tweak in that? Do we think we going to have that as a standalone goal? Do we think we're going to um you know change it in any way? I think it would be good as a standalone. >> Okay. Mr. King saying we gonna he likes
it as a standalone. Miss Hawk agrees >> on this side of the table. Uh Dr. Nelson, do you agree with uh it being a standalone goal? >> It can be a standalone. >> Okay. So that would be goal number five. David. >> All right. So going back to three, we've
changed that a bit and added effective and efficient um communication systems. I would like it maybe to say strategies instead of systems. I don't know if I like that word, but just a thought. Um
yeah so that is a thought and I was also thinking that the particular leaison for our schools we could partner where the the leaison would work with the school ambassadors
right so let's say I am the school leaison for nullwood right then I would then uh speak with my nullwood representatives as school ambassador bassadors and work collaboratively collaboratively with them. So I I like
the idea of the leazison uh staying in there and maybe something to engage uh nah this is good families I don't want it to say specifically in school events because I feel like it's more than just
school events. Uh yeah. Anyone on that? >> Are you saying that you're taking out school events or >> I wanted to to be saying a bit more than just school events. Right now the goal reads as leazison to our schools we
continue to strive and support our students and families by engaging in school events. >> And >> can it say school and community community events? >> Yeah, that's right. school and community events.
>> That's it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, Superintendent Glover, do you have any uh comments to number three? >> No comments to number three. I just kind of want to, if I may, Madam President,
just kind of reframe >> a little bit because I think the question was asked >> the importance of board the board having goals. >> Yes. >> My hope is that it aligns to the to the strategic plan, >> right? >> And so what I've been doing as you're talking is going back to what's in the strategic plan
>> because then we're all on the same page. My superintendent goals match the board goals match the strategic plan. And I'm looking at where this falls, right? So communication lives in two places currently kind of sort of in our strategic plan, but I see
this as being part what I think is trying to be accomplish in number three lives in goal number three of our strategic plan. So if our language kind of mirrors, I think it supports and we're in uniform as opposed to being all over the map. >> Right. Just >> can you read that for us?
>> Yes. And it's also up here just so folks can see it in case they can't over here. community engagement, outreach and involvement, increase student and family partnerships and engagement by removing barriers and streamlining communication between stakeholders. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's very concise. I like that.
And so if we can somehow uh make our language in this goal number three mirror that a bit more, I I think that that would be a good idea. >> President, >> yes, Mr. For that matter, can we keep uh
long-term facilities planning also in the focus or somewhere within the board? >> Long-term facilities >> planning. >> Where is that? >> You want to keep the long-term facilities plan
in mind for >> Oh, and part of the communication and goal number three. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, that's something to add to it. >> Yes. >> Okay. Gotcha. All right, David, do you want to see if you could give a crack at what we've all
said and and and spit it back at us, please? >> I'm not really sure. >> Okay, sir. Secretary, >> what would you like to add to number three? I have effective and efficient in there, and I have we changed we added to school and community events. Those are the two additions I've made.
>> And I think that what Mr. Patel is suggesting is that we also put in something to long-term Facility. >> Facilities what? >> Planning. >> Planning. >> I don't understand what that means, Mr. Patel. >> David, >> what does that mean?
>> I I suspect Mr. Patel is getting at that to engage and inform and engage the community on our district facilities and their their well-being and how it kind of contributes to student success, right? And so the board has done a great job
keeping their buildings in in good shape continuing to focus on that understanding that there are fiscal challenges and I think that's why he's bringing it up. There's fiscal challenges involved with that but I think Mr. Patel is suggesting we don't want the board to lose sight of how important that is. >> Yes. >> I don't think it goes into this this
goal though. I think that your your comments are are wellreceived. I don't know that it necessarily goes with communication but that's just me. You know what it may because they do reach out and meaning the community when they see issues or problems arise within the
school. So that is a point I think we should probably keep it in communication. I >> I think the I think the biggest part is just you know informing them about the capital projects that we're constantly doing you know because this way the community knows where their tax dollars are being spent. >> Now informing them so much about the
upkeep and how good we're keeping and what's going on inside the building might not be as important but you know how money is being spent. I know that that's usually a lot, but a lot of people want to know, like if you pay attention to what's going on with the war and everything, >> right? >> A lot of people really got engaged when
they found out that their money was being spent on like lobster and stuff like that. >> Right. So, so putting in that commun uh communication goal something to the effect that we will be
informing uh or >> just keep the public up to date with capital. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We've been doing it. We're writing it down. >> We're writing it down that we are that we are going to be doing that, right? >> Am I correct, sir? >> Yes. Want to highlight what our goals
are and how we're making progress towards those goals regardless of fiscal >> challenges. >> Yes. >> Okay. I agree. Madame President, if I may, in the last line of
current goal number three under communication where it says promoting district activities and committee meetings and systems >> potentially rewarding it in a way where it says promoting long-term projects and district initiatives. There you go. >> In committee meetings and systems of
communications. Just recommendation. >> I love that. >> Facilities projects. >> Long long range projects. >> Project. Do we need to put in there though like the fact that it's maintaining the buildings or facilities
>> any project >> and then district initiative >> and then district initiative speaks to >> something else we may do >> right in the future. It it leaves us open to uh champion more things uh for
the good of the of the public and our district. Okay. Superintendent, can you say that again, please? >> Yes. Re rewriting the last sentence to say promoting long range long range projects and district initiatives in committee
meetings and other system communications. >> I like it. >> Or organizational communications or board communications. I think it should say board. >> Yeah, I don't know. But that's systems, right? Yeah, >> because this is your this is really >> this is our
>> this is really your communication. >> So yeah, >> are we saying board and organizational or just >> I agree with that. I I I agree with that changing instead of system communications to board communications. Okay. So
secretary, how do you have our go our goal number three looking? The board will foster effective and efficient communication systems with the community and stakeholders through participation in board and committee meetings. As liaison to our schools, we will continue
to strive to support our students and families by engaging in school and community events, promoting long range products, projects, and district initiatives in committee meetings and board communications. >> I like it. I like it. Um, does everyone
here agree with uh goal number three? >> Yeah. >> Do you guys like the way that sounds? >> Yes. >> Um, okay. Dr. Nelson, I heard that you might have some something for me over there. >> Oh, no. I'm just thinking
>> Okay. Well, we would like to know what you're thinking. Please. >> Sometimes I have to I have to think through my thinking. >> Okay. So, you're not ready to share yet. I got you. Uh, so >> yeah. Number four, the board will support the UI Inspire initiative with
emphasis on programs that seek to bridge the achievement gap, adding focus on special education uh equity in AP honors. Uh superintendent wants to expound on that or give a comment to that.
>> My comment to this is that the inspire frame, the inspire mantra should not be adjusted. It is who the district has become, >> right? >> It is inclusive. >> Yes. >> And it speaks to the broader scope of
who Scatteraway Township schools are. >> Yes. >> I will add this though, that last line about adding focus on special education equity. >> I don't think it needs to be there. >> Yeah. Because we're, you know, we're talking about equity for all. >> Exactly.
>> And we're going to I'm >> I would like to strike that as well. That was my something I had in there in my concern about that too cuz I wasn't understanding it. >> I was like is it special education students be being able to take AP honors or is it special ed that was the
initiative last year getting what they need because I'm a special ed teacher and then I was thinking also about that inspire piece it's kind of I don't know it's not hitting what we support UIV inspire initiatives
like does You know it you I >> I think that that's our responsibility to educate the community on what our what our >> but how long have you had this inspire? We've used inspire for a good 10 years I believe. Shantel >> in that community should know.
>> Well, I think that people come and go in Piscatoaway. We have new people. We have new board members. There's always ever changing uh you know composition of who's here in the room and in the community. >> We losing that many. >> Okay. So, like we need to look at that
>> and what is your suggestion with that? >> I'm just looking at it because I was speaking to U. um madam vice president because I was confused with the special ed equity and AP honors like I was like what I don't get that >> so maybe Chantel could you uh speak to that what we did last year and why we
added that >> last year we did uh district testing and special education and after the testing results came back we had 48 students that were bumped up and placed into AP courses and gifted and talented that's where that
initiative came from last year because otherwise those students would not have been identified. And we know if a child gets bored or they don't feel they're learning, they become disruptive in or check out. And once we have a student check out, getting them to check back in
takes a miracle. But by identifying them and immediately placing them in the right classes they needed to be in, they started d thriving even more. And the parents were super excited because you as a parent know your child and you know my child is smart. I don't know what the
problem is. I don't know why y'all giving them this baby work. But once they were identified and they were placed in a more challenging class, rigorous um education role, the students took off and had to look back and more students have been identified and placed
in AP and honors classes. But now they're being given the opportunity versus there's a stigma that said special education, you're in this little bubble and you're not allowed to come out of that little class inclusive classroom and you're not uh offered the
advancement, the higher education learning, the challenges, that bubble needs to be bust and all of the confetti needs to fall out, which is our students, and allow them to be who they truly are. >> Exactly. >> And allow them to even if they go take the AP class and they're not successful, guess what? They given the opportunity
and say, "Okay, I did not make it the first time. That don't mean I'm not going to come back a second time and try again." Right? >> But as long as we keep you clustered in that one little box, we would never have known. So now we know >> I think that we we've attained that goal um over the last year personally. But >> so can we go back to So I'm going draw
us back to our strategic plan. Strategic goal number two. It specifically talks about equitable access for all students, >> right? >> And so when I think about and I'll read it out loud so we all can hear. Maximize resources Maximize resources and comm communication to support inclusive
engagement activities for students of all district demographics. Increase opportunities for equitable student engagement. The board will support the UI we inspire initiative with emphasis on programs that seek to bridge the achievement gap. If you want to add
opportunities with emphasis on programs that continue to increase opportunities for equitable student access and engagement, >> right? >> That that that encapsulates everything. It doesn't make it super specific where
we're like focusing only on special education uh equity in AP honors because that's very niche and that's very small. And as president of our board, I I find it we want to be visionaries. We want it
to be bigger. We want to be bigger. Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. No, >> I apologize. >> Go ahead. >> Just tying it to our our goals. Again, keeps everybody in alignment. So, we all speak the same language. So, I as a superintendent, my cabinet, board members, we all say the same thing. E equable access for all.
>> Yes. At that time that that took place, everything was being cut from special education. Students weren't allowed to take certain language classes. Students were told no, they could not. So the reasoning for that was to take the lid
off of the limitations that were placed upon special education students to put focus on them because they were the last thought in the concept of everybody's decision making. When cuts were taking place, it was always from special education. It was never from general education. So when you constantly go to
the same soft spot and hit it, hit it, hit it, eventually it cracks. That was the reason for the focus on special education because at that point they needed to be focused on their programs needed to be focused on their teachers needed to be focused on everything that they were be given or not given needed
to be focused on and tried to make it equitable for them because they were in everybody's afterthoughts not in everybody's first thoughts. >> I I saw a hand over here, Miss Reverse. >> Yes. Um so to seek to bridge the uh achievement
bridge the achievement gap like I you know I we're taking that out. Am I correct? >> I I don't particularly you know care for bridge the achievement gap. >> Okay. So you're supposing that we should get rid of that. I was uh going to say since uh superintendent was talking
about you know all-incclusive that we uh should say I was writing empower empowering students to reach their full academic potential because all students >> like you know they're not different so >> exactly >> you know to seek empowering students to
reach their full academic potential >> I think >> instead of to bridge the academic gap >> I think also the reason we had that in that goal last year um because we do still have uh an as an achievement gap that still exists.
>> I understand that. But >> no, I'm just giving that background >> just to be, you know, general for all students and not talking about just those who need >> any subgroup. No, no, no speific. >> No, but she's she wants actually to get
rid of to bridge the achievement gap. What she's suggesting is that we just re Say it again, Loretta. I'm sorry. suggesting that you take out to bridge the achievement gap and then that seek um let me see here with emphasis on programs that
uh empower students to reach their full academic potential. I like that >> if if I may. >> Yes. >> I just think that the word equity should be still included. >> Yes. So because whether we say continue to increase opportunities for equitable access for all students to reach
academic potential. >> Yeah. >> Whether we say with the emphasis on programs that seek >> um similar to what you just shared with us. The word equity is essential because this inspire you I we is about equity. Our image speaks about equity.
>> Our strategic goal speaks about equity. So, as long as we keep the word equity in there at some point, >> but the remaining part I I did make note for students to reach their academic potential. >> Please. >> So, I'm just standing up because I I just I'm uncomfortable sitting down
anymore. Nothing. >> Excuse me. Sorry, madam. President. So, Superintendent Glover, what did you just say? Your your your comments were to >> The board will continue to support the you we inspire initiative with emphasis on programs that seek to continue to
increase opportunities for equitable access for all students to reach their academic potential. >> I like that. >> That's that's great. That's a that's a marriage between the strategic goals, what our board goals are going to say,
as well as making sure that that piece is in there about the equitable as well as I I think that we don't necessarily have to mention the achievement gap like Miss River said. I do agree with her about that, but I will play devil's
advocate and say that's going to be done anyway by the achievement gap will be addressed in doing what we're doing by, you know, having all students reach their academic potential. I really love the way you
said that, Mr. Rivers. Thank you. >> So, can we combine uh mine and Superintendent Glovers together? >> That Yes. Glover started with uh to continue equity access to all students to reach
their full academic potential. I I know you're going to clean it up, David, but uh like can't we just you know gel those two together? >> Yeah, I think that I think that the marriage of those two is excellent. >> So once we have that all written out, David's going to read that for us in a
moment. And then madam, we're taking off the end adding focus. >> Yes. Yes. I don't I don't think that that that was in my comments also that I don't feel that our goal should be super specific in um just singling out one particular program or what we're
choosing to do for uh our students. I think that you know like like you and like Mr. Glover has has said that as as a belief statement, we all believe that all students, all
children should be allowed to learn and thrive to their highest capacity. Right? So that's that's what I um I that's my belief statement and I think that that encapsulates that. Now, in terms of the UI, we inspire, just so you guys know,
when we have our next um board retreat, which is coming up, we will review what UI we inspire is in case we all here on the board don't know so that we will get a deeper dive into what does that mean
and and how that relates to all that we do here on the board. >> Okay, >> I have number four now. I I cut a word or two, but the board will support the UI we inspire
initiatives with an emphasis on programs that increase opportunities for equitable access and empower all students to reach their full academic potential. >> I love it. Do you guys all agree with that? >> I was going to say add CTE to that, but
since we remove AP and >> Yeah. No, I don't want any specific. >> I think what you said is is is >> is better. >> All right. So, we have improved goal number three. We've improved goal number four and we made goal number five because Miss Stafford over there gave us some really nice language and Mr. King
uh doubled down on it. So, thank you. I like that we're all working together um to collaborate on what it is we are going to be doing as our board in 2026. as far as Yes. Uh Miss Rivers,
>> we we uh one is >> we're going back to that because we're going back to one because we've done three, four, and five. Now we're going to go back up to the top. >> Okay. >> And go to number >> before we go to a new one. Did you want to stay with the theme of So the first four initial goals had like a word and
then a >> Oh, right. >> So do you want to stick with that theme? And if so, do you have a word for number five that we just created? So read number five against us and maybe we'll come up with the word. >> The board is committed to creating an inclusive Excuse me. The board is
committed to creating inclusive opportunities for community members to participate in the growth and development of the district, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Through collaborative initiatives and shared resources, the board will work to build a strong, united community that
supports the long-term success of its students and schools. I say the word is community. >> Yeah, >> the word is community. >> That's that's my word for that. Anyone else? >> I think that's a good word. Community.
>> Yeah, Miss Rivers. I think it's good to just say it again anyway. So, if we could repeat that. I know it's getting late. Some of our board members who are getting tired, but >> Number five to >> number five. >> Yep. proposed word is community to start.
Okay. The board is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for community members to participate in the growth and development of the district, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Through collaborative initiatives and
shared resources, the board will work to build a strong, united community that supports the long-term success of its students and schools. >> Um, if anyone else has another word, but I think that community really encapsulates uh goal number five. Do we
all agree? >> Yes. >> Yay. >> Okay. Excellent. So, we're going back up to the top. We got so one and two and we're going to work on those two and then we will have our goals for 2026. Excellent. All right. So goal number one
I personally and um Dr. Connors didn't have any comments to goal number one um goal number one is support. The board will continue to focus on mental wellness. Maybe not mental wellness.
Anyways, we'll get back to that. Needs for our students. I I think it's their families, faculty, staff, and community me members. I I think it's odd to say mental wellness, but you say wellness or mental health. Wellness. Yeah. So,
it's like either the board will continue to focus on mental health and wellness needs of our students, their families, faculty, staff, and community members. I think that flows a bit better. >> Wellbeing. >> Well-being. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, the board will continue to
focus on the well-being of our students, their families, faculty, staff, and community members. >> Yeah, I think that that >> I like that >> that that works a bit better. Did you get that, David? >> Just replace mental wellness needs with well-being. >> Yes.
>> Okay. So, that sentence seems a more it just flows a bit better. The next part, the board will support existing district wellness and mental health programs and services. I think that that sentence is fine. Y >> everybody,
>> you agree with that sentence? Okay, moving on to the next sentence. The programs are to be based upon diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. I also love that that sentence and don't want to change it at all. Anyone want to
change that sentence? Improve, delete, nothing. Great. We're moving on. The board recognizes at all times there needs to be a balance that exists between academic rigor and physical emotional wellness.
I don't know if I want wellness at the end there, but maybe there's another >> wellbeing again. >> Maybe change wellness to well-being again. How does that sound? >> You want to read that out for me, Miss Hawk? >> The board recognizes at all time
There needs to be a balance that exists between academic rigor and physical emotional well-being. >> I like it. Does anyone like wellness instead of well-being? Or you want to keep it wellness or well-being? Or you don't really care either way?
Any comments? What do you think, Chantel? >> Uh wellbeing. >> Okay. >> I like wellbeing, too. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Rivers. Uh Dr. Nelson, well-being. Okay, I know that Patel said he's got a thumbs up over there and I got a thumbs up over here,
King. All right, two thumbs up. All right, now we're moving on. So, well, number one is um changing just the two um words in there to be well-being. Um Superintendent Glover, do you like that?
You're good with that? Okay. And we're going into uh goal number two, which is the last one we'll be reviewing for tonight. And that is the district will recruit diverse, highly qualified, appropriate, credentialed teachers and
staff. I do want it to be a belief statement that we want to have a diverse um community. I don't think that we need to say recruit and and and that stuff because we don't we're not the ones that do that. We can encourage we can
encourage our district to um you know be that. Let me see what Tom >> the the board what Tom wrote was the board will engage in professional development opportunities including board member activity uh academic course
board certification. Oh, he didn't address it at all. He just said he wanted it stricken. >> So it's not going to be stricken. I I don't agree with striking it all together. Mr. Reuben, >> is it what you want to say the district either supports or encourages? >> Yes.
>> I think that that's great from our journey. Thank you. >> Support sounds better. >> Support. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, that would read the dis uh the board will >> support the district.
>> Support the district in hot in in in securing highly qualified and appropriate credentialed staff that are diverse
>> or no >> staffer rewarded. >> Yes, Mr. Ruben. >> What I'm hearing is the board supports recruitment of diver. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. Recruitment of >> diverse
>> diverse and diverse comma highly qualified and appropriate credential teaching staff. >> Can we just teaching and all staff >> or staff encomplates everyone else?
Correct. >> If I may. >> Yes. >> Not to comp complicate this. It sounds like this is too One for the district and one for the board. >> Exactly. >> And and so the first line says the board will support the district in hiring, but
then you speak about the board's >> educational experience. Right. >> Right. I think that's why Connors wanted to take it out >> that >> and it's around education. >> So maybe we could put that sentence into one of our other goals and just leave two as our education. what we're doing
to better ourselves in terms of the board certification and trainings that we all are doing because we are already as Mr. Connors would say a a certified board and we are looking to increase ourselves into becoming a master
>> certified board. >> So this would go better with four. So I like the sentence one, but we should move it into something else if we can include it somewhere else. >> Probably in four >> in four is what um Dr. Nelson's saying. >> The community
>> inspire inspire. Yeah, I agree. I think it can go and inspire for sure. >> Okay. >> So sentence one in education is going to be taken out of education and that sentence the way uh Mr. Ruben worded it
is going to be included at the end of inspire. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's gonna he's going to read it all for us in a moment. >> Talking about empowering students. How do you empower students? You hire great
teachers. >> That's right. That's the only way we're Oh, we can hire recruitment and retention. Retention is >> recruitment and retention of these excellent staff. Correct. I think I like
the retention part in there. So, all right, we're moving that down to four and we're almost done, guys. We're doing great. I love this collaborative uh efforts that you are all doing in helping to make sure that we have our
goals of what we stand for in 2026. So, sir, secretary, could you read that number four for us again? >> Yep. Uh, four. Inspire. The board will support the you, I, we, inspire
initiatives with an emphasis on programs that increase opportunities for equitable access and empower all students to reach their full academic potential. The board supports the recruitment and retention of diverse, highly qualified and appropriately
appropriately credentialed teachers and staff. >> Yes. >> Yes, Mr. Patel. >> I need Mr. Ruben to help me out. >> Okay. >> Uh, if we keep diverse diverse in that
then does that create any issues of >> if what you mean by that is face discrimination. >> Well, >> wait, I'm sorry. What's the question? >> He wanted to know if that creates a problem with violating any laws by saying we're supporting recruitment of
diverse a diverse staff. And the answer is if all you're promoting is increasing your applicant pool, that's perfectly legal. If what you mean by this is you're going to, you know, you're looking to hire people of one particular race or another, they were crossing a line. I take this to mean that you are
you support the recruitment and and encouraging people to apply. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> And it's increasing the applicant pool, you're fine. If it's more than that, maybe we're not so fine. >> Also want to make it clear the board does not hire the staff. >> Well, yeah. If we if we take out the
we're recruiting >> we're supporting the district to recruit. >> We're not recruiting. We're not hiring anybody because we do not do the daily running of the schools. >> I like what you just said. You're not recruiting >> cuz we're not.
>> We're supporting. >> We don't do that. So, >> except one superintendent. >> I don't know. What do you mean? >> No, >> we were charged with that. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. Uh so we're leaving it as is as we just said it. >> I think the word diverse >> it has to be in there. There's no way it cannot be in there. >> I think it's it's wholly necessary. >> It changes the whole sentence. >> Absolutely. One word changes the whole
thing. And when that word needs to be in there and and that is a goal of our of us that that that shows who we are >> as the board of education. Yes, Miss Rivers. David just read it please. Oh yes. Then we can move. So number four
again. >> Number four. >> Mhm. >> Inspire. The board will support the you I we inspire initiatives with an emphasis on programs that increase opportunities for equitable access and empower all students to reach their full
academic potential. The board supports the recruitment and retention of diverse, highly qualified, and appropriately credentialed teachers and staff. That last bit. >> Say the last sentence. >> Hanging like hanging and we need
something else there. >> Yeah, >> the last the last sentence. >> Yeah, read that last sentence. >> The board supports the recruitment and retention of diverse, highly qualified and appropriately credentialed teachers and staff. >> That's fine. >> Uh is it
>> it's it's it's factual. That's what we >> period. >> That's right. >> That's it. >> It's not too >> what Stafford said. >> Okay. It's factual. Um,
do we all agree that that sounds like what we want to do? Because once we close this meeting, then we live with these goals, guys, for the next year. >> We don't get to change them again until next January. >> How do we help the retention of teachers as a board? What are we? encouraging the
the >> the district to do that. >> You actually vote you vote on my recommendations, >> correct? >> So, >> well, yeah. And the vote did not go direct. So, like I'm just thinking like what can we do? >> I can't hear you.
>> Make sure we keep teachers in this district. >> Dr. Nelson, I didn't hear what you're saying. >> To make sure I was just thinking how we retain the teachers and Dr. Robert said because we go on his recommendation and we vote >> more.
>> So you do it you do it already, right? So that's what we do. >> If if I can use it as an example, when we're in executive session, you ask questions around >> not necessarily all demographics, but you're asking questions about qualifications. You get a chance to see the resumes of folks. You get a chance,
right? So you're going to ensure that, hey, I just want to know the qualifications. Are these folks highly qualified? I want to know if these folks have done this. >> But when I look at some of the um resumes. They just like resumes to me. Like I can't tell sometimes how qualified that person really is. You
know what I'm saying? >> So then we have to then I have to do a better job making >> because I can make my resume resume look blow like I'm be the next president. >> You know in the past though before a person a person
well when we were um didn't we meet like the applicant first? It was just before they were being appointed. >> Yeah. just just like the thing that >> principles. It wasn't for teachers or anything, >> right? It was with administrative. Yes. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Mr. I was going to say in executive session when we're looking at the personal agenda and when we're hiring someone I'm questioning uh based on their education are we paying the right amount in comparison
with the with the other districts and the answer I get is yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. So that is one way we're making sure uh retention >> right that we're appropriate paying our staff
>> process of hiring that we start with the right amount >> pay is important but school culture and climate is more important. Absolutely. >> If we're doing to promote mental health and support mental health that includes teachers if I'm in a position I don't care how much money I'm making. If I'm unhappy
>> and it's a toxic work environment you can't keep me there. That's right. >> I'll walk I work at Walmart or something. >> Right. >> Hello. >> Yes. >> Welcome to Walmart. >> Yeah. >> Dr. Gray being a a breeder.
>> So So but but we are as as to Dr. Nelson's to Dr. Nelson's point to Dr. Nelson's point, maybe we put something in that because that is a committee that we have, culture, climate, and community
relations, and we could bring that back in >> to that goal. I love that, Dr. Nelson. Thank you. >> This is so great. I'm loving this, guys. >> Yes. Well, I'm getting a five minute mark that I have five minutes to finish.
>> Okay. So, um, how does that how does that sound? >> I love it. >> I I didn't I didn't even I don't remember what I said. >> Okay. All I saw was five minutes. >> Pay attention and write this stuff in. >> What um Dr. Nelson wants us to add in
here about in number four something about um when we're talking about that retention that we will fost we will we will encourage the uh district to foster a positive culture climate
>> within our schools. Because >> I don't know if I said that right, but somebody could help me with the wording. >> But then the schools are for our educators. >> Because it has to be with the educators. >> It has to because >> the educators and the staff, not just it's it's everybody. >> We have to keep morale up.
>> Exactly. That's what we're saying. >> And once morale stop >> because we can put 50,000 words there, but it all boils down to morale, >> right? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Superintendent. >> No. No. >> No. He's walking over with You know,
>> okay, >> where are you going? >> He's putting what I said to into AI so that David has all of my words. >> I'm sorry. I can't sit down anymore, guys. >> My ADHD is >> I'm with you. I'm with you. >> Madam President, I know we only have
four minutes left. >> I know when we started you wanted to add a goal number five to say something about >> finance. You did it, >> Anita. No, but I I think that by what Miss uh Stafford said that is addressing
that that fifth goal that I wanted to put in there >> because >> Oh, I see. Maybe we could add something to that goal five to say, >> you know, within the within our finances or within >> I thought we did that already.
>> I don't think we did that. Okay. So, here's what I have. >> Okay. >> Um and maybe it could just be a six gold. >> No, no. Fives and up. >> Fives and up. Okay. So, where would you want to put it? But the the board of education will strengthen financial transparency
and public trust by ensuring that the district's financial information, including budgets, and major financial decision is communicated clearly and regularly through public reports, accessible online resources, and
community presentation. >> I love that. Let's put it in communication. It goes with communication. >> The stuff is I mean the stuff is there though, right? >> I know. But yeah, I know they just got >> No, but but it's specifically targeting
the fact that we are not going to allow, you know, our children to get any less and that we are going to regularly, you know, give information to the public about what it is we do with their tax
dollars. our tax dollars because we are all taxpaying. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> So, I'm sorry. Where did you suggest >> comm uh communication? >> It's got to be putting communication somewhere. But >> these aren't my goals, but I will respectfully suggest that will turn into a paragraph bordering on an essay if we
were to add that in. And I would just keep that in mind. >> Shorten it. >> I will type it, but I I >> that's my contribution to the party. >> Yeah. It's too big of a goal. We got to condense it. We got to like make it a
little more um >> concise. There we go. >> Although these are not technically smart goals, you still want them to be actionable and and bite-sized enough that you could regurgitate it off the top of your top of your head. Right.
>> Right. So, if it becomes a little lengthy and marries multiple things, you lose the flavor of what you're really trying to say. >> Too compact. So, do you think that's a sixth goal? I think six goals is a lot. >> Five is good. Five is
>> the board of the board of ed. >> Hold on a second. We have to We got to record. >> This one's short. >> Oh, look. That's my alarm that it's 10:00. >> No, that was court. >> No, no, no. Look, I do I do have an alarm. I actually do. >> I'm an AARP person. I'm sleep.
>> Well, that's what that's why my alarm went off at 10 o'clock. It's like, you know, do you know what your children are doing outside in the streets right now? Do you know where your children are? >> It's 10 o'clock. Do you know where your kids are? >> Exactly. >> Exactly. Thank you, >> mine are
All right. Once we get that piece um squared away, we're going to read everything through. >> You guys are so smart. I love that. >> But right now, it's just at the end of number three. I don't know how you want to incorporate it. You want me to read all on number three? >> Wherever we put it. Yes.
>> Yes, please. >> Communicate. The board will foster effective and efficient communication systems with the community and stakeholders through participation in board and committee meetings. As liaison to our schools, we will continue to
strive to support our students and families by engaging in school and community events, promoting long range projects and district initiatives in committee meetings and board communications. The board will strengthen financial transparency and public trust by
ensuring that the district's financial information, including budgets and major financial decisions, are communicated clearly and regularly through public reports, accessible online resources, and community presentations.
>> So, where I see that we can cut some of that out is in the part about um communication systems. I don't think that need we don't need to say that word systems like you know we're using systems right but we're we use systems
to communicate I think that's a useless word >> we put board instead of uh we move we changed it to board communications not system communications >> we changed that to board >> instead of systems >> yep we say communication systems is what we
say we don't say system communications or board communications >> board communications we're on number three. Am I correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. I thought we changed it to board communications. >> So, the board will fost will foster effective and efficient communications
with the community and stakeholders through participation in board and uh with participation. >> I'm sorry, I was talking about the last sentence. Excuse me. >> Okay. I want to get rid of communication
systems. I don't think that that's necessary. I think that's a useless word and it just makes it cumbersome. So I would say David, I'm going to say the board will foster
effective and efficient communications with the community and stakeholders through >> what does it say now? Finish that >> through participation in board and committee meetings. But
again, I I that's something we do. I don't think we need to that's not a goal. Like we have to go to board meetings. We have to go to committee meetings. That's not necessarily we don't have to put that in the goal. >> Like we do that already. It's not a goal. That's like part of our job, right? So it's redundant in my opinion.
>> Yes. >> It's redundant. >> More of the gold more of the gold is ensuring that the community has access to our meeting notes in a timely fashion. Right. >> Right. It is >> not
>> every meeting is televised not committee meetings. >> Yeah. So the board will foster effective and efficient communications with the community and stakeholders >> through transparency
and >> what like and transparency and >> that's why I said you know I from my beginning like I know we're we're rewriting this But we're rewriting it like off the cuff and then when we see
it, we're back to number three. And we wrote rewrote number three and now we're back to number three again. So I propose that we have what we have here right now and table it to review it and then come back to it because I know that
you said that we need to because we will keep going on with revisions. >> So if we can whatever we have now and look at it and then when we come back to our meeting next month or this month >> this month the end of this month it's in it's not long >> so we can we could come back and you
know solidify what we have. So, so what we're going to ask David to do is send everyone what we have and our homework as board members will be to review what we have written, try to uh make it a bit more concise so that when we come to our
next meeting in March, we will have our board goals. And thank you for all of your work and effort in this um working session. I appreciate that. >> And and just maybe we do a retreat next when we're doing our boards. I love
that. And we can have this open dialogue conversation, bounce it back and forth and not be in a time crunch >> to get it finished and >> process all in one night. >> Yep. >> Good point. Yes, we did very good today. Thank you.
>> We really did. >> We do appreciate it. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you, Miss Rivers, and all of you for participating. You are all your efforts and your time do not go unseen. Say that again. >> Your effort and your time do not go
unseen. I want to do this for every single one of you. >> That's a round of applause. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Yes. So, can I have a motion to close the meeting? >> Motion. Second. >> So, we need one motion. >> Motion.
>> That's Dr. Gail Nelson. >> Patel is seconding it. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Closing the meeting say I. I 106.