of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Mr. Ruben, can you please take the role? >> Miss Cherry, >> present. >> Dr. Connor, >> present. >> Mr. King >> here.
>> Dr. Nelson >> here. >> Mr. Patel >> here. >> Miss Rivers >> here. Miss Algato Cowan >> present. >> Miss Smith >> here. >> Miss Stafford >> present. >> Thank you. Hereby it be known that the Piscatoaway Township Board of Education has complied with the notification requirements of the open public meeting
act for the announcement of this meeting date in 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 the scatteraway, the
home news tribune in the courier news. Email notification filed with the municipal clerk at the municipal building on hose lane. This meeting is being videotaped. This recording is not an official record or supplement to the minutes and is intended only as a source of information that the public may
utilize at a later date to familiarize themselves with the board's activities. Executive session. Be it resolved that the board adjourns to executive session for the purpose of review and discussion of personnel agenda litigation HIV monthly reports and other matters
persuant to law NJSA 10 semicolon 4-12B. Can I have a motion? So move. >> Have a second. Second. All in favor. >> We're in executive session. [Music] I need
Reconvening from executive session. Can I have a motion? >> Second. >> Second. >> We are now uh reconvening and opening in public session. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. Let me welcome my student
representatives and congratulations, Derek, on your appointment to that position. I know your mom's going to be proud. >> We welcome you. We're excited to see you between you and Tyler. I know this is going to be an interesting dive section of the high school and all the
events that are going on up there because you two are definitely in a lot of activities and know a lot of people. But most importantly, I know you're going to bring it all back here to us. >> So, here's what we want to do. We want you to introduce yourself for people who don't know you. That way, they can get to know you. They'll know your face and
they'll know your name. And we'll start with you. So, hello everyone. My name is Eric Lopez. Um, nice to meet you all. I'm very excited to be here. Very grateful that I can be here as well. Um, so should I just dive
into what I have to say? Cool. Um, so regarding student government, our next full body meeting is going to be on September 22nd. Uh, we recently had an executive board meeting kind of just with everyone in some future possible candidates as we have two open positions
which is corresponding secretary and our sophomore representative. So we will kind of be having unplanned election to kind of fill everything up, but we should get that peture pretty quickly. We do have a few events coming up such as spirit week which will be October
20th to the 24th, the club fair on the 29th 30th, hallway decoration night on the 23rd of October, fall prep rally on the 24th of October, and homecoming on the 25th of October. Um, National English Honor Society
applications are now open. It will be due September 19th. and the tri, so like the music honor society induction is uh October 13th at 7 pm. Regarding the junior class of 2027, our first executive meeting will be this
coming Monday on the 15th, and we'll be having a full body meeting, but the date is to be determined for that, but it should follow shortly uh follow shortly after that as well. Many other clubs are also starting back up again. For example, International Club of Cultural Arts, ICCA, has their first board
meeting September 17th and their full board uh full body meeting on the 24th. Quickly after, they will be moving some stuff up such as Garbon Night to be moved closer to the actual celebration, so closer to October. And many more clubs are moving forward as well, similar to what um Ty will be saying
later too. We will be having college visits um over 60 college reps for the juniors and seniors and the mock trial team is going to have their interest meeting on the 18th and they are near many members. According to the um the head freshman seminar classes are also taking freshmen on tours of the school
and getting them more introduced so the freshman can be more comfortable and calm and kind of getting used to their classes instead of being scared. But they're getting used to doing now. That's all I have to say. >> Very nice. >> Very nice. Very nice. We're off to a great start. Hi Tyler. How are you?
>> I'm good. How are you? >> Good. Good. >> Hi everybody. I'm Tyler West. Um, senior rep. Junior rep last year, but just introduce myself. >> Moved up, Tyler. >> Hope everybody have a great relaxing summer. Relaxing, right?
>> I'll take that, you know. Um, so just to get back um the first two weeks of school, everybody's just getting back into the swinging things. Um, There's not many major differences within the school. Only minor difference is that our Anthony gym is being redone right now. So for the seniors and juniors that have gym in there, right now they're
just having to be at F100 and go outside throughout the gym. But that hasn't been too much of a problem lately with the students. Um and then to get into the interest meetings and stuff that Derek touched on a little bit, uh National Honor Society also had their interest meeting today just to talk about the
application process and like um help groups that they have for students that want to apply and their essay and get all that done so they could apply to get into the into the honor society and how it can help with their college applications because they also said that not many people apply and they want to
get that number up. So they were just talking to us today about all of that and trying to get us to apply for that. And then also Darren touched on the club fairs and then the club fairs is on the 29th and 30th and that's just when every club in the school will be in our patent gym and then they'll have their own like
representatives sitting at a And then students, usually the freshman, sophomores will come in and then they'll walk around, see what club they're actually interested in and what club they want to join and be in so that they could get into outside activities within the school. And then
for seniors, the seniors are having their meetings with the counselors both individually and as the group. So, the counselors will come into our gym classes and talk to us about what we need to do if we want to pursue going to a four-year college or a two-year college and how to get the application
process going to talk to the counselors and not leave them in the dark and then have them rushing to get our process done and then it helps us and then it also helps them. So, they were talking to us about that. Also, Eric touched on is our senior um college visit week. So, as he said, over 60 schools are coming,
such as Tulain, Ha, Berkeley, Delaware, Drew, etc. They're all coming within the first three days, and it starts on September 16th. So you just go into the app that we call score and then students register and then they get a pass and they can go out and then talk to those representatives of those colleges that
are coming in and see if they like the college, want to pursue the college, want to apply to that college and just get more knowledge about that college before actually diving in and doing the whole application process for them. And then to end it off um our sports are starting off. So football, soccer, boys
and girls, volleyball, field hockey, all the little They're all starting off starting off to a great start getting our school spirit going and um yeah >> a senior. How do you feel? >> Um good. You know, not too much to say.
I mean, I like having early release now, but I >> Oh, you're one of those 10:00 go home children. >> Listen though, >> I'm listening cuz I have one so I get it. >> I was taking um classes at Middle Sex College for credits and then working. So, >> good for you.
I can appreciate that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But it's been um fun. >> Okay. Good. Good. Glad it's starting off great. Welcome you two, gentlemen. Excited for the year we're going to have here with you coming back. Like I said, feeding us the information of what's
going on at the high school, what events, you know, if you need help with anything, there's something we can volunteer at, something we can attend, always let us know. Give us the specifics of it. that way we can put in our calendars and support you uh the students any way that we can. But thank
you and know I know you can now go home. You've done your job for the night. Even though I know it's early in the school year, still don't want you out late. We want you to get your schedule acclimated and rolling. Thank you for coming out and doing a great job tonight. >> Welcome Derek. >> Thank you.
>> And the boys varsity soccer this afternoon. >> Thanks for that update. >> Yeah, Colonia. They beat Colonia. >> Okay. >> Two goals in the last five or six minutes. I attended the game right before I came here. >> All right. Next on our agenda, hey, we
have my president's report. Well, I'm going to start this off briefly. I would like to do a moment of silence and remembrance of 911. Thank you everyone. Um that day is just like it's was today. It's still very touching. It's still having a huge
effect on us as a country individually. And most importantly, there's still a lot of healing that needs to be done that will never feel fully be recovered or amended. But most importantly to acknowledge it. Um give it the respect
that it's due. um and try to keep moving forward because that's what those who are no longer here with us would want us to do. Um my president's report so for October 25 26 school year, we're off to an excellent start. Teachers and students are settling back into their
classroom routines, ready to get to work and tackle the challenges to make this a successful year. A big thank you goes to the unsung heroes in our maintenance and transportation departments for doing the work that too often goes unrecognized. Our maintenance team completed a number
of upgrades to our schools over the summer, including overhauls of classrooms, bathrooms, and offices. Our custodians did an amazing job getting our schools back in order after a summer of maintenance and cleaning. And aside from small glitches that are to be expected at the start of a new school
year, our transportation department did a wonderful job of getting our students to school and back home safely with minimum concerns. and we want to thank all of them for all their hard work, all the hours they put in, but most importantly for having everything ready for the opening of the school year. We
start our back to school nights next week with the middle school starting first on September the 16th. The full schedule is in your tonight's superintendent report newsletter and on our district's website and parent square. We encourage all parents to attend and learn firsthand about their
children's daily experiences to help them start the year off strong. You will get to meet their teachers, see their classrooms, learn their schedules, and more. At least one board of education members will be in attendance at each back to school night to support our administration and staff. And we're
looking forward to meeting and speaking with as many families as we can so that we can move forward as a team in support of our students. Uh, want to thank everybody for this awesome start to 2526, including all of my fellow board
members, for all the hours you put in volunteering, attending things, but most importantly, making sure we're doing everything we can do to make sure the students and our staff are supported, know that they're supported, and getting the best of what we have to offer, what is available to
us. I encourage everybody, take care of yourself. Like I tell all of the teachers and them to take care of themselves. Your physical and your mental health is important as well. If you're not up to par, let it be known so we can pow, get together, have some grapes, some watermelon or some wine,
whatever comes up with the line. But let's just make sure we support each other because it's challenging because we're doing this here, but we're also taking care of our families at home along with multitasking with all the other things that we have going on. So a lot of times we think we got to, we got to, we got to, but we really don't. We
may need to and we may want to, but we don't have to. But I want to thank you for all the sacrifices and all the push and encouragement that we give to each other. And if you need any additional support, like I say, reach out. NY's always got an extra hoodie hood in her. And I know over to the right of me, I
know Miss Brenda's got words of encouragement. And if you want all the facts, hit Mr. Time up. He got you. And over here, Pashant's in the making. So he he's got a little bit of everything over there, but he's keeping it on a down low, but it's all there, too. >> But most importantly, I want to thank
the administration for all the work you put in over the summer. I want to thank the union representative for my teachers because >> this is my report to them. >> I'm sorry. I didn't see your report. >> Just keep going. Go on. >> She gets to go first. I just go ditto
>> for all the work your teachers put in off the clock, on the clock, but most importantly >> coming with a fresh start, a new beginning, and saying, "Okay, let's make this a successful year, not only for themselves, but for all their students, encouraging one another, supporting one
another, but letting it be known, hey, this is Pway, and this is how we do it. We're family." That's right. >> And that concludes my president's report. I'm sorry if I took some of your information. >> I could just say ditto. >> And now we have our superintendent report.
>> Uh, thank you very much, Miss Cherry. And I have to just say, um, I love the way to scatter weight. Dustin, >> I do. I've been around, you know. I'm just going to tell you this is the start of my Derek. Tyler, are you sitting?
This is the start of my 50th year. That's fine. >> What did he say? What did he say, Mr. King? >> Huh? He said that's fine. That's great. >> Okay. But this board is paying for my filler over here. Okay. Uh,
superintendent report. Thank you, Miss Cherry. Like you, uh, I echo the comments about 911. It's been identified on our district uh signs and we acknowledge and recognize this day and
let us all have a silent thought that our children never have to witness this again. You know, we all have a memory from that day, but we don't want our children to have that. I'd like to acknowledge Mr. Rubin,
our legal counsel, Mr. Rubin. >> Yeah. We are pleased to announce that David Rubin has been recognized in the 2026 edition of the best lawyers in America.
Nice. Only the top 5% of law practicing lawyers in the US were selected by their peers for inclusion. Mr. Rubin, excellent. I've had the pleasure of working you prior to uh to scatter away. Really well done. And today we've got an
announcement as to all the presentations Mr. Rubin will be given. So, uh we're glad you're with us and we recognize and value your expertise and your support. >> Thank you. >> Uh tonight, I'd also like to acknowledge
the Tuscato Township Police Department under the leadership of Director Styles. Uh the police department working with Dr. Wman. We've had meetings with them this summer and uh they welcomed
formally welcomed all the students of our district, the police department by visiting the Eisenhower school on September 8th. I'd like to thank Captain Catch and Captain Smith. So, thank you very much and thank you Dr. Lachman. We
had a very good opening to school. Excellent. Our focus with this year, we have three primary areas of focus in our district. We're working on the collaborative classroom, the implementation of generative
artificial intelligence, and the roll out of the open I open what? >> I thought it was open court. Open court literacy program. our administrators,
supervisors, and all of the teachers who attended professional learning this summer will enhance the delivery of the program for our children. Uh this year, like Miss Cherry, we must be thinking
the light. I'd like to acknowledge areas not in order of importance. The sup position of superintendent manages about 22 structures within the school district and the job primary job of the
superintendent is to form a cohesive relationship between all the structures and this is any organization in the service of primarily our children and that can go in all structures. The first
one I'd like to acknowledge is transportation. We transport over 7,000 students a day in addition to afterchool activities and that department I am writing a
formal acknowledgement to them. The first day school went off without a glitch. Nothing, not one parent communication, nothing. So please, they get our children here safely and then they bring
them home safely. Like Miss Cherry, I have to acknowledge the maintenance department. Our buildings are immaculate. Those members of the department don't miss anything. And when I visit schools,
I go in the kitchen, the bathrooms, I keep notes on post-it notes in my in my pocket. I see it all. outside the grounds, the placement of cones, the placement of signs, and watching parents
drop off. The first day of school, I had to come back to the office. I went down Holly Road, which was bumper-to-bumper traffic. The principal was out there directing traffic with the police. I had to turn around and come back to the office. I would have never gotten in.
Never. and uh we had didn't matter if the superintendent couldn't get in. What would have mattered is if our parents and children couldn't get gotten in. So maintenance department, Miss Cherry, also outlined some areas and please be
on the lookout. We're doing a video that will be ready for parents on all the improvements to Pascataway High School. And I'd like to acknowledge Mr. Aloa, uh, who is not with us this evening. He
manages that department. The sports staff get it all done. They get it all the support items we need. She's not going to be happy about it, but Miss Cabis, I hope you hear me. I hope you hear me. She doesn't miss a beat, and
none of the other people do. from telephone chains to communication to memos to everything. They hit it. The cabinet, you're very good. You're highly effective.
I think we're a good working team and I appreciate you. Technology, I'm just getting over the meeting on generative artificial intelligence. Just getting over it. It was about a
month ago. You know how it was six hours. It was very interesting. But I appreciate your expertise. Principles. Principles. I was a principal 16 years. Most important job in education. Sorry guys.
Management and adaptive leadership. How do I move the building forward? All for you. It's a very important position. Very important. And I value all of you. supervisors. Same thing. Same thing.
This summer, they all worked. The revisions to curriculum, the out the out open court literacy program. One person trained all those teachers. Miss Albaneseise trained them. We had
people come into support. But it's not only the training, it's the number of teachers that came to it. And now the most important, the teacher. Whoa. That is the job. I did that for 16
years. You can influence a child just by who you are. Just by way the way you make a child feel included. We maintain their safety. But a teacher has to make a child feel like they
belong. Who are they excepted for their individualization? And then I'd also like to acknowledge the association leadership, Mr. Toma, >> Mr. Gonzalez. You're dedicated. You're
focused on kids, and you're nobody's fool, either one of you. And I was able to visit five of our schools. The high school, I need a whole day. I'm not even going near it. No, I need a whole day.
But I visited the schools. Shore school, Miss Parker. I talked to the eighth grade. They were shocked because as I'm talking to them, I said, you know, when I was a principal, you know what I always told my students on Friday? I said, I always told my students, I
love you very much. Not the way I love my children because my own children I made mistakes with you. I can't. And I mean that. I am so comfortable in Piscatoaway because love is a strong
word. But when you have the advantage I do of seeing children all day long and our future all day long, you feel empowered. I'm a very very nice person, but don't play with me when it comes to
what's good for a kid. I don't care who you are. And this district shares that value base with me and I definitely appreciate it. Mr. Steele, what's going on? I got two letters of accommodation from parents about you. Good for you,
Mr. Steele. I went to your building. Teachers were engaged. Was excellent. Knack, you got it. You got it together. When I pulled it up, I said, I looked at my list. I said, did they open at 8?
School is open. Beautiful. Teachers focus, kids focus. Arbor, same thing. Everything in place. Randolphville, Grand View was able to welcome Mr. Jackson, our new vice
principal. And you walk through the building and our profession is going through changes. That's why you will be my last district I'll work in. Because I want to end on a
note of positivity about my profession. And I told you at my first meeting, I needed you more than you needed me. And you showed and represent the value base of the profession. And I have to tell you, there are so
many things happening in the country. There are so many things that we all witness. And the power of this district can take care of it. The two most in groups I must acknowledge are my students
and the parents and guardians. Parents, don't give away your role. Own it. And if the scatterway, you will own it. I see it. By the way, your children are. They make eye contact with
you. They know how to talk to you. They know how to laugh with you. They allow you to be you and trust the Scatteraway School District. Under the leadership in this district, all other things fall into
place and move forward. So, well done. And the board, I commend you. I commend you. You're can be a little difficult. Never. But I commend you. And your salaries are
astronomical. I mean, zerobased income. Can't beat that. But you ask good questions. You're relevant. You're serious about what you do, but yet your dispositions are humanistic
and you acknowledge people. And uh the last group, I refer to them as my children. And at this time, I'd like to announce some awards. Gary Miller again, third year announced as the New Jersey
School Communication Award. I'll find out October 9th which award he got. Uh Miss Ster, best community for music education. Eight years running. >> Excellent.
>> Come on. >> Excellent. >> Eight years. >> Excellent. >> Excellent. And now I have a couple another one. I was in Grand View. I knew it was Graham View. >> Yes. >> And I'm walking down the hall and I see
in the nurse's office a door that says Ms. Flannry tooth wall of fame. Any child who loses a tooth puts their name and date on the door.
She gave me a picture of the last year's door. It's going to be in next year's superintendent, next month's superintendent report. You should see this. So, if any of you lose teeth, these are all mine. You see this? All
mine. I'm not losing one. Go to the school and put it on the door. You know, if you get dentures, put a picture of dentures and put it on the door. But these are the things that bring a little element of joy and a
sense of belonging. And that's my report for this even. >> Thank you. >> Um, next person labor relations, Miss Nancy Salado Cohen. >> Yes. Um, >> be it resolved that the following
motions identified as items A through F be approved as presented. Second. >> Mr. Secretary, can you take the role? >> Yes. Mr. >> King, >> abstain from B. Yes. The rest. >> Abstain from B.
>> Yes. >> Dr. Nelson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patel. >> Yes. >> Miss Rivers. >> Yes. >> Miss Smith. >> Yes. >> Miss Stafford. >> Abstain from B. Yes. To the rest. >> Miss El Salgado Cowan. >> Yes. >> Miss Cherry. >> Yes. >> Looking fast.
>> Thank you. Committee reports. There's a two committees I believe who met for this year meeting. Uh we have fiscal planning and operations. Dr. Connors >> had a fiscal plans and operations committee met on Wednesday, September 3rd to discuss the 202526 budget.
Capital projects, summer upgrades, and more on the 2025 2026 budget. Business offices processed over 2,700 purchase orders to begin school year. Health benefit expenditure uh expenses were significantly over budget in July and
August and administrators have been informed that purchase requests should be in line with budget request. The 2024 2025 audit the interimm audit work was completed last week uh the last week of
July and auditors began their end of the year field work. uh Piscatoawa High School Anthony Jim that's the uh 1112 building water damage update uh at the heavy rainstorm on July 14th caused
damage in the um PHS Anthony gym the athletic director's office in the trainers room the water entered the building from the floor drains and ground the Anthony gym floor was removed with remediation procedures to address mold and a new floor will be installed
for the second marking period in uh New Jersey school insurance the will cover most of the cost. Facility capital projects just gotaway high school interior alterations. Um if you haven't been up to the high school, you'll see that there's lots of work going on. The work is proceeding on schedule with
minor delays. The Anony's principal's office area is open. Next to completed are the engineering classroom, nurses street and cafeteria nook. Acoustical upgrades. The admin building is complete except for follow-up testing to ensure acoustable standards. Anthony gym is uh
95% complete. Piscato high school intercom PA clock system. Um this is something that's been much needed. >> Um there's two complexes up there in like 9 10 11 12 building and when the um they were connected this never happened.
So what we're doing is um the contractor ran wires and installed the telephones and speakers in classrooms. They're working on hallways and offices. Um, activations planned for December 31st, 2025. If you see the pictures, there's actually when you go down the hallways, you'll see looks like you're in an
airport. You'll see a digital clock and you can see it from different directions. And so that and um can actually be able also to put some messages, very short messages though, um, in case there's any emergencies, anything on those digital clocks or some
space like our uh, keys. Um and um they're still working on the hallways and offices and again the uh activations planned for December 31st, 2025. Solar panels, removal of solar panels is 80% complete. Mr. Ala reviewed the next
steps for installation of new solar panels at Piscato High School in Quivaltown. Uh Fellowship Farms is building preschool alterations. A design development meeting will take place on September 25th. I guess took place and the project remains on schedule for submission to the planning board that's
the township planning board and uh bid period during October um and November contract award in December instruction from January 26 to August 26. So basically out here is where uh we're going to expanding some
of our preschool um classrooms. Painting services uh Prometheian board in installations. Painting contractors finished at Harvard Eisenhower uh MLK Quilttown and Shore August 15th. Um interactive Prometheian boards and
whiteboards were installed at Eisenhower MLK Quilltown and Shore in coordination with classroom painting. Other summer projects maintenance uh led to completion of the following projects during the summer. Bathroom conversion MLK classroom conversion to shore classroom cabinet upgrade at Eisenhower
and MLK. New vinyl flooring in the main office suite Eisenhower. New carpeting in the main office suite Kakamak engineing for sanding and restriping at Nwood and Rendville and the custod staff did an excellent job preparing buildings for the start of school. Something to be
said about this in the painting is that what we often do is that we actually use people that are work in the in the school in the school system. And so that's where we get some of the painters from. And it was also somebody that did woodworking and they were able to do that upgrade um that that I just
mentioned. Copy machine printer management. You know, we're a a big district and we do a lot of copying and printing. Um what we're going into is each K through K school received their new additional copier for the start of school year replacement copiers will
deliver in stages over the next two months and um people are going to have a uh what you call it and you can actually plug into the copy machine and do your your copying that way. You can actually program it um go uh to where you're
going to etc. Their placement copies will be delivered in stages over the next two months. District administration worked with the Atlantic uh tomorrow's office to install new paper cut print management system on existing copers to ensure the new school year started with the system in place. Uh food service
update um this, you know, this is a big thing. Um a lot of our um one of our big uh contractors, our food service vendor and um want to make sure that we're doing a great job there. So the food service equipment, the new short servicing line was installed and was operational for the start of school
year. Arbor Town ensure receive new kitchen equipment, uh, school meals, and summer abt applications. That actually is the new phrase for what, um, was called the free and reduced lunch application. Um, that's what it's called now. It's
called, uh, school meals and summer EBT application. There were 2,171 applications received, 57% of which have been processed. 2017 students qualify for free meals, 43 qualify for reduced,
and qualify for NGIE. Um NGIA, I believe that's the state program that the the governor put something in where beyond there was like a uh uh a certain sal uh income level
and they went a little bit above that income level and provided more funding from the state to get uh more um qualify more kids for meals. Uh slightly more applications have been processed compared to last year. qualifying students are up in all three categories.
But something to be mentioned here is that why food service is important is because besides these meals pro programs is that we work with Machios and what Mashio is able to do with their contract and based on our subsidies that we get on the number total number of meals
serves federally and from the state it qualifi qualifies us for a certain um amount of money. That amount of money working with machios is where the free breakfast comes from. Um, and uh, you know, kids don't learn if you're hungry, if you're if you're hungry. And that's a
great program that we've got going here. The Skyway School District is free breakfast. Uh, an email was sent to the class of 2025 regarding donations of funds. As of August, uh, $600 donated, 230 uh, has been transferred in 200. So
something else new we start is if if um students end up in Genesis with a uh when they leave that there's extra money they can donate that money back um for mealsportation update the 2025 20 school year got off
to a strong start buses arrived mostly on time or you know and only a few routes experiencing ordinary start of school delays um and this is you know I've been here for a while and and this and each year it gets better and better but there have been you There have been communication problems in the past and
for the we had a phone system upgrade and and um etc. But we're doing pretty good. New Jersey school business legislative update at each one of these meetings every time since I'm affiliated with the New Jersey school boards association as one of the executive state officers. I like to go in and see
what's happening legislatively if it has any effect on our school district. And one of the main things that has an effect on our school district and every school district is the state aid that's appropriated every year. Um I'm also working with the New Jersey Coalition
for Fair Funding group. Um and we keep track of and the mission is to keep track of the state funding law. Right now, there is a bill in the assembly uh hasn't made it to the Senate yet on modifying the state funding formula
specifically in the equalization aid area. I sat in on a Zoom the other day and actually it's sponsored by Coughlin who is the speaker of the assembly. So, um, you know, he's got, um, skin in the game there. And we're hoping that as New
Jersey school boards advocates and as local school boards advocate and coalitions advocate, that eventually we will make this funding formula as fair as it possibly can be so we don't wind up uh, you know, no more winners and losers.
>> Business office update. Um, this is um, something that's really important. Um the first one is investment account is you're always looking for you have limited revenue limited revenue that can come into school districts. This was a great idea that through the New Jersey
um asset research management um program Scatteraway now takes advantage of taking certain portions of its funds and invests them in and and uh we get returns and uh we got $20 million in. We've made over a million.1
1 5 million since we've done this >> and it gets split 6040 and um I believe 40% of that goes to our general fund the other capital projects. So we're taking money that necessarily would sit there investing it and it's another revenue
source that we get and um and as you'll see >> I thought it was the opposite. It's either 6040. It's it's it's one or the other. But the thing is that money goes into the general fund besides capital projects for doing this, right? >> And um the committee reviewed the current balance and um we have a good
interest date and that madame chairman is my >> six and a half minutes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. and legislative. >> I said you spoke for six and a half minutes. >> I know. >> Good. >> It was very good. >> Very concise. >> Okay. Miss Smith, policy and
legislative. >> Thank you. Policy and legislative committee meeting met on Wednesday, September the 4th, 2025 to discuss an AI resolution, new policy pro proposals, filming at school events and more.
The committee discussed a sample resolution on artificial intelligence promoted by the National Education Association and agreed that Mr. Rubin would prepare a modified version more closely aligned with the artificial intelligence policy already being
adopted by the board for consideration by the committee. The committee discussed and approved the following policies and regulations to be placed on the board of education agenda for first reading. Policy uh 0174, legal services.
Policy revised. Policy 0177, professional service revised. Policy and regulation 1570, internal internal contracts revised. Policy 1620, administrative employment contracts
revised. Policy 2422, statutory curricular requirements revised. and policy and regulation 6220 budget preparation revised. The committee considered the following
policy language addressing outside organizations, agencies, and individuals using school events for their own promotional purposes. School events such as plays, concerts, graduation ceremonies, and athletic uh
competitions are intended primarily for the enjoyment of students, their families, and other members of the school community. It is the policy of the board of education that outside organizations, government agencies, and government officials shall not use such events as
backdrops for their own public relations or other self-promotional activities. shall adhere to the provisions of policy 3324 and 4324 regarding the recording of students and staff members and shall
refrain from employing professional level recording on or broadcasting equipment at such events without the express written permission of the superintendent of schools or his designate. The committee deferred action on this
proposal until a future meeting to allow for further consideration by committee members. Mr. Rubin briefed the committee on recent legislation upgrading the certification and training requirements for school counselors to ensure they are
equipped to address students mental health needs. That concludes our report. >> Thank you, Miss Smith. Um, approval of minutes, Miss Rivers. >> Yes. Uh, be it resolved that the following minutes be approved as submitted. Business meeting August 14th,
2025 in executive session, August 14th, 2025. >> A second. >> Second. >> I just have one comment to make. Um, that just needs to be corrected. There's a it carried over to tonight's agenda
somewhere in here. It's uh um on pupil services which is XV1 the X is missing. So when they do the agenda next time so when you get so say it's on page 25 of
our agenda >> 25 >> of our agenda if you look there it says V1 it should be XV1 and if you look back at the the minutes of the agenda so someone needs to go in before they keep it's like the third time happened in
>> newly noted. >> Thank you, Mr. >> You got it, David. >> All in favor? >> I have no idea what happened. >> I just missed what? Okay. >> There was an error that Tom found that he's bringing to everyone's attention so it can go in and be fixed. >> Okay.
>> So that so the numbering is correct >> to correct the numbering. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Thank you. >> Okay. No problem. >> I was confused. >> And now Mr. Rubin was asking for approval. All >> favor. All in favor say yes. Got it. >> Okay, it's approved. Uh have a motion to
open public comments from the floor. >> Motion. >> Have a second. >> All in favor? >> I uh have a motion to close public comments from the floor. >> Motion. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Public comments are closed. Fiscal planning and operations. Dr. Connors.
>> Be resolved. Following motions are identified as items A through K be approved as presented. Second. >> Mr. Secretary, can you take Mr. Rubin, can you take the role? >> Uh, Mr. King,
>> yes. >> Dr. Nelson, >> yes. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Miss Rivers, >> yes. >> Miss Smith, >> yes. >> Miss Stafford, >> yes. >> Dr. Connors, >> yes. >> Miss Salgado Cowan, >> yes. >> Miss Cherry, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Policy, Miss Smith.
>> Okay. Be it resolved that the following motions identified as items A and B be approved for as presented. >> Second. Mr. Secretary, can you take the role? >> Can I just make one comment though on the policies on budget on the third page? There's now specific
language about the process of the budget and it also ending up eventually being in a plain language on our on our website. Correct. So, >> uh, good. So noted, >> Mr. Rivers, >> Dr. Nelson,
>> yes. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rivers, >> yes. >> Miss Smith, >> yes. >> Miss Stafford, >> yes. >> Dr. Connors, >> yes. >> Mr. King, >> yes. >> Miss Salgado Cowan, >> yes. >> Miss Cherry, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Uh, curriculum, Mr. Patel. >> Be it resolved that the following
motions identified as item A through C be approved as presented. >> Second. Thank you, Mr. Uh, Mr. Roman, can you take the role? >> Mr. Patel, >> yes. >> M. Rivers. >> Yes. >> M. >> Smith. >> Yes. >> Miss Stafford. >> Yes. >> Dr. Connors. >> Yes. >> Mr. King. >> Yes. >> Dr.
>> Yes. >> Miss El Salgado Cowan. >> Yes. >> Miss Cherry. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Pupil services. Nelson. Be it resolved that the following motion identified as item A be approved as presented. Second. Mr. Rubin. Can you take the role?
>> Miss Rivers? >> Yes. >> Miss Smith? >> Yes. >> Miss Stafford? >> Yes. >> Dr. Connor? >> Yes. >> Mr. King? >> Yes. >> Dr. Nelson? >> Yes. >> Miss Patel? >> Yes. Yes, Miss Elgato Cowan. >> Yes, >> Miss Cherry. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Administrative and auxiliary. Miss Stafford. Results are the following
motions identified as A through C be approved as presented. Second. Mr. Ruben, can you take the role? >> Madam Chair, just a quick comment there. Thank you. Scatteraway Soccer Club B. >> Yes. They are donating uh two
soccer nets for the field >> at a value of almost 3,000 each. They're on wheels and they're easier to put around. >> Thank you. Piscatoaway soccer. And >> I guess the record will reflect that Mr. Patel will be abstaining from the item on here that's reflecting his own travel. So I'll just assume that.
>> Yes. >> Uh Miss Smith. >> Yes. >> Miss Stafford. >> Yes. >> Dr. Connor. Yes. >> Mr. King. >> Yes. >> Dr. Nelson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Patel. Without abstension. >> Yes. M. Rivers. >> Yes. >> Met Cowan. >> Yes. >> M. Cherry. >> Yes. >> Old business. Anybody but old business.
Um, >> Madam President, I just had the um mentioned previously that we would um look into possibly having um a retreat um in the new year. It was brought to my attention that we might
want to uh schedule one sooner. So, um just so everyone just get to me as soon as possible um dates that you may have before November um for Saturdays um for
a 2 to three hour um board retreat. Whether Saturdays or Sundays work best for you, please indicate and email me at the end of the week. Thank you. >> Anyone else? All business. Well, you know, I I keep saying we're going to
continue with our master school board um um certification um with New Jersey school boards, but in talking with the vice president, so on these other things, >> I think it would be benefit if we waited for the new superintendent to come on because then it would be part of that.
So, so the team >> Yeah, part of the team. So, we need five and a half credits to get to 10 credits by the year from November. So I'm recommending that after we have this retreat and after the superintendent of the board we pick some topics and we continue with that and count towards
that certification. >> Okay. >> Sounds like a good plan. >> We'll roll it in. Yes. >> Definitely. All right. New business. >> I wanted to ask May I >> Sure. >> Dr. Connor, >> what's the timeline on the budget? On the uh funding
>> on the funding. >> Yeah. Um it's the same except part of that legislation too actually there's going to be a they want a portal to to say you know when it's going to be told to the districts and etc. So we're
trying to get more transparency as well as uh uh notice earlier on in the process. >> And did they give any overview as to the data or the criteria for the
you know the funding >> the um >> and where would I get additional information on that? NJOE website legislation on on this particular legislation. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Under New Jersey school boards under um
the government relations there's a um you and you can reference the bill and you can go look at what the bill is. >> I'm going I have to tell you I'm going to do that. >> Thank you so very much. >> No problem. Uh have a motion for adjournment.
>> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I we are joured.