The Fitton Board of Education was posted at Burough Hall. A copy thereof delivered to all Pittman schools to be posted and posted on the district's website. Further notice was posted and filed as required by law that the board would meet in close session at 6:30 p.m. in Fitton High School Media Center. The president shall entertain any objections with supporting reasons to the conduct of this meeting on the ground that it
violates the open public meeting act. Okay, seeing none, I think there's some additional seats if we if you guys want to kind of over in this area there may be some seats or additional standing area if folks want to kind of come down in. All right. So, good evening and welcome to tonight's board of education
meeting. Please join me in a moment of silence. >> Thank you. Please join me in a salute to the flag. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Mr. D, will you please call RO? >> Mrs. Bolton, >> here. >> Mrs. Frell here. Mr. Gman present. >> Mrs. Higgbyono >> here. >> Mrs. Miller >> here. >> Mrs. Pepalardo >> here.
>> Mrs. Pope >> here. >> For 70. >> Okay, that's going to bring us to our first public comment. The Pivman Public School Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on school matters of community interest. This is the first of two public comments
we will have tonight. The first public hearing is on agenda items only. This is a public comment and not a dialogue between the board and the public. You have three minutes to speak. In accordance with board policy number 0167, we ask that you state your name, municipality of residence, and group affiliation if applicable. To be recognized to speak, please stand at the
podium located to my right. Okay. Seeing none, Mr. Datus, do we have any correspondents? >> No. >> I will now move to accept the motion of the minutes of the Pitman Board of Education as the date as held on the dates listed below are approved as printed and reading dispensed with. May I have a second? >> Second.
Okay. Um, all in favor? >> Any objections? Any abstensions? Okay, that's going to bring us to our presentation portion of the evening and I'm going to turn it over Oh, I apologize. I went out of door to Dr. P. >> Yeah. Um, if the amount of teachers I'm seeing in this room is any indication of
uh how exceptional this class of uh educational service professionals and teachers of the year are, it's uh um it's it's truly impressive to see so many people out here. So, um I'm going to turn it over. We're going to start. I know I always do this. I start with the the younger younger uh schools and work
my way up to the high school. It's just it's just force of habit. But uh I'm gonna ask Miss Miller to come present um and so the board can see and recognize uh officially um our teachers and educational services professionals of the year. I also want to um highlight that those particular individuals uh the
teachers of the year for the governor's teacher of the year program uh will be honored April 20 something 20 20 April 17th there there's a date in April where um the teachers of the year are going to be honored at GCIT >> 16th
>> the 16th um uh always a great ceremony where we we get to show their lovely pictures that we took while they were shocked in the hallways um uh to the entire county and So, um I I'll turn it over, uh to Miss Miller at this point.
>> Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Congratulations >> to celebrate them. Um this is definitely uh extra special for Memorial because both our teacher of the year and educational professional of the year are in the same classroom. So, I feel like
you both should come up together, Mrs. Petito and Mr. Lovelin. They have been a very dynamic team for the last two years in room 113. Um, they have quite the following. >> Can I just say that? >> Yes.
>> First classroom I read to read to their students was with Mito. Great, great class. >> Great class. Uh, so we'll start with um Mrs. Patito. Mrs. Patito, and I'm sure that I will have some mistakes and we'll we'll figure those out later. Uh, Mrs.
Petito has been a dedicated preschool teacher with the Pitman School District for the past four years, bringing over 20 years of prior experience as a first grade teacher in a private school. Her extension her extensive background in early education is evident in her
instructional practices, classroom management, and deep understanding of her children. Kelly is married to Mark and they have three grown children um who she is very proud of. Daniel is serving in the army and recently engaged. Andrea is a teacher and also
recently engaged. And Michael is a junior at Mammoth where he plays football and a pay raise probably, right? That's you. >> Um, they often visit her classroom and read uh to her kids and they love getting to know her family. She is kind
and compassionate educator who consistently goes above and beyond with her students, her colleagues and her families. She creates a warm and welcoming and judgment-free classroom environment where every individual ha is fostered in their learning of
creativity, engagement um and every day is meaningful. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom as she regularly participates in uh school events and her support of the community is inspiring. Her class uh recently or currently is
collecting books for an organization called Book Smile. In addition to her work with her students, she is also a mentor at Memorial for both current staff and incoming staff. and she is a constant communicator with her families,
her colleagues, with me when she arrives at my door every morning and um is dependable. Above all, she's very patient um and inspiring to watch as a dedicated and invaluable member of
Pitman School District. Congratulations and her uh team and uh co-teer here, her educational profession professional of the year, Mr. Matthew Lovelin. Uh Mr. Mr. Lovelin has been a valued member of the Pitman School District uh
for the past 5 years, beginning his service as a counselor with the Panther Club program and a substitute teacher. He currently serves as a classroom instructional aid in our preschool program in room 113 where he has worked alongside Mrs. Patito for the past three
years. This year, he became a member of the district's character uh champion council, and he is committed to supporting the district and its students and staff, and that is always evident. Matt lives in town with his wife Tiffany
and their children, middle schooler Levi and PES student Satie. And prior to joining the memorial staff, he earned his undergraduate degree in Missouri. I Missouri, right, Matt? um in church studies and worked in a medical
laboratory. He is currently pursu pursuing his master's degree in school counseling, demonstrating his dedication to the growth of students and his passion for supporting them in meaningful ways. And in his spare time,
he coaches 10U girls soccer. He is dependable, consistent, and a true team player, bringing both professionalism and joy to his work every day. He is always ready and willing uh to join in in Mrs. Patito's
out of the box lessons. His students adore him. And often when I often open the car line on the preschool side door, they say, "Well, we were waiting for Mr. Matt." And I say, "Okay, so we'll switch cars and here comes Mr. Matt." Um, we
rely on him tremendously. He is calm and reassuring to the kids. He provides comfort and encouragement and he serves as a thoughtful levelheaded source of support for his colleagues. He makes our school a better place. The only fault
that I can find is he is unfortunately not an Eagles fan, but he's always a great sport about it. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Mark Mr. Matt working with our youngest learners. >> Congratulations
Are we we're doing pictures later? >> We'll do pictures. Stick around for a second. >> Um, next up are our uh teachers teacher of the year and educational service professional year at PES. I'll ask Miss Mason to come up and present. >> Good evening. I am Mrs. Mason, one of
the principles of PEES. Mr. Morris is doing his walk up here. Uh, we are so excited. On behalf of Mr. Morris and myself, we're proud to announce PES's teacher of the year. First, we will bring up Mrs. Kristen Chapman. We're going to give you center stage.
Mrs. Chapman is here uh with her husband, Mr. Chapman who is also a teacher in district um and their two beautiful daughters uh which attend East Greenwich Elementary School. Uh Mrs. Chapman is a veteran teacher that has served the families in the Pitman
district as a special educator. She has taught in grades K to six in a variety of different settings with many different colleagues. Mrs. Chapman wears many hats to contribute to the overall success of our school and district. Most recently, she is a member of our intervention and referral services team
as a case coordinator, working closely with the classroom teachers and families. Not only does she dedicate her time as a special education teacher, but she also serves as head girl soccer coach for Pitman High School. She has been a staple in the Pitman community
for a long time. She is respected by her colleagues, students, families, and the entire Pitman community. Um, and this year in particular, I don't think I've ever gotten as many nominations um as we did this year for you. And so we we felt like we wanted to read some of the
sentiments of your colleagues um that they were in their nomination. They also attached pictures uh which I was going to bring and pass around um moments that they just captured with you reading with children and you probably don't even know, but I have this you I think you
were in a closet for one of them. Um uh Mrs. To quote her colleagues, Mrs. Chapman exemplifies patience, creativity, and deep, deep compassion. She tailors instruction to meet each students individual needs, and daily she
ensures that every learner feels valued and capable of success. Definitely agree. Um, another one was, "What sets Mrs. Chapman apart is her unwavering care for her students well-being. She recognizes that learning doesn't happen without these basic needs
being met first. Her classroom is a safe haven, one where every student feels seen, supported, and loved. Uh we are very fortunate to have you at our school and our students and uh community benefit. Congratulations.
>> Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Mars. I have the uh pleasure on the behalf of Mrs. Mason and myself to announce our educational service professional of the year and that's Mrs. Terry Zobel. >> Yes is the answer.
Mrs. Zel joins us with her daughter and her granddaughter here. Um, and it's so nice to have them. Uh, Mrs. Oel's connection goes back to a math classroom somewhere around 1997 or so in the same building.
I don't know who else would have been there, but it's so nice to have those family connections and those Pitman connections. Um, this is Mrs. Oel's third year in the district. Uh, a major contributor to the opening of PES.
uh from the start. It's hard to believe because she feels not like a par profofessional to us, but like a veteran teacher. Uh maybe that's because of her background as a mom um or her uh background as a skilled college professor and her other times. I wonder
how often we may have talked about the difference in behaviors between the ages. Sometimes there's not a lot. Uh Mrs. Zobel works tirelessly as an instructional aid to support our sixth grade students. Um to concur with Mr.
Loveland and what Mrs. Miller had to say, I think our instructional aids in the district, you know, provide a, you know, video support metaphorically for each of the students that they work with when often some of the others, myself included, are the snapshots. We see a
picture and that's it. We don't take them from point A to point B. And we're grateful to Mrs. Zobel for being that constant support for those students. And for those parents who've had sixth graders or those people who've worked in a school with sixth grade, they do need
support. Uh to share some of um her colleagues uh comments and sentiments. Terry's patience and kindness shine through as she answers questions, guides students, and helps them reach their full potential.
Mrs. Zobel draws on her years of experience as a college professor to mentor students, always asking how she can assist in actively seeking ways to support the classroom teacher. Um
this before I get to the lastly one, you know, I think that um Terry and I uh sat together in an office doing an interview and uh I think that the one sentiment before I get to the last one here from her colleagues that I would want to share is that how lucky we are that she
chose Pitman. Um because you know her talents could have taken her anywhere else. But in that interview she told me she wanted to be a part of the community. she wanted to be a part of a family and the only thing we can hope is that we've been able to offer that. And then lastly from her uh colleagues uh
truly Mrs. Zobel is an invaluable asset to PES positively impacting all students and staff and I wholeheartedly occur. Congratulations. May I take a hug? Thank you.
>> Next up, last but not least, Miss uh Stewart to present the uh nominees from the Junior Senior High School. >> Okay, good evening everyone and congratulations to all the winners tonight. Um, the honores, I'd like to call up Pitman Junior Senior High
School's teacher of the year, Mrs. Sarah Wen. As a teacher of music, I actually started to list all the things that she does and it would just take too long. So, we're going to focus on our top three. As a teacher of music, choir director, and assistant director of our
drama club, also known as a diva wrangler, Mrs. Wen brings passion, energy, and heart to everything she does. She goes above and beyond for her students, giving of her time, and support, not only to help them grow as musicians, but also as confident, well-rounded
individuals. Her classroom is a welcoming space where students feel safe, valued, and inspired to be themselves. Mrs. Wilden's impact extends beyond the classroom through concerts, events, and community involvement, where she creates meaningful connections between our school and the Pitman
community, giving students opportunities to shine and share their talents with so many. Mrs. Wen is also deeply committed to her own growth as an educator, recently earning her mers in music education and continuing her leadership journey. She leads by example, showing
both students and colleagues what dedication and lifelong learning looks like. Most importantly, Mrs. Wilden's best trait is that she's someone who lifts others up. Her positivity, kindness, and enthusiasm make a lasting impression on everyone she meets. Please
join me in recognizing Miss Sarah Wen as our teacher of the year. >> I would hug you, Don, too. You can hear it. I know. No hugs from me tonight. All right, we're going to call up our
SB, Mrs. Heather Lester. >> Take the long way, >> huh? >> You took the long way back. >> I know. >> Was course late. No, that I was glad because they went with the young guys first. So, >> all right. Mrs. Lester represents what it means to be an outstanding
educational service professional. As our LDTC at Pitman Junior Senior High School, she consistently supports student, staff, and families through her organization, clear communication, and a deep commitment to student success. Mrs. Mrs. Lester brings both professionalism and compassion to everything she does,
working closely with teachers, parents, and administrators to ensure students receive the support and accommodations they need to succeed. Always taking a collaborative approach. Mrs. Lester is especially dedicated to helping students plan for life after high school, helping
students recognize their strengths, set meaningful goals, and feel confident about their future. Mrs. Mrs. Lester goes above and beyond to support the school community, ensuring every student has equal access to food, clean clothing, and something
special for every holiday. She organizes our comfort closet, coordinates holiday support for families in need, and leads charitable efforts through United Way, making a lasting impact well beyond the classroom. Mrs. Lester is the ultimate student advocate, and she is truly
deserving of the award of educational service professional of the year. pound because I'm so sick. Too bad the pig didn't work its way. >> I was going to put something in there, but >> can we get all of the um uh nominees and
uh right over to the step and repeat? I think that's what you call it for a picture. >> What? I thought it was a background. Yeah, we're going to take a brief recess so that we can take pictures with the honores and if any family or friends would like
get started. >> One moment. >> Yeah. So, uh, all right. It's going to bring us to our second presentation of the evening, and I will turn it over to Mr. Distress and Dr. Preston. testing clear.
>> All right. Um uh we have here a tenative budget uh presentation. Um just really quickly want to outline the process. I'm just going to kind of give a high level overview of what our kind of goals are. This we had to we have to create this in
short order. Um I want to remind you so on March twch 12th the governor gave her budget address. Um two days later we received state aid figures and updates. So what happens prior to that is we are just making some educated guesses as to
what the budget is going to do. So then what happens next is the a preliminary budget is presented to the board. That's what we're presenting tonight. I'm just kind of filling in the me members of the public. Then we really scramble and we have um uh essentially a
month to put together the final budget. And that public hearing is going to take place on April 29th. And that's where we really put our heads together and say um uh really prioritize the things that I'm about to show you. Um there you have it.
Um, so really again this is the super high level overview. Then I'm going to give you kind of a granular overview of what we're doing here. Um, and uh, just kind of break down um, our goals here. And and again, we this has been about a week that we've had to put this together. I want to give Mr. Draatus uh,
some props because uh, it's it's not easy to kind of pull all this together. We've met with admin our administrative team um, and kind of uh, again tried to tried to we're trying to piece this together still. Um, first off, we want to continue to offer the highest quality services and programs to our students.
That's kind of self-evident. Um, which continuity is a word that keeps coming to mind. Like we we have to we have to figure out how we how we maintain. Um, so we talk about that a lot. The biggest issue this year, and you're going to hear this a lot even even as Mr. Datus begins talking. Um, and we're not alone
in this. This is every school district in the entire state is the sharp uh rise of health care premiums. Um this year we received and we are very fortunate to receive an an which is surprising and
ironic an 18% health care adjustment uh which amounts to about a $600,000 increase in premiums. We were warned of this that it might be a potentiality I mean probably in the fall December late late fall. Um there are districts uh in
the surrounding areas that are up up into the mid mid to high 30%. Um and so uh we are fortunate to be on the uh very lower end of those districts. Now for reference usually these adjustments are in my experience and I know in yours
around 5 to 10% um and so this is sort of unprecedented um for for for budgeting purposes. Obviously salary costs and tuition costs are much more easy for us to predict. Um, and so really the health care is what I want to stress is this sharp rise
is is is really unprecedented. Um, obviously one of the things the board stresses all the time and we we talk with the board and we're sensitive to as well is keeping the local tax levy in check. Um, I was told once uh before I took the superintendency is your job is
to uh raise test scores and cut costs. And so that's something that's a running joke among uh sup school superintendents is really that's really the the thread there. Um this board is super supportive too. So I really appreciate that um in in building this. Um so really the the
the the three real things I want to talk about that is preserving programs again continuity maintain programs. Um that's the last thing we want to we want to touch. Um build capacity for indisted programs. That's just a fancy way of saying we want to find a way to bring
out of district students back and keep students in district. Um, if I'm speaking plainly and we have some ideas on how to do that that we will flesh out over the next couple weeks. We've already talked about this as administrative team. Uh, we we develop
wish lists and we develop uh uh really positions that are tied to our goals, strategic plans. Um, and obviously the board is, this is not new to the board either, those those different ideas that we have. Um, and so we're going to kind of put our heads together and and think where we go from there with that. Um,
optimize use of district facilities to increase revenue. Another fancy uh administrative way of saying we want to take advantage of two assets that we have in district that we're not currently having students in, and that's walls and Kindle. I want to give a shout out to Mr. Datus, Mr. out the piano um
in in restructuring the lease agreements for Walls and Kindle to bring us uh significantly higher revenues for next year. Uh Washington Township will be occupying those buildings. Um I want to say it's it's probably 60% higher than
we're currently revenueing. Um and so roughly 60 65%. I I'm not an accountant like uh Mr. C and and Mr. Draatus. Um and so those are really the high level goals there. um how do we how do we bring students in? How do we keep the
students we have from from from moving and leaving? Um and the the real answer to that is designing programs that that um that meet their needs. Um and so that's really the the the the high level goal, the the leadership and administrative goal of this budget. Um
I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Stratus to talk uh numbers and uh uh really kind of demystify the whole budget process for you. All right. Thanks. Good evening, everybody. Take a look at this myself while we do
this. Um, it's uh it's been a it's been a great year being here. I'm glad to be at this point in the year where it's time to talk budget and and get into a budget that I can help help you create. Um, so I want to re read through and explain some numbers and not necessarily
read them. They're all right there. This would just be way too long. Um, so we're just talking about a few things here of highlights. the maintenance allocation. We're showing another increase going into next year. We want to continue to invest in the buildings and in the campuses as best we can. And these are
the regular maintenance items. This is nothing to do with the referendum projects or anything like that. That's separate. Okay. We want to talk about maximizing enterprise funds. And what that means is there are certain costs that we can share into the food service and to the Panther Club and even with
the lease program going on with Washington Township. Some of those costs will then be used to offset some of the general fund costs. Maintenance reserves and fund balance. In the current year, we've utilized $100,000 in maintenance reserve. Next year, we're going to use
$300,000 and bring that in the fund balance. In the current year, 844. Next year, it's down to 300. So, you may remember that we did do an allocation of maintenance reserve of 300,000 um into f into the maintenance reserve at the end
of last year. This is essentially undoing that and bringing it back into the budget because we see it as more useful being put into place right now for the budget. It's going to help us more now and that maintenance reserve while we want to add to that whenever we can, in this case it makes more sense to
grab it and put it back to use. Okay, state aid is formula driven and this is not going to be a state conversation. We're not going to go through the formula elements and all the multipliers and all the factors that change every year and become what they are. But I do
want you to be aware that in the current year we are 100% funded according to the formula. Uh last year there was an increase of 4% from the from the state which got us to that 100%. uh they do have this cap situation, right, that they in uh they added last
year where districts could not lose more than 3% in state aid or gain more than 6%. And Pitman received 4% falling right in that zone, it brought us to 100. Now, going forward with the formula and all the calculations, their their
formula says we should be close to $7 million, but with those 3% down and 6% up caps, we only receive $295,000. So we instantly become underfunded and we are at 76% funded at this point for next year. So that is a challenge that we
would not have wanted to ask for. That's just the way the formula works. And >> if I can just jump in, I'll I'll speak loudly. You're good. I'm good. He said I'm good. >> So I I just want to kind of highlight this. It's it's as shocking as it looks. Um and so um I had put a message out to
teachers um when we first got the state aid number saying because a lot of people were saying, "Wow, hooray. everything's great. We got the 6% and and it was right. We we we we don't want to to be ungrateful to to an extent. Um but the reality is we're the formula the
the actual state aid formula calls for 6.9 million and we're only receiving 5.226. So h we were I I guess there's a frustration and I we expressed this and we'll talk about it a little bit today but uh Miss Miller and myself uh presented in front of the assembly today
and we basically said it's ironic that when caps when when there was no caps when we were losing all this money in Pitman um almost seven half million dollars without inflation adjusted over the over over the past six seven eight years um and all a sudden now that we're
finally we finally received a health an enrollment adjustment our numbers aggregate over time are ticking up. All of a sudden, now we're capped. So, it is frustrating. If you look at that number um and and in in subsequent uh slides, you'll see exactly what type of tax
increase we're looking at, a levy increase we're looking at. You you'll see in in just in my lay person, non CFO mind, um that that would that would completely balance our budget if we had we received that money completely. maybe that we could we could go to at the time
of 0% tax raises. Um, and you know that's it's it's just frustrating and I just wanted people to be aware of that that uh that's what we're dealing with and that's what we're trying to advocate for you know on a legislative level. This board in particular has done a really good job of that and I you know uh I'll get into that later but I just
wanted to I digress. Sorry. >> All right. So let's just talk about managing spending over the years. Again uh this is just across the last few years including next year. Let's work from the bottom up though, just so you understand the debt service. This is the money that you're you're paying towards
uh the referendum projects. In the current year, the old referendum just rolled off your your tax levy. And in the future year is the beginning of the new referendum. Now, the state does provide some aid for that debt. They give us about $450,000 of that. So,
about $850 would be a tax levy, and we'll show you that breaking broke down at the end. Special revenue is full of um grants. So those are the idea grants for special education. Title one and some other small items that that work in
that's always going to look smaller in the future year no matter what because we're supposed to the state tells us to budget 75% of the current amount into that future year. So that's never going to look like it's growing. Um and then general is everything else including any capital reserve that the district draws
into projects. We do have two resolutions as part of uh tonight's agenda after the budget resolution for capital projects. So that's included in that number. Managing spending over the year. I just want you to see New Jersey Department of Education has a consumer price index
that they issue every year. Those are the last couple of years that we're looking at large increases and the general fund levy being uh from the board from the district 2% 329 and now 352 for next year
primary cost drivers as we discussed these are the large items uh a million and a half from those three items in increases for next year and I included that extra tuition note there at this time last year. Again, it's a budget presentation every year.
There was just under $2 million set aside for those tuition costs and as of right now, we have already transferred another $300,000 to cover additional costs that may not have been known at the time. And this is kind of what happens with those tuition uh contracts as we go through the year. They they
aren't entirely predictable tax levy and impact. So, we I mentioned 3.52 as the number. I wanted you to be able to see that there is a debt component from the referendum project in parenthesis which is a little over half of what the total amount is for the
different assessed values of the the homes in town. >> And I'm sorry just to reiterate that number is fixed. That was essentially already voted for. >> Right. The referendum from prior year that's built in. It's just the time when when the payment schedule of those debts
come due. That's um this is how we have to recoup that from the town. It's that's the um this is the timing of that. So there you go. 230. All right. Let's just talk about the
overall picture a little bit more on what the uh what the district is able to do beginning with the current year of 16.5 million up there. That's the current DEX levy. Uh 2% cap. Everybody talked about 2% cap. That's
what we're allowed, the district is allowed to go to automatically without any other factors involved. 330,000 is available in that. There was an enrollment adjustment because our weighted enrollment, which again comes from formula and factors of the state
aid provided an opportunity for an increase of 410,000. There's a healthcare adjustment. While our premiums go up over 600,000, the state calculates that we have an adjustment available to us to raise additional taxes to pay for it, and that
equals 250. And there's a bank cap of 15,000. Bank cap is um was derived last year when you also had a healthcare adjustment, but the board decided to not use the entire adjustment. And so, what was left over then kicks into this year and is available now. So, we are in this
3.52%. We are going with 2% for the the cap amount and then adding the entire healthcare adjustment this year equaling just over 17 million and 3.52%. Let's talk about that one little piece again because the total aotment again of
all of the levers that the district can pull equals about 17.5 million with all those adjustments in the amount we're using in this budget is just over 17. There's that new gap. So there's amount that the district is allowed to take and
if they take less than that it creates another piece of cap. So those two pieces of banked cap now become available next year and any bank cap that's created has up to three years to be used but next year it would be 440 available to the district along with the 2% and any adjustments that may crop up
next year when you go through this process. Any questions from the board? Yeah, be before I turn it over to the board for questions too, I just wanted to just talk about too just again high level questions. The 3.52% the maximum tax authority I I obviously
want to applaud the board for trying to balance supporting schools and being sensitive to obviously the taxpayer. Um the max uh the maximum taxing authority of Pitman is actually 6.1% this year. Um and and some I've already gotten the
question from not not anybody in the board but some members of the public saying how how are these neighboring districts going to seven 8 n 10 all the I think I've seen 14% um it's because they have different taxing maximums that they can achieve and some boards are
choosing to do that um which is a bit risky too um you know we talk about I talk about a silver lining with the the bank cap well don't get me started on the uh enrollment adjustment I think you made the point too that that enrollment adjustment and we didn't even get a
chance to talk about this as a board is it's just frustrating because it's the first time the state's recognizing, hey, Pitman over over an aggregate over an average long term is actually enrolling more kids than we're supporting. We need to throw more money their way. So, they threw that 410,000. It just feels like
that should be what the state like just you fund that. Um, >> actually, I don't know if that's an angle we can take at uh the Senate hearing. So, it is actually in the original SFR bill that there was language encompassed within it that would allow you to appeal to the commissioner for enrollment. Um,
however, that was removed as um an avenue of relief. And so, unfortunately, the growth rate calculation looks back over a longer period and >> it uses that square third route rather of uh the various um >> enrollments.
It's just it's just the challenge and it's unfortunate but I mean it's nice that we are >> you know >> thanking it. >> Yeah. Well seeing seeing some folks return. >> Yeah for sure. Yeah it's it's a positive trend and again we we just wish things were different. I'm sorry for expressing
a little frustration but uh yeah I want to turn it over to the board for for questions um on the budget. Um anything anything stick out? Any questions? >> Are there questions that anybody has about the budget? I think that uh just for members of the public's information,
this is always a very difficult process that the board works through. Um we've had kind of a lot of discussions within the committee structure. I know that individual board members have reached out to Mr. Stratus and Dr. Preston. It's obviously a difficult year with the governor. You know, the late budget
address this year coming on March 10th and us receiving our seating numbers on March 12th. It very much abbreviates the process for us and makes it um difficult. We were, you know, we heard today health increases of 36% in other districts. So, >> yeah,
>> it's it's very difficult. We heard of districts that have double digit saw double digit percentage increases for the last six years and are looking at a 26% increase, >> right? >> Um, so we certainly are trying to balance that, but do any individual members have budget related questions?
>> I don't know if it's budget related, but maybe when we get to financing facilities, I have a question. Okay. I think. >> Yeah. So, do so I think that we've all kind of had the opportunity to look over this information in advance of this evening and
>> great. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that is going to take us to the president's report. But prior to taking um us to the president's report, I'm actually going to ask for a brief recess for about five minutes. Um so if we
could take a recess for about 5 minutes and we'll reconvene you shortly. Um is everyone comfortable with that? >> Thank you. last week. Um, and really kind of be the point person. So, I appreciate everyone's help in doing so. I was too
busy hearing all the lyrics to Legally Blonde musical at our house. That was what uh we now all have in our head. Um the show was really wonderful and I thought all the kids were tremendously talented. Uh Mr. Pitman was al obviously in the interim from our last meeting as
well. Um just some updates for the entire board. I attended the March 14th legislative committee meeting which um included the new chief of staff, Chris Williams. He is the recently appointed DOE commissioner, Dr. Lily Lock's chief
of staff. He was really great. provided us with some um overview information as it pertained to some of the things that she's prioritizing as she steps into her new role. I wasn't able to make the entire meeting, but I did stick around for the funding conversation. Um we also
had a kickoff meeting for a funding delegation that's being convened by Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald uh regarding the funding formula that occurred yesterday. It was definitely a preliminary information kind of facts finding gathering um discussion. So I'm
hopeful that we'll see some level of progression with that committee as well. >> Um Dr. Preston and I provided assembly testimony today. Do you want me can I clarify? Okay, great. >> So to speak to some of the things that Dr. Preston talked about in his budget de debate or discuss or presentation
rather. Um, if we raised our 2% tax cap, it would not capture our salary increases for our current staff from one year to the next. And if we use the tax cap levy for healthcare, that adjustment only covers 42% of our increased premiums. So, out
of the gate, we're running out of $43,000 deficit just using those two taxing authority. >> Um, right? >> 43,000, right? $43,000 would be our deficit if you added the salary increases and the tax cap minus the healthcare adjustment and the 2%.
>> Right. Right. >> So, these are some of the fiscal challenges that the district is kind of trying to balance as we discussed the budget. I think um to kind of piggyback on your conversation about how upsetting it is is that for once the formula went
our way and we were a formula winner and now we're missing nearly $1.7 million that have been capped by the 6% increase. So that was our efforts today in our assembly testimony was advocating for a restoration of those funds. We also ask that the state um they're flat
funding extraordinary special education aid which we know is a huge cost area and a high needs area within all educational facil educational agencies in the state. So flat funding has decreased funding frankly and so we're advocating for them to increase the funding of extraordinary special
education aid. We also encourage them to encourage to include transportation um that's not currently a line item that is encompassed within extraordinary special education. You also receive that aid category at the end of the year after the bills have already been paid. And we talked about some of the other um areas
that we've discussed in the past from a legislative advocacy perspective and we'll continue to do so and participate in those conversations. As we know and we've talked about at length, um Gluster County is held to the highest level of fidelity as it pertains
to being revalued compared to municipalities that have not been reassessed in 40 plus years. and are at singledigit realto assessed value. So we know there's areas of wealth in their communities that are not being identified on the funding formula. So they are in turn receiving more aid than
they should because their community in fact has greater wealth than is reflected in the funding formula. And so that's something that we want to continue to focus on in our advocacy efforts because frankly it just disproportionately impacts Gloucester County and to a lesser degree Mammoth and Mercer County. Um, so we'll continue
to advocate for legislative action as it surrounds that issue because I think that that is a very concrete, simple, you know, what do the kids say? Like the math isn't mathing isn't mathing. So, it's important for us to kind of consider those things. Um, tomorrow night we have the eighth grade dialogue.
Uh, who which members are attending of the board? Obviously, Mrs. Pope will be attending as her daughter is our eighth grade. Um, Mr. Gman, I'll >> be back. >> Okay. say now. >> Yes. >> Okay, great. So, refreshments will be
served at 5:30 and the program starts at 6. This weekend, PES maskers play will be um happening on Friday night at 7:00, Saturday night at 7:00, and Saturday at 2 p.m. I'm hoping to go to the matinea. So, I'm hoping I know Mrs. Boat said she would be going as well. >> Not the matinea, but seven.
>> Oh, seven. You're going to seven. Okay. >> And then on Monday, we'll have the um Senate testimony. I believe Mr. D stratus will be joining me for this set set of testimony. Are there other members of the board that would like to go? Always >> planning on it depending on work stuff. >> Do we have a time yet?
>> Um I'm in the afternoon session from 12:30 to 2:30. They're never running on time. Um we weren't even on the second page yet and we got there pretty much when it was supposed to start. >> Okay. >> But we were home by 3:15 today. 3:30 somewhere in that neighborhood. We were only at the state house though. We have
to go up to NGIT for the Senate. How far is that? >> It's up in New York regardless. >> It's not too bad. >> As much fun as that sounds like, >> you're gonna pass. You'll be at work. Okay. >> So, Miss CB may be going Mrs. Bolton tentatively. Any other members of the board that would like to come along?
Okay. >> Um I had circulated out an email to the entire board. As always, if you if there's any points that we're advocating for from a legislative perspective that you have a position on that is not reflected in my testimony, please reach out, let me know so that I can indicate that my testimony is on my own behalf
only. Uh, Mrs. Paparo, we also circulate as part of a housekeeping email um our intention to have an ad hoc committee for the self-evaluation that we did as a board. We thought that that was a really uh quick way to progress through some of those details. Do we have any volunteers
for said committee? It would be zoom only probably one meeting to review through the data if I can come up with three board goals. God bless you. >> Okay, Mrs. Bolton. >> I don't mind you there. >> Oh, okay. Great. It was like a game of
chicken. I was like looking over here. All right. Great. So, Mrs. P, Mrs. Bolton, Mrs. Papalardo, you'll review the self-ealuation that was completed by all board members and Dr. Preston on his behalf and the administrative team and then perhaps in April uh we can share out some board goals that you guys have
arrived upon based on the comment talking >> and I think that's it. I'll turn it over to Dr. Preston. >> Thank you, Miss Miller. Um >> I want to um I just want to update at the at the last meeting I I I had met with the council of churches. Um, I just
want to let the board know that I did I did have a conversation with Pastor Mike at the um, Pastor Mike and Pastor Drew of the Council of Churches who we we had talked about restarting the balariat. We're aiming for the week of May 25th 26th um, to do it. Then we have
conflicts from June all the way to graduation because it's condensed graduation's early this year. Um, the council of churches would would probably prefer to use the auditorium. Um, I said that wouldn't be an issue. they they are doing the bulk of the planning, but our job will be obviously it's it's
optional. Um and uh but of course we'll promote it. That's something I believe that uh hasn't happened here since 2019. Is that >> I think they stopped >> co Yeah. So 2019. Yeah. Um so they're excited about that and and we are too. And um obviously, you know, hopefully we
get a good student turnout and um uh uh it should it should be a great event. So I just wanted to let you guys know that I I did that have that conversation. still in the planning phase on on what that looks like. I'll probably go to their meeting in April to to really uh figure that out and then dig down on a date. Any
>> is that Memorial Day weekend? >> Yeah, it's the week after Memorial Day, but the week before. >> So the 31st is after Memorial Day weekend. The 24th and 25th are Memorial Day. That's why I was like >> 24th, 25th. Yeah. So the week of the It's either going to be the 26th, 27th, or 28th most likely.
>> Okay. Like a night during the week. >> A night during the week. Yes. Yep. Yep. Um track update. I see some track coaches here. Um I I I we did receive an email a couple days ago from uh that again tentative. We have not actually had our construction meeting, but I'm
trying to be as transparent as possible that April 6th they're they're eyeing April 6th as the as the date to to lay that surface. Um I know I I know Mr. Datraus has been meeting with um you know the track coaches and some Where's our Where's our AD? um Miss Hess to to
make sure that some of the issues with um I guess I guess the the track surface actually settling um fixing those issues prior to uh the track surface actually being laid down. Um and then I think it takes a couple days to cure. You guys probably would know better than me. So hopefully we get we get access to that
pretty soon. It's exciting. I >> think you're like May. >> Yeah. >> Is there a home warranty with that? >> Definitely. >> Yeah, for sure. that >> um >> yes real mayor >> eighth grade dialogue you touched on that's exciting. Um I have to announce
HSA bingo on Friday night with >> sold out. Mayor Razi, >> it is sold out as well. >> Unfortunately, >> I'll be there. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, are you calling the games? >> I'm call Well, we're we're calling them in tandem. I have some ideas on games that they might not know of.
>> That they might not know of. That's what people like. New bingo games. So in allowed auditorial put the rules up on a so the female members of the board will be there. We did not think Mr. Gman would enjoy >> playing for handbags. >> I didn't get an invite
>> to be fair. You're right. We didn't even >> call. >> Um even though the stitching's coming out of my Michael Kors bag, I could have used it. >> Uh maskers. I did I did get a chance to speak to our Mast's director Sam Gman today. Um really excited. He sent out an invite in invite to our administrative
team. Really excited about that play um Peter Pan Jr. So that that's certainly exciting, something to look forward to. Um and last but not least, I want to introduce um uh our new head football coach at Pitman High School. Um and before I do so, I I just want to say I I
didn't we have very rigorous teacher interviews. Often we have teachers come and teach a class, multiple rounds. I didn't know how rigorous an actual football coach interview It's my first one ever done. And so because I'm a neophite, I actually involved uh Mr.
Cathabiano, who is a a longtime football coach, was in was part of the committee. Um and I want to thank Mr. Jeff Smith, who uh is are probably our singular returning um uh uh football coach, assistant football coach in the program. And uh just want to thank his his
encouragement and kind of assistance through this whole process. They designed a a really really rigorous process. We had quite a few candidates that we that we and Miss Miss Stewart also was in that. Uh Miss Hess also organized that. So certainly really rigorous and um really getting a shot
into high school football the you know the the the intelligence that's behind it, the strategy that's behind it. Um and I don't know if there's anything else you want to add about uh you know process. Just a shout out to Sam Adams, one of our incoming seniors who uh joined us for the final round and had a
couple questions prepared and and did a really nice job and um he walked away with a good feeling about the candidate which made us feel pretty good about it too. >> That's right. >> Yeah. >> So without further ado, I want to introduce uh uh head coach Lamont Harris Jr. And I want to just just a little bit
about his background. Um uh he was an all decade I you can blush but uh he was an all decade running back at St. Augustine Prep uh in the uh mid 2000s. Uh then ran at Widner. Um and I I
haven't researched him enough but uh obviously his resume stood for itself. Um just a really great football mind. obviously uh has been in the midst of some really great football coaches at the prep, long- serving coach at the prep, as he calls it, the prep. Um uh he's he's currently his professional
experience, he's currently teaching at Camden Charter. Um uh pursuing PEerts. Uh so that's certainly exciting as well. Really really good temperament. Um you know, Sam Adams, who Mr. Calabiano, uh talked about, just couldn't couldn't say enough about just just the the presence,
the aura you feel. Um, and really the football knowledge is what stuck out to me. And boy, I'll tell you, between Mr. C and and Mr. Smith, they grilled him. They grilled I you might have think he was applying for the Philadelphia Eagles head coach. I kind of just took a backseat. Um, and uh, the one the one
thing that uh, really stood out to me was that he's he's been in an environment like Pitman and I said, "Look, Pitman's a special place." And uh, you know, it has that kind of parochial almost private school feel. And uh, he kind of could pick up on that right away. I think he said at one point in one of the interviews, he said, "I just it feels like the prep when I walk
down the hallway." So, I'm really excited to have Coach Harris and uh thanks for coming tonight and we're looking forward he's probably going to hit the ground running pretty soon. Um obviously with the weight room and uh he's he's not not too far away and um we're really excited to have you. So, welcome.
>> Yes, welcome aboard. >> That concludes my report. >> Very good. I'll turn it over to our student representative. I got a lot to read. >> For the junior senior high school, the junior high celebrated Pi Day where Mrs. Shyo had a Pi Day extravaganza with food
with food, music, and games. They also had their own academic spirit week alongside the the senior high with dressup days. The senior high helped assist the staff lunchon, which we heard great feedback on. The Pitman staff had a fun time trying to uncover the murder mysteries. Quizo and academic bowl also
occurred during this week and were huge success as always. We had a few seniors, senior students go help with the senior outreach lunchon and what we call the senior supporting seniors. The band performed at Rowan for the concert band festival this month. Also, Legally
Blonde took place on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of March and Mr. Pitman on Friday, March 6th. Students were taking NJ GPA tests this month as well. Unfortunately for them, not me though. Lastly, the
student council is in the process of renovating the high school bathroom. So, I said it was pretty busy busy month for us. Then, memorial kicked kicked the month off with read across America week. They had many special readers throughout the week, council members from Pitman to
assembly men from the NJ House of Representatives, the football and cheer team and student representative Emily. The favorite book of the week was Peanut Butter and Cupcake. Everyone loved the story and the silly jokes. Author Nancy
Vio wrapped up the week with visits to all the preschools and workshops in the library for kindergarten and first grade. You can check out her books in the Memorial Library and Macau Memorial Library. They are perfect for preschool through first grade. They hosted an
amazing art show with 3D art and neon ocean exhibit. Kindergarten grown-ups joined them for our lunchtime chew and chat and they had a masked reader assembly. They are collecting cereal for the rest of March and all cereal will be donated to United Way and other local
food banks. PS has even more new clubs thanks to HSA. Origami, STEM, and garden club are just some of the newest additions. The Maser Drama Program presents Peter Pan Jr. On March 27th and
28th, the school continues to implement the new district character education program. This month, they are focusing on the virtue of humility. Students are earning tickets for exhibiting this trait and being a and being role model students. Academically, teachers and
students have been working hard in the classroom. Teachers have been implementing TPT strategies to enhance student engagement. They are also preparing for their upcoming state assessments in late April and early March, I guess. Or maybe that was
supposed to say May. >> I didn't write this. >> That's it. >> Thank you. >> Okay, it's going to take us over to finance facilities. I'll turn it over to committee chairwoman, Mrs. Bolton. >> Okay.
All right. Finance and Facility Committee met virtually on March 18th at 3:30m. In attendance were Dr. Preston, Mr. Draatus, Mr. Calabiano, Mrs. Pot, and myself. Um, we discussed the items on the agenda with one through six just
being normal regular paying bills and closing out the months of January and February. Uh number seven is the preschool budget and number eight and nine are finishing up the project of moving the board offices to wall school
and furnishings for the new offices. Uh last but not least, we talked extensively about the budget. Um definitely took up actually we might have >> went over the buzzer for a minute or so.
>> It's okay. Um, but it's, you know, like we said earlier, it's one of those things that we all take seriously as a board. So, we really want to make sure we're doing our due diligence to ask questions and to know what's going on with that. Um, so I guess with that, I'll make a
motion to approve agenda items 1 through 10. 11 and 12 we did not have enough time to discuss. So, we would like to table that until How should she proceed? She motion to table
>> motion to app motion to table 11 and 12 off the top. >> Okay. >> And then >> motion to approve the remaining items. >> Okay. So I'll make a motion first to uh table 11 and 12 and then that's it.
>> That's it. That's it for right now. >> Okay. So motion to amen or to >> motion to table item 11 and 12. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. And >> all in favor? >> All in favor? >> I >> I Any abstensions? >> Any objections?
>> Okay, now we need to amend item number seven. What was this issue? >> It's just a date that wasn't rolled up for the future. >> Oh, instead of 2627, it says 2527. >> Oh, I did say that. >> So, amend number seven next. >> Sorry. I mean, that's just as long as
it's understood. It's a scrivener's error. So, I don't really think you need to do that. As long as it's understood and reflected in the sit in the minutes. >> Yeah. Reflect. is understanding that that just testify to us. Okay, great. So then, Mrs. Bolton, if you want a motion to approve. >> All right. Um, so I'll make a motion to
approve items 1 through 10 as written. >> Okay. I have a second. >> Yeah, you can do 1 through 10 and then uh 13 through >> whatever. >> No, just I'll shut up now. >> Yeah. I was like, wait, what? >> All right. So, Mrs. Bolt made a motion
to approve. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. And then prior to calling the role, um would you like to expand upon items eight and nine funding source? >> Yeah, if I can. Um I just want to expand upon the funding source that the um not just the funding source, but the the
process we use for the the office furniture. So last year we had uh set aside funds to redo the the central office. We moved from well we moved from memorial to wall second floor and that was getting reconstructed. Um last year
the um this is just for your background, we had a we had an order with Balia um but in light of what we received state funding wise, we decided to slash that, cut that basically in half. Um and and essentially uh defer some of the
purchases of that office uh space there. Um, and so this this is the deferral period of this and that's why we're trying to order that there for for the office that it's it's it's a it's a smattering of tables, executive tables, uh, uh, conference tables, uh,
partitions for some of the secretaries that are in that space. Uh, a couple other things, um, >> chairs, >> desk chairs, uh, just just general general items with that. Um, as far as funding source goes, I don't know, Mr. Stratus, if you can kind of elaborate on
the SDA uh uh essentially gift, >> right? It's a little strange. There's a there's an emergent um emergent grant that can be available through the SDA and sometimes they go unnoticed because they they notify you via memo. Um, and I
showed up again last July and I think the first time I saw something was October. >> And at that point they said, "Well, you actually have like two years worth of these that have piled together and if you submit this application, you can then use it." So, we were able to put that together and uh we essentially use
that money to offset the PES vestibule which was already in the district's budget. Um, and the the way that kind of all falls out, the domino effect is money became available for the furniture. So overall, we end up to the better because we didn't spend it all on furniture, right? Just the portion that
we still needed to. >> So >> So thank you. I just wanted to clarify that. >> Okay, great. All right, Mr. Datus, please call the vote. Oh, I'm sorry. Any further discussion amongst the board or followup questions? Okay. And um, Mr. Stratus, please call the vote.
>> Mrs. Bolton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ferrell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Higgbyono, >> yes. >> Mrs. Papalardo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Po, >> yes. >> Mrs. Miller, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Okay, that's going to bring us to curriculum instruction. I'll turn it over to our committee chairwoman,
Mrs. Hick Biono. >> Uh, the curriculum and instruction committee met on March 18th at 4:30 p.m. In attendance were Mrs. Farrell, Dr. Preston, Mr. Cultiano, Mr. Draatus, and myself. Uh the committee discussed the
district calendar for the 2627 school year which was mildly complicated by Labor Day being unusually late and the need to accommodate the Highland Quality Carnival
um which must be done which made it impossible to begin school the week before Labor Day. So, the administration was able to build in snow days while still setting an endofear date in mid June. So, I think nice work, gentlemen.
>> Um, we're approving the hiring tonight of Lamont Harris Jr. as our new head football coach for PHS. Um, he brings, as Dr. Preston elaborated, a solid background in the sport and we're
excited to see the program grow. Um, we believe we'll be able to extend the length of the day of the summer program in a way that will benefit the students and staff. The program this summer will be run out of memorial and the junior senior high due to the work
being done at PES. Uh, with that, I move to adopt items 1 through 27 as written. >> Okay. May I have a second? >> Second.
Okay. Any discussion? Okay. Seeing none, Mr. Datus, please call the vote. >> Mrs. Bolton? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Frell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Higono? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Pepalardo? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Pote? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Miller? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Oh, I apologize. Can I amend my answer?
I have seen from number four. >> And yes to the rest. >> Got it. >> Thank you. Sorry. All right. Communication policy. I'll turn it over to committee chairwoman, Mrs. Frell. policy committee met on March 18th at 5:30. In attendance were Mrs. Higgby,
Dr. Preston, Mr. Kiano, and myself. The first item listed on the agenda agenda is the second reading of the current policies listed there. Uh the second item is the first reading of policy 5112, which is a revision of the entrance age policy, just with clearer
language. Uh the policy states that a child entering preschool must be at least three years old but younger than five years old as of October 1st of the school year. >> So with that I move to adopt items one through two as
>> okay. May I have a second? Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> I just I just wanted to add right before I came I checked my my inbox. There's a Strauss Esme free seminar. I think it's for board members and administrators. Did you get that too? >> I didn't see it yet. Um, I believe it's May 29th. I don't know. I'll put it I
I'll get it in our April report, but I just want to let you know that that's the first time I've seen that. It's it's evidently going to give key updates to several of the things that we had been already discussing and including the cell phone policy. So, I'll I'll get that. I I'll circulate that around. It might be April 29th, but I can't I can't
remember. So, I wanted to say it now. >> Okay. Very good. Okay. Is there any further discussion on items one or two? Seeing none, Mr. Stratus, please call the vote. >> Mrs. Bolton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Ferrell, >> yes. >> Mr. Gman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Higgbyono, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Papalardo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Pot, >> yes. >> Mrs. Miller, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. It's going to bring us to our sub second public comment. Um, you recognize speaks the podium located my right. State your name, use residency, group affiliation if applicable. Please
limit your comments to three minutes. Hi, Amy Reid. I'm at 117 Magnolia Avenue. Um, I want to thank the board first for your advocacy regarding the budget. Um, I have some questions about another potential pain point, and I want to um frame them by saying I don't really expect answers, but they're just
things that I hope the board is thinking of along with um other boards and and school districts across the country. And that is the issue of AI. So, I know that the um the district has a policy on AI. I've talked to Mr. Calabiano about it before. Thank you for sharing it with
me. Um, as I understand it, the policy is sixth grade and below cannot use AI in the district. Seventh and above can um with parental approval. So, I just wanted some clarification on who is
responsible for obtaining the consent or of parents. Is it the individual teachers who might be using um those tools in their classroom? Is it the district sending out um consent forms? and or is it you know the junior senior high because that's really the only building that we're talking about here
like their administration. So that's the first question. Um the second question is sort of like along those lines has there been any consideration given to the process by which consent might be obtained. So most of us are probably
familiar with um medical research where you wouldn't just if you were getting a experimental treatment they wouldn't just say this is going to extend your life sign this form but they actually go through a process of informed consent and given the real risks well the
unknowns first of all with AI and education but the real risks that are mounting in research um on cognitive abilities of students on their emotional and social well-being I'm just wondering if there's been any thought given to educating parents um about the potential
risks of using AI in that consent process that might will will start happening. Um and then my third question, and this one's getting a little bit in the weeds. So, I have a daughter in sixth grade. Um I'm not an expert in IT, but she complains a lot
about the fact that she's asked to do assignments for um school where she's required to go on her Chromebook, look on the internet, find information. Obviously, this is all expected, but a lot of the websites are restricted that she's trying to use. So thing even
things that have like.edu as the website. Um and so what's left to her is the Google AI overview. And just from like an information literacy standpoint um I think we're all probably aware at this point there can be hallucinations
there um inaccuracies. In addition what we may not be aware of is that the Google AI overviews from my understanding draw from a lot of the internet. So they might draw from those very sites that are restricted in other ways from our students. So something
like Reddit. They also draw from other LLM um like for example Grock which if you've seen in the news is currently being sued for allowing prompting and then giving receipt back of sexually explicit material of minors. So like
there are real safety issues potentially with them having access to Google AI overviews. So, I'm just wondering, again, I'm not an IT person, if there's any way to like restrict the AI overview, encourage them to go to these other more trusted and credible um
websites and Yeah. So, just any whether any thought has been given to any of those questions. >> Does anybody >> So, the guardian, right? >> Yeah. >> Go ahead. Yeah, we talk about this all the time. >> Yeah, we do.
So if a student is >> online and they're using something and their teacher has up GoG Guardian >> and they can see what they're using, >> the teacher does have the ability to unblock that for them. >> Correct. >> Not current not >> not currently, >> but we're getting ready to we just met
recently about that and we're getting ready to put So our last admin meeting was a discussion we had about giving teachers the authority to allow certain websites and we all agreed it's something we want to do >> because of reasons just like that. So we haven't put that in place yet just for
reasons of logistics but um it's something that we've discussed and we're going to be implementing. >> So as a board is this are we comfortable referring this to our communication and policy committee for further discussion perhaps at the April meeting or May meeting depending upon what challenges
there are. I def I thank you for bringing this to our attention. I know you and I have privately had this conversation. Um it's definitely something that is kind of evolving very quickly. The NJSBA has provided pretty extensive training. Um their county activities coordinator Ray Penny is the
gentleman who is very interested in this topic and has provided some more in-depth knowledge um to board members who are interested. So I think this would probably fit best under the purview of communication and policy. So we'll go ahead and take those meeting minutes and look at that on that agenda.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You comfortable? Is everyone comfortable with that? I don't want to unilaterally make that >> everyone's good with referring to communication policy for further discussion. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sorry on that topic because it's it's
it's a very pertinent and topical thing. Um I know both Mr. Mr. Calaban and I have we do have a meeting coming up with some experts um actually from Rowan >> um who have who who have they were invited to other local school districts that give seminars on on AI. Um I like
the material we've seen. So we actually I think we I think our meeting is coming up. Yeah. A couple weeks. >> Um really just to kind of dig in on it. Um >> you know, obviously I have concerns. I saw the recent Harvard study that actually shows cognitive decline in in adults that use AI. Significant
cognitive decline. Um writing decline and um obviously it's becomes a crutch and reliability issues and all that. So certainly, you know, I think we're learning that just technology is is a you know, a bit of a Pandora's box just in general, right? and and you know, we
should have all known that 15 20 years ago. So, we have to be very scrupulous and careful about how we how we approach it. So, yeah, I'd like to I'd like to approach it. I'd like I'd like to to discuss it more at length in the curriculum or the communication policy, >> but uh I think by by that meeting, we
should have met with them and see see what they offer as far as an approach goes to >> a full district. >> Yeah, we're we're one of the most restrictive districts in terms of AI use. Um, a lot of the districts that are in our county are using a K to2 very
broadly um for multiple uses, very limited um amount of uses as well where we restricted it to certain activities um uh for example brainstorming was one of the three approved activities that a
teacher could use it for. Um just because Dr. Preston and I had a lot of concerns around AI and what it could be in a world where we don't know much about it still. We're still learning all of us. Right. Right. >> Um even in our own use, we learn a lot about it. So while teachers can use it
um for their own needs, um we have a lot of restrictions around how students use it up to and including the fact that as Miss Reed said, it's only for 7 to 12 right now. Um so um but I'll get you some answers to some of your other questions too as well. And thank you for coming up. We appreciate it.
>> Great. Great. Great. >> Would anyone else like to participate in public comment or public hearing? Okay. Seeing none, is there any old business? Any new business? Okay. Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> We're not bringing that back.
>> So move this to be discussed. >> So move papalardo. Um may I have a second? Second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed?