of this regular meeting of the Pitman Board of Education was posted at Burough Hall. A copy thereof delivered to all Pitman schools to be posted and posted on the district's website. Further notice was posted and filed as required by law stating the board would meet in close session at 6:30 p.m. in the Pittman High School Media Center. The president shall entertain any objections
but supporting reasons to the contract of this meeting on the grounds that it violates the Open Public Meeting Act. Okay, seeing none, 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 algiance 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. Dats, will you please call roll?
>> Sure. Mrs. Bolton, >> here. >> Mrs. Frell here. >> Mr. Gman, >> present. >> Mrs. Higgyono, >> here. >> Mrs. Miller >> here. >> Mrs. Papalardo >> here. >> Mrs. Pope >> here. >> Forum 700. >> Thank you. All right, that's going to bring us to our first public comment. The Pitman 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, not a dialogue between the board and the public. You will have
three minutes to speak and is your opportunity to comment or ask questions. 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 come stand to the podium located on my right.
Okay, seeing none, does this bring us to Oh, I apologize. I tried to skip ahead. Um, Mr. Datus, any correspondence? >> No. >> Okay. I will now move to accept a motion for the minutes of the Pitman Board of Education as held on the dates listed below are approved as printing and reading dispensed with. May I have a
second? >> Second. Appala. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any objections? Any abstensions? Okay, seeing none, that's going to take us to our presentation portion of the evening and I will turn it over to our memorial school principal, Mrs. Mrs. Miller.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you all for being here on a uh very close to the holiday night. Thankfully, it's a little warmer. Um, we are here tonight to honor our spotlight students. We have one from each grade
level and also a spotlight uh teacher um staff member. Our students are chosen through a pause nomination that's filled out by our staff at U Memorial and it revolves around our pause pledge and the
characteristics that are displayed through that. We say the pledge every day. Um so the kids are very familiar with it and we will share that with you when we are done uh this evening. So first up we have Marcus Brett Marshall.
Come on up Marcus. >> Come with me. Come stand. >> Come on. I'm going to read a little bit about you. Can you stand here and look at everyone? All right. Marcus takes pride in being a positive role model and helps make his first grade classroom a happy and safe
place for everyone. Marcus has stood out since entering preschool with us as a three-year-old. And he is pretty famous for his awesome blonde girls. As his principal, I see Marcus as a curious explorer of the world. He is a born
leader who is a great role model to all his peers. He always makes the right choice and shows great discipline throughout his day. Mrs. Peron shares that Marcus is a polite and respect respectful first grade student who
always uses his best manners. He is kind to his classmates and treats everyone with care. Marcus works hard to make good choices every day, both in the classroom and during playtime. He listens carefully, follows directions,
and does his best to be a responsible learner. This is Marcus' last year with us at Memorial, but he has certainly left his mark. He will go on to do great things as a Pitman Panther. Good job.
shake Dr. Preston's hand. Can you do that? >> Good job. All right, this is for you. All right, good job. All right, next we have here.
Okay. All right. Uh Satie is a kindergartener. She works hard to be a caring to her classmates and a positive role model, helping make kindergarten and Memorial School a happy and welcoming place for everyone. As her
principal, I am always impressed with how articulate Sadi is and how ready she is to tell me all of the awesome things going on in kindergarten and beyond. Her words are always positive and insightful.
Mrs. Mrs. Himmer shares that Satie is a ray of sunshine in kindergarten. She shows kindness to others every day and is always ready to help her friends both in the classroom and on the playground. Satie encourages others with kind words
and lends a helping hand whenever it is needed. Sadi represents kindergarten well. The teachers like to say it's kinder garden and Satie definitely models that as a Pitman Panther she will
leave big prints as a student. Good job. Good job. And finally we have our preschooler Joshua Campbell. CAN you can you smile at everyone? Good job. All right. Joshua was chosen
because he is a kind and caring student. It is always evident that he cares about his friends and teachers and strives to make everyone feel included whether they want to play or simply be a part of the group. Joshua is respectful and polite
as a as his principal. It makes my mornings brighter as he never forgets to greet the day with a big happy smile and gives you a happy good morning in the car line. Mrs. Rambo shares, "When someone is feeling sad, he is the first
to check on them and ask how they are doing or invites them to play. He is always eager to help, even cleaning up messes that are not his own. Joshua's presence fills the classroom with happiness, brighten smiles, and brings
the giggles that make the room a joyful place. Joshua repres Joshua represents what it means to be a Pitman Panther with heart and display all the characteristics of the pause pledge. Good job.
Can uh Marcus and Satie, can you come back up for a quick second? Can we do the pause pledge for everybody? Wait, don't leave here. Can we do the pause pledge for everybody? >> Ready?
>> Okay. Ready? Pause. Good practice. >> Safety. Always be kind. Work hard. Show respect. >> GOOD JOB. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MRS. Laura Peron.
Laura is a longtime teacher in Pitman School District. She has taught at Kindle School and now we are lucky to have her memorial. Her dedication to students both academically and emotionally is truly admirable. She finds unique and differentiated ways to
meet each student to meet each student where they are helping them grow and shine. Students know she cares deeply and believes in their ability and she believes in their abilities. Her nurturing approach and calm disposition
create a welcoming classroom environment where all students feel safe, engaged, and supported in their learning. She reinforces instruction through thoughtful activities and strategies that best suit individual needs. She is
a constant source source of patience, kindness, and consistency. As a staff member and colleague, she is ethical, dependable, and steadfast. She approaches her work with integrity and can always be relied upon to do what is
best for students. She commu communicates clearly and compassionately with families, building strong partnerships and a sense of community. Families feel welcome, informed, and supported knowing that they can trust her as a constant and caring presence.
She brings out the best in those around her and finds the bright spots in both people and everyday moments. Thank you, Mrs. B, for representing what Pitman School strives for every day. We are a better learning community because you are a part of my team.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> A and that's it for me. Thank you SO MUCH. IF WE COULD just take a brief recess so that we can congratulate all of our students in spotlighted teachers and we're going to take a picture for the
district website over here. So, if we could have those three kiddos Okay, that's going to take us to the president's report. Um, just a couple things happened in the last couple in the last month. We had our hundth football game. Did not go the way that
we had hoped. Uh but Clayton was a very gracious host and there was a really nice banquet um in advance of that for the two teams and um it was really great and I thought both respective organizations did a nice job and it's wonderful that we can have such a friendly rivalry and hopefully we just
go ahead and win that back next year and I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Gman. He is our delegate assembly representative and attended um our bianual meeting. All right. The meeting was the last Saturday in November. And just to give
everyone a background, even guys on the board, if you don't know, what the NJSBA does is advocate for school boards behalf to our legislators in Trenton. The wording of our charter says everything that's already in our charter, they can advocate for our behalf. So we go to these assemblies,
school boards can petition to change the charter to broaden the scope or decrease the scope of something we want to be lobbied with in Trenton. So this year there were three resolutions or this it's bianual. So the second half of the year there were three
resolutions put forth. First one was from Delran board of ed. They wanted to propose language for inclusion that the NJSBA support a limitation on
the period of time for which a board member or charter school trustes criminal history can be reviewed. This was a major discussion. The language they proposed was unclear as to what criminal history would you forgive, what criminal history would you
not forgive, what would be a deal breaker, what would be a time limit on enough time passed before you could be reviewed for consideration and being hired as an educator or work in the district and it was just it was a
dumpster fire. So it was withdrawn. Second resolution was Clifton Public School on language supporting the belief that there should be universal free meals for all schools, all students grades K through 12 in New
Jersey. That passed by a threequarter margin, 75 to uh 25 obviously. So that doesn't mean there'll be free school lunches. It just means that now they have permission to advocate to our legislators to make that happen.
Third resolution was put forth by Bridgewater Raritton School District supporting the belief that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the STEM education should be integrated into all aspects of preK through 12th curricula for all New
Jersey students. And I think that was read what I wrote. Did I cross off my >> I think it was unanimous. Yeah, that passed. No, >> it wasn't. >> It didn't pass. Yes. No, that didn't go
through. >> They wanted that language to be more >> that to be more clear. Yes. >> But yes, so that that was it. There was good entertainment. There was a hour and a 15minute fire drill in the rain. Not a fire drill. An alarm outside. >> You're not really selling someone to
take over your role. I hear that he's looking to offload this responsibility. I would. The breakfast, the the bacon's phenomenal. It's the same breakfast every meeting. The bacon's The bacon's some of the best I've ever had. If you're >> If you dig on Schwani, the bacon's worth it. >> But no, that's all I had.
>> That's your cell job. Great bacon. Otherwise, it's >> great bacon. >> Great bacon. >> I don't like bacon that much, Dave. >> It's a It's a Saturday morning trip up to Mercer County College and usually about a 4 hour >> um 4 hour meeting. Sometimes they get
over a little sooner. So, we do appreciate your service to the board. >> Yes. Thank you. >> We're all going to just keep saying thank you so >> member of the month. You're >> doing great, De. >> Nobody could fill your shoes. >> So, uh Okay. So, then I just want to
talk a little bit um amongst ourselves as a board about January. We have reorg coming up on the 7th. So, in an effort to consolidate, you know, meetings, we're going to have reorg and then we'll take a recess and then we'll have a board retreat immediately following. And um this is the Iono has graciously
agreed to do ethics training. Ladies, you do not have to attend that meeting if you do not want to. It's just a swearing in and then it'll be a board retreat um of those kind of things. So it will talk about um Mrs. HBI owner will do the ethics training that she thinks is most pertinent. We obviously
sign our ethics code of conducts that evening. Um you receive, you know, demonstrating that you're in receipt of the information that is required by statute. um so that it's accurately reflected in our meeting minutes primarily for TU staff amongst other things but this will be a more nuanced training so maybe allegedly how's that
no she does a great job and Mrs. Mrs. Pabardo and I met this weekend and we will um try to nail down committees. We're just going to have to jig around um schedules and take a look and see what folks can meet and >> in January we change what committees
>> we don't have to, but yeah, it just really depends upon availability and interest. We have the survey results from previously when we thought we were going to have to jig them around early, but >> I think we should we should be able to get things lined up pretty quickly. We should probably do a selfie vow. >> Oh yeah. >> Some point soon.
>> And they were redoing the selfie vow on the NDS. Do you know if it's done? >> I don't know. Last. I saw we got an email saying that they were working on it. >> Okay. On and right. Okay. >> So that's on my radar. >> Okay. Perfect. Mardo has that. And then the last thing I just want to notify
board members, our Chromebooks are um no longer no longer to date. >> They're old. >> They're old. Um so we all are. we all want. >> So, we are going So, we need to bring our Chromebooks on the 7th and be
prepared for Joe um to issue us new Chromebooks and turn these in. >> But it works. >> I agree. >> What about our pipes? >> It's a security room. >> Security. >> If it's not broke, don't fix it. >> He's telling you it is. >> Pardon? >> He's telling you if it broke it, but Joe
is saying that. >> All right. So, it is security risk. So, we'll turn those over so that we can have the most protected laptops and I'll turn it over to Dr. Preston for the superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. Miller. Um, they have >> I don't know if you I don't even know why I'm broadcasting this, but I I was
I'm I'm doing it as a man of my word. Um, I did make a bet with the superintendent of Clayton. Um, under under some questionable circumstances. We were down at the school board's convention and I don't but I'm going to be a man of my >> sure how it got away from you >> that that we would beat Clayton and we
lost to Clayton in the 100th game. Um the bet was that I would have to sing um at a Clay that the losing superintendent would have to sing at the neighboring uh school district's uh next board meeting. Um the our reorg is the same night as ours. Their January board meeting is
also their reorg. So to February 10th I will be singing. Hopefully I'll get some backup from the choir. I have to sing I have to sing the Clayton alma mater with a Clayton jersey on. So I would like any support from Pittman people. I can >> public meeting I would like some support
backup singers. Anybody that can sing you know you made that you made >> I would appreciate it. >> You should bring the >> We were really anticipating not Mr. K singing here. So, we really didn't expect this, but >> I think there was some over.
>> I was I was peer pressured that night by Mr. K. My he's he's the senior ranking member of our superintendent group. So, >> I will say strong personality. Yes. Very strong. >> But to your benefit, they do not live stream their meetings. So, it will be relying upon members of the public and
staff to record. >> Do not come actually. >> Um, so yes, that was again a wonderful game. Obviously, hats off to uh Miss Hess um our um our athletic director first year um really worked with Mr. Antelli, Dan Antonelli, the AD at at
Clayton to to really put on a show that the the sweatshirts were sold out halfway through the first quarter. So, hopefully there's more of those that to come. I'd like to get one of those. The coins were really nice. Everything was done really nice. Um so, hats off to everybody who was a part of that. Um
thank you uh Mr. Calabiano for filling in in the November meeting. I had to I had to take care of some things on the home front. I really appreciate that. It was the last second. I really appreciate that. Board, thank you for your understanding of that as well. >> He did me some bets. >> Yeah. Um just a couple things that I want to
let the board know. We had our mid-year budget review with the county today. That was myself, Mr. Draatis, Mr. Katabiano, Mr. Morris. Uh we met with all the county officials up on Bud Boulevard. Um, we kind of out, you know, laid out exactly our plans for for uh
next year, where we see ourselves, kind of, you know, our hopes, uh, for the budget. I I, you know, we we point to Miss Miller for legislative advocacy. Um, Mr. uh, Mr. Joy, who's the county BA, knows Miss Miller very well. Um, he said he's hopeful. He's cautiously
optimistic. U, no, he's he very he very much he very much appreciates her uh her expertise. Um, but he is, I would say, cautiously optimistic. What do you say about um certain some of the things that will rem will likely remain in place this budget season? Uh for instance, the
3% and 6% caps on decreases versus increases. >> Um so we're again we're cautiously optimistic. Our numbers are holding steady. Um ASSA was just completed today, so we'll have a better understanding probably January. We've started the budget stuff with with principles as well. Our last uh
administrator's meeting we started talking about getting the budget ready. our wish list items which are extensive. Um but uh again cautiously optimistic is is the tone right now. Um >> so we will have legislative advocacy season and starting again in January for any members of the board. Just to
interject I apologize um who would like to attend those budget hearings. We'll have the assembly and senate budget hearings. There are some pending items of legislation that are currently um going to fall off in lame duck but or didn't get through in lame duck but um are definitely conversation starters as it pertains to the funding formula. The
one that seems to have the most traction was the special education task force, but there's still no task force being created for the funding formula. So, we just want to kind of keep an eye. >> Did we Did everybody get a copy of this or did you just send it to me in April and Stacy? >> You got this.
>> This was the task force for the fund the funding. No, this was just a separate panel. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, there was no legislative um there was there were there was legislation. and Senator Gopal had set forth legislation that or sponsored bills to
have a task force, but it was okay. >> No, but it didn't get carried through. >> Got it. Okay. >> So, there was no sister bill in the assembly and he's just going to get enough traction. >> That's what it was. Okay. Thanks for clarifying that. >> Um, yeah. So, that was um that was kind of again, Mr. Cathabiano outlined some
of our our curriculum instruction goals. Kind of reminded the the group up there that that's really what we do here is curriculum instruction. And uh I think you did a really good job of that. You know, you know, we're always focused on instruction and focused on what's best for kids. And so uh if you have what's
>> uh yes, in the agenda, I I do want to mention a couple things I want to mention from the agenda just just to point out to you. Uh and for Miss Bolton's sake, I don't want to steal your thunder, but um I I don't I'm sorry I'm already singing you out. I did there there is a new throwback logo that we're
approving tonight and I it's specifically a throwback logo. We are eventually going to curate a list of of of throwback and modern branded images for Pitman that the district can can use and curate. Um and I think Miss Bolton really kind of we talked about that in
committee last week and I thought it was really good. But that's one item I want to highlight. The other item I want to highlight is um item seven motion to approve the contract with Encourse. Um I know some teachers have been involved. The the power users have been involved. Right now we are uh partnered with with
P school. Parents in the audience know what P school is. We are planning to move in September of 26 to a platform called Encourse. They are a local New Jersey outfit um a student information system that um you know I've used before, Mr. Calabiano has used before. I
know some people on on members of the board have used before. uh it's going to be a actually a fairly drastic cost savings to to the district. Um but we the cost saving really wasn't the reason to do it. It's just a better product. Um it's going to replace quite a bit of our
um different existing platforms, really house everything under one uh umbrella. And so certainly applaud you for your work and really kind of getting everybody on on the same page with that. Yeah. So thanks for reminding me about that. Um lastly, I want to talk about the teachers of the year. Um well
actually two more things. Teachers of the year memorial just to congratulate everybody. Miss Petito and Mr. Loveland. Uh two really deserve I mean everybody's super deserving but uh Miss Petito, Mr. Loveland. Uh they're so welcoming too. I think I've been in there about five times this year just to read to that
class and they're just such a just sweetheart of of teachers and people and we're just excited to have them uh here at Memorial PES. Uh Mrs. Chapman. Uh little story with Miss Chapman. I had observed her about I I had not known that she was named teacher of the year and I observed her for the
first time in in my tenure in Pitman. And I went back down to Miss Mason, the principal at PES, and I said, "Miss Chapman is unbelievable." And she said, "She's our teacher of the year. Don't say anything." And I said, "I I I could see it. It was really really just an exceptional lesson, and she has, you know, some of some students with
challenges in there." And uh she just loves those students. And uh I that you know I just it it kind of warmed my heart to be in that room and uh uh see what she does on a daily basis for our students. Um some of some of whom are are most uh vulnerable. Um Mrs. Zobel
was our instructional aid. Um again just a just a just a warm, caring, loving human being. Just um kids love her. Uh you should have seen that they did a walk walkthrough of the building. uh they they the the teachers of the year and the instrual aid of the year walked
around and all the all the kids came out into the hallway and clapped for them and it was just a warming scene. Uh at the junior senior high school, Mrs. Wen, formerly Mrs. Nickel, was named our teacher of the year. She's uh I didn't do that so she'd provide me a choir for February. That happened long before that
bet was made. But uh certainly super deserving and uh we announced that last night as well to the uh at the senior high concert. And Mrs. Heather Lester was our uh educational services professional of the year as well. Um so congratulations to everybody there. Um last thing I want to point out, I I want
to thank our student reps. Um sometimes uh they they come once a month to my office the the day before the board meeting. We talk about their report, their work on social media, and really kind of highlight some other things that we've been doing. I I I really try to pick their brain. Um you I was a teacher
for a long time. I was a building level administrator and um sometimes when you're in this role you're you're you're out doing other things. You're out with maybe the Rotary and you're you're at a legislative advocacy session and sometimes I feel like it's it's a good way to connect and really appreciate you guys kind of uh humoring my questions. I
I ask them a bunch of questions and I kind of change it up each month but I give them some hard ones. I I a couple ones that I read. I said, "Where do you feel student voice is strongest at Pitman and where do you think it needs to be strengthened?" I won't share the responses but this is good. it informs my my my whole entire practice here. I
said, can you share an example from this year when student input led to a real change? >> Um, if that hasn't happened, where should student voice have more influence? This is great information for me to collaborate in our administrative teams when I meet with the uh high school junior junior senior high school staff. What conditions at Pitman help
students feel engaged, confident, and willing to speak up? And what makes it harder to share honest feedback? Um, and lastly, how can I and the board of education be more meaningfully involved with student leadership such as student council or other student groups? So, I really appreciate you guys um kind of giving that feedback and insight to to me and I share that with the board and
it really does inform our practice and I was glad to hear some of your responses where that these things are actually happening. It's it's certainly and I certainly see it too but sometimes it's good to just ask but really appreciate you guys taking your time out of your day to come and and and do that and I know you have senioritis and all that too but it's it's great to have you
there. So, um that's all I have. That concludes my report. >> Okay. >> Zero HIPS, zero reported hibs and zero confirmed hibs. So, we're still >> okay. >> Steady. >> Thank you. All right. And actually, I will turn it over to our student representative. >> Um, for the Pitman Junior Senior High
School, uh, the band and choir students played in their winter concert. The junior high band played on in their winter concert on December 8th and the senior high music department performed at their winter concert last night. Um, Sad Club also collected socks for the Happy Feet sock drive, which is being
donated to the homeless shelter. Student Council sponsored a CHOP PJ fundraiser and the students enjoyed spending the day in their PJs for a good cause where everybody donated a dollar or more to wear their PJs that day. Um they also sponsored a Toys for Tots donation on
behalf of the Marine Corps Reserve. >> I think that raised $400. >> Yeah, we raised $400. >> Um and the toys for toxination was also a huge success. the when I saw it like the bin was all the way full. So, um and
then all the winter sports have started and we also have a holiday door decorating competition for home rooms, which is like new for me at least. I don't remember doing that, but the pin pitch is sponsoring that. And um the
school play for the for the spring is being announced on Friday. Um, and lastly, we have a long uh winter spirit week this year going from the dates December 15th to 23rd, which can be found on the Pitman Junior Senior High School Instagram. >> Abby, do you have the Sorry. Do you have
the options for the play, by the way, just so the board knows? I know you you rattled a couple off. >> Did they remove two? >> Yeah, which four total, right? It's a hot topic. >> So, now now it's down to Mean Girls, Adam's Family, Foot Loose, Legally Blonde, and Annie.
have put up a bunch of options and has been removing two each day. >> Didn't they just do it? Didn't they did Annie recently, didn't they? >> Yeah. I don't think they're going to be able to do Annie because aren't they doing it at the um >> Didn't you say something >> on off Broadway? >> They can't. So, I think Annie might be
>> But I feel like a lot of people don't know that. So, that they probably just put it up there. I I doubt >> you can't dance. I don't know the factual logistics of it. I just >> mean girls, Steve. I don't know. >> We wear pink.
>> Okay. Um at the elementary school, they started off the month with the fifth and sixth grade winter concert, which highlighted the band and the musical talents of their oldest students. Following that, second, third, and fourth graders sang at their winter concert, which took place on December uh December 12th.
Um they also had a chop PJ fundraiser and raised almost $500, so they beat us out on that. Teachers are um getting in the spirit by jazzing up their classroom doors for their annual holiday door decorating contest. The Masters program
is excited to have auditions on tomorrow, the 18th, for their Peter Pan Jr. musical. And um Miss Rodie is hosting Miss Rodie and Miss Young are hosting the cooking club. The whole school is doing an
amazing job with the new district character education program. This month they focused on justice and students are earning tickets for exhibiting this trait and being role models role model students. Uh for memorial all the grades visited the Edelman Planetarium for
their winter light show. They enjoyed the bus ride with their classmates and learning about the winter sky at night. They also got the opportunity to paint ceramic ornaments from Fahrenheit in town. Learned about how they will be put into the kiln to brighten the colors. Um, and that was a fan favorite, too.
They are preparing for their winter concert and practicing their songs and decorating the APR with winter art. They will also be visited by the high school choir and band later this month to hear holiday carols. >> Thank you. All right. So, Abby, you
weren't always a Pitman student, right? You trans. So, were is the best part of field trips the bus for you, Emily? Because my kids like Pitman kids love a bus. Yeah, >> because it's such a novelty. >> I went on the Hershey uh trip. >> You went on and it was like it's like a huge deal. >> Hershey was like the big part of that
though. Like I feel like and at the end of the day, we all like slept on the bus cuz we were so tired. It was like an all day thing. But I also like never took the bus when I went to Kingsley. >> Okay. Yeah. I just know that even when my kids were really little, like the mention of a bus for a field trip was >> Yeah. the bus when we were younger. Like they were that's all they needed to
hear. You could take them anywhere. >> School. Even if they went to Duffields, >> it was the bus that was the hit. >> Yeah. They couldn't wait. >> And I was excited. I just want to mention as a course concert that it snowed on stage. It was really great to see the kids' faces when the snow came out cuz they weren't expecting it.
>> They were surprised. >> It was really It was nice to get Yeah. You know, they're those older kids, it's hard to get them, >> right? >> That was Miss Stewart conspiring with Mr. Hickn. Wow. >> I saw Miss Michael during the holiday carol. She like she like turned around and was like and then I was like oh and
then and then the snow came falling. >> It was really cute. That was great. >> All right. It's going to take us to finance and facilitation curriculum and instruction committee. M >> Oh, I I didn't correct it. I'm sorry. Finance facilities committee. >> I was going to say wait a second.
>> I It's my It's my type of Oh. Oh, that's right. I was wondering when I read that. >> I'm sorry. I apologize. That's my error. >> I was unable to attend the meeting this month. So, Mrs. Miller filled in. >> I didn't edit my report very well, apparently. >> Okay. >> Committee members in attendance were superintendent Dr. Robert Preston,
business administrator Mr. Christopher Datus, and board members April Miller, and my renowned colleague Rebecca Higgby. Iono. >> Discussion items. We're agenda review. And hold on. Turn your computer. >> The finance committee met on December
10th, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. I gave the attendance. Committee discussed the agenda items, including the pool rental increase from $8,80.50 last year to $8,800 this year. We discussed the referendum projects in greater detail, including the bids for
the PES bathrooms. Mr. Draatus was able to award a bid and did receive competitive bids. We have other projects out for RFP or will shortly. Mr. Datus also discussed the timeline for various projects including some work which may
begin in the spring as long as it's not disruptive to students or staff. Mr. Draatus reported on the audit findings available online at the Department of Education website. There were no major findings or corrections. So congratulations to our entire
business office. The committee discussed Mr. Dstratus' recommendations for capital reserve funds, Panther Club, and food services accounts, and also shared with us the change in our online payment provider, Breatewheel, the separation of funds for non-resident tuition, student
payments, and Panther Club payments. committee discussed the ongoing negotiations for the lease for Wall School and worked through various components of the agreement including the use of the all-purpose room for our own town wreck purposes. Finally, we discussed the scoreboard project at
Alcion Lake that is being done in partnership with the municipality. With that, I move items 1 through 10 for what? Yes. Oh, >> okay. All right. May I have a second?
second. >> Okay. Any discussion? Actually, I do know we have some discussion items. I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Datus first. >> Okay. Yeah. So, uh the audit report is on the agenda for approval. So, I just want to give a quick overview on that. It's it's completely done and we have
the link there where you can find it if you want to look at the whole report. I have one with me here if you want to take a quick look. Um but to follow up there there are two motions that happen procedurally in June related to the reserves where you do a motion and you say we're going to approve up to a
certain amount to be transferred into the capital and maintenance two separate motions and that's something you would do every June but you don't know at the moment you don't know in that moment until you get through the audit and then you can see where your fund balances are and so that's one thing that comes out
of this and we were able to move 600,000 into capital reserve which was what you motioned for and then on maintenance reserve we move 400,000. So this is kind of like the completion of what happens in June. Um and we were able to uh continue a solid and stabilized fund
balance. We want to continue to maintain that. Uh food service made some equipment purchases last year but they still maintained a good net uh position and Panther Club as well is in a nice positive position this year. So that is the report. >> Wonderful. Thank you.
>> Is this from last June or >> Yeah. So last June >> this closes out. >> I don't get to live in the present. I live in the past. >> I was just making sure cuz I was like >> now I'm doing the budget for next year. So >> there's no carpet dem.
>> It's a testament to the business office that you know to have no audit findings. It's really great. That's wonderful. >> And do we need discussion on that one or we're good? We can just >> we can we can revise it and ratify next month. >> Okay. Well, no, let's just leave it and
leave it. Yeah. and then we'll go from there. Okay. So, any further discussion on financing facilities? Okay. Seeing none, Mr. Data, please call the the vote. >> Mrs. Bolton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Frell, >> yes. >> Mr. Gman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Higgbyono, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Papalardo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Pope, >> yes. >> Mrs. Miller, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Okay, that's going to take it over to curriculum instruction, and I will turn it over to our chair, Mrs. Bolt. All right. The curriculum and
instruction committee met on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 at 4:30. The meeting lasted an hour. In attendance were Dr. Preston, Mr. Calviano, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Pot, and myself. Uh, we talked about some of the items on the agenda tonight.
Number six is the approval of Olivia Butler's novel titled Parable of the Sewer. That is always fun to see the expansion of some new books in our curriculum. Um, what was the fun fact?
It was mentioned 55 times on AP testing. So, it's good that we can open that up to our >> um, it's going to be used in is it it's this year though, right? So, >> stay tuned girls. This year >> um, AP Lit and grade 12 accelerated ELA.
So, I guess basically all of >> Yeah, all seniors. Yeah, seniors. >> Um, so that'll be fun. Uh, I'll be interested to hear your feedback on it. Um, number seven is the approval of encourse, which encourse or encourse
either way. >> Okay. >> I feel like you guys keep saying on course and I'm like, oh, am I is it not on course? That mean it's O on. Okay. Um, tomato tomato >> jersey. It's on. >> Right. Right. It's on for us here. Um,
so that will replace our current, this is for Dave, student information system, also known as SIS or CIS. One time I read it wrong. Okay. Um, yes. So, that will replace Power School.
Overall, it's a much better product and it will actually replace a number of platforms that we currently use such as linkit and of course powers school which um does get some complaints about new
student registration and the use of trying to get all those documents in there. Right. So, uh encourse will be we're excited for that. So, we'll we just want to kind of get the word out there. It is very normal for this stuff to get out there sooner. so that we
don't have parents panicking because they can't see all of their, you know, kids reports and that kind of stuff. So, we'll um we are working on a few things to get the word out to uh parents for that.
Um and moving on, number 10 is the approval of uh Mrs. Sheepard out there. Um an OTP memorial. This is permission for her to bring in her dog one day a week for therapy training. And then the goal would be to have the dog certified
and available for students for the following school year. And then last up was number 11. Um we talked about the we had a teacher recently find an old Pitman logo um and bring it to our
attention so we could get it board approved. This will be a throwback logo. Um, we have some board approved logos. It's always a hot topic. We like to keep our branding the same so people
recognize us around. But as was, you know, brought to my attention, the Eagles also have a throwback. So, if it's acceptable for them, it's I guess acceptable for me. Um, so you'll see that on the agenda tonight for approval.
And so that is it. With that, I will make a motion to approve items 2 through 18 as written. >> We have a second. Second. Okay. Um, so items for discussion. I'll turn it over to Dr. Preston.
>> Yeah. Before I introduce our uh new uh phys teacher, I just wanted to ask too, just so the rest of the board knows, um, the the total cost savings is is actually significant. I wanted to kind of that for all of those particular platforms real time um uh the CIS uh the
all of those that whole platform that whole umbrella I think it's something something like 60,000 versus 33,000 correct >> that's right >> we're talking a sizable chunk here so I just wanted to point that out that that I think we're getting a better product for a lot less money um I wanted to
welcome our our newest member of the team Mr. Anthony Dilks um Mr. Dilks is in HIS FOURTH YEAR MR. Dils is in his fourth year of teaching but has worked in education since graduating high school uh at 18 years old. He has done summer camps before and afterare programs and
coaching volunteering for many programs and school districts. Along with many years in education, Mr. Dilk still keeps a very busy and active lifestyle in adult league sports where he plays with some members of the Philadelphia Eagles. Am I allowed to mention >> day one already? >> A day one. It's I'm too excited. So
yeah, >> um not to put you on the spot, countless outdoor activities and excelled in high school, college at college for three sports. He correlates these hobbies and habits through his teaching and coaching every day. He is so passionate to spread the knowledge and being a true role model through his career for all
students in the Pitman School District. Um when I met with Mr. Dilks, um he he kind of hit all of the questions right. I mean, sometimes we test new newer teachers. You know, what what is your willingness to do things for this district? He just said, "Anything anything you ask me, I'm going to do.
Um, I'll coach three sports. I'll do this. I'll coach that. I'll coach this." And I said, "Oh, man. He's He's hitting all the right He's hitting all the right answers. >> Coach, not that we back up for when he's going to play." >> There you go. That's right. He's going to do it. >> I can attest on course is great. By the
way, I've used both of them and I'm listening to you guys and >> observations, everything. It's amazing. I haven't had one bad review over at my school. So >> great. Great. >> Yeah. So, you know, we're really excited to have you and I know I know I know he he uh he did a great demo lesson. We
brought other fizz teachers in. I know I know you met with uh Mr. um Tender who they work with um as part of the process. So, it was a pretty rigorous process. A lot of applicants again were applicants keep I think it was close to 80. Now, it kind
of it kind of leveled out um once we >> described the job position, but I think it was 51 at the end of the day. Um, so lot lot of applicants. I told I told Mr. Dils the same thing. Um, you know, our latest fourth grade position, we had 150 applicants. Um, so we have an increasing
talent pool and so we're really excited about that and we should feel proud of that as well. >> Yeah, very very thankful for you guys. Thank you very much and I'm very very excited to get started. Um, so really I'm very very thankful. So thank you. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Wonderful. All right. Is there
any further discussion on curriculum and instruction? >> I'll have this poor guy. >> Okay, seeing none, uh, Mr. Stratus, please call the vote. >> Mrs. Bolton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Frell, >> yes. >> Mr. Gman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Higgyono, >> yes. >> Mrs. Papalardo, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Pope, >> yes. >> Mrs. Miller, >> I obtain for number two, yes to the rest. >> And the motion carries. >> Thank you. Okay. So, just to give a little background before we move on to the balance of curriculum instruction, um there was a resolution in July um for
us to um rescend Dr. Preston's former contract and reissue a new contract for five years. We are incredibly grateful that he accepted. So, um that that resolution was on our July board of education meeting and then we it goes to county approval. So, we're getting that
back and we're cleaning up all those details. So, what I'm going to do now is I'm going to motion to open for a public hearing on um superintendent contract. So, I will move that motion and may I have a second? Second.
>> All in favor? Any absentions? Any objections? >> Okay, seeing none, would any members of the public like to speak on this topic? Okay, seeing none, let's make sure I get these motions.
I make sure I get them right. I don't intend to do it ever again. >> Um, all right. May I have a motion to close? So, I'm going to move motion item number 20 to clo Oh, >> yep. >> to close the public hearing for the superintendent contract.
>> I have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Any abstensions? Any objections? >> Okay. Okay. So, that's going to bring us to item number 21 on our curriculum committee, which is the actual contract. So, I'm going to move item number 21 as
written. I have a second. Second, vote. >> Okay. And this one will require a roll call. Mr. Please call the vote. >> Mrs. Bolton? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Frell? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gman. I suppose >> Mrs. Higgiona,
>> abstain. >> Mrs. Papalardo? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Boat? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Miller? >> Yes. Motion carries. >> That is going to take us to communication and policy and I will turn it over directly and Mrs. Hickey. >> Uh the communication and policy
committee met on December 10th at 5:30. In attendance were Mrs. Papalardo, Mrs. Farrell, Dr. Preston, Mr. Cultivano, and myself. We only have one action item this month, which is the first reading of revisions needed
to several policies to meet the requirements of the Freedom to Read Act, which I believe we discussed last month. Um, the act requires school districts to have a process for individuals with a vested interest to request the removal
of library materials from schools. The district will have a form available for qualified individuals to submit such requests. Um, individuals with a vested interest is defined as a parent or guardian of a current student, a current
student or a teaching staff member employed by the district. No one outside that universe of people um is authorized by the statute to request the removal of library materials from a school. Uh so
with that I move to adopt item number one as written. >> I have a second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. See none. Mr. Draat, please call the vote. >> Mrs. Bolton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Farrell, >> yes. >> Mr. Gman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Higgyono,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Papalardo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Pope, >> yes. >> Mrs. Miller, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. So, we actually have an addendum to this evening's board of education meeting. It was located on a hard copy in the back. It's going to be financing facility committee um item number 11.
It's a recommendation to accept the bid for the toilet room renovations project at Pitman Elementary School and award the contract to the lowest responsible builder bidder, sorry, WJ Gross Incorporated for um the lump sum of the bid bid. It's in our drive as finance
and facilities item number 12 and 13. So I will move that motion. May I have a second? >> Second, Gman. Okay. And Mr. Stratus, please call the vote. >> Mrs. Bolton, >> yes. >> Mrs. Frell, >> yes. >> Mr. Gman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Higgbyono, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Papalardo, >> yes. >> Mrs. P, >> yes. >> Mrs. Miller, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Thank you. It's going to bring us to our second public comment. To be recognized to speak, please go to the podium located to my right, state your name, municipality of residence, and group affiliation if applicable, and
limit your comment to three minutes. Okay, seeing none, is there any old business? Okay, any new business? Okay. >> Um, so then I will make a motion to adjurnn. May I have a second? >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> The next board of education will be a reorganization meeting on January 7th. We will have a board retreat the same evening. Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on January 21st.