Notice of this regular meeting of the fitment board of education was posted at Burough Hall. A copy of AR delivered to all PIN 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 Pitman High School Media Center. The president shall entertain any objections with
supporting reasons to the content of this meeting on the grounds that it violates the open public meeting. Seeing none, please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Please remain in the flag. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for its one nationy and justice for all. Mr. Will. >> Mrs. Bolton >> here. >> Mrs. Farrell >> here. >> Mr. Gman >> present. >> Here.
>> Mrs. Miller >> here. >> Thank you. This will bring us to our public comment. The Fitman Board of Education 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 this evening. First public hearing is on agenda items only. This is public comment, not a dialogue between the board. 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 of
Apple. to be recognized speak please stand at the p podium located here on my right seeing none Mr. any correspondence. >> Okay. I'll now move to accept a motion for the minutes of commitment board of education as held on the dates listed below are approved as printed and reading dispensed with. May I have a second?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any objections? Any abstensions? That's going to bring us to our presentation portion and I will turn it over to Mrs. Stewart. staff with us and some students. Um, I
wanted to start off with a story. When I was in seventh grade, I was going into seventh grade and a couple days before I started, my grandmother called me on the phone and she's like, "I took a job at your school." And I was like, "Really? What are you doing?" She's like, "I'm going
to work in the cafeteria. there. And I thought about it and I was nervous. I was switching up um schools and I was like I'm gonna see my grandma who's my favorite person by the way anyway. Um so I go into school that day and I'm sitting down eating with people
who I knew kind of from sports and I'm thinking like everyone pick up their trash. So I told every school and so um in the end you know everyone my grand she was a super charismatic person and my friend's grandmother was
the other person who worked with her and it was when I look back on it was my first lesson in school culture because when people feel loved and respected and appreciated in a space then they take care of it they treat each other with kindness and so I think finally of that
memory there so when I walk through the building as a principal I'm always looking feeling in a space of that love and of that culture. And so I always get that feeling when I'm in our cafeteria. And I just wanted to respect the women
who work so hard for our kids every day. So I'd like to have Chris and stand next to me for a minute. amilies are here tonight. So I'll just mention one more thing about school culture. So by definition it's a shared
value, belief, attitude and behavior that shapes our school and the functions and the feel of it on a daily basis. And in a simple way I like to look at it as it's what we do here. So our kids, they know that we treat each other respect.
We treat each other with kindness. And these ladies are a big part of that. They know everyone's name. They know who's having a bad day. They know who needs an extra scoop of mashed potatoes. Um and they usually at least a couple times a year cause a ruckus. Last year
they made homemade burgers out of like sirloin. So boys were like these burgers are not the usual burgers. Chris was making homemade pieces this year out of dough. They bring their crockots in and make um pork for everyone and they do
deliver buffalo chicken dip to the board office. >> So I just wanted to to recognize them and thank them so much for their service to our students. So thank YOU All right. So, going along with the theme of um school culture, when I took
over the position as principal, I really wanted to make sure that we put things in the hallway that reflected our school community. Um, we put a new motto out, which is building on legacy and I wanted to include our students in that. So, I spoke to our STEM students and I asked
them to come up with project with Mr. Finley's guidance of course of something that they could contribute that would stay in our building, anything they wanted. So, you know, we have we have a group that's redoing the podiums for the auditorium because they are colored and
that bothers me. So, I was very excited about that project, but um our our STEM kids came up with a project. So, um I'm going to bring them up and I'm not going to even I'm gonna let them do the work because they they've been doing it. So, they're going to explain their project and then we're going to have our staff
select what they want from this project and then they will build it and put it all in our building. So, they will be building and solving this this problem that they created. Also, I have to give a special shout out for the music selection. We do have we did turn it
down so you can hear it, but little John is in the background and that was selected by So these are the designs for our plaques. Mine includes a folder, room
number, and teachers name. Eric, he's not here today. Some classes have two different teachers throughout the day. >> So, what we're going to do is creating one of these. We don't have any signage in the building
which teachers are in what room. So the kids instead of just picking one and it staff watch a video that we'll send out broadcast. I'm That is so convenient. It includes the room
teacher students. It's just one final one include interchangeable names when teachers change. This is
all Google form will be emailed to you. >> Thank you guys for your hard work. I appcate it and I know are not available. So they designed onebody We're going to go ahead and take a brief recess so we can take some photos with
the students and staff members that were recognized this evening. And then when we're finished, if families want to use the backdrop, they're welcome as After we've had an opportunity to congratulate everyone, we'll get back to the boarding part. Let's go ahead and get started. And um
>> I'm gonna actually can I turn it over to you report first? That way I don't ever cover. >> Yeah. So I have uh some good news to report uh to the board. The I think this is the first time I've ever seen a report like this anywhere. I was actually just curious to look in other
districts that were the size like ours, but there was zero reported and zero confirmed HIPS for the entire first half of the year. >> So great. >> Um we had talked as an administrative team what that we could attribute that to. We talked about you know certain efforts like um well certainly we we are
blessed in in Bitman to have such to have strong families students that really have come in already with high character that just really just needed to be stewarded. Um but we you talked about uh a really concerted effort we have as a district now with the uh district character council program where
we're I don't know if you you drove by like even memorial school yesterday there's or today there was big signs up about you know fortitude and self you know self uh self-control and all these different uh lessons that we're actually tailoring to different students and eventually we're
trying to get them through the pipeline eventually we're going to actually bring this I didn't even mention this to to the student reps today when I met with you but eventually students onto the district character council, grow those teams so that it gets through to the pipeline. And that's uh again, we're thankful for our partnership with Gene
Miller, uh Brennan Peterson. Um I've stressed multiple times, too, that and and I think this this perhaps is a sign of that that our goal is not to become a national school of character. If that happens, it happens. Uh but the goal is to become a school of strong character.
And um so the goal is kind of inside the journey itself. pretty excited about that. Um there was now again this was really good for the first half of the year in in Janu January report there was a few reported hibs. There was two reported hibs and
one confirmed hit. So we effectively broke our streak but um uh I I just I've never seen a report like that. So where I don't even have to like talk about usually talk about trends about ups and downs and waves of reports and there were none. So and this is This is not to
say things are ever uh looked another way. There's we're very open. Our our counseling staff is super um super supportive of students and and this is this is really a reflection I think where our students are. So it's a really positive report. Um there's we did our
mandatory security drills. Uh I I participated with along with Miss Stewart um Miss Gaines and I'm drawing a blank on one more member. We have four representative me members of Pitman school community to the county reunification response uh team that is
that is a joint effort between OEM and the schools. We participate in the event that a a violent event would occur in another district not that's what the reuni reunification was for. In this event there were a couple hundred deli students that were sent as kind of
guinea pigs for us to to kind of iron out the kinks. It also helps internally on our end to uh really hone in on our own uh reunification efforts or our I should say our evacuation efforts uh in the event that we have to evacuate our
building for even nonviolent events um and how to do that with with go with go bags and and rosters and all that and how to we communicate that we had a tabletop with the um police and um we're eventually going to involve the fire
department. We talk with Chief Pearson about that as well. And so just constantly focusing our efforts on safety and security. Um, one other thing I I do want to report, uh, it is not official yet, but there there was some buzz. I I have been answering questions.
Um, they're actually meeting tonight in Washington Township. They publicized that they will be leasing out the entirety of the Walls building uh, in addition to the Kindle building next year. They're expanding their prek program to support 100% of their universe. Uh thank you to Mr. Stratus.
Uh he has worked with Janine Wector, who's the business administrator in Washington Township to design a uh a good a good strong 40-year lease agreement that I think um will really support us. Obviously, that brings in revenues. That lease agreement is again
pending review from their attorney. Mr. Long has already has already looked at it. We're good to go on our end. So once once uh Washington Township has a chance to essentially officialize that and sign it, send it over, we can disclose details of that actual disagreement. But I just want to let you know that that
that is coming. I will put that in my superintendent report just to give particularly residents on Cleveland and uh uh Grant um some some forewarning. Um the plan there too is potentially to
redo uh that parking lot, potentially expand that parking lot because it obviously has to support us at the board office and also uh staff that will be occupying the walls as well. Um Mr. Datus also designed tweak the Kindle uh
lease agreement as well with some escalators and again once we have that signed we can publicize that I guess after we talk with township officials. Um last but not least, Mr. Calabiano could not be here tonight. His daughter is actually being recognized in upper
pits as a student of the month. Um, and so he he said, "No, I will not miss a board meeting." I said, "I will be upset with you if you can't come just like uh just like the board was with me when I attempted to come during my dad's episode in November." So, we really appreciate that. Uh, but he is in the
process of submitting I don't know if you saw it on a recent broadcast. I think it was on the SBA, the high impact tutoring grant. we are eligible for $80,000 in funds. It is competitive though. >> Um so we are we're trying to fine-tune that so that we can actually have that high impact tutoring monies come to us.
Um that was just that just was released on Friday I believe very recent. So we'll have that grant hopefully we will have that grant done by it deadline. We're working on that. We'll report that other committees as well. That concludes
my report. We'll pop back to the customs report. I want to thank Mrs. Tapardo for reminding us all that we had yearbook pictures tonight. Something that is definitely nice to know in advance. So, everyone was notified. Um, but we
>> Yeah, I showered. I got home from work early. I did shower. >> Everyone was the worst way to get me through email. The worst way to get me. >> I know. And I text you. >> It's probably that new Apple update that stinks. you responded.
>> Can I give you some free advice? >> So, thank you, Mrs. Florida. Next, we're going to go to uh I wanted to thank Mrs. Viono for including me in a legislative group that she's a part of um with Morris County. Is that correct?
>> Uh I think it's um It's not Hunter. What's next? >> No, she is she's from Hunter. >> She's from Hunter. Okay. So, she is their VP of county legislation. >> Yes. And she has created like an all
she's trying to get at least one person from every county to participate in this committee where we're just going to share our ideas and information. >> It's not um formally under the NJSBA. It's Mrs. Higgby Ion was um she's the
cluster county vice president of legislative relations. So the contact person idea being that she would then disseminate the information to um the rest of her counterparts in the county. So all the presidents are vice presidents I guess.
>> Yeah. So cut out the middle and just put April on the committ right. >> You should come. Um so hopefully there's some good ideas. There's always if she can get it going. Just need a little more participation.
>> Right. Um I just want to advise the board that I had a meeting in December um with a gentleman who's a former superintendent another district but who is a part of um some of the organizations that are continuing these funding formula conversations and I met with him and Kelly Hinkle who's the fair
funding collective. Um you know I don't know what will come of it but always trying to just ensure that Pitman has an opportunity to have a seat at the table. We I have a I do have an upcoming fair funding collective meeting as well on Friday um for there's a gentleman I believe in Collinswood who's really good
at data analysis to review some of the data that we've mined over the last couple years and an effort to identify um some of the levers that we could best advocate for if funding formula revisions become relevant this year as we are ramping up for as we jokingly
call legislative advocacy season. And as always, if anyone wants to come with me, just let me know. Um, the other item I wanted to bring to everyone's attention is next month's meeting. So, we will have a some of us will have a conflict. Um, our kids will
be in the pop concert. So, well, I don't know if I want that's that's what we were discussing like I am always hesitant and this is just a dialogue. So, everybody chime in. Always hesitant to move a meeting because I'm fearful that someone will perceive it as us moving a meeting on them, you know,
right? >> Whereas it's really just a personal conflict for a couple board members, >> right? >> Um, >> so we moved the time up last >> we did something and then I I think we moved the meeting up a little earlier so that you could
>> How many is it just me and you? >> What about you? >> No, it is just us. I don't want to I don't want to everyone just us. We can always >> What are your thoughts?
>> You guys will be in the >> right because you already >> What time do you What time do you get home? Dave, what time are you around? If we moved it up, >> I can be home where I'm at work. I have no luck. >> I'm thinking, can we just move the time off though? I mean, our meetings and I
just do six o' No, moving time up. No, that's not >> That's what I was asking. >> Let's just do Thursday. >> I'd rather move the time up than move the whole night >> to a different night. That would confuse people more. >> Yeah. >> I don't care. I'll be here.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. But what time do you get home, Dave? >> What are the benefits of being the boss? 3:00. >> Can we do a six o'clock instead? You think? Can we do a six o'clock meeting instead? >> Is everyone comfortable with that? Does that make >> I mean, I'd rather do the same. No, it's
fine. >> Yeah, sounds good. >> I'll put a letter whenever you need. >> Can we send a message? >> You can make it home for bedtime now. Dan, could we send a message to um >> I thought we were going to get lucky tomorrow and see if they could put it on that.
>> Okay, we did. >> This all sounds really I'm like terrified of moving a meeting and Yeah, we had it earlier last time and you ran out the door. >> I know spotlight. >> No, there's not. No, there's not.
>> So, it should be quick. >> Should be quick. >> Okay. Okay. >> The only thing we were floating the idea was was a was a sports recognition, but we had not even >> finally details. There'll be kids that are involved, >> right? >> So, that might make it diffult
>> anyway. Yeah. For kids to And then the last item is that um the New Jersey School Board Association I am chairing the finance committee for school funding now. So >> shocker
>> nobody saw that. So, um I they do try to like spread out the uh regional areas that folks are picked from, but I would tell you that there's always opportunities in the NJBA if there's an area of interest and you would like to join me. And I mean,
>> you really appreciate it, April. You really you do so well with it. >> I I do love school funding. It's like it's like I'm pretending I don't but I if I could trap someone in a conversation about it anywhere. >> No good deed goes unpunished. >> No good deed goes unpunished. That's correct.
>> So um so that's it for my update. And then Mrs. Pabo, you have the board selfie going out. >> When you check I just sent out I sent out the self and we can get it done by like February 10th. >> Okay. >> That gives us a week before we will be meeting whatever the data is that they
give us back. >> Okay. and I sent you the links, but if you click on the link and it doesn't work, that's because you probably have to go actually to the to their website and sign in first. It won't let you sign in. >> Oh, one other thing I forgot is I sent
an email to the board earlier just this afternoon. I got the uh the sec >> and they'll just be out in July. Okay. I spoke to Bob on Friday and he said it's just >> what was the thing? I can't even remember it was it's something innocuous
that we already completed. Right. It's not they're not even coming out review >> and it's right. We just need additional notice like I think >> for the absentee >> I think it was the school ethics. >> It was that >> well right and then it's also the um
which they never provided us. And then it's also >> they never reply to that >> a plan for no right because I was like we need names >> the chronicism not that we don't address >> right it's correct we already provided the plans too so it's a matter of we'll
probably get the updated score which will be passing in July >> right >> and um when do this come up for us to refill for this year's financial disclosures >> uh it's open now I just have to Okay. So, if everyone can put that on their
radar to get completed in the next 30 days >> and then submit it and then screenshot it and maybe send Mr. Stratus copy of the screenshot confirmation. >> It doesn't matter. I >> record that one. >> Oh, that's the final
>> I was going to say too. I was >> the one that's confusing. You have to fill out the same page nine times. >> But it's really fill out your form and then you'll upload it. And we have till what date to do that? >> Yeah, >> we usually try to get it done right away. So that's why
>> I just want to know the administrator. >> Um there's something else we just talked about. Mrs. >> I can't think it'll come to me. >> No, no, you didn't do it. I derailed whatever the thought was myself. No.
Okay. All right. Um Oh, we have a county meeting on the 5th. That's what I don't know if you guys It's the ver virtual one. So, this is a really great one because you can log in at home and you receive the credit. It's going to be on school funding because I'm leading
it. So, that's all I like to talk about. Um, >> wait, it's February 5th, >> but this is the these are the that you um these are some of the uh credits rather that you can get in the board member academy to achieve those
different certifications like Mr. your certified board member, >> right? So then it'll be, you know, whatever the next step is. >> Master board >> that you have to take a test for. >> Well, then you got a tote bag. >> Well, I don't want to I don't want to give away any like secrets, but you can
take it as many times as you want until you pass it. And half the questions are true or false. So, not to diminish the quality of the testing, but I just I think that's helpful to know. >> Um, And I will send all of you I went
and looked on the um website because we were always not sure with our year and what we have to take for training. >> Oh yeah. >> Um I found it on the website and screenshot it. >> So when I find it I will send it to all of you. >> There's no more legal, right? That's only for first four years.
>> And then the first year of your new term, >> every time you're reelected, >> you have to retake. >> You have to retake the legal. >> So I'm good. >> Yes. >> Yes. You should be when I find it, I'll send it to everybody. It's somewhere on there.
>> So, it's year one, two, three, four, and and then every three years after that first year of your second term. Okay. Of every term. >> Yes. >> Um, okay. So, I'm gonna turn it over to our student representatives
and this week right now. until Monday. Students only council also had a meeting list what they want in their bathroom. They want a Charoft statue. >> Oh my gosh.
a lifetime supply of good quality toilet paper. >> Oh my gosh. >> Priorities in life. >> Leave the guys alone. >> I'm forward that to their mother. >> Recently, we had National Art Honor Society and induction on January 12th.
Um, and we completed our winter spirit week. Also worth mentioning on a trip to if I'm not mistaken. Also, Mr. Pitman has been confirmed to be March 6 week also.
>> Okay. Um, wait, >> we do have over 12 contestants >> for love it. >> Just 12. >> You counted. >> Somebody dropped. You did not. >> There's only 12. We added because
somebody signed up after and I guess somebody dropped. >> I got a list yesterday. There's only 12. >> I love it. >> Well, we have 12. That's the only >> We were We were going to cut it at 12 anyway. >> Yeah. We haven't had 12 in years, right? >> What was our last year like six?
We were not going to cut one person. >> No, I know. But like they 12 was the >> But now >> that's what I was going to say. Are we going to do Are we doing >> fundraiser calendar? >> Yes. Instead of
Mr. Good. >> I have not heard a peep of this in my house at all. So, I'm assuming Max did not put his >> He is not on the list. >> Not on the list. >> I don't think he even took the paper. You didn't want to run the risk of you
seeing it filling it out for >> I mean it's not due till the 27th so you got time >> not working that one. >> When is the academic >> oh before Mr. Pitman? >> Yeahur Monday.
>> Got it. >> And lunch staff lunch is that Thursday >> during the day. Yes, the staff lunchon this year is during that. Yeah, I had responded to Mrs. Nichols to so finally invite us but to say like you should do what the actual staff want. >> That's what I said. I said it's very nice.
>> I know. I didn't like we appreciate it. But >> yeah, working. >> Okay. Um the Pitman Elementary School HSA held a glow dance for grades four, five, and six. Um the gym was lit up and
packed all night. The art club and STEM club have started this month and the women's club will hold the third annual spelling be on Thursday. The master program rehearsals have started for their production
and dates >> prior to that. That's why you had to move two weeks in advance. I think it's the second week in March. >> 19th through the 21st. That one I know. >> Yes. >> Wait, the high school show is the 19th
through the 21st. >> Okay. >> Um, the school continues to implement the new district character education program. This month they are focusing on virtue of fortitude. Students are earning tickets for exhibiting this trade and being
gonna take us to finance facilities and I will turn it over to our committee chairwoman. All right. The finance and facility committee met on Wednesday, January 10th, 2025 at 3:30. The meeting lasted an hour. In attendance were Dr. Preston, Mr. Dradus, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Pot, and
myself. Uh we talked about closing out. This was a very different exciting meeting as we switched committees. Um very different. Okay. Uh we talked about closing out the books for September and October and paying the
regular monthly bills. So that's items one through six on uh the agenda. is a service that we use to streamline ordering supplies during uh the school year and um back to school time. It saves time and money, so that's always
appreciated. Uh number eight is the health and safety report for uh all of our buildings. And number nine is the approval to get rid of some tables at Memorial as new ones are being delivered. Um, additional discussion items had to
deal with the referendum. We received two competitive bill uh bids for the HBAC project at PES. So, we're looking forward to starting that project at the end of the school year. Um, we did not give the students an opportunity to make
any requests for the bathroom. Maybe we should. I don't know. >> I can't imagine what elementary kids would come up with. Um also Mr. Draatus is working very diligently to make sure we are getting
competitive rates for a quality product uh for the staff that was health insurance. I miss that sentence. Uh we had a discussion on health insurance for the upcoming budget. Um and that was basically it. So with
that I will make a motion to approve items one through nine as written. changes. >> Okay. One through 10. >> They have a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. Mr.
>> Mrs. instruction. I will turn it over to our committee chairman. The committee met on January 14th at 4:30 in attendance for Mrs. Miller, Dr. Preston, Mr.
Um there wasn't too much um exciting this month. We have on the agenda for approval our dual credit agreements with Camp County, Salem County, and Rowan College of South Jersey for this school
year. That was really the highlight. Um, it's not an agenda item, but the committee also discussed the incredible performance our elementary students are turning in with our new reflex math program.
kids have answered over two million math facts since September and have improved their fluency on those facts by about 50 percentage points. Um, so this is just one tool that our is it second through fifth grades are using for math
instruction, but everyone is really pleased with the results uh so far at this point. With that, I move to adopt items 1 through 17 as written. through 18. >> Have a second.
>> Second. >> Any discussion? >> I have a quick question on the field trips. >> It says that our sixth graders are going to the funlex on Thursday, June 25th. >> Yeah. >> So, they're going after >> Melissa pointed that out. Angela changed
it, but it's it's not in this published version. >> It's not it's not it's not in June. It's not June 25th of last year. >> That's like the year was updated. >> The year was updated, but it still says the 25th. And I thought, well, >> she changed it after.
>> Nobody's going to be in school. Correct. >> It's an attachment for the field trip. >> The date's just wrong for the six field trip. So, it's not >> Well, no. I mean, the item to vote is, but Right.
Yes, this is earlier. >> Okay. Is there any further discussion? >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Communication policy. I'll turn it over to our committee chairwoman, Mrs. Carol. The committee met on January 14th, 2026
at 5:30. In attendance were Mrs. Mrs. Dr. Preston, Mr. and myself. Um, there's not much on the agenda. We have the second reading of the Freedom to Read Act policies. Um, but we did also discuss the new cell phone policy that
was signed into law on January 8th. The law takes effect in the school year of 26 27 um and requires the commissioner of education to issue a K through2 model policy within 90 days from January.
Once we get the DOE guidance document style policy and what policy what the language might be around it. So we should we'll have it before September if we have to. So with that
one second discussion >> yes Mrs. >> public comment to be recognized to speak. Please stand at the podium located to my right. State your name resilation if applicable. Limit your comments to three minutes.
See none. Is there any old business? Any new business? Okay. I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Iions. The next board of education meeting will
be on February 18th, 2026 and it will be held at 5:30 p.m. If we have a second or 6 p.m. >> 6 p.m. >> Mark calendar, Dave know you'll delete your email. >> I even got told to my