Good evening. Good evening everyone. Today is March the 3rd, 2024. We will start our meeting off with a moment of thrones and um the class of your love.
God This is to advise those present at this March 3rd, 2020 26 resour workshop action meeting of the board of education of the city of Pleasantville and the county of Atlantic that notice was given on February 28th, 2026 as required by
the provisions of chapter 231 of the laws of 1975. Notice thereof has been distributed for publication in the press, posted in the administration building, and forwarded to the city clerk of the city of Pleasantville with an entire required by said at
Ro. Miss Akins >> here. Mr. Gibson, Miss Harris, >> present. >> Miss Morgan, >> Mr. Rodriguez
>> present. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Miss Waters. >> Miss Silver >> here. Miss Roel here. Next 1.5. Um before we do 1.5, we have
uh uh Jenna Cook um sitting in her leg today. She was unable to be here. She's already uh next is 1.5 public comments agenda items only. We ask when to come. We cannot speak on
personnel matters. We can't speak on sensitive matters. We can't speak on any grievance matters. Um we ask when we come to please be courteous and respectful to the board.
Uh first we have Mr. Jonathan Viego. Good evening, President Buell, Vice President Silver, ladies and gentlemen of the board and superintendent Martinez. Um, referring to I believe
it's subject three regarding vacancies of vacancy. I've been very intimately aware and involved with um what what regarding uh what's been leading up to
this point. I think everybody here understands that on December 16th um member of the school board was duly appointed sworn in and has taken a seat in the search with this in
a distinguished way for the past few months and I do understand there's some members of this board that um believe that it's necessary to um review and reinter individuals. I would
respectfully submit that right now there's old litigation regarding this issue. There's all litigation dealing specifically with this issue with the asylum judge in city and there's going to be a full hearing regarding this
allegation on about April 16th. I I don't believe that this body has statutory authority or authority under case law or any rules or regulations or administrative code
sections that would allow it to remove a duly appointed member of this board. Now, if we want to wait until April 16th and see what the assignment judge does or does not do,
once all the applicable laws are reviewed, once the applicable facts are reviewed, then we have a decision made by a judge based upon the rules, the law, and the facts and the totality of the circumstances, not based upon
anything else. And I'd also respectfully submit that if the judge does not decide in a way that people are satisfied with the appropriate and correct venue, we would be deal with the commissioner of education, not the
state. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Diego. Next, we have Alexander. Is that the name? >> Yes. >> Alexander. Yes. >> Good afternoon to the board of education
in Pleasantville. My name is Alexander Mendoza. I've known Urban quite some time, not only as a student, but as a community organiz organized, who are part of different clubs like me, Wasa, all walks of life.
Urban has impacted positively. He's always been there as a mentor, as someone students can talk to, to relate. And there's only a few pleasant blessings. I'm not going to name them cuz I don't smile. But he has seen these kids and he has taken them in and
mentored them and showed them uh higher education as someone who's a Latino as you see behind us. It's tough for us to fit and Urban has taken all of us under his wing and he has taught us to be respectful to appreciate education and
to keep fighting and that's why we're here to support him to show that urban has an impact in every walks of life from his community organizing from the land to his work at Stockton University and even as being a friend and family member. That's why it's important that
Urban stays in the board of education to represent not just the Latinos, but the students who sometimes uh feel left out. That's why is very important to us and that's why we're here to support him cuz he would do the same for everyone. He's always someone who would uh let us walk
into his office when we need anything financial aid. Uh whatever it be, Irvin's there for us. We as students want to be here for him and want to show that I has a real impact on all of us and that that's why not because of his qualifications but him as a person as an
educator and as a human being has affected all of us possibly. That's what I just wanted to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next we have Mr. Johnson. No problem. Next we have Allison.
>> Okay. Uh, next we have Mr. David Callai. >> Is this just for Adams? >> Yes. >> Um, how long is this going to be before she gets back? She cover my dad. >> Okay.
I'll make some um towards the end. Next we have um 1.6 6. Um, Madam President, before we get started, um, the the board took action last meeting, you know, when everybody decided not to show up, and I'm trying
to find out why none of the actions in this agenda today that we took. With that being said, I make a motion that Mr. Morano be removed and we do the process like we're supposed to today with the interviews with all the candidates. Um, Miss Sanchez, we're going to discuss
that. It's a motion report. >> It's a motion. Not we're going to discuss that. I'm sorry. And we're going to tell you why you The board took action last meeting, >> right? The board took action to
>> Second. It's a motion on the floor to take a second. >> The board took action last meeting. I've seen the people are hearing the crowd for the interviews because that's what was said was going to be done. Okay, go ahead. Okay, I'm gonna let the uh legal weigh in on this. Mr. St. Jess,
I'm confused. It's a motion on the floor and it's been second. It should be a roll call. It's a motion on the floor. It's been second. It should be a roll call. No matter who weighs it, >> it's a motion on the floor and it's been second.
May if I may, my name is Jenna Cook. I'm here for Mr. in Mr. >> Speaking to the mic as I'm sorry. My name is Jenna Cook. I am here in place of Mr. Hamlin this evening who is unable to appear as the board solicitor. I have worked as the labor council for the
board for the past year. I am familiar with the issues relating to the um election and appointment of Mr. Marino as well as the pending litigation and all of the recent action of various members of the board. Um you're voting
or you're requesting a motion and seconding a motion to remove Mr. Marino and I um understand there are a lot of positions here in potential competing interests. However, uh removal of a
sitting board member is governed by New Jersey law, New Jersey statute, and there are seven specific instances which permit removal of a board member. Um, those include if they're not a bonafide resident, a member becomes a member of a
public body, they're disqualified from voting, a false declaration or conviction of a crime, removal by the commissioner of education, a recall under the uniform recall election act, or a member fails to attend three consecutive meetings with notice and proposed
uh removal of the meeting prior. None of those circumstances exist here. I understand. With all due respect, I don't be meant to be correct. I think you're incorrect, but in that manner, um, the board put a motion to the floor. We created action last meeting. We put a
motion on the floor. It's been second. We're just waiting on roll call. And I have a question, too. You're reading um the reasons why a board member can be removed, but I didn't hear um not one time it being mentioned if the process
wasn't done correctly. And the board admitted the process was not done correctly. Yes. Record. >> I'm sorry you both spoke at the same. >> It's the same >> but I missed part of it. What was the last section? >> The process was not done correctly when
appointing someone to the board. >> Well, I understand that there was a meeting and an assertion that the process under the open public meetings act was not followed. However, that um no reason was given how that occurred
and therefore um that is not part that is not a reason for removal of a board member. The judge sitting in this matter, Judge Shepard did issue an order um refusing to allow say the litigation in the midst of the um action that you
are all going to take a week or so ago before the snowstorm. And she did mention in there that there could be a corrective action under a violation of the open public meetings act. But there has to be a violation and that violation has I won't inter that violation has to
be demonstrated for action to be taken to correct that measure. What I believe the process that is being argued right now is that there was someone that was not interviewed and that as a result of that there's an expectation that there
would be a redo or a corrective action for that person who was not interviewed. That is not a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act. That is what you would all argue I believe is a procedural issue. That very issue is pending before the superior court and
the um uh the judge that governs all of the matters in the law division in Atlantic County. When that judge makes a decision, if that judge should decide that a procedural regularity occurred, then that judge can enter an order which would make that determination. There is
a process that's being engaged right now. It's called discovery. And in that process, both parties or all the parties are engaging in an exchange of information so that at some point the court can make a determination based on
all the facts before it whether there was a procedural violation or an open public meetings act violation. If you were to act now while that is pending before the superior court, any action that you take, my legal opinion is it is
a violation of New Jersey law. And also you risk first that any action you take could be undone. Meaning if the board with a new member or you you voted to I can't stop you from doing it obviously, but if someone else were put in place,
any voting you did could be undone. any action you took could be undone. And if if you want that process to be reviewed, there's a judicial venue for that. And you may get exactly what you want, but you may not. And at this point, those
facts have to be developed through an exchange of information before the judicial body so that someone can make a determination of whether there was a violation of their own policy or a violation of some other law, rule, rule,
or regulation. And then if there is the judge will give a disposition and a remedy for that. But doing that now subjects you to having everything undone. But it also as a board subjects you to potential litigation which is an
expense that you don't my belief is that you would want to avoid that there's a process in place for this type of problem and that if you go outside of that process anything you do is likely to be avoided and also very likely to be
undone. >> Can I one second? I appreciate how long-winded you were in your explanation and your I respect your expertise as a lawyer, pass the bar, but I sat on that hearing and the judge also said if the board felt that we did something wrong,
we wanted to correct the wrong we could. >> I read that in the order ma'am and it did specifically >> it said we could correct it. It specifically related to an open public meeting sac >> and we violated it and we admitted to it and we voted on it and it's a motion on
the floor and it's been second. >> Are you with the right law firm? Am I with you? >> The law firm that you're sitting here for? >> I am. >> Okay. What law firm are you with? >> I have an office law offices of John Cook.
>> Okay. No, your name sound familiar when someone comes up to say that people don't appear for the hearings and stuff. I just wanted to make sure I was with the right person. >> Can I ask a question? >> Sure. Pretend what we're talking about. So, if the if the judge is allowing us
to bring to fix it, why can't we just fix it? Why are we want to keep going into into the court and we just we're always trying to fix something ethically and right? Why why do we why wouldn't our board attorney as you sitting in the
spot just agree that let's just fix it? We're not nobody is saying there. We just want to fix the situation. We want to always look right in front of our people. We in front of everyone. We want to look right. We want to We don't want to look like we just do stuff just to do
it. You understand what I'm saying? I'm just saying like why can't we just ethically in our spirit fix it? Why do we want to go in front of a judge consistently and then when we're trying to I don't understand because judge
stated in hearing that we were able to fix it. >> I knew you said the judge stated in the hearing that if we were liberty to fix it she would advise for us to fix it if we could instead instead of create more litigations. So the judge said that if
we can fix the board, voting to fix 11, Miss Sanchez, I have a question for you. >> I don't understand what you're saying. So how do you unseat a board member as far as he sees? See, this is the thing. And he he may just we got him, right? So
of course I did my own research on he may be the best fit from what I heard last time probably is all I'm asking and I I'm going to speak to myself, not everyone else is done it correctly. And we had a gentleman come here who was the first applicant. We had another gentleman who was sitting right there as
the cage who wasn't even told to come. He just showed to show up that day. He didn't even know his interviews that day. So we're just asking for the process to be done over incorrectly because you know it was flawed. you know what's done. >> No. >> My but my question to you, Miss Sanchez,
is how do you unseat >> how do you learn with a single judge choice that we can but take a few steps back and redo the process? How do you not >> But I'm asking you a question, Miss Sanchez. Did the judge say to unseat him? That's what I'm asking. >> How how must we do the process?
>> And we're starting scratch, correct? >> But how do you unseat a board member? >> You vote on it. >> You can't always put forth just like you want whenever you want whether it's in the best interest of the district or not >> right we're just trying to write a wrong and
do a process correctly that's it I'm just I just want to know how do you unseat >> put that's been seated >> and you see that's all I'm saying because if you do that then we're looking at legal
>> if we just do things right the first we wouldn't have issues, >> but we did do it right before you open. >> Miss White also admitted on record that there was two other people that applied and not a phone call. >> Okay. >> To come.
>> Well, the open public meeting, but we didn't think the open meeting at We I believe we advertised and did everything correctly. So, Everybody
the proof that we have to prove is apprentice. The emails are printed. The data on the emails is we can't dispute this stuff is done flawed. So why not as a board and collect the court do not just fix it. >> Madam chair I have a I have a point of why are we discussing this?
>> Why are we discussing this madam chair when this is open litigation? >> Right. open. Judge stated that the court with their liberties are correct. That's why >> open litigation is open litigation. >> It's not closed.
>> For the record, um, regarding the application I received, I did receive the application for Mr. Johnson. Can I >> just pause for a second? I I'm going to caution everyone, >> okay, that this we do not want to argue facts that are uh in dispute or that are
relative to the litigation. What I was providing in the review was the law itself, not facts as I know them to be or not to be. My recommendation and I believe that because there is pending litigation, any conversation has to be
conducted in executive session >> and that no fact factual testimony type information should be set forth here. This is a reported proceeding and that's for all of your benefit.
So, so we should pull back and make a motion to go executive session and I'll make a motion for executive session >> and I'll second it question. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Miss Harris. >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan. Yes. Where did you eat last week? >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters. >> Miss Silver.
>> Miss Roel. >> Yes. Motion carries. What happened to you? Was burning up. in the middle. Yes, sir. This is
only That's why I say you guys testing May I have a motion to come out of executive session? Motion by Mrs. Jordan. Have a second. Second by Mrs. Silver. Any questions?
No questions. Miss White. >> Miss Aens. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris. >> Yes. >> Missing. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez.
>> Yes. Miss Waters. >> Miss Silver. >> Yes. >> M. Rowell. >> Yes. Motion carries. Next is 1.6. Um, oh, I just wanted to put on the record
we had discussed legal matters and personnel. Okay. Next is 1.6. The Okay. I'm sorry. Here to the resolution. Be it resolved that the Pleasible Public School District hereby agrees to
reinstate Mr. Wayne Leget with a 45day suspension without pay. All right. Heat. Roll. Oh, may I have a motion?
>> Sorry. What's the motion? Resolution. Read it again, Miss White. >> Be it resolved that the president board of education hereby agrees to reinstate Mr. Wayne Leot with a 45day suspension
without pay. I have a motion. Motion >> motion by Mrs. Sanchez. Second. >> Second by Mrs. Harris. Any questions? >> No questions. Roll call on Miss White. Miss Aens. >> Yes.
>> Miss Harris. >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan. >> No. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> No. >> Miss Sanchez? >> Yes. >> Miss Waters?
>> Miss Silver? No. M Rel. Yes. Motion carries. Resolve that the Pleasible Board of Education hereby agree approved the terms of the stipulation of settlement between the
Plasma Board of Education and former district employee Christina Atuba and authorized the president of the Pleasible Board of Education to execute the said stipulation of settlement on behalf of the Pleasible Board of Education. A copy of said stipulation of settlement as approved by the president
board of education at this meeting will be on file in the office of the board of education's business administrator office. Motion motion by Mrs. Sanchez. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mrs.
>> Before you roll, can I make a statement? >> Yes. >> Oh, wait. Let me get the first and second. >> Oh, you did. Okay. Um water. That's crazy. Oh.
Oh, yes. Go ahead. >> I just want to put on the record that this board want the recommendation of the attorneys um kind of had no choice in this matter. It would have cost
us probably four times this amount. We're kind of binded by previous actions by previous people said. >> Thank you, San Jose. >> Miss Aens, >> yes. >> Miss Harris,
>> yes. >> Miss Morgan of St. Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters. Miss Silver.
>> Yes. >> Miss Royel. I'm only going to go to school in the district. Yes. Um I have one motion. Um I need a motion um for the board to take
no actions to remove Mr. Reloading and anything which his appointment as a board member into the board decides to see in this matter >> into April. Can you repeat what you
said? Motion for the board to take no action to remove Mr. Moreno or take any actions regarding his appointment as a board member until the board decides to take
action in April the 16th. I'm sorry. May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Morgan. May I have a second? >> Second by Miss Silver. Questions? >> Where did that just come from?
>> The lawyer. >> Why didn't we just What? It was never discussed. >> Wait a minute. Why was we just discussing this in a bag? Sneaky. We're bringing it out here without discussing it.
>> Okay. We're going to retract back. >> I'll pull my motion back. Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Mor. Who's second? Okay. Pull it back. Okay. Great. So, we're done with that. Okay. Next we have
1.6 uh board comments, president's comments. Um I just want to um tell the board that you should have received a progress report from Dr. Marilyn Martinez um from
her progress of what she's done in the district for 2 and 1/2 years. So if you get a chance um you should read it. is very interesting and enduring. Next we have board presentation 1.7. Okay.
Can we um make sure this is submitted into the minutes as well? >> Oh, the super district report. Okay. You want to request two minutes from this meeting? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Thanks. Um, next we have our
board attorney's presentations. We're going to start with I'll start with um We have uh three board uh attorneys and five for labor. >> Yeah. Okay. So, we'll start with um
presentations for board attorney. We'll start with Ann Adams, Labour, Kroo, and Herman LLC. Is Mr. Brown here from Adams Laborte and Herman LLC? The next would be Bush Law Group.
Good evening. Good morning. Um, President Roel, Vice President Silver, ladies and gentlemen of board and superintendent Martinez. Um, Danielle Pantileo, I'm counsel at the Bush Law Group. With me is Megan Olea.
She is an associate of the Schlaw Group. Um Megan and I here represent the firm. We do um special education uh work and general education work. Um as well as all student matters including
institutional investigations, public contracting um service training presentations. I will tell you a little bit about myself. I've been practicing um general uh education, special education for approximately 15 years. Uh my specialty
is in special education. I give advice to directors of special education. I do all matters, student discipline. I conduct disciplinary board hearings. Um I also cover board meetings, but that's
Megan's uh specialty. And um I really take uh pride in um when we're in litigation. I' I've done a lot of litigations and due process litigation. Um, and I take pride in the taxpayer money that uh we have. I don't settle
cases easily uh without being hard fought. And I treat the taxpayer money as if it were my own. So, we're really cognizant of your budget, of time and expense. Um, the Bush Law Group has 16 attorneys. We practice in all areas.
You'll see we also fight for the labor and employment. Um we um have expertise, we have great wide experience and we're responsive um you know we have a personal relationship with the board and
um with the members of the administration uh in this day and age when it comes to cell phones, texting, emails that you can always get us, you can always reach us and we're responsive. Um, I'll let Megan speak a little bit about the GC
stuff and to take any questions you may have. >> Good evening, board members. Um, my name is and I have a background in public contracting. So, I used to be in public contracting city. Um
um so with my whole contract around I am very careful about what bids go out how they're responding to and make sure that the boards are doing everything based on the law and making sure that what is happening is um legal and is not does
not go against uh the the school board uh contracting law. Um, and do you have any questions for me? You guys, >> I am a former board member. Um, I sat on
the board for about 20 months and you know, I went through a litany of different issues with the board. Um, I have been representing of few different boards. We have over 100 boards at the firm. So, we we are very efficient. We are very responsive. We make sure that
we are experienced. We can do everything when it comes to special education. That's all does. So if you have any questions for us, we will be happy to answer. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thank you for your consideration. Appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Parker. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Jeff Catalano and law firm of Park Marquette. We are a multi-disiplinary firm with 50 attorneys. I have nine attorneys in my street law department and five attorneys in my labor employment department.
We have been serving public entities in New Jersey for over a hundred years and continuing to provide great service to those public entities because we know how important they are. I want to thank you for volunteering to meet organizers because it is not easy job. You guys
face criticism constantly from everywhere whether it be the taxpayers and the other stakeholders of the school of Detroit. You guys have a thankless job all the time. And as solicitor and court attorney, it is my job to help you
perform that job to the best of your abilities and with all of the ethical duties and candidates that are provided by New Jersey. Now, I have a little bit about me. I attended Cornell University at the Industrial School of Liberal Relations studying the world of work and how to
get to consensus and how to negotiate and mediate disputes. I went to Cornell Law School spending time in the labor law clinic again focusing on resolving disputes mediating and getting people to consensus and to say yes. Afterwards a
lot of my colleagues went to work in judgships and clerkships across the state. I worked with the National Football League and negotiated the player lockout collective bargain agreement in 2011. After that, I decided to come back to my hometown, South Harrison Township, right around Holl,
New Jersey, and decided that my services would be best united back at home, servicing public entities across the state of New Jersey. doing the honor to represent the Pleasant Hills public schools as your board attorney will make sure that my duty is to ensure that our
students here have the best education that the board of education can provide that your administrators are properly counseledled to make sure that everything is taken care of that when there is a dispute between board members or amongst board members and the
administration that we handle that in the proper order that is necessary. You know I'm I try to believe that brevity is the most important thing and I try to explain everything I do with a practical sense of language.
I try to do that because I understand that my time is valuable and any know that comes with my life is paid by tax and that is a duty that I take great. So if you have any questions for me I would love to answer them as I
have any questions. How many um school districts do we um service? >> We serve service service dozens of school districts across South Jersey from Burlington all the way down to Kate May. I want to say we service close to 40 or 50 school districts. I will tell
you though that if I am your board attorney that I would be at your meetings pending any sort of emergency situation. I am a father of two or two. So obviously sometimes children you know get sick but other than that we will be
question. >> Thank you. >> Well thank you for your time and >> you're welcome. Now we can move to labor because Mr. H is not here today. He's still listening. >> So for specialist the bush law, are you
coming back up or you you want to come back up? Okay. >> Uh thank you for giving us one of your time. Um so in labor and employment um you know I do work on this as well. Um, I'll do title 9, title six, compliance.
Um, I've done, you know, administrative leave, um, tenure charges. Um, some of the focus on personnel matters, employee disciplinary matters. Um, we also do professional
development training. Um uh you know in this regard uh our firm has an excellent uh collective gardening negotiations. Ari Schneider um he's really one of the best in New Jersey. Um Megan do you have anything to add to the
>> I've worked with Mr. player and I've um helped some of our agreements making sure that we from the beginning to the end without having to go to arbitration or mediation making sure that all parties are respected accounted for and
all of their needs are heard. So we make sure that we get from the table to the to the papers and make sure that it's you know without having to uh spend district resources
any questions. Thank you so much. >> Law offices of Jenna. Jenna Cook. >> Yes. My name is Jennica. Some of you know me for the first time this evening. Uh I have been a practicing lawyer since
2001. All of my legal um expertise and experiences come from county in New Jersey and Kate May County, New Jersey. Um I have represented municipal governments, school boards, both private
and um public in all aspects of labor and personnel issues including uh litigation appearances before various administrative boards. I negotiated contracts for p uh private and public
entities including the Atlantic City Convention Center. um in terms of multi-million dollar contracts for services and providers of goods. I have um successfully resolved multiple
litigations uh for persons against school districts and also resolved matters pending litigation on behalf of school districts with those persons. Um I am a sole practitioner. I get to decide what cases I take and
don't take and I get to decide what clients I take and what I don't take. And that makes me, I think, in uniquely qualified. I live here. I work here. Um, you will see me around here. I can come when needed. I can answer the telephone
when needed. For those of you who have had experience with me over the last year as um hearing for the power law firm as labor council um I believe you would understand that I have uh been completely responsive to all phone
calls, questions, emails from all both the administration uh the board president and various board members when I hear um as I said yet me I'm a hometown girl most of my life in Atlantic county in Clover City and in
Clover Township. Uh I was a prosecutor in Pleasantville for many years. So although most people don't find a prosecutor to be a person uh that understands a community very well, um I develop programs here um for persons
that needed resources. Um and I am very familiar with the nuances of this community and the needs of the community. Um, I think I think that's probably it. For those of you who have any questions,
please ask >> for a question. >> You sent us a letter February 20. But >> yeah, Miss Jenna Cook originally sent me a >> We don't just change our mind and tell
us the day of like you got emails. that she rescended, but then she cuz she submitted her proposal by that date, but then she said she didn't want to resend. So, I have um a couple questions pertaining to um
maybe this might not be the right form. I know we've been hearing that she was representing um supposed to be doing the arbitrations and wasn't showing up for the arbitrations was cancelling or not showing up for the
arbitrations for the things that we have. So can you explain what was going on pertaining to that? >> Can you give me a specific arbitration? I just I'm going by um every time we have a meeting the teachers union
president comes up and asks us why haven't someone came for the arbitration for the staff and they wanted to come back to work and um it was stated that you didn't know that you were still employed or not employed like can you give us
>> Sure. Okay. >> I think I know where that came from. I'm assuming that came from Miss Watson's matter with it which was an unfair labor practice matter. Uh there was not an arbitration scheduled. It was a procedural meeting in advance of a
hearing before Perk. I have been here. Mr. Powell had the contract with uh the school district. I have been in hisstead as he is not regularly in Atlantic County. At the time that unfair labor practice hearing was a procedural
meeting was scheduled. I was out of the country in Colombia. I had no access to or very limited access to email or text or phone. I did have that on my responsiveness, my responsive automated response to my emails. And in fact, when
I had good service prior to that procedural meeting, I did email the um gentleman from Kirk and advised him that I was out of the country, did not have access to anything, and that the board had not yet reappointed or made his
appointment of labor counsel at that time. It was scheduled for January, right? >> So, um the perk representative apparently emailed Mr. Carol directly, not me. Or if she did, or if he did
email me, it was sent um I was out of the country, which I had said, and when I came back, um I got a phone call from Miss Jenkins asking if I was appearing. I advised them that it is never been my practice to not appear for something ever in my entire years of practicing
law. and that um although I was not at that moment prepared because it was not on my calendar as it should have been um and was not handled by me personally that I would immediately seek to address the matter on its substance with the
district and respond to them. And in fact, I hung up the phone. I reached out uh discussed the matters of the unfair labor practice. I spoke to the attorney for Ms. Waxin separately for about 10 minutes. It came to a resolution and I
proposed it to the board which was accepted. I negotiated that without further need for appearance before the perk board. Um that is the singular time I can tell you in my entire legal practice that I have ever not been
somewhere where someone expected me to be. And I did explain to the perk uh representative that I had been out of the country, that I did not receive his email rescheduling it for that date and time. I apologize that that is not my
practice. Um and that anyone in this community that knows me knows I am an absolute rule follower. I don't take my responsibilities lightly. Um I do have things that I have to attend to every single week. I appear in court weekly. Um I do not submit things late. I do not
feel to attend to things. My phone rings, I answer it. Um, and this was an isolated situation, which I can understand is concerning for you, >> right? >> Um, but it was isolated and I attributed to the fact that I was working to
fulfill Mr. Carol's obligations. And that email came to him where it was in the middle of nowhere and while I was in Colia alongside the mail with no access to sell and it was not on my calendar. Additionally, there have been
matters that have been pending arbitration. One of those, for example, is a tuition reimbursement matter. That matter has been scheduled and adjourned because there are what became apparent is there
are over I believe 50 separate claims or issues that need to be addressed. And if I began the work to prepare for an arbitration and in January this board appointed a different labor council, all
of the work I did would have to be duplicated by the new council with their point of view. They would have to speak to all the administration and review documents all all over again to prepare for that. And from my point of view, as
has been said by many, this is a district, like every district whose dollars count. I was not going to build for the sake of billing to get time in for something I was not certain I would appear to um process on behalf of the
board. And to me, that's significant cost savings, which I can tell you was several thousand minimally to address every single one of those claims. placement on the salary guide, what virtual active money is due
or not due. What started as what we understand two claims became 50 almost overnight. And for that reason, I adjourned that arbitration as a cost savings measure. I would have loved to do the work and I started digging into it. But when it came time and the date
for reappoint became clear and then it got moved again fiscally it didn't make sense for me to start that endeavor and hope that the work I did would benefit another attorney who either might see it a different way or was going to redo the work.
>> Thank you for um explaining it cuz we just kept hearing that she wasn't showing up. So now we had the opportunity to explain to us why and honestly. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Well, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you all. If I'm not brought
back, it's been a pleasure. I really have enjoyed working with the district and it is a place where I have spent many, many, many years of my uh law or my legal practice, the members of this community, some of whom are even here tonight. So, it's uh been my pleasure
and I thank you all for Thank you. Thank you. Parker McKay. >> Hello again. Thank you for your time. I I will be brief again. Uh the key here is I have litigated everything from the small grievance arbitration in our
boardrooms all the way up to the New Jersey and United States Supreme Court. When it comes to labor and employment matters, I've negotiated agreements for all from our public workers all the way up to our teachers and administrators. I am expert in labor and employment
matters having you know studied this not only in college but at university's labor law school. But the key aspect that I bring is not only being able to litigate and fight voraciously when it comes to labor employment matters, but to be proactive before they even happen.
A 10-minute phone call from that administrator to prevent a mistake from happening will save you thousands in the long after all dollars count. And the key here is I would much rather have that administrator give me the question
about the FMLA or NJFA. Give me that question about the interactive process. Tell me how do you see this contract language? Can I pick your brain about how I'm going to adjudicate that contract language? And just having that open door, being able to solve that
problem 10, 15 minutes at a time saves us from having to go through the arbitration process, saves us from having to have that complaint and go through nasty and expensive litigation. I look forward to working with you if you choose me to be your labor
employment specialist and I'll answer any questions you might have. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> We can now hear from Scarinsky and Holland not here.
Taylor lover. >> Good evening, madame president, board members, and I'm superintendent and administration. I'm Lester Taylor with Taylor Law Group. By way of background, uh I started tell Law Group on October 1st, 2023 about 2 and 1/2 years ago. We
say we are a new firm with decades of experience. By way of background, I've been practing my firm. I was with a firm founded by former governor about 16 years where I was an owner and equity partner at that law firm. Um I decided to venture out on
my own. We started with four lawyers about 2 years ago again and we're up to 15 lawyers now. Represent several school districts across the state of New Jersey from Bergen County all the way down to Camden County and everywhere in between um as general counsel, special education
council, labor and employment litigation accept full service law firm. Um if I may step back for a moment, I'd be remiss if I didn't say thank you for the honor and opportunity to present to you here this evening. Um I've had the opportunity to represent Pleasantville public schools on various occasions in
the past. So it's good to see various members of the community uh board members familiar faces etc. Um so again with respect to our capacity um we have approximately 15 lawyers that are capable of servicing your legal needs.
Um we have the expertise in education law in particular um in serving various capacities with various school districts. Uh I'll say of of pertinent relevance um from my experience um was a recent uh case that I handled up to and
before the New Jersey Supreme Court of San Juan versus the West New York for education was a case that set precedent in the law in the state of New Jersey uh establishing and codifying the arbitrator's authority in fashion remedy and in labor arbitration. Another labor
matter um which was also a pretty novel issue at the time was a decade or so ago where I represent New Jersey City School District um when their union were in negotiations with their teachers union they actually went on strike um at that time the first strike in the state of
New Jersey over 25 years um based upon our representation our preparation uh with respect to the entire process that was months in the making because we kind of anticipated that this labor action u may occur occur. Um, we were prepared with the advice and authority of our
client to prepare order to show cause before they even went on strike. So that when they did coincidentally want payment once their direct deposit hit, they went on strike. We filed an order to show cause at 9:00 a.m. We work by 2:00 p.m. with an order directing the
teachers back to work. So those are just some of the experiences um that we have with respect to zealous advocacy being very proactive uh being aggressive um but also being cognizant of your role as electedly officials uh in your community um and representatives of the taxpayer
dollars. I can't say that I was a school board member working on school former school board. Um and I also had the pleasure of serving as mayor of the city of Split in Storms, New Jersey. So I can understand from a firsthand account uh the passion,
the commitment, uh the time uh that it takes to serve your community, serve the public. Um in many respects, it's a fameless job as I'm sure you all know. Um people publicly shame you and privately praise you. Um, so it's something that, you know, I have a better sense of how to uh empathize with
you when you're making tough decisions sometimes at each other's necks. Um, but also try to help you uh with a sense of clarity and experience. Be able to get through those moments so that you can vote your conscience. Um, but also do so with information in advance. um
information that is objective and accurate so that you can again make the decisions that are in the best interest of your taxpayer dollars and the students and community uh that you serve. I'd be happy uh to answer any questions but I'll also say not only is our firm a minority owned firm obviously
um but we also are very diverse um with women and minorities partnership as well as leadership positions in our firm. Uh we are proud to say we reflect the communities that we serve and without communities of pleasant know we wouldn't do business. So we look forward to the
opportunity to do service. I have a question. Um I sit here and I listen to the things you say how your firm has grown over two years. Um why didn't you apply for board? >> Um to be quite honest with you, I wasn't
sure if you were satisfied with the current council we had. Um but we did take great measures in our uh package. We do cover all of our facets uh general counsel for employment etc. Um we're happy to be considered braiding position uh that you offer. I mean obviously this is an RFP process so it's kind of we
have a lot of discretion what you do. Um but I know I'm looking at Mr. Pa some of the board members out there. I've represented this board before and I know that sometimes you might have been happy with who you had. So I figured I would just go anywhere the whole thing was with paper counsel. But if you're
looking for other things, I'm happy to consider that. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> And I said that name at my own risk quite frankly because I know some of y'all may not like >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much.
>> Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. That's the best reliever. >> Can I get a motion for um to forward attorneys? >> I'm sorry. Please, please let motion. >> Uh, who do you guys
So, >> who do you want to appoint? Do you have an idea or do you want we do a public or do we just go off the chart? >> We're not going to proceed. >> Well, the board, everyone reviewed their
proposals. This was just for the presentation. So, do you know who you want as a board solicitor? >> Well, that's what you're supposed to select it based on who you want for your for solicitor, your labor attorney. >> Under assumption that we fill out the
sheets, we tally them up. You say, >> tally them up. Okay. But also because you resend it, we don't have a sheet for you at all. >> Do you have I don't have
Jenna sent her. So I didn't Can you share her um she She doesn't wish Um, Miss White is going to take our sheets and tally them and then she will get back to the one we chose so we don't
take up too much time. Um, public comments. Um, we ask you come to speak. We can't speak on personnel matters. Um, we ask you to come speak courteously and respectful. Uh we have Jonathan Diego.
>> The only thing I wanted to uh address and inquire from the board and again thank you for the opportunity to speak again address this body. Uh I brought up on a previous board uh meeting the
possibility of the school district recognizing three kings day as uh a day where students should have that day off uh in order to spend time with family,
friends, and recognize the importance of the day and the cultural I guess what I'm asking is the board to be concerned about the the cultural backgrounds of our school district which is over 70% Latino
and the reality that many of our students in the school district um and their families would like to have time together during that time of year. the school district does provide days off for other groups or or individuals with
other backgrounds and I think it would be prudent and proper that the school district actually put it up for a vote. So, not only in the hopes of passing a resolution calling for that they all
cheer, but also so the public knows where the world understands um regarding the the people that they serve, the vast majority of which are Latino students. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Diego.
Next, we have Miss Kathy Watson from the PEN. Before Miss Watson gets started, I think it's the easy fix. So, make a motion that we acknowledge three kings today. >> Okay. Uh, any questions?
Roll call. Mrs. Silver. Miss Silver. What date is that? Fall one. >> Okay. >> Yes. White. Miss Aens. Miss Aens three kings day. They get a motion to uh
celebrate three king day. Three kings day on January the 6th. Okay. I mean yes. Miss Harris, do you have the calendar? Just trying to see. I don't have the calendar, but it's January.
>> It's still yes, but I still wanted to see something. See, >> you said yes. >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes,
>> Miss Waters. >> Miss Silver. >> Yes. Um, yes. Motion here. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Good evening.
>> Um, I'm the president of the union for so I represent the uh teachers, the custodians, security, uh, maintenance, child study, secretaries, all that. everybody goes
post most post except for um the kitchen help and the transportation. So, uh there's been a uh recently there's been a lot of uh part-time people being hired and in order for me to um you know help our people. We need
to hire a lot more security guards, especially security guards, full-time and full-time custodians. There's been a lot of part-time custodians being hired recently. And we need full-time people because then we get healthcare. Our our
ESPs educational support professionals are people who usually live in Pleasantville and they are members of our community. So we want to make sure that they have healthcare and full benefits and and full-time work. And then I'm sure we can do a much better
job and clean better and show up on time and just be more responsible because it's not just going to be like a parttime gig. is going to be like their actual job. People want an actual job especially now that you see. Um and then like right now we have like partly the
um security in the um high school and the middle school. We need more and we have this new system in place that checks as soon as passes and they have to so the the security guards are now like um
um bathrooms. So they just sit there some have to sit there and check the kids passes. So when there's a fight, when there's a fight in a high school, if you have four or five people in the building of thousand children and a couple of them are
sitting in standing there checking kids passes, who's going to go down and bring up the fight? So we need to hire some more security guards. It's it's definitely important. There's thousand kids in this building, almost thousand middle school
and there's four or five schools and several of them are sitting there looking at passes all day. So it's it's not something that you know it's significant. It's it's important. Um and then the other question that I had was I've been told by a couple of people that um Mr. Gibson is now on city
council. So how I don't understand how that works. If he's on city council, he was sworn in last night. Is he is he going to be on board with David? He can't do both. Like is he going to give
his resignation? Like I don't know. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Watson. to the board of education and to the community. Um, I'd like to just share
that first, we have an amazing student population. Our high school students are amazing. Our middle school students are equally amazing. We have four elementary school
students, amazing kids. As a matter of fact, you know, since the work was reasonably long in a span of probably over 60 days.
So, I'd like to commend our students for adhering to the code of conduct. This administration has worked diligently to address um our code of conduct particularly for
six through 12th grade very much focus on restorative practices. Um and so in the last 2 and 1/2 years, what we do know is that incidents involving any
type of aggression or fight has deescalated. It has decreased. And this administration and teachers and school leaders are focused on making sure that our students are engaged in
the classroom and that they are not sent out of schools for unnecessary reasons. I'd like to also state that one of the things that ensures that our students are thriving is that they stay
engaged. So the fact of the matter is that the high school has an allocation of 11 security officers. The middle school has an allocation of nine security officers. I am not a
proponent of building a pipeline to jail. I'm a proponent of having students have the opportunity to have access to highquality education with teachers, our teachers who for the most part are amazing teachers, are engaging students.
And so I'd like to just make sure that the facts are owed to students. Our students are indeed great kids. The data shows that misconduct, particularly uh fighting, has decreased in the Pleasantville public schools and we have
kids that are adhering to the code of conduct. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Next, we have Mr. Johnson. >> All right. Uh next we have David Call. When I came to discuss this evening, I have decided to leave and I just want
you to know I will be back. It's not going to be nice. I can tell you that. Thank you. Um, four comments. Mr. M Mr. Marrique, do you have anything to
say? Just want to thank everyone for showing up. Um please come keep showing up, offering your comments, your questions. It is not only um a duty, it is it is a
right to keep pushing, to keep asking questions. it's going to make this this school district better for all. So, thank you for showing up, for taking the time. Um, please keep showing up. Ple please keep supporting our students. Um,
and we will see you at the next board meeting. Thank you. This is I just want to say thank you for everyone coming out, showing up. Keep showing up. Bring numbers out. Hold us accountable. Whether you personally know us or you
know us surely from here, no matter what we do, hold us accountable. Thank you. >> Miss Miss Akens, thank you everyone for coming out. Um, please continue to come show your support for your comments. Um,
>> don't >> miss Morgan. I want to thank everyone for coming out with those who came to the microphone and spoke. We appreciate your comments and your concerns. Just as you know, for people just to be a little bit
respectful. We don't get paid to be here. We're here for our passion and trying to do better this board, make this board a better board than previous boards and try to get along and do things collectively together making
decisions. We agree to disagree, but at the end of the day, we're going to try to do the right thing that's going to be for our staff and our students. Thank you everyone for coming out. Our job is not an easy one. We have tough
choices, tough decisions to make. But if we can only keep in mind that we do it on behalf of our children, we will make the right decision. Thank everyone for coming out and we appreciate you. We are here. We are listening. Please continue to voice your opinion. We will take it
into consideration. Have a great night. Miss Mo. Yes, I forgot let you know I was I was still trying to do my paperwork and think at the same time. I want to personally thank Dr. Martinez on the behalf of our Muslim community
for observing our Ramadan. We all appreciate you for um allowing everyone especially students to participate. I hear from a lot of students they text me like I'm about to go pray about to go pray. So that means
a lot and our board has turned around a lot you know to do that. So I want to personally thank you for that as well as the board for approving it as well. So a lot of that goes with the board because we all work together for the right
reasons and allowing them to take the food home, you know, with their pray. So that means a lot to us. So I just wanted to speak on a behalf of the Muslim community that we strongly appreciate you for allowing this to happen and
thank you and may Allah which means God reward you abundantly with good in your endeavors and thank you. Just uh to the board of education just want to emphasize that um in my administration it is about all students
regardless of who they are. They all matter and I hope that it continues to be a district where students are made first. I would just like to thank everyone for coming out. Uh my colleagues have said
it all. Um um just want to um they said it all. I just have no comment right now. Sometimes you don't have words to say. So I don't like to make up things that I don't have anything to say, but I believe my colleagues up here have said it all and
they've took a little bit of everything or said it from me. So, we will see you again. Um, April, I mean, March the 17th is our next meeting. Until then, stay safe, healthy, and keep learning.
One more minute. I think we're ready for the um who we'll do the motion for the two have the majority. Okay. So for labor law firms, you can do a motion for law
firms and do a motion second. >> Wait, sorry. Second at the same time. So motion second.
>> Miss Aikens. Yes. Miss Harris. Yes, >> Miss Morgan. Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes, >> Miss Waters.
>> Miss Silver. Miss Roel. >> No. Motion carries. >> Congratulations. We look forward to working with you. for board attorney Bush Law Firm. Motion second.
>> Questions on this way. >> Miss Aens. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris. >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan. Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> No. Sorry.
>> Sorry to hear you. Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters. >> Yes. >> Miss Silver. >> Miss Roel. >> No. >> Hunt.
May I have a motion for my hand? >> Sorry. said we need another motion for that. >> Okay. I may have a motion for um hunt and ability for our board of detail. >> This is for board attorney. >> Oh, for board attorneys. I'm sorry. May
I have a motion >> for Okay. May I have a motion? >> Motion. Motion by Mr. Rodriguez. May I have a second? Second by Miss Silver. Questions? >> Yes, I have a question. How are we
voting if he didn't apply? Shouldn't it be the second runner up? >> He wasn't making people. So, shouldn't it be if we didn't agree on the first whoever the first
runner up was, shouldn't we pick who on the second? How we going to vote for someone who wasn't here who didn't do a presentation? All right. How we doing? Who was your person? Whoever is the runner up should be the
next person. For attorney, it was Mr. uh wasn't here. Well, no. Whoever we just voted on, it didn't it was split. >> So, the next runner up should be the next person cuz how we going to vote on
something? >> Well, Jenna, Jenna didn't apply for >> No, no, no. We just tell you who doesn't know, right? >> Mhm. It was even. So, whoever's the second runner up with the second score, highest
score, should be the next person. How are we voting for someone who's not here? Who didn't give us give us a presentation? >> Well, he didn't give us a presentation. He submitted a proposal. But it's the board's decision. >> I understand that. But we should
give us present his presentation. >> It doesn't matter. Where was he? >> He did present his presentation. >> Because the majority was Bush and Hunt. So the other for Parker McKay. Why are we voting for that? He's not here. That's why I
>> mean they they scored here high on their actual evaluation even though he wasn't here. There was scores of Hunt even though he was not here. >> So we're scoring based off of what? >> We're scoring based off of you um looking at the coming in and looking at
the RFPs. when you come in before we get here, what you do is you go and you look at the RFPs and you review the RFPs and then you um determine which one you would like. So, we just did a courtesy by having them come out
>> um to interview. But when you actually review the RFPs, when you go to Miss White's office, that's how you look through them and see that you what you're doing and that's how you basically score them. It should have really been scored before
we got here, but I mean, but we did. >> Well, we should have had an explanation because you told her when you looked at those RPs when you went into her office that you were supposed to uh score each one, each category when you look who you
voted for, you had to on your scoring sheet, you needed to vote for that person when you did >> the voting. We call it the roll call. Ain't that what we're doing? >> Because Bush had more votes, but
everyone didn't vote for him when he went around for roll call. >> Okay. So, now what's the second go round? >> I don't understand. You said you want to do another one because some people voted for Bush but did not on their scoring sheet but they did not vote for Bush.
Whoever you voted for, you should have voted for them and made sure you voted for them only when he said no. >> On paper he said yes. >> So on paper you said count right. So if you voted for Bush for if
that's who you wanted for your board solicitor, you needed to vote for him when we did roll off for Bush. And if that if you wanted Hun for your board solicitor, you should have voted for him when we did roll off for Hunt. I mean, if you want to do it again,
whatever you do, we have to vote. So she said, whoever you do. So everybody understand or if you want to vote for go through the solicitor list just vote we'll be doing sounds good to everyone
we vote for Bush and we vote for Hammond or we vote for all four solicitors top two top okay top two was Bush was number one and Huck Hammond was number two okay go that
Whatever we proceed to vote, you need to select, but we need five things to select the solicitor. Gotcha. Okay. So, go ahead and do the motion again this way. Okay. This is board attorney and this is
for the company the Bush Law. Okay. May I have a motion? >> Motion. Motion. M. Second. >> Second by Miss Silver. questions. >> No questions. Roll call, Miss White.
Miss Aens. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris. >> Yes. Bush. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez.
>> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters. Miss Silver. M roll. No. Motion carries. >> We're good.
That is for This is for board general counsel. Congratulations. Who is this? >> Bush. >> Congratulations. Was for board attorney and Taylor Law is for labor attorney. Okay. Congratulations.
uh to Bush and the law firm. Dear board members, I'm writing to formally resign from my position as a member of the Pleasantville School Board effective immediately. Serving on the board has been an invaluable experience and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the educational
well-being of student community. I am proud of the progress we have made together. I want to express my gratitude to my fellow board members, the school staff and the community for their support and collaboration during my tenure. Thank you for your
understanding. Sincerely, Martin Kson. May I have a motion to accept the res? Motion motion by Mrs. Morgan, second by hand. All in roll call. All in favor? >> I roll. No. No. I'm sorry. I take that
back. Roll call. Miss. >> Yes. >> Miss. Harris. >> Yes. >> Miss. Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez.
>> Miss Sanchez. >> Miss Waters. >> Yes. >> Miss Silver. Mr. Roel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> And one more motion. I'm sorry. May I have put a motion on the floor to advertise with APC?
>> Motion to advertise with motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Morgan. Second by Miss Sanchez. Any questions? Yes. When What are we advertising for? Tomorrow. Okay. tomorrow and we will do the um interview
March 17th next meeting. That's not a meeting. Yeah. So, we'll do it um March 17th. >> Miss Aens. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris. Yes,
>> Miss Morgan. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes, Miss Sanchez. >> Miss water, Miss Silver.
M roll. Yes. Motion carries. May I have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Santz. M. Second. Second by Everybody. >> Um, all in favor? I oppose.