WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=SEBzSW35aFw

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: SEBzSW35aFw):
- 01:26:12: Back from Executive Session; Introductions and Public Comment
- 01:26:32: Priscilla Noel - Maintenance Issues and Tax Levy Concerns
- 01:30:30: Pastor Jerome Page - Tax Levy and Board Vacancy
- 01:35:12: Tim Jones - Frivolous Litigation and Ethics Complaints
- 01:38:15: David Callaway - Open Vacancy and Attorney Fees
- 01:40:25: Alexander Mendoza - Supporting Mia Torres for Vacancy
- 01:41:45: Superintendent's Budget Report - Enrollment and Funding
- 01:49:18: Budget Overview: Revenue, Expenses, Fund Balance
- 02:04:15: Facility Sustainability, Capital Improvement Plans for District
- 02:07:16: Fiscal Challenges, Potential Budget Reductions, Strategies
- 02:11:45: Board Questions, Proposed Budget Changes, Discussion
- 02:36:54: Preliminary Budget Vote Fails; County Superintendent Intervention
- 02:44:01: Motion to Approve Fire Drill and Safety Report
- 02:44:32: Approval of Agenda Items; Superintendent's Report Re-Vote
- 02:51:09: Board Motion 3.1 to 3.4 Fails; Budget not Approved
- 02:51:58: Finance Approvals: 4.1 to 4.19; Questions and Amendments
- 03:06:23: Transportation Approvals, Human Resources Discussion
- 03:18:24: Policy Review, Curriculum Approval, HIV Report Approval
- 03:29:11: Resolution Approving Settlement Agreement and Next Steps
- 03:30:58: Board Vacancy Interviews: Candidate Questioning Begins
- 03:33:31: Deandra Miller Interview: Platform and Ethical Decision Making
- 03:33:53: Jerome Page Interview: Communication and Community
- 03:42:28: Mia Torres Interview: Bridging the Gap for Students
- 03:46:40: Deliberation and Selection: Deandra Miller Wins Vacancy
- 03:50:28: Motion for Investigation: Info Leaks from Administration
- 03:52:00: Pastor Page Public Comment: Board Unity and Actions
- 03:54:22: David Callaway Public Comment: Board Member Residency?
- 04:00:21: Priscilla Noel: Track Team Request, School Budget Discussion
- 04:07:57: Accountant Vacancy, Class Dojo App, Budget Concern Discussion
- 04:15:49: Motions and Actions: Special Board Meeting, Law Firm Change


Part: 1

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Mic check. One, two. Check. One, two. Testing. One, two, three. One two three 4. Check. One, two. Check. One, two. I think that's good.

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They look like they about to cuss us out. >> Testing. May I have a motion to come out of executive session, please? >> Motion. >> Motion by >> by >> Mrs. Akens. Second. May I have a second? Second. Second by Miss Silver.

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All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay, next we have 1.5 public comments, agenda items only. We ask you when you come to state your

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name um be courteous and respectful and remember we do not discuss personnel in public. First we have Miss Priscilla Noel. >> One two cent. >> Good evening everyone. Good evening.

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>> Good evening. >> I had a question in reference to 4.2 in the bill list with over one of a few of the items over $20,000 for maintenance. I just wanted the board to

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look more closely at that because I don't know if that's a normal expenditure considering that the playground slide at South Main Street School is still in disrepair and it's been over a year possibly if I'm correct

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going on two years that that slide on the playground has been in disrepair. There is caution team on it. In addition to that, the staff and students do not have adequate temperature control in the

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school. So when it was hot, they were hot. When it's cold, they are cold. And one of the thermostats I was able to personally witness had an error code on it. And when I looked it up on Google, it mentioned that that was for lack of

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maintenance. So, I really want y'all to look into these maintenance expenditures because there are things in disrepair. For >> 3.3, the tax levy for healthcare, that is almost $3 million. And I'm just

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wondering if you can reconsider doing that tax levy because as far as the budget for next year, the state of New Jersey has awarded Pleasantville an additional $3 million. So, can we offset or is that not how the budget works when

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it comes to getting actual uh additional monies from the state? So, is there a way we can delay that so that the the taxpayers and everyone's a taxpayer that lives in Pleasantville, whether they're paying a mortgage or whether they're paying rent. So, the people who live in

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Pleasantville won't bear the cost of that at least for one year. So, can you look into that $3 million additional that has been awarded from the state of New Jersey for the 2026 2027 year so that the taxes don't increase because I

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see that it was to go over the 2% limit and it doesn't specify what that percent is for the increase. So, I understand people have to have benefits, but can we look at that more closely so that we don't front the cost of that and get blindsided because whether it's uh taxes

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going up and the mortgage has to go up, they have to pay escrow or whether it's the rent going up, the landlord is not going to absorb that cost. They're going to pass it on to the renter. So, please look at that tax levy and see if that 3 million that the state's going to give you can be offset so that we don't

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increase the taxes at least for the 2026 27 year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Noah. >> Excuse me before you leave. You said the temperature issues are South Main also. >> Yes, ma'am. And this has been the area of contention because it seems like a lot of things have been in disrepair.

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And I want to say thank you to the superintendent for making efforts to make things new and bring things up to code and make them new. But if somebody who's in charge to maintain things is not maintaining them, meaning you're not cleaning the HVAC systems, you're not

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changing the filters, you're not change, and this is speculation, but if for things to go into disrepair so severely that they need to be replaced, something is wrong. >> Miss Noel, uh Dr. Martinez will check into it and she will thank you back to

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the board. >> Thank you, Dr. Martinez. Okay. Next we have Pastor Jerome Page. Good evening, 213 West Pleasant Avenue. Um, what the young lady just said, I agree

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on the tax levy. If we can change that number, bring that number down. Uh what I like to know and for all board members um the tax levy the taxes that we pay for schools going to be 13 something

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thousand uh $13 million. Do we know in the budget where that money is used? How is that money used? >> Uh Dr. Martinez will be going over that um today. Mr. Paige, >> you kind of remember that one? >> Yes. Um, I'm going to talk about the

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agenda. >> Okay. >> You have the vacancy, board vacancies, interviews. >> Yes. >> I just need to know >> why aren't I don't know how many how many are to be interviewed today. >> It's

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three. >> And why aren't there names on there on the agenda? >> Do we need to put their names on? >> They're going to be announced. >> They're going to be announced. Mr. Paige, >> I'm I'm just asking a question. Why are our names not on the agenda

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>> for the public to see who the three are? >> Go ahead. >> The names don't have to be on there. Um you you should have gotten the the resume. >> No, we got the resume when we got today. >> Yeah, we just found out today >> with our packet.

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>> Well, that's that's my leading question. I put my letter in on the 14th of this month. I called the board secretary just to make sure. Did you get it? She got it.

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She sent me a correspondence and I said, "I sent you some documents that I want the board to see, my resume, my transcript for New Jersey school boards." Yes. And I was told that

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they would get a copy of it >> today. Today. And see that's kind of threw me. It's throwing me off because y'all should have had it prior way before today. Totally agree. >> To be very transparent, Mr. Paige, we had no knowledge of who applied

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>> and why until we sat down. >> And why not? >> Mr. Paige, do you have a question about the agenda? >> To the board president, to the board president, why did not the the uh board members receive my information that I was interested in the opening?

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>> Mr. page. They did get a copy. They should have got a copy of everybody that applied for the vacancy. >> They did. >> No, there was one that was missed >> on the table when we came. >> Yes. But then she put it was one that was missed to be in the packet and she put it on the table right here when they

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came. >> So before madam president, >> right? But does it matter if you got it before after? I mean here you're you're going to be questioned anyway. um you're going to have your opportunity to have your say uh of you

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know your expectations or whatever the questions is. You're going to be able to answer that. But to me, it just seems like you're coming to this board and I don't want to seem kind of rude, but it's like you're asking questions that's it really doesn't matter to try to start something.

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>> No, ma'am. >> But we're going to interview you, Mr. Paige. I'm just asking you a question of what pro what protocol is for board members and I'm going to stand up here and I'm going to answer any questions they have. But I wanted them to see my resume.

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>> I never put a resume together, but I did did it for this board. Okay? And I wanted them to see other paperwork that I had for you. My transcript for New Jersey school boards since 1995 to to 2022. I just wanted you to see that

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because all I want to do I I would like to help the children. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Paige. >> Next, we have Tim Jones. >> Good evening, board. >> Good evening. >> I'm not going to drag mic Chris.

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Um this evening I would like to um address an issue that I have come to the board meetings in the times past to address. Um as a member of this community I I look at um things in in a way that what's good for the board is good for the community and wasting money

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on frivolous litigation is something that seems to be systemic and it needs an input to it. It seems like everybody's readily willing just to accept that's just the way it is. When you have a dispute, file an ethics complaint. I say it's really wrong to do

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that. In the end, if you notice, most cases, nothing is resolved other than lawyers make money and nothing's changed with regards to the students or the positions of the persons on the board other than maybe uh a minor disciplinary action. But it sounds childish to me to behave that way and you cost the um the

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district tremendous amounts of money in doing so. In the early part of this year, I made an open request to find out how much money has been spent on the district and legal fees for a certain amount of time on um things related to athletes complaints. In a basic summary,

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about $220,000 is spent from five years prior to the beginning of this year in legal fees alone from bickering between members that um that run for um seats to represent this community. $200,000 in five years that and is not and that

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money did not go incidentally to people standing here. Most of it went to people who are no longer here. Superintendent Atua etc etc etc etc. people not um I'll name the names because it's public record. Na and Knox, whoever he was, thousands of dollars because of that

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nonsense of things that should be handled as grown-ups in a grown-up manner and and in responsible manner and it shouldn't be left to on a burden of the taxpayers to take the burden of things that grown-ups can't handle. And and and in in keeping with that, I sent

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all of you a document that I I generated through AI, our friendly AI that um creates a basis for you to come to a a process to agree that you have a knowledge of things to be voted on prior to coming to a meeting to vote on it so that you don't have controversies. work

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on eliminating the proc the controversies before the controversies arise and we'll have a better system and stop just saying we'll just take it to a litigate litigation and let the lawyers make a lot of money. $200,000 and from from the beginning of this year

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to about five years prior just the dispute over um the um the um the board seat that Urban is sitting on and and like I said then I have no problem with Urban being on that seat but the the controversy around that ended up costing the district $5,000 and it wasn't directly related by the way to the the

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problem of of of that was happening with the um in terms of the process to be nominated for the seat but my point I'm making is little things can cost a lot of money. $5,000 over somebody who wanted to be on the board who is currently not on the board.

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>> Too much money. >> Thank you, Mr. Jones. >> Thank you. >> Next, we have David Callaway. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Um I I wanted to touch on the open vacancy. I know at the last meeting you guys took

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a vote to have that seat filled. Why isn't it being filled this evening and and it went back out? >> Per the statute per 18A. Unfortunately, um that seat cannot be filled by that me that person.

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>> Okay. Word is that seat that it was supposed to been filled by whoever it was was not eligible because of some background stuff. It's is not a secret. Everyone in the

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community knows. But everyone up there was always like Mr. Jones you just said talking about attorney fees. this person filed lawsuits against this board in the district

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knowing that he wasn't even eligible to be sitting on this board. And I hope that this board someone puts a motion on the floor to recoup that $5,000 that was spent frivously. Please

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recoup recoup that money because that'll send a message to other people in this public. Stop trying to get over on his district. Please get your money back. He knows that he wasn't eligible to be on

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this board. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next we have Al. Is that Alexander Meno? Yes, board presidents. Alexander Mendoza. >> Yes. Sorry. >> Okay. Thank you. Good evening to the

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board of uh Pleasantville. I'm speaking on behalf of the agenda and subject 1.10 board vacancy interviews. I'm here to talk about uh Mia Torres who is one of the candidates running. Uh I'm proud to say that I know her very well. She's a

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student at Stockton University. She is also an alum from the Pleasantville High School and one of the things uh Pleasantville I know is proud of is making leaders and we always talk about how we want to create leaders for the future but me as a leader of the present and by having her on the board you send

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a clear message that there there can be many students that can rise who can go to college and can continue to show those leadership skills. Mia is an extraordinary leader. She is on the government affairs of student senate. And she actually recently passed uh a resolution in support to creating more

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resources for the immigrant community. As you know, Pleasville has a 70% Latino uh community. So, she understands the problems that Latinos face. She's a student here and she's very educated and she has all the leadership skills. And I believe that if you really care about

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students, having her on the board of ed sends a clear message that students can become leaders and they can have a say in how their school district is run. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh 1.6 the superintendence report. 1.6 the

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superintendence report budget. >> I got questions. How are we doing? I thought that was May 5th. >> No, this is just the you have to approve the preliminary budget. You're doing the preliminary budget.

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>> May 5th is the actual Please unmute my wireless mics three and four. All right, we'll just share this one. We'll share this one. It's fine. Okay. Technology as good as Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Ready. >> Good evening, Board of Education staff, community members, and participants online. My name is Dr. Marilyn Martinez, superintendent of schools, and with me is Mrs. is Dale White, our district

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business administrator. This presentation is our proposed budget to the board of education. Overall, district enrollment has declined from 3,742 students in 2024 2025

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to 3,617 students in the 2526 application for state school count. a reduction of 125 students. Current enrollment as of April 14th is 3,619

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students, reflecting relative stability. At the school level, trends are mixed. High school enrollment has increased from 996 to 1,035 students, now slightly exceeding last year's 133 students, indicating recent growth at the

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secondary level. Middle school shows a continued decline from 854 students last year to 807 currently suggesting a smaller cohort moving through the system. Leadeds and North Main Elementary Schools have remained

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relatively stable with only minor fluctuations. South Main Elementary has experienced a more noticeable decrease, dropping from 471 students last year to 425 currently. Washington Elementary has increased

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enrollment rising above both last year. Recent data shows stabilization districtwide with growth at the high school in South Maine. These trends should continue to be monitored closely as they have direct implications for

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staffing, programming, and resource allocation. There is significant and growing financial pressure on the Pleasantville School District from the rising cost of charter school tuition and outofd district placements.

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The cost per student continues to increase and these are expenses the district is legally obligated to pay with little to no control over the rates. Even with the use of IDA funding to offset a portion of these costs, overall expenditures are rising and

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consuming a larger share of the budget. While the district experienced a one-time reduction of 287,04 in school year 2023 through 2024 due to students who did not attend the Atlantic

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County Institute of Technology. That relief was temporary. In school year 2024 through 2025, we were required to make a tuition adjustment to reconcile actual attendance, further underscoring the unpredictability of these cost. For

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the current budget, we have taken a deliberately conservative approach, estimating $18,000 received per student from Epsen School District, knowing that the final certified tuition rates may be higher. Once those rates are issued, we

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will be required to adjust accordingly regardless of our local financial constraints. To be clear, the these rising uncontrollable costs are a substantial and recurring pressure on the budget. As a result, the district must make

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difficult and necessary decisions in other areas of the budget. While we remain committed to providing appropriate educational placements for all students, we must also ensure fiscal responsibility, long-term stability. This requires aligning staffing programs

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and expenditures with the financial reality of the district today. Good evening everyone. There are four types of funding sources for the school district. Fund 11 is general expenses which is funding that supports the

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operation of the district. Fund 12 is capital projects throughout the district. Capital projects is viewed as large amounts of funding needed for construction, equipment, and repairs. Fund 15 is a combination of individual school budgets. Each school receives an

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allocation to support the operation of the school and the district programs. Fund 20's. Fund 20 is our grant and entitlements, which includes early childhood education, which is a state grant, and other federal grants.

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I will provide a brief overview of the proposed 2627 budget compared to the 2526 fiscal year. The total budget decrease from 126,5,619 to $123,275482

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representing a reduction of 2,730,137. This reflects our continued effort to align expenditures with projected revenues while maintaining maintaining essential services for students and staff. On the revenue side, the local tax levy

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increased from 10 million 374,45 to 13,19,224. an increase of $2,644,819. This amount includes the increase of a 2% minimum tax levy cap of 27,488

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and the 2,437,331 for the healthc care adjustment cost. both of which are necessary to address address mandated increases and rising fixed expenditures. Local s sources of revenue show a slight

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decrease from $791,86 to $764 and 760 76 764,244 a reduction of $26,842. State A general education funding

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increases from 94,477,611 to 97373,844, an increase of 2.896233, which includes adjustments related to early childhood education funding. Grants and entitlements, including semi-reimbursement, reflect a net

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decrease overall with fluctuations resulting in a reduction of approximately $874,725 based on current production projections and available funding data. The fund balance decreased significantly this

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year from 14,857,021 to 7,421,695, a reduction of approximately 7.4 million, reflecting the plan use of prior year surplus to stabilize the current and upcoming budgets. Fund balance serves as a financial

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stabilization tool for the district. It allows us to manage fluctuations in revenue, particularly state aid, enrollment changes, and unexpected cost increases without immediately impacting programming or recurring abrupt tax levy

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increases. It is created when revenues collected in a fiscal year exceed expenditures often due to conservative budgeting, unspent appropriations, timing of expenditures, or one-time revenue adjustments. In the proposed

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budget, the reduction in fund balance reflects the strategic use of approximately 7.4 million in prior year surplus. These funds are being applied to stabilize district finances, support infrastructure needs, and balance the

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upcoming budget in light of rising fixed costs and revenue constraints. While fund balance is an important tool for financial stability, it is a finite resource. It is plan used. Its plant use must be managed carefully to ensure

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long-term fiscal sustainability and to avoid structural deficits in future years. In summary, we are appreciative of the increase in state aid which provides important support for the district's instructional programs and operational

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needs. We also recognize the necessary increase in the local tax levy which helps address rising mandated costs and fix obligations. As a result, the district continues to face structural budget pressures that

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require careful financial planning, conservative revenue assumptions, and ongoing expenditure controls to maintain fiscal stability and support student needs. For the 2627 school year, the district's appropriation reflect our continued

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commitment to prioritizing instruction while maintaining essential operational and student support services. The largest investment remains instruction at 46.6 million, underscoring that teaching and learning remain at the

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center of all we do. This is followed by employee benefits at 22.3 million which supports our workforce and ensures we we remain competitive in attracting and retaining high quality staff. We are

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also investing significantly in operations and maintenance at 12.7 million ensuring safe, clean and functional learning environments across all facilities. Student support services at 11.4 4 million reflects our ongoing

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commitment to the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students. Additionally, require and strategic expenditures include chartered school tuition at 8.5 million, tuition placements at 6.7 million, which

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supported mandated educational placements outside of the district, capital outlay at 4.6 6 million continues investments in infrastructure and long-term facility improvements. Transportation is budgeted at 3.9

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million ensuring ensuring safe and reliable student access to schools and programs. School administration is at 2.4 million and central ser is at 4.2 million. support that support district

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leadership compliance operations and the central administration functions. Overall, this budget reflects a balanced approach protecting core instruction, meeting mandated obligations, obligations, and sustaining with the

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systems necessary for a safe and effective educational environment for all students. Over the last eight-year period, the total budget has increased from 88,332,856 in 209

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in 2020 to 123, million287,682 in 2026 2027 school budget. This reflects an overall growth of approximately 35 million over eight years driven primarily by increase in state aid, rising fixed cost, staffing,

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and program needs. The budget peaked in 23 and 20 2324 at 120,638,376 and again in 2526 at $126,5,619 before a plan reduction in 2627 to align expenditures with projected revenues and

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stabilize the long-term planning. The tax levy has remained relatively stable for several years, increasing modestly from 10,55,935 in 2019 2020 to 10,656,946 and 2324.

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In 2425 and 2526, the the levy remained relatively flat, reflecting e efforts to minimize local tax impact. For 2627, the local tax levy increases to 13,19,224,

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reflecting a necessary adjustment to address rising costs, including health care, contractual obligations, mandated expenditures. State aid has been the primary driver of revenue growth over the past eight years, increasing from

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73,198,234 in 1920 to 97,373,844 in 2627. This steady increase has supported instructional programming, operational needs, and district growth and remains the largest single revenue source in the budget.

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The fund balance has fluctuated significantly o over the 8-year period, increasing from 968,79 in 1920 to a high of 14 million I'm sorry 2019 to 2020 to a high of

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14,857,212526 before decreasing to 7,421,69. 95 in 2627. These fluctuations reflect the district use of prior year surplus to stabilize the budgets, manage enrollment changes,

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and address revenue timing differences. Grant funding, including ESSER and ARP federal relief funds, created a temporary and significant increase in revenue between 20 2020, 2021, in 2023,

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and 2024, peaking at over 16 million in ARP and ESSER allocations. These funds were one-time federal infusions related to covered COVID 19 recovery efforts and were never intended to be recurring

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revenue sources. As these funds expired, grant revenue has returned to more ne normal levels, declining to 4 million $65,155 2627. Medicaid reimbursements have remained

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relatively modest and stable over time with fluctuations based on eligible services and student participation. It is import It is important to note that over the past five to six years, the district benefited from approximately $18 million and one-time

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federal COVID relief funding, SR. These funds temporaril temporarily enhanced district resources but but were not sustainable re revenue sources and have now been fully expended. In summary, the district has experienced significant

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budget growth over the past eight years, supported largely by increase in state aid and temporary relief, federal relief funding. As those one-time funds have expired and costs continue to rise, the district is transitioning back to a more

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traditional funding structure that relies primarily on state aid, local tax levy, and limited grant support. This requires continued fiscal discipline, long-term planning, and careful alignment of resources to ensure

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sustaining sustainability moving forward. In this 2026 2027 budget appropriations, we want to emphasize that this budget reflects both the district's ongoing commitment to student learning and the fiscal realities that must be

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responsibly managed moving forward. A significant portion of the budget continues to be directed toward instruction totaling 46.6 million, which remains the core priority of the district. This investment supports classroom instruction, curriculum implementation, and direct services to

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students across all schools. We're also committed to ensuring that students receive the supports they need to succeed. Student support services total 11.4 million, reflecting services such as special education, counseling, and related supports that are essential to student success. At the same time, the

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district continues to face substantial mandated and fixed costs. Employee benefits total $22.3 million, reflecting contractual obligations that must be met in order to maintain a qualified and stable workforce. In addition, the

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district is required to fund significant external placement costs, including $ 8.5 million for charter school tuition and $6.7 million for out of district tuition. These are mandated expenditures that are largely outside of local control, but have a direct and ongoing

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impact on the budget. Operationally, $ 122.7 million is allocated for operations and maintenance, ensuring that our school facilities remain safe, functional, and supportive of learning. We have also included $4.6 million in capital outlay to address necessary

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facilities improvements and infrastructural needs. Transportation, school administration, central services, general administration, and technology collectively support the daily operations of the district and ensure continuity of services for students and staff. It is important to recognize that

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a large portion of the budget is fixed, contractual or mandated in nature, particularly in the areas of benefits, tuition and transportation. This significantly limits flexibility and requires continued careful and disciplined financial management.

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I will now provide an overview of the district's facility sustainability and capital improvements for 2627, which is essential to maintaining safe, efficient, and long-term functional school buildings. A major focus of this

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year's plan is continued investment in HVAC systems and building Y infrastructure improvements. Multi-purpose areas, the cafeteria, the gymnasium, auditorium upgrades are budgeted at 1.9 million impacting the

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high school and the middle school facilities. High school classroom HVAC replacements phase 1 through 8 spanning through 2025 to 2033 are estimated at 400,000 to 500,000 annually over the next eight

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years to complete all phases of modernization. Phase one design work 2526 has been budgeted at 80,000. Phase two HVAC replacements for 2627 are budgeted at $425,000

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for both high school and middle school buildings. These investments are designed to ensure consistent climate control, improve energy efficiency, and extend the life of existing systems. In addition to the HVAC work, the district is planning several critical

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infrastructure upgrades, building automatic system, HVAC controls upgrades, a one-time investment of 350,000, which will provide updated thermostats and system controls and is expected to

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last approximately 10 years at Leed Avenue. Pipe installation replacement at Le Avenue School for $600,000 for full building coverage. Access control system upgrades. Door swipe systems to enhance building security.

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130,000. Exterior door replacements at Washington Avenue School. 75,000 to improve safety and energy efficiency. high school hot water system replacement $450,000

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to ensure reliable building operations. The total capital projects allocation is $4,68,000 which includes all of the above infrastructure improvements as well as associated engineering and design costs.

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These projects represent a long-term investment in the district's physical infrastructure. Many of these systems are aging and require phase replacement to ensure continued safety, efficiency, reliability across all school buildings.

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With with these are significant capital improvements, investments. They are necessary to avoid higher long-term repair costs, reduce system failures, and maintain safe learning environments for students and staff.

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I want to address the serious fiscal challenges facing Pleasantville public schools and the impact of what is commonly referred to as a fiscal cliff. As federal relief funds and one-time revenue sources have fully expired, the district is transitioning back to a

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funding structure primarily supported by state aid, local tax levy, and limited grants. At the same time, fixed costs such as salaries, benefits, transportation, and mandated tuition continue to rise. This creates a structural gap between available resources, and the cost of maintaining

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current services. It is also important to note that these types of budget reductions and fiscal pressures are being experienced by districts throughout the state of New Jersey as many school systems face the expiration of one-time federal funds and increasing

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operational costs. Without additional revenue support, the district is forced to consider difficult reductions in order to balance the budget, including a potential increase in the local tax levy in order to avoid deeper reductions to instruction and student student

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services. A reduction of approximately 40 staff positions with reductions primarily achieved through attrition, including retirements and the non-filling of vacancies rather than layoffs wherever possible. Reduction of bus routes affecting transportation

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services for students. Reduction or elimination of certain instructional programs, extracurricular activities, and athletic opportunities. Limiting capital expenditure strictly to critical priorities, deferring or eliminating non-essential facility improvements.

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While these challenges are significant, we remain confident in the strength and dedication of our staff, administrators, and school community. Pleasantville Public Schools continues to demonstrate resilience, commitment, and a shared focus on student achievement. By making thoughtful and responsible decisions,

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the district will continue to protect the core mission of educating and supporting every student. As we conclude this budget presentation, the focus of Pleas schools remains clear. Ensuring stability, improving student achievement, preserving the

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mission. This budget reflects both the challenges and responsibilities we face as a district. While we continue to operate in a period of rising costs and constrained resources, our commitment to students remains unchanged. Every decision reflected in this budget is grounded in the priority of protecting

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the core of the educational program and supporting student achievement. Even a even in a difficult fiscal environment, we remain focused on maintaining strong instruction, preserving essential services, and sustaining safe and supportive school environments. These

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guiding principles continue to shape how we allocate resources and plan for the future. As we move forward, our shared responsibility is to ensure to ensure that Pleasantville public schools remain stable, focused, and committed to del delivering a highquality education for

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every student that is served. As I conclude my service to this district, I want to express appreciation to the board, staff, and community for their partnership and commitment to students. My focus throughout this process has remained on ensuring stability, transparency, improving achievement and

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rem and responsible stewardship of public funds. Thank you. May I have a motion to accept the superintendence report slashbudget preliminary? >> Motion by Mrs. Silver. May I have a

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second? >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. Marino. Any questions? Yeah. >> Uh oh, excuse me. Had to find I wrote notes all over everything. Just want a little clarity on the Let me

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see what page is this. I know we asked was One of the ways of saving on a budget was it were we going to keep staff or get rid of staff and I believe we was told that all staff was going to be kept

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or something similar to that. But I'm looking on here. I just need um some clarity when it say routes that may be affected or changed. I'm trying to find it, but I

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know that was one of my questions. Okay, here we go. On page 10, purple page 10. Reduce bus routes. So, with this right here, are you saying

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everything that's on this page 10, are you saying that this is what's taken in effect or this is just something that's being considered? I'm on this one right here. I guess it's still Yeah, it's on the bottom of the page. I didn't pay this too much in

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attention. My question was for page 10, are these is is this taking effect or this is just things that's being considered for the budget? >> Am I saying it right? >> Yeah. Those are reductions that were

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considered in order for us to balance the budget. >> So this is not effect. This is just a consideration like just >> that's what needs to happen. This is a >> Well, yeah, that's what needs to happen in order for us to get to this balanced budget of 123,275 482.

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>> So, y'all y'all planning on reducing 40 staff? Meaning, what you mean by that? Not renewing them, terminating them, um demolishing the positions, like what what we're doing. So when we looked at

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staffing, we're aiming to we're looking at a reduction of 40 positions, but as stated, we're looking first to uh positions through attrition that

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means a person retires, we don't fill the position. Um so retirements, positions that were never filled, then we don't fill those positions. So we exhaust all of those possibilities before going into any possible layoffs. >> Okay.

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>> So, so we're working hard to work through those measures first. >> Okay. And my next question when it say reducing the bus routes, what do you mean by reducing the bus routes for our children or transporting other children

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to different districts? What part of reducing the bus routes are we talking about? Well, we may have to consider prek like reducing routes for prek when we look at routes

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for reduction because pre prek is considered courtesy busing. So that >> prek is a courtesy bus. You said >> well well yes it's considered courtesy busing. >> Okay. >> So that may be one of the areas we may have to review for cut. >> I can't barely hear you because you

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sound so muffled. There's like five routes that are prek that we may have to reduce in order for us to prek >> continue to have a balanced budget because transportation costs are exorbitant in the district.

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>> So is that the only routes y'all um looking at to um stop is prek? Is it other routes? >> Well, that was the main one. Just pre preK. >> Just prek. >> Okay.

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And the next one, sorry to be asking so many questions everybody. Reduction instructional programs and extracurricular I can't pronounce too good and sports activities. So we're taking programs and sports from my from our children.

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So every every in order to balance this budget, we looked at all facets of the budget where we minimize impact was instruction. So the core programs during the day were not impacted but after

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school programs that can be uh covered through title one grants and other grants uh those are the ones that were impacted so that we could keep all of the day programs. Um and then uh the

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uh athletic programs that budget which was a pretty hefty budget that budget was impacted more so about uh equipment which I would say we have

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upgraded significantly >> right but that budget was impacted uh not necessarily the sports programs So what do you mean by sports activities then? >> Means that we have the sports programs >> but additional funding to those programs

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that was impacted not completely but a percent was impacted. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's all my questions. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I have a question. the tax levy. Going back to someone had

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spoke um I think it was Priscilla um Noel had spoke about the tax levy and trying not to raise it. Um can you explain to this board and people here and people are listening why you

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had to go in to the healthc care part so this raises our taxes. Can you actually just ex really explain it to them because I know it took you a while to balance this budget because you couldn't get it balanced

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and that's why we're not on schedule to have pro have proven this budget in the beginning but can you just explain because I had a problem with going into that and taxes going up myself but can you just explain why you

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had to do that? Well, the district has never increased the tax levy for the health care costs. We always increased the tax levy, the 2% minimum, which equates to about $200,000 because we didn't have to because we had

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the infl the influx of COVID funding all those years. But this year, because we had $7 million less than we had the prior year, if we didn't increase the health care and take the health care cap, we would have had to cut more

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positions because that's 2,600,400 was $2,644 that we did not have. So it was either increase the tax levy for the healthc care adjustment which we didn't want to do because we didn't want to put the burden on the taxpayers but it was

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either that or cut more positions because we don't have any re our only revenue stream is the tax levy and the state aid that we get in the grants that we get federal grants we're about $4.6 million like we don't have additional

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revenue like to support the budgets for sustainability I mean in your expenses are increasing. You have your health care costs. You have your tuition. You have charter schools. You have salaries. Like we're raising salaries

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3 4% but your tax levy is only 2%. So how can you raise your tax levy only 2% and you have all these expenditures that you can't I mean you you have a budget that can't sustain your expenditures. And so each year it's going to get even

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harder. So for the next superintendent is going to be the same situation or even worse because where are you going to get that additional funding? The state gave us $3.4 million which we're thankful for but we're going to need more than that because every year there's increases in salary

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expenditures, utilities is just the cost of living and cost of school expenses are continuously going up. >> And I have one more question also. Can you also explain to this board and to

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the audience and the listeners um about the money that we had carried over for so many years and since we carried over we carried the money over from year to year to year and now we're here

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what happened so this board can understand we don't have any money >> well the money that we had was we had co money I mean when we got the co money we hire hired custodians, we hired HVAC tech, we hired um attendance officers,

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we hired people, but that money was only to sustain you during those COVID years. And now that that money has been exhausted, those some of those positions was moved into our general fund budget, but our general fund budget is not increasing at

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the rate of the increase in the salaries. I mean, it's not just salaries. Your budget is 70% salaries with salaries and benefits, but those costs, we have to sustain them. And now we don't have that COVID access surplus money left to kind of like guide us

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along the way every year. I mean hopefully like we don't I mean Pleasantville is a sub I mean it's not a suburban district. It's an urban district. So the tax levy, I mean, we can't continue to increase the tax levy millions of dollars every year either.

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So I mean, I don't know what the future holds. >> Okay. And next, and just for my clarity and the board's clarity and who's listening in the audience, we do not have any more um what do you call it? I'll call it the

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ESSER money. Is that what it would be? >> No, the Esser money. know the money that we had um carried over when we got during co there's no more of that hidden nowhere in a hiding spot nothing >> no no no no here no there nothing

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nothing we have is it anywhere >> no ESS money had to be expended by 2324 so all school districts had to expend their ES money at the end of 2324 the se that September it all had to be expended or you had to return what you had

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Okay great. >> Chair, I have a question. If >> I was saying, why do we have hidden money anyway? >> Chair, um or I don't know if this should be directed to Dale, the superintendent. Um is there anyone that we worked with

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to get this budget um for the next academic year? Was there a county who who who did we work with to get this budget straightened out? Are you asking who we worked with? >> We worked directly with the county's

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business administrator. And that her title? >> Yeah. Yeah. She's the county business administrator. >> And the uh county's um I don't know her title, but director for special specialized services special education. Uh they were working uh with

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us closely to really um align this budget to ensure that there was continuity of programming and that all of the resources to the schools to the staff

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and to the students were maximized and that we were abiding by the law. So yes, we work closely with the county throughout the entire process. >> Thank you. And sheriff, if I may, I want to just hone in on a point. Um what does

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it mean when when you say that the core curricula will not be impacted? Will will students at the academic level suffer? Are programs being cut? Spanish, French, is any of that being cut? Um

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the exciting news is that uh today uh I was going to share it with you next month, but I'll do a month early. Uh the Pleasantville School District is positioned to continue to make uh student learning progress. We can see it

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in the data. Um that is because I believe one of the indicators has been that we um implemented the the curriculum with fidelity. So we did not add all these programs.

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We implemented the programs from 20 that were here throughout but we implemented them with fidelity. So in this budget the continuation of the current programs

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exist. Um then there is the that's the core and the core means that the required courses through all of the schools for for every

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grade level elementary, middle and high school they are offered and teachers have text materials and supplies for those courses. They are they are supported in this budget. Additionally,

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supplemental um materials and resources that we have used in the last three years, not added, they were here, but we have used them with fidelity, they are also supported

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in this budget. And the reason for that is because the data is showing and I'll prepare to show it at May's uh budget uh May's board meeting that the students are showing learning progress and

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academic achievement and the academic achievement gap is closing. So the recommendation is to continue the course for uh the implementation of the core programs and supplemental programs

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because they are uh really positively impacting student learning. >> So is it correct to say that the academics in the Pleasantville school district will not be impacted by this budget? the core programs that means the

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programs that every student has access to have not been impacted and that's that's very key right because our responsibility is to ensure that there is access to the core program right um

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and supplemental pro um materials and supplies and resources are about also ensuring uring that we can provide the support systems to students through the uh multi-tered

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support process that we implemented in the last three years so that that uh process is or continues to be implemented with fidelity because the MTSS process one the district is mandated to provide support services to

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students whether they are general education or special education but the MTSS is the framework that New Jersey uh department of education provides and it is now implemented with fidelity. Um want to applaud the teaching staff and

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the administration who have worked diligently to implement that program and it is showing success. Uh the MTSS implementation addresses learning, addresses behavior, addresses social, emotional and mental health supports for

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students. It behooves the district to continue to implement the core program and supplemental programs to uh to ensure that students have the supports that they need uh throughout their school years. >> And just one more question if I may

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chair um will student faculty ratios be impacted in any way? the um interestingly enough uh we used the New Jersey regulated uh ratio for the this

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budget. So we didn't go oversized as number one. But what we also did was we supported the um an organizational structure that reduces class size particularly in primary grades. So we

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tried as much as possible to secure um lowering the class size not by ratio but by the implementation of of um the second teacher I can't think of the

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>> in uh inclusion classes. Thank you. Slipped my mind for a minute. Um yes. So, so that supports students that may have a 504 and uh IEP individual evaluation plan and that is supported also through the continuation of having

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additional staff in teaching staff particularly in the classrooms to provide additional support to students. >> Thank you, chair. Thank you, superintendent. >> You're welcome. Madame President, I just have a question. >> Go ahead.

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>> Yes, madam president. And I have a question um just for clarity sake because sometimes we see a lot of numbers and and you know we get kind of um kind of flustered. So for clarity sake so are we saying that without the levy it's more reduction

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>> and with the levy is the 40 positions >> without >> without the levy it's it means more reduction >> in staff. Yes. more reduction in staff without the levy. But with the levy, it's the 40 staff. Correct.

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>> Well, the the levy is not going to cover 40 staff, >> but I'm saying but without it, >> right, it would be more. >> Without it, we're looking at 40. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Just for clarity sake, >> we're looking at a maximum of Okay. >> 40 in this budget. Okay. >> We're doing everything we can not to

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reach >> to reach to 40. Correct. Okay. >> That's that would be the maximum >> maximum. >> I'm sorry. Yeah. Okay. whereas in other places they're looking at, you know, three-digit numbers. >> Okay. Thank you,

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>> Madam Chair. Go ahead, Mr. Sanchez. >> I just want I just wanted to request that we get a list of the programs that are going to be affected. >> Which one? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. Uh the programs have been shared

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publicly. Uh, so they are on the record, but I will send them I'll resend them to the board. >> Yep. >> Any more questions? >> Any more questions? >> Core programs and the supplemental programs right?

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>> Yes. >> Yeah. >> More questions? Nope. Yeah, I think she was >> Were you still asking a question for Harris? Did you finish your question? >> Oh, I just said was it is it's on board docs. Is that where it say?

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>> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. Wait, I have a question. Um, right now this goes we're reviewing this now. This is just a report, but the fifth is when we vote on this.

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>> The fifth is when you vote on the the actual budget. This is just a preliminary. >> So, we have time from now until the 5th to review this >> to finish to finalize your review and speak with the superintendent and the business administrator as to your

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suggestions. And >> but on the 5th is when you're going to vote on the final budget. >> Okay. So Megan, the submission for the budget was due to the county at the on the 27thary. So we have we haven't submitted it to the county because

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>> the board didn't approve it. >> Yes. >> So we have to submit it. I mean in order for us to submit it to the county, >> we have to have the preliminary budget, >> right? And then we'll on the 5th it will be the public hearing. >> Yes. >> I have madam chair I have one more

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question. >> Yes. So if we approve the preliminary tonight, we don't have time to change anything. Whatever we approve tonight is going to be submitted exactly the same. >> Yes, >> there's a question.

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>> Yes. >> Okay. >> Well, I don't know because that has never happened before. So >> her question was >> your question is that if the preliminary budget that you approved tonight is what

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is going to be submitted to the county. >> Yes. >> On the preliminary budget. No >> this has go to the >> this is a done deal. >> No it's not the final. That's what that's what we're saying. This is the preliminary.

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>> This is just uh send it to the county. >> Yes. To get to get it to the county >> and they can start looking at it. >> Um so let me ask you another question. So um what Miss Sanchez is saying, is there room for change?

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Um Dr. Martinez, if there's room for change, I know you took a long time to do this. Where would the change possibly come from? No, >> don't say tax levy. >> Don't say that. >> You know, >> don't say that.

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>> No, I I'm I'm not going to just say at whim. You know, we were very careful and meticulous and strategic at uh creating a budget that is balanced and that focuses on continuation of

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maintaining and sustaining this district's instructional program and infrastructure and organization and operations. So to answer that question, I'd have to go back and look at, you know, what are those things that um

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you know, through committee, I guess we could talk about, you know, what what can be afforded to be lost. I I will tell you this, uh the function of the district is to provide a high quality education program to all students that attend public schools here in

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Pleasantville. I would urge this district to continue to support the programs, teachers and the schools so that they have the programs to help and when I say programs I'm talking about curriculum right um materials teacher

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supplies um I will say to you that in the last three years we were able to provide math science uh social studies text core program materials and resources that needed to be replenished

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in this district. So, every grade um every teacher of every grade has access to um curriculum materials and resources. Those things I I don't

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believe I say I uh don't believe uh should be um removed because you would impact the mission of this district. So, I mean, I guess we could squeeze the the

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lemon some more or the orange some more. Um, we have tried to minimally or, you know, we've tried to impact personnel um in a in the most minimal way. Uh, but

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every district is being impacted. Um, we'll do we'll continue to do the best that we can. >> You're good, Miss Sanchez. >> Okay. Uh, we we'll call Miss White.

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>> Miss Akens? >> No. >> Miss Harris? >> No. >> Miss Morgan? >> No. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez? >> No. Miss Waters,

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>> no. >> Miss Silver, >> yes. >> Miss Royel. >> I'm going to say yes. >> Motion fails. Okay. So, what is the reason for this we

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do now? You're going to let the county superintendent know and they're going to make a decision and they might make a decision on your budget. >> Okay. >> Say that one more time. >> The county superintendent will will likely make a decision on your budget.

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>> So, it's now up to him. >> So, it's now up to the county super Yeah. >> So, they submit everything and it's out of our >> They're going to try and submit it again and then we'll see what the county superintendent says. and you you have the you might now leave it up to the

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hands of the county super. He might ask you to try again or he might just prescribe something. >> They were the ones that was involved with helping us the first time. So >> but um madam chair is trying to see what

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if I think I'm reading what they're saying. >> We we don't want to lose 40 employees. We're already short staff. We don't want to take livelihoods. >> Yeah. >> We're trying to do what's best for our district and our kids, but we're already understaffed. It's a lot going on. We

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just want to see what we could do. >> And then too, he may send it back down and tell us to go back over it. >> So, Dr. Martinez, once again, I think I asked this question. I hate to ask the same question over again. Is there any way possible you can look at this budget

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without getting rid of or moving things or tweaking things for our taxes going up? Can you squeeze anything or anything? I don't know. So when we talk about the

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allocation to schools and appropriate allocations per school levels, in other words, why do we allocate a certain number of teachers at

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the elementary school versus teachers at the middle versus teachers at the high school? those different levels require different teacher ratios to student numbers per class. All of those um

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procedures to ensure that we met um the states regulated required uh ratio. We met them. So, we're not underst staff in teachers. As

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a matter of fact, um the district, this district for its size because we have uh supported through this budget a ratio particularly in the lower grades of

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inclusion classes. That means that there are two teachers in a class, possibly two teachers in a class. then your ratio is smaller because you have two adults to 23 students. So

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we're not under >> So are we under staff with what the support staff? So where I would say that we are not under staff >> um in accordance to the the number of

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students enrolled and the size of this district right so where we take a look at and I said this before where we take a look at reducing for personnel number one is attrition right we look at

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positions is that people are retiring and we don't need to fill them. >> If we've done that the LA like I've I've looked in prior last few years >> that's right it's the easiest reduction >> easiest reduction. We also looked at uh

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positions that for example I'll give you a clear example came to my head um we have two positions for reading specialists. We were able to fill one, right? But we allocated for two,

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we can remove one because nobody's there, >> right? So that's a cost savings, but that counts as a position. So we looked at possible ways to reduce personnel without impacting uh the classroom.

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The reality is um that that some personnel will be affected. That is the reality. >> So I have a question because I've sat in a few different budget meetings and hearings throughout my span of my career. I know some companies tend to do

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things like where employees donate a percentage back of their salary to save their peers jobs. 1% 2%. Did we give that option out? Say it again because I I didn't >> where some people some companies do things like they'll put um a request out for some employees especially with

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higher higher salaries to donate back a percentage of their salary maybe 1% maybe 2% of their salary to go into a different pot where you could save other employees. >> I think they do but not with salaries. I'm not sure. >> Is that an option? >> I know it wasn't done here.

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>> Okay. They do that with sick time, but I'm not I I've never heard that done >> for salaries. >> Okay. >> But that's something that certainly can be investigated. >> Okay. >> Um >> Yeah, that's a difficult concept. That's a difficult concept.

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>> We'll look into it. >> May I have a motion for 1.7 the monthly fire drill and safety? >> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Akens. May I have a second? Second by Miss Sanchez. Any questions? No. >> No questions. You

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>> said what is this? One point. I'm sorry. >> 1.7. >> Okay. Vote on Miss White. Miss Akins. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Miss Morgan, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez,

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>> yes. >> Miss Sanchez, >> yes. >> Miss Waters, >> yes. >> Miss Silver, >> yes. >> Miss Roell, >> yes. Motion carries. Uh, next 1.8. Um,

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board president comments. Um, I was just wanted to talk about the budget, but we covered that. So, next, uh, Michelle Kennedy came next. We had 1.10 board vacancy interviews. >> Um, do you guys want to do the board interviews or do you want want to run

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through this? Um, >> let's let's do the interviews >> and then we'll run through the um agenda. >> So, you want to push this to the end? I'm sorry. >> Let me Yeah. All right. Okay. We're gonna um push the

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board vacancies to the end will not be too long. Um, we're going to run through the agenda and prove the business. >> You hold you holding off today for interviews. Um, may I have May I have a motion for um

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2.1 board minutes from March the 17th? Motion. Motion by Mrs. Sanchez. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. Rodriguez. Any questions? No questions. Roll call. Miss White.

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>> Miss Aens. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Miss Morgan, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Miss Sanchez, >> yes. >> Miss Waters, >> yes.

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>> Miss Silver, >> yes. >> Miss Roel, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Next. Um, that was the board minutes from March this. Yeah. 2.1

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board minutes from March the 17. Okay. Next. May I have a motion for the >> Well, that's what you included that in. >> Oh, okay. I included the budget. >> They did it separately. >> Okay. >> They didn't pass. >> Oh, they didn't pass it. >> Right. But it's better to do it separate

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because you do it without the put it with the budget. Gotcha. Okay. Um the proposed budget uh 3.1 um we'll do it separately. The preliminary um school district budget for submission.

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>> Didn't we just do that? >> No, but we mixed it with the superintendent report and it might have to be separate. >> All right. Because it's on here with the superintendent report on the agenda and it's also in here again twice. >> That was the presentation. >> Oh, okay.

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So, may I have So, may I have a motion? >> It was It was put on here separately, but you did it with your um superintendent comments. >> Right. >> That's exactly exactly exactly

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>> the budget and stuff should be separate. >> Exactly. report is >> right. So what do you want? We have to do this separately again then. Correct. >> I agree with Dr. Martinez. It has to be rescended because we we y'all put all that together >> failed. Yes. The superintendent report

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failed. But if the if the faction who voted it down wants to approve it, they can approve the report, the budget as a part of the report. And then when you're approving the >> when you're approving, you don't have to approve the budget. So, why did y'all put it together?

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>> Wait, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, >> the superintendent's report, >> right, >> is a budget proposal. That's >> right. >> It's the superintendent's report. It's not accepting a budget proposal, >> right? >> I just we just explain the budget.

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>> So, just go proposal is the agenda item. >> Okay. >> So, the superintendent's report is the explanation. That's it. >> That's what I do every time. So now just call a vote for 3.1 3.2. All right. So do you want to do Okay. So we

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don't get confused. >> But what messed it up is that y'all put the budget with it, >> right? >> We already voted on >> and that's the way it was voted on. >> Superintendent report. >> I understand what you're saying. I understand what you're saying. >> I know what you're saying. But in item 1.6 it says superintendent report

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slashbudget. >> Yeah. >> And that's what that's why the vote came out the way it came. That's why I said we did that already. Right. >> Super superintendent report. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. So that need to come all the way back. So

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>> So only the the f the faction that fa that to voted no. >> No. Cuz it was all together. So the whole thing was voted no. So it need to be separated. So therefore, we could vote on her report that she gave >> and then the budget separately. But by y'all putting it together.

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>> Okay. >> Right. So can we >> we send it? We're going to >> go all the way back and resend it. >> That just superintendent report. >> Just makes it simple. Rescend it. Res. Who Who motioned the first time for the

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superintendent? >> She got the paperwork. She should be able to you take yours back. Miss Silver, >> shut your mics off. >> We send your um motion. Miss Silver, >> you're first. You have to resend it. Yes resend.

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>> I resend my vote. >> Who second it? >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Mr. Rodriguez, can you resend your second, >> please? >> I resend my second. >> Thank you. Now, do we have to do >> roll got do? Okay. Roll call. >> What are we voting?

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>> This is specifically for the superintendent report, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Can we clarify that on the record? This is specifically for superintendent report. >> Yes. It omits the word budget. May I have a motion to approve the superintendence report?

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>> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Sec. >> Mrs. Sanchez. Who second it? >> Me.orggan. >> Miss um Morgan. Any questions about the superintendent report? >> No. Now is cleared. >> No. Okay. Roll call. Miss White. >> Miss Aikens? >> Yes.

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>> Miss Harris? >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez? >> Yes. >> Miss Waters? Yes, >> Miss Silver. >> Yes, >> Miss Roel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.

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>> Next. May I have a motion now for 3.1? >> Motion >> um for the um >> to 3.4 cuz all that together. >> 3.1 to 3.4. May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Motion by Mr. Rodriguez. May I have a

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second? >> Second. >> Second by Mrs. Sanchez. Just to let you any questions? No, >> no questions. Just to let you know when you vote on this, if you're however you're voting, the budget is in here. >> So, separate the budget. >> Yeah. >> When you say you're whatever you're

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going to say, say what you're going to say just so nobody to >> budget. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Just trying to make it so everybody understands. >> Yeah. Okay. So, we all know. Roll call, Miss White. >> Miss Akens.

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>> No. Miss Harris, >> no. >> Miss Morgan, >> no. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Miss Sanchez, >> no. >> Miss Waters, >> no. >> Miss Silver, >> yes. I keep my Yes.

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>> Miss Roel, >> yes. Motion fails. >> Next is uh finance 4.1 to 4.19. May I have a motion? >> Motion. Motion by Miss Sanchez. May I have a second? >> 4.1. You got

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4.1 to 4.19. >> May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Sanchez. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Miss Silver. Any questions? >> I have a few questions. >> Okay. Go ahead, Miss Sanchez.

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>> Okay. I want to start with uh >> number 4.2. We still have yet to receive itemized bills as though we keep requesting them every meeting. Um 4.5,

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right? I need an explanation of this amount and why it's so high. >> You want me to do it one by one and get answers or keep going? >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Um 4.13 I would love to pull that. and

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4.14. I would like to pull both of those for further review. >> Which which one? >> 4.13 and 4.14. I'd like to pull those two for further review of the board. >> So, you're saying pull 43 44 >> uh 413 414.

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>> Okay. >> 4 what? 4.3 >> 4.13 4.14 >> 4.1 >> No, it's 4.3 and 4.4 >> 4.13 and 4.14 is the sanitary line for

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the new school at Decar Avenue School. It's a easement that has to run through our property. >> I still would like to pull it for review. We already having budget issues and I'm trying to figure out how we're affording this. So, I want to pull those for review. So

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>> just for clarification, the new school is paid for not by uh mostly not by the Pleasantville town or board of education. >> But some of it is coming from us. >> Um how much?

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>> Well, no. We have to pay like $30,000 for a sign. And this fee here is the city of Pleasantville's fee for communicating with our attorney on the easement in order for us to record it at the Atlantic. >> So, is this going to hurt anything so we could pull it for further review?

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>> Yeah. >> Can it wait for next meeting? >> Is that a You know what? It's a timeline with the SDA. Um they have timelines of everything um that needs to be signed um

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approved and submitted to the state. So it can cause >> we could leave it. I'll just go >> because once we approve it, then the city has to approve it and then the attorney has to record it. >> Atlantic County record. >> This brand new beautiful school is scheduled to open,

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>> the fall of 2028. >> Okay. >> So we want to move this process quickly. >> Understandable. I just I just want transparency and everything and make sure we're doing things correctly in the right order. >> All right. Anything

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else? One second. >> I have a question. >> I think that's it for me. >> Hi. Um, excuse me. >> Oh, go ahead, Miss Harris. >> Oh, Elise, you're still going. Sorry. >> I'm done. Go ahead. >> Since we speaking on >> I know. I know. I'm done. >> That we have a schedule for the school

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to be built. We're already cutting our staff. We already have a proposal to cut our staff. Now, how are we going to afford to put staff there? >> How are we going to afford >> to put staff here? be cutting people now. How are we going to afford? >> That's a great question. Right. So, one

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of the things that we know is that redistricting the district is necessary and so there will need to be work done in collaboration with the township to really take a look at the uh

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neighborhoods and the boundary lines for schools so that they are redistricked. Um, I think that most uh and I do I think I see Dr. uh Hyman Metley. I think that she would applaud and everybody else would applaud and um retiring the

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North Main Elementary School, which is I think the only school in the United States of America that has what do you call that? >> The underground uh So, so the answer is you have to redist

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redistrict the schools. And so we'll uh take North Main well the recommendation is to take North Main offline as an elementary school and then you redistribute the students to have a new

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school as well as the other elementary schools. You'll continue to have four. You'll just have a new one. >> Make sense? >> You won't have five elementaryaries. You'll have four. >> So what we going to do with no? That's a conversation that you can have.

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>> Yeah, conversation later. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> Chair, I have a question. >> Go ahead, Mr. Rodriguez. >> Um, in terms of 4.16, um, if we could get some clarification on why we would

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>> attempt to vote to pay for a law firm that's currently suing the board of education. >> I'm sorry. Say that one more time. >> 4.16 >> legal services for employee >> if I could get clarification on that.

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>> Attorney want to answer that. >> I was just pulling up the >> the dish policy. So it's not a conflict per se because I understand that he is involved in the litigation against the board but that particular thing that he's suing the board for it's not a

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conflict what this is this matter that is that was in the municipal court who's >> why why is it not a conflict I don't it's an inherent conflict isn't it >> this law firm is currently suing the school district and we're about to give them at maximum $5,000 on this vote

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But there's no conflict in that in those two immediate cases. >> And so this is I can't give you the details that's in the board agenda. We can go into executive session to talk about it because it is >> I'm but I'm just saying we can't I can't

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discuss it in public. >> Can we pull this and discuss this in executive session because we don't got no information on it. >> Also, it's >> the issue was also resolved. What are you talking about? 4.16.

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>> 4.16. Correct. >> All right. >> Okay. Any more questions? >> No more questions. >> We'll call Miss White. Oh, Miss Aken. >> Wait a minute. What? Um, are we pulling

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some stuff or what? >> Yes. >> So, Miss Sanchez, in 4.2, two. What did you >> What was your question? >> 4.13 was necessary. I just said call the vote and I vote how I want to vote.

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>> Okay. Call vote. Um Miss um >> but 4.14 I wanted to pull for clarification because that's not an urgent matter. >> Roll call. Miss White. >> Miss Akens. >> Yes, but no to all legal fees. And no to

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this four6. 4.16. Yeah, I don't know what that is. And no all legal fees. >> Miss Harris. >> Um I'm saying I can you write this down? I'm saying uh no to

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no to hold on. I'm saying yes, but no to no legal fees. I'm abstaining from Yale School East. It's on the bill list. Um I'm saying no to Hold on.

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Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. And I'm saying no to 4.13 4.14. No to 4.16. 4.16. That's all.

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>> Miss Morgan. >> Yes to everything. >> Yes to everything besides legal fees. 416 4.16 4.13 and 4.14 >> Okay. 4.14 4.13 and 4.16.

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>> Yes. >> And no legal fees. And no legal fees, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. But I abstain from bills pertaining to Stockton and Stockton's Performing Arts Center. And I would abstain to

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4.16. >> Miss Sanchez, >> I want to say yes to everything. No to 4.12, 4.13, pull 4.14, and no to 4.16.

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>> Okay. So 4.12, no. 43. No. 13. No. Okay. >> Pull 4.14 and no to 4.16. >> So you said pull 1.14. >> Yes. >> So do they have to do Megan a resolution

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to pull it? You have to do something to pull. >> Yeah. 44. She wanted to pull. >> Yeah. You want to take it off the agenda or you're voting no? >> Yeah. I want to table it. >> Okay. You have to make a motion to table. >> Okay. >> Which one? >> So yes to everything. no to 4.12, 4.13,

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4.16, and then I'll make a separate motion. >> Yes. >> To pull 4.14, >> Miss Waters. >> Yes. To everything except 4.2, 46,

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413, and 414. Miss Silver. >> Yes sir. Everything from no to 4.16. >> Miss Roel. >> Yes. >> Which one? 4.16. >> Oh. May I have a motion to Elise, Miss Sanchez? Uh, what did you want to pull

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again? >> May I have a motion to um table 4.14 to table for further review? May I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Motion by Miss Sanchez. May I have a second? >> Second by Mrs. Akens. Questions?

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No questions. Roll call. Miss White, >> Miss Aikens, >> yes. >> Miss Harris, >> wait, I have a question. >> Can I call now? >> We got finished roll call. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. I'll just make my statement.

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>> Go ahead. >> Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Miss Morgan, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> no. Miss Sanchez, >> yes.

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>> Miss Waters, >> yes. >> Miss Silver, >> no. >> Miss Roel, >> this is for 4.4, right? >> No, 4.14. >> 4.4,

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correct? 14. Okay. >> Oh, no. Oh, no. You said no. >> No. >> Motion fails. The motion's table. >> Okay.

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>> All right. What was it? >> Oh, the motion is table. >> Okay. Next is >> the resolution is table. >> Resolution is table. Okay. >> Okay. And also, did the architects for the new school go through the resolution that we

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needed for the sanitary waste? Did that >> No. >> So, what do we need to do with that? Do you need to contact the SDA about that? >> Well, I I'll call them tomorrow. I don't know. >> So, did it go to the city yet for the city to approve it? >> Well, it can't go to the city. The board has to approve it, then it goes to the

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city, so I can't send it to the city. >> Okay. All right. So, you're going to contact the SDA. Can you um let me follow up so I can let everybody know what happens with that? Okay. Next is transportation 5.1 to 5.4. I have a motion.

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>> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Sanchez. May I have a second? >> Motion. >> Second by >> Second. >> Second by Mrs. Morgan. Any questions? >> No questions. We'll call on Miss White. >> Miss Akins. Yes,

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>> Miss Harris. >> Yes, >> Miss Morgan. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes, >> Miss Waters. >> Yes,

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>> Miss Silver. >> Yes. >> Miss Rowell? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Uh, facilities, we don't have anything. Um, we took facilities off, correct, Dr. Martinez? Nothing for facilities. Okay.

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Uh, human resources. May I motion for 7.1 to 7.8? >> Motion by Mrs. >> uh, 7.1 to 7.8. Second. >> Motion by Mrs. Sanchez, second by Mrs. Morgan. Questions?

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>> Morgan seconded. And Sanchez. >> Okay, go ahead. >> And test first. >> My turn. >> Miss um Harris. >> Yeah. Um >> back to this budget we were showing. We got new hires on here, but we don't have

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no We're getting rid of 40. Um I see an accountant for who's been doing the accounting since. >> Why do we need a new account? >> This person retired April the 30th. >> Placing a position. you replace.

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>> This position is an accounting position. >> So, who's been doing the accounting right now? >> The person retired >> as of the 30th of April. >> So, wait a minute. >> Board approved already. >> It's board approved already. >> Uhhuh. >> So, why is on here now?

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>> No, no, the retirement was board approved. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. >> Okay. And then Any other questions? >> Any other questions? >> No. >> No questions. Roll call, Miss White.

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>> Miss Akens, >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. >> Yes, >> Miss Harris. Yes to everything but 7.2.2. Miss Morgan. One second. Trying to look at my notes.

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Yes to everything besides 7.2. Okay. Yes, that'll be it. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes to everything except for 7.1, 7.2, and 7.7.

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Miss Waters. >> Yes to everything except 7.2 and 7.7. >> Oh, I need to change my vote. Miss Silver. >> Yes. For everything.

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>> I need to change my vote. >> Miss Morgan. >> Morgan, what did you just say? I need to change one um something on my vote. >> Okay. >> It was in my notes. I couldn't find it, so I wanted to vote. I want to say no to 7.7 as well.

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>> 7.2 and 7.7. >> Mwell. >> Yes. Wait a minute. >> Wait, can I also resend my vote? I'm sorry. >> Fix it. >> Okay. >> Can I fix my vote? >> What I got to say? Tell me. Oh,

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>> which one? Which? >> Go ahead. You're good. >> Okay. Um, okay. Yes to everything was 7.2 to 7 and I'm sorry

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that's it. Y it's too much. Okay. Sorry. >> Okay. So 7.2 and 7.7 fails. Everything else passes. >> I have a question. Um um 7.7. These are A2 contracts, correct?

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>> These are what >> are they A2 contracts or am I reading this wrong? >> No, it's A2 contracts. >> Okay. So my next question is since they're A2 contracts, have these people gotten paid yet? >> Have they gotten paid? >> Because this is from March the 1st to

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June 30th, April the 22nd. Some of them are April 22nd to June 30th. Some are June 1st to June 30th. This means all these people are not getting paid now. >> Well, no, because they say April 22nd, so that states that they haven't started

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yet is >> right. But my thing is since they're not starting and it was voted down, these people can't do these jobs. Correct. >> Correct. >> Right. Right. They can't do the job. >> Okay. And they won't be paid. >> Correct. the board. >> I just want to make it plain so

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everybody on this board and everybody out here sitting down and the people listening understand what's going on so nobody comes back and screaming and yelling at us. Um, >> it's April 22nd is >> tomorrow.

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Most of it starts tomorrow and some of them started March March the 1. >> Women, one started March the 1st. >> Two of them started March the 1st. >> So why are we even voting on it now? >> Why? >> One started is uh will start tomorrow. Most of these

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>> a whole lot of them. >> All right. But was this stuff included inside the budget? You got to think about what we got to think about. Why keep leading people on that? We going to have to get rid of people eventually. >> This is >> this is part of this year's budget. I understand what you're saying, but >> not next year's budget. This is this

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year's budget. >> I understand what you're saying. >> I I totally understand that part, but what I'm saying is why are we this this March stuff stuff like this is what I was asking you about, Dell. Why are we consistently going back dating? Why are we voting on stuff or or approving stuff

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that's back that's back then? That wasn't We should have voted on that March. >> Maybe >> February. >> What' you say? It was submitted late. >> It was submitted late. >> So, and also I just want to make clear

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that the high school coaches, the care program, the early childhood additional teachers from Satan Hall contracts, A2 contracts, curriculum and instructions, middle school. >> I don't want nobody not to pay their bills.

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>> Nobody's going to get paid. I get what you're saying, Doris, but there I get what you're saying, Madam President, but there are ways that we have to do this, right? This board runs by nine people, right? In a 10th, who gives her, but it's it's not like that. Y'all can't just throw us stuff the day of or the day before, then you playing this blame

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game on us. Okay. Oh, nobody curriculum. >> You you can't do that to us. >> Who's in what subject is this? >> HR. >> HR. >> And I apologize. We didn't have a meeting, Miss um Miss Harris. I'm sorry about that. But

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um >> it was no committee. It was no committee. It was canceled. It was no committee. >> No meeting, right? >> No meeting. So we don't want to prove things or anything about >> it. Was normally not like that. But I'm just saying when the packet went home and I'm not trying to make excuses for

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nobody or make >> nothing. And I get what you're saying, um Miss Harris. I get we don't have the money and all that, but >> they already did the work. Basically what you're saying or they >> Madam President, it's not about the money. It's the fact that we didn't have a committee meeting. So, no one knew

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anything about this until they got their agenda in the evening and it was too late to try to figure it out, >> right? >> We don't know anything about any of this. It was no committee. So, it has nothing to do with next year's budget because that's what we're discussing. That's where the money issues are. We're discussing the fact that nobody there was no committee meeting. So, no one knows anything about any of this,

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>> right? And also the packet went home on Friday too as well. If like if anybody had any question, you had Friday, Saturday Sunday Monday. I mean, you could have, if I'm not trying to make excuses because I don't need to make excuses. Um, if you had a

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question, you could have probably called or said, "Hey, this what the heck is this going on? Why do we, you know, we don't even have money for this?" You know, but you wouldn't have known. We didn't have any money because you just saw the president at the board. Um, >> that's for next year's budget.

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>> You saw that last year. But if you would have reached out and called or just reached out to somebody, >> this is the thing. This is not about the budget. This is about not having knowledge. So, we don't want to vote on nothing we don't have knowledge on. >> Right. But my thing is, and I'm not disputing what you're saying, Miss Sanchez. Well, what I'm saying also is

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>> on Friday, say if you open it Saturday, whatever, you know, or you browsing it when you're at work. Um, hey, I don't understand this. Pick the phone up. You know what I mean? Moving along. Can we >> So, you want me to call administration on the weekends?

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>> Because I don't get if you put in my mailbox Friday, I don't get off to Saturday morning. >> If you would give me a call, if you give me a call, I don't care how late it is, I'll make sure I get an answer for you. >> And I appreciate that for the future. But for the future, could you give us a courtesy and make sure something that

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this extensive and this important that the committee meeting is not cancelled? >> Yep. Not a problem. So, we're pulling that. So, no, we're going to change it if >> we would like it. Failed. Okay, >> Dale. No, Dale. We going to Well, I'mma speak for myself.

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>> I'm going to change my no from 7 to yes. But also, can we can we put on public record instead of making us look like we're not organized or we don't know, if we do the proper channels, we'll look well up here. We don't look well because

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you give us what you want to give us and then expect us just to sit up here and say yes, yes, yes. Oh, that looks fine. Oh, that looks fine. That looks great. I like the way you type that there. No, it doesn't work like that. We need it when we need it. And if we get our packet on Friday

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after you guys get off, >> who you want me to call you on Saturday? I'll just give y'all y'all time like you know your personal time. But I'm just saying. So that's um Harrison that's the only issue we're having duly noted and we won't make this hap this won't happen

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again but in the future too um if you do see something in the book maybe that you >> doesn't look good to you give me a call and I'll make sure I get in touch with one of them and I'll make sure I get you the answer >> in the future. Okay. >> Thank you um Mrs. Harris.

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>> Um okay so 7.7 will now pass. >> Okay. You said on the >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Next uh policy. May I have a motion for 8.1?

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>> You got changed by Mrs. Silver, second by >> Miss Sanchez. >> I switched it up. Is that okay? >> Yes. >> Okay, >> that's fine. >> Um, any questions about the policy?

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Um, I had >> Oh, wait a minute. That's the resolution. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead, Char. >> No, you go ahead. That was the resolution. >> 8.1, >> the revision to policy 0142 42.1. >> I believe in my personal opinion, it's

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just me. I'm only one vote that needs to be pulled for review. Um, I don't think that's in the best interest of the district. >> Four point the policy. Okay. >> Uh, would you want that to be pulled to

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take back to committee? >> To someone. Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. So, we will pull that take that back to committee. >> Okay. >> On the same page. Okay. So, um, we put on record make a motion >> to pull it. >> Yes. Okay. We'll take it back to committee.

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>> Just motion to table. >> Motion to table 8.1. >> Second. >> All right. We'll call Miss Whitegan. >> Miss Sanchez. >> This table. >> Cuts it off. >> Okay. Okay. >> All right.

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>> Um different. >> Do we need to do another voice? >> Okay. Roll call. Miss White, you need to do a voice um for table. >> Miss Aikens. >> Yes. Miss Harris.

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>> Yes. >> Miss Morgan, >> this is just for the nepotism one. >> Okay. To pull it. Uhhuh. Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> No. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters.

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>> Yes. >> Miss Silver. >> Yes. >> Miss Roel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries to table. >> Next is curriculum and instruction. Uh 9.1. They have a motion for 9.1 to 9.3.

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>> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Silver. Have a second by Mrs. Sanchez. >> Any questions about this the curriculum and instruction? >> Yes. >> I have a question. >> Yes, Miss Aens.

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>> Um I believe it's going from Make sure 9.1 to what again? >> Uh 9.1 to 9.3. 9.3. >> Yes, I have concerns on page 32, the resolution.

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>> Okay. >> Resolutions. Uh, number one and number two, I'm thinking that I'm asking that we pull that review. But number one, my concern is

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um staffing not working on Fridays when we supposed to get our agendas. Um if this if we pass this, I want to put a motion that we get our agendas on Thursday. >> How does that work?

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>> Because last year we had problems and we didn't get them until Monday because there was no staffing on Friday. >> And we should always get them before, not a date. So the summer hours historically have been Monday through Thursday. >> Um

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the week well last year I I believe memory serves me right. I think there was no meeting in July and >> we had a retreat. >> It was a retreat. Memory serves me right. And then but the point is uh the

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summer hours work hours are Monday through Thursday. >> Um >> so this resolution is about the summer program. >> Yeah. I don't have a problem with the hours. I have a problem with us getting our agenda. So I'm requesting that

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>> all agendas >> for the summer be given on Thursday. Is that is that one last day Thursday not Monday like the committee? >> You guys going to arrange your schedule for August. >> So you'll just wrap it up and you'll

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have it ready by Friday. Correct. >> They're not going to be here Friday. >> Thursday is your committee meeting. So >> to have it done by the committee. >> Okay. Yeah, we can probably change the um that committee to Wednesday and then

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we'll wrap it up to >> Thursday. Great idea. So that's what we'll do. You'll have it on um Thursday. >> I'll just change the personel. >> Is that okay? She's >> okay with you, Miss. >> So she don't need to make a motion that

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we get it on Thursdays. >> No. Can you >> because they're going to make sure they get it on Thursday because we're going to change the finance and um human resource to Wednesday because there's no committees on Wednesday. So once we wrap that up on Thursday, you will get your agenda. Okay. And they'll be done for

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the They're not there Friday. >> So can you please make sure? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um where are we at? >> In table number two. >> Table what? Number two. number two.

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>> Um, what page? >> Third. >> It's the district calendar >> because I think the >> Oh, the district superintendent should have a say in this calendar for next year. >> Yes. Yes. I agree. I agree >> as well. >> Okay. I agree. Okay. We

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We'll table the calendar and we'll take it back to committee and then what we'll do is we'll send it back out. >> So, you got to make a motion to table that. >> Can I make a motion to table number two? >> Okay. resolution. So, do we skip all this and we want to pull the calendar?

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Whatever you want to pull, you have to table because table stops whatever motion or discussion >> number two. >> So, you're tableing two from whatever >> we're tableling the >> number two. >> Number two of the resolution. >> Which but under which

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>> under curriculum and instruction >> page 327 I27. So then just say that that you're >> Miss Akens. >> Yeah. >> Uh can you say that you're tableabling? Um

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>> I want to make a motion to table resolution I two. >> Okay. Okay. Um All right. Did you get that? >> Yeah. Akens motion. Miss Morgan. >> Okay. >> Second.

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>> Okay. Roll call. Miss White. >> Is this for the table? >> Yes. >> Miss Aikens? Yes, Miss Harris. >> Oh, wait. >> This is about the table.

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>> But we're voting on the whole agenda. >> You're just >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> Okay. All right. Just table >> tableabling two. Yes. Okay. Go ahead. Miss Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> No.

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Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters. >> Yes. >> Miss Silver. >> The table. The calendar. >> Miss Rowel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.

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>> And Miss Silver, would you want to leave it alone? Are you sure? >> Okay. >> Okay. So I just need a motion for the agenda for the whole agenda now. >> Yeah,

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>> I will do that. >> 9.1 to 9.3 with us pulling I >> toot. >> Motion second. >> Motion by Mrs. Sanchez. Second. May I have a second? >> Second by Mrs.

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>> Morgan. Any questions? No questions. Roll call. and Miss White. >> Miss Akens, >> yes. >> Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Miss Morgan, >> yes.

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>> Miss Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes, but I abstain from 9.2 part E number 29. >> I'm sorry. 9.2. What did you say? >> 9.2 part E number 29. Okay.

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>> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. Miss Waters. >> Yes. >> Miss Silver. >> Miss Silver. >> Okay. Miss Roel. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.

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>> Okay. Go ahead. Motion for the board of education to accept the recommendation of the superintendent of schools and approves the HIV report for March 2026. >> Motion. >> Motion.

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>> Who second? Miss >> Morgan. >> Miss Aikens. >> Yes. Miss Harris, >> yes. >> Miss Morgan, >> yes.

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>> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Miss Sanchez, >> Miss Waters. >> Yes. >> Miss Silver. >> Yes. >> Miss Roel.

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>> Yeah. Yes. Can we have a motion for to accept the recommendation of the superintendent of schools? Whereas a grievance was filed by the Pleasantville Education Association under docket number AR 20269.

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And whereas in lie of the uncertainty and additional expense of litigation, the parties have agreed to amicably resolve the matter in dispute. Now therefore, it be resolved that the Pleasantville Board of Education hereby approves the settlement under docket

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number AR2026-9 in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement attached here too. That's the one Mr. Lester Taylor discussed in the executive >> motion. >> Second,

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>> Miss Morgan and Mr. Rodriguez. >> Roll call. Miss >> Akins. >> Miss Harris. >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes.

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>> Miss Sanchez. Oh yes. >> Miss Waters, >> yes. >> Miss Silver, >> yes. >> Miss Roel, >> yes. Motion carries. Okay. >> Did you approve the HIG report? >> I didn't say yes.

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>> Yes, you did. >> Did I? >> You was talking to me. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. I was distracting y'all. >> Okay. Uh next we're going to have um the board vacancy um interviews. Um first we have um

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Deandra Miller. Deandra Miller. Is she here? Um, hi. How are you? >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Okay. It says, um, first question is, why do you want to be a board member for the Pleasantville School District? >> I want to be a part of the change. I

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want to make sure that we can have a platform where there's unity and there there is some form of proactiveness to better our children's future. >> Okay. Um, next,

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how do you deal with confidentiality of board business? >> I am a woman of ethics. So, confidentiality to me is very important. I'm bonded by the code of ethics and I would most

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certainly uphold that bond and that confidentiality with the members here for the board. >> Okay. Um, next I have a question. How do you handle a disagreement with other board

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members with board business? I listen, I review, and I allow different perspectives to take and transpire. And when that happens, we can collaborate and all have a resolution at

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some point or another. But listening is the main key in that because at some point, we're all working for one cause and that's for the District of Pleasantville. Okay, next last question. Um, what would you do if the board was divided on an

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important issue? I would review policy, procedure, past situations that were similar, and I would make a decision predicated off of that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much.

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>> Thank you. >> Next, we have Mr. Pastor Jerome Page. Good evening. >> Good evening. Okay. Um, uh, Pastor Pade. Um, why do you want to

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be a part of the board of education? Well, one because I've been on the board before and I've been here since 6 o'clock tonight and I like to really bring the the board

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together in unity as the young lady said because in unity everyone benefits. Um that's why I would like to get on. I I would like to help the children here. It's only for nine months I believe.

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It's only until December 31st. Um, but I think I can do and share a lot uh with the board members here. >> Okay, great. Okay. Um, how would you deal with uh confidentiality

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of board business? I would have to bring it to the full board in executive session of information that has gotten out and try to pinpoint it to who's doing

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it. Um, I just found out today that it was three of us going for the position of the vacancy. called a board member up and didn't know nothing about it. So I would just make

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sure that you know policy is followed and that we all come together and talk about confidentiality. >> Gotcha. Thank you. Um next, how would you handle a disagreement with board members

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with board business for board if we had board business? I mean, how would you handle a disagreement with other board members with board business? >> Well, when I was on the board, we used to have a list of the numbers, names and

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numbers of all the board members and I would call up whichever board member that I have a question or whatever about and talk to them. Communication is very very important. And if we as board members share communication with another

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entity that's not even within our board, then that's wrong. But what I would do is call up the person and tell them what the issue is and see if we can come up with some agreement together. Sounds good. Okay. Next question. Last

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question is, what would you do if the board was divided in on divided on a important issue? Well, I looked at it tonight and you I was going over the superintendent

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delivered the uh the budget and I looked at and listened to every board member and what I seen was uh no communication outside of the meeting. what I see was board members,

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you know, not being contacted by the board president. Um, I heard that, you know, the personnel uh, excuse me, the uh, yeah, the personnel committee was was uh, cancelled and as a board president and I guess are you the chair?

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>> Yes, I am the chair. as the chair is responsible to call up every board member, call up every board member and tell them that the personnel committee has been cancelled. >> And that was them, Mr. Paige. >> Okay. But can I finish? >> Yes, you may.

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>> Um, it's communications. It's not just saying to them, if you get your packet and you see something that you don't, give them give me a call. No, the chairs are responsible to call up every board

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member after they had a meeting and share with them some of the issues in that meeting. On your agenda, you have facilities, nothing. Now, I heard the budget tonight and

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there's a lot of things getting ready to happen in facilities. There should always be something to discuss in in facilities and those minutes of every committee should go out to every board member that is not a part

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of the committee. So when you come together at your board meeting, everyone would know and understand what's taking place. One more thing, your board agenda

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should have the chairman's, the chairpersons of every committee ready to give their report of the items on the agenda. There are some items that was pulled tonight,

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but if that chairperson at the beginning of the meeting would say, "This is what we talked about that 7.7. This is the issue. This is what's going on." That's that's communication.

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That's going back and forth. And really, the the community just sits back and watch the board work their comm work their meeting. But what I'm seeing is not enough communication among the

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leadership of it and everybody else. I would I would bring in so much experience, especially with the budget. The budget and I I applaud you. You don't agree to something that you really don't know the whole story about. The

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budget starts in February and it it gradually goes through where small committees are together about the budget. So when the budget comes up tonight, everybody would already know what's in it. >> So Mr. Paige, so getting back to the

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question, we got to steer back to the question. >> I'll give you a half a second. >> And and what is the question again? What would you do if the board was divided on an important issue?

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>> I would have to reach out through phone numbers of each board member or wait until we have a meeting and go into executive session. If it's item that we can talk about in executive session or some kind of way, I have to communicate with you because if we don't know, we

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can't. is going to affect our children because we vote on things that really affects our children, >> right? >> And if we don't know, we got to communicate. We have to talk to one another. >> Thank you, Mr. Page. >> One second. Madam Chair, I have a question because I think I might have

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missed it because I was talking to the attorney. >> Did you say you knew how many people applied before you got here? >> Yes. >> Can you tell me how you knew that? Cuz we didn't find out who applied or how many applied till we when we got here. That's when we found out everything. So, how would you know before I said we're the board?

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>> Somebody came to my house, knocked on my door. I opened it up and that person told me >> someone from the district. I'm asking only because we trying to be transparent as a board. We didn't find out how many applied or who applied to today when we

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sat down. >> So, I'm trying to find out how does an applicant find out before the board finds out >> and the only way it would go through was the BA. Correct. >> Uh, yeah. But Miss Sanchez, if you want to know the question to that, maybe you can. >> I need to know how privileged information is getting out our district to people.

453
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>> Right. We can and we can discuss that >> in public. Yes. Not private. >> Okay. Well, we'll go through the interviews first and if after you want to have that conversation, that's fine. Okay. >> Okay. So, I may may ask you a few questions. >> I would like to answer to your question of who the person was.

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>> Mr. Paige. No. >> If there was somebody in this jurist, we need to know because that means privileged information is getting out. Mr. David Callaway came to my house today. >> He came to my house today and I appreciated that because he wanted to

455
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know if I knew >> how many people were >> were going to be interviewed >> and I didn't know >> and he told me three two women and one guy. Me. >> Thank you, Mr. Paige. Well, at least you knew before us cuz we didn't find out till we got here.

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>> Next, we have Mia Torres. So, can we ask you >> Hello. Good evening. >> Good evening. Um, okay. Why do you want to be a board member for the Pleasantville school district? >> I want to be a board member because I

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believe in giving back to your community and I grew up in the Pleasantville school, excuse me, district for nearly a decade. And I believe I can bridge the gap between students and the board. As a Pleasantville alumni, a scholar who is now at Stockton University and

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excelling, I do something similar currently as a student senate. So, I believe I can bring a fresh perspective to the board. >> Okay. Next. How do you deal with confident confidentiality of the board's business? >> Excuse me. Mhm.

459
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>> Well, I believe if any information were to get out, I don't believe that information should go sideways. It should only go upward. I would approach, excuse me, I would approach the chair if I believe there to be any leaks. And of course, I would hold myself to the

460
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ethical standards of the board because no matter what, no information should be getting out. We should always appear to be a unified front to the public. >> Okay, great. Next question. How do you handle a disagreement with

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other board members with board business? >> From my perspective, the most important thing is to take a step back and breathe because it's easy to forget that disagreement is good. I believe that if in any moment I were to agree with all

462
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of you on any given issue, something is wrong. Because disagreement incites further thoughtfulness, more deep questions. It's how we get into deeper conversation and help students

463
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more. So, when it comes to disagreement, I would just remind everyone to be respectful. Remember that we are all here to represent the students and to move forward intentionally.

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Okay. Thank you. Next uh last question. Uh what would you do if the board was divided on an important issue? If the board were divided on an important issue and we had to make a decision, I would

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try to call for executive session. I believe that our working moments should be in private so that in public when we make our decisions and reveal why they those are transparent. Excuse me, I lost my train of thought.

466
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>> Take your time. Take your time. And then I also believe that the simplest way to put it is to a vote. The majority has the right to pass and the minority has the right to be heard. So long as we are listening not solely to

467
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respond and to get our way, but to understand that is how a board moves forward. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you for having me. >> You're welcome. Come over here on fire.

468
03:46:12.399 --> 03:46:40.640
>> Now it's time for the motion. >> I mean, >> yeah, you can pick someone like last We're not doing >> score. You're gonna make your votes and say why. If you voted for somebody >> Why do we have to do that? We don't

469
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normally do that. >> No, we don't. Yeah. No, we don't normally do that. We normally make a motion and pass. It don't pass. We don't say why. >> Okay. Okay. Got Well, we'll roll call for each applicant. Okay, first we have

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03:47:03.680 --> 03:47:21.279
um Miss Miller. May I have a motion for Miss Miss Miller? >> I'll make a motion. >> Um Miss Morgan motioned it and I have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Miss Sanchez. Uh any questions? No questions. Move on.

471
03:47:21.279 --> 03:47:37.040
Miss White. >> Miss Aikens. Your mic's not on. >> Miss Harris. Yes, >> Miss Morgan. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez.

472
03:47:37.040 --> 03:47:53.760
>> Yes, >> Miss Sanchez. >> First president. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters? >> Yes. >> Miss Silver? >> Yes. >> Miss Roel? >> Yes.

473
03:47:53.760 --> 03:48:12.560
>> Okay. Motion carries. Okay. Next we have Mr. >> do all of them. >> You have to do all of them. >> All of them. >> Uh let me have M. Pastor Jerome Page. >> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Sanchez.

474
03:48:12.560 --> 03:48:26.479
>> Second. >> Second by Mr. Rodriguez. Questions? No questions. Roll call. Miss White. >> Miss Aikens. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris. >> No.

475
03:48:26.479 --> 03:48:44.960
Miss Morgan abstain. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> no. >> Miss Sanchez, >> yes. >> Miss Waters, >> yes. >> Miss Silver,

476
03:48:44.960 --> 03:49:01.120
>> yes. >> Miss Rowell, >> no. >> Motion fails. >> Okay. Next we have Mia Torres. >> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Sanchez. >> Second.

477
03:49:01.120 --> 03:49:17.199
>> Second by Mrs. Morgan. Questions? No questions. Roll call on Miss White. >> Miss Akins. >> No. >> Miss Harris. >> No.

478
03:49:17.199 --> 03:49:36.720
>> Miss Morgan of Stain. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters. >> Yes. >> Miss Silver.

479
03:49:36.720 --> 03:50:07.160
>> Yes. >> Miss Rowel. >> Yes. >> So, who got the most votes? I didn't count. >> So, everybody said yes. >> So, >> yeah.

480
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>> Everybody said yes. >> Said yes. >> So is Miller. >> Okay. Um, so congratulations, Mrs. Miller. You actually won. You can see the BA after the meeting and everything. She'll give you instructions

481
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from there. Congratulations. Welcome. Um, >> okay. Public. I'm sorry, Madam President. >> Yes. >> Before we get further into different things, >> um, nasty allegation just was put out there in public.

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>> Okay. I would like to make a motion for a full formal investigation to how private information is getting out from the administration to the public and we're not even getting it. >> Okay. >> Okay. Now I put that motion. Can I get a Y first and a second? >> May I have a motion?

483
03:50:59.680 --> 03:51:15.439
>> Second. >> You wrote that down, Miss White. >> Okay. May I have a motion? >> Who motioned this? >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez. May I have a second? Silver. >> Second by Silver. >> Silver. Any questions?

484
03:51:15.439 --> 03:51:31.359
>> No questions. Roll call. Miss White. >> Miss Akins? >> Yes. >> Miss Harris? >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Miss Sanchez?

485
03:51:31.359 --> 03:52:00.960
>> Yes. >> Miss Waters? >> Yes. >> Miss Silver? >> Yes. >> Miss Roel? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> No. Who does next public comments

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uh 10.4 Pastor Jerome Page >> Board of Education. Thank you. Wow. >> Um, I'm still going to support you. We'll support this board. I will come at the meetings and share what I can share.

487
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>> Thank you. >> Um, I thank you again. Um but I think you know it's time for me to move on and um but I am available at any time. >> Thank you.

488
03:52:41.279 --> 03:52:57.920
>> Um this is a a new board, you know, even though you had board members been on the board before, but I like um Sanchez and she's going into the different classes and whatever workshops and all that. Uh and I would request that all of you do

489
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that. Um, just one more thing. I would participate in the county, New Jersey school boards county meetings once a month. I would go up to this to Trenton to the office. They have um different

490
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meeting meetings up there. What I would ask you to do is get out of the environment you're in and go to the other board members and see what happens in their places in in their schools. and they have good programs

491
03:53:30.160 --> 03:53:45.199
and you can bring them back here. But I I I think if you take your mind off of Pleasantville Board of Education, the inner workings of it and go out and visit other school districts,

492
03:53:45.199 --> 03:54:02.080
go to the board meetings, EHT, great meeting. You go, you see how it's presented. The chairperson presents everything. Nobody has a question. because that chair is in the middle of that meeting. So, I would just say thank you.

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>> Thank you. >> May God bless you. >> Thank you. >> And keep keep going on. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, we have Tim Jones. >> Yeah. Okay. Next, we have David Callaway. >> Good evening, board. Once again,

494
03:54:22.800 --> 03:54:38.239
>> good evening. I just want to bring to this board's attention in the community that we have a board member, Miss The Waters, who hasn't lived in Pleasantville in almost three years. >> Huh? >> Say it again. Oh,

495
03:54:38.239 --> 03:54:56.479
>> no. >> We have a member, Miss The Waters, on the board who hasn't lived in Pleasantville in almost 3 years. She's ineligible to even sit up there. She's not a resident. >> Callaway. >> I have proof. >> Mr. >> Mr. Callaway.

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>> Mr. Callaway. Call the the president. While he's here, can we ask him who told him >> forwarded? >> Yeah. >> That information. Who has told me? >> No. Who Who told No, when you finish that question. >> Wait. >> It that that has been proven and the information has been sent to the

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03:55:13.520 --> 03:55:30.960
Atlantic County. >> Wait a minute. Mr. >> Superintendent of Election. >> Trying to talk to our legal so we don't get in trouble. >> You ask him to stop speaking. Yes. >> So, he's supposed to stop seeking because he's directing all comments to >> Right. So, she wants to know if

498
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>> what was your what she say? >> What? >> Say it again. >> What's your question, Elise? >> What was your question? >> My question was since Mr. Kow is hearing he's speaking, instead of paying for a formal investigation, would he be willing to tell who told him the information about how many candidates? >> I'm going to tell you this, Elise. I'm

499
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going use your saying like you say >> the walls in city hall >> should he really should >> has ears >> the walls in this school district >> Mr. Callaway >> Mr. Callaway >> yes >> do me a favor can you just send an email to um >> I want the public to know

500
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>> I know Mr. But listen, listen. This the information the information has been forwarded to the Atlantic County >> Superintendent of Elections. It has been forwarded to >> Atlantic County Superintendent of Education. >> You send me an email.

501
03:56:21.520 --> 03:56:37.760
>> The information has also been forwarded to New Jersey school boards. The information has also been sent to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. >> Mr. out of the way. If you send me an email, I'll make sure each board member gets it. Okay? >> I'm telling you, and it's proven facts.

502
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It's proven facts. It's been investigation and they have it. Somebody's in trouble. >> Somebody is in trouble. >> And okay. All right. Thank you, Mr. Callaway. Thank Thank you, Mr. Callaway.

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03:56:56.000 --> 03:57:11.279
>> Yeah. Thank you. He got time. >> Okay. Go ahead >> to Miss Sanchez. We had our little spat on uh social media and I said that I was going to check you every time you told the untruth and you have on that on that

504
03:57:11.279 --> 03:57:28.560
um loose bat we had. I told you yes I please direct your comments to the board. >> Directed to me forwarded information >> directed to me I >> y'all keep taking my time away by interrupting me. >> Go ahead. I'm sorry. Go ahead and speak

505
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to the board. I um told her that yes, I filed ethics charges on her. It's been a while ago. She agreed, but then she took her to another part and said that I filed criminal charges on her, which she knows is a lie. She has done nothing to

506
03:57:45.840 --> 03:58:02.960
me at all for me to file criminal charges on her. And she said she had proof of it. I would love for you to get the proof and put it out there cuz it's a false accusation that you made against me. >> Okay. directed to me. >> I have I have not today I have not I

507
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have not ever fought >> criminal charges on Miss Sanchez. And if you have the proof took away my time, >> Mr. Callaway, go ahead. Finish, please. I'm a big girl. I can take it. Finish talking. >> Mr. I know you can. But no, no, we're

508
03:58:18.160 --> 03:58:33.600
not going to. We're not going to do this. No, we're not. Mr. Callaway, we're not going to do this again. If you don't retract that statement, it will be Crystal. I tell you that. But I'm telling you now, we're not going to do this today. But I'm telling you now, I'm going to come back and straighten

509
03:58:33.600 --> 03:58:50.640
it. Every time you tell a lie, I'm coming back. >> I appreciate your transparency. >> The comments that Miss Sanchez made were not in >> in her capacity as a board board member. They were private personal capacity.

510
03:58:50.640 --> 03:59:06.960
>> No, Mr. Mr. Callaway, your time is done. >> Okay. Thank Thank you, Mr. Callaway. >> Mr. Callaway. Thank you, >> Mr. Callaway. >> Mr. Callaway. >> Mr. Callaway. >> Mr. Callaway. So, >> may I please say something? I'm not

511
03:59:06.960 --> 03:59:23.439
going to say anything. I just want to put on record as a whole. >> Miss Sanchez, >> I want everybody if we say anything wrong to come up and pull us up. >> I know. No, Miss Sanchez. Please don't. Please don't. >> Come on. Please. Everybody come. You know your truth. You don't have to swear. Come on. Come on. Everybody come. Miss Sanchez. Miss Sanchez. Next we have

512
03:59:23.439 --> 03:59:39.359
Priscil. Miss Priscilla Noel. >> That is crazy. >> Miss Priscilla Noel. >> I love it. >> But madam madam madam president. >> Wait a minute one second. Before you let Priscilla come up, can we discuss something here as a whole? Okay. He can feel however he wants to feel about us.

513
03:59:39.359 --> 03:59:55.439
But deep inside we don't have to take that. And I understand that you were trying to cut him, but when other people speak out there in the public, they get cut. They get ran off. He should have got ran off a little bit more cuz now we all got to go outside. >> You know what? I'm not. >> Now we all got to walk outside though.

514
03:59:55.439 --> 04:00:19.640
>> Okay. We have Miss Priscilla Noel. >> She just ignoring me. >> Miss Priscilla Noel. >> Miss Miss Priscilla Noel. >> Yes. >> Uh which paper was that? >> Um okay. I will let her speak.

515
04:00:21.199 --> 04:00:37.199
>> Um, good evening. >> Good evening. >> Um, I am writing on behalf of our self-funded recreational track team here in Pleasantville. >> Um, Pleasantville Phoenix Rising. Um, it's built through the dedication of volunteer coaches and retired athletes and committed parents. Mhm.

516
04:00:37.199 --> 04:00:53.600
>> Our program is this solely to provide local youth with a positive, structured, excuse me, positive, structured, and empowerment athletic, excuse me, athletic outlet. This request specifically pertains to our upcoming track meet scheduled for May 16th with a

517
04:00:53.600 --> 04:01:10.960
rain date of May 17th. At this time, we are respectfully requesting access to the track at Pleasantville High School for this single event. Last year, we were unable to access the Pleasantville High School track, which required our athletes and their families to travel

518
04:01:10.960 --> 04:01:28.560
weekly to Williamstown for meetats. This presented a significant burden both financially and logistically on families who are simply trying to support their children's growth and development. Providing access to lo a local facility

519
04:01:28.560 --> 04:01:46.319
even for just one day would greatly ease the burden and allow our athletes the opportunity to compete in the community they proudly represent. These are dedicated students who train consistently, show discipline, and reflect the very best of our youth

520
04:01:46.319 --> 04:02:02.160
athletics here. Additionally, the full track meet schedule has already been created and distributed to parents, coaches, and athletes. To revisit or deny access after this level of planning has taken place places an extreme strain

521
04:02:02.160 --> 04:02:19.439
on families and participants and feels deeply unfair given the commitments that have already been made. To ensure a safe, organized, and well-managed event, we will have appropriate support services on site, including ambulance services, police presence, and public

522
04:02:19.439 --> 04:02:35.760
works personnel. We are fully committed to maintaining the integrity and safety and cleanliness of this facility. Despite being a small self-funded team, our athletes achieved an outstanding record last season, and several participants advanced to the to compete

523
04:02:35.760 --> 04:02:53.279
in Texas at the Junior Olympics. an accomplishment that speaks volumes about their dedication and the strength of this program here. My father and family are natives and are deeply rooted in this community. I however am a parent who travels daily

524
04:02:53.279 --> 04:03:08.720
from Ocean City because I believe in this team, its coaches and its mission. I respectfully ask that you reconsider your decision. We are only asking for the use of this track for one day during the season.

525
04:03:08.720 --> 04:03:24.080
Looking ahead, we also hope that in future years, access can be granted when it does not interfere with any school related events as there is tremendous value in supporting local youth programs like ours. We understand there may be

526
04:03:24.080 --> 04:03:40.160
considerations behind the initial decision. We are more than willing to work and collaboratively address any concerns. >> Did you fill out a facility usage form? >> Yes. >> Everything is done. >> Okay. Was that >> Madame President? I have question. >> Wait a minute. Jess,

527
04:03:40.160 --> 04:03:56.080
>> I'm trying to see who was answering. >> She filled out. Go ahead. Finish your question. Was >> What's the name of your organization? >> The Pleasantville Phoenix Rising >> with the >> with the recreate for the Pleasantville Recreation Center. >> Okay, I can speak on that. I'm the

528
04:03:56.080 --> 04:04:11.199
chairperson of facilities. My name is Charnell Morgan. Um, unfortunately the superintendent's not here because she gave me more information pertaining to what's going on. I believe that it was it was pulled.

529
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It wasn't really turned down. It was pulled because I believe she stated that it was going to it's like $10,000 for something. I can't recall what it was, but I know >> it was $10,000 for our >> Okay. Y'all was in the committee. Y'all

530
04:04:27.120 --> 04:04:42.880
can jump in when I fall off. >> They had to pay 22,000. >> I'm sorry. >> With the total cost of everything, like the use of the track, the the security team, the cleanup, >> all that, >> it was pushing it to 10 about 10 grand.

531
04:04:42.880 --> 04:04:57.920
So, what we did was try to work back. We trying to work back with the wreck to help us with the cost because we they want it as no cost. >> So, what we decided was we would take on a bigger portion, which would have been the 8,000. >> Okay? And then the balance of the 200

532
04:04:57.920 --> 04:05:13.840
and some would have been on the wreck. >> The superintendent was supposed to go and speak with Bobby Laws, the BA of Pleasantville, okay, and get back to us to let us know. So what we said was if the wreck agreed to pay the balance, the

533
04:05:13.840 --> 04:05:30.239
2,000, okay, then we was going to walk it on today to approve it. >> So this is what I was saying, this is what I was saying to you, >> but she didn't send the email. You didn't see the email. So the email was sent the email was sent to the city of Pleasantville to agree to their portion

534
04:05:30.239 --> 04:05:45.520
of it and then we'll pay the remainder of the portion and then it'll be approved >> and to submit the insurance >> right insurance policy. >> So we was waiting I personally was waiting for um the superintendent. She did send emails out to um Bobby Laws. >> Okay.

535
04:05:45.520 --> 04:06:03.040
>> And as of now we're at a standstill waiting for a response from him. So, we're at a standstill waiting for a response from Bobby regarding the $2,000 that the wreck needs to pay. >> And just to be clear, if the wreck itself cannot fund it, it can be

536
04:06:03.040 --> 04:06:18.399
sponsored in on behalf of the whoever can get it. >> Well, it doesn't >> doesn't matter. The money doesn't know where it comes from as long as you >> as long as y'all Yes. And and and supply your insurance. >> Okay. >> So, as long as you supply the insurance,

537
04:06:18.399 --> 04:06:34.960
pay the balance. So, you want $2,000 in proof of insurance. >> It's a little bit more. It's 2,000, >> right? Yeah, >> it's 200 and something. I just don't know it right now because I don't have my notes on me cuz I >> What you can do is give Dr. Martinez a call tomorrow and get the correct

538
04:06:34.960 --> 04:06:50.880
information. So, you're not >> Can I answer a question while she's still there? >> You know, so you're not getting the wrong >> So, these are district kids, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure. >> So, that's where the stand still was. It was never a no. It was just that it's going the cost of the district. We

539
04:06:50.880 --> 04:07:07.920
wanted to give um we took the big bulk of it, the 8,000 something and we was leaving the 2,000 there. So, Dr. Martinez reached out to Bobby Laws and we were waiting for a response from him. Had we got the response today, then

540
04:07:07.920 --> 04:07:23.760
>> just to clarify, we have insurance. >> Okay. That has to be submitted for everyone. Everyone that use our facilities has to submit their insurance. And if it would if she would if he would have got back to her today, then we all would have received a paper or a dim to let them know that, you

541
04:07:23.760 --> 04:07:39.680
know, we was going to approve it. Okay. >> So, I did let a couple board members know about it just in case if it happened, but the Dr. Martinez hadn't heard anything from him yet. Okay. But if y'all do pay the balance, then you know to come back for in front of us and then it shouldn't be a problem.

542
04:07:39.680 --> 04:07:57.120
>> I appreciate your time. Thank you. >> Just make sure you get with Dr. Martinez and she will forward the board the paperwork appropriate people. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, Miss Priscilla. Now >> after 4 hours, >> imagine how we feel.

543
04:07:57.120 --> 04:08:11.520
>> Everybody give yourself who stayed through it a pat on the back. So So let me get this straight. We won't have an accountant to replace a retiring accountant.

544
04:08:11.520 --> 04:08:29.279
We don't have a preliminary, meaning just something in good faith to submit to the district, I mean the county for a budget. And um we're at a standstill with a few line items. They're being tabled. We

545
04:08:29.279 --> 04:08:45.920
have so many tables we could probably host a banquet. And I'm looking at this list here, which was not at the beginning of the meeting presented. And that's a shame. But before I get to that, I wanted to speak about the platform that is utilized by

546
04:08:45.920 --> 04:09:00.080
the district for I believe it's prek through 8 is class dojo. Recently they updated their terms and conditions and I for one like to read in detail. Some of the providers are Open

547
04:09:00.080 --> 04:09:17.040
AI and Anthropic which are a AI companies and another one is Google facial recognition. The platform is offered for free but they want parents to give up their federal protections of

548
04:09:17.040 --> 04:09:34.160
their ch minor children so that they can access the platform. I for one am not agreeing to that and I wanted to make the board aware that this is a platform that has changed their terms and conditions to compel parents to just agree blanketly for

549
04:09:34.160 --> 04:09:49.920
nonschool products. It says that in the terms and conditions. So this is a large data set they're getting access to and we need to be more mindful of what we're using. So, I I urge the board to look through

550
04:09:49.920 --> 04:10:07.279
that thoroughly. Now, back to the budget situation. I looked it up and it seems as though the deadline is uh for budgets to be certified is May 20th. So, the clock is ticking. In addition to that, if the board does not approve the

551
04:10:07.279 --> 04:10:23.199
budget, they do lose the power to make the budget and it could go as far up as to the state. And the last time I recalled that the state was in charge, we as the district and Pleasantville had to pay for two state monitors. So you want to talk about budget cuts, you want to talk about staff cuts, they will cut

552
04:10:23.199 --> 04:10:40.000
all of that just so they can pay for two state monitors to tell you no for everything including our sports. So I think we need to seriously consider what we're saying no to and understand the procedures and what in the long term the consequences will be because in the end we will be failing the students. When

553
04:10:40.000 --> 04:10:57.359
I'm seeing sports are going to get cut or sport extracurricular funding is going to get cut, that's a problem. Especially after we spent over $1 million on a track and a field, that doesn't make sense. Especially after we improve the swimming pool. That doesn't make sense. So, can we critically look

554
04:10:57.359 --> 04:11:15.120
at what we're saying no to to make sure that the consequence, the short-term pleasure of saying no isn't a long-term consequence to the children. >> Thank you, Miss >> Madam President. >> Thank you, Miss Noel. I need I need to respond to that. I just want to make it very clear, Miss Noel. I personally know

555
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you, personally know me. That's the reason why we said no because things are being done that is not in the best interest of the children and we're not knowledgeable about everything that's happening. >> Okay? >> So, we had to pull that preliminary budget. If I may >> to make sure everything's being done in

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the best interest, this is the board, right? And the people who do the paperwork are the employees, right? >> Yeah. >> By law, they're supposed to give it to you two days in advance, right? >> If they're employees, they can get viced, right, for not doing their job.

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And I know that that's not a popular thought or opinion, but when you have to put your foot on somebody's neck, they'll behave differently. And I'm just saying that because if it's making you all look bad and disorganized and you

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are unprepared, that's a problem because now it's infecting my children and I got a problem with it. So I advise you to utilize your power strategically or at least remind those who are

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employed and the decisions that are made by the board that they know that they are made by the board. not delay, not drag your feet, >> do it in accordance with what the board needs done. >> Thank you, Miss Noel.

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>> Mrs. Noel, um just so you know also, um this budget should have been submitted back a month ago. And um Dr. Martinez did reach out to each board member. She emailed board members to

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come in to look at it. Um so I don't know everybody you know speak to everybody but it was it'll make president to everybody >> madam president that's she did do that right >> so >> she did do that everybody has situations >> she wanted to do it on her time and the

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budget is supposed to be public. It is not for us to go in there two at a time and look over it if we know if we're doing things for the best interest of our children. That's right. Well, that's the public. >> That was for the the um when she wanted you to come in two or three at a time.

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That was for you to look at it, for you to have your overview of it, then she was going to present it to >> still in all that's not how it's supposed to technically go. >> Well, let's be clear. Let's be clear. >> How does this go? Wait a minute. No, that's okay. >> Wait, let me be clear. Excuse me. >> Go, Miss White.

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>> Let me say something. We had a meeting to go over budget and stuff. It was cancelled. So, let's not act like we >> just dropped the ball, >> right? >> It was we were supposed to have a meeting. The budget wasn't complete or

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wasn't ready. >> That's right. Correct. >> And then we asked why was the meeting canceled? They said because it wasn't ready. >> So, that's correct. >> You know, accountability. >> So, with that being said, I make a motion for a special board meeting for next Tuesday. >> A discuss the right notices that were

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already in effect to go out tomorrow. >> Wait a minute. You are absolutely right, Miss Akens. it was cancelled. But after it was cancelled and no one showed up, I believe Dr. Martinez did reach out to the board members and said, "Hey, um, such and such a time, you can come in

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and review the budget again." So, to what I know and what I was told, that was done. So, I'm not going to go back and forth with it, but that's, you know, >> we're not going back and forth. We're just having a d we're having a simple dialogue >> madam how we should we should be able to

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do this >> and discuss you know it's nine brains they all have to >> madam president. >> Yes Mr. >> So before we end the meeting I make a motion for a special board meeting for next Tuesday to discuss the right no rights notices that are already on notice to go out tomorrow.

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>> Sir second >> for next Tuesday. >> Yes. >> Uh what date is that? >> The 28th. >> The 2. >> 28th. We we have one. >> Where's the meeting? >> Not the rice notices we discussed. >> That's what I'm saying. It's not

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supposed to be public. >> You do notice. >> You all know who we racing. I just want the meeting. >> I'm saying it's not supposed to be public. It can be it will be sent to >> fine. I want a special board meeting to discuss the notices that are going out tomorrow. >> Okay. Uh that would be the 28th.

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>> Yes. >> Okay. Um any questions about that? >> No questions. Uh, roll call. Who who who second? Uh, may I get a motion? Motion. Motion by Miss Sanchez. Who second it? Thea second it. Go ahead. Roll call.

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Miss White. >> Miss Akens. >> Yes. >> Miss Harris. >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> No. >> Miss Sanchez.

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>> Yes. Miss Waters. >> Yes. >> Miss Silver. >> I don't know. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. If I can get a sitter for my mother.

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Miss Roel >> abstain. >> Yes. Somebody do it. >> Motion carries. Okay. So, we will advertise for next Tuesday at 6 o'clock. But that >> in the what is it for personnel? >> For personnel.

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>> Next Tuesday. >> Okay. Uh next we have Britney. >> Oh, wait. Did I mess up? >> Oh, that was her. >> We're going back to public comments. Oh, Britney Hughes. I'm sorry. Britney

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Hughes. >> Okay. Uh, okay. Britney Green. >> No. Carrie. Carrie Clark. Hello. Hello. I would like to first ask the question of do you know what happens

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when you photocopy something to to that information in a photocopier? It actually stays in that hard drive forever. Forever. And that's exactly what happens to our children's information with the

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class dojo. So I just would request that when I need to communicate with my children's parents or with my children's teachers about their issues in class and all of those things that I don't want

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that information to be held on to forever by many many computers across the board. and then sold possibly to other data mines and terrible things that have happened

580
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across there. So please in careful consideration do all of the proper research for how we can use the a proper communication between teachers and parents and all of the critical information.

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The second note is I am flabbergasted and absolutely devastated thinking about how much the school board budgets to a charter school and then how much we take away

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from the students that are here for extracurricular activities. My stu my children go to Leeds Avenue. Last year when my oldest was in second grade, he was looking forward to being able to learn an instrument in school. That

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opportunity is no longer. He needs to wait until fourth grade. The same with participating in the talent show. No answers or understanding of why that opportunity was taken away. But if the next budget is also removing more

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extracurricular activities, more arts and all of these things are critical for forming critical thinking, interesting, brilliant people. We are removing the

585
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fuel from their rocket ships. They are zoning out into screens and they are forgetting that you have the opportunity to learn about the world. And this board is doing all of their disservices by uh

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to quote meeting bare minimum of the core education. That is devastating. I have stood up to every educator in my family who questioned where I would send my

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children when I bought a house here and the the teachers they have had in Leeds Avenue. >> Magical unicorns. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next we have Alexander. Good evening board. I would just like to

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say a thank you again and we would like to congratulate Miss Miller. We know you're going to do great things. Uh we know your your dedication to the students and we're very excited to see you on the board. But we also want to say is that we also thank the board for hearing Mia's uh comments and her

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nomination. But at the end of the day, we still want uh seat at the table. And that means when we say that we are not the future, we are the present. That means that we will organize in November. That we understand that we must stand together. And that Mia, she is she's a student. She understands what the

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students are going through the challenges. She was just a formal student in very recent years. So she knows what's at stake. And many of us remember like in 2008 when we saw these cuts. So we know what it means when we lose sports. We know what it means when we lose programs, especially extracurriculars, where students aren't

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able to develop those special skills that uh normal programs aren't able to give them. So, our message is clear that we will continue to organize. We will continue to stand up for each one of of us. As you see in the back, we always bring youth. We always bring different of our friends and we're going to use that power to organize and to get

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representation that we deserve. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next, um board comments. Before we go to board comments, um I was looking through past agendas and meetings and I noticed we didn't go out for RFPs for the auditors

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or the insurance broker. So I want to make a motion that we go out for RFP for the auditors and insurance brokers. >> Which insurance brokers? >> The insurance brokers for the district. Y'all kept the same ones. We didn't get a new one for the airport. >> We went out. >> I didn't see that. I checked and I didn't see.

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>> Yeah, we did. Um Atlantic Associates is as a matter of fact is the brokers. you went out after we got on the board or prior? >> It was last year. >> Yes. So, I would like to make a motion to RFP for the orders and >> second. Any questions?

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>> Roll call. Miss White. >> Miss Akins? >> Yes. >> Miss Harris? >> Yes. >> Miss Morgan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> No. >> Miss Sanchez? Yes,

596
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>> Miss Waters. >> Yes, >> Miss Silver. >> Miss Roel. >> No. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Next. Uh, board comments. Mr. Clark.

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>> Thank you for bringing up your concerns this evening. Um, I've been on the other side on on many occasions waiting out city council and board of education meetings. So, from the bottom of my heart, really, thank you for sticking with us, for staying around. I know we

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all have families. Uh, we all have all other other things to take care of at home. Um, but thank you for for continuing at this board of education meeting. I know it was over four hours. Congratulations to our new board member. Um, congratulations to all the

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candidates. Um, I was touched >> uh by all the public comments today. I also want to make a note that I do chair the technology committee and I want to assure the parents who brought up their concerns about the dojo program they will be fully investigated at our next committee meeting uh and even before

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that. So thank you >> Miss Waters Miss Sanchez come to commend the young lady for coming up today and having the courage and guts. I don't think I had it at that age. Someone had to actually talk me into

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politics in my early 30s. And I would love to see you run in November. And I'll formally let you know that I'll be behind you 100%. I help you in any way. I'll stand at the polls and I'll get out give out literature. Um being an advocate in this community from

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the youth from five up. It feels good to see the up andcoming people and I just want you to know that I stand behind you 110%. Um to Mrs. Miller, congratulations. I'm looking forward to working with you. I've watched you grow. You're a little

603
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younger than me um up in Pleasantville and it just feels good to have Pleasantville giving back and coming back to do what's right for this district. To my community, I think I say this every public comment. Hold me accountable. If

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you think I did something wrong, I like it done in public. I'm not a secretive person. I don't do things behind closed doors. I stand in the forefront. I've always done it since I was a kid. It's one of my great treats. So, if you feel as

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though I've did anything wrong, address me in front of everybody and let me defend myself in front of everybody. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Sanchez. Miss Aens, >> just want to thank everyone for coming out. Um, thank you guys for hanging in

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here with us. I know it was a long meeting. Um, just ask you guys to continue to come out, support, voice your comments, your concerns. Um, and you guys have a great night. Thanks,

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>> Miss Harris. >> Um, I just want to say, um, thank you all for sticking it out with us tonight. It was a long night. Um, first I want to say April 1st I came in. It was the who was it? Miss Miss Pleasville. The kids had something here.

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>> Oh, Miss Pleasantville. >> Miss Greyhound and Mr. Greyhound. It was so awesome. All these kids are so talented. They got a baker. They got a cook, a chef. It was It was awesome. A dancer. One one uh kid had a band. I was like, "Look at Pleasantville." But you

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know what I love the most? that they were so proud to say Pleasantville. They were like, "I'm ready." They love to talk about that. They came from Pleasantville. A few of them were graduating early. So, I like that's type of stuff with their associates. That

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type of stuff breaks. You know, I love that. I have a son who went through college now getting his masters. Anyh who, I have a son graduating this year. >> All right. All right. So, I thank all you educators, staff, everybody that plays a part in this daily operation because I know it's not

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easy. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Harris. Miss Morgan. Okay. I have a couple things to say. First, I want to say thank you for everyone that um came out this evening, all the ones that came up to the

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microphone and spoke, the candidates for the um vacant seat. Thank you. Y'all sounded very, very good. Unfortunately, we could only vote for one at this time. I want to congratulate you, Miss Miller. I love

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exactly what you said. You sound like you stand on 10. So, I'll be loving to work with you and to whatever type of help that I can help you with, please um don't be afraid to ask me. I'll try to help where I can. I want to thank board

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members for basically sticking together, especially with some extra things that we didn't know that we were going to be doing this evening and everyone that's listening and watching. But also before I leave, I want to um make a motion for the board and I know

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everybody's tired of ethics charges. Everybody tired of everyone going against everyone, but I have to do this. I want I want to make a motion for the board to file charges with the school ethics commission against the board president and the vice president

616
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um president Roel and vice president Silva for withholding critical information from the board including the superintendent's resignation letter which still today we have not received. We send it on the social network and

617
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just like today what we're asking for investigation to find out how does someone from the public find out information that board members should have been privileged to. So I'm asking the board to support me with making this

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motion. So I'm going to make the motion. You second it. Thank you. Roll call. Miss um Dale. Miss Akins. Miss Harris. >> Yes.

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>> Miss Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> No. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. >> Miss Waters. >> Miss Silver.

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>> No. Miss Roel. No motion carries. Thanks. Next, Miss Silver. >> Thank everyone for put my mic. Thank everyone for coming out. Miss Miller, congratulations. Looking forward to

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working with you. Thank you guys for your patience and just for hanging in there with us. We're going to continue to move the district forward in spite of it all. Thank you. Have a great night. >> Thank you, Miss Silver. Okay. Just want to thank everyone for coming out. We want to thank you for being patient with

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us. Congratulations to our new board member. We want to thank all those that interviewed. Um, please remember our board meeting that we have, our special board meeting next Tuesday at 6 o'clock. Um, and with that, we hope that you have

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a healthy, blessed, and safe week until we meet again. May God bless you. >> Can I call a motion? >> Have a motion. >> Yeah. >> Can I call a motion? >> I call a motion to remove the solicitor Bush Law Firm and placing

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Lester Taylor until further notice and regulation of the board. Wait a minute. >> She could do that. >> Um, she motion she >> Oh. U any questions about this? >> What was the motion?

625
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>> Can you repeat that? I called the motion to remove the current solicitor Bush Law Group and replace it with Lester Taylor until full agreeance of the whole board. >> Why don't you just go out for RFPs?

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>> But let her do it this way first and then if you want to make a motion for RFPs, then you make a motion. >> Right. Until you go out for RFPs. >> I'm saying if you want to make a motion for RFP, then you can make a motion for RFP. But she's making a motion for something totally different. Do you understand what I'm saying, Elise? Thank

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you. >> Okay. You want to do that? >> Okay. Go ahead. Roll call. Roll call. >> Second the motion. >> Thea did. Thea. >> Miss Waters. >> Miss Aikens. >> Miss Harris. >> Harris.

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>> He turned it off. >> Miss Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> No. >> Miss Sanchez. >> Yes. Miss Waters, >> yes. >> Miss Silver, >> no.

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>> Miss Roel, >> no. >> Motion carries. >> May I have a motion to uh journ this meeting? >> Motion. >> Motion by Mrs. Sanchez, second by Mrs. Silver. All in favor? >> Opposed? No.

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>> Good night. >> Good night. Oh, wait a minute. We got to get our Don't forget your cups.