We'll call the meeting to order. >> Rich, could we have a roll call? >> Mr. Donnie >> here. >> Miss Andy >> here. >> Mi >> here. >> M >> here. Miss Broen >> here. Vice President,
>> the Ridgewood Board of Education has been meeting in executive session pursuant to NJSA 10 col4-12. The minutes of that meeting will be released when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. And then um I hereby move Oops. Nope. Sorry.
Uh pursuant to the requirements the open public meetings act advanced notice has been given to the Star Ledger, the record and the clerk of the village of Ridgewood. In addition, notices were posted in the office of the board secretary and in all school buildings. Please join me in a flag salute and
pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I guess we're going uh Dr. Schwarz right to our student representatives report. So, >> we sure are. We look forward to to hearing that. Um I think we had a quick while while we're talking about our student representatives, I think we had a quick uh recognition for one of our students, Miss Mrs. Murphy.
>> Yes. So, um last week I was informed that we have a pos we have a finalist for the United States Youth Senate. So, Grace Kim, who is one of five finalists. So, of that group, and that was five
finalists, two will be representing the state of New Jersey and two will be alternates. So, it was a really good shot. And from what I understand is that Grace's final interview went very, very well. So, congratulations. Thank you for representing Ridgewood. Thank you for all of you for representing our public
schools the way you do. And we really are cheering for you. So, I know we'll get we'll you'll hear early January, right? Fingers crossed. >> Thank you. And and I'll just say real quick, many years ago, many years ago, when I was a a social studies
supervisor, I was actually invited to go to the Department of Education and sit on the panel that selected the finalists for the state of New Jersey. And I will say it was uh it was incredible to me that there could be so many exceptional young people in our state. Every single
person who's nominated is outstanding. So, and it just speaks that you're among a crowd. I think there was ballpark of like 40 students that made it to that final panel. So, for you to be part of the top five is really exceptional. So, you should feel very proud of yourself and we're very proud of you, Grace.
>> We'll move to comments uh from the public. talking. >> Oh. Oh, sorry. Yes. >> I don't think it's okay. So, I'll be doing the school section of our report tonight. Um, so to
start off, to try and help offset the stress of the end of the quarter and upcoming college deadlines for our seniors, the RHS guidance department hosted the Seeing Eye with puppies and therapy dogs on Wednesday, October 29th.
Um the freshman focus students visited the learning commons for orientation over the month of October where they participated in a goosechase scavenger hunt which helped um the newest members of RHS become familiar with the collection and services um that we offer
at the library. The woodworking and design students completed their building of their cutting boards which will be on display for two weeks in the hallway display case. Anatomy and physiology students modeled body tissues using reusable modeling clay. And they guessed
each other's types of tissues on postits and gave feedback using the bag method, which is begin with a positive, ask a question, and then give a suggestion. The ceramic students have shown impressive progress in class, mastering the pinch, coil, and slab method um with
skill and creativity. The Learning Commons proudly celebrates Native American Heritage Month throughout November and beyond. Um this month's window displays features um of work by with fiction and non-fiction books of Native American authors. Um this seal of
biiteracy exam information was presented to students in level four or higher of the language that they're enrolled in at school. Um, and students can sign up for the language that they take, as well as any other language that they're fluent in.
To achieve the seal, students must demonstrate the ability to speak, read, listen, and write in one or more languages in addition to uh, English at an intermediate level of proficiency. On November 2nd, members of the RHS band went door knockocking to raise funds for
the program through their annual poinsetta and Amarilla sale, which ran until the 14th. Um, this fundraiser has been running for almost 50 years and usually results in about 4,000 plants being sold in and outside of Richard each year. A student actually came to my
house and we ordered poinsettas for Christmas, so that was nice. Um November 6th and 7th the district was closed for New Jersey teachers convention and November 12th was the 11th grade parent meeting. Um also on November 12th and
13th the NJSLA fall field test was administered and the purpose of the test was to evaluate items for validity upon the actual administration which will be in the spring. Um, the district is not actually getting the scores to these tests and grades 9 through 11 were
tested on both ELA and math while only some seniors were tested on math. November 18th is the FAFSA workshop. Um, and it's a workshop to help explain how to fill out the FASA forms, which are for financial aid for college. Also,
November 18th is going to be the class of 2029, which is the freshman semiformal atios, which sounds fun. Um, on November 19th is the RHS orchestra concert at 7:30 in the campus center. On November 21st is the Al Capella concert
at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Theater. And November 25th is the Sharing Arts performance at 6:30 also in the Canvas Center. So, lots of musical performances. Um, Project Graduation 2026 and B Ribbon joined forces to
create new Rididgewood merch that includes belts, dog collars, leashes, and keychains. And all proceeds go to the class of 2026. And lastly, the Kellyan coat drive has started and runs now until November 29th. So now, AR will
do clubs and athletics. >> Thank you, Violet. Um, Project Interact has been active volunteering at events including Spirit Night at BF, Halloween in the Park in Van Nest, the Somerville Bookf Fair, and the Ridgewood AM Rotary Food Drive on the 25th. On the week of
October 24th, the club went around the school with their signature Shaker Cans initiative in which they collected donations from students for breast cancer awareness. They raised about $700 in total, which speaks to the real care for our community that students in Ridgewood High School embody.
On October 23rd, members of the French club gathered for an exciting round of Pictionary. Instead of English words, participants were challenged to illustrate French vocabulary terms, putting both their language skills and artistic creativity to the test. The activity provided a fun and engaging way
for students to expand their vocabulary, explore French language, culture, and traditions, and connect with fellow French enthusiasts. On October 23rd, DECA, which is our main co-curricular business and leadership club at RHS, um they hosted a pumpkin night to bring club members together in
a fun and creative way. DECA also came together to write 150 cards for our veteran visitors who visited RHS on November 14th for a special veterans breakfast and meet and greet. I believe Grace and Eli were at that event. If you
guys want to elaborate. So, yes, I believe Dr. Schwarz was also there, but last Friday, RHS had our annual vet veterans day breakfast. Um, and um, not only was I able to be present and talk to the veterans that were um, brought in by the American
Legion, but I also had the opportunity to do the opening remarks, which is really exciting. Um, and this was really a schoolwide effort as not only um did students take time off their learning and their um regular class periods to come down and have these conversations
with their our veterans, but also I believe our culinary class was involved in creating the foods. And this celebration was just really important to emphasize how much we appreciate the veteran service. On October 25th, the RHS Fishing Club
went to the Elmwood Park Marina to fish for carp in the Pacic River. It was their first outing of the year, and they're looking forward to an exciting year filled with many more. On October 25th and 26th, the Ridgewood crew team sent 29 entries across 15 events to the
School Kill Riotta in Philadelphia. The team earned six medals, two bronze, three silver, and one gold, as well as many in uh an individual additional top 10 finishes across the board, which is an amazing performance. And they did it again with six first place finishes in
the Hudson River Chase on November 2nd. To end breast cancer awareness month on the 28th, Rididgewood cheerleaders sold t-shirts to students, staff, and the Ridgwood community, raising $200 for the pink agenda, a nonprofit funding breast cancer research. On November 1st, junior
cross-country athlete Katherine Keading was named North Jersey Female Athlete of the Week. Katherine also won the Bergen County meet of champions with a time of 17 minutes and 46 seconds. She's just one of 13 Rididgewood female runners to bring home the individual title. On
November 1st, the RHS marching band attended the US band's NJ state championships where they finished in seventh place in the very competitive group 4 Open Division. They also had their final US bands competition at Metife on November 8th and they placed eighth. This year in particular was
quite special because it was the program's first time in the open class competition. Not only requiring increased dedication from every member, but also showcasing the marching band's ability to adapt and perform under pressure. On November 2nd, nine RHS gold
award Girl Scouts were recognized at the Ridgewood Girl Scout highest awards ceremony, while 13 others received silver awards. Juliet Edittois, Grace Freeborn, Christine Nally, Rihanna Serroi, Anna Dixon, Christina Weissenning, Tegan Freely, Bin Michaelelsson, and Isabella Reprect
completed 80 or more hours on a project that impacted the local community and were recognized as gold award candidates, an award that less than 6% of Girl Scouts nationwide achieve. This is the highest number of gold award candidates at Rididgewood High School
since 2019. On November 2nd, RHS Math Teacher Miss Katon and RHS senior Connor Nenan took on the New York City Marathon. On November 6th, the RHS World Support Alliance and Cambodia Club held their second annual Who's Got Talent Night,
showcasing talented young students and raising money for the Cambodia Rural School Project, which is a partnership between Rididgewood and Cambodia. While our teachers were at the state convention during November 6th and 7th, Alps had a backpacking trip to Haramman State Park where they hiked, camped, and
practice essential outdoor skills. On the 11th, we had 21 senior student athletes signing their commitments to continuing their athletic careers at the D1, D2, and D3 collegiate level. Um, I was told from Mr. Nice that Mr. Cook had a small cake prepared for every athlete
who signed and each one was customized with the colors and logos of their future school, which is awesome. Huge congratulations to all of those athletes. On November 12th, the cheer team hosted no cook night, which 20% of all money spent on orders from those who came to support the team at the World's
Flat restaurant uh were went toward the cheer team. On November 13th, the first maroon and white recital of the year happened in the learning commons, highlighting solo, musical, and dance performances as well as curated art exhibits. Also on the
13th, members of the RHS green club went to Haw Elementary School to work with fifth graders on their composting program. They constructed compost bins with them, educated them on the composting process, and discussed other ways to make a positive environmental impact.
On November 14th, new players concluded sales for their upcoming cabaret show, which is their most important fundraiser of the year. Those who bought a ticket will attend an Italian dinner at Bottora Restaurant in Hawthorne on Sunday the 23rd. And we'll also get to watch a performance of selected Broadway
favorites by the talented new players. Our fall sports season has come to an end, but to end off the season, our girls cross country team won the group 4 state championship this past weekend. And today, triyouts began for swimming, bowling, crew, and ice hockey, which
includes women's ice hockey, which I'm sure you all know is a new program this year. Next week, on Monday the 24th, tryyous will begin for basketball, indoor track, wrestling, cheerleading, winter guard, and alpine ski team. And last, but certainly not least, the ice
hockey team is hosting a fundraiser at Chipotle tomorrow, which is the 18th. If you go to the Chipotle in Paramis between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. and use their code, 25% of the money you spend will go toward raising money for the ice hockey program. That concludes my report. Thank you.
>> Oh, Els want to add, uh, last Thursday I got the chance to go with Mr. Ferrari and a couple other Richwood High School students down to the Bergen County Equity Think Tank in Ramo. This is our third year of doing it. We met with now
15 other schools from across the county, which is the highest it's been for any other year. Uh, and we talked about microaggressions. We met kids from the other schools, had conversations with them, had conversations in our districts, and thought about ways that we could make our school district more
equitable. So, we'll be meeting two other times throughout the year, but this was a great event with a lot of Richwood High School students. Thank you. Thank you everyone, especially Violet Narf who who did a great job putting that report together. But thank you also Eli and Grace for your contributions.
Appreciate you very much. >> There is no shortage of activities as uh things happening at the high school. Right. >> Yeah. Okay. Now we'll move to comments from the public. I don't think we have
any public here. So we will uh go to Not seeing any. Um I'll close public comment. We do have a comment period at the end of the meeting. Uh Dr. Schwarz, your superintendent report. >> Yes. Thanks everyone. So uh first of all, we had a coffee event on last
Thursday. We had quite a few attendees and actually went quite long. We had lots of comments and great discussion and dialogue. So thank you to everyone who attended. The coffees are recorded. They are on the website so everyone can go ahead and take a look and listen to back recordings are also on YouTube. Um, but you can also uh if you want to participate as a reminder I noticed we
had a pretty significant spike once we got to the public once we got to the questions portion. been eating some delicious bread now. Throat dried out there. Um, so, uh, our next coffee is on on December 11th. Oh, but what I was saying
is I noticed that people are catching on to the the the uh the process because we had about 29 people logged in for the presentation portion and then that spiked up to about 50 uh by the time that we were at the um at the question portion and Eli actually joined us again. So, thank you for that, Eli. And you you guys are always welcome to jo
join us. Um not that you have to or even should, frankly, but you're more you're always welcome to. So, thank you for being there. >> Longer than uh usual, too. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Two hours. >> Yeah. Not not even necessarily controversial, just lots of really interesting topics to discuss. Yeah.
Lots of folks, lots of questions, lots of good thoughts. So really grateful for everyone's participation. And what's you know we whatever what the public doesn't necessarily see too is that we actually often will have continued dialogue with folks who come and speak. So we had some people sharing studies with us about screen time. We had some nice conversation dialogue. Got to read some
really nice research on that area. So all very helpful. So we listen and uh we we learn from each other. So please be a part of that learning process and share with us and join us at the coffee. Next one's on December 11th. This coffee is actually going to be after the board meeting. Um but uh so but we'll go over
so so in the name of so keeping that theme our board meeting is on is is on the same week. So that would be the 8th December 8th. And at that meeting we don't have any presentations here tonight except for our students presentation. But at that meeting Dr. Fenwick is going to do the state of special education address. That's that's
that's a so that's a tentative plan. We're making good progress on that. Right. So so we we we intend to give that presentation. So, if you're interested in special education, uh she gave the first last year. I think we just called it a special review last year, but we're kind of rebranding it to be like a like following because it
really is a substantive. So, please join us if you're interested. We'll go over it again for this for those who missed it at the superintendent coffee uh but not at the same level of detail that will go with the board. So, if you want to get the full presentation, please join us at our next board of education meeting. And then we're scheduled for a district goal update uh with all with
the vision 2030 goals uh and all the initiatives that we have going on uh at our January meeting. So we look forward to sharing all those things with you. Um a couple of just other things just little notes and odds and ends. I just want to thank everybody for their donations uh when we we we had many I
want to thank the HSAs especially uh they did a lot of work in trying to really mobilize folks when it was clear that the government shutdown was going to potentially leave some Ridgewood families without SNAP benefits. Um, so they wanted to uh to to they really wanted to mobilize. So, uh, Miss
Christine Corless did did a great job of helping to organize all of them and just the schools already have a lot in place. I know the Interact Club and many other and other clubs at the school do a lot to food collection. So, we already had a lot of good mechanisms in place. It wasn't too heavy of a lift. It was really just about coordinating those efforts. Miss Corless did a really nice
job of coordinating with the HSAs and of course we collected uh plenty of donations. But I wanted to just say, and we put this in the uh we put this in our follow-up letter, that um you know, Thanksgiving is a big time for for for for driving for food. So, uh we don't want to be over. We don't want to be done. Uh so, please if you whether you
donate it or not, please continue to donate for Thanksgiving purposes so we can uh we can help out those families in need. Uh I also want to thank everybody for their flexibility. Uh the day on election day, uh I I put out some messaging about the bomb scare that we received via email. Um and so we're I
just want to give everybody assurances we are having conversations. We're going to be convening the the calendar committee and we'll talk about the viability of holding school on election days. Um I've already had a conversation with the village about you know the um Mr. Mr. Kasmar the village manager about
the drivers behind the schools being polling places and a lot of that does come from the county. So nevertheless, we are having conversations around, you know, are there alternatives to not holding polling in schools, but again, it's not this isn't just a village a village preference concern. It is the
the the um the county clerk's office has has some very strong guidance about about how we operate. So, nevertheless, we're going to continue conversations there and we have to figure out what we're going to do, not only for the ma major elections, but the primaries. But it does seem to me like it would not be it would be ill advised to to schedule
on general elections to schedule school on the base of the fact that here we've been disrupted now two years in a row. Um and there's obviously other other general concerns too. I know a lot of folks have reached out concerned about safety having so many visitors in the school during a school day. So we're taking all that into consideration.
Um I do want to share we did use an emergency day which means we have two emergency days left. So and I actually just read a news report today. Um, I didn't get into the deep. It was from a reputable source, but I'm not sure, uh, how how reliable the projections are, but calling for the snowiest winter in
five years. So, uh, so we're only going into with two emergency days possibly into a snowy winter. So, we'll see what happens. Um, but we'll keep you posted on that. And then, uh, and then, you know, as a district, we're really in the height of budget season right now. Uh,
so we're or the height we're at the beginning of budget season right now. So, Mr. Matthews has been setting up our budget to budget process. Um we're gearing up to do a bunch of financial analyses, but now is the time when we really set the budget to fund uh fund programs and fund all of our initiatives
for 2627. So this is a very important time for us. Uh you should everyone should know too this is a difficult time and this is not unique to our school district. The cost of health benefits for everyone are going up dramatically as are the cost of utilities. So we actually have a resolution here tonight. Um, we've been working with uh with our
local uh labor associations and the board here um about trying to find um if there's a better option where we might be able to incur less financial um less negative financial impact as we go into the new year. So there is a resolution related
to that tonight. Um, I want to thank our board members and thank our administrative team and thank our union leaders who have done a tremendous put in a lot of time to really give consideration to this very important this very serious decision. Um, and I think we're heading in a good direction
considering the circumstances. Um, we're we're committed to making sure that our transition goes smoothly. And for those who might be concerned about our our our teachers and everyone's benefits who are employees at the school, I just want to be very clear. um we we will always provide equal or better coverage as is
required by law and and our collective bargaining agreements as well. So want to make sure that there's a minimal disruption to everybody. Um but also we're protecting everybody with from a cost savings perspective. And I think we already touched on the fall season's over, the spring season starting. Good luck to everybody who's
involved in activities. And I'll just end by saying happy Thanksgiving everyone if we don't see you. and uh I hope you have a very peaceful and um relaxing Thanksgiving week next week. >> Thank you, Dr. Schwarz.
All right. Uh board committee reports. Um finance, we know what you've been doing. I don't know if you have anything to add or >> um what you >> Not really to be honest with you. We um the big finance news is the resolution
tonight um to change from the health insurance to private um and you know we continuing to discuss budgeting priorities but that's all I want to thank both of you for um the work you've done. I know you put in
extra hours on this um so thank you for that. Um I think we'll have a good resolution today. >> I want to thank Dr. Schwarz and Rich and the whole team. I mean this was a very tight timeline. Uh we pushed for changing our broker because uh we were
not thrilled. So we wanted to make that change. We moved on it very very quickly. Then they got to work very quickly as well and we met about it very quickly. So uh I mean normally I think this probably would have been like a six-month process minimum, but we got got it done pretty quickly. So thank you Rich and team and Jamie and everybody
for that. Um we'll just uh policy what um so policy um we uh we have we were able to kind of finalize the two policies that we've been working on for a little while which were student agreements which we had pulled at the
last meeting because I remember I had some concerns about the board not overstepping its role. Um we had a good discussion about that and I think Dr. Schwarz may have inserted bit of language in there that just referred to the policy the um
complimentary policy >> uh which says that when it comes to an academic decision that the principal building is the final say there. So, uh, that is on for, uh, first reading tonight or Yes. And then the other thing is we spent a long time and I'm I'm very
happy with the result, but if you remember last year, we had an unfortunate incident where we had um, a very important football game scheduled on the same night as a very important cultural holiday and and it caused a lot of a lot of problems. Um, we don't want
a repeat of that and so um, again, Dr. shores worked very very hard on some language that just um confirms >> policy committee was this >> yeah well okay fair enough but at the end of the day you're the one who came up with the right language I I I want to
give credit where credit is due and um that uh just solidifies in policy that the intent is always to make sure that extracurriculars are not scheduled in a way that would ever interfere with the celebration of important cultural
holiday and I feel like we came to a good resolution, took our time, we did it right. That's my opinion. So that's on tonight also. Did you have anything you wanted to add there? >> No, but that it's very important that everybody feels included and looking at
the language that we use to explain different reasons. I think the final product is a very good one to include everybody and to recognize that school does spill over to homework in the evenings and to other events and trying
to, you know, just recognize that not to put students in a difficult position to decide between school work and their family time. job on that. So, um let's see. Um communications and then we'll go to
facilities and curriculum. in in communications. We um are looking at the um rolling out the different um engagement and getting people more involved for vision 2030 with the
branding and the well posters but that seems so minimal to say posters but just getting out the message for that in the upcoming um time and a person I am a person that's been involved with websites here at the district for a long time. It's very nice that it our website
is a very userfriendly website what we're using now and the other technology that allows us to have the users to use have a bot to answer questions and to steer them to find things because as much as multiple users who use it a lot
feel they can find things but there's always somebody who can't and and and the helpful bots as much as I don't like using them but I is somebody who's working 24/7 and I think that that has shown and we keep statistics and anal analyze what questions people and that
drives making those questions more visible to people. So I think that we're here we're meeting the needs of our community with that. >> I had some CPAC updates. Did you you want to do yours? But yeah, I was just
going to do um and Rob, would you like to do facilities or >> No, you can do it. >> Okay. On facilities, um we we are beginning to look at our um solar panels
and what our alternatives are and um met uh the staff met with the Tira to begin that conversation. So more to come on that as to uh what our options will be and and how the what the recommendation
will be uh from our um administration. Um you know might notice that there's been a proposal to rest some of our fields during the summer and in periods where these have not been really overly
utilized. So this would be um I think a good step in making sure that our fields um continue to be good. Um we there was uh some uh plumbing issues in GW locker room and that has been addressed and
fixed. I uh we did have the water leak uh the steps program. I'm not sure where we are right now. Last week we were when we met they were uh doing the repairs. Are we close or? >> Yeah, we're we're close, but we had a
plumbing issue just today. You want to speak to Joe? >> Oh, at the steps program. >> Yeah, we were supposed to have place today uh free access, but they had a plumbing issue today that they have to resolve. Think Joe's got >> Yeah, the uh the toilets were clogged in the two toilets. So, tomorrow uh at one
they're having a plumber come in and to fix the toilets and then they're going to clean the floors and the bathrooms and then we can probably uh Wednesday we were talking. We're going to go over there tomorrow about three o'clock too just to make sure how everything is uh moving along. >> I I want to thank Mr. Higgins for
joining me today to take the walk through. I appreciated the time. You're >> welcome. >> Yeah. >> And really to the students for their uh you know their resilience and their ability to to move and uh be here at the ed center and for the staff at the ed
center. the the staff and the students being here, at least in my opinion, has been uh such a pleasure to see them to see them pivot to using our environment to help uh take on what they're trying
to accomplish in communication and in thought and process. It's been really very rewarding for them and for us to see. Mhm. >> I I suspect there'll be a little bit of a celebration when they get back to uh to their >> they are ready and they they also have
to do a lot of um inventorying of what has been damaged, what needs to be replaced, and what can just return. Right now, everything is kind of pushed into the middle of the rooms. So, but that in of itself is a great activity for them to uh go through and itemize
everything. So, they will see it as another exercise that's worthwhile. Okay, great. And and finally, um you know, we've been having um some audits. So, PSENG is doing an energy audit and
then we also have LGA doing an audit. Um we're waiting for reports now on that. And these are about the energy use and direct install of any uh equipment. As far as um
curriculum goes, there's a lot happening and I thank the thank the staff for all their work. Um so there will be a change to uh science um for the high school where in ninth
grade all students will take biology uh CP or CPE or honors. 10th grade will be chemistry. 11th grade will be physics or environmental science. So, they're going to move environmental science out of
necessarily being a freshman uh elective um or yeah, I guess it's an elective. It's that or biology to making it in the junior year. So, um uh and then um and then in n in 10th in 12th grade uh those
students who want to take AP um sciences can do that. So, I I think that will um um work well in the middle school. >> Um can I just get some clarity on that? >> So, students can now take biology honors freshman year and junior year, can they
still take AP physics or is that now only senior year? >> No, I don't think it's only senior year AP physics, right? >> Got it. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah, I know. >> Yeah. >> Cool. Thank you. >> Yeah. I don't think so. I mean, she didn't say that that was a change. Yeah.
Uh in the middle school um we're um having a new science program open sed um and that will be phased in over the next three years. So sixth grade then uh next year 7th grade and 27 28th grade 28
29 because of the different units of study. Uh so that every student will get all units of study um doing it that way. Um there's a little bit of reorganizational reorganization of the visual and
performing arts. Um and there'll be a honors um opportunity for um our students in the arts. Uh it might not be a separate class, but you may do additional and take on additional
activities or responsibilities in a regular CP class to earn honors credits. So, um I think that's a positive going forth uh for our students uh taking arts. Um and um I think that's
it. I mean, there's just a lot of good um a lot of good conversations about curriculum and again our best way to meet the needs of our students and improve the um opportunities that they have. >> Can I ask another question?
>> Sure. So the geometry which is what freshmen take now has an honors uh level as does bio. Is there any talk about uh history of the modern world and literary world views becoming honors classes so that it's on both humanities and STEM?
>> I do not know the answer to that question. >> That would be a question for Mr. Ross. >> We haven't had any conversation about that right now. The idea is the idea is that math and science would be in lock step at this point. So, you know, it's possible that down the line we may have
that conversation. We're just not there yet. >> Okay. >> So, I think from science perspective, if you if you compare math, a lot of students were able to take a ninth grade advanced math with 4.5 as their GPA. But in advanced biology was not counted for
4.5, right? Which is 4.0. So that's what they are trying to equate like so students who are taking the advanced courses on science side will have 4.5 as their GPA. So um then but yeah that's a good point about arts and lit uh other
streams. So maybe talk to Mr. Nyas and if you're part of principal advisory committee and that would be a good opportunity to go and talk to him. And part of the reason also is because those two classes could have 10th graders in them and 10th graders are eligible for
honors classes and we don't want to make it so that there are 10th graders that cannot take honors math or science because they're taking a class that is primarily a freshman class. Does that make sense for you guys? >> Hello. Okay. Um, you me Miss Broen, you
mentioned um that students will have the opportunity for additional responsibilities in CP to get honors credit. I was wondering if you had any examples or an idea of what that would look like because um I think >> in arts in the arts >> in the arts >> that that in art classes is is where it
is. So an example might be performance in the um maroon and white or doing an extra project or um right am I speaking correct? >> Absolutely. So, you know, we might be in the same art class, but Violet might be, you know, the person who is just all in
on art and wants to take it to the next level with individual projects, that sort of thing. So, uh, you know, that that's basically the vision for this. And it really does speak to also the district's commitment to differentiation as well in that class. >> Um, sorry, one more followup. So, just
for clarification, this would be like um having the opportunity to get an honors credit when there is no actual honors art class available. it. Yes, but the the class will be coded as an honors class on your transcript. So, it just means that you'll share the same
physical space, honors and CP kids in the same class. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Uh we'll move to consent items, regular and routine. And the first is attendance at conferences.
And there was um um some adjustments to we had some discussion about that we were um at the end of our our uh budget line for travel. >> Yeah, I referenced that >> but there has been some adjustments. I referenced that last week and we just
what we determined is that we we found is that um the individual in the office here who took over the responsibility for calculating that was including far more things in that line than was full than was actually necessary. So we went back removed those items. It's a
separate calculation. It doesn't actually it's not it doesn't draw directly only out of the professional development lines. Mr. Matthews, do you want to share about that a little bit to clarify? >> Yeah. Yeah, that is correct. What's what's required is that we track the uh travel line and the budget line for that
uh entire line is like 359 but for travel was 150. It was approved at our meeting we had back in uh March time frame. So we approved 150 for the year and we were tracking all PD for the entire year in all categories not just travel. So the number that we had the last meeting was a a combination of
travel and non-travel. That's why it was so close to the to the budget line of 150. So the actual budget of 150 so far year to date expanded only be $26,000 we've been covered $57,000 of that 150. >> Right. >> So that's why we got it down to what
it's really should be tracked as opposed to tracking the entire every activity regarding PD >> and thank you for um making that that correction. Yeah. >> I'm sorry for the confusion. So, uh, attendance of conference. Would someone
like to move that? >> Second it. I'll second it. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Administration.
I move administration. >> Second. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. We're on to curriculum instruction and
the field trips. Someone like to move that. I'll move um field trips. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> I move um human resources. Thank you Jamie for all your work continuing. >> I'll second. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes.
Just scrolling through here. Uh finance would help. Would you like to move finance? >> Move. Finance. >> A second. And just to um read the uh restricted
donations into the record uh and thank them. Boris finkelstein $970 gift in kind of wristbands and keychains for Travel Elementary School. Pamis Rotary Club for $500 to be used for
community engagement activities and program event costs for the steps transition program. Are there any questions on finance? >> Mr. Donnie, >> yes. Miss Andy, >> yes. >> Mm.
>> Yes. Mr. Rogan. >> Yes. >> Affirmative. >> Resolutions and motions not included in consent agenda. We have a resolution about our um our the the uh change in
our health insurance carrier. So I'll read >> and that has been for the public that has been added to the website that is available for their view. >> Thank you. So, approval authorization to change um health insurance carriers from
uh the state >> um >> employee state employee >> the school school employment uh the school employee um health benefits program right uh to Etna CVS effective January 1st 2026.
Would you >> like me to read the resolution for the uh as as the administrator recommending it? >> Oh, sure. Okay. So, uh I'll so I'll just read this into the record. Mr. Matthews, if you can place it in the record, please. Uh it reads as follows. Resolutions and motions not including consent agenda. Approval authorization
to change health insurance carrier from SEBP to EDNA CVS effective January 1st, 2026. Whereas the Ridgwood Board of Education board was notified by the state health benefits program SHBP of significant
rate increases 33.38% for medical and prescription benefits covering eligible employees, teachers, administrators, and co independents collectively members. And whereas the board keeping the fiscal interests of taxpayers and the welfare of members foremost directed its
appointment broker of record, Alamo Insurance Group to conduct a diligent and comprehensive market analysis of alternative carriers. And whereas after a thorough review of available options and rate proposals, Alamo Insurance Group identified Etna CVS Health as the most affordable and responsible and
sustainable carrier offering plan designs equal to or better than those provided under the current state health state employees health benefit plan options in accordance with the board's collective bargain bargaining agreements. hand. Whereas the transitioning to Etna CVS will result in substantial savings to the district
while maintaining equivalent or enhanced benefits for all members. Now therefore, let it be resolved that the board of education, Rididgewood Board of Education hereby approves the transition of its employee medical and prescription benefits coverage from the state health benefits program to Etna CBS Health
effective January 1st, 2026. And be it further resolved that the board authorizes its business administrator, Mr. for Richard Matthews to execute any and all documents necessary to implement this change and to coordinate with Alamo Insurance Group Incorporated to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for
all covered members. >> I move >> second by Miss Bro seconded by Mr. >> Yeah. So, um I when you when the roll roll call happens, I'll be voting yes. But I just wanted to point out um that
the presentation we received has 31.9% increase for active employees and the resolution says 33.38. So we may just want to because we put the number because no other number is mentioned in the resolution except this.
So if we are putting the number in the resolution maybe it should be correct >> that's higher than I've seen 30 >> I'm just going to strike that. >> Yeah this will be >> yeah can we just Mr. Matthews, can you
just please edit my resolution uh where I said of significant rate increases and I cited a specific percent. Please strike that specific percent from the record. >> Everything else is everything. >> So, so it should the first whereas should read whereas the Ridgewood Board of Education board was notified by the
state health benefits program of significant rate increases for medical and prescription benefits covering eligible employees, etc. Thank you. >> All right. So motion by Miss Rogan, second by Miss Strike the record the
33.3%. Roll call. Mr. Donnie, >> yes. >> Miss Handy, >> yes. >> Mr. McI, >> yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> M. Groen. >> Yes.
>> Now we we have a Oh, >> okay. Okay, I have another another recommendation read into the record. Um, uh, titled approval affirmative of the decision of the superintendent pursuant to NJSA1 18A 37-15B6E.
Whereas the district received a report of an incident of harassment, intimidation, and bullying, HIV. uh whereas the district investigated the report pursuant to district policy in NJSA18A 37-15B6 and determined that an incident of HIV
had occurred whereas the parents of the students involved requested a hearing before the board pursuant to NJSA 18A 37-15 B6D whereas at its meeting on November 17th 2025 the board heard from the parents and principles and whereas after considering the positions of the
parents and the evidence presented by the district administration the board is determined to affirm the determination of the superintendent. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Rididgewood Board of Education, pursuant to NJSA 18A 3715B6E, hereby affirms the superintendent's
decision from September 2025 and the HIV matter involving student number 817091. Actually, we have to just strike just uh we have to alter the record there. Let me change that again. It's from October 2025. So, let's just read that last line
again. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Rididgewood Board of Education, pursuant to NJSA18A 3715 B6E, hereby affirms the superintendent's decision from October 2025 on the HIV matter involving student
number 817091. >> I'll move that. >> I'll second it by second by Miss Mr. Noy,
>> yes. >> Yes. >> Abstain. Broen. >> So you have two yes, one no, two abstensions. Motion carries.
We'll move to um approval of bills. Muhammad. >> Yes. I would like to present forward for approval the uh the bills listed here on page 13. I have reviewed those and present them for approval. Second,
Mr. Kelly questions for Mr. Donnie. We are voting on bills, right? What is that? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Miss H. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Kelly. >> Yes. Mrogan. >> Yes. >> Board member announcements. >> Thanks. So, on behalf of uh CPAG group, um we just have a couple of dates coming up, but I just want to remind everybody
on um December 2nd, which is a Thursday at 6 PM, there's the special education parent focus group is going to be uh moving forward. Um and if you're looking to participate in that, you would contact either uh Dr. Fenwick or Alicia
Pavone or Karen Powers was also listed in the CPAC email. Um there will be a virtual coffee chat for the CPAG members on December 4th at 7:30 p.m. and that uh link is in the newsletter. Um the special ed report will be here at the
board of ed meeting on December 8th and then on December 9th at 9:30 in the morning we have the general info meeting for CPAC um which will focus on structured literacy. And I the other thing that I had I just wanted to and I wanted to thank and
congratulate uh Dr. Schwarz because uh he testified it was this week, right? I feel like time is um last week testified uh before the state on um the discrepancy between the state's calculation of what constitutes a
graduate rate and our graduation rates versus what is really happening with our kids that are in the STEPS program. and um he shared uh some of the testimony with board members and we were listening to it and I I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to go down to Trenton and to testify and to not only
talk about the practical effects of it with regard to the district uh but also uh you brought a very human element to it uh to discuss you know the effects on the family and the kids and how it kind of under underestimates I would say their their accomplishments and what
they've done and so I thought that was well done and I technology. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate that. >> And I I would like to add that that you also invited the CPEG uh president to come along um who who was also a able to
talk about this issue and um and so thank you for that because that um another sign of inclusion. >> Yeah, Miss Beerley was kind enough to drive all the way down to Tread also even though she wasn't actually able to be a part of the actual presentation but her support was great. she had a chance to work with a few folks afterwards.
We're all trying to work together to further this cause. He's got some good coverage from PX11. >> Yes, that >> um I just wanted to uh say that uh Melissa Del Russo will be joining us on
December 8th. She is the NJ um SBA field rep and uh we'll have a um a report on of the self-evaluation that was completed. So thank you u for the
board members who did that. Any other uh Mary Lou or Sav did you have any announcement? Okay. Uh discussion items uh revised policies. Uh, I think we touched on that. Um,
did anything else to any? >> No. >> Okay. And then, um, Sarab, you asked for this to be on the agenda. Bike lanes, uh, near Somerville. >> Yes. So, the reason I requested to add this to the agenda was I was listening
to village council meeting two or three weeks ago. Um and I heard a comment from councilwoman Vinegaret that um the bike lane project that's going on u south pleasant for um and it will be for
summer wheelhouse that was and she said board of we worked with board of ed or uh board of ed was consult like part of it something she implied that board of fed was part of this decision and I'm on the facilities committee I was hearing about that for the first time. So I just
wanted to know learn who from board of ed was part of it and what was board of fed's involvement in that project because my understanding is it's we usually don't um like the safety and getting the students to the school is
village council municipal requirement unless we are providing busing but um so I just want to understand because she was that was a pretty affirmative comment that board of ed was part of this decision-making process is that that's that was implied. So I just
wanted to understand who what does that mean from board effects perspective. >> I'm sorry I don't know I don't I don't recall if we had a chance to circle back but I did call Mr. Kasmar to learn a little more that news to me. Um, so it s it sounds as though what did occur what
the what the council person was referencing was that some of our students gave a presentation to them as part of an AP project and that the uh that the individual who was making the comment was speaking broadly. So unless someone else has any knowledge beyond that I I don't I don't have any knowledge of the project. No, she
mentioned she mentioned students made the presentation that was in the first meeting and then at the follow-up meeting next meeting she said that students made the presentation and it board of it was basically part of it. >> Not that I'm aware of.
>> She was definitely not referencing board of she's graduate from high school. She understands board of fed versus students. Difference between board of fed and students. Did you speak to her or anything or anybody? No, I first wanted to find out here that if anybody on board of ed's behalf made any
promises or looked at that study or because it basically impacts parking. >> I just heard the student presentation but I hadn't had any discussion and didn't have the know the design what they were doing. So >> okay. Yeah. I just wanted to confirm that this board of wasn't. >> Yeah. I didn't realize that there were
like two separate things. So again we can we can certainly reach out to see if there's maybe there's a miscommunication or confusion but use to me. Okay. >> Um, >> and then I had another discussion item. >> Sure. >> That's not uh I did not request on the
agenda and Mr. Ross for you. It may be um a new new thing that I'm talking about but I have raised that in curriculum committee meetings prior to you um joining those meetings and uh so I should have given a heads up but it
it's discussed in more than one curriculum meeting that I brought it up and I and I'm just bringing up because we are probably working through the budget cycle and uh the current software that
we uh for um parents to look at that does not provide them enough information on curriculum and what's being taught in class. um atlas it's basically just an outline and I at one of the curriculum
committee meetings I did show uh an example of some other schools where teachers upload their daily class assignments not the something similar to Google site but parents don't have access to that right so a catalog where
parents can see what is being taught what is the curriculum what is the timeline for that curriculum um so more visibility to parents through whatever software we are using. So uh what I'm requesting is are we using the right software or do we need
to change that and do we need to put anything in the budget cycle when we are working on the budget. So that was just one thing I wanted to bring up. >> Well to your point we do have a scope and sequence in our Rubicon. So that will tell you exactly what's happening at what time of year. You can then click
on those bars to go into the individual units and see the specific assignments uh and you know all the skills that are being taught the enduring questions and understandings that >> the skill is different but the actual content so what Rubicon shows is titles
right and a lot of the time it shows like I have heard the comment about grammar book that oh we we are not using that right so what what is actually part of our syllabus and what is actually being taught And uh if parents have that visibility,
I think that will help. >> I think this is >> Yeah, I was going to say I probably a good curriculum committee topic. >> Yeah, I think this is we can really delve into we can pull it up on the screen as well. >> We can really go into >> So we we can go through that, but I just wanted to get like I just wanted to mention that I'll be bringing this up in
these meetings because there have been items in curriculum committee meeting that basically just I have the check-in but then those check-ins become next checkin and next check in. So this is something that I had brought up more than a year ago. I think Mary when you were on curriculum committee so it's
almost a year when I did a presentation from other schools. So it if it just keeps going in check-ins um I think it's an important topic that parents should know what is being taught to their students and classroom. >> They should have a way to find >> I'll attest to the fact that Mr. Ross
and I actually well quite a while ago actually already like last year had this exact topic about what's the correct level of information for parents because we've had conversations with parents. So did you want to talk about that Mr. Ross? >> We've had this conversation and um you know one of the things we had talked about at the time was the I mean I'm not
sure if you're talking about lesson plans themselves. Uh but you know traditionally we collect lesson plans from teachers. However, Dr. Schwarz and I had extensive conversations about what might be a uh a better submission from a teacher and it might be more useful to
have teachers do something akin to a monthly and weekly calendar of all the things that are happening in the classroom in lie of traditional lesson plans and this calendar could be accessible to parents. We have not brought that to fruition yet, but it's something we kicked around a little bit as an additional level of detail that
would be useful to parents, especially the parents who want to sit down next to a student and say, "Okay, let's go over the geometry." That sort of thing. I know that you're all working on a particular concept. Um, I do think this is a good topic for us to discuss and I think I I would be interested in seeing any materials you've submitted to my predecessors.
>> Yeah. And it's not just again it's not just these headlines or uh topic level detail if it would be useful to see if they are referencing specific textbooks what textbooks are they referring if they are referring any specific articles
what articles are being included because there are controversial topics and parents have I think parents should know what is being taught to their students in the classroom. >> No that's fair and I think I think there might be two levels of conversation happening right now. one is that much larger core resource conversation that
we've been having as in which textbook are we using what are the seven key articles that we'll be citing over the course of a semester that sort of thing that is very much underway uh especially at the middle school level we're drilling down into that because I think that's where we have seen the greatest disparity over the last couple of years
uh if you're talking about something in addition to that I think that's a conversation that we've yet to really begin and earn >> right so if if we are if you are going to implement that at middle school level and if If you don't have the right software to support that, then you will be doing a lot of extra work.
>> I think the software is okay. I think, you know, to be perfectly honest, >> I Yes. I Now, that's not to say that we've optimized its use in every situation. However, I would say that as an educator, I'm more concerned with the taught curriculum matching the written
curriculum. And I think that might have been the greater concern over the years. So, that's what we're attacking. Rub the Rubicon will show what's the planned curriculum, but how will a parent know that that was actually covered?
>> Well, right. I mean, that's that's exactly what should be happening in the classroom. So, that's conversations with the teacher that's looking at whatever is sent home, whether we're talking about right writing assignments, tests, projects, that sort of thing. So I think the first thing for us to do is to make sure that we are teaching the same curriculum in both houses of the middle
school or on one end of town and the other in the rooms that are adjacent to each other. The next thing to do is make sure that we are getting that information out to the public. So that means that that's going home with kids whether that's you know that could be through a Google classroom those could be things that are in backpacks you know so that's a level of detail that we have
to get to. Uh, but I first want to be sure that the the consistency is happening. >> And I was just going to add parents have access to Google Classroom where at least at the high school level and now more so at the middle school level 90% of students assignments are. So if they
want to see what articles are being read, they can go on classroom see a PDF of the article and read it along with the kids. >> Parents have access through their own accounts >> through the kids account. >> I don't have access to my kids account. Kids don't share that.
>> I I think what I think Mr. Donnie is referring to is the parent being able to access something independent of >> Yeah. A child should not be should not have to share their passwords with me, right? I should be able to log in with my account and see what's being taught.
And so, Mr. Ros, that's what you what you just said is what I was trying to say politely by making it more transparent, right? But if we have a problem where we are not teaching the same curriculum in two
classrooms in the same building and across the the two buildings how will you ensure that unless you make parents partic as uh collaborators and make it more transparent. >> Well, I can I can start ensuring it by
making sure that I have conversations with the departmental supervisors, the principles, the teachers themselves. >> And how long will that process take? Well, it's it's happening right now. It's in process and we've been having meetings. There are weekly or every I should say there are weekly meetings at the elementary level, but every fourth meeting, I think, is is it is is u is
set for the actual articulation in, you know, within and across departments. So, so if I may, first of all, I appreciate your diplomacy with the way you did ask the question in the first place. That nuance was not lost on me. So, thank you for that. Um, I don't I think it's more than a software issue. And to your point, we don't even know that we're
necessarily utilizing the software as we should. I wasn't suggesting that we add it as a check-in item for you on the agenda. I'm suggesting we make it an actual curriculum item that we that we actually work on from month to month. It'll take a little time and ideally really we do all these things at the same time because if we work to align
those efforts and and work and we're we're working prospectively. Then if we can have the parent documents, the Google classrooms, the course syllabus, the teachers perspective, the curriculum, the supervisor's perspective all aligned in the same way, that's when we'll know that we that's when we'll
start to begin to actually align the work. So why don't we just make this an ongoing item in curriculum? >> Absolutely. And I would just add that we did post for the first time this year on the website uh K to5 course competencies. They're all listed out there. There's one up on back to school nights and then we also have the six to eight with their resources up there too.
So that's up for the first time. So more documentation like that will be forthcoming. >> I I just wanted to clarify unless something has changed in the last year and a half. At the middle school, parents don't have an automatic review or access to Google Classroom of their
child. They don't have a parent login. And at the high school, I'm not so sure it's automatic either. It's up to a teacher that would then say a teacher can trigger. there's a access
to it and so one of my daughter's teachers have given access has given parents access to Google classroom but that's something that's new this year that I experienced but up until this point as a teacher and as a parent I
never was able to view Google classroom and when that happens then the parents can also see the assignments and the work that the students skip. And there's been concerns through the years about giving parents access to that for
different reasons that we don't want need to be here all night, but pro and con grant because there's papers you bring home and parents can see, but there's work that stays and be online that they may not see when they
get to middle school and high school because each class is a little bit different. But I see both ways, but it's not automatic. It's teacher allowed. >> Yeah, I I'm I'm all for discussing in curriculum as long as it keeps moving.
>> I just add >> if if it if it becomes an I for check-ins, then I'll bring it back here. >> I just wanted to add that the like the discrepancy between parent access on classroom. I think this is something that could be done on Skyward um because
Skyward now has that like calendar feature where parents can see what's going on um assignment wise and in terms of grades in a systematically organized way. And also recently what I've noticed um with uh like quarterly reports is
that teachers are now putting in like small very small reports on you know student performance in the classroom. I think that that is something via Skyward that can be done um more frequently, right? There could be a weekly what's happening in the classroom report that happens via Skyward and saves a lot of
that uh software infrastructure investment. >> I have uh just two other quick quick items. Um there are just really requests. So uh for the facilities committee, can we um can we focus on the uh the B plan for BF fields? I've been
getting a lot of questions. What is the plan for that? I know Dave from Manel had mentioned that he could make it work potentially as a natural grass. It needs more investment and plan etc. So if we could just do a double click on that and
just come out with like what is the plan for BF personally if there is a way to make it a grass field that works great but if not make some decisions just to request some facilities on that one. Okay. And then just the second one maybe for
Mr. Ross. I'm not sure who this would go to is can again not now or in the next few weeks but can we explore the whole uh intramural sports idea for our elementary, middle, high school? Is there an appetite for that? Could we do it?
>> So I can actually speak at the high school level. Uh principal advisory of a group of great students working on that. starting to look at uh kind of what fields >> we have as a district and then sort of planning around the existing use of fields at least for this year like what
fields might be open in the winter or spring and then trying to find sports that would fit that. So that we're start we're starting to look into that and we plan to bring that to the board. >> That's amazing. Can you can you expand your your work to include elementary and middle school and work with Mr. Ross on
that? >> We're starting with high school this year. We're going to start with probably one or two sports and then see how that goes and expand as we move on. >> Amazing. That's what we need. Thank you. >> So, so Mohammad, if if we consider any
more facilities project after this insurance rate increase, I think finance should consider the micro or micro referendum idea that we we need some predictable revenue every year for next five years. So, Matt so Mr. Matthew's
team can plan for next five years, right? So if we commit that we'll bring every year we'll be able to bring you X million dollars for um facilities projects then they can go and
plan it not dependent on what else can go high and low and then where will we get the money from. So they would have some predictability for next five years and they can create a fiveyear long range plan that every five for five years we'll do these projects. So
finance should consider that how will we fund say whatever number you pick $4 million for five years $5 million for five years whatever number you pick >> so that way they can come up with that much project every year prioritize it
and not doing one big one and limiting every year to a small number >> will force us to pick rep prioritize rep prioritize and prioritize every year and pick the high >> so can you sit with Mr. Matthews on that and just like dive deeper into that so we can add it to finance,
>> right? >> Began this discussion. We have a heat map, but we had some uh concerns about some of the projects. >> It wasn't about referendum. It was about priority, the concept of referendum. >> Yeah, we Yeah, we we've t I actually just made a note to put it on the
finance committee agenda. We've talked about it quite a bit. Um but I think that uh I because we've talked about it, right? So I think I understand it, but if you want to if you want to talk to Mr. these are are all related to them but uh but I do think it's time for the finance committee to discuss that type of thing and the the intram murals at
least we can explore it somehow like is there interest can we do it you know it's a great opportunity for the students um if we can make it happen I realize it may be difficult but that's a huge >> yeah I think I think we're I think we're due to inventory all the different
intramural efforts going on because we do have some intramural programs that are currently functioning uh we have we're looking at some other areas there's high school efforts And so let's do a little inventory of it all as part of our budget planning process. >> Just different ones. Some schools do have um some
>> they're very sporadic. >> But I think I think that's where you start though is is exactly what's happening because we we approve these um extracurricular you know throughout the agenda at different meetings. So to have a a full
list would be really helpful. Yeah. Just to circle back and this is just for me so that I make sure whatever committee I'm sitting on right that I understand it is I feel like I'm too close to the micro trying to move it away is so I agree 100% that um I want
to learn more and really dig into and understand the micro referendum idea but I also want to understand exactly what we're looking at what we're talking about in terms of the heat map and what the priorities are and um for all the
buildings and all the fields and and looking at and and you know Dr. Schwarz because I've been talking about it in committee and but we can't make one decision without the other. So it's a little bit chicken and an egg type thing, right? But but for me I need to
have a a a much clearer sense of where what our needs are, you know, where we want to go. uh so those those conversations in finance and facilities um and cor you know whatever it is that we need to come to the bigger broad t uh bigger board table at some point so that
we can really move forward with >> so I'll give you one one example for for what I'm trying to communicate so for example we have a a probably a professional services budget that we know when Mr. Ross is working on his professional services plan next for the
next year. He knows that this was my budget for this year. I may go back and ask for 2% raise or 5% raise or adjust a little bit. But he knows a baseline number for next year. We know a baseline number for what will go in our salaries. We know a baseline number for for
different things, right? So for books or every supervisor have their budgets. But if Mr. Matthews is working on his facilities plan. There's no capital budget for every year. So if he cannot make a 2 year, 3 year, four year, 5 year
projection because he right now our plan is whatever is remaining from last year, whatever is savings from last year, we may put that in capital, right? So so it's 2 year late. So our our budget closes on June 30th. By the time it's
audited and everything, it it's late. and then we put that money in next year's followup budget. So we don't have a fixed budget every year for important or acquired capital projects. So if we come up with any small number that okay this is our number for every year for
capital projects that we'll go out to the and we'll go out to the community we'll make a presentation that hey this is what we want to do and if you approve that we will get 33% or 34% from the state. If you don't approve it, we are anyway budgeting it. We are keeping
300%. And so we'll be so it's just gives them a little predictability every year and then they can plan within that number every year and they can plan for three, four, five years and that's we can review which so the whole board will review what are the required projects.
>> No, no, I thank you for that. I I appreciate that. I think one of the questions and not for tonight, but doing a little bit at a time is certainly a good way to go. There might be a determination or a judgment call that more needs to be done at one time or
less and you know and it depends on a million different things, right? So that's why I think those two conversations need to proceed somewhat parallel and somewhat together. >> Right. So there is a report out best but I do appreciate >> yes there is a report um that was
generated by our architects. >> Yes. No I know that's a good starting point but then so we can look at >> we just need to Okay. I I I think we know where we need to go. Thank you. >> And I'm to think about having um small
referendums. I I I think we really would need to talk with our bonding attorney and get the lay of the land because there can be voter fatigue if you were going to do that every single year. Maybe not. But I'd you know hear that perspective of that because it
when it it doesn't get approved then you're you know you're you're back at square one sort of. >> Yeah. So in from my perspective I think I have >> it's certainly worth the conversation. >> Sure. And I've been in front of this the school board as a as a resident six
seven years ago and this is exactly the type of arguments I was hearing and I would repeat that that we should not be working on a referendum based on what voters will approve. The this the whole perception that there is a voter fatigue or what will get approved that should
not direct what we are planning to do. we should do based on the projects that we need to do, >> not based on what we can get approved. >> Because if we don't need it, we our report doesn't say that we need to spend several hundred million dollars or
several dozen million dollars, then if something there are a lot of things that can wait for 5 years, if things can wait for 5 years just because we think we should go to the voters in one shot, we want to try to do that one in one year, that doesn't make sense to me. And just
to be fair, I think you're both saying the same thing, which is no no saying that >> Let me finish. Let me finish. Okay. Which is that and and I know that we're not going to sit here and talk about this all night, right? But but I think that reasonable minds can disagree as to whether a micro referendum or a major
referendum is appropriate at any given point in time. I don't know, frankly, speaking only for myself, where I'm going to come down on that issue. And I cannot make that decision until I look at all of the projects. And you and I may disagree reasonably on what we think
we need to do. Now, I'm just going by the architecture now. And I think that one of the things that we want to consider is if I think something needs to be done, I want to uh if if we in the best interest of the students, right, then we want to present it and get it
done in the best way that we can, right? >> I agree. I I think that there are different ways to do that. >> I totally agree with that. All I'm saying is I'm not saying what I think. I'm presenting what our architect has presented to us. >> Right. No, that's fine. That's fine. And and then we have to review that. So
anyway, I I don't Sheila doesn't really need me to speak for her, but I just thought it was um worthwhile. >> Yeah. All So just to summarize to have >> Yeah. Just to summarize, we have a report from our architect that tells us what may be needed in 3 years, what may be needed in 5 years, what may be needed
after 5 years, right? So we have a pretty good number there and from that we can pick the projects and decide. My recommendation would be that if we can if it's possible if we can schedule the facilities meeting before the finance meeting in the next cycle then
we'll have had a chance to have a deeper conversation about that heat map and with your comfort then I'll share the heat map with the finance committee >> that was just the the heat map that we saw originally just last
>> it it was it was the it was it was formatted incorrectly so we're going to get it right this time. >> Okay, great. All righty. Um, acceptance of minutes October 27th executive session and regular public meetings.
Do I have a motion? Mary? >> Sec. I'll second it. All in favor? >> Other business? Nope. >> Okay. Uh comments from the public.
Again, we have no public here and we have hands raised. Mr. Mo, >> Mr. Moen, you're on with the board. >> Hi, good evening. Thank you for having me. Um, a couple questions regarding the
um, discipline presentation and the follow-up conversation from last week's uh, coffee hour. Um, so first question, how many of the alleged HIV investigations
met the code of conduct criteria? Um, I asked because uh, and this information is direct from the New Jersey Department of Ed um, SSDS guidance. Um, it's important because it
satisfies state and federal reporting requirements. uh student demographic information is entered into the state reporting system if an incident meets code of conduct criteria or if it's a confirmed HIB. Um
so reports of allegations may not be needed for a district presentation. However, a child's demographic information is still reported to the state. So, the presentation was a bit misleading um and warrants further
clarification moving forward. Um, you know, I think Miss Murphy is probably the one that should be leading the presentation since she oversees both the investigative process and the personnel responsible for conducting the
investigations. Um uh in 2023 2024 there were 74 incidents and that was based off of the superintendence guidelines from
uh his October 2024 uh presentation [snorts] and his comment was that all incidents should be reviewed through the hib lens. uh and then the district reversed course to update the code of
conduct policies for for this year. So my next question is is a state law um once an arbiter of last resort now becoming the primary means of how the district discipline students.
Thank you. Have a have a good night. >> Thank you. Nope. Seeing no other hands, I'll close uh public comment. Dr. Schwarz, do you um have anything you want to >> Uh yeah, just say thanks for joining us tonight, Mr. Moen. We'll we'll review
your uh your comments there and uh provide you with some sort of response once you've had a chance to review what you were referencing. All right. I think we