All right, I will call the meeting to order. Uh, can I have roll call, please? Miss Brown, >> Miss Creswell, >> here. >> Miss Dellesandro,
Mr. Defus >> here, >> Mr. Cohen, >> Mr. Sim >> here, >> and President Langley >> here. >> We have a quum. >> Thank you. Uh, we are going to move into close for the next 45 minutes. No action
will be taken. Um, can I have a motion to move into close? >> So move. >> All right. Roll call, please. >> Miss Creswell. >> Yes. >> Miss, >> yes. Mr. Sim. >> Yes. >> And President Langley.
>> Yes. >> All right. We'll be back at 7:30. All right. 7:30 meeting. Can I have roll call number? >> All right. It is still 7:30. Uh we will reconvene the meeting. Uh can I have roll call number two, please? Do we do
just a question do we do um motion a second to return back to open or >> we don't usually but we can do we need to >> motion to open >> we could do it in the exact >> second >> okay uh roll call please to open the meeting
>> Miss Brown >> yes >> Miss Crespbow >> yes >> Miss Drius >> yes >> Mr. Sim. >> Yes. >> And President Langley. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. And then we need roll call.
Roll call. >> Miss Miss Brown >> here. >> Miss Cresbow >> here. >> Miss Delesandro. Mr. Frius. >> Yes. >> Here. >> Mr. Cohen. Mr. Sim
>> here. >> And President Langley >> here. >> We still have a quorum. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Let's rise for the flag salute. >> 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. >> Um, I don't remember who read it last time, but would you mind reading the state? The River Edge School District is a
partnership of students, parents, staff, and community members. We are dedicated to providing a supportive environment in which all students can reach their maximum academic potential while developing as responsible citizens who respect individuality. Our goals will be achieved because curriculum and
instruction are aligned with the New Jersey student learning standards. All decisions reflect the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of the preK to sixth grade students. Cooperation and ongoing communication exist between the school district and
the community and school administrators in the board of education work together to assess and adjust procedures in response to new mandates and the changing needs of the community. >> Thank you. Uh, open public meetings notice. >> Yes. Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of this meeting,
its date, time, and place have been delivered to the post office, municipal building, and the record, and posted on the district's website at least 48 hours prior to the time of this meeting. >> Thank you. Uh, we will open it up for public comments on agenda items only.
Uh, this public comment time is for agenda items only. Comments will be limited to a duration of three minutes per speaker. Each speaker must begin by stepping up to the podium and stating for the record their name and address. after which uh the timer will begin. Seeing as there are none, we'll move on
to uh report superintendent report. >> Uh good evening everybody. One of the things um I invited Ashley Anamando uh to uh give a presentation on uh the summer uh program which she is the
supervisor of. Uh I've we've uh spent a lot of time highlighting the good things that are happening in River and things that make it special and I think the summer program certainly is one of those things. Actually, you should you want to come on up? >> Yeah, I I think we are. How are we doing? >> All right.
>> Yes. >> You can also advance the size himself >> or we're going to advance the size. They were up, right? >> Yes. >> We're good. >> You can either hold it or pin it to your
>> Thank you. Okay. Hi. Um, I'm Ashley Adamando. I teach fifth grade um, ELA and social studies at Roosevelt. I've been at Roosevelt School for 15 years. And this year was my first year uh, supervising Summer Academy. Um, I have been a
longtime teacher of Summer Academy. Um, even in the COVID years where my children were napping and I would try to teach lessons in between. um virtually which was very difficult but um I knowing so much about the program and the way that it had been run in the past
um I tried to keep best practices and then try to enhance what I could when I was able to. Um this is an overview of the program. The River Summer Academy ran from Monday June 23rd to Friday June 18th. Uh it was from 8:30 till 12:30. It
was held here at Cherry Hill School. Um, and we had two drills, one shelter in place and a fire drill. During that time, there were 256 students enrolled. We had for staff, one supervisor, one nurse, um, a school resource officer. Uh, there were 19 teachers, two power
professionals, and 14 volunteers. Um, which were averaging about 10 a day. Um, our volunteers were former students of, um, River River Edge, so either Cherry Hill or Roosevelt Newbridge. Um, so a lot of them were fun and glad to come back and help um and knew the program
pretty well. They had been students at Summer Academy before or they just had been students of mine or some of the other teachers that were there. Um, there are two different types of classes. There's invitation only, which there was no tuition cost to the families. The students were invited
based on specific criteria. Um there was integrated enrichment which was a two-hour block of ELA and math um for each grade level. There was also two different ESL classes and a kinder boost program um which was after the
kindergarten screening for the kindergarteners coming in um had they've been flagged for certain skills that they needed some enhancement on, they were invited to join us as well. Um the open enrollment classes were $75 per class which were open to all students.
Um the academic breakdown we offered 32 academic classes. We capped those classes at 12 students to maintain a small groupoup instruction and hands-on learning. Um our open enrollment classes are called exploratory classes. They were capped at 20 students. These
classes average 13.5 students per class. different types of classes such as physical education, steam, seal, art, dance, and more. There was many different options for them. Many um felt like academic classes. The students were very clear about telling me that
especially like young entrepreneurs and engineering, they were like, "That's not an exploratory class. That's academic." They pass me in the hallway. Um this is just a general breakdown. I know it's kind of hard to read, but just of where they were going. Um, it took a lot to kind of figure out where everyone would
be and try to figure out the schedule of it. Our website's also um linked on there. I can share the entire slideshow with everybody, but the website gave the parents a good understanding of what they were signing up for. Um, especially for exploratory classes, they were able
to choose. It gave a little bit more information for each one. Uh, students schedules to support a smooth start to the summer academy. Students received color-coded schedules that were based on their grade level, which made it easier to navigate the building. Student volunteers were
stationed throughout the halls to assist. Both staff and volunteers were provided with detailed spreadsheets outlining each student's schedule by period and grade level. Additionally, all helpers received a labeled printed building map to further support transitions and ensure students arrived
at the correct classrooms with ease. This is an example of what one looked like, but they were like on neon colors so that we could easily differentiate the grade levels as they were walking by. As far as finances, the pre-academy
planning, um, I met with our former BA in March to review budget, logistics, and all financial matters having to do with summer academy and how it was run previously. Uh, pay schools was the only listed payment option. However, some families experienced issues requiring the acceptance of checks. um in one case
cash. So we had to like develop I was like I don't I need a receipt like walking around with my walkie-talkie. Um future finances pay schools does allow for streamlined bookkeeping which did make it a lot more simple to kind of keep track of who was going where and
how much they were paying for. Um if checks are accepted in the future I think payments should be made in full before classes begin. Envelopes should be clearly labeled to the attention of the supervisor of summer academy. There was instances where um someone would drop off a check and it said send it to the board office. So we didn't exactly
know what it was for. Um so just to be more clear so that it's we're not um chasing people down that did already pay. The academic courses are um invite only and tuition free. The instructional staff were paid $50 an per hour for four
hours a day um over those 19 days. Power professionals too were utilized and compensated at their standard hourly rate. Um there was many more power professionals in the building, but they were hired through the um extended school year program um which was Dr. Jeffy. So whenever there's questions
about that, I go to Dr. Jaffy. Um exploratory courses were $75 per class. Uh each teacher was allowed to spend or allotted uh $15 per student for materials. The students in building bridges connections and pathways were um
invited to take one exploratory class tuition free. many chose additional courses at cost um in addition to the one that they received. Teacher reimbursements of the $8,985 allotted for reimbursement to
exploratory classes um the $4,877 so about 54% was reimbursed based on the teacher request and the submitted receipts that they um gave to us. academic data for the students that were
enrolled in academic classes was 142. Um, some of those students were like enrolled in more than one class. So, they it's possible to be invited to a math intervention and also an ELA intervention or an ESL intervention and something else. Um, there was seven
students enrolled in ESL. Enrichment, we had 51 enrollments, so it was a double period of ELA and math. and kinder boost. We had four enrollments. Um I would love to see our kindergarten screenings be done a little bit earlier so we could probably up that number a
little bit. Um it was a really sweet small group of students. They were really fun to go in and hang out with during my morning routine of walking around the building. Um but we would like to see more students that um if we're able to give them support, that would be a great thing to have more
students here. Um the pre and post assessments were administered for all academic classes using dibbles or district assessments. Um there approximately 84% of the students attending the River Edge Summer Academy made growth and/or achieved 100% from their pre- to post assessment. Um
that number has grown. I noticed the last time that this presentation was given was a few years ago and it was at about 76% at that point. Um, I do think that it's because of the intensive like five days a week and an hour at a time
or 50 minutes at a time. Um, I think it is really beneficial to have those students that would be qualifying for win or intervention during the school year to be able to have this program. Um, here's some pictures I added for
the summer academy. um different activities that they were doing academically. There's a difference between the more academic ones and the more exploratory ones. Um there was coding and engineering, a lot of art, a lot of
bracelets, nails, which we accidentally put directly next to Dr. Bissa's office. That wasn't well thought out because that's smelly. Um but lots of art. Um, a lot of great things coming from the art rooms and
different um, like eco art was really cool, too. Uh, some board games, which was great to see them put the devices away for a little while. Mr. Luca did a film analysis class where they would watch a movie and then analyze it. And
it like the analyze days were always their favorite, which I loved that they were so excited about it. um lots of science things going on, engineering, applying for credit, which was great because we realized that some adults now really don't know how to write checks. So, it was nice to see
that like our young entrepreneurs were learning how to write checks and um basics about applying for credit for some of our older students. So, that was great. Some more masks. There was some pottery happening and sculpture,
chess, play-doh and some more board games. We also this year started a partnership with uh Metallands Environmental Center from Ramapo College. Um it was offered to summer academy and extended schoolyear programs then to the wider
school community. um we first kind of wanted to gauge interest with the students that we knew would be here um during that time or earlier in that day. Grades K to six were invited to participate. It's handson enrichment aligned with curriculum and learning goals. Uh focus was curiosity, problem
solving and interactive experiences. There were 80 students enrolled and um the grades K to two were there from July 7th to 10th. um we called that one water Olympics. That was the one that we after
going through our curriculum with Miss Moran. We decided that that would be the most um beneficial for those students at that time. And grades three to six was more focused on balance and motion. Um from July 14th to the 17th, uh they did a lot of crossover of like more advanced
things that the younger students did try which was interesting to watch the different progression of it. for this program. It was also located at Cherry Hill. We um were with this program from 1 to 2:30. Some students in
summer academy and ESY stayed for lunch. So from 12:20 to 1:00, they were supervised by the program supervisor and three River Edge power professionals. Students remained under direct river edge staff supervision throughout the day. The dismissal was 2:30 p.m. at Cherry Hill School Blacktop. So for
those families that were looking for like a longer day, it was also helpful just in timing. Um families were did need to provide transportation. The cost was $65 per student for the full 4-day program. The capacity was 40 students per um per session and we did reach
capacity in both the K to2 and 3 to six sessions. Um it was there was a strong demand and full enrollment demonstrates high student and family interest. Um many stu many families were asking even when it wasn't reaching capacity like right before it started they were like is there another thing that they can do
after this so um even if it's just for convenience there was still high family interest but the students were highly engaged and enriched throughout the interactive steam experiences um they appreciated the local affordable hands-on summer learning opportunities um we talked a little bit with the
difference between experiments and hands-on learning and there is a big difference so the some of them were going home and saying, "Well, it wasn't an experiment." And said, "Well, what were you doing?" So, I'll show you some pictures just so we can decipher the difference. Um, and I do recommend that we continue the partnership with Ramipo
College Medallands Environmental Center for summer 2026. I think they were very nice to work with. Um, the teachers were so engaged. They would come, they came early every day. They wanted to set up. Um, we were experiencing very, very high temperatures and then some rain during
that time. So, um, while we would have loved to do a lot of the things outside, we limited that to like rocket launches and things like that rather than the majority of it. Here are some pictures from that. There was lots of like sinker sinker swim type
of situations. There's a boat to see how many pennies they could fit on the boat. Uh, there was a penny drop um with water droppers. They made different boats with different sticks and things like that.
Um they used uh water mazes with toothpicks and water. Uh they created different types of structures and then saw if the fans could blow them down. Um they also there was one with balloons. There was a hair dryer set up
and the haird dryer was setting things off. Uh there was more water. They were making waves with the shovels. Um, and the students were, it was very very studentled. They would kind of give a description of what was going on and then kind of let them explore the different materials and very interesting
to watch um, balloons hanging. There was uh, microscopes where they were able to see things. These there were roly polies in that little machine they were trying to get to move and see how many roly polies they need moving in the same direction, which was kind of gross. and
they didn't really tell me that they were bringing so many bugs into the school, but we did check that they were all taken back. Um, and then this was the rocket launch, which was very cool, but they were using like a like a bike pump to get it going. So, that was really fun to watch and
exciting for like especially some of the parents were picking up at the same time. So, that was a fun one. Um, opportunities for growth. I do think that we need to begin program development earlier in the school year. the majority of our progression is based
on the first couple of assessments that we take, this fall assessment and the winter assessment. So, if we can get that information out to parents sooner than later, um, of course there is the hope that they will never they will not need it by the time we get to summer, but if they're given the option earlier
on, um, that is the hope. I'd love to enhance communication um increase parent communication earlier in the spring. Considered a detail a a dedicated email address for the summer program supervisor um because things did get lost when it's also a classroom teacher
and a departmentalized classroom teacher. So there's like 46 parents and then there's hundreds at the same time. So it was a lot of email. Um expand social media presence and outreach to families. um having our website attached to the school website and things like that that could just um enhance our
enrollment. Uh we can set tighter restriction deadline registration deadlines, open additional spots as families decline for those academic courses. Allow more time um before family vacation planning. Earlier kindergarten screening would also be
great um to identify students for kinder boost. I know we try to get as close to the end of the school year as possible, but just to give parents a little bit more time to know that the program is there for them should they want or need the support. And additional communication from ESL teachers to
engage and inform more families. I think that there was some language barriers where it could have we could have been working a little bit more collaboratively to um better explain what the program was and how we could um help them moving forward.
staffing. I'd love to recruit new staff and encourage participation. Um I was one of the new teacher orientation teachers um in the past couple of days, so I already started to bring it up. So I think that it's a great opportunity
for people to be here. If there's um additional work opportunities through curriculum writing and real courses, that could also be very helpful. Um because once you're here, you kind like they're done at 12:30. Um they might want to stay a little bit longer and
continue to work um depending on how far away they live. And programming, I think that it would be great to continue partnerships with the Middlelands Environmental Center, uh add more guest programming if possible and um broaden our variety of exploratory
classes. There was certain things that had a very high demand, like classes that were filling up very quickly. um we had to move some things around and make like two engineering classes instead of just one. Um there was another situation where we had a coding class that kept
like somehow like like filling to the brim and so just possibly having some more um options for them or noting those ones that were very popular and possibly giving more options for timing on that.
Um, and we wanted to say thank you to the board of education for your support, to our River Edge staff and power professionals for their dedication. Um, it it takes a lot to get teachers to come and work for the summer and especially those academic teachers that
came and just that like didn't skip a beat. It was really incredible to watch and like it was very fun for me to be on the other side of it to be able to see so many of my colleagues and friends and um people that I grew as a teacher with like really just doing some amazing
things in their classrooms which I don't get to see so much during the school year. So that was really awesome. And to our families and students for embracing summer learning opportunities because everyone needs a break and I get that but take August. August is a good time for a
break. >> Oh, does anyone have any questions or anything for me? >> I do have one. You mentioned uh a couple slides ago and then again in the conclusion that um parents were asking is there anything they can do
after this? Do you mean after this meaning later in the day or later in the summer when you didn't have the um afternoon classes from Ramo? >> It seemed like I think a bit of both. Um the afternoon classes like there was
parents in the K to2 section that were like can they come next week too and we were already at capacity. So um and there was a few parents that came up to me and they're like what if you did like a full day program and I was like well that's not my decision. Um so I think that it is like there's a
demand for that. I think that it's also the demand that we have for like afterare and morning care and things like that. Um, we did actually provide morning care from 7:40 a.m. until 8:20 when we would start. But I do think that
there's like the child care demand. Um, I know our River Edge like the Wreck program um runs around the same time. So if we could give a little bit more time um and in structure like structured
learning would be obviously primary and great but also just like more exploratory classes maybe go a little bit later in the day. Um we'd have to be able to staff it but uh I think it is they were really looking for like later in the day and possibly even going a
little bit longer but I know that for ESY there's like a certain number of days that we need to provide. Um but this was kind of in partnership with them. So >> So you had 80 students in the afternoon for two of the four weeks. Is that really right?
>> It was 40 40 per week. So 80 >> total. Okay. Do you believe that there's a a greater demand above 40 in the population to have those afternoon classes? >> I think we could. Yeah, I think we could do that. >> Yeah, camp is expensive.
>> It's expensive. So don't forget that that was our we we outsourced that essentially right college has these programs already we brought them in to do this. It was a good opportunity to not only build another you know partnership with a I'll call local college Burton County College but um but
then also help provide this for the students. So um if there's a way we can control those costs or always keep it the same >> it would be helpful. >> Um Chris, thank you so much. Um my children have all done summer enrichment and I'm just so happy to see where it's
come. Um so if you I think the children would come right and I think all the different programs and the more variet variety we put in the programs I know the parents would really um flock to it. But do you think we have staff that would be interested in if we got more
kids would there be >> I think we could staff it. I think that the the way that it was going towards especially with like an additional program like the Medallands, they they staffed it. We only staffed it with power professionals um and myself like I was staying but especially after all of
the work to like put into it. I was like, "Oh, I'm staying. I want to like see how it all goes." Um but I do think that there is a lot of River Edge staff that would come for like summer academy, but sometimes they're coming from like kind of far away. So then they're looking for child care and they're
looking for and and then it's until only 12:30. So there's time like the timing sometimes is a little bit off like I know my in my town the half day camp is from 9 to 11. So they can't go because I can't drop them off and I can't pick
them up. So it's really just I think it's those things, but it's also having these conversations earlier on in the year in January when you're first starting to plan or thinking about your vacations. Um, if we started earlier, I do think that we would be able to get more staff and I do think that we would
also be able to get more students. Um, and if there's those additional programs in the afternoon, I do think that those like the families were really happy to send them with a lunch and and say, "I'll see you." Like it's it's only a little bit longer, but it does feel like especially families that have people
working from home. That was for such a low price. It was really, I think, very beneficial for them. >> What is the cost like for with Ramipo or the Medallands? Is it significant cost to have them come here? >> The students paying the students paying
the $65 essentially covered that. >> They cover the entire fee. >> Um I think the only thing that we covered out like outside of that was the power of professionals that were coming from um extended school year because it was the students that like needed either a onetoone or a shared aid. >> Right.
>> Okay. I do have a question about the kinder boost program. Is that fairly new? Because I've never heard of it and I know it wasn't around when my kids were It is. It is. I think um I think two years it's been going on. Um this is definitely not the first year, but it is
fairly new. Um Mrs. Pool, who was a kindergarten teacher, now she's a first grade teacher at River at obviously River Edge Roosevelt. Um she was like developed it and she said, "I think this would be a really good idea if we're doing this kindergarten screening." And there are students that like look like
they're struggling to as they come in. Um, now the kindergarten screening is very advanced the way that like I've looked through all of the data from it. Um, but then like because parents would ask me because the letters coming from me where it says they're invited to kindergl.
So I like looking through all of the data and actually pinpointing it. It's it's very helpful to have that information going into kindergarten. But especially if we're saying, "Hey, this is their score and this is where we'd like to see them at this point." like we can do these things that will really
help. Um so she created the pro she basically created the program and then in creating the program has been the teacher for it for the past couple of years. Last year she did two sessions of it. We weren't sure that we would get two sessions of it because and it's a
longer session. It's like that block of time. Um but we weren't be sure that we were able to because we did kindergarten screening late. >> So we only did one session of it. There was only four students. Um, but I'd love to see more students in there. They were really fun. They made like the those
like A for acorn and they like they did elephants for E, which I I don't know where that picture went, but it was like like just like really sweet projects and they would like come in and tell us these crazy stories that I loved. When my kids were little, I remember hearing those crazy stories. So, like it was really nice to be able to have them. Um,
but it is fairly new. >> That sounds good. So, all kindergarteners are evaluated then, incoming kindergarteners. I believe that they're all invite like they're all asked to come to kindergarten screening. Okay. Um obviously there could be late enrollments and things like that. >> I feel like there might not be enough
messaging out there because I've even seen like on social media people asking about you know or orientation or things like that though I don't know if the message is really out there. So maybe we can get the message out there on social media too. >> We can try to tighten that up. >> Thanks.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Any other questions, comments? >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> The rocket launch was a big hit. I know that. >> That was a fun one. >> Yeah. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh
lots of other things happened over the summer. There was even some um uh resolutions related to uh a good portion of the curriculum writing that occurred that we have to approve tonight. The balance of the curriculum remains uh the
same. I do need to report out tonight the RQAC results. I didn't expect them until November, but they're here. >> Um they're on the agenda for um board's uh awareness. So um I'll begin. Uh the bottom line is what is it the bottom
line up front the uh Riveridge was designated as a high performing district. Um there are five CUSAC areas of course instructional program fiscal management governance operations and personnel. In fiscal management, governance and personnel river received
100%. Um so those were slam dunks. In operations we only missed 2%. It was one uh one section. There was a report that was um uh it was from so it's a three-year look back from two years ago. Um they thought the folks that do that
report thought they hit the button and apparently they didn't. But the uh the New Jersey home room site is very unforgiving and if you submit something a day late, it's a day late and because it wasn't done uh exactly it uh the
submit but wasn't hit exactly on time, we lost those two points. Um but that was only one year and we've done it correct and we did it correctly last year. Uh so that's good for the next uh QAC uh cut. We received all of the points that were in um instruction and
program that we had uh direct control over. So all the curriculum points that needed to be um addressed were uh were were hit. The balance of instruction program is is has nothing well has everything to do with what happens here. But we have no control over the outcome. It's what students do on the tests. So
the 13% that we lost were um 100% of our students don't get 100% on the um NJSLA. So whatever we don't uh fall short of 100% or um proficiency comes off of those points. So 87% is a very very strong IMP
uh score and I'm very happy with how we did there. So that is our uh our QAC results. We're high performing for the next at least two and a half years until they do this again. Any questions on QAC? I I think I'm required to take questions. >> Oh, okay.
>> That's good news. >> Excellent. Um and uh a couple of things where I mean we're getting ready to open school obviously. I am uh sending a letter tomorrow to the community and uh it it addresses all the the work that's been done by the custodial staff. The
district is deploying the what I'm calling the uh largest one-time investment in technology where we have se over 700 Chromebooks being deployed next week and 30 interactive whiteboards. So half of our instructional spaces essentially half are are getting brand new um inter
interactive whiteboards. Um the PTO's uh helped us out with that. They donated $50,000 which we've already accepted um and very grateful for that contribution. And those white boards were installed. There's two of them that are a little wonky. So, we're going to uh have those addressed by New Line,
which is the manufacturer, but the rest of them are up and and uh and ready to go. The 700 uh Chromebooks are are here. They're they're also inventoried and uh they've been tested and they're also ready for deployment. So, we're uh truly onetoone district at this point and uh
half of the instructional spaces have um new uh interactive whiteboards up front. So, it's a very large investment in technology. Would not have been able to deploy all that without the very efficient tech staff that you >> I was going to ask. It sounds like there's a lot of IT res resources that
would have to go into inventorying and testing. >> Yes. >> 700 Chromebooks. >> Uh, that's true. We did get white service. So, part of that was already they they came >> with what we wanted on them, but we still had to make sure they worked and we still had inventory them once they got here and take them out of the boxes and all that stuff. So, >> you put like asset tags on them and
everything. >> Every one of them has to be asset tags. Yes. So that that that work has been done and the students will be receiving next week. It's it's the best of we could possibly hope for for that. So very large um tech advancement uh just now for the board. Um we do have we
still have about 400 operational Chromebooks that are going to need to be replaced within the next two or three years. That's something that we'll we'll work with and um go ahead and begin thinking about replacing them. with a 700 uh Chromebook bubble, we are going to have to consider putting those on a replacement cycle as well. So, this is
these are ongoing costs, but uh we're in a position to we were in a position to get this done last year. And I would like to thank all of our partners, not only our our tech team here, which is um excellent and uh really worked very hard to make this happen, but we also have
external partners uh as well. So, um, that work is done and you'll, uh, you'll see that. I just real quick on the, um, uh, QAC, the DPR is in the executive content portion. So, if you're really curious about where on how how we're
measured, how do we get those 100%, how the board is welcome to dig into the DPRs. This letter is uh, required to be placed on our website as well. So, that'll be done tomorrow. Uh, I I mentioned the staff. I I mentioned summer. I love a a September
floor that's in my letter tomorrow as well. Um uh and so the September floors are bright and shiny that it's September floors are good until about September 4th uh after 700 feet stop on them or thousand feet. Um but they look really
good. Um we also did a number of I'll just call them um aesthetic we addressed a number of aesthetic things in the building. The custodial staff did it over summer. the Roosevelt school got new paint um in in many uh areas including the lockers which I made
the joke in exact how they I don't think they've been addressed since u Teddy Roosevelt himself is was here. So uh the building looks really good I think right looks pretty good. >> Um and thanks thanks for that. Um so uh but that takes a lot of effort
and and not only just cleaning the place but also then these these small aesthetic upgrades uh throwing a little bit of extra paint somewhere um is a very thoughtful process and it takes a lot of time. So thanks to all those folks and then of course the staff is um ready to go and we'll see them uh new
staff orientation which concluded which concludes tomorrow. Uh we had three days of new staff orientation. Those folks have have been reporting uh here since yesterday. Uh happy to meet them. They seem quite excited. Uh so they're starting uh they're already
here. And then staff is on Tuesday and we welcome the students back on Wednesday. That concludes my report. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> All right. Board secretary report. >> So I'd just like to bring a few items to
the board and to the public. Uh some of the areas that we kind of look at throughout the year is the budget from anticipated to the actual numbers. One of the areas where we got some updated information is health benefits the potential increase which we discussed during our finance meeting our last
finance meeting. Uh so the information we have is it's tenatively so nothing has been approved by the state but it's uh the recommended increase that the state has received from that third party actuary is roughly about like 31%ish
um increase on on various premiums depending on if it's you know New Jersey EHP direct tent uh depending on you know what what uh plans so currently um through the broker through our insurance broker he recommend commended doing a claim to loss ratio which we get data
from the state because we're in the you know state health benefit plan and then uh we review that data and then we analyze it to see if you know there is um other areas where we could possibly go outside the state to get a lower you know premium rate. So nothing is is
confirmed yet. Um the the big um monitoring is is what's in the budget. What you know my predecessor Miss Npalitano had done was based on the recommendation by a broker which is roughly around 15% increase um
you know net of contribution. So there there is you know if the state does act on on that 32% it is going to be a little bit of a financial constraint on the district. Um, >> what uh sorry, what kind of dollars are
we talking about with >> um I don't have it right now, but I can Yeah, >> okay. Just curious. >> I could possibly >> That's basically double what we budgeted, right? >> It's doubly It's definitely double. So So the state hasn't acted on it. They They were supposed to have a meeting in
August. They pushed that meeting till September. >> Okay. >> So hopefully I should have more information at the September board meeting. >> Okay. So you're you're considering putting everyone on a private plan, >> possibly a private plan. Uh the key thing is obviously we're required to do equal or better coverage. So the
coverage that we provide to our staff is not going to be less. Uh obviously the the carrier could be different. So the state offers, you know, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield or Etna as the network. So that could it could be potentially different network, could be the same network, but it's equal or
better. Uh but nothing has been decided on. you know, once we get that data, we'll bring it to the finance >> committee to determine if that's, you know, an area where we should go. You know, is the savings a large savings that is beneficial >> to switch. But first, we got to get the
claim to loss ratio. >> Um, and that's what's happening with these increases. A lot of the good districts that are in the state plan that have a a good claim to loss ratio, they're they're moving out of the state plan. So the districts that >> have, you know, horrible claim to loss
ratio, they're remaining in there and it's, you know, bringing down that, >> it's pushing the premiums up. >> Pushing the premiums up. Correct. >> Correct. So that's, you know, one of the things we're monitoring. So hopefully, you know, by September. Um another on a positive note, another thing where we
got information on which uh through the special service department um uh typically every year we submit uh specialled costs to the state where we get reimbured and form they call it extraordinary aid. Um in addition we also submit for non-public
transportation aid but the bulk of it is extraordinary aid. So, we just got the grant award um actually got revised a couple of days ago. Uh based on what was budgeted, typically what's in a budget to balance the budget, uh we have and compared to the award, it's in excess of
533,000. So, that's money that goes into surplus. We could appropriate during the year for you know any needs that that the districts encounters in uh 2526 because we didn't budget it in the prior year or we could just you know maintain it in in
excess surplus. um move it into reserves, you know, decide what we are looking to do. Last year, uh this board appropriated a big chunk of that for those Chromebooks um because it wasn't budgeted and there was a need, you know, to replace those 700 Chromebooks. So, that's something
that, you know, we could also tap into that to cover health benefit increases um other areas. So, that is some area where we could look into possibly, you know, adding to the budget this year. Uh some other areas on the agenda, there's a few agenda items I just wanted to just
highlight. Uh if you look uh agenda F20 and F-22, there's two two resolutions to withdraw money from maintenance reserve. So these were larger uh items that came up over the summer. Uh these items weren't budgeted. So there is additional
funding needed. That's the advantage of having a maintenance reserve where we don't have to pull from other areas and and kind of uh hinder our our current year uh needs in other areas. So, this is a $6,000 additional withdrawal from maintenance reserve to replace a mini
split that is pretty much end of life. It didn't it doesn't um pay to rep uh repair it. So, that's that's a mini split in one of the classrooms in Cherry Hill. And another um withdrawal was about a little over 16,000. that was a to cover a change order relating to the
flooring maintenance project that the district is is looking to do and staggering over you know improve certain classrooms throughout the district. Um and those are the two areas where we where we did um that additional withdrawal and that concludes my report.
If there's any questions, >> the uh benefits would be effective one one >> January one. >> January one. Correct. There there so that increases in the budget. >> That increases in the budget. It's only for six months. Correct. >> Okay. >> Correct. So I mean um depending on the
claim loss ratio if if it if it is beneficial to you know go to a private carrier um and that's you know the direction that the district is looking to potentially do. it would be effective January 1 and we would try to do the enrollment where
it's effective January 1. It's not where they're on the state plan for one month and now you know create that hassle for the employees. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? >> Uh president's report. I only have a couple things but um we'll wait.
We're'll make it part of the discussion that we're gonna have later. um committees uh the three committees all three of them met right on August 12th or was it just finance and facilities rightilities >> I think it was only finance and
facilities okay so then we'll do finance and facilities >> okay >> crossbow if you don't mind >> no problem uh we met August 11th at 7 p.m. Um, a lot of information was already covered in the board secretary report. Um, the health benefits potential increase. Just wanted to
highlight some of the summer projects. Um, the playgrounds and landscape beds were mulched during the first week of August. That came out of the 2526 budget. Um, the Cherry Hill School gym was fully resanded to the bare wood to ensure that um the finish aderes uh to
the surface properly. So um also 2526 budget as mentioned some air conditioning um repairs were done the mini splits lots of repairs um the Roosevelt boilers completed and passed all inspections. Uh it's in the
process of being closed out with the architect and submitted for grant reimbursement. The Cherry Hill boilers were fully installed. Uh insulation the epoxy flooring is still pending completion. Um, and then we just discuss some future items for budget for future
budgeting I should say, which would include the Cherry Hill gym floor replacement, bleacher replacements, some mini split replacements and LED lighting, parking lot paving, stripping, um, classroom flooring, univvents, etc.
>> Thank you. Yeah, we did have a conversation about sort of the long term, >> right? The longterm plans, roofs and such which we can follow up on. >> Yeah, we'll probably we're going to take as
part of the strategic plan, but also the the long-term facilities plan. Um we're going to take a solid look at everything and we're probably going to have to start looking at um how much all these repairs are going to cost in I guess we could say shortterm, medium-term, and long term. A lot of the long-term items
that we probably would like to put off are at the point where we really kind of can't do that. like the Cherry Hill gym floor. I had a long talk with the with the um representative of the company that came to um sand it down. He was like, "This is probably the last sanding for this floor." >> They did finish that work, right? >> It's it was finished yesterday. Yeah.
It's all it's all painted and um striped. >> So, uh but he he did mention that like this is probably the last sanding. So, we might get we went with the um had a long discussion about going with the higher quality finish, which was the oil oil coat finish instead of the water-based. um that should get us an
extra year or two on this uh particular finish, but after that we're probably gonna have to replace that floor. So, that's something else that we have to um kind of measure up against uh um cost and and how much life is left on on the floor. So, we mentioned roofs. The these
these are things that you do every 20 or 30 years, but we have we we have known um weaknesses in the roof, and we're going to have to address those weaknesses. Um, we had a report done which I've shared with the board uh earlier this year um that is
revealed the fact that we're going to have to do some roofs very soon. So, and then after that we had our first week. So, it was just the week verified the fact that data was correct. So, >> roofs and the unit events, the HVAC, the heating and heating, >> right? So, >> and air conditioning if we
>> So, now we're repairing many splits. You've heard it mentioned a couple of times. Um, every here in Newbridge there is a roof unit, right? This was a newer building, so it's um HVAC is is pretty modern. But in the Roosevelt school and the Cherry Hill School, there are a
combination of mini splits and window units. Um, cool in the cool in the uh classrooms and instructional spaces uh in uh the uh one of the gyms at Roosevelt and the gym here is also not air conditioned and it can get mighty
hot in there. um and was quite uncomfortable. And that's the one room in the in the building where we're asking the students actually to run around and you know sweat and it's the one room in the building that's the hottest. So it's it's it's not really >> the old gym in Roosevelt. >> Not idea can get warm. >> Oh, it can get warm.
>> They put these big fans in there, but you're you can move the hot air around, but if it's that hot, it doesn't really do much. So, um these are all things that the board is going to need to consider in like I said, short short term, medium term, and then long range planning. So, have you had a chance to check the
roof on Rose I mean the new Brit building here up here? >> This roof is was uh not marked for uh as a concern but the Cherry Hill most of the Cherry Hill >> but this has a different style. This is a uh urethane and silicon spray. So, uh
I mean different than other buildings. So, I was wondering. So this one is uh how many years old? >> Almost 15. >> No, new bridge building. >> They say uh was 25 years something like
that. The life lifespan. >> I've been on the roof once. Uh I mean not school business but as a firefighter >> just for fun. >> Um so >> I mean there's no they'll come and evaluate it, right? I mean,
I'm sure someone would take a look at it. >> So, the Cherry Hill Cherry Hill roof have has the most um areas of concern. Uh part of the Newbridge Center roof areas AB and C, which is the the bulk of the center of the roof was also
highlighted. The smaller parts there's, you know, as there's elevations were not. They still remain green. I was able to find this pretty quickly. Um and the roof type, uh to Mr. Sims point is uh it says mineral
I'm not quite sure what that means. Mineral modification bits. I don't know what bit stands for but um and then the other types are E which are it looks like metal. So the metal roof types are are fine. It's the other style that looks like it's going to be
>> um a uh a concern. Um, and you know, some of these areas of priority are just like looking at these quickly, 415,000, 300,000, 115,000. So, you're very quickly in the um, you know, in the million-doll range. And and when you
start looking at new bridge um, at 500,000 and then go to the next, we're we're over $2 million here pretty quickly in roofing. So, >> okay. Anything else for facilities? No. All right. Uh, we'll move on to items to
be acted upon. Uh, I'll probably separate out the minutes because I don't remember who was at which. Um, can I get a motion for items D1 and two, please? I'd like to make a motion for item D1 and two, please. Okay.
>> Second. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Miss Creswell, >> yes. >> Mr. Frius, >> yes. >> Mr. Sim, >> yes. >> And President Langley, >> yes.
>> Oh, thank you. Go ahead. >> Motion carries on D1 and D2. >> Uh, can I get a motion for uh item D3? >> Move to approve item D3 as stated. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Brown? >> Yes.
>> Miss Creswell? >> Yes. Mr. Defyus, >> yes. >> Mr. Sim, >> yes. >> And President Langley, >> yes. Can I get a motion for D4 through six, please? >> To approve items D4 through six as
stated. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Miss Crespbow, >> yes. >> Miss Drius, >> yes. >> Mr. Dim, >> yes. >> And President Langley, >> yes.
Motion carries on D4 and D5. D6 was to approve. >> Oh, all together. I'm sorry. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Um, hang a motion for items E1 through four, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please.
>> Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Miss Cresbow, >> yes. >> Miss Drius, >> yes. >> Mr. Sim, >> yes. >> And President Langley, >> yes. Motion carries on E1 through E4. Thank you. >> Or E3.
>> Yeah. Uh oh, I see. So, can I just say F4 then if I'm doing >> correct if you're going to do it that's okay. Can I get a motion for item F4, please? >> I motion to move um to approve item F4
stated. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. Miss Creswell, >> yes. >> Mr. Frius, >> yes. >> Mr. Sim, >> yes. And then President Langley, >> yes.
>> Motion carries on F4. >> Um, can I have a motion for G29, please? >> G20. G1. >> That's all of them. Yeah. >> Move to approve items G1 through 29 as stated. >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. Miss Crespbow, >> yes. >> Mr. Defus, >> yes. >> Mr. Sim, >> yes. And President Langley, >> yes. >> Motion carries on G29. >> Um, I have a motion for H1 through 4,
please. >> Move to approve items H1 through 4 as stated. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. Miss Creswell, >> yes. >> Mr. Frius, >> yes. >> Mr. Sim,
>> yes. And President Langley, >> yes. >> Motion carries on H13. >> Um, can I get a motion for H5, please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Which?
>> Uh, H5. I want to separate out five. >> Oh, H5. Okay. >> Yeah. So the previous was just one through four. >> Yeah. >> One through four. >> Yeah. >> Gotcha. >> And then who was the motion? Who performed? >> Mr. Sam
>> second. Mr. Fus. >> Thank you. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Miss Cresbow. >> Abstain. >> Miss Drius. >> Yes. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> And President Langley. >> Yes. Motion carries on H5.
>> Um, can I have a motion for items H6 through 12? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Miss Creswell, >> yes.
>> Mr. Defus, >> yes. >> Mr. Dim, >> yes. and President Langley. >> Yes. >> Motion carries on H6 through H12. >> Can I have a motion for I 1 through nine or sorry, I nine, please.
>> Move to approve I9 as stated. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Brown, >> yes. >> Miss Creswell, >> yes. >> Mr. Frius, >> yes. >> Mr. Sim, >> yes. >> And President Langley,
>> yes. Motion carries on I9. >> Uh can I have a motion for uh J10, please? >> Move to approve J10 as stated. >> Second. >> Roll call, please.
>> Miss Brown. >> Miss Creswell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Frius. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sim. Yes. And President Langley. >> Yes. >> Motion carries on J10. >> All right. Does anyone have any new or
old business they wish to bring up? >> I guess I'll bring up the >> I guess I'll bring it up. >> Okay. >> The calendar. So, we have some uh discussion regarding the calendar and I should have a copy of the calendar in front of me, but I don't. Let me just pull it up.
So the issue um we wanted to talk about was uh the second day of Rashashana um currently it is not off um there was a request from the community to take a look at that um and how it might impact
the rest of the calendar. Um want to address that? >> Yeah sure. So there there's I did receive two emails and I did have a discussion on it and I know that um at least uh one other member of the community contacted the board member about about the calendar who then contacted me which I appreciate. Um I
had a conversation with one of those parents the other parent um sent me an email this afternoon. So uh the the concern is that we when we developed the calendar uh we included one day for Raja Shana, one day for Yam Kapoor. Um and in the
past um we have afforded uh two days for Raja Shana. the uh our community partners, schools if you will, Riverdale and Oriel do have both days uh offer students um not necessarily staff that
have uh PD on the on the second day. I think has PD on the second day. Um the uh thing that differentiates those calendars and I I know it doesn't necessarily weigh on um have any bearing
on on Rajashana but it has a bearing on the calendar is that those other districts do not have uh voting in their schools. So they are they can bring students into the school on election day. That's a risk that we uh we've we assessed here at some point and we said that we're not going to do that if
there's voting in the school. So both of our schools are polling places. So we we close the buildings to the students that day so that the community can enter the school pretty much freely and and go to their voting places. So I don't I don't have the opportunity to bring students in on that day the other districts do.
So in order to try to end school around the same time as the other uh as Riverdale and Ordo um we took that day from the second day of Rashana. There's um there's really only three outcomes uh that the board can consider tonight. One
is to simply keep the calendar as it is and I have assured um the well the member of the committee that I spoke to that uh we'll look at the calendar every year. This is not precedent setting. um we can do our best to ensure the fact that in the future uh both days are
afforded for for Rajashana which um uh doesn't do much for this year but that individual was comforted by the fact that this is not going to be a precedent setting year. Um the second thing that the um the board can do tonight is they can make it a day of interest. So we have these dates of interest already
noted on our calendar. These have been uh used for other uh I'll say community groups that have um holiday uh large bands of uh I'll say of students here in uh the district that need to celebrate those holidays. We designate those
things as um uh days of interest. So there is no expectations for homework on those days. We won't give any kind of tests or exams on those days so that students that do elect to take those days off aren't uh adversely impacted by then coming to have it come back to you
know a project being due in three tests or something uh you know completely unreasonable. So uh an option for the board is to to note it as a day of interest so that the staff can um respond accordingly. And then the third option I I as I see unless someone else has another idea um would be to to
designate it as as a school holiday and take it take the day off. We would in either case of those two options we revise the calendar. Uh it would then bring the potential I say potential because the hope is that we don't need any emergency days for whatever reason whether it's snow or otherwise. Um the
potential uh we would um we could if we use all three of those emergency dates that are built into the calendar uh bring the last day of school to the 22nd of June. >> Um >> which is a Monday. >> Which is a Monday, which is fine. >> Which is a Monday. Right now it's the 19th. Correct.
>> Friday the 19th. That's correct. Potentially >> if we use all the days. Yes. So >> you'd hope a worst case scenario is that we're here on the 19th. If we use three, you know, three is one of those things that's arbitrary. There are some districts that that build in five and then they figure stuff out otherwise. There's some districts that build in
two. Uh I think traditionally here three has been adequate. Um and we do have provisions even in the calendar. If we need more than three, we would dip into the April break. Um so and those days are even noted on the calendar. So there's um these are these are some of
the options. One of the things that I I I'd like the board to consider in and we don't have to do it tonight certainly, but perhaps uh and I would need some support on this, but I'd like and I believe it's been done before, I've been told, but I don't think anything's been done about it. I'd like to perhaps
suggest the fact that we don't have the lessons here in the school buildings anymore. I know it's a it's it's a hot button issue, but it does that is a day before the test that we can potentially be here teaching and learning that we simply can't because we have to have this at the poll in place. So,
>> where would you where would you recommend? >> Oh, I I would only be saying that I don't I would prefer it not to be here. It' be up to uh the board of commission. I believe it's up to the board of elections to figure out where else. >> There's no space. >> There's no space in the uh in the
>> Yeah. in the town. So I mean this is what we're comprised with >> city hall >> maybe post construction but if >> would have been the community center right but then the >> library >> the library but library is nothing
>> we this is the the reality of our situation right and we have to contend contend with it so um >> we need the 4th of November off >> so what do we do we vote or what do we do >> well there's two different options So we can >> there's three options.
>> There's three options we can >> but one thing you have to consider is that uh as uh uh Dr. Bis mentioned about there are other community cultural groups and ethnic group was asking for their holidays recognized as a school holidays. So you cannot give one group
of uh um cultural group face group ethnicity this much and then the other is not. That's uh we have to think about the balancing of that also. So you cannot just uh you know we've done it this before uh does not fly to here because we have to um accommodate other
ethnic group and faith group and culture group also. We have to consider that. >> What did we do last year? >> It was it's always been two days and the district the entire district was two days. Correct. Riverdale two days right? >> Yes. Riverdale is both days.
>> Ordell I'm assuming is two days as well. So I mean I think for consistency purposes there's no reason >> for the students to have the st one district bringing staff in. >> Right. >> Right. >> Uh just think about it. We have a huge
population of a student group uh in uh both schools none of celebrate as a you know their significant days as a uh uh school off day. I mean you know they uh the group hasn't been brought this up because uh they just follow it. they
they if they have to say they love they they celebrate it but schoolwide they I mean uh wasn't properly recognized so to speak but we uh uh uh initiated uh they of interest that I mean the you know
that fits in but uh that doesn't mean they are not saying it they uh not uh um how should I say how should I put it there's no demand but they are not outvoicing it But that doesn't mean you know we can't uh
uh um how should I say >> the sentiment is there >> well and also you know as I said you know you think about the balancing it so the group of faith group taking the whole these holidays the number wise their their number is very I mean you
know different than uh way less than the the group I'm talking about so but they are so just keep that in So, do we make a motion? What do we do? What are our options here? >> So, there is there is one other thing. The answer is yes. I I'll I'll go
through the process in a second for for reasons. The um the uh New Jersey Department of Education has approved days on on which students uh if if observing that holiday can go can
take their uh their holiday observe their religious holiday um and not be penalized. Right. So this would be >> count as a day off. >> It does not count as as an absence. Correct. So, >> so even if it's not a day of interest, if they're taking it off for a religious reason, >> I mean, technically there's a hundred
days of interest, right? You know, so um and if a parent informs the principal that this is a religious observance and they're taking the their day of their day off essentially as for their religious observance, it does not count against the student. It is not um it is
an excused absence and it does not show up on the report card as such. I made sure it was like that in Genesis um last year when we did the day of interest for uh >> so we have that we do have that option. I did also put that in the letter at some point during the course of the
school year. So, if we were to note this as a day of interest, um it would uh it it doesn't have to be noted as a day of interest to do that, but it it does provide one other layer to this. And any families that chose to keep their
students home on the 24th of September to observe the holiday, those um students would not uh aggregate an additional absence. Um, so we can make a motion. We can make two
motions and vote on both of them. >> Okay. >> And then if they both fail, then it would default to the current calendar, >> right? >> Um, you we could do it that way. >> I think that the discussion should be either bring one of the the motions to the table because the other motion one
motion would make would make the other one irrelevant. >> Correct. >> Oh, yes. You're right. You would need a motion and a second. >> Yeah. >> And then a roll call. And if that were one were to pass, that would probably prevail. >> Then we wouldn't we wouldn't Well, yeah. Whichever one passes, right?
>> I make a motion to >> we have >> have it as a day of interest because with the with the understanding that the public understands that if you want to celebrate um recognize that holiday in your
family, your child is not penalized. Thus, you know, students who may not be participating still can come to school. Parents still those who don't have to leave work. It's a win-win for everyone in my opinion. So, I move to approve
that the day of interest. >> So, the motion is to make it a day of interest. >> Motion >> on the 24th. >> On the 24th. >> Is there a second? There's no second. >> Second. >> I make a motion to option three day off
as the other school calendar in the past. >> Okay. Uh, roll call, please. >> Miss Brown. >> Yes. >> Miss Cresbow? >> Yes. >> Miss Drius?
>> Yes. Mr. S. >> No. >> And President Langley. >> Um, it has to be a majority of the board or majority of the present members. >> I believe new business is um, but I'm
not sure on this. I know it's a majority of actually I think it's two/3s present for new business. >> Let me check. It's >> the second time tonight we're looking at the procedural Of
course that's not helpful. has to be a majority of >> the board. >> If if the condition is a majority of present, it has to say that >> right? >> No.
>> Yes. >> Let's see. You're recording. It's a majority of the board. Um I I will say yes with the note that um the calendar is reviewed every single year and that you know it it changes from year to year. So I
I'll vote yes on the motion for this year. that would potentially bump this date to Monday, but we'll say historical precedence. >> Okay. >> So, I I know we discussed in the past uh
starting the school year earlier. I think that's something we should really think about for the future only because you know what what you said is accurate. Once once the testing is over, there's a lot of days where There is
it's it's not it's not as rigorous once the testing is over. Right. Sure. And and so I think it would be beneficial to explore starting the school year maybe a few days earlier and then as we progress
forward moving in earlier more that way >> before Labor Day. >> Yes. There's I I have broached the topic with the teachers association perhaps bringing the one single day that we like for instance this Tuesday is a
professional day the staff returns perhaps in I'm not saying it's happening but I'm saying perhaps in the future um on a um you know a a one-time basis or year-to-year basis we can bring the staff in earlier. Um, a lot of the staff have been in and I I mean a lot of the
classrooms are are working already and perhaps even bringing a second professional day into August so that we have two professional days in August and then we can use those days for teaching and learning um uh throughout the course of the school year. I've broached the subject. I haven't moved on it. We haven't had a greater discussion with
the with the members of the faculty. But those are things that wouldn't have a large impact on the greater community, the students and the families, but would get the teachers their professional time that they need earlier in the school year in August so that we can perhaps um
>> so that we have more instructional days before the testing starts >> because once testing starts, I mean, >> I just I I think that there there's points to both sides. I just think when you're bringing students in earlier,
we're the elementary school and we have the high school in the district, right? So the middle school in the high school and I think it just becomes a challenge for parents to have to divvy up a summer in such a way, you know,
I think if we were to have that conversation seriously, do we have another, you know, parent survey going out? I'd really think that's something I'd like to hear the community speak on before >> regionally.
>> Yeah. You know, that's that's a bringing your elementary kids back sooner just with how closely we're connected with our middle school and high school. I think we're just a unique town in that way. But I think that would be a challenge for our families to it's it's
there's the benefits there, right? But then we also, you know, it's more we >> want to be consistent. >> I agree with you that it's challenging, >> but >> I also think the last couple weeks of August are very long.
>> You know what I'm saying? >> I would say that that but you know what it gets better. It gets better. It gets it gets better. >> I can see the parents looking forward to something. It passes. But I just think the the benefits outweigh
the uh >> you know >> I think it's something that we could present to the community. >> True. I think it needs to be presented. Yeah. Of course we we do need parent feedback on >> but that's what I'm suggesting that we you know we explore it more. >> I also
and traditionally it's been done here. This is the first obviously this is the first calendar uh I've been involved in here. Um but this I did meet with the other superintendents when we were creating the calendar. It's not done in the silo. So uh the the tri I call them I'll just call them the tri district.
The Oridell Riverdale and River superintendent meet periodically throughout the school year about once a month. Uh it's we usually book these things and we we do meet together and one of the topics that we typically discuss is the calendar. So, as we um as we move forward with this discussion in
the future, know that I'll be bringing that discussion to the other two superintendent so I can also receive their feedback on what they're hearing and what they're what they're coping with up against a calendar that's dynamic each year, right? Certain holidays fall on certain days each year and it's going to impact how the balance of the school year is managed. So, we
have to be mindful of that, too. So, I love, you know, there's certain years where you get that nice long December break and then there's some some years where it's like five days. You're like, "What happened to the break? Where's the where's where's where's New Year's?" It's like, you know, um there's that one there's that certain situations where it
like lands on a Wednesday and you get like eight days off and you're like, "This is spectacular." Um but there's other other years where it doesn't work out that way. So again the calendar is dynamic and there's roughly seven calendars that we can be confronted with
and as you move through that 7-day cycle uh you end up or sevenyear cycle you end up with different uh scenarios plus some of the religious holidays change based on um uh the part the time of the year that the calendar is falling in. So sometimes it doesn't necessarily care
about the Julian calendar and we end up with something different. So, um, there of those seven possibilities, there's also other dynamic forces that move within the calendar. So, we have to each year literally is a a new calendar. I've never >> I don't think I've ever seen this exact
same calendar. Well, it probably has happened, but not when you move around in different districts, that's for sure. Well, and we should be conscious of I mean, we're lucky enough at Riveridge to be in a pretty diverse >> uh community with a lot of different so
I think we need to be conscious of representation on a year-to-year basis. And just because it was a day of interest last year doesn't mean it can't be a holiday next year and vice versa. I just think it's a something we can focus on uh
going forward. All right. Any other old or new business? No. Uh, I will open up for public comments on non-aggenda items. Uh, there's nobody here in the room, so we will move on. Um, can I have a motion to adjourn the
meeting, please? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Miss, >> yes. Mr. Prius. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> President.
>> Yes. >> Motion carries under the meeting. >> All right. We'll be Oh, we have to talk Well, we may have to talk about the date of the next meeting. >> Now we do. >> Now we have to talk about the date of the next meeting. >> So, >> is this
>> Well, we've already adjourned. >> Yes, but we need to follow up with each other on this. >> We need to follow up. We'll say what can