I >> think you're ready. Y >> Okay. >> Can I have a motion to resume the public session? >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> Any naysay or abstensions?
All right. Please plan, please stand for the 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.
>> Can I have a motion to approve the March 24th uh meeting minutes? >> Move. >> Second. All in favor? >> These are abstensions. Nope. Mr. McCree. Yeah. Uh the president's report. So, good evening and welcome to
the April 20 2026 meeting of the board of education. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank everyone in attendance this evening, including our students, staff members, administrators, families, and community members. Your continued interest and commitment to our schools are deeply appreciated.
The April meeting of our the April meeting of each year holds special significance as the board will take action to approve the school district budget for the next year. The development of a budget is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to the board of education under a guid under the guidance of the
New Jersey Department of Education and the New Jersey Board, New Jersey [clears throat] School Boards Association. The role of the board is to adopt a fiscally responsible budget that supports student learning, maintains district operations, complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements, and reflects the financial realities
facing the community. While the board is responsible for reviewing, refining, and approving the final budget, we do so in partnership with the superintendent and the administration who develop recommendations based on district needs, enrollment, staffing, programs,
facilities, transportation, and student services. It is then the responsibility of the board to exercise comprehensive oversight, asking the necessary questions, and ensure that every available dollar is aligned with the best interest of our students and taxpayers. It is important to recognize that the
financial framework for the 2026 2027 budget was directly shaped by the decision of the Robbinsville voters in March in the March referendum. The outcome of that vote established the level of funding available to the district for the coming school year. As a result, this budget reflects those realities and the choices made by our
community through the democratic process. A deliberate and and disciplined approach was taken in the development of this budget. The focus was first on identifying structural and operational efficiencies, aligning staffing and resources where possible, and prioritizing the the protection of
direct classroom instruction and essential student support systems. Where reductions are necessary, they were distributed across multiple areas to minimize the impact on any one area while maintaining the overall strength of the district.
The board understands that budgets are more than numbers on a page. They [cough] they represent [clears throat] priorities, opportunities, and the services available to provide to our students. We recognize the challenges that come with balancing educational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and
long-term sustainability. We also recognize that some of the decisions reflected in this budget have raised concerns within our community. We want the community to know we hear those concerns, especially where they relate to student safety. These concerns are being taken seriously and are part of ongoing discussions with our
administration, township partners, and other stakeholders. I would like to thank our administration, business office, and this and staff for many hours of careful work that went into preparing the budget for board consideration this evening. Their diligence and professionalism are
greatly appreciated. As we move forward this evening, we remain committed to making decisions that serve students, respect taxpayers, and uphold the trust placed in us by the Robinsville community. We are committed to working with the members of the District 14 legislators and the township
leaders to identify and navigate a long-term sustainable pathway for ensuring funding while maintaining fiscal stability for the district. The board has sent our legislator a compliment letter this month to the one that was sent by Dr. Po and Mayor Todd.
This letter will be available on the district site. Finally, next week marks the beginning of educator appreciation week. I want to extend my gratitude and the gratitude of the board, the educators in Robinsville. Thank you for your continued dedication, professionalism, and most of all the
lasting impact you make on all our students. Thank you again for being here tonight and for your continued support of the Robbinsville public schools. I ask that if any students are here for photos, please come on up now. If you're here for class, extra credit or photos.
Not seeing any. Okay. Superintendent report. Dr. Pisa. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh first, let's let's start off with something nice. I think I think our for all of us the favorite part of this meeting is when we celebrate the great
work of our students. So, I'm going to come up to the uh to the microphone uh with our with our board president, and we're going to um ask some students come up and be recognized. Hey, first let me uh let me share what these certificates are about. We have
certificates of achievement in recognition of outstanding uh participation in the New Jersey School Boards Association Steam Tank Challenge and for advancing to the final presentation round. These accomplishments bring pride to our
school community and inspire others to pursue excellence in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. So, if I could have the following students please come up. Uh Jackson Co. Um,
Yan Ganesha, Madison Beaver, Tavia Auda and Brandon Priest. I'd like to invite the board and uh cabinet up to also take a take a photo
with our honores. Okay. And next, I believe we have a representative from our friends at BAPS, Sanji uh Patel. If you could please come up to the microphone. Good evening. My name is Sudin Patel and
I'm a student at Robinsville High School. I'm here tonight representing BAPS Charities, but I'm also here as a student who's incredibly proud of our school district. I'd love to talk to you about the 2026 Spirit of Service Walk/Run happening on May 31st. While
BAPS Charities does incredible work on a global scale, it this year's focus is right here at home. Our schools are a lead beneficiary and we have a clear plan to make this our biggest event yet. To ensure that every family is involved, we're proposing the use of lawn signs at
the school featuring QR codes for quick registration along with flyers sent home to keep parents informed about how they can participate. We've also designed specific ways to make this event meaningful across students on all grade levels. For our younger students, we're
asking them to create artwork celebrating local heroes from the PBA number 344. We'll be displaying these pieces at the walk to show our police officers how much we appreciate their service. For high schoolers, this is an amazing opportunity to earn volunteer
credit hours. Students can assist with pre-event logistics, registration, and distributing event t-shirts. The event itself is going to be a true community celebration featuring henna stations, photo booths, and giveaways. It's more than just a walk. It's a way to bring
all of Robinsville together for a common cause. I also have a really special invitation for you. Every Saturday and Sunday, we hold weekly assemblies at the BAPS Swaman Mandar. We'd be honored to have a male member of the board join us at an upcoming session. Having a leader
like you have speak about how why the walk matters and how it directly benefits our classrooms and teachers would be incredibly inspiring for our community. Every step we take on May 31st is an investment to our future. Thank you for your time and continued
dedication for our students. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Please. >> Oh, yes, please. Please. Yeah, we'll make sure we get one. Great job. Great job. Okay. Thank you very much. And now on to our
next item. We do have our executive counsel here. Ask you to introduce yourselves and do your reports. Welcome. >> Hello. My name is Caric Dandatada and I am the executive council president. >> Hello, my name is Sean Ryan. I'm the executive secretary.
So, starting with Robinsville, uh, sorry, starting with the high school, uh, freshmen are currently going through NJ SLA testing and it's ending on Wednesday and blocks one and two are currently extended due to testing. >> Our prep rally before spring break went very well. Everyone got involved in the
classes, the fun games like scooter soccer and musical chairs. >> And our senior safety day is on Thursday. Uh, it is an entire day of fun activities starting with free bagels in the morning. And it is in order it's use it's it's a day in order to raise
awareness on drinking and driving and other activities related to promoting safe actions. May 1st is National Commitment Day where seniors welcome to school on Friday wearing merchandise on their school of their choice. >> The Chinese club had a fun trip up to Chinatown in New York City where
students got to explore a small taste of the culture by spending the day there. We also had Mr. RHS took place on the 19th of April. The show was a success and raised an abundant amount of money. We had many of the senior class participate and thank you for the parents who also took their time to help
us run the show. Uh moving on to Pond Road. On Friday, April 24th, Pond hosted Student Academy 2026. Student Academy is a fun-filled and exciting day dedicated to exploring learning through through workshops with topics that stretch beyond beyond
typical classroom activities. We have always believed that educating the the whole ch child matters and that learning is about personal growth and creating balance in our lives. Sessions included topics such as teen and tween theater, baking 101, comic book drawing, jewelry
making, yoga, growing a garden, bracelet making, face painting, and so many more. Even our prek butterflies had the opportunity to make bracelets with Miss Collen students and staff had a great time while learning and having fun all day.
We also had high school students come to Pond to run many workshops for students during extended advisory periods. Thank you to all of our returning RHS students for contributing to our debt. And a special thank you to the student academy committee for making this day possible.
Kathy St. John, Jane Hutchinson, Jill Cummings, Kelly DeMarco, and Dan Hughes. Student Academy will return in 2028. Also during the week of April 13th, uh, Pondro Middle School preschool celebrated the week of the young child with a special crossrade experience. On
April 15th, 21 students from Ponro joined preschool classrooms, guiding younger students through games like Candyland and Shoots and Ladders. The impact was immediate. A preschool teacher followed up the next day to praise a group of eighth grade boys for their exceptional kindness and patience in supporting the little kids.
Experiences like this highlight the power of connection between all ages in our building. And we remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities for our students to lead, mentor, and build a community. And beginning May 11th, students at Pond will begin the NJSLA
uh uh assessment. This is a statewide test administered in New Jersey to students in elementary, middle, and high school. All grade levels will be testing simultaneously that week. Um, your child will do his or her best on the test if they take the test
seriously and give his or hers best effort. Get to bed early the night before to be well rested on the day of the test and have a good breakfast of the morning of the test. And also come to school on time. Uh, moving on to Sharon. Uh, Sharon
celebrated Earth Day. Students participated in a virtual schoolwide readaloud led by Mr. Pacifo and Mrs. Camro. classes decorated rocks to beautify our school and some went on a nature walk and others cleaned up our school garden. >> Last Friday, Sharon School participated
in Sharon Shines. All of our students participated in a schoolwide community service project. Donations were made to a variety of local nonprofits. A big note of gratitude to our Sharon PTA for partnering with us and creating such an authentic learning experience for our students.
>> Last week, Sh uh Sharon School celebrated wellness week. Students participated in a variety of activities including yoga, mindfulness, and breathing exercises. Staff celebrated with a wellness breakfast and a wellness walk. As we approach the spring
assessment window, our third and fourth grade students will be participating in the NJSLA. Our third grade students will test from May 4th to 8th, followed by our fourth grade students from May 11th to 15th. We are proud of the hard work of our students and have and staff have demonstrated throughout the year and
they are confident and will approach this opportunity with focus and determination. On on Thursday, April 23rd, Sharon staff are participated in our district PD day. Activities included a review of our PBSIS data, the gift of time, and
planning activities for the country's 250th celebration. In addition, all K to6 staff receive training in the new magnetic literacy program which will be which will be implemented during the 2026 2027 school year. Staff will continue to engage in ongoing
professional development throughout the coming year to ensure high quality instruction and a smooth and a smooth implementation. Thank you guys. Thank you. >> All right. Great job uh Car and Sean. I always appreciate your reports. So,
thank you. Okay, as as I've mentioned before that uh Robinsville, we're uh we're fortunate to have many great leaders and uh like to uh to ask one of our leaders from the PTA to come up and do the uh PTA report.
Oh, I didn't I didn't see you. There you are. Is this working? Can you hear me? Oh, there we go. Um, I am going to give the report for all three PTAs. I'll start with Sharon School. Uh, last week the Sharon PTA hosted the annual Sharon
Shines Day, as they mentioned, uh, which is an inschool service event teaching students about local organizations that help support our community. Students got involved by assembling snack or activity bags or rolling utensils for local
nonprofits. Thank you to everyone that donated supplies to help make this event so successful. We are excited to celebrate teacher appreciation week next week, May 4th through the 8th. There are tons of special surprises and treats for the
teachers and staff during our Willy Wonka themed week that's at Sharon School. And they are also hosting a color run event that is happening Thursday, May 7th at 5:30. And tickets are on sale now
at Pond. Um they are excited about their upcoming fifth and sixth grade socials being held right here in the cafeteria in the month of May. The social committees have been working hard to make each of these events a great success. The seventh grade social was
held last week at Sky Zone. It was a great turnout and the students had the place all to themselves. Uh at Pond, teacher appreciation week is also happening. The theme is back to the 90s. Each day we'll offer a new surprise
such as coffee and sweets, a taco bar, a hydration station, and a classroom supply replenishment table. It's a great way to thank the teachers and staff for all that they do. At the high school, the PTA has been preparing for a few of our biggest
events that are happening in May. First, we also have teacher appreciation week coming. Uh we have an around the world international theme, including a Cinco deio nacho bar, French pastries, and a Greek lunch. Uh the week after that is
our red carpet event uh which is at the high school where we highlight our seniors as they walk the red carpet in their formal wear before they head off to the prom. We will even have a few of the board members there to announce the students. Uh so I hope you're deciding
who's coming. After they dance the night away, we host the postprom event immediately after from about midnight to 4:00 a.m. It ensures a substancefree, safe, and exciting continuation of the prom celebration. This year, the
students are going to Dave and Busters, which will have arcade games, casino tables, trivia, and movies. Food and beverages will also be served. Um, we want to thank everyone who has donated food and gifts for our teachers and
volunteered their time to make these events so successful. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Dailyy. I believe we also have our Robinsville Education Association
President, Miss Martin, here with us today. So, turn over the microphone to you. Good evening. Uh we want to begin just by thanking our administration for their time, their effort, and their difficult decisions involved in working through these proposed budget cuts. We know this
process has required careful consideration and many tough conversations and we appreciate all the work that has gone into it. At the same time, we want to express our disappointment in the outcome with a public question and the consequences, particularly the loss of valued staff and positions. Many in this community
might have been hoping for a different result, one that may have allowed us to preserve more of what we know is important for our students and educators. However, the loss of staff is not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are the people who contribute meaningfully to our schools, support our students every day, and help make this
community what it is. Their absence will be felt in ways that go beyond what can be measured. The REA is actively doing its part to support the district during these budget reductions by pursuing and securing several grants through NJA. These funds directly support programs that benefit both our students and a
broader school community as well. Some of the examples include uh we've received a grant for $2,100 for international night, $2,000 for family math night, $350 for tis the season for science, $2,000 for our Robinsville
Little League sponsor, and $1,400 for the upcoming Robinsville community night. Moving forward, we hope we can continue to work collaboratively, transparently, and creatively to find solutions that minimize further impacts and prioritize the well-being and success of our students. Thank you.
All right. Thank you very much. Now, I have um I have some words I'd like to share. Okay. As superintendent of our Robbinsville public schools, I believe it is important to speak candidly about the challenges we face and charting our
path forward. While our school district is navigating a challenging period of fiscal constraint and necessary spending reductions, this moment also presents a long-term opportunity to strengthen partnerships, align priorities, and reaffirm our shared commitment to
students. Similar to many districts across New Jersey, Robbinsville is experiencing budget pressures that are not the result of any single decision, but rather a combination of long-term trends. Decisions driven by competing interests
rather than collective priorities will weaken the system we are working to strengthen. Public education is our collect collective civic responsibility and our stakeholders are committed to ensuring a bright future for our students.
Ultimately, as stated in the African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child. We have entered this period of fiscal strife together and our only path out is together as well. As a district, our work is guided by three core commitments. Protecting
instruction, preserving opportunity for students through academics, athletics, and activities, and establishing a sustainable fiscal path for the district. This is the framework guiding every conversation, every review, and every recommendation now under
consideration. Equally important to our internal work is how we engage with partners in our community. While the school district and the municipality operate under separate governance structures, we are fundamentally serving the same
residents, families, and taxpayers. Moving forward, we have and will continue to strengthen the collaboration with township leadership through ongoing dialogue, shared understanding of fiscal realities, and thoughtful discussion about long-term mutual planning.
While the responsibilities of the school district, township, and the state government are distinct, our goals are deeply connected. We all share an interest in strong schools, stable finances, and a thriving community. The most effective path forward is one
grounded in collaboration with mutual respect and a willingness to engage in honest dialogue about both challenges and solutions. This is not a moment for isolation or division. It is a moment for alignment and shared purpose.
Local leaders have already engaged with District 14 legislators as many of the financial challenges school districts faced are shaped by state level decisions including funding formulas, special education reimbursement structures, transportation aid, and tax
cap legalities. Addressing these challenges require consistent communication and advocacy amongst our leaders and the raising of collective voices of our community. Together, we are tasked with a continuing effort to ensure that
Robinsville's voice is part of broader conversations about equitable, predictable, and sustainable school funding across New Jersey. Our state legislative leaders have been strong advocates and our responsibility is to ensure their advocacy is reinforced by a
united and informed community voice. Individual letters from community members are needed. Despite the financial challenges we face, I remain optimistic about our long-term direction. Robinsville Public Schools is supported by dedicated
educators, engaged families, and a community that cares deeply about its schools. That foundation allows us to approach difficult decisions with confidence and clarity. This is our village, and the time is now to raise ourselves up together. Thank
you. >> Thank you, Diso. Uh port sec uh assistant superintendent port secular report. Mr. Mree, good evening. We have a resolution. We have a couple resolutions on on the docket. Uh I just
want to bring to attention uh Mercy County Executive and Board of County Commissioners uh passed resolutions supporting emergency budget relief for us as well as others uh within the county. Uh the township has also done the same thing. Um and they also had another one about
fully funding courtesy busing. So you'll see those resolutions on our agenda as well. So the county did it, other school districts are assuming are doing it as well. Um and this our township has also passed those resolutions. So uh hopefully it is heard u but it'll be passed on and uh hopefully approved to
tonight. Subscription busing. Uh, as of this morning, we have 54 applications uh that have signed up for subscription bus and for next year. Um, the deadline is May 15th at noon. Um, more
information will be going out shortly and we'll talk about it more during the budget presentation. Okay, I'm going to go into the budget presentation. Um, the county has approved our budget. Okay, uh, they came back with uh, no items of uh, to adjust. So, as we submitted it uh
last month, it is all approved from the county. It's back to us for approval. Um I will stop in a couple of slides for for more clarifications. Uh other than that, nothing has changed in the slide deck. Um as we've gone before, so I'll go through this uh as quickly as
possible. Um once again, this is the public hearing. So public will be able to ask uh to make comments. There is no dialogue back and forth but when we come to the public section portion um come up and if you have something to say about the budget which will be approved
tonight that is the time uh to say it. Uh at this moment I'll proceed uh with the budget presentation. Um this is how we we look at are doing our budgets uh reductions of 2.4 million 15 staff positions. uh that includes 15 staff positions and uh this is depicted for
this school year and upcoming school year and upcoming only more reductions are necessary in the future. Uh we talked about a reduction in force. Okay, that is for the positions on there. Next month uh will be the
positions uh listed uh as well as um non-renewals. So there's a mixture of those. for our budget presentation. We call it a riff, but it may be different under the personnel matters for next month depending on um how those reductions occur. Mental health, we
spoke about this before reduction of 426. This is three of the four mental health specialists who are contracted out of the district affecting 55 students. 5% across the board budget cuts, IT reductions, curriculum reductions, AVID program is eliminated
as well as reductions in buildings and grounds. So every department uh took a cut. Uh academic impacts interventions eliminated class sizes increasing uh and electives reduced
clubs all clubs at at Sharon cut uh red will increase their afterchool programs uh to mitigate that pond seven of the 26 at 27%. Um and then we'll release those names at a future date and the high school about a quarter as well. Okay. mitigation.
They're looking at the high school, they're looking more at cutting supplies and trying to leave as many clubs as possible, which means more fundraising. Uh we're looking at funding mechanisms u from parents and others for and potential matching donations. There's been a lot of discussion on this. A lot of groups are coming out. So I'm very uh
proud and and and thankful for those discussions that are occurring. Uh and as well as for sports, that is a big one uh that parents are trying to create boosters and some other items. Uh so pond one coach per sport. So we talked about seventh and eighth graders.
This is where there's a difference. Now we were looking at some sports don't have enough of student population. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm going to I'm going to jump in there. Um we had I know as part of our
presentation we had uh put forth about sixth grade students not having the ability to try out for varsity teams. But I'm going to get into the rationale for that. Um, but let me put up front. Uh, we brought our team together and we wanted to do everything we could to do
as much as we could accommodate. Now, we're not going to be able to accommodate all sports, but we are looking at um for uh middle uh Pond Road Middle School athletic programs having it be open to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students for
three sports uh baseball, softball, and field hockey. All other sports including soccer, cross country, wrestling, uh and basketball. uh then for that the participation can only be seventh and eighth grade students.
These these changes are a direct result of budget cuts that have eliminated JV level teams and reduced our coaching staff. We need to have those coaches there to be able to to have our students to make those proper evaluations. Okay. Um in the past, our programs were
structured to safely support sixth through 8th grade participation across multiple roster levels with adequate coaching coverage. That staffing structure no longer exists. With fewer coaches available, we cannot maintain the supervision ratios necessary to
ensure the safety of all participants. Limiting participation by grade level allows us to preserve appropriate coach to athlete ratios, uphold our safety standards, and continue offering a quality athletic experience within our current resources. But again, we are
looking to go forward with those three sports. But uh we want to emphasize that this is a new process and uh we're committed to approaching this thoughtfully. At the conclusion of each season, we will evaluate the structure and outcomes of grade level uh
participation and determine whether adjustments are needed. This is in effect a pilot program to see if we're able to accommodate this. But um our staff has stepped up and they're they're willing to do everything they can to to uh be able to meet the needs of as many
students as possible. So um I turn it back over to uh Mr. McCree. High school golf and swim programs, both boys and girls, uh eliminated. Uh there are no title n concerns since it's both both sexes. uh JV cheer winter coach and
spring track assistant coach positions have been limited as well affecting 115 athletes about uh 13% of the population. Courtesy busing uh cut about $550,000. This is what we're looking at the legal parameters and the busing uh distances.
This is a lot of computation that we're doing across the town. At the bottom of the slide deck, I've added uh information from the New Jersey Department of Education about public school routes and distances as well as subscription busing and what it says on those items. At this point, I'd like to
pause and there's more information that we're going to come forward with. I know this is a sensitive issue for many. Um we we do have many difficult choices to make and u we did based on the information we put out in the public
question and every variant that we did we did listen to the voice of the community and there was we did try to structure the reductions over the two-year period um with as little impact as possible but we we did on every in
every version have courtesy busing there and if we are to cut courtesy busing thing it is required that we cut all courtesy busing. So that would need to be across the board. This is you know something that we we we know is a is a
challenge is difficult but uh we need to stay in line with what the requirements are for courtesy busing and and how it is offered. So it will not be offered at all. Uh I'd also like to share I know there's been some people have been in contact with me in contact with our
transportation office and others in regards to um whether they are whether they whether they qualify for the mandated busing um and there was a they believe there's a discrepancy in regards
to um whether they're eligible or not. What we will be doing as part of our process is we're doing a comprehensive review to make sure that the busing is correctly allocated to those who are
eligible and um what the conclusion will be is that we will be following the law and we're going to get this right. Uh we're just asking for us to uh we will have additional notifications going out about courtesy busing uh based on uh we
did the first phase of letters out. There's additional letters that will be going out. But as for those measurements and the people that we've spoken to and I'm sure there'll be others that we'll speak with as well. Uh we will be following the law and being completely consistent. Um so you know bear with us.
This is something that we're we're taking uh the proper care and diligence to make sure that we get right. Uh and we also have uh you know available as I I know mentioned before uh subscription busing and um we do have that
information available for those who would like to look at that option as well. I turn it back over to Mr. McCree. >> Thank you. Uh we've also had meetings with the township u and they put it in their budget to increase sidewalks and curbs as well as tra traffic signals and crossing guards. So we're thankful to
the township for the additional assistance on that athletic sales funds. Uh we have funds in this account. This is from uh ticket sales and advertising sales. So these items were supposed to be in the budget uh but we took it out and it's going to be paid by athletic sales. This is no
impact of the budget. So this is good news for our budget. um maintenance reserve. We pulling some maintenance reserve uh to fund these items. Um and you can go read through those. They're all building related uh maintenance items.
Capital project uh this amount uh was been saved for over the years uh many years of savings uh in capital reserve uh to fund our last rod grant which is 40% reimbursement from the state. uh it is the largest uh grant out there uh
that does items like this and we were awarded years ago. Um so we're putting some of that money aside. It's not enough. So we're going to have to put more next year um and and go through it. Uh but once again, we're going to go out to bid this summer because that's such a
long lead time for construction and that should be constructed the following summer. Debt. Uh this is the debt slide of when it's falling off. Not all the debt comes off but a massive amount comes off. This is a recurring amount every year. The only the perception I want to talk about
this is when it comes off um you have either you replace it with more debt for construction. It uh or it falls off completely back as a tax savings. People think that it automatically goes back to our operating budget and you can use it in other ways. That must be voted upon
by the public. It's two separate items. Um under adequacy um we're about 7 million under adequacy what the state believes we should have a minimum amount of money we should spend on our education and local fair share they believe we
should be charging $15 million more in property taxes uh what should have been cut and what was cut uh because of the 3% it's not a rule it's more of uh a good practice the last two years uh 3% cut
when we so about 300,000 when it should have been 4 and a.5 million so we're we're fortunate that the whole amount was not cut I expect this to continue in the future but is not a law free preschool aid that program is increasing uh and and the benefits there
are uh for our community and you can read that slide and information that's going on and this has its own complete separate budget and the key part is it's effect It's offsetting more than $800,000 that we would normally be paying in the operating budget
that we can properly charge to preschool education aid revenues. Just showing where most of your funds come from. So 70% is the local tax levy. Okay? So when you talk about a 2% increase, it's literally 1.4% of your budget.
These are the expenditures in separate buckets. Um, this has grown over time. Used to show four buckets and seven or eight and kept on growing, growing and growing. People do look at the miscellaneous 1.9 million. What is that? That's grants, supplies, legal purchase services. About
half of it is substitutes. So, if you cut out all of that, there are no supplies, kids sitting on the floor, no desks, and no substitutes. And as well as other items and Mr. Carrick as you wouldn't be here either. So, uh, we appreciate Mr. Carrick and his opportunity to give us the proper
guidance over time. So, thank you, sir. Uh, but that is miscellaneous and we just put them all in a bucket right there. Average school tax increase for the average home, $278 for the year. About a 3.8 increase from
last last year. historical property taxes, state of the budget. We spoke about capital being depleted uh unlikely to reach those amounts. Uh you should be saving around 3 million a year uh and climbing to maintain the buildings. Uh
and we cannot meet that demand uh for the last couple of years. Uh state aid formula hopefully a cut of 3% in the future. We've talked about the limitation of the local tax levy. healthcare adjustment probably going to be the same amount next year. I don't foresee that going down. Expenditures
are getting tighter. Um we still have not settled on the contract with the uh teachers union. So we're we're we're we're moving forward on that. That's as much as I can say on that. um and so forth. The financial stability roadmap,
future budget options. These are the buckets that we spoke about uh during the public question when we're presenting to everybody. What can you touch? Um, and so as as the cash flow is continuing to decrease, you're going to have to
keep on going to these buckets. Long-term risk and where to find budget information. So we post an incredible amount of budget documents out there. Uh the guidance is just to keep one year but we keep a decade plus out there uh audits uh
former budget budget presentation state aid and so forth they're all posted online and the hyperlink is at the bottom to get to it and that is the end. Any questions? >> Just a quick one Mr. increase on slide six for impact for clubs for RHS we talk
about mitigations and you talk about the school supplies and student led fundraising is there any reason why for Pond Road Middle School there's no that uh student led fundraising couldn't apply there as a mitigation if the students wanted to so major discussion on that it can um
they have less supplies though >> right um and and the clubs at the high school cost substantially more >> okay >> so they typically fund raise for trips and now they're going to have to do more of that. Um, so there's opportunity, but
there's there's more uh there's more room for that at the high school than there is at the at the middle school. >> Okay. Okay. Nick, um, this is regarding the unassigned reserved. Can you just clarify where does it sit relative to the percentage that is dictated by the
NJ state law? Which one? Which slide? the unassigned reserved unassigned reserve money in slide number 11. Where does that sit in relative to state recommendation from a percentage level that unassigned reserve is is end of the
year that we don't assign. So you have to save 2%. There's a 2% limit that the and then after that once you hit that number you can assign it only and only in June. So we'll say X amount will go
to capital, X amount will go to maintenance reserve and we decide that in the business committee. We bring it here and we make those decisions. Um if you have more money than that and we don't really know what we're going to get because some of these extraordinary aid items come after your budget closes.
If you haven't designated it, then it becomes unassigned and you're forced to use it the following year. So that so that number will fluctuate. Um and and we take a guess. You know, you'll see me I'll come back and um if you if you say
1.4 million to capital and you and you could have went a little bit higher, you're stuck at that 1.4. So you'll see me come back and I'll put some ridiculous number like $1 billion in the future. I've learned my lesson. And then you can decide up to that amount. Um so that's where um that unassigned comes.
Now, where most of that money came from um was a was a special aid that we received that we had an extra amount and the state wouldn't really want you to carry it and so we hit it all at one shot and it freed up our account. So
that's a one time one time only. Um so it looks it is a large number. Um and you've heard me that that program is the gift that keeps on giving. Uh, and I don't want to say too much more about that program, but I appreciate it wherever I've been.
>> I wanted to ask Dr. Piso, you mentioned about um, sixth graders being able to participate in the three sports that you had named. What will happen though if there are situations with additional sports where enrollment does not reach what we needed to with seventh and
eighth graders? So, that's part one. And then part of the issue was the staffing quota, which is understandable for safety concerns, but what about the idea of um utilizing volunteers? So, if we have volunteers who go through the fingerprinting process, could we use
volunteer parent or community members to be able to help with the staffing piece? Well, well, first off with the um we really pushed to try to see if we could capture as many sports as possible, but some of the other sports you're talking
about one coach and you would have 90 children to both be able to monitor and really be able to evaluate. So, it it it doesn't historically work. Now, we're not going to stick to a rule if for whatever reason it turned out that there
was a u an opportunity. Um, I think that's something that we said as part of evaluating the process going forward. Obviously, if we get I I don't I I'm not going to say good news because, you know, we want kids to participate, but if there were to be low enrollment, you know, and there was an avenue to address
that, we'd we'd happily do so. As for the volunteers, I don't know if that would be viable, but I do think that we're looking at every option. So, it could maybe that's a part of the solution. you couldn't have um absent of having a uh
>> a licensed person there, but you know, possibly to be uh >> add to as an add-on. >> Um that could be helpful perhaps and u you know, we'll like I said, we're looking into virtually everything at this point. >> Thank you. >> I'll jump on that. So, there's a few other items going on. Um you know,
volunteers is tricky. There's a history in our school district of not having volunteers and lawsuits. Okay. So, people would volunteer. says in the contract you're allowed to no pay and then we got sued. So there's a bad history of it, number one. Number two, there's liability reasons having
somebody else do it. Um background checks, sure they'll pass. They'll come under insurance. Not that big of a deal. But now you have a contractual issue. Um so you're opening up that item. We've had parents ask about uh putting sports teams, I mean uh uh logos and like
basically selling our our shirts with the local commercial business. It's not allowed under the NJSIA rules. Um how about we transport ourselves? Another major liability because we're they're still our process.
Now it is allowed for one sport and one sport only. That's because they're released and go to their homes and their parents then release them. When they're in our custody, they're in our custody. So, that's that's that's a concern. Even if we did say yes to volunteers and everyone agreed to the volunteers and
there was no legal issues, there's no contractual issues. That's most of the time that's only half the cost because you still have to transport teams, you still have to buy their shirts, you still have to pay with the referees and so forth. Um, so it would help, but that's what we're going down. uh that
that rabbit hole. Uh a lot of great ideas are coming out um and we're we're going through them like hey what happens if you rent this facility as opposed to that facility and we're like we have the best prices. So we're going you know if you cut down a certain number of lanes or a certain number of times for a
certain sport um can we do that and it's like then what kind of team is it? So um we've also you know can you join another school district? Well you're supposed to have your own team. And you only do that if you can't field a team, right? So we have that for
one sport because we don't have enough to make a full team and they don't have enough to make a full team and we share that and we pay prata. We have five children. I think they have 12. So they pay 12 17 of that cost. Uh so that's how some of those items work. But uh in the
end it's really liability and you know um in local parents, right? >> I have a so on the sports as well and then I have a quick um on the sub subscription busing but uh just thinking through the sports requiring like sort
of succession and a bench um I'm curious to know if we've also thought about quota just based on tryyouts and evaluations based on you know how they are performing versus seventh and eighth graders just thinking through as they progress into high school because I know that was a consideration and and why
seventh and eth not sixth grade. So just thinking about a potential quota. Um, the other thing is I know it was mentioned that evaluations might need to take a lot of extra time from that coach. Is there a possibility to do year-end evaluations? So, sort of it's not moving towards next year but can be
done at the tail end. Um, I'll just if you want >> Yeah, go ahead. Yeah, with the evaluation sorry about you know evaluating the students for who you who was going to make the team and not so that that that was uh you know if you had that many uh that many kids in a
very truncated time period by which to make that determination you really wouldn't be able to fairly evaluate. Also my my concern is is that you know you're excluding seventh and eighth grade students. um you know you know ideally you would like them to have an
opportunity as well uh with the sixth grade students having the opportunity next year >> I wouldn't suggest excluding them I would just do a quot a quota based uh number of students based on each grade um just yeah just to consider and then the other thing I wanted to mention was and then we have PTA in the audience so
I'd be curious to know what kind of relationship between PTA under an athletic arm to get those parent volunteers because they would be vetted through the already with their full list of very very capable more than capable
parents and potentially that could reduce any liability and it's already gone through a vetting process and then there's a partnership under their 501c3 potentially. So, just considering leveraging our PTA the most we can. >> Okay. Um, yes, I just recently had the
uh the PTA in. Again, I I love to meet with the PTA. So, so I'm always I'm always meeting with the PTA. And um yeah, a lot of these issues we did talk we didn't talk about any kind of volunteer uh piece, but we did talk about, you know, different possibilities to uh to collaborate to maybe address
some of these issues. And some of these things we're still determining, you know, what's possible, what the parameters are. Anything that we ask the PTAs to do, we have to they they have their um their governance structure as well. So, they have to confirm. Um but I but I think that we have, you know,
three outstanding uh PTA units who were always so so helpful, so dedicated to our students, and you know, where uh where we could find a way to make it work successfully, um I'm I'm sure we will because they've been great partners.
I need to move on to I was going to move on to subscription busing, but you're on this. You're on this. Just a quick on the slide. I think you had subscription busing 1350 per student. Um, is it fair to say that that might even
that might be reduced dependent on how many people sign up? I'm just curious what that range. >> Okay, >> we'll assess for next year. >> Say that again. We'll assess for next year. >> Okay. So, >> this time next year, we'll take a look. >> 2728. >> I mean, we may lose money
>> at 1350. It depends how full the bus is. >> I I think we're really holding that that pretty tight. You to realize that, you know, obviously it's not going to be 100% capacity in every bus and everything. So, there there's got to be a little bit there. I
you know, we're hoping to break even. It's it's not this is not something where it's going to be a revenue. I wish it was, but it not the not the way we're projecting. >> Busing. Just a just a quick question on the bus. Just tag on to the busing question real quick. Sorry. So Nick, how
often do we go out to bid on busing just to be clear? Less than once per year. So on average. Um this is a little bit of a concern. Uh so we'll go out we'll go out for for bidding every year. Um but if it's a
route we like and if it's a rate we like you just renew plus inflation. So some of these routes we've had for four, five, six years like COVID pre-COVID and they're very good rates getting you know you're going to have to go out to bid on all these routes um
because you know say we had a dozen buses and we're now reducing it to one or two. You're gonna have to redo those routes. Um and and just the 54 uh that we're looking at, that's all the grades. So it's not 54 kids have signed up and
that's one bus. Look, you know, it's spread out. So can we take some internally depending on the grades and the schools they go and maybe have to get a a full bus, but it's only half packed. So that's that's where you know, and the transportation director, she has
to takes all this information and go out to bid within weeks. And if you wait too long, you may not get a route. >> What's the approximate cost of just one bus to run? >> About 55K. So 55,000.
>> Okay. Thanks. >> It depends if it's a triple tier, single tier, you know, double tier, if it's a specialed bus, but typically you're looking at 55,000 a bus. So keeping the routes that we've had in the past is beneficial because each time you go out
to bid the cost is likely to be more. >> Almost definitely more. Yeah. >> Sorry, one more question on the busing. [laughter] So um I know we have only 54 people who has actually subscribed. Um is there
anything that we can do on the communication front to kind of make sure that it is reaching out to everyone? Are we doing enough on the communication? Basically, >> so we we send it out through parent square to those affected parents only. If we send it to everybody and then people are like, why is this coming to
me? People want to start paying. Um, so we're only going to those parents, those parents only. Now, we do have to go back to the table, look at all the data, send out more, maybe pull some back depending on the math, right? And there may be an instance where one person gets it and
the next home does not or vice versa. And that's going to be a difficult line, but it's it's in statute. Okay. Um, so over the next week, we'll we'll send more out and we'll send more again. Of course, we'll send another notification beforehand because once once it's out
there, it's done, right? Because we have to go out to bid. Um, and they're trickling in. I think the first night we had like 10 people sign up overnight and I guess every day a few more, a few more, a few more. So, in a couple more weeks, we may be up to 100 people, 100
students. >> I have two. >> Still a bus still. I'm still a You're going to do a bus question. Go ahead. >> This is a bus one. I'll hold my other one for after Nadia goes with her bus one. I'm wondering if you are going to talk
about this later or if you can talk about this now. So, if you need me to, I will. I understand that there is going to be a significant increase in the amount of people that are now driving their children to the school.
Will you be addressing what changes the school district is making to accommodate that the process what that looks like and when will that be released for parents? >> Yes. Um you know we did collect that
that information. some of some of the information in regards to drop off pickup um detailed information I'm not so comfortable putting on our website um you know it conflicts with some of our uh you know personal safety and security
measures that we take but the um we are looking at having the principal send it out to their communities uh this spring uh to give people an idea of where what the current protocols are
then in line with what we do normally uh we'll be sending out um from the schools directly to those school communities uh served the um any kind of changes that are for September. So it may look a little bit different, but since we have
parents who aren't accustomed to what we do currently, uh we did think it was a good idea that was, you know, something that was discussed amongst leadership about um just giving a you know, kind of an FYI to people to, you know, have so they're not looking at the information for the first time in August. So yes,
we'll be going out and then out again in August. And when we um you know putting it out individually to the families were able to really share a lot more information be a lot more clear about it than any of us would feel comfortable with in a you know wider form. We we even thought talked about doing it
through through parent square but I even think that's not appropriate. I think it really just has to go to the individual family served. We've also looked at increasing uh the staff outside for for drop off and pickup and uh fixing one of the
sidewalks at Sharon as well. So, we have to do some improvements, small improvement, but to make it safer for students walking onto our property. >> Yeah. And that that'll all be captured, you know, in August. And and and I think that, you know, putting this out again,
I think in having people look at it, it might generate some ideas for this. And we were we went pretty extensive. I have to do a uh you know a thank you to our our great police department. Um they did um actually uh with with drone surveillance some other things to be
able to really kind of look at at different avenues that we can do and we shared all that information out to uh to parents. So there was a I think a huge improvement in regards to the pickup drop off last year. You know largely attributable to their help and the hard work of our principles and their staff.
But we're going to come up with a bit more of a challenge with more walkers and also more um more automobiles there doing those individual drop offs. So, we're trying to get ahead of it, but um you know there's I just ask everyone to be patient the uh you know when schools
open the first couple of weeks and it always is a bit more difficult when we have uh when we have rain. So, you know, on those rainy days, also take uh precautions and maybe uh allocate a little bit extra time. >> Yeah. And if we're going to read the resolution later on about what we're
promoting with our legislators on the busing and the safety issue, then I'll ask it later. Um are we are we going to have that on discussion? >> We we we have it on the agenda. We we didn't have it. We weren't going to read it unless some
>> I didn't think. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, if we're not if we're not going to read it, may I just ask um So, there Go ahead. >> Context. No. Well, >> do you want to give context as to what we're going to be approving? >> Oh. Um and these these resolutions are
um you know, in line as Nick uh M. McCree touched on this earlier uh in regards to uh similar to the resolution that was put forth by by our council by town council and uh you know basically
uh looking for you know full funding in regards to some legislation about a change to uh to busing and also us um also uh looking for uh for support in regards to uh some of the financial difficulties. this.
>> Yeah. And just with that, if if we recall the community's involvement in what we had to do when there was a certain other infrastructure that was going to be created behind our school in which everybody banded together, went to the legislator legislation uh legislature and uh came together, they
no longer are proceeding with what we did months ago. This is just an example as to like why also um the bill number what we're trying to say is that there is a New Jersey Assembly bill number 2976 that sort of states that we're looking for mitigation and support from
our government to look through safety concerns that we have in the tough decision we as a school administration did need to make regarding our bus routes um and really look to our legislation to to remediate that. And so it's bill number 2976 in the assembly. I
encourage everybody in the community to review it, read it, and send letters as to how this is impacting you, your neighbors, your community. Um because this is something we want to do together because we we do take safety really seriously. So everything we can do together, we should. >> And and I also should note that we have
on the website currently posted um under the public question tab at this point, we'll probably reabel that. I have um a message I put out after that didn't prevail. Uh we we have listed the the letter from from Mayor Todd and myself.
We're also going to be posting the board of uh the board's uh letter that was signed by all of our members uh in you supporting uh what we're looking to do going forward and and also those resolutions. So all of this information will be posted and fully available. And
again, as I mentioned in my in my speech earlier, uh we people may not know what to write and and what it is that we're looking for, but we need to be united. So, we're going to have that information there. And so, if if community members choose to write letters, uh choose to
reach out to their local leaders, and again, we're reaching out, reaching out to local leaders is about empowering them to help us. uh when they see communities who are engaged, who are uh united, uh mayor and superintendent working together, the board working all
all together a and with a united message, we're going to get a much better result than just um the political leaders alone advocating and our political leaders are doing an excellent job advocating. So any any letter I would ask that it it's there really to empower them in regards to bringing to
light these these issues. And I said the information in our letters will be there and and that could be a starting point. But I I believe that we if we had 100, 200, 500 letters, I think it would make a a difference. I remember when we had
um the issue related to crematorium that you have to thank our our township for their diligent work in in regards to settling that issue. Uh, but we had a we had a we had a very large room filled with people coming up engaged and speaking. And it wasn't the it wasn't
only the work of of our great leaders. It was the support our great leaders received in regards to being able to accomplish that goal. I've said it before, I'm saying it again. We can accomplish anything together. This is a great town. United, we're going we're
going to be able to prevail, but but it's only going to be together. Like I said, it takes a village. Well, you know, it's time for our our village to pull together and and to to make these steps and and it it moves uh it moves the needle when you have hundreds of letters coming in because not only does
it empower our leaders, but looking at other leaders in neighboring communities, they know that the issues that we have in Robinsville are either impacting them as well or will be impacting them soon. So, let's let's go and take care of these issues. This is more than a Robbinsville issue. We're
really in in the front of the pack with this, but we need to be because it needs to be changed. This cannot continue the way this is going in regards to these funding challenges. >> And another example of a funding um you know effort by the town was I think in
my first year on the board, hundreds greater than the 500 that Dr. Pisa was talking about. It was hundreds closer to thousands of of letters went to the state uh capital and we got funding that year. They gave us extra money that
year. So your voices matter. Your letters matter. So again, just to echo what Dr. Piso and and Nadia are saying, >> thousand would be even better. I agree. >> Yeah. More. Yes. >> More the better. Yeah. [snorts] And now
Amanda. >> Yeah. I was I was probably just making probably a statement, but I would say is it diligent enough to say that we are providing subscription busing to address the safety concerns related to courtesy busing elimination because we do take
safety, student safety very seriously. And we're not kind of saying that all bus is eliminated but the elimination of courtesy busing. We're putting an alternate in place as subscription busing. I understand that that is at the cost but that is because the because of
the budget you know concerns that we have. So we are addressing that with an alternative. It's more of a question of we coming together as you said Dr. Pizzer to see how do we actually you know do do better at that. Am I right in saying that? I I I think I think you
make a great point. Subscription busing is is really to is to give another avenue. It may not be a solution, but it could be part of the solution. Like I said, we we I there there may be, you know, many different avenues for being able to to deal with this, but we want
wanted to uh anything that we can do within the within the law, uh we want we would like to offer. And it's not it's not limited in any way. it's it's because it could be uh you know people with with any kind of need if they're willing to uh you know to look into this
option. So we're we're kind of uh hopefully it's a piece of the solution. Thank you. >> Um Nick, can you turn your slides back on? >> What could you go to the adequacy slide, please? So,
I have been uh at first I want to address that like we have seen these slides and so is the community a few times. So, if there's someone here who is like, "Oh my gosh, they're not asking enough questions." There are previous meetings where we've discussed this in the past month twice. And so, you could
see us asking like hours worth of other questions in case you're thinking, "Oh, where why aren't they talking about special education or or mental health?" like we we are addressing that um and have addressed this publicly. But the question I I have is actually
something that I feel like has been coming up more recently in the news and and more local news about the governor. Um there's people petitioning to say like we need to change the S2 funding bill and and it has been coming a up a
lot in the news and the response that I had seen was that there really the governor's response was like that's not going to happen this year but it would be something that they would consider into the future. But looking at this under adequacy graphing
and chart here, what would a a change in the S2 funding bill, would it actually impact Robbinsville here or is it something that we're so under adequacy that hypothetically that's not a massive
change? And I know this is hypothetical. I'm just curious of your thoughts. I'd like to go to Nick if you can go to slide 17. If we look at um if we look at the uh the state aid number now I I don't think
there's any guarantee that how this uh unless if they're going to grow the overall pie of school funding which they certainly should do. Um if it's a matter of making sure a fair allocation fair allocation could cut both ways. Um so
even if we were to go up a very large percentage the uh state aid is is 13% of our revenues at this point. Um that then that was that was the reason with the public question why um why we went out
that way is because of the the vast majority um of schools are are levy reliant and including us. So um so yeah uh yeah if if it would go up 10% that would be great. That doesn't solve our problem. It helps. We would certainly
appreciate that, but it doesn't solve our problem. I would go to this this slide. This is state aid calculation. This is not all state aid, but this is the vast majority of it because there's different kinds of state aid. Um, and
they're showing they, you know, we're getting 9.8 million and we should have been cut four and a half, right? So that formula would literally have to double for us to break even.
And if they double that formula, they're not going to say we're going to double it just for Robinsville. It's going to be global. I don't put much emphasis in changing it. And I've seen districts push for it and I
just like what makes you so special to those districts and those counties pushing for it. it has to change so much um that it's not going to happen. You're actually better off not fighting to change that formula
because if they change it and they say, "Okay, we're going to reset everything and now we're going to pay everybody off in five years, they're going to you're going to lose a million dollars a year." And that's what how they did the S2. They said over eight years are going to lose and districts are going to gain and
we're going to fix it over time. and you were a winning district for most of that time and then the and then the table shifted because of COVID uh and the value of the town and the value of the income of this town. Um so I know there's a lot of talk about changing it
um but in the end the whole pie as Dr. P's the whole pie has to grow and even if it grew by 10 20 30% we're talking billions of dollars he would still get cut. So, it's a little bit of a false hope, but hypothetically, we really don't know. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Because you, as you said, man, we've talked about this numerous times at many different public uh meetings, but that's the net effect, Nick. Right. So the the negative 4 million is what we should be >> yes >> reduced by because of the slide before
this which is we are not paying according to the equation and the formula dictated by the state we're under funding by $15 million locally. So that's the situation
that we're in. It's because because of the state formula >> and and even if you wanted to as a board the 2% cap is 900,000 a little over 900. So it would take you like almost 20 years just to get to that assuming
nothing changed. No we got an increase. They really need to give you more authorities to go higher at least to inflation is what we're talking about. But the pol the politics will they're not going to approve that especially not now. And it's it's a time period across
the state where everyone's cutting. And the reality is they're going to cut, you're going to cut, you're going to cut until you say no more or the whole entire state says no more and they switch things or maybe the economy goes
great tomorrow and things are great. But um you just it's it's a sobering item that has been you know roosting for uh hold on quite
some time and you'll see districts that always take the 2% and there's districts that don't and this is a slide presentation I'll do in school in New Jersey ASBO and I'll just ask the audience of all business
officials, does this slide look familiar? And I bet you a third of them are going to raise their hands, okay? Because we grew accustomed to that going to 2% something you shouldn't do. And by the way, that was me too when I was a board
member. And now I'm sitting on this side and I see the real numbers. I'm like, "Oh my, how did I ever think 2%." Well, because back then inflation was only like 1%. But when you have high inflation, you just can't keep up with it. And it's the same thing with cost of living for
social security and other items. You have to go to the inflation period to make it reasonable for everybody. Um, things will change. I have no doubt they will, but it's not going to be overnight. And it's going to be a difficult decisions that you're all making right now that we all as
administrators put together. It's not easy. and then passing it to you and say, "We understand it's tough, but this is what it's occurring." And let's not forget the voters have spoken where we're at. And the other difficulty
is the volatile um price index increases like healthcare going up by 15 to 20% per year when you're capped at 2% is not sustainable. I understand that there's a waiver available and things like that, but it's
it's those other volatile um you know uh indices that make it even more and compound the problem. >> I know we have other items on the agenda. Any more questions on this before we proceed?
>> Okay, thank you very much. Thank you, Nick. Board committee reports. Education Development and Policy. Dr. Gold. >> At the April 21st ED policy meeting, the committee reviewed several key policy updates and district initiatives.
Members in attendance included board members um myself, Miss Leman, uh Miss Hill D'Angelo, Mr. Ray, along with superintendent Mr. Piso, assistant superintendent Miss DeFazio, and director of student services uh Miss
Johnson. Additional attendees included Mr. Bertell, Miss Tonery, and Miss Camarano. The committee continued its review of policy 2365 regarding the acceptable use of uh generative artificial intelligence,
incorporating board feedback, and ensuring alignment with existing district policies. The committee also discussed a request to include a transcript uh disclaimer at the high school related to a recent grading changes. In response, the district is
adding a clarifying statement to the high school profile which is available on the district website. In the area of student services, the committee reviewed policy 5350 on pupil suicide prevention. While the current policy aligns with the
stress estimate model, revisions to the accompanying regulation are being considered to better reflect district practices. An overview of the upcoming April staff development day was shared highlighting comprehensive professional learning opportunities for staff across
all schools and departments. The committee also received updates on key instructional initiatives, including the K through6 magnetic literacy pilot, which is nearing completion, and the continued development of um theou with
the college of New Jersey to expand dual enrollment opportunities in select courses for high school students. Additional discussions included a review of courtesy busing regulations to ensure compliance. The committee also discussed procedures for accepting exchange
students for the 2627 school year. The next ED policy meeting is scheduled for May 12th at 6 o'clock. >> Any questions for Dr. Gul and ed policy? >> Not seeing any uh personnel. >> Actually, just one. Oh, sure. >> Um, so is this our first time
considering uh exchange students? And I I guess where did that culminate from? There was a uh we received a request uh and that was um so I'm still looking at that. Have anything else >> and that would support enrollment that's
been going down over time that >> uh it's um I I would have to break down what the what the impacts would be and you know before we move forward I would share that with the board but I I don't have that ready to bring forward yet. >> Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Pand. Any other questions? Red policy. I don't see anything. Uh personnel, Miss Panduka, >> actually there is one um just on theou with TCJ. Just could we clarify what um what's being expanded as far as
offerings that weren't offered last year? >> Yes, I'd be happy to explain that. So, um, this current school year, uh, we utilize all our entire AP suite of offerings. Um, we can offer dual enrollment through TC&J. Um, the next
the upcoming school year, we're able to expand that to AP chemistry, honors, anatomy, and physiology. >> Thank you. Personnel committee. Okay. Um, I will give a the personnel committee uh update. We met on April 21st 5 PM with a
virtual option available as well. Vice Chair Peter Goldberg participated virtually while committee myself Nadia Vandukta Barbara Gold attended in person with superintendent Patrick Pizo. HR manager Lisa Tremor and the assistant superintendent um Christy DeFazia were
also present in person. Board member Jeffrey Pierro and assistant superintendent Nick McCree were um absent. The meeting was called I should say it was for service. So, thank you to Nick for his service. Um, the meeting was called to review
several personnel related items. Miss Tremor provided an update on the April 2026 personnel tracking document. The committee [snorts] then discussed administrative staffing updates, including the superintendent's recommendation for the high school um principal position. the uh the process and timeline for the
high school assistant principal position were also reviewed with the administrative team anticipating sharing a recommendation in our Friday update. So upcoming um an update on the BA search was also provided with interviews scheduled for Friday and a potential candidate for recommendation pending
county approval. Uh, Miss DeFazio led a discussion regarding Ron non-renewals and Superintendent Pizo reviewed considerations related to nonaffiliate salaries which are anticipated to be brought forward for the full board consideration at the May meeting. The committee also discussed timelines and
next steps to ensure alignment with district needs and compliance requirements. As a followup, our April 2026 personnel tracking document will be updated by April 28th and our next meeting is scheduled for May 12th.
Thank you, Miss Panda. Any questions for personnel? >> Not seeing anything. Uh, business. Dr. Po. >> Good evening. The business committee met on April 23rd with all committee members in attendance. On facilities, the high school LED uh lighting project is
progressing and awaiting final walkthrough. At Pond Road, repairs to the gym floor remain pending through insurance and the HVAC replacement project continues under the state matching program at the high school stadium. Turf and press box repairs have been contracted and we are evaluating a
district-wide power washing project for rental funded items. EV charger installations moving forward schedule is moving towards scheduling. We also approved the purchase of a snowplow truck to improve in-house operations and reduce reliance on outside vendors. Summer planning remains on track with
the uh Pawn Road uh prek bathroom project that has been awarded and appro and approximately 479,000 in maintenance reserve projects will support system upgrades across all schools. For finance, the county has approved the school 201627 budget uh reauthorizing
participation in the school health insurance fund consortium and expanded cooperative purchasing through the Mammoth Ocean Educational Services Commission. We also noted that the current budget remains tight and are reviewing end ofear spending carefully. In transportation subscription busing
for the 2627 will be offered at 1350 per student with strong early interest. We're also coordinating with the township on sidewalks and crossing guard needs. Finally, in for security, we are evaluating a new camera software platform for almost the same pricing while greatly improving performance and
capabilities. Our next meeting will be on May 14th at 5. >> I'd like to jump in real quick. um with your permission. Uh the snowplow truck is being paid for by facilities rentals. So all the money we make on rentals, we're going to pay for that as opposed
to hitting the operating budget. Thank you, Mr. McCree, for the clarification. Any other questions for business? Thank you, Dr. Piro. Uh community relations, Mr. Nandon. >> Good evening. The community relations
committee met on April 23rd at 6 p.m. Dr. Mr. Pizzer provided updates from the April 20th LD14 leadership calls, noting that relevant legislation remains pending. He also shared information from meeting held on April 22nd with Mayor Mike Todd, which included discussion of
district's current financial challenges. The committee reviewed ongoing communication with community members with particular focus on concern related to cutesy busing and the factors used to determine eligibility for mandated transportation. The committee also discussed current fundraising efforts
including potential support from boosters PT organizations and OREA related initiatives. Additionally, apparent concern was raised regarding request to allow sixth grade students to try out for varsity athletic teams. It was noted that there may be participation from community members on
this topic at a future board of education meeting and our support of all student having their watches. Lastly, the committee reviewed a request of recognition of Robinswell gold medal state champions Kanda Arun and Spandan Ararun and Ruhi Pasham, noting that a
letter acknowledging their achievement have been provided. Uh there are no other formal action items that were record that was recorded. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for May 14, 2026 at 6 p.m. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Non. Any questions for community relations
liaison reports? >> All right. Well, two things happened, but they're a little itty bitty meetings and we didn't really learn any new information in the middle of the workday. Super fun. But we have a very special Anthony air high five. Me and Anthony are getting special awards at
the NJBA Mercer County. We serve like we're coming up on our three years of serving. They're going to give us a little plaque or paper with [snorts] our names on it and a high five and a handshake. And we're just really proud. will probably be there either on the 14th or the 15th, but I can't really
remember which day it is, but it's soon. So, if you want to come, they will also serve you food. >> Oh, >> you can register. >> Congratulations. >> And that's all. >> Please send out the information. >> All right. Any other reports?
All right. Um, let's see. Public comment. Tom be allocated for public comment at this meeting. Members of the public wishing to address the board of education on agenda items must state their name, municipality, and the group, if any, they represent. A member of the public shall not be permitted to speak until he
or she is recognized by the presiding officer. In accordance with district policy 0167, each comment shall be limited to three minutes. No participant may speak more than once. No dialogue between a speaker and the board and or superintendent shall exceed the threeminut time limit provided herein.
Live streaming of the meetings are shall shall be for viewing only. The public will not have the ability to participate in public session comments unless they are physically present at the meeting. Although the board encourages public comment, the presiding officer can interrupt, warn, and or terminate a participant statement, question or inquiry when it is too lengthy and may
also interrupt and warn a participant when the statement, question or inquiry is abusive, obscene or may be defamatory. Moreover, the presiding officer can request any person to leave the meeting when the when that person does not observe reasonable decorum. In adherence to the protocol uh established by the New Jersey School Board
Association, the board will use the public comment period as an opportunity to listen to resident concerns, but not to debate issues or to enter into a question and answer session. Issues raised by members of the public may require review and investigation and may or may not be responded to by the board
or superintendent during the meeting. All comments will be considered and a response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. Can I have a motion to open public comment for 30 minutes? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? Nays or abstensions?
Okay. Public comment is open on school related matters in the agenda for 30 minutes. Hi, my name is Madison Beaver and I am a fifth grade student at Pond. At the last board of education meeting, you presented what items would have to be
cut for next year to meet the budget. At that meeting, I learned we would lose some of our beloved teachers, the ADVID program, and mental health intervention. I also learned that we would also lose all courtesy busing busing that included
that I personally be losing my bus, the same bus I have taken for the past six years with my friends. While I am still processing all of these losses, what I have also learned at the past at the last meeting was something I could have never expected. The right even to try
out for pawn sports next year as a sixth grader. While I knew there were sports to be cut, ones that would disproportionately affect sixth graders, such as cutting JV teams, I never could have expected to lose the ability to try to try out for varsity teams that will
remain. Respectfully, this decision goes against the very same standards that Pawn preaches. Every day, we are reminded to be inclusive, flexible, accountable, and responsible. This decision does not reflect any of these standards. By drawing a bright line rule excluding
sixth graders from sports, our teams will be affected both logistically and competitively. I have my friends who have competed in varsity sports both this year and last year as sixth graders. The sports they participated in were soccer, basketball, and track.
We were told one of these reasons for this would be that triyouts would be too hard to manage. This is something that can be figured out with volunteers. I have no doubt that teachers, administrators, parents, and you would give some of their time in order to have tryyouts run smoothly. Please work with
us to find a creative solutions to non-budgetary issues. My friends and I have been recruiting sixth graders who are interested in trying out to attend this meeting tonight. I would ask all of you to stand up so the board can see.
For those comfortable speaking, please come up. I plan on being a three sport athlete and will be trying out for cross country, basketball, and softball. Again, the decision to allow sixth graders to participate in sports next year is not budgetary. We have already lost so much. Please don't take away our
ability to try. Thank you. >> Good evening, board members. Good evening members of the board of education. My name's Harper Novik. I play soccer, softball, and basketball. And I'm a fifth grader at Pawn Road Middle School. Thank you for giving me
the opportunity opportunity to speak tonight. I'm here to talk about the recent decision to not allow sixth graders to try out for school sports. I understand that this decision was made because there's only enough funding for one coach and there are concerns about
how to manage a large number of students, especially with both sixth, seventh, and eighth graders trying out at the same time. I want to start by saying that I respect the work you do and I understand that these decisions are not easy. Managing budgets, managing
budgets, staffing, and students needs is complicated. But I also believe there's a way to solve this problem without completely taking away the opportunity for sixth graders. Sports are not just about competition. For many students, they are one of the most important parts of school. They teach us teamwork,
responsibility, time management, and perseverance. They give us a place to belong and a reason to be more engaged in school. For some students, sports are where they feel most confident and supported. Taking away the chance for sixth graders to even try out sends a
message that we are not ready or not important enough yet. But many of us are ready. We are willing to work hard, listen, improve, and be part of a team. Even if we don't make it, the experience of trying out teaches us courage and helps us grow. I understand the concern
about having too many students at tryyous with only one coach. That is a real challenge. But instead of removing sixth graders from the process entirely, I would like to help by suggesting a solution that could help manage this issue while still being fair. My idea is to organize separate trials for by each
grade level. For example, sixth graders could have their own designated try out timer day while seventh and eighth graders have a different session. This would make each try out group smaller and easier to manage. It would allow the coach to give more attention to each student and create a more organized and less stressful environment. This
solution will not require sixth graders to be left out and teachers to be uncomfortable. I believe this approach is a compromise that addresses the concerns while still supporting students. All we are asking for is a chance, a chance to try to learn and to be a part of something. Opportunities
like this matter, especially at a young age when we are still discovering who we are and what we can do. Please reconsider this decision and think about solutions like separate triyouts to allow sixth graders to participate in all sports. Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Sio.
I have been running since first grade, waiting to represent Pond. I was looking forward to running cross country and playing basketball next year. I want to represent Pawn, not other schools. But there is more to sports than playing, like learning, leadership, teamwork, and
making friends. So, please give us a Two last things about sports. They keep you off screens and keep you exercised and healthy. So finally, please give us a chance. Let us try out for sports. It will make the school a better place.
Thank you for listening. Hi, my name is Camila and I was really looking forward to playing cross country and basketball. I've been running since first grade and I was really looking forward to being on a pond team.
I think school sports is a great way for kids to learn sportsmanship, communication, and most important having fun with your team. I also would um also would you rather see a bunch of kids playing on electronics or a bunch of
kids running around playing sports? This is why I think you should let everyone try out. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Sienna Kasin and I attend Padra Middle School as a fifth grader. I'm here today to ask you
to let sixth graders try out for middle school sports next year. I know so many amazing athletes in my grade who are good enough to make the team right now. We heard that sixth graders weren't allowed to try out for sports next year and a lot of people were really upset
because we've been looking forward for this for a long time. The way I see it is sixth, seventh, and eighth and eighth graders are all part of the same middle school. So if no, if everyone can't try out, then it's
not really a middle school team. Also, if sixth graders actually if no sixth graders actually end up making no teams, it's a good lesson because we learn more from our failures than successes in life
as my dad would say. I wouldn't be as upset be at least because we still got a fair chance. We just want the same opportunity as any other middle schooler. A lot of fifth graders are asking why can't we try out for middle school sports and no one has really
given us a valid reason. I'm not just speaking for myself today. I'm speaking for all the rising sixth graders who tell me how they feel day after day. We just want this chance to show that we can do it. Thank you.
I just want to pause for one second and commend the ladies for coming out tonight. You know, it was mentioned that it takes courage to go and try out for the sports that you want to play for, but it also takes a lot of courage to come this evening and advocate for what you are passionate about. So, thank you
for coming here and letting us know how passionate you are about the sports that you participate in. So, thank you. like to echo that that right there. I'm very proud of every single one of those girls. I had the privilege of actually coaching every single one of them um throughout the years and uh let's give
you a hard act to follow. How do you follow that? Right. That was that was absolutely wonderful girls. Really really impressive and I like the um effort of making the board. So, um, good evening, uh, members of the board of education. My name is Frank
Zyllock, and like many fellow residents here tonight, my family feels the negative effects of the school being underfunded, and I appreciate the board's efforts to address the difficult financial challenges impacting so many areas throughout our district. Tonight, I
would like to speak about an issue that does not affect the budget, the ability of Pawn Road Middle School to continue allowing six sixth graders the opportunity to try out for sports. For those who do not know, I am a
volunteer coach for a group of fifth and sixth grade girls whom I had the privilege of coaching in softball and supporting for several years. I'm here representing them. This past summer, you all recognized
our Robinsville Little League 10U All-Star team made up of fifth and sixth graders for winning the Eastern Region Champion. Right now, all their names are in the back. Thank you uh for recognizing us in the
summer. That was a proud moment for these girls, their families, and the entire community. It showed what can happen when children are given opportunity, encouragement, and the chance to compete. These current
fifth graders continue to work hard all year along their sixth grade teammates. They practice together, grow together, and dream about one day wearing the same school uniform. Unfortunately, many of the fifth graders
you celebrated this past summer are directly impacted by the proposal to prevent rising sixth graders from trying out for the middle school sports next year. As a parent, that is disappointing.
As a coach, it is heartbreaking. If rising sixth graders are not allowed to try out, some Ponro Middle School teams may struggle to field enough players. Coaches may be forced to recruit students who have never played the sport
simply to make sure a team can be formed. Restricting sports teams to only seventh and eighth graders is neither fair nor logical. School teams should be made of the most qualified players regardless of grade
level. just as they are in many other schools preventing capable sixth graders. I talked too long. I got more but um how do I stop that peep?
>> I I did but if you can finish please sir. >> Yeah I appreciate that. Preventing uh capable sixth graders from even trying out removes opportunities for hardworking students, weakens the competitive strength of teens, and ignores the values of effort, merit, and
the equal opportunity that schools strive to teach. These rising sixth graders are not asking for guaranteed spots. They are not asking for special treatment. They are simply asking for the same opportunity previous sixth
grade students had the right to try. That opportunity matters. We often tell our children that hard work creates opportunity. That if they practice, stay committed, and believe in themselves, doors will open. But tonight, many
students feel like a doors being closed before they even have the chance to knock. I respectfully ask the board to reconsider this decision and work together with parents, staff, and the community to find a solution that
preserves opportunities to our students. We may also need to explore how volunteers with the proper structure, oversight, and support can be part of a successful solution. I know many schools have had volunteer coaches.
>> Mr. I'm sorry, sir. You're at four and a half. >> Um Many school districts facing similar financial challenges have found creative ways to maintain student programs and opportunities. And I am confident Robinsville can do the same. Our
students deserve problem solving that protects their future, not decisions that limit it. Thank you for your time and consideration. All right. Good evening members of the board of education. My name is Kush Vny. >> My name is Satic Andolu.
>> And we are both sophomores at Robinsville High School. We are here to speak on behalf of RHS swim and the decision of it being cut and swim programs in our community. I've been swimming for over a decade, and through RHS Swim, I didn't just find
a sport, but I found a family. It is a place where people support each other, push each other to improve, and always have somewhere they belong. For many of us, it is more than just practices and meets. But it is where we've grown up, built friendships, and learned
discipline and resilience. Over the years, I've dedicated countless hours in improving in the sport. I've been so close to setting multiple school records, goals that I've worked on for a long time. And unfortunately, with these cuts, that opportunity is slipping away.
For student athletes like me, this also reduces our chance of being recognized and potentially earning college scholarships. Swimming isn't just something we do after school, but it is something that may shape our futures. I understand that balancing a budget is
not easy and that tough decisions have to be made. But before you approve this budget, I really urge you to reconsider this decision to help keep this program alive. I respectfully ask that you keep these programs available for the students that need them now and for
those that will come after us. Thank you for your time and consideration. Hello, my name is Gotham Lanca and I'm a fifth grader at Palm Road Middle School and I'm here to talk about the sports and busing.
So everybody says, especially immigrants that came here, America was the land of opportunity and if you worked hard, you could get like the thing you wanted. But with the sports closing and everything, which is not even something that the budget accounts for,
I feel like as somebody who really wanted to try sports. And I'm sure many people feel this way, too that that thing was just like it was just fake and it's not real.
This just like doesn't motivate us to achieve our goals. and sports could one day be our future. And if we don't get the motivation now as young people, then when we get the motivation in like
high school or even college, it'll be too late and we can't like achieve the dreams we have always aspired to achieve. and we're busing the like my bus is one
of the few buses that are going to get cancelled and it's like some some parents don't have the like don't have the opportunity to drive their kids to school or and some kids
and also some parents are scared from experiences that their kids could like get harmed if they walked or bike to school. And some people can't even do that because they don't have like
they're not close enough. So if we don't use if we don't do buses and some people have like financial hardships that they can't pay for the buses. I understand like the budget, but if you
can't like account for the buses and the sports, then it's like it's not it's like making our spirits go down, not giving us the help that we want, and it's making the America the
land of opportunity. It's just disproving that belief. Thank you for letting me Good evening, Amanda Novik Tindle Road. I just want to thank you for the strides that you made with the three sports already. Um, one last quick note. I
agree with almost everything that Coach Frank was up here saying, advocating as their softball coach. So, I wanted to step up and show you as their basketball coach that we created a fifth grade girls travel team this year just to get them ready for Pond next year. Six of my
10 girls are sitting right behind here. So, it speaks further more to their dedication. Um, they've learned some pond inbounds plays. Um, and they really learned to step up their work work ethic to be ready. Um, so I urge you to please reconsider for the additional sports.
Uh, speaking for myself, I am the assistant to the superintendent in a neighboring district. I'm fingerprinted. I'm qualified. I'm here. I'm ready to help and volunteer my time. I understand some liability issues, but I'm sure there are others like me out there willing to step up and help. So, thank you
to the board to superintendent and administration. Uh Dr. Bizo, I want to thank you for your time meeting with some of us from the community. Um, we are still frustrated obviously and disappointed in the cuts that had to be made across the board. We have a a
community here, I think, that is going to try to pull together and really try to save certain things or all that we can. Um, these cuts had to be made, but as you're hearing from the students, and that is a tough act to follow, those
opportunities are getting very close to being lost. Um, I'm here on behalf of my golfers, which are my sons. So, the golf team is important to us, but overall, there is a a group of very interested
parents and folks who I think are going to pull together to try to do some things for that particular entity. And since nobody else was necessarily speaking to that, I thought it was appropriate to come up here and speak. um
those interested parents have met with the superintendent and the athletic director. We are planning and taking the steps to move forward with a booster club to try to support that program as best we can and to the greatest extent that we can. Um so that's in the works
and our goal is to obviously try to keep golf for the students in the fall, actually for the spring next year. Um, we don't want the team to go away because once it goes away, it's harder to get it back. And we realize that isn't the booster
club is a long-term thing that will hopefully be able to support other benefits, scholarships, other activities as opposed to just funding the core program. But we're in a crisis mode right now. We're going to do what we can. Um, it's a short-term problem and
it gives us time hopefully for the other avenues of the local and state interactions that we're having to maybe produce some results. So, this year we're all in for trying to do this right now. Unfortunately, I
think the structural issue that we understand, but the greater um the greater population, the town needs to understand is that we may be having this conversation again next year. So, we're going to try to do our part, but it's
it's a part for all of us. So, we thank for thank you for your support so far. We're asking for everybody else's support because now we're obviously going to move into uh fundraising as best we can. And I don't know if I'd introduce
myself. Paul Jibo, uh, 32 Msbury Street, Robin. Apologies. Thank you. Hello, my name is Jim Keel, father of Zama Camila Keel. They had an opportunity to represent St. Gregory last year, last season in cross country
and help them win the JV state title in Catholic youth sports. All right. All I'm asking is to allow them to have the chance to try out for the cross country team and any other sport that they might be interested in. What's the harm in that? They're great runners. They could
help the track team, too. Thank you. Robinson. Um I have a few question that I don't know if you guys can answer or not. Um one of the question is that you guys were talking about that you have in you have a relationship with the township and I know that you guys are
talking about what they can do to help you. I know they have a separate budget. I know you have a separate budget. I know they cannot tell you what to do. You cannot tell them what to give. But I just want to know that as of right now, when you talk to them, what is going to
happen to our SRO's? Did we decide who's going to pay for them? What are we going to do with all the um cleaning and everything else that needs to be done for the children to be able to walk to schools? What is it exactly that needs to be done? Because I need the details.
You are saying about 15 people, if I'm not mistaken, 15 U staff that are going to be gone. So, what are the curriculums that you are going to be doing? Is there any way possible that you guys can give us details of what you are going to do? I know it is very early and I know that
you guys are just at the beginning of it and you're looking into it but at the beginning of it if you could involve the residents and if you can involved all the parents and everybody else to know what is happening so that would be really appreciated because uh lot of in
lot of things are questioned a lot of people are not sure what's happening everybody know for a fact that the school busing the courtesy of school busing is cut but there was lots of other things are involved that needs to be clarification that would be really
appreciated. Thank you. >> Good evening members of the board and superintendent. My name is Anil. Uh I'm living in 1346 Park Street. Um today I would like to talk about u the
varsity tryyouts for the sixth graders and the bus service. Um these if you look at the kids like they don't much understand about the budgeting and those constraints. All they know is like put effort to learn the sports. I know like there are so
many kids learning for many years. they heard and they would be really eager to um do a try out in the sixth grade. So as parents and grown-ups we should encourage them to uh by giving an opportunity to try out to do a try out
in the sixth grade just by removing it they lose lot of interest and uh they will not be able to compete with other schools. So as parents and uh board members uh we have to do our best to give them opportunity to try out and
they will definitely make the uh everyone proud proud like um as to parents or for the um the the district you know for the township they make really everyone proud. So I feel like we should give them all every possible
opportunity to try to do a try out for the sixth graders. That's one thing with respect to the bus service when we moved to the township like seven years ago. Um there was bus service like uh and one side of the park street had the bus service the other side didn't have the
bus service. So there we actually paid some premium because that there is a bus service available. All of a sudden like removing the bus service it's going to impact I mean the pricing and also the biggest thing is um kids like well they
some kids would be taking the bicycle cycle like they would be trying to come to the school by own and there is a lot of risk like involved especially crossing the roads and u especially on this uh school ladybug road I see some people drive really crazy it's like a
lot of risk involved So it would be good like please consider having the bus service. Uh um that's what I would say. Thank you so much. My name is Puru and I'm a fifth grader from Pra Middle School.
I would like to talk about the sports and busing. Um, so some of these fifth graders that are about to be sixth graders really were uh hoping to go into these like sports and we're really training for a long time and but now
that you're that you might be closing it. Um, some of us are really upset and we and some of us feel like it's just like a waste that we can't that we might not be able to do it anymore. And yeah, and um for the busing some of
the um parents. If we if the kids can't take the bus to school, then um these parents don't have time and some of them don't have like the like opportunities to like drop their kids to school and
for [snorts] biking and walking. They just don't have some kids parents just like think it's very risky and it is risky to like walk or drive or like bike to school cuz like it's a lot of traffic and cars and like a lot of roads to
cross. So I would really um the fifth graders and all like our school would really like it if you would really um like uh give us like the junior varsity sports and let us have busing. Thank you. In
additional public comment on agenda items. Good evening everyone. Uh Mah Sha Robbinsville resident. Um we have had quite a bit of discussion around uh subscription busing. So I just wanted to put forward some additional thoughts. Um
just wanted to clarify that I am already a user of subscription busing right now and um my kid is already taking advantage of that. So I am fully supportive of subscription busing and I have a complete trust on whatever pricing that our transportation
department and school administration uh school administration has decided for the upcoming year. However, when I compare that particular cost with the neighboring districts cost, so for example, Hopwell Township, they have
somewhere around $980 u regardless of the distance. um Hamilton school district they have somewhere around 350 to $400 uh per kid for the entire year and the Edison school district they have
something somewhere around 680 or something like that. So I'm still curious like uh why there is a big delta between our cost versus those school district cost and I understand there can be number of factors uh in terms of uh
the location u where the kids have actually opted for the subscript subscription busing the number of busing and there might be myriads of factors I mean Nick Mr. makers has already um he made me aware about some of the factors.
So um I'm still not able to still understand like I'm curious about this like why there is a big gap uh between the cost and um if we can somehow reduce the cost um let's say for example if we can do some
calculation uh for example if we get 100 enrollments then maybe the price might go down $50 or $100. If the enrollment goes beyond 150 then the price might get reduced by $300 something like that. I'm just u throwing some numbers making up
making up some numbers but if we can uh come up with that kind of estimations probably it will encourage the families to enroll more right and I'm assuming that the as the number of enrollment grows then probably it might help in
reducing the cost as well again it it it's not a like directly proportional because it also depends on where different locations from what are different locations where the schools are uh the kids are actually enrolling from and how many buses will be required eventually. So there are a number of
factors but if we can just come up with some guesstimates then I think it will encourage more families to enroll and eventually hopefully I'm assuming that it's going to help us reduce the cost as well. So thank you.
Any additional public comment on agenda items? Not seeing any. Have a motion to close public comment. >> Move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> N or abstensions. Okay. Monthly resolutions. So before we
get to the monthly resolutions, I just want to point out two and highlight two that were kind of mentioned in the personnel portion, but right now the superintendent has recommended that the board approve Mr. Tom Bertell and um
Christina Manino. So Tom Bertell as the principal of RHS and Christina Manino as the new AP. I just want to congratulate them as being part of that selection process. I know they went through a long and and and arduous process and I commend them for being the
recommendations by our superintendent. So just want to recognize them ahead of that specifically. So congratulations. >> All right. Can I have a motion to um approve the monthly resolutions? I'm Yeah. Move.
>> Second. >> Uh discussion. Not seeing any. Uh roll call, please. >> Miss Van Duka. >> Yes. >> Dr. Gold. >> Yes. >> Tild D'Angelo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Howard. >> Yes. >> Miss Leman.
>> Yes. To all but J6. >> No to J6. >> Mr. Nandon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ray. Yes, >> Dr. Piro. >> Yes, >> Mr. Oldberg. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. Motions pass. >> Okay. Is there any old business? >> New business. >> Can we go back to old? Sorry. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> I was Yeah, >> I had a just something I wanted to mention. Um, I know we just approved the
the budget. I did want to ask that based on the community feedback from today regarding the sixth graders and trying out that we revisit that process. Um, and we give some consideration to some of the mitigations that were recommended.
>> I second that. And I just want to commend again, I know I commended the the ladies that came out first, but all the students that came out advocating for whether it's sports, whether it's busing, whatever it is, I commend them for coming out and again being courageous and and advocating for
what they're passionate about. So again, I commend the students that were here and staying throughout the meeting just to to be able to have that uh that voice. Um, any other old business? >> When we pass the budget, does that put
that um regulation into impact or we're just passing the budget? >> No, you're just passing the account numbers. You're technically passing what to raise in taxes. >> Correct. So, it doesn't have anything to do with that particular recommendation.
We could make adjustments in the future regarding that particular Okay. Thank you. >> Assuming it's net net close to Right. As long as it has no fiscal implications, right? Because as mentioned by many of the community members, allowing sixth graders to try
out does not have any fiscal implications minus the staffing aspect which we would have to address, right, and have discussions around. Um, but pending we find mitigation to that aspect of it, we could address that. I I think we we
work every day to try to find the best solutions for uh for our students and if there was a possibility of doing more for our students, we we would never look the other way. We're going to do everything we can, but but there are
costs involved in regards to processing students to be able to uh to be able to compete. And um so we we really to be able to do the three it was really it was really difficult to be able to do the three. Um
if we can do more, we'll always do more and we're going to be looking every day and if they if there is some way that there some of the other proposals could be could help along the way. Yeah, there there would be nothing prevent us from that. That was what we tried to express in regards to it being a pilot but in an
ongoing process. So So thanks for bringing that up. >> Any other old business? new business. >> Um, actually we kind of talked about this in committee, but it didn't come
up. We had some communications with the community around I discussed this with Christy DeFazio. She probably can talk to it more. Um, but we had a bunch of people reach out
to us asking us if we could clarify what's happening with uh the uh curriculum associates lawsuit and specifically we talked a little bit about that. So I just want to bring attention to it because we did address it in uh committee.
>> Um well I'm going to I'll start off with some of the things we're doing and and u you know we could talk about you know Christie will speak to this uh also. Uh I know there was some concern about there being a a DPA, how often it was uh reviewed. Um so uh you know I did uh did
speak extensively with um with Mr. DeFazio with uh Mr. Leair, our uh director of technology and um we are a member of a cooperative um that uh that actually constructs the DPA agreement and it's
reviewed every three years. This is a legal document. this isn't something that's being reviewed by administrators. So, um wanted to uh you know to talk about that and what the restrictions are. So, I think we're in uh we're in
good standing in regards to uh what we're we're doing there. I think it was something that we tried to get out in front of in regards to uh data privacy. something that's very very important and it's it's something I know that um that our administrators have put
a great deal of effort into and we feel like we have you know outstanding uh you know the top uh level of protection that we could possibly have and know if we wanted to Christie if you wanted to expand on some things.
>> Sure. So current currently it's a civil lawsuit. Many curriculum companies fall within this civil lawsuit um strictly regarding data privacy. Um we do have as Dr. Piso was saying data privacy agreements with them. Um the our IT
director reviews these um and with the cohort that he's uh Dr. Piso was talking about the New Jersey Student Privacy Alliance. They do go through all this. They comb through it for multiple curriculum companies. So we're kind of protected under this alliance. Um and moving forward, we've been working um back and forth with curriculum
associates. Our I Ready platform is utilized as a supplemental tool for our I Ready diagnostic assessment. It does not replace teaching or instruction in the classroom. Um again, it's a supplemental and it is how we are meeting the state requirement for
dyslexia screening. Um it also runs in alignment with what we currently have with the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment that has gone adaptive. So, we've been ahead of the game with having an adaptive diagnostic to support that experience for our students. Um, and as we talk about these cuts that we're
having with interventions, uh, intervention staff members, which has been a major impact to us over the course of the past three years, this program allows for our teachers in-house to provide those tier supports by using data and moving that forward to drive instruction in the classroom. Um if we
didn't have this platform in place, the impact that we would have to instruction um in our classroom would be monumental at this point, especially for the amount of resources that we've invested in implementing this as well as keeping us
in compliance with state regulation. >> I have a an item on new business just there was um a a really tragic incident that happened in Princeton. um a young I think 12-year-old had passed away from the ebike. Um and just with summer looming around I'm wondering if you know
we can think of in our committees especially community engagement of course with Reggu um how to just continue to educate our parents and our students about I think it was also hel like lack of helmet wear in addition to the fact that it was um 12 years old
versus uh what's legally allowed and I know Robinsville had come up with a an ordinance to already execute what state law needed to dictate which was it needed to be 1516 require ired lensure. Um but in addition to that just um kind of I know it goes into effect officially
in July but let's let's really I mean because of the tragedy I think we should do a little bit more um education on parents wear potentially just sad for the child and their family. >> Yes. About 6 this morning I get the notification about that tragedy in
Princeton and uh bicycles with kids scare me. ebicycles, those ebike things are just, you know, a concern. So, um, we do we do safety training, but I don't think you could ever do too much safety training. So,
um, yes, it's it's very important what you brought up and very apt, you know, you know, you know, my condolences to the family suffering from that tragedy. Additional new business public comment on school related items.
I won't read the discourse again. It's the same preamble. Uh can I have a motion to open public comment for 20 minutes on uh uh school related matters? Second. >> All in favor?
>> I extensions. >> Good [clears throat] evening, Molly Avery High School principal. It is truly a special moment in Robinsville High School as the next chapter begins. One that will be guided by two exceptional leaders. There's a great sense of pride
and genuine excitement in recognizing Tom Bertell as the next high school principal and Christina Manino as an assistant principal. Tom and Christina embody the qualities that define strong leadership. They are honest, hardworking, and lead
with integrity. More importantly, they are leaders who put people first, who listen and care, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to support the students and staff of Robinsville High School. Our school has been a remarkable place
with dedicated individuals committed to excellence and to and to one another. They've both been on my faculty for many years. With Tom Christina stepping into these roles, there is every confidence that tradition will continue and grow even stronger. From the perspective of
someone who has had the privilege of being the principal, there is great pride in knowing that the school will be in such capable hands. Their leadership will honor what makes this place special. Continue to move it forward with purpose and vision. The future of
Robinsville High School is bright and it is in excellent hands. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Pisa. Just wanted to say thank you to the board of education and our superintendent, Dr. Piso, um for your trust and confidence in putting me in the position as principal at Robinsville
High School. Uh it's it's been my home for 20 years. Um I take this opportunity uh with deep sense of responsibility and commitment to our students, staff, and community. I look forward to building our strong traditions and reputations
all together. Uh I would also like to thank Miss Molly Avery for 19 years of service. Uh she's a true mentor of mine. Uh this our building, our culture, you know, we started with nothing. You know, we were a skeleton of a building and
there is a lot going on there right now and Miss Avery has a lot to do with that. I also am pleased to start building our team. Uh Christina Manino and I have worked together for a very long time and I am looking very much to
partner with her uh and in continuing to build on a lot of what Miss Avery and our staff have done there. I cannot wait to get started. And again, I thank all of you very much. good evening. Chris Caper, um Lake Drive, Robinsville. Uh I just want to
echo what uh the board member said uh previously about reviewing the sixth and seventh and eighth grade triyouts. You have a tremendous asset in varsity athletes at at the high school. be ashamed not to use them. And the reason I can say that is my daughter is a
varsity softball player that has spent uh the last four years mentoring u Frank Zadllock's softball team u from the little league. And I can't tell you it's it's a it's a benefit more for her than it is for the sixth graders. She has has
grown as a leader. you know, we we're we're focused on the sixth and seventh graders here uh as that discussion, but I think it helps the high school students as well. It gives them an opportunity to be a leader, gives them an opportunity to plan, gives them an opportunity to think as an adult, and
that's really what we're after. We're trying to teach our our our children uh how to be good adults, and giving back to the community is a great way to do that. You know, I'm sure none of the the students would mind if they got community service for it. But you know
what? Beyond that, I think it's just we we want to make good great people to put out in the world. And uh I thank you for your time. Thanks. >> Good evening. Uh Mike Todd, Chambers Court, Robinsville. Uh first I just want to recognize all the students that came
up. Um it takes a lot of courage to stand up here. Um and just want to commend their public speaking uh ability as well. It's not something I enjoy personally but uh the wrong job apparently but uh but here we are. So um also I wanted to congratulate Molly
Avery service. She's been a fixture high school um and has had the respect of staff, students and parents entire time. So well wishes on your uh retirement happy and healthy and also
congratulations to Tom Christina on their new roles as well. We look forward to uh working with them in their new roles. Um I just want to take chance to uh just expand on a few things that were talked about today. We had a meeting back on April 2nd about uh the busing
and it's been big topic tonight. Um, I just wanted to highlight a couple things that we're doing on the township side. Um, as a result of the courtesy busing that will be eliminated. Um, over throughout this year and into next year, we plan on investing about $450,000 in
several public safety improve improvement uh projects. Um, some of the examples are addition of uh few crossing uh crosswalks uh to enable safe crossing for students walking. Uh we're going to
enhance several other existing crosswalks uh with the signs and lights uh that illuminate if uh anybody comes into the crosswalk. And uh we're also going to be adding two new cross two new crossing guards on Robville Edinburg
Road crossings there. So make sure are crossing safely. Um now putting on my public safety hat. Um I have I have a lot of concerns with the amount of walkers we potentially have. um walkers that could be potentially
coming over the turnpike overpasses, crossing 130, walking along roads without sidewalks. It's a challenge. Um our community years ago was never designed to be walkable even though we really wanted to be u especially on the other side of 130. Um it will continue
to be challenged for a long time. Um you know, uh we talked about our LD14 leaders. I actually was on the phone with uh Senator Greenstein about an hour for the meeting continuing our talks um about potentially getting some funding from the state uh former budget
resolution. So she's working very hard on that. Our LD14 leaders are uh myself and superintendent of Piso uh continue to work collaboratively since probably December we started um and look forward
to our meetings monthly and even checkins. Um, I think overall, you know, Provinceville's going through a tough time right now. Um, it's something we've experienced before. Uh, we will again down the road. Um,
uh, you know, I think, uh, if I just keep going for a minute, I'll finish up. Um, but I was here in in January talking about, uh, being together as community and, uh, community engagement that we need to keeping.
um talked about the letter writing that we really need to uh be vocal to our our state leaders uh including the governor who our state leaders do have the ear of the governor on this issue. So um with that I'm over my time and thank you very
much for the opportunity. Thank you. >> He he will be spoken to later [laughter] for the record. Mayor Todd actually has a whole section uh in the beginning. So, thank you for coming up. Uh we thought you weren't going to give a brief, but appreciate it and answered some of the public's questions as well. Um but
you're more but he can speak for as long as he wants in that section. So, [laughter] uh yeah, I stand corrected. So, um can I have a motion to is there any additional public comment on school
related items? I have a motion to close uh public comment and adjourn the meeting. >> Move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I abstensions. >> Thank you everyone. Have a great evening.