I have a motion to favor. Please stand alone. I have a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. Chair >> favor. Good evening everyone. Welcome to the
July 2026 board of education. As we gather tonight, it's hard to believe we have reached the halfway point of the summer. It's amazing how quickly time won't be long before our hallways are once again filled with the energy and excitement of our students.
The board will be setting our goals for the 2026 27 year. It's an important step in providing clear direction and priority for our district. I look forward to a productive discussion as we work together
objectives that guide our decision making us focused on what matters most of our students. While the school year may be on pause, the work by our district certainly is not. I want to extend a sincere thank you to our
administrators, teachers, facilities, staff, and support personnel who have been hard at work throughout the summer months. Whether it's updating curriculum, updating classrooms, preparing facilities, or planning out planning for this year
ahead, your dedication behind the scenes ensures that our students and families walk into a welcoming, wellprepared environment when this runs on the commitment of our people here that has never been more evident.
As we look ahead to the second half of the break, everyone amilies and community members alike to safe restful enjoy allows all to recharge time with loved ones
ready for another great year together. I also want to take a moment to welcomes who's our interim ba secretary. Welcome. I'll turn over to Dr. >> All right. Thank you very much. Um, we
have several items in my section. Uh, but students come first. We have a recent graduate that we'd like to honor. So, I'm going to go up to the microphone. In recognition uh of your remarkable accomplishments as
a recipient of the Russ Berry Gen Z Making a Difference Award, your compassion, your leadership and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. exemplify the power of young people to create meaningful change in their communities and to serve as an
inspiration to your classmates, teachers, and the entire Robinsville school community. Okay. Uh if you could please join me, uh Mr. Coven Aurora who will be receiving
this certificate of achievement tonight. He's going to do his presentation then we're going to come back up for >> All right. So, really quickly I just want to say thank you so much Dr. Po and just kind of go into what the award is.
summarized it pretty well, but it's basically given to students that embark on sustainable development and community betterment to um everyone in their local community. Um award
so much again and I just kind of wanted to talk about why I got it because my goal with this really wasn't just to get an award, put it on college apps, that kind of thing. My goal with this was to show how any Robinsville student can do the exact same thing and do more than
what I did in my short time here at Rob High School. So why I won. So what I got was um through my organization that I made a few years back called Mission Impact which is a service organization made to help
students find structured volunteer opportunities while still helping the nonprofits. The way this works is we have volunteer opportunities. Um the way it works is we connect students with volunteer opportunities
and leadership experience and through this they're also help nonprofits which is meant to just kind of help the community as a whole and just overall service. The photos above and below it show yard I did back in
2020 to help police department and the other one at the top mayor service award mayor and the bottom ones are from that scout and then just a few months ago and
my point with these pictures isn't to flex to show how any student can do the exact same Over 10 years is how long I volunteered. And I was fully just motivated by my love, my passion for service. And I think that
anyone else that has that same heart, that same like passion to active in the community to help those around them, whether that's alone or through an organization, would do really, really well. Um, the slides changed a little bit. I think a different one, but it
might not have gone through, but My main goal, my main ask with this short presentation is just to say I really love if Robins High School could continue with our communication support that we had previously, which includes the high
school just showing what I does and communicating the different volunteer opportunities that we host. The students are still able to engage and get those And my second one was that they check
out the website which is.com has multiple different sign up areas. One for students that want to have the same opportunities for mentors which is third.
So thank you all so so much. Um, I was curious of what kind of volunteers you're looking for into the like who what age level do you want to go on to Mission Impact in order to like volunteer? >> Yeah, that's a good question. At the moment, we're focused mostly on high
school students. Um, because I think I do think service at a young age is very important, but we haven't really reached a point where um, we're able to kind of do the same thing that we do at the high school with I'm going to Purdue University. Kevin, I just wanted to quick uh
probably you don't really know me, but we live on the same street and so uh you know going back over the last uh you know seven years um you know all your different initiatives you've done like you know your yard sales to promote and raise money um it's really inspirational watching you I remember when I saw the
sign go up that your graduation sign that I was walking around the neighborhood and I was like oh my god I cannot believe he's graduating already uh with that. So kind of you've been following your career, you know, as you've done these things. So, you know, I could say on behalf of Robinsville, you know, we're very proud of you for everything you've accomplished and keep
up the great work. I know you keep doing great things. >> Thank you so much. I'm not going to change anything even when I'm gone. The whole point with the connecting with the high school still and making opportunities available like I might be leaving, but I want Mission Impact to stay strong, stay here, and be able to
help. Thanks so much. And if you're good with it as part of the >> Oh yeah, for sure. Thank you. >> Let's join our microphone for a photo, please. Administrative team. The lights
Next up, we have our assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction presentation. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Po. Okay. So, tonight I'll be presenting on New Jersey Department of Education school
performance reports. Again, that's from the 2425 school year and I'll also be presenting on the NJC district performance review. Okay. So, what do these two particular data points really tell us? So, the
school performance reports are released for every district across the state of New Jersey. It's on the New Jersey Department of Ed website and it really gives a good indicator of student outcomes and it comes from for the most part our reporting data from the
district as well as state assessments. I'll be sharing a brief snapshot of that, but of course all the information is available on the New Jersey Department of Education website if you want to access her building as well as
additional district data. I'll also be talking about the New Jersey QAC district performance review. So QAC is a occurs every three years and it really evaluates the overall school district as a whole when it comes to curriculum how
we function as a district operation as well and it is mandatory to present on these two areas. I just want to make that clear. We share this data out to be as transparent as possible. Um, knowing that QAC is every three years, so you
won't hear that annually, but you will hear school performance reports for the year prior to Okay, so New Jersey school performance reports. I have to say the website for our educators on the board as well as public. Um, I'm sure they would agree
the website has been incredible. The updates that they've made, um, it's very user friendly, very eye appealing, and just easier to The graphics are really phenomenal. I I have to say approval on this end from the New Jersey.
The areas that we report on are student demographics, academic achievement, student growth, graduation rates, college and career readiness, attendance and climate attendance being a big indicator moving forward from the Department of Education. We'll get into that in a bit. Staffing information and
accountability. So for this particular snapshot when we talk about the school performance reports that are currently being reported again I just want to be clear this is for the 2024 2025 school year. So at that given time the total number of students enrolled within our district
were 378 9.4% of those students were considered economically disadvantaged that also contributes to our free and reduced numbers also to our title funding opportunities. Our
total population of students with disabilities 15.9% and multilingual learners 3.4%. I have to say that number is going to climb. We're anticipating it already has for the 25 26 school year and we anticipate that number moving forward as
we do have quite a diverse population as well as student achievement NJSLA performance this year we shifted to an adaptive model however this was not inclusive of adaptive results this is from the
previous MJSLA that was in still a computer based assessment, but this is our data for 242 regarding our ELA and mathematics. The banner that you see there that's more of a maroon shade is our Robinsville data. Happy to report for
ELA is 67.7% academic achievement for the entire district. If you want to dial down further into this per building, you have access to that on the New York Department of Ed website. You would have these results inclusive of Sharon
Elementary School, Conro Middle School as well as our data for mathematics 71.6% and something that's a major highlight for us as a district is Robinsville against the state average. We have
increased 29.6% the highest math results in over four years here in Robinsville. So really happy with that. Of course, we always above the state average. We really don't use that as an indicator of our performance, what the state aages, we always seek to make
improvements and we have throughout the years, especially with the programming that we put in place a lot. I attest this to when it comes to ready curriculum associates, the new math program that we do have has done a number as well as the professional development getting very creative with
scheduling. I have to say our administrative teams do a phenomenal job with doing a lot with a little. That's kind of in our district. But they do I I have to give credit where credit is due and our teachers um have been incredible. If you have the opportunity
to access this data on the New Jersey Department of Ed website, please take a look at Pondro Middle School. The math performance is at an alltime high for Pondro Middle School. I really do attest that to the work that's being done from
the incredible math department from our director of steam as well as building administration. A lot of effort has been put into that over the years and it really and as we get more into the student assessment results you can see over time
ELA accountability as well as mathematics accountability we want to continue to grow and we are showing growth areas relative to always have a strong participation rate that's never an issue our rate is what we continue. Those are the scores over four years for
both ELA and our student growth. So measured by our SGP. So again, um sometimes with program implementation, we can see some dips here and there, but we did diving deeper into this. If you get the opportunity to look at the district level data when it
comes to student growth, you can see specific dips within certain grade levels, content This can come with program implementation when you're first off the ground running with that as well as with replacements. So if we do have teachers throughout the year that are leaving,
they have absolute right to maternity leaves or any type of leave under the sun, but that does tend to impact at times always mindful of it and always graduation rates. So, it's this has never been an issue for Robinsville public schools. We have very strong
graduation rates, our four-year graduation rate as well as our fiveyear trends where we are well over the state average um and continue to do a great job with the programming that's offered at the high school level. Also monitored by our counseling department as well as
building. So, something that's very new from the reporting lens at the Department of education is really drilling down into chronic absenteeism. This is a common theme across the board. Our director of counseling and wellness, Lori Ratundo,
has really been taking charge in our district knowing that this is coming down the line and something that we do need to get ahead of when it comes to our process and procedures for student attendance. We want to make sure that we are staying under that 10% and that
basically means you are chronic absenteeism if you are missing more than 10% of school days. We did fall in that category for Sharon Elementary School and we were placed on a corrective action plan regarding our student
attendance. So diving deeper into that we realiz that there needs to be some work done with our polic when it comes Looks like we are already ahead of that working towards policy provisions and making
sure that our procedures are not corrective action plan. Our other schools are hovering directly under that as well too. So again this is a district initiative moving forward. I'll be talking about some plans that we
have in place as well as we get further into But again, we're not meeting the statewide average. We want to stay far away from those numbers that you can see at the bottom of that chart. But we've come close to 10% at our elementary school and we are on it with corrective action.
That is of course as per NJ. It's important to take a look at what this looks like across particular grade level so we can really drill down. I will say a trend across not only the state but the nation comes to early childhood and that's usually inclusive
of preschool and kindergarten programming that is very very common. If we think about even our own children they are very susceptible to germs. It's their first time they're exposed sometimes in a public setting. We tend to keep them home longer. They're the
babies of the group. So it's a lot easier to kind of keep them longer. But I will A big part of our issues with chronic absenteeism really lie with extensive travel plans. So when our families are leaving the district,
usually tied to a vacation period where it's either winter break or spring break, they take additional time on top of that and that tends to be where we struggle when it comes to absentes in our district. So this really dials down into what those grade levels look like.
Although this is 2425 data, we are already what it can look like in years. And we are staying on top of this across the board. Yes, it used to be but now that we're a part
of I have to say because we have a program in our district, we are heavier when it opportunity. Lorie Burns is on it and is working tirelessly to really get into it
developing a better understanding when it's appropriate when it's not just to give a little bit of language as well too as we look into our school calendars. area that we ran into was ending the school year so late that we did this
past academic year when we tend to end that late as well too. Families don't tend to be that accustomed to it although it was communicated in advance. Um it tends to be an issue as well too with travel plans opportunities for students that are in upper grades. So
that does tend to be okay. Okay. So overall school performance highlights. We are very excited about the data that we are seeing and the trends that forecasting as well. We have strong academic achievement in this district especially when it comes to ELA and
math. We've always trended pretty high in the mathematics standpoint but we are even more so now. High math growth across the board. I have to say again I just can't say it enough when it comes to middle school and the work that's been done there. We're looking forward to expanding that even further into
additional grade levels. The graduation rate has always been phenomenal as well as equity and opportunities that we have for our students. Okay. So now that was school performance reports. I'm going to dive into NJC.
So there are five areas that we are rated on. instruction and program, fiscal management, operations, governance and personnel. All areas have various indicators underneath them that we have to meet and abide by. Although
we are evaluated every three years, it's over the course of that three years that we're evaluated. So we have to maintain documentation from the start of one cycle all the way to the next round. 80% is the threshold. So we want to make
sure that we are exceeding that 80th percentile. Otherwise we would be put on a improvement plan. That improvement plan would have to be reviewed by the county superintendent's office and it's over a six month span of growth. We are
I h I'm happy to say we've met all standards. There's an area that we are definitely focusing on because we just hit that particular indicator but across the board we scored fairly high in some I have to say operations. I have to give a shout out to
Johnson in the audience right now. Our director of student services her documentation was absolutely phenomenal from school nurses. Everything that we have to have from medical documentation as well as our director of counseling and wellness with
our behavior threat assessments also is added into that indicator. So again, a score of 100 for operations, fiscal management, 96, instruction and program 90, governance 88, and personnel. Okay, so what does this look like under
each indicator? So instruction in program, I have to say for the curriculum department, it's been quite a run from that time span from our last QAC evaluation. We shifted from Google Drive for our QAC I'm sorry for our
curriculum guides and shifted to using it to the Atlas platform which has been a game changer for us in the standards our practice we've been able to adopt curriculum that although we are unable to support it in our electives for example we're mandated by the state to
provide dance and theater instruction do not provide dance and theater across our K12 setting however If you have comprehensive curriculum written in the event that we are able to provide it. So it is a mandate even though you do not provide said you still have to have
comprehensive written for it and we have it across the board a perfect score in that category. So kudos to the curriculum team. They've done an absolutely phenomenal job as well as our curriculum writers across the district in making that happen. the additional scores that come into play. The reason
we did not get a full 100% also comes from your state growth data when it comes to assessments and SLA results for ELA math and those are scores that we have no control over. It's just directly populated into our score report. Fiscal
management 96% also showcases strong fiscal management across the board in our business department. Um they've done a phenomenal job over the course of the years in managing all areas operations like I said 100% uh relies on our school safety
plans facilities management also led by our director of building also a lot managing a lot governance 88% again with governance that's also
everything that we do from an ethical standpoint as well as So areas of continued growth. So the main area that we identified obviously we just met standards on this was the personnel category in NJQAC. And when it comes to personnel, the areas that we
really need to tighten up and focus on as district are evaluation timelines, documentation consistency, personnel procedures, and of course maintain. So now that we have all of this data kind of presented at the forefront of what are we doing about this moving
forward, this summer, the leadership team has gathered for a slew of workshops that were working on all of these areas, tying it all together. really honing in on that school performance data as well as our NJQ stack results. We have quite a few policies and procedures that we just
need to tighten up. So, moving forward into the upcoming school year, it's really that compliance and accountability is the theme moving forward. School safety and security is a big focus for us. Mr. and I are my dire the director of techn
I'm sorry director of technology attended school safety and security training this summer we learned quite a bit it was an eye opening experience and we really want to bring that training back into the district to ensure that we are not only in compliance but ensuring that
obviously our they currently are but we always have multi-tered supports as well we really tried to tie these As we do get into the board goals, I just kind of want to lay the foundation here. We really tried as
a leadership team to tie into the themes that we're focusing on led by these school performance reports and and JQAC. They're areas we're already currently working on. So tying that into the goals just seems a bit more seamless as we move into the upcoming school year.
Again, academic integrity as well as a big piece of this and academic integrity when we're talking about student performance. ethical performance. What are we doing when we're taking these assessments? How are we conducting ourselves as students when we are taking our
digital assessment? Responsibility is always at the forefront especially when we're coming off of the recent question. And again back to that data when it comes I also provided links here if you want
to access the NJ do school performance reports there's the link to the district reports and building level if you have time there is a lot of data there but it is eyeopening experience we usually like to share this data a big piece of this is with the community if you're thinking
about moving to a particular district we I always say to take a look at performance data as you kind of think about is this a good move? Is this a good fit for me? That's going to be really telling of what your child's going to experience within our school. And then of course there's the NJAC
manual. Very big manual I will say. Um but they did a nice job of updating that as well too. If you'd like to gain more knowledge on what NJAC is and what that represents, really digging down deeper into what districts are required. by all
means you have access to that user management and again I just want to thank everyone for the time as we go through this this is something that we do vet in our committees within our leadership teams
and we're just happy to have this level any questions >> thank you um Christie for the comprehensive presentation I wanted to ask a couple of questions one related to the school reports So the first question I had was school
report data that you shared was for 242 school year right when has the state indicated that results will be shared for the 25 26 year so I know parents are like wondering what's happening with NJSLA when are my kids getting their
scores back because typically it's done towards the end of August but assessment if you could just give a little bit of an update. No, I appreciate you bringing that up as well. So, I do know that is always a hot topic like this is 2425 data. Where's our current data? So,
usually typically data does get released by end of August, mid August, end of August and we get that out to parents as soon as we can. Usually by the first second week of school. Um, so once September starts, we get those reports out. I do anticipate it may be a little
later this year since we did switch to an adaptive that is kind of what we're hearing and trending across the board. Um so again, as soon as we do get those reports, we do get those out to families as soon as possible, but roughly you'll get those in full in the very beginning of the school year. Um when it comes to
the school performance reports, when that data is released, that data is usually released in the springtime and we have until this point in time to really report that out. >> Then my second question um is around CUSA, Mr.
if you could talk a little bit about the governance piece around fiscal responsibility. So what are some of the things that QAC is taking a look at typically um just to give some clarity to the public like what are the areas that they go into when it comes to
fiscal responsibility because we did very well as a district. So I think it would be great to just be transparent about like what do they ask for, what information are they considering? Whereas resolution talk about the audit
That's the independent third party that comes in. It's not just regulatory. My predecessor called it card. overall process
by the county system. Another layer of extremely comprehensive verification. Can we post this? >> Of course. Absolutely. And this will be shared as well too on the district website this particular presentation. And we also have to share links to the
school performance report. So that will also be found on the district. Thanks so much for sharing this. I think it sets us up really goals. I think that the numbers
here's actual numbers that go with things when you say that we're highest in math recently. Can you talk to a little bit about what's going on? >> Of course. So ELA we we again have been well above the state average when it
comes to our scores. Area of focus over the past four years has been in curriculum improvement. We have upgraded to different programming where we really had a lot of teacher made programming across the board. Great strategies with
Orton Gillingham focus but now we kind of made it a bit more concrete and consistent across particular grade levels. We've done quite a bit of work led in particular by Stacy Camarano supervisor of elementary as well as the
building administration at Sharon Elementary School in ensuring consistency and follow through when it comes to professional development. So a lot I I have to say if we see any level of trends where we have some dips here and there that does entail initial
program implementation. There is a learning curve that does take place there. Um also you know a interventions across the board, but again we still have fantastic um it is more difficult I will say from
a growth standpoint once you hit higher academic achievement levels whether it's at a district standpoint or an individualized student it is harder to showcase growth those barriers or show additional areas
where you have percentile increases that some districts that are extremely low performing get the opportunity to showcase high growth. We on the other hand showcase the opposite or high performance middle ground areas. So that is very
common but again we are transitioning our K5 magnetic literacy program into our middle school now. As you know we have our fifth grade students currently at Hondro Middle School which will then lead into additional programming that was led by a
pilot this for sixth grade to now have the opportunity to experience magnetic literacy with the potential for pilots in grades seven and eight. So you said I just want to like a little bit more on the numbers. So you said for math there was a 29% increase.
>> Can you say what if there was an increase what was it for? >> Sure. So 14.7% exceeding the state average. So we're right there. We're relatively right there. If you look at 67.7
versus 71.6 mathematics, relatively close, but a lot has been impactful with Um, I would really appreciate some of these like data points. So, I don't know if you were
like this for everyone on screen, but if it's possible jump back and forth just for number. >> I think the only thought I had on that is that these are numbers from a year ago versus what the current numbers
would be. So perhaps we would think about the growth based off of when we get the new. >> Yes. And we are trending upwards. So I will say we are trending upwards. It is a concern. I'm always going to be transparent about this. our
interventions have decreased. We've been very transparent about that this past season. Um, you know, we are as we continue to trend upwards, we are getting very creative about what we're able to offer that's inclusive of one of the goals here. However, you know, with
time, just one question. Um, I think if we're doing a double click anywhere, it would be because of the lack of intervention and I think% of our population was Was it the metric was >> that's from so those numbers have
decreased that percentage has decreased but relatively >> yeah know curious to know for that population what the increase was >> for 25 >> for 25 >> I don't have that data >> no okay
we came on the board to have better numbers but I think it was 12% Three years ago it was 12. So this number If there's no other questions, I'd like
to go through reports that I have for tonight goals. First, I have the se semiannual public school student safety data systems report. A state law requires public school
districts to report safety data to the department of education twice a year. This update runs from uh is period 2 which runs from January 1st 2026 to June 30th 2026. As required, this report provides full
breakdown of all incidents involving violence, vandalism, weapons, substance use and investigations. In addition, state guidelines require us to report all emergency uses of physical restraints and seclusion. Uh at Sharon
Elementary School, there were 13 instances of physical restraint, each administrated as a emergency safety intervention in accordance with district policy and state guidelines. This increase directly reflects stricter documentation requirements under the
revised summer 2025 NJDE restraint and seclusion guidelines. Updated tracking rules now require logging for brief physical handheld escorts that previously went unreported.
At Pond Road, total of seven instances, uh we had one instance of vandalism, one instant of violence, and five instances involving a weapon. Robinsville High School. A total of 10 incidents occurred in this reporting period. included eight
for vandalism, two involving substances. Next, we have the harassment, intimidation, and bullying investigations in reporting period two. So, these are the breakdown of the cases. For Sharon Elementary School,
there were two. One was founded and one was unfounded. At Pondro Middle School, there were five total cases. Three were founded, two were unfounded, and at Robinsville High School, there were two hip cases and both were unfounded. This
concludes our safety data systems report for reporting period 2, and all documentation has been finalized for state. Next, I'd like to share my superintendent remarks for this meeting. Good evening, members of our board,
staff, and members of our Robinsville community. As we prepare for another school year, I want to begin by thanking our students, families, staff, board of education, and community. Public education is strongest when the community is invested in its schools. And Robinsville continues to
demonstrate that commitment every day. This past year required us to make difficult decisions as we address challenges affecting programs, staffing, transportation, and services. While those decisions were not easy, they were made thoughtfully and always with our
students best interest at center. Throughout these challenges, our staff, families, and students continue to demonstrate resilience, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to educational excellence. One of the most significant challenges
for the coming school year is our transportation program. Families affected by changes in transportation eligible eligibility resulting from the district's full compliance with transportation regulations and the elimination of courtesy busing have already been
notified directly by the district. As part of this process, transportation uh measurements uh have been recalculated using the door-to-door methodology required ensuring that uh eligibility is determined consistently and in full
compliance with state requirements. The software used is Google Vidometer. Um, our online transportation eligibility and route verification tool is in the final stages of development and will be available very shortly, allowing
residents to confirm transportation eligibility by address. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families as we complete the final preparations for the opening of school. We also continue to eval evaluate innovative ways to control while
preserving the outstanding educational experience our students deserve. One area we have begun exploring is a potential bring your own device model. As technology costs continue to rise and replacement cycles become increasingly expensive, it is our responsibility to
examine whether alternative approaches could provide long-term savings while maintaining the high standards our community expects. Any proposal would be developed thoughtfully with student equity, cyber security, instructional needs, and community feedback serving as
guiding principles. Should the district pursue such an initiative, every student would continue to have access to the technology necessary for learning regardless of the family circumstances. As we as we look ahead, we remain focused on what matters most. Providing
outstanding instruction, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources, and strengthening communication with our community. This fall, we will continue to expand our outreach efforts through community forums and new weekly Parent Square
video updates designed to keep families informed and connected. To our students, thank you for your hard work and perseverance. To our staff, thank you for your professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication. To our board of education in our community, thank you for your continued
partnership and support. I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the summer, and I look forward to welcoming our students back for another outstanding year, Robinson. Thank you. The next part of our evening is now our
board of education. Thank you Dr. Po administrators for putting together the list of items part of our board goals set for the 2627 school year. Um
might be best if at this point run us through kind of each of the proposed goals. These are not in priority order. These are just listed as goals for us to weigh in on and see how we want to proceed the year. I know
anyone has access to the board docs. There's six recommended goals on there. I would recommend board that we try to limit it to three or four at most. I I enjoy I appreciate the enthusiasm.
Um we can track the other pieces. I know that they're still going to go on in the background, but um I look forward to maybe those that aren't selected having a report out at the end of the year, but you know, we can go through all those, but I think we should try to focus our efforts. So, absolutely agreed. And I'll
go through and I'll go all the way across on on each goal, understanding that administrators that um regardless of things being narrowed, um these are all things that we're going to be doing. This is the work we do. for our for our students and for our
district every day. Um, and we do tend to be as administrators, we tend to go on both verbally, which I'll do from time to time. Um, but also in the written format. So, um, so we do not take any offense for anything being uh being made a little bit more streamlined
and a little bit easier for everyone to consume. >> Um, Mr. Berg and Dr. I just understand like how you want to run this. Do you want to do goal one and then we ask questions or do you want to go through the whole thing and then we
ask questions? I just want to >> it might be good to get a general sense of all of the goals and then you know where there's synergy with some maybe we find I I went through it and I find some things. So might be good through that. I know everyone is taking notes and everything, but I think to get the
public a general sense of what the recommendations are and then we can Okay, we have we have this up on the screens and of course all of this information is always going to be posted. So so for those watching live stream, you know, all of this information will be available when we
have that final draft. Okay, for goal Our focus as presented uh for our strategic priority is academic integrity. Our board smart goal by June 2027 support the implementation of
district-wide practices that promote academic integrity, ethical learning, and secure assessment administration to ensure equitable opportunities and authentic student achievement. broken this into the following
objectives. One.1, promote a culture of academic integrity throughout district-wide expectations for students and staff. 1.2 support the inclusion of academic integrity and acade and ethical assessment practices within our annual
staff professional development plans. 1.3 I review staff and student perception data to evaluate awareness, implementation, and confidence in district academic integrity practices.
1.4 Monitor district assessment data to identify trends, strengthen instructional practice, and ensure assessment validity and reliability. 1.5 review district policies and procedures
to ensure alignment with state requirements and emerging best practices. Okay. How do we plan to measure progress? Annual review of our PDP goals related to academic integrity.
Staff and student survey results. Quarterly district assessment reports, trend analysis and achievement data. reports on testing security, assessment, administration and academic integrity incidents, annual review of district
policies and implementation of process. Okay. Uh administrative leadership uh this will be curriculum, building administration, student services, counseling and wellness areas of leadership. So thanks for that one. So maybe maybe
what we can do for the next one instead of each one individually is you know as we go through the smart piece maybe we can say you know how it's how the goal is specific how it's going to be measured how we're going to achieve it right because I'm just breaking down smart piece right that's
what not everyone may know what smart stands for right so it's specific measurable achievable relevant and then the time frame so I see that all of them have the time frame in it but not all of them have maybe measures so just kind of keep that in mind as we go through it and then we can say how we're going to
measure ourselves Does that does that make sense? >> I I don't I don't want to add lib with this. I want to make sure I get I don't I don't go over miss any information for anybody who's listening at home. >> Okay. >> So, is the board okay with me reading through everything? >> You can, but I just want to understand
under the smart piece how how we're defining smart, >> right? Because it's it has to be specific. It has to be measurable and in so in the in the objective as we say. So, I see. So, let's use the next one as an example. So you have you have the time, you have a percent in there. How
are we going to achieve it? How is it relevant and things like that? So I think >> sorry just a suggestion. We don't if maybe we just go through the smart like going down the smart goals. >> How about you want I think we did condense it that way. I don't want to choose I'd rather just go in goal smart
goal and then let let have the board engage in a debate as a a little bit easier on my eyes. Thank you. Okay. Um, strategic priority goal number two,
student attendance. And under a smart goal, we're looking at by June 2027, support district initiatives, and improve student attendance, reduce chronic absenteeism to under 10%, and
strengthen student engagement through consistent attendance practices and family partnerships. Goal three, professional growth and evaluations. Um we're looking at uh as our smart goal by June 2027 support a district-wide
evaluation system that promotes professional growth, consistency, accountability, and instructional excellence. Goal four, multi-tered systems of support. uh by June 2027, strengthen the
district's multi-tered system of supports by strategically utilizing existing staff and resources informed by student data to provide timely academic behavioral attendance and social emotional interventions that improve
student outcomes. Goal five, school safety and security. By June 2027, strengthen district safety and security by ensuring all outside organizations, vendors, contractors, and facilities renters consistently comply
with board policies, district safety procedures, and school security requirements whenever district facilities are in use. Goal six, fiscal steward stewardship and
long range planning by June 27. Support long-term fiscal sustainability by utilizing enrollment projections, compliance requirements, program evaluation, and multi-year financial forecasting to guide responsible budget
planning and resource allocation. Those are our six. >> I'm ready. I saw you. Um, when I'm looking at this, I
I actually want to highlight goal two, um, and say that it's really well written because I know exactly what you what number you're trying to achieve. And I can align it directly to the data you've just presented. I understand you
want to achieve under 10% and I have been to many committee meetings where you've talked about the different things that you are doing to get to that number. When I see a number with a percentage for me, it makes a lot more sense and it allows me to understand
kind of like where we're trying to achieve. It's a little bit difficult when I'm reading some of the other goals. one because some of these are just best practices that you do throughout your school year anyway. But two, I'm having
a hard time understanding kind of like what you're moving towards or where you're coming or like what your baseline was. So I can understand kind of like where where is the metric. For example, with MTSS, I can see some of the metrics
in your report, but they're not reflected here and I don't know how to measure for that. So, you know, I I see that these are really important, but I'm hoping that they look a little bit more like goal two so that we can provide data and explain why
these are so important and I understand why student attendance is so important because it's our QA goals. Does that make sense? >> It's relevant because it was also cited as part of the QAC. >> I mean, that's that's the other We look at goal six one of the most important things past year to do which is fiscal
responsibility and all budget for the school you don't have anything that's measurable again it's relevant it's most relevant measurable things there's a time frame so that's why I highlighted the goal number two because like you said it's
relevant it has measurable parameters you have a time frame it's very specific Right. So like if number six said something like you know create a threeyear fiscal uh forecast and
reduce structural deficit by 5% 2% whatever it is that would be more measurable is I think what we're saying. So going back to what Amanda and shared, I think like our goal should be able to answer three questions
like what is the problem we're trying to solve or thing we're trying to improve by how much are we trying to improve it or solve it? And then like how will we know that we actually did that as a when I'm reading the goals um which are
present in goal number two. And I think we could reword some of the others so that we could answer those questions. Um I do see the alignment between the areas that were prioritized and our QA um findings as well as our
school performance report. So I think that's positive because it's coming from data that we're making these particular goals. I think it's just like the wording to switch it so that we can answer those three questions and we're able to then adjust the measurements
also indicate how we're moving towards achieving that goal or like do we know that we did or didn't achieve it. Um the other one more comment um I have other questions but I'll let others speak. I I do think we have too many goals as well.
My recommendation would be that we narrow it down to three to four goals um and prioritize the ones that are most related to student achievement because that's why we're here as well as
um our fiscal stewardship. So what I was looking at like what are the areas of QAC that we need to continue to improve on? was governance and that would be goals six and goal three. IMP would be goals two and four. So
those would be the ones that I would prioritize because those were the areas in that we were all agree >> and student achievement. So that would be tied those those two would be the areas of priority.
>> They're two separate goals. >> They're two separate goals. Absolutely. Just trying to >> Yeah. I mean, we don't have to think we only have to think, you know, three goals. So, it's not like we're ranking them. All three are important. All three. So, I agree with Barbara. I think
Barbara laid out a very good um criteria for judgement as well. Um I think you know student achievement school you know responsibility and transparency I compress I call it academic excellence integr
Another one is student engagement attendance trying to bucket things together. >> I just don't want to put too many things under one. So like if we start combining academic integrity, multi support and
student attendance that's a lot to perhaps like maybe one of those is not as much of a priority like for academic integrity. What are we trying to solve? Has there been an increase in cheating or kids not
you know and is that a number one priority for us as a district to address that? Could that be addressed any way through professional learning and development and not >> like the other thing is like responsible facility use that because we're
incurring increased costs because because of the use of course >> okay so the academic integrity I'll start with so yes we did absolutely have an uptick in issues we were very reactive as opposed to proactive when it
came to issues AI usage students very strong populations with the new everything that's coming out with AI they tend to be ahead of us in making sure that our students are
really following ethical standards when it comes to testing so that has been quite an issue this past year it's something that we talked about in our recent workshop this particular summer regarding academic integity and just overall assessments in our district. And it is something we absolutely have to
move forward with whether it be as a board goal. It's always going to be an admin goal moving forward where we have to stay ahead of it and make sure that we are whether it be our policies and procedures, our student code of conduct, how we're talking to students, how we're
assessing students knowledge of what is really when I know some questions over what does that look like for students? honest learner, a responsible learner, really defining that out for them. So that is going to be building level goals when it
comes to our professional development plans which are mandated across the state. That is going to be a major focus for us, especially in our secondary areas, our middle school and high school districts across the nation are dealing with AI.
I mean, as like when I'm thinking and reflecting on what you're saying about that, what I'm thinking is perhaps, you know, we have an AI policy and it's education for both staff and students related to what does the policy say? Um,
and how are we empowering students to use AI appropriately as they move into century learners? Um, and so I don't I don't know that I'm not sure how we would measure that,
right? So like maybe that is an area of focus for professional learning but not so much like a >> and I agree and the admin piece behind it is we're doing this anyway. So that was the thought process like this is happening regardless. Um a big piece of that when it comes to really monitoring
it is how many incidents are we reporting. So when we do have state level testing we have to report irregularities. So any of concern of using additional platforms. We have to report that. So the data piece if I could jump in on on this also the
the intent of what we presented was to really have alignment between what we were doing administratively and what the what the board's doing. So these are some of these some of these aspects that you're doing are right. These are administrative and we're going to doing
those anyway. Would uh would the board consider uh like what was pointed out about the uh about highlighting different areas uh and that be the the the priorities for the board? Um, like I said, I would always rather and I think
the team would always rather provide as much information as possible for the board and be as transparent as possible and then have the board go and identify what is going to be those streamlined, you know, consumable goals for the wider
public that would be under the board's umbrella. So, I just want to, you know, make sure that, you know, we're, you know, we're kind of, you know, framing the message. >> I understand that. Um, When I come back to academic integrity and kind of what you're saying,
I think about a metric and think about like what's happening in other public schools and private schools at this time. Something that I think is going to be coming with the state, but it hasn't happened yet, is like training across
all students for ethical use of AI in their curriculum, which I know isn't properly developed yet, but you could get ahead of this and that could be a you know, 80% of all of our student population has been trained on the
ethical use of AI. But I see it again as an administrative goal and I understand where you're coming in with this. I one of the things that I think might be missing from this and it just another bullet is the research of platforms to
um give assessments. Um I, you know, I'm familiar with a lot of platforms that kind of block every other um internet use usage so that it it solely focuses on this. This is something that
my school does successfully. Um, but I I know that everything is constantly changing, but I think the research and implementation of a possible platform for you to to do that would be also So another comment on academic so if I
look at academic achievement and think about how that might fit into what we all aligned on perhaps keeping in multi-tered system of supports but when we think about the the vulnerable population so those students with disabilities um you know making sure that our
academic achievement is sort of increasing for the gened population and for our for our students with correctly students with disabilities. Um so you know perhaps putting that in together um
encompassing that and then the other thing the other comment I had and then I'll pause for others um actually two um is when we think about the attendance the first thing that jumped out to me as a concern was the lack of electives
possible for our 12th grade population. that's kind of a little bit related but probably you know attenuated still but I would I would say that if we were to think about filling that given our budget we cannot fill that what community partnerships internships externships co-ops and development that
we're having with our community can be had so that we're filling in um for that gap uh I would I would hope that was somewhere encompassed um considering we with our budget we can't be adding at this point how are we reacting to that proactively. And then
the last thing I would like to see is a bit more on the increase of revenue. So how are we potentially working on increasing our you know in our fiscal stewardship how we are considering increasing revenues. I know we have a lot about facility
rentals and district safety and security but also what is it that we're doing that attracts um folks to use our our facilities. There was a few more but I think I'm wondering in addition to make sure
we're also protect and I think also also Go back to what would really be helpful as far as ethics. There has to be some point
where we're going up. I think overall support tells me focusing on responsible more rather than just to say that this is done.
Let's get a goal to actually basically I think in general I was taking this were the operational things. context. So that being said, I mean,
you asked the question about integrity. My question is, you know, after that being said, what's driving the um the facilities for school safety because we're having damages until we understand what's going what's
driving each of these. I think I know we'll get the answer in a second, but what's driving like each one of them hard to set up the actual >> you like me to go through those briefly? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. All right. Okay. So, I I just want to put this out there. So, the
leadership team met given more time we would definitely dive into this a lot further. Um, but we met as a team sitting at around table after one of our summer workshops to get this work done. What are we currently forward. U so the academic integrity as
I said was based on the upticks in the in both AI as well as what we've been receiving back as reports from irregularities from states when it comes to our testing procedures and just overall cheating in general student attendance that's very self-explanatory
in the back that one% did a great job with that goal that literally is from our NJC that's pretty self-explanatory the professional growth and EV valuations that again is strictly tied to NJQAC and a big focus for us when it
comes to ensuring that our staff members and our administrative team are properly evaluated following the procedures and protocols and the timelines that we are mandated to follow. Although it seems like this is something that should be a common practice in districts,
unfortunately we do have a smaller admin team. So it is a big lift for us and something that is a major goal. So while it may seem as if this should be a common practice for us as a whole is a major undertaking especially considering
that's why that time timeline period is by June 2027 typically boards usually will say ongoing or use language of that nature this is we have a solid deadline by June 2027 areas can I jump in just just to clarify
what you're saying here Are you saying that only 80% of the evaluations were done this year? >> I can give you direct numbers percentage. That's what so I think that like that is what I would be curious about of like okay if we had 80% of the
>> observations completed but we want 100% like that's the type of number I guess of course and with that being said too we also want to keep these these are goals that do get posted on the public website to make them as understandable as possible to anyone that comes across
them too that's why trying to tone down that langage a bit as well for those that you know not be as aware of smart goals or being that specific what goals we're putting out there. Also, for a multi-tered support system, that is something that has been an
ongoing process for us. I think every district, it's going to be a forever ongoing process, but it's really na I think back to what you said. It ties back to making sure we're capturing all students and that's where students do not get lost in ensuring that we have a
multi-tered system of supports in place across our entire district. And when I say entire district, it's carrying over consistency. That's what happening at the elementary level carries over into the middle school level and the high school. As you weaken those supports over time, so there's they're more
intense at the elementary level and then we see a decrease what we're able to offer students. to get very creative about that. So the creative piece that comes into place with MTSS is working out our schedules in the building, taking a deeper dive into them. So using the staff and resources that we
currently have to provide interventions interventions versus having a standalone teacher that's normally an intervention teacher only. So that's where that comes into play. That can also be heavily data driven based on our link intervention
manager data that we have the amount of students that we do have per se in tier three tier two and what we'd like to see improvement on moving forward. Again very heavy in an admin level building goal but can make it work. Um if that's
an area that just out of suggestion you know we can tie into overall academic achievement just looking at all students in general that would be a suggestion of mine. jump in on >> I wanted to just it's very specific.
Do you mind if I just go ahead? >> So just with school safety and security that also comes from the training we received over the summer with the school safety. Whatever we do within our facilities on a daily bas basis when students are in
our buildings whatever bell schedule it is whether it be 8 to 35 we have to make sure that when there's a dance recital they're also following our safety and security measures. There is a requirement that we have to absolutely
abide by what we're putting out there for anyone that's using our facilities to also have a safe environment where safety protocols are followed. That is a big uh undertaking as a district. It requires a lot of manpower to make that happen. Whether it be by setting up
videos that you send out to anyone who's renting our facilities, ensuring that we have the proper procedures in place, whether it be the closure of gates and hallways, the checking of bathrooms after facilities are used. These are all
requirements that that really um ensure that when our students return on Monday, after their our buildings were used, which is something that we're really trying to move forward in, that our students are returning to a safe environment on Monday to start school. That's where that came.
>> And I just wanted to jump in with that. I think Christie did a great job of really capturing a big piece of what what I was looking uh to speak about is uh we we need to and I've gone through uh similar trainings that that Mr. Bazio
and Mr. Gear went through. Um this is an area that we have to make sure that we're that we're maintaining. You know, these are our kids whether they're here during the regular school day or they're here doing different uh different activities at night. So that's that's
important that we constantly stay diligent on that. I think Mr. had mentioned about um could this have an impact in regards to absolutely could there is a cost involved which which yeah obviously we want to make sure that
we raise as much revenue as we can but this is something that you can't get wrong and um so I do think that that we need to really kind of find that right point and and it may run into that and I think with with revenue talking about where we are now with the raising
revenue over 300,000 getting close to 400,000. We're pretty close to a saturation point there because we will have activities bumping into each other where we have a tough time with scheduling. Um, and then there will be a cost with that. So, I I think that while
we're looking to increase revenue, I think some of that revenue needs to be invested in making sure that what we're doing we're doing correctly and doing safely with our students, which is which is always our main priority is what we're doing. and we should probably take a look at
our policies as it relates to rentals. That's where I would go with this rather than making it affordable. We could visit it in our policies um and address it there because I agree with you. I think it's an important piece to address. So, you know, but but I do
think more appropriate for our policies like what are the policies we have in place? How are they do they clearly um articulate our expectations for rentals and fac etc. How can we tighten that up to ensure the security and safety that
you're >> That being said, Barbara, I think there's a lot of activities. So, how can we focus on the key now while still doing those activities?
>> So, Pete, could we maybe talk through Um, if possible, just like if if we were to think through as a board, what three goals would people prioritize? Like if we had to select three of the these goals to really prioritize and then
think about um adjusting the language so that they are more smart related, which ones would be prioritized just to move forward because I think we all agree that everything on here is important. Just some of these areas could be addressed through ad
or through our policies in other ways. Um so you know everyone just like reflect really quickly which ones would you either combine and or prioritize? >> Well said. >> So fiscal stewardship. So goal number
six, right? Um I think we said MTSS which is related to student achievement. Just rewarded a little with fiscal stewardship. one word that's missing there was revenue that in the actual
>> goals number sixy so I took a stab at right so I saw the language I said let me try to so we can call the goal we want I said by June 2027 board of education will adopt and monitor multi-year
recovery plan that achieves measurable reductions in the district's structural deficit by% here which will be achieved by aligning recurring expenditures with stable recurring revenues
protecting essential educational priorities reducing a reliance on one-time funding and establishing a defined timeline for achieving a structural balance budget. So I I tried to make it smart. There has to be measurable achievement. I didn't want
to put a percent in there. What do we want to achieve? So we know that the structural deficit I have not had an opportunity structural test. That's a very forward. So that
achievable goal is not the same right so my suggestion is somewhere on the order of 5% I think you have to all set yourself up to achievable right now
from what you understand is 5% to try to reduce that deficit by that percent. >> Take that back to the team and take a look at it more closely rather than Yeah. US making a decision now. >> That's the question.
>> Sure. >> I would like to say we're dealing with a lot of factors outside of our control. We're dealing We're not dealing with a deficit. We're dealing with a structural deficit. And I said, we're at close to the saturation point, I believe, when it when it comes to raising revenue uh with
renting of our facilities. We do have some alternatives we're looking at in regards to some uh advertisements with banners and others. Um I think that's something that we could could measure. Uh but if you're looking at closing a
deficit that is we're dealing with both ends of the equation, I would rather look our our goal being focused on what are the areas where we can increase revenue and what percentage could we increase in just that area trying to net
it out between the two. I I don't know if it's really an an authentic number realistic number with the uh variables that we have. >> I I just feel comfortable that we gave you the feedback to then take back to your team and and we'll give to kind of what you'll shape back. So yeah,
>> that's I just wanted to frame what what my my thought would be speaking team and I don't want to come back with something that was outside of the board's expectations. >> I think the second one we talked about was related to student achievement, right? So something along the lines of
um like by June 2027 we would improve student outcomes for the implementation of district MTSS resulting in gains in student achievement and reading by% math by X% and reduced absenteeism by
10%. So like something along those lines >> MTSS would be like the mechanism through which we would increase student achievement. >> Absolutely. But I didn't know what the percent
>> sure I think that would also be based on what is our data telling us about how we're using as a metric district assessments as a measure. So we take a look at that piece. But I but I think
combining absenteeism which I which is absolutely critical um along with MTSS and like student achievement in general includes absenteeism, right? Want kids to be here in order for them to the other the other thing that we have
faced that loss of intervention. So that what tools are we doing existing staff because it's there like utilizing existing staff to support strategy and so putting in the vulnerable population there.
>> Oh it is I'm sorry. So you do have special education tracking demographic representation special education. >> I um maybe suggest um talking about what I'm what I'm numbering here as I see that you know goal number six being a
priority, goal number four um being a priority, goal number two being a priority. Yeah, I absolutely agree. Uh students need school that's that's so vital. Um would the board be open to focusing on those three goals and having
the other three goals really being kind of within the domain of the administration team and we're still going to be addressing that but maybe we could focus with the changes that board's looking for on those three areas. I I would echo what Re said earlier. So
anything sounds or reads like operational goals, >> but not the metrics, right? So they'll go back and reshape. >> Yeah, we don't have to do all We don't have to do all across the
>> we need to kind of specify categories >> correct >> what the goal is and then the details can be filled in later and also you know a big part of this is >> getting reported to on progress >> right so
check that these goals are not just like you know what happened autopsy what's not we get clarification on that. Is this like an opportunity for read and
discussion? When do we actually have So we don't have to approve them. We just have to discuss So I think we agree on the categories that disagrees on the categories that Dr. Po suggested which were goal number
two student student attendance um around student achievement through MTSS and then goal six which was fiscal stewardship. There any other
I did like the combination of absenteeism with the MTSS. I did like that and that will give you the opportunity to have one on I agree. All right. So that gives you I think that particular safety is very
important that you combine. >> That's the way I would do it. excellence. My only hesitation with the security one is is this the area of focus for security about outside organizations
like policies right we reach 100% of our oper wouldn't security have fallen under operations 100% of course we have to have our checklist in line it's basically department
checklist make sure our facilities are safe buildings and ground standpoint and again it's the level of oversight that this requires talking about the thought was the increase the position that was originally going
to be >> so I guess with that I would say if we went with and your fiscal responsibility increase to ensure safety with revenue whatever whatever right like I think that would
make it >> well again you don't necessarily have to combine them either you know as far as priority these are going to be administrative so part of you know I agree you know kind of what number six as far as fiscal responsibility long-term planning I thought what Barbara said earlier about
student um achievement with MTS MTSS being part of that about showing improvement you know in our language arts and mathematics scores. I think that would be you know a goal that we want to go to and then a little outside this paper but I thought Nadia brought up a very good point earlier about um
those community relationships and partnerships for um whether it be internships or career exploration opportunities maybe something um you know along those lines actually that's very beneficial especially um you know A big push in academic circles right now
is you know making sure career explorations and kids are prepared for you know college and workforce beyond. So um >> that was in relation to student attendance. >> Yeah but I think it could be >> also academic achievement >> but I also
I don't think we have to pigeon hole ourselves into this as well. Right. So you know from what I heard you say instead of pigeon holeing this I would actually make it own thing. Um, I think that has a lot of value. Um, and it wasn't where really my mind went right away with this, but I thought I thought
your point was good. So, you know, I'd kind of like to see those three areas um as priorities. Um, obviously like Dr. Pizzo said before and Christie mentioned before that um, I'm sorry. um that you know all these are important and all these are going to be worked on
throughout the year. as far as goal priorities >> broaden it increase of community engagement because I do think that that could be measured um and I think it should be especially
going into the work that we're doing with the referendum moving forward I mean um community Could that be an area? Yeah. Partnerships, engagement, all of those things, right? So, transparency, communication part of
that. >> I'm fine with that. I guess my mind was actually going more towards focus with that. >> That could be a part of it too. >> I'm cool with that. Right. >> So the areas are stewardship responsibility >> achievement through MTSS
community partnership and transparency engagement something >> um Christie this one's for you um I heard what Barb said about the measurement of increase in percentage of
state testing assessment something she said it for reading and math but in reflection on our past year our big push this year was also science with your new science science pilot I'd love to see those numbers
increase um so I would say if we're really honing down into categories of reading math I think science has to be included in that could definitely include that I just want to be mindful Back to the presentation when we're talking about student performance. We've
already hit 71.6% in math. >> So showing an increase as I said before being mindful and realistic of like once you hit a certain standpoint like it's hard to show that level growth. Always
are we trying to achieve that but going beyond that is pretty much all your students are achieving on grade level which would be fantastic goal but unrealistic. So I just want to be mindful that >> to count agree with that. What is the highest
you've seen us%? >> We we definitely can, but I'm we're pretty high achieving for math in comparison to districts in the county and across the state. Not looking at achievement but looking
at growth data right so like achievement is a certain percent of students that percent by the state but maybe shifting how many what percentage of our students are making >> can I suggest moving with like going
back to MTSS maybe tier three students showing growth or tier two students considering that we have an intervention goal and it's our students that not necessarily looking at high performance all the time but trying to uptick our students and that that is very measurable.
>> Yes, you can definitely showcase growth in that and that is really >> I would shift it from achievement. >> Yep. Okay. So, we're so taken note go back they'll provide something our updates and we'll go through committing
something I just saying here is I do thinky there So a bit of a synergy with that we have goal four the multi-tered systems of supports which is going to be teamed up with students obviously attendance so
important and we also have that we're going to develop in regards to community partnerships. >> Yeah. So the smart piece in there >> small thing can we also make sure that we get a dashboard every quarterly to
kind of just track of that >> that's where I was going how are we going to measure this so so where we put the goals up on the district page if we create dashboards for the progress that we quarterly so that way the community can see and the board members can see
the process right now. Let's let's let's narrow down what the actual goal is going to be and then we can set up with the dashboard those measured reports. Well, hopefully we when we do these uh get really that baseline down on the weekly update will
be a final product. Love to get uh the feedback of the board. Um maybe we can then do another update following weekly update and We we just have a couple of bites at the apple before the committee meetings and then I think we come up
the board's comfortable like the idea. Thank you. All right. Secretary and business. Well, first of all, thank you. >> That is the end of my report. If I could please turn it back to Mr. President.
>> Thank you, sir. Um, interim board secretary and administrators. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> First, I would just like to So far very impressed with my observation cleanliness.
Very impressive. But two is we have an extremely strong team office. Everybody is extremely well trained vulnerability. business.
One person Finally, on the fiscal question that we look at that great also important to know which things are required versus things Right. Next topic
tonight. I'd like to provide an update. came up quickly. Large part Very successful satisfaction. IDA basic and IDA preschool funds are
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and maintain actually question which is the ongoing grants. How is that going to be who requests applications? I know there's collaboration
writing so Maybe that position >> committee reports. >> The Ed policy committee met virtually on Tuesday, July 21st at 6 p.m. in attendance for board members myself, Miss D'Angelo, Mr. Ray, Superintendent
Dr. Po, assistant superintendent, our director of student services, Miss Johnson, and direct director of counseling and wellness. Committee reviewed recent state guidance related to policy and regulation 551.6
and discussed next steps for district implementation. We also received an overview of the district's NJQ results, which were shared this evening. Dr. presented a draft of board of education goals for the 2627 school year. The
committee also reviewed those revisions to regulation 52000 on student attendance to align with current state guidance and district practices. Additionally, the committee reviewed a proposed um ESL coordinator stipen
position to support district ESL compliance and programming as well as the preliminary planning timeline for the 2728 school calendar. Finally, the committee reviewed the following policies for a second reading. Policy 5460, high school
um graduation. Policy 2411, career education and academic counseling and policy 8561 procurement procedures for school nutrition programs. That concludes the ed policy committee reports.
Any questions, comments? The personel committee met July 21st 5:00 pm committee chair myself to call the meeting to order. Also in attendance were Barbricko HR manager Tremor and assistant superintendent DeFazio Peter was absent.
The committee reviewed personnel report with Miss Tremor providing updates on the current personnel items and answering questions. Mr. then presented the district's CQAC um scores reviewing the personnel component of the district's self assessment and
discussing areas of strength as well as opportunities for continued improvement. Superintendent Pizzo then provided an update on board of education Zoom sessions discussing the current process and opportunities for future virtual meetings. The committee also reviewed a
draft of the proposed 2026 2027 board goals with members providing feedback and discussing priorities to discuss the strategic direction of the coming school year. An additional draft for consideration by the boarded input from our full administrative team
um as it was and then provided today and further feedback will be given. Um Miss DeFazio presented the draft ESL coordinator job description committee review. The committee discussed the requirements responsib qualifications in alignment of the position with the district's growing multilingual learner
program. District administrative analysis was provided before bringing actionable options for the board's consideration. There were no formal actions required from committee action. Uh the next meeting
comments business Dr. Pier. >> Thank you. Business committee met on July 23rd via Zoom. The committee report on the status of ongoing summer facility projects updates including Robinsville High School LED lighting replacement road middle school gym floor repairs and
upgrades elementary school sidewalking project road middle school prek bathroom renovation proposed maintenance reserve project as well as um also present on the prek bathroom project. We also received a brief update
on the proposed uh electric vehicle charging stations with additional information expected once the project start date is confirmed. The finance and transportation updates include a review of the board member schedule for monthly bill proposed sales for red program staff.
Dr. also providing program including development of transportation routes and progress towards launching online address verification and technology increasing costs noting significant price increases for
the Chromebooks and software licensing while outlining efforts to identify cost savings through competitive pricing and vendor review. We also discussed potential device hardware alternatives as a long-term strategy under information
goals ongoing zoom discussion sessions and review initial draft of the 2017 goals will be provided to all members presented Next meeting questions relations
relations committee met on July 23rd 26 p.m. meeting was attended by all the members provided an update on the district public outreach forums reviewing participation to date and discussing plans to continue engaging residents
dialogue on districts budget priorities and educational programs. The committee discussed the value of maintaining consistent opportunities for for community feedback and ensuring that information is communicated in a transparent and accessible manner. Dr. presented a proposal to launch a series
of brief weekly parent video beginnings in September. The five minute video would provide timely updates on district initiatives, highlight student and staff accomplishments, explain upcoming events, and improve proactive communication families. Committee members discussed the format and agreed that concise, consistent messaging would
strengthen community outreach. The team also discussed about the upcoming school opening where, you know, we would have traffic uh planning and chaos which needs to managed. The administration has taken a note to work that out with township and the police department to see how we can actually manage the
traffic post. The committee concluded by reviewing a draft board of education for 2026 2027 school year and amended draft will be provided by the administr consideration done today. The committee members also provided feedback for
consideration. The next community relations committee meeting August meeting I should say and as was mentioned during the report the princip will be putting the first update out by
the end of the week this week. We looked at doing it uh centrally or doing it individually. We figured it was it was best to have it individually just for the reason that you spoke about the congestion. So, um principles will both be doing that, but this will be the
beginning of as we roll into August, you'll see this, but we wanted to get like the first round principal. >> Okay. Comment be allocated for public comment at this meeting. Members of the public wishing to address the board of education 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. Dialogue
between a speaker and the board or and or superintendent shall exceed the three minute time limit provided herein. Live streaming of the meetings shall be only 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, planning 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 statement, question or inquiry is abusive, obscene or mayam.
Moreover, moreover the presiding officer can't request any person to leave the meeting when the person does not observe reasonable forum. Adherence to protocol established by New Jersey School Board Association. The board will use this public comment period as an opportunity to listen to resident concerns, but not to debate
issues or to enter into 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. I have a motion to open public comment for 30 minutes. All in favor? Thank you. Okay, the mic is open. President.
>> Okay, thank you. questions or I can talk only about the agendas that I have a couple of stuff that I wrote down. So what what is it that I need to talk about? >> This is for agenda. >> So you do not want me to talk about this at all
>> for a second. For the second one. >> Okay, no problem. >> Okay. So um the very first thing that I wanted to talk to you about is Dr. Piso what happened to the meeting that we are going to have the first day of every month that was supposed to um you said
we are going to have that so I like to know and if you don't mind I'm going to go through it and then if you can answer then the next thing is on the J subject n that you talked about the goals but you said that I cannot talk about it right now you wanted to talk about it on
the second time second part of the public conversation which I have questions about on the same on J subject 25 the school bus that is 69,450 what is that 69,450
we do not have buses anymore or we are charging the students what is that 69,450 also the SRO are not going to be paid completely by the township that's what I was told at the township council so what are we doing with the money that is not
going to be given to the township uh to the SRO's because township told me that they are going to be paying for them. Uh also what is the plan for students walking? I have conversations with the township councils and they said that they are going to put some stuff
together but it's not going to be enough especially for places like Sharon School and the walk to the high school. So what are your plans? These are the stuff that we need to talk about before September. This is not something that we can put up or start talking about it on September
because then they are not going to be done until next June and things can happen by then. Um the next question is the ELA and Matt averages that Mr. Fazio talked about. I like I don't care about what the state has because the state's
level is always the 50% or maybe a little bit above. What are the levels of the West and Princeton and Hopewell? I like to know what are we going about with the 71% is never good enough and the 67 or 69% it has never been good
enough for Robin Street. Maybe we are going high but it was never good enough. >> Um the next one excuse me and the next one is the operation of NJAC that is a 100% on something that we do not offer like the dance and You said I
didn't get a chance to write it down. So what's the point of having it? And 100% I know they may say in a minute that okay show us that you have it but we never offer it. So isn't it a waste of time and effort and policy to have something that we don't offer. But then
at the same time the fiscal responsibility data says that we have personal of 80%. 81%. Why is it only 81%? additional public comment on agenda items. Have a motion to close the public
comment. All in favor we approve the minutes from June 24th. I didn't see that back in Okay. resolutions. >> That's Jeff. Jeff approved and raised.
Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Any old business? I have a question on the absent policy. I was just reviewing that. When I was reviewing that, it said that
you're within a week. Um I was just wondering what if the parents cannot get um appointment within a week sometimes which happens with the doctors just that and see how we can actually
also saw that there was due to personical things just wanted to bring changes in policy and that communication will be sent to parents.
prior to the start of school. are aware of the new processes and procedures. specifically like the state of New Jersey does not really recognize many things as excused absences and so we are
moving in the direction that we are moving in the direction of their regulations which we have not always done. >> Yes. So this all ties in student absence. A lot of what we that
that has really been the driver of that that we're looking to mitigate through this. So this is in alignment with the recommendations of stress as uh to to be able to mitigate this this issue and and
yes it is a little bit more of a burden but it's uh it's important for our children to be in school. in regards to of getting problem with seeing it. I I think I think there's a bit more flexibility in regards to doctors with medical centers and um it's
not I I know back 100 years ago when I was in school you know seeing a doctor um there are tele visits there are there are things that I'm sure You know that would be something that mate that issue
on a very policy around it would be great for us to actually look into that particular area from a perspective to see what should more consistently transparently such things come.
>> Yeah. And and um yes, what I sent out to the board about the theou was something I had a concern shared it with Patrick Carrick and he you know validated the concerns I had and um this is uh you know something
that really should be at the very least isolated to that event and really in a very So, um it is something that, you know, I will be speaking already involved with this and coordinating that with our uh
with our district council and I think this is something we're going to be able to correct. Uh but I did want to because of the sensitivity of the issue and of course the the need for the funds that we anticipate, I did want to keep the board in the loop what's going on, but
I'm not concerned about this this being an issue, but Anytime that you have a donation attached to anou, it really is not something that a VA or superintendent should sign. At at the very least, it would be something that
we want to bring. I believe we bring for a resolution residency. So, yeah, that was all part of the part of keeping the board in the loop in regards to the exact thing that you're mapping out in regards to I was not aware that there would be
And that's not to say that they haven't done this in the past. This is the first time that I've been here when we had this. So, everyone has the best of intentions. We'll work it out and we'll have this this process defined going forward. I think
not. Um so I think along these lines um as we have community members and parents and families uh raising funds for some of the extracurricular activities that have been cut due to our budget constraints.
I do think that it would be helpful to provide some clear guidance around how can those donations be made, what is the process um for that because I know you know at least I have seen on different social media families raising funds for
our different sports and our different activities that have been cut. So I do think as a board and a district we should provide some guidance around that. How does that like what what is the process that they utilize? >> That's that's kind of where I was going
with policy. So to understand have a policy for for accepting them. What does that look like? I know some organizations have raised 501. So how are those going to get in? I want I want to be able to assure community that the funds they are
raising are going to get to the destination that they need to be. I think one more concerned is they have a goal and sometimes they might happen by the
really there's some some issues here that are still being that are still being worked out when it comes to the fundraising for supports that needs to go through the booster club. We can't be the vehicle for that. The um the option that we explored was opening up our own
501c3. That is a bit problematic. Uh it is a lot better if we're working with a uh with a third party in that uh in that regard. So that's what we're doing with the sports that's up and running. Those two different um two different fundraisers are going on. There's also
other booster clubs that are engaged the same way. Uh we we have been working with with an outside group that has a 501c3 in regards to how we're going to handle donations for clubs. We currently
fund several have several uh clubs that are funded by outside sources. It does create a bit of a conflict in that in that these are really district employees and are being funded outside. So, we do want to have that go through an outside vehicle, a 501c3,
so that um so that it's it's really clear where those lines are. It's not a matter of individual groups picking teachers because we have requirements in regards to our our contracts. But that piece in regards to uh to how we're going to do that has not been finalized
yet. We do have we are looking to set up fundraising links for each one of our schools. Um But we are waiting for that outside party to be able to set those links up for us. Now the money is coming in. What are we doing with it? How are
we going to handle it? Well, we have the framework of setting up committees consist of building leadership probably the principal central leadership. I'm looking to be on that board and um and also that organization that's going to set it up um and you know parental input
and then we would determine how that is. Now, something I was just speaking with this today with our assistant principal in the high school um as she came by. Um we were talking about that with groups in the past. We have groups that have funded clubs in the past. How are we going to how are we going to do that?
Well, we're going to do this through this outside 501c3. Um and um if they if they would what they would do traditionally was come to us with with the full amount uh which will be a little more because it's contractually based that it is going to
be going up. It is was part of our negotiations. They'll come with that whole amount put it through that that 501c3 and if they're coming with that full amount we would then dedicate it to that group. um where it gets where it gets difficult if people are making $50
donations or clubs generally speaking then it would have to go under the uh umbrella of what is that committee going to determine. But if there's a block sum of money that comes in for a specific purpose you know that we would be aware of and we would be able to earark that
links and established. >> What we're looking to do is similar to what what some of these booster clubs have done. They're doing a phenomenal job. These these booster clubs have raised substantial sums of money. Um we're looking to have a place where people can go online can make the
donation um and and have this established. We're not looking to solve this problem for this year. We're looking to have a long-term solution. and we have some really great partners in the community. They're doing a lot of work helping us out a great deal on this. But um I don't want to get ahead
of them uh in regards to um uh you know over overstating where we are because because we're not done yet. So out of respect to them, we prefer not to go further, but we're hoping to bring it forward hopefully within a couple of days.
Yeah, we we have um actually I was in I was in I've been in communication with them. Um they they've actually reached out to our principles. We're coordinating some advertisements for some of their existing efforts through their 501c3 and um we're just waiting for this next
step to go live. So like I said, I'm really hoping it's any day at this. >> Oh yeah, over here. Um, so my question is on uh busing and I asked this a little bit in committee but I wanted to
just clarify. So uh there's activity on social media asking about like oh I have a bus or I can't have a bus and and I wanted to point out that you mentioned that you were using Google pedometer to kind of figure out like doortodoor who
has bus who doesn't. Is it something that people should be like putting their address into at this point or is this pretty worked out and people they know or they don't know? Um I just want to clarify both for myself and others.
>> Yeah, we went and and went through and did a did a full audit of of our transportation with doing a remeasurement with those uh door-todoor calculations as opposed to doing the the curb to curb uh calculations. We have been speaking about a program where
people would be able to go right on the website, put their address in. Um we do have that um that's going to go live very soon. Yeah, just in case there's a hang up, we're doing the last checks now. Uh but very very soon we're going to have that up. So the plan for
that will be a once that goes live a notification to parent square emails. That way those that do have it will have will know it's live and ready to use when it's ready. I I basically edited the message today. We're just doing our final checks before we release it. Um
and and I just want to make one other thing clear. Yes, people can sign on. Yes, it's convenient. They can do that. Um but if they have a question, we're still here to answer questions. This is not meant to be in any way to say, "Hey, there's your your answer." We're still going to be, you know, available to answer questions and to work through
different different problems, but it's just basically to be another tool. It's basically a redundancy and so people get that information right away. But please, I don't want anyone to think that we're looking for to not to speak with someone. Obviously, if they're they're not clear on something or um or they
don't want to look at the website, they'll call us. That that that that avenue is still there. Thank you. New business. I have a motion to Open public comment on school related
items. So it's everything. All in favorions open. Good evening everyone. Kumar provinial res. I have my daughter going to the pawn school. I have few concerns that I would like to raise tonight. And the first concern is
for subscription busing which started last year. I would like to request that the transportation department monitor bus ridership more closely to ensure only students with valid passes are riding the bus. Since many of us are now
paying for this subscription, I'm concerned that without consistent enforcement, some students without a valid pass can ride bus. Anyway, as paying parent, I would appreciate strict more regular checking of the bus passes
so system stays fair for everyone. My second concern is I have a question that how many of how many of sports and extra activities require transportation provided by the district
and what does that cost to the district each year. My third concern is the old school website had one click button to export the school calendar calendar to our phone. That feature seems to be missing
on the new website and now there are only manual instructions. I would really appreciate that if that button can be brought back. It will help all parents to keep track of school schedules more easily.
Fourth, I would like to request that the district to have policy on slime, squishy toys and needles kinds of toys in the school. I understand that those Uh I understand that some kids uses them for sensory reasons but they can contain
chemicals that may pose risk to the other students. I'm requesting clear guidelines and policy for those items in the school. Um fifth I want to raise concern about our calendar trend. This
year school ended on June 25th. Next year it's going to be June 23rd. Our nearby districts that starts around the same time in September are ending between June 16 to 18. I understand that
there are some days that are added for good reasons and I'm also aware that the school schools runs for 180 days a year. Still uh but still each year the calendar seems to be stretching a bit further
past and what used to be the mid midJune end date before two years. I request the board to set clear goal for the calendar's end date and keep future further additions in check. And the last
one is about the BOE goals that uh the board of education was discussing. Uh I would like to request that whether board is going to conduct some kind of retrospective reviews on those goals so that you know we can track a progress
that you already discussed. So um these are my concerns. Thank you for your time and Robins. So I'm going to talk and ask you questions about the goals that I have in here. Number one question is that you guys have six goals in here and you guys
decided that you want to go with three goals. May I ask why can't you go with four goals? Up to now every time I have seen I've been coming to board of meetings this meeting for a long time and it has never been two goals. It's always been more than four goals. So now
the goals that we were talking about and most of you are touched upon it and um the most important thing for us is to have a baseline. When you have a baseline baseline you know that where we
are and when we when uh we know where we are we can measure of where we are going to go and what is our goal and then when and how to measure it and making sure that not only you the rest of us
understand. It seems to me is like that you're shifting the responsibilities now. Let's go on the board have it. Now let the administration have it. Um to be very honest with you and to be frank with all of you, I don't care who has it as long as it's going to get solved and
it's going to get touched upon and it's going to be measured properly and it's going to be accounting you responsible because for you it is very important to know that we are asking you something in here and you're supposed to be working
and being our mouth and being our brain and being the way that we want you to we need you to be. So having four, six, 10, 12, it doesn't matter as long as you touch up touch upon them and let us know where we are going to measure. The last
one which is the fiscal responsibility. The fiscal responsibility is where we are right now. The mess that we are in right now, how are we going to fix it? How we are measuring it? How we are going to attach it? And why are we even
talking about another referendum? Didn't we just failed one? So why don't we fix it in another way? There is other ways to fix this. So then people don't have to go to be voting. Yes, people are going to vote no again because people
are suffering because there is no job and there is no pro and there are problems out there that you may not know. So please, yes, we are in Robinsville and you call it Robins, Robbinsville bubble, but the bubbles is breaking because lots of other people
are in living in here and you cannot do this. So do not shift the responsibility. And I would appreciate if I get some kind of a response, some kind of an answer and some kind of a reaction from nine 10 of you in here
sitting and just looking at me and not me not hearing anything is very very rude and I don't appreciate it. I sat here for a good two and a half hours very quietly and this is the response that I'm getting. Thank you.
I'm not seeing any more public comment. I have a motion to close public comment the meeting. All in favorions.