Okay. Thank you guys. >> Of course. for whatever tomorrow. Whatever. All right. Bye. Thank you. >> I can put this.
Okay, I just have to walk a little My No response. We should No. Yeah. And then to have the Honest followers I don't think
Mama moch. not I'm not No worries. No worries. How you doing? Well, you're now There's your Oh yeah.
So amazing. >> That's Thank you. Have a great evening. Good night. >> Oh, we got some At this point, Thank you. Sorry. I know.
I'm okay with the snow on the weekends. I need to have rehearsal. So, I'm like, I we can't we have to have it. All right. Hello there. >> Hi They're on that laptop. So, you just
need to take that laptop. I got good news and got got bad news. Good news. It does. Thank you. We'll do that. We'll let you know when uh it starts.
Okay, sounds good. Yeah, >> uh just uh Greg is on it right now. Still waiting for Z. How are you today? >> Lovely as always. How are you? >> Cold, I think, like everybody else. >> Warmer in here than outside. So,
>> it is squirrel that was in my attic right now. Found a source of water. Okay. >> There was one day we didn't have there was one when they tried to vote the budget down and we were calling
people because two of the board members thought they were going line by line through the budget at the meeting and we're like no and the lawyers like the lawyer was very confused. So, we'd have somebody come from a soccer game with their child to go vote yes on the board.
Pass the budget. This meeting is an open session of the Rosal Park Board of Education being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey. Notice of this meeting was sent to the Star Ledger, local source, the Home News
Tribune, the Burough Clerk, School Offices, and the District website. Roll call. Christian Camillo. >> Vice President Mark Fernandez >> here. Lucy figuredo >> here. >> Z and Fonte
>> is he attending virtually. >> Dr. Brittney Kirkland. >> Yes. Here. >> Jennifer Mano >> here. >> Gregory Picowski. >> Present. >> Attending virtually. Constance Quintella.
>> Yes. >> But um vice President Michael Lean Rean here. >> Uh, please rise for the flag salute. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Executive session resolved that the Rosal Park Board of Education meeting hereby convenes to executive session for discussion of the following subjects.
Personnel, attorney client privilege, student matters. It is anticipated that the executive session will take approximately 90 minutes. The board may take action during public session. The board shall return to public session
following the executive session at approximately 700 p.m. Motion to go into executive session. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I now executive.
May I please have a motion to return to public session? >> Shen. >> Second. All in favor? I >> I >> I >> We are now in public session.
Public participation agenda items only. Public comments from the floor. Individuals wishing to speak must state their name. Comments are limited to three minutes duration. Please note the board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and school matters of community
interest. In support of this position, a the law establishes a period of public comment at every board meeting. All statements and/or questions shall be directed to the presiding officer, and no participant may address or question board members individually. All speakers
are requested to express themselves in a civil manner with due respect for the dignity and privacy rights of others whose legal rights may be affected. While it is not the board's intention to stifle comments on matters of legitimate concern to the school community, the
public should be aware that if their statements violate the rights of others under the law governing governing defamation or invas invasion of privacy, they may face personal liability to the injured party. If speakers are uncertain of the legal ramifications of their
comments, the board urges them to seek guidance beforehand from their own legal adviser. Turn off quick. Good evening. I also want to note that the board, true to his word, has discussed and done its due diligence as it relates to summer camp. Job
description will be posted once approved tonight. It will be posted tomorrow. Anyone is welcome to apply. Good. Good evening everyone. Um Edward G Hamilton Place Rosel Park. Uh actually it was too cold for me to come tonight
but uh always nice to see you every month every meeting. Thank you for that. Uh agenda item uh educational 27 R third grade class field trip. I think
it's May 4th. Is March or May? Should I continue or get an answer? Um just if I may suggest members of the public to the speaker presently and other members of the public uh during public comment you have three minutes is it >> uh three minutes to ask your questions
make your comments um once you are finished asking your questions making your comments uh the board president andor superintendent may respond if appropriate at that time. Uh other instances we may wait until all speakers are finished because a lot of people have questions about the same thing. Um,
so don't be offended by that, but you'll get your full three minutes to ask your questions, make your comments, and then when you're totally finished because public comment really isn't a back and forth discussion. Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. U, other item, item number 33. >> I want to say very good job on
accounting and finance. Um every time I look at the spending list I get impressed good and very clear every time more than the other the previous and uh I see the outlay capital outlay very good job and
I think we moving towards saving now I hope we spend some money on classrooms and renovation for the classrooms especially the elementary schools and the middle schools. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for your comment.
Good evening. My name is Ian Mattton. I'm here tonight as one of the oldest remaining members of the Roso Park summer camp family. A camp created by members of my family. If you're a long-standing member resident of the town, you may remember my mother-in-law, Lois Mueller. She served this district
and this town in many roles before her passing in 2000. If you're new to Rosal Park, you might recognize her name from the scholarship awarded each year in her name to an RPHs graduate. In the late 1980s when the camp was first created, Lois was the secretary to the director of curriculum. Together, they had the
vision to create a place where Rosal Park children could go during the summer months and where district employees could work. The first summer camp in 1988, my wife Michelle, who just graduated from RPHs, was one of only three employees watching over 20
children on that first day. So, you see, my wife's my wife was a part of raising this thing of ours from its infancy. I began working at the camp in the summer of 1998, and I've served as a right-hand man of sorts to every director. The camp truly grew and flourished under the
direction of Mr. Samello. Many of the systems he put in place are still referenced today. And I could tell you that if you have an air conditioner in your classroom or office, it was Sam who convinced the board of education to use camp revenue to purchase them. But
ladies and gentlemen, we are now living in the greatest era of this thing of ours. Since week four of the summer of 2017, the camp has been led by Mr. John Reeri. Under his leadership, enrollment has grown to almost 600 children, staffing to over 100 employees and the
revenue to its highest in camp history. He guided the camp through the pandemic, construction, relocations, and every challenge that came with them. His visions turned a camp that began with 20 children into what it is today. Many campers have become staff members. Every
employee leaves with valuable life experience, and children leave with lifelong memories and friendships. The passion you will hear here tonight exists because Roso Park summer camp has positively shaped the lives of so many families. A current member of this board of education can point to theater camp
experiences on this very stage that I'm sure come with many fond memories. In my own family, Lois Mueller's great-grandson, Noah, will soon be old enough to attend camp. Her grandson and namesake, Lewis, attended and worked there, and another grandson, Tim, continues to work each summer while home
from college. Those are my two children and my grandson. Roso Park Summer Camp is my family's other child, raised from its infancy and thriving for your children and grandchildren. Let's make sure they continue to have a safe place to grow, laugh, and belong. Ladies and gentlemen,
it's critically important that camp runs in the summer of 2026 and beyond in the same way that it always has, at full speed without any changes. Please let it run like the welloiled machine it has been since 1988. Together, we are all
responsible for those 700 people to have their place in the summertime. Thank you. I'm just Madam President, if I may, and just to members of the public, the uh protocol for the meeting is at this juncture public comment on agenda items
only. Um the camp overall is not on tonight's agenda. Um so we're going to ask any speakers who have comments or questions about the camp to please be patient. There's a second public comment period on any other item under the sun. But this
particular portion of the meeting is for agenda items only. The agenda items being the things that are in the agenda you have that the board is going to take action on this evening. The camp itself is not one of those items. It's not on tonight's agenda. If you have a limited
question about the job descriptions that are being recommended for approval, then you can ask that limited question. But if it's about the camp and the history and the fun and all that, we're going to respectfully ask you to wait until the second public comment period. Thank you.
Good evening, Brian Kelly. I went to summer camp. Now my children children go to summer camp. >> Sorry. Can I stop you? I will be discussing the job description. I will be discussing job description. >> All right. Thank you. >> We just wanted to tie it back to which agenda item? >> I will please restart the uh three minutes.
>> So I will be getting to the job description. So, one year my son lost his baseball glove. >> All sir, if I may, respectfully, you said you're going to get to the job description. If you don't have a question about the job description, just please have a seat. You can make your comment at a later portion of the
meeting. Please. Thank you. >> So, I can ask questions about the job description now and then later uh anything else? >> Exactly. Yes. >> So, give me a moment here. So, on the job description, I'm questioning the timing. Today is
January 20th. It's basically February. Camp starts every June. Most camps are already advertising. Many have registration open. Rosa Park is still working on a job description. Between now and June, the board still needs to accept applications, interview candidates, hire an appointed director.
After that, licensing and inspections must happen based on the current job description. Staff hiring has to begin. Registration to families has to open. All this while making up for the planning that normally happens between September and January. that has not yet happened. All these responsibilities
will be of the new director and the district that need to be carried out to make summer camp happen in with which is full of obstacles and parallel workflows. So my question is simple. How is any of this possible to post a job description today accept applications
interview process go through all that process get approval for a DOH license? I know the the board currently or the district has DOH licenses. How long does that take would be one question. >> Are you finished? >> Uh, I got a couple more uh rhetorical
questions than a real question >> about the job description or rhetorical questions about stuff in general. >> I I'll ask one the most important direct question. >> It's two-part. Is it possible timing wise to pull off all that will need to
be required with the posting of the job description today as well as all the work that needs to be done to get camp up and running in June? >> Okay. So, we're going to I'm going to advise the board and the superintendent to reserve on responding to that right now. We'll come back to that later on. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker.
>> I'll be back up. Thank you. >> Hey, how's it going? My name is Elliot Kurum, uh, Sheridan Avenue. Um, so just I I know you've asked us to hold comments about camp in general. Are you saying that'll be later tonight or a
different date? >> No. What I'm saying is I'm just gonna jump in right now because I'm g try to we're trying to maintain order of >> No, I'm I'm asking specifically factually because you understand second part you said >> I'm gonna respond and clarify the way everyone can hear it. It it um again um the board has an agenda
>> and that agenda has a certain order. >> At this point in the agenda, it is for public comments and questions on agenda items only. This board then will take action on those agenda items. This board will then
at a later point in the agenda have a second public comment period >> tonight. You mean >> tonight? Yes. On tonight's agenda. Now, the board isn't legally required to have two public comment sections. But they're doing it in part so they can get to the business in an orderly and efficient
manner first because respectfully 20 people in here can want to talk about the weather and the streets being plowed. not really the board's business, but they can do that if they want to in this setting. So, right now, we're going to ask you to limit your questions or comments to the agenda, and then we'll get through it. And the faster we do that, the faster everyone else can talk
about the camp. Okay. Thank you. >> Got it. I'll wait. >> Hi. Uh my name's Ashley. Um I have a young daughter and I'm new to all this, so sorry. Um I just want some understanding if we're going to learn as to why the job description is being
approved and also the timeline of it today. Um because my understanding is that historically that that's not the process. So I just want to know if we are going to learn a little bit more about the delay in this and the delay in initiating staffing. Thank you.
Okay, I'm going to close the public participation portion and we are going to move into the principal report given by Miss Dy. Good evening, President Reagan, Vice President Fernandez, esteemed board members, Superintendent Goce, and Roso
Park families. Thank you for inviting me to speak this evening, and for the opportunity to share an update from Robert Gordon School. It's been a wonderful four and a half months of school, and I'm proud to share that the students at Robert Gordon are learning, thriving, and growing every day. One of
our strongest areas of focus has been giving back to the community and our students and staff have truly embraced this value through meaningful service partnerships and leadership opportunities that extend beyond our school walls. At Robert Gordon School, we believe in teaching students the
importance of service, empathy, and civic responsibility. Through student council initiatives and staff partnerships, we actively support families and organizations in need. Our student council recently collected 50
pairs of pajamas for children's in need. For every pair donated, Scholastic provides a book to a child supporting comfort, literacy, and compassion. Following the pajama drive, the student council also led a food collection for
the Casano Center pantry. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our school community, we collected and delivered an incredible 574 items to support families in need. Thanks for the help of Mr. Diaz, these items were brought over to the Casano Center. Thanks to our team,
these efforts reflect the compassion, empathy, and generosity that define our students. Along with the Rosal Parks Police Department, my fabulous staff donated gift cards, coats, and gifts to families in need during the holiday season. We
are incredibly grateful for this partnership and proud to work together in support of our community. In the coming weeks, students will also be creating cards, treats, and small gift baskets to deliver to our local police and fire departments as a gesture
of appreciation for their continued service and dedication. I would like to now take a moment to highlight two groups of students whose leadership helps make Robert Gordon a more organized, welcoming, and positive place to learn. Our safety patrol members play an important role in
keeping our school running smoothly every day. These students consistently demonstrate responsibility, leadership, and a commitment to helping others. They assist with morning arrival and support staff during daily trans transitions, setting it a positive example for all
students. Our student council, Our student council members continue to lead by example through service, school spirit, and active leadership. They are involved in planning schoolwide activities, supporting initiatives, and representing their peers with integrity
and pride. At this time, I'd like to recognize our safety patrol and student council members. When I call your name, please come up to receive your certificate and remade in the front for a photo. Safety patrol.
Allesandra Antto, Sophia Rodriguez, Vieiraa, April Keno, Daniel Heraldo, Diego Mahano, Auggie Garcia, Jose Torres, Beardsley Perez. And now for our student council members,
Lorenzo Rodriguez, Francesca Vitali, Roxy Perez, and Savannah Julius. Can I also have Mrs. Luggara come up for a picture? She runs our student council. And our safety patrol was Miss Dena who
is sick this evening and cannot attend. >> Would you like to come with a photo? >> I got everybody. Good job, guys. Thank you. >> Before we conclude, I'd just like to share a few highlights from the last few months. We had a beautiful evening in
our first ever combined elementary winter concert. The band and chorus performances were outstanding thanks to the leadership of our band director, Mr. Sanchez, and our chorus leader, Miss Christa. On the same day, we also celebrated warm-up day and where our PTA
generously provided hot chocolate and cookies for our students. We also held an assembly last week called Stand Up, Speak Out, Empowering Youth Against Bullying. Soon, our GA game lab will be starting. This initiative gives students the opportunity to learn new games,
practice taking turns, and develop sportsmanship skills. We are grateful for the donations of games and puzzles that help make this program possible during our win time. On the horizon, our talent show interest form will be going home soon and we are planning for the first week of April for their
performance. We're always amazed by our students creativity and look forward to seeing their talents on display. Thank you to the parents for continued support of Robert Green School and for working with us to build a strong, caring, and connected school community. Your involvement, encouragement makes a
meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Thank you also to our board members for your continued leadership and commitment. Your guidance and support allows us to maintain high standards and foster a positive learning environment for every student. Thank you and have a good evening.
Thank you, Miss Dhy. Um, I know it's a school night, so if you would like to take your children home, I it's completely understandable. Um, but you are encouraged to stay if you like.
Moving into our student representative report. Good evening. Since our last update, we had a long winter break, but a lot still has happened here at the high school. Before break, the high school held its December concert with performances
featuring our band, chorus, and dance classes. It was really nice to see so many alumni come back to support the students. On the last full day before break, Elf Costa made a special appearance. Mrs. Costa may not have technically been here, but Elf Costa
definitely was, and she was bringing holiday cheer, a little chaos, and plenty of laughs throughout the building. After break, we came back with three weeks left before midterm exams at the end of the month. And scheduling for next year has started, and juniors will be the first to meet with their counselors next week to finalize course
requests for their senior year. Sophomores are finishing up their driver's education course and they will be taking their written test later this week, which is a very exciting step for them. And our winter sports are going very strong. Um, in hockey we have our student Logan Pasco who scored his 100th
career goal for the Triop Hockey team um with schools combined with Johnson Dayton in our school Roso Park. The girls basketball team won Hoopfest over winter break. And wrestling also had a strong showing with two boys winning county titles. And the girls wrestling
team continues to do well with their consistent record. And I believe our bowling team is currently competing in the county tournament tonight. Right now, I believe it's still going on. So, we wish the best of luck to them. Um, and now we're looking into transitioning to start the second semester in February. And that
concludes my student report. Thank you. Thank you. We now move into committee reports. Does anybody have committee reports? I'm going to start on my left. >> Uh, no. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Seeing none, uh, superintendent's report. >> Good evening. Mine is brief. I just wanted to, um, personally thank all of the, uh, Robert Gordon staff for being here tonight and supporting the students. It goes a long way. As you saw, they were very excited to see all of you here. So, thank you for all the
work that you've done. Thank you, Miss Darity. Um, some of the things that I wanted to speak about, our student um, reported very well. I encourage you to continue to follow our uh district pages, but especially the schools and to continue to support them as you have
thus far. Thank you. Thank you, Miss. Moving into personnel agenda items 1 through 18 and agenda item number one. Number one, staff appointment appointments district substitutes. Two, maternity leave of absence. Three,
retirement. Four, staff resignation. Five, coach coach resignations. Six, volunteer coach. Seven, high school athletic coaching appointment. Eight, change of assignments transfers. Nine, paraprofessional additional hours art
program. 10, SAT prep extended day. 11, advanced placement extended day. 12, New Jersey Impact Grant Coordinator. 13. Middle school additional classes. 14. Additional proctors for 2025 2026.
15. High school and middle school athletic proctors. Site managers 2025 2026. 16. Attendance initiative. 17. Job titles change. 18. Job description summer youth camp director.
and agenda item one, memorandum of agreement. Do I have a motion to approve this section? >> Motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay, hearing none. Roll call, please.
>> Christian Camo, >> yes. >> Vice President Mark Fernandez, >> yes. >> Lucy Figero, >> yes. Z Fonte, >> yes. >> Dr. Brittany Kirkland,
>> yes. >> Jennifer Mano, >> yes. >> Greg Picowski, >> yes. >> Constance Quintella, >> yes. With a no to 18. >> President Michael Leanne Rean. >> Yes. >> Motion passed.
Moving into the education section, agenda items 19 through31 and agenda item number two 19 2026 to 2027 school calendar 20 2026 to 2027 tuition rates
Union County Vocational Technical School 21 cupcake fundraiser 22 conference attend attendance request 23 assembly Approval 24. Clinical experience 25. Grant application
26. Field trip locations 27. Educational class trip. 28. Construction industry career day. 29. Athletic field trip 30. NJSIAA wrestling tournament. 31. Biling
bilingual program waiver 2025 2026. And agenda item two UCIA and NJSIA indoor track. Motion to approve.
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay, seeing none, roll call, please. >> Christian Camillo, >> yes. >> Vice President Mark Fernandez, >> yes. >> Lucy Figero,
>> yes. >> Ze Fonte, >> yes. >> Dr. Brittany Kirkland, >> yes. >> Jennifer Mano, >> yes. >> Greg Picowski, >> yes. >> Constance Quintella, >> yes. >> President Michael Anne Rean, >> yes.
>> Motion passed. Business agenda items 32 through 40 and agenda number three. 32 monthly certification. 33. Approval of bills. 34. Treasury
secretary treasury report. 35. 2026 Rosal Park BOE committee assignments. 36. Use of building and grounds. 37. Memorandum of Agreement. 38. Operational plan and enrollment
projections 2026 2027. 39. 2026 2027 proposed budget calendar. 40. Cooperative pricing enrollment MCSSD. And agenda number three, Secretary
Treasurer reports. Uh, may I please have a motion to approve? Motion >> second. >> Any discussion? >> Yes. You said we were going to have a time to discuss number 35 with you.
work. There we go. Thank you. All right. So, the question is whether there could be discussion about number 35, which are committee assignments, >> which I'm I made the comment >> to Michael Anne because she said we can discuss. >> You understand? So, pursuant to uh your
board's bylaws 0155, the board president has the power and the authority to appoint members to committees. So, that doesn't require a vote per se. Not sure why it's on the agenda in this format. Um, but if you have a question or comment, now would be the appropriate time. It's the motion's been properly
moved and seconded. Um, you can ask your questions now. >> Okay. So, I'm a little confused by your um organization. I thought we were going to be across the board fair. And looking at the balance, it is not exactly fair
as I thought we were going to make it. I also have question and concern about the same. It just seems like the um there's a misalignment of responsibilities and duties across the board. So I was hoping that we can have a open
discussion on that. >> So as I mentioned, board president has the power and authority pursuant to board bylaw to appoint members to committees. Uh there's no fair or unfair assessment as to whether board members are entitled to be on uh one committee versus five committees or zero
committees. Um this is consistent with um from my experience, you know, practicing education law for 25 years of just about every school district across the state um uh defers that appointment power to committees to the board president. Um so thank you.
>> Roll call, please. >> Christian Camo, >> yes. >> Vice President Mark Fernandez, >> yes. Lucy Figerito, >> yes. >> Z Infante, >> yes. >> Dr. Brittney Kirkland,
>> yes. >> Jennifer Mano, >> yes. But can I say no to number 35? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Gregory Picowski, >> yes. With an abstension from 37.
>> Constance Quintella. >> Yes. With a note of 35. President Michael Rean. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. Harassment, intimidation, bullying
incidents. Agenda items 41, harassment, intimidation, bullying incidents. Can I motion to pull HI 2526015? I second it >> to postpone until February 17th.
>> I second it. >> Okay. So, just just so we're clear, the motion is to uh postpone that 2526015 until the next board meeting. Um, our thank you. Want to be sure it was clear for record.
>> Roll call, please. >> Christian Camo. >> Yes. >> To all. >> We're postponing. Oh, >> we just Oh, postponing. Okay, got it. >> So, February 17th. Sorry. >> Vice President Mark Fernandez.
>> Yes. To all. >> Sorry. So, it's the vote to postpone 2526015. >> Oh, yeah. >> Lucy Figero, >> yes. >> Ze Fonte,
>> yes. >> Dr. Brittany Kirkland, >> yes. >> Jennifer Mano, >> yes. >> Gregory Picowski, >> yes. >> Constance Quintella, >> yes. President Michael Anne Rean. >> Yes. >> Motion passed.
>> Okay. Um motion to approve the harassment, intimidation, and bullying incidents 16 to 23. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Second.
>> Um Okay. Roll call, please. Christian Camillo. >> Yes to all. >> Vice President Mark Fernandez, >> yes to all. >> Lucy Figero, >> yes. >> Zfonte,
>> yes to all. >> Dr. Brittany Kirkland, >> yes to all. >> Jennifer Mano, >> yes to all. >> Gregory Picowski, >> yes to all. >> Constance Quintella, >> yes to all. >> President Michael Lan Regan,
>> yes to all. Motion passed. >> Is there any continuing business? >> Any new business? >> Yes, madame president. I do have one proposed resolution for the board to consider under new business uh involving a personnel matter. Um I'll just read it
for the record. Uh, pursuant to board policy number 3161, the board of education hereby resolves to require employee number 13680285 to submit to a psychiatric examination by the physician or institution
designated by the board or physician or institution designated by the employee number 13680285 with approval of the board prior to returning to work. Is there a motion? >> I make a motion. >> Second.
No discussion because this person know but roll call. >> Roll call, please. >> Christian Camo, >> yes. >> Vice President Mark Fernandez, >> yes. >> Lucy Figero, >> yes. >> Zean Fonte, >> yes.
>> Dr. Brittney Kirkland, >> yes. >> Jennifer Mano, >> yes. >> Gregory Policowski, >> yes. >> Constance Quintella, >> yes. President Michael and Rean. >> Yes. >> Motion passed. >> Is there any other new business? >> All right. Seeing none, we move into the
public participation portion. Each member of the public may speak a maximum of three minutes. State your name and address for the record. Just Madam President, if I may, as the first speaker is approach, come on up. Rocking that. He's bravely rocking that
dolphin sweatshirt. >> Um, just to kind of manage expectations um just as alluded to by I think the initial speaker um in his very broad comments about the job description. Um but um in all seriousness, there may be
uh certain issues um relative to the camp um certification process uh personnel timing, licensing certification that upon the advice of legal counsel may uh the board uh cannot respond to in public at this point in
time due to certain attorney client privilege issues, personnel issues uh pending and or potential litigation issues. Um, so if there is not a response, uh, please don't don't blame the board or administration. Blame me. All right. Thank you.
>> Good evening, Superintendent Secretary Mau, Board of Education members, and RP families. I'm here tonight because the way the summer camp situation has been handled is unacceptable. Plain and simple. The lack of communication, transparency, and leadership has been embarrassing for a
district that claims to put kids first. This is not just a program. Families depend on this camp so they can work. Students depend on it for income. Former campers, now educators, depend on it for seasonal jobs. There are real people with real responsibilities. And you've treated them like an afterthought. My
family has lived in this town for over 70 years. My mother still lives in the same house she grew up in. And if you're old enough to remember the Wellhouse, well, that's her home. This isn't just where I live or grew up. This is my community. I've been part of RP Summer Camp since 2004. I started as a
custodian, became a counselor, and now I manage the swimming pools. I've watched kids grow up here. I've built relationships that have lasted decades. I've given this camp years of my life because I believed in what it stood for. In the summer of 20122, my daughter Ava
was diagnosed with neuroblasto at just 7 weeks old. My wife and I were living at CHOP in Philly while Ava was intubated for two months before she had to relearn how to swallow. The kind of trauma changes you forever. And during the hardest time of my life, this camp showed up for me. This camp director,
Mr. John Reeri, who I've known since my elementary school days at Aldine and who I wrestled for in high school, was there for me and my family. The staff was there, the families were there. They supported us. They raised money and they checked in. They cared. That's what community looks like. What's happening
right now is the opposite of that. Right now, families are confused. They're in limbo. Students are anxious and nobody seems to be getting real answers. And that's on you. And as you sit here tonight, countless people have have spoken out or will speak out. I ask you to be honest with yourselves. What would
you do if the tables were turned? If this were your child, your family, or your livelihood, would you deem this acceptable? Your motto is where kids come first. Right now, it doesn't feel like they come first. It feels like they come last. The camp is not a luxury. It is not expendable. And it is not
something you get to mishandle without accountability. People deserve answers. People deserve respect. And people deserve better than this. Thank you. Thank you for your comment. Good evening everyone. My name is Laura
Bundy. I am the staff supervisor of operations and manager of the Rosa Park summer camp. I'm here because the real issue with summer camp is not whether we can operate or not. Um it's why legitimate concerns went unanswered for months. Why people try to plan
responsibly were ignored. Agenda item related to summer camp were submitted more than once yet there were no placed on any public agenda that matters. When there is silence for months followed by urgency over the last two
weeks because everybody's in crisis mode that didn't need to exist. Our camp staff is not disposable seasonal workers. Many return after each year. They are trained and trusted. They
are essential to safety and consistency. In October, we received our intend to return forms and replied back assuming camp would be operational for 2026. Why would we assume otherwise?
Families are affected the same way. For many parents, Rosal Park summer camp is an essential child care. The kids love our camp and counselors. We are about these families. We care about them. They care about us. If the
district wants to take camp in a different direction, let's discuss this. You are allowed to make that decision. But then you need to say it. You should be transparent when it comes to the children of Rosal Park. If parent and staff have not spoken up
at last meeting, how much longer would this have gone on unressed? When would families and staff have been told? It seems like this was an ongoing until it was too late and the only reason that the issue surfaced was because parents
and staff spoke publicly to force the conversation. As I close my comments, I do believe many of us or the community have been advised why there is a decision or delayed in summer camp at Roso Park. At the very least, all these years, this
isn't a community and the campers owed are are owed an explanation. If the board had issues or reser reservations with camp, why would that not be the thing to do to share in the concerns and reach out to camp staff and the town's people who live in input and ideas on
how many to make it work rather than silence or non-responsiveness. It's difficult to understand why one of the greatest town communities assets would be allowed to fall by the wayside without opening uh open dialogue and the underlying issues preventing the board
from moving forward with another successful summer camp. Thank you. We trust the board will respond with leadership and accountability in this situation requires. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. Good evening again, Edward Gade. Uh, I
want to thank Mr. Taylor so much for the nice communication and looking forward to meet Dr. GZ. I'm sure will be a great meeting. Thank you so much. Um, I want to show you tonight the prize of the
student of the month. That's all she got, my daughter last week. So, I I believe they deserve better than this. And those people who get this award are really working hard on everything educational and social and they deserve
much appreciation. Uh tonight I want to uh really uh ask from the board I'm I'm thinking to establish an award of certain amount of money goes to any individual to ministrate excellent performance in
anything and everything such as any any any parent any student any uh staff uh can make recommendation raise it to the board and the administration they can approve it and vote on it or thing. So, I hope uh the
board and the administration communicate with me so we can arrange it. I'm thinking about $500 annual award under my name. I hope uh everybody, you know, help me with that. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for your comment.
>> Hello, Elliot Kroom back again. uh Sheridan Avenue. I have not lived in town for many decades. Um I've lived here for like four or five years, so shorter story, but I've put a lot of your yard signs in my lawn because I
care about the board of ed and my son goes to school here. The camp is a huge asset. It definitely feels like it's behind where it was in terms of last year's schedule because I was actually submitting a dependent care
form today and I think my first deposit went in on like February 4th or something of last year. So, I agree with everything they said. You know, transparency is normally very helpful. This is not like state secrets. I
understand lawsuits exist. I understand personnel matters exist. But if there's something material happening with the schedule for summer camp, why is it not even being directly addressed tonight, you know? So that's my question. Why is
it taking this long? What's going on? >> Thank you for your comment. >> Hi, my name is Elizabeth Gomes. I actually go to Rosell summer camp. Dear um members of the Rosal Park Board of
Education. I go here and I feel comfortable. I feel happy in Rosel Park and the theater camp just makes it 100% more fun. If you take away the camp, you'll take away one part big part of my happiness. I love it
here. I know many kids and parents love being here at Rosel Park summer camp. I feel like it's a big part and I don't know, it made me feel comfortable, made me find my people. It made me happy. It made me stronger and it teaches really
good, valuable lessons. I feel like it really helped me over the years and I feel like I need it. I've been here for over four years now and I don't know, I just really love it and it makes me feel really comfortable.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your comment. Excuse me. Uh before you come up, I come to the to the I just want to reiterate camp will not be cancelled this summer. Camp will not be cancelled this summer.
We appreciate the comments. We understand the frustrations. We are working through some of these issues, but camp will not be cancelled. >> Do I still speak? Good evening. My name is Maddie. Me and many of my friends attend the theater
program at Roso Park summer camp. Every year it is the highlight of my summer and it provides a way for so many kids to express themselves. It makes me and the other cast members so confident to shine on stage and hearing the audienc's cheer raises self-esteem. I don't think
summer camp should close this summer. So many bonds are made during the summer months and through the fun events hosted at this high school. So many students have a way to stay connected to their peers. The counselors and workers make the environment safe and en enjoyable during the summer. Speaking of the
counselors, the camp provides a local and fun job for the high schoolers. It can also prepare prepare them to work with kids in their future life. Back to my experiences, I have made so many friends during the summer shows. The opportunity to perform each musical has
helped me navigate who I am today. I don't think the last five years would have been the same without it. The theater experience didn't just teach me how to be a good a good performer. It taught me to be a better person. To conclude, I don't think the camp should stop operating. Renovations or other
issues can wait, but memories will be unforgettable. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for your comment. Hello. Um, good evening. My name is Brandon and I thought that it would have been important if an actual like student from the summer camp would come up and
say something just to show how much this camp really means to me and the rest of my fellow campers. And I'm going to be completely honest, this camp is the highlight of the summer. I wait for it to start the second it ends. And this camp makes me feel happy and safe. It's a great, funny, amazing environment. I
love all the people that contribute with the camp and summer will never be the same without it. >> Thank you so much for your comment. Okay, seeing no one. >> Can I take this down? I guess it's okay. Okay. Uh, good evening. My name is
Brienne McDermott and I'm here tonight as both a parent and a taxpayer. I pay my taxes expecting transparency, fiscal responsibility, and decisions that reflect common sense. Summer camp is not a cost to the district. It is a revenue generating operation. Families pay
tuition, that money flows into the summer camp fund, and year after year, it contributes real dollars back into the district. But the impact doesn't stop there. The program also generates revenue for the town of Rosal Park. Every summer day, families, including
families from out of town, drive here to drop off their children. And while they're here, they spend money. They stop at Ldios for coffee, pick up pizza at Suns Tavern, Ruben Rolls from Dalling, a Sunday from Park Ice Cream, or grab wings at Frenchies. That's foot
traffic. That's sales. That's local tax revenue. That's small businesses benefiting directly because this camp exists. So when we talk about summer camp, we are not just talking about a school program. We are talking about an economic engine for this community. If this program generates substantial
revenue for both the school district and the town, why were the people who actually ran it never brought into this conversation? Why wasn't there a meeting, an email, or even a phone call asking, "Hey, how can we solve this together? Instead, we are here in
January when families are supposed to be registering, reacting to problems that, if legitimate, should have been addressed months ago. From a fiscal standpoint, that is unacceptable. Here are some financial questions I believe this board should already have answers to. One, what was the total revenue
generated by summer camp last year? Two, how often is the summer camp fund reconciled? Three, when money is spent from that fund, where exactly does it go? Four, what district expenses are being offset by that revenue? And five, if camp does not run as usual, what is
the plan to replace those loss dollars? Because let's be very clear, if camp is reduced, delayed, or canled, that revenue disappears. Not just for the district, but for local businesses as well. And then what happens next? Our taxes go up. Eliminating or weakening a reliable revenue system without a
replacement plan is a bad choice. Let's remember the administrative organizational chart here. At the very top is the BOE members who are elected by the taxpayers. Then come the taxpayer funded positions, the super and the BA. At this time, enough questions aren't being asked. It appears this current BOE
flips that chart and operates backwards. BOE members, you need to ask questions and ask more questions and ask more questions on top of that. You do not report to the super and the BA. It is vice versa. What else is happening in this matter? Do we need to request a formal investigation into how our
financial management is being handled? As a taxpayer, I expect collaboration before disruption. I expect solutions before delays. And I expect the board to ask hard questions of administration before families, finances, and the broader community are put at risk. If summer camp brings in revenue, supports
district operations, fuels local businesses, and serves hundreds of families, then scaling it back or jeopardizing it without transparency in a financial plan simply does not make sense. Repairs, what repairs? Approving companies to do work or accepting bids would be on the agenda. Please make it
make sense for parents, for staff, for small businesses, and for the taxpayers who fund this district. Without parents and employees speaking up on January 6th, this would have been swept under the rug. You failed. You failed on integrity, accountability, growth,
community, and honesty. Okay, I need to stop you there. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. Hello, my name is Jacob and next to me is my sister Amelia. We've been attending the Rosal Park summer camp for 7 years. And for us and so many other kids, it's more than just a summer
program. It's a place where we've made so many friends, built strong connections, and felt like we belong. It's also a place where kids learn responsibility, stay active, and feel safe. For parents, it means knowing their kids are supervised and cared for while they work. But the lack of
transparency about the camp's future have caused so many so much stress for my parents and many families in our town. This camp has been a part of Roso Park for 38 years, helping generations of kids grow up in this community. Ending a program now wouldn't take just
end a program. It would take away a safe space for kids, create even more stress for parents, and erase a tradition that has meant so much for many families. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for your comment. >> Good evening. My name is Kelly Bulier.
Um, I stand here tonight as a past summer camper and now one of the directors of the theater camp. Um, even as a camper, this camp holds so many memories for me. Um, from meeting new friends and even performing on this same stage behind you. Um, this camp is not
only a workplace, but a second home. Words cannot describe how much this summer camp means to me and all of us. I just hope we can continue to keep the summer camp alive the way I remember. And as you can see, it means everything to our community. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment. >> Good evening again, Ryan Kelly. Uh, I promise I'll get to the baseball stuff. Uh, my earlier questions on the job description, just so you're aware, weren't a critique of any of the requirements or licenses. Just wanted to state the obvious that timing is getting very tight here and I I believe you are
underestimating what needs to happen to pull summer camp off in 3 to four months. Um so I went to summer camp and now my children go there and one year my son had lost his baseball glove. He loves baseball. He was devastated and one of the camp counselors noticed
something was off of my son. He knew my son well enough to see that something was wrong. Unprompted could identify that. And when he learned about the glove he remembered what it felt like to be a kid. And the next day, that counselor gifted my son his own glove. Counselor Tim. That moment will stay with my son. It will stay with me
forever. When my other son was in kindergarten, we asked him who his favorite teacher was. Preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, who was it? He didn't name a teacher at all. He said, "Miss Sarah and Miss Isabella." Those are his summer camp counselors. Those are not his teachers. Just to show these are some of the memories that summer
camp creates for our children. That's why it's super concerning that the future of summer camp is still unclear. I heard Mr. Fernand's remarks that is not canceled. I hear the superintendent's remarks that you're doing your due diligence. Um, but in terms of what the public is aware of, we
don't know much right now. We just know that this time last year, camp was ripping and roaring registrations, advertising, and things were normal. And right now that doesn't exist. Um, so I defer to the attorney, but I believe you all have the power and process. It exists to do it. Will the board commit
tonight to putting summer camp on the agenda at every meeting until this is resolved? Maybe >> you're not finished. We'll let you. >> You can you can you can you can reply. >> I'm finished, but if there's time after if you guys have a question for me, I
might reply. >> Okay. So, my my public portion comment here is done. Just my last question that will just to reiterate since I've got some extra time here, will the board commit tonight to putting summer camp on the agenda at every meeting until it's resolved because it seems pretty important to everyone on the days and in
the room that this is important and I think that could be one opportunity to increase transparency with uh the communication on the board. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment, >> Madam President. Just if I may interject at this time just to again manage
expectations and to at least attempt to respond um partially to some of the comments. I was taking notes. Um will the board commit to placing summer camp on the agenda um at future meetings? I think it's fair to say yes.
The board can and will commit to placing it on the agenda for discussion um until the matter is in a position to be recommended by the superintendent for action. Um, as I indicated earlier, there are various and just, you know, for the record, I was my firm was disappointed at the last meeting as
general counsel um at the reorg meeting last week. Um there were issues and questions that came up um shortly before that or around this time um throughout the school community that are being looked at from a legal, from a ethical,
from a governance, from a financial procurement, personnel, uh insurance, uh student and staff safety, etc. uh perspective and point of view that the board has an ethical and legal obligation to ensure uh is everything is
in order as well as the administration um so that the camp can be run in a legal uh and safe manner. So those are some of the steps the board is going through. Uh my understanding is that the the today's date, January 20th, um we're we're not much further ahead or behind
than we were last year, but for there being, I guess, a question or concern about whether the camp would happen this year, but if it wasn't a question or concern about it, we would be no further behind, per se. Um so, I just want to make that very clear again to manage expectations. Um the superintendent is
working with her team um very diligently to try to tee this up so that it can be hosted in a safe and legal manner for everyone involved. Thank you. Good evening, Jackie Garcia. Uh tonight
I just wanted to come up and give the board and also members of the community an update on our uh CPAG meeting that we hosted today. Um tonight uh the Rosal Park Special Education Parent Advisory Group welcomed the Rosell Park Police Officer Jessica Cam Camrono, sorry for
uh saying that incorrectly for an important discussion on alopement and uh disability awareness and how we build strong trustbased relationships between families and law enforcement. Um this is specifically uh important for families who have children uh with alopment plans
or or behavior intervention plans. Um my family is one that we had an alopement plan for my daughter um many many years ago. Uh she no longer has that but this is uh one of those topics that is really close to my heart and my family's heart as well. Um the discussion today included voluntary anonymous alopment
safety uh survey results. Uh she answered uh parents questions and concerns and she also shared how police training and community input improves safety and appropriate responses. Uh again tonight's meeting was to recognize that outward behavior doesn't always
reflect what's happening underneath such as sensory needs and uh flight responses. Our goal tonight was that preparedness through partnership and through uh sharing lived experience, we can uh prepare our first responders for uh better information how to treat our
children and uh equip them uh to support individuals with disabilities in our community. As always, CPAC is here to support families. Please don't hesitate to reach out 908-299-6446. Also, uh CPAC would like to welcome Mr. Greg Picowski on being assigned our CPAC
board liaison. We look forward to working with you. Our next meeting is Monday, February 23rd. And to Michael, thank you for all your support that you've provided CPAG. Um, I can't say enough. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your comment.
Uh, good evening. My name is Nikki Kelly. Um, I am the curriculum design and communications coordinator for the Rosal Park summer camp. Um, I'm going to go a little rogue here because of uh Mr. attorney's statements, but I uh respectfully disagree with the comment that we are actually about where we are
normally uh for Rosa Park summer camp. I've been a part of the scheduling process for over 20 years and we are very very much behind of where we need to be. Um and I'm not here angry. I'm just I'm really disappointed because I don't think that you did the right thing. Uh and let me be clear upfront.
You're human. Humans make mistakes. Bad decisions happen. But leadership begins with accountability. And when mistakes are made, the first step is an apology and an honest explanation of what went wrong. And that never happened. And this didn't start in January. And there's been a lot of internet chatter about
when this started and when camp normally starts and all those things, but it didn't start in January. Um we spoke out at the 16th meeting and now here we are. Um but this started months ago. And back in April, we reached out um CAM staff about the school calendar. The response
we received uh wasn't collaborative. It was abrupt. It was standoffish. It signaled early on that camp was not being treated like a partner or even a priority. And that was April of 2025, so before our last season. Um then we um had to tackle the breakfast and lunch
program. Um overnight camp had to completely change its daily schedule. Classes were moved, locations were shifted, operations were disrupted. And when we raised legitimate safety concerns because community members were now allowed to come in and out of the cafeteria to also get meals during camp hours, uh we asked for support, a
security guard, some coordination, some help. Um what we were met with instead was a you figure it out mentality. And that's not leadership. It felt like abandonment. And while all this was happening, we were still doing what we always do, trying to get camp off the ground. And let's be honest, you can't just show up at the end of June and flip
a switch and expect camp to run. Camp doesn't magically happen. It takes months of planning. staffing, scheduling, programming, communication with families. And here's the part that's especially hard to swallow. We're not even officially hired yet. And we're still out here trying to do our jobs. So, while we're working camp to make
camp work and happen the way that we do every single year, I have to ask like, what were you doing? Like, why is this now? What's been going on since we ended on August 18th? Um, because you're not helping us, not supporting our work or solving problems alongside of us. And
frankly, I don't care about any of the behind-the-scenes discussions. I don't care about any internal deliberations or quiet disdain for our program for whatever reasons may exist. I literally couldn't care less. Doesn't matter to me. What matters is we're doing our jobs and you're not doing yours. And this
pattern matters because it explains how we got here. When problems come up, we're not being engaged. There's no collaboration. No one's helping to solve them. So, when we're now told that camp suddenly requires deeper discussion, legal review, licensing clarity, we have to ask, why wasn't that same energy
present months ago? If the plan was to apply for a New Jersey Department of Health youth camp license, why are we only talking about that now? What will camp even look like? How many kids? How many staff? What programs? >> I need to stop you there, Amy. >> Your time is up.
right about here. >> Okay. Hi, my name is Amy Cero. Um, so after you post and hire director, how long will that license realistically take to obtain? And how does any of this align with families who need to make summer child care decisions now? Most importantly, why did none of this
surface until parents and staff spoke out at the last meeting? Because from where we're standing, this looks reactive, not planned, defensive, not transparent. You didn't say you were running, you weren't running camp, but you also didn't say you were. And that silence, that limbo is enough to ruin
something, even if it technically survives. Even if camp comes back, it will be come back damaged, rushed, watered down, a JV version of something that used to be varsity. And that didn't happen because of one vote or one meeting. It happened because of a series of choices where the right thing wasn't
done. A real team doesn't operate this way. A successful team doesn't push problems downward and call it management. A varsity team communicates early, brings people in, and solves problems together. You had that chance. For the people who have been part of the camp family for years, you know the
truth. You've seen the progress. You've seen the growth. We didn't get here overnight. We built this together. We showed up like the A team we are when leadership did not. We are not the same. And that's the disappointment you need to reckon with tonight. Thank you.
>> Thank you for your Hello, my name is Alyssa Graasso. Uh, just to piggyback off my colleague, it seems at this point it's hard to avoid the obvious conclusion that this delay isn't accidental. Um, it's either incompetence or it's intentional stalling of summer camp because what
we're being asked to believe just doesn't make sense. You're approving a job description for a summer camp director, but not approving the camp itself. That seems a little backwards. No. Um, here's what I see. The business administrator has a secretary, mentor,
three people in leadership roles, and somehow those three people, the superintendent, no one realized that camp approvals needed to happen months ago, previous board meetings, not the last possible meeting in January. Tonight's agenda included the 2627
budget um which is almost nearly two years ago. But you can't figure out that summer camp for June of this year is June coming at a different time that we didn't know about. At this point, it looks like you're asking families to believe two things at once. You're capable of long-term planning, but
somehow incapable of making a routine annual decision about a program that's run for years, which raises a fair question. How do you justify not having made any decisions at this point? And if the answer is that you're still reviewing it, explain it publicly, not in secrecy or in a closed meeting.
Board of Ed should also be asking questions as well. Where's the summer camp approval on the agenda? Why isn't anyone asked why this program's being handled differently this year? Why isn't anyone asked why families are being forced to plan child care in January with no answers? You can't tell the
public to trust the process if the process is being used to avoid accountability. So again, we're left with two possibilities. Either leadership's incapable of managing a routine, time-sensitive approval, or the this delay is done intentionally. Neither's acceptable.
And if you expect the public to accept this, then explain it because right now it doesn't add up and the true intention intentions will eventually come to light. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. Hi, my name is Jessica Yonik. I grew up
in Rosell Park and I live in a neighboring town. My neighboring town does have a summer camp. Yes, this is summer camp related. Um, but it is quote unquote from other parents and people in town a free-for-all. My son truly thrives on routine and
structure year round. As a working parent, it is incredibly important to me that during the summer we continue to give him that consistency, something that supports his growing mind and his growing body. Rosal Park summer camp gave him exactly that last year.
Thinking that the summer camp before he starts kindergarten, he may not have that kind of structure or routine makes me feel sad, confused, even a little angry. I don't want to say I depended on this camp, but I did. I do. And I don't
think that's unreasonable. This program has been running for many years. I myself was a camper 25 plus years ago. Um, it is loved by our community, as you can see, and surrounding communities. And it was honestly part of my 5-year plan for my child. We go to my mom's
house weekly in Rosal Park. Every time we pass the high school, he yells, "Summer camp. I can't wait to go back still in January." And that speaks volumes. Since hearing this news or lack of news, I've started calling other
camps. Many are already full, have waiting lists, or cost three times as much. I was quoted over $6,000 for a camp that is 13 minutes away. Um, this situation is putting an enormous amount of stress on families, including myself.
We're left wondering what are we supposed to do? We're simply asking for clarity and for answers and if possible, a chance to help with suggestions or solutions. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. Okay, seeing no one else, I'm going to
close the public portion. The next scheduled regular board meeting will be an open session held on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 at 6 PM. The board meeting will be held in the Rosal Park Middle School auditorium. May I please
have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> We are adjourned. the cheerleaders. Tell the cheerleaders. That's it. There she goes.
You think I'm getting better?