All right, we're going to call to order this regular meeting. of the board of education and indivisible Mr. Kelly to please take Mr. Present Miss Casease >> here
>> Mrs. Cole >> here >> Mr. Ky >> present >> Mr. Hilly >> here >> Mr. Jones >> present >> Dr. >> here >> Mr. Sper >> present >> Dr. here. New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was
enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced privacy and to attend the meeting public bodies if there's any business affecting their interests and discuss or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Rutherford Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and
place posted on the bulletin board outside the burough clerk's office, mailed to the Herald, South Bergenite, and record newspapers and filed with the Burough Clerk. Our copies of the agenda are available in the meeting room and the agenda is posted electronically on the Friday meeting on the district's
website at www.rotherfordschools.org. Subsequent to the meeting, a video of the meeting will be uploaded to the district's website, www.letickschools.org. The video link can be found by opening the board of education link and clicking on public meetings and then videos. Uh
some board members, their new packets were minutes to approve from the regular meeting on May 11, 2026. Any questions or comments on those? All right. Hearing now ask Mr. Kelly to
please enter those. And so now for the final time after two years, our amazing student representative Sarah Ariel is going to give her final speech. She's going to make it wonderful. This time we're actually going to ask you questions. We're giving you a quiz. I'm
just kidding. But uh handing over to you. >> Good evening. Most spring sports have concluded except for the girls softball team who will be competing in the state semi-finals tomorrow against Santa Park. Student Council had their annual Six Flags trip today. This is a leadership
event with the other student council in New Jersey and allows us to celebrate all the money raised throughout the school year which will be donated to the student council charity. Student council elections also took place last week to decide student council members for next school year. Last week was the
multicultural fair at RHS. Students from the multicultural club hosted the event which featured traditional foods from different cultures as well as information about various countries. The senior award ceremony and senior prom are this past Friday. It was such a fun day night for the senior class and a
great way to kick off the last few weeks of high school. The seniors are so appreciative for the community groups and families who generously provide scholarships each year. This Friday is senior sunset which is another exciting event for the seniors. It's always a cute way to start closing out the
closing out senior year before graduation. Final exams are beginning next week uh to mark the end of the academic year. After finals, RHS is having the third annual senior field day, which is always a great time. The seniors be split up based on which elementary school they
attended and to have a chance to compete in some fun games to earn points for their team. From the other schools, Washington School recently held its annual Memorial Day parade honoring local veterans and family members who've served in the military. The event was a
studentled assembly with patriotic songs and meaningful Memorial Day pages, including presentations about America's white table and flag facts. Kindergarten students will soon be visiting their new school as part of their transition experience.
Um, and Washington School also preparing for their exciting end of year activities like their school concert. Lincoln school has their traditional end of year activities going as well. Their grade is having their breakfast and yearbook signed. the PTI for singing their end of year party which includes
some favorites such as inflatable slot and electronic candy machine. They also have their single concert coming up as well as as well as Har Beach which is always a blast. Beer school had their musical Jun Jones this last weekend and
they are also having their final SIS pep rally on the 19th where they will raffle off end of year prizes. They will also be celebrating the sixth graders and awards assembly on June the 22nd and carnival on June 23rd. In closing, I
just want to thank all of you for making my time as a student rep such a great experience. I've really enjoyed giving these awards over the last two years and it's definitely something I'll remember forever. >> Thank you. >> Uh questions or comments from board members?
uh Mr. Oh no, sorry. I just wanted to thank you amazing job. I love sitting next to college. So she Thank you.
I'm going to St. Jose, right? I you know I wanted to comment and first of all thank you and you know we've had um we've continued a long tradition of any stand reps uh very proud of going
back well before that was my one uh we had a student web well before anybody else did and now as a statement so we were kind of at the forefront of that and you continue the great tradition but you started a new tradition which I think is really outstanding reaching out
to the other schools being a digital You're elected by the high school with the positions elected by the high school students represent the high school here. You're the student rep. I think it's great reached out to the principles and to
attention a lot of the good things that went down down there fulfilled. So we thank you for that. You put the pressure in your successor because you may do the same. I already met with her and told her that she had to keep that um and we
thank you. home was a great experience for you and again fun right community civics communication all those things >> thank you
>> yeah I figured there wouldn't be much left to say but I want to echo what Mr. said, but I think everyone here is feeling just a lot of appreciation. We don't take for granted your time and you have to every meeting. I don't think you missed a meeting uh in your two years
and the well-rounded presentations are great. Not that it's all down here when you leave the room, but you are one of the highlights of our board of education meetings. Really hearing the student perspective about things that are happening in different schools and we get to uh relive our youth sometimes
hearing some of the the things that are happening. I know I we relive my kids graduating. So some of the stuff we talked about I forgot about the sunset. Um that whole thing my son was a part of that a couple years ago and he said there like 80 or 90 seniors who went he said it was like a huge amount of
people. So it was pretty fun. You have a big big show for that. >> Um I think so. Yeah. I think everyone I've talked to said >> Oh that's right. It hasn't happened yet. >> Yeah. It's not it's not this like this. >> Got it. Got it. Hopefully it happens. >> You know, I think to give her the full
experience, we shouldn't have stable entirely. >> Well, we come up come up with a compromise. Come up with a compromise. So, we uh have a gift that we want to give you to honor your two years of service. But before doing that, we know
that a lot of times um you know, a lot of homework and a lot of things that we have to do. And so usually after your um update and presentation, we like to go. So instead, um I am going to quickly
move us to new business where there's action will be taken. And we're going to go into personnel, but I'm going to do personnel. I'm only going to do number one. And the first day on personnel says the resolved by the Rutherford Board of
Education to honor Sarah Aorio for service as the Rutherford Board of Education student representative school years 202425 and 202526. So I am going to move that. Do we have a second? We'll move that. Mr. Sprayberry,
uh, any questions or comments? Any reason we should not honor Sarah the same? >> Absolutely not. She didn't work. >> All right. Uh then Mr. Kelly, will you please take vote for Mr. Bosian? >> Yes. >> Miss Case? >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Cole? >> Yes. >> Mr. Absolutely. Yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Mrs. Jones? >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Dr. Yes. Mr. >> Dr. Yes. mention. All right.
This is sort of what we do for each of the different committees. We go through this whole round and uh move things and everyone's got a vote on it scheduled. Um but we actually do have something on audio by the way. So on behalf of of the board and behalf
of Mr. Hurley, Mr. Kelly, again, thank you for all of your service, for all of your time. Two years, you have tied the record of someone who stays on for two years because most of our student representatives for one year. So, uh, the next person is going to be a senior, I think, next year. So, will not be
good. So, >> she doesn't cancel. This is for your Yeah. name that I was put on your desk.
I I also just want to say to Sarah's parents that it is something really to be proud of to have uh you know a child that you can say has been part of you know civic engagement in this way to really kind of see and understand the things that happen beyond just the
classroom experientially. Um I hope this has been a rich experience for you. If you feel we'll do anything that we can continue to do to make the experience even better, please feel free to reach out. Um we're definitely open to that. But congratulations on to you. We wish you the best of college and beyond. Um
and look forward to all the great stories to come. >> Thank you so much. >> So um I will end the way we started your first meeting two years ago. Say if you would like to stay for the rest of the meeting, you're welcome. But we have other commitments. We do understand. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Congratulations, mom and dad. We enjoyed it. You might be out of order, but thank you so much for, you know, taking good care of her through a lot. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Uh so we are going to move out of new business. Go back to uh the next thing on the agenda which is the report superintendent. Thank you. Uh I distributed to everyone a copy of the scribe which is the literary magazine
and artificial high school. Um I also left the list that was in the program at Friday senior wars of colleges and educational schools
and trace that our students have been secondary very interesting and colleges type students and course we have a resources.
So it isn't really list and I always think it's good to list where they weren't accepted because sometimes there are reasons why a student may not choose to colle and that will be published in
final news at the award ceremony I believe The number was around 151,000 bombs on the scholarship and the list of schools and growing roads here and the support of the
community and the support of former students and former faculty and administrators and areas booster clubs and support groups that's really over. So it's I think when the break started
right at 11 o'clock and no break or anything it's not like the old days with the breakfast almost like there so both times just such so nice
I did Dr. might mention my goal in human communication and barely fed the seniors in Virginia was elected to the student council. Next year major will be in September. Tonight on the agenda of the American
the annual grant in order for education foundation the board has to accept 74,000 which again is remarkable really very
also to the agenda is a donation of $50,000 from Washington PTA to go towards the playgrounds. And um as you remember
that was talked about doing three playgrounds support from the RAF, support from the PTA and then support from education. So Washington was able to ETA Washington Lincoln
2000 Washington was able to get it this year and Lincoln will get next year twothirds of the way there and the reason why they're not there is they'll be a major aiding acres and picnic tables for outdoor education outdoor
lunch in the fall that's you know money in the case I was also contributing blessings the size the school they're So that next summer, the hope is that we'll be able to do the other two that
um the um part of the grant money that is being um increase was $25,000 towards playground. They are also hoping to do that eight grand next
year and we're still looking back to help the country as well. And keep in mind that the three plays are about a half a million. So the budget being what they are now to
support BTA I think we have to budget nothing so important but with limited dollars. So again we thank everybody. I sent you today the executive summary of the survey went
to the faculty. I thought it was very interesting. days in the year. So very good feedback. We have a survey currently out with the finalists and as I said during the year I'll give a little summary
the last meeting of June but um we did enact some subtle changes. We have a look at some committees and groups. We'll take a look at some of these. And what we're going to do during the summer is u kind of take um the the highlight
of each of the six executive summaries to see what things maybe we need to focus on to strengthen something that's already strong or address something that maybe again the good news is nothing major but the other good news is it's good to hear
what people see and thinking and nothing else generates discussion and generation look at view um and um you know that's that's really it. I I I do know that you're aware from
survey that petition is out website is out some folks are here some people also have to be I met with carrying and sass Washington I'm not sure about the other schools I
know that's some and um again I I'm as I said the nth comes from here I understand that national concern. My concern is what happens within Runford and I don't see some of the
things I'm reading about other places happening here. Um that said, there's no disagreement with anything they're saying. I mean, there's no disagreement about the event is happening here, but there's no disagreement about why it shouldn't be here. Um, you know, the ancient
generation, which he remind me, I'm the one that brought this forward. Uh, but the ancient generation really addressed social media, cell phones, and black free didn't really address
education technology. Since that was there has been lots of research technology and um you know we have some questions by the way before I knew about the petition or anything that I was certainly able to ask with some questions interesting enough we're also
on website um you know we're we're looking information um we have a couple of district committees and we're going to have a few um building level PLC's coming next year looking at certain
aspects that we think uh the other thing we're going to do is in a component all this or thereabouts is you know I'm going to work with administrators and it to put out you know a statement you know
here's here's what we do you know the general here's what we do to safeguard here are some of the things we're looking at and here are some things that Erica didn't realize it to make sure that the technology that does get home
is being used in the appropriate way is intended for you know the document being signed is as we use for school. So you know we're going to put out more guidance and more transparency and more
factual which I think um but again I I pleased with how we are using it. Um, but I'm never afraid to take a look at what we're doing and see how we can
highlight. Uh, last thing is um, K legis. And again, that's kind of where it usually is. I'm sure we're going to land at 18.
Um and our preschool numbers are all um all four sessions in you see students there's some folks who decide
okay so uh that's where we are as we approach the end of the school year it's been I think very outstanding school Kudos to our students. It's from faculty, staff, and administrators.
I think you've seen and heard some of the energy that's come from folks working on various projects and new initiatives and both in the academic world and in the co-curricular world. And um certainly I think our
partnerships and feedback really came forward this year. we find you and the kind of partnership we made with the PTA to look at a need and let's work together to fund it and those partnerships where everything
and I thank all your support and in allowing us the administrators and the teachers and the community to work to develop and put forward a good program with your support and your
encouragement 17. Great. Thank you. Questions or comments from board members. Um I I just want to say I really appreciated the results of the teacher survey, the recommendations and how the
company survey also has um kind of identifies what are the themes and what are recommendations and ideas and just following up with that. And I think in regards to the parent survey, I think some of the um things that you've expressed that some families have given feedback about, I'm glad that this
survey gives those families an outlet opportunity to be able to share those things as well. Um so I think that will also kind of streamline uh the conversations like you mentioned. Um also just uh in in general um really
appreciate all the information that we continue to get around you know things that are happening strategically on different levels. Just the reminder last meeting the portrait profile run graduate was great to have all those administrators and teachers in to be
able to see kind of how that uh portrait is playing out. although I I can't get the term cord out of my head besides that. Um but no, I think that was great and I think the information on technology is a great idea for the fall.
I'll let you know exactly um what's happening, how to partner, you know, all of that. Um also wanted to express appreciation to the Rutherford Education Foundation. Um $75,000 is huge. Um, I
joined the RF uh 16 years ago and I think for a reason like between 10 and $20,000 now six members. Um, and I say that somewhat nostalgically because I did let the RF know that I was uh not going to be doing my next two-year term
uh at the last meeting while I was in charge of helping with the survey and getting all the uh new members, but there's a big crop of new families with young kids who are interested in joining. And so, um, when I think back to some of the founders, Andy and Dorian
Sebast were two of the founders of the RAF. And when Dorian stepped down, um, Dorian's also former president of the bank, uh, one of the things she said is, "I knew it was time and I was ready to step down when the people on the RAF
currently were ready to take it to that next level." Um, so it just continues to grow and evolve. So really excited to celebrate all the grants in the fall when they come in, get to uh hear about that. Um we've always had I think on the board of vet for many years someone you
know on the RAF who was there to appear and so we'll continue to have Christ in the case. So that's um exciting. Uh so just moving over to graduation. So tonight is the deadline and right now uh
it looks like we're going all in on high school graduation. So that's very exciting. Um, and so 6:30 June 23rd, uh, our very own James Bezosian is going to be our board members, uh, board of ed representative speaker at graduation
here with a graduate coming. So get ready for it. I'm so excited. And, uh, so that that will be great. And, um, happy to sit beside them and hand out those diplomas and make sure they shake with the right, shape with the left. Um and then uh but the final
before June 19th is Union Middle School graduation. Um so right now I have uh James, James, Chris, Diane, myself I believe were able to go. If others want to or able to go, please let me know. I just want to make sure Mrs. Fer has the right amount of people and seats saved
um to acknowledge people were there in the evening. Uh and Mr. Sprayberry is going to be our board of ed representative speaker. Um so exciting for that as well. Um just moving on to the um CSA evaluation. This is the time
of year when we do um our evaluation of the superintendent. So we are seven of nine of us have completed the survey. Um it is anonymous in terms of email. So I can't count down the two people because I don't technically know who you are. Um but uh I would ask that next week if you
could do that be great because we need to go over it um at the next meeting at the end of June. So it'll be sent to the state uh before July 1st. So um if you haven't completed that if you can please do that by a week from today that will be enough time to synthesize and analyze
and write it up. Uh and then I think we have we have one more meeting with you Mr. Kelly. Okay. Uh, excellent. So, we'll see you for next time. You may get one. That's a chance.
Uh, that's it. My reporting questions or comments. Can I just remind everyone I'll send something out ahead of high school graduation. Um, you will just identify yourself. All right, we'll see if tickets probably uh at the high school,
you know, everyone take it tonight. So, hold on to it. Use it. Uh we have seen be track I'll send out. Should there be a rain issue, we have to go inside
and the tickets will still, right? Uh at 7:28 p.m. we are going to open the meeting to the public for anything related to the agenda this evening. He said it's not so >> if you want to microphone just give us your name and uh address another day.
>> Hi. Um my name is I'm a 35 Addison and I finally just like to watch something very interested in something we love. So I just >> Well, thank you. We we appreciate it. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. And we have a little one that'll start soon. >> Oh, very nice. Hello. >> Yeah. >> Uh, all right. Uh, 7:29 p.m. we are going to close the meeting to the public and we're going to move on to new
business for those actions to be taken. Uh, Mrs. F, I guess it starts with number two. Take us through the personality. >> Uh, good evening. Personal is not this month. We have 13 motion this week before we do superintendent
motions to the 2013. All right. Do we have a second? Mr. Bezosian questions or comments about anything personnel? All right. Uh seeing none, Mr. Kelly, please say welcome. Mr. Bgo, yes. M
case. Mrs. Cole, >> yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Don't know. Mr. Hillary, >> yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Dr. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes.
>> Dr. Uh, I'm going to abstain on uh number 13 in my own participation uh in the NJ SBA conference. Yes. Deputy Austin. >> All right. Thank you. We'll move on now to curriculum and instruction. Mr. Yes,
>> thank you. Also did not have a CI meeting tonight. There are eight. >> All right. Thank you. We have a second for that one. All right, Mr. Cole. Questions or comments for board members? Great construction?
Right. Seeing none, Mr. Kelly, please take Mr. >> Yes. M. Case. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hig. >> Yes. >> M Jones. >> Yes. >> Dr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Swbury. >> Yes. >> Dr.
>> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. Move on now to finance. Mr. >> did not have a finance committee meeting since our last board meeting. >> All right. Do we have a second for that? Mr. Are there any questions or comments
from board members? >> Yeah, I would like to comment on phrasing the various donations. Also want to thank you for their donation and shock. We follow that the JSIA decided that
basketball cross too should move to a shot clock which I think you know maybe some states have high school the college has um of course there's it's rather empty
there and now that's another official page every freshman JB varsity A and five budget. So and NGS said well you think the game
should be more budget this year. So one of the ways we figure out uh number six is just the same just for change. Other questions or comments
hearing none Mr. Kelly please stay Mr. abstain on number four. Yes. Miss Case, >> yes. >> Mr. State number four. >> Thank you, Mr.
>> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. Mr. Jones, >> yes. >> Dr. Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Dr. Yes. Motion carried. >> All right. Thank you. We'll move on now to policy. Mr. >> Yes.
maybe policies and one resolution tonight. Thank you. a second on that questions or comments.
Mr. >> One question on the high school graduation. Is there any real difference before? I didn't look up the old one. >> No. Um GED is no longer called GED. That's that's been changed. Semantic change. Uh
option two, which has been in existence for a long time. different ways student can earn credit towards employment as being also a name change also some different avenues for that and then also some testing you know that say testing
aids change so that was semantic but no real u nothing that was substantive would impact any >> student still needs 130 credits >> yes that's that's in our policy that's >> thank
safety requires >> other questions or comments. >> All right, hearing none. Mr. Please say Mr. >> Yes. Mr. Gates, >> yes. >> Mr. School, >> yes. >> Mr.
Mr. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Dr. Yes. >> Mr. Sper. >> Yes. >> Yes. Motion carry. All right. Thank you. Buildings and grounds. Mr. Sprayberry to see all the donations.
What else? Yeah. Thank you. Uh, all right. We will move on now to all business. Mr. Johnson, >> uh, our student representative Sarah mentioned the, uh, honoring the veterans
at Washington School. That is an annual celebration and Mr. Roing was there and I believe Shine was here this year. Uh, I like going to that because it moves me so much to see all these fine men and women served and they tell what
branch of the armed forces they serve sometimes the years and all here because they have a grandchild and her second daughter at Washington school and they say privilege to speak but I would like to mention Mr. Frank Garley who I know that you know because the Gapies were
nine children that all went through the system. any comment all his children receive a fine education. He does a great job. >> Is it 10? >> Nine. >> He's nine. Will is 10. But anyway,
it he moves me because he's just so good. He goes to the senior citizen center for exercise class and he's there and he tries so hard. He's done so well. He spoke very nicely. Uh I also was delighted to go see B County dinner
which was last Thursday where we honored James by becoming a master board member and Sergio for his 10 years also came and it was a nice dinner at the U Elwood High School Elwood Park High School uh
you know it's always good and the other thing is that I did go to the play the Juny B play and they did such a great job for fourth and fifth and sixth graders singing and dancing. They they really
enjoyed themselves on stage which I just like to see. You can see that they really have a good time. So congratulations uh Mr. Mill's little granddaughter Rosie was in it and uh uh Mr. House fourth grader also. So it
was it was a nice weekend. I think there were about over 30 veterans. A large number of >> there were a lot >> and the age range from maybe mid30s or two I'm going to say in the studio
you're so I mean that's the engagement and every one of them gets a chance to speak a little bit and yeah it's a nice it's a nice and you can see that it means a lot to them. It does. It's a good experience. I don't think
here very anything else in terms of all business. Thank you. Yeah, it's a nice event, nice dinner. They they did uh provide a challenge for boards of ed for
the next year. Um which is that uh they challenged a board of education to have the highest participation in all of their NJSBA professional developments and events next year. And I forget what the prize
was. Uh but they said that was a TV. Wasn't that a countywide challenge? Not >> accountants. Okay. >> Yeah. That's always the same thing in
Florida. I mean county had 80% Maybe you correspond to student view. other old business. All right, we'll move on to legislative update. This is uh Senate Bill 4147
introduced May 11th which just last week or two weeks ago uh by Senator Joseph F. Biden and it designates accounting as the standard subject for various educational and
other programs. This is based on the fact that they're not seeing enough women and they understand subjects and they thought that they introduces I don't know there are two things though just quickly
come September you know on the earth side on his way out still things will for to be in our Kday school is what's always happen
in the high school where kids are allowed to have their phone between classes during lunch with lunch now that's going to have to change now you know right now when they go to classes from caddies and category I mean not many classes count
kids and teachers will be accountable to make where the kids have the phone and um and you know quite honestly um you know I think we're teaching kids who are coming the year of adulthood you know make decisions make the right
decision regulation and and also teaches them you know maybe that get rid of the judicial class you can't have it so maybe that makes dinner um the bill was written to say during academic time.
However, the bill was changed to say about the sponsors that I guess voted for said they didn't even realize the language was changed. So, the law is
now. So, we're going to have, you know, enforce it in high school. uh Strauss estate is saying hold up a little bit because it might change and I was at a conference with attorneys and very well
known Joe Domingo is a very well known education attorney and said it's not going to change legislation on it signs it so right now the law is well the only thing that we would do is allow kids to get their phone out of their locker
before we launch because we have no um So, Mr. Moran is going to send something home in June. They normally don't say something until we want people to get the anxiety a
little bit. Uh, you know, we're going to say something in June and follow up in September. That's that's that's a big change and vote with fire. I think steadfastness of enforcement. I know it's going to be I know it's going to be a problem. haven't sat in
these chairs. It's going to be spending we have seen early kids because they have their phone again whatever the consequences I mean it was either spend a whole lot of money things so they could put them in these magnetic pouches that they wind
up putting burn things in and they have to hire somebody to watch they're doing that you know We're going to put a new law and you know honestly anything they revis uh the other thing uh it's not doesn't have a sponsoring yet but you remember I
was telling you that I went down back in the pool trying to change the 1821 his appointment very special it looks like there's there's some life potential very
actually saying it seems to be has something. All right. Thank you. uh at 7:45 p.m. to the public for anything related to not related to the agenda and not close the
meeting at 7:45 p.m. We do not uh have a need for an executive session. Um I I do want to wish Mr. the faculty staff administration Mr. uh the best of luck on a wonderful ending school year and
final days uh to close out strong. Uh with that we take a motion to ensure it's very seconded by Miss Gates. Uh all in favor?