Welcome to a meeting of the board of education of Somerset Hills. Please be advised that this and all meetings of the board are open to the public and media consistent with the open public meetings act and that advanced notice required therein has been provided. This is a meeting of the board of education of Somerset Hills at which formal action
may be taken. The public will have an opportunity to be heard as shown on the agenda. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was enacted to ensure the right of the public to advance notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the open public
meetings act, the meeting the public public notice of this meeting which included the time, date, location, and to the extent known, the agenda of this meeting was distributed at 3 p.m. on December 18th, 2024 and by 5:00 p.m. on May 8th, 2025 in the following manner. Posted on the bulletin board, reserved
for announcements in the board office at 25 Alcott Avenue. Posted in the mail office of Bedwell, Bernardsville Middle School and Bernard's High School, mailed to the Courier News, and posted on the SHSD website, filed with the clerk of the burrows of Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peep, Gladstone, and Bedminster, and delivered to the 10 duly elected board
members. And um with that, we will have roll call, please. Mr. Baker, Miss Ballard here, Miss Clark Emory, Miss Cooper here, Miss Gills here, Miss Gomez,
Mrs. Hoppy, Mrs. Santoro here, Mrs. Ry here, Mrs. Frenda here. We have a quorum. Excellent. Thank you. And executive session. The Open Public Meetings Act authorizes a public body to exclude the public from the portion of a meeting at which specified topics are to be discussed under circumstances where
the public consideration of such topics will clearly endanger the public or where the personal privacy or guaranteed rights of individuals whose activities or affairs are to be discussed would clearly be in danger of unwarranted invasions and the matters about to be presented for discussion clearly meet
the circumstances test of of such act. The Board of Education of Somerset Hills now adjourns its public session to reconvene an executive session for the purpose of discussing the following CSA evaluation, student matters, personnel, and negotiations. The discussion in
executive session will be disclosed when the board's consideration of the subject matter has been closed or that such matter does not adversely affect the rights or prospective current or past public officers or personnel of the board unless such individuals have in writing requested the disclosures of
such discussion at a public meeting and provided such public disclosure will no longer clearly endanger the public interest. Can I get a motion to go into executive? Mrs. Santoro and a second, Miss Cooper. Thank
you. All right, let's go. Thank you for bearing with us. Um, if everyone could please rise and join us in the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Okay. So, I believe we have some special presentations and the report of the superintendent, Dr. BJ. Thank you, Mrs.
We're going to kick it off with our students here. We have a few students from the middle school representing work that's been taking place there representing track team also culture team. So,
and Catherine here from the middle school invite them up uh to speak. Okay. Good evening everyone. My name is Katherine East and I'm an eighth grader at BMS. Myself as well as my peers have taken
part in a competition called No Hate in the Garden State with my fellow peers Sienna Ecklund, Ashley Man, Amaya Rom, Aia Patinac, and Miss Brett Cox as our supervisor. No Hate in the Garden State is a
statewide student campaign in New Jersey for middle and high schoolers aimed at raising awareness about bias incidences and incidents and crimes. It serves to encourage reporting of bias incidents and promotes a culture of
inclusivity and zero tolerance for hate. Only a select number of groups from AC from across the state will be selected to present at our student roundt discussion celebrating the law against discrimination's 80th
anniversary. This round table discussion will honor two of the winning groups of the no hate in the Garden State youth competition. Students will discuss the projects that they completed in their community, its impact, and the role of
youth activism. Currently, Amaya Ram and I have an episode released on Spotify that covers mental health and spreads awareness about it. Our entire group also has a podcast that is up on Spotify, which focuses on
anti-semitism. We will find out if we are one of the select groups in early June. Last Friday, May 9th, all choir, orchestra, band, and jazz band, sixth through 8th grade students attended the High Note Festival in Allentown,
Pennsylvania at the Calvary Temple. I am an eighth grade choir student and I had a great time with my fellow musicians. We are proud to announce that BMS performs wonderfully with the sixth grade choir ranking superior. The seventh grade choir ranking excellent,
the eighth grade choir also ranking excellent. Our overall orchestra and band received an excellent rating. And finally, our BMS jazz band received a superior rating. I will now turn it over to Charlotte.
Hello everyone. I am Charlotte Mitchell and I am an eighth grader at BMS. I am a member of the middle school's track team. Currently, we have had four track meets and next Tuesday will be our final one where there will be around 12 other teams and select runners for each race.
This big meet is known as the runner meet and happens only once a season. The meet is held at the Bon High School track and begins at 3. Some people are also alternate runners, meaning that they would step in for a runner in certain situations. A few of these situations would be if a runner does not
attend the meet or if one of the runners does very well in the race and the coaches decide to give the alternate runner a chance to compete. Our coaches are Mr. Allen, Miss Incadon, Mr. Laspata, and Mr. D. Simone. Yesterday, we were told during track practice who was running and what part of the race
they would participate in. Although not everyone is competing, all BMS track teammates are invited to attend the meet and support those who do run. Lastly, our BMS culture and climate community has organized them after testing for
students so that they can relax and enjoy a movie after working hard. Each grade voted for which movie they would watch with the options for eighth grade being Holes, Diversion, and The Mazer Runner. The movie that is played for each grade will be the one who wins the majority vote. For the eighth grade, our
learning movie will be played on Friday afternoon. We hope that the movies will be a nice ending to a busy week of testing. Thank you for having us here tonight to speak about BMS and what we have been up to this month. A job here from school representing
Okay, good evening everyone. Hopefully you're all doing well despite this gloomy weather. I wish it wasn't raining. Anyways, to get started, we are currently in the second week of AP testing. After that, the NJSLA testing will begin. All juniors will be taking the science portion of the test and
freshman, sophomores, and juniors will then take the English and math portions depending on what their placement is. Um, this Friday, the class of 2025 is hosting a movie night. They will be playing the movie Cars and all proceeds are going to the Mora family. Also looking forward, next week, May 19th
through the 22nd, we'll be having their class, which I know everybody is looking forward to. Some of the things include anything but a backpack and direct Tuesday. In addition to the theme days, there will also be lunch activities each day, including charades, a water balloon toss, musical chairs, and my personal
favorite to war. We also have our spring concerts coming up coming up soon as well. The spring oral concert is on May 20th, and the instrumental concert is on May 22nd. We also have a field trip coming up soon, which is the physics grade adventure field trip on the 29th
of May. As we get into early June, we also have some things to look forward to. All the seniors are currently watching their attendance because we have our senior on June 5th and everybody is talking about it and I mean every single day. Um but so that's something super
exciting to look forward to. As far as sports go has been a really strong season for all of our sports teams. Track and field is doing incredibly well. In fact, the school record was actually broken. The boys broke the 48 record from 1983. So that's incredibly impressive. Girls lacrosse recently beat
Ridge in the county tournament. They'll be playing Ping Green tomorrow in the county semi-finals. Girls lacrosse played Hillsboro today and they won 168. Baseball recently beat Gil and they'll be playing against French in the quarterfinals. Softball is also performing really well. They recently
lost watching Hills who have the number one seat and it was a very close game. State tournaments coming up. Rose tennis is working really hard and golf came second in group two in the tournament of champions. That is all. Thank you. Thank you.
for sure to start because I think Heat. Heat. Yeah. Some hills. There's a infinity um infinity
shaped um handling uh glass that says the name and the school district and thanks them for their service. So uh here tonight uh speaking about their respective retirees and they will
receive um a token of gratitude from so I'm first going to welcome Mr. Keith who will speak about the retirees Mr. So Caesar Club experience is the teacher of all
things at the close of the school year will do farewell to three beloved educators first and Hus who will take with them a combined 108 years of teaching experience.
Wow. Walking out of the door is quite an understatement. So recognize these three remarkable careers. First up to respect and
gratitude teacher has made a difficult decision to retire after 42 years of kindergarten instructional for decades has shaped generations of residents teaching not only the children who are classrooms but
also use their children has instilled lessons that extend far beyond the classroom lessons kindergarten like sharing with generosity with courage others with kindness. She's firm
yet. She's tough yet loving and she's exactly who you hope to see in your doorway when you send your child to kindergarten on the first day of school. First, on behalf of the entire summer community, thank you and congratulations on a remarkable career. We wish you
nothing but the best in your retirement. Thank you. recognizing after 25 years of selfless service since September 2000. career. However, I would be not to mention that teaching was D's second act. Somewhere along the way, Dana
decided to leave the courtroom and take her first teaching position at all places. She leapt out of the fire and into the fire. is an exceptionally talented teacher who inspires and
equally important junction in their educational journey. Not only acquire the knowledge necessary for promotion but also the soft skills, empathy, collaboration, resilience. They are all critical for a successful transition from elementary to
middle school. his colleagues will remember her as a wonderful mentor, someone who has taken new teachers under her wing to help them flourish and grow. We thank you for your commitment to your craft, to your students, and the medical community. And we wish you the very
best. All right, finally it was my pleasure. This is service. She attended well and graduated from high. She still in September 1984 was hired as a teacher
at Bedwell professional. Over the past four decades transform classroom each summer into a welcoming community. She created a space where apprehensions of students found her voice where their values were challenged and where each and every
student was cared for and respected as though they were her own. The lives of so many children and doing so has made a profound impact on our Somerset Hills community. And after all that, if you remember how about I'd like to share with you
something that shared with me so many times. Most reason yesterday and a quote is the best. We have the best kids, the best parents. It's just the best place to be. So, just so happens
that Ben says the same about you. Congratulations on a remarkable career. Thank you everybody. Thank you. Thank you. Um, one of our retirees will come up with us this evening, but I would like to recognize Susan Ryan, our
BMS nurse, who will be retiring at the end of this school year. Mrs. Ryan has been in the Somerset Hill School District for 23 years, beginning her career as a fellow elementary nurse and spending the bulk of her years at BMS. Suzanne has displayed an amazing
commitment not only to health but to fitness and educating our students and families about their overall wellness. She will be missed. So thank you Suz. Next, I would like to recognize Valor. Mores has spent 21 years at
Burnsville Middle School teaching fifth, sixth, and eighth grade literacy. When I asked students about Mrs. Torres, first I want to say that when I went to students and I said, I want you to talk a little bit about Mrs. Torres, everybody's face was Mrs. Torres, Mrs.
Torres. And so when I read this, you'll know that I spoke with a group of eighth graders. The students at Mrs. TR is really really nice, really, really sweet and really really fun. Um, when I say that students say even more, she
connects with us. She's a little bit of everything, poetry, literature, and she uses humor to engage us. Our staff describes now as calm, cool, and collected. I would say that I have been privileged to observe Mrs. class many times over the past seven years and I
always come at the level of engagement and what Val is able to do with the students she works with. I'm going to share something that I told when she came to see me that she was going to retire. I said I said what can I do to get
you because I just believe that she was going to she was gracious enough to me the decision to go and do all the things that she can't wait to do with her family and friends and I just want to
say I'm going to miss you tremendously personally best of luck to Dr. High School. Heat. Heat. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. instruction. Heat. Heat. recognize Mr. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Everybody Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. I
see. Yeah. Heat. one of those teachers repeat them as engaging and transformative sitting on one of Dr. Hall's classes has always been a genuine pleasure. His calm presence, rich knowledge, and deep respect for students
create an atmosphere that is both both intellectually rigorous and deeply human. He is without question the most skilled question asker I've ever seen in a classroom, pushing students to think critically, make connections, and discover meaning for themselves. One student shared that quote, "His
coursework, while challenging, severely increased my interest in history." Another wrote, "He's the kind of teacher that perfectly prepares you for life after K12 while simultaneously making you excited to come to class." A different student added, "Even at 7 in the morning, he brings just as much
energy as if it were 3 p.m. always the smile on his face. That consistency, that integrity, and that dedication is the hallmark of Dr. Hog." But his impact wasn't only felt by students. As principal, I've witnessed firsthand the quiet strength and wisdom he shared with his fellow teachers. He carries himself
with humility, grace, and a sense of purpose. He has served as a mentor to his colleagues, always generous with his time, insight, and encouragement. Many of our faculty, young and seasoned alike, have grown professionally thanks to his guidance. Perhaps the most touching tribute came from a student who
had him for three years. They said, "Dr. Hawk didn't just teach me how to write or analyze. He helped me grow as a person and always treated me as an individual. I will forever be uplifted by his kindness, and I'm looking forward to reading his book one day." Now that he has no more journals to grade, I
expect that book to be on the shelves by this time next year. Congratul Congratulations, Dr. Jhog. Enjoy your retirement. last. All right. Next up, we have Miss Kathy Ryerson. Kathy has been a steady, compassionate force in our classroom for
the past 14 years. A teacher who meets every student where they are and walks beside them with patience, humor, and high expectations. She has that rare ability to make students feel completely supported while also holding them accountable, always guiding them forward step by step with care and consistency. Her students have shared just how much
of an impact she's made. One wrote, "She is so nice and helpful." Another shared, "She always makes sure we are doing our best." One student said, "She's really easy to talk to and truly cares about our future." while another student thanked her for helping me with my study skills and making my work seem easy with
your help. These work words reflect the deep care and dedication Kathy brought into every classroom every day. And it wasn't just her students who appreciated working with her. Her colleagues valued her for her professionalism, reliability, and thoughtful support she brought to every team she was part of.
Whether offering a listening ear or sharing a bit of humor, Kathy was a steady and trusted presence. As one of her colleagues put it, she is the best Robin to our Batman. Mrs. Ryerson, your legacy here is one of compassion, integrity, and impact as demonstrated in your confidence and growth that you've
installed in students that you've supported. You've lifted up so many and BHF and BHS is better off because of you. From all of us, thank you and congratulations. And last uh but not least, Mr. John Lawless, who's not able to make it tonight. Uh Mr. Lawless was unable is
unable to attend, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his 29 years of service to Burner High School. Mr. Lawless was a thoughtful, impactful educator who encouraged students to think independently, engage meaningfully with the with the content, and take away lessons that extended far
beyond the classroom. I would like to congratulate him on his retirement and wish him the best. Thank you. And I'm here to honor uh Lillian Barto. After 14 years of safely driving our students to school and from school, Lillian is retiring from the driver's
seat. But not without the respect and the gratitude of the entire Somerset Hill School District. Her dedication, her kindness, and her unwavering commitment made every ride more than just a ride. The children look forward to getting on her bus. and around any holiday they knew they would be
receiving a treat bag and little gifts which Lillian had paid out of her own pocket. Thank you, Lillian, for the miles and for the memories and for the heart that you've given us. Come on up. One final round of applause for all of the retirees.
We have um some more staff honores tonight. Uh, tonight's also the night that we honor our governor's educator of the year award winners. And we will start again uh with our folks from Bedwell with Mr. Colehoffer. Thanks.
Yes. All right. Thank you everybody. It is an honor to present to you Bedwell's educator of the year, first grade teacher, Miss Holly Jablonsky. Mrs. Jablonsky has spent her entire 18-year teaching career here at Bedwell. Over that time, she has proven
herself worthy of this prestigious award. Mr. Blonsky is a highly skilled teacher with an enthusiasm for education. Her classroom is a place where students gain foundational skills while also developing a lifelong passion for learning. Students walk into Mr.
Jablonsky's classroom every day to find a welcoming, safe, and structured environment that encourages risk-taking, promotes academic growth, and nurtures personal development. To put it simply, Mr. Boxy's class is a place where students want to be.
Many, including myself, believe that the best teachers are those who never stop being students. Mr. Blonky embodies the essence of this quote. Throughout her career, Mr. Blonsky has continually sought out opportunities to learn through professional development
opportunities and graduate work, earning her mers in education, her reading specialist certificate, and she's worked to become a certified level Orton Gillingham practitioner. Eager to share her knowledge with her colleagues, Mr. Blonsky is also a mentor in the
district's professional development institute. Mr. Blonsk's commitment to lifelong learning is perhaps best described by the colleague who recommended her for this award. In their letter, they said, quote, "Mr. Blonsky is one of those inspiring teachers who are always looking for ways to better
their craft in order to reach her students in the best way possible." I cannot think of a better way to describe our teacher of the year. Congratulations, Mr. Blonsky on this wonderful achievement. Thank you. All right. I also have the wonderful
privilege of presenting to you the educational services professional of the year from Bedwell. And with that, it's my pleasure to recognize our winner this year, math specialist, Mrs. Michelle Douly. Mrs. Douly, a veteran teacher with 19
years experience, joined the Bedwell team in 2023. Since her arrival, Mrs. Douly has worked tirelessly to not only improve the math skills of students she works with, but also to uplift the culture and climate of our school. As math specialist, Mrs. Douly brings great
enthusiasm and creativity to her lessons so that students cannot help but engage and learn. In push-in models, Mrs. Julie blends in seamlessly with instruction, helping her students to generalize newly acquired skills in the classroom. Her role as a teacher and student advocate
has given countless students the confidence to learn and to grow. Mrs. Douly's impact is not limited to the classroom. However, the initiatives that she's been involved in, weekly iterations of where in the world is character ed, monthly themed
estimation stations and the Bedwell map, which celebrated our multicultural community, has created an excitement among students that only deepens the sense of community that sets Bedwell apart. We are grateful for her contributions and on behalf of the Bedwell community, congratulations to
you, Mrs. DY on being named Bedwell's Educational Service Professional of the Year. Thank you everybody. Thank you Dr. Burch. Miss Goff. It is with great pleasure that I recognize Annie O'Halerin as our teacher
of the year at BMS. Dedicated, thoughtful, Miss O'halerin is truly a math teacher extraordinaire, a beloved staff member among her colleagues and students alike. Miss O'Hhalerin smile and her positivity are simply infectious. not only a leader
in the classroom, but a leader in cross country, spring, track, math club as well. She's a very dedicated team leader to grade 7. And in that quiet leadership role, she has already mentored all both officially and unofficially. Thank you,
Annie, for all you do. This award is tremendously welld deserved. and one more time for the high school. Okay, so I am pleased to recognize the governor's educator of the year for Bernard High School, Miss Kelly Clark. Miss Clark has been a social studies
teacher at Bernard's High School for 15 years and exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding teacher. She is someone who champions her students and challenges them on a regular basis because she truly cares about them. In her classroom, Miss Clark teaches her students valuable skills that do not
just help them excel in the content area, but as individuals, they're taught to form arguments backed by facts and evidence. They're taught accountability and independence. They're challenged at a high level, but also given words of encouragement and support. This is all accomplished while also laughing along
with Miss Clark's boisterous and infectious laugh. Miss Clark's care for her students extends beyond the class period as she often sends out postcards to students homes to congratulate them on recent successes that they've had in the classroom or to simply share how much
she's enjoyed having them in class. In in addition to her outstanding dedication to the betterment of her students, Miss Clark extends the same care to the community. Every year, she hosts the giving tree during the holiday season where she collects gifts and then drops them off to be delivered to deserving families. Additionally, she
organizes and holds the jeans for hoops jeans for troops fundraiser every year raising money for our own armed forces around Veterans Day to remind our students and the staff the importance of supporting our military forces. Miss Clark even went so far as to get flags purchased, which you see outside Bernard
High School, to hang from the lampost to honor our armed forces. Last but not least, she is a tremendous colleague who works tirelessly to make sure every member of our staff is supported and heard. She is most deserving of recognition for the educator of the year
for Bernard High School. We are truly fortunate to have her, Miss Kelly Clark. Um, if I may, uh, there are, um, a host of really powerful educators and leaders and, uh, just influencers of young minds
here. And, um, there is no greater determinant of student achievement, um, greater than a thoughtful teacher. Think about that. The number one determinant of a quality school, a
quality district is a thoughtful teacher. And uh that point is not lost on me. It's not the superintendent, it's not the principal, it's not the board of education, it's the way that the people on the front lines are supported uh
throughout. And um it is because of the folks on the front lines and the teachers that this district uh achieves every single accolade that comes um that comes to us. And there are a lot if you just come and listen to the student representatives um at these meetings.
There's a ton of great stuff happening and it all starts with the knowledge and frankly the love and support that takes place on the front lines of every classroom in this district. So whether
you're retiring, congratulations. Or if you're sticking around as educator of the year, congratulations. We'll see you next year. Uh so what a great night. And on behalf of the board, uh, I'd like to thank everybody, uh, that came out and
for all of the great service to the district, whether you're retiring or not, it is truly appreciated. So, thank you. We're going to make a brief transition and talk about the Super Siblings reading program. Okay, so I have a brief report for the
board. Uh, a lot of great things going on at Bedwell. Um the Somerset Hills Education Foundation has honored Bedwell with a grant from uh for Darcy Brutin uh who's our media specialist there and she is operating the super siblings reading
program at Bedwell uh that provides bilingual bookboards uh to students that um will be supported um through this media content. And uh the idea is that her students will be able to check out
and access preschool and toddler books uh that are available in English and also in Spanish. Um they're able to bring these home um to read to the younger siblings uh to their cousins and their neighbors etc. Uh this initiative encourages reading reading at home and
builds a relationship uh with library books and our our students. Um the super siblings reading program aims to build confidence for all involved and uh it's just been a a great area of support uh that the elementary school is able to
achieve from chef. Uh also from chef is a pug mill. And for benefit of the board uh we're not talking about dogs. Um, a pug mill is a specialized machine that's used in
ceramics that efficiently mixes, dears, and extrudes clay, transforming recycled clay scraps into usable material. Uh this is certainly sustainable and it teaches students about materials um material processing and conservation and
does save uh considerable time on instruction um and a host of different um in a host of different ways inside of these inside of the art room at the middle school. Uh this also supports inclusive education uh by making clay
preparation accessible to students with different physical abilities who might struggle with the demanding process of manual wedging. So this is a really cool uh grant that Chef was able to honor uh to our art program at the middle school. And um it really isn't what you think um
when you when you hear pug mill. So um very awesome. never heard of it before. Um but it's um it's paying big dividends. Uh we have our untold stories um class at the high school. It's part
of a unit uh at the high school regarding overlooked chapters in American history. Um the untold history's electives. Had the opportunity to meet with Kristen Martin. She's a journalist and she was the author of The Sun Won't Come Out tomorrow, the dark
history of orphanages in the United States of America. Uh students uh read some content uh from Miss Martin and and did engage with her uh including some work around orphan trains, which is a 19th century program that relocated
improvers children from New York City to rural homes in the Midwest. Um during Miss Martin's visit, she shared insights into her own investigative process, uh including time spent in historical archives uncovering records from the Children's Aid Society. Uh she spoke
openly about challenges in constructing a narrative from incomplete, contradictory or biased sources, uh which certainly is a struggle uh not not only familiar to historians but uh society in general. Um, her work does
align with the goals of the course and challenges popular myths like those found in Oliver Twist and those found in Little Orphan Annie and reveals the deeper truths behind the American orphanage and orphanage system. Um, so very powerful uh work coming out of the
high school for sure. Spring has sprung at Bedwell and the Bedwell uh or the B girls uh season is wrapping up uh their spring session and this is a collaborative team of staff members and they empower our girls at
Bedwell to be strong uh inside and out activities included nature walks, yoga lessons and thematic activities. Uh we also have uh had a great idea of uh the entire school being able to contribute to the um completion of a
jigsaw puzzle as an option for indoor recess. Students and teachers joined in on in completing the puzzle um sponsored by or thought about by Miss Rauski. And um as folks passed her classroom, they contributed um even in small ways um to
this um jigsaw puzzle. and it's created some great brain breaks and some great uh some great fun in the spring. The Girl Up Club at the high school has started an empowerment
initiative and uh this month they collaborated with the Asian-American Pacific Islander uh club to honor their heritage month. uh they show posters of well-known and lesserk known AAPI individuals who have made important
contributions uh to present and past uh society. So that's been um a great addition uh over at the high school as well. I have a book somewhere here that I'm going to find. Um it's called What's
Cooking? And I need to find it. One second. So after two years, this is my first ever artifact during the superintendence report. um you know outside of the normal slide deck and uh what we're passing around is um called BMS Cooks.
It's an actual book um that answers the age-old question, what's for dinner? Um our middle school students in sixth grade have a solution. Um and they recently published this with their art teacher. Um can you buy it? I I think
that may be an original. I will I will get an answer uh to that. So you definitely can't take it home tonight. Um so uh the cookbook is a collaboration of family recipes along with some drawings of the dishes that the students
published uh in addition to why the recipe is important to them and why is it important to their family. So what struck me in looking through this book is that it's written in English, it's written in Spanish, it's written in French, it's also written in Hebrew. Uh
there are a variety of ethnic dishes uh from Italy, Guatemala, Germany, Paraguay, Ireland, Spain, Costa Rica, Poland, and Israel. Um the common theme in the pages here is the family history that have has been shared. Um, so the
parents, the grandparents and their grandparents that pass these rep recipes down the line and the rituals that certain families uh take together um and kind of hit the pause button on um their lives in general in order to prepare
these meals. Um so this has all been kind of passed down through four and five generations. Um and it's a point of tradition for these families and it's a point of pride and um in my opinion it is a very very cool uh outgrowth at the
middle school. So that's um that's just cool stuff. So um so beautiful, isn't it? Because it brings family together. It's like school's important. Yeah. But this is this is the meat of it all. This is this is
family. And I agree with you and I'll take it a step further. It's kiddriven. Yeah, this is so awesome. Like, sorry. If you think about and I don't cook,
Mrs. Hoppy and for the board, if you think about the greatest learning that you've ever done, whether it's in a classroom or outside, I'll argue that it's the learning that took place that you actually contributed to and constructed. And that's what we're
looking at. Speaking of amazing, we uh did our bus evacuation drills this month. Yeah. Segue. So, there's always got to be a segue. Got to keep it moving. Um so, we were at Bedwell. We conducted our
drills and um we had a team of 19 full-time and part-time drivers. We have four bus aids. It was not that long ago that we had a Spartan crew and a Spartan team here. Uh special credit not only to the entirety of the board but the business operations committee uh Jenny
DeMarco and her team that brought that on. Uh so um very very cool. Uh Bedwell also has a um a green team and a garden club that's uh been um active for a long time and
um and they were recently at the Bernardsville Green Fair on May 10th. Uh they are comprised of 25 students in third grade and fourth grade. They're volunteers and they prepare the garden beds for the upcoming season. And uh soon the garden club is going to host
tomato seedling sale, tomato seedling sale in the um coming weeks. We have advisors Miss Rowski, Mr. Sikin, and master gardener Dana Goldbas uh has been influencing uh these kids in great ways.
Uh we have a board member alert in the superintendent report here. Uh during uh the most recent gardening club event at the high school, uh we had a successful terranium building event. Uh 70 students were or 70 um participants um were were
involved and participated in this and they created custom desert terraniums and um the designs were great and uh certainly the night uh was terrific as well. So, special thanks to Allison Snyder and the Garden Club board um who
made this uh a great event. And it's time for uh the newest um rec uh rec newest student to recognize in our everyday hero program at the high school. Uh Ellie Ferman uh can always be
counted on to be outgoing, honest, and authentically herself. Um, she designs creative visual presentations to share her ideas and learning with the class, always with a bit of levity and always with a bit of humor. She was captain of the
cheerleading team. Um, described as the heart and soul of that team. Uh, she's positive, she's relentless, and she's dedicated and has the natural ability to inspire. Uh her strength goes beyond her athletic ability and she truly shines in her compassion, consistency and courage
showing us that real leadership is about lifting others up. We have some photographs from the tennis courts, the lacrosse fields um on our track from the spring that uh Norah talked about uh earlier and uh we have
um has had successful opportunities for kids um as well. We have some openings for the 2526 school year that we are also uh actively recruiting for. And um 19 weeks in to
2025 and we are uh actively updating our Friday folders and um continuing our process of updating um our news cycle and our new and our news partner outlets uh in the area.
Switching gears a little bit. Um we were we recently just completed the 2023 24 uh school and district self assessment for determining grades under the anti-bullying bill of rights. Uh this is a um a required function of that law and
it's an important exercise that we uh go through in order to assess um our work. And this was from last school year's um assessment. And what we have here is uh we review uh what they what the department calls core elements. Uh the
first element are HIV programs, approaches and other initiatives. Um another element is training on board approved policy. An element is other staff instruction and training. Another element is curriculum and instruction on
HIV. Uh another element is HIV personnel. uh school level HIV incident reporting procedure uh and then the HIV investigation procedure, HIV reporting and that results in a school grade
um school grade. Uh the maximum score is 78. Uh this is a uh something that's guided by a rubric, but there's not a um there's not necessarily guidance on um exactly how many points to uh award to
yourself um in these rubrics. Uh the uh the high school uh had a score of 77 out of 78. Um and they reported um losing a a point that was self-deducted in the area of HIV
personnel. Uh the middle school had a score of 74 out of 78 and they uh indicated um particular areas of growth in HIV
investigation procedure. Um during that year the um bedwell had a score of 68 out of 78 and there were um some areas for opportunities for enhancement there
um in HIV programs approaches and other initiatives training um curriculum and instruction HIV personnel and um investigation procedures. So there are some uh some
areas for opportunities there to um um to grow from. You know, as we examine this current year, next year um you know, I would expect some of these areas um reflect differently. This information um does
get fed into a district score and the district score is an average of the three and it's a 73 out of 78. Uh this information is posted on our website pursuant to um the requirements set forth in the um New Jersey Department of
Education. uh continuing our work with responding for excellence, uh we are introducing a defined special education parent advisory group and that group will begin to meet in June. Um, in order to enhance
our outreach, in order to grow positive relationships, in order to collaborate around specific problems, uh, in order to develop, uh, systems change, um, when needed, um, information sharing,
developing capacities from all parties, and, um, effectively allocating resources in the name of improving our services and our relationships with the people that we're serving. the district is introducing a special education
parent advisory group. Um I've taken um great interest in this. Um, I've been very visible in this area of work um for the community and on behalf of the board and um I hope that I've modeled all of those items set forth on that slide um
with fidelity and we're looking to take that next step um in order to continue that process of listening, learning, and applying. Um and those three pieces are very important to us. Uh we have an event on June 3rd uh that we will be um
kicking off with a um a speaker. Her name is Desiree Nolan. She's a board certified behavior analyst. She's also a certified teacher. Uh she has a master's degree as well in instructional technology. Um she is in a parallel
function tonight on the agenda for approval as a board certified behavior analyst. uh she will be our guest presenter um at our first session. She will be presenting on managing uh challenging behavior and combating the
summer slide. Um so we have timed this um to um bridge essentially parent pickup um at Bedwell in the afternoon to be able to kind of have parents engaged and then head across the parking lot to pick their kids up. A lot of our CPAG
parents are um tend to be uh with our younger grades. So um we are uh looking forward to this. Uh at the same time we're also looking for uh parents to um not only you know attend but also assist in the leadership of of this um
collaboratively designed uh parent group. So uh June 3rd 1:30 it's at the middle school. Um and I would invite um the board and really encourage the board to come um to that if you can. Um I think you'll get a kick out of Miss
Noland. In fact, I know you will. Um, so uh and she'll offer a very robust session and spring has sprung and it is um it's busy. So we have some dates, you know, out there whether we are um
whether it's our performance groups, uh proms, senior awards, our board meetings, um promotion ceremonies for fourth, 8th, and 12th grade. Uh and then also uh the upcoming uh final edition for this school year for pathways is
coming out as well. So um Miss Frena, that does um satisfy my report and uh I'll pass it off to you. Okay. Thank you very much. Um then we will move into public comments for actionable agenda
items. Um we very much welcome input from the public. Public comments are welcome at this time on any actionable agenda item. Towards the end of the meeting, there is a second public forum on any topic. Please state your name and address. Comments are limited to three minutes. At 3 minutes, you'll be
interrupted and asked to pause to allow any other members of the public who would like to speak and opportunity to do so. An individual may return to the podium to complete their statement after everyone else has had an opportunity to speak for a total of two times at the podium. Please understand that our public forums are not structured as
question and answer sessions but are offered as opportunities to share your thoughts with the board. In instances where the board feels there is a misunderstanding or inaccuracy, the board president or superintendent may address the comment. In accordance with New Jersey statute, the board will not discuss matters regarding specific personnel. Public comments will be
limited to 30 minutes. A reminder for all parties in attendance to remain respectful and that there should be no interaction between the speaker and the audience. No members of the audience should interfere with interrupted speaker comments. Thank you in advance for your input. Um, I do not believe we have any
public comments at this time. So, if I can get a motion to close and a second, Miss Santo, and a second, Miss Cooper. Thank you very much. Okay. Then we will move into the approval of the minutes. I would like to ask for a motion to approve the public input and action and
executive meeting minutes for April 30th, 2025 with one item that has been corrected from public comments portion of the April 30th meeting. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes, please? Miss Cooper, a second, Miss Ry. And is there any discussion surrounding the
minutes? No. Okay. Then roll call, please. Miss Ballard. Yes, Miss Clark Emory. Yes, Miss Cooper. Yes, Miss Gills. Yes, Mrs. Gomez. I abstain because I wasn't
here. Mrs. Hoppy, yes, Mrs. Santoro. I'm sorry, but this is for last month. Yeah, I wasn't here. Okay, so you're apologize. Abstain. Okay, Mrs. Santoro. Yes. Mrs. Ry, yes. Mrs. Frienda, yes. Motion carries. Okay, thank you very
much. Um, we have a lengthy section of organizational action items this month as we these are items that we are going to be motioning to approve for the 202526 school year for uh different providers, services, contracts, staffs, benefits, subscriptions, um things that
we uh need to have in place for district operations. So, I would like to ask at this time for a motion to approve action items number 1 through 48 on the agenda. Would anyone like to make a motion? um Miss Happy and the second Miss Ry and then discussion regarding the
organizational items. Yes. Um if I want to vote no for one of the items, what do I do? Um just say yes and no for number. Correct. Correct. Yeah.
Anybody else? Nope. Okay. Then roll call, please. Miss Ballard, yes. Miss Clark Emory, yes. Miss Cooper, yes. Miss Gills, yes. But for 10 B, no.
Miss Gomez, yes. Miss Hoppy, yes. Mrs. Santoro, yes. Mrs. Ry, yes. Mrs. Frenda, yes. The motion carries. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, we are going to move into the report for the business operations committee.
Mr. Baker. um was not in attendance this month and Mrs. Ry will be representing and delivering the report this evening. Thank you. Um with the uh we met on um you can see when we met I put the date down but I guess I didn't. My
apologies. We did meet at 4 p.m. for an hour and a half. Um the entire committee was there with the inclusion of myself. Mr. Baker was unable to make it. Dr. Brochial and um Mr. Lagori were were
there as well. Um the first thing we discussed was a potential BHS gym floor donation. Um the administration is currently doing its diligence regarding a community member's offer of a donation
to cover the sanding and refinishing of the lower gym floor at BHS. Um more information will be shared as it becomes available. We also talked about a podcasting lab at BHS. Because there's no defined
podcasting location at BHS, Dr. Brochial has recommended that one be created in unused office space for the coming school year. This can be done at minimal cost and the committee agreed that this should move forward. We discussed the
master schedule at BHS and um we were found we found that the administration has gone over it and yay there are fewer overloads than in past years. So that's something that that has made the
committee very happy. Allcott lights. Uh, a purchase order has been cut for the ordering and installation of lights at Alcott Field so that we are now in line for the vendor. Barring unforeseen
weather interruptions, the hope is for them to be up and working by Labor Day. the American Red Cross uh approached us um along with uh the Bernardsville Police Department, specifically Sergeant
Tim Richard um that we designate BHS as an emergency shelter. You may remember that during Sandy and there was another flooding um time that that we did this um the lower gym and
the wrestling room and associated hallway will be used to fulfill this request on an asneeded basis and the committee agreed that this was a good thing to do. Um after discussion of
water filling stations we've decided Dr. Brochial uh recommended that six water filling stations be installed at BMS. The work will commence by the custodial staff um over the summer and should be ready for
September. Uh we discussed custodial and maintenance and organ uh the organization of that. Dr. Brochel and Mr. Lori continue to consider the best way to organize these departments for optimal efficiency for the coming school
year. There will be updates on that. Uh we discussed unaffiliated staff contracts. We talked about the contracts for the assistant superintendent and the business administrator.
In terms of insurance matters, there is a change to a subgroup of a Delta dental insurance plan. Coverage will remain equal to or better than what is currently offered for the people who
will experience that change. Uh the budget was posted um the budget was approved last month and is now posted um on uh the district's website homepage. All stakeholders are
encouraged to examine its contents. Uh Dr. Brochial again and Mr. Lori recommended that the district solicit an RFP for an auditor contract as a function of best practice. You
remember that we've been doing this sort of on a rolling basis for the past couple of years. Um, and the committee approved their request for that. Um, and we've already approved it, but Mr. Lori took the committee through the annual
line items that we just approved at our meeting. And I know that you all had access to that before the the meeting and that you looked at them. Um, just for information purposes, work on the new district website is progressing. It
remains on track to be rolled out in advance of the start of the 2025 2026 school year. I'd like to make a motion to Okay. Sorry. You do that. Sorry. Sorry.
No problem. Thank you, Miss Ry. Um, I'm going to ask for a motion at this time to approve action items number 1 through 16 on the agenda. Miss Ry, would you like to make that motion? I would like to make Okay. And Miss Happy, you would like to second that. Okay. And
discussion regarding business operations. Nope. Okay. Then roll call, please. Miss Ballard, yes. Miss Clark Emory, yes. Miss Cooper, yes. Miss Gills, yes. Mrs. Gomez, yes. Mrs. Hoppy, yes. Mrs. Santoro, yes. Mrs. Ry, yes.
Mrs. Frenda, yes. Motion carries. Um, our curriculum committee did not meet this month. But before I move into motions, I just want to check with Miss Cooper because this is I don't this is a very unusual circumstance where there's no report from the curriculum committee.
I I just want to make sure that we Okay. Okay. Then at this time, I would like to ask for a motion to approve action items number one through eight on the agenda. Would I would like to make a motion? Uh,
Miss Gills and second, Miss Ry. Thank you. And discussion regard Oh, I'm sorry. You know what? Before I Yep. Go ahead. I'll cover it all when we get there. discussion for curriculum. Anybody? Okay, the roll call, please.
Miss Clark Emory, yes. Mrs. Cooper, yes. Miss Gills, yes. Mrs. Gomez, yes. Mrs. Hoppy, yes. Mrs. Santoro, yes. Mrs. Ry, yes. Miss Ballard, yes. Mrs. Frenda, yes. Motion carries. And I do this from time to time. I forgot to ask about old
and new business during business operations. So if I could if anyone has anything that they would like to contribute for old or new business for business operations or for curriculum at this time for a future agenda. I do have question on the field trips uh
the community crisis and liberty science center. I'm just only like five students and students like but it's like a club or class. Okay. So this is in the
curriculum. Mhm. Okay. Thank you. I want to know because I was like wait. Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure that it was I didn't hear that it was addressed. Okay. Thank you. Um we did roll call then we will move on
to Yeah. I'm sorry. I have um I know you and I we had spoken about the graduation. Um I have a question or a request. Maybe we can discuss it. Um, I had the privilege when I was on
the board to hand Michael, my son, his diploma, and I thought maybe we can open it up to teachers who serve in the district. if they have children attending Mensville High School, if they're graduating, maybe they can also
give their child their diploma um for graduation just, you know, because they've I think that's a great idea. What I think it's a great idea. Yeah, because I mean they, you know, they
have we ever said no to that? I mean, have we have? It hasn't been. So, I would Yeah. What I would do is recommend referring that to policy and personnel. Uh because what you would do is you would build that into your graduation
policy. Okay. Um so as an example, I've seen it in some districts where um former board members um were able to do that. even uh believe it or not former uh local government officials. So like
council member um I have seen some districts that have policies built in for staff. Um so depending on the flavor of the board, you know, that's kind of what the board elected to do. So but I would refer that to uh PMP. Um so which
means that wouldn't be something that would happen next month um at those ceremonies. doing it immediately. Well, I I wouldn't recommend that. Um but you know, certainly it would be something to refer to them. Okay. Yeah. And then you know my stance on that whole gown,
right? So the um so I did put in that I will wear mine but Okay. Just not I Okay, so the deal is I know there's a lot of you that don't know because I do have some issues. Um, when we were asked what our gown was
for graduation, I kind of felt like we shouldn't be wearing them because it's not our graduation, it's for the children and they should be the ones only wearing the graduation gowns. So, of course, Minda mouth and bring that topic up. So, I wanted to know if you guys in policy
could perhaps speak on that, too. Sure. And again, um, I just don't want the attention brought to the board. We're there to support the children and encourage, you know, wonderful experience here, but when it comes to this is their parade, you know, right?
Uh so for next June, we're going to continue as is with gowns. Um but I, you know, this is the benefit of having worked in multiple districts. I've seen boards that wear gowns. Um I've seen
boards that do not wear gowns. Um, and um, and I mean this with with the greatest level of sincerity. Um, I I don't think that the kids care if you wear a gown and I don't think I don't think they care if you don't. It's
not my, you know, like I feel ridiculous. Mindy, I'm with you. Yeah. I totally understand. I know. They probably could care less if it if we were there and they probably don't care. Yeah. I think that you just No, I just needed to say it. Yeah. No, but I think
you want to take on I don't wear you know I I noticed that we wore gowns here. My former district did not uh wear gowns and you know I was sort of like well when in Rome you know they're wearing they're wearing gowns. Okay, we're wearing gowns,
right? Yeah. Well, I would yeah, I would say since we're putting the graduation um protocol into the policy grouping, then I would refer it to policy discussion. Okay. Um good. Okay. Anybody
else? We're just old business, new business ops and curriculum. Correct. Yes. I think the thought to be through curriculum. So, yeah. Got um Okay. So we will move into the report for personnel. Miss
Ballard. Thank you, Mrs. Frenda. Uh so the personnel department met uh personnel committee met on May 8th um from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Um as mentioned in the previous meeting, there's a possible reorganization of the current
custodial and maintenance organizational chart as Mrs. Ry also referenced. To that end, the district will assign the duties of a recently resigned custodial foreman to the director of operations on a temporary basis. This is a stipended position, which appears on this month's
agenda. Uh non-renewal meetings were held last Friday. Non-affiliated contracts were sent to the New Jersey Department of Education. Uh Dr. Brochel shared summer work hours for 2025. These hours begin the week of June 16th, 2025
and end August 18th, 2025. The schedule is a 4-day work week, Monday to Thursday, with 30 minutes for lunch each day. Vacation, personal, family illness, and sick days are counted as one full day. And that is the personnel committee
report. Thank you. So then I would like to ask for a motion to approve action items number one through nine on the agenda for personnel. If someone would like to make a motion, Miss Ballard and a second, Miss Gills. And discussion.
Okay, then. Roll call, please. Miss Cooper, yes. Miss Gills, yes. Mrs. Gomez, yes. Mrs. Hoppy, yes. Mrs. Santoro, yes. Mrs. Ry, yes. Miss Ballard, yes. Miss Clark Emory, yes. Mrs. Frenda, yes. Motion carries. Thank
you. Um, and do we have any additional new or old business to add to personnel? Okay. The policy, Miss Ballard. Thank you. Um, so on the policy agenda once again were uh 0164 conduct
of board meeting and 5511 dress and grooming. Um, we talked briefly uh but we had several committee members absent. So we tabled the larger discussion on these topics until everyone would be present to ensure more robust
dialogue. Okay. Um we have no policy to move into first or second reading this evening. So um there is no thing to vote on. However, if there's any discussion that anybody would like to have regarding
anything. Nope. Okay. Um, roll call, please. There's no roll call. Oh, when you're moving, when you're moving off of just pure old business, new business or policy, when you're just moving through moving through
um nothing, we covered it. Okay, great. Uh, then student services, Miss Santoro. Okay, so student services met on May 5th at 5:30. All committee members were there and we did have a robust discussion. Um, one of the topics that
was initially put on, um, kind of the grouping of topics that student services wanted to cover was athletics and equity in athletics. Um, so the conversation centered around
the fact that we want all of our students across the board to have a good experience with our co-curriculars, particularly in all departments, but this conversation centered around athletics. So the committee is very
focused on having a consistent experience for all athletes across all sports in the middle school and the high school. Um we thought that the program could benefit from having an overall
goal for um the program and we would rely on the experts to determine what that goal is and it might be several. And then based on those goals to have um coaches all working and understanding
that and um having some standards with how things are applied. One of the conversations we had was around like selection of captains. Um it varies with all sports. Sometimes it could vary from year to year within a specific sport. So
one of the things that freshmen may come in with is a goal to they want to be captain by senior year and what does that look like? How are you going to achieve that? What are you going to work towards? Things like that that could be um as much as possible
standardized. So, you know, we we did give Dr. Brochial kind of some homework, I think, to come back to us and give us some recommendations working with his team as to what they think the best approach to something like this is. And
then we did touch on the topic of the no cut policy and you know, we had some dialogue around why that is in place. Again, what is the objective behind a no cut policy? Is it serving what that objective is? Is it still serving our
student population um that participates in athletics today? So, that was another um just area that the committee would like Dr. Brochial to give us some thoughts from the administration on and so we
look forward to getting some input from um Dr. Brochial and his team on these topics with regards to athletics. But again, the goal being a consistently positive experience for our all of our
athletes. Um, and then based on last month and a request, we did review HIV matters. you know, this board um we take HIB um data and um all all the HIP cases
very seriously and we want again all of our students to come to school in a safe welcoming welcoming environment. So, one of the areas we can get data as to what is going on with some of our behavioral challenges is in the area of HIPS. We
particularly wanted to see what the uh hibs from this year have been based on. So we did go through those categories and I'll just go through them um briefly but our hip cases have been founded on physical disabilities, intellectual
disability, mental disability, appearance, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin. So there's spread. we're we're not seeing the majority of our hibs in any
one category. Um so we wanted to understand that so we could also understand from a programming standpoint how we can um look at this systematically within the district to be proactive with all of our student
population in um mitigating some of this. We also discussed whether administration feels that given um the behavioral challenges that we see and in particular some of the challenges that we see post pandemic if our disciplinary
code of conduct adequately allows staff to handle situations whether they be hip or code of conduct at this point Dr. Rochelle feels that they are appropriately aligned. Um but you know was going to again get some feedback
from his administrative team to um just bring a little bit more information. Um you know and the board just continues to keep driving to address social challenges that our students are facing and ensure that our culture and climate is one in which all students feel safe
and welcome and can learn to the best of their ability. So that is my report. Okay. Can I just add uh one clarifying comment? Um the code of conduct is a function of policy um and regulation. Um
so that would also be done in concert with PMP if any changes were set forth. So that's policy 5600. And then that would be something that we would kind of marry those two committees together. Okay. Yeah. Great. Thank you. Um, so then we do have some items. I would like
to ask for a motion to approve action items number one through three on the agenda. Can I have a motion, please, Miss Cooper? And second question. I just need a second before we can and a second, Miss Ry. Okay. And now discussion. Okay. Sorry. Uh, we're
voting on on all of these. Um if there's a particular item that you wish to abstain on um for any board member the um item number item number one is for Bedwell in the middle
school. Okay. So there's a case there um that you would need to abstain from. You should ab correct from number one. Yes. Okay. Trying not to tell you what to do. No, no, no, I know. I I understand. I'm sorry. I didn't I wasn't
aware. I didn't know if it was Yeah, I meant a certain item. So, um apologies. Yeah, I think it's cleaner at this point. Um to abstain from one. Okay. Yep. Thank you. And then um tonight earlier are
this is not what we're voting on tonight. Uh no, ma'am. Uh, so the the board heard an appeal tonight and then the board would act on an appeal in June and that's consistent with law. Acted wasn't sure. Correct. Thank you. You bet. I'm sorry, Brian. Can I ask a
clarifying question? So, if we want to abstain from one and we do know the case number, are you saying that's okay, but yes, you know which one? Correct. So, but not from the whole thing. Correct. So the board received um the list of
matters. If you happen to know it, you can just abstain from that particular item. Um if you don't happen to recall it, it's okay. You just abstain from all of number one as an example. Yep. Okay. I have a question just on a split part
of that mean like the the people reviewing the case you know in the when it says founded unfounded but split founded and unfounded and then split the split column yeah there's some there's some that were so where there were
multiple offenders one okay uh one was found and one wasn't thank you this may be the the most discussion we've ever had in HIV situation. Does anybody else have anything? No. Okay. So then for this we will do
roll call. Miss Gills. Yes. Mrs. Gomez. I abstain. Oh, because it was April presented on April 30th. So, you would ab you're abstaining from
one because it's um it's elementary and middle and then you would abstain from two because it's high school and you weren't here. Okay, got that. Yep. Okay, Mrs. Hoppy.
Okay, so I I wasn't here for the high school. You weren't here for the meeting, right? So, I know. Well, no. I mean,
no, I didn't mean it in the way. Yeah. Okay. The audience. Um, yes. So, I It's hard for me to pick like what is like I I
What are we voting on? I think you were not here for the entirety of any of these. No. Yeah. So, it's we're just voting on the the HIVs. Those are just the action items. Abstain. Okay. Got it. From one and two, Mrs. Santoro. Okay.
Yes. But I'm going to abstain from one BMS 22. Mrs. Ry, yes. Miss Ballard, yes. Miss Clark Emory. Um, no. I abstain from item number one
and yes for item number two. Thank you. There's an item three as well. And item three. Yes. Thank you, Miss Cooper. Yes. I believe the motion carries.
Did you roll me? Oh, I'm sorry, M. And I still think it carries. It does. Okay. Um My apologies. No. Um, well, then we will move into board announcements next. The views and opinions that are may be expressed by individual members of the Somerset Hills
Board of Education during board announcements are solely those of the individual board members and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, regulations, and or positions of the Somerset Hills Board of Education and or any other individual members of the board. Does anybody have anything for
board announcements this month? I miss Pal. Okay. Um, I just wanted to comment on the uh intergenerational prom or the golden prom. Um, I had never gone before and it's wonderful. I'll be a regular
there and my neighbor down the street who's will be 94 next year promised to carpool with me. He wants to drive. It will be discussed. Um, but it was just wonderful to see the community go together, get together. It was a wonderful event. Um, everybody was
interacting. And there was a lot of dancing, a lot of laughing, a lot of talking. And I'm really grateful to the students, but also to the teachers that helped organize it, and to um Greg and Stephanie that ran it, and all so many donations from the community. I mean,
think I think almost everybody went away with like a door prize, and the food was off the hook. So, it was just a wonderful, wonderful evening and I was really honored to be part of it. Thank you. If I can add to that, um I was uh Mr. Ryan and I were lucky enough to sit
with a table full of the most engaging high school kids I've ever met my entire life. We had just really nice discussions about their schooling, about their town, about their ambitions and things like that. And it was uh something that I miss because I don't
get to talk to kids as often as I used to. But we had a really nice time. This was our second time. So wonderful. Miss Santoro, did you have something? Can I add Can I add one thing about the prom? I was honored to meet Mr. Hoppy's mother. We got her
out of and I told her how lovely uh his wife is. So, that's fun. That's so sweet. See, see. Um, okay, two quick things. I just want to thank Chef for the pug mill cuz that
seems to be a very exciting piece of equipment. So, I just wanted to thank Chef for that donation to the school. And I just have to say I love the puzzle idea, Dr. Brochial, as I I have a couple children that are puzzlers and um you
know, they boot me out after a while because I don't really help with progress too much. But um I just love that idea and I love that it gives kids, you know, an another option for those times of day where sometimes particular in elementary school they're learning
to, you know, navigate the social um realm. So I just had to call that out because I loved it. So yeah, and a great learning experience. Can I say I was so Wait, Mindy. Mindy, I'm just gonna I'm so sorry. One second,
baby. Thank you. I haven't been out of the house in two weeks. We're going. Thank you. No, I just want to say that first I love um the honoring the retirees. I think it's beautiful to to
listen, right? Especially if you don't know everyone, right? So, it's a nice way and then you feel like, oh, why now? Why are you Well, that's one thing. And the other thing um on Friday is going to be May day. So is like the signing event for
the kids that are coming from high school sorry going from eighth grade going into high school. So I mean it's for like you know when they committed right to to playing football or cheerleading but it's open to everyone. And I think it's beautiful because
especially since Benister also is there right you get to know the community. I think it's perfect for the kids to to have that moment and parents because I always say we need to know all the parents right to get to know each other. So um so that's a nice moment. So if
every anyone can come because also you can support that way, right? So there will be a beer garden or something like that. So beer garden. Oh. Okay. I mean I don't know I'm supposed to say that but anyway you can. It's from 6:00 to 9
in the polo polo. Yeah, right. beer. So beer. Okay. Miss Happy, I was just gonna say that how you honored the retirees is beautiful. I
mean, really beautiful. You know, I I there were two teachers in particular that changed my son's life and and like Mrs. Fisher is like because of her he is the writer
that he is. I mean it's just and Dr. Hai I mean that's why my son is like a history lunatic you know and political notation. It's it's they have touched his life and my family's life in such a
way and you know I'm glad you recognize that it's really nice. They deserve it. It's nice to be able to pause and say thank you. Yes, it was lovely. Yes. And I I the collective hundred and how many
years of experience retiring from Bedwell? I mean that's that's something. Um was there anyone else that wanted to anything for board announcements? No. Okay. Um while it's unlikely I do still need to read through
public comments. Um, public comments are welcome at this time on any topic. Please state your name and address. Comments are limited to three minutes. At three minutes, you'll be interrupted and asked to pause to allow any other members of the public who would like to speak an opportunity to do so. An individual may return to the podium to
complete their statement. After everyone else has had an opportunity to speak for a total of two times at the podium. Please understand that our public forums are not structured as question and answer sessions but are offered as opportunities to share your thoughts with the board in instances where the board feels there's a misunderstanding or inaccuracy. The board president or
superintendent may address the comment in accordance with New Jersey statute. The board will not discuss matters regarding specific personnel. A reminder for all parties in attendance to remain respectful and that there should be no interaction between the speaker and the audience. No members of the audience shall interfere with inter interrupt the speaker's comments. Thank you in advance
for your input. I think it is safe to ask for a motion to close public comments. Would someone like to Miss Santoro and a second? Miss Gomez. Thank you. Um and then u we are not going to go straight into adjournment. We are
going to reconvene for a reg a second executive session. So I do just have to quickly read through that. Um Miss Friend, a couple of items on this. We do need to indicate uh for the public how long we intend to be. Okay. So, I would
say approximately 1 hour. Y um and then the um matters that we're going to discuss are uh likely to be student matters and personnel. Okay. Um so uh the open public meetings act authorizes a public body to exclude the
public from the portion of a meeting at which specified topics are to be discussed under circumstances where the public consideration of such topics will clearly endanger the public or where the personal privacy or guaranteed rights of individuals whose activities or affairs are to be discussed would be clearly in
danger of unwarranted invasions. and the matters about to be presented for discussion clearly meet the circumstances test of such act. The board of education of Somerset Hills now adjourns this as public session to reconvene in executive session for the purposes of discussing the following CSA evaluation student matters and
personnel. The discussion in executive session be disclosed when the board consideration of the subject matters has been closed or that such matter does not adversely affect the rights or perspective or prospective current or past public officers or personnel of the board unless such individuals have in
writing requested the disclosure of such discussion at a public meeting and provided such public disclosure will no longer clearly endanger the public interest. Can I please have a motion to go back into executive session? Miss Gomez and Miss Rice second. Okay. Thanks so
much. Back in public. We've returned from our second executive session and I would like to ask for a motion to adjourn. Miss Ry, a second. Miss Ballard. All in favor? Yay. Okay. Toodaloo. Thank you. Have a good night.
Good night.