Okay, good evening everybody. I'd like to call our meeting to order. Could we all please stand for the >> flag salutes to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Mr. Boyce, can you do a roll, please? Yes. Mrs. Van Horn >> here. >> Mr. Sill. >> Present sir. >> Mr. Jess >> here. >> Mr. Carlson >> here. >> Mrs. Sherwin >> here. >> Mrs. Kra >> here. >> Mrs. Dale >> here. >> Mr. Kimick >> here. >> Mr. Garcia
>> here. >> Mrs. Shaw is absent tonight. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Boyce. Okay. Public notice. Adequate notice of this meeting in compliance with chapter 231 of the public laws of 1975 entitled the open public meetings act has been provided by action of the board of education at its
regular meeting on January 7, 2025. Notices of the corer news and the star ledger circulated in the school district and a posted notice to this effect on the board of education website and building bulletin board administrative headquarters 51 West Cliff Street Somerville, New Jersey. At this time I'd
like to open up the meeting to public comment. Comment is invited on all agenda items, non-aggenda items, or any matter related to the school district. When permitted, public participation shall be governed by the following rules under bylaw 0167. I will not read every one of them. They
are listed here. I would ask that everybody uh remember to state their name, please, and their address. And also that public comment uh should be limited to three minutes in duration. Okay, thank you very much. And is there anybody who would like to address the board?
How'd you know? Uh, distinguished members of the school board, Superintendent Leiscoco and friends, Jamie Bartag, Readington, New Jersey, Derek, my comments will be uncharacteristically brief this evening. Thank you. I have come out of retirement
because I felt it was appropriate to thank Mr. G for his many years of meritorious service to the district. It's very easy to be on this side of the table and speak about what's being done incorrectly as opposed to be on that side of the table and actively doing
something about it because with that comes accountability and scrutiny. Being active is exactly what he has done. Over the past many years, Mr. Sergio has been a fixture in our school district and hasn't just sat behind a desk, but has supported our schools by
participating and getting involved. We have often seen Luke in football games, band competitions, and many school events. Four years ago, Luke drove an equipment truck to Florida, and he's continued to show dedication to our schools. Just a month ago, he showed
up in the rain to stand at the marching band's home show. And this is years after his own children graduated from from the school and from the district. He has always put his money where his mouth is. He's the pioneers's biggest
fan and bleeds orange and black. Moving forward, there are high hurdles to clear as Mr. Sergio winds down his tenure on the board. Luke, I speak for many when I say thank you for unimpeachably giving the best to the district of the human
spirit. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anybody else would like to address the board? >> Hi, my name is Sharon Gornick, 548 Carlson Street in Brown Brook. I am um president of the Somerville Education Association and I would like to second the comments um that I have here. I
wanted to thank all of the board members for participating in our not only the meet the candidate night but also our questionnaires. I've been getting um a lot of feedback on, you know, who's you've been running for board of education and just putting your names out there and your faces out there have
been very helpful to people making um you know, great decisions in in leadership and and what you've been doing. Um so, we are grateful and congratulations to all the incoming um board members. Um but we're grateful so much for the interaction we have with the board. Um, you know, Luke and I were
just talking about the building of the orchestra club and all he's done for the sports and the and the clubs of of Somerville and it's just been a great impact over the time. So, we're very grateful for your service um during this time as far as the SEA and myself
personally included in that. We um are just so grateful for all that you as the board of ed do for the district, for the staff, and especially for the students of Summerville. So, thank you all for your service and thank you for everything that you guys have done and will do.
>> Thank you. There any other public comments? >> May I make one? >> Not yet. >> Okay. Not seeing any other public comment. Is there a motion to close public comment? >> Mr. Jess second, Mr. Carlson. All in favor?
>> Opposed? Now you can come. I I um I thank I thank the two of you. Um I'm very moved right now. Um just keeping my emotions in check. Um what I wanted to say and I think Bill can
attest and I think there is one another band parent here serving on the board. Um that's the beauty of that program. uh when you leave the district or when your when the kids leave the band, you still have those friendships that stay with
you. And so enjoy that ride. Enjoy that ride now because that's exactly what's going to happen. I love your brother. You're my you're my pal and we will be enjoying that bottle of chair and I do appreciate those comments also. It's been a pleasure working with
you and those extracurricular programs. It's good to see where the strings have. have gone. So, and and last but not least, uh Mattail, Lauren, and Kate, you guys are going to be great. Um and I I said it before and and this district is
on an upward trajectory and you guys are just going to take it to a new stratospheric level and I wish you guys all all the best. >> Thank you, Mr. Jill. Is there anybody else who would like to make comment about Mr. Serg? Um, I just want to personally thank you.
I'm going to try not to get emotional. Um, but you are so passionate and I know people poke at your your extended uh
debrief of what has happened um in our district for our clubs across the board. and I've just been so inspired by you. Um, just attending all of the activities,
uh, just your your enthusiasm, your love, it's it's inspiring and I hope that we as a board can continue to carry that torch forward. Um, that you have so brilliantly lit uh so that the children
can see what we're doing. I I just want to thank you and I'm very grateful for you uh for being a part of this community and just being an inspiration to us all. >> Uh I would like to clarify something publicly. A couple years ago, I made a
public comment uh criticizing criticizing uh the length of speeches that were made um for reports. But then I came to realize that it comes from a deep place of love, a deep place of commitment. And when I think of community, I think of folks like you.
And I want to thank you so much for bringing that passion, that energy. Um, it's been a pleasure having you on the board. I've learned also from you. And I am going to miss you giving the reports dearly and I want to thank you. >> Well, expect that enduring public
comments. >> Well, you're limited to three minutes. >> He's going to have to practice. You should have racked it up. >> You have another meeting, so we won't we can do this again next meeting because you're not done yet. Um, so I I won't uh
say anything, but I want to thank everybody who ran as well. You know, congratulations to you and to both of you. Um, you know, I think just putting your hat in a ring and and running for elected positions like that is um takes a lot of courage and it's something
again I want to thank all of you for doing that. Um, you know, Luke, you did it right the entire time you did it and and and I think that um, you know, you're not done yet. So, we're going to rope you in on other things as we go forward because we know where you are and you know, you're easy to find. So, um, so that being said, uh, we're going
to move on to uh, approval of minutes. I resolved that the board of education approve the minutes of the board of education meetings as follows. October 14th, 2025 regular meeting and October 14, 2025 executive session. >> Motion second. >> Second. And Mr. Sil and Mr. Jess. Um,
any discussion? >> Mr. Boyce, you do a roll on that one. >> Yes. Mrs. Van Horn, >> yes. >> Mr. Serg, >> yes. >> Mr. Jess, yes. >> Mr. Carlson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kra, yes. Mrs. Dale. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kimmick. >> Yes. >> Mr. Garcia. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. All right. I'm going to just make a few brief remarks. Um and then we're going to turn it over to our student board rep and to Mr. Sil. Um I do want to wish everybody um a happy Veterans Day. Uh again, thank you to
really everybody who serves. Um I know we have staff members who have served, so thank you to them for their service. I I think that uh the way we recognize Veterans Day in the schools is also very important uh and a way that we honor you know just those members of our community. So so I wish everybody a very
happy Veterans Day. Um I also want to just uh before I forget just wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving on behalf of the board. Uh it's hard to believe that we're in November already. Um November is going to go really quickly and December is going to go really quickly and all of a sudden we're going to be um you know in January. So, I just
I just want to thank everybody for just all of their efforts. Uh I'm very grateful for just our community in Somerville. Uh I think for all of the contributions that people make to the community. I think that um this is a very very special place to live. It's a very special place to work. It's a very
special place to grow up. And um you know, I'm I'm grateful every day for for the community that we have here and just the opportunity to serve. Um I also just want to point out two things on the agenda very quickly. Um there are we're going to do a consent agenda tonight. There are a number of items on there
that are important for people to just note. Uh we have uh a number of first reads on policies which I will talk about in new business at the end of the meeting a little bit just to clarify a couple things on um just board of education committees and that type of thing. But I think again just
emphasizing that um you know it's important that everybody kind of uh recognize that this is the first read on that that there's opportunity for discussion around this in committee and you know we have a second read coming up in December for that. Um I also want to thank the administration um there's also a number of lead positions that are on
the agenda. It's really hard to fill lead positions right now and u I think that the you know from whoever is doing these interviews and you know finding these people thank you for for all the efforts around that because um you know that's something again that many districts are struggling with right now
in terms of filling positions and I just want to you know extend appreciation to everybody that's involved in that process because um you know it's it's something again that people having them wanting to come here to to work here and finding young people to be able to fill those roles for us I think is is is Wonderful. Um,
and I'll just close my comments at this point there and uh we'll turn it over to the superintendent. >> So, thank you, Bill. And and uh I'll reserve my comments till after executive session as we wanted to uh turn things over to the student representative and then go
into executive session. The bulk of my comments will happen afterwards. So, thank you. Um and the floor is yours. >> Thank you. Um, so to begin, this past weekend, congratulations to Chase Johnson, Jack Kern, and Delaney Ramston
as they were selected from singers all over the state to represent Somerville High School in Atlantic City. We're so proud of them for their dedication and passion. And as Thanksgiving is approaching and everyone thinks about family and gratitude, Key Club has partnered with Interact Club for their
annual Thanksgiving food drive. and they currently have a goal to feed 30 Somerville families and give them a whole Thanksgiving meal. And then there's just a reminder that this Thursday is the second annual pickle ball tournament which will be held in Somerville High School. Congratulations
to Mr. Williamson. Mr. Williamson has been selected by the New Jersey Department of Education as a as a 2025 New Jersey Exemplary Educator, which is an honor that's only awarded to 100 educators statewide. We're proud to have and represent our school and community through this achievement.
Congratulations to the students of students of the month. Payton Atkins, Michelle Cuo, Marilyn Elusuki, Jonan Eswine, Grace Gond, Jose Hernandez, Jaden Lumis, and Savannah Webster on student of the month. Congratulations for this achievement. Moving on to the
staff member of the month. The support staff member of the month for October was Mrs. Bale. She joined us last year and has made an a significant impact on her classroom and everyone she meets. Thank you, Mrs. Vil for spreading kindness around Somerville High School. The teacher of the month for October was
Mrs. Sullivan from the English department. She supported students, staff, and school events and led a successful production of the best of Broadway. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Another congratulation goes out to the Somerville High School marching band on winning the Ludwick Music Classic at
Metife Stadium this past month. The band received the awards for best music, best overall effect, best color guard, best percussion, and scored a scored 89.6, which was the highest score among all the 60 bands that were competing. And another reminder that this Friday is
club photo day at Somerville High School. And the photos will be taken in the gymnasium on the bleachers. There will be a schedule sent out telling everyone when to come down for their photos. And another reminder for yearbooks. Yearbooks are currently for sale. They're now $100 and a senior ads
can be purchased until January 13th. And lastly, most of the fall sports have now ended. So, congratulations to all the athletes who have made it this far into the season. Reminder that winter registration is now open, so make sure to visit the website if anyone is interested in any winter sports. Thank
you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Much appreciated. I'm going to turn things over now to Mr. Sujil. Uh and as Mr. Kimick already said, uh I will hold my uh comments until next meeting, which will be um you know, in December, which will celebrate
uh your 12 years of service. Very much appreciated. Uh and I personally want to thank you for helping me uh you know, transition into the district uh and really learning what Somerville is all about. So, thank you. But more to come. Thank you.
>> And uh you know the the beauty of going right after the student board representatives and I get I get to cross out what I don't have to repeat. So uh I appreciate that and uh but thank you Mr. President, Mr. Superintendent and Mr. Vice President. Uh here is our report
for November. The first and next uh athletics activities meeting will be on the 12th of December. We had to postpone the most recent one for the uh New Jersey school board conference um in October. So I also want to say happy Veterans Day to everybody and for those
who know have served or know people who have served who who have served as well. Um also before I begin I want to also congratulate the many inductees into the SEO High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Um and most notably because I was there
to witness it um was the 2018 uh uh baseball team uh beating Cranford. I think it was by a run. I don't remember the score anymore. But I do remember Bobby Wartman being on the mound with a one-run lead and a bases loaded. He got himself into a bases loaded jam with no
outs and he struck out the rest of the side to actually win that secure that championship. So they were inducted last night. Uh so hats off to coach Banos and and that 2018 team. Uh I'm going to go backwards a little bit uh because um we did speak of championships and Bill even
asked me any championships this season and I said no. except except for your world's greatest marching band. Okay, so they did they did win the Olympic Muslim Classic, so I won't get into that. I uh
October 19th, that band also um also was victorious at Central Jersey Regional Championship, scoring a 95.2 score and sweeping all those captions there. Uh to add to that feat, uh they they had this was the highest score amongst about 114
bands across 11 regions in six states. So just think of how monumental that accomplishment really is. Uh Mr. Ferguson has been doing a phenomenal job. Um on November 2nd, the marching band was crowned the New Jersey state championship and earning a score of
94.6, six, the highest of all 32 competing bands along with awards for best music and best overall effect. And I mentioned him again, Mr. Ferguson received the outstanding band director award. So, since we're speaking of music, I also want to add a couple
things coming up, but I I could have saved this for December. However, these are two of my favorite concerts. The Summerville Middle School Holiday Concert, uh, led by Steven Loretti, will be held on the 17th of December in the SMS auditorium. and the summer roll high
school winter concert um which is I think is is the band and coral uh will be held on the 11th of December at 7 in the high school. So I'm going to go to robotics now. Um I always one of the things I will miss I will miss Tyler's updates. He does make sure he he is one
of the biggest ambassadors of of such a great program. Um so this past weekend the team hosted their first Lego League and a Lego League is a robotics competition for fourth and eighth graders. So this is how deep that this program is teaching kids the life skills
needed. Um so this is a scrimmage event and teams and before the qualifying events two weeks from now on November 23rd and the team will be hosting an official qualifier uh event at the high school with more than 24 teams competing for six spots in the state
championships. So he he also want to recognize as do I um our futuristic Summerville Middle School Bulldogs and then led by SMS teachers Caitlyn forgive me Cole heep strang.
So um I wanted to give them props as well. I'm going to go back to the top now and let's talk about football. Um it it was mixed emotions that we lost in the first round of the Egroup uh the group three championships because it was
my alma mater to the Manoan Huskies, Huskyville USA, who did defeat them. But um but still I bleed black and orange. In the third, the Huskies jumped out to a 6 early lead. And then in the third quarter, Aiden Vuvio Bush rumbled in a 41 yard touchdown rush for the Pioneers.
Close within one. What cost the game was a couple of costly point after attempts uh penalties that set them back. So, it forced them into it forced them into a two-point conversion which was intercepted in the end zone. But either way, uh let's give it up for uh freshman
Dylan Bow who posted a 58% completion record over the season and 10 touchdown passes in Vuvian Bush. Rush for,200 Well, let's just go 13, okay? 1299 yards this year. and sophomore James Hampton had 467 yards. So, let's go to the other
football with boys soccer. They had some ups and downs this year. Uh, but close out winning the last three or five. They came up short in the group two uh first round. Um, losing to Colonia three nothing, but hats off to group three stat leader Shawn Murphy with 10 goals at Net Minder, Andrew Papik with 74
saves. Uh, the girls under joining me here uh had an unusual year ending 910. Um Um, and I'll tell you why. They closed they closed strong with a winning tying two of three in the end. Um Wes Morris was a little too much in the
first round of the group two playoffs. Um but I'm going to give it up for Faith Hughes. She's on the group stat leader board with five saves. I mean five saves. Okay. And with that said, I'm going to say look out for the 2026 Pioneers next year because they are only
losing four seniors. Okay. And with 50% of the team being freshman and sophomores. So they are on that upward trajectory. So and with that said, wait, I know I missed something. I know I did. No. Yeah, I did. Girls tennis.
Last but not least, they went on a tear down the stretch, winning three of their last four and defeating Watch Hills in the latest tournament on the 22nd of October. Sweeping the seagulls round were Julia Wong and Madlin Boon while Tegan and Ding uh Shria Prao, Vanessa
Nuin and Annabelle Annabelle Rusen Hanley won their doubles competition. So Mr. President, Mr. Vice President and esteemed members of the board and the public. That is my November 2022 report. >> Thank you, Luke. Very much appreciate
those reports. Your passion uh is palpable here and thank you for that. Uh before we go into executive session, I just want to introduce a few special guests here. Uh that way they don't have to stick around uh till after the executive session. So first of all, we are excited to introduce and uh last at
last meeting uh we made the recommendation for Mrs. Karen Gbrook at Vandervir as our substitute assistant principal filling in. She brings over 25 years of experience. We're very excited to have her on uh during Miss Reco's
absence and I think she's going to bring a level of professionalism, experience that is um you know very very uh much needed at Vandervir and even today uh as I stopped in uh at Vander to see the new classrooms uh in the prek wing. Uh I got
to see Karen handinhand with a few of our lovely three-year-olds bringing him to their next stop. So um we appreciate you helping us out. Uh we're very excited to have you on and um welcome aboard. >> Thank you. I'm excited to be here. The onboarding process has been seamless and
I really appreciate all the information and uh how professional the transition's been. I' I only worked in one other district as an administrator, so this is exciting to see how uh somebody else does it. >> Excellent. Thank you and welcome. Uh and also in the back we have Miss Cruz
Garcia uh also approved at last meeting. We're very excited to have her on board as our new supervisor of humanities. Uh Miss Cruz Garcia brings over 25 years of experience both in the classroom and as administrator at the building and uh central office level. Uh her supervision
expertise is very much uh uh we're very excited about it. Can't wait to uh have her um you know really lead that department. Uh and now that that department's been reshaped to 6 to 12, I think she's going to take it and do wonderful things. So, uh, we're excited to have you on and welcome aboard.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. And again, I we've met everybody at the beginning of the meeting. We're super excited to have you here as well. Uh, and thank you for coming tonight. Just so people have the opportunity to to put a face to the name and just meet everybody. We wish you the very best of luck. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Yeah. We're excited for you.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. With that, we're going to um go into executive session in just a moment. So, Mr. Jess, can you make that motion, please? >> Sure. uh make a motion that the board of education go into executive session to discuss items which fall within an
exemption of our open meetings policy and permit the board to have a private discussion since it deals with specific exemptions contained in NJSA 10 column 4-12B. Those items are pending or anticipated litigation and attorney client privilege be resolved. The board will now go into private sessions to discuss these
matters rendered confidential by personal employment matters affecting specific perspective current employee. Any discussion held by the board which need not remain confidential will be made public as soon as practical. Minutes of the private session will not be disclosed until the need for confidentiality no longer exists and all
appropriate persons who may be discussed in private session have been absolutely notified and we do not anticipate any action be taken following executive session. >> Okay, we have a second for that. >> Second. >> Um Sherwood is okay. Good job. All right. Um any discussion?
>> All in favor? >> Opposed? We are in executive session at 6:26. Um, so okay, and we're back. Can I please have a motion to return to public session? Move, >> sir. Second.
>> Who was the first? Mr. Sil. Second, Mr. Jo. Any discussion? All in favor? I. >> All opposed? extensions. Okay, we're back in public session at 703. Thank you. All right. Okay, we're going to continue with our superintendence
report. Thank you, Bill. So, uh much of what I have to say is actually going to be covered in our committee reports. We had quite a few this past month, but before we get into that, uh just a a couple recognitions that I think are important. First of all, congratulations to our new
uh board members. uh excited to be working with you. As I said, reached out uh and we'll be talking about an orientation time. Uh second, um I did attend the Hall of Fame dinner uh with Brian last night. Um you know, it was quite an event. It was very well
attended and I think a lot of it had to do with the 2018 baseball uh team that was being recognized being so recent, but there were folks all the way back uh to the 1950s that were being recognized. It was quite an event uh that Billy Garberini and the committee put on a
yearly basis. So nice to see that passion and that enthusiasm and that support recognizing uh all athletics uh you know for many many years. Um another really important recognition was mentioned before but I think it's an important one to bring up again and
that's congratulations to Colin Williamson. Colin was recognized uh by a different um recognition that the state uh put together a couple years ago. Everybody is used to hearing about the governor's teacher of the year and educator of the year. This is the New Jersey exemplary educator recognition
program and they rotated between elementary and secondary. Uh and Colin was nominated uh and was just one of uh 120 educators in the state of New Jersey recognized. uh he is a dedicated professional that not only helps in the
classroom uh and is a passionate uh teacher there uh but also does uh countless numerous uh extracurriculars uh you know he's a real gem for us and and we're happy that he got that recognition. So congratulations Colin. Um another important uh agenda item and
a housekeeping item I have to bring up is I talked about it last meeting but you do see on the agenda the uh NJQ dip. Uh as you remember we went through this process last year the NJQAct it's a constantly evolving and changing process but there is one area in which we had to
put together an improvement plan uh that is uh for your approval tonight and that is around governance and if you recall those are uh minuses that we received for uh the 2022 2023 year where there was a period of time um where there were
certain evaluation or excuse me recommendations that couldn't be made. So uh we have that one on the agenda to be approved. If in 6 months we make those changes and those recommendations are accepted into practice, then uh we will be all set with the state. Uh I'll
keep everybody updated and I'll bring the uh uh you know our our um uh I guess our our adoption of some of those procedures into play and I'll communicate that to the board and the public in due time. Uh but that is on there for your approval. Um, and last
but not least, uh, a recognition of all our veterans. Uh, you know, I have a very long history in my family of veterans, and I want to recognize, uh, their, uh, contributions to our country and to our society, but also to all of those in Somerville. We have, uh,
veterans in our classrooms. We have veterans in town that, uh, dedicate their time and efforts to our student body uh, who are always supporting and putting together programs that help them. and then to our teachers for recognizing and uh teaching and educating our students in that area. So
really important that that is done on a yearly basis. Uh and I thank all our veterans. Um and and thank you for everything that you've done and for your service. >> Thank you, Bill. Okay. Thank you very much. All right. We're going to move on
to report of board items and committee reports. Um so I do want to make a point on here. communications committee did meet. Um given the nature of that committee because there's like 15 or 18 members of the public who were attending that committee. We're going to go ahead and
make that report tonight too because that's not a confidential meeting. That was something that was done out in public. So I think it's good to be able to address that as well. Um but let's start with finance security buildings and grounds. There were two meetings that we're reporting on that took place on the 20 October 28th and November 4th. So Mr. Carlson.
>> Yes. on the 28th uh on the on the 28th meeting was really centered around the referendum progress and the the uh things that we had put into the referendum we get done very preliminary, you know, proposed start dates and end
dates and stuff. Uh that's your packet you've all gotten here and this will be updated uh with renderings and stuff onto our website for the public to see. We also approved uh for Brian because he didn't have enough RF RFPs. So he wanted
just one more for for a construction management firm uh that'll oversee all the projects that are going on. And then on the 28th, it was really just the start of many meetings that we're going to have as the budget kicks into gear.
And it was all about capital projects. Uh we had some bus drills and security drills and all of our um buildings were done in in progress and done well. So thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Carlson. Um moving on to why don't we do communications, Miss Van Horn. >> Okay. communications committee did meet on the November 4th and we went over the project overview that there there are
three major construction sites, Vander, Middle School, High School that the comprehensive planning phase involve site visits to other districts to see what their best practices are. Um going through regulatory submissions that are
required for new construction versus renovations. again the construction manager to be hired in December and that all plans are being submitted to the department of ed for state aid approval which also limits the flexibility for major changes in the
plans um afterward uh Vandervir Elementary updates are the ones that we we have talked about the multi-purpose field the safety vestibule addition the multi-purpose room renovation and the storage building
replacement The middle school safety upgrades are the vestibule edition on the right side of the main entrance and the high school major renovations, the new gymnasium, the auditorium reservation uh renovation
and the science lab complete renovation. Uh we went over the timeline and budget considerations that bid documents are expected for soon for the April 2025 construction starts. The auditorium we
hope to begin in May to hand that over for a 5 to sixmonth renovation window. The science labs will be a four to five month renovation requiring temporary lo relocation for the science courses. The gymnasium has the longest timeline due
to new construction requirements and we're hoping that some of the bids might be lower to reduce debt service levy rather than expand the scope. Alternates are being prepared for audiovisisual enhancements if the budget
allows it. We do want community engagement. The website will be updated. We are want to include the students involvement in the celebrations and the communications as uh we go along. We're hoping we want to definitely plan
groundbreaking ceremonies for the field and gymnasium. We hope to engage alum alumni for the auditorium opening performances. We want to have public presentations showing the renderings at school events
and clear entrance signage for the new sec security vestibules. And we communicated with the committee. We had about 15 members of the the public at the meeting to please communicate the projects with their
neighbors, guide them to the website which will be constantly updated as the process goes along and uh make everyone part of the process. >> Thank you, Miss Vanhorn. And then lastly, we have technology and
curriculum instruction committee. >> Okay. Hi. Uh so we met our curriculum committee met on November 5th and we had a great meeting. We discussed a lot of things. The first thing was we were recipients of the ESA grant and part of
teacher salaries for title one have been paid through this. 100% of the salary for one of the interventionists at Vander partial salary for one of the interventionists at SMS and also some more of these funds for before and after school writing lab at SMS. Uh the next
thing is that we've been doing great things with AI recently. I just want to say congratulations to our district for a successful AI presentation um at the board of ed conference in Atlantic City last month. So um I heard that was
great. Uh also we have AI teacher leaders that are doing really great things. um they are just keep on learning more and more about AI and implementing that in their classrooms. They will be traveling to attend conferences and
share their knowledge about using AI tools to support student success. And um they've been sharing this information with their colleagues at department meetings. So the ultimate goal is for these teacher leaders to learn AI so well that they can turn key it to other
teachers and then eventually to the students. Okay. So, our next discussion was on preschool and we will have a more in-depth um presentation about this next month, but just a few things to mention. So, uh I think it was mentioned earlier,
but three of our prek classrooms, new classrooms were finished. So, some of So, three of the shared prek classes were just moved into these new classrooms, which is wonderful news. The rest should be opening by the spring.
Um, I do think it's important to mention that we're very, very fortunate here in Somerville to have to offer prek to our families and even kindergarten as it's only mandated grades 1 through 12. So, we're really
ahead of other towns in this aspect and we're very lucky here. Um, we had Miss Cruz Garcia and Miss Nazarelli join us. So, that was wonderful to have more of our curriculum department attend this meeting with us. There was also a literacy leaders update. So this is
broken into K to 5 literacy and 6 through 8 which includes I guess 6 through 8 and then high school as well. So the K through five met on November 4th. They discussed strengths and challenges of the current ELA program and shifts teachers have made to
strengthen the programs that exist right now. They discussed the science of reading research. They analyzed the current universal screening data and they discussed long-term initiatives and they also discussed using a researchbased evaluation tool to help
analyze existing materials and for future pilot programs. The sixth through 8 committee met on October 27th and high school for middle school and high school the 28th and these two discussed teacher vision to support ELA growth and
development. They also discussed using common academic language and strategies across different content areas from grade to grade. And this will really help the kids if they're using the same language grade to grade. Um they also discuss writing stamina and things to
strengthen and improve writing stamina stamina among students. Um the K to5 universal screener parent reports will be sent home soon if they have not been already and information on interpreting these will also be provided to families.
A family academy learning opportunity will be provided in the upcoming months to share ideas and resources with families and how to support early literacy at home. There was also a G&T update gifted and talented program. It is in full swing at
Vander and uh under the new guidelines that were developed for this coming year and SMS will be revamped this year but G&T has also started there as well um under the previous guidelines but the same thing that happened at Vander this
year will happen this upcoming year for middle school which is wonderful and I believe the rest of the things in my report have already been mentioned so that is it thank Thank you to all the committee chairs for those reports. Um
before we move on to just consent agenda, are there any questions for committee me members or committee chairs? >> I don't have a question, but I just wanted to add on to what Denise shared if it's okay. I thought one of the big takeaways from the communications committee that is connected with the
information that she shared about the fact that we're going to other districts to investigate best practices and pursuing this this referendum and implementing plans was that we are not just planning for right now. We're we're
really looking far ahead as a district to see what the needs will be as we move forward. So we're we're not just being present where we are currently standing, but we're looking at things with a very global uh outlook so that we can make
sure that we will be prepared for the future, which is really exciting and I just wanted to build off of that because it was one of the big takeaways for me. Um just kind of thinking about programming in the future and things of that sort. >> Great. Thank you.
I I appreciate you opening the floor committee committee chairs because there is one thing I missed in my report and this can't go unmissed. Uh I spoke about Tyler Kazar uh sorry Tyler Khazar um and how he is one of the greatest ambassadors in one of our biggest uh
life skills teaching programs here. Um he was he was recognized with many others across the state at the New Jersey School Board Association. Um he is now on the list of the 2025 unsung heroes. Um and what he does for
robotics, what he does for theater and everything cannot be um can't be taught. So um I just want to recognize him and say thank you for mentioning that. Yeah. Um I want to point out two things. Tyler, because you made me think about this, is also on the communications committee. And I think that committee in
and of itself is a bit unusual because like we're calling it communications but it's not a confidential committee in the sense of you know the board is um you know having um meetings that are being reported out in a certain way. That committee I think involves a lot of
stakeholders. Um you know we're kind of excited about just the I think the generation of ideas in terms of how to make this more of a community event. Um I I think that u you know even ideas like that were talked about really
you know for the science labs the teachers have been engaged in conversations about how to make those labs as productive as possible for the teaching staff and for the students and like you said to kind of plan out not just for two years but to plan out for the next 25 years. And the point's been made in that committee a number of times
that this is a generational um referendum. You know we we did this about 25 years ago. and we're doing it again right now and the community is really kind of come together right now to make a big investment in the schools to really uh I think invest in the future and I think that that's really
exciting uh for the board but also very exciting for the community and we talked about students that are in eighth grade right now and in ninth grade right now by the time they're seniors they will have completely renovated facilities there'll be a new gym attached to the high school there'll be a new auditorium
there'll be a new athletic field there'll be you know just changes that'll be done to Vander I mean these these are all things that um really are once in a-lifetime types of changes. So um that committee will continue to meet, continue to receive updates. Um you know, it is the type of thing that as
Miss Van Horn pointed out, engaging the students on this is also something that we feel is important. Just just making sure that they feel that energy too as well as staff and the rest of the community. So um thank you to everybody for for efforts around that. Yeah. Okay.
All right. So, we're moving on to just agenda items. Right now, we are going to do consent agenda. Again, I'll remind everybody when we make motions u for preschool through 8ighth grade and then again for high school. When we make the motion, if there's questions about any agenda items uh that board members have
when we get to discussion, people can bring those questions up or comment on that point. All right. Um so, at this point, Mr. Jess, can you make a motion for the preschool items? Preschool grade eight items. >> Yes, Mr. Kimick. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to approve items 1 through 22 from preschool to 8th grade and that they be moved upon the recommendation of
the superintendent of schools where appointments and salaries are contingent upon verified documentation. >> Great. Can I have a second, please? >> Carlson, any discussion. >> Okay, seeing none, uh, Mr. Boyce, can you do a roll, please? >> Yes. Mrs. Van Horn,
>> yes. >> Mr. Serg, >> yes. >> Mr. Jess, yes. Yes. >> Mr. Carlson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kra, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dale, >> yes. >> Mr. Kimick, >> yes. >> Mr. Garcia, >> yes. >> All right. Um, I'd like to make a motion
to approve items 23 through 52 for 9th grade through 12th grade and districtwide that they be moved upon the recommendation of superintendent schools and appointments and salaries are contingent upon verified documentation. >> Mr. Carlson's second. Okay. Any discussion?
>> Uh, yeah. Sorry, I do have a question about number 40. I just want to confirm that these are policies that were just um there's no substance changes rather than just switching providers uh from what we had before to estimate. Is that correct?
>> You want to give an update? Sure. >> These are recommendations from Strauss. uh these come periodically based upon statute changes and these were recommended from the uh board committee for policy uh because of those they but to I guess also answer your question
there weren't substantial changes outside of procedure uh mainly out of Brian's office. >> Got it. Thank you. >> And one that's not from Strauss is board committees. >> Yes. And that's where there is um um a realignment of committees that is within
that policy of actually um I believe eliminating I can't remember all the details. So so I don't want to misspeak on this. So I think it's important everybody take a look at that policy uh if there's questions around that and that um you know that will be up for approval at the
December meeting. So just just everybody if you have not carefully read that policy please take a look at that. And I guess just as a public reminder, these are available online. >> Yes. >> Yes. All right. Any other questions? >> Okay. Mr. Boyce, can you do a roll, please? >> Yes. Mrs. Van Horn?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Sergio? >> Yes. >> Mr. Jess? >> Yes. >> Mr. Carlson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwin? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Kra? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dale? >> Yes. >> Mr. Kimmick? >> Yes. >> Mr. Garcia? >> I abstain from 33. Yes. To the rest.
Okay. Um, moving on. So, all business items. Um, I actually have an old business item that I want to bring up, which is really just um committee functions. We talked about just our committee norms in the past. I just want to clarify a couple of things. Um, after the last meeting, I received
some feedback from from board members. I appreciate people who called me to have discussions just about um their impressions of of certain things within the meeting. And I reflected on this a bit. One of the things that I want to just make really clear for for board
members with respect to norms on this is committees really um should own certain topics. Uh and that's really important I think that members of the public understand that that members of the board understand that. uh for instance, finance, you know, really owns the discussions around a referendum right
now in addition to owning, you know, conversations around uh RFPs that are being conducted right now, that type of thing. So, I think they live in the finance committee and the finance committee's job is to make recommendations to the board. Um things like curriculum also would would to me
address areas of mental health, would address SEAL, would address character education. Um all of those things should live within those committees and committee chairs really are very powerful people in the sense that committee chairs are able to
bring things to committee agendas that the administration may not recommend be on an agenda in a committee. They they they may present certain things and say this is in the workflow right now. But if there is a topic that committee chairs wish to have discussed in committee, it's their right to ask the
administration to prepare to address something within the committee meeting. And I bring that up because I think when we make decisions as a board around public presentations, that type of thing, those things should come from unless they're statemandated. There are things that are statemandated that have
to happen. So like you know the testing report is statemandate, the the HIP report is statemandated. Those things have to happen because they're statemandated whether the committee wants it to or not. But there are topics that a committee can recommend should appear as a board presentation
that they the committee feels that way. it feels important and you know in discussion with the superintendent and with the administrators they can again make um a recommendation that that should be addressed in a certain way and then the administration has time to prepare that time to organize that time
to kind of talk about where that would happen within a within a meeting flow. Um I bring that up only because you know I I may have abruptly cut somebody off and I apologize for that if that happened last meeting in a way that was inappropriate. So, I'm just going to
kind of call that out right now. But I also bring it up in the sense of I think that's what was driving some of my kind of thinking around that. Um, so I I just put that out as old business because in terms of committee norms, we've tried to tighten up very much so the way we do
committee report outs, the way we do our agendas, the way that, you know, we we kind of maintain a timeline on that. And I just think it's important to kind of recognize too that uh topics should be owned by committees and if it's unclear where a topic lives then we should again
ask for guidance on that in terms of where that where that should live in terms of of uh if if something is unclear. All right. So um I guess as an old business item you know it's just really our committee procedures and just clarifying that for for everybody on the board. So if there's any discussion
around that or questions, I'm going with that discussion. >> Thank you. >> Okay. With that, can we have a motion to close all business? >> Mr. Jess and uh who is that? Mr. Sil. Okay. Any discussion?
All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Extensions. Okay. All business is closed. Are there any new business items? May I just share something? Please. So, I wanted to make sure since um it
wasn't mentioned earlier that we have a benefit that's coming up. It's an annual benefit that actually occurs every year for the Somerville Educational Foundation. I've had the honor or you know I really enjoyed
attending this performance in the past and I would really recommend that our community comes out to experience this at least once. Peter Mayor Stars and Promises is occurring on December 12th at 7:30 p.m. at Somerville High School
in the auditorium. Again, the benefit of this performance is going to be for the Summer Educational Foundation. If you don't know who Peter Mayor is, he has 25 albums. He was the lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett. Um, you can purchase
tickets online. They're $40. If you wait, they're $50 at the door. If you would like to have a VIP experience and really donate to the Somerville Educational Foundation, there are tickets for $100 and that has some
really nice perks to it. But I really encourage the community, come out, experience this. It's beautiful, especially as we enter into the holiday season. And I found it very moving and it felt good to give back. >> Thank you. If I may add, Amanda, I'm
glad you're embracing you're embracing this with the SCF because you're kind of taking um you're taking what Dan Pentillo, the past board member, who's embraced this for 20 years now, I think, and now you're carrying that forward because yeah, it's it's maybe it's a
seat. >> I was going to say where I'm sitting to you. >> Thank you for that uh input. Any other new business items? Okay. Motion to close new business. >> Mr. Jess second, Mr. Carlson. Any
discussion? All in favor? All >> opposed? Extensions. Okay. New business is closed. And that brings us to adjournment. Is there a motion for adjournment? >> Move. >> Miss Sherwood. Second. >> Mr. Carlson. Okay. Um, any discussion?
All in favor? >> All opposed? Extensions. And we are adjourned at 7:29. Have a very happy Thanksgiving everybody. Thank you so much.