WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=PHfLN-Nfzb4

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: PHfLN-Nfzb4):
- 00:00:03: Meeting Call to Order; Abner Chiron Pedra Remembrance
- 00:02:12: Public Notice Reading and Agenda Items
- 00:04:13: Public Comment: Kevin Raferty - Device Usage, Board Vacancy
- 00:09:27: Close Public Comment and Board Response
- 00:10:14: Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 28th
- 00:11:05: Board President's Report: Condolences, Reorganization, Recognition
- 00:16:58: President's Report Continued: Supporting Dr. McDonald's Role
- 00:17:15: Superintendent's Report: Appreciation, Elks, Referendum Update
- 00:20:08: Student Board Representatives Report: Events and Activities
- 00:24:32: Committee Reports: Policy, Curriculum, Somerset County Meeting
- 00:29:15: Approval of Business Motions: Preschool Through 8th
- 00:31:13: Approval of Business Motions: 9th Through 12th, Districtwide
- 00:32:58: Closing of Old Business and New Business
- 00:34:14: Motion for Executive Session and Adjournment


Part: 1

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Good evening everybody. I'd like to call our meeting to order. The please stand for the flag salute to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible

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with liberty and justice for all. >> Mr. Boyce, could you do a roll, please? >> Yes. Mrs. Mrs. Van Horn >> here. >> Dr. Hutcherson >> here. >> Mr. Jess here. >> Mrs. Hodgeges >> here. >> Mrs. Sherwin >> here. >> Mrs. Kra >> here. >> Mrs. Dale >> here. >> Mr. Kimmick >> here.

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>> Mrs. Smith >> here. >> Okay. Um before we move on with the regular portion of the meeting, um you like to say a few words? Um so you take it away. Before we continue this evening, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the

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passing of our student Abner Chiron Pedra. Over the past week, we've witnessed the very best of Somerville community as student, staff, families, and community members have come together with compassion and support for Abner's family and for one another. I'd like to

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also thank Principal Frederick, uh, Director McDonald, and her crisis response team for their leadership, care, and support for the Vandervir community during this time of grief. Abnner's warm smile is missed each and every day in the halls of Vandervir.

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As we remember Abner and keep his family in our thoughts and prayers, I ask that we now join together for a moment of silence in his honor. Thank you. Thank you. All right, we're going to move on to

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public notice. Um, 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 that a corer news and a star

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ledger circulated in the school district and a post-it notice to this effect on the board of education website and building bulletin board administrative headquarters 51 West Cliff Street, Somerville, New Jersey. Okay. At this time, comment is invited

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on agenda items and 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. Public participation shall be governed by the following rules. The participant must be recognized by the presiding officer and must preface comments by an

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announcement of his or name, his or her name, municipality of residence, and group affiliation if applicable. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to three minutes in duration with a total of 30 minutes for the session. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic until all all others who wish to speak on that

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topic have been heard. All statements, questions or inquiry shall be directed to the presiding officer, me or any questions or inquiries directed by participants to another board member shall be redirected to the presiding officer. And again, just a reminder, um it's

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important that we just u maintain our decorum during any public comment. Um I would ask that board members remember um last meeting we had a little bit of a a deviation from this during our public comments on the budget and um it's just important that we kind of maintain um

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you know the process for public comment. All right, with that being said, are there any members of the public who would like to make comment? Good evening. Uh Kevin Raferty, 10 South Midaw Street, Sunreil, New Jersey. Um first I want to offer my condolences to

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Abner's family and his friends. Um you know that's what we're here for is for the students and it just hits everyone really hard and I can't even imagine. So um I want to start with a little bit of a story. So,

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few nights ago, went out on Mother's Day uh to a restaurant downtown. Um and uh at that restaurant, my wife and I walking in noticed kids right around my son's age. My son's right around 5 years old and between, you know, five and 8

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years old. Um six of those kids were on devices while sitting at dinner during Mother's Day. My wife, my son, my daughter, and I sat at the chef's table without a device in hand, and my son asked the servers and

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the chef questions as he prepar prepared food for the whole restaurant. I thought that was a much better experience and he learned a lot more and spent a lot more quality time than the kids that were sitting on those devices. Now, I can't say what district those devices were

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provided by, but by the asset tags on those those devices, I could say that at least three of them were school Chromebooks. Um, I've been in contact uh with Miss uh Denrich and uh I want to say she's been very receptive to my emails and and thank you so much for that. I really do

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appreciate it. Uh, and I do want to, you know, applaud the district for giving the option up until second grade for students to take home devices. Um, my plea tonight is is not necessarily towards the board, but it's towards the parents listening. If you have the

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option to take home the device, don't bring it home. It's going to be a temptation to your student to want to hop on there. And even if it's an educational game, your time with them is much, much more important. I urge the

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board tonight to consider pulling that back even further. Um, I understand that there's discussions about equity and, you know, students not having a device at home and that's why we give optional take-home and I don't know if that is necessarily the right practice either.

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We are opening ourselves up as a district to a lot of cyber security threats by providing this optional take-home. What do you think that if it is the only device in a parent's household that they are using that device for? They're using that for their personal identifiable information like

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banking and to do their taxes and we are providing that device in these households and that needs to be a concern that's taken very seriously. I also wanted to come tonight because of the open board vacancy. Um, today I

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dropped off my letter of intent and my resume uh to Mr. Boyce um for the vacancy. I feel that my time in educational technology. I've been in educational technology for 13 years. Uh before that I was a trainer at Apple um

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training on the technology and I've seen onetoone devices be built from the ground up. I know what my role was in that and I can't say that I necessarily uh am happy with the results of where we are because of the buildup of onetoone technology in school districts.

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With that said, I also want to address uh my son um has been through the IEP process in the school district and is now transferring over to a 504. So, I want to be a resource for parents um who are going through this process. I believe that, you know, what I have seen

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with my own son and what I will continue to see uh can help people understand what resources that there are available. I believe that I am the right person for this vacancy and uh I hope for your consideration and I thank you so much for your time tonight. Um I I thank

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Ariel for all the work she is doing. Uh she uh has been uh very transparent in answering my questions. Um uh explaining some of the ai tools. If you don't mind uh can I read some of those? Okay. >> I I just want to be aware of time too.

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>> Okay. Uh yeah, very quick. Um, so for those concerned at the elementary level, uh, Ariel stated they're using code.org, snorkel, and book creator. Um, I think it's good that we are vetting the tools at that level. I think we should continue to do so. Um, I also think that

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some of the stuff on the AI hub takes should take a second look. There is one particular lesson that references chat GPT. Uh, it says use your preferred um, AI. Uh, and some of those are are template based, like they're not the

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full lessons yet. I think we want to be careful about what tools we're recommending. Um, so I I did provide my resume uh to Mr. Voice. I do have copies. I didn't want to kind of start the process. So, >> it's not necessary to have Well, once once that process is closed, we'll

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receive all the resumes for it. >> Thank you so much for your time. Appreciate it. Okay. >> Thank you for your time. >> Appreciate your comments. Would anybody else like to make public comment? Okay, seeing none, is there a motion to close public comment? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second.

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>> There was a second. >> Okay, touch. Okay. All in favor? >> Opposed? Extensions. Public comment is now closed. Okay. Um Okay. I just want to make one comment. Thank you for putting in your

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application to run for the board. Um I always encourage people to do that. I think um it's a it's a public service role that um you know was important to have people want to be involved in. So thank you for doing that. Um and I and I again appreciate the comments about just your your work with the administration. I would direct anybody who has questions

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about technology to start with the administration because a great deal of work takes place around this um and you know I think it's important to uh just understand you know just the steps that are taken you know within the district itself. So I appreciate the comments and and you're doing that as well. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

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>> All right. Um, okay. Moving on. Uh, Mr. Boyce, can we do can you read this motion, please, for approval of minutes? >> Sure. >> Um, approval of minutes. Resolved that the board of education approve the minutes of the board of education meeting as follows. April 28th, 2026

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regular meeting and April 28th, 2026 executive session. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second, >> Miss Van Horn. Okay. Any discussion? Okay, Mr. Boy, can you do a roll, please? >> Yes. Mrs. Van Horn, >> yes. >> Dr. Hutcherson, >> yes.

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>> Mr. Jess, yes. >> Mrs. Hodes, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sherwin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Kra, >> yes. >> Mrs. Dale, >> yes. >> Mr. Kimick, >> yes. >> Mrs. Smith, >> abstain. >> Okay. All right. Uh, board president's reports. Uh, first I want to um extend

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uh my appreciation and the board's appreciation I think to um all of the staff and the community involvement and just um addressing the passing of that. I think um you know this is something as you said um it really tests I think just

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everybody involved and it's something again that um everybody feels lost there and my condolences go to everybody to the family to the teachers um to friends to just the community as a whole. It's it's just something that um is indescribable in terms of of how you

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feel as an adult, how you feel as a teacher, how you feel as classmates with that. So, um I just want to thank everybody for the work around that because um that is certainly um the most difficult of situations that have to be addressed by school employees. Uh so,

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thank you for for everything that that occurred with that. Um I feel awkward saying this, but I want to wish everybody a happy Mother's Day belatedly. So to everybody that celebrated Mother's Day, um you know, I think it's important to recognize that too because we have a lot of staff who

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have children and you know, it's just something again that uh we appreciate that even more in these circumstances. Uh I do want to make note about this meeting. There are a lot of things on this meeting agenda that are reorganization meetings. So if people are looking at the agenda, we're seeing a lot of appointments. We're seeing uh

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coaching appointments for next year, those kinds of things. But we're also seeing a lot of things where certain staff members, certain administrators are assigned to certain committees or assigned certain roles. That's part of the reorg process. We kind of break that into two parts. We do it in January because we have to do that with the

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election of the new board and then we do it again in May in preparation for the fiscal year that starts in uh July. So there are it's a long agenda in terms of items. Most of those are procedural and just involve uh the board needing to formalize those appointments. Um, I also

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want to point out that uh over the weekend uh a person by the name of Kendall Hall reached out to the district. U Kendall is a representative of the Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion which focuses on the

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contributions of the African-American community within Somerville. uh a request was made of the board to actually uh support an application that they're doing to have a plaque placed on the original Somerville High School site, which is now a middle school site,

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uh honoring and again just um honoring Paul Robson and the contributions that he has made to the community, but also his time at Somerville High School. And the high school was not in the current location at this point. It was actually here. So, uh, we're hoping that as part

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of the, um, what's the word I'm African-American, uh, what's the trail I'm looking for here? >> Uh, heritage >> the heritage trail. Thank you. I was confused my words. As part of the heritage trail that that will actually be, uh, approved and that we will have a plaque on site, you know, noting that.

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And, uh, I do want to thank Kendall for reaching out and the timeline was kind of quick on that, but on behalf of the board, we put that, uh, letter in, uh, just in full support of that. We think it's wonderful that that that's taking place. Um I also want to point out uh it is teacher appreciation week just

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passed. We didn't have a board meeting last week, but um I hope teachers understand how much the board appreciates all the work that takes place. And I think it goes beyond just the teaching staff. It's it's everybody that's involved within the community. But it is a special week for teachers and and I saw a lot of posts online

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about lots of um goodies and treats and things like that. So I hope the teachers felt a lot in the community uh last week as well. And then um I do want to make a comment um in response to uh some public comments that were made last meeting. Um

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there were some comments made about um I guess the efficacy of our HIPP process. There was a suggestion made that the HIT process was not something that was being handled um as well as perhaps it could have been and that there may have been doubt uh in people's uh minds around um

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something that occurred relative to attorney involvement. not on any fault of our administration and Dr. McDonald's name was mentioned within those comments and and I I want to take a moment just to make sure that Dr. McDonald understands first off that the board is fully appreciative and

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fully supportive of your role in the district and everything that you do. Um there is not a doubt in my mind and on I think on board members minds in terms of the way that you conduct yourself, the way that the HIT process is conducted. I don't think that parents should have any concern around the way that

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investigations take place, around the way that they're reported to the administration, that they're reported to the board. I just think that's important to to point out because u it's a process that's very legal, very intensive. Uh and I think some of these reports will

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be 25, 35 pages long. And it's something again that not everybody sees the background work. And it's not just Dr. McDonald. It's all of the anti-bullying specialists that are involved within that and every school has an appointed person on that. So, I I just want to

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make sure that um in response to the public comments last meeting that people understand that and you know many of the things that were discussed at that point uh had something to do with attorneys, not something to do do with the administrative uh task on that. And I

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think that's important to understand because these things were actually handed off to attorneys. the expectation was that the attorneys were going to fulfill their responsibilities not just to the district but to the SEA and that's where things kind of broke down on that. Um so I I just want to make

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that very clear. Um you know I know these things u can when we make comment and somebody's name is involved with that that can hit home very hard and uh you know I I apologize to Dr. McDonald if that's something again that wasn't responded to in the moment. Uh, but it is something I just want to make clear

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publicly right now that that you have the full support of the board. >> Okay. All right. Um, trying to think of I believe that's it for my president's report. That was a little bit longer than I wanted to be. All right. Going to hand it off to you. Superintendent's report. I'll be rather quick here. As

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you already said, uh, last week was special week, teacher appreciation, and it's a celebration of everyone here, uh, that works with our students on a day in and dayout basis. And we can't thank you enough for all that you do. I think when I spoke of Abner's passing and the way the community rallied around them, uh it

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just exemplified the amazing work that people do here for one another and the way people rallied around the family uh was truly extraordinary to watch. Um I cannot imagine what the families going through. Uh it is truly uh unspeakable

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what they must be experiencing. Uh but I think the way the community rallied and the way our staff rallied is something uh to certainly uh look to. Um with that said, uh we do thank each and every staff member, each and every teacher for everything they do for our students. Uh

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the work that they do uh is wonderful and if you go in and out of our classrooms, you'll just see that magic happen every single day. Happy Mother's Day to all our mothers. I did wish that to our staff uh you know for all those that I got to see on Friday when we made our rounds but just want to make sure

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they they hear and feel that from us as well. But when we talk about teacher appreciation, we also got to celebrate uh our teachers and and our principles came with me uh over to the Elks to celebrate teachers and educators of the year. Um it was a wonderful event that

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the county throws every year. But what made it really special for Somerville was that Shawn Ferguson and his jazz ensemble uh absolutely knocked it out of the park. They do such a tremendous job. Every single person I ran into spoke of how wonderful they were and how it

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enhanced the uh the breakfast and how we should be very proud of the work that our students and our staff do. So, thank you Mr. Ferguson and the jazz ensemble for your performance there. Um, and I think this was mentioned, but it's really important for everyone if

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you haven't done so to go online to our website to check out the work on the referendum that's happening. Uh it's been a slow build to this point as we start to finalize some bids, which you'll see uh in the resolutions on the board agenda as we try and uh lock in

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our contractors that we'll be working with and get the ball rolling on these exciting projects that our uh our community came in support of. Uh this is really exciting. Uh it's a generational opportunity to change the facilities that our students have and the programming that's offered to them. And

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all these things are going to really start happening this summer. So when you're around town, you're really going to see things start to happen and it's it's going to be exciting. Um so uh keep your eyes open. If you haven't gone to the website, uh Ariel and her team led by Kevin are doing a great job of

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keeping that updated with pictures and uh whatever is available at the time, but as the projects start rolling, you'll see more and more of those updates. So uh that's an exciting one. I thank the board for supporting that. I thank the community obviously for voting yes on that. and it's really going to bring some some wonderful change to our

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facilities. Thank you. >> Okay, we have our student board representatives. >> We're excited both of you are here tonight. Did you win? Did you win? >> No. >> No, >> that's why I'm here because we got mercy. So,

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>> that's why I'm here. >> I had I had enough time to get over here. I guess I guess that's a plus. Um, so we just wanted to start with some updates from the Somerville High School PTO. So last week they hosted a teacher appreciation lunchon and raffle for all

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the educators at SHS and each day the departments got to dress to different themes for the students. So we just want to thank all of the amazing teachers and the value that they bring to our Somerville community. and they're currently planning the the SHS PTO is currently planning this year's project

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graduation and they're looking for any additional donations and volunteers. So, if anyone's interested and would like to get involved, just email shoochair@gmail.com. And then there's a lot of musical events coming up as well. So, the spring instrumental concert is this Thursday,

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May 14th at 7 p.m. and will be featuring the symphonic band and wind ensemble. And then the spring Carl concert will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd at 7 p.m. And then on Monday, May 18th at Somerville High School, the 40th annual honors award ceremony will take place.

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And students who are invited are to report to the gymnasium no later than 6:30 p.m. And if anyone has any questions, just see the main office. And this is just a reminder that next Friday, May 22nd, will be a half day and then for students and then students will

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be coming back on May 26th. Um, okay. So then on May 29th, the Somerville peer leaders, all those seniors will be having the eighth grade mixer. So any incoming freshmen, we will host that um mixer on that day. Then we also have the Interact Club and the

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Black Student Union. They're hosting a a food drive right now. So they're collecting for families in need. So, donations will be dropped off at the main office. Um, and I think the last day to donate is May 29th. So, if you guys want to get those in, that would be good, too. Um, prom's coming up, so I think it's like 29 days, not counting.

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But, um, they the tickets will be on sale until May 21st. You do have to sign up for a slot, though, and their link is in their Instagram bio. Um, they're taking cash or checks for 125. Um, so they'll be sold in room 315 over until

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May 21st. Um, finally, sports. So, baseball and softball both went through counties this past week. Didn't make it through, but it's okay because we both placed. Um, softball. Our next home game is Friday, May 15th. Um, that's our It was supposed to be our teacher

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appreciation game, but I believe as of today, that will be moved to the following week. Um, so just keep updated for that. But then boys senior night is going to be next Wednesday. Um, I believe it's a 600 p.m. start at Torpy. Um, then we also have our boys and girls lacrosse. Both teams also seated for

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counties. Um they played last week as well. The girls and boys will both be home on the same day, May 14th. Um girls is at 4 and then boys will be at 5:30 on turf one. Um finally, tracks next week will be Friday, May 15th at Middletown High School, and that will be sectionals

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for them. Um last thing that I wrote this whole script and then I got an email from the PTO again. So, senior t-shirts and yard signs are going to be sold next week, May 19th and 20th. I think that's next week. Yeah, Tuesday. That Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:18. So, after the seniors get out, they'll be at

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the um football field snack shack. Um that's where they can pick them up, but there will be extras. So, they'll take cash or a check. The t-shirts are going to be $22 and then the yard signs are going to be 15. So, if students didn't order them um in advance, you can still go there and they'll give that to you as well. And that's all we have.

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>> Great. Thank you so much. Uh there's a lot of exciting stuff going on and for seniors especially. I know this is >> June will be fun. >> It's an exciting five weeks, four weeks right now. Um you know, I also want to just extend wish best wishes to all the sport teams that are that are, you know,

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involved and actually in county tournaments, state tournaments, whatever we're doing right now and individual athletes. I know this is an exciting time for everybody. So, thank you for those reports. >> Um right, if you two would like to duck out, I know you have other things that you would like to do. This is your chance. Okay, >> thank you.

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>> Good seeing you both. >> Yes, thank you. >> Okay, we're going to move on to report of committees. So, we had one committee meeting between uh the last board meeting and now that was the policy and residency committee.

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>> Yes. >> Nothing. >> And there's nothing to report. Okay. >> Bill, can I just mention one quick thing? Mhm. >> We did not have a meeting, but um for curriculum, I just wanted to mention really quick about summer programs. So, if you're interested in summer programs,

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information about that went out today. Uh there is a robotics oneweek robotics program offered for middle school. For elementary school, there's a STEM program that right now is invite only. Depending on numbers, we'll see what

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happens with that. if more kids can be invited. And then instrumental music is the one that has a cost associated with it. That'll be $225 for a 4-week program for middle school students, which also went out today. The other two are grant

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funded. So, if interested, please check your email and uh get yourself signed up. >> Great. Okay. Thank you for that. And then, Miss Van Horn, you attended the Somerset County Association of Board of Education. >> Yes. Somersa County School Boards met on May 4th at Somerset County VOTE. Um

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Barry Walker, who's the VP for county activities, announced the battle for the counties, battle of the counties for 2026 2027, a friendly competition and celebration. It's going to focus on

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workshop attendance, participation in county meetings, personal and board certifications, which are the new member, certified board member, master board member, and then full board certification. So, they're encouraging

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Somerset County to represent. Well, Roger Jinx, who is the interim executive county superintendent, reported that he's had several meetings with Dr. locks the new head of the New Jersey Department of Education and is very impressed with what he has seen and

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heard. Everyone is excited with the use of the new NJSLA adaptive assessments there. These will give a much better idea of what our students know and Mr. Jinx encouraged all that do attend workshop to please attend the unsung

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heroes ceremony at workshop. Uh, an update from NJSBA board of directors was given by Jean Tragillo based on their May 1st meeting. Again, a reminder to sign up for workshop October 19th through 22nd, 2026.

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And she reported on executive director Tim Pernell's three-pillar goals for 2026 2027. The goal for content is that NJSBA will design and deliver a labor summit to prepare local boards for collective

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bargaining. The connection pillar NJSBA will connect members with frequent frequent value added resources to enhance board effectiveness and access to information. And in advocacy, NJSBA will

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design, pilot, and deliver at least one advocacy best practice program for the county VPs of legislation to strengthen their effectiveness. There was a report on health care costs. NJSBA has drafted a sample resolution urging relief from

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rising health care costs that local board of eds can adopt, send, and send to the governor, legislators, and local representatives modeled on a letter sent to the governor by the New Jersey leadership for educational excellence, also known as the Lee Group. And I have

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that resolution here. And uh watch Board of Ed earned their board certification. There were service milestones acknowledged for 10 years and 15 years and as well as individual me member certifications

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and Kieran Merud from Hillside Intermediate School in Bridgewater was recognized as the Somerset County Teacher of the Year and no meeting until October. >> Okay, great. Thank you for that report. Did they emphasize that first year board

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members are the ones that are supposed to be out of all the counties? I >> you like competition. I know. So, >> okay. >> Represent well there. That's great.

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All right. All right. We're going to move on now to our business motions. Um I do want to point out in the preschool through 8th grade, um item 15 is the playground bid for Badir. Um, this was actually already approved once, but the

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uh the lowest bidder that we approved last time uh did not actually um what's the term, Mr. Boyce? >> Well, we we approved the the purchase of the playground equipment prior to this as the installation. And in this bid, the low bidder had fatal flaws in their

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submission. So, they >> so we went with a second bidder. So, that's that's how that's phrased there. Um so just just that item is there and that's ongoing work as um our superintendent pointed out in terms of just all the things that are kind of happening that are even kind of outside

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the referendum. There's just a lot of work that's taking place in terms of capital projects. So um also within this are like I mentioned before u we have some coaches approvals we have things like that that are again something that I just want to thank those staff in advance for the work that they do around

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that. I know coaching is definitely a passion for people and anybody that's kind of stepping into that um you know really has an impact on our students. So thank you for that as well. All right. Are there any items that people would like to have removed for a separate vote or separate consideration?

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>> Okay. Seeing none, um could you do that motion for us, please? Preschool through 8th grade. Motion to approve that items 1 through 39 be moved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, appointments, and salaries contingent upon verified documentation.

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>> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Van Horn. Okay. Any discussion? Okay. Seeing none, Mr. Boyce, can you do a roll, please? >> Yes. Mrs. Van Horn? >> Yes. >> Dr. Hutcherson? >> Yes. >> Mr. Jess? Yes. >> Mrs. Hodes? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwood?

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>> Yes. >> Mrs. Nebraska. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dale. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kimick. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Boyce. All right. Moving on to 9inth grade through 12th grade and districtwide. Um I do want to point out on this one, item number 76 is

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the staff renewal list. So, these are all the staff that are being um recommended for renewal for next year, an appointment for next year. I want to extend congratulations to everybody uh you know for those appointments and and again um you know we can see like we're

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starting to shift most of our agenda items now are are kind of focused on things that are happening in the future. So we're excited about that as well. All right. So are there any items that people would like to have removed for separate consideration? All right. Seeing none motion please.

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Motion to approve that items 40 through 79 be moved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, appointments and salaries contingent upon verified documentation. >> Okay. Is there a second for that? >> Second van Horn. Any discussion?

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>> Can I just ask quickly on number 41? Is that a renewal or is that a new >> Jag? It's not a renewal. It's not a renewal per se, but we we are using JAG this year. >> Okay. >> And we will be deciding based on our

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negotiations then to continue that next year. >> Okay. Perfect. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other discussion? >> All right. Mr. Boyce, the role, please. >> Yes. Mrs. Van Horn. >> Yes. >> Dr. Hutcherson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jess. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hodes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Sherwin.

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>> Yes. >> Mrs. Kra. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Dale. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kim. Yes. >> Mrs. Smith. >> Yes. Okay. All right. Moving on to old business. Are there any old business items? Seeing none, can I have a motion to

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close all business? >> So moved. >> Sherwin, is there a second? >> Second. >> Hutchson. Okay. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I extensions. Old business closed. New business. Are there any new business items?

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>> I just have one thing. Uh so like I guess it was two weeks ago now was the middle school band concert and it was amazing. One of our former board members went up and led Booster Gil led the jazz band at the end to Sweet Caroline and

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got the whole audience singing. I went to our two administrators and said do not expect that from other board members >> because that will not be happening. But you did. >> I mean, I I could potentially

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>> I will not. >> Well, it's nice to know he's still out there. >> Any other new business items? >> Okay. Can I have a motion to close new business? >> So moved. >> Okay. Second. >> Second. >> Nice job.

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>> Okay. Any discussion? All right. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed. New business is closed. All right. We are going to in a moment uh make a motion for executive session. Right after that, we're going to make a motion for adjournment because we are

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not making um any or taking any action out of executive session. Um so essentially the meeting will be over at that point. So can you bring us into our >> Yes. Uh the board of education of the Somerville School District in the county of Somerset will adjourn into a closed meeting to discuss the items or item,

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excuse me, which falls within an exception of our open meetings policy and permits the board to have a private discussion since it deals with specific expectations contained in NJSA 104-12B. I personal or personal I personal I

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personnel employment matters affecting a specific prospective or current employee. Be it resolved that the board will now go into private session to discuss matters rendered confidential by personnel employment matters affecting a specific prospective or current employee. Any discussion held by the

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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. All appropriate persons who may be discussed in private session have been adequately notified. We do not

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anticipate action to be taken following the executive session. >> Great. Thank you for reading that. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Good job, Miss Dale. Any discussion? Okay. All in favor? >> Opposed? Okay. The board is now in

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executive session at 7:37. Uh could I have a motion for adjournment? So moved >> 635. >> Oh, sorry. 637. >> Time traveling. It's >> definitely 37. >> Oh, >> I'm looking at the clock.

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>> So moved. >> Motion for adjournment. Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Miss Dale. Okay. Any discussion? Okay. All in favor? >> All opposed. Okay. We are in executive session and adjourn. Thank you everybody.