2025 by posting the notice with the respective clerks of the city of Denver and township of West and advertised and Trenum Times newspaper. Uh shall we all will you all training for the flag
to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisibley and justice for all. here. >> Paul signed >> here. >> Brian,
>> here >> Michael Travis >> here. Okay. Um, we uh a resolution to pass. um in the most wonderful way before we begin. Uh so
each marking period we recognize our students who achieve high honor role and this is our chance to do that for the third marking period and uh I do see several of you out there so thank you for
coming. I am not going to read the entire resolution because it's whereas a lot um you will receive a comment about it but know that um we recognize and commend your academic performance and
that's the most important part of this. So Mr. Souo is going to go ahead and present this and we'll pass the resolution in just a moment. >> Yes. Thank you. So, and I and I promise for next year, our timing was a little
off for this year. We probably should have done third marking period last month. Um, some of you in the room may get an invite back in July's meeting for not only for two things. The fourth marking period and then we are going to honor and I actually looked at it today.
It's a smaller list of the students who were actually on high honor roll for all four marking periods which is pretty significant. Um, so if we invite you and you're around, hopefully um, you'll be able to come attend. If not, we'll send your certificate out in the mail. So, we
do have some folks today and I knew it was going to be a busy time of the year and many folks have already, you know, gone on vacation and things along those lines, but we will I will recognize all of our individuals. I'm going to do it by grade level and if you're here, please come on up and get your award. We'll start out first with our ninth
graders. And we have Daniel Brewer from ninth grade. We also have Isaac Der. Lucy Milheim And then we have Ava Cyra. All right, we'll move on to 10th grade. First we have Leticia Aguilera Rayundo,
Leah Bachelor, >> Haley Brown, Amelia Carluchi, Julia Dorman, Brandon Garcia, Brooke Pachuli, Charlie Phillips, Nathan Pigeon, Adriana Sodto,
Oh, there's Nathan. Perfect timing. Come on up, Nate. We got you. Abigail Titus Grieve and all in the family, Charlotte Titus Grieve. And then finally for 10th grade, Zulie Vicente Campos.
All right. 11th grade, Finn Baker, Annabelle Bilman, Tucker Hicks, Junipe Horsmo, Addison Kovalevski, Will Merzinski, Sydney Pal, and then Aaron Oor. And then our seniors who've just
graduated, Anukica Balog, Val Ba, who was also our student representative, Ian Harbison, McKenna Healey, Grace Horvath, Alexander Kachowski, Degan Manfred, Yaslin Renos,
and Lucy Spring. >> Hey, ladies and gentlemen, can I get a motion to honor these scholars? >> So moved. >> Larry second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I congratulations.
I would like to take a moment uh Val's name was just mentioned but to thank Valbot who was our student representative to the board this year and uh I I certainly appreciated all of his commentary and uh honesty as we we
got the report. Um do we have anyone from the PTO here? >> Could I just say one thing about Val? Yeah. So, I know Val couldn't be here this evening, but on behalf of the board, I did want to thank him and I did get him a card and a gift card that I will deliver to him in the next couple days. Um, just thanking him for his
service on the board this year. >> U, is there anyone here from the PTO? Hey, L. >> Is she peeking back? Thank you. Um, so we do not have correspondence for this month and do
some small items to approve here. So we need to a motion to approve our minutes for uh our regular and executive sessions for uh both our May 18 regular session and then our work
session on June 10th. I get a motion. >> Okay. Ronnie, Brian and uh all any discussion on these before we >> Okay. All in favor? >> I
understand. I not >> Okay. Thank you. Um update. Yes. So, I have a few things I'd like to report out on. Um, so hopefully by now everyone's aware of
New Jersey's internet enabled device law. Uh, I did send out a week ago, Friday, um, some information about this. I know it probably got lost in the end of the year communication, but this will be a constant reminder uh, throughout
the summer. Um, so just a little bit of history. So, all New Jersey public school districts must adopt policies restricting the use of personal internet devices. So, that includes smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches during the school day. Districts have had the flexibility of how they're going to
implement that law. Um, our our policy really was shaped by input from students, staff, parents. I had a parent focus group about this as well as obviously the board of education. And really what it comes down to in a in a general theme for tonight is that um
we're trying to balance, right? There's a healthy balance between all the positives with technology, but then the negatives as well as far as screen time, social media, and I think you'll continue to hear this moving forward as a theme for the district is that we just
really want to balance the screen time with human interaction. And we want to make sure that kids are talking to each other during the school day, interacting with each other, not only obviously in classes, but in hallways, in lunchtime, things along those lines. So with that,
um, we will be collecting devices next year. So I brought a little demo just to show you all. So this is how we'll be collecting them next year. So what will happen is each grade level will have a cart middle school through
high school. Um on this cart right here there are 60 different compartments. All right. We also have the ability if we have a few more than 60 kids and right now we have one class at high school and one at the middle that will be in that situation. We can put a divider in the cart and obviously have two sides. So
what we'll have happen is you'll notice it's mobile on wheels. So we will have designated areas at each one of our buildings right for middle school and the high school where when kids come in they'll know where the ninth grade card is the 10th grade cart the 11th grade part the 12th grade same thing for five six seven eight there'll be different
colors right each card will have a student's name on it and a number which by the way will have that number available on encourse for our students you know in the one area of encourse where they look to see where their bus information is and their pickup times and all that we're going to have another
category for their cell phone storage. And what will happen is as they enter into the building, they'll simply go to the cart, find their thought, put their phone in. Obviously, if they have a smart watch, that's included. They can put that in as well. We took into account some of the bigger phones with the I don't even know what they're
called with the things on the back, right? The little suction cup thing on the back, which can be very, what it called? Popsocket. >> Popsocket. All right. Thank you, Ry. So, we took that all into consideration. So, obviously, it can fit. And then they'll be in there. We will secure
these in a uh an area in the building. By the way, when kids come to check in their phones, there'll be an adult there kind of supervising as that process goes down. Uh then it will be wheeled away for the day and then obviously right before the end of the day at dismissal
time. We'll have the park back out. Kids will kind of sweep by, take their phone or whatever else belongs to them, and then head out to the B for dismissal time. That's the way the process will work. We'll have these spread out throughout the building so we don't have all four grade levels converging on one cart, right? And we'll work through
logistics. For our ninth graders that are coming in next year that just finished eighth grade, they saw this when they came and visited for nth grade orientation. We brought it in the auditorium for our presentation and they went through it. Um, we just thought that this worked out the best as far as being able to fit everything that we
need to have to fit in it and it's also mobile which makes it very easy and it's sturdy. Uh so really excited about that process of what it will look like. So I just wanted to show it at the board meeting. Um from the elementary side of
things just going along. Um so what we'll have students do at the elementary obviously we don't have as many kids with phones as many kids with watches but they'll just turn them into the main office like they have done now. All right. We'll have a process for that. We don't anticipate as many kids
as obviously the middle school to high school. And then obviously I just went through what it looks like. We will ask the kids at the middle school and the high school to power down the devices and lead them off so we don't you know all day long in the closet but um and then obviously they'll pick them up as
part of the dismissal process. So we don't anticipate, you know, this being a big deal as far as logistics go. I think we have it pretty pretty well down. I really and I'll continue to push the Q&A throughout the summer. I know it's long, but it really gives all the whatif
scenarios. I'm going to highlight a few here, but like, you know, we took into account our kids that go to Polytech, right, PM and AM, and how that all plays out because they're leaving the building and we have a process for that. So, I think we're in pretty good shape as we head into the school year. Again, I
realize that there's a lot of, you know, information and parents right now are just kind of digesting the end of the 25 26 school year and probably not thinking yet about 2627, but we wanted to get it on their radar. Just a few things I wanted to point out like two big things,
two themes that we talk about from the board level that bring parents to a level of concern by us collecting the phones are like what about safety and security if something was to happen and I need to get in touch with my child. We're just daytoday like if my child
needs me or I need my child and they don't have their phone and they're not going to see their text messages till after school's over and I need to somehow talk to them during the school day. I'm going to talk about those two scenarios right now. So if you look at it and I've done a lot of research in this area quite honestly when we talk
about safety and security like if you look at best practice in the Department of Homeland Security you don't want kids to have their phones in an emergency. Let's say for example there was a lockdown, right? And god forbid there was an active shooter or something along those lines. The worst thing that can
happen is kids phones are buzzing and going off because obviously you can hear that, right? Texting and calling or live streaming. You don't want kids, right? We want kids focused on the protocols that we practice for situations like this. We don't wor want them worrying about texting or trying to call someone
or live streaming something and then they're not paying attention to our processes and protocol. Obviously, 911 can get flooded pretty easily. So, if every kid's going to call 911 on their cell phone in an emergency situation, that's probably not going to go real well. We talk about how threats can
sometimes monitor social media and live streams to locate where kids are or evade law enforcement. And the worst thing that we want to have happen is panic where parents are just rushing to the school because that's going to cause chaos, right? So if you look at
Department of Homeland Security, they recommend during lockdown protocols, no phones, no noise generating devices. They should be silenced. You know, our staff members will be carrying cell phones. So in an emergency, obviously they have the ability to call 911. They have the ability to activate our
emergency notification system from an app on their phone or from the heart, you know, the phone lines that we have in all of our classrooms or the main office. So I just kind of want to reassure folks on that one. And then the next one that I want to just talk about is like if you really need to get in
touch with your child during the school day or they need to get in touch with you, we're going to facilitate that process, right? Just like schools did before there was telephones. So, right, a student can go use the phone in the main office if they need to call home at any time. Right? Teachers and counselors
can help work together and help facilitate that contact. If there's an injury or an illness, obviously the nurse is going to facilitate that contact. Or if a student needs to use the phone in the nurse's office to call a parent and parents can call the main office, they can leave a message. If it's something that entails where they
want to talk their child, we can get them out of class if we need to or have them come down at the end of the period to call back home if they're if it's not an emergency related issue or we can get a message to them, you know, whatever it may be depending on what the parent needs. So that's really really
important. I want folks to understand and we'll continue to reinforce that message that we're going to help bridge. We know this is new and it's going to be difficult for some of our kids and we want we don't want this to be a barrier and something the kids are worrying about during the school day or parents. All right. So, this is something we'll
be working internally with our staff, especially our office staff who are going to be on the front lines of this to make sure we're as accommodating as possible um just so everyone has a level of comfort. At the elementary level, I know sometimes there's location and tracking, right, for kids as soon as
they get out of school and parents want to track where they are. Um, there are options and I've listed some out here. Rather than just a phone, whether it's a Bluetooth, you know, an Air Tag on their backpack or whatever it may be, there are different options that parents can look into. I gave some other options as
well in the FAQ that we sent out about a week and a half ago. Um, keep in mind we do have secure buildings. Our staff are present. They account for our kids each and every day when they're moving from class to class, when they're outside, when they're on the field, any of those different things, right? Um, and if
there's ever an emergency, everyone knows that parent square is our main source of communication where we're going to send a phone message, a text message, and an email instantaneously, and parents are going to get that information quickly as possible. So, I just again wanted to reassure that as
parents think about this moving forward for next school year. Um, there are exceptions to the policy. based on the law. So if there are circumstances, perhaps something with an IEP accommodation, perhaps something with a 504 plan accommodation or student health
plan, right? We know that we have students with diabetes and they use their phones to help monitor blood sugar, things along those lines. Could be for translation services depending upon the situation. The law also calls for if if a student is a caregiver perhaps for a family member and they're
not doing well and there's needs to be instant communication there's an accommodation for that. What we tell families that if there is a need that arises need to reach out to your building principal building principal will then discuss it with me and then depending upon what the situation is IEP
related then it's going to go to the case manager. If it's 504 related, it's going to go to the school counselor and we'll kind of work through that process as we see fit and then obviously communicate with our teachers so they're aware uh and everything's enrolling. Just a couple other things going back to
what I said before about trying to balance human interaction with screen time. So, just so globally folks know, we sent this out to the grade levels that were impacted, but um our current fifth and sixth graders who just finished up last Wednesday did not take home their Chromebooks for the year,
right, for the summer. We decided to keep them for the summer just to give them a break away from the screen time. Next year, for our rising fifth and sixth graders, right, so our fourth and fifth graders, this past year, they will not take their Chromebooks home each and every night. We made a decision. We've
talked with our teachers um in fifth and sixth grade based on the homework and the different things that kids will be required to do. They don't need to utilize a Chromebook for it. So, we will keep them in classes in carts. Obviously, if they're needed during class, they'll be utilized, but at night they'll stay in the carts and then
obviously the kids will pick them up the next morning if they need them for class. um seventh and eighth grade, we we're going to continue to let them take take them home, but starting in September, we are going to shut them down at 9:30 every night. All right? Just we're able to do that and then have
them reconnect at, you know, whether it's 6:30 in the morning or whatever we decided to be before school. So, you know, and I've gotten a lot of feedback on this one. Some positive, some oh, when kids got sports and things and sometimes they don't. So, we'll kind of play it out, right? We want to try it,
see how it goes. if we're getting issues or parents are bringing up certain issues, um, we can adjust accordingly. But I think it's really, really important for our kids to get sleep. And I don't really want kids on our devices at 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30 at night, which
we can see, by the way, right? Because a lot of times when students submit, let's say, a Google doc for part of a an assignment, the teachers have the ability to look at the revision history and they can see a student's working on it at 1:30 in the morning, which is never a good thing, right? That's not what we want for even for our high
school kids. We don't want that. So, these are just things that we're going to put in place as we continue to balance the positives with technology and the negatives with technology um for next year and and we'll continue to evaluate as a board uh and you know adjust accordingly.
Any questions on any questions on that from the board before I move on to a different topic? All right. So, I did want to share an update about the sale of the West Amwell School. Um, so just a couple things. The
original purchase agreement was signed on February 25th, 2026. Over the last three months, the buyer has been doing performing due diligence on the property, meaning having a lot of inspections and different things that were taking place. um during the due diligence inspections, several issues
were identified with the property there, it resulted in the buyer coming back and asking for a credit on the purchase price. So, after much deliberation and quite honestly negotiation, um the board made a decision uh based on the amendment that was provided by the buyer
to agree to drop the purchase price $150,000 um to $950,000. the original purchase price was 1.1 million. Um I will tell you that the SE or the buyer asked for a lot more than that and the board did not
agree to that but did come somewhere you know in the middle as a compromise. The good news is by board approving this agreement tonight, which is on our finance agenda, and then signing off on it, the due diligence period is now over, which means that if the buyer was
to pull out before July 17th, they would lose $75,000 in a deposit. All right. The other good news is we have a locked in closing date for July 17th. So, we're feeling really good about where we are right now. um just to kind of where we
landed so everyone understands. So the sale price wound up being 950,000. Don't forget we kept 145 almost $146,000 from the auction because we had a buyer who unfortunately um defaulted and couldn't follow through
on their end and we were able to keep $145,000 of their deposit. So that means the total proceed is just a little under $1.1 million. um when you take out broker fees and closing costs, our net proceeds will
still exceed a million dollars. All right. And we've earmarked and you know, speaking on behalf of the board, we've said this multiple times. We've we're committed, the board is committed to paying down referendum debt from the 2021 referendum. That continues to be
the case. And after the closing on July 17th, we'll share more specifics on how that debt payown is actually going to occur. All right. So, I just wanted everyone to kind of be in the to know as far as where we landed, where we are. I feel like fingers crossed we're in the home stretch. We're getting real close
and uh you know, I think we landed overall in a good place. Any questions or comments from the board about that before I last stop? All right. And then the last one, it's not too late. The end of the year survey, as we call it, tell us how we're
doing. Um, we've extended the deadline to June 30th. So, I've had a great I I'll just be honest. We've had a phenomenal response from students. We've had a phenomenal response from staff. I'd love to get some more parents. This is the breakdown right now. So, we have
144 total in the district. 53 parents from the elementary, 51 for the middle, and 40 for the high school. That's of as of today. So, if you can continue to spread the word, I'm going to keep sending out reminders. I've been emailing um through parents square
buildings not global district telling each building parents this is where your number is this week we're looking to try to get it up right because each is different. So again about you know little week and a half left. We'd love to get your feedback. We do read it. We spend a lot of time on it during the
summer. It helps drive how we focus on different things. So you know it's there. It's in my emails. It's on our website. please take, you know, 10 or 15 minutes because your input is extremely valued. >> I I do want to reinforce that that is
something that the board actually spent a lot of time reviewing as well. It goes through our school and community uh committee, but we all do take a look at not only the rankings, but also the comments that happen within that. So, it's important for us to know where
everything stands as well. Um before we move on to public comment, I did want to take a moment to acknowledge um something that also happened this past month. Um which was our graduation. Sorry. >> So our class of 2026 did graduate and a
huge congratulations to all of the students of all of the parents who supported them and to all of the staff who we have South Hunan Regional School District staff who work with some of these kids for 13 plus years. So, um they they brought them to where they
were and I was really happy to just um see that happening. It was a really great day, a beautiful day. Um and also kudos to Suzanne Tambella who was our graduation coordinator. She runs a very tight ship. I very rarely will count on
anyone like trust someone to have something in a binder for me and Suzanne definitely did. So, congratulations all around. Uh with that said, it is now time for our first session of public comment. Um as always,
uh we welcome you up to the podium. Please state your municipality, your name. Um you are limited to three minutes. And um with that said, our first >> Okay.
>> Hello everybody. Uh Justin Hollahan, uh West Amwell Township. Uh and um oh, so okay, here we go. Three minutes. All right, I'm going to read some notes here because I got some things. All right, so hello board members, neighbors, and volunteers. Um first and foremost, I just want to take this moment here to
just um uh say what an honor and a privilege it's been to teach the families of my neighborhood and the kids. Um there's never been more joy in my life for the past quarter century. Um, I just want you to know this year did not end up the way I thought it was. But going forward, I just need to clear
the air for me. You are my neighbors. I love you forever. There is no animosity, okay? Like whatever happens going forward, you you're my village and um I just want let you know that, okay? So, um I love you guys. Um there's enough anger and animosity in the world anyway,
so I'm not going to add to it. Um so if I do see you stranded on the side of the road, I will definitely come rescue you. Um so me aside all right so what I really came here to talk about is this concern of mine um about this mental health of our students I do want to talk
a little bit about AI and then I'm just going to offer an invitation uh so 25 years I've been teaching I taught through September 11th uh district regionalization a number of administrators and ideas the tech boom COVID uh but what really threw me off my
horse was middle school um I was not ready I was not ready for the Mr. H. I'm cuttingelves and Mr. H, um, I didn't get the homework done because I was at the mental hospital this weekend. That after 20 years in elementary, that was new to
me. Um, and that really threw me. Um, I don't know if I could have been prepared. Things are changing so fast for all of us. I don't know if there really is a hard set answer right now. Um uh but this was unlike any other problem because if someone did you hate
speech, you could be like, "Oh, they're a bad person. You could blame them." Or if someone said something terrible or vandalized, "Oh, you can you can blame somebody else." But when kids we love are like, "I'm not happy." All I can do is look at myself and I'm like, "What
did I miss? What did we adults miss in their lives?" Um it's a very hard burden to take. Um, so that was very that was very shocking to me. Um, so I just want to use a quick metaphor. This is what I'm going to explain in 40 seconds. Um,
I want to think of our kids as mountains and every day we're just drilling into them, drilling into them. We're taking all their precious their attention span, their time, their energy, all their best. We're taking it from them every day. And then we move on to the next mind. And we're not back filling those minds in. And th that mountain is like
collapsing under the weight. All right. Um, what I used to do in class, I would shut off the lights. I would give them some time and I would just tell them good advice. Liberty and justice for all. You belong in a village. You have a place. You are good enough. And it was just simple things like that. So, I'm
going to beg this board, please, um, with the next year, please, as a district goal, mental health. It doesn't have to be number one, but it has to be a priority. Okay. >> That's the craziest, Mr. Hello, I'm Lauren Bron Fellows from
Lambertville. Um, I just wanted to come just um with some additional thoughts. I've been speaking at the last few meetings about issues around technology. I appreciate seeing the new policies, implementation, reflection um uh as we move forward into a new school year. Um,
I wanted to talk a little bit about some of the ways in which I I would hope maybe as a district we can think about increasing literacy in some different areas. As a parent and an educator at the college level, I am concerned about the absence of textbooks in a number of
of classes at the middle school level in particular. I won't speak to the high schools. I don't have direct knowledge of that right now. Um I know um that that's been a movement um and that there may be some reasons that that was implemented in the past. I would encourage the board and particularly
curriculum committee just to reassess some of those decisions moving forward um especially because of the ways in which a wellchosen wellm made well- edited textbook can really be an anchor um for students who might not otherwise
have a lot of literacy in maybe in a household or or or might not have a lot of experience with the subject area or might be interested on the other end. I just think that that's a really important aspect. Um, and something I'm seeing at the college level that students just don't know how to work
with these kinds of materials and how to work through the sorts of language and the sorts of arguments that are present right in a again in a well-edited um uh book and that that's an important part maybe of of to think about our
educational philosophy um the roles of all of the things that we bring into the classroom potentially. Um and then um I wanted to also just continue to encourage the board um and the district leadership to really think about the ways in which we're cultivating
creativity. Um that I think is again kind of the larger issue speaking to mental student mental health in particular. You know that feeling of like what do I do matter? What if what do I what I do matters? Um what I have to say matters what I'm figuring out
what I think. Not that I already know it because somebody told me, you know, but that I'm navigating, right? Meaning in the world, making meaning and engaging in things where I can kind of be messy. I know that's something that um you know is hard for especially for our middle
school age students right to to to grapple with but that might that might be a space um that I I would hope again um that the philosophy moving forward um as we're really taking an honest look at technology could rise more to the four um and that there's some really great
materials out there and especially in my area you know in history and social studies for instance like primary sources collated and collected by Library of Congress by the national archives um that are give particularly in history social studies students ways to really think critically about their
place in the world and the place of the past in the world. >> Thank you. We have to get a new whistle. >> I think it should go. >> I have that too. >> Don't do that. Can I >> that would put me into one of my
exercise buses. Uh, is there anyone else who >> Before we continue to the next person, can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Is that appropriate? I mean, is Michael's the one that made the decision? I was just >> I just have a question for the person
who just spoke. I question for her. >> Oh, that so we No, that's a that's an address. So we can discuss offline at absolutely afterwards. >> Okay. Afterwards I can have a conversation. Okay. >> Y uh any other comments? Is there anything
online? >> Okay. Um so let's close the first period of public comment. Um this is a special meeting in that we have to do our annual organization. Um so there are a million
letters in the next thing. So, um, we do have to take basically what is on the books and then make it full again for this coming school year. So, we will be approving uh everything for bus driver
certifications straight through to our uh our curriculum so that as we move into the next school year, we do have that in place. Uh with that said, can I get a motion to
accept items A through >> double B? >> Yeah. A U. Is there any discussion around this? There are a lot of things in here. So, um I know that we did have a long discussion on
finance. Um but hopefully anyone who has questions u otherwise we're good to vote. >> Jennifer Bachelor. >> Yes. >> Don Bonani. >> Yes. >> Mark.
>> Yes. >> Paulo. >> Yes. >> Brian Ke. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. Okay. Uh curriculum and technology. I
know we did not meet this month. Uh but we do have some items put forward. >> We have one item that we need to vote on um this month. Sorry, dual enrollment.
>> Dual enrollment. >> Sorry. Thank you. Here we are. So, we have one, two, three, four, five, six dual enrollment agreements um that we need to vote on and approve for the upcoming school. >> And again, they are distinct uh from
last year. So, we're repeating things. Uh so >> with that I'd like to move uh item A. >> Is there a second? Uh any discussion on this?
>> Jennifer Bor. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Paulo. >> Yes. Bashetti. >> Yes. Ryan. >> Yes. Aaron. >> Yes.
Marino and Michael. >> Yeah. I should also note that um our even though curriculum and technology did not make we had a very very um spirited discussion on AI working session to replace that meeting. So uh
that there there was the subject was covered. So personnel um I know out. >> Yep. So, personnel committee, um, just two things I want to make note. Uh, first, we have officially the
resignation of Dr. James Naymith on the agenda for the board to accept this evening. So, James has been our director of people services for the last four years. Um, has done a great job for us. He he got the opportunity um to become the assistant superintendent of special
education in the Penn School District. So, obviously, he took that opportunity. So, he's done with us at the end of this month. Laugh day is on June 30th. Uh, but I am excited to announce that we have his replacement and she is here tonight. So, I'd like to just introduce
and acknowledge Alexa Thomas. He's fitting there next to Jane Ellen. And then what I want to do is just read a little bit about Alexa. So, we did have a very rigorous process, search process with multiple layers and multiple people, including staff um in the district that were
involved in this this comprehensive search. Uh right now, Alexa currently serves as the director of outreach at the Cornerstone Day School and works for Magnolia Consulting um supporting school districts in the area of special education. We're also fortunate that we've worked with Alexa over the last
couple years with our special education department and she's come in and done work with our administrative team as well as with our special education teachers. Um, prior to her her current roles, Alexa served as the director of people services in the Clinton Township School District. She brings valuable
leadership experience and expertise to the position. Um, over 25 years of experience. I think one of the biggest things that I'm excited about with Alexa is her ability to train our staff to not only serve as the director but also to do professional development and train our staff which I think is going to be
excellent. Um she will start officially for us um on Thursday August 6th and then in the interim uh I am the director of people services from July 1st until August 5th. So um so we're excited. We wish Dr. Nace well and we welcome Alexa
to the district. So we need a motion for items A and B. Welcome and again Dr. N. Good luck. Any discussion on this? >> Okay, let's vote. >> John,
>> abstain. Mark, >> yes. >> Paul, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Ke, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Jennifer Bachler. >> Yes.
>> Ronaldino. >> Yes. >> And Michael, >> yes. >> And I know Miss Dennis is traveling. So, >> do policy. Yep. Um, so the policy committee met on June 3rd, 2026. We started out our meeting just talking a
little bit about the cell phone law update. So obviously since then I've sent out the FAQ and a lot of information about that. Um we will eventually bring the electron internet um device policy to the board. Unfortunately we still haven't gotten it yet from Strauss Esme. So I did reach
out to them today and said hey uh you know July and August we need two reads. So, it would be great if we could have this, but I know that they were supposedly waiting on more information from the state, and I just don't think that's coming quite honestly. So, I think we need to move forward. Uh, then we looked at policy 1230, which is the
superintendent's duties. It's a mandated policy. Um, the committee reviewed this. These are all first reads, by the way. This discussion focused on the relationship between the policy and any board approved superintendent job description. Strauss Esme noted that districts with locally adopted job
descriptions may rely on those documents rather than the model language. The policy committee agreed that the district will rely on the model language as it does not have a locally adopted job description. Uh then we looked at policy 2411, career education and academic counseling. Um the committee
reviewed the revisions of policy 2411 and then there's a recommendation to abolish regulation 2411 which will be on our next month's agenda as part of the second read. Uh the revisions reflect updates to the New Jersey administrative code requirements related to career
education and academic counseling. Um the policy incorporates requirements related to career exploration, information literacy, counseling services, and we're equable or applicable work-based learning and course opportunities, which is really important right now with our pathways
program. So obviously we spent some time on that. Uh the committee noted that the state's transition away from the term guidance counseling and more academic or counseling. Uh it's in the policy. And then we talked a little bit about too how the fact of next year because we're
going to have this ninth grade elective now that all of our ninth graders are going to take that will be based on our pathways and career exploration um that it's not just our counselors who will be handling this also our new coordinator James Manis will be handling it. So that's going to be represented in the
policy as well. Then two bylaws. So one was bylaw 0162 which is notice of board meetings. The committee reviewed proposed proposed revisions by bylaw 0162 which reflect recent statutory changes governing legal
notices. So this is in line with and really next by the the bylaw 0162.01 are all about the fact that we no longer have to advertise our meetings in newspapers and now that we can do it on our website and that suffices um based
on changes in the law. So these are all free. So again, if there's any comments or any suggestions, please reach out to Mara before the second read to be at our July meeting. We do have to pass them as first though. So
that I think so any discussion >> okay folks know >> yes >> yes >> yes
>> yes >> yes >> Johnani Yes, >> Michael. >> Yes. >> Okay. Buildings, grounds, transportation, finance, and safety did meet this month and spatul
18. Um so highlights of the topics. We discussed the West End. Um we discussed the credit uh as a result of negotiating with the buyer. Um proceeds of the discussion
proceeds of the sale discussion will will plan to happen again in January once we see any new board members. Um so we can discuss the options. And again just to reiterate that we are committed to paying down um and doing it in a
manner that maximizes savings for taxpayers. Um, so we moved our discussion of that a little out uh due to the July closing date. And we also just talked a little bit about like the accounting um that's going to go on with the uh money that we're receiving from
the sale um being reflected in the budget for the next year since our fiscal year has closed. um and that we'll essentially be allocating that money as like a surplus for now. Um but then we will use it to pay down the debt. Then we talked a little bit about
uh some emergency HVAC service that we needed at the elementary school. So two of our units went down that affected the music room and the library. So you'll see on our agenda tonight that we utilize a maintenance reserve to cover the cost of labor. Uh we are now out of
warranty for our new HVAC units. Uh so we will also you'll also see on the agenda tonight that we are entering into a preventative plan. So this will help give us coverage on our units going forward now that we are out of that warranty period. And just to note that
we have brand new stuff HVAC um but the way things are now everything is based on computer systems. Um so it makes it a little more challenging. uh to manage those types of systems and the company that we're working with has the
expertise to assist us there. Uh we talked a little bit about our long range facility plan that is coming due. So this is a plan that we're required to have on the books. We're engaged with our architect to help develop the plan. Um, and essentially it boils down to formulating a list of possible capital
projects that we would be able as long as we formulate this plan and acknowledge these are things we think we want to do, we would be able to then use our capital budget in ensuing years to uh work on those projects. We expect to
have a more finalized list by the end of summer. Uh we will see on the agenda that uh we have our final payouts for the turf field. Um just one thing to note is that we had some unevenness identified early
on when we were still working on the field which they needed uh some fixing and the company did come back with a charge for that. So Tony is going to work with the company regarding the price for that. It's just based on labor cost. So, we don't have anything on the
agenda for that this evening, but we will see something come up uh change as that budget change order u in the in the future. Um but right now we do have our final payouts for that. We reviewed that long list of organizational items um and
eventually Peter gave us nice summary of each of those items that we've already um approved. And then we have a bunch of contracts uh up on the agenda tonight. One of the things you'll see is we are switching from Arbiter to Vantage Sports for both
facilities management and our sports platform. So what we'll see tonight is for the contract for facilities management piece. Um there's a lot of contract renewals, things that we're keeping. You'll see Confires is on there. So there's a couple of contracts
there all relating to inspection and monitoring service that we're now going under one provider. We have our character strong contract um on the agenda tonight and that is our programming that we um went through a
whole process to to pick one out. Um this is now the contract for that and just of note the vote that cost will mostly be funded under title board one. uh MIH systems on the contracts here is the previously mentioned uh plan for
HVAC um and going with this service um will also provide us discounts on any parts should we need any for the systems um so it's another benefit we also have grants on the agenda for tonight Kowanas
came back with additional grant money for project lead the way um which is supporting hands-on learning and also bringing in a new archery program for the middle school. So, we were able to generously give us grant money for that and thank them. You'll
also see additional grant money for high impact tutoring. This can be used for the summer and then previous funds that we were allotted can actually be used in the fall. So, we'll be able to continue tutoring into the fall. Um, we have the
payment for the emergency services uh HVAC work. Uh this is just again to pay for late month and the payments for the short project are on there and the sale agreement um is also included in our items that I'm going to move. Um the
sale agreement reflects the negotiated credit. And then to wrap up, we had a quick conversation about the radios that we now have for our buses. They were used, they're working. Um we're going back and looking at maybe some wiggle room on the
price for that contract. Um, so we're waiting for a revised quote from them and we were provided a third administrative radio to the elementary school. So the radios um help make sure that our bus drivers don't have to be on their phones and they can contact back
at the school. Very helpful especially for the elementary school if they have the data they get dropped off. And then we had a quick discussion on cafeteria. Um, we have a cafeteria audit coming up that looks the funds in our cafeteria account and what we're allowed to keep
in that account. And usually as a result of that audit, we'll have to uh allocate some funds um around from that account. And so Peter is working with our auditor to discuss the allocation options. And then finally, we had a quick talk about
um school lunches, particularly at the elementary and at the middle school level. And just something over the summer, we went might want to do is take a look at the food offerings, extra snacks and things like that and maybe bring the discussion to school and
community um to see where we could maybe do some swap outs for some healthier options. Um and also making sure kids are and parents are aware of how to restrict items, put limits on spending,
um things like that. the budget was our meeting point of order. Did the radio contract actually make the agenda? >> So yeah, it was initially approved last month and
then um we actually did get one right after that hour meeting. So they came down on the price over $1,000. So it's 7170 now to reply. >> So it is in here for approval. Yes, >> it's under it's under contract.
And then I so I'll make a motion with a through 10. >> Second. >> Any discussion on this? >> Ron, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Back. >> Yes.
>> Johni, >> yes. >> Arthur Dennis, >> yes. >> Paulo, >> yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> And Michael, >> yes.
>> So, community met on um the first thing we looked at was the annual survey um and noted that we had 443 responses at that time. 133 were parents, 211 were students, and 99
staff. And that response rate is consistent with what with what we've seen in years past, but obviously the as much as we can. And so the survey is will remain open until we come up. Uh we reviewed the community classroom press
release. So because we had a great program with that, there a lot of information about different um individuals who participated in it and that was to go out today. um with photos is really going to be a part of the goal. Um we talked a lot about all of
the upcoming changes particularly around technologies >> um and how we have FAQs and we have guidelines to explain how we're how things are changing with phones, how things are changing with AI. But because
there's so much information and there's a been a lot of concern about how you know how we approach educational technology, this was something that that we really wanted to make sure that we were getting out information that was specific to concerns that have been
raised and taken as like bites bite-sized blurbs to get it out there to help like know this is all throughout the day. We know that this has come um and it's about educating the public about what we're doing to achieve balance through the
changes that again that includes the changes to Chromebooks and AI um and upcoming changes to curriculum. We also talked about the elementary school parking lot. So, as Jen mentioned, we're entering the long range
facility plan. And we recognize that we have had um as a part of the referendum, we put aside money for that um construction of that parking lot and that parking lot hasn't it hasn't happened because there's been issues with the DRCC and the park there and
construction that was done. Anyway, there isn't a solution currently and and there's no specific timeline. So, we're going back to the city of Lville to figure out what we can do, the move to find on that. Um,
and then lastly, we talked about the board norms, which we have on the agenda tonight for approval. Something that we've everyone has had eyes on. We've got received feedback from um everyone on the board. And so, in order to um
that we will be voting so I don't I will the board norms first >> the second on that >> any um any discussion on this >> I just want to clarify uh that that
parking lot did not controlled by the the uh school board property so it's controlled by the city labor bill which is why we had to involve Yeah, thank you for clarifying that. That's one of the reasons why it's a important school and community because
the community doesn't always understand. They look to the district say what are we doing to fix it and it's a partnership. So who owns that that property?
>> Shall we vote? >> Jennifer Matthew. >> Yes. Don Banani, >> yes. >> Arthur, >> yes. >> Paul, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Uh Brian, >> yes.
>> Eric, >> yes. >> Alino, yes. And Michael, >> yes. >> Hey, uh we do have some information items to accept here. Uh so last month we received two HIV investigations. Uh
and we are voting on those right now. Uh then uh we also have a report of fire drills and enrollment. So I get a motion to accept a second.
All in favor I have I Okay. Um that brings us to our second public comment. So um again same rules as before you can approach the podium
discuss um and limited to three minutes. Anyone else on a different topic? Yes. Okay. Hello Justin Hollahan again. Westwell. Um, so now I just want to talk about AI
for a second here. Um, all right. So I'm very happy you guys had many discussions on it. You guys are on the ball. You're you're rolling down that road. Um, but I just want to kind of throw in my two cents here. Um, kind of what I learned in my doctorate level classes and things. All right. So first thing I want to bring up is the industrial revolution. Let's go back in history a
little bit. Um, that was like the what I noticed about that is that was when like bells and periods and that's like what was made for schools and that's kind of where we are still in. We're still in that industrial revolutionary bell rings, kids move to another class. Um,
so I just want to bring up that point of history. Uh, we are in the informationational age now and we are leaving it because of AI. We are moving into a whole new age called the conceptual age. Basically, anything we think up is going to happen. All right? It's very daunting. It's kind of scary,
but it's kind of exciting. Historically, if you look at this, it is really no different than the splitting of the atom. We had this amazing technology. It could either free energy for all or we could weaponize it. All right, that's what happened with the atomic. But here,
at least with AI, at least we're having conversations about it. I mean, we're talking about it. it it's we're I feel like we've learned from our mistakes and we're kind of learning from um our past and hopefully going in the right direction. So with this conceptual age um everything is going to change. All
right. I I know that sounds like oh it's history just repeating itself in a way but things are going to change. Um that's just how history works. Everything changes. Um, so I just want us to be ready to pivot when that comes. Um, and meet these kids where they are
emotionally and um, fulfill them for being here in school. Um, which brings me to my final and last thought here. Um, I would love I would love it if it possible if I could toss some wild and crazy ideas at you guys. I don't know if it has to be an executive session or
just um um maybe just curriculum department. I would do it here in public with total transparency, but some of these ideas could be stolen or possibly marketable. Um, so, um, I would not want to share it with everybody, but I have no problem sharing with you guys. Um, I don't know which ideas I actually have
are feasible or what, but just throw it out there and just see what might happen. Okay? Um, we just can't I don't know if what we're doing right now could be is sustainable. Um, how we're doing things and what's coming. So, um, that's my last idea. if if you would have me, I
I don't know, but just uh to talk to you guys, just throw some random ideas at you. I have some unique perspectives on things. Um and just, you know, take it or leave it. Uh but just um you know, maybe just hear me out. That would be awesome. Okay. Thank you, Lo.
>> Oh, because my 18 seconds. Oh, because um as long if these kids succeed, that's everyone's success. You know, if this district succeeds and these kids succeed, that is really all of our success. So that's why it's it's so anything online.
Okay. Um let's close out this period of public session. Though we do have a need to go into an executive session. Um I anticipate we will not take any action afterwards. I anticipate probably 30 to 45 minutes uh that we could have an
agenda for this. Um and then we will come back and close the meeting. So about five minutes um and we will meet three. >> Yeah, we do. >> Can I get a motion to go into executive? >> Okay. Ronnie and Gina, all in favor.
Okay. I