Lambertville, Burough of Stockton, and Township of Westwell, and advertised in the Star Ledger and Trenton Times newspaper. Would you join me for the salute to the flag? >> Yes. I pledge allegiance to the flag to the
flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation >> nation under God >> under God, >> indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> We are not going to be asked to
participate in any Sim musicals anytime soon. Um, but thank you all for joining. Shall we call the roll? >> Jennifer Bachelor >> here. Sorry. Here.
>> Uh, John Bonani >> present. >> Martha Dennis >> here. >> Paul Faligno >> here. >> Gina Vetti. Brian Keys >> here. Aaron Olirri
>> here, >> Ronnie Todd Marino >> here, >> and Michael Sh >> here. Well, again, thanks everyone for joining. I know we have two months in a row of doing this lots of fun. Um, but I
am excited that we were able to to get this even if by Zoom. Um, and it is by Zoom that our student representative to the board is actually able to join us. He is coming to us from a college visit. So, um, Val, thank you so much for
taking some time. We'd love to hear from you. >> No problem. Yeah. Should I just start us off right now? >> Absolutely. >> All righty. I'll hit you guys with the little monthly recap. Apologies if there's any background. Can you guys hear me? Okay. >> Yep.
>> All right. So, South Pondan has always had a tremendous past few weeks academically, athletically, and also um especially in the arts. Uh recently, winter sports starting to come to a close. Obviously, we've celebrated past couple weeks had some senior nights. We had wrestling, we had
basketball. We just recently celebrated uh Connor's thousandth point, which was great. Uh for basketball, um not extracurricularly, the clubs have been pretty active. GSA did a lot. Um they finished off at Christmas at
Christmas times they did the um candy sleds and then during Valentine's Day they did the candy grams and that um raised a lot of money. We did bunt cakes with the clubs. That was the senior class did bunt cakes to raise money for Disney. Um peer leaders recently just went down to the middle school to try to
raise some awareness for kindness week. There was a Domino um kind of thing where all the dominoes were cereal boxes and the boxes got donated to um the PE the homeless shelter or just people in need and like the kids brought in boxes
and there was a whole little pep rally whatever. It was it was nice. We did some games and stuff. Um another thing I wanted to recognize was the artists of South. Uh they did Festival of the Arts recently. They displayed their work and there was a whole gallery you could walk through. And coming um just this next
week we have Into the Woods which is the South Hunter High School play. So that's something everyone should uh try to attend. Um it's going to be good. Um, finally, South seniors, myself, uh, preparing to leave for Disney soon,
which I'm excited about, and we're just looking forward to a successful end to the third marking period and almost into the home stretch and spring semester. So, yeah, >> thanks, Val. Um, thanks for coming in,
especially on a college visit. Have fun at Disney. Um, go on Guardians of the Galaxy in Epcot. It's worth it. >> Um >> Brian, uh congratulations to both you and Connor as well. I I um am very excited for that. And um I do want to
just take a minute before we proceed. For the last two months, we've supposed to have um our prek presentation. Um >> our poor poor pre we are hoping maybe the third time is a charm in March. But um I'm also disappointed that our Into
the Woods preview was not able to come today. Though I did see that they rehearsed via Zoom today. So um good luck to them as they they make their debut on Thursday. So update from um PTO or LAF. I I think
I saw Megan Sinus in there. >> Yeah, Jeremiah, if you could unmute, Megan. Gotcha. >> I have to head out. I just wanted to say thanks for having me everyone. >> Yeah, Val. Thanks. Have a good rest. >> Good night. >> Have a good one.
>> All right. Can you guys hear me? >> You never know. Mute, unmute, not mute, whatever. Um, so anyway, um, good evening, guys. Um, happy snow day. Um anyway, um just a quick update from the LAF. We will be having our spring
fundraiser um on March Saturday, March 31st at 6 PM at the West or at the Ammo Valley Fire Company in Ringo. It will be casino night again this year. So there'll be casino games, um some light food, drinks, um a live DJ and dance
floor this year. Um so come out and have some fun. Um $100 tickets are $100 each can be um you can get them through our website um via laf.org at the events page. Um so you know like I said it's
it's a great opportunity again having some good time fun um adult night out and meanwhile supporting our students within the community. Uh also wanted to make an update on we have launched our summer and senior
award program. So the applications for both of those awards are available through the guidance department. The submission for the summer awards is March 20th and the senior awards is on April 17th.
And then lastly, you know, we continue to seek out um uh folks to join the board um any community members looking to have some fun and while making an impact to you know the students within our district. um we'd
love to have you and love to, you know, continue to increase our board um and and continue this long-standing relationship that we've had with the school community. Um so again, you can reach out through their website um if you want more information or to contact me or any of the board members um
through our our email which is info@thelaf.org or if you just go on to our website page laf.org, you can find a lot of information there too as well. That's all I have for tonight. >> Thanks, Megan.
>> Thank you. Um, do we have a representative from the PTO? >> I don't think we do. >> I'm not seeing anybody in here. Okay, we'll move on then. Um,
so we need to approve minutes from last month's meeting. Can I entertain a motion for that? So move. >> Second. >> Okay, Ronnie and then Aaron. So this is
a voice v vote. Um all in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any abstensions. Okay, then it passes. Um,
okay. We are now going to move on um to uh public hearing. Um, and we are going to hear a report on violence, vandalism, and substance abuse. Um, so this is a mandated report. So, uh, Mr. Suzo is
going to do that. >> Yes. So, basically, um, we're required to do this report twice a year. Um, you may recall for those that were on the board, I did this back in November for the 25 or 2425 school year. This is the
midyear report for 2526. So this takes into account any forms that we had submitted to the state for issues as Mike had talked about with violence and vandalism, HIV, substance abuse um from September to January and then reporting
period one and then next fall I will do the full report for the entire year. So just a little bit of background and and some board members have seen this before. If we have an issue that involves some of these topics that we've discussed, there is a form from the
state of New Jersey um the DOE called the SSDS, the student safety data system report that we have to complete and basically put down information and then they track all this information and then this is released on their website each year for each school district. So this
just kind of gives you an idea for some of the things that we had mentioned for substance abuse or could be issues of you know violence or whatever it may be. Um again some additional information we do have to provide the offender information.
um you know for anything that we report to the state and then for HIV whether we have an alleged or if it's a confirmed HIV we are required to fill out a form as well and um you know include all the information and background on the HIV
report and again the offender information is also reported along with the lead investigator for the report. So this just gives you an idea of where we are right now as of today from everything from September until the end
of January. So you can see we have a total of three substance abuse offenses. Uh two for the high school, one for the middle school. We don't have any vandalism. Um we have two violence incidents, both at the at the middle school. Typically that's a physical
altercation. Um we do have one weapon at the high school. I know when people see that sometimes obviously it's a red flag. We had an issue uh with a student actually with a substance offense and then upon searching their backpack, we discovered a small knife that was in the
backpack. It wasn't like there was an intent or anything to use it, but it was in the backpack, which it shouldn't be. So, that was actually two incidents and one for the same student. Um and then HIV. So, we have a total of seven HIVs
so far. Um we have six from the middle school and one from the elementary school. And then out of those seven, and we don't have many from the high school, out of those seven, we have four that are confirmed for the middle school. Um, out of the seven.
So, this just gives you some trends. Um, keeping in mind the last column is only for reporting period one for this year and the other three columns are for the entire school year. So, you can see kind of where we had landed with different things in years past compared to where
we are now. As part of our programming is concerned, um you will notice that a good portion of our programming here has focused on our middle school because that's where our numbers had um have been the highest so far. But beyond that, just generically throughout the district,
we're fortunate that the board has invested in our counseling staff and our mental health clinician and the student assistance counselor. Um, which obviously play a huge role as as far as prevention programming. We've partnered this year with Hunter and Behavioral Health and we literally just hired our
first clinician who started last Thursday. So, that's a good thing. Um, we have anti-bullying specialists in each one of our schools. We have school climate teams in each one of our schools and then we have anal committee um who last year worked and you'll hear things
like character strong because that was one of the big things they focused on of a character education program that will be implemented in K8 next year in our elementary middle school. Hopefully some of you had the opportunity to take advantage of the Max Staceil presentation. We had a student presentation. We also had a parent
presentation a couple weeks ago. Um, we had another presentation called free tobe. It's an anti-bullying program that was actually free from the uh state NJ DOE and that was specifically targeted for our middle schoolers. Prevention resources which we often
partner with. They did some cyber safety and social media work with our middle schoolers. We have random acts of kindness which I'm hoping in the last couple days some things has gone out about that in our various schools. Um, we had Omega Man who came about character education to our elementary
students which was a big hit recently which was funded by the LEAF by the way. And then recently we implemented praise referrals at the middle school and the high school um which is really a way of again um noticing when our students are
doing the right behavior and basically you know making sure that they are put in the spotlight for that. So, we have forms that our staff can fill out if they do notice a student doing something that's positive, and then that student actually meets with the building principal, is presented with the
certificate. The certificate is then sent home to the parents, and then we've been putting that information out on social media um as well. So, we're really excited about that. That's just started a couple weeks ago, and we've already seen that at the middle and the high school.
So that is um where we are right now with that report. Again, like I said, I will do that report again in full for the entire year sometime in October or November of next year. Any questions from the board before we open up the
public comment for that report? What how long do we have the Max Staceil video available? >> That's a good question. It was it was only supposed to be 30 days, but I actually went into it this morning and it looks like um we're still good because he gave it to us a couple weeks
even before the parent presentation. So, I think we're good for right now. >> Okay. Just in case anyone wanted to avail themselves of that opportunity. >> If you have not watched it, I would highly suggest it. >> Go sorry. Going back to slide six there.
Is there a way to get a comparison of the report the the previous years with reporting period one only? >> Uh apples oranges or apples apples. >> Yeah, we could. I mean I I don't have it right here in front of me but I have >> right.
>> Yeah, I mean it is available on board docs from our I think it was our March meeting last year if you'll take it for anyone in public. All right. So, we do have to do a public comment just on this report um before we go into
anything else. >> Okay. So, members of the public u can now address the board on just this particular topic um for a maximum of three minutes. And um as always, we have
procedures and requirements when addressing to the board. Um, if a member of the public becomes disruptive during a public meeting, um, we obviously will mute them in within a Zoom meeting. Um, and disruptive
conduct, um, it includes sustained inappropriate behaviors, um, like shouting, interruption, and the use of profanity. Um, so hopefully none of that will happen, but um, would anyone like to address the board on this matter?
Jeremiah, >> just raise your hand. Correct. >> Yeah, we can raise our hand if anyone >> you have a public comment, please raise your hand. >> And we have one public comment online, but I know I looked at it already. It's not in relation to this. So, we'll get to that in our next comment.
>> Okay, then let's close this period of public comment. Um, Mr. Suzu, I know you have a separate superintendent update for the board. >> Yes, just a few slides that I wanted to present. Um Val mentioned it before, but big this
week we have our senior citizens preview for our senior citizen lunchon on Wednesday and then on Thursday, Friday, Saturday. So I know kudos to our kids. As Michael said, the weather has been difficult and and wrecking havoc on the rehearsal schedule in the last couple
days, which I'm sure it's stressful to not only the kids, but our directors, but um they've been working real hard and doing everything they can to be creative. They'll have a good amount of time tomorrow as well. So, we're really excited. Um so, for our community, I know it was in Lambertville Matters and
some other places. Uh, I really highly recommend that you get tickets and come out and check out our kids because you will not be disappointed. Um, and then something else I just want to put on the radar because it's coming, uh, Night at the Nest. So, for those of you that don't know what Night at the Nest is,
and for our board members who may not know what Night at the Nest is, I highly recommend um that you attend, if not both, at least one of the two nights. It is an opportunity for our high school students who come together in a variety of different activities. There's two
teams, a blue team and a steel team. They've been working on this for months. Um there's different games against one another and it culminates each night in a dance performance. It's just an awesome event and a long-standing tradition for school spirit bringing
students together. So tickets information will go out in the next couple weeks. So it's in our high school gym. So again, I'll just put a plug if you haven't been there. Um, I highly recommend it because it's a pretty cool thing to see and bring your kids as
well. >> Not easy to get tickets, so be on it apparently. >> Yeah. Yes. Um, so just an update for the sale of the West Annual School. So, good news to report. Um, you know, we had been
marketing the building since after winter break and I'm excited to report out that we have agreed on a sale a sale price of $1.1 million for the sale of the West Anwell School to the Scutter Realy LLC. Um, and we are currently in
the process of finalizing a sales contract. So, um, more information to share. I'm assuming by next month obviously the sales contract will be on our agenda for board approval but um this is a positive and uh we'll continue
to keep you updated as we progress with this process. Um a few other things the turf. So the weather has been challenging as we've learned in the last 24 hours. Um our contractor needs about four weeks without snow to finish the project.
everything really under the field is done, drainage, all those different things. It's more of just the final grading and then laying the turf. But like I said, we need about four weeks to make that happen. So, we are working on a contingency plan for the spring athletic season. So, our spring athletic
season starts on March 9th. So, right now, our plan is to move girls flag football to the varsity soccer field. Middle school softball will utilize Hua Park like it's done in the past. Um, and then for our middle school and high school track, uh, Jason Miller, our
athletic director, communicated with the Soulberry School because they actually have like they're on trimester, so they have a three-week break, so nobody's using their track from March 9th to the 20th. So, it sounds like um we're going to be able to use that and bring the kids there. Um, we're just working on
getting a certificate of insurance and things along those lines. So, that will kind of be our temporary plan right now as we start out with practices and things along those lines. And then we'll kind of see how things play out. I know just looking at the weather, looks like there might be a chance for a little bit
more snow later this week. I'm hoping not, but uh it's been tough. It's been a rough winter for us. And then just so everyone's aware, hopefully by now you are, but you know, this has been a big topic of conversation, student use of internet
enabled devices. So, Governor Murphy before leaving office passed a law. Guidance came out from the Department of Education a couple weeks ago. So, all school districts are working on developing a policy for the 2627 school year. Um, for us, just as a reminder,
this prohibits non-academic use of internet enabled devices on school grounds during the school day. This applies to all students in K12. And when we talk about internet enabled devices, it means smartphones, a smartwatch, or any other device capable of connecting
to the internet and enabling the user to access the internet, including social media apps. It's a bell-to bell, so from the start of the school day till the end, including passing time and lunch. So, we are working on just next steps.
Um, we have a parent focus group. So, I have about 15 or 16 parents who signed up to join this focus group. We're actually meeting for our first meeting this week on Thursday via Zoom at 7 o'clock. Um, our policy company will be coming out with a draft policy before spring break and then we'll be looking
to implement this for 2627. So, there's a lot of work to be done, a lot of logistical things to figure out which we're working on. Um, but at the end of the day, I do feel strongly that this is going to be a huge positive for our students, for their mental health, for
their ability to interact face to face, have conversations with one another, and just quite honestly, they get a break from the phone for seven and a half hours when they're with us each and every day. So, we'll be continuing to share information from the focus group as well as when the board eventually brings the policy for a first and second
read until eventual uh implementation for September of 26. And then budget. So, we are in budget season. So, I just wanted to kind of bring everybody up to speed kind of where we are in our process. It has been a bit challenging just because you know
with a new governor there's been you know usually within weeks ago we would know when is the state budget address going to be when will state aid figures be released and it's been kind of constantly changing and we have struggled all districts to get information of what that looks like but
as of today it looks like the governor's budget address will be on March 10th um what happens is once that address uh is completed then our state aid figures are released two days within 48 hours on March 12th. Right now, the board has a
work session scheduled for the evening of March 12th at 6 PM to discuss budget. Uh it looks like our preliminary budget for 2627 um will be approved by the board at the March 23rd meeting and then submitted to
the county superintendent by March 30th. And then changes still can be made up to that point. um the public budget hearing and the actual final adoption vote will be at our board meeting on April 27th. So there still can be discussions from the time it's you know submitted to the
county on the 30th up through April 27th. So there's a lot of information, a lot of um things to consider. Obviously, there's definitely some challenges to, you know, if you're not aware, all districts across the state of New Jersey are dealing with some very significant
health benefit increases in Hunter County right now. Districts are ranging anywhere between 21 and 35%, which is significant. We're expecting 21, but we haven't confirmed that yet. We're hoping that maybe we'll get better news in the next couple weeks when we
actually get our rates in writing. Um, but you can just kind of do the math and see as we look at our budget and we take our health benefits, if they are 21%, we take our salaries um, based on our collective bargaining agreements and then we look at a 2% cap um, as far as
what we can raise our budget. We have a shortfall of 740,171 and this doesn't include increased costs. We're all experiencing increased costs for utilities. Electricity has been tough this year. Um, and obviously it hasn't been a war. You know, it's
been a cold winter too, which hasn't helped. Just insurance. So, not health insurance, but insurance on buildings, liability insurance, programming, any new programming or transportation costs, and special education tuitions for any of our students who need out of district
services. So, none of those things are included in the chart above you. So, obviously, we have our work cut out. We've been working on this for three or four months and hopefully within the next couple weeks we'll have more information which will help us, you know, put the pieces of the puzzle together. Um there is a good possibility
that we will have to make some reductions. So we've been working on that and trying to do the best we can to make those happen which you know with staff members that are you know retiring or leaving the district um through attrition. But uh again, we'll be sharing more information in March and
obviously in April. Okay, any questions from the board on my update? Okay, with the lack of that, um I think we can move into our first
section of open public comment. Um so members of the public are invited to address the board on any topic. Um in this one uh again same rules apply limited to 3 minutes. Um when you come
um please just state your name and municipality. So public comment is now open. Please raise your hand if you'd like to address the board. >> Anybody Jeremiah? I'm not seeing anybody in chat. No. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> We have we do have one online. Um Oh, we
have three online. >> Okay. Let's see. So, let me go to individual responses. So, the first one I know because I saw before the meeting you came in and this is not the first person who's brought
this up to me, but is it about the big pothole in the high school parking lot as you approach the exit and can it be filled? Um, yes. I was actually there today looking at it. So, we do have a plan for the summer to make some paving
repairs um to both the front and the back high school lot. Um the challenge right now is obviously with the weather and plowing and everything else. So I did reach out to our director of facilities to see what options maybe just gravel or stone or something that we could put in that hole just until we
get through the snow and into the spring. Um you know and then as we get into the end of the year we will be doing repairs. But I understand it's been difficult and I've heard from several people on that. So, we'll try to at least come up with a temporary fix
until we can get to the summer. All right. So, Andrea Little, West Annuel. Hello. At the last board meeting, a correspondence was submitted by a resident regarding their calculation of costs at the of the building of the new middle school and
renovating the elementary school. The costs were shared at much higher than approved rate of the referendum. When will the public hear from the school on the totality of the cost before the next budget hearing with the project complete along with another bud budget cycle? Will the public respectfully hear from
the school? Will the administration present this to the three mayors and councils along with the general public with the extent and the costs for the district and the public? It should be mandated to hear these costs along with the cost savings per year that we should begin to see representing the synergies
for the elementary grades. In last year's budget, there were several nice to haves representing an increase to the taxpayers. There was also the approval of turf. This past year, another budget challenge to compensate for the loss of field space. Additional costs should be
shared in total totality prior to the budget approvals for the district. And then the last one, oh, same person. Please clarify the date of the budget work session allowing the community to
attend. The website states 312 and 3 32 and 312. So it is 312. This has been a moving target. It's changed because we keep getting different information from the state on when the actual governor address will be, but it is 312. And I'll
go back and look at the website after the meeting just to make sure. I believe we updated it, but I'll make sure when we're done. And that's all I have online. >> Okay, let's just make one more call for those in the Zoom. Anyone else?
Okay, then let's close this period of public comment. Uh there will be another one later. We're going to go on to committee reports. Um, and I am actually going to pull double duty and present for curriculum and technology. So, we met
um, Miss Fetti is not able to to make it tonight. Um, we met on February 11th at 6 p.m. for a rather long meeting. Um, so for technology, uh, Mr. Selli was not present because we anticipated it to be a long meeting and we wanted to pay
attention for the rest of the meet for the rest of the agenda. Um, but Mr. Dr. Suzo advised that the district will be ordering new teacher laptops in the coming days um as we are due for a refresh there. Miss Lennon shared that they had held
schoolwide data meetings. Um at that point it had only been the elementary school. Um just to clarify what data meetings are. Um they are held at each grade level and it includes the principal, Dr. Miller U, Miss Lennon and the standards would support teachers
along with the grade level teachers and they reviewed winter assessment data uh which includes I already benchmark and link it data and um the data is used to inform MTSS tiers. I know that that's a lot of edge speak um but that is
basically breaking the kids into smaller groups so that we can um better support them. So tier one is a group that needs no additional support. Tier 2 gets in-class support and tier three um has both pull out and in-class support. So
ELA and math um happened at the middle school on 212 and then science I believe has happened since then but at the time of our meeting we had not gotten that and um the high school was happening on 217.
So the data breakdown in that is um that I ready aligns with national and state standards for ELA and math and um it does include my path differentiated data. Linkit aligns to state standards for ELA math and then also include
science. That data is used to track student achievement at grade level standards and to prepare them for the NJSLAS's. Um our administration uh this this was the subject of a lot of discussion in in the meeting and we are
evaluating along with the staff the use of um each of them especially at the middle school um where we just had a recent change to the accelerate period and the committee will continue to track that program efficacy. I do want to just
note in there as much as we're talking about data that data um does include teachers who are in the classroom and um it is used to relate back to each child as an individual. Uh we don't want to that to get lost in in all of this. Um
we also reviewed the high school pathways program. Mr. Souo provided an update on um how it would look. So all ninth graders are going to get an elective as they come in starting next year of um college and career readiness
and that is going to include um opportunity to learn about different career pathways and um it will also include a career speaker series and that career speaker series will be happening during the flex period. So even though
it's starting with our freshman next year, our um upper classman are going to be able to take advantage of that as well. At the end of 9th grade next year, those that freshman class are will choose their pathways. Um there are four
being offered right now, one of which is an undeclared. And um when the incoming 9th graders are juniors and seniors, they are going to participate in two 20our field study placements. Um, and that will involve a student working
with a professional in the career field of their choosing. Next year, we are going to bring on a full-time pathway coordinator um to run and manage the program. We really see this as something very unique to our district and it's going to serve our
kids um in a way of giving them that real hands-on life experience. Miss Lennin also presented a demonstration of the character strong program um the program that was chosen last year by a committee of teachers and
counselors. This program focuses on um the issues that we actually just saw. So um in in that report earlier, the board really wants to make sure that the teachers have everything that they they can to be supported in this. So this program is um going to create a common
language and a common way of dealing with um behavior and really pushing putting forward good behavior and it is going to be across grade levels K to 8. We also had two transitions nights uh
reported on. So the first was 25 and Mr. Right. And the counselors presented to um those incoming freshmen for next year. And um the high school counselors did visit the eighth graders last week to um make final choices. The fifth
grade parent transition night is scheduled for 312. Um we also um got a brief update on the new cell phone law and um Mr. Souza just also reported on that. to us. Um we are
investigating as a board options for implementing that band. And um finally we had a brief discussion on winter recess. Obviously this winter has been very very challenging um to get recess
in and um there was discussion of how indoor recess was being implemented at the um the middle school and they have to take alternating recess days. We are planning a new way of um breaking them
up as um we we didn't feel it was going in the right direction there and um at the elementary school we obviously are dealing with city land there. So um outdoor recess again has been difficult
and um the we got a little clarification on how um it's decided whether they take outdoor recess or not. um and the principal does make that decision. We did um as a committee really talk about
outdoor um play being preferred but also making sure that when indoors that the kids have an opportunity to um have some activity and not just um be on their Chromebooks. And um
I I think there's we also know that the basketball court uh was maintained or was um plowed by our maintenance staff um so that we can actually let the elementary school out there.
That is it. It was um nearly a 2 and 1 half hour meeting. So one of the longest um minutes I've presented. So, any questions from anybody on that? Okay. Next up
is going to be the personnel committee. So, Brian or Mr. >> Sure. >> Mr. Keys. >> I like Brian. That's work. That works for me. So, the personnel committee met on February 18th via Zoom. Uh, we went over
a couple of the things that were just talked about in a superintendent meeting, including review of the student safety data system incident report and budgeting for 26 2027 and staffing. and we walked through all the things
that we received um on our list for approval this evening including appointments and resignations, leaves of absence, substitute teachers and extracurricular activities. So with that
is um move to approve items A and B. >> Do we have a second? second. >> Aaron seconds. Okay. Uh discussion on this and let's go ahead and take a vote.
>> John Bonani, >> yes. >> Martha Dennis, >> yes. >> Paul Falsigno, >> yes. >> Gina Fetti. Brian Keys, >> yes. Erin Olyri,
>> yes. >> Jennifer Bachelor, >> yes. >> Ronnie Todd Marino, >> yes. >> And Michael Sha, >> yes. >> Okay. The policy committee, Miss Dennis.
>> We met on February 4th via Zoom. We have three items for first read. All are mandatory and all are revised. The first one is policy 040142. 1 on nepotism. Every board of education is required to implement a nepotism
policy that addresses the requirements in the state statute and further is a condition of receiving state aid. This is a readoption without material change. We do have a recommendation for some optional te text and that is to include optional language excluding perdemium
substitutes and student employees who are relatives of a board member or the superintendent from the provisions of the policy. and that the provisions of the policy do exclude the employment of relatives of board members or the superintendent unless you're following the provisions set forth in the uh in
the policy. Policy 122, the employment of the chief school administrator. This addresses the executive county superintendent's review of certain employment contracts including the superintendent contract. There are technical changes to update certain legal citations
contemporaneously. Um the board can choose to revise the recruitment procedures. Uh we have recommended that we go with the option the first option which is just to meet the criteria established by the board as opposed to the more prescriptive option included in
the in the policy. And the last policy for first read is 2422 which is the statutory curricular requirements. This the specific mandatory changes broaden the title of this policy from comprehensive health and physical education to statutory curricular
requirements consistent with the language in the the QAC the district performance report or review excuse me. Additionally the history and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islanders has been added to the statutory requirements. Along with this
guidance has been provided regarding the progress of Mahmood v. Taylor subsequent to the Supreme Court decision in June 2025. In that decision, the court granted a preliminary injunction on the grounds
that the Maryland school district had uh had not permitted the parents uh to opt their child out of instruction based on religious beliefs and that was an unconstitutional burden on their right to free exercise of religion.
The case has now been remanded back to the lower court to return a decision consistent with the Supreme Court's conclusions. And while the case works its way through the federal court system, it is recommended that boards work closely with their board attorney to address the requirements of that preliminary injunction.
For second read, we have the policy and regulation associated with sexual harassment. These are also mandatory. The current policy and regulation did not address the full scope of the federal regulations. That's now covered. We did make a recommendation for some optional text under the grievance
process so that the designated decision maker shall use a prepoundonderance of the evidence standard uh as opposed to clear and convincing evidence and also we are abolishing the prior policy and regulation. Lastly, the committees discuss the immigration protocols that
are in place. Um we review the protocol for immigration enforcement. Um, we also asked some questions about how the local police uh might respond and also if there had been any guidance from the um attorney general that was provided by
the superintendent and is available for any of the committee members should they like to see that. And with that, I would like to move items A and B for approval. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
Okay, I'm done on that one. Um, so any discussion on any of this? Okay, let's vote. >> Uh, Paul say no. >> Uh, here I I >> uh Gina Vetti
Brian Keys. >> Yes. >> Erin Olirri. Yes, >> Jennifer Bachelor. >> Yes, >> John Bonani. >> Yes, >> Martha Dennis. >> Yes.
>> Bonnie Tom Marino. >> Yes. >> And Michael Sh. >> Yes. Okay, that brings us to buildings, grounds, transportation, finance, and safety. Miss Bachelor, I know that you also had a marathon
meeting. It is budget season, correct? >> Yes. >> Yeah, we we did. We had a we had a lengthy one. Um so the we met on uh February 19th. Um myself, uh Brian, John, Aaron, um Peter, and Tony were
there. Um so some of the topics we discussed um that are not on anything to be moved on the agenda. Um, but we did do an overview of uh referendum closeout going over total costs, change orders,
and other related projects uh that were done in order to complete the referendum. Um, we then went into the budget update. Um, so these two items took up a bulk of our of our time at the meeting. Uh, we went over the um overview of the process, where we
currently are. Um, we looked at the current projected revenues and costs that the available information we have at this point, I should say. Um, we talked about the fact that with the transition of governor, uh, timelines are changing and we don't know exactly
what that's going to look like. Um, so we would unfortunately at this point be in the position of having to just assume everything stays the same on some of the revenue side in terms of our um, state aid and things like that that impact our
budget decisions. Um, but we will meet come together as a full board at our work se work session next um, in in March. Um, and at that point, uh, we'll take a look at where we are with our revenues, our costs, what our budget
will look like, and and what impact, um, it could have on our, um, 2% cap. We also talked about um the LBJ flooring closeout. We've reached an agreement with the flooring company. Um the
company is going to wave an additional payment that was due uh to account for the handling of the fraud situation with um the payment that we made that was intercepted. Um which was a a a good agreement to reach and be able to close
out that part of the referendum. And then as Tony mentioned in his update, we do have a buyer for the West Amwell building and that process is going through uh the buyer due diligence. Um and we're hopeful that this will work
out and we'll be done and be able to close out um that last item. And then in terms of what we have on the agenda before us, we have our normal monthly financial reports. Um we have contracts. Uh we talked briefly about
some of the contracts that are on there all relating uh essentially to various student services. Um we have our field trips travel expenses. Um and we you will see a resolution um for the LBJ
flooring uh settlement that we reached and the language is available there for us to review. Um we also have uh on the agenda is uh this semicorrective action plan. So this has to do with um federal
money and the federal government sort of coming in and changing some rules. Um the semi is a program that is federally funded but state administrated. Um and then there were changes made to the rules around revenues and essentially
every almost every district in the uh state was provided this corrective action plan that we need to adopt um to formalize uh the changes to the rules um and to continue moving forward being being a part of that program for the for
that money. And I think that covers us. Um, so I would need to move um items A through K. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. So we
I think Aaron was the second on that. Um, so >> I So any discussion on these? There's there's a lot there. Okay. Um, then let's go ahead and vote. >> Brian Keys,
>> yes. >> Aaron Olirri, >> yes. >> Jennifer Bachelor, >> yes. >> John Bonani, >> yes. >> Martha Dennis, Martha Dennis.
I'm on mute. Yes. Sorry. >> Uh Paul Fals signo. >> Yes. >> Uh Gina Fetti, Ronnie Todd Marino. >> Yes. >> And Michael Strauss. >> Yes. >> Okay. School and community.
>> Michael, wait before we move forward. I actually I got an email while during this meeting. Um so when I moved the um personal and extracurricular activities I guess so the personal actions were put on the the screen for the screen share but the extracurricular activities were
not. I think people some at least one person wanted to see what that was. >> Okay, >> there you go. >> Yeah, perfect. Sorry to interrupt and thank you. >> And and just um as everyone is is doing this, all of that is is actually
available on board docs. Um, so it is available on our website and um you you can click in any time um and look at our agenda. Um it normally goes up the Friday before our meeting. >> Okay. Um now Miss Todd Marino, sorry.
School and community. >> Okay. So school and community met on February 19th. Our meeting was not quite as long as everyone else's. Um we established our committee annual goals. Uh we typically choose goals that support the strategic plan and um in
this for this year we decided that we would continue building upon the way that the district uh celebrates academic achievement. Um we also will continue to focus on parent materials to improve the information um and partnership with
parents um on on a ve v various um topics and programs. Uh we also will support the next phase of the pathways program and um we are going to be really working hard to develop a comprehensive plan as we implement the change in the
New Jersey legislation that bars the use of internet enabled devices during the school day. We know that this is a big change. We know that this will be there's a lot of different places where um we want to best support families and children. So there's a lot of need for
communication in that. um and um thoughtful roll out as we as we it starts at the beginning of the next school year. Um Tony mentioned he has already formed a parent advisory committee and they'll be meeting this week on Thursday and um that we're
getting policy information from Strauss Esme. Uh some of it would include um how to enforce this change in the legislation and student discipline. Uh we also talked about the um I spoke about it last last month but I'll um
give an overview. The division of mental health and addict addiction services u puts out a middle school survey every three years to gather information about attitudes and use of um various substances and that helps them to to
determine uh funding and um focus of for focus areas. So, we will be participating in that survey. Um, we wanted to make sure that parents got a lot of information. There's a parent fact sheet and then um there's a draft
email that will go out that explains how the children have the the opportunity the families can opt the child out, but then also students can stop taking the survey at any point or skip questions if there's any questions that make them uncomfortable. Um, this is an anonymous
survey. Uh so it's an opportunity for us to gather important information about our students and we will get we'll get reports back on um that just so that we can look at patterns of behavior and topics that we might want to put in
place for a future programming. Um and we also wanted to make sure that the survey is going to be given during a health class and it will be done at the same time that the health um that the unit on uh substance use and abuse so that it's it's um kids are able to ask
questions and have that information available to them. Tony gave us an overview of the Character Strong program knowing that this was a a program that was selected by a committee of teachers and counselors and it will be implemented
next year. Um this is a strength-based curriculum for grades uh kindergarten through 8th grade and it includes like activities and classroom discussion that really is about teaching and promoting positive behaviors. Um, additional f
information is going to go out to the families before the September roll out. So, I expect that there'll be a lot more that we'll be working on for that parent focused materials. And um, school and community every month has an open agenda item and in this um,
this time we talked about how um, we would like to do something to honor the participants in the community classroom. We've had a lot of uh community members come in and do different presentations for our students and so we'd like to honor them because they've been generous with their time um and their
information. So, we're looking at how we can do that at an upcoming um board of education meeting. And that is it. Nothing to move. >> Okay. Thank you. Um before we move on, I do just want to acknowledge um everyone's efforts uh this month in in
committee. I know uh the public sees this this final meeting, but there's a lot of thoughtful discussion that goes on at the committee level as we move into these meetings. And this month was a really great example of of that. So, I
appreciate everyone's input there as as we continue moving through this year. So, next up is um going to be routineformational items. Um, so we need to accept the harassment, intimidation, and bullying report um that was reported
on in our executive session um in our January meeting. And um Peter and and Tony, is this a um roll call vote or is this a a voice vote? >> Voice. Voice. >> It's voice vote. Okay. Um and then we also need to accept the fire drills. Um
so can I get a motion to um accept those move? Okay. I I didn't catch who the first one was, but I caught the second of was Ryan. >> Okay.
So, um all in favor >> I >> I >> uh any abstensions? Any nays? Okay. Um so that passes. Um,
give me I think that brings us to our second period of public comment. Um, as before, uh, members of the public are invited to address the board on any issue that you would like. Um, that is
why we are here. So, um, if you have if you'd like to address the board, please go ahead and, um, raise your hand. Anyone? Jeremiah? >> Not seeing anybody. >> Okay. And there's no more online. Just
to say >> there's no more online. >> No. >> Okay. Then let's close this period of public comment. Um we do have a need to go into executive session. Um we will close the meeting from that executive
session Zoom. Um and will not be returning back into the Zoom. I'm correct there. Yes. >> Yeah. And there no action will be taken. >> And no action will be taken in in exec session. Um so with that, can I get a motion to enter executive session?
>> Just clarification. No action will be taken after executive session. Is that correct? >> After. Yes. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um so moved. >> A second. >> Second. >> Okay. Aaron Brian. Okay. Um voice vote.
All in favor? I I >> I >> Okay, let's go ahead. Thank you everyone for joining. Stay warm and see in person next month >> hopefully. Yes. Brains