Cool. >> We all ready? I >> think so. >> Okay. This meeting of the South Hunter Regional Board of Education is now called to order. Adequate notice as required by the Open Public Meetings Act was provided on December 5th, 2025 by
posting the notice with the respective clerks of the city of Lambertville, Burough of Stockton, and Township of West Amwell, and advertised in the Star Ledger and Trenton Times newspaper. Let's all stand for the flag salute, please.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the >> to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, >> indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Okay. >> Can we call the roll, please? Jennifer Bachelor >> here. >> Uh John Bonani >> present. >> Uh Martha Dennis >> here. >> Paul Fal signo >> here.
>> Fashetti >> here. >> Uh Erin Ori >> here. >> Ronnie Todd Marino >> here. >> Michael Shra >> here. >> All right. Okay,
>> I'm your friend. >> Oh, did you get >> Sorry. Skipped over you on the list here. Thank you. >> Um well, I guess Brian, an extra special welcome to you
and welcome to Paul and John who are joining for their first um full meeting. Um a as such um if you all might allow me just a few minutes and um I think it's important as we start this year with the new board. Um I had hoped to do
this in person but the snow had other ideas. So um as we gather in our zoom um I also think it's important because our district has reached a key moment. Uh the work of regionalization is behind us. And I would be remiss not to thank
Jim Gallagher and all of the previous board and community members who contributed to our three communities now learning as one. Because of their hard work, this board and the staff of South Hundan Regional School District can now work on perfecting that learning for
each student within our district. Um, a as you all know and I think most of the community knows, I'm a reader and I've always felt that words are given to me at the exact right time. Um, this past week I read a beautiful quote from WPB
Yates and it said, "Education is not the filling of a pale but the lighting of a fire." That at its very core is what we are gathered here to do. Yes, we make policy. We set budgets and we examine test results.
That is the filling of a pale. It's the essential work and it is also the mechanisms of a board of education. But it's the space between those actions that really matter. I I see it every
time I that Martha's eyes light up as we discuss policy. Um, we're tasked with translating the intention of our three communities to educate our children into that lighting of a fire that Yates
described. Within the lines of policy and those budget subcodes are opportunities to create, opportunities for success, and yes, opportunities to make mistakes. We also have to make that space for
inspired learning. The kind of learning that doesn't just tick a box, but ignites lifelong curiosity, reasoning, and critical thinking. We are imparting the skills, the values, and the obligations of our country and this new
digital world. That purpose should lift all of our work. And as we launch from regionalization, we have the new pathways program starting at the high school, the launch of the performing arts academy, new curriculum across all
three schools, the community classroom program, continued expansion of dual enrollment, a strong team who work hard for every student at every level. We have communities that support our students both financially and with their time.
and that thing that should drive us all, opportunities for the future. So, looking to the future, ladies and gentlemen, shall we get to work for this? Um, I'd like to start with um
representatives of our communities um who who do work very hard for us. Um, so I think first off we have a representative from the PTO here to give their report. >> Peter, can you unmute Le Roso
>> or not? Um, Jeremiah, sorry. >> Hi everyone. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Great. Okay. So, Lee Russo, I'm the treasurer of the PTO. I live in West Damwell. So, the PTO welcomed teachers back um in January with coffee and donuts on Friday, January 16th. We were
able to do it at all four buildings, including the um preschool on location. So, thank you to everyone who helped run errands, set up, heat up coffee and water in the morning. And also, thank you to our community who donated towards
the effort. and also Wawa for donating donating all the coffee for the high school teachers. And at the elementary school, the students were treated to hot cocoa and cookies during the first week back. It was supposed to be a holiday treat, but due to scheduling conflicts, we all
agreed, us and the administration there, it was better to do it in the new year. So, it was kind of like a welcome back treat. And the right now, the PTO is continuing to prepare for our spring semester of clubs. So, please keep an eye out for registration information.
We're just finalizing a few more um instructors and dates before we can get that out. Currently, we are running a clothing drive. Um if you've done this in the past, you probably know exactly what to do. We have um done this almost
every year. The proceeds this year are going to benefit the fourth grade end of year activities. Um, you can fill up a big plastic garbage bag and drop it off at the old West Amwell School. The location for anyone who has not done it before is um
when you pull into the parking lot to the left, there's a painted window hallway with an overhang. You can just drop the bags there and then we take care of the rest. So items include clothing, sheets, stuffed animals, small toys, and if you need more information, you can email us or check out our
membership toolkit website, which has all the list of everything you can and cannot donate. Coming up in February, we will be running a coin wars fundraiser like we did last year. We're going to do it at the elementary school and the middle
school February 2nd through the 6th. Um, we will send out more information via parent square and membership toolkit. And um, there will also be a Valentine's dance on February 2nd at the elementary school that the PTO is running. Um, look
out for information on that because it's separated. The younger kids go for the first hour and the older kids of the elementary school go for the second hour. We have a DJ, a photo opportunity. We're going to have baked goods for sale, probably some more goodies. Um, so it should be a lot of fun. And just a
reminder to everyone, it's never too late to join the PTO. And our next meeting is Monday, February 2nd, and that will be at the elementary media center. >> Thank you, Lee. >> And Mr. Suzar, you said that there was a
letter. >> I do. >> I do. I I have the LA. So, um, I'm just going to read it. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. We would like to thank the community for their generous support during our recent letter campaign. Your donations will go to supporting students and teachers
within our district. We have begun distributing information regarding the summer and senior awards process following an overview provided at the college planning night which was on January 22nd. Applications are now available through the guidance office at the high school. The submission deadline
for the summer awards is March 20th and the deadline for senior awards is April 17th. Please also save the date for our spring fundraiser casino night on Saturday, March 21st. We are seeking both adult and student volunteers.
Interested individuals can contact us through our website at the laf.org. And then finally, we are in urgent need of new board members to ensure the LAF can continue serving the community. Anyone interested in learning more is invited to join us at the Lambertville
Station at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 5th, prior to the board meeting that night for the LAF, which is at 7:30. >> Okay. Thank you to both of those organizations. Um we did receive correspondence this month
and as is our um tradition we are accepting it um and it will be referred over to our finance committee for further examination. Uh speaking of committees we have brand new committees. So um all of that is available and both
on our website and also on board docs. You'll be hearing from our new chairs. um in a little while. So, we do have to do some routine items. The first is we need a resolution to approve the regular minutes and the
executive session minutes from our December 22nd meeting. Um so, I am going to do this as two separate votes just in case anyone wanted to abstain since uh some of our members might not have been at at the um first meeting.
So, can I can I get a motion to accept those? >> Okay. >> Second, >> Peter, I hope the green boxes make it a little easier for you. Any discussion on that? >> No. Okay. Uh, so this is a voice vote.
So, all in favor? >> I >> I >> Any abstensions? stand >> and any naysay. >> Okay. Um so next up is a resolution to accept the regular minutes of our reorg
um which was January 5th. Can I get a motion to accept those minutes? I'll move. Ryan, a second. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I
>> I. >> Any abstensions? Okay. Both of those carry and we're on to superintendent update. Mr. Suzo. >> Yeah. So, first off, thanks for
everyone's patience, obviously with the winter storm that hit us yesterday. Um and then by now hopefully everyone is aware we are having a two-hour delay tomorrow morning. Information went out earlier this evening. Um the biggest concern right now is the secondary roads
and it's consistent pretty much all the districts in Hunton County and even Mercer County are doing two-hour delays. I was not aware that there actually is a salt shortage in Hunton County. So that was brought to my attention today just as far as salting roads and things along those lines. Um, unfortunately the
temperature doesn't look to be getting any warmer anytime soon. So, we'll be stuck with this probably for a little while. Um, but just a shout out to our maintenance crew who came in early this morning and worked on our buildings and you know, our buildings are ready to go. Um, they did an awesome job with
clearing everything for our kids and staff tomorrow. So, big shout out to them and thank you. Just a few slides I wanted to share. Just a few updates. Um, you know, my last plug for this, I sent out a last uh, you know, notification
earlier this afternoon, but we are having our let's let's talk tech watch party tomorrow night, six o'clock in the high school auditorium. So, I'm really encouraging parents to come. Even if your parent or your kids are young, if they don't have cell
phones or not not on social media, it doesn't matter. Um, this is a great opportunity to come spend some time with us. We we are going to be watching a video um from a gentleman by the name of Max Staceil from Social Awakening that's really going to talk about how companies
build these social media platforms to be addictive. You know, the impact it's having on our kids' brains, how to manage social media, how to manage cell phones and all the different things that go along with it, gaming. So, the video is an hour long and then at the end of the video, we are going to have some
community discussion with some focus questions. We're also going to be talking about by now, I'm sure that all of you are aware that um Governor Murphy as he was leaving office did pass the New Jersey cell phone school ban for next year and there was guidelines that
were just recently re released from the DOE. So, we'll be talking about that as well and then looking for some parents who might be interested in continuing some work on the committee, you know, to take a look at cell phones and policies as far as our district for 2026 27. So,
if you can register, great. If you can't and you just show up, that's great, too. Um, we're hoping for a good turnout. And for those that aren't aware, Max will be presenting to our middle school students tomorrow at 12:30 to 1:30 in the high school auditorium. So, we'll be bringing all of our fifth through 8th grade
students. He has a diff different presentation. So, for our middle school parents out there, you know, talk to your kids tomorrow when they get home. I'll send something out to our middle school parents specifically just reminding them, you know, to have a conversation about what they learned and anything, you know, obviously that you
could utilize at home because I know this is a difficult topic to manage from the parents perspective. So hopefully we'll see a lot of parents tomorrow night and continue our work in this area, you know, as far as a district goes in a community. Couple other things I did want to give
you uh an update um on the sale of the West Annaw School. So, we are continuing the market the West Annuel School using our real estate broker from Kushman and Wakefield. I think I provided in a recent update that we officially listed the property as a commercial property
right after winter break. Um, we've had several showings in the last few weeks with prospective buyers. As a matter of fact, we had a prospective buyer who came last Wednesday and who's coming back again this Wednesday. So, we'll find out some more information about that. So it'll be a second visit. You
know, one thing I had spoken about, you know, you know, back several months ago was the issue with the 14 dioxide that we discovered um that was caused by Lehigh Power and fluid. I do want to make everyone aware that we did receive some recent uh water testing report last
week and it was noted that the level was 3.4 which is the highest it has been. So, we have reached out to the licensed site remediation specialist for Lehi to get an update on the progress of the remediation efforts. Um, and and I'll
report back that out to the board and the community as soon as I get that information. So, Michael mentioned um in the beginning about the high school pathways program. So, I'm going to give a little bit of an overview tonight, but I'm going to encourage folks to attend our
February meeting because I'll provide much more details. But the reality is it's really exciting for our high school right now. So, for our incoming ninth graders next year, it is going to be a different experience. Um, all of our ninth graders will take a half-year
elective course called college and career exploration. And the focus of that course will be specifically on, you know, real world skills needed for success, whether it's in college, a career, or just in everyday life. They're going to have the opportunity during that time to really
kind of investigate different pathways that we're going to have available to students when they go into 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, learn about those pathways, you know, careers within those pathways. We're also going to start next year, and this will be for all of our high school students. So, not just ninth
grade, but 10th, 11th, and 12th, a speaker series where we're going to be having folks come in once a month during flex, and they will have the opportunity to speak about their career, specifically to the pathways that we're going to have for our students. So, any 9th through 12th grader will be able to
sign up during a flex time to attend these. Um, and again, there'll be different ones for different pathways, which I'll share more information on the pathways at our February meeting. Um, and then we're also going to have our first annual career fair in the spring of 2027. Again, that will be for all 9th
through 12th grade students. Uh, and it will be an opportunity for students to network, talk to folks in different careers, get some ideas. Um the other thing I will mention is as we move forward with this and again I'll get more details in February our goal is
students will be going out and doing work related experiences in 11th and 12th grade. So again, we really want to provide students the opportunity to get out there and experience areas of interest so they can make educated decisions as far as their next steps
when they leave us at South Learning, whether that's college or going right into a trade or whatever it may be. We want to provide them the opportunities and that's going to be unique quite honestly compared to other high schools. Right. We I think I've mentioned before, we've been spending a lot of time working with several different districts
in Pennsylvania because it is a graduation requirement in Pennsylvania that students go out and do internship experiences. Uh and New Jersey, it is not. So because we are small, this is extremely beneficial where there's no reason why we can't place students in
different environments um so they get as much exposure to careers and and and trades or whatever it may be before they leave us in graduating. So I also want to remind parents that we do have our 9th grade parent night that's scheduled for Thursday, February 5th at 6:30 p.m.
in the high school auditorium. This program is for both students and parents. So parents should come bring their, you know, rising ninth grader for next year. And obviously as part of the presentation, you're going to learn a lot more details about this high school pathways program, which we're really,
really excited about. And then the last thing I just wanted to mention was budget. So we are in the process of working on the budget for 2627. Um, the board does have right now a work session scheduled specifically on budget
from Monday, March 2nd at 6 PM. Um, I will tell you that some of the challenges that not only we are facing, but districts throughout the state of New Jersey is that our health benefits broker has advised us to plan on a 21% increase for health benefits for next
year. Last year, our increase was 11%. And speaking to my colleagues within Hunton County, their benefit increases are ranging anywhere between 21 and 35%. So, and this is not uncommon for all school districts in the state of New Jersey. It's not uncommon for
municipalities as well. So, this is a big deal. It's definitely going to have an impact on our budget. So, we'll be working towards that and sharing information with the community. U as you know, we do have a new governor. Uh a new governor has the ability to request an extension for releasing state aid.
Our new governor has done that. Um so, typically we would get our state aid numbers maybe by the end of February. We're probably not going to get them till the first or second week of March just to provide her a little bit more time as she gets her feet under her, but obviously we'll be having a lot of conversations in reference to budget as
we build the budget which includes typically in mid-Marchch adopting a tenative budget and then having a public hearing in April um for the public to obviously provide input. So we have a lot of time left um but the next several months will be dedicated into developing
our budget for the 26 27 school year. Any questions from the board on anything that I presented? >> Okay. So, I believe we are at >> that brings us to our first public comment.
>> Correct. So just a reminder um that as we start public comment that we do have procedures for that um including standards of com conduct um if a member of the public becomes disruptive during
a public meeting including on Zoom um including during any public period of comment uh the member of the board charged with running the public meeting shall warn the disruptive member of the public that that their continued disruption may result in them being prevented from speaking during public
meeting or removed from the public meeting. Uh disruptive conduct includes sustained inappropriate behavior such as but not necessarily limited to shouting, interruption and use of profanity or comments seen as abusive, obscene or defamatory. Members of the public are
invited to address the board on any manner for a maximum of 3 minutes during this portion of the meeting. You are asked to state your name and municipality. So public comment is now open. Would anyone like to address the board?
>> And if you just raise your hand, we'll unmute you so you can speak. Any hands, Jeremiah? We're good. >> I do not see any hands. >> All right. I know we do have one online um that I'll read. Everyone can see
that, right? Um, so we have it from Barb Parsons who lives in Lambertville and the comment is, "I saw you acknowledge the high school kids that attain straight A's are high honor roll. Would it be possible for you to also
acknowledge the kids at the middle school? Those students work very hard to reach a goal such as straight A's. Thank you for considering my request." So, I will say this did come up in our school and community meeting um last week and it's probably going to come up in our report, but we are looking at different
ways that we could recognize students in a in a variety of different ways at the middle school. Um we did develop a a board policy for the high honole. We did not include the middle school in that only the high school. Um but I think we have some ideas on how we can recognize
students for a variety of different ways. So, I know Ronnie will be reporting out on that a little bit and I can jump in if we need to for that as well. >> All right. >> Okay. If there's not anything else, we can move along to committee reports and
and public comment. One last call. Okay. Uh, first up is curriculum and technology. New chair, Miss Fetti. >> Thanks, Michael. Hi everybody. Um, give me one second. Let me just get this open
here. Okay. All right. So, these, uh, the, uh, curriculum and technology committee met on January 14th at 6 PM. All of the members of the committee were in attendant were in attendance. Um, Paul was on the phone and, uh, Tony,
Vince, and Jane Allen were there as well. Um so first we received a technology update from Vince. Um he provided an update on the Beasley security um uh contract. It's it's on the agenda for this evening. Um we
discussed their proposal for a cyber security product which includes a tabletop exercise and evaluation of the strength of our network security. The committee also discussed the different cost options associated with this tabletop exercise. Vince also shared
that we will be purchasing staff laptops this summer. Currently, the employee laptops are 3 to four years old and Vince is looking at a similar model to what is currently being used. Finally, he let us know that um he was
able to get classical music playing in the halls of the elementary school. Currently, um they're using a station called Calm Radio and uh hopefully similar music will be introduced to the middle school and the high school
hallways in coming months. Tony gave us an update on the school of performing arts auditions. Um the district held auditions for the dance and theater programs in the first week of January. There's a panel of judges uh
viewing the auditions which consisted of professionals in the area, local dance studio owners, and professors at local universities. After those auditions, the district um has offered seats for the 2026 to 2027
school year to seven students for dance and seven students for theater. Um, for the dance program, there's one South student and the remaining six are from other districts. And for the theater program, five of the students are currently South students and there's two
students from other districts. The students had until Tuesday, January 20th to notify Polytech of their acceptance of the seat. So, um, I don't know what has happened since the 20th, but um, maybe
>> we're still waiting actually on a few. So, uh, okay. Here by tomorrow. >> Oh, okay. Great. There you go. Um, Tony also gave the committee an update on the high school pathways. He discussed that in his update this
evening. Um, we talked about the proposed pathways that the teachers and Adam Wright have discussed based on current courses that are offered at the high school. and principal Wright will share details regarding the pathways with families and students at the
upcoming 8th grade parent transition night. We received an update on the middle school accelerate period and um mainly the update included us looking at
trends in the current middle well not current but the way the middle school students were using that accelerate period and using the i ready um edgitech product that we have um during the accelerate period prior to a
restructure. ing that happened um earlier in December. And the committee is going to be revisiting these results to track the efficacy of the restructuring um as we go forward um in the coming
months. It's something we're going to continue to look at. Um also, there was an update on the high impact tutoring that's being offered at the middle school. It began on Tuesday, January 13th. There are 16 students who are
currently enrolled in this program and I believe it meets twice twice a week and is going to go um well into the spring I think in until May. Is is that correct Tony? >> Yes. Until testing. Yep.
>> Okay. And then finally we talked about the uh cell phone law and um briefly discussed our ongoing agenda item of AI. Um Tony talked briefly about the new cell phone law. Um at the time of our
committee meeting, DOE had not yet provided its guidance, but as as Tony mentioned during this update, we've since received guidance about the the new law. And that's that those are those are our
minutes. >> Thank you, Miss Fetti. >> You're welcome. Does anybody have any questions? I guess you're supposed to ask that, aren't you? Sorry. >> It's okay. Uh, >> not seeing any. Uh, Mr. Keys, personnel.
>> So, personnel committee met January 21st, 2026 via Zoom. Um, and so we discussed several items to be presented tonight to the board for approval. Um, including an appointment and a resignation, several leaves of absence,
substitute teacher approvals, um, internships, lateral movements, and extracurricular appointments. >> Yep. No. So with that, thanks be um like to
move for approval items A and B. >> Is there a second? >> A second. >> Okay. Any discussion on these? >> Okay. Let's move to a vote. >> John Bonani. >> Yes.
Martha Dennis, >> yes. >> Paul Fal signo, >> yes. >> Jennifer Shetty, >> yes. >> Brian Keys, >> yes. >> Aaron Olirri, >> yes.
>> Jennifer Bachelor, >> yes. >> Bonnie Con Marino, >> yes. >> And Michael Shout, >> yes. Okay, those pass um on to our policy committee. Miss Dennis,
>> thank you so much. Uh we met on January 20th virtually. Um for our first read, we have the a new policy and regulation related to sexual harassment. The reason this is necessary is that the existing policy and regulation, although they
address sexual harassment, they don't fully address the federal regulations that apply to sexual harassment in a school district setting. So, the new guide uh and uh the new policy and regulation guide now incorporate both federal regulations, that's title 7 of
the ci civil rights act of 1964 and title nine of the education amendments of 1972. It's significant because depending on um they can be both relevant to a particular case depending on whether
both or uh whether one or either uh are are relevant to a case there's a different process that has to be followed. There are different standards of conduct for the employer. Um in one case it's reasonableness. Uh for title 9 it is strict compliance with the
requirements. Um and both the policy and procedure guides cover this in detail. Um it is strongly recommended that when there is a claim of sexual harassment that the district will contact the board
um attorney to review that and determine which course is appropriate. Um there is a note there's one area of optional text that's included. It has it's in the regulation. It has to do with a grievance process under title 9 where
there is a designated decision maker who will review the results of an investigation and we determine whether or not the standard is going to be a prepoundonderance of the evidence um or whether it's going to be clear and a clear and convincing evidence standard. We are recommending that uh we use the
preponderance of evidence standard. Along with that, we need to abolish the previous policies and regulations. So that's going to be policy 3662 and the regulation matching that and policy 4550
4352, excuse me, and the corresponding regulation. Those are the two items for first read. For second read, and I I won't go through too much detail on these. We did talk about them at our last meeting. It's the changes to policy and regulation 2535 on library
materials. Um, this is in relation to New Jersey's Freedom to Read Act and it's designed to protect the right to read and access information and support the professional judgment of librarians and educators. What's significant about
this new policy is that it sets forth who has standing um to make a challenge. Those are individuals with a vested interest. That's going to be teaching staff, students, parents of students. Um, and they do need to be employed by the district, enrolled in the district, or the parent or guardian of a student
who's enrolled in the district. The other changes correspond to the new policy and regulation that has to do with public complaints. That's policy and regulation 9130 and policy and regulation 2530 on resource materials. Under public complaints, we did find it
did not have a similar definition of um individuals with a vested interest. So that has been added similar in in theme to what's done what we're doing for the library materials. Um and then correspondingly for the resource materials we did not need to add that language. Um but the
changes were made to align to the new policy and regulation. Um I did want to note from a discussion perspective we are also talking about the new cell phone guidance from the department of education. Um, and we'll be waiting for the feedback that are that's coming from
the other committees. And so with that, um, I would like to move those two items, uh, forward. Um, but are there any questions? >> First, can we get a second? >> Sorry.
>> Second. >> Okay. Now, does anyone have any questions? >> Sorry. Okay, let's take a vote. >> Paul Signno, >> yes. >> Junifer Shetty, >> yes. >> Brian Keys,
>> yes. >> Aaron Olirri, >> yes. >> Jennifer Bachelor, >> yes. >> John Bonani, >> yes. >> Martha Dennis, >> yes. Ronnie San Marino. >> Yes. >> And Michael Sh.
>> Yes. >> Okay. On to buildings, grounds, transportation, finance, and safety. Miss Bachelor. >> Okay. So, we um met on January 20th at 5:30 um in the conference room. And this
committee um is actually mostly new to new to the committee members. Um, so we had Michael join us. Um, John and Aaron. Um, and then Peter and Tony were there as was Carol. Um, from our buildings and
ground. Um, so we welcomed our new committee members and explained a little bit about the committee. Um, Peter walked them through all of the financial statements and documentation and things that he puts together for us every month. Um and then just to provide some
highlights on items that we discussed. So we talked a little bit about the sale of the West Elmwell School. Um noting as Tony mentioned that it's the property is listed and has had some interest. We kicked around a little bit the general
pros and cons of you know the listing versus the auction process. Um, with the listing having possible contingencies, auction having it being uh, sold as is. Um, we've got tours of the building
ongoing. Um, and we're going to speak with our real estate broker in further detail later tonight. Uh, the turf field, we just talked a little bit about update there. Um, unfortunately the weather is not cooperating for uh,
ongoing outdoor work right now. Um but before we became the frozen tundra um the fill had been moved uh we kept that on site as per the plan. Uh we're finishing up removing the top soil and
you'll see a next payment on the turf uh contract is on the agenda tonight. Um then we talked about the final payment we have for closing out referendum costs to LBJ flooring. Um so the final pay
payment is due to this subcontractor and it would close out all remaining payments for the referendum. Unfortunately LBJ was the victim of an email hacking scheme um resulting in a payment to them that was intercepted. Um, so it's not
all closed out just yet. We are discussing options to work with the company, um, including utilizing some of our insurance coverage that we have for incidents like this, um, but weighing that against the cost of, um, us meeting our deductible.
And the middle school, the next topic we covered was the middle school um, HVAC. Uh, we had some issues right around right before break. Um it turns out that the initial setup of the system that we
had put in place um there were some issues in in in that process of getting it all up and running. So unfortunately the company that originally did all of that work um we were not able to get to come back in. So, we had to contact the
new company uh that came in, assessed the system, identified some areas that we need to have uh worked out. Um and so we have a couple of invoices. I think they are on the agenda tonight as well.
Um but those will go back to Bach, the um overall contractor uh of the referendum project. um those costs should not we won't have to deal with any of the the costs there um due to the initial setup was the was the problem
and then we also talked a little bit about the budget process um budget development is underway as Tony noted we have an increase in our uh benefits cost that's going to be a big driver of our budget for the follow next year and our
February finance meeting we will start crunching and taking a look at more of numbers rel relative to revenue uh versus the costs that will be coming up in our next budget. So we have a couple of contracts uh on
the agenda. Polytech we have to put um an additional student in our Polytech um through um an audit process. We discovered another dis student who was actually covered by our district. So, we
had to add to the Polytech Polytech contract. Um, we also have a couple of items on the agenda for municip. And I just wanted to give a little shout out. Something that came up during our discussion was that since inception, we've brought in $67,000 in revenue um
by selling things on Municipid and it's just been a really good good resource for us, a good thing good um good way to to dispose of assets and extract some value from things. Um and then we also
are voting on we have our notification of uh media outlets when we post our meetings. Um so we have our newspapers noted here for now. Um, but just of note is that effective in March, we finally
do not have to go through the costs and trouble putting things in newspapers that no one reads anymore and are folding very very quickly. Um, so we discussed a so we will continue to send out our emails and notifications. We'll
have information on our website and we talked a little bit about making sure that we reach wider audiences in our public who may not be looking at our website. Um potentially working with our municipalities um for other options where for free we could also post
notices like Lambertville Matters and the municipal website for for the township. And we also have a resolution I just wanted to highlight um just to acknowledge uh per our auditor that we
had some negative fund balances for several months while we were awaiting preschool and title grant monies and also just due to closing out um construction. So that resolution is on the agenda uh for us to vote on. And then wrapping up with transportation and
cafeteria. We have our retirement of our bus driver and a new hire that is going to be on personnel. Um and then one last thing to note for the cafeteria during the inspection and review process of our buildings. Um we determined that the
stove in the high school uh needs to be replaced. So we will be looking to um bring in a new stove for the high school. And I think that covers everything that we talked about in the committee. And we have the items there A
through K. So I'll make a motion to move those items. >> And a second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any discussion on this? That was a wonderful report. Thank you, Jen. I know. >> I hope it wasn't
>> I know there was a lot there. Okay, with the lack of any discussion, let's move on to vote. >> Brian Keys, >> yes. >> Aaron Olirri, >> yes. >> Jennifer Bachelor, >> yes. >> John Bonani, >> yes.
>> Martha Dennis, >> yes. >> Paul Falsigno, >> yes. >> Gina Fetti, >> yes. >> Ronnie Todd Marino, >> yes. and Michael SH. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, school and community, Miss
Todd Marino, it I I have to remember that I have to move this along for a second. >> It's all good. Um, all right. School and community met on January 22nd. We do have some new members. Um, this this
year we have uh Jen and John and Brian as members on the committee. Um the first thing we did was we talked about uh the committee goals. We have set goals in the past, annual goals um and how to continue to build goals for this
year that would uh support the strategic plan. Um the school and community committee uh all of our goals are grounded in the strategic plan. two um goals set in that process of improving community engagement and improving um
communication. So we'll be looking at uh some of the some of our goals we will continue uh since last year was you know how to expand upon how we celebrate academic achievement in students and developing parent guides and then also
in terms of community engagement um the community classroom project where it's you know having more of a utilizing the resources of the community um by bringing them into the school um to help uh to help complement our education.
for the students. So, we'll talk about that more. We also talked about the board norms, which is the the document that we're working on to improve board governance um and really inform the the communication processes um and to
facilitate more positive communication. So, we talked about that a little bit. We also reviewed the Let's Talk Tech watch party discussion topics. Um, as Tony said, there's the we'll be having the middle school presentation tomorrow
and then the at in the evening there'll be the parent video and we really want to use that as a time to to get um parents talking more about um and and creating connections so that they have using each other as a resource and using
the district as a resource as we you know try to improve the way that we um support kids in their use of technology. ology and as a important part of that is the New Jersey cell phone legislation and um hopefully recruiting an advisory
group because we recognize that this change uh where if we are um you know as we're learning figuring out how to implement the new legislation where it's the belltobell kids not having their their phones it's going to have an impact not only on students but on
parents. So, we want to take our time and really hear from parents and work together in partnerships so that we can reduce any anxieties um that the kids have and that that the parents have regarding that change. Um
we talked about the pathways program and how as a piece of that we'll be having college and career events and that that will be implemented next year. But we also talked about how we may incorporate South alumni into events, maybe even
inviting students in new graduates to come and share their experiences um after graduation. And then our last topic is a a topic that we will always have in the school and community agenda from now on that and it was an offshoot of um something
that came out of the board the board norms where there will always be an open discussion um agenda item where if any committee members or any um school board members have um something that has either like they've they've thought of or a community member has come to them
and they're not exactly sure which committee would handle that um that they can send that to me and that this will be a place where we'll start discussions. Um so in this situation we discussed a recent question that came about implementing the honor role in the
middle school as Tony mentioned and um so we noted the fact that when the policy was developed the choice was made to implement the high honor role at the high school but to hold off at the middle school. Um, but this is something that we could reconsider. But first,
Tony talked about some ideas that are in the works for how to celebrate student academic achievement and also student character. Um, and that would include implementing the student of the month. That's been a really very successful program at the high school. So, we're looking at adding that to the to the
middle school and also something called a praise referral program where um teachers and I guess other staff could refer a student for positive behavior. So, those are just a couple things that are in the works. Um so, we will be learning more about those in the future.
And that is it and I have nothing to move. >> Okay, thank you very much. Um, so next up we just have our routine information items and uh I am going to split this one again just since we have new board
members. Um, can I get a motion to accept um last month's HIB report? So that would be item A. >> So moved. >> Okay. Actually, I'm sorry. Can I since it's both fire drills and and um
and HIP report from last month, can I I refrain from that and do items A and B? >> So move. >> Thank you. So Martha and then Ronnie. Okay, this is a voice vote. So all in favor
>> I >> I >> Any abstensions? >> I'll absent. Okay. Um, and now can we move on to item C, enrollment? Uh, that is just a standard report of our current enrollment. Can I get a motion to accept
that? >> You actually don't have to do an acceptance. >> We don't have to. Okay. >> Yeah, it's moreformational only. >> Okay. Well, wonderful. We'll save a vote. Um, that brings us to our next public comment. Um again the same rules
will apply. Um public is invited to address the board for a maximum of three minutes on any subject of their choice and um they're just asked to state their name and municipality. Let's open up
that public comment. Uh go ahead and raise your hand if you would like to speak. Any hands here, Amaya? >> I'm not seeing any hands. >> Okay. >> Okay. Anything else on the form? >> No, just the one that we did already.
>> Okay, then let's bring that uh form of public comment to a close. Um we do have the need to enter executive session this evening. Um so on Zoom the board this Zoom is going to
stay open for the remainder of the the meeting. We will return to it to close the meeting. >> Actually it's gonna it's going to shut down. >> Oh my apologies. >> Sorry about that. But we don't have there's won't be any action taken. So >> when we return >> we will not be taking action afterwards.
Um and um I would just need a motion to enter executive session. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> abstain nays.
Good. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, uh thank you very much and uh we will see you next month. I see all of you in