The Sparta Board of Education regular meeting is called to order at 700 p.m. Emily, may you please read the meeting notice announcement for us? >> Sure. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of
public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Sparta Board of Education has caused notice of the time and place of this meeting to be published in the New Jersey Herald, the Star Ledger, Tap into Sparta, and notice of the meeting has been posted on the
Sparta Township School District website. Thank you, Emily. We have a roll call, please. >> Dr. Hinkle. >> Mr. Lacarova, >> present. >> Mr. Lowry, >> Dr. Martinez, >> present. >> Miss Null, >> here. >> Miss Williams, >> present.
>> Mr. Wood, >> here. >> Miss Saraphino >> here. >> And Miss Gagnon, >> present. >> Forum confirmed. >> Thank you. Please join us for the pledge. to the stands nationy. Okay. And this evening we will not be
convening into close session and district recognitions will be covered through our superintendence report. We'll be moving right along to item number five which is our presentations. One item to note, we do have an addendum to this evening's agenda. Instead of starting with the Sparta Middle School
schedule review or revisions, excuse me, we're actually going to be starting with a presentation from our superintendent, Dr. Beck, and that is related to finance item 18.13, uh, the lease agreement with Jefferson Township Board of Education related to
our preschool. >> Good evening. So, as Miss Gagnon said, uh we'll be presenting on um the agenda item that pertains to the lease and the agreement with Jefferson Township School District. First, let me just walk you through our
current status of our preschool program. Um the preschool education aid, uh which is the grant that funds our preschool program and has funded our preschool expansion program over the past couple of years. Um there are requirements that go along with that funding. The
requirements are that you have community partnerships in district classrooms or combinations thereof. They also require that you serve the entire preschool universe. That's in quotes. That is the New Jersey Department of Education's uh language.
That's their term. Sparta's preschool universe is 360 preschool students. So the equation on how we arrived there is that um it's an equation that this that the DOE gives you. Uh basically the year that we applied for funding they took that
year's first grade class which was exactly 200 students. They double that and then they take 90% of that. That's the equation that they use when they give you a preschool universe. But ultimately what they say is when you start your preschool program within 5 years you need to do everything you can
to hit your preschool universe and our preschool universe is 360 preschool students that we would be serving. Currently in this school year we have um in district classrooms as many of you know Alpine Elementary School has seven total classrooms one of those classrooms
being self-contained and Helen Morgan School has two classrooms. We also have community providers, community partnerships with Goddard School, which we have two classrooms with Goddard School and Little Genius Planet, where we have one classroom. In the current year that
we're living in, those are all the preK classrooms that we have. And even with that many classrooms, there were 88 students that were placed on a wait list for the current school year. The Jefferson Township Partnership proposal. So, uh, in late March, I
received an email from Jefferson Township District Administration with the opportunity to collaborate. Um, the gist of the email was, uh, Matt, we understand that we have two different problems. We have too much space and not enough students and Sparta has, uh, too many students and not enough space as
far as the overcrowding goes in Alpine Elementary School. So we started a discussion um because their current Milton school building which is now o which is currently occupied by a special education school placement that school is moving to another building in
Jefferson which would which leaves uh Milton school open. So after receiving that uh I gathered all the administrative stakeholders for multiple meetings to discuss uh like three months of meetings, two months of meetings, uh multiple meetings, hours
and hours to address how would this benefit our community? Would it benefit our community? What would it cost? Um what are the pros? What are the cons? And what did we discuss during those meetings? We we discussed facilities. Milton School, like I said, is currently utilized as a special education school. We want to
ensure that it meets the preschool standards, needs, and requirements. Transportation, we wanted to figure out what transportation would look like, what that would cost, and what the logistics would be be behind that. What would the how would we fund an additional building uh to to serve our
needs? And that would be funded entirely through the preschool education um expansion funding, through the grant funding st. How would we staff that building? uh what teachers do we need? What paras do we need? We need a front office secretary, we need a custodian,
we need security, um all how are we going to staff that program and the benefits to our students and the school community. These were multiple meetings over multiple months um discussing and one of the things that we kept coming back to or or the things that we kept coming back to were how will this
benefit our students and our school community. And what I kept coming back to second to that was if we were going to do this, it cannot cost us any more than we are than than it is costing us right now to run our preschool program.
So these are the challenges that we faced, the facilities, the transportation, the funding, the staffing, the benefits. And each one of these hurdles that we cleared, it checked the box. It benefits our community, it benefits our students, and it doesn't cost us extra. Um thereafter, once we got through those logistics, we
toured the Milton School facility with the Jefferson Township administration and our own admin team and of course along the way kept the board of education updated with developments in progress. Um and then the last step of the pro the process which just got wrapped up this week was working through
the lease agreement with the board attorney. Thank you, Jackie. So the plan for the 2627 school year is to continue on with our community providers. in fact expand with our community providers. Get one additional classroom at Goddard School, two
additional I'm sorry, two classrooms at Oak Tree. They wouldn't be additional, they would be our first classrooms at Oak Tree. And Milton School would house 14 classrooms, which all of our in district classrooms would be moving from Alpine and Helen Morgan to Milton School.
Uh more details about the plan staffing. How are we going to staff this program? How are we going to staff that building? First, we need somebody to run the building. We need administration. Um, per statute, every school building requires a full-time principal. So,
again, if we're going to move an administrator over there, it can't cost us extra money. So, what can we do with our current admin structure that would allow us to put a full-time principal in that building? Um, upon approval this evening, we will post for that internal posting for a full-time building
principal, which will come from our current existing administrative structure. We're going to continue on with the preschool coordinator. I think on the agenda tonight, it's called the preschool administrator. We've had this position for years. There needs to be somebody that runs the prek program. Uh, that's talking about the application
process, um, working with community partners, uh, budgeting, and things that pop up throughout the school year. uh we needed a current administrator that we have uh had been taking this on and that administrator said that uh they don't want to do it anymore. So um Miss Madson
stepped up and said that she would do it. So that's a that's a position that has existed for years because of all the logistics that go in behind our preschool program classroom staff. Uh the plan is to move all current in district preschool teachers and paras plus the additional
hires to fully staff all classrooms. So all the current preschool teachers and paris would move over and then we would need to hire additional for those additional classrooms. Again funded through the preschool um education funding front office staff. You're going to need a front office secretary. So we
are looking at transferring a current front office secretary um that again currently exists in our district. Same thing with a nurse. Uh we look to be transferring a current nurse that currently exists in our school district. Um Alpine has two nurses. Um, one of
them is, uh, highly dedicates, uh, her time to the preschool program. So, uh, we'll talk about, uh, what that looks like and who that will be. The child study team and related services, the plan there is to share those services with the rest of the elementary schools. Right now, our
elementary schools share child study team members as it is. So, uh, this would just continue that with an additional building. Custodian was, uh, one thing that we'd have to have a new hire, but that would be covered by the funding as well. we'd have to add custodians. Um there's a possibility that we can transfer a custodian, but
we're at least going to need one and a half to staff that building. Um from the time it opens until the time ends to to clean the building and security. Uh right now we have a security guard in each building to at the high school. We're not transferring any security guard. So that would be a new hire again
covered by the funding. I've said it now multiple times. The funding expenses will be will continue to be covered by pea funding. transportation. The plan right now is to have busing hubs located throughout our community uh so that parents um so that
students are not on the buses uh very long or very yeah so they're not on the bus for a long long time. We will have uh strategically placed hubs throughout the county um throughout the community where um where parents can um bring their kids to
that uh hub of a bus stop, put their parents put their kids on the bus and then that bus would have a direct route um right to Milton School. Bus aids uh are something that we worked into the budget for this process so that there would be bus aids on the buses.
And of course, as is the case now at Alpine and Helen Morgan, uh parents have the option to drive their own kids uh if if they desire to do so. So, the benefits, this is just a snapshot of some of the benefits uh of
this partnership. First, we move closer to fulfilling the preschool universe. Uh substantially decreasing if not eliminating the weight list. Uh so to fully serve more of our community with free preschool that Milton School becomes an early
childhood center space. The space is dedicated entirely to preschool and their developmental needs and uh continued and expanded preschool programming which again is free to our parents. What does this do for Alpine Elementary School as we move the classrooms out?
Um, something that has been the number one concern since I've entered this district from the community. Um, was the overcrowding at Alpine. This scenario frees up seven classroom spaces. And what does that do? It allows specials to be uh with dedicated classrooms and
movement for students. So, specials will now have their own classrooms and students can actually leave their classrooms and walk to their specials. Uh that's an advantage. Dedicated small group and specialized instruction spaces. There is not a lot of space over there right now for such things. A
dedicated child study team space for confidential meetings and evaluations. Um if you walk through Alpine School, you see a lot of storage in in hallways. Uh that would allow us to clear the hallways out. Dedicated space for parent meetings and conferences. Right now uh basically that
just defaults to be Miss Madison's office. Whenever there's a meeting, Miss Adda leave her office and you just meet in Miss Madson's office. Um, and it allows classroom access for teachers during their prep periods because right now that is not necessarily the case at Alpine School. More advantages, it de decreases the
arrival and dismissal traffic at Alpine campus and the surrounding area. If you have seen that, you have you've seen that it's not ideal. And it alleviates overcrowding, of course, and improves the operations of that school building with lunch and recess and and matters like that.
So, there will be more information coming out, more specifics will come out. Um, then the step was to get to the process, get to the lease agreement, get to a place that we're comfortable, and then u we have the details. We have the details. We're going to share the details out uh once we
finalize them. >> At this time, we're going to open it up for questions from the board. >> We have quite a few. I don't know if you prefer to sit down. I I'll start and give everybody a chance to gather their thoughts. So
So uh Dr. Beck, um we had a referendum that failed. One of the reasons was the cost of a new building. It was a cost of a new building and or uh adding to the building or altering
the building or whatever. So, uh, the back of the napkin, a new building, even if we had the space, would roughly cost, let's do it to do easy numbers, say $40 million. Is that accurate? >> I would say at a minimum. Yeah.
>> Okay. So, and the referendum was more than that and that was giving us, I think, 21 classrooms or something something like that. Um, my point is even though the lease isn't totally done, we kind of know the ballpark. So roughly less than 1%
of what a new building we would get a essentially a building that was totally renovated in 2016 um and was housing currently students without any issue. So for less than a half a percent we are gaining a building
with 14 classrooms creating a very unique opportunity for those young learners and freeing up space. And I'll I'll talk in the finance report about some of the issues that we're le we're potentially going to start having with stuff in the hallways that we've already
been fined or potentially be fined. >> Yes. >> So with that said, financially, I don't understand why it wouldn't make sense. We're getting a new building essentially in in school building terms. We're getting a new building for less than or
or roughly about a half a percent a year. And for for some of our constituents who are concerned during the referendum that we are losing students, which is not true, but if that is a concern, it is a lease and at that
point we can release the building and then gain back that revenue to stay in it is in district but that prek money. So, we can reduce the the spending if which I don't I don't believe it will ever happen, but if our population does decrease at that level, this gives us a
safety valve without spending the $40 million and at less than a half a percent. Is that I mean, is that accurate? Am I >> Yeah, I don't know the exact cost of what the construction would be, but but your logic tracks, right? Uh you're getting a building that is no no cost to
the taxpayer. you're expanding the use uh you're expanding our preschool community and serving more students for free uh while again having an advantage of freeing up uh space at Alpine too which has been a major issue. >> Yeah. And so I I last year had the um
the fortunate experience of going to the prek and I saw what the teacher or the teacher I was shadowing. It's tough. I mean they have to do their work in the classroom. This will give teachers the ability to possibly have a space where they can leave the
classroom. I was there for two hours and I needed to leave. So, I don't know how they do it all day. So, I mean, this is a win for everybody. So, I don't see an issue with it financially or academically. I mean, is there is anything wrong with anything I just said?
>> No. And academically, it just plays into having our more students in our school district uh prepared earlier, which is the goal, not just for us, but statewide. Yep. All right. >> Rocky, if I can add something, too, which is I think not exactly a question that you asked, but is relevant to the conversation. The way that the lease
agreement is written is that while it's a five-year term, there are terminations provisions providing for the board to no longer engage in this lease agreement upon notice in by December 1st for the following year, right,
>> for any reason. and as well as language if we are to lose pea funding that the board has the ability to terminate the contract upon providing notice by March 15th with that documentation demonstrating the loss of funding. So there are terms within the contract that provide for that financial out.
>> Yeah. So I wasn't sure what we could discuss but I mean all the safety valves are there. The ones I look for commercially when I look for contracts were in there. So, I was I I I honestly think um this is a it's kind of
a no-brainer. It's a win-win for everybody. So, >> Rocky, if I may as well, I I want to be clear to the public a lot, please know that these questions have been discussed at length by the board of administration. In many ways, we want to make sure that the most pertinent questions that we believe the public
should be aware of the answers to, we are doing our best to make sure that those are answered beyond what you're seeing here. Um, bear with me one moment. Anyone? I know John, you had your hand up. Go ahead. >> So, as a parent, the biggest thing for me is getting my kids to school um in a
way that doesn't um negatively impact uh my day or my commute to work. Um, and I know this has to be on a lot of parents' minds. Um, can you go a little bit into detail about those communal uh spots where you're going to be picking up
students and um a little bit into before care and after care if there's a plan there? >> Yeah. Uh yeah, we don't have the uh the hubs worked out, but if we were going to create hubs today, we could we could operate off the hubs that currently exist for uh non-public schools for tech
school. uh there's not bus stops as many bus stops for those students as there is for for students that attend. Um so um they will be placed strategically placed around the township uh to make sure that uh it's not too far for parents to get their kids to those hubs but also want
to make sure that the students aren't on the bus uh for a very very long time getting to school. And it would be more of a direct route because there's no they're not stopping at another building before they're getting as as the case now with our uh our piggybacked bus
routes. Yeah. Tiered. Thank you. Yes. Oh, and uh and and if the hours uh don't work for parents because parents work, I get it. Um there are going to be opportunities that we're going to work with our community partners or even um get our own deal in in Milton School
with our own provider uh for for before care and afterare. So if you wanted to drop your your student off at let's say Goddard school for before care hypothetically um the bus is going by there anyway because we have kids that go to Goddard. So um I don't know exactly how that swap
is going to look but in theory you would drop the student off and pick up a student from Goddard school that would be going over to Milton school. So there are options there are options for uh for parents. >> So Dom I um I actually thought of this as well and because I'm a normal
analytics person I I did some Google map stuff. So and I could share this with you afterwards. So, I took um some of the largest or the biggest um points within Sparta, the town hall,
high school, um Lake Mohawk, and the um the average if you did it at rush hour and um if if the person was driving themselves,
the average change between Alpine and uh Milton It's it's a 8 minute difference drive between. So um again I'm not a transportation person. I just did this
through map Google maps. So it uh if you live on that side of town you save between two and three minutes. So depends where you coming from. But the biggest change is about eight or nine minutes. Currently, my daughter rides from Alpine Elementary School and it
takes about 45 minutes for her to get home >> being a piggybacked route. >> So, there you have it. >> Anyone else? Michelle, >> so can you talk a little bit? So, it's my understanding that school is available. It's open. Can you talk about
how long it's been open for, the reasons that it's open, and um any um building concerns, code, compliance of the building? >> Uh I can't tell you the year that it opened. Um but >> how long it's been vacant. >> Sure. Sure. So, uh yeah, so Milton
School was part of the Jefferson School District for years. Uh when the funding problems started in Jefferson, it's my understanding. At that time, they needed to make some difficult decisions. And one of those difficult decisions was to close Milton School. Um they've just made another difficult decision to close another one of their buildings. And
that's what's happening right now actually. So there is a special education placement uh school currently in Milton School under this under a similar agreement that that we are under. Um and there they are actually going to relocate to Cozy Lake School uh
which is now the the next building that Jefferson just closed. And I think that's more of a space thing or whatever. For whatever reason, uh that's why they're moving. Um so it has been operating as a school. Um it meets the standards of a school and um it's even in the contract that it needs to meet
the standards of a school. >> Thank you, Michelle. I was actually hoping, Jackie, that you might be able to speak to that a little bit more. There have been claims that you already covered that the building is in fact not vacant, has not been vacant recently. Uh but in terms of the building being up to
code compliant, uh there's been allegations of mold remediation, asbestous, if you can speak to that and any capacity relating to the contract that we reviewed and you did as well. >> Sure. I just wanted to pull it up so I
can refer to specific language. So the actual language of the agreement contains provision regarding the use of the property and that it is specified that it will be used and occupied only for purposes of a nonfor-profit public school and that it is quote operated
strictly in accordance with all applicable federal laws, rules and regulations and all laws, rules and regulations of the state of New Jersey and Department of Education as well as imposing certain requirements regarding certificates of occupancy. Certific certificates of continued occupancy
documents that are required that require demonstrating that the building satisfies both town codes and local codes and state codes as to occupancy and continued use of the property. >> And
I believe there are other clauses as well that go even more into detail in terms of further compliance if I don't know if you feel comfortable pulling those up. I don't want to absolutely speak out of turn. No, I'm just pulling quickly. Condition of care and prevances that it's the pro the property's been
reviewed and there are all working mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are in working order. Uh premises will be maintained in good condition. other there's essentially the requirements are standard as it relates
to a a typical lease as it relates to a commercial property and by nature of the those terms that they relate to how the property is maintained and the actual status and the representations that are being provided both to the board of education and the board of education is making in response to Jefferson as it
relates to how the property is going to be used and what the property actually provides for >> excellent I believe there's also other agencies that are mentioned in terms of the property itself on a roundabout Um the question I have for you relating to that from a legal perspective do you feel that having reviewed this contract
it is for lease agreement it is sound we are in a good position financially and when it comes to our security if we ever did have the opportunity or the need to pull out of this. >> Absolutely. >> Excellent. >> Anyone else before I ask questions as well?
>> Sure. I have a couple questions. >> Go ahead. >> Um one this might be more suited for Jackie but I'm not sure. Um, this is big news for our community obviously and it's just kind of breaking this week even though we've been working on it for a few weeks now. Can either Dr. Beck or
Jackie address why we have not addressed this before until we're ready now to accept the lease? Well, I can address the timeline and I'm sure Jackie can address the legal aspect of it, but the timeline is uh like I said, this was the um we got we received
this email in March and we started working on it. It has taken that long to work out all the logistics. um we met um up until last week to discuss some of the logistics and at that point when we said yeah it's it it we have met we've checked all the boxes we've overcome all
the challenges that I saw and it met the criteria um now we need to see the lease agreement and then the lease agreement um took some back and forth too between uh Barbara and Jackie and Jefferson back to Barbara back to Jackie and and so on.
So that that process took some time too. >> As far as timeline relating to the lease, the actual back and forth was in my opinion for a closing of something to this magnitude rather quick. Um I think all
in all from the actual point of pent paper it was less than two weeks that this was presented and then ultimately presented to the board for purposes of the agenda in its final form. And to expand on that, Jackie, in terms of if we had say notified the public,
not to say prematurely, but to say, "Hey, this is something that we're entertaining that might happen." What are the parameters around that that would prevent us from doing that? Whether it's from an ethical perspective, executive session perspective, how can you explain that to the public so that it's
understood that this wasn't an attempt to hide something from the public? >> No, absolutely. So the board of education has an ethical responsibility to taxpayers of your township to provide information as it becomes available. However, there are certain confidentiality requirements as things
are being deliberated upon and discussed in draft. Right? The the the concern with putting something out there to this effect is the sort of ripple effects that it has. there's all these other moving pieces as it relates to your your
staffing concerns and your transportation concerns. And from my perspective, operating making sure that we're able to get a lease that is mutually agreeable is always going to be priority number one. Um, as well as making sure that that lease is effective
to both protect the board of education and achieve the goals that it seeks to do with the project of this kind. in the absence of having certainty, disclosing continued discussions between two public entities has potential ramifications that goes beyond I mean,
we're talking we're talking two different school districts with two different budgets and two different sets of constituents. Once the idea of uh something that is not necessarily set in stone, the board of education potentially
exposes itself to concerns as it relates to um I can't remember exactly the term I wanted to use, but the idea of of unkempt promises, right? This idea of you set forth a bargain that is ultimately not something that you're
willing to go forward to. And that creates a concern as it relates to not putting information out there that is not in fact fully vetted and fully confirmed and fully as something that we're actually moving forward with. And and I can tell you one more concern that I had in addition to that was the idea that preschool expansion or preschool
education aid is very um >> fluid. There's there's a lot right now and every school district qualifies for it. In fact, every school the state wants every school district to pull the trigger on the expansion funding or the education funding. What I was concerned
about was uh this is a great opportunity for our district and for our community. I was concerned that somebody else would catch wind of this a neighboring district who is also strapped for space and undercut the whole process as well. So uh that's why even within our admin circles [snorts] uh when we were when we
met as an admin team every time I every time we started those meetings this stays in this room um for that reason. >> I was going to note that as well the integrity of the contract itself there's so many implications that go beyond even just the board. um and whether or not the lease agreement could be affected.
Emily, did you have anything else before I >> No, I don't. >> Okay. My second question or concern. Um so definitely on social media there's a lot of talk about this and there is a graphic going around saying that there was mold
remediation even though that was in Jefferson High School uh in a science lab. But there are people claiming that that was in the Milton school which is not true. But um Dr. Beck or Jackie, do you guys have any information about any type of mold or asbestous or testing
that has been done recently to just prove that this school is safe or we've done our due diligence to make sure the school is safe? >> I have no information that there was mold in the building or even if there was, it would have had to have been remediated for their school to be occupying it right now. I mean, I've been here for 5 years. We've had a mold
issue in Helen Morgan. We've had a mold issue in Alpine. We inform the community and we remediate it. make sure everybody's safe and then it gets addressed and we move on. >> And the only other information that I would add to that is we I had no knowledge of any sort of existence of any remediation that was done. I will
say just as an editorial note, school buildings when they're built were built with asbestous. Asbestous to as a general matter is not by its nature of existence a dangerous condition unless it's disturbed. when any sort of disturbance
occurs, then we have an issue that we have to address. But there's been no reason for me to believe that there's been any disturbance that would cause any concern as we're getting the property as part of this lease. >> Thank you, Emily. Anything else? Anyone else? Oh, Rocky has another Chad hasn't
gone yet. >> Just just a quick note. Um, I know that we're considering taking one school or one nurse from Alpine to um to compensate, but do you think that would cause any concern for the nurse staffing at Alpine? Do you think one's sufficient? >> No, really really that uh the additional
nurse at Alpine came in uh with preschool expansion actually because there is such a need for for the extra nurse at at Alpine School. So, if you remove uh the preschool students from there, uh that that need for that extra nurse goes down and that nurse travels with that need.
Rocky, did you have one? >> Yeah. Um, I'm not an educator like you guys, but I pretend to be one. But could someone talk about the benefit of having a self-contained building that is preschool where
everybody is there? So, we we've been talking about potentially negatives and I want to bring a positive that having a learning community that is focused on prek learning and I can tell you those two hours I spent will live with me for the rest of my life. It is a different
animal than first, second or third grade. And by having them in a building with a bunch of professionals who are certificated who understand how to teach those young learners what what I I just I have a feeling it's a huge change and
a great thing, but I'm not a professional like some of the at the So, >> can I ask that Tara handles that one because it aligns with mine, which was what are the curricular benefits of having this opportunity? Um, I just want to point out too, while we're focusing on positive, there has been also talk of
why don't we just eradicate this program from our district entirely. So even if you can speak to why you think this benefits our district and why there's a a good need for this. >> Right. Definitely. So when you have a school and an entire community focused around that developmental level instead
of like having them be integrated into a school that serves like a wider range of developmental levels. It allows you to focus your time and attention specifically on their needs. There is substantial developmental and educational benefits to having preschool and to being able to focus specifically
on that readiness and those developmental strengths. So, uh there is benefit to improving kindergarten readiness, developing stronger social emotional skills like self-regulation, emotional control, peer interactions. There are long-term academic benefits
including improved reading and math um achievement, uh lower intervention rates, and higher graduation rates. So being able to focus our attention on the whole child because also a lot of this research talks about high quality um preschool programming. So when you're
able to not kind of be trying to serve everyone at the same time and focus your time exclusively on those needs, serving the whole child and and supporting them in a way that is best for their developmental um needs that is a high level benefit, you know, to that
population. And then I I just also want to reiterate because uh Dr. Vex spoke to some of the benefits um at Alpine School, but also from a learning environment perspective. I mean, I think it's easy to talk about, you know, different points and bullets on a slideshow, but when you are living in a
building that is overcrowded, that is also not beneficial academically to the students in that school. and he talked about things like movement, um teachers not having preps in their classrooms, like and these are words we say, but when you're living in that environment and kids are that's there every day, um
and they don't have access to an art room, like those those are not best practices academically for those students either. And um I think what was challenging was with a failed referendum like what are our options and there weren't many of them. So, you know, to provide this opportunity for the
preschool students, but then also really service, you know, our our early education um setting which will become K through two and and really give them what they need. Like those early um those early grade levels are like your primary development of the entire
education system. So, it's it's a huge benefit for both populations. >> Thank you. >> I thought that was it. Anyone else have anything before I ask? Um, similar to that point, I wanted to also ask, there's also been discussion that simply
closing the board offices at Mohawk AB would solve our problem somehow. I want to be very clear and state on the record. Board of Education members do not have offices in that side area. We have a shared mailbox and it's about yay big, yay tall. So, I just want to be very clear that there might be some
misunderstanding related to that. I know it's something that the district has discussed in the past. Dr. Do you believe that if we were to, which would be a financial cost to our district, because if I'm not mistaken, pea funding wouldn't cover a renovation, if we were to renovate that portion of our Mohawk
Avenue school, first of all, would it alleviate any of the crowding issues that we have in our district and from a position of actually solving them or just potentially um or I shouldn't say alleviate, eradicate as opposed to alleviate, if that makes sense. >> Yeah. When we looked at it before, we
looked at the idea of uh this is a long time ago when we were just talking about overcrowding and different options that we would have with overcrowding before we even pursued the referendum. Uh I think you get maybe four classrooms over there. Uh but you'd have to tear down all the walls that currently exist and basically start over um and put
bathrooms in and things like that. Uh but then you'd be looking at an additional um or increasing uh disjointed prek program by having uh yet another building um with four classrooms in it. and then two classrooms at Helen Morgan and uh the classrooms that exist
at Alpine. So now you're you're spread out even more. >> And I would like to highlight contrary to popular belief, I do think you guys deserve offices. You know, I like it's important that you have somewhere to work. So um I also have a few other questions and I appreciate the board. I feel like everyone did a fantastic job
of pointing out what they uh what speaks to them and making sure that the community is informed. A few points I do want to just reiterate so that everyone understands. The AES or excuse me, the principal stipen that we see does not suggest one principal will be responsible for both buildings. I know
you answer this. This is more of a true or false rapid fire round. So that is not accurate. Correct. >> You're required to have a full-time principal in each building and that would be the case here. >> Excellent. And the goal is to make sure that the 88 weight listed preschool students will now be eligible to participate. The goal, not necessarily
the guarantee. Yeah, that's the goal, not necessarily the guarantee. Um, as as it all shakes out, um, there might still be a few students that are weight listed, but uh, nowhere near what we're what we're facing right now. We'll be able to serve more members of our community. >> Excellent. The concerns related to taxpayers footing the bill for the
lease. I want to be very clear that preschool education funding is provided through the state. this will not have implications for and maybe Barbara can speak to whether or not there are serious implications outside of that funding for our budget, whether or not we have the means to accommodate any unexpected expenses. What what position
do you think we're in on a financial end? >> Now, at this point, uh the pea funds will cover the cost of um the transition moving to the Milton School and moving forward next year. You put a budget through every year based on your population and you receive if your
population goes up, your enrollment goes up, so does your funding whether it's at outside providers or in districts. So that would be proportionately increasing with any other enrollment increases as well. >> Thank you so much. That was another question I had. So beyond the curricular benefits, there's also a financial
benefit to us expanding our universal prek offering. Barbara, would you agree with that? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Excellent. Um [clears throat] I feel like that covers most of it. One other concern and this is maybe more of a procedural. We might have more information at a later date in terms of
the affected students and parents. And again if we look at the entire picture as a list of pros and cons, there are some elements perhaps the timing of the notification and parents only having three to four months to figure out their plans for September. We understand that and we respect that. But at the end of
the day, that is directly correlated to the pros of how many parents will now have the option to send their child to free preschool. So, while we certainly empathize with that position, is there anything from an administrative side that we can um support to make sure that
any parents that were already advised of placements, whether it's Alpine or Helen Morgan, what is the plan for what they can expect? Um and same thing for any of our um network placements in private schools. How would that affect them? >> Yeah, I would have to talk with the preschool team now that this is an
actual thing. Um, but I would I would think that the the parents that are already committed to the uh private providers would stay within those private providers or elect to go to Milton School for all the advantages that we already stated. And if that's the case and something uh a seat opens up at let's say Goddard school because a
parent now wants to go to Milton school uh then that then you know then we would talk to we would have to look at the list and the order and see if there's any parents that don't want to go to Milton and would rather go to Goddard but that would have to be uh because a seat opens up but in the future we could take uh such things into consideration when we uh look at the next next round
of of acceptances for the following school year. >> Excellent. Thank you. Dom did you have something else? Yeah, just uh to build on what you had spoken about with the security guard being hired. Um a security guard has to be in contact with a local police uh department. Um the
local police department would be Jefferson PD. How would that coordinate with Sparta PD? Is that something that would solely be the responsibility of Jefferson PD to respond in case of emergency or would there be some some coordination between Sparta PD? If there was a minor incident that required a
police response at the school building, it would be Jefferson Police because it's in it's in their jurisdiction. Um, but Sparta Police Department has a great relationship with the Jefferson Police Department. In fact, um, we went to one of the trainings that they hosted at Jefferson School on how they do
reunification and I traveled there with our police department and uh, met with their police department and the the sheriff's department and all that. Um, so I mean if there were uh, you know, god forbid anything of of any kind of magnitude that uh required a large police response, uh, regardless of our
partnership in in this Milton instance, uh, the Jefferson police will come to Sparta schools in a large response and Sparta police will go to Jefferson schools in a large response. It's all part of their plan. >> Does anyone have anything else? >> Few small notes I'd like to make as
well. Um, I think it's really important to commend the fact that we were approached from by Jefferson with this opportunity. To your point, this could have easily been an opportunity that was passed to another district and had it potentially leaked, that may have very well been the case. So, I commend the
fact that you were approached with with a solution. I also look at this as I'm incredibly proud of the dual effort that it has taken to get us to this place where we are not only alleviating the overcrowding issue at Alpine. We are not
only expanding our preschool network, but we're managing to do it at if if not no very minimal cost to the district uh primarily through grant funding. So I think this is an outstanding opportunity. I understand and I will always say parents advocate for your
children. If you have concerns or not happy with the timing, we understand that. We respect that. But please know we operate out of the best interests of the mission of our district and supporting and helping our um commitment to every student every day. And I I do believe this absolutely fosters that. So
if there are any other questions, we will encourage everyone to speak during the first public comment portion of the meeting. Otherwise, everyone okay? Great. Thank you. Um now we're up to Mr. Chia Buri with a presentation related to the middle school schedule revisions.
Good evening everyone and uh thank you for giving me a few minutes to uh present to you tonight um some changes that are going to be taking place at the middle school um specifically the middle school master schedule for the 2627 school year. So um we'll jump right in
and um so why the change in schedule? Um I can't see. I'm going to move up a little bit. So, um, truth is over the last couple of years, um, the Sparta administration, uh, middle school administration has been looking into developing some
changes for the middle school schedule. Um, every year budget is always a concern. Um, what can we do to make things better at the school? What can we tighten up? What can we level across the building? So um we took it upon ourselves to uh reach out, join some
scheduling webinars, u meet with some scheduling professionals from other states. Uh we put together last year um or the year before uh a middle school scheduling team um with our teachers in our building and just got some different
ideas and perspectives from all the different angles. Um, as we started grabbing on to some ideas, we uh recently reached out to uh the students and pulled the students and the families um of the of the district just to see
like where the interest level was. We had an opportunity um as I'll get into in a little bit to to get pretty creative with our schedule and we wanted to to really line that up with the interests of the students that were attending this school. So, uh, this
year's budget news came upon us pretty early this year and we met as a as a district team and pretty much were asked to go back and and look through the notes over the last couple of years, see what you can put together and and
see what you can develop um, for the middle school schedule for the upcoming school year. And what we discovered that there were multiple areas of our school where we were able to create a stronger student sk uh student centered schedule. And I'm going to get into some of the
details of that now. So exactly what's changing? Uh right now we currently operate under an eight period day where each period is 48 minutes long. We're going to slide that eight period day to a nine period day
and reduce the number of minutes to 43 minutes per period. Additionally, we're going to go from a 12minute home room down to a six-minute home room. Um, we currently have a 24minute lunch with depending on who you talk to is too much
time still or too little time. Um it gets a little tricky when uh when you're talking about lunchtime and and how long people are take to eat and what time they get into the into the cafeteria. So we are going to a full 43 minute lunch period next year. The reduction of time
from 48 minutes to 43 minutes allows us to allows our teachers in our building to teach five full periods across the building. Uh currently we have some teachers that are teaching four and a half minute four and a half period a day
and some that are teaching five periods a day. So this will level the playing field across the across the building in terms of number of class periods. Um it also allows us to balance the class sizes across the building. Right now we
have a little bit of elevated numbers in our elective areas and this is going to allow us to spread that out a little more and get into the range of like 22 to 25 across the board all classes academic and um encore classes or um
elective classes. And then also, and this was a big one, all all staff will be able to have a duty um which is going to help the day-to-day operations of running um the middle school. Uh currently, we have less than 50% of our
teachers available for duty. So, when it comes to managing the hallways, um the bathrooms, the cafeteria, and and some of those kind of neutral areas of the school, we we're we're we're running ragged. So, this is going to allow us to
really spread out our staff and address some of those concerns uh throughout the building. Um, one other big goal that we had was aligning with the high school. It's it's been a a focus of of mine and and the administrative team to really
start lining things up with what the high school is offering. And this schedule is going to allow us to offer classes to students that aligns with the different pathways that they'll be able to take when they get to the high school. Um, and it also allows us to fix
the schedule a little bit where we can we will see some similarities in what the schedule is going to look like and what the high school schedule currently has. So, how is this impacting our students? Uh there's really three big areas that
this is going to impact our students and I believe for the positive. Uh number one, it's in the electives and cycles area. When when I talk about cycles, we're talking about a four class rotation where the students will rotate to a different class in the same period
every marking period. So marking period one, they might take art. Art marking period two, they might take STEM um and etc. throughout the third and fourth marking period. Um, every student in seventh grade and sixth grade will be
enrolled in what we call the encore cycle. Um, I'll I'll dive into uh the details to that in a little bit, but every student will receive that cycle. Um the second cycle down is called the alternate cycle and we call it that because students in sixth and seventh grade really have control of their
schedule in one area and that's whether or not they want to enter band strings or chorus and if they do enter band strings or chorus um then they have that course for the entire year. If they don't go into band strings of course then they're entered into the alternate
cycle which is a again a four class rotation of different elective type classes and then this year that or I should say next year um this academic cycle is a new cycle that's going to be offered to the students. Uh it's going to give access to our sixth and seventh
graders to have their teachers or I should say um give the teachers access to their students one more class on a 4day rotation of their core four subject areas, math, social studies, language arts, and science. Again, I'm going to
dive into that a little bit more, too. Um but most excitingly, when you get to eighth grade, you really have a lot of control over your classes. Um, every te every student in eighth grade will get their required four core classes. They'll get their fizzed class and then
they have control over the last remaining periods by choosing different elective um options. The second big change is the change in the world language department. Uh this year the middle school has uh four languages and we're going to reduce that
down to two languages next year. So currently they have Spanish, French, Russian and German. Um this was kind of a district conversation in how we can um start in the the elementary schools where the students are exposed to just
Spanish and then when they graduate up to the middle school level, we're going to take that one language and expose them to two languages which is going to be Spanish and French. Spanish and and French traditionally are our most popular languages. So keeping them was
an important factor. And they're going to now leave the middle school learning a little bit about the language of French and Spanish. Um because when they get to second or seventh grade, um they're going to be able to choose or or
I should say in seventh grade, they're going to take one of the cycle classes that's going to introduce the language of Spanish and French to them. And then in eighth grade they can take Spanish one, French one, and then carry that up to the high school where they can
advance in the different languages. So um in sixth grade, the students are going to get a class called world cultures. Um it's going to expose the students to um the four courses that I just talked about. They'll get one marking period of French, one marking
period of Spanish, one marking period of Russian culture, and one uh marking period of German culture. Again, seventh grade, they get the language, and then in eighth grade, they choose the language that they want. The third area is the 43 minute lunch
period. Uh this isn't be a big one for the middle school, but um in our research on on some different ideas, we actually visited a few middle schools that have the same kind of demographic that we do. Uh one middle school that we
did visit was uh was Montville Middle School and they actually have a 43minute period uh for lunch. We were able to go there. We were able to watch it in play and how they do it. And to to simplify it, the students are required to eat for
21 minutes, half of the period. And for some students, that's plenty of time. For other students, they like to sit a little bit longer, take their time, and socialize. And that option will be available for those students. The students that get done early will have some other options. They can go outside,
uh, weather permitting. We have a nice area between the lunchroom and the gym where there's a gazebo there. We have some picnic tables that'll be set up outside. Um there's a grass area, a black top area, and the students will have time to just go out and get some fresh air, blow off some steam for 20
minutes, and then hit that reset button before they finish the rest of the day. Um currently, our students have access to the media center after lunch period, or I should say before their lunch, and that will stay. So, if students want to finish eating and then go to the media
center, they'll be able to sign out of the lunchroom, go to the media center, sit and work quietly, sign out some books, and do some other activities that our media specialist has for them. Um, if there's a demand for a study hall where students want to just get a quiet
place and catch up on some work, even if it's just to sit quietly, we have a we have available teachers now that can take students to a study hall to work to uh sit quietly and and do those types of things.
And then finally, and this is one area that lines up with the high school, is that our teachers will have two available academic assistance periods per week. Okay? So, um we we're calling them office hours where um you know, Mr. Math teacher needs to meet with certain
students to make up a test or get them caught up on some work. they can assign a student to come down and see them during academic assistance and have those days scheduled ahead of time. And the idea is to offset our core teachers
so there's they're spread out throughout the week. So, one student can go to science on one day and uh math on the second day and then catch up on language arts on a different day. So, we thought that was a a good benefit that we were not going to lose. There was a fear that
we might have lost that this year, but we're actually able to keep it and align it with what the high school is doing now. So, here's a list of the cycles that our sixth and seventh grade students will be taking. Any area or any subject up there
course that is uh labeled in bold is a new course to the middle school. And the asterises are courses that we currently have, just kind of revamped them a little bit. So the encore cycle which every sixth grade student will get they
will get art six they'll get money madness which is a new course it's a business exposure course it's actually the stock market game if any of the students in the upper grades have experienced that we're going to introduce it now in sixth grade modern living which is a student favorite and
computer science which we currently have uh the alternate cycle which is for all students that are not in band strings or chorus will get a course called the history and mystery of music which is the general music that we currently have now just kind of updated modeling and
design which is a course that we currently offer. Uh the introduction to imaging and design which currently is called computer art. This is just an advanced version of that course. And then digital frontier which is a super necessary course. It's a digital
citizenship u just kind of exposes the students to um the digital world and uh the impacts that making the right choices and just kind of educating our students in that area. We thought that was appropriate for our sixth grade students.
Now the academic cycle again is an opportunity for the students to go back to their team in sixth grade. were working on teams and they will meet with every acade every one of their academic teachers on a 4-day rotation throughout
the week. We call them labs in sixth grade. So, they'll get an extended science class. They'll get an extended writing or ELA class, an extended math lab or math class, which will be an extension of what they're learning in the classroom. It's just offered a a
second time during the day on a 4-day rotation. Now, when they rotate to the social studies class, that's where they're going to get the world languages, I'm sorry, the world cultures class, and they'll get again exposure to Spanish, French, Russian, and German cultures, one each marking period.
Seventh grade is relatively similar. As you can see, all the seventh grade students will get the encore cycle, which they'll get art seven, which is an extension, money madness 7, which is an extension of the sixth grade course. They'll get STEM, which they get now, and they'll get a new class called
career explorations. Uh we're excited about this class. This is a class where we're going to expose the students to like what's out there in the world. Um if listen, they might not know about the trades route and they want to the plumbing and the electrician and that.
So, we're going to expose them to that and and fill them in. and if you go to college and you want to go on a four-year, you know, uh, degree and what classes you might get an opportunity to to take there or what jobs are out there after you complete college. Maybe it's
the police academy. So, we're going to expose our students in this class to different careers. Um, that's going to include inviting public to come in and talk about their careers. maybe a police officer to come in and talk about the police department and the police academy
uh etc. So um that's an exciting class so they can have that in their back pocket when they start picking their elective classes in 8th grade. the al the alternate cycle again for non-band strings and chorus students they'll get
the music course extension public speaking which is a course that we value very much at the middle school a storytelling studio it's a new course that we're offering where it's going to teach students to write in a different way it might be comic book writing or
poems or short stories interviews newspaper articles all of the different ideas that you can come up with for um for writing and that's going to take place in storytelling studio. And then finally, uh, in the alternate cycle is a
class called Mythbusters, which is a science-based class where students will engage in different, um, experiments that will either prove or debunk different myths that are out there. Uh, so that's a science-based class that we're very excited about. And then we
get to the academic cycle in seventh grade, which is a little bit different than sixth grade. The students will rotate into their core classes again, but they'll have their core class in a workshop form for one full marking period. So, if you're in science, you're
in science for the full marking period, and you're going to work on a projectbased activity for the whole marking period. And then at the end of the first marking period, you'll rotate into the writing workshop, the math workshop, and then eventually into the world language course where you'll be
introduced to Spanish and French. And that's the that's the end of the two cycles for or I'm sorry, the two grade levels and the cycles that those students will have next year. Now, in eighth grade, at the end of your seventh grade year,
you're going to take a survey and you're going to choose your classes. We're offering 14 elective classes to our eighth graders next year and about 11 or 12 of them have been created this year. Um, art 8, which is a standard
course that is uh pretty popular with our students. Digital imaging and design is a course that's going to align with photography up at the high school, just manipulating pictures and kind of set in an introduction to what photography is
and how you can uh use the the computers to uh manipulate your your photos. financial literacy. That's a current course at the high school that we're bringing down to the eighth grade level to give those students a head start on, [snorts] you know, their entrance into the high
school. Super popular with the students this year when they ranked their courses. Um, human health and medical discoveries kind of speaks for itself. It's a science class based around uh human health and different medical advances.
law and justice, which another tremendously popular course um that we're we're super excited about. Um making AI work for you. We're going to teach the students all about AI. I mean, it's here. It's not going away. So, let's embrace it. Let's teach them the
right way to use it and how it can help them out um as they're navigating through school or general life. Uh mind matters a psychology class that we're we're offering our students this or next year and there's a big group of classes
that the stu a big track up at the high school that the students can take in this area. So we thought introducing that to them at the middle school level would be beneficial. Uh modern living again a student favorite movies and film making a super popular course again with students had a lot of
excitement about choosing these courses. Um, and movies and filmm will line up with some of the film courses that they offer at the high school. Miz Heroes and Legends, uh, it's an extension of our ELA and our social studies classes, which going to dive deeper into mythology for students that are
interested in that. Uh, Shark Tank, which is another business course. Um, so we're in the process of developing that. And everybody knows that game show. It's not going to be that game show, but it's going to kind of embrace that idea in and incorporate public
speaking and uh marketing into that type of a course. Sports and statistics, another popular one, just kind of taking the statistics from math and applying it to real life experiences. Theater workshop. If anybody has ever
come see the middle school musical, I think you'll agree with me that we have some pretty talented students in our district. And this is just going to give them a jump start on that and let them express that that that strength of theirs in a class. Um, all of these
elective classes are semester classes. So, they'll get a half year of it. And then we're working on some kind of project that they'll end that year with or I should say end that semester with theater workshops. thinking about having like a coffee shop um presentation where
we invite the parents to it and um offer up some some scripts that they're working on. And it sounds like a it's going to be really neat course. Um understanding animals, behavior, biodiversity, and beyond. Um you mentioned animals to middle school
students and they get all excited and this is one of our most popular courses that uh again we're excited to offer. Um, I we just love the idea of giving our students some control over what they study when they get into eighth grade and either say, "Yeah, this is all about
it for me and I'm going to pursue it when I get to to high school or ah, this isn't for me and I'm not going to go go that route and I'm going to go experiment with something else when I get to the high school." So, those are the eighth grade elective options for next year.
So, I'll I'll brief through these next couple of slides because they're kind of repeat, but every sixth grade student is going to get a math, science, social studies, and language arts class. They'll get their lunch A and lunch B. They'll get health and fizzed, and then they'll get their academic cycle in
sixth grade, which is the four-day rotation of their four core classes. They'll get every student will get their encore cycle, which you can see the four classes there. And then the ninth period is the band strings of course which is the only option that they get in sixth
grade and seventh grade or the alternate cycle. Um the other area that was really that we figured out late was that this schedule allows students that are very much into the musics to take both chorus
and band or band and orchestra or orchestra in any combination. Right now they can't do that. they have to pick one of the three courses and study that for the whole year. The schedule that we're going to offer next year is going to allow those students really excited
about music to take two different uh music classes. It will come at the cost of the encore cycle, but we will have that conversation with the students and the parents before they make that choice. So, seventh grade, very similar in the four core classes, lunch, fizzed.
The academic cycle here is those workshops where they'll get their core subject for the full marking period instead of the 4-day rotation. And then they'll get their exposure to uh math and French world language.
Uh the encore cycles, four classes are right there. And then band strings, of course, or the alternate cycle. seventh grade will still have the option to enter into two music classes should they choose. And then the eighth grade schedule,
again, the same four core classes, lunch, fizzed, and then the rest of the schedule, they get to choose. They get to choose if they want to enter French one or Spanish one. And then if they don't like what they chose when they get to the high school, they can take the other one. They can take Spanish or
French one or they'll be able to take Russian or German one in high school. Band strings or chorus. Okay. So then their second choice is either taking band strings or chorus and two electives or not taking band strings or chorus and
getting the choice of four different elective classes to round out their eighth grade schedule. So how does this impact teachers? Again, there's pretty three pretty big areas that this is going to affect the teachers, and it's a repeat of what I
said before. Uh the reduction from 48 minutes to 43 minutes allows our teachers to teach five classes across the building. So, kind of levels the playing field in that area. Um it's going to allow every teacher to be able to take on a duty period, which is going
to be instrumental in helping us run the day-to-day operations um of the building. Um, and then another big change is that the student or the teachers will have different courses that they may have to teach, different preps. A prep is how many courses that they have to prepare for. A lot of our
teachers now might be teaching um an ELA class or a science class and it's the same grade level four times in a row where this new schedule is going to have those teachers possibly teaching different grade levels or teaching one grade level and an elective class or a
cycle class. So it'll increase the number of prep period preps that the teachers may have. There's an example of what a teachers a core teachers schedule may look like. They'll have their classes to teach. They'll get a lunch, a duty, a prep, and
a common planning period. So they're not losing anything that they have already this year. So again, some of the highlights that we have from the from the schedule um from this schedule is um equity across the building in terms of the number of
classes teachers teach, class sizes um in the in both the academic and elective classes and the fact that all of our teachers will have a duty. Um it's a student centered a very much student centered schedule. Um, and that's the
introduction of new courses to our sixth and seventh graders and the choice that the eighth graders have about their schedule. Um, we're aligning a lot of our courses with the high school paths. Um, when it when we talk about the STEM academy and the humanities academy and
the business track and the psychology track that they have at the high school, we don't even offer a lot of those courses right now to the students. So, they're going into those tracks blind. So, the courses offerings that we're going to have next year is going to give them a little bit of a an intro to see
if it's something that they'd like to pursue further when they get to the high school. Um, similarities with the high school or other similarities with the high school, reducing down to 43 minutes aligns a little closer with what the periods are at the high school. Right now, the high school teaches 42-minute
periods will have 43 minute periods. So, those students making the transition to the high school will be well equipped to handle a 42-minute period. Um, the four-day rotation that we offer in the sixth grade academic cycle is very
similar to the 4-day rotation that the high school offers right now. They do it for all their classes. We're only going to do it one period of the day, but it's given the students a little bit of experience in how to rotate and manage that type of a schedule
and the academic assistance period. When they get to the high school, they're going to have access to their teachers two times a week with their office with those teachers office hours. So, we're going to incorporate that into the middle school next year as well. This was a big highlight for us too in
the six because of the sixth and seventh grade academic cycle. We're actually increasing the number of minutes that our sixth and seventh grade core teachers will have with their students. It increases that by over a thousand minutes for the extension of
the entire school year. So that 4-day rotation, that extra period, seeing them those extra 43 minutes every fourth day adds over 1,000 more minutes than they're currently getting this year. Not the case in eighth grade. We understand that there was a reduction in the number
of minutes in eighth grade. But the tradeoff of giving those students choice over their course, I felt was a benefit that I was I was willing to take. So those are the highlights of the schedule and I that's about it. If anybody has any questions, I'd be more
than happy to >> any questions from the board. >> I think we'd all just like to extend our thanks to make this happen and in such a collaborative way involving students, parents, teachers. Um it was not an easy
feat considering the challenging year that we had. So, thank you for making it possible and for leading us through that. >> Well, I thank you and I I do appreciate all the support. everybody that has uh been a part of it has truly made it a much easier an easier task and we are
super excited about it. So, we're uh we're ready to get into the summer and start planning for it and hit the ground running in September. So, uh thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay, at this time we'll move on to agenda item six, our NJSBA motions. So, first
I'd like to thank Ray Penny from the NJSBA for being so patient through several presentations. Um, and also Dr. Tim Pernell for extending this opportunity to Sparta. I do believe if I'm not mistaken, and correct me if I'm wrong, we will be the first district in the state this evening for the civility
pledge and resolution. Okay. So, >> perfect. We're we're ahead of the curve. >> Made sure. Thank you so much. So um in that case we are in fact the first district in the state to take a civility pledge this evening. We'll also be
adopting the civility resolution. We'll start there and I will then explain what you see on 6.3 which is a resolution related to employee health care costs. So the reason why we are taking this action this evening as I mentioned to
Mr. Penny today the Sparta Board of Education has made a deliberate commitment to governing with transparency integrity and respect. As a district, we've witnessed firsthand what happens when civility breaks down. Governance fails, administration and
staff become sidetracked, and the students we were elected to serve get lost in the noise. While healthy disagreement is essential and necessary, incivility erodess public trust and makes boards less effective overall. Most stakeholders, bless you, most
stakeholders across the country echo this sentiment, longing for a return to the norms that make democracy work at every level. This is why we are humbled to take the civility pledge and adopt the civility resolution this evening. This milestone reflects not only Sparta's values, but our responsibility
as a board to model the standard we hope others will follow. So, I will ask that all board members refer to your pledge, which should be right in front of you. We'll make it official. I'll ask you to raise your right hand. Why not? And we're going to make sure your microphones are on as well, please. And
I'll ask that you repeat after me. I pledge >> I pledge >> to build a stronger >> to build a stronger >> and more effective school >> and more effective school >> board >> board >> by advocating for >> by advocating for
>> civil engagement >> civil engagement >> respecting others >> respecting others >> and their viewpoints >> and their viewpoints >> and finding solutions >> and finding solutions >> to improve my school district >> to improve my school district >> and the children of my community >> and the children of my community.
>> Thank you. We'll move on to the civility resolution. >> I would say we can go around. I would like us all to read each one just so that we're moving around. That is you don't all have to read it individually. Uh just to make sure the people at home understand what we're passing tonight.
So I'm going to ask that our vice president starts us off with 6.2 civility resolution. >> No, no, no. You can I'm sorry. You can start with whereas and end with whereas. We'll move along. >> Perfect. Whereas recent recent national polls indicate that Americans are
dissatisfied with and frustrated by the lack of civility in public discourse today. According to data from two national polls, 85% of people said civility in today's society is worse than it was 10 years ago. 73% of people believe that we tolerate outrageous and
univilized behavior by elected officials, more today than in the past. And 80% of people want and expect government leaders to find common ground. And >> whereas the board of education of Sparta Township public schools recognizes that
freedom of speech and freedom of expression are sacrianked, protected by both state and federal law and allow individuals to express their opinions and to communicate ideas. And >> whereas the board of education at the Sparta Township public schools further
recognizes the public exchange of diverse ideas and varied viewpoints, allows for robust discussion and is indispensable to the decision-making process. And >> whereas as elected representatives of the community and stewards of the public trust, the members of the board of
education of the Sparta Township public schools recognize that their position affords them the opportunity to model open, free, and vigorous debate while also maintaining the highest standards of civility, mutual respect, and decorum. And
>> whereas the members of the board of education of the Sparter Township public schools recognize that they are models not only for the community but also for the students they serve. And >> whereas in order to publicly declare its
commitment [clears throat] to civil discourse and to express its concern for the common good and well-being of all students, staff, parents, and community, the board of education of the Sparta Township Public Schools has determined to adopt this resolution. Now,
therefore, be it resolved as follows. >> I'll wrap us up. Unless Chad, did you want to you finish us out? Uh the board of education of uh the Sparta Township public schools pledged to practice and promote civility to engage in civil discussions and to respect and tolerate the viewpoints of others and to work
collaboratively. The board of educa uh sorry the board of education uh sorry am I I'm sorry. The board of education of the Sparta Township public schools pledges to communicate openly, honestly, and transparent as permitted by law. and the board of education of the Sparta Township uh public schools and
accessibility pledge to build a stronger and more prosperous school community to achieve uh this district's goals and to advance the education of all students. >> Thank you so much. Item 6.3, the employee healthcare cost. This is a little bit of a long one and I apologize in advance.
>> Thank you. That's helpful. This one's a little bit longer and I apologize in advance, but it is important. So related to 6.3, you're going to see employee healthcare cost resolution. The NJSBA has been coalesing with their partners at the Lee Group, which stands for the New Jersey leadership for educational
excellence to build a united front in elevating the harmful impact of the rising costs of healthcare. The Lee Group submitted a letter to Governor Cheryl and key staff to stress how dire the situation is for districts across the state and the consequences of these
costs, ranging from reductions in staff, downsizing, and more. Tonight, the Sparta Board of Education is adopting the NJSBA sample resolution, which will be sent to Governor Cheryl and our legislative leadership to join the NJSBA and league groups advocacy efforts. We
of course thank both teams for making this possible for us. Again, this one's long, but we're going to do it the same way. The whereas, and we'll start with whereas end with whereas. >> Kim, did you want to start us off? >> Sure, I'll go first. Whereas at a time of continued fiscal uncertainty and
mounting challenges, local boards of education from across the state of New Jersey continue to suffer under a growing crisis posed by the rising cost of health benefits and are desperate for relief. And
whereas despite record levels of state investments in public education, these school districts are facing fiscal pressures similar to those confronting the state budget, including the unsustainable growth in healthcare premiums and the mounting insolveny of the state's public employees health
benefits programs. And >> whereas both within the school's employees health benefits program and the private market year overyear double digit digit sorry doubledigit increases are placing tremendous strain on district budgets and local p tax
taxpayers alike. And >> whereas Governor Cheryl and legislative legislative leadership have publicly acknowledged the urgent need to address rising health care costs and the challenges facing the state's health care benefits plans, including both the
state and local portions of the state health benefits program and the SEBP. And >> whereas the seriousness of this issue is underscored by the midyear BP analysis released by the Treasury
Department in March 2026, which concluded that based on these projected losses and building and future trends, active premium rates increased for 2027 are likely to be in the double digits. And
>> whereas these projected increases would allow the 31.9% premium increases that took effect in January 2026, further exasperating an overall premium increase of nearly 74% in the preceding
five years. And whereas >> this growth in healthcare costs far exceeds inflation, state aid increases and the fiscal capacity of local communities. And >> whereas rising healthc care premiums are consuming an ever larger portion of
already constrained school district budgets, forcing difficult decisions that directly affect students, staff, and educational quality. And whereas rising healthcare premiums are Oh, sorry, you already read that. Whereas these cost pressures also have
significant consequences for taxpayers as districts are often compelled to utilize the full extent of their available tax levy even after which many districts remain unable to fully offset these increases due the due to the constraints of the property tax levy cap
despite the limited healthc care exception. And whereas for the families and students these districts serve, the downstream consequences, including district deficits, program cuts, and school closures, mean the loss of community stability, continuity of services, and
in many cases, access to the specialized supports that our most vulnerable students depend on. >> And whereas these are also precisely the conditions that erode student achievement and weaken the family engagement that is central to the strengthening New Jersey public schools.
And whereas implementing real sustainable solutions to the rising cost of health benefits and reforming how benefits are delivered through the SEBP would demonstrate the governors and legislaturator's leadership and continued commitment to New Jersey
students, educators, and families, which directly advances our shared goal of affordability and effective, efficient government for all New Jerseyians. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Sparta Board of Education in the County of Sussex calls upon the governor and
the state legislature to provide immediate short-term relief from the unsustainable increased health care costs experienced by school districts in recent years. And be it further resolved that the Sparta Board of Education in the County of Sussex urges the governor to engage in meaningful engagement with
all affected stakeholders to develop and implement practical long-term reforms to the state system of delivering health care to its public employees in order to generate meaningful long-term savings. And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution will be forwarded to
Governor Mikey Cheryl, State Treasurer Aaron Binder, State President Nicholas Qatari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, local state senator Parker Space, local state assembly representatives Don Fantasia and Michael and Ganimort, and the New Jersey School Boards Association.
With that, may we please have a roll call. >> First, may I have a motion to approve items 6.1 through 6.3? >> Motion. Thank you. Second. >> Thank you. Discussion. I think we've covered anyone. >> Now, may we have a roll call? >> Dr. Hinkle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laruba?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Lowry? >> Yes. >> Dr. Martinez? >> Yes. >> Miss Null? >> Yes. >> Miss Williams? >> Yes. >> Mr. Wood? >> Yes. >> Miss Saraphino? >> Yes. >> And Miss Gagnen? >> Yes. >> Motions carry. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Okay, this evening we do not have our
student representatives present because they're enjoying the prom. So, may I have a motion to approve the minutes? >> Thank you, Andrew. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, John. I'm sorry. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Any extensions?
>> Okay. And moving on to our superintendence report. >> Thank you. [clears throat] On this evening's agenda, you will see a resolution to revise the 2627 district calendar as it pertains to elementary parent teacher conferences. The revision
moves parent teacher conferences from November to December. The rationale is that conferences are currently scheduled earlier in the year and at that time teachers do not yet have a clear full picture understanding of each student in to discuss with parents. At this age
level, students abilities and needs can change rapidly from week to week. So allowing more time will help teachers better assess their students and set goals based on individual needs. Additionally, by moving conferences closer to the end of the trimester, teachers will be able to meet with the parents and speak specifically to the
report card with more accurate and meaningful information. Uh we have one retirement on this evening's agenda and that retirement is Dr. Edward Lazara, the principal of Sparta High School. Dr. Lazara has served the district for 5 years and has
provided stability to that position. Through the principal interview process, which I'll speak to in a second, I learned that Sparta High School has had 10 principles over the past 22 years. This is one of the criteria prioritized when selecting the next leader of Sparta High School.
And speaking of the next leader of Sparta High School, it is with that in mind that we carried out our interviews for who will take over leading Sparta High School on September 1st. There were 23 applicants for this position who came with different administrative and teaching experience backgrounds from
assistant principles, instructional supervisors, and directors from varying K12 levels. For the first round, I invited Dr. Rossi, Dr. Castina and the supervisors that work on the high school level to join the interviews. From the first round, we narrowed the applicant pool down to two applicants for the
second and final interview. For that round, I was joined by Dr. Rossi again, Dr. Castarina again, Miss Cop, and the past two Governor Educator of the Year Teachers Awards recipients. I'm proud to announce that the decision was unanimous that Miss Jamie Barker,
present tonight, uh be selected as the next principal of Sparta High School. Miss Barker's successful experience in Sparta High School as a student, teacher, coach, assistant principal, and director of student support services placed her as a leading candidate. As a resident of Sparta, her investment in
and genuine care for the Sparta high the Sparta school community was also very important to the committee and leads us all to believe she will successfully lead Sparta High School for a long time. Congratulations to Miss Barker and I know I speak for many when I say I look forward to continuing to work with you.
>> [applause] [applause] >> Although our student representatives are not present this evening as they are enjoying the prom, I feel it is important to draw attention to resolution 19.16. The position of student representative became a statutory requirement a few few
years ago and coincidentally was held first by Mr. Wood in the initial year. Their presence and voice at our board meetings has continued to be refreshing and important. The conversations that take place in our premeings are also important to the process. I will thank
them and wish them well once again in their final meeting uh next month in June. And just to take their place a little bit here with uh athletic achievements. Um I'll leave it to the student reps in the June meeting to wrap up the spring season. But I want to wish
continued success to our teams and individuals still competing in the spring championship season. Girls lacrosse, boys lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, and track and field are all still competing and representing our high school. Well, and um I had a little
bit written here for rowing, but I see that they are here. So, Dr. Halivox, if you would just uh want a quick introduce, not quick, but take a moment to introduce your uh your crew there, no pun intended, and uh and their achievements. >> Thank you very much.
[applause] >> So, uh good evening. My name is Tim Holivax. I'm the adviser and coach of the Sparta High School Rowing Club. Um tonight I wanted to speak a little bit about the club and their accomplishments in the 2026 uh scholastic rowing season. Beginning in March, we were actually
supposed to have a first riata March 15th. Um the first riata was actually cancelled because of the weather. Uh we had 18 inches of ice on our lake, so it was a little diff difficult to get out there and train. Uh but we trained all winter long uh on the rowing machines at
Sparta High School. Um so beginning in March, we started our our scholastic rowing season. Um, we were representing uh, Sparta High School at every Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association Philly Flick uh, riata this year um, in Philadelphia on the Skaga
River. In addition to the Philly Flicks, um, our rowing club sent boats to compete at the Garden State Scholastic Championship in Pensaken, which was held the last uh, weekend in April. Uh this riata uh is the New Jersey Scholastic Rowing Championship um and is also a
qualifying riata for the Scholastic Rowing Association of America, the SRAA, National Championship Riata. Um due to other commitments like being at band, um they uh we only had a limited number of individuals that were able to compete at this riata. Um, our competitive
scholastic season culminated on May 2nd and 3rd at the PSR Philadelphia Scholastic uh, city championships. Um, which is also a SRA uh, qualifi national championship qualifying riata for schools other than New Jersey schools.
Um, in the preliminary time trials on Sparta on Saturday, the Sparta team was represented in three boats. Um, the men's novice quad was represented by Hunter Richardson, uh, Noah FedG, Noah Dunar, and Braden Libson. The women's
novice squad, uh, Abby Hansen, Eve Wilkinson, Patricia Pureek, and Lily Bunkers, and Marlon Wilson was in the, uh, women's JV single. Um with top six boats in each event uh
earning the right to proceed on to finals on Sunday, the girls novice squad successfully advanced, placing third in their time trial. Um very exciting just to get them into finals. Um the the if anyone knows Philadelphia, Boat House Row is enormous and there's a huge um
and I know you know Philly um there's a a huge um culture of of rowing in Philadelphia. So it was a big big accomplishment for them just to get the finals. Um in the finals on Sunday, the girls squad had an even more impressive um performance, placing first um winning
individual gold medals. The girls team was also awarded a plaque, which actually names Sparta High School the winner of the women's novice squad. Um had this boat been able to race at the Garden State Scholastic Championships, um it's very likely that they actually would have qualified for the SRA
National Championship, earning the right to represent Sparta High School on a national level. Uh this year the championships were in Tennessee. I'm not sure, they haven't announced it yet, but I think next year they may be in Camden, New Jersey. Um if that's the case, I would love that quad to be able to
represent us again, hopefully making it into the national uh national uh championships. So these discipline students, um we have more than 15 kids that are rowing in the rowing club. Um we had a bunch that tried it out. Um, some of you guys may have seen us in the hallways at Sparta High School rowing on
the rowing machines um, all winter long. Um, they've done an excellent job and are very committed um, and should really I wanted to make sure that they were represent uh, uh, they they their hard work and grit um, was represented here and recognized
here. Um, I also ask if we could possibly have the plaque placed somewhere at Sparta High School so that the other people may be able to uh have some inspiration and maybe help to support the club even more. Um, thank you all very much for your time and consideration and thank you guys for all
your hard work and diligence and hard training. Thank you. >> Congratulations. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Congratulations. Great work. [applause] >> And it's been a while since I deferred the last portion of my superintendent report to Dr. Rossi, but I will do so
tonight. >> Great. Thank you. Um, I just wanted to give a quick update on our implementation of our technology plan. It's something we're really excited about and we feel is really important. It will be um a staple in the work we continue to do next year. We are already
underway with our cell phone policy, our AI policy and a technology plan that is no longer mandated by state, but we also feel like um being proactive is just as important as being equipped and responsive. And so we developed a technology plan that got approved maybe
even early this year, but maybe at the end of last year. Um and so it was developed with four core goals. The use of technology to engage communities. Uh the second goal is finding a balance between digital and interpersonal learning. The third goal is professional development and capacity building. And
the fourth goal being innovative learning experiences and enhanced connection and accessibility. So, some things that you'll be hearing more about in the future as we have developed these things and we'll begin rolling them out is a review of our one-to-one initiative that started long before um the days of
COVID and virtual learning. So, we're going to take a look at um who brings Chromebooks home, what the location of those devices are and just that management process overall. Um we think it's time to take a closer look at that. We're continuing to vet our online resources and stay updated on um how
proficient or or data driven those resources are remaining. We are adopting a district philosophy on technology education. It's aligned with the American Academy of Pediatrics um and their recommendations. So, more will come out on that to both staff and family members. But the core tenants of
that is that our technology integration is purposeful, active, balanced, and monitored. Um we were fortunate to work with a municipal alliance to get a grant for the screenager initiative and there will be a community showing next year. Um that is also one initiative to
continue to engage and support parents at home as partners um as we navigate screen usage and technology education. Um we are developing a K12 technology scope and sequence to ensure that skills that students develop are organized and
cohesive. We're reviewing our web filters, firewalls, and our processes and procedures for reporting concerns. Um, both at a building level and staff level, but also for parents. We have additional trainings planned for GOG Guardian, which is our core um support
that helps monitor student devices, including online activity and supporting classroom instruction in in a student friendly and and a safe way. Um, we have these new courses that we're designing that uh Mr. Chavori recently spoke to
which further acknowledges and supports digital citizenship and also an understanding of how social media works, what algorithms do um and you know the things to be cautious of with that. We have technology hubs that are going to be released and that is both for well
for staff, students and parents that includes the technology we use, tutorials on the technology and information about it. We're looking at internship opportunities both for our students and coordinating with um the county college of Sussex County Community College that we've worked with
in the past and we're continuing to look at our AI platform that's been adopted and determine the best rollout plans for that in collaboration with our district technology team and our staff at large. So, these are some exciting things that are going to continue to be communicated and rolled out to the community and to
the staff. And I want to thank all of the people who have been involved in turning a plan into something actually actionable and um useful within our school district. And I also just wanted to take a minute to acknowledge totally separate from this the SCF. They have a
tournament sixth annual tournament coming up. The tenative date for that is August 29th and there will be more details coming. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. You're all set with yours, right? All right. Moving on to the board president's monthly report. I'll keep it brief. It's a busy and fun
time of year for our district between award dinners, scholarship recognitions, prom, uh, college selections, graduation, and so much more. I just want to commend my fellow board members for your attendance to these important events and for your commitment to your roles. I'm very, very proud of the uh
resolutions we have on tonight's agenda and the various items we'll be moving. So, keep up the great work. And we're not going to do anything with the Oprah request, but may I please have a motion to approve the HIP report? Thank you, Rebecca. Second.
>> Thank you, Andrew. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any oppose? Any abstensions? Okay, seeing none communications, we'll incorporate that into delegate and liaison reports. Does anyone have anything they'd like to report out? Um, yes. So, I can talk about the
delegate assembly. Um, two weeks ago, Caitlyn and I attended the delegate assembly. Um, and if you're not familiar with what the delegate assembly is, it's every school district in New Jersey that's represented by the NJSBA comes and we vote on NJSBA policies and bylaws
and really just what is this organization going to represent with the voices of all these school districts. Um, I'm going to send a full report to the entire board because it was a lot of information that we were giving there, but some highlights. um some of the goals or things that the NJSBA or
services that they're working on is they're trying to put together a mentoring program for new board members and for boards in general to work with other districts or more experienced board members. Um there was a lot when it came to getting resources to districts about education on finance and
labor summits and support for negotiators and contract negotiating and best practices and how to advocate for your needs with legislators. Um, and when it came to resolutions, there were quite a few resolutions that were discussed. They were all belief statements, which basically means we vote on is this something that the NJSBA
is going to believe and advocate for. It's not necessarily going to happen, but more of we are going to advocate for these things. Um, and some of the big ones that I think affects Bartera the most is there was a lot to do with financial because a lot of districts are facing financial problems. Um there was
a resolution similar to like the high highland resolution to say that the school funding formula shouldn't be based on this standard formula but notice that there are certain districts that like the districts in the highlands that have extenduating circumstances and they should have a different formula. Uh
there was another resolution about pilots when um contractors are paying these lump sums to towns um over taxes that schools receives or districts receive some of that money as well. Um and overall about trying to share costs
of curriculum with other districts instead of every district having to buy all our own textbooks and programs. Can we partner up with other school districts and get a better deal by buying more programs or more books together? Um and those were the big ones. And like I said, I sent out a full report with more details and links to
read more about it. Um, but I think it was great it and it was nice to see nice and not nice, but to see that other districts are feeling the same struggle that we are and kind of commiserating but also looking for solutions together on how are we going to address these needs that the entire state has, not
just Sparta or just Sussex County. >> Excellent. Thank you. Anyone else? One thing I'd just like to note as well, in addition to the delegate assembly, we also attended our Sussex County School Boards Association spring dinner. And I would again like to recognize Rebecca
Williams and Rocky Martinez for completing their new board member board certification, individual certification through the NJSBA. Once again, keep up the fantastic work. Any Very good. Anyone else?
Tara, thanks for covering the SCF. That sounds like fun. In that case, we will move on to public comment number one. Before I read this statement, I just want to be clear. If you are here to speak about the preschool, um when I was a constituent, it always frustrated me having to find the number. That finance
item is 18.3. So, public comments are invited on matters pertaining only to action items. At this time, please state the action item number as well as your name, municipality, and group affiliation if appropriate for the record. Each participant will receive three minutes
to speak. Once you have had your allotted three minutes to speak, you will not be per permitted, excuse me, to speak again until public comment number two. All statements should be directed to me as the presiding officer. The border administration may or may not respond to any questions or comments after the conclusion of the public
participation. Okay, this is my first time so bear with me. Um, so I am address I might do this wrong. Okay, I am addressing item 18.3. Got that right? Okay, my name is Laura
Sack. I live in the Sparta district in the Richmond Hill neighborhood, which is on the border of Andover. I have a daughter in kindergarten, a three-year-old in the Alpine preschool, and I also have uh 14-month-old twins at
home. So, I am very invested in this preschool program. Um, I think that long term, this sounds amazing. Your presentation was great. Um, my concern is getting these grounds ready for
September. I took I work full-time, but I still took some time out of my day after a drop off at Alpine to drive by the Milton school. Um, with my twins and tow. Um, and you know, I was able to
kind of get in the in the parking lots and around to kind of check it out a little bit. And um it was a little concerning to me. Um you know, it looks like it really hasn't been that wellmaintained.
Um there is no playground on premise and um you know, like the black top, there's grass growing out of it and and you know, I was not sure what the air conditioning situation is. And so, um,
am I allowed to ask questions? Absolutely. >> Okay. And so, my question is, I have a lot of questions, but my first question is, what is the plan to get this school ready for school to start in September,
which is only three months away? >> That's my first question. >> Ask your questions. And we only have three minutes. So, ask your questions, >> okay? >> And then we'll answer as many as we can at the end. Okay. Will there be specials for the preschool students such as, you
know, gym? Is there a gym? Is there a cafeteria? Um, you know, will there be an art room, etc.? Um, and my second question to that is, will the specials start in, you
know, that little trailer section at Alpine for the for the elementary school students right away in September? Okay, that's part two to that one. Um, [snorts] and did you consider redoing the lottery or
aligning who goes up to Milton and who stays in the lower and by lower I mean not up the mountain for those of us who live on the side of town that's 20 minutes away. Did you consider aligning it by address for those to stay in the
[music] private schools? Was that three minutes? >> Okay, I got a good amount in. >> You did great. Uh, also there's public comment number two, so feel free to come up a second time and you're more than welcome to have the questions. >> Okay. So, >> okay. >> Thank you so much. And just to be clear,
we're not avoiding your questions. We wait until everyone speaks and then we answer as many questions as we can at the end. >> Well, I appreciate your time. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for coming out. >> Anyone else for public comment? Hi Dan Gunlack Sparta. Um couple of
questions on 18.3. Um like to understand a little bit more about the number of students that you referenced Dr. Becca that are in the prek program because I heard I thought you said 360 currently plus another 80 or so that are on a wait list. That's
440. Um, I know you're going to continue to use, you said Guard and another facility that's still in town, but there's 14 classrooms in Milton, right? So, what does that equate to on average the number of kids per classroom? Because
when I started doing the math, I said 14 into 440 doesn't sound like a reasonable number per class. So, I'm sure I'm missing something there. So, if you clarify that um whether it's tonight or going forward so that parents would understand, I would suggest or highly
recommend that you do a formal inspection of the premises based upon the previous comment that you just heard. You know, while you're signing a lease, um there's always challenges between landlords and and and those that lease those properties. You should make sure because of what you're doing that
you get good inspections that you know if there was a mole program, how it was remediated. Is the is the roof leaking? How's the plumbing? What's the water? Have the water tested. All those things that you would test if you were going to live there, right? And your family was going to live there. Um, who's
responsible for the building once we lease it? Uh, in terms of fixing things, is that something that's on us and that the state funding may not provide for if something happens like the heating system fails and it's a a dramatic failure? just as an example. Um, I'd
like to know personally how old the Milton School is and how long it's been closed. I think you alluded to the fact that it's currently being used for some special education needs. So, is that just a small portion of the school? So, are you leasing 50% of it, 80% of it,
90% of it? Is there already a security guard there? Is there already a nurse there? Is there already a principal there? So, you're now just again duplicating it, but just for the preschool program, right? Um, I think a lot of parents are going to have
questions about transportation details, which I know you referred to. Um, and getting back to the school itself. You know, how old is the school? What's the history of that school? And why did they really close it? Is it because it's the oldest that's in their infrastructure? And how does it compare to our existing
schools? I know um uh Mr. Mr. Martinez, you referenced to a half a percent in terms of cost. So I was I wasn't able to quite follow what you meant by that. So if you could elaborate a little bit more about what you were referring to. Okay. Because it it confused me a little bit
because when we say there really isn't any cost to the taxpayer as long as we continue to qualify for this state funding program. However, when you say a half a percent, it it's telling me is there an incremental cost to the taxpayers of the town because you're changing the location. Thank you very
much. >> Great timing. >> Hi, Danielle Tarvin, a Sparta resident. Um, as a parent of a Sparta Middle School student, I have received 18 emails from Superintendent Beck this school year. As a homeowner, taxpayer, and parent, I have received 12 emails
regarding the bond referendum, a referendum that did not address preschool prior to this meeting. I did go back and check those materials that were publicly distributed to confirm that information. As a parent of an incoming preschooler, I have received 10 emails regarding registration, lottery, placement, preference, and placement for
the upcoming school year. I read through the public budget information. I reread the April Board of Ed newsletter in hopes that I had missed something regarding the vote that is about to take place tonight. A vote that has the potential to impact your preschool universe of 360 students. The fact that
I have received over 30 district level emails this year and not one email regarding a vote that is about to take place tonight for a five-year commitment to the youngest children in this school district for a school that is nine miles from the closest school in this district
feels intentional. Although many of my original questions I came I came here with tonight have been answered in your presentation, I do question who that presentation was for since it was not even listed on the agenda. I find it misleading that you've continued to reference that everything will be
covered through the pea funding. The pea budget was approved at the public hearing as part of the entire budget last month. Yet none of this was mentioned at that time. Also, you continued to mention that the weight list students will be served. Will this occur during the 2627 school year? If
so, how? The pea funding would have been based on projections that were previously submitted. Did you submit and receive funding for 360 students that will allow you to hire the additional teachers and teacher assistants to serve those students? Again, you did not mention the food service, which someone
else had mentioned. What is the plan for that? PA is dictated strictly by administrative code. A nurse is required for every 300 students. If we are going to serve 360 students, are we hiring a second nurse? Is there a plan for that? One PERS for 20 classrooms. If we're
going to serve 360 students, we are now up to 24 classrooms if there's 15 students in each classroom, which is the maximum, which requires two PERS. Has that been considered? Although growth can be good, rapid growth like this with no communication
or input from the stakeholders that are mostly impacted by this decision seems like something that would be better suited for 2728. as the individuals that sit here before me that we rely on to make the decisions that are in the best interest of our
children, my three-year-old, who I still need to go home and put to bed. If you do not have the answers to all of these questions, I urge you to table this vote for this evening. [applause] Thank you. >> Anyone else for public comment number one?
Hello, I'm addressing 18.3. My name is Jessica Drappy. I live in Sparta Lake. I have a three-year-old in the Helen Morgan school. Um, my question is, will there be a form to submit to change
schools if we've my my son's already in the program, so if we did want to change schools, if he is now going to the Milton school, if we didn't want to to go to the Milton school, can we resubmit, I guess, like a a change um if
the lottery I know those forms have already been placed out, if that makes sense. Okay, thank you. Well, I I'm saying yes, not to confirm the answer to your question, but to I understand completely and when we're done with public comment, we'll absolutely answer all questions. >> Thank you.
>> Appreciate you. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Hi. Um I only have one question since there were a few speakers with excellent questions before. Um there is a rumor about the time of the school. I heard like 9:45, which is for a toddler like
lunchtime basically. Um, and for a working parent, it's very hard. So, right now, my son is in Little Genius, which is 9:20. I can barely make it to work on time. Now, it's even later, and then I have a kindergartenner,
then first grader with apparently the same dismissal time. Um, I have the problem now that I can't use busing, so I drive around in town like a crazy person. And um, I don't think that is very funny because I'm like I'm stressed. I'm stressed out of my mind.
And now I don't I don't even know how I should make that work now. Two different bus stops again. I really was looking forward to having them on the same bus and just be like relaxed for at least like two years that they could go to the same school.
Um, and then one other thing, um, anyone involved here have a preschooler? Like you all made this decision probably without a kid involved, right? So, you
should have at least talked to some affected families and not just make a decision for like five years. And it really is really hard on some families because not everyone can afford to then switch to a private preschool again. So
>> I'm sorry. May I ask your name? >> Will. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else for public comment number one? [clears throat] Dana Galino, 26 Valley View Trail. This year, the Sparta School District received an unprecedented increase to
their group health plan. We are all paying more for health care this year, and even higher increases are predicted for next year. Many, many middle class families are expecting to take home lower pay this year due to increased health care costs despite salary increases.
In addition to the rising health care costs, our district state funding decreased by $185,000. While our [clears throat] municipal taxes will increase by approximately 10% and our county taxes will increase by approximately 4%, the Sparta Board of Ed
was able to balance the budget with only a 2.99% increase to school taxes. Accomplishing that in a year like this is a feat in itself. Introducing free universal preschool for all Spartan children in the same year is monumental.
Free universal preschool provides equitable classroom access to all children and early exposure to cognitive language and motor skills. It's an economic driver that allows parents to re-enter the work force earlier than planned as well as increase disposable
income as well as increase disposable income which will pump money into our local businesses and boost our community's economy. This solution not only benefits families with children in preschool, but will make Sparta a more desirable town to live in. Universal preschool is a selling point in New
Jersey, and towns with high le highquality universal preschool programs attract young professionals, which will drive up the value of our real estate. I understand that there might be some folks not happy with the location of the school. Please be reminded of two things. Number one, this arrangement is temporary. This is an interim solution
until our in town school buildings can adequately house all Spartan children. Number two, our overcrowding problem will be addressed by the referendum. When the first one didn't pass, our board agreed to go back to the drawing board to rep prioritize the next referendum to address more constituents
concerns. The faster we can pass a referendum to expand our buildings, the faster we can bring preschool to sp to a Sparta building. My husband and I are a two-sary household with three children. We paid $85,000 to send our three kids
to preschool for two years each. I'm about to send my oldest to a college that costs $75,000 a year. And I could really use that $85,000 right now. And I'm so happy that Spartan families with young children will now be able to alleviate one of their biggest monthly
line items, preschool, in order to maybe save for college, allow a parent to go back to work, replace their roof, invest for retirement, buy groceries, put in a pool, spend it at Marshalls, I don't care. The fact is that universal that free universal preschool will allow some
families who are wondering how they are going to afford their monthly bills breathe a little easier. Preschools in town cost upward of $1,500 per month per child. Many of our residents are working just to afford preschool at this point. Many do not work because preschool is
too expensive. I want to thank this board of ed for not giving up on the overcrowding issue once the referendum did not pass. I want to thank you for providing a viable interim solution that will benefit so many families wondering >> I'm sorry that's time. >> I'm just going to finish a little bit. A
couple of months ago, I know someone was talking about a softball field and you just let them finish. I just want to finish. Thank you. I want to thank this board of education for not giving up on an overcrowding issue once the referendum did not pass. I want to thank you for providing a viable interim solution that will benefit so many
families wondering how they are going to afford preschool and healthcare in the next coming years. And I want to thank you for keeping Sparta a competitive forwardinking town that stands out among the rest. >> Thank you. There it goes. Anyone else for public
comment? Number one. >> Hi there, Jen Hamilton, 37 Holland Circle. I am here to speak. Um, I actually have two things to speak on, but I'm going to speak first on 18.16 and 17. Um, bad legal advice costs our
taxpayers money. Uh, by way of backstory, recently I was in a situation where a child of mine, high school sophomore, um, was supposed to go on a field trip from the school. um due to a
conflict, he was no longer able to take district approved busing to the field trip. It was a multi-day field trip. So, I offered to transport my child at my own expense on a field trip that cost upwards of
$1,000. Um I did not ask for a penny from the district. I didn't ask them to make any changes to their plans. Uh the only thing I asked for was a timely response. Uh which I'll get to that part in second
public comment. Um and the response that I got back was that our school stands in loco parents of all students while traveling to school events.
In locaris is a very well-known legal doctrine. Um, and I think most people understand that in Loco Parentis talks about while a child is in the school's care. What I was asking was to transport my own child separate from the school. I
was not asking for the school to approve a separate form of transportation um through their normal processes that other students could take. I simply was asking to transport my child on my own dime and by myself. Uh the school denied
me that. They told me I could transport him, but only if I accompanied him and made a face-to-face handoff uh to the teacher who was on that field trip. At no point in any other time in this school history
is a student required or is a parent required to make a face-to-face handoff with a faculty member when dropping their child at school um or a school event. I have two children in the district. They play sports. Uh oftentimes they cannot take district
approved transportation and somebody drives them, drops them and leaves. We have never once made face-to-face contact with a teacher, a faculty member, an adviser when we are dropping our child at school.
But instead of recognizing that this is something that happens all of the time, we were told that transit to the event puts the district in a position of liability. That is patently untrue. Uh,
I explicitly offered to wave in writing any liability that the district may encounter uh, and was told that they would not allow me to do that. So, I just ask you to consider before renewing the attorneys. I don't know which
attorney it was. Um, before renewing the attorneys tonight, I ask you to consider the legal counsel that you are getting. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else for public comment number one?
You sure? Okay. Seeing no one motion to close. >> Thank you, Andrew. Second. >> Second. >> Was that Dom? Thank you, Dom. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Any abstensions? Okay, moving on. May I please have a
motion to move personnel or excuse me, before we do that, >> we Thank you. We have to address the questions that re sorry there's many pages. Okay. Um I will let let's just see here. >> I'll go through. >> You want to go through? Yeah, I'll do my
best to go through um as many questions as I picked up um the concerns about Milton School and about the school grounds um and the plan to get the school ready. I actually met with uh buildings and grounds today and uh there is a plan uh that allows us um two over
two months to prepare that that school building and it will be all hands- on deck and we will get that school building prepared inside and out. Um the programming will remain the same. There is a gym and cafeteria. Um the specials at Alpine School um will be uh up and
running for the start of the school year. And do we consider a lottery system based on location? Um I think I spoke to that before when I talked about the private providers and um the location in in my mind the location is perspective. Uh if you live on Edison
and you're going to Alpine right now, that's that's going to be the that's the same amount of commuting time as as the opposite. um number of students in the program. Uh the goal is to ultimately hit 360. That's the uh prek universe that we're going to ultimately hit. Um right now,
I'd have to look back uh but each of the I'd have to look back the actual numbers, but each of our classrooms for prek except for self-contained uh contains 15 students. So, if you do the math uh from the presentation, which I'll share, um it's that many classrooms times 15 to show you where we're at and
where we're going to be. Um I referenced before that it was closed uh due to budget reasons. Um lack of prek communication was brought up. I think we addressed that uh the reasons for that before. Um
as far as the funding goes, we do have carryover funding that is available um based on our plan for this year that uh was to add four classrooms in a facility that did not come to fruition. So the carryover funds are there. Um again with the resubmitting of the
request based on location, we address that. Uh start time the the end time we're looking at is about 15 minutes later than the current end time. And the start time for logistical reasons is uh we're looking at u 9:45 10:00 in that range uh because of um transportation
reasons and also because that is how we will get our teachers their preps before the school day starts. Um, thank you, Miss Galino, for your support on prek. And I unfortunately cannot comment on a student matter.
A few items too from Mr. Gunlag. I just want to make sure we also hit in regards to I think there might have been some confusion regarding special education. We don't currently offer special education there. There's another special education provider that has been utilizing that building. um for correct
me if I'm wrong. I'm not sure what grade level, but either way, another provider was utilizing that building. So, that building was not vacant. It was being utilized by another leased situation. We're now that they're transitioning to another available district in uh another
available building in that district and shifting out of that building. It made Milton School available, which is why we have that >> currently being utilized as we speak. >> Perfect. Exactly. Um so on top of that, let me just see here. All those points are noted regarding the
comparison to our existing schools. Uh again, I also appreciate Miss Gino's support. This does not alleviate the need for a referendum. It buys us time to find viable solutions to a referendum. That point cannot be stressed enough. As much as this is
going to help us when it comes to the overcrowding at Alpine and find immediate solutions, we still have building level issues to address across this entire district. We at least now have the time. We were originally told from shovel in the ground until completion it was going to be about 3
years for the first referendum that we approached. Under that mentality, we at least have some buffer now where our overcrowding won't continue to bleed us out while we work with the community to hopefully find a new more appropriate solution to the referendum issue. >> And that that's three years once uh
shovels in the ground, but it's also a one to twoyear process planning and then getting it out to vote. So there's your five years. >> 100% correct. Um, so I think it's just very important to understand that the goal is still a referendum. What that looks like compared obviously will change. Um, bear with me one moment. I'm
just reviewing my notes. You answered all of these. Uh, regarding the specifically a form to submit a request to change schools. I don't know if that's something I think if if it's >> No, we addressed. >> Yeah, you did. You covered that. Okay. Just making sure. I'm going through my notes. time we covered
and uh regarding the email correspondents actually if Jackie if you can uh maybe speak to that in terms of the fact that there were there was a speaker Miss Tarwan who or Tarbon who mentioned 10 emails regarding the lottery 30 emails [clears throat] uh regarding various district
correspondents and then no emails relating to the free school >> uh potential can you maybe explain what the reasoning is there and I just want to make sure we reiterate it is certainly not the intention of this board of education to hide anything from the public, but there's an ethical way
and procedure to how we do things. So, I don't know if you could speak to that. >> Right. Until any sort of formal documentation regarding an actual tenative agreement pending ratification from both the Sparta Board of Ed and the Jefferson Board of Ed. Essentially, all
conversations are confidential as it relates to potential developments within acquisitions of property, which is a confidential item under the Open Public Meetings Act. >> Thank you so much. And we answered this one for Miss Trap. Uh I do apologize. I
was in no way smiling or laughing at your comment. It was uh Miss Wills, I believe. It was the crazy driver comment that made me chuckle. It wasn't meant to be uh in inappropriate in any way. Uh I absolutely >> we will unfortunately it's not a back
and forth. I'm going through all the questions. >> Uh the comment that was made regarding the fact that board members because uh perhaps all of us don't have preschool children were not making informed decisions. I don't agree with that. That's also an assumption that's frankly borderline not accurate. So, uh, I want
to make sure that it's understood that the decision-making that is made at this board level is indicative of the best interests of every student, every child, including those that are currently on a wait list waiting for access to public education at the preschool level. Uh, transportation details, I do believe
this is something we've discussed at length. This is something that I think will be better served to report out maybe more in depth on by next meeting. The original plan was to have a formal presentation to follow the order and have a formal presentation at our June meeting to really give the public all of
the information possible after tonight's passage. But because of the discussion that's taken place, we realize there is a clear need for a preliminary presentation and I'd like to thank the administration for working quickly to make sure that we presented that accurately. Uh and also our field service representative for recommending
the addendum to tonight's agenda. Once again, that was not an attempt to deceive or not involve the public. It's a direct response to the public's response to make sure that the information that's being relayed is what was requested. And with that, unfortunately, I also
cannot speak to the comments, although I will say to Miss Hamilton, uh, I am beyond pleased with our legal representation at this time. And if any board member feels otherwise, uh, feel free to speak about that. We are moved on from public comment. May I please have a motion for personnel and
policy items? Bear with me. I have them written down. 6 point 16.1 through 16.43. >> That was a lot. I'm going to say thank you, Rocky. >> A second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dom. Discussion. Um, okay. I'm going to keep this brief
because we actually had a relatively brief meeting in comparison to um some previous ones. Congratulations to Mr. Lazaro on his retirement and for serving the district for the past 5 years. When it comes to the policy audit in May, as you notice, there's just a couple
policies up for first reading. Um because we were really just diving in deep on a couple important ones. Uh we were looking into our AI policy or really just our technology policy and how that incorporated AI um to make sure that that was up to standard especially
with legal code. Um, and looking a little more closely at our cell phone policy as those laws are are now coming out. Uh, we were pretty ahead of the curve, but just some minor changes and some minor payroll changes. I wouldn't say anything super significant. A lot more to do next month. The list is long
for next month. >> I do agree and I also thought it was funny. We reached out to Strauss regarding the cell phone initiative and we were basically we were ready to move it this evening, but we were basically advised by Strauss to hold off because they realized in their leadership
meetings that their recommended template was actually behind and not accurate in terms of what the code actually recommended or what the original intent was behind it. So, uh, our current policy as it stands is more in compliance with the, uh, law, I would say, than than the template they
recommended. So, they're in the process of revising that and we'll have a revised template over to us for review hopefully for our next meeting. And anything else? I too want to congratulate Miss Barker. Thank you. And uh thank you Dr. Lazar for your service.
And with that, roll call, please. >> I just want >> Oh, I'm so sorry, Rocky. >> So, when are we going to talk tackle social media? Do you have a timeline or >> go? So where we stand right now, our Strauss Esme policy audit is essentially
complete with the exception of the one or two that we just mentioned that are getting kicked back to the next month. >> Once that's done, technically our policy audit, at least through Strauss, is complete. >> The NJSBA wellness policy audit >> is a little bit more comprehensive in
that they don't necessarily flag your policies. They just primarily tell you if they have an audit version that does. In this version, it's more that they primar primarily tell you which policies should be frequently revisited by boards of education on a regular timeline that
is included. So the goal is while technically our policy audit process will be complete. We would like to move our shift our focus now to the NJSBA wellness policy uh alert or audit and see what if any policies through that we
want to update rather than tackling the ones that we absolutely had to update for Strauss. So um it's coming soon. I know it's a little bit of a timeline, but uh I can assure you that the amount of work that it takes to get the templates and again Melanie's awesome at this, but getting the templates from
Strauss, getting our versions pulled, redlinining appropriately, combing through everything, having the committee discussions with administration, it's a process, so we certainly don't want to rush through it. Um, >> but yes, to come and I think over the summer would also be appropriate. So,
any other discussion? Roll call, please. >> Dr. Mr. Hle, >> Mr. Lacaruba. >> Yes, but abstain from item 16.43. >> 16.4. Did you say?
>> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Lowry, >> Dr. Martinez. >> Yes. >> Miss Null. >> Yes. >> Miss Williams? >> Yes. >> Mr. Wood? >> Yes. Miss Saraphino, >> yes. >> And Miss Gagen, >> yes. >> Motions carry. >> Thank you. Moving on to curriculum
items. May I have a motion to move curriculum items 17.1 through 17.8? >> Thank you, Chad. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Andrew. Discussion. >> All right. Not to harp on the technology plan again, but that was a big focus of
our meeting. Um, but we it's been talk of liberty at this meeting. Additionally, we're doing some math programming review and I think this kind of created an interesting opportunity for us. Currently, we use Invision Mathematics to support our learners and we were looking into a program called I Ready, which has been emerging as a
leading option from high performing school districts. But there were some concerns about the program. So, fortunately, Envision Mathematics allowed us to extend our license through the 2026 2027 school year at no additional cost, which will allow us to continue using our current program while also considering um getting a new
program. And then in terms of some other things, she also mentioned the SCF grants uh or no that's not true but the uh the sport of education foundation uh we received grants um and the grants are supporting teachers initiatives. Um this is really exciting because it includes proposals like classroom furniture and
seating options designated to enhance student engagement and uh this is especially important for diverse learners including students with IEPs. Um and this is really you see a lot of this in the high school and I'm just excited to see that more teachers are hopping on this opportunity. I know that our district really utilizes the SEF um
for the funding and it is really helpful for high school teachers and other teachers in the district that want to pursue different things for their classrooms and make it more personalized. Um and there are three new academic middle school cycle courses that were reviewed. Um and these are um as Mr. Chory talked about extensively, we have um a lot new middle school
options and it's really exciting to see how course offerings are um expanding and club offerings are expanding. Um some really exciting work. >> Excellent. Thank you, Chad. Anyone else? Roll call, please.
>> Dr. Hinkle. >> Mr. Lakaruba? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lowry? >> Yes. >> Dr. Martinez? >> Yes. >> Miss Null? >> Yes. >> Miss Williams? >> Yes. >> Mr. Wood? >> Yes. >> Miss Saraphino? >> Yes. >> And Miss Gagnen? >> Yes. >> Motions carry.
>> Thank you. Moving on to finance. May I have a motion to move items 18.1 through 18.45? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Rocky. Second. >> Thank you, Rebecca. Discussion. >> Uh, let's see. This month, um,
transportation final end of year push, uh, the extended ESY or extended school year routes are all complete. Uh, I'd like to make a uh we cheer on our students, but I'd like to cheer on uh one of our transportation professionals, Deborah Beltran. She's going to be um
competing school base school bus safety competition. Um and the reason I bring this up is because we asked for excellence from everybody in our district and Deborah stepping up and showing that the excellence even in transportation. Um, I also want to point
out, which is relevant to what we're doing tonight, Alpine, a fire marshall, was inspected the building and we received a violation for various tables, cabinets, furniture, and general storage in the hallways, which is another reason why we need to pass this lease to get
that uh fix that situation in in Alpine. Uh, buildings and grounds. Um both cameras for security in Helen Morgan were are now fixed and operational and the turf field in the high school uh has been fixed. Um our lunch balances are
back to in a rears uh an amount that we were uh last year. We were hoping not to get there this year. It's um roughly 38,000 uh a jump of 18,000 through the year and we're not done with the school year. So
that may grow. Um again, I'll ask anybody who hasn't checked their lunch balances, please do so and pay what you can. If you need help, please ask somebody in the building. Um there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Um
it's there. Please ask for it. We are discussing uh in committee um to not allow students to buy uh extras. We firmly believe that every student needs to have a lunch and a
breakfast which uh I personally don't mind paying in a rears but if you're going to go buy ice cream or cookies after that uh we are going to pilot in September for some point of time uh to
not allow that to happen. So if you're in the rears, uh you don't get ice cream or cookies. Um but you will get your lunch and your breakfast and we'll continue having those discussions as we go through. And that's it for me. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Roll call, please.
>> Dr. Hingle. >> Mr. Lacarba. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lowry. >> Yes. >> Dr. Martinez. >> Yes. >> Miss Null. >> Yes. >> Miss Williams. >> Yes. Yes. Mr. Wood, >> yes. >> Mapino, >> yes. >> And Miss Gagnen, >> yes. >> Motion's carry. >> Thank you. Moving on to operations. May
I have please have a motion to move items 19.1 through 19.17. >> Motion. >> Thank you, John. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Rebecca. Or thank you, Rocky. Excuse me. Uh, discussion, please. Well, you covered most of it, did you not? >> Yeah. I just want to say these are these are things that happened every time at
this year. It looks like a lot, but um Barbara goes gets at goes at pains to make sure we only pass the ones we need to pass. And uh in committee it was clearly that we are passing exactly what
we need, not nothing anything extra. >> Thank you so much. Roll call, please. >> Dr. Mr. Hingle, >> yes. >> Mr. Laruba, >> yes. >> Mr. Lowry, >> yes. >> Dr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Miss Null,
>> yes. >> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Wood, >> yes. >> Miss Saraphino, >> yes. >> And Miss Gagen, >> yes. >> Motions carry. >> Thank you. May I please, we're moving on to renewals actually. May I please have a motion to move items 20.1 through 20.42.
>> Thank you, Andrew. Second. Thank you, Emily. Uh, I don't believe we require much discussion. This is standard practice around this time of year. Uh, just renewing our existing agreements. Nothing in particular that I would say we need to draw attention to. If anyone
has any questions, of course, reach out to us. Uh, roll call, please. >> Mr. Lacarba. >> Yes. Mr. Lowry, >> yes. >> Dr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Miss Null, >> yes. >> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Wood, >> yes. >> Miss Saraphino,
>> yes. >> And Miss Kagn, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you. Moving on to old business. Does anyone have anything they'd like to discuss for old business? >> Um, I just want to remind everyone that we are going to be having our final board training on June 6th, 10:00 a.m.
to 1. The public is invited if you would like to see us evaluate ourselves. Um and then we'll be done with our board certification. That is the last requirement and we will celebrate in the fall at our county meeting. Can't wait. Thank you. Anyone else for
old business? Anything they'd like to discuss? Anyone for new business? Nothing for new. Okay. With that, we'll move on to public comment number two. The board uses a second public comment period to invite comments on all matters pertaining to the school district.
Please state your name, municipality, and group affiliation if appropriate for the record. Each participant will receive three minutes to speak. Once you have had your allotted three minutes to speak, you will not be permitted to speak again. All statements should be directed to me as the presiding officer. The border administration may or may not
respond to any questions or comments after the conclusion of the public participation. Hello, my name is Eve Wilkinson. I am a freshman at Sparta High School and I'm hoping to expand on what my coach said before about what rowing means to us. Rowing has been such a unique
experience. Until this year, I'd never met a rower. I've met lacrosse players, football players, even taekwondo students, but never a rower. The opportunity to be be a part of this club is truly unique. I have met new people and I've bonded with each one of them.
The team is full of truly amazing people and I'm so proud of what we were able to accomplish in just a few weeks. I know three of us in my quad that raced had only started rowing for three months before we joined our first race. And to be honest, expectations were low. We
decided the day before our race that we should all wear neon pink because everyone was going to want to keep their eyes on us. I don't think any of us were prepared for the journey ahead. Our bonds as our bonds grew tighter and our friendships grew stronger, our boat
races became faster. We put in countless hours of hard work and after some crazy long painful days with torn up hands, cold weather, and miles on the URG, we became stronger. Our team was becoming more like a family and our rowing was getting better and better. In our third race ever as a quad, we secured a spot
in the finals the next day. And at finals, our our quad took an incredible first place. Rowing isn't just great because of the wins and the glory, but also because of the incredible people who make the team so special, like the people on the team and our coaches. Rowing is truly one of the most rewarding and terrific
experiences of my life. I've been taught how to push through when things get tough and that when things are hard, there's always someone you can look to to help you through it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that rowing is special for so many reasons, but it's the really the people that you can count on that make it special. I mean, you have to be
something special and want to row five miles every day. And these people don't just have the discipline and the respect, but optimism and kindness, making them the greatest people you'll ever meet and rowing one of the greatest sports. With your help and support, I know our rowing team
could be taken to the next level. Thank you. [applause] >> I usually wait till the end, but congratulations again, and we look forward to supporting you in every way we can. So, thank you. >> Good evening. Jenny Derek's tap into
Sparta. I just had a variety of questions. Um, what will happen to the Russian program at the high school? How will they be provided for with my understanding no Russian teachers? Maybe I'm wrong about that. Please let me know. Will Sparta Middle School will the
new uh financial lit excuse me, financial literacy program uh class satisfy the credits at the high school for that program? Um, can you clarify the number of preK students? A couple numbers have been bounced around and I
really appreciate Barbara's um, thorough response to an email that I had sent earlier and she indicated 160 students. I've heard 360. I know that maybe that's aspirational. Maybe you can clarify that for me. Will there be one of the questions that I didn't hear an answer
to? We have excellent security at our schools here in Sparta. Will there be some level of Can you explain the level of security that parents can expect at the Milton school? And I um last year the lunch bills, the arars for
the uh lunch for the cafeteria uh charges were primarily at the high school. If you can speak to um if that's still the case. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else for public comment number two?
My kids went to Milton School. It's a beautiful school. [laughter] >> Okay, Laura Sack again um to speak on item number 18.3. Um I just wanted to come up and ask a couple questions that weren't uh again
that weren't um addressed and that is will a playground be built? Okay. Um, let's say an there's an opening at one of the lower private schools, Goddard, Oak Tree, etc. because some of
the families wanted to be closer to their home up at Milton. What does the process for that look like? Like will will there be can we sign up for something like a waiting list? Um, and I also wanted to re ask the
question about like the gymnasium and the other specials for the preschool. Um, and and the second part of that question for Alpine as well, will they start immediately in September? Uh, did you answer that? Okay. I'm
sorry. [laughter] Uh, then forget about that one. Um, and that's that's all I have. Okay. Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. Anyone else for part two? Um, I know three minutes is
not really enough time to get everything out and fully inform you guys. So, apologies if it's really vague, but part two of Jen Hamilton 37 Holland Circle. Uh, part two of what I want to say um goes to the timeliness of all of this.
So, uh, the issue that we had gave us two weeks notice and we provided the school district with that two week notice. Um, immediately upon finding out that he wasn't going to be able to take district approved transportation, uh, we immediately contacted the chaperon of
the trip who immediately contacted the principal of Sparta High School. Um, Dr. Lazar asked a couple of questions. We responded to those questions. Um, and 10 days went by. 10 days went by with no response, in which time I booked a
flight for my child because I had no response telling me that I couldn't do that. We made plans for him to travel to this field trip. Um, and with 24 hours prior to his flight, which was less than
12 hours prior to when the bus pulled out of Sparta High School, is when we got notification from Dr. Lazara that this was not going to be approved and he was not going to be permitted to be part of the field trip that we paid for that we were transporting him for on our own
dime um without me accompanying him to drop him off. When I got that information, I called immediately to Dr. Beck's office and multiple phone calls went unanswered. Multiple voice messages
went unresponded to. I sent an email specifically in the title saying urgent timesensitive issue and that was at 4 o'clock the day before. They were supposed to leave at 5:00 a.m. Dr. Beck did not respond to my
email until 10:56 in the morning, 5 plus hours after the bus departed from Sparta High School. This failure to communicate, this failure to contact a parent with a time-sensitive issue directly caused my family to spend about
$1,000 to ensure that my child could participate in the field trip that I already paid $1,000 for. Um, this is just unacceptable. You're a very well-paid superintendent and a well- paid principal in this district. that
lack of communication to a parent when there's a time-sensitive urgent issue is just not something that we should accept um in in this district. >> Thank you. Anyone else for public
comment number two? >> Okay, motion to close. >> Thank you, Rocky. Second. Thank you, Andrew. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Any extensions? I'll let you start. >> Um, the Russian program at the high
school will continue as it has. The number of prek students I was just doing the math. I don't have I don't have didn't was not able to complete the math but uh moving to uh 20 classrooms next year times 15 uh it will be 300 students which is significantly more
than we are uh servicing in the current year. The prek universe again is the goal of 360. So uh we will uh that is the goal to arrive at a playground will be uh at the uh Milton
school prek playground. Uh the process for transfer I think I went over now I went over it. Um but um if and if and when there are seats that are open we'll discuss it with the pre-k team and we'll notify the parents. Uh there is a gymnasium
at the uh Milton school, but um our students are I'll let Tara answer that. Dr. Rossy answer that one actually. >> Sure. Um all right. So I'll start with that one then. Um currently pre-K students don't get specials in the way that grades K through two get specials.
Um prek uses the um creative curriculum is what it's called. It's a state recommended state-based program and it is a play-based hands-on exploration program. There are 11 distinct areas that the classroom is designed to provide for independent exploration and
play. And that's where those kind of special areas are incorporated. They have areas like blocks and dramatic play, toys, games and discovery tables, art, music and movement and library, sand, water, cooking, and outdoor spaces. So that's where they get the exposure to that kind of learning
through that specific play-based curriculum. And then I guess just while I have uh a chance to respond to the others, um just piggybacking off of what Dr. Beck said. Um so Mr. Chabori kind of talked about the exposure to language that we have right now in the district K
through five is Spanish. When students are now learning a language, um also based on the numbers, Spanish and French at the middle school level will be what students have access to. And when they are now able to actually start studying language, they'll have access to all four languages at the high school.
Spanish, French, Russian, and German. We do have those teachers in place and kids will be able to start at level one and move through into the levels that they have access to right now. Um, and then the last question I think I have is that financial literacy um will meet the requirement and students will be able to
get credits for that. That won't begin until the 2728 school year when it's rolled out and it will backtrack into any of those courses that the students already have prior to being enrolled at the high school level. And lastly, again, I can't comment on uh
student matters. I wish I could shed some more light on the decision-making process, which always centers around the best interest of students and student safety. Um, but I can comment on my communication. I'm not sure what my salary has to do with my communication practices, but I can tell you that uh I
did respond in a timely manner when it was brought to my attention. Uh I was in meetings that day. I was in the thick of budget season um and planning obviously what you've seen tonight. Um, and I responded in a timely manner >> when it was brought to my attention.
>> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Um, security. Yes, I talked about that before. Uh, we will have a security guard at uh, Milton School, a full-time security guard, and you can expect the same level of security that you see at our other buildings. >> Sorry, Jenny. Uh, anyone else comments
on that? We're good in that case. Moving on to the good of the order. Does anyone have for the good of the order. >> Michelle, can you talk into your mic a little bit closer? I don't know if it's on. I'm going to assume it's on, but if you could talk closer. >> Yeah. I just wanted to share um some
good programming that I've been able to observe at the U middle school and at Helen Morgan School lately. um as September or not September, it feels like September, but um May is so busy with all sorts of activities to go to, but I was able to go to many track meets
this year. And I think that the track team um at the middle school is really outstanding and the coaches do a fantastic job with a large number of students. Um sixth through 8th grade, everybody can participate if they want to. Um they're able to do the events that they excel in and that they enjoy.
Um I I observe students uh cheering for each other, having really great sportsmanship with themselves and with other teams. Um and just I look at them and they look like they're having a great time. I think it's thanks to their coaches um Miss Gleason, Miss Reyn, Mr. Papa, and Mr. um Mason. So I just wanted
to share that with the board. Also, um the middle school chorus programming is just phenomenal. Um Mrs. Fortunado does an amazing job with the students um during concerts. They she uh um encourages leadership with all of the
students. The students um sing with one another. Um they just she picks excellent songs. The students have input into their songs. It's just really great. Um so I urge you all to attend if you ever can. Um I think all of the clubs at the middle school have been great. Um all the sports activities and
and the music programming is wonderful. Helen Morgan School also um is Niger did a wonderful job with their their concert recently. Unfortunately, they weren't able to have a December concert due to snow, but they had one in May, and the fourth and fifth graders just did an outstanding job. Um, and also, um, Miss
Yang with the strings, she does a phenomenal job with them. Um, most of these, some most, I would assume the students, this is the first time they're ever picking up an instrument and they do a really great job. Fourth grade, you would never even know when they play together. Um, they've got to play with
the symphony, the Sussex County Symphony this year. um and they're they're they just do a really wonderful job. So, I thank you to all of the programming and to the leadership at those schools who um support all that. I want to let the board know. >> Beautifully said, Michelle. [clears throat] Anyone else?
>> Andrew, go right ahead. >> Uh last last meeting, I mentioned something at the end about how important listening is. And I just wanted to reiterate that while we do like to listen to people's comments at all times, we also listen to the um voting
taxpayers and at the referendum when we lost our steam. I I was discouraged, but uh windfall. I would say it's a windfall. So, having something like this come our way is exciting and I'm
optimistic and I'm still listening. So, thanks. >> I would also like to piggy back on what Andrew just said. Um, we talked also at the last meeting of the ability of the administrators and the staff at these
schools that we are are all in love with to grow through the pain of this budget season. Um, we could have just put our heads down and said, "Well, we're we're beat." Um, but we didn't. And um some of the efforts that uh have been put in
through this budget season, we're now seeing come to fruition um through the efforts of uh getting this new school online and um having these new courses uh be in ready to go for next year. Um this is a monumental task and uh we
could have said it's not the right time to take this on but we did not say that. He said we can walk and chew gum at the same time. And I think that um nothing is perfect, but it's uh good perfect shouldn't be the enemy of good. And I really think that we're moving in the
right direction. And I thank uh the public for their patience in this process. It is a process and it's going to take time, but we have the energy and the talent here to make it happen. >> Great. Andrew or excuse me, Dom Slate.
Anyone else have anything they'd like to add? I'm going to piggyback a little bit on what you both said. I think as much as I believe that we all do strive to listen, I also want the public to be assured that we are hearing what they're saying. I think that's a value
that we all share and I think it's a value that we share with the administration as well. Um, speaking of that, you know, we've mentioned it in the past in newsletters and just general correspondents that unfortunately social media is not usually the most reliable source of news. So, if any questions
weren't answered tonight, I strongly encourage residents to attend the next meeting. Email us with questions, email Dr. Beck with your questions, and we're going to strive to make sure that as we iron out the details now that this has happened. Uh there will be more clarity
in the the weeks and months to come. I'm very confident about that. Uh to Dom's point, it is a process. Bless you. It is a process that does require patience, but it also requires collaboration. And so if there's elements that perhaps we're not thinking through perfectly or that might require feedback, we will
absolutely be open to that always, no matter what the subject is. Um, one other thing that I do think is important to know as we passed a civility resolution and adopted a pledge tonight, another issue that we're seeing, uh, and I spoke to this at the town council
meeting the other night. I think that we're sometimes in a position where the people who are extremely vocal and maybe not the most um solutionsoriented or uh even whether or not it's a matter of good faith. I might be speaking off turn a little bit
here, but I just want to apologize to our administration because you can disagree with the decisions of this board. You can disagree with the decisions of this administration, but I think as a community it is so important for us to still maintain a decorum of respect for one another. We volunteer.
We're parents. We're here. We're committed because we love public education in the exact same capacity that our administration does. And while comments about me online may just mean that it's Monday morning, um seeing some of the comments I saw about our board
members specifically about Dr. back. Um, it's very disheartening and I just want to apologize on behalf of the people who probably won't ever apologize to you all directly. But I want you to know that it is no reflection of us, our
collaboration, and frankly how far we've come in a very short amount of time to get to where we are right now. The solutions that we're presenting tonight, something to be proud of. Whether those are solutions at the middle school, whether those are solutions for
preschool alpine overcrowding, I'm just beyond proud and I'm going to continue to shout from the rooftops how proud I am of this board, the partnership that we fostered. And I would just say let's not get sidetracked or um not let that kind of abyss of a world
take over the phenomenal work that we're doing because I believe and trust that our um our intentions are good and I believe that we all operate in alignment with our mission and that's something to be proud of. >> Anyone else?
>> Just just on the referendum what and I'm going to just tell you as quickly is that What was it? 20% of the electorate came out to vote for the referendum. So there was 80% of the town that could have came and voiced an opinion either
way. But they allowed 20% to make a decision and now that we found a solution, there's still issues, right? And and to go back to what I was saying, we get we're paying a half a percent to get a new building of what it would take of
$40 million. As a finance person, I don't know anybody who wouldn't take that deal. >> Thank you. Anyone else? With that, I think we are all set. We will not be convening into close session. May we please have a motion to adjourn?
>> Motion. >> Thank you, John. Second. Thank you, Kim. All in favor? I any oppose? Any obstensions? Any discussion? Have a great night all.