I'd like to call this meeting to order. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Chini is not here. Mrs. Deli >> here. >> Mr. Dashio >> here. >> Mr. Little >> here. >> Mrs. Morocco here. Mrs. Simmons here.
Mrs. Balone here. Mrs. Zilar is not here. Mrs. Face here. We have a quorum. >> Please join me in the pledge. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting
their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the act, the Sussex Wines Regional School District Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the school building and notice of said meeting sent to the New Jersey Herald and the Star
Ledger. The Sussex Monage Regional School District is responsive, caring, child centered community. Our mission is to educate each individual to become a comp competent, competent, long life learner and productive, responsible citizen by providing challenging opportunities in a safe environment
through a partnership of families, schools, and business. We will now move on to the report of the superintendent of schools. >> Thank you. Just to report out on some district happenings. Uh we had our fire prevention assembly. Special thank you to the fire department and chief space for joining us for our annual fire
prevention assembly. The students were thrilled to see the fire trucks and equipment up close. We had our annual safety presentation. Many thanks as well to the New Jersey State Police for visiting and sharing important safety tips uh for trick-or-treating during our annual safety presentation. They also
got to see the state police vehicles. We had some fall festivities. Our PTO trunk or treat event was a great success as well as the CEO pumpkin patch. Looking forward to tomorrow's Halloween parades at both our school and Wani school and our first annual rock paper scissors
competition at SMS organized by Miss Tol and Miss Morris. Eager eager to see that. Um we're having our first annual Veterans Day breakfast over at Lawrence School on November 11th. CEO will host its first um event. Special thanks to Mrs. Wagner,
Miss Henson for leading this effort. They're also collecting donations to support the local VFW. This has been Red Ribbon Week. Our schools have been proudly supporting Red Ribbon Week to promote um drug prevention awareness. As part of the Plant the Promise program, our
greenhouse class along with students from other grades are also planting 100 tulips that will bloom in the spring as a vibrant reminder of the beauty of living in a drug-free life. Our curriculum professional development meeting, um we discussed an innovative grant
opportunity with Ruckers to support our tier 2 RTI instruction. Dr. Hutcherson in exploring that further along with some initiatives from our October 13th professional development day. Thank you to our curriculum and technology departments for their partnership and assistance with the new
NJ DOA uh DOE pilot assessment. We talked about staffing. We continue to review open positions across the district, namely TAs and school psychologists. In our facilities meeting, the SMS front window replacement project scheduled to begin this evening. Uh the contractors
are working after school hours for the front facade of the building. I want to thank Mr. Little for exploring some grant funding opportunities for us for AEDs among other things. Uh on the agenda for consideration is a greenhouse heating system is a much needed uh enhancement for the board's
consideration and we got some plants in there and it's starting to get really cold so we want to make sure that they uh survive the winter. Secondly from the ATM boards those early smart boards have been installed across the district. Once again, special thank you to the tech and facility department along with our
electrician, Mr. Decker. We're finalizing plans for our new storage shed, exploring ways to enhance the basketball court out front of Sussex Middle School uh for inspiration. I think I mentioned it before, but if anybody's ever in the neighborhood on the exterior grounds of Lafayette School, we just installed a product. Um
it looks great. I'm curious to see how it holds up over the winter, but it's almost like a um a grid, a resin product that goes over the black top. Um and they can do amazing designs with it. Hampford uh township also has like I think it's a basketball court, pickle
ball court, you know, if you're in that neck of the woods kind of by um >> down in that ravine. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh you can check them out. But anytime you're around Lafayette, that's that's what I'm looking at exploring out front here. Our snow plowing equipment uh is ready for the season. Frank had a
little plows attached. Um there's also a contract service provider on the agenda for the board's consideration. Um another thing interesting development came up in the buildings and grounds committee meeting that we talked about uh brainstorming here at the board
meeting. Get everybody's taped. uh many years ago we talked about it uh but again it came up and that's the idea of potentially submitting the wanted school Christmas tree for consideration to Rockefeller Center. Uh so my understanding is if they select you they come out they handle all the work of
taking the tree out and then plant a new tree in its place. Um also the potential for moving removing another tree around the side if you're facing the front of one school around the side left it's kind of heave the sidewalk across the sidewalk. So, we'd love any uh feedback
you have on the uh Rockefeller Center. >> That's all I have for this evening. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Um at this time, we will move on to audience remarks. Members of the audience are invited to make brief comments about items on this agenda and matters of interest to the district.
Do we have any audience remarks? >> I don't have any right now. >> Yeah, we'll circle back to you. Seeing none, we will move on to the board secretary certification.
Pursuant to NJAC 6A23A-16.10C3, I certify that as of September 30 of 2025, known line item account has encumbrances and expenditures which in total exceed the line item line item appropriation in violation of NJAC63A-6.10.
Thank you. Um, we'll move on to the approval of board minutes for September 18th, 2025 regular and executive session. And I get a second motion. >> Thank you. And a second.
Thank you. Any discussion profile? Mr. Little. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Deli. >> Mr. Dashion. >> Yes. >> Mr. Morocco. >> Yes. Mrs. Balone.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Space. >> Yes. >> Means are approved. >> Thank you. At this time, we do not go into this first executive session. We move on to the presentation of agenda items. >> Thank you. Under personnel, I'd like to
move items 1 through 31. >> And I get a motion. Thank you. A second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mrs. Deli, >> yes.
>> Mrs. Simmons, >> yes. >> Mr. Dash, >> yes. >> Mr. Little, >> yes. >> Mrs. Morocco, >> yes. >> Mrs. Balone, >> abstaining from number 22 and 23. Miranda Short or sorry, Yiannis. Yes. To the rest.
Mr. Space. Yes. Motion carried. Under policy, I like to move items one and two. >> Can I get a motion? >> A motion. >> Thank you. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion?
Roll, please. >> Mr. Gash, >> yes. >> Mr. Little, >> yes. >> Mrs. Deli, >> yes. >> Mrs. Morocco, >> yes. >> Mrs. Sin, >> yes. >> Mrs. Yes. This is Yes. Motion carries. >> Finance. I'd like to move items 1
through 17. >> Can I get a motion? >> Thank you. A second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mr. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dash. >> Yes. >> Mr. Deli? Yes. Mr. Little?
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Morano? Yes. Mrs. Malone. Standing from 11 and 12. Yes. To the rest. This is space. Yes. Motion carries. >> Under special services, I like move items 1 through 17. >> Motion.
>> Thank you. A second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mrs. Deli, >> yes. >> Mr. Gash, >> yes. >> Mr. Little, >> yes. >> Mr. Morocco, >> yes. Mr. Simmons, >> yes. Mr. Bone,
>> yes. Mrs. >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Under curriculum, I'd like to move two. >> Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you. A second. >> Any discussion? >> Roco, please.
>> Mr. Gashion. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Morocco. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Deli. >> Yes. >> Mr. Little. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Simmons. Yes. Mrs. Balone. >> Yes. Mrs. Space. Abstain from two. Yes to one. >> Motion carries.
>> And referring to the addendum personnel, I'd like to move item 4313. >> Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you. A second. Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mr. Morocco. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simmons. >> Yes.
>> Mrs. Deli. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gash. >> Yes. >> Mr. Little >> yes >> Mrs. Yes. Mr. St. Yes. >> Under policy election number one motion.
>> Thank you. A second. Thank you. Any discussion roll please? >> Yes. >> Morocco. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Deli. Yes. >> Mr. Little. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Simmons. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bone.
>> Yes. Mrs. Yes. Motion carries. >> Under finance, I like items 1 to 11. >> I get a motion. >> Thank you. A second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Number three.
Is that a parent? >> Yeah. >> Yes. So is it um like a like fixed or is it like daily? What if the student misses school? Is it a it? So what happens is
we get attendance at whatever school the student is attending and they get paid a rate per per day. So if they don't attend school, they don't get paid. >> Okay. >> So it could technically be >> Yes. Any
discussion? Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Simmons, >> yes. >> Mr. Gome, >> yes. >> Mrs. Deli, >> yes. Mr. Little, >> yes. >> Mr. Marco, >> yes. Mrs. Cologne three, four, and five. Yes to the rest.
Mrs. Space, yes. Motion carries. >> Under special services. >> Thank you. A second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mrs. Deli,
>> yes. Mr. Dash, >> yes. >> Mr. Little, >> yes. >> Mrs. Morocco, >> yes. >> Mrs. Simmons, >> yes. >> Mr. Malone, >> yes. Mrs. States, >> yes. Motion carries. Under curriculum, I'd like to find number one. >> Can I get a motion?
>> A motion. >> A second. [Laughter] >> Sorry. discussion. >> Yeah. Roll call. >> Mr. Dashim. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Deli. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Little. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Morocco. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Simmons. Yes. Mrs. Balone. >> Yes. Mrs. Space. >> Yes. Motion carried. Um, at this time we will move on to unfinished business. Does anyone have any unfinished business they'd like to
discuss? Okay, seeing none, we'll move on to new business. Does anybody have any new business they'd like to discuss? I would um I'd like to see the board come together and discuss some options for our cafeteria and see if there's anything we can do.
Why is different all the schools >> in regards to just our food or supplier? I think it just needs to be like [Music]
in general. [Laughter] >> Who's the supplier? Is it like that? Yeah, they offer different different tiers, right? So maybe >> I believe so. I think you have to express a willingness to compensate them for an additional like a different
package, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Like we're we're in the middle of a renewal contract with them. So at the end of the term we could go out for proposals somewhere else but historically nobody we've done this
you know every five years that I've been here nobody ever gets on the district and the food suppliers are generally the same for whoever whoever you're you're doing and the commodities that are available from
the government are the same whether you're using XYZ or Machio or some or somebody else. It's a very >> different label >> and it's incumbent upon them to propose their price to us like we can't go out and solicit >> but we can see different different
levels, right? Like they often >> we could talk to them, but I don't know like I don't know in the middle of a contract that what we would need to do for that. You know, we might have to contract out. I think it's got two more renewal years and then then by wool we
have to go out for proposal again but we've never had anybody else and I worked with other vendors and other districts and even had conversations saying could you and nobody I think they have like an unwritten rule where nobody
bids on anybody else's >> territory. I I don't know like Machios does a lot of ses. >> You can ask u Pat or or her superior if they have different packages. >> I'll ask I'll ask the you know and I can
reach out to >> that might come with like a different price for parents too. Like if lunch is $4.50 it's probably going to be more than that too. >> Yeah. >> And then plus if they're on reduced lunch then the district pays for that.
>> Yeah. Usually their high school clients probably have a bigger variety. >> And the middle school I think has a different variety than what's at what's at Lawrence. Like you know >> and I don't know how the food contract works, but is there a way you could like >> pick and choose or exclude? Like is your
concern more about food quality or item selection? Like there's too many food quality. >> Food%. >> Yeah. I guess maybe just >> I have three separate matters. Just disclose that for prepared. Um my first thing I bring it up because I heard it a
couple of times. Um, and it could just be a rumor, so I'll disclose that, but that there is some type of collective punishment being used at the higher grades. And to me, that seems like an unfair and ineffective consequence. And I just thought if we could like look
into it, what do you mean by >> you're saying like uh the entire class can't go outside for recess because somebody Yeah. I mean, I'm not aware of any practice that we've imposed upon anyway, >> but that that it might be occurring and might be worth looking into.
>> You're saying the higher grades? >> Yeah, like middle school, elementary, middle school. >> Okay. >> A better solution. Yeah. >> Okay. my second one. So, the conversation that's come up about TAs
and we need more TAs and this and that and I was wondering is there any type of outside objective third party organization that offers any type of I don't know observational services not like scrutinizing but just like hey
like you know this is good there's an inefficiency here like here's what we're going to present to the you know the board and administration as to what we think is your best course of action. like an audience. >> Yeah. Just not with that negative connotation to it, you know, like, hey, we want to help here. We want to see
what the best solution is for everyone. >> Dad. >> Yeah. Just to see, you know, because like you hear things from teachers or from administration and are they objective recommendations, you know, do we have the best information possible to make a decision that's in the district's
best interest? >> Yeah. I mean, I'm not aware of any firms that do it. I can I can look around if Francis add some I would also necessitate them looking at like the children's IEPs and such because those aids are providing services like
individualized for the child. So it's going to be depending on what the nature of the disability is the program requirements etc. So it's more or less of like staff to student ratio but more of the actual need. So it's really looking more into each individualized students need in addition to like the
overall program. So it might be a little bit more nuanced. Just an observation. >> I have a little bit of an update for the board when we go into executive session. Just some of the dialogue I've had with the labor organizations that we work
with. So a little bit of an update. >> Number three. >> Um if if it at all possible, we could look into Mrs. space and I were discussing this and we have an aerial view but of this area of the Clifton
Lawrence school if you want to show us your goal like if we could make an outdoor picnic area I think it would it would do a world of good if we can get >> or the school >> like in that little area between like the buildings I think there's like a picnic table back there currently
>> like >> Yeah. So um so you're talking about around the back. >> Yeah. >> Right. Yeah. corridor. So we we've talked >> to put a little fence up. >> We've brainstormed using that area most recently with a teacher who happens to be in the audience. U
we can we can Yeah. We can enhance that area in some way. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Everyone outside. >> Yeah. We also talked about it as um brainstorming containing the area with some degree of fencing because you know
you have little ones and other students but also using it for some some special needs uh recreational type stuff. >> Yeah, cool idea to the So if I go right immediately preceding that before you get into that corridor there's a septic system. So you just you know were
conscious of that too. >> We also had oddly enough a skunk a few a few years ago. um make a hole and and have I guess it's a litter >> underneath at the time Mrs. Wagner's classroom.
>> Um so we were able to get that out. Um and ironically it was Halloween and all the teachers dressed up as skunk which was funny but yeah I mean enhancing that area definitely. >> Yeah. Does anybody have any commentary on the Rockefeller Center?
>> Does the tree need to be cut down >> anyway? I wasn't I didn't get >> Yeah. So, I don't have any reason that that the one we put the lights on, you know, that I'm aware of would have to be cut down. There's a if I'm facing a wanted school and I look to the left and I go around the wanted school um
roadside with that entrance, there's one that's kind of behind that. You don't notice it from Route 23, but it's heave the sidewalk, the root systems, you know, >> that's the donation. >> No, no, no. It would be a nice >> one that one's got to go, but like the one that we're donating, does that one
need theoretically donating? >> I know. I'm not an arborist. I actually I actually I actually had an arborist come out many years ago because uh uh Mr. Tiller, God rest his soul, was a strong advocate of the trees and um
there was a tree that was was it seemed like it need to come out and touching create a land bridge over the auditorium. So long story short and arbures who I think was associated with Rodkers came out very nice report and said yes you should remove that particular tree. I'm not aware of a reason why the the the Christmas tree
would need to be removed but again I'm not an only the only thing is you I don't think you could plant a tree in its spot. It's like not a good idea once a root system has been established in an area like that and you rip it up the garlic isn't >> I don't think good enough.
>> Yeah. Just from what I had read many years ago online, they donate a tree in its place. You would probably dictate where you want them to go. >> Well, just as long as everyone's okay with not having >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And I don't know how I I genuinely don't know the the perception of the community with something like that. Many years ago, you know, a young
enthusiastic administrator like, "Hey, I think this is a great idea." And it got shut down right away by some very local influential folks. And Mike don't my class planted that tree. Why don't you touch that tree? Um, so >> yeah, with this
>> they could plant one. I pulled up Google Maps like in the lawn between the >> the front representing >> that idea with the front lawn would be better because it's out of the way closer for everybody to see. Don't they use the
front lawn though for gym purposes? Like >> No, when you were a kid, they used to and I moved. >> I got very nervous with the cars there on 23. >> I know we had talked about one time the pine trees that are in front are awfully
l in the active shooter situation that there was like areas where somebody could like hide behind the trees and stuff. Can you talk about that as well? I think I think we probably brainstormed things like that. We definitely had those front trees pruned as recently I
think as the summer. So, you know, if you look at the front under the bottom, I don't think there's a hiding room as of now. And then maybe previously we're talking about in front of the fourth grade wing, there were a bunch of bushes. >> Yes. >> So, those were were um removed. >> Cool. And I have one more. Um so, I know
last year I feel like in recent years like after chronic absenteeism has been a big issue and I was wondering if after the first mark period I don't know how the younger grades do it if they have mark periods um but maybe we can see from each school I need to read the
accus um we can see how many kids >> have missed it I can absolutely put that info in the rundown for you guys and then we can go from there. >> You seeing stuff already up there?
>> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Any other new business? Okay. Seeing none, we will move on to audience remarks. Members of the audience are invited to make brief comments about items on this agenda and matters of interest to the district.
I have to say though, our TAs bust their rear ends every day. >> They are the hardest working people we have, they are paid the least. And some of them uh deserve to get paid more than what they get paid.
and and you know and as much as the sentiment is probably people agreeing with you and stuff, you have a collective bargaining agreement and that is worked out a very specific way that you know I'm not going to elaborate on in public but >> right >> um that's coming up this year >> and I recommend like if you haven't been
in the schools I mean I'm normally just sub at CE but to take a walk through the schools on just random days and just see how the schools are being ran see what the teachers are doing see how we do ETAs where there are holes that are missing
and um come during lunch. >> Are there unit lunches or like grades are or like each grade goes to lunch at a separate time? >> Uh yeah, each grade Yeah. goes at a separate time. >> Preschool eats in their classroom. >> Yeah, it's exclusive to you. >> Preschool eats in their classroom. Um
but then it's grade level. And when kids are in lunch, where do the teachers have a prep? >> And they're not >> they're eating their lunch, >> but they don't have a >> Not always though. Some teachers aren't even getting their lunch.
>> Because they're accompanying the students >> because they're helping students. Yes. >> Is it do we need a more like more lunch? >> So different scenario. >> Yeah. the um Mrs. Sparta is referring to a special
education dynamic. Yeah, the cafeteria. We also have cafeteria um teacher assistants in two of the schools and they're they're more charged with helping uh oversee the environment of the cafeteria in general, the playground in general. >> Comments?
>> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, seeing none, we do need to go into executive session. It will be approximately 30 minutes. Action will be taken. Can I get a motion?
>> Thank you. A second. >> Thank you. All in favor say I. >> No. I have to Oh, sorry. That's okay. Whereas pursuant to NJSA 104-12B, the Sussex Wanted Regional Board of
Education may exclude the public from that portion of a public meeting at which the board discusses any of the matters described at NGSA 104-12B 1 through9. Now therefore, it be it resolved that the Sussex Wanted Regional Board of Education shall enter into
close session to discuss legal and personnel matters. Now therefore, it be a further resolved by the Sussex One and Regional Board of Education that pursuant to NJSA 104-13B, the time when and the circumstances under which the discussion conducted in closed session can be disclosed to the
public is when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. >> Okay, good. back in public session. >> So, I have a resolution um that the board is going to take action on.
Um, the board of education approves the termination of school employees health benefits program effective January 1st, 2026 if the board finds and is offered a health benefits plan that is equal to or better than the plans offered through
the uh, SEDP or the school employees health benefits program prior to January 1st, 2026. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you. And second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion?
Call >> Mr. Little? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Deli? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gum? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Morocco? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Simmons? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Malone? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Space? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> At this time, we will adjourn. Can I get
a motion? >> Thank you. Second. >> Thank you. All in favor say I. Any thank