I'd like to call this meeting to order. Thank you for coming. Can I get a roll call, please? Mrs. Ji here. Mrs. Deli here. Mr. Gone here. Mrs. Morocco here. Mrs. Simmons here, Mrs. Spe here, Mrs.
Bone here, Mrs. Barry here, Mrs. here. We have a Please join me in the flag salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to advance 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 Wantage Regional School District Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published by um published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the school building and notice of said meeting sent to New Jersey Herald and
the Star Ledger. The Sussex Wanage Regional School District is a responsive, caring, child-c centered community. Our mission is to educate each individual to become a confident, confident, lifelong learner and productive, responsible citizen by providing challenging opportunities in a safe environment through a partnership
of family, schools, and communities. Thank you, Mrs. Space. At this time, we will move on to the report of the superintendent of schools. Thank you. I'd like to invite Mr. Schwarz up to recognize your Sussex Middle School students of the month. Good evening, Mr. Gall, Mrs. Cordella, members of the board, and members in our
audience tonight. Tonight, I will be presenting the students of the month from each grade level. These students have come highly recommended by their teachers and demonstrate many of the values that we hold in high regard within our school. These values include respect, responsibility, effort, and empathy. As I present each student with
their certificate this evening, you will clearly see how they demonstrate these values and all that they add to our school community. The sixth grade student of the month for March is Ella McCabe. Ella is a well-rounded student who enjoys all of her classes here at Sussex Middle
School with a particular liking for mathematics. She has big dreams for the future and aspires to become a veterinarian. For now, she enjoys being an active member of 4 where she shows her horses and rabbits. Ella's teacher stated the following when nominating her. Ella is a quiet, respectful,
conscientious student who puts forth great effort in all of her classes. Ella is very empathetic to other students and teachers, often offering to help whenever needed. Her smile truly lights up for her. Ella's kindness, determination, and dedication make her a
shining example of what it means to be a student at Sussex Middle School. It is with great pride that we recognize Ella as a sixth grade You want it by yourself? If you want, go ahead. The sixth grade student of the month for April is Austin Cole. Like Ella, Austin
has discovered that math is one of the strongest subjects here at SMS. Outside of the classroom, Austin is an active and energetic young man who enjoys playing baseball and soccer, as well as spending quality time with his family. Austin's teacher stated the following.
Austin has shown improved academics, especially in his language arts class, where he pushes himself academically, striving to be the best that he can be. He is an active participant in all of his classes and frequently looks to lend a helping hand. His kindness is evident in all that he does and we look forward
to Austin's future successes as he continues his career here at Sussex Middle School. It is with great pride that I introduce Austin as a sixth [Applause]
grade. Awesome. [Applause] The seventh grade student of the month for March is Jaden Van Hassel. Jaden recently stood out the in the seventh grade science classes participating in March Mammal Madness, a unique and
engaging bracket style competition featuring 65 species of animals battling to become the ultimate champion. Students were tasked with researching and predicting the outcomes of each matchup with a possible high score of 138 points. Jaden impressed everyone by
earning the highest score in the entire seventh grade, an outstanding 115 points. Beyond science, Jaden is an enthusiastic participant in music class where he enjoys exploring various instruments and musical genres. It is with great pride that we introduce Jaden
as the seventh grade student. [Applause] [Applause] The seventh grade student of the month for April is Braden Stol. Braden's teacher stated the following. Raiden has shown strong academic merit and is
making great strides in math and science. He is an outgoing student in class and likes to draw comic strips based on subject matter and share them with classmates. He managed his time between academics and play practice very well and was a smashing success in this
year's play. Braden hopes to one day become an animator or graphic designer where he can channel his artistic talent and passion into a creative career. It is with great pride that we the seventh grade students.
There you [Applause] go. I'm going to hold on this uh March student, eighth grade student for right now. They're coming back from the track meet and so I'm going to move on to the eighth grade student month for April who
is Christopher Cortante. His passion for learning shines brightest in his favorite subjects reading and writing where he enjoys expressing his ideas and tapping into his creativity. Outside the classroom, Chris is just as driven. He plays travel ball for the Outlaws and
looks forward to continuing his athletic journey at High Point High School next year. Chris's teacher stated the following. Chris is an standout student. He is always determined to do his best, approach his challenge challenges with a positive attitude, has an incredible
work ethic. Chris has a unique ability to brighten any room with his laughter and support of others. He is helpful, respectful, mindful, and often takes initiative without being asked. He truly leads by example. It is with great pride that we introduce Chris as the eighth
grade student. [Applause] Thank you, Mr. Just come back to that presentation once the track needs turn. Um, well, we always encourage everyone to stay for the duration of the the the board meeting. We'd love to have you. If
you didn't want to, now is an opportune time to leave. We take a little intermission. They're going to set up a slideshow. No pressure. I mean, he's still here. You can't say something. I was going to do something. Shame on him.
So, thank you for joining us. We just have our presentation the annual school budget which is going to highlight some kind of essential items of the 2025 2026 school budget. Um, talk about some curriculum initiatives. Um, the board's kind of conducted some um focus groups
with with staff. Um, we decided upon some things that would help with our student achievement in particular. uh staffing additions and reductions some capital projects and other capital expenditures and estimated tax limit that Mr. Right talked about. Um so
curriculum initiatives uh you know as much as we would love to decrease class sizes at this juncture we're able to maintain kind of I'm going to call it a stable average class size basically consistent with where we're at. again love to be smaller but um you know
combined with some of the other initiatives that we want to achieve space requirements prek we're kind of in a situation where we're going to try to maintain our average class size uh Mr. Stimolakis um has worked with staff to adopt uh mandatory kind of materials for
our reading series. U one of the bigger things that came out of our discussions was some of the history of operations in our school district that were successful. So two of them were grouping and teaming especially at Wanage Elementary School. That's where we paired up uh teaching staff and one
staff member became kind of an expert in language arts and social studies. another ex another instructor became an expert in math and science and then kids switch throughout the day. Um so we're looking to bring that back next year. Some new programs that are kind of
digital in nature pair deck starfall um waggle some things that Mrs. Deolactis and her team put together and we're projecting for director of curriculum. You may recall um if you followed our district over the past several years, we're in some I would use the word dire
of financial constraints and budgeting um where we consolidated four administrative positions down to two. Now we're looking to kind of infuse one of them back again to help with some of our curriculum initiatives and especially because we added the prek and that's uh significantly constrained the
large school principal's time and energy. So, we uh are striving to have her devote her time to that and then have somebody fully devoted to curriculum and instruction staffing additions and reductions. Uh the addition of one full-time preschool disabled uh teacher
at CEL, reduction in our facilities department, uh some absorptions of retirement, and a reduction of special education staff and the addition of your curriculum position. Um Mrs. Reker, you want to turn over the facilities and
Mrs. Riker's our business administrator. So included in this budget um and it'll be funded by capital and maintenance reserves that we have um at CEL uh looking to uh do some flooring in a room 153 there. Adding some uh new sinks in
some of the restrooms and carpeting room 159 at Wanted. Uh we're going to take care of the north door and epoxy the OTP restroom floor. Uh here at Sussex Middle School, tile room 108. Uh extend the gas
vent lines, replace door 307, and um add some more window film window district um district and tech in the district and technology wise. uh we have to remove a tree in front of the board of education
building and uh as has been in the past several years we're continuing to add to the security cameras in the district and those will be partially funded by uh monies uh in capital projects uh we have
u the window project here at SMS we're actually awarding that bid tonight and that is being partially funded um through the state an SDA grant which they're going to fund 40% of that project. And we're looking to um Mr. B has talked about this um I think in some
prior board meetings, but we're just looking to enhance the generator that's been added at Lawrence to be able to handle more of the the building. Yeah, basically sustain operations and power outage. So, we had back then purchased a generator that wasn't large enough to do
the entire building, but it was bigger than what we needed it for, which was just a well building. So we're going to add on to that infrastructure. So hopefully maintaining some heating, lighting, uh telecommunications in the main office and then we can maintain that whole cafeteria environment would
get us through a school day in an emergency. And uh finally to go over the estimated school year tax levy. Overall our budget is increasing 4.40% for Wanage Township. uh Wanich has
an increase in rat ratables of almost 1% this year and they also have a decrease in their regional allocation which is the number of students um that are in wantage and then there's students in Sussex and that's our total enrollment. So that shifted slightly this year um
last year they had 90.98% of the regional allocation this year 89.9 or a decrease of 1.08%. The average home is assessed at 229167. There is a 3.34 overall increase
in tax for Wanage Township, $869 estimated increase per month and 10423 estimated for the school year. For Sussex uh burrow, there was an increase of ratables of 1.66% and like the decrease in the
allocation for wanted, Sussex increased 1.08% 8% went from 9.02 to 10.10. Average home is assessed at 217420. There's a 16.92 overall increase
in tax, 4056 estimated increase per month and 48673 estimated for the school. That ends the presentation. Thank you. If you didn't notice, Mr. Dway, we didn't get the track team back yet, did
we? That's all I had at this point. Thank you, Mr. Gold. Thank you, Mr. Frager, as well. So, at this time, we'll 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. Any public comment? Just state your name and your residence. Please. Hi, as many of you know, my name is Leah Gunther and I'm currently a student here at Sussex 20 Middle School. I hope you
guys all had a fantastic spring break. I myself had a pretty busy one, but I but I was so excited to get back to school, my classes, my teachers, and my friends over spring break. When I came back, I noticed some changes to our physical education field. I would like to just
share the concerns that I had in regards to changes that remain on the field. The most two noticeable factors is there is a huge mound with with pitching rubber on it. Sorry. The second being there are holes for what I assume are going to be
bases. So my concerns we have So my concerns I have are sorry I just wrote this on the track bus. So, my concerns is a mounted bases were set in the wrong spot for PE class if PE was to use them and now we're trying to
maneuver around them when we need to kickball or whip a ball. Um, we were tripping on the mound and we were tripping on the plugs. This could easily cause someone to get hurt because the mounds are sticking out of the ground like a little green flag. Also, where I didn't have much time to
write what I would like to say, I did look at the fact that this field is not set up as an allpurpose field anymore. The and the distance of the m and the location and distance between the bases. I would like to ask why not. I'm not sure if any of you have attended the
wanted recreation township meetings. I have. If you have, you know, we currently have a field shortage. I understand and was very excited to see that we got a grant to help to help a field in our township thinking more people would be able to play on it and
that it would benefit not hinder our PE class. I'm just wondering what made you as a school board choose to alter the field that the only benefits one recreation baseball team while as a community we currently have a field shortage. One each township, our little
league and as and a volunteer from our community put time and his machine into making an intermediate intermediate field at L Road. So there already is a field that this team that's using the middle school team could use. The burrow has two baseball fields at Brookside.
The middle school has a field. The middle school has a field and the middle school was the only field that softball players could play on. But now with the permanent changes that you are voting on, you are taking away the chance for so for a softball team to
ever be able to play in the burrow again. Isn't the purpose of this grant to make our community make our community a better place and have kids a place to play? Isn't the purpose of the It lists in the grant that it is to benefit the mental
and physical health of students in the community. Are girls not a part of our community? Does our mental health not matter? I would like I would like you to be aware that this field was an allpurpose field that if this all purpose this field was an allp purpose field again, it would be allowed for all
ages of soft to play on and it would also allow for co-ed and women's adult leagues to be able to play on the way you have it now. These groups in our towns are not able to play there. Little League would also benefit benefit if it was an allp purpose size because then
more than 75% of our little league teams would be able to play here including T-ball, little sluggers and coach coach minors and they they would not have to work around the mound and the minors and majors which can which cannot play on it
now how it is would have time to set up and be able to play if we use a portable mound. And instead of Blick Wat Road, which was made with portable mounds, the current team could also play there, leaving out only one group of little league, the
oldest group, who must play on a bigger field, which the middle school can't have because soccer. Your vote is is supposed to be what's best for our school and the majority of our community. Please remember our priority is the students in the community which
consists of both boys, girls and adult and adults in our rec league and they should all have a place to play. I ask that you vote no for the permanent mound and ask that after this season it could be removed. That way we are truly working about the mental and physical
health of all students. I also have one more question. After looking at the agenda online, I'm unsure on why changes were made even though they haven't been approved yet. That's it. Thank you, Leah. Good job.
[Applause] Um, you know, the board's been enthusiastic about working with every recolleation league that we can. So, you know, admittedly, Mr. Gold played baseball, but I'm not an expert in any kind of mounds and elevations and all that kind of things. So, I'm happy to reach out to whomever I can to talk
about what we can do to enhance it for everybody. Um, I did reach out to Mr. Gordy Jennings, who I think is the president of your league, uh, softball league. And, uh, I made him aware, you know, I'm associated with another school district and fortunately, like the reason this all came about was
the league came to us and said, "Hey, listen. We've got this opportunity. There's a there's a recreation grant out there and you may want to consider applying for it because there's a field shortage." Um, so we applied for it and I applied for it in the other district and both districts won. So it was like
$145,000 to enhance both schools. Um, the other school district has been adamant that they want communities to enjoy their field as well. Um, and and my understanding is the softball league serviced by the region that sends to High Point. So they're adamant about
enhancing your field so long as somebody will come and use them. Like they don't want to put the effort in and nobody uses them. It's it's really it was kind of like the front of Sussex Middle School where you're debating and contemplating like if it's not going to get used extensively with exception to the Wanage Township helping out last year is like you're you're you're
contemplating like are you just going to turn into a grass field like nobody's using it. So that's where the other school districts at. Um but I made Gordy aware that if if he's got folks who want to use it like a board I have a board meeting tomorrow night and they'll sign up for that. Um so that's one to two fields that are available that nobody
really takes advantage of. It's in the back of the building. Uh, so that's kind of a more immediate solution and then we're willing to work with you folks long term, whatever we can do. Um, and a lot of things, you know, you're trying to prepare for the season. So the board's consulted behind the scenes. Hey, you know, it's an ongoing
fashion. Do you want to do dugouts? Are you okay with this? Are you okay with that? So some of the things they said like, oh, we got to think about that a little bit more in detail. We don't know how that's going to play out with the community. And other thing is like, yeah, okay, go ahead and do that. Um, and I think a portable mount is on the agenda for consideration.
Are there any other public comments? Rebecca, I hope to never step up on this again, but um isn't very easy. Um not at all. especially since she told me about this right before track. Um,
Leah is a true advocate for her classmates in her town and I think that's easily seen. She is deeply caring about everyone in this town and um I wasn't really willing to let her stand up here alone. Um, when she's speaking of safety of her classmates,
um, Leah has expressed firsthand um, experience of what is happening currently in the past two days in her physical education class. Um, and she did come to me with these concerns last night. I sort of projected that I'm
speaking. Um, Leah came to me with the concerns because my business um, my background is not in business. Um, I am a local business owner, but I actually have a bachelor's degree in science with a concentration in um, exercise science, health education, and teaching. Um,
that's why Leah came to me with my concerns, thinking that I would know the answers to some of her physics questions. Um, but I find myself not giving for a reason. Um, I reached out to different teachers, past teachers, teachers here from the district, teachers from my old
district, teachers from my colleges. Um, and it keeps going back. Um I was taught in my required major classes that most PE are they do not have permanent mounts. That kept ringing true. We had
kept saying we are pulling on the permanent mounds. Um and I was always taught that it didn't lead for flexibility for total utilization of space um for other activities. permanent mounds make it less suitable for other sports like soccer, lacrosse, kickball, general running, throwing, and jumping
activities, all which the kids do on those fields. Um, and for students who don't participate in baseball, sometimes the mound is intimidating. I'm not sure if any of you have stood on like some of these mounds. It's a different experience. I never experienced it. I think it's awful. Um, the space here at
our middle school is so limited. Um, so I really hope you take in consideration that our phys classes shouldn't be trying to utilize a way around things put in here. Um, um, because Leah started asking these
questions, I started reflecting on other things I was taught in different classes I took um, at Montlair. Um, and so the question I have for with the board is, um, were we aware that the per the permanent mound, I hope you are, we're all aware that the permanent mound does
not allow it to be an allpurpose field anymore with the distance and stuff. Leah was 100% right. She told me about it. I came and checked it out 9:00 at night. Um, and I was surprised. Um, so that was one of it. Um, another
question is, um, so my question to the board is sorry and it makes it only really one sport specific one sport. Um, does the board realize that this is the only allpurpose field in our bureau? Leo brought up. Um, I asked the next
question because I didn't really have time to look into this. Um, I was at the track meeting. Um, does changing our only allpurpose field in the burrow raise any questions on gender equality where certain fields are predominantly which means where certain fields are
predominantly promoted by one gender. Um, and where this doesn't leave our community and where does this leave our community and our district with title n. I don't know if this that affects us. I have a little boy who loves baseball more than anything even more than Leah
loves writing in school. Um, which seems impossible. Um, so I'm not anti-boy. I'm not anti- little league. I've always been a huge advocate for our little league. I have been known telling other groups like, "Little is doing is like excellent. We should replicate this."
So, this is no thing with me. Boy verse girl. Um, I want to see the boys play on this field and I want to see girls play on this field. I'd love to see adults play on this field if they want to play. I would love to see everyone play on this field if possible. Um, all of our
mission statements speak of community. This grant speaks of community access. And I really think and it said Leah was right. It says ensuring public access to community facilities as imperative since access to outdoor recreation community
resources is crit critical for mental health and physical educ physical health. That's why I became a phys teacher. I wanted kids to exercise. There's nothing more makes me more happy than seeing the kids outside. It is
wonderful for everyone. Um, and by making affordable mount, it makes the field more accessible to more groups. Um, Leah's right. It takes it alleviates the issue that we have with that our current PE teachers are having with kids
tripping. Um, and it makes it accessible to girls, boys, just to so many more people. And Leah did point out like it would be able to different lengths of um take consideration.
Ju just for a point of clarification, the mound that's on the agenda for consideration to me speaks to a portable mound. You're in support of that and not support of that? Well, right now there is a permanent mound out there. Yeah, but for purchase. Okay. Does it say portable? It's pitching mound. Okay. I
wasn't. So, it's a portable mount. Portable mount. fencing is just the fencing that's included that is done out there currently or is not the outfield fence that they're using. Okay. W
I want to do um first of all I'm confused. I mean, are you going to get my name? I got to take copious notes of what you're saying. Um, so I'm I'm a little bit confused
because you said that on the agenda say, but it says for a pitch mount. You say that it's for a um portable one. I'm hearing that the one that's now is permanent. So obviously that was just done. So whether we wasn't I believe that was donated by
the organization. So that's going to be removed. So we would have to talk to the organization about that. But I know that this is a portable. Okay. So here's the thing. People that know me know forever and ever and ever, right?
Um I wrote this down so I don't get messed up, but it starts wow. And I have a hard time getting shirts for trips. As I read the agenda, I was hoping there was another grant for uniforms, catcher gear, and all other
baseball equipment. As I thought, gee, other middle schools must be knitting together to start baseball as an inner school as sport. But now I realize that under finance item number 12 where it states the items are for quote Sussex Middle School unquote. It's not like
this appointment is not for Sussex Middle School students. It's for a town baseball. I I I don't care about baseball, softball, whatever. When I was on the board, my priority was to make sure that the kids in this district were safe and
that the the district itself was in the a big umbrella of being covered so that they would not have a financial difficulties of some get get something that was
so okay. So I put so why tail would it be on the agenda? Why are you being asked to approve something that does not benefit the children, staff, shareholders, buildings, or grounds of Sussex Middle School when this most obviously does not? Not only does it knock, it
interferes with the safety of our Sussex Middle School gym classes, our Sussex Middle School in school track practices and more um and our Sussex Middle School lunch recess outdoor time which was just highly influenced by more
than one of the board members sitting here tonight including myself. I would also be improving I would also be for improving the Situdinal school front field for multi-use but finance item number 12 is without a doubt specified for an outside school activity which
seems to be sus why are you the board being asked to approve something for sus little that doesn't pertain to sus regional school district if anything I would hope that you would be considering the injuries
that could occur to the students you're responsible Fourth, removing bases, leaving peg holes, and having a permanent pictures causes field interference during president's middle school gym track and recess times, which can easily lead to injuries amongst our
students. I'm honestly not sure why this is on the [Music] um with the budget being tonight, is is it is it in the budget? Have you um thought about who's going to maintain the the diamond included in in this
u field and if so why and and if not why not right so who's going to be responsible to maintain it after is this new specified baseball field that is already installed and already being used by such a smart
community in the midst of our Sussex Middle School's gym class, track practice, recess, etc. with the students of Sussex Middle School or not. I honestly do not know too much about being on board member, but I do know that my first priority was our student
safety. Second to trying to protect and correct injuries that can be foreseen. I strongly feel this improvement because foreseeable injuries. This is our Sussex Middle School. This is our Sussex Middle School
kids field where their gym classes, track practices, recess fun, etc. First, what's next? Storage unit to hold the town's baseball appointment. Maybe a concession stand to try and sell
Gatorade plans to make the student council run so they can get school activities so we can for the students of Sussex Middle School because currently baseball field is not for the students. middle school and I'm kind of disappointed. So I I'm not basing it on,
oh they got baseball, we didn't get softball. I'm basing it on there's a big chunk of that field that my kids have played on and it's supposed to be I just to speak to number 12. I think it has to do with the purchasing laws and
Mr. record probably commented on more, but the grant was written, which I I feel like it was probably under your consideration at the time you were on the board, in concert with the Little League and Sussex Burrow. Uh, and so we have to seek reimbursement through that grant uh for those materials. So,
portion of it when we designed it was to allocate for the Little League because they were working with us on it. Uh, and the other portion was to do things like the basketball court. I don't know if the kids are still in a volleyball, but the volleyball court um where is that? Some with soccer and volleyball courts
behind the basketball court. Two poles there. And I remember about bleachers. I don't remember anything about permanent mounds and and currently there's a permanent mound out there now. Yeah. And and you should know that. Yeah. I mean, everybody said it. Um, and so, so the little league to
their credit, you know, I'm not sticking up for one agency over another, but if you could all find a way to work together to use the district resources, that would be huge. Um, but to their credit, like I had set aside, okay, let's brainstorm and and using a number,
but let's say I said $20,000 to enhance the basketball court. So, it hasn't come to fruition yet. Um, but my understanding, again, no guarantees until it actually happens, is through all their connections and contacts, they've got people willing to kind of donate materials and labor, and they're
going to have a seal coder come in, seal coat it, line stripe it, and then another individual donate brand new basketball hoops and backboards. So, that takes away from that. Hey, I was going to use this money for that. So, now it frees up more money to do something else. And I'd love to get the kids engaged into what, like I said, volleyball. I don't know if they're
still into that, but something they like to do to enhance the overall property. Want to go over there? I don't have much to say about the only other comment I make is I do check in with the administration who checks in with the gym teachers and they haven't reported any issues. was also in a gym
class uh the week before break had the opportunity to talk to both gym teachers, PE teachers and they express any concerns about any I'm completely talking out of turn and not know what I'm talking about but we have a greenhouse that was donated to exclusive people.
Yeah. I mean so one of the things we're working on with the greenhouse is it wasn't donated but well why I don't that's how it started. Yeah. I don't feel like the sense of um is an emergent issue just because I actually wrote the funding opportunity or the inception of
that the seed money for that maybe 10 years ago um and multiple superintendent sat on I think it was 25 or $30,000 for like 8 to 10 years and didn't do anything with it. So it was really the board uh most recent two boards came along and said hey le let's do something
with that initiative and put that up. So we'd like to do it right. You know Mr. Schwarz is working with some teachers to try to develop that. Um hopefully that new curriculum director comes on board and designs that curriculum around it and when preliminary conversations with the to talk about a club for all the
stuff but to just thrust it on somebody and say hey listen you're doing this now immediately in the middle of the school year just didn't seem like a right use of their energy and curriculum especially since it took 8 to 10 years to build. Can you have it rewarded in the um Mrs.
Riker rewarded in the agenda that the vote is for a portable pitch mount. I'll I'll add that if we can just take a quick intermission. Sorry, Mr. Schwarz, we're going to proceed with the uh student of the month.
All right, track meet is over and our eighth grade student of the month for March is here and that is Amaya Mills. Amaya is a standout student whose dedication, perseverance, and passion for learning sets her apart. Her teachers have praised her for
demonstrating above average effort in all subject areas throughout the third marking period. Her most recent accomplishment, fondly dubbed the headphone challenge, served as a celebration of her achievements and her emerging role as a future graduate here at the middle school. Beyond the
classroom, Amaya is an active young lady, passionate about basketball and track. And in her free time, she is a talented artist who loves to paint and draw whenever she gets the chance. It is with great pride that I introduce Amaya as the eighth grade student.
[Applause] [Laughter] smile, girl. Smile. Go past her. Smile. Thank you. [Music] You can just come
after that. Andrea Sparta, why don't you know I haven't been out there in a while, so I figured I might um I want to start off with um recognizing Mrs. Harper. Obviously, she's retiring. Um, she has had a lot of
accomplishment through the years. Two out of my three children had her um for school. She taught during the hardest time of COVID. Um, but she never skipped the beat and she will definitely be missed. She's a good one. But on the other end, obviously, I'm probably going
to repeat some of the stuff that everybody else did, but I typed this up, so I'm My husband and I are very upset here about the work that is being performed on the fields outside the middle school. It's not the fact that the fields are being improved. It's the issue is the issue. The issue is specifically of what is being done and
the lack of communication and input from the community. A field that was once a multi-use basketball/softball field will now become a limited use field for a 5070 baseball. My husband is the director of the parks department for PI County. Every project the c the county
completes goes through a process to ensure maximum accessibility is done. There are multiple opportunities for the community involvement and input along the way. In this case involving our middle school field, it appears that only one community group provided input
that was Sussex Wantage Little League. We would like to know why High Point softball was not contacted for their input. And we would also like to know why why a field that was once available to many groups is now restricted to one specific group. Although we agreed that
the field needs improvements, it is making absolutely zero sense to limit the use of it. Improvements should have included multiple base options such as 60 and 70 ft, multiple softball pitching rubber locations such as 30, 35, and 40
ft, and a portable pitching mount for baseball that could be positioned at 46 feet or 50 feet and removed off the field when not needed. This would have allowed an opportunity for all levels of softball and baseball with the exceptions of the junior's baseball team to utilize this field. We would urge the
we urge the board to think about this decision though it would really be an embarrassment to approve this project as designed catered specifically to the needs of one organization and one specific team. Um I have a few um
questions and concerns. Obviously the safety of the students at the middle school during gym class with the permanent mound also um who is paying for the upfield like who's paying for the um upkeep of the field is that also included like how does that work? So so
to talk a little bit about the history of it you know my I don't know 15 16 17 years with the district the field in front of Sussex Middle School in my opinion was in need of deep rehab. Right. Right. Uh so to your to to that portion of the question, I don't know
who's upkeeping it on a regular basis, right, for those 15 16 years. Part of our landscaping contract has I think two services of the field. Um so that'll stay in place assuming we keep the same contractor with the same conditions. And I think it's incumbent upon the leagues that sign up to use it, which I'm only
aware of two teams at this point, which was a softball team who rescended their request and then the Suller League. I'm not aware of anybody else. um and the township last year who rolled up their sleeves and got involved with it. Other than that, I'm not really aware of anybody else who wanted to use the field. So, how does that work? So, that
is that field school property or is that burrow property or is that school property? But for the purposes of this specific grant, the Sage grant, we had to get Sussex Burrow because it lies within the boundaries of Sussex Burrow on board for the grant. So, they signed off on that. Okay. Um but if Mr. part as
league is, you know, interested in using it or using it again like sign up for it. You you got the insurance paperwork, we're happy to work with every I don't think it was for this field, the the middle it wasn't for this field, but um will the use of the field interfere with existing school activities such as
track? Um I saw some pictures I believe Lee probably correct me on it that there was some track going on and there were baseball players coming. Is there a certain time that that field is open to the public or is it certain times that it's closed? How does that work? when you go to sign up to any school resource, the school district functions
take priority over whatever your function is. Um, so our facility director will receive an application, right, for facility usage. It may in this case be in the field and the organization will have to complete a variety of forms,
attach insurance paperwork. I think a minimum is like a million dollars worth of insurance. Um, and then his department will look at, you know, who else has signed up to use the field, look at school district functions and coordinate that usage around our I'm pretty sure that wasn't done the other
day because I saw pictures of vehicles on the field and kids running track and another baseball team coming in like it wasn't. But um, yeah, some I mean if somebody arriving earlier like sometimes we have those types of things. We just talk to the league and say, "Hey, listen. There's a conflict. You guys got
to come over later." Right. And are there any other like additional future plans with this field? Like are there are I mean obviously there's a lot. So like what else is I mean that that's a great question. I you know I talked a little bit about the basketball court which informally I've talked to various board members. Again no guarantees until
it actually happens but the idea is we have a company who's potentially going to come in seal coat line it brand new donation of basketball hoops. I can't find a reason to say hey don't don't approve that. Don't take that donation. Um, and then those other things again you can engage the kids in. Again,
volleyball was there. I don't know if that's still a thing with kids, you know, if they enjoy that, but there's a court there that you can enhance. Um, and then specifically for baseball, some of the things that were talked about that board kind of said like, hey, um, let's just put that on hold. Let's
reflect on that more and we can have that dialogue. Now, potential scoreboard, right, which I think would be interchangeable no matter who uses it. The challenge with the scoreboard is providing power to it. Um, so from just a preliminary review with our facility
director, you know, his conversations with the power company and things like that, you have to come off of the street in some way. So it could be a costly endeavor. Again, you have that little league organization, the power of the community that has tradesmen and and expertise and like, hey, we may be able to get this done. Um, so if you did a
scoreboard, you might have to consider doing like a portable generator in advance like that. I think that happens in various organizations. We'd have to look at I guess that's sustainable on school property which you have to remove it. You know, there's a lot of logistics when you work with a school about what you can do and how you can do that. Um
we've talked in the past. Yeah. I mean, if you're going to put if you're going to do that, uh you might want to put some lights out there, too. Yeah. Yeah. You know, that wasn't proposed, but a scoreboard specifically. Um so, dugouts were originally discussed. Um and then you know I had
surveyed just from my kids playing baseball that there's there were some concerns about putting shelters on the campus and who might you know invade those shelters and utilize those shelters off school hours. So then some fields I think it was a Sparta field ironically um has like dugouts that are made out of fence and then like a mesh
banner material. Yeah. So that that's something and Mr. Scores brought up a concern where like you know maybe to your point about track like sometimes they loop around the the fencing. So, would that would the dugout interfere? Um, and and then could you just make an adjustment? You're running the interior
of the infield instead of the exterior type thing. Um, and you know, we're certainly willing to have those dialogue that dialogue a shed or some kind of structure. Again, whatever facility is using it could be interchangeable, but part of the challenge I think the league is facing is they're lugging around
whatever it is 230 lb worth of equipment for every game and stuff that they store things on campus. Is that something our security and board would be willing to entertain? So that's something that was originally proposed. They sign it kind of said, "Hey, let's hit the pause button on that right now and let's reflect on that a little further." Um, and then again the basketball court,
right? And then my last thing is um materials for this were was it um from a bid or was it like some of the straightforward the league is getting their tradesmen and their donations and all that kind of thing coming for the concrete pads and but the things you see
specifically on the agenda like the bleachers, the portable, you know, those uh aluminum bleachers, the uh portable mounds, um whatever else is on there, those are going through that grant, right? Thank you. Thank you. And and just to your point about Mr. Harper, all
all of our retirees are great. We do at the end of the school year offer the opportunity for all the retirees to come be recognized at a board meeting. We give them a little plaque and say a little speak. I think I've been to a couple. Hi, I am Austin. Um, I'm just going to summarize
basically um I don't want to be a dead horse, but a portable mound I think is appropriate is what um both my kids and baseball something that can easily drag off. Austin was just telling me he was outside for uh recess the other day. Monday he came back gym and he was they
were tripping over there. Whatever's going on out there. So he wants I don't know exactly what he says but um Austin wants a jersey. Um I think I think it would be good affordable mound because
um just um like I play baseball. I love it. I think it would be useful to have both softball and baseball be able to play there because um they're like it would just be really useful and you can move the mound on and
off and even with the portable mound still there, you can have like softball rubber there and you could like um just like have different base sizes and base um something like that. And um
um going back to what you said before, like a scoreboard. Um so I was just a little worried about that because um putting in a scoreboard, where were you think where would you think to put the scoreboard if you were to put it in? Yeah. I mean, we haven't even gotten
that far, Austin, just the notion of maintaining score for a game. So you'd have to contemplate really where the power is or the most easily accessible power. But again, that hasn't been decided. Yeah. You want to keep score when you run up the games against my boys, right?
Um I was just saying that because um I played I played for the school soccer team and we um at the start we had we had a soccer bowl there, but like um we didn't have any net or anything, but I was just scared. I was just scared
that um like we were going to get a really nice baseball field, but I was going to be worried about like um the soccer like the soccer for um team for the school and um having like the baseball field interups. I love I love
both sports. I play both sports. Um and I would just um Yeah. Great points, buddy. I you know, no plans to eliminate soccer. If anything, I mean, I was looking at it the other day. I'd love to do some kind of enhancement of the grass. I don't know if sad's realistic or just receding,
that kind of thing. [Applause] Sorry, I have one other question. Sorry. Um, so it's a portable mount, but have we assessed the bases being accessible to girls? I would have to talk to about that
because they're not. But again, as flexible as we can be, you know, we want everybody to use the facility. Okay, perfect. I just wanted to let everyone know and also remember league also the minors find in the majors like my son they were they were too far for him
as well as and did his league sign up to use the facility um he's part of Sussex Wantage but that field is too big now okay because I don't recall them signing up previously were were you know we're with Sussex one okay but he plays at a
different age group so it's a different size Yeah. age group ever signed up to use a field. I can probably speak to that. I was going to not say, but I just I want to answer a couple quick questions. Um, I appreciate everybody speaking,
especially Mr. If you could just formally identify yourself. I'm sorry. I'm Ben Ser. Uh, I live at Nike just president of Little League. Um, I appreciate all the feedback we're getting here. I just wanted to say a few things. So,
The base anchors that went in there were to get the kids playing this year. There's two sets of base anchors that the school is ordering. One for 4660, one for 570. So when they fall a ones that were in there was four hours of donated time and labor plus little
league's own anchors just to make sure the kids had a place to play when the season start. So the bases um will be at the right size for everybody. I think I'm just sorry to interject. Can you comment at all on the cuz I'm I'm just you know my kids live in Lafayette but they play for Frightford. I show up for
the game when my wife tells me there's a game. Is there some sort of can you speak to like the shortages of the fields and all that like just Absolutely. So we have a wonderful problem in S Swanage and I think probably in Frankfurt Lafayette too. We've got insane numbers of kids playing sports and basketball is dying trying to
find gym time. softball and baseball are looking for any field we can find to renovate and make playable again. Um, so there's definitely a shortage because um I think softball is at I don't want to speak wrong, Kelly. What are the numbers? 143. Softball's got 143 which
is insane. It's you know it's terrific growth. Baseball is at 210. We were at 135 years ago. So there's lots of kids playing sports. Um so that's that's the shortage there. I think to that shortage, any field that needs some
renovation that we can renovate and we can take community investment in and volunteer efforts to make a playable field takes pressure off of all. So, I mean, I think that really helps everybody. Any field that we can find to do that with, I think is a great
option. Um, yeah, I think the the distances are the thing I just wanted to correct. you all have any questions I'm happy to answer. Otherwise, yeah, just want Thank you. Just want to reinforce, you know, uh talked to the board president over in Lafayette vice
president who is very, you know, Gretchen was involved with the softball very receptive to the fields at the Lafayette school. I don't know if anybody's interested. We just have to remember that there are girls that live in the burrow. Um sometimes driving is a issue. We have to
be mindful of that. and say drive to Lafayette where it's a great offer. Yeah. We have to remember that we have to deal with people from Sussex and there should be an option for the girls in the burrow. Yeah. And again, just as a secondary thing, you know, right? But do you have away games? Um, they do have
away games. Mr. Seruti, is it um is it true that is permanent mount that's out there right now? So, let's call a clay man. Somebody could go out there tomorrow and scrape that off. And the clay that's on there could be
redistributed to other fields like just as easily as moving. When we talk about a portable mound, they weigh 225 pounds. That's not something that a gym teacher is pulling off. I promise. I've thrown my back out and I've watched five men groan as they try to pick it up. Um, so
it's a clay mound that's out there. Uh but again if if there was a need to pull that off if the school felt that that didn't need to be there that could be moved tomorrow and the clay can be reused. Thank you. Thank you. Can I just ask that the I know you said
the school is buying two new like insets. I think Mr. said can the new insets be flat so the kids in gym aren't tripping over them? I don't know enough about the insets. I have to look into that for and I didn't
think about it but the port I I do like sometimes help try to move these mounds. I've tried to move them with Gretchen in Lafayette. Um can we have it written somewhere that baseball will move the mounds? Meaning our fizzed teachers shouldn't have to be trying to lift 200. I don't think that would be an
expectation of the fizz department. I mean everything that they're doing like for example like currently Gretchen was moving the one at the Lafayette field. She was trying to move it with her quad and a bunch of moms and dads. So, I just want to make they are hard to move. She's part of the recy. Yes, she was
part of the put that on our staff. Okay. You know, portable fence they're moving, you know, like we don't um I just have a quick question. Um, I'm not really sure about this, but um is there any possible way that like
um there's um like I never really thought about this, but is there a way you could make like um like going back to what they said before that the the portable mound is like really heavy. Um, is there a way that you can make like kind of like a
two-way mound where a softball and baseball could use it or I think if you have trips in future, you got yourself a money maker, buddy. Yeah, what I was going to say. But again, my
issue was with safety for the students. The students that have gym classes out there, right? So, portable mound, not portable mount, whatever the case may be. You haven't had anybody come to you yet. School's been in session for five days. We just got back two days. Nobody got
hurt. That's awesome. That's awesome. Come on. That's awesome. Nobody's gotten hurt. That's great. But it's going to be there for a while, right? You got two students here saying that there's there's a couple issues going on. Right. Right. Um when Mr. Sir Rudy was talking he did
say that you know he didn't you know that the portable mounts are very heavy and that he didn't think that any gym teacher would be moving them. So again, the point should be generated that the gym teachers shouldn't be moving them. That baseball would have to be moved in order for that to continue to be safe,
right? And as far as volleyball goes, there's probably not a kid in S Middle School that does not want to stay after to play volleyball. So that is a huge huge sport. Our interal volleyball team had over 80 kids this year. Yeah. Is it is it as
popular like when it was sand like outside? Like I don't know. If they can play it out, they play it. They fight to play it inside. They're going to have you got something outside. They're gonna be there all the time. I do have one thing to add. I love volleyball. My daughter loves volleyball. Everyone in
our school loves volleyball. I do think like honestly from school, we have to be careful with sand. It's just something I hope the board is mindful especially where we are located on what could be in the sand. Um, which is something that should always just I know that was one
of the things literally taught to me at school. Yeah. So then it become you know can you do just the volleyball enhance the field there play on grass like you know I don't know about volleyball but maybe that's a possibility. So is the mound the safety issue or the anchors or the base is a safety issue? I
would say both. Um the more pressing safety issue being the anchors yeah um is is this something that's like rectifiable or I think so like once the bases are installed like so the rubber plugs that
go into the base anchors are meant to be buried in the sand and a little is like a string that sticks up And I think as long as those are buried, it's that's the safest thing that you could have there. They have it on the softball fields at Woodborne Park. They've got
all the fields over Frank. I think that's standard practice now. Um so if we can get more informed where the safety issue is whatever needs to happen. So maybe they're just not there right now. Well, it could be because those are recreation fields and we're just talking about what Miss Whitty just
said. This is a school field. like this is where our students are playing. Yes. But but if they were buried at the school field that would rectify a safer option a safer option would be a better probably but if you keep if you take it
away completely then little can't play there. Is there any way to bases while they're outside playing on the field? Oh yeah. So the bases can be put in so it's not a safety
issue. No, no, no. Be put away when they're not in use. But like could they aren't there if they're playing kickball? All right. So this was Leah's concern um
that that is what they were trying to do but due to kickball and the fact that these are set deeper then sorry um for example with park is an allpurpose field. This was set up as an allpurpose which means the bases are how
far apart Andrea uh I don't know you're right it's closer right they're closer class it's optimal not to have these that are so far away. So when the child kicks the ball, you know, it's supposed to be more equal opportunity for kids. Um, so the longer
distance, that is the same reason why softball doesn't play on baseball fields. Sure, it's all doable. Um, it leads to problems. It leads to a harder phys classes. Like even if something is kickball, I don't know if someone has tried to throw the kickball
at our age yet from third base to first base in a while, but the The distance between the bases does matter. So I think what Leia is saying is right now they're not actually standing on the center of the pitching mount. It is too far where the permanent one is right
now. So now they're going to catch a ball and they're not on, you know, they're coming off not even from the center. They might be a little off to the side and because they're not standing on the mound. Am I explaining this right? Yeah. Because now the second
base isn't actually where second base is. Second base is almost now where the back mound is. So now we have kids running close to something uneven. Correct. Yeah. Because for gym class we moved them in because right now
there the whole in from where they are set back. Now they're set as an intermediate size not as an allp purpose size. Yeah. The anchors are where the pieces should be. The anchors, they're like at the 50 70 size. So for gym class, we move them in
so it's easier to get from base to base. Softball, for anyone who doesn't know, for softball, you play at the same size field your whole entire life as well. Most some people call it a softball field, some will call it multi-purpose field. It is probably what you play most
your minor games at, major size games at, the same size distance for bases for that. When you jump to intermediate, the bases are farther apart and the pitching mound is farther apart. So, I think the issue is the pitching mound currently isn't at the correct spot to play
kickball and the bases, even if they were put in place, they're not at the places at um do drop down basing for here. Yeah. Which means just the base on the ground. Yeah. Not in a plug. So the bases here
used to be sort of just like a flat like pillow looking thing I guess and now they sit in something that's like a hole and they're filled with a plug and there's a base and then there's a piece that goes into the plug. So the base isn't there. There is a metal hole
that's filled with the plug and hopefully sand. I don't know what happens when the field floods or heavy rain. I'm not sure here because I know we get a lot of corners, but that is just I think what Lee is trying to say Mark Yeter 141 Hagerty Road. I am the
field manager for Sussex Little League. I'm also the player agent for Sus Little League. There were so many questions tonight, there's no way that I can try to get them all. But so just so everybody's on the same page, a standard baseball field is 4660. That means a pitcher mount a set of 46 ft 60 ft
bases. A softball field is 60 foot bases. I don't know what softball pitching rubbers are at. I have no clue. I've never been involved with softball. 5-year-old couple years probably answer that question for you. Right now I can't. So yes, this field right now is set at 5070. We have the We have two
5070 teams. Um Leia, right? Yes, she is correct. There is a 5070 field at Lot Road. I don't know if anybody here has ever been to Lot Road. You talk about safety. Lot road is a safety concern. That's a whole different subject. The wage we're working on trying to get some
new fields built. That's a whole whole different subject. Once this is approved hopefully tonight and the bases are ordered and the portable mount is ordered, soon as they come in, we'll put the bases another set of pegs in at 60 ft. I was the one out there at 9:00 Thursday night
with my truck on the field putting the bases in so the 5070 kids could play a game last night. I did it Thursday night because Friday I had to take off work and I worked at Brookside Park all day to get ready for opening day. Friday night because Saturday got rained out. I
put an incredible amount of time into these fields. I can't even tell you how many hours I have in Brookside in the last two years. 40 hours all free. I'm not getting paid for it. I'll do anything we need to do with this field to help baseball, to help softball. I'm not here fighting
softball, but you got to give us time. I mean, we're working with the board. Everything has to be approved. We had to get a mountain on that field for 5070. We had a portable We had a a true portable mount on the field that was about as wide. That's about as big as this
podium. That's not a pitcher mount. It's a foldable thing you put in your yard. You just had to get a mount on the field so the kids can play. Like Ben said, that mount can't come off. This is quicker than it went on. Two scoops with a loader and it's gone. Um, once the
portable mound is here, you set it at you just take a tape measure. I mean, you set it at 46 for the little kid games. You move it back to 70 for the big kid games. I mean, I'm probably going to be the one that puts the base anchors in at 60 ft. I can bury them a little bit deeper. The whole idea is though, the
plug is supposed to be a grade and then the the green strings or whatever, that's so you can find them when they're buried. I can try to set the 60footers, you know, a little bit deeper, but you can't set them too deep because then base doesn't sit
correctly. That field had permanent bases at 60 ft. Talk about a safety concern. We removed them because they were buried. Nobody even knew they were there. We found them when we were putting into 70 foot bases and they were the eight or 10 inch square pockets.
These ones only have an inch and 3/4 or 2 in peg. These were big pockets. I mean the pieces of the concrete we took out were like this. We're not hurting the field. We're improving it. I've lived here my entire life. My dad played My dad's 73. He
played on that field back when the dugouts were literally dug out into the bank. My dad's My dad said that that field was junk 73 years ago. We're making it better, right? We're not We're not trying to hurt softball. We're not trying to hurt We're We want to work
together. But at the end of the day, nobody's ever reached out, hey, can we give you a hand and I'm not I'm not patting my own back, but I'm the one that was down there putting the bases in. I'm the one that set the field at 507. like if
softball wants to help me, I'll gladly, you know, help them, you know, help them too. But to come here and just a little just to beat up my baseball tonight was I think I don't think this was the time or the place. Hey, listen to that. I
don't want to speak for for the board or anything, but I think we appreciate everybody's perspective and and um dedication and flexibility and trying to enhance the school and the community and working together, I think, is the way to go. If we can do that to make it flexible for everybody, like why
wouldn't we want to do that? Take the portable once we get portable mountain like we had no intentions of building a mountain ever. But when we were told that the portable mound wouldn't arrive until probably the end of May, baseball season was over the second week of June, we're a little late at that point.
We needed a field for these kids to play on. Lot road is not game fields. We were going to play our opening day up there just because there's four fields. We could all be in the same spot. We're going to suffer through it. I think the best thing that happened was opening day got rained out and we were down here. We
had It was great. We had And we had opening day on this field, too. We use all three of these fields right here. We had the little kids and just because the mountain say one last thing. So just because the mound is set at 50 that's 50 feet we still have AAA key wall practice on it. You can still use the field. Yes,
there's a mountain behind you. But can you trip on it? Yeah, sure. You can trip over a softball pitching rubber tip. You know, it's the field can still be utilized by more than just one team or one level. Anybody have any questions? Baseball
questions while I'm up here. I do have a question. Who initially reached out for the grant? What organization? Sister Rudy. And then I I'm the one. So I work for Frankfurt Township. I'm the DPW supervisor. I'm the head of parks. I'm the head of the roads. I'm the head
whatever. So we have we uh Yeah. Anthony is my park foreman. Okay. So I knew about the grant through Frankfurt. I sent it to Ben. Ben sent it off to Wanage and you guys I think that may
both. Yeah. I mean to your credit we appreciated that greatly and to and Sussex one is secured about 727. That's how you got Frank at your facility. When was the last time that was actually used by facilities? Like has softball
ever played on there? So the last year is the year I would comment on when the township got involved really overhauled or began to overhaul to make it a great usable field you know compared to like again 15 16 years I've been with the district just had it usually overgrown
weeds and things like well everybody saw when it used to be lake first base every time it rained there was a lake I mean W Township came in last year they didn't have to do that I mean they came in this is last year and this year is the dest that field's been took that knob off. Now the water runs off. We know we had
volunteers with equipment to push that knob off. All volunteers to do the concrete work. Football donated the benches for the time being. Hopefully we can get correct ones ordered and get them fastened down. Um yeah, like I said, we're not against softball. It's
just work together, you know. Okay. Thank you, sir. Any other comments or questions? Why am I here? I didn't bother. It's there's I I'm not here for softball
or baseball. I'm here for the kids of Sussex warning or Sussex Middle School. And their safety is why I'm here because there's 300 of them and they're going to be here today. They were here last month. They were here the month before. And they're going to be here after the
the end of May, too. So, I feel as though the mound is an issue. So, I get the whole baseball thing, but you run the school. You're responsible for 300 kids that are here at the school that that need to by law take a gym
class and be safe. That that was my whole point here. I'm definitely not against baseball at all. Have any children come to the nurse injury? Two days. That's what we just discussed though. You know, two days. Not not to my knowledge. I was going to say I have a suggestion. The most
significant medical issue that we've had 14 kids the other day go into the nurse was the uh caterpillars. I have a suggestion. Why don't we reach out you reach out to the phys teachers and see if it's been an issue. I'm sure if it's been an issue they would have said something. Yeah. I mean I checked the
administration yesterday. No, it's portable because baseball we just determined that baseball's going to move it. But where are they putting it? Store it in the truck. I'm not sure where he's going to store. Is that field there for for the township or is it there for our kids? Our kids are in the
township. This is a school. It's a school property though. We have to provide gym. Correct. I think we should reach out to the teacher you directly and see if it's regularly. You know, five kids
tripping daily obviously. But I I think just like when there's puddles, right, and they go outside in the rain, you can fall in a hole. Running around recess, Lauren school gets wet, slippery, muddy. They put cones. So maybe they could put a big cone area around the mound. And um
everybody has eyesight, but then they can't play on the field. Well, you can't kickball up every time they hit it. I I don't want to put anybody on the spot, but I think that we will be looking as as we will for for direction about some
of the other things like do you want to contact and if you want to think think about it and get back to us, but you know the shed is probably something reasonable some if if somewhere we can find a reasonable area to put it that's secure and locked and all of that probably help with some of that storage of equipment and things like that. I
don't you know when I also have a question uh there is a field in between right? So let's say there was no baseball field there to begin with. Where would we play kickball? In the field and there is a field use there. So let's say that this is posing an issue
for safety. We could move and play somewhere else. So like to your point, Guana school has a grassy patch in front of the fourth grade wing and I'm basically the the we'd like to invest some money, but the kickball field is just the lines where kids have made
treadmarks in. You know, play kickball on pavement when I went to the Yeah. in the back, right? Yeah. Again, we're just looking to, you know, Yeah. And you know, we're all smart people. We put our heads together and, you know, everybody has a willingness to
be flexible and and focus on safety and enhancement. I mean, everybody can enjoy it. Exactly. cold. Um, one thing I was going to say was um um it's also um one thing is about a safety, but the other
thing even if it was um like even if we were to put like something around it or watch out for it, we're we're not going to be able to use that mound for other age groups. Um like um like my age
group, we're not able to use it because it's too big for us. We can't we can't move it. It's like too far back. Yeah. Yeah, that's a good point. Lincoln's got the same exact shore public comments or questions. I I have one from someone, but I'll say it's
for me because I don't know if they want me to have their name. It's a teacher. That's the only reason why I'm keeping it. So, they want to know why. Oh, Mrs. Spanaker. Here we go. She said I could say her name. So, um, she wants to know that the school is allowing an
all-purpose field to become a baseball field. Why? That's her question. So, you can direct it to her. She wants to know why. And I know that she I believe, if I'm not mistaken, I could be wrong. Don't mind me. Back me up. I believe she was the president of softball for many
years. I think she probably coached some of you guys. Um, so she's a big softball advocate and she was not happy to hear about this at all. Yeah. Not the fact that there was getting work done, but that it's not an allpurpose field that now softball girl like softball can't
play on. That's what it comes down to. So, I mean, I don't know how it is, but it there definitely seems to me feel like a softball little league, you know, dynamic that has gone on that I'm not privy to. I'm happy to go talk to Miss. Yeah, I mean, there's softball Woodborne. It's one we're going one and
two for softball and then over at Frankfurt it's what fields? Five and seven. Five and seven. So there's two fields for 100 and 43. 43 girls. Yeah. And then baseball has Ben you said 210.
210. Yeah. and and Gordon was was kind of giving me some of the history of um the leagues and I guess he's probably more heavily involved with softball but he played sound like he played little league out front years ago and there was a dynamic you know long before any of our time about um the district changed
something and so like all I can't speak to any of that but I can speak to now is like the folks are really receptive to trying to engage the community prioritize the school get everybody on board uh and if I can help strategize some solutions to get you access to more fields I I said maybe it's not ideal, but Lafayette is receptive to doing
that. Um, we're more than happy to work with you. I I have another comment from Do I? I'm just going to stand right here. You all should be bringing up about Title 9 because now there is no field for the girls to play on. They took an all-purpose field and made it into one specific uh sport field. That
means it's gender inequality. There are certain fields are uh predominantly populated by one gender. I would also bring up about to the town of Sussex that it doesn't have a single field for girls for softball, but they do for boys. The town of Wanage also does have
specific fields for softball, but it is called an all-purpose field, not a softball field. Um, they also have different size fields for boys levels where the girls just play on one size like Mrs. Gunther said and she said it's totally unequal and unfair. I just have
a question comment. Um, when Mr. Shardy came up and spoke and forget your name. Mark, didn't I believe they just said they'd work with softball to allow them to use it as well. Is that inaccurate for all the kids? Okay. As soon as the portable mound comes in. I just thought
I heard you wrong. I'm not sure. So the base would come up and then it would be there would be different holes for when you put the when you put the new anchors in they're going to be softball acceptable at the
60 ft which is softball and baseball as well. Okay. So how do we go about like how does that work for getting field usage? Does it get split like how? So, so all I'm aware of is one softball organization, you know, forgive me about
the team age or whatever, but one softball organization who has sended their application. So, if they resubmit or somebody else resubmits, wants to use it, our facility department will look in concert with school activities, other things that are signed up to use it and work around that. You know, if you could stagger a game, if little league plays
on Mondays and Fridays and softball wants to play on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you know, that's how we work those things out. I have a question for Mr. I I I'm just I imagine at this point it's a little more you you're planning your games for the season, right? Like so I don't know you
work with other teams like Yeah. Um so before you put in the mound over here um was lot road usable because I'm concerned as a parent now you're saying that lot road is no good no good for games like what is the problem with it?
It's good with the little kids. Okay, smaller kids. Um that's a whole separate I mean If you want probably not pertinent to this meeting, right? Yeah. If you want to I can talk. Yeah. I'm curious because my kid plays. What is the what is the issue
there? He plays practices there. You know, we have you guys have little league practicing there. Do you want to take that like we can let Yeah. I was just encouraged. Those guys are pretty receptive to break. I'm just And it's not We have just curious. Yeah. No, I'm curious just because I have no idea.
Again, I'm not anti- little league there. I don't know. I honestly don't know if there is a you could probably ask Steve. I don't know if there is a kid that loves little league more than my son. And you can ask Kelly. I have gone to softball and says
and have said and have not made some people happy like we're we're not doing this that great but little league does this great and maybe we could try that. Trust me, I'm sure she wasn't happy with me when I said it. I was there when you said it. Absolutely. But I have said it.
I have said it at basketball meetings. I am not anti- little league and you didn't get that. Gotten to know you for a while. You're all pretty passionate. Maybe join forces. You get us astroturf or something. And you know, I'm not going to get up
again. But I'm sitting here thinking about this now and if Lot Road I mean because I've been around a while and my husband spent years over on Lot Road with Joey G's dad
um and um a lot of others and if those fields weren't let's say maintained right what what encourages us to believe that these will be maintained when you guys turns are up you know what I'm saying do you understand what I mean that
I mean like lot lot road I mean there's a bunch of baseball fields over there you know so lot roads maintained by the township now this field I mean after all of our practices are done the field is raked you know we do the best we can I have grooming equipment at Brookside if the
field were to get in rough enough shape where it needs to be groomed I would bring the stuff from Brookside down here and groom them I can't say what the next guy's going to do right that's what I that's what I But there's no point in the field because
you don't know what like anything road is sitting over there. But that's not anything to do with Sussex Middle School. No, no, you're right. It doesn't. But the students of Sussex Middle School go to Sussex Middle School and currently there is still the permanent mound out there.
That is my break it down. We're going to call it a temporary mound. It'll go away faster than it was put on. So temporary temporary till the end of May when the portable one comes. I do think I understand what Miss Wy is saying and trust me I think you all know
we have very alternating opinions on a lot. Um I think she's saying what are we going to do tomorrow to help our fizz students? Like she doesn't she doesn't seem to really care what he says, what I say, what Miss Barta says. Honestly, I
do. I do, but I she keeps bringing it back to the Again, like I had checked in with the administration shortly before the meeting who had indicated that the fizzed teachers reported no issues. I'll check in with them again. If they do, you know, we'll address it. All right.
Any other public comments? Moving on to the board secretary certification please to NJ6A 23 and certify that as of March 31st
2025 item has expend to exceed the line item appropriation violation of 6A 23A 16.10A. Thank you Mrs. Baker. At this time, we'll move on to the approval of board
minutes for our March 13th, 2025 regular session. Can I get a motion, please? Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. Any discussion? Mrs. Deli? Yes. Mrs. Mr.
Mrs. Morocco? Yes. Mrs. Yes, Mrs. Yes, Mrs. Yes. We don't need to go into executive session at this time. So, we move on to the presentation of agenda items. Thank you. Wonder personnel. I like to
move items number one through 28. I get a motion. Thank you. Can I get a second? Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mrs. Mrs. Morocco. Yes. Mr. Chapini. Yes. Mrs. Deli. Yes.
Mr. Dash. Yes. Mrs. Simmons. Yes. Mrs. Space. Yes. Mrs. Number 10. And number 12 short. Yes. Mrs. Policy. 23. Can I get a motion, please? A
motion. Thank you. Can I get a second? Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mrs. Simmons, yes. Mrs. Deli, yes. Mrs. Chini, yes. Mr. Gio, yes. Mrs. Morocco, yes. Mrs. States, yes. Mrs. Bone, yes.
Mrs. Yes. Mrs. Motion carries. Under finance, I'd like to move items 1 through 16. Just further clarifying that number 12 should be reportable to team memb. [Music]
Yes. Mrs. Elli, yes. Mr. Gun, yes. Mrs. Moro, yes. Mrs. Simmons, yes. Mrs. Space, yes. Mrs. Special services like items 1 through 15. Can I get a motion?
Can I get a second? Uh, any discussion? Mrs. Deli, yes. Mrs. Yes. Mrs. Mr. Yes. Mrs. Morocco. Yes. Mrs. Simmons. Yes, Mrs. Space. Yes, Mrs. Oi. Yes, Mrs.
Motion carries. Under curriculum, I'd like to move item number one. Can I get a motion? Motion. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mrs. Yes.
Mrs. Deli, yes. Mrs. Chini, yes. Mr. Giani, yes. Mr. Morco, yes. Mrs. Simmons, yes. Mrs. I'm saying yes. Yes. Motion carries.
To the agenda under personnel like four motion motion. Thank you. Can I get a second? A second. Thank you. Any discussion? Mrs. Yes. Mr. Gun. Yes. Mr. Yes. Mrs. Deli.
from Mrs. Morocco. Yes. Mrs. Simmons, yes. Mrs. States, yes. Mrs. Colon, yes. Mr. Yes. Motion carries. And under policy, I'd like to move it to number one. Can I get a motion, please?
Can I get a second? I'll second. Thank you. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes. Money. Yes. Mrs. Chini. Yes. Mr. Gon. Yes. Mrs. Morocco. Yes. Mrs.
Simmons. Yes. Mrs. Space. Yes. Mrs. Yes. Mrs. Torella. Yes. Motion carries. Finance. I like to number one. Can I get a motion? A motion. Thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second.
Okay. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mr. Gum. Yes. Mrs. Simmons. Yes. Mr. Yeah. Mrs. Deli. Yes. Mrs. Morocco. Yes. Mrs. Sp. Yes. Mrs. Balone. Yes. Mrs. Ory. Yes. Mrs.
Troella. Yes. Carry. Special services. I'd like to number one. I get a motion. Motion. Thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second. Thank you. Any discussion? Roll, please. Mrs. Deli, yes. Mr. Bone, yes.
Mr. Mr. Yes. Mrs. Morocco. Yes. Mrs. Simmons. Yes. Mrs. Yes. Mrs. Mrs. Yes. At this time, we will move on to unfinished business. Does the board have any unfinished business they would like
to discuss? Seeing none, does the board have any new business they'd like to discuss? 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. Any
public comments? Right. Seeing none, at this time we do need to go into executive session for approximately 15 minutes. No action will be taken. Can I get a resolution, please? Whereas pursuant to NJSA 104-12B,
assessed 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 NJSA 104-12 B1 through9. Therefore, be it resolved, the sus regional board of
education shall enter into close session to discuss legal personnel matters. Now, therefore, be it further resolved by the sess and regional board of education that pursuant to NJSA 10-13, the time when and the circumstances under which the discussion
conducted in close session can be disclosed to the public is when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Thank you, Mrs. Riker. Can I get a motion to go to executive session? Thank you. Can I get a second? One second. All in favor say I. I. Any. All right.
We'll see you guys in about 15 minutes. Thank you so much. public session. Thank you for waiting. Can I get a motion for German? Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you. All in favor say I. I. Any. All right, everyone. Have a good night.
Thank you. field. We're