Now it's a six. There we go. >> Okay. Calling to order the December 18, 2025 meeting of the Vernon Township Board of Ed. Um, can we get a roll call? >> Mr. Smeagglia, >> Mr. Fischer >> here, >> Mr. Krauss
>> here. >> Miss Plet >> here. >> Dr. Ross >> here. >> Mr. Sweeney, >> Miss Varelo >> here, >> Mr. Zimmerman >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Great. >> It is recommended that the board enter close session for the purposes of discussing legal personnel and student
matters. Can I get a motion? >> Okay. >> Second. >> I'm not sure who that was, but um John and I'll go Carrie and John, right? >> Okay. Great. Uh all in favor? All right. >> Closed.
Thank you. Item four, it is recommended that the board return to open session. Can I get a motion? >> Move. >> Second. >> Thank you, Jay. We get um a roll call. >> Mr. Fischer
>> here. >> Mr. Krauss >> here. >> Uh we're voting. >> So, we're voting. >> We're voting. >> We're voting. We're voting on the >> Yes. Sorry about that. >> Miss Plet >> I. >> Aar Ross. >> I >> Mr. Sweeney. >> Yes. >> Miss Aarella.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Zimmerman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Simaglia. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> And then attendance. Kto >> here. >> Mr. De Mendes. >> Present. >> And I am here.
>> Excellent. Okay. Mr. slam will lead us in the pledge. >> 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. >> Thank you. Item six, reading of the public meeting notice. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In
accordance with the provisions of the act Township Board of Education has caused notice this meeting to be published and an adequate notice has been provided and notice this meeting has been properly posted in accordance with the New Jersey open public meeting law. The next public meeting is January 5th uh which is our rework meeting.
Thank you. Item seven, approval of the minutes. Can I get a motion for uh items A and B, minutes of the closed public session meeting from November 20 and no and and the minutes of the public uh session meeting from November 20. >> Thank you, Stephanie. Second.
>> Second, >> Joe. This was for the notes. >> Sorry, >> this for the notes last week. >> This is for the minutes from >> minutes from November 20. I just had one comment if we can uh >> I can talk. Right. >> Yeah. You have questions or comments. I just
>> There's a spot when we're talking about um it's only on like stuff we're going to vote on. Um some of the comments were we went into a little detail, but some of them I can't remember off camera. Just um Mr. Slam responded. So if there was something more
actionable, just make sure just so it explains what you responded to. is so somebody reading a note say they know where the conversation went. That's if we could just do that. >> Do we still have the transcription as well? >> Uh yes we do. >> Even if we pointed to that say we
>> look at this point point in the video. >> Yeah because what we do what we do is we have the uh we'll have the minutes and then also the transcription from YouTube club too. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I know it's hard to break down every single word everybody said but you know we a little bit more scripted but thank you. I just wanted to follow up on that
because I noticed the same thing today. Did Did we just start doing it that day that way that it's always been that way? >> Yep. I believe it's been that way since before I was even here. >> Brought it up the same day. >> Any other questions or comments?
>> Okay, >> Miss Krauss. >> Yes. Miss Pallet, >> yes. >> Dr. Ross, >> yes. >> Mr. Sweeney, >> yes. >> Miss Carella, >> yes. >> Mr. Zimmerman, >> same. >> Mr. Smaglia, >> yes. >> Mr. Fischer, >> I.
>> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Item 8, presence report. Good evening, everyone. We have a full agenda for our final meeting of 2025. Um, tonight we're going to have the opportunity to enjoy a performance from the Meister Singers. We're very excited
about that. And later in the meeting, we'll be recognizing several of our longtime employees as they conclude their service to the district and enter retirement. We're grateful for their many years of dedication to our students and our schools. Um, but before we move into those celebrations, I'd like to
take a minute to recognize a board member whose service has had a lasting impact on our district. Mr. Joe Sweeney served a total of 28 years on this board, working on behalf of our staff, students, and the residents of Vernon. His commitment, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership have helped shape
the Vernon Township School District over nearly three decades. We are deeply grateful for this service. With that, I'd like to turn to the next item on our agenda, which is a resolution honoring Joseph A. Sweeney for dedicated service to the Vernon Township Board of Education. Now, I have to read this long
thing. Um whereas it is fitting and proper that the Vernon Township Board of Education should recognize, particularly on the occasion of their retirement, those outstanding individuals who have devoted their careers or a significant portion of their lives to providing the highest quality education and leadership
for the district students and community. And whereas Joseph A. Sweeney has distinguished himself as an exemplary member of the Vernon Township Board of Education for over 28 years. And whereas during his tenure, Mr. Sweeney has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to
the success and well-being of all students, educators, and staff, upholding the highest ideals of public service and quality education. And whereas Mr. Sweeny's leadership, vision, and dedication have left an indelible mark on the school district and the community of Vernon. And whereas the
members of the board, the administration, staff, students, and community express their sincere gratitude for Mr. Sweeny's tireless efforts and valuable contribution. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Vernon Township Board of Education expresses sincere appreciation for Mr.
Sweeny's dedicated service to the board, the school district, and the state. The board also congratulates him on retirement and offers best wishes for future endeavors. Be it further resolved that this resolution will be included in the official board minutes and presented to Joseph A. Sweeney as a symbol of
respect and gratitude. Adopted this 18th day of December, 2025 by the Vernon Township Board of Education. >> I think you overstated some of that a little bit. I think a few pe >> I know at least one of us wants to wants
to share a few words of >> can I say something too >> Miss Ross Dr. >> The reason I wanted to join the board was that I so admired the people in my own family who volunteered their time to serve on voting boards and local boards like this one. My aunt Grace was on the
board of ed with you Mr. Sweeney many many many many years ago. And as I got older, got into education, and eventually had kids of my own, I realized what a responsibility it was to serve on the board of ed to
safeguard the quality education of the children in your community. What could be more important than that? So, I want to thank you, Joe, sincerely, for all the many, many years you've volunteered your time to do just that. It's no small thing, and you've had a wonderful
impact, including inspiring the next generation of volunteers. Thank you for caring about enough about the kids in Vernon to give so much of your time. You'll be very missed. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Dr. Russ. We have this for you. >> I want to say a few things.
>> Oh, good. >> Just a few things. >> Um, just I don't want to miss I want to say it, right? I was first elected to the board of ed in April of 1986. At that time we had two preschool age
children and I campaigned that I could bring the perspective of the young families that were moving into Vernon by the droves at the time. That perspective is a very different right now. Now nearly 40 years later all
six of our children are Vernon grads. They are contributing members of society and we are very proud of the Vernon education that they received. A number of them are here today. If you guys wouldn't mind standing.
Claire, Joseph, Daniel. That's it. That's it. My oldest Megan is on her way. Although we're very proud of their education. My wife and I are both Hope John grads.
Many people have said to me, "Thank you for all the service that I have given to the board of education." But my life has been truly rewarded by the people that I have come in contact with through the board of ed. I mean the educators, the
superintendent, the principles, administrators, teachers, aids, students have just have just left my life further enriched because of my exposure to them and I'm just so happy to have had that opportunity. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you, Mr. Yeah. >> Is there anything else? That's it. And good luck with the board for the future education of our children. And I appreciate your work.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Very nice of you. You ready? >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. All your years of service. Uh, so we do need a motion on that um
resolution. >> So move second. >> Second, John. Thank you. Any more questions or comments? >> Okay. Thank you again, Joe, for everything you've done for the district. Um, and we need a roll call.
>> Oh. Oh. All in favor? Yeah. I don't think anybody's going to say nay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Can I say nay? >> No, you can't. like a father. >> He might. That's true. All right. So, item uh nine, the presentation and
recognitions. Um would you like to invite your >> Sure. So, this evening we are honored to welcome the Vernon Township High School Meister Singers who will be performing uh this evening for the board and for our public. Uh, the Meister Singers are
an ac cappella ensemble under the direction of Kevin Boem. Uh, but we also extend just a warm Vernon congratulations to uh this talented group for their recent performance on WSUS radio on Tuesday, December 16th.
Congratulations. Um, they proudly represented our district and they shared their musical talents with the broader community as well. So, please join me in welcoming them. Yes. the bslly la.
See the blazing you before us la strike the harp and join the chorus laure laure la. Dashing through the snow in a one-horse
open sleigh. Bells on bobtail ring, making fun tonight. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride. And soon
by my side, we got into a drift and we got jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride one open sleigh. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is
to ride in one sleigh. >> One, two, go. While you're young tonight and sing4. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride one open sle.
Thank you so much. That's the Burn Meister singers. Uh group that's super busy this time of the year. Uh we're caring all over the place and enjoying doing it uh so much. We're really happy to be here at board meeting. We're we're gracious that we be invited to to sing.
Uh the next two songs are a couple songs we sang at our concert uh the last Friday and couple more challenging arrangements of a couple really really Yes. M. We will
pray for a joyful Christmas days to give their praise on the fight and drum. They played on the play for a joyful Christmas day. Oh,
la become more soon and fight and drunk. So be merry while you play. You have a be merry while you play for joyful Christmas. La
keep me. I got my love to keep me. I got my love to keep me warm. The snow is the wind is blowing. sto
I can't remember just for you Why do I care? I' got my love to keep me warm. with my over my heart.
The flame grows higher. So I will weather the stor. I got my love to keep me. I got my love to keep me. Thank you so much. We got one more for
you. Uh we just thrilled again once once again to be here. We hope everybody has a happy holidays. Merry Christmas. >> Uh Mr. Ball, could you introduce these excellent singers? >> Thank you, Joe. >> Sure. >> Like individually, >> could we Yeah. Could we just go around and get everyone's name and Sure.
>> and what year they are? >> So, uh Yeah. So, we have, you know, we're a little short in our out tonight. We have more of them, but uh the ones I hear are amazing. Uh we have uh two a couple linds, Lindsy Jensen, Lindsay Bogle, singing soprano, we have Cassandra Cruing, Ala uh tener section, we have Liam Kelter, we have Dominic
Peek, we have Thomas Kimble. Uh bass section, uh we have Trevor Pratt, Marcus Darier, Joel Garcia, and Joel Castier. So our wonderful, wonderful singers. We're super proud of them and all they uh do. And uh hopefully you can tell
that um they truly uh live and breathe uh music and and really uh enjoy performing for for anybody like listen. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish
you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Good tidings to you wherever you are. Good tidings for Christmas and a happy
new year. Now bring us some figgy pudding. Bring us some figgy figgy and bring to you wherever you are. Tid. So bring some right here. We wish you a
merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. >> Thank you so much. All right. >> Thank you. >> That was great.
>> That was awesome. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Wow. That was fantastic. Uh we're going to have cake soon, so if you'll bear with us, we'd like to uh invite you to stay and have some
refreshments with us. Um but uh that was just wonderful. And um I'm so glad that you were able to share your talent with us and uh just encourage you to continue to take care of that beautiful instrument that you have um as you share
it with all the others. Um this evening, we're also honoring the following retirees. I will read the proclamation. Whereas the retiree has dedicated themselves to the Vernon Township School District, displaying an unselfish commitment to our children, exemplifying
the ideals of professionalism and the standard of excellence, has requested retirement. And whereas the Vernon Township Board of Education, together with its citizens, wishes to acknowledge exemplary service that the retirees have provided to our children. And now
therefore, be it resolved that the Vernon Township Board of Education does hereby extend its appreciation and gratitude to the retirees in recognition of their exemplary service to our school district. And be it further resolved that the Vernon Township Board of
Education spread this resolution in full upon the minutes. Uh we congratulate Bernie Casemiro, our custodian at Vernon Township High School, uh for his service and Kimberly Smarther, Lounsbury Hollow School, teacher grade four on their
retirement. Congratulations to Bernie and Kimberly. Uh and now we will take a short recess uh for refreshments. We will take a pause. Sandra Cruz was in the mist. I want to see what I'm next. >> Oh yeah.
>> For years since the kids were babies. >> I just wonder why. >> Now it's easy when you like admire different parts of it. Like have you ever really focused on the lower left? every every meeting. >> I know.
is right. Excellent. You got to get that. >> Is everybody ready? >> Thank you. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> We are back from our recess and uh we're moving on to item 10, board member
candidate interviews. Um, so we have a candidate who has expressed uh who has submitted her uh resume. Um, so we'd like to invite you to the podium. Thank you for your interest in serving
on the Vernon Township Board of Ed. We really appreciate you stepping up to give back to the community. Um, we have a few questions to pose, but first can you just tell us a little uh tell us your state your name for the record and tell us a little bit about yourself? >> Hi, my name is Sarah Vac. Uh, I went I
through the Vernon school system and currently I am a long-term substitute down in New Brunswick. Um, yeah, I I've started the process of going into teaching. Currently, I'm taking classes uh through the Rucker's
alternate route program through their uh graduate school of education. Um, mostly I've worked within uh special ed roles. Uh I worked in first grade inclusion for a few months. Now I'm currently in third
grade inclusion. Um but yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Um what qualif I'm going to start now if it's okay with you asking I'm going to ask the first question and uh my vice president Charlie is going to ask the second question. Uh what qualifications and or
characteristics make you the best candidate for the open seat on the board? Um, as I mentioned earlier, I think going through the Vernon school system, um, I mean, actually, Mrs. Sweeney was
my kindergarten teacher, I believe, 16 years ago now. Um, you know, I've I've become familiar with the structure of the schools and kind of the issues that go in line with that.
Um, also having this experience as a long-term substitute, as a teacher, I kind of both as a student and a teacher have this kind of um, you know, bottom up perspective of the board and what the board does.
Um, but I also, especially through special ed, kind of getting to review, you know, the IEP process and getting a student classified and out of district placements and things like that. Um, sorry I'm blanking.
>> Uh, I completely lost my train of thought. I apologize. you you were saying that uh having gone through the process of um getting student IEP placement you've learned >> right >> about >> um yeah I I have this knowledge and
experience of how um board decisions and board policies can affect you know students and life in the classroom. >> Great. Thank you. Okay. Question two is what is your
understanding of the role of a board member and the task and the responsibilities associated with the role? So to my knowledge, the responsibilities associated with a board includes setting policy, um approving the budget, uh
ensuring that the district and its schools are in line with state and federal policy, um evaluating the superintendent, um and then also working with the superintendent on, you know, personnel matters, whether that's
hiring, um approving leave, Uh, and then also, you know, approving the curriculum. >> Thank you. Is there anything else that you want to add? >> Uh, no.
>> Okay, great. We're going to take a a short uh recess. Oh, wait. We're actually going to do public comments first. I'm sorry. We we went through this whole reorganization of the process, so I forgot about that. Um, so, thank you. you can if you'd like to take a seat and we'll just do public comments then we'll
do a little executive session to discuss. >> Okay. Sure. Um so we're opening the floor for public comments. Oh what >> uh want me to read the I got >> Oh you have to read the Yes.
>> So this is public comment for candidate um interviews only. Uh this blur I read will also apply to the other public comments in tonight's agenda. During the course of the public meeting of the Vern board education, the public is offered the opportunity to address
the board on agenda items and any issues regarding the school district. The board reminds us individuals who take this opportunity and they must identify themselves by name and section of town and limit their comments to agenda items and are issues that directly relate to operations of the school district. Issues that are raised by members of the public may or may not be responded to by
the board administration at the time of the meeting or at any time. All comments will be considered and response will be forthcoming if and when appropriate. Board requests that members of the public keep their comments to limit to five minutes, be courteous, respectful, and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and
employees of the board of education should be thoroughly considered by the speaker and may or may not be responded to by the board administration. Be advised that students employees have rights, confidentiality, and other protections under the law. Student names should never be used. The board bears no protect, excuse me, the board bears no responsibility nor will be liable for
any comments made by the public during the public portion of a board meeting. Members of public should consider their comments in light of the legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments and be aware that they are personally legally responsible or there's potential liability for the comments that they make to the board.
>> Thank you, Mr. Sam. No, it's okay. All right. Do we have any members of the public who would like to comment at this time? >> This is for candidate interviews only. Just saying. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm Carl Cantino and I'm from Vernon
>> and I I know, right? I'm from Vernon. I just wanted to It is It feels weird standing up here and talking. It feels totally different. >> I just wanted to seeing as Sarah is the only person who put her name in. I wanted to wish her luck and I wanted to
state that what she said about that bottomup perspective because that's what I came on this board having being a student teacher when I was appointed that is such a valuable thing to have. So I'm really excited to see what she does and I wish her and the board the
best of luck and also I want to thank Mr. Sweeney for his service on the board. Thank you. >> Thank you Carl. Do we have any additional online or >> no
>> in the audience public comments? No. Okay. Um then uh item uh B. It's recommended that the board enter close session for the purposes of discussing board member candidate interviews. Can I get a motion? >> Second Ray.
>> Um questions or comments? No. Uh can we get a vote? Uh, we can do it all. >> We can do it all in favor. Okay. All in favor? I >> Okay, I'll move to closed. Item C, it's recommended that the board return from closed session. Can I get a
motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, in executive session, the board discussed uh the candidates's qualifications and responses to the interview questions. We will now move on to item D, call for nominations. The
floor is open for nominations to fill the open seat on the board of ed. >> I would like to nominate Sarah Pek for the open board seat. Second. >> Thank you, Sean. Fine. Um, it is recommended that the board approve Sarah Pek to fill the vacant board member seat
effective January 5th, 2026 through December 31, 2026. >> Uh, do we just do a roll call? >> We need a motion and a >> Okay. I thought we just That doesn't count. >> Uh, no. The nomination is only a nomination. Second to that.
>> Okay. So, now I need a motion for my recommendation to appoint. >> So, >> John, Charlie. Okay. Thank you. And now questions or comments. >> I want to just thank our candidate for uh putting her name forward and being willing to to join us. We're really
excited to have you. Um, can we get a roll call, >> Mr. Carlo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zimmerman? Yes, >> Mr. Sangalia. >> Yes, >> Mr. Fischer. >> Hi, >> Mr. Krauss. >> Yes, >> Miss Pellet. >> Yes,
>> Dr. Ross. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Congratulations. >> Welcome. >> I hope you know what you're in for. >> Okay, moving on to item 11, board report
summary. Um, we have the community relations uh strategic plan ad hoc, Mr. Fiser. >> Yep. Okay. So, uh, our meeting was on Tuesday, December 2nd. We convened at
6:03 p.m. Uh, this was a virtual meeting. In attendance was Anna Meyer, Ebony De Mendez, Stephanie Varela, Jennifer Pellet, Nick Demsac, Jackie Van Order, and myself. Purpose of the
meeting was to discuss community relations and engagement strategies in support of the strategic planning forum with a focus on inclusive outreach, effective communication, and meaningful opportunities for community feedback and
involvement. uh group discussed identifying and engaging a broad range of community stakeholders including parents, students, elected officials, council members, the mayor, mayor's team, sea
administrators, community-based organizations, seniors, PAL and PTO groups and local businesses. The goal is to ensure outreach efforts are inclusive, representative, and accessible.
Communication tools and messaging discussion included developing letters to the community with tailored messaging emphasizing clarity and relevance. Visual communication tools such as videos featuring community members were
discussed along with highlighting community involvement to build trust and participation. community survey. The committee discussed using a QR codebased community survey to gather feedback, including who would have access to the results and
findings and how they would be used to inform outreach and planning efforts. Direct engagement initiatives coffee with the superintendent sessions were identified as a key engagement strategy. I think you actually had a date that I
didn't get. >> January 7th. January 7th. Um the committee discussed hosting senior focused engagement sessions ideally in a senior to senior format. Stephanie Verarella noted that she has a contact
at the senior center isn't and is willing to serve as liaison for the senior outreach and coordination. Outreach planning ahead of time and continued focus on K12 engagement were also emphasized.
I neglected to write what time we adjourned. >> We were very efficient. I think we adjourned within an hour. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Usually I put it messed up this time. >> Um I think we have a date on the senior.
Don't we have a date on this first senior? >> We do. I will pull it up in a second. >> Okay. I just want to highlight that. And just for anybody in the public um watching, can we tell them the dates of the strategic plan meetings? I know them. If you don't have them handy, Mr. >> I don't have them.
>> Okay. We have January 8th, February 5th, and March 12th. So, please join us. We really want to hear from as many members of the community as we can for those >> senior citizens are on January 21st. And we'd also like to stress as well
that if you filled out the survey, we still want to see you at the meetings. So, we're not putting out the survey because you may not be able to make the meetings. We want to see people here at the meetings, >> right? Um,
so I like you might have mentioned it outreach and all that, but I feel we need to have a massive advertising campaign to get people to this. I know we don't love Facebook and that but that is unfortunately >> what people look at. So we need to get it out there. I mean even now January
8th is >> three weeks away. >> We have actually began that already there. Um I'll let you speak. It's her it's u Miss Demendes uh plan but >> sure. Um so uh we have posted on social media on all of our social media sites.
So, we've posted on um X and Facebook and what's the other one? >> Instagram. Instagram. Instagram. Okay. So, they're all posted. Uh we've sent out letters to all of our community members, our business partners, our houses of faith, um our senior center,
uh our town council, our mayor, uh everybody in Vernon I feel like has received a letter at this point. Our parents and guardians, Mr. Gagliastro and I did a Bonnie and Clyde and we've uh gone to every business. You're going to see Vernon plastered on all of the
walls and uh Acme and CVS and uh the dance studio and PAL and the library and the Crystal Springs Resort. So, uh our flyers are out there. They're in the community. Uh we're asking the community to spread the word. Um we've also made
our phone calls. uh we've given flyers to the PAL to share with their parents when they pick up the kids for activities. Um uh so I think we're doing uh a really at least good job at that first effort of communication. We will continue that. You will see it ramp up
those last five days when we return from the break. But certainly the word is out. Uh we're seeing people repost on social media. >> We're Yeah, some are commenting and they're asking if we're going to have a virtual session. Right now that response has been right now we are meeting in person
and we would love to have you engage with us in person. Um so that's been the response. Uh as Mr. Fischer has stated uh we love uh the fact that people are responding to our survey. We still encourage you to come and participate. Uh today I met with our student council
and other student leaders. There were over 15 of our students present. I think uh Miss O'Donnell is going to give us a little update on that, but um they've certainly started to develop surveys for the students. They've uh posted the flyers all over the high school. Um and now they're starting to get student
voice. They will join us and partner with us on January 8th to talk to us about the student needs. After all, we're serving them, right? And so then they are going to be out um in a nice large group to really share their voice.
Um so January 8th um is about identifying priorities, what matters most. So we're asking our community to come together to help us identify what our priorities are as a district, as a community. Um on Fab February 5th, we're
going to talk about our vision and our values. We're asking the question, what do we value as a community? What is our vision for our students? And March 12th is us pulling it all together. Where are we going? So, it's bringing all of the information that we've gathered, all of the voices that
we've heard, and then pulling it all together to establish our five-year plan. Uh, we do have a web page that we have developed. It is vtsd.com/strategic plan. vtsd.com/strategic plan. Uh, we welcome everybody to visit our web page. You can see um the
information definition of what a strategic plan is, what we hope to accomplish, what are the anchors that we're focusing on this year. There is a link to the survey, there's a link to the RSVP. Uh yes, there are three dates. Uh we're encouraging our community and
family members to come to all three if you can because they build on one another. Um and we have an opportunity to really just engage with our seniors at the senior center. um what was the date? January 21st from 1 to 2 pm. Right
now we have over 50 um um members of our senior community who have uh signed up to attend. So we're excited to be able to give them just um really undivided attention. I think it's deserved and we can have a very focused conversation. Uh we do have our coffee with the
superintendent on January 7th, the night before. So that um it is sponsored by our SCA. our sea um uh has also put it in the Vernon Living magazine. A nice article was featured. So, we're grateful to Miss Anna Moyers for that. Um and as
our parents come uh to have coffee and conversation, we'll talk about our strategic plan, we'll invite them to the next evening so that they can join us. Uh we understand it's a collaborative process, so we're looking forward to uh shaping Vernon's future better together. Right, Miss O'Donnell? Do you want to
give us an update on the students before we move on from strategic plan? >> Sure. Um so today I want to say 12 of us met um in conference room B. Um Mattie Selantano who was here at the first board meeting.
He is the vice president of the student council. So he spoke a little bit then. Um he has gathered a group of about 10 to 15 people um from all different grades. I think we've got the sophomore class president. We've got a couple of
junior boys who are on the baseball team. We've got pretty spread out um across the school board. Um we all met today. We discussed lots of uh curriculum, whatever issues have been brought up to them. Um and we talked a
lot about uh the weight grading system. We talked I have it written down actually. I don't know why I'm doing this all for memory. Um, >> you were doing great though. >> I was I was doing really good. I was really happy with myself and then I like forgot completely. Um, we talked about
lab days and how that can uh conflict with lunch. So, we talked about a different schedule uh setup for uh ABC and D. Um, and then we talked about class levels in general. So, that's CP, ACP, um, honors and AP and how that can
get a little bit uh mushy and how we can fix that moving forward. Um, they are planning to have surveys sent out to all of the students unbiased by January 5th. I think they're working on
them over break. Um, I think they each have a point to go over. So, everyone's making their own survey and they're going to send them out as they finish them. Um, and we are designating a point in home room whenever the day we get
back. I think that's January 5th. um in home room to on the morning announcements. Hey, please go on your Chromebooks, please fill the survey out so that way everyone does it instead of just like a hundred people, which is usually what happens. So, that was pretty much our meeting today.
>> Yeah. Thank you. And thank you to Matthew Santano who's leading that effort um and gathering his um peers and making sure that the student voices is heard and represented in this strategic plan. >> And again, don't just take the survey, come to the meeting. Yes.
>> Oh, yeah. Come to me. >> And I just wanted to add that I thought one of the most interesting comments that came out of the committee meeting was from Mr. Demsac who is a uh a board member in his town and has been for I
think he said 15 years. and he he said he was so happy to hear the way that we're trying to get the community involved and engaged in this plan because he said it doesn't happen there. >> And and he thought it was just a a great
idea for the way we're trying to reach out into the the number of uh different parties that that we're trying to reach out. He was very excited about that. >> Yeah. That's great. >> Okay. Anybody have any questions about
the community relations strategic plan meet? Yeah. All right. Mr. Fischer, you're also up for technology. I know you didn't have a meeting. So, you're just going to >> Right. So, technology, we didn't have a meeting. It was scheduled for December 1st. There were conflicts or whatever.
Uh, but we did also uh reschedu because Monday is a bad day. So, starting January, we're switching uh the technology committee to the first Tuesday of the month instead of the first Monday at 6 p.m.
>> Okay, great. All right. And now, did you give your or this? >> No, I've got more. >> You've got more. All right. So, item 12 or >> actually I had seven pages and that was
what my last page was. So, now it's six. Yes, now we're down to six. Excellent. So, here's All right, Miss O'Donnell. >> So, we're going to kind of skip through the first a little bit. Um, winter sports have officially begun. Uh, most people have had their opening days. Um, I will give a full update on that in
January because some of them don't have any statistics yet. Um, so we have ice hockey, boys basketball, girls basketball, indoor track, girls swim, boys swim, girls ski, boys ski, uh, bowling, girls wrestling, and boys wrestling. um student council. They made
their uh winter prepper alelli t-shirts and they started pre-sales this past week. Um they met today in room 151 and started decorating the hallway uh yeah the hallways for the pep rally next week. Um they look very good. I'm very
excited. Uh they planned and are currently having the 12 days of holiday fun. If you would like me to list those off, please ask. I have them written down just in case you're curious. Um, moving on to the theater department, we have casted for our spring musical, The
Hunchback of Notre Dame. Um, we have held our read through that was on 11:23. We had competition auditions and the list of comp was crafted. Um, we currently hold rehearsals from 2:00 to 3:30 for anyone competing. Um, and our
stage crew applications for the spring musical came out. uh unified club unified basketball has begun. So I think that's the second half of every B and D day. Um and they also had a cutest dog
contest. Uh they released it on 1212 and they released voting on it on 12:15 and we have yet to hear about the results and I'm very excited. Um Key Club, they did the planning and organizing of Thanksgiving baskets. Um, and now they
are organizing a Santa's workshop for our VTSD families. Um, moving on, our green team is decorating the courtyard and using wild friendly fire, wildfire friendly materials. Uh,
they did that yesterday and they made ornaments um yesterday also and that was open to anyone who wanted to go. Um, Model UN had a simulation this past week and I'm not really sure what that means. I'm going to assume it's just they sat in a circle and had a conference. Um but
they are prepping for their conference at C Peners University in March. Um HOSA, which is our um healthcare students, made holiday cards and are collecting candy canes to give out to children in the Piku at Morristown
Central Hospital. Um choir, you've obviously heard them lovely Meister singers. Um they performed at WSUS uh on 1216. They carolled at Crystal Springs and they also car carolled at the German Christmas market on 125 and 126.
Um oh and they also had carolling calls this past week. Um so that's where just people can order calls for loved ones and they call them they hopefully they pick up and they sing to them on the phone. >> Um band they had their successful winter concert. They also had area band
auditions. Um, so the people that made that in, that was Shawn Menddees on clarinet, Johanna Brunes on trombone, Matthew Young on trombone, uh, Renee, I don't know how to pronounce her last name, I'm sorry, Tuba. Um, and then
the 2026 New Jersey Area Band Wind Ensemble, which I'm guessing is the higher level, is Aan Manning on battery. And then Thomas Kimble, who you saw tonight, he's in the lovely Meister Singers, is on piano. Um, Despian Honor Society. Uh, we're planning a miscast
cabaret for February. I think I said that already. Um, and we're planning on having an encore cabaret, which is a mainstage production, um, for VTHs theater alumni. So, that's any production in the past 15 years that people remember the song and the music
for. Um, they can sign up to perform with their assigned group and we're going to do a whole cabaret um, in April, I think. Um, we had a se successful Santa breakfast uh fundraiser on 126 along
with a lock in on 125. Um, the National Honor Society, we made gift baskets for first responders. So, whoever was planning on making treats and whoever was planning on bringing the baskets out. So, uh, we made them for the the vms's crew, we made them for the fire
responders, we made them for the police, um, kind of anyone. Uh and then they made the baskets today. Um the weekend bag project uh donations are being collected by Miss Dia right now. She traveled and I think you're going to cover this, but she traveled to
Lounsbury to make bags with the fifth graders on 1216. Um we and I'm so mad about this one because I had the flyers to show you and then I forgot them on my vanity. Um but they're really funny. The holiday hero
fundraiser. Um this is all the funds go to the VTHs SCA. The contestants are Miss Ghart, um Mr. Dempseac, Mr. Down, and Mr. Foley. Um they got transformed by the graphic three uh design students into Christmas
characters. So Mr. Foley is the Grinch, Miss Ghart is Rudolph, uh Mr. Demsack is Santa, and Mr. Down is Buddy the elf. And might I say, they are very, very funny. And I was really excited. >> Those next time. Yes, I absolutely they've got to be up somewhere. They're sitting and this is horrible because now
it's going to look at me when I sleep, but it's sitting on the vanity in my room and I'm kind of mad that I forgot it now. Um, yeah. So, it's um you can put coins or money into these buckets and whoever has the most money in their
bucket gets to be decorated by the student council and anyone else uh during our winter prep rally. And then the second contestant, they have to um student council gets to make them like a really tacky outfit to wear all day. >> Um it's going to be very very interesting. I'm very excited.
>> Um our junior class student of the month was Joe Cordderero. Our senior class student of the month was Julie Evnik. Um we have a Sussex Community College and Lincoln Tech Tour trip coming up. Um our senior support super superlatives came
out uh with voting for the yearbook. Uh, our sophomore class student of the month was Zachary. I'm going to butcher this last name. Gared Gered. Sure. Um, and our freshman class student of the month was Dominic Toy. We had an elective fair
last Friday 12:12. So, all old and new electives for next school year set up and talk about what we do uh in the class and what it includes in the upper library. Tomorrow we have poetry out loud. Uh we currently have 53 participants and it's all day in the auditorium. Um and they are judged by
our English department. So hopefully I'll have results by the next time we come and do this. Um and then we have the holiday motorcade uh which is students and administration can pay $10 to decorate their cars and compete in a motorcade in front of the
school. So we all go outside and we watch this parade of cars go by and it's really really cool. Um, and then the Cosmo program, they are doing a program during lunch right now where students can pay $2 to get tinsel in their hair during lunch. And that's all I have.
>> Nice. Thank you very much. >> Of course. Great. >> Sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Thought you >> That was a lot. >> Okay. They'll get longer. Don't worry. >> Can I ask you a question? >> Sure. >> When is the Hunchback of Notre Dame being performed?
>> Thank you for asking. It is the 26th, 27th, and 28th of March. So that's a Thursday, Friday, Sat and Saturday. Yeah. >> And what part are you playing? >> Um, my character's name is Madame, and she owns the brother roll of the show.
So I'm very excited. >> Very nice. Thank you. >> And almost everyone, I think I counted, there is only one person that was in the Meister Singers that is not participating in the musical. So if you would like to hear those lovely voices again, please come and support us.
>> Wow. That's great. Okay. So, item 13, um, public comment. Do we have any members of the public? The same, um, the same, I don't know, report that Mr. Slam gave before applies to this session. Um, do we have any members of the public online or in person who would like to
comment? Okay, not seeing any. So, we will move on to the superintendence report item 14. >> Great. Um, so, uh, we're pleased to announce the district's artist of the month for December. Our high school students artwork is being displayed at
the board office. Enrolling Hill students artwork is at our municipal building. I must say, it's beautiful. You need to stop by to see it. Uh, we have our enrollment report, which is attachment S1. We have our HIV bullying report for November 25th, which is
attachment S2. Um, Miss O'Donnell uh briefly mentioned uh our weekend bag program. It was a beautiful site to see if I don't know if we can get the picture up. Uh, but what we did have was uh Cedar Mountain, Rolling Hills, and
Lounsberry Hollow. It'll be up this way maybe. >> Yeah, it's >> Yeah, it's coming up. >> So, uh, Cedar Mountain, Rolling Hills, and Lounsberry Hollow in the high school. Uh, elementary schools collected all of these items. They divvied up the list. some hygienics, some food items.
Um, they came to Lounsbury Hollow, sent everything there. Our ABA program >> see it. Maybe we need to hit the lights. >> Yeah. >> Uh, so our ABA program, which are our young Vikings, were joined by our high school uh older Vikings uh AP seminar
students from Miss Dujo's class. Um, and they made 61 bags for our families. And so then these bags go to um our families that um have need of sustenance. And so then um they sent them out to the
weekend bag program. So we thought that was wonderful. And then uh the next picture if we want to see Rolling Hill celebrated student achievement, Carmela Z uh was named our 2025 winner of the Sussex Rural Electrics Holiday Card Art
Contest. So congratulation to Carmela um for winning. And then the next one is Lounsbury Hollow. Uh they won for Red Women, uh Red Ribbon Week. It was the winning entry for putting the pieces together and this is fighting uh drugs
in schools, right? So it's drug awareness and those are our students at Lounbury Hollow. Uh and so then I just wanted to share these with you because they all won awards and our students did a fantastic job and that was it. So those are our little picss and I'll continue with my superintendent report.
Yeah. Okay. So, um, community service and giving back. Our students are involved. Not only are they collecting goods, but they're packing the goods, they're delivering the goods. They're really, um, in um, in the heart of what it is to give and
to serve. Our Walnut Ridge students also demonstrated generosity and school spirit throughout the season. Our students supported families in need through a stuff the stocking toy drive in partnership with the project self-sufficiency. They made significant
donations to the St. Francis food pantry. At Cedar Mountain, students participated in the kids heart challenge during physical education. They learned the importance of heart health and cardio fitness. Um they also participated in the weekend bag program
and they supported over 400 students. Go Cedar Mountain. Um, Lounsberry Hollow also, uh, we saw that picture with the weekend bag program and the ABA students and the life skill students really getting involved and so we're just so
proud of of all of their service. Uh, Glenn Meadow had so many student recognitions um, these past few weeks. There were students recognized during the first marking period for their star program which honors the students for their effort, growth and leadership,
positive character and dedication to learning. Uh students were also celebrated for their student upstander award. They were recognized uh for choosing kindness, for standing up to others, and for showing courage by supporting their peers and seeking help
when someone's in need. They honored students for their student citizenship award um and highlighted students who go above and beyond to serve their school community. Uh we had Ryan's story which was a powerful presentation centered on kindness, bullying, prevention, and the
importance of speaking up for others. Uh we had another uh my anti-drug is art poster that won. I didn't have that picture up on the screen, but congratulations to Michaela Sheay uh who was the first place winner. Uh we had uh
various other students who won awards and we see that they're noted. Uh there are many many many. So congratulations to all of our students for all of their awards. Uh our community partnerships. We're grateful to the VTEA for sponsoring uh events across the district
including um the Glen Meadow Trap and Cedar Mountains Hour of Code Rolling Hills Cozy Up with a Good Book Literacy Night. Uh, so not only are we involved in events and giving, but we're also involved in reading and learning and all
things ELA, Mr. Simaglia, right? >> It's never going >> Miss O'Donnell talked about our music and arts, so I won't repeat, but congratulations to our Glen Middle uh students who auditioned and were accepted into the 2026 Junior New Jersey
Area Band. It's an outstanding achievement. Uh the high school also proudly hosted the Sussex County Junior Honors Band concert. 17 students earned placement in this prestigious ensemble. It was a soldout performance. Um and
Vernon was represented with distinction. Um and then it's a season of gratitude. So as this year draws to a close, yes, we're closing 2025. I can't believe it. Can you believe it? We're in 2026. in four years. We're going to be in 2030. Okay, just so we know. So, as the year
draws to a close, uh we're pausing here uh between what has been and what is yet to come. And I know every year we think about our reflections and how the year went and and where the new year is headed. And it's always a moment to reflect with gratitude on the people who
give life to our schools every day. uh to our students, our educators, our staff, our students, our educators, our staff and our families. Um this is a season that invites light and remembrance and hope. And so I just hope that we all find time to rest and to
gather and to be renewed. So whether we're celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah or just a quiet gift of time with our loved ones, I just wish everybody peace in their homes with their families and with their friends and with their loved ones. um and maybe that we could find some joy in these moments that are
coming ahead, right? And that we enter into this new beautiful year together. Um a reminder to our parents that schools will operate on a half day on December 23rd and we will be closed from December 24th through January 2nd. Much
needed rest. Uh we look forward to welcoming our students and our staff back in the new year on January 5th. Uh rested and ready to continue our important work better together. Uh so merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and warm holidays uh to our Vernon
community. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So, we're going to stick with you now with theformational items. >> Yeah. We have a certified staff member who's being recognized for receiving tenure in the month of December, Miss
Ivory Petty. Congratulations. Uh we have a congratulations to our 2526 Governor's Educator of the Year award recipients and our 2526 Educational Services Professionals Award recipients.
Uh they are Doug Miller, Amy Sisto, Lauren Elmo, Jacqueline Fischer, Christina Magnan, Angela Dixon. For educational services, it's Darren Seagull, Jessica Rastami, John Gets, Barbara Shell, Christina Crops, Leslie Lombardi. Uh congratulations to each of
our staff and team members on these um awards that recognize their commitment um over time and sustain to our students and to our our our school community. Uh we do have our board policies. We have second readings and final approval
of various policies. Uh policy 2415 for each of our schools is the uh title one school parent and family engagement. So on the agenda, we have the same policy for each of the schools, specifically the high school, Glenn
Meadow, Lounbury, Rolling Hills, and Cedar Mountain, and Walnut Ridge. And then we have policy 7101 for our educational adequacy of capital projects. Again, these are for a second reading. >> Okay, we did skip over policy and governance committee report from Mr.
Simaglia. So >> that's okay. We can do that now, though. So, um, we met on on our policy committee, policy and governance committee on, uh, December 4th, uh, about six o'clock on Zoom. Um, I had the
wrong link, so I went to I started a little later, but everybody else was there on time, so we'll count that. Um, I I followed in Brian's footsteps, and I also forgot to write the time down, but we ended, but I it was a long meeting. I think it was about 7:30. Um we we we
shut off the the cameras. So um in attendance was myself, Ebony D. Men Dez. >> Good job. >> And I feel like uh like Wilson, but I can tap it out, right? Um Carolyn, I'm
not going to tap everybody out. Carolyn Ross. >> Um Karen Karen De was there, right? Yeah. Okay. I I I missed her originally, but I put it back in. Uh John Krauss, Joe uh Van Kirk
Kirk. >> Yep. Okay. And uh Scott Wallik, and Raceland. And uh that was an easy one. Started with that one, right? Um we uh we have we discussed the the policies that were just read. That first one, just
remember, it's just it really was the same policy just broken up now. Um and the second one, the 7101. um really just change the ranks from the state. So we we talked about it last uh at the last meeting. This is the second reading. Um we had we had a pretty
lengthy discussion. It was great. Um I actually would love to just say thank you for the administrators for your whole team. I I don't know if we missed but I think maybe two people didn't show up but your team coming down spending extra time with us and they went through
a lot a lot. We I mean we have I think we have a big agenda coming up for next year of of of things we're going to do. Um don't want to can't really talk about what we discussed yet because we haven't put the policies in place. Um but they do center around making the school a
better place, safer and and and and better for their education. So um but soon so soon to come. So just you got to keep coming to these board meetings so you can hear more. Um and um and then we also talked about we gave a little you know um talk about the we put at the end
I made it homework. So um you know we wanted to build our our group up our I mean our committee and and put some u changes in our committee for the next year and and uh and change that. So that's pretty much it. It wasn't that much that big of a long one discussion
but um it was a good good meeting and more more exciting stuff to come next year. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Smaglia. Um, can I get a motion to approve items uh 15B1 as listed? >> So moved.
>> John, can I get a second? >> Second. >> Carry questions or comments? I'm going to move to vote. >> Mr. Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Mr. Sanglia, >> yes. >> Mr. Fischer. >> Hi, >> Mr. Krauss.
>> I almost said I Yes. >> Miss Pallet. >> Yes. >> Dr. Ross. >> Yes. >> Miss Varela. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Excellent. >> That's why you have that
>> personnel. So for um section C personnel um item 1A resignations, retirements and terminations for non-certificated staff uh resignations and retirement. Uh we also have item B on our addendum uh
certificated staff resignation employee 7113. For item uh B on the regular agenda is certificated staff resignation and retirement. Um for number two, appointments, we have section A,
certificated staff appointments. We also have an item on the agenda, certificated staff appointment um for a long-term substitute. For 2B, we have our non-certificated staff appointments.
For item C, we have uh substitute appointments at the appropriate substitute rates for the 2526 school year. Item D is before and after school tutoring program recommendations which are funded by our title one funding.
For number three, there are compensation and adjustments. Item A, our hourly stipened adjustments which is at um attachment P1. We have item B which is certificated staff sixth period teaching assignments. We have item C, mentor fee
deductions for the 2526 school year. For number four, leaves of absence. We have item A, leaves of absence for certificated staff. Item B, leaves of absence for non-certificated staff. Uh
we also have an item A on our addendum for leaves of absence for our certificated staff employee 6987. For number five, we have uh an approval for increasing the substitute aid rate to $18 per hour.
I'm sorry that I skipped one on our addendum. It's leaves of absence 4B. Uh leaves of absence for our noncertificated staff. Um and then we have number six, contract legal item. Um it is the request for an approval of a
separation and release agreement between the board and employee 7113. Um and I'll pause there for a motion for the personnel section. >> Okay. Thank you. Um it's is it C1 through C6 then? Okay. Um can I get a
motion to approve item 15 C1 through C6? So move >> second. >> John, thank you. Questions or comments? >> I just on the uh number five the hourly rate just how are we looking with the
budget for that? Is it going to you able to make that work for? >> Uh yes, because what's happening right now is we're having our other aids already have to cover that time. So it'll be offset. >> It'll be offset. Okay, great. Thank you.
Okay. Any other questions? Stephan, >> um, under appointments item two, >> can you share why? I don't know. It says the last two are rescended appointments. Is there a reason for you can share that
or >> it's in your >> It's in the board packets, the board notes. Um, one is to resend the original appointment from the May agenda. Um there was a need to obtain proper certification. >> Okay. >> Um and the second was to resend the
continuation of a long-term substitute assignment um that staff members unable to return after the break. So >> sorry. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Any other questions? Okay. Can we do the roll call, please?
>> Mr. Smagle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fischer. >> Hi. >> Mr. Krauss. Yes, >> Miss Pellet. >> Yes, >> Dr. Ross. >> Yes, >> Miss Zacharella. >> Yes, >> Mr. Zimmerman. >> Yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Thank you. Um, item D, curriculum and instruction. Dr. Ross. >> Charlie's was so mysterious. I hope mine isn't too transparent. Um, we met on December 9th, uh, 4:30 to
5:30. Um, it was myself, Charlie, uh, Jen, John, and then we had Dr. Shep, uh, Mr. Fay, and Mr. Gaggley Ostro. Um, our committee was working toward our shared board goal number five, which is student
achievement and well-being by reviewing process progress in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student support systems. So you'll remember that in her first 90 days, Miss Demendes identified a need to work towards stronger curricular coherence across grade levels. So administration shared
an update that the planning for this process has begun. You'll also remember that Vernon is participating in a pilot teacher evaluation model process with NJ DOE. There are about 16 schools participating and over the coming months Vernon is piloting our model and the
state is visiting schools picking strengths from various models to make a final model to try next year. Our administrative team provided a comprehensive report on student absenteeism. Uh a refresher on that chronic absenteeism remains high nationwide
postcoid. The state average is around 15% and was 10% pre- pandemic. New Jersey has a task force to address this and one of their actions has been to place any school above 10% on a corrective action plan or a cap. Every school in Sussex County is on a cap and
we assembled an ad hoc committee last year to better monitor our efforts to improve our absenteeism. So the report the team prepared for us explains rates for each school, actions taken, and plans for improvement. Most schools are improving, but we're still above the 10% rate. Um the report noted
that in the early grades, attendance is driven mainly by adult choices, parents and caregivers, and we see more absences due to illness and vacations. In the upper grades, it's increasingly driven by student experiences and perception of school. So, we're closely monitoring and
addressing mental health issues like anxiety or peer issues like bullying that might be keeping our kids home from school. So, across the building, several strategies are consistently associated with improvement. Um and our community members probably have encountered some
of these strategies. So the first is frequent clear communication with families. Um back to school night presentations on attendance, school messenger messages, um parent surveys. The second is positive recognition for good or improving attendance. That's
certificates and classroom recognition at the primary grades. Um assemblies or classroom celebrations highlighting consistent attendance. Number three is using existing structures to support outreach. So repurposing faculty meeting time for targeted calls to families and
regular counselor or administrator check-ins built into existing schedules. And the fourth is targeted support for students with a history of poor attendance. So that's small group or individual meetings that focus on removing barriers, building relationships with trusted adults. Um
yes. So those again are the four strategies that the report found are consistently associated with improvement. Um next the administration provided a comprehensive engaging update on curriculum and instruction across our district in the month of November. It
was very beautiful. It captures examples of really engaging instruction, student performance, data collection methods we're using to inform instruction and examples of lessons and tools that were being used. And finally, our special education audit is underway. The
consultant is reviewing documents and conducting interviews. Pors and visits will continue in December and January. The focus includes a crossover needs assessment of MTSS or multi-tered systems of support driven by our assumption that our high numbers are in
part a result of lack of interventions over the years. Um, and hopefully the audit is going to help us learn how to better support our students with tier one and tier two targeted support that happen right in the classroom with the teacher. So, pending business is just attendance follow-up with Rolling Hills,
curriculum alignment update, special education audit update, and our next meeting is January 13, 2026. >> That was very transparent. >> Was very good, too. No, I think it was
great. I I just uh wanted to say that uh at our last board meeting that was a question that the board had. Could we get an update on our school attendance? Um and I think um just thank you to Mr. Gagliastro Gagi Astro. See, I'm tapping it out. Um
Dr. Shep uh just for the followup and I think this is just an example of the U board committees and how they're effective because it works right to report out this way. So I appreciate our structure. Um so with that said, um item D on our agenda number two, um is the
approval for our travel attachment C1. Number three is a field trip destination for the 2526 school year to Marstown National Historical Park. Okay. Um can I get a motion to approve item 15 D2 through D3?
>> So move. >> Right. Second. Second, >> John. >> Silent board tonight. >> Yeah, very quiet. >> Questions or comments? Brian, >> um I have two questions. The special
education audit is underway. You said how long does that take and when do we hear back? >> I think just through January, right? >> We're expecting by the end of January. Yes. >> And that we'll hear results findings and Yeah. recommendations. It'll go through
the committee first and then yes, we should be here by February. >> And I mean, I'm just curious, the Morristown National Historic Park. Who's going? >> I don't know. >> Going and why wasn't I invited? >> I I I think it's great. Yeah. I mean,
it's a national park a short drive away from us. I'm just curious who's going and why they picked it. >> I'll find out. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Just a curiosity. >> Sure. I just have to ask because I can't find it in here. The um what's this?
What's the uh attachment C1 travel? Is that the >> That's just regular travel school business. >> Okay. It's not the Atlantic City. I just need to know if I need to stain. >> Is it in our attachment? >> No, it's not. Okay. >> My name's on here for something else.
Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I think that comes later. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Just wanted to make sure. Okay. Any other questions or comments? All right. Can you move to a vote? >> Mr. Fischer. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cross. >> Yes.
>> Miss Bell? >> Yes. >> Dr. Ross? >> Yes. >> Miss Varela? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zimmerman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Smeaggle? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Right. Section D. Um, we did
section D. Section E reports acceptance of the HIB report reviewed at the November 20th, 2025 meeting, which is attachment R1, and the approval of the random drug testing and school safety report for
November 2025, which is attachment R2. >> Thank you. Um, can I get a motion to approve uh item 15 E1 through E2? >> Stephanie, we have a second. >> Second.
>> Carry. Thank you. Questions or comments? Okay, seeing none, go to a vote. >> Mr. Krauss, >> yes. >> Miss Pallet, >> yes. >> Dr. Ross, >> yes. >> Miss Sakarell, >> yes. >> Mr. Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Mr. Magley. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Fischer. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Okay. Mr. Slam. Item F. All you. >> Uh, the thing you're looking for is on the checklist. The bill list. >> Oh, it is. Okay. Thank you. >> It's noted under uh 3A.
>> Okay. Thank you. Sorry about that. >> Wasn't sure >> uh Mr. Cross uh with your committee report. >> Yes. Thank you. Um I did my committee report early in the morning before coffee hit and I did use the wrong template. So, I didn't put in who was there and the time, but I know I'll
remember. And I'll update this on on the minutes tab when I when I get home. Um, we met on December 9th and in attendance was uh Jen Pellet, Joe Vancerk, Ray Slam, Brian Fischer, and myself. I don't think anybody else was there, but
anyway. So, what we did though, um, we had some recommendations that are coming on. >> I think Ray was there. No. >> And Ray Zimmerman. I I apologize, Ray. Ray was there as well. I'm just trying to remember because off the top of my head because I don't I didn't write it down. Um yes. So update
that with Ray Zimmerman as well. Okay. Um so the recommendations were for the PEA playground change order for $35,676. It'll be paid with PA grant money. Apparently they found some other substructures or substrate underneath that they have to remove before they can
put in stuff. um 26 uh renewal agreement with WeatherWorks is $1,925. We split this with the town, so they're going to reimburse us half the cost. Okay. So, under finance, health benefit renewal, the virtual presentation held
on uh 1225 and the link was re recorded meeting was shared with the staff on December 8th. The link was shared with the entire staff so they are aware of what is going on with the health benefits. We're also letting the staff know that they have full access to Paul and Tom from our
health insurance broker, Brown and Brown. And since we are no longer in the state plan, that they have the ability to help staff members with specific claims issues and potential prescription issues. They have the ability to act on our behalf where in the past they did not. We encourage all staff members to
use these services. Okay. We also are waving the $100 per month um contract with the before and after care with the police athletic league. Okay. They usually have a $100 a month fee it,
but we wave it because they do good things for us. All right. There's a contract with the town for the door park and community garden. All right. The cell phone tower is going to be installed and they will also provide a gravel road for access. Um the cell
tower will be fenced in and gated so only the people who need access will be allowed in. We discussed the lease agreement with the town. There was a discussion on the value of the land if we were to sell it. Mr. Fischer asked for a public comment session about possibly subdividing it. We decided to
draw up the new lease agreement and have public comment on the land. Um we did one year at least, right? I saw your email that made this. It was after this. Okay. Um, number four, the Vernon Township pilot development plan. U, we discussed the planned pilot development
plan and the fact that the school district will be getting more students from the rental apartments and not getting additional revenue to support having that. At the meeting, it was decided to get more information on it before we move forward with next steps on this issue. And I think it's important that we do
that. and buildings and grounds. Um the security system at Walnut Ridge is going to be um put in. Okay. And it needs to be updated. Six gates are going to be going in across the district including new mobile gates to make sure that that the right people are in the building and
and the wrong people are not getting in. Um an additional raptor system is going into I believe Walnut Bridge. Right. Yeah. because we're splitting between where the the board offices are and and this and the school building and the science labs at Glen Meadow. They're
working with the building administration and USA architects to update two science labs. And we have a couple of things in progress. I highlighted what I have to look. So, give me just one second. All right. They're currently working on a Lounberry Hollow lighting upgrade and a Cedar Madden lighting upgrade to begin
the week of uh December 15th. What else we have here? Fire inspector requested additional speakers to increase the decibel level in the gym at the high school. This is the high school fire alarm system. And they contacted ACT and scheduled additional work for
December 29th. All right. The Rolling Hills playground. The installation is to begin on December 15th. Um the Vernon High School auditorium lighting system. This work is scheduled to start on December 22nd. and the Glen Meadow PA system. The
changed order work to start on December 8th. I guess it must have started already before this. And I believe that is all. And Ray, I sorry I left you off the list. >> It's okay. I didn't take a press. >> Okay, I'll put it I'll update this to the right template. I used the wrong
template. >> Just saying. >> Uh so a few uhformational items. Uh we have item A, which is use of B's grounds detachment one. Uh we also have the draft meeting dates uh beginning in January 2026 including the reorganization meeting for January 2027
at detachment 2. And then I just want to take a quick second to uh thank um some individuals or some um some groups for some donations uh for the holiday season. Uh so just a special uh thank you to uh Blue Diamond um for their
generous donation of new bikes and helmets local families uh just in time for the holiday season. Uh we'd also like to extend our sincere thanks to the weekend bag uh program partner for their thoughtful donation of variety of toys uh for our students. So thanks to their generosity, we received items such as
brand new winter hats, uh dolls, puzzles, board games, uh and these gifts will, you know, be important this time of year to help bring some joy and warmth to some families that um might be having a hard time. So just wanted to note that. And then
business office uh number three. Uh so >> I'm sorry I thought you just go on. Was I supposed to announce that? You looked at me. >> Oh no. I was just I was just pausing for a second. >> Sorry. >> Sorry. >> Uh so uh item three uh business office
um is recommended that the super recommended of the super schools approved by the board to the following financial reports. Uh so you have the list of the u the checks for December 2025. Uh hand checks for November uh 20 uh sorry November 21st uh through
December 17th. Uh transfers and uh purchase orders. So those are attachments F1, F2, F3 and F4. Uh letter B is the approval of the board secretaries and treasures reports for the month of November. Uh letter C is
the approval of the transportation for the month of December. That's attachment uh F7. Uh, letter D is the renewal agreement with WeatherWorks. That's attachment F8. Letter E is the change order uh for the Walnut Ridge Playground, which is being funded
through uh PA funds. That's attachment F9. Uh letter F is the agreement with PAL for before and after care. That's attachment F10. Letter G is a resolution waving the monthly fee uh for PAL for the 2526 school year. Uh, letter H is
the amendment to the lease between Vernon County Board of Education and Township of Vernon. That's attachment F11. Letter I is the disposition of uh the items listed on attachment F12. Letter J,
I'll read this whole one. uh upon recommendation of the superintendent schools approved by the board of education of the below resolution. Whereas the Vernon Township Board of Education advertised for competitive bids for the elevator upgrades of Vernon Township High School Lounsbury Hollow School Project uh in accordance with New Jersey public contract law NJSA1a
18A18A-1 and whereas bids were scheduled to be received and open on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 at 11 a.m. at which no time uh at which time no bids were received by the board. And whereas the board remains committed to completing the project. Therefore, we resolve that the board hereby acknowledges that no bids
are received in the project and authorizes that the project be rebid in accordance with the applicable law and be further resolved that the school business administrator board secretary in consultation with the architect and board attorney is appropriate is hereby authorized to make any revisions to bid documents due necessary and to revertise and solicit bids for the project
including establishing a new bid schedule and taking all actions required to effectuate the rebid. Okay. Can I get a motion to approve items 15 F3A through F3J? >> Stephanie second.
>> Second. >> Carrie. Thank you. Questions or comments? Right. >> Um, so I actually have three separate things. So, um, first the the change order, and this
is an item that I I brought up during the committee meeting, and again, I I realize that the the cost of the change order is being covered by the pea grant. We're not paying for this uh out of school funds, but you know, when when
you take this change order along with the PA change order at um Glen Meadow, we're talking over 250,000, close to $300,000 in change orders, right? >> Um it's around 200 just under 230,000.
>> 230, right? So close to a quarter of a million. And in in both instances, you know that I I felt that these are items that could have been caught in inspection before the bids were were
put in. And I I just I can't help but wonder if, you know, this is this is a way to, you know, lowball a bid in order to get the contract and then later on you add that item because it has to go
in in order to get the job done. And I I just wonder if there's any way for us to to have more vigilance to kind of prevent this thing going on. You know, it's it's kind of like, you know, when when the contractor comes in and
inspects a job for your house and then, you know, they get halfway through the job and all of a sudden, oh, you got to do this. You know, this wall has to come out and blow, you know, I I just it just seems funny to me that it, you
know, especially the PA project. I still don't understand how how that all got missed and and You know, I I don't want to I'm I'm not and you and I talked about this. I'm not
pointing the finger. I'm just hoping that there is some way for us to have some sort of pre-ro vigilance, you know, if there's any way for us to sort of make a checklist and ask, did they check
for this? Did they check for that? you know, especially that we know that this is going to be such a tough year for the taxpayer and, you know, for for us to look out for these things going forward. Um, >> do you want to do do you want to talk
about that because didn't we talk about that during the meeting and and wasn't it sort of stated that you you couldn't like there would have been a cost to examining it for right with the >> I I yeah I mean >> it's not something that would be if you
want to address that Ray um you know that I think that was what Joe had said that you know there would there would be an extra core >> they would have had to do a core sample or something. I I don't I'm not a you know construction person, but >> that was in regards to this project.
>> I'm sort of talking in a in a greater scope >> and it you know if there is an extra cost for a more intensive pre-RO inspection then you know maybe we need to examine whether that cost is
worth it on a long-term basis. What are the savings? You know, you know, I I don't know what would be involved to go back and look at every single time that we've been hit with this and and say, "All right, so if we had paid X, we
would have saved Y, would it be worth it if we had done it every time over 10 years?" I mean, that's >> Well, it's not it's not that it's not that if they had done the more in-depth analysis, we would have saved money. It's more that we would have known what it was going to cost. It still would
have cost what it cost. We just would have known better what the cost was. >> I'm just I I'm still bothered by the the PA thing. I I thought that was kind of basic, something that that you should have been looking for. You know, you're talking about a 50-year-old building and
you didn't know that the wiring wasn't going to be what you needed. >> Yeah. Um Well, Charlie, >> Charlie was had his hand up first, but we'll come to you next. Do you want to go or do you want Ray to
>> um you can go right? >> Okay. I just know because I've done a lot of construction work in the city schools or as bad as we may think these schools are, those are 50 times worse. But some of the challenges with school work is they don't want you to disrupt
that while kids are in school. You can only do heavy work in the summer. So some of the pre-work that you're kind of talking about doesn't happen in schools as opposed to private through the timing and everything else, you know, just because we can't come in when school's
going. Then you're supposed to start when school's out. There's always a delay and you got to be done by the day school opens. So I think it's a little inherited to schools the way they work with timing and students being in it. They don't want you ripping open walls or doing anything. Kids, I mean, we have
a B problem in the high school. we can't treat them when the kids are in school. So, it's like we know what needs to be done there. But, so I do think a little bit it's inherent to the way schools operate as opposed to private instruction so to speak. >> But, you know, not saying necessarily
applies here, but in general statement that's a problem. >> Okay. >> I was just I mean, right, I get what you're saying. it makes sense. But I also I agree with Brian like it's not
it's it's become it's become the norm almost and and and it's no offense to the to you guys the administration and and and Ray you've done a great job fighting these when they come to us. So I you bring it >> one of them I saved us money on we actually got it cheaper because I it
was there you know I fought it fought and I fought it. So >> yeah, I mean you guys have done a great job, but you know, you know who who you know, we have to think about the future and and we have to always make sure that you know what if you you miss it, right?
You know, I don't want to say you're not here because you're going to stay here for a long time, but you know, we have to always think about that and cuz yeah, drilling, I get it. It's we're going to have to and I'm sure in their contract they said, "Well, if we find something else underneath the concrete, then we're going to have to charge you more, right?
Why put a change order in? >> But then you go back to the wiring and come on. I I I've done wiring before. >> You should have you should have did an inspection in sight. And and I'm not saying you I mean I mean the the vendors should have come before you put a bid and you should know what's in there. So maybe we, you know, maybe it's something
we have to speak with our our legal team or something and say, >> do we write these these contracts and and and the best way to protect us because >> they're not, you know, unfortunately sometimes they're not and we're there always going to be those exceptions >> and and you know, if we can't do an
inspection during the school year and we have to it's emergency like Ray was bringing out the bees, obviously that's not going to happen, but maybe we can schedule stuff, you know, inspections for on the weekends or maybe you could push the projects during this the summer, but I I I know that probably messes up your budget season and
everything, but um you know, just we got to look for ways to protect ourselves. >> So, the one thing just to note, so both of these neither of these were bid, they went through cooperative contracts. So, all of them will have language in there saying that, you know, this is a quote based off of what we're aware of at this
time. And then if something else happens that requires additional work, then they would need to submit a change order. So, and I think the other thing that's just kind of important to remember is kind of two things. One, you're never going to be able to, you know, look ahead and anticipate everything you might find,
right? Especially when you're talking about buildings that you've probably had, I don't know how many different directors of buildings and grounds over the history of the building and maybe they had different approaches. Like for example, I've for the Glen Meadow, I've never seen someone splice a new wire to
an old wire like that behind the wall, right? like no one was that was not on anyone's bingo card in that situation. They said they looked they looked behind the server, they saw the wire like, "Okay, we're good to go." Then behind the wall, it's a different wire. So there's kind of an assumption, right,
that or an expectation that things have been right done right in the past, but if they weren't, then that's going to lead to more surprises than you would normally see, right? And there's a lot of different hands and a lot of different philosophies over the years on how things might have been dealt with.
So our philosophy is once we know about something we fix it and we want to fix it right so that down the road decades down the road whoever's here right >> they don't have to deal with the same thing. So it just there's a lot of factors involved. I understand what
you're saying. I don't like change orders either. We whenever there's a change order I try to fight it. But if it is something where they can prove, well, that's not something, you know, we foraw at the time, then, you know, I try to negotiate it still because I'm always
trying to save a dollar, right? >> But, um, you're just not going to be able to see everything. We we could do that testing like we talked about. Um, but since in these two particular instances, it's on a cooperative contract, that just means that you the only benefit is you'll know the price up
front, but you actually increase your price a little bit because you paid for whatever the test was. So now with bids, that's when you have an architect involved and there's positives to that because the architect may be able to put some better language or foresee some things that maybe we wouldn't see because we're not
architects. >> But the there's a cost associated with that too because whenever you have an architect involved, you're probably spending, you know, depending on the size of project initial an additional 10 to $30,000, right? Depending on the size of project, it could be significantly
more because it's based off the size of project. So I guess what I'm trying to say is there's positives and negatives to either approach and there's always going to be a risk and that risk increases when you're in a situation where there's been maintenance deferred on buildings or there was things maybe done in the past that maybe weren't the
best way to stop issues. Uh but with that being said, we always try to remain vigilant and be cost effective in trying to anticipate the issues that you know we can. But I will say I was very surprised that that wire was spliced to
another wire. And it's definitely not I'm not an electrician, but to me it doesn't seem like the normal and right thing to do when when replacing that system, you know. So, but I understand what you're saying. I understand what you're saying, too. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Um, any other comments from anyone else? >> Oh, good. Okay. I have one, too. But >> all right. So, I I mean, do you want me to address the dog park and pilot now? >> Oh, well, I I thought we kind of came to
a compromise, but you can talk about it. Yeah, sure. >> I missed what compromise. >> Oh, I thought what we uh >> so the conversation that you brought up was whether what the value of the property is and should we consider selling it and then we realized that the
lease had expired in I had all that, but we also said we were going to do public comments. Are you going to address that or do you want me to >> Okay. Uh you can address that. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. So, during the the last uh committee
meeting, it came up about renewing the lease with the town. It's a dollar a year >> with the dog park people, the association of dog, whatever it is. Not the town. It's not the town. >> And it's it's land that the board owns. with some adjourning property.
>> It's It's not We own a parcel of property that has on it a dog park, a solar field. >> What's the third thing? >> Community. >> Community garden. >> And a cell phone tower and the conversation is should we possibly carve
out Right. Am I This is your idea was to carve out the dog park uh land and possibly uh sell it. Right. >> Right. Not just the dog park >> and the community part the park that is not being whatever. >> And again I I just want to make sure
where's the camera? I'm not advocating for the sale of the dog park. What I am saying is that this is going to be a a tough year uh for the taxpayers. We've been saying that all along. And what I
want to know is what the public has in mind. I have heard from uh constituents that we own the dog park and it might have value if the dog park were sold. I personally am a dog owner. I have used
the dog park. Uh, I think it's a great dog park, but if the community wanted to look into selling that parcel, uh, for the good of the community in terms of the money we'd get back, I think that's
something that the community should have a voice in. Uh, there is a cost associated with finding out the value of the the land and, you know, how we'd have to divide it up. I think Ry mentioned we've done this before. Yes.
and found out that really there was no market for that land. So the the question that I wanted to propose was whether we want to go through this process again or whether in fact the community would just be completely
opposed to us doing anything at all. And I wanted to invite public comment on the whole matter and see how the community feels. So the idea is that we would invite public comment on the matter and that would determine whether we would explore
the possibility of it being uh financially uh sensible to >> Exactly. >> Okay. >> All right. Um so anybody want to comment on that? >> The the other thing I I believe where there's wetlands there. So I think it would before you even have a comment I I
don't think we can subdivide that land because of the way you would have to sub it sub it up. I believe there's wetlands going are close enough that you wouldn't be able to do it. So I think it before we even open up the comment it should be more let's make sure it's is feasible even to do. >> Is that something you can
>> you said we looked into before. Do you know about the wetland? >> It was looked into before. So this >> solar field the road to the solar field cell tower the road to the cell tower the wetlands. I'm not saying you I think
you could probably get one lot out of it to put in one house because I I don't know the exact zoning over there, but it's not like Highland Lakes 10 by 10. You know, you have to overlap to put a house there. There is something else I would bring up that was brought
with the pilot all that made me think. So, since I've been here when the high school was packed, you could not get a seat for lunch. You could not walk through the hallways because of the kids going from class to class. And the housing in Vernon, we've not
eliminated any housing in Vernon since then. So, the occupancy of the houses we have now are underutilized compared to back then. If these pilots happen, we're going to start adding more kids in there. I think the reason the district,
and somebody can look this up, bought that land was the possibility of adding another school 20 years ago. And you can go to Wayne. There's a few other districts in North Jersey that sold something and then for 50 times the cost
had to buy something back and rebuild a school that they had a building and shut down because they didn't need it at the time. So, I know the way finances are in districts, it's hard to really plan long term, but we have to think of the future for the boards after us. How many kids
will be here and where they're going to go? Because I know the schools are probably 50 60%, maybe a little bit more now capacity. That's just my estimate. No proof. But it certainly could be overloaded in theory pretty quickly. If
the town fills up again, which these things come and go, you know, everybody was leaving New York City, then it's back swelling up again. They're going to leave again. All these places come and go. So, just another thing to think of now with selling the
dog pot. >> Yeah. >> You know, look at Walnut Ridge. People want to sell Walnut Ridge. >> Now, we got 150. Um, >> now we have a preschool. preschool over there. >> More than that, right? >> 300. >> I said 300. >> Okay.
>> I'm just saying. So, you know, we got to think the long term for any of that type of stuff, but to look into it is not horrible. I mean, I would not say we can't look into it, but I believe it's going to be the same thing we've gotten before, you know. >> Yeah. It's worth having the
conversation, I guess. I do remember that I and we we don't have our realtor on the board anymore, but um the cost was more significant than you would think, the subdividing situation, but I can't remember what the number was. So, so you weigh that against the fact that
you're selling an undeveloped parcel of land, like is it are you really going to net that much? But, um but it's it's worth talking about. >> Yeah. I I mean I'm I'm just asking to see, you know, how our constituents feel about whether we should even look into
it. I mean, if the community is overwhelmingly against even looking at it, then we just drop it. >> Fair enough. Um I don't know how we what do we do? We put that on a agenda to talk to have a conversation about. We could part we can make it part of the
strategic >> I don't know. Yes. you guys next meeting. I don't know what the reorg is that next, right? >> Yeah. I don't I don't think we want to do it at our next meeting. >> Maybe not that night, but the next >> meeting that seems right, >> ask people to come and comment on it.
>> No. >> Yeah. We did, right? >> The the first um the first meeting is before the February board meeting so we can bring it up
and then put it on the agenda for February. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Something like that. >> Okay. Things like this, it is really hard to I I share your desire to sort of get a sense of what the community thinks. I just think that sometimes is
really hard to you get not a representative sample to you know I have found that it's really hard personally when I'm thinking about how to vote on something how to not just hear from my people how to hear from everybody how
you know I it's challenging um I think it's good to open it up to a public conversation I just it it's always challenging then to get actual representation of everybody. >> Yeah, I agree with that. It's really
hard. You end up getting the, you know, a pocket of the people who brought it to your attention. >> Yeah. >> So, >> if we were to subdivide that, how many houses do you think we could get on there? I think you were saying one. >> I believe it was one only one or two, but it's a while ago. So, but it was
because with all the dividing, we' had to pay for all the subdividing and setbacks from the water, setbacks from roads, >> and the zoning I believe is a couple acres perhaps >> and we needed to have the road to service the solar field.
All I'm saying is we get one or two houses and if those houses have children that go to the school, those will be property taxes and we'll get some of the money from that. But you were also going to comment on the pilot program and the pilot program we get no money from it and we could get tons of kids out of out
of apartment buildings, you know. So I don't know what we can do about that. I would like to get money from that if that's a possibility, but apparently the town is from no go for that from the pilot program. >> I mean that's a related issue that you know it's not really doesn't necessarily belong right here, but um there was a
conversation >> mentioning it too. >> Yeah. No, no, I I agree. We probably should have had it somewhere on our agenda to talk about because the town is making a decision about that and if we have a vested interest as a board, maybe we want to write a letter about our position on it. Um,
>> we spoke about that. >> We did talk about that. >> You could always talk about it during um >> well it was under it was in the committee report so we could talk about it or uh open appointment reform too. >> Yeah, we could um >> Okay. Well, I was going to comment it on
the committee. >> Okay. So, I mean, >> we brought it up in there. >> We can talk about it now. >> Yeah. So, we we brought it up during the committee and we had decided that we needed to get more information about the pilot program. I ran into the mayor at
the Toys Fat event down at the uh the train station. I had a a brief conversation with him about it. Couple of things the the mayor did say. So, first of all, one of the projects that they're looking at for this pilot is an
over 55 development. So, there'll be no kids there anyhow. >> Okay. >> So, that was one thing he brought up. He also said uh he understands, you know, a lot of people are very anxious about this, but he also said that it's probably two years before the town is
committed to writing, you know, or or getting its first check. So, he said, "We we're not in a pressure situation where right now they're deciding they're going to do this and the kids are going to be here, you know, in a year or two. Uh he he mentioned that one study for
the the other development which would have apartments possibly with children. His his study or the study he mentioned to me, he said they were thinking about five kids. >> So total kids for the 99 unit comprise. No, I don't know which one he was
talking about, but he said >> this is the smaller one, I guess. >> Five in the 27 unit. >> Yeah, but five kids in 27 units. How did Where are they going? >> I I don't know. >> Okay. >> The the final and most important part though, there he there is a special
meeting of the council on December 29th, >> which is to address pilot specifically. >> It's the >> right. So, uh, he's got, uh, people coming in who are going to explain it. Uh, he said to me,
if any of the the board members are curious, have any specific concerns or questions, come to the meeting on the 29th and ask all the questions you want, listen to the presentation, and get informed.
And that was pretty much what we said we needed to do. So, uh, I plan to be there and >> I do as well. >> Okay, I'll try to be there. >> I I I don't understand. Um, you you mentioned it, but why would we not get
revenue from from >> it's they they said that they the town will take money from from the I guess the contractors that put up the building, right? It's payment in le of taxes. So, there's no taxes on any individual person. There's no property tax to collect for the board, but you
can do from apartments and they aren't buying them. They're renting them >> and that would be like a over number >> Yeah. talking and then it's up to the town if they want to contribute some of that money, this is my understanding, to the to the education and they have said
that they will not. >> Yeah. The the town council voted for nothing >> for nothing. Okay. on the ordinance, which I I haven't seen the wording of, but my understanding as part of the ordinance was that none of those funds
would be paid directly to the board of education. >> And where are you planning the 99 unit one? I don't >> that's behind the firehouse on Main Street >> behind on the other side. >> I like the air quotes. So it would be
three buildings on less than two and a half acres, >> right? I know. >> They did. If you watch the town council meetings last week and the one before, you'll learn a lot about the 999.
>> All right, we all have homework now. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But why do we want this urban sprawl in Vernon? That's just a question. >> Yeah, I know. I know. That's why we came here to Okay. Are we done with this conversation to move on to Charlie's question or
>> can I just go back to the on the homework tip on the dog park thing to close that loop? Can we find out if it's feasible before we advertise a public comment? I don't like to take people's time. >> So the only problem that we can we can certainly find out I think if it's
feasible but the part where we find out what it's worth not money. Yes. >> So if I could just make a suggestion um perhaps um since this has gone through um the facilities committee initially um
perhaps we can do some homework find out about feasibility min minimally are there wetlands there. Is this even feasible? Um bring that information back to the finance committee. Um so that the finance committee can report out on what
we learned. Um, and then because it's a board meeting, the board can discuss it and open it up to the public based off of that information. I think that would make sense. Um, if you just open it up for random comment, I don't know how informed that will be. It may be opinion
versus um something a little more solid. And then perhaps based off of that finding the information and the public comment, then maybe the board would be in a better position to make a next step recommendation. >> Yeah. And the community would be in a better position to comment if they have
some idea of what Yeah, that that makes sense. And we do have some time because the lease will be for you. >> And then with regard to the pilot, I think we can um Mr. slam um and I uh in partnership with the town, we can get
some more information on the pilots and how they do and do not work within a school district and maybe also bring information to the finance committee so that the finance committee can report out what we learn. >> Okay, >> sounds good. Okay.
>> Um did you have a question? >> Yes. I I don't know, Ray, if this I don't think it's what you had on F, but you're probably more of your question. Anyway, John mentioned that there was a $100 fee for the PL. Aren't they a nonprofit? So, what we
don't we normally not charge >> um so since it's um contractual, right? We put a fee in there and then we wave it. essentially we've only had they've only been there for the last year because it started uh in conjunction with the preschool uh expansion program
last year. So the first year uh we waved it and we talked about finance and decided to wave it again. >> Okay. >> Because you know there is a fee but we're waving it essentially. >> Okay. And I think you did mention that to me once before so >> yeah no problem. >> And then um the contract here with the
town. So the dog park is mentioned as a sub lease sub um subtenant and um who owns the garden? >> So we own the whole property. We lease it to the town and then so that's the
town garden and then the town subleasases to the uh I can't think of the name off off top my head the actual name but the dog. Yeah, it is dogs. Yes, that's good. Yes. >> Uh so the town then subleasases it to dogs. >> All right. So, so we don't have to mention that. Does that have to be mentioned because it's the town?
>> Yeah. The sub list gets approved from the town to them. >> For no, for the garden, I mean the gu the garden is the town strictly. >> Yes. Correct. >> Okay. >> And we have insurance from both of them. >> Yeah. Because that that was the other thing. It does say that the tenant has
to have the the have to have insurance and give you know specs us have to have insurance. >> But does it does the does the subtenant also have to have insurance? Yes. >> Okay. Because I I don't maybe I'm reading this too quickly. >> It's in the sub lease
>> from the town. Yep. And then we we get a copy of it. >> Okay. >> And then we check that and I don't mean to question you because I know you probably do. >> Can I ask this question? >> We we we check it every year. >> Yep. Yes. >> Thank >> Okay. Anyone else? Um I had a quick
question. I'm sorry I didn't notice this before, but what happened to our stadium ads? I thought they were going to be on >> uh the designs weren't submitted so we pulled it and um we're going to reach back out to them uh hopefully get it on January. >> Okay. Okay, great. >> Because you need to have the designs to approve them.
>> Yes. Yes, of course. Okay. Okay, great. Um so any other questions, comments that we move to roll call vote. Okay, >> Miss Plet, >> yes. >> Dr. Ross, >> yes. Mr. Aarella.
>> Yeah. >> Mr. Zun. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sanglia. Um, >> yes. But abain. We're noted. >> I have to correct mine. >> Yep. I will note that you have obstained. >> We're noted. >> Yep. I will not Epstein is not
>> talked too long. I forgot. >> Mr. Sanglia is noted. Right. >> Yes. Mr. Fischer, >> I >> Mr. Krauss. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Item four, special services.
>> Item four, special services, letter A. I'm recommending the approval for the following out of district placements for the 2526 school year. >> Okay. Um, I got a motion for item 15
F4A. >> So, move. >> Thank you for staying because I need you, Stephanie. Thank you. Uh, questions or comments. Okay. Can we get a roll call vote? >> Dr. Ross.
>> I. >> Miss Aarella. >> I Oh, boy. >> Mr. Zimmerman. >> I >> Oh my goodness. >> Mr. Smagia, >> can't you pronounce those as a
>> Mr. Fischer? >> Hi, >> Mr. Krauss. >> I >> All right, >> Miss Plet. >> I >> And we have a clean sweep. Motion carries. >> All right, he's converted us.
Item 16. tried it once. That's all. I didn't >> public comment. Um do we have any members of the public who wish to comment? The previous uh public statement applies to all public comments.
Okay, seeing none, um item 17, open board member forum. Anybody have anything for open board member forum? I I I just uh I just wanted to say I I thought Joe was going to be good to
hear, but uh so I should have said it before, but I just thought it was it's he did a great job. Um and he's a great role model for, you know, 28 years. That's that's a long time to for work for free, right? People have a whole career 28 years. So that's good. So I he
was a great um mentor to for the board and uh I think he did a lot of good good stuff for us and helped us out. Um and then um we also those two retirees. So the custodian and fourth grade teachers.
>> Yeah. >> So I just want to say thanks for their service and everybody else I just want to say happy holidays. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Y >> I too want to recognize Mr. Sweeney. We're going to miss his encyclopedic
knowledge of the district and who will we ask what you know when we need to know what happened when and why. But uh yeah, we will miss him. Um and also thank you to all of you on the board and and to our administrators for a great
year and really enjoyed uh working with you this year and looking forward to next year. I'd like to congratulate Joe on his retirement as well. He was a mentor to me and he's a pretty good golfer by the way.
>> Um, also I want to mention Mrs. Smarth. Go back a long time. All of my children had Mrs. SM as a teacher and now they're all out doing well on their own. So, she's been around for a while. So, congratulations to her and to the custodian and enjoy your retirement and everybody. Merry Christmas, happy
Hanukkah and happy festivist for the rest of us, whatever else you celebrate. Happy festivist. >> Appreciate everybody. Happy holiday and hope for next year. >> Built on the success we've had this year to be even bigger and greater. And
welcome to our two new members sitting over there next time with us. >> Oh yeah, forgot to say that table. >> You guys realize now we lost an audience member once. That's right. Oh yeah, we only have Yeah, we only have
the one audience. We're just gonna have Vinnie. >> Thank you, Vinnie. >> Oh, wait. We lose them all. Right. >> Faithful Vinnie will be here. >> Yeah, that'll be it. All right. So, item 18, adjournment. Can I get a motion to
adjurnn? >> Second. >> Second from Carrie. All in favor? >> I >> I. Thank you everybody. >> Have a great holiday everybody.