Test test. Test. Test. [Music] I'd like to call to order the um September 18th, 2025 meeting of the Vernon Township Board event. >> Mr. Slam, roll call. >> Mr. Smackle here.
>> Mr. Canino >> here. >> Mr. Fischer here. >> Mr. Krauss here. >> Miss Pellet here. >> Dr. Ross. Mr. Sweeney. Miss Varelo >> here. >> Mr. Zimmerman >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Thank you. It's recommended that the
board enter close session for the purposes of discussing legal personnel and student matters. Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? All right. We need
[Music] Thank you. It's recommended that the board return to open session. Can I get a motion? >> Second. >> Second. >> John. Thank you. >> All in favor? >> I do. Sorry. We can do a roll call at some round because we do have the
attendance. >> Oh, say sorry. We're going to do a roll call. >> Sorry, >> Mr. Slam. >> Mr. Cino >> here. >> Mr. Fischer >> here. >> Mr. Krauss >> here. >> Miss Pellet >> here. >> Dr. Ross.
>> Mr. Sweeney >> here. >> Miss Fagarella >> here. >> Mr. Zimmerman >> here. >> Mr. Sagalia >> here. >> We have a quorum. And uh additional attendance. Uh, Miss O'Donnell >> here,
>> Mr. Mendes >> here, >> and then I am also here. >> Great. Um, item E, pledge of allegiance is rather the flagg to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Item F, reading of the your favorite part. >> Yeah. >> 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, Vernon Township Board of Education has called notice this meeting be published and adequate notice has been provided and notice this meeting has been properly posted in accordance to the New Jersey open club law. Uh just a
quick note, uh the next public meeting is Thursday, October 16th. >> Thank you. Item G, we are beyond excited and proud to announce Kalissa O'Donnell as our BOE student representative for this school year.
Wait, there's more. Kissa Kalista is a senior at uh Vernon Township High School this school year. She's been an active member of our theater arts program for the last four years. She's a four-year member and officer of the Thespian Honor Society, serving as historian and now vice president. She has participated in the
fall play on both the cast and stage director's hair and makeup team. Kalista has also been a member of the spring musical cast and crew for the last three years. Additionally, Kalista is member of is a member of the BTHS chapter of the National Honor Society and is a
member of the Le Shantus, >> thank you coral program. In the past, Kalista has run on the track and field team and played ice hockey. Outside of school, Kalista is active in her church, including serving on the Basking Ridge youth youth group. Over the last three
years, Kalista has participated in multiple mission trips to Bristol, Maine to assist in the community housing improvement project. Kalista always has a smile on her face. She is kind, caring, and always willing to help others in need. She positively contributes to the positive culture at Vernon Township High School and is going
to be a great addition to add a student voice to the BOE. Her peers are lucky to have her representing them for the 2025 2026 school year. Congratulations, Kela. >> Okay. Item H, approval of minutes. Um, these are the minutes of the closed
public session meeting from August 21, 2025 and the minutes of the public session meeting from August 21, 2025. Um, can I get a motion? >> So move. >> Thank you, John. >> Second, >> Ray. Okay. Questions or comments?
Anyone have any questions or comments about the minutes? Nope. Okay. Can we get a roll call? >> Mr. Fischer, >> abstain. Uh, Mr. Krauss, >> yes. >> Miss Pallet, >> yes. >> Mr. Sweeney,
>> abstain. >> Mr. Aarella, >> abstain. >> Mr. Zimmerman, >> yes. >> Mr. Smeagglia, >> yes. >> Mr. Cino, >> yes. >> Motion carries.
>> Great. Thank you. Item I, the president's report. Um, so many uh maybe not everyone here are excited to have school back in session. Um, this week our teachers and families have been participating in back to school nights and we're off to a strong start. On
September 3rd, we also celebrated the 50th anniversary of our high school with a special program featuring past and present administrators. I'd like to thank acting principal Nick Demsac and our own Carl Quantino for making that event such a success. Tonight we're going to hear two presentations. Um, and
I'm especially pleased to welcome our new student representative to the board. We already discussed that, but and we look forward to having a student perspective at the table. That's a great segue to item J, which is our presentations. And our first one is from the student advisory council to our and
our senior class president. >> Yes. So, I'm excited to welcome the members of our student advisory council to tonight's meeting. Um, if you would kindly just join us at the microphone. Uh these students represent the voices, perspectives, and leadership of our schools and we're grateful to have them
join us. I've invited them to introduce themselves and to share an overview of their goals for the 2526 school year. We're looking forward to hearing directly from them and partnering throughout the year to ensure that the student voice uh remains the heart of our work. Welcome and thank you for being here.
>> Good evening everyone. My name is Natalie Orlando and I'm the student council president this year. As a council, we've set two main goals to guide our work and make a positive impact on our school's community. Our first goal is to increase school spirit
and community involvement. Our second goal is to give students a stronger voice in our school's decisions. Matt will discuss how we implement these goals this year. I'm looking forward to working together to make these goals a reality and create a memorable and
meaningful school year. Thank you. Good evening everyone. I'm Matthew Santano. I'm the vice president of student council. Um we have two goals set for this year. Um for goal one, we want to make it happen by expanding student council by adding home room representatives so everyone has a chance
to be connected and involved. We'll also be met with regularly with class officers to share ideas and make sure each grade has a voice. On top of that, we'll be working with other schools in the district to coordinate spirit weeks, which will help build excitement and bring even more unity across our school community. Together, these steps will
help us boost school spirit and get more people engaged in school events. And for go for goal two, we want to make sure students really feel like their voices matter. To do this, we'll be collecting feedback through surveys and suggestion boxes so everyone has an easy way to share ideas. We'll also bring those ideas to administration on a regular
basis, making sure student perspectives are part of the conversation when decisions are being made. By doing this, we hope to build a stronger community between students, council, and staff and make sure everyone feels feels represented. I just wanted to say me and Natalie really thank you for being here and we're excited to work hand in hand
with you over the next couple months. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Uh we appreciate and we're looking forward to to the partnership to both of you. Um >> uh next we are honored to recognize Luca
Seitzki. Uh he is a remarkable student leader at Vernon Township High School. Uh we are thanking him tonight for his thoughtful and inspiring remarks during this year's district convocation. Uh Luca your words were really inspiring to the staff. I can't tell you how many emails I received and they said that the
most memorable part of the convocation was just your tribute to them. So thank you so much and thank you on behalf of our teachers. It really meant so much to to them. Uh Luca currently serves as a class president for the class of 2026. He's a proud member of the National Honor Society, participates in a wide
range of academic and serviceoriented organizations including DECA, the Unified Club, Model UN, and so many more things. Um, this past summer, he traveled to South Africa to explore global cultures and challenges, demonstrating both leadership and global
citizenship. So, on behalf of the Vernon Board of Education and the entire school community, um we thank Luca for representing the very best of Vernon and for reminding us all of what and why we do it. Thank you. I'm going to >> You want to say a few words?
>> Yeah. >> Good evening, everyone. My name is Lucas Citiz and I'm the senior class president for the class of 2026. I'm honored to speak on behalf of my classmates and share our goals for this year. First and foremost, we want to support each other academically and finish strong as we prepare for life after school. Whether
that means college, trade school, or entering the workforce. We also hope to strengthen school spirit through leadership and activities that bring everyone together, such as pep rallies, theme spirit weeks, and community events. One of our biggest challenges is fundraising, which we have been dedicated to since 10th grade.
Ultimately, our financial go go goals are to honor tradition with personalized senior signs displayed at graduation, keep prom and class trips affordable so every senior who wishes to attend has the opportunity. We have a gift for future classes and support our school as a whole. Lastly, we want to thank our
parents, guardians, and the entire district for their continuous support as we approach the next chapter in our lives. We excited to make this school year both meaningful and memorable. Thank you. Sorry. Okay. Item JB, that's Mr. Gagliastra's presentation of the district graduation
report. >> Yes. So this evening, Mr. Gagi Astro, our director of curriculum instruction, is going to present the graduation report for the class of 2025. Uh, this presentation fulfills the NJ DOE's annual reporting requirement for
graduation outcomes. It will provide an overview of the total number of graduates in the class of 2025, how they met the state's graduation assessment requirements, and the number of students who were uh denied graduation, which is zero. >> All right, great. Well, thank you
everyone. Uh so just to start uh to give a little background, there are three different pathways that students can take right now to graduate from high school in New Jersey. Uh the first is to pass the NJ GPA, which is the new assessment for 11th graders that started
a couple of years ago. Uh they can pass that and then as long as they meet their credit requirements, they have met their graduation pathway. The second pathway is a subcompetency test. What that means is uh if some of our students haven't passed the NJGPA in either English or
math, there are other tests they can take that qualify them to go through with graduation. PSAT, SAT, and the ACUPPLACER. Uh and then the third way, finally, if uh we have students who are not able to pass those tests, some students just aren't test takers, we
have what's called a portfolio review. And the students go through a process of demonstrating proficiency in math and English through portfolio topics and samples and we submit that to the state and then the state goes through all of that and uh determines whether or not
the student has shown proficiency and can graduate. Okay, so just a little background because you'll see all three pathways uh demonstrated here. Okay, so this is for our uh 2025 graduating class. Okay, so our total number of students graduating it's 249.
Uh and then the students that graduated under substitute competency tests. So for English we had four use that pathway. Uh that means that they didn't pass NJGPA but they qualified under one of those substitute competency tests. For math we had 65 qualify through an
alternate uh test. Uh for portfolio appeals, we have 18 in English and 43 in math. Uh the rest listed here are usually going through having to do with IEPs. So certain students when they have IEPs, it may
wave requirements such as state testing or have them go on an extra year. So this one says the number of students receiving state endorsed high school diplomas by an alternate requirement through their IEP. We did not have any qualify through that manner. Uh like
Miss Demenda said, we had no students to die at graduation. Uh so the last two are zero. Uh and just so you know, 249 is our number as of right now. October 15th, we have a snapshot and that goes to the state data collection and that's where
it's certified. So usually it stays around there but it may differ by two or three students depending on uh various things that occur whether students go are out of district things like that uh where they stay an extra year.
Okay. So another update we got midsummer uh is that New Jersey Smart will no longer serve as the New Jersey DOE portal for data collection. Uh the state is now transitioning to NJ sleds. So it's a similar platform where we will
upload all of our data every year. Um but in this transitioning state, uh we don't have access to any of our data that normally we could run to get our four-year graduation cohorts, things like that until it's all migrated over
to NJ Selects. So just keep that in mind. Uh everything's coming over but uh some of it hasn't been certified yet because October 15th hasn't happened and we don't have access right now. Okay, these slides uh all of these
numbers are percentages. We broke down all of the graduation pathways for this past graduating year and last year for 2023 to 2024. Um just you'll see some caveats here.
the asterisk for uh 2025 VTSD, the NJGPA graduation pathway one, they're based on our Pearson state assessment data. So that that presentation I gave you all on the NJGPA showing our results, that's what those numbers are based off of because we have not gotten our school
performance report yet. That does not come out until the spring. So these are based off of just our assessment data. Now, things that can change. Just because we had 89.1% of our students pass the NJ GPA in English, it doesn't
mean that 89.1% of our students will use that as a pathway to graduate. Some students may transfer out, some students may drop out, some students may continue for a a fifth or a sixth year in high school. So, that number can vary by a
couple percentage points based on what happens. Uh, also you'll see for the 2025 state there are a lot of dashes there. Again, that's because the school performance report hasn't come out, so we don't have the state numbers yet. The two areas for NJGPA, I got those
percentages from the Pearson assessment data. So, that is the passing rate for ELA and math and NJGPA. It's not necessarily the pathway graduation rate. Okay, that will be released this spring. All right. But as you can see, our
graduation ready all pathways is 98.7% for the class of 2025. >> Uh pathway one for NJ GPA. For ELA, we had 89.1% students uh show they're graduation ready, 65.2% in math. Uh with
the state being at 80.7% for English and 58% for math. Uh for pathway two for subcompetency tests again that's SAT, PSAT or ACUPPLACER for English we had 1.7% of our population graduate via that
means uh and for pathway two for this graduating class we had 25.6% uh graduate uh in math and then for portfolio uh for pathway 3 which is the portfolio review for English we had 7.2%
2% for the class of class of 2025 and 17.3 qualify for the class of 20 2025 for math. All right. And if you go back to 2024, you can see that uh compared to the state, we're in the ballpark. Um
we're a little higher, but again, these are just means of graduating. Okay? So, you know, where we might be higher in some areas, uh we're lower in others. So, it's really that total number on the top, what percent we had graduate overall, that's the big important
number. We want that to be as close to 100% as we can get, which we are very, very close. Okay. And this is just some additional data that I was able to pull through uh with some of our post uh surveys of students when we're at graduation and
gathering caps and gowns. Uh any kind of information we can pull. Uh so right now for the class of 2025, we had 68 students go to uh to a two-year college. We had 108 commit to a four-year college. Uh 32 went right into full-time
employment. Seven committed to the military, two are doing a gap year, 18 went to a trade or technical school, and six were other or undecided at that time. >> Thank you.
>> Any questions? Thank you. >> Are you Thank you very much. >> Yeah. You mean you done with presentation or >> Yeah. >> Can you go back a slide? >> Yeah. >> Is your numbers correct for math >> for which one? >> 65 25 and 17.
>> So 65.2%. >> It's 25 and then 17 I think. Is it over 100? >> No. So So it doesn't you it could be a duplication of students. So that's just 65.2%
remember you pass the NJGPA math so they can use that as a pathway to graduate. >> Okay. 25.6% of our population passed the subcompetency test and could use that. So there can be duplication of students in these areas.
>> They took hold of them. >> Right. Right. So they could you know all of our 10th and 11th grade students take PSAT. We we give it. So this is where they qualified and where they could graduate through. And again, these aren't certified yet. So on October 15th, this gets submitted to the state.
It gets qualified again. And then we will get true numbers from the state when they they uh reconcile everything. So this right now is me pulling from our Pearson assessment data, which is just how many kids passed and it's also our internal Genesis data that showed where
the students uh were able to pass. So, it's really incomplete data because we had about 40 40 or so students who had multiple pathways that they could have went through and they're labeled as other until the October snapshot occurs and then we reconcile that. So, that's
why these numbers aren't part of the requirement to present at this meeting. Uh it's usually just that first slide because we know exactly how many students it is. Uh because of that reason, the snapshot hasn't happened yet. However, these were the questions that uh were raised during curriculum committee and so then we integrated them
into the presentation. >> Right. Right. So I know I Charles I did the same thing. You know me I went through and added I said this doesn't make sense and when I talked to our data specialist and went through that's that's what was explained to me >> and I just just want to make sure I mean
I'm sure this is happening. Um English seems reasonable. you know, it's up there probably, you know, obviously we want to be 100%. But, um, do we see a reason why u the math is low and and if you look at the state average, it's low there, too. >> Right.
>> Right. But we're, if you take that also in consideration that they pass the SAT, which >> is what you get in college. We're obviously learning math, right? So, the kids are able to get to college still with the math that they're learning. >> Sure.
>> But why is there any reason? because the state's got to be having the same problem, right? Other districts are going to have have low numbers as well, >> right? Yeah. So, the state average, like you said, is 58%. Um, and again, that's that's me pulling from right from Pearson. So, that those are the people giving the test. So, you know, when
you're looking at an assessment, if I had 58 only 58% of my class pass, um it it's definitely something I'd be looking into. Uh you know, we've we've put in interventions to support our students. um you know that's why you can see in 2024 we had 56.4% pass and then this
year we had 65.2. So obviously those things are working. So we're looking on how to incorporate more of that. Um but you know it's it's it was uh two years ago it was a brand new test. Uh then we got more familiar with it. So we're learning what's on the assessment. It's
primarily you know the algebra 2 geometry area. So we're focusing on those for support. Um, we're also looking at various areas of uh our curriculum to make sure we're covering it prior to testing. You know, that's another part of this. These are taking
taken in April, May, and we go to June, right? So, making sure we're covering concepts that'll be tested beforehand is important. So, we adjusted our curriculum. So, these are all things we're taking into account to try and get those numbers up. Yeah, I appreciate it because I see if you go last year, we
are, you know, it is a great improvement. >> Right. Right. But you're right. 65 isn't where we want to be. We definitely want to keep pushing >> and I just I forgot I think you mentioned this the same test this year or is is a new test, right? >> There's a new test. >> I know it will change again. >> Yes. So then
>> numbers no good after this presentation, right? Okay. >> Yes. So we will see once we get more and more information about that, we will be sure to share. >> Okay. Thank you. I just want to point out that as a graduation requirement to pass math, 91% of our students pass
math. We you I don't the GPA math test has to be poor that as as far as a test goes, if the entire state can only pass it to 58%. But if they can take if we're saying that graduation requirement math, that they know math through these other tests, they still 91% of our kids pass
math. So I think it should look at it that way in a more positive light rather than, oh, we didn't pass math. We did. we that's 91% of it >> right and and also if you look at it to overall 98.7% of our kids met a math requirement that they need to meet >> right
>> you know so that you you know Charles is right that assessment we we need to come in on more and the concepts that are covered within it but absolutely John let's celebrate the uh >> Sure are great I think
>> okay anyone else questions >> thank you so much I Who does the portfolio review? Is that >> the district or is that >> Yes. So the district gets it together and works with the students, but we submit it to the state and they review it. >> Oh, okay. So it has the final word on
it. >> Yes. Yep. >> All right. >> Thanks everyone. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> You got duck in my eyes. >> Okay.
Oh, I get to read the board goals now. Okay, >> fun. >> All right, item K. Buckle in, guys. This is long. Um, approval of board goals 2025 2026 and committee alignment. Before I start, I do want to clarify up
front that we um while we did list the committees adjacent to each of the relevant board goals, we are not changing uh our standing committees or our committee structures tonight. That conversation will take place at an upcoming board retreat. And I also want to state because I got a call from
someone who looked at the a text from someone who looked at the agenda today. These goals are in no particular order. The fact that the last goal has to do with student success does not mean it's the least important thing on our list. Um so board goal one, board governance
and leadership development. and this will go to the governance and policy committee if we end up forming one. Um, by June 2026, the board of education will strengthen its governance effectiveness by becoming a certified board, establishing a mentorship and onboarding program for new members, and
participating in a board retreat and collaborative training sessions with the new with the superintendent. The board will implement structures to assess the impact of new practices throughout the year, fostering continuous growth and alignment with best practices in board leadership. Board goal two, strategic
plan. And this would go to the strategic planning ad hoc committee if we form one. Following the adoption of board and district goals in October 2025, the board will lead the launch of a collaborative strategic planning process by authorizing a timeline, ensuring opportunities for community input, and
adopting a final strategic plan by June 2026 that reflects shared district and board priorities. Board goal three, communication, and this would go to the community relations committee and partnership committee if we end up forming it. By June 2026, the
board will strengthen communication with the public by ensuring consistent community updates and improved social media presence in coordination with the district. The community relations will set will set communication goals, monitor progress, and provide regular updates at board meetings to ensure that
parents and community members are well informed about district programs, offerings, and priorities. Board goal number four, finance and facilities. This will go to the finance and buildings and grounds committee. By the conclusion of the 2025 2026 budget
development cycle, the board will engage in proactive fiscal and facilities planning by working through the finance and buildings and grounds committee to assess long-term capital needs, ensure alignment with educational priorities, and explore options, including the potential need for a future referendum to address major facilities
improvements. And board goal number five, student success, health, and well-being. This goes to the curriculum committee. By June 2026, the board will advance its commitment to student achievement and well-being by prioritizing oversight of efforts that promote academic growth,
inclusive learning environments, and student health. Through its committee structures, the board will regularly review progress in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student support systems, and will collaborate with the superintendent to ensure district priorities reflect a whole child approach.
Okay. So, uh, we are voting on the goals tonight or so does anybody, um, do we need a motion, right? >> Okay. Can I get a motion to, um, >> to vote on these goals? Okay. John and Carl, thank you. >> Uh,
don't we you have this committees? >> Yeah. Do we have to amend to take off the committee list since we that's not going to be voted on tonight? >> Uh, >> can we? >> Technically, the motion says we're voting on board goals one through five. >> Okay, good. Yeah. Okay, great. Um, so
questions, comments on the goals themselves, concerns. I know we did talk about them at the last meeting, but a few people weren't here, so we have any. >> I'm just really glad we're doing strategic planning. Want to throw that in there.
>> Exciting. >> Okay, if we have no questions or comments, can we get a roll call vote? >> Mr. Fischer. Yes, >> Mr. Krauss. >> Yes, >> Miss Pell. >> Yes,
>> Mr. Sweeney. >> Yes, >> Miss Vakarella. >> Yes, >> Mr. Zimmerman. >> Yes, >> Mr. Smacia. >> Yes, >> Mr. Canino. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Item L, um, board reports. I am
listed first. So, uh, curriculum committee report. Um, the meeting was held September 16th. In attendance were myself, Carolyn Ross, John Krauss, Charlie Smaglia, and Ebony Day Mendes. Uh, the committee reviewed the graduation report for the class of 2025,
which was presented just before. Um, the committee got an update on grant funding and progress addressing staffing gaps in world languages and ESL, including the use of proximity learning to address vacancies. Um the committee discussed the need to conduct a curriculum audit to evaluate the efficacy of curriculum
vertical alignment across grade levels and identify areas of improvement. Um we also learned that the district has received a grant from the NCC. Yay. That will be used toward training and resources for the new electrical program. So that's exciting. and a
proposal for a partnership between the Jersey STEM and Lansbury Hollow for girls in STEM program that may allow us to introduce introduce an afterchool program at Lansburg Hollow on STEM. Um, and then ongoing items of discussion
include the need to look more deeply at the appropriate use of AI in instruction and how best to incorporate educating students about AI into our programs. That's my report. So, John, you're up. Okay. Finance, building, and grounds. We
met September 8th. Uh, the meeting was conducted online through Google Meet. In attendance were Ray Slam, Joe Vancirk, Evony Demz, myself, Brian Fischer, and Jennifer Pellet. All right. So, we have a lease purchase for a vehicle replacement. So, we're negotiating terms
with First American based on the review of our board attorney. Mr. slam sent that back to them and once an agreeable response is received we'll proceed with the order process for the vehicles due water infrastructure improvement grant um the deadline for this has been
extended twice we don't have anything currently that we can apply for but there is an allowance to apply retroactively one of the projects that may be eligible is the PAS remediation project at Walnut Ridge and we're going to apply and see if it's eligible
um our 2025 2026 audit The auditors are in the district and the process has begun. When the state releases its information on pension liabilities, the auditors may need to come back one more day. Um, school choice aid um, estate
aid rather. We received $24,682 in the current year. We have 13 seats and none of those seats are filled with children and staff members. There was a question about that. We also had a question about the special education Medicaid initiative or semi. There was a
question of the impact of Medicaid cuts and reimbursements to the district for services. Essentially, if a student is no longer eligible for Medicaid, then the number of Medicaid reimburseable services and the related revenue would decrease. We have middle school after uh middle
school after school bus. Um instead of a shuttle, which we had previously discussed, Mr. Slam worked with Miss uh Broster to implement a mileage addendum with the current high school buses. This cost $8,000 which was about $5,000 less than a shuttle would have cost. This
allows the district to provide after school busing at Glen Meadow. Okay. We're also talking about a public relations stipend. There was a discussion on whether or not this was already a paid position in the district and it turns out it's not. The stipen
will be $9,000 and would be to promote the Vernon Township School District through social media and other communication channels to prepare and distribute press releases and articles to local newspapers and media outlets to highlight students, staff and district achievements to showcase Vernon
successes and to attend major district events or coordinate coverage to ensure that they are publicized to collaborate with administrators to collect content and provide photos. to coordinate with district leadership to maintain consistent branding, positive messaging, and serve as a point of contact for
community communication. I believe we're voting on that tonight, aren't we? I >> think so. >> I'm not. Are we not? >> I'm sorry. Okay. All right. It's all right. It's It's upcoming. >> Uh there was a question about the bid threshold. It's set by the state and it's currently $53,000 for districts
with a qualified purchasing agent, of which Mr. Slam is one. Um and then it was also we had a fee comparison about the use of our facilities. It was decided that we should keep our fee structure what it currently is. This was after a comparison with other districts. For example, Sparta, we checked that
what they do. And then for buildings and grounds, um we have our auditorium lighting is being replaced. We got quotes to uh replace and upgrade and discontinued light bulbs. It's going to cost $74,399.26
through the ED data cooperative. This is something that wasn't budgeted for, but is a need that needs to be addressed. Mr. Slim is moving some things around to pay for it. It is to rewire and retrofit house lights in the auditorium to replace bolts in the theatrical lights.
Um, Lounsbury Hollow partial repave. A prior vendor no longer has a contract with us with a co-op. A new vendor quoted $103,875, which is 39,000 over budget. The Glen Meadow PA system. Um the equipment has
been delivered and scheduling a vendor for installation. They're asking for $187,946 more for replacing the wiring for the entire system. There was a discussion on the amount of cost for rewiring the building and to why this was not considered with the original bid. We are
trying to see if we can get that number down. I think we haven't gotten that far with it yet. Right. >> We're still working on it. >> Okay. Thank you. Um the Cedar Mountain receal and restripe. We're going to postpone that until the year end or the next budget. Look into coordinating with
the town engineer to do partial repave along the potential walnut bridge project. Uh restripe in house to pro improve lot for current year and coordinate with town to fill current potholes. Vernon Township High School and Lansbury PA systems. The recommendation is to postpone the
Lansbury PA system to fund the Gren Meadow PA system change order and increase Lansbury Hollow VTHs elevator costs. One, this will be further discussed at the next committee meeting and continuing to work with vendor on obtaining a quote for the high school PA
system. And we're specifically asking vendor to complete more in-depth check of wiring during this process. Um the Glen Meadow well pump failed on September 2nd which resulted in no water at Glen Meadow. Uh day or so before school was about to start. Contractor on
site was same day water pump was not in stock. He ordered it and then received it. Fix completed and water restored by 1:30 on September 3rd the next day. Very very good. Okay. Lounsberry sewer stack leak inside wet wall of the boy's bathroom. The water line and sewer line
were leaking. Maintenance department repaired the water line. Vendor repaired the sewer line. Fast response allowed one of two down bathrooms to be reopened for the first day of school. Maintenance repairing wall the night of September 4th and anticipate all the bathrooms open as of the 8th. I guess they're all
open. >> Yeah. Okay, cool. Because you know this was on the eth we were talking about this. Um and the last one, Lansbury Hollow and um high school elevator projects explored cooperative options. However, none allow for the rehabilitation of elevators and we're
working with USA architects to put together a bid strategy and that's it. Anything else in progress up is all on online. You can go look at all that. That's my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, John. >> Jenna questions or >> Sure. If you have questions,
I two questions. Um, unless I miss it. Have you guys talked about the advertisements on the the fields yet? Yeah. >> Um, it didn't come up in our last meeting, but I'm I'm sure we can. I mean, maybe ask that.
>> Um, so I reached out to other PAs in the county um to kind of see what they've been doing. I didn't really get any response. Uh, so my next step was to talk to our board attorney uh and to our auditor uh who I've got responses back from them. I do have um forms that I've
put together um that I'll be sharing for review. Uh the next step is really we essentially need to find a uh sign vendor in town that we would purchase the signs from. Uh we would therefore be
purchasing the signs. Um and we just have to determine what designs the board has to determine what designs they they want to be on those signs. And then also then we'd have to set what our um amount per sign would be. Uh so that's a discussion that we need to have. Those are the next steps. >> Okay. I just want to make I mean it was
a the board felt pretty strong about it for a long time. So I just want to say we're making progress. >> Yeah, it's revenue generating opportunity we need to keep pushing on. And then the second question, John, was uh you talked you talked about the
Clemetto PA system 187K, right? >> And then but my question is okay, I know you guys had big big discussion. We talked about it a little bit too. >> Um >> Rolling Hills, you're you're saying now you're or Rolling Hills or the next the
other school that that's going to be >> Lansbury and High School. >> Lansbury and High School. So we're taking the money out of there, right? My question is, are we looking at alternatives? Because I I mean, if we're look looking at the PA system, I I guess I don't know what a PA the PA system looks like. I'm assuming it's similar to
what we've the old technology that we've that's been in the building since the ' 60s7s, you know, where it's on the wall. Can we do something cheaper? You know, we have C we have we have Ethernet cable going to all our computers. We have teachers have desk. we look at the phone
system or or or an alternative way um to save that because if we're 187k off of this because of wiring even the projected costs that we would probably have would have thought the other schools were going to be are probably going to be up there again you know
we're and where we're going to get that money from >> well we're going to check the wiring in the other schools I think that was one of the things that they're we're doing to make sure that they they're compatible with whatever equipment there is the other end of that is if we have to rebid for all these other things and we've already gotten the equipment in the buildings and if we have to rebid
it's going to cost us a lot more money than we're going to spend if we have to fix it. >> Oh, the equipment's for every building. >> What you're speaking to is is get an alternative way but at that point we'd have to stop this project rebid and wasting $100,000 $100,000. >> No, no, not the money. We bought the
equipment for all the for the high school. >> No, I think just for Glen Meadow, not rebidding or >> talking about the future project. >> The other future projects. like the high school and Lounsbury. >> Well, I can't speak to that. I don't know. I don't know the answer to that.
>> It would depend on the wiring of each of those buildings. So, two projects have been completed in previous buildings or the the wiring was fine and we just had to replace equipment. So, I actually got some additional information from when we had our meeting. So, essentially what it looks like is that at some point a system was replaced in in that building
in Glenn Meadow, but instead of running I'm not an electrician so bear with me. So instead of um replacing the full wire when they did that essentially back behind the the wire they initially saw when they looked and they thought that wire was like oh it's newer wiring it
should work behind that that wire and that's a I think it's a four wire wire if anyone has more electrician experience than me. Um so they had that spliced into an older wire back in I think a box in the back. I wish I had Joe here for this.
So, so they they said they said, "Oh, we have four wires. We're good to go." Right. They went back farther in. Three of the wires were connected to older wiring back behind the wall and the one wire just was capped off. >> So, we don't have the fourth wire. Sorry. So, we're looking at if there's
potentials for other options, potentials to save money. Um, but essentially the change order would be to pull two uh cat 6 lines through the entire building. Um and the reason it's the right now is two
is because one would be for um the complete the the traditional system right uh which is you know you have a call button in each room you can call the main office and then you have the PA system for the entire school right and then the second would be for future purposes if we then wanted to put a
phone in each classroom uh with that that second cat 6 wire we then would have the wire there so we could put a a phone in that classroom because right now there aren't phones in those classrooms >> oh there Right. >> Yeah. Not in CLTO, >> but we have I mean we have Ethernet cable going into their We don't have
wireless for the computers, right? So you can usually piggyback I'm just saying look there's an alternative you don't have to answer, but you can usually piggy back off of the the cable coming into the into the computer, right? You can cook put the phone between those two and then splice it
out. Um you you'll use four two pairs for for Ethernet, right? So, >> so you have you knew more about the pairs than I did. >> So, and you know, phones need need six. They use a POE, so they have a little extra, but uh I just want to make sure we're looking out of the ways because
that's very expensive and and and we we set aside money >> where we're going to come up with that money for the other two buildings. >> It's not so much whatever happened happened, right? We're going to fix that. You're working on on it, but the next two I'm scared these projects won't
happen. you know, it could it could be a tremendous cost and and I I'm agree with you with the um running two lines when you when you have the people here, it's cheaper to run a second extra line than it is to have them come in the second time. So, that's makes a lot of sense. >> Yeah. So, because that was one of the other things that would be that, you
know, the difference in cost, you know, for running that one extra line. And like you said, the main cost there is labor. So, if they're pulling one versus two, they're there the same amount of time. Uh it was just the cost of material. So, it wasn't a significant difference. Uh but right now we have technology buildings of grounds trying
to all put our heads together to see if there's other options there. Um so far we haven't come up with anything but that doesn't mean that we won't. We're still working on it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I asked about the phones too by the way if there's another way we could just put phones in each room.
>> I figured somebody else had to say so as >> any other questions on um finance. Okay Charlie, you're up. >> Okay. So, um, made a mistake on my notes. I forgot to take attendance. Um, so I'm going to go
by memory. It was myself, Brian, John, and Evony. And, uh, we discussed a couple of topics that were up for, um, review tonight. For first agenda, we have u I took I'll just go real quick.
We have 10 164 is the board um, uh, conduct of the board meetings. This has changed to go align with the new format. Um everything all the all the the committee went along with everything the administration presented us all the
recommendations. Um I put the notes in the uh we're using that new format. So I'm not sure if everybody saw it but uh 173 um this has to do with u responsibility of the school accountants and this is mostly revised codes that we're looking at.
uh 174 addresses legal services and revisions uh do not make any do not change any implications uh for this. So this is basically how what's we we all not calling the lawyer right. So what
procedures we follow when we have to make uh decisions with lawy um law service legal services uh 177 same it's kind of the same thing professional services u minim is to minimize the professional service cost
um most a lot of updated codes in there um 1570 this is this is both um a policy and a and a um a rec it's it's to address u state aid receiving state aid
and internal controls uh in uh 1620. Um this is we had a a fair fairly we had a little discussion about this one. Uh oh no I'm sorry it's the wrong one. The next one we did this one is about uh addresses requirements that the
superintendent assistant superintendent we don't have one. Um and the business business administration it has to be overseen by the county super uh intended for review. Um 1636 this is about new job postings. We had a a discussion with
with our HR director, right? >> Supervisor manager. >> Manager. >> Okay. HR manager. Um, and she actually we've been following this procedure since the law has changed. Um, so we were ahead of the game on this one. So she re reviewed the policy and
everything we were following and all. So um, the policy recommendations obviously came from Strauss according to the new statutes. Uh, 2422. Um this has to do with um well this is tied to a Supreme Court case uh decision
was released in uh June 28th. This is a court a case um manau Mandow versus Taylor. Um right now there's an injunction and until a decision is made the injunction is is in place.
Um 6 61 1111 is uh is both again this is to uh this is steps to make the appropriate steps to maximize participation in the special education Medicare incentive program. Um a lot of this was just revised codes and
6220 uh was a pres um budget presentation um information allow some just revised codes there as well. And uh and then record keeping for this one is 1648.15.
This was record keeping for um healthcare. It had to do with COVID. So we're abolishing it tonight. And the the star of the night would be our second reading for our AI policy. So um no changes. We we've discussed in the
meeting and um that was it. If anybody has any questions. >> Gentlemen, >> I like that we're abolishing >> CO. Yeah. >> Yes. >> We're doing better than Right. >> Right.
Okay. Um, no other questions on policy. All right, Mr. Fiser. Technology. >> Okay. So, we had a technology committee meeting at uh Walnut Ridge on September 2nd at 400 pm uh and also virtual
attendance. We had Jennifer Plet, Charlie Smaglia, Carl Canino, Vinnie Gagliostro, Eony De Mendez, and myself. Uh so uh the better part of the the
first part of the meeting maybe even three quarters of the meeting was dedicated to a a discussion about the fate of the technology committee and ultimately we decided we were going to table that discussion until
um we have the board retreat. So I had a quick question. Have we decided when that is? We were actually supposed to talk about that in executive but we ran out of time. Um we have two dates and after maybe after the meeting we can all Yeah.
>> Quick aside. Uh so after the discussion uh Nick Lasso made a number of comments. He talked about uh vetting resources, how we spend money, collaboration between department heads and himself. Uh
coordinating purchases like you know buying uh cameras from one company and then buying door access equipment from another. Uh he talked about switching over our food services. uh he felt that he had switched to a
more robust company with the ability to grow and the ability to give parents um I'm using the word ability, the ability to purchase other items through that same uh service. Uh door
access control, they're still working to make the system better and to learn. Um, and he also mentioned that we have new state testing coming up with an adaptive model and that'll give us a better picture on how our students are learning
and growing. He's going for training on 9:15. That's it. >> He went for training because that was in the past now. Um, what's today's date? >> Today is 19th, >> isn't it? The 18th.
>> He went for training on >> There you go. All right. >> Any uh questions or comments on the technology? He's traveling maybe. >> No, no questions. Okay, great. Uh, so item M, student
liaison report. Fortunately, I'm a lot less organized than all of you, so I have it on my phone. >> You're saving paper. >> I'm saving paper. I'm saving the trees. >> Just give me one second to pull it up. Also, I just want to say thank you, Mr.
Cross, for the update on the lighting situation. It is much appreciated. I can tell you that. We see it every day. Um so first for the upcomings and happenings of what's going on in the high school. Um all of our fall sports are back in session. Uh our field hockey
team is 2 1 and one which means they won two. They lost one and they tied in a game. Football is 2 to1 right now. Boys soccer is 3:1. Uh girls volleyball is 1 to3. Girls soccer is 3-0. They're currently undefeated. Um girls tennis is
6-2. and cross country has been meeting but unfortunately I do not understand how cross country works. Um as far as student council goes they are currently planning the homecoming dance which is October 1st. Um I believe it is
6:30 to 10:30. They have designed the homecoming t-shirts. They are currently on pre-sale um and started gaining candidates for elections for the homecoming king and queen. They are also putting the fall pep uh pep rally um on
October 3rd and they have a student survey about spirit week from the 29th to October 3rd. The theater department has auditioned and casted for the fall play. Those dates are October 23rd and 24th. Um we just started a poster competition for
advertising purposes. Uh marching band won first place in their most recent competition on last Saturday. Um for clubs, almost all of the clubs have started meeting again. We have a club fair on September 30th during unit
lunch. Uh so those clubs include unified club, academic at the Kathlon, the GSA, the gay straight alliance, um mock trial, key club, green team, robotics, DECA, which is currently taking in applications for the new year, upstanders club, uh colors of
excellence, model UN, and battle of the books. Honor societies. So, the National Honor Society just had their election for the 2025 2025 2026 officers uh which is Juliet Miller as president, Elizabeth
Peak as vice president, uh Moren Love it as the treasurer, and Tegan Wrestler as the secretary. Um as far as the thespian honor society, we are planning our fundraisers and our cabarets for this upcoming season. Um the senior class, this one's
exciting, guys. uh the match college offers. So that is a website where we got set up last year um and set up a profile to have colleges review it and if they like you they can automatically
accept you uh not having met you, not having a visit and they give out scholarships uh merit based based on your transcript and everything like that. Um, so the college offers were just recently
released. We had uh 35.1 million in potential scholarships and 561 potential admissions offers. Um, and as far as college admissions visits go, we have Monmouth on the 22nd, Ramipo on the
23rd, and Montlair State on the 30th. Um, Vernon Magazine, this is also exciting. Tegan wrestler got uh student of the student athlete of the month for her softball and uh field hockey commitment and we have an upcoming
college and career fair on the October 22nd. Um as far as our goals for this year, me and Mr. Demsac and me and Miss Mendez talked a lot about this. Um so one of those is communication. We're going to be working a lot with the student
council um to keep the student body updated on what's happening in our school and on the board of ed. Those include the home room representatives um making sure that the teachers are aware of what's going on through the home room representatives and the morning announcements um and Google forms to
solicit feedback and get as much uh statistics and overall uh what's the word I'm looking for? feedback as possible. So, teachers and home room representatives will encourage all students to gain uh to fill out the
forms and gain a real sense of feedback. Um, and one of our other goals is clubs and electives. So, this might seem like we have a very wide uh representation of clubs and electives, but it has been brought to my attention that there are
uh sports and um other clubs of interest that we currently do not have. So, we will be sending out many many Google forms, many uh announcements as to get those students involved and if it's
a broad enough category of students to make sure that it's being brought to the board of ed and getting uh set up for possible next school year or the school year after that. >> Thank you. >> Great question. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> What's the play?
>> Uh Rumors by Neil Simon. Thank you. >> Did you jump to my question? I was going to ask the same question. >> Any other questions for our student here? >> Thank you. >> What is a Battle of the Books? Is that like they put robot books? >> So, no. Um, Battle of the Books is in
our library. It, as far as I know, is a school and kind of countywide competition to see who can read the most books in the school year. Um, I also believe we had it in the middle school and I want to say I heard someone read
13 books in the span of six months and I was very impressed. Um and yeah it's I I think uh it's goes on in our school as to who can read the most books in the school year and then
whoever whatever school uh wins or reads the most books in general >> would uh move on to whatever >> round they have after that. Okay. >> In the lower grades they called it accelerated reader. Did they still have
that? It's been a few years since I remember that was a good question. >> I don't know. >> I have no idea. >> I don't think they have. >> You had to take that test. >> I'm going to be honest. I didn't even know that was a thing. So,
>> maybe not. >> All right. Um, thank you. So, item N, public comment, Mr. Slam, which is I know you enjoy reading this note. Uh during the course of the public meeting of the Vernon board of education, the public has offered the
opportunity to address the board on agenda items and any issues regarding the school district. The board reminds those individuals who take this opportunity if they must identify themselves by name and section of town and limit their comments to agenda items and are issues that directly relate to the operation of the school district. Issues that are raised by members of the
public may or may not be responded to by the board or administration at the time of the meeting or at any time. All comments will be considered and response be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board requests that members of the public keep their comments to a limit of 5 minutes, be courteous, respectful, and mindful of the right of other individuals when speaking. Specifically,
comments regarding students, employees, the board of education should be thoroughly considered by the speaker, and may or may not be responded to by the border administration. Be advised that students employees have rights of confidentiality and other protections under the law. Student names should never be used. 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 the public should consider their comments in light of legal rights of those affected or identified in their comments and be aware that they are personally legally responsible or potential liability for the comments that they make to the board. >> Thank you, Mr. Slam. Um, do we have any
members of the public who wish to speak? I think we have one online. Anybody in person? We'll go to Martin. >> And hi everybody. I hope you can hear me. Uh,
I want to comment onto the mass problem. The first time I commented on the mass problem was when I think Nicole was in fifth grade, so about 2005. The problem I see I've seen over and over again
uh for in the 12 years this my daughter in the 12 years I've been doing robotics in town and in the four years since then that I have been doing robotics in other towns we are not teaching
math to the kids and I have been heard the heard the comment from many math teachers both in this district and other districts and even supervisors it who say we are teaching to pass state math tests
we are not teaching math. My daughter almost flanked mass in her first year of of college in Cornell and I told her to get uh she needed to get tutoring which she used me for. She
finally then in her second, third and fourth year she had an A in math. We need to use mass in real world and that is one of the benefits of a robotics problem all the way through.
Most problems can be broken down into ra rectangles triangles and triangles. Those pitas we teach pagoras but our students I've seen it over and over here and in other districts do not are incapable of seeing triangles. And it's
so important. Any map can be broken down in triangles. Uh technical stuff like 3D printing is broken down in triangles. If I look at you on the video, there's the pagoras all over the place.
And now with uh if you do robotics, you do image recognition, you need to see the triangles if you want to for example decide how far the person, object, table, box, ball,
whatever is away from you and plan a path to get there. And those are all skills that are needed. And this is why STEM is so important. And then as soon as I mention STEM, somebody says steam. And for me,
steam is everything. STEM was created science, technology, engineering, and mass because we are not doing well in that. Not just in this district. We're doing not well statewise and probably countrywise. Yeah. So for me, steam is
to stem what our lives matters is to black lives matters. it is taken away and we need to focus on that and we need to and I am aware that we have to pass the state tests but my argument is if we
teach the kids proper math on how to understand it not just do the mechanics how to understand it and use it then they will be able to even use the state even uh solve the state problems so I
would hope we start focusing on that and that should take care of the mass problem hopefully many years. And you just heard a speech that I have given in this in front of the BOE and in privately and publicly in other venues
at least a million times. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Paringer. Um, do we have any other >> Nope, that's all. Okay, thank you.
Item, superintendence report. Turn it over to you, Mr. Dendez. >> Sure. Good evening. Um, so we have um very healthy report today. I'll start off just by saying we're pleased to announce our district artists of the
month for September. Uh we know that that artwork is displayed in our municipal building. Uh we do have attached our enrollment report. um our harassment, intimidation, and bullying report for August 2025, which we've had
zero cases. Um but today we do have to do an HIA an HIB self assessment public hearing uh for the summary of our HIB grades. I will do that in a moment. I'm going to hold on that one and move um
just to the recognition of our tenure staff. Uh the following certified uh staff members are recognized for receiving tenure in the month of September. Uh Jessica Bashelle, Samantha Bubenorf, Leah Fontana, Nicholas Lasso, Christian
Lywitz, uh Stacy Lewiki, Lisa Picarelloo, and Sarah Turo. We just want to congratulate our staff members on achieving uh tenure in our district. We did celebrate them during our convocation, but it's wonderful to be able to present them to our board. uh this means that for the past four years
they've demonstrated excellence and highly effective uh teaching uh on the behalf of our students. So of course it's always a celebration and um we wanted to honor them. Today I'm going back to our HIV selfassessment
public hearing. Um annually we are required to present our HIV grades as required by the anti-bullying bill of rights act. There are eight core elements of a self of a self assessment. It's taking a look at our programs, our
training, our staff instruction, our curriculum and instruction on HIV and related skills, our personnel, our school level incident reporting procedure, our investigative procedure, and our HIV reporting. There is a total
number of 78 points that each school can award themselves on the self assessment. All of our schools with the exception of two awarded themselves the full 78 points because they did meet each of the components in all of the aid criteria.
Walnut Ridge awarded themselves 77 out of the 78 points. Um and that is in the HIV personnel element. That was because they opened in December and so then they weren't able to hold the two meetings um that they were required. uh Lounsbury
Hollow um uh self assessed at 76 of the 78 points under other staff instruction and training programs. When they surveyed u their ABS and their staff, they said they would like to receive additional training, more training. And so then in consideration of that
feedback, they awarded themselves the 76 points. Um but they are moving forward this year with improving um the training opportunities to their staff. Uh we have a whole host of training opportunities that are available to the staff
beginning with the week of uh respect as you see on the agenda, school violence awareness week, PBIS um and many many other um um u areas of focus so that we can really move away from what we know as
harassment, intimidation and bullying. The purpose of the public hearing then is to ensure transparency, provide the public an opportunity to review and comment on our efforts to prevent HIV. Uh after this summary is presented here this evening and we hear from um our
board and public, we will post the grades on our website as is required by the anti-bullying uh bill of rights act. So this opens our public hearing. >> That's correct. >> Yep. Are there any questions from the board
or from the public on our HIB grades? No. All right. Do you have to close it? Okay. So, just um as a part of strengthening HI practices through efficiency and insight, you're going to hear that a lot. Alignment, efficiency.
Uh we're experiencing that as a team um and as a board. uh we will be transitioning from paperbased HIV reporting because that is how we do it right now. Everything is written and on paper and we have very clear timelines
by which we need need to um follow and adhere to. We're going to move to hipster. It is an electronic platform for managing HIV. It will be funded through our title 4 grant and it will allow us to enhance our current practices by improving efficiency and
consistency and data access. Uh what it will do is moving away from filling out paper. Uh everybody can enter into the system. Let's say an HIB is initiated by um an ABS then it would automatically
route it to the next person. It would automatically inform everybody who needs to be informed about the process. It would make sure that we are adhering to the timelines. Uh more importantly, uh it will streamline our investigations and our documentation. It will allow us
to track trends and hotspots so we can proactively guide prevention efforts. It will help us identify patterns to support our students more effectively and it will help us collaborate across schools in a shared digital space. So, um, on October 13th during our
district-wide inservice day, we will receive training and as a team, we will collectively decide when we're ready to go live. If it was a month or two in preparation, so that we could make sure that we are all um, accurately trained
and ready to roll. Uh we think this is also timely since October is right uh week of respect and all things um anti-bullying and against school violence. With that said, as a part of our week of respect on October 7th, our
students at Glen Meadow Middle School in the high school are going to hear Ryan's story which is a powerful presentation on bullying, cyber bullying, and suicide prevention. Um and this is based on the true story of Ryan Hallan. It really reinforces empathy and kindness, the
importance of speaking up. U Ryan did commit suicide and his father will um speak as a part of this presentation to talk to our students about um just seeing each other and caring for one another. Um along that note, um last
week I issued a communication uh to our community and families regarding a matter that we had addressed. Um understandably it created some tension. The um letter was ambiguous in the fact that we have to um save space for privacy and communication. Um when we
address an incident, we may not be able to provide details, but we do want to be transparent as we as transparent as we can with our community and uh let them know that something is taken taking place, but there is no cause for concern. So, I just want to acknowledge that difficulty, acknowledge that that
tension is is held. Um, and we will do the best that we can to communicate proactively with our families and when we can give as much details. Um, following that communication, there were three parents who reached out via email. I did respond to each one individually.
Um, and one of them did make a suggestion. They said that as they went through our website that they didn't find um any information on how we handle threat assessments in our district. Uh and so then we combed our website and that parent was right. We do not have
that posted uh until today. Uh today uh since then we we built our web page. Um BAM behavioral threat assessment management is the procedure. Uh we do have a very strong threat assessment procedure process in our district. We
just needed to communicate it to our families. So now our families will be able to find our web page. On it will be a description of BAM. On it will be listed um all of our committee members who serve on the threat assessment
teams. There will be an FAQ uh frequently asked questions about how we handle threat assessment in the district. Whether it is uh a threat of harm to other or a threat of harm to self, both of them are considered.
There is a parent presentation there which will walk our parents and community members through uh what our process looks like um and answer some questions in there. Uh there is an outline of our communication strategy.
So um if our parents uh in a scenario receive this type of email, it's because or there is no risk, no cause for concern. And please understand, we can't provide details. If there's um an incident that's happening in town or that's going through social media, we're
letting the parents know this is what's taking place. We're aware, etc. So we're sharing our communication strategies. That way parents are aware of how we will communicate moving forward. And there is also an anonymous threat reporting form for each school that has
now been that has now been posted. And so then if uh our families or students now find out um or have some information that we need to be made aware of proactively, there is now a an anonymous reporting feature for each of our
schools. We do want to just clearly state that because these can't be possibly monitored 247 if there is a true emergency that needs to be handled right away. We continue to encourage our families to call 911 or the Vernon Police Department. Um we did reach out
to our uh partners um in making sure that our schools are safe and so then uh we alongside um the Vernon Police Department are on the same page. So that is around safety and communication um and our HIV grades uh
and what is taking place this week. Uh we started this evening uh really with our students. We heard from our advisory council. We were able to acknowledge Luca Sevetski and I want to welcome uh Kalista O'Donnell. Uh she and I got to attend a board training together. I
think we had a good time. Yeah. So, >> uh, we got to bond a little bit and I hope to just in continue to increase our partnership, um, and work closely with you and the students. Um, she wonderfully stated her goals. I look forward to your leadership. Absolutely. And how you're going to represent the
student body well on this board. So, thank you. Uh, we want to welcome back uh, all of our students and staff. We are underway. um from preschoolers boarding the bus for the first time to our seniors celebrating their last first
day. Right, the opening of school was filled with positivity and excitement and a strong sense of community. All six of our schools reported a strong opening. Our classrooms were ready. Um our students came in prepared uh to learn or with sleepy eyes saying, "What?
We're back and it's early." Um nevertheless, we're back as a community and we're excited. Our transportation overall went well. Um, our routes are running smoothly. We did have a transportation meeting with all of our bus drivers this week and that was nice to meet them and to hear um some of the
concerns if uh that they might have had. Our principles were also present as leaders to hear and communicate with our bus drivers. um to make sure that our uh routes are running efficiently, that our students are behaving on the buses um and that there is a communication
protocol that is open and transparent. I just want to thank Marissa Broder for leading that conversation. She did a fantastic job at making sure that our leadership and our transportation team is communicating well. Um curriculum and instruction and assessment, our teachers
began the year equipped with our updated curriculum. Our benchmark assessments are underway. Uh we have been selected for the innovations in measuring student growth for the evaluation pilot program. This is great. So the state is taking a look at our SGOs and how that's
calculated in observations. And so then our team applied. So shout out over there to Mr. Gagliaststro and to Dr. as they uh went and um heard about um what opportunity was available for Vernon to lead in the conversation to
have a seat at the table and lead in that conversation. So, uh they're exploring those ways to assess student progress. Um and um I'm looking forward to uh what you're going to accomplish right as a voice on that team. So, thank you to our leaders who are um really
partnering with our state. Uh we're also preparing for our field testing for the NJGPA and NJSLA. Yes, those scores, we won't be able to look back at them, right? We're starting testing all over again. So, it will be grades four and up. We have to field test in October. Um
everything will be online. Um hopefully it will be a better administration since it's adaptive. Our open houses and back to school nights are taking place across all of our schools. We had a very strong turnout. Uh and we are posting our videos. I hope you're on Instagram. I
hope you're on Facebook. I hope you're on the live feed. Uh we have uh over I think it was 2,000 something views on our back to school middle uh our back to school night middle school Glenn Meadow, right? Uh so a lot of our parents are
are picking up steam. We did meet again for a listening and learning conversation with the SEA. They are raising so many funds for our students. Wow. So, I can't wait for them to come and report out on all that they're doing, but they are so active um with
our students. They were at all of the back to school nights. They are uh fundraising. They have different events and um they are just so encouraging and it's really warm to see how actively engaged our families are, our parents. Um Miss O'Donnell gave the athletic
highlights, so I'll leave that to her. Um uh just community partnerships. This month I had the opportunity to meet with um our township Howard Laser, the director of public works. Uh really to talk about snow days. Yes, we're preparing. So what will that look like?
But we're partnering making sure that uh we're making good decisions and that we're thinking about that beforehand. Um, so he definitely shared u some wonderful resources uh for us to um not only see cameras but know the temperature on the cement so that we'll
know uh how to call a delay and how to call um a closing. Uh I also met with our mayor to discuss our continued collaboration between the township and the district alongside Mr. Slam. We're going to meet quarterly um to continue to just talk about shared services and
what that might look like. Um, so partnerships, partnerships, partnerships. Uh, VTEA support, we want to thank them for providing refreshments for the preschool back to school night and they purchased beads and strings and charts and whiteboard markers and notebooks for our parents to take notes
and tote bags for our families. Um, so we're excited about that. Uh, we also received um feedback from a parent or parents about our Cedar Mountain um pickups. It's tough. Uh, I don't know that we'll be able to resolve that. We don't have the number of parking spaces
that we um totally need, but we do have over 180 families using our parent drop off and pickup at Cedar Mountain. So, we did make some adjustments effective Monday. Instead of having one door to pick up our little ones, there will be two. So, that should cut off the pickup
time, at least cut it in half. Um and then um the police department gave us some no parking signs so that we could just keep everybody safe uh know where we should be parking and and and not making U-turns um into our road where our buses are. So we just thank our
parents in advance for their cooperation. We know it's a tough situation um and we appreciate just the patience as we try to um exit our um students as efficiently and safely as possible. And I also want to just take a
moment that um to say because of the limited parking capacity um we hope that our parents can be encouraged to use our district provided bus transportation when possible and that might help us out. So uh we know that as we um drop off our kindergarten and first graders
maybe at the beginning of the year we're gaining trust in the bus and in the system and in the process and and maybe we'll um um just appreciate uh that ongoing commitment and support. Our CCLC starts September 22nd. Our informational open house is from 4:30 to 5:00 at Glen
Meadow. And so then we just encourage our families to attend. We're excited about that. And wow, that concludes the superintendent's report. >> Nice. It's uh quite lengthy. Okay. And thorough and appreciated. Um
recommendations. Now those are your recommendations, correct? >> So we have our personal recommendations. Um Oh no, we have to go to board policies first. >> Yes. >> Yes. So we're recommending our board
policies first. And so they are um policies 0164 conduct of the board meeting 0173 duties of public school accountant 0174 legal services 0177 professional services 1570 internal
controls 1620 administrative employment contract 1636 notification of promotion new job and transfer opportunities 2422 statutory curricular requirements 611 special education Medicaid initiative program and 622 20 budget preparation.
Those are all first readings. Our second reading is for the acceptable use of artificial intelligence. That's P2365. And then we are also recommending to abolish P1648. That's recordkeeping for COVID >> and then we keep going through all and
then we do questions at the very end. >> All right. Very good. So personnel upon recommendation um we have the uh following certificated staff resignations and retirements. In the second section you'll see the non-certificated staff resignation and retirements. We have um an approval by
the board of ed to deactivate the following substitute teachers. That person moved out of the state or country. Um and then there is a recommendation for cert certificated staff appointments. Um there is the
recommendation for non-certificated staff appointments. There is the recommendation for certificated staff sixth period teaching assignments. Um and there is the recommendation for substitute appointments at the
appropriate substitute rates. There is the recommendation for the mentor fee deduction for our staff for the 2526 school year. Um there are CCLC program recommendations for appointment for substitutes. Um there is the attachment
of the hourly stipened adjustments and there are staff salary adjustments for the 2526 um school year that need to be made for staff who are moving on the guide. Um there is uh a staff start date
adjustment for our staff who had to start on a different date due to fingerprinting etc. Um and our part-time aids uh leaves of absence for certificated and non-certificated staff
and uh a special uh uh acknowledgement and honoring of uh Dr. Dominic Demsac who received his um doctorate and he is now getting his award. Um yes, let's give him a
one >> and that's his brother. But this is Dom Dempse. >> Right. Um >> his brother. No, I'm sorry. >> All right. The next section is curriculum and instruction. And we're looking at approving our destinations, our travel, our student teacher
assignments, our professional development plan, our mentoring plan, and our proximity learning agreement in the amount of $11,679.96. Our reports are the HIB report, which is attachment R1, and the random drug
testing and school safety reports for August, which were all zero. And that are those are the recommendations for right. >> Okay. Great. Can I get a motion to approve the superintendence resolution
02A through 02Z? >> So move second. >> Okay. We'll get a roll call. >> Oh no questions or comments? I'm so sorry. >> I just have one question on item K with
the mentor services. Why are the mentoring services amounts different? >> I used to know this one. >> Yeah. >> Different time periods. No. 30. Yeah. No, I guess that's on it.
>> 21 weeks of mentoring. 30 weeks of mentoring. 30 weeks. It's still Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Have to find out. >> If you could get back to me. >> Sure. That would be great. >> Absolutely. Anyone else? >> Seeing no further. Can we get a roll
call? >> Mr. Sminny. >> Yes. >> Miss Aarella. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zimmerman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Smaglia. Yes, >> Mr. Cina. >> Yes, >> Mr. Fischer. >> Hi, >> Mr. Krauss. >> Yes,
>> Miss Bella. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Item P. Mr. Slam report. >> Yep. I just want to give a quick update on Glen Meadow AC. Um, so I just want to provide a stat report. U replacement AC
unit and for our main uh distribution room or MDF room located Glen Meadow. the AC unit which is essential for cooling our network equipment broke in late May. This is unexpected and unbudgeted failure. To m maintain district connectivity, we temporarily moved an AC unit from the cafeteria to the MDF room. This let us keep our
network servers and harbor from overheating. The process of security per placement has been challenging. We began reaching out to cooperative vendors in May. The first vendor completed a site visit in June but failed to provide a proposal despite our repeated attempts to contact contact them after the site visit. reached out to a second cooperative vendor. After multiple
unsuccessful attempts to schedule a site visit in July, we contacted a third. The third vendor was responsive. Uh completing a site visit in August and submitting a proposal on September 2nd. Um so since this was unbudget expense, we had to locate funds. The proposal for the new AC unit is now on the agenda uh
tonight. Uh once approved, installation can be scheduled ensuring the long-term stable and reliable of the district's network infrastructure. Uh, additionally with the MDF properly cooled, we can temp move the temporary unit back to the cafeteria which will ensure the gym continues to provide an environment that's conducive to learning. And then
um, additionally in the meantime, uh, physical uh, education staff have determined that if the conditions are too warm in the gym, uh, classes are being conducted outdoors. Uh, and then also we'll have fans arriving tomorrow as well that have already been ordered.
And then sorry I feel like I sound like I'm Darth Vader breathing into the thing. Sometimes I pick up on it like uh so we have also our use of buildings and grounds as attachment uh one uh that concludesformational items and then we
have um one two which are recommendations. Uh our finance we start with our uh financial reports letter A. Uh upon recommendation superintendent of schools approved by the board of education approved the following financial reports as listed below. Uh letter B is approval of uh board
sectors and treasures reports as noted below. Uh there's attachment F5 and F6. Uh we also have the uh approval of the uh transportation for the month of September. That's attachment F7. Uh we have the approval uh to add a 457B
option through security benefit uh for Verna school district place. We also have the recommendation for approval uh for the disposition of the following items as noted below is either obsolete or in disrepair. Uh we also have uh approval uh for the
proposal from Mccclsky McCcloudsky uh mechanical contractors inc for the main NBF air conditioning replacement at Glen Middle School in amount of $35,261. That's through cooperative contracts attachment F8. Uh we have the recommendation approval by the board of
education uh to accept $5,000 from uh team's Friday sweep stakes uh which uh was will be going to the high school uh for continued weight room uh improvements. Uh we have the approval of the service group between Porzio, Bramberg and Newman and Emer school district. That's
attachment F9. Uh we have the approval for uh recommended approval for the proposal from Pure Techch Group uh for the high school term lighting system upgrade an amount of $74,39926 at attachment F10. Uh then letter J we have uh the approval recommended
approval uh for proposal from USA Architects for professional services related to proposed elevator upgrades at Vernon Township High School and Lounsbury Hollow School and another $24,800 attachment F11. Uh continuing on to special services, uh we have the recommended approval for the following
out of district replacements as noted below. Uh we have the recommended approval for the board of uh for the Canon County Educational Services Commission for services evaluations need to assist the CST when necessary for appropriate uh and appropriate for 26 school year. Uh
letter M we have the approval by the board of education student 21392 to attend Brookfield schools CFG residentials LLC for homebound educational instruction $40 per hour for 2526 school year. Letter N we have the recommended approval uh for the minimum random understanding between Insight
Health Inc. and Berntown School District. That's attachment SS-1. Uh and then letter O we have the recommended approval by the board of education for the service agreement between J&B therapy and burnt school district for 2526 school year. That is deterrant SS2.
>> Okay. >> Can I get a motion to approve the business administrator's resolutions P2A through P2? >> Some >> Carl second Stephanie. Somebody new. Okay. Questions or comments? I have a couple. But who's
first? Carl. Uh Carl. Um, so first I want to ask >> Wait, hang on a second. We missed >> We weren't supposed to vote on >> Oh. Um, >> it was on the last one. >> Oh, it was on the last. So, we have to
go back to that after. Go ahead, Carl. >> Uh, it g upon recommendation of superintendent schools approval by the board of education, one of the recipients of the T-Mobile's 5K Friday sweep stakes. Can you elaborate on that? What is that? That sounds very interesting
>> and exciting. >> Yes. So, um, T-Mobile Friday night 5G lights initiative. Uh, these are contributions from our school community. Um, there we are making upgrades to the VTHS weight
room and as part of that competition, uh, we designated athletics as our focus area. We were awarded $6,000 in funding. Um, additionally, several school-based organizations and booster groups joined the effort to increase that amount of
donation. So, the class of 2024 donated $1,000. The VTH Athletic Hall of Fame received 1287. The Viking Club 1287. Boys lacrosse 1287. Track and field 1287. The high school sea donated 1,200.
executive sea a thousand in the football booster club 1,287. So we are receiving so much support. Uh we're excited. Thank you for asking about that. Uh we're grateful that for the collaboration um and it's a part of T-Mobile's broader investment in rural
communities. >> So T-Mobile is making a donation. >> Yes. And then the boosters and the others are joining in the effort >> and these are all going to the wait room. >> Um I believe the $6,000 in funding was toward the wait room. Yes.
>> Okay. Can can can we uh know a little bit about what what improvements are being made to the wait room? >> Because last last meeting we had a bunch too, right? >> Yeah. >> I think it was if I remember.
>> So the last meeting was replacement of uh equipment and then the next phase of what they like to do is look at things like the flooring. Uh, so that $5,000 won't be enough to do the foring, but that's >> okay. >> It's going in that direction. >> Yep. Because they I think they worked pretty hard to get all the donations to
get to the equipment and then we'll see if um you know we can kind of move forward there and maybe >> make something work we can get the flooring taken care of too. >> That's great. >> I had one other question. Sorry. Um, item I, uh, approval by the Camden
County Educational Services Commission for services and evaluations needed to assist the CST when necessary. So, are we working with the count um, Camden County ESC to Are we >> Item L? >> Yeah,
>> it's L. It's L. >> Item L. I'm sorry, it's a lowercase L. I looked at the wrong >> Forgive me. Um the item L are we working with them kind of to >> can you elaborate on that? >> Uh so it's a services commission. Uh so
they provide services. It's a specific situation where the geographic um location of those services uh will be helpful for us essentially. >> So we had a student who just because Camden County is pretty far away. So, I
was kind of just wondering >> there's a specific reason why we're partnering with them in Camden County. >> Okay. >> Geographically. >> Thank you. >> Yum. >> So, as always, we're approving a lot of money to the Ed Services Commission from Mars County Central Park School. I don't
see it on the list. >> Okay. Are they public school? >> Yeah, it's the public school. >> We do have other commissions on here commission like why mon but not >> if it's a public school though it doesn't have to be on the list right?
>> The list is for um private approved schools >> me. Okay. I I I noticed one of the attachments is for proximity learning their contract, but I don't see it here in the agenda. Are we voting on >> that? That was up under the curriculum
section. >> Um it over there. I have a question. Why is the contract only for two months? >> Um there is a a vacancy for that amount of time. So we're just covering the vacancy. >> So we're going to get a teacher. >> Awesome. I'm waiting for that. Thank
you. Thank you. Okay, Charlie, >> I still have one more question. >> Oh, sorry, John. >> I I also noticed fund 40 is out to zero. Are we finished with our our debt services? >> Uh, we have a payment schedule throughout the year. Um, so we still
have remaining payments left, but we haven't received >> I thought we were done. >> So, we receive So, we received the revenue portion of that from the town at certain times and then we paid out at certain times. There's usually a payment of principal and interest. Um, so two separate payments uh during during each
school year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Y >> I just want just want to note with T-Mobile that they sponsored that um giving us money, right? Did we mention that we have cell phone space available on top of our high school and we're building
the tower? It just, you know, a little extra. Bro, >> I actually did try reaching out to T-Mobile and also AT&T back when we went out for RFP and uh unfortunately no matter how many uh emails or calls I
made I made, I never actually heard back from anybody. Um we do have um because you remember we we leased it out through an R RFP uh and a uh private company one that uh with a with the highest proposal, right? Uh so now they are I
can give a quick update on that if you'd like. So uh so basically they have now finalized their agreement with Verizon. So that is the first um locator on the tower. Um so that means that they're moving forward with permits. Uh unfortunately because it took so long to finalize with Verizon instead of the
original estimate of they're going to start building in the fall. Now they're saying they're going to they're shooting for the spring. Um, so at that point they're building it and then the hope is that they are able to through their contacts because they're in the business of building these towers find additional
colllocators. Uh, because the way it's set up that each additional coll co colllocator we'd get 50% of the collocator rent. So right now I think we're at about it's been a while but I think we're about 50 a little over $50,000 a year with an escalator built in and then each additional collocator
would be 50% of whatever rent that they're able to charge or come to agreement with with those companies. I did try though I did try with team and AT&T. >> I have a quick question um for the items that are being disposed of the five boxes of outdated tech equipment. Do you
happen to know if that's the robotic stuff that we were told was being looked into? >> I don't know that. Um I I can follow up and and check. Um I hadn't heard of any robotics equipment being uh thrown away.
Um but I'm not sure specifically what's in the those boxes. There were robotics items that were picked up, so I don't think that they were thrown away >> and stored. >> Oh, okay. >> Great.
>> Um, picked up by Okay, great. Um, so anybody else questions? >> All right, great. Um, can we get a roll call? [Music]
Miss Varello, >> sorry. >> Yes, >> Mr. Zimmerman. >> Yes, >> Mr. Smagley. >> Yes, >> Mr. Canino. >> Yes, >> Mr. Fischer. >> Hi, >> Mr. Krauss. >> Yes, >> Miss Pallet.
>> Yes, >> Mr. Sweeney. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Right. Okay. And then we need to um >> jump back to >> 2T >> to 2T in the superation
>> superintendent the attachment for uh travel attachment C C2. >> I'm listed. I have to abstain from that. >> And then uh there's other board members. Adam, >> we're all list. Are we all listed? No.
Not all of those of us who are going to um the NJSBA meeting workshop have to >> I don't see where it's listed here. >> See see it's on attachment. >> It's um page 13, right? >> It's on an attachment >> item uh T. So can we amend that that
vote to have some of us abain from >> I'll I'll I'll update it for the minutes that anyone that should have seen abstained. I think what happened was we got a little thrown off because we're moving to attachments to make the um >> agenda itself more readable. Right. Right. >> So that's probably why.
>> Right. Right. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So item Q, public comment. Um the public meeting notice applies to this public comment session as well. And do we have any members from the public who would like to comment?
Please just sign the sheet at the podium. um when you come to the podium. Thank you. [Music] >> I'll start. >> My name is Jean Buckino. I've been in the district for 40 I'm in the car for
42 years. Um, and my oldest grandson started kindergarten and he's being asked to cross Lake Walk Road in the morning and in the afternoon and they want him to do it by himself. Um, they are allow and I did get in
touch with the the head of transportation. I didn't just come here to complain and be I just were kind of don't know what we're going to do about it. If you've ever been on Lake Walk, it's 40 miles an hour right there. It is a raceway. We stood there the other day
and counted 35 cars, trucks, school buses, motorcycles, doing wheelies going down that road in the 10 minutes that we were waiting for the bus to come. So the bus driver said the first two days the parents could cross the kids, but then after that they were going to
have to learn to do it on their own. There are four kindergarteners there. There is one third grader there. It's on Stratford Shire, which is a horseshoe. They've gone through that neighborhood every year until the past two years, probably because there weren't as many
kids. But now we're asking my daughter who has a five-month-old and a three-year-old and her 5-year-old to cross the road twice a day to get her son off the road. We're asking a woman who's nine months pregnant with her slightly handicapped child to cross that
road twice a day. A grandmother that's taking three-year-old twins and a 5-year-old across. And this is taking time. I mean much more time than coming into the neighborhood. We're not asking for con for um
we're asking not for convenience but for safety. It is an accident waiting to happen. And somebody has to be proactive or we're going to be reactive to something that's not going to go well. Um the bus driver the p this is we've only been in school one week. I called
the border office the very next day. Why am I calling? My daughter happens to be shy. She's also a mother of three toddlers, a stay-at-home mom, um, doesn't really have the time to do it. I called, I've been dealing with the district for 42 years. I worked in the
community for 25 years in a nonprofit organization. I worked with the bus company for 25 years back and forth getting the kids from the PAL to the schools, working very closely. So, I know how it all works. I know the budgets. I know the constraints. Uh,
again, it's a safety issue at this point. It's really gotten to the point, and I was told they can move to another bus stop area if they'd like to down the road into either Lake Walk or Tutor Hill. Uh, Tutor Tutor Hill.
>> Um, or or they can suggest another one or maybe in the morning or I'm going to tell you what's going to happen. All these parents are going to start driving to school because they're not comfortable with what they're doing >> and they're all in Cedar Mountain's a problem with all the parents picking
up, dropping off and limiting parking spaces. >> And I know other parents have called, but they all have toddlers. We're talking about little children here, so they have to be home with their children. So, it's not like they're not concerned. They're all concerned. Um, I just happened to be the one that said I
would be the spokesperson for them. So, um I don't think it's a big ask. I've spoken to many people in the community in the past week. Um even in my own neighborhood, the bus drivers are stopping, making a lot of stops in these
neighborhoods. We're asking for two stops. Come in, pick up the kids on one side of the street, pick up the other kids on the other side of the street. We shouldn't be asking 5-year-olds to cross Lakew Walk a lot. We shouldn't. And I'll tell you, my daughter will never ever let her kids cross the road by themselves. they're just not going to do
it. It's just it's it's just not the right not the right answer to be told it won't be considered when I'm no other consider and I'm not I again emotionally you know it's tough for me because I I I
see the I as a grandmother I'm standing there cringing myself wondering what's going to happen one day when those people behind these buses are going to try to cr you know go past that bus. It's just just an accident waiting to happen. It really is.
>> So this morning it was very foggy out. So when you were standing at the bus stop, we lived the longest straightaway on Lake Walker Road. When you looked all the way down one end, you couldn't even see the turn. So anyone coming around that turn, if they're doing 60 like a lot of people do, they're not going to see that bus. Yeah. You know, they're
not going 40, they're going 60 miles an hour and they're going to finally see that bus. And when you look the other way, same thing. You couldn't even see the turn because of the fog. >> And actually his three-year-old tried to cross and the bus driver was yelling at him to, you know, >> my wife has with the stroller with the
my six-month-old and she's trying to cross the street with the stroller on one hand, the three-year-old in the other hand, and the 5-year-old walking on his own because she will not let him cross the street by himself. >> And just on another note, I am the one who convinced her to put the child on
the bus. She wanted to drive and I told her not to do it because I know from other parents that are doing it that it's it's I know what it's like at the schools. I' I she's got a lot of friends that are dropping their kids off. Um one of the moms is driving her kid for this
very reason. So I I just I'm asking for help um if someone to listen, someone to try to figure it out. Um >> they're taxpayers too. >> I just have to interrupt you because the time is up. There's two of you though. So you can swap off.
>> I I you know, I think you get the gist of what I'm saying. I I I didn't want to have to come here. I wanted it to try to be handled behind closed doors. I um this isn't my >> type of thing to do to come and complain. I haven't complained. And Joe
will tell you, I mean, I've known a lot of people on the board personally. I have I have never come here once in 42 years to complain about anything the board of ed has done, anything the school districts have done, and I've been >> We thank you for coming. you have every right to speak. So, don't don't don't feel badly about that at all. Um, we do
not do a back and forth at the podium. I don't know if you're aware, but we changed our our approach to that, but we have heard you and um, thank you for your >> I just want to say we moved in seven years ago and the buses we would watch them come through the neighborhood every day in the morning, afternoon, was great
because now we wouldn't have to go to Lake Walco Road. But I don't know when it stopped. two years ago on this >> because there weren't the kids there, you know, but now it's >> turn a timing issue, but the bus comes 10 to 15 minutes earlier than what they tell us every day. One day was 20
minutes early and one of the kids missed the bus. Now the parent had to put the kid in the car and I chased the bus down. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any other um people online or members of the public? Nope, nobody
online. >> Thank you. That ends public comment. Item R, open board member forum. Um, does anyone have anything for open board me? >> I do.
>> Um, first I I I appreciate the making more efficient the uh HIV and um moving digital and I think we can get a lot of data out there. I'm glad we have now a way uh of measuring and looking back
without having to manually do it. Um we can track trends like you're saying that that's that's really great. Um the other thing I I just want to mention that you talk about the STEM program for the for uh females. Um that is pretty pretty
awesome. I hope I hope my daughters are watching because they I expect them to be in it. But I really think that all the females should take advantage of this. Um, when I went to college, there was about four females in the uh in our
in our CS classes and we were always with the engineers because we all had a lot of math together. Uh, so there weren't that many females and we talk about AI nowadays and we're pulling AI into the district and it's all over the place and people talk about how AI is
biased or racist, sexist, what the reason why it's that it's that the AI is not itself but it's the people training it and when you don't have a whole demographic being able to program and and do it, those views never get in there. So it's not that AI can only
learn from what it's what's there. So this is this is awesome and I hope that hope the females really take advantage of this and and u move that program along because uh their their their input is needed. So everyone's input is needed. So when a when a demographic's missing and I've seen it in the industry
so it really it's really great. So I'm glad for that whoever got the grant and whatever your job >> Dr. Shep. Thank you. >> Yes. And then the other thing is um I think you've seen our with the back to school nights. I mean uh it's it's
amazing. I love it every year. Like there are the the community cares so much. We have I think they're well attended. I don't really go with the other districts just to see how they do. But for me there's always a line. There's people always waiting. I I know every parent that can make it tries to
make it. So I think you see the support that and love that we have in our community for our our district. Um and then on the flip side that um forgot what you call the meeting if I want to say the coronation but I know it's not the >> complication. Yeah.
>> So uh that was remarkable. I I've never we've talked about all the the staff members and it was amazing to you know and we talk about them individually. we're talking about teaching or we're talking about the custodial staff or we're talking about this or that grounds and stuff to see them all in one spot
and the care and and the excitement they have and I think your line was better together and you've been saying that a lot and how everyone worked together. It was remarkable and you even had the student the student uh student council uh up there representing it there too.
So everyone together it was just a remarkable thing. Um we had the the dedication. We had 25 year 25 year veteran leaving and a 30-year veteran teacher leaving. So, people stay here. They care about the district and uh it
was nice to see it all. So, good job. I'm glad I was get to be part of it this year. So, >> thank you. >> And I just want to say that um with that busing issue, we'll be looking into that, right? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Great. Um, any anyone else have
comments? >> Okay, >> I do. >> Oh, >> so this is uh Ebony is the seventh superintendent that I've had the pleasure of working with. >> Wow. >> I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your superintendent's report.
>> Your the the length is was not a it wasn't long at all, but it was in depth and I really enjoyed it and thank you. Encourage you to continue that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Joe, for saying that. Um, terrific. So, item S, adjournment. Uh, can I get a motion to
adjourn? >> Second. >> Second, Carl. >> We don't need another closed session. >> Uh, I don't believe we do, right? We were so efficient. We We need to discuss our meeting date, but we don't need that. >> We can do that through. >> Yeah, that's that's fine. I
>> second. >> Okay. Thank you. All in favor? >> I Thank you.