Good evening everyone. I would like to welcome you to the August 26, 2025 board meeting. We are calling the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. If everyone could please rise for the pledge of allegiance. United States
for all. Um, a reading of the minute notice. The New Jersey Open Public Meeting 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 interests is discussed or acted acted
upon. In accordance with the provision of the act, the Verona Board of Education has caused notice of this meeting to be published in the Star Ledger, posted with the Township of Verona and the Verona Education Association. Postings of this meeting setting forth the time, location, and
agenda were posted at the Verona Board of Education Office and on the Verona Public School District website. Copies of tonight's agenda and resolutions have been made available to the public via the Board of Education website. Mr.
Cruz, can you please call attendance? Mr. Walker, Mrs. Ferrara, Mrs. Prrisc, here. Mrs. Brazella here. Mr. Boon here. We have quum. Thank you.
Thank you. Um just for notice, Mr. Boon is appearing uh virtually today. Um can we please get a motion to approve the minutes? I'll second. Moved by Mr. Walka, second by Miss
Prrisco. Um any discussion? Okay, seeing none, can we please have uh roll call? Mr. Boon, yes. Mr. Walker, yes. Mrs. Ferrara, yes. Mrs. Prriscoll,
yes. Mrs. Rosella, yes. Motion carries. Thank you. And then moving on to superintendent report. Uh, Miss DJI, my report is fairly short tonight since we haven't been in school in a month and
a half, but we do have a presentation tonight that I'll, uh, um, take a little bit of time as well. So, um, at this time of the year, I always report on staffing and I'm very pleased to report that with regard to certified staff, we are fully staffed, um, going into next
week. Um, and there's a a little couple cautily staffed. There are two uh staff members that won't start because of their districts holding them until October. Uh, but we are in turn uh for the most part holding those positions uh
in district with the exception of one and we have one staffed with a long-term substitute versus a permanent uh while we search for a permanent position. Um, we are almost fully staffed with our power professionals. We How many did we need? Uh, two more, three to five more,
which is unheard of. Uh, and this it's uh really great and we probably need a couple of lunch aids and we always need substitutes. Um, we had yesterday and the day before we had new teacher orientation. We welcome we're welcoming 30 new staff members and that includes
Paris. Uh, we had 21 uh uh certificated staff at our new teacher orientation, new staff orientation. Um we they are it was a great two days. Um really proud of the people we hired and the interactions that we had with them and they're thought really thoughtful really um
going to be great additions to our our staff. Really happy about that. Tomorrow is our welcome back convocation and uh this year's theme is continuing the same theme as last year which is teaching on purpose with purpose. Um, and that's
very nuanced, but it really is just intentional uh intentional decision-m in your planning and teaching. Um, and and really looking at uh rigor and and getting uh our students in more rigorous learning environments more often. Um,
good news is that uh, US News and World Report uh, best high schools came out and uh, that's I I sometimes don't like the rating. New Jersey Monthly was a just a a shot in the dark because every
two years it came out and every two years the matrix was different. It was a moving target. US News and World Report is pretty consistent with the with the how they rate schools. And I'm very happy uh to announce that um BHS is 1462
out of 24,000 schools nationally, which puts us in the 94th percentile. Uh we are 69th out of 427 New Jersey high schools, which puts us in the 84th percentile. and 183rd out of more than 1,800 uh greater New York metro area
schools which puts us in the 90th percentile in that group and we beat you know on um yes so it was really exciting um to see um the movements that we're making and I'm very
very pleased with that. Um, and we, and another good news, we are finally replacing our band uniforms. Yes. Um, so we are on our third round of samples being sent to us because we thought we had them picked out and then we got the samples and they were not
really what we're looking for. So, Mr. Flood is working with Mr. Cogdale to come to a we agree on this style in this color because there's always a fight over which maroon is the veron. Like that's what it's going to be for like for a long time.
Yes. Like 30. Whatever color we get, it's just what it's gonna be. Yeah. Can I put a recommendation for not white pants? Uh we are looking at either black or maroon pants. Yeah. No, no white pants. Right.
And that's my report for tonight. So um we can move on to the business administrator's report and then the presentation. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cruz. the business administrator report please. Yes. Good evening everyone. Um I hope everyone's enjoying this last the last one.
Um two more two more meetings but um uh I know that this is the the last week of summer and and uh yeah so so really excited about uh welcoming students back. Our
buildings and grounds team has been working diligently to ensure that our buildings are safe. Uh the exterior of the our buildings are are are also um beautified and and welcoming u with fresh landscaping. Um and we're really
excited to welcome our our staff uh tomorrow and our students next week. Uh in finance, we do have uh in in the um agenda the June 30th report uh closing out the uh 2425 fiscal year. uh the
treasur's report and uh transfer reports all are in agreement. Um also last week we sent out a uh communication to all families regarding free uh free lunch applications including the income eligibility for the 2526 school year. Um
if I we we already started receiving um some of those applications families could uh send that via email uh to my office. they could drop it off at the board office or uh send it in on the first day of school uh and to ensure that it gets processed and updated on on
our side with our food service provider Ponian. Uh this year we're continuing using my school bucks for all meal accounts. Um there is a $3.50 transaction fee, online transaction fee. To avoid that fee, parents, guardians um
should actually write a check to the Verona Board of Education for the amount that they would like to load on their students um meal account and uh note it with their students name and their ID number um and send that in to their school, their respective schools. Um
that way they could avoid the $3.50 uh online transaction fee. uh the cafeteria manager will take that uh check and and we'll um update the account immediately the same day that they receive they could do that electronically or is that just not possible? Yeah. Not there there's still a fee.
There's still they could do a e checkek but they still charge but we have to have the parents go just do all that just to get that to to avoid the $3.50 transaction fee. That's that's the only option. And it will be um it will be a check or sending uh usually the high school they could
come in with cash and and put that and load up their accounts that way. If a parent wanted to send multiple I know this sounds like a silly question possibly, but if a parent wanted to send multiple checks in, are they allowed to do that as many times? As many as many times as they want. Because if you don't want to give like a $500 balance in your child's account to
cookies, then Exactly. If they only want to load up $50 into their account, keep using that. they could continue sending as many checks to load up the and then uh immediately the following day they should log in onto
their uh mill accounts and they they'll see the reflected updated balance reflecting the the deposit of of that um of that check and to avoid the fee for Chromebook insurance you can also send a check that's in that's in the information that
went out uh then I just want to end with a a personal note um before I conclude um as I transition out of Verona next month uh I just want to express my gratitude to
the board of ed uh also to this community over the past four years it's it's been truly a pleasure it's been I've been fortunate to work alongside uh dedicated leaders educators and families together um I've been able to we one of
the things that I love about Verona and is to be able to to create to create and think critically and be creative with the way that we operated. Uh um and found efficiencies in the in our in our fiscal challenges as and and every year
we were able to ensure that we had the least amount of impact on the classrooms. Ensuring that basically all the resources were put in in the place where it matters the most, which is actually with the students in our classroom. And I'm I'm really proud of that. I'm really proud of the work we've
done and um I'm really excited also for what's coming next and basically the the continuing growth of um the Verona community. So um with that, I just want to um say that um from the bottom of my heart. Um, I know that um that this is
also like a bittersweet moment for me, but I I I leave you guys in in good hands and I know that um the the next person to fill my shoes is going to take you guys to the next level and and we're looking forward to that. Um, with that, I this concludes my my uh report for
tonight. You can still you can still change your mind. We we do take back seats. Yeah. M uh Mr. Walk on the finance committee. I don't recall us approving Jorge's departure. Do you? I think I think it's a standout
argument. Kyle's here. Kyle agrees, too. Well, I just want to say thank you, Jorge, for your four years here in Verona. You have been truly um I mean, I'll repeat this back in September, too, but um you've been wonderful to work with, work for, and um thank you for
your time, and I wish you all the best in your new district. you will be greatly missed here by everybody. Um, you know, it's you take the time to explain stuff to people who don't understand like me.
I I there's a reason I went to law. Um, but you will be you will be missed. just, you know, your sense of humor and your ability just to, you know, listen, we we we were in a conference room till 3:00 a.m. once and we we managed to to
make it out alive. So, you know, I appreciate you very much. Thank you. Yeah, I think you've been a you've been a godsend for the district, an absolute boon. Um, I I think you changed the culture from a from a not so user
friendly to an incredibly user friendly experience um to the VA and the board secretary's office um for for every stakeholder like you know no matter what level they they come to you on. I just think you've been a class act. So yeah, thank you for
and then I'll go too. Um I thank you so much. Um I really have found myself over the past six months especially feeling so proud of the work that we've done in Verona and the way in which we were able to um work through our budget and hold on to all of our staff members and keep
all of our programs. Um so as you know a person in education hearing all the the fears and the job losses and things of that nature um the work that that we've been able to do I know myself I've been really proud and it's all because of the work that you've done. So, thank you.
And just to echo it from from this uh cube here on the on the virtual connection, um one of the reasons that I even wanted to be on the school board in the first place was an opportunity to learn and and Jorge, I know you're not a professional teacher, but the the beauty
with which you uh conducted your role, you did serve as an educator. As as the comments bear out, we all learned something. and and part of a successful leader is to educate for uh people to follow in your shoes. And I think you
really did an awesome job of educating us and uh laying the framework for future success and growth here. So, thank you. Thank you. And in my 33 and a half years in education, uh, I in public school in New Jersey, public schools in New
Jersey, um, you're my fifth BA that I've worked with, and this is by far the hardest budget I've ever had to deal with. And somehow, um, it goes smoothly every year. And it has to do with your attitude really is about making sure
that the money goes in the right spots, and that's with our kids. And thank you. You'll be missed, but I'm still angry at you. Just kidding. Okay. Um, moving forward, uh, we have,
uh, the NJPA presentation by, uh, Miss Marissa Arian, director of student counseling. Yeah. Hi everyone. Thank you um for having me and for my first but certainly not last
presentations district test coordinator for trusting me with that role. Um I'm excited to step in and make testing as smooth and painfree as possible for the students and staff at Verona. Um as all of you commented in your remarks for Mr. Cruz, um what we were able to accomplish
with the budget is reflected in things like what I will present tonight. um our students have excellent staff in front of them and tremendous resources available to them because of hard work like that. So, thank you to that. Congratulations to Mr. Cruz and best of luck. Um I am joined tonight by my
colleague, my outstanding colleague Laura Kohler, who's going to present on access results, but we'll start first with NJGPA. As a quick refresher, not that anyone needs it, but the NJGPA is the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment. Um, it is given to 11th
grade students in the spring of their junior year. Um, so while this is all dated 2025, I'll actually talking about the class of 2026 who begin their senior year in just a couple days. Um, it's designed to measure the extent to which students are prepared or graduation
ready in both English language arts and math. They're reported separately. ELA um, test standards through English 10 and math standards from algebra and geometry. Students need to achieve a minimum score of 725 on each component
in order to be deemed graduation ready by the state of New Jersey. If they are unable to achieve that score, we classify them as not yet graduation ready. Language matters and is so critical in our work every single day. Um it's not that they're not ready for graduation. It's just that we need to
keep working with them and working with them we do all of the time. So, I'll touch on that briefly, but they have other pathways that they can um utilize in order to achieve that graduation ready status. So, in the spring of 2025, Verona administered 159 um assessments,
the same in English language arts and math. Um 148 students were deemed graduation ready in ELA and 130 in mathematics. These are just the numbers. So, numbers in isolation don't mean a lot. um percentages might help
particularly in a small school but just over 93% of our students were graduation in ready in ELA and over 81 almost 82% in mathematics. I say numbers only tell portion of the story I think a comparison helps. So when we look at
where we were for the in 2024 which would have been our graduates in June the 2025 class versus our 2025 administration for our class of 2026. um ELA almost identical, which is really interesting. 93.2% of students in the
class of 2025 were graduation ready in spring of their junior year. And in the class of 2026, um 93.1%. So, it's really just a fraction of a percentage. The statisticians in the room, which is absolutely not me, um I'm
in counseling for a reason, but they will say that that's probably not even statistically meaningful. In mathematics, um, we saw really wonderful growth of over 9% of more of our students in the class of 2026 were graduation ready in the spring of their junior year than their counterparts the
year prior. Um, and we're really proud of that growth. Again, percentages in a small district don't mean much in isolation, even when we compare them. So, we always look to how are our state counterparts doing. As Miss Yu Shepy shared with us, we're doing really well.
According to lots of different reports and these numbers play that out comparatively to the state um where 82% of the class of 2025 and 81% of the class of 2026 were graduation ready. Um
our numbers play out pretty much um higher than that about where they're seeing growth of about decline of about one percentage point. we saw a negligible decline, but we were almost 12% higher than the state um
graduation readiness in ELA. In math, our story is even better. Only 55% of the state in 2024 was graduation ready of 11th grade students. It was 58%. So, the state saw some growth, but not nearly the amount of growth that we saw.
We grew at three times the rate that our 11th grade counterparts throughout the state did. So, we're exceptionally proud of that. It was a good year for our class of 2026. The notable achievements and what we have planned as intervention strategies.
First and foremost, we instituted a math lab. Um, through the advocacy of Mr. Cogwell, who has long recognized the need for this, and the extraordinary work of Mr. Patterson, who I can't speak highly enough, we had um a number of
junior students prep in a classroom with a teacher specifically for this exam, but not for the results of the exam, but saying, "We know that you're not yet graduation ready, and so we are going to use the information that's available to us and the budget and resources that
allow Mr. Patterson to do so and dedicate time to working with you." and we saw the fruits of that in our math scores. So, we are continuing that this year. Really excited to be able to do that. What's not reflected in this is of the students that are not yet graduation
ready. Um, you saw the list that there was about 40 students if you did the quick math in our class of 2026 that hadn't yet met either math or ELA or both. But the truth is we cut that number all the way down to 14 students when we look at students that have met
other pathways mostly the PSAT which again budgetarily we're really grateful that we offer the PSAT to 10 9th 10th and 11th grade students and they utilize those scores to demonstrate graduation readiness. So another great win for us
and I'm really excited to work continue to work with Laura um Kohler and as well as um Tanya Simmons. We have instituted portfolio development that will be happening inside the classroom for our junior students the spring of their junior year because that's the last
pathway that our students utilize and so we're going to incorporate that from the get-go because we know that some students may need that in their senior year. We won't be waiting any longer. So, a lot of really great things happening as always.
What's ahead? Dun dun dun. The state is changing it up on us again. So, this will be the last presentation on the NJGPA, first and last for me. Um, the state announced just last week that we are moving to the NJGPA adaptive
testing. I'm a huge proponent of adaptive testing. It should mean better scores for our students and more accurate reflection of their skills, but it means brand new for everyone else, including our staff and students. And we don't know a lot of details about that
just yet. So, we will do one last NJGPA assessment for three students in our graduating class that haven't yet taken the exam. So, we'll do that in the fall. Then, we will field test us and every other high school in New Jersey. We'll
try out the NJGPA adaptive in October. Um, and then the NJGPA adaptive exam will be the exam that's utilized in March for the class of 2027. So, changes ahead, but all good things. Um, and I'm confident that Verona will continue to
perform really well. And now Laura Kohler will talk a little bit about access results. Hi, good evening. Thank you so much for having me. I am Laura Kohler and I am very privileged to be able to work with our multilingual learners here in Verona
as well as to work alongside Miss Scazari previously known as Miss Boyan who was our multilingual teacher here in Verona. So we are excited that our multilingual population is growing. In the year 23 24 we had 30 students
identified as ML students. This previous year we had 38. Going into this school year, we have 43 students identified and we do anticipate that that number may increase throughout the school year. Our students speak 11 different languages with the primary language being Spanish
and Arabic. So, I'll speak briefly to the results of our access test from this past school year. We did administer the access test in February and March. And the access test measures students abilities to um speak, read, listen um
and write in English. In terms of the scores, similar to last year when we administered the assessment, our students performed better in the receptive areas of listening and in reading. They scored on average a 4.5 in
listening and a 3.5 in reading. In the expressive areas, we did see growth overall in our averages. They scored a three in speaking and a 2.9 in writing. So, we are really going to continue working with our students to continue to increase those scores, especially in speaking and in writing, which we know
develop later than listening and reading for those learning English. In terms of the strategies that we're using for our curriculum for our youngest learners in K through 5, we use the carousel curriculum, which is really thematic units. Um, and it focuses on
oral language development as well as explicit teaching of vocabulary. In middle and high school, we're using the Champion curriculum which hits on reading, writing, speaking, and listening and um is a very rigorous curriculum that we're using with our students. Last year, we were very
fortunate that West Orange kindly invited us to their sheltered English training with um Barbara Tedesco and DJ Franks who are complete experts in the field. It was actually their last training. They have now since retired. So we were extra grateful to be able to be there for that. And then we took what
we learned and taught it back to teachers during ed camp. So um Miss Gazari, Dr. Lanzo, Mr. Monaceelli taught our teachers who teach middle and high school and Miss Crystal Cruz who was a phenomenal preschool teacher and attended this SEI training with us taught our elementary uh teachers and
preschool teachers. We also provide our students, we've had more newcomer students to the district as of late. So we are providing them with more translation tools. Um we're using Google translate. We also have something called a pocket talk. So that
will provide students the opportunity to translate right on the spot. They can speak into the device. Their teacher can speak into the device and it will translate it to their home language um immediately for them. We also modify our instruction and we give students the opportunity for what we call trans
languaging. So, we really um value students primary and home language and so we give them opportunities to process the content both in their home language and as they're learning English. So, we're really looking forward to our new ML students as well as welcoming back
our old ML students and continuing to support them here in Verona. Thank you. You Thank you both. Now, moving on to our committee reports. Um, education, we met um yesterday. Was
that just yesterday? Oh, no, it was Monday. Today's Tuesday. That was just yesterday. Uh, Miss Per, you want to take it? Okay. So, it's the start of the year, so
we have a lot of things um to discuss. Um so just kind of starting with our acade academic enrichment. Um so that program will of course continue. Um it is extending into sixth grade. So now we'll offer it in both fifth and sixth grade at the middle school and
it'll be offered as a 45day cycle um in both grades. Uh the annual AP scholar awards will be November 11th. So mark your calendars for that for anyone who's looking for it. Um we had uh we offered again the splash support programs over
the summer. So, we had 43 students in math, 63 in ELA. Um, as far as some more dates to kind of make note of, we have um I guess this wouldn't necessarily be for the public, but DACK will convene on September 17th to review expectations
for observation and evalu evaluation uh instruments. So, this will align with um strategic and district goals to support teachers in that way. Uh professional development is also underway for mentors. um full staff orientation and new staff orientation.
Um we have a lot of curriculum that we're approving. Um so we had a discussion around that. I want to thank the teachers who took the time um to write curriculum because it is really a very important uh document for for teachers. Um and like everything for living documents. So we're continuing to
to kind of just look through that especially uh in our K5 ELA. This is a new year with a new program. Um so um you know we're kind of working through that as with everything else. Uh special education child posted their schedule of
events for the year. Uh there are two open CPAC meetings. One will be on October 15th the second on March 10th. Um and then um I I love both these programs. I'm so happy to to see that they're um being continued. So we have
the um continued training with the Ruters Bog Center for CBI which is the community- based instruction. So that training will continue and then also the district nurtured hearts approach. Um so teachers or staff members who have been trained will now turn key that to school
counselors and CSI members which is wonderful. Um, so that for I just, you know, I love to see that we're turnkeying a lot of these really great programs that we have to teachers. I
think that um not only does it empower those teachers who or staff members who um had the opportunity to to to learn these approach um but now it's kind of to turn key to to our other teachers. It's really I think where we see the
greatest results. So, I'm happy to see that. And I think that that was it. Is there anything else? Nothing else. Good. Thank you. Uh, moving on to facilities. Did you guys meet? Yeah. Uh, you want to take it, Mrs. Brisco? Um, when did we meet? I don't think we
met. Uh, we met uh about three weeks ago if I'm not mistaken. Oh, I don't have my notes on. Okay, I can I can I can take it. It was It was after the um It was before the July meeting. Oh, I'm sorry.
Yeah, I I have my stuff right here. U exc Yep. Um so um some of this uh overlaps a little tiny bit with um Mr. Cruz's presentation uh or comments as well as
it does with the finance. Um the uh tennis court uh overhaul is in progress or uh I shouldn't say overhaul but uh maintenance is in progress. Um the majority of the tennis lights are burnt
out. Uh this recall requires some um digging around to make that happen. Um and they uh facilities team is working with a vendor and received a PSNG
uh rebate um on the HVAC system tied to the uh uh to the VHS uh gym. Uh they're replacing the old roof rooftop condenser uh and one of the
um and also for one of the gym units in the main gym in the old unit which was uh burnt out. Um there uh Mr. Cruz, correct me on this part, but there is a a maintenance vacancy and you're looking for somebody specifically with HVAC
expertise. Um Mike correct on that? That's correct. Yes. Okay. And there's no update there yet. Correct. Uh no, still still vacant. We're we're still accepting applications right at the moment.
Okay. And to make this all uh work, uh there was discussion about getting a uh new maintenance uh truck. Um but uh uh Mr. Cruising uh company have uh figured
out a way to um get a couple more years of life out of uh the current truck uh with uh um an addition or a replacement of the Tommy gate for the truck. So hopefully this can be operable for
another uh couple of cycles. Um and then we are marching along on the uh file bank from those storage rooms. Um, this is largely completed. Uh, and again, uh,
as of August 4th, the company was that we contracted out was due to, uh, remove those documents. I believe that did take place. Correct. That's correct. Y. Okay. And then, um, Mrs. Verzalo, some
of this is what leaks over into the finance committee discussion. Uh the playground litigation is moving forward with a successful resolution on where we're going with the mediation. Um all sides will share an equal role in uh
getting this resolved. Um and we are doing some testing on um that have been favorable to the district. Uh and we will be getting a uh new contractor to ultimately get this replaced. Um, and
then two other quick things. Uh, the ROG grant, um, process is, uh, we're we're moving along. And again, Mr. Cruz, please lean in where I get this wrong. Um, we will be needing to, uh, have a capital
reserve transfer approval at some point. Um, we're trying to keep the cost uh under uh $1.9 million to get the most out of that ROG grant. Um, and hopefully we can begin work. Uh, again, this is
all tied to uh the HVAC systems. Uh, hopefully get this going by spring of 206. And finally, in facilities, uh, the Verona Public School trees assessment.
Um, this is a document uh proposal that we're we're still obtaining information on uh the shared service agreement with the township to provide uh tree service for the district instead of uh the vehicle service uh that we currently
have. And I have that right as well, Mr. Cruz. Correct. Uh yes that that was the discussion but um the the update on that is that uh the DPW does not um provide any tree service. So they actually also uh
contract uh tree removal. Um I guess it has to do with liability and and expertise and etc. So um so that so I think at this point we're we're going to keep things as they are and and um and and continue um doing what we're doing
and having this this the existing partnership that we have with uh the DPW. Okay, great. And um u Mr. Verszala as far as the finance committee uh we also met and everything there was
also uh largely mentioned in the facilities meeting and uh Mr. Cruz mentioned the uh free lunch application and the other uh financials and the audit prep as well. So that can also take care of the finance committee as
well. Thank you very much. The only thing I'll add is just an update on the playgrounds and if you want to jump in uh Mr. Cruz uh just so that the parents as we open up the school year understand that litigation is slow. Uh we had uh um an
independent uh um auditor I guess it was come out and do some drilling into the foundation of the of the playgrounds. um the the um manufacturer and installer uh would like to have their own independent review. So
that's going to slow down the process even further. So while we would love to get those playgrounds fixed, we are at the mercy of the courts and uh I'll put something out uh in writing because not the six people
watching this are not going to tell everybody. And and to be clear, um, in the last week of August, and to be clear, Mrs. Dppy, the the ultimate mediation does work in the district's favor. This is a lot of the technicalities that are holding the
things up. Yeah. Yeah. We um we fared well in the mediation, I believe. Um and and uh I don't want to get into it now because it's not completed. Um but we are happy with the way that was going. We're just uh the speed at which it goes is just right.
Thank you. Sounds good. Okay, moving on to public comments. If anyone has any public comments on agenda action items only, please come forward. Okay. Uh you will have three minutes to
address the board. Clearly state your first and last name for the record. Um if there's a question that could be answered, only the superintendent, board attorney, board president can respond. Good evening everyone. Um, just a couple sort of general more finance related
questions. B1, B2, Mr. Cruz, I'm curious if or anyone. Um, I'm curious how these numbers compare to what expectations were and what grants were received last year. Yes, great question. So for the title
funds, the SSM uh funds that we receive, uh there's a 8% um uh basically a drop of 8%. So So uh right now the total is about $106,000 total of uh uh asset. Uh I think we were
like around um 111. Uh the biggest hit was around the IDA and B2. uh IDA uh was also about 8% or which because the amount of IDA that we received is actually a lot bigger that impact um
there. So in total is about $16,000 of a difference but drop as far as making up the shortfall are we so what um in this case it just means because we're not really using this for
staffing um these funds are more uh programming costs. So, a lot of the IDA funds, special education goes to or out of district placement. Okay. Um, the difference gets picked up by basically tax levy funds. So, we're now
uh cutting into other special education programs in order to make up that difference. And the same thing for the the title funds we're cutting into uh intervention programs and things like that or supplanting maybe using other funds that we have on on the tax levy
end in order to continue those programs. The programs that were designed I think we when we budgeted we we only forecast 80% of the funds. So we do have that cushion to to basically that that 20% buffer to cover it. So, um, budget-wise,
we we're we're able to basically now kind of like utilize those funds and then say, "Okay, you know what? Let's plan professional development. Let's plan um these other uh programs that we have in place already." Okay. And one of the areas where we're recouping money is we are um doing
in-house professional development this year. So, our PD budget has uh been reduced. That will help cover that. And it's interesting that IDEIDA is what got hit harder because we were told uh last year that IDA would not be touched for this year
and it was. Is this the single like payment of these funds or is there another trunch paid out at some point later in the year? So the way that uh federal grants work is that um the school districts gets get
awarded. Uh so funds get awarded to the state, the state administers those funds to schools district but it's uh a reimbursement process. So the board has to basically spend the funds first and then and then we basic uh we recoup
those funds with a um a reimbursement request. Okay. So, as soon as um the funds are dispersed, meaning that we write the check, it clears, then at that point, I could say we spend $200,000, uh pay us up, and then it it's about a
month process to wait for that payment to come in. Thank you. And then, um E1, the general line item is quite large. I was curious if anyone could shed light on what the
at least the major costs were embedded in that number. So, E1 is the uh bills list. So, the um not sure online if we have that um but I if if it's if if it wasn't available online, I could definitely share that with you. But the general account,
that's where a lot of um general payments go out. So, for example, uh health benefits. Uh so each month is about half a million dollars. Uh so a big chunk of that is that also um out of district tuition, a lot of
tuition payments that um come out of the general uh account. And then also our um workman's comp, we we actually have to pay um uh one installment of 100,000 and then our property liability is almost about $400,000
for the and we have to pay that up front. Yeah. So so a lot of it it's like the initial like this one these are actually very heavy in the summer and it kind of like dies down. It's um normally uh the general what we our bills list is actually under a million
dollars um each month. So, so you'll see that um that difference that change in the three months going forward. Perfect. Thank you. No problem. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Moving forward, do we have any
discussion items? Old or new business to discuss? I have a couple things. Can I go? Okay. Um, so first I would like to um I attended the VHS marching maroon and white sneak peek of their performance on
last Friday night and I'm really excited to see them especially when they get their new uniforms. So they are great. And uh congratulations again to our high school cheerleaders. They and our Verona Eagles seventh and eighth grade
cheerleaders. They attended the Pine Forest uh camp out in Pennsylvania. Our high school cheerleaders took home the uh leadership award again for the second year in a row. And our um eighth grade students, seventh and eighth grade cheerleaders also. Um what was the
award? They placed three different and then was second place I think. Very good. So, congratulations to them and the coaching staff that takes them there each year. I think it's a great opportunity for our uh cheerleaders. Our
football opener is on the 28th on Friday. I would like to um congratulate uh Jello. Um, I nominated him for the unsung hero award
and um and he will be honored down at the New Jersey school boards. They selected him. So, um I'm really happy that he was chosen because if anyone knows, everyone knows Jay, right? So, he is just such a wonderful human and he's
just so dedicated to Verona, the board of ed, the community, everyone, everyone that meets Jay just has nothing but wonderful things to say about Jay. So, I'm really honored. Thank you for the letters of support um that came in for
him and I'm really happy to uh be there to honor him. Um, oh, I meant to say the game is on Thursday. Sorry. Thank you. Football game openers Thursday in West Orange. They're playing another team, not West Orange. Um,
and all the staff. I wish everybody a good year back to school. Um, I would just also like to um, you know, say to our HBW staff, um, it's going to be tough for all of you and I, I'm sorry for your
loss and, um, you know, we are all thinking of you guys when you all go back to school with with one of your staff members not there. So, um, again, I wish everyone a good year going back and I really my heart goes out to the HB
staff members and administration. And last but not least, um Denise, this is her last meeting if anyone doesn't realize know that, but um we are going to miss you. Um congratulations on
your new career job and promotion. Um that makes you not be able to sit with us anymore. So I just wanted to We have flowers that are over there. Um but thank you really. Well, you will be missed, but thank you
for all your time and dedication to Verona. You get to go first. Um, so with Denise, I feel like you and I started this journey together in a lot of ways during election season. Um, and it has been such an honor to work with
you. Um, to have this experience with you and to call you my friend. You are um, a wonderful person and you have just been really um, again a great team member on the board. So, while I was hoping our last meetings would be
together in December, you you jump ship a little earlier, but um really it's just been a pleasure and um I know that our relationship and friendship will continue, but good luck in in everything that you're doing moving forward. Gonna sneak out just
Denise, you could also change your mind. like you can't no mal started moving farther and farther away from you and then she left. So yeah, I don't blame her for that. Um but
yeah, you're A+ level board member. You're you're as good as we're we're going to get. So we're we're very appreciative. It's it stinks. It's your last meeting. Um, you know, philosophically, if if this was something that happened in like February or March, I I would
recommend that this board look to to fill the replacement. But because it's so late at the in the calendar year and we have an election coming up, what November anyway, you know, I'm going to abstain from voting from for any candidate that that would want to come.
And I I I'd recommend this board reaches out to the county super and says we'd like to just let the will of the people um dictate who the next you know board members are going to be. Um but you know it's going to be what it's going to be. Um but I think you did a a really as
good a job as could possibly be done and you know even though you're a little bit violent sometimes uh I I'm always happy to sit next to you. So thank you Denise. Thank you. I Yeah, I like I said, I I intended on just kind of sliding out and
just letting it go, but I Yes. And in case people don't know, I this is my last board meeting. Um I had an opportunity that was supposed to take two to three months to come to fruition that came through in
two weeks. Um, and you know, I I just had to uh unfortunately leave a little sooner than I had anticipated. Um, I appreciate every person that is sitting around this table and I'm glad that Kyle is here as well. We are
missing Ryan. I do wish that he was here. How dare he? But um, but I will reach out to him before my email gets shut down. But um, I I do appreciate everybody. I consider all of you my friends and um I
will be here to help the board in any way I can as a resident in a Verona and a parent. I have two children. Do I get three minutes for each kid? Um but um I will be here. Um don't
worry, you'll see me in those green seats occasionally, you know. Um I I don't intend on um disappearing completely. Um I will be there at graduation in 2027. Although maybe I'll come first, Charlie.
And um so I it has been a great almost three years and I will miss being on the board. Um, I am so happy that Sina and Matt are joining probably I mean it's like 99% sure I was. Um Um I think that
you don't blow it in the next few weeks. Okay. Um I just it's it is a great um it's a it's a great thing. It's it's a good feeling when you um are working
hard together to better um your community and um I I will miss it, but I will uh get involved in other ways. So, thank you. I want to thank you too, Denise, because this is the hardest job that you don't get paid for and you do it like you get
a $100,000 salary. So, it really and I've worked with many board members in the 14 years as a superintendent. Um, and uh, it doesn't get much better. It doesn't get better at all than having you on the board. And you will be missed. Thank you for your service.
My pop. I lost my kid. I can't keep the pop. I already did them. Okay, so moving on. Do we have any correspondence? No. No correspondence.
Thank you. And then moving on to our action items. Can I get a motion for personnel A1 through Do you want me to do this one first? Any Do you want me to do this resolution first?
Oh yeah, do that one first. And I forgot. Okay. I move that we pass a resolution as follows. Resolution. Whereas a dispute exists between the parents of a classified student and the district regarding the appropriate program and placement of their child.
And whereas the parties have negotiated a settlement agreement resolving all disputes between them. And whereas the settlement agreement is in the best interest of the district and will avoid the cost and un uncertainty of litigation in this matter. And it hereby
it is hereby resolved that this 26th day of August 2025, the board approves the settlement agreement attached here as exhibit one confidential student information. And it is further resolved that with approval of this agreement, district
officials are hereby authorized to take all steps necessary to execute and officiate the terms of this agreement. Can I have a second? I'll second. Okay. So second by Mr. Yep. Any discussion?
Mr. Cruz, if you could please call roll. Mr. Walker. Yes. Mrs. Par. Yes. Mrs. Frisco. Yes. Mrs. Frazzella. I'm refusing. Mr. Boon. Yes.
Motion carries. Mr. Frisco. And now moving on to personnel A1 through A7 17. I'll move it moved by Mr. Walker. Second by Mr. Boon. Any discussion? Okay, seeing none, Mr. Cruz, when you're
ready, can we please have roll call? Mr. Walker? Yes. Mrs. Ferrara? Yes. Mrs. Prrisco? Yes. Mrs. Rosado? Yes. Mr. Boon? Yes. Motion carries. Moving forward to education B1 through
B17. Can I get a motion? I'll motion that. Uh motion by Miss Frisco. A second. Second by Miss Fer. Can I Any discussion, please? Seeing none, can I please get roll call?
Mr. Walker, yes. Mrs. Fra, yes. Mrs. Frisco, yes. Mrs. Pella, yes. Mr. Boon, yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Moving forward to athletics
and co-curricular. Can I get a motion for C1 through C4? So moved by Mrisco, second by Mr. Boon. Any discussion? Please get roll call.
Mr. Walker, yes. Mrs. Ferrara, yes. Mrs. Prisco, yes. Mrs. Pella, yes. Mr. Boon, yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Moving forward to facilities. Okay, I got a motion for D1 and D2.
So move moved by Mr. Boone, second by Mr. Walker. Any discussion? Seeing none, can we please get roll call? Mr. Walker, Mrs. Far? Yes. Mrs. Prisco? Yes.
Mrs. Frisa? Yes. Mr. Boom? Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. And then moving forward to finance. Uh, can I get a motion for E1 through E6? I'll move that. Moved by second.
Krisco, second by Mr. Walka. Any discussions? Seeing none, uh, can we please get roll call? Mr. Zaka, yes. Mrs. Fra, yes. M. Mrs. Prisco, yes. Mrs. Brazal, yes.
Mr. Boom, yes. Motion carries. Thank you. And then moving forward to governance. Can I get a motion for F1? I'll move that. Moved by Miss Prrisco. I'll second. Second by Mr. Waka. Any discussion?
Seeing none, can we please get roll call? Mr. Walker, yes. Mrs. Ferrar, yes. Mrs. Priscoll, yes. Mrs. Brazella, yes. Mr. Boom, yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Um, and now we will open up to public comments. If anyone in the
public has any item they wish to discuss, please come forward uh to the podium and once recognized, clearly state your first and last name for the record. You have three minutes to address the board. Seeing no one coming forward, um, can we
please have a resolution to adjourn? Oh, not a resolution, a motion to adjurnn. This Moved by Mr. Boo, second by Miss Prrisco. All those in favor? I
I Okay, so it is 8:02 p.m. The meeting is adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 9th, uh with the regular meeting at 7 and confidential at 6. Thank you very much everybody.